With Memorial Day next Monday, the un-official, official start of the summer grilling season begins. I love this time of year. It’s silly, but I definitely feel a bit more primal as I stand over my grill and listen to the sizzle of the meat as it cooks above the flame. After all, the same basic principles that our caveman ancestors used to cook saber-toothed tigers over an open fire pit still apply to us backyard grillers: make fire, put meat over fire, cook meat until done, devour with relish.

While the principles haven’t changed, the technology has and meat grilling is better for it. Below we highlight four pieces of grilling gear that will make you a master griller.

The post Gear and Tech to Become a Grill Master appeared first on LifeScoop.

But most of the time it’s not as easy as just reading numbers. A phone is something you’ll use everyday for two years (if you’re lucky). It needs to be durable, adequately future-proof and feel right in your hand.

Where do we begin?

TechRadar has continually updated their comparisons of the top 20 best cell phones you can get in the U.S. They give you a brief overview of every phone and why they love it. But feel free to check out their incredibly extensive mobile phone reviews for a more in-depth look to decide for yourself which cell phone is best.

Here’s TechRadar’s list of the best cell phones in the U.S., starting with number 20:

20. BlackBerry Q10
While the Z10 saw BlackBerry tread new water in the mobile market with its first fully touchscreen device, the Q10 sees a return to more familiar territory with the handset sporting the firm’s famous QWERTY keyboard.

Anyone who currently uses a BlackBerry handset will be able to pick up the Q10 and start tapping away without a care in the world – although if you’re thinking of transitioning from a touchscreen device you may not fare so well.

However, battery life is a big issue with today’s smartphones, and the BlackBerry Q10 is one of the best out there, easily providing you with a full day of operation – even with pretty heavy usage.
But when you start stacking the Q10 up against handsets which have a similar price tag – the Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One, Sony Xperia Zand iPhone 5 – you can’t help but think it’s possibly one of the most expensive keyboards on the planet, with little in the way of stand out features to justify its cost.

19. Sony Xperia Z
Sony’s come out here with a very strong message: we are back and we mean business. There’s no hint of this being a niche Android phone – or by any means a cheap one.

There is so much to love about the Sony Xperia Z, and while there are some annoyances, they pale in comparison. Yes, we think it’s a bit shoddy that we encountered software bugs, but we suppose they can be fixed easily enough, and they weren’t bad enough that we had crashes or lost data.

Unfortunately, the price of the Xperia Z is just a little too high in our opinion, but rush out a software update to improve the camera and you have a strong contender for smartphone of the year.

The only problem is, by the time that’s happened, the competition from fellow Android manufacturers will have grown even fiercer. For now, for those who can afford it, we recommend it heartily.

18. BlackBerry Z10

The Z10 is a decent smartphone offering up a strong range of features and a fancy new operating system that may catch the eye of the technologically adventurous.

Web browsing deserves a special mention, as we were seriously impressed with the speed of the BlackBerry Z10 when it came to loading pages.

Also worth pointing out are the expandable storage, removable battery and Adobe Flash support providing small wins for the Z10, and will help as it tries to stand out in a crowded market.

But the unproven operating system and severe lack of headlining applications will turn a lot of consumers off at point of sale, and it’s the image of the BlackBerry brand as a whole which needs to be worked on fast if it stands a chance of winning back the hearts of the general public.

17. HTC Evo 4G LTE
We were already huge fans of the HTC One X, but the HTC Evo 4G LTE delivers on many of the fronts where the One X simply fell flat.

The expandable memory makes it a boon for delivering quality media content with limited restrictions. And then there’s the matter of the battery life, which has been chiefly resolved by just (somehow) managing to fit a larger battery inside.

With Sprint being the major negative about this phone, the Evo is simply fantastic. But for many, that won’t matter. If you’re tied to the network for some reason or another, the HTC Evo 4G LTE is your best bet.

16. Samsung Galaxy Nexus
We had real high hopes for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and genuinely expected it to take the place of best smartphone on the market when it launched as the world’s first phone to run Android 4.0: Ice Cream Sandwich and where a year later, it became the first phone to run Android 4.1: Jelly Bean.

But it didn’t. In the year since its launch it has understandably dropped even further behind. That’s not to say it’s not a good handset because it’s a fantastic piece of kit with its fantastic screen, superb OS and extra elements like Android Beam for sharing photos, contacts or connecting to peripherals.

But if you were to take away Jelly Bean, hardware-wise, you’d not have much to write home about compared to what else is out there, beyond the beautiful screen.

15. HTC Windows Phone 8X
The HTC Windows Phone 8X is a premium-feeling device with a brand new iteration of the highly elegant Windows Phone OS. It has almost every connectivity option you could ask for and a camera with increased light allowance on the lens.

Yet we can’t help feeling there are still a few areas it really is left lacking. Things like the poor media support are inexcusable though admittedly these are places where Microsoft is to blame more than HTC.

We’re sure it will be fixed but it takes the gloss off a new purchase when things like this don’t work flawlessly.

We recommend it for those looking for something different – but if you have the money to spend, we’d hold out for the Nokia Lumia 920.

14. Apple iPhone 4S

The iPhone 4S caught many by surprise. With Apple expected to release the iPhone 5, we instead got an iPhone 4 with overhauled innards.

It’s got all the bits right: great camera, slick web browser, quality screen – and made it all work together in the way we’ve come to expect.

But the gripes we have with the iPhone 4S are the same ones we’ve had for years with Apple’s iPhones: no Flash player and ridiculously high prices that never seem to go down.

