Welcome back to our Saturday edition, a sampling of our top lifestyle reads.
Dating apps are out. Matchmakers are in. At least that’s what Taylor Bannks says. The 33-year-old New Yorker dropped thousands of dollars for a matchmaker and said after her first date, the investment felt worth it.
But first: Let the games begin.
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This week’s dispatch
We’re going to Paris!
The 2024 Olympic Games kicked off Friday in the City of Lights — and the opening ceremony immediately made history.
The summer games, which will run through August 11, opened along the iconic River Seine, becoming the first Olympics to kick off outside a stadium.
However, the festivities faced an early setback after a series of arson attacks damaged transport routes leading to the capital. The French prime minister called the attacks “acts of sabotage.”
Still, picturesque Paris is turning out to be the perfect backdrop to watch our favorite sports.
Marathon runners will enjoy a route from Paris to Versailles. Triathlon competitors will swim in the “River Seine, bike on the iconic Champs-Élysées, and then run through the streets of Paris before ending up at the Pont Alexandre III bridge,” writes BI’s senior reporter Samantha Grindell.
Over 10,000 athletes — from gymnasts to tennis players to track stars — have descended upon the Olympic Village. And millions of fans are anticipated to cheer them on.
Former Estée Lauder director Sunny Choi will be among those representing the US. She left her corporate job to train for the Olympics as a breaker, or breakdancer as it’s commonly called. The sport is making its debut at the 2024 games.
“I knew that the Olympics was a childhood dream, so it took some time to figure out what it was that was really stopping me and then figuring out whether it was actually worth not going for my dreams,” Choi told BI’s junior reporter Mykenna Maniece. “Turns out it wasn’t worth it, so I quit.”
Choi’s advice to anyone watching breaking for the first time during the Olympics: “Be present and pick a favorite dancer.”
Missed the opening ceremony? Here’s how to watch the rest of the events.
Go where you’re wanted
The world’s most popular vacation locations are often overrun with tourists. The result is a lessened quality of life for locals, and swarms of crowds for visitors.
But some places, like Kenya, Taiwan, and Wales, are actively looking to boost tourism. Visiting an under-the-radar country can help alleviate stress on overwhelmed hot spots — and make for a less crowded vacation.
Where to go next.
Live like a retiree (at 30)
Retirement communities typically offer activities like golf and yoga to keep residents active. Now, some millennials want that lifestyle without waiting until 65 to get it.
Young professionals, eager for outdoor space and leisure amenities, are moving to resort-style communities to live the retired life early.
Why some millennials are hitting fast forward.
A worthy power lunch
Keens Steakhouse, a New York City institution, has been luring power lunchers for years. Opened in the 1800s, the restaurant has more than a century of history as a go-to dining room and social club.
Despite its history, it feels unpretentious. And don’t let the price tag dissuade you — the mutton alone makes it a worthy splurge for a corporate lunch.
Read the full review.
Also read:
Ryan Reynolds’ fitness routine
Reynolds is back this summer as Deadpool alongside Hugh Jackman for “Deadpool & Wolverine.” To prepare for the action-packed film, Reynolds worked with Don Saladino, his personal trainer of 15 years.
Saladino told BI he didn’t just want Reynolds to have a superhero body — he also wanted to incorporate a longevity routine for the 47-year-old actor.
Inside the actor’s health regimen.
Also read:
What we’re watching this weekend
- “Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam”: The Netflix docuseries looks at Lou Pearlman, the controversial music manager best known for launching the careers of boy bands like *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys.
- “Knox Goes Away”: Michael Keaton stars as a contract killer in Max’s new crime thriller.
- “The Decameron”: Netflix’s pitch-black comedy, set in 1348, is about out-of-touch nobles who flee to a villa in Italy with their servants when the plague breaks out, only for their getaway to turn chaotic.
See the full list.
Deals we love
- Quality seafood straight to your door: After testing dozens of options, we found the 13 best seafood delivery services for sustainable, fresh, and tasty fish.
- Not all lip balms are created equal: We narrowed it down to 18 of the best lip balms that offer hydration, plumping, tinted shades, and more.
- Dodge the power outages: With extreme weather conditions knocking out power nationwide, a portable generator is a must. Here are six of the best generators to ensure you don’t get caught unprepared.
More of this week’s top reads:
The Insider Today team: Joi-Marie McKenzie, editor in chief of life, in New York. Jordan Parker Erb, editor, in New York. Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York City. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, fellow, in New York.
Read the full article here
