Quantcast
Channel: Features
Viewing all 61683 articles
Browse latest View live

Photos of the exclusive Caribbean resort where the Obamas are vacationing right now

0
0

Necker Island

Barack Obama famously promised his wife Michelle a special vacation post White House.

Well, he certainly made good on his promise, considering they're currently on Necker Island — Richard Branson's private island, and one of the most exclusive Caribbean resorts in the world.

While they undoubtedly deserve a break, we can't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.

Keep scrolling for a peek at the decadent digs.

After eight years of being the leaders of the free world, Michelle and Barack Obama have jetted off for some well-deserved R&R.



Barack had promised Michelle a "special" trip post White House...



He certainly made good on that promise. It doesn't get much more special, or exclusive, than Necker Island.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

9 extinct Disneyland attractions you probably never knew existed

0
0

Mission to Mars 1975 and Pizza Port

Over 60 years ago, Disneyland opened in Anaheim, California. In the decades since, Walt Disney's original theme park vision has undergone changes both big and small. Rides, attractions, and entire swaths of land have sometimes been overhauled or torn down to make way for modern amusements. 

But thanks to documentaries and numerous Disney bloggers, we can still look back at some of the most iconic rides that are now only a memory.

Keep reading for a look at nine extinct Disneyland attractions you probably never knew about.

The Flying Saucers ride was only open for five years.

The Flying Saucers ride was basically like a giant air hockey board, but with bumper car "saucers." Air from the circles on the ride's floor would push up the saucers, creating a floating effect. Thanks to the official Disney Parks blog, you can watch the Flying Saucers in action on the ride's opening day in 1961. According to the blog, the Flying Saucers were built in the spot where Space Mountain is now. 



The Rocket Jets ride was a Tomorrowland landmark from the '60s through the late '90s.

Rocket Jets was actually a replacement for a similar ride called Astro-Jets, but we've included it here because it had a much longer tenure. Rocket Jets was a spinning attraction similar to the well-known Dumbo ride. After it closed in 1997, Disneyland built a new rotating rocket ride called the Astro Orbitor. But the replacement was too heavy to build in the exact same spot as the Rocket Jets, so it was moved to the entrance of Tomorrowland on the ground level.



The PeopleMover is one of Disneyland's most-missed extinct attractions.

Many who visited Disneyland in its earlier years will remember the PeopleMover — a train ride that ran along an elevated track. First built in 1961, the ride was a great way to relax and enjoy a unique view of Tomorrowland. Though a version of this ride still exists in Disney World, the original California park version was retired in 1995. 

For a full look at the ride's history, watch David Oneal's mini-documentary



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

9 shocking beauty DIYs from history that will make you cringe

0
0

black model makeup

The INSIDER Summary:

• Women have been subject to impossible beauty standards as long as humanity has existed.
• As a result, women have been trying dangerous ways to achieve these beauty standards long before modern society.
• From radium to soot to mercury, here are some of the most cringe-worthy beauty DIYs of history.


Makeup bags weren't always running over and drugstore aisles didn't always stock your favorite pink shade. From the judgmental eye of older society women to literal cosmetics bans, many women were forced to turn into kitchen beauticians and make their own crayons and creams. There were plenty of beauty DIYs women made in the past to get their makeup fixes, but some of them ran a little more creative (or desperate!) than others.

In the Victorian times it was seen as unlady-like to paint one's face, and your name would come up in gossip circles around tea if you got a little too bold with your rouge. In the 1920's makeup was just hitting department stores, and not everyone had the funds (or the chutzpah) to pick up a mascara brush, leading many to keep making their own. While in the '40s the World War led to country-wide rations, using the metal from lipstick tubes and curling irons to create tanks and bombs. All throughout history women had to make do and create their own beauty fixes — below are some of the more interesting beauty DIYs from the past.

1. "Painting" your skin with fireplace soot

During the Victorian times, the only place where red lipstick and rouge were to be found were under the hot, bright lights of a stage and in the velvet contents of an actress' clutch. It was also tucked away into proper ladies' powder rooms, but no one was willing to talk about that. It was the great lie of the 19th century, where "painting" was seen as something only loose women and stage actresses (one in the same) would dabble with. Wives and daughters of polite society would never touch the stuff...though behind the closed doors of their bedrooms, they whipped together pomades and creams like the best of them.

