• I spent seven years living abroad in Budapest before returning to the United States.
• I noticed many of my habits changed, like the way I viewed work and how I shopped for groceries.
• That said, the one American trait I'll never ditch is my love of small talk.

Travel has always been important to me.

In college, I spent two separate semesters abroad. After graduation, I won a once-in-a-lifetime competition that let me spend the summer visiting five continents.

Unsurprisingly, when I got the opportunity to move to Budapest to teach English, I jumped at the chance — and ended up sticking around. I spent seven years building a life in Europe before heading back to the States.

Now that I'm back in the US, I've noticed that I picked up more than a few European habits.

Some are small: I no longer wear shoes inside the house, and I use cutlery even when eating "finger food" like pizza. I also get dressed up for quick errands, instead of just throwing on athleisure like I used to.

I've noticed some bigger shifts in how I live, too. Here are four ways my habits and lifestyle have changed since my time in Europe — and one distinctly American trait I plan to keep.

I've learned to savor and carve out time for meals.

I remember thinking that desk lunches, grab-and-go snacks, and rushed meals were the norm. Sitting down to eat was one of the first things I'd sacrifice for the sake of time.

Once I moved abroad, however, dining became an occasion, not something to be rushed through. The abundance of outdoor terraces for an afternoon coffee or restaurants offering a business lunch — which usually means two or three courses for a set value price — helped support this.

This isn't to say that I think every meal has to be a formal event, but I liked how intentional eating and drinking felt in Europe.

Now, I savor my meals more, whether that means intentionally carving out time for a long lunch or just sitting down to enjoy a coffee instead of sipping it while I head to my next destination.

I gained distance from hustle culture and started enjoying the little things more.

When I first moved to Hungary, one of the biggest shocks was the lack of "hustle culture." In the US, I always felt pressured to work more so that I could earn more so that I could buy more.

Suddenly, though, I found myself living among people who generally didn't work on days off and took their six weeks of annual vacation seriously.

Now that I'm back in the US and looking for a full-time job, I am prioritizing roles at companies that understand and appreciate work-life balance, too.

My grocery-shopping habits changed.

Before I moved to Europe, I considered buying fresh produce or groceries from farmers markets to be a luxury. There weren't many of these markets in my area, and it made sense to go to larger stores.

Budapest, on the other hand, has many such markets, so fresh food was much more accessible. Since everything was closer, I picked up essentials daily, instead of doing one massive weekly shop.

When I first visited a grocery store after moving back to a small town in the US, I was a bit bewildered by how pricey it felt to buy high-protein foods or produce marketed as organic.

After getting used to whole foods in Budapest, though, I've made it a priority to seek out healthier ingredients and fewer processed foods here — even if they don't feel as readily accessible where I live.

I speak more slowly and with more intention.

Living in an international community where English wasn't everyone's first language changed the way I speak.

Over the past several years, I've found myself talking more slowly and with more intention. As a result, I believe I've become a better listener.

I've also noticed that the kinds of conversations I participate in have changed, too — and I've developed more cultural sensitivity.

One American habit I never ditched, though, was my tendency to make small talk.

When I first moved abroad, I heard some criticisms from new Hungarian acquaintances about how often Americans make small talk.

I was surrounded by people who were much more private, so what I thought were well-intentioned questions sometimes came off as invasive.

For instance, some Hungarians have told me that even "How are you?" is generally considered a personal question.

I didn't want to make locals feel uncomfortable, so I learned to tone down any tendencies to overshare. That said, I was also raised to be enthusiastic and friendly, and didn't want to lose those traits.

Now that I'm home, I remember how affirming it feels to strike up a chat with a stranger — maybe in line at the grocery store or out walking my dog — and have it reciprocated.

I believe kind, surface-level interactions are still beautiful moments of connection, and I want to remain open to those instead of guarded, no matter where my travels take me next.

• Outside music, Taylor Swift is widely known for her sparkling red-carpet outfits and stage costumes.
• She also has a strong street style, as evident during her New York City strolls over the years.
• Swift seems to be particularly fond of statement coats, patterned tights, and denim ensembles.

Taylor Swift knows a thing or two about fashion.

Of course, she has a certified triple platinum single titled "Style." But there's also the matter of her concert outfits, red-carpet looks, and standout street style.

The latter, in particular, has evolved greatly over the years. She once stepped out in outfits comprised of miniskirts and tank tops — but now sports designer looks from Vivienne Westwood and shoes from Christian Louboutin.

Here are the best ensembles she's worn while out and about over the years.

Taylor Swift has been in the spotlight since the mid-2000s, but her street style really started to stand out in the 2010s.

For a New York City outing in November 2011, for example, Swift tucked a navy, cable-knit sweater by Ralph Lauren into a pleated yellow skirt from ModCloth.

Her academia-esque look was completed with magenta Marc Jacobs kitten heels, red lipstick, and a blue Fendi purse that matched the sparkling 13 drawn on her hand.

2014, in particular, was a big year for Swift's fashion in the lead-up to her album "1989."

She wore lots of crop tops and miniskirts at the time, like this gray two-piece set from Alice + Olivia.

