Quantcast
Channel: Business Insider
Viewing all 115285 articles
Browse latest View live

'Smoking Meat' is the essential guide to mastering the art of barbecuing

0
0

Screen Shot 2015 05 08 at 1.47.39 PMThis cookbook is the essential guide to mastering the art of barbecuing.

"Smoking Meat" by Jeff Phillips comes with step-by-step instructions on how to set up your barbecue station, great recipes, and advice on how to develop your own sensations.

The tips and tricks in this book will upgrade your average summer barbecue to something  smoky and delicious.

"Jeff knows his stuff and I highly recommend his book to anyone who wants to smoke meats like a pro!" one reviewer wrote.

Available on Kindle, $10.49; and Paperback, $16.11


 

SEE ALSO: DEAL OF THE DAY: This Bluetooth shower speaker is less than $16 right now

SEE ALSO: This award-winning powerhouse charging station is 20% off right now

SEE ALSO: Avoid never-ending carrier contracts and get Google's premium handset for 65% off right now

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here's how Floyd Mayweather spends his millions









Marc Andreessen pitched his wife about dating like a startup would pitch a VC

0
0

marc andreessen laura arrillaga andreessen mark zuckerberg

Marc Andreessen, cofounder of Andreessen Horowitz, is one of the most famous and powerful venture capitalists in Silicon Valley.

In 2006, he married Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen, daughter of real estate mogul John Arrillaga.

Many credit Arrillaga with creating the modern Silicon Valley office landscape.

According to a New Yorker profile of Andreessen, the prominent venture capitalist met his future wife at a New Year's Eve party hosted by an investor in eHarmony.

They talked for six and a half hours, and the next day, he sent her a total of seventeen emails. 

After asking her, "What's your ideal evening?" she replied, "Stay home, do e-mail, make an omelette, watch TV, take a bath, go to bed." 

Before they went on their second date, Andreessen delivered a speech that sounds a lot like a pitch a startup founder might make to an investor.

As Arrillaga-Andressen described it to the New Yorker, it was "a twenty-five-minute monologue on why we should go steady, with a full intellectual decision tree in anticipation of my own decision tree."

Obviously it worked — the couple was married nine months later. They currently live in a modern, 9,000-square-foot home in Atherton, just a few minutes away from the Andreessen Horowitz offices.

SEE ALSO: The founders of one of the most famous VC firms in the world 'fight like cats and dogs, then forget about it'

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: BEN HOROWITZ: I Asked My Employees To Work 7 Days A Week For 6 Months And They Loved It








Proposed Hamptons helicopter restrictions 'will be like 'Apocalypse Now'' for the summer crowd

0
0

gotham air helicopter

If the East Hampton Town Board has its way, new curfews and restrictions on helicopters and other "noisy" aircrafts will limit heli-travel companies and wealthy, chopper-owning residents like Ira Rennert and Matt Lauer to one flight per week. 

"It will be like 'Apocalypse Now,'" said one Hamptons resident to the New York Post.

Set to take effect on May 17, town officials voted on the East Hampton Airport (HTO) restrictions last month, but a temporary restraining order brought by a group called Friends of the East Hampton Airport and local helicopter and aviation companies could ground the restrictions. The Federal Aviation Administration is also supporting the TRO, which is good news for Rennert, who owns two choppers and is said to shuttle them back and forth every day. 

If the TRO is rejected, all aircrafts taking off or landing at HTO will have to do so before 11 pm or after 7 am, and all "noisy" aircrafts (helicopters and certain small jets) will be blocked between 8 pm and 9 am, with a one flight per week cap during the summer. 

For residents in the surrounding area of HTO, the recent uptick in helicopter traffic has been a nightmare. Choppers arriving and departing in the wee hours shake their walls, rattle their windows, and ruin their sleep. 

Last year, when community complaints were high, HTO manager Jim Brundige told The Wall Street Journal that 2014 takeoffs and landings had risen 23% since the previous year, with helicopters accounting for 40% of the total traffic (13,200 takeoffs and landings). 

Gotham Air ("Uber for the skies"), which recently announced service to the Hamptons, may have the answer with its Bell 407GX helicopter fleet. The company calls them its "quiet Hamptons helicopters" and CEO Tim Hayes likens the noise level to that of a lawnmower. 

This Thursday's hearing will be held at the United States District Court in Central Islip. “If we don’t get the TRO it will be chaos,” one supporter of the TRO told the Post. 

SEE ALSO: How to spend Memorial Day weekend in the Hamptons

FOLLOW US: Business Insider is on Facebook

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Take a fly-over tour of the $110 million Hamptons mansion that's at the center of a huge lawsuit








Here's the insane training schedule of a 20-something professional gamer

0
0

LOL (85 of 138)

If you want to make six figures by playing video games for a living, get ready to play a lot.

