• The BMW X7 is the largest vehicle the Bavarian brand has ever produced.
• We tested a $108,000 BMW X7 XDrive50i, outfitted with a 4.4-liter V8 engine and crammed with technology.
• The BMW X7 is intended to go up against the Mercedes GLS, the Audi Q7, the Volvo XC90, and a host of other premium, seven-seat, full-size SUVs.
• The X7 strays from the Ultimate Driving Machine ethos that defines BMW, but there's no question that it's the three-row giant the brand needed, and the price is actually something of a bargain.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

All the major premium automakers have taken the three-row plunge, as SUV sales have taken over the US market. BMW was a laggard; its wonderful X5 was a hit with customers, but the lack of a third row was losing the Bavarians some sales. You could jump from a BMW to Audi and its Q7, if you added a third child to the family or simply wanted to haul some extra friends around.

Enter the X7, BMW's big boy. He's a 5,600-lb. baby! BMW let me look after him for a week, and I did my best to see if the guy was as large and in charge as he looked.

Here's how it went:

FOLLOW US: On Facebook for more car and transportation content!

Say hello to the Big Bimmer! Our 2019 BMW X7 xDrive50i tester arrived in a dashing "Arctic Gray Metallic" paint job. The X7 is built in South Carolina, and without options, this SUV costs $92,600.

We'll get to the grille in a second. Although right now I'll say that head-on, the now-familiar, modern, sleek headlights — sophisticated, adaptive LEDs, no less — are completely out of proportion, as is the BMW badge.

Side view: Hmmm ... Well, the X7 is definitely large. In fact, this is the first BMW I've ever tested that has so much physical bulk that you lose the famous "Hofmeister kink" at the end of the side windows.

Yep, the grille. HUGE! It looks like it fell off a Bentley from the 1920s. I hated it at first, but the more I looked at it, the more I appreciated the ambition.

The 21-inch Y-spoke wheels were actually not an extra on this X7. The M-Sport brakes were: $650.

The rear-end is minivan-level bad. And there's no enormous grille to rescue it.

BMW has tried to mitigate the massiveness with tail lights that look far better than the headlights, a nice swath of chrome, and those cool exhaust pipes. But ultimately what we have here is a great big door.

The X7 badge is a bright spot, given the number "7" lends itself to a dynamic lean to the right.

Beyond that gaping maw is an available 90 cubic-feet of cargo area.

With the third row of seats deployed, however, there's only about 13 cubic feet — a problem for all seven passenger SUVs.

The privacy screen carries some X7 branding.

Drop all the seats and you could transport a pony. Note that the liftgate is also a split design.

Let's step inside and check out the "Ivory White/Night Blue Merino" interior.

I would argue that although the X7's cabin is luxurious and comfortable, legroom on the second row could be better.

But interestingly, legroom for the third row — often an afterthought — is quite good.

The triple-pane moonroof floods the entire cabin with light, and that's welcome because a vehicle this large could easily feel like a rolling cave.

The leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel has paddle shifters, brushed-metal trim, and affords a view of the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

The 12.3-inch infotainment screen runs BMW's iDrive system. It works great, with superb navigation, excellent device-pairing and connectivity, and the Harman Kardon audio setup is sublime.

The center console consolidates the crystal joystick shifter, drive-mode selector, and the knob and buttons for the iDrive infotainment system.

The crystal shifter works well with the woodgrain and leather, but I still found it a tad too blingy.

Now let's pop the hood and check out the engine.

That's a 4.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V8, making 456 horsepower with 479 pound-feet of torque. The inline-six-cylinder motor produced 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque.

Fuel economy for the BMW X7 is not really that great, with the big V8 engine: 15 mpg city/21 highway/17 combined.

So what's the verdict?

I tested out some the BMW X7's more exotic technologies for an episode of Cars Insider's "Real Reviews." They were a mixed bag, and you can watch the whole thing here.

I also tested BMW's suite of driver-assist features, and those technologies worked as advertised, although the X7 is certainly not capable of driving itself.

Otherwise, the X7 provides what the Ultimate Driving Machine needed: a three-row hauler to slot in atop the X5. It's sort of a bimmer bus, but what ya gonna do? We're a long way from the turbo 2002 of the early 1970s.

The X7 serves up what you'd expect from a $100,000-plus SUV, from the elegant yet purposeful interior to the forceful output of the V8 motor and surefootedness of the all-wheel-drive system, yielding a 0-60mph time of about five seconds. 

To this bimmerness, the X7 adds a cargo area that can be configured to work like a small pickup truck, while also seating two extra humans if the third row is deployed. It's all good, but these days I have to admit that I look at these large premium SUVs as a segment, rather than as individual vehicles. The X7 does the same job as the Audi Q7 or the Volvo XC90 or the Mercedes GLS. And so it goes and so it goes, and where it's going everybody knows: fatter profits for the luxury automakers.

My X7 tester came with nearly $10,000 of optional packages, and with the V8, it represents the highest expression of what BMW can do at this scale. It's impressive. It wasn't exactly fun to drive, but that — Gasp! — isn't really the point. And it was fun in a straight line and when passing semis on the freeway, when the X7 felt like a freight train.

If you consider the price as objectively as possible, you'd have to admit that you're getting a whole lotta SUV with the X7. I honestly guessed the sticker at $125,000. So if you can can live with the grille (and I could), the X7 might be the titanic Bimmer of your dreams.

• A Google verification code is a short numeric code that is sent directly to you, usually via phone or email, to verify your identity.
• You might need to enter a verification code if you try to create a new Google account, reset your password, or log into a different computer or device.
• Google verification codes offer enhanced security to keep criminals and hackers from hijacking your account and stealing your personal information.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

A Google verification code is a short numeric code that's sometimes sent to your phone or email address, which you use to complete a task like password recovery.

It's an added security step that ensures only you (or someone else who is authorized to access your Google account) gains entry.

How you could receive a Google verification code

There are several ways you might receive a verification code from Google:

• If you use Google Authenticator for iPhone or Google Authenticator for Android, you can start that app and get an authentication code there. Google Authenticator is a good option for keeping your account secure because you can keep the app on your mobile devices, and the code changes continuously, so any particular code is only valid for about 30 seconds at a time.

• Google can also text a verification code to your mobile phone.

• If you have two-step authentication turned on for your Google account, Google gave you some backup codes when you first set up your account's security.

When you could receive a Google verification code

In normal, day-to-day use of your Google account, you likely won't need to contend with a verification code.

Here are the most common situations in which you may be asked for a code:

• Password reset. If you lose or forget your Google password and try to reset the password, you may need to enter a verification code before you can change the password.
• Two-step authentication. Anytime you log out of your account and try log back in when you have two-step authentication enabled, you will receive a code from Google that you'll need to log in with. 
• Signing into a new computer or device. Google keeps track of what devices you regularly use. If you have two-step authentication enabled and try to log in from a new device, Google will require a verification code before you can log in.
• You create a new Google account. Often, Google will send you a verification code to confirm you are not a robot if you create a new account.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to change your Google password, or recover it if you've forgotten it

• How to change your default Google account

• I just cleared out my Gmail using a simple trick that took only a few minutes — here's how to do it

• How to change your Google username's display in Gmail

SEE ALSO: The best cheap phones you can buy unlocked on Amazon

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: I switched from the $1,099 iPhone XS Max to the $479 Pixel 3a XL — and I didn't miss much

Business Insider may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network if you apply for a credit card, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• While there are many great rewards credit cards out there, people often ask me what the single best card is for them.
• It's a bit difficult to find a one-size-fits-all answer, but in general, it's easy to narrow it down to three cards.
• The best ones to consider are the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Chase Sapphire Preferred, and the Platinum Card® from American Express.

Often, when I meet new people and the conversation topic turns to "what do you do for a living," people are interested when I say that I write about travel and credit card rewards. Invariably, people ask me what the best credit card is that they should have.

It's actually a pretty complicated answer. The best rewards card for you depends on a lot of different things. For instance, whether you travel often, are loyal to one specific airline or hotel chain, what kind of rewards or cash back you want to earn, and what you tend to spend your money on.

However, with all of that in mind, it's actually pretty easy to generalize. For most people, assuming they travel a few times a year, have disposible income, and pay their cards off in full each month, there are three contenders for the all-around best option. While two of them have astronomical annual fees, they all represent a fantastic value to anyone who weilds them.

Keep in mind that we're focusing on earning rewards and perks, not things like interest rates and late fees, which can far outweigh the value of any rewards or benefits.

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

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Sign-up Bonus: 50,000 points (after spending $4,000 in the first three months)

My first pick is the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

This card is the best option for most people, including those who travel for work and expense things like hotels and meals (but not flights).

Earning 3x Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on dining and any travel, and 1x per dollar on everything else, the Sapphire Reserve earns points quickly through your everyday spending, and it comes with a slew of perks.

Points are worth 1¢ as cash or 1.5¢ each towards travel booked through Chase, but can also be transferred to a number of frequent flyer and hotel loyalty programs — typically, this gets you the most value for your points. Benefits include access to airport lounges through the Priority Pass network, trip delay coverage, purchase protection, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, and primary rental car insurance.

However, while the airport lounge access can be great, most Priority Pass lounges are in international terminals, which isn't helpful when you're flying domestically.

The annual fee is a hefty $450, but that's offset by a $300 travel credit each year, good for things like taxis, subway fare, parking, tolls, and flights. Effectively, that makes the fee just $150, which can easily be outweighed by the rewards you'll earn in a typical year.

There aren't many downsides to this card— besides the up front annual fee. Chase has invested heavily in making the Ultimate Rewards program competitive. Booking flights by transferring points to frequent flyer partners is generally more lucrative— that's usually how people use points to fly in first and business class— but it can be complicated because you have to decipher award charts, find availability, and work around complicated airline rules.

However, because the Sapphire Reserve allows you to get 1.5¢ for each point, if you use them to book travel through Chase's online or phone travel agent, there's a simpler and still-valuable option.

Click here to learn more about the Chase Sapphire Reserve from Insider Picks' partner: The Points Guy.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Sign-up Bonus: 60,000 points (after spending $4,000 in the first three months)

The Reserve's older sibling, the Sapphire Preferred offers a number of similar features and a higher sign-up bonus for a lower annual fee.

While I think the Sapphire Reserve is better for most people, it's worth considering applying for the Preferred instead, in order to get the higher bonus, and then converting it to the Reserve after the first year. It's also a better option for people unwilling to front the Reserve's higher annual fee.

Like the Reserve, this is a great option for people looking to earn rewards, especially if they spend on dining and travel.

The card earns 2x Ultimate Rewards points instead of the Reserve's 3x the points on dining and travel, and 1x the points on everything else.

Points are worth a lower 1.25¢ when used for travel booked through Chase, but can still be transferred to frequent flyer and hotel loyalty programs. There's no annual travel credit, but there's still car rental primary coverage, as well as slightly less-generous trip delay coverage and purchase protection. The annual fee is a more manageable $95, which is waived the first year.

While the Sapphire Preferred was the all-around best card for a long time, the Sapphire Reserve has made it a harder choice. Ultimately, the choice comes down to whether or not you're willing to pay the higher up-front annual fee.

The Preferred earns fewer points on bonus spending categories than the Reserve, and the value of the points on travel booked through Chase is less. The no-hassle travel credit on the Sapphire Reserve makes the annual fee on that card effectively $150 (accounting for the $300 you get back through the credit), so — depending on your spending habits — it can be worth paying more up front for the Sapphire Reserve.

For more, you can read about why you might prefer the Reserve over the Preferred, or a counterpoint about why the Preferred might be the best fit for you.

Click here to learn more about the Chase Sapphire Preferred from Insider Picks' partner: The Points Guy.

Platinum Card from American Express

Welcome offer: 60,000 points (after spending $5,000 in the first three months)

The American Express Platinum card has one of the highest annual fees of any consumer credit or charge card — $550 — but as Amex's flagship product, this premium credit card offers a tremendous amount of value to offset that fee. 

To be clear, if you're focused on just rewards, you're better off sticking with the Sapphire Reserve or Preferred. This card's value — which is tangible and calculable— comes in the form of benefits and perks. The exception is if you travel for work often, and can use your own credit card to book flights

The card earns Membership Rewards points, the currency in Amex's loyalty program, which can be exchanged for statement credits or cash back, used to book travel through Amex's travel website, or, to get the most value, transferred to any of 17 airline and three hotel transfer partners. The card earns 5x points on airfare purchased directly from the airline, or on hotels booked through AmEx Travel (including Fine Hotels and Resorts properties), and 1x on everything else.

However, Amex Membership Rewards points — while definitely valuable — can be harder to maximize than Chase Ultimate Rewards points. This is especially true since it's harder to earn them quickly — the Sapphire cards' travel and dining bonus categories help you rack up points quickly, while the airfare category with the Platinum Card is more restrictive.

Instead, the Platinum card's real value comes from its various perks and benefits.

The Platinum card offers up to a $200 airline fee credit each calendar year, and up to $200 in Uber credits each cardmember year. That's in addition to up to $100 in shopping credits each year. It also grants the cardholder access to more than 1,000 airport lounges around the world, including Priority Pass lounges like the Sapphire Reserve, plus Delta Sky Clubs and Amex's own Centurion Lounges.

