Silicon Valley TOP10: The most amazing and inspiring people in tech right now

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July 12, 2016

NordenBladet – There’s a misconception that Silicon Valley is all about creating frivolous apps and getting paid buckets of money to do it while working in a frat house. Some of the brogrammer culture does exist in pockets, but it doesn’t define the cradle of innovation where thousands work and create in Silicon Valley. Here is Silicon Valley´s TOP 10 most amazing and inspiring people in tech right now.

1. Mark Zuckerberg
Cofounder and CEO, Facebook

It has been a big year for Zuckerberg. At Facebook’s annual F8 developers conference in April, he laid out a 10-year road map for Facebook, detailing short-term plans to ramp up video, search, and apps, such as Instagram and WhatsApp, in the next five years. The company’s long-term focus will include bigger projects like drones, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality.

Zuckerberg also became a dad last fall, prompting him to pledge to give away 99% of his $50 billion fortune throughout his lifetime. He will do so primarily through a new organization he cofounded with his wife, Priscilla Chan, called the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, which is aimed at making long-term investments in causes and organizations that will improve health, education, and equality.

2. Larry Page
Cofounder and CEO, Alphabet

Once just a search engine, Google has grown so tremendously that its cofounders felt it was time to restructure the company. In a letter last summer, Page announced the creation of Alphabet, a holding company that oversees Google and numerous other subsidiaries. As Alphabet’s CEO, Page can focus on acquiring new technologies, fostering “moonshot” projects, and developing talent — his first move was promoting Google’s Sundar Pichai from senior vice president to CEO.

In June, Bloomberg Businessweek reported that Page had personally acquired two companies working on creating a flying car, an investment unaffiliated with Alphabet.

3. Travis Kalanick
Cofounder and CEO, Uber

Worth $68 billion, the ride-hailing service Uber, helmed by Kalanick, holds steady in its place as the most valuable private tech company in the world. Under Kalanick’s leadership, the startup also raised the largest round of venture capital ever, bringing in $3.5 billion from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in June.

Uber continues to expand and innovate, particularly through new services, such as UberEats, which brings meals to New York City customers, and UberRush, which helps businesses make deliveries. Kalanick leads the charge as Uber expands and conquers new markets, even as it faces fierce competition in China.

4. Elon Musk
CEO, Tesla; CEO and CTO, SpaceX; chairman, Solar City

Musk continues to be one of the world’s most influential entrepreneurs — and preeminent multitaskers. Musk has his eyes set on dominating land and space through Tesla Motors and SpaceX, two of the hottest and most progressive companies of our generation. In April, Musk unveiled Tesla’s mass-market Model 3, racking up 375,000 preorders in one month. The company is reportedly struggling to meet demand.

In June, Musk made a highly criticized all-stock offer for Tesla to acquire the floundering solar-energy company SolarCity; Musk owns 22% of the company and serves as its chairman. And if that weren’t enough, he also envisioned a futuristic transporation system called the Hyperloop that would take people from LA to San Francisco in less than an hour. One company building a system based on that idea has now secured $80 million in series B financing in May and has begun testing its technology.

5. Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner
Cofounder and executive chairman (Hoffman), CEO (Weiner), LinkedIn

In March, Weiner gave his $14 million stock bonus back to LinkedIn employees after the company’s stock tumbled 40% following the company’s tepid February earnings report. Weiner hoped the move would help reinvigorate employees and improve morale.

By June, the company’s stock-price woes had become moot. The tech world shook after Weiner and cofounder Hoffman oversaw the professional social network’s sale to Microsoft for a stunning $26.2 billion in cash. The deal marked Microsoft’s largest acquisition ever, with the software giant paying a 50% premium to close the deal. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella plans to eventually sync LinkedIn’s network with Microsoft Office, ideally bolstering the overall user experience on both sides.

6. Jack Dorsey
Cofounder and CEO, Twitter and Square

As CEO of both Square and Twitter, Dorsey has his fingerprints all over Silicon Valley. In November he took the mobile payment company Square public, opening at $9 a share, lower than the $11 to $13 originally proposed. Though some outlets called it a flop, many entrepreneurs would kill for the company’s $3 billion market capitalization and $1.3 billion in revenue.