Still, it was her accessories that made looks like the one above stand out. She wore vibrant pink pumps designed by Christian Louboutin and carried a yellow version of Dolce & Gabbana's Linda Tote bag.

She had fun with accessories that year, including unconventional ones like her cat Olivia.

She carried her cat on a September day in New York City while wearing a classically preppy look.

She tucked a white Free People top adorned with lace sleeves into a plaid skirt from RD Style and completed the look with a maroon pair of sheer knee-highs by Tabbisocks.

Swift also wore black loafer pumps from & Other Stories and carried a green Dolce & Gabbana bag.

 

Standout coats have been a longtime fashion staple of Swift's, and they also played a part in her "1989" wardrobe.

Less than a month after her fifth studio album was released, Swift was photographed spending time with Karlie Kloss in New York City.

She wore a little black dress underneath a tan, tattersall coat, sheer polka-dot tights, and lace-up heeled Oxfords.

Swift also carried a burgundy purse and sported a thin gold headband adorned with a small bow.

By 2015, Swift had adopted tank tops and tailored shorts.

For one outing in May 2015, Swift wore an open-back tank top from Zara with black-and-white printed shorts from River Island.

She also added blue patent-leather heels from Pedro Garcia for a pop of color, Swarovski sunglasses, and a Mary Katrantzou bag.

But in 2016, Swift's street style had a brief rocker period.

Not only had the musician chopped her long locks in favor of a bleached bob, but she also wore edgier clothes for a brief time.

In May 2016, she was photographed leaving a gathering at Anna Wintour's home while wearing a plaid Louis Vuitton dress with chunky boots and a leather jacket — both from the fashion house.

For accessories, she chose only a small black purse designed by Mark Cross.

Eventually, she returned to vibrant colors and denim garments.

In August 2016, Swift walked around New York City while wearing a pink Brandy Melville tank top underneath a denim overall-style dress from Tularosa.

She also sported a black Marni bag and flower-printed sneakers from Gucci.

She also hinted at her glamorous red-carpet style with her nighttime looks.

One evening in September 2016, Swift was photographed wearing a black V-neck Aritzia bodysuit worn underneath a white miniskirt from Related Apparel.

But her accessories really made the outfit. Swift wore strappy sandals from Louise et Cie, a tan clutch by Aspinal of London, and a white choker necklace from Adornmonde.

A few days later, Swift wore one of the most colorful looks of her bleached-hair era.

Her striped, long-sleeved bodysuit was from PH5, while her pleated, burgundy miniskirt was from Urban Outfitters.

She wore both pieces with Michael Kors sunglasses, a Burberry bag, and platform, velvet sandals from Aquazurra.

In the summer of 2018, Swift's street style began to reflect the transition from her "Reputation" album cycle to that of "Lover."

She was photographed in July of that year wearing a pinstriped Unravel Project shirt hanging off one shoulder and distressed denim shorts from Gucci. 

While the casual outfit matched the dark aesthetic of her sixth studio album — as did her black leather Tod's boots and Tommy Hilfiger bag — her vibrant lipstick, wavy hair, and Miu Miu earrings hinted at the era to come. 

Swift fully embraced the colorful side of her style in 2019.

Days before her song "ME!" was released to the world, Swift stepped out in New York City wearing one of her quirkiest outfits to date.

It consisted of a floral Zimmermann dress, a red Mango blazer, and Rupert Sanderson sandals.

The highlights of Swift's outfit, however, were her pink-tinted hair and her cat-printed purse from Anya Hindmarch.

In 2023, the "Midnights" musician subtly leveled up a simple summer dress with luxurious jewelry.

After performing three sold-out shows at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in late May, Swift was photographed outside Electric Lady Studios in New York City.

She wore a black cotton dress with a black belt around the waist, $450 Waylon slide sandals from Anine Bing, $200 Indio sunglasses from the same brand, and a brown version of the $895 M Frame Box Bag from Mansur Gavriel.

But most impressive was Swift's gold, diamond-encrusted Cartier necklace from the 1980s.

The sparkling jewelry — called the Agrafe Herringbone Twisted Necklace — is no longer produced, but one was sold on 1stDibs, an online luxury marketplace, for $27,250.  

In June of that year, she mixed a bunch of classic pieces to create a casual but cool look.

She wore a pinstripe shirt from The Row over a pleated Free People skort and paired both pieces with a baseball cap, lace-up shoes, and a Patou purse.

And she showed the fashionable side of cargo pants in September 2023.

Swift's navy pants were designed by Vince, while her sheer cashmere tank top was by Gabriela Hearst.

She wore them with ankle boots from The Row, a Ralph Lauren baseball cap, and a purse from Yuzefi.

The following month, Swift stepped out with her boyfriend Travis Kelce — and their couple style stole the show.

Her chic black-and-gold ensemble featured an $825 houndstooth coat from Gant over a Versace corset top and high-waisted black trousers.

She also carried the $340 Nirvana bag from Aupen and wore a $70 gold necklace from Mazin Jewels. Her updo hairstyle and red lipstick completed the look.

She put a feminine twist on an athletic style before releasing "1989 (Taylor's Version)."

She was photographed in New York City wearing an $850 rugby shirt from Stella McCartney as a dress.

