As anyone with a sweet tooth knows, it's important to save the best for last — especially when there's dessert involved.

Holiday specialists Thomson Lakes and Mountains researched the most extravagant and calorific desserts around the world in order to tempt any sugar-loving travellers.

Featuring metre-tall ice cream cones, gold-plated burger buns, and a sundae fit for an emperor, each dessert on the list is chock-full of fun toppings, sprinkles, and — of course — mountains of whipped cream.

Scroll on to see 17 of the world's most extravagant desserts, ranked by number calories per serving in ascending order.

17. Towering Cakes from Wee Jennys, Falkirk, UK — 995 calories per slice.

With towering cakes topped with ice cream cones, doughnuts, macaroons, chocolate bars, and whole tubs of peanut butter, these custom bakes from Wee Jennys in Falkirk, Scotland come in every size and colour. And with 995 calories in every slice — and 16 slices in every cake — these decadent treats are best shared.

16. 'The Loop Churros,' The Loop, Orange County, California, USA — 1,040 calories each.

Long loops of freshly fried churros from this Californian bakery are served alongside a cup of soft-serve ice cream and topped with everything from crumbled Oreos and Fruit Loops cereal to salted caramel and fresh fruit.

15. 'The Cannoli Bazooka,' Pasticceria Caruso, Sydney, Australia — 1,048 calories for 5%.

Pasticceria Caruso in Sydney is known for their speciality bake — "The Cannoli Bazooka." The giant pastry shell contains 50 individual cannoli filled with Italian sweet pastry cream. The extravagant centrepiece, perfect for special occasions, is then dusted with icing sugar and tied up in a bow.

This 50-piece pud serves 20 people at 1,048 calories per serving, according to its creators, putting the calorie count for the entire bake at a mere 20,960 calories.

Apple announced three new iPhones this month: the iPhone 8, the iPhone 8 Plus, and the high-end iPhone X.

Those three phones start at $699, $799, and $999, respectively.

Based on the relatively diminutive launch-day lines for the iPhone 8, it seems likely that most people are waiting for the release of Apple's high-end iPhone X, which debuts November 3.

That said, there are several reasons it's worth considering an iPhone 8 instead of holding out for the iPhone X:

SEE ALSO: 7 reasons you should buy an iPhone X instead of an iPhone 8

1. The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are powered by the same brains as the iPhone X.

This is probably the most important reason to consider the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus over the iPhone X: Functionally, they're all identical.

All of these phones are powered by Apple's new A11 Bionic chip, a neural engine, and the M11 motion coprocessor. The only difference is how the phones use these features: The iPhone X uses the A11 chip and neural engine for its new face-detection system Face ID, which the iPhone 8 does not have.

2. Touch ID is a proven entity. Face ID is not.

Ever since the release of iPhone 5S in 2013, Touch ID has changed the way we use our phones — from unlocking the device, to storing passwords, to using our fingerprints to pay for goods via Apple Pay.

Touch ID is a known, proven entity. Face ID, which will replace Touch ID on the iPhone X, is less known.

Apple makes some bold statements about Face ID. The company claims it's less prone to being tricked than Touch ID. They claim it can also work in the dark, or recognize changes to your face — like if you grow a beard, or wear glasses, or change your hair, or put on a kooky outfit. But we still don't know how Face ID will actually work in the wild when millions of people are using it. Simply put, technology is not infallible, and it's impossible to predict what could go wrong with this unlocking method. (Thankfully, the passcode backup still exists.)

By choosing an iPhone 8, however, you choose to forgo the guinea-pig era for Face ID.

3. The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus support fast charging and wireless charging for the first time — just like the iPhone X.

All of these phones support the Qi wireless charging standard as well as fast-charging.

The downside is, you'll have to buy extra accessories if you choose either new charging method. Apple offers several different Qi wireless charging pads you can buy (its own AirPower solution won't be out until 2018, unfortunately), and you'll need to buy anywhere from $25 to $75 worth of equipment— a Lightning-to-USB-C cable and a USB-C Power Delivery-compatible charger, specifically — if you want to use fast-charging for your iPhone 8, 8 Plus, or iPhone X.

Again, this is one more expense to consider when thinking about the iPhone 8 versus the $1,000-to-start iPhone X.

I never thought I'd see a shirtless Mario running along the beach, nipples and all, but here we are.

This is emblematic of the supreme silliness of "Super Mario Odyssey," the next big game coming to Nintendo's Switch. If you remember "Super Mario 64,""Super Mario Odyssey" is basically that, but bigger, better looking — and way weirder.

I got a chance to play the game recently, and during that session I found a bunch of things that are at least as strange as the image above.

