Situated just south of Denver, Colorado Springs sees its fair share of visitors throughout the year. Many travelers know the city is home to well-known destinations like the Air Force Academy and attractions like Pike's Peak and the Garden of the Gods, but what most people don't know is that it's a surprisingly family-friendly city. Many of the local attractions are well-suited for the whole family with many of them being free, and with a little planning, it's easy to incorporate a couple into your plans to ensure your little ones have a good time.

Not sure what kid-friendly activities there are to enjoy in Colorado Springs? Here are just a few of my favorites:



VISIT CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOO
This unique zoo is a must-see for anyone who passes through Colorado Springs, whether you're a kid or an adult! Rated among the top five zoos in the nation, it's easy to see why Cheyenne Mountain Zoo holds the title. It's home to over 800 different species and is most known for its giraffe exhibit, which is the largest of any zoo in the world. You can actually feed the giraffes while you're there - if you visit, you can't miss it! In addition to the various animal exhibits, little ones can enjoy play areas scattered throughout the park.

EXPLORE SPACE
If your kids are into space exploration, then the Space Foundation Discovery Center in Colorado Springs is the place to be. It is an interactive, education-focused destination that advances science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) in the exciting context of space exploration, development, and utilization


EXPLORE CAVE OF THE WINDS MOUNTAIN PARK
Exploring a cave may not sound like a prime vacation activity with kids, but Cave of the Winds will change your mind. You can take guided cave tours, where you'll learn about the ancient formation of caves, the formations that exist within them, and the history of the Manitou Springs area where they're located.

There's also tons of fun to be found here above ground! After all, it's a mountain park, too. There's a ropes course, a high-flying aerial attraction, a climbing wall, a virtual reality experience, and more to enjoy.

MARVEL AT THE BROADMOOR SEVEN FALLS 
Who doesn't love a good waterfall? The Broadmoor Seven Falls is considered one of the most majestic waterfalls in Colorado, cascading 181 feet down a narrow canyon. It's a brief walk down a paved trail to witness the falls in person.

While you're there, let the thrill-seekers in the family have a little fun on Soaring Adventures, a zip-line course that sends you soaring over the falls and other beautiful scenery below.


VISIT SANTA'S WORKSHOP
Which kid wouldn't enjoy visiting Santa and Mrs. Claus all year round? Well, you can at the North Pole in Colorado Springs, complete with a real working North Pole post office in Santa's Village. In Santa's home, kids can have their pictures taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus earlier than Christmas and enjoy the amusement park, complete with various rides. Santa's permanent home is open from Mid-May through Christmas Eve and closed January through May to allow Santa and his elves to rest up after delivering all those gifts at Christmas.

EXPERIENCE THE MANITOU SPRINGS PENNY ARCADE
If your kid loves video games, show them what gaming used to be like with a trip to the Manitou Springs Penny Arcade. While you won't find many games that truly cost a penny, you will find old-school pinball machines, skeeball, and other classics. Little ones will get a kick out of the coin-operated ride - you'll find 80 different options onsite!


INDOOR KART RACING
For those looking for the thrill of racing without the fear of a speeding ticket, Overdrive Raceway is the place for you. There you can experience the thrill of indoor electric go-karts on Formula One style tracks for both kids (age 6+) and adults alike. Take a ride around the tracks with karts that can max speeds of up to 50mph. And for the more adventurous, you can book a Lamborghini Experience around road courses in Colorado Springs.

PLAY SOME MINI-GOLF
When it comes to finding vacation activities for the whole family, mini-golf is a classic. In Colorado Springs, Lost Island is the best spot in town to enjoy a game or two of 18-hole mini-golf. It's also a great spot to go with little ones who need to burn off some energy, as there's a great indoor play area designed for kids eight and under.


These are just a few of the many kid and family-friendly things to see and do in the Colorado Springs area! Add a few to your itinerary the next time you're in town with kids, and you'll be surprised to see how much fun the whole family has together.

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Sustainability is a practice that primarily focuses on meeting the present needs without compromising the ability of generations of the future to meet their needs. The fashion industry is currently working towards sustainability after an outcry from activists, consumers, and others. As the fashion industry is making moves towards sustainability, we the consumers also need to partake in the process. Below are a few ways through which you can become fashionably sustainable.


QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
Investing in high-quality pieces is one of the primary ways in which you can become fashionably sustainable. Doing so will save you a lot of money in the long run because you do not have to keep replacing the products. By investing in handmade pieces made of high quality, you can guarantee basically they’ll last.

Artisian Italian retailers, like Mirta, have heavily invested in sustainability thanks to making handmade handbags only by demand and not using more materials than they need to. This is an example of how the future of fashion production should be, extra stock not only is very costly to brands, but also to the environment.

RESEARCH WHERE TO BUY YOUR PIECES
Another way in which you can become fashionably sustainable is by carefully selecting the brands and companies from which you buy. A lot of brands unfortunately use sweatshops in foreign countries to produce their clothes (H&M, Primark, etc). This means these retailers don’t pay their workers properly, leave them overworked, make then stay in factories to work even with the coronavirus ravaging within the building, and not to mention use child labor. Various companies now are trying to eliminate these types of factories from their production chain and alternate for factories with proper conditions. Take a look or don’t be afraid to ask retailers where their pieces come from.

REPAIR THINGS INSTEAD OF TOSSING THEM AWAY 
There is no shame in repairing a piece that has been damaged as long as the damage is not very severe. For instance, a bag with a broken zipper can easily be repaired by replacing the zip. Instead of tossing the entire bag away, you can get a replacement zip and have it repaired. Another instance is if you rip your pair of jeans. In such a case, you can either use a new piece of material and form a fashionable pattern or use the rip to make the jeans rugged. By doing so, you will be practicing sustainability while at the same time avoiding spending extra money on a new piece!

SHOP VINTAGE
Vintage shops have a significant importance in the fashion industry, not only for sustainability purposes but also for style. These shops procure pieces that were trendy in the past and those that were manufactured a long time ago and sell them. They, therefore, help foster sustainability in the fashion industry. The fact that “old is new” is a popular trend in the industry also makes this a good move.


The fashion industry has been named the second most polluting industry in the world. Thus, it is crucial for all stakeholders in the industry, including consumers, to take accountability and practice sustainability.

Doing it yourself is a great way to save money, especially if you are improving your home or making a craft. Like a painter that has a plethora of paintbrushes, DIYers need essential tools in their toolbox. With these essentials you can accomplish any DIY task you can find on the internet. Here are some basic tools to keep in your arsenal.


HAMMER
Even if you are not a DIYer, having a hammer in the house is beneficial no matter what. You cannot use a nail without a hammer. You cannot nail pictures on the wall without a hammer. Hammers can also be used to apply sudden pressure to something like breaking up plaster walls or knock a wooden frame into place. Ready-to-assemble furniture can be way easier to put together with a hammer, saving you time and money.

SCREWDRIVER
A trusty screwdriver is a perfect thing to have in your home, especially as a DIYer. You need screws to hold things like furniture, lamps cabinet doors, outlet covers, doorknobs, and most things around the house together. If there is anything damaged in the home that requires fixing, you will need a screwdriver to remove the screws. You will be reaching for a screwdriver the most to do things like putting together furniture or replacing old electrical outlets.

ADJUSTABLE WRENCH
Not everything is attached with screws. In those instances, they are typically held together by loosening and tightening nuts and bolts. This is where your adjustable wrench will come into play. Because you are able to change the size and grip of the wrench, you can hold onto nuts of a variety of sizes. There are plenty of wrenches to choose from. Click here to visit the website to find out more.


UTILITY KNIFE
You can use these to do any cutting job. Whether you are opening a box, trimming wallpaper, or opening packaging, your utility knife will be a good thing to have handy. What makes a utility knife different from grabbing a kitchen knife is that the blade is stored inside the handle. You do not have to worry about accidentally cutting yourself. They are relatively cheap and can be found anywhere they sell home goods.

PUTTY KNIFE
This is also referred to as a scraper. You can use this to apply and smooth wood putty or spackle, scrape off paint or wallpaper as well as remove caulk around a tub or window. This can also be used to open a can of paint or putty. There are so many ways you can use this putty knife, which is why it is considered important to keep in your toolkit. Use this tool to repair your own walls instead of hiring someone to take care of it for you.

