It is a truth universally acknowledged that Australia is a place of stunning natural beauty. From vast arid outback, to dramatic coastline cliffs, to lush rainforests, to soaring mountains and pristine beaches, the country is a photographer’s dream.

In March, popular aerial photography community SkyPixel launched a contest to capture Australia from its best angle. The Australia From Above contest, sponsored by DJI and Tourism Australia, aimed to inspire aerial photographers from around the world to share, enjoy, and experience new creative perspectives of Australia.

“Drone photography is gaining huge popularity in Australia, with the country home to a rising number of very talented aerial photographers,” said Lisa Ronson, Chief Marketing Officer of Tourism Australia. “Advances in technology are enabling us to tell Australia’s story in ways previously not possible…. It’s really exciting to be part of a competition which provides such a great platform for this new generation of content creators to capture the rich colours, patterns and textures of Australia’s diverse landscape and share this with the rest of the world.”

Professionals and enthusiasts alike were invited to share their visions of the country from March 3 to May 2. The judging panel was comprised of a select jury of renowned photographers and influencers including Kirk Hille, an Australian photographer and the winner of SkyPixel’s 2015 global photography contest.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what fellow SkyPixel community members will share over the coming months,” said Hille, who won the grand prize in SkyPixel’s first annual worldwide contest with an image of a lone swimmer off the coast of Lucky Bay in western Australia. “As an Australian, I treasure the beauty of my home country and I was happy to learn it’s the country of choice for SkyPixel’s first national contest.”

The winners of the Australia From Above contest were announced on May 19. The grand prize went to Kyle Bowman for an image of the Margaret River region. Judges praised its “playful nature” and vivid colours. Second prize went to Al Edgar for a shot of a surfer at Secret Harbour. Peter Yan claimed third prize for a sky-high snap of Victoria’s Rigby Island.

The post Aerial Photography Contest Captures Australia From Above appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

We get it. You’re a carnivorous beast thrust upon this Earth to devour animals just as evolution intended. Beef, bacon, lamb, seafood – if it moves it’s part of your daily protein intake.

But what if we told you that little greenery you’ve brushed aside your steak can also act as a standalone meal? And a damn fine one at that? Lower that caveman flag for a moment as we take you through the best vegetarian restaurants Sydney has to offer.

Bodhi

Satisfy your yum-cha cravings with this vegan take on a classic Chinese favourite. All the meat in dumplings and other steamed delicacies are replaced with flavoursome soy and tofu in order to create a delicious take on sustainable eating. The texture of the intricately created food is so spot on that you won’t even realise you’re not eating meat.

2-4 College St, Sydney

Gigi Pizzeria

Get in early if you want a taste of Italy without the guilt of hurting our little animal friends. Gigi is wildly popular amongst plant eaters ever since it switched to a vegan menu and continued creating authentic pizza bases cooked in a traditional wood fire oven just as Nonno Pepi  intended. Think cauliflower and artichoke calzone and Swiss brown mushrooms with radicchio and blue ‘cheese’ topped with various delightful tomato or olive oil bases.

379 King St, Newtown

Earth To Table

Good vegetarian resides on the doorstep of Bondi with Earth To Table. This eatery is all about wholesome vegan food that is raw, organic, gluten-free, sugar-free and dairy-free to redefine the meaning of clean eating. Most importantly though the stuff off the menu tastes damn good with everything from matcha smoothies to salad wraps to their signature shepard’s pie.

85 Bronte Rd, Bondi Junction

Yulli’s

If you’re new to the vegetarian game then head to Yulli’s which serves up a fusion of Asian, Indian, Moroccan and modern Italian all under the non-meat banner. It’s a crazy clash of cultures which works an absolute treat for the tastebuds.

417 Crown St, Surry Hills

Soul Burger

Turning the notion of a classic burger on its head never looked so good. Soul Burger is in it to revolutionise Australian tastes with their plant-based beef and chips which are guaranteed to surprise a many burger fiends. You’ll walk out feeling good about yourself without needing to utter the words ‘cheat meal’ every two weeks. Basically they’re the Shake Shack of the vegan world.

