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13 key pieces of life advice from Astronaut Buzz Aldrin

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As one of the 12 men who walked on the Moon, Buzz Aldrin has a lot of stories to tell.

In his latest book, "No Dream Is Too High," out April 5, Aldrin packages these anecdotes into 13 life lessons.

It's an inspirational read that's packed with little-known facts about the Space Race — including how President Kennedy originally wanted to go to Mars, what Aldrin declared on his customs form after returning from the Moon, and why he wore a particular bracelet to the Moon and back.

Here are the main tenets of the 13 lessons Aldrin teaches us in this new book.

"The sky is not the limit ... There are footprints on the Moon!"



"Keep your mind open to possibilities."



"Show me your friends, and I will show you your future."



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10 apps you should use every day to be more productive

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People use their smartphones in New York City, in this picture taken November 6, 2013.  REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/Files

We hear a lot about the hazards of digital technology.

But there are thousands of apps that can help you get things done more efficiently and effectively.

We picked 10 of the best that you should be using daily, including one that helps you keep track of your to-dos and one that visually tracks your focus and concentration.

Read on for the full list of productivity boosters.

SEE ALSO: 11 apps you should use every day

DON'T MISS: 26 time-management tricks I wish I'd known at 20

Chat with coworkers on Slack.

Thousands of companies — including Business Insider — use Slack to communicate internally.

The app lets you chat privately with one or more coworkers, have big group discussions, and share files — all of which considerably reduce the need for lengthy email chains.

Price: Free (basic level)

Available on:iOS, Android



Organize emails with Outlook.

Outlook's features include calendars, easy access to attachments, and several filters. It integrates with Exchange, Office 365, Outlook.com, Apple’s iCloud, Gmail, and Yahoo Mail, so you can see all your messages in one place.

Cost: Free

Available on:iOS, Android



Keep in touch with friends and acquaintances using Messenger.

With 700 million users as of June 2015, Messenger is quickly growing in popularity. Users can not only send text messages but can also make phone calls and video calls and send money.

Cost: Free

Available on:iOS, Android



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7 common characteristics of the laziest employees

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lazy sleeping sun tanning women

When it comes to a business setting, you can think of "unproductive" in three different ways.

First, an employee can be so outgoing and bubbly in the office that you actually miss the fact that he or she has never actually been productive.

Second, you can see that an employee's work is starting to decline and realize that the employee has become unproductive.

Or lastly, an employee may just plain be unproductive and everyone knows it.

However, in all three situations, the characteristics are the same. How these employees got there, or why they're there, might be a different story, but for employers, it all starts with being able to recognize some of these characteristics. If you can recognize that an employee is unproductive, that's the first step in making changes.

Consider some of these traits and actions to look for below:

SEE ALSO: Here's how much employees overestimate how productive they are in 13 different countries

Complaining

It doesn't matter why someone is complaining or whom he or she is complaining to (or about), complaints often show that someone is not willing to put in the work to make a change. It's a time waster, and it's almost always easier to complain than to be productive. As John Brandon mentioned in a past article, "The really productive people don't dwell on the problem. They just do the work."



Making excuses

Similar to complaining, making excuses is not the way to be productive. It's one thing if things don't get done because other things take priority, but if something doesn't get done because of an unfair excuse, then that's a problem with the employee. Start paying attention and see if there seems to be an excuse for everything. One or two every once in a while is OK, but excuses can get out of hand quickly.



Putting things off

This characteristic can go right along with excuses. Most of the time, an employee will put something off because of an excuse, but sometimes you'll notice that he or she will act like it can wait and brush a task off as "not a big deal." Again, while this might be OK in small doses, if it becomes a habit you have a problem.



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Meet the Yankees' fans who came out in 30-degree weather to celebrate MLB's opening day

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The New York Yankees were scheduled to have their Opening Day on Monday against the Houston Astros, but it was postponed to Tuesday, due to inclement weather. The weather for the postponed game was sunny, but it was a cold 30 degrees. However, that did not stop fans from attending.

We visited Yankee Stadium on Tuesday to talk with some of the hardcore Yankee fans who were there. While many were disappointed that the game was postponed, they were not about to miss it. Some even rescheduled their flights home.

Below, see some of the biggest fans that attended the home opener.

