• The firm of renowned architect Renzo Piano — the man behind the new Whitney Museum and New York Times building — just unveiled a $300 million shopping center in the San Francisco Bay Area.
• The project opens amid a fraught time for retail stores, which are shuttering across the country.
• The shopping mall represents a new vision of transforming suburban land into urban-inspired, mixed-use spaces.

More than three years ago, Italian architect Renzo Piano attached himself to an unusual project: A $300 million suburban shopping center in the San Francisco Bay Area. At the time, shopping malls were already on the decline, with retail sales beginning to plummet and many stores being forced to shutter their doors. 

Things have only gotten worse since then.

2017 ushered in what many have dubbed a "retail apocalypse," with big-box stores like Macy’s, JC Penney, and Sears closing hundreds of sites and companies like Payless filing for bankruptcy. By April 2018, Business Insider determined that more than 3,800 stores would close in the United States by the end of the year.

None of this seems to have fazed City Center Bishop Ranch, the brainchild of the Renzo Piano Building Workshop, which welcomed its first round of visitors in November. At 300,000 square feet, the mall includes 70 stores and restaurants, along with a luxury cinema and outdoor areas for performances and art exhibits.

The intent is to bring urban-inspired, mixed-use spaces to the suburbs — a trend that's become increasingly popular among today's developers and planners.

Take a look at the inspiration for the site, and what it looks like now.

The center's open-air square resembles an Italian piazza, providing space for community members to socialize.

According to Antonio Belvedere, a partner at the Renzo Piano Building Workshop, the square is the most important design element. "Everything is designed around the piazza," he told Business Insider.

Unlike the stucco malls that are closing across the country, Renzo Piano gave the complex a modern industrial feel that includes shimmering stainless steel and transparent glass.

The glass on the ground gives the impression that the center is floating.

The two largest tenants are Equinox and a luxury cinema called The Lot.

Equinox has become a fixture of urban developments like New York City's Hudson Yards or suburban mixed-use projects like Orange County's Pacific City.

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.

• Bedding and bath startup Parachute Home is giving shoppers a rare 20% off sitewide discount with code "SALE18"from November 23 through November 26. 
• Its premium sheets are an excellent gift for anyone who loves spending time in bed.
• To potentially save more on Cyber Monday, you can visit Business Insider Coupons to find up-to-date promo codes for a range of online stores.

Every part of your bed, not just the mattress or pillow, affects how you sleep. Parachute Home is a bedding and bath company that believes (rightly so) that softer, better sheets make a big difference, and that you shouldn't have to pay a premium to enjoy their advantages. This weekend through Cyber Monday, you may want to take advantage of this rare sale so you can enjoy the noticeably more comfortable experience of sleeping in Parachute sheets.

From November 23 through November 26, Parachute is offering 20% off everything on its site, plus free shipping and returns. You can use the code "SALE18" at checkout or in stores to get your discount. The promotion excludes furniture, gift cards, swatches, and donations. 

In addition to bedding sets, Parachute sells bath towels, pillows, home decor, and other living essentials. From our experience, these products are among the best we've ever purchased for our home. A big reason why is that the company uses high-quality materials in all its wares, like 100% long-staple Egyptian cotton in its percale and sateen sheets.

When we first introduced Parachute to our readers, founder Ariel Kaye broke down the differences among the brand's percale, sateen, and linen sheets so you can decide for yourself which one is best for you. Since a common question is how they compare to the sheets from another bedding startup, Brooklinen, we put them head-to-head here. 

We've also reviewed its Classic Bathrobe, which attracted a 2,000-person waitlist, and bath towels, which we discovered there's more to than meets the eye.

Keep scrolling to see which Parachute bedding and bath products you should buy during the sale, or you can browse the whole site here.

Looking for more deals? We've rounded up the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on the internet.

SEE ALSO: 

A percale, sateen, or linen sheet set

A classic towel set

Classic Towel Set, $91.20 (originally $114) [You save $22.80]

These super soft and absorbent towels come in four neutral colors and will make you feel like you're always staying at a nice hotel. The towel set has two washcloths, two hand towels, and two bath towels.

The classic bathrobe

Classic Bathrobe, $79.20 (originally $99) [You save $19.80]

Treat yourself to the luxury of a plush bathrobe and give yourself some well-deserved "me time."

