4 USEFUL ways you can get to know your ideal customer

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May 17, 2016

OHMYGOSSIP – If you had to pick one goal for your business this year, what would it be? I can think of a few. But there’s one goal that a lot of business owners will have in common: to make a profit. It’s a subject people either love or hate to talk about – but money is one of the main things that keeps your business running. It pays the bills and lets you live the life you want.

So where does the money come from? And more importantly, how do you make sure that the money keeps on rolling in?

Your audience.
The problems arise when you’re not sure if you understand your audience, and you don’t know who they are. You’re unsure about who would be interested in your product or service, and you don’t know what platforms you can reach them on.

It’s doesn’t all have to be a guessing game. There are actually more ways than you know for you to get to grips with your ideal customer and help your business grow in 2016.

Install & Analyse Google Analytics
If you don’t have Google Analytics installed for your website, you’re missing out on some seriously useful data. Honestly. Nothing else gives you a detailed insight into your audience like this does.

I’m talking about your current audience here, because that’s who you need to look at. You need to figure out where you’re at right now to be able to grow. There’s no point putting loads of selling tactics and social media strategies in place if you’re not actively targeting the right people. Google Analytics tells you everything that you need to know.

You want to head to your Dashboard and click on “Audience” in the left hand menu. Then go to “Demographics” and “Overview”. This page will tell you the age and gender of your current audience.

But you can go even deeper than that. You want to know you’re targeting the right people who are interested in what services and products your business offers. So how about looking at what interests your audience has? Just go to “Interests” and “Overview”. This lets you see exactly who you’re targeting. You can see if your current audience has the same interests as what your business offers.

If there’s a difference, this is where you can identify it. Thankfully, you can fix it too.

–Write content specifically about your services. If you’ve got a blog, you want to make sure you’re writing about what your business offers. If you’re a digital marketing company, you want to create content about the digital marketing services you offer and how these can help your audience. If you’re a photographer, you want to share your portfolio alongside tips and tricks. Consider what people want to know when they’re looking for a business like yours. Your content can lead them right to it.

-Or, you can also incorporate more of what your audience is interested in. Let’s say there’s a topic you don’t write about that your audience enjoys. Why not start creating content for it? That way, you’re doing both them and your business a favour.

Encourage Interaction
Interaction is one of the things that turn visitors into customers. Many people are saying that commenting is dead and no one does it anymore. But that’s not actually true. You’ve just got to ask for it.

Think about it. People who comment on your blog posts and other content are genuinely interested in what you have to offer. They are your biggest fans. So start asking them questions, and I mean real questions. Think about what you want to know and ask them.

Remember, there’s also a difference in how you ask questions. If you said, “Are you going to try out this new scheduling tool?” – this only requires a yes or no answer. That is what’s called a closed question. You want to make sure you’re asking open-ended questions. Questions that leave room for your readers to provide more information in their answer. Here are some examples:

-What’s the biggest thing you can take away from this post?
-How have you conducted your research in the past?
-What’s your biggest tip on this topic?

There are so many possibilities. But this isn’t just restricted to comments. It works on social media too. Follow the right people and reach out. Ask questions and answer them. Keep up the conversation. You’ll be surprised how many ideas you get and how much you learn.

Run a Survey
A survey is something you should carry out every single year. You’re not a mind reader. You don’t know what your audience wants and what products they need right now. The best way to find that out is by asking them.

Feedback is one of the things that can benefit your business the most. Your readers and customers are like your cheerleaders. They’re there to share your products or services, sign up to your mailing list and tell everyone how great you are. These are the people who are going to be able to help you grow your business right now.

This is useful for finding out so much information about your audience. Age, gender, what they do for a living, what their interests are – but you can also find out what they’re struggling with and what their problems are. This is crucial information to help you develop your products and services so they’re directly suited to your customers.

Discover things about them that you didn’t know before. Ask them for honest feedback. You won’t get valuable information like this anywhere else. It’s a real insight.

Look at Your Competitors
In business, we all know how important it is to keep up to date with what our competitors are doing. But have you ever thought about analysing their audiences?

If you know of a business that’s similar to yours, find out about who their customers are. Head to their Twitter profile and click on their followers – then make notes and even follow people that you think are suited to what you have to offer.

Look on their website and social channels as a customer. Think about what they’re doing to get their customers to hit that purchase or subscribe button. Look at their blog. What ideas can you get? How can you make your content bigger, better and more valuable than theirs?

Don’t worry, you’re not copying here. That’s not your purpose. You’re simply just analysing another area of your competitor. You’re seeing if they’re doing it right, so you can do it better.

If you don’t know who you’re marketing your business to, you’ll always miss something. Stay one step ahead and really get to know your ideal customer. That way, you’ll see results every time.

