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What it's like to vacation like a celebrity at an ultra-exclusive resort in the Seychelles

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north island seychelles

Seychelles' North Island is arguably the world's most luxurious getaway.

Set in the middle of the Indian Ocean, this ultra-exclusive hideaway attracts A-listers and royals. George and Amal Clooney and Prince William and Duchess Kate of Cambridge honeymooned here. David and Victoria Beckham celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary here. Julia Roberts, Paul McCartney, and Angelina Jolie are among the famous guests who vacationed here.

And there's good reason the fabulous alight here. In addition to its secluded locale away from the paparazzi, the private island is ravishingly beautiful. It's home to some of the planet's prettiest beaches, with white velvety sand, a rainbow of fish frolicking in shimmering turquoise water, swaying coco palms and takamaka trees shading giant century-old tortoises, exotic birds, and exquisite sunsets.

With only 11 palatial villas offering all of the luxury trappings, including your own pool and private beach, you practically never see anyone. Your villa butler and the exceptional staff provide guests anything and everything they want — anywhere, anytime. Here's what my recent trip to North Island was like.

SEE ALSO: What it's like to stay at a remote Icelandic resort where an all-inclusive, four-day stay can cost you up to $11,000

Etihad and its partner Air Seychelles have daily flights from major US cities with outstanding service through Abu Dhabi, connecting to a four-hour flight to the Seychelles' main island, Mahe. From there, it's a short helicopter ride to the resort.

George and Amal Clooney and Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge used the Air Seychelles VIP service. This add-on lets you relax and enjoy refreshments in their air-conditioned lounge while they collect your luggage and process you through immigration on arrival. Everything is done for you. There's a shower. They even have a separate X-ray screening directly outside the lounge, so guests can clear security there.



The island is preposterously beautiful, with unspoiled silky sand beaches, tropical forests, and granite peaks. It's the perfect mix of stunning and wild.



Palatial villas are immense, indoor-and-outdoor living spaces with thatched roofs. The decor is in a glamorous colonial style, using local stone and tree trunks as design accents.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

8 ways billionaires are different from everyone else

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Mark Cuban

Billionaires don't see the world like most others do.

That's why they're billionaires. They have their own unique habits, traits, principles, and ethics that all place a role into helping them achieve, and retain their wealth.

The good news? By replicating and mimicking a few of their habits, mentalities and business rules, we can become more and more like them in the business world.

With that in mind, here are 8 ways that billionaires are different than us and what we can do to become more like them.

SEE ALSO: 13 habits of self-made millionaires, from a man who spent 5 years studying rich people

1. They never settle

Most billionaires would agree that having passion is the most important way to achieve success. As opposed to chasing the money, billionaires opt to chase their dreams. And, they don't waiver when it comes to this because they believe that success will follow as a result.

"The most common thing I remind people of is to only pursue something you love because a small business is going to be very demanding of your time, your energy — it just eats your life," Sam Adams founder Jim Koch told Business Insider. "And if you're doing something you love, then you will accept and even enjoy that. If you're just doing it to get rich, you're gonna lose heart. I tell everyone, getting rich is life's biggest booby trap. It comes down to what would you rather be, happy or rich? I say do what's gonna make you happy."

If that doesn't inspire you, then memorize the iconic words from Steve Jobs 2005 Stanford Commencement address:

"You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle."



2. They work harder than everyone else but still enjoy life

Billionaires work hard — sometimes harder than everyone else. In fact, they're known for their insane work ethic.

"You just have to put in 80 - to 100-hour weeks every week," Elon Musk told Vator. "If other people are putting in 40-hour workweeks and you're putting in 100-hour workweeks, then, even if you're doing the same thing, you know that you will achieve in four months what it takes them a year to achieve."

Mark Cuban spent all-nighters learning how to code and didn't take a vacation for seven years. Today, that seems to have paid off for Cuban, who appears to enjoy living his life.

Even though billionaires work hard, and they'll make sacrifices for the short-term because of this, they also don't forget to have fun in order to recharge their batteries, and well, enjoy the fruits of their labor. Just look at Richard Branson. Who wouldn't want that lifestyle?



3. They keep things simple

"Don't bother to have a plan at all. All that stuff about planning, throw that out," said Eric Schmidt, former CEO and current executive chairman of Google, in a commencement address at Carnegie Mellon University in 2009. "It seems to me that it's all about opportunity and make your own luck."

Schmidt may be onto something when he suggests to throw out your plans. If you look at most billionaires, they didn't have complex and massive goals. They had a simple purpose. Henry Ford wanted to make the automobile affordable for everyone. Bill Gates wanted a PC in every home. Jeff Bezos started an online bookstore. Mark Zuckerberg wanted to connect people.

While these billionaires had a defined purpose — they were simple.

