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Rolls-Royce exec says new convertible 'is the most beautiful Rolls-Royce I've ever seen'

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Rolls Royce Silver Dawn 1952

Rumors of a new Rolls-Royce convertible have been floating around the interwebs for a few months. But now the car has a name: the "Dawn."

We have it on good authority that the car will be a looker. Although the finished design has yet to be released, Rolls-Royce North America president Eric Sheperd told Business Insider at the New York Auto in April that he believes the car " is the most beautiful Rolls-Royce I've ever seen."

The Dawn will be "complementary drophead" to the Wraith coupe that's already in production, a spokesperson told us.

Although the Dawn won't exactly be a Wraith with its roof chopped off, expect to see tons of Wraith DNA make its way into the new car.

The Dawn is a convertible, but you're not allowed to call it that. In the luxury car world, Rolls-Royce operates in a stratum all its own. It isn't building an SUV, coming in the next few years, but it is creating a "high-sided, all-terrain motor car." This is actually consistent with how Rolls does things. Its convertibles have traditionally been referred to a "dropheads." 

In this case, the Dawn convertible is a "drophead coupe."

Rolls is very excited about the vehicle.

"Our new Rolls-Royce Dawn promises a striking, seductive encounter like no other Rolls-Royce to date," CEO Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes said in a statement. “Dawn is a beautiful new open-top motor car with a name that suggests the fresh opportunities that every new day holds – an awakening, an opening up of one’s senses and a burst of sunshine."

Rolls Royce Wraith

Power will likely come from the 6.6-liter, twin-turbocharged V12 (shared with the Wraith as well as the Ghost sedan), topping 600 horsepower.

When the Dawn hits the streets next year, it will revive a name that dates to 1949, and that was used in 28 custom drophead cars built from 1950 to 1954.

The Rolls-Royce Dawn is expected to launch in early 2016.

SEE ALSO: Rolls-Royce has done some crazy things with its first SUV prototype

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NOW WATCH: 70 people were injured while filming this movie with 100 untamed lions









Why two music industry execs quit their jobs to start a wildly popular food site

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the smith smores

The writers at The Infatuation are not your typical restaurant reviewers.

About a dish at the Smith, a New American restaurant with multiple locations in New York City, Infatuation cofounder Andrew Steinthal writes

"Behold, the dessert you cannot leave without getting. That's a s'mores, deconstructed in a jar in layers of chocolate mousse and graham cracker crumble, with toasted marshmallow and a chocolate crunch bar on top."

"You deserve this."

Steinthal and Chris Stang launched the Infatuation in April 2009 to bring a fresh voice to the world of restaurant reviewing, an industry marked by somewhat esoteric language and lots of name-dropping.

"It dawned on us that there was no solution out there for regular people, specifically for restaurant reviews, that connected with or was useful to people who just like to go out to eat, but aren’t super foodies," Steinthal said. "The New York Times and New York Magazine are great, but they didn't have an app, and Yelp has no curation to it. If you write a review full of references to names of chefs I've never heard of, that means nothing to me. There was no voice of the people." 

As executives in the music industry — Stang as the VP of Marketing at Atlantic Records, Steinthal as the VP of Public Relations at Warner Bros. Records — the two were already pretty knowledgeable about the New York restaurant scene. They had met on the set of TRL, when they were both attending a conference for music directors at college radio stations.

andrew steinthal chris stang the infatuation

"We were always the planners in our group of friends," Steinthal said. "We were always the people you would come up to at work and say something like: 'Kid Rock is in town. He likes Mexican food. Plan it.'"

The Infatuation was just a side project until April 2014, when Steinthal and Stang quit their jobs after more than a decade in the music industry.

They've since built an app for iOS and Android, raised a $1 million seed round, recruited an army of writers, and expanded their review coverage from New York to San Francisco, Chicago, and Denver.

They're also launching in Los Angeles next month. 

Keep it casual

Infatuation reviewers don't accept invitations from restaurants, and, in the tradition of the disguise-wearing restaurant critic, they never announce their presence to a wait staff. Writers are allocated a small budget so that they can try out a bunch of different restaurants in their area. 

And when it comes to hiring writers, a person's ability to convey a conversational tone is one of the key traits that Stang and Steinthal look for. 

"A lot of times when people sit down to write a review, they sort of think to themselves, 'Well, what's a restaurant review supposed to sound like?'" Stang said. "We tell people to write the way they talk so that what they say sounds like it’s coming from a friend, not from a 'restaurant authority.'"

The Infatuation has certainly caught the attention of the food world. In March, Stang was nominated for a James Beard Foundation Journalism Award in the "Humor" category for his parody review of a fake restaurant called "Underfinger."

The review openly mocks the way traditional restaurant reviewers write about food. 

Stang writes

"I have no idea why it took us this long to make it to Underfinger (they’ve been open for eleven days), but we finally had dinner here over the weekend. All we can say is that you’ve never seen anything like this before, and yet it feels so familiar. Here’s the story.

The chef at Underfinger, Jesper Paulsen, grew up in Copenhagen just a few miles from Noma, and has eaten there several times. He’s taken that training and applied it to the Scandinavian tradition of serving minimalist finger sandwiches at funerals. The end result is one of the city’s most impressive tasting menus, a somber celebration of “farm-to-finger” ingredients and classic Neo-Nordic techniques."

underfinger infatuation

For the real reviews, foodies can find exactly what they're looking for by searching through a number of different categories and situations — some that are more practical, like location and cuisine type, and some that are more objective, like "impressing out of towners," "adventurous eating," and even "scoping hot girls/guys."

Barbuto, for example, is "a trendy spot, but for a more sedate group." The Spotted Pig, on the other hand, is "ideal for evenings where you’re looking to mix it up, throw a couple down, and see where the night takes you."

the infatuation

Stang says that searches for restaurants that are ideal for birthdays and girls' night out are some of their most popular. 

"There's always a situtational need for restaurants," he said. "We differentiate between a place that would be good for a first date and a place that would be good for a couple's date night, because those are two very different things." 

chris stang andrew steinthal the infatuation

Recent additions

A big factor fueling the Infatuation's growth has been their creative use of social media. 

A few years ago, they started tagging their food photos on Instagram with the hashtag "#EEEEEATS"

As of this writing, there are 794,433 Instagram photos with that hashtag, the vast majority unaffiliated with the Infatuation. The site's own Instagram account has more than 231,000 followers. 

But why five E's? 

"We always wanted this to feel fun," Stang said. "People always take things too seriously." 

 on

 

 on

Along with the upcoming L.A. launch, Stang and Steinthal have unveiled a new product called Text Rexwhere you can get a personalized restaurant recommendation from an Infatuation staff member over text message.

Rather than use a complex system of ratings and anonymous recommendations like most restaurant review sites do, with Text Rex you're talking with a real, live person. 

They also have a feature called "Friday Fives," where a notable person in tech, fashion, entertainment, and media picks their five favorite restaurants. They've gotten everyone from Mindy Kaling and Seth Rogen to Joanne Wilson and Warby Parker's Neil Blumenthal to share their Friday Fives.

"We applied everything we knew about building a band to the marketing for our brand," Steinthal said. "It's a community tied to quality content."  