Source: Holly Sutton/ launchandhustle.com

Travel tips: 10 PLACES to travel with mom!

By

Helena-Reet Ennet

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May 14, 2016

OHMYGOSSIP – The best places to travel with mother! Anytime is a good time to travel with mom. She spent years taking care of you– feeding you, changing your diapers, worrying when you stayed out past curfew. Why not treat mom to an amazing vacation? It’s a great way to say thanks, reconnect and build new memories. Here’s a few amazing places to visit with that special lady in your life.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

I adore Santa Fe. It’s a place that I’ve returned to six times and have brought my mom and my sister on separate girl’s trips. I love this town not only for its desert beauty, but rich art and culture. A few of my favorite things to do in this stunning desert oasis:

Stroll through historic downtown Santa Fe, soaking up the native American culture, architecture and art scene.
Visit Canyon Road for over 100 no-attitude art galleries. Sculptures,paintings, ceramics– trust me, there’s something for everyone.
Check out the Georgia O’Keefe Museum. You’re in Santa Fe– this one is a non-negotiable!
New Mexico is known for its stunning silver and turquoise jewelry. Buy something special for mom (or just window shop).
Indulge in a spa treatment you can only find in energy vortex. 10,000 Waves is my go-to.
Get your blood pumping on a stunning hike outside of town. A favorite has to be the Aspen Vista Hiking Trail.
Refuel (and drink margaritas!) at Maria’s New Mexican Kitchen, a homey Mexican spot open since 1952.
Celebrating? There’s no better place to do that than at the James Beard award-winning restaurant, Compound.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

I may be a little biased (it’s my hometown, after all!), but I love Portsmouth. Settled in 1623, this waterfront city is incredibly walkable, with a historic downtown chockfull of restaurants, cafes, ice cream parlors and boutique mom and pop shops. We like to joke Gap had to move out. Here’s where to go on your next visit:

Spend a day at Strawbery Banke, a 10-acre, open-air historic museum. It’s Portsmouth’s oldest neighborhood, and features original homes, taverns and shops all from the 17^th and 18^th century. A few of the homes are open to the public, including that of John Paul Jones, known as the father of the U.S Navy.
Take in a show at the historic Music Hall Theater. This Victorian-era establishment boasts incredible concerts, stand-up performances and cinema.
Drop your bags at Wentworth By the Sea, the old Grand Dame hotel reminiscent of the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego.
Tuck into fresh, delicious seafood (paired with live music!) at Dolphin Striker, a local favorite since the mid-70s.

Wilmington, Delaware & the Brandywine Valley

A trip to Wilmington is all about seeing America’s early aristocracy (think of it as a way to heal your mother’s broken heart now that Downton Abbey is really over). Here’s a few of my must-dos:

Visit Winterthur, the magnificent 175-room estate of Henry DuPont (as in the DuPont’s) boasting beautiful gardens and one of the largest collections of early American furniture.
Road trip through the scenic Brandywine Valley, which offers beautiful vistas of pastoral landscapes you thought only existed in paintings.
Check-in to one of my all-time favorite hotels, the Inn at Montchanin Village. It’s not so much that the hotel is in the village of Montchanin. Rather, it is the village! Stay in a luxuriously renovated cottage that once housed the workers of Winterthur.
While you’re at Montchanin Village, be sure to enjoy dinner at Krazy Kat’s, housed in a renovated blacksmith’s shop.
Wander through the Brandywine Museum, soaking up early American art.

St. Petersburg, Florida

I love St. Pete as a destination for mom. Sunshine, beaches, art and sunset cruises– sounds like heaven, and I am sure she’ll agree! Some local highlights:

Even if you’re not typically an art lover, there’s something intoxicating about The Dali (a museum dedicated to Salvador Dali’s works) as well as the and Dale Chihuly Gallery. Spend a morning at either and who knows? You might find yourself inspired to pick up the ol’ paintbrush.
When you think shuffleboard, you think old people. But I want you rid your brain of that stereotype because the Petersburg Shuffleboard Club is seriously fun. Founded in 1924, this 90-year-old private recreation club opens their doors to the public every Friday 7 to 11pm. Just do it.
Fun fact: this place inspired the hispterified Royal Palms shuffleboard club in Brooklyn.
You’re on the west coast of Florida, so why not check out a beautiful sunset cruise? There are tons available, on all kinds of ships– from sailboats to yachts.
You can’t mention St. Pete without talking about the miles of white powder sandy beaches and warm calm Gulf waters. It’s certainly worth it to drive north to Clearwater Beach for the day.
Stroll through the Saturday Morning Market, where the city’s main road shuts down to host a lovely farmer’s market (with plenty of free samples!).
Spend an afternoon checking out St. Pete’s Pier, where (amongst other things) you’ll find a stunning public restroom built in the Romanesque-style. Really, you can’t make this stuff up!

Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville is more than horse racing and bourbon drinking (though to be fair, you should enjoy both while there!). Here’s a few spots to take mom in the Ville:

Spend a few hours wandering through the East Market District, a revitalized area now called NuLu stocked with charming antique stores, art galleries and more.
A trip to Churchill Downs is a must, even on a non-derby day.
With the Humana Festival of New Plays and the critically acclaimed Actor’s Theater of Louisville, this city has a strong theatrical heart. Check in to see what is on stage.
Grab lunch at Wagner’s Pharmacy. Open since 1922, this is where horsemen would come to get their cigarettes and food. Lunch counter hasn’t changed much.
Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, Cherokee Park offers over 400 acres of meadows, trails and hills to explore.
Oh yeah, and there’s the bourbon. Visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail’s site for info on the best hooch in the land.

Fredericksburg, Texas

For a little R&R with mom, I say opt for a long weekend in Fredericksburg. This historic small town (population: 10,829) boasts quaint bed and breakfasts, great dining, stunning drives and wineries. Yes, you heard that right! My top picks:

They call it NEW Texas gold, but you and I will keep calling it wine. There’s a handful of places to sample the local vino. My suggestion? Book a wine tour with transport and don’t spend one second worrying about whether or not you’re over the legal limit.
Experience the great outdoors at Enchanted Rock Natural Area, a large pink rock that rises like a dome, much like Ayers Rock in the Australian Outback. Hike to the top or around it for beautiful views.
Show off your dance moves at one of the the three historic dance halls in town. Fingers crossed mom gets twirled on the dance floor by a handsome cowboy.
Support the local economy by shopping and dining in Fredericksburg’s charming historic district.

Puerto Rico

I like think of Puerto Rico as a tropical island and Europe-inspired destination in one. Bonus? No passport needed! Here’s where to go:

Get that old, sleepy European vibe in Old San Juan, which boasts more than 400 restored buildings from the 16^th and 17th Centuries.
Have a Panama hat made at Ole on Forteleza Street (c’mon, you know you want one!).
Check out the Puerto Rican Museum of Contemporary Art.
Visit El Morro, the beautiful seaside fort. There’s a great lawn where families fly kites.
Check another National Park off your list with El Yunque– the only tropical rainforest in the United States National Forest system.
Enjoy drinks and dinner in the courtyard at the breathtaking El Convento, a restaurant and hotel housed in a former convent.
Old San Juan is walking distance to the tranquil and family-friendly beach, Playa Escambron. You’ll find Condado and Isla Verde beaches just a short cab ride away.

Santa Barbara, California

As far as destinations, it’s hard to beat Santa Barbara. It’s got everything: mountains, beach, sunny skies, friendly people and lots of fun things to do. This is truly one of those places where I can’t help but think, “People actually live like this? No fair!” Some local favorites:

Kick back with tacos and margaritas at Los Agaves.
Channel your inner artist at Art from Scrap, an upcycling and crafting studio.
Spend an afternoon checking out beautiful downtown Santa Barbara. Fantastic shopping and just plain ol’ wandering.
Love wine? You’ll adore Urban Wine Trail, where you can taste wine from the central coast without all the driving.
Feeling adventurous? Try Paddleboarding on the bay. I love it beacuse it’s one of the only water sports that doesn’t get your hair wet!
Enjoy the fresh California air at Douglas Family preserve. Easy hikes with amazing views of the coast.
Crave something less physical? The Santa Barbara Botanical Garden has your name written all over it.
For a bit of history and a fantastic meal, hit up Cold Spring Tavern. Originally built as a stagecoach stop in 1886, these guys still serve excellent breakfast, lunch and dinner in an incredibly quaint setting.

Jackson, Wyoming

The minute you arrive in beautiful Jackson, you and mom will start thinking of ways that will allow you to move there: Maybe we could open a coffee shop? Mend fences? Finally, an opportunity to launch our chainsaw art career! Who wants a giant, wooden bald eagle? All kidding aside, I love the vibe in this quaint mountain town. Here’s where to hang out:

Spend a day (at least!) at Grand Tetons National Park. One of my favorites spots is Jenny Lake, which offers great hikiing as well as boat rides.
Stroll through historic downtown. Trust me, you won’t get bored.
Two of my favorite restaurants are just a few blocks off the main town square, toward E. Broadway. There’s Café Genevieve (a perfect, hearty breakfast) and Persephone Bakery who serve up amazing coffee, croissants, and wine.
A few hours in Jackson will leave you hankering for a pair of cowboy boots. I love Vintage Jackson, where you can get your cowgirl on without selling the farm.
Speaking of farm, pretend what it might be like to buy one by checking out the Sotheby’s store window. Lots of luxury listings, including ranches. In my dreams!
For something a little more affordable, pay a visit to clairvoyant Carroll Ann at Cosmic Café. Who knows– maybe a big windfall is in your future.