She wore the shirt, which was emblazoned with a golden horse design, with knee-high Prada boots in an auburn shade and a corduroy hat from Ralph Lauren.

Swift was bejeweled on her birthday in December 2023 with a celestial dress.

Designed by Clio Peppiatt, the black garment was sleeveless, covered in black sparkles, and decorated with silver moons and stars.

Swift wore the minidress with a fuzzy Anine Bing jacket draped over her arms, platform heels, and a silver Aquazzura bag in hand.

As she left the party, she was also seen wearing a massive teardrop-shaped ring made from opal and blue topaz stones. Though many assumed it was gifted to her by Kelce, it was later revealed to have been a birthday present from Keleigh Teller, Swift's friend and Miles Teller's wife.

She kicked off 2024 with a street-style look that had "Reputation" vibes.

For an outing to Lucalli Pizza in New York City with Blake Lively, Swift sported a velvet green dress with long sleeves and a short skirt.

She also wore semi-sheer black tights and over-the-knee boots from the Jean Paul Gaultier x Jimmy Choo collaboration.

The shoes, which retail for $2,450, had fans convinced that "Reputation (Taylor's Version)" would soon be released because they were decorated with images of snakes — a symbol of the album and era.

She later paid homage to a track from "The Tortured Poets Department" in September of that year.

Swift stepped out during a September 2024 visit to Electric Lady Studios in New York City in a three-piece outfit from Monse. Inspired by art from the 1950s, each tapestry piece was decorated with images of a landscape and a landing UFO.

The musician likely chose to wear the $1,490 jacket, $740 corset, and $890 miniskirt as a nod to her song "Down Bad," which uses alien analogies to express her feelings about a breakup.

She paired the outfit with $1,270 statement boots from Vivienne Westwood, adding a high-fashion touch to the quirky outfit.

Swift elevated her date-night style with Gucci and Dior pieces in October 2024.

While out with Kelce in October, Swift was photographed wearing a $1,700 lace-embellished Gucci corset, a $195 faux-leather miniskirt from RTA, and $1,720 Louis Vuitton boots, which are now sold out.

The three pieces created a feminine and edgy ensemble that also embodied quiet luxury, especially thanks to her accessories.

She sported a $2,498 Ralph Lauren coat, carried a $4,400 Dior Saddle bag, and accessorized with two expensive rings: a $3,150 gold and diamond band from Louis Vuitton and a $3,490 pear-shaped piece from Shala Karimi.

 

Swift took a fashion risk with a bold outfit toward the end of the year.

Most of Swift's street-style looks are classic and subdued. The dress she wore in New York City in November 2024, though, was anything but.

Designed by Vivienne Westwood, the $2,390 piece had a structured, off-the-shoulder bodice that looked like it had been painted with strokes of yellow, blue, and red. Its puffed skirt, on the other hand, was decorated with uneven blue stripes.

Swift completed the outfit with $795 velvet sandals from Aquazzura, which have since sold out, a vintage necklace from For Future Reference that previously retailed for $12,750, and a $355 Vivienne Westwood purse.

In December 2024, she went full glam for a date night.

She was photographed holding hands with Kelce in New York City, where the couple sported coordinated black and red outfits.

Swift's included a $1,095 crystal-covered coat from Simkhai, a $498 minidress from Fleur Du Mal, and Louboutin sandal heels.

She also wore her signature red lipstick and an assortment of fine jewelry from De Beers.

She showed her affinity for statement tights in November of 2025.

She visited New York City with Kelce again, this time wearing a Louis Vuitton sweater tucked into a wrap skirt from the same fashion house.

The most eye-catching piece of her look, though, was her floral-printed fishnet tights. She wore them beneath $1,940 Louis Vuitton boots.

Her latest look was simple, but perfect for early winter.

She was photographed in New York City wearing a plaid miniskirt from Miu Miu, a dark bodysuit, and a $3,730 Max Mara coat.

Her accessories included suede Louboutin boots, sheer tights, a $1,300 YSL bag, and diamond earrings from Etiq.

• My husband and I live in the UK and frequently travel back to the US together.
• We never agreed on when to leave for the airport, and often kicked off our trips feeling tense.
• We started commuting to the airport separately, and it helped our marriage and travel experience.

For the nine years we've been a couple, my husband and I have taken countless flights together.

We've visited family in the Carolinas, Tennessee, Montana, and Maryland. We've wandered around the Duomo in Florence, enjoyed tacos and tequila in Mexico City, and explored the breathtaking Normandy coastline.

Now that we live in London, travel has ramped up. We're in our late 20s and early 30s, and wedding season has us flying back to the US on a near-monthly basis for our friends' nuptials … in addition to other scheduled trips.

Unfortunately, we would get in a fight — almost every time — about what time to leave for the airport.

After one too many pre-flight squabbles, we stumbled on a solution

As a chronically early person, I hate rushing and get intense anxiety about cutting things too close.

I'd rather sit in an airport for an extra hour than make a sweaty sprint through the terminal to catch a flight.

My husband, on the other hand, doesn't like to waste time — and with his demanding, meeting-filled job, he rarely has a moment to spare.

His perfect travel day involves passing through security as the plane begins boarding. Though that's anxiety-inducing to me, for what it's worth, he's only ever missed one flight.