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.

Every year, it seems like Black Friday starts a little bit earlier — and gets a little bit crazier. You've probably seen the headlines condemning big-box retailers for opening during Thanksgiving dinner and I'm sure you've heard the horror stories of long lines, mob scenes, brawls, and tramplings, among other shopping catastrophes.

This Thanksgiving, you don't even have to leave the dinner table before you get a slice of pumpkin pie to get in on the best deals. Luckily, plenty of retailers are releasing their Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals ahead of time, so you can actually spend Thanksgiving weekend the way it's meant to be spent — eating. 

Cole Haan is one of the brands that, starting today, is helping you get Black Friday prices without dreaded in-store lines or website crashes. Now through November 27, Cole Haan will be running three great sales where you'll find discounts on its wide selection of quality-crafted, stylish, and comfortable shoes.

Here's what to expect from Cole Haan's offerings, starting today through Cyber Monday:

• Black Friday Event: From November 18 - 24, take 50% off a selection of 400+ boots, Grand styles, bags, and outerwear, plus take 30% off everything else.
• Cyber Monday Event: From November 25 - 27, take 50% off everything, plus take an extra 10% off your purchase with code "CYBER".

Whether you've never shopped at Cole Haan before, or you're already are a loyal wearer, we can bet you'll find something you'll love on their site. We already checked it out and found 17 of the best men's and women's shoe deals you can find at the sale right now.

Shop men's and women's styles from Cole Haan here, or see our picks below.

Looking for more deals? We've rounded up the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on the internet.

ZERØGRAND Water Resistant Hiker Boot

Men's ZERØGRAND Water Resistant Hiker Boot, $210 (originally $300) [You save $90]

ZERØGRAND Explore Waterproof Hiker Boot

Women's ZERØGRAND Explore Waterproof Hiker Boot, $196 (originally $280) [You save $84]

Wagner Grand Waterproof Cap-Toe Boot

Men's Wagner Grand Waterproof Cap-Toe Boot, $224 (originally $320) [You save $96]

After nine years of construction and controversy, China officially unveiled the world's longest sea bridge at an October ceremony in Hong Kong.

At more than 34 miles long, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge is part of a master plan to create a global science and technology hub by connecting two Chinese territories, Hong Kong and Macau (the world's largest gambling center), to nine nearby cities.

With an economic output of $1.5 trillion, the new mega-region — known as the Greater Bay Area — is positioned to rival Silicon Valley. The plan also includes the construction of an $11 billion bullet train, which opened in September.

The bridge is not open to public transit, so only certain vehicles — shuttles, freight cars, and private cars with permits — are allowed to cross. Pedestrians and bicyclists are prohibited.

While some have criticized the structure as a waste of taxpayer dollars, others tout its ability to connect up to 70 million people in the region.

Take a look at its remarkable design below.

The $20 billion structure is 20 times as long as the Golden Gate Bridge.

The title of world's largest sea bridge previously belonged to the Jiaozhou Bay Bridge, which stretches 26.3 miles.

Source: BBC

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge is designed to last for more than a century, with the capacity to withstand major storms and earthquakes.

The structure should hold up in the face of 211 mph winds. That claim was put to the test in September, when Typhoon Mangkhut swept through Hong Kong, destroying roofs, shattering windows, and toppling trees.

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.

• Brooklinen is having its biggest and only sale of the year right now.
• Now through November 26 (Cyber Monday), the more you spend, the more you'll save — up to 20% off orders of $450 or more.
• We ranked Brooklinen as the makers of the best luxury sheets, the best sateen sheets, and the best duvet cover on the internet. Find the startup's seven best-sellers below.
• To potentially save more on Cyber Monday, you can visit Business Insider Coupons to find up-to-date promo codes for a range of online stores.

Brooklinen is one of our favorite brands to cover — from its core and luxe bedsheets to its latest Brooklittles line for babies and toddlers. However, it's not known for holding sales. Prices are usually low enough to warrant what is essentially a year-round sale in itself.

But Black Friday and Cyber Monday are exceptions; Cyber Week is its biggest and only sale of the year.

