• There are both good and bad effects of discontinuing your form of birth control.
• Being on birth control and then getting off will continue to keep your risk of ovarian cancer low.
• On the other hand, no longer using birth control can make your endometriosis symptoms worse.  
• Your cycle can go back to being irregular.

Whether you've just started birth control or have been on it for years, you probably have your own very specific reason why you started it. Though the reasons for using it can range from preventing pregnancy to making your cycle more consistent, every person's choice for using it will vary.

What happens though, when you decide that you no longer want to use birth control? You may wonder if there are benefits to returning back to a life without birth control or if maybe you'll be worse off than you were before you started using it? According to Dr. Alan B. Copperman, medical director of Progyny, the answer to both of those questions is yes.

So if you've recently been considering no longer using birth control, here are a few good, bad, and ugly things you should know about it beforehand.

You could potentially keep the weight you’ve gained.

It's no secret that when you get on the pill, there's a chance that you could gain a pound or two.

"Some women gain two to three pounds when starting the pill," Copperman told INSIDER. "Not everyone loses that weight when stopping."

Depending on the person though, retaining that weight could either be a good or bad thing.

Your risk of ovarian cancer remains low.

Taking birth control may add a few extra pounds, but a super positive thing about it is its ability to keep ovarian cancer at bay.

"The pill decreases the risk of ovarian cancer," said Copperman. "The risk reduction remains years after stopping the pill."

If you’re looking to get pregnant, you may not have to wait too long.

It's often said that if you're looking to get pregnant, you should stop taking your form of birth control well in advance. According to Copperman though, this isn't necessarily true because your fertility will quickly return to baseline after stopping the pill. He also said that there are a few steps you should take before stopping the pill if planning to conceive.

"A few steps you should be taking before stopping usage would be to maximize your health and wellness. You should also be taking prenatal vitamins and seeing a doctor for a pre-conceptual counseling — which might include checking hormone levels and genetic testing."

Of course everyone's fertility chances are different, and you won't know for sure unless you start trying.

• The royal family has a lot of rules they're required to follow, but they're not the only ones that have to stick to protocol. 
• Whether they're a nanny or a chef, the royal family's staff members are also expected to follow a strict set of rules.
• From staying in the background to keeping the royal children entertained, these are the rules all royal staff must follow. 

The royal family is something we often look at with awe. We want to understand it, even more, we want to be part of it. Every time a new commoner is introduced to the family, we become obsessed because becoming a princess seems like a dream come true. Kate Middleton was the center of attention when she married Prince William and now Meghan Markle is in the spotlight because she is engaged to Prince Harry. We can’t wait to see what their wedding is going to be like. We can’t help but wonder what it is like to be part of the royal family. It sounds amazing, but is it really? From what we understand, there are a lot of rules, and who likes rules?

There are traditions that are part of the royal family that go back many years. You probably won’t be surprised to hear some of them. They have to act a certain way in public, not to mention what they have to wear. There are even rules in regard to how they travel. One thing is for sure, we have to assume those crazy hats they wear are all part of the traditions, why else would they wear them? If the family themselves have strict rules, then we have to assume that the staff has rules as well. If you are dying to know, then check out these 15 rules that the royal staff have to follow.

Discretion is mandatory

Well, duh! If there's anyone that needs to have a loyal and discreet staff it's the Queen and her family. Believe it or not, the Queen actually hires people quite frequently, so if you are ever thinking about getting a job with the royal family, then you have to learn to keep secrets regardless of how scandalous they are. Scandals have happened within the Royal household and they would prefer those be kept within the four walls. They don’t want staff who are going to go out and start talking to the tabloids. When it comes to getting a job in the royal household, they will have you sign a document that states that you have to keep your mouth shut about what goes on in the inside.

The staff don't get to leave

Sounds a little creepy, right? But it’s actually no different than if you worked as a nanny. Most nannies will have their own bedroom in the home so that they are always available for the children.

The Royal Family has the same standards and there are actually 188 “modest” bedrooms in the palace where the staff stays.

When putting out an ad for housekeeping staff, it’s made pretty clear that you will be staying in the palace. “That means you actually eat and sleep, full-time, at Buckingham Palace. You know, the sprawling London abode where Queen Elizabeth II, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and the rest of the royal crew are known to hang out regularly.” It might be a good and a bad thing to stay in the Royal Palace. Some people enjoy their freedom.

The staff is often jealous of each other

We’ve never thought about some staff being resentful of each other, but apparently, it happens all the time. It forces the staff to start competing for attention.

The Queen employs about 1,000 people, so you can imagine that some get lost in the shuffle. Some staff members have more prestigious positions than others as well, which can spurn some jealousy between them.

Many staff members will try to get better positions by drawing attention to themselves. There are some staff members that want more power and responsibility within the palace. We suppose there are some pros to having staff like this. They are always going to work hard for you and if anything, that’s just going to build a stronger work ethic. It can be stressful for staff though, at some point, we have all competed for a job position and it’s not always fun.

With "Black Panther" breaking records and making box office history last week, it's always good to remember that for every amazing movie there's a flop or two waiting to happen.

From critically panned movies like "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" to beloved cult classics like "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen," these movies just could not find their audience — and cost their studios exorbitant amounts of money.

Keep scrolling to find out if you remember the biggest box office flops from the last 40 years.

1978 — "Sextette"

"Sextette" is the movie version of Mae West's last play, and filmmakers had a hard time finding a distributor from the get-go. Eventually, they decided to release it themselves and show it at the Cinemadome in Hollywood. According to "The Complete Films of Mae West," the movie only grossed around $50,000 against an estimated $8 million budget.

"Sextette" has many urban legends surrounding it regarding the deteriorating health of the then 85-year-old Mae West — namely that she was senile and had to be fed her lines through an earpiece.

1979 — "The Concorde... Airport '79"

"Concorde" is the fourth and final film in the "Airport" franchise. The first "Airport" movie made over $100 million at the box office, but it was all downhill from there. Nine years later, the fourth sequel made just $13 million — less than half of what the third installment made.

