The Russian Navy holds a special place in the hearts and minds of the Russian people.

Every year, on July 29, the Russian Navy's ships, sailors, infantry, and aircraft come out in full force for parades in ports all across the country.

Over 40 ships, including 18 of the "most advanced surface combatants,"will take part in Russia's main naval parade in St. Petersburg this year. St. Petersburg is one of Russia's largest cities and hosts the biggest parade each year. 

Russia's navy is currently undergoing a massive modernization program, adding new frigates, corvettes, and submarines.

Take a look at some of Russia's Navy Day Parades here:

SEE ALSO: Russia launched a powerful new frigate — but there are still lingering problems for the program's future

SEE ALSO: China's military is turning its aggressive South China Sea tactics on Japan

St. Petersburg hosts Russia's main parade on Navy Day because of its historical ties to the Navy. The city's numerous canals also offer the best view for spectators.

Along with the Russian Navy ensign, a common sight amongst civilians on Navy Day is the telnyashka, the iconic undershirt worn by servicemen in the Navy.

Festivities usually start with Russian President Vladimir Putin boarding a small boat to inspect the assembled fleet.

The Marathon des Sables, a six-day race through the Sahara desert, has a hard-won reputation as "The Toughest Footrace on Earth."

The 33rd edition of the race will run April 8 to April 13, covering 250km. 

The race is not for the faint-hearted.

The route takes in towering sand dunes, airless oueds (dried-up riverbeds), and scrambled jebel (rocky hill) ascents.

The distance comes in at almost a marathon a day, with the longest stage a punishing double marathon.

Competitors run or walk through 104-degree plus temperatures, carrying their food for the week. Water is rationed. Salt tablets are essential.

Competitors sleep in bivouac tents, which do little to retain warmth when the temperature drops overnight and offer limited resistance to sandstorms.

It is no surprise then that a lot of competitors don't make it to the finish. The desert is relentless, and there is a large slice of luck involved in surviving what it has to throw at you.

I finished the 31st edition of the race in 2016. This is what "The Toughest Footrace on Earth" is like:

The event required quite a bit of kit. We had to carry at least 2,000 calories a day for seven days, with the bulk of this made up by caloric freeze-dried meals. We also had to pack survival kit with items ranging from a venom pump to a signaling mirror.

We flew in to Ouarzazate in Morocco on Friday, April 8, before boarding coaches for the six-hour drive to the first bivoauc.

The bivouac camp has around 170 tents, each sleeping a maximum of eight competitors. The tents are organized by nationality, with large British and French contingents dominating camp. I stayed with three friends and a British runner named Dave who we met on the bus.

SpaceX turned heads around the world on February 6 with the first launch of Falcon Heavy.

The 230-foot-tall rocket's three boosters helped push Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster into space, peeled off after running low on fuel, and then careened toward Earth.

Two of the 16-story boosters rocketed to a safe landing (the third fell into the ocean), and the flight was hailed as a huge success. It proved SpaceX could lift twice the payload to space for about 25% of the cost of its closest competitor while recycling rocket parts worth tens of millions of dollars.

That primary rival is United Launch Alliance, a company that the aerospace industry titans Boeing and Lockheed Martin formed in 2005.

ULA's largest rocket, the Delta IV Heavy, costs $350 million a launch, according to CEO Tory Bruno. It's far more expensive that SpaceX's $90 million Falcon Heavy, in part because it isn't reusable.

ULA plans to retire that launcher after about seven more missions, but the company is developing a reusable rocket, dubbed Vulcan, to compete with innovative companies like Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin.

"Vulcan will first fly in mid-2020," Bruno told Business Insider. He added that the rocket would "start at sub-$100 million"— a 70% discount compared with the company's Delta IV Heavy, and a competitive price with SpaceX's Falcon Heavy.

"We've each made market forecasts, and if we're right, our solution will be economically advantageous," Bruno told CBS News in March. "If I'm wrong and they're right, then theirs will."

Here's what Vulcan could be capable of, why one ULA engineer described its recovery system as "genius," and how the rocket may earn its keep in an increasingly crowded, challenging industry.

This story was updated with new information. It was originally published on February 24, 2018.

SEE ALSO: I watched SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket thunder into space for the first time — here's what it was like on the ground

DON'T MISS: Elon Musk just shared the first images of new SpaceX satellites that could change the internet

Delta IV Heavy used to be the world's most powerful operational rocket. It can send nearly 32 tons of payload into low-Earth orbit — more than the weight of two standard school buses.

