How to Quit Your Job and Become a Professional Vintner

Jul 21, 2015

Are your friends constantly looking to you to select the wine for dinner? Do you live and bleed red, white and rosé? If the answer is a resounding yes, then a career as a professional vintner may be what you were put on this earth to do. To learn more about the art of winemaking, we turned to Chrishon Lampley, owner of Chicago-based lifestyle brand and wine company Love Cork Screw. Before becoming a professional vintner, Chrishon owned an art gallery and bar where guests regularly asked her for wine pairing suggestions. And that, she says, is where her passion for vino began.

“In 2011, I started writing a blog called Love Cork Screw — the Love section was about fun escapades that happened in bars, the Cork section is where I would share my wine picks and hot spots and the Screw section is where I would talk politics and current events,” she explains. Shortly thereafter, Love Cork Screw wine came about. Today, the brand offers six varietals, including “We’re Movin’ Up” (a Cabernet Sauvignon) and “Head Over Heels” (a sweet Reisling). When asked about her fun, playful names, Chrishon replied, “We didn’t want our names to be intimidating to a wine novice. The idea is to have something everyone can pronounce and something that could work for a themed party, like ‘Good Times, Good Friends,’ which is a Pinot Grigio.” And doesn’t that just sound like the perfect wine pairing for a picnic with your besties?

If you are seriously envious of Chrishon’s life and want to become a professional vintner, here are a few tips she dropped:

1. Do your research. Sign up for wine tastings and seminars in your area. Talk to professionals to get their suggestions and advice. And don’t forget the benefits of a good ol’ book. “My favorite of all time is the Wine Bible,” says Chrishon. “Everyone has different learning styles, so you have to figure out what works best for you.”

2. Trust your instincts. Only you know the taste and style you’re going after. While everyone may have an opinion, it’s up to you to determine the final product. “Your passion usually carries you to your purpose, and that’s basically how I got here,” she says. “My primary research is the vineyards. We want to distribute only the best to Love Cork Screw’s customers.”

3. Keep hustling. “Be diligent and work hard,” Chrishon says. “Consistency is key.” As with any dream career, you have to put in a lot of effort up front and eventually that hustlin’ will start to come naturally.

What passion would you like to see covered in our Quit Your Day Job series? Let us know in the comments!

(Photos via @lovecorkscrew)

20 Blue Zone Diet Recipes That Give Your Meals A Healthy Kick

The blue zone diet is undeniably one of the best ways of eating for overall health and longevity. It draws culinary inspiration from the top blue zones around the world (Ikaria, Greece, Okinawa, Japan, Sardinia, Italy, Loma Linda, California, and the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica), where people tend to live longer (over 100 years!), often free of any heart disease, obesity, cancer, or diabetes.

Originally outlined by National Geographic Explorer and Fellow Dan Buettner, the blue zone diet is 95% plant-based, with beans, legumes, sweet potatoes, yams, fruits, leafy greens, beets, nuts, and seeds being the #1 priority. High-quality olive oiland whole grains like brown rice and barley are also a huge part of the diet. Blue zone diet recipes widely limit eggs, dairy, meat, added sugar, and processed foods.

The blue zone diet can be a helpful tool to guide your eating habits toward healthier, more beneficial choices for a longer life. These 20 blue zone diet recipes highlight whole foods, veggies, and fruits to make each meal work for you!

Heyday Beans

Chickpea Curry

This flavorful curry recipe loads up on lots of chickpeas to better suit the blue zone diet. Swap the basmati for brown rice, and you'll be set! (via Heyday Beans for Brit + Co)

Midjourney

Niçoise Salad

This dish is packed with so much goodness. From the bed of greens to the heart veggie toppings like olives, tomatoes, green beans, onion, and more, each bite is different from the next, which makes mealtime (especially with the blue zone diet) fun! (via Brit + Co)

Antoni Shkraba / PEXELS

Hummus + Veggies

Hummus is super easy to make at home, and it'd guaranteed to be healthy when you know exactly what you're putting into it. This recipe features a nice amount of lemon juice for taste and freshness. Serve with lotsa veg, as per the blue zone diet. (via Brit + Co)

