If you can avoid it, you should be turning your back on mainstream furniture stores and focusing your attention on independent designer furniture stores (or at least those that have several showrooms, yet import high-quality furniture from overseas)  when it comes to furnishing your home. Not only will you usually receive a higher quality of product, but with some stores also offering bespoke builds, you will be able to get your hands on something that you will actually make full use of, and something that is totally personal to you.

Brisbane is, in a way, in its own little world halfway up Australia’s east coast and with that, comes a unique sense of style. It presents a thoroughly more laidback approach to life, with bronzed people everywhere you look and a greater appreciation for individualism than what you may find in either Sydney or Melbourne.

That attitude isn’t just applied to fashion, but extends into all other aspects where a personal design touch is needed, including in the furniture chosen for the home. Fortunately, there is an eclectic range of designer furniture stores teeming with anything and everything home-related, from tables and sofas to beds, wardrobes and even outdoor furniture for those summer BBQs. And these are the very best.

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The post 8 Furniture Stores In Brisbane We Bloody Love appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

At DMARGE, there’s nothing that we like more than highlighting cool Australian brands. So when a cool Australian sneaker brand announces a deal that will save you money while also helping a good cause, we really have no choice but to shine a spotlight on them.Founded in 2016, Von-Röutte is a Sydney-based brand that specialises in high-end, ethically made casual leather sneakers. Made in Portugal and boasting clean, minimal designs perfect for all occasions, Von-Röutte sneakers stand out as a truly quality option in a market defined by austere and brash aesthetic extremes, as well as questionable quality and value.In short, they’re some bloody good, consciously made sneakers. But what makes them even better is the deal that their co-founder, Gus Agra, has just announced today.“From today, everyone under 40 can get vaccinated. ⁠The faster we take the jab, the faster we can enjoy our lives as it was before.⁠ To speed up our freedom, we decided to launch ‘get the jab, get 20’.”

“We are offering 20% off for everyone who gets vaccinated. Simply DM us with your vaccination certificate, and we’ll issue a personalised voucher.⁠”

“Help us spread this idea and stop the virus.”

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You read that correctly – 20% off your order if you get vaccinated.DMARGE spoke exclusively with Agra, who explained his motivations behind offering this great deal.“With the latest lockdown imposed by the NSW Government in Australia, we had to close our store until the community transmission is back to 0. Unfortunately, the Delta variation seems to be super powerful and we strongly believe that our only way out is to have everyone vaccinated.”

“The promotion just made sense in this context: Since Friday 30th of July, everyone in Sydney can get the jab. The more people are vaccinated, the faster we can be back to ‘normal’. If every business copies this idea (which they are welcome to) we could significantly motivate people to accelerate the vaccination rate. It’s better for everyone: businesses, people and the economy.”

“In Australia, we are lucky to have an overstock of vaccines and this is also a good way to open the conversation that all vaccines available here are more than safe to take. The important thing is to be vaccinated. Vaccines save lives!”RELATED: The Three Words Every Australian In Lockdown Needs To Hear

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This is one of those ‘kill two birds with one stone’ situations. Not only do you save a chunk of change on some seriously good shoes, but you’re supporting a small, independent Australian business at a time when retailers are doing it really tough. Oh, and you’re helping keep yourself and the community safer from this awful pandemic.RELATED: ‘Waiting For Pfizer Really Means 5 Unnecessary Months In Lockdown’If you’ve already got the jab, spoil yourself and get some new creps. If you haven’t, maybe this might be what pushes you over the line.What would be really cool is to see more businesses follow Agra and Von-Röutte’s lead and offer similar incentives for Australians to get jabbed. The quicker we all get vaccinated, the quicker life can return back to normal. Imagine a summer where we don’t have to worry about socially distancing… Might as well get yourself some cool new sneakers to wear in the summertime, too.Check out Von-Röutte’s range online here. Not sure how to get a record of your COVID-19 vaccination? Follow these helpful instructions here.

