Whether you’re a man who doesn’t shy away from creative colour combinations, or you’re happy to keep it classic in monochrome, there’s no doubt that colour can play an important role in the vibe you give off to the rest of the world. That’s why it might be good to steer away from what has been dubbed the ‘World’s Ugliest Colour’.

Pantone’s 448 C, or ‘opaque couché’ is pretty putrid and has been described as ‘dirty’, ‘tar’ and even ‘death.’ Sounds like a pretty bad rap for just a harmless hue, but this colour actually has an important mission.

Experts actually chose the deep khaki colour to discourage smoking. Apparently, one look at this colour will convince of its habit-breaking abilities. In fact, in 2012 the Australian government hired research agency GfK to spearhead the new package design for all tobacco products with the aim to make every carton look as unappealing as possible.

After 3 months, 7 studies and more than 1000 regular smokers, researchers picked a ‘drab dark brown’ hue strikingly similar to ‘opaque couché’. Other options for the packaging included lime green, white, beige, dark grey and mustard. Dark brown came in at a close second but was ditched last minute for its rich, and chocolatey appetising undertones.

Since then, Ireland, the UK and France have passed plain packaging laws of their own, with mockups featuring the same hue. As for all the ‘opaque couché’ gear in your wardrobe? It might be time for a refresh.

The post Introducing The World's Ugliest Colour & Its Important Job appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The following article has been sponsored by IWC Schaffhausen

Amongst the legends of watchmaking, the Pilots Watch from IWC sits firmly on every collector’s hit list. The original Mark XI from IWC was issued to the RAF and the RAAF in the late 1940s and 50s and was used extensively by air wings for navigation.

As such, the watch had to be supremely accurate and be able to withstand the rigours of a cockpit during their time. Specifications from the British Ministry of Defence ensured that the watch had a soft iron inner case to protect it from magnetic fields, a highly accurate movement with hacking for precise time setting, and a stainless steel case that was waterproof to secure the crystal against displacement from a drop in air pressure.

Inside The Mark XVIII

There’s a reason why these historic little details are mentioned. All of the trialled advancements of the past have been passed down to the modern IWC Pilots Watch Mark XVIII, making it a fitting tribute to IWC’s flying history and an entry-model carrier for good solid Schaffhausen craftsmanship.

The IWC Pilots Watch Mark XVIII is available in a black dial which is as close as you can get to the original Mark XI. It is also available in a silver plated dial for those who prefer a lighter hue. Its stainless steel case is executed with masterful precision, sized at a moderate 40mm and featuring brushed flat surfaces befitting of its utilitarian heritage.

Inside the watch beats a self-winding 30110 mechanical movement featuring 21 jewels and a 42-hour power reserve. This movement also drives a date counter at the 3 o’clock mark with the traditional IWC triangle logo sitting atop the 12 o’clock mark.

Watch Design

The Mark XVIII also sports fine polished bevels on its lugs to highlight the shape of the case. The watch is easily legible with its black Arabic numerals contrasting against a lightly coloured dial. All of this is tied together with an exquisite black calf skin strap by Santoni featuring the signature orange lining. A stainless steel bracelet is also available for those who prefer a more formal look.

On the caseback sits a special plane engraving whilst sapphire glass adorns the front face to aid in clarity and robustness. For absolute peace of mind, the Mark XVIII is water resistant for up to 60 metres.

Final Thoughts

The IWC Pilots Watch Mark XVIII is as classic a Pilots Watch can get without the overbearing size. As an entry model of IWC, it’s reliable, versatile and easily serviceable. On the fashion front the watch is totally at home when worn under a French cuff or a luxe hoodie. The real magic however continues to resonate from the illustrious story behind it, earning the Mark XVIII a coveted spot in the world of pilot watches.

The post On The Wrist: Road Testing The IWC Pilots Watch Mark XVIII appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Whoever wrote ‘Give Me A Home Among The Gumtrees’ is about to have all their dreams come true with this incredible cabin, suspended high amongst the Norwegian municipality of Straumsnes, Tingvoll.

The brains behind Cabin Straumsnes are Rever & Drage Architects who were tasked with converting the once dilapidated 1950s building into a contemporary cabin that would open up to its surroundings.

