White House garden vegetables, dry-aged rib eye beef, and American wines — this is what guests at the White House will be served at tonight's State Dinner.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are hosting French President François Hollande today, to be followed by an official State Dinner held in a big white tent on the South Lawn of the White House.

Thanks to the White House Instagram account, we have an advanced look at the feast being readied for the 350 guests.

White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford and Pastry Chef Bill Yosses, selected a menu that "celebrates the best of American cuisine," according to a release from the White House. The ingredients come from around the country, and from the White House itself. Honey from the White House beehive will be used in a vinaigrette dressing, and the salad will feature ingredients from Michelle Obama's kitchen garden. 

The wine list is also American, with bottles from California, Washington state, and Virginia.

After the food, guests will be serenaded by Mary J. Blige. Keep reading to see the official menu, as well as a preview (and more specifics) on all of the courses.

"The Winter Garden Salad" served with radish, baby carrots, lettuce, and a red wine vinaigrette, looks more like a piece of art than a second course.

Pastry chef Bill Yosses prepares Hawaiian chocolate-malted ganache with vanilla ice cream and tangerines. And yes, that's a paint sprayer they're using to coat the desserts.

Sugar roses and fleur-de-lis, the official flowers of the United States and France. "We made 38 of each — that's more than 1,800 petals," Pastry Chef Bill Yosses said.

Here's the official menu.

And an in-depth description of each course, via The White House:

The First Course, American Osetra Caviar, farmed from the estuaries of Illinois, is paired with quail eggs from Pennsylvania and twelve varieties of potatoes from farms in New York, Idaho, and California.

The Salad Course is petite mixed radish and baby carrots, served on a bed of merlot lettuce with a red wine vinaigrette. The Winter Garden Salad pays tribute to The First Lady’s White House Kitchen Garden. Even when covered with snow, the winter vegetables in the White House Kitchen Garden continue to thrive, and little hints of spring are already starting to sprout.

The Main Course, Dry-aged Rib Eye Beef, is sourced from a family owned farm in Greeley, Colorado and served with a Jasper Hill Farm Blue Cheese crisp from Greensborough, Vermont.

The dessert is a celebration of American traditions and produce. The Chocolate Malted Cake is a modern version of an all- American layer cake presented in a geometric form. This dish combines bittersweet chocolate from Hawaii, tangerines from Florida, and is served à la mode with vanilla ice cream from Pennsylvania.

After dinner, guests can enjoy fudge made from Vermont maple syrup, lavender shortbread cookies, and cotton candy dusted with orange zest.

BONUS: Bo and Sunny Obama are excited for the meal, too.

SEE ALSO: Incredible Photos Of The Gutted White House During Its 1950s Renovation

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Former SEC Chair Harold Williams is selling his modern California ranch for $15.9 million according to the WSJ.

It's designed by the architect who also designed the Getty Museum, Michael Palladino. They met when Williams worked for the J. Paul Getty Trust, which funded the museum.

The ranch is being sold in two parcels (if that's what you want), the main house and the 8-stall horse facility. All in all, the ranch includes 5 bedrooms, 5 baths, a gym, an office, and a solar-heated salt water pool. It's also in the middle of wine country.

Realtor Carey Kendall has the listing.

This is the view.

This lake is located near the property.

There's tons of light everywhere, especially in the common space.

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the 2015 S-Class Coupe, and it's very exciting. On top of great looks inside and out, the two-door version of the German automaker's flagship sedan is chock full of technologies that promise to make it both luxurious and a beast on the road.

Mercedes offers the choice to get headlights packed with 47 Swarovski crystals, but the more impressive technology can't be spotted until the coupe heads into a turn.

This is the world premiere of the "active curve tilting function," which makes the car lean into turns, like a motorcyclist or skier. That improves performance and keeps passengers seated more securely on hard curves — making sporty driving even more pleasurable.

The S-Class Coupe, which seats four, will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Expect Mercedes to announce pricing closer to its market launch this fall.

Mercedes-Benz has been making large coupes since 1952. It's an unusual way to combine size, luxury, and sporty driving characteristics.

At 16.5 feet long, the 2015 S-Class Coupe is just gorgeous.

It will sit on wheels between 18- and 20-inches big.

Not everyone is born a star. For some celebrities, it takes years of hard work, small roles, and persistence to make it in show business.

This was the case for Jeremy Renner, who didn't get his big break until "The Hurt Locker" in 2008 when he was 37 years old.

