It's incredibly difficult for something to remain a hidden gem in New York City. Word often spreads even faster than the locals walk to work, and then it's quickly all over social media.

Although the Lush Spa has been open for about four years, not many people seem to know about this adorably cozy and innovative spot at the corner of 59th Street and Lexington Avenue.

The spa offers nine unique treatments featuring an array of Lush products, as well as several visual and other sensory techniques. 

INSIDER had the chance to tour the spa and learn about some of the more innovative treatments offered.

Here's what it's like inside.

The Spa looks like your typical Lush shop on the first floor: filled to the brim with products and helpful sales associates.

It's slightly small but the space is utilized well.

However, unlike other Lush shops, this one has a staircase in the back leading to a second level.

It's unassuming, but it leads to something special.

The staircase leads to a little-known secret that all Lush fans (also known as Lushies) should know about: the Lush Spa.

The entrance is bright and inviting.

Whether you're skiing, hiking, or just sightseeing, mountains are natural wonders that are worth traveling for.

From the majestic Mount Fuji in Japan to Peru's colorful Rainbow Mountain, we've rounded up photos and surprising facts about some of the world's most picturesque peaks.

Keep scrolling for some serious wanderlust. 

Vinicunca, Cusco Region, Peru

Also known as the Rainbow Mountain, Vinicunca translates to "seven-colored mountain" in the local language spoken in the Cusco region of Peru.

The mountain's colors come from mineral deposits, but they weren't always easy to see. For years, Vinicunca was hidden under a thick layer of ice.

Mu Cang Chai, Vietnam

A hidden gem in a small, rural province in Northern Vietnam, Mu Cang Chai is home to terraced rice fields that are a shade of green so deep, you'll feel like you've stepped into a painting. Depending on the month you're there, the fields' colors can vary from emerald green to golden yellow to light brown.

Carved right into the Hoang Lien Son mountain range by the local Hmong people in the 1400s, the rice fields are still harvested by them today. 

Kirkjufell, Grundarfjörður, Iceland

Known as the most photographed mountain in all of Iceland, Kirkjufell has a unique location on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The peak seems to rise out of the ocean, and the waterfalls that precede it only add to its majestic look.

Kirkjufell was even used as a filming location for seasons six and seven of the popular TV show "Game of Thrones."

• The GOP's tax plan is far from finalized — Senate and House Republicans must agree on a final version of their plan before it can move forward.

• So far, both plans have attracted plenty of criticism.

• Career site Zippia broke down how the Senate tax plan could affect take-home pay in 2018 for people in various occupations.

Congressional Republicans are touting their new tax plan as a wage-boosting, job-creating boon to the middle class — despite harsh criticisms from the public and experts.

Business Insider's Lauren Lyons Cole reported that while take-home pay is set to rise under both plans, most Americans won't see a ton of extra cash in their pockets. But how much you save also depends on how much you currently earn.

Career site Zippia provided Business Insider with data breaking down how different occupations fare under the Senate's tax plan. The estimated federal tax savings below are for a single, childless taxpayer who claims the standard deduction.

Here's a look at how people in a number of different occupations, from fast food cooks to pilots to anesthesiologists, could see their taxes change next year if the Senate's tax plan becomes law:

SEE ALSO: From private school tax breaks to bigger inheritances, 7 ways rich people win big if tax reform passes

Fast food cooks

Average salary: $20,570

Current tax: $1,059

Tax under the Senate plan: $857

Percent tax cut: 19.1%

Cashiers

Average salary: $21,680

Current tax: $1,226

Tax under the Senate plan: $971

Percent tax cut: 20.8%

Waiters and waitresses

Average salary: $24,410

Current tax: $1,635

Tax under the Senate plan: $1,299

Percent tax cut: 20.6%

• Microsoft announced Tuesday it's broken ground on a major renovation of its Mountain View campus.
• The project will increase workspace at the campus by 35%.
• The modernization effort will focus on sustainability and connecting employees with the outdoors. 
  

Microsoft is giving its Silicon Valley campus a major makeover.

The company announced Tuesday it has begun a renovation of its 32-acre campus in Mountain View, California, just north of San Jose. Microsoft will be adding office space on the campus. But the modernization project will also focus on sustainability and improving employee access to outdoors spaces – a point Microsoft also emphasizes at its main campus in Redmond, Washington.

"The new Silicon Valley Campus will build on our legacy in the area and demonstrate our commitment to empower employees, the community, and our natural resources" Kevin Scott, Microsoft's chief technology officer, said in a blog post.

Notable upgrades include a four-acre living roof, a new fitness center, and a whole lot of windows. Additionally, Microsoft intends to design the campus so that all of the non-drinking water it uses for things like watering plants or flushing toilets either comes from rainfall or water recycled from places on campus such as its kitchens and drinking fountains. The company forecasts that the conservation effort to reduce its potable water consumption by more than 5%.

Microsoft expects to complete the renovation by December 2019. 

SEE ALSO: Microsoft employees can now work from tree houses

The new office spaces at Microsoft's Silicon Valley campus will be housed in connecting two-story structures.

The buildings will be constructed in part with Cross Laminated Timber, a type of wood panel that's made by gluing multiple beams of wood together. CLT is significantly more expensive than other building materials, but it doesn't require burning any fossil fuels to make and is considered to be more environmentally friendly than conventional lumber.

Employees will be able to take lunch breaks on the landscaped living roof.

Or in one of the many planned courtyards.