Palm Springs, California

Every mom deserves a Hollywood getaway-getaway, and for that, there’s no place like Palm Springs. Here’s how to treat mom like the starlet she is.

Walk the neighborhoods and check out the mid century modern homes. A favorite is the Movie Colony, home to the former residences of folks like Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant and Jack Benny. You could do a self-guided tour, or sign up for something more official, like a Palm Springs Architecture Tour.
Do a little high end vintage shopping on Palm Canyon Drive, stopping at places like AlaMod 768 and PS Modern Way. For vintage inspired threads, you can’t beat Trina Turk’s Palm Springs outpost.
Pretend you’re a honorary Rat Packer at Melvyn’s, where you can indulge in table side Caesar salad served by tuxedoed waiters.
Enjoy the dry desert air on a two-mile loop hike thru Tahquitz Canyon, which leads to a 60-foot waterfall. For something a little more adventurous, take the Aerial Tram up to the top of the Jacinto Mountains. Hike around, or simply soak up the view.

Featured image: Ohmygossip.com
Text by: samantha-brown.com

WHAT you should know about romanians before you travel to Romania

By

Helena-Reet Ennet

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May 14, 2016

OHMYGOSSIP – As a tourist in Romania, you may easily feel at home and forget that you are in a foreign country. But the welcoming and friendly spirit of the Romanian people will not help you over-bridge the cultural differences and understand their values. So in order to avoid a culture shock, there are some things you should know about Romanians before you travel to their country. Of course, Romanians are not all the same, but there are some cultural characteristics that most of them share.

Food Habits
Romanians eat three times a day and dinner is typically their biggest meal. They are used to eating very late at night, so ordering food after 10:00 p.m. in a restaurant is not uncommon. Romanians love dinner parties and they will use every opportunity to gather some friends around their table. If they invite you for dinner, you should expect a copious meal with many courses and delicious deserts. Each course is eaten with bread and is big enough to stuff an average stomach.

The host tries her best to impress you and expects to be complimented for her cooking. If you like the food she will always insist that you have second and even third helpings. Invoking a small stomach will not spear you the insistence. Many people may find this very annoying, but in Romania this is considered good manners.

You are expected to eat all you put on your plate. Romanians don’t like wasting food and leaving it on your plate may be perceived as a sign that you didn’t like the cooking. When offered food, the Romanians will first politely refuse. But don’t be fooled. The “no, thank you” only means that you’ll have to insist.

Punctuality
In Romania, punctuality is considered a strength when doing business, but when invited to a party time seems to have a totally different meaning. If you are told the party is at 7 you are not expected to show up exactly at 7 sharp. In fact, being right on time may be a little awkward and even inconvenient for the hosts who, at 7 o’clock may still be in the shower getting ready for the party. So if you are told 7 o’clock, you should plan on arriving more towards 7:30.

Religion and Spirituality
Romanians believe in God but are very little concerned with their religion. Instead, they care a lot about their religious traditions and are also very superstitious. Most of the Romanians practice Eastern Orthodoxy and as such participate in very elaborate customs and ceremonies, but they will flock the churches only two times a year: for Christmas and for Easter.

Meeting and Greeting
When greeting a stranger, Romanians may seem formal and reserved, but when they meet with friends will kiss and hug each other. When they kiss a friend they do it twice, on each cheek, from left to right. Doing it only once would seem cold and distant. It is not unusual to see a man kissing a woman’s hand when they meet, but that is not something expected from a foreigner.

Compared to the Western Europeans, Romanians are very talkative and outgoing. They will easily talk to strangers in the street, or on the bus, or in restaurants. And if encouraged, the conversation may soon become more than a general chit-chat. If you are in an airport, or waiting at the train station you may even be asked where you are going, where you are coming from, or even what you do for a living. What to some people may seem like an intimate conversation, they will consider just friendly talk.

Judging and Complaining
Romanians complain frequently and about everything: politics, government, their economic conditions, or each other. Complaining is part of their every conversation, but is acceptable only among themselves. A similar negative remark coming from someone from another country would be interpreted as an offense.

In Romania you’ll be judged by the way you speak and by your level of education, rather than by your accent, or money. Romanians like to compare themselves with other nations, but they don’t think in terms of different, they think in terms of better and worse.

