• Photographer Dick Van Dujin captured the exact moment a squirrel flew across the water with a walnut in its mouth. 
• Van Dujin, 34, told Insider that he waited from "sunrise to sunset" and took around 1,000 photos to capture the perfect shot. 
• He had traveled to a forest in Brabant, a province in the south of the Netherlands, to photograph squirrels as they foraged for nuts to store for the winter. 
• Van Dujin also went viral earlier this year after he captured the exact moment a squirrel stopped to smell a daisy. 
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Photographer Dick Van Dujin captured the exact moment a squirrel flew across the water with a walnut in its mouth.

Van Dujin, 34, told Insider that he traveled to a forest in Brabant, a province in the south of the Netherlands, to take photos of squirrels. 

The photographer wanted to capture squirrels while they were collecting nuts in the forest.

"The squirrels are looking for nuts and collecting them in autumn," he said.

"When they grab the nut, they will bury it somewhere in the ground so they can dig it up in the winter." 

Van Dujin said he was in the forest "from sunrise until sunset" as he waited to capture the perfect moment.

The photographer estimated that he took "around 1,000 photos" that day. 

Van Dujin said the hardest part about the shoot was trying to get the squirrel in focus.

"It was moving so fast," he said. "I had to track it with my camera and keep it in focus."

But Van Dujin's patience paid off as he captured the squirrel leaping into the air with the walnut in its mouth.

"I felt very happy and satisfied that I captured this perfect shot," he said. 

Van Dujin said that he loves photographing squirrels because "they are so photogenic."

"Most people like squirrels and find them really cute," he added.

Van Dujin has already gone viral once before for his incredible squirrel pictures.

The photographer captured the exact moment a squirrel stopped to smell a daisy while he was taking pictures in Vienna, Austria, a few months ago. 

It took Van Dujin two hours and 200 photos to capture the picture-perfect moment.

"The moment the squirrel smelled the flower and planted his face in the flower, I knew this was the picture of a lifetime," Van Dujin told Insider. 

Van Dujin believes that his squirrel pictures have gone viral because people are becoming increasingly disconnected from nature.

"I think people don't spend enough time in nature because of the lifestyle we have developed in the west," he said.

"When people are reminded about how beautiful and cute nature can be, they'll feel better about themselves and the world around them." 

As his photos continue to find success, Van Dujin said he hopes his work will inspire people to "go out and visit nature more often."

"Nature is endless, so the subjects for my pictures are endless as well," the photographer said.

"You can never finish photographing all that there is to see. That provides me with inspiration for a lifetime." 

• Read more:
• A photographer captured the exact moment a squirrel stopped to smell a daisy
• Adorable new photos of the twin panda cubs at the Berlin Zoo are the best thing you'll see today
• A sloth crossing the road and monkeys munching on McDonald's are some of the year's best nature photos
• 20 behind-the-scenes photos of the National Dog Show that prove these pups are the hardest-working dogs in show business

• Several major TV shows from Netflix, HBO, Amazon, and other studios were disappointments this year.
• From the new season of "Black Mirror" to the final episodes of "Game of Thrones" and more, keep reading to see which series people think were overhyped before their premieres in 2019.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

This year brought many fantastic seasons of television beloved by critics and audiences alike. But not every show was a hit. We've gathered up a list of the 2019 shows that people were most excited for and then let down by, along with other series heavily promoted by networks and streaming services that fell flat. 

Keep reading to see the most overhyped shows of 2019.

"Big Little Lies" season two was an unnecessary addition to what many considered a perfect first season of TV.

Oscar-winning legend Meryl Streep made the rare move of joining a television project for the second season of "Big Little Lies," and people were equal parts thrilled and excited to see her joining the already incredible ensemble.

Unfortunately, the new episodes didn't add enough to the overall story and instead wound up being disappointing. 

The New Yorker writer Doreen St. Félix wrote about the "disappointing, Emmy-baiting" season two finale, saying the entire season "probably should not have been made, or, rather, recycled from the first."

"The Case Against Adnan Syed" was another overblown HBO series that came out this year.

Perhaps the true crime documentary is simply oversaturated these days, but "The Case Against Adnan Syed" failed to captivate the world's attention in the way the original examination of this unsolved crime did with the "Serial" podcast. 

Though well-received by critics, the documentary fell flat for audiences who might have been hoping to see new evidence uncovered about the heart-wrenching case. The real-world effects didn't work out as hoped, either, since the Supreme Court recently rejected Syed's request for a new trial. 

"13 Reasons Why" season three was an unmitigated disaster.

With a tanking reputation among critics and Netflix subscribers alike, this drama series just seems to get worse with each season. The new episodes were marketed with an attempt to engage the audience with a mystery ("Who killed Bryce Walker?") that no one really cared about.

Then, by the time the new season arrived on Netflix, it was clear how little people desired to see more tangled stories set in this particularly awful fictional high school. Jen Chaney of Vulture wrote an article that pretty much sums it up: "13 Reasons Why I Couldn't Stand 13 Reasons Why Season 3."

The series finale of "Game of Thrones" was the most anticipated television event of the decade, and wound up being far more contentious than people were expecting.

Your mileage may vary with how successful you believe the final season of "Game of Thrones" was, but no one can deny the overwhelming negativity in the fandom surrounding those final six episodes. 

Perhaps expectations were too high heading in, or maybe it was just the inevitable conclusion for a show that had long outpaced its complex source material, but "Game of Thrones" didn't go out on the high note many people had hoped for. 

"Modern Love" was supposed to be a heartwarming anthology series, but it left many feeling ice cold.

This new Amazon series was billed as an endearing and inspiring show, based on real stories found in the New York Times column of the same name. With a star-studded cast including Anne Hathaway, Dev Patel, Tina Fey, Andrew Scott, Andy García, and more, we expected riveting storytelling.

Instead, the love stories were shallow and trite at best, and uncomfortable and creepy at worst. 

"Carnival Row" is another show with lots of promise that wound up falling flat.

Starring Cara Delevingne and Orlando Bloom, this Amazon original fantasy show fell into an unfortunate valley between campy and fun and serious and gritty. The characters names (like Rycroft Philostrate and Vignette Stonemoss) and attempt at fantasy world-building added up to a muddled mess instead of a compelling take on the genre. 

The newest season "Black Mirror" was the worst-reviewed one yet.

This dystopian anthology series has been beloved by audiences since its introduction on the UK's Channel 4 in 2011. When Netflix took over, the popularity of "Black Mirror" only grew.

But this year's installment showed that not ever season can be a winner. It's the worst-rated among critics so far, and barely made a dent in cultural conversations over the summer.

"The Morning Show" was supposed to be Apple TV's big audience draw, but it failed to make waves.

Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carell are incredible movie and TV stars in their own right, but no amount of star power could overcome what was ultimately seen as an uninterestingly told story. 

"The Morning Show" delves into the very topical issue of workplace sexual harassment and assault, but somehow managed to craft a very tepid narrative. Instead of drawing in millions of subscribers for Apple TV, "The Morning Show" seems to have already come and gone.

• Payment processors such as PayPal, Square, and Stripe offer loans to small businesses that can range from $500 to over $250,000. 
• These loans are typically based on the sales a business makes through the payment processor, so they're often easier to get than traditional bank loans. 
• Cupcake shop owner Kelly Kandah started her bakery with personal savings but said she wasn't able to expand as quickly until she started using loans through Square.
• Here's how she did it and how small business owners can apply for similar loans.
• Click here for more BI Prime content.

When Kelly Kandah started her first cupcake shop, Colossal Cupcakes, she hadn't fully realized what she'd gotten herself into. Until she saw the line out her door on opening day.

Kandah, 33, said she knew cupcakes were having a moment, based on all the shops she'd seen popping up in New York City, where she lived for a year. But she hadn't prepared for such high demand in her hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. 

She had a couple KitchenAid mixers to start, but didn't have the $10,000 commercial-grade mixers she needed. Meanwhile, her low-tech cash register kept customers waiting in line too long. 

"I had to really quickly turn this dream or vision of a cute little bakery into a mass production cupcake factory," Kandah told Business Insider.

The key to this, she said, was securing the right loan at the right time — and not from a traditional bank.

SEE ALSO: Successful founders match their funding to their revenue. Here are 12 options to consider, from early days to venture.

SEE ALSO: A North Carolina woman left a corporate job in healthcare to open her own craft brewery. Here's what she did to become CEO of 3 beer businesses with $12 million in revenue.

How the cupcakes went Colossal

Kandah opened her bakery in March 2012 with $6,000 in personal savings and in hindsight, she said, that was a mistake. She needed a lot more cash to grow, but didn't have the credit history to get a traditional bank loan. "As you're putting money back into your business, it was just hard to really get ahead," she said. 

When she swapped her register for a Square system, she learned that she could get loans to fund her expansion through Square Capital. Four years after opening, she used her first loan of $6,000 towards a soft-serve ice cream machine to more efficiently make her popular "cake shakes," which blend a cupcake into a milkshake. 

She instantly saw an uptick in customers and sales. "My sales went up so much from those shakes, people not having a wait time anymore, being able to just pump ice cream out and make these things," she said. Kandah paid off the loan within six months, which was sooner than the estimated 18 months Square had given her. 

In total, Kandah took out five loans through Square Capital and paid off each one within seven months or less. She liked that it was an automatic repayment, since Square takes a percent of daily sales until the loan is paid back in full, which she estimated was about 8% for her first loan. 

Colossal Cupcakes now has two locations, with a third opening in March 2020. The business has grown from $170,000 in sales in its first year to over half a million this year.

"I was able to grow faster, sooner and not have to also personally struggle to be able to get those things in such a long amount of time," Kandah said. 

The power of the payment processor loan — and how to use it

PayPal, Square, and Stripe service payments for millions of small businesses every day, so they're within close proximity to business owners' pain points. At the top of that list is getting the capital to scale and expand. 

These payment processors give their clients loans based primarily on sales. Since credit history isn't factored as heavily, if at all, it's often easier to get accepted for these loans compared to traditional bank loans. 

After the financial crisis of 2008, traditional banks slowed lending to small business owners, creating a gap in funding resources that payment processors were eager to fill. This new type of loan provides cash quickly and repayment is usually flexible.

Since these loans are easier to access and have fewer requirements, they can be a good resource for mid-stage businesses that have at least $3,000 in monthly sales. At this point, a business has a steady sales volume, but needs more funding to hit its next milestone.

For small business owners who already use these payment processors, getting loans through Square, PayPal, or Stripe can be a simple process. Here's what you need to know about these loans and how to apply for one.

How to work with Square Capital, which offers repayment based on sales

If you use Square as your payment processor, either for retail or e-commerce, the company offers funding through Square Capital, which it first launched in 2014 as a cash advance program. Loans range from $500 to $250,000 and can be deposited in as little as one business day. 

Business owners can see if they're eligible for a loan directly on their Square dashboard.  Eligibility is primarily based on number of sales coming through the platform, not credit score. In general, the more sales your business makes, the more money you'll be approved to loan.

Repayment is flexible and based on daily sales. On a slower week, you'll pay back less, and on a busier week, you'll pay back more. 

How to work with PayPal, which offers 3 types of funding

PayPal began offering loans in 2013, after hearing from its sellers who had trouble securing traditional bank loans following the 2008 financial crisis. 

If Paypal is your payment processor, the company offers two different options: PayPal working capital and PayPal business loans. The main differences between the two are repayment terms. PayPal working capital takes a percent of daily sales, ranging from 5% to 30%, selected by the business owner. PayPal business loans are automatically paid back at a weekly fixed amount. 

To be eligible for working capital, a business must be at least three months old and process at least $15,000 in annual PayPal sales. Similar to Square Capital, there's no credit check, since the application is based on payment processing history. 

To get a business loan through PayPal, a business needs to make at least $42,000 in annual revenue and the application does require a credit check. 

Additionally, businesses that do not use PayPal can apply for a PayPal service called LoanBuilder, which offers loans from $5,000 up to $500,000 and requires a credit check. 

How to work with Stripe, which partners with Funding Circle for bigger loans

Stripe is one of the latest companies to offer loans to its clients, launching Stripe Capital in September 2019. The company doesn't have a set range for its loans, but says they typically go from $5,000 to $20,000.

Stripe Capital works similar to Square Capital — eligibility is determined solely on sales volume through the processor, not credit. Repayment is also based on daily sales, automatically deducting a percent of total sales until the loan is paid off. 

Stripe also partners with Funding Circle, a peer-to-peer lending company. Any small business owner can apply for a loan through Funding Circle, but Stripe expedites the application process for its clients by copying over their sales history. A minimum credit score of 620 is required. Loans for Stripe clients go up to $25,000, but Funding Circle independently offers loans from $25,000 to $500,000. 

• Cyber Monday, which is now known as Cyber Week through December 7 is still a better time than most to buy a new Apple laptop, whether that be a MacBook Air or a MacBook Pro, but the deals are drying up fast.
• Apple's 2019 MacBook Air models — and the 13-, 15.4-, and 16-inch MacBook Pro models — are still discounted for Cyber Week, but there aren't many more deals out there left.
• The only MacBook Air 2019 deal we see left out there is from B&H Photo: it's selling some colors of the 13-inch MacBook Air 2019 with a 128GB SSD for $899.00 for a savings of $200— however, stock doesn't fill until January 3.
• PC Richard & Son is still selling the 2019 15.4-inch MacBook Pro at a Cyber Week price — you can get one for $1,999.99, a sweet price slashing of $400.
• For those that want to save the maximum amount of money on a new MacBook Air, Amazon is selling the 2017 MacBook Air model for just $699.00, a savings of $300 or 30% off still live for Cyber Week.
• If you're seeking general deals for Cyber Week, we have extensive coverage on Insider Picks. We have also uncovered lots of still-running Apple Cyber Week deals right here.

Updated 12/3/19 at 1:45 p.m. ET

Now that we're into Cyber Week running through December 7, chances are some folks are still on the hunt for Apple laptop deals if they had missed the previously massive discounts on MacBooks.

Unfortunately, we're not seeing anywhere near as good of extended Cyber Monday deals on MacBooks as we enjoyed on Black Friday or even Cyber Monday. Regardless, retailers like Amazon and B&H Photo are taking the torch into Cyber Week with some modest discounts.

For instance, the best MacBook Air 2019 deal we've found leftover is for just $200 off the base model in Gold and Space Gray colors at B&H Photo, meanwhile the 16-inch MacBook Pro is no longer $200 off but just $160 at Amazon. Here are the best extended Cyber Monday MacBook deals we could find.

Best MacBook deals for Cyber Week 2019:

1. Apple MacBook Air 2019 (Intel Core i5, 8GB, 128GB – Gold & Space Gray only), $899.99 (originally $1,099.99) from B&H Photo [You save $200]

2. 13-inch Apple MacBook Pro 2019 (Intel Core i5, 8GB, 128GB) $1,199.99 (originally $1,299.99) from Amazon [You save $100]
3. 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro 2019 (Intel Core i7, 16GB, 512GB $2,329.99 (originally $2,399.99) from Amazon [You save $160]
4. 15.4-inch Apple MacBook Pro 2019 (Intel Core i7, 16GB, 256GB) $1,999.99 (originally $2,399.99) from PC Richard & Son [You save $400]
5. Apple MacBook Air 2017 (Intel Core i5, 8GB, 128GB), $699.00 (originally $999.00) from Amazon [You save $300]

Luckily, Apple is still offering a free year of its Apple TV+ streaming service with all 2019 product purchases, so consider that an added value to each of these deals.

A lot of these leftover MacBook Air and MacBook Pro deals are either low in stock or currently out of stock with promises of replenishment within the next several weeks. You can still buy, but just know you might not get your pricey Apple laptop until early 2020.

We'll be updating this article throughout the rest of Cyber Week, which is said to end on December 7, so keep it locked to this page for whatever MacBook deals you can still scrounge up.

MacBook Air (2019) Cyber Week Deals

The newest MacBook Air (model number MVFH2LL/A) has come a long way since its 2018 debut, especially in pricing. Apple released the laptop at an eye-watering, four-figure price, and it didn't come down too far below that last year.

However, earlier this year, the company dropped the price down much closer to that of the popular original model. Now, for Cyber Week, the MacBook Air is on sale for $899.00 for a Gold or Space Gray model with a 128GB SSD, saving you $200.

Not much has changed internally about the device, which is fine. That is, aside from the divisive, error-ridden keyboard, which isn't as fine, though Apple offers an extensive replacement warranty on it now. The fanless Intel Core processor inside will churn through most basic tasks with ease, it offers just enough memory at the base level, and you won't find many laptops at this price with Thunderbolt 3 ports, fingerprint login, and a beyond-HD display.

Get the Apple MacBook Air 2019 (Intel Core i5, 8GB, 128GB – Gold & Space Gray only) from B&H Photo, $899.99 (originally $1,099.99) [You save $200]

13-inch MacBook Pro (2019) Cyber Monday Deals

The 13-inch MacBook Pro is now in its third revision (model number MUHN2LL/A) and includes the Apple Touch Bar with Touch ID. This is where full-fat Intel Core processors are at play, starting with the 8th-generation Core i5 and upgrading from there. With that, this is the 13-inch Apple laptop you'll want for editing photos and video or taking on other high-grade tasks.

The laptop starts with the same 128GB solid-state drive (SSD) and 8GB of memory as the MacBook Air, the former of which can be expanded via one or both of its Thunderbolt 3 ports. However, just be wary of the keyboard, which you've no doubt heard about. Luckily, it's now well covered by a warranty for replacements should keys stop responding or get stuck — both have happened to many.

Regardless, if a powerful 13-inch MacBook is what you seek, you've found it. We've found 13-inch MacBook Pro models going for as low as $1,149 for Cyber Week.

Get the 13-inch Apple MacBook Pro 2019 (Intel Core i5, 8GB, 128GB) from B&H Photo, $1,149.99 (originally $1,299.99) [You save $150]

Get the 13-inch Apple MacBook Pro 2019 (Intel Core i5, 8GB, 128GB) from Amazon, $1,199.99 (originally $1,499.99) [You save $100]

16-inch MacBook Pro (2019) Cyber Monday Deals

Even the brand-spanking-new MacBook Pro (model number MVVL2LL/A) is still available at a modest discount for Cyber Week. This model increases the usual 15.4-inch screen size to an even 16 inches across, upping the pixel density along with it. This laptop also has a few other major changes.

Most notably, this is the first modern Apple laptop to use an entirely different keyboard than the infamous "Butterfly" key switch design that debuted in 2016. Known as the "Magic Keyboard," naturally, this keyboard uses traditional scissor switches inside that are far more reliable and less prone to stuck or nonresponsive keys — at least that's what Apple promises.

As we said, the display resolution gets a bump up to 3,072 x 1,920 pixels, or 226 pixels per inch, backed up by the latest in AMD Radeon Pro dedicated graphics and a 6-core Intel Core i7 processor to start. Also included on the starting spec sheet are a 512GB SSD and 16GB of memory.

Couple all of that with improved speakers and microphones as well as four Thunderbolt 3 ports, and you have Apple's most powerful and versatile laptop to date. For Cyber Week, we're seeing a deal price as low as $2,249.99.

Get the 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro 2019 (Intel Core i7, 16GB, 512GB) Silver Only, $2,249.99 with Prime (originally $2,399.99) from Amazon [You save $150]

Get the 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro 2019 (Intel Core i7, 16GB, 512GB), $2,299.99 (originally $2,399.99) from B&H Photo [You save $100]

15.4-inch MacBook Pro (2019) Cyber Monday Deals

This may be a now worst-kept Apple secret: When a new model supersedes a recently released one, the company undoubtedly has tons of stock that it's looking to burn through to make room for more units of the new product.

In this case, that's the 15.4-inch MacBook Pro of 2019 (model number MV902LL/A), which has been discontinued in favor of the new 16-inch model.

Featuring nearly as powerful hardware inside as its successor, the 15.4-inch MacBook Pro will enjoy excellent deals to the tune of hundreds off the original list price. With that in mind, you're getting a 9th-generation Intel Core i7 processor and last-generation AMD Radeon Pro dedicated graphics to start, paired with 16GB of memory and a 256GB SSD — all behind a perfectly sharp 2,880 x 1,800-pixel display.

Of course, this all includes the divisive Butterfly keyboard, but Apple buoys that concern with a hardy replacement warranty.

Get the 15.4-inch Apple MacBook Pro 2019 (Intel Core i7, 16GB, 256GB) $1,999.99 (originally $2,399.99) at PC Richard & Son [You save $400]

Get the 15.4-inch Apple MacBook Pro 2019 (Intel Core i7, 16GB, 256GB) $2,019.00 (originally $2,399.99) at Adorama [You save $380]

See more Cyber Monday 2019 sales and deals

• The absolute best Cyber Monday deals of 2019
• The best tech deals of Cyber Monday 2019
• Amazon Cyber Monday deals 2019
• Target Cyber Monday deals 2019
• Walmart Cyber Monday deals 2019
• Macy's Cyber Monday deals 2019
• What is Cyber Monday? Everything you need to know

• WalletHub has released its ranking of the safest cities in the US based on three key metrics: home and community safety, natural disaster risk, and financial safety.
• Factors taken into account include the presence of terrorist attacks, the number of mass shootings, unemployment rate, median credit score, and the risk of natural disasters.
• Columbia, Maryland, was named the safest US city for the second year in a row.
• Arizona, and specifically the suburbs of Phoenix, are a safe place to live.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

WalletHub has released its annual rankings of the safest cities in the US. Of the 182 cities analyzed, these are the 20 safest cities in the US based on three metrics: home and community safety, natural disaster risk, and financial safety.

