There’s the guy who’s happily settled down. There’s the guy who’s hooking up with someone new every weekend. There’s the guy who swings from one partner to another like a desperate relationship spider monkey. And then there’s you.

Plenty of men are single and satisfied (there are even scientific reasons why), but you don’t count yourself amongst their ranks. In fact, you’re downright miserable about it. And with the holidays coming up, you’re preparing yourself for an entire season of excruciating reminders about your solitude.

Let’s cut to the chase. You want to know why you’re still single when you don’t want to be, so settle into your sweatpants, grab a box of tissues and a pint of ice cream, and let’s get brutally honest about how you’re f*cking up your life.

You’re Fixated On An Old Flame

They smashed your heart into a million pieces and left you to pick up the shards. Yet for some inexplicable reason, you’re still carrying a torch for them and it’s incinerating your chances for future love. Perhaps you’ve even convinced yourself that your hand-grenade-in-human-form ex was the perfect partner.

Or maybe you’re fully aware of what a fiasco your former relationship was, and it’s left you so scarred that all you can think about is what could go wrong in the next one. You’re willing to do anything to avoid those feelings again, including dooming yourself to permanent bachelorhood.

Either way, remember your next date is not your ex. Leave your old doubts, fears, obsessions, and partners in the past where they belong.

You’re Not Even Trying

Maybe you consider yourself a romantic. You’re so obsessed with an idealised version of love that you believe it’s all down to fate (or a fat baby with arrows). You don’t find love, love finds you. One day, when you least expect it, it will come knocking at your door and…

Forget it. Unless your Tinder game is supernatural, love isn’t coming your way if you refuse to work for it. Who’s more likely to score a date – the guy who spends every night drooling over dragons and royals on Game of Thrones, or the guy who actually gets out there and meets people?

It’s a mistake not to be proactive with your love life, and hopeless romantics aren’t the only ones who fall into the trap. This is also you if you’re obsessed with superficial dealbreakers or a ‘type’, if you’re paralysed by fear of rejection, if you shun social situations, and if you’ve convinced yourself that ‘all the good ones are taken.’

RELATED: A Guide To Maximising Your Success On Tinder

You Give Off Bad Vibes

“Vibes” are more than a trendy hashtag. Your words and actions paint a picture of who you are. If you have your shit together, that picture is a Rembrandt. If you don’t, it’s graffiti scrawled in a bathroom stall.

Take an honest look at the impression you give your dates. Do you come off as narcissistic? Desperate? Negative? Co-dependent? Insecure? Boring? Afraid of commitment? Weighed down by baggage? None of those things says ‘boyfriend material.’

Remember that it’s not just what you say that matters. Sometimes your body speaks louder than your voice. Learn what it means to have good body language and use it.

You Haven’t Grown Up

There’s a difference between being young at heart and being immature. A frat boy in a designer suit is still a frat boy, and while his infantile antics might sometimes get him laid, no one wants to settle down with someone who considers Animal House a lifestyle manual.

A certain class of man-child is easily identifiable. He lives in his parents’ basement and spends all his spare time playing Call of Duty and posting to 4chan. Or he gets wasted with his buddies every week, hitting up college parties and knocking back Jägerbombs until he blacks out on someone else’s couch.

Others are more subtle. They have a grown-up job and a grown-up wardrobe and a grown-up place to live, but they have the emotional maturity of an acne-riddled teen. They refuse to plan and rarely follow through on promises. They won’t own up to mistakes or take responsibility for their success. They expect to be cared for but rarely extend the same TLC to a partner. They’re recklessly impulsive, avoid thinking about the future or having serious conversations, and are selfish both in bed and out. The rules of adulthood are a complete mystery to these men.

You Have Absurd Expectations

You’re funny, kind, intelligent, fit, well-groomed and well-dressed, with a good career, interesting hobbies, and a bright future. You know you’re the total package. And that’s why you’re still sleeping alone. You’re so confident in your own greatness that you’re never satisfied with anyone you meet. You’ll go to ludicrous lengths find a reason why a potential partner doesn’t live up to your superhuman, bullshit standards.

Or, worse, you’re not the total package at all. You’re unhealthy, under-employed, unhygienic, messy, anti-social, and yet still insist on perfection in a partner. You refuse to consider anyone who’s not a 9 or a 10, and if someone can’t see what a catch you are, you tell yourself there’s something wrong with them. Truth bomb: you are not entitled to date anyone you want if you bring nothing to the table.

The solution to both situations is the same. Learn to appreciate other people’s imperfections; learn to recognise and improve upon your own.

You’re A Shitty Partner

Sorry fellas, no amount of wining, dining, or begging will make you dateable if you have this fatal flaw. A shitty partner attracts other shitty partners and scares away amazing matches. Any other outcome is a fluke (and doomed to failure sooner rather than later).

The first step to improving your shitty partner status is admitting you have a problem. Get ferociously honest. Acknowledge that you’ve been kind of an asshole – or maybe an all-out asshole – in your relationships so far. Then take steps to grow.

Take care of yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically. Identify your bad habits and improve them. Work hard and plan ahead. Open yourself to vulnerability and intimacy. Let go of selfish tendencies. Learn to communicate in a healthy way. Commit. Do everything you can to bring the greatest possible value to a relationship.

The post Brutally Honest Reasons Why You're Still Single appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Inner city diners on the hunt for traditional Yum Cha with a bold twist need look no further.

Popular Surry Hills haunt MAMASAN have just launched their ‘Mama Yum Cha Lunch’ menu which will keep the most insatiable dumpling cravings at bay.

The Asian fusion eatery will serve up Yum Cha with their signature Taiwanese/Japanese influence between Wednesday and Sunday from 12pm-4pm. Once your bellies have been filled with the good stuff, Happy Hour from 4-6pm will kick off to keep the good times rolling with $10 cocktails and $5 beer, wine and dumplings.

MAMASAN has made a name for itself in the past with their delectable dishes and their latest venture into Yum Cha territory is no different. On the hit list is Whole Soft Shell Crab, Tea Smoked Duck, Takoyaki Balls, Deep Fried Scallop Dumplings, Steamed Beef Brisket and more. It all comes together as the home of dumplings and desserts, beers and Bloody Marys, cocktails and conversations.

As a testament to MAMASAN’s attention to detail, the humble little eatery was recently shortlisted for the Best Bar Design in Australia at the Eat Drink Design Awards.

Don’t let us be the one to tell you what to eat though. Swing by MAMASAN Surry Hills at 403 Crown Street, Surry Hills, to score your Yum Cha fix.

Visit MAMASAN for details.

The post Mamasan Gives The Gift Of Yum Cha To Sydney appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

We’ve done a fair bit of coverage when it comes to cool cars, bikes and boats but one thing we’ll admit to falling short on is the very cool device that grabs the most attention on a rider – the humble helmet.

Over the past few years there’s been a renaissance in vintage style helmets making a comeback, driven by the explosion of the cafe racer scene. And as all trends go, with vintage bikes made for the modern times comes vintage helmets boasting modern safety technology.

Whether it’s full face, open-face or double-visored, these are the old school lids that have our hearts racing and your feature wall at home frothing.

Hedon Hedonist Ash

Made for the everyday rider who wants to exude pure elegance and true racing form of the 60s, the Hedonist sports a wide array of beautifully appointed metallic shades with contrast leather trim. Wearers can choose either a fibreglass or carbon fibre shell with an array of add-on parts such as full face tinted visors.

Price: £299 – Buy

AGV Diesel Hi-Jack Helmet

AGV’s Diesel Hi-Jack Helmet is instantly recognisable as those seen on military helicopter pilots. The sweet military spec design marries seamlessly with functionality via a retractable face shield, a ratchet-style closure strap, and eye-catching exterior graphics which range from various striped patterns typeface motifs. The helmet itself is constructed of a fibreglass ACF shell with a removable and washable interior lining.

Price: $219 – Buy

Bell Custom 500

Throw back to one of the most recognisable retro lids thanks to American company Bell. The Custom 500 is the brand’s original, having first made its debut in 1954 when founder founder Roy Richter formed his first helmet out of fibreglass and named it the 500. That model has manifested itself in today’s world adding modern protective technology to a timeless classic.

Price: $TBC – Buy

Veldt Copper Foil

Veldt’s first collection is their most versatile offering to date featuring a full carbon fibre shell, hand applied copper foil, matte finishing and gun metal accents. The nature of Veldt helmets allows for an array of attachments and styles to the existing base making every piece unique to the owner.

Price: £430 – Buy

Blauer Pilot 1.1

Get your fighter pilot style sorted with this stunning piece of kit with racing inspired graphics emblazoned across the white/blue contrast shell. An absolute stunner both on the street and hanging pretty indoors.

Price: €269 – Buy

Bitwell Inc. Gringo S

Rocking a cool 80s motorkhana vibe is the Gringo S which features hand-stitched interior padding and aluminium hinge coverings and a classic visor. ABS outer shell makes this one of the most affordable on the list.

Price: $200- Buy

Caberg Uptown

This one is more for the modern rider who enjoys a stylish pairing for their equally charming Vespa. The double visor is a modern touch and is uniquely Italian in design allowing riders to go about their business in direct sun rays. The vast array of designs and colours will again suit the Vespa crew.

Price: $TBC – Buy

Luc 165 Black Orange White

For a brighter option go for Brazilian brand Lucca Customs who have one of the sexiest open-faced helmets in their product line. Their cafe racer helmet in a black and orange hue is made with a thermoplastic ABS shell which pairs perfectly with the old school visor bubble and beautifully quilted head lining with diamond stitching. The liner which surrounds the classic lines of the lid is made from leather for that extra touch of luxury.

Price: $499 – Buy

Tachibana Custom GT-750 Grand Prix

Tried and tested on the tarmac of road racing, the Japanese made Tachibana Custom GT-750 is one of the most faithful produced helmets to mimic the racing ways of bygone era. They’re rare too with pretty much no listings online except via their site which is in Japanese. Besides that, the helmet features a stretched velour interior for extra comfort as well as staying true to the materials used in the original 60s and 70s piece. If you can track one down, definitely invest in it.

Read Next

• The Best Motorbike Shops In Sydney

The post Vintage Motorcycle Helmets To Rule The Road appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Just like the new year fuels us with the fire and gusto to let go of broken hearts and bad mistakes, it also gives everyone the opportunity to let go of ageing design trends, particularly those that have become over-saturated.

Our most design conscious peers have already bid farewell to marble, brass, fiddle leaf trees and succulents early on in 2016 and now it’s finally time for the rest of us to say ta-ta.

2017 is the year of the digital detox. The more high-tech we get, the more we crave spaces at home that neutralise and soften us down, rather than wire us up.

As technological influences and the presence of social media reigned supreme this year, we will also see a strong reaction within interior trends later down the track.

Embrace The Green State

Informed by the colour specialists Pantone, 2017 will see the year coinciding with the rise of green – in particular, a Pantone colour by the name of “Kale”. For those playing at home, green is associated with growth, harmony and safety.

The addition of green into our homes is thus pushed by the desire to see something fresh and give us a closer connection to nature. Be daring with this colour and look to apply it in artworks, foliage, and soft furnishings. Vertical gardens are prime example of this merger of art and greenery.

Authenticity Reigns

Materials, finishes, and objects will be driven by authenticity. A honed, hand-crafted and textural approach will see the introduction and spread of terracotta, muted coloured porcelain and natural fibres.

Extra value is placed on individual and handcrafted pieces, which often result in a more pared back and simplified look. This also provides us with the mental and physical space to breathe.

We suggest you explore the collections of local ceramic artists and have some custom natural fibre rugs made for your home with the guys down at International Floor Coverings Australia (they always do a top job).

Enter The Plot Twist

With globalisation, what haven’t we already seen in the world of interior design? And with the influence of more entrepreneurs popping up now than ever, we’ve become pretty used to putting new ideas out on the table. And there’s our issue – nothing really surprises us these days.

These two situations have turned us into very harsh critics who expect more, but controversially also less all at the same time.

When it comes to interiors, not only do we love the idea of escaping (i.e. the increased trend in weekend man-vans), but it also brings up the notion of facing society head on – just differently.

Tying in with our focus on authenticity, we will see people re-creating the same type of things with major plot twists. Rather than installing a marble bench top, the use of unique, unseen and individual types of stone will take centre stage.

The post Hottest Interior Design Trends Set To Rule 2017 appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Fans of IWC Schaffhausen will remember the Swiss watchmaker’s very first Portugieser Chronograph Rattrapante that appeared back in 1995. Since then the model has received a refresh roughly every decade, first in 2006 and now in 2016.

The two new pieces that have just been unveiled will differ slightly to the year’s earlier release in the limited edition gold Milano variant. The material of choice for the second round release trades up the gold case for stainless steel, making for two very cool and wearable timepieces. 

The duo will complete the trio of Portugieser Chronograph Rattrapantes which pay homage to the watchmaker’s European flagships located in Paris, Milan and Munich.

The Paris variant will sport a grey dial with black sub dials and silver hands whilst the Munich version will boast a striking blue dial with matching sub-dials.

Driving the watches is IWC’s hand-wound 76240 Calibre which drives the hours, minutes, seconds and twin chronograph dials at the 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock index. The movement is set in a 41mm stainless steel case along with a hefty 44 hour power reserve.

If you’re keen you better move quick as the Paris and Munich editions are limited to just 250 pieces each. The Boutique Rue de la Paix will be available from December whilst Boutique Munich will release at the beginning of 2017.

The post IWC Presents Two New Portugieser Chronograph Rattrapantes appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Cramped cubicle culture is on its way out. Companies are increasingly invested in keeping their employees productive, creative, happy and inspired, and workplaces are getting more innovative as a result.

The right office offers a key competitive edge in attracting the most prolific and visionary talent. The world’s professional headquarters – from New York City, to London, to Moscow, and everywhere in between – are more beautiful and thoughtfully designed than ever before. Some put the emphasis on sustainability, some prioritise play, others focus on flexibility. All are working hard to shed the image of the gloomy corporate cage.

The post Inside The Coolest Offices Of 2016 appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

It’s all fun and water games until you’re dragged out by a riptide, bitten by a shark, or contaminated by radioactive waste.The world’s oceans, seas, rivers, and lakes are begging to be explored, but some of the most spectacular are also the most deadly. Don’t be fooled by pretty scenery or intriguing wildlife – even the most inviting hot spring or serene mountain lake could be hiding a hazardous secret.Below you’ll find 8 of the most dangerous places to swim around the world. A dip in these waters could be the last dip you ever take.

Boiling Lake | Dominica

The dangers of this unusual locale are clear as soon as you hear the name. Boiling Lake in Dominica’s Morne Trois Pitons National Park is a hot spring you definitely don’t want to bathe in. The water temperature ranges from 82–92 °C (180–197 °F) along the edges, and the centre is so hot that no one can get close enough to measure it. The depth of the lake is also unknown. True to its name, the grey-blue water is literally boiling, covering the surrounding area in a perpetual cloak of steam and threatening to scald anyone who would dare attempt a soak.

Hanakapiai Beach | Kauai, Hawaii, USA

Kauai’s fabled Nā Pali Coast is not just one of the island’s most beautiful destinations, it’s one of the most beautiful in all of Hawaii. It’s also one of the deadliest, thanks to the hazards of Hanakapiai Beach. High surf, strong rip currents, and treacherous shore breaks have claimed the lives of dozens of visitors to this seemingly-idyllic spot. A wooden sign now welcomes wannabe swimmers with a warning to stay out of the water, and tally marks for each life Hanakapiai has taken. The stunning scenery is worth a visit, but stick to sunbathing.

Lake Karachay | Russia

Lake Karachay has been called the most polluted place on earth. During the 1950s, the lake was used as a dumping site for radioactive materials from a nearby nuclear waste storage and reprocessing facility. A string of accidents and disasters contaminated the surrounding area even further, causing 65% of local residents to fall ill with radiation sickness. Some parts of the lake are so dangerous that they could deliver a lethal dose of radiation in an hour. Lake Karachay is slowly being filled with concrete and soil in an effort to seal the radiation, but it’s not a holiday destination we’re eager to visit.

Horseshoe Lake | California, USA

The beauty of Lassen Volcanic National Park masks a deadly secret. Horseshoe Lake appears to be a picture-perfect mix of picnic tables, sandy beaches, and hiking trails – that is, until you see the 40 hectares (100 acres) of dead trees. The latter feature is the result of a series of earthquakes in 1989 and 1990, which opened pathways for carbon dioxide to escape the earth’s surface. Though the area is mostly safe, the gas levels can fluctuate unpredictably and asphyxiation fatalities have occurred as a result.

Shark Alley | Gansbaai, South Africa

Once again, the name more than hints at the dangers that lurk in this perilous swimming spot. Shark Alley, a sea channel off the coast of South Africa near Gansbaai, is a hunting ground for sharks. In fact, it’s home to one of the largest populations of great whites in the world. That’s good news if you’re hoping for an intimate shark experience from the safety of a steel cage, but not such good news if you’re hoping to free-swim. Cage diving is the area’s biggest tourist draw, though the whale watching in Gansbaai is also excellent.

Amazon Basin | South America

The Amazon basin stretches across South America, covering nearly 40 percent of the continent in the countries of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. A mind-boggling array of flora and fauna call the basin and the Amazon Rainforest home. A mind-boggling number of them also want to kill you. Dare to dive in the water here and you could meet your end courtesy of eels, piranhas, alligators, anacondas, or the candiru, a parasitic freshwater catfish that reportedly has a nasty habit of invading openings in the human body.

Queensland | Australia

There’s a lot to love about Queensland. The beaches are world class, the marine life is abundant, the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsundays are two of Mother Nature’s most impressive marvels. However, in keeping with Australia’s legendarily lethal reputation, plenty of danger lies in wait in Queensland’s waters. Beware the sharks, saltwater crocodiles, stonefish, blue-ringed octopus, and box jellyfish. A sting from the latter can cause cardiac arrest and death within minutes.

Lake Victoria | Africa

Lake Victoria is Africa’s largest lake by area, the world’s largest tropical lake, and the world’s second largest freshwater lake by surface area. Its expansive shores touch three countries – Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya – and for centuries, it has been a vital resource for the millions who live nearby. But it’s not without its perils. According to local officials, erratic weather conditions and other unfortunate circumstances cause 5,000 deaths each year on the lake, making it one of – if not the – most dangerous places to swim on the planet.

The post Dangerous Places To Swim Around The World appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Brace yourselves frisky globetrotters, a new dating app made for in-flight flirting is on its way.

AirDates is a dating app that has been earmarked as the Tinder for air travel. It works by having users post their travel itinerary before they board a plane, hence allowing passengers to hook up with others on the same trip – whether that be in the airport pre-flight or during mid-air flight is entirely up to the participants.

For the former escapade, passengers simply activate their geolocation at the airport which allows them to find or chat to a potential flight buddy with benefits. If your game isn’t on point and you fail to seal the deal prior to boarding, you’re in luck.

AirDates uses a new platform called Multipeer WiFi which can connect smartphones without requiring the plane’s Wi-Fi or any other network. In other words your courtship to sexy times can be extended into your flight.

There are notable pitfalls with the app though. Strangers knowing your exact travel plans or the chance that the courtship falls short with no exit strategy for 20+ hours isn’t exactly romantic in anyone’s eyes.

RELATED: How To Date The Instagram Girl You’ve Never Met

Currently AirDates is still in the testing phase with CEO Michael Richard backing his app’s safety pitfalls. He told Engadget that if anything, on board a plane is the “safest place to have a date.”

Richard believes that due to the fact that there are people all around the users, it will eliminate the chance of most common dating risks. Obviously the man hasn’t seen Red Eye.

The CEO did add that if it comes down to worst case scenario, the app has a blocking feature. As an early precaution against harassment, the app is looking to allow just females to initiate the conversation with a potential date.

Hello 2017. Hello Captain Swipey. AirDates is now available to download as a beta version.

The post AirDates Is The New App That's Tinder For The Skies appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

You’ve heard all the tricks. Wednesday is the best day to fly. Tuesday is the best day to book. January is the cheapest month to travel. Travel hacking is the most effective way to see the world on a budget.

Some tips work better than others, but if an affordable holiday is what you’re after, one thing is guaranteed to work every time: traveling to a dirt-cheap destination. Experts predict that airfares will fall in 2017, so now is the perfect time to plan an economical escape.

Forbes recently interviewed 14 experts to get their picks for the most inexpensive cities and countries to visit in the coming year. Their favourites included Mozambique, Ecuador, Crete, and Quebec City.

Stephanie Parker of Big World Small Pockets praised Mozambique for its incredible beaches and scuba diving, as well as its thrifty accommodation options. Nora Dunn – aka The Professional Hobo – choose Ecuador for its accessible public transportation and appeal to a wide variety of interests. Meagen Collins, co-founder of Food Fun Travel, suggested the Greek island of Crete for its foodie allure and stunning natural beauty. For The Gutsy Traveler‘s Marybeth Bond, cobblestone streets and colourful local traditions made Quebec City the clear winner.

The post Cheap Places To Travel In 2017 If Your Resolutions Include Spending Less appeared first on DMARGE Australia.