Humor
Romanians have a very keen sense of humor, rather similar to the English sense of humor: very ironic and directly unto the person. Becoming the subject of their jokes can be quite irritating, as they have no sense of political correctness. They enjoy poking fun even at themselves, especially as a nation and also have a lot of ethnic jokes about the different minorities living in Romania, like the Gypsies, Hungarians or Jews.
What Annoys Them

Romanians are extremely friendly and easy going people, but there are a couple of things that will surely ruffle their feathers and cause them to label you stupid and ignorant beyond redemption. One, is confusing them with Gypsies, an ethnic group that has been living on Romania’s territory for centuries, also called Roma or Romanies, hence the similarity with Romanians. Being a Gypsy in Romania is the worst social stigma and the relationship between Romanians and Gypsies is somewhat similar to the relationship between American whites and blacks. Although Gypsies have never been enslaved en masse, they were always an underclass in Romania, living in poverty and illiteracy.

The second is confusing Bucharest with Budapest. In the beginning, when celebrities like Michael Jackson and other musicians playing in Romania’s capital come on stage shouting “how are you doing, Budapest?” locals were indulgently amused. But as the trend continued, they moved from amused to seriously pissed off. After all, Bucharest is the 6th largest city in the European Union and a fine cultural and artistic center. It doesn’t deserve to be confused with its neighbor just because it has a similar name.
Featured image: OHMYGOSSIP/ Helena-Reet Ennet
Source: Anda Galffy/ travelnotesandbeyond.com

10 REASONS to visit Romania

By

Helena-Reet Ennet

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May 14, 2016

OHMYGOSSIP – There is a small country in Eastern Europe that used to be my home – Romania. While I lived there I didn’t care too much about its natural beauty or historic sites. I was constantly dreaming of seeing far-away lands and exotic places.

Now, every time I go back I’m surprised to discover how beautiful Romania actually is. 25 years later and from the other side of the world, I realized that “far-away” or “exotic” is just a matter of geographical perspective. It depends where you are coming from. For people living in America, or Australia, or Japan, Romania is indeed a far-away and exotic place. So if you haven’t seen it yet, I could give you at least 10 reasons to visit Romania.

1. Beautiful landscapes
Romania enjoys a very diverse scenery: from high mountain peeks reaching almost 3,000 meters (the Carpathian Mountains), to hills and plains, the Danube Delta and the Black Sea shore. The country is well-watered by many rivers, streams and lakes. There are two main highways crossing the Carpathian Mountains: Transalpina and Transfagarasan running at very high altitudes, with twists and turns and deep ravines, equally beautiful and dangerous.

2.Medieval towns and old authentic villages
Throughout Transylvania there are villages that remained almost unaffected by modern civilization, still looking like they did three centuries ago. In the central part of the country there are some beautifully preserved medieval towns, like Brasov, Sighisoara, Sibiu, Cluj, or Alba Iulia whose citadels make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

3. Beautiful castles
Romania is home to three of Europe’s top 25 castles: the elegant Peles Castle, located in the Carpathian Mountains near the town of Sinaia; Bran Castle, originally built by the Knights of the Teutonic Order in 1212 and later closely tied to the legend of Dracula; and Hunedoara Castle, also known as Hunyadi, or Corvin Castle, the place of the 7 years imprisonment of Vlad the Impaler and supposedly a haunted place.

4. Easy to visit
As a former communist country, Romania isn’t usually the place that people have high up on their must-see lists. That means tourist attractions can be visited with ease, without many restrictions and limitations, usually strictly enforced in other countries. You can walk just by yourself in a castle without having to wait for an organized tour, or take pictures in an old church without being admonished. Historic sites are not overcrowded and picture-taking is not prohibited in most places. Unfortunately though, this started to change lately as the number of tourists visiting Romania is growing every year.

5. It’s affordable
Romania is still a budget destination where your dollar goes a long way. Hotel and food prices are very low compared to other European countries (a loaf of bread is $0.30, 1 lb. of beef tenderloin is $3.50, a bottle of domestic beer is $1.50). Restaurants and cafés can be slightly more expensive near the tourist sites, but still affordable. Admission fees for museums and other attractions are also very reasonable and so is public transportation (busses, metro, or cabs). Romania’s railway system is one of the largest in the world and prices are very cheap. Many low-cost European airlines connect Romania’s cities with other European countries.

6. Delicious food and historic restaurants
Tasty food has always been a part of the Romanian culture. Almost anywhere you eat the food is delicious. Romanian cuisine has some Hungarian, Germanic and Turkish influences but still maintains its identifiable character. An example would be the classic sour soup (“ciorba“) made with “borş” (a sour liquid made from wheat and cornflower) and fried mutton pastrami with polenta. So if you visit Romania, be prepared to return with a few extra pounds. But besides tasty food, Romania is home to some very old, traditional restaurants with wonderful interiors, painted ceilings and ornate woodwork . Some of the most famous ones are located in Bucharest’s historic center, like Caru’ cu Bere, Hanu’ Berarilor (located in a historic house that once belonged to Elena Lupescu, mistress of King Carol II), Hanu’ lui Manuc, Crama Domneasca, or Casa Doina.

