• Niseko is an up-and-coming hotspot located on Japan's northernmost island that's home to some of the best ski slopes in the world.
• The Wall Street Journal recently reported that several well-known luxury hotels plan to move to the area.
• The area currently consists of four main resorts, which comprise Niseko United skiing.
• Along with its fresh powder and natural hot springs, the area is also home to impressive restaurants and bars in the resort villages.

Niseko, Japan: Home to "champagne powder," a variety of luxury chalets, and an under-the-radar skiing hotspot where millionaires can eat fresh sushi in ski lodges.

It's no wonder that Niseko, one of the snowiest spots in the world, has caught the attention of luxury hotel chains and wealthy skiers. 

In a recent article by the Wall Street Journal, Kosaku Narioka reported that while an assortment of expensive chalet rentals are already built up in the area, a fleet of luxury hotels will soon join the high-end offerings: A Park Hyatt will be completed at the end of this year, a Ritz-Carlton is forthcoming in 2020, and a W Hotel is set to arrive in 2021.

Read more: 7 cold-weather destinations every winter lover should visit

According to The Real Deal, the recent increase in hotel construction is mainly due to the rise in wealthy investor interest. This includes Francis Yeoh, whose company is responsible for the construction of the Ritz-Carlton and W Hotel.

Rentals aside, the area gained attention after the construction of "The Red Bull House," home to Chalerm Yoovidhya, one of Thailand's richest men and heir to the Red Bull company fortune.

Movie stars such as Hugh Jackman and Sam Neill have been known to frequent the area, which also includes a lively nightlife and extensive dining options. A feature by Vogue noted the area's incredible seafood, which sets it apart from other inland ski resorts around the world.

A visitors' guide published by Travel + Leisure said, "If Snow Country has a crown jewel, Niseko is probably it."

Keep reading for an inside look at one of the world's best ski spots.

SEE ALSO: A Colorado ski resort is open to just 13 members who pay upwards of $2.8 million for private access to 1,750 acres of untouched powder

SEE ALSO: A 7-bedroom Swiss cabin has been named the world's best ski chalet for 2 years in a row — and an inside tour quickly proves why

Niseko is consistently ranked as one of the top skiing locations in Japan.

Source: Powderhounds, Lonely Planet, Forbes, Snow Japan

The resort has been compared to major luxury destinations like Aspen, Colorado ...

Source: Wall Street Journal

... St. Moritz, Switzerland ...

Source: Wall Street Journal

• The Oscars have repeatedly nominated and neglected numerous actors.
• They include Amy Adams, Glenn Close, and Bradley Cooper, who are all up for acting awards this year.
• Will they finally win?

Each year, deserving performances lose out in the Oscars' best acting categories. But there are a handful of great actors that the Academy has repeatedly nominated and neglected. 

Amy Adams has lost five times at the Oscars for five captivating roles, and she's up for her sixth Oscar on February 24. Likewise, Glenn Close was nominated for her seventh Oscar this year. Will they finally win?

Both Bradley Cooper and Willem Dafoe are nominated for their fourth acting Oscars this year (Cooper has a total of seven nominations for producing "American Sniper" and "A Star is Born," and writing "A Star Is Born").

And all-time great Peter O'Toole, unfortunately, had it even worse.

Here are the 23 actors who have been nominated for at least four Oscars without winning once:

SEE ALSO: 14 Hollywood stars who didn't accept their Oscars or boycotted the ceremony

Bradley Cooper — 4 nominations

Best actor nominations: "Silver Linings Playbook" (2012), "American Sniper" (2014), "A Star Is Born" (2018)

Best supporting actor nominations: "American Hustle" (2013)

Willem Dafoe — 4 nominations

Best actor nominations: "At Eternity's Gate" (2018)

Best supporting actor nominations: "Platoon" (1986), "Shadow of a Vampire" (2000), "The Flordia Project" (2017)

Michelle Williams — 4 nominations

Best actress nominations: "Blue Valentine" (2010), "My Week with Marilyn" (2011)

Best supporting actress nominations: "Brokeback Mountain" (2005), "Manchester by the Sea" (2016)

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• Bad posture can cause undue strain on joints and muscles, increase aches, and make you feel fatigued.
• Good posture, on the other hand, increases energy, reduces aches and pains, improves joint and spine health, and projects confidence.
• The good news? Improving poor posture isn't that hard when you commit yourself to it mentally and use a few gadgets to assist along the way.
• We give you a few tips and tricks as well as recommendations for a brace, lumbar pillow, and posture corrector.

If you don't think good posture is important, then let me ask you a question: Why did you sit up straighter when you started reading this article? Both in terms of physical health and social perception, good posture can do much to improve your overall life.

Your body is designed to sit, stand, and even lie down in specific positions. With good posture, all of your joints, bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments work in concert, reducing stress on specific areas by distributing the force exerted by gravity evenly across your frame. Good posture is critical for athletic performance, spinal health, proper balance, and myriad other physiological reasons.

As humans intrinsically recognize good and bad posture, the person standing tall or sitting upright will command more attention and respect than the slouch standing or sitting nearby, all other character traits aside.

Your primary reason for wanting to learn how to improve posture should be your own well being. With better posture, you will feel better in terms of physical aches and pains, you will likely have more energy, you will reduce the likelihood of chronic physical issues later in life, and you'll feel more confidence and self-worth. As a secondary benefit, people really will look up to you the more you stand up tall and sit up straight.

Read on in the slides below to learn how to improve your posture.

Proper posture while standing

Proper standing posture consists of:

1. Head upright and centered, chin parallel to the floor
2. Shoulders pulled gently back
3. Stomach slightly drawn in
4. Knees unlocked
5. Feet shoulder width apart
6. Weight centered on feet

Proper posture while seated

When you are sitting in a chair, you should do it like this:

1. Head upright, chin parallel to the floor
2. Back straight with natural curve (rolled magazine should be able to slide between mid-back and chair)
3. Shoulders pulled back
4. Knees bent at right angle
5. Feet flat on the floor

How to improve your posture

OK, so now you know basically how you should position your body when standing and seated. But how can you remember to maintain good posture after years of living life slightly slumped?

First, establish what proper posture feels like.

For good standing posture, position your heels against a wall, then stand up straight and let your shoulders and the back of your head gently make contact with it. There, that's standing up straight.

For a seated posture baseline, put your butt against the back of the chair, touch your shoulders to the chair's back, level your chin with the ground, get those legs bent to 90 degrees, feet flat, and then make sure you can slide a rolled magazine or small towel behind your back. Good.

Next, make a posture mantra.

Come up with a simple phrase you think to yourself every time you stand up or sit down. Something like: "Standing up, straighten up" or "Sitting down, feet on the ground."

If remembering to have good posture isn't working, don't worry, there are gadgets and gizmos that can help you.

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• It's easy to fall into the same boring dressing habits while working a corporate job.
• Instead of wearing the typical fleece with your company logo on it, a cool option in a bolder color, a new take on a classic silhouette, or a fun pattern for weekends off can help you stand out.
• Brands like The North Face, Patagonia, Ralph Lauren, and Outerknown all make great alternatives to that company-branded vest you wear all the time in the office or over the weekend.

New York City is a melting pot full of all kinds of people, but if you take a look at the white-collar working class of Manhattan, you'll quickly realize that nobody actually seems to stand out. Blue and white button-ups, slacks, and the infamous black fleece with a company logo embroidered on it has become the unofficial uniform of most guys in midtown and downtown Manhattan. Even on the weekend, you'll see those same company fleeces layered on top of more casual outfits like jeans and T-shirts.

Just because you have to follow a weekday dress code that errs on the side of boring doesn't mean your go-to fleeces should follow suit. Choosing a fleece in a bolder color or an interesting pattern can mean the difference between looking unique and memorable and being another anonymous clone. 

To help you give your workwear and weekend looks some flare, we rounded up 14 cool fleeces to choose over the branded sweaters every one of your coworkers is probably wearing right now. Some are more appropriate for the office, some for the weekends — but all of them will keep you warm and comfortable.

Check out our favorite picks, below:

For the office: Everlane ReNew Fleece Half-Zip

Available in three colors on Everlane, $70

Made from recycled materials, the Everlane ReNew Half-Zip fleece is sustainable and ultra warm. It comes in three colors — oat (pictured above), navy, and dark green — all of which are muted enough for even the strictest office dress codes.

For the office: Everlane ReNew Fleece Zip

Available in three colors on Everlane, $80

Everlane's ReNew Collection also includes the Full-Zip Fleece. It uses the same recycled materials and comes in a cool surplus green color. If an all-over camo print is too loud for your office, this solid color is a better way to add some military-inspired fashion to your look.

For the office: Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover

Buy it here for $83: Patagonia | Backcountry

The Lightweight Synchilla Fleece is a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts and corporate workers alike. This one features a simple grey color with navy blue accents, but you'll also find plenty of other cool patterns and colors if you want something a bit more eye-catching.

• William Barr was confirmed as attorney general on Thursday.
• Barr has an extensive track record of government service.
• His confirmation comes after a contentious hearing process, during which Democratic lawmakers grilled him about his controversial views on the FBI's Russia investigation and executive power.
• According to CNN, Barr has already begun planning his oversight of the special counsel Robert Mueller. Among other things, he's focusing on how much information he'll report to Congress about Mueller's findings, and who his deputy attorney general will be.