SEE ALSO: This startup wants to solve a major problem facing business travelers

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NOW WATCH: 6 Food Myths That Are Completely Wrong








30 books everyone should read before turning 30

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girl reading

Your 20s are a time for figuring out who you are and what you want from life.

While the only way to learn is to survive the inevitable cycle of successes and failures, it is always useful to have some guidance along the way.

To help you out, we've selected some of our favorite books that likely never made your high school or college reading lists.

It's an eclectic selection that focuses on topics like identity, how you see the world, and laying the foundation for a fulfilling career.

Here's what we think you should read before you turn 30.

'Meditations' by Marcus Aurelius

As you become an adult, you realize that there will never be a time in your life where everything is just as you hoped it would be.

"Meditations" is a collection of personal writings on maintaining mental toughness from the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, who ruled from 161 to 180 AD and became remembered as one of the great "philosopher kings."

As Gregory Hays notes in the introduction to his excellent translation, Marcus wrote his musings on resilience and leadership in a "dark and stressful period" in the last decade of his life.

The emperor's version of Stoic philosophy has remained relevant for 1,800 years because it offers timeless advice for gaining control of one's emotions and progressing past all obstacles in one's path.

Buy it here >>



'The Myth of Sisyphus: And Other Essays' by Albert Camus

We all have a reason to get out of bed in the morning, and we start to question that reason after entering the real world.

As "The Stranger" author Albert Camus sees it, all people find themselves in an irrational world struggling to find meaning for their lives where there is none.

His main message, however, is that just as the legend of Sisyphus tells of a god who was eternally punished by having to push a rock up a hill only to have it fall down each time he reached the peak, we should embrace the drive for meaning and lead happy, fulfilling lives with a clear-eyed view of the world.

Buy it here >>



'Crime and Punishment' by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Regardless of your personal philosophy, there will be times when the world pushes against you and you wonder why it's worth trying to better yourself and help others.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky's novel is not only a gripping story, it's an argument against the nihilism that was popular among Russian intellectual circles in his time.

"Crime and Punishment" is the tale of a 23-year-old man named Raskolnikov who, acting on a nagging urge, murders two old women and then struggles with processing the act.

Dostoyevsky argues that rationalism taken to its extreme ignores the powerful bonds that connect humanity and give us responsibility over each other.

Buy it here >>



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Business Insider is hiring a commerce reporter

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Amazon Boxes

Business Insider is growing its e-commerce team and we're looking for a commerce reporter with a passion for finding the best technology deals and products, and an ability share his or her excitement with readers in clear, compelling copy.

The ideal candidate will be a conversational writer who's confident and careful when reviewing products and can describe the pros and cons of any given item with conviction. Commerce content includes everything from awesome deals on must-have products to new and interesting items that just hit the market. Things you’d want to tell your friends about. You will have the opportunity to pursue your own coverage ideas, as well as build out an editorial calendar to support major retail events (think Cyber Monday).

Business Insider generates revenue when readers buy products through our site. You’ll be coming on board to help us build out this program, and along the way, be a part of a new field of service journalism that adds value to readers. The program debuted in 2014 to great success, selling tens of thousands of products ranging from drones to clothes.

If you have experience in product journalism and are passionate about covering deals, tech blogs, style sales, e-commerce sites and more, this is your dream job. Join our e-commerce team and help build an exciting new coverage area. This role reports to the Commerce Editor.

Responsibilities

  • Write deal round ups and make product recommendations, following the Business Insider voice and style-guide
  • Research consumer and lifestyle electronics, household items, gadgets, and other things that are worth readers' time and money
  • Source original exclusives from retailers with the help of our business team
  • Take feedback from readers to improve existing articles and generate new ideas
  • Promote your stories on social networks
  • Track your posts in affiliate analytics

Qualifications

  • Someone who has writing experience and a desire to find the best tech deals and products around the web 
  • You should have an understanding of Business Insider’s audience and writing style
  • A huge interest in shopping for great products, good deals, and coupon codes
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Google Drive and Analytics
  • Flawless grammar, spelling, and usage
  • Basic level understanding of Photoshop and HTML (more than basic is a plus)

 

Business Insider offers competitive compensation packages complete with benefits.  Apply here with a resume and cover letter if this sounds like your dream job.


 

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Victoria's Secret is making one mistake that is driving away a lot of women








I lived in Europe for 5 years — these are the places I tell all my friends to visit

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Cesky Krumlov

Travel isn't cheap.

But it usually makes for an experience that exposes you to something new and leaves an impression for years after.

I was lucky enough to live in Zurich, Switzerland, for five years when I was younger. Because of its central location in Europe, Zurich made it easy to explore the rest of the continent.

The traveling that my family did while living abroad was definitely an investment, but it was a worthwhile investment. Those travels make up most of my favorite memories from those five years.

I've rounded up 15 places in Europe I think are must-sees. This is by no means a comprehensive list, just a starting point based on my personal experience.

Morcote is located in the Italian part of Switzerland on the shores of Lake Lugano, which makes for beautiful views. It has the best of both worlds: Italian charm and Swiss cleanliness.



Besides Amsterdam's obvious tourist draws — marijuana and the Red Light District — its canals are incredibly picturesque and are a great way to see the city. Take one of the many boat tours, sit back, relax, and enjoy.



The Church of Peace in Świdnica, Poland, is one of the three wooden Evangelical churches built in 1656 in Silesia, a region in Southwestern Poland. The outside looks more like a home than a church, so the magnificent interior is both shocking and stunning.

Source: Lonely Planet



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Inside the 'Be Marlboro' parties Philip Morris throws for teenagers — but doesn't want you to know about

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thai girls be marlboro

Smoking is deadly, but Philip Morris International and its brand, Marlboro, still want to push tobacco products onto trendy and attractive teenagers around the world.

The company does so by throwing "Be Marlboro" parties in over 60 countries to promote the brand using sex, fun, and risk taking, a spokesperson for the nonprofit Tobacco-Free Kids tells us.

The parties are not held in the United States.

You can sign a petition to stop Marlboro, and these parties, here.

Philip Morris maintains it only advertises to adults who are of legal smoking age. "We do not market to children or use images that are aimed at or have particular appeal to minors," its website says.

 

Smoking is bad for you. This is not news. But tobacco companies like Philip Morris International and its brands, like Marlboro, still have to find ways to sell to younger markets, especially outside the US where advertising and smoking laws are less stringent.



The answer? "Be Marlboro" parties held in over 60 countries, and marketed specifically to teenagers.



"Be Marlboro" parties are elaborate events aimed at enticing youth to smoke Marlboro cigarettes.



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Some gym owners have grown wary of $400 million startup ClassPass: 'It’s the Groupon of exercise studios'

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Payal Kadakia Class PassClassPass is one of the hottest startups in the world right now. The New York company is less than two years old and it's worth about $400 million, according to CEO Payal Kadakia. 

ClassPass sells a membership program lets users pay a $99 monthly fee to take fitness classes at different gyms and studios nearby. ClassPass is in 31 US cities, and it is expanding internationally with 4,000 partnering studios around the world.

As a ClassPass member, you can take classes from a diverse group of studios and gyms, from widely known ones like Barry's Bootcamp and Flywheel to boutique shops offering barre, yoga, pilates, and more. Users love it because the price point is a steal when you consider that a single spin class at Flywheel costs $30 a pop. Take three or four classes per month and your membership pays for itself. 

