[caption id="attachment_236970" align="alignnone" width="920"] Sugar, spice and all things that look and sound nice.[/caption]

If you’d have told us we’d be having all our problems solved by a German beauty every morning, even five years ago, we’d have laughed. But the joke’s on us, becau...

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From Qantas and AMEX to Virgin and Velocity, every few months there’s another scheme to snare passengers’ loyalty. Case in point: Qantas’ new car insurance program, which was announced yesterday.Signing up to the program could earn you 20,000 Qantas Points (enough to fly business-class from Sydney to Melbourne), as well as a point for every dollar spent on their premium. Not bad: for not stepping foot on a plane.As reported by News.com.au, “Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said in the first year of having Qantas Car Insurance, you could earn enough points to fly from Brisbane to Singapore or Sydney to Bali.”If you drive and fly often, this sounds great. And it is: especially after Qantas and Woolworths agreed to increase the value of Woolworths Rewards Points by about 15% when converting to Qantas Points. However, as Australia-based frequent flyer Immanuel Debeer (who is also a pointy end blogger and owner of Flight Hacks) points out, you shouldn’t expect this new program (or others like it) to consistently get you flying flat.Why? Well, in June, when Qantas announced the biggest overhaul in the 32-year history of its loyalty program, although they increased people’s ability to earn points (and the number of seats available to book with points) they also increased – when it comes to premium classes – how much those seats cost to book.This followed years of feedback from members, essentially increasing the incentive for flying consistently with the airline (as you would expect). For those that seek to maximise their points (and options), however, frequent flyer experts like Immanuel Debeer suggest you go against conventional wisdom, and broaden your horizons beyond just one program.

“Don’t shy away from other international frequent flyer programs such as Singapore Airlines Kris Flyer or Alaska Mileage Plan – the last one lets you redeem Qantas flights for less points than what Qantas charges! To see which interesting programs you can credit your flying miles to, check out, ‘Where To Credit‘.”

This means aspiring frequent flyers should see Qantas’ new car insurance program as one of many tools to add to their rewards belt, which Immanuel tells us, should also include “choosing your credit cards wisely (and taking advantage of huge sign-up bonuses available),” a technique Immanuel claims could see average citizens with a decent salary “flying first-class for the price of economy.”

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A post shared by Immanuel Debeer – Flight Hacks (@flighthacks) on Jul 2, 2019 at 12:56am PDT

Dubious? We were too. After all: just has Qantas has an incentive to get you to stick with their Frequent Flyer program, Immanuel has an incentive to get you to sign up to the credit card programs he promotes.When we put this to him, this is what Immanuel told us: “For a lot of Australians, it’s a reality. The requirements are that you have a stable income, are financially savvy and have a bit of patience (this doesn’t constitute financial advice!).”

“Here in Australia, we’re lucky we have a similar credit card landscape compared to the US. Banks will try their best to win new customers by offering huge sign-up bonuses to new members. Competition is fierce so a lot of banks offer bonuses of 100k points or more. Considering the average first-class flight might cost you between 250-350k points return it’s very achievable for most people to earn this many points throughout the year by taking advantage of the promotions in the market.”

“Now you might be wondering, what’s the catch? All these cards have a minimum spend requirement which means you need to spend X amount in 3 months (usually) to get the points. They also have high-interest rates so it’s very important you know how credit cards work and you should always pay your balance in full otherwise the charges will outweigh the benefits,” Immanuel added.“When you use credit cards like a tool (and not like a loan), you will be rewarded for every dollar you spend (on that thing called life).” In other words: if you are spending that amount of money (and flying that much) anyway, you’d be crazy not to convert it into extra points – and to take each deal on its own merits.So, how to look at Qantas’ new car insurance partnership? Is it worth it? Immanuel puts it like this: “Depends on how the prices stack up against other insurance providers. The 20k bonus is only on offer for premiums of over $2,000.”

“My Fiat 500 doesn’t qualify.”

Read Next

• How My First Ever Business Class Trip Ruined Me For Life

The post Using Frequent Flyer Points: Expert Reveals Why You Shouldn’t Stay Loyal To Airline Reward Programs appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Hunched back. Manic grin. Exposed ribs. Apart from a dwarf scrabbling to escape a crime scene – only to be stumped by the door handle (then 'kindly' let out by the murderer, played by Joaquin Pheonix) – there's not much to laugh at in Joker. And even what there is, feels absurd.

