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6 brutally negative reviews critics gave 'Game of Thrones' when it first came out

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game of thrones

"Game of Thrones" is a juggernaut that seems to have conquered every corner of the internet and pop culture.

While the show's season seven finale set a series record with 16.5 million viewers"Game of Thrones" has always done well in ratings. But that doesn't mean all critics were sold when the show first came out. In fact, there were a few high-profile outlets that panned the show's first season, including The New York Times.

The criticisms ranged from totally valid concerns about pacing, to some pretty low blows like comparing it to the Broadway musical "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark." Ouch!

Here are the best bad reviews that "Game of Thrones" season one got, which we found via Rotten Tomatoes:

SEE ALSO: 7 things you can expect from the 8th and final season of 'Game of Thrones'

"'Game of Thrones' serves up a lot of confusion in the name of no larger or really relevant idea..."

"'Game of Thrones' is boy fiction patronizingly turned out to reach the population’s other half ... [It] serves up a lot of confusion in the name of no larger or really relevant idea beyond sketchily fleshed-out notions that war is ugly, families are insidious and power is hot. If you are not averse to the Dungeons & Dragons aesthetic, the series might be worth the effort. If you are nearly anyone else, you will hunger for HBO to get back to the business of languages for which we already have a dictionary."

-The New York Times



"It is to television what the Spider-Man musical is to Broadway."

"'Game of Thrones,' one of the supposed biggies this spring, is a big letdown. Why is it so convoluted and punishing? It is to television what the Spider-Man musical is to Broadway."

-Orlando Sentinel



"There are unscalable slabs of expositionistic dialogue clogging the forward movement of the story."

"[It's] quasi-medieval, dragon-ridden fantasy crap ... There are unscalable slabs of expositionistic dialogue clogging the forward movement of the story. Sonorous and/or schmaltzy talk substitutes for the revelation of character through action. There is the sense of intricacy having been confused with intrigue and of a story transferred all too faithfully from its source and thus not transformed to meet the demands of the screen."

-Slate



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I tried Nissan's challenger to Tesla Autopilot — and it was a dream to use in traffic

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2017 nissan LEAF

Nissan is giving its Leaf a big upgrade in 2018 as the Chevy Bolt and Tesla Model 3 pose greater competition in the electric-vehicle market.

Aside from an expected longer range, the Leaf will be the first vehicle to feature Nissan's ProPilot Assist. As a level 2 self-driving system, it won't let you kick back and relax with your hands off the wheel. But it can take over on a highway, even handling incessant braking in stop-and-go traffic.

I recently got a sneak preview of the system on a Nissan Rogue prototype in New York City. Here's what it was like to use:

SEE ALSO: The turbocharged Camaro isn't a muscle car — but it's the perfect beginner's sports car

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ProPilot Assist is a driver-assistance tool that's meant to take the stress out of highway driving. It's essentially an advanced cruise control: it keeps the car in its lane even when approaching curves and traffic slowdowns.



ProPilot Assist is powered by a front-forward radar, camera, and sensors. The system relies on clear lane markings to keep the car center on a highway.

The system isn't without its flaws; it has trouble detecting the contrast between the lane markings and the road in heavy bouts of rain. For that reason, the system will not work if the windshield wipers are on their fastest setting.

ProPilot Assist's limitations make it strictly a driver-assistance tool. Still, the system is one step toward getting self-driving technology in consumer vehicles, said Andy Christensen, senior manager at Nissan's Technical Center in North America. The Japanese automaker has said cars won't be fully autonomous until 2022 the earliest.



ProPilot Assist is a very easy system to use: simply tap the blue button on the steering wheel and set the desired speed by tapping the "+" or "-" signs.

ProPilot Assist will automatically turn off whenever you hit the brake, but you can start it up by pressing the "res" button.



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13 annoying words and phrases that'll kill your chances of getting hired

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GettyImages 620595656Usually, you can tell when you've absolutely bombed an interview.

If, during the course of your conversation, you reveal that you're totally unqualified, let slip a particularly unprofessional anecdote, or manage to offend the recruiter or hiring manager, it's typically not a surprise when you don't get a callback.

But plenty of times, you'll leave an interview feeling great only to hear that they won't be moving forward with you, or worse: You won't hear anything at all. In situations like those, you might wonder: What did I do wrong?

It just might be the case that the actual words you're using in your interview might be rubbing employers the wrong way. Take a look at the following words and phrases that drive recruiters crazy, and make sure to eliminate them from your vocab!

SEE ALSO: 9 things the best employees do that get them promoted

1. "I really want this job."

It's a fact that recruiters want to see passion and enthusiasm from their candidates — but there's a right way and a wrong way to show it. You might intend for this phrase to demonstrate your eagerness, but in reality, it "comes off as slightly desperate, and desperation doesn't look good in any context," says Zachary Painter, Career Adviser and Hiring Manager at ResumeGenius.com. "You want to appear confident and competent — not as a hopeless applicant seeking a means to an end."

Instead, try saying, "I'm very excited that you requested an interview with me, and I look forward to discussing the details of the position," Painter recommends.



2. "Does this position include benefits?"

Don't get us wrong — it's definitely worth finding out the answer to this question, but there's a time and a place for everything. "The mistake interviewees make is asking this question too soon," says April Klimkiewicz, career coach and owner of bliss evolution. "This is an important question, [but] one you should ask once the employer has extended an offer."