He went on to become Hawkeye in 2012's $1.5 billion hit "The Avengers" and is now a household name.

Yet, Renner isn't the only late-bloomer when it comes to fame and success in Hollywood.

Jon Hamm almost gave up acting at age 36.

Hamm spent years trying to become an actor starring in minor roles, and according to his longtime girlfriend Jennifer Westfeldt, he almost gave it all up.

"He would just say, I’m going to hang it up, it’s not going to work out,"Westfeldt told The Huffington Post.

However, Hamm landed the "Mad Men" role in 2007 even though he felt he was at "the bottom of the list" and created one of the most interesting characters in the history of television.

Susan Boyle became a singer at age 47.

The story of how Susan Boyle became famous is now somewhat legend. 

In 2008, a 47-year-old Boyle auditioned on "Britain's Got Talent" singing "I Dreamed A Dream" from "Les Miserables."

As judges like Simon Cowell and Piers Morgan scoffed at the looks of Boyle, she went on to surprisingly belt out the song, which led to one of the most-watched YouTube videos of all time.

Even though she ultimately lost in the finals, the exposure online led Boyle to get her own album, go on tour, and to live her dream in real life.

Harrison Ford was a full-time carpenter until 35.

For the first half of his life, Ford he was nothing more than a carpenter.

It wasn't until director George Lucas saw Ford doing some wood-working at a studio while having auditions for a space film he was shooting called "Star Wars" that things changed.

According to Lucas, he knew Ford from working with him on a small role in his previous film, "American Graffiti" and asked Ford to read scenes in the role of Han Solo. 

The rest became history in a galaxy far, far away. 

There's no denying the importance of coal in America. The combustible black rock provides about 40% of the United States' electricity and plays a vital role in the economy of places like West Virginia.

But there's also no getting around major health and environmental concerns.

One increasingly popular mining method, mountaintop removal mining, could be the most destructive yet. While traditional coal mining extracts coal from underground, the mountaintop removal method blasts away chunks of mountains to get at the coal beneath. It also controversially requires fewer workers than other methods of mining coal.

On a recent trip to West Virginia to cover a chemical spill that shut down water for 300,000 people for a week, we rented a plane to take it all in.

Flying above ancient Appalachian mountains that looked from high like snow-dusted moguls, it was jarring to see large sections that had been leveled off flat. Mining operations have radically disrupted massive areas, in an incredibly diverse ecosystem, and there is significant doubt about whether they will truly recover. For all we saw, it was only a small part of 800 miles of mountaintop removal mining in the region.

West Virginia was in the news recently when this Charleston chemical storage facility accidentally released up to 10,000 gallons of the coal-cleaning chemical MCHM, into the Elk River on January 9, 2014.

News of the spill came slowly to local residents who seemed nervous, angry, and uncertain.

Uncertainty has become a way of life here as traditional underground mining methods like the one pictured here have been on the decline since the 1970s.

If you take enough photos on a drive across the United States, you can create a time lapse video that replays the epic drive in just a few minutes.

That's what a driver who identified himself as Maurizio Sera Art did recently, covering the 2,740 mile-trip from Los Angeles, Calif., to Washington, D.C. He strapped a Hero3 GoPro camera to the roof of his BMW and had it snap a photo of the road every two seconds.

The trip took him 44 hours over four days, and he ended up with 63,000 photos. Then he used those to create this awesome video that replays the 44 hour drive in under 7 minutes.

Watch the coast-to-coast drive, which starts under the Hollywood sign and wraps up in front of the Capitol:

SEE ALSO: You Can Now Drive From Los Angeles To New York On Tesla's Supercharger Network

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Speed reading is an incredibly useful skill, no matter your profession.

If you think you have a leg up on the rest of the population, check out a new test from Staples' eReader Research Center that tells you how many words you actually read per minute.

Simply read a short passage, and then answer three questions that test your comprehension before you see the results. The test even compares your score to the average reading rate of everyone from a 3rd grade student to a bona fide speed reader, and then tells you how long it would take for you to read the world's classic novels.

Click the image below to take the test.

SEE ALSO: 25 Books That Changed The Course Of History

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Kmart is in trouble.

Sears Holdings, Kmart's parent company, has closed more than 300 Sears and Kmart stores since 2010, and the company has announced plans to close at least another dozen Kmart stores within the first half of 2014.

Photographer Nicholas Eckhart has been tracking Sears and other struggling retailers for years on his blog Dead And Dying Retail.