Two Spoons

Spring Mix Salad + Lemon Tofu

Salads make some of the best blue zone diet recipes (remember that 95% plant-based rule?), but just because they're salads doesn't mean they have to be boring. This one earns some good zest from baked tofu, homemade dressing, and crunchy veggies. (via Two Spoons for Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Zucchini Fries

These veggie-laden fries actually taste like what you'd get in the drive-thru. So, if you're searching for blue zone diet recipes that'll fulfill your fast food cravings, this is it. Serve with a homemade sauce to amp up the vibes. (via Brit + Co)

The Real Food Dietitians

Greek Cucumber Salad

Greek and Mediterranean food often qualify for the diet since they're fresh and full of healthy goods. This Greek salad combines juicy cukes, tomatoes, onions, and chickpeas for a refreshing blue zone bite. (via The Real Food Dietitians)

The Edgy Veg

Oyster Mushroom Shawarma

Since blue zone diet recipes tend to limit actual meat, it's crucial to find ones that emulate the meaty, smoky flavors of the chicken, beef, and fish you might be missing. In this dish, oyster mushrooms form a very complex forkful with the help of a homemade marinade. (via The Edgy Veg)

Give Recipe

Beetroot Dip

Beets are one of the top veggies to eat on the blue zone diet, and this dip is probably one of the coolest ways you can prepare them. This recipe earns extra points for including pine nuts and/or pistachios! (via Give Recipe)

Blue Zones

Cornmeal Waffles

Blue zone breakfasts can range from granolas to fruit salads, but these waffles look like the tastiest option out there. Wheat flour and cornmeal make up the thick batter for a filling morning meal. (via Blue Zones)

Crowded Kitchen

Couscous Salad

Grains are golden in this diet. Follow this recipe that creates a heavenly blend of couscous and veggies! This would be an excellent option to meal prep so you don't have to worry about cooking down the line. (via Crowded Kitchen)

Earthly Provisions

Three Bean Chili

Beans always win for the blue zone diet! This hearty bowl of chili leverages three different kinds to fill you up and fulfill all your comfort food cravings. (via Earthly Provisions)

Half Baked Harvest

Sweet Potato Kale Salad

Dark, leafy greens are preferred over lighter ones for the diet because they usually hold more nutritional value. That's why this kale salad is a perfect blue zone diet recipe! (via Half Baked Harvest)

Blue Zones

Asian Stir Fry Noodles

This quick dinner doesn't skimp on flavor. You'll fall instantly in love with the blend of ginger, garlic, and sesame oil for the sauce that drowns these rice noodles. (via Blue Zones)

A Virtual Vegan

Almond Hemp Granola

This nutty granola is the ultimate addition to breakfast time yogurt bowls. (via A Virtual Vegan)

Hello Little Home

Roasted Squash

Virtually any vegetable is roast-able and fitting for the blue zone diet, but delicata squash is great for when you just want something a lil' different. (via Hello Little Home)

Vanilla and Bean

Citrus Carrot Ginger Smoothie

Wether it's for breakfast or a mid-day snack, this hydrating smoothie will never leave you unsatisfied. (via Vanilla and Bean)

The First Mess

Herby Whipped White Beans with Smoky Mushrooms

This share-worthy recipe expertly disguises white beans in the form of an herby dip topped with grilled 'shrooms. To make it more filling, use toasted whole grain bread as your dipping vehicle! (via The First Mess)

Blue Zones

Sweet Potato + Black Bean Burgers

Sweet potatoes and beans are some of the most recommended ingredients for blue zone diet recipes. In this meal, they team up with some oats and other crucial elements to form some super healthy burger patties. (via Blue Zones)

Half Baked Harvest

Roasted Cauliflower Hummus

Again, dips shine! This hummus is packed with veg – though you wouldn't know it if you didn't make it. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Blue Zones

Warm Brussels Sprouts Salad

Shaved Brussels sprouts are the star of this warm salad. Top things off with pickled onions and plenty of nuts for added deliciousness! (via Blue Zones)

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This post has been updated.