This year, the popular startup is offering steep discounts. Now through November 26, you can take advantage of the following deals:

• Spend $250 or more and get 10% off your order.
• Spend $350 or more and get 15% off your order.
• Spend $450 or more and get 20% off your order.
• Plus, get a free $50 gift card on orders of $150 or more.

Luxe Hardcore Sheet Bundle

The queen-size Luxe Hardcore Sheet Bundle is $213 before a discount is applied

Available in 15 colors. 

• Luxe Core Sheet Set (one flat sheet, one fitted sheet, two pillowcases)
• Luxe Duvet Cover
• Luxe Pillowcases (an extra pair)

Find a full review of the sheets here. We also ranked them the #1 best luxury sheets and the #1 best sateen sheets in the Insider Picks Buying Guides. 

Classic Hardcore Sheet Bundle

Super-Plush Complete Towel Set

The Super-Plush Complete Towel Set is $189 before a discount is applied

Available in four colors. 

• Two "Bath Sheets"
• Two bath towels
• Two hand towels
• Two washcloths
• Bath mat

Find a full review here.

I recently stumbled on an old Apple ad from 1993 that advertised Macs as a more affordable computer option.

That's clearly not the case anymore, as Apple computers tend to be more expensive than its competition these days. 

Curious to find out how else Apple as a company and its products differed from the Apple of today, I found an archive of old Apple ads and documentation on a site called macmothership.com. 

Check out some old Apple ads and brochures that show how similar and different the company was back in the day:

SEE ALSO: The iPhone 5 is now considered 'vintage' by Apple

One of Apple's first ads from the 1970s.

Today's Mac ads have come a long way.

Youtube Embed:
//www.youtube.com/embed/hVEaL9izgjs
Width: 800px
Height: 450px

Apple tried to appeal to the business crowd back in the mid 1980s.

• Mirror, a New York-based startup, launched its $1,500 interactive mirror in September. The machine streams live and on-demand workout classes into your home. Classes cost $39 per month. 
• Customers connect to the Mirror using a Bluetooth heart rate monitor or via an Apple Watch.
• We put it to the test — here's what it's like to use.

Home fitness has become one of the hottest trends of the year, with new startups offering more innovative and convenient ways to workout. 

Peloton, one of the biggest names in the space, has gained a cult following with its workout bike. Earlier this year, it launched its second home fitness machine, the treadmill. Indoor cycling studio Flywheel has also jumped on the bandwagon, rolling out its own version of the bike. 

Now New York-based startup Mirror wants a slice of the pie. 

Its LCD mirror, which launched in September, allows customers to stream live and on-demand fitness classes from their home. It looks just like a standard mirror and is operated using an app.  

The company has raised $38 million in venture funding and plans to open a pop-up store on Fifth Avenue in December.

We tested out the machine. Here's what it is like to use: 

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

At first glance, Mirror looks like any other mirror you might have at home.

But don't be fooled — while this machine also functions as a mirror, it has an LCD screen from which to screen live and on-demand fitness classes.

The workout process begins on the app, where new customers are asked to enter their key health details — weight, height — along with their fitness goals and details of any injuries.

• The 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show kicks off next week in sunny Southern California.
• The LA Auto Show is generally a more consumer-focused show, which means fewer new concept debuts and more cars destined for showroom floors.
• BMW, Porsche, Lincoln, Mercedes, Lexus, Kia, Hyundai, Honda, Toyota, Subaru, Nissan, and Jeep are all set to unveil new cars at the show.
• The 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show will be open to the public from November 30 through December 9 at the LA Convention Center. 

The 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show kicks off next week in sunny Southern California. As America awakens from its post-Thanksgiving turkey dinner induced stupor, the world's automakers will descend up Tinsel Town to launch the 2018-2019 US auto show season.

Vehicles ranging from design concepts to production models will dot the floor of the LA Convention Center.

Although the concepts at the show represent a glimpse into the future of the automotive industry, more-production-ready vehicles will give the public a chance to see what's soon headed to their dealers' showrooms.

As with previous years, hybridization and electrification will play a major role at the show. In addition, automakers continue to roll out new crossovers and SUVs to meet with consumer demand for the models. 

Read more: The Kia Stinger is Business Insider's 2018 Car of the Year.

