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The 18 most exclusive golf clubs in the US

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Augusta National The Masters

Many golf clubs make people jump through hoops to even be considered for membership.

These places attract the 1% and have become popular among the rich and famous, like Warren Buffett and Justin Timberlake.

In conjunction with this year's Masters tournament, we decided to look at just how difficult it is to get into some of the most premier golf clubs in the US.

Augusta National Golf Club is home to the prestigious Masters tournament. Membership at the club is strictly invitation only, with initiation fees ranging from $250,000 to $500,000. Known for being an exclusively male club, Augusta recently opened its doors to three women: former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former banking magnate Darla Moore, and IBM CEO Ginni Rometty. Bill Gates and Warren Buffett are also among the Georgia golf club's 300 members.

Source: Golf, Ask Men

 



Located in Pebble Beach, California, Cypress Point Club has about 250 members, including Clint Eastwood. Cypress Point splits its golf course operating costs evenly among all its members, regardless of whether they play or not.

Source: Links Magazine, Golf



Seminole Golf Club is so exclusive it turned down golf legend Jack Nicklaus for membership. Every year, members look forward to the Seminole Pro-Member, a tournament where Seminole members are paired with pro golfers to play the course. The Juno Beach, Florida, club was golf great Ben Hogan's favorite course to prepare for the Masters.

Source: Golf, Golf Digest



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No one on the internet can figure out if this cat is going up or down these stairs

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Coming off the heels of the world’s most famous dress, a post on 9Gag of a cat walking on a set of stairs is going viral.

cat walking up stairs 9Gag

Spotted on The Daily Mail, the 9Gag post asks readers if the cat is walking up or down the stairs. At the time of this post, almost 4,000 comments have been made arguing about the image.

Down because generally the wood would be flat on the horizontal portion of the stairs and the stone is on the back/vertical portion of the stairs,” said one commenter. 

“It's clearly up, you just have to imagine the camera in a different angle,” said another.

The picture shows a cat with its paw out and tail up on a set of stairs. Depending on your perspective, you can either see the cat going down with the light coming from the ceiling, or up with the light coming from the downstairs floor.

Arguments for the cat going down include the pebbled texture of the stairs and what looks like a stair lip that would only be seen from an upward perspective (with the cat descending towards the viewer.)

The light would then be coming from the ceiling.

up or down catAn argument for up, however, insists that the stairs could be mosaic tile with a wooden lip, and the bright patch in the upper center of the image is light from downstairs. Viewers would then be looking down at the top of the stairs with the cat coming towards them.

mosaic up or down catWhile many of the comments are hung up on the appearance of the stairs, there are some people who are wrapped up in the biology of the cat's posture, insisting that this is exactly how a cat would look if they were going either up or down the stairs, depending on the argument.

“The cat is going up, the tail is used to balance the body of the cat and in this case the tail is elevated upwards so that when the cat uses its rear legs to push up it pushes parallel to the line on which gravity is working on the tail to stabilize itself,” said one commenter. 

“Look at the cat’s tail — it’s facing upwards, or the opposite of the direction it’s moving in. If the cat were to go up the stairs, it’s tail would point downwards,” said another.

What do you think? Depending on whom you ask, it could be either. 

SEE ALSO: 18 more optical illusions that will make your head explode

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NOW WATCH: Scientists have discovered the subtle difference between how dogs and cats drink water








9 cocktail tools everyone needs in their home bar

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cocktail muddler

If you want to be able to make proper drinks at home, you'll need a few special items.

We put together a list of essential bar tools with the help of our friends at Food52.


Something to keep your whiskey cold...

whiskeyWhiskey stones are a great alternative to ice because they don't water down you drink.

However, be careful they don't scratch up your glasses. These soapstone cubes are made in Colorado.

Whiskey rocks: $25


The perfect bar knife... 

cannon bar knifeA good knife is always worth the investment. 

Use the flat edge of this knife as a bench scraper to clean counters, use the tip to remove fruit seeds, and the squared end and blade to form perfect citrus twists.

This tool is made of High carbon stainless steel blade, cocobolo wood, and brass rivets.

Jackson Cannon bar knife: $79


The most beautiful beer bottle opener...

bottle openerYou've probably never thought of a beer bottle opener as "beautiful," but that's probably because you've never seen this one.

This brass crescent, made in Japan, opens bottles easily with just a twist of the wrist.

Brass crescent bottle opener: $65


Or a magnetic one...

bottle openerIf style doesn't really matter to you, consider checking out this magnetic bottle opener instead.

Stick the opener on a wall, pop off the bottle top, and watch the magnet catch the cap.

The Birch wood and stainless steel magnet can hold up to 60 caps at a time.

Magnetic bottle opener: $50


A sleek, long-lasting corkscrew...

cork screwA bad corkscrew will only lead to disaster.