For that little bit of luxury in the wilderness, a swimming pool juts out from the wooden structure, seamlessly integrated into the lush hillside surrounding. “The entrance has a somewhat seductive nature by being both inviting and at the same time secretive,” the architects added. “You are led towards an entrance by the curved path and by the roofs and volumes surrounding it. Still the entrance remains hidden.”

Natural light pours into the mostly wooden Cabin Straumsnes, and a fireplace encircled by floor-to-ceiling windows means you’ll be totally immersed in the natural landscape while remaining cosy and comfortable in the lap of luxury.

The post Live Among The Trees In This Insane Norwegian Cabin appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

London? Lame. Bangkok? Boring. Paris? Played out. Anthony Bourdain – arguably one of the world’s most famous travellers – says there’s a new must-do city.

In a recent interview published by Bon Appetit, the Parts Unknown host was asked where in the world he thinks people should visit right now. His unexpected answer? Beirut.

“The food’s delicious, the people are awesome. It’s a party town,” he said. He even speaks fondly of the Lebanese capital’s darker side. “Everything wrong with the world is there,” he added. “Hopefully, you will come back smarter about the world. You’ll understand a little more about how uninformed people are when they talk about that part of the world. You’ll come back as I did: changed and cautiously hopeful and confused in the best possible way.”

As for what to do there, Bourdain’s answer won’t surprise you: eat. In particular he recommends the seafood restaurants by the shore and fast-food shwarma, followed by shisha and a nightclub in what he dubs “a crazy kooky town.”

The post Anthony Bourdain Reveals The City You Should Visit ASAP appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Until science invents a pill that makes fat dissolve, you’re stuck losing weight the old fashioned way: diet and exercise. Fortunately, while the pill remains a pipe dream, brain researchers have discovered tricks that can help you lose weight by keeping your appetite in check.

Next time you’re tempted to reach for the jumbo bag of M&Ms, try implementing one of these strategies.

Hang A Mirror Where You Eat.

Imagine staring at your reflection with Cheeto dust-incrusted fingers and ice cream dripping down your chin. Not a pretty picture, is it? Research shows that people who eat in front of a mirror enjoy junk food less and, as a result, consume less of it. On the flip side, those who munch on healthy food with their reflections get more enjoyment out of their veggies and feel better about themselves. Witnessing your nutrition choices holds you accountable for them, and sparks strong emotions that can help reinforce the right choices.

Declutter Your Kitchen.

Cleanliness isn’t just close to godliness; it’s also close to a whittled waistline. A study in Environment and Behavior found that spending as little as 10 minutes in a cluttered kitchen made participants more likely to seek out unhealthy snacks like cookies. They ate around 100 more calories, all from junk food, than people in a tidy kitchen. The organised folks were more likely to choose carrots when their tummies started to rumble.

Hit The Dimmer.

Mood lighting isn’t the only compelling reason to install a dimmer switch. Soft lighting is flattering, melts stress and, according to research published in Psychological Reports, encourages you to eat less. Participants who dined in dimmer lighting enjoyed their meals more, took longer to eat, and consumed 18% fewer calories than those who noshed under bright lights.

Apply The Power Of Peppermint.

Peppermint is traditionally an after-dinner treat, but just a whiff of it before a meal could keep emotional eating and cravings under control. A study published in Appetite found that people who sniffed peppermint every two hours felt less hungry and more focused than non-sniffers, and consumed 2,800 fewer calories per week.

Select Your Server Wisely.

If possible, score a seat in the section with the thinnest server. A study of 497 diners in 60 restaurants found that those served by waiters with a higher BMI were four times more likely to order dessert. They also guzzled 17% more booze. If there’s no tactful way to get the seat you want, plan ahead. Decide what you want to order, how much you want to drink, and that you won’t be indulging in dessert before you arrive at the restaurant.

Embrace Contrasting Colours.

All-white looks great in Scandinavian interiors, but not so great on your plate. White pasta plus white sauce plus white plate is a deadly recipe for overeating. A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that people exert better control over portion size when their meal contrasts with the colour of the plate. Blue is an especially powerful hue when it comes to managing appetite. Research in the International Journal of Obesity found that, simply by eating off a plate with a blue rim, diners perceived their servings to be larger and more satisfying.

Avoid Emotional TV Eating.

Health experts have long discouraged eating in front of the television because it’s harder to keep track of what you’ve consumed when you’re distracted by the latest death on Game of Thrones. A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine took things a step further and found that snacking is best saved for talk shows and comedies. Participants scarfed far more junk when watching action or drama.