PLIERS
Pliers are an excellent thing to have because they can grip and grasp things much harder than you can. The metal teeth and the long handles make it the perfect tool. You can use these to loosen nuts, pull out nails, straighten bent power plugs, remove plumbing fixtures and pinch wires together for splicing. There are many types of pliers to choose from. Opt for locking pliers that way you can have both hands free to do apply pressure to what you are trying to hold together with pliers. You could also opt for needle-nose pliers if you are trying to get into tight, small places.


HANDSAW
You may think having a handsaw is uncalled for, but they are extremely useful for making quick cuts in wood. This is perfect for a DIYer. You can create any wooden craft by using a handsaw. Whether you are making a treehouse or a birdhouse, you will likely need a handsaw. There are many handsaws to choose from as there are traditional western saws, Japanese saws, pruning saws, and pull saws. Keep in mind the teeth in a handsaw when searching for one. Six to eight teeth per inch are ideal for rip cuts.

TAPE MEASURE
Having accurate measurements will make all the difference in your DIY projects. A good tape measure will allow you to properly check the size of pipes, the distance between your pictures, determine the area of a wall you are planning to paint. There are tons of things that you need a tape measure for and there are plenty to choose from. Typically for your DIY projects, you will get the most use of locking and retracting tape measures. These will allow you to easily measure things while keeping your hands free to do other things, like jotting down those measurements.

Are you looking for children book series that feature black main characters? You've come to the right place because I have a list for you!

This post may contain affiliate links. That means that I receive a small commission when you make a purchase at NO additional cost to you.

When I wrote and shared my post on books for black children written by black authors on Instagram, I received a message asking about children's book series recommendation. Believe it or not, there are many children book series that feature black characters.

I remember my first book series as being Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys and I devoured them because they were all I had. My eldest daughter grew up reading Junie B. Jones, Ramona, and The Babysitter's Club, while my son Kyle read Goosebumps, and Mikael, Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Madison, on the other hand, began her series at school with the Magic TreeHouse.

Now don't get me wrong, these are all great books, but the one thing they didn't feature was characters that looked like my kids. There was no representation at all. So I made it my mission to find a book series that featured black main characters. So when I was asked about recommendations, I had quite a few because I had already started Madison's collection.

So what are my recommendations for children's book series featuring black main characters? Here are 10! Each description is taken from book 1 to give you an idea of the series.


BRIANNA JUSTICE aka PRESIDENT SERIES by Sherri Winston
(3 book series)
Age Level: 8-12

Start counting your votes . . . and your friends.
When Brianna Justice's hero, the famous celebrity chef Miss Delicious, speaks at her school and traces her own success back to being president of her fifth-grade class, Brianna determines she must do the same. She just knows that becoming president of her class is the first step toward her own cupcake-baking empire!

But when new student Jasmine Moon announces she is also running for president, Brianna learns that she may have more competition than she expected. Will Brianna be able to stick to her plan of working with her friends to win the election fairly? Or will she jump at the opportunity to steal votes from Jasmine by revealing an embarrassing secret?

This hilarious, heartfelt novel will appeal to any reader with big dreams and the determination to achieve them.


MIA MAYHEM SERIES by Kara West (Madison's favorite series.)
(9 book series)
Age Level: 5-9

Meet Mia Macarooney, an ordinary eight-year-old who finds out she has an extraordinary super-secret in this first chapter book in the brand-new Mia Mayhem series!

Mia Macarooney is a regular eight-year-old girl who finds out that she's A SUPERHERO! Her life literally goes from totally ordinary to totally super when she's invited to attend the afterschool Program for In-Training Superheroes, a.k.a. THE PITS! And the crazy thing is, in a weird meant-to-be sort of way, all of this news somehow feels super right. Because all her life, Mia thought she was just super klutz...but it turns out, she's just SUPER! So now, it's up to Mia to balance her regular everyday life and maintain her secret identity as she learns how to be the world's newest superhero!


MAGNIFICENT MYA TIBBS SERIES by Crystal Allen
(2 book series)
Age Level: 8-12

Nine-year-old Mya Tibbs is boot-scootin' excited for the best week of the whole school year—SPIRIT WEEK! She and her megapopular best friend, Naomi Jackson, even made a pinky promise to be Spirit Week partners so they can win the big prize: special VIP tickets to the Fall Festival!

But when the partner picking goes horribly wrong, Mya gets paired with Mean Connie Tate—the biggest bully in school. And she can't get out of it.