We compiled his images of Kmart stores that have been abandoned or appear to be struggling.

This former Kmart store in Elyria, Ohio, has been closed for a decade, according to Eckhart. "This store closed in the 2003 wave of Kmart closures, but oddly left all store fixtures besides shopping carts and signs that said 'Kmart' behind," he notes. This was formerly the pharmacy.

Here's another shot from inside the Elyria Kmart, where Bargain Warehouse now occupies part of the space. Signage for Kmart's old cafe remains on the walls.

This former Kmart location in Toledo, Ohio opened in 1967 and closed in 2006.

Every two years, the Olympics takes over the world for two weeks and produces incredible moments and photos.

So far, Sochi has been a beautiful background for some amazing sports photography.

From skiers flying high, to skaters contorting their bodies, these are some of the most mesmerizing photos from the Winter Games so far.

Skii jumper Simon Ammann of Switzerland takes off.

Yuki Kadono of Japan sores in the slopestyle finals.

Medal winners collapse at the end of the 7.5 km classic + 7.5 km free cross country race.

Stuck in Botswana for several days after finishing a corporate assignment, photographer Zack Seckler decided that he couldn't waste the opportunity to see the majesty of Africa.

Without any way to get around, Seckler hired a retired pilot to take him in an "ultralight," a lightweight two-seater plane that can take off and land almost anywhere. The pilot took Seckler over the salt pans and countryside of Botswana, where he found himself exhilarated by the flight and the scenes below.

"Being above the ground at such low elevations, and having the ability to precisely maneuver, was like gliding over an enormous painting and being able to create brushstrokes at will," said Seckler.

Seckler began photographing the incredible landscapes and the animals that wandered into them, creating a body of work that he calls "Aerial Abstracts."

Seckler shared some photos with us here, but you can see the entire project at the Robin Rice Gallery in Manhattan until Feb. 23, or on his website where he shares all of his current work.

During his time in Botswana, Seckler took several flights over the salt pans. He says that when he saw this zebra herd, he told the pilot to follow them.

The plane usually flew at an elevation of between 50 and 500 feet, though occasionally they went lower. That's how he got this amazing shot of these frightened zebra.

They saw zebra, donkeys, antelopes, and tswana, a type of cattle indigenous to Africa.

Jules Verne understood it best: you can fly around the world in 80 days and dive 20,000 leagues under the sea, but you can also find awesome otherworldly adventures right beneath your feet.

Just ask the Mexican miners who discovered a sweltering cavern filled with crystals as tall as apartment buildings, or the Brazilians who first gazed into Poço Encantado, a cave with a lake so clear you lose all sense of perspective looking into its depths.

Mother Nature knows what she’s doing when it comes to creating cool underground attractions.

Mankind isn’t so bad at it either. Turkey’s ancient city of Derinkuyu is thought to have housed 20,000 people 18 stories inside a mountain. And in Luxor’s Valley of the Kings, the Tomb of Seti I’s sheer size and extensive Book of the Dead bas-reliefs would make any aspiring Egyptologist cry mummy.

Closer to home, a Cold War bunker in rural West Virginia offers a peek into a different sort of afterlife. Luckily, American congressmen never had to use the top-secret hideaway (even if it was hidden beneath a luxury hotel)—unlike London’s Cabinet War Rooms, another man-made sights turned must-visit museum for cultural spelunkers.

Ready to discover some of the earth’s coolest underground sights? Here’s where to start digging:

1. Turda Salt Mines in Romania

Excavated by hand since the 13th century—although perhaps as early at 1075—the massive Turda Salt Mines in Transylvania is now a subterranean museum and recreation center with basketball hoops, a mini-golf course, Ferris wheel, and even an underground lake you can go boating on.

From mine mouth to dome’s floor is a staggering 368 feet underground. Those with allergies and asthma will be especially interested in the mine’s halotherapy spa facilities, which use ionized air, pressure, and humidity in the salt-lined caves to treat persistent respiratory problems.

2. Magma Chamber of Thrihnukagigur Volcano in Iceland

Joe Versus the Volcano this is not—no need for human sacrifice to see the inner chamber of Thrihnukagigur Volcano, which has been dormant for 4,000 years.

Instead of erupting, the magma mysteriously drained away, leaving behind psychedelic mineral colorations geological geeks can gawk at today. After a hike across lava fields, visitors are whisked 390 feet into the volcano’s maw by a cable car. Tours usually occur between June and July, but can be extended beyond that period.

