App Tips

HOW I DECIDED WHAT COMMUNITIES TO JOIN ON VINA

/ Elizabeth Kate / 1 Comment

As an online community manager for an engineering company and for my own personal community, Vivi e impara, I strongly believe in the power of community to connect people and share knowledge. At VINA, this is something that can be done very well!

According to the State of Community Management 2018 Report, communities are impacting the way we live and the work around us. The research is compelling:

  1. Communities are change agents: Community programs impact multiple functions, stakeholders, and departments in organizations. They have immense potential to be agents of change by efficiently dispersing knowledge and information across organizations and their markets.
  2. Communities create transformational value: Community programs show an average ROI that exceeds 2,000%. They enable behavior changes that directly impact profitability and revenue generation, while also having an overwhelmingly positive impact on brand and cultural sentiment.
  3. Community teams are underfunded: Community professionals are burnt out due to increasing success and workloads without the accompanying increase in resources and support. This is limiting impact.

As a VINA Ambassador & VINA Society Writer, and an active member of The Community Roundtable network, I’ve used VINA to connect with women with similar interests as mine. I’m active in many communities, including bloggers, dog owners, foodies, and yoga, to name a few. While chatting with new vinas on the app, I’m able to find something in common with them. And if not, then I’ve met someone different from me that I can learn from.

Just this past week I connected with a fellow yogi. In the introduction on the app it says, “Share your favorite spot to shavasana! Then how about trying each other’s favorite yoga studios together?” This quick introduction not only helps new vinas find a cool new yoga studio, but also suggests an activity to bring women closer together based on mutual interests and understanding. Now, what’s better than that?

I’m grateful that VINA is supporting the diverse interests and skill sets that we as women represent. VINA challenges and recognizes us and celebrates what we have in common and what makes us different.

Download the Hey! VINA app today and find out for yourself! Join a few communities and realize just how beautiful it is to bring us all a little closer together. 

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VINA STORY: HOW HEY! VINA HELPED INSPIRE TWO WOMEN TO CREATE BRUNCHITUPNYC

/ Jordan Meyers / 3 Comments

In a city of millions of people, it may seem rather frustrating to feel alone. But, the truth is, it’s not as abnormal as one might think! Searching for friends with the same interests and values as you is a tough task, but the girls at BrunchItUpNYC have made it a little bit easier for us vinas.

Molly and Leyssa are two 20-somethings who decided that they wanted to foster a girl gang for other vinas who may have felt alone in the sea of people in NYC.

“It’s so important to have a group of girls you can rely on,” they said. “Whether it’s for a much-needed girl talk, or a night out partying, we all need a solid support system!”

And they gave us just that! BrunchItUpNYC was created by these powerful vinas when they felt there was a genuine need for a consistent meet-up event where girls could feel comfortable coming alone to make friends.

Your 20s may feel like a strange period in your life; you might witness others your age getting married and starting to have kids while you’re popping Cheetos in your mouth and watching the season finale of The Bachelor. If you maybe feel as though you fit into the latter category, perhaps this brunch-bunch is made especially for you.

“A lot of us actually are not very new to NYC, but are looking for friends that want to travel, explore and live life to the fullest,” Molly and Leyssa said. “Most of us are in our mid 20s, and a lot of our friends are settling down or moving out of the city.”

Molly and Leyssa at their second BrunchItUpNYC event.

This makes BrunchItUpNYC so impactful and special for vinas. Their first brunch meet-up created on the Hey! VINA app consisted of nine other girls who instantly hit it off. “We talked about our interests, our lifestyle, our goals and somehow we all were just on the same page! We’ve already planned a girls trip to New Orleans next month. I think our group is going to stay close forever!”

No initial awkward silences took away from the fun. The girls played games like “Never Have I Ever” to get to know each other and loosen up, which made for exciting conversations!

The creators of BrunchItUpNYC were able to use Hey! VINA to invite more vinas to join them.