7. The Danube Delta
The Danube Delta is formed by the river Danube flowing into the Black Sea. There are many beautiful sites in Romania that are worth visiting, but if you are a bird-watcher and pure nature lover you shouldn’t miss this one . It is largest and the best preserved delta in Europe, with over 300 species of birds living in its lakes and marshes. The Danube Delta is a protected habitat and was declared a biosphere reserve.

8. The Painted Monasteries of Bucovina
Among the most picturesque treasures of Romania is a group of 8 Painted Monasteries located in the northeastern part of Romania, in Bucovina. The churches date back to medieval times (15th to 16th century). In most cases they have been founded as burial places for the noble families in the area. These churches are extremely well preserved and absolutely unique. There is no other place in the world where you can find such a group, with such high quality interior and exterior frescoes. The frescoes represent biblical scenes from the Old and New Testament. The painters (most of them unknown) gave the biblical scenes their own interpretation, using colors like the famous Voronet blue, the red of Humor, the yellow of Moldovita and the green of Arbore. The wall paintings, inspired by the Byzantine art and completely covering the churches’ façades, are of inestimable artistic value. In 1993 the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina have been declared a World Heritage site.

9.Bucharest’s architecture
In the past, the city’s elegant inter-belic architecture earned Bucharest the nickname of “Little Paris”, but unfortunately today’s architecture is rather a blend of some old palaces dating back to the 19th century, art-deco buildings and new modern blocks of flats. Altogether Bucharest is a mixed bag with some clean, well maintained areas next to neglected, dirty ones. Many of the historic buildings have fallen into serious disrepair, but there are still some old well preserved ones, especially in the downtown area. Miraculously, a good number of historic churches in Bucharest managed to survive Communism and have been restored to their original beauty. The European Union invested serious funds into rebuilding some of the old, historic areas of Bucharest.

10. Friendly people
In the end, no matter how beautiful a country is, it is its people that will make the difference. Romanians are known for their friendliness and hospitality. The best part is that almost everywhere you go you’ll find someone who speaks English, especially the young generation. And even if they don’t, they will do their best to accommodate you or point you in the right direction. In fact they may even offer to accompany you to where you need to get if that’s not very far.

Featured image: OHMYGOSSIP/ Helena-Reet Ennet
Source: Anda Galffy/ travelnotesandbeyond.com

Travel tips: 5 BENEFITS of House Sitting

By

Helena-Reet Ennet

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May 14, 2016

OHMYGOSSIP – House Sitting is a growing travel trend – win-win-win for homeowners, travelers, and pets! It’s a mutually beneficial system that matches travelers with homes. And often, matching animal-loving travelers with animals that need love! I personally am a huge fan of house sitting because it allows me to travel full-time by exchanging my care for new animal friends and a place to stay. But since it’s relatively new, I thought I’d answer some questions and explain some of the benefits!

1. Benefits the Homeowner
If you are a homeowner, having a house sitter to occupy your house on a daily basis is the best step you can take for security, as well as the peace of mind knowing your house and property are cared for. And, it’s free!

If you are a homeowner and a pet parent, having a pet-sitter take care of your babies while you’re away ensures pets are kept happier, healthier and safer in their home environment with their normal diet and routine uninterrupted.

2. Benefits the Sitter
House sitting gives you rent-free accommodation. This can significantly cut down (or eliminate) your travel costs, saving you thousands. It’s a great tool to help you not blow your travel budget. Maybe you don’t want to fork over tons of money for a hotel, or you just don’t feel like staying in a crowded dorm room with a bunch of drunk partiers.

Housesits can be as little as a few days to as long as 6 months to a year or more. As long as you are a responsible mature person and are able to manage a home and take care of maintenance and emergencies that arise, you basically get a free home to live in. There are homes available all over the world in most every major city and country. Is there somewhere you’re always wanted to go? Want to live like a local and really experience the culture authentically? Spend a few months on an island. Stay at a castle in Europe. Live off-grid in the jungle.

If you love animals, you benefit by getting to meet new animal friends, take care of them, and enjoy their companionship. Often, and especially when traveling, animal-lovers need their fix! Interacting with and loving animals in their homes, where they feel most comfortable, is such an awesome responsibility and pleasure. Dogs love to go on walks so you can get exercise and explore local areas, maybe even take them to parks or beaches. You can ride horses, milk goats, hang out with chickens, kiss kittens, or smell puppy breath (yum)!