And after returning to Twitter as interim CEO last July (and officially appointed CEO in October), Dorsey has spent the past year turning the struggling social network around by solidifying its mission and making product adjustments, including plans to incorporate more live video and crack down on the hateful abuse many users complain about.

7. Tim Cook
CEO, Apple

In the past 12 months, Cook guided the tech giant through the launch of Apple Music, which garnered 6.5 million paid subscribers in the first month after the service’s free-trial period; released the Apple TV 4, which can run third-party apps and access Siri; and introduced the iPad Pro, the company’s largest tablet, boldly declaring the end of PCs with it.

Under Cook, Apple also recently invested $1 billion into Didi Chuxing, the Chinese ride-hailing service that is blowing Uber out of the water in China. The deal was Apple’s first major investment since it bought Beats Electronics in 2014.

8. Marc Benioff
Cofounder and CEO, Salesforce

It might not be a shiny, consumer-facing product, but the cloud computing software company Salesforce is crushing it and remains one of the hottest tech companies in the world. Helmed by Benioff, the $50 billion business boasts a 22% compound annual growth rate and is expected to rake in more than $8 billion in revenue this year.

Benioff has become a model CEO not just for financial success but also for social involvement, standing up for gender equality, workplace diversity, and LGBT rights. He has openly criticized legislation that could be used to discriminate against LGBT workers and publicly pledged to guarantee equal pay for men and women.

9. David Marcus
VP of messaging products, Facebook

It has been nearly two years since Marcus left his cushy job as president of PayPal to join the Facebook team as vice president of messaging products, a move he has called a “once-in-a-generation opportunity.” Under his rule, Facebook’s Messenger has grown into a beast of its own, with 900 million monthly active users as of April.

This year Marcus built out Messenger’s AI capabilities to include Spotify song sharing, Uber and Lyft ride hailing, food ordering, and flight tracking. And with the recent unveiling of chat bots for businesses, Messenger aims to make sure you never have to deal with human customer service again.

10. Brian Slingerland, Scott Dylla, and Daniel Reiner
Cofounders, Stemcentrx

Previously a Goldman Sachs vice president and a senior scientist at OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, respectively, Slingerland and Dylla publicly launched Stemcentrx in September along with Reiner, a serial investor and former telecom executive. Their mission: to end cancer by targeting cancer-specific stem cells.

Less than a year later, the pharma giant AbbVie bought the biotech startup for $10.2 billion, when the company was valued at $5 billion, in one of the largest tech acquisitions ever. AbbVie showed special interest in Stemcentrx’s lung-cancer-fighting drug Rova-T, which could grow the company’s oncology business. AbbVie hopes to bring the drug to market by 2018.

Source:
THE SILICON VALLEY 100: The most amazing and inspiring people in tech right now by Business Insider

Helena-Reet: Soon off to short vacation with family to Finland! Here are the three reasons why we decided for Naantali

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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June 30, 2016

NordenBladet – This year’s summer is so loaded with life events and work that planning just a few days off with the family of four can be quite a challenge. Everyone in the family has a hectic schedule – either a secondment, a summer camp, scheduling the kids to spend time at grandparents’ home, then again the guests coming over, a theatre evening now, a concert night then – trying to make all the plans match is rather complicated! I have been web searching for information about a place suitable for a family vacation, so that everyone of us would be excited about it and so that it would also not take more that just a few days. The customary one week „summer holiday” travel was off the table due to this and hence my thoughts soon drifted towards Finland.

Finland as a holiday destination has already been often visited. However, since the country and its people are close to the heart and since crossing the Gulf is quick and easy, it wasn’t really much of a trouble to decide. „Finland… well then… but which part of the country?”, was my next question, since I hoped that my children would find it amusing and that I might also enjoy a pleasant stay in a lovely SPA …a very common wish for many a mother, I would say… Back in January when I visited a tourism fair in Finland I returned with dozens (hundreds!) of visit cards and booklets, the majority of them introducing places of interest in Finland. So there I were, browsing the materials, and voila! – NAANTALI. Precisely what I wished for at the moment, precisely what I had been looking for.

