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

Chipotle is facing a reckoning — and I saw why it may never again be the chain it once was

0
0

Chipotle Burrito

  • Chipotle has had a rough two years marked by E. coli scares and lackluster menu additions. 
  • The chain's efforts to turn things around have yet to really work. 
  • Chipotle still has a ways to go before it turns things around — if it can.

 

It's been a bumpy ride for Chipotle.

The chain's reputation has never truly recovered from the 2015 E. coli outbreak that left 50 people sick in 14 states. Chipotle's tarnished image has led to slumping sales growth, and third-quarter earnings missed targets. Most recently, Chipotle's stock fell nearly 6% after "Supergirl" star Jeremy Jordan blamed the burrito chain for an illness. And, according to IWasPoisoned.com, the rate of self-reported foodborne illnesses are at least nine times higher for Chipotle than all other restaurant chains.

To Chipotle's credit, the restaurant chain has tried to reignite the spark with loyalty programs, queso, and even free lunches. But the rewards program was limited and lackluster, the queso grainy, and the free food likely in vain.

We decided to visit Chipotle to see if the chain has made any improvements in its attempt to turn things around — or if it's stuck in a mire of its own making.

SEE ALSO: Panera just acquired one of its biggest competitors — here's why it won the comfort-food battle

ALSO READ: We tried the restaurant that wants to make cheap pasta the next big thing in fast food — here's the verdict

It's lunchtime — roughly 12:30 p.m. — at a Chipotle near our offices in the Flatiron neighborhood of New York City. The lines certainly aren't as long as they used to be.



The staff was polite but hurried. The ordering line went so fast, I wasn't even sure what I had ordered by the time I was paying for it. The queso was peddled strongly, and I gave in and ordered it to give it a second chance. I hadn't been crazy about it the first time I tried it.



There were customers in the restaurant, but I wouldn't call it busy. The line was fast —too fast for someone who isn't sure exactly what they want. I ended up ordering a chicken burrito, which has a menu price of $8.65.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

14 things Black Friday workers wish shoppers would stop doing

0
0

Black Friday shopping fight

There's just something about Black Friday that turns even the most ordinary, usually-well-mannered people into frenzied shopping monsters.

"I can't believe the level of rudeness that somehow comes out of people this day," one former Black Friday worker told Business Insider.

"I had my fair share of rude customers on regular days, but Black Friday brings out a really ugly side to people," she said. "I'm sure it's a combination of being out there early and the long lines, but I can't imagine being rude to someone else over a discounted sweater."

If you have any sympathy for the people working in retail on Black Friday, who often have no choice but to be there, you'll try to do better as a shopper.

To help you out, we asked Black Friday workers and ex-workers — who have worked at stores ranging from high-end Manhattan boutiques to big box retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Target — to anonymously share the annoying things they wish shoppers would stop doing.

Here are 15 things you may have been doing wrong this whole time.

SEE ALSO: Here's what it's really like to work retail on Black Friday

DON'T MISS: Bartenders reveal what customers' drink orders say about them

Trying to get lower prices on sale items

"It's already on sale. Please stop."

 



Distrusting salespeople

"Asking you to double check if there are additional sizes or options in the back, even after you tell them there aren't."



Trying to sneak into the back room for products

"I saw a woman try to sneak into the back room when she didn't believe we were out of her size." 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

9 ways millennials are approaching marriage differently from their parents

0
0

wedding cake

  • Marriage looks a lot different today than it did 30 or 60 years ago.
  • For example, millennials are more open to interracial and interfaith relationships and less likely to have sex outside of marriage.
  • We rounded up the biggest differences between the way millennials and their predecessors approach marriage.


The institution of marriage is constantly evolving.

Couples who get hitched today create a partnership that looks totally different from their parents' and grandparents' — from their wedding to their commitment to monogamy.

Below, Business Insider has collected some of the starkest contrasts between the way millennials and their predecessors approach married life. Just imagine how different marriage will look in another 30 years.

SEE ALSO: 6 ways millennials are raising kids differently than their parents

Millennials are more accepting of premarital sex ...

A 2015 study, published in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior, found that millennials are the generation most accepting of pre-marital sex.

In the 1970s, just 29% of American adults believed premarital sex among adults was "not wrong at all." That number increased to 42% in the 1980s, 49% in the 2000s, and 58% between 2010 and 2012.



... but they're waiting longer to have it

Meanwhile, a 2016 study, also published in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior, found that millennials have had fewer sexual partners than previous generations.

As Business Insider's Chloe Pantazi reported, results showed 15% of millennials aged 20 - 24 said they had no sexual partners since turning 18. When people born in the 1960s were ages 20 - 24, just 6% said they hadn't had sex.

Dr. Helen Fisher, an anthropologist and the Chief Scientific Advisor to Match.com, told Pantazi this is possibly because millennials are more ambitious in their careers and more cautious about starting relationships.



They're starting relationships online, and those marriages may be stronger and happier

At least one-third of couples meet online. Dating sites and apps are especially popular among younger generations of Americans.