Microsoft is designing the campus around a "neighborhood and courtyard concept" that will let employees move easily from indoors to out, the company said.

• Retiring in Europe is both a glamorous and realistic option for Americans.
• Live and Invest Overseas, a resource for people who want to live, retire, and invest overseas, put together a list of the best places in Europe for American retirees.
• The ranking is based on cost of living, safety, local expat community, and more.

After working several decades in a cubicle, who wouldn't want to retire to a warm European seaside town?

Luckily, it's not as overwhelming as it might seem to figure out the best places to retire in a foreign country.

Live and Invest Overseas, a resource for people who want to live, retire, and invest overseas, put together a list of the best retirement destinations in Europe for American retirees.

They based their list on 13 criteria, including cost of living, crime and safety, whether English was spoken there, entertainment, environmental conditions, the expat community, health care, infrastructure, recreation, residency options, taxes, and the affordability and restrictions on real estate.

"Retiring in Europe is about launching a new life in a new country, starting over in a unique place with Old World culture," said Kathleen Peddicord, author and publisher of Live and Invest Overseas. "But there’s no one way to determine the best place to retire for every person. That’s why we have identified the best destinations in Europe that are each special for their own reasons."

We also included the costs of rent, transportation, and groceries in each destination, based on figures cited by Live and Invest Overseas. All amounts are in US dollars and are current as of December.

Here are the best European destinations for American retirees in 2017.

SEE ALSO: 27 cities around the world where expats are happy, rents are affordable, and jobs are plentiful

DON'T MISS: Meet the world's 50 richest billionaires of 2017

9. Paris, France

Paris is a multicultural and international hotspot that would make a perfect retirement spot for anyone who can't part with city life. Of course, on the downside, the cost of living is more expensive there than other locations on the list.

Monthly cost in Le Marais neighborhood of Paris, France: 

Unfurnished, 2-bedroom apartment: $1978

Monthly metro/bus pas for 2: $160

Groceries for 2: $684

8. Bled, Slovenia

Bled is a resort town on Lake Bled in northwestern Slovenia. The area has turned into a major tourist attraction for its beauty and abundance of outdoorsy activities.

Monthly cost in Bled, Slovenia: 

Unfurnished, 2-bedroom apartment or house near lake: $708

Taxi, train, bus for 2: $89

Groceries for 2: $236

7. Chania, Crete, Greece

Crete is one of the most beautiful locations in Greece. Most of the tourist spots and cities on the island, including Chania, have a significant number of people who speak English, making it easier for expats to get around. Plus, the cost of living is relatively low.

Monthly cost in Chania, Crete, Greece: 

Unfurnished, 2-bedroom apartment: $472

Bus/metro pass for 2, occasional taxi: $83

Groceries for 2: $295

Time for a new job?

If the coming change in calendar year has you itching to do something different, jobs and recruiting site Glassdoor has you covered with this year's Employees' Choice Awards, which features the 100 best places to work in 2018 across the US.

To find the companies with the most satisfied workers, Glassdoor scanned its massive database of company reviews and ratings from current and former employees.

Reviews include employees' opinions on some of the best reasons to work for their employer, any downsides, advice to management, and whether they'd recommend their employer to a friend, as well as ratings on how satisfied they are with their employer overall, their CEO, and key workplace attributes like career opportunities, compensation and benefits, culture, and values.

Based on employees' reviews, companies received overall ratings on a scale of one to five, with five representing the most satisfied employees. (While Glassdoor's calculations extend beyond the thousandth to determine final rank order, ratings displayed are limited to one decimal space.)

Though tech companies are renowned for their employee perks and compensation, companies from all kinds of industries — from retail to healthcare to finance and more — are beloved by their employees.

"It's encouraging to see non-tech employers rank so highly on the list because it shows people that all industries have companies that are best places to work and are also progressive and forward-looking when it comes to how they approach the employee experience," Glassdoor CEO cofounder Robert Hohman told Business Insider.

"This includes offering some great benefits and perks for their employees," Hohman said. "We should expect this trend to only rise, though tech has always paved the way in terms of innovative people and HR practices."

Hohman said that, regardless of industry, a few strong themes stood out among this year's winners.

"Specifically, employees reported that they love working at companies with mission-driven company cultures, where they have clear career opportunities, and where senior leadership teams make them feel valued and are transparent with how they communicate with employees," he said. "We also saw a trend of employees really appreciating family-friendly benefits, from extended parental leaves to child care reimbursement."

Head over to Glassdoor to check out the full list, and scroll down for the top 50 best places to work:

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

DON'T MISS: 29 jobs to avoid if you hate feeling stressed

50. SpaceX

Company rating: 4.3

SpaceX, which is short for Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company.

"Everyone here is trusted to make smart decisions so we spend time focusing on the goal rather than getting hung up on the little things. Everyone here is approachable and relaxed so it makes the workplace feel like somewhere you actually want to be every day."— SpaceX Material flow planner (Hawthorne, California)

49. Wegmans Food Markets

Company rating: 4.3

Wegmans Food Markets is a regional supermarket chain with stores in the mid-Atlantic and New England.

"Great work environment, decent pay and benefits for retail work. Encouraged to grow and move up in company. Friendly environment."— Wegmans Food Markets customer service representative (Collegeville, Pennsylvania)

48. Oshkosh Corporation

Company rating: 4.3

Oshkosh Corporation is an American industrial company based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, that designs and builds specialty trucks, military vehicles, truck bodies, airport fire apparatus and access equipment.