THREE main reasons why we chose Naantali this time:

#1 Very close – Naantali is only a few hours driving from Helsinki (the distance by air is 164km and 182km via E18 road. Starting off from Estonia, Tallinn, you actually need just 4-5h to reach this destination. An enormous bonus is that you can go by car – because what I really like is taking piles of luggage with me without much concern what exactly I might or might not need. Especially when we travel with children – whoever has got children certainly knows that 80% of the total luggage is usually made up of kids’ stuff. Packing this way just takes a moment – you simply heap everything in the suitcase and the car will do the rest. Besides, with the car you can take a break whenever you please, either for a toilet stop, either for taking pictures of the beautiful landscape, either for spontaneous shopping if there is an outlet, either just out of curiosity, either for a meal – you can just stop the car and take care of everything. I choose this! No distress, no restraints, convenient schedule!

#2 Children have a lot of great activities – I trust that Naantali is a good choice for a holiday, since the surrounding tourism is designed to invite children and parents alike. The travel booklet lists all ongoing events and holiday activities (see naantalinmatkailu.fi). Furthermore, there is a theme park after the writer Tove Jansson’s beloved children’s book „The Moomins”. It is supposedly this fiction theme park, the Moomin world (see muumimaailma.fi) in Naantali that attracts the most tourists. Probably just as thrilling for the youngsters is the Adventure Island Väsk (see vaski.fi), a boat trip away, and even the journey by boat to the island is already just as great an adventure for the kids. Full day card to the Moomin world is 28 euros and attending for two days in a row is 38 euros. Väsk tickets are 24 euros for each visitor (this includes the boat trip to the island and back).

#3 Luxurious style – Naantali has a most delightful five star spa hotel „Naantali SPA”, a branch of Sunborn hotels chain (see naantalispa.fi and sunbornhotels.com). I really enjoy adding a splendid luxurious style to the simple virtues of a good night’s rest. Therefore I am often extra emphasizing the hotel selection procedure. Concerning hotels – a rather modest choice can completely ruin the chances of creating a pleasant emotional foundation. Certainly there are the exceptions where precisely the somewhat crazy conditions are a part of the very agenda of the holiday… in this case I might consider a camping site, however, I would skip a snooze in a tent, since I find this more suitable for younger holidaymakers. A beautiful hotel room creates good feelings – luxurious hotels as well as edgy airports – these two are the nuances that add extra colour to the holiday experience. This particular holiday does not include the airport pass, nevertheless, the hotel is super spectacular. Naantali SPA hotel has got the biggest swimming pools and greatest sauna world, pleasing the highest expectations of kids and grown-ups. Not to mention the magnificent restaurants and the real essence of this holiday option – the charming family rooms! By the way, finding cozy family rooms in a hotel are definitely not an easy task to solve, if you don´t quite look for the president´s suite. Most hotels offer 2+1 options… thus travelling with two kids is already a lot more tricky. I wonder what would be the choices for even larger families?!

To illustrate this advantage, I copy here some of the pictures from the hotel´s home page – for example this is what the hotel is like from the outside like and here is what you can further find behind the facade: the Deluxe double room in the main building (32m²) that I have booked for three nights along with the SPA visit. As I have understood, our room has extra beds. The price for this room for three nights is 762 euros. Family ticket for the SPA (2 grown-ups plus 2 children aged between 4 and 12 years), Sun-Fri 50 euros, Sat 65 euros (complimentary for hotel residents!).

Estella Elisheva (10yrs) ja Ivanka Shoshana (8yrs) (2x on the pictures beneath) are already overwhelmed by the „travel fever”, longing for this holiday to begin. The Moomin cartoons that had been set aside have now been newly taken into the agenda, and Ivanka Shoshana seems to already have memorized the entire district map of the Moomin world from the Muumimaailma.fi webpage. Estella on the other hand seems even more keen on the Naantali SPA water park. We will see what gives the most wow-effect once we arrive. The detailed travel plan for these 4 days is still work in progress – a few other places of interest are also an absolute must! Myself – I am also already much looking for this great holiday! A pleasant little vacation can only do you good!

