House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks to reporters during her weekly press conference at the US Capitol on August 27, 2020.
OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said she doesn't think there should be any presidential debates because President Donald Trump will "probably act in a way that is beneath the dignity of the presidency."
"I wouldn't legitimize a conversation with him, nor a debate in terms of the presidency of the United States," Pelosi told reporters on Thursday.
Roughly an hour later, Biden reiterated his commitment to debating Trump: "I'm going to be a fact-checker on the floor."
The first 2020 presidential debate of three is scheduled next month on Sept. 29.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she thinks Joe Biden should not debate President Donald Trump because Trump will "probably act in a way that is beneath the dignity of the presidency" since "he does that everyday."
"Don't tell anybody I told you this — especially don't tell Joe Biden," Pelosi told reporters at her weekly press conference on Thursday. "I don't think that there should be any debates. I do not think that the president of the United States has comported himself in a way that has any association with truth, evidence, data and facts."
"I wouldn't legitimize a conversation with him, nor a debate in terms of the presidency of the United States," Pelosi said. "I think he will also belittle what the debates are supposed to be about. And they're not to be about skulduggery on the part of somebody who has no respect for the office he holds."
The House Democratic leader and the president have long engaged in verbal attacks and snubbed each other. Perhaps most notably, Trump ignored her handshake at his State of the Union this year and Pelosi ripped up his speech after he finished speaking. They have reportedly not spoken directly in the last 10 months.
Pelosi acknowledged that the Biden campaign "thinks differently" about participating in the debates.
Biden himself quickly reemphasized that point on Thursday.
"I'm going to debate him," the former vice president said. "I'm going to be a fact-checker on the floor while I'm debating him."
The 2020 candidates are planning to appear at three presidential debates, with the first scheduled for Sept. 29. The remaining two are set for Oct. 15 and Oct. 22. Each debate will run for 90 minutes.
Apple Arcade is a subscription service for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV owners that offers unlimited access to a selection of curated games for $4.99 per month (after a one month free trial).
It was introduced in the fall of 2019 as part of iPadOS 13, and can be found in the App Store.
Here's how to get Apple Arcade on your iPad, and start playing.
Before anything: in order to subscribe to Apple Arcade, you need to be running iPadOS 13 or newer. If you need to check, start the Settings app, tap "General," and then tap "About." You should see the software version near the top of the screen.
3. Tap "Start Playing" and follow the instructions to sign up for the free trial. After the trial is over, you'll be automatically charged $4.99 per month unless you cancel the service.
You can sign up from the Arcade section of the App Store.
Dave Johnson/Business Insider
Once you're signed up, you can install any games in the Arcade tab of the App Store at no additional cost, and play them as long as you subscribe. If you cancel your subscription, the games will remain on your iPad, though they'll no longer work.
Keep in mind that the games in Apple Arcade aren't the same as the games found elsewhere in the App Store. Apple Arcade is a relatively small set of curated games (a little over 100 as of December 2019), so subscribing won't give you unlimited access to the full library of paid games in the App Store.
Hulu Basic is ad-supported, while Premium is almost completely ad-free.
Hulu + Live TV subscribers gain access to 65+ channels of live TV, including cable news networks, CBS, ABC, NBC, and favorites such as Food Network, Disney Channel, and Discovery.
Hulu is one of the most popular streaming services on the market, and they keep adding options to improve your access to top content. With so many options available, plus an ever-growing number of add-ons, like HBO Max for $14.99/month or Unlimited Screens for $9.99/month, it can be hard to keep track of Hulu's different rates without digging deep into your account settings or Hulu's Help Center.
Below, we've put together a chart of exactly what each of Hulu's four offerings — Basic, Premium, Basic + Live TV, and Premium + Live TV — will get you for your dollar. There's an additional breakdown of Hulu's add-ons that you can opt for to improve your streaming experience and give you access to exactly the content you want to watch.
Updated on 8/27/2020 by Steven Cohen: Added details about the Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN+ bundle, and added links to related Hulu articles.
How much is Hulu?
Hulu Basic costs just $5.99 a month, making it one of the cheapest streaming services on the market. This plan offers ad-supported access to all of Hulu's on-demand programs. Hulu Premium runs you $11.99 a month and offers ad-free streaming for the majority of Hulu's on-demand content.
Hulu Basic + Live TV will set you back $54.99 a month and adds over 65 channels of live TV — including Food Network, Discovery (Don't miss Shark Week!), Disney Channel, ESPN, CBS, NBC, Fox, and more — to the basic on-demand plan. There's also an option for Hulu Premium + Live TV for $60.99 a month.
All four levels of service give you access to Hulu's entire catalogue of on-demand streaming content, including Hulu Originals like "The Handmaid's Tale," current TV favorites like "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," and classic sitcoms like "Seinfeld".
Continue reading for a detailed breakdown of all the services Hulu offers.
Alyssa Powell/Business Insider
Here's everything you need to know about Hulu's add-on pricing for networks like HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, Starz, and more. Hulu now includes the option to sign up for HBO Max, which offers access to additional on-demand movies and TV shows for the same $14.99 per month price as the standard HBO add-on.
Alyssa Powell/Business Insider
Finally, Hulu also offers the option to bundle its ad-supported service with Disney Plus and ESPN+ for $12.99 a month. If you do the math, this means that you can save $6 a month with the bundle versus paying for each service separately. You can sign up for the bundle here.
If you have an existing Hulu Premium or Hulu + Live TV account, you can also upgrade to the bundle for a total of $18.99 a month or $61.99 a month respectively. You can find detailed instructions on how to upgrade to the bundle here.
Located at the East End of Long Island, roughly 2.5 hours from New York City, the Hamptons is made up of a string of beach towns known for big money and oceanfront mansions.
But you don't need to be a celebrity to vacation here; we found top-rated Airbnbs that range from $100 to $650 per night.
Experts also say that Airbnb may be safer than hotels right now because the private vacation rentals limit interactions with others and promote social distancing.
My husband and I met at a beach bonfire in the Hamptons on a dreamy summer night under a wide sky full of stars. We had both spent the majority of our twenties and thirties pooling our money with friends on share homes in the Hamptons. Our frugal experience was the antithesis of the big-moneyed, celebrity-studded reputation that has more recently put the Hamptons on the map.
All the while, we dreamed of owning our own beach house one day within this string of towns that stretch roughly 50 miles from Westhampton to Montauk on the tip of Long Island.
Eventually, we were actually able to buy our dream house: a beach cottage built by an artist in 1969 set in the Amagansett Dunes. Our unique neighborhood is literally built into the dunes that line the Atlantic Ocean.
We never want to leave, but in the summer, we rent out our house on vacation rental platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo. Being a host myself has given me a unique peek into the vacation rental market. I spend hours sleuthing out the competition and am also well-versed in amenities that truly set listings apart. We even installed a classic cedar hot tub that feels like you could be at a spa in Finland or an onsen in Japan, partly for our own pleasure, but also as an added perk for rental guests.
Knowing a thing or two about standout listings, I now readily share that advice with those looking to rent a Hamptons home as well, by combing through thousands of Airbnb listings to select those that are well-located, appealing, clean, and reasonably priced. In other words, my very competition.
And for anyone concerned about whether Airbnbs are safe, you can rest easy. Experts say it's safer to stay at an Airbnb than a hotel since you won't interact with other guests and can easily social distance. Plus, Airbnb implemented a new Enhanced Cleaning Protocol, which outlines guidelines on cleaning procedures, approved disinfectants, personal protective equipment, and waiting periods between guests.
Granted, without a vaccine, there is no guarantee of safety, and cleaning practices can vary widely. So, it's smart to follow guidelines and advice from organizations such as the CDC and WHO, and practice safety measures like washing hands, maintaining social distancing, and wearing a mask. Additionally, consider your own level of risk, and whether you're traveling from or to a hotspot, so as not to increase the rate of infection.
But if you're looking for the simpler charms of an area I've always found so endearing, below are plenty of properties that are also suitable for mere mortals. It's no secret that the sky is the limit when it comes to Hamptons vacation rentals. You can easily spend upwards of $1,000 a night in the peak summer. I suggest considering a visit in shoulder seasons when both prices and temperatures dip, but before many businesses close up shop for winter. You'll experience fewer crowds and better inventory, too.
I chose Airbnbs in the Hamptons based on the following criteria:
Airbnb listings are for the entire home, cottage, or stand-alone studio — no awkward meetings with hosts or other guests in shared spaces.
Each house is priced between $100 and $650 per night.
All are highly-rated Airbnb listings in the Hamptons with a review score of 4.4 or higher.
Each property has a grand design scheme and appealing features, from fireplaces to pools.
While this article includes properties with nightly rates under $500, be aware that this is an average, and rates can fluctuate. Many rentals also come with minimum stays and restrictions about groups, so it is a smart idea to contact the host for more information prior to booking. It's also worth noting that cleaning and service fees vary widely, especially post-pandemic, with strict cancellation policies.
These are some of the best Airbnbs in the Hamptons, sorted by price from low to high.
Hampton Bays is sometimes considered the un-Hamptons. Even though it has "Hampton" in the name, it is less pretentious and more easy-going than some of the other nearby communities. It's also a little closer to New York City.
This three-bedroom space is technically an apartment attached to a house, but it has its own separate entrance and garden, so it feels very private. There are bikes for you to use, and it is easily accessible to beaches, restaurants, and more.
This Airbnb is currently available for bookings beginning in October.
Rating: 4.83
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: No specific cleaning guidelines are outlined, but the owner is a Superhost with excellent ratings and recent guests said the house is sparkling clean.
It's rare to find such an adorable cottage that's not only a short stroll from the village of Sag Harbor, but comes with pool access at such an affordable price.
Sag Harbor is a walkable old whaling town lined with one-of-a-kind boutiques and restaurants. It's also a year-round destination. This tiny cottage (750 square feet) is simple and rustic with painted white pine walls and wood floors. But with a gorgeous pool just out back, we doubt you'll be spending too much time inside.
Despite its smaller size, this listing is still suitable for families. A recent reviewer said, "Stayed at Andy's cottage with my wife and our toddler for two nights and we couldn't be happier. There's a full kitchen in the cottage to keep food refrigerated and cook meals for our baby, and washer dryer if needed. In addition to the main bedroom there's a smaller bedroom with a single bed, which was a nice surprise."
This Airbnb is currently available for bookings beginning in mid-September 2020, and the host offers 19% off if you stay a week, and a 35% monthly discount.
Rating: 4.41
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: No specific cleaning guidelines are outlined, but the host is a Superhost with excellent ratings, and recent reviewers commented on its cleanliness.
Many people consider East Hampton to be the hottest spot in the Hamptons. This is where celebrities like Jerry Seinfeld and Alec Baldwin live (and it's not uncommon to see them in town).
This enticing one-bedroom cottage is a short distance from the lively downtown, which is full of chic boutiques and restaurants. It's also an easy stroll to stunning ocean and bay beaches. The cottage itself isn't fancy, but it's full of light with soaring ceilings, and people usually pay a much steeper price to find prime real estate like this.
This listing has limited availability until October 2020. This host offers 10% off if you stay a week and a 15% monthly discount.
Rating: 4.9
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: No specific cleaning guidelines are outlined, but the owner is a Superhost with excellent ratings and recent guests said the house is clean and tidy.
Great for experiencing the best of all worlds, this studio is set between old-moneyed Southampton and funky Sag Harbor, and is just one block away from Peconic Bay Beach.
It's hidden away on an acre of evergreens, and the long Peconic Bay Beach is just one block away. Relaxation is encouraged — the hosts built this home as an artist's studio inspired by their love of staying at five-star hotels and as such, added a full luxury shower, crisp white linens, down bedding, and feature art and vintage furniture widely. Beach towels and beach chairs are provided and there's even a deck and little koi pond with a waterfall. However, note that children and pets are not allowed.
This Airbnb has some availability for bookings starting in September.
Rating: 4.96
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: No specific cleaning guidelines are outlined, but the host is a Superhost with strong ratings and recent guests said the house is clean and tidy.
Montauk is a fishing town that is also known for its lively surf scene, thanks to the great break at Ditch Plains beach. This 1950s two-bedroom beach bungalow has a cool vibe that will appeal to surfers and creative types. It's got a grill out back for cooking your own fish, which you can buy at nearby markets from fishermen who caught it the same morning. The house is located near the water and within driving distance of downtown Montauk, so you've got easy access to all the action.