But this Laguiole corkscrew will get the job done.

Fun fact: Laguiole is a town in southern France renowned for its knife-making skills, so you know this is made by the experts.

This item is made of stainless steel with a bamboo handle.

Laguiole corkscrew: $40


A grown-up ice cube tray...

steelLeave the plastic ice cube trays to the summer campers.

Instead, get yourself this old-school stainless steel tray that's both modern looking and functional.

Stainless steel ice cube tray: $30


Something fun to stir your drinks with...

cocktailsThese gold drink stirrers double as a fun cocktail accessory.

Each assortment comes with 10 animals, including a giraffe, lion, cheetah, zebra.

You can choose yellow or clear stems.

Pro-tip: These are perfect for a summer party.

Drink stirrers (set of 10): $22


The perfect muddler...

cocktail muddlerA muddler is used to mash up citrus fruits, herbs, and sugar cubes in order to release extra flavors into the drink.

This model comes with a reinforced Corian tip, meaning it will last for years of cocktails.

Muddler: $22


Something for freshly pressed citrus juices...

citrus pressIf you need to squeeze oranges, lemons, or limes, this contraption is for you.

The commercial grade press makes juicing easy. You'll get way more juice out of each fruit this way than if you do it by hand.

Citrus press, silver matte: $150


 

 

SEE ALSO: Whiskey essentials that everyone should have in their home bar

SEE ALSO: 7 Of The Best Coffee Makers Around

SEE ALSO: Turn any surface into a beer opener with the 'BROpener'

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NOW WATCH: A lawyer in Florida has come up with an ingenious way for drivers to evade drunken-driving checkpoints








The 18 coolest new businesses in Houston

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Killen's BBQ

There's much more to Houston than humidity, oil, and heavy traffic. 

In fact, the small business scene here is bursting. So we rounded up 18 of the coolest places that have opened in the last few years, from a bakery with a happy hour to a boutique run entirely through Facebook.

Are there any we missed? Let us know in the comments.

2nd.MD

Online, based in Houston

What it is: A website that connects patients with doctors and specialists around the country.

Why it's cool: No one wants to to wait for answers when it comes to their health, and with 2nd.MD, you don't have to. The site allows anyone to upload medical information and ask questions, and connects each customer with medical specialists around the country for consultations and second opinions via Skype. 



8th Wonder Brewery

2202 Dallas St.

What it is: A craft brewery that celebrates Houston history.

Why it's cool: Located mere blocks from where both the Astros and the Rockets play, 8th Wonder Brewery embodies Houston pride. Named to honor the now-empty Astrodome, the bar is full of Houston memorabilia, including stadium seats from the dome. Even the drinks capitalize on Houston pride with names such as Hopston and Rocket Fuel. "We're just trying to make the freshest, tastiest beer possible, and have as much fun as possible," says co-founder Ryan Soroka.



Big Blue Whale Toys & Curiosities

237 W. 19th St.

What it is: A toy store stocked with items to enchant kids and adults alike.

Why it's cool: Filled with both the newest toys and vintage finds, this quirky toy store will bring any parent right back to their own childhood. Each piece is carefully curated by owner Vanessa Wodehouse for an eclectic collection that's both fun and kooky. From old-fashioned board games to vintage collectibles to toys from "Frozen," it's not just a destination for children.



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Fashion mogul says he lived in 'peaceful harmony' in the Bahamas until billionaire Louis Bacon became his neighbor

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Louis Bacon and Peter Nygard

Canadian fashion magnate Peter Nygard claims he lived in "peaceful harmony" in the Bahamas for years until hedge fund billionaire Louis Bacon became his neighbor, according to court papers.

On Wednesday, Nygard filed a countersuit against Bacon where he attempts to link the hedge fund manager and his late property manager, Dan Tuckfield, to the November 2009 fire that caused "millions of dollars in damage" to his Mayan-themed property. 

Nygard and Bacon have been famously feuding for years. Their battle is heating up again. 

The two tycoons own adjacent mansions on the exclusive Lyford Cay in the Bahamas. 

Nygard is the founder of Nygard International, which specializes in designing and manufacturing women's fashion. He owns a 150,000-square-foot Mayan-themed mansion. Bacon is the founder and CEO of Moore Capital Management–a New York headquartered macro hedge fund.

In January, Bacon filed a $50 million defamation suit in New York against Nygard claiming that Nygard has been on an "obsessive and malicious" smear campaign against him since mid-2010. Some of the "brazen lies" Bacon claimed Nygard spread about him include that he's a murderer, a white supremacist, a drug smuggler, an arsonist, a briber of politicians and an insider trader.

Bacon has categorically denied all of Nygard's allegations. Bacon has also said that the statements allegedly made by Nygard have damaged his "professional, philanthropic and personal reputations."

