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Alternatives for Adobe Acrobat, Photoshop and more

I remember when Adobe made the switch. In 2013, not long after I purchased the Adobe Creative Suite CS6 program, Adobe terminated the desktop versions of its software and launched Creative Cloud, offering subscription-based access only to its suite of products.

It's easy to understand why some users have been unhappy with Adobe's subscription model. A large corporation has the budget to shoulder monthly fees, but small businesses and home users may balk, especially for programs used only occasionally.

I love Adobe products, and I’ve used them since Photoshop version 2.5. I’ve also purchased Freehand and PageMaker, and the Macromedia products. They’re the best, hands-down. But a subset of users have largely left their beloved Adobe software behind for a variety of clones, shareware, and open-source products.

I actually use them all—Adobe and the alternatives—because each program has unique features I can pick and choose for my projects. The following programs are the best options we’ve found to replace Acrobat, Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. We also talk to experts about why software subscriptions are on the rise.

Adobe Acrobat alternatives

See PC World’s ongoing reviews of PDF editor programs for the best third-party Acrobat programs.

Adobe Photoshop alternatives

All three of the programs listed below provide effective photo-editing tools, from sizing, cropping, and retouching to noise reduction, color correction, and  more. Affinity and Paint Shop Pro have a few more features than GIMP does, and all three have fewer than Photoshop. The filters and special effects are what distinguish them from one another and from Photoshop.

1. GIMP (free open-source)

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) offers 130-plus amazing filters and special effects. See Alvin Alexander’s blog for all the cool stuff GIMP can do. I especially like the Borders Sparkles, Reflections, and Gradient Flare effects; and the Whirl and Pinch features. I also appreciate that GIMP works on multiple platforms, uses minimal system resources, and is super-easy to use.

2. PaintShop Pro ($79.99, or $99.99 for the pro version)

I love Paintshop Pro. I’ve used it since version 5 and have continued to upgrade through the current versions. It provides hundreds of excellent features such as Capture, which is much better than Photoshop’s Snipping Tool. The Film effects are spectacular, the new SmartClone feature is amazing, and the Refine Brush, which finely details selections around difficult outlines such as hair and animal fur is superb. But my all-time favorite feature is the Picture Tubes, similar to Photoshop’s custom brushes, but in full 16-bit color.

3. Affinity Photo ($49.99)

Affinity Photo stands somewhere between PaintShop Pro and Photoshop in features and special effects. Its highlight features include custom brush nibs called Nozzle tips, which modify the shape and size of your lines as you draw them. Symmetry mode creates amazing kaleidoscopes, and the best Dispersion effect I have ever seen. You can even record and save actions as macros. Even if you own both PaintShop and Photoshop, this little gem is more than worth the ticket.

Adobe Illustrator alternatives

Photo editing software can now do almost anything that illustration programs can do. Some users prefer the illustrator drawing tools over the photo drawing tools, but that’s just a matter of personal preference. For alternatives, check these out.

1. Apache OpenOffice Draw (free open-source)

The interface is intuitive (if a bit outdated), and the product packs a punch. OpenOffice Draw’s highlight features include Styles, Glue Points, and Picture Gallery for stock images and clipart. It also offers advanced rendering, lighting and texture effects, an efficient 3D controller for creating shapes, plus all the standard editing and manipulation tools.

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A cactus that cuts paper!

Taking inspiration from the iconic saguaro cactus, the Standing Scissors designed by Starley Leung is a fun little piece of stationery to own! The scissor sits unsuspectingly on your desk, docked into its cactus-stem base, while the cactus’s arms form the scissor’s finger-loops. 

Pull the scissor out and it doesn’t sacrifice functionality for the sake of aesthetics… it truly is a pretty useful pair of stationery-scissors, it just happens to be remarkably cute too! Plus the stand, which also acts as a nice sheath for the cutting-instrument, makes it perfect pair of safety scissors for children, creatives, and stationery-enthusiasts alike!

Inspired by the tradition of gift-giving, the JOSIL Paperie Holiday Collection is Design Pretty’s first complete stationery product line, created to elevate gifting while adding sophistication and style. Designer Oneka Benn Schwartz, from Design Pretty, is releasing a brand-new stationery collection. Each print has been selected or created by the designer herself. The JOSIL Paperie Collection will be released on Sept. 3,  2019.

For the first time, Oneka has created an entire stationery collection utilizing her favorite prints and patterns, taking her inspiration from interior design. The collection will be exclusively sold on DesignPretty.com and The JOSIL Paperie’s Etsy Shop, where the limited product line is most likely to sell out before the end of the season.

The wrapping papers are designed to elevate your gift-giving and thrill recipients. With the popularity of Chinoiserie in home decor today, Design Pretty thought it would be the perfect motif to incorporate into a line of fall and holiday decorations, as well as gift wrapping and stationery. This holiday collection is not the typical fall pumpkins, and traditional reds and greens one would expect. The hand-painted Chinoiserie pumpkins are done in a whimsical blue and white Asian motif. The collection also includes non-traditional animal prints and feminine floral patterns.  

Each of the pieces coordinate and can be mixed and matched with one another:

•   The hand-painted glass Chinoiserie Christmas Ornaments $38.00

•   The Hand Painted 13” Chinoiserie Pumpkin $89.00

•   The Brightly Colored Animal Print Gift Wrap $26.00

•   The Die-Cut Gift Tags $14.00

•   The Velvet Custom Printed Blanket Stitched Christmas Stockings $45.00

Oneka is thrilled to introduce her fans to her brand-new JOSIL Paperie Collection, which ranges in price from a $14.00 for die-cut gift tags to $89.00 for a Hand-Painted Chinoiserie Pumpkin.  

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Colts’ Frank Reich quotes Buffalo Bills HOF coach when addressing fans, media

Reich spent a portion of his time with the media addressing Colts fans and it was quite the powerful message. Simply put, Reich told the fans not to write off the team.

