Ever feel like you have no time to keep up with news and current events? I do. Enter Umano. Umano is an app that takes insightful content found online and has professional voice actors read it to you. (Maybe even bad news will sound better?) According to Umano, “the amalgamation of high-quality journalism and convenient delivery is what makes Umano different from traditional radio, podcasts and other audio news applications.” With Umano you hear “real people with amazing voices read interesting news articles to you.”
Umono is great for commuters, runners and busy folks. They cull the most popular and interesting print and web stories of the day and hire professional voice-over actors to read and record them. The sources range from Slate to Business Insider to The New York Times and stories go from hard news to fluff.
With Umano, you can:
> Browse the most interesting articles from top news sources
> Personalize your listening experience
> Make a playlist with articles that interest you
> Download articles to listen to offline and more
Sounds like a winner – right? (Note: Umono is free and is available on iOS and Android.)
Do you ever see something and think to yourself, “how did they think of that?” The answer may not be what you expect. Check out this great article, audio segment and video from the Wall Street Journal on Tactics to Spark Creativity. They say, “Several recent studies suggest that the best route to an “aha moment” involves stepping away from the grindstone—whether it’s taking a daydream break, belting back a drink or two or simply gazing at something green.
Of course, personality can make a difference. People who rate high in openness to new experiences in personality tests also may be more distractible and curious, according to a 2010 study in Creativity Research Journal. Among 158 college students, those who were less inhibited and more receptive to lots of stimuli also were able to generate more ideas than others, says the study by British researchers.
But personality isn’t the only path to inspiration, researchers say. Walking away from a problem to do simple, routine tasks, and letting the mind wander in the process, can spark creative new connections or approaches to solving dilemmas, says a 2012 study in Psychological Science.”
This article and video are super interesting. And who knows maybe it will stir your creative juices. When are you most creative?
The Gilt City Warehouse Sale is coming to Chicago on April 13. Tickets are $10 for a two-hour time slot. They say, “Fashion-lovers will be able to peruse dresses, jackets, sweaters, skirts, denim, suits, coats, tees and tanks from their favorite Gilt brands. Those who love accessories will find handbags, bangles, boots, pumps, sneakers, belts, sunglasses and more. Racks and tables are replenished each session so you can purchase tickets for whichever time slot best fits your schedule. Between trips to the dressing room, visit the snacks and dipping station provided by Pretzel Crisps before fueling up with beverages courtesy of AQUAhydrate and Coco Cafe, or Whitehaven Wine and New Amsterdam Vodka with Vita Coco coconut water at the on-site La Marca Prosecco bar.”
Chicago fashion-minded friends, want to check this event out for FREE? I have two FREE passes from April 13 from 5 – 7. First two commenters on this post to call “dibs” are IN!
As usual, I found a ton of good deals this week!
> In NYC? Get a same-day massage in your home or hotel room from vetted, licensed, and insured therapists. Introducing Zeel Massage On Demand℠, the new app for iPhone. Download it HERE. Use ZEELAPP to get a $25 credit toward your first Zeel Massage. No iPhone? No problem. Book online at Zeel.
> Hey Chicago runners, check out this great deal from Swiftwick. Buy one pair get one free of their awesome high-performance compression socks to runners and athletes at participating Fleet Feet Sports and Runner’s High ‘n Tri stores. Just select your location and print the coupon and you are good to go! (I have worn these in my last 3 half marathons and they are awesome!)
> Also in Chicago for (some) runners – get half off on the 5K Rugged Maniac Obstacle Race at Wilmot Mountain on August 3rd from Zozi. That has mud AND obstacles. People will love it. Just not me!
> Remember I wrote about ride sharing from SideCar in Chicago? Download the SideCar app, available in Android and iPhone, use promo code CHEEKYBABES, and you’ll get $20 to take you wherever you need to go compliments of Cheeky Chicago.
> Save 25 % on hydration solutions from Fuel Belt. with coupon code ACTIVE25. Offer expires April 15th.
> Hey Chicago friends – Give and get back! If you donate $50 to TPAN (Test Positive Aware Network) during the month of April you will get a $20 gift certificate to Lady Gregory’s or Wilde.
> From Popsugar: get 30% off your purchase at Gap through April 7 with code GAPHAPPY. (You can also get 30% off at Banana Republic with code BRAPRIL30 until April 7!)
> More good stuff from Gilt City!
In Chicago:
– Check out awesome workout deals at Energi Fitness in River North and Body R & D “megaformer” pilates in Lakeview.
– Need a fun summer date? Check out a champagne brunch and full day wine tour in Michigan leaving from Greenville Tavern – 50% off!
In NYC:
– Never tried Uber car service? Try it now – get $20 off! FREE – click HERE
– (Andrea L – this is for you!) Pay $25 for a $50 credit to use during the Elie Tahari sample sale, April 12–21, 2013. Get up to 70% off women’s collection, men’s collection, accessories, shoes and handbags
– Summer is coming! Check out 1 or 5 day passes at Chelsea Piers – 60 – 75% off!
In LA:
– Check out 7 day meal delivery and a personal training session from Eat Well LA – 64% off for new customers only.
> Bloomspot has some great stuff this week, too!
– Pay $20 for $40 of all natural beauty products from Yes to Carrots. $5 shipping is extra.
– Pay $25 for $50 for great accessories from Alex and Ani.
– In Chicago, check out 50% off on kayak tours at Urban Kayaks.
– In NY, get 50% off at Slide in Greenwich Village or crazy good deals on haircuts and more at Salon Eco Chic in the East Village.
That’s all I have for now. I hope you all have a great weekend filled with good news, creativity and great deals! Good luck Shamrock Shufflers! See you out there!