 

 

SEE ALSO: You can now watch Major League Baseball games on Yahoo — for free

Entry gates into the stadium opened at 11 am, and by 11:15 am, fans were swarming the streets to enter the game.



Some families make it a tradition to attend every home opener for the Yankees. Below, the Polio family has been attending the home openers for the past 40 years. "Our parents used to pull us out of school [for the game], and now we do the same with our kids," they explained.



Other fans traveled from out of state, such as the family pictured below who traveled from Texas. They had to change their flights home due to the game getting postponed — but "it was worth it!" they said.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

14 things to do as soon as you realize you're about to be fired

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panic scared worried

Most people are shocked when they hear the words "you're fired" come out of their boss' mouth.

They're blindsided by the news because they didn't have their eyes open — or perhaps they just chose to ignore the signs.

But the savviest professionals always keep an eye out for the classic signs that their jobs are in danger. This way, if and when they notice red flags popping up, they can attempt to turn the tide before it's too late, says 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."

Here's what to do as soon as you realize you're about to get the boot. These tips may not save you from getting fired, but they just might help:

SEE ALSO: 14 things to do as soon as you realize an employee is about to quit

DON'T MISS: 21 signs you're about to be fired

Don't panic

If you think you're about to be fired, it's natural to freak out. "But remember that firing signs can also be false reads," Taylor says. "Sometimes rumors spread like wildfire, disrupting departments until you bravely approach your boss."

Before you draw any wild conclusions and begin to drive yourself crazy, talk to your boss. "Don't consult other employees for any insight into your future; go straight to the source to get a read on your performance," she suggests.



Initiate a conversation in a neutral setting with your boss

This is the perfect opportunity to raise your concerns, ask questions, and to see if there is anything you can or should be doing to help improve the chances of you retaining your position, advises Michael Kerr, an international business speaker and author of "The Humor Advantage."

"Come with an open mind, and with constructive suggestions. Be open to exploring creative options such as lateral transfers. Offer to help out during this time of transition. Maintaining the perspective that you care about the company and want to do what's best for the company will help you score points in the eyes of senior leaders," he says.



Ask your boss for honest feedback

"Even if it's not what you want to hear, not knowing is worse than knowing," says Kerr.

Take notes of what needs to change, adds Taylor: "Submit an action plan and timeline to your boss and get their sign-off. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and don't be defensive. Stay in contact with your manager and set up regular status check-in meetings for the future."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Doves and helicopter money: Here's what everyone is trying to learn about finance

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From one of the greatest comebacks in stock market  history to the explosion of Chinese companies gobbling up US firms, there's a lot to take in in finance right now. 

To highlight the finance lingo investors are trying to better understand, the Investopedia team listed the fastest-growing search terms on the platform for the month.

The terms range in focus from the Federal Reserve to hiding money illegally.

Investopedia provided their top terms to Business Insider and we've assembled them along with comment from Investopedia on each.

Check them out below↓

1. Dove

"Investors have been keenly eyeing the Fed to see when interest rates may rise. Their research on Investopedia, particularly their interest in the term Dove (policy advisors who promote low interest rates), suggests they don’t expect Yellen to change her stance any time soon. The term saw a 145% rise in popularity in March."



2. Helicopter Drop

"Largely hypothetical, this term last popped up during Ben Bernanke’s reign as the Federal Reserve chair when he mentioned it during a 2002 hearing. It refers to a phrase used by Nobel-prize winning economist Milton Friedman, who claimed the best way to spark inflation was to drop money out of a helicopter. Given recent attempts by the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan to spur inflation in March, this term jumped 134%."



3. Down Round

"While unicorns were all the rage over the past couple years, venture capital firms and investors have started to more carefully scrutinize these technology startups. This may explain the 99% increase in popularity for Down Round, where investors purchase stock from companies at lower valuations."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 25 best cocktail bars in America, according to Foursquare

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If your ideal night out involves a craft cocktail in a beautiful bar, look no further.

Foursquare, the city-guide app for discovering new places, has compiled a list of the 25 top-rated cocktail bars across the US. The data takes into account likes, saves, tips, and more from Foursquare users.

From hidden Manhattan speakeasies to a menu-free Milwaukee cocktail lounge, there's a spot in every city worth the visit, whether you're a whiskey connoisseur or a gin drinker.