The players on Team Liquid, a professional League of Legends team, practice for a minimum of 50 hours per week and most play the game far more. 

“Being pro is time-restrictive,” Team Liquid player Diego “Quas” Ruiz says. "To stay competitive with other pro teams, you can’t stop playing.”

It's insanely difficult to excel at League of Legends, the world’s most popular competitive video game. Only a select few can handle the pro-level regimen required to gain the extensive game knowledge and elite mechanical skills and reflexes to compete.

Team Liquid players practice together for eight hours a day, scrimmaging against other pro and Challenger-level teams. In the hours before and after that team practice, they play on their own for nearly every waking minute.

They eat their lunch and dinner — usually takeout — while they discuss game strategy and review videos of previous matches with their coach and team analyst. When they get home from the team’s training facility, a small office in a Santa Monica office park, players almost immediately hop on the computer to play “Solo Queue,” a game mode that matches you with other random players at your skill level.

LOL (30 of 138)

Some players, like Ruiz, take time out to video-chat with family members or relax with girlfriends. However, others do nothing but play the game — which changes every few months to introduce new strategies and wrinkles for players to master.

league of legends season 3 finals

Ruiz’s two Korean teammates, Chae “Piglet” Gwan-jin and Kim “Fenix” Jae-hun, are notorious for pushing the physical boundaries for how much a person can practice. They often sleep only four hours a night and practice between 12 and 14 hours per day.

Their regimen is more extreme than most North American players, but it's common for those from Korea, the epicenter of competitive gaming.

For a time, this past season, the Korean players’ schedule worried other players on the team, who felt their intense schedule was making them less effective.

“[Chae and Kim] don't stop practicing. They are crazy like that,” says Team Liquid teammate Alex “Xpecial” Chu, a 22-year-old California native who has played in the pro leagues for four years.

He says his Korean colleagues practice “25 hours a day,” but the two Korean teammates have their reasons for trying to practice harder than everybody else.

“If someone [in the US] plays 30 games a week — that's just a random number — a Korean would play 70-80 games. Take that difference over a week, over a month, over years, and that's going to be a huge difference,” Chae told Business Insider, through a translator.

Ruiz, on the other hand, says he values “quality over quantity” when it comes to practice. However, his training only sounds marginally less intense.

“I don't play game after game after game. I play a game, take a five-minute break, take a walk around, and then play again,” Ruiz says.

LOL (131 of 138)While in season from January through August, the team follows their training schedule Tuesday through Friday and plays matches on Saturdays and Sundays.

Mondays are supposed to be their day off. Most of the time, though, the players end up practicing anyway or film videos for sponsors, the team’s primary way of making money.

“I can technically see friends and family on Monday, our day off,” Chu explains. “But because of the way League of Legends works, there is no downtime. I don't want to spend my time away from here … I'd rather spend my time practicing.”

Even in the “off-season” from August through December, the players are still practicing relentlessly. Even a month's break can hurt your performance, according to Chu.

“Even when you are in the off season … you have to practice,” Chu says. “I'm not satisfied with being anything below first, so I work my hardest the whole time.”

SEE ALSO: Pro gamer reveals the unexpected activity that takes up to 15 hours a week

DON'T MISS: These guys earn six figures and live for free in LA just for being great at video games

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 5 hard-to-find iPhone tricks only power users know about








Here's what celebs like Kanye West and Cate Blanchett are seeing at the Venice Biennale

0
0

472264676It's time to eat pasta and look at art in Venice, Italy. 

The 56th Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition opened this past Saturday, May 9th, and will run through November 22nd. Celebs like Kanye West and Cate Blanchett have already been spotted perusing the exhibition. 

Key information: Okwui Enwezor is the curator, the exhibition is titled "All the World's Futures," and 136 artists from 53 different countries are represented. 

SEE ALSO: Hollywood’s top 10 art collectors

SEE ALSO: A graffiti artist used a drone to vandalize Kendall Jenner's face on one of NYC's most visible billboards

"I SCREAM DADDIO" is one of many provocative sculptures created by British artist Sarah Lucas. (Yes, that is a cigarette you see there.) She describes the works as bringing strangeness into the sunny light of day — note the bright yellow walls.



Chiharu Shiota’s "The Key in the Hand" is visually captivating with a powerful message. Representing our ability to unlock our minds and discover our memories, thousands of keys hang from crimson threads above two wooden boats. The installation is surrounded by videos of children remembering moments in their lives.



A major player in the evolution of Moscow Conceptualism — that is, "a critical reflection on Soviet imagery" — Irina Nakhova is behind this eerie installation, part of The Green Pavilion that's made up entirely of her work. She is the first woman to represent Russia in a solo pavilion at the Venice Biennale.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider






35 incredible travel destinations you've probably never heard of

0
0

mount huashan hike, sunrise odyssey

There are only so many times you can hike the Great Wall of China, take in the lights of Times Square, or steady the Leaning Tower of Pisa before these typical tourist rituals lose their thrill. 

