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What it's like behind the scenes at QVC — the retail powerhouse that plans to buy rival HSN for $2.1 billion

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QVC models

QVC is one of the best-known home-shopping TV networks in America and will soon become the largest television commerce company in the world.

The e-commerce giant recently announced that its parent company will purchase a controlling interest in rival network HSN in a deal worth $2.1 billion. 

We got a behind-the-scenes look at QVC's massive broadcast facility in West Chester, Pennsylvania to see how it all comes together. 

 

SEE ALSO: INSIDE QVC — the retail powerhouse that plans to buy rival HSN for $2.1 billion

The QVC studio is located in West Chester, PA — about an hour outside Philadelphia.



The building itself is huge.



It has over 58,000 square feet of studios and 20 individual transforming sets.



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The 19 cheapest places in Europe for a last-minute beach holiday

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Kefalonia, Greece

Summer may be in full swing, but it's not too late to make some last minute travel plans.

Luckily, Post Office Travel Money's list of the cheapest beach holiday destinations in Europe compares average prices of various daily holiday expenses across the continent, so you can see where you'll get the most from your money this summer.

The measured costs include a cup of coffee, a bottle of local beer, a glass of wine, a bottle of water, a three-course dinner for two, and sun cream, among other travel essentials.

From Croatia to Ibiza, here are the cheapest destinations for a last-minute European summer holiday in 2017.

19. Ibiza, Spain — £131.02 ($164.18)

Cup of coffee: £1.22 ($1.53)

Bottle of local beer: £3.06 ($3.83)

Can of Coca-Cola: £2.18 ($2.73)

Glass of wine: £3.49 ($4.37)

1.5 litre bottle of still mineral water: £0.87 ($1.09)

Sun cream: £15.72 ($19.67)

Insect repellent: £7.43 ($9.30)

English newspaper: £1.83 ($2.29)

3 course evening meal for two (including a bottle of house wine): £65.52 ($81.99)

2 course lunch for two (no drinks): £29.70 ($37.16)



18. Sorrento, Italy — £118.51 ($148.50)

Cup of coffee:£1.75 ($2.19)

Bottle of local beer:£2.18 ($2.73)

Can of Coca-Cola:£1.75 ($2.19)

Glass of wine:£2.62 ($3.28)

1.5 litre bottle of still mineral water:£0.87 ($1.09)

Sun cream:£8.74 ($10.94)

Insect repellent:£6.99 ($8.75)

English newspaper:£1.88 ($2.35)

3 course evening meal for two (including a bottle of house wine):£65.52 ($81.99)

2 course lunch for two (no drinks):£26.21 ($32.80)



17. Nice, France — £116.64 ($146.16)

Cup of coffee:£1.31 ($1.64)

Bottle of local beer:£3.06 ($3.83)

Can of Coca-Cola:£3.06 ($3.83)

Glass of wine:£4.37 ($5.47)

1.5 litre bottle of still mineral water:£0.44 ($0.55)

Sun cream:£8.74 ($10.94)

Insect repellent:£6.12 ($7.66)

English newspaper:£2.36 ($2.95)

3 course evening meal for two (including a bottle of house wine):£60.10 ($75.20)

2 course lunch for two (no drinks):£27.08 ($33.89)



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16 prisons that have been transformed into luxury hotels

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As crime rates continue to fall, countries around the world are realizing their abandoned jails and prisons could be better served to house a different kind of resident: tourists.

Some facilities have been so transformed as to be unrecognizable, while others preserve some of the original aesthetic.

From Boston's chic Liberty Hotel to the spooky iron-clad corridors of the Jail Hotel in Switzerland, here are some of the most drastic transformations from prison to hotel.

Talia Avakian contributed to an earlier version of this article.

SEE ALSO: Abandoned Dutch prisons are being used to house refugees — here's what they're like inside

Alcatraz Hotel: Kaiserslautern, Germany

The Alcatraz hotel in Germany was a prison from 1867 to 2002, when it was refurbished to include 56 rooms for guests.

You have the option of sleeping in the newly-renovated rooms or in one of their "cell rooms," where you'll find three levels of original cells from the prison including barred windows, shared toilets, and even what they consider to be a traditional prison breakfast of pumpernickel bread and jam. 



Best Western Premier Hotel Katajanokka: Helsinki, Finland

Hotel Katajanokka was a former county prison where prisoners would await trial. It is said to have hosted Risto Ryti, Finland's fifth president.

Today, the Best Western hotel still houses its original brick walls and includes the Restaurant Jailbird, where you can see original inscriptions from inmates along the walls. The rooms, designed with a minimalistic style, were made by combining two to three of the former cells and offer luxurious amenities like saunas in the larger suites. 



Four Seasons Sultanahmet: Istanbul, Turkey

You'll barely be able to tell that the Four Seasons in Sultanahmet used to be a jail in 1918, until you take a closer look at its details.

The old wooden doors that lead to the lobby are from the original jail and engravings from an inmate in 1938 detailing the names of former inmates can be found on a marble pillar inside.

The hotel offers a luxurious stay, converting the former exercise courtyard into a beautiful outdoor dining area and the watchtowers into elevator shafts. Plus, it's close to some of the area's best sightseeing stops like the Hagia Sophia Museum and the Topkapi Palace. 



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The best budget laptops you can buy

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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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The Insider Pick:

  • Laptops that cost less than $500 don’t have to be low-powered. For evidence, just look at our top pick, the HP Pavilion x360. It offers a 13-inch touchscreen, an Intel Core i3 processor, and a hefty 6GB of RAM for less than $500.

The laptop is largely considered to be the hub of our digital lives, and while many suggest that the smartphone is changing that, the fact is, there’s still plenty that’s far easier to do on a laptop than on anything else. That’s especially true if you’re getting a laptop for work or for school, and with the new school year right around the corner that may well be the case.

While you may see headlines about devices like the latest MacBook Pro, it turns out you don’t need to spend thousands to get a decent computer — especially if you’re using it for things like word processing, web browsing, and emailing.

Of course, there are quite a few things to consider in purchasing a new laptop. After all, they’re pretty complex machines. Here’s a quick rundown of the features to look for when you make your choice.

  • Operating System: There are a few major computer operating systems out there. You’re probably most familiar with Windows, as its by far the most popular operating system, but there's also Apple’s macOS, which is also very capable. Finally, there's Google’s Chrome OS, which is a little more targeted to those with basic computer needs who like the idea of being able to use some Android apps on their computer and are plugged into Google’s ecosystem and web apps. We’re not including any computers with macOS on this list because there aren’t any that would fall under the "budget laptop" distinction of costing $500 or less.
  • Specs: Some computers are more powerful than others. Things like the processor and amount of RAM will dictate how quickly your computer runs, while the amount of storage indicates how many files you can keep on your computer at once.
  • Size: Laptops come in a range of different sizes, however, the smaller ones generally sit in the 10- to 11-inch range, while the larger ones can get as big as 17-inches. That’s handy for watching movies, but it comes at the cost of portability.