The Senate confirmed William Barr as the new attorney general on Thursday following a contentious confirmation process.

Barr will replace Matthew Whitaker, who was the acting attorney general after President Donald Trump fired Jeff Sessions last year.

Barr previously served as attorney general under President George H.W. Bush from 1991 to 1993. Before that, he served as a legal adviser to President Ronald Reagan, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel, deputy attorney general, and acting attorney general.

Earlier this month, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12-10 along party lines to advance Barr's nomination to the full Senate for a final vote.

Read more:Trump's attorney general pick was just approved by a key committee, setting up a final confirmation vote in the Senate

The move came after Barr testified before lawmakers on the panel about his stance on a multitude of legal issues, as well as his controversial views on executive power and the special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 US election. 

In the weeks leading up to his highly anticipated testimony, Barr drew sharp scrutiny over a memo he wrote last year where he argued that Mueller's obstruction-of-justice investigation into Trump is "legally unsupportable" and should not be sanctioned by the Justice Department.

At his confirmation hearing, Barr said he wrote the memo — which he sent to the White House, the Justice Department, and lawyers representing other defendants in the Russia probe — because he was concerned Mueller's obstruction investigation was based on an overly broad interpretation of the law and could have far-reaching ramifications down the road.

When lawmakers asked Barr whether he would recuse himself from overseeing the Russia probe in light of the memo he sent last year, Barr said he would seek the advice of Justice Department ethics officials but did not commit to following their advice.

Barr is already weighing how much of Mueller's report to make public

When he was pressed on how he would oversee Mueller's investigation, Barr said he would ensure that the special counsel regulations were maintained and that he would also make sure Mueller had the resources, funding, and time needed to complete the Russia investigation.

Barr added that he is friends with Mueller and doesn't believe the special counsel would embark on a "witch hunt," as Trump and his allies claim.

Barr also pledged that if he denied Mueller any resources or other requests, he would notify Congress of the matter. Asked whether he would commit to making any report Mueller produces available to Congress and the public, Barr said Mueller's report would not be made public. Instead, he told lawmakers, the public would see his own summary of the special counsel's findings.

Read more:Former Trump lawyer John Dowd predicts Mueller's report will never see the light of day

According to CNN, Barr has already begun planning how to take control of the Mueller probe. He's reportedly focused on two decisions in particular: how much information to report to Congress about Mueller's findings, and who the deputy attorney general will be (Rod Rosenstein, the current deputy attorney general who is overseeing Mueller, plans to step down after the Russia probe is completed).

Per CNN, Barr has zeroed-in on Jeffrey Rosen, the deputy transportation secretary, to replace Rosenstein.

It also emerged this week that Barr's family members who currently serve at the Justice Department will be leaving their posts. His son-in-law, Tyler McGaughey, is departing and taking a job at the White House counsel's office. The White House counsel is appointed by the president to advise the president, the executive office, and White House staff on legal issues concerning the president and the presidency.

The White House counsel is distinct from the legal team that defends Trump in the Russia investigation, but its work often intersects with the investigation.

Barr's daughter also currently works at the Justice Department, but she will be leaving her position to work for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.

SEE ALSO: William Barr testified that he would not carry out an order from Trump to fire Mueller without cause

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Donald Trump's connection with Vince McMahon and WWE spans decades

TheInsider Picksteam writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Since you don't have all day to scour the web for noteworthy sales and discounts, we rounded up the best bargains for you to shop in one convenient place. For even more deals and savings across the web, check out our coupons page.

1. Save an extra 25% sitewide at L.L.Bean

L.L.Bean just released a bunch of new products in preparation for the upcoming spring season — and you won't have to wait for them to hit the sale section to get a good deal. Now through February 19, you can save 25% on your order by using the promo code "BEAN25" at checkout. If you're still shopping for winter apparel, the code will also work on the sale section as well as best-selling items like Bean Boots.

Shop the L.L.Bean sale now. 

2. Buy four pairs of underwear and get three for free at Bonobos

Your jeans and chinos don't come in alpha sizes, so why should your underwear? Bonobos, a menswear brand that got its start by creating one pair of really good pants, also has the solution to comfortable underwear. Coming in true waist sizes (like your pants), you'll have a much easier time getting the proper fit. Right now, when you buy four pairs of underwear, you can get three for free by using the promo code "WEDGIE" at checkout. I tried Bonobos underwear when they first launched and loved the comfortable fit. You can read the full review here.

Shop all Bonobos underwear now. 

3. Save 43% on the Echo Input

If you already have a speaker that you really like, but it lacks the power of Alexa, the Echo Input is exactly what you need. The Alexa-enable device pairs to your existing speaker via Bluetooth or an aux cable, giving it comparable functionality to an Echo or Echo Dot. Originally priced at $34.99, you can save $15 on it today. 

Echo Input, $19.99 (Originally $34.99) [You save $15]

4. Save $85 on an Emerald Air Fryer at Best Buy

As one of the top-rated air fryers on Best Buy, the Emerald Digital Air Fryer is a quick and convenient way to cook dozens of foods like fried chicken, bacon, vegetables, and more. Since little-to-no oil is required for crispy results, it's also healthier than traditional frying methods. Right now you can save $85 on one as a Best Buy Deal of the Day. For more deals and coupons on Best Buy, check out our coupons page here.

Emerald 5.2L Digital Air Fryer, $54.99 ($139.99) [You save $85]

5. Save an extra 20% on thousands of items at Macy's

This Valentine's Day, Macy's is helping you give the gift your significant other will love — even if it'll arrive a little late. Right now, you can save an extra 20% on thousands of items including apparel, shoes, jewelry, home goods, and tech by using the promo code "LOVE" at checkout. If you need the gift for today, you can buy it online and pick it up in store. For more deals and coupons at Macy's, check out our coupons page. 

Shop the Macy's Valentine's Day sale now.

6. Save up to $400 on PCs and up 40% on electronics at Dell

This Presidents' Day weekend, Dell is offering huge savings on computers and accessories. Some of the deals include up to $310 off laptops, up to $380 off desktops, up to $860 off gaming computers, and up to 40% off monitors and TVs. Discounts are taken off automatically, so you won't need a promo code to save. For more deals and coupons on Dell, check out our coupons page here. 

Shop the Dell Presidents' Day sale now. 

7. Save up to 80% on sale items at ASOS

With hundreds of popular brands in stock and a few lines of their own, ASOS is a great place to find a variety of fashionable clothes at an affordable price. Now through February 15, the brand is having a huge sale with an extra 10% off previously marked-down styles. In total, you can save up to 80% by using the promo code "ASOSSALEGO" at checkout. Whether you're looking for wardrobe basics or some truly unique pieces, you'll find it here. For more deals and coupons on ASOS, check out our coupons page here. 

Shop the ASOS sale now.

8. Save up to $300 on a Bear Mattress and get a free pillow

In celebration of Presidents' Day, online mattress startup Bear is having its biggest sale ever. Now through February 19, you can save $150 on any purchase of $500 or more by using the promo code "PRES150" or get $300 off any purchase of $1,200 or more by using the promo code "PRES300" at checkout. You'll also receive a free pillow valued at $95.

Shop the Bear Mattress sale now.

Join the conversation about this story »

• Atherton, California is the most expensive town in the US for the third year in a row.
• The town is within commuting distance of Palo Alto and San Francisco, and has been home to tech execs like Sheryl Sandberg and Eric Schmidt.
• Here's an inside look at the wealthy suburban town.

From the looks of it, Atherton could be any ritzy suburb in America.

But it isn't anywhere. Atherton is an idyllic town located on the San Francisco Peninsula, where even modest homes go for millions of dollars. And, with an average household income over $450,000, it is the wealthiest town in America for the third year in a row, according to the Bloomberg Richest Places index.

Read more: There's a $30 million glass mansion in Silicon Valley, located 15 minutes from Facebook's HQ — take a look inside

"Atherton is the epicenter of Silicon Valley money and it only has ultra-high-end properties," said Michael Simonsen, CEO of Altos Research (which partnered with Forbes on a 2017 ranking).

It's no surprise that tech billionaires — including the late Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen, former HP CEO Meg Whitman, and Google chairman Eric Schmidt — have all called Atherton's 94027 home. The town's prestige, privacy, and proximity to major tech companies draw ultra-rich homebuyers, who often pay all cash and bidhundreds of thousands of dollars above asking price.

Here's what it's like inside Atherton.

SEE ALSO: The next hottest housing market in America is this San Francisco micro-hood that's so obscure, most residents have never heard of it

Atherton is a small, mostly residential town located about 45 minutes south of San Francisco and less than 20 minutes from the headquarters of Facebook, Google, and Tesla.

Source: Google Maps

Mega-mansions line nearly every block. Many homes have fences or landscaping that prevent prying eyes from looking in. Each lot feels like its own gated community.

As of late 2018, the median home sale price in Atherton was $6.7 million— a 35% increase from 2017.

Despite their walls, Atherton estates still have an imposing presence from the street.