“This morning we talked about the word paradox,” Reich stated. “For example, everyone makes a unique contribution on this team, yet everyone is replaceable. We can deeply love and respect and care for each individual, yet the team must come first, therefore, when it came to Andrew’s retirement, that word paradox kind of helps me, can help us make sense of what’s going on. On one hand, we can respect and honor the player and the teammate that Andrew is and was. But at the same time, we can share an excitement and an enthusiasm about the team that we have going forward and the journey ahead of us. Ultimately, it’s not about how good any one player is. It’s not. It’s about how good we are, as a team.”

Reich’s message may have been pointed at some fans who were reportedly calling team headquarters today asking for season ticket refunds. Reich went on to compare the season to climbing Mount Everest.

“But also let me assure Colts fans of this: This team is not done climbing. In fact, we’re just getting ready. We’re just getting started, and we can’t wait. I just feel like Chris (Ballard) and his staff have done an unbelievable job of assembling a team of players. This locker room is special. There’s a character quality and a passion for this game and this city and what the horseshoe represents that is special. And we believe that our players will rise to that challenge and that occasion. We’re ready for the journey ahead. We believe we have the formula of what it takes to have a successful journey. We have the right makeup, we have the right locker room. We have the talent. This is a very talented football team in all three phases.”

To wrap up his message to fans, Reich channeled former Buffalo Bills head coach Marv Levy and used one of his famous sayings.

“We have a vision, the Colts fans know what our vision is,” Reich said. “We’re all about the process. Get one percent better every day and go 1-0 every week. And then we have the support of Colts nation.

There’s going to be challenges along the way, we know that for sure. That’s what climbing Mount Everest is all about. There nothing easy about it, not one thing about easy about it. But I can’t help but think back to an old saying that an old coach of mine used to say all the time, and that’s this: there’s no place I’d rather be than right here, right now.”

You can listen to Reich’s entire message below.

It’s understandable why Reich is so passionate about this year’s squad following Luck’s retirement. He has experience taking a team deep into the playoffs as a coach and player without their No. 1 option at QB.

In Buffalo, Reich led the Bills to the largest comeback in playoff history over the Houston Oilers during the 1992 season when he erased a 35-3 deficit to help Buffalo win 41-38 in overtime. He led Buffalo to another playoff victory the following week over the Pittsburgh Steelers before Jim Kelly returned to the starting lineup. Buffalo would advance all the way to the Super Bowl, but fall to the Dallas Cowboys in the Super Bowl.

As a coach, Reich played a key role in helping Nick Foles take over as starter for the Philadelphia Eagles when Carson Wentz suffered a torn ACL in Week 14 of the 2017 season. Reich’s coaching helped Foles get up to speed quickly on the field. The Eagles would go on to win Super Bowl LII over the Patriots 41-33.

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Recover Adoptable Storage SD Card Photos and Videos

A MicroSD card is a tiny memory-storage card used in cameras, smartphones, and GPS devices. There are different ways to back up and format a memory card. This guide will show you how to back up and format micro SD card Android for your Galaxy smartphone.

The good thing about removable storage is that you can easily move all your files to your new handset via the microSD card.

Backing Up Your microSD Card

When you format your memory card, you’re going to lose all of the data it contains. So be sure to back up your data! I recommend that Android users should periodically back up their microSD cards just in case of memory loss, accidental damage, or phone loss/theft.

The first thing you will need is a microSD card reader.

There will be many options available from retailers such as Amazon, Staples, and Best Buy. I have always liked SanDisk brand readers, but feel free to get whatever brand you like.

Insert the microSD card into the reader as per the instructions that accompany your card reader.

Next, plug the reader into the USB port on your Mac or PC. Once the computer has detected the reader, a folder containing all of your card data should show up onscreen.

At this point, create a folder on your desktop and give it a name (right-click>new folder).

Now copy the contents of the microSD card to your new desktop folder by dragging the folder or by right-clicking (copy and paste) to move the data over to your computer; this process can take up to 10 minutes, depending on the size of your memory card and the speed of your computer.

Once this step is completed, make sure all the data is there by going into the new folder and making sure the data matches up.

Formatting Your microSD Card

Now that the data has been backed up, we can move on to formatting the microSD card.

Formatting is not necessary, as the card is staying with you. If you chose to mail the microSD card in with the phone, I highly recommend formatting your card. Remember that Gazelle does not offer additional value for microSD cards. If you will be using a microSD card on your next phone, I would advise against formatting it. Just pop your old card into your new phone and all your data should appear. If you do choose to format the card, you can do this directly from the phone, or from the computer via the reader.

Formatting with reader (PC): Install the microSD card into the reader (we recommend a SanDisk reader) and plug into a USB port. Doubleclick My Computer. You should see the icon for the microSD card appear under Drives. Right-click the drive and select Quick Format. This will wipe all the data from the card.

Formatting with reader (Mac): Install the microSD card into the reader and plug the reader into a USB port. Next, go to your applications folder. From there find Utilities. Inside Utilities you will click Disk Utility. Select the microSD drive on the left-side window and click Erase.

Formatting with your phone (Android): With the micro SD card installed in the phone, head to the settings menu. From the settings menu, scroll down to select Storage. At the bottom of the storage menu you should see an option to Erase SD Card. Once you select Erase SD Card a confirmation option should appear to erase the card. The data erasure is permanent, so make sure your data is backed up before completing the format.

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Fix Microsoft Office Activation error 0x80070426

Microsoft Office uses a separate mechanism than the Windows operating system for purposes like Updates and Activation. This brings in the context dependencies of this mechanism on different processes and services. At times when updating or activating Office, you may receive an error message:

An unexpected error has occurred. You request cannot be processed at this time. Please try again later. (0x80070426)

This error is caused due to various supporting services and processes not working or being not triggered as intended. With this article today, we will be discussing how to fix this error.

We will be discussing the following fixes to get rid of error code 0x80070426 for Microsoft Office Activation on Windows-

Check the responsible Services.

