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Score 25% Off Sustainable Essentials In The Frank And Oak Weekend Sale
Score 25% Off Sustainable Essentials In The Frank And Oak Weekend Sale

We’re sure you don’t need reminding that all men should have a ‘capsule’ wardrobe that comprises the absolute essentials all guys should own, to either layer together or wear proudly on their own. Any menswear retailer worth their salt should sell them but should go without saying that you get what you pay for.

Frank And Oak is one such retailer that you can rely on for all your essential needs. The Canadian retailer was founded in 2012 by two long-time friends who wanted to make it their mission to produce the very best in men’s clothing, but items that were made in the most sustainable ways.

And right now Frank And Oak is offering customers 25% off the entire site using the code ‘WEEKEND25’. Whether you’re on the hunt for some new t-shirts, need a jacket for cooler Spring evenings, or you need a new suit for work, you’ll be able to find it here.

Our top picks (prices before discount): The ’76 French Terry Sweatshirt, $69.50; Good Cotton Striped Pocket Tee, $34.50; The Triple Torrent Waterproof Parka, $249; The Century Chelsea Boot, $199; The Mackay Skinny Chino, $89.50.

Be quick though, this offer only lasts for the May long weekend.

Shop The Frank And Oak ‘WEEKEND25’ Sale

The post Frank And Oak Sale: Score 25% Off Sustainable Menswear Essentials appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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Sleep Psychologist Warns Of Growing Trend Ruining Your Sleep
Sleep Psychologist Warns Of Growing Trend Ruining Your Sleep

Sleeping disorders are prevalent among Australian life, in fact, The Sleep Health Foundation reports “more than half of adult Australians are suffering from at least one chronic sleep symptom that is affecting their ability to live a healthy, happy life.”

The full report – available for your viewing pleasure here – which surveyed 2,044 adults aged 18 years and over across Australia between March and April 2019, reports 59.4 per cent of participants as claiming to suffer from at least one sleep symptom three or more times a week.

But while sleep psychologists and health organisations encourage the use of cognitive behavioural therapies (CBT) or simply allocating enough time in a night for our bodies to rest properly, many sleep-symptom sufferers will turn to prescription medication to help them with their slumber. However, this brings with it several risks to their health, which can often be fatal.

 

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Rose Clancy, Sleep Psychologist and owner of Sydney-based Let Sleep Happen, tells us it’s all too common for Australian men in particular to overdose on sleep medication and suffer unintended fatal consequences,  “approximately 80 per cent of male overdose fatalities are accidental, according to the 2016 ABS Overdose Deaths data.”

The root cause of accidental deaths, or at least, the “most common substance found in overdose deaths in the past 20 years in Australia is benzodiazepines.” More specifically, “benzodiazepines were identified in 663, or 36 per cent of [these] deaths in 2016.”

The average age of males who died from an accidental overdose is rather alarming, at 42, with the median age for suicidal overdoses being recorded at 51.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics data adds that in 2016, “an individual dying from a drug-induced death in Australia was most likely to be a middle-aged male, living outside of a capital city who is misusing prescription drugs such as benzodiazepines or oxycodone in a polypharmacy (the use of multiple drugs) setting.”

Benzodiazepines include the drugs Valium and Xanax, the latter of which has had its ease of access significantly restricted in Australia in recent years. It was benzodiazepines (as part of a mixture with oxycodone and hydrocodone) that killed Australian actor Heath Ledger in 2008.

Rose cites Dr Drew Pinsky, a US-based drug addictions specialist, as saying “celebrities don’t get an evidence-based addictions treatment, but jobless people on a court order are able to get substance dependence treatment.” So even if it was brought to someone’s attention that Heath was a regular user of prescription medication, he wouldn’t have been eligible to enrol in a treatment programme.

The Sleep Health Foundation says, “There is a clear need for better insight into the treatment options patients with insomnia access, the perceived success of these options, and importantly, how regularly gold‑standard treatment options are accessed by those who could benefit.”

So how easy is access to prescription medication? In Australia, prescription drugs are subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), which falls under the Medicare umbrella. According to a 2016 report from the Victorian Coroners Court,

“…close to seven million prescriptions for benzodiazepines are dispensed in Australia each year under this scheme, and their main indications for use are short-term treatment of anxiety and insomnia.”

“In Australia, general practitioners (GPs) are the main sources of benzodiazepines for 61% of those patients who misuse them.”