111 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe

Thai Pothong

They’re not exclusively vegetarian but they certainly boast a menu which will keep every kind of plant-eater happy whilst having a serious stab at converting the carnivores. Thai Pothong has a dedicated vegan menu which includes satay chicken skewers made fro soy, curry puffs and insane mains like chilli basil duck done the vegetarian way. The only trouble you’ll have is finding parking.

294 King St, Newtown

Yellow

Beautifully presented as a modern European diner in Potts Point, Yellow is a spectacular journey into the world of vegetables thanks to Brent Savage and Nick Hildebrandt who show a high pedigree of flair and experience when it comes to bringing plant foods onto the same level as popular protein foods. “I’ve always loved cooking with vegetables,” says Brent, “and having a solely vegetable driven menu gives me the opportunity to focus on interesting and heirloom varietals, grown by local suppliers. By treating vegetables with the same consideration as protein we hope to show that vegetarian dishes are just as delicious as any other menu item.”

57 MacLeay St, Potts Point

Buffalo Dining Club

It all started as an idea for a simple cheese bar but Buffalo Dining Club has since spawned another eatery and grown into a global phenomenon in the culinary scene. The fuss is two of their vegetarian dishes which rely on nothing but beautifully cooked pasta, a signature cheese wheel, amazing sauces and a backup gnocchi stunner. Words can’t even describe the party that goes on in your mouth for something with no meat in it. Be sure to line up early as they don’t take bookings here.

116 Surrey St, Sydney

Lentil As Anything

Lentil As Anything is an amazing movement which merges good, wholesome vegetarian food with an honest community spirit helping out the needy. The system is a pay-as-you-feel dining scenario whilst the food has been touted as one of Sydney’s best takes on vegetarian cuisine. Their menu is specifically curated to balance carbs, protein and veges with the addition of vegan and gluten free options. Think stuff like Sri Lankan uttapam, cajun smoked tofu or curry of the day. They’re all winners and so is the little eatery with big dreams.

The post Sydney Vegetarian Restaurants That Will Turn Any Meat Lover appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Prepare your bank accounts for a proper assault as not one but two of Mercedes-Benz’s most iconic vehicle head to auction. The 300 SL which hails from the 1950s is one of the Silver Arrows’ most sought after vehicles amongst classic car collectors, with many restored versions having traded hands to date.

Well not anymore. An owner from the UK who bought this pair of 300 SL models in their brand new condition has finally opened up the barnyard to present a pair of beautifully kept and unrestored Mercedes-Benz 300 SLs. One is the 1955 Gullwing version which spurred a reincarnation in the 2010 SLS whilst the other is a 1957 Roadster. The cars were originally owned by a publishing executive in the midwest US and have since laid dormant in the garage of its current owner. Given the rarity of these cars in their pristine original trim, the Gullwing model is expected to fetch a staggering £1 million whilst the Roadster is estimated to attract a price of around £800,000.

RELATED: Mercedes-Benz Takes To The Seas With A $1.7M Yacht

Once the cars are brought back up to showroom or running condition, their 3.0-litre straight six engines should afford 215hp and a top speed of 250km/h – a feat which earned the car a reputation as one of the fastest of its time. On the outside the Gullwing model wears the familiar British Racing Green hue set against a tan leather whilst the odometer only reads a click above 25,000km. The Roadster model wears a metallic blue hue matched with a grey leather interior with 61,000km on the clock. Bear in mind, both these cars are 62 years old.

The big sell will go down at the Gooding & Company during their Pebble Beach Sale in California this coming August 18.

The post Two 1950s Mercedes Are Set To Break Records At The Next Auction appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Fear not thy wedded bliss. That’s what researchers are recommending today in the name of good health. After showing that marriage is linked to a better chance of surviving a heart attack (and actually not the cause of it), Dr. Paul Carter and his colleagues have concluded that marriage is good for your health in general. 