Here, for example, is another real image from the game, which I captured while playing it:

"Super Mario Odyssey" is quite a game. Let's dive in!

SEE ALSO: I spent over an hour playing the insane and delightful 'Super Mario Odyssey,' Nintendo's huge next game

In "Super Mario Odyssey," you explore vast open worlds.

The point is to find moons to power your ship, the Odyssey, from place to place.

In this scene, Mario is exploring one such place — Bubblaine — while wearing some polka dot swim trunks.

That by itself isn't all that strange. What is crazy is what's going on with Mario's hat.

The ability to explore worlds is pretty similar to "Super Mario 64."

What's new is how Mario's hat is being haunted by a ghost. He can use it to take over other characters or items in the game by tossing it onto them

With the hat, you can take over a person.

You've managed to get your hands on a new iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus, and now you need cool things to do with it.

The Tech Insider staff picked some of our favorite apps that show off the power and potential of Apple's superphone. 

This list includes both obvious choices you can find on the top charts, and lesser-known software that we use and love.

Let's check them out:  

SEE ALSO: Uber's bad year: The stunning string of blows that upended the world's most valuable startup

Foursquare is the best app for finding new spots and reading reviews from people who have been there.

Foursquare is free to download in the App Store.

VSCO is an excellent photo editing tool and social network.

VSCO is free to download in the App Store.

Google Photos uploads all of your pictures to the cloud — and it's free.

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If you run out of space on your iPhone, one easy solution is to upload all your photos to Google and then delete them from your phone.

Google Photos is free from the App Store. 

There's a lot of TV. This fall, however, there hasn't been a lot of good TV so far. In fact, it's one of the worst seasons for new shows in years.

But that doesn't mean there's nothing to watch. 

There are a few entertaining freshman shows like ABC's "The Mayor" and Netflix's "American Vandal," but a lot more returning shows are must-see TV, like NBC's "The Good Place" and HBO's "Vice Principals."

We put together a list of the new and returning TV shows that you should be wasting your precious free time on, from new shows to returning ones. We also included where to watch them. 

Here's what you should be watching on TV this fall:

SEE ALSO: The 50 worst TV shows in modern history, according to critics

"The Deuce"— new

"The Wire" creator David Simon looks back to 1970s New York and the early days of the porn industry. James Franco plays twins! The all-star cast also includes Maggie Gyllenhaal and Zoe Kazan. It was already renewed for season two, so it's worth your time since now we know the story will continue. 

Where to watch: Sunday nights on HBO, HBONow, HBOGo. 

"You're the Worst"— returning

This sometimes-a-dramedy is in its fourth season. The show, about quirky and very flawed thirty-somethings in LA, covers issues including PTSD and depression, and is the most inventive, thoughtfully written show on TV right now. It's also very funny. Check out our interview with the creator and showrunner Stephen Falk. 

Where to watch: Wednesday nights on FXX, and new episodes available the next day on the FX app. Seasons one, two, and three are available on Hulu.

"Better Things"— returning

Season two of the Emmy-nominated series continues Sam's (Pamela Adlon) life as an actress and single mother of three daughters in LA. Adlon co-created the series with Louis C.K., and it shows: the subject matter and spirit is very similar to "Louie."

Where to watch: Wednesday nights on FX, and new episodes available the next day on the FX app. 

For the last four years, the "Rich Kids of Instagram" blog and Instagram account have been chronicling the escapades of the young and wealthy.

The summer vacations taken by those featured on the blog this year were filled with crystal-clear waters, yachts, and of course, private jets.

See how they spent their fortunes this season. 

SEE ALSO: You can buy a third of a Hawaiian island for $260 million — but there's a catch

Some swam in private pools in St. Barts.

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Others relaxed and enjoyed the view off the coast of Ibiza.

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Some adventurous travelers jumped into the waters near the island of Capri in Italy.

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Calling a concrete jungle home may not bring to mind images of comfort and serenity.

But certain cities around the world are exceptionally livable, according to the 2017 Global Liveability report from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

To determine the rankings, the EIU evaluated 140 cities based on 30 factors across five categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Topics ranging from humidity to water quality to violent crime were taken into account when compiling the data.

In the top cities, recreational activities are easily accessible, crime rates are low, and infrastructure isn't overused, thanks in part to relatively low population density. Australia and Canada, where six of the top 10 cities were located, have some of the lowest population densities in the world, according to data from the World Bank.

Living with so many perks doesn't come cheap, however. The most livable cities aren't the most affordable. Many of the highest scores in the report went to mid-sized cities in wealthy countries.

For each city on the list, we found the average cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in the center of town, utilities, and commuting, as well as the price of a cappuccino and a pint of domestic beer, according to global cost of living database Numbeo. All amounts are in US dollars and are current as of September 2017.