Then, of course, there’s cost. For this guide, we consider a “budget” laptop to be a laptop that costs less than $500. However, if you can afford to spend more than that, you will be able to get something more powerful and arguably better than the computers on this list.

Stay tuned for our official list of the best high-end laptops. You can also check out our guide to the best Chromebooks on Insider Picks.

Although the HP Pavilion x360 is our top pick, for various reasons laid out in the slides below, you should also consider the Asus Chrome Flip, the Dell Inspiron 15 5000, the Microsoft Surface 3, and the Lenovo 110-15IBR.

SEE ALSO: The best Chromebooks you can buy

The best budget laptop overall

Why you'll love it: The HP Pavilion x360 is versatile thanks to its ability to work in tablet mode, and it offers above-par performance for the price and plenty of ports.

If you’re looking for the best laptop you can possibly get in your $500 budget, then the HP Pavilion x360 is for you, specifically the 13-inch variant with the touchscreen.

As you might assume, the x360 is actually more of a two-in-one than a straight up laptop, so you can actually flip the screen all the way around to use the device as a tablet if you so choose. But the tablet/laptop combo isn’t the only great thing about this computer. It also boasts an Intel Core i3-6100U, which is coupled with 6GB of RAM. The result? A very capable computer that should be powerful enough for any businessperson, student, or just the average Joe who wants a web-browsing and emailing machine.

You’ll also get a 500GB hard drive, which is a disk drive. That’s an important aspect to consider here. The drive is not a solid-state-drive, so you’ll need to be careful when moving it while it’s on.

When it comes to input and outputs, this computer will give you two USB 3.0 ports, one USB 2.0 port, one headphone jack, and a HDMI port, so you’ll have plenty of room for your peripherals.

This Windows 10 computer didn’t just catch our attention. Laptop Mag gave it 4/5 stars, and it’s sitting with an average of 4.1/5 stars on Amazon. The downsides? The display on the computer isn’t all that great, and the aforementioned disk drive isn't as nice as a solid disk drive, but it is pretty common for computers in this price range.

Pros: Excellent performance for the price, plenty of ports, Windows 10

Cons: Disk drive, slightly under-par display

Buy the HP Pavilion x360 13 on Amazon for $476.98



The best budget laptop that's a Chromebook

Why you'll love it: The Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA is sleek and stylish, it runs Android apps, has a touchscreen, and tops the charts as the best Chromebook you can buy.

Asus has long offered a number of great laptops at a reasonable price, and it was pretty quick to jump onto the Chromebook train when Google launched Chrome OS. In particular, the Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA-DHM4 is an excellent computer, offering great value for money. We named it the best Chromebook in our buying guide.

For starters, the raw specs are really quite good. The laptop has an Intel Core m3-6Y30 processor, coupled with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of flash storage. Now, that might not sound like much compared to other computers on this list, but Chromebooks are a little different. For example, they largely use web-based apps rather than local apps, meaning a lot of storage isn’t all that necessary, and the computer doesn’t really need to process intensive apps.

On top of that, the battery life on this device is good, too. You’ll get more than 10 hours of use from the computer, which is more than many other computers on the market. It even boasts a backlit keyboard coupled with a touch-sensitive display, so you can use it like a tablet if you so choose. It also runs Android apps, so it can double as a tablet.

So what’s the downside? Well, the laptop is a little more expensive than other Chromebooks, and while we like the fact that it has two USB-C ports, it does mean that you might need to use some adapters until all your peripherals make use of the new connectivity options.

Pros: Light, usable as a tablet, powerful for a Chromebook

Cons: Pricey, may require adapters

Buy the Asus Chromebook Flip on Amazon for $469.00 (originally $499.00) 



The best 15-inch budget laptop

Why you'll love it: The Dell Inspiron 15 5000 has a giant 15-inch screen and decent specs for less than $500.

Looking for something with a slightly larger display than what your average sub-$500 laptop might offer? The Dell Inspiron 15 5000 has excellent specs under the hood, plus it boasts a large, 15-inch display, so you’ll have plenty of screen for those in-bed movie nights.

The laptop boasts an Intel Core i5 dual-core processor, which is coupled with a hefty 8GB of RAM, and that's more than enough power for most use-cases. On top of that, you’ll get a 1TB hard drive, so you’ll have plenty of room to store all your media and files.

Unlike plenty of other computers on the market these days, the Dell Inspiron 15 5000 does indeed come with a disc drive, so you’ll still be able to watch your DVDs and listen to your CDs if you so choose. It can be a helpful addition. The laptop also offers a USB 3.0 port, two USB 2.0 ports, an Ethernet port, HDMI, and a headphone jack.

So what are the downsides to this machine? Well, for starters the screen isn’t the best on the market, and a review from PCWorld noted that the trackpad could have been more accurate. However, the site did give it some praise and a respectable 3.5 rating. Laptop Mag gave it a decent review for a budget laptop.

Pros: Powerful, lots of storage, disc drive for DVDs and CDs

Cons: Mediocre display, somewhat expensive, trackpad isn’t overly accurate

Buy the Dell Inspiron 15 5000 on Amazon for $496.99 to $524.00 (price varies — originally $699.99)



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15 stars who hated their own TV shows

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The INSIDER Summary: 

  • Some stars don't look back so fondly on the shows that helped make them household names.
  • Many times the reason is turmoil behind the scenes, while other times it's the actual content of the show.


Plenty of actors have bad times while making movies, or don’t look back too fondly at the finished product of their movies. It’s a lot easier to deal with a negative experience on a movie set, as movies typically only take a few months to film. Then actors get paid millions as they are flown around the world to promote it in beautiful, exotic cities and often continue to get residuals on the movie for the rest of their lives.

TV shows, on the other hands, tend to require a lengthier and more rigorous time commitment, and except for a few exceptions, for far less money– and as such, actors will usually mull over whether to star on a TV show or not much more than they would a movie. After all, they might get stuck working on a TV show for many, many years.

It’s far rarer that an actor will end up regretting their time on a TV show, and when they do, the reasons are far more diverse– fear of typecasting, a grueling schedule, feuds with producers and co-stars, and tiffs over money are among the most common reasons why a TV star will end up tearing down the show they starred in, be it while the show is on the air or years later upon reflection.

Here are 15 TV Stars Who Hated Their Own Shows.

15. Johnny Depp — "21 Jump Street"

Johnny Depp has spent much of this millennium leading a billion-dollar Disney franchise and starring in other major Hollywood movies. It’s easy to forget that the actor was once more known for shying away from the spotlight and preferring smaller roles that kept him just under the mainstream radar. He first developed that distaste for major fame and celebrity during his breakthrough role on the ’80s teen drama "21 Jump Street."