“We heard about VINA through a friend and decided to give it a try,” they said. “VINA provided an amazing platform to promote our brunch meetups on, and the girls on VINA are friendly & looking for fun activities, so it was easy to get a group of them together!”

As for making friends and meaningful connections online, Molly and Leyssa have some advice:

“Don’t be nervous!! Everyone on VINA is looking to meet friends, so everyone feels those nerves in the beginning, but you will end up with amazing new friends, and it will be so worth it!”

Join @BrunchItUpNYC on Saturday, February 16th from 1:45pm-3:30pm for their Galentine’s Day brunch in NYC! And if you’re interested in perusing more events such as this one, check out the Hey! VINA app to meet other like-minded vinas and to create that girl gang of a lifetime.

100 YEARS OF POWER

/ Olivia June / 6 Comments

I’ve been thinking a lot about June 4, 1919—the historic day Congress passed the 19th Amendment, granting all American women the right to vote. Tomorrow is the annual Women’s March, and 137 days until June 4, 2019, when it will be 100 years since that iconic date. 100 years of women’s suffrage; 100 years of women working to empower other women, 100 years of women speaking up, demanding change. 100. A big number and a small number all at once.

When I launched Hey! VINA, I knew I wanted to create a safe place for women to meet, connect, and join forces. I wanted us to have smart resources so that no matter where we are in our lives or in the world, we have the support system of other women in our lives there for us. I know that when you put a group of women together, sh*t gets done. As my friend Shelley Zalis of The Female Quotient puts it: “A woman alone has power; together we have impact.”

From the 19th Amendment to the #MeToo movement, history proves that women supporting women creates a wave of change. And not just any wave—but a tidal wave.

We see it with women like Tarana Burke, who started the Me Too movement in 2006, which led to 252 celebrities, politicians, CEOs and others accused of sexual misconduct since April 2017. Or newly elected U.S. congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib—who call one another “squad” and “dream team,” as they band together to put an end to the patriarchy that has upheld male power and privilege for far too long. Malala Yousafzai, who is fighting for millions of girls around the world to go to school. Or the sister survivors who bravely testified against U.S. gymnastics Olympic team “doctor” Larry Nassar, joining together to not only put him behind bars but to dismantle the system that allowed him to hurt so many, despite countless reports, warnings and red flags.

The list of women in this tidal wave is endless—and it’s only getting bigger.

It’s about damn time! For far too long, we’ve been living in the culture of patriarchy, where women were portrayed and taught by men-led entertainment companies and T.V. shows to compete with one another and become ‘frenemies.’ If we weren’t fighting over a guy, then we had to be fighting over a job, or a shirt, or a diet. I can’t even count how many times I’ve explained Hey! VINA to a man, and he’s exclaimed, “I thought women hated each other!” No bud, that’s just simply not true.

But we’ve flipped that script. We’ve leaned in. We’ve leaned out. We’ve linked up. We’ve supported each other—in every tagged #BelieveWomen meme, in every hashtag, in every march, we’ve fought the false narrative of women and how we see each other.

When I envision the future generations of women and what the picture looks like for the next 100 years, I see community, not competition. I see strength. In the next 100 years, there won’t be a day when we have a dream that feels too big for us. We will always feel supported. We will always feel like we have a network behind us, cheering us on, picking us up when one of us falls down.

We are laying the future of friendship right now. Today. We waste no time. We know there is a real human need for friendship. With loneliness being the biggest health epidemic of our time—equated to smoking 15 cigarettes a day—our health, happiness, and lifespan depend on making these solid, meaningful connections.

We know that women live about five percent longer than men—and our demand for community and need for sisterhood could be the reason, “Some have posited that the reason for females’ longer lives is due to our abilities in the social sphere,” says Amy Yotopoulos, Director of the Mind Division at the Stanford Center on Longevity. 

Could investing in your social life be a key factor in living to 100? Science says it certainly can! Not regularly spending time with friends and prioritizing your social connections has shown to reduce your lifespan by 30%, but on the upside, having close friends and spending time with them has shown to increase your lifespan by 50%.

