Brigham Young University is celebrating in style after the Princeton Review named it the most "stone-cold sober" school in the country for the 16th year in a row.
BYU is the No. 1 Stone Cold Sober school for the 16th year running. Let's celebrate our Sweet 16 right. pic.twitter.com/LfRyZw1ImV
— BYU (@BYU) August 5, 2013
Their counterpart on the Princeton Review's "party school" list was not as thrilled.
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The newborn Prince George is following in his mother's footsteps as a fashion icon.
When he was carried from the hospital to the waiting car by his dad Prince William, the world struggled to catch a glimpse of the little prince, who was bundled up in a cotton swaddle decorated with tiny birds.
And though the walk to the car lasted less than a minute, everyone had to know: Who was he wearing?
Style bloggers and fashion writers quickly identified the brand, and within four hours of George's appearance, the Brooklyn-based brand aden + anais's website had crashed. Within nine days, the company had 7,000 orders, a 600% increase according to The Associated Press.
Now, over 10,000 of the wraps have been sold, and the retailer's website visits have skyrocketed to nearly 2,000% more than its daily average in Britain, and 500% more in the U.S, according to the New York Daily News.
CEO of aden + anais Raegan Moya-Jones said she had no idea that her blanket was going to be Kate's choice for Prince George. In fact, she found out when a coworker brought her a picture.
“Not in a million years did I ever anticipate the future king of England was going to come out in an aden + anais swaddle,” Moya-Jones told the Daily News. “I was dismissive, because I really thought it was a joke.”
Kate reportedly bought the muslin blanket herself from a London store. It costs about $28 for a single blanket or $49.95 for a four-pack, and is sold at mid-range department stores like Nordstrom.
The affordable brand is also big with celebrities like "Parks and Recreation" star Amy Poehler, and Matthew McConaughey and his wife Camila Alves.
Of course, the craze for all things Kate and baby is not likely to die down as the tot gets older. Eventually, tiny boots, coats, and hats will be fawned over on parent blogs with the same gusto that Kate's every fashion choice is followed by fashionistas.
It's the "Kate Effect," and it's not going anywhere.
SEE ALSO: 17 Royal Heirs And Heiresses Who Will Someday Rule The World
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A phone case sold by Anthropologie appears to be a carbon copy of a print by an independent artist.
Consumerist points out that the iPhone case looks exactly like this print by Australian artist Amy Borrell. The company said it is investigating what happened in a statement to Consumerist.
“We’re currently looking into the iPhone case, which we purchased from a market vendor," the company told Consumerist. "Anthropologie takes the matter very seriously as we pride ourselves on the strong relationship we have with the creative community and the opportunities we offer to artists and designers."
Here's Borrell's print, The Big Bang, which retails for $130:
And here's the "Pixiegram" iPhone 5 case by Anthropologie:
SEE ALSO: 19 Fast Food Hacks That Will Change The Way You Order
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It is hard to predict when Cultured Beef, meat created by harvesting muscle cells from a living cow, will be available to buy. It is clear, however, that we need to make changes in how we produce meat.
By 2050, the world population is expected to hit 9 billion. The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) estimates that the demand for meat will more than double in the next 40 years.
Traditional livestock farming methods alone will struggle to meet this demand, and it may cause serious ecological damage in the process.
To start, there isn't enough water in the world to support croplands needed to produce enough food for an extra 2 billion mouths in 2050, Malin Falkenmark and colleagues at the Stockholm International Water Institute concluded in a recent report.
Meat is by far the biggest water-user. Roughly 1,500 gallons of water are required to produce just one pound of meat, Environmental Working Group co-founder Ken Cook said in a film produced by the Cultured Beef project. Already, 2.7 billion people worldwide suffer from water scarcity, and the water crisis is only getting worse.
Meat production uses up lots of energy too, between the grain that livestock consume and added costs related to care and transportation. It takes 55 calories of fossil fuel to make 1 calorie of beef protein, according to "The Food Revolution" by John Robbins, while it takes only 2 calories of fossil fuel to make 1 calorie of soybean protein.
Meat is also making it a lot harder to feed the world. Currently, 70% of farmed land is already used for livestock production. The same amount of land used to grow cabbage can feed 23 times as many people than if it were used to grow beef, according to Robbins.
To create new land for pasture and feed crops, farmers are steadily clearing forests around the world — thereby causing another environmental problem.
Livestock production is also a major factor in global warming, contributing to 18% of greenhouse gas emissions, according to a 2006 report by FAO. Cows are the main culprit, producing a lot of methane because of the way they digest food. More cows mean more methane at a time when the world urgently needs to control emissions.
Conventional livestock production raises moral issues as well. In order to meet the growing demand for meat, most agricultural industries have turned to factory farming as a way to raise lots of animals on scant space. Confining animals on overcrowded feed lots, where they are often subject to abuse, is increasingly seen as unethical.
This way of raising livestock also creates health risks. Seventy percent of antibiotics in the United States are used for factory-farmed animals to prevent the spread of diseases, says Cook.