3. Poço Encantado in Brazil 

Set along the eastern border of the Chapada Diamantina range near Andaraí in northeast Brazil, the Poço Encantado (Enchanted Well) is an underground lake with a natural window out to the Bahian jungle above.

Between April and September, when the sun is at just the right spot in the sky, the light hitting the water in the cave turns it a deep, mysterious blue. The water is so clear that one can see more than 200 feet to the bottom, where ancient tree trunks and rock formations appear disorientingly close.

4. Puerto Princesa Underground River in the Philippines

A UNESCO World Heritage site, this five-mile-long underground river lies beneath a limestone karst mountain on the island of Palawa, connecting the Cabayugan River’s flow to the South China Sea.

The surrounding national park protects eight different forest systems, from mountains to beaches, and is a naturalist’s dream with a multitude of plant species (800 and counting) and vibrant animal life. While underground on guided rafting trips, visitors enter several large chambers, some as wide as 390 feet and almost 200 feet high, as well as passageways with a more claustrophobic fit.

5. Cave of Crystals in Mexico

La Cueva de los Cristales was discovered in the Naica Mine near Chihuahua in 2000 after water was pumped out of the 30-by-90-foot chamber, and there’s nothing else like it on—or under—earth. The crisscrossing gypsum columns are some of the world’s largest natural crystals.

Despite its grandeur, visits are nearly impossible to come by due to dangerous conditions: near 100-percent humidity and temperatures as high as 136 degrees, warmed by a pool of magma sitting below the cave. There’s even been talk of refilling it with water. 

6. Waitomo Glowworm Caves in New Zealand

The real-life setting for a glow-in-the-dark sci-fi spectacular is two hours south of Auckland and the same distance west of Rotorua under Waitomo’s rolling green hills.

Here caves are filled with arachnocampa luminosa (that’s New Zealand’s indigenous glowworms to you) that give off a subtle blue glow due to a chemical reaction occurring in their abdomen. Enjoy a boat ride that will take you through this galaxy of living lights, strong on sticky webs above.

7. Greenbrier Bunker in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.

Indulge in a little espionage while visiting the Allegheny Mountain’s posh Greenbrier resort, where a bunker was secretly built in 1956 to house members of Congress should nuclear war break out.

Now declassified, the fallout shelter could have accommodated more than 1,100 people behind 25-ton blast doors; today, it’s a time capsule of Cold War hubris. The unused bunker came equipped with a power plant, decontamination chambers, communications equipment, meeting rooms, and a great hall for joint sessions—all over two football-field-size levels.

8. San Clemente Basilica and Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini in Rome

Uncover eons of religious belief at San Clemente Basilica, a 12th-century basilica built on top of a many-frescoed fourth-century church—itself built over a secular first-century home that stands next to a second-century temple used by an all-male fertility cult worshipping the sun god Mithras.

Those with darker leanings can explore the Capuchin ossuary underneath the church of Santa Maria della Concezione, a 10-minute walk away, where the bones of 4,000 monks were used to artistically decorate the crypt in the form of chandeliers, coats of arms, and archways. Keep a lookout for a toddler’s skeleton turned flying grim reaper.

9. Forestiere Underground Gardens in Fresno, Calif.

From 1906 to 1946, Sicilian immigrant Baldassare Forestiere built himself a subterranean home and garden modeled after the ancient catacombs of his homeland.

The intrepid builder and gardener dug some 10,000 square feet of rooms, a chapel, and even an underground fishing pond using just farming tools. Forestiere’s 10-acre creation provides a cool respite from the scorching California sun, with blooming fruit trees reaching to skylights above.

10. Cabinet War Rooms in London

Across the Atlantic, another secret underground bunker got a lot of use as the nerve center of the British war effort in World War II.

Occupied by ministers, military personnel, and Prime Minister Winston Churchill from 1939 to 1945, the Cabinet War Rooms—part of the Churchill War Rooms museum—preserves many of the day-to-day artifacts used in that period, from large maps full of pinpricks indicating changing front lines down to the swivel chair Churchill used while presiding over the War Cabinet.

Keep reading at Travel + Leisure >

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• T + L Cruise Finder
• World's Coolest New Tourist Attractions

SEE ALSO: The World's Coolest Underwater Hotels

Join the conversation about this story »

When most of the U.S. is stuck in winter's icy grip, it’s a relief to know there's somewhere warm and breezy to escape to. Our guide to the top warm-weather getaways—from our 80 Degrees beach-finder tool—will help you find the perfect beach based on your interests.