1980 — "Heaven's Gate"

According to BBC, on the sixth day of filming "Heaven's Gate," a Western, production was already five days behind schedule. "Heaven's Gate" is one of the most famous flops of all time, as it lost the studio, United Artists, so much money UA had to be sold.

However, the film was re-edited and shown at the New York Film Forum in 2013, where it received rave reviews.  Critics praised its beauty and commitment to authenticity — but that's exactly what caused the film's budget to balloon. According to TIME, inflation-adjusted it lost $114,281,677.

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.

Design shouldn't only look pretty — it should also solve a problem, and one problem that plagues college students, renters, and small homeowners is how to make the most of their space.

It's just not conducive to our tiny quarters to have one piece of furniture for every function. No matter how nice the piece looks, I'd still like enough space to actually move around and not feel stifled. 

When a piece of furniture can perform double or even triple duty by going beyond the singular use it's usually advertised to do, I know I'm getting major bang for my buck. Multi-functional furniture is a smart choice for those situations when you might need a large tabletop one day, but not others, or you feel like sitting today and going horizontal tomorrow. 

Your furniture doesn't have to work harder, just smarter. These well-designed pieces of multi-functional furniture will transform and adapt to fit your changing needs, so you can save both space and money. 

A one-stop shop for your entryway

With 20 hooks and three shelves, this rack can keep your entryway uncluttered and put your essentials top-of-mind so you don't forget them as you go out the door. 

HOMFA Metal 3-tier Entryway Coat and Shoe Rack, $49.99, available at Amazon

An extendable dining table

Fold down the sides to turn this table into a desk or console, or extend them to create a casual dining setting. The angular legs provide a modern twist to the classic dinner table. 

Holly & Martin Driness Drop Leaf Table, $224.98, available at Overstock

Also available at Amazon for $224.99

A mirror that holds your jewelry

Get a full-body glimpse of your outfit for the day before you finish it off with accessories. Unlike a hanging mirror armoire, this one has no chance of falling and creating a tangled mess of your jewelry.

Hives & Honey Trinity Jewelry Mirror, Espresso, $121.99, available at Houzz

• Since she rose to fame after marrying Prince William, Kate Middleton has become a style icon.
• However, there is more to the Duchess of Cambridge than most people know. 
• Middleton comes from a family of wealth, and her parents are part owners of racehorses.

Who is Kate Middleton? You may already know that she is the lovely and beautiful wife of His Royal Highness Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, who is second in line of succession to the throne after his father, Charles, the Prince of Wales. This makes Kate Middleton the Duchess of Cambridge, the Countess of Strathearn, and the Baroness of Carrickfergus. She is also the mother of Prince George and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge and is currently pregnant with the couple's third child.

However, aside from the Duchess' royal life, how much do you know Kate Middleton? Her complete and full name is Catherine Elizabeth Middleton, a commoner known by the public who got married to a royalty. Despite the fact that she is not born royal, Kate Middleton came from a privileged and wealthy family. Yes, she may be a commoner but the Middletons are also rich.

The Duchess, her parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, and her siblings, Pippa and James, were once a private family. Since Kate is now the wife of the Prince, the Middletons have become less private. Their fortune and lifestyle are watched by many people because they are eager to know more about Kate and her family.

Since they are commoners, you may not know how rich the Middletons actually are. The Middletons may not have the same luxurious life as the Royals but Michael and Carole Middleton, once a flight dispatcher and stewardess for British Airways, established roots through entrepreneurship and businesses, which led them to their financial success. They were able to provide a privileged life to their children Kate, James, and Pippa.

Now, let us take a look at the Middleton's fortune and how they spend it. Here are the things that you probably didn't know about how rich the Middletons really are.

The Middletons' net worth

While Kate's net worth is estimated to be £7.5 million or $10.52 million, her parents, Michael and Carole, have an estimated net worth of £37.21 million or $52.2 million. This can be a real shocker for most people since the family is considered to be commoners but people who know them well know how hardworking and successful the Middletons are.

Michael was a flight dispatcher at British Airways when he met his wife, Carole, who was a flight attendant back then. However, when Carole was pregnant with Kate, she needed to quit her job and decided to start a business instead. Since then, the couple managed their businesses and other sources of profit to make a prosperous living, making them self-made millionaires.

Family inheritance of wealth

In 2011, "Daily Mail" reported that the Middletons are related to the wealthy Yorkshire wool merchant, Francis Martineau Lupton. In fact, Lupton was Kate's paternal great-great-grandfather. As a wealthy wool merchant, Lupton left an estate amounting to £70,000 or $98,200 back in the year 1921, which is now worth $2.1 million. The generations before Michael set up series of trusts and inheritance to trickle down to their next generations. Lupton was very specific that the money should be used for the education of his descendants.

Aside from this inheritance dating back in 1921, Michael also received modest inheritances. The first one was in 2006 when he received $140,000 from his mother Valerie's estate. Michael also received $136,490 after the death of his father Peter, an airplane pilot.

Family ties with the first president of the United States

Middletons' ancestry is very rich. Aside from their close family ties to the late Yorkshire wool merchant Lupton, the Middleton family is also related to the late George Washington, the first ever president of the United States. Fret not, because Kate and her family are still Brits by blood and by heart. They only have a little blood related to Washington running through their bloodlines. Kate is an eighth cousin eight times removed from Washington.

As mentioned above, their ancestry is rich because aside from Washington, they are also related to the Lewis and Clark expedition's, Meriwether Lewis and US Army General George S. Patton. Famous American names are not just the roots of the Middletons, they are also connected to the British filmmaker Guy Ritchie. Surprise!

• U.S. News & World Report releases a list of the best places to live in America every year.
• The best places to live 2017 ranking looked at five metrics: job market, value, quality of life, desirability, and net migration.
• The best place to live in America is Austin, Texas, followed by Denver, Colorado.

When deciding where to put down roots, many factors are in the eye of the beholder, such as climate, politics, or proximity to extended family.