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• A great mattress can be the difference between a good night’s sleep that results in a productive day or a horrible night that makes you feel like you didn't sleep at all.
• We've tested and researched dozens of mattresses and the Sapira Mattress by Leesa and the Leesa Memory Foam Mattress are the best ones you can buy because they suit all sleeping styles.
• Many of our favorite mattresses are on sale for Presidents' Day, so check out the discounts in this guide and in our mattress deals roundup.

Buying a new mattress is a pretty serious investment that you shouldn't have to make more than once a decade. If you’re in the market for a new mattress, you’ve likely spent plenty of time researching, trying out different mattresses in stores, and thinking about how much you’re willing to pay.

To make it a little easier to decide on the mattress you’ll ultimately want to buy, we've put together a buying guide for the best mattresses you can buy online. We've tested several mattresses from direct-to-consumer, bed-in-a-box mattress startups over the past few years to see how they stack up in comparison with big-name mattress brands. 

Many of our favorite mattresses are on sale for Presidents' Day, so we've listed the discounts below:

• Leesa: Get 15% off mattresses and two free pillows
• Bear: Use codes "PRES150" and "PRES300" to save $150 to $300 on your new mattress based on how much you spend
• Casper: Get 10% off mattresses with the code "PRES"
• Helix: Use codes "PREZ200," "PREZ150," and "PREZ100" to save $100 to $200 based on how much you spend on your new mattress
• Purple: Get a free pillow, seat cushion, mattress protector, blanket, or sheets when you buy a mattress

Here are our top picks for the best mattress you can buy

• Best overall: Sapira Mattress by Leesa and Leesa Mattress
• Best for hot sleepers: Bear Mattress
• Best for neutral firmness: Casper Mattress or the Casper Wave
• Best customizable mattress: Helix Mattress
• Best affordable mattress: Lucid Memory Foam Mattress
• Best smart mattress: Eight Smart Mattress 
• Best soft mattress with good support: Purple Mattress

How to pick the right mattress for you

There are a ton of things to consider when buying a mattress, including firmness, materials, warranties, return policies, and whether to go with a direct-to-consumer mattress startup or a big-name brand. We break it down for you below:

Finding the right level of firmness

Before you buy, you’ll want to know what level of firmness is best for you. Side sleepers tend to like medium-to-soft mattresses, while back and stomach sleepers prefer firmer mattresses.

While your first reaction might be to get the plushest mattress out there, the fact is that sometimes ultra-soft mattresses can be bad for your back. On top of that, if you’re half of a couple, you’ll need to take into consideration what your partner wants, too. If you've got a big budget, you can go with a high-end mattress that allows for adjustments to be made on each side of the mattress.

Look for a good return policy or a long trial period in case the mattress you thought you wanted doesn't work out for you. Mattress choice is deeply personal and varies widely from person to person.

What kind of mattress do you want?

There are a lot of different mattress types, but Sleepopolis breaks them down extremely well. We've summarized each type of mattress below based on the site's expert mattress buying guide: 

• Hybrid mattresses combine memory foam and latex with spring coils and other materials to appeal to a wide range of sleepers. These mattresses are great all-around options for couples.
• Latex foam mattresses are best known for being cooling, bouncy, and responsive.
• Memory Foam mattresses conform to your body's needs and offer excellent support. They're huggier than other mattresses, so they may not appeal to hot sleepers.
• Coil mattresses are more old-fashioned and traditional, but they're great for strong support and a long life. If you sleep on the edge, coil mattresses are good for you.
• Pillow-top mattresses are ideal for people who like soft, cushy mattresses. Pillow-top mattresses can have springs underneath or not, but they always have a fluffy, pillowy top for extra softness.
• Adjustable mattresses let you choose and alter the position and firmness of your bed and some even vibrate or massage you while you sleep. These are pricey but can be great for people with back problems.

Don't fall for big-name brands or add-ons

Anyone who's ever shopped for a new mattress has probably wondered why on Earth these things are so expensive. As The Wirecutter and Slate explain, it's all about marketing costs, brand recognition, crazy profit margins, and monopolies in the mattress market. In the US, you have four major brands owned by two companies: Simmons and Serta vs. Tempur-Pedic and Sealy.

Often, these companies seem to be your only choices, so you end up paying a premium and the big brands end up reaping a killer profit. However, now there are dozens of mattress startups out there that are direct to consumer, offer great warranties, have long return windows, and low prices. We recommend you stay away from the big names and buy from one of these great startups.

You’ll also want to consider if you want any add-ons like a mattress cover, mattress pad, sheets, and so on. In the process of buying a mattress, you’ll likely be pitched all kinds of different accessories to get, and if you don’t go in with a clear idea of what you want, it’s easy to fall victim to those pitches and spend way more money than you thought you would. It's best to buy everything else separately, so go to the last slide in this guide to learn about our other great buying guides for bedding.

Updated on 02/14/2019 by Malarie Gokey: Added Presidents' day sales.

Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.

SEE ALSO: The 8 best online mattress startups for every type of sleeper

The best mattress overall

Why you'll love it: The Sapira by Leesa has a cooling hybrid memory foam and coil mattress design, while the more affordable Leesa mattress is all comfortable foam. 

While a little pricier than some of the others on this list, Sapira by Leesa has been very well-received, and for good reason. It's a hybrid memory foam and coil mattress that suits every type of sleeper and offers great value for your money. If the Sapira is a bit pricey for you, Leesa's memory foam mattresses are also excellent.

Plus, Leesa is having a Presidents' Day sale so you can get 15% off your mattress purchase and two free pillows.

The Sapira mattress is made up of six layers, including 1.5-inches of performance foam for comfort and cooling, 1.5-inches of memory foam for contour and cooling, 1-inch of transition foam to cushion the coils, 6-inches of pocketed coils, and 1-inch of foam for the base of the mattress. The result? It’s a great all-around mattress for people who sleep in different positions and those who move a lot.

The Sapira mattress also has a specially designed cover, which is cut from a single piece of fabric and surrounds the entire mattress. It’s very breathable, so it should remain relatively cool while you sleep.

Of course, Sapira's mattress isn't terribly cheap. It starts at $995 for the twin version, while the king will set you back $1,795. Luckily, you can try it for 100 days and return it if you don't love it. The company also donates one mattress for every 10 it sells, which is a nice way of paying it forward.

If money is an issue, you can check out the highly rated Leesa mattress line-up, which is made by the same company that makes the Sapira. Leesa's memory foam mattresses are also a bit cheaper than the hybrid Sapira model, starting at $525 and going up to $1,195.

We love the Leesa memory foam mattress for its great support and cooling. As our reviewer Lulu Chang writes, "As a side sleeper, it’s sometimes tough to find mattresses that don’t leave me feeling achy, but the Leesa is certainly doing the trick."

Both the Sapira and the Leesa mattress get great reviews from expert reviewers and buyers alike. According to a review from Sleepopolis, the Sapira mattress is perfect for couples who have totally different sleeping positions, those who don’t have a single preferred position, and anyone who moves a lot in bed. Sleepopolis ultimately gave the Sapira mattress an excellent 4.9 stars, while Mattress Clarity gave it 4.5 stars.

Leesa's more affordable memory foam mattresses are also considered the best you can buy by The Wirecutter and they're highly rated by our own testers at Insider Picks. Our full review of the Sapira mattress by Leesa was very positive, and former commerce reporter Kelsey Mulvey still loves it after an entire year of testing. Customer reviews on Sapira's website are mostly positive. 

Pros: Great for different sleeping positions, breathable cover, hybrid design offers great support, 100-day test period

Cons: A little pricey

• Buy the Sapira mattress by Leesa for $845 (Twin), $930 (Twin XL), $1,100 (Full), $1,355 (Queen), or $1,525 (King/California King) 

• Buy the Leesa Memory Foam Mattress for $505 (Twin), $590 (Twin XL), $760 (Full), $845 (Queen), $1,015 (King/California King) 

• Read our 2018 Leesa Mattress review on Insider Picks

The best mattress for hot sleepers

Why you'll love it: The Bear mattress isn’t just comfortable — It’s cool, too, thanks to its high-tech cover.

Looking for something to keep you a little cooler at night? The Bear mattress could be the right mattress for you. Plus, Bear is having a Presidents' Day sale, so you can save $150 on orders over $500 with promo code "PRES150" or save $300 on orders over $1,200 with promo code "PRES300" at checkout. The offer includes a free Bear Pillow, too.

Bear is another mattress-in-a-box company, but its mattress comes very highly recommended by experts and buyers across the board. The mattress combines 1-inch of graphite gel memory foam with 2.5-inches of response memory foam and 6.5-inches of high-density support foam to offer not just an extremely comfortable experience, but one that keeps you cool at night, too.

On top of those layers, the mattress also comes with a special polyester/Celliant blend cover that converts your body heat into infrared light. It's proven to be helpful when you sleep and decrease the temperature of the mattress.

The mattress is medium-firm, so it should be good for back and stomach sleepers. Some side sleepers may find it too firm, though.

Bear as a brand is pretty new, but it already has a loyal following, including our senior director of commerce, Breton Fischetti. Sleepopolis gives it a solid 4.6-star rating and praises how well it manages to keep you cool while you sleep. Mattress Clarity also rates Bear's mattress highly, especially for athletes and active types.