So if you’ve got an iPhone 4, you don’t need to upgrade (as long as you update to iOS 5), but for anyone else on an older device, or finally making the jump to an iPhone, you should run down to the shops and pick up a 4S.

13. LG Optimus G
We quite like the Optimus G. We’re confident saying it’s the best LG phone we’ve seen yet. The specs are tremendous, and it manages to have a big display, quad-core processor and 4G LTE without terrible battery life.

The AT&T version of the Optimus G also sports a removable SIM card and a microSD slot. Add that to the 32GB of internal storage and you’ve got a truly high capacity device.

The size of the LG Optimus G will certainly be divisive. While we like big phones, a handset this large (5.19-inches long) won’t please everyone, and neither will its plastic-feeling body. It might be made of polycarbonate Gorilla Glass, but it feels like plastic all the way.

The AT&T and Sprint Optimus G are similar, but it’s definitely worth looking into both reviews to find out which one is the better fit for you.

12. HTC One X
The HTC One X is a phone that’s had us intrigued for a while – running a quad core CPU (Nvidia’s Tegra 3) plus one of the largest screens on any HTC.

Integrated with its super-thin chassis, HD screen and beautiful graphics, the One X is the next-generation Android platform, all rolled into one.

Which is why the battery life is such a shame here. All the other niggles, like the touchscreen sensitivity and apps failing to register a press have been eradicated by HTC – and although the battery issues have been looked at, we’re still not in the mood to say it’s the equal of many other smartphones out there especially when the phone manages to power down regularly before bedtime.

If you’re thinking of making the HTC One X your HTC Desire HD update – and many of you will be, then we can say this is definitely worth a look. While the battery life is poor, it’s not as bad as that little ol’ phone (although you may find the cheaper HTC One S very much desirable too…).

11. HTC One X+
The HTC One X+ isn’t exactly a new handset, as it shares many similarities with its brother the HTC One X, but there are a few key upgrades in play here.

That being said, it’s an excellent smartphone excelling in a number of areas and it’s definitely worth its place among the great and the good of the mobile world.

The One X+ builds on a number of issues which arose with the original One X, addressing storage concerns and improving web browser efficiency and the always reliable HTC keyboard – however the battery is still a bit of a sore point.

There are so many things to love about the One X+ as it really is a great smartphone. We urge you to give it a whirl in store, and while it may not have the fancy tricks of the Galaxy S3, or the cult following of the iPhone 5, it’s happily rubbing shoulders with the big boys.

10. Samsung Galaxy S3
Formerly in first place on this list, the Samsung Galaxy S3 still holds a position among the top ten showing it’s still something quite special.

Let’s take a minute and talk about the screen: it’s beautiful. The 309ppi pixel density is up there with the sharpness of the iPhone 5.

What’s more, it seems Samsung has tweaked the color balance on the Galaxy S3 as well – things don’t look as saturated as before, which will certainly help entice those that previously were against Super AMOLED before due to the harshness of colors.

If you’re torn between this and an HTC One X, it’s a very difficult one to call – the camera on the One X is better in some respects and the overall feel might appeal.

But in terms of pure usability and power, we really like what Samsung has put on the table.

9. HTC First
The HTC First, the so-called Facebook phone, isn’t really the ultimate device for sharing on the world’s premier social network. Instead, it’s a not at all bad mid-range device, blessed with a stock version of Android 4.1: Jelly Bean and LTE service from AT&T.

Still, it’s hard to recommend that your average user buy a device and disable its primary selling point, in this case Facebook Home. Instead, what we have here is a good Android device for phone geeks on a budget.

As long as you stick normal tasks, it has all day battery life, thanks to its dual-core processor and smaller 4.3-inch screen. A lot of big, 1080p LTE handsets struggle to cross this finish line, but not the First. However, heavy Wi-Fi and LTE use will drain it down.

The HTC First is a good phone, but not for any of the reasons being highlighted in its marketing. It’s compact, durable and has great LTE service from AT&T.

It could become the next cult Android device, and might even be the last decent dual-core handset ever made. Sans Facebook Home, it’s exactly the type of device we wish we’d see more often.

8. HTC Droid DNA
The Droid DNA is a very good smartphone, thanks to beefy hardware and Android 4.1: Jelly Bean. It’s also a very big smartphone. Coming in at over 5-inches, it barely fits in a pocket. At that size, it might be something of a niche device, but its one we recommend with few reservations.

The overall performance of the Droid DNA is very impressive. A quad-core smartphone is nothing new, but 2GB of RAM is. These specs show from the minute you boot up the DNA and start flying across its panels. Standard apps open in the blink of an eye, and the load times on games are a breeze.

The battery was merely ok, which is not surprising on a 4G LTE phone with a humongous screen, but better than other HTC devices like the One X+. Still, if you go easy on the media streaming, the DNA will get you through the day just fine. If you plan to game a lot, say on the train to work, consider a second charger for the office.

It’s a handsome phone with just the right amount of flash. The unibody design gives it a clean, simple look. The price is right, too. At $199 with new contract, the DNA is one of the best deals you’ll find on Verizon.

7. Nexus 4
Google and LG have worked together to bring to market a fantastic offering. The fact of the matter is that this is a handset with world-class specs – yet it’s at a price you’d expect to get a budget phone for. Sure, there are a few things that could have been done better, but the positives definitely outweigh the negatives.

Running Jelly Bean 4.2 as Google intended, it will please the purists, but the OS has come on leaps and bounds since its early incarnations, so no longer is it a daunting prospect for first time users.

The Nexus 4 isn’t the lightest of handsets, and it’s slightly crippled by the lack of removable storage. Plus, the lack of LTE makes it far from future-proof and we don’t understand why Google has given exclusivity deals to carriers in some countries.