Reuters reported that Bacon recently doubled the damages he's seeking to $100 million.

And now Nygard has filed a counter suit seeking $50 million.

"This action brought by Mr. Bacon is only a small piece of the years-long war (and attempted land grab) he has been waging, and his complaint provides a highly inaccurate and incomplete picture of what has transpired," Nygard's countersuit said.

Here's the part about the fire from Nygard's countersuit:

Peter Nygard BahamasTuckfield befriended and had numerous conversations with Vivian Whylly (the aforementioned Save Clifton activist). Tuckfield explained to Mr. Whylly that Mr. Bacon had an intense dislike for Mr. Nygård and that Mr. Bacon would obtain Mr. Nygård’s property one way or another. In the Fall of 2009, Tuckfield further told Mr. Whylly to “watch what is going to happen.” At or about that time, Tuckfield had also confronted an employee of Mr. Nygård and told Mr. Nygård’s employee that Mr. Bacon had ordered him “to find a way to burn Mr. Nygård’s ‘****ing house’ down.”

Shortly thereafter, on November 11, 2009, Nygård Cay was beset by an enormous fire that caused millions of dollars in damage to Mr. Nygård’s home. The cause of the fire remains unknown. Upon information and belief, fire trucks were delayed for twenty minutes to enter Nygård Cay, because they could not get past a gate on the private road controlled by Mr. Bacon’s employees. A few weeks after the fire, Tuckfield had yet another conversation with Mr. Whylly and said to him, “see what I told you.”

While Mr. Nygård suspected that Tuckfield, at Mr. Bacon’s urging, was involved with setting the fire, Mr. Nygård was denied the opportunity to have his lawyers question Tuckfield about it. Less than six months after the fire, Tuckfield was found dead, floating in the pool at Mr. Bacon’s Point House estate. Tuckfield’s watery death on Mr. Bacon’s property was particularly suspicious given that he was an expert swimmer who had previously survived a plane crash in the ocean, miles offshore. Upon information and belief, Tuckfield’s body was cremated before there was an opportunity to perform an autopsy and determine a cause of death.

The November 2009 fire destroyed or otherwise caused damage to substantial portions of Nygård Cay. Mr. Nygård has since continuously sought permits from the government to rebuild the damaged structures. However, Mr. Bacon has opposed and interfered with Mr. Nygård’s efforts at every turn.  

It doesn't sound like a relaxing vacation for anyone involved in the court battle. 

Here's Nygard's counterclaim: 

 

And here's the complaint Bacon filed against Nygard:

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 6 little-known Excel shortcuts that will impress your boss








We put the iPhone 6 time-lapse video to the test — here's 6 hours of sleeping baby in 26 seconds

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I wanted to put the iPhone 6 time-lapse video to the test. I also really wanted to know why my baby is in a different position every time I check on her in her crib. I recorded the infrared night-vision output from the baby monitor for six hours. In the morning, my iPhone 6 had produced 26 seconds of video showing my baby's nighttime adventures. I was blown away by how much she moved!

Produced by Sara Silverstein

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Forget the Apple Watch, Disney has already mastered wearable tech

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Heading to Disney World? You'll want a MagicBand - Disney's own wearable tech that provides access to just about everything in the park - and your hotel room. You can even tap to pay - which Disney is really hoping you'll do. 

Produced by Matthew Stuart

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13 pictures that prove Amal Clooney is a complete boss

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george clooney amal alamuddinAmal Alamuddin Clooney has landed in New York City, and she's made an even bigger splash than her mega-star husband, George Clooney.

The pair are in the Big Apple while Clooney films a movie, and Alamuddin Clooney has been spotted everywhere from lunch with Anna Wintour to the halls of Columbia Law School, where the noted human rights lawyer will reportedly lecture this spring.

One thing is for sure — Alamuddin Clooney is impeccable. Whether she's outshining her husband on the red carpet or representing Armenia in a human rights court over the Armenian Genocide, she is a complete boss.

Amal Alamuddin Clooney may have made headlines for landing notorious bachelor George Clooney, but she's a true star in her own right. A noted human rights lawyer, she has represented everyone from former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko to the country of Armenia in its fight for recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Here, she speaks at a training session for lawyers in Bahrain.



In 2011, She represented WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during his extradition case against Sweden. That's her on the far right, leaving Britain's High Court with her client.



She recently advised the Greek government in its battle to repatriate the ancient Elgin Marbles statues from Great Britain.



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Louis C.K. captured why New York is the greatest city in the world in 2 brutally honest sentences

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Louie_Pamela_pt3_0382_hires2

Louis C.K. is the foul-mouthed, truth-telling uncle you wished you always had. 

While he spends a lot of time talking about things he hates (like cell phones and deer), the dude is also capable of epic love. 

Case in point: New York City. 

One big reason? 