Below, check out what it costs on average to live in each of the top 10 most livable cities in the world.

SEE ALSO: The 30 countries that are best for your money, according to expats

DON'T MISS: Here's how much money you need to save to retire on a beach by age 40

10. Hamburg, Germany

Overall livability rating (out of 100): 95

Monthly costs:

Rent: $895.52

Utilities: $267.17

Commuter pass: $98.20

Cappuccino: $3.40

Domestic beer: $4.17

9. Helsinki, Finland

Overall livability rating (out of 100): 95.6

Monthly costs:

Rent: $1,138.75

Utilities: $162.95

Commuter pass: $65.11

Cappuccino: $4.31

Domestic beer: $7.14

8. Auckland, New Zealand

Overall livability rating (out of 100): 95.7

Monthly costs:

Rent: $1,252.57

Utilities: $134.80

Commuter pass: $146.12

Cappuccino: $3.29

Domestic beer: $6.58

For much of the country, Zaxby's is a mystery. 

It won't be for long, however — the chain is expanding aggressively. It opened a whopping 91 locations in 2016, and the chain has a growing cult following. 

Fans of the fast-casual chicken chain say it elevates the fried-chicken experience from the greasy depths of similar quick-service chains like KFC and Church's. 

On a recent journey to Richmond, Virginia, we decided to check out the chain and see if it lived up to its burgeoning cult status. 

SEE ALSO: We went to Red Lobster's $21.99 Endless Shrimp to see if it's really unlimited

DON'T MISS: We tried McDonald's, Wendy's, and Burger King's signature burgers — and the winner is unmistakable

After a day of dining at takeout-centric fried chicken joints, we found this Zaxby's to be large and spacious.

The interior had a vague sports bar vibe, but with big windows that added a welcoming family dining atmosphere.

There's no table service here, despite the extensive menu; orders are placed and picked up at the counter.

At first glance, Mario's Gourmet Deli, a New York City bodega on the corner of West 106th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, looks like a regular corner store.

But inside there's an ATM that gives folks access to what some view as the future of payments and finance: bitcoin.

The recently installed ATM was featured in a New Yorker piece by Ian Parker, who described it as a "machine with the body of a regular ATM but the soul of a lottery terminal."

I paid the deli a visit to buy some bitcoin, the digital coin that's up near 500% over the last year. Here's what it was like. (Please excuse my poor photography skills.)

SEE ALSO: 

Here's a shot of Mario's.

The bitcoin ATM looks like a normal one, but it doesn't work the same. You can't withdrawal bitcoin, as it's not a physical currency, and it accepts only cash.

A Coinsource bitcoin ATM allows you to buy up to $3,000 worth of the cryptocurrency, which is less than one coin. I bought the minimum amount, $5.

Today's teens are in no hurry to grow up, a new study finds.

Contrary to teenagers of past generations, Generation Z — broadly defined as people born between 1995 and the mid-2000s — aren't drinking alcohol, having sex, driving, or going out without their parents nearly as much.

According to psychologists Jean Twenge and Heejung Park, who analyzed 8.3 million responses across seven surveys of teens from 1976 to 2016, today's 18-year-olds act more like 15-year-olds from years past.

The findings largely back up Generation Z as less reckless and more socially isolated than generations prior. Here's what they're all about.

SEE ALSO: Psychologists studied 5,000 genius kids for 45 years — here are their 6 key takeaways

They don't crave the open road.

In the late 1970s, nearly 90% of teens had gotten their driver's license by the 12th grade. By 2014, survey data showed the rate had fallen to roughly 73%.

Twenge and Park's findings suggest this downward trend correlates with many other Gen Z trends, given that driving offers the freedom to date, go to parties, and get to work.

They're not as interested in trying alcohol.

Younger teenagers were more likely to avoid alcohol, according to the study, while older teens showed less of a change. That indicated to Twenge and Park that "recent adolescents try alcohol at older ages than adolescents in past decades," they wrote.

Since 1993, the percentage of eighth-graders who have tried alcohol declined by 59%, compared to a 40% decrease for 10th-graders and 26% for 12th-graders.

Dating is far less frequent.

Since 1976, there have been major declines in 12th-graders saying they go on dates. When the first survey was issued, about 85% of high-school seniors said they go on dates; by 2014, about 58% did.

The internet, while a possible contributing factor, was not ruled the deciding factor since the declines began before large percentages of the population came online, the researchers noted.

Much has been written about the attributes of high-achieving adults, and what makes them different from everyone else. But if you're a parent, a more compelling question may be: "What can I do to make sure my kids succeed in life?" Here's what researchers say.