Essentially, the screen is great, the power under the hood is more than enough and it feels every inch a top-end handset. Had it not been crippled by silly things like a paltry memory allowance and not-quite-there camera, we’d have recommended it immediately and given it a five star rating.

6. Motorola Droid Razr Maxx HD
Those wondering the effect Google would have on buying Motorola? Apparently, it’s to make the phones much better.

True to Moto form, it’s offering something for everyone by increasing the girth of its Razr Maxx HD to 9.3mm, while improving battery power to a much larger 3300mAh option.

Would we like to have seen a quad core processor in there? In a word, yes. The Razr Maxx HD doesn’t have the grunt of the other powerhouses out there (like the Galaxy S3), and doesn’t offer the same chipset smooth integration that you get with the iPhone or Windows Phone devices that mitigates the need for the superior number of cores.

But don’t let that distract you: while the Motorola Droid Razr Maxx HD might not be as future-proofed as others, if you love top-end media playback, Herculean battery life and a decent screen, we see no reason now not to get at least intrigued by Moto’s longest-lasting smartphone.

5. Nokia Lumia 920
The Nokia Lumia 920 is a big, brutish smartphone, but under that weighty exterior is a decent phone that just wants to do things the simple way.

The Windows Phone 8 is an intriguing proposition offering up something very different to the iOS and Android systems we’ve become accustomed too, and the Lumia 920 is currently the most powerful handset running it.

Simplicity is the key here and the Lumia 920 does the basics well, from contact integration and calling, to web browsing and messaging.

The sheer size and weight of the Nokia Lumia 920 will be a deal breaker for some and while we were able to adapt to the phone’s bulky body, we had several friends who were not fans.

Battery life is a sticking point – you’ll be lucky to get a whole day out of the Lumia 920 if you use it relatively frequently, but the wireless charging capabilities are a nice touch.

The Nokia Lumia 920 isn’t a groundbreaking, game-changing device, it’s a refreshed Lumia 900 with a newer operating system and some additional power.

What Nokia has produced here is a solid, well-built device, which does the job you’d expect of a smartphone, without any of the lag we sometimes see from the convoluted Android system.

4. Samsung Galaxy Note 2
Samsung has taken a product many people – including us – expected to sink. It’s built on that and given us something even better.

Faster, stronger, better looking and more functional. The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is better connected than ever, and thanks to that increased screen size, now takes the crown in our eyes as the perfect media player.

As a phone, it’s big, but once you get over that, if you can, it’s great. As a PMP, it really does excel, and as a web communicator, it is almost second to none (though we can’t fully get the taste of Flash absence out of our mouth).

Ultimately, there’s no getting away from the fact that the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is a niche device. But it does almost everything it sets out to do perfectly, with grace, class and maximum functionality. And if you’re in the market for a larger smartphone or a small tablet, there really is no better device.

3. iPhone 5
Is the iPhone 5 the best smartphone ever? If you’re an iPhone lover and won’t ever leave, yes, without question. It’s got a larger screen, a superb new design and generally all the moves required to make it into a worthy evolution.

But as ever, we can’t get over the price of the iPhone 5, with very little reason to prove that spending all that extra cash brings a tangible benefit.

The most obvious improvement the iPhone 5 offers over the iPhone 4 and4S would be its taller, higher resolution display with room for a fifth row of icons. It has made the phone just a tiny bit more difficult to use with one hand, but for photo viewing and movie watching, the extra screen real estate is much appreciated.

Unfortunately, users moving from an older iPhone to the latest Apple phone (and those upgrading from iOS 5 to iOS 6) will lose their beloved Google Maps. While users will notice that this Apple maps app is far less detailed than the one they were used to (it doesn’t do public transit!), they will get turn-by-turn voice navigation in exchange.

As many have said, the iPhone 5 is an evolution, not a revolution. It’s a beautifully crafted phone that feels just plain lovely in the hand, but alas, the top two spots on our list belong to others.

2. Samsung Galaxy S4
The Samsung Galaxy S4 is a phone that we really, really like. The combination of powerful innards, the market’s best screen and a clever design ethos all combine to make a really strong contender for the handset you should be buying when you wander into your local phone emporium.

It’s slick, it’s fast and it wipes the floor with the competition in so many ways. The 13MP camera is one of the best we’ve seen on a phone for getting that picture, with rich colors and texture the way forward.

The Galaxy S4 shell isn’t made of metal meaning it doesn’t feel as premium, but what you’re giving up in feel you’re getting back in weight, removable battery and general hardiness – the combination of Gorilla Glass 3 and a plastic shell means this is one tough cookie.

The Galaxy S4 is a great, great device in its own right, re-inventing what it means to own a brilliant smartphone in a number of ways.

The gestures are cool, and the touch-less experience amazing at times – in short, it’s a wonderful phone you want to pull out of your pocket again and again and again, making it a worthy second place contender in this list.

1. HTC One
At last, we’ve made it to the coveted number one spot: the HTC One – you must be wondering what exactly makes the One, well the one, and why it reigns supreme over the others.

Simply put, the HTC One’s combination of innovation and sumptuous hardware is a testament to the brand, and shows that new things can still come to our smartphones without costing the earth. Sure, it’s not the cheapest handset by any means, but it’s perfectly in line with what we’d expect from a flagship.

It’s got the wow-factor that made us fall in love with the HTC Desire, and manages to bring Sense back to a level that shows off the best of Android rather than obfuscating it.

The battery life issue has been negated, although it has not gone away totally. But many will only use HTC Zoe and the highlight reels during the weekend.

