We got you started with HTML for Beginners and Getting Schooled Online. Now take your coding a step further with CSS. HTML is the bare-bones, outline of document structure and information. CSS is where the fun begins!
1. Shay Howe’s Advanced Guide to HTML & CSS: In HTML for beginners, we showed you Shay Howe’s Introductory Guide on HTML and CSS. This more advanced guide, expands on front-end web design and development. Presented in a clean organized way, the guide includes tips on detailed positioning, utilizing preprocessors, transitions, and animations.
2. DocHub: Initially created soley for CSS, DocHub is a handy documentation service for web developers to use as a reference guide. Due to the positive response it received from its users, DocHub expanded coverage to not only CSS, but also JavaScript, HTML, DOM, PHP, and jQuery.
3. Mozilla Developer Network CSS: A developer’s gold mine, filled with documentation, tutorials, tools for development, news, and help outlets. This is the network to learn and develop your CSS skill.
4. Team Treehouse: In need of some guidance? Check out Treehouse, an online method to learn web development and coding. Take a look at their deep-dive dig into CSS here. These classes have online instructors to help you build your foundation in CSS or any other web technology. As an affordable means to technology education, Treehouse offers the initial two weeks for free. After that, membership starts at $25 per month.
5. CSS-Tricks: Seeing as it’s a web-based community curated by Chris Coyier, a writer and web designer who helps others make their websites better, you best take note of his article on A Whole Bunch of Amazing Stuff Psuedo Elements Can Do.
6. SitePoint CSS: Here you get cutting edge tutorials, courses, and books for everyone from website professionals to newbies. Pour over CSS properties, rules, concepts, selectors, and visual examples. Also, be sure to check out this publication on CSS Architectures: New Best Practices to keep up to date and in the know!
7. Scalable and Modular Architecture for CSS (SMACSS): Deemed one of the most useful contributions to the front-end discussion in years, SMACSS is a must-read-and-use resource for anyone touching CSS. SMACSS documents a valid and consistent approach to developing a site when using CSS. All of the topics are based on CSS architecture and broken down by section, creating a rich resource that allows you to pick and choose on a need-to-know basis.
8. Web Safe Colors by Hue: A great tool for colors in CSS. These are the only colors that can be displayed reliably across all browsers and operating systems without fading or distortion. Also check out the table on VGA colors, a group of 16 colors that can always be rendered by name, see the table here. There is also a page of 500+ colors and their RGB and hexadecimal values that can be used in CSS.
9. Unsplash: Not a photographer? No problem! Unsplash offers free high-resolution photos that can be used in your CSS layout. You read that right: The photos are free of charge and free of copyright. Be sure to follow Unsplash as 10 new photos are added every 10 days.
10. Sass and LESS: An Introduction to Prepocessors: It is what it is, and that is awesome: A simple introduction to preprocessors. For those with a good handle on CSS, you can kick it up a notch and use a preprocessor to bend and twist your code in a way that isn’t bound by the limitations of CSS. Check out Sass (Syntactically Awesome Style Sheets,) a powerful preprocessor that is industry improved and completely compatible with CSS. Delve into more here.
Another valuable tip is simply looking at other websites and viewing the source code to see how things work. To do this using Google Chrome: Right Click and select, Inspect Element—violà !
There you have it soon-to-be CSS gurus! Remember to practice every day and cherish the ah-ha moments. If you have any helpful tips or tricks for learning CSS, let us know in the comments below!
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.