Other aspects are coveted by nearly everybody: affordable housing, access to well-paying jobs, a low cost of living, good schools, and quality healthcare. In its ranking of the best places to live in America for 2017, U.S. News & World Report gathered data on these crucial components for the 100 most populous US cities.

They then categorized the data into five indexes for each city — job market, value, quality of life, desirability, and net migration — to definitively rank these major metro areas. You can read U.S. News' full methodology here.

Scores for "value," a blend of annual household income and cost of living, and "quality of life," which accounts for crime, college readiness, commute, and other factors, are included below on a 10-point scale, as well as the city’s population and median annual salary.

Keep reading to discover the 50 best places to live in America.

SEE ALSO: The 50 worst US cities for retirement

DON'T MISS: Silicon Valley is so expensive that people who make $400,000 think they're middle-class — here's what the middle class actually is in the 25 largest US cities

50. Atlanta, Georgia

Population: 5,538,837

Average annual salary: $49,430

Quality of life: 5.8

Value: 7

An attractive blend of big city and big country, Atlanta is attracting transplants far and wide with its award-winning restaurants, culture centers, and flourishing job market. More than a dozen Fortune 500 companies call the city home, including Delta, The Home Depot, and The Coca-Cola Company, and it's an increasingly popular spot for film productions.

In addition, "The Chattahoochee River that traverses the metro area, and Stone Mountain, the world's largest chunk of exposed granite, located just northeast of the city proper, also offer a quick escape from any urban anxiety," says one local expert.

49. Melbourne, Florida

Population: 553,591

Average annual salary: $45,470

Quality of life: 7.3

Value: 6.1

Between fishing, boating, and a plethora of bars and restaurants, there's never a shortage of things to do in the Melbourne area. The city's ripe with retirees and "snowbirds"— people who split their time between colder climates in the summer and Florida in the winter — who can enjoy days on one of the many nearby golf courses and nights out exploring the local shops and art galleries.

48. Kansas City, Missouri

Population: 2,055,675

Average annual salary: $47,640

Quality of life: 6.1

Value: 7.5

Don't call it a flyover city. Innovation, creativity, and a celebrated history combine to make Kansas City a hub of activity. In addition to a low cost of living and an abundance of jobs, residents enjoy exploring the city's thriving art scene, cheering on the Royals during baseball season, and noshing on Kansas City's signature style of barbecue — slow cooked and topped with a tomato-based sauce.

Lupita Nyong'o became a breakout star in Hollywood after her performance in the 2013 film "12 Years a Slave." And since then, she's gone on to land roles in major films (like "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"). Most recently, Nyong'o can be seen as Nakia in Marvel's "Black Panther." 

Her red carpet style has changed over the years, but one thing that's clear is that Nyong'o is never afraid to take fashion risks. 

Here's a look at the stunning outfits Nyong'o has worn.

At the 2013 Toronto premiere of "12 Years A Slave," Nyong'o wore a white and gold gown, and accessorized with a bedazzled gold clutch.

Nyong'o opted for a black, strapless jumpsuit at a Hollywood Foreign Press Association and InStyle party held on September 9, 2013.

Nyong'o wore red heels and metallic, purple eyeshadow to complete her "12 Years A Slave" premiere outfit.

• U.S. News & World Report just released its annual best states ranking.
• The rate of economic growth, the employment rate, and the rate of new business formation were all taken into account.
• The list of the best economies in the US is topped by Colorado, Utah, and Washington.

If you're considering a move across the country, you'll definitely want to know where the economy is strongest — and weakest.

U.S. News & World Report just released its annual best states ranking, and they looked partly at economic factors. Each state was ranked on three economic indicators:

• Growth: The GDP growth rate, average net migration (people moving into and out of the state) between 2013 and 2016, and growth of the young population between 2013 and 2016.
• Employment: The annual growth rate of nonfarm jobs between 2013 and 2016, the percentage of state residents age 16 and older who participated in the labor force, and the December 2017 unemployment rate.
• Business: The rate at which new businesses were formed between 2015 and 2017, total state and local taxes as a percent of total state income, the average number of patents granted between 2014 and 2016 per million residents, the number of top company headquarters per million residents in 2016, and venture capital dollars invested per $1,000 of nominal state gross domestic product in 2016.

Combining growth (50%), employment (30%), and business (20%), U.S. News & World Report put together their list of the best economies in the US. Colorado took the cake, followed by Utah and Washington.

Read on for the list of the 19 US states with the best economies — and see how it compares to last year's.

SEE ALSO: 27 cities around the world where expats say there are more than enough jobs to go around

DON'T MISS: Silicon Valley is so expensive that people who make $400,000 think they're middle-class — here's what the middle class actually is in the 25 largest US cities

19. North Dakota

Population: 0.76 million

Growth rank: 20

Employment rank: 2

Business environment rank: 42

18. North Carolina

Population: 10.15 million

Growth rank: 15

Employment rank: 28

Business environment rank: 21

17. Iowa

Population: 3.13 million

Growth rank: 17

Employment rank: 8

Business environment rank: 46

• Wide-reaching corporate tax cuts have stock investors wondering which companies will benefit most.
• Goldman Sachs has singled out 16 companies as offering the most reinvestment growth, a characteristic of companies that have historically outperformed the market.

How does an investor decide which companies are poised to benefit most from sweeping tax cuts that affect nearly everyone? Listen to Goldman Sachs, of course.

The firm has developed an index of stocks called the High Growth Investment Ratio Basket, which is designed to include companies whose share price is most likely to get a boost from the new tax law, given their past use of excess capital.

Goldman's basket includes not just the companies that have most heavily reinvested money into capital expenditures and research and development, but also those set to generate the highest return on it.

For context, the median stock in the index has reinvested 81% of its trailing three years of cash flow from operations, compared with just 13% for the average S&P 500 company, according to Goldman. The firm also forecasts that basket members will offer 18% cash return on capital invested, compared with just 12% for the broader benchmark.