Read on for the best of the country's mixology offerings, below.

SEE ALSO: The 25 hottest restaurants in California, according to OpenTable

DON'T FORGET: Follow Business Insider's lifestyle page on Facebook!

25. Péché (Austin, Texas)

208 West 4th Street, Austin

Péché has the kind of rustic-means-classy vibe that both Texans and visitors can appreciate, with top-notch cocktails matched with a relaxed scene lit by crystal chandeliers.



24. barmini by José Andrés (Washington, DC)

855 East Street NW, Washington, DC

A chic watering hole in DC, barmini serves up well-liked, upscale takes on classic bar foods (think uni panini and buffalo chicken skins) along with specialty cocktails in a bright, vibrant space.



23. Hodge's Bend (Tulsa, Oklahoma)

823 East 3rd Street, Tulsa

Sip on a custom-crafted cocktail at this Tulsa favorite, where the ambience feels a bit like an early-20th-century jazz club and the bartenders are happy to whip up a beverage or put on a record from the extensive vinyl collection.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Guys, here's exactly what you should wear to that wedding you have coming up

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It's wedding season, and that means that invitation you have hanging on your refrigerator door is likely going to be put to use soon.

Ergo, you're probably panicking about what to wear. Well, don't panic — we're here to help. We'll translate the invitation's instructions for you, with the help of longtime butler Charles MacPherson's etiquette guide "The Pocket Butler".

SEE ALSO: The 10 worst style mistakes a man can make, according to women — and how to avoid them

DON'T FORGET: Follow Business Insider's lifestyle page on Facebook!

Black tie

Black tie is often considered the pinnacle of modern formality (aside from white tie, which has been completely forgotten about, and is almost never worn aside from royal weddings). Attendees of evening weddings are, however, sometimes requested to wear black tie.

If that's the case, here's what you need to wear:

- A completely black tuxedo with a white formal shirt featuring a wing collar, finished with a black satin bow tie. Sometimes a black satin cummerbund is added, but that is becoming less and less common.

- Black socks and black patent leather shoes are non-negotiable for footwear here.



Black-tie optional (also known as "formal")

If you see "black-tie optional" on a wedding invite, know that wearing a tuxedo is not required, but whoever sent the invitation will most likely be wearing one.

A wedding with a formal dress code means it's just slightly less formal than a black tie wedding. It's up to you how closely you'd like to fit in.

- An appropriate black-tie optional outfit could include a navy suit with a formal dress shirt and a dark-colored tie (does not have to be a bow tie).

- Yes, you can wear a tuxedo if you like, and if the wedding is at night.



'Dressy' casual

Hang on to your hats — we've now entered the zone of made-up dress codes. No one really knows what dressy casual means (is it dressy? is it casual?), so you can be a little more relaxed on what's appropriate, for sheer plausible deniability.

We recommend you err on the side of caution and wear a suit here, but don't go crazy. Keeping it minimal and seasonally appropriate will go a long way.

This is also what you should wear if there's no stated dress code. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

25 changes to make in your 20s to set yourself up for lifelong success

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How you spend your 20s is hugely important for determining who you'll become — personally and professionally — in the future.

In fact, one psychologist calls this time period the "defining decade," since it sets the stage for the rest of your life.

We understand that might sound intimidating. To reduce some of the pressure, we put together a road map of sorts based on severalQuorathreads on how to make the most of your 20s.

Find out what you should start (and stop) doing in your 20s to lay the foundation for lifelong success.

SEE ALSO: 10 changes to make in your 30s that will set you up for lifelong success

1. Start writing down your goals

Toward the end of his 20s, Quora user Dirk Hooper started envisioning his ideal lifestyle five, 10, and 20 years down the road.

To ensure that he wasn't just fantasizing, he wrote down what he hoped to achieve and how he might get there.

"The act of writing your goals and dreams do[es] a couple of things for you," Hooper writes. "It forces you to nail down what's really in your mind, and it gives you a tangible record that you can refer to over time."

There's research to back up Hooper's theory. In one study, college students were instructed to write down a path toward achieving their future goals. Unsurprisingly, many of those goals involved finishing their education. Results showed that students who completed the writing exercise were more likely to stay in school than those who didn't do the exercise.