Unlike in other towns — namely Los Angeles— you can't avoid seeing people who look, sound, and dress differently than you do. 

Like he told the Hollywood Reporter, it's part of what makes New York so special.

"Outside some fancy office building, you see a CEO getting his cigarette lit by a cleaning lady,"he said."Everybody is dealing with the same shit, everybody is on the subway elbow-to-elbow." 

In other words, New York is diverse

In more than one way: 

• Unlike America's famous one-industry cities — DC and politics, LA and entertainment, SF and tech — New York has a pile of different major industries, from finance to fashion to publishing to news media.

• While the housing is only getting more expensive in Manhattan and Brooklyn, people from different socioecomic classes still pile into the same subway cars on the way to and from work. 

It's overwhelming.

It's glorious.

And it's what captured Louis C.K. when he first came here.

"I came here for the first time when I was in high school, and I remember going into the subway by myself," he recalled to the Reporter. "It was the really old, white metal C trains, all dingy inside, and I went into a packed car. It was all these faces — tired-looking people, people from all over the world — and my heart was pounding. It was such a thrill just to be in that."

The psych research suggests that it's super healthy to live and work in diverse places.

In their reporting on diversity research, Scientific American concludes that "being around people who are different from us makes us more creative, more diligent and harder-working."

SEE ALSO: Louis C.K. explains why New York City is better than L.A.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Actor John C. Reilly reads a touching yet hilarious poem at Will Ferrell's Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony








Newark Airport's $120-million renovation will amaze your eyes — and your taste buds

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Newark Airport Saison Alain Ducasse

Newark Liberty International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the country. Which means flyers going in and out of the New York metro area can spend hours in Newark's three terminals. Unfortunately for them, Newark hasn't been known for its wide selection of eateries and watering holes. 

A $120-million renovation to United Airlines' Terminal C building will change all of that. Gone are the fast food joints and donut shops. A slew of celebrity chefs are creating eateries featuring cuisine from around the world. It's all overseen by restaurateurs OTG Management.

"These plans reinvent the way travelers dine and shop at Terminal C at Newark Airport, incorporating exceptional food, beverage and retail services with updated gate areas and customer-friendly technology features," United Airlines vice president Kate Gebo said.

Newark Liberty International serves as United Airlines' largest East Coast hub and one of the busiest terminals in the country. If you're looking for good food and drink, you're in luck.



For the first time, Newark will get high-class fare, such as the French bistro Riviera, which was created with the help of celebrity chef Alex Guarnaschelli, and ...



... Saison, which offers a wide of variety of traditional fare, including steak frites, duck confit, and niçoise salad.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider






The most expensive homes for sale in San Francisco right now

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3636 clay street sf

San Francisco's real estate market is one of the most competitive in the country.

With a ton of wealthy buyers willing to make offers in cash — or, in at least one case, stock options— it's common for homes to sell for much more than their asking price. 

Our friends at Point2Homes helped us take a look at the homes on the high end of the spectrum.  

These are the most expensive homes listed in San Francisco right now. 

This Pacific Heights home added nearly $5 million to its asking price after a remodel.

Price: $7.75 million

Address: 2367 Washington, Pacific Heights

What was once a three-unit rental is now a gorgeous single-family home, complete with five bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms, and a two-car garage.

There's 5,480 square feet of space in total. 

 



This mansion has two garages and two elevators.

Price: $8.95 million

Address: 65 Montclair Terrace, Russian Hill 

Owned by former Clorox chairman and CEO G. Craig Sullivan, this modern home also has stellar views.

It was built in 1938 but has been completely remodeled since then.



This gorgeous brick mansion is a San Francisco landmark.

Price: $8.995 million

Address: 1735 Franklin Street, Pacific Heights

Though the home has eight bedrooms, six fireplaces, and a state-of-the-art chef's kitchen, it's been on and off the market since August. 

Curbed SF recently spotted the home listed as a rental on Craigslist. The owner is seeking $35,000 a month.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider






Everyone's going crazy for this online color perception quiz and it's insanely difficult

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A free, insanely difficult color quiz is making the rounds on Facebook.

Called KukuKube, there are eight different levels that test your eyesight and give you a score. 11-15 is extremely bad, 15-20 is lower than normal, 21-30 is normal, and over 31 is amazing eyesight.

Test your eyes Thai friends are passing this around today:Scores: 31 pilot 21-30 normal15-20 lower than normal 11-15 worse than badhttp://106.186.25.143/kuku-kube/en-3/

Posted by Michael Yon on Sunday, March 22, 2015

The online quiz tests your ability to differentiate shades of color. It starts out simple enough with four big squares and one shaded an obviously different hue:

kukukubeEasy, right? Not for long.

It quickly evolves to groups of 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81 squares while the quiz itself grows harder as it becomes increasingly challenging to pick out the shaded cube:

kukukubeThe key is to be quick, because if you wait too long, the game will end after 60 seconds and score you lower. 