Source: CNN, SCAPT

Since Bruno took the helm of ULA in 2014, the company has been developing its more powerful and partly reusable Vulcan rocket system, which is supposed to launch for the first time in mid-2020.

"Sometimes it's more than just 'Hey, my rocket's really big,'" Bruno said. "Sometimes you need the rocket to do some rather unique and exotic things after they're up in orbit."

Using six strap-on boosters, Vulcan could lift 40 tons (nearly three school buses) into low-Earth orbit.

"Vulcan is modular, so you can add solid rocket boosters to kick up its size," Bruno said.

There's no denying the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a success.

Its films are not only critically adored, but it is also the highest-grossing movie franchise ever, with nearly $15 billion globally.

"Black Panther" itself has already hit the $1 billion mark after a little over a month in theaters, and Marvel's next film, "Avengers: Infinity War," beat the Fandango record for fastest-selling advance tickets of any superhero movie.

But none of that would be possible without decades worth of comic book stories that inspire the MCU.

If you love the movies of the MCU, it's worth visiting your local comic book store and checking out what they have to offer. 

Many classic Marvel storylines act as blueprints for the MCU. The planet Thor travels to in "Thor: Ragnarok?" It made its debut in an acclaimed Hulk comic book. "Captain America: Civil War?" It's loosely based on a Marvel comic-event.

These storylines can be found collected into trade paperback (or hardcover) versions at any comic book store, or they can most likely be ordered for you if they don't have it — just ask.

Below are 12 essential Marvel comic books any fan of the MCU who is new to comics should read:

SEE ALSO: 4 reasons why 'The Incredibles' is Pixar's best movie — and one of the best superhero movies of all time

"Iron Man: Demon in a Bottle" (1979)

Written by David Michelinie and Bob Layton

Art by John Romita, Jr., Bob Layton, and Carmine Infantino

You have to go back in time quite a bit for this important "Iron Man" story, but the Armored Avenger's solo films borrow heavily from it — albeit taking creative liberties.

The storyline not only introduces readers to Justin Hammer, a rival businessman to Tony Stark who is played by Sam Rockwell in "Iron Man 2," but also tackles Stark's alcoholism head-on.

While this aspect of Stark's comic book history is ignored in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it is tweaked in a way. "Iron Man 3" basically subs in PTSD for Stark's alcoholism.

"The Infinity Gauntlet" (1991)

Written by Jim Starlin

Art by George Pérez

"The Infinity Gauntlet" is considered one of, if not the, best storylines in Marvel comic history — and it's coming to theaters in less than a month.

Okay, "Avengers: Infinity War" may not be a direct adaptation of this classic event-comic, but it's obviously heavily inspired by it. The story finds Earth's heroes going up against Thanos, who has acquired the Infinity Stones, which basically give him ultimate power and the ability to bend the universe to his desires.

In "Infinity War," the Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy face a similar situation, as Thanos seeks the remaining stones he does not have. It's one of the most ambitious crossovers in movie history so lets hope it does "The Infinity Gauntlet" justice. 

"Ultimate Spider-Man" (2000)

Written by Brian Michael Bendis

Art by Mark Bagley

In the late 1990s, Marvel had filed for bankruptcy, and its comics had hit a creative slump. As the company entered the 2000s, it was looking for ways to re-group.

Enter the "Ultimate Universe," a banner under Marvel Comics which aimed to re-introduce Marvel's characters for a new generation of fans. It included comics that co-existed alongside Marvel's regular comic line, but the storylines were set in a separate universe.

"Ultimate Spider-Man" was the Ultimate line's first book, and introduced readers to what this new direction was all about: telling fresh, modern takes on the origin stories of Marvel's best characters. Bendis and Bagley created over 100 consecutive issues together over the course of seven years (one of the longest runs of a creative team in comics history).

If you liked "Spider-Man: Homecoming," it's worth checking out Bendis and Bagley's original "Ultimate Spider-Man" run, as it basically set the precedent for what the MCU would do with the character — revamp him with a fresh, young, energetic spirit.

Cooking can be tricky if you've never learned certain tips or if it doesn't come naturally to you. Cooking meat is something that people often say can be especially puzzling. Whether you think you're doing everything right or you feel like you have no idea what you're doing, you still might make some common mistakes.

Here are some of the pitfalls you'll want to avoid in order to up your meat-cooking game.

You didn't let it rest.

When you cook meat, whether you've grilled it, roasted it in the oven, or cooked it on a stove-top, you need to first let it rest before you try to cut into it. The rest period doesn't need to be extraordinarily long — five to 15 minutes should probably be fine for most things, depending on its thickness — but it's an important step that you shouldn't skip.