2. Start letting go of your ego

A number of Quora users mentioned some variation on the idea that you shouldn't let pride or vanity get in your way, and you should stay open to alternate viewpoints.

Michael Elijah writes: "Learn how to kill your ego. It blinds and fetters us from possibility and progress. Learn how to burst your bubble with simple questions [such] as, 'What if things aren't what they seem to be?' and vitally, 'What if I am wrong?'"



3. Start reading a lot

After college, Hooper realized there was still a lot he didn’t know.

"So, I became a voracious reader," he said. "I engaged in a campaign to educate myself on any subject that inspired me. One book led to another. Over the years I've learned 10 times more than I ever learned in high school or college."

We're not advocating autodidactism over formal education, but reading is a great way to learn more about topics that aren't necessarily covered in class. Get started with this list of 30 books to read before turning 30.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

These famous roles were almost played by completely different actors

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Would a Han Solo who's not Harrison Ford be the same sarcastic hero every "Star Wars" fan cherishes?

What would "Lord of the Rings" look like with Nicolas Cage in one of the main roles?

Characters become iconic thanks in large part to the actors who bring them to life, and it's often hard to imagine anyone else in the role after the fact.

But some actors are fired from a role, some leave because of other commitments, and some just don't accept the offer.

When an offer is first presented, it can be hard to see how successful a film might become. Some actors regret turning down a project, but others, like Jack Nicholson, know that it can be the right choice, no matter how popular or critically adored the film might become.

Here are 30 iconic characters that were almost played by different actors:

SEE ALSO: The 22 best political movies ever, ranked

Leonardo DiCaprio — Dirk Diggler in "Boogie Nights"

Played by: Mark Wahlberg

After watching him in "The Basketball Diaries," Paul Thomas Anderson wanted DiCaprio to star in "Boogie Nights." DiCaprio turned it down to appear in "Titanic," but recommended his friend and "Basketball Diaries" costar Mark Wahlberg.

DiCaprio told GQ in 2008 that he regretted turning down the role. "'Boogie Nights' is a movie I loved and I wish I would've done." When asked if he would reverse his decision if he could, DiCaprio said, "I'm not saying I would have. But it would have been a different direction, career-wise. I think they're both great and wish I could have done them both."

DiCaprio was also offered $20 million by Lionsgate to portray crazed serial killer Patrick Bateman in "American Psycho," even though director Mary Harron wanted Christian Bale in the role. She was replaced by director Oliver Stone, but DiCaprio and Stone couldn't agree on a creative direction, so DiCaprio left to film "The Beach." Harron returned to the project and Bale was cast.



Al Pacino — Han Solo in "Star Wars"

Played by: Harrison Ford

During the "An Evening with Pacino" event in 2013, the actor revealed that he could have played the iconic role of Han Solo in the "Star Wars" franchise.

"It was mine for the taking, but I didn’t understand the script," he said.

He also revealed that he turned down roles in "Apocalypse Now" and "Pretty Woman," eventually played by Marlon Brando and Richard Gere, respectively. 



Marilyn Monroe — Holly Golightly in "Breakfast at Tiffany's"

Played by: Audrey Hepburn 

Truman Capote, the author of "Breakfast at Tiffany's," wanted Marilyn Monroe to play Holly, but Monroe turned it down because she was warned that portraying Holly might be bad for her image.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

22 ways to earn passive income

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Making money while you sleep.

Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?

After reading books like "Rich Dad Poor Dad" and "4 Hour Work Week," I became interested obsessed with making passive income.

Whenever someone needs additional income, the stereotypical suggestion offered is to “get a part-time job.”

But what if you don't have the time or energy to put in all those extra hours?

I know I didn't. Plus that wasn't as appealing as making money while I was trading time for money.

For that, you may need some passive income ideas — ways to make money with little investment of time and effort on your part.

Here's a list of quite a few passive income ideas, so it's likely that you'll be able to find at least two or three that will work in your situation.

SEE ALSO: This woman quit her job, paid her debts, and bought a house thanks to a side job that earns $9,000 a month

1. Try out index funds.

Index funds provide you with a way to invest in the stock market that is completely passive. For example, if you invest money in an index fund that is based on the S&P 500 Index, you will be invested in the general market, without having to concern yourself with choosing investments, rebalancing your portfolio, or knowing when to sell or buy individual companies. All that will be handled by the fund which will base the fund portfolio on the makeup of the underlying index.