Our only real gripe is with storage: many will argue that expandable memory slots are unnecessary when you’ve got Dropbox on board for extra space, or that simply being organized and deleting unwanted content will solve the problem. That’s true to a degree, but it’s not common behavior for today’s smartphone user.

Regardless, these issues do not mask the fact that this is still the best HTC phone ever. The Samsung Galaxy S4 isn’t too far behind at all as it’s a lot cheaper than the HTC One, but for sheer level of functionality, innovation and just overall effect it has in the hand, we can’t help but recommend the HTC One to anyone looking to buy a new smartphone.

You can check out TechRadar’s incredibly extensive mobile phone reviews for a more in-depth look to decide for yourself which cell phone is best.

The post 20 Best Smartphones in the US appeared first on LifeScoop.

For many folks these days, the lack of time to plan, shop and cook nutritious meals has led them down the path of making do with readily-made, pre-packaged foods. As so many reports have brought to light, this has created a burgeoning population of lack-luster, sodium-bingeing, empty-calorie foods consumed by this fast food nation. But a growing list of food bloggers are battling status quo by creating wholesome, nutrient-rich recipes that have helped propel whole foods like kale and quinoa into the new normal’s nutrition lexicon. The following 8 food blogs are a few of my favorite destinations to discover a lifestyle of clean eating that isn’t short on flavor. Welcome to the whole foodies.

Naturally Ella

With an emphasis on servicing her readers thanks to multiple layers of recipes, seasonal cooking tips and bulk bin basics, Erin Alderson creates a fun house of interactivity with her whole foods based site. Combining her love of photography and affable anecdotes, the site delivers vegetarian and vegan fare that’s attractive to healthy foodies fanatics but is also approachable for those of us who straddle the vegetarian fence. Plus, as a music teacher/soon to be bride/photographer/web designer, she’s always putting a fresh spin on her site, which makes the visits that much more entertaining.

Recipe Faves: Erin is well-known for her healthy take on tacos including Sriracha Marinated Butternut Squash and Black Bean Tacos, Brown Butter and Pecan Pancakes

Twitter / Facebook / Instagram

Oh She Glows

Angela Liddon shares first hand how overcoming an eating disorder, ditching the scale and switching to a vegan, plant-based diet not only energized her blog but changed her life—and her husband’s too. The popular and well-rounded blog features recipes, fitness challenges and tutorials inspiring readers to take charge of their own health one unprocessed meal at a time. Don’t miss checking out Angela’s classic Green Monster recipe, so popular she created a whole website just for reader’s variation submissions.

Recipe Faves: Green Powerhouse Pesto Plate, Homemade Mocha Nutella

Twitter / Facebook / Instagram

The First Mess

Favoring nourishing flavors and textures over bulk and mass, Canadian food blogger Laura Wright creates unique recipes shared in a casual, free-form way, usually inspired by the garden just steps outside her back door. Laura is the type of blogger you feel at ease with while sharing a great vegetarian, gluten-free pizza as she discusses sustainable harvesting or the merits of chickpeas as you casually grab for the last delicious slice and lick your fingers clean.

Recipe Faves: Rhubarb Fool with Coconut Whipped Cream and Pistachios, Spaghetti Squash Noodle Bowl with Lime Peanut Sauce, Spaghetti Squash Noodle Bowl with Lime Peanut Sauce

Twitter / Facebook / Instagram

The Flourishing Foodie

As a Registered  Dietitian, Heather Hands backs up her clean design and lush photographs with stellar, health-centric vegetarian dishes—with a touch of seafood and a few desserts thrown in to sweeten the pot. Her cakes will make you weep with joy. Don’t miss trolling through the Flourishing Foodie recipe index to find plenty of visual inspiration to set you on your veg-friendly way.

Recipe Faves: Korean Tofu Tacos, Pear Coconut Muffins with Brown Butter

Twitter / Facebook / Instagram

Green Kitchen Stories

For vegetarian-curious eaters, Green Kitchen Stories, created by real-life couple Luise Vindahl and David Frennkiel, is usually one of the first discoveries in the eating clean food realm. Through their un-fussy photographs and well stocked pantry of fresh fruits, whole grains and healthy fats, Green Kitchen Stories consistently produces easily digestible recipes emphasizing ease and basic green, home cooking. With a cookbook showcasing their vast array of recipes, these two also offer an iPad app focusing on healthy desserts and delicious sweets

Recipe Faves: Decadent Beet and Chocolate Cake, Watermelon Gazpacho

Twitter / Facebook / Instagram

Love and Lemons

As a designer with a penchant for clean lines and refined taste, Jeanine Donofrio’s blog reflects that same attitude in her vegetarian recipes and searchable design. Consistency is the key to this blog where readers know to anticipate a bounty of fresh, seasonal fare with an emphasis on (mostly) dairy-free dishes. Thanks to husband Jack’s wicked programming ways, recipes are seasonally noted and searchable by dietary needs and favorite ingredients. With a nod to what’s old is new again, be sure not to miss Jeanine’s handsome letterpressed recipe cards available in their online shop.

Recipe Faves: Pappardelle with Kale Pesto, Sweet Potato and Maple Veggie Burgers

Twitter / Facebook / Instagram

Cookie + Kate

Magazine Art Director by day, recipe developing food blogger by night, Kathryne Taylor melds seasonal, vegetarian meals into her cooking rotation but doesn’t mind showcasing a tempting cocktail once in awhile too. While her name might imply a bevy of cookie recipes, they’re actually in the minority of her recipe collection. But have no fear, you will meet Cookie, her sweet 4-legged sous chef, when you visit her blog to discover a wealth of whole ingredient recipes, solid nutrition info and recipe variation options. All delivered with witty commentary a breezy conversational style that keeps her devout readers coming back for more.

