It’s not an unknown fact, Australians love any excuse to get on the sauce, and Christmas is up there with the Melbourne Cup and Australia Day. But, despite its pros – boosting self-confidence and being the glue of social situations to name a couple – alcohol has its share of negatives, too.It’s a point The National Health & Medical Research Council is keen to stress, and, to that end, has recently updated its guidelines outlining the steps we can all take to help reduce the negative health effects drinking brings. Just in time for Christmas. The news will be welcome by Alcohol Beverages Australia, who called for a revision just a few months ago.It’s the first time the Council’s guidelines have been revised in 10 years, and they now say we should be a little more restrictive when heading to the bar, or to the alcohol cupboard, for “just one more”. Previous guidelines said we should have no more than 14 standard drinks each week, but the new set released on Monday the 16th of December have now reduced that number to 10 standard drinks per week.https://www.instagram.com/p/B5tee82JO6x/While that may seem like a shock – and potentially impossible – to Australians nationwide, the NHMRC adds that this is just “advice”, and goes on to say that drinking even less than this amount will lower your risk of “alcohol-related harm” even further. It’s a no-brainer, really.And if you think you can effectively beat the system and have those 10 standards in one day and save yourself for the following week, the NHMRC has evidence to suggest that if you do so, your risk of alcohol-related harm is more than doubled than if you spread them out over the week.The Council remains stubborn adamant that we should have no more than “four drinks on any one occasion.”But the NHMRC hasn’t come up with these guidelines to be party poopers. Instead, they’re based on research and evidence, particularly the fact that there are now more certain links between the amount of (alcohol weighted) arm-bending we do and the chance of contracting various cancers.Teenagers and pregnant, or soon-to-be-pregnant women have had targeted advice made more clear, too.Youngsters under 18 shouldn’t touch alcohol at all. Previously, 15-17-year-olds could dabble with drink, but in a safe environment, although they were advised to delay their first sip of the good stuff for as long as possible.Expectant mothers have also been told to steer clear of booze, as ultimately it’s the safest practice for the baby.While the guidelines aren’t specifically aimed at Christmas parties and the like, their publishing date has come at a rather coincidental time. Pointed, if you ask me.The Council will be all too aware that not many of us will follow them at this time of year because just listening to some of our intoxicated colleagues requires five beers right away, and then, of course, there’s the drinking to forget what happened the night before. And at office Christmas parties, that could be anything.

Read Next:

• Giving Up Alcohol Could Change Your Life, Based On One Man’s Transformation
• Do Different Kinds Of Alcohol Get You Different Kinds Of Drunk?

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Once upon a time, the phrase “barbarians at the gate” conjured images of a standoffish Roman empire. Now, as the 21st century reaches the end of its second decade, the term sums up an even more delicate situation: the overcrowding of premium class lounges.

Unlike the Romans, we believe everyone has the right to access airline lounges. Like the Romans, however, we want the lounges to continue to be worth coveting, and thus believe pay-per-use (and credit card loyalty) schemes are capitalist trojan horses that will doom us all to barstool wrestling, Bintang singlets and a severe lack of power sockets.

In other words, we advertise a policy of equal opportunity elitism: you should earn the right to be there rather than simply pay to enter on a one-off basis (or be permitted entry simply by virtue of having an AMEX card), systems which result in overcrowding and an unpleasant time for everyone.

On that note, it appears we are not alone, with The Points Guy, a travel blogger and frequent flyer expert, this morning pointing out this very problem, taking to Instagram to write: “Verified Lounges are getting way too crowded. By 8:30 am at the Plaza Premium lounge in HKG, this was the line.”

 

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A post shared by The Points Guy (@thepointsguy) on Dec 16, 2019 at 10:41am PST

“The @americanexpress Centurion Lounge was packed, and nearly just as crowded,” The Points Guy continued. “We’re happy to see more people take advantage of the perks their credit cards offer, but it’s time lounges and their operation managers adapt.”

“Sometimes we’ll even forgo the lounge to sit at the gate for better peace and quiet; would you?⁠”

In a follow-up article discussing the above experience, The Points Guy added: “Airport lounges were once an oasis from the crowded airport terminals, but I’m now finding (most of) them just as crowded as the terminals themselves.”

“With the surge in popularity of Priority Pass memberships and premium travel credit cards, there are lots more travelers eligible for lounge access these days.”