All of these issues explain why Cultured Beef is a big deal.
The test-tube burger is far more efficient, using 99% less space than modern livestock farming. Cells from a single cow could produce 175 million quarter-pounders, according to the company, while traditional farming methods would need 440,000 cows.
If artificial meat caught on, it could have a tremendous ecological impact.
But we're not there yet.
First of all, the first Cultured Beef burger cost $330,000 to produce. The burger's creator, Professor Mark Post of Maastricht University, expects that price to decline rapidly, however, with large-scale production starting within 10-20 years.
Second, artificial beef still doesn't taste very good.
SEE ALSO: 9 Powerful Men Who Don't Eat Meat
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Until recently, Joe Bastianich was the lesser known partner of the super successful B&B Hospitality Group, the company he started with celebrity chef Mario Batali.
The duo opened Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca in 1998, and since then has gone on to open over 20 restaurants around the world – from New York and Las Vegas to Hong Kong and Singapore. The group's most famous restaurants include The Spotted Pig, Del Posto, Esca, and Lupa, among others.
These days Bastianich has grown into a bit of a celebrity himself.
He is a judge on both the Fox reality TV show Master Chef and its Italian counterpart Master Chef Italia. He also published a book – "Restaurant Man"– a memoir about his journey from the child of blue collar, Italian immigrant restaurant owners to an international restaurateur.
We recently caught up with Bastianich at Eataly, the Italian marketplace in New York's Flatiron district, and he shared with us some tips on making it in the very competitive restaurant industry.
Produced by Robert Libetti
SEE ALSO: Doug Mack Reveals The Management Secrets He Learned From Jack Welch
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Jeff Bezos just bought The Washington Post for $250 million.
A quarter of a billion isn't exactly pocket change, but it's a pretty small sum from one of the most important newspapers in the country—a reflection of how shaky finances have become in the newspaper business.
In recent years, some much younger media companies have sold for more than $250 million, as have a yacht, a huge house, and even a painting.
Here are a few things that buyers judged to be more valuable than the Washington Post:
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One of the best ways to experience the travel style of yesteryear's rich and famous is to spend some time on a luxury train.
Typically, these trains provide private two-person overnight compartments, some with built-in showers, along with lavish service, onboard guides, and elaborate meals.
Many also include a variety of day tours at stops along the way. Most carry passengers in vintage cars from the 1920s to 1950s that have been refurbished to modern standards or in newer cars designed to look like the classics.
Luxury trains are extremely expensive, so if you're more interested in the scenery and stops along the way than the extravagance, you can replicate many luxury rail journeys using ordinary modern trains at a fraction of the cost. I've included tips for this as well.
The Orient-Express has to be the all-time winner for name recognition among iconic trains. The Simplon-Orient-Express excursion train still makes the traditional run from Paris to Istanbul via Budapest and Bucharest once per year (local rail conditions permitting), lacking only the original's onboard murder and intrigue.
But most trips are shorter two- to four-day links on various routes connecting London, Venice, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, and Bucharest. The train uses original vintage coaches that have been upgraded to operate on modern railroads and are hauled by modern and usually electric locomotives. Prices run between $1,000 and $1,400 per person, per day, and are all-inclusive. The Simplon-Orient-Express folks operate vintage trains over several other European routes at comparable rates.
The Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express serves the world's longest continuous railway line. This luxury train operates 15-day itineraries in modern cars, linking Moscow with Vladivostok. The train provides three classes of service, and all three include in-cabin showers, meal service, drinks, excursions, services of onboard tour guides, and porterage. There's even an onboard doctor included in the base prices.
But prices are stiff, starting at more than $15,000 per person for double occupancy in Silver Class. Golden Eagle also operates a Silk Road train linking Moscow with Beijing via Bukhara, Samarkand, and Almaty. If that's too stiff, you can do the regular straight-through seven-day Trans-Siberian Express over the same route through Real Russia. A first-class berth costs about $2,000 per person for single or double occupancy, including meals.
South Africa's Blue Train is yet another storied luxury train. All accommodations are in private two-person compartments with built-in showers and toilet facilities. The trip cost includes meals, drinks, and a high level of personal service. The Blue Train runs between Cape Town and Pretoria; in either direction, you leave early in the morning and arrive at around noon the next day. Trips run four to five times a month.
Costs for a deluxe suite start at 15,155 rand (about $1,500, according to xe.com) per person for double occupancy in the high season (September 1–November 15) or 12,380 rand (about $1,260) during low season. A few luxury suites include bathtubs rather than showers, and these are more expensive. The Blue Train operates on other South African routes as well. If you just want the Cape Town-Johannesburg train trip, you can ride a sleeper on the bare-bones Shosholoza Meyl tourist train, with prices starting at around 600 rand (about $60), or take the Premier Classe deluxe train, with prices starting at around 2,500 rand (about $250), including meals. Arrange both through African Sun Travel.
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Redditor SirTechnocracy and his girlfriend LadyTechnocracy already knew they were going to get engaged.