Because of this, in the hours before a flight, I'd be huffing around our apartment with bags packed and shoes on. He'd get frustrated that I was rushing him, and I'd get annoyed that he was making us "late."

Cue lots of tense moments and grumpy silence in transit.

A few months ago, ahead of yet another long-haul flight to the US, I suggested what I thought was a reasonable time to leave — not too early, not too late. My husband wanted to leave even later.

I decided to just leave when I wanted to avoid the stress and inevitable argument. We were taking public transportation, so the cost was the same either way.

I told him I'd meet him at the gate, gave him a quick kiss, and made my way — happily, unhurriedly — to the airport. He arrived much later, but still on time.

We proceeded to have the smoothest trip we'd ever had in nine years.

Arriving when we want to helps us manage our own time and start a trip on a positive note

Since we started arriving at the airport separately, we noticed tons of other benefits, too.

My husband and I have very different work schedules, and this setup helps us both effectively manage our responsibilities. Sometimes, I'll get to the airport extra early to take a call or put finishing touches on an assignment.

We've also found that there's no financial downside to this system.

Obviously, this travel hack works best for city dwellers with easy access to public transport. It's definitely trickier if you live out in the suburbs and either share a car or don't want to park two at the airport.

Because we've only ever lived together in cities, though, this option is easy for us. Even if we planned to take an Uber together, the added cost of one of us leaving earlier on public transit is generally pretty marginal — in our case, usually no more than about $15.

Best of all, by arriving at the airport when we like, we start our trips on a positive note. The last thing we need on an already stressful travel day is to be fighting or feeling frustrated with or another.

All in all, this simple rule has helped our relationship and communication

Though this works well for us, we don't always travel separately.

There are times when our schedules make it more convenient to head to the airport together, or we have enough luggage that it makes more sense to schedule an Uber.

In those instances, we talk through our schedules the day before to make sure we can clearly communicate expectations so that there are no surprises.

These days, though, this heading to the airport separately has become our norm. I'll tell my husband which train I'm planning to take, and he tells me which one he's on.

We know that we'll see each other at the gate, one way or another.

• This post originally appeared in the Business Insider Today newsletter.
• You can sign up for Business Insider's daily newsletter here.

Mickey Mouse … brought to you by OpenAI.

Disney lending out its iconic characters to be leveraged by AI seemed a far-fetched idea a few months ago. But thanks to a $1 billion deal between the House of Mouse and OpenAI, that's exactly what's happening.

It's representative of a larger question companies, especially those in media and entertainment, are grappling with: Are AI companies friend or foe?

For Bob Iger, the answer is very much friend.

"It gives us an opportunity, really, to play a part in what is really a breathtaking, breathtaking growth in essentially AI and new forms of media and entertainment," the Disney CEO told CNBC on Thursday.

The deal will allow Disney+ to post users' AI-generated content, a goal that Iger mentioned last month. Doing so could help boost engagement on the streamer's platform, which has been stagnant in recent years, writes BI's Lucia Moses.

(I should probably mention Axel Springer, Business Insider's parent company, also falls in the "friend" camp. It cut a deal with OpenAI almost two years ago.)

Others aren't as willing to rub shoulders with OpenAI. The startup has a history of using someone's intellectual property without permission and then apologizing for it. That has resulted in several lawsuits, including those from The New York Times and "Game of Thrones" author George R.R. Martin.

So who's right? It's too early to say, but it could easily go both ways.

The longer one waits to cut a deal with an AI company, the worse the terms could be. (The benefits of first-mover advantage.) On the other hand, opening yourself up to AI could be a kind of Pandora's box you can't close.

Here's what some smart people in media, tech, and business are saying about the deal.

The deal isn't just beneficial to Disney.

Disney characters coming to Sora 2 could be a big boost for a video platform that hit a bit of a lull after a hot start a few months ago.

Bringing characters from "Frozen" and "Moana" to life on your app is also a great way to generate interest and build loyalty with a younger audience. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently touted the personal benefits he finds from using ChatGPT as a new parent.

But pursuing a younger demographic also comes as some countries are putting up more guardrails around kids' use of tech. Australia recently installed a ban on social media for anyone under the age of 16.

The Disney-OpenAI deal also comes as competition keeps mounting against the startup from the likes of Google and others. And while so much of AI is about pushing cutting-edge tech, sometimes you just need a little bit of old-school magic.

• The Philippine Navy has two new guided-missile frigates built by South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai.
• The Philippines is pursuing a massive military modernization initiative.
• The frigates and other upgrades better arm the Philippines to counter China in the South China Sea.

One of South Korea's top shipbuilders is turning out new warships for the Philippines as Manila accelerates its naval modernization.

The new frigates mark a major upgrade for the Philippine fleet, offering the country a more credible defense as China turns up the pressure in the South China Sea.

The historically obsolete Philippine naval force is now modernizing to meet current and future threats. "The Philippine Navy is professional and getting stronger," Patrick Cronin, the Asia-Pacific security chair at the Hudson Institute, told Business Insider. He said that "adding two guided-missile frigates to their very small fleet means that China's no longer running alone in the arms competition in the South China Sea."