"People first culture. Talented teams throughout the company willing to help. Very successful, yet committed to being even better. Incredible products."—Oshkosh Corporation vice president of business development (Oshkosh, Wisconsin)

Recruitment website Glassdoor has released its annual list of the best companies in the UK to work for, based on anonymous employee reviews.

Glassdoor lets people anonymously leave ratings and feedback on their employers and Glassdoor has used that data to rank companies, giving them a rating out of 5. Companies had to have at least 30 reviews on the site and at least 1,000 employees to qualify.

Glassdoor gives all the company ratings to one decimal place, although companies which appear to be rated exactly the same can actually have slightly different ratings, and are ordered accordingly.

The list includes some of the world's largest and most recognisable companies, including Google and Apple. But it also features smaller, UK-focused firms.

Check out the top businesses below:

17. Sky Betting and Gaming: 4.3

Rating: 4.3.

What it does: Betting and gaming.

What staff say:"There's a jam-packed 3-year roadmap with lots of interesting work to do. The people are friendly, open and collaborative. If you want to, you can learn a lot here." —Sky Betting & Gaming Software Engineering Manager (Leeds, England)

16. Rentalcars.com: 4.3

Rating: 4.3.

What it does: Online car rental.

What staff say: "Great work environment, really feel like I have a voice within the company. Benefits are constantly being reviewed to improve employee retainment. Very Agile and Tech focused." —Rentalcars.com Software Engineering Team Leader (Manchester, England)

15. Taylor Wimpey: 4.3

Rating: 4.3.

What it does: Housebuilder.

What staff say: "They reward effort. Terms are reasonable and the overall package of benefits is excellent. Management structure is great, everyone is part of the same team." —Taylor Wimpey Director (Bristol, England)

Hedge funds make their money choosing which stocks they think will succeed and fail.

Goldman Sachs recently updated its Very Important Position list of stocks, which are among the top 10 holdings for a large number of hedge funds. 

It's worth noting that the rankings are based off of funds' 13-F filings with the SEC for the third quarter of 2017, and so their holdings may have changed since.

Here are the 17 stocks that showed up most often in hedge funds' lists of their top 10 holdings.

SEE ALSO: Hedge funds are betting billions that these 17 stocks are going to implode

17. Netflix

Ticker: NFLX

Subsector: Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

No. of funds with stock as a top-10 holding: 24

No. of funds with 10 to 200 positions owning stock: 40

% of equity cap owned by hedge funds: 10%

Year-to-date total return: 58%

16. C. R. Bard Inc.

Ticker: BCR

Subsector: Health Care Equipment

No. of funds with stock as a top-10 holding: 24

No. of funds with 10 to 200 positions owning stock: 28

% of equity cap owned by hedge funds: 18%

Year-to-date total return: 49%

15. Dell Technologies

Ticker: DVMT

Subsector: Systems Software

No. of funds with stock as a top-10 holding: 25

No. of funds with 10 to 200 positions owning stock: 44

% of equity cap owned by hedge funds: 30%

Year-to-date total return: 48%

Athletes and watches have gone hand in hand for decades now, and have became essential tools for timing car races or for recording moments like Roger Bannister beating the four minute mile.

And while most athletes today sport brand new production watches, the market for vintage sports watches has been growing in recent years. This was made clear when Paul Newman's old Rolex "Paul Newman" Daytona sold at auction for a record breaking $17.8 million (£13.2 million) in October.

Expensive Swiss mechanical watches don't have much practical use in today's sporting world, yet you can't go to a major sporting event without seeing some serious watch game.

Watch brands are chomping at the bit to sponsor the the world's most elite and up-and-coming athletes, with most of the big name brands partnering with teams of athletes — from fighters like Floyd Mayweather to half of the tennis world, including Federer and Nadal — to wear and promote their watches. 

Scroll down to see 16 of the most expensive watches worn by the world's most elite atheletes, ranked in ascending order by price:

SEE ALSO: 10 luxury watches that are actually worth the investment

Neymar — Gaga Milano, $2,100 (£1,569).

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Neymar's love of watches is well documented, with his trip to a Gaga Milano store ending in a $180,000 (£13,4620) purchase and an endorsement deal. Spending that much in one go might seem excessive, but when you're one of the highest paid football stars in the world it becomes a bit more understandable. Despite his own line of timepieces being on the lower end of the luxury watch bracket, it looks as though he has some special editions worth much more in his collection. 

Price according to Gaga Milano.

Andy Murray — Rado Hyperchrome XXL, $3,475 (£2,600).

When Andy Murray won his first Wimbledon back in 2013 he was a Rado brand ambassador, and as soon as he won, he reportedly hurried to slap on his Rado Hyperchrome. He put it on so quickly he didn't notice that it was seven hours out. He has since dropped Rado as a sponsor and instead works with brands such as Jaguar and Under Armour.

Price according to the Daily Mirror.

David Beckham— Tudor Black Bay Chrono, $4,480 (£3,350).

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David Beckham is one of the major sponsors for Tudor's Born to Dare campaign and is often seen wearing one of the brand's highly popular watches. Beckham sits alongside other high-profile ambassadors of Tudor such as Lady Gaga and the New Zealnds All Blacks rugby team.

Price according to Tudor.

People are watching television shows in so many ways these day — from DVRs to streaming — that the old standard of live TV ratings is becoming more and more obsolete.

Today, it's important to show that audiences are not only watching shows but engaging with them and other fans. That's where social networks, such as Twitter and Facebook, are painting a fuller picture of the shows that fans are obsessing over.