SEE ALSO: Protecting your kid is a good thing — but sometimes, you just need to get out of their way

1. Don't tell them they can be anything they want.

According a survey of 400 teenagers, conducted by market research agency C+R Research, young Americans aren't interested in doing the work that will need to be done in the years to come.

Instead, they aspire to be musicians, athletes, or video game designers, even though these kinds of jobs only comprise 1% of American occupations. In reality, jobs in health care or in construction trades will be golden in future decades. Why not steer them into well-paying professions in which there will be a huge shortage of workers?

2. Eat dinner as a family.

According to a nonprofit organization operating out of Harvard University, kids who eat with their families roughly five days a week exhibit lower levels of substance abuse, teen pregnancy, obesity, and depression. They also have higher grade-point averages, better vocabularies, and more self-esteem.

3. Enforce no-screen time.

Researchers have found that the brains of little kids can be permanently altered when they spend too much time using tablets and smartphones. Specifically, the development of certain abilities is impeded, including focus and attention, vocabulary, and social skills.

In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says children younger than 18 months should have no screen time at all, other than video-chatting. For kids ages two to five, it recommends limiting screen time to one hour a day. For older kids, it's a matter of making sure media doesn't take the place of adequate sleep, exercise, and social interaction. The AAP also says parents should make the dinner table, the car, and bedrooms media-free zones.

Located in Claremont, California is an 829-person liberal arts college that might go unnoticed to the uninitiated. It's not a member of the Ivy League, nor does it have the celebrity of Stanford University, its neighbor to the north.

In fact, if you're not familiar with the Claremont Consortium, you've probably never heard of the school.

Harvey Mudd College is a STEM powerhouse. It routinely shows up on lists that rank the best value colleges and, based on median salary, its graduates out-earn those from Harvard and Stanford about 10 years into their careers. 

With a price tag for tuition, room, and board of $71,939 a year, it's the most expensive college in the US. But the sticker price comes with a strong return on investment. Its peer institutions, like the California Institute of Technology, praise its computer science curriculum. 

Business Insider recently had the opportunity to tour Mudd to see for ourselves, from the rooftop classroom to the underwater robotics lab. 

Here's what it's like to attend Harvey Mudd College.

SEE ALSO: The most expensive college in America is a tiny STEM 'bootcamp' outside Los Angeles whose graduates out-earn Harvard and Stanford alums

DON'T MISS: A tiny California college whose graduates outearn Harvard and Stanford grads is changing how we train students to enter the job market

We arrived on Harvey Mudd's campus on a gloomy September day about two weeks into the 2017-2018 school year.

The school is a member of the Claremont Colleges Consortium — which includes Claremont McKenna College, Pitzer College, Pomona College, Scripps College, Claremont Graduate University and Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences. Mudd students, called Mudders, can take classes at any of the other member schools.

Not even on campus 10 minutes, we realized Mudd would provide an experience unlike many of the other schools we have toured.

The campus was quiet. We'd come to find out it's due to the highly studious nature of the student body. During our five-hour visit, there was only one 15-minute period where campus seemed busy. Many were hurrying off to their next class or working on laptops.

Board racks are near every door and students grab their longboard, shortboard, or free lines — two separate wooden boards that attach to your shoes with wheels underneath — for the short ride to class. Scooters, bicycles, and even unicycles are also popular on campus.

Since the start of 2017, there have been 13 named Atlantic storms, making this year's hurricane season unusually active. In just the past four weeks, three major hurricanes ravaged the Caribbean and the United States Gulf Coast.

First came Harvey, which killed approximately 83 people, destroyed or damaged over 100,000 homes, flooded neighborhoods, and displaced over 30,000 in Texas and Louisiana. Then Irma hit Florida and several Caribbean islands, knocking out power, leaving thousands homeless, and killing at least 41 people.

Maria followed, ripping through Puerto Rico and Dominica and killing at least 17 people. The Category 3 storm, which was approaching the Turks and Caicos islands on Friday, has brought torrential downpours and powerful winds that have uprooted trees, demolished homes, and inundated roads on several Caribbean islands. 

In Puerto Rico, tens of thousands of people started evacuating the island Saturday morning, after a failed dam cascaded floodwater throughout city streets and knocked out 85% of phone and internet cables. The Associated Press reports that dozens of mayors are arriving to meet with the Puerto Rico's governor, as officials plead for supplies.

Jose Sanchez Gonzalez, the mayor of the north coastal town of Manati, told The AP Saturday that he needs basic resources, including water, ice, and gas immediately. Hysteria is starting to spread, because the hospital is at capacity and people are going to start dying.

You might be wondering how to help.