Run the Activation Script manually.

1] Check the responsible Services

Type, services.msc in the Start search box and hit Enter to open the Windows Services Manager. Click on Yes for the UAC or User Account Control prompt that you get. It will open the Windows Services Manager Utility’s window.

In the listing that you get, look out for the service entry called Software Licensing Service from the list that gets populated inside the window.

Right click on it and select Properties and make sure that its Startup Type to Automatic.

Also, make sure that you Start the service by selecting the Start button inside of the Properties window.

Now execute the following commands in an elevated command prompt:

Check if this fixed your issue.

2] Run the Activation Script manually

Launch Command Prompt with Administrator Privileges.

If you use Office 16, navigate to the following location inside of the Command Prompt command line utility-

Microsoft Office comes with a grammar checker to proof your documents and correct mistakes and typos, but sometimes the checker is more intrusive than helpful. Office's grammar checker may automatically flag words it thinks are wrong, and this visual clue can become distracting. The grammar checker might also try to fix items that don't need fixing, which is why you may need to view and modify certain settings. You can turn automatic checking on or off, tell the checker to ignore certain items, and add words to the dictionary so they don't get flagged in the future.

Launch Word and open a document that contains words and terms that you're sure will stump the grammar checker for spelling or grammar. Right off the bat, the checker may be set to automatically flag words that it doesn't understand or believes are incorrect. Spelling errors are underlined with a red squiggle, while grammatical errors are underlined in blue (Figure A).

For this article, I'm using Microsoft Word via Office 365. The grammar checker's dictionary is shared across the suite, so any changes you make in one Office application applies to the rest, but the actual command and process to run a spelling and grammar checker differ across the suite.

With Office programs such as Excel, the toolbar icon to run the check is called Spelling. The spell check then pops up as a floating window on the screen. In the latest version of Word, the icon is called Check Document. The check itself runs in the right pane where you select the option for Spelling or Grammar to review each flagged word. The result is the same.

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The file cannot be opened message in Outlook – Outlook Data File

If you’re in a situation where Microsoft Outlook and your Outlook Data Files are not opening, and we’re talking about the .pst and .ost files, then there’s an easy way to get things back to the way they were. Most folks will get an error message telling them they’re unable to open Outlook for whatever reasons.

The first thing you want to do in such a case is to restart your computer and try again. Many times this has been known to help. If it does not, then you may want to start Outlook in Safe Mode and see.

OK, one of the reasons Outlook 2016 might fail to launch might have a lot to do with the extensions installed. To find out for sure, we’ll need to start the program in Safe Mode because, in that way, all extensions are disabled.

Starting Outlook in Safe Mode is quite easy. Just click the WinKey+R, type outlook /safe in the dialog box, then hit Enter. Should the software start in Safe Mode, then it has everything to do with the extensions or one of the extensions. You will need to disable the problematic extension.

Repair the Outlook data file

Microsoft has provided the Inbox Repair Tool which lets you recover folders and items from corrupted Personal Folders or .pst files. It can even recover items from an offline folder or .ost files. The OST Integrity Check Tool will help you fix corrupted .ost files.

To repair Outlook Inbox folder in Outlook 2016 close the software and cruise to the following location:

The next step, then, is to open SCANPST.EXE, then select the Outlook Data File you want to scan.

We should point out that with every scan, a new log file is created. However, it’s possible to open the Options area and turn off the automatic creation of a log file. If you want, you have the results attached to an already existing file.

Choose start to kick-start the scan. Now, should the scan come across errors, select Repair to begin the process of fixing them.

For those who weren’t aware, the scan creates a backup file while the repair process is running. Should there be a reason to change the default location and name of the backup file, just add a new name in the “Enter name of backup file” box, or browse and choose the name you prefer to use.

After the repair is complete, simply start Outlook 2016 with the Outlook Data File that was just repaired.

All the best!

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Repairing Outlook 2007 Data File Errors

Chris:

After upgrading to Outlook 2007, I get a data file error every time I open Outlook. The exact error message I see is "A data file did not close properly the last time it was used and is being checked for problems. Performance might be affected while the check is in progress." After a few minutes, I see the error message "Data file check complete." I'm guessing that Outlook is checking for errors, and since it doesn't find any, does not repair them.

But if there isn't a problem, why does Outlook keep checking in the first place?--Tara

Tara, several others have run into the same problem that you describe. I have also personally had to work through this issue as well. When Outlook continually looks for data file errors, that's because Outlook believes there is a problem. However, to repair any errors, the data file -- more specifically the Outlook .pst file -- needs to be offline. So to correct the problem, you will first need to determine the location of your Outlook pst files. To do this, follow these steps:

In Outlook 2007, click the Tools menu and select Options.

In the Options dialog box, click the Mail Setup tab and then click the Data Files button.

In the Account settings window, you will see all of your personal Outlook data files listed. Here, you want to note the full path to each data file. On my system, my Outlook personal and archive folders are stored in the C:\Documents and Settings\Chris Wolf\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook folder.

Once you have this information, close the Account Settings dialog box and then close the Outlook Options window.

Now that you have the location of your Outlook data files, you need to check and repair them using the Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 Inbox Repair Tool-SCANPST.exe. By default, you should see SCANPST.exe in the Microsoft Office installation folder's "Office 12" subfolder. On my system, SCANPST.exe is located in D:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office 12. For additional information on SCANPST.exe, take a look at the Microsoft Knowledge Base article, "How to use the Inbox Repair Tools to recover e-mail messages in Outlook 2002 and Outlook 2003."

To check and repair your Outlook data files, follow these steps:

First, close Outlook 2007.

Use Windows Explorer to browse to SCANPST.exe, then double-click it.

When the Outlook 2007 Inbox Repair Tool opens, click Browse and navigate to the Outlook data file location that you found earlier. Note that you will need to check each file listed. On my system, I start with the file archive.pst. To check that file, you would select it in the "Select File to Scan" dialog box and then click Open.