And a growing body of research suggests those who connect through online-dating services go on to have happier marriages, and are less likely to divorce.

For example, a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2012 looked at about 19,000 people who married between 2005 and 2012. People who met their spouse online said their marriage was more satisfying than those who met their spouse offline. Plus, marriages that began online were less likely to end in separation or divorce.

(That study was funded by eHarmony.com, but one of the study authors told MarketWatch that it was overseen by independent statisticians.)

It seems likely that people who register for online dating are more interested in a serious relationship — not that online dating directly causes relationships to be stronger.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

5 books that can help you have a happier marriage

0
0

couple autumn

  • We rounded up books from a variety of experts that explain why marriage is so hard and how you can strengthen your relationship.
  • The authors touch on topics including infidelity, personality clashes, and even time-management.
  • Each one provides tips that you can implement starting today.


Marriage is complicated. That's a given.

So it helps to take a comprehensive look at the whole institution: When did we start having such high expectations for our partners? How do we fall for people who drive us crazy in the long run? Why in the world do we think about cheating if our relationship looks perfect?

The authors of the five books below — whose ranks include a psychotherapist, a productivity researcher, and a social psychologist — draw on their unique expertise to come up with some answers to these and other important questions. Their insights will help you look with fresh eyes at your own partnership and get inspired to change it for the better.

Read on for the books that will help strengthen your marriage.

SEE ALSO: 8 books to read before you get married

'The All-or-Nothing Marriage: How the Best Marriages Work' by Eli J. Finkel

This book breaks down into two parts: an exploration of the historical factors that make marriage so hard and a series of creative strategies for strengthening your relationship.

"All-or-nothing marriage" is the term Finkel — a social psychologist — and his colleagues developed to describe modern relationships. We're placing more expectations on our relationships than ever before — we want our partner to be our best friend, our lover, our intellectual sparring partner, maybe our co-parent — while simultaneously investing less time and energy in the relationship. The inevitable result is that we're disappointed.

What to do? Well, for one, consider asking less of your relationship. (Really!) Maybe your partner isn't the type to have philosophical debates late into the night; maybe you've got a friend who loves to do that.

Or, consider not asking so much of your relationship right now, if things are especially stressful. Maybe you just had a baby or maybe you're under a lot of pressure at work. Adjusting your expectations and being realistic about what the relationship can do for you at this point in time is key.

Find it here »



'The State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity' by Esther Perel

Esther Perel is something of a celebrity couples therapist — she's the author of the bestselling book "Mating in Captivity," she's given hit TED Talks, and she's the host of an audio series titled, "Where Should We Begin?"

Now, Perel has sunk her teeth into the subject of cheating, drawing on 30 years of experience to explain everything from how a couple recovers from infidelity to why infidelity can occur even in seemingly happy relationships.

Perel is strikingly insightful. On the topic of why people in happy relationships cheat, she explains that it can be a form of "self-seeking," as opposed to an attempt to escape the other person. And on the topic of recovery from cheating, Perel says something good can come out of the process: the restoration of honesty and passion.

Regardless of whether you've been personally affected by infidelity — and Perel says most people have been — the book will make you rethink your understanding of human intimacy and relationships.

Find it here »



'The Four Tendencies: The Indispensable Personality Profiles That Reveal How to Make Your Life Better (and Other People's Lives Better, Too) by Gretchen Rubin

Rubin is another well-known voice in the self-improvement domain. She's the author of multiple bestselling books, including "The Happiness Project," and she hosts the podcast "Happier With Gretchen Rubin."

"The Four Tendencies" isn't about romantic relationships per se — instead it's a look at how your personality type affects your life in general. But Rubin does put these personality types in the relationship context, in order to help readers understand why they're attracted to certain people and why the same conflicts keep popping up with their partners.

For example, "obligers" — people who meet outer expectations but don't always meet inner ones — often pair up with "rebels" — who resist both inner and outer expectations. And while "upholders" — who meet both inner and outer expectations— may be initially attracted to rebels, eventually they'll start to clash. (All these labels get less confusing once you sit down to read the book.)

Rubin does a good job of helping readers become more tolerant of people who are different from them — especially if that person is their spouse — and of helping them figure out how to manage those differences effectively.

Find it here »



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

New York City's secret subway line with antique cars is going back into service — here's what it's like to ride it

0
0

The New York City subway system is one of the most fascinating curiosities in a city full of mysteries. Miles of underground track shrouded in darkness, littered with abandoned stations and secret passageways — it's a common object of desire for the urban explorers among us.

And, occasionally, New York City acknowledges the delightful mystery surrounding its 24-hour transportation system. The annual "Holiday Nostalgia" train line is a perfect example of this:

Shopper's Special NYC subway

The train line, consisting of eight vintage New York subway cars from several different eras, runs for a few weekends each year — from the Sunday after Thanksgiving to the end of the year, only on Sundays. It costs the same $2.75 as any subway ride.

So what'd we do? We got on the train and took a ride, of course! This is what it's like.

