logo
10 ways to get a better outdoor space without spending a lot of money

10 ways to get a better outdoor space without spending a lot of money

Washington Post28-05-2025

Outdoor spaces are often treated like afterthoughts, but they should get top billing this time of year. The good news: You don't need much effort — or a ton of money — to spruce yours up. 'Even one little settee with a couple of colorful pillows can make a huge impact,' said Gideon Mendelson, the founder and creative director of Mendelson Group in New York. Here's how to freshen up your piece of the outdoors, whether it's a balcony, deck, terrace, patio or yard.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ulike Hair Removal: A Look At The Brand's Most Advanced IPL Device
Ulike Hair Removal: A Look At The Brand's Most Advanced IPL Device

Forbes

time11 minutes ago

  • Forbes

Ulike Hair Removal: A Look At The Brand's Most Advanced IPL Device

This article was created in partnership with Ulike to showcase its Air 10 IPL hair removal device. The Air 10 is designed with cutting-edge features to help you achieve smooth skin that lasts. Swimsuit season is here, and you might be considering ways to get rid of stubborn body hair. As an alternative to razors or at-home waxing kits, which have short-term results, Ulike hair removal devices use intense pulsed light (IPL) technology to target melanin in the hair follicles, putting them into a dormant state to hinder further growth. The brand's most advanced device—the lightweight Ulike Air 10—is built to deliver full-body hair reduction with results in as little as two weeks. Plus, its skin protection and cooling features help ensure safety and comfort with each session. Right now, you can save 26% on your purchase. Here's everything you need to know about the Ulike Air 10 so you can decide if it's right for you (make sure to refer to the brand's hair and skin tone chart to determine if IPL hair removal is a suitable option for you). Flashes: 300,000 | Light type: IPL | Power modes: 4 | FDA-cleared: Yes The Ulike Air 10 has a wide treatment surface and powerful dual lights to visibly reduce hair in just two weeks when you use it every other day. With the device's quick-flashing AutoGlide mode, you can tackle your legs, armpits, arms, bikini line, face and chest in around 10 minutes. Sapphire Ice Cooling technology helps the Air 10 maintain a 65-degree-Fahrenheit contact temperature to minimize burns, pain and irritation with use—even in sensitive regions. Plus, its SkinSensor automatically adapts the intensity of each flash to your skin tone, pausing in areas that are darker (and therefore absorb higher levels of energy) to ensure adequate protection. The Ulike Air 10's four power modes allow you to customize treatment depending on how thick your hair is and which body part you are targeting. Fast mode is ideal for regular maintenance, large areas and quick touch-ups; Normal is best for removing fine-to-normal hair on most body parts; High is meant for removing coarse hair on the arms, legs, chest and back; and the laser-inspired Super Hair Removal (SHR) mode powerfully disrupts growth on the armpits, chest, beard or bikini line. When you use SHR mode for your every-other-day sessions in the first two weeks, you can expect up to a 96% reduction in hair density. IPL offers a range of benefits compared to other hair removal options. While shaving and waxing can cause redness, burns and skin irritation, and only remove hair for a short period of time, IPL is nearly painless for most and delivers long-lasting results. In terms of convenience, laser hair removal usually requires visiting a clinic for professional treatment, but you can use the Ulike Air 10 from the comfort of your home. Plus, it's a far less expensive method than laser hair removal, and you skip the costs of either salon or at-home waxing treatments or shaving supplies as well. The Ulike Air 10 is currently 26% off, so if you shop now, you can save even more. To use the Ulike Air 10, prepare your skin by shaving hairs longer than 2mm. Then pick your mode, place the device against your target area and engage the flashes to begin treatment. The brand recommends using the Air 10 three times a week for the first month followed by biweekly or monthly sessions for touch-ups. Each treatment encourages body hair to grow back thinner, lighter and less often. Flashes: 300,000 | Light type: IPL | Power modes: 3 | FDA-cleared: Yes The Air 3—Ulike's baseline hair removal device—is easy to use and provides noticeable hair reduction in as little as three weeks, making it Forbes Vetted's pick for the best full-body at-home laser hair removal device. Use Soft mode for your face and upper lip, Body mode for your arms and legs, and Power mode for your bikini area and armpits. You can remove hair from your entire body in about 12 minutes using the thumb-free AutoGlide mode. Plus, like the Air 10, the Air 3 is designed with Sapphire Ice Cooling technology to help prevent burns and irritation. Flashes: 300,000 | Light type: IPL | Power modes: 3 | FDA-cleared: Yes While Ulike devices are gender-neutral, the Ulike X features a mode with high energy output to tackle the thick body hair commonly found on men's armpits, face, pubic area, abdomen and more. It has a wide treatment window and dual lights for effective results, cooling technology and sensors to safely adjust the intensity of flashes. The intensity levels are Normal for eliminating fine to medium hair, Fast for quick touch-ups and High for thick, coarse hair. Additional modes include AutoGlide for treating large areas and Manual for precise removal. While Ulike hair removal devices can't permanently stop hair from growing back, regular maintenance sessions help keep the follicles dormant, preventing regrowth over time. For prolonged results, the brand recommends one or two treatments per month (after doing three sessions a week for the first month). You might be able to stop using the device for an extended period; however, it's possible your hair will return in six to 12 weeks, requiring additional follow-up sessions. While laser hair removal works by flashing rays to burn hair follicles, IPL uses mild light beams that induce follicles into a dormant state. While side effects are possible with either approach, those caused by IPL tend to be less severe. Ulike hair removal is also nearly painless for most, due to having a lower intensity than laser and incorporating cooling technology into its devices. IPL also uses a broad spectrum of light that can adjust to different skin types and hair colors; laser hair removal uses an intense, single-focused wavelength that is more likely to cause damage.