Using data from Nielsen Social ratings, marketing technology company Amobee Brand Intelligence, and the entertainment social platform TV Time, INSIDER compiled a list of the shows that lead in audience engagement this year.

Here are the 17 most talked-about shows of 2017.

SEE ALSO: The 10 biggest box-office bombs of 2017

"Game of Thrones" (HBO)

With just two short seasons left, "Game of Thrones"fired up fans on season seven by joining Jon Snow and Daenerys' forces as the White Walkers become an incredible threat to Westeros.

"The Walking Dead" (AMC)

"The Walking Dead" has certainly been trying to win back its fans this season after some were put off by the show's direction over the past few years. The all-out war between Negan and Rick's groups is the focal point of the current eighth season.

"Big Brother" (CBS)

After 18 seasons, fans were still pumped to tune in to the 19th season of CBS's voyeuristic reality competition.

Finland's repeated success in national education rankings suggests there are at least a few lessons the US can learn.

For one, the tiny Nordic country places considerable weight on early education. Before Finnish kids learn their times tables, they learn simply how to be kids — how to play with one another, how to mend emotional wounds.

But even as kids grow up, the country makes a concerted effort to put them on a track for success.

Here are some of the biggest ways Finland is winning in global education.

SEE ALSO: Finland has one of the best education systems in the world — here are 4 things it does better than the US

1. Competition isn't as important as cooperation.

Finland has figured out that competition between schools doesn't get kids as far as cooperation between those schools. 

One reason for that is Finland has no private schools. Every academic institution in the country is funded through public dollars. Teachers are trained to issue their own tests instead of standardized tests.

"There's no word for accountability in Finnish," education expert Pasi Sahlberg once told an audience at the Teachers College of Columbia University. Teachers are trusted to do well without the motivation of competition.

And that's because ...

2. Teaching is one of the most-respected professions.

Teachers aren't underpaid in Finland like they are in the US. In fact, they're valued a lot since Finland puts a lot of stock in childhood as the foundation for lifelong development.

To become a teacher in Finland, candidates must have first received at least their master's degree and complete the equivalent of a residency program in US medical schools. Student teachers often teach at affiliate elementary schools that adjoin a university.

The result: Teachers can be counted on to know the best pedagogical research on education that's out there.

3. Finland listens to the research.

In the US, research studies looking at what works in the classroom and what doesn't often get stuck in the mud of local school-board politics. Parents argue certain policies aren't "right" for their kids.

In Finland, research comes with no such political baggage. The government makes its education policy decisions based almost solely on effectiveness — if the data show improvements, the federal Ministry of Education and Culture will give it a shot.

"Overall, education in the United States is much more political than it is in Finland, where it's much more of a professional issue," Sahlberg told Business Insider.

In short, Finland gets things done.

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.

The Insider Pick:

• After reading the reviews and testing a variety of cat litter scoops, we’ve settled on the Duranimal Durascoop as our top pick. Durably constructed from aluminum, this scoop is surprisingly strong, and the ergonomic handle makes it comfortable to use.

Compared to dogs, cats tend to be fairly low-maintenance pets. You don’t have to take them for a daily walk and you can leave them at home all day if you have to. They also come with the benefit of using a litter box indoors, so you don’t have to let them outside. Though training your cat to use a litter box is easy and convenient, you still have to do some cleanup. To keep the litter box fresh and clean, you should scoop it several times a week.

The cat litter scoop you choose is largely a matter of preference, though you should consider the options before you make your decision. If you’re wondering what the differences are between the various litter scoops on the market, you’ll be glad to know that we’ve done the research and we’ve tested the most popular litter scoops to bring you our top picks. Below you’ll find our favorites for the best litter scoop in five different categories.

Read on to learn why the Duranimal DuraScoop is our top pick and why you should also consider the Litter Lifter, the PetFusion QuickScoop, the Purrr-Fect Scoop, and the iPrimio Sifter.

SEE ALSO: The best cat food bowls you can buy

The best cat litter scoop overall

Why you'll love it: The Duranimal Durascoop is our top pick based on its strength, durability, and comfortable design. 

If you’re going to be scooping your litter box several times a week, you need a tool that makes the job as quick and easy as possible. The perfect litter scoop would be lightweight but durable, comfortable to use, and highly efficient at scooping clumps and sifting clean litter. For a cat litter scoop that meets all of these specifications and more, we recommend the Duranimal DuraScoop Jumbo Cat Litter Scoop.

The Duranimal DuraScoop Jumbo Cat Litter Scoop features an end-to-end all-aluminum construction. Though it is all-metal, it has an ergonomic molded rubber grip on the handle, making it comfortable for frequent use. The scoop itself is deep enough to contain even the largest clumps while the slots are wide enough to let clean litter sift through without sticking. As an added bonus, the 90-degree corners and the flat-edged blade make it easy to get into the corners of your litter box.

The Happy Cat Site says the curved sides of the scoop help to prevent litter scatter, and our testing confirms this to be true. A detailed review of the scoop from Cat Health praises the ergonomic design, the perfect balance, and the molded grip handle, all features that make the scoop comfortable and easy to use.

With more than 4,700 reviews on Amazon, the Duranimal DuraScoop Jumbo Cat Litter Scoop has a 4.8-star rating. Customers love the sturdy design as well as the deep scoop, though some comment that small clumps and very fine litter may sift through the slots.