South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has built two HDF-3200 Hybrid frigates for the Philippines. The second vessel, BRP Diego Silang, was commissioned earlier this month, over six months after the first-in-class BRP Miguel Malvar entered service.

Both vessels bring added firepower to the Philippine Navy. They're the first Philippine warships to have vertical launch systems for missiles, a modern capability that allows the Philippines to carry and fire VL MICA surface-to-air missiles made by MBDA, a European missile company. The frigates also carry eight SSM-700K C-Star anti-ship missiles made by South Korea.

Warship vertical launch systems can be refreshed with new weapons over time. They shoot missiles straight upward before they arc toward their targets, a design that works well in all conditions. Each frigate has 16 cells, allowing the Philippines to tailor its missile loadouts for different missions.

The $550 million contract for the two frigates dates to 2021 and is the latest in a string of deals between HD Hyundai and Manila. The premier South Korean shipbuilder is also constructing six offshore patrol vessels and has discussed additional projects. In all, it has built 10 ships for the Philippine Navy.

"As we strengthen our defense industry network with the Philippines and other key Southeast Asian countries, we plan to identify additional potential demand and continuously expand our business competitiveness in the region," the company told Business Insider in a statement.

As Manila races to modernize its military, new warships give its navy much-needed heft in a region where China now fields the world's largest fleet and increasingly throws its weight around.

The South China Sea has been a hotbed of Chinese aggression, accidents, and close-calls in recent years, with Beijing's navy, coast guard, and maritime militia vessels frequently harassing Philippine fishing boats, spraying them with water cannons, chasing them down, and even ramming into them.

Within the contested region, the Philippines' new frigates and firepower now pose a potential challenge for China.

"They would be taking a very big chance of being sunk or knocked out of the sky if they start to push around these frigates," Cronin said of China's ships and planes. Strategies on both sides of this long-running dispute will, however, need to be managed carefully to avoid escalation and a shift from gray-zone aggression to conflict.

China fields a huge coast guard, backed by some of the world’s largest cutters, and typically relies on it for confrontations in the South China Sea while its navy hangs back. In a recent encounter, a Chinese navy destroyer joined in the chase of a Philippine patrol ship. Its unsafe maneuvering at sea led to it slamming into one of China’s own coast guard vessels.

"It is part of China's standard operating procedure to intentionally engage in unsafe behavior and create risks of collision at sea and in the air," Gregory Poling, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Business Insider at the time.

The Philippines has been investing in other military might to counter China as well.

Manila's Archipelagic Defense Concept, for instance, has included the acquisition of more missile systems and better intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance capabilities to monitor its waters. Additionally, more military exercises and deeper cooperation between the Philippines, US, Australia, and other Pacific parnters is also helping better prepare Manila.

The Philippines is also planning for a fleet of submarines, with another South Korean shipbuilder, Hanwha Ocean, pitching an offer to build diesel-electric submarines earlier this year, as well as construct a submarine base, with support for local maintenance, repair, overhaul, and training.

Newer submarines would provide the Philippine Navy with additional ways to patrol and monitor activity within its waters and deter foes.

Nick Leeson is an English former derivatives trader who caused the collapse of Barings, London's oldest merchant bank, which had operated for 233 years. Working in the bank's Singapore office, he made a series of unauthorized speculative trades that ultimately lost $1.2 billion.

Leeson joined Barings in 1989 and by 1992 was running its new futures operation in Singapore. Concealing losses in a secret "88888" error account, he hid the scale of his bets from London as deficits ballooned. By 1994, his risky "long straddle" trades were losing millions. After doubling down during the 1995 Kobe earthquake, his losses exploded, wiping out the bank. Leeson fled to Malaysia but was caught and extradited to Singapore, where he served over four years for fraud. In 1999, he published his memoir, which was made into a 1999 film, "Rogue Trader."

Leeson speaks with Business Insider about the lifestyle of bankers in Singapore, how illegal trades happen, and the early signs of fraud.

Leeson is now active on the keynote and after-dinner speaking circuit, advising companies about risk and corporate responsibility. Since 2023, he has been a private investigator dealing with cases of financial misconduct. He also hosts the "Rogue Trader" podcast.

For more:

https://www.nmplive.co.uk/nick-leeson

https://www.nickleeson.com/

• I visited Copenhagen over the summer, but I added one night in Malmö, Sweden, to the trip.
• The city just across the water from Copenhagen was one of the highlights of my entire trip.
• I thought it offered a peek at true Scandinavian living.

For me, the most stressful part of planning a trip is narrowing down what I want to see, especially when I'm traveling to new countries.

I never want to miss out on anything, and when you only get a few days in a place, there's no way to see everything. If I'm going somewhere I'm not sure I'll get to visit again, I feel even more pressure to make the perfect itinerary.

I faced that exact conundrum when trying to decide which part of Sweden to visit as part of a trip to nearby Copenhagen, Denmark.

When I visited Copenhagen over the summer, I knew I also wanted to see some of Sweden.

In August, my husband and I set off for a trip to Scandinavia to go to a wedding in the small city of Helsingborg, Sweden. We planned to spend the majority of our trip in Copenhagen, as we were flying in and out of the Danish city since Helsingborg and Copenhagen are only about an hour and 20 minutes away from each other via train.