Now click Start to begin the repair process. If errors are encountered, you will see the window shown in Fig. 1.

Ensure that the "Make backup of scanned file before repairing" box is checked and then click Repair.

Once you see the "Repair Complete" popup, click OK.

Repeat steps 2-6 to scan the same file that was just checked and repaired by SCANPST.exe. Continue to run the check against the same file until no errors are found.

Repeat steps 2-7 for all additional pst files that are located in your Outlook folder.

Got a Windows, Exchange or virtualization question or need troubleshooting help? Or maybe you want a better explanation than provided in the manuals? Describe your dilemma in an e-mail to the MCPmag.com editors at editor; the best questions get answered in this column and garner the questioner with a nifty Redmond T-shirt.

When you send your questions, please include your full first and last name, location, certifications (if any) with your message. (If you prefer to remain anonymous, specify this in your message, but submit the requested information for verification purposes.)

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CompanionLink launches DejaOffice Personal CRM with Apps for Windows, Android and iPhone

Personal CRM helps you track Contacts, Calendar, Tasks and Notes smoothly with your PC and Mobile Phone

DejaOffice Personal CRM costs $49.95 and there is a 14-day free trial. DejaOffice on iPhone and Android can be downloaded from the App Store. You can Sync using USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and DejaCloud.— Wayland Bruns, CEO, CompanionLink Software, Inc.

PORTLAND, OR, US, May 20, 2019 / EINPresswire.com / -- CompanionLink Software has launchedDejaOffice PC Personal CRM , a fast and easy Personal Relations Manager (PRM) tool for Windows, Android and iPhone. The App is a Contact based CRM with scheduled items and tasks linked to the contact and category. DejaOffice Calendar has color categories which many people use to organize their day. Also featured are calendar emojis that make the day more pleasant to view. Tasks, Notes, Deals, Expenses, and History round out the CRM features in the App.

'Effective contact management is the heart of a productive day,' says Wayland Bruns, CEO of CompanionLink. 'Every call and meeting is an opportunity to connect-the-dots of your personal life. When you finish the call, make notes and followups. Then let your tools remind you when to do them. Android and iPhone apps lack any way to connect a calendar item to a contact or to check off tasks effectively. While there is always an 'App for that', it is not efficient to clutter your phone for every separate tool needed for the CRM process.'

DejaOffice incorporates many popular features of PC based CRM programs including easy backups, color categories, automatic appointment alarms and followup notes. You can quickly import your Contact and Calendar data when you first run it. Import data sources include Outlook, Google, and Palm Desktop. DejaOffice also has separate versions specific toOutlook CRMand Google Calendar CRM.

'The best Customer Relations tools are fast,' says Bruns. 'And that means they run entirely on your PC and not the Cloud. When a person calls me, I want to launch the app, search their name, and see what my last email and appointment was, all in about five seconds.DejaOffice Personal CRMdoes that. It gives me time to focus on a productive conversation, not on opening a cumbersome browser window that requires a login.'

DejaOffice Personal CRM costs $49.95 and there is a 14-day free trial. This is a portable license you can run on your Work PC, Home PC and Laptop. DejaOffice on iPhone and Android can be downloaded from the App Store. You can Sync using USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and DejaCloud. DejaCloud sync is a subscription service, but it is free to use if you have under 500 records. The CompanionLink team offers free telephone technical support on the CompanionLink website so if you have any questions just give us a call. See for details.

About CompanionLink SoftwareCompanionLink® Software, Inc. is a pioneering developer of data sync solutions for mobile phones and CRM software. They develop DejaOffice® CRM for Android™, iPhone®, iPad®, and Windows®. CompanionLink creates white-label PC and Mobile solutions for multiple vendors, and offers a generous affiliate program for bloggers. Since 1987, CompanionLink has helped mobilize information across devices, computers, applications, and web-based services. For more information, please . CompanionLink, DejaOffice and DejaCloud are registered trademarks of CompanionLink Software, Inc. Other product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners

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Fasano Inaugurates A New Luxury Hotel In Salvador Bahia

Stretched out on the coast of northeast Bahia, Salvador is so much more than just any other Brazilian city. In fact, the African influences give it a completely different vibe than the metropolitan São Paulo or the beachy Rio de Janeiro. And with LATAM offering a new direct flight from Miami, this city known for its bright colored colonial buildings and its vibrant Afro-Brazilian culture is more accessible than ever.

Founded by Portuguese settles in the 16th century, Salvador was the first capital of Brazil and is to this day one of the oldest colonial cities in South America. A city full of spirit and color, Salvador shines through its dancing, music, and delicious food. The city is split into two levels, easily accessible by the Elevador Lacerda, a 70-meter (230-feet) elevator built in 1873 that continues to be used today. The upper part hosts the old town of Pelourinho, a neighborhood filled with decorated churches, pastel colors and beautiful narrow roads. The lower part is the modern one, a world of high rises and residential dwellings that line up the coast along with beautiful beaches and restaurants serving a mix of European and Bahian food.

Walking down the street in the old town of Pelourinho, visitors are welcomed by Baianas wearing traditional costumes with hoop skirts and elaborate head wraps, street musicians performing on drums at all hours of the day, and people taking advantage of the music for a little dance in the middle of the town square. The colors of the building and the cobblestone on the street reminisce of an old Portuguese town with African influences.

Just a few minutes walk from Pelourinho lies Fasano, a luxury hotel perched on the shore of the Bay of Bahia. Looking to preserve the look and feel of the old town, while at the same time keeping in place all the features of the modern world, Fasano is hosted in a renovated historic building from the 1930s that was the first headquarter of the newspaper A Tarde for 45 years. Looking to bring luxury into the hospitality world of Bahia,

Fasano looked and building and integrating with the local culture from the location in the Castro Alves Square, in the historical center of Salvador, with a privileged view of the Bay of All Saints to making sure that all the decorations and the renovation is in line with not only preserving the building as a cultural and artistic heritage site of Bahia, but also making sure that it celebrates the vibrancy of the city.