Enter: Americ...

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It’s safe to say that Swiss watchmaker Edox knows a thing or two about luxury watches. Their classic designs are rich in style and practicality – whether you’re heading out for a day at work or tacking winds on rippling swells.One of their most popular, signature time tellers, the C1 Quartz Diver, has a hefty 200m water resistance, made for lovers of the ocean’s depths. Created with an analogue display and Arabic numerals, it comes in a sapphire crystal, scratch-resistant case, and features a Swiss Quartz battery – so it’s less about winding and more about wearing.An elegant fold-over clasp also ensures maximum comfort with little movement, whilst a coin-edged bezel allows you to easily track elapsed time when underwater or sailing against the clock.  The joy of such a piece is its overall practicality. It looks great with everything from smart to casual and feels like a genuine classic when worn – and at this moment in time, you will struggle to buy such a well-made watch from a Swiss brand – especially at this price!So if you’re in the market for a watch that punches well above the weight of its cost, look no further than this excellent C1 Quarz Diver from Edox. Did we mention you get a whopping $450 off the RRP. You can thank us later.Shop The Edox C1 Watch $199 USD

The post Edox C1 Watch: Score 70% Off This Rugged Swiss-Made Men's Diver Watch appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Guess what? The best sex is guided by rules. And we’re not talking ‘Kama Sutra Commandments’ or ’50 Shades of Guidelines’, we’re talking unwritten etiquette. Why? Because – even if you delight in breaking taboos – you will have probably noticed that despite society becoming more progressive, individuals tend to create more rules for themselves (and their partners) as time goes on.As the women of Reddit’s ‘Sex After 30‘ group reveal, this is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, knowing your own boundaries can actually give you (and your partner) a much better idea of where to push, so to speak.Not only that but the chicas over at Bustle have also chimed in on this topic, as well as the Muckrakers over at Metro. Drawing from these observations, as well as few of our own, we thus give you: the ultimate list of bedroom rules every man in his 30s (and every toy boy in his 20s) ought to know.

Crisp clean bedsheets or gtfo

Whilst many women report a major lowering of their expectations in their 20s, by the time you get a third of the way through life you really ought to have some decent linen to rumple, to the point where this is now a deal-breaker.RELATED: Masculine Bedroom Ideas Guaranteed To Impress Your Date

No ‘after sex’ expectations

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A post shared by Samantha Rothenberg (@violetclair) on Sep 2, 2019 at 10:36am PDT

This shouldn’t be a feature in your 20s either, but according to Reddit’s Expectations After Sex thread, once you hit your 30s you should never assume that just because you’ve hooked up once, that person will want to do it again. Likewise, there’s (usually) no need for the ego-boosting, “Don’t want to see you again” text…

Express yourself

As Bustle puts it, once you’re in your 30s, “You don’t fake a damn thing.” Capische?

No incompetence

Similar to the above rule, this one also means that if you are ‘underperforming’ you are also more likely to receive a helping hand (or some curt instructions).

‘Dirty talk’ is a must

Apparently this is no longer a giggle inducer and a veritable turn on. Who knew?

No bizarre positions, thanks

Unless you are seen as the potential love of your one-night stand’s life, by the time they are in their 30s they are probably not going to risk not-enjoying themselves on your suggestion of a bizarre sketch you once saw on Instagram.RELATED: A High-End Call Girl Shares Her Hottest Sex Tips For Men

No phobia of sex toys, either

Intimidated by your partner’s vibrator? Congrats, you just came off as immature.