Go Big Or Go Home.

Size matters. A Taiwanese study in Psychological Reports found that short utensils compelled volunteers to shovel in more food. When longer cutlery (including chopsticks) was used, diners enjoyed their food more, took more time between bites, and ate less. Investing in long, elegant flatware could be a simple fix for slowing down, savouring, and slimming.

The post 8 Unexpected Tricks For Losing Weight That Are Backed By Science appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Las Vegas: been there, done that, got the hangover.Whether you call it a bachelor party, stag do, or buck’s weekend, the traditional lapdances-and-liquor scheme has gone stale. Somewhere along the line men were told that the pre-marital blowout should be as bawdy and debaucherous as possible, and most guys don’t deviate from the format.If the groom’s into it, throw him a bacchanal that would make the Romans blush. But if he’s not, there’s no shame in a different game. The best way to nail it is to look at the bachelor himself. What are his favourite activities? Do those – but bigger. What over the top, impractical, expensive thing has he always wanted to do but put off? Now’s the time.To get the inspiration flowing, here are a few alternative bachelor party ideas for the unconventional groom.

#1 For The Mountain Man

If the groom was a lumberjack in a previous life (or this one) and prefers to spend his off-hours communing with nature, treat him to an unforgettable weekend in the great outdoors. Go backpacking in a bucket list locale, take up residence in a rustic cabin, or rent a treehouse on Airbnb. Once you’ve settled into party HQ, spend the rest of the getaway indulging in a variety of Ron Swanson-approved activities. Options include hiking, hunting, fishing, canoeing, grilling meat, and lighting campfires. Time it right and you could even attend the Lumberjack World Championships, which is a totally real thing.

#2 For The Adrenaline Junkie

While you’re content with beer and a Netflix binge, the groom’s idea of a good time involves the threat of grievous bodily harm. Throw him and his bravest buddies a stag bash that’s guaranteed to get the blood pumping. Skydiving, bungee jumping, rock climbing, or a visit to the shooting range should satisfy his itch for action. If the situation calls for something more extreme, try hiking an active volcano, driving race cars, scuba diving with sharks, or attending sniper school. Proceed with caution if you go this route. The groom’s suit can be three-pieces, but he must make it to the alter in one.

#3 For The Athlete

This isn’t rocket science, gentlemen. If your groom likes to put his physical prowess to the test, a sports-focused bachelor party is the perfect send-off to singlehood. It could be as simple as spending an afternoon playing whatever his game of choice is, but for this once-in-a-lifetime occasion, why not step things up? If he likes to surf, rent a beach house fit for Instagram and spend a weekend on the waves. If he likes to ski, shack up at the swankiest resort you can afford. If he likes to golf, treat him to a round at an iconic course. Whether or not you let him win is up to you.

#4 For The Bon Vivant

His suits are bespoke, his women are supermodels, and his wines are finely aged. This is a man who craves the best in life and nothing less. His buck’s night should be extravagant, exquisite, and yes, expensive. Splurge on fine food. Sample cigars at a fashionable tobacconist. Gulp down the gold stuff at a whiskey tasting or, if he prefers a more hoppy brew, try a craft brewery tour. Some let you create your own beer and take home a case as a souvenir. Don’t forget to book an upscale hotel room or Airbnb pad to recover in after your intoxicated adventures.

#5 For The Vagabond

Before the groom rides off into the sunset with his bride, take him on one last ride with the boys. Plan a road trip to a special destination or just hit the pavement and see where it takes you. All you need is a full tank of gas, the right travel companions, and a playlist that doesn’t suck. For an even more memorable adventure, rent the car the groom has always dreamed of driving or book a motorcycle tour somewhere spectacular.

The post Unique Bachelor Party Ideas That Go Beyond Vegas appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

It’s one thing to charge sleepy commuters a hefty $4.50 for their large skim lattes every morning, but it’s another thing to charge the same when the customer has to put it together themselves. Yes, that’s right. Melbourne cafes are now selling ‘deconstructed coffee’.

Served on a paddle (a bit like beer tasting), your deconstructed coffee comes in three separate cups – one with espresso, one with milk and one with water.