3. Benefits the Pets
Pets don’t want their owners leaving just as much as their owners don’t want to leave them. They don’t think it’s a great opportunity to finally got some peace and finish working on their novel. Instead they can have issues of abandonment and separation anxiety. Pets can be creatures of habit and do best when their routine is uninterrupted. Nobody wants to impose pet care on unwilling or inexperienced friends, neighbors, or family. Even with the best of intentions, this can be quite a stressful experience to all involved.

Boarding pets comes with the risk of diseases, parasites and behavioral problems, not to mention emotional stress. I have personally worked at many veterinary hospitals and boarding facilities and have seen how traumatic this experience is to the animals. Pets don’t understand that they’re in a safe environment, instead they feel that they were abandoned by their loved ones and left in a jail cell with scary sounds and smells.

With over 15 years of personal experience pet sitting and over 10 as a veterinary technician, I can confidently say that the safest environment for pets to stay in while owners are away is their own homes.

4. Benefits the Home
Having a human occupy the home everyday, coming and going, turning lights on and off, using the tv/radio, and a bicycle or car; all this maintains a lived-in status in your home. This continual presence alone can prevent crime, robbery, and pet theft or abuse. Someone is also around to handle day to day operations, mail, cleaning, and maintenance or emergency issues that may arise. Pipes break, power goes out, water leaks. Better to have someone at home to handle these things rather than come home to a disaster. The peace of mind that comes from the safety and security of having a house sitter is sometimes worth is weight in gold.

5. Benefits the Travel Community
As ambassadors of ourselves, our country, housesitting, and the travel community as a whole, it benefits us all to work together in a symbiotic relationship. The positive experience you have with housesitting can travel online or by word of mouth and turn into someone else’s positive experience. We all want to keep our experiences professional, responsible and kind. This way we can all continue to benefit, and pets can get the love they deserve. House sitting is a great opportunity to live out your travel dreams and explore the world.

If you’re looking for a sitter, or if you’d like to become a sitter, there are many great websites to match homes with sitters. House Carers and Trusted Housesitters have tons of opportunities all over the world.

Source: burgerabroad.com

Featured image is only for illustrative purpose

10 WAYS to cut back on calories

By

Helena-Reet Ennet

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May 14, 2016

OHMYGOSSIP – Most of us love to eat well and why say “no” for your favourite food. Instead of feeling guilty for allowing yourself all these extra treats, work on making a few small changes in your diet and lifestyle in order to counterbalance things! Here are 10 ways how you can cut back on calories.

1. Skip the sugar and cream in your coffee. Opt for skim milk if you can.
2. Take the stairs whenever possible. Say NO to the elevator!
3. Cut out any soda or soft drinks. That includes diet soda!
4. If you plan on drinking, keep it simple. Don’t go for the fruity cocktails. And try your best to limit yourself to three drinks tops.
5. Share your dessert with someone rather than eating it all yourself.
6. Shopping at the mall? Walk fast to burn extra calories. Just be sure to avoid the slow walkers or crowds of teenagers roaming around. (You can even make a game out of this…)
7. If you know you’ll be eating out for dinner, eat a healthy breakfast and lunch so you won’t feel guilty later on.
8. Go ice skating! Not only is it a fun winter activity to do with family and friends, but it’s also a way of exercising. Of course, this is only a good idea if you can actually somewhat ice skate…
9. Don’t sit at your desk all day. Take a few breaks to walk around a bit.
10. Eat whole wheat bread and pasta. Replace brown rice with white rice. It can make a huge difference!

Featured image: Ohmygossip.com

Traveling Fit! 5 WAYS to stay on track

By

Helena-Reet Ennet

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May 14, 2016

OHMYGOSSIP – Hi everyone! I’m Kelly. I am one of the Massachusetts reps, and I write A Lovely Life, Indeed. Committing to a healthy lifestyle takes planning. You plan what you’re going to eat, prep your meals and easy to grab snacks, and you try to arrange your schedule to include some sort of physical activity. Staying on plan when you travel can be more of a challenge. When schedules loosen and food options expand, staying on track takes more thought and initiative, but it can be done.

Here are five ways to stay committed to your fitness goals, even when you’re traveling.

1. Plan. Putting water and your favorite go-to snacks in a cooler will give you the flexibility to make healthy choices. Pack a bag with other snacks and avoid the gas station wasteland.

2. Pit stop stretch. Stop along the way and stretch. Energize your body and brain during these needed rest stops. Need a circuit? Try this one.

3. When you arrive at your destination, think about a walking tour or a bike tour of the city. How about a photo stroll? Walk whenever possible and explore excursions that keep you active, at least part of the time.

4. Shop and cook when you can. This is better for your wallet and your waistline. When you do go out, grilled protein and a veggie is a great choice. Order your salad dressing on the side and dip your fork before you take a bite, instead of pouring it all on top. You can decline the bread basket if you want, and if you’re ordering dessert, one dessert split among many can give you the bite of sweet that you want without overdoing it.