Between starring in a show aimed at teenagers and having that perfect combination of boyish good looks and bad boy attitude, Depp was catapulted to teen heartthrob status shortly after "21 Jump Street" debuted. It was the kind of fame and notoriety that Deep wasn’t comfortable with, and he soon regretted taking the role on the show. However, he had already signed a contract, and couldn’t just walk away– so the actor began trying his best to get fired by exhibiting bizarre behavior on the set. He reluctantly got stuck doing the show for three of its five seasons.

However, Depp’s nostalgia for the show has warmed a bit over the years, as the actor did a cameo in the 2012 film reboot.



14. Chevy Chase — "Community"

He’s Chevy Chase, and you’re not… ever going to understand why he just can’t seem to have a positive experience on most of the things he has worked on. There is so little love for Chase by his peers that his 2002 Comedy Central roast was largely conducted by random comedians who never even worked with him, and was so mean-spirited that the network only ever aired it once.

The most recent example of the actor/comedian having a bad time working on something was his tenure on the cult hit NBC sitcom "Community." What began as something of a well-received comeback for the actor – his first high-profile role on an acclaimed production in many years – quickly soured following a highly publicized feud with "Community" creator Dan Harmon and some leaked audio of the actor using racial slurs and disparaging the show as formulaic and unfunny.

The kindest words the actor could muster for "Community" is that he liked the cast, although that praise was quickly tempered by him pointing out that “it’s not like [he’s] working with the great innovators of all time.”



13. Penn Badgley — "Gossip Girl"

It would seem as though anyone who would sign on for a show on the CW called "Gossip Girl" would know what they were in for and wouldn’t exactly be expecting cutting-edge television. Yet that didn’t stop some of its stars from badmouthing the show, even actors for whom "Gossip Girl" was their breakthrough and/or most well-known role.

Chace Crawford made a crack near the end of the show’s six-season run that he would have to go back three or four seasons to where he left his dignity before the show ends– though many have read that as good-natured teasing.

However, Crawford’s co-star Penn Badgley’s criticisms of "Gossip Girl" feel far less jokey. He once pointed out the absurdity of the DVD cover of the show’s first season, saying that he and his cast mates literally lounging on NYC skyscrapers looked like a metaphor for white privilege. He also frequently said the show was ridiculous and made little sense.

Most tellingly, when Badgley was promoting the movie "Greetings From Tim Buckley"— his first major role post-"Gossip Girl"— he made remarks about how good it felt to finally be proud of something he’s done as an actor. Ouch.



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The best gliders and rocking chairs you can buy on Amazon

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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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The Insider Pick:

  • Rocking chairs may seem old fashioned, but they are extremely comfortable. If you're looking for a great rocking chair or glider, the Baby Relax Mikayla Swivel Gliding Recliner is the best one you can buy. This stylish rocking chair works as a glider or recliner and it has a 360-degree swivel action.

If you look at a rocking chair or glider and think they’re only for nursing mothers soothing a baby or senior citizens relaxing on the porch, you’re partially right. Certainly, those are two of the more common users of rocking chairs. But almost anyone can enjoy a rocking chair, and they are many more cool styles to choose from these days.

Rocking chairs are even becoming modern and somewhat popular. After all, you don’t have to be a baby to enjoy the gentle rocking sensation of these chairs. You can enjoy your new rocker in cushioned comfort, whether you’re in the baby’s nursery, on the porch, or in a living room watching TV.

The benefits of rocking chairs

As Architizer explains, the first rocking chairs appeared in the 1700s, and they were often oversized chairs, designed for two people. A mother and a nursing child would use rocking chairs at feeding time to create a soothing environment. A nurse and ill patient might use a rocking chair together, too, in an effort to calm the patient.

Rocking chairs eventually migrated into the one-person chairs commonly in use today, although they still work great for a mother and a fussy baby. Rocking chairs have become part of American art and folklore, symbolizing leisure time and a country lifestyle. 

Medical professionals encourage the use of rocking chairs to help senior citizens improve balance and muscle tone, when other types of exercise are too strenuous, according to Live Strong. Rocking Chair Therapy discusses the use of rocking chairs in parent-child bonding, as well as in helping dementia patients overcome anxiety.

Features of rocking chairs

Rocking chairs and gliders are available in many shapes, designs, styles, and sizes. All of them allow you to create a gentle rocking motion, but they go about the process in slightly different ways. Baby Center, The Bump, eBay, and Apartment Therapy discuss some of the different designs and styles.

  • Fabric: If you’re often rocking your baby in the chair, the chair is going to become soiled at some point. It’s inevitable. So pick a type of chair and fabric that’s easy to clean.
  • Glider or platform: A glider rocking chair moves forward and backward, leaving the base in a stable position, rather than having the entire chair move in an arc like a traditional rocking chair. The movement of a glider is often smoother than a rocking chair, which is good for moms and babies. Gliders and platform rockers operate in a similar manner.
  • Locking mechanism: Some rocking chairs can be locked in place, which makes it easier for you to stand up while holding a baby.
  • Ottoman: Many rocking chairs come with an ottoman, which allows you to put your feet up when you don’t want to rock. Some ottomans that ship with glider rocking chairs also move in the same manner as the glider, allowing for a smooth motion.
  • Outdoor: Some rocking chairs are made for indoor use, while others are made for outdoor use. If you plan to leave your rocking chair exposed to the weather, be sure to pick a chair rated for outdoor use.
  • Padding: A rocking chair may provide padding to support your back, neck, and arms. You may be spending a few hours in the chair to comfort a sick baby, so padding is important. Even an all-wood rocking chair can be made more comfortable with removable padding that ties onto the chair.
  • Recliner: Some rockers have a reclining feature, which allows you to lock the rocking chair in place and put your feet up on a foot rest.
  • Swivel: Some rocking chairs have a circular base, which allows you to spin the chair 360 degrees in addition to rocking in it. This is a great feature for being able to swing around and see other children playing in the entire room while sitting with a baby.

With all that in mind, these are the best rocking chairs you can buy on Amazon. We've checked all the reviews and looked over the feature sets of every rocking chair in our guide to find only the best ones. Whether you're a new mom, a grandparent, or just someone who loves rocking chairs, we have a pick for you here.

Although the Baby Relax Mikayla Swivel Gliding Recliner is our top rocking chair pick, for various reasons laid out in the slides below, you should also consider the Naomi Home Brisbane Glider & Ottoman Set, the Dutailier Nursing Grand Modern Glider Chair, the Coaster Rocking Chair With Carved Detail, and the Outdoor Interiors Resin Wicker and Eucalyptus Rocking Chair.