Pros: End-to-end all-aluminum construction, very strong and durable, molded rubber handle for comfort, large size yet still lightweight, ergonomically balanced, mirror finish won’t rub off, resistant to corrosion and rust, great for multi-cat households, easy to get into corners

Cons: May be too large for smaller litter boxes, slots may be too wide for very fine litter

Buy the DuraScoop Jumbo Cat Litter Scoop on Amazon for $12.99 (originally $15.99)

The best affordable cat litter scoop

Why you'll love it: Not only is the Litter Lifter affordably priced, but it is surprisingly durable and it is designed to sift even the finest litter, making your job easier than ever.

Top-of-the-line cat litter scoops sell for upwards of $20, but many of them don’t live up to the hype. If you’re looking for a simple cat litter scoop that will get the job done without emptying your wallet, we recommend the Litter Lifter. In testing, it stood up well against some of the pricier models and it sifted even the finest litter we tested it with.

Made from lightweight plastic materials, the Litter Lifter may not look like anything special, but it gets the job done at an affordable price. With its lightweight but durable construction, this litter scoop is easy and comfortable to use, even for heavier clumps. It features a generously sized scoop which makes quick work of larger litter boxes and the narrow slots ensure that even the finest litter falls easily back into the box where it belongs.

Fluffy Kitty names the Litter Lifter one of its top three picks for the best cat litter scoops. The review mentions that it's affordably priced and remarkably efficient, even for fine litter and smaller clumps. Cat Litter Help gives the Litter Lifter 3.5 out of 4 stars, noting that the unique size and shape is perfect for larger litter boxes while the shallow depth is ideal for lifting waste from the surface of the litter box.

The Litter Lifter is one of Amazon’s Choice products and it has over 700 reviews with a 4.7-star rating. Buyers love the price as well as the fact that it sifts even the finest litter. There are some comments, however, that the scoop may be too large for smaller litter boxes and that it may not be deep enough to contain very large clumps.

Pros: Priced under $10, made from durable plastic, lightweight construction, narrow slats can sift even the finest litter, strong enough for heavy messes, comes in assorted colors

Cons: May be too large for smaller litter boxes, scoop may be too shallow for very large clumps, larger litters may get stuck more easily

Buy the Litter Lifter on Amazon for $9.99 (currently out of stock)

The best non-stick cat litter scoop

Why you'll love it: With its durable construction and antimicrobial coating, the PetFusion QuickScoop makes scooping the litter box quick and easy.

The PetFusion QuickScoop offers great value and it's very durable. Whether you choose clumping or non-clumping litter, you need a scoop that will contain waste while allowing clean litter to fall back into the box. Some litter scoops are made with materials that scratch easily which can sometimes cause litter to stick.

Cleaning your litter scoop in addition to your litter box is an extra chore that no cat owner wants to deal with, so consider buying a nonstick litter scoop. After testing several models, our favorite non-stick scoop is the PetFusion QuickScoop.

Made from durable ABS plastic, the PetFusion QuickScoop is more rigid and sturdy than the average polypropylene scoop. Not only is it durably constructed, but it has an anti-microbial and nonstick coating which makes it both safe and easy to use. The handle features an ergonomic grip for comfort while the scoop itself has high walls to prevent scatter and variable slots for quick sifting. As an added bonus, it comes with a wall mount and it is covered by a 12-month warranty.

The PetFusion QuickScoop has a 4.3-star rating on Amazon and while there are not as many customer reviews for this product as for other models, testing revealed this scoop to be one of the best scoops.

Not only did we find it sturdy and comfortable to use, but the nonstick coating ensures quick sifting and easy clean-up. We also found that the straight, tapered edge makes it easy to lift even stubborn clumps.

Pros: Made from durable ABS plastic, ergonomic handle grip for comfort, high walls to prevent scatter, slots allow for quick sifting, antimicrobial and non-stick coating, comes with a wall mount, straight edge lifts clumps well

Cons: Some types of litter may stick more than others, scoop is more shallow than some models

Buy the PetFusion QuickScoop on Amazon for $15.95

Logging onto Facebook is like navigating a minefield of humble brag-style statuses. There seems to always be new baby photos from people you barely speak to, new home photos, and of course, engagement announcements. For a long time, it may have seemed as though Instagram and Twitter were safe (these people are your real friends and not just hometown randoms, after all) but one quick scroll and BOOM. One of your friends, your actual, good friends, is engaged.

Whether you got the personal "we’re getting married!" text or saw it on Insta like the rest of their followers, it’s a celebratory time for your besties, but it can also a little bit intimidating for you, especially if you’re single. This isn’t someone you went to high school with, so a quick comment or an easy "like" won’t do the trick. If there’s one way to start feeling just a little bit older and more clueless, it’s encountering the first big engagement.

So what can you do?  No, you don’t reach for the nearest pint of ice cream and start talking like Carrie Bradshaw. Well, not yet. Here’s what to do before the big "I do."

First, congrats.

Obviously. The first step in this whole adulting thing is wishing your friends the best. The newly-engaged couple is probably feeling super giddy at this point, so they’ll be happy to encounter as much heartfelt praise and excitement as possible.

No need to bring up running into either one’s ex recently or post a #TBT pic on the same night that you watched them fight at a bar. Stick to mentioning happy memories in honor of even happier times to come.

Offer to help.

It never hurts to help. Your group of friends probably has a bunch of different skills, so if you all pitch in, it just may make things a little easier for your favorite duo.