We are travelling to Naantali for four days in the beginning of July, I guess I´ll be posting more on this topic once we begin this journey. We will be hoping that the weather favours us!

Stay gorgeous, my darlings!

Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has opened the Petter Dass festival in Alstahaug

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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June 18, 2016

OHMYGOSSIP – Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has opened the Petter Dass festival in Alstahaug, Norway, and gave a speech. The 42-year-old royal gave a speech on the first day of the ceremony, which took place on Thursday (16.06.16) in the Helgeland region of Norway, and revealed she has been “very much” looking forward to attending the ceremony.

Speaking at the event, which was reported on Norway Today website, the blonde beauty said: “I have been looking very much forward to finally experiencing this cultural festival, which in Petter Dass’ own spirit unites several artistic expressions, such as literature, music and visual arts, in wonderful surroundings. It’s a great experience to be here.”

The theme for this year’s festival is based on the Mosaic Law’s second commandment, which is: “You shall not misuse the name of God”, and organisers have been inspired by the subject of freedom of expression and cultural taboos to fit in with the theme.

Speaking about the theme, the mother-of-two – who has 12-year-old daughter Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway and 10-year-old son Prince Sverre Magnus of Norway with her husband the Crown Prince of Norway Haakon – said: “This way the festival shows how important it is to remain relevant, to interpret the textual heritage in a way that brings it into our times.”

Meanwhile, Mette-Marit enjoyed a day out at the two-day festival EAT: Stockholm Food Forum, which was held at the Clarion Hotel Sign on Tuesday (14.06.16) with Princess Victoria of Sweden, 38, where they spoke at the conference alongside ‘The Naked Chef’ Jamie Oliver.

Mike Tindall: Zara Phillips is a fantastic chef

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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May 26, 2016

OHMYGOSSIP – Britain’s Zara Phillips – the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II – is a talented cook, according to her husband Mike Tindall. The second eldest granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II is a talented cook and can whip up delicious dishes like fish stew and loves to “experiment” with ingredients in the kitchen.

Mike, 37, – who wed the blonde beauty in 2011 – is great at making sweet treats but that’s about all and added: “I’m good at making chocolate brownies, sticky toffee puddings and chocolate fondants. When we have people over, I prepare deserts. But I can only cook from a recipe book. It’s Zara who’s the fantastic chef in our house. She makes a lot of fish dishes and isn’t afraid to experiment.”

The former England rugby star retired from the sport in 2014 and now enjoys spending quality time with the couple’s two-year-old daughter Mia.

He told Hello! magazine: “One thing I vowed when I finished playing was that I didn’t want to be away from home all the time. I used to leave the house at 6am and return 12 hours later, which mean I hardle ever saw Mia. But the variety of what I do now enables me to appreciate my time with her, to take her to Tumble Tots or go to swimming, cycling, or for walks in the fields with our three dogs. It’s brilliant watching her grow up, especially at this age where she’s turning into a lively little person with character.”

Meanwhile, the hunk insists his future lies with his family and being there for 35-year-old Zara, 35 – who won an Olympic silver medal in horse riding and has hopes of entering the Rio Olympics in August.

He said: “My role is to be there for her in whatever way works best.”

Princess Charlotte has a ‘little crew of royal’ friends

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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May 26, 2016

OHMYGOSSIP – Britain’s Princess Charlotte has a “little crew of royal” friends in her royal cousins Mia, Savannah, Isla and her brother George. The 12-month-old daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge is great pals with Savannah, five, and Isla, four, whose parents are Peter Phillips and his wife Autumn and Mia, from Phillip’s sister Zara and her husband Mike Tindall.

Mike – whose wife and brother-in-law are the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II – says the adults in the royal family are very close and the children are growing up with the same bond.

He revealed: “Mia and Savannah and Isla enjoy being around babies and were very gentle with (Charlotte). We’ve got a good little crew of royal youngsters going on there now. They all seem to get on and enjoy each other’s company and it’ll be good to watch them grow up together…. There’s a strong bond between the royal family. We’d like that between all our little ones as well.”

Autumn added that her niece, Mia, is “a little wrecking ball” and “a little monkey” and the “the dynamic is great” when the girls and Princess Charlotte’s brother, Prince George, aged two, get together.