SEE ALSO: The New York subway system runs on 100-year-old technology

I got on at the Second Avenue stop in Manhattan — in 2016, the train ran between the Second Avenue stop in Manhattan and the Queens Plaza stop in Queens.

In 2017, the holiday train is running on the F line between 2nd Av and Lexington Avenue / 63rd Street, and via the Q line between Lexington Avenue / 63rd Street and 96th Street on the Upper East Side.



As you can see from last's year schedule, the train runs throughout the day starting at 10 a.m. and concluding at about 5 p.m.

The schedule is slightly different for 2017 due to the two different lines the line is running on. According to the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), the train "departs from the 2nd Avenue subway station on the F line at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. and from the 96th Street subway station on the Q line at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m..



Even though we arrived at 12:30, there were already a bunch of people waiting — some were clearly tourists; others were clearly New Yorkers.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip are actually related — here's how

0
0

Dronning_victoria

Throughout their 70 years of marriage, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip have shared priceless memories and moments together – but they share a lot more than that.

The royals are cousins. They share the same bloodline, and are both directly related to Queen Victoria. 

Travel website Expedia recently developed an online tool which shows how the Scandinavian and British royal families have been linked through marriage throughout the years. It also shows just how closely linked the British royal family are.

Elizabeth is a direct descendant on her father's side. In February 1837, Victoria was crowned the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. She married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha in 1840, and together they had nine children — four sons and five daughters.

Her eldest son, Edward, was born in 1841, and ascended the throne in 1901 following Victoria's death. His second-eldest son George — who is Queen Elizabeth's grandfather — succeeded him in May 1910.

 King_George_VI_of_England,_formal_photo_portrait,_circa_1940 1946_ _edit

His reign lasted until his death 1936, when his son George VI became king.

Elizabeth then ascended the throne on February 6 1952 following the death of her father. In October 2016, she became Britain's longest-reigning monarch.

English Family Tree

While Victoria is Elizabeth's paternal great-great-grandmother, Philip is related to the monarch on his mother's side.

Victoria's second daughter, Princess Alice, was born in 1843. In 1862, she married Ludwig IV — the Grand Duke of Hesse, and had seven children. In 1863, Alive gave birth to her first child, Victoria, who went on to marry her father's first cousin, Prince Louis of Battenburg, in 1884.

One year later, the pair had their first child, Princess Alice of Battenburg — Prince Philip's mother. Alice was still closely linked to the British royal family, and was even born at Windsor Castle in Berkshire in Queen Victoria's presence.

Princess_Alice_of_Battenberg_with_children

She married Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark in 1903, after meeting him at King Edward VII's coronation in London the previous year. Together they had five children, with Prince Philip being the youngest, born in 1921. This makes Philip and Elizabeth third cousins. 

Though marrying relatives is far less common today, Expedia told Business Insider it was a requirement for most royal families for centuries.

"In many countries, you would lose your right to the throne if you married a commoner," said Sandra Pearson at Expedia, "hence your choice was very limited and you most probably would be related."

The full infographic below shows just how close European royal families have been for generations. 

Some, Pearson added, even "inherited" their brides. For example Mary of Teck, Queen Elizabeth's grandmother, was originally engaged to Prince Albert — George V's older brother and the next-in-line to the throne.

But Albert died shortly before their planned wedding in 1892, so George — who became the heir-apparent — inherited the engagement and married her instead.

However in recent years, the requirements for marriage have relaxed, and many royals all over the world have married commoners and widened the gene-pool.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The line of succession to the British throne when the Queen dies

New royal portraits have been released to mark the 70th wedding anniversary of the Queen and Prince Philip

0
0

queen philip anniversary photo

A series of new portraits of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip have been released to mark their platinum wedding anniversary.

Monday marks 70 years of marriage between the Queen and Prince Philip, who also has the title of Duke of Edinburgh.

The images — taken by celebrity photographer Matt Holyoak with photo agency Camera Press — show the couple together at Windsor Castle.

The royals posed in front of Thomas Gainsborough's portraits of George III and Queen Charlotte from 1781.

Her Majesty wears a cream dress designed by Angela Kelly, her dressmaker for the last 15 years.

She also wears her golden "Scarab" brooch in yellow gold, carved ruby, and diamond, which was designed by Andrew Grimaa and was a gift from Philip in 1966.

On photographing the royal couple for their special day, Holyoak said: "I feel very honoured and privileged to have been asked to contribute to this very special occasion.

"My vision for the image was to capture an intimate and natural portrait of the Queen and Duke to celebrate their landmark anniversary."

Three additional photos in the series show the Queen and Prince Philip pictured against a platinum-textured backdrop in recognition of their special anniversary.

queen philip anniversary 2Queen Elizabeth is the first British monarch to celebrate a platinum wedding anniversary. The couple are celebrating with a private dinner at Windsor Castle, according to the BBC.

Westminster Abbey's bells will ring for more than three hours to mark the special day.

queen philip anniversary 3Camera Press is known for circulating the official wedding photographs of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip by photographer Stirling Henry Nahum back in November 1947.