This is becoming more and more common. In fact, as we reported in October (see: Qantas lavish Lounge Change), even Qantas, once a bastion of exclusivity and unmolested chicken edamame salads, has now opened “six dens of opulence, formerly off-limits to your average flyer… to everyone regardless of airline, cabin class, or frequent flyer member status.”

 

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A post shared by Melanie Duca | Lifestyle Blog (@eatwelltraveleverywhere) on Jul 2, 2019 at 2:34am PDT

That’s for an entry fee of AU$50-100 (depending on the lounge), of course, in a change that marks “the first time Qantas lounge access has ever been available to every airport traveller.”

While access is only available in off-peak hours, as the video posted above by The Points Guy shows, pay-per-use lounge access truly is a slippery slope, with many temporary customers treating the classy adult playpens that business class lounges should be like a single-use plastic.

 

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A post shared by Roz Colagrossi (@rozcola) on May 16, 2019 at 5:07pm PDT

Ravish then chuck.

For those of us who spend regular time in these places, it’s quite a shame to see this attitude (and to have to deal with the longer lines and spilt Bloody Marys). That said, we understand that there are many single-use passengers who treat the lounge with respect, and the optics of whinging about what is in many cases just a minor inconvenience. So clearly there is a fine line the lounge operators and airlines need to walk – the question is just getting the balance right.

With that, we’re off to check our points balance.

Read Next

• The Day I Realised The Golden Age Of Business Class Was Over 
• The Business Class Cone Of Trust Has been Breached & Passengers Are Furious 

The post Why You Shouldn't Be Able To Buy Your Way Into A Business Class Lounge appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The most common watches these days follow a simple formula. They’re most likely shaped like a dive watch, feature a black and white dial, a rotating bezel and a stainless steel bracelet. Truth be told, there isn’t anything wrong with these timepieces, they have their place in the watch world, but what if you want something different? Something unique? Well, Jack Mason’s Aviator watch might be the perfect solution. 

Immediately, the white dial with red markers stands out, but for all the right reasons. The stark contrast between the clinical white and the bright red draws the eyes in to examine the dial in closer detail, revealing the unique use of SwissSuper Luminova markings, 5-minute interval markers and of course the distinct alpha hour and minute hands. It’s this uncommon combination of colours and design cues that separate the Aviator from any other watch available today.

Plus: it isn’t just the dial that’s unique, the smooth stainless steel case and oversized crown are refreshing in a world dominated by ornate rotating bezels and small, screw-down crowns. Lastly, the minimalist Italian leather strap is a luxurious touch but instead leaves focus on the watch itself.

Jack Mason’s Aviator is a high-quality watch that will help you stand apart from the crowd. Priced at just $195 it’s also a very affordable proposition, something most ‘unique’ watches are not.

Shop Jack Mason Aviator $195

Read next:

• These Are The Best Gifts For The Man Who Loves His Watches
• This Italian Designed Timex Might Be Their Best Watch Yet

The post This Unique $195 Pilot's Watch Stands Out For All The Right Reasons appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Whenever we talk about Drake, it’s usually got something to do with his exotic watch collection or that NBA Championship Ring. But this time it’s his fashion choices that have earned him a place in our archives. And all from a nondescript hotel elevator.

The core point of contention? His jacket, which, though Drake rocks it like he stole it from a Russian oligarch – in reality –  the garment wouldn’t look out of place in an old age care home (even if the pensioners got theirs from target).

 

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Clearly ya’ll don’t know art or Jamaica so…

A post shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on Dec 15, 2019 at 8:16pm PST

In a selfie of himself in a lift and posted to his personal Instagram account, Champagne Papi can be seen rocking the Tom Ford jacket in question. It’s a reversible number, and the Canadian rapper appears to have taken a shine to the wool side.

We can’t find the exact model of the jacket Drake is wearing (it may be custom), but Tom Ford’s jacket selection starts at around $4,000 and range all the way up to about $15,000. So if it’s an upcoming piece, don’t expect it to be cheap, and if it’s custom, don’t expect to get it at all.

He teams it with yet another woollen garment, this time a sweater from Isabel Marant, along with complementary off-white Stone Island pants and fresher than fresh Nike Air Force 1 Mid sneakers.

While some may question Drake’s clothing choices, there appears to be a lot of support from Instagram users, with many claiming it to be his “best fit” in a while. Other users meanwhile focus solely on his iPhone case, which has a glowing Nike logo.