Housed in this heritage building, the hotel features 52 rooms out of which 18 are suites and it’s 100% smoke free. Some rooms still have the original wooden walls, which blend in perfectly with the marble bathrooms, the light blue rugs (a color very prevalent in Bahia), the modern lighting fixtures, and the wonderful views of the bay or the cobblestone streets.

The Fasano Restaurant located on the ground floor of the hotel, brings a menu inspired by Italian cuisine as well as the local Bahian flavors. “The Fasano Restaurant of our Salvador hotel will offer some flagship Italian cuisine: the Costoletta Allá Milanese, the Filetto di Manzoalla Rossini, the Veal Ossobuco with White Wine and Herbs and the Spaghetti Allá Carbonara. 

The cuisine will have the Fasano DNA, dedicated to the Italian classics, and there will also be local Bahian dishes signed by Tereza Paim”, says Rogério Fasano. The space itself has preserved the aesthetic of the original building, while at the same time lining the walls with banana tree straw.

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Natural vs synthetic: what do these terms really mean and which is better for our skin?

Is anyone else confused by natural and synthetic skincare? It seems we’re all trying to be more conscious about what we buy and make informed choices around what we’re sticking on our face. But everywhere you look, advice between the two camps: scientific and lab-based (i.e chemical) or eco-friendly and plant-based (aka natural), seems to pinball in different directions.

“Chemicals are bad for us,” “natural skincare is ineffectual,” “synthetic products are causing sensitivity,” “essential oils can lead to inflammation.” With such divisive opinions, what should we believe? And where should we be investing our skincare budget?

We asked experts from across the industry their thoughts to help decode the difference.

Shelfie-worthy natural and organic beauty treats for your best skin yet What do you think is meant by natural skincare?

“Technically there’s no set definition,” says consultant dermatologist, Dr Anjali Mahto. “One of the problems is that natural means different things to different people.” However, “generally, it implies that the products are formulated with ingredients found in nature, often from plants, such as botanical oils,” explains Dr Alexis Granite, consulting dermatologist at Kiehl’s. “Or, it could indicate products lacking synthetic preservatives such as parabens,” adds Dr Anjali.

“The best way to ensure a product is genuinely natural is to look for an official certification mark,” says Sarah Brown, founder of Pai skincare. “The main certifying body for natural and organic beauty products in the UK is Soil Association/COSMOS (the two standards are merging). It’s a very strict standard which ensures ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides and solvents and are suitably cultivated and harvested,” she adds.

What do you think is meant by synthetic skincare?

“Synthetic skincare means products incorporate laboratory and scientifically derived ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid,” says Dr Alexis. “The formulas are made using chemical copies of natural ingredients,” explains Anna-Marie Solowij beauty journalist and co-founder of the British Beauty Council.

A leading dermatologist reveals why looking after your skin barrier is crucial for a healthy complexion What do you think has led to claims that natural products are ineffectual and synthetic products are bad for us?

“There are so many skincare products on the market and so many claims being made that it can be quite difficult for the consumer to make sense of it all,” says Dr Alexis. “The natural versus synthetic camps have polarised the industry a bit as some claim natural products are not effective and others that synthetic products are harmful. Likely the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Naturally derived products can be highly effective when formulated properly. However natural does not necessarily mean better – poison ivy is natural too. Synthetic products are not inherently dangerous because they are created in a laboratory, and many may actually be bioavailable,” she adds.

Historically, natural alternatives have struggled to keep up with lab-grown chemicals in terms of performance and efficacy, but that's changed says Sarah. “Formulating with natural ingredients has come a long way. When I first started Pai, natural beauty products were nowhere near as sophisticated or high tech as they are now. It’s why natural traditionally had a reputation for not being high performance, but there are some extraordinary natural ingredients available now.”

As for the widespread suspicion around the chemicals used in our products, that's the result of “chemophobia” says Dr Anjali. “I think part of the problem comes from an inherent fear of what we don’t know, especially as long chemical names on product labels can be confusing,” she says.

Why you should be using essential oils in your beauty routine, and exactly how to do it What are the problems that face products labelled as “natural”, what are the regulations around products that claim to be natural?

“Unlike the food industry, there is no regulation in the beauty industry controlling the use of the terms ‘natural’ and ‘organic’,” says Sarah. In fact, there are lots of companies using this terminology to describe their products whose ingredients lists do not stand up to scrutiny,” she adds.

For example, “if the original ingredient is natural to begin with – for example extracted from a flower or fruit – but chemical processing changes it to something different. Is it then still natural?” asks Dr Anjali. Some brands would claim so. “It’s why independent certification is so important as a kitemark of authenticity,” adds Sarah.

“The biggest mistake is to think that natural skincare is somehow safer than products that don’t have the label, but this is not necessarily true,” says Anjali. "The fact is, just as synthetic ingredients can be harmful, there are lots of natural ingredients to be found in organic products that are harmful to the skin," explains Alicia Jackman, founder of Holy Grail Beauty. "Just because an ingredient is natural does not necessarily mean it is better and just because an ingredient is made in a lab, does not make it toxic," she says.

Finally, when it comes to natural formulas, “there is no such thing as "chemical-free," says Alicia, “water is a chemical, so is oxygen and so are the essentials oils in your products." “On its most fundamental level, everything is a chemical. We are a walking, talking mish-mash of chemicals,” agrees Dr Anjali.

Hyaluronic acid is the skincare equivalent of a big drink of water for your face, but what does it actually do? Ingredients like essential oils have divided the industry. What are your thoughts?

Some experts say they’re responsible for causing sensitivity and aren’t compatible with many skin types. Others say they’re one of the major sources of antioxidants and are nourishing skin food, which means it's difficult to know which way to go.