The 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show will be open to the public from November 30 through December 9 at the LA Convention Center. 

The LA Auto Show will be followed by the CES and the Detroit Auto Show in January. Other highlights include the Chicago Auto Show in February while the 2019 New York International Auto Show will close out the season in April. 

Here's a closer look at the new cars and SUVs we are looking to forward to at the 2018 LA Auto Show. 

SEE ALSO: 15 cars that changed the world

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

The Germans are going to out in force at the LA Auto Show with BMW leading the way. The Bavarians are expected to roll out its new 8 Series Coupe and...

... 8 Series Cabriolet.

The new BMW Z4 and...

• The White House is being decorated for Christmas.
• After months of planning, thousands of volunteers and staff transform the residence in a matter of days.
• These photos show the transformation behind-the-scenes.

First lady Melania Trump, staff, and volunteers have been planning what the White House will look like for Christmas since the summer.

The week of Thanksgiving, the decorating has finally begun to transform the "People's House" for the holiday season.

President Donald Trump joined his wife to receive the White House Christmas tree on Monday:

See what the preparations look like in these behind-the-scenes photos.

SEE ALSO: See what the Trump White House looked like decorated for Christmas last year

The first lady and her staff have been strategizing this year's decorations since at least July.

The official White House Christmas tree, which arrived on November 19, is still delivered in a horse-drawn carriage with drivers in top hats and tuxes.

This year's tree comes from the Smith family of the Mountain Top Fraser Fir farm in Newland, North Carolina.

• This week's most in-demand streaming shows include Netflix's "Narcos: Mexico" and "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina."
• "Big Mouth" returned to the list this week after a brief hiatus.

"Narcos" is gaining momentum with audiences with a new iteration of the Netflix crime drama, "Narcos: Mexico," which premiered earlier this month.

Every week, Parrot Analytics provides Business Insider with a list of the five most "in-demand" TV shows on streaming services. The data is based on "demand expressions," the globally standardized TV demand measurement unit from Parrot Analytics. Audience demand reflects the desire, engagement, and viewership weighted by importance, so a stream or download is a higher expression of demand than a "like" or comment on social media.

This week's most in-demand shows also include Netflix's "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" (which remains at the top for the third week), Marvel's "Daredevil," and "Big Mouth," which returns to the list after a brief hiatus, knocking "House of Cards" off the list.

Below are this week's five most popular shows on Netflix and other streaming services:

SEE ALSO: Netflix just dropped a new season of its Canadian series 'Frontier,' starring 'Aquaman' and 'Game of Thrones' actor Jason Momoa

5. "Big Mouth" (Netflix)

Average demand expressions: 22,899,417

Description: "Teenage friends find their lives upended by the wonders and horrors of puberty."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 2): 100%

What critics said:"By normalizing experiences many kids feel embarrassed about, the series is actively advocating for their emotional well-being."— Ben Travers, Indiewire

Season 2 premiered on Netflix October 5.

4. "Marvel's Daredevil" (Netflix)

Average demand expressions: 32,506,091

Description: "Blinded as a young boy, Matt Murdock fights injustice by day as a lawyer and by night as the Super Hero Daredevil in Hell's Kitchen, New York City."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 3): 93%

What critics said: "What's clear is that [showrunner Erik] Oleson and his staff course-correct after an over-crowded second season, returning the focus to the people who live in this story."— Allison Shoemaker, RogerEbert.com

Season 3 premiered on Netflix October 19.

3. "Narcos: Mexico" (Netflix)

Average demand expressions: 34,281,302 

Netflix description:"Witness the birth of the Mexican drug war in the 1980s as a gritty new 'Narcos' saga chronicles the true story of the Guadalajara cartel's ascent."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 1): 86%

What critics said:"It thrives when diving into the logistical ways the cartel system was constructed-through violence, manipulation, bribery, and canny scheming and double-crosses and the DEA's resultant attempts to navigate an intrinsically-crooked environment."— Nick Schager, The Daily Beast

Season 1 premiered on Netflix November 16.

• What to wear to work is a daily struggle for many.
• It gets even more complicated in the winter.
• Wear items that will keep you warm, but steer clear of wearing your parka or other winter accessories at your desk. 