Sierra Madre search and rescue team faces financial difficulties following Eaton Fire
Sierra Madre search and rescue team faces financial difficulties following Eaton Fire

CBS News

time12 minutes ago

  • CBS News

Sierra Madre search and rescue team faces financial difficulties following Eaton Fire

A local search and rescue team that helped evacuate people during the Eaton Fire now needs rescuing of its own. The Sierra Madre Search and Rescue team is dealing with unexpected costs from the fire. Rob Klusman, a healthcare consultant, is the team's operations leader. He has been with the organization for 29 years. "Most of our responses we have are all away from vehicles and up trails, so we have to walk to everything or fly," Klusman said. Lauren Capoccia, a San Bernardino nurse, also volunteers as one of 42 team members. The Sierra Madre Search and Rescue team has 42 members who help respond to fires at no cost in the steep terrain of the San Gabriel Mountains. KCAL News They have all put in hundreds of hours a year responding to calls for help at no cost in the steep, unforgiving terrain of the San Gabriel Mountains. When the Eaton Fire started the night of Jan. 7, they were called to help with evacuations. "We were up in the canyon evacuating houses, making sure people out aware of going on," Capoccia said. Helping residents evacuate came at a cost to the hardworking nonprofit that has a budget of about $80,000. They need pickets for anchors, replacement rescue ropes, replacement fire shelters and they need a new rescue truck. "This truck is 25 years old at this point," Klusman said. The rescue team has set up an online fundraising campaign and Klusman, like every team member, saves money where they can. "I used dental floss to sew up and close the holes," he said about his gloves. Members spend thousands of their own money to buy their gear. In their free time, they train in the mountains charred by the fire. With dead and burned trees after fire, they now have to haul up a 45-pound bag of metal pickets to conduct the rescue missions. "For the next 5-8 years, once they re-open this, we are prepared to use picks and tools," Klusman explained. "Can't rely on trees or natural anchors that used to be here." Even with the financial difficulties, the team remains determined to keep protecting the people in their foothill city, at whatever cost.

Need advice? Join columnist Carolyn Hax's weekly chat (June 13
Need advice? Join columnist Carolyn Hax's weekly chat (June 13

Washington Post

time26 minutes ago

  • Washington Post

Need advice? Join columnist Carolyn Hax's weekly chat (June 13

Advice columnist Carolyn Hax takes your comments and questions most Fridays about life, family, relationships and more. Some questions may be adapted into full columns, and transcripts of the chats remain available after each session concludes. Here's a glossary of frequently used chat terms. Read transcripts from past live chats here. The question box includes a space for your name, but this is optional. Your submissions are anonymous unless you choose to identify yourself. To reply to other posts, simply include 're:' or 'to' the topic in the subject line of your post. Sign up here to receive an email right as the chat is about to start.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store