We need these close bonds to keep the momentum going—so I’m making a 100 year commitment to you with Hey! VINA. In honor of the upcoming 100 year anniversary of the 19th Amendment, and in effort to help you live to centenarian status, I’m introducing the Hey! VINA Century Club. We’re offering a limited group of vinas the opportunity to join our Century Club, which means that you have 100 years of VINA VIP status. You’ll get all the amazing benefits of being a VINA VIP on the app, but more than that, you’ll be investing in the future of friendship for you and for women everywhere for the next 100 years.

We’ll add 100 years to your life. 100 years of vinas to meet. 100 years of friendships that will help you get through any hardship you face. 100 years of laughs. 100 years of a shoulder to cry on. 100 years of sisterhood.

Let’s live it up for the next 100 years together, and become a VINA Century Club member. Just look at all that women have accomplished together in 100 years. What does the next 100 hold for us?

Want to become a VINA Century Club member? Sign up on the Hey! VINA iOS app. 

5 QUESTIONS TO TEXT YOUR NEW VINA MATCH

/ Sydney Cole / 1 Comment

You swiped right on a fellow vina’s profile and you both have exchanged numbers. Now the anxiety kicks in because you want to build a friendship, and this doesn’t happen overnight. So how to go about breaking the stifled first texts and start getting your vina to open up—and vice versa? Here are five icebreakers you can use next time you match with someone on Hey! VINA.

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF

It may seem very open-ended, but that’s the beauty of this icebreaker. These four words will open the door to your vina showing you who she is. What they choose to disclose and include in their answer will say a lot about who they are as a person, and it gives them a chance to show their inner self without pressure. Take a tip from the great conversationalists and lead off with this inquiry.

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A FRIENDSHIP?

We are constantly changing as humans. We desire more or less as we grow up. Think of this question as a means to lay the cards out on the table. This question sets the tone for how you are to go about approaching your new friendship. We all require something from the connections we create; this question helps your vina understand where you are coming from and vice versa. You can see the type of woman that they are, what they represent and what they could offer in a friendship. Boundaries are set because the person can also tell you what they refuse to tolerate. Everyone wants a beautiful friendship, and even though it isn’t always perfect, that level of respect and any other unique qualities a person is seeking is what matters most.

WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU WORKING ON?

Goals are what drive us forward in life. When you ask a fellow vina what their personal resolutions are and how they are working to achieve them, it shows you are genuinely interested in getting to know them as a person. Plus, the answers they give can be a gauge to see if your own goals interests align with their own.

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Photograph by Freepik

WHEN IS YOUR BIRTHDAY?

Here is another simple, yet effective question that will reveal more about your new friend. Now, do not go on to ask this question, then leave it at that. Elaborate more on the subject. Bring up your own birthday, and also ask about their plans for their next birthday (shows interest). For the zodiac lovers, this could also let you know how compatible you are, astrologically. That said, I don’t advice looking into natal charts and reading your vina like a book so soon (if you don’t know what those are, look them up—they are so cool!), but I do believe zodiac signs can give you the slightest glimpse into a person’s personality. Another beautiful reason why this question rocks? Well, this lets your new friend know that you plan on being a friend for the long haul, a consistent true friend. I mean, you are already thinking ahead, caring about their birthday and hope to eventually celebrate with them, and vice versa. This question will truly let your potential new vina know you are the real deal.

WHAT’S YOUR IDEAL VINA DATE?

After you’ve slightly peppered your vina with the above questions, get to it and set that VINA date. What she responds to this question says a lot about your fellow vina and can also hint toward any possible hobbies you both share. For example, if you are both foodies, ask her what her favorite lunch or dinner spot is.  If you both love to get pampered, spa dates are super cute. And for my fellow creatives, a sip and paint date are a wonderful idea. So, try to open up a conversation about the first dates, toss around some ideas and meet up to have a great time.