Good gravy.

Now Naomi is friend-ending mad at Mya for breaking a promise—even though Mya couldn't help it—and everyone at school is calling Mya names. Can Mya work with Mean Connie to win the VIP tickets and get her best friend back?


JADA JONES SERIES by Kelly Starling Lyons
(4 book series)
Age Level: 6-8

When Jada Jones's best friend moves away, school feels like the last place she wants to be. She'd much rather wander outside looking for cool rocks to add to her collection, since finding rocks is much easier than finding friends. So when Jada's teacher announces a class project on rocks and minerals, Jada finally feels like she's in her element. The only problem: one of her teammates doesn't seem to like any of Jada's ideas. She doesn't seem to like Jada all that much, either. Can Jada figure out a way to make a winning science project and a new friend?


KEENA FORD SERIES by Melissa Thomson
(3 book series)
Age Level: 6-8

Keena Ford doesn't mean to be a troublemaker, but sometimes things get out of hand. Lucky for her, it's the beginning of the second grade, and Keena's got a clean slate. So when her new second-grade teacher, Ms. Campbell, mistakenly thinks it's her birthday and brings in a huge chocolate cake, Keena realizes that she's gotten herself into a sticky situation. She knows she has to tell the truth, but it's not easy to turn down her very own birthday cake and a chance to wear a sparkly crown. How will Keena get out of this mess?


DYAMONDE DANIEL SERIES by Nikki Grimes
(4 book series)
Age Level: 7-9

Dyamonde Daniel may be new in town, but that doesn't stop her from making a place for herself in a jiffy. With her can-do attitude and awesome brainpower, she takes the whole neighborhood by storm. The only thing puzzling her is the other new kid in her class. He's grouchy - but Dyamonde's determined to get to the bottom of his attitude and make a friend.
Jada Jones


SUGAR PLUM BALLERINAS SERIES by Whoopi Goldberg
(6 book series)
Age Level: 6-10

Alexandrea Petrakova Johnson does not want to be a beautiful ballerina, and she does not want to leave her friends in Apple Creek. Unfortunately, that doesn't stop her ballet-crazy mother from moving them to Harlem or enrolling Al at the Nutcracker School of Ballet. Life is hard when you're the new ballerina on the block, and it's even harder when you're chosen to be the Sugar Plum Fairy in the school recital!


JADEN TOUSSAINT, THE GREATEST SERIES by Marti Dumas
(5 book series)
Age Level: 5-10

Giant Afro. Even Bigger Brain.

Jaden Toussaint, 5-year-old scientist, and all-around cool dude, is on a mission to convince the grown-ups that he needs more SCREEN TIME. His only weapons are science, ninja dancing, and his super-powered brain power. Can Jaden Toussaint get the grown-ups to change their minds?


TRACK SERIES by Jason Reynolds (Author)
(4 book series)
Age Level: 10+

Ghost. Lu. Patina. Sunny. Four kids from wildly different backgrounds with personalities that are explosive when they clash. But they are also four kids chosen for an elite middle school track team—a team that could qualify them for the Junior Olympics if they can get their acts together. They all have a lot to lose, but they also have a lot to prove, not only to each other but also to themselves.


CLUBHOUSE MYSTERIES SERIES by Sharon M. Draper
(6 book series)
Age Level: 8-12

Four boys who call themselves the Black Dinosaurs, find themselves involved in exciting mysteries around their town.

Ziggy and his friends Rico, Rashawn, and Jerome call themselves The Black Dinosaurs and share exciting adventures. In The Buried Bones Mystery, the boys build a clubhouse in Ziggy's backyard, where they uncover a box of bones while digging to bury their secret treasures. But when the boys try to hide their treasures, they're swept up in a mystery more intriguing—and scary—than anything they could have imagined. Who could have buried a box of bones behind their clubhouse?


*BONUS*

TWO NAOMIS SERIES by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich & Audrey Vernick
(2 book series)
Age Level: 8-12

Other than their first names, Naomi Marie and Naomi Edith are sure they have nothing in common, and they wouldn't mind keeping it that way.

Naomi Marie starts clubs at the library and adores being a big sister. Naomi Edith loves quiet Saturdays and hanging with her best friend in her backyard. And while Naomi Marie's father lives a few blocks away, Naomi Edith wonders how she's supposed to get through each day a whole country apart from her mother.