You are also free to choose a fund that is based on any index that you want. For example, there are index funds set up for just about every market sector there is — energy, precious metals, banking, emerging markets — you name it. All you have to do is decide that you want to participate, then contribute money and sit back and relax. Your stock portfolio will then be on automatic pilot.



2. Make YouTube videos.

This is a venture that is growing rapidly. You can create videos in just about any area that you like — music, tutorials, opinions, comedy, movie reviews — anything you want . . . then put them on YouTube. You can then attach Google AdSense to the videos, which will overlay your videos with automatic ads. When viewers click on those ads, you will earn money from AdSense.

The keys will be to create compelling videos, to promote those videos on social media websites, and to create enough of them that your income will be coming from multiple sources. There's a good bit of work that goes into creating videos, but once a video is done it can become a completely passive cash flow source for a very long time.

Don't think you can find success with YouTube? You sure can. Emily Eddington used her love for makeup and YouTube to quit her full-time job. She has received over 66 million views on YouTube. This former morning news anchor took her passion — makeup — and turned it into a phenomenal success.

3. Try affiliate marketing and make sales.

This is a passive income technique that is better suited to people who have blogs and active websites. You can sign up to promote certain products or services on your site, for which you will be paid either a flat fee or a percentage of the amount of the sale completed.

This isn't as hard to do as you might think, since there are thousands of companies in the world who want to sell their products in as many places as they can.

You can find affiliate offers either by contacting vendors directly, or on dedicated websites, such as ClickBank. It's always best if the product or service is one that you are either very interested in or is highly relevant to your website.



4. Put your photography to work on the web.

Do you like photography? If you do, you may be able to convert it into a passive income source. Photography websites such as Shutterstock and iStockphoto can provide you with platforms to sell your photos. They may offer either a percentage or a flat fee of each photo that is sold to a site client.

In this way, a single photo could represent a cash flow source since it can be sold again and again. You simply need to create your photo portfolio, put it on one or more photo platforms, and then the activity becomes completely passive. All the technicalities of the photo sales are handled through the web platform.

And yes, that's me in a stock photo you can purchase from iStockPhoto.com. My good is a photographer and has uploaded a few hundred photos to their platform and makes a good residual income from it.

5. Purchase high dividend stocks.

By building a portfolio of high dividend stocks, you can create regular passive income at an annual rate that is much higher than what you get on bank investments.

Just as important, since high dividend stocks are stocks, there is always the potential for capital appreciation.

In that way, you can earn passive income from two sources — dividends and capital gains.

You will need a brokerage account to purchase these stocks and complete the research needed.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

5 ways to avoid the dreaded salary question during a job interview

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boss meetingFirst things first: anyone who tells you that you can always dodge the salary history question is probably trying to sell you something.

The reality of the situation is that sometimes, you just can't wriggle out of answering this question — not if you want to stay a viable candidate for the job.

But, that doesn't mean that you should name your price right away.

You might be able to get the hiring manager to focus on the future, not the past, and that's what you're hoping for.

If you've ever participated in an interview process, you know why it's a bad idea to name your salary history or potential salary range right off the bat. It hems you in, either pricing you out of contention or costing you money that you didn't know you could get.

Over time, these missteps can add up. If you miss out on $5,000 a year every time you negotiate salary, it could add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of a lifetime.

Here are a few ways to conduct your salary negotiation so that you avoid directly answering the salary history question:

SEE ALSO: A woman who increased her salary by $30,000 explains why she expects to double it in the next 2 years

1. Be willing to enter a blank.

You don't even need to set foot in the interview room to confront the salary history question; many companies put it right up front, in their online application process. To get around this, leave the current salary/requirements box blank. If the field is mandatory, enter a dash or 0.

It's a bit of a gamble, but a small one. If your qualifications are good, most recruiters will at least give you a phone call to determine if your expectations are in range with their budget. Then, even if you're eventually forced to name your price, you'll at least have a chance to find out more about the job first.