Office dress codes have become more casual over the years, but there are still certain guidelines you need to follow for winter workwear.

"Dressing for work in the winter can present unique challenges because you need to prepare for both the cold weather outside and how warm it may be inside," Stephanie Naznitsky, executive director of OfficeTeam, told Business Insider.

Generally, it's wise to dress in layers to make sure you can adjust to the cold outside and the heat indoors. And if you work in a frigid office, wear wool or cashmere to keep warm. Ultimately, though, dress codes vary across cities, industries, and offices, so these suggestions should be considered guidelines that you tailor to your particular workplace.

Here are 11 styles and items of clothing you should avoid wearing at the office this winter:

SEE ALSO: 16 things you should never wear to work — even if you work in a business casual environment

Just one layer

If you're tempted to pile on your winter hat, a parka, a blanket, or all of the above, you're probably making a common winter mistake: Wearing just one layer.

Kat Griffin, founder of the workplace-fashion blog Corporette, recommended wearing layers from Uniqlo's Heattech line under your clothes on particularly cold days. Those options, Griffin said, "will go a long way towards blocking the wind outside, but not adding heat or bulk inside."

Skirts or dresses without tights

Tan or light gray suits

"Tan and light grey suits should be in your rotation during the spring and summer months, but they’re all wrong for the winter," Brice Pattison, fashion director for The Black Tux, an online suit and tuxedo rental startup, told Business Insider. "Instead, a darker grey, charcoal, or navy will serve you better."

• Not all beauty products live up to their hype. 
• From toners to cleansing oils, some products are over-priced and not worth your money. 
• INSIDER spoke to board-certified dermatologists to find the beauty products that you shouldn't buy. 

Building a beauty routine can feel overwhelming — it seems like every day there's a new product that claims it will give you perfect skin. Add up all those items, and it can be pretty expensive, too. Before you spend all that cash on creams, serums, toners, and other products, make sure you're getting ones that actually work. Unfortunately, there are some pricey products out there that don't do very much for your skin (and can actually end up irritating your skin).

So what are these products? INSIDER spoke to board-certified dermatologists to find out which items aren't worth the money.

Toners may dry out your face.

"Patients love toner because of its cool refreshing sensation, but toners do not provide any benefits and may even dry out or irritate the face," Hedy Setyadi, a dermatologist in TK, told INSIDER. "You'd be better off spending that money and effort on products that work." Looking for some suggestions?  Setyadi recommended using a benzoyl peroxide wash in the morning and retinoids at night if you have acne-prone skin.

For anti-aging purposes, Setyadi saif to use an antioxidant serum. If you've been using toner to even out your skin tone, Setyadi said to switch to a glycolic acid facial wash in the morning and retinoids at night (but only if your skin can tolerate both).

Expensive washes, moisturizers, sunscreens, and retinoids aren't always worthy of their high price tags.

Luxury-brand products may seem like they're better formulated because of their huge price tags. But Susan Bard, a New York-based dermatologist, told INSIDER that she always discourages her patients from buying pricey skin care basics. "When it comes to these items, you can find some wonderful products at the drugs," she said. "Save your money for serums containing growth factors and peptides. Those products are expensive to produce, so in that case, you get what you pay for."

Read more: 12 drugstore beauty products celebrities love that cost less than $10

Oral or topical collagen supplements likely won't penetrate your skin.

You've seen all the collagen supplements on the market that promise to give you the skin of your dreams. But they're generally a waste of money, said Omar Ibrahimi, a dermatologist based in Connecticut. "Collagen and elastin are large protein molecules which are present in our dermis," he told INSIDER. "Applying these topically or ingesting them will not benefit our skin because the molecules will not penetrate the epidermis (the top layer of the skin) to get to the dermis." If you ingest them, Ibrahimi said that it will get broken down before the stomach can absorb it.

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.

• Now through November 27, you can save 20% on clothing and outerwear at L.L.Bean by using the promo code "THANKS20" at checkout.
• The sale includes fleeces, flannels, jeans, jackets, and much more.

Made for the outdoors, L.L.Bean is one of the best brands for tackling the elements in style. This Cyber Monday, its having a huge sale to pass along some savings.

Now through November 27, you can save 20% on clothing and outwear by using the promo code "THANKS20" at checkout. You'll also receive a $10 gift card to use on a future purchase of $50 or more by December 24.