To date, ClassPass says it's paid out $30 million in revenue to studios. In 2015, the company plans to pay out $100 million. ClassPass has booked 4.5 million gym studio reservations since its June 2013 relaunch. 

The company doesn't disclose its revenue split with studio partners, and reports suggest it varies.

"Sometimes ClassPass pays half of what a studio normally charges per customer; other times, it’s far less than that," Fast Company reported back in January.

Many of the 4,000 studio owners love ClassPass; the service brings in new clients who otherwise would never visit their gyms. It also fills seats in classes that would be empty otherwise. 

Others, however, are dissatisfied by their experiences with ClassPass and have begun to churn. 

"I found myself more annoyed than joyful about the potential business"

"As a business owner, the proposition from ClassPass is they are introducing you to clients who might never have tried you," says Jill Harris, who owns a San Francisco-based pilates studio called Informed Body.

Harris' studio used ClassPass until January, but she decided to stop. She says she was getting a wide range of customers, but many weren't the same profile as her full-paying customers. She wasn't seeing ClassPass customers convert over into full-time, full-paying studio members. 

"Spaces in classes are held hostage by this company. We have to set aside the agreed upon number and changing spots wasn't an efficient process," Harris says. (ClassPass does allow studios to limit the number of seats they reserve for ClassPass users.)

In addition, some studio owners say that ClassPass is great for bringing in a wide variety of customers, but that's not necessarily what owners are looking for. In some cases, studio owners don't have the capacity to take on every new ClassPass member who doesn't have experience and needs assistance from an instructor in ways that full-time studio members don't.

"Customers who came through often would show up completely sore and messed up from classes they took that same day and were not easy to teach," one studio owner told us. "Engaging this group was often like pulling teeth because they have zero investment into our expertise and how we can help them."

In addition, this same studio owner says ClassPass's staff was "slow to respond and not at all helpful."

"I found myself more annoyed than joyful about the potential business," this person said.

ClassPass isn't right for every gym

Some smaller boutique studios just aren't the right fit for ClassPass. Sydney James is the owner of a boutique physical therapy and wellness studio in San Francisco called Therapydia. She told us that when ClassPass first launched in San Francisco, the company approached her to pitch its services.

"I knew that it didn’t make sense — when we have a cap of six to eight people in our class and they are already full, there’s no need to take discounted rates for their members," she said. 

classpass payal

Most of James' experience with ClassPass is as a customer rather than a business owner.

"I was a ClassPass fan when they first started," James said. "I liked it because I could try out classes that my patients were taking and let them know if I thought the classes were okay for them, considering whatever injury they had. I do sometimes recommend it to patients who are searching for a new form of exercise."

But James is unsure that ClassPass really leads to new customers for small businesses.

"I think the people who generally do ClassPass are looking for a deal (I don’t blame them!)," James said. "For large fitness studios with lots of spaces to fill, maybe it does make sense. But for smaller classes like Jill [Harris]’s Informed Technique and mine, it doesn’t. I really do think it’s the Groupon of exercise studios, and we all know how that turned out."

Does ClassPass have a Groupon problem?

Groupon's daily-deals business was, like ClassPass, intended to be a way for small, local businesses to sell excess deals and inventory. Even though Groupon provided strong marketing for businesses and often served as a means for new customers to discover them, many users didn't convert into loyal, repeat shoppers.

Jessie Burke, the owner of a Portland bakery called Posies, wrote a blog post explaining what happened when her restaurant partnered with Groupon. Eventually, her Yelp ratings tanked because Groupon customers — not organic customers — complained about the Groupon deals. And so many shoppers bought discounted products that a surge in her sales actually resulted in a big financial loss.

"After three months of Groupons coming through the door, I started to see the results really hurting us financially," Burke wrote. 

Groupon went public in 2011, raising $700 million at a $12.5 billion market cap. The company missed Wall Street expectations several times, and shareholders forced CEO Andrew Mason to step down. Today, cofounder Eric Lefkofsky is the company's CEO. Its current market cap is $4.4 billion.

Could ClassPass be the next Groupon?

One thing ClassPass has going for it is that its business partners don't sell physical products. They sell room in classes, which means many of them don't have the same tight margins a bakery like Posies has. Also, exercising is typically part of a daily or weekly routine which encourages repeat buying; buying a pastry is a one-off expense.

ClassPass CEO Payal Kadakia admits that an earlier version of her company more closely resembled Groupon. Kadakia launched the initial concept, Classtivity, at the 2012 TechStars NYC startup demo day. Classtivity was a SaaS solution for gym studios to use for customer registration. When the idea didn't pan out, Kadakia changed directions and started testing one-off studio discounts, a product that users loved but hurt gyms. 

revolve classpass"It was like a month-long, 'hey, go and try all these studios,' and then people could kinda stick if they wanted," Kadakia recalls. "It was a great business but [ClassPass cofounder] Mary Biggins and I were both like, no, this is not okay. What we realized is that 75% to 80% of the market would never even walk into these studios because they were dabblers."

Today, ClassPass has a subscription model, which retains users and gets them to try new studios routinely. On average, the company says, a ClassPass user will go to 10 new studios that they’ve within three months while using the platform. Kadakia says it has a 95% studio retention rate, despite the disgruntled owners who have begun to speak out against ClassPass.

General Catalyst partner Adam Valkin led ClassPass' latest $40 million round of financing and joined the company's board. He agrees that churn in a two-sided marketplace like ClassPass is a challenge, but he thinks Kadakia's team is well positioned to survive and thrive.

"Subscription business models appear very attractive on the surface — committed customers, recurring revenue, top-line velocity, high lifetime values — why not?" Valkin told Business Insider in an email. 

"But in reality, building a subscription commerce model for a two-sided marketplace is challenging. Churn can spoil the party, on either the supply or the demand side. Those that get it right may find a large prize, but I believe there are high barriers to success. I think it requires, as ClassPass has proven, a very compelling product offering with an authentic entrepreneur like Payal who lives her product, has the flexibility to turn on a dime, and strives to deliver unequivocal value to both sides of the marketplace." 

How ClassPass wants to help studios

ClassPass has grown so quickly, it's had to both iterate on the product side and invest in its studios to keep up with demand.

Kadakia says her company has launched a slew of new initiatives to keep gym owners happy. "We always think of this as a partnership, and a partnership over time," Kadakia told Business Insider. "As our product has evolved, we've grown tremendously on the consumer side. We're committed to continue investing in our supply side, and making sure these partners are growing."

ClassPass is launching several new features that it hopes will empower the studio owners who use it.

ClassPass is pilot-testing a feature that pre-pays studios, which allows them to buy new equipment, make studio improvements, and open new locations.  And they're using data to help its studios optimize their class schedules and figure out where to open new locations.

In addition, ClassPass launched a B2B blog called After Class, which has content to help studios make better business decisions, and a monthly webinar series with the same goal. For its first webinar, ClassPass had over 200 studio owner attendees. In addition, ClassPass wants to help studios hire fitness instructors, and to that end, they're creating a database of fitness instructors who are looking for jobs.