Other benefits include automatic Gold elite status at Marriott and Hilton hotels, a statement credit to cover enrollment in Global Entry/TSA PreCheck, concierge service, and much more.

Also worth noting: Active-duty military service members can get the card's annual fee waived. That means that, as long as they pay their bill in full and on time — effectively using the card like a debit card — the benefits and welcome bonus will all be pure profit.

I got more than $2,000 worth of value in my first year with the Platinum card, using it in conjunction with my Sapphire Reserve. I'm a fan of both cards, but if I could only have one, it would probably be the Sapphire Reserve.

Click here to learn more about the Amex Platinum from Insider Picks' partner: The Points Guy.

SEE ALSO: The best credit card rewards, bonuses, and perks

Join the conversation about this story »

• "Shark Tank" has been a platform for entrepreneurs to bring their innovative ideas to an audience of investors and millions of viewers (and potential customers) for ten seasons now. 
• While not every pitch lands a deal, the show has helped many companies get their feet off the ground and grow their business — some even become nationally recognized brands.
• When it comes to food and drink products, "Shark Tank" has no shortage. Below, you'll find nine standout companies that got their start in the Tank. 

"Shark Tank" seems to have something for everyone, whether you're an entrepreneur or a reality TV buff. There are plenty of comedic moments, but also tons of cool companies to discover. And, there are probably more products than you realize that got their big break on the show. 

When it comes to food, it seems like there are an endless number of brands pitching reinvented snack foods, yummy new treats, or healthier versions of our favorite foods. From those stuffed bagel balls that line the shelves of your favorite coffee shop and the trendy jarred desserts everyone is eating, there have been a lot of cool food brands on "Shark Tank." We rounded up nine of our favorites, and included their corresponding episodes in case you want to check out the deal for yourself. The sharks had some pretty good taste when choosing to strike a deal with these food entrepreneurs.  

Delighted By Hummus

Delighted By Hummus, $5.99, available at Target

Dessert hummus? It may sound like a misnomer, but it's how Makenzie Marzluff got a deal on Shark Tank. Delighted By Hummus is a line of decadent sweet spreads — think flavors like snickerdoodle and brownie batter — but made with chickpeas. It's a healthy and delicious way to enjoy a sweet treat, while also packing in plenty of protein. 

If you want to see the deal: Season 9, Episode 4

Nuts 'n More

Nuts 'n More High Protein Spreads, from $11.99, available at Amazon

Nuts 'n More is the souped-up nut butter you never knew you needed. Each tub is packed with added whey protein, flax, and Omega 3's for an impressive nutrition label. Even better is how great they taste. Inspired by his family's bakery, founder Pete Ferreira came up with all kinds of delicious, high-protein concoctions — from classics like peanut butter and hazelnut spread to funky flavors like birthday cake and ginger bread. 

If you want to see the deal: Season 4, Episode 18

Pipcorn

Pipcorn Mini Popcorn, $3.99, available at Target

This mini popcorn is as adorable as it is delicious. Pipcorn is gluten-free, whole grain, non-GMO, vegan (except for the ghee flavor), and made with all-natural ingredients. It's made with a special variety of corn that yields mini kernels, which also happen to be much more delicate, so you don't have to worry about kernels stuck in your teeth. Hand-popped in small batches and seasoned with yummy flavors like rosemary and truffle, it's no wonder this unique snack got a deal. 

If you want to see the deal: Season 6, Episode 9

Bantam Bagels

Bantam Bagels, $4.99, available at Target

If you think you recognize these bagel bites, you're probably right. After their "Shark Tank" success the brand was picked up by Starbucks and put on the shelves of every store. These doughy bagel balls stuffed with cream cheese make for an easy and delicious breakfast or snack on the go, with creative and classic combinations like onion bagel with cream cheese and an Italian blend-seasoned bagel with pesto cream cheese. You can find Bantam Bagels at Starbucks or in the freezer section of many grocery stores. 

If you want to see the deal: Season 6, Episode 13

Brazi Bites

Brazi Bites, $4.99, available at Target

When she moved to the United States, Junea Rocha craved the tastes of Brazil where she grew up — specifically, she missed pão de queijo, a traditional Brazilian cheese bread and one of the most popular snacks in the country. To satisfy her craving, she called her mom back in Brazil and asked for the family recipe. After experimenting with local ingredients, she settled on the perfect recipe and wanted to share it with the world. Brazi Bites are naturally gluten-free and available in four delicious cheesy combinations, it's not shocking they were a hit with the sharks. 

If you want to see the deal: Season 7, Episode 9

Wicked Good Cupcakes

Wicked Good to Go Jars, from $20.95, available at Wicked Good Cupcakes

Cupcakes in a jar are a fun and portable way to enjoy your favorite sweet treat. Wicked Good Cupcakes packs two full cupcakes into each jar, with layers of moist cake, creamy frosting, and a variety of fillings. You can order and ship these decadent delights anywhere in the United States. They'll show up right at your door and last for 1o days without refrigeration, and up to six months if you choose to put them in the freezer. You can even customize the labels if you want to give the jars as gifts or party favors for a special event. 

If you want to see the deal: Season 4, Episode 22

Mush

Mush Overnight Oats, from $49.99 (10-pack), available at Amazon

After joining the workforce, co-founders Katherine and Ashley Thomas found it hard to find healthy and convenient foods to fuel them during their busy days. That's why they created Mush — a ready-to-eat oatmeal served up in a convenient container, spoon included. Mush overnight oats are made with oats soaked in homemade nut milks, then mixed with flavorful fruits, superfoods, and spices. While many grab-and-go snacks are laden with processed ingredients, Mush is non-GMO, dairy-free, high in protein and fiber. Now sold on Amazon and in many local grocery stores, Mush is an easy way to get a nutritious bite wherever you are. 

If you want to see the deal: Season 9, Episode 12

Jackson's Honest

Jackson's Honest Chips, $3.99 , available at Thrive Market

Jackson's Honest was born out of a parent's attempt to help their child. Megan and Scott Reamer were experimenting with diets to help their son Jackson's rare autoimmune condition when they discovered the benefits of coconut oil. They began to make homemade chips with potatoes and coconut oil. The results were not just better for their son, but the whole family found them delicious. Real, honest ingredients are at the forefront of every Jackson's Honest product, which has expanded since its "Shark Tank" success  — you can now find multiple flavors of tortilla chips, potato chips, and cheese puffs. 

If you want to see the deal: Season 9, Episode 2

Three Jerks Jerky

Three Jerks Jerky, from $25.89 (3-pack), available at Amazon

Three Jerks makes an upscale version of a classic snack: beef jerky. The founders experimented with all different cuts of meat and seasonings to make the perfect jerky. Ultimately, it's a high-quality filet mignon that takes Three Jerks to the next level. It's more tender, lean, and made with only natural ingredients — there are no nitrates or preservatives like you'd find in most standard beef jerky. Choose from a variety of flavors like beefy hamburger, spicy Memphis bbq, or sweet maple bourbon. 

If you want to see the deal: Season 7, Episode 5

• Everlane just released the Day Loafer ($155), a modern take on the classic style with a few upgrades for added comfort, like soft leather, cushioned insoles, and an elastic back for the ease of a sensible slip-on. 
• Six women on the Insider Picks team took the shoes to the streets to see if they really are as comfortable as Everlane says.
• Overall, we loved the simple, minimalist style of these loafers and found them to be more comfortable than most loafers we've worn, though not the most comfortable Everlane shoes we've ever tried (that honor belongs to the Day Gloves from the same collection).
• You can find our full reviews below, or go straight to Everlane to get a pair of your own. 

The hunt for a pair of sophisticated shoes that feel a lot more comfortable than they look can often be a fruitless attempt. Loafers top the list of classy but uncomfortable, typically boasting too-slim fits, too-tight toes, and soles that feel like you're sliding on a slab of slick ice. 

Comfort, style, and simplicity are the trademarks of Everlane's cult-favorite Day Glove flat and equally beloved Day Heel, Day Boot, and Day High Heel. So, when it comes to stylish shoes that keep our feet happy all day long, the women of Insider Picks turn to Everlane for minimalist, easy styles that look and feel great, The brand just added a new member to their Day Family, the Day Loafer— and it's no exception, garnering the same excitement as its predecessors. 

Everlane's Day Loafer is a sharp but simple take on the classic. You won't find any crazy design details or hardware, just a classically styled loafer with a few modern upgrades. The five color options — black, dark rose, white, caramel, and pale yellow — are the perfect neutral and light color palette to welcome spring. Each pair boasts 100% buttery-soft Italian leather that molds to your foot, an elasticized back for slip-on ease, and a cushioned insole that your arches will thank you for.

Everlane promises that these smart and stylish shoes can take you from the office out to dinner and everywhere in between, keeping your feet super comfortable while you go about your day, no matter what your day may bring — because we all have more important things to do than tend to blisters on our toes. 

At this point, many women on the Insider Picks team have acquired a small army of Everlane shoes— they're all a great balance of function and fashion at a price that actually feels fair. To see if the newest members of the Day Family lived up to the hype, we had to try them out ourselves. Six women on the Insider Picks team got the chance to test the Day Loafer.

Keep reading for our thoughts (which were largely positive) and to learn if these shoes are right for your daily needs.

Connie Chen, reporter: The Day Loafer in pale yellow, $155

I love the feel of the buttery-soft leather featured across the entire Day shoe collection, but I think it makes particular sense for the flat styles like the Day Glove and this Day Loafer because your feet are close to the ground the entire day, and you need that soft, flexible comfort as you walk. I personally wish it had a regular back instead of the elasticized back (which is a little too tight on my heel), but overall the Loafer is still a very comfortable option that feels great the moment you slip it on. I went for the Pale Yellow, a fun spring pastel that's a little out of my usual color spectrum but manages to look sophisticated when combined with the classic and composed loafer silhouette.

Sally Kaplan, editor: The Day Loafer in caramel, $155

I love a good loafer, and specifically, I love the way Everlane's original Modern Loafers look. But I've skipped out on buying a pair because I've heard the stiff leather back is hard to break in — and who has time for blisters, anyway?

I'm a huge fan of Everlane's Day shoe collection, so I was really excited to try the new loafer style that featured a similar elastic back to the Day Heels combined with the semi-cushioned sole and buttery leather of the Day Glove.

They did not disappoint my weary feet! Though they run a bit narrow and take a little time to stretch, they're as soft and comfortable as any pair of flexible suede loafers, while still maintaining the look of a rigid leather pair. I would definitely recommend sizing up if you usually wear a half size (I'm a 7.5 and I went for the 8). I don't have particularly wide feet, but even after sizing up, they were a little tight when I first put them on (as were the Day Gloves). However, they stretched to fit my feet perfectly after a few hours of wearing them — so I wouldn't be concerned if you feel like they're a little small at first.

Some people on our team weren't into the elastic backs on the shoes, but I really appreciate them. I blister easily, and the elastic gives me just enough stretch to feel like I have room to move around in the shoes but not so much that they'll slip off. The soles aren't so cushiony that I feel like I can walk around all day in them on their own, but I put some thin insoles in the shoes and they really improved the comfort level.

I'll be taking these on my week-long trip to Italy for sure — and I'll report back afterwards about how they held up for long days of walking.

Malarie Gokey, senior editor: The Day Loafer in dark rose, $155

Loafers have always struck me as a more professional-looking type of flat, so I was excited to try out the Everlane Day Loafer. I went with the deep rose color, which looks way more red online than it is in person. I'm actually glad it's not as red as I thought it would be because I really love a good deep rose color. The leather is super soft and smooth just like it is on the Day Glove. I love the simple, classic loafer look.

I have a few criticisms, though, the first being that I really wish that Everlane hadn't gone with the scrunchy elastic heel on these. The Day Gloves were phenomenally comfortable because they didn't have the elastic on the back. I find that the elastic bites into my heels and feels too tight for comfort — it's the reason I don't love the Day Heels, either. The second thing I will say is that the sole is very thin, so I doubt they would last very long if you walk in them a lot. I'd personally prefer a slight heel and thicker sole for more durability, support, and a bit of height — even if it's just an inch.

Quibbles aside, these loafers would make great office shoes because they're comfortable for short spurts of walking and they look great.

Remi Rosmarin, reporter: The Day Loafer in caramel, $155

I've always been fairly intimidated by loafers. Maybe it's that for so long the style seemed a little too mature, or that the only cute pairs I could find were $600 — but I'd much rather slip on a pair of slip-ons than a loafer. There are some moments though that call for something a little more sophisticated than a pair of sneakers, but not as formal as a pair of heels. These moments call for something like loafers, shoes that look sharp without trying too hard. We shouldn't have to sacrifice comfort to look put together, and thankfully with Everlane's Day Loafer us ladies no longer have to. The buttery, soft leather molds to your feet in a way that feels like the shoes were made just for you. I found them easy to slip on, off, and walk around in. The minimalist style is perfect to dress up or down, with business casual outfits or ripped jeans and a t-shirt. My only qualm echoes my coworkers, I don't love the elastic band, while tolerable it has moments of digging into my heel which I could definitely do without. Still, I'm hopeful that more wear will stretch them out, and the band won't be as noticeable an issue, because this caramel color is too good to put out of commission, especially with spring on its way. 