The house attracts many repeat guests. "As soon as we checked in to Lyndsey's place I was on Airbnb hoping to book a second trip back this summer," said one recent reviewer. "Her place is a true home away from home. So clean, quiet, and comfortable. Exactly the safe break we needed."
This Airbnb currently has limited availability for bookings, though availability is subject to change.
Rating: 4.94
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: No specific cleaning guidelines are outlined, but the host mentions no longer stocking shared food amenities that are usually provided (used spices, oils) due to COVID-19. The owner is also a Superhost with excellent ratings and recent guests said the house is clean and tidy.
Bridgehampton is centrally located and known for the many antique stores and lovely restaurants that line its Main Street. It also has more big-name storefronts (Kmart, Staples, Williams-Sonoma) than some of the other Hamptons towns.
This one-bedroom cottage is located in the heart of town on a secluded property that's convenient to Main Street. For wine lovers, the well-regarded Wolffer Vineyard is right nearby, and it's just a five-minute drive to the ocean. The cottage itself has tons of charm with a King-sized bed, kitchenette, and patio overlooking tranquil views spread over 1.25 acres.
This Airbnb is currently not available until January 2021, though that is subject to change.
Rating: 4.94
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: No specific cleaning guidelines are outlined, but the host is a Superhost with nearly perfect ratings and recent guests said the house is sparkling clean.
Given that it's part of Airbnb Plus, you know this property will be well-designed with thoughtful touches. Indeed, it boasts one-of-a-kind design details, a responsive host, and extra creature comforts like beach gear and local products. The one-bedroom cottage is located right in Southampton Village, which means you'll have great access to shopping, restaurants, nightlife, and more.
A staggering 290 guests have left reviews and they are all in love with this guesthouse. "Jen's place was perfect," says a recent reviewer. "It was spotless and had all the essentials. She was very accommodating and easy to communicate with. The home is centrally located and walking distance from just about everything. Wouldn't change a thing, will definitely be back!"
This Airbnb has availability in September 2020 and beyond.
Rating: 4.95
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: This home participates in Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, meaning the host is committed to a rigorous cleaning protocol developed with leading health and hospitality experts.
Contemporary home near the beach in Sag Harbor, $379
This modern three-bedroom beach house in Sag Harbor is near a long and lovely beach. A fully equipped kitchen is perfect for home chefs, and great coffee table books and plenty of plants make the space feel like home.
The living room is inviting with an open-plan layout alongside a dining room, all set under high ceilings, and bathed in natural light. There's also a bright and sunny lower level room for watching TV, while a deck outfitted with an outdoor shower and gas BBQ grill overlooks a large lawn that enjoys privacy through well-kept landscaping.
This Airbnb has availability beginning in November and beyond. This host offers 2% off if you stay a week and a 5% monthly discount.
Rating: 4.97
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: No specific cleaning guidelines are outlined, but the owner is a Superhost with a near-perfect rating and recent guests said the house is sparkling clean.
With its midcentury modern fireplace, soaring ceilings, and sleek furniture, this three-bedroom surf cottage in Amagansett looks like it could be featured in a home-design magazine. It's also located a short walk from a great beach.
The space is calm and soothing with bright white walls, arched ceilings, a wall of books, and a wood-burning stove. High-tech entertainment amenities feature heavily and you'll have access to Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Amazon TV, and Amazon echo/Alexa. But taking in the sea air is also encouraged and there's an inviting hammock in the backyard that beckons you to chill out and watch the clouds.
This Airbnb is currently available for bookings beginning in 2021.
Rating: 4.93
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: No specific cleaning guidelines are outlined, but the host is a Superhost with strong ratings and recent guests said the house is clean and tidy.
Some snobs say that the blink-and-you'll-miss-it village of Quogue is too far west to be counted as one of the Hamptons, but you'll find the same charms and gorgeous beaches as in all the other towns. Plus, it's got convenience on its side since it's closer to New York City. Best of all, there are better deals to be found here since it's not in the heart of the scene.
While pricey, this home counts five bedrooms and an overall California-boho style that feels refreshing among a sea of beach homes. The standout feature is, of course, the large pool, and there's also an enormous deck for grilling, complete with a blackboard where you can write up the day's menu. A nature reserve is nearby where you can go bird watching.
This Airbnb is currently available for bookings at the end of September or early 2021.
Rating: 4.95
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: No specific cleaning guidelines are outlined, but the host is a Superhost with excellent ratings and several guests marked it as sparkling clean.
Nearly three weeks after Trump signed an executive order to boost unemployment aid, only four states are paying out the $300 federal supplement.
Arizona, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas are paying out federal benefits already and 32 states have been approved so far.
"I think states are really, really making sure they're implementing this within the four corners of the law and I don't blame them," unemployment expert Michele Evermore said.
Nearly three weeks after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to boost unemployment aid, states are moving slowly to implement the $300 federal supplement to unemployment benefits.
Each state has until September 10 to decide whether it wants to apply for the initiative, which is financed with $44 billion in disaster relief funds from the Federal Emergency Management Administration. For most states, additional government aid will start going out in mid-September or later, The New York Times reported.
The slow rollout of the Lost Wages Assistance program underscores the lack of immediate impact that the order had on aiding millions of unemployed people who are now getting by without the $600 federal unemployment benefit. It expired nearly a month ago.
The Trump administration had touted the initiative as one capable of providing speedy relief as it sidestepped Congress. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on August 10 most states would be able to execute the plan within two weeks. But that deadline came and went with few states distributing the federal cash to the jobless.
"I would be incredibly nervous to take money with so little guidance that came out so fast with so little forethought," Michele Evermore, a policy expert at the National Employment Law Project, told Business Insider. "I think states are really, really making sure they're implementing this within the four corners of the law and I don't blame them."
She went on: "The worst thing that can happen is a bunch of benefits go out and then you find out you did it wrong and you have to redo it."
Evermore and Andrew Stettner, a senior fellow at The Century Foundation, estimate the program will provide about six weeks of aid to the unemployed. Around 28 million people are on unemployment benefits, which usually cover between 30% and 50% of lost wages.
State agencies have struggled to deliver aid as they process massive amount of claims each week. Now they've been asked to work with FEMA to set up a new system with additional rules and requirements governing it.
Most unemployed workers are no additional federal support at the moment
The number of jobless claims still regularly tops 1 million five months into the pandemic. On Thursday, the Labor Department reported 1.4 million people filed for unemployment last week.
Ernie Tedeschi, a former economist in the Obama administration, said "week to week, the vast majority of unemployed workers are not receiving any emergency unemployment insurance" for August.
"That means we missed out for the entire month between $60 billion and $70 billion in federal support that we got in July," he told Business Insider, describing the order's impact on boosting the economy as "marginal so far."
Tedeschi estimates the $300 supplement would provide 85% wage replacement for the average unemployed worker.
The measure was initially designed to boost weekly jobless aid by $400 with states assuming 25% of the cost. But that prompted fierce blowback from many governors and state officials who said they couldn't afford it. The administration then waived the cost-sharing requirement, saying states could use existing benefit payments to count as their match.
Few states are expected to pay the full $400 weekly amount, given many are grappling with plummeting tax revenues and soaring costs that have wrecked budgets. Only Montana and Kentucky are distributing the full amount.
Earlier this month, negotiations between the White House and top congressional Democrats over another stimulus package fell apart over sharp disagreements on the amount of federal spending needed to keep the economy afloat.
Democrats sought to maintain the $600 weekly unemployment benefit in place until January. But Republicans initially sought cutting it to a $200 bonus. They later proposed a $400 benefit until December, which Democrats rejected as insufficient.
Video-hosting and -sharing platform Vimeo has sought to minimize comparisons to YouTube in recent years by orienting itself more toward content creators.
However, if your purposes as a content creator have expired, you may want to allow a paid subscription to run its course as well.
1. Navigate to Vimeo's website on your browser of choice and sign in with your account credentials, if you aren't logged in already.
2. Hover your cursor over the profile icon, located in the top left of your browser to reveal a dropdown menu, where you'll select "Settings."
3. From the menu list on the left side, click "Billing."
4. You'll see an overview of your membership plan, with an option to toggle "Auto-renew on." Click "disable auto-renew" or toggle the button to the "off" position.
Under "Billing" in the "Settings" menu, turn auto-renew off.
Emma Witman/Business Insider
5. Click "Turn off auto-renew" in the pop-up window.
Vimeo will list the last date your membership is active, should you elect not to auto-renew.
Emma Witman/Business Insider
Vimeo may ask for a reason why you aren't renewing. If so, select a reason, and click "Turn off auto-renew" to finalize.
Choose a reason for cancelling and select "Turn off auto-renew."
Netflix's "Lucifer" surged in audience demand this week after its fifth season debuted on the streaming giant on Friday.
But it's still lagging behind Netflix's other hit, "The Umbrella Academy."
Every week, Parrot Analytics provides Business Insider with a list of the nine most in-demand TV shows on streaming services in the US.
The data is based on "demand expressions," Parrot Analytics' globally standardized TV-demand measurement unit. Audience demand reflects the desire, engagement, and viewership weighted by importance. The list is ranked by how much more in demand the top series are than the average TV show in the US.
The collection of shows this week highlight how sci-fi and fantasy — superheroes, monsters, and more — dominate streaming TV. From the "Star Wars" series "The Mandalorian" to Netflix's fantasy hit "The Witcher," TV audiences generally gravitate toward genre moreso than traditional dramatic fare.
Below are this week's nine most popular original shows on Netflix and other streaming services:
9. "Dark" (Netflix)
Ulrich Nielsen in 2019.
Netflix
Times more in demand than average show: 26.4
Description: "A missing child sets four families on a frantic hunt for answers as they unearth a mind-bending mystery that spans three generations."
Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 3): 97%
What critics said: "Watching Dark's third and final season is like clutching the hand of a person who's dangling from a helicopter over a vast canyon-you're just holding on for dear life, desperate to maintain your grip on the wild situation." — Daily Beast (Season 3)
Season 3 premiered on Netflix on June 27. See more insights for "Dark."
8. "The Witcher" (Netflix)
"The Witcher"
Netflix
Times more in demand than average show: 28.2
Description: "Geralt of Rivia, a mutated monster-hunter for hire, journeys toward his destiny in a turbulent world where people often prove more wicked than beasts."
Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 1): 67%
What critics said: "Even with the hardcore fantasy elements and mesmerizing sword fighting, The Witcher feels like both a high stakes fantasy drama and a bit of a western, nailing down the lone ranger trope with Geralt fairly easily." — The Young Folks (Season 1)
Season 1 premiered on Netflix on December 20. See more insights for "The Witcher."
7. "Harley Quinn" (DC Universe)
DC Universe
Times more in demand than average show: 29.5
Description: "Harley Quinn has taken down the Joker and Gotham City is finally hers for the taking…whatever's left of it that is. Gotham has become a desolate wasteland, left in ruins, following the huge earthquake caused by the collapse of Joker's tower. Harley's celebration in this newly created chaos is cut short when Penguin, Bane, Mr. Freeze, The Riddler, and Two-Face join forces to restore order in the criminal underworld. Calling themselves the Injustice League, this group now stands in the way of Harley and her crew from taking sole control of Gotham as the top villains of the city."
Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 2): 100%
What critics said: "It turns out the only thing I needed to truly love Harley Quinn was to see that she, too, could be another single gal in the city, getting over a bad breakup, trying to have it all. Who knew?" — Vox (season 2)
Season 2 premiered April 3 on DC Universe. See more insights for "Harley Quinn."
6. "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" (Disney Plus)
"Star Wars: The Clone Wars" season 7
Disney Plus
Times more in demand than average show: 31.0
Description: "From Dave Filoni, director and executive producer of 'The Mandalorian,' the new 'Clone Wars' episodes will continue the storylines introduced in the original series, exploring the events leading up to 'Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.'"
Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 7): 100%
What critics said: "In the endgame, the show is better than ever." — Memphis Flyer (season 7)
Description: "'Titans' follows young heroes from across the DC Universe as they come of age and find belonging in a gritty take on the classic Teen Titans franchise. Dick Grayson and Rachel Roth, a special young girl possessed by a strange darkness, get embroiled in a conspiracy that could bring Hell on Earth. Joining them along the way are the hot-headed Starfire and lovable Beast Boy. Together they become a surrogate family and team of heroes."
Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 2): 81%
What critics said: "It's a bit cartoonish, and low-tech, sure. But once the veil is lifted, and the eyeliner is wiped off, it feels as if Titans can at last breathe." — CBR (Season 2)
Season 2 premiered on DC Universe on September 6. See more insights for "Titans."