They had picked out and designed an engagement ring together, and he had even asked her parents for permission, according to The Daily Dot.
All he needed was an unforgettable way to propose — and that's where Reddit stepped in to help.
Using well-known memes like "Good Guy Greg," "Success Kid," and Dos Equis's "Most Interesting Man in the World," SirTechnocracy told his girlfriend exactly how she makes him feel:
Then he linked to an Imgur album of 18 pictures on deviantART of he and his girlfriend he had specially commissioned for the occasion:
Posted on /r/AdviceAnimals, the post title read, "This is a marriage proposal (she will recognize my username): I can't believe the day is finally here."
Two hours after the post went up, his girlfriend accepted: "She just ran up and hugged me almost in tears for like a minute (which seemed like forever)," he commented in his own post. "Then I had to remind her that she was supposed to say yes or no."
For her part, LadyTechnocracy knew exactly how to tell Reddit that she had accepted his proposal:
"Understandably, a lot of people are giving SirTechnocracy grief about this. I understand that the concept of a Reddit proposal is... unconventional (hell, I'd never think of it), but this is honestly the most romantic thing someone has ever done for me. The advice animals crack me up, and the commissions are amazing," she wrote.
Read the full proposal story and responses over on Reddit.
SEE ALSO: The 12 Best Honeymoon Spots For Newlywed Gay Couples
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A man who attended Disney World made a last-minute decision to step in front of someone with a camera instead of walking around. And he's been catapulted into everlasting fame.
He's known as InTheWayGuy, or #inthewayguy on Twitter and Instagram, and he's ruining photos everywhere on the Internet.
It began when Nick Landis of Plymouth, Minn. surprised his girlfriend, Erika Boone, at Walt Disney World by suddenly bending his knee and proposing. He had asked a Disney employee to photograph the moment, reports Eonline's John Boone.
But #inthewayguy photo-bombed the picture. Landis later laughed about it, sharing it on Reddit.
Within hours the Reddit post went crazy and an Internet meme was born.
#inthewayguy has now photo-bombed countless other events from the introduction to the royal baby, to the Michelle and Barack Obama post-election-win kiss.
He's now starting to get in the way of enterprise tech CEOs during keynote speeches. First Salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioff and today, Cisco tweeted this pic:
We tried to get a good photo of John Chambers giving his keynote @ #CLUS, but #InTheWayGuy jumped in. #photobombpic.twitter.com/pQGbwrzmaY
— Cisco Support (@cisco_support) August 5, 2013
Chances are, you'll be seeing a lot more of InTheWayGuy in the weeks and months to come.
SEE ALSO: Netflix Temporarily Yanks 'Star Trek' Movie For The Funniest Reason
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From sprouting a little scruff to going straight-up Galifianakis, there's good reason to take a break from your razor this summer—and not just because it can speed up your morning routine.
Research shows that growing a beard is actually the key to keeping you younger-looking, naturally moisturized, and cancer-free.
Here, five doctor-approved reasons to let your beard grow.
1. Sun Protection
According to recent research from the University of Southern Queensland, beards block up to 95 percent of the sun's UV rays, which can play a huge role in preventing basal-cell carcinomas (the most common form of all cancers). Key stats to know: Four out of five cases in men appear on the face, head, or neck and the sun is to blame for up to 90 percent of the visible signs of aging. So while facial hair won't keep your forehead from developing Jack Nicholsonesque creases, it will keep the bottom half of your face looking young.
2. Blemish-Free Skin
Forgoing the razor doesn't just hide blemishes—it actually prevents them. "Razor rash, acne, and folliculitis [hair-follicle inflammation] are often the result of shaving," says Shannon C. Trotter, D.O., a fellow of the Osteopathic College of Dermatology and a dermatologist at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. "Razors can irritate the skin or even spread bacteria, causing an infection of the hair follicle."
3. More Masculinity
There's a reason you'd never steal a lumberjack's lady: The more facial hair a man has, the more masculine both men and women perceive him to be, according to research published in Evolution and Human Behavior. If pure, unadulterated masculinity is what you're going for, let your beard hang low. If you're looking to impress the opposite sex, skip the razor for 10 glorious days in a row; the study found that's the length women find the most attractive.
4. Natural Moisture
You probably didn't know your face has its own built-in moisturizing regimen—it's called your sebaceous glands (oil glands for short) and, according to Trotter, it secretes a natural oil that keeps skin moisturized. A thick beard not only prevents you from rubbing it off of your face, it also protects the face from wind exposure, which leads to redness and dryness (just in case you were planning your next high-altitude climb).
5. Trapped Allergens
Your nose hairs trap more than you think they do. In addition to what you see in a tissue, nose hairs trap pollutants that could actually cause your body harm. So the more hair you have under your airways (read: the bigger your beard), the more pollutants you're snaring every day, according to Clifford W. Bassett, M.D., Allergy and Asthma Care of NY medical director. Just be sure to treat your beard like any other filter and wash it regularly.
