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Michael Avenatti

Michael Avenatti was charged on Monday with attempting to extort more than $20 million from Nike.
According to a charging document from the Southern District of New York, Avenatti attempted to extract the money by "threatening to use his ability to garner publicity to inflict substantial financial & reputational harm on the company if his demands were not met."
According to an FBI agent's statement in the court filing, Avenatti told Nike that if they didn't comply with his demands, he would hold a press conference accusing the company of misconduct.
Earlier Monday, Avenatti posted a tweet saying he would hold a press conference on Tuesday morning to "disclose a major high school/college basketball scandal perpetrated by @Nike that we have uncovered. This criminal conduct reaches the highest levels of Nike and involves some of the biggest names in college basketball."
Federal prosecutors in California also unveiled separate charges of bank fraud and wire fraud against Avenatti later on Monday.

New York federal prosecutors on Monday charged the celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti with attempting to extort more than $20 million from Nike.

Prosecutors from the Southern District of New York said in a charging document that Avenatti tried to get the money by "threatening to use his ability to garner publicity to inflict substantial financial & reputational harm on the company if his demands were not met."

News of Avenatti's indictment came just after he posted a tweet saying that he would be holding a press conference Tuesday to "disclose a major high school/college basketball scandal perpetrated by @Nike that we have uncovered. This criminal conduct reaches the highest levels of Nike and involves some of the biggest names in college basketball."

In a court filing, an FBI agent wrote that Avenatti said he would hold a press conference alleging misconduct at Nike unless he and another lawyer were paid between $15 million and $25 million to conduct an internal investigation, or were given $22.5 million to resolve their client's claims and in exchange for their silence.

"Full confidentiality, we ride off into the sunset," Avenatti told a Nike representative, according to the FBI agent.

Michael Avenatti

At a press conference announcing Avenatti’s alleged extortion scheme, prosecutors said the lawyer first met with Nike representatives on March 19 and threatened to hold a press conference the following day accusing the sportswear company of being involved in the basketball bribery scandal unless Nike agreed to pay Avenatti millions of dollars under the guise of legal work.

Nike notified the Southern District of New York of Avenatti’s threats that same day.

The next day, on March 20, Avenatti allegedly said, "I’m not f---ing around with this, and I’m not continuing to play games … And it’s worth more in exposure to me to just blow the lid on this thing. A few million dollars doesn’t move the needle for me."

He allegedly tacked on: "And I’ll proceed with my press conference tomorrow and I’ll hang up with you now … and I’ll go take $10 billion off your client’s market cap. But I’m not f---ing around."

On March 21, prosecutors alleged, Avenatti said, "[Have you] held the balls of your client in your hand where you could take five to six billion dollars market cap off of them?"

Timeline being shown to reporters at the press conference. pic.twitter.com/Miv3JJmyxk
— Adam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) March 25, 2019

Avenatti also elaborated on what he would do if Nike didn't comply with his demands, according to the charging document.

"If we don’t reach a resolution … as soon as this becomes public, I am going to receive calls from all over the country from parents and coaches and friends and all kinds of people — this is always what happens — and they are all going to say I’ve got an email or a text message or — now 90% of that is going to be bullshit because it’s always bullshit 90% of the time, always, whether it’s R. Kelly or Trump, the list goes on and on — but 10% of it is actually going to be true, and then what’s going to happen is that this is going to snowball," he allegedly said.

"And every time we got more information, that's going to be The Washington Post, The New York Times, ESPN, a press conference, and the company will die — not die, but they are going to incur cut after cut after cut after cut, and that's what’s going to happen as soon as this thing becomes public," Avenatti said, according to prosecutors.

The FBI agent said Avenatti told Nike's attorneys that he would time his announcement to take place on the eve of the company's quarterly earnings call and the start of the annual NCAA tournament.

A second lawsuit from federal prosecutors in California charges Avenatti with bank fraud and wire fraud

stormy daniels

Shortly after the initial charges were unsealed, the Justice Department said law-enforcement officials would announce "details of new criminal charges against attorney Michael Avenatti ... who faces federal charges of wire fraud and bank fraud in the Central District of California."

According to prosecutors, Avenatti is accused in the California case of embezzling a client's money "in order to pay his own expense and debts," and of "defrauding a bank in Mississippi."

The lawsuit against Avenatti accuses him of executing a scheme, from roughly December 2017 to March 2019, to defraud his clients and to “obtain money and property” from them "by means of material false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises, and the concealment of material facts."

Prosecutors also allege that Avenatti attempted to facilitate a fraudulent wire transfer of $494,500 from The Peoples Bank in Mississippi to a California Bank and Trust account in his law firm's name.

Avenatti rose to fame over the last year for representing the adult-film actress Stormy Daniels, who sued President Donald Trump to get out of a nondisclosure agreement she had signed regarding an affair she claimed she had with him in the 2000s.

Daniels' lawsuit was central to a separate Manhattan US attorney's office investigation into Trump's and his former lawyer Michael Cohen's business dealings before the 2016 US election. Earlier this month, Daniels announced that Avenatti no longer represented her.

In a statement after the charges against Avenatti were announced, Daniels said, "Knowing what I know now about Michael Avenatti, I am saddened but not shocked by news reports that he has been criminally charged today. I made the decision more than a month ago to terminate Michael’s services after discovering that he had dealt with me extremely dishonestly and there will be more announcements to come."

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

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Healthy eating often falls by the wayside when you lead a busy lifestyle.
Veestro is a meal delivery service that makes it easy to get more plant-based foods into your diet without sacrificing taste or convenience.
If your New Year's resolution is to eat better or lose weight, and you've realized that it's difficult to fit it into your packed schedule, give Veestro a try.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet seems fairly straightforward. Years of health research and doctors everywhere tell us we should eat more vegetables and fruits, try to get our daily recommended vitamins, and limit our sugar and fat intake. If my life revolved purely around feeding myself, I'm sure I could become a glowing, nutritionally sound health goddess because I'd actually have the time to carefully grocery shop and cook healthy meals. But like most people, I'm otherwise occupied with work, hobbies, and social obligations, and eating healthy really isn't that easy.

When I think about eating healthy or "clean," my mind automatically jumps to salads and raw foods. Don't get me wrong, I love a good salad, but the thought of eating salads all the time makes my heart sink a little. It turns out this approach is pretty narrow-minded and uncreative of me because there are tons of tasty meals that can be made with real, unprocessed ingredients.

As I discovered while trying Veestro, a plant-based meal delivery service, they don't even have to include meat or dairy to be delicious, either.

Veestro sends fully prepared 100% plant-based meals to your door, virtually knocking out all your previous excuses not to eat healthier. All the meals are preservative-free and organic (96% of all ingredients used), and the recipes are conceived by a vegan chef with 30 years of experience. There's no prepping of ingredients and cooking involved — all the meals can be microwaved, reheated on the stove, or baked in the oven, so you can eat a hot meal within half an hour.

Veestro offers a variety of options to choose from and incorporate into your busy lifestyle:

A la carte meals: Pick and choose from 50 meals, like baked mac and "cheese," Tuscan calzone, portobello steak, and quinoa soup. Available in a 10, 20, or 30 meal order, start at $9.90/meal.
Meal packs:Options include a customer favorites pack,a high protein choice, a gluten-free option, and a juice cleanse. Available in a 10, 20, or 30 meal order, start at $9.90/meal.
Weight loss plans:3, 5, or 7-day plans that ship every two weeks and help take the guesswork out of weight loss. Start at $10.80/meal.
Juice cleanses:3 or 5-day plans of half pressed, half blended juices. Available for one-time delivery or subscription, start at $6.50/juice.

I was sent the $99 Starter Pack, which comprises 12 meals and one juice, to try. (Note: this plan is now called Chef's Choice and starts at $117 for 10 meals). Everything arrives in a box packed with dry ice. Make sure your fridge has enough room because everything needs to go in the fridge or freezer.

I ate the meals throughout the week, weaving them into my regular diet. The menu included veggie empanadas, country fried chick'n (seitan), three layer scramble, soba noodles, mushroom risotto, and a green juice. In general, I found the thawing and cooking times to be longer than suggested, though they were never grossly off. Because I was usually either impatient or low on time, I tended to microwave or reheat the meals on the stove instead of baking them.