"A woman was either 'painted' or 'natural.' To be painted was more daring, as often cosmetics would be seen in the theater or on prostitutes," Alexis Karl, perfumer and lecturer at Pratt Institute who's done extensive research on Victorian cosmetics, shares in an email with Bustle.

The "natural" take included using home ingredients that turned the woman into a kitchen beautician, enhancing her appearance with things like red flower petals and fireplace soot without looking obviously done-up. From skin powders to mascara, she had a recipe for everything.



2. Whitening your face with starch... Or radium

During a time where foundation wasn't something you could openly ask for at the counter, women had to get a little creative when it came to primping their pallor. And they found the ingredients for their cover-up right there on the shelves of the kitchen pantry.

"There are many wonderful recipes for face powder found in beauty columns of the time. One of my personal favorites is Violet Powder: Orris root (which smells like violet pastilles) along with essential oil of lemon, bergamot and cloves, and a base of wheat starch. Sargent’s model, of the famed Madame X painting, was known to use lavender powder, which in fact cast a remarkable blue tint over her skin!" Karl shares.

So to make the powder you would have to buy the roots at the local market, add a teaspoon of lemon oil, mix a pinch of citrus and cloves, and sift it together through starch. It literally sounds like the makings of a cake!

But while some women would DIY actual face powder, most opted to pale or flush their face with the help of cleansers, not cosmetics. "Their skin care regimen included skin washes made of ammonia and rose water, and they would take radium baths for delicate, pearlescent skin," explains Karl.

But if taking a radio-active bath wasn't enough, Karl points out they also would sip arsenic in water to achieve a certain translucence that gave a deathly, consumptive pallor that was thought to be beautiful and fragile.

Not that they didn't understand that was harmful. "Women knew the dangers of arsenic, as it was used as a rat poison in many a Victorian home, yet women would sip it nonetheless in the name of beauty," Karl confirms. With no compacts for sale, a girl had to do what she had to do.



3. Darkening your eyes with burnt bread... Or mercury

If your husband burnt his toast in the morning, you'd secretly jump for joy because you now had your makings for eyeliner. In order to accent their eyes, Puritan women used ingredients around the kitchen to darken and tint, and one of them was ruined bread. "The Ugly Girl Papers [a Harpers Bazaar column] mentions using the remains of burnt bread on one’s eyes as a delicate eyeliner, or walnut juice to darken eyelashes and eyebrows," Karl shares.

If you were too nervous to visibly tint your lashes, you might settle for growing them longer and thicker with rub-in tonics. But instead of using harmless ingredients like walnuts and ashes, women dabbed mercury onto their fingertips and rubbed. "Mercury was mixed with lard and then applied to thicken lashes, which was then rinsed with warm milk," Karl says. But as you can imagine, that could lead to some number of doctor's appointments.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

7 movies you need to watch in February

0
0

lego batman

January usually doesn't have many of its own good movies. It's better as a time to catch up on December releases you missed, like "Hidden Figures" and "Silence."

This February, though, we can expect to see our first couple of blockbusters in theaters, with "The Lego Batman Movie" and "Fifty Shades Darker."

Here's what you can look forward to in February 2017:

1. "Rings"

Release date: February 3

What it's about: A scientist comes across the suspicious VHS from the original "Ring" film and a woman is subjected to a curse that will kill her in seven days.

Why you should see it: The first "Ring" movie is beloved by horror fans, while the 2005 sequel was panned. This update might just give the terrifying premise the jolt it needs. An unexpected cameo from a big actor offers a big surprise.

Watch the trailer here >



2. "The Space Between Us"

Release date: February 3

What it's about: The first human born on Mars travels to Earth and falls in love with a girl.

Why you should see it: It's rare you see a sci-fi romance movie, and this one looks like it'll put a sweet human story before any flashy spaceships.

Watch the trailer here >



3. "Fifty Shades Darker"

Release date: February 10

What it's about: Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele get together for real this time. A mysterious figure from Christian's past threatens to tear them apart.