According to The Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI), which is part of the US Agency for International Development, donating money is almost almost the best way to give aid. Before donating material goods (like blankets, food, or toys), CIDI recommends confirming with relief organizations there is an actual need for them. 

If you want to assist in person, nonprofits both international and local are looking for volunteers.

Reputable, local charity organizations to donate to after Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria are listed below, followed by larger nonprofits that operate on a national or global scale.

Note: It is not clear whether all these organizations will spend 100% of donations received on hurricane relief and associated expenses. But in past large-scale disasters, they have given high percentages of donations directly to victims, especially if there is a specific fund set up. To avoid scams, it's always good to research a group before donating by checking scores from independents groups like Charity Navigator and Charity Watch.

SEE ALSO: Hurricane Maria is ravaging the same Caribbean islands that Irma just devastated, and lashing Puerto Rico — here's what it looks like on the ground

Hurricanes Maria and Irma: Local organizations in Puerto Rico

General relief: 

ConPRmetidos, a Puerto Rican organization, is hoping to raise $150,000 for relief and recovery after Maria and Irma.

The Fondos Unidos de Puerto Rico is working with the Red Cross and United Way on relief efforts, including an emergency hotline service. It was started by Beatriz Rosselló, the first lady of Puerto Rico.

GoFundMe, a crowdfunding site, a list of verified campaigns collecting donations for victims of the storms.

The following groups are raising money to rebuild homes and infrastructure, as well as give food, medical supplies, clothing, and social services to Maria and Irma victims: ConnectRelief, Hurricane Maria Recovery Fund, Taller Salud, Unidos Por Puerto Rico, and the Puerto Rican Hurricane Relief Fund. 

If you have additional recommendations of local relief funds or organizations for hurricane-affected areas, please email me at lgarfield@businessinsider.com. 

Hurricane Maria and Irma: Local organizations in the Caribbean

General relief:  

The government of Dominica is collecting donations for the Dominica Hurricane Relief Fund through JustGiving, a crowdfunding website. The funds will go toward temporary roofing, blankets, and non-perishable foods.

The British Virgin Islands launched the BVI Recovery Fund that will help provide food, clothing, and housing for those affected by Irma. 

The Virgin Group, the conglomerate founded by Richard Brandson, launched the Disaster Recovery Marshall Plan for the British Virgin Islands that will address a range of community needs. 100% of the proceeds will go to Irma victims.

The Friends of Caritas Cuba will focus on relief efforts for children (including those with disabilities), the elderly, and those living with HIV/AIDS.

Anguilla Beaches started a disaster fund that's raising money for emergency supplies. The money will be given to the local Anguilla Red Cross chapter to carry out these efforts.

Adopt a Family USVI is accepting care packages for families in the US Virgin Islands, especially St. Thomas. Register on this Google Doc.

Hurricane Irma: Local organizations in Florida

General relief:

Volunteer Florida has an open call for volunteers and donations. 

The Neighborhood Health Clinic is addressing storm victims' medical needs.

The Heart of Florida United Way and United Way of Miami-Dade are providing food, shelter, and health services.

Food:

The All Faiths Food Bank and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida are collecting food items and monetary donations for Irma victims. It's best to call and ask what they need.

Shelter:

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation established a disaster relief fund that will support immediate relief and long-term recovery efforts to rebuild the region.

The Habitat for Humanity of Key West and the Lower Florida Keys is working to rebuild destroyed homes.

Community support: 

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade is accepting donations of items and money. The nonprofit has requested water, bug spray, baby products, hygiene products, non-perishable food that's easy to open, and pre-sorted clothing for children and teenagers. Supplies can be donated through its Amazon wish-list.

Place of Hope, based in Palm Beach Gardens, provides family-style foster care for abused children. The nonprofit hopes to repair some of its facilities damaged by Irma.

The Carmelo Anthony era with the New York Knicks is now over as he has been traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

This is now the second time Anthony has been dealt in a league-altering move.

In 2011, a blockbuster trade between the Knicks and the Denver Nuggets ended the saga known as "Melo-drama," with a deal that was supposed to form a super-team with Amar'e Stoudemire.

Revisiting that deal remains fascinating. With so many changing parts — don't forget, the Minnesota Timberwolves were involved in the trade, too! — it resonated throughout the league.

With the help of Pro Sports Transactions, we tracked down where all of the players and draft picks are today.

This post has been updated.

Carmelo Anthony, of course, was the centerpiece of the deal. He wanted to go to the Knicks and essentially forced the Knicks' and the Nuggets' hands into dealing him before the trade deadline.

After seven seasons with the Knicks, Anthony is now joining reigning MVP Russell Westbrook and recently acquired Paul George in forming the newest super team on the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Knicks also got Chauncey Billups, a respected, capable veteran point guard, in the trade.