However, repeat prescriptions for several users can suggest the drugs are being used for other reasons, and can even indicate an addiction.

So, what should you do if you, or someone you know, is a regular user of prescribed medication to combat sleeping disorders? The first port of call is to ask them if they’re ok. If you don’t get much of a response, you’ll then want to reach out to a professional organisation, such as the appropriately named, Reach Out, an online mental health organisation that provides support for a range of health topics. Alternatively, you can get information from the Addiction Center.

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The post Sleep Medication Overdose: Psychologist Warns Of Dangerous Growing Trend appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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Breitling Announcement Makes Owning Its Watches A Lot Easier For Australians
Breitling Announcement Makes Owning Its Watches A Lot Easier For Australians

Breitling has now made the leap to e-commerce, meaning you can buy and order its full range of luxurious and impeccably made timepieces in Australia and the wider Oceania, directly through its website at Breitling.com.

We really do mean the full range, including the recently announced Novelties such as the Top Time Limited Edition, which can be pre-ordered right now for A$6,950. When you find the Breitling watch for you, you can choose to customise the bracelet length and view and select any alternate straps available for that particular model.

Other models available to order right now include the all-new Chronomat collection and the Premier Bentley Mulliner Limited Edition, limited to just 1,000 pieces, so make sure you get in quick.

Delivery within Australia is complimentary and the company expects orders to be delivered to your door within 1-2 working days. You’ll also get an “e-com exclusive gift with online purchases.” Breitling is remaining tight-lipped as to what this is. A hint of mystery; we like it.

Head to Breitling.com now to have a full browse and make that purchase you’ve always dreamed of.

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The post Breitling Announcement Makes Buying Its Watches A Lot Easier For Australians appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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Mediocre Pubs & Restaurants May Benefit Most From Australia’s Easing Lockdown Restrictions
Mediocre Pubs & Restaurants May Benefit Most From Australia’s Easing Lockdown Restrictions

Despite last week’s announcement that pubs (probably) wouldn’t open until July, news broke yesterday that the NSW Government will allow pubs and clubs to reopen attached restaurants and cafes from this Friday the 15th May.

The catch? No more than 10 patrons will be allowed inside to sit down and dine at any one time. Which means, while you used to be able to hit the town and know exactly which places were most popular by how chock full they were, you now have to stick to the places you know (or risk sitting down in a stinker).

In other words: this is mediocre pubs’ golden chance to reinvent themselves.

The other burning question is: are people really going to go out? After all, if you want a meal with your partner you can do that at home, and if you want to have dinner with a small group of friends you can do that at your house.

A pub’s main attraction, we’d say, is to drink and mingle with a large group of people, not sit at the same table with the same person you’ve been locked in with for the past two months (or with the same people you could be eating with for half the price at home, or a stand-up paddleboard).

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We digress.

Of course, we wish Australia’s hospitality industry the best and encourage people to support it in these challenging times. But let’s not pretend pubs are now reopening properly, as a quick scan of this morning’s headlines may have had you believe (it certainly had our hopes up there for a second).

Realistically, these changes put pubs and clubs in line with the same social distancing restrictions cafes and restaurants currently ‘enjoy.’

While the pokies (and the bar) will remain closed, table service for alcohol with a meal will be allowed, and takeaway services can continue to operate as they have been.

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As the ABC reported last night, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said of the changes: “This is an important first step, and we want it to be a success, so that as venues transition back from closure they do so safely both for their staff and their customers.”

Deputy Premier John Barilaro made similar remarks: “It’s been a tough few months but we are starting to see some wins, first on the health front and now in getting the economy back, and this is welcome news for many regional towns.”

As for future loosening, Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello said the Government would continue to review the situation: “Everyone in NSW has done a great job in controlling COVID-19, now as we can begin to open up it will be up to everyone to ensure they follow health guidelines.”

The change comes as outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people are permitted from Friday.

People will also be allowed to have five guests in their home at any one time.

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The post Mediocre Pubs& Restaurants May Benefit Most From Australia’s Easing Lockdown Restrictions appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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This Unique Spirit Could Be The First Ever Drink To Seduce Both Whisky & Cognac Lovers
This Unique Spirit Could Be The First Ever Drink To Seduce Both Whisky & Cognac Lovers

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image="255554" img_size="medium" alignment="center"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/6"][/vc_column][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]This article was produced in partnership with Martell

Like Champagne, for a cognac to be cognac, producers...