The Bear mattress starts at $500 for a twin size and ranges up to $950 for a king, which is pretty decent for a mattress of this caliber. You can also try it for 100 days to be sure that it's the one for you. If you dislike it, you can return it, no questions asked.

Pros: Keeps sleepers cool, relatively inexpensive, highly rated, good for active lifestyles

Cons: Not the best motion isolation or edge support

• Buy the Bear Mattress for $540 (Twin), $640 (Twin XL), $740 (Full), $840 (Queen), $940 (King/California King)

• Read our 2017 Bear Mattress review on Insider Picks

The best mattress for those who want neutral firmness

Why you'll love it: The Casper Wave uses new tech to add support where you need it, while Casper's standard mattress offers a neutral feel for less.

Don’t necessarily want something too hard or too soft? Casper's standard mattress might be the right mattress for you. Casper is both self-described and reviewed as being extremely close to neutral, so if you just want an all-around solid mattress, Casper is a great option.

Plus, Casper is having a Presidents' Day sale, so you can get 10% off mattresses with the code "PRES" at checkout.

Casper has gone through a few changes over the years, but its standard mattress is very well regarded. The mattress is made from a top layer of 1.5-inch poly foam, 1.5-inches of memory foam, another 1.5-inches of poly foam, and 5-inches of base foam. That’s a lot of foam, and there are no springs involved at all.

We reviewed the improved Casper mattress in 2018, and we loved it. Insider Picks Brandt Ranj writes, "After two months of sleeping on the new Casper mattress, I found that the Zoned Support layer made a subtle but important difference in my personal comfort at night."

On the price scale, the standard Casper mattress is more affordable than the company's latest mattress, the Wave. Casper's standard mattress will set you back $595 for a twin, while a king will cost $1,195. You can try it for 100 days and return it for free if you dislike it for any reason.

The new Casper Wave, on the other hand, is a pricier mattress that's designed to give you extra support with its innovative technology. The Wave uses five layers of varied density foam, including the open cell foam that's used in the upper layers of the Wave to regulate your body temperature. It's also built to minimize motion transfer. 

We tried the Casper Wave and loved it. Our reviewer, Steven John, couldn't say enough about how it's helped his wife (and him) get sleep post-pregnancy with a newborn at home.

Casper's mattresses have been very well-reviewed, too. Sleepopolis gave the standard Casper 4.2 stars, and it currently has an average rating of 4.3 stars on Amazon. The Wirecutter also gives the standard Casper mattress high marks. The Wave also has positive reviews from Sleepopolis and The Sleep Advisor.

Pros: Neutral feel, great foam feel, relatively inexpensive (standard), new support tech (Wave)

Cons: Not the best for those that like springs

• Buy the standard Casper mattress for $595 (Twin), $645 (Twin XL), $895 (Full), $995 (Queen), $1,195 (King/California King) 

• Buy the Casper Wave mattress for $1,250 (Twin), $1,450 (Twin XL), $1,950 (Full), $2,250 (Queen), $2,750 (King/CA King)

• Read our 2018 Casper Wave Mattress review on Insider Picks

• Amazon announced on Thursday that it has scrapped plans to open a second headquarters in New York City.
• The news comes after Amazon has faced opposition from local politicians and residents regarding the decision.
• Early reactions on Twitter suggest that many are interpreting the move as a sign that the recent protests impacted the retail giant's decision. 

Following opposition from local politicians and residents, Amazon has officially canceled its plans to open a new headquarters in the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens, New York, the company announced Thursday.

The decision is being perceived by some as a sign that the public controversy surrounding Amazon’s plan has been successful in driving the retail giant out of New York.

Amazon announced in November that it had chosen New York City and Arlington, Virginia as the locations for its new headquarters, bringing 25,000 new jobs to each city. But the retail giant has been met with stark opposition since making the announcement, with locals staging protests at the company’s bookstore on Manhattan’s 34th street and areas near the site where Amazon planned to build its campus. New York City Council speaker Corey Johnson and member Jimmy Van Bramer have been particularly vocal about their opposition to Amazon's plan.

Much of the backlash stems from the notion that Amazon would receive close to $3 billion in tax breaks, but potential rent hikes also likely posed a notable concern for locals. In April, before Amazon had confirmed plans to open a new office in New York, Zillow conducted an analysis suggesting that renters’ costs could increase by more than $200 annually relative to the real estate site’s base in the two cities Amazon chose.

Following the announcement, many onlookers — from New York and elsewhere — took to Twitter to applaud the role that local activism may have played in Amazon's decision to pull out. 

In its statement, Amazon said it decided to scrap plans to open up a New York campus because "a number of state and local politicians have made it clear that they oppose our presence and will not work with us to build the type of relationships that are required to go forward with the project." The company also said it does not plan to reopen its search for a new headquarters at this time and will proceed as planned in Northern Virginia and Nashville. 

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Netflix copycats are changing the streaming game and making viewers pay the price

• Amazon said Thursday it was no longer planning to bring its new headquarters, named HQ2, to New York City.
• The decision to bring HQ2 to New York was met with fierce backlash from many politicians, local residents, and tech leaders who took aim at HQ2's effect on housing prices, the major tax breaks New York was giving Amazon, and the company's treatment of its workers.
• This is how politicians, policymakers, and tech leaders reacted to the surprise news.

Amazon's plans to put HQ2 in New York City have been called off, the final culmination of months of criticism directed at the e-commerce giant after it first announced in November that it would open a new headquarters there.

In a blog post Thursday, Amazon said it came to the decision to cancel its plans for New York City "after much deliberation," and seemingly took aim at politicians who vocally opposed HQ2.

"The commitment to build a new headquarters requires positive, collaborative relationships with state and local elected officials who will be supportive over the long-term," the blog post says. "While polls show that 70% of New Yorkers support our plans and investment, a number of state and local politicians have made it clear that they oppose our presence and will not work with us to build the type of relationships that are required to go forward with the project we and many others envisioned."

Amazon announced in November it had chosen to split its much-coveted second headquarters between two sites in New York and Arlington, Virginia.

The news was met with immediate opposition from several sides. Local residents were angry HQ2 would cause traffic to increase, rent prices in the surrounding area to skyrocket, and gentrification of the neighborhood to speed up. Players in the tech industry slammed Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos for a lack of transparency in its long 14-month long HQ2 selection process. Developer David Heinemeier Hansson even went as far as to accuse Amazon of extracting "blatant loot" from cities vying for HQ2, and called the company's actions "utterly becoming."

Local politicians, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, were outraged at the terms of the deal struck between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Amazon, which promised the company billions of dollars in tax breaks as incentive for coming to New York City. New York City Council members were upset they were kept out of the loop regarding discussions for Amazon to come to their city.

But now that plans for HQ2 have been scrapped, many of HQ2's biggest opponents are celebrating, while proponents are lashing out at Amazon.

Here are some of the reactions coming from politicians and leaders in tech in the wake of Amazon's HQ2 reversal:

SEE ALSO: People on Instagram are worried about a 'purge' after discovering they lost a ton of followers, but it turns out it was caused by a bug

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio

In a statement, de Blasio said: "You have to be tough to make it in New York City. We gave Amazon the opportunity to be a good neighbor and do business in the greatest city in the world. Instead of working with the community, Amazon threw away that opportunity. We have the best talent in the world and every day we are growing a stronger and fairer economy for everyone. If Amazon can't recognize what that's worth, its competitors will."

Read more:Mayor Bill de Blasio slams Amazon for scrapping its HQ2 project in New York City

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

On Twitter, Ocasio-Cortez wrote: "Anything is possible: today was the day a group of dedicated, everyday New Yorkers & their neighbors defeated Amazon’s corporate greed, its worker exploitation, and the power of the richest man in the world."

Asked by a CBS News reporter about her thoughts, Ocasio-Cortez said, "I think it's incredible! It shows that everyday Americans still have the power to organize ... and they can have more to say in this country than the richest man in the world."

City Council Speaker Corey Johnson

In a statement posted to Twitter: "I look forward to working with companies that understand that if you're willing to engage with New Yorkers and work though challenging issues New York City is the world's best place to do business. I hope this is the start of a conversation about vulture capitalism and where our tax dollars are best spent. I know I'd choose mass transit over helipads any day."

Read more:'I'd choose mass transit over helipads any day': Key Amazon opponent on New York's city council speaks out on HQ2 cancellation

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• Saucony's Kinvara sneakers have been a top pick in lightweight, low-drop running shoes since their debut in 2010. 
• In the years since, Saucony has mostly stayed true to the original design, but newer iterations incorporated the latest in shoe tech. In the lineup, some successors were better than their replacements.
• The all-new Kinvara 10 ($110) pairs the best of the old with the best of the new. They're ideal for any distance, from 5Ks to marathons, and they feel supportive but not bulky. The Formfit insole is a welcome addition, and the breathable, flexible upper disappears on the run.

Running is a tenuous but impassioned hobby for me. With the right gear, I can go for hours. With the wrong gear, I'm turning around before the end of the block. It's simple: I don't want to ruin a pastime by making it a chore. So I do my homework before I head out the door in a pair of sneakers.