Without further ado, here are the 16 stocks that best fit the bill, arranged in increasing order of three-year growth investment ratio:

16. Wynn Resorts

Ticker: WYNN

Industry: Consumer discretionary

Year-to-date return: -2%

Three-year growth investment ratio: 101%

15. CF Industries

Ticker: CF

Industry: Materials

Year-to-date return: +2%

Three-year growth investment ratio: 104%

14. Amazon

Ticker: AMZN

Industry: Consumer discretionary

Year-to-date return: +27%

Three-year growth investment ratio: 104%

With global interest rates on the rise, led by an ongoing tightening cycle from the US Federal Reserve, the era of ultra cheap money looks to be coming to an end.

Since the 2008 crisis, many companies have taken advantage of low rates, borrowing aggressively to fuel expansion.

Now though, with rates starting to rise, many companies have left themselves exposed to bigger interest repayments.

Some firms are more at risk than others, with companies on both sides of the Atlantic vulnerable to rising rates.

To examine which companies are exposed analysts at Deutsche Bank created what they call a "non-exhaustive list of firms with significant debt refinancing risks over the next few years." 

Measuring using the companies with the highest ratios of debt to EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, and amortisation — a key measure of balance sheet strength) Business Insider took a look at those firms most open to damage from rising rates.

Take a look below (charts show the companies' stock performance over the last 12 months):

SEE ALSO: UBS: Buy these 10 undervalued stocks to cash in on market volatility

11. Freenet

Ticker: FNTN

Industry: Telecoms

Net debt to EBITDA: 3.4x

Freenet's debt to EBITDA rate is among the lowest on Deutsche Bank's list, but is still elevated. The company has around €600 million maturing in the 2020-21 financial year.

10. JD Wetherspoon

Ticker: JDW

Industry: Hospitality and leisure

Net debt to EBITDA: 3.7x

British high street pub icon Wetherspoons — whose founder Tim Martin is a big Brexit backer — has produced solid results in the two years since the vote, but needs to replace all its debt before the end of February 2020.

9. Cemex

Ticker: CX

Industry: Building & Construction

Net debt to EBITDA: 4.1x

Cemex, the world's second largest seller of building materials needs to refinance at least 1/3 of its debt in next three years, with an average rate of 6%.

The 90th Academy Awards will finally be here on Sunday, after months of campaigning (and millions of dollars spent) by studios and independent distributors to get their best and brightest recognition.

On paper, it could turn out to be a dull night. A few categories (like best actor and best supporting actress) seem to be a lock for specific actors. And the odds-on favorites to win best picture — “The Shape of Water” and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” — haven't been that popular with general audiences. Both movies’ combined domestic box office ($105 million) is around what “Wonder Woman” had its opening weekend.

But if we learned anything from last year’s Oscars, you never know what kind of surprises could come. And the best-picture race is one of the most wide open in recent years.

Here are our predictions on who we think will win the major categories and who we think should win.

The Academy Awards air on ABC on Sunday at 8 p.m. EST/ 5 p.m. PST.

SEE ALSO: The top 20 Marvel Cinematic Universe villains, ranked from worst to best

Best original score

What will win: “The Shape of Water”

This category has a lot of major talents gunning for the win, but it’s going to be Alexandre Desplat’s hypnotic score for “The Shape of Water” that comes out on top. It's a beautiful companion to the unique love story director Guillermo del Toro weaves.

WHAT SHOULD WIN: "Dunkirk"

It would be great to see Hans Zimmer nab the Oscar, as the stopwatch rhythm of his score for “Dunkirk” is so vital to the movie. If “Dunkirk” does pull off the win it could be a hint to how the night goes, as “The Shape of Water” and “Dunkirk” are up against one another in numerous categories, including best picture.

Best original song

What will win: “Remember Me” (“Coco”)

Honestly, there really is no contest. When Miguel goes to Mama Coco at the end of the movie and sings the song to make her not forget the memory of Hector, it just brings the movie to an incredibly high emotional level.

• European countries are in the grip of an Arctic blast from Eurasia.
• Cities that very rarely receive snow are being blanketed.
• Although the weather is reaping infrastructural havoc, the images of Europe's most iconic monuments in the snow are stunning.

Europe is currently being buffeted by "The Beast from the East"—  the name given to the cold weather system that's blown in from Siberia.

According to the UK Met Office, the Arctic blast has plunged Britain into its coldest weather for 27 years. In Rome, the city is suffering from its heaviest snowfall in six years and the largest for the end of February in decades. Much of the rest of the continent is the same.

Despite the treacherous travel conditions, the snow has at least supplied Europeans with some stunning scenery. Scroll down to see it.

SEE ALSO: This is the scientific reason Europe is incredibly cold and snowy this week

Rome's Colosseum took on a whole new look in the flurries of snow. It was only the second time in 33 years that it snowed in Rome.

Priests were throwing snowballs in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican.

Westminster Abbey in London looked especially Gothic in its fresh winter coat.

• This year's Oscar best-picture race is one of the closest in recent memory, as several films still have a chance at the prize. 
• Even audiences seem to be split, based on a new survey from ticketing company Fandango that asked over 7,000 moviegoers what best-picture nominee they thought deserved the award. 
• Audiences thought "The Shape of Water" deserves best-picture, but it's a close race even in that regard.
• The acting categories aren't as close. 

Unlike past years, best picture seems to be a toss-up at this year's Academy Awards. With the ceremony looming, it still seems like several films have a legitimate shot at Oscar's top prize on Sunday. And even audiences can't make up their minds as to who deserves the win.

A new Fandango audience survey asked over 7,000 moviegoers what film they thought should win best picture, and it showed how close the race is.

"The Shape of Water" ultimately came out on top with 19% of the vote. But several other films trailed close behind: "Dunkirk" with 17%; "Get Out" with 16%; and "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" with 14%.

All four of these films have a chance at best picture, and the feeling of audiences seems to reflect the unpredictable nature of this Oscars race.

"The Shape of Water" won the Producers Guild Award for best picture this year and director Guillermo del Toro has won every notable directing award, from the Directors Guild to the Golden Globes.