Inspired by this Quora list asking about the best travel destinations most people never knew existed, we put together our own list of the 35 hidden gems around the world that are worth the trek.

Additional reporting by Megan Willett.

The Stairway to Heaven, also known as the Haiku Stairs, provides the most stunning views of Oahu, Hawaii. The US military built the 3,922-step hike during World War II so soldiers could access a radio antennae 2,000 feet up.



Norway's Lofoten Islands are best explored as a local. Rent a fisherman's cozy cottage, try your luck at catching cod, and take in the beauty of the midnight sun and northern lights from the islands' pebble beaches.



A small fishing village, 300 kilometers removed from Brazil's capital, Jericoacoara is the kind of place where the streets are paved with sand, beaches stretch for miles in every direction, and electricity arrived just 20 years ago. The sleepy beach town attracts kite-surfers and windsurfers from around the world.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider






Stunning composite shows how Bill Clinton has changed over 20 years

0
0

Photo agency Getty Images is celebrating an anniversary this year. They've been supplying the world with stock, news, and celebrities images for 20 years and have become one of the foremost places for publications to go to get quality photos when they need them.

In celebration of this milestone, Getty has teamed up with ad agency AlmapBBDO to create an ad campaign to mark the occasion. Mining their massive archive of over 80 million images, the company found images of some of our favorite well-known personalities, to see how they have changed along with Getty over the past 20 years.

The result is a fascinating look at aging, as well as a testament to the depth of Getty's library. Bill Clinton's is especially telling.

Bill Clinton Getty

SEE ALSO: What I learned by taking a photo of myself each day for the last 5 years

FOLLOW US: Business Insider is on Twitter!

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 'Princess Bride' Star Cary Elwes Describes His Bizarre Meeting With Bill Clinton








25 oddly beautiful photos of massive crowds of people

0
0

crowds

At as I write this sentence, there are 7,313,527,932 people on earth.

Such a massive number of human beings can often look chaotic and overwhelming, but now and again human bodies can arrange themselves in a way that appears fascinating, and even beautiful.

Whether it's world records or huge group activities, when lots of people come together for a single purpose, special things can happen, as I think you'll see in the following images.

Schoolchildren attend a yoga session during a camp in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad on January 9, 2012.



Hundreds of surfers take to the water in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most surfers on one wave at Muizenberg in Cape Town September 17, 2006. Organisers claimed a new record of 73 surfers standing on a wave for 5 seconds, beating the previous total of 53.



College students stand around sculptures during an art performance in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan province March 27, 2007.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider







DRONE DEAL OF THE DAY: This 6 Axis Gyro Quadcopter with camera is 48% off right now

0
0

Screen Shot 2015 05 08 at 1.25.37 PMHere's the drone deal of the day.

The 6 Axis Gyro quadcopter comes with posture control, which guarantees the precise positioning of the aircraft.

Additionally, it has "four channel function," which provides stable flying and easy operation.

The drone takes about 120 minutes to charge, and stays in flight for up to 9 minutes.

"It is fun to fly and is easy to learn the controls," one reviewer wrote.

UDI RC 6 Axis Gyro RC Quadcopter with camera drone: $99.99$51.99[48% off]


 

SEE ALSO: DEAL OF THE DAY: This Bluetooth shower speaker is less than $16 right now

SEE ALSO: This award-winning powerhouse charging station is 20% off right now

SEE ALSO: Avoid never-ending carrier contracts and get Google's premium handset for 65% off right now

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here's what happens when you get bitten by a black widow








Take a look at what Richard Branson is building on his other private island

0
0

Richard Branson's 74-acre Necker Island is well-known for being a paradise where celebrities and entrepreneurs can escape to party and unwind far from the public eye.

But it's somewhat less known that the billionaire founder of the Virgin Group also owns a second Caribbean retreat, Moskito Island, about a mile away from Necker. 

Branson bought Moskito Island in 2007 for a reported purchase price of $10 million.

moskito island

The island is currently home to a population of ring-tailed lemurs that Branson imported from zoos in Canada, South Africa, and Sweden. Branson has also moved a number of Necker's endangered iguanas over to Moskito. 

The Virgin Group is in the early stages of developing the island. The construction team has finished installing basic infrastructure — electricity, plumbing, etc. — and a three-villa compound for the Branson family, which a Virgin spokesperson referred to as the "Headland Estate." 