4. "The Mandalorian" (Disney Plus)
Goldblum's "Thor: Ragnarok" director Taika Waititi stars in "The Mandalorian" as IG-11 (left).
Disney Media Distribution
Times more in demand than average show: 47.4
Description: "After the fall of the Empire, a lone gunfighter makes his way through the lawless galaxy."
Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 1): 93%
What critics said: "It is a relief and a joy to see that The Mandalorian knows what it is here to do; it knows who it is fighting for." — Vanity Fair (Season 1)
Description: "Bored with being the Lord of Hell, the devil relocates to Los Angeles, where he opens a nightclub and forms a connection with a homicide detective."
Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 5): 83%
What critics said: "Feels like the erstwhile 'finality' of the show gave the cast a lot more permission to explore their characters. Not only are they clearly having a blast, they're given room to flesh out what each of them mean to each other in a way they never have before." — Den of Geek (Season 5)
Season 5 premiered on Netflix on August 21. See more insights for "Lucifer."
2. "Stranger Things" (Netflix)
Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton play Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers, respectively, on Netflix's "Stranger Things."
Netflix
Times more in demand than average show: 60.0
Description: "When a young boy vanishes, a small town uncovers a mystery involving secret experiments."
Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 3): 89%
What critics said: "With risk comes reward, and in the end, the show feels all the more fresh because of it." — Film School Rejects (Season 3)
1. "The Umbrella Academy" (Netflix)
Robert Sheehan, Justin H. Min, Aidan Gallagher, Ellen Page, Tom Hopper, David Casteñada, and Emmy Raver-Lampman in a behind-the-scenes photo from season two, episode one of "The Umbrella Academy.
Christos Kalohoridis/Netflix
Times more in demand than average show: 90.2
Description: "Reunited by their father's death, estranged siblings with extraordinary powers uncover shocking family secrets — and a looming threat to humanity."
Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 2): 90%
What critics said: "Though the second season doesn't pull an immediate 180 for those left cold by what came before, it nevertheless feels like a mostly superior follow-up which changes just enough while further emphasising everything that worked about the first year." — What Culture (season 2)
French grocer Carrefour has agreed to buy 172 convenience stores and hypermarkets in Madrid and southern Spain from Spanish chain SuperSol.
Carrefour did not disclose a purchase price, but says the enterprise value of the stores — based on their market capitalization, debt, and balance sheet — is 78 million euros ($92.3 million).
The deal, epxected to close in 2021, strengthens its position as Spain's second-biggest grocer.
Carrefour will buy 172 stores in Spain, the French grocer announced on Thursday.
The convenience stores and supermarkets are all currently owned by Spanish chain SuperSol. Most of the stores are in Madrid and Andalusia, a region in southern Spain, and around 90% are in large cities.
The deals will strengthen Carrefour's position as the second-biggest grocer in Spain, it said in a statement. The Carrefour Group operates more than 12,000 stores in more than 30 countries. Nearly 10% of these stores are in Spain.
Carrefour did not disclose a purchase price, but estimates that the transaction, which is expected to close in early 2021, has an enterprise value of 78 million euros ($92.3 million). This is the value of the stores based on their market capitalization, short-term and long-term debt, and balance sheet.
The 172 stores achieved net sales of around 450 million euros ($531 million) in 2019.
They will be converted into convenience stores, supermarkets, and branches of Supeco, a discount retailer operated by Carrefour in Spain, Poland, Romania, and, as of September 2019, France.
Spain's largest supermarket chain is Mercadona, which has 1,640 stores in the country and 15 in northern Portugal.
Trevor Milton, founder of the electric truck startup Nikola, announced Wednesday he was giving away over $200 million worth of his stock in the company to some of its earliest employees.
After a reverse-merger in June, Nikola's market value surged (although it's pared many of those gains in weeks since). Milton, who currently serves as executive chairman and de-facto social media face of the company, will still own about 20% of its stock after giving away the 6,005,162 shares.
"When we first started this company out of my basement our chances of success were pretty low," Milton said in a press release. "I promised those initial, daring employees that I would take care of them one day. Today, I make good on that promise and deliver over six million shares to the original employees who took the job and risked their careers on a long-shot idea. They earned it and have helped me become who I am today. I am forever grateful."
Approximately 50 employees will be receiving shares, Milton said, and they must be held until at least December. At Thursday's prices, the shares are worth about $233 million total.
Nikola's yet to sell a production model of its hydrogen-powered heavy duty truck, though its touted deals to supply garbage trucks and semis to well-known companies. It's also taking pre-orders for a mass-market pickup truck, called Badger, which starts at $60,000.
A business cycle, sometimes called a "trade cycle" or "economic cycle," refers to a series of stages in the economy as it expands and contracts. Constantly repeating, it is primarily measured by the rise and fall of gross domestic product (GDP) in a country.
Business cycles are universal to all nations that have capitalistic economies. All such economies will experience these natural periods of growth and declines, though not all at the same time. However, given the increased globalization, business cycles tend to happen at similar times across countries more often than they did before.
Understanding the different phases of a business cycle can help individuals make lifestyle decisions, investors make financial decisions, and governments make appropriate policy decisions.
Stages of a business cycle
Think of business cycles like the tides: a natural, never-ending ebb and flow from high tide to low tide. And the same way the waves can suddenly seem to surge even when the tide's going out or seem low when the tide's coming in, there can be interim, contrarian bumps — either up or down — in the midst of particular phase.
The business cycle shows how a nation's aggregate economy fluctuates over time.
Yuqing Liu/Business Insider
All business cycles are bookended by a sustained period of economic growth, followed by a sustained period of economic decline. Throughout its life, a business cycle goes through four identifiable stages, known as phases: expansion, peak, contraction, and trough.
Expansion: Expansion, considered the "normal" — or at least, the most desirable — state of the economy, is an up period. During an expansion, businesses and companies are steadily growing their production and profits, unemployment remains low, and the stock market is performing well. Consumers are buying and investing, and with this increasing demand for goods and services, prices begin to rise too.
When the GDP growth rate is in the 2% to 3% range, inflation is at the 2% target, unemployment is between 3.5% and 4.5%, and the stock market is a bull market, then the economy is considered to be in a healthy period of expansion.
Peak: Once these numbers start to increase outside of their traditional bands, though, then the economy is considered to be growing out of control. Companies may be expanding recklessly. Investors are overconfident, buying up assets and significantly increasing their prices, which are not supported by their underlying value. Everything is starting to cost too much.
The peak marks the climax of all this feverish activity. It occurs when the expansion has reached its end and indicates that production and prices have reached their limit. This is the turning point: With no room for growth left, there's nowhere to go but down. A contraction is forthcoming.
Contraction: A contraction spans the length of time from the peak to the trough. It's the period when economic activity is on the way down. During a contraction, unemployment numbers typically spike, stocks enter a bear market, and GDP growth is below 2%, indicating that businesses have cut back their activities.
Trough: As the peak is the cycle's high point, the trough is its low point. It occurs when the recession, or contraction phase, bottoms out and starts to rebound into an expansion phase — and the business cycle starts all over again. The rebound is not always quick, nor is it a straight line, along the way towards full economic recovery.
Business cycles vs. market cycles
Though often used interchangeably, technically a business cycle is different from a market cycle. A market cycle specifically refers to the different growth and decline stages of the stock market, while the business cycle reflects the economy as a whole.
But the two are definitely related. The stock market is greatly influenced by the phases of a business cycle and generally mirrors its stages. During the contractionary phase of a cycle, investors sell their holdings, depressing stock prices — a bear market. In the expansionary phase, the opposite occurs: Investors go on a buying spree, causing stock prices to rise — a bull market.
Who measures business cycles?
In the US, business cycles are defined and measured by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), a private nonprofit. NBER's Business Cycle Dating Committee is responsible for determining the start and end of a cycle.
NBER primarily uses quarterly GDP growth rates to identify a business cycle, but it will also look at other economic indicators, such as real income, retail revenues, employment, and manufacturing output. Analysts and economists often see what they call "co-movement" in these variables, meaning the different measurements rise and fall together.
For example, if employment is up, production is likely up, as is consumer spending. Likewise, if employment is down, the other metrics are down and will eventually have an impact on GDP.
How long does a business cycle last?
Business cycles have no defined time frames. A business cycle can be short, lasting a few months, or long, lasting several years.
Generally, periods of expansion are more prolonged than periods of contraction, but the actual lengths can vary. Since the end of World War II, the average period of expansion in the US lasted 65 months, and the average contraction lasted about 11 months, according to the Congressional Research Service.
Most recently, the US hit a peak in February 2020, and before that was in a period of expansion that had lasted roughly 128 months, making it the longest in recorded history.
The many variables in an economy fluctuate differently over time, causing shifts in the economy, and non-economic factors, such as natural disasters and disease, play a part in shaping the economy as well. "Essentially, market economies want to expand, but if they're hit by an adverse shock, they may contract," says Vincent Reinhart, chief economist and macro strategist at Mellon Investments.
In recent history, the subprime mortgage crisis of 2007 was one such shock, and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 was another.
What factors shape a business cycle?
From technological innovations to wars, a variety of things can trigger a business cycle's phases. But, according to the Congressional Research Service, the key influence boils down to the aggregate supply and demand within an economy — economist-speak for the total spending that individuals and companies do. When that demand decreases, a contraction occurs. Likewise, when demand increases, an expansion occurs.
How supply and demand drives the business cycle
In the beginning: The expansion happens because consumers are confident in the economy. They believe that employment is steady and income is guaranteed. As a result, they spend more, which leads to increased demand, which leads to businesses hiring more employees and increasing capital expenditures to meet that demand. Investors allocate more capital to assets, increasing stock prices.
Getting overheated: The expansionary phase hits a peak when the demand is greater than the supply, and businesses take on additional risks to meet increased demand and remain competitive.
Scaling back: When interest rates rise quickly, inflation increases too fast, or a financial crisis occurs, an economy enters a contraction. The confidence that stimulated it quickly evaporates, replaced with dwindling consumer confidence. Individuals save money rather than spend, reducing demand, and businesses cut production and layoff employees as their sales dry up. Investors sell stocks to avoid a drop in the value of their portfolios.
Hitting bottom: During the trough phase, demand and production are at their lowest point. But eventually, needs reassert themselves. Consumers slowly start to gain confidence as production and business activity starts to improve, often spurred on by government policies and action. They begin to buy and invest, and the economy enters a new expansion phase.
How governments influence business cycles
The fact that business cycles move in natural phases doesn't mean they can't be influenced. Countries can and do try to manage the various stages — slowing them down or speeding them up — using monetary policy and fiscal policy. Fiscal policy is carried out by the government; monetary policy is carried out by a nation's central bank.
For example, when an economy is in a contraction, particularly a recession, governments use expansionary fiscal policy, which consists of increasing expenditures on projects or cutting taxes. These moves provide increased levels of disposable income that consumers can spend, which in turn stimulates economic growth.
Similarly, a central bank — like the Federal Reserve in the US — will use an expansionary monetary policy to end a contractionary period by reducing interest rates, which makes borrowing money cheaper, thus stimulating spending, and eventually the economy.
If an economy is growing too fast, governments will employ a contractionary fiscal policy, which involves cutting spending and increasing taxes. This reduces the amount of disposable income to spend, slowing things down. To employ a contractionary monetary policy, a central bank will increase interest rates, making borrowing more expensive and therefore spending money less attractive.
The financial takeaway
Even though they seem like something that only affects "the economy," business cycles have plenty of real-world implications for individuals. Recognizing the current cycle can influence people and their lifestyle decisions.
For example, if we're in a contraction phase, finding work often becomes more difficult. Individuals may take up less-than-ideal jobs just to ensure they are making an income, and hope to find better positions once the economy improves.
It may also influence spending and making long-term plans. "You're going to have to be cautious in terms of using your savings now because you may need them later," says Reinhart.
Understanding the business cycle is also crucial for investors. Knowing which assets — especially stocks — perform well in the different phases of a business cycle can help an investor avoid certain risks and even grow the value of their portfolio in a contractionary phase.
Granted, individuals can't do much on their own to affect a business cycle, and weathering its down phases can be tough. Still, it might help you sleep better at night knowing "it's a cycle and that we won't be there forever," says Reinhart. "Understanding the business cycle gives you at least a reassurance that there are a rebound and recovery to follow."
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Oral care is an important part of your overall health. Improper care can lead to irreversible emotional, physical, and financial consequences.