More specifically, marriage will boost your survival chances if you’re someone who’s at risk of heart diseases via common health issues such as high cholesterol. Based on the study consisting of almost a million UK adults, it was found that those who were married usually spurred the other to look after themselves more than those who were single.

The data presented at the British Cardiovascular Society conference showed that men and women in their 50s, 60s and 70s with high cholesterol were 16% more likely to survive at the end of the 14-year ACALM study if they were married rather than single. This result was also reflected in those suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure. 

RELATED: What To Do When Your Squad Grows Up & Gets Married

When it came to those who were separated or divorced though, results were slightly murkier. The study also didn’t address whether or not the married people were actually happy in their marriage (i.e. a sultry affair could be the source of their joy). 

Nonetheless Carter and his team suspect that having a special someone in your life is the underlining factor to a good  health rather than just getting hitched for the sake of it. 

“We need to unpick the underlying reasons a bit more, but it appears there’s something about being married that is protective, not only in patients with heart disease but also those with heart disease risk factors. We’re not saying that everyone should get married though. We need to replicate the positive effects of marriage and use friends, family and social support networks in the same way,” says Carter. 

Dr. Mike Knapton from the British Heart Foundation added that our social interactions, as well as medical risk factors such as high blood pressure, are important determinants of both our health and wellbeing.

“Whether you are married or not, if you have any of the main risk factors for heart disease, then you can call upon loved ones to help you to manage them.”

So there you have it. Stop running and fall in love with a heart surgeon instead.

The post Being Married Is Good For Your Health According To Science appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Before giving up the glamorous Comedy Central life in favour of a New Jersey farm-turned-animal-sanctuary, The Daily Show host Jon Stewart called this luxe Tribeca penthouse home. The property is now on sale for US$20 million.

Stewart’s former duplex pad opens with a welcoming foyer gallery that leads to an enormous loft-like living room, over 37 feet in length and flooded with light from 8 large windows. The main living space also includes an adjoining media room, and a large open kitchen. Off the foyer is a hallway that contains a powder room, a coat closet, a large storage room, and a full bedroom suite facing St. John’s Park.

The second floor centres around a more casual living room with an adjoining home office, a dining area and kitchenette, a bedroom and bathroom, and a “dreamy landscaped terrace”. It’s also home to the master bedroom suite, which comprises a bedroom, en suite bathroom, and two roomy walk-in closets. There are two additional bedroom suites surrounding a library and a laundry room, for a total of 5 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms.

Last but not least, another stairway leads up to a “rooftop observation terrace” that offers superb views of Manhattan. The listing suggests it’s “the perfect perch for an urban farm.” We think it could also be an ideal spot for your daily “moment of zen.”

The post Inside Jon Stewart's Former $20M New York City Penthouse appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Those pining for a highly competent workhorse can finally put down their pitchforks and eye off the latest iMac Pro. At yesterday’s Worldwide Developer’s Conference the Cupertino giant unveiled a host of new upgrades and hardware to its computing lineup which includes the most powerful Mac ever.

Quick Rundown

The popular workhorse amongst Apple users and design crowds now boasts a 27-inch Retina 5K display that’s 43% brighter (supporting up to 1 billion colours), up to 18-core Xeon processors and up to 22 Teraflops of graphics computation. All this processing power jargon will ensure users can run advanced graphics editing, virtual reality content creation and real-time 3D rendering at their fingertips.

To handle the heat generated in the latest unit the iMac Pro comes with a completely redesigned architecture which will alleviate thermal demands with 80% better cooling capacity whilst maintaining the same thin and seamless iMac aesthetic.

Storage Capacity & Options

Storage for the iMac Pro now comes with a solid-state option with up to 4TB of SSD for rapid file access. Users can also opt for a more traditional 128GB of ECC memory model. The iMac Pro features four Thunderbolt 3 ports which can connect to up to two high-performance RAID arrays and two 5K displays at the same time for those who thrive on display real estate. Networking has also been sped up with 10Gb Ethernet which can increase networking speeds by tenfold.

One minor yet significant update is also the signature Apple keyboard which now comes with a number pad (!) for the Excel junkies. Or Counter Strike, whichever floats your boat.