Since its debut in 2010, Saucony's Kinvaras have been a top pick for lightweight, low-drop running shoes. Their design set the stage for an influx of sneakers that could be both cushiony enough for long distance runs, but feel as deceptively light as a race shoe. They're a good match for anyone who wants versatility, and they're a solid choice if you're as particular (some might say fairweather) as I am with gear. 

Over the years, Saucony has updated and released new versions of the same beloved classic. Each wave is meant to stick to the same tried-and-true origin story, while upgrading and replacing pieces with the latest and greatest in shoe tech. Some models received more fanfare than others, leading to much anticipation for the launch of the Kinvara 10.

What the Saucony Kinvara 10s are like on a run:

The Saucony Kinvara 10 is, true to its legacy, a great running shoe. If you're a fan of the shoe in general, you're bound to approve of the 10. It's lightweight but supportive and well-cushioned enough to take on runs from 5K to a marathon. It'll serve you best on the road, treadmill, or level footpaths — but it's worth noting that it won't hold up well in a slick rain. 

The Pro-Lock system is gone (much to the relief of its detractors), there's less blown rubber on the outsole, and the sneakers have new Achilles cushions and a Formfit footbed insole. This pair has denser and more durable foam than the Kinvara 9 shoes. Saucony also added some extra rubber to high-wear areas like the toe and heel. 

The new cushions can take some getting used to. They're placed in the sneaker's heel and should rest against the Achilles (you may be concerned about blisters at first, but I didn't form any on multiple runs). The shoe doesn't feel crowded, but you'll probably be aware of the extra padding before you start moving or on your first few runs. Once in motion, I rarely thought about my shoes — which is the mark of a good pair. Though if you have narrow heels, you may notice the new Achilles cushions negate any slippage. 

The light EVA+ midsole paired with the Everun top-sole makes for a comfortable, stable ride and the Formfit contoured footbed made the shoes feel forgettably comfortable and contoured. The upper made from woven mesh is flexible and breathable, and the slender tongue is stitched into the upper to avoid sliding around. There aren't hotspots, chafing, or obnoxious seams — the shoe pretty much vanishes once you get going. There's good forward momentum and energy return, and I didn't notice any telltale aches or pains during my runs or after. 

All in all, it's firm, bouncy, and light, and it'll do its job and stay out of your way. MVPS for me are (beyond the obvious points of lightweight and cushiony) the Formfit footbed and the upper mesh.

The bottom line:

The Kinvara 10 shoes are a good addition to Saucony's legacy sneaker. They're still a poster child for lightweight, comfortable shoes that can go pretty much any distance smoothly, but there's new padding and support for the Achilles heel and a plush new supportive Formfit footbed. The upper is also better and more forgettable on long runs with no chafing or hotspots, and the thin tongue stitched into the upper reduces any discomfort or irritation. It felt like a responsive, unbroken extension of my foot. If you're looking for a daily trainer, this is one of the best you're going to come across. 

Saucony Women's Kinvara 10, $110

Saucony Men's Kinvara 10, $110

Join the conversation about this story »

• President Donald Trump will declare a national emergency to secure enough funds to build his long-promised border wall, the White House announced Thursday.
• The news comes as Trump prepares to sign a spending bill that a bipartisan group of lawmakers created, which isn't giving Trump the full $5.7 billion in wall funds he requested.
• A national emergency means Trump would instantly gain a slew of special powers he could use to get the funds he needs.
• Such an action will almost certainly trigger challenges from Congress and the courts, but it's unclear how the battles will play out.

President Donald Trump will declare a national emergency to bypass Congress to secure enough funds to build his border wall, The White House announced Thursday afternoon.

Trump will also sign a spending bill written by a bipartisan group of lawmakers that granted him just a fraction of the $5.7 billion he had demanded for the wall. The bill will instead allocate just $1.375 billion to border fencing, and it stipulates that the fencing use existing designs and not include concrete or any of Trump's wall prototypes.

"President Trump will sign the government funding bill, and as he has stated before, he will also take other executive action — including a national emergency — to ensure we stop the national security and humanitarian crisis at the border," press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement. "The President is once again delivering on his promise to build the wall, protect the border, and secure our great country."

Trump and his staff have been threatening for months to declare a national emergency if Congress refused to grant him the full $5.7 billion. Now, barely three weeks after a record 35-day partial government shutdown, Trump is averting a second shutdown by accepting Congress' deal that fails to provide the full funding, but using his executive powers to secure the remaining sum.

Trump has spent much of the last three months raging about a "crisis" he said has erupted at the US-Mexico border, propelled by of illegal immigration, drugs, and violent crime, which must be solved by constructing a physical barrier.

Critics, meanwhile, have argued that there is no crisis — or at least none that a wall can solve. Border apprehensions are at their lowest point in decades, drugs mainly enter the US through legal ports of entry, and studies show that unauthorized immigrants commit fewer crimes than native-born Americans.

Read more: THE TRUTH ABOUT THE BORDER CRISIS: Experts say there is no security crisis, but there is a simple way to fix immigration — and it's not a wall

Here's what you need to know about a national emergency declaration.

What is a 'national emergency'?

A national emergency is something that the president declares to grant him special powers under the National Emergencies Act of 1976. Trump is hoping to use those special powers to allocate funding for the border wall.

There are 136 statutes governing which special powers the president can use, according to The Brennan Center for Justice, and it's unclear at this point which ones the Trump administration has in mind.

It's not uncommon for presidents to declare national emergencies. One of the most well-known examples is the national emergency that former President George W. Bush declared after 9/11, which is still in effect and has been renewed by the sitting president each year.

Read more: A simple technology could secure the US-Mexico border for a fraction of the cost of a wall — but no one's talking about it

Can Trump do this?

Experts are divided over whether it's legal for Trump to use a national-emergency declaration for a wall.

But he faces relatively few restrictions on declaring a national emergency. According to The Brennan Center, 96 of the 136 statutory authorities available to presidents during national emergencies need only their signature, and just 13 require Congress to also declare an emergency.

Twelve of the authorities have a small restriction, such as requiring agency officials to certify that the measures are necessary, and the remaining 15 authorities require that the emergencies relate to particular subjects.

Yale Law School professor Bruce Ackerman wrote in a New York Times op-ed that there's no way Trump could use emergency powers to build the wall — at least if he opts to use funds from the military budget and use military personnel to build it.

Though there is some precedent for presidents' use of the military to enforce domestic law — primarily former President George W. Bush's authorization of the military to respond to Hurricane Katrina — that exception has since been repealed.

"Is President Trump aware of this express repudiation of the power which he is threatening to invoke?" Ackerman wrote.

Yet other experts said it might be easier for Trump to use national-emergency powers than most think. Elizabeth Goitein of The Brennan Center wrote in The Atlantic that some of those 136 provisions available to Trump under the National Emergencies Act of 1976 appear "dangerously suited to a leader bent on amassing or retaining power."

"We are in uncharted political territory," Goitein wrote.

How would the Trump administration use these special powers?

News reports have indicated that the Trump administration reviewed several options for how to best use emergency powers to secure the wall funding.

The White House has reportedly already asked the Army Corps of Engineers to review whether unused funds can be diverted from certain civil-works projects in order to pay for the wall. NBC News reported that one of these projects could include reconstruction in Puerto Rico, which experienced heavy damage from Hurricane Maria in 2017.

The Trump administration reportedly also examined whether the Department of Homeland Security can request the funds from the Pentagon — an idea that former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis backed before his resignation in December, according to The Wall Street Journal.

What could happen next?

Once Trump declares a national emergency, it's widely expected that he'll face major battles on two fronts: Congress and the courts.

Lawmakers from both parties have already expressed dismay over Trump's potential use of emergency powers. Some Republicans fear it sets a precedent that could later be used by a Democratic president to pursue liberal policies, while Democrats have called it a misuse of executive power.

House Democrats even introduced legislation in the House in early January to preemptively block Trump from invoking a national emergency. Senate Democrats also introduced their own bill in early February to bar any funds from being transferred from the US Army Corps of Engineers or military construction accounts to the border wall.

But a legislative challenge to Trump's national-emergency powers could also hit roadblocks, thanks to a 1983 Supreme Court case that blocked Congress from using simple-majority votes to overrule a president's emergency declaration.

The National Emergencies Act of 1976 was then amended to require that both arms of Congress pass two-thirds-majority votes to override a presidential veto.

Since some Republican lawmakers, such as South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, have already expressed support for Trump's use of a national emergency to build the wall, it may be unlikely that Congress puts up an effective fight.

"If White House and Congress fail to reach a deal then President [Trump] must act through emergency powers to build wall/barrier," Graham tweeted on January 28.

But Trump is certain to also face multiple legal challenges, which could meet an unpredictable fate. The Supreme Court has been reluctant to question some of Trump's executive powers — even deferring to him on the controversial travel ban he implemented.

Though plaintiffs in any lawsuits against Trump will likely try to question his administration's assertion that a national-security "crisis" is occurring along the southern border, the Supreme Court justices may well defer to his judgment on the issue, as they did with the travel ban.