In no time at all, you'll be ready to head off to where beaches, warm waters, and outdoor adventures await. Be sure to pack your swimsuit and suntan lotion, and leave the coat, turtlenecks, and gloves at home.

1. The Florida Keys

Why Go: The archipelago stretching off southern Florida is made up of 1,700 islands; when narrowing down which to visit, put Key Largo on the list so you can visit the only living coral reef off the mainland U.S. 

Key West is another must: there’s always something going on at Smathers Beach, from Jet Skiing to volleyball tournaments. 

Where to Stay: Accessible only by boat or seaplane, Little Palm Island Resort & Spa offers luxurious castaway isolation. The quaint Marquesa Hotel, on the other hand, is set in Key West’s lovely historic district.

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Florida Keys Guide

2. St. Martin and St. Maarten

Why Go: It’s like visiting two countries in one on this sun-soaked, half-French and half-Dutch island. Thirty-seven beaches include Cupecoy and its dramatic sunsets; the windsurfing-friendly Orient Bay; and surfer spot Mullet Bay, where the beach scene is refreshingly tranquil.

The Gallic influence on the cuisine in the gourmet hub of Grand Casemakes the restaurant scene one of the best in the Caribbean, with Creole fish shacks, high-end French spots, and everything in between.

Where to Stay: The villas of La Samanna front the island’s largest beach. Bide your time in the casino at the The Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa between stretches of sunning.

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s St. Martin and St. Maarten Guide

3. Maui, Hawaii

Why Go: Maui offers some of the world’s loveliest drives, such as The Road to Hana, lush with rain forests and waterfalls, and a winding tour through Haleakala National Park to the world’s largest dormant volcano, with breathtaking overlooks along with the twists and turns. 

Wai'anapanapa State Park, not only consists of pristine waters and a black sand beach, but also stunning fresh water caves and cliffs crying out for jumping.

Where to Stay: The palatial Four Seasons Resort Maui is strewn with gardens alongside its beachfront property and many of its guestrooms include volcano views. The stylish Andaz Maui features a restaurant from Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto.

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Maui Guide

4. Turks and Caicos Islands

Why Go: Only eight of the 40 islands in this archipelago are inhabited. Providenciales is the center; Grand Turk is the capital; and North and Middle Caicos are quiet getaway spots.

Divers and snorkelers enjoy the show along the world’s third largest barrier reef, while Long Bay beach is the place to take up kite boarding. Blue marlin fill the surrounding waters, making the islands a great spot for fishing, too.

Where to Stay: Seven Stars Grace Bay includes a vast seawater pool and private cabanas on the beach. The entire island of Parrot Cay is devoted to the resort Parrot Cay by COMO, with its unspoiled mile-long stretch of beach.

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Turks and Caicos Islands Guide

5. Hawaii's Big Island

Why Go: The Big Island’s Kilauea is an active volcano that has been constantly erupting for the last 6 years; its glow alone transfixes tourists. The Waipio Valley and Mauna Loa Observatory trail are big with hikers for the overlooks and waterfalls.

Pohue Bay is one of the world’s loveliest secluded beaches, and a favorite for nesting sea turtles. A tour and tasting at the Hawaiian Vanilla Company, the US’s first commercial vanilla farm, lends new appreciation for the sweet bean.

Where to Stay: The recently-restored Volcano House has a long history on the island, and is quite literally that—built into the edge of the Kilauea volcano. The golf course and spa are big attractions at the Fairmont Orchid Hawaii.

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Big Island Guide

6. Kauai, Hawaii 

Why Go: Hawaii’s own “Grand Canyon,” Waimea, is a colorful, 10-mile-long and 3,500-foot deep gorge that visitors have to see to believe. Hiking the Na Pali cliffs offers picture-perfect coastline views while Po’ipu Beach brims with activity and water sports.

Those seeking seclusion love Kalapaki Beach. The gentle rapids of Kauai’s various rivers allow for fun, scenic, and mellow kayaking expeditions.

Where to Stay: The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa is an Art Deco gem with a sprawling seawater pool. The renowned butler service in the top-category rooms and a new spa set the St. Regis Princeville Resort apart.

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Kauai Guide

7. St. Lucia

Why Go: The iconic Pitons—pointed, greenery-covered rock formations—command the skyline of this paradise. The best views are by boat; and be sure to bring a camera as this is one of the most photographed landscapes in the Caribbean.