Why? "Unfortunately, this can make you look like you're pursuing this position for all the wrong reasons," Klimkiewicz says. "Instead, be sure to ask questions that get at how you could ultimately help the company reach their goals. 'How do you see this position moving the organization toward the mission we've discussed,' is a good alternative."



3. "Um…"

Who among us hasn't had a moment when their mind goes completely blank in the middle of an interview? It happens to even the most seasoned veterans, but there are better ways to handle it than just saying "Um…" followed by an awkward pause. The key is to sound thoughtful rather than empty-headed.

"Trying to fill up the silence with words like 'um' can make it look like you're grasping to think of what to say. If you need more than just a few seconds, say, 'That's a great question. Let me take a moment to think about it.' This way, you'll come across as calm and collected rather than nervous," Klimkiewicz suggests.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

13 of the craziest photos from China's World Robot Conference

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chinese robot conference

Each year, the bleeding-edge developments in robotics and engineering are put on display at the World Robot Conference held in Beijing, China.

It's a chance for companies and students to reveal the products and software that could redefine what it means to be human — including artificial limbs, humanoid robots, and animatronic dogs.

Consider the conference a window into the artificially-intelligent future.

SEE ALSO: Robot caregivers for the elderly could be just 10 years away

One of the most iconic (and surreal) ways to use AI is in humanoid robots, which require assistants to apply their makeup just like any other star.



Drone manufacturers demoed models that communicated with skull caps so people could control the flying machines with brain signals alone.



Other drone makers showed off underwater models that can capture footage while people swim and Scuba-dive.



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Stunning photos of Hong Kong high-rises from below reveal the hidden beauty of skyscrapers

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Peter_Stewart_Stacked_Hong_Kong_Squared

There are roughly 1,500 skyscrapers dotting the Hong Kong skyline, but few have been seen quite like this.

In 2013, Australian-born photographer Peter Stewart set out to capture the city's residential high-rises from the ground looking up. His signature point-of-view shows the beauty and interesting geometric patterns of buildings that wouldn't otherwise receive a second glance.

Stewart shared some of his images with us. You can check out more on his website.

SEE ALSO: A photographer captured these dismal photos of life in North Korea on his phone

Photographer Peter Stewart fell in love with Hong Kong almost as soon as he arrived.



"There is so much to see here that keeps me active as a photographer," Stewart told Business Insider in 2015, "and continually inspires me for new ideas and projects."



His series "Stacked" captures Hong Kong's high-rises like you've never seen them before.



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The 'Apple of China' just released an affordable iPhone 7 clone — take a look

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Xiaomi Mi A1_03

On Tuesday, the Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi unveiled its newest smartphone: the Mi A1.

Billed as the company's flagship dual-camera phone, the Mi A1 costs about $235 and is powered by Android One, a stock version of Google's smartphone operating system built for lower-end phones. While the phone won't be available in the US, it will be in more than 40 countries worldwide.

The design of Mi A1 may look a bit familiar — as if you took the iPhone 7 Plus, with its dual cameras, metal finishes, and hidden-antenna design but replaced the Apple logo on the back with a fingerprint sensor. Xiaomi even described the phone as "similar to iPhone 7 Plus."

The similarities are even more obvious up close:

SEE ALSO: The 'Apple of China' is revealing its new smartphone one day before the iPhone 8 launches

Xiaomi's Mi A1 comes in three colors: black, gold, and rose gold. The iPhone 7 comes in these same colors plus two more: silver and jet black.



The Mi A1 has a 5.5-inch display — the same size as the iPhone 7 Plus' — and an entirely metal body, also like the iPhone 7.



Also like the iPhone 7 Plus, the Mi A1 features a dual-lens camera system comprising a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens and a 12-megapixel telephoto lens.



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18 movies coming out soon that are major Oscar contenders

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the shape of water fox searchlight

The Toronto International Film Festival starts on Thursday, which means it’s time for awards season to begin.

That’s right, with all of Hollywood heading to our neighbors in the north, it’s already time to start building the hype for those movies that we’ll be rooting for (or will be tired of hearing about) come Oscar night.

Some of those TIFF titles getting a lot of talk already include the Sundance hit “Call Me By Your Name,” Emma Stone as tennis legend Billy Jean King in “Battle of the Sexes,” and Guillermo del Toro’s latest unique fantasy, “The Shape of Water.”

Here are 18 movies playing at TIFF this year that will be contenders come Oscar time (and coming to a theater near you soon):

SEE ALSO: 34 movies you have to see this fall — including "Justice League,""It," and "Blade Runner 2049"

‘Battle of the Sexes’ (Release date: September 22)

Coming off a best actress win for “La La Land” at the most recent Oscars ceremony earlier this year, Emma Stone is looking to return to the big night for a second straight year with her portrayal of Billy Jean King. Stone plays the tennis legend in this look back at King’s historic match against male tennis pro Bobby Riggs (played by Steve Carell, who might get some Oscar buzz, too).



‘Breathe’ (Release date: October 13)

For the directorial debut of Andy Serkis (Caesar in “The Planet of the Apes” movies), he takes on the inspiring love story of Robin (played by Andrew Garfield) and Diana Cavendish (Claire Foy from Netflix's "The Crown"). At 28, Robin was diagnosed with polio and given only three months to live. However, he would go on to live into his 60s and become an advocate for the disabled. Garfield has had a knack, of late, for choosing movies that get award attention, and we’ll see if that continues with this one.