↬ Click here to view the full article/gallery on D'Marge

 

The post This Unique Spirit Could Be The First Ever Drink To Seduce Both Whisky & Cognac Lovers appeared first on DMARGE.

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Cristiano Ronaldo Gets Paid More Per Minute Than You Do Per Month
Cristiano Ronaldo Gets Paid More Per Minute Than You Do Per Month

Ever wondered how your salary stacks up with Cristiano Ronaldo’s? Here’s a PSA: don’t.

As per his 120 million euro deal with Serie A leaders Juventus, CR7 is set to receive 120,000,000 euros over the next four years, which equates to 189,000,000 Australian dollars.

This breaks down into AU$47 million per year, AU$4 million per month, AU$913 thousand per week, AU$130 thousand per day, AU$5.5 thousand per hour, AU$91 per minute and AU$1.50 per second. There’s also another way to measure it: but we’ll get to that…


This salary—more than 3 times that of the next highest paid player in the league—reflects Juventus’ attempt to clinch not just another Serie A title, but to become an even more lethal Champions League threat.

Despite the controversy around his departure from Madrid, it’s unlikely Ronaldo will be too upset, especially considering that earning AU$5,431 an hour, “Means that the Portuguese superstar can earn up to AU$43,448 during an eight-hour sleep,” (via Fox Sports). If that’s not a productive siesta; I don’t know what is.

Anyway, as the average Australian earns $6,528 per month, this means that old mate “tear drop” thigh’s daily salary is more than 20 times the average Aussie’s monthly pay cheque.

Or, if that comparison isn’t eye-watering enough, consider this: if Juventus plays 50 games per year (which, when you include extra curricular comps like the Champions League, they normally do), that means that Ronaldo gets paid AU$940,000 per game.

This equates to AU$10,444 per minute; AU$3916 more than the average monthly salary ($6,528) of an Australian citizen.

However, contrary to what you might expect, instead of invoking social outrage, this fact has actually prompted a nuanced salary cap debate betweens Australians, Americans and Europeans alike.


Some people, however, forget that Australia has a salary cap.


Whether this cap is draconian, or a smart way to grow domestic Aussie football slowly and sustainably, the fact remains that Ronaldo, who earns AU$47 a season, makes more than the entire A league (excluding marquees who are outside the AU$2.928m per team salary cap) put together.

He also, as this list (via Fox Sports) shows, puts a number of other Aussie institutions to shame.

  • NRL: AU$9.1m salary cap per season per club – meaning CR7 is worth more than the entire squads of three NRL teams.
  • AFL: AU$10.37m salary cap per season per club – Juventus’ new boy is worth the same as three entire AFL squads.
  • BBL: AU$1.6m salary cap per season per club – Meaning that the two seasons worth of BBL salaries from every club is still less than what Ronaldo will make in a year.
  • Sydney property prices: Median house price is $1,111,124 – meaning Ronaldo can afford to buy around 45 houses a year.

But when you look at the stats, you can hardly deny he deserves it…

Unfortunately for Zeeshan: Madrid let him go. Fortunately for Zeeshan, the following video (and Madrid’s woeful start to this 2018/19 season) proves him right.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GSF9N15P2o

The post Cristiano Ronaldo Gets Paid More Per Minute Than You Do Per Month appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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This Obscure Regional Carrier Could Replace Virgin Australia
This Obscure Regional Carrier Could Replace Virgin Australia

As the world watched Virgin Australia grit its teeth and plunge into (voluntary) administration, it appears a small regional carrier was licking its chops.

What makes us say that? At a time of unprecedented uncertainty for the travel industry, REX (Regional Express Airlines) has announced a surprise plan to start flying capital city routes.

As the ABC reports, REX’s deputy chairman John Sharp even thinks “it could even grow to take Virgin Australia’s place in the event the sale of that carrier doesn’t succeed.”

Mr Sharp also told the ABC: “The proposition is to fly between them [capital cities] and provide a domestic air service in place of the ones once provided by Virgin.”

In other words, REX plans to launch direct commercial flights on high traffic routes, using jet airliners, in an effort to compete with Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar.

REX intends to raise $200 million, in order to lease more aircraft and employ more staff to operate them.