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• Women Reveal The Real Reasons They Cheated On Their Partner
• A Dating Coach Explains The Right Way To Have Friends With Benefits

The post Sex Expectations: Women Reveal How Their Bedroom Expectations Change Between Their 20s & 30s appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

We have all become a little bit more aware of how and where our clothing is being made. A few brands have really stepped up to the plate and built trust in delivering high-quality, low environmental impact products that promote responsible economic development – brands such as Frank And Oak.Nothing personifies their innovative, modern design approach more than The Capital Waterproof Parka, which uses 60% recycled polyesters to create a classic looking jacket, set to be one of the Canadian brand’s most sought after pieces this season.A two-way breathable layer allows you to stay warm without overheating, taking moisture away from your core, keeping you snug and dry even when you’re on the move. A full closure zip with magnet closings block out cutting winter winds, whilst a neoprene collar stops heat escaping from around your neck –  helping you maintain your natural body temperature.This elegant parka more than stands up against winter chills and will keep you cosy in temperatures as low as -30° / -22 F. So, whether you’re flitting around the city for a spot of Christmas shopping or up in the mountains for a family skiing trip, you’ll stay looking sharp whilst feeling warm. Not quite a ski jacket, but it will work.It comes in black, green, and grey so you’re covered on all spectrums.Shop The Capital Parka $499 USD

The post Frank & Oak Parka: This Environmentally Friendly Men’s Parka Will Ensure You Beat The Winter Chill appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We have all become a little bit more aware of how and where our clothing is being made. A few brands have really stepped up to the plate and built trust in delivering high-quality, low environmental impact products that promote responsible economic development –...

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A waterbed. Gucci sweats. Steaming dim sums. An old flame. All these things may be hot and comfortable but few can match the bottom-tingling serenity of Cathay Pacific’s A350-1000 business-class, a joy travellers from Perth and Melbourne will now get to experience on their way to Hong Kong.Cathay Pacific has launched a cutting edge new jet, with a world-renowned pointy end, to Australia for the first time. Touching down at 12pm, the first A350-1000 landed in Melbourne on Sunday, after its 9-hour journey from Hong Kong. The second A350-1000 took off a little later, and touched down in Perth just before midnight (about seven and a half hours later), also on Sunday.This comes as the Hong Kong carrier launches Airbus A350-1000 services to Perth and Melbourne, switching one of its three daily Melbourne–Hong Kong services from the A350-900 to the A350-1000, and swapping out seven of its 10 Perth–Hong Kong flights, currently operated on A330-300s, to the widebody A350-1000.Cathay Pacific regional general manager for south west Pacific Rakesh Raicar said: “The launch of this aircraft will allow us to deliver further enhanced features that improve the comfort and overall travel experience of our guests.”But there’s more to it than that. As News.com.au yesterday reported, by introducing “one of the most advanced aircraft models in the world” Cathay Pacific will carry more passengers in more comfort and maximise fuel efficiency, thus profiting more from their runway slots.In terms of specs, the main difference for Melbourne is that the A350-1000 is about 7 metres longer than the A350-900, enabling it to carry 334 passengers (54 more than the A350-900). As for Perth, the A350-1000 is a totally different jet from the A330-300s, which only fit 251 passengers (83 less than the A350-1000).As News.com.au reported, “For passengers, some of the biggest difference will be the business class area of the plane. Instead of being split by a galley, all business seats will be in a single cabin on the aircraft.”

“The cabin itself features LED mood lighting, Wi-Fi and new in-flight entertainment offerings.”

This idea is backed up by the travel bloggers of the world. In fact, browsing Instagram, it appears Cathay Pacific’s A350-1000 business class must have something special, with flight reviewers calling it the best in the world, or one of the best in the world, despite its lack of a private suite – the business class benchmark of 2019.

 

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It may not be as wide as some, or may not have any doors for privacy, but to me this is still one of the better business class seats in the industry today.

A post shared by Not A Travel Bloggr (@notatravelbloggr) on Oct 25, 2019 at 4:49pm PDT

Flight Hacks, for instance, says he “loves” the reverse herringbone configuration, which Cathay Pacific has pioneered for many years now, and is, “Arguably the best business class seat in the sky.”

“The seat model is called Cirrus and is supplied by Zodiac Aerospace and customized by Studio F.A. Porsche. The reason it’s so comfortable is because the leg space is not enclosed like the seats you’ll find on Qantas A330 and Virgin A330 for example. It gives you a feeling of space and the ability to angle your legs more comfortably, it’s perfect for lounging and sleeping.” (Flight Hacks).