Jalouise Beach sits right between the Pitons and Anse Chastanet is the preferred beach for snorkelers. Thrill seekers zip through the canopy at the treetop Adventure Park. 

Where to Stay: The rainforest location and plantation glamour make Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort a desirable stay. Boutique hotel Cap Maison favors a romantic Cliffside setting with captivating views.

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s St. Lucia Guide

Head over to Fodor's to see more great beaches >

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Like its residents, the small businesses of Denver are pretty cool.

They're finding clever new ways to bring a unique, local flavor to the city's food, retail, and services businesses.

The aptly named Mile High City is also a pioneer, sparking debate and new ways of thinking about America's drug culture. On January 1 it became legal to buy marijuana in Colorado without a prescription, which has inspired a growing number of cannabis-friendly companies and services.

From food trucks to barbershops, Denver's laid-back attitude is exemplified in its small businesses.

Atomic Cowboy/Denver Biscuit Co./Fat Sully's Pizza

3237 E. Colfax Avenue and 141 S. Broadway

What it is: A split personality bar/biscuit joint/pizzeria.

Why it's cool: Satisfying all your needs under one roof, Atomic Cowboy opens at 8 a.m. and starts serving "Denver's Best Bloody Mary" until the moment they close. But from opening until 2 p.m., customers can also enjoy crazy biscuit creations made by their "morning personality," the Denver Biscuit Company.

Then from 11 a.m. until close they become Fat Sully's Pizza and serve ultra-large New York-style pies, while Atomic Cowboy's happy hour goes on from 4-7 p.m. Now operating from two locations in Denver, guests can enjoy all three personalities from each.

Brown Palace Hotel

321 17th Street

What it is: An elegant Denver hotel with its own honey bee hives on the roof.

Why it's cool: The Brown Palace Hotel has been a beloved landmark in downtown Denver since it was built in 1892. With its sky-high, cathedralesque atrium lobby and detailed architecture, the Brown Palace Hotel is best known for the bee hives on the roof that supply the honey that sweetens the hotel's baked goods served at its famous afternoon tea. The hotel also has an artesian well that supplies water for the entire hotel.

Craftsy

Online, based in Denver

What it is: An online community for crafters.

Why it's cool: Craftsy offers step-by-step instructions and patterns for craft projects of all kinds, and sells the supplies you need to make them. They also offer online video classes, taught by expert instructors, on everything from cake-decorating to knitting to quilting, with close-up instructions in the virtual classroom and Q&A sessions with the teachers.

Teens in Eastern Europe have been making headlines recently for their death-defying (and vertigo-inducing) videos and pictures.

This one, by two Russian daredevils named Vitaliy Raskalov and Vadim Makhorov, might be the scariest yet.

Posted on Reddit by user Vintage_Milk (and first found via Daily Picks and Flicks), the video shows the teens climbing the second tallest building in the world: the Shanghai Tower in China, which is still under construction and will stand at over 2,000 feet tall.

The truly dizzying heights start around the 3-minute mark, and then get terrifying at 4 minutes.

SEE ALSO: A Ukrainian Daredevil Defies Death In These Crazy Photos

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Oscar-nominated actress Jessica Chastain looks like a dead ringer for Disney princess Merida in a new ad for Disney Parks.

Titled "Where Your Destiny Awaits," the ad is featured in the February issue of The Oprah Magazine.

It's the latest in a series from famed photographer Annie Leibovitz who has been shooting stars ranging from Beyoncé to Penelope Cruz in iconic Disney scenes since 2007. 

If you've never seen the Disney Dream Portraits collection before, the photos are absolutely gorgeous. We've compiled a few of them to share.

Beyoncé, Lyle Lovett, and Oliver Platt ride a teacup as Alice, the March Hare, and the Mad Hatter from "Alice in Wonderland."

Scarlett Johansson leaves behind Cinderella's glass slipper as she runs from the ball.

Julie Andrews channels the Blue Fairy from "Pinocchio" while Abigail Breslin is Fira from "Disney Fairies."

Late last year, Instagram made the much fretted-over decision to start introducing ads into users' photo feeds. The first few ad campaigns that we spotted–like the first one, from Michael Kors–looked very put together, but they also looked staged. 

Earlier this week, however, Instagram took a big step forward in helping advertisers figure out what works on the social network by starting a "Tools and Tips for Marketers" blog. It also published a book "The Instagram Handbook For Brands," which profiles 11 companies that have been successfully posting very engaging content on the network.

The underlying message from Instgram: If you're going to advertise on Instagram, your ads should fit into our way of doing things and be beautiful. 

The handbook also features ten popular Instagram hashtags that have grown to support strong communities. Instagram wants brands to check them out to get inspiration for how to build a community that is packed with collaborative creativity.  

#chasinglight: Users notice (and capture!) the places where light hides.

#thingsorganizedneatly: Users capture a selection of related objects arranged, well... neatly.

#notfakesymmetry: Users photograph symmetry out in the wild.

There's a popular consensus that curling is a lovably lame sport that requires no skill or athleticism.

People like it, but only ironically.

In reality, though, curling is a highly technical game that requires years of training. And it has just as much drama and sex appeal as any other sport.

Yes, curling is sexy.

Don't let anyone say otherwise.

Anna Sidorova, Russia

Thomas Ulsrud, Norway

Gim Un Chi, South Korea

Some critics say that 2013 was a lost year for tech, citing that there was a serious lack of innovation.

But that could only mean good things for 2014. Developers are looking for ways to correct 2013's mistakes and produce something completely innovative and new.

Here's a roundup of the 11 developers and the projects you should keep an eye on.

Ofer Vilenski: Hola

Hola CEO Ofer Vilenski and his team are based in Israel and are responsible for the Hola app. This program lets users from anywhere in the world watch whatever they want online. This could be a huge development for citizens living under repressive regimes in countries like China and Iran. These countries censor an extreme amount of online media, so it will be interesting to see how this service develops in the new year.

Price: Free

Available: Google Chrome,Android, Mac and Windows

Jóhann Þorvaldur Bergþórsson: Quizup

Jóhann Þorvaldur Bergþórsson hails from Reyjkavik, Iceland, and is the CTO for Plain Vanilla Games. His previous work experience consisted of creating games like Amazing Napoleon's Great Escape from Tiny Places before he helped create Quizup. At the end of 2013, Quizup became the fastest-growing iPhone game in history: The app acquired 3.5 million users in three weeks of launch. The game is easy to play — you just sign in, create an account, and compete against your friends in a series of trivia games.

Price: Free

Available: iOS

Abe Geiger: Shakelaw

Shake founder and CEO Abe Geiger and his team want to make the law easy to understand. If you're a freelancer seeking a job in a field like video production, Shakelaw can help you quickly create a contract with a few taps. The app simplifies legal jargon and makes it easy to lock up a gig quickly. Geiger is particularly proud of how simple the process for this is. A new feature will be added soon for freelance journalists, so Geiger's firm could become pretty useful for college graduates looking for work.

Price: Free

Available: iOS

Whether you call it food and a flick or dinner and a movie, the trend of cinemas offering a full menu with a ticket to the silver screen is red hot right now.

Some, like Brooklyn’s now famous Nitehawk Cinema, provide in-theater table seating and waiter service. Others are more casual with a buy-it-in-the lobby and carry-it-to-your-seat policy.

Most, if not all, understand the value of a good libation. The ten theaters below run the gamut of service, but all have personal touches that make them stand out from the crowd. We call them, cinemas off the eatin’ path.

1. Enzian, Maitland, FL

Enzian served its first grub in 1985. Back then it was a decidedly down-home affair. The family-owned spot just outside Orlando showed second-run films at a discount and offered two staples: hot dogs and pizza. Today, Enzian is first run and first class—it’s currently showing the Oscar nominated short films, with the fantastic documentaryTim’s Vermeer coming up next. This major art house with love seats and banquettes presents fare with flair like truffle parmesan fries, pesto crab pizza, and shrimp and loaded grits. The wait staff wears all black to discretely serve and clear during the show. Set on three lush acres and surrounded by old oak trees, Enzian is dripping with cinematic atmosphere.

The Credits requests: Some Like it Hot

2. Aimie’s Dinner & Movie, Glens Falls, NY

Any theater that dishes out “Lord of the Onion Rings,” “Green Bean Mile,” “Sandwitches of Eastwick,” and “Sonny Corleone’s Scampi” (“worth getting whacked for”) knows its stuff. Tucked into the Three Squares Historic District of this upstate burg since 2001, Aimie’s is actually two cozy 50-seat theaters back-to-back with booths, banquettes, and table service. Independent films do best, says co-owner Sandy Metivier, and she’ll rent out for kids’ parties and throw on the Justin Bieber DVD. A modest $7.95 minimum on food and drinks plus a tasty $5.50 ticket makes for cheap thrills in the dark.

The Credits requests: Fried Green Tomatoes

3. Brewvies Cinema Pub, Salt Lake City, UT

Brewvies = Brewskies + Movies, get it? With 19 different beers on tap, plus a menu of corn dogs, falafel, fish tacos, and cheese fries to soak up the suds, this 17-year-old theater has that frat feel. In fact, college students get in on a discount. Need to kill time before the show? Hang at the bar (yes, students, they sell cocktails, too) and shoot some pool. The twin 170-seat theaters feature couches and tables, plus typical theater seating with counters running the length of each row to rest your brew on. You order before entering, get a number, and when your food is ready your number lights up on the big Keno board. Come and get it!

The Credits requests: Animal House

New York Restaurant Week officially kicks off today— much to the chagrin of NYC foodies.

For the uninitiated, Restaurant Week is when hundreds of establishments, from fine dining standbys to hip new eateries, offer special prix fixe lunches and dinners for $25 and $38, respectively. The event actually runs three Weeks, through March 7.

Restaurant Week was started in 1992 by Tim Zagat and Joe Baum, and has become a massive hit in the past 21 years. Nearly 300 restaurants across the city are participating this winter.

There are a few places out there where the special prix fixe is as good a deal as the regular menu. But by and large, foodies groan when the bi-annual event rolls around.

It's Bad For Customers

At first glance, Restaurant Week seems like a win-win for both restaurants and guests. Customers pay a fixed (and ostensibly lower) price while getting to try a new restaurant and its specialties.

But here's the thing: There are a ton of people who turn out for Restaurant Week. "Amateur eaters" are seduced by the seemingly low prices and a desire to experience a high-end or new NYC restaurant. Thanks to them, wait times can stretch on, and service may lag due to the sheer volume of orders and tables.

The quality of food often drops, too. Cheaper types of fish like salmon, or meats like chicken breast, that may not appear on the standard menu show up on the prix fixe as a way for owners to save money with the "special" Restaurant Week menus.

For example, none of the Restaurant Week entrées offered at Le Cirque this year — like Confit of Salmon and Lamb Navarin — are on either the regular lunch or dinner menus. 

Portions are often smaller as well. A common complaint I've heard from friends who go out during Restaurant Week (and experienced myself) is that salads or entrées are reduced to half their size at their favorite spot.

Taking all of this into consideration, those $25 and $38 prix fixe costs suddenly don't seem like the best deal. Since drinks, tax, and tip aren't included in those "flat" fees either, diners looking for cheap eats would be better off turning to Groupon, LivingSocial, or OpenTable's Spotlight to get a better deal with items that are actually on the regular menu.

It's (Sometimes) Bad For Restaurants

Restaurant Week can certainly be great for restaurants — it amps up exposure and brings in new customers during winter and late summer, two of the slowest times of the year.

"NYC Restaurant Week is a good opportunity to showcase your restaurant to people who may have otherwise not dined with you," Chris Leahy of Midtown's Lexington Brass told us.

But it can also have the opposite affect. Crowds and long wait times annoy a restaurant's best customers, and those deal-seeking diners are not necessarily going to come back. Which is really bad, given that increasing repeat business for restaurants is one of the main goals of a publicity program such as Restaurant Week.

It can also be rough on the servers who schlep for unappreciative diners throughout the three-week event: "In some restaurants, servers aren't so happy," Anthony Mardach, the Director of Operations for Porter House (which offers a similarly-priced prix fixe year-round), told us. "It can lower the check average, and servers can make less money."

Once tax and drinks are factored in, guests realize they're spending as much as $50 for that "$25 lunch." With cheap eaters, it's the servers' tips that take the hit.

Ultimately, Restaurant Week can be a pain. But if you do decide to go, here are some tips for doing it right:

• Do your research— some menus might be dumbed down, especially the ones that are usually $100+ a person. Try to find restaurants that stick as close to their main menu as possible (check out what this year's Restaurant Week menus look like here).

• Make a reservation, especially at your favorite spot. Restaurant Week is always busy, and you might not be able to get in.

• Don't be afraid to call if a restaurant is booked. Sometimes, restaurants will extend their promotions after Restaurant Week (or offer the prix fixe year round). Plus, it never hurts to make sure there are no cancellations!

SEE ALSO: The Best New York City Restaurant For Every Kind Of Cuisine

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