While there were a couple misses, overall I really liked the taste and variety of the pack. I'll admit, I was surprised. Usually for frozen food to taste good, it contains artificial ingredients or preservatives, but I didn't see any of those while scanning the nutritional labels. My personal favorites were the red curry, Thai chick'n stew, and mushroom risotto.

The week I tried Veestro was particularly busy for me, so I truly appreciated not having to think about preparing food or give in to greasy takeout. I saw Veestro as a convenient way to incorporate plant-based meals into my diet so I could make a smoother transition into a healthy lifestyle, rather than forcing an unrealistic, abrupt change. Research has shown that a plant-based diet leads to lower rates of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. A longer life free of these complications sounds pretty great to me.

At $9.90 to $11.70 per meal, is it cheaper than making your own food? No, but what you're paying for is the convenience and freedom to concentrate on other parts of your life while still enjoying healthy, tasty food.

Browse all of Veestro's meal options and try the plant-based meal delivery service here.

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Rob Gronkowski

Rob Gronkowski is retiring from the NFL with his entire career earnings: $54 million, according to Spotrac.
He was able to save this nest egg by following a simple money rule: keep it simple by saving surplus money.
Gronkowski previously told Business Insider he lived off only his endorsement earnings.
Gronkowski is in good company — some of the world's wealthiest people, like Warren Buffett and Mark Zuckerberg, are known for having frugal spending habits.

Rob Gronkowski announced on Sunday that he would retire from the NFL.

The New England Patriots tight end has a nice nest egg to fall back on: his entire NFL career earnings, which total $54 million after nine seasons, according to Spotrac.

Business Insider's Scott Davis previously reported that Gronkowski, 29, hadn't spent any of the money he made during his NFL career, only his endorsement earnings. He advised other players to follow a similar plan and watch their spending overall.

How close are you to being able to retire? Find out with this calculator from our partners:

"I'd just say keep it simple," Gronkowski told Business Insider last year. "Keep it easy, and I'd say keep it simple. Get what you need to be comfortable, save the extra."

He continued: "It's a short career here in the league. The average is about three to four years, and when it's done, it's done. Be simple, manage it safe, so when it's done you've got a little base, a little foundation to live off."

Gronkowski's savings strategy isn't far from the financial habits of other successful millionaires and billionaires, many of whom also live relatively frugal lifestyles.

Some of the world's wealthiest people live very affordable lifestyles

Frugal lifestyles help millionaires get rich in the first place, according to Sarah Stanley Fallaw, the director of research for the Affluent Market Institute and an author of "The Next Millionaire Next Door: Enduring Strategies for Building Wealth," in which she surveyed more than 600 millionaires in America.

During her research, she studied the characteristics most predictive of net worth and found that six behaviors, which she called "wealth factors," were related to net-worth potential, regardless of age or income. One of those is frugality: a commitment to saving, spending less, and sticking to a budget.

"Spending above your means, spending instead of saving for retirement, spending in anticipation of becoming wealthy makes you a slave to the paycheck, even with a stellar level of income," she wrote.

Consider Warren Buffett, who still lives in the modest home in Omaha, Nebraska, that he bought for $276,700 (in today's dollars). Richard Branson is famously frugal when it comes to buying luxury items, and several other billionaires, like Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos, have been spotted driving affordable cars — Hondas, to be exact.

Tyra Banks, who has an estimated net worth of $90 million, saved so much money that she was able to buy a house at 20 years old. Her accountants even told her she needed to spend money and had her set up a frivolous account.

Jay Leno, who has an estimated net worth of $250 million, had a strategy similar to Gronkowski's. He's said he always tried to hold two jobs, spending money from one while saving from the other. He saved all his money from hosting the "Tonight Show" — as much as $30 million a year — and spent only what he made from stand-up comedy.

When it comes to reining in your paycheck, it looks like Leno and Gronkowski are on to something.

DON'T MISS: A woman who studied 600 millionaires found how rich you can get boils down to 6 'wealth factors,' no matter your age or salary

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I'm never willing to spend more than five minutes on breakfast, which means I spend a little too much at corner stores on bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches.
I got the Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker ($24.99) on Amazon because it makes breakfast sandwiches at home in under five minutes and has over 3,000 five-star reviews.
It looks gimmicky, but it's surprisingly convenient.
Below I'll walk you through what it's like to use one, but you can also shop it directly here.

For the last couple of decades, I have not been a “breakfast” person. Even when I was, breakfast was never permitted to be more time-consuming than adding milk to cereal.

The loophole, though, is getting a cheap device to do the handiwork while you sit back and reap all the benefits.

If you’re into the morning celery juice trend, that may mean a juicer. If you’re more likely to spend $20 every week buying overpriced egg and cheese sandwiches from the corner store, that may mean the Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker ($24.99).

I went with the latter. Mostly because it’s tiny, easy to clean and operate, and makes a breakfast sandwich in under five minutes. It also doesn't hurt that it has over 3,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, even though it sort of looks like a TV infomercial gimmick or something a genius eight-year-old would brainstorm.

In exchange for $25, I now know what’s in my food, save money on buying my own fresh ingredients, and factor in fewer stops on my way into work in the mornings. It hasn’t completely converted me into a “breakfast person," but it does mean I save money, time, and eat better when I do opt for one. It’s also a major bonus that it doesn’t take up tons of real estate in my shoe-box kitchen. And if you’re cooking for two, there are dual models ($39.99) (which are basically just two of these machines sandwiched together).

Here's how you use the Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker in real life:

Take the ingredients out and plug in the device.

When the light is red, it hasn't heated up yet. Once the green light flicks on, you can start adding your ingredients. All the parts are hot, so be careful with where you touch.

Once the light turns green, add the first layer of bread and cheese.

Once the light turns green, add the bottom of your sandwich (English Muffins work well because they're exactly the right size) and cheese. Then flip the next level of the machine down so you can add your egg and the top muffin.

If you're going to add pre-cooked meat or veggies, drop it on top of the cheese here.

Add the egg and top piece of bread to the next layer.

On the next level, you'll pour in your egg. If you're not going to whisk it, you should plan to pour the egg in and break the yoke. Directly on top of the egg, add the top muffin. Some warning bells may go off when placing bread on top of raw egg, but the breakfast sandwich maker cooks it through completely.

Set a timer for four-five minutes (depending on preference). I went with four and a half.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Everyone's guilty of occasionally telling lies at work.
Most of us tell lies in an attempt to appear more competent.
Business Insider spoke with Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert, to discover the most common white lies told in the workplace, and what to do instead.

You're a liar. I'm a liar. Even Hope Hicks admitted she was a liar at work.

"Lying in the office is a pandemic," Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job," told Business Insider. "Especially if you consider the amount of tiny white lies circulating in the daily course of business."

According to a University of Massachusetts study conducted by psychologist Robert Feldman, most us lie two to three times every 10 minutes.

Buy why are we lying?

"We bend the truth to make life easier," Taylor explained. "In many cases, we rationalize them as protecting others, thinking 'it'll keep the peace' or 'it's something everyone does.'"

"But mostly lies are told because they're convenient and often a cover up," she said.

It can be hard to detect if someone is lying to you, especially because face-to-face meetings are increasingly rare. But according to Taylor, even that's no guarantee of lie detection.

"The most difficult lies to detect are lies of omission. They're usually discovered much later. The typical conversation would go something like, "why didn't you tell me?" Followed by, "I assumed that ... "

The more egregious garden variety of lies include "massive" and "destructive" lies. A massive lie, for example, is promising an employee a promotion or salary increase and later going back on your word. A destructive lie is spreading malicious gossip about a coworker.

But most lying in the office is not egregious, and tends to fall in the white lie category.

If you're concerned a coworker is lying to you, Taylor suggests treading carefully. In her book, she recommends allowing people the opportunity to save face without going on the attack: "Get them to clarify their position. Ask them, 'Did you mean X or Y?'"

If they're a repeat offender, discuss it diplomatically, and be friendly with the stated goal of improving the relationship.

Taylor also suggests considering how serious the deception is: "Is the confrontation worth winning a battle and potentially losing a war? You don't want to ignore lies, as that will create unwarranted stress for you, but you don't want to hammer people with questions, either."

To help you identify when you're being lied to, we asked Taylor to share some of the most common white lies people tell in the office:

'That wasn't my fault.'

Taylor says this cover up is perhaps the most common of deceptions.

Some people will do just about anything to deflect responsibility, including blaming others or even inanimate objects like a computer.

laptop calendar

'I have to leave work early for a [fill in the blank] appointment.'