Nahum, known professionally as "Baron", was a friend of Prince Philip. He wrote in his autobiography about the wedding: "I was asked by Prince Philip to be responsible for the wedding photographs of himself and Princess Elizabeth. It was my first assignment to Buckingham Palace, and first time as far I was aware that colour photographs were to be taken there. 

Baron wrote: "The royal couple returned from the wedding service and arrived at the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace. They looked so happy and excited. I only had time to take about four frames before they had to leave to wave to crowds from the balcony."

Speaking on the release of the new images, Holyoak said: "The Queen and the Duke were very happy and relaxed which made it a pleasure. I feel the images showcase their strength and unity."

queen philip anniversary 4

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here’s how to stay friends with your ex

The 22-year-old billionaire who is Norway's richest woman has been fined £23,000 for driving drunk

0
0

katharina andresen

  • Katharina Andresen, 22, was fined 250,000 kroner (£23,000) on Friday for drink-driving.
  • Andresen also received a 13-month ban.
  • Andresen is the world's second youngest billionaire behind her sister Alexandra, 21.


22-year-old billionaire Katharina Andresen has been fined 250,000 kroner (£23,000) and issued a 13-month ban from driving after she was caught driving under the influence of alcohol.

Andresen was caught over the limit during the Easter weekend earlier this year while driving to her family’s ski chalet in Hafjell, Norway where drink-driving fines are based on the defendant’s income.

The 22-year-old, with a net worth of $1.23 billion (£927.6 million), could have been fined up to 40 million kroner (£4.8 million) if the figure was based on Andresen’s assets, according to the Telegraph.

Usually, drink-drivers in Norway are fined 1.5 times their gross monthly salary, but the fine can fluctuate based on what the judge considers the "real financial position" of the defendant, according to the Norwegian newspaper VG.

Because the heiress and Amsterdam University College student has no fixed income, the fine only reflected her net worth and was reduced to 250,000 kroner (£23,000).

Drink-driving laws in Norway are some of the strictest in Europe and only allow 0.02% blood alcohol content. Andresen had a blood alcohol content of 0.06% one hour after being pulled over by police, according to the Guardian.

In the UK, blood alcohol content while driving should not exceed 0.08% in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and 0.05% in Scotland.

Andresen and her younger sister Alexandra, 21, became the world’s youngest billionaires in 2007 when their father — investment mogul Johan Andresen — passed down 42% of the family-owned investment company to each of them.

Neither of the Andresen sisters — whose luxe interests include designer brands, horseriding, and international travel— work for the company.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Denmark's welfare policies help make it one of the world's happiest countries


The favourite hobby of the world’s youngest self-made billionaire doesn’t cost a thing

0
0

John Collison Stripe

  • 27-year-old John Collison from Ireland is the world's youngest self-made millionaire and worth an estimated $1.1 billion (£830 million).
  • He and his brother are the co-founders of Stripe, a multi-billion dollar company that they run out of San Francisco.
  • Collison enjoys going running in his spare time, but also has some more extravagant hobbies.


When you're 27-year-old John Collison, the world’s youngest self-made billionaire, it’s the simple things in life that keep you grounded. 

Collison is worth at least $1.1 billion (£830 million), according to Forbes, which makes him the world's youngest self-made billionaire, followed by 27-year-old Snapchat co-founder Evan Spiegel and his own 29-year-old brother, Patrick. 

The Collison brothers are the co-founders of Stripe, a company that helps internet businesses manage online payments.

The brothers are originally from County Tipperary in Ireland. Collison was studying at Harvard when he and his brother launched the company, but quickly dropped out after Stripe gained momentum.

They now run their company out of San Francisco and employ 750 people worldwide. 

In a BBC interview, the Irishman, who has just turned 27, said: "People ask 'How has your life changed?' and they want me to have taken up some elaborate new hobby, like Faberge egg collecting or yacht racing."

However, going for a run is one of the things he most enjoys in his spare time. He called it a "very practical, low maintenance hobby."

He likes to compete, too.

He shared a tweet in May 2016 when he set a personal best, running a 6:10 mile.

 His Facebook photos suggest he has participated in a number of races.

While running is a modest hobby for a billionaire, he does have a few more extravagant interests.

Collison is also a licensed pilot, and can fly a number of different models of planes.

He is also apparently partial to driving motorcycles, bicycles, and early morning mountain hikes.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The history of Halloween spans 2,000 years and originates from keeping ghosts away

These side-by-side photos show real and fake Rolex watches — here's how to spot the counterfeit

0
0

william may rolex thumb

  • 70% of Brits can't tell the difference between a real and fake Rolex, according to a new survey by jeweller William May.
  • The jeweller shared the six things to look out for when spotting a genuine timepiece.


Rolex watches make for a pretty good investment, as both vintage and pre-owned watches continue to rise in value.

In October, Paul Newman's Rolex Daytona sold for a record-breaking $17.8 million (£13.6 million) at Phillips Auction House in New York, becoming the most expensive Rolex ever sold at auction.

However, the majority of Brits surveyed by vintage jewellery specialists William May can't tell the difference between a fake Rolex and a genuine Swiss timepiece. This is a problem because Rolex is also one of the most counterfeited brands in the world.