‘Call Me By Your Name’ (Release date: November 24)

An Oscar contender since having its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, this drama starring Armie Hammer as an American student who falls for the son of the teacher he’s staying with abroad in Italy, comes into TIFF with a lot of hype. That hype is likely to only build.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The best bookshelves and bookcases you can buy on Amazon for less than $200

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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.

bookcase 4x3

The Insider Pick:

  • Bookshelves come in all shapes and styles, but it can be hard to discern which ones can be trusted to hold your treasured book collection, and which ones will eventually end up in a heap. The IKEA Billy bookshelf is a classic favorite that won’t let you down. It’s affordable without sacrificing quality, and you can get it in many sizes.

In an age of iPads and Kindles, some might consider having a large collection of books — or any books — an unnecessary source of clutter. However, if you’re a true bibliophile, reading the previous sentence likely pained you a great deal (I know writing it did) and you can’t imagine a universe in which you don’t have at least some sort of book collection lingering around your home. After all, as convenient as ebooks can be, there’s still nothing like being able to hold a book in your hands and having the satisfaction of physically turning the pages.

That said, books do take up a lot of space if they aren’t stored properly. Enter the mighty bookshelf. From its early form of holding scrolls in Ancient Egypt, to the modern configuration that evolved in response to the invention of the printing press, the bookshelf is still a necessity for book lovers. As with most pieces of furniture, bookshelves come in many different styles, but there are a few main things to consider when you’re hunting for the perfect bookshelf to house your collection.

  • Style: From the standard design with horizontal shelving and a closed-back frame to whimsical shapes and themes, your bookshelf can be as simple or as personalized as you want it to be. If you just want a solid bookshelf that will blend in nicely with your home, you may want to go with a more standard design. 
  • Size: Take a look at your book collection. How much space do you actually need? If you don’t have many books, a three-shelf unit may do the trick. If your collection is on the larger side, or you plan on expanding your library, a 5-shelf unit with modular capabilities may be the way to go. When it comes to size, you’ll want to know a few other measurements as well, including the height, width, and shelving depth so you can rest assured that your bookshelf will fit where you intend to put it and that the shelves will be large enough to hold your books. You’ll also want to pay attention to the space between the shelves, and whether they can be adjusted.
  • Material: The type of books or decorations you’re planning on storing on your shelves can help you determine what type of material you want. The most common types of materials are wood, particle board, and metal. Solid wood is a good bet if you plan on storing heavier hard cover books, as is metal since the shelves made from these materials won’t be as likely to bend over time. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, particleboard is the way to go. It will give you the look of solid wood without the higher price tag. Beware, though, if you have a lot of heavy books, this material isn’t quite as sturdy as solid wood or metal.

Before you get too overwhelmed, not to worry — we’ve done the research for you to come up with five different options to help you find the perfect home for your literary treasures. They say you should never judge a book by its cover, so we took a deeper dive into the reviews to figure out which bookshelves not only looked nice, but also stood up to their claims of durability and functionality. The traits of quality, affordability, and style were all taken into consideration on our hunt for the best bookshelves.

Although the IKEA Billy bookshelf is our top pick, for various reasons laid out in the slides below, you should also consider the South Shore Axess bookcase collection, the IKEA Lack wall shelf unit, the Ameriwood Home Lawrence 4-Shelf Ladder bookcase bundle, and the Babyletto Spruce Tree bookcase.

SEE ALSO: The best e-readers you can buy

The best bookshelf overall

Why you'll love it: The IKEA Billy bookcase is affordable, well-made, and versatile, making it an ideal home for your book collection.

IKEA is known for making quality furniture at an affordable price, and the Billy Bookcase is no exception. Originally launched in 1979, its understated design and four different color options make it a versatile piece of furniture that can go with many décor styles.

It’s also an ideal foundation for your library of books, especially if you plan on expanding your collection. You can build upon this unit as your collection grows with other Billy Shelving options. Apartment Therapy calls the Billy the “world’s most versatile bookcase.” It can give you the look of a full library without the high cost of other solutions like built-in bookshelves — so both your books and your wallet can rejoice.

If you’re wondering how much the assembly of this bookshelf will cost you in the form of headaches and cursing, the answer is not much. Most reviewers found the Billy easy to assemble, and appreciated its high-quality look and feel as well as its perfect size. At nearly 80 inches tall and 31.5 inches wide, even one unit alone has the capacity to hold a lot of stuff, whether you’re just displaying books, or a mix of books and knick-knacks. With adjustable shelves at a shelf depth of 11 inches, you’ll be able to store most types of books and collectibles.

Insider Picks' guides editor Malarie Gokey owns a red Billy bookcase and loves it. It's stood up for two years already and houses a number of books, tea paraphernalia, and other collectibles. It was easy to put together in less than one hour.

This reviewer did have a little trouble with some of her largest books hanging slightly over the edge, and didn’t care for the fixed middle shelf. Personally, I typically use the fixed and bottom shelf of my bookcases for my heavier items and have never had an issue with this set-up. You will want to be conscious of how many large, heavier hard cover books you have if you are considering this bookshelf as it’s wooden particleboard construction won’t be quite as sturdy as solid wood.