The best rocking chair overall

Why you'll love it: No matter what style of rocking chair you prefer, the versatile Baby Relax Mikayla Swivel Gliding Recliner fulfills your needs, with a glider, recliner, and swivel chair all wrapped into one.

The Baby Relax Mikayla Swivel Gliding Recliner combines many of the best features in modern rocking chairs, all in one comfortable chair.

It’s able to serve as a glider, a recliner, and a swivel chair. It has a gentle rocking motion, which the Best Rocking Chairs review says is a tremendous advantage. Because of the high-quality construction of this chair, all of the movements of the Baby Relax rocking chair are extremely smooth and controlled. That's especially important for nursing mothers.

The Gliders Hub review appreciated the padded leg rest, which feels great when putting your feet up while you're using the Mikayla rocking chair as a recliner. The Val’s Views review likes the stylish design of this rocking chair, which includes button tufting on the backrest.

It's also nice that the chair comes in different colors and fabrics. You can choose between gray linen, gray microfiber, and mocha microfiber (currently sold out on Amazon). Note that the microfiber fabrics will be the easiest to clean.

One Amazon reviewer was initially hesitant to purchase the Baby Relax Mikayla glider because of its price, but has been very pleased with it since buying the chair. However, another Amazon customer said the rocking chair developed a squeak after about a year of use, one that was loud enough to wake up the baby. Luckily, that should be fairly easy to solve with some oil in the joints, and it's also a rare problem.

By and large, buyers love this chair for its reasonable price and comfortable design.

Pros: Versatile rocking chair offering glider and swivel features inside a recliner, soft and comfortable cushioning, high back is good for tall people, nice looking design, easy to clean microfiber fabric

Cons: Price is a little high, some chairs squeak

Buy the Baby Relax Mikayla Swivel Gliding Recliner on Amazon for $299.99 (originally $353.98)



The best rocking chair with an ottoman

Why you'll love it: The Naomi Home Brisbane Glider & Ottoman set is a stylish gliding rocking chair that comes with a matching ottoman and your choice of five different colors.

If you’d like a stylish rocking chair glider that also provides smooth movement, the Naomi Home Brisbane Glider & Ottoman set is a great option. As you can tell from the name, the rocking chair ships with an ottoman so you can put your feet up and relax.

Many rocking chairs are heavy and big, but the Naomi Home glider is not. The Mom’s Choice Nursery Glider review praises the chair's small footprint and low weight, which make it easy to move around. In its review, the Glider’s Hub said the smooth motion of the chair’s gliding mechanism is a great feature. It's particularly key for nursing moms who need a steady, stable chair.

The Naomi Home glider is available in five colors: Black/chocolate, black/gray chevron, espresso/cream, white/dark gray, and white/gray chevron. The included ottoman carries the same design and color of the fabric. Nursery Gliderz said the fabrics were easy to clean in its review, which is a blessing for new moms.

One Amazon customer liked the Brisbane rocking chair, but recommends being gentle while using it, as it doesn’t stand up to rough treatment well. Another Amazon reviewer also said that the chair’s construction was a disappointment and it squeaks. However, complaints are fairly rare for this chair, and it's a great deal at this price.

Pros: Five stylish color designs available, reasonable price point, matching ottoman provides good leg support, comfortable cushions on chair and ottoman, smooth gliding mechanism, fabrics are easy to clean

Cons: Construction quality is suspect, glider mechanism may develop a squeak

Buy the Naomi Home Brisbane Glider & Ottoman Set on Amazon for $119.99 to $169.99 (price varies based on color)

 



The best rocking chair for nursing babies

Why you'll love it: If you’re looking for a rocking chair specifically for nursing a baby — and you don’t mind spending a little extra — the Dutailier Nursing Grand Modern Glider Chair offers several desirable features.

The Dutailier Nursing Grand Modern Glider is an expensive rocking chair, but it provides a high quality of fabric, build quality, and cushioning.

It also includes built-in feeding pillows that make this rocking chair even more appealing to nursing mothers. The pillows tuck into the back cushion when not in use. You’ll just pull the pillows out of place when you need to position them. The Lady Qs review calls this built-in feeding pillow a tremendous feature that sets the Grand Modern Glider apart.

It includes a fully adjustable backrest with extra seating space that’s perfect for sitting comfortably with your baby. You also can lock the position of the glider, ensuring you remain in just the right position without movement while feeding your baby, according to the New Mom Stuff review. One Amazon reviewer said the locking mechanism failed on the glider, but it seems to be a rare occurrence.

Another Amazon buyer mentioned the high-quality construction of the Dutailier Nursing rocking chair as its best feature, saying the glider is worth the extra money you’ll spend for it.

Hayneedle's video review mentions the high back and strong cushioning throughout the Dutailier glider rocker, which provides tremendous comfort.

Pros: High construction quality, sharp looking glider, built-in nursing pillows set this rocking chair apart, very comfortable cushions, position of glider can be locked in during feeding

Cons: Higher than average cost, must purchase ottoman separately

Buy the Dutailier Nursing Grand Modern Glider Chair (Espresso/Camel) on Amazon for $425.68

Check out our guides to the best diaper bags, the best baby monitors, the best nursing pillows, and the best baby bouncers



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

10 of the most unconventional celebrity weddings

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The INSIDER Summary: 

  • Celebs are typically known for extravagant weddings, but a few go against the grain and opt for a more unique approach. 
  • Some famous couples like Jessica Alba and Cash Warren went with low-key courthouse ceremonies. 
  • Others planned more elaborate weddings, like Dianna Agron and Winston Marshall's Moroccan celebration that lasted for multiple days. 

Every couple has its quirks, including heinously lame inside jokes (to outsiders) that are actually rib-tickling gems (to the two insiders). To each his or her own, we say. Especially when it comes to making your coupling officially official. Some prefer huge, blowout celebrations, and others favor smaller, more intimate gatherings. Either way, just like every couple, every wedding is unique in its own right. Here, ten adorable celeb couples who opted for a more unconventional wedding celebration.

1. Jessica Alba and Cash Warren's Beverly Hills bash

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Alba wore a simple blue dress and a ponytail to her modest wedding, which included only herself, her soon-to-be hubby and the wonderful staff of the Beverly Hills courthouse.



2. Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady's race to the altar

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After two years of dating, Brady proposed to Bündchen on January 9, 2009. Less than two months later, the couple officially tied the knot on February 26, 2009, with a small celebration that included Brady's ex-wife Bridget Moynahan and their 18-month-old son, John.



3. Solange Knowles and the impeccable outfit change

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While Knowles wore a caped dress during her New Orleans wedding ceremony in 2014, she changed into a stunning plunging ivory jumpsuit for the reception. Have you ever seen a more elegant bike-riding bride? We didn’t think so.