According to Bon Appetit, this essential step helps the juices redistribute, which you definitely want to happen before cutting into the meat.

You put cooked meat back on the same plate that had raw meat on it.

If you do this — or have ever considered doing it — you're certainly not alone, but it's a no-no because of the potential for contamination and food safety issues. As CBS News noted, any "germs" present on the plate after you remove the raw meat are still there until the plate has been thoroughly cleaned. Rather than taking any unnecessary risks, just use a clean plate for meat once it's been cooked.

You used the wrong techniques for that cut of meat.

Depending on the type and cut of meat you're using, some techniques will work better than others. Of course, the meat will end up cooked regardless of how you do it if you apply enough heat for a long enough period of time, but some techniques are more suited for certain cuts of meat than others.

If you're working with a cut that's tough, meaning the animal used that muscle often, grinding the meat can make it more tender, as can a slower cooking method like braising. You might be disappointed if you cook an unground, un-marinated, or unsliced tough cut more quickly, as you would a more tender cut, because the muscle fibers will likely stay tougher.

If you're using a recipe and it calls for a certain cut, it's probably because that's one that's suited to the preparation and cooking methods you're going to use. If you're going it alone, do a little research or talk to the butcher to determine which cut of meat you should buy or how you should cook the cut you want.

New York is known for being a crowded city.

Yet the metropolis has still managed to offer up to 62.5 million square feet of vacant space where Amazon could choose to build its second headquarters, dubbed HQ2.

New York City is one of 20 finalist cities and regions that could get Amazon's $5 billion campus. The company has said that it will select the winner in early 2018, and expects to bring 50,000 jobs to whatever city is picked.

Amazon's HQ2 search committee will visit NYC to look at potential sites some time in April, Bisnow New York reports. (It's unclear exactly when the visit will take place.) The company has already traveled to Washington, DC, Chicago, and Denver, to speak with local officials about their proposals.

NYC faces a lot of competition, but it has a better shot than some other finalists.

Check out its proposal below.

SEE ALSO: Puerto Rico is competing for Amazon's $5 billion headquarters in an underdog bid

New York City is proposing four sites across three boroughs for Amazon's HQ2: Midtown West and the Financial District in Manhattan, the Brooklyn Tech Triangle, and Long Island City in Queens. Collectively, the proposed areas span 62.5 million square feet.

Source: The New York City Economic Development Corporation

In Midtown West, the city says there is over 26 million square feet of space — in a range of building types from office towers to "historic gems."

One of America's largest real estate developments in history, Hudson Yards, is under construction in this neighborhood.

There is over 13 million square feet of space available in Long Island City ...

• Cars are more than just forms of transportation. They can be rolling art.
• Business Insider put together our first list of the most beautiful cars a couple of years ago. 
• Here's an updated list of cars that are on sale today.

Cars are more than just a means to get from point A to point B. They can be works of rolling automotive art. Legendary car designers such as Marcello Gandini, Giorgetto Giugiaro, and, more recently, Ian Callum are artistic geniuses as much as they're "car guys."

While beauty is without a doubt purely in the eye of the beholder, there are certain cars whose sleek lines, luscious curves, or sheer aggression make them universally loved. Well, at least universally loved here at Business Insider. 

These cars cover a broad spectrum— ranging from sports cars to SUVs, and from fire-breathing supercars to hybrid grand tourers. 

Two years ago, we assembled a list that contained what we consider to be the ultimate collection of automotive elegance available at dealerships or from the manufacturer at the time.

For 2018, we've updated our list to reflect the latest and greatest from the world's automakers:

SEE ALSO: Here are the 24 cars you need to see at the 2018 New York Auto Show

FOLLOW US: on Facebook for more car and transportation content!

10. Mazda MX-5: Over the past quarter century, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has become the best-selling sports car of all time.

Although earlier generations have not been known as style icons, the current fourth-generation model is a different story. The current MX-5 conveys the car's sporting heritage in a charismatic and aesthetically pleasing package.

9. Range Rover Velar: For decades, Land Rover and its posher Range Rover sub-brand have been the vehicles of choice for the landed gentry. The Range has always been interesting and attractive, but never really beautiful — until now. The new Velar is truly stunning.

• Advice on how to find a job or start a business is thick on the ground. But who knows better than people who have done it?
• Business Insider asked 20 professional women for their best advice on life and work.
• Responses included how best to manage time, the importance of a support system, and why it's better to try and fail than never to try at all.

If you're looking for advice on how to find a job, start a business, or feel better about how much you accomplish every day, you've come to the right place.

Below, entrepreneurs, execs, and professionals across all levels share the advice they've learned, earned, and want to pass on to people at any stage.

From Deloitte Consulting CEO Janet Foutty's advice on taking credit for your work, to AUrate New York co-CEO Bouchra Ezzahraoui's thoughts on being unapologetic about your goals, to SoulPowered CEO Sarah Kaler's insights on the importance of authenticity in every aspect of your life, these women know what they're talking about.

Read on for their best advice.

SEE ALSO: The 25 business schools in America that are most admired, most selective, and give graduates the biggest step up

Give yourself credit for your accomplishments.

"Give yourself credit for your accomplishments, and when someone congratulates you, accept the acknowledgement for the work you did. Too often, I hear my female colleagues say, 'Thanks, it was a team effort,' instead of 'Thanks, I worked hard on this.'

"It's like we're all Meryl Streep at the Oscars: 'Oh, oh, thank you. I don't deserve this.' Yes, you do, Meryl! You're amazing! If we can't communicate our accomplishments, then we can't advocate for ourselves — for that position, that promotion, that pay-grade. If we see ourselves as leaders, the world will see us that way too."

—Janet Foutty, chairman and CEO, Deloitte Consulting

Don't give up your life for a job.

"You can do an excellent job without giving up all of your spare time and jumping through a million hoops. The idea that the longer you work, the better job you do or the more you deserve a pay rise or promotion, is outdated.

"Research shows that we work better and produce stronger work when we work less and have regular breaks. Don't give up your life for a job."

—Danielle Mowbray, Evolved Digital

First thought, best thought.

"Women are urged so often to suppress impulses while men are praised for quick, instinctive, decisive actions — whether or not they succeed. I've faced adversity and have also made my share of off-the-cuff errors in judgment.

"The best advice I could offer any women is 'first thought, best thought,' meaning trust your instincts before fear and doubt can kick in."

—Ariane Daguin, CEO and cofounder, D’Artagnan

• Peloton revolutionized home fitness with its high-tech indoor bike, which enables users to stream live classes from home.
• The company launched in 2012 and is now valued at about $1.3 billion. 
• We got to try out the bike that launched it into popularity. Here's our step-by-step review.

Peloton has revolutionized home fitness. 

Since launching in 2012, the New York-based high-tech fitness company has gained a cult following of fans who are obsessed with its core product, the indoor cycling bike.

Peloton has grown to become a billion-dollar business in a short period of time. It was valued at about $1.3 billion last May, after it closed a $325 million financing round. Noah Wintroub, a vice-chairman at JPMorgan, has even referred to it as "the Apple of fitness."

It's a buzz that even the company's CEO, John Foley, says he wasn't expecting.

"I was totally surprised by it," Foley told Business Insider's Avery Hartmans in an interview at the Consumer Electronics Show in January.

"When I started Peloton with my cofounders, I saw clear as day what it was going to look like and how it was going to work — the technology, the hardware, the software, the business model," he said. "I saw everything except the community. The community has blown me away."

In February, it unveiled its newest product, a treadmill that will be available to buy this fall.

But, we also wanted to try the $1,995 product that made Peloton popular in the first place. Here's our step-by-step review of the Peloton bike:

SEE ALSO: We tried the new $4,000 treadmill from the billion-dollar startup that could be 'the Apple of fitness' — here's the verdict

We headed to the Westin Hotel near Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan to trial a Peloton bike, which is available for guests to use.

The machine is similar to a bike you might use in your local gym. However, there's one glaring difference: its screen, which enables you to stream live and on-demand classes from the saddle.

It costs $39 a month to stream these classes. This charge is made per bike rather than per user, so you can split the cost with roommates or family members.

The touchscreen is definitely the most impressive part of its appearance. It's HD and 22 inches in size.

We were first asked to create an account. Each account is linked to individual riders' workout history and performance.

• You may not give your eyelashes much thought, but there's a good chance at least one of your everyday habits is detrimental to the strands surrounding your eyes.
• Eyelashes act as a protective barrier to your eyes, preventing irritation or infection from foreign objects or moisture.
• And even though you likely forget they're even there, it's so important to protect them and keep them in tip-top shape for the health of your peepers.

You likely give very little thought to your eyelashes, especially if you don't wear makeup. But even though you hardly remember they're there, eyelashes are actually a pretty important evolutionary feature — they protect your eyes from irritation or infection from foreign objects and moisture.

Yep, your lashes help protect your delicate eye area from the elements, including pollution, dirt, and pollen in the air, as well as the chance for foreign objects to enter your field of vision. Ever had a gnat fly too close to your face? It's your lashes that likely protected you from the little bugger getting all up in there.

If you wear makeup or try trendy lash treatments, you might unknowingly be damaging your peepers without even realizing it. Here are 9 mistakes you might be making with your eyelashes.

You're obsessed with waterproof mascara.

For beauty lovers out there, waterproof mascara is a lifesaver. It lasts longer than non-waterproof formulas, so you can easily go from day to night with your eye makeup looking flawless. But if you've ever tried to remove waterproof mascara, you know it's certainly no walk in the park, often requiring excessive rubbing and scrubbing to get every last lash clean.

Celebrity makeup artist Kate Stromberg told Reader's Digest that you might want to save your favorite waterproof mascara for special occasions, because daily use can stiffen lashes, weighing them down and drying them out, thus increasing the chance for breakage.

Stromberg explained, "Over time, vigorous removal can tug and pull on your lash line, causing them to weaken and break. Instead, opt for a tubing mascara containing flexible polymers which require only warm water to remove."

Even better? Give your lashes a break by going makeup-free as often as possible. Your lashes will thank you.

You're using expired eye makeup.

Yes, makeup does expire, even if your favorite products still look great in their packaging months or years after you purchased them. And if you haven't done a thorough clean-out of your makeup bag lately, you're likely using some pretty questionable products near your sensitive eye area.

Expired mascara is particularly bad due to its liquid formula. Liquids increase the chance of bacteria growth, in turn potentially introducing your eyes to infection, while also causing your lashes to weaken, or worse: break off. And every time you dip the brush into the tube, you're further upping your chances for infection. Eek.

So how often should you replace your eye makeup? Experts agree that mascara should be tossed after two or three months — tops. Same goes for anything liquid or cream-based, including eyeliners and shadows. It's better to be safe than sorry, no matter how expensive your favorite products are.

You're sharing makeup with your roommates.

Or your sibling. Or your best friend. Or anyone, really.

The bottom line is that you should never share makeup with anyone, and you should be especially careful when using in-store samples (looking at you, Sephora lovers!). Sharing makeup seriously ups your risk for infection thanks to how sensitive your entire eye area is.

You may think swiping on a pal's mascara before a night out is no biggie, but you could unknowingly be sharing more than those bombshell lashes when you head out for the evening. If your pal has had a recent eye infection, or if the mascara in question is old or expired, there's a good chance you're exposing your lashes to some seriously icky bacteria.

Cancer-linked substances are everywhere.

Sometimes it can feel downright unavoidable: Californians now have to read cancer warnings as they sip their morning coffees, and the World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer keeps a running tally of things that definitely cause cancer, seem to cause cancer, and might cause cancer. 

All cancer is a result of damage or genetic mutations in our DNA. It fundamentally affects the way cells grow and divide, changing them in perverse ways. Those toxic, rapidly multiplying cells then grow into unruly tumors, and can spread far and wide through the body. 

Some cases of cancer are out of our control, determined by genetic defects and predispositions passed down from one generation to the next, or spurred by genetic changes we undergo through our lifetime. 

Products like cigarettes are clear cancer-causers, while other consumables like coffee and grilled meat may up your chances of getting cancer by just a tiny fraction, if at all.

The truth is, just about every compound out there could possibly, maybe, one day contribute to cancer. Still, there are some products that scientists are starting to sense we should monitor more closely.

Here's what we know.

SEE ALSO: A study of more than 100,000 people has found that one food group is closely linked with cancer

Birth control

Going on birth control is a mixed bag when it comes to cancer.

While it may increase a woman's risk for developing breast and cervical cancers, studies suggest it might also lower the chances of developing endometrial, ovarian, or colorectal cancers.

Sugar

Scientists now know that eating too much sweet stuff can not only lead to diabetes, it can also actively damage your cells and up your odds of developing cancer.

But that's not all.

New research suggests that sugar may fuel tumor growth in the body, because cancer loves to use sugar as fuel. 

"The hyperactive sugar consumption of cancerous cells leads to a vicious cycle of continued stimulation of cancer development and growth" Belgian molecular biologist Johan Thevelein said when his latest study was released in 2017. Scientists say the groundbreaking research gives us a better understanding of how sugar and cancer interact, and could one day help create targeted diet strategies for patients.

Some plastics

Plastics can be dangerous, especially when they leach chemicals out through scratches or cracks in a container. 

BPA is a synthetic estrogen that's been used in many plastics and resins since the 1960s. And it's a known endocrine disruptor, which means it messes with the natural balance of hormones in our bodies. BPA resins can be used inside products like metal food cans as sealants, while polycarbonate BPA plastics can include water bottles and food storage containers. BPA even shows up on the shiny side of receipt paper, to stabilize the ink.

While many plastic manufacturers have started labeling their products as "BPA-free," there's still a lot of the breast and prostate cancer-causing stuff around.

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 seven colors: black, chocolate, dark navy, dark olive, 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

The White House hosted its 140th annual Easter Egg Roll on Monday, welcoming roughly 30,000 people to participate in various activities including lawn bowling, egg decorating, and storybook reading.

First Lady Melania Trump spearheaded the event, as is tradition for the first lady to do.

"On behalf of the Trump family, many of whom are with us right here in the audience, I just want to thank you.  This is a special year," the president told the crowd. "Our country is doing great. You look at the economy; you look at what's happening. Nothing is ever easy, but we have never had an economy like we have right now. And we're going to make it bigger and better and stronger."

The first Easter Egg Roll was hosted by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1878. The event is a joint effort between the White House, the White House Historical Association, and the National Park Service.

And it always yields amusing photos. Here are some of the best images from the day:

SEE ALSO: The Trumps hosted their first White House Easter Egg Roll — see the incredible photos

DON'T MISS: Sean Spicer relives his time as the White House Easter Bunny at the 2017 Easter Egg Roll

The White House kicked off events Monday morning on the South Lawn.

Families from around the country typically take part in the day's festivities. This year, some Trump supporters showed up.

Trump addressed the crowd around 10:30 a.m. ET.

This post includes major spoilers for the "A Series of Unfortunate Events" book series and the second season of the Netflix show.

The second season of Netflix's "A Series of Unfortunate Events,"like the first season, is filled to the brim with Easter eggs and hidden references. They're slipped into the background and show just how deep and interconnected the Lemony Snicket universe is.

The show is adapted by Daniel Handler, who wrote all 13 books the show is based on under the pen name "Lemony Snicket." On the show, Patrick Warburton plays Snicket, and he's narrating what happened to the Baudelaire orphans, who are trying to escape the clutches of the evil Count Olaf, who wants to steal their family fortune. The second season adapts five books in all: "The Austere Academy,""The Esratz Elevator,""The Vile Village,""The Hostile Hospital," and "The Carnivorous Carnival."

It's a story filled with secret organizations, mysterious characters, and a highlight performance by Neil Patrick Harris as Count Olaf. The show also enlarges the universe from the books and takes advantage of the visual medium by slipping in jokes and clues when you least expect them. Even the opening song to each episode has clues.

Here are 47 Easter eggs and references you may have missed in the second season of "A Series of Unfortunate Events," streaming on Netflix now.

If you want to read INSIDER's roundup of Easter eggs and hidden references for the first season of the show, head over here.

On the first episode, Mr. Poe holds up a book that looks familiar.

It's called "The Pony Party!" about "the three luckiest children in the world" who "have only wonderful things happen to them."

You may have recognized it from "Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Autobiography."

The reverse side of the book jacket for Handler's fictional autobiography had a cover image for "The Pony Party!" It's written by "Loney M. Setnick" as the first book in "The Luckiest Kids in the World!" Snicket recommends it as a happier book to read instead of "A Series of Unfortunate Events."

On the show, Snicket also refers to it in passing on the first season. During the "Miserable Mill" episodes, he recommends that you stop watching and "pretend the woman at the door is the Duchess of Winnipeg and she’s come to throw the Baudelaires a pony party at her chateau."

The design of the book also resembles the real-life "Series of Unfortunate Events" books.

Brett Helquist created the original cover art for each book in the series.

• Figuring out what to wear to work can be confusing and frustrating.

• But dressing appropriately for the job is crucial. 

• From casual clothing to boardroom attire, here's a handy guide to dressing for success.

There was once a time when every professional, no matter his or her industry, put on a suit each morning.

But today, there are so many interpretations of formal and business casual that it can be easy to look sloppy or over-dressed if you're not aware of the environment.

Sylvie di Giusto, founder of Executive Image Consulting, works with executives looking to improve how they present themselves and professionals hoping to impress their clients and bosses. In her book "The Image of Leadership," she breaks down the five levels of dress code that she uses with her clients.

If you're not sure which level is most appropriate for your work environment, the basic rule of thumb is "the more you deal with a client's money, the more traditional and conservative you should be dressed," di Giusto said.

That means that people in finance, law, and accounting, for example, should stick to traditional business attire, and those in creative industries, like entertainment and advertising, can dress flexibly within the casual levels.

If you're a member of the board or meeting with a member of the board, boardroom attire is most appropriate — regardless of the size of the company.

We've represented them below, and included di Giusto's insight into how to make your clothes work for you in the office:

SEE ALSO: What business casual really means

DON'T MISS: 16 interview questions that are designed to trick you

Baseline casual

Business casual

Executive casual

• Although McDonald's in Australia and America have the same prices, the Aussie version is way better.
• Australian McDonald's (Maccas) offers table service, and the food tastes fresher.
• The first McCafe opened in Melbourne, and the cafe serves high-quality coffee and pastries.
• There are plenty of Maccas items that aren't available in the US, like the Big Brekkie Burger and the McFeast. 

Let's be real: fast food is fast food. It's greasy, salty, and unwillingly good.

But there's something about a brand like McDonald's that's comforting — especially when in a foreign country. The recognizable golden arches look brighter, the food seems more exotic and the service… well, it's still fast.

So are all McDonald's created equal? I've been living in Australia for nine months and I'm convinced that McDonald's Australia (we'll call it Maccas as the Aussies nickname it) is better than McDonald's in America (Mickey D's).

Here's why.

McDonald's in Australia offers surprisingly good customer service.

On the outside, Maccas looks like any other McDonald's that you would find in the US. But on the inside, it's cleaner and more welcoming. The vibe at Maccas seems more energetic, and I would compare it to a restaurant rather than your average fast food chain. Most Australian locations feature both table service and kiosks.

I've been continually impressed (and slightly taken aback) by the friendly customer service at Maccas. Being from the US, I'm accustomed to the employees at Mickey D's having a bland attitude. In my experience, I place my order and grab my food from the employee without much of a friendly interaction.

But at Maccas, the employees are perky, genuine, and ready to take your order. It really throws me off, but it makes eating there a much better experience.

Fast food is still cheap, no matter where you are in the world.

The pricing at Maccas versus Mickey D's is the same (although it seems like you're paying more in Australia thanks to the conversion rate). Australia is currently testing its most expensive menu item, which comes out to a whopping $10 AUD ($8 USD). That's a hefty price for fast food.

Maccas doesn't have a dollar menu, but a "loose change" menu, which serves the same type of bite-sized items. One thing I do miss about American McDonald's is the promotional $1 any size coffee. You won't find that deal in Australia. They take their coffee very seriously, which is why their McCafe feels more like a high-quality independent coffee shop than a fast food chain.

It's all about McCafe.

Melbourne opened the first McCafe in 1993, and it's a major highlight of Maccas (Australians seem to be really proud of it). McCafe in Australia is treated as its own, separate cafe within the restaurant. About one or two trained baristas manage the space, which has its own extensive and drool-worthy menu.

Remember when I said that Aussies take their coffee very seriously? McCafe menu is proof. It serves coffee such as espresso, chai latte, piccolo, macchiato, and of course, the Australian favorite, the flat white. The coffee at Maccas is just as expensive as going to Starbucks, and it has a high-quality taste to match those prices.

The McCafe food menu is shockingly different than anything you'll see on Mickey D's menu. You'll find an assortment of pastries, cinnamon raisin toast, doughnuts, cheesecake, cupcakes, scones with jam, macarons, hot cross buns, and toasties. It's hardly recognizable to the brand.

• About 17.2 million cars were sold in 2017, according to data from Kelley Blue Book.
• Compact and mid-size crossover SUVs accounted for nearly 40% of all sales.
• Among the top-selling SUVs were the Toyota Rav4, Nissan Rogue, and Honda CR-V.

There were about 17.2 million cars and trucks sold last year, according to a report by Kelley Blue Book.

Though the total number of car sales is down 1.8% from 2016, the report shows that people are continuing to favor SUVs and trucks over sedans. In fact, compact and mid-size crossover SUVs combined accounted for about 40% of all car sales in 2017. Some of the top selling crossover SUVs include the Toyota Rav4, Nissan Rogue, and Honda CR-V — over 350,000 of each was sold in 2017 alone.

Here are some of the best sellers, according to KBB:

SEE ALSO: Ford is cutting back on sedans to build more SUVs — and it could mean a boom for its business

12. Jeep Cherokee: 169,882 sold during 2017. Down -14.9% over 2016.

11. Subaru Forester: 177,563. -0.6%.

10. Subaru Outback: 188,886. +3.3%.

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.

Graduating from high school is a big deal. After 12 years of schooling, finally receiving that diploma on stage is well-deserved. 

There are a few ways to go about gifting your new high school grad. She might be heading off to college, in which case you want to give her something functional and useful for the next step of her education. Maybe she's taking the time to travel and you want to help her have fun. Or perhaps she's not sure what she's doing next, but you want to celebrate the journey up until this point anyway. 

Regardless of your new grad's post-high school plans, you can show her how proud you are of everything she's accomplished with the following gifts. A simple card, sweet treats, beauty and style accessories, and tech devices are all thoughtful gifts that she'll love and appreciate as she celebrates with her fellow graduates. 

See the best high school graduation gifts for her below.

A map that reminds her of home

Create a custom map poster for $49 at Grafomap here

Read more about how Grafomap works here

Remembering her roots looks nicer than ever with Grafomap's custom maps. Zoom in to a hyperspecific location and choose from nine different design themes to find one that will represent her neighborhood well. You can also write your own title, subtitle, and tagline. 

A carry-on suitcase

The Carry-On, $225, available at Away

Leather Luggage Stickers, $15-$25, available at Away

Prepare her for a whirlwind of post-grad adventures with a sleek carry-on that can pack everything she needs and then some. Whether she's taking a big summer trip before starting college, jetting off to internship interviews, or enjoying spring break with friends, this suitcase will keep her prepared.

A photo box frame

Brass & Wood Display Box, $55, available at Artifact Uprising

Square Print Set, from $8, available at Artifact Uprising

Display and store up to 50 5"x 5" prints in this beautifully crafted photo box made of brass and real hardwood. Just slide in your preferred image into the frame, and switch it out whenever you want a change. 

The US is a large and diverse place, so it's hard to pinpoint exactly what "American" means.

But for other countries, this seems a little clearer — often to hilarious extent.

From cliché retro diners in Paris to Texas-themed barbecue joints in China, here's what other countries consider to be an "American" restaurant.

Memphis Coffee in Paris, France

"Happy days!" reads the Memphis Coffee website — but the cheer, which many Europeans consider distinctly American, doesn't end there. On the restaurant's diner-themed menu, you'll be able to find an array of American-inspired goodies, like mozzarella sticks and "chicken balls" (aka chicken nuggets) that are sure "to treat the most greedy!" Is that a dig? Perhaps.

Eddie Rockets in Dublin, Ireland

Eddie Rockets, an American-themed diner in Dublin, Ireland, claims that it's "about all things retro"— and its red pleather booths, shiny neon signs, and aproned waitresses all fit the bill. So do the many milkshakes on the menu, which consists of American faves like hot dogs and burgers.

However, some puzzling menu items contradict its retro-mission. Evidently, the Eddie Rockets crew think that the term "pimp up" is a part of the old-timey American lexicon, so if you want to order an extra slice of cheese or patty for your burger, you have to order it "pimped-up."

The American Dream in Paris, France

The "American Dream" can mean something different for everyone.

For the owners of "The American Dream" in Paris, France, the dream is apparently to pay exorbitant amounts of money for a cliché taste of the states, considering most of the food items on the menu — which features a prominent photo of the "Welcome to Vegas" sign, as well as the Statue of Liberty — could be found on a kid's menu in America.

The interior of the restaurant is reminiscent of a tacky Las Vegas casino, and customers shell out $19.69 for a single Philly Cheesesteak, and $14.77 for a plain bagel with schmear.

Perhaps no business has come under more scrutiny in recent years than President Donald Trump's namesake company, the Trump Organization.

At that company, power is currently vested in the hands of Trump's two eldest sons and Allen Weisselberg, a senior official at the business. But there are several officials who make up the upper ring of the Trump Organization.

Many of those employees have managed to stay out of the limelight, even at a time when many around the world have their eyes fixated on Trump's company.

Here are some of the power players at the Trump Organization:

SEE ALSO: One of Trump's lawyers has unexpectedly become the only firewall between him and Mueller

Donald Trump Jr.

Trump's eldest son has been the most public face of his father's company since the president took office in early 2017. Part of the arrangement Trump made ahead of taking the presidency was to pass control of the company off to Trump Jr., his brother Eric, and another senior official at the company.

Trump Jr. currently serves as executive vice president of development and acquisitions for the company.

Eric Trump

Trump's second-oldest son, Eric, also serves as an executive vice president at the company. In his bio on the Trump Organization website, Eric is listed as spearheading the company's golf portfolio.

George Sorial

Sorial, whom BuzzFeed once labeled Trump's "right-hand man," serves as an executive vice president and counsel at the Trump Organization.

Upon Trump taking office, the Trump Organization tapped Sorial to be chief compliance counsel for any conflicts of interest that arise for the president involving the business. Sorial worked closely with the Trump University project, threatening to sue the Better Business Bureau over the C- score it gave the president's former education platform.