William May asked 1,000 people in the UK to determine which watch was real out of two images below — one showing a fake model and one showing a real Rolex. Only 30% guessed correctly.

Which is real?

Image A:

Real rolex william may 1

Image B:

Fake rolex william may

Now compare them both. Which one do you think is real?

william may rolex wide

If you answered Image A, you are correct — and you're among the 30% of the British population who can spot the difference.

For those of us who struggled to identify which one was genuine, William May says there are six things you should look out for in the future:

1. The magnification

The fine workings of a Rolex mean that the date has to be small for everything to work perfectly, according to William May. To compensate for this, a cyclops window, or magnifier, is added to make the date more visible.

"On all Rolex models the magnification is 2.5X and the date really jumps out at you," William May said. "On fakes this is often set to just 1.5X, so the date is harder to see."

2. The weight

If it feels light, it isn’t right.

"Fake Rolex watches are generally lighter, whereas a real Rolex is made of high-quality metals, and will weigh significantly more," William May said.

3. The water test

If the watch is dipped into water for a few seconds, it will not leak water into its dial, according to William May, who said that all Rolex watches are 100% watertight, while many counterfeit watches are not.

"Rolex Submariner timepieces are the only watches designed for deep sea diving, but all models are waterproof and perfectly sealed," according to the jeweller.

4. The writing

Everything on a Rolex is made to perfection, and if you take a magnifying glass and examine all the lettering on the dial, you'll be able to spot a fake if there are any imperfections.

According to William May: "The writing should be convex and there should be no bubbling."

5. The case back

If the case back is made out of glass, plastic, or crystal so you can see the inner workings of the watch, it’s most likely a fake, according to the jeweller.

"There are two extremely rare Rolex models from the 1930s that have case backs made of glass. And no more. If you are buying a relatively modern Rolex with a clear case back it is a fake. You can also check for engravings — Rolex does not engrave anything on the case back’s exterior, but it does on the interior."

6. The tick

If you hear a loud tick from the watch, you've got a fake on your hands.

"Counterfeiters can’t often perfect the precision gears of a Rolex and a ticking noise is the tell-tale sign of this."

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: A 92-year-old Holocaust survivor describes his secrets to longevity and happiness

A wealthy Nigerian couple reportedly gave brand new cars worth £14,000 to guests at their lavish wedding

0
0

nigerian wedding

  • Nigerian interior designer Ehi Ogbebor and business man Kenneth Oboku got married in Benin City, Nigeria on November 18 in an incredbily lavish affair.
  • Guests were reportedly given brand new cars and microwave ovens as souvenir gifts.
  • The wedding party partook in the African tradition of "spraying" the bride and groom with $100 bills.


Nigerian interior designer Ehi Ogbebor married her oil and gas tycoon partner Kenneth Oboku in an extremely lavish affair in Benin City, Nigeria on Saturday.

While the wedding appears to have come complete with a huge, multi-layer cake and a ritual that saw guests spray the newlyweds with money, the most extravagant features were easily the souvenirs given to guests.

The couple reportedly gave away two brand new Toyota cars in a raffle draw.

Congrats to the two lucky winners of the CARS #ehiken2017 raffle draw....

A post shared by Sayaveth Interiors and Hotel (@ceosayavethinteriors_and_hotel) on Nov 19, 2017 at 7:01am PST on

Similar models to the ones pictured above retail at about about $18,500 (£14,000).

For those that weren't lucky enough to win a car in the raffle draw, other gifts were apparently handed out, including these microwave ovens.

Ogbebor is a mother of two and CEO of Sayaveth Interiors and Hotel. 

Meanwhile, Kenneth Oboku reportedly holds a senior position in Italian oil and gas company Saipem, according to The Nation. Some sites have even reported that he is a billionaire.

Their big day took place at the Esteem Event Centre in Benin City, Edo State at 2 p.m. on Saturday November 18.

The bride, along with plenty of other guests, shared photos of the lavish ceremony on Instagram with the hashtag #ehiken2017.

God bless you all my darlings .....too many nic pics of frds.... waiting for predessionak pics pls... so many FRIENDS TURNED OUT.... WOW... WAS AMAZED #ehiken2017

A post shared by Sayaveth Interiors and Hotel (@ceosayavethinteriors_and_hotel) on Nov 19, 2017 at 12:39pm PST on

There was a very elaborate wedding cake with multiple tiers made by Lagos-based Doodles Cakes.

@doodlescake you got me mesmerized 😍😍😍😍 damnnnn

A post shared by Sayaveth Interiors and Hotel (@ceosayavethinteriors_and_hotel) on Nov 19, 2017 at 7:24am PST on

The wedding reportedly also involved the African tradition of "spraying" the newlywed bride and groom with dollar bills...