But it doesn't have best picture in the bag.

"Dunkirk" hasn't won major awards, but older Oscar voters might still be drawn to a World War II drama. "Get Out" recently won the Writers Guild Award for original screenplay, making it not only a frontrunner for the Oscar, but best picture, as well. And "Three Billboards" has gotten some major awards in acting, screenplay, and picture categories, such as at the Golden Globes and from BAFTA. 

Even films that got a lower percentage of the votes were close among moviegoers surveyed by Fandango: "Darkest Hour" got 10%, and "Lady Bird" and "The Post" got 9%. "Call Me By Your Name" and "Phantom Thread" didn't fare as well with audiences, with 4% and 2%, respectively.

The survey also asked moviegoers their thoughts on the directing and acting races, which aren't as close in a lot of cases.

Below are the results for the rest of Fandango's audience survey, including directing and acting Oscars:

SEE ALSO: The director of last year's infamous Oscars telecast looks back on the 'La La Land'-'Moonlight' mix-up that ended up winning him an Emmy

Best Director

Guillermo Del Toro ("The Shape of Water") 31%

Christopher Nolan ("Dunkirk") 29%

Jordan Peele ("Get Out") 23%

Greta Gerwig ("Lady Bird") 14%

Paul Thomas Anderson ("Phantom Thread") 3%

Best Actor

Gary Oldman ("Darkest Hour") 44%

Daniel Kaluuya ("Get Out") 23%

Denzel Washington ("Roman J. Israel") 15%

Daniel Day-Lewis ("Phantom Thread") 11%

Timothee Chalamet ("Call Me By Your Name") 7%

Best Actress

Frances McDormand ("Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri") 30%

Sally Hawkins ("The Shape of Water") 20%

Margot Robbie ("I, Tonya") 19%

Saorsie Ronan ("Lady Bird") 16%

Meryl Streep ("The Post") 15%

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

• MM.LaFleur is a cult-favorite women's workwear company that makes luxurious but functional clothes for busy women. 
• 70% of their clients are repeat customers. 
• The Foster Pant is their highest-earning style, and we got a chance to try them out. Not only are they extremely comfortable, but they have a concealed button that adjusts the hem, so you can wear them with heels or flats within seconds.

Women’s workwear is in a heyday of evolution.

One landmark company in the emerging movement is MM. LaFleur—  a cult-favorite using functional and luxurious materials and delivering on the sort of understated elegance that head designer (and Zac Posen veteran) Miyako Nakamura is so adept at producing.

Recently, they sent us their Foster Pant to test. They’re machine-washable and made from a thick Italian-cotton blend that’s designed to strike a balance between stretch and structure. It's a cigarette leg that feels fitted without crossing the line into too tight for the office. And, it's got an inventive perk: a concealed button in the hem that allows you to adjust the length from high to low. The button is unobtrusive, and it's a game-changer for petite women or those who want to switch from heels to flats without switching pants.

You can read our thoughts below, but overall, we loved them for their comfort, versatility, and their flattering yet professional design. 

The Foster Pant is their first pant style, and for the second year in a row, it's also been the highest-earning style in the company — earning millions from a notoriously difficult demographic to please. Women's workwear is plagued by a phenomenon of fast fashion and trends that, understandably, see a high turnover rate. Instead of spending the amount of money projected as necessary to make more luxurious and better-fitting clothes for women overall, most retailers are happy to continue doing business as usual.

But what new workwear companies like MM.LaFleur and Citizen's Mark are betting on is that women do not want fast fashion for work. They do not want trends. They want comfort, elegance, and professionalism to coincide, and they want their workwear to actually make their lives easier. They want the same aura of credibility as a really great suit creates, and they likely want to spend less time in a dressing room to find it.

This contrarian take has turned out pretty well. Over 70% of MM.LaFleur's customers are returning clients, and that's a percentage that deserves a second look: Not only is it 70% taken from a notoriously hard-to-please (read: hard-to-fit) demographic, but the clothes themselves must first pass an in-person test thanks to the company's preferred Bento Box experience. 

Instead of forcing busy, workingwomen to come to their stores in order to realize how great their clothes are, MM.LaFleur offers a comprehensive questionnaire to learn about you, assigns a stylist to your case who picks out 4-6 wardrobe staples they think you'll love, and then sends you a box of those items to try on in the comfort of your home. Then you can pack up what you don't want and schedule a UPS pick up to grab it. They'll only charge you for what you keep, and it's not a subscription service.

Not only are they addressing a lapse in the market (comfortable, machine-washable, elegant workwear), but they're doing it with notable fanfare.

You can read our individual thoughts on the pants below, or shop them directly here.

The Foster Pant, MM. LaFleur, $195 currently comes in five colors: black, dark navy, monsoon, russet, and viridian, and a variety of inclusive sizes.

SEE ALSO: An up-and-coming frozen food startup solved virtually all of my healthy eating obstacles

Connie Chen, Insider Picks reporter

Work pants are always a struggle to shop for because I want them to balance comfort and professionalism. Since I spend most of the day sitting down or walking around the office, comfort is what I yearn for the most, but is often the factor I end up having to compromise. The Foster Pant somehow manages to knock both comfort and structure out of the park.

I’m a big fan of stretch, which you wouldn’t ordinarily associate with work pants, but the Foster Pant fits at all the right places while remaining crisp and sharp. The Monsoon gray is a stylish, versatile color that goes with anything, yet another reason these are now one of my go-to work pants.

The Foster Pant, MM. LaFleur, $195

Malarie Gokey, Insider Picks guides editor

I used to avoid dress pants because I disliked ironing the easily wrinkled fabric and I was annoyed that I always had to hem them up. Then I tried MM. La Fleur's Foster Pant, which magically solved both of my problems.

These pants don't wrinkle easily because they stretch to fit your curves perfectly. Plus, the concealed button hem makes it absurdly easy to shorten the pants to the perfect length for my 5'2 frame. I wish every pair of pants had that ingenious hem!

