Vocals by Morissa Schwartz

Song by Poison the Mermaid

Hiking can be incredibly fun and exciting. That is, of course, unless your feet are hurting. Walking over rough terrain can be tough on your feet – especially if you don’t have the right footwear.

 

Shopping for hiking boots probably isn’t something that you do every day. There are so many boots on the market that it can be hard to know which ones are the right choice for your needs. Even if you find a pair that fits perfectly at the store, you will still need extra time to break them in before you hit the trail.

 

Try using these tips to find the perfect pair of hiking boots:

 

1. Learn more about the types of hiking boots that are available.

 

You may be surprised to learn that there are a lot of different types of hiking boots on the market. Learning the difference between the styles that are available can help you choose the right pair for the type of hiking that you plan on doing.

 

For instance, hiking shoes are designed for relatively smooth trails. In essence, they are like athletic shoes, although they tend to have a little bit thicker soles and better traction. They are extremely lightweight, which makes them a good choice for hiking long distances.

 

Mountaineering boots, on the other hand, are designed for extremely rugged terrain. For example, if you are hiking on the snow or ice or if you are going on rocky trails with steep slopes, a pair of these boots would be a good choice.

 

If you need a good all-purpose pair of boots that can handle many different types of terrain, backpacking boots are a good choice. They feature stiff, sturdy construction that provides protection and support for your feet no matter what type of terrain you are crossing.

 

2. Learn about the materials hiking boots are made from.

 

The materials that go into making hiking boots are almost as important as the boots themselves. Even a high-quality pair of hiking boots can be uncomfortable if they are made from the wrong type of fabric.

 

Synthetic materials such as polyester or nylon are lightweight and tend to dry out quickly if they get wet. However, they don’t do a good job of resisting moisture and are best for hiking in dry conditions.

 

When it comes to leather, there are a couple of different types. Split-grain leather is a combination of leather and synthetic materials. It allows your feet to breathe and tends to be comfortable to wear. However, it is less capable of repelling water than regular leather. It also tends to break down more quickly than full-grain leather.

 

When you start looking at high-end hiking boots or mountaineering boots, most of them will be made from full-grain leather. This is largely due to its durability. There are a couple of downsides to this type of leather, however. For one thing, it is quite heavy. It also doesn’t allow your feet to breathe quite as much as synthetic materials.

 

3. Consider the cut of the boot.

 

The cut of the boot refers to how high up your leg it goes. If you choose boots that are cut at the wrong height, it could pose problems while you are hiking.

 

Low-cut boots or hiking shoes are generally cut below the ankle, much like a typical pair of athletic shoes. Although these boots and shoes are lightweight, they don’t provide protection for your ankles. Because of that, they are best suited to relatively smooth hiking surfaces without a lot of obstacles.

 

Mid-cut boots come up over the ankle, providing a bit of protection from branches or debris. They also offer a bit of additional support.

 

High-cut boots, on the other hand, are the tallest option, coming up well over the ankle. Their height provides the ultimate protection for your ankles. They also provide a lot of support, making them good for rough terrain.

 

4. Choose the right size.

 

The fit of the boots has to be perfect if you want them to be comfortable when you hike. Be sure to try on the boots before you buy them. That way, you can tell whether or not they fit.

 

Avoid buying boots that are too snug through the toe box. Feet have a tendency to swell when you do a lot of hiking. Additionally, you need to have room to stretch out your toes when you are walking to stabilize your body. At the same time, however, the boots can’t be too big. Otherwise, they will slip on your heel and cause blisters.

 

When you are trying on hiking boots, make sure to wear socks that are similar to the ones that you plan on wearing when you are out on the trail. If you are planning on insoles like those for hiking at Orthotic Shop, then wear them too. Most hiking socks are rather thick. That means that you may need to go up a half a size to accommodate the thickness of the socks.

 

5. Try them out ahead of time.

 

Before you head out on the trail, spend some time breaking your boots in and testing them out. Wear them around your house as much as possible to see how comfortable they really are. Sometimes, boots that fit perfectly at the store can become uncomfortable after you wear them around for a little while. If necessary, take them back and exchange them for another pair before you go on an actual hike.

Honored to be singing for the fair and for this feature on My Central NJ:

“Morissa Schwartz of Woodbridge has been singing the national anthem at the fair for the past 12 years, but she has been visiting the fair since early …” Read more

 

Get ready! August 5, Poison the Mermaid will release their new album with two tracks featuring Morissa Schwartz!

Read the full story here!

See some stills from the video shoot here:

As an interior landscaper, you most likely appreciate the positive impact the introduction of plants has when they are brought indoors. However, there are other aspects of nature that you can bring indoors such as a water body. A brook or an artificial river can help create a relaxed summer day.

Some water features are extravagantly elaborate while others are simple; some require ample space and planning and other need a simple installation approach, but all are easy to manage if you have the right equipment. You can work with different water features depending on the available space and the effect your clients want.

If the space is big, consider working with layered fountains, atriums large ponds, or foyers. As for small rooms such as the office or even hallways, table tabletop fountains or simple wall fountain will work best. Irrespective of what you are working with, adding water bodies in indoor spaces has several benefits such as:

1. Relaxation

The sight and sound of moving water create a calming, relaxing effect. We stay in environments that have different stressors, be it at the work place of at home. Building water features in such spaces can help lower the stress levels, increasing morale and therein productivity.