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Things aren't always what they seem, especially when it comes to the photographs on hotel websites.
Our friends at hotel review website Oyster.com recently traveled to Puerto Vallarta, a popular resort destination on the west coast of Mexico, to see how hotel properties there differed from their marketing materials.
Oyster's Jennifer Garfinkel found that the local hotels had a few tricks up their sleeves when it came to selling themselves online.
Click here to see more photographs and the full hotel review at Oyster >
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Food52, a popular community-based cooking site that appeals to amateur cooks and professional chefs alike, just launched a boutique online marketplace for foodies called Provisions.
Food52 was launched in 2009 by former New York Times Magazine food editor Amanda Hesser and food writer Merrill Stubbs, and has since taken off, spawning multiple cookbooks, garnering celebrity fans like Gwyneth Paltrow and Stanley Tucci, and winning the James Beard Foundation’s Publication of the Year Award in 2012.
With its cozy design and emphasis on user interactivity — site members can participate in recipe contests, ask food questions, and peruse various cooking columns — Food52 fosters a sense of community and feels intimate, like an online farmer's market of sorts.
With Provisions, the company expands into e-commerce. Food52 users will be able to find kitchen goods and products that complement the recipes and tips on the site, from unusual fruits and spices to one-of-a-kind vintage cookware and exclusive offerings.
We spoke with Amanda Hesser about her vision for Provisions and how the marketplace will change how people think about food websites.
BUSINESS INSIDER: How will Provisions differentiate Food52 from competitor recipe sites?
AMANDA HESSER: Our goal is not to compete with other recipe sites, but to create an entirely new model: a comprehensive food site that gives you everything you need to become a better, smarter, happier cook.
BI: How do you see Provisions enhancing the user experience? Do you see it as a separate marketplace or as one that's deeply integrated into existing website?
AH: Initially, Provisions product pages will feature several links to related recipes and other content on Food52, and we'll use text links within articles on Food52 to link back to relevant Provisions products. The next step will be to have related products show up on recipe pages, which we will be working on this fall. Food52 and Provisions will be knitted together so that each complements the other — related content will contextualize products and make them more useful, and relevant products will enhance the experience of making and serving a dish, or of mastering a technique.
BI: Your Pinterest scouts have played an important role in finding unique products for Provisions to sell (they pin goods based on collection themes and create inspiration boards and a product pipeline). How else do you find those uncommon products, especially your exclusives and one-of-a-kinds?
AH: We get a fair number of inbound requests, and many of the vendors we've worked with in the past are eager to do exclusives or product launches with us. We try to make it a great experience for them, and they know that getting in front of our audience is excellent exposure.
BI: One of the best things about Provisions is that food lovers can get their recipes, goods, and products all on one site. Although that convenience is a great selling point, ultimately why do you feel people will want to get their goods and products from Provisions instead of somewhere like Amazon?
AH: The majority of the products we sell aren't available on Amazon. With an ever-growing sea of choices, people are looking for guidance and inspiration, and that's our strong suit. Rather than presenting an endless scroll of products with little to no filtering, Provisions offers a more limited range of only the best goods.
BI: What is your ultimate vision for the integration of Provisions? What would you like to see happen in these first few months?
AH: We want Provisions to be the kitchen and home shop that people turn to when they're looking for the best tools for their own kitchen, for a great wedding gift, or that one-of-a-kind serving platter they can use for dinner parties for years to come.
SEE ALSO: Maine's Top Chef Shows Us The Right Way To Steam And Eat A Lobster
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Things have changed since I went to high school and college. Back in the day—and I’m aging myself here—students basically needed only a Trapper Keeper, a ruler and a calculator.
Today, everything is high-tech—and that goes for both high school and college kids. Here are the latest and greatest devices that will make school a breeze.
Textbooks are notoriously heavy, and if your kid is carrying a load of them from class to class, he’s likely to get a backache.
Amazon’s popular e-ink reader, the Kindle ($69 for the Wi-Fi version from Amazon), is affordable, plus Amazon has a Kindle Textbook Rental program that allows him access to his annotations even after the rental expires. (Get up to 40% off electronics at Amazon.)
A tablet is useful for studying, browsing the Web and reading (as with the Kindle, students can read books or magazines on a tablet and download the free Kindle app if they’re not using Amazon’s tablet, the Kindle Fire).
And it goes without saying that your child can also stream TV shows and movies on the device. Choose from one of the three smallest and most affordable tablets: the Kindle Fire ($159 at Amazon), iPad Mini (starting at $329 at Apple) or Nexus 7 (starting at $199 at Google Play). (Through September 6, students can get a $50 gift card on any iPad purchase at Apple.)
If your kid is in college or high school, she is going to need something to type all those term papers on. A basic laptop doesn’t have to be really heavy or expensive. The Netbook is basically dead, but that doesn’t mean your wallet needs to be empty.
CNET recommends the Acer Aspire M5-481PT ($635 at Overstock.com) and the Samsung Chromebook ($249 at Google Play). The former is a full-fledged laptop with a Windows 8 operating system replete with a touchscreen. The latter is a stripped-down Chromebook with no hard drive (all data is created and saved on Google’s cloud).
This might work if your child only needs to surf the Web, write on Google Docs and send emails, but the Chromebook won’t work for someone needing more extensive photo-editing or video-editing software. (Enjoy free shipping on orders over $50 at Overstock.com.)
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JetBlue wants to entice more customers to fly with it on the lucrative New York-to-California route, and it's got a simple way to do it: more comfortable planes.
Starting in the second quarter of 2014, the low-cost airline will add to its fleet 11 Airbus A321 jets with private suites and massage seats for business class passengers, and moveable headrests and power outlets for the rest of those onboard.
There's no way to know yet if the new planes and "competitive" pricing will win customers over from competitors like American and United Airlines, but a computer-generated video of the new cabin interior, released today, looks promising.
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The Castro, a neighborhood in San Francisco, is known for its lively gay scene, colorful characters, cute shops, and great restaurants.
Our friends at Yelp helped us compile a list of the best restaurants in San Francisco's Castro neighborhood.
Although the neighborhood is home to several fine dining establishments, Yelp users voted a simple sandwich shop, Ike's, as the best restaurant in the area. A sushi bar, casual fish shack, and several creative fine restaurants also made the list.
Brunch is probably the most popular meal at Kitchen Story, but the food here is excellent at all times. Yelpers rave about the BLT, the Tilapia Burger, and the Mascarpone Stuffed French Toast.
"The not so run-of-the-mill items on this menu makes eating here kind of an adventure. Great variety of burgers with their house special bacon are wonderful. Ricotta or mascarpone stuff breads are also delicious, as well as any breakfast plates," HoneyB E. wrote.
Note: Yelp's search results are based on an algorithm that is designed to provide the best results based on a number of different factors including review text, ratings, and number of reviews. Because several factors are taken into account, this is why you may see a 3.5-star restaurant with 500 reviews showing above a 4-star one with 15 reviews.
This cozy romantic restaurant is renowned for its fresh pasta, flavorful cocktails, and vibrant atmosphere.
"This place is perfect for anyone looking for a calm, leisurely meal that is sophisticated without being pretentious. I've never had a bad dish... not even a boring dish. The food seems simple but it is always surprising and perfectly prepared. The wine and spirits are of the same quality. The staff are attentive, cosmopolitan, and just as tasty as the food," Jenny W. wrote.
Note: Yelp's search results are based on an algorithm that is designed to provide the best results based on a number of different factors including review text, ratings, and number of reviews. Because several factors are taken into account, this is why you may see a 3.5-star restaurant with 500 reviews showing above a 4-star one with 15 reviews.
Cafe du Nord combines live music and a cool vibe with great food and drinks to create one of the best music venues-cum-restaurants in the Castro.
"Love, love, love this place! They always have great lineups and they're always affordable! It was refreshing to have a bar that also serves food! Not just bar food, but actual meals like burgers! Prices weren't bad either," Amy C. wrote.
Note: Yelp's search results are based on an algorithm that is designed to provide the best results based on a number of different factors including review text, ratings, and number of reviews. Because several factors are taken into account, this is why you may see a 3.5-star restaurant with 500 reviews showing above a 4-star one with 15 reviews.
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When the urge to get away from it all—really get away from it all: people, traffic, the 24/7 news cycle—strikes, it’s easier than ever to follow your instincts and enjoy a luxurious hotel or resort in a truly secluded setting.
And while there are dozens of great off-the-beaten-path properties out there, these 10 offer their own special kind of seclusion in great destinations from the Americas to Africa.
Chile
It takes at least two flights and a long drive from the tiny coastal hamlet of Punta Arenas, Chile, to get here—but it’s so worth it. Located in magnificent Torres del Paine National Park and blessed with one of the most heart-stopping views imaginable, 49-room Explora Patagonia is the ultimate base from which to hike amid surreal blue lakes and hypnotizing glaciers as fuzzy guanaco graze around you and graceful condors glide up above (from $2,820 per person for four nights, all-inclusive).
The Grenadines
There are several private-island resorts in the Caribbean, but there’s something about the layout and ambiance of 115-acre Petit St. Vincent that makes it seem extra secluded. Located far south in the laidback Grenadines, this 22-cottage resort takes unplugging (no phones or TVs) as seriously as it does romance. Renovated in 2011 with serene white-and-blue decor, the resort lets guests choose their bliss—beachside or hilltop—and raise a flag when they want to be left alone (from $1,100/night, including meals).
Belize
Located outside Punta Gorda, Belize, far from the sun-seekers and snorkelers on Ambergris Cay, 12-suite Belcampo Lodge Belizebeckons with an authentic agritourism mantra (many of its thousands of acres are dedicated to an organic farm, a cacao and coffee orchard, and livestock barn) that delivers delicious farm-to-fork cuisine, chocolate and coffee courses, excellent bird watching, a yoga pavilion, and assorted activities from caving to diving. Best of all: the howler monkey alarm clocks and birdsong lullabies (from $300/night).
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Here's some additional information about the answers to our quiz: How Much Did A Rich Person Spend On This?
1. The death mask of the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was auctioned off at Bonhams auction house in London on June 19, 2013. The mask was made shortly after Napoleon's death on the island of St Helena, and ultimately sold for £169,250, or about $259,600.
2. A former servant kept this scrap of toast from the breakfast table of Prince Charles on his wedding day to the late Princess Diana as a memento of the Royal Wedding. It sold for £230 ($354 at current conversion rates) at its auction in Etwall, Derbyshire July 19, 2012.
3. This rare pre-17th century, sub-fossilized Elephant Bird egg was auctioned off in London on April 24, 2013. The extinct Elephant Bird, a native of Madagascar, was a large bird measuring around 11 feet in height. The egg sold for £66,675— about $102,570 — at the British auction.
4. This crystal pet urn was showcased at the Taipei Pet Show at Nangang Exhibition Hall in Taipei on July 27, 2013. It's a part of a "pet funeral set," which includes the urn, a casket shaped like a book, and a spot in grave garden for 25 years. The whole set was priced at NTD120,000 ($4,000), the pet funeral service company told REUTERS.
5. This 489-pound tuna was caught off Oma, Aomori in North Japan. Kiyomura Co's President Kiyoshi Kimura, who runs a chain of sushi restaurants, won the bid for the tuna with a record 155.40 million yen (rough $ 1.76 million) at the fish market's first tuna auction in January 2013.
6. In October 2012, Christie's auctioned off Daniel Craig's swim trunks that he wore as James Bond in "Casino Royale." The swimsuit was a part of the "50 Years of James Bond" auction, and Christie's thought it would go for $4,600-$7,500. Someone ultimately bought it for a staggering $72,000.
7. The original Batmobile was sold during the Barrett-Jackson collectors car auction in Scottsdale, Arizona January 19, 2013 for $4.62 million. It was the iconic car used in the 1960s television show.
8. This 1981 Patek Philippe wristwatch is truly unique. It's made of white gold, and has a perpetual calendar with moon phases and leap-year. It sold on May 13, 2013 at a Geneva Christie's auction for $1,701,690.
9. Sarah Jessica Parker donated shoes from her "Sex and the City" character Carrie Bradshaw's wardrobe. Three pairs were sold at the Gotta Have it! auction house in New York on April 24, 2013 to benefit New York City's LaGuardia Arts High School. The pair shown here sold for $1,412.
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Americans are notoriously body-conscious. We're also money-conscious. But does our obsession with weight and looks trump our concern about our personal finances? A new survey by Credit Karma, a financial tracking and educational site, and Harris Interactive found that yes, Americans are more concerned about their waistlines than our bottom lines.
The most startling fact to come out of the June 2013 survey is that 72 percent of the 2,021 respondents said they would rather live with their current debt than gain 25 pounds and be completely debt-free. Only 28 percent said they would be willing to gain that much weight to get out of debt.
In a similar vein, 43 percent of those surveyed agreed with the statement: "How much I weigh is more important than how much debt I have."
And if you think that it's women care more than men about their weight, you'll be surprised to learn that men were more likely to agree with that statement (49 percent) than women (38 percent).
Among those surveyed, 74 percent said they have some debt and 46 percent said they have credit card debt. The mean amount of credit card debt for the group was $5,900.
Some of the other findings of the survey include:
But interestingly, when the cases got more extreme, the positions flipped. Given the choice between being obese and debt-free or their ideal weight but facing bankruptcy, 62 percent chose the option of being obese, while 38 percent would rather face bankruptcy.
The financial experts at Credit Karma think the focus on weight isn't necessarily about vanity, but more of a reaction to education surrounding the importance of being physically fit. Their goal is to get Americans equally educated about the benefits of financial fitness.
If you had to choose, which would you rather be: thin and debt-ridden, or fat and debt-free?
Michele Lerner is a contributing writer to The Motley Fool.
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Airlines always configure the jets they order from plane makers to fit their specific needs, but Emirates has gone to another level with an Airbus A319.
It is using the narrowbody jet to launch a luxury private jet service for clients who want to go "beyond first class."
That means flying around the world in a jet that typically holds 124 passengers, but is customized to fit only 19.
According to Emirates, the aircraft can be booked at short notice, and comes with a chauffeur-driven car service, along with flight crew and ground staff. The plane is outfitted with 10 private suites, a lounge and dining area, and a shower spa for everyone on board.
The airline would not reveal exact pricing for the service, but said it is "competitive."
It's safe to say that for this level of service, "competitive" can be interpreted as "very expensive."
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Romantic, historic, and less than two-and-a-half hours away from London on the train...
No, we're not talking about Bognor Regis — we're talking about Paris, duh! And, now is the time to steal a weekend away from your social calendar, for we've planned your mini city break, and it's got youshopping, sipping, and dining like a local — with not a tourist in sight, we promise.First stop St Pancras, next stop, Paris!