“I am not a huge fan of skin oils in general,” says Dr Alexis. “I find they tend to cause issues with sensitivity and breakouts in many users. Essential oils are highly concentrated and may therefore be more likely to cause skin reactions. Some such as bergamot and citrus may also interact with sun exposure leading to rashes and pigmentation. Diluting essential oils may help minimize irritation when applied to the skin. In general, I prefer essential oils for aromatherapy rather than for use in skincare products,” she adds.

[greetingcrads-blog]

Brick front Colonial in Clinton for sale for $650K

Buyers have the opportunity to own the Neshanic Mill, which is featured on the "Welcome to Hillsborough" sign. ~Courtesy of Vincent Costa, Bridgewater Courier News

CLINTON — An updated brick front Colonial located in Clinton Township’s Hook Mountain Estates is for sale for $649,900.

The open floor plan presents four bedrooms and four-and-one-half baths. Set on over two acres of open and wooded grounds, the property features a freeform in-ground gunite pool, extra-large maintenance-free rear deck and lower level patio amid artfully landscaped grounds.

The 14-room layout provides 4,291 square feet of living space with storage options available in the attached three-car garage, attic and lower level. Highlights of the interior include hardwood floors, two fireplaces, high ceilings, recessed lighting, skylights, a rear staircase and oversized windows.

A front door edged by sidelights opens into the two-story foyer flanked by formal living and dining rooms. Hardwood floors in the foyer extend into the dining room featuring crown and chair rail moldings. In the living room, hardwood floors and a bow window are featured.

The kitchen is fitted with custom maple cabinetry, granite countertops, a tiered center island with breakfast bar seating, a tile backsplash and hardwood floors. A collection of upgraded stainless steel appliances includes a Thermador range capped by a commercial-grade hood, double ovens, a wine cooler and a Sub-Zero double door refrigerator. 

The kitchen’s dining area overlooks views of the backyard from a set of sliding glass doors opening to the entertainment-sized deck. Completing this section of main floor are laundry and powder rooms.

A first floor master suite begins in the bedroom featuring a mantled fireplace bordered by circle top windows, a cathedral ceiling with lit ceiling fan and sliding glass doors to the deck and a walk-in closet. In the master bath, a jetted platform tub, steam shower and double sink vanity are details.

Upstairs are three more bedrooms, two with private balconies. Bonus spaces are found in the second floor game room and leisure room. The full, finished walkout lower level has a recreation room and game area. This daylight grade level part of the home offers a set of glass doors to a covered patio, the backyard and pool. Originally built in 1988 and extensively updated in 2018, this home is served by forced hot air propane heat, central air conditioning, a security system, well water and private septic.

Clinton Township is located minutes from Routes 22, 31 and Interstate 78. This Hook Mountain Estates home is near historic downtown Clinton, famous for the Red Mill set along the South Branch of the Raritan River--the most-photographed site in the state. Clinton is filled with one-of-a-kind shops, art galleries and restaurants set along tree-lined streets. Also nearby are Round Valley and Spruce Run for outdoor recreation. Students living in Clinton attend Blue Ribbon-designated schools including the highly-rated North Hunterdon High School.

[greetingcrads-blog]

The 5 Things You Should Know Before Choosing Stone Countertops

Selecting the best countertops for your kitchen can be a tough decision. Laminate, butcher block, concrete, stone—the choices are seemingly endless (and get only more overwhelming when customization is thrown into the mix). Stone is a perennial favorite for countertops. Think about it—most kitchens you’ve walked into in the past decade probably look like a granite advertisement. Stone is a durable material that offers a wide range of options (and price points). But before selecting a slab, do your homework to ensure you’re picking the best material for your home’s specific needs. Here are five things to know before choosing stone countertops.

1. Know the common types of stone.

Six different kinds of stone are typically used for kitchen countertops: marble, granite, quartz, slate, limestone, and soapstone. Each option has its pros and cons—and deciding between one or another can depend on how you need the countertops to function in your specific space.

Marble, granite, slate, limestone, and soapstone are natural stones, while quartz is man-made. Because natural stones are quarried, there’s less control over colors and pattern of veining, and there’s a higher cost associated with them. Engineered quartz offers a range of customizable colors and patterns (which can mimic the look of marble and granite) at lower price points. Marble and granite top the list as the most expensive options.

2. Know if the surface is heat resistant.

Natural stones are typically heat resistant, so marble, granite, limestone, slate, and soapstone can withstand high temperatures. Quartz will crack under extreme heat, so don’t place hot pots and pans directly onto the surface. While natural stones can stand up to high temps, it’s smart to place hot dishes on trivets or pads to be cautious and preserve the surfaces.

3. Know if the surface is porous.

Quartz is a nonporous surface that doesn’t require sealing; it’s resistant to stains and won’t absorb harmful bacteria, mold, mildew, or viruses. Soapstone and slate are also nonporous and don’t require sealing. Granite, limestone, and marble are porous stones that will easily stain, so sealing is necessary to preserve the look of these surfaces. Keep acidic foods, liquids, or cleaners away from granite, marble, and limestone; acid can break down the seal on these surfaces and cause stains. The nonporous surfaces can be cleaned with soap and water or a mild detergent.

WATCH: This Will Be the Biggest Countertop Trend of 2019

4. Know if the surface is susceptible to nicks and scratches.

While marble is a great surface for baking and making pasta, it’s a softer stone that can easily be nicked or scratched, so always use a cutting board. (The same applies to soapstone and limestone.) Granite and quartz are tougher surfaces that are more resistant to etches and scratches. Slate is a strong stone, but it has brittle edges. Be sure to round the edges of slate countertops to prevent chipping (and avoid injury if the ends become sharp).

[greetingcrads-blog]

Student-loan servicer Navient being stalked by an activist hedge fund

Navient, the nation’s third-largest student-loan servicer, has been chastised for its customer service and is fighting lawsuits from the U.S. government, schoolteachers and multiple state attorneys general who say the Wilmington, Del.-based company routinely has mistreated customers.