"If any court would actually let itself review whether this is a national emergency, he would be in big trouble," Goitein told The Times. "I think it would be an abuse of power to declare an emergency where none exists. The problem is that Congress has enabled that abuse of power by putting virtually no limits on the president's ability to declare an emergency."

• Read more:
• Trump said he knows a border wall will work because wheels work, and the Secret Service uses 'really expensive' cars with wheels
• A journey along the entire 1,933-mile US-Mexico border shows the monumental task of securing it
• A lot of Republicans are worried about the dangerous precedent Trump could set with a national emergency declaration for the border wall

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Roger Stone explains what Trump has in common with Richard Nixon

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• The unbranded kitchen appliances and tools offered at online retailer ToBox are made by the same manufacturers behind your favorite name brands but are sold at half the price. 
• ToBox passes on the savings of no middlemen, buyers, or importers directly to its customers, who can pick up $4 small kitchen essentials and other affordable cookware.
• It just launched in 2018 but is sure to become a fierce competitor to Amazon as shoppers search for options that give more bang for their buck. 

If you cook at all, you've probably bought more than a few kitchen tools on Amazon. We've personally found that Amazon's large selection of familiar, highly-rated brands and affordable products can help us meal prep and cook more efficiently. 

We're obviously Amazon fans, but it turns out there is actually a world outside of the site. When we hear there are hidden pockets of the internet that offer even better prices for well-made kitchen tools or appliances, we're definitely intrigued. 

ToBox is a new kitchenware site that launched in early 2018 and offers small appliances, bakeware, cutlery, kitchen tools, tableware, and organization products for up to 50% off traditional prices.

By working directly with original design manufacturers (ODMs), which directly control the design and ownership of all products, ToBox is able to let customers stock up on small kitchen essentials like vegetable peelers for $5, or buy specialty appliances like multi-use panini presses that look and function like the name brand version but cost 30% less. 

Like Brandless, the online retailer that sells snacks, cooking ingredients, household essentials, and personal care products for $3, ToBox prioritizes value and transparency over branding. I may be extremely brand loyal for certain types of products, but sometimes all I need is a no-frills piece of kitchenware and would rather not waste time comparing five slightly different models of the same thing. A good-looking toaster with just the right features and browning settings will do fine for me. As long as it's durable and does its job well, I'm happy to sacrifice a logo or brand name if it means I don't have to spend as much money.

I tried a few of ToBox's products, including a handy mango slicer, the aforementioned retro-inspired toaster, and a vegetable peeler, to make sure that the company could live up to its promises of quality, and it definitely passed the test. All the appliances and tools were simple and sturdy, and performed their duties as expected. I find it difficult to wax poetic about a vegetable peeler and would probably have the same things to say whether it was $5 or $10, so if I'm going to buy a good one, it might as well be the $5 one from ToBox. 

When I can save a few extra dollars on every kitchen tool I'm just going to toss in my drawer and not think about twice, it means I'll have more to spend on the bigger priority purchases in my life, like a comfortable pair of shoes. If you have a similar attitude towards shopping for your kitchen, ToBox is a quality alternative to big box retailers. It offers free shipping on orders over $19, free 30-day returns, and a 100% lifetime satisfaction guarantee. 

Below, we've rounded up some of the best kitchen products you can get for less at ToBox. 

You can also shop all kitchenware and tools at ToBox here 

A six-piece silicone utensil set consisting of a spoon, ladle, slotted turner, strainer, spaghetti server, and spatula

6-Piece Silicone Utensil Set, $8, available at ToBox

A digital air fryer that helps you make healthier fried foods

3.8-Qt. Digital Air Fryer, $84, available at ToBox

Herb scissors that make ingredient prep more efficient

Stainless Steel 5-Blade Herb Scissors, $5, available at ToBox 

• We rely on the Academy Awards to honor the best in film, but sometimes the best movie of the year doesn't wind up bringing home Oscar gold.
• From "Brokeback Mountain" to "Get Out," INSIDER breaks down the movies that should've won the Oscar. 

The Oscars are supposed to determine the best in filmmaking. But do they really?

Often, best picture winners don't line up with the most beloved or popular movie of the year by fans, or even critics. 

Although many of the most iconic movies in American cinema have been nominated for best picture, some didn't win. But they're loved so much and held in such high regard that you might assume they won Oscar gold. 

To be fair, some years were extremely competitive. That's why "There Will Be Blood" lost the best picture win to "No Country for Old Men." More recently, 2018's winner, "The Shape of Water," was fine, but it beat a few of the most exceptional films of the year and the decade: "Call Me by Your Name," "Lady Bird," and "Get Out."

Other times, votes made by the Academy don't make much sense. A best picture winner may have been a movie you've never heard of or it was a movie that's now considered terrible. The biggest example of this may be 2005 when "Crash" was awarded best picture instead of "Brokeback Mountain."

Here are the most beloved best picture nominees that didn't actually win:

Carrie Witmer contributed to an earlier version of this post.

SEE ALSO: 5 reasons 'Wonder Woman' was one of the most important films of 2017, and deserved a best picture Oscar nomination

"The Wizard of Oz"

Year: 1940, at the 12th Academy Awards

What beat it: "Gone With the Wind"

"Gone With the Wind" is critically loved, but Judy Garland's role as the Kansas girl trying to get home from Oz not only has better reviews, but is also universally known. You can head to shore points and casinos and see games based off of Dorothy, the Tin Man, and more. Nearly 100 years later, you're not seeing too many slot machines base games off of Victor Fleming's classic.

"Citizen Kane"

Year: 1942, at the 14th Academy Awards

What beat it: "How Green Was My Valley"

"Citizen Kane," even to those who have not seen it, is one of the most recognizable films of all time, and it didn't even win best picture. A film doesn't have to have "best picture winner" next to its name in order to be iconic, and this movie is a great example. 

"To Kill a Mockingbird"

Year: 1963, at the 35th Academy Awards

What beat it: "Lawrence of Arabia"

David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia" is critically beloved, but Robert Mulligan's "To Kill A Mockingbird" has stood the test of time, often becoming a must-watch by school children, for its depiction and handling of racism in a courtroom.

• Ring Concierge is an NYC-based luxury jewelry company founded by Nicole Wegman that sells customized engagement rings and other jewelry.
• Engagement rings start at $10,000 and go well into the six figures.
• I visited Ring Concierge's office to get a consultation and see inside one of their Manhattan bench jewelers that assembles the rings.
• Afterward, I have to say that I understand why people pay six figures for the personalized, curated experience of buying one of Wegman's engagement rings.

On a recent afternoon leading up to Valentine's Day, I took a trip uptown to Ring Concierge, a jewelry company in New York City that sells customized engagement rings ranging from $10,000 to well into the six figures.

Millennials have somewhat different jewelry-buying habits than past generations, as Business Insider's Aine Cain previously reported. Kay, Zales, and Jared all reported weak holiday sales. But with its popular Instagram account and jewels designed by young women, Ring Concierge seemed to me like a fresh alternative that would appeal to my demographic, so I decided to check it out.

I spent about two hours with Ring Concierge, trying on diamond rings, learning the ins and outs of the "four C's," and getting a peek into the workshop of one of their jewelers. 

It was an eye-opening experience that gave me a newfound appreciation for diamonds, which didn't particularly interest me before. I totally get why people will pay well into the six figures for a Ring Concierge engagement ring, even though the average American spends $6,324.

Here's what it was like.

SEE ALSO: A woman who sells 6-figure engagement rings on Instagram says there's a simple way to buy diamonds that look bigger for a lower price

DON'T MISS: A woman who sells 6-figure engagement rings through Instagram says people make a common mistake when buying diamonds — and it comes down to what they overspend on

Founded by Nicole Wegman, Ring Concierge is a NYC-based company that designs and sells customized engagement rings and other jewelry.

Source: Ring Concierge

Ring Concierge is not far from Manhattan's "Diamond District," a bustling block on West 47th Street lined with jewelry stores. Wegman says Ring Concierge sets itself apart from the chaotic Diamond District by offering a personalized, curated experience for people shopping for engagement rings.

Source: The Diamond District BID

"We're a private jeweler," she told me. "We're luxury. ... it's a one-on-one, we pull in an assortment that is curated just for that client, and each setting is custom-made for the diamond they pick."

Instagram Embed:
//instagram.com/p/BtUhdSMh4R-/embed
Width: 540px

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• The Vapur reusable water bottle ($10) is a flexible, foldable, and more portable alternative to bulkier water bottles. 
• Each one comes with a small clip to hang off your backpack or pocket loop. It also stands upright when full, and can be frozen as an ice pack for camping or beach trips. 
• The BPA-free plastic pouch is designed to be flattened out or rolled up small enough to fit in your pocket, making it perfect for commuting, hiking, and traveling. It's also dishwasher safe and easy to clean.

I have a love-hate relationship with drinking water. For me, downing a bottle after a workout or during a hot summer morning is an easy task, but drinking water throughout the day proves more difficult. There are limitless health benefits to sipping on water regularly — like clear skin, ample energy, and improved kidney health — yet none of these seemed to change my habits.