In any case, it’s not the first time in recent weeks that Drake has worn something warm and fuzzy, only last week rocking a Louis Vuitton Christmas coat that puts Santa to shame.

A night of Champions celebrating Champions. Our sincerest thanks to our loyal customers as well as Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka and Drake. #champions pic.twitter.com/td8TW1PgHR

— CargoJet (@CargoJetAirways) December 5, 2019

All that’s left now is for the man to actually produce some music. On that note: although there is no official release date, when Drake made somewhat of a comeback last week, making a surprise appearance at fellow rapper DaBaby’s set at a Toronto concert, he revealed some new tracks were inbound.

As Narcity reported last Friday, “The crowd was beyond hyped to see the 6ix God, and after performing ‘Money In The Grave,’ he announced that a new album was on the way [in 2020].”

Keep your fingers crossed, and your coats warm.

Read Next

• Drake Shows Off His $750,000 Erotic Richard Mille Watch In Vegas 
• Drake’s $200,000 Watch Didn’t Help His Dad Jeans

The post Drake's Fresh Kicks Couldn't Save His Old Man's Jacket appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

We all use pens nearly every day, especially those of us who work in the corporate world, whether you’re noting down plans for your next deal or signing cheques.

But it’s not just practicality we look for when using a pen, it should also send out a statement to your associates and clients – a sign that you mean business. So, which are the best pen brands to buy?

Choosing the right one is just like any other accessory, it should feel comfortable, serve its purpose and fit in with your overall look. Here we’ve highlighted a few of the best pens on the market so that you can sign off in style.

HAY

When it comes to well-designed products, you can always rely on the Danish. HAY is one such designer (born in 2002) that has always had the ambition to create genuinely useful products that both perform well and look great.

If you’re looking for a sleek design that sits at the lower end of the price ladder, then HAY is one of the best pen brands for you, with this 2 Tone Ballpoint Pen being a fine example of the type of jotter you’re after. This black ink roller is split into two colours, one half silver-plated copper, the other a refreshing light blue. It’s contemporary, stylish and practical enough for everyday use.

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LAMY

German stationery brand Lamy was founded in 1930 by Josef Lamy, a former sales rep for Parker Pen, although it didn’t take on the name until around 1950 (it was originally known as the Orthos Füllfederhalter-Fabrik). Lamy made its mark in 1964 with the launch of Germany’s first ballpoint with a large-capacity refill and stainless steel tip. Since then, Lamy has become one of the best pen brands around, with sales increasing exponentially in the late 1980s and cemented the brand as a go-to for reliable writing instruments.

The LAMY 2000 fountain pen has been a mainstay in the company’s catalogue for several years and has won awards along the way. The fibreglass and stainless steel casing will feel comfortable in your hands while the platinum-plated 14kt gold nib will remain tough and sturdy, while also having that little bit of luxury.

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Caran d’Ache

In a country famed for its world banks and housing of the world’s elite, it’s no surprise that one of the best pen brands, Swiss pen manufacturer Caran d’Ache, has stayed successful for over 100 years. Recognised for its highly sophisticated pens and pencils, as well as the extensive range of colours used within those collections, a Caran d’Ache pen represents something of true quality.

The Ecridor Chevron chrome-plated brass ball pen is a perfect example of this, sitting comfortably in the hand thanks to a hexagonal body and each cartridge is good for some 600 pages of A4 writing.

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Montblanc

German brand Montblanc is no stranger to the luxury space. Founded in 1906 and with its first products actually being writing instruments – which not only found the company its Montblanc naming but gave rise to the Meisterstück family of pens – Montblanc has remained one of the best pen brands to grace the pen space ever since.

Montblanc’s Heritage Egyptomania collection of pens is a modern-day reimagination of the ‘Egyptian Fountain Pen’ produced by the company in the 1920s. Genuine hieroglyphs can be found on the cap, which translates to “white stone mountain”, the closest Montblanc could get to its name. The whole family of pens is worth looking into, with ballpoint, rollerball and fountain all taken care of. All pens benefit from a 14K gold nib with an embossed scarab and black resin casing.

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YStudio

YStudio is a Taiwanese producer of high-end writing instruments, with every single pen being made locally and in temperatures of up to 1,000-degrees. The company says simplicity within the design of its products is of the utmost importance, along with the fact we should all tear ourselves away from electronic devices to put pen to paper instead.