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The worst reviewed Disney animated movies — and why the critics got it wrong

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The INSIDER Summary: 

  • Disney is loved by almost everyone — but that doesn't stop critics from being harsh on them.
  • Even favorites like "A Goofy Movie" and "Oliver & Company" have received less than glowing reviews.
  • "The Wild" is the worst reviewed of the bunch.


Disney Pixar’s "Cars 3" has been in cinemas for a month now, which is long enough for it to build a steady score on infamous review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes. It’s currently at a pretty average 68%, faring much better than "Cars 2" (see list entry #8), but not quite as good as the first in the franchise, which has a “Certified Fresh” rating of 74%.

Despite Disney being loved by almost everyone, its movies don’t always get a good score on Rotten Tomatoes. But can Rotten Tomatoes really be trusted to tell you how good a film is — or isn’t? Critics often fail to look at a children’s movie through the eyes of a child, and push their tastes onto a simple cartoon made to entertain youngsters. Especially when it comes to a studio so highly regarded as Disney, critics are known to pick fault with a movie just for the sake of it.

So, focusing on just Disney’s animated movies — and not including the Mouse House’s many ill-received direct-to-video sequels — here, ranked from least to most rotten, are the 15 Worst Animated Disney Movies According To Rotten Tomatoes (And Why They’re Wrong).

15. Home on the Range (2004) — 54%

"Home On The Range" tells the story of Maggie the dairy cow, and her adventurous effort to save her farm from foreclosure, and stop a notorious cattle rustler. The film features an all-star (albeit not quite A-List) cast including Roseanne Barr, Judi Dench, Jennifer Tilly, Cuba Gooding Jr., Randy Quaid, and Steve Buscemi.

Rotten Tomatoes’ Critics Consensus says: “Though "Home on the Range" is likeable and may keep young children diverted, it’s one of Disney’s more middling titles, with garish visuals and a dull plot.”

Since the early days of Disney, the studio has been releasing Westerns, and "Home On The Range" is a way to open up the genre to a modern, young audience. It might not be as memorable as some of the studio’s’ other releases, but with its slapstick humor and basic animation, it’s perfect for little ones — which, let’s be honest here, is Disney’s target audience. Critics forget that sometimes a movie needs to be just an innocent piece of kids’ entertainment, without an unnecessary underlying narrative, and "Home On The Range" is just that.



14. A Christmas Carol (2009) — 54%

A motion-captured, 3-D CGI movie, "A Christmas Carol" is very different from what we’re used to seeing from Disney. Starring Jim Carrey and Gary Oldman, the movie retells the traditional Christmas tale, using a lot of original Dickens’ dialogue and details.

Rotten Tomatoes’ Critics Consensus says: “Robert Zemeckis’ 3-D animated take on the Dickens classic tries hard, but its dazzling special effects distract from an array of fine performances from Jim Carrey and Gary Oldman.”

To see the film criticized for its stunning visuals is absurd, and complimenting the voice/motion-capture actors’ performances in such a backhanded way is equally ridiculous. The movie was at the forefront of a new technology and film style, and utilized its brilliant cast to tell a classic story, bringing Dickens’ work to a new generation of fans, while creeping them out with its child-friendly terror just enough to enforce the work’s original message.



13. A Goofy Movie (1995) — 53%

Mickey Mouse’s best buddy gets his own movie, following on from the "Goof Troop" TV series. "A Goofy Movie" follows Goof as he goes through the typical parent struggle of staying close to your offspring when they start to grow up, while remaining his usual accident-prone, awkward self.

Critics said about the movie: “Makes its title character the second banana to a protagonist and a scenario entirely unworthy of him, mired in instantly-dated sops to early-’90s pop culture” and “If they wanted to make a movie about Goofy, then they should have found a better script for him.”

"The Goofy Movie" is held with pretty high regard by Disney fans. Those “instantly-dated sops to early-’90s pop culture” are actually perfect little nuggets of nostalgia. Who doesn’t love nostalgia?

The best part of the movie though is how it’s grown up with anyone that held it close to their heart in their younger days. First you related with Max as an awkward teen, wanting space from your parents; but now you relate with Goof, either as a parent yourself, or just in the realization of how wrong you were to push your parents away before.



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Eero's new mesh WiFi system is very good, but it's not as easy to recommend this time

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Here it is, the second generation of one of my favorite devices.

The original Eero mesh WiFi system delivered fast and strong WiFi throughout my home, even in places that were considered WiFi dead-zones. The Eero devices also proved to be much easier to set up than the traditional WiFi extenders, and they delivered much faster speeds, too.

Recently, Eero came out with new devices that do everything the original models did, but better. The company claims the new routers have twice the power and range as the original systems, and there are new satellite devices, called Beacon, that are easier to install around your home.

Check out the second-generation Eero and Beacon to see how well they work:

SEE ALSO: This is the Bluetooth speaker I'd recommend to everyone I know

Eero's second-generation mesh routers are nearly identical to the first models, which means they still look better than most standard WiFi routers with less-inspired designs and antennas sticking out. Eero also says the new routers have twice the power and range as the original Eeros.



I tried the option for "most homes," as described by Eero itself, which includes a primary Eero router and two new smaller Eero Beacons that plug directly into your power outlets without a cord.

Eero says the "most homes" option should cover homes with two to four bedrooms, which is a little vague, as it doesn't tell you the square footage of its range, but it's still a decent indicator for what option is best for you.

The new Beacon satellite units are half the size of the regular Eero router, and they're 20-30% more powerful than the original Eero routers. Their direct plug-in design is great for places where you may not want a power cord, like a hallway, stairwell, or power outlets above a kitchen counter. That's a thoughtful design choice, as it gives you more options to place an Eero satellite unit.

I placed the main Eero router in the living room in the middle of my house, a Beacon around the laundry room where a guest is staying in the guest room, and another Beacon upstairs in the master bedroom.



As with the original, you set up the Eero using its app on your mobile device. Both the Eero units and your smartphone communicate with each other via Bluetooth.

Before doing anything, use your old WiFi connection to download the app. Then, follow the steps in the app to set up a new Eero WiFi network.



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A Florida-based entrepreneur is selling his enormous home — complete with 'Star Trek' room — for just shy of $30 million

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Marc Bell, a financier, producer, and former CEO of adult networking site FriendFinder Networks (best-known as the corporate parent of Penthouse), is once again selling his massive South Florida home. Even at a discounted $29.95 million, it's still the most expensive home listed in the city of Boca Raton, an affluent enclave north of Miami. 

The mansion was previously listed for $35 million in May 2014. According to Bell, the family had found a buyer for the house but decided at the last minute not to move.

"We had a rebellion [from our kids] who wanted to live out their high school days there," Bell told Business Insider. "We decided not to sell and take it off the market."

 Nestler Poletto Sotheby's International Realty has the new listing.