Recipe Faves: Cherry, Pistachio and Balsamic Honey Yogurt, Rainier Cherry Mojito

Twitter / Facebook / Instagram

My New Roots

A veteran in the world of blogging (she started in 2007) and as a Holistic Nutritionist and Certified Nutritional Practitioner, Sarah Britton inspires eaters everywhere by extolling the virtues of balance in diet and lifestyle to create simple and healthy habits. A self trained cook and photographer, Sarah believes the key to embracing a healthy lifestyle is to go with the flow and loosen up on the rigidity of self-dictated rules and labels about eating. “I draw my inspiration from a much deeper, more emotional place than simply from hunger,” Sarah has noted. By creating recipes that are mainly whole food based, she shares the keys to good health that the masses can easily follow. Be sure to check out her cooking workshops and classes for one on one healthy recipe inspiration.

Recipe Faves: Whole Roasted Tandoori Cauliflower, Crispy Cornmeal Sweet Potato Fries

Twitter / Facebook / Instagram

The post 8 Favorite Whole Food Blogs appeared first on LifeScoop.

While traveling for work can be an exciting break from the routine of the office grind (and all the people you have to tolerate there), it’s important that you pack appropriately to remain comfortable and efficient while on the road and in the air. Here’s a list of seven items that you should not forget to bring.

Noise Canceling Headphones
Oh, so that woman did want to show you a picture of her dogs even though you were very clearly working? With noise canceling headphones you can just smile sheepishly and point to the headphones when someone asks you an inane question. These babies are the best for blocking out even the loudest New York accents.

Running Shoes
A pair of portable running shoes can be easily slipped on and off at security and give your arches support at the hotel gym. Saucony Peregrine 2s weigh less than ten ounces for men and women.

Snacks
Bring. Your. Own. Snacks. Even if Delta insists they have snack boxes for sale, sometimes they run out of them on the exact day your connecting flight was delayed and you didn’t have time to get oatmeal at Au Bon Pain so now you’re strapped into a tiny seat with low blood sugar. Mini Babybel cheese and crackers are a good idea.

Book
There will come a time, two times actually, on your flight when you can’t use electronics. Come prepared. The footnotes alone in Infinite Jest will keep you distracted for many takeoffs to come.

Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga Ultrabook™
Flight time is prime time for getting work done, and if you look busy the person next to you won’t show you pictures of their dog. The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga Ultrabook is a combination tablet and laptop, plus it’s portable with a good battery life. If you order now, you get free shipping.

Neck Pillow
Ugh, the red eye. While it’s usually the most affordable and efficient flight option, it’s definitely the least comfortable. Bring your own pillow if you plan on sleeping. This one is stuffed with feathers and down.

Suitcase
You’re carrying on your suitcase, right? Right. Pack your favorite business casual clothes inside an Osprey Ozone 18” bag because it’s durable, attractive, and reminds you of the days when you could backpack in Central America and not worry about your business trip.

The post 7 Essentials for Business Travel appeared first on LifeScoop.

Let’s be honest here: even in all of it’s broadness, it’s still hard to find what you are looking for on the internet sometimes. Especially when you are looking for help in the personal style department. Since I blog my outfits by the day, I’m in constant need of inspiration and so I’m constantly on the look out for great inspiration sites. Lucky for you, I’ve put in endless hours of research (it’s a hard job but someone has to look at all of those tumblrs) and I’m here to share my findings. Below are my favorite sites to help you (and me) get dressed:

The Effortless Chic

Jen Pinkston is a stylist in LA who somehow finds time to provide us with her style wisdom. Jen doesn’t just blog her looks (which by the way every single one is killer AND attainable), she goes the extra mile and shows the many ways to wear one style or gives thought to the newest trends we should wear. Her mix of high and low pieces are just perfect for mixing it up in your own closet. (A few of my recent favorites : 12 Ways to Wear a Hat, Spring Mixed Prints, and Five to Try)

Glitter Guide

From weekly round-ups of the newest trends to try (my opinion? try them all) to posts that show us how to steal our favorite stylish ladies’ style, the Glitter Guide shows us how to take on trends with ease. My favorite features are the how-to’s style guides featuring denim jackets, floral pants or leather for spring, it gives me good ideas for my closet, even at 7 am in the morning when I’m at my foggiest and my closet looks like one big colorful question mark. (Extra credit: The Glitter Guide has a perfectly curated tumblr to waste more time — er, I mean gain more inspiration from.)

Go Chic or Go Home

If you’ve ever thought “I wish there was a place that I could organize my clothes online and build a community with others who share my love of remixing” then do I have the website for you. Go Chic is a community based site that allows you to upload photos of your daily outfits as well as a place to build a virtual closet with the contents of your closet. (Think Cher’s enviable closet ala ‘Clueless’ but for 2013 and less plain mini-skirts.) Once a member, you can browse through other members’ outfits and photos and snatch good ideas to help you get dressed. (Rumor has it, an iPhone app is on it’s way. Talk about closet connivence.)

Who What Wear

Celebrity and street-style driven, Who What Wear brings us the best dressed of each day. (If you want an even easier route, you can sign up for the daily newsletter.) If you’ve ever wanted to be inside of Kate Bosworth’s closet, this website gets you one step closer without feeling super creepy. While I can’t pull off every trend and style each celebrity wears, it’s nice to see what’s coming up and what to try out next. I love the “Why it Works” feature which showcases how you can get away with building the perfect ensemble via your favorite stylish lady. For extra credit, pop over to their “Blogs” tab and find an array of inspiration from their favorite sources, take notes and get to remixing.