Whether you’ve got a side hustle in web design and can whip up their wedding website or you love to craft and can help them step up their Pinterest hack game, you’ll not only be doing the right thing, but you’ll also get to be a part of a special day, whether or not you’re actually in the wedding party.

Start saving ASAP.

Here’s the tough part: weddings are expensive. Even worse is that they’re actually reaching an all-time high when it comes to average costs.

Luckily, you’re not the one footing the whole bill, but you will probably encounter some financial obligations of your own. You might need to pay for a hotel, a new outfit, and maybe even a flight to whichever destination is the site of their nuptials. We live in an age of technology, so not only are our phones good for brainstorming the perfect wedding hashtag, they also come in clutch when it comes to finding necessary money-saving apps.

2017 is coming to an end, and now it's time to reflect on some of the people behind the most memorable moments of the past year. 

From Jordan Peele's smash hit "Get Out" to Gal Gadot making history as Wonder Woman to Serena Williams winning the Australian Open while roughly eight weeks pregnant, there have been a ton of incredible stories.

Here are 18 celebrities who made a lasting impression this year. 

SEE ALSO: Time magazine names the #MeToo 'Silence Breakers' as its Person of the Year — spurning Trump

Rose McGowan is one of the dozens of women who have accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment or assault and has been a vocal advocate for women.

Bombshell reports revealed dozens of sexual assault, harassment, and rape allegations against producer Harvey Weinstein in early October. He was merely the first in what has been an avalanche of allegations of sexual misconduct against men in Hollywood, media, and politics.

McGowan reportedly reached a $100,000 settlement with Weinstein following sexual assault allegations and accused him of rape. She has used her social media presence to speak out against the culture of sexual harassment and has stood with all of the victims coming forward. 

In a speech at the Women's Convention, she said, "I'm just like you, because what happened to me, happens to all of us in society, and that cannot stand, and it will not stand."

Cardi B dethroned Taylor Swift from the top of the Billboard charts and made Grammy history.

Born Belcalis Almanzar, the 25-year-old rapper became the first female rapper to score a No. 1 hit on the charts since Lauryn Hill in 1998. She also made Billboard history as the first woman to have her first three entries in the top 10 of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Song chart at the same time.

Her single "Bodak Yellow" made Grammy history after earning her a nomination for rap performance, a category that has never had a woman nominated on her own. It also earned a nomination for rap song.

Selena Gomez was open about her struggles with lupus and her life-saving kidney transplant.

In a September Instagram post, the 25-year-old singer revealed that she was recovering after a kidney transplant thanks to a kidney donation from her best friend, Francia Raisa.

In a TV interview, Gomez described the harrowing surgery that took six hours due to complications. The singer said the transplant made her arthritis go away and that there is a 3% to 5% chance that her lupus returns.

She was named Billboard's Woman of the Year. 

• Many foods viewed as "healthy options" are actually loaded with sodium. 
• It's important to be mindful of serving size and low-sodium options.
• Buying vegetables fresh instead of frozen is healthier.

Cottage cheese

Cottage cheese with fruit is an old lunchtime favorite, packed with protein and calcium. But if you're aiming to lower your sodium, you might want to skip these creamy curds, as they're actually foods high in sodium. Cottage cheese has at least 400 mg of sodium per half cup. For a tasty substitute, try Greek yogurt. You'll get more protein, calcium, vitamin D, and as a bonus, some good-for-your-gut probiotics. Most Greek yogurts weigh in at only 70 mg of sodium per half cup. Greek yogurt can be part of one these healthy high-protein breakfasts you'll want to start eating.

Instant oatmeal

Instant oatmeal is a popular option for the morning rush, especially in winter. Just add hot water and you have a warm and nutritious bowl of goodness, right? Not necessarily, says Paul Salter, MS, RD, nutrition editor for bodybuilding.com. "Take charge of your sodium intake and spend an extra couple of minutes each morning with a serving of old-fashioned oats rather than relying on instant oatmeal," Salter says. Instant oatmeal packs in as much as 200 mg per serving compared to zero sodium in plain oats. If plain oatmeal sounds blah, try topping it with berries, Greek yogurt, and cinnamon. Get more ideas for tasty oatmeal toppings you might never have thought to try.

Sports drinks

Even after a heavy-duty sweat session at the gym, you probably don't need a sports drink to replace your sodium stores. "Those beverages are created for athletes training at a high level for an extended period," says Alysha Coughler, RD, of buildmybodybeautiful.com. Water, coconut water, or maple water will quench your thirst and keep you within your daily sodium budget. Here are some surprising reasons you're always thirsty. (Yes, eating foods high in sodium is one of them!)

• Many of the wealthiest people on earth are married to people who are very successful in their own right.

• The world's top billionaires are married to an award-winning novelist, a pediatrician, and a powerful philanthropist, among others.

• Uber-wealthy billionaires meet their spouses the same way anyone else does — through work, friends, and at social functions.

When it comes to love, the uber-wealthy are no different than the rest of us.

Some billionaires, like Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, met their spouses at work. Others, like David Koch, were set up on blind dates.

But there's nothing ordinary about the spouses and partners of some of the world's wealthiest people. Melinda Gates and Dr. Priscilla Chan both run powerhouse philanthropic organizations. MacKenzie Bezos is a published author who has racked up awards and critical acclaim. Hélène Mercier-Arnault is an accomplished concert pianist.