Navient, the nation’s third-largest student-loan servicer, has been ripped for its customer service and is fighting lawsuits from the U.S. government, schoolteachers, and multiple state attorneys general who say the Wilmington-based company has routinely mistreated customers.

Now Navient is contending with critics on a new front: shareholders.

Noting that the company’s performance has lagged the stock market, activist hedge fund Canyon Partners last year offered to buy Navient and take it private. Navient refused, and Canyon threatened a proxy battle, building up a stake of about 10% of the company’s shares.

Instead, the two sides agreed last month to a cease-fire and jointly nominated two new directors. Navient’s board slate is expected to be approved at its annual meeting June 6.

The maneuvering raises many questions, among them: Will Navient change? And how will borrowers fare?

One clue comes from Navient CEO John “Jack” Remondi, who asserted during the public battle that Canyon’s approach would likely lead to lower servicing quality, more delinquencies and defaults, and more intense regulatory scrutiny.

Under Remondi, Navient expanded into collections of local and state government tax receipts, health-care bills, and other consumer debts.

But Canyon wants Navient to quit making costly acquisitions that perform poorly and to stick with student loans, which it accuses the company of neglecting.

Buying new businesses and ventures to fund “what we regard as bloated overhead and unacceptable operating losses in some of those businesses” is a poor strategy, Canyon says in filings with regulators. In addition, Navient should have settled legal claims instead of allowing the suits to “cast a shadow” over the stock, Canyon said.

Navient ranks just after FedLoan and the merged Great Lakes-Nelnet as the largest student-loan servicers in the United States. But Navient is a publicly traded company, while FedLoan is run by state-sponsored PHEAA, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency. Together those two service 47% of the nation’s $1.5 trillion in student loans. (Most student borrowers know them on statements as Navient and FedLoan.)

Navient’s customer-service ratings have been mixed. LendEDU, an online marketplace for student loans and other financial products, analyzed borrowers’ complaints and found that Navient had the worst record, with 2,239 complaints in 2018. Still, that represented a 64% drop in complaints from 6,274 the prior year.

[greetingcrads-blog]

How Travel Advisors Can Compete with Costco

How do you compete with a company that’s established and well-liked, known for great prices, and offers customers a 4% rebate on the travel they buy?

Travel Market Report asked our readers (travel advisors) how they respond when the customer says, “I can get that vacation cheaper at Costco.” They replied with a host of tips and insights on how to go up against the retail giant and win.

“I had a client send me a quote from Costco for Hard Rock Riviera Maya, asking if I could beat it,” said Helen Prochilo, of Promal Vacations. “I looked at the flights she opted for and the return flight home left at 7:30 am. I asked her how she would like leaving her hotel at 3:30 am to get to the airport. She had no idea how far it was; I explained she was an hour away. She ended up changing her resort and booking with me. Experience with someone who knew the destination beat out price.”

Teri Hurley, from Endless Love Travel, had this to offer: “If you make it about price, it's about price. I make it about customization, specialization, connections and service. It's like saying I am shopping for a car. A car is a car. But what you get by brand model is totally different. Costco people are not my client. So, while I would not say I compete against them, I will say, this is about finding your market niche and courting the clients that fit your business model.”

Another tip: “Yesterday, I had a client fall victim to an airline strike in Thailand. She was panicking, of course, so I did what we do: Dropped everything and made it right. She gets an extra day in Chiang Mai, covered by her travel insurance, and I get to make it a hiccup, not a nightmare, in her otherwise perfect trip. Costco can't do that. Having your own personal ‘fixer’ who answers the phone at 4 a.m. is worth every penny,” said Mollie Knowles Ward of Troubadour Travel.

“I refuse to even enter this arena,” said Beth Eibler Johnston, Orenda Travel. “My clients come to me for outstanding service, unique travel experiences, and peace of mind. There is a huge difference between the value I offer and Costco price-shopping. (By the way I shop at Costco every week, just not their travel.)”

Loulu Lima, from Book Here, Give Here, said: “I’m all about showing my value. I don’t compete on price and I don’t offer price matches. I do offer white glove service that is unmatched by Costco or any online travel agency.”

Dan Chappelle, from The Wealthy Travel Agent, Inc., offered: “In most cases, your loyal customers will prefer to do business with you, but they do want to make sure they get the best value. There are tools and resources that can help you create comparable value, but it does not need to be equal in price or amenities.”

Also commenting about service, Scott Walters, of Go Away Often Travel-Family Vacations and Amazing Destinations, said: “I tell Costco shoppers that I am a Costco member, too! I follow the adage of money goes where money is treated best. Then I remind them of the lack of personal interaction I have at Costco. I ask them 'Who do you see when you shop there?' The person upon entry, at the register and on the way out. I ask, 'Do you think they care about you?' That tilts the table in my favor.”

Joanne Hunt, of Pompton Plains Travel, simply stated, “The bargain hunters will not be converted and spending time and energy on them is futile.”

Being as straightforward as can be, Shelly Phillips, of Travel by That Girl, told this story: “One day when I felt a little crabby a man bluntly asked me, ‘What do you do that Costco doesn't?’ I replied, ‘Well, I don't sell chicken or toilet paper or flowers because I focus only on travel, people and memories — and I think that gives me quite the edge!’ He booked with me. You never know; honesty goes a long way!”

Nathan Boyle, of Cruise Aficionados , said: “Costco is ‘that guy’ selling cases of Girl Scout cookies out of the back of a truck. Sure, they are real cookies and cheap. But good luck if you break a tooth.”

Along the same lines, Scott Asplund, from Plenty of Fun Travel, commented, “I like to ask if they want an agent who last week was in the tire department. People want someone knowledgeable to handle their travel.”

The theme continued with Lisa Katz Lee, of Braemar Travel, saying: “It’s about customer service and experience. My 30 years of experience keeps clients loyal. I have found that clients don’t want to book with Costco, but they will ask about their pricing. I explain the negatives about booking with Costco and get the sale!”