10 New Movies Coming In April To Add To Your Calendar ASAP

If you're like me, then you've already added all the new April TV shows to your calendar...and used a highlighter & glitter pens to circle your favorites multiple times. Well grab your pens once again because the calendar isn't complete until you've added these new April movies! As we get closer to the adventure that summer blockbuster season brings (and Jonathan Bailey in Jurassic World: Rebirth, hello!), these spring movies give us the perfect dose of action.

Keep reading for all the new April movies to add to your watchlist in 2025.

Freaky Tales — In Theaters April 4, 2025

Sundance/Lionsgate

Stories of "an NBA star, a corrupt cop, a female rap duo, teen punks, neo-Nazis, and a debt collector" converge in 1987 Oakland, according to this April movie's synopsis. And based on the trailer, it's definitely going to be a freaky ride.

Freaky Tales hits theaters April 4 and stars Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, Jay Ellis, Normani, Dominique Thorne, Jack Champion, Ji-young Yoo, Angus Cloud, and Tom Hanks.

A Minecraft Movie — In Theaters April 4, 2025

Warner Bros. Pictures

After The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Jack Black is back for another video game adaptation. In A Minecraft Movie, he stars as Steve, an expert crafter who teams up with four misfits trying to get back home. Watch the trailer here.

A Minecraft Movie hits theaters April 4 and stars Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers, and Sebastian Hansen

Sacramento — In Theaters April 11, 2025

Tribeca Film Festival/Vertical

In this sunny movie, youthful Rickey convinces his friend Glenn, a family man, to take a break from the real world and go on a California road trip. And if the trailer's any indication, you'll walk out of this movie with a smile on your face.

Sacramento hits theaters April 11 and stars Michael Cera, Michael Angarano, Maya Erskine, and Kristen Stewart.

Drop — In Theaters April 11, 2025

Universal Pictures

In Drop, Violet's dreamy date with Henry quickly becomes a nightmare when her phone starts pinging with instructions — and the anonymous sender starts threatening her kid. The only problem? The final instruction is to kill Henry. If I'm this nervous watching the trailer, I'll definitely need a big bag of popcorn to see it in theaters!

Drop premieres April 11 and stars Meghann Fahy, Brandon Sklenar, Violett Beane, Jacob Robinson, Reed Diamond, Gabrielle Ryan, Jeffery Self, Ed Weeks, and Travis Nelson.

Warfare — In Theaters April 11, 2025

A24

All your favorite celebrities are starring in this April movie, which follows a group of Navy SEALs watching American forces move through Iraq and is based on real memories & events. You can watch the trailer now.

Warfare hits theaters April 11 and stars D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, Kit Connor, Finn Bennett, Taylor John Smith, Michael Gandolfini, Adain Bradley, Noah Centineo, Evan Holtzman, Henrique Zaga, Joseph Quinn, and Charles Melton.

The Amateur — In Theaters April 11, 2025

20th Century Studios

Charlie is a CIA agent who usually stays out of the field. But when his wife is murdered, he jumps into action to exact revenge on the men responsible. The trailer already has me on the edge of my seat!

The Amateur premieres April 11 and stars Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan, Caitríona Balfe, Jon Bernthal, Michael Stuhlbarg, Holt McCallany, Julianne Nicholson, Adrian Martinez, Danny Sapani, and Laurence Fishburne.

The Wedding Banquet — In Theaters April 18, 2025

Luka Cyprian/Bleecker Street

When his boyfriend won't commit, Min comes up with a simple proposition: a green-card marriage with Angela to pay for her partner Lee's IVF treatment. But when Min's grandma goes all out with a Korean wedding banquet, things get complicated (well, at least more complicated than they already were). Watch the trailer now!

The Wedding Banquet hits theaters April 18 and stars Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, Han Gi-chan, Joan Chen, and Youn Yuh-jung.

Sinners — In Theaters April 18, 2025

Warner Bros. Pictures

Twin brothers figure out their future is just as terrifying as their past when they set out for a new life. Watch the horrifying trailer here.

Sinners hits theaters April 18 and stars Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, and Delroy Lindo.

Pride & Prejudice — In Theaters April 20, 2025

Focus Features

Yep, you read that right — Pride & Prejudice is coming back to theaters! Celebrate the 20th anniversary of this iconic movie, which follows the headstrong Lizzy Bennet, the sharp Mr. Darcy, and their unending love for their families. The romantic trailer just proves this is the blueprint for enemies to lovers.