The issue wasn’t with the water itself. The issue was with the fact that carrying a large, bulky bottle around was annoying. Sure, there are dozens of awesome water bottles on the market and companies are constantly emerging from the walls with innovative ways to help you stay hydrated, but the unfortunate fact is that changing a product's color or upping the cooling ability of a container doesn’t do much when it comes to usability.

The Vapur Anti-Bottle stood out to me, not because it kept up with the newest trends or had fancy patterns, but because it lacked both of these characteristics. For once, I found a company that prioritized convenience over looks (though the bottle does come in some nice colors) — and the fact that the lightweight water bottle could fold up to fit in my pocket had me sold almost immediately. 

The Vapur Anti-Bottle is made from durable three-ply plastic that is flexible, foldable, and portable, which solves my decade-long issue of trying to avoid carrying too much extra bulk. It's also dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

I’ve tried to throw other bottles in my purse or in a backpack to evade carrying them in my hands to work, but finding room for them alongside my substantial clutter was nearly impossible. The Vapur bottle has changed my travel game because I can quite literally roll it up and put it in my pocket before my commute or trip and then fill it up when I get to work or the airport.

Aside from its space-saving convenience, I noticed an immediate difference in the amount of water I drank throughout the day simply because of how much easier it was to carry around.

The promise of a light and flexible container held up after multiple uses, and I was pleasantly surprised to find how durable it was. I saw no leakage, tearing, or wear of the Vapur bottle despite the rolling and bending of the plastic in an effort to shove it in the smallest compartment in my purse.

If ease of transport isn’t a major issue for you, Vapur is still worth it — particularly if you care about sustainability. The slim foundation actually takes less energy to create so the bottle leaves less of a harmful footprint on the environment. The company also partners with different charities working on eco-friendly initiatives.

Since 2009, the founders and their team have produced over 40 products ranging in size, color, and shape so that the needs of travelers, adventurers, and commuting corporate crowds can be addressed with one swoop. The Vapur bottle has become the only bottle I travel with and has definitely served as a staple in my daily routine.

Shop Vapur from $5.24 here: Amazon

Shop Vapur from $9.99 here: Bed Bath & Beyond

SEE ALSO: The best water bottles you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

• Now that a federal judge has voided Paul Manafort's plea deal with the special counsel Robert Mueller, Manafort's best shot at avoiding spending the rest of his life in prison hinges on being pardoned by President Donald Trump.
• But it may not be that straightforward: with the 2020 election around the corner and a newly empowered Democratic-led House of Representatives, pardoning Manafort is a politically risky move for the president.
• Even if Manafort's gamble pays off and he secures a pardon, he's still not out of the woods. In that case, said one Justice Department veteran, "the stopwatch starts on various state prosecutors in New York, Virginia, Washington, DC, and anyone else who might have the jurisdiction."
• It's unclear why Manafort made such a risky gamble.
• "He is simply a con man and grifter who seems to be in constant motion to avoid doing the right thing and telling the truth," said the former federal prosecutor. "He is always looking for the angle and will do so until the cell door locks behind him."
• But one criminal defense attorney, who requested anonymity because they are actively involved in the Mueller probe, floated another option: "Maybe Manafort was lying because telling the truth would reveal something more sinister," they told INSIDER.

Paul Manafort's chances of skirting a lifelong prison term could now hinge on the personal whims of a man who has shown little loyalty to those around him.

That was the general consensus among legal scholars after a federal judge ruled this week that Manafort, the former chairman of President Donald Trump's campaign, violated his plea deal with the special counsel Robert Mueller by lying to prosecutors about several threads in the Russia investigation.

US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson nullified Manafort's plea deal as a result and released Mueller from any obligations he had to show Manafort leniency.

"Most prosecutors have seen defendants about to be sentenced who truly regret their actions and are determined to start a new lease on life once they serve their sentence," Jeffrey Cramer, a longtime former federal prosecutor who spent 12 years at the Justice Department, told INSIDER. "We have also seen individuals who are anti-social and simply do not care if their actions hurt others either physically or financially."

But Manafort, he said, "fits into a third category. He is simply a con man and grifter who seems to be in constant motion to avoid doing the right thing and telling the truth. He is always looking for the angle and will do so until the cell door locks behind him."

One criminal defense attorney, who requested anonymity because they are actively involved in the Mueller probe, floated another option: "Maybe Manafort was lying because telling the truth would reveal something more sinister," they told INSIDER. "Who else would risk doing something this stupid without a guarantee of freedom?"

Read more:A judge nullified Paul Manafort's plea deal with Mueller after ruling that he lied to prosecutors

'Like a guy shooting craps down to his last chip, Manafort has placed himself in an unenviable position'

Jackson ruled Wednesday that Manafort made false statements to prosecutors about:

• A $125,000 payment made to a firm in 2017 related to a debt that Manafort had incurred.
• His interactions with the former Russian intelligence operative Konstantin Kilimnik and Kilimnik's role in the alleged conspiracy to obstruct justice by trying to influence the testimony of two witnesses in February.
• Information that was pertinent to another Justice Department investigation.

Manafort has been charged twice in the Mueller probe for offenses relating to his years of work lobbying for a pro-Russian Ukrainian political party in the US. Following his first trial, he was convicted on eight counts of tax and bank fraud.

Manafort was scheduled to go to trial again in September, but instead struck a deal with the special counsel's office to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of obstruction of justice in exchange for his cooperation.

Now that his plea deal has fallen apart, Justice Department veterans say Manafort's freedom depends on Trump.

"Manafort will spend the rest of his life in prison (unless pardoned)," wrote Elie Honig, a former federal prosecutor from the Southern District of New York who prosecuted hundreds of organized-crime cases.

Cramer echoed that view.

"Like a guy shooting craps down to his last chip, Manafort has placed himself in an unenviable position," he said. "Manafort never thought Mueller would learn about his post-cooperation duplicity. Now, he must wait for a presidential pardon from a many who hasn't demonstrated much loyalty to those around him. That's a gamble on a level that's hard to imagine."

Read more:Former Trump lawyer John Dowd predicts Mueller's report will never see the light of day

Even if Manafort gets a pardon, 'the stopwatch starts on various state prosecutors'

Trump and his allies have embarked on a months-long public relations campaign aimed at discrediting the Russia probe and Mueller, whom they accuse of going on a politically motivated "witch hunt" against the president and his associates.

Though Trump initially backed his former campaign advisers and administration officials against prosecutors, the White House later distanced itself from them as the special counsel secured more indictments and guilty pleas.

When it surfaced that the former Trump campaign foreign policy aide George Papadopoulos had admitted to lying to the FBI and was cooperating with prosecutors, the White House dismissed him as a low-level "coffee boy."

When the FBI raided the property of Trump's former lawyer and longtime fixer, Michael Cohen, the president came out swinging in his defense. But as time went on, the White House cut Cohen off, and when Cohen began cooperating with prosecutors, Trump and his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, began publicly bashing Cohen. Cohen also recently alleged that they had made threats against him and his family.

Manafort and the former US national security adviser, Michael Flynn, are the only two people in Trump's inner circle embroiled in the Russia probe who have not been public targets of his anger. Last year, The New York Times reported that Trump's former defense lawyer, John Dowd, floated pardons to both men in the summer of 2017 in what appeared to be a quid pro quo offer in exchange for their silence.

Trump has publicly defended Manafort in recent months, praising his refusal to "break."

Giuliani also told INSIDER last year that even though Manafort had struck a cooperation deal with prosecutors, his joint defense agreement with Trump was still in effect. At the time, legal scholars brushed off Giuliani's claim, saying it would be impossible for Manafort to cooperate against the president while remaining in a joint defense agreement with him.

But several weeks later, it surfaced that Mueller's team was furious because it had learned that Manafort's lawyers were briefing Trump's team on what their client was being questioned about in connection with the investigation.

Those events, Justice Department veterans told INSIDER, don't point to a coherent legal strategy, but to a play for a presidential pardon.

It may not be that simple, however.

With the 2020 presidential election around the corner and a newly empowered Democratic-led House of Representatives, "Trump knows that a Manafort pardon is politically risky right now and will only hasten talk of impeachment," Jens David Ohlin, a vice dean at Cornell Law School who is an expert in criminal law, told INSIDER.

"Ironically, Manafort's best hope is that Trump loses the 2020 election and then pardons Manafort on his way out of the White House," he added.

Even then, Manafort may not be out of the woods.

Manafort has been accused of laundering millions of dollars, failing to pay income taxes, and actively engaging in assisting outside governments that are often hostile to the US without registering as a foreign agent.

If his gamble pays off and Trump grants him a pardon, "the stopwatch starts on various state prosecutors in New York, Virginia, Washington, DC, and anyone else who might have the jurisdiction," Cramer said.

SEE ALSO: A judge nullified Paul Manafort's plea deal with Mueller after ruling that he lied to prosecutors

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Watch President Trump announce deal to end the government shutdown for 3 weeks

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• Nowadays, you won't only find candles at home brands, or pricey specialty candle manufacturers like Diptyque and Byerdo. 
• Even jewelry and lingerie startups like Mejuri and LIVELY are making and selling their own candles, both as a thematic complement to their core business and as an affordable alternative to traditional luxury brands.  
• Though these $30 to $40 candles come from a variety of companies, what ties them together is their ability to create a relaxing atmosphere and draw shoppers deeper into the brand experience. 