Essentially, here are the best places to live to be safe from crime and violence, safe from getting stuck in a hurricane, earthquake, or tornado, and to be in a good spot to buy a home or find a job.

Keep scrolling to see the 20 safest cities in the US, according to WalletHub.

20. Aurora, Illinois

Aurora, which has a population of just over 200,000, ranked fifth overall in the home and community safety rank, which took into consideration factors such as the presence of terrorist attacks, assaults and murders, and law-enforcement employees per capita.

19. Lewiston, Maine

Lewiston is the second-largest city in Maine, after Portland, with a population of around 36,000.

18. Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Cedar Rapids is a financially safe city — it ranked 12th overall.

In the study, financial safety took into consideration factors including poverty rate, foreclosure rate, employment rates, the share of insured residents, and debt-to-income ratio.

17. Laredo, Texas

Laredo, population 251,000, is a mid-size city on the eastern side of the border between Texas and Mexico.

Though it ranks high in safety, it has the second-highest percentage of uninsured citizens, only behind Brownsville, Texas. In contrast, Pearl City, Hawaii, has the highest percentage of insured citizens.

16. Madison, Wisconsin

Madison is perhaps known best as a college town, as it's home to the University of Wisconsin's flagship campus. It's also the state capital.

Madison also made Business Insider's list of most underrated cities in the US in 2018.

15. Peoria, Arizona

Peoria is one of the biggest suburbs of Phoenix, as 158,000 people reside there. It's also where the San Diego Padres and the Seattle Mariners have their spring training.

14. Burlington, Vermont

Both Burlington and South Burlington are tied for the lowest unemployment rate in the US, alongside Madison, Honolulu, Fargo, and San Francisco.

13. Fargo, North Dakota

Fargo is the largest city in the state of North Dakota with a population of over 115,000. It has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country.

12. Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale is just east of Phoenix, and was called the "desert version of Miami's South Beach" by the New York Times.

11. Chesapeake, Virginia

Chesapeake was ranked 15th for home and community safety by WalletHub.

10. Warwick, Rhode Island

Warwick has the second lowest number of assaults per capita.

9. Chandler, Arizona

Chandler is yet another suburb of Phoenix that has made this list. It ranked eighth for natural disaster risk, making it relatively safe from any inclement weather or disasters.

8. Nashua, New Hampshire

Nashua, which sits right on the border of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, has the fifth lowest number of assaults per capita.

7. Bismarck, North Dakota

North Dakota came in at No. 9 for financial safety.

6. Virginia Beach, Virginia

This beach town came in at No. 11 in the home and community safety ranking, though its overall score was damaged by its No. 44 ranking for natural disaster risk.

In the study, the natural disaster ranking considered risks such as earthquakes, floods, hail, hurricanes, and wildfires.

5. South Burlington, Vermont

In addition to its low unemployment rate, South Burlington has the second lowest number of uninsured citizens.

4. Gilbert, Arizona

One of Gilbert's neighboring towns is fellow safe city, Chandler. This city of of 226,000 ranked No. 7 for home and community safety.

3. Plano, Texas

Plano's high risk of natural disasters (No. 113) is offset by its No. 2 spot for home and community safety.

2. Yonkers, New York

Yonkers is tied fourth for fewest traffic fatalities per capita with Boston. Perhaps shockingly, the city with the fewest is New York City.

1. Columbia, Maryland

According to WalletHub, Columbia is the safest city in America. The city has a population of 103,000. It is around 31 miles outside of Washington, D.C. and 21 miles outside of Baltimore.

The 50-year-old planned community also won the top spot last year.

Incredibly, Baltimore was near the other end of the list: It was the 158th safest out of 182 cities.

• Read more:
• The worst thing about living in each state
• The 50 most dangerous countries for women travelers to visit solo, ranked
• The 17 least safe cities in America
• The 10 safest countries in the world for women

• A record number of candidates are vying for the Democratic nomination to take on President Donald Trump in 2020. 
• In November, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg filed paperwork to run in the Alabama and Arkansas, and former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick also announced a presidential bid. 
• The most recent Democratic candidates to drop out were Sen. Kamala Harris, former Rep. Joe Sestak and former Gov. Steve Bullock.
• Former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, and former GOP congressman Joe Walsh are also challenging Trump in the Republican primary.
• Here's a list of the major party 2020 presidential candidates. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Soon after assuming the office of the presidency in January 2017, President Donald Trumpfiled preliminary paperwork that laid the groundwork for re-election in 2020.

Currently, 15 Democratic contenders are lined up to challenge Trump — making for one of the largest and most diverse primary fields in recent history. So far, several Democrats have also dropped out of the race.

In November, two new candidates joined the Democratic field. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg filed paperwork to run in the Alabama and Arkansas, and former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick also announced a presidential bid on November 14. 

The most recent Democratic candidates to drop out Sen. Kamala Harris, former Rep. Joe Sestak, and former Gov. Steve Bullock.

Former Vice President Joe Biden, five current and former US Senators, two current and former members of the House of Representatives, three mayors, one governor, two businessmen, and one prominent author are now in the race.

Trump is also facing opposition within his own party. Former Massachusetts governor Bill Weld, and former GOP congressman and conservative radio host Joe Walsh are both challenging Trump in the Republican primary. Former South Carolina governor and Rep. Mark Sanford, who was also challenging Trump in the GOP primary, also ended his bid on November 12. 

Here are all the major party candidates running for president in 2020: 

SEE ALSO: Kamala Harris is dropping out of the 2020 Democratic presidential race

Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick

Patrick also made a late entry into the race, officially announcing his campaign on November 14. 

While Patrick hasn't been very active on the political scene for the past few years, he's led a long career in business and politics. He served as the governor of Massachusetts from 2007 to 2015, and was most recently a managing director at Bain Capital, the private equity firm founded by Sen. Mitt Romney. 

"I admire and respect the candidates in the Democratic field," Patrick said in his announcement video. "But if the character of the candidates is an issue in every election, this time is about the character of the country." 

Patrick will have a tough uphill battle in his presidential bid. He's already missed the filing deadline for two Super Tuesday state primaries in Alabama and Arkansas, and unlike Bloomberg, doesn't have billions of dollars in personal wealth to draw from. 

Read more about Deval Patrick's campaign.

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg

On November 7, The New York Times reported that former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is making a late entrance in the 2020 Democratic primary and has filed to run in the Democratic primary presidential primaries in Alabama and Arkansas.

Bloomberg will have to work quickly to get his campaign off the ground just three months out from the Iowa caucus on February 2, and New Hampshire primary on February 9, but he has the luxury of being able to self-fund his campaign.

Citing sources close to Bloomberg, The Times reported that in recent months, he's become increasingly concerned over former Vice President Joe Biden's lackluster fundraising and slipping performance in the polls.

He's also worried about the rise of Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, two leading Democratic candidates who have both proposed hefty taxes on billionaires Bloomberg and greater regulation on big business.

Read more about Michael Bloomberg's campaign.

Former Tea Party congressman and conservative radio show host Joe Walsh.

Walsh, who served one term in Congress from 2011 to 2013, announced he would launch a primary challenge against Trump on August 25.

Speaking to ABC's George Stephanopoulos, Walsh said, "We've got a guy in the White House who is unfit, completely unfit to be president and it stuns me that nobody stepped up, nobody in the Republican party stepped up."

While Walsh initially voted for and supported Trump, he has since become one of Trump's most vocal critics, calling Trump's behavior "narcissistic" and "childish." 

Read more about Joe Walsh's campaign.

Billionaire financier and liberal activist Tom Steyer

Steyer, who is 62 and based in San Francisco, made his fortune as an investor and hedge fund manager — but has since focused his efforts on advancing progressive causes with two organizations: Need To Impeach, and NextGen America, the latter of which is focused on combating climate change. 

In January 2019, Steyer said he did not plan to run for president and would be "dedicating 100% of my time and effort in 2019 towards Mr. Trump's impeachment and removal from office."

But Steyer since changed his mind, making a late entrance into the 2020 field with a video announcement on July 9 and planning to spend at least $100 million of his own money on his campaign. 

Read more about Tom Steyer's campaign.

Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado

Bennet, the 21st Democrat and seventh US senator to announce a 2020 presidential campaign, is currently serving his second elected term as Colorado's senior senator.

"I think this country faces two enormous challenges,"Bennet said about his decision to run on "CBS This Morning".

"One is a lack of economic opportunity and mobility for most Americans and the need to restore integrity to our government."

As a senator, Bennet has mainly been known for his quiet intellect, bipartisan legislative achievements, and affable demeanor. 

But this January the usually demure Bennet went viral for an uncharacteristically fiery and passionate speech on the Senate floor slamming Sen. Ted Cruz for shedding "crocodile tears" over the then-ongoing government shutdown.

Read more about Michael Bennet's campaign.

Former Vice President and Senator Joe Biden of Delaware

After months of teasing a presidential run, Biden officially entered the race with a video announcement on April 25, the 20th Democratic candidate to join the Democratic field.

"...if we give Donald Trump eight years in the White House, he will forever and fundamentally alter the character of this nation, who we are, and I cannot stand by and watch that happen,"Biden said in his announcement. 

Biden, 77, enters the race as a frontrunner with unparalleled name recognition among Democratic primary voters, leading nearly every single pre-primary poll conducted before he officially declared his candidacy.

Biden, who served as President Barack Obama's Vice President for eight years and a US Senator for 36, is drawing on his blue-collar roots and close ties to organized labor to directly challenge Trump in Rust Belt states he carried in 2016.

The former vice president, who has been in politics for almost 50 years, will still have to contend with some of the more controversial aspects of his record, and make the case for his candidacy in the largest and most diverse Democratic presidential primary field in recent history.

Read more about Joe Biden's campaign.

Former Governor Bill Weld of Massachusetts

Weld, who served as Massachusetts' governor in the 1990s and was more recently on the Libertarian Party ticket in 2016 as presidential candidate Gary Johnson's running mate, announced his campaign on April 15.

"It is time for patriotic men and women across our great nation to stand and plant a flag. It is time to return to the principles of Lincoln — equality, dignity, and opportunity for all," he said in his announcement statement. 

"There is no greater cause on earth than to preserve what truly makes America great. I am ready to lead that fight."

Read more about Bill Weld's campaign. 

Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont

Bernie Sanders will be competing for the Democratic nomination for the second time, he announced on February 19.

The 77 year-old Vermont senator, who is officially an independent but caucuses with Democrats in Congress, and former Burlington mayor has been a progressive stalwart for decades and built up a strong base of support for his platform in 2016 despite falling short to Hillary Clinton in the primary.

"Our campaign is about more than beating Donald Trump," he said in his announcement video. "It's about transforming our country and creating a government based on the principles of economic, social, racial, and environmental justice."

This time around, Sanders will face much stiffer competition in a Democratic field that could hold over 20 candidates — many of whom are running on platforms that emphasize his signature issues of reducing income inequality and the power of big corporations in America. 

Read more about Bernie Sanders' campaign.

Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota

On February 10, three-term US Senator from Minnesota Amy Klobuchar became the 12th Democratic candidate and 6th woman to jump into the 2020 field. 

In true Minnesota fashion, Klobuchar announced her candidacy at an outdoor event during a blizzard, giving her speech without a hat, gloves, or a teleprompter. 

Klobuchar is counting on her reputation as a measured, pragmatic moderate with a "Minnesota nice" demeanor to dominate among Midwestern voters — and pose a stark contrast to President Donald Trump. 

Her campaign rollout may be hampered, however, by recent reports published in BuzzFeed News and the Huffington Post detailing alleged mistreatment and humiliation of her staff. According to one report, three people turned down the job of running her campaign over those allegations. 

Read more about Amy Klobuchar's campaign.

Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey

Cory Booker, the 11th Democrat to jump into the race, officially announced his candidacy for President on February 1. 

Booker has served in the US Senate since 2013, and is known for his liberal voting record and emphasis on social and criminal justice issues. He played a key role in passing a large bipartisan criminal justice bill, the First Step Act, in December. 

Before being elected to the Senate, booker served two terms as Mayor of Newark, New Jersey  where he still resides. He holds a degree from Stanford University, where he played on the football team, and a law degree from Yale University. 

Read more about Cory Booker's campaign.

Motivational speaker, author, and friend of Oprah Winfrey Marianne Williamson

Marianne Williamson, a motivational speaker, New York Times best-selling author, and one-time congressional candidate with a substantial following announced her candidacy for president on Monday night.

Williamson, the 10th Democratic candidate to jump into the race, began speaking and writing self-help books rooted in New Age spirituality in Los Angeles in the 1980s. She's also been heavily involved in AIDS awareness and advocacy efforts. 

A 1992 appearance on Oprah Winfrey's show helped launch her into Hollywood's elite class as the preferred spiritual guide for many in the entertainment world. 

Her first foray in politics was an independent run for Congress in California's 33rd congressional district in 2014. She ended up losing to current Rep. Ted Lieu, but is now launching a bid for the highest office in the land.

Read more about Marianne Williamson's campaign.

Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana

Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, Indiana, announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination on January 23, 2019 via a video and email sent to his supporters. 

The mayor just turned 37, making him the youngest entrant (so far) in the battle for the Democratic nomination. Buttigieg is also the only openly gay candidate to date in the running.

Along with Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii and Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, Buttigieg is one of three military combat veterans running for the Democratic nod, having served with the US Naval Reserve in Afghanistan in 2013.

In the video, Buttigieg, who is making the jump from city to national politics, said he belongs to "a generation that is stepping forward right now." 

"We're the generation that lived through school shootings, that served in the wars after 9/11, and we're the generation that stands to be the first to make less than our parents unless we do something different," he said in his announcement video.

Read more about Pete Buttigieg's campaign.

Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro

Julian Castro declared his candidacy on January 12 in a widely publicized announcement event in San Antonio, Texas, his hometown and where he served as mayor for five years. 

Castro's official announcement came weeks after his brother had revealed the news during an interview with Stephen Colbert in December.

Under Castro's tenure, HUD expanded lead safety protections in federally assisted housing, worked to reconstruct communities affected by natural disasters under a $1 billion National Disaster Resilience Competition, and fulfilled the Fair Housing Act.

Read more about Julian Castro's campaign.

Representative Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii

Gabbard announced her candidacy on January 11 in an interview with CNN's Van Jones.

The Hawaii representative has been in Congress since 2012, and has been at times a rising star for progressives but also sometimes challenging to the rest of her party. Her positions on foreign policy, in particular, have at times put her at odds with many on the left over the past year or two.

Read more about Tulsi Gabbard's campaign.

Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts

On a video posted to her website on December 31, 2018, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warrenannounced that she was launching an exploratory committee for a presidential run in 2020. In the video, Warren — who has long been expected to run – described her vision of defending the middle class, which she said was "under attack."

Warren quickly began recruiting top staff in key primary states including New Hampshire and Iowa, and has campaigned in those states, South Carolina, and Puerto Rico. 

Read more about Elizabeth Warren's campaign.

Entrepreneur Andrew Yang

Andrew Yang, an American entrepreneur and founder of Venture for America, announced his presidential candidacy on November 6, 2017.

Yang's campaign prominently features giving all Americans a basic $1,000 monthly income. 

Read more about Andrew Yang's campaign.

Former Representative John Delaney of Maryland

Former Maryland Representative John Delaney was the first major Democrat to declare a presidential bid.

Delaney, who was a US representative from 2013 to 2019, announced his decision to run on July 28, 2017.

In a Washington Post op-ed announcing his candidacy, Delaney said "The current administration is making us less prosperous and less secure. I'm running because I have an original approach to governing and an economic policy that can put us on a different course." 

Read more about John Delaney's campaign.

President Donald Trump

President Donald Trump is seeking reelection in 2020. He announced his intentions to do so just days into his first term, on January 20, 2017. 

Dropped out: Senator Kamala Harris of California

Harris made her announcement on Martin Luther King Day, or January 21, via Twitter and her campaign website.

The Democratic senator for California is currently serving her first term in the Senate, similar to former President Barack Obama, who was initially criticized for his inexperience after he announced his 2008 presidential campaign as a first-term senator.

Prior to her role in the Senate, Harris was California's attorney general and served as the district attorney of San Francisco.

While her campaign got off to a promising start, Harris was overshadowed by the other top candidates and dropped out of the race on December 3, 2019 amid reports of financial struggles and infighting among her campaign team. 

Read more about Kamala Harris' campaign.

Dropped out: Former Rep. Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania

Sestak, a former two-term congressman from Pennsylvania and Navy admiral, became the 25th candidate to join the 2020 field on June 22, missing the deadline to qualify for the first Democratic debates. 

After retiring from the House in 2010, Sestak unsuccessfully ran for US Senate in Pennsylvania both in 2010 and 2016, famously walking over 400 miles across Pennsylvania during his second Senate run. 

In his announcement video, Sestak emphasized his 31 years of military service as an important qualification to serve as president, saying, "when faced with the decision on whether to use our military, our commander in chief will know how it will end before deciding if it is wise to begin."

Read more about Joe Sestak's campaign.

Dropped out: Governor Steve Bullock of Montana

Bullock, the Democratic governor of Montana, announced he's running for a president on May 14th, the 22nd Democratic contender and the third governor to join the field.

In an announcement video posted online Tuesday morning, Bullock highlighted his work passing bipartisan legislation to ban corporate money in Montana's elections as governor.

Bullock argues he brings unique strength to the table as a Democratic governor who was re-elected the same year Trump won his state by 20 points — and has since achieved progressive victories including expanding Medicaid and freezing university tuition in the spring 2019 Montana legislative session.

Read more about Steve Bullock's campaign.

Dropped out: former South Carolina governor and Rep. Mark Sanford

Sanford announced on September 8, 2019 that he would launch a primary challenge to Trump, which marked the third challenge from within the president's party. 

The former congressman lost a primary in 2018 after emerging as a vocal critic of Trump, who in turn encouraged voters to vote against him. 

In a "Fox News Sunday" interview announcing the challenge, Sanford said he thinks "we need to have a conversation on what it means to be a Republican."

"I think that as a Republican Party we have lost our way," he added. After Stanford's long-shot bid failed to gain any traction, he dropped out of the race on November 12.

Read more about Mark Sanford's campaign.

Dropped out: Former Congressman Beto O'Rourke of Texas

Beto O'Rourke formally announced his candidacy for president on March 14, ending months of speculation over his presidential plans.

"The only way for us to live up to the promise of America is to give it our all and to give it for all of us,"he said in a video announcing his candidacy alongside his wife Amy. 

"The interconnected crises in our economy, our democracy, and our climate have never been greater," O'Rourke added. "And they will either consume us, or they will afford us the greatest opportunity to unleash the genius of the United States of America."

The three-term congressman from El Paso broke fundraising records and became a national sensation in the fall of 2018 when he came within three points of defeating Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in Texas, a traditionally red state. 

O'Rourke announced he was ending his campaign on November 1, after failing to break through the crowded field. In a Medium post, he cited that the campaign did "not have the means to move forward successfully."

Read more about Beto O'Rourke's campaign.

Dropped out: Congressman Tim Ryan of Ohio

Ryan, who represents Ohio's 13th congressional district in eastern Ohio, announced he's running for president during an April 4 appearance on "The View."

A moderate Democrat who has served in the House since 2003, Ryan is best known for his passionate advocacy on behalf of Midwesterners who have suffered from the decline in manufacturing jobs in the region.

On his campaign website, Ryan says that "failed leadership and broken promises have destroyed the middle-class, forcing our economy into crisis and pushing the American Dream out of reach."

Ryan was also one of the key leaders of an unsuccessful effort spearheaded by moderate Democrats to block Nancy Pelosi from becoming Speaker of the House after Democrats took back control of the chamber in 2018. 

After failing to gain any traction in the polls or qualify for the DNC fall Democratic debates, Ryan finally quit the race on October 24. 

Read more about Tim Ryan's campaign.

Dropped out: Mayor Bill De Blasio of New York City

De Blasio announced his presidential run on "Good Morning America" and with a video posted to social media. 

De Blasio is best known for his ambitious progressive policy proposals aimed at reducing income inequality and increasing the amount of affordable housing in New York by taxing the city's wealthiest residents.

His gruff and often blustery approach, however, has made him highly unpopular both among New Yorkers and the Democratic primary electorate. 

A Quinnipiac University poll conducted in April found he has an underwater approval rating within his own city, and a Monmouth University poll released in March found that of 12 declared and potential Democratic presidential candidates, De Blasio was the only one to receive a negative favorability rating.

De Blasio dropped out of the race on September 20 after failing to qualify for the fall debates or gain any momentum in the polls. 

Read more about Bill de Blasio's campaign.

Dropped out: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York

Gillibrand began her political career as a moderate, blue-dog Democrat representing a conservative district in upstate New York.

She has made a name for herself as a strong progressive voice in the US Senate, in which she has served since 2009. Gillibrand has advocated for stronger policies around addressing sexual assault in the military, lowering healthcare costs, and decreasing economic and gender inequality.

Gillibrand ran a campaign centered around women's empowerment with a focus on issues like paid family leave and reproductive rights, but failed to break out in the field or crack more than 1% to 2% in the polls.

She announced she would leave the race on August 28 after failing to qualify for the September primary debate. 

Read more about Kirsten Gillibrand's campaign.