Mara Leighton, reporter: The Day Loafer in caramel, $155

Everlane combining the immense success of the Day Glove's buttery soft leather (ie. function) with the beloved but notoriously uncomfortable loafer style (ie. form) is such a good idea that I'm a little mad I didn't think of it first. I ranked five of Everlane's best-selling shoes by their comfort and the Day Glove was easily the best, while the classic Modern Loafer came in third — and only after some break-in time that was painful on the heels. I loved the look but hated the pain required as a down payment.

The Day Loafer ($155) fixes the issues of the Modern Loafer ($168). And it is, unsurprisingly, a fantastic shoe — as each new addition to the Day family consistently has been.

The loafer style can be dressed up or down, the elasticized back negates painful blisters and break-in time, and the thinner, supple leather will mold to your foot over time like a glove. They're my new go-to travel shoe for airports and light tourist walking days (the cushioned insole is good, though you may need to supplement with insoles if you're planning a heavy day of walking/need more support). I suspect they will be used nearly as frequently as the Day Glove in my closet — and for more months of the year than flats can be worn.

The caramel is true to the color online, if not slightly lighter in person. I stuck with my true size (I sized up a half-size for both the Day Glove and the Modern Loafer) and am happy I did thanks to the glove-like fit that will likely mold to the shape of my foot even more over time. Having said that, my feet are relatively narrow, and Everlane suggests you do go up a half size. If you're considering it, you should. 

The only thing I would note is that if you're comparing the Modern Loafer to the Day Loafer, you are getting different leathers and, obviously, slightly different styles. The Day Loafer ($155) has a more versatile, casual aesthetic and a glove-like buttery soft leather. The Modern Loafer ($165) is made from thicker, more substantial leather (hence the break-in period) and a more structured, architectural look. 

Shop the Day Loafer, $155, at Everlane

Join the conversation about this story »

• You can turn auto-brightness on iPhone off to save battery, if you know how.
• iPhones have auto-brightness sensors that automatically adjust the screen brightness based on surrounding light.
• You can also manually adjust the iPhone's brightness to your personal preferences in your Settings or through the Control Center.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The iPhone is such a sophisticated tool that it has its own built-in auto-brightness system. This system automatically darkens the iPhone's screen when you're looking at it under a bright light, and lightens it when trying to use your phone in a dark room.

Auto-brightness is just one of many features that enable you to get the most out of your iPhone at all times. While this option can be very convenient, it's also an extra drain on the battery and some people don't need the brightness controls to properly see their screen.

You can easily toggle it off and on to see if you can save that extra battery and still see your iPhone screen properly.

Check out the product used in this article:

iPhone XS (From $999 at Apple)

How to turn off your iPhone's auto-brightness

1. Click on the Settings app.

2. Scroll down to and tap "General."

3. Scroll down to and tap "Accessibility."

4. Scroll down to and tap on "Display Accommodations."

5. Tap on "Auto-Brightness" to toggle it on or off. If the button shows green, it's on.

You can also adjust the brightness of the screen manually. If your eyes are too sensitive for the brightness level or your screen seems washed out, try lowering the brightness. If you have trouble seeing details on the screen, it might also be time to raise it. There are two ways to do this.

How to adjust your iPhone's brightness through Settings

1. Tap "Settings".

2. Scroll down to "Display & Brightness".

3. Move the Brightness slider at the top left or right depending on your preference.

How to adjust your iPhone's brightness through the Control Center

1. Tap the bottom of the screen and slide it up to bring up the Control Center (or swipe up from the upper-right corner of your screen on an iPhone X or later). 

2. Look for the Brightness icon (it's the sun-shaped icon to the left of volume).

3. Slide your finger up on the icon to brighten your phone or down to lower it.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to hide apps on your iPhone's home screen and search function

• How to turn off the flashlight on your iPhone in 2 different ways

• How you can easily delete all the photos on your iPhone at once

• How to record the screen on your iPhone

SEE ALSO: The best iPhone for every type of person and budget

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here's why it's so hard to switch from Apple to Android

• A major chunk of the mobile apps we use have security weaknesses that can allow hackers to steal sensitive data, like passwords, financial information, personal data, and correspondence, according to a report from security researchers Positive Technologies.
• While Positive Technologies doesn't highlight specific apps or types of apps, the weaknesses are common oversights during the design stage of an app.
• Both Android and iOS apps contain these weaknesses. 
• App developers need to make "significant" changes in their apps' code the report advises.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The majority of the apps we use on our mobile devices — including Android and iOS devices — have dangerous security weaknesses, according to a report by security researchers Positive Technologies spotted by ZDNet.

76% of the apps that were downloaded in 2018 have insecure data storage that can give hackers access to our passwords, financial information, personal data, and correspondence.

While the dangers are real, Positive Technologies classifies insecure data storage as "medium risk," meaning it's not as easily exploited as "high-risk" vulnerabilities. 

38% of Android apps and 22% of iOS have vulnerabilities classified as "high-risk" — those that are easier for hackers to exploit to obtain sensitive data that can affect your finances and identity. These vulnerabilities include interprocess communication (IPC), a tool used by an app to communicate with other apps and operating systems.

Whether the risk is high, medium, or low, 89% of the security weaknesses in apps can be exploited remotely, meaning a hacker doesn't need physical access to a device to install malware.

Positive Technologies didn't specify which or what kind of apps have the vulnerabilities, which appear to be common oversights during an app's design process. The research firm suggests that app developers would need to make "significant changes" to the code in their apps, and the report includes some recommendations.

The report didn't mention whether these vulnerabilities have led to any data breaches so far.

SEE ALSO: Instagram keeps a detailed list of everything it thinks you're interested in — here's how to find it

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: How to stop your Facebook friends from giving away your data

We rounded up the eight best sales and deals happening online today, with savings at Backcountry, on the MacBook Air, and on Helix mattresses. For more deals and savings across the web, check out Business Insider Coupons.

1. Save up to 40% on select styles and brands at Backcountry

Backcountry is kicking off its 4th of July sale with deals on already discounted items and big brands like The North Face and Prana. Now through July 7, save up to 40% on select sale styles and up to 30% on last-season items from The North Face. In addition, now though June 25, save up to 30% on Prana apparel and accessories for both men and women. Take a few extra seconds to check Business Insider Coupons for any available Backcountry promo codes.

Shop sale styles, The North Face, and Prana at Backcountry.

2. Save $250 on the 13-inch MacBook Air (128 GB) at Best Buy

Apple rarely holds sales for its highly sought tech, but you can usually snag some pretty good deals through Best Buy. The Macbook Air, which features a light and sleek build plus a long-lasting battery, is now on sale for $750 — that's $250 in savings. Check out all available Best Buy coupons and promo codes at Business Insider Coupons here.

Get the 13-inch MacBook Air (128 GB) from Best Buy for $749.99 (originally $999.99) [You save $250]

3. Save 20% on the Fairfield Collection plus free shipping at Timex

Timex's Fairfield Collection features sleek and simple watches for men and women in silver, gold, and rose gold finishes. Right now, the collection is on sale for 20% off with code "SWIM20", plus you'll get free shipping on your purchase. The deal isn't advertised on the site, but the code should work at checkout.

Shop the Fairfield Collection at Timex.

4. Save 30% on the Coway AP-1216L Air Purifier from Off-to-College by Amazon

Amazon recently launched its "Off-to-College" store where you can find everything you'll need for your dorm or off-campus housing. From tech to bedding, it features daily and weekly deals on a wide range of must-have college items. Today you can save 30% on a Conway air purifier, which is powerful enough for a room up to 330 square feet. Be sure to check out the Amazon College Store for other deals.

Get the Coway AP-1216L Tower Mighty Air Purifier from Amazon for $160.54 (originally $229.99) [You save $69.45]

5. Save an extra 20% of sale styles or 15% on your regular purchase at Madewell

Madewell currently has hundreds of items on sale, and you can save an additional 20% on them by using the promo code "DOUBLEYAY" at checkout. If your eye catches a full-priced item, you can use the promo code "HONEY15" to save on your full-priced order. It never hurts to see if you can save even more, so check out Business Insider Coupons for up-to-date coupons and promo codes from Madewell.

Shop sale styles and regular priced styles at Madewell.

6. Save up to 75% on clearance or 20% on full-priced items at Sur La Table

Sur La Table is running one of its big summer clearance sales right now. Over 300 household items are up to 75% off with some items eligible for free shipping using the promo code "SHIPFREE". In addition, you can save 20% off full-priced items using the promo code "GRILL19". To potentially save more at Sur La Table, visit Business Insider Coupons to find the most up-to-date coupons and promo codes.

Shop clearance and full-priced items at Sur La Table.

7. Save up to 50% on select shoes, apparel, and accessories from Adidas 

Adidas recently added more items to its end-of-season sale, so you can save up to 50% on everything from popular sneaker styles to athletic clothes. Discounts are clearly marked. If you like shopping at Adidas, visit our Coupons page to to find additional deals and promo codes.

Shop the end of the season sale at Adidas.

8. Save between $100 and $200 on any mattress plus two free pillows from Helix

Like many other brands listed above, Helix is kicking off its own 4th of July celebration by offering several deals on mattresses like the Helix Dusk, which we've reviewed and recommended. The deals are as follows: Save $100 on any mattress plus two free dream pillows using the promo code "FOURTH100"; save $150 on orders over $1,250 plus two free dream pillows using the promo code "FOURTH150"; and save $200 on orders over $1,750 plus two free dream pillows "FOURTH200".

Shop Helix Mattresses.

Join the conversation about this story »

• There are several steps you can take to get rid of a virus on an infected Mac computer and get it back up to speed.
• If you've identified which programs on your Mac are malicious, you can use the Activity Monitor to check for and remove any malware that may be active.
• Stopping a virus altogether involves searching your Mac pretty thoroughly to ensure all traces of the virus are gone.
• You should use malware-scanning software to help identify and eliminate viruses. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

We all know the signs: Sudden reboots. Frozen screens. Pop-ups that just won't stop. Mysterious extensions showing up in your browser.

Getting a virus on your Mac is never fun, especially when it starts interfering with your computer's performance.

But there are ways to stop it in its tracks and get rid of it. And, perhaps best of all, those methods are free.

To help identify malicious programs, you should consider first using malware-detection software like Clean My Mac X or Malwearbytes to scan your computer. 

Once you've identified likely sources of infection, there are a few ways you could go about manually removing programs or extensions to help get your Mac back up to speed.

Check out the products used in this article:

MacBook Air (From $1,199 at Apple)

How to get rid of a virus on a Mac

Stop malicious programs from running on your Mac

1. Go to your Launchpad (the rocket ship icon in your bottom toolbar).

2. Search for the activity monitor and click to open it. It may be located by default in a folder labeled "Other."

3. If you know which programs are malicious, find them in the CPU tab of your activity monitor and stop them from running by clicking the 'x' in the top-left area of the window.

Uninstall bad apps

1. Open your Finder.

2. Toggle over to "Applications."

3. Look for any apps you don't recognize, or any that have exhibited malicious behavior (e.g. opening unprompted and unexpectedly).

4. Drag any such apps to the Trash icon (located in the bottom toolbar of your screen).

5. Empty the trash by clicking on the icon and selecting "Empty" (located in the top-right corner of the window).

Get rid of any virus-related browser extensions

Safari

1. Launch the browser.

2. In the top toolbar, click "Safari" and then "Safari Extensions."

3. Look for suspicious extensions and uninstall those.

Chrome

1. Launch the browser.

2. Click the three stacked dots in the top-right corner of the screen.

3. Hover over "More Tools" and then click "Extensions."

4. Look through your extensions and "Remove" any you don't recognize.

Firefox

1. Launch the browser.

2. In the top-right corner, click the three vertical lines and choose "Add Ons."

3. Toggle over to the extensions tab and get rid of any that you aren't familiar with.

You may also want to change your browser's homepage and search engine preferences if the virus has impacted those areas.

Get rid of login items you didn't opt for

This is another area where viruses can hide within your Mac. Here's how to find yours and get rid of any extra ones:

1. Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of the screen and then select "System Preferences."

2. Tap "Users & Groups" and toggle over to "Login Items."

3. Untick the box next to any login items that you don't recognize.

Other steps you can take to get rid of a virus on a Mac

• Even if you go through all of the above steps, it's still a good idea to once again run a malware-detection software like Clean My Mac X or Malwearbytes— both are free and will give you peace of mind when it comes to your computer's health.
• If you're still worried about having a virus, you may want to create a new user profile on your Mac. Many viruses are user-specific, rather than device-specific.
• For those who use Time Machine, one other thing to consider is restoring an old version of your computer to wipe out all traces of the virus. It's relatively quick and easy, but you'll lose any changes that have been made since the last backup.
• And, as a last resort (or for those who have access to Apple's technical support), calling in a professional can be a good idea.