Still, we wanted to see a bit of Sweden during our journey, and we knew we wouldn't have a ton of time to sightsee in Helsingborg because of the wedding. We also didn't want to have to take a separate flight or spend a full day traveling, which ruled out Stockholm on the other side of the country.

After doing some research, we decided to spend one day and one night in Malmö, Sweden. Malmö is the third-largest city in Sweden and one of the country's fastest-growing cities. I liked the idea of going somewhere that could offer a true glimpse at Swedish culture, and it was extremely convenient to get there.

Adding a day in Malmö to our itinerary seemed like a no-brainer.

Going to and from Malmö via train was a breeze.

My husband and I took the train from Helsingborg to Malmö on a Monday morning, which took about 40 minutes. We also took the train from Malmö to Copenhagen the following morning, which was only a 20-minute ride.

The train couldn't have been easier. It ran in frequent increments, so we just bought tickets upon arrival at the station. It was lovely not to have to plan that part of our journey in advance.

The train was fairly crowded with commuters, but we still managed to find space for ourselves and our luggage.

I stayed at MJ's, which was just a 10-minute walk from the train station.

I considered a few different hotels in Malmö when planning our trip, but I settled on MJ's fairly quickly. I appreciated that the boutique hotel was just 10 minutes from the train station and within walking distance to restaurants and bars.

The interior also has a floral, pink aesthetic, which appealed to me, and it was in my budget. A one-night stay in a small room cost 1,630 Swedish krona, which was about $170 when I booked our stay.

Walking to MJ's from the train was easy, even with the luggage my husband and I were toting, and I loved the look of the hotel from the outside.

I couldn't wait to see the hotel's courtyard, which I had been ogling online.

One of the things I was most excited about at MJ's was its interior courtyard, designed for guests to dine and spend time together. It's covered by a glass dome that features greenery for a touch of whimsy, and its pink walls give it a chic and romantic feel.

It was just as pretty in person as it was in the photos I saw online. When we arrived at the hotel, I saw people dining and chatting under tables with umbrellas.

I loved that the upper floors at MJ's had open windows that overlooked it, so we could catch glimpses as we walked to and from our room.

I was delighted by how big my room was.

I selected a small room at MJ's for our stay, figuring we could handle limited space for just one night.

However, to my surprise, the room was large. It had a seating area by the front door, a large bed, and room for a desk and a wardrobe. Likewise, the bathroom featured a large vanity and tub.

I couldn't believe how much space we got for the price I paid.

I was immediately smitten with how quaint and whimsical Malmö is.

For our day in Malmö, I didn't create a strict itinerary. I mostly planned to wander the city with my husband, hoping to get a feel for what life in Sweden was like.

I was so glad I kept our schedule loose as we started exploring Malmö, as every street we turned down was beautiful and made me want to see more.

From the brick roads and cobblestone sidewalks to the colorful homes lining the streets, I couldn't get over how stunning the city was. Greenery grew on many of the homes we passed, and restaurants and shops were often situated in courtyards, creating a sense of community from the architecture alone.

It was also easy for us to travel on foot everywhere we went, as biking and walking are popular forms of transportation there.

A visit to Malmö Saluhall was a highlight of the day.

After visiting Malmö Castle, a popular tourist destination in the city, we stopped for lunch at Malmö Saluhall, a food hall offering a diverse array of dining options.

There was a flower market set up outside it when we arrived, and when we walked in, there were stands with almost any food you could think of. I saw other tourists like me milling around, but there were also Malmö residents who had come to eat on their lunch break.

We feasted on Italian-inspired crostinis before stopping by another booth for pastries and coffee. Everything was, unsurprisingly, delicious, and I loved that the meal came with a side of people-watching.

I found more whimsy at Folkets Park.

After lunch, we made our way to Folkets Park, a family-friendly green space renowned for its vibrant and eclectic installations. There are also performances held there.

There were colorful playgrounds, oversize chairs, and shops inside. It was quiet since we were there during a school day, but I could imagine the area would be packed on weekends.

The colorful design felt so novel compared to the neutral colors I see at most American parks. I could have stayed there for hours.

I felt like I was getting a real glimpse at Swedish culture as I wandered through the city.

We spent the rest of the afternoon walking around the city, popping into shops and sitting on benches to take in the sights. I was charmed by the bookstores, flower shops, and thrift stores we entered, and it was fun to see locals and other tourists exploring the area.

I could tell the city was designed to be friendly to tourists, finding English writing nearly everywhere, but it still felt quintessentially European thanks to its architectural style.

I also spotted people sitting at cafés enjoying fika, a traditional Swedish snack break, in the afternoon. I loved catching a glimpse at a customary aspect of Swedish culture.

My favorite part of the day was people-watching during happy hour.

Before we grabbed dinner, my husband and I decided to sit at one of the many outdoor patios in Malmö, as we wanted to enjoy the city's ambiance.

We stopped at Mello Yello, a bar located in Lilla Torg, a square in the heart of the city, just a one-minute walk from MJ's.

As I sipped on a beer, I watched coworkers gather for happy hours, families walk to early dinners, and friends meet up after long work days. The atmosphere was unhurried and communal throughout the square. It felt like we could sit for hours, and the staff would be happy to have us.