Whether you're looking for warm flannel shirts and sweaters, comfortable fleece jackets, or a heavy winter parka, you'll be able to get a great deal at L.L.Bean.

Since there are so many great sales going on all across the web, the last thing you want to do is spend too much time shopping in one place. So, to make it easier for you, we rounded up some of the best deals at L.L.Bean for men, women, and kids. Check them out below.

Shop the L.L.Bean Cyber Monday sale now.

Looking for more deals? We've rounded up the best Cyber Monday deals on the internet.

To potentially save more on Cyber Monday, you can visit Business Insider Coupons to find up-to-date promo codes for a range of online stores.

DON'T MISS: 50 Cyber Monday deals from cool startups you should have on your radar this week

SEE ALSO: All of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides, in one place

READ MORE: Macy's Cyber Monday sale has everything from cashmere sweaters to kitchen appliances— here are some of the best deals

Men's Scotch Plaid Flannel Shirt

Scotch Plaid Flannel Shirt, available in nine colors, $39.96 (Originally $49.95) [You save $9.99]

Men's Classic Ragg Wool Sweater

Classic Ragg Wool Sweater, available in four colors, $79.20 (Originally $99) [You save $19.80]

Men's Hi-Pile Fleece Pullover

Hi-Pile Fleece Pullover, available in four colors, $63.20 (Originally $79) [You save $15.80]

• Netflix's library of original content is continually expanding at a rapid pace.
• Here, we rank all of Netflix's notable original shows by their critical reception on Rotten Tomatoes.

As Netflix's library of original content continues to expand, it's worthwhile to take stock of all that the service currently offers.

With popular shows like "Stranger Things" and "Big Mouth," Netflix has hit the mark with both critics and audiences. 

But the service has also had its share of critical flops, including the Marvel series "Iron Fist" and the high school dramedy "Insatiable."

To figure out which Netflix original series are worth your time, we turned to the reviews aggregator Rotten Tomatoes to rank the shows by their composite critical reception.

We excluded any show that did not have enough reviews to receive a designation of "Fresh" or "Rotten." We also did not include children's shows, talk shows, docuseries, or shows that were continued from other networks, and we used audience scores to break any ties. 

Here are 82 of Netflix's notable original shows, ranked from worst to best, according to critics:

SEE ALSO: The 9 best Netflix original series to binge-watch

82. "Insatiable"— 10%

Critic score: 10%

Audience score: 84%

Netflix description: "A bullied teenager turns to beauty pageants as a way to exact her revenge, with the help of a disgraced coach who soon realizes he's in over his head."

81. "Marvel's Iron Fist"— 19%

Critic score: 19%

Audience score: 74%

Netflix description: "Danny Rand resurfaces 15 years after being presumed dead. Now, with the power of the Iron Fist, he seeks to reclaim his past and fulfill his destiny."

80. "Between"— 22%

Critic score: 22%

Audience score: 66%

Netflix description: "After a mysterious disease kills every resident over 22 years old, survivors of a town must fend for themselves when the government quarantines them."

• In today's music industry, the RIAA certifies an album as "platinum" when it surpasses 1 million album equivalent units in sales or streaming. 
• Here, we rank the best-selling artists of all time by their number of platinum album certifications.

In the decades before streaming-era rules and digital downloads inflated album sales, platinum certification was more difficult for artists to obtain.

When an artist achieved platinum status back then — selling a million or more physical copies of an album — it took a more fervent effort from fans (who had to drive to record stores, find an album, and hand over their hard-earned cash for it), but many acts nonetheless reached platinum certification routinely.

Compiling RIAA data, we ranked the best-selling artists of all time by the number of platinum albums they've sold in the US. 

Some of the results here are surprising. Country singer Garth Brooks, for instance, has the most diamond (or 10-times platinum) albums of all time with seven. But the legendary acts at the top of the list are ones you'd expect to see. 