It can be hard breaking the ice—these five questions will definitely get the ball rolling so you and your vina can start getting to know each other! By the time you both meet in person, you could get a feeling for who they are. Building a friendship takes time, but you can get over the awkward phase by asking questions that dig deeper. Small talk can get annoying to some, so these questions cover some of the basics. These queries will make you look open and interested in potentially finding and landing a lifetime friend. I wish all you vinas out there luck and success with your fellow matches!

Have a go at these icebreakers by swiping with new vinas on the Hey! VINA app today! 

 

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FROM TEXT TO IRL: HOW TO MAKE YOUR VINA DATE HAPPEN

/ Sydney Cole / Leave a comment

You swiped right, texted daily on the phone and are now eager to meet up and connect IRL. We’re talking vina dates here! It is a much more exciting process, subjectively speaking, to connect and make new friends, as sisterhood is so important. This should ease your nerves. But, in reality, this is still a nerve-racking moment. You are officially going to meet your vina in person. How do you go from texting to that first official date? Let this vina give you some tips!

LOCATION MATTERS

It is always essential to pick a date spot that allows you to connect with your vina. Do not pick someplace like the movies. Similar to any romantic date, conversation is key when trying to connect with someone. Humans bond with communication. This can allow you both to open up about your lives and see if there’s chemistry there. I would suggest finding a spot like a café, or a cool lunch spot, where you can relax and open up to one another. For thinking outside the box, think about going to a paint-and-sip or a nail date. The key is to pick a place that is open and doesn’t force you to be too distracted so you can pay attention to your vina. When presenting this idea to your new potential bestie, work with each other’s schedules. By now, conversations on the phone has allowed you to learn the basics: their location, occupation, age, etc. This will ease the scheduling process to get that first date in the books.

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DON’T DILLYDALLY

You’re on Hey! VINA to meet new friends—and so are the other vinas. So what are you waiting for? It’s nice to send an introductory message and a few key facts about yourself and vice versa, but the fact of the matter is that friendships are made IRL. So bite the bullet and be the first one to ask your vina match out for a coffee date (or whatever your heart desires). Chances are they’ll be more than happy to; after all, that’s what they’re on there for.

BE YOURSELF

Once your vina accepts, then congratulations! My only advice from then on is to be yourself. Your authentic energy is what drew them to you in the first place. Go on that friend date with an open heart and mind. No matter the outcome, as long as you were yourself, then there is nothing to worry. As stated before, it is okay to be nervous. You want people to like you. You want that same chemistry you got from them over the phone.  Quality time is so essential to establishing friendships and maintaining them. The first date with your vina shouldn’t be seen as a hurdle, but a beautiful moment you can share with someone to connect and possibly build a long-lasting connection.

To any vinas out there getting ready for their first friend sesh: Take some deep breaths. Tell yourself that this is someone you have already connected with and that the same vibe will be felt in real life. Go on that date being your best self and let things organically flow. Know that you are worthy of a healthy, positive and beautiful friendship. You are enough, and the love and care you give as a friend are enough. The most important thing? Enjoy yourself and this new person in front of you—that’s the whole reason to do it.

May we all open ourselves to new, long-lasting and beautiful friendships in the new year and beyond!

Make that first date happen! Get on the Hey! VINA app today to connect with some kickass vinas. 

WHAT ARE BLUE LIGHT BLOCKING GLASSES, AND SHOULD YOU BE WEARING THEM?

/ mackiemcq / Leave a comment

You’ve probably seen or heard something about blue light blocking glasses in the last year or two, and if you’ve never really looked into them before, or don’t even know what the heck blue light is, let me shed some light…pun unintended. If you (like me) are constantly staring at a screen for work, then class, then to catch up on your favorite Netflix binge, you’ve probably noticed some super annoying headaches, dry eyes, the occasional hallucination, and even excessive exhaustion and loss of focus. Enter blue light. Now, blue light isn’t all bad. It’s actually necessary for our REM cycles and other natural hormonal resources, like breaking up our melatonin during the day. Blue light is in natural light forms, and that’s the stuff that tells you when it’s time to wake up and be alert, whereas white light tells your brain to relax and go to sleep.