There are quite a few startups out there that want to help you take care of your teeth before they reach the point of no return.
Brands such as Quip (toothbrushes), Candid (aligners), and Twice (toothpaste) will get you excited to brush, straighten, and whiten your teeth, without overcharging you.
From prescription medication and eyewear to daily multivitamins and hair-loss treatments, consumer startups are tackling every aspect of your personal health. That includes oral hygiene — how you care for your teeth and gums.
In addition to emotional and physical consequences, there are financial consequences to practicing poor oral care. Compared to other health care services, dental care presents the highest cost barriers to the US population.
Oral care startups hope to keep you one step ahead of these barriers by getting you excited to brush your teeth or floss regularly. While a new electric toothbrush or toothpaste won't be able to solve a cavity you already have, good habits like brushing twice a day with an effective toothbrush and flossing regularly are smart preventative measures to keep you out of the dentist's chair beyond your regular check-ups.
New oral care brands are also tackling cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening and teeth straightening, which are often prohibitively expensive and inconvenient. By lowering costs and making at-home solutions, they give customers further reason to smile a little wider.
The following 11 online startups make toothbrushes, toothpaste, aligners, and other oral care accessories to help you take care of your teeth and smile:
Quip's American Dental Association-accepted electric toothbrush has a sleek and simple design. The battery-powered brush is lighter, less bulky, and more travel-friendly than a traditional electric brush, but it's still thorough in cleaning your teeth. The included mirror mount helps reduce bathroom counter clutter, while the affordable refill plan (which ships for free) ensures you're always using an effective brush head.
Boka's electric toothbrush features activated charcoal bristles to help limit bacteria growth and give you a pleasant brushing experience. Combine that with its toothpaste, which contains nano-hydroxyapatite (instead of fluoride) to naturally repair enamel, for a unique but effective twice-daily routine. You can choose from a variety of product bundles to subscribe to, or feel free to shop for brushes and accessories a la carte.
Goby's take on the electric toothbrush more closely resembles traditional designs, with its round oscillating brush head and storage stand. However, it charges by USB so it's more portable, and there are always cool limited-edition designs (often in collaboration with artists) to shop. The brush offers two speeds, normal and sensitive. We recommend the subscription option, which is more flexible than those of other startups.
You may recognize it from it's viral "corn test" video, but the Burst electric toothbrush has several features to boast about, including three different brush modes, a strong motor that delivers 33,000 vibrations per minute, and anti-microbial charcoal bristles. One of the strongest aspects of the brush is its four-week battery life. Customers also love the brand's whitening strips.
Braces and Invisalign are expensive, which is why startups like Candid are stepping in with solutions that are not only more affordable, but also more convenient to use. By using its starter kit or visiting one of its physical studios, you can receive a personalized, orthodontist-approved plan to straighten your teeth. It'll send you all the aligners you need at once, and the total cost of treatment is less than $2,000.
Editor's note: Please consult your dentist or orthodontist before you decide to use an online teeth-straightening service like Candid or SmileDirectClub. There are real risks involved in using these services as simple teeth impressions or scans are unable to account for things like what is happening underneath your gums.
SmileDirectClub is older than Candid and has helped improve the smiles of more than 650,000 customers. Get started with its at-home impression kit or visit one of its many "Smile Shops" for a 3D scan of your teeth. Then, you can choose one of two types of aligners: the Clear Aligners, which you wear for 22 hours a day, or the new Nighttime Clear Aligners, which you only wear for 10 hours each night. It also sells an affordable LED teeth-whitening kit.
Editor's note: Please consult your dentist or orthodontist before you decide to use an online teeth-straightening service like Candid or SmileDirectClub. There are real risks involved in using these services as simple teeth impressions or scans are unable to account for things like what is happening underneath your gums.
Glowup's teeth-whitening kit combines a whitening agent personalized to the user's teeth sensitivity and discoloration level with a 16-minute light treatment to deliver pain-free and noticeable results. After taking its online quiz to determine your specific whitening needs, you'll receive this kit to use in the comfort of your own home. The company says customers can see up to eight shades of difference in brightness after a week of use.
A premium toothpaste with a social mission — that's Twice, a new company cofounded by Lenny Kravitz that donates 10% of profits to the GLO Good Foundation, which serves communities with life-changing dentistry, education, and supplies. It makes two kinds of whitening, cavity-preventing toothpaste: one for morning use and one for nighttime use. Both are formulated with vitamins and aloe vera to soothe your teeth and gums, but the flavors differ to give you an awakening or calming experience, depending on the time of day.
Wildist is created by a P&G and Etsy alum, and the influences of these experiences are clear. While quality, efficacy, and transparency are at the heart of its natural toothpastes and deodorants, it also strives to make these everyday personal-care products visually captivating. Right now, it sells three types of toothpaste — try its sensitive version, formulated with ginger, or its nighttime version, formulated with soothing chamomile.
This oral-care brand prides itself on using natural ingredients and environmentally friendly packaging in all of its products, which include adults' and kids' toothpaste, mouthwash, and toothbrushes. You'll find coconut oil, activated charcoal, and real mint as common ingredients in its top sellers.
Does anyone really need luxury floss? If that means the floss is extra strong and thick, not to mention flavorful, then yes, you need Cocofloss. The soft, textured floss is gentle on your gums while scrubbing away plaque and removing food particles. It doesn't fray as easily as regular floss, which ultimately means you waste less product and money.
Sharp knives of different shapes and sizes are essential tools for cooks.
Having the right type of knife — a chef's, paring, or utility knife, for example — makes it easier to tackle specific culinary tasks.
For excellent quality and performance, we recommend the sturdy German-made Wüsthof Classic 8-inch Cook's Knife. It makes light work of chopping, slicing, dicing, mincing, and more.
Although the assortment of knives on the market is overwhelming, there are really only four types of knives you absolutely need, tops. And a lot of chefs will tell you that a lone chef's knife will more than suffice.
Each day in the kitchen, I wield my two favorites: a chef's knife for chopping vegetables and slicing meat and a paring knife for peeling fruit. Apart from a utility knife for carving and a bread knife for the obvious, they cover all of my food prep needs.
These are the 4 basic types of knives you might want in your kitchen:
A chef's knife (aka cook's knife): This versatile knife has an 8-to-12-inch blade. It's used for chopping, cubing, slicing, and dicing vegetables, meats, and other ingredients, especially in volume.
A paring knife: Small but mighty, this knife is great for precision-cutting tasks, like peeling and coring fruits, deveining shrimp, slicing garlic, and scoring pastries, for example. I like the fine control I have over a paring knife with its typically 3-to-4-inch-long blade.
A bread knife: I used to think this type of knife was unnecessary until I tried slicing a fresh loaf without one … and squashed it. With its long (about 10 inches), narrow serrated blade, the bread knife cuts through soft foods like bread and tomatoes without crushing them.
A utility, or boning knife: I think of this knife as the "in-between" knife. With its 4-to-7-inch-long blade, the utility knife is really designed for carving, but it's still large enough to slice moderate volumes of ingredients and small enough to cut with precision. It's convenient to use for medium-sized tasks — like cutting sandwiches — that are too big for a paring knife but don't need the big guns of a chef's knife.
Collectively, we at Insider Reviews have interviewed professionals ranging from Pat LaFrieda of LaFrieda Meat Purveyors and Mark Noguchi of Pili to gather input on what makes a good knife, and we've incorporated their sage advice below.
Updated 8/26/20: We replaced our recommendation for best paring knife with a newer option from Victorinox's Fibrox line. We also added some longterm testing notes, included a few options that didn't make our top five but are worth checking out, and consulted multiple experts regarding our picks, including Pat LaFrieda of LaFrieda Meat Purveyors and Chef Mark Noguchi of Pili.
I've used my Wüsthof Classic 8-Inch Cook's Knife almost daily for nearly two decades to prepare both Chinese and Western dishes. I've chopped, cut, sliced, and diced countless ingredients (vegetables, fruits, meats, tofu) of different thicknesses and textures with ease.
Constructed of high-carbon stainless steel, the knife's blade has a slightly rounded belly for efficiently rocking it back and forth while cutting. The honed, extremely hard metal creates a sharp cutting edge that retains its sharpness well. The 5-inch-long handle is made of very durable engineered thermoplastic. This forged knife has a full tang that's riveted to the handle in three places.
I find the handle very comfortable — even when I'm chopping thick, hard ingredients like melons and carrots for a long time — and balanced in weight with the blade. Also, I really like that this 11-ounce knife is not too heavy to cause fatigue, but hefty enough to help enormously with cutting. You get both force and control.
In my experience, the versatile Wüsthof Classic 8-Inch Cook's Knife is excellent for working on diverse ingredients. Good Housekeeping used it to slice tomatoes, chop onions, debone a chicken, and even shred basil into fine ribbons. For that last task, I admit that I employ a smaller, lighter utility knife, and like me, testers at Food & Wine found that "the delicate leaves get ever-so-slightly bruised on the edges" from this chef's knife.
Although advertised as dishwasher safe, I urge hand washing and drying the Wüsthof Classic 8-Inch Cook's Knife. Good Housekeeping named this knife "Best Overall Chef's Knife" and "Top Lab Pick." Food & Wine dubbed it a "Best Tough Workhorse," and former international culinary professional Daniel Gritzer of Serious Eats chose it as the "Favorite High-End Western Chef's Knife."
Made in Spain, Henckels International Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife has a blade of stainless steel that's honed for sharpness and precise cutting. This forged knife has a full tang that is triple-riveted to a polymer handle. The 4.72-inch-long handle is well-balanced with the blade.
The cutting blade accommodates many different tasks, including chopping, dicing, slicing, and mincing vegetables, fruits, meat, and fish. Good Housekeeping noted that it performed an "ace job of blitzing parsley into dust, dicing onions, or deboning a chicken." Testers at Food & Wine found that like the Wüsthof Classic 8-inch Cook's Knife, Henckel's International Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife slightly bruised basil leaves when slicing them, but successfully cubed butternut squash and cut through a chicken's breastbone.
Although advertised as dishwasher safe, J.A. Henckels International Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife is best washed and dried by hand. The manufacturer Zwilling J.A. Henckels is very well known for delivering durable, high-quality knives at moderate prices.
Designating this model as the "Best Value Chef's Knife," Good Housekeeping noted that it has the "heft, shape, and performance of a splurge-worthy chef's knife but comes at a much nicer price point." Food & Wine called it a "Best Tough Workhorse." Sharon Franke, a professional culinary equipment tester formerly of Good Housekeeping, named it "Best Budget Knife for More Serious Cooks." She said, "Honestly, this knife is almost exactly the same as the Wüsthof. It's just a small step down in terms of materials."
As a runner up, and a slightly more affordable option, we also recommend Victorinox Fibrox knives. They're a little lighter in weight, which some people might not like, but they're every bit as good and found in commercial kitchens the world over. That's also why we included this four-piece set of the Fibrox in our guide to the best kitchen knife sets.
Pros: Great value, versatility, excellent cutting performance
Cons: Squared edges on handle uncomfortable for some
The Victorinox Fibrox 3.25-inch Straight Paring Knife is great for any culinary MacGyver, and it's part of why we recommend this four-piece Fibrox set to anyone looking for an affordable starter set.
With its 3.25-inch-long blade, this Swiss-made stamped knife can handle jobs ranging from peeling or seeding fruit to slicing onions to mincing garlic.
In terms of performance, though, the Victorinox Fibrox 3.25-inch Straight Paring Knife more than pulls its weight. Commending its control and versatility, Wirecutter reported that this knife excelled in hulling strawberries with one smooth, circular action as well slipping beneath a shrimp shell for efficient peeling and deveining.
I have to admit that I sometimes put my paring knife in the dishwasher since it's small and — unlike a large chef's knife — blends in with regular cutlery. The Victorinox Swiss Army 3.25-inch Straight Paring Knife is machine washable. Good Housekeeping ran it through repeated dishwashing cycles and found only one small speck of rust. Even if this paring knife gets a bit worn after going through the dishwasher many times, it's very inexpensive to replace.
Pros: Inexpensive, sharp, very maneuverable, and easy to control
Cons: Feels flimsy (especially thin plastic handle) and too lightweight for some
The best utility kitchen knife
Amazon
The Japanese Shun Classic 6-Inch Utility Knife is versatile and great for jobs ranging from small, precise cutting chores to larger chopping tasks.