She gushed: “All the youngsters, our girls, Mia and Prince George, run down the corridors, laughing.”

Meanwhile, Mike – who wed Zara, an Olympic silver medalist, back in 2011 – revealed Mia, Savannah, and Isla, often go riding their horses together with their parents.

He told Hello! magazine: “All three of them love each other. They often go riding together on our three Shetlands. Mia has progressed to a proper saddle now. The girls are like peas in a pod and I think that closeness between them will continue for many years.”

And he thinks the Queen’s oldest great grandchildren, James Viscount Severn, eight and 12-year-old Lady Louise, who are the children of Prince Edward and his wife Sophie “will end up being the babysitters.”

Prince of Wales delights fans and is ‘so down to earth’ in Donegal

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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May 26, 2016

OHMYGOSSIP – Britain’s Duke and Duchess of Cornwall visited County Donegal in Ireland and fans described Prince Charles as “so down to earth”.

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall made their first official visit to County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday (25.05.16) and chatted to delighted residents, who said the heir apparent made everyone feel at ease.

Róisín McCool, principal of Irish speaking school Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí, said it was an honour for the children to perform Irish dancing for the royals and added: “We were absolutely honoured and privileged to be here today to be singing and dancing and playing music for Prince Charles and Camilla.

“It went fantastic and they loved it. Everybody was so down to earth he was absolutely lovely and he was talking to the kids and us.

“The kids sang their hearts out and they played so well and danced fantastically well. So I was over the moon and delighted for them all.”

And Camilla, 68, and her 67-year-old husband gave the county a “tourist boost,” according to Donegal Castle’s manager Sean McLoone.

He told the BBC: “It went very very well, the sun shone which always helps and I thought the castle looked resplendent and certainly the royal highnesses expressed their thanks, they enjoyed their tour.

“There was a lot of smiles all round. I think its very important from a tourist perspective because a lot of our visitors would be traditionally from England anyway.”

Meanwhile, the Duke of Cornwall described the county – which is home to Glenveagh National Park – as “a place of dramatic and beautiful scenery, of music and storytelling, of myth, legend and the Irish language” and a place “where the link between man and the land is still so well understood”.

Coldplay headline Prince Harry’s Sentebale gig at Kensington Palace

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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May 26, 2016

OHMYGOSSIP – Coldplay will headline Britain’s Prince Harry’s Sentebale charity concert at Kensington Palace on June 28. Just two days after they take to the stage at the world famous Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, England, the ‘Hymn for the Weekend’ hitmakers will sing tracks from their album ‘A Head Full of Dreams’ in support of the prince’s charity and The Handa Foundation.

Coldplay were “delighted” to accept the royal invitation and said: “We’re delighted to join Prince Harry for this very special concert and to support Sentebale’s incredible work with adolescents affected by HIV in Lesotho and Botswana.”

The British group – which includes Chris Martin, Will Champion, Guy Berryman and Jonny Buckland – will play to a crowd of 3,000 people in the outdoor grounds of the palace next month to raise funds for the charity which helps vulnerable children in sub-Saharan Africa and was set up in memory of Prince Harry’s late mother Princess Diana.

The flame-haired royal founded the charity with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006 to continue the vital work his mother set out to do to tackle HIV and AIDS.

Cathy Ferrier, CEO of Sentebale, said: “We are ever more committed to play our part and use all our resources to support children living with HIV. The concert is about bringing people together who can make a difference.”

‘Green Garden’ hitmaker Laura Mvula, African-Norwegian duo Nico & Vinz, and spoken word poet and Sentebale’s ambassador George Mpanga, known as George the Poet, will also perform.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry, 31, previously enlisted the Coldplay frontman, 39, to write the official anthem for the Invictus Games which he also set up and enjoyed its second event this year.

15 Magical US mini-moon destinations for every type of newlywed

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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May 26, 2016

OHMYGOSSIP – With the average cost of a wedding hovering around $30,000, it’s no wonder that modern couples are saving some green everywhere they can, from doing their own wedding day makeup to DIYing their bouquet. There are also money-saving honeymoon options for the cash-strapped bride and groom. Instead of choosing that dreamy international adventure, many couples are opting for a shorter “mini-moon” a little closer to home. But just because a domestic mini-moon is cheaper, doesn’t mean that it won’t be as romantic. Here are 15 swoon-worthy US destinations for every type of newlywed couple.