Pinterest

This post would be remiss if I didn’t include one of the most beloved websites on the internet right now: Pinterest. While many of you crafty types search for DIY’s to create on your own, I search for outfits to re-create with pieces in my own closet. Now there are a few rules you must stay within when you go outfit diving on Pinterest: 1) look for similar pieces you own or pieces you’d like to invest in. Similar pieces (perhaps in shape, color or style) are key in re-creating exact looks. 2) if you don’t have or want to invest in similar pieces, look for color combinations you can knock-off. I have a board solely dedicated to color combinations I plan on knocking off in the near future. 3) Let your inspiration take you where it may. Don’t get tied down to re-creating an exact look — be inspired and let that inspiration take you where it will. And it will definitely be a well-dressed path.

A few of my favorite style inboards are:

Wit & Whimsy

Bri Emery

A Piece of Toast

Luella + June

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Today, more than ever, we’re sharing our lives with each other in both simple and profound ways. With the rise of social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, we can keep in touch with our existing friends or make completely new ones with just a few clicks of a button. Which technologies are advancing this idea even further? Today we’ll take a look at six of them. From the huge site that calls itself “the front page of the Internet” to an up-and-coming video sharing platform, these six are revolutionizing the way we socially connect.

6. Vine

If Instagram and Twitter had a child, it would look something like Vine. The mobile app lets users create and post quick, 6-second video clips and then share them on services like Twitter and Facebook. Founded in June 2012, the company was acquired only months later, in October, by Twitter. (When asked why he acquired Vine, Twitter CEO Dick Costolo said this “hyper-constrained publishing” is the “next best thing down the road.”) As of April 9, 2013, Vine has become the number one most downloaded free app in the Apple App Store. While many are trying to figure out how businesses are going to use Vine for advertising purposes or how Twitter could make money from their investment, early adopters are just having fun, sharing their short, entertaining clips with the world.

5. Sony VAIO Duo 11 Ultrabook™

The Sony VAIO Duo 11 Ultrabook is a touchscreen tablet and a full HD laptop in one. Its clever design includes a keyboard that’s hidden underneath the 11.6-inch screen. By sliding the screen up, one reveals the backlit keyboard. Running Windows 8, Microsoft’s latest and greatest operating system, the user is presented with a series of Live Tiles that horizontally stretch across the screen. For students or young professionals on the go, this sleekly designed hybrid acts like both a powerful tool and a fun toy. Not only is it fast with lots of storage space, by running Windows 8, it lets you connect to people, apps, folders, photos and websites in a quick and seamless way.

4. Facebook Home

If you’re a person who uses your smartphone mostly for checking your Facebook feed, you must have been excited when you first heard about Facebook Home. Launched in early April, the new user interface replaces the standard Android homescreen giving you a full-blown Facebook experience. From the moment you turn on your phone, you’ll see what your friends are doing, from their posts to their photos. Through this software you can also send and receive text and Facebook messages all in one place or chat with friends while you’re using other apps. Current Android users can install Facebook Home for free right now on the Google Play Store or you can pick up a HTC First to see Home built right in. While critics are still trying to decide if Home is a hit or a miss, one thing is certain, there’s never been a mobile device that could be this social.

3. Google Plus

Photo credit: Trey Ratcliff

It’s finally time to believe that Google Plus is a verified hit. When it first launched, in the summer of 2011, tens of millions of people quickly signed up, and then it seemed to have lost its luster. According to Internet analytics firm GlobalWebIndex, Google Plus, however, has been silently gaining momentum, continuing to outpace Twitter as the world’s number two social network only behind Facebook. Throughout the past few years, Google Plus has carved out its own niche. It’s now widely regarded as a place where strangers can connect over shared interests like photography. With the most hyped about gadget on the horizon, Google Glass, we’ve yet to see what this social network can really do.

2. Instagram

Last April, when Facebook announced that they had purchased the photo sharing social network Instagram for a whopping $1 billion, many were shocked by the exorbitant price. While at the time of purchase, Instagram had about 30 million users, today there’s more than 100 million monthly active users posting more than 40 million photos a day. Celebrities and brands have jumped in head first, as they see it as an important place to visually market themselves. Just recently, Instagram launched a new feature that allows users to “tag” photos. Called “Photos of You,” the feature is similar to tagging your friends on Facebook. It will be rolled out on May 16.

1. Reddit

Ask anyone on the Internet which website they think has the most influence right now and more often than not they’ll say Reddit. The user-generated news link site has been grabbing headlines these days for doing everything from getting President Obama to participate in an AMA (“ask me anything) to contributing to the most crowdsourced terror investigation in American history (over the Boston Marathon bombers). In 2012, Reddit had more than 37 billion pageviews and 400 million unique visitors. More than its incredible numbers, Reddit wields incredible power as people from all walks of life flock to the site to share and read some highly personal and often inspiring stories.

Which of these technologies do you use?

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If you’re one of the millions of people all over the world with a smartphone in their hands, chances are you’re used to your gadget friend being pretty useful in a huge variety of situations. But let’s face it: how often do you really go out of your way to beef up your incredible piece of pocket technology with fantastic new apps and functionality? If your answer to that question is a resoundingly enthusiastic “All the time!” then you can pat yourself on the back and rest easy. On the other hand, if you’re one of the majority of users who are content to limit their iPhone to only its most default capabilities (a music player, calculator, internet browser and/or map searcher) then it may be time to step out of the 1990′s and officially get in the game.