According to IKEA, it’s estimated that one Billy bookshelf is sold somewhere in the world every five seconds. While this may be more marketing hook than factual statistic, the Billy is a bookshelf that appears repeatedly in reviews, and is a clear favorite that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Pros: Versatile style, easy assembly, easily expanded upon, good quality for the price

Cons: Fixed middle shelves, bookshelf depth won’t fit some oversized books, wood particleboard construction

Buy the Ikea Billy Bookcase on Amazon from $175.98 to $192.78



The best budget friendly bookcase

Why you'll love it: The South Shore Axess bookcase proves that durability, style, and easy assembly can be had for less than $100.

The Axess bookcase collection comes in at an even more affordable price than the IKEA Billy. Book Riot even goes so far as to say it almost beats out the Billy, and buyers agree. 

The Axess can be had in 3, 4, or 5 shelf variations, and it comes in multiple colors. No matter your style of décor or the size of your book collection, Axess gives you options. Most of the variations come with at least two adjustable shelves, so you can make the room needed for taller books or decorations.

With affordability come some caveats. Since these are budget friendly bookshelves, they aren’t made of more expensive materials like solid wood or metal. However, the non-toxic laminated particleboard that makes up these bookshelves is made to look like real wood. It's also quite sturdy, and the adjustable shelves can hold up to 15 pounds, while the fixed shelves can hold as much as 24 pounds. You just have to put your heaviest items on the fixed or bottom shelf.

Most reviewers were pleased with the Axess shelf, finding it easy to assemble, sturdy, and visually pleasing. Some didn’t like that it was made entirely of particleboard and worried that the material would affect its stability. However, most buyers haven't had any issues with it and accept the compromise. Some buyers recommend securing it to the wall with the metal L-bracket provided for added security. 

If you’re searching for a bookshelf that will look good while you save for the built-in bookshelves of your dreams, the Axess shelves are a good option. Just because you may not be ready to purchase a more expensive bookshelf shouldn’t mean your treasured books must wait to be displayed.

Pros: Easy to assemble, durable for the price, adjustable shelves, multiple color and style options

Cons: Some reviewers felt the particleboard made it less sturdy

Buy the Southshore Axess 3-shelf Bookcase on Amazon for $60.50

Buy the Southshore Axess 4-shelf Bookcase on Amazon for $70.50

Buy the Southshore Axess 5-shelf Bookcase on Amazon for $80.50



The best bookshelf for small spaces

Why you'll love it: If you’re short on space, but have even a sliver of wall to spare, it will be enough for the IKEA Lack Wall Shelf Unit

Just because you don’t have a lot of space doesn’t mean you should hide your book collection away. The Lack wall shelf unit turns tradition on its side by having you lay your books down and stack them rather than display them vertically as you would with a traditional bookshelf. The Lack conserves space while providing a unique way for you to display your collection. This wall-mounted shelf will keep both your books and any other collectibles organized and up off the floor.

Apartment Therapy praises the multifunctional abilities of the Lack shelf. If you don’t have a corner to spare, consider mounting it horizontally rather than vertically over your bed to serve a dual purpose of headboard and bookshelf. Instead of feeling limited by your small space, use it as inspiration to get more innovative with the room you do have — you may surprise yourself with your creativity.

As a wall-mounted shelf, the Lack isn’t ideal for very heavy books, but it is sturdy enough to hold smaller collections. Each shelf holds up to 7 pounds, and the wall mounting hardware provided gives you the choice of safely hanging it horizontally or vertically. At almost 75 inches tall, with a width of 11 inches and a shelf depth of 11 inches, the Lack gives you enough space to store even oddly shaped books without taking up much space.

It is made of particleboard, but most reviewers have found it to be a stable unit that is easy to install. Some reviewers warned that if you want to store heavier items, these shelves may not be sturdy enough. However, if you follow the weight specifications, the Lack will make for a unique and space saving way to stash your books and collectibles.

Pros: Space-saving design, easy assembly, versatile

Cons: Not able to hold heavy items

Buy the IKEA Lack Shelf Unit in White on Amazon for $129.99

Buy the IKEA Lack Shelf Unit in Black on Amazon for $135.98



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These entrepreneurs are leading 8 of the fastest-growing new retailers in the world — and now Tony Robbins and Tim Ferriss will help

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Tony Robbins

  • Shopify announced eight winners of its inaugural "Build a Bigger Business" contest.
  • UK-based Gymshark took the top spot, with £41 million in annual sales and 215% YOY growth.
  • Winners will have group and personal mentoring from high-profile coaches including Tony Robbins and Tim Ferriss.  

The founders of eight of the fastest-growing online retailing startups are headed to Tony Robbins' Fiji resort, Namale, this week.

They'll be getting group and personal mentoring from a celebrity cast of coaches that includes Robbins, Tim Ferriss, Daymond John, and Marie Forleo.

They are the winners of Shopify's first "Build a Bigger Business Contest," an offshoot of its popular "Build a Busines" competition series. Shopify is an Ontario-based tech company that provides entrepreneurs with an online retail platform. It partnered with Ferriss in 2008 when Ferriss pitched the idea of starting a competition for new startups using the Shopify platform.

The annual prize evolved from minimal funding to in-depth retreats with celebrity mentors including Robbins, who has had many high-powered business clients over the last 30 years — like billionaire investor Paul Tudor Jones. Last year, Robbins approached Shopify with the idea of developing a similar contest for young companies that were further along in their development.

To enter, applicants had to have a business that sold product through Shopify's platform and had more than $1 million in annual sales. Applicants' growth was measured between March  and July this year. Shopify said there were several thousand applicants across 70 countries. Average gross merchandise volume (product price multiplied by number sold) growth over the five months was 14% total, but over 500% for the top 10.