Sun Seekers

1. Miami, Florida: No, South Beach isn’t just for spring breakers. This popular touristy locale is perfect for a romantic getaway, with its beautiful art deco hotels, white sandy beaches and lively nighttime entertainment.

2. Maui, Hawaii: Pretty much any island in Hawaii would be ideal for an unforgettable mini-moon, but we’re partial to the stunning island of Maui. With breathtaking waterfalls, beachy resorts and postcard scenery, it’s definitely worthy of your first few days as newlyweds.

3. Clearwater, Florida: Located on the Gulf of Mexico in Pinellas County, the white sand beaches of Clearwater are a beach bum’s dream. From dolphin searching to parasailing to Adirondack chair lounging, you’ll never run out of things to do in this warm and wonderful Gulf-coast town.

Foodies

4. Portland, Oregon: With microbreweries, food trucks and coffeehouses galore — a trip to Portland is almost guaranteed to include some good Instagram-worthy eats.

5. Atlanta, Georgia: The capital city of Georgia may not be widely known for its grub, but spend a few days in the city and you’ll understand why it’s high on almost every foodie’s American dining list. From Antico Pizza to Sublime Donuts, you’ll definitely end up eating your weight in food on this stunning southern adventure.

6. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Home of the iconic Philly cheese steak, a mini-moon to Philadelphia is packed with delicious goodies. Whether you’re looking for savory bites or sweet treats, Pennsylvania’s largest city is just waiting to seat you in one of their thousands of yummy restaurants.

Adventure Junkies

7. Sedona, Arizona: A true desert town, this beautiful city is surrounded by nature’s playground. We’re talking red-rock buttes, 1.8 million acres of national forest land and two state parks. Whether your ideal getaway is sleeping under the breathtaking stars or hot air ballooning over the red rocks at dawn, Sedona can fulfill your dream adventure.

8. The Big Island, Hawaii: Take a helicopter ride over Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, scuba dive with manta rays off the Kona Coast and walk through the 442-foot Akaka Falls. Whatever adventure you are dreaming of, the Big Island is waiting.

9. Anchorage, Alaska: The largest city in the state of Alaska, this adventurous town is overflowing with things to do with your sweetie. From dog sledding and bicycle tours to glacier cruises, let’s just say a mini-moon here will not be forgotten anytime soon.

Wine Lovers

10. Napa Valley, California: A list of the top domestic wineries to visit wouldn’t be complete without Napa Valley. With dozens of award-winning wineries and vineyards to visit (go check out Sterling Vineyards for the view of a lifetime), it’s a trip that’ll make any wine lover swoon.

11. Yadkin Valley, North Carolina: A hidden gem in beautiful North Carolina, this winery-packed region originated as a tobacco-growing locale. With a rich history and a stunning landscape, you and your partner will have the time of your lives sipping delicious reds while taking in all of the unbelievable sites.

12. Traverse City, Michigan: With over 40 wineries and vineyards in the region, Traverse City is an excellent spot for a romantic mini-moon, especially if going all the way out to sunny California isn’t in your budget.

Big City Dreamers

13. New York City, New York: You better get in a New York state of mind — and fast! From the dazzling spectacle of Times Square to the insane views from recently opened One World Observatory, the city that never sleeps is packed with things to see and do.

14. New Orleans, Louisiana: Nicknamed “The Big Easy,” the hopping nightlife, unbeatable jazz-and-blues scene, rich culture and good eats in this popular Louisiana city make it a great place to celebrate marrying your sweetie. With dozens of festivals a year, it’s always festival season in NOLA.

15. San Francisco, California: A mini-moon to the Bay Area involves much more than gazing upon the Golden Gate Bridge. From sea lion spotting at Pier 39 to catching a cable car up to Nob Hill, this sunny destination is equal parts big city and California dreamin’.