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The post Australian Sneaker Brand Offers Luxurious Incentive For You To Get The Jab appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

If we told you back in 2007 that Jonah Hill would end up as one of the most stylish actors in Hollywood you’d probably laugh at us – but it’s true.The comedian and actor might have built his career off the back of playing nerds, but these days he’s a different man. Not only has Hill lost a lot of weight since his Superbad days, but he’s evolved into one of the most fashion-forward male celebrities on the planet right now, even working with big-name brands like Palace, Marni and Adidas on campaigns, collaborations and exclusive collections respectively.Another element of his transformation has been getting inked. The 37-year-old now boasts a rather respectable collection of tattoos, ranging from the silly – like the Bart Simpson skull and crossbones on his right arm – to classical pieces, like the pirate ship on his chest.His latest tattoo, however, is a different beast entirely. Hill took to Instagram earlier this week to show off his most recent design: a yellow ‘Body Love’ tattoo that parodies the logo of Californian surf gear brand Body Glove. It’s a witty piece, but one with a deeper meaning than just riffing on a brand’s name.

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We touched on it earlier, but Hill has always struggled with his weight as well as the way he’s been depicted in the media. When you’re a big guy, it’s easy to get typecast – indeed, Hill was inspired to change his lifestyle and slim down so he could “get more serious roles”, Biography relates.RELATED: NBA Star Russell Westbrook Sets Bar Unfairly High For ‘Modern Dad Bod’Hill made waves back in February for his insightful reaction to a Daily Mail article sharing paparazzi photos of him surfing; one that was clearly designed to ogle and make fun of his physique. Hill shared the article on Instagram, commenting:“I don’t think I ever took my shirt off in a pool until I was in my mid-30s even in front of family and friends. Probably would have happened sooner if my childhood insecurities weren’t exacerbated by years of public mockery about my body by [the] press and interviewers. So the idea that the media tries to play me by stalking me while surfing and printing photos like this and it can’t phase me anymore is dope.”

“I’m 37 and finally love and accept myself. This isn’t a ‘good for me’ post . And it’s definitely not a ‘feel bad for me post’. It’s for the kids who don’t take their shirt off at the pool. Have fun. You’re wonderful and awesome and perfect.”

Hill’s ‘Body Love’ tattoo is a powerful demonstration of body positivity, self-acceptance and is emblematic of how much Hill has grown and changed as a man. Power to him – these things still aren’t easy to talk about and the fact he’s embracing it so readily will no doubt be a source of inspiration for other men struggling with their body image.RELATED: 64-Year-Old Man’s Stunning Workout Proves Age Really Is Just A NumberHill is set to appear in the upcoming Netflix political comedy satire Don’t Look Up alongside Meryl Streep, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, and Jennifer Lawrence. He’s also working with acclaimed screenwriter William Monahan on a limited series covering the life of notorious Hollywood figures Lew Wasserman and Sidney Korshak, with Hill starring as the latter.

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The post Jonah Hill's Latest Tattoo Is Proof Getting Inked Isn't Just About Chasing Trends appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

German airline Lufthansa just launched a new type of fare, which provides passengers with the next best thing to Flying At The Front. It’s called Sleeper’s Row.

Sleeper’s Row has been introduced to make the most of empty economy seats on aircraft, which are now more common thanks to Covid-restrictions and travel bans.

To eek some juice out of them, Lufthansa has slapped a label on them (Sleeper’s Row) and is turning them into a flat bed which you can book (for an additional charge). You also get a little extra special customer care a la business.

While many people might have – without charge – nabbed empty rows in the past when flying economy, this is different because now there will be a special bed ironing our the metal bumps and lumps that would typically dig into you. And of course, you will get charged for it. Prices for a Sleeper’s Row start at 159 euros.

As Lufthansa announced: “As of 2nd August, Lufthansa guests travelling in Economy Class on select long-haul flights will have the option of booking a Sleeper’s Row at the check-in or at the gate, before their flight. With this new attractive offer, passengers will receive an entire row of seats for themselves, consisting of three to four adjacent seats, for the entire duration of the flight.”

“This offer comes with a comfortable pillow, blanket and mattress topper of Business Class quality, allowing passengers to fully relax while on board before reaching their final destination. The Safety during the flight is ensured by a special seat belt, which remains fastened even when the passenger is lying down, including separate safety instructions. Furthermore, passengers who book a Sleeper’s Row can benefit from pre-boarding, allowing them enter the aircraft earlier than other guests.”

Sleeper’s Row is offered on long-haul flights of eleven hours or more, for example on routes to the Far East, the United States’ west coast, Central and South America, or southern Africa. The surcharge is between 159 and 229 euros per route. A maximum of three Sleeper’s Rows are offered per flight. Reservations in advance are not possible.