I love the fit and look of the Foster pants so much I bought a special pair of heels to wear them with.

The Foster Pant, MM. LaFleur, $195

Mara Leighton, Insider Picks reporter

I'm a pretty low maintenance person, but I have a long checklist for what I look for in workwear. I spend the majority of my life in it, so if I'm going to spend the money I want to feel comfortable, look tailored and professional, and find that the materials are elastic enough to maintain their shape even after repeated wears. If they're machine-washable and wrinkle-resistant, then they earn a place of honor.

MM. LaFleur makes a lot of my favorite workwear because they understand how to combine comfort and elegance so remarkably well. The Foster Pants hit all my must-haves. 

The cigarette pant shape is fitted but appropriate. The thick Italian-cotton blend is comfortable and has a lot of give, but also provides structure. And they're machine-washable.

I'm 5'7, so the concealed button wasn't a major draw for me, but I appreciate the pension for innovation (which also shows up in the unique seam design in the back of the pants, an understated but nonetheless flattering addition).

My advice would be if you're not sure about sizing to try a size down. I'm a pretty solid 4 (though recently things have been feeling looser in general), and I'm comfortable in my pair of 4 Fosters, but would probably have wanted to try the 2 to gauge. 

The Foster Pant, MM. LaFleur, $195

• For Business Insider's "Real Money" series, a 23-year-old journalist shares a week of spending on a $35,000 salary on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
• She usually eats at home and loves a good (free) workout, but this week spent money on bills and plane tickets to visit family.
• Want to share a week of your spending? Email yourmoney@businessinsider.com.

My dad taught me to live within my means.

I take that lesson pretty seriously and never spend more than I can afford. This can be challenging on my budget— I make $35,000 a year — but by spending carefully I make it work.

I live a pretty thrifty lifestyle and while my income doesn't allow for a lot of saving, I still try to save a couple hundred dollars and contribute to my 401k every month. I love traveling, so I also try to put aside some cash every month so I can buy plane tickets to go visit my friends and family and explore new cities. 

My boyfriend and I share the expense of living at our resort apartment on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, which keeps my rent affordable. The resort is extremely quiet in the winter and we get to enjoy the vacation amenities like hot tubs and tennis courts regularly, especially during the off season for tourism. On days when I don't spend any money, I'm still able to enjoy indoor workouts, swimming, or a friendly game of tennis, which is an added bonus.

Here's a closer look at what I spent over the course of a recent week: 

SEE ALSO: Silicon Valley is so expensive that people who make $400,000 think they're middle-class — here's what the middle class actually is in the 25 largest US cities

My boyfriend and I split our $1,150 rent evenly, and every month I pay gas, car insurance, and a gym membership.

It's hard to save money on my budget, but I try my best.

I take home $479 a week from my $35,000 salary, and I keep my spending within what I can afford.

Some days I don't spend any money at all. Other days, my purchases just seem to add up. Grocery shopping on Saturday, for example, took a toll on my budget, and my electric bill set me back $46 on Thursday.

On Friday, I woke up to a notification that $29.95 was charged to my Discover card by Blue Apron.

I've recently jumped on the meal subscription bandwagon and am loving it. Tip for all you frugal people out there: Try a company once to get their intro deal, which is usually $30 off your first box. So far I've tried Blue Apron, Home Chef, and HelloFresh.

After a quiet night with my boyfriend listening to records, I make a mental note: Tomorrow morning will have to start with a trip to the grocery store. I can only have so many pieces of toast and bowls of Cheerios in a single day.

Over the past several years, TED talks have brought insights from the most prominent academics, business leaders, and writers to the masses.

If you want to get some quick enlightenment, look no further than this list of some of the most thought-provoking and mind-expanding TED talks available.

These talks will change the way you look at yourself, and the world around you.

There are worse ways to spend 15 or 20 minutes.

See below for 11 of the most mind-expanding talks: 

SEE ALSO: 11 mind-expanding TED Talks to watch if you only have 10 minutes

"Your brain hallucinates your conscious reality" by Anil Seth

It's not every day that a 15-minute talk can leave you questioning the very nature of your own existence. But Anil Seth, a neuroscientist at the University of Sussex, will do just that. 

Seth posits that our brains are "hallucinating" all the time — and when our hallucinations match up with others, we call that "reality." Prepare to re-think everything you've ever known.

Duration: 17:01

"The danger of a single story" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

"Stories can break the dignity of a people, but stories can also repair that broken dignity," Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a Nigerian-born novelist, said in her talk.

Adichie's most recent work, "Americanah" explores the experiences of a Nigerian immigrant to the US, and the differences and the common threads that bind us all together. In her talk, Adichie highlights the power of storytelling, and how we must seek diverse stories and opinions to truly understand a place.

If we only hear a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding, Adichie said. 

Duration: 18:42

"My stroke of insight" by Jill Bolte Taylor

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor experienced something very few neuroscientists have: A life-threatening stroke.

It gave her a unique opportunity to actually see and feel the things she dedicated her life to researching. As she watched her brain functions shut down, including her speech, motion, and finally self-awareness, she came away with profound insights into how our brains work, and what it means to be a human being.

Duration: 18:33

• More than a year into Trump's presidency, the movement to boycott retailers that do business with the president's family is going strong.
• Retailers such as Nordstrom and Gilt dropped Ivanka Trump's fashion line as the movement to boycott gained momentum last year. 
• However, 27 companies — including Macy's, Amazon, and TJ Maxx— still sell Trump-branded products. 

The boycott-Trump movement is still going strong. 

Shannon Coulter, a brand and digital strategist, started the #GrabYourWallet hashtag in October 2016 to encourage people seeking a way to take concrete action against Donald Trump to boycott companies — large and small — that do business with his family.

It seems the boycott is producing results. Last year, brands such as Nordstrom, Jet.com, and Gilt dropped Ivanka Trump's fashion line. 