Dropped out: Congressman Seth Moulton of Massachusetts

Moulton, who has represented Massachusetts' 6th congressional district since 2015, became the 19th Democrat to join the 2020 presidential field on April 22. 

"I am running because I am a patriot, because I believe in this country and because I have never wanted to sit on the sidelines when it comes to serving it,"Moulton told ABC's George Stephanopoulos. 

Before running for Congress, Moulton served in the Marine Corps and completed four tours of duty in Iraq. A relatively moderate Democrat, he focused his presidential campaign on issues of foreign policy and national security. 

Moulton dropped out of the race on August 23 to run for re-election in the House after he failed to qualify for any Democratic primary debates.

Read more about Seth Moulton's campaign.

Dropped out: Washington Governor Jay Inslee

Inslee, who has served as governor of Washington since 2012, has held some form of public office for most of the past 30 years. The long-time lawmaker is billing himself as the "climate candidate."

"I'm Jay Inslee and I'm running for president because I am the only candidate who will make defeating climate change our nation's number one priority," Inslee said in a video released March 1.

While governor, Inslee has made reducing carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy a top priority.

The video also shows Inslee in the aftermath of wildfires as he says in a voiceover: "We are the first generation to feel the sting of climate change. And we're the last that can do something about it."

After participating in the first two debates and putting climate change on the agenda as a crucial campaign issue, Inslee announced he would drop out of the race on August 21. 

Read more about Jay Inslee's campaign.

Dropped out: former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper

Hickenlooper launched his 2020 presidential campaign on March 4, making the former Colorado governor the 14th Democratic candidate to enter the field.

Hickenlooper, 66, was highly popular as governor for two terms before being succeeded by Democratic Gov. Jared Polis. Before that, he served as mayor of Denver (a nonpartisan position) and was a successful businessman who founded Colorado's first brewery pub, helping bring jobs and economic development to Denver.

Hickenlooper struggled to stand out as a viable centrist candidate in the shadow of Biden, however and dropped out of the presidential race on August 15, 2019.

A week later on August 22, Hickenlooper jumped into Colorado's US Senate race to challenge vulnerable GOP. Sen Cory Gardner in 2020. 

Read more about John Hickenlooper's campaign.

Dropped out: former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel

Gravel, now 89, officially filed to run for president on April 2. His leftist, anti-war presidential campaign was originally a protest campaign with the goal of simply raising enough money for Gravel to qualify for the first Democratic debates, but he's now running to win.

The Gravel campaign is running on a platform of anti-imperialist and leftist principles, and is being managed by three teenagers from New York, who are innovative-ly using Twitter to get out the former senator's message.

After failing to make any of the debates, Gravel dropped out of the race and endorsed Sanders on August 6, 2019.

Read more about Mike Gravel's campaign. 

Dropped out: California Congressman Eric Swalwell

Swalwell, who has represented California's 15th Congressional district since 2013, announced the launch of his presidential campaign on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on April 8. 

The 18th Democrat to jump into the race, Swalwell ran a campaign largely focused on reducing gun violence in America and directly taking on the National Rifle Association, an organization he sees as directly contributing to gun violence. 

Swalwell currently serves on the high-profile House Select Committee on Intelligence and the Judiciary Committee and has been actively involved in those committees' investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election. 

On July 8, Swalwell dropped out of the 2020 presidential race to run for re-election in the House after failing to break through 1% in the polls and disappointing second-quarter fundraising performance. 

Read more about Eric Swalwell's campaign. 

Dropped out: West Virginia State Senator Richard Ojeda

Richard Ojeda, a member of the West Virginia Senate, announced he was running for the presidency on November 11, 2018. He ran for Congress in West Virginia's third congressional district in 2018, losing to Republican Carol Miller. 

However, on January 25, 2019, Ojeda dropped out of the presidential race after resigning from the State Senate. 

Mariana Alfaro contributed to a previous version of this report. 

Read more: 

Trump has implemented much of his conservative agenda through executive power — and it could be easily undone if a Democrat wins in 2020

• GIFs can spice up any group chat, and billions are shared every month.
• Last year, Google acquired Tenor, which powers GIF search in all Google products, plus Twitter,iMessage, Facebook, and others.
• Google created a list of the top GIFs from 2019 based on its iOS GIF keyboard.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The movie "Elf" may have come out over 15 years ago, but a GIF from the film is among one of most popular of 2019. 

That's according to Google, who used data from its iOS keyboard extension to determine the most popular GIFs of the year, at least among iPhone users. The data comes from Tenor, a platform Google bought last year, which powers GIF searches on Google Images, Gboard, Twitter, iMessage, Facebook, WhatsApp, and more. 

The list shows that cartoon GIFs are particularly popular, making up three of the top four spots. GIFs from older media clearly have staying power. Along with "Elf," Stitch, a character from the 2002 Disney movie "Lilo & Stitch," comes in at No. 1 and No. 3. Their popularity seems to depend on how well GIFs capture a particular emotion, rather than how recent they are.

Here are the most popular GIFs of 2019. 

SEE ALSO: Apple designed a custom trophy for the first Apple Music Awards

10. This grinning kid from "Toddlers & Tiaras," the reality show about child beauty pageants.

9. A disapproving Madea from Tyler Perry's films.

8. A confused moment from "Castle."

7. Will Smith looking surprised.

6. Another moment of surprise, this time from the movie "Ted."

5. Will Ferrell's character from "Elf" feeling upset.

4. A laughing Minion from "Despicable Me."

3. Stitch from "Lilo & Stitch" having a bad day.

2. Jim Carrey's character from "Liar Liar" feeling frustrated.

1. Finally, another, more exasperated Stitch was the most popular GIF of the year.

• There have been plenty of celebrity babies born into the entertainment world over the past few years, but the kids who were born in the mid-2000s and 2010s are starting to grow up!
• Some, like Jay-Z and Beyoncé's daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, are still on the younger end. But others, like Kris and Caitlyn Jenner's daughter, Kylie Jenner, are already parents themselves.
• From watching Suri Cruise grow up in New York City with her mom Katie Holmes to seeing the spitting image of Cindy Crawford— her daughter Kaia Gerber— walk down a 2019 runway, it's hard to believe how quickly these kids grew up. 
• Here are just 15 of the kids who have grown up largely in the public eye over the past 10 years.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Beyoncé Knowles Carter and Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter had daughter Blue Ivy Carter in 2012.

As the child of two iconic music, arts, and style legends, Blue Ivy has made a number of impressions on the entertainment-following world.

Source: Insider

She's been spotted boarding private planes since 2013 ...

Source: Getty Images

... and being toted around New York by her mom.

She appeared on stage with her parents as Beyoncé accepted an award during the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards.

And she has gotten to sit in front-row seats at awards shows ...

Source: Insider

... and basketball games alike.

Source: Insider

She's even managed to spark conversation over her iconic style, like when she wore this suit to pay tribute to Prince at the Grammy Awards in 2017.

Source: Insider

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes had their daughter Suri Cruise in 2006.

Suri has been growing up largely in the public eye living in New York City with her mother.

She's certainly grown up in the past 10 years — she's even mastered the art of hailing a taxi.

Holmes told Stellar Magazine that she tries to limit the amount of time that she and Suri spend on social media as Suri enters into her teenage years.

Source: Stellar Magazine via Marie Claire

Angelina Jolie adopted her first child, son Maddox, in 2002. From 2005 until 2008, Jolie and Brad Pitt went on to both conceive and adopt more children. The family includes Pax, born in 2003; Zahara, born in 2005; Shiloh, born in 2006; and twins Vivienne and Knox born in 2008.

Source: Insider, Insider

Eldest son Maddox is now 18 years old and has appeared in movies himself. In 2016, Jolie said he had an interest in editing. Jolie adopted him in 2002 with then-husband Billy Bob Thornton.

Source: IMDb, Insider, Vanity Fair

Pax, the second oldest child, was adopted by Jolie in 2007 at three years old, and then by Pitt in 2008. In 2016, Jolie said he "loves music and deejaying."

Source: Vanity Fair

Jolie adopted Zahara in 2005 and Pitt formally adopted her one year later. She was six months old at the time of the first adoption. Now, Zahara reportedly wants to get into modeling and looks up to actress Lupita Nyong'o.

Source: Insider, Bossip

Shiloh is the eldest biological child of Jolie and Pitt born in 2006. In 2016, Jolie told Vanity Fair that Shiloh chose to learn "Khmai, which is a Cambodian language." At 13 years old, she looks just like her mom.

Source: Insider, Vanity Fair

Vivienne and Knox were born in 2008. They've both participated in movies involving their parents as they've grown up, and have chosen to learn Arabic and sign language respectively, their mom told Vanity Fair.

Source: Vanity Fair, Insider

Victoria and David Beckham have four children together: sons Brooklyn, born in 1999; Romeo, born in 2002; and Cruz, born in 2005; and daughter Harper, born in 2011.

Harper has been exposed to the fashion industry by her designer mom since she was born.

She's attended her mom's fashion shows since she was little, enjoying the view from her dad's lap in the front row.

Harper is the only Beckham to carry on her father's soccer legacy for now, he told Graham Norton in 2018.

Source: Harper's Bazaar, E! News

The father-daughter pair even went to France together to watch the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Source: Harper's Bazaar, E! News

Harper's brothers have also grown up substantially over the past 10 years.

Cruz is currently an aspiring musician — much like his mom — and he's been mentored by Ed Sheeran.

Source: Hello Magazine, E!

Romeo reportedly is into Tennis ...

Source: E!

... and Brooklyn has found a passion for photography.

Source: E!

Supermodel Cindy Crawford had two children with husband Rande Gerber: Kaia, born in 2001, and Presley, born in 1999.

The pair of siblings spent their early years away from the public eye. That is until they both started to model.

Since then, we've watched both children grow up to become fashion week staples around the world.

Kaia is now a seasoned professional and a regular on runways like Alexander Wang and Chanel.

And Presley has been seen walking the runway at shows like Sies Marjan, Prabal Gurung, Balmain Homme, and more.

The youngest and richest Kardashian-Jenner sibling, Kylie, was just 12 years old at the start of the decade.

Over the past 10 years, Kylie has grown up a lot. She's built herself a beauty empire called Kylie Cosmetics, amassed a net worth of $1 billion, and has had a child of her own, Stormi Webster, with Travis Scott.

Source: Business Insider

Before Stormi, Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick's son Mason joined the family in 2009.

Source: US Weekly

Mason has appeared on "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" since he was born, so he's grown up in the public eye.

Source: MTV

Fans of the show have watched him grow into the pre-teen he is today. Of course, his style is on-par with his fashion-forward family.

• President Donald Trump and George Conway are in an escalating feud.
• It reached a fever pitch when Trump called the lawyer "a stone cold LOSER & husband from hell!" and Conway questioned the president's mental state.
• Back when Kellyanne Conway was running Trump's presidential campaign, Conway supported his wife's boss.
• But that started to change as the special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian election interference heated up and the impeachment inquiry began.
• Here's how their relationship devolved over time.

• Visit BusinessInsider.com for more stories.

Prominent conservative lawyer George Conway has been highly critical of his wife's boss, President Donald Trump.

In October, Conway penned an 11,000-word op-ed titled "Unfit for Office" in The Atlantic, amid an impeachment inquiry into Trump pressing the Ukrainian president to investigate his political rival.

Counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway and George have previously shared how their political disagreements— especially about Trump — are affecting their marriage.

By December 2019, George even publicly knocked Trump through a jab posted alongside one of Kellyanne's tweets.

Here's a brief history of George Conway's transformation from Trump supporter into one of his most visible and vocal critics on the right.

SEE ALSO: Inside the marriage of Kellyanne and George Conway, who Ann Coulter introduced, are now worth $39 million, and are increasingly at odds over Trump

DON'T MISS: Kellyanne Conway opens up about how the president is affecting her marriage

June 2, 2017: Conway turns down administration role

After speculation began in March 2017 that Conway would be picked for a position in the Trump administration, Conway eventually declined any administration role, saying:

"I am profoundly grateful to the President and to the attorney general for selecting me to serve in the Department of Justice. I have reluctantly concluded, however, that, for me and my family, this is not the right time for me to leave the private sector and take on a new role in the federal government."

Conway went on to clarify: "Kellyanne and I continue to support the President and his administration, and I look forward to doing so in whatever way I can from outside the government."

The Washington Post reported that Conway considered the role, but was scared off by Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey and the aftermath that ensued.

June 5, 2017: Conway posts his first critical tweet

Shortly after turning down an administration position, Conway started to tweet critically of Trump.

In his first post, he questioned the usefulness of Trump's tweets, mocking Trump's signature sign-off "Sad!"

In a later tweet, Conway clarified that he still supported the president.

March 28, 2018: Conway gets more vocal on Twitter

In late March 2018, after nearly a yearlong hiatus, Conway called Trump's reported interest in pardons for former staff as a way to protect himself from the special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation "flabbergasting."

Also at this time, Conway reportedly switched his party registration to "unaffiliated."

March 29, 2018: Conway deletes some critical tweets

According to a CNN report, Conway deleted a series of tweets after his March tweets gained attention. The deleted tweets reportedly included one that called the president "absurd."

April 22, 2018: Kellyanne Conway spars with Dana Bash over her husband's tweets

Kellyanne Conway sparred with Dana bash after the CNN host asked her about her husband's tweets.

May 3, 2018: Conway calls out Rudy Giuliani

Conway tweeted a section of the Federal Election Commission's website the night after Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani revealed that Trump reimbursed his former attorney for a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.

May 17, 2018: Conway calls Giuliani's argument 'drivel'

In a Reuters piece on Giuliani's claim that Mueller can't subpoena Trump, Conway went on the record calling the assertion "drivel."

May 24, 2018: Conway reportedly coaches anti-Trump writers

A Politico report alleged that Conway had emailed multiple writers who have been critical of Trump to help improve their arguments.

June 11, 2018: Conway publishes a pro-Mueller essay

Lawfare published an essay from Conway criticizing arguments against the appointment of the special counsel Robert Mueller.

Conway wrote: "It isn't very surprising to see the president tweet a meritless legal position, because, as a non-lawyer, he wouldn't know the difference between a good one and a bad one."

Earlier in June, Conway tweeted about the same topic:

The previous June, Conway was playing a very different tune, openly questioning the Russia investigation along with his wife on Twitter:

July 9, 2018: George says he's given Kellyanne a hard time about Trump

For an article about public heckling of Trump administration figures, George told the Washington Post that "She has been getting a harder time from me about working for this administration than walking down the street."

August 15, 2018: The Conways open up about their marriage

In a Washington Post article about the couple, the Conways lamented the effect their political division was having on their marriage.

Kellyanne told Post reporter Ben Terris that George's tweeting was "disrespects his wife."

George said he was "saddened by how things turned out" with the administration and that he regretted initially introducing Kellyanne to Trump.

"I feel there's a part of him that thinks I chose Donald Trump over him," Kellyanne said. "Which is ridiculous. One is my work and one is my marriage."

September 27, 2018: The retweet era begins

In the months following the profile, Conway primarily communicated through retweets.

For example, in late September, he retweeted posts that were both critical of Trump and supportive of then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh:

October 30, 2018: Conway rejects Trump's justification for outlawing birthright citizenship

In a Washington Post op-ed, Conway and his co-author Neal Katyal wrote that Trump's plan to get rid of birthright citizenship in the US "would be unconstitutional and would certainly be challenged."

According to Conway, "the challengers would undoubtedly win."

Conway and Katyal point out that the right to citizenship is written into the 14th Amendment:

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States"— except in two cases: children of "alien enemies in hostile occupation" and the children of foreign diplomats.

To change this, they argue that you'd need a Constitutional Amendment.

November 8, 2018: Conway co-authors an op-ed arguing Trump's attorney general appointment is unconstitutional

When Trump appointed Matthew Whitaker as acting attorney general after firing Jeff Sessions from the role, Conway and fellow lawyer Neal K. Katyal published an opinion piece in The New York Times saying they thought the action was illegal.

"Trump's installation of Matthew Whitaker as acting attorney general of the United States after forcing the resignation of Jeff Sessions is unconstitutional. It's illegal," they wrote. "And it means that anything Mr. Whitaker does, or tries to do, in that position is invalid."

Whitaker had been critical of the Mueller probe, and many, including Conway, accused Trump of installing him to oversee the Justice Department in order to squash the investigation.

Conway and Katyal continued:

"Because Mr. Whitaker has not undergone the process of Senate confirmation, there has been no mechanism for scrutinizing whether he has the character and ability to evenhandedly enforce the law in a position of such grave responsibility. The public is entitled to that assurance, especially since Mr. Whitaker's only supervisor is Mr. Trump himself, and the president is hopelessly compromised by the Mueller investigation. That is why adherence to the requirements of the Appointments Clause is so important here, and always."

William Barr ended up replacing Whitaker. The Senate approved Barr as attorney general in February.

November 16, 2018: Conway rails against Trump in a podcast interview

Conway went off against the Republican Party and Trump during an interview with Yahoo News' podcast "Skullduggery."

"I don't feel comfortable being a Republican anymore," Conway said on the podcast. "I think the Republican Party has become something of a personality cult."

Conway described Trump's tweets criticizing former Attorney General Jeff Sessions as "appalling," and a sharp deviation from political norms.

"We're talking about someone who has sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution and laws of the United States," Conway said, "and to criticize the attorney general for permitting justice to be done without regard to political party is very disturbing."

Conway also revealed more details on why he didn't take the Trump administration job.

"I'm watching this thing, and it's like the administration is like a s---show in a dumpster fire," he said on the podcast. "And I'm like, 'I don't want to do that.'"

David Choi contributed reporting.

December 3, 2018: Conway accuses Trump of witness tampering

In December, former Trump campaign adviser Roger Stone said he would "never" testify against the president as part of the Mueller investigation. Stone was indicted on seven counts of obstruction, false statements, and witness tampering, and is pleading not guilty.

Trump applauded Stone for his statements in a tweet— but some legal experts, including Conway, said it could be considered witness tampering.

In a tweet, Trump praised Stone for not willing to be "forced by a rogue and out of control prosecutor" to "make up lies and stories" about the president. He added that it was "nice to know that some people still have 'guts!'"

Conway retweeted Trump and said, "File under '18 U.S.C. §§ 1503, 1512,'" referencing a law against obstruction of justice.

John Haltiwanger contributed reporting.

March 18, 2019: Conway questions the president's mental state

Their tense relationship reached a fever pitch after Trump spent St. Patrick's Day weekend on a Twitter tear against "Saturday Night Live," Fox News, and the late Sen. John McCain.

Conway posted the cover of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders hours after the first leg of Trump's tweets, followed by the book's pages that describe narcissistic personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder.

When asked about the tweet, Kellyanne said she doesn't "share those concerns" about Trump's psychological state.

March 19, 2019: Trump calls Conway "A total loser!"

Trump finally broke his silence on Conway's criticisms when he called the lawyer "A total loser!" on Twitter.

Conway responded with several tweets of his own, starting with, "Congratulations! You just guaranteed that millions of more people are going to learn about narcissistic personality disorder and malignant narcissism! Great job!"

"This was the article that first got me to really understand you, @realDonaldTrump," Conway continued in another tweet, with a link to a Rolling Stone story about Trump's mental health. "Once someone understands narcissistic personality disorder, they understand you—and why you're unfit and incompetent for the esteemed office you temporarily hold."

March 20, 2019: Trump calls Conway "a stone cold LOSER & husband from hell!"

Trump escalated the feud, calling Conway"a stone cold LOSER & husband from hell!"

Conway retweeted it, with the comment, "The President of the United States."

Washington Post White House reporter Ashley Parker asked, "why is it considered the ultimate insult to call a man 'Mr. [Insert Wife's Name Here]'?"

To that, George responded, "It isn't—except perhaps to the extremely juvenile and boorish. What I really wouldn't want to be called is 'Individual-[ ],'" referring to the way Trump is characterized in Muller's court filings.

In an interview with Politico, Kellyanne said she had discussed George's criticisms with Trump "in passing," and that the president "left it alone for months out of respect for me." She added that the rift hasn't affected her job in any way.

"But you think he shouldn't respond when somebody, a non-medical professional accuses him of having a mental disorder? You think he should just take that sitting down?" she told Politico's Daniel Lippman, adding that Trump was a "counterpuncher."

Asked how his tweets reflected on first lady Melania Trump's "Be Best" anti-bullying campaign, Trump said he didn't know Conway and called him "a whack job."

"He's doing a tremendous disservice to a wonderful wife," Trump told reporters. "Kellyanne is a wonderful woman. And I call him 'Mr. Kellyanne.' The fact is that he's doing a tremendous disservice to a wife and family. She's a wonderful woman."

March 21, 2019: Conway doubles down on his questions about Trump's mental health

After Conway called Trump "dumb" in tweets, he retweeted someone who wondered, "Could be cognitive decline rather than simple stupidity," and shared an interview from 1980 when Conway said Trump was "articulate and coherent, unlike today."

He also accused Trump of "compulsive lying."

"He lies even when it makes no sense to lie," Conway tweeted. "As one of his lawyers once told me, Trump couldn't be allowed to talk to Mueller because "he'd lie his a-- off.'"

Retweeting a Talking Points Memo story with the headline, "Trump's aides have no idea why their boss keeps picking fights with a senator who died almost seven months ago,"Conway added: "oh they full well know #notstable #notagenius."

March 27, 2019: Conway publishes an op-ed in the Washington Post titled "Trump is guilty — of being unfit for office"

After Mueller submitted his report on the special counsel investigation to Attorney General William Barr, Trump tweeted: "No Collusion, No Obstruction, Complete and Total EXONERATION."