Lufthansa tested the Sleeper’s Row on the route Frankfurt – São Paulo – Frankfurt for several weeks at the end of 2020.

When we are released from our bird cage and are allowed to travel again, we hope to take it for a test run too…

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The post Lufthansa's ‘Sleepers Row’ Is The Pandemic’s Affordable Alternative To Business Class appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The last eighteen months have been a challenge for businesses of all shapes and sizes, from your local deli to luxury department stores. Lockdown restrictions, economic uncertainty and reduced consumer confidence have forced retailers, in particular, to drastically reevaluate their business models.For many retailers, that’s meant a pivot towards online-only shopfronts, click-and-collect or home delivery. Turns out that even includes one of the luxury watch world’s biggest brands: Rolex.The world’s most successful watchmaker and the most famous luxury brand bar none, Rolex is known for being notoriously protective of its brand image and has never had an online sales presence. But when Rolex opened a new boutique in Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, right in the middle of a global pandemic – they decided to try something new.Scotland’s only Rolex store has enlisted limousine drivers to make deliveries of its famous watches, with staff chauffeur-driven as far north as Ullapool and parts of England to ensure customers received the same luxury one-to-one in-store service they’ve grown accustomed to, The Glasgow Herald relates.

It’s a novel way to continue selling high-end timepieces in the middle of a pandemic. Like the world’s most expensive Deliveroo order… Other watch brands’ European boutiques have also pivoted towards this model, including IWC Schaffhausen’s Amsterdam outpost and German multi-brand boutique Wempe.Panerai in Italy tried an even more experimental version of a mobile boutique back in 2018 – a boutique on the high seas. Eilean, a Scottish yacht made famous as the setting of the music video for Duran Duran’s 1982 single Rio, was restored by the brand and turned into a mobile boutique, which slowly made its way up the Italian coast, docking for short periods along the way.RELATED: Inside Luxury Watchmaker Panerai’s Exclusive Partnership With The America’s Cup’s Coolest TeamStill, there’s something highly fitting about the thought of a limo pulling up at your house and a Rolex dealer coming inside to unfurl their watch roll on your coffee table. A Milgauss with your macarons, sir? A Domino’s Air-King delivered instead of Domino’s Pizza?

Glasgow isn’t the only city Rolex has opened a new boutique in lately, despite the continuing spectre of The Spicy Cough. Rolex recently opened a brand-spanking-new, three-storey-tall standalone boutique in the heart of Sydney – the largest Rolex boutique in the Southern Hemisphere.RELATED: ‘A Watch Lover’s Mecca’: Inside The Huge New Sydney Rolex BoutiqueSeeing as how Sydney’s likely to be in lockdown until the end of this year at this stage, maybe Rolex in Sydney might start looking into building up a limo fleet of their own.That said, we’re not exactly champing at the bit to bring the Glasgow model to Australia. Remember, it was a limo driver in Sydney who (arguably) kicked off this latest lot of lockdowns. The last thing you’d want with your Cosmograph Daytona is a side serving of COVID-19 Delta…Time will tell if Rolex decides to trial a similar service in other countries.

Rolex shares a closer look at their 2021 models’ dial finishes [Watch Below]

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The post Rolex Introduces ‘Deliveroo’ Service For One Lucky Country appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

If the thought of 14 hours in cattle class turns your face the colour of a milky latte, if the words ‘status run‘ mean something to you, if you know the exact date the Queen of the Skies was brought into service, then boy do we have a proposition for you.Qantas is currently offering business class buffs the opportunity of a lifetime – the chance to buy two A380 ‘Skybeds’ to take home and own.These priceless pieces of pre-loved Qantas memorabilia, identical to the ones in the Queen of the Skies (Qantas’ very own Boeing 747), will make you feel like you’re permanently in the sky, Qantas claims.Although the built-in screens don’t work outside of the plane, Qantas encourages interested buyers to imagine “reclining on a Skybed in your media room, sipping champagne, watching the latest blockbuster or bingeable series.”The seats are Marc Newson designed and have been a Qantas staple since 2008 (the Skybed has in recent years replaced by a newer offering, which provides aisle access for all).Your opening bid must be 350,000 Qantas points or higher. Bidding starts in one day and 18 hours from the time of writing. Bid here!Interest piqued?Here’s what you get for your dollars:

• A pair of pre-loved A380 Business Skybeds, delivered to: Adelaide, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Darwin, Southern Highlands, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Newcastle and the Central Coast, Nowra, Wollongong, Perth and Sydney areas.
• A converter so you can plug it into your electrical output.