Additionally, billionaires are also known for constructing simple plans, instead of detailed or elaborate plans. The reason? It makes it easier for them, and their team, to focus on activities that will benefit their business the most.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

A look inside LinkedIn's New York office, where employees enjoy perks like free gourmet meals and a speakeasy hidden in the Empire State Building (LNKD)

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LinkedIn NYC 4383

In many ways, LinkedIn — a company that helps more than 500 million people in over 200 countries make professional connections and scout out new opportunities — has become an integral part of everyone's careers.

But what is it like for the more than 10,000 people who actually work at the company, which Microsoft bought for $26 billion in 2016?

Last summer, we decided to to find out by visiting LinkedIn's Manhattan office, which is located in the iconic Empire State Building in the heart of New York City.

Here's what we saw and learned:

SEE ALSO: A look inside the New York office of Yelp, a $3 billion company that offers its 4,000 employees around the world some of the most incredible perks

DON'T MISS: The most surprising perk for the 900 New York-based employees at Yelp costs the $2.4 billion company nothing

DON'T FORGET: A look inside Uber's Manhattan office, where employees of the $66 billion company have wine on tap and can bring their dogs to work

When we arrived at the office on a rainy Friday morning in October, we took one of the building's famous Art Deco elevators up to the 25th floor. Though LinkedIn is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, the company has 30 offices around the world. In total, 700 employees work in their Empire State Building location.



We waited for our tour guides in LinkedIn's colorful reception area, which has books and a coffee station for employees and visitors.



The company first moved into the Empire State Building in 2011. It's since taken over five and a half floors — 22, 23, half of 24, 25, 26 and 28 — of the building. Design firm IA Interior Architects worked on the 24th, 26th, and 28th floors.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

17 phenomenal 'Game of Thrones' scenes that weren't in the books

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Tyrion and Daenerys talking Game of Thrones Helen Sloan HBO

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Game of Thrones."

Television and movie adaptations of popular books are often heavily scrutinized for changes made to the original source material. So when showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss took on the task of adapting George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series — which totals nearly 5,000 pages — they had their work cut out for them.

Certain changes have resulted in major backlash from critics, but other additions to our favorite storylines have resulted in an added level of depth and entertainment. 

Scroll down for a look at the best scenes in the series that weren't in the books.

SEE ALSO: All the 'Game of Thrones' deaths, ranked from least tragic to most tragic

Arya serving as Tywin's cupbearer at Harrenhal.

In season two, Arya is captured and brought to Harrenhal. While this happened in the books, the lord she winds up serving is Roose Bolton, not Tywin Lannister. Book readers were pleasantly surprised to watch the budding relationship between Tywin and Arya instead. In episode seven, one scene in particular served to both humanize Tywin and reveal Arya's sharp intelligence and survival instincts.

Tywin cleverly instructs Arya to eat his hot meal — a gentle gesture that can be interpreted as him actually having her test his food for poison. Arya, who is posing as a lowborn, asks Tywin questions about war and in turn he tells her stories about old rulers. Tywin seems to know Arya isn't who she says, but is strangely affectionate toward her instead of suspicious. Instead of punishing her for lying, Tywin appears to be both impressed and amused by the young girl. 



Catelyn Stark telling Talisa a story about Jon getting sick when he was a boy.

In season three, after Catelyn learns that Winterfell was attacked and her sons Bran and Rickon are missing, she tells Robb's wife Talisa a story that was never included in the books. Catelyn explains how much she hated Jon as a baby, and how she prayed to the gods for him to die. Then, Jon fell ill and actually almost died. Catelyn — filled with remorse — made an internal promise to the gods. She swore she would love Jon and ask Ned to make him a true Stark if he lived. 

But when he got better, she went right back to hating him, and broke her promises. And now, years later, Catelyn blames herself for all the misfortune fallen upon her family. "I couldn't keep my promise," she says. "Everything that's happened since then, all this horror that's come to my family, it's all because I couldn't love a motherless child." This scene was both moving and character building, as Catelyn's complex relationship with her family is brought to the forefront.



That time Podrick is a revealed to be a sex god.

Not every added scene is completely depressing or serious, though. The showrunners opted to include a small but highly amusing side story about Podrick in season three. Tyrion takes Podrick to a brothel and gives him a bag of gold to spend as a way of thanking him for saving his life. But when Podrick returns, he gives the gold back to Tyrion, explaining that the prostitutes refused the money. 

Bronn and Tyrion eventually come to understand that Podrick was apparently so skilled in bed that the women refused to accept payment. Podrick, a meek and sometimes clumsy boy, being a secretly talented sex god proved to be a hilarious and endearing addition to the series. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

14 foods you can eat as much of as you want and not gain weight

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Strawberries Up Close

The INSIDER Summary:

  • Certain non-starchy fruits and vegetables won't cause you to gain weight no matter how much of them you eat.
  • This is because they're mostly made up of water, they're low in calories, and they have fiber which helps keep you full.
  • Examples include tomatoes, kale, grapefruit, celery, blueberries, broccoli, cantaloupe, cauliflower, and strawberries.