The eight-bedroom Mediterranean-style house is obviously beautiful from the outside, but don't let its stylish facade deceive you; inside, there's an extensive re-creation of the starship Enterprise, along with plenty of other "Star Trek" memorabilia. There's also a "Call of Duty" room, basketball court, and 2,000-square-foot ballroom turned arcade.

But if "Star Trek" isn't your thing, you might also enjoy the home's extensive entertaining areas and gated-community perks. It has a little something for everyone. 

SEE ALSO: This $150 million estate is now the most expensive home for sale in the Hamptons — take a look

Bell's home is a jaw-dropping 27,000 square feet on 1.6 acres.



The house is situated inside a Boca Raton country club and has some impressive amenities to go along with that, like tennis courts, a golf course, and a shopping center. "Imagine living in a resort," Bell said. "Everything is there."



The front door has beautiful Mediterranean details, and palm trees shade the entryway. But don't let the classic exterior fool you.



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6 new photos from the next episode of 'Game of Thrones' provide hints of what's to come

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Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Game of Thrones," including speculation of future events. 

HBO just released new images from the upcoming "Game of Thrones" season seven episode, "Stormborn." Fans have high hopes for an epic reunion between Arya Stark and her direwolf, but what else can we expect?

The official (and maddeningly vague) synopsis for the episode reads: "Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) receives an unexpected visitor. Jon (Kit Harington) faces a revolt. Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) plans the conquest of Westeros."

Let's take a closer look at the new photos to see if we can glean some clues about what's in store.

SEE ALSO: 'Game of Thrones' director reveals the risqué exchange that didn't make it into the premiere

First, looks like Arya Stark is on the move again. What did she do with the Lannister soldiers, though? Will she leave them in peace?



Meanwhile Daenerys is holding a counsel session with Ellaria Sand and Yara Greyjoy present. Who will her unexpected visitor be?



In the north, Jon Snow and Littlefinger will face off in the crypts of Winterfell. This is cause for serious speculation, given scenes from the trailers.

We believe Jon could learn about his true parentage in the crypts, and Littlefinger could be the one to tell him. Either way, Jon will shove Littlefinger up against a wall in the crypts for some reason. We can't wait to see this showdown.



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The royal family is on a whirlwind tour of Europe — here are the best pictures from their trip so far

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The INSIDER Summary:

  • The British royal family is out and about in Europe.
  • The "charm tour" aims to strengthen Britain's relationship with the European Union before Brexit.
  • Prince William and Kate are meeting with leaders, touring historic sites, and greeting enthusiastic crowds.


The British royal family is out and about on a European "charm tour" through Poland and Germany.

As Brexit looms, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's visit aims to strengthen Britain's relationship with the European Union. Prince William and Kate Middleton are meeting with world leaders, touring of historic sites, and taking plenty of selfies with their fans along the way. Prince George and Princess Charlotte make a few appearances too.

Here's what the royal family has been up to on their latest trip.

The royal family arrived in Warsaw, Poland, on July 17.



Prince George and Princess Charlotte seemed to enjoy the ride.



They were greeted by Polish President Andrzej Duda and his wife Agata Kornhauser-Duda at the Presidential Palace.



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The 9 worst-run cities in the US

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From managing public transit to deciding whether to raise taxes, running a city is a huge responsibility.

As more Americans move to metropolitan areas, cities are getting larger. (In 26 metropolitan areas, populations grew by more than 10% from 2010 to 2016.) The job of the city official is to balance the needs of these growing populations against their operating budget.

Some cities are doing a better job at this than others, according to a 2017 report by WalletHub. The personal finance site looked at the 150 largest US cities across six key categories: financial stability, education, health, safety, economy, and infrastructure. It then measured those dimensions using 33 metrics, like economic mobility and average commute time, and assigned each city a "Quality of Services" score.

Finally, WalletHub divided these scores by the cities' total budget per capita to compile the ranking. The goal was to see how well each city spends its public funds, measured against residents' quality of life.

The cities that received the lowest scores are below (with the "worst-run city" displayed at #1).

SEE ALSO: Loads of Americans are moving to these 10 cities

9. Chattanooga, Tennessee

Quality of Services rank: 94

Total budget per capita rank: 146

(A higher rank means the city has more money to spend per resident but lower quality public services, compared to the other cities in the study.)



8. Flint, Michigan

Quality of Services rank: 145

Total budget per capita rank: 129



7. Oakland, California

Quality of Services rank: 79

Total budget per capita rank: 147



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In-N-Out and Whataburger could soon become intense rivals — and it's clear who makes a better burger

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Whataburger, In-N-Out

Whataburger is to Texas what In-N-Out is to California. Both companies are still family-owned, regional chains — an anomaly in a market that's dominated by national multimillion-dollar fast-food companies.

In-N-Outs are scattered throughout the Southwest, and the brand is expanding its Texas presence with plans to open another location in Houston. Whataburger, on the other hand, has locations throughout the South, from New Mexico to Florida. They meet in the middle, in Dallas, Texas, where I ate both side by side in a taste test last fall.

While Texans swear by Whataburger's more traditionally Southern menu items — Texas toast, patty melts, biscuits — Californians rave about In-N-Out's fresh ingredients and "animal-style" burgers. I ordered a burger, large fries, and a chocolate milkshake.

SEE ALSO: Chipotle shut down a restaurant after customers said they became violently ill — here's where you should eat instead

My first stop was Whataburger. The building is outlined in a classic orange trimming, making it hard to miss when you're cruising down a Texas highway at 80 mph.



Part of Whataburger's Southern charm is displayed right on their windows. There's an American flag and posters repping the neighborhood sports teams.



They take pride in their history — found in most Whataburger restaurants is a framed portrait of the chain's founder, Harmon Dobson, and the original location, which opened in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1950 (right).



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A wedding planner reveals 9 dress code rules guests should follow

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Deciding what to wear to a wedding can be tough, especially if there's a vague dress code.

To decode the wedding guest dress code — and prevent any wardrobe malfunctions — INSIDER spoke with wedding planner Amy Shey Jacobs of Chandelier Events. Jacobs revealed what a dress code really means, when it's appropriate to swap your heels for dancing shoes, and the things guests should definitely not wear to a wedding.

Make sure you follow her nine tips for proper wedding attire etiquette below.

Let the location of a wedding inform your outfit.

If you're unsure of how to dress for a wedding, Jacobs suggests taking dressing for the location.

"Is it a seaside affair? A barn? Or a historic ballroom? Generally, the location of the wedding will give you a cue for attire," she told INSIDER. "You wouldn't wear a beachy maxi dress to The Plaza Hotel, but you wouldn't necessarily wear a satin ballgown on the beach."

For a farm wedding, Jacobs said to "skip the denim and diamonds and opt for your hippest look." The wedding planner recommends that women wear a maxi dress or a short patterned dress with wedges, and said that men should wear a jacket or gray suit with a checked shirt.