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

Raise your hand if you like moving. If you're raising your hand, you are probably lying to yourself. You think you like your couch now, but when you have to lug it up and down too many flights of stairs (because the fifth floor walkup is totally worth the cheaper rent), and reassembling it takes an hour, an army of support, and a literal pool of sweat and tears, you might reconsider how much you're really lovin' that couch. 

For young adults transitioning through college and post-grad life, finding and keeping quality furniture is easier said than done. At the end of every academic year, you can look at any campus "For Sale" group online and you'll see hordes of students putting their furniture up for sale and hoping they can make even a fraction of their money back. 

Direct-to-consumer start-up Burrow aims to change this relentless cycle by offering mid-range priced, quality sofas that can be set up in under 10 minutes, no tools necessary. 

The Y-Combinator-backed company came out of founders Stephen Kuhl and Kabeer Chopra's own struggles with the complications of sofa buying, shipping, and assembly. Their business model and solution to a common problem have clearly resonated. Burrow delivered its first luxury couch within just 12 weeks of coming up with the original business idea in 2016, and crossed $1 million in sales within its first six months. 

Here's how Burrow is changing the way you buy your sofa:

The sofa features a simple mid-century design, but is also customizable to your tastes and needs.

You can choose the fabric color, armrest height, and number of seats. However you combine the options, you'll end up with a versatile couch that you can carry with you throughout your life. 

• Four seat number options
• Two arm options: Low or High
• Five color options: Beige, Brick Red, Crushed Gravel, Navy Blue, and Charcoal

The pricing is on par with that of similar sofas you would find at West Elm or Wayfair.

While it may be more expensive than something you would get at IKEA, unlike an IKEA product, a Burrow sofa is easier than assemble and one that you'll actually keep. Here are the prices: 

• 1 seat: $550
• 2 seat: $750
• 3 seat: $950
• 4 seat: $1,150 

Shipping and assembly is easy.

Shipping is free, the sofa ships in two to five business days, and you don't need to be home to sign for the package. 

The sofa arrives in lightweight boxes. Each seat is contained in its own box, and the arms are contained in another box. The assembly process consists of nine steps, is tool-free, and should take 10 minutes or less.

The nice thing is that you have the flexibility to make your sofa smaller or larger by simply removing or adding additional seat modules. 

While you might wish those days where a popularity contest mattered are over, the hard, cold truth is that being liked by those above you may make or break your career. As New York career coach, Carlota Zimmerman explains, likability can determine your life.  

"From shopping to dating, whether it's getting a good deal on your dream home, or student loans, getting upgraded on a plane, to receiving faster care at the ER, likable people tend to move to the front of the line," she says. "You want your boss to like you, since she's the one determining who will get the opportunities necessary to achieve their career potential, and goals. You want your boss to like you, so that when she's planning to attend that huge industry conference in Shanghai, she picks you to join her in first class. You want your boss to like you, so that when sh*t gets real—as the young people say—she can go to bat for you."

To make sure you're putting your friendliest foot forward, avoid these blunders that might make your boss wish someone else was doing your job.

SEE ALSO: 9 skills to master to become a great boss

1. You give your boss a lot to manage

Unless you're at the top of the totem pole or standing atop that glass ceiling at your own company, part of your role will always mean making your manager's life easier. And while asking questions is part of learning and advancing your career, the more time your boss has to spend holding your hand, the more frustrated he or she might become.

"Your boss has a lot on their plate, and they don't have time to constantly babysit you. Micromanaging is not fun for anyone, and though most employees say they don't like being micro-managed, if you're a lot of work, your boss probably feels like they have to use this method to get work done," explains career coach Colene Elridge.

Instead of constantly asking for reassurance, smart employees figure it out, or come to the boss with a succinct description of the problem and potential solutions. If you find it tough to resist the urge to ping your boss several times a day, Elridge suggest finding a coach or a mentor outside of your office to build your confidence.

"Gain the skills you need to more effectively do your job. Then find a mentor that can help guide you through your career. Mentors are great at helping you grow and develop," Elridge says.

2. You fake it and don't produce results

Congrats! You earned an awesome promotion or finally got the lead spot for a project you wanted to spear.

But now, the pressure is on: Dropping the ball after a career growth moment can quickly make your boss doubt his or her decision. Though faking-it-until-you-make-it can work in certain cases, if you're throwing around fancy terms and answers, without actually understanding your responsibilities, you might make a big mess for your boss to clean up.