"This is really about making sure we're sharing all the knowledge we're learning across the industry with each of the studio owners," Kadakia said. "There are owners who are like, 'How do I do social media?  How do I use Instagram? What are best policies for the front desk?'" ClassPass is also adding data analytics for studio owners so they can see how they rank compared to the other studios around them.  

"There's always going to be a healthy balance of people becoming loyal to studios, and this is why we're doing all the studio empowerment stuff — we want people to get even more excited about joining these studios," Kadakia said. "As we keep growing, we're going to be having more sophisticated pricing on both sides that makes the product work. We want to use that engagement to help studios more and more."

SEE ALSO: ClassPass, a startup that gym rats and investors love, is now a $400 million company

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Peter Thiel's 3 Keys For Building A Successful Startup








How to dress like a local in 25 cities around the world

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No one wants to stick out as a tourist when they travel because of what they wear. But fashion trends vary from city to city, making it tough to know what to wear in different destinations. 

To avoid those awkward fashion mishaps, we've broken down what locals wear in 25 cities around the world. From the cool, casual ensembles of Copenhagen to the chic, tailored looks of Florence, this list will help you blend in like a natural.  

Amsterdam, Netherlands 

amsterdam leggings Leggings are a staple for women in Amsterdam. Thick tights that end at the ankle are worn under dresses, skirts, and even shorts. 

Go for sporty sneakers with bright colors. In the winter, flat boots are a must.

For layers, wear solid color zip-up hoodies and blazers with jeans at night. 

It's also good to make sure to have at least one outer layer that is waterproof given the unpredictable weather

Source: USA Today, TripAdvisor, EuroCheapo

Beirut, Lebanon 

beirut styleWomen slip on dresses or caftans, straight skirts, and bright accessories. Big, bold bright scarves, bangles, glittery clutches, and neon satchels are a way of expression, and at fancier events, draped, flowing gowns are all-the-rage. 

Men highly favor two-button suits in navy or black while at work, and can often be seen in designer belts and loafers. 

Lebanon is a Muslim country, so women will need to wear headscarves and dress modestly to enter any religious monuments.

Source: Condé Nast Traveler, TripAdvisor

Berlin, Germany 

berlin style Berlin is quite laid back when it comes to dress codes. In the summer, most people will throw on a pair of shorts and flip-flops. Even the business culture tends to be casual, so you'll rarely see people in suits.  

During warmer seasons, women tend to wear denim jeans with flowing blouses in white, beige, and citrus brights. 

Having a lightweight jacket or a casual cotton blazer is a great layer option for breezier temperatures. Avoid khaki shorts as Germans typically don't wear Bermudas or khakis. 

Since winters tend to get cold, locals will layer with thermals, stylish sweaters, hats, gloves, and a thick petticoat. 

Source: Huffington Post

Brussels, Belgium 

Jeans are usually paired with layers including a tank top undershirt, light knitwear for the summer, and thicker long-sleeved shirts or cardigans in the winter.

The weather can drastically change in a day, so it’s good to have multiple layers. Since most of the streets are cobblestone, comfortable flat shoes are preferred over heels. 

Note: If you’re visiting a public pool, men are expected to wear Speedos rather than shorts. 

Source: Fodor's Travel

Buenos Aires, Argentina 

buenos aires style The style in Buenos Aires is casual with jeans being a favorite for cooler temperatures.

Beige cotton pants or chino pants are great for the warm weather and women typically wear dresses or skirts with slingback shoes, light tops, and sandals or espadrilles.

You should avoid baggy clothing, and men won't typically wear shorts here. 

Source: Fodor's Travel, TripAdvisor

Cairo, Egypt 

cairo style In Cairo, most people dress conservatively. Men can wear trousers and T-shirts, but rarely will they be seen in shorts, tank tops, or wearing jewelry.

For women, loose linen or cotton trousers and below-the-knee skirts with a sleeved blouse are good options in the summer and jeans are good for winter. You want to avoid tight clothing, low necklines, or anything transparent.

Since there is a large amount of sand, most people will wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes. 

Source: Huffington Post

Copenhagen, Denmark 

copenhagen style In Copenhagen, the look is effortlessly chic. Since locals walk and bike so often, edgy flats, sneakers, Birkenstocks, slip-ons, and boots are preferred.  

The fashion is simple, so oversized tees with skinny jeans are common. In the summer, women often wear feminine dresses with menswear-inspired shoes, or loose-fitting printed trousers and midi-skirts. 

In the winter, it's important to have at least one chic coat, parka, or leather jacket. 

Source: The Telegraph, About.com

Florence, Italy 

florence style The style in Florence is casual yet elegant. Think textures and tailored cuts. Avoid flip-flops, floppy hats, shirts with logos, or mini-skirts and shorts. Most religious monuments and churches won't allow for bare shoulders, so having a long scarf is also a great way to cover up.

Women typically wear gladiator sandals, street sneakers, or heels while men will wear boat shoes, sneakers, or dress shoes. Men are rarely ever seen wearing sandals in Florence, unless, of course, they are visiting the beach. 

Source: USA Today

Hong Kong, China 

hong kong style One of the most-used items in Hong Kong is a retractable umbrella. Men and women usually keep an umbrella with them on hand for high amounts of rain in the fall and winter, and for shade from the sun in the summer. That’s why synthetic shoes that dry quickly are also a favorite. 

The dress style is casual, with sneakers and jeans being the norm. Flip-flops and shorts are quite common here, but it’s important to note that clothing that is too short or revealing is not the best option for Hong Kong. 

Women, in particular, will tend not to expose the top part of their body, wearing high necklines instead. Short skirts tend to be more acceptable than bare shoulders and camisole tops. 

Source: Fodor's Travel, TripAdvisor

Jakarta, Indonesia 

jakarta styleMen rarely wear ties during business meetings in Jakarta.

The style here is more casual, with button-down shirts, khaki pants, and closed shoes being the norm for men, while women wear plain dresses, long-sleeved shirts, and minimal jewelry. 

Levis or Lee jeans tend to be favored here, as well as polo shirts. During parties, men will often wear loafers and synthetic fibers are a favorite in vibrant prints. For women, heel-covering sandals, sneakers, or ballet flats work best. 

Source: Condé Nast Traveler 

London, England 

london style In London, light skirts and dresses with ballet flats or flip-flops are common in the summer. You’ll see bright colors and pastels, as well as black for a go-to default option. 

Londoners dress chic without getting too done up, so a relaxed yet stylish outfit is the best way to go. Wearing jeans with Chelsea boots or brogues along with a well-fitted trench coat will help you blend right in. 

Since it rains so often, rubber boots and umbrellas are a go-to in the fall. 

You’ll also find that locals aren’t afraid of patterned styles, so feel free to bring fun pieces along. 

Source: USA Today

 

Los Angeles, California 

The weather is pretty warm in Los Angeles year-round so tank tops, loose shirts, shorts, and skirts are a staple. Men will layer lightweight shirts over tanks with jeans or shorts, and casual sneakers like Vans and Converse.

It’s good to bring a sweatshirt or a light jacket, especially if you plan to go near the beach since it can get chilly. 

In the evenings, women will dress up in heels, dark jeans, and elegant tops when going to dinner. For clubbing, miniskirts, colorful blouses and dresses are common. Men usually wear dark jeans with button-up shirts or a sports coat when going out. 