KukuKube gets easier the more you do it. The first time playing online, I got a measly 21, but after taking it again, I got 24, 29, and then an enviable 37.

And I'm not alone in wanting to share my score:

For those who enjoy the web version, there’s also an app for iOS and Android where the scoring and levels are a bit different, but no less fun.

You can play KukuKube here

SEE ALSO: No one on the internet can figure out if this cat is going up or down these stairs

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 7 optical illusions that will make you look twice








IBM's supercomputer wrote a cookbook, and it's coming out next week (IBM)

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Cognitive Cooking with Chef Watson_Preview Tasting at ICE_2400x1600_Casey Feehan

Watson, the IBM supercomputer best known for crushing "Jeopardy!" contestants at their own game, will publish its first-ever cookbook next week, according to CNN Money.

The book, "Cognitive Cooking with Chef Watson," is a collaboration between IBM's Watson and the Institute of Culinary Education that goes on sale April 14. 

But this is far from an ordinary cookbook. This will be the first cookbook that's co-created by computer algorithms.

Around three years ago, IBM began building an "idea-generating tool" for Watson, which would let the supercomputer tap into its massive data trove to create new and interesting ideas and suggestions. IBM immediately thought food would be a great category for Watson to innovate, since everyone eats and there are literally countless combinations of meals and flavors.

According to the book, IBM taught Watson all about existing food dishes so it could learn how flavors and food chemicals interact, combine and contrast. It also learned about cultural preferences for certain foods and flavors, and it also learned about nutrition.

Once it had enough data, Watson began spewing out combinations of ingredients, which the Institute of Culinary Education helped convert those ideas into real dishes used in the book.

While there are plenty of meals you might be accustomed to, Watson offers plenty of novel flavor combinations you probably wouldn't have dreamt of. How about an Indian burrito? What about Thai quiche? Or maybe some grilled asparagus on top of some sous vide pig's feet? 

Watson came up with thousands of recipes but eventually narrowed down the options to 100; the book only contains 65 different recipes, which are sorted by preferences and dietary constraints, but CNN Money says IBM might have more recipes and Watson cookbooks on the way.

You can pre-order the book here.

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NOW WATCH: This is what happens to your brain and body when you check your phone before bed








Starbucks is the most popular place for a first date — and there's a fantastic reason why

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starbucks dateAccording to a new 200,000 person survey from the dating app Clover, more people choose Starbucks as the site of their first date than any other venue.

While the empire that Howard Schultz built isn't nearly as hip as the thousand independent cafes that dot the city, Starbucks is familiar, dependable, and everywhere — a reliable, boring friend who's always down to hang.

No one is impressed by Starbucks, and that's why it's a brilliant place to meet somebody. 

Plus everybody knows Starbucks, making it the most neutral ground possible for meeting some stranger whose face you only know through your smartphone. 

Basically, Starbucks is your wingman.

Or, more likely, wingwoman, as Clover's data reveals that women are more likely to opt for a coffee-date to start out than men.

"Men seem more willing to commit to a first meeting over dinner at a restaurant vs. women who prefer being able to screen dates quickly over coffee," Clover CEO Isaac Raichyk said in a release.

At Starbucks, you're already familiar with the menu, so you'll feel slightly less awkward. At Starbucks, there's any number of snackable foods, letting you enjoy the social-bond forming benefits of sharing food without getting weighed down by a meal. At Starbucks, you can both make fun of the company's quizzical campaign asking baristas to talk about race

Starbucks is so familiar that it's invisible, so you can focus your attention on this human being that you're interacting with. And if you're not feeling it, you can leave as soon as you're done with your latte. 

SEE ALSO: Science says that parents of successful kids have these 7 things in common

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NOW WATCH: Scientists figured out how to avoid making a bad first impression








15 awesome women who outshine their rich and famous husbands

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George Clooney Amal Clooney Golden Globes

These wives of some of the world's most rich and famous men are no slouches.

Despite having access to all the money in the world, they have written novels, started companies, edited magazines, and practiced law.

In addition to their brains and entrepreneurship, many also happen to be gorgeous.

With ranks including the talented and beautiful Dasha Zhukova and the pediatrician wife of Facebook's founder, it's no wonder billionaires wanted to be with these incredible women.

Julia La Roche contributed to this story.

Salma Hayek is married to Francois-Henri Pinault, the billionaire who runs Gucci, among other brands.

Why she's awesome: Hayek received an Oscar nomination for her role in the film "Frida" and has starred in numerous blockbusters.

She does philanthropy through Unicef, helping raise awareness for child vaccines. She has also advocated charitable causes such as domestic violence and climate change.



Amal Alamuddin recently married actor and activist George Clooney.

