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Happy Saturday! If you're headed to Starbucks for your weekend jolt of joe, it might be your last chance to get your fav order. Starting March 4, these 13 items are dropping off the menu.
On the agenda:
- Inside the five-day Bali retreat for followers of the FIRE movement.
- A top nutrition scientist shares the foods he always has on hand that make gut-healthy eating easy.
- Successful men gave us insight into their shoe game.
- A software engineer spent the past year building an at-home gym for his family. Take a look.
But first: Getting ready for Hollywood's biggest night.
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This week's dispatch
And the winner is… 🏆
Hollywood is ready to celebrate the best movies that graced the big screen last year. Amid the backdrop of the devastating California wildfires, Tinseltown is dusting off to pay homage to the creators who've made us laugh and cry.
This year, a few nominations have already made history, and viewers can also look out for potentially history-making moments on Oscars night on Sunday.
- Two musicals were among the 10 films nominated for the top prize, best picture, for the first time in five decades — "Wicked" and "Emilia Pérez."
- Cynthia Erivo became the first Black British female actor nominated twice: "Harriet" in 2020 and "Wicked" this year.
- "Succession" stars Jeremy Strong and Kieran Culkin were both nominated for their respective performances in "The Apprentice" and "A Real Pain."
- And if Timothée Chalamet takes home the trophy for best actor for his role in "A Complete Unknown," he'll become the youngest actor to win it.
To prepare for Hollywood's big night, I asked deputy editor Samantha Rollins what we could expect while watching from our couches at home.
"Demi Moore would be a feel-good story if she won her first Oscar for 'The Substance.' Adrien Brody was favored to win for the epic 'The Brutalist,' but Timothée Chalamet's surprise win at the SAGs for playing Bob Dylan in 'A Complete Unknown' signals he's coming for the crown," she said.
"The winner for best picture is a toss-up: Sean Baker's 'Anora' has been an awards-season darling," Rollins added, "but I wouldn't count out the gossiping popes in 'Conclave.'"
5 days on FIRE island
The road to early retirement is paved with loneliness. For those committed to the Financially Independent, Retire Early lifestyle, it can be hard to talk about money with friends on more traditional tracks.
A five-day, $1,800 retreat in Bali has the answer for those who aspire to FIRE and those who have already achieved it. BI's Shubhangi Goel spent a week amid the flowing tears, coconut water, and conversation in the Indonesian island paradise.
The conversation went far beyond money.
What's in a nutrition scientist's kitchen
You may think a top nutrition scientist only opts for fresh foods, but that's not the case for Tim Spector. While the epidemiologist typically has a fruit bowl on his counter for snacking, he keeps his freezer stocked. Jarred and tinned foods also help simplify healthy eating, with Spector commending them as the "unsung heroes of eating well."
Spector likes to get creative, experimenting with fermentation and relying on some tricks to reach his goal of eating 30 plants a week. And he doesn't think healthy meals have to be boring.
Making gut-healthy eating easy.
Walk a mile in their shoes
Ever wonder what it's like to step into a successful person's shoes? Successful men across an array of industries shared with BI their everyday footwear so you can do that, literally.
Sneakers reigned supreme, particularly classic brands like Nike and New Balance. But don't underestimate fun cowboy boots or a luxe loafer.
A dream at-home gym
When software engineer Antonio Perez's wife became wheelchair-bound in 2023, he started to feel guilty whenever he left the house to go to the gym. So, he decided to turn his basement into one.
Perez spent the past year on the home improvement project, which included spray painting the ceilings, DIY-ing the lighting, buying gym equipment, and more. In total, he spent $32,000. He said his biggest advice for those looking to build a gym in their home is to understand it will take a lot of time.
What we're watching this weekend
- The Oscars: Conan O'Brien will host the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, which will stream live on Hulu.
- "Strange Darling": One of 2024's most underrated horror movies is now available on Paramount+.
- "Running Point": Kate Hudson plays a basketball heiress loosely based on LA Lakers owner Jeanie Buss in Netflix's new comedy.
What to shop
- More than your average uniform: Ditch the pencil skirt and button-up. Instead, consider pieces from our favorite workwear brands. From sleek trousers to comfortable blazers, these are our tried-and-true stops for daily office wear.
- Social media-worthy luggage: Time and time again, Monos stands out as one of our favorite luggage brands. Learn more about our Monos favorites, and why these stylish carry-ons are worth the money.
- Solutions for combination skin: It can be tricky treating skin that is both oily and dry, as not all skincare is right for it. That's why we've gathered the best moisturizers for combination skin to help provide exactly what it needs.
More of this week's top reads:
- I paid $65 for a giant collection of vintage dishes at a thrift store and then found out it's worth almost $1,000.
- It costs $10 million to dress an A-list actress at the Oscars. These 10 jaw-dropping figures reveal the price tag of Hollywood's biggest night.
- I spent $6,500 on a small luxury cruise around Iceland. It was so good that I wouldn't book a megaship again.
- A busy 59-year-old who can plank for 4 hours straight shared how she finds time to strengthen her core.
- I spent about 3 weeks traveling through Vietnam. Looking back, I could've easily avoided these 4 mistakes.
- 'The White Lotus' star Patrick Schwarzenegger says he sometimes wishes he didn't have his last name.
- Eldest daughters tend to be their parents' favorite kids. Here's why it isn't always a good thing.
- We retired and moved to Cyprus. The Cypriot Mediterranean diet, healthcare, and weather have completely won us over.
- Michelle Trachtenberg's friends and costars react to the 'Buffy' and 'Gossip Girl' star's sudden death at 39: 'I wish I could have helped.'
- I want to build muscle and lose fat. A nutritionist said I can choose between two simple methods to hit my goals.
The BI Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York City. Grace Lett, editor, in New York. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York. Elizabeth Casolo, fellow, in Chicago.