John Ternus, Apple’s vice president of Hardware Engineering said that “We reengineered the whole system and designed an entirely new thermal architecture to pack extraordinary performance into the elegant, quiet iMac enclosure our customers love – iMac Pro is a huge step forward and there’s never been anything like it.”

Pricing & Availability

The latest iMac Pro is scheduled to arrive in stores on December starting from US$4,999. For more details head over to Apple.

The post Apple Revamps The iMac Pro As Its Most Powerful Workhorse Ever appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

This story was originally published on LUXE City Guides

Seeking your very own private patch of paradise on Indo’s luscious Isle of the Gods? Whether you want to party it up by the beach, chill in the hills, or flop with the fam, Bali has an exclusive and ultra lavish villa to suit your vacay style.

Konaditya House, Badung

Best For: Blissing out beachside

For undisturbed seaside serenity, skip your sandals to this stagger-fab, six suite retreat perched right on the glimmering Canggu coastline. Antiques and local Balinese art n’ craft adorn the sprawling contempo residence, while an cosy library is the perfect place for holiday reading. And while you’re a mere flick from the ocean, the villa’s prime posi also affords the luxury of verdant rice fields in it’s own backyard.

Jl Pantai Mengening, Cemagi. +62 36 1848 3316. konadityahouse.com

Bali Ethnic Villa, Umalas

Best For: Traditional tastemakers

With thatched roofs and carved raw woods throughout, these three-, four- and five-sleeper villas are perfect for rustic retreat seekers. Earthy chambers and alfresco living areas are accented with local furny and textiles, but you can still expect some mod touches such as rain shower ensuites, outdoor soaking tubs and a shimmering, aquamarine lap pool.

Jl Umalas Klecung, Badung. +62 3 6173 7898. bluekarmaresort.com

Hartland Estate, Ubud

Best for: Jungle rumbles

Rather go bucolic than beach? You’ll adorn these an-teaky designer joglos conceived by star-chitect Yew Kuan Cheong and situ’d amid the lush rainforest and serene paddies of the Sayan Ridge. The sprawling estate features four free-standing, grass-roofed suites each with private balconettes, yoga-ready wooden decks and pared-back boudoirs jutting out over the mountainous landscape.

Jl Raya Kedewatan 29B, Ubud. +62 81 2375 4344. hartlandestate.com

Puri Bawana, Canggu

Best For: A fam-friendly flop

This tropical Echo Beach enclave of thatched pavilions and shaded terraces is perfect for those with tots or teens in tow. Little’uns are catered for with a splashy 30m lap pool (yes, there’s a shallow end), bunk beds, table tennis, a trampoline and movie room, plus kid-friendly Canggu Club but a dash away. Meanwhile, mum and dad will also be taken care of by the private chef and house-call masseuse.

Canggu. +62361737498. puribawana.com

Kaba Kaba Villa, Seminyak

Best For: Party people

If you’re planning a serious soirée, or just have a dozen of your nearest and dearest in attendance, this mammoth eight-bedroom pad is the ultimate entertainment estate, sporting four pools, a spa, tennis court, croquet lawn, home theatre, up-sized lounge rooms that can seat up to 18, and a personal chef. Need someone to watch the wrigglers while you wind-down? Rest easy with staff-supervised Balinese dance classes and yoga lessons, or leave them to their own devices in the dedicated playroom.

Banjar Dangin Uma, Cepaka. +62 36 1855 1271. kabakabaestate.com

Alila Villas, Uluwatu

Best For: Romantic romps

Loved up honeymooners beeline for Alila’s chic n’ petite, one-bedroom pur-leisure nests set atop the limestone cliffs of Uluwatu. Each sleek sleeper has its own plunge pool, granite jacuzzi tub and an on-call butler, plus guests get access to the vista-rific wood-slatted bar and couples treatments in the sigh-worthy Spa Alila. Swoon.