When Naomi Marie's mom and Naomi Edith's dad get serious about dating, each girl tries to cling to the life she knows and loves. Then their parents push them into attending a class together, where they might just have to find a way to work with each other—and maybe even join forces to find new ways to define family.


We hope that our list of book series featuring black main characters would get your kids to enjoy reading. There's nothing better than being represented in books, especially in a book that continues the stories, such as these chapter books do. These are perfect for the beginner reader, and those that can't get enough of books. So check out my Amazon Storefront and get your kids' book series collection started today.

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A few months ago, a trip to the doctor and a visit with the scale showed that I was overweight. While not morbidly obese, my BMI was not where it was supposed to be, and my doctor recommended that I try losing weight. After chatting with a close friend of mine, I decided to join a weight loss program to aid in my weight loss journey. When in the process of losing weight, you may think you are doing everything according to the book: eating well and exercising - yet the scale doesn't seem to move in the right direction. This might simply be the fault of following old and misguided dietary advice.

Despite your best efforts, you may unknowingly be making a mistake with your weight loss decisions. Because I really want you to succeed and get the silhouette of your dreams, I have prepared a list of basic diet plan mistakes and ways in which you can avoid them. Without further ado, let's get into it!


NOT ENOUGH PROTEIN
Getting enough protein in your diet daily is one of the most crucial elements of weight loss. Protein has been proven to aid in losing weight in several ways; it reduces appetite, increases the speed of your metabolism, and leaves you feeling fuller for longer after a meal. Not including enough protein is a common mistake people make during their weight loss journey, as they associate it only with muscle mass.

It is also harder for vegans and vegetarians to supply enough protein, which is why it is recommended to go for protein supplements. A nourishing diet is all about mathematics, so if you are not hitting the mark on protein, turn to experts from the supplement reviews and find the right supplement for you.

TOO FEW OR TOO MANY CALORIES
Not eating enough or eating too much is the number one reason for your weight loss, not progressing, and it seems like eating too little is far more common among people on a diet. A calorific deficit is a reason behind losing weight in the first place, so the idea of having too big of a deficit can be tough to swallow. Research suggests that the required deficit to lose weight varies between people, based on their genetics, health, and lifestyle.

Under or overestimating how much you consume could be the reason behind your metabolism turning against you. Buy yourself a food scale and try to estimate your calories as precisely as possible. Download a dedicated app to help you track your meals.


HAVING MANY DIET AND LOW-FAAT FOODS IN YOUR FRIDGE 
When you decide to lose weight, the first natural thing to do is swap all of the foods you have to their diet or low-fat versions to make the transition easier for you and still eat the foods that you are familiar with. Generally speaking, low-fat or diet products are considered a good choice for weight loss. However, they may have the opposite effect, as such food items are usually higher in sugar to stay low-fat.

Rather than keeping you full and nourished, some dietary food products can make you feel hungrier because of the sugar inside and result in you eating more. It is recommended that instead of diet and low-fat foods, go for minimally processed, wholesome products.

NOT ENOUGH FIBER
A diet that is low in fiber can also contribute to your scale not being able to change its results. Fiber is essential for the proper digestive system, and it helps to make you feel full by holding more water. When you consume foods rich in fiber on a daily basis, some of the calories that you have consumed are not absorbed, which results in your healthy bowels and lower weight.

TOO MUCH FAT ON A LOW-CARB DIET
These days, the popularity of a low-carb diet is at its highest level, and many people seek help in this method to get their weight down to the level they wish for. The ketogenic diet can be beneficial when you are in the middle of your weight loss journey, but you should be very conscious of the number of fats that you are consuming when on a low-carb diet.

Even though low-carb or ketogenic diets help minimize hunger and calorie intake at the same time, adding too much fat might slow down weight loss or even prevent it.


Conclusion 
Losing weight is a challenging time in your life, as it involves a lot of time, effort, and focus on getting to the finish line. However, if you find yourself stuck in your weight loss journey, please do not give up on yourself. Find the mistake that you are making and eliminate it, and soon you will find yourself seeing the perfect number on the scale. Good luck with your journey to a healthier you!

A beautiful yard will add tremendous beauty and value to your property. There is no shortage of plants that you can grow in the yard to match the outer décor of your home and personal preferences. However, these plants need to be well taken care of to thrive and continue adding elegance to your home.