While there's no such thing as a zero-calorie food, there are foods you can enjoy freely without having to worry about packing on the pounds.

According to nutritionist Dr. Lisa Young, these foods generally fall into one of two categories: non-starchy fruits or vegetables.

Young says there are few reasons why you won't gain weight from eating these foods:

  • They're mostly made up of water.
  • They're low in calories.
  • They contain fiber, which helps make you feel and stay full.

Although these fruits and vegetables aren't high in protein, they're packed with plenty of vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients that have numerous benefits for your health.

Keep scrolling to 14 foods you can eat without restraint.

SEE ALSO: The best thing to eat before and after you exercise, according to the physiologist behind the viral 7-minute workout

DON'T MISS: Juice is the biggest con of your life, whether it's squeezed by hand or a $400 machine

Celery

Almost 95% of celery is water, but that doesn't mean the vegetable doesn't have significant health benefits. Celery contains potassium, folate, fiber, and 30% of your daily requirement of vitamin K. There are only six calories in a single serving. 

You're best off eating celery when it's fresh, though. The vegetable loses many of its antioxidants within five to seven days of being purchased.



Kale

Kale is light in calories — one cup of raw kale only has about 33 calories — but it contains close to three grams of protein and 2.5 grams of fiber per serving.

It's one of the relatively few foods that contains an omega-three fatty acid, a nutrient that most people rely on fish to get. Like other kinds of lettuce, kale is also high in vitamins and folate.



Blueberries

Blueberries' claim to fame is their antioxidant content. The fruit has more antioxidants than any other fruit. And for all the fiber a cup of blueberries packs — 14% of your recommended daily value — it only has around 85 calories.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

25 beaches to see in your lifetime

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El Nido Bay Palawan Philippines

There's no feeling quite like laying in soft, white sand and soaking up the sun.

But this feeling is even better when you're lazing on one of the world's most beautiful beaches.

From a black sand beach in Iceland to a lagoon filled with turquoise waters in Bora Bora, here are 25 beaches worth traveling for.

Trunk Bay, St John, US Virgin Islands

The Caribbean is filled with beautiful beaches, but few are as spectacular as Trunk Bay. The beach is actually located in the Virgin Islands National Park, and is ideal for snorkelers, thanks to its 225-yard-long Underwater Trail.



Waikiki Beach, Oahu, Hawaii

The iconic, crescent-shaped Waikiki Beach has a long history of being one of the most popular beach destinations in the US. Visitors can enjoy incredible views of Diamond Head Crater while sipping on a mai tai, or go for a surf lesson.



Praia Don Ana, Lagos, Portugal

This postcard-worthy beach may be small, but that doesn't mean it's not worth visiting. Nestled into the Algarve — a region that makes up Portugal's southernmost tip — Praia Dona Ana is bordered by towering cliffs that form caves, which you should by all means explore with a quick boat trip.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

7 super-successful entrepreneurs share their best advice for people who want their own business

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Barbara Corcoran

The 30 companies (and their young founders) on our 2017 list have been pulled and prodded, picked at, and pondered.

And still they stand — thanks in large part to novel business models, in-demand products and services, and revenue to back them up.

Indeed, these young firms represent the best of what this next generation has to offer.

But they have a long way to go. After all, every big business was small once.

Here, we pulled together some of the best advice from this year's 30 Under 30 judges, who include: Real estate mogul and Shark Tank co-host Barbara Corcoran, XPrize's Peter Diamandis, Honest Tea co-founder Seth Goldman, and Uncharted Play founder (and 30 Under 30 alum) Jessica O. Matthews.

SEE ALSO: A banker-turned-Googler explains why tech companies could stand to hire more Wall Street bankers

What is your best advice for young entrepreneurs today?

Barbara Corcoran: You should start your business when you're young. Experience is grossly overrated and there is no substitute for just jumping off a cliff and figuring out the answer on the way down.



What advice do you wish someone gave you when you were just starting out?

Peter Diamandis: First, find a mentor, someone you admire in the field you're most excited about and offer to work for that person for free. Think of it as a free graduate education. Going back a few centuries, apprenticeship was critical to one's success and I think the concept of apprenticeship is very valid again.

Second, be clear about your passion and don't settle for anything else. Don't do something for the money or to make your parents or your teachers happy. Pursue a startup because it's your personal passion, your highest aspiration. If you do something you are passionate about, you will work harder than ever before and shine against anyone else.

Doing anything big and bold is difficult, and if you're not totally in love with it, you'll give up before you succeed. For me, it was my passion for space, which I obtained during my childhood from the Apollo program and Star Trek. Space has been my primary motive force in nearly everything I've done. It's my guiding star.