Smaller than a chef's knife and larger than a paring knife, Shun Classic 6-inch Utility Knife can take care of most jobs that the other two perform. Handcrafted in Japan, this knife sports a blade that's thin but very strong. The blade's core is made of Shun's proprietary advanced steel that's hardened by additional carbon, cobalt, chromium, and tungsten. This core is wrapped with multiple layers of Damascus stainless steel clad to resist wear and corrosion as well as retain an extremely sharp edge.
Weighing 6.4 ounces, this Japanese knife is lighter than some Western utility knives. What makes it a little similar, though, is its very slightly curved belly. Instead of being completely straight like many Japanese knives, the Shun Classic 6-inch Utility Knife has a cutting edge conducive to rocking moderately when cutting.
The D-shaped handle is made of smooth PakkaWood, an engineered wood/plastic composite material that's dense, water-resistant, and warp-resistant. Many Amazon customers noted that this handle is comfortable and fits their hands well.
The Shun Classic 6-inch Utility Knife can be used like a large paring knife or small chef's knife. I use my utility knife for trimming broccoli, slicing onions, cutting sandwiches, and other "medium-size" jobs. But it's not good for bigger or more heavy-duty jobs like deboning a chicken.
Shun was the first brand recommended by the prep cook I interviewed, and Good Housekeeping also loved this company. Hotel sous chef Ivan of Knife Lover named this knife his top pick for 6-inch kitchen knives.
Pros: Very sharp, retains sharp edge well, versatile, lifetime warranty
Don't worry about flattening a fresh (or not-so-fresh) loaf of bread with the Mercer Culinary Millennia Wavy Edge 10-inch Wide Bread Knife. This stamped knife has a thin, flexible blade made of high-carbon, stain-free Japanese steel as well as durable, rubber-like plastic handles.
The blade's serrated edge is designed to cut through a tough and/or hard exterior layer (like the bread's crust) and not tear or crush a soft interior. The textured handle resists slipping, which you want to avoid with such a sharp knife.
Cook's Illustrated described this knife as "our go-to knife for slicing everything from bread to tomatoes to sandwiches. Its sharp points and grippy handle make it both powerful and comfortable." When Wirecutter tested it, the knife performed well overall, easily cutting sandwiches and cinnamon rolls. But it did shatter the bread crust a little and left teeth marks on roast beef slices.
Good Housekeeping noted that although this knife sliced foods without much added force, the blade's deep and wide serrations allowed a little less control, and it was challenging to cut wafer-thin slices and resulted in imperfect edges. Nonetheless, they said that they recommend this knife for people who aren't overly concerned about precision-cutting for some breads and meats.
Pros: Good value, excellent serrated cutting edge, limited lifetime warranty
Cons: Doesn't cut wafer-thin slices with perfect, teeth-mark-free edges; not great for meats
Things to keep in mind when shopping for knives
Blade material: In order to cut well and remain sharp, a blade must be made of strong, hard, corrosion-resistant material. Stainless steel has those qualities but also needs to be sharpened regularly. Carbon steel blades are favored by chefs because their higher carbon content means the cutting edge stays sharp longer, but they're more expensive. Damascus blades have a carbon steel core topped with alternating layers of hard and soft stainless steel; they're very hard and can be ground to be extremely sharp. Ceramic blades are very light, very hard (comparable to diamonds), and hold their sharp edges well. Titanium, in combination with something like ceramic, makes for a durable and extremely lightweight knife.
Style (German or Japanese): You can't go wrong with either German or Japanese engineering, and both types of knives have their benefits. German knives are heavier and have blades with curved bellies. The curved cutting edge accommodates rocking the blade from tip to heel for versatile tasks, including chopping, cutting, and slicing. Japanese knives are more lightweight with thinner but extremely sharp blades. Made from harder steel, their blades tend to stay sharp longer. The blade's slightly straighter cutting edge is best suited for precise slicing.
Construction (forged versus stamped): A forged knife is made of a single piece of steel that's then tempered and hammered into shape. The resulting blade is sturdy and stiff. A stamped knife has a blade that's been cut cookie-cutter style from a sheet of steel before being tempered and hardened. The resulting blade is thinner, lighter, and more flexible. Forged knives are usually more expensive than stamped knives. Although forged knives generally are recommended over stamped knives, not all stamped knives are inferior to forged knives — it depends on the materials used and the manufacturer.
Hardness (measured based on the Rockwell scale): The hardness of metals is measured using what's called the Rockwell scale, which is determined by the penetration or indentation of a given metal under a heavy load. In the case of steel knives, you're looking for something between 52 and 62 HRC, generally. You'll often not find these ratings for more affordable knives, including those on our list, but if you start to look into higher-end blades, this becomes a concern. On the low end, you have softer, easier-to-sharpen blades. On the higher end, starting at around 58 HRC, you get a long-lasting blade, but one that requires more effort to sharpen when the time does inevitably arrive.
Tang: If you have a bird's eye view of the knife's handle, look for a line of metal extending from the blade through the handles, sandwiched between both halves. This is the tang. A full tang continues the length of the handle to the end; a partial tang goes halfway or so down the handle. A tang offers balance and strength. While knives with full tangs are preferable (and often costlier), a knife with a partial tang can still perform well. In fact, some of the top Japanese knives have partial tangs.
Weight: Although many cooks prefer heavier knives because they offer more heft and require less force when cutting, some like that lighter knives offer more control and create less fatigue. And as mentioned, Japanese knives are lighter by design but not inferior to their heavier Western counterparts.
Handle: Look for a comfortable, easy-to-grip-without-slipping handle made of plastic or composite; wood tends to warp. The blade must be securely riveted to the handle.
Balance: You want the blade and handle to be fairly even in weight and not overly heavy in one direction or the other.
Use and care of specialty kitchen knives
Amazon
Treat your knives well, and you'll reap years of sharp service from them.
Here are some knife-care tips:
Don't use a glass cutting board. Use one made of softer material, like wood that's easier on knife blades. End-grain wood is best.
When storing knives, don't just toss them into a drawer where they'll clatter against each other, chip, and possibly cut someone reaching into the drawer. Protect the blades and store the knives on a magnetic strip or in a slotted drawer insert, a chef's knife roll, or freestanding block.
When transporting and/or storing individual knives, a knife sheath or blade guard works well.
Don't leave dirty knives sitting in the sink. They can bump against each other and other objects as well as corrode over time.
Don't put them in the dishwasher. Good Housekeeping noted that, regardless of manufacturer directions, hand washing and drying maintains the sharpness of a knife blade longer than running it through the dishwasher.
Keep your knives sharp. Through repeated use, knife blades become dull and dangerous because you have to use more force when trying to cut something.
How to test a knife's sharpness:
To determine if your knife is still sharp, try one of the following tests:
Lightly run your fingertips over the blade's edge to feel for a sharp, not rounded, edge.
Dangle a sheet of paper in front of you and try to slice it in half. A sharp knife cuts through the sheet; a dull knife slips off the edge or rips it unevenly.
Slice a tomato and see if the blade cuts — not smashes — it.
Place the knife on an onion. A sharp blade easily cuts through skin and layers; a dull blade slides off the skin.
Gently skim the knife over your forearm. A sharp blade cuts straight through arm hair; a dull blade folds over hair.
If your knife needs sharpening, use an electric sharpener or take it to a professional knife sharpener. Manual sharpeners don't work as well and whetstones required someone trained to use them (and not mess up your knife).
Be aware that the steel rod that comes with knife sets doesn't actually sharpen knives. It can be used to hone a dull blade, but regular sharpening is still necessary.
Other knives to consider
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Dexter-Russell and Victorinox Fibrox Pro: Both of these brands are some of the most popular basic stock items in commercial kitchens the world over. They're affordable, balanced (if lightweight), and almost indestructible. The weight is often the only thing holding them back when it comes to most people's concerns about performance, but you can't beat the price, and you can trust these brands and their knives as much as any. Deciding between the two is a matter of personal preference, though we will say that when it comes to seafood-handling tools, Dexter is tops.
Shun: If you're looking for a Japanese-style chef's knife, then Shun, the brand we recommend above for a utility knife, is a popular pick with its small handle and hard steel (60 HRC), offering up long-lasting edges. Just know that you will probably want to regularly sharpen a blade like this.
Say you're riding shotgun in your friend's car. It's Friday night, and you're playing music from your favorite YouTube playlist. Then, someone asks you to look up directions. You leave YouTube to open up another app, and the music stops and everyone in the car collectively sighs.
YouTube lovers have long expressed dismay over this inconvenience. There used to be a way to get around this by navigating to YouTube using Safari instead of the YouTube app, but that trick has since been patched out.
That means that, unfortunately, the only way to play music from YouTube in the background is to sign up for YouTube's paid subscription service, YouTube Premium.
Here's how to sign up for YouTube Premium, and start listening to YouTube whenever you want in the background.
How to play YouTube in the background using YouTube Premium
First, you need to sign up for YouTube Premium.
YouTube Premium costs $11.99 a month for a single account ($6.99 a month if you're a student), or $17.99 a month for six accounts in a "Family Plan." Signing up will get rid of all ads on YouTube videos, allow you to download videos to watch offline, and give you access to both "YouTube Original" videos and YouTube Music, the site's music streaming service.
And, of course, you'll receive the ability to listen to audio from YouTube videos in the background, even while using other apps.
2. Click the blue button that says "TRY IT FREE," which will open a window for you to enter your payment information.
Go to the YouTube Premium homepage to start the signup process.
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3. Enter your payment information and zip code. YouTube Premium offers a one-month free trial, so if this is your first time signing up, you won't be charged the $11.99 fee until a month has passed. YouTube may, however, charge you a $1 fee at first to make sure that the payment information you've given them is valid — this dollar should be refunded within a few days.
Enter the payment information that you want to use to pay for Premium.
William Antonelli/Business Insider
4. The YouTube account you used to sign up for Premium will be immediately granted access to all the new features of Premium.
Now, here's how to play songs in the background.
5. Open the YouTube app.
6. Navigate to the video that you want to listen to in the background.
7. Once it starts playing, feel free to return to your phone's Home screen, and open other apps. You can pause and play the video's audio from the iPhone's Control Center, by opening it and holding your finger down on the music tab for a moment.
You can control volume and playback from your iPhone's Control Center.
William Antonelli/Business Insider
As long as you're subscribed to YouTube Premium, you'll be able to listen to YouTube videos without having the app open.
Marines engage in many operations on land and at sea, from warfare to humanitarian assistance. In the event of a natural disaster, Marines can assist in disaster relief.
In the event of a hurricane's landfall, Marines may support local response efforts by evacuating residents.
Two journalists embedded themselves on a Marine search and rescue mission to see how this military branch responds during natural disasters.
Retired US Navy SEAL Jocko Willink: The military is trained to solve problems. And those problems could be, some kind of a humanitarian assistance that's needed, or they can be some kind of disaster relief, or really anything else that you could imagine. The military trains its personnel so they can be used in those situations, no matter how dynamic they are, they're ready.
Business Insider sent two journalists to cover Hurricane Florence in September 2018.
Daniel Brown: The storm hit Friday morning at 8:00 a.m.
Kevin Reilly: The winds were blowing enough where I had to brace myself. It was windy, but I've never seen that much rain. We drove towards Wilmington. There was a lot of trees down, power lines were down and the street lights were out. There was no power anywhere.
Brown: We had heard that they were doing rescues in Jacksonville as well. I put a call into some of the authorities and looked like we could get some sort of embed. There were a bunch of Marines just standing out there, so we jumped in the back of those seven-ton trucks.
Reilly: Even though we were in these giant trucks, there were a few times where we came to crossings that the Marines themselves stopped to check it out or would send just one of the trucks across to see if it was gonna be okay.
Brown: Those Marines, they're based in Camp Lejeune. Camp Lejeune is a Marine base in North Carolina. Before the storm, the camp did not put out mandatory evacuations and they got a lot of flack from journalists and so forth. They said that they were gonna stay and fight actually, is the quote. The main mission seemed to be to grab 30 residents of Richlands, North Carolina. They had to be evacuated from their homes and they were stranded in this fire station in this little town, so the Marines had to come and get 'em.
Reilly: A lot of these people were given only a moment's notice to grab what they could and were just taken out of their homes. They had their pets and you could see, everybody just had this look of exhaustion, uncertainty, confusion and, I would say they looked scared, but at the same time just seeing the Marines and the volunteer firemen and all the other rescuers there, very professional in everything that they did. So they loaded them up with all of their remaining possessions and pets, and they were taken to a high school shelter that was somewhere close to the Jacksonville area.