 

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Interestingly, as reported by The Australian Financial Review, “The Morrison government handed more money [$67 million] to Regional Express Holdings through its pandemic support measures for the aviation sector than it did to Qantas and Virgin Australia combined.”

This is something Opposition transport spokeswoman Catherine King pointed out too.

The Australian Financial Review reports the Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack defended the allocation of funds, calling Catherine King’s suggestion priorities may have been influenced by REX’s deputy chairman John Sharp being a former Nationals MP, “partisan” and “regrettable.”

Catherine King also allegedly accused the government of being inconsistent in their ‘the best solution is a market solution’ approach, making the point that REX, like Virgin, is primarily owned by Singaporean interests.

Deputy PM Michael McCormack’s response? “Rex is receiving funding under the Regional Airline Network Support program, a program in which ten other regional airlines are also eligible for funding.”

He also pointed out both Qantas and Virgin received support from the government to operate crucial international and domestic services in the past few months.

More to come as the story develops.

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The post Rex Airlines Australia: The Obscure Regional Carrier That Could Replace Virgin Australia appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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How To Make An Old Fashioned Like The Magnificent Bastard You Are
How To Make An Old Fashioned Like The Magnificent Bastard You Are

For truly magnificent bastards and dapper gentlemen, when it comes to ordering a cocktail there are two main options that spring to mind: a Negroni, or an Old Fashioned. Served in rocks glasses (also known as old fashioned glasses due to their long association with the eponymous cocktail) they’re the very definition of a ‘man’s’ cocktail – yes, even for you Australian men who would rather have a couple of cold ones after a day at work.

An Old Fashioned is one of the all-time cocktail classics. It’s incredibly easy to make but even easier to muck up, and is a cocktail with a long and illustrious history. It exudes both sweet and bitter flavours and was the cocktail of choice for Mad Men’s leading character Don Draper (and you can’t get more manly than that).

Over the years it has gone through a few variations, whether it be a particular bar’s own recipe or a city’s call for a particular spirit to be used. What has remained though, is the incredibly simple nature of their DNA. So to learn all there is to know about the Old Fashioned, and how to make your own sublime-tasting one, read on.

Origin Of The Old Fashioned

The recipe for an Old Fashioned is technically the same as what should constitute a cocktail. By that, we mean the first documented use of the word cocktail appeared in the May 13, 1806 issue of The Balance and Columbian Repository in Hudson, New York. The editor at the time wrote that a cocktail was a “potent concoction of spirits, bitters, water, and sugar.” That very recipe morphed into the Old Fashioned.

Despite the majority of Old Fashioned cocktails being made with a whiskey base, the original definition left the base spirit open to interpretation. Still, in the 1800s, gin, rum and brandy-based Old Fashioneds could be found in New York City bars. If you’re someone who enjoys both brandy and whisky, you may want to try making an Old Fashioned using Martell Blue Swift.

As a side note, for those unaware, you will notice a difference in spelling of whiskey and whisky. Both are correct, but whiskey, with the ‘e’, tends to refer to Irish and American whiskies. Whisky is used for Scottish whiskies, and those from any other country, such as Japan and Australia.

At one time, absinthe or orange curaçao could also be found. Fortunately, the use of these is no longer as common. Whiskey eventually became to be the more popular spirit to be used, with rye besting Bourbon.

According to Thrillist, the first recipe was published in the 1862 book, Jerry Thomas’ Bartenders Guide: How To Mix Drinks, which detailed how to make an Old Fashioned Holland Gin Cocktail.

It’s also claimed the term “old fashioned cocktails” didn’t appear in print until a February 1880 edition of The Chicago Daily Tribune, although Louisville, Kentucky bar the Pendennis Club, claims to have invented the drink in 1881. However, these claims relate to whiskey-based Old Fashioneds. Louisville insists on this claim to this day, and as a result, continues to celebrate “Old Fashioned Fortnight” and National Bourbon Day on June 14th.