The island also has nine private lots, all of which will be developed into villas. All nine of the lots have been sold to unnamed buyers, and construction on the first villa will begin this year, the Virgin spokesperson said.

moskito island

Facilities include a pool area and a clubhouse filled with teak decorations. According to Forbes, there will eventually be large tennis courts with a two-story viewing pavilion.

moskito islandmoskito islandThe pool area fronts the beach.

moskito islandmoskito islandAnd there's plenty of lush greenery all around.

moskito island

The island hasn't officially opened for business yet, but it looks like some lucky travelers have gotten a sneak peek.

 on

 on

 on

SEE ALSO: How Richard Branson likes to prank guests on his private island

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Richard Branson Describes The Early Moment That Changed His Career Forever








The best bourbon on the market right now

0
0

bourbon

As of the end of 2014, whiskey — including scotch, rye and, yes, bourbon — was set to overtake vodka as the No. 1 spirit of choice in the US. So if you're a bourbon novice, now's a good time to get to know America's new favorite liquor.

The experts over at FindTheBest determined the best bottles of bourbon that money can buy. They looked at recent expert scores and spirits competition judgings to come up with their Smart Rating scale. We used price to break ties, with a cheaper bottle ranking higher than a more expensive one.

Knob Creek bourbon whiskey

9. Knob Creek Bourbon ($31)

A brand hailing from the famous Jim Beam distillery in Clermont, Kentucky, Knob Creek is distilled in small batches and features a slight sweetness reminiscent of the oak barrels in which it's aged, with hints of toasted nuts. This nine-year-aged bourbon won double gold at the 2014 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

8. Elijah Craig 12-year-old Barrel Proof Bourbon ($40)

Aged for 12 years in American white oak barrels, the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon has a strong caramel presence, with fruity undertones. The deep amber color is a pleasant addition to your favorite glass tumbler, and the finish, while smooth, lingers like mint.

7. Eagle Rare Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey ($30)

The Eagle Rare Single Barrel won gold or double gold every year at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition from 2003 to 2013. Rich with toffee, cocoa, and almond flavors, this bourbon is an affordable and delicious way to whet your palate with bourbon.

Parker's Heritage Collection Bourbon Whiskey

6. William Larue Weller Bourbon ($100)

Distiller Buffalo Trace notes to look for hints of plum, pepper, and new leather in the William Larue Weller bourbon. It may be the most expensive bottle on our list, but this variety of bourbon is barrel proof, meaning it's not diluted with distilled water after the aging process; in layman's terms, it's a higher percentage of alcohol than other comparable bourbons.

5. Parker's Heritage Collection 10-year-old Wheated Bourbon ($80)

This bourbon pays tribute to master distiller Parker Beam, a veteran distiller with more than 45 years in the industry. Bourbon has to be composed of at least 51% corn, and Parker's Heritage 10-year is also made with wheat to create this softer, nuttier variety of bourbon whiskey.

4. George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey ($49)

Distilling company Sazerac describes the George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight bourbon as "hearty," with rich, dessert-y notes like dark chocolate, nougat, vanilla, and molasses. Wine Enthusiasts magazine gave this bottle 4.8 out of five stars, and the LA Whisk(e)y Society gave it an A- grade.

3. Pappy Van Winkle 20-year-old Family Reserve Whiskey ($99)

Pappy Van Winkle makes some of the most coveted bourbon whiskies the world has ever seen. Aged for 20 years, PVW20 is the No. 1-rated bourbon whiskey in the world, with a score of 99 out of 100 from the Beverage Tasting Institute. Drinkers enjoy a taste of the south with notes of caramelized pecans, fudge, and spices.

Black Maple Hill 21 Cask 7 Bourbon Whiskey

2. Pappy Van Winkle 15-year-old Family Reserve Whiskey ($70)

Aged for five fewer years than its older cousin, the Pappy Van Winkle 15-year ranks almost as highly (98 from the Beverage Tasting Institute), but is significantly more affordable to the less-seasoned bourbon drinker. Aromatic notes include "sweet corn dripping with butter," "dark toffee," and "hazelnuts," while the taste is a delicious and dark raisin-y sweetness.

1. Black Maple Hill 21 Cask 7 Bourbon ($45)

True to the name, Black Maple Hill 21 Cask 7 carries a powerful nose of maple syrup and vanilla on the finish. This is a bourbon that usually sells faster than liquor stores can stock it, and rivals Pappy in both quality and scarcity.

With a five-star rating from Wine Enthusiasts magazine and an A grade from the LA Whisk(e)y Society, Black Maple Hill, according to wine and spirits merchant K&L Wines, has "the makings of a cult whiskey."

 

SEE ALSO: The best scotch you can buy

AND: 23 perfect gifts for anyone who loves whiskey

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here's One Of The Easiest Bourbon Cocktails You Can Make At Home








America's oldest World War II veteran has turned 109, and he still smokes 12 cigars a day

0
0

Richard Overton wwii veteran

America's oldest-living veteran has turned 109 years old, and he still smokes 12 cigars a day. 