Source: USA Today

Madrid, Spain 

madrid style In the summer, the typical attire includes chiffon shirts, loose tank tops and dresses, sunglasses, and gladiator sandals for women.

Converse high tops and Superga low top sneakers are a typical choice for both men and women, and scarves are in fashion year-round. 

In the fall and winter, women wear skinny jeans, oversized sweaters, a scarf and closed toe shoes.

Men typically wear dark grey jeans with a V-neck shirt and a leather jacket.

For evenings, ironed jeans or slacks go great with a button-down shirt and stylish sneakers. 

Finally, bracelets and necklaces are common, but go for long necklaces that have thin chains and dark-colored details. 

Source: Condé Nast Traveler, TripAdvisor

Moscow, Russia 

moscow style In the spring and summer, women are adorned in dresses with tights or jeans and a T-shirt. Men are expected to wear jeans with long-sleeved shirts, but don’t forget a light jacket and umbrella as it can still be chilly. 

In the winter, tights and fur coats remain a staple. Gloves, scarves, hats, and sturdy winter boots are a must, but make sure that they are easy to slip off as indoor places blast heaters. 

Women are often seen in stilettos, and it’s not uncommon to find men dressed in designer brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, and Armani.

You won’t find sneakers much in Moscow, as men typically wear dress shoes. 

Source: New York Times, TripAdvisor

Mykonos, Greece 

Most of the islands in Greece tend to be casual, but in Mykonos it's more of a casual-chic attire. 

In the daytime, it's common to wear linen trousers with stylish shirts, sweaters tied around the shoulders, and oversized sunglasses. 

Chunky, dark-gold bangles tend to be a favorite for women, as well as skirts that are tailored to mid-thigh. On evenings out, men will wear dark denim pants and starched shirts. 

Source: TripAdvisor,VirtualTourist, Condé Nast Traveler

New York City, New York 

new york style New Yorkers love to have that "perfectly undone" look, so you want to dress for comfort but with statement pieces that add a bit of flair.

Black has become the iconic go-to color for New Yorkers.

However, that doesn't mean you'll only see black. In fact, the city is incredibly diverse so there's a wide variety of styles and dress, but in general brights are accented with more neutral tones like blacks, Ivory, navy and grey to create a balance. 

Simplicity is often embraced when it comes to jewelry. Go for a basic gold necklace, tiny rings, or one statement cuff. 

But the most important item? Shoes.

This is a city where you're constantly walking and New Yorkers love to find a balance between clunky running shoes and impossibly high heels. Go for booties, loafers, oxfords, brogues, or casual sneakers. 

Source: Condé Naste Traveler

New Delhi, India 

In New Delhi, be attentive not to show too much of your arms or legs. Loose, linen cotton pants and button-down shirts are good for the warmer temperatures. Silk tops are a great choice for women as long as you make sure they aren't too low-cut.

When the weather starts to get chilly, jeans are common with sweaters and button-downs. 

Source: TripAdvisor

Paris, France

paris styleWhen you’re in Paris, be sure to leave your sweatpants, flip-flops, and white sneakers behind. Think casual-chic, where women typically wear skinny jeans, a designer top, simple dresses, and either converse or ballet flats. Long scarves are a typical addition to outfits during colder temperatures, and a pair of brown derbies of black oxfords make for a stylish look.

Parisians also love their trench coats and blazers. Finally, if you need to carry a backpack, go for a Longchamp or a leather purse/shoulder bag. 

Source: Condé Naste Traveler

Rome, Italy 

rome style People tend to keep themselves covered in fitted T-shirts, jeans, flowy skirts, and knee-length dresses. 

Dresses, shirts, and pants should be tailored. Diesel is a favorite denim brand in Rome, especially in black and dark blue tones and denim is also popular for jackets.

Black tends to be a base color for most outfits, whether it's pants, a suit, dresses, or flowing shirts. 

In terms of shoes, you'll typically see sandals made from leather, long boots, and pointed dress shoes.

Source: USA Today

San Francisco, California 

san francisco styleIn San Francisco, it's all about layering because temperatures can go from hot to windy in a matter of minutes.

You'll rarely ever see people wearing bright shorts in the summer. 

Instead, people typically wear jeans, lots of black, leather jackets, and comfortable but fashionable boots, flats, or sneakers to navigate the uphill streets.

Tank tops aren't worn often, unless they're layered a jacket. Also, fur coats are definitely a big no-no here. 

Source: Huffington Post

Stockholm, Sweden 

stockholm styleIn Stockholm, it’s all about classy minimalism. Statement pieces include hats or dark sunglasses, though the two won’t be paired together.

Flat boots are preferred in the winter and flats are the choice for the summer due to large amounts of walking. Think crisp and clean. For men, go for a dark-colored denim with starched button-downs or clean, basic T-shirts.

Source: Fodor's Travel

Sydney, Australia 

Thanks to sunny days almost year-round, you can wear swimwear with a cover up and shorts during the day. Strap on a pair of sandals before hitting the beach to complete the outfit. Men often wear shorts, graphic tees, and flip-flops or sneakers. 

In the evenings, a pair of grey or blue jeans with a simple tee and cardigans does the trick. Women can slip on a pair of wedges, and men can wear fashionable sneakers. 

Source: Fodor's Travel

Tel Aviv, Israel 

tel aviv style While Jerusalem is a religious hub, Tel Aviv allows for less modesty. Women love to wear knitted tops and dresses with intricate draping and details, single-bare shoulder tops, wrap dresses, or leggings with tunics and gladiators. 

Skinny jeans and harem pants are a favorite for summer and fall, and you’ll often see men in sandals because there are so many beaches in the area. When temperatures are cooler, women will wear ballet flats and knee-high boots, while men often wear Converse.

Source: Condé Nast Traveler 

Tokyo, Japan 

japanese salarymen businessmen tokyoTokyo’s style varies widely from Harajuku bright and bold colors to more contemporary looks. When dressing for business, men will wear basic black suits and women are seen in sharp skirts, neat and fitted blouses, and heels. Otherwise, typical attire includes a tucked-in shirt or trim trousers, dark jeans or dress pants, and minimalist shoes like Converse, Superegos, or Espadrilles. 

Women tend to dress modestly. Most of the time, when skirts are worn, they are paired with tights. Above the knee skirts, long flowing skirts, or slacks in dark colors work well. If you're wearing a lower-cut shirt, wear a camisole or slip underneath. 

It’s good to note that Japanese men don’t wear shorts, unless they are exercising or on the beach.  Men are also clean shaven and make sure to have polished hairstyles. 

Source: Condé Nast Traveler

Zurich, Switzerland

Here, the style is clean, simple, and sophisticated. Avoid wearing too many accessories and try to stay away from colorful, clashing clothing. The typical palette is dark colors in black, grey, and browns.

Sporty winter jackets are only worn while skiing, so wool or tweed coats, petticoats, military coats, and trench coats are what you should have for everyday winter walking. Also, try to take clothing that is tailored, as most styles tend to be neat and form-fitting. 