Blue light becomes harmful when it is used in excessive amounts, which in this day and age is pretty common. The brightness of our phones, laptops, TVs etc. all play into our tolerance to blue light, or lack thereof. In other words: blue light could be the reason you haven’t slept in the last 10 years, just saying. Interesting, right? So here’s the deal. Blue light-blocking glasses are designed to do just what their name suggests: block blue light. Wearing them while you look at an artificial source of blue light is supposed to help reduce headaches, dry eyes and all the other bad stuff that we’ve been getting too much of, while promoting better sleep and focus! Now, it sounds kind of like a futuristic gimmick, right? I was pretty skeptical about this at first too. So, instead of sitting around and wondering about it, I tested three of the biggest names in blue light blocking technology to see just what they can do, and if they’re really all they crack themselves up to be. Curious? Keep reading.

PIXEL

This is the first pair that I tried so, I had no idea what to expect, especially being someone who has never needed glasses and therefore has never worn them. After a few days of wearing them, I noticed my tolerance to my laptop gradually increasing. Normally I find myself having to turn down the screen brightness as it starts to really bother my eyes, but with Pixel, I was much more relaxed.

The glasses didn’t stay on my face very well, and I found myself flexing my facial and earlobe muscles a lot to keep them up, which obviously became uncomfortable after subconsciously doing this while wearing them so often. However, I’ve never worn glasses, so this could just be attributed to me getting used to the feeling. I mean, I also had to get used to my eyesight suddenly being fogging after doing the dishes, and remembering not to adjust the lenses while eating greasy food. Woops.

Verdict? I’ve found a higher tolerance to my computer screen and can do work for a longer period of time without feeling tired or not being able to focus on the screen because it gets blurred/my eyes burn.

Style: I tested the Meru Matte Navy, which I would deem the cute version of nerdy. This is my practical pair that goes with everything but still looks trendy. I like the big frames and the sleek matte finish. 8/10.

Comfort: not bad but not great. Again, it could just be because the size of my head is kind of small compared to other average human heads. They slip down and cause me to strain my facial muscles, so I’m gonna say 7/10.

Affordability: The price range for these is between $80-$100 which, for the product you’re buying and the quality, is not outrageous in the least. 9/10.

Effectiveness in blue light blocking: my tolerance is up and my headaches are down so, A+!

BAXTER BLUE

This is the second pair I got so I had something to compare them to at this point, and I was super curious to see how they measured up. My first impression was not bad, I feel the same way about how they don’t stay on my face so I guess that’s probably just the feeling of glasses. My head is small after all.

Just like with Pixel, my eyes do feel less strained and worn out already, but I don’t think it’s about short-term effects or the way you feel while you’re wearing them, it’s more about the long-term effects and how they make you feel in the long run/what they prevent and the long-term benefits. So if you don’t feel that different while wearing them, try to pay more attention to how you feel in a month, or even 2 weeks after wearing them.

A little perk about this website: You can upload a photo and virtually try on any pair of glasses! This makes shopping super easy, and helps narrow down your choices, just like an in-store shopping experience.

Style: Lane/Crystal. Definitely upscale chic. These are very modern and current in terms of style. I love the look, it’s very minimalist and literally matches everything considering they’re transparent. The rounded frames are elegant and don’t make me look or feel like a kid playing dress up. 10/10.

Comfort: they have a feeling of “barely there” other than the fact that I’m flexing to keep them up. But other than that they’re light and the arms  are a great size, they rest neatly behind my ears. 8/10.

Affordability: BB ranges from $89-$100 so they are on the higher end, but even so, still an insanely good price for the product! 9/10 ONLY because there are technically cheaper pairs.

Effectiveness: eye strain is definitely down, and so are my after-work headaches!

Bonus: They give a pair of reading glasses to someone in need for every pair purchased!