Source: Brit.co/ Ashley Macey
Featured image: Ohmygossip.com

Eat healthy on your next cruise with these expert-approved tips

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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May 26, 2016

OHMYGOSSIP – Staying on that juicing tip, subbing zoodles for pasta and keeping gluten-free is challenging enough when you’re making your own meals at home. But the minute you fly out on your way to a blissful, week-long summer cruise, making healthy eating choices becomes even more of a challenge. We get it! That’s why we asked two of our favorite healthy eating gurus, The Nutrition Twins Lyssie Lakatos, RDN, CDN, CFT and Tammy Lakatos Shames, RDN, CDN, CFT, the best ways to eat healthy while on a cruise. These two are registered dietitians and authors of The Nutrition Twins’ Veggie Cure, and are all about giving practical, real-life advice to women looking to stay healthy and have fun.

1. Fill your plate— twice. First, grab a regular dinner-sized plate and load up with fresh veggies, like a salad with a simple dressing or steamed vegetables that aren’t drowning in oil or butter. The twins say this will “take the edge off your hunger” and help you make better choices the rest of the evening.

The ladies suggest picking up a small salad plate for your second trip to fill with foods like fresh fish, roasted vegetables, lean meats and whole grains. “The staff want to make sure you’re happy,” the twins remind, so if you’d like your salmon with a lighter sauce or prefer pesto to Alfredo, don’t be afraid to ask for substitutions.

2. Employ the “every other” rule. Tropical frozen drinks flow on a cruise ship; it’s easy to completely derail your diet when piña coladas are coming at you free and fast. The twins suggest sticking to wine and bubbly while you’re on board and chasing every alcoholic bevvie with a glass of water. Go one step farther and start the night with a black iced tea, they advise. It’s full of the amino acid theanine that brings calmness and alertness, helping you to make better choices throughout the evening.

3. Keep a food record. When you take note of your daily eating, it holds you more accountable to yourself. It’s hard to mindlessly gobble up five cookies when you’re writing down what you’re eating at the end of the night. It’s just another way to help keep you aware of your food choices during your vacation, which the twins say is the most important thing to staying healthy.

4. Snack smart. The twins remind that “you’re so close to food” on a cruise ship that you’re not going to starve — so it’s easy to snack smart and small. If you do feel snacky, they suggest handfuls of nuts, a cup of greek yogurt with berries, a bit of shrimp cocktail, hummus and carrot sticks or a few pieces of cheese and fruit.

5. Keep your suit on. Literally, keep your bathing suit on all day. “Think light!” the girls remind. If you stay in your suit all day, rather than, say, a flowing caftan, you’re more apt to steer clear of carb and sugar bombs that are guaranteed to make you feel bloated and sluggish.

Featured image: Ohmygossip.com
Source: Brit.co/ Megan Parry

WHERE you should travel this summer based on your zodiac sign

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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May 26, 2016

OHMYGOSSIP – Summertime is shor, way too short. That means it’s time to take a break from watching wanderlust YouTube vloggers and make time to finally take your trip! If you’re having a hard time choosing where to spend your vacay, let the stars guide you. Zodiac-obsessed gals, you know what’s up. Our star signs tell us a lot about our personalities, our best pets and even how to date. In sum, our signs give us… well, signs that can help us decide where we will have the best time!

Aquarius
The independently minded Aquarian loves a unique adventure, not the typical tourist hot spot. Trendy vacation destinations? Aquarians probably made them cool first. If you’re seeking warmer climates with mountainous views, Peru makes for a perfect place that is full of adventure opportunities beyond Machu Picchu. Craving a fun city to explore? Lisbon, a coastal city in Portugal, has a vibrant restaurant and cafe scene to go along with its rich history. Art enthusiasts will have a field day roaming their museums.

Pisces
One word comes to mind: Water. Tranquil beings, Pisces seek beautiful and calm surroundings that still have some options for fun outings when the mood strikes. Hawaii might be the first place that pops into your head, but why not switch it up a bit? Try Aruba! You can lay on beaches, sail, snorkel or go on some off-road tours. Aruba provides both relaxation and exploration, so Pisces will never be bored.