Avoid being too casual.

It is never acceptable to wear denim, rubber flip-flops, sweatpants, or shorts to a wedding, Jacobs said.

"If it's something you'd question when you're in the dressing room, it's best to put it back on the rack," she said.

Even if the wedding has a "dressy casual" dress code, the wedding planner said there are still some restrictions.

"Unless its requested, we’d say it’s still appropriate to leave the jeans at home," Jacobs said.

For a "dressy casual" wedding, she suggests that women wear a romper or fitted jumpsuit with sandals, while men should opt for a linen blazer, a crisp white or checked dress shirt, slacks, and loafers.



Whatever you do, don't wear white.

Jacobs said that guests should not wear white to a wedding unless they're specifically asked to.

However, if you're attending a snowball affair — a wedding where everyone wears elaborate white outfits — there's an entirely different set of rules.

"This is the ultimate white party invite," Jacobs said, adding that you can go "super glam and super formal" for the occasion.



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After just 24 hours, players have very strong feelings about 'Destiny 2' already

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Fans of the blockbuster video game series "Destiny" tend to have strong opinions. They've earned that right, having stuck by the first game through its often messy life span. Many players have sunk hundreds if not thousands of hours into the first game.

And thus, with the preliminary launch of the beta for "Destiny 2" this week, the series' most dedicated fans are sharing their opinions on the game's official Reddit page.

Destiny 2

Many of those opinions are positive!

Reddit

But some of the most upvoted threads are ... less so.

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Here's what players are saying about "Destiny 2" after the first 24 hours.

SEE ALSO: Bungie director Luke Smith on 'Destiny 2': Our goal is to 'unhide the fun'

A lot of folks are unhappy about ability "cool-down" times — how long it takes before you can use certain special moves after having used them once.

"Destiny 2," like the first game, is a first-person shooter. There's a main campaign you can play with a narrative focus. But the meat and potatoes of "Destiny" (and "Destiny 2") is playing with friends online. Beyond just being fun to play with friends, there's a gameplay reason for this: Different people play as different character "classes." 

There are three in "Destiny 2":

—Hunter, which is an offense-focused character class (able to move swiftly, with a focus on attacking and escaping).

—Titan, which is a defense-focused character class (able to take more damage and deal more damage, and create shields).

—And Warlock, which is a mix of the two with some magical healing elements thrown in for good measure (a nice medium, but potentially more technical).

Beyond designating a look, each class has its own abilities. The Warlock, for example, can heal his buddies. But these abilities can be used only on a limited basis — you use one, and it takes a period of time (the "cooldown") before it can be used again. And people who are already playing the game's beta are really unhappy with how long these cooldowns take. Several unique threads on the "Destiny" subreddit are dedicated to that unhappiness.



One of the playable classes, the Hunter, is being called comparatively useless when it comes to those abilities we were talking about.

Of the three classes, the Hunter seemingly has been shafted when it comes to special abilities. As one popular Reddit thread put it: "The Hunter dodge ability pales far in comparison to the Warlock and Titan [abilities]."

It's easy to understand why players might feel this way. While Warlock-class players can heal fellow players and throw combustible grenades, and Titan class players can put up a defensive wall used by everyone, the Hunter is given a dodge as one of its special abilities — not exactly exciting.

"I'm sorry, but it is extremely poor design and is not comparable at all. Dodge should be incorporated like a jump, not this," the thread writer says. 



One Redditor who claims to have played the first game for "over 1,400 hours" (just shy of 60 Earth days) describes being super disappointed and goes into extreme detail about why.

If you're pretty serious about the first "Destiny" and are wondering whether "Destiny 2" will live up to your expectations, this detailed (and highly upvoted) thread is for you. Here's just some of what it says, care of Reddit user "Tresceneti":

—"The game feels uncomfortable to play, it lost what made its gunplay/gameplay exciting and fun to play."

—"Jumping. I understand they're trying to slow the game down now, but what they've done is expand the size of the world while severely slowing down our guardians. I loved being able to glide around and move across the battlefield as a very mobile shooter in the first game. It's one of the big appeals 'Destiny' has for me, and it's gone."

—"Weapons. Guns feel extremely weak. Submachine guns and Pulse Rifles were the only weapons I saw doing any sort of acceptable damage. Handcannons were alright to use, but you were taking a hit to damage. Pulse rifles and submachines seem more on par with the rate of damage to enemies in the first game. It just feels like a chore to kill enemies most of the time."

—"I still very much enjoy 'Destiny' and am not meaning to ruffle feathers or ruin other guardians' fun. I've been gradually having more fun as I've played more of the beta, easing up on some of these things. But they're all still glaring issues to me and I'm genuinely not having fun. I'm feeling frustrated and wanted to rant it out."



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15 signs you're underpaid

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Feeling underpaid can be one of the most disheartening aspects of work.

"It stands to reason, because for many, compensation is a concrete litmus test of how well you're performing and progressing on the job — and how highly you're valued," says Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job."

According to the 2016 Global Workforce Study, which surveyed more than 31,000 employees around the world, almost half of US employees believe they are being paid unfairly compared to workers who hold similar jobs either at their own or other companies.

And a 2016 PayScale report is even bleaker. About two-thirds of surveyed workers said they felt they weren't paid what they're worth. What's more, feeling underpaid was one of the top reasons employees said they quit their jobs.

Interestingly, people are often wrong about whether they're paid fairly or not. As PayScale found, two-thirds of people who are paid their market value feel they're underpaid, and even 35% of people who are paid above their market value think the same.

"The topic of employees' salaries is well guarded by most companies, so it's not always easy to figure out how your pay compares to your colleagues'," says Taylor. "If you're willing to invest the time and research or look for the signs, however, you'll be better informed as to whether you should ask for a raise or walk."

Here are 15 signs you're paid less than you should be:

SEE ALSO: 22 signs it's time to quit your job

DON'T MISS: 5 major mistakes that can derail your salary negotiations

A similar job listing on your company website offers higher pay

"If there are multiple positions like yours at the company, the job description closely resembles yours, and the salary is higher, that's one of the most obvious signs," says Taylor.

Stay on top of this by searching your own company's job postings every now and then to monitor what new employees are being paid, "and to see if that feels reasonable given your current level of experience and role in the company," adds Michael Kerr, an international business speaker and author of "The Humor Advantage."



Your firm's revenue has taken off, but your salary has barely budged

If your company is private, it's harder to measure revenue growth vs. a public company.

"But you're likely having discussions about corporate growth with managers in your normal course of business," Taylor says. "This is an opportunity to dig deeper. If you're armed with the fact that the firm has seen 20% growth in one year, but your salary is under par, you'll strengthen your argument for a raise."