How to avoid getting another virus on your Mac

Be sure to look out for virus-friendly websites and files, and avoid them by doing things like leaving spam emails unopened and only downloading from trusted, known sources

Installing a security system on your Mac is also a good idea to prevent malware from infecting your computer in the future. Another positive step to take is keeping your Mac updated, so that new software patches can be applied, leaving your computer less vulnerable to bad characters.

And, as always, be sure to back up your Mac so that, even in the event of a virus, your data and media are protected.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• Can iPhones get viruses? Here's what you need to know

• How to diagnose and remove any virus from your iPhone

• Can iPads get viruses? Here's what you need to know

• How to free up space on a Mac computer that's running out of storage

SEE ALSO: The best budget laptops you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here's why it's so hard to switch from Apple to Android

• Make your morning and evening commute easier with products designed for travel and unpredictable weather.
• Below are nine useful items, from wind-proof umbrellas to bike lights, that every commuter needs in order to combat those impending rain showers.

Getting through a rainy day isn't so bad when you're snuggled up on your couch, listening to the sound of water dripping on your windowpane. But combating rain showers while you're running late to work and trying to leap through the train doors as they close is its own beast. 

Make your life easier by commuting with products that are designed to keep you — and your expensive company-owned laptop — dry during a downpour. You'll need more than just a wind-fighting umbrella to keep you from getting soaked; that's why we've pulled together the best and most practical rain gear and water-resistant products that every commuter should have.

Here are nine products you need for your rainy work commute:

A wind-defying umbrella

Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella with Teflon Coating, available on Amazon for $22.95 

Don't let your umbrella fall victim to 20-mile-per-hour winds (like mine recently did). With this Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella you'll not only be protected from the rain, but you'll be confident that it won't turn inside out due to its nine resin-reinforced fiberglass ribs. This umbrella is made with "Repel technology" that was designed to literally repel water and other elements so that your umbrella dries instantly.

Also, the dimensions of this umbrella are perfect for commuter travel. When closed, the portable Repel umbrella measures just 11.5 inches in length and weighs only 15 ounces. It also has a rubber handle and wrist strap, as well as a travel sleeve. The Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella has all of the specs to make it perfect for commuter travel in any purse, briefcase, or backpack. As an added bonus, Repel offers a lifetime replacement guarantee.

A commuter backpack

The Nylon Commuter Backpack, available at Everlane for $68

Nothing is worse than when your backpack just misses the protective radius of your flimsy umbrella, causing all of your papers, gym clothes, and tech to get soaked. Everlane made sure you never have that issue again with this Nylon Commuter Backpack.

It's made from nylon and polyester, the combination of which is lightweight and durable. On top of that, it's also water-resistant with a waterproof backing. The zippers are bonded and taped so you never have to worry about water leaking in. 

The Nylon Commuter Backpack comes with eight different pockets for your keys, wallet, umbrella, etc. and a laptop compartment big enough to fit a 15-inch MacBook or equivalent.

A lightweight rain jacket

Basin and Range Spiro Rain Jacket (for women), available on Backcountry for $77.99

Basin and Range Spiro Rain Jacket (for men), available on Backcountry for $64.95

Rain showers can be coupled with humid and muggy weather, so it's important to have a jacket that not only keeps you dry from the rain, but keeps you dry from your own sweat (gross, but true). Backcountry's in-house brand, Basin and Range, makes a lightweight, durable nylon rain jacket that every commuter needs, and it's been Insider Picks tested.

Thanks to its nylon shell and vented underarms, the Spiro Rain Jacket not only keeps you dry in weather as calm as a mist or as harsh as a down pour, but it also helps regulate your body temperature when you go from outside to inside to underground. 

On top of that, it's light and compact so it can easily fit in your backpack or purse should the rain stop half-way through your commute ... because that's the game Mother Nature likes to play.

A pair of rain boots (for women)

Sam Edelman Tinsley, available from Zappos for $54.95

Having a good rain boot is imperative to surviving the rainy commuting season. Finding one that you don't need to change out of once you get to work doesn't have to be a challenge, particularly not with these Tinsley rain boots. 

Inspired by the Chelsea boot, Tinsley offers a sleek silhouette for the low-heeled ankle boot. They also have elastic side panels with a pull-on back tab for easy wear. On top of that, the ankle boot comes in both medium and wide widths for all of their sizing options. 

A raincoat for your purse

The Handbag Raincoat Women's Handbag Raincoat — As Seen On Shark Tank, available on Amazon for $15

Also available from The Handbag Raincoat for $11 to $20

Since it's not always easy to find a purse that's functional, affordable, cute, and waterproof, an entrepreneur featured on "Shark Tank" came up with a product that turns any purse into a waterproof handbag. 

The Handbag Raincoat is made from a water-repellent material that comes in five stylish colors and patterns. It has a pull-tab on top to give you access to your purse while still protecting the contents inside. 

Perfect for any purse, the Handbag Raincoat come in three different sizes: mini (29 inches long by 11 inches tall), midi (33 inches long by 13 inches tall), and maxi (37 inches long by 16 inches tall). It also comes with a pouch to keep your Handbag Raincoat neat and organized in your purse.

A pair of water-resistant pants

Tech Chinos, available at Bonobos for $128

Between umbrellas and rain jackets, you can be assured that your top half will stay warm and dry, but what about your bottom half? Popular men's clothing company Bonobos has created a water-resistant pant that's perfect for the corporate commuter. 

Made with 59% cotton, 36% polyamide, and 5% elastane, these pants are advertised as being water-, stain-, and dirt-repellent. Additionally, the fabric is breathable so you'll stay cool and dry as you're rushing to catch your bus. 

Insider Picks reporter Amir Ismael tested these pants and said, "When I wore them, I had to try out the water repellent feature, so I splashed some water on my pants. Sure enough, it brushed right off and the pants were dry. If you were to get caught in a light rain or accidentally spill a drink, you'd be able to keep your day going."

A waterproof cellphone pouch

JOTO Universal Waterproof Case, available at Amazon for $5.99

Having a waterproof phone case is imperative if you're commuting in the rain. I would almost argue, if you're going to get anything that's waterproof, it should be a phone case. While brands like LifeProof offer one of the sleekest versions around, some people might not want a bulky or plain case on their phone 365 days a year. 

That's where the Joto Universal Waterproof Case comes into play. Now, yes, this waterproof sack, if you will, is more for phone use in a pool or the ocean, but since it's universal and only $6, it's incredibly useful to toss your phone into the waterproof case on days where it's raining cats and dogs. You'll still be able to use your touch screen and keep the case of your choice, plus it's universal so it fits all phone sizes. For such a small investment, it's a handy tool to keep around during the unpredictable spring weather.

A pair of rain boots (for men)

Rockport Rugged Bucks Waterproof Boot, available at Zappos for $89.24 to $99.95

Men's rain boots don't always have to look like knee-high waders. The Rockport Rugged Bucks Waterproof Boot is the perfect blend between rain boot and office shoe. 

Made from Hydro-Shield® technology, the outer-leather and insoles are waterproof, while the seams and gusseted tongue are sealed for wet weather conditions.

The Rugged Bucks boots come in three colors: Tan, Boston Tan, and Black II. The boot also comes in two widths, medium (D) and wide (EE), so you'll have no problem finding the best fit for you.

An affordable bike light

TeamObsidian Bike Light Set, available on Amazon for $15.99

On rainy days with low visibility, it's important if you're commuting to work via bike that you have the proper light and reflective gear. This inexpensive bike light set includes a headlight and taillight so you're always visible.

The TeamObsidian Bike Light's headlight is made of solid aluminum so it won't rust or corrode in rainy weather. It also has long lasting LED bulbs that offer 200 lumens of light. Additionally, the rear warning signal is made up of five separate LED red lights that can be set to three different flashing patterns to alert drivers in all weather conditions like the bright sun, rain, and snow.

• At least 24 women have accused President Donald Trump of sexual misconduct since the 1970s.
• Renewed attention has been brought to the allegations amid the #MeToo movement and a national conversation concerning sexual misconduct.
• Trump has repeatedly denied all of the accusations, calling the women "liars."
• Most recently, columnist E. Jean Carroll accused President Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room the mid-1990s.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

As a national conversation on sexual misconduct is gripping the country from Hollywood to Capitol Hill, some renewed attention has been focused on the sexual misconduct allegations that at least 23 women have made against Trump since the 1970s.

A deluge of women made their accusations public following the October 2016 release of the "Access Hollywood" tape, in which Trump was recorded boasting about grabbing women's genitals in 2005. Some others made their stories public months before the tape's release, and still others came forward in the months following.

Trump has dismissed all of the allegations — which include ogling, harassment, groping, and rape — as "fabricated" and politically motivated accounts pushed by the media and his political opponents, and promised to sue all of his accusers. In some cases, he and his lawyer have suggested that Trump didn't engage in the alleged behavior with a certain woman because she was not attractive enough.

"Every woman lied when they came forward to hurt my campaign," the Republican nominee said during a 2016 rally. "Total fabrication. The events never happened. Never. All of these liars will be sued after the election is over."

The president said these "false allegations" against him were made by "women who got paid a lot of money to make up stories about me." And then alleged that the "mainstream media" refused to report on evidence that the accusations were made up. 

Trump has not yet made good on his promise to sue any of the women — although two women have sued him – and the White House says that Trump's election proves the American people don't consider the allegations disqualifying.

"The people of this country, at a decisive election, supported President Trump, and we feel like these allegations have been answered through that process," White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters in December 2017, after several of the president's accusers appeared on national television to rehash their allegations.

But despite Trump's denials, 50% of voters — 59% of women and 41% of men — surveyed in a December 2017 Quinnipiac poll released think the president should resign as a result of the sexual misconduct allegations against him. Several Democratic lawmakers have recently called on Trump to resign over the accusations.

One accuser, Samantha Holvey, who out again last year about her experience with Trump as a Miss USA pageant contestant, said that while his election was painful, she and others see the #MeToo movement as an opportunity to "try round two."

"We're private citizens, and for us to put ourselves out there to try and show America who this man is and especially how he views women, and for them to say 'meh, we don't care' — it hurts," Holvey said on NBC News' "Megyn Kelly Today" in December 2017. "And so now it's just like, all right, let's try round two. The environment's different. Let's try again."

Here are all of the allegations — in chronological order — made by 24 named women:

SEE ALSO: Trump responds to women who have accused him of sexual misconduct, saying they're politically motivated

DON'T MISS: Democrats and Republicans have both had hypocritical responses to the outpouring of sexual misconduct allegations

Jessica Leeds

Allegations:

Jessica Leeds told the New York Times in October 2016 that Trump reached his hand up her skirt and groped her while seated next to her on a flight in the late 1970s.

"He was like an octopus. His hands were everywhere," Leeds said, adding that she fled to the back of the plane.

During an interview on NBC News' "Megyn Kelly Today" in December, Leeds added that she was at a gala in New York three years after the incident on the plane when she ran into Trump, who recognized her and called her a c---.

"He called me the worst name ever," she said. "It was shocking. It was like a bucket of cold water being thrown over me."

Trump's response: 

Trump denied the allegations and during a rally in October 2016, suggested that Leeds wasn't attractive enough for him to assault.

"People that are willing to say, 'Oh, I was with Donald Trump in 1980, I was sitting with him on an airplane, and he went after me,'" Trump said. "Believe me, she would not be my first choice."

Ivana Trump

Allegations:

In a 1990 divorce deposition, Trump's first wife and the mother of his three eldest children Ivana Trump accused her then-husband of raping her in a fit of rage in 1989.

Ivana said Trump attacked her after he underwent a painful "scalp reduction" procedure done by a doctor she had recommended, tearing her clothes and yanking out a chunk of her hair.

"Then he jams his penis inside her for the first time in more than 16 months. Ivana is terrified … It is a violent assault," Harry Hurt III, who obtained a copy of the deposition, wrote in a 1993 book about Trump. "According to versions she repeats to some of her closest confidantes, 'he raped me.'"

Ivana later slightly altered her allegation, saying that while she felt "violated" on that occasion, she hadn't accused Trump of raping her "in a literal or criminal sense."

"[O]n one occasion during 1989, Mr. Trump and I had marital relations in which he behaved very differently toward me than he had during our marriage," Ivana wrote in a 1993 statement. "As a woman, I felt violated, as the love and tenderness, which he normally exhibited towards me, was absent. I referred to this as a 'rape,' but I do not want my words to be interpreted in a literal or criminal sense."

Ivana is mother to Donald Jr., Eric, and Ivanka Trump.

Trump's response:

Trump called Hurt's description of Ivana's allegation "obviously false" in 1993, according to Newsday. Trump's lawyer, Michael Cohen, argued in 2015 that his client could not have raped Ivana because "you cannot rape your spouse."

"There's very clear case law," he said.

Cohen later recanted, saying his comment was "inarticulate."

Kristin Anderson

Allegations:

Kristin Anderson, a photographer and former model said Trump reached under her skirt and touched her vagina through her underwear at a New York City nightclub in the early 1990s.