Specialising in brass fountain pens, the elegant Brass and Copper Fountain Pen comes with its own holder and could be considered an ideal desk pen, easy to grab and use mid-call or meeting. It comes with a German-made filigree gold nib and is coated in a black lacquer that disappears after long term use, leaving traces of your fingertips on the barrel. For those who like their pens to be a little unique, YStudio is the best pen brand for you.

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Graf Von Faber-Castell

Graf von Faber-Castell is a series of premium writing instruments produced by the larger Faber-Castell. Founded in Germany over 250 years ago, the company – both Graf and Faber-Castell as a whole – has become associated with some of the best pens and pencils that garner significant attention.

Catering to the gifted people within the world of arts, Graf Von Faber-Castell’s Perfect Pencil is made for those who enjoy sketching or creative writers that are never far away from jotting down a twist in their narrative. This 4B pencil is made from fluted cedarwood and rounded off with platinum plating, while the cap has a clever two-in-one built-in sharpener and eraser, adding both style and practicality.

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Smythson

Smythson, or Frank Smythson Ltd, to give it its full name, has been creating luxury leather accessories for the elite on London’s Bond Street since 1887. Their clientele includes royal families, politicians, and more recently fashion conscious business types. With a history of customers that includes the Royal Family, Queen Victoria, Madonna and Grace Kelly, you will not only be in esteemed company by owning a pen of your own but can rest easy knowing you’re buying one of genuine quality, from one of the best pen brands out there.

Smythson’s Viceroy family of pens are all handmade in England from solid silver and can be had in ballpoint, rollerball and fountain varieties. No matter which you choose, it will come with its own presentation box and a Yard-o-Led guarantee – Yard-o-Led being another English manufacturer of pens, and provider of the mechanism used by Smythson.

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Dunhill

Alfred Dunhill – known by you and me as ‘dunhill’ – is a British purveyor of luxury goods that was founded in 1893. Upon its founding, the brand was associated with the motoring world, producing “everything but the motor”, such as an extensive selection of motoring accessories and attire. In the 100+ years since, dunhill has become synonymous with luxury British fashion as an overruling category, with products across clothing, footwear and a wide range of accessories.

That includes pens, and this immaculate Sidecar Palladium-Plated Rollerball Pen has a textured finish with a screw tight lid to avert any risk of ink spill. It’s in the high-end price range, but you certainly get what you pay for, which is a design that’s both highly functional and visually stunning.

Best Pen Brands FAQ

The post 10 Best Pen Brands In 2022 appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Buckle your seatbelts and shot your saké; Qantas just launched a new route that will have skiers and snowboarders reaching guiltily for their credit cards: Sydney to Sapporo.

Although the new route was announced in April, the first jets of the seasonal service took off this morning, coinciding with the busy ski season in Japan, with Qantas announcing the launch with gusto, or, should we say, oishiku. 

As The Flying Roo’s press department said this morning, “Qantas is the only airline to connect Australia directly with the Hokkaido region and the service is the national carrier’s fifth route between Australia and Japan.”

 

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A post shared by chai kano (@chainaia13) on Dec 15, 2019 at 1:21am PST

The Aussie flagship carrier also revealed it will extend its seasonal service to Sapporo for another year, and provided further details regarding the service’s schedule: “The flights will operate three times per week during the 2020-21 ski season from 14 December 2020 to 27 February 2021,” Qantas said, “with the airline’s upgraded A330.”

“The seasonal service will offer more than 10,000 seats on the route and is expected to drive tourism by creating a new option for travellers from the Hokkaido region to experience summer in Australia.”

Sapporo being the gateway to Hokkaido, home to such hidden gems as Sahoro and Nozawaonsen, as well as the more iconic ski destinations as Hakuba, Niseko and Yuzawa, Australian skiers and snowboarders are set to have a (ski) field day with this news.

RELATED: Best Men’s Ski Helmets To Buy Right Now

“Of the seasonal launch, Qantas International CEO Tino La Spina said, “Sapporo has been a very popular route with our leisure travellers. We’ve seen strong demand for the new service, particularly out of Australia, but have also doubled the industry demand from Sapporo since announcing in April this year.”

“The demand gives us confidence to continue the seasonal service next year, and we’re pleased to announce today that the next seasonal service to Sapporo will commence on 14 December 2020.”

Qantas also this morning announced new non-stop flights from Melbourne, Australia to Haneda, Tokyo – becoming the first airline to launch non-stop flights between the two aviation hubs.