If not answering that question on an online form knocks you out of contention, you have to ask yourself if you'd really be happy working for a company that insists on putting you at such a disadvantage, without even giving you the chance to gather enough information to name a more appropriate salary range.



2. Turn the question back on the recruiter.

There's a budget for the position for which you're interviewing — count on it. If the hiring manager or recruiter asks you for your salary history, ask for their range instead.

In PayScale's Salary Negotiation Guide, negotiation expert Katie Donovan suggests a potential script:

You may hear the classic, "Well, I don't want to waste your time. Knowing your pay helps me determine if we are in the same compensation ballpark." As I learned on day one while working at a staffing firm, no job is truly open without approval and a budget. Your response should be, "Oh, well I assume this job has been approved and budgeted. What's the budget for the job and I can let you know if we are in the ballpark?" Many recruiters answer this question and you can more on to your qualifications for the job.



3. Come prepared with questions about the job description.

Even though you're hoping not to blink first, you should come prepared with a salary range in mind — but more importantly, you should come with questions about the job and its duties.

Why? Because you can't go by job title alone, or even necessarily the job description in the listing, to help you figure out what you'll be doing all day if you get the job. Job titles vary considerably from company to company. One company's social media guru is another's marketing intern. To figure out an accurate range, you need to know what will be expected of you in the role.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 50 coolest new businesses in America

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4x3_50 coolest new businesses 2015

Dozens of cool, innovative businesses pop up across the US every day, bringing new technologies, entertainment options, and services to their local communities.

Throughout the year, we've highlighted several of these small, independent businesses that have opened over the past five years or so in New York City, San Francisco, Houston, Portland, Boston, New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Chicago, and now we've scoured the rest of the country for inventive new ventures.

From a pizza oven on wheels to a boutique where everything's free — with a catch, of course — there are plenty of smart places to check out. Read on to see our top 50.

Editing by Alex Morrell. Additional reporting by Lauren Browning.

SEE ALSO: The 29 coolest new businesses in New York City

SEE ALSO: The 19 coolest new businesses in San Francisco

5 Rabbit Cervecería

6398 W. 74th St., Bedford Park, Illinois

What it is: A Latin-influenced craft brewery that bases its beers on Aztec culture.

Why it's cool: Located just outside Chicago, the first Latin microbrewery, or cervecería, in the US infuses its brews with ancho chili, piloncillo cane sugar, and other Latin flavors. Inspired by an Aztec myth, 5 Rabbit names all of its beers to coincide with the Aztec calendar.



Angela & Roi

Online, based in Boston, Massachusetts

What it is: A handbag company that has a unique charity-donation policy.

Why it's cool: Angela & Roi handbags come in all sorts of colors, but when choosing, most customers don't just think about the color they like; they also think about the "color" they're donating to. A portion of each bag sale goes to the charity whose color coordinates with the bag — red is for HIV/AIDS, pink is for breast cancer, and so forth. Angela & Roi bags are also eco-conscious, made without animal products or sweatshop labor.



Arrowroot

Online, based in Denver, Colorado

What it is: A brand that believes in ethically produced clothing and dressing up every day.

Why it's cool: This online retailer based in Denver claims to make it easier to get dressed in the morning, whether you’re running errands, heading to work, or grabbing coffee with a friend. This fair-trade fashion label was created by E.A. Lepine, a designer intent on trading lazy-day yoga pants for casual, comfortable, and trendy dresses.

All items sold at Arrowroot are sewn by a group of seven women in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The women earn fair wages — about $10 to $12 an hour, enough to support a family — and healthcare benefits.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 20 most underrated restaurants in Manhattan, according to food experts

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New York City is so packed with top-notch restaurants that sometimes even the best places to eat can fly under the radar. 

RoundTable is an online restaurant guide built by a community of local experts who know where to eat. James Beard award-winning chefs, internationally acclaimed sommeliers and popular food writers curate lists of the best places to dine and drink in New York City and beyond. 

Here, some of those food professionals share what they think are the most underrated restaurants in Manhattan.