The salary for your first job was below market, and it hasn't changed much since

Think back to the salary you accepted for your first job — maybe you accepted a salary you knew was low because you were desperate.

Now think about your progression from there. If your income hasn't changed much, you're probably underpaid.

"It can be difficult to play catch-up if you started low," Taylor says.



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We toured the best bakeries that Paris has to offer

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The INSIDER Summary: 

  • Paris is home to some of the best bakeries and chocolate shops in the world.
  • Some of the best include the macarons at Acide Macarons and the chocolates at La Cacaotier.
  • The Square des Missions Etrangers is a great place to have a dessert filled picnic.


If a stroll by some of Paris’s finest pâtisseries and chocolate shops, followed by a "Madeline"-esque, sweets-only picnic with the Eiffel Tower in the background, sounds like your idea of an afternoon well spent, then head straight to the elegant Rue Du Bac.

The Plan: We’re going on a cake walk, straight through the glamorous heart of the old school 7th arrondissement, steeped in Belle Epoch spirit, stuffed with gorgeous museums set in formal gardens (coucou, Musee Rodin). On the way, we’ll be collecting a grand assortment of the finest pastries, cakes, and chocolates that the City of Light has to offer. Then, we’re going to sit on a specific park bench and enjoy them.

Getting There: The nearest metro stop is Musee D'Orsay, from where you walk for 5 minutes along the river to the start of Rue Du Bac. (The Ru Du Bac subway is halfway along the street; if you start there, you'll miss a chunk of the walk. Don't do that.) Ru Du Bac is across the Seine from a handful of major tourist destinations (The Louvre, Musee de L'Orangerie, the Tuileries Garden). Cross the river, walk happily along the bookstall–lined Left Bank, and know that you've done a tourist-y thing, duty accomplished. There's a whole lot of very special chocolate in your future.

The Prep: Wear walkable shoes. Come hungry; pace yourself. Bring a bottle of water. Let’s do this!

Acide Macaron

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First stop, macarons. And not just any macarons. As the name suggests, Jonathan Blot’s temple to the quintessential cookie is vibrant and Technicolor. Though you’ll find all the traditional flavors on offer, don’t miss the less expected delights, such as sweet-sour yuzu, or tropical coconut and poppy flower. Pick up a selection in the kind of slim, white, lidded box you’ll want to save (and keep on your desk, filled with paperclips). 10 Rue du Bac; acidemacaron.com.



Le Cacaotier

Though the entrance to La Cacaotier is technically on Rue De Verneille, you’ll absolutely see it from Rue Du Bac. Hubert Masse is a multi-award-winning chocolatier who rocketed to fame after winning the Grand Prix de Chocolate in 2008. No surprise, this is serious chocolate, focusing for the most part on traditional ganaches and pralines. Try the Burgundy, a praline filled with nougat and Piedmont hazelnuts, and prepare to be amazed at how simple ingredients can be transformed through precise attention. 44 Rue de Verneuile; lecacaotier.com.



Jacques Genin

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There’s lots to love about Jacques Genin, named for its creator, the self-taught cookbook writer, and acknowledged specialist in caramel and chocolate. The counter is a glamorous mosaic of chocolate tones, from reddish cocoa powder to terracotta cinnamon, sparkling sea salt, flecks of gold leaf, swirls of cream and ebony.

Chocolate aside, though, you’ll find Parisians standing in line for the pâte de fruits. These are cubes of semi-translucent jelly that look like something you’d never choose to eat, right until you eat them and can’t believe how much more like raspberry, mango and blackberry they taste than the actual fruits do. And not only fruit; adventurous eaters should check out the cucumber, pepper, and turnip varieties. 27 Rue de Varenne; jacquesgenin.fr.



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11 'healthy' eating habits famous people swear by that are actually terrible for you

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The INSIDER Summary:

  • As a Hollywood star, you're practically required to follow weird diet trends that are based in pseudoscience. 
  • We spoke with a nutritionist to shed some light on the truth behind various celebs' "healthy" eating habits.
  • The Jenner and Kardashians are obsessed with "skinny teas," but they are actually little more than liquid laxatives. 


Weird and dubious celebrity diets are practically as old as Hollywood itself, but next time your favorite Kardashian or Instagram fitness model touts the latest detox or cleansing diet trend, remember that they also have a team of nutritionists and Photoshop at their disposal. 

We spoke with professional nutritionists Dr. Caroline Apovian, the director of the Nutrition and Weight Management Center at the Boston Medical Center, and Brittany Markides, dietitian and founder of the Choose Food nutrition counseling service, to dissect and debunk the science behind some of the most popular celebrity diets out there.

From detox skinny teas to the "Master Cleanse" lemonade diet, promoted by Beyoncé herself, see which health trends are bogus. 

Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen won't eat potatoes and tomatoes

Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen exclude meat, alcohol, coffee, and nightshade vegetables from their diet, but Dr. Apovian says the latter choice is a mistake.

"Nightshade vegetables are nutrient-rich options, and many of them, such as tomatoes and bell peppers, provide essential antioxidants to the body," she told INSIDER. "The majority of my patients eat nightshades [...] this is a healthy group of vegetables that should be included in the diet."



Kylie Jenner and the rest of the Kardashians swear by skinny tea detoxes

If it sounds too good to be true, that's because it is. Drinking a simple detox tea multiple times a day sounds like an easy way to lose weight, but these liquid laxative diets are not sustainable.

"Detoxification of the body is a natural process carried out by the kidneys," Dr. Apovian said.  Nothing we eat or drink assists with this process. The one exception would be consuming organic vegetables, as the less pesticide material we ingest, the less we have to detox. Other than that, no tea or liquid detoxifies the body."



Gwyneth Paltrow touts her juice cleanses on GOOP.

Similarly to tea detoxes, juice cleanses do not clean out your system of "toxins," and can actually be dangerous.

"If you are on a detox or cleanse, you consume very few calories every day," Markides told INSIDER. "Much of the weight lost during the cleanse is due to fluid losses. [...] When normal fluid/energy intake is resumed, the water weight is quickly regained. Detox protocols can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and impaired bowel function." 

 



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18 celebrity kids who look just like their famous parents

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Reese Witherspoon and Ava Philippe

Kids often take after their parents, but sometimes they can be eerily similar.

For some of these celebrity kids, the resemblance between them and their parents is astounding. Reese Witherspoon's daughter Ava Phillipe could be mistaken for her sister. And you can't deny the resemblance between Zoë Kravitz and her mom Lisa Bonet. It's safe to say good looks run in these celebrity families. 

See how closely these 18 kids resemble their parents: 

Ava Elizabeth Phillippe looks exactly like her mother Reese Witherspoon.



Little baby Luna takes after her dad, John Legend.



Kaia Gerber could be mistaken for a twin of her mother, who just so happens to be Cindy Crawford.



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