Thankfully Dr. Trend Hunter is here with a fresh prescription of five great apps that will set you on the path of revolutionizing the way you use your phone. From serious software with serious benefits like the Energy Saver App to curiosity driven programs like the White Shark Expedition app which are designed to fill your daily life with interesting knowledge, this list is here to help you say goodbye to living in the past

SpotMe

Who among us can honestly say that they don’t have that one friend who always seems to be borrowing money? You know the person: the one who seems to perpetually forget their wallet at meals or outings until eventually it’s hard to tell exactly how much they owe or when/if they have paid you back (think Kramer from Seinfeld). If you can’t think of anyone who matches this description, chances are that this person in your social circle is you. But fear not, because no matter which side you are on the SpotMe app takes takes all of the awkwardness and insecurity of loans between friends out of the equation.  Featuring completely automated (and impersonal) emails and messages, SpotMe ensures you don’t have to worry about uncomfortable face-to-face conversations and reminders about IOU’s ever again. Best of all, it’s set to be integrated with Paypal and ZipPay to make settling outstanding loans easy and painless to handle. What more could you ask for?!
Free
 

EcoSpeed App

Sure modern living is fast-paced and can be hectic at times, but the EcoSpeed app doesn’t let you use that as an excuse for neglecting your environment-protecting duties. Designed to help users maximize their fuel efficiency in a world where fuel prices seem to permanently reside in the realm of absurd exorbitance, the EcoSpeed helps ensure that you’re always driving in the most environmentally friendly way possible. But how does it do that exactly? Easy! It simply calculates your speed, the distance to your destination, the make and model of your car and the available routes at your disposal in order to calculate the greenest course to your desired location. It even tells you what your optimal speed would be to maximize fuel efficiency. The best thing about this app is that, even if you’re not big on the whole “saving the environment” thing, using it still has serious money-saving applications – particularity if you drive frequently and can’t help but wince every time you get your wallet cleaned out at a gas station.
Free

The iTunes U App

These days, “higher education” and “cheap” aren’t exactly two words that you see cozying up to each other in the same sentence too frequently. With the iTunes U App however, this long drawn-out standoff seems to be slowly moving towards a happy relationship. Available in iTunes, the iTunes U App lets people from all over the world connect with a huge number of academic institutions from the comfort of their homes. They can then choose from a wide range of courses that include everything from history to molecular biology and almost anything in-between. Best of all, it’s a surprisingly modest priced service.  While certainly not a substitute for a full-fledged degree (we wouldn’t recommend “I graduated from iTunes U” as a go-to line for job interviews), there’s no doubt this handy app would be a fantastic companion for knowledge-loving smartphone users looking to learn while on the go.
Free

The White Shark Expedition App

Public opinion on Sharks hasn’t exactly been riding high in the polls ever since the movie Jaws came out, but if there’s one thing the Discovery Channel can attest to it’s that the new dominant maxim of modern media is quickly becoming “Sharks Sell”.  This is no truer than in the case of white sharks, and it is insatiable curiosity about these captivatingly carnivorous creatures that is the impetus behind the White Shark Expedition app. In the spirit of Sun Tzu’s famous advice “know thy enemy”, this informative tool by the Marine Conservation Science Institute tracks every single white shark that the organization has ever tagged via an orbiting satellite. You can also access the names, story and background information on each animal with ease. If you want to know more about white sharks in general, or if you just want to know where not to swim on your next coastal vacation, this is a great app to have. Given the alarmingly drastic rate at which sharks are disappearing from our oceans, hopefully apps like this will help turn the tide of public opinion away from fear and back to healthy admiration.
$3.99

The BreathalEyes App

Sometimes the best thing an app can do for you is keep you from making a tremendously poor decision – in this case, getting behind the wheel of a car when you certainly shouldn’t. With that in mind, enter the Brethaleyes App. Using a retina scanning methodology, this app measures impulsive eye movements to estimate the user’s blood alcohol level. Although not 100% accurate, the app uses strategies that are similar to those used by law enforcement so it has merit. Needless to say, if you’re at the stage where you need to use this app to make a driving decision it’s probably better to err on the side of caution. Outside of that more serious circumstance, however, it could also make for a fantastic party trick or conversation piece.
$1.99

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Who says that you have to live in only one city? Freelancing has its benefits, namely that you can live anywhere you choose and work remotely. With a flexible job and a high power, portable computing device (read: laptop) you can hike in San Francisco, hit New York’s bars, and enjoy Chicago’s summer festivals and Miami’s beaches all in the same month without even having to quit your job. If you can deal with the time changes and long distance plane rides, what’s to stop you from working in the South of France for the summer? Jay Z does it, you can too. Or when you’re feeling really nostalgic (and patient) sleep in your childhood bedroom and hang out with your family. A computer like Sony’s Vaio Duo 11 makes the modern nomad lifestyle easy. Here’s how to use your trusty laptop to get the job done:

Housing
While it is possible to be a modern nomad without a home base, it’s comforting (and economical) to have an apartment somewhere. Sites like AirBnB.com make it safe and simple to swap your loft in Manhattan for someone else’s beach house in Morocco. The full HD front and rear facing cameras on your Sony Vaio Duo 11 are great for taking high resolution images of your pad.

Office
Any library, coffee shop, or backyard patio (it’s probably best not to work in a bar for obvious reasons, save it for after five) can work as your makeshift office. The Sony Vaio Duo 11 has an optional, additional battery that can keep you unplugged and productive longer. The LCD screen is scratch resistant to survive the BART in California, the tube in London, or the seatback pocket in front of you.