As the home of haute cuisine, you can't pass through Paris without experiencing its fine dining. Agape Substance offers exactly that, with exquisite presentation, culinary mastery, and the freshest possible ingredients. Beware, at 100 Euros a pop, it's bound to give your pocket a pinch, but you're not going to forget it.
AGAPE SUBSTANCE, 66 RUE MAZARINE, 75006 PARIS; +33 1 43 29 33 83.
After setting up some of the coolest bars across Europe, the guys behind the Experimental Cocktail Club founded their own fish bar in Paris. Set over two floors, The Fish Club serves up all sorts of exotic seafood on fancy slates with interesting sides — such as popcorn and sweet potatoes.With its interesting decor, and open kitchen, it's worth stopping in for a cocktail, even if you're not the biggest fan of fish.
THE FISH CLUB, 58 RUE JEAN JACQUES, ROUSSEAU, 75001 PARIS; +33 1 40 26 68 75.
Screw the diet, 'cause the pastries at Angelina are worth the Eurostar fare alone. Lighter than air, sweeter than heaven, and far too good to have just one. May we suggest the millefeuille.
ANGELINA, 226 RUE DE RIVOLI, 75001 PARIS; +33 1 42 60 82 00.
Breakfast in America
If the scent of freshly baked croissants gets old (seriously it can happen) then hot foot it to Breakfast in America. The authentic American diner was founded by Craig Carlsen and has been serving pancakes, omelettes, and bagels since 2003. Tuck in.
BREAKFAST IN AMERICA, 17 RUE DES ECOLES, 75005 PARIS; 01 43 54 50 28.
Café de Flore
If you want to experience the Art Deco elegance of a true Parisian coffee house, then look no further than Café de Flore. This institution has been serving some of the city’s most luminous minds since 1885. An hour or two spent watching the world go by while sitting on the café’s iconic red leather seats is time well spent.
CAFÉ DE FLORE, 172 BOULEVARD SAINT-GERMAIN, 75006 PARIS; 01 45 48 55.
L’As Du Fallafel
For a quick bite between shopping sprees head to the Marais for the most delicious falafel this side of Israel. The wraps are as big as the queues are long. Well worth the wait though.
L’AS DU FALLAFEL, 34 RUE DES ROSIERS, 75004 PARIS; 01 48 87 63 60.
La Famille
If cocktail hour is your favourite time of the day, may we suggest hoofing it to La Famille? This mini-me restaurant (there’s only a dozen tables) is tucked away in Montmartre and serves cocktails that will knock your socks off. In a good way.
LA FAMILLE, 41 RUE DES TROIS FRERES, PARIS; 01 42 52 11 12.
We rather wish our flat looked like the quaint boho interiors of Chez Janou. Dozens of posters, prints, and faded mirrors line the walls and a circular bar is a whirl of activity – sending bottles of wine and cups of coffee all around the room.
The food is traditional and very tasty. What lingers in our mind is the chocolate mousse that is brought to your table in a vast bowl, which you help yourself too. Very, very moreish.
CHEZ JANOU, 2 RUE ROGER VERLOMME, 75003 PARIS; 01 42 72 28 41.
If you want to experience a truly authentic Parisian lunch, look no further than Chez Paul. This restaurant has been trading since the early part of the last century and serves up delicious examples of classic cuisine. Think: steak tartar and whole roast chicken. Plus, the restaurant is opposite the Isabel Marant store, prime position to continue your shopping spree once your appetite is sated.
CHEZ PAUL, 13 RUE DE CHARONNE, 75011 PARIS.
Architecturally astounding with stained-glass windows, the Île de la Cité's Sainte-Chapelle is seriously worthy of a look in. It is considered one of the great feats of Gothic architecture, so make sure this is the one sight you see on the tourist trai l— and prepare to be underwhelmed by every other building, ever.
SAINT-CHAPELLE, 8 BOULEVARD DU PALAIS, 75001 PARIS; +33 1 53 40 60 80.
Pont des Arts Bridge
The Pont des Arts Bridge is arguably one of the prettiest things in Paris. Coined the "Love Lock" bridge, couples have, for years, been confessing their love for one another (and Paris), through the medium of a padlock. Now riddled with metal locks etched with initials, the bridge has become quite the spectacle — well they do call it the "City of Love"after all.
PONT DES ARTS, QUAI DU LOUVRE, PLACE DE L'INSTITUT, 75006 PARIS; +33 1 40 46 75 06.
You'd better pack an extra empty suitcase, for you won't be leaving Marché aux Puces empty handed. A flea market, crammed with bric-a-brac, antiques, vintage fashion, and tiny trinkets. Sure, there's plenty of tat, but there's definite treasure there, too. Don't give up.
MARCHÉ AUX PUCES, 140 RUE DES ROSIERS, 93400 SAINT-OUEN, PARIS; +33 1 43 59 87 47.