Here's a look at the significant others of some of the wealthiest people in the US:

SEE ALSO: The incredible career of Jeff Bezos' wife MacKenzie, an acclaimed writer who quit her job to support her husband and is now half of the richest couple in the world

Melinda Gates has been married to Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates for 23 years. Her now husband first asked her out at a company picnic — he was the CEO and she was a product manager.

Source: Business Insider, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Forbes

Today, they run a namesake philanthropic giant with an endowment of $40.3 billion. The Gateses are worth $90.1 billion, according to Forbes.

Source: Business Insider, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Forbes

Dr. Priscilla Chan first met her future husband Mark Zuckerberg while in line for the bathroom at a Harvard University frat party. Later, when she found out he slacked off on his take-home midterm to take her on their first date, she told "Today" host Savannah Guthrie, "the type-A first child in me was appalled."

Source: Business Insider, Business Insider, Business Insider, CNN, Recode, Forbes

Where do you see yourself in five years? What is your biggest weakness? Why should we hire you?

If you've interviewed for enough jobs, you've probably answered those questions so many times you could do it in your sleep. They're cliche, they're predictable, and much of the time, they fail to elicit anything more than a canned response.

Instead, some companies opt for slightly more offbeat interview questions that seemingly don't have anything to do with the job being offered. CEOs love them because they reveal how creative or quick-thinking a prospective employee might be as a member of the company.

Here are some of the strangest interview questions we've come across that, at first glance, seem to have nothing to do with the job:

SEE ALSO: 9 résumé mistakes that make you look less qualified, less impressive, and less intelligent than you really are

What are the qualities you like least and most in your parents?

Bob Brennan, the former CEO of records-management company Iron Mountain, said if he could only ask one question during a job interview, he would ask job candidates which qualities in their parents they like and don't like.

The question is so predictive of the candidate's personality that the right answer could inspire Brennan to hire them on the spot, he told New York Times columnist Adam Bryant.

"I'll let the human resources professionals debate whether such a question is out of bounds,"Bryant wrote.

"But I'm hard pressed to think of a better crystal ball for predicting how somebody is likely to behave in the weeks, months and years after you hire them. After all, people often adopt the qualities of their parents that they like, and work hard to do the opposite of what they don't like."

Are you the smartest person you know?

This is a question that Oracle cofounder and former CEO Larry Ellison would have college recruiters ask recent college graduates.

It may sound like Ellison was trying to gauge a job candidate's arrogance. But in fact, he was trying to do the exact opposite.

According to Ellison biographer Mike Wilson, if the candidate answered that they are the smartest person they know, they'd get hired. If they said they wouldn't, the recruiter would ask, "Who is?" Then they'd try to hire that other person instead.

Wilson said the question exemplified Ellison's confidence in hiring intelligent people who will challenge him to do his job better.

On a scale from 1 to 10, how lucky are you?

Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh told Business Insider that he usually asks job candidates to rate how lucky they are on a scale from 1 to 10.

While there's no right answer, Hsieh said either extreme could be a red flag — if you're a one, you don't know why bad things happen to you, and probably blame others for your shortcomings. If you're a 10, you don't understand why good things happen to you, and might lack confidence.

Hsieh also asks candidates to rate how weird they are on a scale from 1 to 10 to see how they'll fit in with the company culture (again, he tries to avoid ones and tens).

Vaginas tend to be fairly high-maintenance, from the monthly bleeding to the cramping that tends to come along with it.

And, because having a vagina can be a little bit of a chore, chances are good that you are already aware of your basic vagina don'ts, such as don't douche (it messes with your vagina's natural bacteria levels and causes an increased risk of irritation). Don't forget to pee after sex (this helps to flush out bacteria that can gather in the urethra during sex, reducing your risk of UTIs and other infections). Don't wipe from back to front (this can bring fecal bacteria close to your vagina, which can cause infections).

But there are some other potential vagina pitfalls that you need to be aware of, too. INSIDER spoke with Dr. Alyssa Dweck, a gynecologist in New York and the author of "The Complete A to Z for Your V: A Women's Guide To Everything You Ever Wanted To Learn About Your Vagina" in order to figure out exactly what you should avoid to keep your vagina in tip-top shape.

Sitting around in a wet bathing suit

Sure, it may not exactly be peak swimsuit-wearing season right now. But it's generally pretty good practice to try and reduce your time in a bathing suit whenever you can.

"If you are prone to yeast or urinary tract infections, don't sit around in a wet bathing suit," Dr. Dweck told INSIDER.

This can leave the residue of the water — and whatever was in the water — on the skin, and lead to an imbalance of bacteria within the vagina, increasing your chances of a yeast infection or UTI. So, if you find yourself in a context in which a bathing suit is necessary, try to bring a set of clothes to change into afterward. Your vagina will thank you.

Scrubbing with harsh soaps

You probably know that douching is a pretty terrible idea for your vagina. But you also shouldn't try to "clean" your vagina with anything else — especially not harsh, heavily perfumed soaps, which can cause irritation inside the vagina.

In fact, there is "no need to scrub the inside of the vagina," Dr. Dweck told INSIDER. "The vagina is self-cleaning."

If you really feel the need to wash, you can do so with warm water and mild soap on the vulva.

Smoking

"Stay away from cigarettes" isn’t exactly a revolutionary piece of health advice. But if those black lung diagrams from your middle school health class didn’t do the trick to convince you not to smoke, know this — smoking is also pretty bad news for your vagina.

According to Dr. Dweck, smoking reduces blood flow to the genitals and can lead to an an uncomfortable, dry vagina.

