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This $150 Sterling Silver Cuff Is The Best Introduction To Men’s Jewelery

For a long time, the only acceptable men’s ‘jewellery’ was a watch and a wedding band. But those days are now long gone. Today it’s ‘acceptable’ for men to wear all manner of jewellery including rings, bracelets and necklaces. Whilst you might be tempted to raid your girlfriend’s jewellery box, you’re better off getting something just for yourself. If you’re new to the game, Miansai’s Sterling Silver Aire Cuff might be the perfect introduction to the world of men’s jewellery.

Why start with this you ask? Well, to begin, the design is simple. It’s a circular silver cuff with a small navy and white accent on the end; it doesn’t scream and shout; meaning it will most likely fly under the radar (but closer inspection will reveal a quality, stylish piece). The use of Sterling Silver is also a nice touch; again, it’s luxurious but not as shouty as gold – its a refined and sophisticated piece, ideal for the discerning gent. The last key selling point is the price – $150 – enough to make it a commitment but not too much that it will drain the bank.

Quality, refined style and versatility make Miansai’s Aire Sterling Silver cuff the perfect introduction into the world of men’s jewellery, justifying the already rather reasonable $150 retail price. It’s time to dive in and score yourself some proper bling.

Shop Miansai Aire Sterling Silver Cuff $150

Not many people know that actor Henry Golding – you know him as Singapore’s most eligible bachelor in Crazy Rich Asians or Emilia Clarke’s impossibly perfect love interest in Last Christmas – started out as a hairdresser. Not just any hairdresser: having dropped out of school at the age of 16, he later moved to London to cut hair, soon amassing rich and famous clients who demanded he reinvent their look.

Instead, he reinvented his own life, deciding by 21 that what he really needed to do was move to Kuala Lumpur – his mother is from the Iban tribe in Malaysia, where Golding lived as a young child – to become a TV show host. This based on no experience, just intuition. He pitched himself to outlets with a homemade video, and before long he was a travel host for the BBC and Discovery Channel Asia.

That should have been the end of it. But two years ago, on the other side of the globe, director Jon M. Chu’s was frantically launching casting calls for the star of Crazy Rich Asians. An accountant he knew remembered meeting Golding five years earlier when he was hosting events in Kuala Lumpur. Chu liked what he saw on video, but there was a problem: Golding didn’t want to audition. This, even though he was secretly harbouring acting ambitions himself.

“I definitely think there’s something a little magical out in the universe,” says Golding. (Case in point: he met his wife Liv Lo at a New Year’s Eve party on 1/1/11.) “Even getting into films itself. I was at a stage where I was in a career for eight, nine years, and I had reached everything that I wanted to, and I was kind of lost. I was like, ‘Oh, I’m losing my passion for the thing that I’ve been in love with so long. What do I do now?’ And then Crazy Rich Asians came about, and I’ve been obsessed with creating movies and being in films ever since.”

Henry attends the premiere for his latest movie, Last Christmas, at the BFI Southbank on the 11th of November, 2019, in London.

So why didn’t he jump at Chu’s offer immediately? “We all get stuck in our own ways, you know what I mean? We get comfortable, and have these blinkers on, and we don’t see the opportunities that lie ahead of us. And so Jon Chu really slapped it out of me, and was like, ‘What are you thinking? Like, Come on, dude, this is the chance of a lifetime – you should at least audition.’ I was like, ‘Oh man, you make sense. I totally should.’ That’s how it all began. Sometimes it’s the belief of others that needs to get through to you.”

Plenty have believed in him since. Since Crazy Rich, Golding has been on a roll: as well as being cast in A Simple Favor and then Monsoon, he now hits the screens in The Gentlemen, director Guy Ritchie’s exceptional black comedy about criminals who rule – and want to rule – the marijuana trade. There he holds his own with a stellar cast, including Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnan, Hugh Grant, Michelle Dockery and Colin Farrell. Even in the movie’s trailer, Golding takes centre stage, as Grant’s character describes him: “Our antagonist explodes on the scene as a millennial firework….” And there is Golding, all slicked-back hair and malevolent sneer, so different to the gooey, heartthrob characters he’s best known for playing.

On the day of our interview, Golding has completed a press junket in New York to promote Last Christmas, a movie that had him involved in an endless game of deja vu, “because we filmed in the streets [of London] that I used to walk nearly every day, and the streets I used to ride my bike through. And now there’s a totally different memory attached to them.” The strangest part? A few years ago, he was on the other side of the press junket, interviewing celebrities as TV host.

“Weirdly, it feels pretty normal,” he says. “I’m kind of taking every day as it is. It sounds weird saying it, but it’s not, like, out of the ordinary. I understand what the job entails, and the situations and stuff. Of course, when these opportunities come up, I’m just like ‘Holy Crap Balls!’ But at the same time, I don’t let it overpower me and weigh my true understanding of what’s happening. Because I think a lot of people can get wrapped up in all that magic, in the promises, and ego-inflating. I think I’m a realist at heart.”