Why you should see it: Because you're still not sure if "Fifty Shades of Grey" was actually any good, but you know you need to see the sequel anyway. Plus, it's Valentine's Day. Taylor Swift also made a new song for it.

Watch the trailer here >>



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

So many companies offer discounts if you're a student — here's the full list

0
0

college student

The college ID is a valuable object. It's not only an emblem and access pass for campus ground, it's also a way to get free or discounted admission to museums and other cultural institutions around the world.

While college students and recent graduates carry staggering amounts of debt and aren't making much money, they are still, paradoxically, one of the most sought-afterdemographics for retailers.

To make their brands more popular among college students, some companies offer discounts to anyone with a college ID or email address.

A lot of companies on or near college campuses, like local or chain restaurants, also offer discounts that vary by location.

Here are all the student discounts out there:

FASHION

Alex & Ani:10% off full-price purchases.

Asos: 10% off full-price online orders.

Banana Republic: 15% off full-price, in-store purchases for students and teachers.

Boohoo:35% off purchases for students. It's the best student discount you'll find from a clothing retailer.

Club Monaco:Both full-priced and sale items are 20% off with your valid college ID. If you’re shopping online, submit your email to receive a code.

Dockers:20% off online orders.

Express:15% off online and in-store purchases.

Forever 21:10% off full price online orders.

J.Crew: 15% student (and teacher!) discount, but only in stores.

Kate Spade: 15% off at select stores. Ask at the register.

Levi's: 15% off online and in-store purchases.

The Limited: 10% off online and in-store purchases.

Madewell:15% student and discount, only in stores.

Ralph Lauren: 15% off at select stores. Ask at the register.

Topshop:10% off online orders.



NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT

Apple Music: $5 per month for students.

Cinemark: Discounted tickets at select movie theaters. Discount varies by location.

The Economist:Discount varies by type of subscription.

The New York Times: $1 a week for online access.

Regal: Discounted tickets at select movie theaters. Discount varies by location.

Spotify:Spotify Premium is only $5 per month for students.

The Wall Street Journal: $1 a week for both print delivery and digital access.



INSURANCE

Allstate: Save up to 20% on car insurance if you have "good grades."

Farmers: Students with "good grades"are eligible. Discount varies by state.

Geico: Students with "a good academic standing"can save up to 15%.

Nationwide: Students must maintain a minimum B average. Discount varies.

State Farm:Save up to 25%"just for getting good grades."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 13 most iconic pictures of the US and Britain's 'special relationship'

0
0

blair clinton4

LONDON – Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May will become the first foreign leader of a country to meet newly installed US President Donald Trump on Friday.

May, who has only been prime minister since July last year, is taking the opportunity to renew the country's "special relationship" with the US — something that has been forged in politics since the 1980s.

"The UK is by instinct and history a great, global nation that recognises its responsibilities to the world," May will say in a speech later on Thursday.

"And as we end our membership of the European Union, we have the opportunity to reassert our belief in a confident, sovereign and global Britain, ready to build relationships with old friends and new allies alike. So as we rediscover our confidence together - as you renew your nation just as we renew ours - we have the opportunity, indeed the responsibility, to renew the special relationship for this new age."

Business Insider decided to take a look back at the 13 most iconic pictures that best summed up the UK and US's "special relationship" over the past 30 years:

In 1988, former President Ronald Reagan danced with Margaret Thatcher in the foyer of the White House during a State Dinner in Thatcher's honour.



In 1995, ex-President Bill Clinton and John Major toasted to one another during a formal dinner at the UK PM's official residence at No. 10 Downing Street.



In 1997, former-President Bill Clinton and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair sit closely and speak together during the NATO signing ceremony, while in France.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 9 most opaque and mysterious countries on earth

0
0

Kim Jong Un North Korea

LONDON – In an open democracy, it is easy to take the freedom of the press and access to information for granted.

But a report from the Risk Advisory Group shows that these aspects of government are a relative rarity in the world.

The consultancy ranked countries based on the opacity of their governments, scoring them on factors such as the availability of public information, the quality of that data and how easy it is to access "human sources" for new information.