Sure, if you’re one of those annoying, picky customers who demands a coffee with all the bells and whistles then the ‘deconstructed’ version means you can tailor your caffeinated beverage to suit your exact needs, but for everyone else, doesn’t it just mean you’ve got one hell of a lazy barista on your hands?

It’s not just the DIY coffees that are ruffling feathers, these days you can’t walk into a cafe without being confronted by cold brews, carbonated coffee or complicated latte art conjuring up images of intricate froth floating on top of a very lukewarm cup.

So unless you’re a bearded psuedo-intellectual who loves himself a bit of overpriced smashed avo on sourdough, then we’re not sure how well this ‘deconstructed’ coffee situation is going to go down.

The post Melbourne Takes Hipster Coffee Too Far With A New Trend appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Most of us would rarely get the chance to see Antarctica let alone share an intimate session with the barren landscape’s environment.

John Bozinov is a man who does just that for a living and he has done it with one of the world’s most popular cameras no less, the Apple iPhone camera.

Short of calling this project one of the world’s most original Instagram feeds, Bozinov also deserves credit for his own skilful framing of landscapes and animals in their natural element. His cold weather talents have accumulated from previous expeditions where he shot in the subantarctic islands of New Zealand as well as the archipelago of Svalbard in the Norwegian Arctic.

RELATED: The Latest iPhone 7 Rumours Are Here

Bozinov’s work stems from his passion as an environmentalist and conservationist with a specific interest in preserving the unique wildlife of the subantarctic and polar regions of our planet.

Speaking of his iPhone photography project, Bozinov said, “for something that fits in your pocket it’s really remarkable how far the camera has come.”

“A few years ago I would have never been able to take a mobile phone out on a shoot like this. I’m so impressed with the quality of the iPhone and it excels for the type of photography I do like outdoor, landscape and wildlife photography.”

The post Adventure Photographer Captures Antarctica Through The Lens Of An iPhone appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Where do the gentlemen of Sydney take their dinner dates and late night business meetings when the weather is less than ideal? Bills in Bondi, of course, where even the rainiest of days doesn’t deter the Bondi hipsters and the fashionable French Bulldogs of Hall St.

Since opening its doors 2 years ago, Bills Bondi has welcomed a steady stream of hungry punters, already converted to Granger’s take on Modern Australian cuisine in his Darlo and Surry Hills joints, or perhaps abroad in the fashionable cities of London, Tokyo, Seoul and Honolulu.

There’s no way you can talk about Bills without mentioning the restaurant’s breakfast offering. Quintessentially Australian, and perhaps a little overpriced (but where isn’t in Sydney these days), Bills Bondi specialises in the classics – creamy scrambled or perfectly poached eggs, plenty of avocado, corn fritters and fresh sourdough and even a chia seed pot for the grain-loving ‘activewear’ yuppies of the suburb.

Of course if you are a man of leisure, or just taking it easy over the weekend, Bills Bondi has your lunch cravings sorted, but the restaurant’s dinner offering is really where the menu shines. Whether you’re keen to squabble over a share plate or two, perhaps the kim chee and crab arancini, seabass carpaccio and miso aubergine, want to get stuck into some good old fashioned BBQ in the form of whole baby snapper, short rib, pork belly or wagyu burger, or just keep it light and simple with a prawn and chilli linguine or mouth watering crisp fried rice bowl, there’s something for everyone when it comes to dinnertime at Bills.

We say you’re a fool to go past the creamy yellow fish curry, or the pub-meal-gone-gourmet parmesan schnitzel with creamed corn and fennel slaw.

To wash it all down? There is wine and beer a-plenty at Bills, and the Prosecco is a must-try, but the cocktails are really where it’s at if you’re aiming to impress. We recommend the classic negroni spritz, spice cold drip manhattan if you need the caffeine hit, or even the ballsy jalapeno stinger with jalapeno-infused tequila, aloe, cucumber and salt. *not for the faint of heart

Impress you will at Bills Bondi, even before you’ve tucked into a meal. Designed by Sydney-based interior designers Meacham Nockles McQualter, the restaurant’s decor is classy, unpretentious, light and big on space.

With fresh, local ingredients and a fresh and fuss-free environment, Bills Bondi gets the D’Marge tick of approval when it comes to authentic Aussie dining this season.

The post Fuss-Free & Authentic Aussie Dining Done Right At Bills Bondi appeared first on DMARGE Australia.