You're shopping for jewelry for yourself when you notice your favorite gold delicates startup also sells its own candles. As you move on to browsing lingerie, you get an eerie sense of déjà vu — there it is again, like a hazy mirage inviting you to close your eyes and take a deep breath.

Candles are becoming a popular offering for not only home startups, which naturally revolve around creating a peaceful, comfortable space, but also unexpected companies like jewelry and apparel. 

If your main goal today is to find a set of stacking rings, why would you veer off course to a candle? For Mejuri, an online company whose mission "is to have women embrace a daily dose of luxury," candles are a natural extension of its brand, and it's hoping you'll see rings and a candle as a natural pairing. 

Believing broadly that "luxury comes from the small moments," the founders wanted to introduce a complementary, self-care product that gives its customers the same little thrill as when they put on a beautiful necklace or pair of earrings. 

It sells two varieties of hand-poured, small-batch candles, the A.M. and the P.M., meant to match your changing moods throughout the day. Bedding startup Brooklinen sells a similar concept in its A.M. to P.M. set of candles, which takes you from the fresh, invigorating morning air of the oceanside to the warm, comforting embrace of a nightcap. 

Home startups Snowe and Parachute also center their candles around different moods rather than describe the scent first. If you want to feel the dewy relaxation of a spa, try the Rinse & Repeat, but if you'd prefer to stay at home, Staycation is a perfect match. 

Lingerie and swimwear startup LIVELY listened to its community in order to arrive at its candle product. It first expanded into beauty in 2018 by launching a fragrance, Jasmine. Sea. Sun. Shoppers told the brand they'd love to see this playful blend of jasmine, sea salt, pear, and sandalwood in a candle, and it was happy to deliver. The scent aims to carry on LIVELY's story of carefree, confident living. 

In the end, everything comes back to making you feel comfortable in your own skin. In that way, jewelry, lingerie, and home brands aren't really so different from each other. 

These candles are a romantic way to keep you engaged with the brand and get a scent-driven dose of luxury, but on a practical level, they're also the more affordable route to take.

Name-brand luxury candles like diptyque and Byerdo cost $60 to $90 — a true splurge. Meanwhile, startup candles of the same size average $35, plus they have the additional benefits of using cleaner, natural ingredients. New companies that specialize in candles and fragrance, like Otherland and Skylar, are also cropping up in the wave of accessible direct-to-consumer alternatives to traditional brands. To add to your candle collection without overspending, try looking to one of your favorite online startups first. 

You can shop candles from a variety of startups below. 

P.M. Candle from Mejuri: 9 oz. and 40-45 hour burn time, with notes of tuberose, violet, and lily

P.M. Candle, $40, available at Mejuri

Shop all Mejuri here

Dusk Candle from Brooklinen: 10.5 oz. and 50-60 hour burn time, smells like a "cozy cabin in the woods"

Dusk Candle, $35, available at Brooklinen

Shop all Brooklinen here

Jasmine. Sea. Sun. Candle from LIVELY: 5 oz. and 35 hour burn time, with notes of Jasmine Sambac, sea salt, crisp pear, and sandalwood

Jasmine. Sea. Sun. Candle, $35, available at LIVELY

Shop all LIVELY here

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• In theory, organizational tools should make your home more comfortable and your life more efficient.
• When those tools are plastic bins typically found in dorms and container stores, they can pit functionality against style and create contradictory stress.
• Below are 31 ways to organize your home effectively without compromising on looks. 

If you want to live inside of an organized home, the options can be a bit sterile and uninspired; a classic interior design nightmare played out between form and function. 

But you can get aesthetically pleasing organizational tools. They might cost a bit more upfront, but I'd wager that they're more than worth the extra cost. You only buy them once, and you don't have to live around soulless plastic bins that remind you of time spent in a dorm or quarantine rather than enjoying the fact that you always know where your college T-shirts are. Organization should make your life easier and your home more comfortable and efficient, not the other way around. 

If you're looking for some stylish options that can help organize your life and place, check out 30 below for some inspiration. Otherwise, a good general rule is that you can find some pretty great options at stores like Food52, West Elm, Nordstrom, and even Urban Outfitters and the newly elevated Amazon Home Basics. 

Below are 31 stylish purchases to organize your place:

A stainless steel sponge caddy

Joseph Joseph Stainless Steel Surface Sink Caddy, available on Amazon, $16.40

The Joseph Joseph stainless steel sink caddy will keep your soapy sponge and dishwashing tools within reach but out of the way. Plus, the steel is fingerprint-proof. 

A modular countertop set

Modular Ceramic Countertop Set, available on Food52, $99

This set of modular countertop helpers is made from durable ceramic and topped with wooden lids, including a slotted option to store utensils at the ready. 

Wicker storage baskets

Trademark Innovations Foldable Hyacinth Storage Baskets, Set of 4, available on Amazon, $69.89

This set of four wicker storage baskets can be used anywhere and for anything. They take the place of those collapsible fabric ones we all had at some point in college. 

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• Headphones that are comfortable to sleep in are hard to come by.
• AcousticSheep's SleepPhones ($99.95) are the original, and though they're not perfect, they're the best option I've found.
• The fleece is thick enough and the speakers thin enough to lay on top of comfortably.
• The battery life is long, the audio quality is good, and the volume has a better range than I've found in other products.
• There are cheaper options, but you might have to settle with inconveniences that make using sleep headphones pointless for the lower price.

Whether your neighbor just brought home a yappy dog, your partner snores, or you just really love listening to the measured cadence of an audiobook before you fall asleep, there are few prospective inventions so appealing as headphones that are comfortable enough to sleep in.

Like most people who rely upon audiobooks, podcasts, Orca Whale calls, or sleep playlists to fall asleep, I’ve been looking for such a hero product for a long time. Many high school mornings began with my mom tugging headphones out of my ears and an exasperated, obligatory warning about strangulation risk. Even now, roommates and thin walls prevent me from listening to music out loud at a comfortable volume (too low and you stay up straining to hear, too loud and you stay up worrying you’re being rude). As a result, I’ve woken up with a sore neck, back, and limbs from falling asleep with bulky over-ear headphones or seemingly minimal in-ear pods. I’ve even tried layering my pillows to provide the ideal depression for my ear to fit with a headphone with minimal pressure.

In other words, I’m a good candidate for the AcousticSheep Wireless Bluetooth SleepPhones. They’re the original sleep-friendly headphones, and you can find their Bluetooth version on Amazon for $99.95 or their Classics for $40 (not Bluetooth). The AcousticSheep headphones were created by a family physician to help patients fall asleep faster without relying on drugs. They're carried at Nordstrom, Amazon, Walmart, and other popular online retailers.

The company recently sent a pair of their Bluetooth SleepPhones for us to test, and I’ve been sleeping with them for over a week. While they're not perfect, they may very well be the best option available, and I've been happy with them.

First of all, it should be mentioned that there are cheaper iterations on the market. You can pick up an eye mask with Bluetooth built-in for $26 if you don’t mind the limited use or prefer the style, and there are other Bluetooth headbands on the market for less money, though with potential trade-offs like lower volumes, a shorter battery life, or bulkier audio pieces that may not be comfortable enough to lay down on.

The AcousticSheep SleepPhones may not be perfect — one Amazon review accurately described their original product as feeling like a "prototype" — but most bed-friendly headphones still feel like an advanced school science project. But of what I've tried, the AcousticSheep are the best, and the company has fixed many of the bugs found in earlier versions. The SleepPhones do what I need them to do, and they do it without any of the little inconveniences that would make buying sleep headphones otherwise moot.

The Bluetooth has been reliable and removed the discomfort of cords, the battery life lasts all night (it should go for 1o hours on a full charge), and, most importantly, the ultra-thin flat headphone speakers are comfortable to sleep on even when lying down on my side. In terms of comfort, they are the best I've tried. I've also noticed that the volume capacity is thankfully louder than other sleep-friendly products. The Bluetooth SleepPhones comes in three sizes to accommodate different head sizes, and if you'd prefer it as a sleep mask, you can use it that way, too.  

Unlike many similar products, the AcousticSheep SleepPhones work like any other pair of headphones — letting you play whatever music or white noise you like, rather than being restricted to the same meditation tunes you find in an app. And unless you're playing them at a very high volume, a partner should not be able to hear the noise. There isn't a timer or "sleep setting" but you can usually set one on the app you're using. And while some early reviews mention speakers sliding around in earlier iterations, I haven't noticed that with my own pair. 

In terms of downsides, the SleepPhones are pricey, and while the soft fleece is comfortable and thick enough to cushion against the tech, it might not be ideal for anyone who sleeps hot. There's no indication of low battery (something you can address by consistent charging), and you have to "gut" the headband each time you want to charge the speakers. 

Despite its flaws, the SleepPhones manage to avoid the more obnoxious inconveniences that make buying sleep headphones pointless in the end. For those tradeoffs, I found them to be among the best options for comfort, audio quality and volume, and battery life. If that's worth $100 to you, you may want to give them a shot. 

AcousticSheep SleepPhones Wireless, $99.95

Join the conversation about this story »