But while Mueller concluded there wasn't enough evidence to prove Trump conspired with the Kremlin, he did not make a determination on whether the president obstructed justice. Barr, a political appointee, did.

Conway weighed in on this in an op-ed in The Washington Post, pointing out that "Mueller said his 'report does not conclude that the President committed a crime' but that 'it also does not exonerate him.'"

"Whether the Mueller report ever sees the light of day, there is one charge that can be resolved now. Americans should expect far more from a president than merely that he not be provably a criminal," Conway wrote.

He continued: "If the charge were unfitness for office, the verdict would already be in: guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."

April 18, 2019: After the release of the redacted Mueller report, Conway pens an op-ed calling for Trump's impeachment

After the release of the redacted Mueller report on Thursday, April 18, Conway published an op-ed in The Washington Post calling for the president's impeachment, using quotes from the report and the US Constitution.

"What the Mueller report disturbingly shows, with crystal clarity, is that today there is a cancer in the presidency: President Donald J. Trump," Conway wrote.

"The president may have the raw constitutional power to, say, squelch an investigation or to pardon a close associate," said Conway. "But if he does so not to serve the public interest, but to serve his own, he surely could be removed from office, even if he has not committed a criminal act."

Conway ended the piece by writing, "Congress now bears the solemn constitutional duty to excise that cancer without delay."

David Choi contributed reporting.

October 3, 2019: Conway writes an 11,000-word op-ed once again calling Trump unfit for office

With an impeachment inquiry swirling, Conway wrote a lengthy takedown in The Atlantic reiterating his arguments that Trump is mentally unstable, corrupt, untruthful, and unfit for office.

He wrote:

"From the evidence, it appears that he simply can't stop himself from putting his own interests above the nation's. Any serious impeachment proceedings should consider not only the evidence and the substance of all impeachable offenses, but also the psychological factors that may be relevant to the motivations underlying those offenses. Congress should make extensive use of experts—psychologists and psychiatrists. Is Trump so narcissistic that he can't help but use his office for his own personal ends? Is he so sociopathic that he can't be trusted to follow, let alone faithfully execute, the law?

Congress should consider all this because that's what the question of impeachment demands. But there's another reason as well. The people have a right to know, and a need to see."

December 2, 2019: Conway took a shot at Trump by commenting on one of his wife's tweets a reference to the president's contact with Ukrainian officials about investigating Trump's 2020 rival, former Vice President Joe Biden.

The lawyer was reiterating his earlier claim that he believes Trump is guilty of inappropriately pressuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate Biden for his own political gain.

It was the first time Conway publicly, directly sparred with his wife over Trump.

• If you the highest end of Windows 10 laptops and tablets, your first stop should be Microsoft's Surface line — all of which is still up for sale in honor of Cyber Week.
• For the extended Cyber Monday deals, Microsoft has, well, extended all of its Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on the Surface Pro 7, Surface Laptop 3, and more.
• This Surface Pro 7 bundle at Best Buy is arguably the top Microsoft deal of Cyber Week. This package features the Surface Pro 7 with 256GB of storage, the Type Cover, and Surface Pen all in one box for ust $999.00, slashing a massive $429.99 off of what it normally cost for this tablet and its two accessories.
• Our entire Cyber Week deals coverage continues on Insider Picks throughout the week.

Updated 12/3/19 at 3:20 p.m. ET

With Cyber Monday over, Cyber Week is well underway, extending the majority of Microsoft's flagship deals for the rest of the week — presumably, at least. That means you can still save a bunch on Surface Pro 7, Surface Laptop and even Surface Book 2 models right now.

Given the build quality of these Windows 10 devices, it's a wonder that we're still seeing such steep discounts on some of Microsoft's latest and greatest Surface devices.

5 best Microsoft Cyber Week deals in 2019:

1. Microsoft Surface Pro 7 + Type Cover & Surface Pen, $999.00 (originally $1,428.99+) from Best Buy[You save $429.99]
2. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3, $1,099.00+ (originally $1,299.00+) from Microsoft[You save up to $200]
3. Microsoft Surface Go, $299.00+ (depending on the model) from Microsoft[You save up to $150]
4. Microsoft Surface Book 2, $1,149.99+ (depending on the model) from Microsoft[You save up to $500]

Shop all Microsoft Cyber Week deals here or read on to see our favorites.

Microsoft Surface Pro 7 + Type Cover

These deals are still live but likely end this week.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is the latest and best 2-in-1 tablet in the highly popular Surface Pro lineup. The tablet is sleek and stylish, and with this bundle, it can be used as a laptop too, thanks to the inclusion of the Type Cover keyboard.

This particular variant of the Surface Pro 7 offers a 10th-generation, 10-nanometer Intel Core i5 processor, along with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which should be more than powerful and long-lasting enough for the vast majority of users.

There are discounts on other Surface Pro 7 variants, too, so if you need better performance, it's worth configuring better hardware. This deal is live right now and probably ends today.

Microsoft Surface Pro 7 (Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) + Type Cover & Surface Pen, $999.00 (originally $1,428.99+) from Best Buy[You save $429.99]

Get the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 (Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) + Type Cover from Microsoft, $799.00 (originally $1,029.00) from Microsoft [You save $230]

Get the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 (Core i3, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD) + Type Cover, $599.00 (originally $959.00) from Best Buy [You save $280]

Microsoft Surface Laptop 3

These deals are still live but likely end this week.

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 is a sleek and stylish laptop. It's perfect for the professional who needs a powerful laptop that's relatively portable. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 comes in 13.5-inch and now 15-inch models, with the 13.5-inch featuring beautiful Alcantara covering around the keyboard for a softer touch and the new 15-inch sporting a solid block of aluminum.

All models of the Surface Laptop 3 are available at a discount of up to $300 off, except the base model which comes with an Intel Core i5, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. If you upgrade to 256GB of storage, you'll get a discount. This deal is available now and ends today.

Get the 13.5-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 (Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD), $899.00 (originally $1,299.00+) from Best Buy [You save $300]

Get the 13.5-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 3, $999.00+ (originally $1,299.00+) from Microsoft [You save up to $200]

Get the 15-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 3, $1,199.00+ (originally $1,499.00+) from Microsoft [You save up to $200]

Microsoft Surface Go

These deals are still live but likely end this week.

If you want a serviceable but attractive Microsoft device on a budget, then the Surface Go is the way to go. The Surface Go may not be as powerful as some of the other Microsoft devices on this list, but it still has a lot to offer — including an Intel 4415Y processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage.

For Cyber Week, Microsoft is continuing its savings of up to $150, so you could pay as little as $299.99, depending on the model you choose. This deal is available right now and ends today.

Get the Microsoft Surface Go starting at $299.00 (originally $399.00) from Microsoft [You save up to $150]

Get the Microsoft Surface Go (128GB SSD) + Type Cover, $499.00 (originally $679.00) from Microsoft [You save $180]

Microsoft Surface Book 2

These deals are still available but likely end this week..

Perhaps you require a little extra punch from your laptop, and you also want a tablet, in which case it's worth considering the Microsoft Surface Book 2. The device is essentially a detachable 2-in-1 laptop that allows you to use the screen as a tablet, plus it boasts an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. You can get up to Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 graphics, which is good news for graphic designers and photographers.

The device is available for up to a massive $500 off, which is a pretty huge discount. It seems to be limited to the higher-end Surface Book 2 models. This deal is available right now and ends today.

Get the 13.5-inch Microsoft Surface Book 2, starting at $1,149.00+ (originally $1,149.00+) from Microsoft [You save up to $500]

Get the 15-inch Microsoft Surface Book 2, starting at $1,699.00+ (originally $1,999.00+) from Microsoft  [You save up to $300]

Microsoft Cyber Monday FAQs

Does Microsoft have Cyber Monday deals?

Thankfully, yes. Microsoft is offering a range of Cyber Monday deals on all kinds of Microsoft hardware, and we've listed the best ones here.

Does the Microsoft Store have Cyber Monday sales?

While third-party stores have their own deals on Microsoft devices, the Microsoft Store also has deals — and, they're largely excellent and will be tough to match by third-party retailers. 

How do I get the Microsoft student discount?

To get the Microsoft student discount, you'll need to access the Microsoft Store straight through the Microsoft Student and Military Discounts website, log in, then hit the Shop Now button. 

Will there be a Surface Book 3?

At this point, it's unknown as to whether or not there will be a Microsoft Surface Book 3. The device has not been officially announced, though some rumors suggest that a Surface Book 3 will be released — likely sometime in 2020.

See more Cyber Monday 2019 sales and deals

• The absolute best Cyber Monday deals of 2019
• The best tech deals of Cyber Monday 2019
• Amazon Cyber Monday deals 2019
• Target Cyber Monday deals 2019
• Walmart Cyber Monday deals 2019
• Macy's Cyber Monday deals 2019
• What is Cyber Monday? Everything you need to know

• After Black Friday and Cyber Monday kicked off the holiday shopping season, investors are betting against a number of key retailers, data from financial-analytics provider S3 Partners show.
• Investors are also betting against the entire retail industry by shorting the SPDR S&P Retail ETF. 
• 2019 has been a tough year for the retail industry. Still, shoppers spent record amounts online during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, though sales in physical stores declined. 
• Here are the top 10 retailers that investors are shorting, according to S3 Partners. 
• Read more on Business Insider. 

As the holiday shopping season ramps up after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, investors are betting against a number of big retailers. 

Online ecommerce platforms like Amazon as well as brick-and-mortar stores such as Macy's made the list of the top retail companies that investors are shorting, according to data from financial-analytics provider S3 Partners.

Beyond shorting individual companies, traders are also betting against the retail industry as a whole. On Monday, S3 data showed that short positions against the SPDR S&P Retail ETF reached 666% of the fund's available shares, the highest level since March. It's also triple its level from just a year ago. 

Pessimism around the industry is nothing new amid a rough year for retailers that brought bankruptcy filings and store closings. It's also weighed on sector stocks — the SPDR S&P Retail ETF has gained roughly 6% this year, trailing the S&P 500 index, which has gained about 23% year-to-date. 

In addition, a number of retailers reported disappointing earnings at the end of November that sent shares tumbling and put investors on high alert before the holiday shopping season. Retailers such as Home Depot, Macy's, and Kohl's all cut their full-year profit outlooks in the third quarter, signaling trouble might be ahead. 

Still, there were some bright spots on Black Friday. Target, Walmart, Costco, and BJ's dominated that day, and even though physical sales in stores declined, shoppers spent $7.4 billion online, a new record according to Adobe Analytics data. 

That trend continued on Cyber Monday, when shoppers spent a record $9.4 billion in the US, Adobe Analytics data showed.

Here are the top retailers that investors are betting against, ranked in ascending order of short interest. 

10. RH

Ticker:RH

Market Cap: Mid 

Short Interest: $1.2 billion 

% of float: 36.73% 

Source: S3 Partners

9. MercadoLibre

Ticker:MELI 

Market Cap: Large

Short Interest: $1.3 billion 

% of float: 4.93%

Source: S3 Partners

8. Macy's

Ticker:M

Market Cap: Mid

Short Interest: $1.5 billion 

% of float: 30.49% 

Source: S3 Partners

7. Carvana

Ticker: CVNA

Market Cap: Mid

Short Interest: $1.6 billion 

% of float: 35.78% 

Source: S3 Partners

6. Wayfair

Ticker:W

Market Cap: Mid 

Short Interest: $1.6 billion 

% of float: 31.33%

Source: S3 Partners

5. Target

Ticker:TGT

Market Cap: Large

Short Interest: $1.7 billion 

% of float: 2.71%

Source: S3 Partners

4. CarMax

Ticker:KMX

Market Cap: Large

Short Interest: $1.7 billion 

% of float: 11%

Source: S3 Partners

3. Booking Holdings

Ticker:BKNG

Market Cap: Large

Short Interest: $2.1 billion

% of float: 2.65%

Source: S3 Partners

2. Home Depot

Ticker: HD

Market Cap: Mega

Short Interest: $2.3 billion 

% of float: 0.95%

Source: S3 Partners

1. Amazon

Ticker:AMZN

Market Cap: Mega

Short Interest: $6.7 billion 

% of float: 0.86%

Source: S3 Partners

• As the year comes to a close, Uber Eats released a list of 2019's most popular foods and its predictions for food trends in 2020.
• Food delivery users are increasingly ordering plant-based food alternatives, vegetables, and trendy wellness food products like collagen and bone broth going into 2020.
• Foods accelerating in popularity include Brussels sprouts, kale, cauliflower, and oat milk.
• According to Jeanette Mellinger, head of Uber Eats user research, the service is seeing a "greater increase in socially conscious and health-conscious dining."
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

When it comes to late-night eats and food deliveries, a new report reveals that people are increasingly turning towards healthier or plant-based food options.

Uber Eats, one of the leading food delivery services in the world, just released its review of the most popular food and travel trends of 2019, as well as its predictions for what people will be ordering more of in 2020.

Food searches currently accelerating in popularity on Uber Eats include common vegetables like brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbage, but also more "Instagrammable" foods like star fruit and squid ink-infused foods. Plant-based alternatives like the Impossible Burger and oat milk are also seeing a surge in popularity.

"Over the last year, we've seen how important it is for people to feel good about what they eat and order, driving an even greater increase in socially conscious and health-conscious dining," said Jeanette Mellinger, head of Uber Eats user research. "What started as a trend last year has become even more mainstream, with milk and meat substitutes gaining in popularity, and eaters looking to enjoy foods that contain added health benefits — like collagen.

"And while it's always fun to see those eye-pleasing items — like starfruit and squid ink — take center stage, we've noticed a few veggie favorites are here to stay. Our customers continue to enjoy cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and Brussels sprouts, and given this healthful eating trend globally, we don't expect those to go anywhere anytime soon."

SEE ALSO: From pumpkin-spice everything to over-the-top 'freakshakes,' here are 15 food trends we hope die in the next decade

Star fruit, or carambola, is gaining popularity as we head in to 2020.

In a food culture fueled by Instagram, aesthetically pleasing foods can quickly rise in popularity. Not only does star fruit make for a great social media picture, but the tart fruit also has a number of benefits. Healthline reports that star fruit is low in calories, an excellent source of fiber and vitamin C, and has been shown to reduce fatty liver risk and cholesterol in mice.

Dishes containing squid ink are tempting foodies worldwide.

A number of different food items involving squid ink have recently hit the market, including squid-ink burger buns and pasta. The ink is said to add a slightly salty, briny taste to dishes, and may reduce blood pressure or have other positive benefits. Research, however, is mixed and not substantial enough to prove any real health benefits.

Adding collagen powders to smoothies, coffee, and tea is touted as the newest wellness trend to promote healthy, glowing skin.

This year, Google searches for collagen reached an all-time high, with the market for beauty supplements growing exponentially in the US. This year, the US saw a 61% increase in beauty supplement sales, under which collagen would be classified.

Reishi mushrooms, which can be eaten whole or made into tea, are attracting consumers with their potential immune system benefits.

Reishi mushrooms have long been a staple in Eastern medicine, but people have increasingly been ordering items with the ingredient on Uber Eats. 

Keto food options are also experiencing a surge in popularity as people embrace a low-carb lifestyle.

The ketogenic, or "keto," diet has seen a surge in popularity over the last few years. As more people turn towards the low-carb way of eating, keto diet foods are increasing in popularity as well. According to Mordor Intelligence, the global ketogenic diet food market is projected to grow by 5.3% between the years 2019 and 2024.

Brussels sprouts are also rising in popularity.

Though brussels sprouts have gotten a bad rep in years past, foodies now are absolutely loving the vegetable — and increased sales year after year are proving it.

"Brussels are undergoing a renaissance," Jacob Shafer, a spokesman for Mann's, told Vegetable Growers News. "The rise is, in some ways, connected to recent research stating Brussels sprouts are as rich a source of many nutrients compared with kale."

Healthy foods like kale, cabbage, and farro are also getting more popular.

Health foods and organic products are expected to increase in popularity as we approach 2020. According to Market Watch, the health and wellness food market is expected to see a growth rate of 5.7% between now and 2024.

Uber Eats reported a rise in cauliflower orders after cauliflower gnocchi and pizza crusts took over the food scene in 2019 — a trend that's expected to continue.

Called the new "cash crop" for grocery stores, cauliflower has exploded in popularity in the past couple of years and isn't expected to wane any time soon. Cauliflower gnocchi, pizza crust, and other grain or starch alternatives are rising in popularity as people attempt to cut carbs from their diets.

"Products that contain cauliflower are experiencing faster growth in sales than their overall categories. It's driving growth across all foods," a Nielsen spokesperson told The New York Times. "A growing number of food companies are capitalizing on the trend by using vegetables to replace popular carbs in things like rice and flour. Consumers are opting for cauliflower in particular because of versatility and relatively mild flavor, using it to make an array of recipes that have spread across social media."

Asian dishes like pho, udon, and kimchi, a Korean cabbage dish, are seeing a surge in popularity as we head in to 2020.

People are turning towards Asian cuisine in 2020 in increasing numbers. Vietnamese dishes like pho and banh mi sandwiches are expected to increase in popularity, as is Japanese udon and Korean kimchi.

Asian dishes tend to be high in protein and the use of rice noodles is more common, perhaps leading consumers to view the cuisine as a more health-conscious option.

Harissa has been called "the new sriracha," and it's quickly gaining popularity.

Harissa, a hot chili pepper paste, saw a rise in popularity between 2014 and 2015, when Time named it one of 2015's food trends. Uber Eats now reports that people are increasingly ordering dishes with harissa as we head into 2020, indicating the spicy sauce may be making a comeback.

Bone broth is one of the latest health-conscious food trends to hit the market, and online food orderers are catching on.

A staple of the paleo diet, which saw a huge surge in popularity throughout the decade, bone broth is thought to have a number of health benefits. The liquid rich in collagen is thought to reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, strengthen bones, and promote healthy hair and skin.

Ginger is also a popular ingredient, perhaps due to its natural health benefits.

Ginger is known to have a number of health benefits, perhaps leading to a rise in online food orders containing the ingredient. According to a report by Transparency Market Research, the global ginger market is expected to gain revenue worth $4.18 billion by the end of 2022, and experience a growth rate of 6.5% from 2017 to 2022.

Hummus is also gaining in popularity.

The market for chickpeas, the main ingredient used for hummus, grew at a rate of 6.5% between 2014 and 2018, according to Market Watch. Demand for Middle Eastern and ethnic cuisines is reportedly increasing as we head into 2020, with orders for hummus accelerating as we begin the next decade.

Impossible Burgers and other meat alternatives are becoming more popular as we head into the next decade.

One of the most buzzy food items of 2019 is continuing to gain momentum in online orders as we head into 2020. Impossible Burger products have become the most popular items in grocery stores across the country, and they are also popular on late-night delivery apps like Uber Eats.

The Impossible Burger is currently available at a number of fast-food establishments such as Burger King and White Castle, giving even more people access to the plant-based alternative. 

Consumers are increasingly turning to nondairy milk alternatives like oat milk.

As more companies race to release their own nondairy milk alternatives, it's no wonder that online orders for oat milk are on the rise. According to Marketplace, 2019 sales of oat milk in the US have skyrocketed to $29 million, up from $4.4 million in 2017.

Oat milk company Oatly is largely credited for starting the oat milk craze. Between 2017 and 2018, the company's revenue grew from $1.5 million to more than $15 million, and that was expected to double in 2019. 

The popularity of cold brew is also expected to continue in the new decade.

The popularity of cold brew has "soared" in recent years, according to CNBC. Cold beverage sales make up half of coffee retailer Starbucks' US sales, and the company has released two new cold brew beverages in the last year alone — the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, its first new pumpkin coffee drink since the release of the highly popular pumpkin spiced latte in 2003, and the brand new Irish Cream Cold Brew, which launched December 3. 

Datassential, in collaboration with CNBC, also reports that cold brew now appears on 7.3% of US menus, up 356% over the last four years.

• Read more:
• I compared breakfast burritos from 5 fast-food chains and Taco Bell's were the best by far
• Taco Bell is launching chicken tenders in a move to compete with Popeyes and Chick-fil-A
• I compared kid's meals from major fast-food chains and found Chick-fil-A and Wendy's easily defeated McDonald's iconic Happy Meal
• KFC's new Nashville Hot Chicken and Waffles blows the regular version out of the water

• We ranked the most dominant athletes of the 2010s.
• We didn't use a formula, just a subjective ranking based on individual success and accolades, team success, and intangibles.
• Check out the 41 most dominant athletes of the decade below.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

With the end of the 2010s upon us, we've ranked the most dominant athletes of the decade.

What was most astonishing in making this list is the sheer number of athletes who have become fixtures at the top of their sports and just how consistent the world's best competitors have been — some of these stars on their second decade of dominance.

Whittling down this list to 41 athletes was no easy feat. We didn't use any formula. We followed a subjective method, judging domination on individual success and accolades, team success, and an intangible sense of influence and command over a sport.

Check out our list of the 41 most dominant athletes of the decade below:

Some honorable mentions (in no particular order): Max Scherzer, Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Conor McGregor, Chloe Kim, Maya Moore, Alex Hannold, Gwen Jorgensen, Sebastian Vettel, Julio Jones, Manny Pacquiao, Allyson Felix, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe.

Alan Dawson and Barnaby Lane contributed to this report.