Here's how the world's most impenetrable places stack up according to the study:

9. Belarus —Belarussian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has been called "the last dictator in Europe," earning his country an opacity score of 22 and a place on the list.



8. Democratic Republic of Congo — The central African nation has been scarred by civil war and scores 24 on the Risk Advisory Group's opacity scale.



7. Bhutan — Bhutan's monarch is known as the Thunder Dragon King, but despite recent political reform the Himalayan state gets an opacity score of 26.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

THE FUTURE OF RETAIL 2016 [SLIDE DECK]

0
0

future of retail deck slide 10

The retail industry is on the cusp of a fundamental transformation driven by digital technologies. And as retailers adapt to the digital age, the line between physical and digital commerce is becoming increasingly blurred.

BI Intelligence has created a slide deck exploring the most disruptive trends in e-commerce.  Access the full deck now for free by clicking here.

Some of the topics covered include:

  • The size of the retail and e-commerce markets.
  • The breakdown of e-commerce sales by product category.
  • How legacy retailers are adapting to digital.
  • Which e-commerce companies are leading the way.
  • What omnichannel strategies retail companies are adopting.
  • And much more.

The companies mentioned in this year's presentation include:  Sports Authority, Amazon, Best Buy, Apple, Wayfair, Target, Dollar Shave Club, Instacart, Walmart, CVS, and Sam's Club.

Below are 8 sample slides from the 65-page deck.  Want the full deck? Access it here for FREE >>

Want the full 65-page slide deck?  Access it Here - FREE >>



Want the full 65-page slide deck?  Access it Here - FREE >>



Want the full 65-page slide deck?  Access it Here - FREE >>



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

I stayed in the £200-a-night all-green London Airbnb that's like a luxury indoor forest

0
0

ADD TO ARTICLE 1

LONDON — Earlier this week, home sharing platform Airbnb revealed the "Outside In" house, a two-level home in the centre of London that looks like an indoor forest.

Decorated and detailed all in green in collaboration with PANTONE, which revealed "Greenery" as the Colour of the Year for 2017, the listing went live on Tuesday, giving people the chance to book a £200-a-night stay with all proceeds to be donated to AIGA, the professional association for design.

Research from Airbnb showed that nearly two thirds (59%) of Brits are deprived of greenery and nature in their everyday lives, with a third of Londoners reporting that they get out and about in nature only once a week.

The study also showed that most Brits find an hour of gardening to be more restorative than a yoga session, while two thirds (67%) think walking through a forest has more calming effect than meditation.

My boyfriend and I stayed overnight at the luxurious indoor woodland abode to see what the fuss was all about — and to see whether a visit to "nature" would, in fact, make us feel less stressed, healthier, and more relaxed amidst what has been a rather dreary January.

Scroll down to see what it's like to stay in the "Outside In" house. 

We arrived at the Clerkenwell, London address at 7 p.m. It was hard to miss the giant PANTONE green door.



With a knock on the door we were greeted by "groundskeeper" Joe.



A step inside brought us right into a lush woodland area.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Take a look at Facebook’s famous 'propaganda posters' that decorate the halls of its worldwide headquarters (FB)

0
0

Facebook posters Tokyo

Facebook's propaganda posters have long been legendary for their cool design, bold typography, and even bolder messages. 

In fact, Facebook used to employ a so-called "Minister of Propaganda" to create the posters in Facebook's Analog Research Lab studio.

The posters — which say things like "Proceed and be bold" or depict graphical images of bananas — decorate the halls of Facebook's various headquarters worldwide. 

The posters aren't available for sale (although a few did go up for auction last November), which make them a hot commodity among graphic designers and fans of the social network alike. And since Facebook's headquarters aren't open to the public, getting a look at the famed art isn't an easy task. 

A visitor to Facebook's Tokyo headquarters sent Business Insider photos of the posters during a recent visit. While all guests at Facebook's headquarters have to sign non-disclosure agreements, the pictures below were snapped in entrance hall.

Scroll down to check out Facebook's famous artwork. 

SEE ALSO: The meteoric rise of Google CEO Sundar Pichai, in photos







See the rest of the story at Business Insider

7 inexpensive things to do in London this January

0
0

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

londonLondon is notoriously expensive, and finding things to do can be quite a mission if you're on a budget.

While there are loads of free things to do, after you've visited the Tate Modern for the tenth time and wandered around Hyde Park so much you could navigate it with your eyes closed, you may be on the verge of getting bored of London.

If so, it's time to shake things up a little.

If you have a sense of adventure, and some flexibility, Groupon is your safest bet to find affordable, yet insanely fun things to do. After all, their deals mean that us mere mortals trying to save some cash can enjoy the best of what London has to offer without burning a hole in our wallet. 

If you're stuck for things to do in London this January, we selected the best and quirkiest events London has to offer. You can check them out below:

Dance all night in a nightclub... with a ball pit

Ever wanted to dive into a massive ball pit? Today's your lucky day. Ballie Ballerson, a short stroll from Dalston Kingsland, lets fully grown adults unleash their inner child. Not only that, but they also serve food (pancake balls, anyone?), as well as a wide range of alcoholic beverages.

Evening Ball Pit Entry with Alcoholic Shot for One, Two or Four at Ballie Ballerson, from £9.95



Drink cocktails in an Ice Lounge

Is there anything better than drinking some cocktails in a house made of ice? Order at an ice bar, check out the ice sculptures, and visit the ice caves for good measure. This bar is sure to chill you out after a long week. 

Eis Haus Ice Lounge Experience at Chiswick House Gardens, from £1o



Check out the Magic Lantern Festival to celebrate Chinese New Year

To celebrate Chinese New Year, Chiswick House is putting on display loads of beautiful lanterns. To make your night even better, the Eis Haus is just around the corner from the display, so you might as well pop in for a drink. 

Magical Lantern Festival (with Optional Ice Lounge Entry) at Chiswick House Gardens, from £12.50



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The best new apps and updates you may have missed this month

0
0

Snapchat search

It's been a busy month for some of the most well-known apps out there: Google Maps, Snapchat, Evernote, and Slack have all had notable updates in the New Year. 

And there are some cool new apps that are making it easy to do things like create GIFs, find delicious recipes, and manage your money. 

Here are some exciting new apps — plus updates to old favorites — you may have missed this month. 

SEE ALSO: Here's how to use Marco Polo, the video messaging app that could replace Snapchat one day

Slack now has threaded messaging

Everyone's favorite work chat app just got an intriguing new feature: the ability to start a threaded message. Threads are designed to help you organize your thoughts and get work done — or, more likely, to stop irritating your coworkers with side conversations. 

Threaded messages have their opponents so far — it's not the most elegant interface yet, so it takes a few clicks to actually read new messages in a thread — but hopefully with time, they'll help cut down on distractions. 



Google Voice finally got a big update

After five years of neglect, Google released a new interface and several new features for its Voice apps. The app — which lets users make calls, send texts, and leave voicemails across every device with one phone number — now has a cleaner, minimalist layout, group messaging, better call quality, and threaded conversations. 



You can now book Uber or Lyft rides in Google Maps

In March of last year, Google added a new "ride services mode" within Maps — the ability to get price estimates and wait times for Uber or Lyft without leaving the app. Now, you can also order a ride without having to click out of Maps. Rather than a list of options that take your out of map view, you'll now see a pop-up menu at the bottom of the screen that shows all your options, how much they cost, how long you'll wait, and a "request" button. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

These 30-something school teachers retired with over $1 million after only 8 years of work — now they travel the world

0
0

Joe and Ali_Prague, Czech Republic

Joe and Ali Olson spend their days traveling around the world with their one-year-old daughter, Annabelle.

Each in their early 30s, the couple were able to quit their jobs as public school teachers in August 2015 and retire after just eight years in the workforce.

How do you retire early as a public school teacher? The key: minimizing cost of living and finding a good side hustle. 

The Olsons met in 2004 when they were both college students, and got married during winter break of their senior year. Straight out of college they moved to Las Vegas, where Joe had accepted a teaching position with Teach For America. Ali started as a substitute teacher and eventually joined TFA as well, teaching English at a local high school.

"Luckily, Las Vegas has a really low cost of living — but it also has a low teacher pay," Ali told the Mad Fientist on an episode of his "Financial Independence Podcast."