What is the most common mistake you see young people make and how can they avoid it?

Seth Goldman: People think they need to take a certain job they might not like to help them get the next opportunity. But by agreeing to do something they might not like or might not believe in, they run the risk of either being good at something they don't like to do, or not doing well because they are unhappy — both of which are bad outcomes.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The salary you need to earn to buy a home right now in 23 of the most expensive housing markets in America

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housing houses san jose suburbs

In the final quarter of 2016, home prices in the US climbed past expectations as the housing supply reached record lows, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

On average, 87% of the 150 housing markets tracked by NAR experienced rising home prices in 2016, up from an average of 75% in 2014. More than half of the markets (52%) now have a median sale price either at or above their previous record high.

"Buyer interest stayed elevated in most areas thanks to mortgage rates under 4% for most of the year and the creation of 1.7 million new jobs edging the job market closer to full employment," said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist. "At the same time, the inability for supply to catch up with this demand drove prices higher and continued to put a tight affordability squeeze on those trying to reach the market."

The group reports that while the national median family income rose to $70,831, increasing mortgage rates and home prices will affect Americans' ability to buy a home, specifically in the country's most expensive housing markets.

Using NAR's data on housing affordability, we gathered a list of the US metro areas where the minimum salary required to qualify for a mortgage, with 20% down, is the highest. NAR assumes a mortgage rate of 3.9% for all areas, with the monthly principle and interest payment limited to 25% of income.

For the US as a whole, the average qualifying income is $42,962 and the median home price is $232,200.

Notably, the salary needed to qualify in the top-five metro areas — four of which are located in California — exceeds $100,000.

Below, check out how much you need to earn to buy a home in the most expensive housing markets, and what the median home will cost you.

The following markets are based on metropolitan statistical areas, with the exception of Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, which are metropolitan divisions.

SEE ALSO: The 25 best places to live where the average home costs less than $250,000

DON'T MISS: Home prices are soaring — here's how much the average home costs in the 15 most popular big cities

23. Salt Lake City, Utah

Population: 1,170,266

Median home cost: $282,100

Salary needed to buy: $51,572



22. Austin-Round Rock, Texas

Population: 2,000,860

Median home cost: $287,600

Salary needed to buy: $52,578



21. Burlington-South Burlington, Vermont

Population: 214,363

Median home cost: $291,300

Salary needed to buy: $53,254



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The real meanings behind 46 different names in the 'Harry Potter' universe — and what they say about the characters

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hermione granger and crookshanks

One of the reasons that the "Harry Potter" books can be read over and over again is because of how many details are in J.K . Rowling's universe. Take, for instance, her character names.

In her early notes for the series, she came up with 40 names to use for Hogwarts students. They're often alliterative, whimsical, and have a kind of Latin-based stodginess to them. The names, as with Rowling's magical spells, have specific linguistic and historical roots that say something about how she thinks about her characters.

She kept up this tradition with her subsequent works, including those in the "Harry Potter" universe, like the movie "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" and the play "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child."

Here are the meanings behind 46 names from the "Harry Potter" universe.

Harry Potter's name is all about his leadership qualities.

The last name "potter" is a common English, Dutch, and northern German name that refers to, well, people who make pots. "Harry," though, is Middle English version of the name "Henry,"according to Pottermore, which is a name taken by many kings of England. It's a nod at his role as a leader in the wizarding community.



Ronald Bilius Weasley's name refers to his status as Harry's sidekick.

The name "Ronald" is an anglicized name derived from the Old Norse name"Rögnvaldr," which refers to a ruler's adviser. That's the role Ron somewhat plays in the series, as Harry's sidekick.

"Bilius"— who is also Ron's uncle — sounds like the word "bilious,"which means"full of bile." That could refer to a liver disorder, but it also sometimes means "ill-tempered,"in a reference to the four temperaments of the Greek humors, which is more likely. Ron isn't exactly emotionally mature.

As for "Weasley," it sounds a lot like "weasel," which isn't a popular animal. Rowling herself likes them, though. In a now-deleted post on her website, she wrote that"since childhood I have had a great fondness for the family mustelidae; not so much malignant as maligned, in my opinion."



Hermione Jean Granger's name is more a reflection of her parents than her own personality.

Rowling got the name "Hermione" from William Shakespeare's "A Winter's Tale," but she doesn't think her character and Shakespeare's version have much in common. She said the name is a reflection of her parents, "a pair of professional dentists, who liked to prove how clever they were." The name itself is older than that — Hermione is the daughter of Helen of Troy and King Menelaus in Greek mythology.

Rowling also made sure the name was uncommon because she "didn't want a lot of fairly hard-working little girls to be teased if ever the book was published."