The company with the highest gross sales gain, Gymshark, and the company with the highest sales gain percentage, Skinnymixers, rang the bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday and will be receiving marketing packages and support from the firm Sid Lee. The panel of mentors selected the remaining six winners based on merit.

"The biggest surprise was how big they became," Shopify COO Harley Finkelstein told Business Insider. He said that one of the main benefits of Shopify's contests has been the lasting and fruitful networks that emerge each year.

Meet the winners below:

SEE ALSO: Tony Robbins explains what anyone can do every day, month, and year to be more successful

Ben Francis, Gymshark

Francis founded Gymshark in England in 2012 out of his garage as a fitness apparel brand targeted specifically to men and women in their late teens and early 20s, built around a curated fitness community.

It worked. Gymshark is the fastest-growing brand in the United Kingdom, as ranked by the Sunday Times Fast Track 100.

A representative of the company reported that it expects annual revenue this year of £41 million, an increase of 215% year over year.

Gymshark won the contest's title of "highest total gross sales gain."



Nikalene Riddle, Skinnymixers

Riddle developed an online community around free healthy recipes that gained enough traction in her home country of Australia that it compelled her to launch a business around Skinnymixers in 2013.

She and her husband Michael began selling cookbooks while maintaining the community, and they revealed a pent-up demand.

Over the last year, Riddle told us, she went from selling 1,500 cookbooks each month to almost 6,000 monthly, an increase of 300%.

Skinnymixers took the title of "highest percentage growth."



Michelle Cordeiro Grant, Lively

When she worked as a director and senior merchant at Victoria's Secret from 2008 to 2012, Cordeiro Grant said that she came to think the company was not connecting with a large portion of its customer base. She decided she would start her own business that would provide affordable lingerie with better fits and looks than what Victoria's Secret could provide.

The New York-based entrepreneur began working full time on Lively in 2015 and launched in April 2016. That October, she raised $4 million in a seed round led by GGV Capital, and is looking to do to the lingerie business what Warby Parker did with eyeglasses.

Lively was "Tony Robbins' pick."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Saks Fifth Avenue unveiled an experiment to defy the retail apocalypse with a $45.9 billion market — take a look

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The Wellery Saks Fifth Avenue

Saks Fifth Avenue's flagship store in Manhattan has become, at least temporarily, a wellness paradise.

The store has dedicated an entire floor to athleisure-focused shops and offerings like workout classes, salt rooms, and even vitamin guru services. This collection of shops make up The Wellery, which will be open at Saks through October.

During your shopping experience, you can get your nails or eyebrows done, take an intense workout class, or find products that are tailored to a health-centric lifestyle. The opening is meant to fit in with shoppers' interests today — athleisure is now a $45.9 billion market, and self-care is a growing trend.

We got to visit in the hours before the store opened. Take a look at the options below. 

SEE ALSO: Supermodel Karlie Kloss runs a coding program for young women — take a look inside their brand-new office

DON'T MISS: North Korea may finally be embracing a more consumer-friendly culture — here's what people are buying

The Wellery takes up more than 16,000 square feet of space on Saks Fifth Avenue's second floor.



One of the most intense activities at The Wellery is a prison-style boot camp run by the boutique fitness studio ConBody. The studio's founder, Coss Marte, developed the classes during his time in prison. The $30 classes include resistance exercises using body weight and are taught by formerly incarcerated trainers.



On a more relaxing note, the Breathe Salt Rooms provide a holistic treatment that claim to have a healing and detoxifying effect on respiratory conditions and the skin. Ten-minute sessions inside the room are $25 each.

Read more about salt treatments »



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Here's where you can find your favorite 'Game of Thrones' stars while you wait for season 8

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Game of Thrones season 7The INSIDER Summary:

  • "Game of Thrones" fans have a long wait until they can get a glimpse of season 8.
  • Your favorite stars have a few new projects lined up to keep you occupied until then.
  • From TV shows to big blockbusters, these are the upcoming projects you can watch "Game of Thrones" stars in while you wait for season 8.

"Game of Thrones" season 8 is a long way away. To hold you over until the new episodes, HollywoodLife.com has come up with a list of where you can see your favorite "GoT" stars on TV and on the big screen! 

Can you believe it’s going to be at least 2018 and possibly even 2019 until the final season of "Game of Thrones?" Honestly, we’re kind of freaking out about it. But don’t fret too much. Your beloved actors have many projects lined up in the next year. From TV shows to big blockbusters, your faves are making sure you won’t miss them!

Kit Harington

Kit Harington, 30, will be starring in the three-part miniseries, "Gunpowder," which will air on BBC One. There’s no release date yet, but there is a teaser trailer. Kit will be playing Robert Catesby, the true mastermind behind the Gunpowder Plot in London. Kit has also wrapped up filming "The Death and Life of John F. Donovan." He’ll play the leading role in the movie, which follows a young actor reminiscing about the correspondence he had with an American TV star before his death. The movie, set to be released in 2018, also stars Jessica Chastain, 40, Natalie Portman, 36, Bella Thorne, 19, and Jacob Tremblay, 10.



Emilia Clarke

Emilia Clarke, 30, is currently finishing up filming the Han Solo standalone movie. Not much is known about the plot, but the name of Emilia’s character is Kira. The "Star Wars" spinoff, starring Alden Ehrenreich, 27, Thandie Newton, 44, Donald Glover, 33, and Woody Harrelson, 56, will be released May 25, 2018.