Brown: In general, whenever there's like a natural disaster in a state, the National Guard is the one that's supposed to like really help with relief. Marines generally don't do that, the only reason they did is just 'cause Camp Lejeune is in their backyard. I had authorities tell me that the only reason they were really doing this is just 'cause it's their community as well.
Retired US Navy SEAL Leif Babin: For disaster relief scenarios, military units are a perfect response for that, because you've got an organized group that can deploy; you've got a logistics base, and it's actually a great exercise for deploying to combat that actually helps our military stay ready and can also help civilians in need during a natural disaster.
Cari Gundee rides her Peloton exercise bike at her home on April 06, 2020 in San Anselmo, California.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Goldman Sachs analysts lifted their price target for Peloton stock to a Street-high $96 from $84 on Thursday, implying a 43% increase from Wednesday's close to August 2021.
Wall Street's expectations for the fitness equipment company's growth "remain far too low," the team wrote in a note to clients.
Peloton sales surged through the pandemic as Americans looked to work out in quarantine. That trend is set to continue as gyms struggle to bring back clients, Goldman said.
The company gained as much as 7.6% in Thursday trading.
Peloton stock is worth far more than its current levels and most of Wall Street just doesn't know it yet, Goldman Sachs said Thursday.
The team of analysts led by Heath Terry lifted its price target for the fitness hardware stock to a Street-high $96 from $84, implying a 43% leap from Wednesday's close. Estimates for Peloton's growth and future profits "remain far too low," according to the bank.
Sales have soared through the pandemic as more Americans look to stay fit in quarantine. Peloton's weeks-long order backlog signals lasting demand, and the company's move to double production in June has yet to impact its stock price accordingly. Shares are all but certain to surge once investors catch on to the company's dominance, the analysts said.
"This isn't simply pull forward, but rather an acceleration and steepening of the adoption curve as network effects are amplified, marketing spend is repurposed, and the fundamental fitness landscape is altered," Goldman said.
Peloton traded as much as 7.6% higher following the note's release. The stock is up roughly 220% from its March low.
The company is slated to report fiscal fourth-quarter earnings on September 10, and Goldman has high hopes for its performance through the pandemic. The analysts expect Peloton to post 208,000 new subscribers compared to the consensus estimate of 199,000, according to FactSet.
Forward guidance will more dramatically outpace the average estimate, the team added. Goldman sees Peloton boasting a September-quarter profit of $178 million, more than 10 times the $12 million consensus expectation.
The bank's earnings estimate could even surprise to the upside, the team said, "given the lack of marketing spend in the quarter."
The rapid growth is set to continue well into the end of the coronavirus crisis, according to the bank. The already strong demand for Peloton's products will balloon as Americans are slow to return to commercial gyms and "word of mouth" marketing increases exponentially.
Once Peloton enjoys several quarters of revenue outperformance and little-to-no marketing costs, the company should enjoy "meaningful flow-through to bottom-line profitability" similar to other digital subscription firms including Netflix and Etsy, the team said. The fitness firm should be able to notch "meaningful near-term profitability" as soon as the second quarter, they added.
Peloton traded at $70.42 per share as of 3:25 p.m. ET, up 153% year-to-date.
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Although states are continuing phased reopenings, many travelers aren't ready to hop on a plane just yet as the novel coronavirus continues to spread throughout the US. Additionally, Americans are currently banned from traveling to a lengthy list of countries.
To help satisfy wanderlust, we've rounded up 20 of the best travel books that will help whisk you away to the far corners of the globe from the comfort of your couch.
Our book selections span varied categories for readers of all types, including coffee table books, fiction, nonfiction, cookbooks, and coloring books.
Due to the effects of the novel coronavirus, the travel industry continues to experience massive disruptions. Many states are continuing phased reopenings and some travelers are tentatively planning domestic trips. However, COVID-19 is still spreading across the US, making any unnecessary travel risky. Additionally, Americans are currently banned from traveling to a long list of countries.
If you are considering planning a trip, we always encourage following precautions outlined by the CDC and WHO, which means practicing safe social distancing, wearing masks, and assessing your own health risks.
However, if you're seeking to fulfill your wanderlust from the comforts of your living room, look no further. We've rounded up the best travel books that are sure to inspire new spots to add to your bucket list and head out on page-turning journeys. We chose these books based on reader reviews from Amazon and Goodreads, and also included some of our own personal favorites and top picks from fellow travelers.
Our list of the best travel books is broken down by category to help inspire readers of all types, including coffee table glossies with gorgeous images, scintillating fiction, nonfiction epics, cookbooks to eat your way around the world, and coloring books that will help ease anxiety while bringing famous spots to life.
Escape to the Italian Riviera with the photographer and bestselling author behind the wildly popular books "Beaches" and "Escape." This time, Gray Malin takes you on a cheerful journey from the colorful cliffside houses of Cinque Terre to the umbrella-studded beaches of the Amalfi Coast.
Following in the footsteps of his popular collection "La Dolce Vita," full-page photographs highlight the glamour of the region along with its timeless quality. Turquoise waters, bright blooms, plates of mouthwatering pasta, and golden sands dotted with beachgoers instantly take readers on a sunny getaway.
The Bucket List: 1,000 Adventures Big & Small by Kath Stathers
Aptly named, this transportive tome will no doubt lead to discovering a few new "someday" adventures across the globe. Stathers' book is intriguingly divided into sections by longitude rather than the usual country or region designations. Some suggested ventures are predictably big travel goals, like skydiving over Hawaii or sleeping high up in the canopies of Sweden's Treehotel. But others are smaller, but no less meaningful adventures, like making your own Christmas tree ornament or taking a digital detox to reset mind and body.
"The Bucket List" is a worthy page-turner for creating a life full of wonder and learning.
Dame Traveler: Live the Spirit of Adventure by Nastasia Yakoub
Turning the popular @dametraveler Instagram account into tangible pages, Nastasia Yakoub features 200 women and their globe-trotting stories and photographs. The curated selections celebrate solo female travelers of all types including backpackers trekking across South America, bloggers in flowy dresses in the lavender fields of Provence, and artists exploring singular Asian landscapes.
The book is divided into four sections: Architecture, Nature, Culture, and Water. Beyond the stunning, take-me-there-now photos, entries also include useful insider tips ranging from hotel recommendations to historical facts about the destination, and practical safety tips for women traveling alone.
Four Seasons: The Art of Hospitality by Ignasi Monreal
This book from iconic luxury hotel chain Four Seasons aims to capture the little human touches that ultimately make up their renowned and impeccable service. Through a collection of 125 paintings by the talented artist Ignasi Monreal, the book cleverly captures the fun, thoughtful, and sometimes whimsical moments that make a stay truly great.
Some illustrations are clearly meant to get the reader to chuckle (a waiter going the most above-and-beyond by parachuting in to deliver champagne on the beach), while others invoke wanderlust (a lone island in a sea of blue with a Google Maps pin hovering over it). Flipping through this book will surely have you ready to book your next hotel stay.
Overview: A New Perspective of Earth by Benjamin Grant
Named for the effect astronauts often experience when looking down on Earth from space, "Overview" features masterfully artistic satellite images that show a sometimes jarring view of the planet.
Images include rippling fields that appear like the swirls of a fingerprint, cargo ships so small they could be toys in a bathtub, and cityscapes highlighting complex urban design. The unique images shine a spotlight on patterns and forms that can only be spotted when viewing our world from above and at a distance. You might not be able to travel to these vantage points, but you'll likely never look at the world around you the same way again either.
A riveting gem of narrative nonfiction, "The Lost City of Z" chronicles centuries of history and mystery set in the Amazon jungle.
Inspired after uncovering a series of diaries, "New Yorker" writer David Grann set out to explore, and hopefully solve, the mystery of what happened to British explorer Percy Fawcett who disappeared while roaming the rainforest in search of the titular and mythical City of Z.
The book not only delves into Fawcett's fateful vanishing but also explores the lives of those who subsequently became obsessed with Fawcett's work and disappearance in the hundreds of years that followed. Grann himself can't help but be pulled down the rabbit hole, and neither will readers.
It's tough to go wrong with Bill Bryson — all of his books take readers along winding, delightfully comical adventures. This one is set in Australia, home of strange and often deadly animals, varied climates, and cheerful locals.
Bryson peppers his wacky anecdotes with fascinating facts and stats he's gathered throughout his multiple trips to the country/continent. From the Gold Coast to the Outback, tales of poisonous snakes and spiders are woven alongside descriptions of awe-spiring landscapes, and spontaneous meetups with newfound friends. It makes for a frank and funny guide to the Land Down Under.
Years ago, before you could easily access Goodreads from remote and far-flung places, "Dark Star Safari" was a cult hit on the hostel circuit the world over, passed from backpacker to backpacker. At the furthest end of the adventure travel spectrum, Theroux goes on a journey across some of the most mysterious (and often uninviting) places you've likely never heard of. He invites you along for the bumpy ride as he travels across Africa by bus, canoe, train, and nearly every other method imaginable while also detailing much of the continent's history and politics. Along the way, he encounters extreme danger from a highway robbery and becoming stranded multiple times. But he also finds kindness, purpose, and a new outlook on life.
While it doesn't exactly inspire a spontaneous flight to Addis Ababa to hit the ground running, it's still a spirited view of an ambitious traveler's overland journey through Africa when he's deep into adulthood — and what those types of journeys ultimately teach us about ourselves.
Magical realism lovers will surely enjoy this enchanting novel with the turquoise waters of Saint Thomas and the Virgin Islands as the backdrop.
Spanning over 50 years, the novel deftly follows three generations of a family. It begins in the early 20th century when the Virgin Islands are just transferring from Danish to American rule. The family's layered history is intertwined with the islands' lore, and along the way there are love stories, curses, social changes, and much more.
Now a classic, "The Alchemist" tells the story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who travels from his home in Spain to the Egyptian desert on a quest to find buried treasure.
The eccentric cast of characters he meets along the way include a Gypsy, a man who fancies himself royalty, a crystal merchant, and, of course, an alchemist. Far more than just an adventure tale, Santiago's story morphs into a lesson about human nature and the importance of trusting your heart.
Set in the underbelly of Bombay, the narrator Lin is an escaped convict from a maximum-security prison who fled to India to disappear among its bustling streets. What follows is a wild and passionate story that includes nefarious mafia gangsters, murder, slums, deep love, spiritual gurus, and more.
Adding to the intrigue is the author's own past. Though the novel is billed as fiction, Roberts is actually a former convicted bank robber who escaped from prison and fled to India — just like his main character. His personal journey lends credibility to the details and calls into question just how much is fact and how much is fiction.
Patchett is well known for her deft ability to blend realistic characters and plots with beautiful, lyrical writing and "State of Wonder" is no exception.
Unlike most explorer tales, this one is distinctly feminine. The protagonist is Dr. Marina Singh, a research scientist sent to Brazil to find her lab mate's remains. And at the center of their research is a quest to find and bottle the secret to prolonged fertility through the study of an isolated Amazonian tribe. A gripping journey unfolds that skillfully explores themes of isolation, love, discovery, and living with difficult choices.
The Executive Chef of London's revered Chiltern Firehouse restaurant puts the spotlight on his home country of Portugal and its capital city, Lisbon. The book is loaded with much more than just recipes — Lisbon's long history, the role of different restaurant styles and types, and details about ingredients are all thoughtfully explained.
The book is divided into sections based on time of day. Pastry recipes make an appearance for breakfast, small snacks for sharing come into play in the late afternoon, and mouthwatering desserts follow evening dinner recipes. Dishes include everything from clams with chouriço garlic and cilantro to marinated mushrooms with bacon, and doughnuts filled with egg custard.
Cooking South of the Clouds: Recipes and Stories from China's Yunnan Province by Georgia Freedman
This is a far cry from your typical Chinese takeout. The rich dishes of China's Yunnan province take center stage in this cookbook that's also an intimate portrait of the region's culture and way of life. Colorful photographs highlight the area's landscapes, houses, markets, and local people to accompany recipes like Kunming-style cold noodle salad, tilapia stuffed with herbs and chiles, and squash blossoms two ways.
Interspersed between dishes are anecdotes and tips from the province's locals that are both informative and moving. Examples include lessons from a master ham maker and the story of a widowed member of the Jingpo minority who started her own restaurant.