At some point in drafting the books, Rowling changed Hermione's middle name. In the books, it wasn't encoded as "Jean" until "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," where she's in Dumbledore's will. Prior to that, Rowling said in interviews that her middle name was actually "Jane," but she later changed it because she didn't want her to share a middle name with Dolores Umbridge. "Jean" is also the middle name of Rowling's daughter Mackenzie, and it's rooted in a Latin word meaning "god is gracious."

"Granger" is a somewhat common English and French name, an occupational name that refers to a farm worker who dealt with grain. Rowling also once considered "Puckle" as Hermione's last name.



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30 millennial pink products every millennial needs

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all the feels pink neon sign

The INSIDER summary:

  • Millennial pink, an identifiable yet non-specific shade of pink, is everywhere on the internet right now.
  • The color has its origins in fashion and advertising.
  • These are some of our favorite millennial pink products for you to show off your trendiness.

 

Millennial pink is the current "it" color, dominating everything from media to clothing to home decor.

But what is this color exactly? It's come to be recognized as a wide array of shades and hues. That said, not every pink is millennial pink. In some cases, it's a pinky-salmon. In others, it's a bubblegum pink. Some interpretations even see it as a grapefruit-y color. 

You don't have to live your whole life in pink to get in on this trend. We've rounded up some of our favorite millennial pink products for you to show the millennials in your life that you get them.

Polaroid Camera

Pink Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Instant Camera from Amazon, $59



Faux Leather Skirt

 Topshop Faux Leather Pencil Skirt from Nordstrom, $60



Waterproof Sandals

Cool Enough Studio The Plastic Shoes Waterproof Slide Sandal from Nordstrom, $24



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The 9 best STEM high schools in the US are preparing tomorrow's scientists and tech entrepreneurs

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Chris Zeigler, left, a member of the high school robotics team from Oconee County, S.C., high-fives teammate Kevin McFarland, right, after they won a qualification round at the 19th annual FIRST Robotics Championship at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta Friday, April 16, 2010. More than 10,000 students from 30 countries with 528 robots are competing in the event, which was founded by American inventor Dean Kamen.

New Jersey is home to the best public high school in the US for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), according to the US World & News report.

High Technology High School is a 9th through 12th grade school located in Lincroft, New Jersey.

The school describes itself as a "pre-engineering career academy that emphasizes the interconnections among mathematics, science, technology, and the humanities."

It boasts a 100% participation rate for Advance Placement (AP) exams, meaning all students at the school take at least one test. An impressive 98% of the class of 2016 scored a three or higher (five is the highest score) on their AP tests.

US News looked to schools that were designated as high performing on their 2017 Best High Schools rankings. The site then further ranked schools based on the number of student who took and passed a varied curriculum of college-level math and science courses. These STEM math and science courses included AP Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Computer Science, Statistics, and Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, and Physics.

Read on to see the top STEM schools in America.

SEE ALSO: The best public high school in America is an Arizona charter school with 750 students

9. DeBakey High School for Health Professions — Houston, Texas

Located on the Texas Medical Center campus, students have access to research facilities, and graduate eligible for an undergrad program at the University of Houston.

• Total enrollment — 844

• Student-teacher ratio — 16:1

• Graduation rate — 100%



8. Henry M. Gunn High — Palo Alto, California

• Total enrollment — 1,897

• Student-teacher ratio — 17:1

• Graduation rate — 94%



7. Union County Magnet High School — Scotch Plains, New Jersey

• Total enrollment — 290

• Student-teacher ratio — 13:1

• Graduation rate — 100%



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

One of my favorite watches for the summer is less than $100

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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.

2Q== 2A watch is the one accessory every guy should own.

Since 1854, Timex has been making timepieces known for their durability and simple style. They remain a staple of men’s wardrobes to this day.

The brand's Fairfield line is a great option for any guy looking to pair a new watch with his spring or summer wardrobe. 

The Fairfield is a watch that can complement almost any outfit without seeming gaudy or attention-grabbing, and its $110 and under price tag makes it relatively budget-friendly, too.

We’ve rounded up some of our favorite looks from the line below, but you can check out all of Timex's Fairfield styles here.

SEE ALSO: This startup lets guys design custom shirts for the same price they pay for off-the-rack ones

READ MORE: I tried out the subscription box that wants to make it easy for guys to dress up for work

DON'T MISS: This site offers high-end watch brands at some of the most competitive prices you’ll find

The Fairfield — London

This is probably my favorite look on the list. Although it’s called the London, the color scheme works just as well for the US. I could see myself wearing this watch to Fourth of July barbecues this year.

The Fairfield — London, $65



The Fairfield — Chrome/Tan/Blue

The tan leather and blue face of this model give it a slightly outdoorsy look.

It’s the same color scheme as my favorite watch from the Weekender collection, but replaces the bubbly font of the Arabic dial with a more formal-looking Stick layout on its display.