SEE ALSO: 16 of the most delicious things you can eat at Smorgasburg, New York City's massive open-air food market

The Musket Room

265 Elizabeth Street, Nolita

"This place does what so many try to accomplish, but few achieve. It somehow delivers some of the most ambitious cuisine at a reasonable price while making you feel like you're just at your favorite regular neighborhood spot. Why? Because from the moment you enter, the decor is relaxing, the entire staff is insanely friendly and happy, and they are genuinely excited to have you there. Add the outdoor garden space, the great cocktail program, and a wine list that will re-open your mind about what New Zealand wine is and can be (it's a NZ-focused cuisine, as chef Matthew Lambert is an ex-pat) and you wind up with a true New York gem." — Davis Anderson, head sommelier at Zuma



noreetuh

128 1st Avenue, East Village

"One bite of the bruléed Hawaiian pineapple and a sip of mighty Auslese Riesling will make a believer out of you. Noreetuh is as underrated as it gets when it comes to casual dining in the East Village. The Hawaiian-Korean-Filipino inspired cuisine shines in, paradoxically, what tastes like home cooked food made by fine-dining trained hands. The air in the restaurant is relaxed, convivial, and laid back — pretensions are mostly left out the door where it belongs. The wine list bears the same ethos as well, with gems scattered about and all at friendly mark-ups that make you feel like you're meant to drink very, very well when you're there. Tip to the wise (and hungry)? While critics have given a nod towards dinner, no mention has been paid to the small late night menu found only on Fridays and Saturdays consisting of only two things: Saimin, a ramen-inspired Hawaiian noodle dish, and Onigiri. Pop in between 11PM and 1AM and you're golden."— Jhonel Faelnar, sommelier at The NoMad



Jin Ramen

462 Amsterdam Avenue, Upper West Side

"Getting off the 1 train at 125th, it's quite easy to miss the small storefront that packs a serious ramen spot inside. Chef Mark Viloria's menu features three distinct variations of ramen: shio, shoyu, and tonkotsu style broths (the creamy, pork bone-based tonkotsu being my personal favorite). The dining room is small, however the kitchen counter seating and large community-style table offer unique dining perspectives for single diners and larger groups. In addition to ramen, the steam buns and Kara-age are definitely worth ordering as well!"— Jared Radas, sous chef at Marea



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Virtual reality is something you really need to see in action — just check out these GIFs

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Virtual reality is incredibly exciting, but it's tough to grasp just how exciting this new medium is unless you've actually tried it — and not many people have.

Thankfully, HTC and Valve, which make the excellent Vive VR headset that finally started shipping on Tuesday, released a video to coincide with the Vive launch that shows exactly what it's like to use VR.

HTC and Valve brought in a group of people to try the Vive headset and filmed their experiences, but they cleverly used green screens so you can see exactly what it's like to play these VR games and demos in real-time. It's probably the first time we've seen a video that actually shows what it's like to use VR, which should help more people understand its wide appeal.

Check it out.

This girl playing with a virtual robot dog is cool, but you really need to see it in action.



Go get the stick! Go get it!

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Here's what it's like to cook in VR! Just don't burn the bacon!

RAW Embed



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Robert Griffin III's Virginia home is on the market for $2.7 million

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Robert Griffin III had his first press conference with the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday, thus officially beginning a new era in his career.

As a result of Griffin's move to Cleveland, his Fairfax, Virginia, home is now for sale for a cool $2.7 million.

The four-bedroom, four-full-bathroom spread comes with an eloquent kitchen, several spacious bedrooms, an in-home theater, lounge, and finely maintained pool area.

Take a look at the home below, listed by Bill Davis of Century 21 New Millennium.

The house sits on a quiet, spacious, green property.



The entryway is bright and elegantly designed.



A cozy room to enjoy a fire.



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Here are what the ‘Game of Thrones’ locations look like in real life

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Warning: Minor spoilers ahead for "Game of Thrones." 

HBO's epic series "Game of Thrones" now costs over $10 million per episode, meaning the showrunners spare no expense. This includes sending cast and crew alike to multiple continents and building elaborate sets using natural landscapes as the backdrop. 

Using released infographics along with a newly released app created by Northern Ireland Screen, we've charted the real life locations and paired them with stills from "Game of Thrones." Now fans can compare the real world with the lands of Westeros and Essos as we walk through some of the main landmarks.

Scroll down to dive into the gorgeous locations in Northern Ireland, Croatia, Iceland, and Spain.

Castle Ward is a real-life castle built in the 18th century. The property is open to the public year-round.