Celebrated chef Danny Mena has penned an ode to Mexico City's vast and varied restaurant scene, from street tacos to home-style fondas and fine dining. Over 100 recipes cover breakfast, antojitos (snacks), ceviches, salsas, main dishes, and more sit beside captivating photographs of the dishes and the city's diverse markets, squares, and restaurants.
The book also doubles as an excellent guide to Mexico City's best culinary spots since each recipe is based on a dish from a different restaurant. Helpful sidebars add context and highlight details of Mexican food culture.
Jerusalem: A Cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi
Two acclaimed restaurateurs both from Jerusalem (and coincidentally even born the same year) come together to create flavorful recipes that highlight the cuisines of their home city. Tamimi is from the Arab east, while Ottolenghi is from the Jewish west, and their cookbook delves into the rich diversity of foods and cultures found in Israel's capital.
The 120 colorful recipes include traditional favorites cooked the way they have been for centuries, alongside modern plates only loosely based on the city's beloved flavors. Recipes range from light and simple dishes like roasted sweet potatoes and fresh figs to heartier options like chicken with caramelized onion and cardamom rice.
Discover more great cookbooks to liven up the kitchen
Appropriately named, color your way to serenity while exploring the streets, storefronts, and landmarks of famous cities. Jump between architecture and cityscapes from Moscow's famed domes, to San Francisco's townhouses on these captivating two-page designs. While many of the cities are real, some are also imagined.
One note: the pages are printed front and back so this is best suited for use with colored pencils rather than markers, which might bleed through.
Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel Coloring Book by Lonely Planet
The spirit of adventure bursts off the pages in this Lonely Planet coloring book that features the world's 100 greatest places, according to travel experts. Discover new places to add to your travel bucket list while bringing them to life in vivid color. The Taj Mahal, Great Barrier Reef, Machu Picchu, and many more iconic landmarks are all included. The book also has a section at the back with descriptions and additional information about each place.
Coloring the West: An Adult Coloring Book for Travelers by Donna Hull
Bring the great American West and its rugged landscapes to life with 35 images recreated from photos of real US destinations. They vary from historical buildings to wildlife close-ups, and hot air balloons rising over meandering landscapes. The book also includes further explanations of each photo to add helpful context that feels truly immersive.
Creative Haven American Landscapes Color by Number Coloring Book by Diego Jourdan Pereira
Inspire your inner traveler and hiker with over 45 images of rugged American landscapes including Yosemite's waterfalls and Monument Valley's red rock mesas. The color-by-number format makes it easy to bring detailed, shaded masterpieces to life. A well thought out bonus of this coloring book is that illustrations are only printed on one side and the pages are perforated so they can be easily torn out and displayed.
Find more entertaining adult coloring books and supplies
With a fine pair of slippers on your feet, you can relax around the house in comfort or step outside to grab the paper or some logs for the fire.
We considered insulation, materials, tread design, and more in our search for the best men's slippers.
The UGG Ascot Slippers are our top pick because they're warm, supportive, and long-lasting.
I've had the same pair of UGG slippers for six years now, and despite the fact that I wear them around the house almost daily during the winter (I even wore them away from home for a while, before I accepted the fact that slippers really don't belong beyond the property line), they remain in superlative condition.
Before finding the UGG slippers, I had a pair of traditional backless clog-style slippers. I can't recall the brand, but I do remember quite clearly how nice it was to be able to step into them with ease. While you need to use your hands or spend a good twenty seconds of wiggling to get your feet into the UGGs and other similar shoe-like slippers, the clog variety slides right on. They also fall off much more easily, expose more of your foot to cold air, and offer minimal protection against the snow, ice, gravel, flora, and other such things you might encounter if you step outside.
The point, as you surely gather, is that a pair of slippers that might be perfect for one person might be a poor pick for another. In an era of slippers heated via microwave or USB connection and novelty slippers approximating the look of everything from a dinosaur's foot to Chewbacca's face, it can be hard to cut through the clutter and consider just a few fine options for warm, cozy leisure footwear. That's why we're here.
The five slippers in our guide all have at least two things in common: They will keep your feet warm and comfortable. Beyond that, each pair offers its own perks, no gimmicks involved.
Thanks to a thick suede exterior and durable rubber soles, a pair of UGG Ascot Slippers will last you for years even if you wear them like a pair of normal shoes, and they're lined with soft, warm shearling.
I've owned a pair of UGG Ascot slippers for six years. Years ago, I researched the men's slippers thoroughly before giving them a shot, and my frequent use has confirmed how durable and comfortable they really are.
It's hard to tell whether this is more of a shoe with a few slipper-like attributes or a slipper with some shoe-like qualities. They offer every bit as much heel impact absorption, arch support, bridge and toe protection, and even traction as many casual pairs of shoes I own. They also stay on the foot as well as many lace-up shoes, despite the fact that they slip right on.
To be honest, though, "slip-on" is something of a misnomer here. Until these slippers are well broken in, you'll have to pull them on using both hands, and even after that, you still have to work your foot around some to get them on.
Thanks to the support and protection mentioned above and due to the durability and water resistance of the thick leather exterior of these slippers, one can be forgiven for wearing them out in public like a shoe. The Ascots are at their best, though, when reserved for wearing around the house and during short excursions onto the porch or driveway or down the hall at your apartment building or dorm.
They are about as warm and cozy as any footwear you're likely to find and feel great when worn with or without socks. And when they are limited to indoor and moderate outdoor use, I can tell you with firsthand certainty that these slippers will last for years and years.
Pros: Amazing durability, comfortable and supportive, suitable for wearing like a regular shoe
Cons: Hard to put on until broken in
The best slippers for warmth
L.L.Bean
With a high-top cut, L.L.Bean Wicked Good Slippers encase your feet above the ankles in a warm genuine shearling lining.
While most slippers on this list (and in general) have a lower cut, the L.L.Bean Wicked Good Slippers have a high-top, above-the-ankle style that will keep your entire foot warm.
The design is simple, yet effective. They're made with genuine sheepskin suede, plush genuine shearling lining, and leather outsoles. You'll need two hands to put them on, so if you really want to be able to roll out of bed and slide your feet into your slippers, this isn't the pair for you.
With that said, they're by no means difficult to put on — and once you're wearing them, you won't want to take them off. We recommend that you only wear them inside, though, because the bottom of the shoe is made froom a tough leather rather than rubber.
Some customers have left reviews mentioning issues with the slippers loosening up substantially over time, but you should expect that from any shearling-lined shoe. To make sure you're aware of this, the Wicked Good Slippers and other shearling-lined footwear from L.L.Bean come with a card that reads:
"Shearling-lined footwear should provide a snug fit in order to offer both comfort and warmth. Initially, your toes and forefoot should feel slightly confined. The shearling lining will pack down around the shape of your toes and foot to provide a custom fit within a short period of time."
You'll want to keep this in mind when ordering a pair. They fit true to size and are only available in full sizes, so if you wear a half size, don't be afraid to go down in size. They will naturally loosen up a bit with wear. And when they do loosen up, they won't be at the point of falling off your feet. After all, they are hightops.
Pros: Above-the-ankle fit, full shearling lining, handmade
Cons: No added grip on the bottom, can't slide your feet into them
If budget is your main concern when buying a good pair of slippers, you can rest assured that the Deer Stag Nordic Plus Memory Foam Slippers have your back when it's cold outside. Deer Stag is known for always keeping value as an important part of its footwear. Its designs use materials that deliver quality without compromising affordability.
The faux-shearling liner will keep your feet cozy and warm, while the plush memory foam insoles and the brand's S.U.P.R.O. Technology offer comfort and shock absorption. The textured rubber outsoles will ensure you don't slip on tile floors or during your quick trip to take the trash out.
It's worth noting that Deer Stag Slippers tend to run small. Since they don't have a plush genuine shearling lining like some of the other slippers on this list, they won't loosen up as drastically, so we recommend sizing up.
If you prefer a moccasin-style slipper, the Deer Stag Spun Slipper is also a good choice. It features the same comfort technology as the Nordic Plus, but in a different silhouette. While you won't get the same level of slip-on convenience, you'll be better protected from the elements.
Pros: Very affordable, faux-shearling lining keeps your feet warm and cozy
Cons: The slippers run small
The best for indoor/outdoor
UGG
If you're looking for the coziness of a house slipper in a shoe that's also made for outside wear, the UGG Tasman Slipper is it.
Slippers are the epitome of convenient and comfortable footwear, so when it's time to leave the confines of your home, putting on "real shoes" can be an annoyance.
The UGG Tasman, however, is just as good outdoors as it is indoors thanks to a rugged (in terms of slippers, not boots) Treadlite outsole.
In addition to being able to withstand typical outdoor terrains, they're also fashionable enough to wear in public without looking like you're dressed for a sleepover. (Granted, we're talking trips to the bodega or the gas station, not out to dinner with your family.)
Like most of UGG's other signature footwear styles, the Tasman Slippers feature a suede exterior, sheepskin linings, and plush wool insoles. You'll also find a braided pattern stitched along the collars of the shoes, which adds a nice bit of contrast. They're available in many colors, so you'll definitely find a pair you like.
When it comes to convenience, UGG does offer a true slip-on version, but the original model shown above is easy to slip into as well.
According to other reviews on Zappos and UGG's website, most customers find them to be true to size. They may fit snug when you first put them on, but after several wears, the fur will compress for a better, more personalized fit.
Pros: Can be worn outdoors, thick soles, easy to slip on, lots of color choices
Minnetonka started as a roadside gift shop in 1946 and became a worldwide fashion must-have during the 1980s Urban Cowboy trend thanks to its Thunderbird Moc. Since then, the company has become famous for its slippers and moccasins. The Sheepskin Moose Slippers were a big hit with Owen Burke, a guides reporter for the Insider shopping team.
"I've casually eyed Minnetonka's slippers over the years, but having lived in tropical and sub-tropical climates for the last decade or so, have had little need for slippers. Coming to New York changed that in a flash. As the season's changing and mornings suddenly have a little bite to them, slippers are a must for easing into the day, particularly if you're like me — which is to say, not lavishly lush in the pockets — and you don't have heated floors.
Wearing the Sheepskin Moose Slipper is a delight. The (genuine) sheepskin lining seems to hold up better than other slippers I've had, and I'm a big fan of the cross-stitching and black dye. The rubber sole does enable you to wander outside into modest terrain, but I might recommend against it.
These slippers, on the whole, are indoor shoes, and it'd be a shame to tarnish them on one measly trip through mucky brown snow and grit just to retrieve the morning paper or walk Spot (your dog)," he writes in our group review.
While updating this guide, I decided to replace our previous indoor/outdoor pick, the Tamarac Cody Sheepskin Slippers, with the UGG Tasman because they're better slippers all around.
The Tamarac Cody Sheepskin Slippers are more affordable, but we found that the Tasman has a better aesthetic, and the higher quality materials are worth the difference in price.
If the UGG Tasman's $100 price tag happens to be out of your budget and you'd like to consider the Tamarac Cody Sheepskin Slippers, we still think they're a decent option for slippers that can be worn outside to the mailbox or in the yard. There's good traction on the bottom of the shoe, and the footbed is cushioned with memory foam, which just adds to their comfort.
The Tamarac Cody slippers are easy to pull on using the loop connected to the back of the collar, and they stay securely in place thanks to elastic goring wedges set where the tongue meets the upper.
Pros: Sole suitable for outdoor use, comfortable memory foam footbed, snug and secure fit
Sweatpants are a versatile, casual piece of clothing that can be worn around the house, while running errands, or for workouts. Here, you'll find the best pair to fit your needs best.
You're doing yourself a disservice if your underwear drawer is filled with old, tattered, and stretched out underwear. By picking up some new underwear, you can get rid of uncomfortable chafing and that annoying bunched up feeling when your underwear rides up — and you won't have to replace them as often. These are the best underwear in terms of fit, comfort, and overall value.
Undershirts should never be overlooked, especially if you frequently wear dress shirts or button-ups. A quality undershirt will prevent unsightly sweat stains and will be virtually invisible with your shirt on. From undershirts designed specifically for dress shirts to ones that can be worn on their own as regular T-shirts, these are the best options.
When it comes to something as timeless as a Mason jar, you can't beat a classic.
The Ball brand name still represents everything you could want in a good Mason jar with sturdy glass, tight-sealing two-piece lids, and old-school American-made quality.
Due to unusually high demand and supply shortage, many Mason jars are out of stock at major retailers. We continue to monitor inventory and update this guide accordingly.