41. Jimmie Johnson

NASCAR driver

Age: 44

How he dominated the decade: Johnson has been one of the most consistent drivers in NASCAR over the last two decades, even if he has slowed down in recent years, with Kyle Busch closing out the decade strong. Since 2010, Johnson has had 36 wins and 110 top-five finishes. His seven NASCAR Cup Series championships tie him for most all-time with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt. Johnson announced he would retire at the end of the 2020 season. — Scott Davis

40. Demetrious Johnson

MMA fighter

Age: 33

How he dominated the decade: Demetrious Johnson lacks the name value of athletes like Ronda Rousey or Conor McGregor, but while those two trailblazers were excellent for a brief window, the 33-year-old American wrestler has been dominant the entire decade. "Mighty Mouse" won the inaugural UFC flyweight championship in 2012, defended it 11 times, and is regarded by the UFC commentator Joe Rogan as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time. After losing the flyweight championship to Henry Cejudo in 2018, Johnson left UFC and moved to ONE Championship in Asia. In his third fight, he won the ONE Championship flyweight grand-prix. — Alan Dawson

39. Elena Delle Donne

WNBA forward

Age: 30

How she dominated the decade: Elena Delle Donne has been among the WNBA's brightest stars since she joined the league in 2013. Since then, she's been named to six All-Star teams and four All-WNBA First Teams, and she's only improved with time. 2019 was a banner year for the 6-foot-5 sharpshooter as she secured her first WNBA championship and second WNBA MVP award while becoming the first player in the league's 23-year history to join the esteemed 50-40-90 club. She'll start the next decade mining for gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after having dominated the field with Team USA four years ago in Rio de Janeiro. — Meredith Cash

38. Mikaela Shiffrin

Alpine skier

Age: 24

How she dominated the decade: Shiffrin is already one of the most decorated alpine skiers of all-time, and she's not yet 25. She is already second all-time in World Cup wins, with 62, trailing only Lindsey Vonn's 82 wins. She also owns six World Championship medals and three Olympic medals, her first coming at Sochi 2014 when she became the youngest Olympic slalom champion in history. Often winning her races by large margins, there's a sense that the best is yet to come for Shiffrin, who is on pace to shatter records. — Scott Davis

37. Drew Brees

NFL quarterback

Age: 40

How he dominated the decade: From finishing high school with only two Division I scholarship offers to falling to the second round of the NFL draft, Drew Brees started as an underdog at every level of his playing career. His success in the pros didn't entirely kick in until he joined the New Orleans Saints as a free agent in 2006, but the rest is history. Since moving to the Big Easy, Brees has accrued more touchdowns, passing yards, and 300-yard games than any other quarterback in the NFL while leading the Saints to six playoff appearances in the decade. He also owns the league's career pass completions, career completion percentage, and career passing yards records, the latter of which he broke in 2018. To top it all off, Brees led the Saints to their first-ever Super Bowl victory in 2010 and earned MVP accolades for his efforts. — Meredith Cash

36. Chris Froome

Cyclist

Age: 34

How he dominated the decade: Froome has dominated in a sport where individual dominance is not common. Froome won the Tour de France four times (2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017), but had success elsewhere, too, winning the Vuelta a España twice (2011 and 2017) and the Giro d'Italia once (in 2018), completing one of the strongest two-year runs ever. He also owns two Olympic bronze medals. A crash early in 2019 ended his year, but he'll look to rebound in 2020. — Scott Davis

35. Jordan Spieth

Golfer

Age: 26

How he dominated the decade: Spieth's 2015 season remains one of the best in golf: five wins, two majors (U.S. Open and Masters), second in the PGA Championship, $10 million in PGA Tour winnings, and the PGA Tour Player of the Year. Spieth hasn't reached those Tiger-esque heights since, but it's not as if it's been all bad — he's had 15 top-three finishes and 30 top-10 finishes since 2016. A golfer renowned for his touch in an age of power, Spieth remains a threat in every tournament, even if he hasn't recaptured his 2015 magic. — Scott Davis

34. Marit Bjorgen

Cross-country skier

Age: 39

How she dominated the decade: In a sport as grueling as cross-country skiing, sustained greatness takes discipline, and through the past 10 years, Marit Bjørgen was unmatched in her field. Beginning in the 2010 season, Bjørgen never finished outside of the top five in the overall World Cup. Add in 15 Olympic medals, including eight golds, and it's clear that Bjørgen's decade was one for the history books. — Tyler Lauletta

33. Russell Wilson

NFL quarterback

Age: 31

How he dominated the decade: If not for Tom Brady's unprecedented run of success, we'd likely be discussing Russell Wilson as the most dominant player of his generation. Since entering the league in 2012, Wilson has started every game for the Seahawks, has never had a losing record with the team and led Seattle to its first Super Bowl win. With a consistent track record and a knack for saving his most miraculous plays for the most dramatic moments, there's no other quarterback quite like Wilson. — Tyler Lauletta

32. Patrick Kane

NHL wing

Age: 31

How he dominated the decade: The face of the Chicago Blackhawks' reign over the NHL, Patrick Kane has been a dominant force on the ice since he was drafted in 2007. He brought the Stanley Cup back to the Windy City in 2010, 2013, and 2015 but peaked during the 2016 season, when he won the Art Ross Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award, and Hart Memorial Trophy. That year, he was also named to the NHL's First All-Star Team — one of three times he's achieved the feat this decade. Kane has appeared in seven All-Star games since 2010, and his star is still burning as bright as ever, as he's made the list in each of the past five years. — Meredith Cash

31. Inbee Park

Golfer

Age: 31

How she dominated the decade: No woman has dominated the sport of golf quite like Inbee Park has over the past 10 years. The South Korean dynamo has held the top spot in the Women's World Golf Rankings on four separate occasions throughout the decade for a total of 106 weeks, or more than two years cumulatively. She's won seven major championships in her career, six of which came between 2013 and 2015. In 2013, she became the fourth player on the LPGA Tour to win three such tournaments in a calendar year. Park won the LPGA Championship in 2013, 2014, and 2015, becoming just the second women's golfer to win three consecutive championships. Add a Grand Slam and an Olympic gold medal to her resumé, and you'll understand why Park is often considered one of the best in the game. — Meredith Cash

30. Brooks Koepka

Golfer

Age: 29

How he dominated the decade: Brooks Koepka is only a few years into his reign of dominance, but he's winning the biggest tournaments his sport has to offer at a rate that is impossible to ignore. Beginning at the 2017 U.S. Open, Koepka went on a streak that saw him win three of six majors played. Since the start of 2018, he's competed in seven majors, won three of them, and finished in the top five three more times. In an individual sport, such a run is rare, but Koepka makes it look easy. — Tyler Lauletta

29. Mo Farah

Long-distance runner

Age: 36

How he dominated the decade: The greatest British distance runner and one of the best British athletes ever, Farah won back-to-back gold medals in the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, becoming the second person ever to do so. He also took home six World Championship medals, four of them gold, from 2011-2017. In 2017, he switched to marathon running and set the British record at the 2018 London Marathon and then won the Chicago Marathon. He didn't perform as well in 2019, but he recently announced he wants to switch back to the track to compete at Tokyo 2020. — Scott Davis

28. Carli Lloyd

Soccer forward

Age: 37

How she dominated the decade: During the most dominant period in the US women's national team's history, Carli Lloyd has been arguably the most dominant player on the pitch. In this decade, the Delran, New Jersey, native has twice been named FIFA Player of the Year, won two FIFA Women's World Cup championships, and twice headlined the United States' Olympic roster. Throughout her international career, Lloyd has made more than 280 appearances for the USWNT, placing her third in caps and has accrued the fourth-most goals and seventh-most assists in the team's history. — Meredith Cash

27. Martin Fourcade

Biathlete

Age: 31

How he dominated the decade: While you might not know him by name, Martin Fourcade has dominated his sport like few others. The French biathlete won an astounding seven consecutive World Cups between 2012-2018, a stretch during which he never won less than seven races in a season. He won medals at three Olympics, including five golds, second only to Norway's Ole Einar Bjørndalen. — Tyler Lauletta

26. Canelo Alvarez

Boxer

Age: 29

How he dominated the decade: Saul "Canelo" Alvarez is a top-three consensus pound-for-pound athlete in boxing today, mostly thanks to his growing body of work. He has scored victories from junior middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight, and light heavyweight. At one point, Canelo held world titles in three different weight classes at the same time, in the late 2010s. The only blemish on his record is a 2013 defeat to Floyd Mayweather, but since then, he is unbeaten in 12 fights, winning 11 (six by knockout). Only 29, you can expect him to maintain that dominance for another five years yet, extending his current record of 53 wins even higher. — Alan Dawson

25. Marta

Soccer forward

Age: 33

How she dominated the decade: One of the best women's soccer stars to ever play the game, Marta became the first player of either gender to score in five different World Cups at the 2019 World Cup in France. Her 17 career World Cup goals are more than any man or woman in the sport's history. The Brazilian forward, dubbed "Pelé in skirts" by Pelé himself, played for various club teams in Sweden from 2012-2017 before joining the Orlando Pride and dominating the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). — Meredith Cash

24. Rory McIlroy

Golfer

Age: 30

How he dominated the decade: Over the past 10 years, no golfer has been a more consistent presence at the top of the leaderboard than Rory McIlroy. With four major wins and 14 more top-10 finishes, McIlroy is regularly one of the highest-earning players in the sport and is a threat to take down any tournament in which he plays. Dating back to 2009, he's finished in the top 10 of at least one major every season. — Tyler Lauletta

23. Aaron Rodgers

NFL quarterback

Age: 36

How he dominated the decade: Rodgers authored some of the most stunning moments on the football field in the 2010s, from Hail Marys, to game-winning drives, to the type of unbelievable throws recreated in backyard football. Since 2010, Rodgers owns the best touchdown percentage, interception percentage, and passer rating among quarterbacks who have made at least 50 starts. Injuries and a lack of team success in recent years have taken some shine off of his legacy, but for most of the decade, Rodgers was in rare air: the type of player who could win his team a game each week because nobody else could top him. — Scott Davis

22. Kohei Uchimura

Gymnast

Age: 30

How he dominated the decade: Regarded as the greatest male gymnast ever, Uchimura has taken home seven Olympic medals and 21 world championship medals. Thirteen of those medals are golds. Injuries in 2018 ended his ten-year reign as the world all-around champion, which included two full Olympic cycles. Uchimura has been so dominant that when his streak ended, he said, "This gives me a sample of something I haven't tasted up to this point."— Scott Davis

21. Alex Ovechkin

NHL wing

Age: 34

How he dominated the decade: Alex Ovechkin has been the most dominant scorer on skates for years. Since 2010, he's led the NHL in goals seven times, and in 2018, led the Washington Capitals to their first Stanley Cup. — Tyler Lauletta

20. Katie Ledecky

Swimmer

Age: 22

How she dominated the decade: From 2012 to 2019, Ledecky has been almost untouchable in the pool, winning five Olympic golds, 14 world championship golds, and breaking her own world records over and over. The best freestyler in the world, it hasn't been an uncommon sight to see Ledecky win so handily that she was celebrating before the other swimmers even finished. The sports world eagerly awaits her performance at Tokyo 2020. — Scott Davis

19. Mike Trout

MLB center fielder

Age: 28

How he dominated the decade: Baseball is a summer-long slog that can break even the most brilliant athletes the sport has to offer, but for Mike Trout, every game is just another day at the office. Not a season has gone by since 2012 that Trout didn't lead the league in at least one major statistical category, be it runs, RBIs, slugging, or OBP.  In his eight full seasons in the majors, Trout has won three MVP awards and finished second in voting four more times. He's never been lower than fourth. — Tyler Lauletta

18. Stephen Curry

NBA guard

Age: 31

How he dominated the decade: Perhaps no other athlete affected their actual sport like Curry did in the 2010s. Curry has reshaped basketball as we know it, literally turning the game inside out. The threat of Curry pulling up from 30 feet and raining three-pointers revolutionized offenses and defenses in the NBA. In the process, Curry racked up quite a resume with the Golden State Warriors: three championships, two MVPs, the first-ever unanimous MVP, six All-Star selections, six All-NBA selections, and a then-record-breaking $201 million contract. It pays to change the game. — Scott Davis

17. Kevin Durant

NBA forward

Age: 31

How he dominated the decade: This decade saw Kevin Durant challenge for the title of the best player in the game. The 31-year-old became a two-time NBA champion and two-time Finals MVP with the Golden State Warriors, but he's dominated the league throughout the decade. Durant has been an NBA All-Star in every year since 2010 and has led the NBA in scoring during four seasons in that span. In 2013, Durant joined the illustrious 50-40-90 club, and in the following year, he was named the league's MVP. He's also won two Olympic gold medals with the United States national team. — Meredith Cash

16. Lewis Hamilton

Formula One driver

Age: 34

How he dominated the decade: One of the greatest drivers in the history of Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton is nearly impossible to catch on the track. Hamilton is a six-time world champion, having won five of the past six titles, and has never finished a season lower than fifth since joining F1 in 2007. — Tyler Lauletta

15. Novak Djokovic

Tennis player

Age: 32

How he dominated the decade: Djokovic's decade was a series of peaks and valleys, with the peaks ranking among the highest ever in tennis. In 2015, Djokovic ruled over the "Big Three," winning three slams and an astounding 11 titles. After a slump in 2017, he rebounded in 2018 by winning two more slams and reclaiming the world No. 1. He continued in 2019, winning the Australian Open and beating Roger Federer in a legendary duel at Wimbledon. Perhaps the hardest man to score on in tennis, Djokovic has won eight of the last 20 grand slams, and his age will give him a chance to break Federer's slams record. — Scott Davis

14. Usain Bolt

Sprinter

Age: 33

How he dominated the decade: The title of "Fastest Man Alive" is one of the most sought-after in all of sport, elevating its holder to something closer to a superhero than merely an athlete. For three straight Summer Olympics, Usain Bolt proved to the world that no one could move through space faster, taking home golds in the 100 meters, 200, and 4x100 in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. No athlete has ever lived up to their name quite like him. — Tyler Lauletta

13. Floyd Mayweather

Boxer

Age: 42

How he dominated the decade: Canelo Alvarez and Manny Pacquiao may feature prominently in lists ranking the best boxers of the 2010s, but Floyd Mayweather has something they don't — higher-profile victories. Mayweather was not as active as his rivals, but still outclassed and dominated Canelo and Pacquiao, amongst others. He was rarely troubled, maintains one of the most impressive plus/minus Compubox records (punches landed against punches taken), and perfected the art of hit while not getting hit. Mayweather fought 10 times in the 2010s, eight of which were world title fights, and made a billion dollars in total career prize money. He bowed out of the sport in 2017, after carrying Conor McGregor 10 rounds. — Alan Dawson

12. Diana Taurasi

WNBA guard

Age: 37

How she dominated the decade: Diana Taurasi, dubbed "White Mamba" by Kobe Bryant, is widely considered the greatest basketball player in the women's game. In her 15 years with the Phoenix Mercury, Taurasi has won three WNBA championships, a league MVP award, two Finals MVP awards, and five scoring titles. She dominated the last 10 years at both the WNBA and international levels, earning two Olympic gold medals and three FIBA World Cups in addition to the 2014 WNBA championship and dual scoring titles in 2010 and 2011. Taurasi has been a WNBA All-Star and an All-WNBA First-Teamer five times this decade. And, in June of 2017, the shooting guard inked another line in the WNBA history books by becoming the league's all-time leading scorer. — Meredith Cash

11. Sidney Crosby

NHL center

Age:

How he dominated the decade: From 2009 to today, Crosby leads all NHL players in total points. It's a clean way of looking at perhaps the most well-rounded player in the game over the last decade. Crosby has numerous other individual accolades in that time — two Conn Smythe trophies, two Ted Lindsay trophies, and a Hart Memorial trophy. However, his team success has been just as great with two Stanley Cups and a playoff appearance each season. There hasn't been a more consistent force in hockey. — Scott Davis

10. Rafael Nadal

Tennis player

Age: 33

How he dominated the decade: In what will be remembered as the greatest stretch of men's tennis in the history of the sport, Rafael Nadal was an absolute force. Known as the "King of Clay," Nadal dominated at Roland-Garros, winning eight of the 10 French Open titles this decade. At 33, Nadal's reign is still going strong, having reached the final four of his past four Grand Slam appearances and entering the 2020 season as the reigning French Open and U.S, Open Champion. — Tyler Lauletta

9. Clayton Kershaw

MLB pitcher

Age: 31

How he dominated the decade: No player in baseball was more consistently infuriating to his opposition than Clayton Kershaw. At a position that almost demands a few momentary lapses due to sheer volume, Kershaw proved consistently unhittable, pitch after pitch, inning after inning, game after game. This decade, Kershaw won the NL MVP (2011), Cy Young three times (2011, 2013, 2014), finished in the top three in Cy Young voting three other times, and led the league in ERA five times. While he's yet to shake his postseason blues, Kershaw's decade-long reign as the best pitcher in baseball is unmatched. — Tyler Lauletta

8. Simone Biles

Gymnast

Age: 22

How she dominated the decade: Simone Biles has won 25 world medals in her career, more than any other gymnast in the history of the sport. With five Olympic medals to boot and more to come at Tokyo 2020, Biles has become the face of gymnastics. No athlete has commanded the throne of any sport in nearly as dominant a fashion as Biles, who regularly takes down her opponents by unprecedented margins. The Tokyo Olympics will undoubtedly serve as her victory lap as the greatest gymnast of all-time. — Meredith Cash

7. Cristiano Ronaldo

Soccer forward

Age: 34

How he dominated the decade: Cristiano Ronaldo plays soccer like he was built in a laboratory. Impossibly fast, imposingly strong, and with a right foot like a traction engine, the Portuguese international has been one of the sport's top two players alongside Lionel Messi over the past two decades. He's won everything there is to win in spells with Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Portugal, including five Ballon d'Or awards, and a record four European Golden Shoes. At 34, he's still going strong, with no signs of slowing down any time soon. — Barnaby Lane

6. Michael Phelps

Swimmer

Age: 34

How he dominated the decade: For the average sports fan, Michael Phelps resurfaced every four years, but no other athlete shined in those spare moments as Phelps did. With a body practically designed for the sport, Phelps dominated the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, racking up an astounding 12 medals, nine of which were golds. Phelps briefly retired mid-decade, then took a break following a DUI arrest, but returned to the pool for Rio 2016 and set an Olympic medal record. A fitting swan song — unless he has something left in the tank for Tokyo 2020. — Scott Davis

5. Lionel Messi

Soccer striker

Age: 32

How he dominated the decade: Lionel Messi is the most celebrated soccer player of the modern generation, if not all time. The Argentine magician has dazzled fans across the world for the past 15 years while playing for FC Barcelona and his country — a period in which he's scored an astonishing 575 goals and won 23 major honors. Accolades and eye for goal aside, to quote former England star Ray Hudson: "They say all men are equal in god's eyes. This player makes you seriously think about those words."— Barnaby Lane

4. Roger Federer

Tennis player

Age: 38

How he dominated the decade: Many athletes dominate with force; Roger Federer dominates with grace. Every serve, return, and movement seems so effortless with Federer, even as he's aged well past the point when many tennis players can compete for titles. But the ease with which Federer plays on the court belies a fiery competitiveness that has allowed him to stake his claim as the greatest men's tennis player ever: five slams this decade, 42 titles since 2010, and a record 20 slams overall. If Federer has lost a step as he enters his third decade as a pro, it hardly shows. — Scott Davis

3. Tom Brady

NFL quarterback

Age: 42

How he dominated the decade: Since 2010, only three teams in the NFL have not played in the Wild Card round of the playoffs — the Browns, Buccaneers, and New England Patriots. Tom Brady's dominance has broken the sport — NFL dynasties are supposed to be fleeting, but somehow the Patriots have now reached two decades as the de facto best team in football. At 42 years old, it's doubtful Brady has another decade of production left in him, but he'll go down in history as the best to ever play the game. — Tyler Lauletta

2. Serena Williams

Tennis player

Age: 38

How she dominated the decade: The greatest tennis player in the history of the game, Serena Williams has won 23 Grand Slam titles in her career — more than any man or woman to step on the court. Additionally, Williams has won 14 women's doubles and two mixed doubles Grand Slams in her career. She's been ranked No. 1 by the World Tennis Association on eight separate occasions and tied Steffi Graf's record-setting 186-week run in the top spot from February 2013 to September 2016. Her final major win — the 2017 Australian Open — came while she was pregnant with her daughter, Olympia. Since making her return the following year, Williams has appeared in both the Wimbledon and US Open finals on two occasions, but lost in all four showings. She has twice been the reigning champion of all the major tournaments at the same time, otherwise known as the "Serena Slam."— Meredith Cash

1. LeBron James

NBA forward

Age: 34

How he dominated the decade: LeBron James' decade-defining achievement was a run of eight straight Finals appearances, with three championships, highlighted by a 3-1 comeback over the Golden State Warriors to bring Cleveland one of the most meaningful titles in sports history. Along the way, James became the most consistent force in basketball, a 6-foot-8 blend of power and grace, able to bend each game to his will. Basketball historians will one day marvel at the fact that James, from 2009-10 to 2019-20, averaged remarkable 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game, a stat line that is unmatched by any other player in that span, yet still undersells James' impact.