Today, Grab Your Wallet's list of brands to boycott includes 70 retailers, nonprofits, and even a movie produced by Harvey Weinstein. However, we're focusing in on companies that have ignored boycott threats for more than a year and continue to carry Trump products.

As of Thursday, the list of 27 retailers spans from huge names like Amazon and Macy's, to smaller companies like Wegmans and Filene's Basement. Here are the retailers being targeted by anti-Trump boycotters: 

SEE ALSO: Melania and Donald Trump broke protocol in an unusual way — and it could add to speculation about the state of their marriage

Macy's

While the chain banned Donald Trump's menswear line in 2015 after the president referred to Mexican immigrants as "rapists," it still sells Ivanka Trump's lines of clothing, jewelry, and handbags.

Bloomingdales

The retailer sells Ivanka Trump's lines of shoes and handbags. 

Zappos

The shoe company carries Ivanka Trump shoes, clothing, and handbags.

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:

• Wristwatches are a fun fashion accessory, and the choices are nearly endless. We think the classic look of the Fossil Jacqueline watch makes it a great everyday accessory that will add a touch of sophistication to your wardrobe for a budget-friendly friendly price.

Smartwatches and high-tech fitness trackers are gaining in popularity, but there’s something to be said about the humble analog watch. Truth be told, there are plenty of traditional watches out there that aren’t all that humble in terms of price or style.

Whether you want a timeless and understated look or you want to make a statement, there are plenty of watches to choose from — and that’s where the challenge arises.

There is an overwhelming number of women’s watches to choose from in terms of both style and brand. We realize time is of the essence (both literally and figuratively) so we’ve scoured the reviews and done the research for you to find five different watches that look good, but won’t have you maxing out your credit card.

All our picks for this guide come in at $150 or less, but even though they are budget-friendly, you won’t be sacrificing quality with these watches.

Read on in the slides below to learn why we love the Fossil Jacqueline watch and why we're also fans of the Kate Spade New York Metro watch, the Wristology Scalloped Boyfriend watch, the Mondaine Classic watch, the Fossil Virginia Stainless Steel Watch, and the MVMT Hermosa Watch.

The best watch overall

Why you'll love it: The Fossil Jacqueline watch is a classic go-to for everyday wear that can be dressed up or down.

The Fossil Jacqueline watch has a classic Roman numeral watch face, a simple yet comfortable leather band, and a variety of neutral color combos to choose from making it the best watch for everyday wear. The dial of the watch face is subtly textured and keeps time with three hands and Roman numerals. A small window on the bottom of the dial will also tell you what day of the month it is.

The medium case measures 36mm, but the slim band keeps it from looking overly bulky, so it's an ideal watch no matter your wrist size. It also comes in a wide range of colors, including silver and black, rose gold and navy, silver with pink, silver with brown, or rose gold with pink, so you can match it to the type of jewelry you wear and the colors you like best.

Though this watch is described as having a classic style, in this case, the word “classic” shouldn’t be misunderstood as “old-fashioned.” The Jacqueline has been designed with a modern aesthetic kept in mind.  If you want a watch that you can wear almost daily because it is versatile enough to be dressed up or down, this watch won’t fail you.

I personally own this watch and find myself reaching for it often — especially when I want to pull together an outfit. It stands out just enough to get a compliment here and there, but it isn’t trying to win any trend-setting awards. While there’s certainly a place for fashion-forward accessories, it’s also nice to have the daily wardrobe staples. Think of this watch as the little black dress of your accessory collection. It’s a classic piece that won’t be going out of style anytime soon, and it's almost always guaranteed to look good.

Durability and comfort are especially important in the watch you wear every day. Fossil is known for producing affordable, high-quality watches and other accessories, so have no fear about this watch's durability. It keeps time accurately with a quartz movement. The leather strap is comfortable, and it's compatible with any other 14 mm strap from Fossil if you want to switch it out.

It’s also rated at 3 ATM for water resistance, so it will withstand splashes and brief submersion in water. It gave me some peace of mind that if I were to accidentally splash water on it while washing my hands, it wouldn’t mean the end of this timepiece. 

Overall, the Jacqueline has received positive reviews from buyers. Many dubbed it the “perfect every day watch” and say that “it looks elegant without being bulky” thanks to the slim band that accompanies the larger face.

Some buyers with smaller wrists (including myself) did notice that the watch has a tendency to slip around. A slightly shorter band option for this would be ideal, but I found that when I have the strap adjusted to its smallest circumference, it minimizes most of the slippage. For me, this wasn’t inconvenient enough to take away from the many positives the Jacqueline has to offer. Its classic look and modern charm make it an accessory piece you’ll be able to count on, even as style trends come and go.

Pros: Versatile enough to dress up and down, comfortable band, durable construction, comes in multiple color options, displays the day of the month

Cons: Tends to slip around on smaller wrists

Buy the Fossil Women’s Jacqueline Watch on Amazon for $54.99 - $115 

Shop all Fossil Watches on Amazon

The best fashion statement watch

Why you'll love it: The cute details of the Kate Spade New York 5 O’Clock Metro watch will add a touch of whimsy to any outfit.

Fashion watches come in all sorts of styles, but Kate Spade has mastered the art of creating a watch that makes just enough of a fashion statement without being too over the top. The thoughtful little details present in the 5 O'clock Metro watch are a perfect example of that design aesthetic.

The watch takes inspiration from New York City because Kate Spade has its roots in the city that never sleeps. Whether you’re the type who looks forward to happy hour with your friends and co-workers, or you prefer to unwind with your pajama pants and a glass of wine, you’ll still be able to appreciate the “It’s 5 o’clock Somewhere” sentiment of this watch.

The charming details of the 5 O’Clock Metro watch make it a great accessory if you’re looking for a little something extra to add to your outfit. The face has “somewhere…” in script across the top, and a martini glass is cleverly placed at the 5 o’clock mark. The spade symbol, which is synonymous with the Kate Spade brand, is at the 12 o’clock mark. As a final touch, the second hand is covered with a striped design.