I had to be drinking water all thru yesterday for energy.... My friends and Oga friends are amazing #ehiken2017

A post shared by Sayaveth Interiors and Hotel (@ceosayavethinteriors_and_hotel) on Nov 19, 2017 at 12:08pm PST on

...Leaving $100 notes everywhere.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here’s how to actually remove pesticides from your fruit — including the organic ones

Here are all of the stores that will be closed on Thanksgiving this year

0
0

black friday

Thanksgiving is November 23 this year. That means Black Friday is November 24. And some retailers are looking to keep those two days separate.

A trend has begun where some retailers will start their Black Friday sales on the night of Thanksgiving, and open in the evening and stay open all night. It started with Sears in 2010, moved to Walmart in 2011, and then Target in 2012.

Opening on Thanksgiving is controversial. Some states have enacted so-called "blue laws" which prohibit a store from opening on Thanksgiving, creating a rush at midnight. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Maine have enacted such legislation.

Some retailers, however, are looking to buck that trend in a meaningful way. 

Here are the retailers confirmed to be closed on Thanksgiving, according to data gathered by bestblackfriday.com

  • A.C. Moore
  • Abt Electronics
  • Academy Sports + Outdoors
  • Ace Hardware
  • At Home
  • Babies R Us
  • BJ’s Wholesale Club
  • Blain’s Farm and Fleet
  • Burlington Coat Factory
  • Cost Plus World Market
  • Costco
  • Craft Warehouse
  • Crate and Barrel
  • Dillard’s
  • Dressbarn
  • DSW
  • Ethan Allen
  • Fry’s Electronics
  • Gardner-White Furniture
  • Guitar Center
  • H&M
  • Half Price Books
  • Harbor Freight
  • Hobby Lobby
  • Home Depot
  • HomeGoods
  • Homesense
  • Ikea
  • Joann Fabric and Craft Stores
  • Jos. A. Bank
  • La-Z-Boy
  • Lowe’s
  • Marshalls
  • Mattress Firm
  • Menards
  • Micro Center
  • Mills Fleet Farm
  • Music & Arts
  • Neiman Marcus
  • Nordstrom
  • Nordstrom Rack
  • Office Depot and OfficeMax
  • Outdoor Research
  • P.C. Richard & Son
  • Party City
  • Patagonia
  • Petco
  • PetSmart
  • Pier 1 Imports
  • Publix
  • Raymour & Flanigan Furniture
  • REI
  • Sam’s Club
  • Sears Hometown Stores
  • Sears Outlet
  • Shoe Carnival
  • Sierra Trading Post
  • Sportsman’s Warehouse
  • Sprint
  • Staples
  • Stein Mart
  • Sur La Table
  • The Container Store
  • The Original Mattress Factory
  • TJ Maxx
  • Tractor Supply
  • Trollbeads
  • Von Maur
  • West Marine

More retailers are expected to be on this list as they announce their opening hours for the holidays.

As more stores close for Thanksgiving, however, revenue gained on Thanksgiving Day continues to rise due to ecommerce sales. Adobe predicts it will rise 6.22% this year, outpacing brick and mortar's 5.38%.

SEE ALSO: Toys R Us is banking on futuristic tech to save its business after bankruptcy

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 5 ways retailers trick you into spending more money

Inside the extravagant wedding of Serena Williams and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, where Beyoncé rode a carousel

0
0

serena alexis

Tennis superstar Serena Williams and Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian wed on November 16, 2017. The couple met about two years ago and have a two-month-old daughter.

The wedding was spectacular — from the guest list (Beyonce and Ciara were in attendance), to the extravagant designer dresses that Williams wore, to the dance performance the couple put on for their guests.

Take a look at the photos below to get a glimpse of the lavish affair.

SEE ALSO: How Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian and tennis superstar Serena Williams met and fell in love

Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian met in May 2015, at the Hotel Cavalieri in Rome. At the time, Williams had never heard of Reddit and Ohanian knew little about tennis. But Ohanian said he knew he wanted to marry Williams by April 2016. He proposed in December.

Instagram Embed:
http://instagram.com/p/BO7GowHgP6_/embed/
Width: 658px

Source: Business Insider



The couple welcomed their daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., in September 2017. Here's Williams holding her before the wedding.

Instagram Embed:
http://instagram.com/p/Bbns0txnejG/embed/
Width: 658px

 Source: Business Insider



"The venue — the Contemporary Arts Center of New Orleans — was a decision we both made," Williams told Vogue. "Painting and art is something I'm really passionate about, so it just felt natural and different to do it at a contemporary art museum."

Source: Vogue



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

British Airways will start boarding customers based on their ticket price — and people are outraged

0
0

British Airways City flyer

  • British Airways will begin to board passengers according to their ticket price on December 12.
  • Passengers with the most expensive tickets will board first and those with the least expensive tickets will board last.
  • The airline is being accused of promoting a class-based system of customer service.


British Airways has been no stranger to controversy over the past few months. From reports of passengers facing bedbugs and urine-soaked seats to an evacuated plane and IT glitch, the airline has struggled to regain favor with some of its customers. It appears a new boarding policy won't help.