"I can't tell you the number of organizations I've worked with who have employees who don't do their jobs. Meaning, they do everything but produce results. Some blame falls squarely on the organization for not properly engaging their employees, but some falls on the individual. When you make the choice to not do your job, you make your boss have to work harder, and that's a key way to make them not like you. You were hired to do a job. Whatever the job is, there are expected results, and when you don't produce those results, there's a problem," Elridge says.

Many people can stagnate for years at this level of middle management because they never learn how to stop bossing people and start leading people.

How do you start to grow as professional, in a meaningful, impactful way? Elridge says it's a slippery slope that might require some soul-searching to figure out why you're working where you're working, and what might be keeping you from being less than motivated. From there, baby steps are key.

"If you don't like the work, consider a career change. If you're just in a bit of a slump, pull yourself together and set a deadline. Momentum changes things. When you see yourself complete a project or task, you build more momentum to do better work," she adds.

3. You're not straightforward about things that don't work

No matter if it's your dream job or just a starter gig to get you to the company you truly want to work for, there are going to be issues that arrive in every workplace. Though ultimately, it's your manager's responsibility to address workflows, teams or programs that simply aren't working, it's also part of your role to flag miscommunication or difficulties you're having. Why? When something goes wrong, productivity is the first to suffer.

"Any good workplace knows how to handle conflict. A workplace without conflict resolution skills is a recipe for chaos. It is not uncommon that people lack conflict resolution skills. Avoidance is not a tactic. Conflict will happen, and though it can be uncomfortable, it's not always a bad thing. If you're the type of person who avoids conflict or stirs up conflict in your office, my guess is your boss may not like you," Elridge says.

Here's where it's essential to put your creative thinking hat on by figuring out what's causing the trouble and how you might suggest fixing the issue to your boss. Approach your manager with a solution — not just a complaint — and let them take the reins from there.

Early on Monday morning — 6 a.m. early — I went for a run and left my phone at home.

When I got back, I checked my phone to find out my distance, calories burned, minutes active, and heart rate. 

"You ran 23 active minutes," my phone displayed across the screen. "Only 20 active minutes left today."

This was possible thanks to the Motiv ring, a small metal band that fits on the third finger of my left hand. Designed to track activity, heart rate, and sleep, the ring can be worn 24/7, even in the shower. 

The Motiv ring started shipping last Tuesday and costs $199. It comes in two colors — rose gold and slate gray — and can fit almost any finger size.

I tested Motiv for about a week to see whether the small wearable could accurately track my lifestyle. Here's how it went:

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You can wear it 24/7 — no, really

Before receiving my Motiv ring, the company sent me a sizing kit to determine the best fit for my finger. While you can wear the ring on any of your fingers besides your thumb and pinky finger, I chose the middle finger on my left hand. I let Motiv know which size and color I wanted, and got my ring soon after. 

The most important thing to know about the Motiv ring is that it's intended to be worn at all times. While that's the case with most fitness trackers — wearables like the Apple Watch and Fitbit products have sleep-tracking capabilities and encourage users to take advantage of them — it's not always feasible given battery life and the overall size of the device. 

But Motiv is the first wearable I've tried where 24/7 wear is actually possible. 

That's thanks mainly to the ring's battery life. It lasts for three days on a single charge, which is about twice what high-end smartwatches can do. It's also easy to charge, since it snaps magnetically onto a tiny USB charger and takes between 60-90 minutes to charge up. 

The ring's small size also played a huge role in getting me to wear it all the time. If you're someone who frequently wears a few rings at a time like I do, you won't really notice the ring on your finger after awhile. It's definitely larger than what most people likely wear on a daily basis, but it isn't too much larger. 

One key feature sets it apart: on-board memory

While I didn't have time to really put the Motiv ring through its paces, I was able to test the basics: Working out with it, sleeping with it, and keeping it on through dozens of hand washes and showers. 

Through those tests, I discovered what's easily the best feature of the ring: its ability to store data right on the ring. 

The Motiv ring can handle being separated from your phone for up to five days at a time. That means that for situations like my 6 a.m. run, when I was jogging with my roommates and didn't need music, my phone could stay at home while my ring kept track of my data. 

This is an important feature, and one that puts the Motiv ring in the running to be a truly useful fitness tracker. 

Plus, Motiv built a nifty way to sync the ring with your phone once the two are reunited: Open the app and spin your ring around at least once. The app will recognize the motion (there's an accelerometer built in) and update the app with any data your ring accumulated. 

All the fitness information you need and none that you don't

While my evidence for the Motiv ring's accuracy is anecdotal at best, I found it to be quite accurate, mainly because it fits closer to the skin than a smartwatch (or worse, just carrying your iPhone in a pocket).

While I'm not someone who feels the need to track my heart rate at all times or my sleep schedule — I sleep soundly for about eight hours per night and my heart is healthy, thankfully — having that information was a nice, if auxiliary, feature.