It may be cute, but this watch is still functional and durable, featuring a leather band. The rest of the dial is marked with Arabic numerals and is easy to read, and the time stays accurate thanks to the quartz movement. This watch is water resistant to withstand splashes and brief submersion, but you won’t want to swim or bathe with it.

Along with the whimsical details on the watch face, the thoughtful design continues with different color themes to choose from, including gold with white, gold with beige, gold with navy, gold with black, so you can find one that best suits your personal style and your wardrobe. The case measures 34mm across, putting it in the medium-sized category.

Overall, buyers love the whimsical details and were happy with both the quality and the functionality. Some reviewers did complain that the leather strap felt a bit rough and stiff at first but loved everything else about the watch. Though this watch may not be as versatile as some, it makes just enough of a fashion statement and will add some fun to your everyday ensemble at a far more affordable price than most luxury fashion watches. Cheers to that!

Pros: Fun details, accurate timekeeping, durable design, water resistant

Cons: Some reviewers thought the band was too stiff

Buy the Kate Spade New York 5 O’clock Metro watch on Amazon for $94.50 - $114.95 

Shop all Kate Spade Watches on Amazon

The best boyfriend style watch

Why you'll love it: Wristology adds feminine appeal to a boyfriend watch that can be dressed up or down and offers style and functionality for an extremely affordable price.

The Olivia Rose Gold Scalloped Boyfriend watch is all about style. While some boyfriend watches go the tomboy route with bulky features and a sportier look, the Olivia does the opposite. It features scalloped detailing on the outside of a watch face that has no numbers or indices which give it a sleek, modern appeal.

Unlike many fashion watches, this watch also comes in under $50 — an affordable price for a watch that looks more expensive than it is thanks to the thoughtful design. Versatility is another winning point here that will allow you to make the most of an already affordable timepiece. This is the type of watch that can be dressed up or down, going from casual weekend wear to the office or a night out.

It should be noted that if you have an especially petite wrist, you may find the 38mm case a little on the large side. However, if you want an accessory that will make a statement, and you want your watch to be one of the main focuses of your outfit, you won’t be disappointed with the Olivia.

Since the dial of the watch doesn’t feature any time indicators, some may find it a little trickier to quickly read this watch. The scalloped pattern does correspond with where the numbers would be to make it possible to still read the time, which is kept with quartz movement for accuracy.

The Olivia doesn’t skimp on durability either, which is a plus since this is meant to be a watch you can wear daily. The watch band is made of leather (some styles come with a patent leather band) for added durability, and the band can also be easily switched out for any other Wristology 18mm band, adding to its versatile nature. The Olivia also comes in multiple color options to go along with the rose gold case, including rose gold and gray,  rose gold with black, rose gold with wine.

It’s rated at 3 ATM for water resistance, meaning it can withstand splashes and brief submersion in water. However, like the other watches on this list, it isn’t meant to be worn while swimming or bathing. If anything does happen to your watch, it comes with a two-year warranty.

Most buyers were happy with their purchase of this watch, but some did note that the ticking was louder than they’d prefer, and some buyers with petite wrists wished the band were smaller. Otherwise, most loved its versatility, the clean and simple design, and its reasonable price.

If you want to add a stylish accessory to your collection without going over budget, or you plan on having more than one watch in your collection, this is an affordable way to give yourself options. The Olivia makes a fashion statement, but won’t make you cringe the next time you look at your bank statement. You can also check out Wristology's other watches.

Pros: Feminine design, durable construction, can be dressed up or down, interchangeable watch band, water resistant, affordable

Cons: Lack of indices or numbers could make it harder to tell the time, some with petite wrists may find it too bulky, some reviewers thought the ticking was too loud

Buy the Wristology Olivia Scalloped Boyfriend Watch on Amazon for $39.99 

Shop all Wristology Watches on Amazon

No matter how far along you are in your career, the nine-to-five slog can get boring, and the idea of making your own hours and deadlines gets more and more attractive.

In order to inspire you to go freelance, UK B2B comparison site Expert Market has produced a ranking of the best countries to live in if you want to be your own boss.

The study looked at economic and lifestyle factors in 57 countries around the world. They combined data on the cost of living, average internet speeds, the quality of the transport system, number of free wifi spots, the cost of a cup of coffee, individual income tax rates, as well as the ease of starting a business and access to credit.

Scroll down to see the 13 best countries in the world to be self-employed, ranked in ascending order:

SEE ALSO: This country is now tied with Singapore as having the most powerful passport in the world

13. Portugal. First in the top 13, this European country has good access to credit, decent transportation, and cheap coffee at just £1.02 on average.

12. France. The home of Paris and countless cafés, France ranks highest in the top 13 on the Cost of Living Index.

11. Latvia. Head to the likes of Riga or Daugavpils for cheap coffee and relatively low income tax rates.

Not everybody loves award-winning movies.

With 13 nominations, Guillermo del Toro's "The Shape of Water" is up for the most Oscars this year.

The film, which has a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes (and an audience score of 78%), has received mostly positive reviews.

But some critics hate it.

A lot of the negative criticism stems from a lack of fleshed-out, three-dimensional characters, leaving some wondering if Del Toro sacrificed character development for stunning visuals.

A few negative reviews haven't stopped the success of this movie so far. It won best director and best motion picture drama at the Golden Globes in January. "The Shape of Water" is a favorite to win several Oscars including best director and best original score.

But they are still interesting to look at.

Here are some of the worst reviews of  "The Shape of Water" from critics:

The Academy Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, air on ABC on Sunday at 8 p.m. EST/ 5 p.m. PST.

SEE ALSO: Our predictions of who will win at the 2018 Oscars on Sunday night — and who really should win

"The movie's worldview is as easy to like as the protagonist and her friends, but del Toro lays it on so thick that there's no room for counterargument or even independent thought."

Chicago Reader

"The more I try to find some kind of justifiable meaning and relevance, the more I find 'The Shape of Water' a loopy, lunkheaded load of drivel."

New York Observer

"I felt nothing for the characters which makes the premise of rooting for the misunderstood a moot point."

The Sun