He rang in the 2010s with his shocking "Decision" to join the Miami Heat, creating an era of player empowerment that still resonates today. He has changed teams twice since, played on unprecedented year-to-year contracts to maximize his earnings, and become a force unto himself in sports, both on and off the court. Perhaps most remarkably, James, turning 35 in late December, enters the 2020s in near-peak form, with the ability to add more to his legacy. — Scott Davis

• Google Photos is Google's photo app, which offers free unlimited storage. 
• Now, Google Photos will have a messaging feature within the app, creating an easier way to share photos.
• The company has a history of creating and later abandoning messaging services, but this one might be useful enough to stick around.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Google just made it easier to share within Google Photos while simultaneously launching a new messaging service.

Google Photos will now have a native messaging feature where users can send each other individual photos and respond in a thread. Previously, the only way to share within the app was to create a shared album with a single photo, so this update streamlines that process.

The person receiving the photo must have a Google account, but they're free and quick to create, if for some reason you want to send a photo to someone without an account. Of course, there's still the option to send over text, iMessage, or email.

Google has created several other chat services that were abandoned, combined, or discontinued. There was GChat, Google Buzz, Google Wave, and Allo, all of which no longer exist. But the ability to send photos within Google Photos — and see what others say about them in a thread — feels like the kind of feature that might have a better chance of sticking around.

The update was announced Tuesday, and will roll out to all users over the next week. Here's how to use it.

SEE ALSO: Apple designed a custom trophy for the first Apple Music Awards

In the app, you will see all your photos organized by day.

I selected one from a hockey game over Thanksgiving weekend to try sending via the new messaging feature.

When you select a photo, you'll have the option to send it outside of Google Photos like you always could, or you can send to contacts who also have Google Photos accounts.

You can add a message that will send along with the photo in the thread.

I tried sending and receiving a few pictures to test it out. Here's what a thread within Google Photos looks like when you receive a photo.

All users should be able to access this feature within a week.

• If you're looking for an affordable gift for her, look no further than this list of over 50 options under $50.
• Whether for the holidays, a birthday, or just because, she'll love any of these thoughtful picks.
• See 84 cool and unique gifts for her— from classic cashmere sweaters to monthly wine subscriptions

Gift-giving isn't always easy, though it seems like it would be. Just buy them something that aligns with their interests, right? Eh, it's not always so simple. If she's interested in tech, there are a million options to choose from. Same goes for beauty products, kitchen gadgets, books, subscriptions, and so on.

So, then, whom to trust for recommendations? 

Considering that our jobs as product reviewers include discovering, testing out, and knowing where to shop for everything from new tech gadgets to skin-care products to useful kitchen accessories, I'd say we're pretty good resources for all things gift-related.

Whether you're looking for the perfect gift for your sister, mom, partner, or otherwise, we've put together a list of over 50 great gifts under $50 that we think she'll love, no matter the occasion. And in case you're shopping for a last-minute gift, most of these items are available with expedited shipping, and some should arrive within a few days' time.

Top 5 affordable gifts for her:

1. A cold brew coffee maker to improve her mornings, $17
2. A travel pillow that's easy to pack, $18
3. A 3-month Birchbox beauty subscription, $50
4. An ultra-popular cookbook by Alison Roman, $24
5. The perfect T-shirt, $18

More gift ideas for her, all under $50:

A Kindle case that looks like her favorite book

KleverCase Kindle Paperwhite Case, available on Amazon, $24.95

You'll find many classic book covers cleverly printed onto Kindle cases, along with one that looks like an unmarked leather-bound book. All she has to do is pop it on her e-reader.

An all-purpose tote with a detachable wristlet

Street Level Reversible Faux Leather Tote and Wristlet, available at Nordstrom, $50

Your first thought may be that a plain tote is sort of a boring gift — but hear us out! This one is reversible and features a detachable wristlet, which basically means you're getting three different bags for $50. It's a utilitarian gift with a fashion-friendly twist.

A clever attachment that holds her AirPods

Elago AirPods Wrist Fit Adapter, available on Amazon, $8.49

The frustrating thing about using AirPods is figuring out where to store them. This small attachment goes around any watch's wristband and features two grippy holes that hold each Airpod.

A subscription to Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime gift subscription, three months, $39

Amazon Prime opens up a whole new world of access, be it to fast two-day shipping or any of the other 27-plus perks you'll get with a membership. If you know she doesn't have one yet, this is a smart gift — but in the case she does, she'll get to use the $39 on anything she wants or needs from the site.

A massager to melt away tension

Zyllion Shiatsu Massager, available on Amazon, $44.95

This shiatsu massager is, to date, one of the best things I've ever bought. It kneads away tension and stress in the back and shoulders, and can even be used on sore leg muscles after a workout. She'll be thanking you for years to come.

A highly coveted candle

Diptyque Baies Candle, available at Nordstrom, from $36

Diptyque candles are about as chic and beloved as they come among candle lovers. The Baies scent is the company's signature, with warming and sophisticated notes of rose and blackcurrant. This candle is best gifted to partners or very good friends. 

A relaxing Himalayan salt lamp

Himalayan Glow Large Salt Lamp, available on Amazon, $16.97

There's nothing quite as calming as the warm glow of a pink salt lamp. This sits on my list of all-time best gifts I've ever received — turning it on each night creates a relaxing vibe in my living room and helps me let go of the day's stress.

An inexpensive accessory for her phone

PopSockets, available on Amazon, from $9.97 for plain and $10.99 for diamond (pictured)

PopSocket Grips are an inexpensive but extremely useful gift she'll be happy to have. She can pop them on the back of her phone, Kindle, iPad, or any other device to create a comfortable grip that allows her to hold her device one-handed.

A perfume subscription

Scentbird subscription, three months for $44

If she loves to switch up her scents, Scentbird is an affordable service that lets her choose a month's supply of perfume from thousands of well-known and new fragrances. With a three-month subscription, she can switch it up each month or stick to the ones she knows and loves.

A monthly book subscription

Book of the Month, three months, starting at $49.99

Each month, this service curates five book choices — some of them early release — from which she'll choose her favorite. The service will send the book directly to her, and she can also skip a month if she's behind on her reading.

A kit to make her favorite drink at home

Bubble Tea Kit, available at Uncommon Goods, $35

If she's a bubble tea fiend, she'll be happy to know that it's actually not that hard to make at home. This kit provides everything she'll need, including a wide straw, boba pearls, and loose-leaf teas.

An Alexa-enabled smart plug

Alexa-Enabled Smart Plug, available on Amazon, $24.99

Among Amazon's much-anticipated new releases was this voice-controlled smart plug, which allows her to control lights, chargers, and whatever else she wants through Alexa simply by plugging her devices into these outlets. She can also just use the Alexa app to turn the outlets on and off if she doesn't have an Echo or want to use her voice.

Socks that'll definitely make her giggle

Bob Ross Happy Little Tree Socks, available on Amazon, $11.89

A classic cast-iron skillet

Lodge 10.25-Inch Cast Iron Skillet, available on Amazon, $14.88

If she loves to cook and doesn't already have one, a cast iron skillet is a must-have in the kitchen. In the case that she does already have one, add to her collection with a reversible cast iron griddle and grill pan instead.

A letter board she can leave notes or cute phrases on

Felt Like Sharing Felt Letter Board, available on Amazon, $23.95

Sporting events, holidays, parties — there are a ton of occasions during which these come in handy, but she'll love being able to play around with it day to day at home with her favorite lyrics, phrases, or even messages to roommates. Choose from tons of felt colors (I'm partial to the light blue; it's the one I use at home!). 

A pretty place to keep her phone

Bedside Smartphone Vase, available at Uncommon Goods, $32

This bedside vase is a fun way to spruce up her night stand, whether with fresh or faux flowers. It also works beautifully in the kitchen if she likes to follow recipes using her phone.

A comfy tee that goes with everything

The Box Cut Pocket Tee, available at Everlane, $18

Skip the boring pajamas — get her something she'll want to wear every day. This cozy short-sleeve T-shirt from Everlane is as great for running errands as it is for wearing to work, depending on how she styles it. It also comes in a few other color options. 

A spiritual and spatial cleansing kit for the home

Catherine Rising Large Incense + Crystal Bundle, available at Urban Outfitters, $28.00

Burning incense can create a calming environment at home. This kit is an especially sweet gift for someone who's just moved into a new apartment or house, or just that one friend who's really into energy and spirituality. It includes a Palo Santo incense stick, dried flowers, and a crystal. 

Tassel earrings to liven up any outfit

BaubleBar Granita Beaded Tassel Earrings, available at Nordstrom, $38

This popular pair of tassel earrings are beloved for their many color options and ability to elevate even the most basic jeans and T-shirt look.

A wine saver for open bottles

Vacu Vin Wine Saver, available on Amazon, $11.89

Sometimes you just can't finish the bottle of wine. That's when the Vacu Vin comes in. It's a simple, small gadget that removes the oxygen from your open bottle and gives it an airtight seal to preserve the freshness and prevent oxidation.

A custom phone case with photos of you together

Custom Phone Case, available at Casetify, from $29.95

Upload all your favorite photos together (or choose any other sort of theme) to create the ultimate personalized gift. You can choose pretty much any model of phone, and organize the photos in a ton of different layouts.

A cold brew maker

Takeya Patented Deluxe Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker, available on Amazon, $16.99

Caffeine lovers who can't get enough of their favorite drink tend to spend a lot of money at coffee shops to get their fix. Make it easier for her to drink cold brew at home with this simple-to-use brewing pitcher. Read a full review here from one of our reporters who swears by this one.

A popular cookbook she's probably seen on Instagram

Dining In: Highly Cookable Recipes, available on Amazon, $23.59

Whether she's new to the kitchen or it's her favorite room in the house, Alison Roman's fan-favorite cookbook will guide her through tons of easy-to-make recipes with thoughtful and fascinating new twists.

A portable external battery

Anker PowerCore 10,000mAh External Battery, available on Amazon, $25.99

A good external battery is one of those practical gifts she probably needs but won't buy herself. Treat her to a good one that holds enough juice to charge her iPhone three times, or her Galaxy twice over.

A compact set of gardening accessories

Gardener's Tool Seat, available at Uncommon Goods, $40

Whether she has a plot at a community garden in the city or her very own vegetable garden in her backyard, this compact set of tools and a comfy stool are easy for her to carry around and store (plus they detach).

A puzzle of her heroines

Nevertheless She Persisted Puzzle, available at Uncommon Goods, $18

This puzzle features illustrations of both prominent and lesser-known women who have shaped and changed the course of history.

A candle that reminds her of home

Homesick Candles, available at Uncommon Goods, $30

If she lives far away from her home state, this Homesick candle is the perfect way to keep her feeling connected. Each state's candle is scented based on the local signatures and common scents of the region. Read a full review from one of our editors who loves these candles.

A flexible herb garden for the home

Mason Jar Indoor Herb Garden, available at Uncommon Goods, $20

These mason jar planters can be set up in so many ways — from the window sill to the kitchen counter. They're great for anyone who loves cooking with fresh herbs, especially if they live in cold climates where their outdoor herb gardens don't grow for half the year.

A way for her to share and pass down memories and traditions

My Life Story So Far, available at Uncommon Goods, $30

This book is sort of like a guided journal for her to record her memories, accomplishments, and experiences. No matter her age, it's something she'll undoubtedly enjoy keeping track of and sharing with others.

A natural travel skincare kit

Herbivore Hydrate and Glow Natural Skincare Mini Collection, available at Sephora, $39

If she's into natural beauty, chances are she already loves Herbivore's products. This mini skincare collection has all the essentials she'll need at home or on the road.

A tablet for easy entertainment

Fire 7 Tablet with Alexa, available on Amazon, $49.99

Great for traveling or lounging at home, the Amazon Fire 7 Tablet is an affordable way to stay connected to all her favorite apps, games, and streaming services on a larger screen than what her phone has to offer.

A plush, cozy throw

Kennebunk Bliss Plush Throw, available at Nordstrom, $39.50

There's nothing quite like wrapping yourself up in a warm, snuggly blanket on a cold night in. This plush throw comes in a ton of colors to match any decor.

A fashion-friendly belt bag

Steve Madden Quilted Belt Bag, available at Nordstrom, $25

Belt bags (aka fanny packs) are making a comeback, and we're not mad about it. They're convenient, practical, and a simple way to add a stylish pop to any outfit.

An excellent cookbook for entertainers

Platters and Boards: Beautiful, Casual Spreads for Every Occasion, available on Amazon, $22.46

If having people over is more of a pleasure than a chore for her, she'll adore this cookbook full of clever recipe ideas for casual entertaining.

A map to keep track of her travels

Scratch Map, available at Uncommon Goods, $26-$40

Help her track her adventures with a scratch-off world map — or supplement a bigger surprise by scratching off the location you plan to take her to if you have a trip on the rise.

A smart way for her to stay organized while traveling

Travel Cord Roll, available at Uncommon Goods, $20

Frequent travelers need a way to keep all their cords and cables organized. This leather roll-up organizer has eight slots for cords and headphones plus a pouch where your charger base can fit.

A wireless and waterproof speaker

VicTsing Wireless Waterproof Speaker, available on Amazon, $23.99

A favorite of Amazon shoppers, this water-resistant, portable Bluetooth speaker works for everything from her daily shower concert to a trip to the beach. If you need any extra convincing, it's rated nearly four-and-a-half stars out of five from almost 7,000 shoppers.

A wintry candle in a reusable blown glass vessel

Lafco Feu de Bois candle, available on Amazon, $42.00

Lafco candles are some of the most intentionally designed and developed that you'll ever come across — from the hand-blown glass that makes up the reusable container, to the soy wax base that took the founder and his team years to perfect. Every scent Lafco makes is phenomenal, but the Feu de Bois (which smells warm and wintry like a burning fire) is a seasonal favorite. I highly recommend this one for in-laws and parents you'd like to impress.

A simple knitting kit for beginners

Braille Beanie Knitting Kit, available at We Are Knitters, $49

Whether she's new to knitting or a long-time pro, this crafty beanie kit has everything she needs — from the yarn, to the needles, and of course, the instructions.

A clever way to collect accomplishments and hopes

Birthstone Wishing Balls, available at Uncommon Goods, $32

These wishing balls come with a strip of paper for every week in the year on which she can write everything from her hopes and dreams to the things she's proud of accomplishing over the past seven days. You don't have to go for her birthstone — you could easily just choose her favorite color.

A comfy neck pillow for trains and planes

Trtl Neck Pillow, available on Amazon, $17.99

If she travels a lot (or has bad travel anxiety), the gift of comfort is one she'll undoubtedly appreciate. This is the one our travel writer swears by — you can read his review here.

A guide full of inspiration for her future adventures

The Bucket List, available at Anthropologie ($35) and Amazon ($21.20)

This worldwide bucket list won't cure her wanderlust, but it'll definitely provide her inspiration and fodder for planning her travels.

A set of tinted lip balms

Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment, available at Nordstrom, $24

If her beauty preferences tend to be more on the natural side, it's likely she loves a good tinted lip balm. Fresh makes some of the best — the color options are universally flattering and the easy, and the formula is smooth, hydrating, and buttery.

A dainty pair of hoops that are anything but average

Shooting Star Open Hoop Earrings, available at Maison Miru, $39

It seems like everyone on our team has a pair of these open hoops. Their horseshoe shape is just different enough to set them apart, while a tiny, twinkly cubic zirconia catches the light just enough to add a bit of sparkle.

A customizable box of candy for adults

Four-Piece Candy Bento Box, available at Sugarfina, $36

Satisfy her sweet tooth with a custom box of candy. Sugarfina's candies are distinctly "adult"— but she'll still feel like a kid when she digs into a box of rosé gummies.

An armband that holds her phone on runs or at the gym

Tribe Water-Resistant Arm Band, available on Amazon, $7.50

If she loves to run or spends a lot of time at the gym, this top-rated arm band will definitely be a lifesaver for her. Just make sure you know what model phone she carries as you may have to check different brands for different phone sizes. 

A makeup and skincare subscription

Birchbox three month gift subscription, $50

Birchbox is a skincare and makeup subscription that sends tons of beauty samples for her to test out and play around with. If she loves any of them, she can easily buy the full-sized version through the service. You can opt to give a longer subscription if you'd like. 

A picture frame for Instax Mini photos

Polaroid Cube Picture Frame, available at Urban Outfitters, $16

This cube picture frame is meant to hold photos from a Polaroid camera, but even if neither of you have one, it would still be a sweet gift to print out some photos of you together in the proper dimensions. 

The newest Amazon Echo Dot

Echo Dot, available on Amazon, $22

Give her home a smart tech upgrade with a new Echo Dot. It's outfitted with Alexa, who can answer questions about the weather or traffic, play music, and even tell you the news.

A convenient yoga mat carrier

Manduka Go Play Yoga Mat Bag, available on Amazon, from $24

If she's a fitness enthusiast who frequents local yoga classes, a carrying strap will make her life much easier (especially if she walks or takes the subway to her class). Pair this gift with a grippy, cushioned yoga mat starting at $40.

An adjustable rolling pin

Joseph Joseph Adjustable Rolling Pin, available on Amazon, $23.10

Anyone who loves to bake will appreciate this adjustable rolling pin that allows for more precision in the thickness of dough. All she'll have to do is remove or add the different sized rings and let them guide her.

Looking for more gift ideas? We've got you covered.

• Our master list of every gift guide you'll ever need
• 50 creative gift ideas under $25
• 50 thoughtful gift ideas under $50
• 76 clever gift ideas under $100
• 44 cool stocking stuffers on Amazon
• 26 affordable tech gifts under $25
• 39 beauty gift sets that don't feel lazy
• 65 cool gifts for him on Amazon

• Heading into Week 14, the playoff race is heating up.
• As things stand, five teams are tied atop the NFL with a 10-2 record, with a mess of teams just behind them ready to leap into the top tier.
• Check out where all 32 teams stand below.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

There are just four weeks remaining in the NFL regular season, and the competition at the top of the league could not be tighter.

Five teams — the Saints, Ravens, Seahawks, Patriots, and 49ers — sport a record of 10-2, and are likely locks for the playoffs, though the fight for a bye week remains fierce. Below them is a hodgepodge of teams that could either fall of the grid or make a run at the top of their conference through their final four games.

With so little football left to be played, the race for the postseason will only continue to heat up. Check out where all 32 teams stand in our power rankings below.

32. New York Giants

Record: 2-10

Last week: 31st

Week 13 result: Lost to the Packers, 31-13

Week 14 opponent: at Philadelphia Eagles

One thing to know: The Giants have now lost eight straight games, having not won since a Week 4 home game against Washington. The New York Mets have a more recent win than Daniel Jones and company.

31. Cincinnati Bengals

Record: 1-11

Last week: 32nd

Week 13 result: Beat the Jets, 22-6

Week 14 opponent: at Cleveland Browns

One thing to know: The Bengals picked up their first win of the season, allowing just two field goals to a Jets offense that had scored 34 points in each of their last three games.

30. Washington Redskins

Record: 3-9

Last week: 30th

Week 13 result: Beat the Panthers, 29-21

Week 14 opponent: at Green Bay Packers

One thing to know: Washington has now won two straight games thanks in part to a huge day from running back Derrius Guice. After his selfie debacle in their win over the Lions, rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins was sure to be on the field to take the final kneel-downs for his team this past Sunday.

29. New York Jets

Record: 4-8

Last week: 21st

Week 13 result: Lost to the Bengals, 22-6

Week 14 opponent: vs. Miami Dolphins

One thing to know: The usage of Le'Veon Bell, the Jets' $13-million-a-year running back, has been a mystery. In Week 13, Bell had just 10 carries, and since Week 8, he is 11th among running backs in total touches, a surprising number for a highly paid player.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars

Record: 4-8

Last week: 27th

Week 13 result: Lost to the Buccaneers, 28-11

Week 14 opponent: vs. Los Angeles Chargers

One thing to know: After turnovers on their first three possessions, the Jaguars decided to bench quarterback Nick Foles in favor of rookie Gardner Minshew, who had played well in Foles' previous absence. Minshew is now likely the starter for the rest of the season, leaving Jacksonville with an expensive decision to make this offseason.

27. Arizona Cardinals

Record: 3-8-1

Last week: 24th

Week 13 result: Lost to the Rams, 34-7

Week 14 opponent: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

One thing to know: The Cardinals have lost five straight. Over that stretch, they've played some of the best run defenses (49ers, twice, Bucs, Rams) and have had trouble running the ball, putting more pressure on Kyler Murray. 

26. Miami Dolphins

Record: 3-9

Last week: 29th

Week 13 result: Beat the Eagles, 37-31

Week 14 opponent: at New York Jets

One thing to know: The Miami Dolphins were once a threat to go 0-16, but in recent weeks have shown plenty of fight, including pulling off the trick play of the year against a flustered Eagles defense. Credit to head coach Brian Flores for keeping his players focused and motivated despite their poor start to the year.

25. Atlanta Falcons

Record: 3-9

Last week: 25th

Week 13 result: Lost to the Saints, 26-18

Week 14 opponent: vs. Carolina Panthers

One thing to know: Kicker Younghoe Koo was the star of Week 13, as he nailed three straight onside kicks (one of which was called back because of a penalty) and gave the Falcons a chance at an improbable comeback. Unfortunately, Atlanta's offense couldn't capitalize.

24. Detroit Lions

Record: 3-8-1

Last week: 26th

Week 13 result: Lost to the Bears, 24-20

Week 14 opponent: at Minnesota Vikings

One thing to know: Undrafted rookie David Blough made his NFL debut on Thanksgiving day against the Bears, and almost pulled off a miracle. With fellow backup Jeff Driskel heading to the IR, Blough is the likely starter in Detroit for the remainder of the season.