Anderson, then in her early 20s, said she wasn't talking with Trump at the time and didn't realize he was sitting next to her when he groped her without her consent.

"So, the person on my right who, unbeknownst to me at that time was Donald Trump, put their hand up my skirt. He did touch my vagina through my underwear, absolutely. And as I pushed the hand away and I got up and I turned around and I see these eyebrows, very distinct eyebrows, of Donald Trump," she told The Washington Post in October 2016.

Anderson said she and her friends, who were talking together around a table at the time of the incident, were "very grossed out and weirded out," but thought "Okay, Donald is gross. We all know he's gross. Let's just move on."

Trump's response:

"Mr. Trump strongly denies this phony allegation by someone looking to get some free publicity," Hope Hicks, the president's then-spokeswoman and current White House communications director, told the Post in October 2016. "It is totally ridiculous."

Jill Harth

Allegations:

Jill Harth, a businesswoman who worked with Trump in the 1990s, told the Guardian in July 2016 that Trump pushed her against a wall, put his hand up her skirt, and tried to kiss her at a dinner at his Mar-a-Lago resort in the early 1990s.

"He was relentless," she told the New York Times. "I didn't know how to handle it. I would go away from him and say I have to go to the restroom. It was the escape route."

Harth sued Trump in 1997 both for sexual harassment and for failing to uphold his end of a business deal with Harth and her then-partner.

Trump's response: 

Hicks responded to the Times' reporting, denying Harth's allegations wholesale.

"Mr. Trump denies each and every statement made by Ms. Harth," she said.

Lisa Boyne

Allegations:

Lisa Boyne, a health food business entrepreneur, told HuffPost in October 2016 that she attended a 1996 dinner with Trump and modeling agent John Casablancas during which several other women in attendance were forced to walk across a table in order to leave.

As the women walked on the table, Boyne says that Trump looked up their skirts and commented on their underwear and genitals. Trump allegedly asked Boyne for her opinion on which of the women he should sleep with.

Boyne joined Jessica Leeds, Samantha Holvey, Rachel Crooks — three others who have accused Trump of sexual misconduct — in calling on Congress to investigate Trump in December.

Trump's response:

Hicks denied Boyne's allegations. "Mr. Trump never heard of this woman and would never do that," she told HuffPost.

Mariah Billado and Victoria Hughes

Allegations:

Two Miss Teen USA contestants told BuzzFeed News in October 2016 that Trump walked in on them while they were changing in their dressing rooms.

"I remember putting on my dress really quick because I was like, 'Oh my god, there's a man in here,'" Mariah Billado, who represented Vermont in 1997, told BuzzFeed. Billado added that Trump said something along the lines of, "Don't worry, ladies, I've seen it all before."

Victoria Hughes, a former Miss New Mexico, said Trump first introduced himself to the teenage contestants when he unexpectedly walked into their dressing room.

"It was certainly the most inappropriate time to meet us all for the first time," she told BuzzFeed.

Trump's response:

Trump appeared to admit to this behavior when he boasted in an April 2005 interview with radio host Howard Stern that he regularly walked into contestants' dressing rooms on the beauty pageants he owned while women were unclothed.

"I'll go backstage before a show and everyone's getting dressed and ready and everything else. And you know, no men are anywhere. And I’m allowed to go in because I’m the owner of the pageant," he said. "You know they're standing there with no clothes. And you see these incredible-looking women. And so I sort of get away with things like that."

In October 2016, the Trump campaign called the allegations politically motivated lies. 

"These accusations have no merit and have already been disproven by many other individuals who were present," the campaign said in a statement. "When you see questionable attacks like this magically put out there in the final month of a presidential campaign, you have to ask yourself what the political motivations are and why the media is pushing it."

Temple Taggart

Allegations:

Temple Taggart, a former Miss Utah, told the New York Times in May 2016 that Trump "kissed me directly on the lips" when she met him at the Miss USA pageant in 1997. Trump did the same thing when Taggart met with him again at Trump Tower in Manhattan after he offered to aid her modeling career, she said.

In November 2017, Taggart spoke out again, telling the Times that the allegations against Trump were "brushed under the rug."

Trump's response:

Trump "emphatically" denies Taggart's claims.

"I don't even know who she is," Trump told NBC News in October 2016. "She claims this took place in a public area. I never kissed her. I emphatically deny this ridiculous claim."

Cathy Heller

Allegations:

Cathy Heller told the Guardian in October 2016 that she was attending a Mother's Day brunch with her husband, children, and in-laws at Mar-a-Lago in the 1990s when Trump approached her table, introduced himself to her, and forcibly kissed her.

"He took my hand, and grabbed me, and went for the lips," she said, and added that she was "angry and shaken" as a result of the incident.

Trump's response:

A Trump campaign spokesman denied Heller's allegation, arguing that it couldn't have happened in public.

"There is no way that something like this would have happened in a public place on Mother's Day at Mr. Trump's resort," Jason Miller said. "It would have been the talk of Palm Beach for the past two decades."

Karena Virginia

Allegations:

Karena Virginia, a yoga instructor and life coach, told the Washington Post in October 2016 that Trump groped her as she waited for her car outside the US Open in New York in 1998.

Virginia, then 27, said she overheard Trump talking with a group of men about her legs and that Trump then approached her, grabbed her arm, and touched her breast before asking, "Don't you know who I am?"

Trump's response:

"Give me a break," Trump representative Jessica Ditto said in response to Virginia's allegation. "Voters are tired of these circus like antics and reject these fictional stories and the clear efforts to benefit Hillary Clinton."

Tasha Dixon and Bridget Sullivan

Allegations:

Two Miss USA contestants said Trump walked into their dressing rooms, where female participants were changing, and ogled them.

Tasha Dixon, a former Miss Arizona who competed in the 2001 Miss USA pageant, told CBS in October 2016 that Trump walked into the contestants' dressing room while they were changing.

"He just came strolling right in," Dixon said. "There was no second to put a robe on or any sort of clothing or anything. Some girls were topless, other girls were naked."

She added, "To have the owner come waltzing in when we're naked or half naked in a very physically vulnerable position, and then to have the pressure of the people that work for him telling us to go fawn all over him, go walk up to him, talk to him."

Dixon said there was "no one to complain to" because Trump owned the pageant and everyone employed there reported to him.

Bridget Sullivan, Miss New Hampshire in 2000, told BuzzFeed News in May 2016 that Trump walked into the contestants' dressing room unannounced and hugged her inappropriately.

"The time that he walked through the dressing rooms was really shocking. We were all naked," Sullivan said, comparing Trump to a "creepy uncle." "He'd hug you just a little low on your back."

Trump's response:

In October 2016, the Trump campaign denied Dixon's allegations, calling them politically motivated fabrications.

"These accusations have no merit and have already been disproven by many other individuals who were present," the campaign said in a statement. "When you see questionable attacks like this magically put out there in the final month of a presidential campaign, you have to ask yourself what the political motivations are and why the media is pushing it."

Melinda McGillivray

Allegations:

Melinda "Mindy" McGillivray told the Palm Beach Post in October 2016 that Trump grabbed her buttocks while they were backstage during a Ray Charles concert at Mar-a-Lago in 2003.

Ken Davidoff, a photographer present at the concert, said McGillivray, then 23, approached him soon after the incident and said, "Donald just grabbed my a--!"

McGillivray spoke out again on "Megyn Kelly Today" in December, calling for a congressional investigation into the accusations of sexual misconduct against Trump.

"He has to face the music; he can't get away with this," McGillivray said. "I want justice."

Trump's response:

The Post reported that Trump did not respond to requests for comment concerning McGillivray's accusation, but the president has broadly denied all of the sexual misconduct accusations made against him.

"The timing and absurdity of these false claims speaks volumes and the publicity tour that has begun only further confirms the political motives behind them," White House press secretary Sanders said after the TV appearance in December.

Natasha Stoynoff

Allegations:

People magazine reporter Natasha Stoynoff wrote in an October 2016 column that Trump sexually assaulted her in 2005 at Mar-a-Lago. Stoynoff was visiting Trump and his new wife, Melania, at their Florida estate to report on a story about the couple's first year of marriage.

While a pregnant Melania was changing clothes for a photoshoot, Trump offered to show Stoynoff a "tremendous" room at the resort.

"We walked into that room alone, and Trump shut the door behind us. I turned around, and within seconds he was pushing me against the wall and forcing his tongue down my throat," Stoynoff wrote.

She added that Trump told her they would have a sexual affair. "Have you ever been to Peter Luger's for steaks? I'll take you. We're going to have an affair, I'm telling you," he allegedly said.

Trump's response:

Trump denied the allegations, tweeting last year, "Why didn't the writer of the twelve year old article in People Magazine mention the 'incident' in her story. Because it did not happen!"

Jennifer Murphy and Juliet Huddy

Allegations:

Two women have said Trump kissed them without their consent, but that they weren't offended by it at the time.

Juliet Huddy, a former Fox News anchor, said on the "Mornin!!! With Bill Schulz" podcast in December 2017 that Trump kissed her on the lips without her consent after a meeting in Trump Tower in Manhattan in 2005 or 2006.

"He went to say goodbye and he, rather than kiss me on the cheek, he leaned in on the lips," she said. Huddy added that she was surprised by the kiss, but "didn't feel threatened" or "offended" at the time.

"Now that I've matured, I would've said, 'Nope.' At that time, I was making excuses," she said in December.

Jennifer Murphy, a former contestant both in Miss USA and Trump's reality TV show "The Apprentice," told Grazia magazine in December 2016 that Trump kissed her unexpectedly following a job interview in Trump Tower in 2005.

Although Murphy said she was "very taken aback at the time," she later told CNN that she "wasn't offended" by the kiss. She said she voted for him for president, and even created a Katy Perry parody video in which she sang, "I was kissed by Trump and I liked it."

Trump's response:

The White House denied Huddy's account, according to the New York Daily News.

Rachel Crooks

Allegations:

Rachel Crooks told the New York Times in October 2016 that Trump kissed her on the mouth without her consent when she introduced herself him in 2005 Trump Tower in Manhattan, where she worked as a receptionist.

She told the Times that she and Trump shook hands and then he kissed her "directly on the mouth."

Crooks told her sister, who confirmed her account to the Times, but said she thought she would lose her job if she told her company anything about the interaction.

"I was shocked, devastated," she said during a December 2017 interview on "Megyn Kelly Today," adding: "I remember hiding in our boss' office because no one else was there, it was early in the morning, and I called my sister ... I felt horrible."

Crooks joined calls for a congressional investigation into Trump's alleged misconduct.

Trump's response:

Trump denied Crooks' account in an interview with the New York Times in October 2016. "None of this ever took place," he said, threatening to sue the Times if it reported on the allegations.

Samantha Holvey

Allegations:

Samantha Holvey, a contestant in the 2006 Miss USA pageant, which Trump owned, told CNN in October 2016 that Trump personally inspected each of the pageant contestants individually.

"He would step in front of each girl and look you over from head to toe like we were just meat, we were just sexual objects, that we were not people," Holvey said, adding that it made her feel "the dirtiest I felt in my entire life."

Then a 20-year-old student at a private Southern Baptist college, Holvey said she "had no desire to win when I understood what it was all about."

Holvey also called for a congressional investigation into Trump's alleged misconduct.

Trump's response: 

CNN, who first reported on Holvey's allegations, said Trump did not respond to requests for comment, but the president has broadly denied all of the sexual misconduct accusations made against him.

Ninni Laaksonen

Allegations:

Ninni Laaksonen, a model and former Miss Finland, told Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat in October 2016 that Trump groped her backstage at the "Late Show with David Letterman" in 2006.

"Trump stood right next to me and suddenly he squeezed my butt," Laaksonen said. "He really grabbed my butt. I don't think anybody saw it, but I flinched and thought, 'What is happening?'"

Trump's response:

The newspaper did not include a response from Trump, but the president has broadly denied all of the sexual misconduct accusations made against him.

Jessica Drake

Allegations:

At an October 2016 press conference, adult-film actress Jessica Drake accused Trump of grabbing and kissing her without permission and offering her money to accept a private invitation to his penthouse hotel room in Lake Tahoe in 2006.

"This is not acceptable behavior for anyone, much less a presidential candidate," Drake said. "I understand that I may be called a liar or an opportunist, but I will risk that in order to stand in solidarity with women who share similar accounts that span many, many years."

Trump's response:

Trump called Drake's accusations "total fiction" and implied that Drake was accustomed to being "grabbed" because she is a porn actress.

"One said, 'He grabbed me on the arm.' And she's a porn star. You know, this one that came out recently, 'He grabbed me and he grabbed me on the arm.' Oh, I'm sure she's never been grabbed before," he said on WGIR radio.

Summer Zervos

Allegations:

Summer Zervos, a former contestant on NBC's "The Apprentice," told reporters at an October 2016 press conference that Trump assaulted her during a 2007 meeting at The Beverly Hills Hotel.

"He then grabbed my shoulder and began kissing me again very aggressively and placed his hand on my breast," she said. "I pulled back and walked to another part of the room. He then walked up, grabbed my hand, and pulled me into the bedroom. I walked out." Zervos added that Trump thrust himself on her before she left the room.