Source: TripAdvisor 

SEE ALSO: How NOT to behave in 15 countries around the world

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The most expensive, over-the-top pieces of art owned by tech billionaires

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rothkoLast week, a Picasso painting called "The Women of Algiers (Version 0)" fetched $179.4 million minutes before a bronze statue by Alberto Giacometti called "Man Pointing" sold for $141.3 million.  

The buyers were anonymous, though a recent New York Times article narrowed the potential Picasso buyers down to 50 suspects — some of whom made their fortunes in tech. 

Tech titans have a taste for expensive art. We've rounded up some of the biggest purchases here.

Bill Gates set what was then an American art record when he bought Winslow Homer's "Lost on the Grand Banks" for $36 million in 1998. The painting hangs on a wall outside his home library.

 Source: Bloomberg



Inside his library is Childe Hassam's "Room of Flowers," a piece that's believed to be worth $20 million.

Source: Bloomberg



He also owns a painting by George Bellows called "Polo Crowd." Gates bought the piece anonymously at a Sotheby's auction in 1999, paying a whopping $27.5 million to add it to his collection.

Source: Bloomberg

 



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Besides texting, here's what else we do on our smart phones while driving

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Texting while driving isn't the only dangerous activity plaguing our roads.

The American motorist is also obsessed with checking Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, and video chatting while behind the wheel of a car, according to a study released today by mobile provider AT&T.

AT&T – which started the It Can Waitcampaign to combat distracted driving – and Braun Research polled 2,067 American motorists age 16-65 who have smartphones and drive at least once per day. What they found is that smarter phones make dumber drivers.

According to the study, 70% of respondents say they engage in smartphone activities while driving. 61% say they text while driving and 33% say they send emails while driving.

In terms of social media, 27% of drivers enjoy checking Facebook while driving, while 14% check Instagram and Twitter, and 11% check Snapchat.

Other smart phone activities behind the wheel include internet browsing (28%), taking selfies (17%), and video chatting (10%).

“One in 10 say they do video chat while driving. I don’t even have words for that,” Lori Lee, AT&T’s senior executive vice president for global marketing, told the New York Times. 

Of those polled, 22% cite addiction as the reason for why they use their phone behind the wheel, and 27% believe they can do it safely while driving.

According to info from the Center for Disease Control, 3,328 people were killed in 2012 due to accidents involving a distracted driver. According to Distracted.gov, the official government website on distracted driving, 660,000 motorists at any given moment are using cellphones or manipulating electronic devices while behind the wheel of a car. In addition, people in their 20s make up 27% of all distracted drivers.

The National Safety Council, a nonprofit organization, says that texting while driving accounted for 6 percent of all crashes in 2014, up one percent from 2013.

Although 46 states currently have laws banning texting while driving, the poll notes that 62% of drivers said they still like to keep their smartphones within easy reach when they are behind the wheel. 

SEE ALSO: IndyCar driver Helio Castroneves went airborne in a scary crash during Indy 500 practice

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NOW WATCH: This new version of Google's self-driving car will hit the streets of Mountain View this summer








New York Times food critic decimates queso-slinging Tex-Mex joint in latest takedown review

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javelina restaurant

It's been about five months since New York Times food critic Pete Wells has reamed a restaurant, and, man, was it worth the wait. 

Like his infamous Guy's American Kitchen & Bar takedown, today Wells reviewed a restaurant that surely never saw him coming: a noisy, queso-slinging Tex-Mex spot that recently opened in Gramercy Park. 

"My interest in telling the truth about this establishment could come into conflict with my interest in not having my butt kicked by angry Texans," he wrote before going in on the restaurant that's received a glowing review from Eater's Robert Sietsema, a not-so-glowing review from New York magazine's Adam Platt, and five-star praise from Texas natives on Yelp

After voicing his distaste for Javelina's noisy environs, the cocktail reviews — and some of the best one-liners from the whole rant — commence. 

Fresh or frozen, the margaritas have a slight chemical taste that I was thankful for because it tended to keep my own alcohol intake to near-Mormon levels. I also stayed alert and sober when faced with the Tijuana Manhattan, made with tequila in the place of whiskey and served in a rocks glass with no ice at all, even though it was the temperature of a freshly killed snake. 

Knives sharpened, he then lays into the appetizers and main courses, which were hit or miss (by a mile). 

Though the queso was lukewarm and bland, the steak enchiladas boasted a "mouth-watering" sour cream sauce, and somehow the deep-fried "puffy tacos" managed to avoid offense. But back to that queso: One of the versions Wells tried was missing a key ingredient, black beans. After some sleuthing (read: dragging chips around the bottom of the bowl), the "mystery" was solved as his server delivered a bowl of beans and said, “This is supposed to go with the queso.” 

Even better than the case of the missing beans was the forgotten case of the forgotten guacamole. 

At most restaurants, you are served what you ask for so routinely that your eyes glaze over with boredom. Javelina does not fall into the trap of dull predictability. One night after I left, I realized the guacamole I’d ordered had never arrived; it’s not every restaurant that gives you something to think about on your way home.

Despite not having a dessert menu, Javelina still ruined Wells' dessert. 

In lieu of an actual dessert menu, the restaurant gives each table a gratis plate of sopaipillas. Wells reports visiting three times but only receiving free sopaipillas once, just enough so he'd actually miss them. 

The meal, and the review, ends with a thud as the check is "dropped without warning as soon as the last dirty plate has been cleared." 

SEE ALSO: New York Times Food Critic Demolishes Masa Chef's 'Brutally' Expensive New Restaurant

SEE ALSO: New York Times Critic Demolishes Guy Fieri's New Restaurant

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NOW WATCH: Here's How To Order Wine In A Restaurant Without Paying Through The Nose








Take our 14-day plan to radically improve your finances

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According to a 2015 survey by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, less than half of Americans keep close track of their spending, and nearly 30% aren't saving for retirement.

Clearly, there's room for improvement.

On the heels of our #BIBetter program, #BIBetterMoney is a 14-day self-improvement plan designed for the busy professional, featuring a simple task a day for two weeks to help you take control of your money.

We recommend participating with at least one other person, so you have more fun and keep each other in check. You can start on any Monday and should complete actions on their specified day when possible.

The following slides go through the days and the thought behind them in detail, and you can also reference our infographic calendar.

MONDAY, DAY 1: Get your 90-day number.

Let's dive right in.

In his book "Cold Hard Truth on Men, Women & Money," "Shark Tank" investor Kevin O'Leary recommends that before you take any steps to improve the way you manage your money, you get what he calls your 90-day number: A sum of every dollar you've spent and earned in the past three months.

"It's going to be a positive or negative number," he writes, "because money is black or white. There is no gray. You either have it or you don't."

You'll do this in two steps: First, add up your income, and next, add up your expenses. 

Income number - expenses number = 90-day number

If it's positive, you're starting off on the right foot. If it's negative, we have some work to do. And if it's hovering around zero, you're playing a dangerous game.



TUESDAY, DAY 2: Choose a system to track your spending.

You made a big effort yesterday, so today, we'll keep it quick: All you have to do is choose and implement a system to keep track of your income and expenses in the future, so the next time you want your 90-day number it will be available in a matter of minutes.

While you're welcome to break out a notebook and pen, you'll probably find it easier to take advantage of technology. Two of the most popular options are:

Mint, a website and app that you can connect to your credit cards and bank accounts. It automatically pulls in data from any connected account to log every expense and paycheck, so you can see the full picture of your finances in just a few clicks.

A spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel, which requires more manual input but allows you to manipulate the data in myriad ways. If you're already a big Excel user, you might be more comfortable with this format, although you will need to take a minute or two every morning — or a few minutes once a week — to update it.



WEDNESDAY, DAY 3: Add up your debt.

All debt isn't equal, but it does have the same bottom line: You owe money to someone else, and they're charging you for the loan. The money you pay them is money you can't use elsewhere. Generally, experts divide debt into two categories:

  • Good debt, which has relatively low interest rates and which pays for something immeasurably valuable or accruing value. For example, mortgage and student loan debt. Paying off good debt is less urgent than paying off bad.
  • Bad debt, which has relatively high interest rates and pays for a depreciating asset, like credit card debt or a car loan. You'll want to pay this debt as soon as possible, because it gets more expensive by the day.

One of the hardest things for many people to do with debt is simply to face exactly how much they owe — so we'll get that out of the way today.

Log into your accounts and get the balance for any debt you've been avoiding or has been weighing on you (take note of the minimum monthly payment while you're there). Add it all up, and face the number: This is money to be repaid, and tomorrow, we'll start figuring out how.



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Buy these home bar basics, and you'll be prepared to whip up 9 essential cocktails

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Stocking a home bar can be daunting — unless you have one of New York's savviest cocktail minds guiding your every purchase, which, thanks to this graphic curated by Eamon Rockey, you do. 

A veteran bartender and the general manager of midtown's Betony restaurant, Rockey recently visited the B.I. offices to school us on building a home bar from scratch.

His primary advice? "Allow the process to be cumulative. Start with a couple of staples and then ask yourself, What do I need to add one more of to make something new?”

Here, Rockey simplifies things, choosing nine timeless cocktails and outlining everything required to make them. To the right are the liquor, pantry, and barware staples you should buy, and down below are all the recipes they'll yield. 

Depending on your preferences, the whole setup can be had for approximately $500. 

Home bar recipes graphic

SEE ALSO: 10 classic cocktails everyone should know how to make

SEE ALSO: The 17 Things You Must Know To Become A Cocktail Master

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








Here's how much it costs to package, ship, and insure a multi-million dollar piece of art

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So you have some extra millions and you've decided to invest in a piece of fine art. Excellent choice. 

But before you go raising your bidding paddle, you'll need an insurance program.

Take, for instance, Pablo Picasso's "Les femmes d'Alger (Version 'O')," which was recently auctioned for a record-breaking $179.4 million. Simply packing, shipping, and installing security for a painting of that value could cost up to $60,000, according to Kimeral Anthony, an account executive at ABD Insurance & Financial Services, Inc. 

But wait, there's more: For a painting such as "Les femmes," Anthony tells us the annual premium could easily exceed $100,000.

Whether the art you're eyeing is $1 million or tens of millions, here's Anthony's advice on the insurance arrangements you need to make before you buy.  

1. Meet with an insurance advisor as soon as possible.

Anthony strongly recommends looking into insurance options early. "You can't just add on a priceless painting [to your insurance] ... there are so many steps involved," he says. With a multi-million dollar piece of fine art, you need an insurance carrier willing to take on risk. Anthony suggests going to insurers that specialize in art and other valuables, such as AXA ART and XL Caitlin. The insurance advisor can also recommend appraisal and valuation services. 

Pablo Picasso

2. Obtain the necessary documentation for the art.

It's important to find out what documentation the insurance carrier requires. This can include any of the following: the artist's name, the significance of the artwork, the artwork's provenance (this includes previous ownership and exhibition history), and the value of the piece. The auction house from which the piece will be purchased should have all of these documents.  

3. Find out what type of packaging the art will require. 

There is much to consider when packaging a piece of art, including its size, its composition, and whether it requires a temperature controlled environment. "Art should always be professionally packaged by those who specialize in art shipping," says Anthony. For a painting like "Les femmes," Anthony explains that packaging would occur on site after a full evaluation. Security would be present throughout the process. 

4. Arrange for 24/7 shipping and handling security.  

High value works should be monitored throughout transit until they reach their final destination. When creating an insurance plan, it's essential to only hire professional art handlers in order to prevent damage.

Art handler

5. Prepare and install security at the site where the art will be displayed. 

Congratulations, your newly acquired piece of art has been safely delivered. Now, the piece gets professionally installed and alarms are set up. The insurance underwriter will receive confirmation once the piece is safely delivered. Anthony says that some insurance carriers also require video surveillance both inside and outside as a portion of the agreed security program (remember: this piece of art is high risk!).

SEE ALSO: Why Picassos are going to keep selling for record-breaking prices

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14-day plan to radically improve your finances [CALENDAR]


17 clever Father's Day gifts under $50

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Carry on cocktail kit

This Father's Day, you don't have to break the bank to show dad how much you care.

From personalized accessories to thoughtful books to a classic bottle of bourbon, we rounded up budget-friendly gifts that every dad will love — all under $50.

His flight will be ultra-relaxing after an old fashioned — or two.

Price: $24

Give dad the first-class treatment — even if he's flying economy — with this carry-on cocktail kit. Complete with bitters, cane sugar, and a stirring spoon, he'll have everything he needs for a proper old fashioned. Just add alcohol.

Get it here »



Coasters made from vintage records add a fun touch to his home.

Price: $16.70 

Perfect for any music lover, these coasters made from vintage records will fill dad with a rush of nostalgia every time he sets down his drink. Not to mention they're also incredibly practical.

Get it here »



A Roku puts all his favorite shows in one place.

Price: $49.99

Dad will love having all his favorite shows in one place with a Roku. The device offers hundreds of free channels, allows users to stream services like Netflix and Hulu through their TV, and connects to Google Play and Amazon instant video, making it easy to rent any title.  

Get it here »



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5 scientifically proven ways to make someone fall in love with you

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We've talked about how you can get someone to be attracted to you by using scientifically proven flirting techniques, but how can you get someone to fall in love with you?

We talked to psychotherapist and author M. Gary Neuman who cites five scientifically proven ways to transcend simple attractiveness and inspire the feelings that could lead to a long-term connection.

Business Insider readers will get a 20 percent discount on Neuman's products for a limited time by using the promo code "businessinsider." Click here to visit his website.

Produced by Graham Flanagan with camera by Devan Joseph.

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There's a park in Bali where you can swim and play basketball with elephants

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bali bigger

Imagine waking up and seeing an elephant outside your window. Or swimming with an elephant in a lake. 

Bali's Elephant Safari Park & Lodge, located just outside Ubud, is an 8-acre park that's home to 30 Sumatran elephants who have learned to paint, play basketball and soccer, swim, and interact with humans. 

The park was created to provide a refuge for the creatures who are often killed due to illegal hunting. Proceeds from every visit goes towards continued conservation work.

Guests who visit can stay in the property's safari-style lodge, which has 25 rooms and a swimming pool where guests can interact with, feed, ride, observe, play with, and bathe the elephants. Rooms for the lodge typically start around $450. 

However, you don't need to stay at the lodge to visit the park. Rates start at $65 per person to visit the park and encounter elephants.