I also got to eat the cutest affogato I've ever seen.

After drinks, we spent the evening eating dinner, wandering through more squares, and grabbing dessert at Verde Gelato on our way back to our hotel.

My husband and I both love affogatos, so we would have loved them even if they came in plastic cups. Still, the adorable wooden tray and glass serveware made it even sweeter. The aesthetically pleasing touch was in perfect alignment with every other experience we had in Malmö that day, adding to its charm.

We ate them at bistro tables outside the shop, grinning at each other over bites of espresso-gelato goodness.

The city's location on the water made it even more beautiful.

We were lucky enough to be in Sweden in late August, when the sun doesn't set until around 9 p.m.

We took advantage of the brightness by taking a walk along the edge of the Öresund Strait, which separates Denmark and Sweden, as the sun went down. We had crossed over it on our train ride into Sweden, but it felt even more romantic and quaint up close.

When we returned to MJ's after dark, the bar in the lobby had a party-like atmosphere going. I appreciated the fun energy, as well as the fact that our room was quiet a few floors up, allowing us to get a peaceful night of rest even as people mingled downstairs.

To top it off, the breakfast buffet at MJ's was top-notch.

The elaborate breakfast spreads at all the hotels I stayed at in Europe amazed me, but MJ's was among my favorites, and not just because I got to eat it in the pink patio.

There was fresh fruit, eggs, bacon, all sorts of pastries, and a parfait bar. I served myself a bit of everything, and I sipped coffee out of an adorable mug I wished I could take home with me.

It was the perfect end to our stay at MJ's.

If you're heading to Copenhagen, I highly recommend adding Malmö to your itinerary.

My 24 hours in Malmö were among the most relaxing of my weeklong trip to Europe.

I was enchanted by the city's architecture, green spaces, divine food, and charming restaurants. I loved my time in Copenhagen, too, but I thought Malmö offered a slightly slower pace that was more indicative of Scandinavian culture outside the bustling metropolis. I found myself wishing we had stayed there for longer than just a day.

If you're hoping to visit Sweden on a trip to Copenhagen, I think Malmö is the perfect way to do it.

• An InMarket report found that consumers are favoring private-label coffees as prices rise.
• Although bargain coffee sales are booming, Starbucks beans remain a favorite splurge for shoppers.
• The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that coffee prices have increased by over 41% year-over-year.

Rising costs are prompting shoppers to opt for store-brand coffee, but brand loyalty is keeping Starbucks ahead in grocery sales for now.

An InMarket report, released on Thursday, shows that consumers are increasingly favoring private-label coffees. The average share of private label spend rose from 19% in Q1 to 22% in Q3 this year, with store brand coffee purchases ranking #1 at club stores such as Costco and Sam's Club.

However, Starbucks took the top spot at grocery and mass stores, such as Walmart and Target, and ranked #2 at club and dollar stores, showing that consumers still prefer their name-brand coffee when they can afford to splurge.

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the average price for a pound of coffee beans in September had increased by over 41% year-over-year — from $6.47 to $9.13 — a surge the country hasn't seen in decades.

A pound of Starbucks coffee, in comparison, generally costs between $12 and $18 — depending on the blend, whether it's on sale, and the location from which you're purchasing it.

"As private label continues to gain traction heading into 2026, it will be critical for name brands to maintain targeted marketing and loyalty strategies to defend share and reinforce consumer preference," reads the InMarket report.

Coffee prices have also risen at restaurants. The average cost of a regular cup increased from $3.46 to $3.57 in the year ending October 2025, according to price data tracked by the menu software company Toast.

An affordability bellwether

"Coffee is once again a leading indicator of sticky inflation," Francisco Martin-Rayo, CEO and cofounder at Helios AI, an agritech startup that models food supply chain risks and agricultural prices, told Business Insider.

Helios models indicate that rainfall in Brazil's Minas Gerais region is running roughly 25% below seasonal norms, compounding the effects of a prolonged drought on the industry. Add to that the risk of new US tariffs on Colombian imports, which President Donald Trump teased in October — at a moment when Colombia supplies nearly 10 % of America's beans — and "you get a perfect storm," Martin-Rayo said.

"Retail prices could climb another 12 to 18% this quarter alone," Martin-Rayo said. "That kind of sustained pressure doesn't just hit café menus — it feeds directly into consumer price index month after month."

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said last month that the White House plans to take action to lower the prices of coffee and produce, as concerns around affordability continue to plague the Trump administration.

• Ukrainian special operators rely on light buggies to carry out missions near the front lines.
• These vehicles are quick and maneuverable, making them useful for the missions elite troops undertake.
• The buggies offer little external protection, leaving them vulnerable to attack.

Ukraine's elite special operators rely on light buggies to swiftly move along the front lines, banking on their speed and maneuverability to execute high-stakes missions.

These run-and-gun vehicles don't come with much in the way of external protection, leaving them exposed and vulnerable to Russian drone strikes, but that's the tradeoff for flexibility in combat.

Two soldiers in Ukraine's 4th Ranger Regiment, a special operations unit modeled after its US Army counterparts, talked to Business Insider about how they found themselves under Russian drone fire near the front lines while riding in the buggies.