Zervos sued Trump for defamation after he accused her of lying about the allegations. Trump's attorneys have moved to dismiss the case, arguing that, as president, he can't be sued in state court and that his remarks about his accusers are political speech. The suit is ongoing.

Trump's response:

"I vaguely remember Ms. Zervos as one of the many contestants on 'The Apprentice' over the years," Trump said in a statement. "To be clear, I never met her at a hotel or greeted her inappropriately a decade ago. That is not who I am as a person, and it is not how I've conducted my life. In fact, Ms. Zervos continued to contact me for help, emailing my office on April 14 of this year asking that I visit her restaurant in California."

Cassandra Searles

Allegations:

Cassandra Searles, who represented the state of Washington at the 2013 Miss USA pageant, wrote in a June 2016 Facebook post that Trump treated herself and other female Miss USA contestants "like cattle" and had them "lined up so he could get a closer look at his property."

"He probably doesn't want me telling the story about that time he continually grabbed my ass and invited me to his hotel room," she added.

Trump's response: 

Trump has not specifically denied Searles' allegations, but he has broadly denied all of the sexual misconduct accusations made against him.

Alva Johnson

Allegations:

Alva Johnson, a former Trump campaign staffer, said that Trump kissed her without her consent at a Tampa, Florida rally on August 24, 2016. 

Johnson, 43, said Trump grabbed her hand and kissed her on the side of her mouth as he exited an RV outside of the rally, according to details in a new federal lawsuit and an interview with the Washington Post.

"Oh, my God, I think he's going to kiss me," Johnson said in a February 2019 interview with the Post. "He's coming straight for my lips. So I turn my head, and he kisses me right on corner of my mouth, still holding my hand the entire time. Then he walks on out."

Johnson filed a federal lawsuit against Trump in February. 

Trump's response: 

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told INSIDER in a statement, "This accusation is absurd on its face. This never happened and is directly contradicted by multiple highly credible eye witness accounts."

E. Jean Carroll

Allegations:

Former Elle advice columnist E. Jean Carroll accused President Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her in a department store dressing room the mid-1990s.

"The moment the dressing-room door is closed, he lunges at me, pushes me against the wall, hitting my head quite badly, and puts his mouth against my lips," Carroll wrote in an excerpt of her 2019 book,"What Do We Need Men For?". 

She went on, "The next moment, still wearing correct business attire, shirt, tie, suit jacket, overcoat, he opens the overcoat, unzips his pants, and, forcing his fingers around my private area, thrusts his penis halfway — or completely, I'm not certain — inside me. It turns into a colossal struggle."

Trump's response: 

The White House denied Carroll's allegations in a statement to New York magazine in June 2019.

"This is a completely false and unrealistic story surfacing 25 years after allegedly taking place and was created simply to make the President look bad," the statement read.

• Julia Hawkins, 103, is a record-setting runner, according to a recent Q&A by The New York Times.
• In the interview she shared three life tips: Stay in shape, have passions, and take in life's "magic moments."
• Studies indicate that there are benefits to all of these, from clearing the mind to living longer.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Who better to take life advice from than a centenarian who's setting records?

Julia Hawkins, 103, is a record-setting runner at the National Senior Games. Her best time in the 100-meter dash is 39.62 seconds.

She's also a flower enthusiast and great-grandmother, Sarah Mervosh wrote in The New York Times.

Before taking up running, the Baton Rouge resident biked. In her spare time, she takes daily walks, cares for the bonsai on her acre of property, and goes out to lunch with friends nearly every day.

Nicknamed the "Hurricane" for her feats on the track, Hawkins closed out the interview with some parting tips: "Keep yourself in good shape if you can. Have many passions. And look for magic moments."

She added: "That is something that I have done in my life — think of the things that are magic moments that happen to you, like sunsets and sunrises, rainbows, beautiful birds, music, and people's lovely comments to you. All of those are magic moments and they are free for all. Be sure to keep your eye open for them."

Read more: A 100-year-old retired airline pilot with $5 million in the bank used a timeless tip to build his fortune

Her advice is on par with science-backed research.

Studies suggest that running, walking, and swimming help with positivity, clearing the mind, and even protecting from cognitive decline, Erin Brodwin previously reported for Business Insider.

But the best mental- and physical-health results for people over 50 stem from a combination of aerobic workouts and resistance training, which includes workouts like lifting weights or doing squats.

And an observational study of nearly 4,000 US adults found that people who walked around for about two minutes every hour had a roughly 33% lower risk of dying prematurely than those who sat all day, Brodwin wrote.

Having hobbies or passions also has benefits. They can have therapeutic effects, ignite creativity, help one explore new social opportunities, offer stress relief, and boost confidence. And, just as Hawkins suggests keeping an eye open for "magic moments," studies have suggested that people who are more open to new ideas and concepts may have a longer life.

Read the full story at The New York Times »

SEE ALSO: A 100-year-old retired airline pilot with $5 million in the bank used a timeless tip to build his fortune

DON'T MISS: The best ways to counter the negative effects of aging and live a long time — starting right now

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: How $100,000 custom pool tables are made for celebrities like Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift

• Justin Kan is a mid-30s entrepreneur who sold his previous startup, Twitch, to Amazon for $1 billion, and has raised millions in VC funding for his current project, the legal startup Atrium.
• On Twitter, Kan recently shared everything he's realized about angel investing in the past eight years, during which time he's invested in Cruise, Ginkgo Bioworks, Razorpay, Bird, and 100 other companies.
• With his permission, we've shared his advice below, in full and in his words, as well as some of the reactions from his followers.
• Among other things, Kan writes that investors should figure out what companies they want to invest in, and convince those founders to take money, whether it's during a fundraising cycle or not.
• "The best angels I know will just start being helpful and build a relationship with the founders, and then get allocation or even included in previous rounds," he says.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Justin Kan is a successful founder and investor. He created Twitch, a game streaming company that was acquired by Amazon for $1 billion. He is also an active angel, and he has poured money into 100+ early stage startups. 

Some of his investments, like scooter company Bird and self-driving tech startup Cruise (which was founded by Kan's brother) have seen strong returns.

Kan reflected on his past eight years as an angel investor. Here's his best advice when determining which ideas will take off.

Rule 1: Only invest in founders, not ideas.

It's seductive to invest in pet ideas you want to see in the world.  Sometimes, you justify investing in a bad founder by thinking the idea is so good it will carry them.

This never works.

It turns out even good ideas still need to be executed!

Rule 2: Investors need to differentiate themselves to land the best deals.

There are now tons of investors in tech. Everyone seems to have their own fund. As an investor, there are three ways to differentiate from others: brand, analysis, hustle.

Read more:A CEO who sold his first startup for $1 billion explains how to build a company and stay happy at the same time

Brand is setting up a unique platform or positioning in the market that gets to differentiated deal flow. The best example is Y Combinator, which wasn't even really positioned as an investor at first. Instead, it was dubbed the "Harvard Business School of Silicon Valley."

On the newer side, I like SaaStr Fund, where Jason Lemkin has set up an investor brand in a specific vertical (with a conference, online media, etc.) and positioned himself as the expert in this area. If you have a SaaS company, you want to talk to him.

Analysis is, "Do you actually think about how the world will look in the future and do you make good investment decisions based on that view?"

Weirdly, this is pretty underrated in early stage tech investing.

I don't think there's any magic bullets here. You just need to do the work to do research on companies, call customers, figure out market size, etc. Many early stage investors don't do this.

Hustle is getting into deals. Many investors wait for founders to be raising and to come to them. This is lazy.

Instead, investors should figure out what companies they want to invest in, and convince those founders to take money (whether it's during a fundraising cycle or not).

The best angels I know will just start being helpful and build a relationship with the founders, and then get allocation or even included in previous rounds.

Observation: most SV gains (probably including my own) are purely because we have been investing into massive bull market. Everyone who started angel investing 10 years ago looks like a genius (you would have looked the same just buying a basket of FAANG stocks). This will change.

Rule 3: Invest in your friends.

Lastly, always invest in your friends for FOMO protection. If you don't, the FOMO when they sell for $1 billion two years later might literally kill you. 

One good example of FOMO protection is Slack. Many Silicon Valley entrepreneurs made money by investing early in Stuart Butterfield, the CEO, before his idea took off. 

Per Alex Konrad in Fortune:

"Years before the two [Slack] founders hit up powerhouse venture capital firms like SoftBank, they tapped influential friends, mostly tech founders: LinkedIn's Jeff Weiner; Stripe's Patrick and John Collison; Squarespace's Anthony Casalena; Twitter's Biz Stone; Yammer's David Sacks; and Jeremy Stoppelman of Yelp. They all took stakes in seed or early rounds that were worth an estimated 16 to more than 1,600 times their original bet. "

Read more:A liberal Silicon Valley engineer got so tired of his peers constantly bashing Trump that he found the most conservative town in America and moved there.

The reaction on Twitter

After publishing the initial thread, Kan received plenty of reaction on Twitter.

"Your willingness to share what you have been through and learned along the way is appreciated. We could all use more of this in the world these days," one user wrote.

"There are tons of gems in the listed markets (with reduced risks compared to private illiquid deals). Go figure," another follower wrote.

"Brilliant recitation of stories of gain and pain. You captured the letter and spirit of your journeys.  Many of us are saying, 'Been there. Done that. Feeling it!' Thank you," another user commented.

SEE ALSO: A 35-year-old CEO who sold his first startup for $1 billion says he relied on alcohol for years to escape facing his life. Here's why he's giving it up permanently.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian have a combined net worth of $189 million. Here's how they make and spend their money.

Business Insider may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network if you apply for a credit card, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• The American Express Gold Card is getting a few improvements.
• The card, which already earned 4 points per dollar spent at US restaurants and supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year at supermarkets — 1 point after that), will now earn 4x points at restaurants worldwide, making it a more valuable card for frequent travelers.
• The card offers up to $10 in credit each month for a handful of restaurants; now these credits can also be used at the wholesale website Boxed.
• AmEx is also bringing back the popular rose-gold edition of the card for a limited time — but only when you apply through a personal referral link. You can also simply apply online, then contact AmEx to request the rose-gold version.
• The AmEx Gold is one of the best rewards credit cards available, thanks to its high earning rates and valuable benefits that offset the annual fee. 

One of the best rewards credit cards is getting even better.

Last fall, American Express relaunched its Gold Card, with a refreshed version that earned 4 points per dollar spent at US restaurants, 4x points at US supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year — 1 point for anything beyond that), and 3x points on flights booked directly with the airline or with AmEx travel. It earns 1 point on everything else.

The card also added up to $120 in annual dining credits, broken into $10 monthly. These credits apply automatically to qualifying purchases at a few participating chain restaurants — specifically, Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris Steak House, and some Shake Shack locations — as well as the popular food-ordering services GrubHub and Seamless.

On Thursday, AmEx announced two updates to those benefits — both improvements.

First, the 4x points rate now applies to restaurants worldwide, not just in the US. For frequent travelers, this is great news and eliminates a specific competitive advantage that the Chase Sapphire Reserve card held — though it's worth noting that outside the US, American Express isn't accepted as widely as Mastercard and Visa. (The Sapphire Reserve is a Visa card.)

Whether you earn 4x points depends on how the merchant is registered, but generally, purchases at restaurants, bars, pubs, cafes, and more tend to qualify.

The second change is an addition to the list of places where cardholders can use the dining credit. Alongside the restaurants, the credit will also apply to purchases from the wholesale website Boxed.

As an added bonus, AmEx is bringing back the rose-gold edition of the card, introduced when the card was relaunched last fall, for a limited time. However, it appears the only way to get it is to apply through a friend's personal referral link.

When the rose-gold card was last available, it was so popular that AmEx had trouble keeping up with requests for it.

Reports suggest that you can also just apply for the Gold Card normally, then send AmEx a chat message requesting a rose-gold version — not using the refer-a-friend — though you'll need to do this before the rose-gold version is pulled on July 17.

Ultimately, these two changes are likely to appeal to a niche audience; however, the AmEx Gold Card remains one of the strongest cards available today, particularly for those who tend to spend a lot on dining and groceries.

Click here to learn more about the AmEx Gold Card from Business Insider's partner The Points Guy.

SEE ALSO: We compared the Chase Sapphire Reserve and AmEx Gold to determine the ultimate dining rewards card

Join the conversation about this story »

• Backdrop is a new startup that wants to make it less of a chore to paint your home.
• It sells paint ($49) in a small selection of colors, samples ($2) that ship for free, and supplies, plus it has an online calculator that helps you determine how much of everything you'll need. 
• The shopping experience and products feel more reminiscent of a design-studio than a hardware store — an exciting change that reframes the chore of wall painting as a creative and transformative endeavor. 

When I was a kid, I loved walking through the paint section at the hardware store, hoarding and ruffling through thick bundles of paint chips. It's just like picking out colors for my paint-by-numbers coloring book! 

If only that same enthusiasm still applied today, when choosing the right color will determine the feel and style of your home (no pressure) and the labor of painting entire walls is a tad more intensive and expletive-ridden than plopping down in front of a coloring book. 