ZENNI

This is the last pair I got, so I really had some experience with glasses under my belt at this point, and the first thing I noticed was that these were the first pair that actually stayed put on my head and didn’t make me strain my facial muscles. Not that the others are unbearable, but these ones are like, light as air. I honestly forgot I was wearing them after an hour or two. So whether the thing that makes me strain is the size of my head/lack of experience wearing glasses, or weight of the glasses themselves is still up for debate.

As far as effectiveness goes for actually curing the eye strain, they feel exactly the same as the other two. So I’m thinking any company is as good as the next, as long as they’re using the appropriate blue blocking technology. It just depends on your price range and style preference.

This site also has the option to virtually try on glasses like BB: a huge perk!

Style: Pink Round Eyeglasses 782419. The pair I chose have a marble effect and are very trendy and in style. They do seem like they may be less durable, however, than the other brands, but it doesn’t seem like that plays into the appearance of them. The case is not as sleek or efficient as it could be, considering these come in a rather bulky plastic case. 8/10.

Comfort: Suuuuuper comfy, could barely even tell I was wearing them most of the time. BUT one of the eyeglasses is closer to my eye which makes it a little uncomfortable rubbing against my eyelashes, so I have to situate them just right. 8/10.

Affordability: This is definitely, definitely going to be your more affordable brand. But there are honestly SO many choices, you can pretty much pay as much or as little as you want. The prices are all over the board, from about $7-$50 approx, so there’s a little something for everyone! 10/10.

Effectiveness: definitely helping my eyes relax after staring at a screen, and also combatting those annoying blue light overload headaches.

Overall, I really love all three brands and think that all of them are a good option if you’re looking into blue light blocking glasses. My tolerance to screen brightness is way up when I’m wearing any one of them; I feel like I can work on my laptop for a longer period of time, and they all look super adorbs on my face! So, win-win! And remember, these can be bought with or without a prescription. So if you don’t need glasses, don’t take yourself out of the game! I have the ones with no prescription and they are fab. Whether you’re slaving away in front of the screen all day, or just using your phone for texting and the occasional Insta post, I would seriously suggest looking into a pair of these bad boys!

Protect your eyes while you swipe on the Hey! VINA app!

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5 SIGNS YOU’RE SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME ON NETFLIX AND NEED TO GET OUTSIDE

/ Jewell Fears / Leave a comment

I find it strangely ironic that as an adult, we rush to do the things that were considered punishment when we were children. “Lights out by 8 p.m.” – DONE, “change out of your school clothes (read: work clothes) as soon as you hit the door” – EASY. But of all those things, the best is calling your own movie night. Netflix anyone?! Binge watching has become the new national pastime and the only way to stay ahead of those potential water-cooler spoilers. However, too much binge watching can rot your brain – or so my mother would say. I’m joking of course, but I have found at least five signs that it may be time to get off your couch and do something involving sun, fresh air and dare I say it, people. Drum-roll, please……

#5: You’ve memorized the trending movies section. Not only do you have your own lineup in mind, but you’ve scrolled through the options so many times, you’ve committed completely worthless information to memory.

#4: The couch has now formed a perfect bucket seat indentation around your rump. This is only achieved by pro binge watchers, ladies and gents.

#3: No calls, please. Your friends have grown so used to your Netflix nights, they know not to call between certain times because your phone is always on silent. That’s some serious “Do Not Disturb” action!

#2: Your refrigerator consists only of wine and condiments. I totally support the wine, but condiments? I thought we left that life behind us in college?

#1 – You have no idea what the weather is outside. You’ve been in your movie-watching mode, shades drawn, curled up on the couch spot for so long, the outside world has become a figment of your imagination. Is that rain? Snow? Sleet? Hurricane? No idea.

All in all, Netflix can be an amazing experience where you can go into your own world letting everything else around you fade away. But it can also be a black hole keeping you from enjoying life’s greater adventures. Go outside and enjoy it!!!! Netflix will still be there when you get back. I promise 😊

Here is the perfect first step to your grand Get-Out-of-Bed mission: Check out the Hey! VINA app and start swiping now!!