The park's owner, Nigel Mason, has been fighting for animal rights in Bali since 1980. For this reason, he ensures the elephants are well attended to and treated with love.

 

 



You can touch and hand-feed the gentle giants who will approach you.



Guests who stay at the lodge will wake up to elephants right outside their window. The rooms are built with a balcony landing so that you easily jump on board the elephants that approach and wait to take you to breakfast.

 

 



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10 amazing photos of nature taken at the perfect moment

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The 2015 National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest is nearing its conclusion. Judging by the entries National Geographic is showing off, the competition looks tough.

In last year's contest, there were more than 18,000 entries to the contest. Photos are divided into four categories: travel portraits, outdoor scenes, sense of place, and spontaneous moments.

Entries for this year's contest are being accepted until June 30th. If you think you've got what it takes, enter here.

The grand prize winner gets an eight-day National Geographic Photo Expedition: Costa Rica and the Panama Canal with airfare for two.

To celebrate the end of the contest, National Geographic has shared some of its favorite entries from the "Spontaneous Moments" category with us here.

Photographer Howard Singleton says he had "lucky timing" to snap this shot. The oxpecker was originally sitting on the hippo's head, but had to leave when the hippo decided to yawn.

 

 



"Whale watching is magical, but the waiting part is filled with anticipation," says Sandra Aileen Greenberg. She was lucky enough to catch a mother and calf burst out of the water at the same time.



This photo was taken in the Apuseni Mountains in Romania. "I really liked this kind woman, her funny smile, and how the ox licks her hand," says photographer Angyalosi Beáta.



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The most affordable towns on the French Riviera

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Nice France

The south of France has long been known as a playground for millionaires.

Years ago it served as inspiration for legendary American authors such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, and today Beyoncé sunbathes on a yacht in St. Tropez.

That doesn't mean that travelers without a disposable income can't enjoy the French Riviera.

You can experience the coast's old-world charm and dazzling beaches on a budget.

Here are the most affordable towns on the French Riviera.

Nice

Cannes and Nice are probably the most popular cities on the Côte d'Azur.

The difference between the two cities is that Cannes doesn't have much to offer the budget traveler. Nice, on the other hand, is just as beautiful and a lot less expensive.

Accommodation

The city has multiple chain hotels that offer rooms during peak season for under $150 per night. There's the Mercure Nice Centre Grimaldi and the Best Western Alba Hotel, both of which are in excellent locations.

Nice Garden Hotel Room

If you're looking for a more intimate experience and would rather stay at a boutique hotel, try the Ajoupa Apart'hotel— which offers apartments with a kitchen — the Nice Garden Hotel, or the Clair Hotel. Although basic, TripAdvisor reviews say all three hotels are clean and in prime locations.

Beaches

beach in Nice, France

Nice has a number of beaches that are free and open to the public, such as the Beau Rivage Public Beach, but beware that most of these have pebbles instead of sand, so spending a few euros on a padded beach mat is a smart idea. For a full list of the city's public beaches, click here.

One of the best activities to do in Nice is to simply stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, the boardwalk promenade that runs along the length of the beach.

Culture

Musee des Beaux Arts

For those who aren't beach bums, Nice has a selection of 20 museums and municipal galleries, as well as private art galleries and artist workshops. You can pay 10 euros for a 48-hour pass to a few museums that all fall under the same category (fine arts, science, history) or you pay 20 euros for a 7-day ticket to all museums and galleries in Nice. For more information on museum and gallery tickets, click here.

Transportation

Traveling around Nice is easy and cheap.

Trains run along the coast, stopping at different towns. A train trip to Cannes, for example, can cost from 5 to 15 euros on the SNCF line.

Bus travel is even cheaper. Lignes d'azur buses travel up and down the coast. Although slower and less luxurious than the train, these buses cost 1 euro no matter how far you're traveling.

Within Nice there's a tram line that has 21 stops throughout the city — again only 1 euro per ride.

For the more active tourist, there's Velo Blue, which has bikes all over city available to rent. The first half-hour is free, and then every hour after that is 1 euro.

Antibes

Located in the Alpes-Maritimes region of southeastern France, the city of Antibes sits between Nice and Cannes and includes the small town of Juan-les-Pins. It's a picturesque resort.

Accommodation

Le Petit Castel Room

Since Antibes is smaller than Nice, its selection of budget hotels is not as extensive. A few hotels that offer rooms for around $150 per night, all of which received favorable ratings on TripAdvisor — include Hotel La Jabotte, Hotel Eden, and Le Petit Castel. There's also a Best Western (the Best Western Le Grand Pavois) in the city that offers reasonable rates.

Beaches

Some of the city's best-known beaches lie along the Cap d'Antibes, a small peninsula on the edge of Antibes, which is home to a number of luxury hotels such as the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc. The Plage de la Gravette, the Plage de Ponteil, and the Plage de la Salis are the three main public beaches in Antibes.

Culture

Tourists can pay just 10 euros for a 7-day pass that's valid for all municipal museums and the Fort Carré, a fort on the outskirts of Antibes that dates from the 16th century.

For those looking to visit just one or two museums, there's the Musée Picasso, which houses a small collection of Picasso's paintings and ceramics. The museum's rates are reasonable; for pricing, click here.

 There's also the Musée Napoléonien in Juan-les-Pins, which not only tells the history of Napoleon but also offers spectacular views of the Cap d'Antibes.

Fort Carre Antibes

Some of Antibes' other landmarks include churches such as the Chapelle de la Garoupe and the Cathedrale Notre Dame de la Platea d'Antibes, as well as the Garoupe Lighthouse (Phare de la Garoupe), and the Sentier du Littoral (a walkway along the coast). All of these are either free or charge just a small fee for visitors.

Transportation

Like Nice, Antibes offers train service (SNCF) or bus service (Envibus). The Envibus has 31 bus routes throughout Antibes, and a 1 euro ticket will get you pretty much anywhere.

Vence

Although it doesn't sit along the coast, the small town of Vence is still part of the French Riviera. It's nestled in the hills of the Alpes-Maritimes, and its quaint cobblestoned streets and stone buildings make up for its lack of beaches.

Accomodation

Hotel Villa Roseraie

Because of its size, Vence doesn't have any chain hotels, but it does have some affordable boutique hotels. A few that earned high ratings on TripAdvisor include Hotel Miramar, Hotel Le Floreal, Hotel Villa Roseraie, and the Hotel Mas de Vence. All four offer rooms for under $150 per night. 

Culture

A visit to the Ville medieval in Vence is a must. This tiny medieval town is truly a piece of history, and there are explanatory signs all throughout the village, which provide a history lesson for tourists. Vence also offers the Chapelle du Rosaire, a gorgeous chapel, which was decorated and designed by artist Henri Matisse; the chapel has an entrance fee of six euros, but the church's beauty makes it well worth the visit.

Saint Paul de Vence

Saint Paul de Vence is another must-see, and it's just a 10-minute ride from Vence. The walled village sits perched a top a lush green hill. You'll feel like you've stepped back in time during your visit.

Transportation

There are three lines of buses that run through Vence: the Navette gratuites, the Ligne 46, and the Créabus C40. Two free shuttles run from the town center and Vence's east side to the central bus station. Click here for more information on Vence's bus system.

SEE ALSO: How to tip in 24 countries around the world

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