Here are quick and simple tips on how to take care of a yard like a professional.


PRUNING SHOULD BE DONE IN EARLY SPRING AND WINTER
Early spring and winter is the best time to prune the hedges and shrubs in your yard. If you are yet to do this, get in action and cut any broken or disfigured branches caused by ice and snow during winter. The unwanted lower branches that make your evergreen shrubs and trees look bad should also be pruned in late winter.

However, it is important to note that while the best time to prune shrubs and trees is during early spring or late winter, this does not apply to all – flowering shrubs are an exception. Ideally, the decision on when to prune is dependent on when the shrub blooms.

Summer flowering shrubs should be pruned towards the end of the winter season or early spring before any new growth sprouts. Some of the shrubs in this category are panicle hydrangeas, roses, butterfly bush, and smooth hydrangeas.

On the other hand, the spring-flowering shrubs should be pruned after the spring flowers fade. They bloom on old wood and if you prune them early, you will be cutting off their buds. Examples of spring-flowering shrubs are mophead hydrangeas, wisteria, lilacs, and azalea.

Pruning shears are the best tools for pruning not only yard shrubs but also flowers, vines, and small growths on landscaping trees.

WORK ON AGGRESSIVE WEEDS EARLY
Invasive and aggressive weeds will compete for nutrients and water with your desired shrubs and flowers. Their growth will be boosted by the long daylight hours during summer and their roots will be difficult to uproot.

Here are some expert tips on how to minimize weeds in your yard.

• Skip fertilization during spring
• Desist from mowing too short
• Devote a section of your yard to wildflowers
• Allow mow clippings to return to the lawn

There is a wide array of organic and traditional pre-emergent herbicides that you can use to get rid of the weeds. The best time to apply it is when the temperature in the top one inch of the soil has been 55 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 days consecutively. This is based on the fact that most weeds begin to germinate at this temperature.

One of the tools that you can use is a rear tine tiller to ensure all the weeds are uprooted. The market has a plethora of them and they vary in shapes/kinds/types/ and brands. Here is an informative article will all the information you need to find the best rear tine tiller in the market.

If you spot weeds during spring, consider spraying a post-emergent herbicide. The broadleaf weed killer should not be applied until late spring after they have flowered. It is also important to note that weed killers are most effective when applied in every section of the yard evenly.


KEEP IT CLEAN BY PICKING UP FALLEN LEAVES 
Cleaning up leaves that fall as well as branches is not a simple task especially if you have many trees in the yard. You do not have to strain yourself to pick every leaf that falls from the shrubs or trees – a litter leaf litter will act as a mulch and will add nutrients to the soil once they decompose.

The heavy piles of leaves and other forms of debris should be removed as they can cause mold and infect the healthy plants with diseases. If you have perennial beds in the yard, it is recommended to cut the used stems during warm weather conditions.

Beneficial insects such as ladybug and lacewings tend to hide in leaf litter as well as hollow plant stems. They will rise and shine when the temperature is warm and daylight increases. If you cannot wait, go ahead and cut the spent plant stems and place them at the edge of your property.

FILL UP BARE PATCHES
During winter, your yard will be susceptible to damage from traffic, snowplows, and even pets. Re-seeding the bare spots will ensure that the entire yard is covered with grass or any other cover plant you prefer.

One thing you should keep in mind is that if you used pre-emergent herbicide before during spring, the chemical will hinder grass seeds from sprouting as it is non-selective. This is why it is recommendable to seed grass during the fall season.

If you cannot wait until fall, spot-seed the bare patches early enough, by April before applying any herbicide to control crabgrass and other unwanted grass varieties.

Give the seeds enough time to germinate and provide the most conducive environment for them to get the best results. That said, experts recommend taking care of the other large sections of the yard then waiting until fall to do the turf repairs.

Before seeding, make sure of a steel rake to scuff up and prepare the area. The rake will loosen the soil thereby making it possible for the seeds to germinate. Keep the soil moist and cover the seeds with a mulching material such as straw matting and grass clippings to control the evaporation of water from the soil.