Social Life
The Sony Vaio Duo 11 lets you exchange messages, music, pictures, and more to your friend’s devices with one touch. You’ll be able to keep in contact with the pals you made skiing in Jackson Hole last month and find friends of friends on Facebook who want to surf in Baja today.

Create
The digitizer stylus pen turns your gadget into a high-tech notebook. You can write, draw, and tap while the stylus detects pressure, weight, and brush size. This technology is genius for graphic designers, writers, or anyone who needs to get their creative juices flowing. With all the travel you’ve been doing, you’ll have loads of inspiration.

So what are you waiting for? It’s time to hit the road, get to work and write your story. Pick up your new travel companion the Sony Vaio Duo 11 now by clicking here!

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For the last year, gamification has been on an accelerated hype/hope/backlash/spin cycle. If you believe the buzz (and you mostly shouldn’t),  there’s not much in life —  from boring business tasks to retail “experiences” to sex — that can’t be improved by adding a leaderboard and levels. Ok, I’m exaggerating and it would be a waste to dismiss the benefits of thoughtful game mechanics and, well, fun, when it’s appropriate and well-applied. So with that in mind, here are a few gamification apps that are smart ideas and might be useful, if you need the kind of nudge that some friendly competition (even with just yourself) can provide:

Epic Win:

One of the first productivity apps I encountered that uses simple game mechanics to make daily responsibilities a bit more enjoyable. You create an avatar that wins points by completing chores like doing laundry, managing your email, cleaning the house, or sending a birthday card.

SuperBetter:

Co-created by mediagenic gamification expert Jane McGonigal, SuperBetter is a customizable tool “to help build personal resilience: the ability to stay strong, motivated and optimistic even in the face of difficult challenges.”

Neighbor Goods:

Neighbor Goods is a site that helps you save money and resources by sharing stuff with your friends. Loan your textbooks. Help a neighbor with his garden. Neighbor Goods was co-developed by sharing economy pioneer Micki Krimmel and is one to watch.

Fitocracy:

From office diet contests to pick-up basketball to Nike + iPod, games have always been a physical fitness has always been a natural fit for a bit of friendly competition. Fitocracy is a log for your exercise activity with opportunities to earn points and “level up.” The system provides additional “quests” that combine activities into sets for additional points. And the whole thing is wrapped in a social network so users can help each other with guidance, encouragement, and of course challenges.

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Last week, Intel® joined the sponsors of the fourth annual LIVE! With Kelly and Michael Top Teacher Week program, which honors school teachers across the U.S. Viewers nominate outstanding educators, and vote on award finalists. Intel gifted two of the finalists with cutting-edge technology for their entire classrooms.

Rick Zano, Princess Anne H.S.
Virginia Beach, VA

Monday’s Top Teacher was Rick Zano of Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. According to the school counselor who nominated him, “Rick is a true EDU-tainer, an effective educator who enjoys entertaining his students in and out of the classroom. In the classroom, Rick brings history to life! He sparks student interest by dressing the part of historical characters such as Marie Antoinette (ball gown & wig), and FDR (in a wheelchair). Dressed in full scuba gear, he transforms his classroom into a shipwreck site as his students analyze artifacts.”

Monday’s top teaching technology: Intel is happy to gift Rick’s classroom with 30 Lenovo ThinkPad 2 tablets, powered by Intel® Atom processors. These thin and light tablets feature a 10.1-inch multi-touch HD display (1366×768), weigh only 1.25 pounds, and work up to 10 hours on a battery charge. They run Microsoft Windows 8 and all the visually rich, touch-optimized Windows 8 Store apps, plus familiar multifunction Windows desktop applications. WiFi, 3G, 4G LTE (US-only, with AT&T) and WiFi Direct ensure anywhere, anytime connectivity.

Learn more about the ThinkPad Tablet 2 at Lenovo.com.

Kathy Green, Summerville Elementary
Summerville, SC

Tuesday’s Top Teacher was Kathy Green from Summerville Elementary School in Summerville, South Carolina. A parent nominated Kathy, writing, “Mrs. Green was our daughter’s 4th grade teacher. From the minute you step into her classroom you know you will learn in a nurturing and challenging environment. Mrs. Green has high expectations for her students and guides them with a caring and structured nature. My daughter is motivated daily to do all that she can to her best because she wants to do it not just for herself but for Mrs. Green too. My daughter once told me that ‘Mrs. Green makes me want to be a better person’. What 9 year old says that unless they can wholeheartedly feel the spark that their teacher has lit in them?”

Tuesday’s top teaching technology: Intel is delighted to provide Kathy’s classroom with 30 Intel-Inspired Toshiba Satellite U925T Ultrabook™ Convertibles. This one-of-a-kind sliding convertible combines the performance of an Ultrabook with the convenience of a tablet, making it the perfect tool for discovery. Closed, it’s a full touchscreen tablet. Slide the screen and reveal a full-size keyboard underneath. Pull the screen up on its slide-and-tilt hinge and now you have a laptop with a 12.5” diagonal HD screen. With the U925t, you get it all in a single, highly portable device. Powered by a 3^rd generation Intel Core i5 processor and Microsoft Windows 8, these sleek Ultrabooks will put a world of learning at the fingertips of Kathy’s students.

Learn more about the Toshiba Satellite U925t Ultrabook convertible at Toshiba.com.

Intel is committed to advancing education and transforming the lives of millions by providing the tools and resources necessary to bring 21st century learning into each and every classroom. We salute outstanding educators like Rick and Kathy who show us what is possible in the classroom.

See the broadcast video profiles of Rick and Kathy, and read the viewer letters that nominated them here.

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