The sound of moving water is a gentle white noise that can help block out other distracting or disturbing sounds thus increasing concentration levels. This moving water can be created from a traditional water feature or one like these from LuxeWaterWalls.com. Placing such water features in the hallways and waiting areas can also help lower anxiety levels; such installation can work best in medical clinics’ waiting areas to make visits more pleasing for patients.

2. Negative Ions

Moving water generates negative ions, and these are, according to WebMD, beneficial to your overall health. The air around running water is full of negative ions that are often depleted in places such as the offices and rooms with ACs and electronic appliances. WebMD highlighted something that the Research Director at Center for Applied Cognitive Sciences in Charlotte, Pierce J. Howard.

Pierce is also the author of The Owner Manual For The Brain – Everyday Applications From Mind Brain Research. He suggests that negative ions increase the flow of oxygen to and in the brain leading to lower cases of drowsiness and higher levels of alertness and higher mental energy. He also suggests that the negative ions help fight germs in the air that playing a role in reduces cases of breathing complications such as coughing, sneezing and other allergies caused by inhaling tiny particles.

WebMD further suggests negative ion can increase serotonin levels. Serotonin is a chemical in manufactured in the body to help manage moods. The negative ions can help people feel better physically and mentally by triggering an increased production of serotonin. Thus features with moving water can contribute to increased amounts of negative ions indoors.

3. Humidity

Installing water features in rooms can help improve the indoor humidity. The moving water raises that humidity levels, which is essential especially for places that experience controlled room temperatures that are managed by ACs or central heating units. The increased humidity makes it comfortable to stay in spaces for both people and any indoor plants.

4. Visual Stimulation

Visual stimulation is also another thing that is associated with indoor water features. So, as an indoor landscaper, you will also add to the aesthetics of the room décor when you add water features along with indoor plants. So, consider educating your clients of the benefits of these features such as having a fountain surrounded by several orchids, a wall fountain with stately tree framing, or a large fountain surrounded by tropical greens.

Using plants to accompany the water features will enhance the overall effects of installing these in indoor spaces.

The influencers listed below take great pride in being engaged with their followers, are great at providing useful information for all sorts of home improvement tasks and showing off the results of the projects they undertake themselves.

Wit & Delight

Kate Arends’ blog called Wit & Delight is a platform for her to display her own unique sense of style in home decor. With 3.1 million followers since its inception in 2008, this site is a truly influential destination.

HoneyComb Home

Roxanne Kwiecinske’s HoneyComb Home blog is the product of its creator’s interest in and exposure to interior design education. The motivation behind this enterprise is to help visitors wake up their space and become inspired by Roxanne’s own endeavours in home decor.

Bless’er House

This site is the work of DIY expert, mom and wife Lauren Shaver. The blog itself is replete with budget-friendly tips for achieving beautiful home decor results. Lauren’s own projects and undertakings are regularly featured on the site.

OutdoorArtPros.com

With a great selection of outdoor arts and ideas for the garden space, this site is well worth taking a look at. There are some very interesting ideas and projects here and we’d suggest you take a look.

Refresh Restyle

The brainchild of Debbie Westbooks, this site is a curated collection of winning home improvement projects everyone can enjoy. Projects are featured on a daily basis and the site’s Inspiration Monday” is a highlight for regular visitors who never fail to find new ideas and the design guidance they seek.

Domestic Imperfection

This endeavor is the creation of Ashley and her DIY-pro spouse, both of whom enjoy spreading the word about the projects they do. With more than 320,000 unique views per month, this site creates the ideal mix of practical and style-savvy guidance for those interested in taking their interior spaces to the next level.

Vintage Revivals

In her blog Vintage Revivals, home decor and DIY maven Mandi Gubler provides exciting insights into her comprehensive renovation projects. This blog also has an appealing, interactive style which welcomes visitors to submit photos of completed DIY endeavors in their own homes. The result is an inspirational guide to revamping complete spaces in which everyone can delight.

I know so many people who spend countless amounts of money on meditation and massages. They say that it helps them relax. I have found a much more cost-effective way of relaxing and it is through the serenity of backyard fountains. If you think you need a large open backyard for a fountain, you would be mistaken. If you have a small patio, you can still enjoy a table top fountain. You would be surprised at how soothing the sound of bubbling water can be after a hard day!

If you have ever considered the purchase of a fountain, the following tips are going to help you make the best choice for your home.

There is a wide selection of fountains on the market with varying prices and materials. You will find fountains constructed of bamboo, copper, rock, fiberglass, and resin. It is important that the fountain you choose is going to be able to withstand the natural elements over time. Here is a wide selection from OutdoorFountainPros.com.

In addition, do not feel as though you have to spend a lot of money on a fountain. If you are handy and creative, you can make your own fountain! All you need are a few containers and a pump. There are many tutorials online that will guide you through the process. With a little creativity and plumbing work, you will have a fountain to be proud of! Just be sure that you follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions for the best results.

If you are looking for a fountain that is going to be truly cost-effective and environmentally-friendly, a solar powered version would be the best choice. While no fountain is going to break the bank on utility cost, this will save you some, and who is ever going to complain about saving money?

To keep your fountain running for years, there is a certain amount of maintenance that must be done. As the water is recirculated, it will evaporate over time. With this in mind, it is essential to keep the water level to prevent damage to the pump. In addition, it is best to add an algae treatment to the water to prevent growth and buildup which can damage your fountain. In colder environments, it is best to drain your fountain and bring it indoors.

A great Top 10 Books Podcast on Happy Hour with Dorval and Jarvis with GenZ founder, Morissa Schwartz.

What are your top 10?