Conclusion
Finally, rake away thatch to prevent disease, promote airflow in the grass, and enhance germination. For starters, thatch refers to the matted areas that are not in good condition and can harbor snow, mold, and other unwanted elements. You should rake when the grass is still brown and the soil is dry enough. If it's too dry, you will end up raking up grass seeds.

There are many rear tine tillers on the market that you can purchase for purposes of maintaining and taking care of your yard. Our friends from BackyardStyle.com compiled a list of professional rear tine tillers that covers the different types, models, sizes, and brands on the market to help you make the right choice. 

Woodworking is a hobby for some, a profession for others. The intricacies in woodworking make it an exciting aspect for both career and passion. Using the right tools to create the right design and the satisfaction that comes with the whole process makes it worthwhile. That is why many people are engaged in the art of furniture making.


One important aspect of woodworking is the instruments. Such intricate work requires intricate instruments, that enable the woodworker to achieve finesse. Miter saw is one such instrument that is commonly used. It’s basically a circular saw, fixed on a platform, that can cut side-to-side
Or forward and backward.

Uses of miter saw are many. In woodworking, a miter saw is a vital tool, on both professional level and projects of passion. Since we are only going to talk D.I.Y. projects, we will not discuss the professional aspects of the saw now.

Mostly D.I.Y.s are done by amateurs or people following their passion. A miter saw will come in handy in all sorts of D.I.Y. woodwork. In this article, we are going to provide you with some of the D.I.Y. projects where miter saw is mostly used.


DRAWERS THAT ARE REMOVABLE
Most of us have wardrobes, tables, or cabinets with drawers. They are useful for holding knives, utensils, education materials, dress, watches, towels, and expensive items.

These drawers are perfect D.I.Y. for you. They are easy to build, super practical, and replaceable. For D.I.Y. of a removable drawer your toolkit requires to have a miter saw.

Miter saws are very useful to make angles. These drawers require various custom-sized wooden angles. Also, the incision handle is best cut using miter saws. It is best to take proper measures before delving into your miter saw to cut pieces. If one piece is off the measure, the whole project will be ruined.

WOODEN STORAGE BOX
Another perfect D.I.Y. project, Storage boxes have many uses. They are used in workstations for holding tools. In households, they can serve different purposes. They are used to store toys and other play items for kids. They are used in the kitchen sometimes as a dish rack. Storage boxes are sometimes used to keep valuable stuff too.

A storage box with a basic square or rectangle shape is very easy to make and can be made as a D.I.Y project. The woods can be easily shaped using miter saws. Wooden bracket for the lid is where the miter saw shines especially. Because of the angles required to make it, miter saws are needed.

Even if someone wants to do complex design storage boxes, such as hexagonal or octagonal shapes, they can do so using a miter saw.

Miter saws are so good at giving shape to woods that it significantly cuts your time to build one such box. Squares shaped ones shouldn’t take more than 3-4 hours even if you are an amateur doing a D.I.Y.

PHOTOFRAME
The photo frame is another famous D.I.Y. project. With the availability of a miter saw, now you can make it easily and very fast.

Miter saws are special because they can make 90-degree angle turns. It’s very hard to achieve that level of angular finesse with ordinary saws or hand cutting. You can make a basic frame within 5 to 10 minutes using a miter saw.

You can also make mirror frames using the saw. Having a miter saw means you don’t have to go shopping for these goods anymore.

BOOKSHELF
Bookshelves are a necessary piece of furniture in any household. It’s a very favorite D.I.Y. project too. Normal bookshelves are pretty easy to make. Wall hanging bookshelves require very little work.

Miter saws come in handy when you are making bookshelves. The precise angle cuts make it a necessary tool for a bookshelf. You can cut different pieces of wood from a wood stump and join it together to make the bookshelf.
Wall hanging bookshelves require nothing more than rectangular wood pieces and metal brackets to hold them in place. These bookshelves add another dimension to your house. Allows you to share knowledge with your friends and family and most importantly, helps to keep your books in order.


WOODEN WARDROBE
Another important piece of furniture   Wardrobes is an obvious part of any household. This is where you keep your dress. Without a doubt, there will be one or two of them around the house.

Wardrobes are harder than the rest of the items on our list. But it’s still a pretty famous D.I.Y. Simple wardrobes are not that technical to make. You will need some basic supplies like hinges and knobs and latches to hold the door in place.