Husband-and-wife duo Caleb and Natalie Ebel are the cofounders of Backdrop, a new direct-to-consumer paint brand that's reimagining the home paint shopping and user experience. Having painted every home and apartment they've ever lived in, they wanted to create the brand they wish they could have used then. 

Read more: 32 online startups that make shopping for your home simple and stress-free

Caleb was formerly at Warby Parker, while Natalie was the CMO of nonprofit Pencils of Promise. Unlike the founder of competing online paint startup Clare, they're not interior designers, but they're able to leverage their personal perspectives as consumers to create more exciting solutions for the paint industry. 

Backdrop sells three types of paint: Standard Finish (low-sheen, semi-matte), Semi-Gloss Finish, and Primer. The Standard wall paint is available in a curated collection of 50 colors, which have names like 36 Hours in Marrakesh (warm, earthy pink) and Skywalker (muted, light blue with green undertones).

You won't have to purchase a whole gallon ($49) immediately, though. Backdrop sells 12-inch-by-12-inch square adhesive samples, which cost $2 each. While you typically have to spend $75 on the site in order to get free shipping, these samples are an exception and will ship for free. 

Once you've determined which colors you want, you can use the site's Calculator to figure out how much paint and how many supplies you need. In addition to buckets of paint, Backdrop offers brushes, rollers, and other accessories to aid you in your room makeover. The 11-Piece Essentials Kit ($45) bundles them all together at a discounted price. 

The paint itself comes in rectangular, easy-pour buckets that don't require a tool to open or close. The paint is low-VOC, which means it has low impact on indoor air quality, and it's also Greenwise-certified, which means it meets high levels of performance and environmental standards. Made with a water-based, acrylic resin formula, it's easy to apply, highly pigmented, durable, and quick-drying. 

Read more: Meet Clare, the first direct-to-consumer company to disrupt the $155 billion interior paint industry

The artfully designed and easy-to-navigate site is similar to that of many other popular online startups and shows that Backdrop is leaning towards a younger generation of shoppers and homeowners.

If extras on its site like Spotify playlists created around paint colors aren't indication enough, retail partnerships like its recently announced Urban Outfitters collaboration place Backdrop far from the world of traditional paint and hardware stores and more squarely in newly formed camp that believes paint can be fun, influenced by culture, and driven by design. 

Shop paint and supplies at Backdrop here

Join the conversation about this story »

• If you're looking to add your phone number to iMessage on your Mac computer, you can do so in a few quick steps using your iPhone and Mac. 
• Simply enable iMessage and add your phone number on both your iPhone and Mac, and you'll begin receiving messages to both devices in no time.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

By receiving iMessages on your Mac computer, you can increase your workflow, as well as keep in touch with those trying to contact you, even if your iPhone is in another room or away from you.

You can add your phone number to your iMessage account and turn it on easily on your Mac to start receiving messages right away.

Check out the products used in this article:

MacBook Pro (From $1,299 at Apple)

iPhone XS (From $999 at Apple)

How to add a phone number to iMessage on a Mac using iPhone settings

1. First, on your iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive.

2. If you haven't yet signed in with your Apple ID, do so by tapping "Use your Apple ID for iMessage."

3. Once signed in, find the section titled "You can receive iMessages to and reply from" and be sure your phone number is selected. If so, it will have a check beside it.

4. If your Mac has already signed in with your Apple ID, you may receive a pop-up on the homescreen asking if you'd like to add your phone number to iMessage and FaceTime. If so, click yes. Once you've added your phone number, you can turn it on in iMessage on your Mac.

How to add your phone number on a Mac

1. After you've added your phone number for iMessage on your iPhone, launch Messages on your Mac, which can be found under "Applications."

2. Once you've launched Messages (and signed in with your Apple ID), go to Messages > Preferences.

3. In the Preferences menu, select the iMessage icon, which looks like an address or "at" sign.

4. To make sure iMessages come to your Mac, make sure your phone number is selected under the "You can be reached for messages at:" section.

How to remove your phone number from an iPhone and Mac

1. To remove the phone number for iPhone from other devices it may be connected to, on your iPhone go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive. Tap where you see your Apple ID. In the pop-up window, tap "Sign Out."

2. On Mac, launch Messages. Then click Messages > Preferences > iMessage. Under the section "You can be reached for messages at:," deselect your phone number.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to set up and use iMessage on a Mac computer, and sync it with your iPhone or iPad using iCloud

• 'Why is my Mac so slow?': 6 ways to speed up your Mac computer when its performance is lagging

• How to set an alarm or event reminder on a Mac using the Calendar app

• How to change your account username on a Mac computer, if you bought a pre-owned Mac or otherwise need a name change

SEE ALSO: The best iPhone cases for every model

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: We tried a fermentation-tracking device and highly recommend it to find out which foods are making you bloated

• It's not breaking news that our natural resources are depleting, our waters are polluted, and our ways of manufacturing are outdated and harmful to our environment. 
• Companies like Patagonia and tentree are committed to creating products with sustainable materials like fabric derived from trees, and manufactured with less water than traditional methods too. 
• Here are six companies that use tree-derived materials to make quality products from clothes and shoes to pillows and weighted blankets.

For decades, companies have been looking for ways to minimize and even reverse the harmful effects that humans have had on the earth by creating products from recycled plastics, using sustainable packaging, and inventing new materials.

Recently, we've noticed that tree-derived fabrics are popping up under names like TENCEL Lyocell and TENCEL Modal, Yulex Pure, and bamboo-derived viscose to name a few. These are all just fancy terms for fabrics that are spun from tree fibers.

To shoppers like us, it might seem like a no-brainer to use environmentally-friendly alternative fabrics, but for brands, it can be a tricky place. According to Derrick Emsley, co-founder of tentree, "At the end of the day, the only way sustainability becomes mainstream is if we can achieve a reasonable price point and [produce] a great product that is comparable or better to what's already on the market."

Still companies like tentree believe that "comfort and sustainability don't have to be mutually exclusive and [are] on a mission to prove it."

Like tentree, other companies like Bearaby and Allbirds use TENCEL Lyocell in many popular products. Lyocell, patented by the Austrian company TENCEL, is made by taking wood pulp from the bark and leaves of trees, dissolving the pulp in an organic solvent which creates cellulose fibers, and finally weaving it into yarn. Not only does this create a soft breathable fabric, but it goes one step further in gaining a stamp of sustainability.

TENCEL uses wood from natural forests and sustainably managed plantations that are approved by the Forest Stewardship Council. According to Kathrin Hamm, founder and CEO of Bearaby, "TENCEL is produced in a responsible closed-loop process, using 10 times less water than regular fabrics." Meaning the water and solvents used during the process are recycled at a rate of more than 99% which keeps the water we interact with cleaner after production.

Patagonia uses another type of tree-fabric called Yulex Pure in its rubber wetsuits, which is also FSC Certified. Latex sap is extracted from Hevea trees and processed in a solar-powered factory that refines the material rather than chemically alters it. This process removes more than 99% impurities and toxins that are associated with rubber — including the protein that causes latex allergies — while maintaining its elasticity.

Matt Dwyer, Director of Material Innovation at Patagonia, says, "Our environmental assessments revealed [that] because the polyisoprene polymer was produced in trees instead of factories using solar energy instead of generated electricity, up to around 80% less climate-altering CO2 was emitted in the manufacturing process when compared to traditional neoprene.

He continues, "Most importantly, since only 0.5% of the world's rubber supply currently comes from FSC-certified sources, we hope our choice will motivate other businesses to incorporate more sustainable practices in their supply chains."

Other companies like Coop Home Goods are creating viscose from bamboo which is "bridging sustainability with modern fabric developments," says co-founder Kevin Chon.

Made similarly to lyocell, bamboo-derived viscose uses cellulose fibers from pulped bamboo to create yarn. Although it's technically a grass, the structure of bamboo is comparable to that of wood. But using sustainably sourced bamboo is key as it can help eliminate the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, and release about 40% more oxygen than trees. It also requires little irrigation and grows rapidly, between three to five years, before it can be used.

Chon adds, "Modern equipment and solvents remove the environmental burden by helping recover, convert, and return [the raw materials back] to the production process, making the whole procedure a closed environmental loop."

Regardless of the tree or wood that materials are derived from, it's clear that these brands are determined to develop innovative, sustainable products that excel in quality for shoppers and the environment alike.

Here are six companies that use tree-derived fabrics in some of our favorite products:

Allbirds

Shop Allbirds' Tree collection for women

Shop Allbirds' Tree collection for men 

Originally known for its sustainable Merino Wool sneakers, Allbirds has added new styles that uses fibers from eucalyptus trees.  

Hana Kajimura, Sustainability Manager at Allbirds tells Insider Picks, "The TENCEL in our Tree collection creates a cooling effect by wicking away moisture through a silky-smooth mesh construction, while delivering unmatched breathability and supreme comfort. The FSC-certified material also requires only 5% of the water and half the carbon impact compared to traditional footwear materials. It was a no brainer for Allbirds." 

Insider Picks has tested shoes from the Allbirds Tree line including the Runners, Skippers, Loungers, Toppers, and Breezers, and it's safe to say that they uphold the same level of comfort and style that the original wool models have.

Connie Chen of Insider Picks regularly wears her wool Runners, but opted to try the Skippers  and said, "Eucalyptus is known for its cooling properties, so I appreciate that the Skippers [keep] my feet cool in warm weather." While Ellen Hoffman of Insider Picks added, "We've affectionately dubbed the Tree Breezers 'machine-washable pillow gloves for feet' in our team's Slack channel because they're just that comfortable."

Allbirds plans to continue down the path of high quality and high sustainability, with Kajimura teasing, "There are definitely more implementations in the pipeline."

Popular products: The Tree Runner in both men and women and the Tree Breezers

Bearaby

Shop Bearaby weighted blankets and sheets

We've covered a lot of weight blankets here, but most require some sort of fill for that anxiety-reducing weight. That fill, however, can trap heat and make you uncomfortably hot as you sleep. 

Bearaby is different.

Kathrin Hamm, founder and CEO of Bearaby told Insider Picks, "Bearaby's Napper is weighted simply by layering weaves of fabric together, making us the only sustainable weighted bedding brand on the market. Through our design and sustainable fabric, we were able to address a major gap of traditional weighted blankets — which is trapping heat — and can make people sleep too hot." 

Bearaby only makes four products, but they're all well-made and include TENCEL materials.

"Sustainability has been a priority for Bearaby since day one, so choosing a sustainable fabric company was a priority when we began sourcing," said Hamm. "We believe at Bearaby that sustainability ultimately creates better products, along with being the right thing to do. TENCEL defines a new origin of sustainability."

We tested the Tree Napper ahead of its release to compare its feel and weight to that of the original Napper. and found that it did alleviate some of our tossing and turning as well as the original, but that the breathable eucalyptus was much more comfortable. 

Popular products:The Tree Napper,The Sleeper, and The Napper

Coop Home Goods

Shop Coop Home Goods products

Coop Home Goods, known for its best selling memory foam pillow, incorporates a blend of bamboo-derived viscose and polyester in many of its products.

Kevin Chon, co-founder of Coop Home Goods tells Insider Picks, "We wanted that worn-in, favorite T-shirt type of feeling. The polyester ensures durability and strength without affecting the ultra-soft feel of the bamboo-derived rayon. We also wanted a loose knit to promote airflow as temperature regulation is really important for sustained sleep."

In addition, the solvents used in the manufacturing process are reused with a recovery rate of up to 90%. This not only helps keep the majority of unnatural materials from entering our environment, but it helps companies like Coop Home Goods produce quality products faster. 

I've personally been sleeping on the Original Pillow and can attest to the breathability of the bamboo fabric. 

Chon also tells us that the brand has new eco-friendly products coming out within the year.

Popular products:The Original pillow, The Body Pillow, Ultra Luxe Waterproof Mattress Protector, and the Pillowcase

Layla

Shop the Layla Pillow and Layla Bamboo Sheets

The famous Layla Pillow is stuffed with fill made from seed pods of tropical Kapok trees native to Central America, South America, and other warm climates.

Akrum Sheikh, CEO of Layla, tells Insider Picks that it chose Kapok fill because "it shares similar properties to cotton but requires fewer resources like water to grow and harvest. It's also very durable and gives users a goose down feel without harming actual birds."

I slept soundly on my Layla Pillow because it's firm and supportive, and still offers a plush feel. I've slept too many nights on a flat pancake pillow, but the Layla Pillow retained its plumpness throughout the night and perked right back up as soon as my head (unfortunately) left the pillow. 

Layla found much success with its pillow that it recently launched Bamboo Sheets. Sheikh said, "Bamboo is a very sustainable plant that needs minimal resources to grow. It's made for great fabrics due to its antimicrobial, hypoallergenic, and cooling properties."

Like the other brands, Sheikh says, "Layla definitely will be exploring many soft goods products for future development that incorporate other tree-derived materials like bamboo."