So they took on any extra jobs they could — teaching summer school, running clubs, after-school tutoring — to bulk up their salaries. "It's a big difference percentage-wise because if you're making $35,000, and you teach summer school for $3,500, it's like, 'Wow, there's a 10% boost in my salary,'" Joe explained.

Some years, they were able to boost their income by as much as 50% through these supplemental positions.

Eventually, the couple realized they wanted to achieve financial independence and have the freedom to pursue whatever dreams they wanted, whenever they wanted. They continued to live frugally, saving around 75% of their teaching incomes, and in 2008, they bought their first rental property in Vegas.

In the following couple of years, the couple scooped up 14 more rentals. Though they lost money on these during the financial crisis, the market eventually turned and their properties starting bringing in steady profits, eventually pushing their net worth over $1 million.

Now, they're completely financially independent, traveling the world with Annabelle in tow, and occasionally sharing their experiences on their blog, Adventuring Along. Read on to see how they did it. 

SEE ALSO: A man who retired at 34 explains one bad savings habit that everyone should avoid

DON'T MISS: The simple strategy one man used to save enough money to retire at 30

The Olsons graduated from college with a combined $30,000 in student loans to pay off — no small amount, but not as much as it could have been, thanks to the low tuition costs of their public, in-state college and assistance from relatives. But they lived frugally and made consistent payments, quickly watching that number shrink.



In 2007, Joe and Ali bought their Las Vegas condo at a steep discount. At the end of 2008 — amid the financial crises when housing prices were battered — they also purchased a rental property nearby and started trying to turn a profit. It didn't work out at first, and they took a financial hit.



"It seemed like a good deal because the price of the property was $120,000, and at the peak, it had sold just two years before for $360,000," Joe said. "But then the prices kept falling. And it kept falling in 2009 in 2010. And that property actually bottomed out being worth around $80,000. So we were under water on it, but we were still making money every month because the rent was higher than the mortgage payment by a decent amount."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Here's everything we know about the Super Bowl ads so far

0
0

skittles super bowl

Super Bowl 51 is set to air on Fox on February 5 and, as usual, the big game's broadcast will be stuffed to the brim with big-money ads, reportedly costing $5 million for a 30-second slot.

Unlike last year, as Marketing Land pointed out, many brands are keeping unusually quiet so far about their Super Bowl activity. But we are now starting to see more teasers as the Super Bowl draws closer.

We'll be keeping you up to date with all the latest commercials, teasers, and other Super Bowl ads news.

Scroll down to see what we know so far about the Super Bowl ads (we've organized all the news in alphabetical order, by brand.)

84 Lumber

Construction-supply company 84 Lumber has splashed out an estimated $15 million on a 90-second ad — its debut Super Bowl spot, AdAge reported. The ad, created by Brunner, will air in the second quarter, before half-time and aims to recruit new employees. 

However, the first cut of the ad has had to be scrapped after Fox rejected it for being "too political,"Campaign first reported. The creative had featured a wall blocking people looking for work in the US.

Here's a recent 84 Lumber ad, celebrating its 60th year:

Youtube Embed:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/S9PhSJ2wp-c
Width: 560px
Height: 315px


Audi

The automaker is returning to the Super Bowl for the ninth time, with an ad created by agency Venables Bell & Partners, according to Adweek.

Last year's spot featured David Bowie's "Starman":

Youtube Embed:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/yB8tgVqmKzw
Width: 560px
Height: 315px


Avocados from Mexico

Avocados from Mexico told Business Insider in December it was coming back to the Super Bowl in 2017. It's the third year in a row the brand has advertised in the big game.

This year's ad will be focused on promoting the fact that avocados are healthy, something the company was not explicitly permitted to do so in the past due to old FDA rules.

The brand released a teaser spot on January 23:

Youtube Embed:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/a-d2fTXc1hE
Width: 560px
Height: 315px


See the rest of the story at Business Insider

6 stunning pre-fab homes across North America

0
0

KOEHAB3A5

Many people are increasingly opting for houses that are pre-fabricated, in which the majority of the construction happens off-site. Some see pre-fab as the future of home-building, because the process takes less time, money, and resources that traditional on-site home construction.