Richard Overton, an Army veteran of World War II now living in Austin, Texas, still enjoys his whiskey too.

Although Overton did not turn 109 until today, his Austin neighborhood threw him an early birthday party on May 3, consisting of burgers, milkshakes, and of course cigars. 

“I smoke at least 12 Tampa Sweet cigars a day," Overton told The Wall Street Journal. 

"I’ve been smoking cigars since I was 18 years old," he added to ABC. "I have over $100 worth of cigars now.” 

A celebrity in his own right, Overton had a long line of well-wishers attend his "Mighty Fine at 109"-themed celebration. Among the guests was the mayor of Austin, Steve Adler. 

"You are just one of the treasures that we have in this city,” Adler told Overton during the celebrations. 

Born May 11, 1906, Overton is believed to be the oldest-living veteran, although it is impossible to verify because not all veterans are registered with the Department of Veterans Affairs. He served in the South Pacific during the war before selling furniture in Austin after his discharge and later working in the state Treasurer's Office, according to The Chronicle.

"I've gotten so many letters and so many thank yous and I enjoy every bit of it, but I'm still going to enjoy some more," Overton told The Chronicle.

 

 

The Houston Chronicle described Overton's lifestyle in November 2013: "He drives and walks without a cane. During a television interview in March, he told a reporter that he doesn't take medicine, smokes cigars every day and takes whiskey in his morning coffee. The key to living to his age, he said, is simply 'staying out of trouble.'"

"I may drink a little in the evening too with some soda water, but that's it," Overton told Fox News. "Whiskey's a good medicine. It keeps your muscles tender."

Overton admits that he doesn't truly know what to credit with his long life. "You have to ask God about that. He brought me here and he’s taking care of me, and nothing I can do about it,” Overton told the Post.

However, his neighbors have a few ideas of their own as to how Overton keeps chugging along. 

"Whiskey and cigars and never stop moving," a neighbor told Fox affiliate KTBC. 

In addition to his somewhat unorthodox habits, Overton stays busy throughout the day — trimming trees, helping with horses, and never watches television, according to Fox.

Paul Szoldra contributed to this report. 

NOW: How New York's Veterans Day Parade became 'America's parade'

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: We went inside a secret basement under Grand Central that was one of the biggest World War II targets








How to skip long lines at the airport — just like the 1%

0
0

The pre-flight ritual of standing in long security lines, removing your laptop and taking off your shoes is getting a little bit easier. That is, if you're willing to pay $85 to become part of the TSA Precheck program.

The program gives travelers access to shorter security lines and makes the airport experience a little less stressful.

We found how you can become a member. It's easier than you think.

Produced by Graham Flanagan

Follow BI Video: On Facebook

Join the conversation about this story »








The 50 US colleges with the best food

0
0

Washington University in St. Louis Dining

Of all the gripes students have about college, the biggest usually has to do with the food. But not every college fails where food is concerned; in fact, some colleges offer food so good that it's just like mom used to make.

To create this list, school information website Niche rounded up data from students at colleges around the US who rated their schools in the quality of both on-campus dining facilities and off-campus dining options.

Many of the colleges on the list are large schools, with plenty of resources devoted to whipping up near-gourmet meals for their students. Others are centered in big college towns (where cheap-yet-satisfying meals are available at every corner) or in big cities (like New York, which is known for its food scene).

We've included some quotes from students on Niche to show why each school made the list.

50. University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas

"There is a dining hall near every dormitory. How many meals you get depends on your meal plan but the dining halls are set up in a buffet style, so it's unlimited amounts per visit."

"Huge variety of places to choose from, all conveniently on Mass [Street] and throughout Lawrence. A lot of places deliver and offer student discounts. A lot of trademark Lawrence places and local dining."

Visit Niche for more information on University of Kansas.



49. University of Central Florida

Ocala, Florida

UCF has a number of big-chain names on campus— including Chik-fil-A, Burger King, Einstein Bros. Bagels, and Starbucks — but also features some specialty purveyors like the YUM YUM Cupcake Truck. Students can take advantage of weekly dining services deals, like a free 20-ounce fountain soda with the purchase of a sandwich at Bits & Bytes Cafe, or $0.99 coffee refills at Java City.

Visit Niche for more information on University of Central Florida.



48. DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

"DePaul offers a vast variety of foods to each for each meal of the day."

"DePaul also makes an attempt to encourage healthy eating, and offers both vegetarian and vegan options to its students. On-campus food is definitely the easiest option for freshmen, and most of the dining places are centrally located in the Student Center on the Lincoln Park campus."

Visit Niche for more information on DePaul University.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider






Save $20 on this incredible mini Bluetooth speaker right now

0
0

Screen Shot 2015 05 08 at 1.10.58 PMThis mini speaker comes with incredible sound quality.

The sleek Bose SoundLink mini Bluetooth speaker comes with advanced audio performance that delivers a full-range listening experience.