All up, Cathay Pacific’s A350 cabin is stylish, sleek and walks the line between functional and comfortable with panache. As for the seat, Flight Hacks says it has “plenty of personal storage” (the ottoman doubles as a storage cabinet), a “fold up side panel” (to provide more width to the bed), a 15.4 inch TV and noise-cancelling Bose headphones.Not bad. Also not bad (for Cathay Pacific) is that this announcement could never have been. As News.com.au also reported yesterday, “Qatar Airways was set to be the first airline to launch the new Airbus in Australia, but the launch of the plane on the Doha-Sydney route has been delayed until mid-November.”Stephen Bradbury would be proud.Anyway, if you’re interested, Cathay Pacific serves five destinations in Australia from Hong Kong – Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney – with a mix of Airbus A330-300s, A350-900s, A350-1000s and Boeing 777-300ERs offering business, premium economy and economy.While the 777 is a damn good offering, here’s hoping we get the option of the A350-1000 one day in Sydney too.

Read Next

• Ways To Get More From Cathay Pacific’s Airbus A330 Business Class
• Pointy End Passenger Reveals Most Shameful Way To Get Kicked Off A Flight

The post Fly Flat: Australians Can Now Fly Flat To Hong Kong In This World Famous Business Class appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Whether you have specific fitness goals or whether you are training to be better at a certain sport, most of us would be lying if we said we went to the gym just to ‘stay healthy.’ And there’s nothing to be ashamed of about wanting to get ripped. Unfortunately, however, there’s also nothing more frustrating than hitting a gym-plateau.

Instead of waiting for the newbies to catch up though (or for those dark-web protein powders to arrive), there is a way to increase your gains via entirely natural means: force development.

Enter: Ross Edgely, colloquially known as The World’s Fittest Man (after writing The World’s Fittest Book), one of the best-educated personal trainers in the business, and one of the only people to complete endurance tasks like swimming around Great Britain or climbing a rope the length of Everest with the physique you would expect from an Olympic Weightlifter, rather than that of a whippet-like long-distance athlete.

 

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A post shared by Ross Edgley (@rossedgley) on Oct 21, 2019 at 7:28am PDT

Ross recently took to Instagram to discuss force development (or rather, the lack of it), a phenomenon which is holding many amateur weight-lifters back from reaching their full potential. As Ross explains, “Rate of force development… is [essentially] the speed at which muscles can produce force.”

“The faster the rate of force development [ROFD] the quicker and more explosive the movement.”

To illustrate, Ross says, “Take strength training as an example (your muscles ability to generate force combined with coordinated neuromuscular activation). If you’ve plateaued on your deadlift no amount of grit and determination may help, instead you must intelligently condition the body to become stronger.”

Enter: ROFD.

“On this note, one of the most important aspects to a deadlift is something called your “rate of force development” (ROFD). This is possibly one of the most under-appreciated areas of applied science when it comes to strength training.”

 

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A post shared by Ross Edgley (@rossedgley) on Oct 20, 2019 at 4:08am PDT

“Let’s consider… two athletes performing a 200kg deadlift,” Ross continues. “Now both Athlete A and Athlete B are capable of producing 200kg of force, but lifter A has a significantly faster rate of force development. What this means is it may take Athlete A just two seconds to produce the required force to get the bar moving and off the floor and four second to lock it out at the top of the lift.”

“However Athlete B might have a slower rate of force development which means they take four seconds to get the bar moving and another four to lock it out… What this means is Athlete B takes longer to complete the lift and might therefore fatigue before fully locking out.”

The summary? To build a stronger deadlift (for example, but this can be applied across many other exercises), focus on the speed of the movement, not just the strength. According to Ross, “This will improve your ROFD and in turn you’ll start adding kg’s onto your personal best.”

That’s not to say you should sacrifice form; just that if you are stuck on a plateau, before you pile more weights on, maybe spend some time lifting what you can lift that little bit faster.

Read Next

• Cardio Is The Unlikely Key To Building Muscle, This Insane British Strongman Proves Why
• Most Effective Ways To Get Huge Arms, According To A Trainer

The post Force Development: World’s Fittest Man Reveals Weight-Lifting Technique That Could Get You Huge appeared first on DMARGE Australia.