Henry toasts with Hennessy during an intimate dinner at The Penthouse at The London Hotel on August the 3rd, 2018, in West Hollywood, California.

And if anyone suspects that he’s lost his way, that Hollywood has gotten to his head, just ask him about what film he returns to, again and again, and the cinephile at his core rises to the surface. “Oh man, there’s a few that I go back to. The Matrix has always been one. Here’s the story about The Matrix: the first time I watched it was midnight Christmas Eve. My brother hands this rectangular package to me. We were allowed to open one Christmas present at midnight on Christmas Eve.”

“He passes it to me and says, ‘You should open this.’ I ripped it open, and it’s a VHS copy of The Matrix. I’m 14, 15 years old at this stage. It instantly goes into the machine and I’m sitting there at two in the morning, watching this film unravel, and it’s just the most magical thing. And that’s the one thing that’s really thrown me into the love of movies.” The 32-year-old might have come to this thing late, but one knows he’s not getting off the rollercoaster anytime soon.

Hotel du Cap Eden Roc, Antibes

Ok, ok. We’ll permit you some laissez-faire lassitude. If you want to stand where many a famous face has stood in the past century, pay a visit to the Hotel du Cap Eden Roc in the French Riveria. Host to all manner of celebrities over the years, especially during the Cannes Film Festival, this hotel has a saltwater swimming pool like no other, and one that earned itself the cover spot on Slim Aaron’s Poolside with Slim Aarons coffee-table photography book.

Hotel Hacienda Na Xamena, Ibiza

Ibiza isn’t just an island for young tattooed guys to visit for a week for sun, sex and house music. Au contraire. It’s also one of the most beautiful destinations in the Balaeric Islands. It’s home to the Hacienda, Ibiza’s first five-star hotel (an accolade it achieved in the 1980s), which is found some 180 metres above sea level, on the edge of a cliff. It, therefore, provides stunning coastal views, perfect for your Instagram feed or for taking in Ibiza’s world-famous sunsets.

Necker Island, British Virgin Islands

Situated in the Caribbean Sea, this 30-hectare island is owned by British billionaire Richard Branson. But when he’s not calling it home, he puts the island and its villas up for rent, with space for up to 34 people. For a small fee of US$87,500 per day, you and your 33 guests have access to private beaches and pools, tennis courts, personal staff including a chef and use of a wide range of watersports equipment. Not to mention, unlimited picturesque views.

Lake Bled, Slovenia

If you didn’t go on a Contiki Tour when you finished University, chances are you haven’t visited Slovenia. You should, because it’s home to the stunning Lake Bled. Bled Island can be found in the centre of the lake, and it’s open to the public, you just need to either rent a rowboat or take a Pletna to reach it. There are numerous hikes in the area, and you can even ride on a toboggan track and pretend you’re five again.

Mustique Island, Grenadines

We doubt you’ve ever heard of Mustique Island. This 2.2 square mile private island is nestled within the West Indies and is home to a range of exotic animals. With only 100 villas and two small hotels to stay in, you can comfortably call it an exclusive destination. If you don’t fancy trying your hand at the various watersports available, you can secure yourself a spot at Basil’s Bar be the envy of your Instagram followers.

Angra dos Reis, Brazil

If it’s diving you’re after in 2020, look no further than Angra dos Reis in southern Rio de Janeiro. Shipwrecks, coral reefs and diverse marine life await you, not to mention stunning sea views and bountiful beaches. Adrenaline junkies are catered for, too, with canoeing and plentiful hikes on offer for those who want to spend their time exploring all the island has to offer.

Eden Roc Pool, Miami

Targeted at those who want the full Miami Beach experience, but for considerably less cash than the next-door Fontainebleau, Eden Roc provides guests with three infinity pools, one of which is adults-only and found on the roof, giving you oceanic views. When you’re not relaxing in the pool you can unwind in any of the 18 spa treatment rooms, or bust a sweat in the well-equipped fitness centre.

Squaw Valley, California

Want to escape the sun and heat of Australia? Squaw Valley in California provides some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the US. The resort was host to the 1960 Winter Olympics, and thanks to combining with neighbouring Alpine Meadows, offers access to 6,200 acres comprising 270 trails. Pack a warm ski jacket, tho.

Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia

If you don’t fancy flying around the world for a cool destination in 2020, there are plenty of places to visit in your own backyard. Take Kakadu National Park for example, the second-largest national park in the world. The sheer scale of the Park is unfathomable, with it stretching 200kms north to south and 100kms east to west, it’s the same size as Slovenia. With several species of birds, mammals, insects, plants and marine life, along with tens of thousands of aboriginal rock art pieces to be discovered, you won’t be short of things to do or Instagram pictures to upload.