The airline announced on Monday that it will begin to board passengers according to the price of their ticket, with the highest-paying customers boarding first and the lowest-paying boarding last. While this price-based boarding system is common among U.S. airlines, it has yet to gain traction in Europe. Critics accused British Airways of promoting a class-based system of customer service, with the wealthiest customers getting preferential treatment.

british airways tweet

british airways tweet

british airways tweet

British Airways responded by saying the new policy was designed to streamline the boarding process. "We are always looking at ways to improve and simplify the airport experience for our customers... Next month we are introducing new boarding procedures to speed up the process and make it simpler for customers to understand," the company told the BBC through a spokesman. "This method has been used by airlines around the world for a number of years, including by our partners American Airlines, Iberia and Qatar."

SEE ALSO: Here's what it's like to fly First Class on British Airways

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: How a top airline has responded to the surging popularity of budget airlines like Ryanair

Here's how much money you should be making to afford living in New York City

0
0

Tribeca NYC

  • Rents in New York City are increasing at double the rate of incomes.
  • In many neighborhoods, the median monthly rent is much higher than the median income in its borough.
  • Manhattan is home to the city's most expensive neighborhoods.

 

As New York City rents become more expensive, many residents are facing the possibility of being priced out of their apartments or having to dedicate large portions of their incomes to housing. In fact, in the past seven years, rents have increased at double the rate of incomes, according to StreetEasy, which means that you need to make six figures to afford living in many of the city's most desirable neighborhoods. 

To illustrate the disparity between wages and housing expenses, StreetEasy calculated the median rent in most of the neighborhoods in New York City and determined the amount of money you would have to make each year to ensure that rent does not consume more than 30% of your income, which is the real estate company's definition of affordability.

The website then compared the recommended incomes to the actual median incomes of those living in each borough and found that in many cases, New York City residents were spending a significant portion of their incomes on rent. You can find the full results here.

These are the four most expensive neighborhoods in Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan — and the amount of money you'd need to make to afford living there. 

SEE ALSO: These are the priciest homes for sale in New York City

Long Island City, Queens

Median Asking Rent: $2,570

Recommended Income: $102,800

% Compared to Borough Median Income: 65.3%



Little Neck, Queens

Median Asking Rent: $2,575

Recommended Income: $103,000

% Compared to Borough Median Income: 65.6%



Whitestone, Queens

Median Asking Rent: $2,695

Recommended Income: $107,800

% Compared to Borough Median Income: 73.3%



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

One of the largest pyramids in the world is a Bass Pro Shops that was rumored to be cursed

0
0

MEMPHIS PYRAMID BASS PRO

  • One of the largest pyramids in the world is a Bass Pro Shops megastore in Memphis, Tennessee. 
  • The pyramid also hosts a hotel, indoor swamp, and bowling alley. 
  • However, for roughly a decade, the pyramid was empty — and some believed it was cursed due to a crystal skull installed by the owner of the Rainforest Café. 

 

The pyramid has long captured the human imagination, with people traveling far and wide to view the architectural wonders that spring up from the sands of Egypt. 

But to see one of the biggest pyramids on the planet, Americans don't need to leave the country — they can just travel to Tennessee and visit a Bass Pro Shops. 

In 2015, Memphis' 321-foot-tall "Great American Pyramid" reopened as a Bass Pro Shop megastore after being abandoned for roughly a decade. The 32-floor pyramid contains a hotel, an indoor swamp, and a bowling alley. 

The road to opening a Bass Pro Shop in an enormous pyramid has been a rocky one. Here's the story behind how a hunting and fishing gear store opened up shop in one of the largest pyramids in the world. 

SEE ALSO: A European company you've never heard of has quietly acquired Panera, Au Bon Pain, and Krispy Kreme in its quest to build a coffee empire

Memphis, Tennessee has a sound historical reason to want to build a pyramid. The city was named after Memphis, a city in Egypt, when it was founded in 1819.

Source: Memphis Magazine



Memphis' "Great American Pyramid" opened its doors in 1991, after two years and $68 million spent constructing the building.

Source: The New York Times



At 321 feet, the building is a bit smaller than the Great Pyramid of Giza, which was originally 481 feet tall. It's still pretty massive, typically ranking in the top 10 tallest pyramids in the world (exact ranking varies based on how pyramids' sizes are measured).



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

13 things you probably didn't know about Thanksgiving

0
0

Ronald Regan turkey pardon

  • Thanksgiving is this Thursday, November 23. 
  • We all know the basics about the holiday, including the story of how it got started. 
  • But there are some things you might not know about Thanksgiving, like the fact that FDR once tried to change the date. 


We all know that the first Thanksgiving dinner took place when the Pilgrims celebrated a good harvest in the New World and that the tryptophan in turkey isn't actually what makes you so sleepy. 

But did you know that Thomas Jefferson tried to cancel the holiday and that there was a "Franksgiving" crisis  in the late 1930s? 

We rounded up some of the best facts about Thanksgiving, which might come in handy during those awkward silences at the family dinner table. 

Asta Thrastardottir contributed reporting to an earlier version of this article.

SEE ALSO: Here are all of the stores that will be closed on Thanksgiving this year

Thomas Jefferson canceled Thanksgiving during his presidency.