Dimensions? The Skybed seat in the upright position is as follows: 156cmL x 142cmW x 129cmH.The seat, Qantas says, will be placed on a timber rig with the following dimensions: 215cmL x 158cmW x 11cmH.The seat weighs 175kg, while the timber rig weighs 60kg.This opportunity comes as part of a broader new initiative called Points Auction, which includes five unique experiences going under the hammer this week.Further prizes up for grabs are:

• A private charter flight to Byron Bay, Hamilton Island or Devonport inclusive of premium Qantas hospitality
• A luxury holiday for four people to Queenstown
• Kids soccer coaching clinic with Socceroos Coach Graham Arnold
• Spin in the 787 simulator with one of Qantas’ most experienced Captains

Take a sneak peek at the exhilaration of taking virtual command of a Qantas Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner under the personal instruction of a Qantas Captain

Qantas Loyalty CEO Olivia Wirth said over the past 18 months Qantas Frequent Flyers have accelerated their points balances from activities on the ground more than ever, and this new initiative is all about giving them a chance to spend them.“This is a restless time for many Australians who can’t wait for both international and domestic borders to fully open so they can take off to some of their favourite destinations,” Mrs Wirth said.“Whilst travel remains the number one thing frequent flyers want to use their Qantas Points on once borders open up, we know that many are keen to use some points on unique, big-ticket items.”

“Points Auction gives members the chance to bid on special experiences and we expect these items to create a points bidding frenzy.”

One item will be auctioned off each day from the 2nd to the 6th of August 2021 between 8am and 9pm AEST and is open to Australian residents who are Qantas Frequent Flyers aged 18 and over.The winner must place the highest bid by 9pm AEST and have the points available in their account to accept the item.Based on the success of this Points Auction, Qantas will look at running further auctions throughout the year.May the odds be ever in your favour…

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The post Qantas Gives Business Class Tragics Opportunity Of A Lifetime appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

There was a time when Americans looked at Australia and knashed their teeth. While they were trussed up by a virus and a president who didn’t seem to be taking it all too seriously, we were out and about, enjoying life, with community transmission of COVID-19 sitting on zero.How the tables have turned.Now Australia is battling a Delta outbreak and millions of people are in lockdown. Meanwhile, America – having been one of the front-running countries in getting vaccinated – is in a much better place than it was last year.They are not out of the woods yet though. Which is why the following photo, taken at Lollapalooza 2021 – a music festival in Chicago – caused such a fuss when it was posted to Instagram by @complex.

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The image features thousands of revellers packed together. While this shows how far ahead of Australia America is in terms of getting vaccinated, it also showed, in some people’s view, a country perhaps rushing a little to get back to normal.In any case, further footage from the official event page shows the festival was quite the event.

Watch crowds gather at Lollapalooza 2021 to enjoy live music in the video below

While there were some heartfelt comments left beneath the festival’s photos, showing the beauty of live music being able to return (“I somehow remained composed for the majority of all four days. Then I heard Band of Horses play this live. I still have no idea how many people saw me cry in their photo pit”), there were plenty more comments left beneath Complex’ photo decrying the mass gathering.“Covid stay undefeated,” one Instagram user wrote.Another continued the basketball analogy, writing, “covid with a triple-double rn.”A third commented: “Pfizer about to blow a 3-1 lead.”Other social media users expressed concerns that this kind of gathering could lead to yet more variants of the virus.“Deltapalooza lord please don’t,” one wrote.Further comments along these lines included “The line-up: Delta, Gama and Alpha covid strains” and “Delta variant: allow me to reintroduce myself.”It also sparked discussion over how soon is too soon to return to normal life – and what percentage of the population needs to be fully vaccinated in order to stem the development of new variants.The US has just hit the 70% Covid vaccine milestone for adults, CNBC reports. Australia currently has fully vaccinated 15.4% of its population.

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The post Chicago Music Festival Photo Shows How Far Ahead America Is Of Australia appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

If you’re someone looking to put on muscle and size, we all know the two main ingredients required are an effective gym program and a solid intake of protein. The most widely consumed sources of protein are animal-based whole foods – such as chicken, beef or turkey – although it has been proven you can consume a significant amount of protein on a plant-based diet too – or protein powders added into smoothies and shakes.