Pride & Prejudice hits theaters again on April 20 and stars Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Brenda Blethyn, Donald Sutherland, Rosamund Pike, Jena Malone, Tom Hollander, Penelope Wilton, and Judi Dench.

Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith — In Theaters April 25, 2025

Lucasfilm

This is another flick I can't wait to relive in theaters! In the final installment of the Star Wars prequels, Anakin is battling the forces of good and evil as the battle between the Jedi and the Separatists comes to a head.

Revenge of the Sith is coming back to theaters April 25 and stars Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, and Frank Oz.

Which April movie are you excited to see this month? Tag us on Instagram!

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8 "Stellar" Celestial Baby Names For Your Little Star

Adding a new member to your family (and picking out the perfect baby name) is already a magical experience, so why not look to the stars for inspiration?

Astrology and constellations have been sources of wonder throughout history. And whether you're drawn to the beauty of celestial bodies, the mystique of zodiac signs, or just appreciate the night sky, there's a cosmic name fit for your little one. Here are some of our favorite stellar baby name options.

Scroll to see our favorite celestial baby names for 2025!

1. Aurora

Анна Иванова

Rooted in Latin, Aurora means "dawn," symbolizing new beginnings and endless possibilities. It evokes images of the breathtaking aurora borealis or the dazzling natural light display that can be seen near the Earth's poles.

In Roman mythology, Aurora was also the goddess of the sunrise, so this name carries an ethereal, almost magical quality. Perhaps that's why it was chosen for Disney's Sleeping Beauty.

2. Orion

Sheena Policarpio

Orion is a strong celestial name that has both mythological and astronomical significance. With Greek roots, it means "hunter" or "rising in the sky."

In Greek mythology, Orion was a hunter and the son of Poseidon, who was said to be placed among the stars by Zeus, creating the striking constellation we see today. As one of the brightest and most recognizable formations, Orion represents power and adventure.

3. Celeste

Foden Nguyen

This name exudes elegance and celestial beauty. Latin in origin, Celeste means "heavenly" and calls to mind the vast night sky, packed with shimmering stars.

It's a popular pick in French and Italian cultures and carries an air of grace. Celeste is well-suited for a little girl with a curious spirit, encouraging her to shoot for the stars.

4. Phoenix

I. Metodiev

Phoenix is a powerful gender-neutral name that embodies transformation and resilience. Greek in origin, it refers to the legendary bird that is reborn from its own ashes, representing renewal.

It also has celestial significance since Phoenix is a minor constellation in the southern sky and the name of a robotic spacecraft sent to explore Mars.

5. Lyra

Norman Milwood

Lyra strikes a perfect chord between mythology, music, and the cosmos. With Greek roots, the name means "harp player" and is closely tied to the legendary lyre of Orpheus, whose music was said to enchant all who heard it.

In honor of this mythical instrument, the Lyra constellation was placed in the night sky, adding a celestial touch to this melodic name. It's a beautiful choice for parents who appreciate both music and mythology.

6. Sirius

Foden Nguyen

Sirius has Greek roots and means "glowing" or "scorcher," a fitting tribute to the brightest star in the night sky. Known as the "dog star," it's part of the Canis Major constellation and has guided stargazers for centuries.

This name is bold and fiery and symbolizes leadership, ensuring your little one will stand out in the world.

7. Nova

Catalina Carvajal Herrera

With roots in Latin, Nova means "new," making it apt for a fresh start and a bright future. In astronomy, a nova is also a powerful stellar event where a star suddenly bursts into incredible brightness.

While it has been used as a given name since the 19th century, Nova has gained popularity in recent years, especially in Scandinavian countries. It has undeniable cosmic charm and can celebrate a child who brings light into your life.

8. Archer

Boko Shots

Last but not least is Archer, a dynamic name that signifies strength, precision, and determination. With roots in Latin, French, and English, it means "bowman" and was originally an occupational surname for skilled archers in the Middle Ages.

Archer is also linked to the Sagittarius constellation, which is depicted as a centaur wielding a bow. This name has both timeless and modern appeal and comes with adorable nickname options, like Archie.

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