George Washington was the first to declare Thanksgiving a holiday, but it was on a year-to-year basis, so presidents had to re-declare it every year, according to The Washington Post. Jefferson was so adamantly against Thanksgiving that he refused to declare it a holiday during his presidency, and many say that he called the holiday "the most ridiculous idea ever conceived." 

Most historians agree that Jefferson really refused to declare the holiday because he fervently believed in the separation of church and state and thought that the day of "prayer" violated the First Amendment. 

It wasn't until 1863, when Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a federal holiday, that it was officially scheduled to fall on the fourth Thursday of every November. 



The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade used live animals from the Central Park Zoo.

The first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York took place in 1914, when Macy's employees dressed in vibrant costumes and marched to the flagship store on 34th Street. 

The parade used floats instead of balloons, and it featured monkeys, bears, camels, and elephants, all borrowed from the Central Park Zoo.



The parade was also originally called the Macy's Christmas Parade but was renamed the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1927.

Macy's originally hoped their "Christmas parade" would get their shoppers ready for big holiday shopping sprees. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The best and worst times to travel this Thanksgiving, according to Google data

0
0

As Thanksgiving week looms, travelers are planning ahead to beat the crowds. If you want to join them, you'll have to plan to do your traveling on the quieter days. Not sure which those are? Google has you covered. It analyzed historical data to determine the best and worst days to travel. Following is a transcript of the video.

Thanksgiving travel times. Traveling this Thanksgiving holiday? Plan ahead to turn a traffic jam into an open road. Google analyzed traffic data. It identified the best and worst times to travel. Driving?

The best time to leave is 6 a.m. on Sunday. Traffic will get progressively worse until 3 p.m. on Wednesday. 6 a.m. Friday is the best time for the trip home. After-Thanksgiving traffic peaks at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Flying? Wednesday before Turkey Day is the worst day to fly. Consider flying on Thanksgiving for cheap flights and less crowds. Sunday will be rife with delays, crowds, and frustration. If you can manage it, flying home on Monday could be much easier.

A holiday with effortless travel? That's something to be thankful for.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This video was originally published on November 10, 2017.

Join the conversation about this story »

50 of the most amazing photos taken in 2017

0
0

A protester holds a national flag as a bank branch, housed in the magistracy of the Supreme Court of Justice, burns during a rally against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela June 12, 2017.

This year, 600 award-winning Reuters photojournalists worked across the world to document both major historic moments and the human stories that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.

The team won the Pulitzer Prize in the Breaking News Photography category in 2016, and in 2017, their efforts have only continued.

Ahead, take a look at 50 of the most amazing photos captured by Reuters in 2017.

Editor's note: Many of the images in this slideshow depict graphic violence and injury, and many are upsetting. All captions are by Reuters. 

SEE ALSO: Here's what goes on behind the scenes of the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which reportedly costs millions to produce each year

School children attend a yoga session at a camp in Ahmedabad, India, on January 5, 2017.



Kashmiri Muslims raise their arms upon seeing a relic of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani, a Sufi saint, being displayed at his shrine on the occasion of his death anniversary, on a cold winter morning in Srinagar, on January 10, 2017.



A commuter jumps between trains upon arrival at a station, to attend Akheri Munajat, the final supplication during Biswa Ijtema in Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka, on January 15, 2017.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Joe Biden is 75 — here's how a kid from Scranton became a senator, VP, and now a possible 2020 presidential contender

0
0

Joe Biden

Former Vice President Joe Biden, who turned 75 on Monday, said recently that he is "not closing the door" on running for the Democratic ticket in the 2020 presidential election.

He certainly has reason to be optimistic — throughout his eventful life and political career, Biden has overcome enormous obstacles to get to where he is today.

Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on November 20, 1942 to a used car salesman, Biden moved with his family to Mayfield, Delaware, when he was 13 years old. From the get-go, he faced many trials growing up, including bullies and an embarrassing stutter.

As he says his father taught him, "The measure of a man is not how often he is knocked down, but how quickly he gets up."

Throughout his long political trajectory, Biden has lived by his father's advice, and gotten back up after facing countless tragedies and challenges to achieve his political dreams.

Here's how a kid from Scranton became a respected Senator, Vice President, and now possible 2020 presidential contender:

SEE ALSO: Joe Biden tells ex-Obama employees who still work for Trump to 'please stay'

DON'T MISS: Joe Biden went on NBC's morning shows and teased a 2020 presidential run

Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. graduated from the University of Delaware in 1965, where he developed an interest in politics following President John F. Kennedy's inauguration. During his first two years, though, he was mainly interested in football and partying.

Source: Biography.com, Times



He met his first wife Neilia on a spring break trip in the Bahamas his junior year. The couple had three children: Joseph "Beau" Hunter III, Robert Hunter, and Naomi Christina Hunter.

Sources: Biography, CNN



Fresh out of University of Syracuse law school in 1968, Biden started working as a defense attorney in Wilmington, Delaware, and launched his own law firm in 1971. He first entered politics as a member of the New Castle County Council in 1970.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider
Viewing all 115285 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images