The speaker is small and light enough to carry in your bag — so you can easily take it anywhere you go.

The rechargeable lithium-ion battery delivers up to 7 hours of playtime.

"The Bose Soundlink Mini is the best sounding Bluetooth speaker I've ever listened to," one reviewer wrote.

Bose SoundLink mini Bluetooth speaker: $199.99$179.00[10% off]


 

SEE ALSO: DEAL OF THE DAY: This Bluetooth shower speaker is less than $16 right now

SEE ALSO: This award-winning powerhouse charging station is 20% off right now

SEE ALSO: Avoid never-ending carrier contracts and get Google's premium handset for 65% off right now

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here's what happens when you get bitten by a black widow









I ate dinner with complete strangers using a meal-sharing app — and would do it again the next time I travel

0
0

Blueberry Honey Pizza.JPG

When you're traveling, sometimes the best way to experience the destination is to eat with locals in the comfort of their own home.

But if you don't know anyone personally, there are apps that can connect you with people who will host such gatherings.

Meal-sharing apps like FeastlyEatWith, and Cookapp, are basically like Airbnb for meals. They connect tourists with locals and are changing the way people travel.

I decided to be a tourist within my own city and try out one of these apps. I signed myself up for Feastly, and booked a $42 dinner of unique handmade pizzas prepared by a woman named Michelle, who lives in Union Square, in the center of Manhattan. The three other guests I shared the meal with were all tourists visiting New York City from other countries.

SEE ALSO: More Travel 360

I chose to attend Michelle's pizza party, but Feastly offers cuisines from all over the world. Prices range from free to around $70 in New York City. The site currently operates in four US cities (New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and Washington, DC), but is planning to expand.



Michelle enjoys cooking, and the recipes she tries often don't come from a cookbook. This meal was the fourth she's prepared for guests through Feastly. In the past, she's made dishes like Beef Wellington. She generally prefers to keep groups small: the largest number of guests she's served is eight.



The meal I booked with Michelle started at 7:00 pm, so around 6:45 pm I made my way over to Michelle's Union Square apartment.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider






A 14-year-old girl made the 'How to Be Poor' video series that's blowing up on the internet

0
0

catra chiki honduras viral star

A 14-year-old girl from Honduras has amassed 140,000 Facebook fans thanks to a video series that started as a dare.

Paola Mejía posted her first video out of boredom over Easter weekend in mid-April, according to Fox News Latino.

In it, she talks about splashing around in "a tub-sized concrete basin in a public bath" instead of a fancy pool, FNL reports.

"Look at how clean the water is," she says. "It's not infected like the beach."

Aqui Esta El Video De PilaMar Muchos .Me Lo Pidieron Ai Esta Sea Humilde Chiki Bendiciones Mi Gente #La_Chiki_504

Posted by La Chiki 504 ツ on Saturday, April 11, 2015

Since then, she's posted seven other videos, creating a new genre of YouTube tutorial which the BBC christened "How to Be Poor."

She's garnered 138,000 likes on her Facebook page.

Mejía posts under the name La Chiki 504. "Chiki" is a commonly used slang term in Honduras, and 504 is the country's area code, FNL says.

Her videos use humor to explain how to make tortillas, how to use public transport, how to go secondhand shopping, how to straighten your hair using an iron and a pillow, and how to get by on affordable food.

Pan Blanco Con Mantequilla Lo Mas Rikoo Chikii Humilde Siempre ♥

Posted by La Chiki 504 ツ on Sunday, April 12, 2015

"Here I am eating lobster," she says in one video while taking a bite of bread and butter. "Here I am eating chicken with fried plantain strips. We have to be humble. We have to accept that we eat bread with butter when we live in Honduras."

Mejía uploads her how-to videos directly to Facebook and also posts videos and photos to Instagram. Many of her updates look just like what other girls her age around the world are posting online, like this selfie she took with her mom.

 on

Mejía's motto is "sea humilde," or "be humble." Since exploding on the internet, though, she has appeared on Honduran TV show Hablé Como Hablé, and recently did promotional work for a cell phone company and a pizza chain, the BBC reports

"You've changed," one fan wrote on Facebook, according to the BBC. "Don't sell out your fans for a few pennies."

Mejía says she wouldn't mind having some more money. As she told FNL, "I am rich, because I am the daughter of the owner of the world: God. And wealthy ... Well, that is not a goal in my life, but I hope somedy I get a good job to be able to give my family a better life."

SEE ALSO: Meet Brendan Jordan, the 15-year-old YouTuber who made the #KylieJennerChallenge go viral

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: This is what it takes to get famous on YouTube








I tried a bunch of apps for wine lovers, and these are the ones worth downloading

0
0

Delectable Screen Shot

There are more wine apps out there than anyone could possibly want — or need. The iTunes and Google Play app stores each contain hundreds of apps for oenophiles: tasting logs, wine pairing services, review databases, educational services, and many others.