10 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR VINA: CONVO STARTERS FOR YOUR NEXT FRIEND DATE

/ jaxx1357 / 1 Comment

Hey, vinas! If you’re like me and have a hard time starting a conversation with someone you just met, fear not! You’re totally not alone. To help break that ice (and award silence) with soon-to-be friends, check out these 10 conversation starters to put to use on your next vina date!

1. WHAT’S ONE THING YOU LOVE TO DO?

A hobby? Guilty pleasure? Simple passtime? This one can be anything!

2. WHAT DO YOU NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT?

Let me guess, cell phone? Same.

3. COFFEE OR TEA?

A must know, obvi. Whatever the answer may be, you can use this one to plan a second date at your fav cafe!

4. WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO ACCESSORY?

Whether it’s your fav pair of fuzzy socks, or a gold plated CK watch, we’ve all got a little accessorize in us!

5. IF YOU COULD LEARN A SECOND LANGUAGE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Besides your native tongue, of course! French, Latin, Mandarin, Swahili…the possibilities are endless!

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6. WHAT IS THE CRAZIEST THING YOU’VE EVER DONE?

Think hard, vinas. We all get a little crazy sometimes!

7. SECRET TALENTS?

What are you hiding form the world, you talented gal?!

8. WHO IS YOUR FAV ARTIST?

Art comes in all shapes and sizes, so this could mean a lot of things for you and your vina! A painter, musician, sculptor, poet, dancer, photographer…again, endless possibilities!

9. IF YOU COULD ONLY DO ONE THING FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Dream big, vinas! You only get one life…or something like that 😉

10. HAVE YOU EVER TRAVELED THE WORLD? IF NOT, DO YOU WANT TO?

How about the country? The continent? Find out just how much of this big, beautiful world you and your vina have seen! And maybe even learn a little bit about foreign cultures!

Swipe on over to the Hey! VINA app and find your perfect match to get chatting with! 

FRIEND DATES: HOW TO MAKE YOUR NEXT VINA PLAN A SUCCESS

/ Jessica S. / 1 Comment

A party of one is never fun. Vina plans are so exciting to put together, and equally as fun to attend! It’s a great place to make a new friend and do something fun at the same time. You meet people that already share a common interest, so you can pretty much guarantee that no one will end up staring into their latte because it’s more interesting than the conversation. But what happens when you host a VINA plan and no one shows up? This vina knows and can tell you firsthand how to make your next one a success!

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THE UGLY TRUTH

You have to admit that when someone selects ‘Maybe’ to a plan that you’re hosting, you get a little flutter of hope that it’s going to turn into a yes. Truth is, people are busy and things come up, so don’t take it personally. And sometimes staying in alone and watching Netflix beats a night out with new people, and that’s perfectly okay. You are looking to plan something that will allow you to meet people on your schedule doing something you like, so if you don’t get any responses, chances are you just haven’t caught the attention of the right people yet! Don’t lose faith!

TRY, TRY AGAIN

So no one RSVP’d with a yes to your last plan. Take a look at what you wanted to do, and when you were offering it. Time and place are essential when making plans with other people, especially when those people are new to your circle. Try switching it up. Instead of brunch at the crack of dawn on a Wednesday, try Friday night drinks at 6 p.m. Changing up the time, venue, or day will help expand your pool of vinas who are interested. Take a look at the location and the distance from other vinas too. Walking distance is good for big cities, while our countryside vinas will have to plan for driving time.

woman eating bruschetta

Photo by Adrienn on Pexels.com

Although I live 15 minutes from NYC and I would love nothing more than to visit a museum with some vinas, it’s just not feasible. I’m a single mom that has her son alternating weekends, and when I don’t have my son, I like to spend my time visiting my boyfriend. For most of us time is sacred, so sacrificing it for a new experience can be challenging. I usually have to wait for just the right time when I know I will have alone time and not be committed to someone, or something else.