Geoff Millar, of Ultimate All-Inclusive Travel, said: “We don't compete with Costco; they are not our target market. Costco uses travel as a loss leader because they are in the business of selling memberships.”

Russell Rusty Black, from Rangerruss Travel Adventures, LLC, concurs: “I do not compete with Costco. I emphasize service from a professional travel advisor and not with a tire salesperson.”

Kristi ZaverEmo, from Your Dream Escapes, explained more in depth: “I say, ‘Do you want to ask travel advice from someone selling toilet paper and roasted chickens last week or someone who travels extensively and offers personal advice and support?’ When they mention the Costco card, as that is usually the only difference, I advise I can't match that, as that would mean that I work for free and I am not a non-profit. I also advise them that to get through on the phone line if you are booking new trip is quick, but if you have a question or want help with full itinerary (booking excursions, tours, destination advice, etc.), you will wait on the phone a long time and get help from call center reps, not a travel professional!”

[greetingcrads-blog]

Bitcoin Price Shows Signs of Recovery as Altcoin Market Stays Red

Bitcoin is trading at $10,407 at press time, representing a 0.82% price increase on the day. Bitcoin has ranged from just under $10,000 to over $12,000 this month and had most recently been on a downward streak. However, after bottoming out around $9,700 today, BTC has turned around to retake the $10,000 barrier and push beyond.

The number two cryptocurrency, ETH, has continued its gradual decline. Ether is currently trading at $188.32 and trending down by 1.99%. Bad news for investors in ETH and BTC alike broke earlier today, with a blockchain investment company founding partner telling the public on Twitter that a Chinese Ponzi scheme has robbed investors of $3 billion. This scam is apparently called PlusToken, and the aforementioned partner, Dovey Wan, called upon cybersecurity companies Chainalysis and PeckShield to investigate further.

Brandt does not appear to be speaking hyperbolically, as he further clarified that he does believe Ripple is quite literally manipulating XRP price. He wrote:

“I used ‘manipulate’ because it is exactly what Ripple has been doing since it introduced XRP [...] The chart pattern for many, many months has shown the distribution of XRP by Ripple – it has manipulated the price to hold support. But if support gives way Ripple will be forced to dump in a major way.”

The 10th top cryptocurrency Algorand (ALGO) is also falling in price at press time. ALGO is currently trading a little over $0.699 and is trending down by over 12%. Interestingly, ALGO was scheduled to begin its listing process on the professional trading platform Coinbase Pro yesterday, which correlated with a boost in price for other tokens such as Chainlink (LINK).

[greetingcrads-blog]

Get Ready For Cross-Save For 'Destiny 2'

Destiny 2: Shadowkeep will launch on October 1, bringing major changes to the Destiny 2 experience. On the same day, Destiny 2: New Light will make all previous content free-to-play, but existing Destiny fans will need to purchase the expansion to access new content. 

A few days after the expansion drops, on October 5, Season of the Undying will kick off. All purchases of Shadowkeep will come with a season pass, so this will be accessible to anyone diving into the expansion.Shadowkeep will take you back to the Moon, which we haven't been back to since Destiny 1, but this trailer is showing off the raid that will take place in the Black Garden. 

This looks like it's going to follow through on some of the narrative threads dropped at the end of the original game's campaign, which is good - players have waited years to learn more about the Vex.We'll have more information for you as the time actually arrives, but the basic gist is that you'll be able to tie your Guardians not to a platform-specific account, 

where they currently live, but to a Bungie account that can travel between platforms. It's a first for the game, but it's part of a wider industry-wide migration towards a world with far fewer boundaries between platforms. Destiny 2 won't be getting full cross-play, mind you, but cross-save is a major step in the right direction.

I'm excited, though I'm not sure I'm going to become a PC main. There's still something great about reclining on the couch with a controller and failing into one of these games, and my clan is all on PS4 anyways. Still, I've got a fancy new gaming computer, and I'm excited to push things to the max on what is, at the moment, by far the best platform to play this game on.

 I'll revel in better effects, a buttery smooth framerate and superior mouse and keyboard controls. I'm looking forward to hanging out at my standing desk and swapping between grinding a few bounties out and grinding a few articles out, integrating the game into my work life in a way that can be a bit more difficult when it lives on its own platform.

We'll have full instructions for you tomorrow, as well as impressions. It's a bold new era for Destiny 2 in so many ways, but this is the one that's going to have the most immediate impact on long-term players.

[greetingcrads-blog]

The best free Mac photo editor 2019

Photoshop is the best known photo editing software for macOS, but it's far from the only option. You can also reach for a brilliant, feature-packed free photo editor for your Mac if you don't need the power of Adobe's industry-standard app.

Why do you need a photo editor?

Digital photography has come a very long way in a very short time. The pictures you can capture with a recent smartphone are amazing, with resolution, colours and low-light performance that would have seemed impossible a few years ago.

Nevertheless, there’s always room for improvement, whether it’s removing red-eye, cropping out unwanted bits or just drawing comedy moustaches on your in-laws. For those things, you need a dedicated photo editor.

Photos and Preview are the two image viewing and editing applications provided as part of macOS, and should be high up your list when you're looking for a tool to tweak your images

Don’t overlook the free photo viewing and editing apps included with macOS – they’re as well designed and powerful as any Apple software

It’s easy to overlook the apps you already have. Preview isn’t just a viewer: if you tap on the Markup icon you’ll see tools you can use to edit or add to your image, and under the Tools menu you’ll find options to adjust the colours and sizes. You can also export in multiple file formats.

Apple’s Photos app contains some handy tools too. You can experiment with automatic enhancement, which tries to guess the best settings for your image, you can remove red-eye and minor blemishes, you can apply special effects filters or adjust the colour parameters, and you can rotate and crop images too.

Some of its tools are only available to subscribers, but Fotor offers an excellent selection of filters and other image enhancing options completely free