 A new book by Sheri Koones, "Prefabulous Small Houses," showcases dozens of beautiful homes with pre-fab construction. She shared her favorite houses in the book with Business Insider, which range in size from 350 to 2,300 square feet.

Check them out below.

SEE ALSO: This couple couldn't afford to live in San Francisco, so they're building tiny homes made from shipping containers

Measuring 352 square feet, the Casita Invierno (little winter house) sits in Ybor City, near Tampa Florida. A New York City-based couple of architects uses it as a vacation home, Koones tells BI.



Since it's in a hurricane zone, the cottage was built with a sturdy foundation (featuring helical screws) that helps it withstand strong winds and heavy rains.



To save space in the kitchen, the table can fold up, and chairs can hang on the wall.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Ikea just debuted a bizarre new collection inspired by 'today’s nomadic youth' — take a look

0
0

IKEA

Ikea has teamed up with British fashion designer Kit Neale to create a new, bold collection targeted at a group the company describes as "modern nomads living on their own terms."

Called SPRIDD, the collection features housewares, accessories, and apparel. The company says the aesthetic was influenced by '60s pop art, '90s fashion, and modern-day music festivals. The items will be available in US stores starting February 2017.

Ikea doesn't come right out and say the kitschy collection is geared toward Millennials or Gen Z, but that seems to be the implication.

Check it out below.

SEE ALSO: Ikea is now selling hydroponic gardening kits

SPRIDD is Ikea's latest limited-edition collection. And it's ... something.



"The inspiration is this exploration of youth culture and music," designer Kit Neale said in a video announcing the collection's launch.

Source: YouTube/Ikea



The SPRIDD collection includes tents, lanterns, rugs, boxes, bags, and bedding.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

I went to one of the largest specialty food expos in the US — here are the 10 craziest things I ate

0
0

san francisco fancy food show

Some 33,000 industry professionals and tastemakers poured into San Francisco this week for the annual Winter Fancy Food Show, the largest trade show devoted to specialty foods and beverages on the West Coast. For anyone who's braved the crowds at the Consumer Electronics Show, the rough equivalent for the technology industry, you can probably imagine the chaos.

Attendees walk the convention center's unending halls while nibbling on free samples and dodging spokespeople. Like at CES, I waded through aisles of exhibitors before stumbling on one cool product. Unlike CES, I left on a full stomach.

I came, I saw, I conquered roughly 700,000 square feet of exhibit space and consumed more calories than I care to admit. Here are the 10 craziest foods and beverages I tried.

SEE ALSO: This fried chicken restaurant has just 3 menu items — and San Franciscans are going nuts for it

Water tapped from maple trees might be the next coconut water (though it's a long shot).

Sap on Tap piggybacks on the success of another H2O alternative, coconut water.

The company sources water tapped from maple trees on farms across the Northeast, and heats it to kill off bugs and bacteria. The end product is a clear, slightly sweet liquid that has eight grams of sugar and twice the amount of manganese as a cup of kale, according to the bottle.

 

 



Maple syrup practically runs in my blood, being a New Hampshire native. I expected Maple Water to taste like my favorite pancake topping, but the sweetness was much more subtle.

I dug the flavor and finished off a whole bottle while walking the expo floor.

Sap on Tap offers three flavors: Original, Ginger Lime, and Yerba Mate. Each bottle costs $2.99 and can be found at Whole Foods in the New York City area.

The future of maple water is ambiguous, however, as climate change threatens sap production.



Pasta Bow Ties are chips made from layering two uncooked bow-tie noodles and baking them until they puff up with air. They come in flavors like Creamy Ranch and Honey Butter.

I tried the Meatball Parm flavor, which is the most popular flavor, according to Chris Hays, a regional sales manager with Vintage Italia. "Everyone thinks it has meat in it," he said.