5. Enjoy a treat now and then. Don’t deprive yourself of your favorite things. Eat a cupcake, and then work off a cupcake.

Travel and healthy living can go hand in hand. Plan and prep where you can and when you can’t, use what you know to make good, healthy choices. And enjoy the treats.

Happy travels!

5 TRAVEL tips by Danielle Kempe

By

Helena-Reet Ennet

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May 14, 2016

OHMYGOSSIP – It’s Danielle Kempe taking over the blog today. I’m your MA state rep and a blogger at Getting Fit in MA. My five tips today all have to do with travel. Summer may be over but we all know that fall is a great time to travel, especially throughout the Northeast!

1) Don’t pay for guide books – borrow them from the library before you leave.
I just returned from a trip to Brussels, Belgium, and Paris, France. I got great walking tour guides (with maps) for both cities from the library. I also checked out a great beach read of a mystery novel set in Nice, France.

2) Check Yelp before you go – to get recommendations on tourist attractions & dinning
Bonus: If you’re a part of Yelp’s Elite program, you can attend Elite events in any city. Check the Yelp Elite calendar of the cities you’re visiting & RSVP if there’s an event you’d like to join. I’m a Boston Yelp Elite but I attended a wicked fun Elite event in Dallas, TX when I visited this year.

3) Don’t over-schedule yourself
It’s OK if you’d like to just sit and read a book on your vacation. You don’t need to be sight-seeing 24/7! This is your time to relax too!

4) Bring a power strip
If you’re traveling overseas, don’t forget the power adaptors too. (Note: Ask the front desk about it first though if traveling overseas. I found out the hard way that power adaptors and power strips may overload a circuit though when I blew a fuse at a hotel when I plugged the power strip into the adaptor. Oops!) The power adaptor is great for US trips though, since you’re less likely to leave a charger behind if everything is plugged into the power strip.

5) Check local blogs before you travel to see if they have suggestions.
Locals know their cities best after all!

I hope you all have a lot of fun on your trips this season!

Attempt to annul impeachment rejected, Brazil Senate to vote on May 11

By

Helena-Reet Ennet

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May 11, 2016

OHMYGOSSIP – Brazil’s Senate was thrown into disarray on May 9 following a surprise appeal from acting Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies – Waldir Maranhao to halt the impeachment process, which was later rejected.

According to reports, Maranhao called for a fresh vote in the Lower House over the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff and claimed that the previous votes were rendered invalid due to procedural failings.

It was added that the appeal was deemed illegal by Senate Speaker Renan Calheiros, and the disaccord between the two top members led the Senate into chaos.

Reports state that in defense of his decision, Maranhao said to reporters in a rather hasty press conference that, “We have the duty to save democracy through debate. We are not and will not be playing with democracy.”

Eventually, the Brazilian Senate reportedly decided to continue with the voting on the impeachment, scheduled to take place on May 11.

This was also confirmed by the president of the Senate impeachment commission.

Further, Renan Calheiros reportedly said that, “It is not up to the president of the Senate to say whether is it [the decision] or is not fair, but up to the senate plenary, all the senators together. That was the decision taken by the Supreme Court.”

Reports add that if the Senate finds majority of votes are in favour of the impeachment on May 11, Dilma Rousseff would be suspended from office.

Experts opine that the impeachment trial may span over six months.

Featured image: Waldir Maranhao (AFP)

Juan Carlos Varela: Panama closes border with Colombia to stem migrant flow

By

Helena-Reet Ennet

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May 11, 2016

OHMYGOSSIP – Panama will close key crossings on its border with Colombia to prevent undocumented migrants from Cuba and Africa entering the country, president Juan Carlos Varela said Monday.

“We’ve taken the difficult decision to close the border with Colombia in the Puerto Obaldia area and in other parts of the border to prevent the trafficking of illegal immigrants,” Varela said at the launch of an anti-drug trafficking operation.

Last week, Panama and Mexico agreed to airlift almost 3,500 Cubans stranded since December on the Panamanian frontier with Costa Rica to near the U.S.-Mexico border.

Cubans entering the United States receive residency with relative ease under the U.S. Cuban Adjustment Act of 1996.

Just inside the border with Panama, Puerto Obaldia has been one of the main crossing points from Colombia for thousands of Cubans and other migrants who have traveled to the United States via Central America in the past two years.

Many of the Cubans entering last year began their trek in Ecuador, which offered them an easy way into South America. In December, Ecuador imposed visa requirements on the Cubans.

The number of Cubans heading north surged last year, in part due to their fears that recent rapprochement between Havana and Washington could end those preferential U.S. policies.