This is a common white lie almost everyone has relied upon at some point in their work lives to handle something personal, says Taylor.

But to be fair about "truth in excuses," most managers won't delve into your private life if you abide by their employment policies, so it's a common default.

'It's my first priority.'

This is a charming statement and music to any boss's ears. Thus, its wide popularity.

Of course, most employees have assigned the project as one of several priorities, but according to Taylor, it's told because it bides time and sounds great.

'The account is looking good.'

According to Taylor, it's common to find those who brag or engage in a little hyperbole to keep things pleasant for the time being.

It might keep their manager jovial, at least for a few hours. But they may be playing a high-stakes game that the account really will come in or grow.

work meeting

'That was my idea!'

There are always glory hogs in the office notorious for taking credit for others' work (unless the work has gotten bad reviews), says Taylor.

'I need it yesterday.'

Everyone has heard those who "cry wolf" about emergencies, only to witness the "hurry up and wait" syndrome.

When everything is urgent, credibility is lost over time and project urgency can quickly seem a sham, Taylor said.

'I can have it done tomorrow!'

In the zeal to get things done, people can over-promise. Better to over-deliver, recommends Taylor.

DON'T MISS: 11 signs someone is lying to you

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google background

You can change the background on your Google account to make your user experience more enjoyable and help differentiate one account from another on a shared computer.
Select from thousands of themes that come with stunning background images that will enhance your time on Google.
You have to use a Google Chrome browser in order to enjoy a customized Google background; browsers like Safari and Firefox don't allow the use of different backgrounds.

The standard Google background isn't all that inspiring. In fact, the barren white screen is actually pretty boring, despite the fun the company often has with its name written out there about the search bar.

But the good news is that you're not stuck with that plain white background; in fact, you can choose from thousands of different background images, so your Google searches will always start with an image you love.

And as changing a Google background only takes a few seconds, you can change it as often as you please, be that seasonally, weekly, or first thing in the morning each and every day. Here's how to do it.

Change your Google background image

First, fire up the Google Chrome browser. And if you're using Safari or Firefox or some other browser, close it down and switch to Chrome, as it's the only option that allows for background alterations.

1. Sign into your Google account, then click the three dots stacked atop each other at the top right side of the Google home screen.

skithc

2. On the dropdown menu that appears, click the word "Settings."

3. Scroll down to the section labeled "Appearances" and then click on the word "Themes."

google chrome

4. You will be taken to a page showcasing some of the most popular background options in multiple categories, such as "Space Exploration," "A Splash of Color," and "Enchanting Places." Click any image you want to use, or click "View All" in a category you like.

Screen Shot 2019 03 25 at 11.58.15 AM

5. Once you have selected a theme, click on it, then click the blue box that reads "Add to Chrome" on the next page.

add to chrome

6. When you go to the Google homepage, you should see your new background spread out across the page around the central search bar.

7. To undo your background and bring back the barren white, repeat these steps and click the words "Reset to default" next to "Themes" in the "Appearances" section of your settings.

And that's that, you can now enjoy a customized search experience. Beyond how your new background will make using Google more enjoyable, using different backgrounds for different accounts will help people who share a computer remember to log into their account, and to log out of any other users' account, as well.

Using personalized backgrounds is a good idea for the shared family computer as well as for a computer in a school's lab, a library, or of course the workplace.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

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michael avenatti Stormy Daniels Lawyer

Michael Avenatti is an attorney whose most famous client was Stormy Daniels.
He has inserted himself into the national conversation this year, often making claims about high-profile people, including President Donald Trump, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and R. Kelly.
Avenatti was also considering a 2020 presidential bid, but ruled it out after suffering numerous legal and professional setbacks.
A federal judge ruled against him in Daniels' defamation suit against Trump, he was referred to the FBI on accusations of lying to Congress, he was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, and on March 25, New York federal prosecutors charged Avenatti with attempting to extort more than $20 million from Nike.
Here's a look at his career, and claims he's made over the last several months.

Michael Avenatti may have been the most high-profile lawyer in America for a moment. The 48-year-old litigator has made headlines largely thanks to his former client, porn star and director Stormy Daniels.

Just days before the 2016 US election, President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Michael Cohen arranged a $130,000 payment to Daniels to keep her silent about an affair she says she had with Trump in 2006.

Avenatti sued the president, on Daniels' behalf, accusing Trump of invalidating a non-disclosure agreement, and of defaming Daniels.

Appearing on dozens of cable news shows, tweeting frequently, and often making claims that he has explosive information on people in the news, Avenatti has attempted to make himself a household name.

But in recent months, Avenatti has suffered a number of legal setbacks — including a judge ruling against him and Stormy Daniels' in their defamation lawsuit against Trump, being referred to the FBI on suspicion of submitting false statements to Congress, and being arrested on suspicion of domestic violence.

While the Los Angeles district attorney's office declined to press felony domestic violence charges against him, Avenatti decided to rule out a 2020 bid for the Presidency on December 4.

And on March 25, New York federal prosecutors charged Avenatti with attempting to extort more than $20 million from Nike, alleging he tried to get the money by "threatening to use his ability to garner publicity to inflict substantial financial & reputational harm on the company if his demands were not met."

Here's what you should know about Michael Avenatti:

DON'T MISS: Here are all the sexual-misconduct allegations against Brett Kavanaugh

Avenatti graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1996. Three years later, he received his JD degree from George Washington University.

During college and law school, Avenatti worked for The Research Group, a campaign research firm founded by Rahm Emmanuel, former President Barack Obama's chief of staff and the current Democratic mayor of Chicago.

Source: Chicago Magazine

After graduating law school, Avenatti worked at O'Melveny & Myers, a high-powered Los Angeles law firm. Over the course of his legal career, he has contributed to several high-profile cases involving Paris Hilton, Jim Carrey, and members of the rock band The Eagles.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

When you abide by a vegan lifestyle, buying everything from groceries to stylish purses and skin-care products requires a bit of legwork and research.
To make it easier, I've rounded up eight vegan skin-care lines below, plus the hero products you may want to check out from each one.

No matter what the philosophy, it can be hard to implement any lifestyle change into your life wholly. This is especially true for the burgeoning number of vegans living in a world seemingly built on animal products.

Buying anything requires legwork and research, whether it's groceries (down to the specific protein powder type), stylish purses, shoes, winter coats, or skin-care products.

Some skin-care lines have clear delineations that make it easy to shop for solely vegan products. Drunk Elephant, The Ordinary, Botanics, Josie Maran, Ole Henrikson, No B.S., Dr. Dennis Gross, Tatcha, and Yes To are mostly — but not entirely — vegan skin-care lines that are generally well-loved by vegan and unknowing shoppers alike. You can also shop the top-ranked vegan skin-care products on Sephora directly here.

A few smaller batch companies have committed to being 100% vegan, taking some of the pressure off the purchasing process, so you're safe to browse without doing your homework. But, finding the vegan options can be enough effort to undo that very convenience. With that in mind, I've rounded up eight vegan skin-care lines and the products they're best known for, so you can shop directly.

Below are eight 100% vegan skin-care brands to shop, plus where to find them — and which products you should consider getting from each:

Skyn Iceland

Shop Skyn Iceland at Skyn Iceland and Amazon

Hero product: Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels, $30

Skyn Iceland is an Icelandic skin-care brand that was specifically engineered to address the effects of stress on the skin. The company came to be after its founder, Sarah Kugelman, found herself in the hospital due to chronic stress. Products include the "Icelandic Complex," a combination of pure natural resources sourced from Iceland: Icelandic glacial water, molecular oxygen to encourage cell metabolism, and arctic super fruits like Arctic cloudberry seed oil and arctic red cranberry seed oil rich in antioxidants, Omega-rich fatty acids, and vitamins A, C, and E. You can create your own custom-fit routine, as well as take various stress tests to see where you land.

PETA actually honored Kugelman with a Trail-Blazer Award for her compassion and commitment to using only vegan ingredients and to never testing on animals.

Nuria Beauty

Shop Nuria at Nuria Beauty and Nordstrom

Hero product: Defend Gentle Exfoliator, $18

Nuria Beauty was founded by a 15-year Johnson & Johnson veteran who traveled the world brainstorming skin-care products. She noticed that each community had certain "Holy Grail ingredients" local to them that helped address the specific skin concerns their environment fostered — such as clogged pores in warm, lush climates. She rounded up all of these remote beauty secrets into one encyclopedic master line: Nuria, which also happens to be 100% vegan.

Nuria also donates a portion of its proceeds to She's the First, a non-profit working to end gender inequality in education.

Acure

Shop Acure at Amazon, Target, and Thrive Market

Hero product: Brightening Facial Scrub, $8.49

Acure is making a name for itself as the 100% vegan and "0% pretentious" brand for skin, hair, and body products after replacing the few products in its line that relied upon beeswax with animal-free alternatives. You won't find any parabens, sulfates, mineral oils, petrolatum, silicones, or animal testing with Acure's products. The Brightening Facial Scrub works on all skin types and uses a chlorella growth factor to stimulate new cell growth. It has more than 1,600 five-star reviews on Amazon.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Apple Watch

All Apple Watch models are varying degrees of water-resistant, but none are waterproof.
This means that, with an undamaged Apple Watch Series 2 to 4, you can use it when swimming at a depth of up to 50 meters, and that getting it wet on a rainy day is also fine.
But Apple does not recommend wearing any Apple Watch during certain activities, like scuba diving and waterskiing.
Here's how to tell the water-resistance rating of your Apple Watch, along with how to properly clean it and use it while swimming.

As someone who's experienced the panic of having to quickly dry off an iPhone or MacBook after an accidental liquid spill (a potentially expensive mistake), I was a bit apprehensive when first exposing my Apple Watch Series 3 to water.

In particular, this was because I hadn't looked into the matter much before getting into a kayak and paddling away, vaguely knowing my device was "water-resistant" (it did have workout options for swimming, after all) but not much else.

Apple Watches are varying degrees of water-resistant

All models of Apple Watch are indeed water-resistant, but not waterproof (as Apple is careful to distinguish).

In technical terms, the original Apple Watch and Series 1 have a water resistance rating of IPX7 under IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) standard 60529, and Series 2, 3, and 4 (the latest model) have a water resistance rating of up to 50 meters of depth under ISO standard 22810:2010.

In short, wearing your Apple Watch while exercising (and thus exposing it to sweat) is okay, wearing it on a rainy day is okay, and even swimming with it is okay. But wearing it while scuba diving or water skiing (submerging the watch below a shallow depth or exposing it to high velocity water) is not.

If you're still wearing a 1st generation Apple Watch or Series 1, however, you need to be a bit more careful. Apple does not recommend submerging your Apple Watch or Series 1 watches under water, though both models are splash- and water-resistant.

You probably shouldn't shower with your Apple Watch

While showering with your Apple Watch (Series 2, 3, and 4) is okay in theory, you'll probably want to take off your Apple Watch during this particular activity because exposure to soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and perfumes can affect the efficacy of water seals and acoustic membranes (leading to muffled speaker sounds). The chemicals in shampoo and soap can also reduce your Apple Watch's water resistance as a whole.

Water resistance is a feature that can irreversibly fade over time

Apple notes that "water resistance isn't a permanent condition and may diminish over time," adding that the Apple Watch cannot be rechecked or re-sealed for water resistance. The company lists a number of activities that can affect water resistance properties and should therefore be avoided.

The list includes dropping Apple Watch "or subjecting it to other impacts" (ouch), wearing it in a sauna or steam room, and exposure to soap (or soapy water), perfume, solvents, detergent, acids (or acidic foods), insect repellent, lotions, sunscreen, oil, and hair dye.

It's important to note that not all bands are water-resistant, like those made with stainless steel and leather. If you're planning on swimming or getting your Apple Watch wet, it'd be wise to switch out the band to something more water-friendly.

How to clean your Apple Watch

Cleaning your Apple Watch is not only important for maintaining the quality of the product, it also helps to avoid skin irritation. Here's how it's done, according to Apple:

1. Turn off your Apple Watch. Remove it from the charger, if connected.

2.If you're using a band that isn't water-resistant, remove it.

3. Wipe the Watch clean using a non-abrasive, lint free cloth that's lightly dampened with fresh water.

4. Alternatively, hold the Watch under a lightly running tap of warm fresh water for 10 to 15 seconds.

5. Do not use soap or other cleaning products to clean Apple Watch.

6. Dry the front, back, and sides of your Apple Watch with a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth.

More cleaning tips, from cleaning the Digital Crown to the band, can be found on this Apple Support page.

How to activate Water Lock

The Water Lock feature locks an Apple Watch's screen to avoid accidental taps during swimming and other water-based activities. There are two ways to activate this feature:

1. Start a swimming workout. Both Pool Swim and Open Water Swim workouts will automatically activate the Water Lock feature. Simply open the Workout app and tap Pool Swim or Open Water swim to begin.

Apple Watch water resistance

2. Manually activate Water Lock by swiping up on the Watch face and tapping the water droplet icon. Upon activating the Water Lock feature, a blue water droplet will appear in the center of the Watch face.

water

And once you're done, here's how to deactivate it:

1. After a swimming workout, press the Digital Crown and side button at the same time. This will pause the workout. Turn the Digital Crown to unlock the screen. Then, swipe right and tap the X to end the workout.

2. If you manually activated Water Lock, simply turn the Digital Crown until the blue teardrop fills the circular icon. Once unlocked, Apple Watch will make a series of sounds that are intended to clear water from the Watch's speakers.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

SEE ALSO: The best smartwatch you can buy

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Joana Galvao

At 22, Joana Galvão started her own graphic design business.
Using old-fashioned approaches like face-to-face networking, she pulled in $100,000 in revenue within just ten months of going solo.
One key piece of her advice for other would-be entrepreneurs: Don't be afraid to reach out to people a few steps ahead of you to express admiration, ask a question, or offer something of value.

You hear lots of stories about people who had big dreams of starting giant companies and building huge audiences with innovative strategies. I am not one of those people.

I stumbled into starting a business when I was just 22 years old. I began with incredibly low expectations, and used old-fashioned approaches like face-to-face networking to grow my business. Still, I managed to pull in $100,000 in revenue within just ten months of going solo. I’m living proof that a groundbreaking idea and a ton of cash aren’t necessary to transform your life.

How I went from just covering the rent to a six-figure income

Five years ago, I was just like most 22 year olds. I had recently graduated with a degree in graphic design and was slogging it out as a junior designer at a London agency. But just like a lot of young professionals, I dreamed of a more exciting, flexible lifestyle where I could work from the beach. (Reality check from 27-year-old me: Working on the beach is actually the least practical thing ever.)

Then one day, I stumbled on videos from coach Marie Forleo about the upcoming launch of her eight-week marketing course, B-School. One showed a former waitress turned successful entrepreneur. Another asked viewers to finish the sentence, “Wouldn't it be great if …?” Inspired by the waitress-turned-business owner I’d just watched, I wrote, “Wouldn't it be great if I magically started getting freelance clients, so that I could quit my job and make enough money to join B-School.” That was my first entrepreneurial goal — to make $2,000 in ten days to join a course.

It was a small start, but a woman saw a comment I had left on one of Forleo’s videos and messaged me to say, "I don't have $2,000, but I have $800, does that buy me a logo?" At the time, if someone had asked, I would have charged $100 for a logo. I had no clue how things were priced. But I played it cool and replied, "Normally I charge $1,000, but sure, I’ll do it for $800."

That was my first client. I went above and beyond for her, and she ended up posting in an online group of 17,000 entrepreneurs about my work. That led to a flood of inquiries for more design jobs. I put in crazy hours for a few days to finish the work during nights and weekends, but I made my goal and joined B-School. I also learned that owning my own business could be more than a daydream.

After just two more months, I had quit my job to go freelance full-time. Still, my expectations were low. All I wanted to do was cover my old salary. I figured a couple of logo jobs and teaching a few Zumba classes would do it. Then, on my first month out on my own, I made more than double my previous salary.

Because I had expected so little from my business initially, I didn’t immediately upgrade my lifestyle when my income went up. Instead, I decided to fly myself to New York for a one-week internship with an entrepreneur I had followed and admired for a long time. While I was there, I also attended networking events. The price tag for the trip was steep for a new freelancer, but the investment turned out to be worth it. At one event, I met online marketers Derek Halpern and Lewis Howes, both of whom became clients, raising the profile of my business. Later in the year, I spent another $5,000 to go to another conference. Again, meeting potential clients there accelerated my business.

New isn’t necessarily better

By the end of 10 months, I had pulled in six figures in revenue and hired my first two employees — and all this success was from someone whose biggest hope less than a year before was not to have to teach too many Zumba classes to pay the rent.

Why tell my story? There are three takeaways I hope to pass along to other would-be entrepreneurs from my journey.

Dream bigger

My own entrepreneurial dreams were sparked by videos of people who had even less of a business background than me who had become successful. They showed me that you don’t need decades of experience or a particular or some special personality to make it as an entrepreneur. If a waitress could do it, so could a girl from Portugal with a design background and low rent. Perhaps someone else will see themselves in me and understand that they are dreaming too small for themselves, too.

A huge audience isn’t required

You don’t have to build a big audience to be successful. I don’t have millions or even thousands of Instagram followers. Instead, I built my business through in-person networking. Doing things the old-fashioned way might be less trendy these days, but it’s still a very effective option.

Reach out to those a few steps ahead of you

People like to do business with people that they know, so don’t be afraid to start conversations with people who are a few steps ahead of you in their careers (super successful people, on the other hand, probably won’t have the time to respond). Reach out and express admiration, ask a question, or offer something of value. I'm now finding out how effective this is for myself. I like it when someone messages me and says, “I've been following your path, and you inspire me. Can I ask you please, how do you do this or that?" I hate to admit it, but it's a nice ego rub, which also makes it an incredibly effective way to build relationships.

Joana Galvão is the co-founder of Gif Design Studios, an award-winning design agency specialized in brand identities and conversion-obsessed design. Based in Porto, Portugal, with a team of 10 designers and developers, Gif Design Studios offers a full range of print and digital design services to industry leaders in seventeen countries on five continents. Joana speaks internationally on the power of design and creativity and her work has been featured in the Guardian UK, Brand Brilliance, and Digital Arts magazine.

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NOW WATCH: 12 everyday phrases that you're probably saying incorrectly

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Amex Platinum

If you have the Platinum Card® from American Express, you can automatically get Gold elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors loyalty program without having to stay a certain number of nights.
Even if you stay in hotels just five or six nights a year, the perks that come with Gold status can be particularly valuable, ranging from extra points to free breakfast.
Read on to see the benefits you can get.

The US version American Express Platinum Card offers a tremendous amount of value for cardholders, despite a large $550 annual fee. For instance, during my first year with the card, I got more than $2,000 in value, netting me more than three times the value of the annual fee.

In addition to perks like airport-lounge access and travel credits, one big benefit of the Platinum Card is that just by holding it you're eligible for complimentary mid-tier elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors hotel loyalty programs.

Without the Platinum Card, you'd generally need to spend at least 25 nights in Marriott hotels to earn Gold status in the Bonvoy, or a whopping 40 nights (or 20 stays) in Hilton hotels to earn Hilton Honors Gold.

While the benefits of elite status are obviously more useful the more you use them — so the more often you stay in hotels — the status you get from the Platinum Card can still be worthwhile even if you just spend five or so nights in hotels each year. Just make sure to link your card to your loyalty accounts to activate the status.

While both hotel statuses are called Gold, there are actually some pretty big differences between the benefits that this level of status comes with at each brand.

Keep in mind that we're focusing on the rewards and perks that make the Platinum Card a great option, not things like interest rates and late fees, which can far outweigh the value of any rewards — plus, the Platinum Card is a charge card, meaning you have to pay the balance off in full each month.

When you're working to earn credit-card rewards, it's important to practice financial discipline, like paying your balances off in full each month, making payments on time, and not spending more than you can afford to pay back. Basically, treat your credit card like a debit card.

Marriott Bonvoy

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As part of Marriott's merger with Starwood, the two brands' separate loyalty programs were brought under a unified set of benefits in August, and were officially combined this winter.

With the unified program came revised benefits for each status level. Here's what you can get with Marriott Bonvoy Gold status from your Platinum Card (keep in mind that you'll have to book directly with the hotel to get your elite benefits, not through a third-party site).

You can also get complimentary Gold status from the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card.

25% bonus points on each stay

This is fairly self-explanatory. You'll get a 25% bonus on every point you earn during your stay — this includes the points you earn on your room, plus the ones you earn when you charge incidentals to your room, such as the hotel restaurant or spa services.

Room upgrades

This benefit is pretty self-explanatory too. When you check in, you'll get an upgraded room type as long as there's availability. This can mean you get more space, a better view, or some other improvement.

Late checkout

As long as there's availability in the hotel, you can get a checkout time as late as 2 p.m. as a Gold elite member. Just make sure to request it at the front desk.

Welcome gift

When you check in for your stay, you'll get 250 to 500 bonus points as a thank you. It's not huge, but it's a nice way to help pad your points balance.

Complimentary premium internet access in the room

This one can be especially useful. When you have Gold status and log into the hotel's in-room WiFi network, you'll get the enhanced-speed option at no charge.

Hilton Honors

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Hilton Honors as a reward program has undergone some changes over the past few years, but generally I find it to be a useful program. Its Gold level comes with a handful of extremely valuable perks, of which I'm definitely a fan.

Keep in mind you can also get complimentary Gold status with the Hilton Honors Ascend Card, or Diamond status with the Aspire Card.

Here's what you get:

80% bonus points

While Hilton points are generally worth a bit less than Marriott points — though not by that much anymore — Hilton makes up for this and more with a higher bonus on your earned points. Like with Marriott Bonvoy, this includes just about every room charge.

Free breakfast

This is a big one — enough that I often lean toward staying at Hilton hotels more than Marriott ones

Hotel breakfasts can be expensive, but sometimes it's the best option — especially if you want to maximize your vacation time. As a Gold member, you and a travel companion who's in the same room as you can get a free breakfast every morning. The savings from this can add up quickly, especially since the continental-breakfast buffet can be $20 or more per person.

Late checkout

The details on this benefit are a bit ambiguous, but as a Hilton Honors Gold member, you can get a late checkout time on request, subject to availability.

Fifth reward night free

Anytime you book a four-night stay using points, you can stay for a fifth night for free. Obviously this can be an excellent benefit if you're saving up points for a vacation — you'll have enough for your stay sooner.

Two free bottles of water

There's nothing quite as frustrating as checking into your room, tired and thirsty after a long flight or drive, and grabbing a water bottle waiting for you on your nightstand only to realize it's a wildly inflated hotel-minibar price. If you're a Gold elite member, there's nothing to worry about — two water bottles are free.

Room upgrade

You'll get a room upgrade when you check in if it's available. While this generally excludes executive suites, some hotels will give you a top upgrade anyway. Keep in mind that you may need to ask for the upgrade.

Learn more about the AmEx Platinum Card from Insider Picks' partner The Points Guy.

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jennifer bailey apple card event march 2019

Apple announced its own credit card on Monday, known as Apple Card.
Apple Card will have no annual, late, or international fees, and what Apple describes as a low interest rate.
The card will also have an easy-to-use app interface, and Apple is offering both a digital and physical version of the card.
Apple Card will be available to US customers starting this summer.

Apple on Monday launched its first-ever credit card, called Apple Card.

The new card — which Apple unveiled at an event at its headquarters in Cupertino, California — is a brand-new product line for Apple. Apple Card will have no annual or late fees, and an interest rate that Apple aims to have be "among the lowest" industry-wide.

Apple touted an easy-to-use app interface for the card, as well as a both a digital version and a sleek, physical version of the card.

Here's what we know about Apple Card so far, and how you can sign up for one yourself.

Customers will be able to sign up for Apple Card on their iPhones. Within minutes, they should be able to use Apple Card in apps, online, and at stores that accept Apple Pay.

Apple is partnering with Goldman Sachs and Mastercard for the new Apple Card, and it will be able to be used around the world.

If customers have issues with the card, they'll be able to contact Apple Card support through the Messages app — Apple says support will be available 24/7 via text.

Apple Card will be built into the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone. People who are familiar with Apple Pay should find it to be a similar app experience — the card, which is a nice rainbow gradient, will show up at the top of the app.

Inside the Wallet app, users will be able to easily track their spending. Apple will organize spending by category, like "Food and Drinks," "Shopping and Entertainment," etc.

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FILE PHOTO: Robert Mueller, as FBI director, listens during a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing about the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Capitol Hill in Washington, June 19, 2013. REUTERS/Larry Downing/File Photo

President Donald Trump declared he had been vindicated over the weekend, when Attorney General William Barr announced that the special counsel Robert Mueller did not find any evidence that the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia during the 2016 presidential election.
With respect to whether Trump obstructed justice — an issue his lawyers believed he faced significant legal jeopardy over — prosecutors did not come to a decision one way or another, but Barr and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein concluded that Trump did not obstruct justice.
Legal scholars said it was a significant victory for the president that Mueller did not find evidence of conspiracy.
But they expressed alarm at Barr's decision to come to a conclusion vis-a-vis obstruction, given his view that the line of inquiry was "legally insupportable" from the beginning and should not have been sanctioned by the Justice Department.
House Democrats are now calling for the release of Mueller's full report, as well as the underlying evidence, so they can determine whether Trump engaged in impeachable conduct.
Prosecutors "may not have found evidence that rose to the level of criminal conduct," said a former senior Justice Department official who previously worked closely with Mueller. "That doesn't mean they didn't find evidence of wrongdoing. If — or when — Congress and the public get that information, it will undoubtedly create another firestorm for the president."

On Sunday, the biggest cloud hanging over President Donald Trump lifted when Attorney General William Barr announced that the special counsel Robert Mueller did not find evidence that anyone in Trump's orbit "conspired or coordinated with Russia" during the 2016 presidential election.

With respect to obstruction of justice, Barr said prosecutors did not come to a conclusion one way or another.

"The Special Counsel states that 'while this report does not conclude that the President [sic] committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him,'" Barr wrote. But after reviewing Mueller's findings over the weekend, the attorney general concluded that the president did not obstruct justice.

Trumpworld rejoiced at the news, with the president tweeting, "No Collusion, No Obstruction, Complete and Total EXONERATION KEEP AMERICA GREAT."

President Donald Trump speaks with the media after stepping off Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, Sunday, March 24, 2019, in Washington. The Justice Department said Sunday that special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation did not find evidence that President Donald Trump's campaign

'This finding should conclude the matter of conspiracy'

Legal experts agree it is significant that Mueller's investigation did not establish that the Trump campaign conspired with Russia to tilt the race in his favor, given that the question made up the crux of the FBI's focus.

Barbara McQuade, a former federal prosecutor from the Eastern District of Michigan, told INSIDER, "Mueller is a superb investigator who spent considerable time and resources looking for conspiracy. If he didn't find it, no one could, and this finding should conclude the matter of conspiracy."

But Justice Department veterans also emphasized that the prosecutorial standard for proving conspiracy is higher than the counterintelligence standard used by agencies like the CIA. And they noted that the release of Barr's summary indicates that Mueller's work took on a prosecutorial focus rather than a counterintelligence one.

"There is no doubt that there were multiple overtures from the Russians to the Trump campaign, meetings between Trump associates and Russians, phone calls between Trump associates and Russians, and so forth," one former senior Justice Department official who used to work closely with Mueller told INSIDER.

"But to be able to prove that there was a conspiracy between Trump and the Russians, that's an incredibly high bar for prosecutors to meet, and if they can't prove it beyond a reasonable doubt, they would decline to bring such a charge, even if they had evidence pointing to that conclusion," the former official added.

Legal scholars expressed more alarm, however, with Barr's conclusion that Trump did not obstruct justice after Mueller declined to make a decision one way or the other.

Barr's conclusion on obstruction 'is just plain wrong,' experts say

Many of their concerns stemmed from the views Barr expressed in a memo last year, in which he described Mueller's obstruction investigation as "legally insupportable," adding that it should not be sanctioned by the Justice Department. Barr sent the memo to the Justice Department, Trump's legal team, and lawyers representing other figures of interest in the Russia probe, like senior adviser Jared Kushner, who counseled Trump to fire FBI director James Comey in 2017.

In his summary of Mueller's findings, Barr reasoned that because Trump was not guilty of the underlying crime of conspiracy, he did not have corrupt intent when he fired FBI director James Comey, and therefore was not guilty of obstructing justice. Barr noted that he and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein came to their conclusion without regard to the department's guidelines that say a sitting president cannot be indicted.

Matthew Miller, a former Justice Department spokesperson, said on Twitter that he found it "odd" that Barr and Rosenstein came to their own conclusion in the obstruction thread after Mueller's team declined to.

"If it is a decision left to Congress, and Mueller wasn't weighing in, why did they?" Miller wrote. "[Barr] could've just passed on Mueller's findings, but decided to put his thumb on the scale after a 48 hour review of the facts."

However, CNN reported on Monday that Mueller told Barr and Rosenstein three weeks ago that he would not reach a conclusion on whether Trump obstructed justice.

Nevertheless, Jens David Ohlin, a vice dean at Cornell Law School and an expert in criminal law, told INSIDER he was concerned that Barr came to a conclusion in the obstruction thread instead of the special counsel, given the attorney general's history of opposition to the line of inquiry.

Ohlin added that it was also "bizarre" that Barr said Trump didn't have corrupt intent because he wasn't guilty of the crime of conspiracy.

"That is just plain wrong," he said. "Trump's corrupt intent was broadcast, on national TV, for all to see, when he admitted that he fired Comey because of the Russia investigation. Also, Comey stated that Trump asked him to back off on [investigating former national security adviser Michael] Flynn and Comey refused to comply. The fact that Trump didn't personally conspire with the Russians over election interference isn't relevant to the question of corrupt intent."

Trump may not be out of the woods just yet

McQuade expressed similar concerns, telling INSIDER, "Mueller's report did not conclude that Trump obstructed justice, nor did it exonerate him. Why not? Was this because Mueller believed he could not indict a sitting president, and so he was deferring this question to Congress?"

She added that Barr's decision to conclude that Trump didn't obstruct justice "would seem to defeat the whole purpose for a special counsel to avoid conflicts of interest by insulating the decision maker from the executive branch chain of command."

In light of Barr's summary, a growing number of House Democrats are moving to demand the release of Mueller's full report, as well as the underlying evidence he used to reach his conclusions, as they conduct their own inquiries into the president and his administration.

The former senior Justice Department official who worked with Mueller said Trump could find himself in yet another legal quagmire if the department releases the underlying evidence for the Mueller report to Congress.

Barr's summary noted that in the obstruction inquiry, Mueller's team laid out all the evidence they had on both sides of the issue and presented it to the Justice Department. In their investigation into whether the campaign colluded with Russia, court filings indicate that prosecutors may have kept several details under wraps to protect ongoing legal proceedings.

"They may not have found evidence that rose to the level of criminal conduct," the former official said. "That doesn't mean they didn't find evidence of wrongdoing. If — or when — Congress and the public get that information, it will undoubtedly create another firestorm for the president."

Barr is set to testify before a subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee on April 9 about the Justice Department's budget.

But the hearing will be open for congressional leadership to sit in on, and one congressional aide told INSIDER, "There isn't a chance in hell that Barr doesn't get bombarded with questions about why he usurped Congress' authority and took it upon himself to absolve the man who nominated him — and who he previously said couldn't be guilty of obstruction — of criminal conduct."

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NOW WATCH: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is being praised for her line of questioning at Michael Cohen's hearing — watch it here

If we're upfront about it, our total dependency on plastic makes sense.

It’s the kind of material that sounds borderline pie-in-the-sky: durable, versatile, flexible, long-lasting, and cheap. Understandably, we have obliged by including it in nearly every facet of modern life: garbage bags, credit cards, headphones, toothbrushes... the list goes on.

But, unfortunately, this miracle material does have a fatal flaw — and it's wreaking havoc on the environment that sustains us. Scientists estimate the ocean will be more plastic than fish in 2050, and images of sea turtles stuck in 6-pack plastic rings are so ubiquitous that we are almost entirely desensitized to the implication. The ecological damages are piling up faster than we can wean ourselves off the material itself.

The news regarding climate change is dire. It’s no longer a question of if we will experience repercussions, but simply their severity. If want to make a difference — or take baby steps towards making a difference — you can start with actions like replacing plastics in your own home.

The next time you run out of something, replace it with a metal or glass alternative. Knowing you’ll reuse something makes it a better value, and wood and metal alternatives tend to hit within the same price neighborhood as plastics with the secondary benefit of also looking much more high-end in a home.

There are habits you can develop to mitigate your impact (cut 6-pack rings with scissors before they go in the trash, drink your cold brew without a straw), but your consumption is what is going to send the largest ripples without asking much of you in terms of convenience or cost.

Below are 25 home goods that are replacements for plastics you might otherwise buy. If you want to make the eco-friendly choice, opt for one of these:

Washable, mesh produce bags

BahrEco Washable Mesh Produce Bags, Set of 5, $9.97

This set of five reusable produce bags are a big life hack for sustainability. You can bring them to the grocery store to pick up veggies without each fruit having its own individual plastic bag. They're foldable, washable (and you can wash your produce in them, too), and have color-coded tags.

Reusable silicone food bags and steamer bags

Stasher Reusable Silicone Food Bag, $11.99

Stasher bag is billed as the world's first fully functional, self-sealing, non-plastic bag, and was developed as a healthy alternative to plastic storage bags. It has an air-tight, pinch-press seal for freshness and is made from 100% pure platinum food-grade silicone safe for everything from the freezer to the microwave, dishwasher, and boiling water, which is why you can even use them for sous vide.

Greenlight matches

Diamond Strike on Box Greenlight Matches, 300-Count, $8.95

Rather than plastic lighters, pick up box matches for the dual perks of being eco-friendly and mastering a life skill with street cred. These 300 matches are under $5 and include wood from sustainably managed forests. Plus, they're probably more reliable in an apocalypse than a lighter that needs to be refilled. What more could you want?

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Jogging strollers are great for parents who like to run and stay fit while taking care of their kids.
The Thule Urban Glide 2 provides the smoothest ride with the easiest one-handed steering around, making it the best jogging stroller you can buy.
Its genius design has even landed this jogging stroller a place in the National Museum of Sweden.

A good jogging stroller is the secret weapon of any fitness-minded parent. Whether you’re a working mom, a stay-at-home dad, or something in-between, parenthood demands a certain level of creativity if you want to take great care of yourself at the same time as your bundle(s) of joy. A standard or umbrella stroller is fine for cruising around busy city streets or shopping malls, but for running or hiking, a sturdy and zippy jogging stroller is the only tool for the job.

Testing the very best jogging strollers has been a passion project for me over the last several months. I don’t think I’ve done so much research on a single topic since I finished my Ph.D.! I tested each stroller over several runs on a variety of terrains, including sidewalks, city streets, gravel, and dirt paths. Some of the runs were short and quick, and others were long, slow plods over several miles.

I evaluated how easily each stroller folded up for storage and transport in the trunk of my hatchback. I paid attention to the smoothness of the ride, one-handed steering, how much sun and rain protection each stroller's canopy offered. Plus, while not crucial to the quality of your run, the size and accessibility of the bottom storage basket makes a huge difference to lots of parents. That’s where you stash diapers, extra snacks, and the works. If you can believe it, my chihuahua even loves to ride under there during leisurely jogs.

So what did I learn during my months of testing? There’s a huge difference in quality between the best and worst jogging strollers. But once you near the top, there are several amazing options. Which one you should get depends on preference and priorities. So here are the best of the best in a variety of categories.

Here are the best jogging strollers you can buy:

Best jogging stroller overall: Thule Urban Glide 2
Best jogging stroller runner-up: Bob Revolution Pro
Best jogging stroller for zipping around town: Bumbleride Speed
Best jogging stroller for super serious runners: Thule Glide 2
Best multi-sport jogging stroller: Burley D’Lite Trailer
Best jogging stroller on a budget: Chicco Tre

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

The best jogging stroller overall

Why you’ll love it: Excellent maneuverability, a smooth ride, and aerodynamic design make the Thule Urban Glide 2 the best jogging stroller.

At just under 24 pounds, this light and aerodynamic jogging stroller seems to skate across the pavement of my neighborhood’s sidewalks. I'm impressed by the way this Thule stroller handles, especially after trying many other jogging strollers.

Of course, sidewalks are ideal conditions and things got a bit rockier when I went off-road with it. I was able to push my toddler over miles of dirt and gravel terrain without a peep of complaint. This stroller really does handle impeccably well.

Serious runners will love the smooth ride and one-handed maneuverability. You can lock the front wheel during runs and let it swivel during walks around town. I adore the ergonomically curved handle and the twisting hand break for easier maneuvering up or down hills. The big overhead canopy also kept my toddler’s little legs dry during downpours.

The under-carriage storage basket isn’t the biggest or the smallest, but it’s a good size, reasonably easy to access, and comes with a weatherproof zipping top, which is an uncommon feature. The Thule Urban Glide 2 is also available as a double stroller.

Now for the few things I thought were less than ideal about this top pick. First, it’s definitely not cheap. So this stroller is not a budget buy. Even though my average-sized 3-year-old is way under the listed weight capacity, the seat area wasn’t quite deep enough for her, and her shoes were already peeking over the foot area. Of course, this won’t matter to people with younger children and babies.

The footprint of the two back wheels was wider than many of the other models I tested. This means I had a bit of squeezing to do to get the Thule Urban Glide through my front gate, which is, admittedly, not super wide. I also found it too difficult to maneuver through tight city spaces like my local cafe’s dining room. Still, this stroller does fold down into a smaller shape than some of its main competitors, especially if you pop the wheels off. All in all, the Thule Urban Glide 2 comes out on top as a stroller that handles beautifully in most circumstances.

Pros: The smoothness of the ride and the precise handling are unbeatable

Cons: On the expensive side, doesn't work as well for ages three and up, and has a wide wheel print

Buy the Thule Urban Glide 2 on Amazon for $479.99

The best jogging stroller overall runner-up

Why you’ll love it: The Bob Revolution Pro boasts a super smooth ride, tight steering, and a sturdy build.

I don’t normally feel the need to include a “runner-up” pick when testing products. But in this case, I think the Bob Revolution Pro is terrifically close to the Urban Glide 2 in performance. The differences between these two really come down to preference. Plus, “the Bob” as it’s called in the kid-having community, is an institution for a reason.

This stroller has a nice, smooth ride, and excellent handling. It’s sturdy enough that I took it hiking along a rocky path with little trouble. When the front wheel is in unlocked mode, it handled tight turns better than any other model I tried. has a nice big kid seat that accommodated my pre-schooler with room to spare, and a large canopy to protect your precious cargo from the elements.

There are a few things about the Bob that I wasn’t over-the-moon about, though. It’s heavier than some of its competitors at just over 28 pounds. This matters very little on flat, smooth pavement. But I could feel the weight difference when pushing it uphill. The weight also adds to momentum when going down hills, but the bicycle-style hand brake works well to maintain control.

It’s pretty easy to fold, but still takes up lots of space. It was a challenge to fit the Bob in my trunk. The wheels are easy to pop off, which helps. But it’s not ideal for people small-space concerns. The under-carriage storage basket is also on the smaller side and pretty hard to reach.

Even though some features of the Bob aren’t 100% perfect, this stroller is still a star performer, and would definitely give its Thule competitor a run for its money.

Pros: Great handling, large bucket seat, and an extra smooth ride

Cons: On the bulkier, heavier, more expensive side, with a small storage basket

Buy the Bob Revolution Pro on Amazon for $419.99 (originally $519.99)

The best jogging stroller for zipping around town

Why you’ll love it: The Bumbleride Speed comes with a nice big storage basket and three helpful front wheel positions.

The Bumbleride Speed stroller was a huge hit with both me and my daughter. I loved the large, easily accessible storage basket and the harmful chemical-free recycled materials. She loved the comfy seat design and the included bicycle style warning bell. The Speed stroller model also came complete with a tire handpump and a bumper bar that goes across the kiddo’s lap.

One of my favorite things about the Bumbleride Speed is the three separate front wheel positions, which is a unique feature in all the strollers I tested. It can be set to a fixed position, a swiveling position, and a third in-between position. This means that the wheel stays steady and in-place for jogging, but has just enough wiggle room to help you take tight corners. I loved it!

My 35-ish pound toddler fit nicely in the deep seat, with head and foot room to spare. The Bumbleride folds easily, actually fit in my hatchback, and has a nice smooth ride, although not quite as smooth as the Thule or Bob.

Now for some of the cons. There’s no hand brake, which doesn’t bother me, but many parents love that extra safety measure for going down steep hills. The handlebar is also lacking in cushioning. Since the wrist strap is attached right at the middle of the bar where I usually like to hold it, it wasn’t the most comfortable option.

I also didn’t love the sun and shade canopy, which didn’t stay in place as easily as I wanted it to. Still, overall, this is a high-quality option that rose to the top during my testing.

Pros: Great for tight turns, folds up well, and has a nice, large basket underneath

Cons: No hand break, imperfect canopy, on the expensive side, lacking in handlebar cushioning

Buy the Bumbleride Speed on Amazon for $569

Buy the Bumbleride Speed from Pottery Barn Kids for $569

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Lattes and cappuccinos are delicious, but those expensive coffee drinks can really add up.
An Amerisleep study found that the average American spends over $1,000 a year on coffee.
I love fancy coffee drinks, but don't love paying the high prices at coffee shops. The Aerolatte handheld milk frother is one of the most foolproof kitchen tools I've ever used — it turns any milk into a rich foam in just 20 seconds and only costs $20.

There's no better way to start your day than with a nice cup of coffee. While a plain old drip coffee will usually do, there's something about sipping on a latte or cappuccino that feels just a little more special. But specialty coffee drinks don't come cheap — the average American spends over $1,000 a year on coffee, according to an Amerisleep study.

I'm all about getting my caffeine kick every morning, but with New York City coffee shops charging $5 or more for a latte I've realized I'm better off becoming my own barista. The Aerolatte handheld milk frother is an affordable, easy-to-use solution that'll make quality coffee beverages from the comfort of your own kitchen, and help you save some money too.

The Aerolatte handheld milk frother may be a small device, but it has the power to seriously up the ante on your morning brew. It comes as one piece, but if you'd like you can also purchase a stand to keep the gadget on display and easily accessible. Truthfully, this is one of the most foolproof kitchen tools I've ever used. On one end of the device you'll find a thick handle and on the other end you'll find the frothing head, a circular coil-like thing. I can't tell you the mechanics of it all , but I can confirm that it works well.

To use, simply place the frothing head into a large cup of milk and press the power button on the handle. As the frother vibrates you'll see the milk thicken up into a silky, creamy foam. All you need is about 15-20 seconds and then your foam is all ready to go. Brew your favorite beans and pour this right on top for beverage that's coffee-shop quality. To clean, rinse the frothing head immediately after using it. Every once in a while, you should fill a cup with warm, soapy water and froth for a deeper clean.

If you're not a big coffee drinker, you can still get a lot of use out of this little gadget. Of course it works just as well for teas — think matcha and chai lattes — but it can also be used in even more creative ways, like to make a single serving of decadent, homemade whipped cream. And, you can use any kind of milk, even dairy-free options.

Whipping up some foam and pouring it over drip coffee or espresso makes those regular coffees feel a little more indulgent. While I usually chug my cups of black coffee, adding some foam makes it feel like a treat that's worth slowing down and sipping on.

You might think that making fancy coffee drinks is expensive or labor-intensive — after all an espresso machine can run you well over $100 — but this is a frugal solution that'll give you that same delicious flavor for a fraction of the price. Being able to have complete control over what you put into your drink is pretty nice, so is never having to pay an extra dollar for almond milk instead of regular. Plus, you'll impress your guests when you whip up drinks they thought they could only get for $8 at their local cafe.

At only $20, I can't sing the praises of this product enough. Even just using it for a week will get you your money's worth, but it'll last for much longer than that. It runs on AA batteries, so just switch those out when the time comes to keep it running as good as new.

There are plenty of great milk frothers out there, but if you're looking for a no-frills option that'll give you great foam for a great price, the Aerolatte handheld milk frother is an easy choice. Maybe you'll never really give up your morning runs to the local coffee shop, or maybe this will convert you — either way, this is a great addition to any coffee lover's kitchen.

Buy the Aerolatte handheld milk frother at Amazon for $19.95.

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saint jean cap ferrat france

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is an exclusive community on the French Riviera that's been known as a vacation hotspot for the well-heeled dating back to the late 1800s.
Its abundance of opulent historic villas owned by millionaires and billionaires has earned the seaside Mediterranean village the nickname the "Peninsula of Billionaires."
Actors, politicians, royalty, and tech titans, from Winston Churchill to the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, have vacationed or owned homes in the French seaside town.

The French Riviera is known to be a playground for the rich and famous.

But of all the seaside towns, the village of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat stands apart. The exclusive coastal community, known for its yacht-filled harbor and opulent historic villas, is home to only about 1,600 permanent residents.

"There are almost too many billionaires living here to count," Edward de Mallet Morgan of Global Super Prime Residential told CNBC in 2018.

Here's what it's like in the affluent seaside community of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

DON'T MISS: What it's like to vacation in St. Moritz, the hidden gem in the Swiss Alps where celebrities, billionaires, and royalty go to ski

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is a town of about 1,600 people in the south of France.

Source: INSEE

It's located on the French Riviera, on a peninsula jutting into the Mediterranean Sea, about a 25 minute drive from Nice.

Source: Google Maps

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is known for its striking coastal views, stately villas, ultra-luxurious hotels, and yacht-filled harbor.

Source: Four Seasons

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

On March 26, 1987, Nike released the Air Max 1. It was the first shoe to ever feature the brand's popular Air Max cushioning technology.
Today, Nike is celebrating 32 years of Air Max innovation with a bunch of new sneaker releases.
Shop Air Max sneakers now at Nike, Nordstrom, Foot Locker, eBay, and StockX— or keep scrolling to see our favorite pairs.

On March 26, 1987, Nike released the original Air Max 1, a silhouette that's regarded as one of the brand's most iconic sneakers. Created by legendary sneaker designer Tinker Hatfield, the Air Max 1 was the first shoe the Swoosh released that showcased the brand's Air technology with a visible window into the sole.

That single innovative design sparked phenomenons in both performance and fashion. With hundreds of Air Max sneakers released over the last three decades, it is one of Nike's most successful lines of footwear.

Now, Nike recognizes March 26 as Air Max Day, and today the company is celebrating 32 years of success. Of course, there's no better way to do so than with new sneakers, so Nike often uses this day to release limited edition styles.

Whether you want an undeniable classic like the Air Max 1 or Air Max 90, an innovative runner like the Air VaporMax, or the all-new women's Air Max Dia you'll find many classic and new styles from Nike for men, women, and kids.

Shop all Air Max sneakers at Nike now.

Find more Air Max sneakers at Nordstrom, Foot Locker, eBay, and StockX.

Check out the coolest pairs you can buy right now in the slides below:

Men's Air Max 1

Nike Air Max 1 for men, $110, available in five colorways

Men's Air Max 270

Nike Air Max 270 for men, starting at $119.97, available in eight colorways

Men's Air VaporMax 2019

Nike Air VaporMax for men, $190, available in seven colorways

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

texting woman phone millennial

You can set up and customize a Google Alert in a few minutes, and you can easily shut them down at any time once you no longer wish to track a given term.
Google Alerts can help you stay abreast of breaking news, keep you in the know on fashion and cultural trends, and even help you keep track of what's being said about you online.
You can customize the frequency with which you get Google Alerts, the region which Google should track for the search term, and many other metrics.

When you want to get an update on that news story you were following, who won the game you couldn't catch live, or what movies are coming out this weekend, chances are that you head to Google and do a quick search. But what if you didn't even have to spend time searching, because Google had already sent the latest information right to your inbox?

Google Alerts proactively searches the web for specific terms you’ve asked for, delivering you relevant content to you via email (or RSS feed) as often as you'd like.

A Google Alert can make you one of the first to hear breaking news, it can help you find your favorite influencer’s latest selfie, or it could even help you monitor the buzz around your own name.

Here's how to set up, customize, and delete a Google Alert.

Set up a Google alert

To set up a Google Alert, log into your Google account, then go to the Google Alerts page.

1. Type the search term you want to follow into the bar reading "Create an alert about..."

Screen Shot 2019 03 25 at 1.39.20 PM (1)

2. Click the blue box that reads "Create an alert."

That's it! You just created a Google alert. But your work isn't quite done. If you want Google to provide you relevant content that arrives on a specific schedule, there are a few more steps to take.

Customize a Google Alert

Go to your Alerts page and find the Google Alert you want to customize.

1. Click on the pencil icon to the right of the alert to open its settings.

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2. Customize the alert as you wish, setting parameters on the language of the content you wish to receive alerts in, the regions from you'd like to get content, the types of content source that interests you, and so on.

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3. Hit the blue "Update alert" box.

And if you want to have all your alerts delivered at a specific time, hit the gear icon to the right of the words "My alerts" and choose a time for delivery. You can limit your alert updates to once daily or even once weekly, though that rather defeats the point of getting the info quickly. You can also ask that Google deliver all your updates in a single email, rather than separately.