Open Air Cinema
Pack a picnic and head to the Parc de la Villette to the city’s open-air cinema. Grab a deck chair and experience watching a movie right in the heart of Paris. The programme runs till August 28 and features a variety of films and animations. Be warned that not all of them will have English subtitles.
OPEN-AIR CINEMA, PARC DE LA VILLETTE, 211 AVENUE JEAN-JAURES, 75019 PARIS; 01 40 03 75 75.
Le Cimetière des Chiens
Père Lachaise cemetery is all well and good but if you want to see something truly special, a 25-minute metro ride will take you to the world’s oldest pet cemetery. There is no Stephen King-esque creepiness to this place; rather it is a testament to the everlasting bond between a man or woman and their beloved pet. Lions, racehorses, and even celebrity canines are buried here (remember Rin Tin Tin?) Well worth a visit.
LE CIMETIÈRE DES CHIENS, 4, PONT DE CLICHY, 92600 ASNIÈRES-SUR-SEINE.
Galeries Lafayette is the department store in Paris. Prepare to put aside a few hours to get lost between the department store's ten floors. That's right. We said TEN. Grand architecturally, but even grander with its stock, it's full to bursting with luxury labels, diamonds, and expensive eau de toilettes. A Parisian shopping spree isn't complete without it.
GALERIES LAFAYETTE, 40 BOULEVARD HAUSSMANN, 75009 PARIS; +33 1 42 82 34 56.
Up there with the world's coolest concept stores, Colette is flying the flag for France. As well as stocking the likes of A.P.C, Isabel Marant, and Olympia Le-Tan, it's also got the most cutting edge in beauty, music, comics, and more. Don't miss out. COLETTE, 213 RUE SAINT-HONORÉ, 75001 PARIS; +33 1 55 35 33 90.
Your favourite candles in your boudoir were born and bred right here. Justify giving in to your temptations at the Diptyque flagship — these are totally authentic souvenirs. DIPTYQUE PARIS, 34 BOULEVARD SAINT-GERMAIN, 75005 PARIS; +33 1 43 26 77 44.
Coiffeur Vintage
Right next to the L’As du Fallafel shop is Coiffeur Vintage, a bijoux store selling a delightful array of secondhand gems of the Americana variety. From denim cutoffs to cowboy boots, and colourful tea dresses, the shop is always fun to have a rummage in. COIFFEUR VINTAGE, 32 RUE DES ROSIERS, 75004, PARIS.
If money is no object and vintage Balenciaga your kryptonite, may we suggest a visit to Didier Ludot? The vintage store has stock that the V&A museum would be more than happy to get their hands on. So, this isn’t the place to score a deal, but it is worth seeing the incredible dresses and accessories up close and personal.
DIDIER LUDOT, 20 GALERE DE MONTPENSIER, 75001 PARIS; 01 42 96 06 56.
By Terry
Terry de Gunzburg is one of France’s leading makeup artists: For a time she was responsible for YSL’s makeup range, which included the now-legendary Touche Éclat. The store that bears her name is like walking into someone’s very fancy apartment. The makeup’s super-light formulas and flattering colour-ways are addictive. We dare you not to overhaul your beauty routine while you are there.
BY TERRY, 10 AVENUE VICTOR HUGO, 75016 PARIS; 01 55 73 00 73.
Guerlain
We’ve developed a new saying about Paris. One cannot leave the city without a new scent. Seriously, this is the city that practically invented perfume and it is almost a crime not to explore the many olfactory avenues it has to offer. Guerlain is one of the oldest and most important perfumes houses in Paris. Each time we visit, we rush straight to the brand’s flagship store to sniff our way around the numerous lotions and potions on offer. From the latest arrival to the cologne Napoleon wore, it is a treat for all the senses.
GUERLAIN, 68 CHAMPS-ELYSEES, PARIS; 01 45 62 52 57.
Steeped in art, this hotel, nestled in a quiet garden in the middle of the busy Montmartre, is full of kitsch and personality — in that luxury, art-house kind of way. Comprised of only a handful of suites, each one has been individually designed with a different theme, but don't worry, decadence runs throughout.
HOTEL PARTICULIER MONTMARTRE, PAVILLON D, 23 AVENUE JUNOT, 75018 PARIS; +33 1 53 41 81 40.
Oops! Hostel
Can't afford the luxury option for your living arrangements? No matter. Oops! hostel has fast become Paris' most talked about budget option, thanks to its convenient location, attentive hospitality, and contemporary artsy interiors. OOPS! HOSTEL, 50 AVENUE DES GOBELINS, 75013 PARIS; +33 1 47 07 47 00.
Hotel La Belle Juliette, located in St Germain, is an elegant abode, filled with luxury trimmings and a warm ambiance. Along with a spa and the salon de thé, it boasts a swanky restaurant, a pool, and iMacs in all the rooms. Enjoy! HOTEL LA BELLE JULIETTE, 92 RUE DU CHERCHE-MIDI, 75006 PARIS; +33 1 42 22 97 40.
SEE ALSO: The City Of Paris Is Trying To Convince Locals To Be Nicer To Tourists
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