The turrets and buildings were transformed into the iconic Stark household: Winterfell.



It looks like winter has come to Cairncastle, the location used to film scenes taking place outside the walls of Winterfell.



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This sofa is like sitting inside a giant hug

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Ever want a hug when no one's there to give you one?

Look no further than Eun Kyoung Lee's Free Hug Sofa, a fuzzy chair that wraps around you when you sit.

Take a look at her clever creation.

Lee, who lives in South Korea, makes the sofa from a plush material.



The sofa has arms that hug you whenever you need it.



It comes in pink, gray, and white, and sells for $770.



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14 books that will change the way you think about money

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A lot of what holds people back from financial success are their thoughts and beliefs about money — not their job title or salary.

It turns out, you're probably already making enough money to become rich, as David Bach preaches in "The Automatic Millionaire"; and you can splurge on a $4 mocha and build wealth at the same time, as Farnoosh Torabi explains in "You're So Money."

Here, we've explained how those, plus 12 more books, could change your perspective on money and your ability to finish rich.

SEE ALSO: 8 pearls of wisdom that will change the way you think about money

'Think and Grow Rich,' by Napoleon Hill

Prompted by legendary businessman Andrew Carnegie, who turned a few nickels and dimes into a fortune, journalist Napoleon Hill researched more than 500 self-made millionaires over 20 years before releasing his 1937 best-seller "Think and Grow Rich."

He boils down the "secret" to building wealth into 13 principles and reveals "major causes of failure" that hold many of us back from getting rich.

This read will help you understand that getting rich is more about mentality than anything else. In fact, there is no mention of "money,""wealth,""finances," or "stocks" within Hill's text. He focuses on breaking down the psychological barriers that prevent many of us from attaining our own fortunes — and explains how to start thinking your way to success.



'How Rich People Think,' by Steve Siebold

When self-made millionaire Steve Siebold started interviewing some of the richest people in the world over 30 years ago, he was broke and searching for answers to success. What he found after studying over 1,000 millionaires and billionaires completely changed his approach to life.

"What I discovered was, to get rich, I had to learn to think like a rich person," he writes in "How Rich People Think," the culmination of his studies. "I spent the first 25 years of my life thinking about money like the masses, which kept me broke. Once I changed my thinking, the money started to flow."

Everyone has the same opportunity to get rich, he assures. Pick up a copy of his book, which is broken down into bite-sized, easy-to-digest chapters, to learn how to start thinking and acting like the wealthy.



'The Richest Man in Babylon,' by George S. Clason

Nearly a century ago, George S. Clason revealed what it takes to get rich in his 1926 personal finance classic, "The Richest Man in Babylon."

It turns out, the "secret" to getting rich is not much of a secret at all, Clason writes. All it takes is the ability to grasp a few simple, yet highly effective, concepts, such as paying yourself first, living below your means, and investing in yourself.

He articulates these concepts through a collection of amusing parables based in the wealthiest city of the ancient world: Babylon.

For a sneak peak, check out some of his best insights about investing, success, and growing your personal wealth.



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The 10 countries that execute the most people

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According to Amnesty International, a London based human rights organization that strongly opposes the death penalty, executions are up by nearly half worldwide in 2015.

Officially, at least 1,634 people were put to death last year, with just 3 countries accounting for about 90% of these killings.

But only a few countries reliably report their executions. The US for example, makes court records and execution statistics public. Authoritarian regimes like North Korea, Russia, and China, on the other-hand, closely guard these numbers.

The list below represents Amnesty's best efforts to report state-sponsored executions all around the world.

SEE ALSO: The countries with the most prisoners

10. Chad: 10

In response to the rise of the vicious Boko Haraam organization of ISIS-linked jihadist, the western African nation of implemented the death penalty, and carried out ten executions of suspected Boko Haraam militants.

Source: Amnesty International



9. Indonesia: 14

Indonesia carried out 14 drug-related executions, the first under President Joko Widodo.

Source: Amnesty International



8. Egypt: 22(+)

In Egypt, at least ten people were executed in Asyut Prison after being convicted of murder. Six more were executed for "terrorism." 

The (+) symbol next to Egypt's execution figure notes that Amnesty believes the true number was higher, but they lack the evidence to confirm them. 

Source: Amnesty International



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