Old Fashioned Ingredients

Old Fashioned cocktails are super simple as they have just three ingredients, excluding the garnish:

  • 60ml whiskey
    • Bourbon has become the more popular choice for the Old Fashioned. Great examples include Bulleit, Buffalo Trace and Jim Beam. Don’t use your very finest Bourbon, this is a cocktail, after all.
    • For those who prefer rye whiskey, Rittenhouse is ideal. You could also opt for the Sazerac as a more costly option that can be enjoyed on its own, or Bulleit Rye as an all-rounder.
    • Of course, you could always try Scotch in your Old Fashioned. Give Laphroaig or Glenlivet if you’re feeling daring.
  • A small lump of sugar
  • Angostura bitters
  • Citrus peel and/or cocktail cherry to garnish – the earliest recipes called for a lemon peel, but in more recent times this has been substituted for either an orange peel or an orange slice. The addition of cherry was introduced in the 1930s.
  • Old Fashioned/Rocks glass
  • Cocktail mixing glass and a stirring spoon
  • A small piece of ice (something like a 1-inch cube)

Classic Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe

No matter which spirit was used in the earliest days of the Old Fashioned, they all called for a recipe that included dissolving a small lump of sugar in a class, adding a dash of water and ice, along with a couple of dashes of Angostura bitters and a small piece of lemon peel. The spirit is added and stirred in the glass before serving.

But being the sophisticated gent that you are, you’re going to order or make your Old Fashioned with whiskey. In which case, you’ll want to follow this recipe.

  1. Place a small lump of sugar in an Old Fashioned glass with a dash of water and stir to dissolve
  2. Add two dashes of Angostura bitters (some recipes suggest using 3 dashes, so you can experiment)
  3. Add a small piece of ice and a lemon/orange peel (some recipes suggest adding an orange slice and muddling it)
  4. Pour in 60ml of chosen whiskey
  5. Mix and serve

How To Drink An Old Fashioned

Like Don Draper of course. For the man who has really nailed life, he will drink it in his Eames chair, cigar in hand, and his favourite album on the record player. Whether he enjoys it with a partner by his side, it matters not. It might be a cocktail, but it’s still a short drink, so sip and savour each delightful mouthful.

As Dale Schoon of Earl’s Juke Joint previously told DMARGE, “The great thing about an Old Fashioned is it makes whisky more approachable. Maker’s Mark is perfect for the job. Switching rye out for wheat makes for a sweeter, softer spirit and in turn, a gentle sipping Old Fashioned with a long, warm finish,”

For further inspiration, check out the video below.

Old Fashioned FAQ

Why is it called an Old Fashioned drink?

The name was inspired by drinkers who refused to change with the time, sticking to the old fashioned way of drinking cocktails – those made with a brown spirit, bitters, water and sugar.

Can you use honey in your Old Fashioned cocktail?

Yes. Some variations of Old Fashioned use honey instead of sugar. Honey is used like a simple syrup and adds a floral flavor to the finished drink. For your Old Fashioned, one teaspoon is enough.

How much is an Old Fashioned at a bar?

An Old Fashioned cocktail is one of the cheapest whiskey-based drinks you can order at a bar. You can get it for less than $10. It is also one of the best-selling cocktails in the world.

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The post How To Make An Old Fashioned Like The Magnificent Bastard You Are appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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Get Up To 50% Off The Latest Luxe & Hypebeast Garms In The LN-CC Sale
Get Up To 50% Off The Latest Luxe & Hypebeast Garms In The LN-CC Sale

For the modern-day hypebeast, securing the very latest drops and some of the most exclusive collaborations is a way of life. But rather than queue up for days on end outside a physical store to be in with a chance of nabbing some limited releases, some online retailers devote themselves to compiling several of them under one roof.

London-based retailer LN-CC is the epitome of that, offering an extensive range of streetwear from both up and coming brands alongside high-end designer labels. Not only does the brand have a physical store in the UK, which doubles up as a library and record shop showcasing some of the rarest books and vinyl around, but it also has a prominent online presence with an exhaustive list of designers.

And right now, LN-CC is holding a huge 50% off sale on clothing, footwear, bags and accessories. Labels such as Gucci, Prada, Maison Margiela, Thom Browne and Burberry all feature, so if you’re itching to stock up on some eclectic apparel, there’s nowhere better to shop.

Our top picks: Rick Owens Reversible Bomber Jacket, was $1,390 now $973 (30% off); Thom Browne Signature-Stripe Trimmed T-Shirt, was $590, now $354 (40% off); Veja Campo Sneakers, was $140, now $98 (30% off); Yohji Yamamoto Embroided Logo Backpack, was $490, now $270 (45% off); Acne Studios Pismo Wool Pants, was $340, now $187 (save 45%).

Shop The LN-CC 50% Off Sale

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The post LN-CC Sale: Get Up To 50% Off The Latest Hypebeast Garments appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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