23. Los Angeles Chargers

Record: 4-8

Last week: 20th

Week 13 result: Lost to the Broncos, 23-20

Week 14 opponent: at Jacksonville Jaguars

One thing to know: The Chargers are 4-8 and have a positive point-differential of +3, better than 15 other teams. The Chargers continue to lose like no other team in the league.

22. Denver Broncos

Record: 4-8

Last week: 28th

Week 13 result: Beat the Chargers, 23-20

Week 14 opponent: at Houston Texans

One thing to know: Drew Lock got the first win of his career on Sunday in his debut against the Los Angeles Chargers thanks to a 53-yard field goal from Brandon McManus as time expired. Have the Broncos finally found their quarterback?

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Record: 5-7

Last week: 23rd

Week 13 result: Beat the Jaguars, 28-11

Week 14 opponent: vs. Indianapolis Colts

One thing to know: Fantasy owners must be frustrated with Bruce Arians. Less than a month after naming Ronald Jones the starting running back, Arians benched Jones for missing a blitz pickup. Peyton Barber instead got 17 carries for 44 yards and 2 touchdowns.

20. Cleveland Browns

Record: 5-7

Last week: 16th

Week 13 result: Lost to the Steelers, 20-13

Week 14 opponent: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

One thing to know: Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens caught flak over the weekend after being pictured wearing a shirt that read "Pittsburgh started it," about the brawl between the teams just two weeks ago. On Sunday, the Steelers responded with some shirts of their own and went on to win the rematch 20-13.

19. Carolina Panthers

Record: 5-7

Last week: 17th

Week 13 result: Lost to Washington, 29-21

Week 14 opponent: at Atlanta Falcons

One thing to know: While a lot of attention goes to Kyle Allen's struggles, the Panthers defense is perhaps more responsible for a bad Week 13 loss to Washington. Carolina's league-worst run defense allowed Derrius Guice and Adrian Peterson to combine for 228 yards and 3 touchdowns on just 23 carries.

18. Oakland Raiders

Record: 6-6

Last week: 18th

Week 13 result: Lost to the Chiefs, 40-9

Week 14 opponent: vs. Tennessee Titans

One thing to know: After a surprisingly successful start to the season, the Raiders have fallen apart in the past few weeks, outscored 74-12 against the Chiefs and Jets in their past two games. Hopefully, a trip back home to Oakland will cure the Raiders woes.

17. Indianapolis Colts

Record: 6-6

Last week: 12th

Week 13 result: Lost to the Titans, 31-17

Week 14 opponent: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

One thing to know: Jacoby Brissett has not been as sharp since returning from an injury in Week 11. Over his last three games, he's completed nearly 63% of his passes, but for just 596 yards, 6.4 yards per attempt, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. The Colts are 1-2 since he's returned.

16. Chicago Bears

Record: 6-6

Last week: 19th

Week 13 result: Beat the Lions, 24-20

Week 14 opponent: vs. Dallas Cowboys

One thing to know: With their win against the Lions, the Bears are still alive for a spot in the postseason, but they'll have to win games against the Cowboys, Packers, and Chiefs in the coming weeks if they're to make a run. Best of luck!

15. Philadelphia Eagles

Record: 5-7

Last week: 15th

Week 13 result: Lost to the Dolphins, 37-31

Week 14 opponent: vs. New York Giants

One thing to know: The Eagles' loss to the Dolphins was among the worst for any playoff-hopeful team has had all year. Philadelphia has lost three in a row but has managed to stay in the playoff race because the Cowboys have also lost three of four.

14. Dallas Cowboys

Record: 6-6

Last week: 10th

Week 13 result: Lost to the Bills, 26-15

Week 14 opponent: at Chicago Bears

One thing to know: Jerry Jones was reportedly in tears coming out of the Cowboys locker room after their Thanksgiving loss to the Bills. If Dallas doesn't turn things around soon, it's likely head coach Jason Garrett will be looking for a new gig next season.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers

Record: 7-5

Last week: 13th

Week 13 result: Beat the Browns, 20-13

Week 14 opponent: at Arizona Cardinals

One thing to know: Few would have guessed when Ben Roethlisberger went down in Week 2 that the Steelers would be in the thick of the playoff race with a quarterback named Duck Hodges under center, but here they are. Credit Mike Tomlin and a ferocious defense for keeping the season alive. 

12. Los Angeles Rams

Record: 7-5

Last week: 14th

Week 13 result: Beat the Cardinals, 34-7

Week 14 opponent: vs. Seattle Seahawks

One thing to know: After a season of lackluster starts, the Los Angeles Rams finally looked like the team that dominated the NFL last season en route to a Super Bowl berth, with Jared Goff throwing for 323 in the first half alone. With the Seahawks and 49ers battling atop the NFC West, the Rams will have to keep that momentum rolling if they hope to steal the second wild-card spot in the conference.

11. Tennessee Titans

Record: 7-5

Last week: 11th

Week 13 result: Beat the Colts, 31-17

Week 14 opponent: at Oakland Raiders

One thing to know: The Titans have won five of their last six and look like a scary team to face in the AFC Wild Card. Perhaps most impressively, they have averaged 29.6 points per game over that stretch after averaging just 16.3 over their first six games.

10. Kansas City Chiefs

Record: 8-4

Last week: 7th

Week 13 result: Beat the Raiders, 40-9

Week 14 opponent: at New England Patriots

One thing to know: With the Chiefs win against the Raiders on Sunday, head coach Andy Reid moved to an impressive 18-3 record in games following his team's bye week. If you're playing against Kansas City, you better hope he doesn't have extra time to prepare.

9. Buffalo Bills

Record: 9-3

Last week: 8th

Week 13 result: Beat the Cowboys, 24-15

Week 14 opponent: vs. Baltimore Ravens

One thing to know: The Bills picked up perhaps their most impressive win of the season by going on the road, on a short week, and beating the Cowboys. The Bills are just one game out of the division lead, but face a tough schedule the rest of the way.

8. Minnesota Vikings

Record: 8-4

Last week: 6th

Week 13 result: Lost to the Seahawks, 37-30

Week 14 opponent: vs. Detroit Lions

One thing to know: The Vikings are still alive in the NFC playoff race, but down the stretch, they'll need to get healthy, particularly on offense, as Adam Thielen missed Week 13 and Dalvin Cook is now battling a shoulder injury.

7. Houston Texans

Record: 8-4

Last week: 9th

Week 13 result: Beat the Patriots, 28-22

Week 14 opponent: vs. Denver Broncos

One thing to know: Deshaun Watson was clearly delighted to have finally bested Tom Brady is his third attempt to take down the Patriots. "As far as big wins, honestly, it's pretty big," Watson said after the game. "Really, just because it's Brady ... That's my role model, a guy that's been doing it forever."

6. New England Patriots

Record: 10-2

Last week: 3rd

Week 13 result: Lost to the Texans, 28-22

Week 14 opponent: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

One thing to know: This was the first Patriots loss in a while that felt troubling. Their offense continues to underwhelm (they scored some late touchdowns to make it look closer than it was), as Tom Brady continues to look like a 42-year-old with nearly 10,000 career pass attempts. How much can the defense carry the team?

5. Green Bay Packers

Record: 9-3

Last week: 7th

Week 13 result: Beat the Giants, 31-13

Week 14 opponent: vs. Washington Redskins

One thing to know: With the Vikings losing on Monday night to the Seahawks, the Packers have a clear path to the NFC North title. Still, to ensure they don't have to play during wild-card weekend, Green Bay will likely need to win at Minnesota in Week 16.

4. New Orleans Saints

Record: 10-2

Last week: 5th

Week 13 result: Beat the Falcons, 26-18

Week 14 opponent: vs. San Francisco 49ers

One thing to know: The Saints' Week 14 showdown with the 49ers is a compelling matchup. The Saints look like one of the most well-rounded teams in football, but they've climbed to a 10-2 record against a mostly easy schedule. Are they ready to beat the No. 1 team in the NFC?

3. San Francisco 49ers

Record: 10-2

Last week: 2nd

Week 13 result: Lost to the Ravens, 20-17

Week 14 opponent: at New Orleans Saints

One thing to know: The 49ers have lost just two times this season, with the Ravens and Seahawks both besting them with the help of a game-winning field goal as time expires. But even though they've never trailed with one second remaining in the fourth quarter, San Francisco would be a wild card team if the season ended today.

2. Seattle Seahawks

Record: 10-2

Last week: 4th

Week 13 result: Beat the Vikings, 37-30

Week 14 opponent: at Los Angeles Rams

One thing to know: Seattle currently holds the top spot in the NFC West thanks to their head-to-head win over San Francisco. That said, a Week 17 rematch against the 49ers could be the deciding game for both the division and a first-round bye in the postseason.

1. Baltimore Ravens

Record: 10-2

Last week: 1st

Week 13 result: Beat the 49ers, 20-17

Week 14 opponent: at Buffalo Bills

One thing to know: On a day when the 49ers mostly stifled Lamar Jackson and the Ravens' pass game (Jackson still had 101 rushing yards), Justin Tucker came through, hitting a 49-yard, game-winning field goal. The Ravens have won eight in a row.

Now check out our picks for the best NFL plays of the decade...

The 19 greatest NFL plays of the decade

• The US Navy's $22.2 billion contract for 9 Virginia-class attack submarines is the largest shipbuilding contract in the service's history.
• In 2018, the Navy commissioned the nuclear-powered USS Indiana (SSN 789), a Block III submarine in the Virginia-class. Check out the images below to see what it's like aboard the Indiana.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The US Navy awarded a contract to General Dynamics Electric Boat to build its Block V Virginia-class submarines, Navy Times reported Monday. The contract to build nine boats is worth $22.2 billion, the largest-ever shipbuilding contract awarded by the Navy.

Block V subs are just the latest group of the Virginia-class subs, and all but one will triple the Tomahawk missile load of other ships in the fleet with the Virginia Payload Module.

While it'll be years before the Block V ships set sail, the US Navy commissioned one Block III Virginia-class in February, the USS South Dakota (SSN 790) and is set to commission another next year, the USS Delaware (SSN 791).

In 2018, the Navy commissioned the nuclear-powered USS Indiana (SSN 789), the fourth Navy vessel named after the state of Indiana and the Navy's sixteenth Virginia-class submarine, entered service on September 29, 2018, at a commissioning ceremony in Port Canaveral, Florida.

"Indiana is a flexible, multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, delivery of Special Operations Forces (SOF), strike warfare, irregular warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and mine warfare," the Navy said in a press statement.

Check it out below. 

(Some of the following photos have already been released, but Business Insider was able to get a few unpublished photos of the torpedo room and more from Submarine Force Atlantic.) 

SEE ALSO: We took a rare tour of the USS John Warner, one of the US Navy's most dangerous warships

SEE ALSO: This is how Navy SEALs swim out of a submerged submarine

SEE ALSO: We toured the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, which can house 75 aircraft (but doesn't have urinals)

The Indiana is the sixteenth commissioned Virginia-class fast attack submarine, and the sixth commissioned Virginia-class Block III submarine.

Virginia-class submarines are developed in blocks, with each block having slightly different specifications than other blocks. 

The Indiana is 377 feet long, 34 feet wide, about 7,800 tons when submerged, and has a 140-person crew. It also has a top speed of about 28 mph.

Source: US Navy

Here's a shot of the bow, and the two large-diameter Virginia Payload Tubes. Each tube can launch six Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Here's mission control, which was purposely blurred as the room is highly classified. The sonar monitors are along the top right, while the fire control monitors are to the left (not shown), and navigation is in back.

Here's a close-up of the navigation computer.

One of the newest features on Virginia-class submarines are advanced periscopes, which are called photonics mast. They can be pulled up on any monitor in the submarine, and on the Indiana, are operated by XBOX controllers. 

And here's the helm, which is also blurred because of the classified nature of mission control.

This is the office of the chief of the boat, the top enlisted on a submarine. The countermeasure launcher is in the background with red tags.

This is the torpedo room. The Indiana is armed with 2,000-pound Mark 48 Advanced Capability torpedoes, which can travel at more than 50 mph on their way to targets. These are some of the most fearsome torpedoes in the world.

Here's a close-up of the launcher.

You can watch sailors load one of the torpedoes in the video below (starting about minute three).

Some of the enlisted submariners have their bunks in the torpedo room.

A stateroom like this one, which is occupied by officers, offers more privacy than other berthing areas.

And here's the chow hall, the largest open space in the ship.

Finally, watch the Indiana in motion below.

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Daniel Brown wrote an earlier version of this article.

• The College Football Playoff is rapidly approaching, and while we don't quite have a handle on who will make the four-team slate, the field of potential contenders is dwindling.
• The committee is set to release its fifth College Football Playoff rankings of the season Tuesday night, and major losses from the Alabama Crimson Tide and Minnesota Golden Gophers have further narrowed down the field.
• As of now, LSU, Clemson, and Ohio State appear to have a solid hold on playoff spots, but a handful of strong one-loss squads are still very much alive and looking to snatch up the final postseason bid.
• Check out where the last 8 contenders stand heading into Week 15 of the season.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

8. Wisconsin Badgers

Record (AP rank): 10-2 (10)

Last week's result: Beat Minnesota 38-17

Last week's playoff rank: 12

Key games remaining: Big Ten title game

The outlook: After taking down the Minnesota Golden Gophers on the road for Paul Bunyan's Axe, the Wisconsin Badgers are faced with the tough task of toppling the Ohio State Buckeyes for the Big Ten title. Even if the Badgers win and LSU and Clemson win out, the committee will pit their resume against the Pac-12 and Big 12 champions — both of whom would only have one loss compared to Wisconsin's two. A two-loss squad has never made the playoff, but the Badgers may make history here.

7. Baylor Bears

Record (AP rank): 11-1 (8)

Last week's result: Beat Kansas 61-6

Last week's playoff rank: 9

Key games remaining: Big 12 title game

The outlook: After creaming the hapless Kansas Jayhawks on the road this weekend, the Baylor Bears are in control of their destiny for the College Football Playoff. If the Bears manage to take down Jalen Hurts and the Oklahoma Sooners in the Big 12 championship Saturday and LSU wins out, they'll have a fairly compelling case to snag the final spot in the playoff. Still, they'll be pitted against whichever squad wins the Pac-12 title for a slot in the College Football Playoff.

6. Utah Utes

Record (AP rank): 11-1 (5)

Last week's result: Beat Colorado 45-15

Last week's playoff rank: 6

Key games remaining: Pac-12 title game

The outlook: The Utah Utes' lone loss to the USC Trojans earlier this season may wind up being the major factor holding them back from their first College Football Playoff appearance. Still, if Georgia loses to LSU in the SEC championship game, there's an argument to be made that Utah has a stronger case to take the last spot than Oklahoma. Still, that reality is contingent upon the Utes taking down the Oregon Ducks in extravagant fashion — it'll likely take a double-digit victory for Utah to slide in.

5. Georgia Bulldogs

Record (AP rank): 11-1 (4)

Last week's result: Beat Georgia Tech 52-7

Last week's playoff rank: 4

Key games remaining: SEC title game

The outlook: The Georgia Bulldogs walloped Georgia Tech Saturday for bragging rights in the Peach State, and now they control their fate for the future. If they beat LSU in the SEC championship game, they'll likely snag the fourth and final spot in the College Football Playoff. If they lose, they'll play in the Sugar or Orange Bowl. Georgia's defense is well equipped to handle Joe Burrow and the second-ranked LSU offense. Still, the Bulldogs' already low-scoring offense could struggle without receivers Lawrence Cager and George Pickens, who are out due to injury and a half-game suspension, respectively.

4. Oklahoma Sooners

Record (AP rank): 11-1 (6)

Last week's result: Beat Oklahoma State 34-16

Last week's playoff rank: 7

Key games remaining: Big 12 title game

The outlook: In an ironic and unexpected twist, quarterback Jalen Hurts looks primed to break into the College Football Playoff while his former team, the Alabama Crimson Tide, watch from home for the first time in the College Football Playoff's history. The Oklahoma Sooners have a single loss on the season heading into their date with the Baylor Bears for the Big 12 title. If Hurts leads Oklahoma to victory and Clemson, LSU, and Ohio State all win out, the playoff picture will be relatively straightforward.

3. Clemson Tigers

Record (AP rank): 12-0 (3)

Last week's result: Beat South Carolina 38-3

Last week's playoff rank: 3

Key games remaining: ACC title game

The outlook: Clemson has been so dominant in dismantling opponent after opponent each week that head coach Dabo Swinney believes his team is being disrespected with its No. 3 ranking in the AP Poll and College Football Playoff rankings. Still, barring an unfathomable loss to the Virginia Cavaliers in the ACC championship game, the Tigers appear destined to make the College Football Playoff for a fifth consecutive year.

2. LSU Tigers

Record (AP rank): 12-0 (1)

Last week's result: Beat Texas A&M 50-7

Last week's playoff rank: 2

Key games remaining: SEC title game

The outlook: There's no question that LSU is elite. There's a legitimate case for Joe Burrow and the Tigers to reclaim the top spot in the College Football Playoff rankings after they decimated Texas A&M at Death Valley Saturday. Still, they've certainly cinched their playoff spot either way. They'll take on the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC championship game Saturday with a chance to enter the playoff with a flawless record.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

Record (AP rank): 12-0 (2)

Last week's result: Beat Michigan 56-27

Last week's playoff rank: 1

Key games remaining: Big Ten title game

The outlook: Ohio State walked into the Big House Saturday with the confidence and charisma of the No. 1 team in the nation and walked out with a lock on a spot in the college football playoff. The Buckeyes blew out rival Michigan — their eighth straight win in "The Game"—  to remain perfect on the season. With running back J.K. Dobbins rushing for four touchdowns and quarterback Justin Fields throwing for four of his own, it doesn't appear that the Ohio State juggernaut will break down anytime soon. Ryan Day's squad will take on the Wisconsin Badgers for the Big Ten championship Saturday. Still, if history repeats itself from their regular-season matchup, the Buckeyes are poised to win big.

Now check out the most memorable college basketball players of the decade:

The 17 most memorable college basketball players of the decade

• From the New York Toy Fair to the TTPM's (Toys, tots, pets, and more) holiday showcase, I looked at and previewed hundreds of toys throughout the year.
• The unboxing trend is even bigger this year with the popularity of last year's L.O.L. Surprise dolls and more variations on the Hatchimals brand. 
• From "Avengers: Endgame" figures to singing dolls from "Frozen 2," keep reading to see what kids will want this holiday.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

L.O.L. Surprise is still one of the most sought-after toys and this year it's bigger than before with a 2-in-1 glamper.

If you're not familiar with L.O.L. Surprise, it was one of the biggest toys of 2018, too. Typically, they come in small capsules to reveal small dolls with clothing and accessories. The toy is all about the unboxing experience with everything ornately wrapped in individual packaging.

The L.O.L. Surprise 2-in-1 Glamper comes with over 55 surprises for kids to open. The bus unpacks to become three feet wide and two-feet tall. Kids will spend a lot of time just unpackaging and exploring every nook and cranny the extended bus has to offer. If you're looking for a more affordable alternative to the Barbie dreamhouse, this is the way to go as the glamper has bunk beds, a bathroom, a pool that lights up, and more. 

Price: $99 and up
Ages: 6-10
Where to find it:Amazon, Target

Any kid who has seen "Avengers: Endgame" is going to want their own Infinity Gauntlet.

Out of everything you could have from "Avengers: Endgame," this is it. Who doesn't want to pretend to be Bruce Banner or Tony Stark and save the world from Thanos? You can press the Infinity stone in the center for the gauntlet to light up and make sounds. 

If you're an adult, or want something more realistic, you can get a more detailed, wearable version for yourself for $70.

Price: $19.99
Ages: 5 and up
Where to find it:Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy

You can't have an Infinity Gauntlet without the actual Avengers.

If you're playing out scenes from the highest-grossing movie of all time, you're going to need the characters that were in the film. 

Hasbro's Legends series figures are a little pricier, but I think they look more authentic and accurate to the characters than some of the other larger figures available for kids. If a child is younger, you can always hold onto some of the smaller pieces so they can just play with the action figure.

The downside: You can't purchase Bro Thor or Hulk by themselves. You need to buy six other figures, including Iron Man and Captain America to build Bro Thor. You have to buy another seven to build Hulk from "Endgame."

ShopDisney has an alternative, more affordable set, with 20 of the "Endgame" characters for $40. The downside is that they're not poseable. 

Price: $19.99 - $44 each
Ages: 3+
Where to find Captain America: Amazon
Where to find Iron Man:Amazon
Where to find Pepper Potts: Amazon
Where to find Valkyrie:Amazon
Where to find Hawkeye:Amazon

Hasbro's Anna and Elsa dolls sing two of the new songs from "Frozen 2."

"Frozen 2" is definitely going to be popular after having the best opening for an animated movie in November. If you can't get some of the sequel's songs out of your head, each of these dolls sings 30-second clips from new songs in the Disney animated feature.

The Elsa doll sings part of "Into the Unknown," while Anna sings "The Next Right Thing." The dolls also light up as they sing and have removable boots. Unfortunately, they're sold separately. 

Price: $19.99
Ages: 3+
Where to find Anna: Amazon, Target, Walmart
Where to find Elsa: Amazon, Target, Walmart

The $200 Ultimate Arendelle Castle is five feet tall and is anticipated to be one of the most popular toys this holiday.