Mason jars are one of those simple items that are wonderful to have but easy to take for granted. Named after American inventor John Landis Mason, Mason jars are distinguished by their airtight screw-top lids (usually with a two-piece design), glass construction, and old-fashioned American aesthetic that hasn't changed much since they were first patented in the 19th century.
Glass Mason jars are typically used for preserving perishable food products, and they are handy for many other things as well. Canning homemade goodies including jam, storing dry food items such as herbs and spices, and serving as airtight containers for keeping things like coffee or pipe tobacco fresh (two of my personal favorite uses). They're also often used as decorative items, to hold candles, or even for drinking, as the popularity of Mason jar mugs has shown.
True Mason jars should always be made of glass, not plastic, and have a lid that creates an airtight seal. Two-piece Mason jar closures typically feature a rubberized rim underneath the flat part of the lid. This is securely pressed onto the jar's opening by the ring part of the lid, or "band," which screws down, thus creating a tight seal. These lids also usually have a "popper" in the center. After spending time in the fridge, after being boiled for canning, or if the jar contains something that consumes oxygen, a properly sealed lid will pop when opened due to the pressurized air inside.
Prices and links are current as of 8/27/20. We updated the formatting of this post and added a product showcase so you can easily shop all our picks. We also added a selection of related buying guides.
The best overall
Ball
Ball is a 19th-century American icon in the world of home canning, and its Mason jars have stood the test of time owing to their great US-made quality, tightly sealing lids, and low price.
When shopping for Mason jars, Ball is the name you're going to see the most. The Ball Corporation has been making jars and other home canning products since 1880 and continues to offer high-quality American-made Mason jars to this day. Your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents probably used Ball jars. You'll even hear many people refer to all Mason jars in general as "Ball jars."
I have a simple rule that I apply to many things around the home: If it's grandma- and grandpa-approved, it's probably solid. I've personally used Ball Mason jars for years, although not for canning jams or other kitchen creations as I'm not much of a home chef. I use mine to store pipe tobacco and coffee beans. I have about 18 of them (in various sizes) for these purposes and they're all well-made with airtight lids that have kept their seal after years of regular use.
If there's one flaw, it's that the rubberized rim of the lids tends to absorb and retain the aromas of the jar's content. I use the term "flaw" loosely, as this is something that will affect all two-piece lid designs that feature this rubber seal. It's the rubber itself that likes to hold onto odors, and this can be a bear to get out.
White vinegar soaks help but don't completely eliminate lingering smells. This may or may not be a problem for you depending on what you're using your jars for, but you can easily buy new lids separately if it is. On the brighter side, the lids do exactly what they need to do and are coated on the underside to prevent certain foods (particularly acidic ones) from reacting with and tainting the jar's contents.
Pros: Made in America, durable glass bodies, two-piece lid design seals tightly, heat- and freezer-safe, raised measurement markings on the side, and they're super cheap by the dozen
Cons: The rubber seals on the lids absorb and retain odors
The best smooth-sided Mason jars
Anker Hocking
Whether it's for presenting gifts, attaching custom sticker labels, arts and crafts projects, or just showing off your creations on a shelf, these smooth-sided Mason Jars from Anchor Hocking offer American quality.
Most Mason jars you'll see, including pretty much all of our top picks except for this one, have raised markings on the side. These aren't necessarily unattractive; in fact, they do impart a bit of traditional charm.
But if you're presenting your homemade canned treats as gifts, or just want a jar without markings for aesthetic reasons, then smooth-sided Mason jars like these from Anchor Hocking might be a more suitable alternative to standard Ball and Kerr jars. Smooth-sided jars are also great if you like to attach your own sticker labels, as raised markings can leave unsightly bumps and air pockets or can even make the labels fall off.
Most of the Mason jars I use at home have markings (some are also the quilted-style jelly jars), and I find that the raised markings and bumps make it tricky for even masking tape to stay stuck to the sides of the jars. The Anchor Hocking Mason jars also feature gold-toned lids instead of the usual silver and are also free of markings and branding, which looks a bit nicer and more gift-friendly.
Other than the smooth-sided design and attractive gold lids, the Anchor Hocking Mason jars offer everything else you could want: They're made in the U.S., the glass is thick and sturdy, and the lids seal down well, although some buyers report that the jars don't provide an airtight seal as reliably as Ball jars.
Pros: Made in America, durable glass bodies, smooth-sided jars with no raised markings or branding, attractive gold-tone lids
Cons: The lids are not as reliably airtight as those of Ball and Kerr Mason jars
The best wide-mouth Mason jars
Kerr
For juices, soups, sauces, and other liquid contents, large wide-mouth jars like these Kerr Mason jars are just the ticket for clean and easy pouring.
As we've stated, Mason jars have a ton of uses, from canning homemade goods like jams and jellies to storing wet and dry cooking ingredients. Owing to their airtight lid design and heat-resistant glass construction, Mason jars are also great for holding liquids like homemade soups, sauces, and juices.
Standard Mason jars might be a bit small for this endeavor, however. At the very least, the somewhat narrow mouths of most jars can make pouring liquids unnecessarily messy and difficult. In this case, what you need are Mason jars with wide mouths like these ones from Kerr, which feature a larger opening that makes it easier to add and remove wet or larger contents (while also making the jars easier to clean by hand).
If the Kerr jars and their packaging looks eerily similar to that of Ball jars, it's because they're basically the same: Both Ball and Kerr brands are now owned and manufactured by the parent company Jarden. That means that the Kerr Mason jars boast all of the tough American-made quality of their Ball counterparts, so you can buy with confidence.
Like other Ball and Kerr jars, these are also safe for heating and freezing and are available in various sizes to suit your need.
Pros: Made in America, solid construction quality with tightly-sealing lids, wide mouths make it easier to pour liquid contents cleanly, replacement lids are readily available, and they're heat- and freezer-safe
Cons: The larger ones are slightly more expensive than their normal-mouth counterparts
The best bail-top Mason jars
Bormioli
If you don't need jars specifically for canning and you'd rather not deal with two-piece lids that can get lost or worn out, then the bail top design of the Italian-made Bormioli Rocco Fido jars are a great addition to any kitchen.
Traditional Mason jars with screw-top lids are great for canning and storage, but not so convenient for providing quick access to daily-use items that you want to grab quickly. For that, you might want to consider something with a captive-lid "bail top" design like the European-made Fido jars from Italian maker Bormioli Rocco, which feature a handy closure that can be opened and closed in seconds with one hand — while still offering an airtight seal that'll keep contents fresh.
Purists may assert that these technically aren't "Mason jars," as they eschew the traditional two-piece lid for a captive hinged closure that seals with a rubber gasket. Admittedly, they're not wrong, but we've decided to include these anyway as the Bormioli Rocco Fido jars serve much the same purpose as airtight containers for your goodies with a lid design that many will find more convenient.
The rubber gaskets seal very well, the lids are weighty and sturdy (as are the glass bodies), and the metal bails are solid and easy to open and close. If there's one drawback to the bail top lid design, though, it's that the jars can't really be used for traditional canning that involves boiling the jars with their contents inside. You'll need standard Mason jars for that.
For pretty much every other kitchen use, however, the Bormioli Rocco Fido jars are great, and the flip-open lid makes these especially suitable for keeping things like candies, nuts, and other treats within easy reach on a table or counter.
They're available in a ton of different sizes, too (marked in metric since they're European), including ones considerably larger than most American Mason jars. They're a bit more expensive due to their design, but not unreasonably so for Italian-made glass jars that can last a lifetime.
Pros: Made in Italy, robust glass construction, the bail top design is convenient and the rubber gaskets provide an airtight seal, available in a ton of larger sizes, and they look great
Cons: They're not nearly as cheap as standard Mason jars, and the bail top design prevents these from being boiled for canning
The best with handles
Libbey
The Libbey County Fair Mason jar mugs have all of the rustic charm of Mason jars along with a sturdy handle for safe and comfortable drinking.
The design of Mason jars hasn't changed much (if at all) since the 19th century, but their continued popularity has led makers and users alike to adapt these handy containers for a myriad of different uses. Perhaps the most popular among these innovations are Mason jars that feature added handles, converting them into safe and convenient drinking glasses.
And why not? Mason jars are made of glass, have wide openings and they simply look great. The County Fair handled mugs from Libbey have all of the classic charm of Mason jars, but with a simple, sturdy glass handle attached to the side. On the front, a raised design depicts a rooster motif along with lettering that reads "County Fair Drinking Jar," a nice departure from the standard raised branding you usually see.
Like most Libbey glassware, the County Fair Mason jar mugs are made in the United States. They're very well made and, being glass, are safe to drink from (no BPAs or other chemical components that can leech into your drinks like with plastic containers). They're also generously sized at 16 ounces, although they don't come with any lids.
Thankfully, however, standard Ball or Kerr Mason jar lids do work with these if you'd like to steal your jar up to take your drink with you or keep it fresh in the fridge.
Pros: Made in America of durable glass, a thick and sturdy handle for safely and comfortably drinking from the jar, a nice country-style raised design that sets them apart from other Mason jars, and standard Mason jar lids can fit onto the threaded opening
Cons: They're more expensive than standard Mason jars, and lids must be purchased separately
Food storage containers keep your food fresh and can handle the microwave, freezer, and dishwasher without staining, taking on odors, or experiencing damage. These are our top picks for the best food storage containers.
Any good travel mug will keep your drink hot or cold for a few hours without leaking. We've selected the best travel mugs out there to keep you caffeinated on your commute.
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Protesters set up a guillotine outside Jeff Bezos' house to protest Amazon workers' wages on Thursday.
The protest came the day after Bezos' net worth exceeded $200 billion for the first time, making him one of the richest people in history.
Protesters, led by former warehouse worker and outspoken Amazon critic Christian Smalls, called on the company to raise its minimum wage to $30 per hour.
More than 100 protesters gathered outside Jeff Bezos' Washington, DC, mansion on Thursday and constructed a guillotine outside his front door to protest Amazon workers' wages.
A video posted to Twitter by a Washington Examiner reporter shows former Amazon warehouse worker Christian Smalls, an outspoken Amazon critic, calling on the company to raise its minimum wage from $15 per hour to $30 per hour in light of Bezos' surging wealth. The protest was led by The Congress of Essential Workers, a group founded by Smalls.
"Give a good reason why we don't deserve a $30 minimum wage when this man makes $4,000 a second," Smalls said.
Since then, he has led multiple protests targeting Amazon and Bezos, including an August 10 protest outside Bezos' New York apartment building.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted some Amazon employees to speak out about working conditions, it's also been a financial boon for the company. It reported $88.9 billion in sales in the second quarter of 2020, a record for the company.
It's not clear whether the protesters' guillotine had a real blade or was functional. The Congress of Essential Workers did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.
An Amazon spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request to comment.
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is here. In the world of all things fashion, beauty, and home, this is the sale of the season. If you're not familiar, the Anniversary Sale is Nordstrom's annual savings event where brand-new arrivals are offered at seriously discounted prices.
When is the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale?
The 2020 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is happening now — you can shop deals from August 19 to August 30. On August 31, prices will go back up.
What deals will I find during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale?
Is the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale online or in stores?
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is online and in stores. Now through August 28, you'll receive a $10 reward when you buy online and choose in-store or curbside pickup.
How good are the deals during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale?
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is regarded as the brand's biggest sale of the year. The discounts are usually better than or comparable to Black Friday prices. It isn't a pseudo-sale where prices will stay the same or go even lower following the sale — prices will go back up, so if there's something you're looking for or you just want to splurge, this is the time to shop.
Now is a great opportunity to pick up a new pair of boots or dress shoes, just in time for fall. You'll find options from brands like Cole Haan, To Boot New York, Allen Edmonds, and Magnanni.
From casual street style picks to performance runners, Nordstrom has a solid selection of sneaker deals — but act fast, sneakers almost always sell out during the sale.
Beauty and skincare products can be rather expensive, so the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is the optimal time to stock up on your favorite moisturizers, acne treatments, perfumes, colognes, and more.
The Nordstrom Anniversary sale is also a great time to pick up essentials — like underwear — for less. Calvin Klein has many deals on men's boxer briefs and trunks happening right now.
Popular skincare brand La Mer hardly ever goes on sale, but some of its bestsellers are discounted during the sale. If you need to replenish your stock or you want to try it for the first time, now is the best time to do so.
You might not be in need of fancy clothes for going out or dressing for the office, but you probably could use some new loungewear. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale has cozy hoodies, joggers, sweaters, and more.