I was more interested in the activity tracking, and this is where the Motiv ring really shines. 

Motiv's app tells you only the information you need — time active, calories burned, steps, and miles — rather than overloading you with a constant stream of data. It prioritizes active minutes rather than steps, which is a refreshing take on fitness tracking. It's also easy to rack up active minutes, since it notices if you had a brisk, 10-minute walk to the subway and gives you credit for it.  

Here's what the app's interface looks like:

The ring can tell if you're doing basic activities like walking or running, and it can always track spikes in your heart rate or movement in general. If it doesn't recognize the activity you participated in, the app will politely ask, "Were you active?" Then, you can scroll though a list of activities like beach volleyball, ice skating, rock climbing, and even sex. 

Most of the time when I use fitness trackers, I'm turned off by their incessant push to be more active. But Motiv was different — the app always seemed pleasantly surprised when I went for a run or a long walk, as if I was constantly exceeding its expectations. While that's mainly because of the language the app uses and the user interface, its effect was to encourage me to be active, rather than scolding me when I wasn't. 

One thing is perfectly clear with the MINI Countryman: this is not an ordinary SUV.

It has bug-eye headlights and way too many embellishments for a traditional ride in New Jersey's suburbs. But you don't buy the Countryman for a normal SUV experience, you purchase it to have some fun.

As my colleague Matt DeBord notes, the Countryman arrived in 2011 to offer some extra space in a legacy brand known to be so tiny, it borders on uncomfortable. To be clear, this is still small by big-league SUV standards; a Toyota RAV4 would eat this gray vehicle. But it has a surprising amount of space for a MINI, and it will get the job done for families with no more than two small kids, especially city dwellers.

Size isn't really the biggest factor when reviewing this Countryman, though. We took this puppy out to get a feel for its hybrid drivetrain. Scroll down to see what we thought:

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Behold! It's the MINI Countryman, plug-in hybrid. Can you believe this qualifies as an SUV?

For comparison, here's the Kia Niro hybrid. I thought this hatchback was pretty small, but it looks like a giant compared to the MINI! The Niro is 171.5, compared to the MINI at 169.8 inches.

Truth be told, the MINI plug-in hybrid is a bit fussy. It has big wheels — SUVs have no choice — and a lot of flourishes, like this yellow "E" symbol on the cover of the charging port.

Amazon has become synonymous with online shopping.

But the online giant is increasingly moving into the physical world, opening spaces in malls, shopping districts, and even local strip malls. It's a move that signals the company's ambitions are larger than ecommerce.

One reason that may be, an anonymous source told CNBC, is that Amazon is seeing online sales go up in areas that have physical stores. Brick-and-mortar stores increase customer awareness of the brand, and it's extra fuel for the Amazon engine.

Here are all the ways that Amazon has expanded into the physical world so far.

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It acquired Whole Foods for $13.7 billion.

Amazon's acquisition of natural foods store Whole Foods is the big one to mention here.

Whole Foods was already a national chain with more than 450 stores, but with the power of Amazon behind it, it has the potential to be something even larger. Changes like selling the Amazon Echo, installing Amazon Lockers, and lowering prices are all already under way.

It struck a partnership with Kohl's, where it will be selling Amazon devices and accepting returns.

Kohl's will start accepting Amazon returns at 82 stores in Chicago and Los Angeles in October.

The returns will be free, and they won't need to be packaged before drop-off. 

Ten stores will also feature an "Amazon smart home experience" with a separate section selling Amazon devices like the Echo.

It introduced an updated version of the vending machine.

Amazon also has a line of bookstores for college campuses, which it operates in conjunction with each school.

In addition to offering books and supplies for students, it also has a special Amazon Locker device service called Amazon Instant, where attendants stuff items from the store into the slots, ready to be picked up by customers in a way that's similar to a vending machine.

For all of the improvements Bungie made between the first "Destiny" game from 2014 and "Destiny 2," which just launched earlier this month, one of the biggest changes to the game is also one of the most disappointing.

In "Destiny 2," Bungie took shaders — one of the most fun, crowd-pleasing aspects of the first game — and made them into a punishing experience.

It's perhaps one of the only aspects of the game where the sequel took a significant step backward. Here's what I mean.

SEE ALSO: This year's most anticipated game, 'Destiny 2,' is both brilliant and terrible

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In the first "Destiny" game, shaders let you change the overall color theme for your character's outfit. You could collect shaders from completing certain activities, or sometimes as a random reward at the end of an activity.

Here's what my character looked like by the end of the first "Destiny" game — without a shader.

But here's what that same character looked like with a shader on. This one is called "Midas":