Why she's awesome: Alamuddin is a highly accomplished human-rights lawyer who has clients include former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and the country of Armenia in its fight for recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

She's also got a killer sense of style.



Stephanie Seymour is married to billionaire Peter Brant. They reconciled after a rough patch a couple of years ago.

Why she's awesome:Seymour is a former supermodel who has appeared on the cover of Vogue and in many Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues.

She has also appeared on television and movies.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider







Mark Cuban shares his top 5 tips for 20-somethings

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mark cuban

After he received his bachelor's degree from Indiana University in 1981, Mark Cuban followed some friends to Dallas.

He remembers that when he first moved into their apartment, things were so cramped that he'd come in at night after bartending and have to sleep on the couch or, if that was occupied, the floor. He kept his belongings in a heap.

Cuban didn't have much of a technology background but landed a job selling PC software. He performed well, but his boss fired him for disobeying an order. Left with no savings but a strong clientele and an interest in the business, Cuban founded his own software distribution company, MicroSolutions. He and his business partner faced some difficulty along the way — including when a receptionist embezzled and ran away with $83,000 — but they outperformed the competition.

In 1990, when Cuban was 31, he sold MicroSolutions to H&R Block for $6 million and made about $2 million for himself after taxes. It was the first big win of his career, which would eventually see him become a billionaire investor, entrepreneur, and owner of the Dallas Mavericks.

Cuban wrote a blog post in June 2009 (also included in his book "How to Win at the Sport of Business") meant to inspire young people trying to establish their careers in a world that had been ravaged by the Great Recession. The economy has significantly improved since then, but the lessons Cuban drew from his own experience are just as valid. We've summarized them below.

1. Live cheaply.

You don't need to sleep on the floor of a gross apartment with a bunch of your buddies, but don't let a focus on your outward appearance distract you from your financial obligations.

"It doesn't matter where you live," Cuban writes. "It doesn't matter how you live. It doesn't matter what car you drive. It doesn't matter what kind of clothes you wear."

When you're starting out, prioritize building a financial cushion. Use your 20s to pay off student-loan debt, not accumulate credit-card debt. Learn how to ignore the attraction of some unnecessary luxury and instead build savings you can fall back on. You'll thank yourself later.

"The more you stress over bills, the more difficult it is to focus on your goals," he writes. "The cheaper you can live, the greater your options."

2. Take chances.

You shouldn't expect to land your dream job straight out of college, Cuban says. Be open. And if it takes you a while to find a decent job, don't let your ego keep you from a low-skilled gig in the meantime. If you need to run a cash register or wait tables to pay your bills for a few months, that's fine.

Once you land your first job, you may find after a few months that it's not a good fit, Cuban says. That's fine, too. Look for something else.

"Finding the right job is a lot like dating," he writes. "It's hard until you start; then when you start, it's great until it's not. Then it's frustrating as hell until you get it right. But when you do, it all comes together."

young mark cuban

3. Find a job you love.

Cuban says there's an easy way to tell if you've found a job that can help you build a career.

"If it matters how much you get paid, you are not in a job you really love," he writes. This doesn't mean that you should not strive to make as much money as possible, but you need to prioritize your passion over your paycheck if you want to put yourself on a rewarding career path that allows you to thrive.

"If you love what you do so much that you are willing to continue to live like a student in order to be able to stay in the job, you have found your calling," Cuban writes.

4. Be the best you can be.

Once you've found your calling, whatever it is, you should have only one goal, Cuban says: "to be the best in the world at it."

He doesn't mean that in a shallow, motivational-speaker way, either. He believes that the only way to become exceptional is to give your job absolutely everything you've got and to live in a state of constant self-improvement.

You'll know you're making progress not when you feel as if you're at the top, but when demand for your services increases, whether within or outside of your company. Cuban writes that "rather than trying to convince people you are the best, let the quality of your work do the talking."

5. Be optimistic from the moment you wake up.

"You are going to screw up," Cuban writes. "We all do. I can't tell you how many times I did and continue to."

But you're going to need to learn to let little things go and see your failures as learning experiences. You'll experience negative emotions, but you'll need to let them pass through you rather than cripple you.

Tell yourself that "you're going to enjoy all the bullsh-- you have to deal with as you chase your goals and dreams, because you want to remember them all," Cuban writes. "Each and every experience will serve as motivation and provide great memories when you finally make it all happen."

SEE ALSO: Mark Cuban shares the most important lesson he learned in his 20s

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Ivanka Trump explains why work-life balance is 'impossible'

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Ivanka Trump

If Ivanka Trump is your role model for "having it all," it might be time to rethink what that means.

The 33-year-old EVP of development and acquisitions for The Trump Organization and mother of two recently said, "You can't have it all." When people ask her how she balances work and life, her response is always: "I don't, and I don't try to."