The new "Frozen 2" castle has seven rooms, including a throne room with a moving carpet, a music room, kitchen, and 14 accessories ranging from a vanity to a piano. Olaf has his own little tower at the top.

The castle was predicted to be one of the most sought-after toys this holiday season at the TTPM showcase I attended in September. 

Price: $179 - $199.99
Ages: 3+
Where to find it: Amazon, Target, Walmart

Hatchimals' hatching Toothless is something any "How to Train Your Dragon" fan will want.

The miniature Toothless was one of the cutest things I saw at Toy Fair in February and small enough to easily tote around.

Kids get to hatch their own baby dragon by hugging or tapping on it until it comes out. Once he breaks out of the shell, the little Toothless makes noises, moves his wings and ears, and his eyes light up. If you hold his belly for a bit, his mouth will glow to give a plasma blast. The little guy also comes with a toy fish you can feed to him. 

Price: $49.99
Ages: 5 and up
Where to find them:Amazon, Target, Walmart

The Hot Wheels Colossal Crash track set is the largest track Mattel has released.

The five-foot wide playset lets you race multiple cars at the same time on a figure eight track. The playset comes with two cars which you can send along the motorized track. You can continue adding more cars to inevitably crash or you can try and master timing them so the cars cruise around the track, making for a mesmerizing spectacle. Little levers on the track let you send the cars flying into the air. 

If you're worried about the large size, I saw a demonstration of how easily it can fold up for storage. 

Price: $89
Ages: 5-10
Where to find it:Amazon, Target, Walmart

Cool Maker's Go Glam Nail Stamper provides an inexpensive way for kids to do their own home manicures.

I was asked to try out the Go Glam Nail Stamper at the New York Toy Fair in February and was impressed by how quickly and easily we were able to stamp a design onto my hands. 

I put my finger in a little machine, a stamper button was pushed, and just like that, there was a design on my nail. The stickers stayed well on your nails. I didn't have any issue with it chipping or fading away. For the price, you're able to decorate 125 nails with five different designs. That's a little over 12 manicures in total if you're decorating each nail. This is the perfect item if you're having a group of kids over for a play date.

You should be aware that you can only stamp your nails if you use the nail polish included with the kit. I've seen kits come with blue, purple, and pink polish.

Price: $19
Ages: 8+
Where to find it:Amazon, Target, Walmart

Forky was one of the break-out stars of "Toy Story 4."

If you head into any retail store, you'll find a lot of "Toy Story 4" merchandise, but you may have a tougher time finding as many Forky action figures on shelves. 

There are a few different talking versions of the popular spork, but I think the most movie-accurate one with multiple phrases is shopDisney's interactive figure. He says 12 different phrases and his little stick figure feet move up and down when you wheel him around. The coolest feature is that if you have other shopDisney "Toy Story" figures, he'll interact with them. Kids will think Woody and Forky or other characters are having real conversations.

If you're looking for a Forky with even more phrases, Target is selling a $40 version of the spork that has over 35 phrases and dances.

Price: $16.00
Ages: 3+
Where to find him:Amazon, shopDisney

Barbie takes to the skies this year in her own plane.

I feel like I see a new Barbie Dreamhouse every year and they're all pretty similar. There's some sort of pool and an elevator that goes up and down throughout the house. If it's not a house, then Barbie usually has a cool car or RV. 

This year, I was excited to find that Barbie received a massive upgrade in the form of her own jet. There's enough room for her and a friend and another seat for a pilot in the cockpit. The love is in the details here as there are overhead compartments for luggage and a snack cart that has little trays and food items. The set even comes with a puppy to bring on board because pets should also get to travel first class with Barbie. 

The best part is that the Barbie Dreamplane playset is much more affordable than any Dreamhouse.

Price: $55
Ages: 3+
Where to find it:Amazon, Target, Walmart

You have to water this toy in order to reveal your Blume doll.

Everyone wants to have the next hot unboxing experience and Skyrocket offers a fun one with Blume. Upon first glance, it looks like a potted plant. The trick is to water the top of the plant with a water can provided. In seconds, a doll will rise up out of the canister. The pot itself opens up to reveal a playset for one of 22 different dolls.

Price: $9.99
Ages: 3+
Where to find it:Amazon, Target, Walmart

The Nerf Ultra is super easy to use and can shoot darts over 100 feet.

I have fired many Nerf blasters in my day. I'm not always particularly great with my aim, but none of them was easier for me to fire than the Nerf Ultra One which purrs as you pull the trigger back and a the motorized blaster seamlessly fires nerf dart after nerf dart after nerf dart at your intended target.

If you're looking for distance, I was told the Ultra sends the soft darts up to 120 feet, which is farther than any previous Nerf blaster. For a large-sized blaster, I was equally surprised this one doesn't cost a bit more. If you're looking for fire power and something that shoots far, the Ultra will do.

Price: $49.99
Ages: 8+
Where to find it:Amazon, Target, Walmart

WowWee has the Baby Shark plush you're looking for.

Personally, I thought we were past the Baby Shark phase, but every toy convention I went to this year featured WowWee's adorable little shark crew that comes in three colors. (The mom is pink, the dad is blue, and the baby is yellow.) 

If your little one is obsessed with the Baby Shark song, you better believe this trio sings the catchy song. 

Price: $17
Ages: 2+
Where to find them:Amazon, Walmart

My Partner Pikachu will give kids their own Pokemon companion.

If you've ever wanted your own miniature Pikachu, this is for you. My Partner Pikachu reacts to your touch with sounds, movements, and lightning sounds. Pikachu's tail and cheeks also light up.

Wicked Cool Toys claims he has over 100 different reactions, but a lot of them sounded pretty similar to me. Still, I found Pikachu made for a delightful role-playing toy for kids who want to act out Pokémon quests. The little pocket monster is pretty tiny to carry around to bring on the go. If you get tired of hearing cries of "Pika Pika," there's a simple off switch to give the Pokémon (and mom and dad) a rest.

Price: $19.99
Ages: 4 and up
Where to find it:Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy

"Paw Patrol" has a new lookout tower with real sounds from the TV show.

Nickelodeon's "Paw Patrol" remains very popular with young children. I've seen firetrucks and playsets dedicated to the dogs the past few years. The newest lookout tower stands two-and-a-half feet tall.

The tower offers plenty of interactive play options for young children — from a garage that shoots out vehicles to a light-up deck. There's a working elevator and buttons that activate real sounds from the show. The main pup, Chase, can slide down a pole that wraps around the tower. The tower also has easy storage for cars in a 360-degree garage that's on the first level.

Price: $70
Ages: 3+
Where to find it:Amazon, Target, Walmart

Baby Yoda merchandise is a safe bet if you can find it.

The late contender for most-wanted toy of the holiday season is any Funko, stuffed animal, or toy of the Baby Yoda character from "The Mandalorian."

Baby Yoda Funkos and a plush from Mattel are now available for pre-order on shopDisney.com. According to Disney, both will ship starting in February 2020.

You can order the Funko here for $12.99.
An 11-inch plush from Mattel is available here for $24.99

• HBO's "Game of Thrones" ran from 2011 to 2019, and the characters on the series changed a lot in that time period. 
• Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) begins the series in a dress and ends it in a killer suit that's fit for an explorer and assassin.
• Jon Snow (Kit Harington) is first seen wearing plain clothes but during the finale, he's wearing a long cloak that's perfect for cold weather.
• Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) makes her debut in a light-blue dress, but she wraps up the finale wearing an outfit fit for a queen. 
• Warning: Major "Game of Thrones" spoilers ahead.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

After eight seasons, HBO's "Game of Thrones" finally came to a close in 2019.

And although the show certainly isn't known for having overly stylish fashions, it is known for its high production value, which has surely led to some impressive costumes over the years.

Here are the first and last looks of 20 of the most well-known "GoT" characters.

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

Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) is introduced in a way that sort of explains who she is.

First appearance: 1.1, "Winter Is Coming"

During the first episode, Arya Stark shows that she's not really one for dresses and crafts.

She is first seen learning how to sew while wearing a blue dress that has a knotted collar. Seconds later, she slipped away to be with her brothers and show off her archery skills.

By the end of the series, Arya had evolved into a warrior, an expert assassin, and explorer.

Last appearance: 8.6, "The Iron Throne"

Arya and her style are incredibly different after eight seasons. The asymmetrical shoulder pieces and dark leather suit were designed so that she would be ready and able to fight.

She's also not meant to blend in with fellow Winterfell natives or Starks with this look. 

In designing Arya's clothes for the final season, costume designer Michele Clapton said that she didn't want the character to wear the signature pelt like the other Starks because "she really isn't [one] anymore."

Clapton also told Vogue that Arya is meant to look "as if she's passing through" Winterfell. 

Brandon Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright) is first seen practicing archery with his brothers.

First appearance: 1.1, "Winter Is Coming"

Bran's costume differed from the ones his brothers were wearing in that he wore leather belts across his chest and waist, plus a single leather archery glove.

By the end of the series, Bran is royalty and his outfit reflects that.

Last appearance: 8.6, "The Iron Throne"

Bran the Broken's first outfit as King of the Six Kingdoms was made out of deep-blue velvet. To reference his dual role as The Three-Eyed Raven, there were feathers embroidered along the collar of his coat. 

We first see Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) in combat.

First appearance: 2.3, "What Is Dead May Never Die"

After handily defeating Ser Loras Tyrell in combat, Brienne of Tarth removed her bronze helmet to reveal her identity to King Renly Baratheon.

Clad in matching bronze armor and a green skirt-like garment, Brienne pledged her life to Renly and requested that she be given a place in his Kingsguard. 

By the end, Brienne is still wearing fierce armor.

Last appearance: 8.6, "The Iron Throne"

Officially knighted by Jaime Lannister, Brienne appeared on the series finale wearing upgraded bright-gold armor.

Her chest plate features Bran's raven sigil.

A sellsword from a lowborn family, Bronn (Jerome Flynn) was introduced at the Crossroads Inn.

First appearance: 1.4, "Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things"

Bronn's tattered green-and-brown outfit with an exposed sword hilt seemed to show both his status and extensive experience as a fighter, and it was what he wore most often throughout the series.

Bronn ends the series looking a lot sharper.

Last appearance: 8.6, "The Iron Throne"

Having killed the right people and made the right deals, Bronn ended the series as the Lord of Highgarden, Lord Paramount of the Reach, and King Bran's Master of Coin.

His newfound wealth could be seen in his wardrobe, with his high-quality leather doublet and well-fitted jerkin with clasps.

Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) is first spotted looking quite regal.

First appearance: 1.1, "Winter Is Coming"

We first see Cersei Lannister watching Jon Arryn's body be prepared after his death — and we see her talk to her twin brother, Jaime, about the possibility that their incestuous secret would soon be known by the world.

She wore a rose-colored gown and shawl with a golden honeycomb pattern that matched her long, blonde hair.

Cersei's final outfit is the one she dies in.

Last appearance (alive): 8.5, "The Bells"

Cersei stood on a balcony of the Red Keep and watched as Daenerys Targaryen's army and dragons destroyed her home.

She wore the same slim-fitted scarlet-red dress with gold details and a lion chain that she'd worn during previous episodes in the season, but this time she opted to take off the shoulder armor.

At first, Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) was a meek young woman who was forced to flee her homeland.

First appearance: 1.1, "Winter Is Coming"

Her flowy pink dress and long hair made her appear soft and feminine as she was bossed around and controlled by her brother, Viserys, and whoever could advance his mission.

Fortunately, she'd later get her revenge on him and take control. 

Daenerys' final look is a lot darker, and there's nothing flowy about it.

Last appearance: 8.6, "The Iron Throne"

The Mother of Dragons was in control of her body by the series finale and, for better or worse, was hardened by her experiences over the years.

Her black leather outfit looked more like Unsullied armor than it did something from a queen's wardrobe and the sharp shoulder pads and dark turtleneck seemed harsh and militant, just like the new Daenerys.

A closer look at the outfit reveals that it had dragon scales around the chest and shoulders.

Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) is first seen comforting his twin sister.

First appearance: 1.1, "Winter Is Coming"

After the poisoning death of the Hand of the King Jon Arryn, Jaime Lannister comforted his twin sister Cersei, who was nervous that Arryn may have told someone the Lannister family secret.

His first outfit, and the one he wore under his Kingsguard armor, was a long asymmetrical leather coat with tan pants and tall boots. 

In the end, a down-trodden and scruffier Jaime Lannister returned to King's Landing to be with his sister.

Last appearance (alive): 8.5, "The Bells"

During one of his final appearances, he encountered Euron Greyjoy on the beach and was forced to fight him while wearing an oxblood leather coat with leather buckles and detachable sleeves.

Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson) makes an entrance in a rather grim outfit.

First appearance: 1.1, "Winter is Coming"

The son of Cersei Lannister and (secretly) Jaime Lannister, Prince Joffrey joined his family for a trip to Winterfell on the first episode of season one.

He wore a deep-red leather coat, black gloves, and a long overcoat with a fur collar.

Joffrey dies wearing the outfit of a king.

Last appearance (alive): 4.2, "The Lion and the Rose"

While celebrating his marriage, King Joffrey openly mocks and torments Tyrion and Sansa in front of his guests. He is poisoned with the strangler and dies a violent choking death soon after.

For his last day and his post-wedding celebration, Joffrey wore a gold-and-purple brocade coat. His look is topped off with a golden crown.

At first, Jon Snow (Kit Harington) has a pretty low status — and it's reflected in his outfit.

First appearance: 1.1, "Winter Is Coming"

Jon Snow was introduced as the bastard son of Eddard Stark, which put him in an awkward position of being raised with the Stark children but not as one of them.

He was wearing the same green-and-brown outfit as his brothers (leather padded skirts, doublets, and jerkins) and the other men of Winterfell even though he didn't quite belong. 

Jon Snow's decision to join the Night's Watch had a massive effect on the rest of his life.

Last appearance: 8.6, "The Iron Throne"

Despite initially not being what he had hoped, the Night's Watch brotherhood became Jon Snow's second family.

Over the course of the series, he went beyond the Wall, rose in the ranks to commander, died, came back to life, quit, fought in several wars, and was branded a queen slayer.

All of those actions led him right back to Night's Watch and back to the black armor, furry collar, and long cloak.

Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish (Aidan Gillen) is first spotted greeting Ned Stark.

First appearance: 1.3, "Lord Snow"

Power-hungry Lord Petyr Baelish, aka Littlefinger, was there to greet Ned Stark upon his arrival at King's Landing on the third episode of the first season.

He entered the series wearing a brown tunic under a surcoat.

The surcoat had deep pleats with gold-dotted stripes and he wore a mockingbird pin on his collar to represent the sigil he chose for his house.

His final look is fairly consistent with all of his previous ones.

Last appearance: 7.7, "The Dragon and the Wolf"

During what he thinks is a trial for Arya, Littlefinger lurks in the shadows against the wall wearing a dark-colored coat of sorts with his mockingbird pin at the collar.

Costume experts have noted how his clothing stayed consistent throughout the seasons, just with added layers and thicker fabrics for when he traveled to the North.

Daughter of Lady Alerie Tyrell and Lord Mace Tyrell, Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer) entered the series as the wife of Renly Baratheon.

First appearance: 2.3, "What Is Dead May Never Die"

While watching her brother compete in Renly's tournament, Margaery Tyrell wore her house colors (green and gold) with a blue gown and gray cape.

In her final look, Margaery is still representing her house.

Last appearance: 6.10, "The Winds of Winter"

During the season-six finale, Margaery attended what was supposed to be a trial for her brother Loras and Cersei.

She wore a silver gown embossed with roses (a symbol of House Tyrell), a gray scarf, and a gold crown.

Missandei of Naath (Nathalie Emmanuel) was a slave and translator in Astapor when Daenerys and her advisers arrived looking to acquire an army.

First appearance: 3.1, "Valar Dohaeris"

Her gold-and-green pleated halterneck dress attached to a shackle around her neck. The sleeveless sheath featured a slit down the front that partially exposed parts of Missandei's chest and stomach.

Missandei is killed in her final outfit.

Last appearance: 8.4, "The Last of the Starks"

Missandei was controversially captured by Euron Greyjoy's fleet following an ambush at Blackwater Bay.

During a parlay between Cersei and Tyrion on behalf of Daenerys, Missandei was forced to stand atop a wall wearing a long green coat that's laced from the neck down.

Unlike her other costumes, Missandei's final look completely covered her midsection and arms. Much like her first costume, the character died as a prisoner in shackles.

Rickon Stark (Art Parkinson) is first seen dressed like his older brothers.

First appearance: 1.1, "Winter Is Coming"

When we met him in season one he was sitting on a horse saddle, holding a wooden sword, and wearing his cloak while he watched the others practice shooting arrows.

Rickon dies wearing an outfit fit for a Wilding.

Last appearance: 6.9, "Battle of the Bastards"

When Rickon was caught and given over to Ramsay Bolton, he was dressed more like a Wildling than a highborn Lord of Winterfell. His look was comprised of sewn-together animal pelts. 

Robb Stark (Richard Madden) makes a fairly lowkey first impression.

First appearance: 1.1, "Winter Is Coming"

The eldest Stark son and heir to Winterfell, Robb Stark flies under the radar as a character until his father is killed.

Prior to becoming the patriarch of the family, his outfits were simple and utilitarian with very few (if any) status indicators.

Like with other members of his family, he wore fur pelts in the cold, but otherwise, his clothing was a bit drab and plain.

Robb's final outfit is one he wore on his wedding day.

Last appearance (alive): 3.9, "The Rains of Castamere"

Even Robb's wedding attire was plain and not at all flashy.

The low lighting in the scene makes it hard to appreciate the little details, including Robb's embroidered sleeves, the direwolves on the tips of his cloak, and belt he wears knotted to one side.

Lord Robin Arryn (Lino Facioli) was taken from King's Landing to the Vale by his mother Lysa when his father Jon Arryn was killed.

First appearance: 1.5, "The Wolf and the Lion"

When Catelyn Stark arrived at the Eyrie with Tyrion Lannister as her prisoner, Robin Arryn was being breastfed while wearing a blue pleated cape with wings that matched his mother's green one.

By his final appearance, Robin is regal.

Last appearance: 8.6, "The Iron Throne"

After not appearing on screen for several episodes, Robin Arryn returned for the season-eight finale.

Nearly unrecognizable, Robin sat with the other world leaders while wearing a silver brocade coat with wings and a falcon pin.

Samwell Tarly (John Bradley) was forced to join the Night's Watch.

First appearance: 1.4, "Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things"

When he arrived at Castle Black, the self-proclaimed coward was made to fight while wearing a quilted brown coat and makeshift armor.

Samwell's final appearance is a testament to his wisdom.

Last appearance: 8.6, "The Iron Throne"

Having achieved his dream of becoming Grand Maester, Samwell Tarly arrived at Bran's small council meeting and delivered the newly written "A Song of Ice and Fire" book to Tyrion.

He wore a gray amorphous robe with the links he earned hanging from his neck.

The Hound (Rory McCann) rode into Winterfell during season one as security for Prince Joffrey.

First appearance: 1.1, "Winter Is Coming"

For his first appearance, Sandor "The Hound" Clegane wore a custom forged helmet in the shape of a snarling canine and a full suit of heavy black armor. 

The Hound said farewell in a less fierce outfit.

Last appearance: 8.5, "The Bells"

In the penultimate episode of "Game of Thrones," Sandor Clegane finally got the chance to face off against his brother Ser Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane in a violent and fatal battle as King's Landing crumbled and burned around them.

His studded leather top and chain-mail sleeves are all he had to protect himself against The Mountain, but he didn't exactly plan on surviving anyway. 

The first time that we saw Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner), she was learning to sew with Arya and the other girls in Winterfell.

First appearance: 1.1, "Winter Is Coming"

She wore a pale-blue dress with little white flowers embroidered on the front. It was the most color in the scene, second only to her bright-red hair. 

By the end of the series, Sansa is dressed like a queen.

Last appearance: 8.6, "The Iron Throne"

As she was named Queen of the North, Sansa wore a silver direwolf crown and a dark outfit that was overflowing with subtle but important details.

The look featured leaves from the Weirwood trees (which only grow in the North) printed on her sleeves and fish scales that reference House Tully and her mother's heritage.

Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) is first spotted wearing a flimsy tunic.

First appearance: 1.1, "Winter Is Coming"

Known for his love of women and wine, Tyrion Lannister was absent when his family first arrived in Winterfell during season one because he stopped at a brothel in a nearby town.

His first outfit was likely more of an undergarment since he's first seen in bed with a nude woman. 

Tyrion went from being a traitor and a prisoner to once again being named Hand of the King.

Last appearance: 8.6, "The Iron Throne"

For his first small council meeting with Bran, Tyrion wore what appeared to be a woven black jerkin with gold details and a matching doublet underneath. He also wore the familiar Hand of the King pin on his jacket.

Yara Greyjoy (Gemma Whelan) first wears an outfit fit for a commoner.

First appearance: 2.2, "The Night Lands"

During season two when Theon Greyjoy returned to the Iron Islands, he was greeted by a woman in a partially unlaced blue top and no armor.

He mistook for a commoner but later learned that she was his sister, Yara Greyjoy, Commander of the Black Wind and last surviving child of Balon Greyjoy.  

As the Lady of the Iron Islands, Yara Greyjoy attended the meeting at the Dragonpit where Bran was named King.

Last appearance: 8.6, "The Iron Throne"

She represented Pike and the iron-born wearing a long blue-green coat, leather pants, and breastplate armor. 

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