Sophie Turner

Sophie Turner, 21, is filming "X-Men: Dark Phoenix," which will focus on her character, Jean Grey. Once the beloved X-Men character starts to develop powers that corrupt and turn her into a Dark Phoenix, the X-Men have to decide whether they should save their team member or the rest of the world. The movie will hit theaters on Nov. 2, 2018. Sophie also has two new movies set to come out in 2017: "Huntsville" and "Time Freak."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

14 photos of celebrities wearing crazy costumes at Burning Man

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paris hilton

Every year, nearly 70,000 people flock to a desert city in Nevada for the annual Burning Man festival. Located in Black Rock City, Nevada, the week-long festival is known for extreme fashion, sandstorms, and a star-studded guest list.

This year, celebrities like heiress Paris Hilton and DJ Diplo made the trip to the Playa, as Black Rock City is affectionately referred to. In particular, there were a ton of Victoria's Secret models in attendance who turned up wearing everything from lace-up snakeskin boots to butterfly wings.

Keep scrolling to see the list of celebrities who made an appearance at this year's festival.

Victoria's Secret Angel Jasmine Tookes fittingly wore a pair of feathered wings to the festival.

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Tookes wore a sparkly face covering and headband, fringed black bodysuit, spiked bra, and a coin-adorned belt around her waist.



Victoria's Secret Angel Martha Hunt sported a pair of teal bike shorts and a decorated bra during the festival.

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Hunt completed the look with a pair of tie-dye socks. The model dressed practically to travel the large festival grounds via bike.



Paris Hilton attended Burning Man for the second time.

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The heiress, singer, and reality TV star enjoyed the festival so much last year that she decided to go back for a second time. And, of course, she rolled up in style.



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Taylor Swift has been secretly communicating with her fans — 8 things we can tell from what she’s liked

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The INSIDER Summary:

  • Taylor Swift recently deleted everything from her social media accounts except a preview for her next album.
  • The singer is still communicating with fans on Tumblr daily. 
  • She has been liking posts from her fanbase — called Swifties — since the release of her new songs. 
  • The posts are of positive fan responses, theories fans have about "Look What You Made Me Do," and the song title's meaning. 
  • One post in particular suggests we don't know anything about the singer we don't see in the media.


Taylor Swift may have wiped her Twitter and Instagram accounts recently, but there's one platform where she's casually interacting with her fans a lot.

Since the release of her single, "Look What You Made Me Do," the 27-year-old singer has been liking hundreds of fans Tumblr posts about the new song. 

What does it all mean?

It shouldn't be a surprise the singer is turning to her loyal Swifties. In an interview with Barbara Walters in 2014, Swift said it's what she does to feel normal. It's why she invited so many fans to her homes in 2014 to hear the "1989" album before anyone else.

"When I go online and on Instagram and I see a post from Emma who lives in Philadelphia and she's talking about how her day was at school that day, that helps me,"said Swift, who was immediately asked whether or not she still has time to do that. "It's the only thing that keeps me not feeling overwhelmed by the abnormality of my life."

INSIDER has been tracking Swift's Tumblr "likes" since the music video's release and there are a few categories you can toss her likes into. Keep reading to see the common threads we've found.

This one isn't a surprise. Swift is liking positive fan responses to her two new songs.

Critics have been chipping away at Swift's new single. What's the easiest way to drown the negative noise? It's easy to find comfort in the arms of her biggest fans who have been throwing their support behind Swift.

 

 

 

 

 



Only Swift fans really understand what the name of her song, “Look What You Made Me Do," really means.

After the song dropped, it still wasn't clear what Swift was driven to do. But then the singer started breaking several records including the single-day Spotify and YouTube streaming record

Swift's fans suggested this was what the title of her song referenced. 

 



There are a lot of theories out there about the meaning behind "Look What You Made Me Do."

Swift is giving love to a bunch of them. One deep read suggests a line in the song is a nod to her devoted fans.

Another suggests there's a deeper meaning behind the tower of Taylor Swift personas struggling to climb to the top. They never felt like they succeeded.

 



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39 important details you might have missed on 'Game of Thrones' season 7

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Daenerys Targaryen Game of Thrones season seven episode 4

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Game of Thrones" season seven. 

"Game of Thrones" season seven may have left us with a lot of unanswered questions, but we haven't stopped obsessing over every small detail and piece of foreshadowing in the series. Throughout the season, we analyzed the callbacks and references hidden on each episode. Now, we've compiled a mega-list of the most important of these details. 

Keep reading for a look at the 39 smaller moments you might have missed.

SEE ALSO: 7 things you can expect from the 8th and final season of 'Game of Thrones'

On the season premiere, the Valyrian steel blade used in Bran's assassination attempt was shown in one of Sam's stolen Citadel books.

Sam stole several books from the Citadel library's restricted section. And while he was flipping through the pages, we got a peek at a drawing of a very important weapon.

The dagger is often referred to as the "catspaw blade"— a reference to the would-be killer (or catspaw) who tried to kill Bran on season one. We knew the blade was made from Valyrian steel and had a hilt made of "dragonbone," but its origins have been a big mystery in the books and the show.

Based on Sam's book, it looks like we now know the blade is an ancient Targaryen weapon.



We later saw Littlefinger give the dagger to Bran, who in turn gifted it to Arya.