Jl Belimbing Sari, Desa Pekatu. +62 36 1848 2166. alilahotels.com

The post Postcard-Perfect Villas You Need To Book In Bali appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Finding the perfect pair of sneakers isn’t easy in New York. The landscape is booming with legendary mom-and-pop shops, big corporate boutiques, new launches every weekend. It can be hard to keep up with the changing times.

Whether you’re looking for a pair of bespoke custom kicks or the most extra buttery grails, we’re taking you on a trip through one of the largest, most well-respected sneaker cultures in the world.  

Join us as we travel from Crown Heights to the Upper West Side in search of the best sneaker shops in NYC and the gems they hide behind closed doors.

Extra Butter LES

The team at Extra Butter are movie-buffs, classic sneakerheads, and downright innovative dudes amongst sneaker culture. They started off on Long Island until 2013 when the ASICS x Kill Bill shoes hit the scene. From there, the young, buttery dudes expanded into their LES location only thirty minutes away.

For early 2000’s sneaker connoisseurs, Extra Butter LES is your best spot for kicks like ASICS, Reeboks, New Balance, Pumas, and more.

They’re authentic in respect to sneaker culture compared to the massive streetwear kingpins in the city. They don’t run with the trends or hottest releases, just offer some classic sneakers with exclusive collabs you won’t find elsewhere in NYC.

Extra Butter LES

Flight Club

If you are looking for any rare sneaker while you’re in New York, head over to Flight Club.  It’s arguably the most famous sneaker consignment shop in the world and the moment you walk through the door you’ll understand why.

They sell nearly 10,000 pairs of every sneaker brand imaginable in your brain. Yeezys, retro Jordans, Nikes, Reeboks, Vans, Saucony…the list goes on. Every sneaker is “new” or “almost new” and wrapped in plastic for freshness. Take an hour…or two, out of your day to ponder amongst the rarest shoes in the city.

Flight Club

21 Mercer

For starters, 21M NikeLab is not NikeTown, nor anything of the average retailer you’ll find elsewhere in the city. Don’t expect Foot Locker-type sales associates pestering you to buy a shoe, or asking if you need help. Customer service here is non-existent, but the shoes are worth the trip when shopping in SoHo.

It’s a conceptual store with exclusive shoes you can’t find anywhere else. They sport a small collection of high-end collab sneakers, host wildly popular launch events, and offer a one-on-one studio where you can design your own pair of Nikes with a house designer by reservation.

21 Mercer

Buscemi Flagship

Sneaker label Buscemi are notorious for their extravagant sneaker offerings so it was only fitting that they’d eventually open the doors to their Soho flagship store in New York’s creative precinct. The polished showroom provides the perfect space to present the brand’s luxe offerings as well as doubling as an art gallery with seasonal artist collaborations on display. Be prepared to drop a pretty penny if you’re going to shop here as it’s all about excess and design in the name of standing out. Want proof? The first gallery installation was Buscemi’s 100mm sneaker decked out in 18k gold detailing and diamond-studded closures worth a grand total of $132,000…for a sneaker. 

Buscemi Soho 

WestNYC

New York is home to the best, most stuffy and pretentious sneaker shops around. So it’s nice when you come across spots like WestNYC who have a delightful staff with the sneakers to match. West is a local favourite for Upper West Side folk because it’s the only shop in the area that gets Tier 0 releases.

It’s small, boutique style shop carries east and west coast streetwear, including brands like Supreme and Crooks & Castles. With all your classic streetwear brands, a few low-key gems, and of course, Danner and Vasque boots for good measure.

WestNYC

Soula

Envision a shoe store where there’s no ice cream. Not one tourist updating their IG feeds. No hypebeast correspondents for blocks away. Where black leather Frye’s, John Fluevog wingtip lace ups, and Brand Black tennis shoes gracefully adorn the walls around you.

Yes, it exists in NYC’s landscape. And it’s nestled in Cobble Hill awaiting your feet. Thank you Soula, for being classy, cosy, and selling sneakers that are equally as comfortable as they are cool.

Soula

Rime

Susan Boyle, the woman behind Rime, brings 30 years of buying experience to her carefully curated Brooklyn sneaker shop. After working for NYC sneaker giant Michael K, she went out to open up her own shop in ’07 which expanded into two locations – Brooklyn and the Upper East Side.

There’s a massive amount of unique sneakers to choose from, all packed into the small sales floor and a low-key back room. She’s cool, she’s sweet. She’s Susan B…and she owns one of the best sneaker shops in NYC.

Rime

Alumni

Gene Han and his family have been running the speaker landscape in Brooklyn since the late 80’s. It’s become the go-to spot for sneaker connoisseurs over the years, and Alumni is the new face of this neighbourhood staple.

They feature up and coming brands like Publish and ICNY, but more importantly, have one of the most creative displays for their kicks. Curiously meander through the closed cabinets surrounding their in-style shoes to find some serious gems like Karhu Synchron Classics, Nike Air Max 97’s, Reebok Instapump Fury’s and more.

Alumni

KITH

Both KITH locations are instaworthy shoe havens for those looking for the best sneaker shops in NYC. Each fit out is different but similar in some ways. The ceiling is made up of rows of beaming white plaster sneakers.

They’re clean, minimalist and look like they came out of the Hypebeast Handbook. Regardless, they have some seriously cool shoes, display installations, and a snack bar where you can order cereal and treats.

Unnecessary? Yes. Do you want the latest trends for sneakers? Yes. Either KITH Manhattan and Brooklyn (or Miami) will get you both and is definitely one of the best sneaker shops in NYC.

KITH

Alife Rivington Club

Blink once and you’ll miss the tawdry welcoming of Alife Rivington Club in LES. If you manage you find the discrete entrance, hit the buzzer and wait until you’re granted access to the shop.

You’ll find yourself planted in an old world looking English cigar room. Fit with wood panel, a reception area, and individually lit sneaker displays – imagine the Kingsman’s closet if they wore too many Nikes.

While Alife as a streetwear brand fell off after their expansion into clothing stores and LA, the flagship in NYC offers some seriously hard to find kicks and past collabs exclusive to the shop.

The post Step Into The Coolest Sneaker Stores Of New York appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The America’s Cup has officially kicked off and to celebrate this glamorous event OMEGA have released not one but two special edition timepieces to mark the voyage of Emirates Team New Zealand.

The Seamaster ETNZ “Deep Black” model will come in race-ready trim with a 45.5mm black ceramic case and bezel to ensure lightness and strength against the sea’s most challenging conditions. The watch will also wear OMEGA’s LiquidMetal diving scale on the bezel to ensure visibility throughout the changing light conditions whilst paying homage to the New Zealand flag with blue and red rubber accents on the first ten minutes of the scale.

Venturing within the piece will reveal a black dial and OMEGA’s Master Chronometer Calibre 8906 which affords a 24 hour GMT function, anti-magnetic resistance up to 15,000 gauss, a COSC certified chronometer and a date window at the 3 o’clock mark. The watch also boasts a power reserve of 60 hours and a 600 metre water resistance rating.

Finishing off the piece nicely is a black structured rubber strap with black and blue rubber lining and red stitching to evoke the competition aesthetic.

For the ETNZ Speedmaster X-33 Regatta Chronograph model OMEGA opted for a limited run of just 2,017 pieces. The exclusive piece comes with an intuitive Regatta function which keeps track of the critical five minute count-down and race time.

Design-wise the watch comes cased in 45mm grade-2 titanium and features a black dial with blue rings and white transferred markings contrasted against cut outs for digital readings. Setting this piece apart from the former is a striking bezel ring which is made of a titanium ceramic mix wearing the aforementioned Liquidmetal markings.

The Speedmaster’s movement is taken care of with OMEGA’s Calibre 5620 which drives the hours, minutes and seconds hands on a black dial as well as a 24 hour time function. On the digital front the watch boasts date, alarm, battery indicator (24 months), perpetual calendar and Regatta timing.

The post OMEGA Goes Racing With A Pair Of Special ETNZ Timepieces appeared first on DMARGE Australia.