Here are the 50 best-selling artists of all time, ranked by platinum albums sold:

SEE ALSO: The 50 best-selling albums of all time

50. Prince — 11

Platinum albums: 11

Multi-platinum: 4

Diamond: 1

Best-selling album:"Purple Rain" (13 million copies)

49. Bon Jovi — 11

Platinum albums: 11

Multi-platinum: 5

Diamond: 1

Best-selling album:"Slippery When Wet" (12 million copies)

48. Eric Clapton — 11

Platinum albums: 11

Multi-platinum: 7

Diamond: 1

Best-selling album:"Unplugged" (10 million copies)

• Warning: There are spoilers ahead for "The Walking Dead," season nine, episode five, "Evolution."
• On Sunday's mid-season finale of the AMC show, we learned a bit more about the strained relationship between the communities, were introduced to the series' next big villains, and said goodbye to a fan-favorite.
• There aren't too many direct callbacks to moments from the comics and show on this week's episode. So INSIDER caught up with showrunner Angela Kang and she told us some fun tidbits about Sunday's episode.
• Keep reading to see what you may have overlooked on the season nine mid-season finale. 

Negan has a baseball toy sitting in his window sill.

It's an obvious nod to his beloved barbed-wired bat, Lucille, which was taken away from Negan after the Savior war was over.

He's seen in the cell tossing a ball with a baseball glove. It's a nice touch if you're familiar with the comics and know that Negan was a gym teacher and coach before the zombie apocalypse. 

The pig reminds us of when Negan visits Alexandria on season seven, episode four and knocks on the gate saying, "Little pig, little pig. Let me in!"

Everyone disappears when Michonne and the others show up at the Hilltop. Her group is treated differently.

Everyone looks at Michonne sort of teary-eyed. Their weapons are confiscated until they leave the Hilltop.

"It's something that obviously Michonne and Daryl, they both experienced something. There's probably others that are affected in various ways, if not in the same ways," showrunner Angela Kang told INSIDER. "It's one of these character, intrigue mysteries that we wanted to sort of show to the audience a little at a time."

"We start with the effects of everything that's happened in the past and then we'll learn what exactly did happen and how it is that they came to kind of take on the positions that they did and things they've been through together," she added.

You can read more on what Kang told us about the mystery "X" marks here.

Earl Sutton asks Henry if he wants to join him and Tammy for dinner.

The two lost their child, Kenneth, on the season premiere. Henry probably reminds Earl of his lost child.

• Organizing your fridge can save you time and money.
• Some tips for organizing your fridge include using clear storage boxes and labels. 
• Ultimately, you need to figure out what you need most often from your fridge to decide how you'd like to organize it.

A disorganized fridge can make it hard to find what you need while also making it extra easy for your food to go to waste. But according to professional organizers, Lisa Zaslow and Julie Morgenstern, organizing your fridge can take less than an hour and you can reap the benefits every day.

Here are some expert tips for organizing your fridge, whether you live alone or with multiple people. 

Make a plan.

Do you want to keep everything to make lunches together in one spot or would you prefer the fridge be organized by food group? "For any organizing project, you want to think about storing different things in places that make sense," Zaslow told INSIDER. "You'll always know the top shelf is for leftovers, for example."

Decide where you'd like items to be once everything is cleaned out.

Remove everything from the fridge.

Morgenstern suggests grabbing a trash bag and recycling bin and being prepared to throw things away. She said to toss any food you don't feel safe eating, even if you paid a lot of money for it. You'll also want to check expiration dates. 

Place everything you plan to keep on the counter, grouping items together according to your new organization plan.

Wipe the fridge down with a cloth and a mixture of baking soda and water.

To keep things moving swiftly, Morgenstern recommends creating a simple cleaner with just baking soda and water. Do a quick wipe down of the shelves and walls of the fridge. You won't need to scrub, but the cleaner will still any built-up gunk.

Small dog breeds are known to have a longer life expectancy than most larger breeds. Although scientists haven't pinpointed the exact reason for variations in canine longevity, the difference could possibly be attributed to larger breeds growing at an accelerated rate.

Using information from the American Kennel Club, INSIDER compiled a list of dog breeds with a long lifespan (up to 15 years or more).  

From Pomeranians to poodles, here 18 dog breeds that have a long lifespan.

Chihuahuas can live between 14 and 16 years.

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), this toy breed can live between 14 and 16 years. Weighing upwards of six pounds, chihuahuas are characterized by their "loyalty, charm, and big-dog attitude."

The Chinese crested has a lifespan ranging from 13 to 18 years.

The AKC describes the Chinese crested as a "frolicsome, ultra-affectionate companion dog." In addition to having a spunky hairdo, this breed ― which can be coated or hairless ― has a long lifespan ranging from 13 to 18 years.

Smooth and wire fox terriers can both live between 12 and 15 years.

The smooth fox terrier and its cousin, the wire fox terrier, can live between 12 and 15 years, according to the AKC. As their names suggest, both were originally bred as fox-hunting dogs.

• Long weekends offer people an opportunity to kick back and relax.
• Business Insider spoke with several productivity and work experts to get tips on how to bounce back from a long weekend.
• They recommended hitting the ground running on your first day back.

There's a lot to be said about how you should— or shouldn't— spend long weekends. But it's equally important to plan out the days that follow a long weekend.

When you're coming back from some time off and you have a shorter week to get everything done, it usually helps to hit the ground running.

With that in mind, here are six things that successful people do first when they return from long weekend.

DON'T MISS: 11 things unsuccessful people do over long weekends

SEE ALSO: 8 things successful people do after getting back from vacation

They get up early

When it comes to some holidays, almost everyone has time off. So you won't be falling behind by showing up to work at your usual time.

But getting up early and coming in before your regular time is a good idea, too. The office will be quiet and you can get started on what you might have missed. 

"That will mitigate the workload avalanche and give you a head start, sans distraction," Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job," told Business Insider.

They scrutinize their to-do lists

As Business Insider's Shana Lebowitz previously reported, many of our daily tasks aren't essential. And no one will notice if we stop doing some of them. 

Being away from work for a few days often gives us a fresh perspective on the tasks that are actually fulfilling and necessary, and those that are totally boring. Eliminate the ones that don't serve you or your colleagues any purpose. 

"Now that you've spent a good bit away from your desk, you have tangible proof that those tasks you're always putting off aren't holding up your ceiling," freelance reporter Kevin Purdy wrote in Fast Company.

They double-check their schedules

Don't forget to double-check your schedule. Remember, you'll likely be dealing with a shortened work week. Don't try to cram too many items into your weekly schedule, or you might wind up burning yourself out.

• Black Friday isn't as crazy of a shopping day as it once was.
• Black Friday's decline is in large part due to the rise of online shopping and heavy discounting year-round.
• When we visited Best Buy and Target, traditionally two of the biggest Black Friday destinations, the stores were close to empty. 

Black Friday isn't the massive shopping event it once was.

One of the biggest factors in Black Friday's declining significance is the rise of online shopping. With so many deals available online, customers no longer have to wait out in long lines for stores to open.  

"54 percent of US shoppers say they are more likely to shop online during Black Friday with the biggest reasons being convenience and simplicity," Ray Wimer, an assistant professor of retail practice at Syracuse University, said in an email earlier this week.

The rise of online shopping has allowed Black Friday to begin earlier. Online shopping on Thanksgiving surged this year, according to Adobe. 

This year, ShopperTrak data reported by CNBC showed store visits on Black Friday declined 1.7%, while online shopping sales reached $6.2 billion on Friday, according to Adobe Analytics.

Read more:Black Friday deals sold out before Friday even began

Constant discounting also may be to blame. This year, Prime Day forced competing retailers like Target, Macy's, and JCPenney to offer massive Black Friday-style sales in July, taking away from the excitement of holiday deals.

When I visited a Best Buy and a Target — traditionally two of the biggest Black Friday destinations — in Westchester, New York, I was surprised to find that the stores weren't busy at all. Besides all of the big signs, it seemed like any other weekend, though they had been open for several hours the day before, Thanksgiving. Hardly anyone was waiting in line before stores opened, and the lines at the register didn't seem out of the ordinary. 

Here's what it was like to shop at Best Buy and Target on Black Friday morning:

DON'T MISS: Black Friday 2018: The 25 best online deals and sales, period

SEE ALSO: Photos show how much holiday shopping has changed in America over the years

Best Buy was the first store I went to. I arrived about 20 minutes before it opened at 8 a.m.

I was surprised to find the parking lot was mostly empty.

There were a handful of people waiting in line to get in, but not many.