But which ones are really useful? As a longtime wine collector, I decided to try as many as I could, and found three that stood out. These apps, which combine the concept of a tasting log with social networking features, also allow for instant identification through using your phone’s camera, and comparison pricing.

1. Delectable is best for following “wine celebs” and living vicariously off of their tasting notes (available for Android and iPhone).

Delectable had the best label recognition of the three favorites and, for me, had the most people actively uploading wines to the platform. These include numerous wine writers and sommeliers like Ray Isle of Food & Wine magazine and Jay McInerney, novelist and wine writer for Town & Country.

Following these writers can induce extreme wine envy, so beware. McInerney in particular seems to regularly drink wines that most people would consider a once-in-a-life-time experience (see the image above for one such example.) 

Pros: Delectable has the fastest and most accurate image matching, the most experts to follow, and a ratings system that allows for the most granularity of measurement.

Cons: The app often had more expensive prices on wines than others in the category for e-commerce. And it's not currently available for Windows Phone. 

vivino screenshot2. Vivino is best for people who dine out at restaurants with extensive wine lists (available for Android, iPhone, and Windows).

Vivino performs well against its comparative set, though it doesn’t have as many wine experts regularly using the service, and its image matching was slightly less reliable than Delectable’s service. 

This app is your best choice if you dine out regularly at high-end restaurants. Your location data allows Vivino to point you to restaurant wine lists in your immediate area (see photo at right).

From there, it will also provide data on the wines on those lists. If you’re the type of person who studies the wine lists of restaurants before you visit, this is very helpful.

The app can also help you navigate large wine lists, and provides a valuable second opinion when deciding on a specific bottle.    

Pros: Vivino shows wine lists near you, as well as many “verified wine lists” (at least in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago, where I tested it). Its premium features pull in ratings subscriptions and additional information, and it's the only app in this category available for Windows Mobile.

Cons: Fewer wine experts than Delectable.

drync screen shot3. Drync is best for people who plan on using their tasting notes to purchase wine via the app (available for Android and iPhone).

Drync is more focused on wine discovery than Delectable and Vivino, and features more curated lists of wines the service thinks you will enjoy. (Though many other apps also feature this content, it is less prominently displayed.)  

Photo matching was solid, and the prices for matched wines were lower (on average) than the other apps I tried. Unless you are connected via social networks to wine experts, you won’t see their choices on this app. 

Pros: Drync has the best prices from wine stores and more content aiding in wine discovery. 

Cons: No wine experts to follow and no version for Windows Phone.

Any of the above apps will help you keep track of and discover specific wines. I often use these apps in wine stores when I’m debating a purchase, and it has proven very useful when considering price and reviewing wines.

I also enjoy keeping track of the wines I’ve been drinking recently and staying connected with friends who also obsess about these things. 


 

The biggest problem with any of these apps is that my friends are dispersed across all three (and others), and no sane person would maintain their presence across multiple apps serving virtually the same function for any period of time. I highly recommend downloading one based on the strengths that best map to your needs. For me, that app was Vivino, but all three were very helpful and worth my time.

Some other wine apps worth checking out:  

Wine Spectator WineRatings+(available for Android and iPhone): With this app, Wine Spectator Magazine’s exhaustive wine reviews become much more usable than they are in print with a paid subscription.

delectable screenshot

For many people the paid version of the app offers more information than they need and is not worth the monthly $2.99 fee, but the free content alone is very helpful and worth the download.

My favorite feature is the vintage charts, which guide you to the best vintages for particular regions and wine varietals (see photo at left for an example of the Brunello vintage chart.)

While helpful when considering a purchase, this becomes even more beneficial to the collector when he or she is trying to determine when to drink their aged wines.

There is also a news feed of content from the magazine and some helpful videos on tasting and collecting wine.

Cellar Tracker (available for Android, iPhone, and Windows): Cellar Tracker is the extension of the very popular site of the same name, and it provides an enormous collection of reviews from wine collectors. 

Most of these reviews are very well-informed and the collection of reviews of a particular wine tends to surface a collective opinion that is pretty useful.

The app, in addition to providing access to all of these user reviews, allows you to manage your collection in an extremely efficient manner. Instead of utilizing the images on the label like the tasting notes apps, this app scans UPC codes. This works well, and when I found that many of the wines in my “cellar” didn’t actually have UPC code, the alternate search engine never failed me.

What makes this app so useful for collectors is that it allows people with lots of wine to track their inventory and make notes on location and quantity. The bigger your collection, the more useful this app becomes. If you tend to have a couple of cases or less in your home, this feature becomes less useful. 

If you are at all interested in keeping track of your favorites or organizing your private collection, the smartphone and these apps will make your life much easier.  