The year-round flights to Haneda will begin operating daily from 29 March 2020 with an Airbus A330 aircraft, replacing the airline’s existing service between Melbourne and Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (and subject to government and regulatory approval).

 

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A post shared by Let’s Go To Japan (@come_to_japan) on Dec 16, 2019 at 1:53am PST

Qantas says “the flights are expected to save travellers more than an hour commuting into the city and complement Qantas’ existing daily flights from Sydney to Haneda which the Australian national carrier has operated since 2015.”

Qantas is also making improvements for customers flying from Haneda Airport, with eligible customers now able to access the Priority Lane at the airport’s security checkpoint, as well as Japan Airlines’ Sakura Lounge.

Qantas International CEO, Tino La Spina, said of the new route, “Japan is arguably the most in demand place in the world to visit in 2020 and our new flights will make it even more convenient to travel there from Australia.”

“The number of Australians travelling to Japan has more than doubled over the past five years, with more than 500,000 Australians visiting Japan in the last 12 months alone.”

“In the past two years, we’ve expanded our network by adding three new routes to Japan to meet this growing demand: a year-round service to Osaka, a seasonal service to Sapporo, and now a new service between Melbourne and Haneda,” Tino continued.

Tino then said: “We’re the only airline to operate out of Australia’s three major east coast cities – Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane – into Japan and offer our customers the choice of flying into Tokyo (Narita), Tokyo (Haneda), Osaka and from today, Sapporo.”

“Our new Melbourne-Haneda flights gives our customers much easier access to Tokyo city centre and one of the world’s most important business markets.”

The International CEO then concluded by saying, “We expect the new Haneda service to be particularly popular with business travellers, who will save more than an hour of transit time in getting to the city and also starts ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.”

“This comes as Qantas marks its 72nd anniversary of flying to Japan this week.”

This comes in a context where Qantas operates more than 40 flights per week from Japan to Australia, including flights from Brisbane to Narita; Melbourne to Narita (from March 2020, this will be replaced with Melbourne to Haneda); and Sydney to Osaka, Haneda and Sapporo (seasonal).

Not to mention The Qantas Group’s low-cost carrier, Jetstar, operates flights from Cairns to Narita and Osaka, and Gold Coast to Narita. So whatever your budget; it might be time to trade those board shorts for thermals and your surfboard for skis.

Read Next

• What Australian Media Got Wrong About Qantas’ Marathon 20 Hour Flight
• How My First Ever Business Class Flight Ruined Me For Life

The post Australian Travellers Can Now Fly Direct To Japan's Best Ski Region appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Italian supercars are widely regarded as some of the finest available, due to their heritage and unique styling. The same can be said of Italian fashion. So when the two combine, the result can only be a good thing. Sì?

That’s exactly what’s happened with Maserati’s Levante. What was already one of the more luxurious and enviable SUVs on the road has now had Italian fashion house Ermenegildo Zegna apply its suave styling to the interior to create an exclusive Zegna Edition version of the high-end people mover.

Continuing a long-running partnership that has seen Zegna design interiors for the Ghibli and Quattroporte vehicles – which are available in Australia – the Levante is the latest model to benefit from Pelletessuta woven leather. This bespoke material is the brainchild of both companies, and features three-dimensional woven strips of leather to create a “tactile surface.”

The Pelletessuta fabric has been applied to the curvacious surfaces of the sports seats, door panels, and dashboard, and is matched with Maserati’s Pieno Fiore trim for a molto bene interior fit for any style-minded gent.

The Zegna Edition – the first of its kind in Australia – is based on the V6 GranSport, gets other unique goodies, too, such as a Bronzo tri-coat paint job, Zegna badges on the outside, 21-inch Helios alloy wheels, Bowers & Wilkins sound system, autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control – handy, if you want to add another coat of gel to your slick-back hairstyle while bombing down the autostrada.

Just seven Zegna Edition Levantes will be making their way to Australian shores this month, priced at AU$170,000 apiece, so if you wanted to treat yourself for Christmas, it could be the perfect present.

Read Next:

• Maserati Levante Trofeo Is The Practical 300km/h SUV With Ferrari Power
• The Luxury Menswear Brands That Are Worth A Long-Term Wardrobe Investment

The post Maserati’s Ultra Exclusive Levante Zegna SUV Is Now Available In Australia appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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