If you rewatch the moment when Bran gives Arya the dagger, it almost looks like he knows she will do something important with it — like kill Littlefinger. 

The actor who plays Bran, Isaac Hempstead Wright, told INSIDER he meant to hint at the blade's significance in that scene.

"Whether he knows that exactly or not, I think he looks at it and can see this that this dagger has a purpose, it has a fate, it has a destiny," Hempstead Wright said. "And that destiny is to kill Littlefinger [...] And that's why he gives it to Arya so suddenly. He's thinking, 'I don't know why, but you need this dagger.'"

Read our full interview with Hempstead Wright here.



Ed Sheeran's cameo on the premiere featured more than just a lovely song — the ballad had a huge significance in the book series.

In the books, Tyrion keeps his lover Shae in a house in King's Landing (not inside the Red Keep as Sansa's handmaid). This meant Tyrion would travel from the keep to her manse. A singer named Symon Silver Tongue befriended Shae and tried to blackmail Tyrion into helping him sing at the royal wedding — or else he'd sing a song about Tyrion and Shae for all the world to hear.

Here are the song lyrics, written about Tyrion and Shae:

He rode through the streets of the city, 
Down from his hill on high, 
O'er the wynds and the steps and the cobbles, 
He rode to a woman's sigh.

For she was his secret treasure, 
She was his shame and bliss. 
And a chain and a keep are nothing, 
Compared to a woman's kiss

For hands of gold are always cold 
But a woman's hands are warm



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Two brothers are on a mission to bring fun, funky socks to guys everywhere

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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.

Wild   Sitting 1When you have to adhere to a professional dress code, it can be hard to show off your personal style sometimes. 

Simply making sure you have enough shirts, ties, suits, and dress shoes probably comes to mind first when creating an office wardrobe, but one of the most important pieces is often overlooked — socks.

Having a fresh pair of dress socks every single day is an absolute must, and it can definitely be a way to let your personality show in the office.

Going sockless with a pair of loafers might've been your thing during the summer, but fall is here and it's time to stock up. 

Picking up a bunch of regular black or blue dress socks might sound like the easiest thing to do, but that's flat out boring.

Luckily, there's Soxy, a company on a mission to take boring everyday accessories like socks and make them fun. Founded in Los Angeles in 2014 by brothers Boris and Albert Vaisman, the startup aims to generate more compliments worldwide and allow guys to stand out from others, all through the power of socks.

The brand sells its unique socks in individual pairs for $12 and in 5-pack bundles for $55.

Lots of Socks

Soxy sent over a few pairs of socks for me to try out and they're absolutely great.

My first impression was how eye-catching the socks were. I received pairs in all different colors with stars, diamonds, stripes, an electric design, and even camouflage. You're just about guaranteed to stand out from the crowd by putting on any of Soxy's many fun designs. 

What I liked best about Soxy is that they've got a pair of socks for everybody. Whether you like sports, food, specific patterns, or colors, you'll be able to find a pair that lends to your personality and style. And for days where a traditional sock is a must, Soxy also offers classic designs like polka dots, stripes, and solids.

While the designs are sure to stand out, that's not the only thing that makes these socks so good. They're made of the perfect blend of cotton, polyester, and spandex, so they're super soft and stretchy. They're not thin, so they won't wear out quickly. With the perfect thickness, you can wear Soxy socks comfortably all day. Even if showing off your socks isn't your goal, Soxy socks are also great for casual wear, too.

Whether you're looking for something that livens up your boring professional outfits or just need to stock up on cool socks for casual wear, Soxy is the way to go.

Liven up your outfits and shop all socks at Soxy now.

Check out the different sock collections below:

Wild Collection

Shop the Soxy Wild Collection now.



Bold Collection

Shop the Soxy Bold Collection now.



Theme Collection

Shop the Soxy Theme Collection now.



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Chipotle will start serving queso at all US locations — here's what it's like (CMG)

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After years of denying customers' demands for queso, Chipotle is finally adding the item to the menu nationwide. 

On Tuesday, Chipotle announced that queso would be available at all Chipotle locations across the US on September 12. It will cost customers $1.25 to add the cheesy dip to an entrée, and up to $5.25 for a large side order of queso and chips. 

The chain debuted queso in its New York City test kitchen in July. Chipotle began serving queso at roughly 350 restaurants in California and Colorado in August.

Chipotle said in a statement Tuesday that it has tweaked its queso recipe based on customer feed back and crafted a final recipe that "has proved very popular with customers." 

Business Insider tried the chain's original queso at Chipotle's test kitchen, which also serves other test items, including new salads and margaritas. Here's what the chain's first all-natural take on the cheesy dip was like. 

SEE ALSO: We visited the new pizzeria that people are saying could be the next Shake Shack — here's why it won't follow in the burger chain's footsteps

DON'T MISS: We tried fried chicken sandwiches from every major fast-food chain — and the winner surprised us

The test kitchen, called Chipotle Next Kitchen, is on the corner of Sixth Avenue and 13th Street in Manhattan.



Wandering in, you'd think it's just a run-of-the-mill Chipotle, complete with the standard fast-casual decor and the lunchtime rush.



But, this location was the first in the world to add queso to the menu.



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The 13 best deaths on 'Game of Thrones' season 7

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Drogon Spoils of WarWarning: Spoilers for "Game of Thrones" season seven. If you aren't caught up with the series, read at your own risk. 

"Game of Thrones" season seven had the most battles to date. We even got to see all three of Dany's dragons in action.

There weren't as many deaths as expected, but this is "Game of Thrones" we're talking about, so lots of people still died.

Some of those deaths were sad while others were, dare we say, fun to watch (hello, Sand Snakes). 

We've rounded up season seven's best deaths, from the most satisfying to the most brutal.  

Here are the best deaths from "Game of Thrones" season seven:

SEE ALSO: 7 things you can expect from the 8th and final season of 'Game of Thrones'

The most frustratingly loyal death: Dickon Tarly

He was just trying to stay loyal to his father, but he should've bent the knee. 

Time of death: Episode five, "Eastwatch."

Cause of death: Dickon, like his father, refuses to surrender and bend the knee to Daenerys Targaryen. Daenerys has Drogon burn him alive.   



The most pathetic death: Wight in a box

Ew, go away captured wight!

Time of death: Episode seven, "The Dragon and the Wolf."

Cause of death: The Hound splits it in half, and Jon Snow stabs it with dragonglass.



The most satisfying death: Obara Sand

Although Obara is on Team Daenerys, most of us cheered when Euron kills her, eliminating her annoying character from the show for good.

Time of death: Episode two, "Stormborn."

Cause of death: In his attack on Yara's fleet, Euron Greyjoy stabs the daughter of Oberyn Martell in the gut with a spear. By the end of the battle, her body is hanging from the ship, so she's definitely dead. 



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Here's where 50 celebrities went to college

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A college education isn't necessarily a prerequisite for a Hollywood career. But many stars did decide to go into higher education for their own reasons and for various lengths of time.

Some celebrities forego college altogether, like Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian. Others find value in an education regardless of fame, like Emma Watson. Some are successful dropouts, like Matt Damon. And others do extremely well in school and in their careers, like Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis, and John Legend.

Here's a list of 50 celebrities and the colleges they went to:

Emma Watson, just like Hermione, is really smart. She went to Brown.

The "Harry Potter" actress  graduated in 2014 with a degree in English literature. She also took classes at Oxford University.



Lupita Nyong'o landed her Oscar-winning role shortly before graduating with a Yale master's degree.

She lander her role in "12 Years a Slave" before completing her three-year degree in acting at the Ivy League school in 2012. For her undergraduate degree, she attended Hampshire College.



Conan O'Brien was the president of Harvard University's satirical paper.

The Harvard Lampoon is a resume marker for many male comedians and writers, including B.J. Novak and John Updike. Conan O'Brien had a stint as the organization's president and graduated in 1985.

While O'Brien was at Harvard, the editor in chief of the Harvard Crimson, the rival, non-humorous student newspaper, was Jeff Zucker. Later, as an executive at NBC, Zucker took "The Tonight Show" away from O'Brien and gave it to Jay Leno.



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Texans who fled during Hurricane Harvey are returning home for the first time — here's what they found

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More than one million people have been displaced in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, according to estimates reported by Reuters. The storm is shaping up to be one of the costliest disasters in US history.

People who escaped rising floodwaters are now returning home to examine the damage. Take a look at what they found.

SEE ALSO: These stories of people being rescued from Hurricane Harvey will restore your faith in humanity

Melissa Ramirez took a hand for support as she struggled through the water, trying to return to her home for the first time since Harvey floodwaters arrived in Houston, Texas.



The scene was overwhelming.



Erlind Trigo and her niece Miriam wept as they looked at family photographs that they salvaged from their home in the aftermath of Harvey.



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These 10 'Game of Thrones' characters disappeared, but could come back in a big way in season 8

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Game of Thrones Danearys Targaryen Meeting Khal Drogo

There are tons of characters on "Game of Thrones," and it's hard enough to remember all the main names sometimes, let alone the minor ones.

And on this show, anyone could come back unexpectedly. So to help you pass the time before season eight premieres, here's our guide to forgotten "Game of Thrones" characters who could return in the final season  some in a very big way. 

Here are some forgotten "Game of Thrones" characters who could return in season eight:

SEE ALSO: 'Game of Thrones' cinematographer describes shooting that battle of roasting Lannisters, including trouble with an HBO safety officer

Salladhor Saan

Don't remember Salladhor Saan? Fair enough. He's barely in the show. He's a pirate and friend of Davos from his smuggling days. In fact, he's a pirate lord and sellsail who commands a fleet of thirty ships. Salladhor is recruited by Stannis Baratheon (thanks to Davos) to help in the Battle of the Blackwater, but abandons the cause after Stannis loses. 

In season five, Stannis and Davos secure a loan from the Iron Bank of Braavos. This allows Davos to pay Salladhor for his service to Stannis' cause, but that's the last time we see him.

Will Davos recruit Salladhor for Team Dany? It's certainly a possibility.



Illyrio Mopatis

Illyrio is a Magister in Pentos and a supporter of House Targaryen. In season one, he sets up the marriage of Daenerys Targaryen and Khal Drogo, and feeds Varys information on Dany and Viserys, who both support the latter's claim to the Iron Throne. In season five, though unseen, he lets Varys and Tyrion stay in his home in Pentos after their escape from King's Landing.

Varys could bring Illyrio onto Dany's team for some more foreign support. He's also super wealthy, which could prove helpful to Dany. 

 



Melisandre

In season seven, Melisandre leaves Dragonstone before Jon Snow and Davos see her and freak out. She tells Varys she's going to Volantis, but will be back in Westeros. "I have to die in this strange country," she says. "just like you."



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