Popular products: The Layla Pillow and Layla Bamboo Sheets

Patagonia

Shop Patagonia TENCEL Lyocell products 

Shop Patagonia Yulex natural rubber products 

Patagonia uses TENCEL and other sustainable fabrics in many of its clothes, but one of the more unique fabrics is tree-derived rubber — Yulex® natural rubber.

Matt Dwyer, Director of Material Innovation at Patagonia, says, "We use Yulex natural rubber in our wetsuits which comes from sources that are Forest Stewardship Council-certified by the Rainforest Alliance."

As far as processing the rubber, he explains, "Raw latex is tapped from hevea trees, then  refined by our partners at Yulex in a proprietary process that removes more than 99% of impurities — including the proteins that cause latex allergies — and results in a stronger, non-sensitizing natural elastomer. We were excited to find a renewable material that performed as well, or better, than traditional neoprene."

Owen Burke of Insider Picks, who's worn plenty of Yulex wetsuits from Patagonia over the years, says, "I haven't seen so much as a stitch pop." As far as flexibility of the natural rubber is concerned, Burke explained that Yulex is a bit stiffer, but Patagonia has launched newer models that have left him feeling "as free as a bird," like the R4 Yulex wetsuit. 

Popular products: Men's Essential Boxer, Women's Garden Island Pants, Men's R4 Lite Yulex Front-Zip Hooded Full Suit, Women's R1 Lite Yulex Spring Jane

Tentree

Shop the tentree TENCEL collection

Canadian apparel company tentree plants 10 trees for every product sold, so it's obvious that it takes careful consideration into the products it manufactures and the materials it uses.

Co-founder Derrick Emsley tells Insider Picks, "We currently use TENCEL in a number of products, and are in the process of preparing to launch a Tree Fleece which blends TENCEL into our current fleece fabric. It results in an even softer hand-feel while also giving the product a bit more stretch and elasticity."

Although tentree uses a number of sustainable fabrics, Emsley explained, "The reason we chose TENCEL over other tree-based fibers like modal, viscose, and rayon is because it's the most sustainable alternative. These materials all share a significant number of properties like softness and breathability, but the difference really comes down to the process and sustainability of each alternative."

But not all customers love TENCEL and not all products can maintain the highest possible quality using this fabric. That's why tentree also utilizes hemp, organic cotton, and recycled polyester.

Insider Picks has tested several of its apparel products, and reporter Amir Ismael says, "Our verdict is that the company has managed to create great gear alongside a great mission. Any brand that can manage to plant 10 trees for every product sold gets a thumbs up from me, but my appreciation for Tentree is deeper than its sustainability efforts. The products are actually good."

Popular Products: Women's Juniper Sweatshirt, Women's Harbour Tank, Women's Colwood Pants, The Golden Spruce

• How much data your Netflix account uses while streaming videos on the platform varies depending on your account settings and internet connection.
• You can change your account settings to increase or decrease how much data Netflix is allowed to use when you're streaming its content.
• Here's what you need to know about your Netflix data usage, and how to change the settings for it on your account's profile.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

When you're trying to figure out how much data you actually need, it's useful to think about your usual online activities — creating documents, shopping online, gaming, and, very likely, video streaming.

When it comes to Netflix, the amount of data you use can vary greatly depending on a number of factors.

Here's what you should know.

How much data your Netflix account uses in streaming

When you stream videos on Netflix, the company says you're using about 1 GB of data per hour, provided you're streaming in standard definition. Those streaming in high definition, on the other hand, use "up to 3 GB per hour."

But there are actually several levels of data usage, so your true usage will depend on how your account settings are configured.

In addition to an "Auto" feature that changes your streaming automatically to the highest-quality possible for your internet connection, there are three levels of quality you can stream Netflix in:

• Low: Basic definition streaming at 0.3 GB per hour, for each device.
• Medium: Standard definition streaming at 0.7 GB per hour, for each device.
• High: High definition streaming at up to 3 GB per hour, for each device; you can also stream in Ultra HD, a higher-definition feature meant for 4K televisions that uses up to 7 GB per hour, for each device. 

It's important to note that the default setting is "Auto" — meaning your data usage could be substantially higher than that 1 GB per hour figure that the company quotes, if, for example, you're streaming with a high-speed internet connection.

How to change how much data you use when streaming Netflix

You can choose to manually change your Netflix account's level of data usage. Here's how.

1. Go to your Netflix account (make sure you're signed in).

2. Choose the profile you want to adjust the data usage on (keep in mind that you can't choose the "kids" profile for this action).

3. Under your profile icon in the top-right corner, click "Account."

4. In the "My profile" section, select "Playback settings."

5. Select the data option that suits you best (you can also disable auto-playback from this screen) and click "Save."

Keep in mind that it may take up to eight hours for your changes to take effect.

And in case you're wondering, downloading videos uses about the same amount of data as streaming. So you aren't saving data (or losing extra data) if you opt to download a show for viewing when you don't have internet access.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to change the primary language on your Netflix profile, on desktop and mobile

• How to turn off subtitles on Netflix, however or wherever you're watching it

• How to change your Netflix password on desktop or mobile, even if you don't know your current password

• How to delete a Netflix profile on a desktop, mobile device, or TV

SEE ALSO: The best streaming sticks and boxes you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Watch Ford's delivery robot that walks on two legs like a human

• The BillionaireStewart Butterfield and the millionaire Jen Rubio are Silicon Valley's newest "it" couple.
• Rubio and Butterfield are both cofounders of successful startups. Rubio founded Away luggage in 2015; Butterfield launched Flickr in 2004 and Slack in 2009.
• Butterfield, whose company went public this week, previously proposed to Rubio as a joke on Twitter, which confused employees from both companies.
• Now, as of May 27, the couple has made their engagement official. Here's what we know about their relationship.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Stewart Butterfield and Jen Rubio are Silicon Valley's newest "it" power couple.

Rubio and Butterfield, worth $130 million and $1.3 billion, respectively, are both cofounders of wildly successful companies. Rubio's Away luggage brand recently earned a $1.4 billion valuation just three years after it was founded, while Butterfield's Slack went public this week.

Read more: Here's who's getting rich now that Slack is a public company worth over $20 billion

On June 2, Butterfield confirmed in an Instagram post that he had officially proposed. Rubio posted similar photos a few days earlier on May 27. The news comes just weeks after Butterfield jokingly proposed to Rubio on Twitter. Aside from this stunt — which sparked confusion from coworkers and the broader Silicon Valley network alike on social media — their relationship has remained largely under the radar.

Keep reading for a look at Silicon Valley's newest engaged power couple.

SEE ALSO: Meet Bernard and Lisa Selz, the wealthy New York City couple who has donated millions to the anti-vax movement

DON'T MISS: A look inside the marriage of the richest couple in history, Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos — who met at work, were engaged in 3 months, and are getting divorced after 25 years together

Stewart Butterfield is the cofounder of Slack and Flickr.

The 46-year-old billionaire was born in a small British Columbia fishing village. His net worth is now estimated to be over $1.3 billion.

Jen Rubio is the cofounder of the Away luggage brand.

The millionaire executive turned 30 last year; her net worth is estimated to be $130 million.

Together, the couple is one of the defining "it" couples of Silicon Valley.

They're power players in their own right, both running billion-dollar businesses.

Butterfield, who is 16 years Rubio's senior, continues to make headlines after his company, Slack, went public on June 20. Despite running high-profile companies, much of their relationship has been under the radar.

Butterfield is a self-taught coder who studied philosophy in college.

He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Victoria and master's degree from the University of Cambridge. Both degrees are in philosophy.

Before founding Flickr, Butterfield started an online-gaming company with his Flickr cofounder and then-wife, Caterina Fake; they were married from 2001 to 2008. The pair founded the company, called Ludicorp, along with Butterfield's friend Jason Classon.

After the startup failed to raise the money needed, the couple founded the photo-sharing platform Flickr. The company later sold to Yahoo for $20 million in 2015. Butterfield and Fake joined Yahoo in the acquisition — Butterfield worked there for three years.

The couple separated in 2008 and have a 12-year-old daughter together.

Butterfield serves as Slack's CEO, while his cofounder Cal Henderson is the company's chief technology officer. The company went public this week.

Business Insider's Julie Bort reported that the pair stands to make millions, if not billions, off their stakes in the company. Butterfield's stake is worth more than $1.7 billion, while Henderson's is worth over $672 million.

Rubio attended business school at Penn State University.

After working at Johnson & Johnson through Penn State's co-op program, Rubio decided to pursue a full-time job offer before completing her last few credits. The professional experience led to positions at Warby Parker and All Saints in London, where she worked as the head of innovation.

Both Rubio and her Away cofounder Steph Korey work at the company full time.

The pair met working at Warby Parker and started Away in 2015 after Rubio was forced to buy a new suitcase in an airport. Today, the brand is worth over $1.4 billion.

Rubio has said she travels more than 200,000 miles a year.

When asked about her morning routine in a March interview with Marie Claire, Rubio said, "Whatever my first thing of the day is, I make sure to wake up three hours before that to workout, read, meditate, catch up on emails, or chat with my boyfriend, since usually we're not in the same place."

She did not, however, specify that the boyfriend was Butterfield.

While Butterfield's and Rubio's respective Instagram feeds feature some photos of them together, not much is publicly known about their relationship.

In January, Rubio shared a photo of the two of them together, captioning the photo, "more keys to lose."

And on March 21, Rubio wished Butterfield a happy birthday by posting a photo of him smiling happily with two ice cream cones in Rome.

On May 14, following news of Away's $1.4 billion valuation, Butterfield proposed to Rubio over Twitter in what later turned out to be high-profile joke.

Rubio retweeted a Wall Street Journal article reporting the news of the valuation, along with the question: "Let's make today a double-whammy — Jennifer, will you marry me? Promise I'm not just a golddigger."

The tweet confused employees of both companies, eventually causing Rubio to clarify that Butterfield was joking.

"It was just a joke," Rubio told Forbes about the proposal the next day. "He's very supportive and has a weird sense of humor."

However, on June 2 — less than three weeks after the joke Twitter proposal — Butterfield announced on Instagram that he had officially asked Rubio to marry him.

The slideshow he posted included 10 photos of the couple and ended "with one taken just a few minutes" after Butterfield proposed.

Rubio, for her part, confirmed the news on her own Instagram account, posting photos of the two newly engaged executives.

The photos, posted three weeks ago, showed Rubio wearing an engagement ring.

According to The New York Times, the proposal took place over Memorial Day while the couple was hiking in Tofino, British Columbia.

"Ms. Rubio said she momentarily wondered if he was only proposing because of Twitter, asking, 'Are you serious?'" The Times reported.

No immediate wedding plans have been announced.

• Although Reese Witherspoon's home in "Big Little Lies" is set in Monterey County, California, the real home can be found in Malibu, and you can rent it out for $3,000 to $5,000 per night.
• The main house has six bedrooms and six bathrooms, while the guest house has another bedroom and two additional bathrooms. 
• Each room in the house has sweeping views of the ocean. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

HBO's "Big Little Lies" is known for its all-star cast and its dramatic storylines, but its picturesque backdrop of Monterey County in California sometimes steals the show.

One of the biggest standouts, in fact, is the home of Reese Witherspoon's character, which has expansive views of the Pacific Ocean. Turns out, that house is real, and you can rent it for $3,000 to $5,000 per night through Malibu Luxury Vacation Homes. 

Here's a tour of the beachfront mansion. 

While "Big Little Lies" is set in Monterey County, the mansion seen on the show is actually found in Malibu, California.

Malibu is a beach town located about 30 miles from Los Angeles. It is known for its celebrity homes and wealthy residents. 

However, the exterior of the house is modeled after the homes found on Cape Cod.

The main house boasts 6,000-square-feet, but there's another two-story guest house on the property. 

The living space has skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto the Pacific Ocean.

The living space features a flat screen tv, a surround-sound entertainment system, and a music system for the whole house. 

Next to the living room is the industrial-size kitchen that also has views of the beach.

The kitchen comes equipped with stainless steel appliances, three ovens, two sinks, and two dishwashers. 

The dining room can accommodate 12 guests.

When renting the home, guests also have access to a fully-stocked pantry. There's also a wine cellar on-site. 

The main house has two master bedrooms, each with giant windows from which to appreciate the beautiful surroundings.

In all, the main house on the property has six bedrooms. 

The main house has six bathrooms, each featuring a clean white color scheme.

The bathrooms have a soaking tub, a steam shower, and his-and-hers sinks. 

The back of the house features access to a private beach, outdoor seating, and a hot tub.

For summer barbecues, the home comes equipped with a gas grill and patio seating. 

There's also a fully detached 950-square-foot guest house with an extra bedroom.

The two-story guest house has a full kitchen, living room, and two bathrooms. 

When renting the house, you can even go for a run on the beach just like the women on "Big Little Lies."

Even though the house isn't actually in Monterey, the home is located near Malibu Pier, Zuma Beach, and Pepperdine University.

• Read more:
• Everything you need to know about 'Big Little Lies' season 2
• 14 of the best outfits from 'Big Little Lies'
• 12 things you probably didn't know about 'Big Little Lies'
• 11 times Hollywood treasure Nicole Kidman accidentally went viral and dominated the internet