Aries
Aries are an active bunch who like to explore, especially if the destination is new and hikable. If the climate you’re seeking is nice and hot, Costa Rica is the way to go. It was pretty much made for Aries, with all the jungle hiking, surfing and plenty of hammocks. New Zealand is another destination that’s a bit out of the ordinary, with plenty to explore. Its gorgeous green mountains are just asking to be hiked (or even flown over by helicopter), and Aries might never want to leave.

Taurus
Bulls seek vacations where they can enjoy some of the finer things in life, and they all must be delicious. Heading to wine country and exploring Napa or Sonoma would be a no-brainer, but what if you were looking to explore further? Brighton Beach in England is a seaside town with a pebble beach (and pier), plenty of shopping and excellent restaurants to explore (or, if you’re a bull who likes to try traditional local fare, some of the best fish-and-chip shops the whole UK has to offer).

Gemini
Geminis love to travel to places with activities around every corner. Museums, shopping, cultural landmarks and plenty of parks for people watching are all musts for a Gemini’s vacation spot. That’s why it’s best to go to a big city. Madrid is a dream for a traveler looking to soak in history and culture. Spend an afternoon in the Prado Museum, then go on a tapas crawl. Another big city for the bravest of Geminis to explore would be Tokyo: all the vibrancy, all the karaoke, all the Harajuku, all of the time!

Cancer
Cancers generally aren’t lovers of crowds and prefer things on the chiller side. Therefore, they look for vacation spots that will accommodate their comfort needs. A unique destination for Cancers could be Galway, a coastal town in Ireland. It has all the charm of Dublin, minus the big city bustle, plus it’s off the North Atlantic Ocean (Cancers like being near water). If you’re seeking a warmer climate, Santa Barbara, California is a beautiful coastal hideout.

Leo
Leos know what they like and want a vacation that won’t disappoint. Must-have aspects for a Leo vacay include a historically rich city with a hint of glam and a lively nightlife. Paris could be the place to be, but been there, done that. Lions, make your way to Berlin. With a crazy nightlife scene and galleries upon galleries, this is a city booming with culture. Looking for similar glamour but seaside? Hit up Barcelona, Spain for bustling street life and an art scene that can’t quit.

Virgo
Virgos aren’t just looking for a warm destination with great food — they like to learn while they vacay. For them, it’s all about what they can walk away with. Amsterdam is not only historic but also beautiful. Virgos can up their history and art knowledge in museums, experience the culture by exploring the markets (flea, book, flower, etc) and soak in the beauty of the architecture and gardens. Looking for a stateside equivalent? If you haven’t been, it’s
New Orleans or bust for you.

Libra
Libras like their options. They like to keep things interesting, see all the things a place has to offer and, if they feel so inclined, check out surrounding areas as well. If you haven’t saved up to backpack around Europe or Spain for a month or two (#samesies), you might still have a chance to save a bit and see what the Greek Islands have to offer. You can sail, check out wineries, visit historical sites and hit the beach — all while experiencing the charms of local haunts.

Scorpio
Scorpios are a bit outdoorsy, and they like to explore. While you don’t have to get crazy rustic (vacations should always be at least a bit relaxing), a bungalow in Tulum, Mexico might be the ideal spot for a post-cave dive nap. Tulum offers ancient Mayan ruins, a city center with authentic food and one of the best beaches in Mexico. Pro tip: If you want to stay in the US, Big Sur in California has some swoon-worthy beaches and hiking trails.

Sagittarius
Sagittarius kids like to travel — like, really, really travel. They like to immerse themselves and live the life of a local. You can go Nordic and jet to Iceland for hot springs and black sand beaches. You can also check out some of the oldest breweries in the world in Belgium. Looking for a warm spot? Try backpacking in Belize. The world is Sagittarius’ oyster.

Capricorn
Capricorns need a balanced vacation of sightseeing and chilling. Somewhere like Prague could be a great fit for Capricorn. Explore the castles and the city’s Wenceslas Square, then take a load off along the river with a beer at a local pub. If the Caribbean is more your scene, try Bocas del Toro, Panama. Swim with dolphins in the coral reef, explore restaurants in the villages and kick back in your bungalow with a fresh juice or cocktail.

Featured image: Ohmygossip.com
Source: Brit.co/ Kristin Egan