But the basic woodwork is pretty much the same as bookshelves. It requires normal rectangular shaped wooden pieces. Some angled pieces are required for angles. All of these can be very easily made using a simple miter saw.

Usually, wardrobe’s are a costly piece of furniture, if you already have a miter saw and basic woodworking machines like drills, sanders, you can buy wardrobe components and D.I.Y. it at home for a pretty low cost. Miter saw not only gives you the finesse you require in this case, but it also saves you a lot of time.

SHOWCASE
Like the bookshelf, it is another piece of furniture used to show materials. But these are different materials. A showcase is used for showing showpieces such as small sculptures, awards, famous objects, or family heirlooms.

A showcase is a place to display your creative side. Like the contents inside, you can also build the showcase in different shapes according to your wishes. Showcases usually have a glass window, which can be complicated to set up.

The rest of the pieces are pretty similar to the bookshelves and wardrobes. Miter saw comes in handy here again, as it helps you to achieve those tough angles and cut the wood pieces. But if you are trying to make something creative, the miter saw will be of most help to you here.


As our article suggests, miter saw has some serious applications. If you are using it to make basic stuff, it will be your ally. It will also be your biggest ally if you are trying to make something creative. So choose your D.I.Y project now and buy the best miter saw according to your affordability and get to work.

Self-confidence is something many people struggle with — and it's no surprise considering only 2 percent of women think they're beautiful. Indeed, confidence is a self-alternating belief and feeling that can change at the drop of a hat, which is why it's important you find little ways every day to boost your confidence in order to feel good about yourself.

That might mean pampering yourself, getting sexy new bras and panties, using positive self-talk, or reciting daily affirmations. Here are four tips for boosting self-confidence and feeling your best:


1. GET SOME NEW BRAS AND PANTIES
Feeling your best sometimes oftentimes means looking your best. In fact, you might find that adding a few new styles to your bra and panty collection gives you an extra boost of self-confidence. Doing so can help you appreciate your body and love the skin you're in.

For many women, a few new bras and panty sets can help you feel your best day in and day out, so start shopping for undergarments that elicit those feelings. With an array of styles and colors to choose from, like lace, see-through and patterned sets, you should have no problem finding something that suits your unique style and hugs every curve of your body in all the right ways.

2. LEARN POSITIVE SELF-TALK
Oftentimes, the negative voices in our heads can have a huge impact on how we live our lives. That's why it's essential that you change that negative self-talk into positive self-talk. As soon as you notice yourself thinking a negative thought, try to switch gears and change your perspective into a more positive light.

Positive thinking can be an effective stress management tool that you can use to boost your self-confidence in any situation. But more than that, it can reduce pain, improve immune function, and improve cardiovascular health. Work on avoiding blaming yourself for everything or expecting the worst. Instead, try to find the silver lining in every situation and stop seeing the world in black and white or good or bad.


3. TREAT YOURSELF
Treating yourself can mean several things. But when it comes to self-confidence, treating yourself means taking care of you. Whether that means giving yourself a mani-pedi, putting on a little makeup, trying a new hairstyle, or relaxing in a warm bubble bath, doing little things for yourself can help boost your self-confidence. Treat yourself to a special relaxing day that's all about you. You can also listen to uplifting music, have your spouse give you a massage, give yourself a facial, get a new bottle of nail polish, or indulge in your favorite dessert.

4. RECITE DAILY AFFIRMATIONS
Reciting daily affirmations can have a tremendous impact on your mental health and well-being. Additionally, it can lead to improved optimism and a healthier heart. Look up affirmations that can help you change your mindset and boost your self-confidence. Some affirmations you could try include:

• "I believe in my skills and abilities."
• "I have, or can quickly get, all the knowledge I need to succeed."
• "I deserve happiness."
• "I am succeeding in life."
• "I love myself unconditionally."
• "I deserve everything I want in life."
• "I am worthy, wonderful and wise."

You can also come up with your own affirmations and tailor them to suit your situation. There's no right and wrong when it comes to selecting affirmations, as long as they're positive and help boost your self-confidence.


Finding the Best Ways to Boost Your Self-Confidence

Boosting your self-confidence might be tricky at first, but if you stay the course, you'll be well on your way a much happier existence. From using positive self-talk and reciting daily affirmations to pampering yourself and using positive-self talk, there are things you can do to boost your self-confidence every day.