In an interview with Business Insider, Trump explained her perspective on work-life balance. 

"People obsess too much about balance," she said. "A scale is only in balance for a brief second. Inevitably the pendulum swings. It's impossible to maintain."

While previous generations may have been able to compartmentalize home life and work life, there is no longer a clear delineation between the two. Rather than strive for perfect balance, Trump said she focuses on her immediate priorities.

In practice, that means she calls to check on her daughter between meetings during the day, comes home to make dinner with her husband and put her children to bed, and signs back on to respond to emails at 11 p.m.

"From a scheduling perspective, if I'm planning a work trip, I know not to book something the night before the trip because I want to be with my family," Trump said. "If I have a deal come up, I might work three weeks straight. Then I have other moments, like if [my daughter] Arabella is sick, which change the dynamic."

At the end of the day, Trump tries to remember, "Life is a marathon, not a sprint. It's about taking a bigger-picture approach."

SEE ALSO: Ivanka Trump Describes What It's Really Like To Be A Woman Who Works

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These 20 whiskeys just won the highest honor at an international spirits competition

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Glendalough 13 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey

The results are in from the world's most prestigious spirits competition.

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition took place last month, showcasing the very best of some 1,500 liquors.  In all, nearly 50 bottles won awards  but we know what you're here for, so we compiled a list of this year's top whiskeys.

From the $815 John Walker & Sons Private Collection to George Dickel's winning $25 Tennessee whiskey, the list looks good this year. We know you'll want to give a few of these a shot.

SEE ALSO: 23 Perfect Gifts For Anyone Who Loves Whiskey

Craigellachie 23 Year Old Single Malt Scotch

Awards: Best in Show Whisky & Best Single Malt Scotch (20+ years)

Price: Around $500



Blade & Bow Deluxe Bourbon

Award: Best Straight Bourbon

Price: Around $100



Knob Creek Bourbon

Awards: Best Small Batch Bourbon (6-10 years) & Best Bourbon

Price: $31



See the rest of the story at Business Insider






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5 ways to wear jeans in the office (and still look professional)

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Every Friday we ask our friends at MR PORTER.COM, the men’s style destination with same-day delivery in Manhattan and London, for some expert style advice. This week’s topic: jeans at the office.

jeans denim

Casual Friday has a lot to answer for. In today’s fluid and creative business environment, working and socialising often happen at the same time – or they can certainly segue from one to the other. (We’ve recently heard people using the phrase “bleisure” – a portmanteau of business and leisure. Then we cringe.) This brave new office world can present dilemmas for the modern working man. Such as: “Can I claim that dinner back on expenses?” and “What should I wear?”

We’ll leave you to wrestle with the former conundrum, but as for the latter, we would like to present the business case for denim.

Many professional men, particularly those north of 40, are most comfortable wearing a suit to work. It is a uniform of sorts, requiring little mental exertion beyond picking out the right tie. It is when they are encouraged to dress down and loosen up – whether for casual Friday or a company away day – that panic sets in. No one wants to be the stiff in the suit when everyone else is dressed more informally. But the wrong jeans – otherwise known as “dad jeans” (or, in the States, “Obama jeans”) – can quickly make someone look as dated as they would carrying a flip-phone.

For a generation that has grown up with digital fluency as its birthright and jeans-in-the-office as a default setting, the challenge lies in dressing them up enough to make them suitable for the working week. This usually means choosing dark jeans with minimal wash and no distressing.

The trouble is, most of the men you see photographed wearing denim well – rock stars, actors, off-duty sportsmen – never have to darken the doors of an office. So by way of role model inspiration we have assembled five very different denim-based looks that you can dress up or down as your diary dictates. 

And good luck with those expenses.


Mr Normally Wears A Suit

The jeans: straight-leg tailored indigo

Screen Shot 2015 04 09 at 2.13.26 PMFor the man who usually wears tailoring, the key is to treat jeans as a direct substitute for chinos. A straight fit is vital: neither too skinny (unsuitable), nor too baggy (hello, dad jeans). The denim should be dark and uniform in colour with no distressing. This straight-leg pair are from Richard James so they feel appropriately grown-up and properly tailored. Ideally, the jeans will finish on the shoe without the need for an attention-drawing turn-up. Opt for a softer shoe than the usual black Oxford – blue jeans and black shoes rarely go together. Chocolate-brown suede chukka boots are understated and will combine well with a dark-brown leather belt without being too forced a match. Similarly, a formal business shirt with a spread collar and double cuffs will jar with denim – a cotton button-down is more versatile and can be worn with or without a tie.

Shop the look:

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Boglioli slim-fit blazer: $1,095

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Boglioli cotton cardigan: $395

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J. Crew button-down oxford shirt: $70

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Richard James once washed jeans: $470


Mr Creative

The jeans: heritage bran selvedge denim

Screen Shot 2015 04 09 at 2.13.40 PMDouble denim is not easy to pull off successfully. Those who manage it tend to be confident, creative types. A suit would stifle their artistic flow. 