SPREAD YOUR WINGS, YOU SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

The best way to host a vina plan is to attend a vina plan. Revolutionary right? Find a plan in the VINA app that you want to go to. While you’re there, network, socialize, and make friends (that’s what you’re there for). By going to a plan hosted by someone else, you are already taking the preparation portion out of making your own plan. Then as everyone is gathered together, the next idea is bound to come up! When it does, jump on the opportunity to make it your own VINA hosted plan! That way, you already have a guaranteed group of gal pals you can count on showing up!

Hosting an event is so much fun! You get to pick out where you want to go and spend it with people that want to be there too. It’s a bummer when no one else responds, but just remember, it’s not you! Soon enough, vinas will be lining up to hang with you, so get out there and meet them!

Ready to host your next big event? Download the Hey! VINA app now and get planning!

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HOW TO MEET NEW FRIENDS AND GET MORE SWIPES ON HEY! VINA

/ SimplyAshley / 5 Comments

We can all pretty much agree that the Hey! VINA app is AWESOME, right?! The whole concept of meeting new friends in your area with similar interests, hobbies, family lives, etc. what’s better than that?! Just having someone to grab a glass of wine with is honestly everything.

As all strong women do, we crave a sense of community and quality relationships. But even with all the technology out there designed to help us “connect,” it’s still easier than ever to feel lonelier than ever. I mean, come on. Making new friends is hard enough without having to make the first move. Nobody wants to be the one to send the “Hey! Let’s be besties!” text.

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Since I’ve joined the VINA community, I’ve found myself more open to finding those new vina connections through all of the groups and personality quizzes the platform offers. It makes it so much easier and comfortable to get out there and find your vina gang! Check out these 5 tricks to get more swipes and find that gang even faster!

CHOOSING A PROFILE PICTURE THAT SHOWCASES YOUR PERSONALITY

I know this sounds insanely cheesy, and maybe a bit obvious, but it makes a big difference! Your profile picture is the first thing potential besties will see, so you want to make sure it’s unapologetically you. And of course, a good smile never hurts. It brightens up your face, radiates positivity, and everyone loves a friendly face! I would also recommend a pic of you doing something you love; hiking, sipping on coffee, or just chilling in your living room with a glass of wine. Other vinas love seeing someone they can relate to, and are more likely to swipe right on someone they feel is a fellow soul sista!

FILL OUT YOUR PROFILE COMPLETELY

Yes, the whole thing! Besides the basics like your name and birthday, you have the option to expand the radius of vinas that can see your profile, and that you can connect with. Giving yourself and extra 25 miles will add a whole new group of vinas to your possibility pool! Beyond that, choose your age range, and describe yourself in 5 emojis, who doesn’t love that?! The more you fill out your profile, the more vinas you’ll attract, which equals the best friend jackpot!

MAKE YOUR “ABOUT ME” DESCRIPTION POP

Everyone is using this app to meet friends, so you can leave that part out. Tell us about your love of dancing to Ariana Grande in your bath robe, how you collect Golden Girls memorabilia, or how you whip up big Sunday dinners with the whole fam every weekend. Those are the things that make you unique and help your profile stand out, so be as specific as possible. You are an original, tell the world about what makes you special!

JOIN MULTIPLE COMMUNITIES

This is a space where you can let people know what you like to do, who you are interested in hanging out with, what activities you’re most likely to be found doing, or what new groups you wanna explore. This allows other vinas to relate to you on multiple levels, and get to know a little more about your interests that weren’t included in your “about me” rant.

BECOME A VINA VIP

This option does cost money, but so does that Starbucks pumpkin spice latte you just bought, and having unlimited access to a community of women to make connections with and relate to is worth way more. VINA VIP allows you to get instant matches from your “hey list” so that you can get dittos faster. You can undo your skips in case you want a second look, or your interests and hobbies change, and you have the ability to use the teleport option to change your location to anywhere in the world and meet vinas outside of your local area too! Plus, you get all kinds of new badass features. It’s totally worth the buy!

What are you waiting for?! Download the Hey! VINA app now and start swiping!✌️