Magashi, Rwanda

For those that have spelt the roses and realised climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is now a cliche, and for a travel experience like no other, consider jetting off to the Magashi Camp in Rwanda for a safari. The camp boasts a healthy lion population – so you can be sure of a snapshot of Simba – but you can also feast your eyes on black rhino, leopards, and hyenas. What’s more, because it’s a private access area, the camp offers night-time game drives, too.

The age old battle of grape VS grain has both divided and united bartenders, mixologists and chemical engineers in the distilling business. Bartenders across the world have long tampered with the classics in attempts to put their own spin on them or conjure up something completely new. Some even play with both.

But has there ever really been a home for the man in the middle? The cocktail connoisseur who can appreciate both a classic and an XO Old Fashioned. He who knows a Sidecar from a Sour yet appreciates both equally. One who takes a whisky neat, his brandy too.

Well, it turns out there just might be. As boundaries continue to be pushed in both the whisky, cognac and dark spirit industries, one three-century-old distiller has found the light. Produced out of no other than Martell, a Cognac house founded in 1715, this new age dark spirit might just turn even the most prestigious of whisky drinkers and the finest of cognac connoisseurs.

From a 304-year-old distillery known for producing some of the world’s finest Cognac comes a hybrid – introducing Martell Blue Swift. Legally referred to as a Spirit Drink, this one of a kind dark spirit is challenging the status quo and is bound to turn heads in the industry.

Martell Blue Swift begins life in the Very Special Old Pale (VSOP) process, first produced as an eaux-de-vie. Not to be confused for a popular Sydney speakeasy which borrows its name, eaux-de-vie is actually French for “water of life” and refers to a clear, distilled spirit made from fruit, including grapes. At this point the spirit is very light in flavour and it’s the next step of aging it in French oak barrels which packs the flavour. A minimum of four years in barrel sees hints of vanilla and spice released from the woods of Limousin and Tronçais forests. The final step is when Martell Blue Swift goes above and beyond.

It’s no secret that maturing spirits has been rather fashionable in the industry over the last five or so years. Most see to maturing a fine whisky or wine in sherry or port casks for a few months to change the final note. Martell Blue Swift, on the other hand, does it a little differently. Matured yes, sherry or port? No – try bourbon. This is where this new age dark spirit gets a rather flavoursome finish.

What happens when you take the rigorous approach to cognac and finish it by maturing the flavour in fine Kentucky bourbon casks? The result is a dark spirit familiar in flavour yet more distinguished than you can remember.

On the nose, its caramelised pear notes paired with the subtle sweetness of vanilla, coconut and spices. On the tongue, a sensation of well-rounded, generous flavour with hints of ginger and candied fruit, followed by distinctive notes of toasted oak from its Kentucky bourbon casking. In the glass, a rich and beautiful copper colour with golden highlights sure to bring out the best of any nick and nora or snifter glassware it’s served in.

How to enjoy it? Bridging the powerful notes of whisky and the finer flavours of cognac, Martell Blue Swift, as a dark spirit, is rather versatile. A dark spirit that’s both flavoursome and sweet can be enjoyed a number of ways from neat to on the rocks or even mixed. If you’re one to put your own spin on the classics then you need to try a Swift Old Fashioned. This flavourful take on the classic old fashioned sees Martell Blue Swift replace whisky while using both a cherry and an orange peel garnish to bring out its full flavour and aroma.

Another successful take on a classic lays within a Swift Sour. This edgy classic takes the unorthodox approach to a Sour by using 10 mls of orange juice – a lesser-known secret which draws on the acidity of the citrus. Switch out the whisky portion for Martell Blue Swift and using the typical ingredients which include lemon juice, sugar syrup and egg white, this creates a smooth and unassuming Sour that would please even the toughest of critics. Just don’t forget to shake without ice first to break up that egg white.

Why should you give it a go? The best things in life are better shared and alcohol is no exception to that rule. What Martell Blue Swifts represents isn’t simply innovation in the industry but a combination of culture. In 1783, after almost 80 years in the industry, Martell was the first to ship its Cognac barrels to the United States of America. This expeditious feat was exemplary of the brand’s early attempts to captivate markets and evolve the industry. In fact, the brand’s logo of a Swift bird, stencilled on the bottle, stands for exactly that: A species of bird known for flying long and strenuous journeys to achieve a goal.

Curiosity killed the cat was never the case for Martell. Instead, the brand believes in the power of curiosity. This new dark spirit is the brand’s proof of going the distance to adhere to its motto. A celebration of both French and American innovation with a new age liquor as the outcome.

For those unfamiliar with either cognac or whisky but eager to learn what makes them two of the world’s finest spirits, Martell Blue Swift is a great place to start. For the connoisseurs and proud single spirit drinkers, this is one worth getting out of your comfort zone for. The brand’s history is proof of a tried and tested method of producing premium alcohol. If a cognac house over 300-years-old can push the boundaries then surely you could too. You’ll never know what you’re missing if you don’t.

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