SEE ALSO: The 9 types of wine you should really be drinking

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here Are The Best Wine And Cocktail Pairings For Every Course








5 scenarios where it’s smart to spend a little more on services

0
0

Delta ComfortMost people strive to save money any chance they get. Whether it’s cutting down on dining out by cooking at home or avoiding high bar tabs by hitting up happy hour, it pays to be budget conscious. But sometimes it makes sense to spend a little extra for services. 

From home improvements to personal makeovers, here are five scenarios where it actually pays to splurge.  

1. Bumping up to business class for a long flight.

Spending six hours on a plane is bad enough. Spending six hours in a cramped seat on a plane is even worse. If you find yourself traveling across country, or internationally, consider bumping up to business class for a more comfortable ride.

For example, passengers who ride Delta Comfort+, the airline’s newest experience, can enjoy extra legroom, spacious seats, complimentary drinks, and premium entertainment. Cross-country travelers get the added benefit of healthy dining options as well as a complimentary sleep kit – which includes a sleep mask, blanket, and pillow – to get you through the flight.

2. Getting your hair highlighted at a salon.

Coloring your hair can be risky business, especially if you're attempting something as complicated as highlights. Though you may think the answer is in a box, it's best to leave coloring to a professional. In many cases, it can end up costing you more to correct your color mistake than it would to get it done at the salon the first time around. 

3. Paying extra at amusement parks to avoid waiting in line.

The best part about visiting a theme park is experiencing all of the the crazy rides. The worst part? Having to wait hours in line to get on those rides. Fortunately, many theme parks now offer visitors a way to avoid them. For a certain fee, customers can purchase passes that notify them when it’s their turn in line – giving visitors more time to enjoy the park.

Skipping lines is also a perk offered to Delta Comfort+customers. Comfort+ passengers have access to Sky Priority®, making them one of the first passengers to board the plane and one of the first to get off.

4. Hiring professionals for home renovations.

It’s great to have a DIY attitude around the house — such as redecorating your bedroom or installing shelves in the bathroom —  but some things should be left to the professionals. While major improvements can be pricey, it’s always smarter to get the job done by someone who knows what they're doing. That means hiring your cousin’s cousin who once reroofed a house for a friend may not be the greatest idea. It’s best to approach home improvements as an investment. Money you put into your home will be recouped in added value, so spend wisely. 

5. Using food delivery services.

If you're too busy to go grocery shopping and find yourself constantly dining out, a weekly food delivery service could be a great investment. For a fee, members get ingredients for recipes shipped directly to their homes each week. Customers can choose from a variety of recipes the week before. Not only is the service convenient, but it can also help you save money on dining out or on groceries you don't eat. The service can also get you into the healthy habit of making home-cooked meals. 

Delta Comfort+ offers a stress-free dining option as well. Customers can choose from healthy in-flight options such as a Greek yogurt bar or Luvo® sandwich wraps. Hand-picked wine options, spirits, regional craft beers, and Starbucks coffee is also on hand.  

Learn more about flying with Delta Comfort+.

This post is sponsored by Delta.

Find out more about Sponsored Content.

SEE ALSO: How to enjoy a luxury flight if you're on a budget

SEE ALSO: Travel 360

Join the conversation about this story »








Here's how to dress professionally while keeping cool this summer

0
0

The heat of summer is almost upon us – people in the Northeast have barely had a chance to enjoy spring and are already getting a early taste of summertime heat and humidity.

For some office workers, it's all a horrible preview of suffering through the warmer months in clothing similar to what they wore during winter: business suits. However, for much of the workforce, summer means a new freedom in what to wear to the office. 

We took Sylvie di Giusto's recommendations, founder of Executive Image Consulting, and tweaked them with a cool summer bent. 

In a nutshell, sweaters are out and patterns are in. Cotton will be the predominant fabric of the season, but others like linen and seersucker will also sneak into your wardrobe.

The most casual of offices even allow shorts. Though long considered a risky professional choice, the loosening of dress codes in the tech and startup sectors allows for showing a decent amount of below-the-knee skin. 

A step above that is your typical business casual look, retooled with lighter weight fabrics and brighter, summer-friendly colors. More formal than that is the executive casual level: layers sported in warm-weather-friendly fabrics. In summer, traditional business attire stays much the same as in other months, but with brighter and lighter colors, such as tan and indigo.

Unfortunately, there's no summer version of boardroom attire – the highest level of office formality. So here's hoping your boardroom has air conditioning!

Summer Business Attire_edit

Lifestyle Editor April Walloga contributed the womenswear advice for this article.

SEE ALSO: 15 Things Every Modern Gentleman Should Have In His Bathroom

DON'T FORGET: Follow Business Insider's The Life on Facebook

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The fashion risks every modern gentleman should take








Viewing all 115285 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images