I popped a chip into my mouth. It kind of tasted like that iconic gas station food, Combos, which are cylindrical tubes of cracker filled with meat and cheese — or the interpretation of a meatball sub by someone who's never eaten a meatball sub. I'd still eat it.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

16 photos of beautiful American border control stations

0
0

Canadian Plaza at the Peace Bridge open buildings

For much of the early 20th century, the architecture of border control stations — where US customs agents process people traveling in and out of the country — mirrored America's strict stance on immigration. The buildings, like the concrete-and-steel Nogales Port of Entry on Arizona's border, were designed to look bare-bones, sterile, and uninviting.

But there is a growing movement in the architecture community to design border control stations that look more welcoming, in spite of President Trump's promises to start building a 55-foot-high wall "within months."

For the past two decades, the General Services Administration (GSA) has run a program called "Design Excellence," which aims to raise the standard for public architecture, including patrol stations at the two borders. As Citylab's Amanda Hurley noted, the shift largely started under Bill Clinton's administration. 

Check out some of the most impressive new stations below.

SEE ALSO: Mexican designers envision a Trump border wall that could take 16 years to build

Located in Minnesota on the Canadian border, the Warroad Port of Entry services approximately 157,000 cars, buses, and trucks annually. A rich, dark cedar covers the facade of the building, which was constructed in 2012.



The wood continues in the interior. Large windows in the lobby and office area give a sense of openness and transparency.



"You need to be cognizant of officers' hyper-awareness, but you also have to provide them with a haven," the station's leading architect, Julie Snow, told the General Services Administration.

Source: GSA



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

This Ethiopian sulfur spring is one of the hottest and most inhospitable places on Earth — and the photos are mesmerizing

0
0

sulphur3

Ethiopia is home to some of the world's most beautiful scenery, including some striking sulfur — yes, sulfur — springs.

Earlier this month, award-winning photographer Carl Court visited one of these springs, located at the base of the Dallol Volcano.

The stunning site is roughly 370 miles (600 kilometers) north of the capital Addis Ababa, but many of the images don't look like anywhere else on Earth. 

SEE ALSO: I went to the source of the world's best coffee — and saw firsthand why the industry is in trouble

DON'T MISS: A brand-new species called the hermit crab caterpillar makes its own armour out of leaves

Dallol is the Earth's lowest land volcano at 48 metres below sea level. Its last recorded eruption was back in 1926. The salt flats stretch for miles in all directions and in the far distance you can see high mountains, some of which are extinct volcanoes.



The district holds the current record for the highest average temperature of any inhabited place on Earth, which can regularly exceed 46 degrees Celsius.



Despite the heat, Ethiopian communities here continue the centuries-old tradition of mining salt from the ground by hand.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

These doormen guard the residences of New York's wealthiest residents

0
0

img464SamGolanski1SamGolanski1

Many of New York's wealthiest people reside in multimillion-dollar condos on Park Avenue on the Upper East Side. There's 740 Park Avenue, where John D. Rockefeller, Blackstone founder Steve Schwarzman, and business tycoon David Koch have all lived. Just down the street at 730 Park Avenue, "billionaire bidding wars" have led to some sky-high home sales, including a penthouse that reportedly sold to hedge funder Daniel Benton for $39 million in 2012.

Guarding the entrance to these and other tony buildings along Park Avenue are the doormen who often live vastly different lives than those inside. A doorman's tasks can vary greatly, as they assist residents with everything from running errands, to loading up their cars, to calling cabs, and most importantly, providing security. As of 2014, unionized doormen in New York City made an average of $49,402 a year. 

It was the unusual job of the doorman that photographer Sam Golanski was most interested in when he visited New York in 2015. He convinced them to pose briefly for his camera. "These guys are real people who need more attention. [They're] not pampered celebs wearing their Gucci bags and expensive watches," Golanski told Business Insider.

Ahead, see 11 doormen pose outside their posts.  

SEE ALSO: New York City's most iconic hotel is closing indefinitely — take a look back at its star-studded past

Golanski noted that many of the doormen he spoke with have been working in the industry for years.



"In many cases it's a job for life," Golanski said. "One gentleman said he had been working as a doorman at the same building since [the] late '70s."



An important part of the job of a doorman is to keep residents' personal lives private. "They do witness a lot about resident life, but there is a secret agreement between them and the people they serve not to talk about it to outsiders," Golanski said.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider
Viewing all 61683 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images