Both attacks, which were carried out in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region in recent months, left soldiers injured, the two special operators said. They could only be identified by their call signs for security reasons.

In September, Khyzhak and two other operators were driving back to base from a mission when a Russian first-person-view (FPV) drone appeared behind their buggy and started chasing the vehicle.

Khyzhak said that his driver skillfully maneuvered away from the Russian drone at the last second, which detonated a few feet away on the side of the road. The Ukrainians, having narrowly survived, jumped out of the buggy. One of the operators landed awkwardly and broke his leg.

Two months earlier, in July, Drago and several other operators were out in a buggy when they were attacked by a massive swarm of Russian FPV drones — so many, in fact, that he described how their tiny propellers made the whole sky sound "noisy."

Drago said his buggy was struck and shrapnel from the explosion injured his left hand and pelvis. Then, another Ukrainian buggy that went to help came under drone fire. Multiple operators from the 4th Ranger Regiment found themselves caught in the large attack.

Khyzhak speculated that the Russian drone pilots may be intentionally targeting the Ukrainian buggies because these vehicles are known to carry elite troops, forces that tend to stir up trouble behind enemy lines.

In his case, the Russian drone didn't react to any other vehicles in the vicinity, he said. However, Drago said that when he was struck, the concentration of Russian drones was so high that pilots attacked anything they could, including ATVs and armored personnel carriers.

Although several buggies were caught in the attack, Drago said that it's hard to say whether they were priority targets.

It's unclear to what extent the targeting of buggies may reflect a broader trend. The Russian defense ministry and its embassy in the US did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

The buggy is a four-wheel car with virtually no external protection. It is one of the lightweight vehicles used in the conflict for infantry assaults, rapid movement, and other specialized missions, alongside quad bikes, motorcycles, and even electric scooters.

These buggies can also run logistics missions — hauling ammunition to the front or evacuating wounded troops. Ukraine's defense industry has signaled it intends to mass-produce them.

The US Army is notably interested in something very similar, the Infantry Squad Vehicle, a lightweight buggy-style combat asset that comes as the service and soldiers look to prioritize speed and flexibility over cumbersome heavy armor.

Unlike armored vehicles, which have hardened exteriors, the buggies used in Ukraine look more like militarized golf carts. However, their main advantages are speed, maneuverability, and off-road capabilities that allow access to areas other vehicles can't reach and a shot at dodging drones, though these can be tough to evade.

These characteristics are particularly useful for special operators, who try to keep a low profile during their missions.

Khyzhak, who joined Ukraine's special operators forces nearly two years ago and commands a small unit, said that he faced the threat of Russian drones earlier in the war while riding in US-made High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (Humvees) or Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles.

The September near-miss, though, was the first time he experienced a Russian drone attack while riding in a buggy.

Ukrainian officials have said that attack drones are destroying most battlefield targets now, making large mechanized assaults with armored vehicles far harder for both sides.

The increasing threat of drones has pushed Ukraine and Russia to acquire and field smaller, lighter, and faster vehicles as alternatives to more traditional — often slower, less flexible, and more easily spotted — systems, such as tanks and heavy armor.

At least 14,000 tanks and armored vehicles have been destroyed in this conflict, according to the open-source intelligence platform Oryx, which tracks equipment losses on both sides. Many systems have been taken out by drones.

The expanded use of light vehicles for combat and logistics missions underscores how Ukraine and Russia are adapting to the threat of drones, which dominate the battlefield all along the front line.

• Larry Ellison took a $25 billion hit to his net worth after Oracle shares plunged.
• This marks one of the biggest single-day wealth drops in 2025.
• Ellison briefly took the top spot as the world's richest person in September.

Larry Ellison just took a $25 billion hit to his net worth.

The Oracle cofounder saw billions wiped off his fortune on Thursday, according to estimates on Bloomberg's Billionaire Index, after the software giant's shares fell by more than 11% on weaker-than-expected earnings results.

The hit brought Ellison's net worth down to $258 billion, per the Index, marking one of the biggest single-day wealth drops of 2025.

Other billionaires suffered steeper or similar losses in April: Elon Musk lost $35 billion in just three days, and Mark Zuckerberg shed about $24 billion as Trump's tariff plans sparked fears of retaliation and recession.

Earlier this year, Ellison briefly took the crown of world's richest person, overtaking Musk in September when Oracle shares surged as much as 43% due to a strong forecast for its cloud business.

Oracle missed Wall Street's revenue expectations in its most recent earnings results, which were reported on Wednesday. Shares fell more than 11% in after-hours trading, extending a slide that began in October as investors questioned the company's breakneck spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Despite missing estimates, revenue was up 14% year-over-year during the quarter. But that wasn't enough to calm concerns over the scale and cost of its expansion.

Those worries dominated Wednesday's call with analysts.

Clay Magouyrk, Oracle's co-CEO, pushed back on fears that the company might need more than $100 billion to build out its data centers — a figure some analysts had floated.

"We expect we will need less, if not substantially less, money raised than that," he said, adding that Oracle's debt remains "investment-grade."

Even after Thursday's plunge, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index shows that Ellison's net worth still remains ahead of most tech titans, including Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg.