Owning a home on a quarter acre plot is becoming as difficult to acquire as a gold medal on the Australian Olympic team. For this reason, many of us have been forced to think vertically, rather than horizontally, when it comes to living spaces and garden areas.

If you want to block out ugly neighbours, transform your home into a more tranquil space, or simply fancy indulging your green thumb, we’ve got your guide to creating a horticultural wonderland at home.

Materials

The versatility of a vertical garden means almost any materials will work as a base for your arrangement. Consider using one, or some, of the following:

• Old wooden pallets
• Lattice columns
• Hanging pots
• Old ladders or chests of drawers
• Plastic bottles hung on string
• Stacked milk crates (plastic or wood) or mason jars
• Hanging tin buckets
• Rain gutters (for an edgy, industrial look). Remember to make drainage holes in the bottom of the gutters to ensure optimal drainage
• Old picture frames
• Hanging shoe organisers or hessian sacks/bags

To make things even simpler, you can even buy DIY kits that include mounting panels and pots ready to go.

Constructing The Frame

Whether you plan to place your vertical garden inside or out (balconies are ideal), there are a few guidelines to keep in mind.

Think of your vertical frame as a burger, with the frame and plastic sheeting (PVC sheets are best at keeping moisture off surrounding walls) sandwiching a layer of fabric sheets (usually felt). The sheets of fabric are actually the base against which the plants will grow, and provide retained moisture to root systems.

Soil For The Soul

Once you’ve picked your materials it’s time to start thinking about soil and potting mix. Don’t skimp on quality here, because good quality soil will make all the difference when it comes to the health of your vertical oasis.

Opt for a mix that includes water crystals and water retention qualities so the plants remain hydrated even when not tended to. Water the soil (preferably with Seasol) after it is placed in pots or hangers and leave it to settle for a few days before planting anything.

Note: you can set up a sophisticated irrigation system with filters, valves and drippers that will keep the fabric layers wet at all times, but standard watering tactics are good enough for the average vertical garden so save yourself the expense and stick with a watering can.

Ideal Plants For Vertical Gardens

Do some research to guard against failure. Choose plants that suit the conditions your home provides. E.g. if you have a balcony that receives a lot of direct sunlight throughout the day, pick plants that require sunlight. Also consider humidity, temperature and wind conditions, particularly for outdoor setups.

No matter the conditions, plants boasting shallow roots and compact size are best. Keep similar plants together to make the watering and fertilising process less confusing and more efficient.

• Ferns: ferns of all shapes and varieties need little maintenance and are hardy in tough conditions.
• Herbs: herbs love sunshine, so allow for adequate exposure to planting of basil, oregano, parsley and mint
• Moss
• Succulents: succulents are the cats of the plant world and rarely require attention. They will grow in sunlight or shade (though check each plant for specific care instructions) and place little to no strain on your household water usage.

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Flashy hotels exist in all pockets of the world. Some however choose to buck the trend by building a retreat in places higher than Obama’s daughter.

MiraMonti Boutique Hotel is one such hotel, built 1,230 metres above sea level in the picturesque Dolomites of Italy’s snow-capped alps. From the outside the hotel exudes classic heritage lines of any European town but stepping indoors will reveal something a little more modern.

Arching wood grain ceilings make easy work of integrating the space with the surrounding natural landscape whilst ample window space takes full advantage of the views to die for.

The crowning jewel has to be the infinity pool which overflows into the scenic greenery and surrounding mountains. Definitely a place to hit up during the warmer seasons.

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Judgement Day has arrived. Okay not really, but the human race is well on its way to self-driving Ubers.

It was two years ago that the American ride sharing company embarked on an audacious journey to mobilise an autonomous fleet of Ubers in order to reap the full fare profits as opposed to sharing them with their current 1.5 million employed drivers.

The driving force behind this was of course a significant increase to the company’s current US$68 billion valuation. Fast forward to the present day and Uber have officially announced their first four autonomous driving vehicles in Pittsburgh.

The self-aware cars which come with advanced 3D cameras, GPS and a new creation the company calls “Lidar” will help guide the vehicles around obstacles. It’s essentially a bunch of lasers mounted on the car’s roof which measure the shape and distance of objects ahead for safe navigation.

The pilot program is just that at the moment, with two obsolete humans required to sit in the front seat to take over from the A.I when it’s not doing the job right. One person will grab the wheel to take over whilst the other monitors the computer software. To determine who’s driving, Uber has attached a light in the dash: Blue means human/manual driving, green mean your life is in the hands of an autonomous machine.

Uber even has the hailing part down to a basic tee with pick-up points for its autonomous fleet set within a designated boundary.

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Put simply, the easiest way to date when you’re broke is to go on The Bachelor. It would be cool bananas for TV Producers to pay for extravagant dates and for you to take all of the credit.

Alas, you’re not The Bachelor. Furthermore, you probably still live with your Mum and haven’t got five bucks to your name…so here’s how to date when you’re a broke ass motherf*cker.

Carry A Hip-Flask

Invariably the biggest expense on a date are the drinks. So batch up some heavy duty rocket fuel and when she goes to the bathroom, take surreptitious swigs like a gentleman. Then when it comes time to pay you can say, “I didn’t drink anything baby, I’m not paying”.

Leave Your Wallet At Home

Literally leave your wallet at home…that way you don’t need to rely on your acting skills. My mate still deliberately leaves his wallet at home on first dates. Amazingly he is still single…he is also 39-years-old and sleeps in his car.

Borrow Cool Date Clothes

Buying clothes is expensive, so borrow clothes from your friends. Now, don’t borrow all clothes off one friend, divide it between a few friends, taking the best gear they have respectively. As an added bonus, hopefully your friend forgets that he lent you clothes and now his jacket is your brand new jacket.

Become A Competitive Eater

Some bars have eating challenges. For example, if you drink 5 pints of beer and eat 5 chicken schnitzels in 20 minutes you and your date eat for free. It’s always classy to end a first date with a spew with you holding her hair back.

Start A GoFundMe Campaign

A crowd funding page for your dating lifestyle sounds like the start of a modern day fairytale. You’re just like the bachelor except you’re not on TV and you’ve got no money. People will donate…hopefully.

DVD Night

Might be a bit full on for a first date because everyone knows what “DVD night” means, but you’re on a budget and need to save cash. You also don’t have a DVD player. Hashtag winky face.

Photocopy Money

Although highly illegal, it is also highly effective. If you do this, only go on dates in dark nightclubs. Also photocopy both sides of the paper so the money looks legit. Don’t get greedy and photocopy $50 and $100 notes, rather just do $20s, that way it doesn’t look suss. Who would photocopy a $20 bill? Exactly. That is also your defence if you get taken to court.

Online Dating

Dating purely online is good because it costs practically nothing, it’s bad because when finally arrange to meet her…she will be a dude or a robot. #CatFish

Introduce Your Date To Your Mum

That way your Mum pays for all food and drink. Plus you get browny points because you introduced her to your Mum.

Go To ‘Lentil As Anything’

This is a vegan restaurant where you pay what you think the meal is worth. Now you can see where I’m going here, but whatever you do don’t tell her the premise of the restaurant. Just walk and say “I took care of it”.

Go Camping

If you’ve watched The Bachelor, girls love camping. But you’re going to have to come up with a bloody good story when she finds out you literally live in a park.

Say That You’re A Modern-day Man

You’re a man who’s all about equality…so the lady should pay.

Go To Events

Particularly events where you know the lobster and champagne is free…like a wedding. Even if you’re not invited, take her to a wedding. It’s romantic.

Catch The Bus

Now, if your date asks, “why did you turn up on the bus?” Just say you’re catching public transport for a week to raise money for charity.

Get A Credit Card

That’s your money now, you worked hard for it. Then when it comes time to pay your credit card bill, just don’t pay. Pretty simple.

Good luck! Now go and check your Tinder matches or date that Instagram girl you’ve never met.

The post How To Date When You’re A Broke Ass Motherf*cker appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

This following article is sponsored by Woolrich

All clothes tell stories. For Woolrich John Rich & Bros, the story is one of innovation, of tradition, of sophistication, of simplicity, of quality, and of style.

America’s oldest manufacturer of outdoor wear has been synonymous with superior production and state-of-the-art performance garments for nearly two centuries. Guided by founding principles rooted in heritage, exploration, and the eternal search for new methods and materials, Woolrich has built its identity by staying true to its history.

Today the company honours its utilitarian DNA while continuing to evolve, creating a contemporary brand that appeals to the diverse lifestyles of people from all corners of the globe.

Prologue

It started in a mill in Pennsylvania, where Woolrich continues to thrive in the same building and on the same plot of land where it has flourished for 186 years.

In the early 19th century, John Rich II left Liverpool in search of a new life. His travels took him from England to the USA, where he settled in Pennsylvania and worked as a wool carder on the outskirts of Philadelphia. When he’d saved enough money to strike out on his own, Rich established a wool factory on the banks of a small brook called Plum Run and began distributing fabric.

The timing was right. The beginning of the 1900s saw countless labourers converge on Pennsylvania to build steam engines and lay railroad tracks. A strong demand for warm clothing followed, particularly clothing that was both comfortable and capable of withstanding all weather conditions. By 1845, Woolrich was so successful that Rich could expand the mill. He relocated to a company town that is now known officially as Woolrich, Pennsylvania.

Next Chapters

The Woolrich story, like any good tale, isn’t without conflict. When wartime hit, the company took on a new role to support the efforts of the Armed Forces.

Woolrich produced woolen blankets and uniforms for the military, as it once had during the Civil War. In 1943 a so-called Emergency Line was created using reprocessed and reused wool to avoid shortages where the fabric was needed most.

The Woolrich mill is now the only American mill from the Civil War that is still running. The brand supplies major film studios and historical reenactment groups with the same quality wool uniforms and blankets that it produced during the period.

More recent decades brought major changes for Woolrich John Rich & Bros. An increasingly active population required technical gear and highly durable apparel – and so, once again, Woolrich found itself innovating to answer its customer’s needs.

The company used high-tech, man-made fabrics like Gore-Tex, Thinsulate, and Cordura to enhance the performance of wool. The fabrics retained the comfort, durability, and resistance of their predecessors, but evolved to serve a new generation of patrons. Therein lies the secret to the brand’s longevity: a harmony between heritage and progress.

Protagonists

Two pieces in particular have kept Woolrich at the forefront of outerwear.

Form has always followed function for the company. In its earliest days, Woolrich catered to America’s pioneers – from the lumberjacks and farmers who worked the land in the climate’s rawest conditions, to the workers who constructed the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Its first sartorial success story was a garment known as the railroad vest. Also called the “Utility Vest,” it remains one of Woolrich’s most enduring designs.

1972 saw the introduction of the brand’s second star product. The Original Arctic Parka, made for workers on the Alaskan pipeline, was designed to handle the extreme weather conditions of the northernmost state. The garment became indispensable protection from Alaska’s wind, rain, snow, and average temperatures of 30°C below zero.

These days the Arctic Parka has expanded to all latitudes and undergone a number of changes to keep pace with shifting fashions. Alongside its unrivalled quality, its appeal lies in its subtle, yet accurate interpretation of contemporary taste. The parka’s success was and still is instrumental in making Woolrich a go-to provider of durable outdoor clothing and sportswear.

To Be Continued

What does the future hold for Woolrich? The story is far from over.

Today Woolrich is a benchmark brand using a blend of innovative fabrics and ultimate quality classic wools. From the rural to the urban, from work to play, from every part of the planet, each item of Woolrich clothing celebrates both the story of the brand and the individual wearing it.

Woolrich John Rich & Bros recently launched Agenda, a hub that brings together the history of the brand from 1830 to the present day. The journey begins in the Woolrich archive, which holds almost two hundred years of iconic patterns and vintage ads. Future missives will tap those resources, as well as photography and some of Woolrich’s signature garments, to reveal the essence of the brand in the modern-day.

Read Next

• The Best Outerwear Brands To Buy Right Now

The post The Story Of America's Oldest Outdoor Adventure Wear Brand appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The self-proclaimed ‘Hoonigan’ is back for the ninth time, believe it or not, and it appears he hasn’t let up on the pedal one bit.

Ken Block’s latest exploits sees him heading to an abandoned industrial park in Buffalo New York where he takes on perilous tricks in his heavily modified 600hp 2016 Ford Focus RS RX. Some of these exploits includes drifting on ledges overlooking the water and the mother of all ‘chicken with a train’ trick which could have ended very badly if your name wasn’t Ken Block.

The post Burn Rubber With Ken Block's Gymkhana Nine appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

We have good news and bad news for Banksy fans. First, the good news: a huge exhibition of the artist’s work is hitting Melbourne next month. It will be the largest-ever Banksy exhibition in Australia. And now the bad news: the exhibition is totally unauthorised, so Banksy is probably pretty steamed about it.

The Art of Banksy is a retrospective curated by the artist’s former agent, Steve Lazarides. The two had a mysterious falling out a while back and apparently have yet to make amends. When asked by Broadsheet if the exhibition is likely to piss Banksy off, Lazarides said, “Hell yeah. I hope so. We’ve been at loggerheads for years.”

But it’s not all about bad blood. “As much as it will annoy Banksy, hopefully putting this together and putting it out there will help,” he continued. “If it inspires five kids around the world to go out there and try to say something and address some issues then it’ll be a good thing.”

If you’re into Banksy’s art and have no qualms about his lack of consent for the show, you’re in for a look at more than 80 works, including some of his most famous. Organisers have promised that “Girl with Balloon,” “Flag Wall,” and “Laugh Now” will be amongst the pieces on display. The show will run for three months from 7 October to 22 January, at The Paddock in Melbourne’s Federation Square.

Along with the art, The Art of Banksy will play host to food trucks, craft beer and cocktails, and live DJ sessions on Fridays and Saturdays. The spotlight will also be on Melbourne’s own vibrant street art scene during the show. Works by established and emerging local street artists will be displayed on the external walls surrounding the exhibition.

“This exhibition is a one off – never will you be able to see this amount of work in one place again. Once the show is over, the artwork will dissipate back to the other 40 collectors around the world, and the likelihood of them being brought together again in the future is very slim,” Lazarides said in a statement.

The post A Massive Unauthorised Banksy Exhibition Is Coming To Australia appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The missing headphone jack has dominated most of the media chatter around the iPhone 7, but it’s not the only potential problem for the phone’s latest update.

The internet has been collectively drooling over the new jet black iPhone 7 (which, along with a matte black option, marks the first time the iPhone is being offered in two black colours). Apple is stoking the fires with a seriously sexy description on its website:

“The high-gloss jet black finish was achieved through a new feat of design engineering — a remarkably precise, nine-step process of anodization and polishing. The end result is so purely and continuously black, you can’t tell where the aluminum ends and the glass begins. The dark side, indeed.”

Unfortunately, the very thing that makes this such a covetable gadget could also be its downfall. A writer for The Verge took the time to do what no Apple enthusiast ever does – read the fine print – and found a disappointing footnote.

“The high-gloss finish of the jet black iPhone 7 is achieved through a precision nine-step anodization and polishing process. Its surface is equally as hard as other anodized Apple products,” reads the warning. “However, its high shine may show fine micro-abrasions with use. If you are concerned about this, we suggest you use one of the many cases available to protect your iPhone.”

So in other words, if you’ve been frothing for a shiny black iPhone and aren’t a fan of scratches, you’ll have to cover it with a case so you can’t see your shiny black iPhone anyway. The glossy surface is probably also a magnet for fingerprints, though that’s an easier fix.

The post There's A Problem With The Jet Black iPhone 7 appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Commerce is synonymous with the glittering skyscrapers of Hong Kong. Those gleaming towers – and the spectacular skyline they make – have become international symbols of wealth, ambition, and excess.

“A HK amateur could easily find himself overwhelmed by the staggering array of retail options.”

Underneath the steel and gleaming glass, a different side of Hong Kong awaits. For all their bright lights and luxury brands, the islands also retain a traditional side. Hong Kong’s bustling markets beckon to bargain-savvy shoppers and curious tourists. There are spiritual sites, traditional theatre, historic trams, nature reserves, and a world-class culinary scene.

A HK amateur could easily find himself overwhelmed by the staggering array of retail options, but with this guide to Hong Kong shopping, the Pearl of the Orient’s best buying experiences are yours for the taking.

Shopping In: Central

Central is Hong Kong’s business centre, as well as home to many of its best boutiques and behemoth malls. Here you’ll shop alongside the rich and famous (and the star-struck who stalk them). It’s a place to see and be seen, to soak up the luxury side of Asia’s world city, and to put a serious dent in your savings.

A visit to the Landmark is essential. The vast mall complex caters to well-heeled consumers with elegant architecture and one of the highest concentrations of luxury fashion, jewellery, and lifestyle brands in Hong Kong. From Dunhill, to Thomas Pink, to Dior, to Burberry and Balenciaga, the Landmark has it all.

The harbour-front IFC mall is also one of Hong Kong’s top shopping destinations, with a similar mix of visual appeal and luxury fashion. An elaborate network of covered walkways connects Central’s up-market malls so a spending spree need never be spoiled by traffic or foul weather.

Beyond the malls, Central boasts more affordable retailers like Diesel and Zara, as well as antique shops and art galleries. PMQ is a creative hub that showcases local designers in fashion, furniture, jewellery, even food. The crowded lanes of Li Yuen Streets East and West offer an entirely different experience – an ancient Asian bazaar, smack in the middle of one of the most modern cities on the planet.

Shopping In: Causeway Bay

If shopping were a sport, Causeway Bay would win the bid to host the Olympics every year. It consistently ranks as one of the priciest retail locations in the world, which means you’ll need the stamina of Michael Phelps and the wallet of, um, Michael Phelps in order to survive the neighbourhood.

SOGO and Times Square are the it-malls in the area. The former is the biggest and the most popular Japanese fashion department store in Hong Kong, and an iconic meeting point for locals. Like HK’s other mega-malls, it’s brimming with big-name brands like Armani and Brooks Brothers. Times Square is a melting pot of trendy teens, primly tailored businessmen, and awe-struck tourists. Its must-see stop is Lane Crawford, Hong Kong’s leading luxury fashion and lifestyle store. Up-market shopping can also be found in Hysan Place and Fashion Walk.

SOGO’s hip neighbour is the Island Beverly Centre, a treasure trove of local, Korean, and Japanese fashions that are popular with a younger, more alternative crowd. Drop into Cuffs for bespoke tailoring. For Causeway Bay shopping at its most affordable, head to the Jardine’s Crescent street market and practice your haggling.

Shopping In: Admiralty

Adjacent to Central is Admiralty, the eastern extension of Hong Kong’s CBD. The area was once a British military base, and in 2014 was the site of the “Umbrella Revolution” protests. Today it’s a predictable mix of offices, hotels, government buildings, and the requisite shopping malls.

The most famous of those malls is Pacific Place, which is connected directly to the MTR Admiralty Station. Within its swanky confines you’ll find high-end men’s and women’s fashion (think Balmain, Goyard, IWC, and Prada) along with a stellar selection of skincare and beauty brands. Shanghai Tang and another Lane Crawford location also cater to Admiralty’s posh shoppers.

Other stops worth adding to the itinerary include Ermenegildo Zegna, Zara, TUMI, Canali, Ted Baker, and the multi-level Harvey Nichols department store.

Shopping In: Tsim Sha Tsui

Tsim Sha Tsui (“TST” to locals) is a major tourist hub in Kowloon and packs all the perks you’d expect to come along with that designation. Luxe shops and restaurants exist in abundance, along with many of Hong Kong’s finest museums.

Look for the neighbourhood’s 5-star hotels and luxury shopping won’t be far behind. The 1881 Heritage, once the Marine Police Headquarters, blends Victorian history with contemporary retail and restaurants. Branching off the main Nathan Road strip, you’ll find the “art mall” K11 and multi-storey shopping complex iSQUARE. Also off Nathan Road is Sam’s Tailor, the famed home of the 24-hour suit. Past clients include Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Pavarotti.

Deeper into Kowloon is The One, a beast of nearly 30 floors that appeals to fans of alt fashion and street style. Along with luxury options, The One showcases a selection of cult brands and local designers’ boutiques.

The granddaddy of all Tsim Sha Tsui shopping is Harbour City, an enormous ecosystem of hundreds of shops, dozens of restaurants, two cinemas, three hotels, ten office buildings, two serviced apartments, and a luxurious private club – all under one roof. At 2 million square feet, Harbour City is the largest shopping mall in Hong Kong. Its massive size means massive crowds, but also means almost every major brand is accounted for.

Shopping In: Mong Kok

Mong Kok may be Hong Kong’s most congested shopping district, but don’t let the densely packed humanity scare you away. In fact, the people watching alone is reason to go; the shopping is an added bonus.

MK is a refreshing departure from the flashy experiences that dominate so much of Hong Kong’s retail scene. The area embraces HK’s rich history, favouring markets, small shops, and food stalls over luxury brands. Shopping streets are dotted throughout the neighbourhood. The Ladies’ Market is one of Hong Kong’s most famous – drop by if you need a gift for a lady in your life. Mong Kok’s other markets are even more hyper-specific. There’s one for sneakers and one for kitchenware, one for flowers, and even markets for goldfish and birds.

Mong Kok isn’t without up-market options. You’ll also find fine jewellery, electronics, cosmetics, and clothes. Langham Place is MK’s ultra chic one-stop shopping destination. Along with restaurants, entertainment options, and interesting architecture, Langham Place is loaded with stores from both notable and under-the-radar names.

Shopping In: Wan Chai

Historic Wan Chai is more than Hong Kong’s hedonistic party district. By night the former red light district retains some of its raunchiness from earlier eras, but by day it’s a hub for cultural institutions and eclectic retail therapy.

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council Design Gallery presents an intriguing assortment of odds and ends, primarily from local designers. You could find anything from home furnishings to laptop accessories to watches here – what you won’t find is boredom.

If you’re looking for a souvenir of your visit, try expat-fave Chinese Arts & Crafts. The vast selection includes porcelain, silk garments, musical instruments, tea, and other traditional Chinese items. Petrolheads should hit the showrooms on Gloucester Road. Interior design buffs will feel right at home along Queen’s Road East.

No shopping spree in the neighbourhood is complete without a sojourn to Wanchai Computer Centre or 298 Computer Zone. Both hawk wares of the digital variety and have made Wan Chai a paradise for tech lovers. Any gadget you can think of – software, hardware, books, laptops, cameras, printers, projectors, and more – is available here.

Shopping In: Sham Shui Po

If it’s a no-nonsense market you want, it’s Sham Shui Po you need. The working-class neighbourhood is a haven for market hounds, particularly those on the prowl for competitively priced gadgets, appliances, and computer products.

Apliu Street Flea Market is the place to be for inexpensive new and second-hand electronics. Sharp-eyed shoppers may also uncover antique watches, old coins, and other relics amongst the merchandise.

The charmingly chaotic market at Cheung Sha Wan Road is a prime destination for local fashion designers, who come to the wholesale markets to purchase fabrics and other raw materials for their collections. Like the ritzy malls in Central, your options are extensive – but unlike those ostentatious institutions, Sham Shui Po doesn’t come with attitude.

Shopping In: Lantau

There’s only one word you need to know when it comes to shopping in Lantau: outlets. Citygate Outlets is the largest outlet mall in Hong Kong, featuring more than 80 international brand names that offer year-round discounts of 30-70%. Your bank account will breathe a sigh of relief.

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