• Meghan Markle will become a member of the royal family when she marries Prince Harry in Spring 2018.
• Royals follow a very strict protocol that dictates their dress and behavior.
• Markle is already paving her own way by not wearing nude stockings, holding hands with Prince Harry, and spending Christmas with the Queen.

Being a member of the British royal family is a full-time job with lots of rules. Everything from what royals wear to what they eat to how they say hello is dictated by rigid protocol.

Prince Harry's fiancée Meghan Markle isn't officially a royal yet, but she's already paving her own way within their established traditions. 

Here are four ways she's shaking up the royal family's strict protocol.

Markle didn't wear nude stockings at her engagement photocall.

Members of the royal family are expected to wear nude stockings with skirts and dresses, according to royal expert Victoria Arbiter. In her first official photocall with Prince Harry announcing their engagement, it appears that Markle opted for strappy heels without stockings.

"You never see a royal without their nude stockings. Meghan, from what I can see from the engagement photographs, it doesn't look like she was wearing tights or stockings," Arbiter told INSIDER. "I would say that's really the only hard, steadfast rule in terms of what the Queen requires."

Some people thought that Markle's tote bag broke royal protocol, as royals like Kate Middleton usually carry a clutch to avoid unwanted handshakes.

While it's true that clutches are one handbag option available to royals, the Queen carries a Launer purse with the strap in the crook of her arm to leave her hands free. And Middleton has been known to tuck her clutch under her arm to greet people.

"There is no rule book, there is no protocol, there is no set bag that royals are required to carry. It's more about personal comfort and what works for every given individual on the day," Arbiter told INSIDER.

Since this was her first appearance since the royal engagement, Markle is likely still figuring out what kind of bag she prefers to carry.

Fiancées aren't usually invited to the Queen's holiday festivities, but Prince Harry reportedly asked for an exception to be made this year.

In 2010, Kate Middleton wasn't allowed to spend Christmas with the royal family. She and Prince William were engaged, but royal protocol dictates that only spouses of royals can attend the Queen's festivities at her private estate in Norfolk.

This year, Prince Harry reportedly asked the Queen to make an exception for his fiancée. Markle will be the first royal fiancée to spend Christmas with the royal family.

• Both the Porsche 911 and the Ford Mustang have been around since the mid-1960s.
• The Porsche 911 Carrera GTS and the Ford Mustang GT have some similar specs but different engineering and a big difference in the price tags.
• For the money, it's hard to beat the Mustang.

I like Porsches, always have. I call the legendary 911 my "Drive for My Life Car." If I had to drive for survival and didn't know what I'd be up against, I'd grab the keys to a 911 and not look back. 

But I also like Mustangs — classic American muscle. Also exhilarating to drive. Once I'd Driven For My Life in a 911, I might start looking for a Mustang to celebrate with.

Until recently, and despite Ford's reinvention of the Mustang as a globally popular sports car, I thought of the 911 and the Stang as occupying different universes.

And then I drove them more or less back to back. And not just any 911 or any Mustang. I drove a GTS and a GT. Some serious metal, some serious motors, some serious power.

Here's how it went.

Photos by Hollis Johnson unless indicated otherwise.

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SEE ALSO: The 2018 Ford Mustang GT is a powerful, high-tech muscle car that's a blast to drive

Here's the Mustang GT, 2018 edition, in the canyons above Malibu in sunny Southern California. Price tag? My test car was not stickered, but you can get one for a starting price of about $35,000.

The 2018 Mustang lineup has been refreshed after a new design was rolled out in 2015. It's still the same old Stang, but it's now made a bit sleeker overall. Feedback has been quite positive so far, and I'm sold, even though I had few issues with the beefier look of the 2015 original.

My GT's color was a triple-aggressive Triple Yellow. Hot as hell, if you ask me, and hotter still with those blacked-out wheels. You can read my review here.

The GT bases at about $35,000, but by the time you add some options to the Premium trim level, you can be up around $50,000.

And here's a 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS, in a different kind of canyon. A concrete canyon in shadowy midtown Manhattan.

The color? A very sexy Carmine Red, which is a $3,000 extra. Overall, the GTS we sampled was — brace yourself — $128,980. The base price is about $120,000 before the add-ons (and there weren't that many outside the paint job some performance and mechanical features).

Obviously, you could buy several Mustang GTs for that price. And that's kind of the point, as you'll see as we make out way through this comparison.

The iconic, bug-eyed look of the 911 has been tweaked since the car was introduced in 1963. Poetically for our purposes, the Mustang debuted in 1965 and has achieved equally iconic status.

In my experience, most people — Stang fans or not — love the way the Stang looks. The 911, not so much. It's an acquired taste. But nothing else resembles it, so the 911 announces itself just as surely. My feeling is that I never avidly want a 911 in my driveway, but when I have one parked there, I believe it looks dang good.

In the vast lineup of 911 variants, the GTS sits at the top of what you might call the lowest tier. It's the best "entry-level" Porsche money can buy. To jump up a tier, you need to buy the 911 Turbo.

As it turns out, the Mustang GT is similarly situated, above the base Stangs with four-cylinder turbo engines, but below the mighty Shelby GT350. And both our competitors here were hardtop coupés with nominal back seats, although the Stang's are a bit more accommodating of adults.

Let's get down to it. First up, Mr. Mustang GT.

What was a muscle car is now a muscular sports car, as Ford has updated the driving dynamics. Mustangs are now quite effective at going around corners, as I discovered while canyon carving in LA.