It’s worth noting, however, that some food labels can be a little deceiving when it comes to the actual amount of protein you can expect to consume in certain products, so you may need to err on the side of caution if you’re someone who religiously counts their calories, and make adjustments where needed.

To help give you an extra top up throughout each day, fitness coach James Kew says snacking can be the way forward.

 

 

 

 

 

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Taking to Instagram with a recent post, James admits it can be difficult for many to hit their protein goals – which are worked out based on their current body composition and ideal targets – but some simple changes to your daily meal plan can make small but significant differences.

“Have a veggie burger and some feta cheese wrapped up inside a lavash, and you have a quick and easy 35g of protein!”, he provides as an example.

“Hitting your protein targets doesn’t need to be difficult, and it certainly doesn’t need to be brogan. Plenty of people will tell you to avoid bread, but not all bread is created equally. There are some amazing options out there, and some can provide you with a nice little protein boost.”

“High protein doesn’t need to mean 20+ grams of protein. If you add in foods throughout your day with some extra protein, it can add up quickly.”

“It’s a great idea to build meals around a major protein source, but if getting in enough protein is difficult for you, adding in foods [such as those in the Instagram post] can be extremely beneficial. 9-10 grams of protein may not seem like much, but it can really add up and be a huge help.”

He lists edamame, lavash bread, chickpea pasta, light string cheese, fat-free feta cheese, whole wheat bread, fava beans, black bean burgers, low carb flour tortilla, nutritional yeast, pumpkin seeds and lentils as potential sources of convenient-to-add protein.

His message is certainly valid, and can carry over to other food groups such as carbohydrates and healthy fats. While you will still likely want your protein target to be the highest, introducing extra carbs and fats via snacks throughout the day can all help you reach your overall calorie target (if you’re looking to bulk).

It may seem counterintuitive, that eating more can help you in your quest for gains, as you’ll likely assume you’ll just end up putting on extra body fat through the carbs and fats the majority of foods also contain. But as long as you’re sticking to a rigorous gym routine full of various workouts, you’ll use up the extra energy you’re feeding your body.

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The post Eat These High Protein Foods If You Want To Pack On Muscle appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Orlando Bloom, like Daniel Radcliffe or Benedict Cumberbatch, is one of those actors who will never leave the public conversation – thanks to his starring roles in The Lord of the Rings and Pirates Of The Caribbean.But while Bloom might inspire luscious praise from geeks and fangirls from Mayfair to Middle Earth, the man’s far from a nerd as far as fashion is concerned. Indeed, Mr Bloom is a rather snappy dresser. One of the best in the game, in fact.He’s also got a keen eye for experimentation, as his most recent outfit reveals. Walking his new foster dog Buddy around Capri, Bloom looked casual yet slick, pairing a plain white tee with some weathered denim jeans held up with suspenders – a rather old-timey yet decent-looking move. The suspenders, however, lay in stark contrast with the ultra-modern Sacai x Nike Vaporwaffle “Villain Red/Neptune Green” sneakers on his feet.

Sacai is the personal luxury imprint of renowned Japanese fashion designer Chitose Abe, a pioneer of women’s streetwear who’s worked with brands like COMME des GARÇONS, The North Face and Beats by Dre, as well as designers like Jean-Paul Gaultier, Junya Watanabe and Hiroshi Fujiwara.

RELATED: Travis Scott Sneaker Fiasco Shows How Pointless Sneaker Drops Have Become

Abe through Sacai has been collaborating with Nike since 2015, and their collaborative sneakers have been some of the hottest properties in the sneaker world for years. Their signature ‘doubled up’ aesthetic – including multiple tongues and stacked midsoles – are highly distinctive, reaching the sort of aesthetic notoriety as Off-White’s zip ties or 1017 ALYX 9SM‘s buckles.

Bloom clearly knows a good thing when he sees it – and his experimental impulses are also right on the money. The suspenders might be a bit ~peacock~ but we’d be lying if we said the fit wasn’t fire.

Bloom was in Capri to attend the LuisaViaRoma UNICEF Italia summer gala, where his partner, pop star Katy Perry, was performing. Bloom has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2009, and Perry since 2013.

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The post Orlando Bloom Pairs 19th Century Accessory With 21st Century Sneakers appeared first on DMARGE Australia.