Insider Today: The US Open's real star
- This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter.
Welcome back to our Saturday edition, a roundup of our best lifestyle reads. If you have to choose one supplement to benefit your overall health, make it creatine. Although it's been around since the '90s, it's exploded recently — and for good reason.
On the agenda:
- The biggest star of the US Open: A cocktail that brought in $10 million.
- Celebrity friendships are officially Hollywood's new hot business strategy.
- See inside Karlie Kloss and Joshua Kushner's new digs — the iconic Wave House.
- PGA pros share 10 things you should never do at a golf course.
But first: Summer's swan song.
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This week's dispatch
How to enjoy Labor Day weekend
Maximizing Labor Day weekend isn't for the faint of heart.
You're already exhausted from the summer months and back-to-school shopping, but if you want to enjoy the last bits of summer, here's how to do it without losing your sanity.
While some of you may already be at your destination, millions of others are set to embark during the busiest travel weekend of the summer. AAA said that US road trips will increase by 9% this weekend compared to last year. Meanwhile, TSA said they expect to screen 17 million airline passengers from August 29 through September 4. So it wouldn't hurt to get to the airport early.
If you're wondering about the best time to get on the road, try Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning. That's when you can expect roads to be less congested, according to transportation data aggregate INRIX.
And if you haven't yet settled on a destination (no judgment!), avoid destinations prone to overtourism. AAA booking data found that Seattle is the No. 1 destination for its users this weekend, followed by Boston, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, New York, Orlando, and San Francisco.
But if you'd rather stay put, simply going outdoors in your own backyard is well worth it. It also comes with a handful of health benefits, from lowering inflammation to improving your ability to focus.
The real star of the US Open
Aside from the players on the court, one of the biggest draws of the US Open is the tournament's official cocktail: the Honey Deuce. It's an Instagrammable staple of the event and also a very lucrative sales driver — generating $9.9 million in sales last year.
Debuting in 2007, the Honey Deuce was created by a restaurateur who consulted for Grey Goose in the early 2000s. The drink consists of vodka, lemonade, Chambord, and a honeydew melon ball garnish symbolizing a tennis ball.
Also read:
- Tennis is going on offense to stop 'obnoxious' pickleball's rise
- Padel is more fun than pickleball. But can the pricey racket sport enjoyed by America's top 1% win over the whole country?
BFFs = $$$
Celebrity friendships are nothing new, and have long been a way to make attention-grabbing headlines. In the past few years, though, celeb besties have taken the next step: becoming business partners.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, having bought Wrexham AFC in 2020, became the blueprint for such relationships. Now, Hollywood friends are realizing that two stars are better than one.
The hottest new business model in Hollywood.
Inside the iconic "Wave House"
The Wave House, a legendary Malibu home once owned by singer Rod Stewart, just changed hands. Karlie Kloss and Joshua Kushner dropped $29.5 million to call the beachfront property their own.
With six bedrooms and eight bathrooms, the home is roughly 6,200 square feet. Then there's its namesake: Made to look like cresting waves, the house has a rounded rooftop that's speculated to have inspired the Sydney Opera House.
Take a tour of the imposing property.
Don't do this at a golf course
Whether you're a first-timer at your neighborhood links or visiting one of the world's most prestigious golf courses, following the sport's etiquette is key.
For example, you shouldn't ignore the dress code and show up wearing jeans, tank tops, or backward hats. It's also a classic faux pas to not repair your marks on the green. PGA pros and course employees shared the biggest mistakes they see people making at golf courses and how players can be more respectful.
Also read:
What we're watching this weekend
- "The Fall Guy": Ryan Gosling's action-comedy about a stuntman who finds himself wrapped up in a conspiracy hits Peacock this weekend.
- "Only Murders in the Building": Hulu's hit mystery dramedy starring Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez returns for its fourth season.
- "The Deliverance": Oscar nominee Lee Daniels' new horror thriller, inspired by a true story, is now streaming on Netflix.
Deals we love
- Labor Day deals: From end-of-season closet staples to smart refrigerators, these are the best Labor Day deals you can buy now.
- Mocktail must-haves: Count the designated driver in! These are the best non-alcoholic whiskeys for sipping or mixing in mocktails.
- Protect your drink: This viral scrunchie hides an elastic drink cover that helps prevent your beverages from being spiked. It's an essential for college partygoers and an excellent gift for bachelorette parties.
More of this week's top reads:
- Instead of camp or daycare, one dad kept his daughter home all summer.
- Walmart vs. Target: Which one has better back-to-school deals?
- Sleep in this weekend — it may help you live longer and avoid heart disease.
- See five lavish homes billionaires are selling.
- Victoria, Canada, is a dreamy mix of Europe and the Pacific Northwest.
- Slurs are making a surprising comeback on the left.
- Moving from Italy to Colorado came with a lot of culture shock.
- Major cell operator advises parents not to give smartphones to kids under 11.
- Charli XCX said the impact of calling Kamala Harris "brat" took her aback.
- How a reporter saved money in one of the world's most expensive destinations.
- This budget airline is worth it — if you follow the rules.
- The Blake Lively backlash has been "a gift" for Justin Baldoni.
The Insider Today team: 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.