The Fairfield — Chrome/Tan/Blue, $60



The Fairfield Chronograph — Silver-Tone/Blue/White

I love the clean look of this Fairfield Chronograph. On many chronographs, adding subdials make their face look crowded and busy, but thanks to its overall minimal color scheme, this watch manages to remain subtle-looking.

The Fairfield Chronograph — Silver-Tone/Blue/White, $85



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Everything you've ever wanted to know about what it's like to attend the celebrity-studded Met Gala

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emma watson met gala

Ah, the Met Gala — one of the biggest star-studded events of the year. Unless you're an A-list celebrity or fabulous designer, chances are you will never know what it's like to attend the "Oscars of the East."

But thankfully, enough celebrities and guests have spoken about the event that we have a glimpse of what it would be like to actually get into this storied ball.

From pricey tables to celebrity interactions, here's what it's really like inside the Met Gala.

The Met Gala serves a purpose — to raise money for the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The Met Gala, known formally as the Costume Institute Gala, is a fundraising gala for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. It's essentially an annual ball that serves as a glamorous arena of high fashion for designers and celebrities.

It's hosted by the chairwoman of the gala, Vogue's Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, with famous faces usually cochairing the event. This year the honor went to Katy Perry and Pharrell Williams and last year it was Taylor Swift and Idris Elba.

Though it's been around since 1946, Wintour took over as chairwoman of the gala in 1999 and ever since then, it's gone from a philanthropic event to the "Oscars of the East." In addition to a red carpet spectacle, guests can expect a cocktail hour and formal dinner.



It's hosted on the first Monday in May every year at the Met in New York City.

The Met Gala takes place every year on the first Monday in May (obviously the inspiration behind the title of the documentary, "The First Monday in May," about the event).

It's not only the launch of the Costume Institute's annual show, but a time to recognize the East Coast's influence on celebrity and culture.



You probably will never get invited.

Sorry — if you're not an "It" actress, celebrity, musician, sports superstar, or designer, you're going to have to shell out, big time.

A ticket to the event can range from $30,000 for a single ticket to $275,000 for a table, according to The New York Times. Sometimes designers can get a table discount depending on the size of the brand and its relationship with Vogue, according to StyleCaster.

That money goes to the Costume Institute, by the way — in 2015, more than $12.5 million was raised, according to The Times.

Oh and just in case you thought you could save for it, Wintour reportedly has a say over every single invitation.



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The 33 most expensive tasting menus on the planet, ranked

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eleven madison park

One of the best ways for foodies to truly experience the world's best restaurants is by ordering a multi-course tasting menu.

But it's not for everyone — these carefully crafted and elaborate meals can sometimes cost as much as $1,000 a head.

From the experimental Sublimotion restaurant in Spain to Heston Blumenthal's quirky dishes in London, here are 33 restaurants with the priciest tasting menus in the world.

NOTE: We calculated the cost of a meal for two people, and included the price of a wine pairing where applicable. Unless otherwise indicated, the listed cost does not include gratuity or tax. Foreign prices were converted at today's conversion rates.

Talia Avakian contributed reporting to an earlier version of this article. 

SEE ALSO: The team behind the best restaurant in the world is opening a new fast-casual concept in New York City

33. Osteria Francescana, Modena, Italy

$478 for two; nine courses (wine pairing $142 per person)

Voted the world's second-best restaurant and featured in an episode Netflix's "Chef's Table," Osteria Francescana is one of the most exciting places to eat right now. 

Chef Massimo Bottura puts his own unique twist on classic Italian food. One of his most famous dishes, the "Five ages of Parmigiano Reggiano" is served in different textures and temperatures.



31 (TIE). Quay, Sydney, Australia

$490 for two people; nine courses (wine pairing additional $105 per person)

Australian chef Peter Gilmore's Quay serves a tasting menu that combines classic dishes with new seasonal additions. The meal flows flawlessly from the delicious starters to the guava snow egg — one of Gilmore's signature desserts.

The intimate dining room has crisp white linens that only add to the ambiance of this serene meal.



31 (TIE). O Ya, Boston, Massachusetts

$490 for two; 24 courses 

Run by Chef Tim Cushman and his wife, Nancy, O Ya offers imaginative sushi and Japanese small plates, like pork ribs soaked in a smoky-flavored lapsang souchong tea for over 24 hours. The dish is served with sesame seeds and Japanese leeks. 

The small and welcoming space of its original Boston location is a comfortable setting for enjoying the various plates of seafood delicacies.



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11 weird but useful things you should be doing with your microwave

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The INSIDER Summary:

  • The microwave can be used for so much more beyond heating up leftovers.
  • You can liquify dried up mascara or even re-use stamps.

When you live in a dorm, the only appliances you truly have full access to are a mini fridge and a microwave. Your microwave can be used for so much more than just reheating last night's pizza. Use this guide to make sure you're getting the most out of your microwave.

1. Getting more juice from lemons

Does your hand cramp up from trying to squeeze out every last drop of a lemon? The microwave will save the day. Putting any citrus fruit in the microwave for 30-60 seconds will make it much easier to squeeze out.



2. Dying fabrics

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Tie dying can be a mess. It gets all over you and then it's even more of a pain to clean up. Believe it or not, the perfect fix is your microwave. All you have to do is mix the dye with water in a bowl and put your article of clothing in it. Set the microwave for 1-2 minutes depending on your fabric and then remove and rinse and das it!



3. Decrystallizing honey

If you have honey sitting somewhere on the back of shelf there's a good chance it turned hard. Doesn't mean ya gotta throw it away though. Uncover the jar and heat it up for 30-60 seconds and your honey should be as good as new.



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The morning rituals of Elon Musk, Richard Branson​,​ and 8 other successful people

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Elon MuskMark Twain said it best: "Eat a live frog first thing in the morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day."

Here's how the world's top business leaders set each morning up for success and motivation.

SEE ALSO: Successful people share morning routines

Richard Branson

In a 2014 blog post, the entrepreneur explained why he wakes up at 5 a.m.: "I'm able to do some exercise and spend time with my family, which puts me in a great mind frame before getting down to business." 



Jack Dorsey

To make time for a 30-minute meditation, the Square CEO also rises early, at 5 a.m. After, Dorsey completes a workout and then brews his own coffee.

 



Tory Burch

The founder of her eponymous fashion label wakes up at 5:45 a.m., checks emails, gets her three sons out of bed, and exercises for 45 minutes. Often, she'll leave the house with wet hair — preferring speed over effort, and the look when it "dries naturally." 



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The 5 best fields for recent grads to find a job right now

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For many recent and soon-to-be grads, finding a job is a stressful prospect.

But some fields are more ideal than others for college graduates looking for entry-level work.

Monster recently compiled some data to determine which fields hold the most promise in 2017.

To do this, the job site mined CEB TalentNeuron, a tool that compiles a report on all available entry-level positions currently posted online. Monster defines "entry-level" as needing zero to two years experience. The sample size featured 943,008 entry-level jobs that all require either a Bachelor's, Master's, or doctoral degree.

The top fields were determined based on the number of entry-level jobs currently open in each industry. Here are the five best fields for recent grads to find a job right now:

SEE ALSO: 9 entry-level jobs that prove your first job doesn't have to be terrible

5. Management

The field of management encompasses all jobs that focus on controlling or organizing people, events, or projects.

Market-wide management job openings: 62,327

Examples of available management openings: Project scheduler, communications and events specialist, and product manager



4. Technology and mathematics

Technology and mathematics jobs tend to deal with computers, web systems, and data analytics.

Market-wide sales job openings: 66,456

Examples of available computers and mathematical openings: Testing associate, Java application engineer, and eCommerce architect



3. Sales

Sales occupations deal with the exchange of commodities or currency in the business world.

Market-wide sales job openings: 68,112

Examples of available sales roles: Assistant ticketing manager, sales executive, and retail sales consultant



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21 US cities where making $100,000 a year isn't enough to put you in the top 20% of earners

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Los Angeles Rodeo Drive

If you're making $100,000 a year, you're doing pretty well for yourself, especially considering that the median household income in the US is $53,889.

But if you live in the metro areas of Seattle, San Francisco, or Washington, DC, a low-six-figure household income barely puts you among the top half of earners, let alone in the top 20%.

In Stamford, Connecticut, for example, you'd represent the top 48% with a $100,000 household income.

That's according to an interactive tool from The New York Times that allows you to enter your household income and compare your earnings across 344 metro areas throughout the US.

Here, we've highlighted 21 US cities where a $100,000 annual household income isn't enough to crack the top 20% of earners.

Kathleen Elkins contributed to a previous version of this article.

SEE ALSO: 15 quotes from self-made billionaires that will change your outlook on money

DON'T MISS: 2 pieces of increasingly popular money advice could ruin your chance at getting rich, according to a self-made millionaire

A household income of $100,000 puts you in the top 22% of earners in Salt Lake City.



A household income of $100,000 puts you in the top 24% of earners in Atlanta.



A household income of $100,000 puts you in the top 25% of earners in Denver.



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50 movies that critics really hate but normal people love

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We need critics to tell us which movies to watch and which to avoid. But their tastes don't necessarily match what audiences actually want.

Critically derided movies turn into cult classics despite — or maybe because — they're poorly made. Everyone has different tastes when it comes to comedy, so films like "The Replacements" and "Soul Plane" still have their fans. And no matter how much critics despise them, exploitative low-budget horror films have always found an audience.

Metacritic provided INSIDER with data about which movies since the year 2000 have most divided critics and regular viewers, looking at titles with high user scores but very low critic averages.

Check out Metacritic's 50 movies that people love but critics hate, ranked from least divergent critic and user scores to most divergent:

John Lynch contributed to a previous version of this article.

50. "Soul Plane" (2004)

Critic score: 33/100

User score: 8.6/10

Plot summary:After a humiliating and horrific experience on a commercial flight, Nashawn Wade (Kevin Hart) sues and is awarded a $100 million settlement. Determined to make good with his newfound wealth he decides to create the airline of his dreams.

What critics said: "An hour and a half of real airplane turbulence is better than sitting through the bad, offensive material that makes up 'Soul Plane.'"— The Washington Post



49. "Self/less" (2015)

Critic score: 34/100

User score: 8.8/10

Plot summary: An extremely wealthy man (Ben Kingsley) dying from cancer undergoes a radical medical procedure that transfers his consciousness into the body of a healthy young man (Ryan Reynolds). But all is not as it seems when he starts to uncover the mystery of the body’s origin and the organization that will kill to protect its cause.

What critics said: "'Self/less' is a celluloid smoothie blended from dozens of familiar elements, but it’s neither tasty nor nutritious."— New York Post



48. "Sweet November" (2001)

Critic score: 27/100

User score: 8.1/10

Plot summary:Nelson (Keanu Reeves) and Sara (Charlize Theron) have nothing in common except an hour spent in DMV hell. Intrigued by each other, but not quite ready to commit, they settle on a rather unconventional courtship: a one-month trial, after which they'll go their separate ways.

What critics said: "Passes off pathological behavior as romantic bliss. It's about two sick and twisted people playing mind games and calling it love."— Chicago Sun-Times



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Everlane’s 100% Human collection that’s already sold out twice is back in stock for a great cause

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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.

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Everlane is a brand well known and well loved for leading the charge in creating a more transparent fashion industry.

They willingly empower their consumers to be informed and involved with their purchases, to know why their shirt costs how much it costs, where it was made, with what materials, and by whom.

They break down how much every product costs to make (labor, materials, transporting the apparel, and duties), and they compare their prices with those of traditional retailers. The 100% Human Unisex Crew, for instance, goes for $22 at Everlane, and Everlane claims traditional retailers would sell it for $45.

There’s even an option to ‘choose what you pay’ for overstock products, where consumers see three staggered prices they can choose from: the lowest of the three meaning 10% of the profits go to Everlane, the second 20%, and the third 30%.

Given their history and the brand's foundational values, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that their new collection focuses on giving back to those that need it through an inventive new campaign.

The 100% Human collection is simplistic and thereby more impactful in its message. In a time when so many of us feel more dissimilar than similar, it’s important for human rights' sake to acknowledge the one vast, transcendent common denominator of our lives: you and I are both human beings. Our collective identity and shared experiences are more important, necessarily, than secondary details like our opinions, our politics, or even our sports team allegiances.

The 100% Human Collection is meant to encourage all of us to be more human, together. For every 100% Human item sold, Everlane donates $5 to the ACLU. For those unfamiliar, the American Civil Liberties Union has existed the last 100 years to defend the civil rights provided in the Constitution of the United States. At their most recent tally, Everlane has given about $73,000 to the ACLU from their sales.

The collection has sold out twice, and, obligingly, been restocked twice — a feat that likely elicits some pride in Everlane, the brand’s customers, and the ACLU. 

Another division of the collection donates $5 to the organization Equality Now every time a purchase is made. This portion of the line features pink lettering and muscle tanks that read "HUMAN WOMAN" across them — again working with the endgame of underscoring our fundamental sameness, instead of letting things like gender affect human rights. 

human woman

If you want to get a cool, inexpensive shirt or sweatshirt made from high-quality materials and simultaneously support a great cause, this is one of those times when you walk into a textbook win-win scenario. Organizations like the ACLU and Equality Now have more resources at their fingertips than the average American, so by using your money to fund their endeavors, it's a nice way to be active and impactful in your aspirations for the future. Plus, you'll get some great clothes out of the deal.

And if that sounds good, Everlane will send you a "100% Human" pin with every purchase, so you can literally wear your humanity on your sleeve.

Check out Everlane's 100% Human collection while this current restock lasts.

The Unisex Crew comes in a slim fit with men's sizing. The shirt is made from 100% combed cotton, and it's pre-shrunk and machine washable. You can even read about the factory where it's made.

The 100% Human Unisex Crew in Medium Print, $22 (traditional retail, $45)



The Small Print Muscle Tank is available in black and is designed for a relaxed fit. It's 100% cotton, machine washable, and if you want, you can read about where it was made and by whom here

The 100% Human Muscle Tank in Small Print, $22 (traditional retail $40)



The French Terry Hoodie in Large Print comes in two colors: black and heather grey. It's machine washable and you can click to see the factory where Everlane's specialty knits are made. 

The 100% Human French Terry Hoodie in Large Print, $55 (traditional retail, $100)



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