A useful tip to make this look suitable for work is to incorporate colour, pattern and accessories to break up the double denim – achieved here with a bright check flannel shirt, jeans that have been turned up to show a chunky brogue boot and a canvas bag. Using the denim jacket as a layering piece underneath a statement item – a brightly coloured coat – also softens the impact.
 
This is a true workwear look beloved of urban frontiersmen who take their locavore produce, vintage vinyl, indie cinema and selvedge seriously. The indigo denim will likely be raw rather than prewashed, and the turn-up will highlight the selvedge – a telltale sign of quality as well as another pop of colour. (For non-denim nerds, selvedge – or “self edge” – refers to the woven seam running down the outer legs of good quality jeans which helps to prevent the denim from unravelling or fraying.)

Shop the look:

Screen Shot 2015 04 09 at 2.30.09 PM
Oliver Spencer jacket: $560

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Burberry Brit dry-denim jacket: $495

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Gant Rugger shirt: $135

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Levi's vintage clothing: $240


 Mr Ready for Anything

The jeans: over-dyed stretch cotton twill

Screen Shot 2015 04 09 at 2.13.56 PMIt often pays to be dressed for anything in case the unexpected happens – the CEO drops in unannounced from global HQ, or you’re asked to attend a client dinner and you’ve no time to change.  

This versatile look will work whatever suddenly pops up in your iCal. Blue Blue Japan’s cotton twill will Jedi mind trick any doorman, no matter the dress code – whether it’s The Ritz (no jeans) or Soho House (no suits). Even though these are cut very slim, they are blended with stretch to ensure comfort – important if you are wearing them all night as well as all day. And they are over-dyed with indigo for an inky blue colour that, when worn with a navy blazer like this, could pass for an unstructured suit at a glance. Dial up the formality with the knitted tie; dial it down without.

Shop the look: 

Screen Shot 2015 04 09 at 2.34.41 PM
Paul Smith London trench coat: $910

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Gucci blazer: $1,845

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Maison Kitsuné oxford shirt: $290

Screen Shot 2015 04 09 at 2.34.58 PM
Blue Blue Japan jeans: $250
 


Mr Desk 'til Dawn

The jeans: black slim-fit

Screen Shot 2015 04 09 at 2.14.09 PMA man who works hard but plays considerably harder needs an outfit that will glide seamlessly from business to pleasure. It’s not your boss you’re dressing to impress: this fashion-forward look is ideal for the worker who has one eye on the clock and the other on the intern he’s taking for a drink once it hits six.

Black jeans have rock‘n’roll connotations, but this pair from A.P.C. are not so figure-hugging as to cause any discomfort – either for the wearer or for whoever is sitting opposite him in the team meeting. Black denim looks smarter than grey and goes well with black boots. Combine with a slim-fitting white shirt worn buttoned up sans tie for an office-friendly look with just the right amount of edge. Just don’t come in wearing the same shirt the following morning.

Shop the look:

Screen Shot 2015 04 09 at 2.38.37 PM
Marni checked cotton jacket: $1,340

Screen Shot 2015 04 09 at 2.38.41 PM
Raf Simons slim-fit shirt: $330

Screen Shot 2015 04 09 at 2.38.57 PM
A.P.C. denim jeans: $210

Screen Shot 2015 04 09 at 2.39.02 PM
Church's Beijing leather Chelsea boots: $545


 


Mr Casual Friday

The jeans: well-worn relaxed fit

Screen Shot 2015 04 09 at 2.14.26 PMMany offices have informal dress codes – particularly on a Friday – but casual shouldn’t equate to slovenly. You can still be well-dressed and dressed down. The lighter the wash of jeans and the more whiskering and fade lines, the more casual they are. 

Ordinarily, jeans as well-worn as these ones from J.Crew would be best kept for the weekend. But paired with tan suede desert boots instead of sneakers and with a collared chambray shirt and washed-out unstructured chore jacket in place of T-shirt, so that all the faded colours work together, these jeans are elevated to office-appropriate (for a non-client-facing day). If you’re going to turn up your jeans, three is the maximum number of turns – anything more looks too bulky around the ankle. And you can always lose the sweatshirt and add the navy knitted tie you keep in your desk drawer should you need to.

Shop the look:

Screen Shot 2015 04 09 at 2.42.48 PM
Massimo Alba jacket: $1,195

Screen Shot 2015 04 09 at 2.42.54 PM
Sunspel sweatshirt: $175

Screen Shot 2015 04 09 at 2.43.00 PM
J. Crew chambray shirt: $100

Screen Shot 2015 04 09 at 2.43.05 PM
J. Crew denim jeans: $100


 

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