It’s not, “I’ve got a cruch on my tour guide”: it’s worse. After all, there’s a certain pride you might take from a one night stand. There is nothing redeeming, however, about bowing out early from an evening of tapas.

“I’m full.”

Roughly 75,000 Australian tourists visit Spain each year, and we’re willing to bet every single one of them make this mistake: eating too many tapas, too soon.

Bonus points if you do this in the first overpriced tourist trap you come across, before eventually finding a cool local place, only to be too full to stomach more than a tapita.

And then the inevitable phrase: “I’m full” (estoy lleno/a), or perhaps more insultingly: “estoy bien, gracias” (I’m good thanks), which are, ironically enough, among the first phrases any expat living with a Family worth their paella will learn.

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Gotta loosen these ties to make room for more patatas bravas

A post shared by Ashley Alana (@ashleyyalana) on Jul 14, 2019 at 9:39am PDT

“Gotta loosen these ties to make room for some more patatas bravas.”

If you would like to learn from Ashley’s tongue-in-tapas mistake, here are a few trusty pieces of advice, for tapeando in Spain — whether you’re eating espetos (fish skewers) in Malaga, camarones (prawns) in Cadiz, pulpo (octopus) in Galicia, morcilla (don’t ask) in Madrid, patatas bravas (spicy potatoes) in Barcelona or drinking cider in San Sebastian.

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Los esperamos . . Disfruta de la única terraza en primera línea de mar en #LaCalaDelMoral @puntacalarest con los mejores platos típicos de #LaCostaDelSol . . . #PuntaCala #ChiringuitoMalaga #LaCalaDelMoral #RinconDeLaVictoria #ComerBienEnMalaga #playaMalaga #RestauranteMalaga #resturantesmalaga #chiringuitolacala #restaurantepuntacala #malaga #rincondelavictoria #restauranteenmalaga #costadelsol #cocinamalaga #cocinaandaluza #andalucia #fiesta #fiestas #lacala

A post shared by Punta Cala Restaurant (@puntacalarest) on Jul 21, 2019 at 6:39am PDT

Numero Uno

Whack the champagne brunches on the head. While this may be hard for pancake loving Americans, Avocado addicted Aussies and sausage loving Brits, it will help you adjust to the rhythm of Spanish life.

Numero Dos

To ensure adequate hunger for the evening, start your day with a sugar, fat, caffeine and carb bomb (toast with olive oil, a Magdalena, orange juice and a burnt coffee with long-life milk, served out of a glass).

Numero Tres

Starve yourself until mid afternoon because, contrary to popular belief, continental Europe basically invented intermittent fasting and — despite their flagrant disregard for the sugar and carbohydrate hysteria across the pond — they have some of the longest life expectancies in the world.

Numero Cuatro

Break your fast at 3pm on the dot with a caña (small glass of beer) so cold it sweats all over your hand, order your lunch and munch on dried bread (picos) until it arrives, so that when it does, you are almost already full, and are not tempted to order too much more.

Numero Cinco

Follow up your lunch with un cortado (the Spanish version of a Piccolo), to get the metabolism booming.

Numero Seis

Have a cup of tea and some more Magdalena’s at around 6:30pm to get that much-needed insulin spike that will help you start feeling ravenous later on in the evening.

Numero Siete

Wait until 10pm, have a few aperitivos on an undefined terrace, and head to dinner, following the “one bar, one snack” rule.

Numero Ocho

Enjoy.

Read Next

• Important Eating Etiquette You Need To Know Before Visiting Spain
• Dating Rules You Need To Know Before Hooking Up In Spain

The post Dining In Spain: Tips To Save Embarrassment appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

There's nothing that screams warm weather styling more than a good pair of chinos. We don't have that for you today — what we do have is a great pair of chinos and it can be yours in an instant for only $58.

Why the fanfare? These chinos hail from Everlane, the ethical American e-tailer who...

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The post The $58 Chino That Will Make You Beat The Heat In Style appeared first on D'MARGE.

He may have made the profile-destroying mistake of wearing an ‘I love Taylor Swift’ t-shirt in the past, but Tom Hiddleston has seemingly redeemed himself in recent years by becoming one of the most stylish men in the entertainment circuit.More than just a means to grab attention, Hiddleston has become a master of traditional British menswear and tailoring. His use of simple and traditional wardrobe ensembles is often backed up by proven colours that are quintessentially British — think conservative grey, navy, patterns and textures.The 38-year-old English actor’s latest sighting once again proved this. Donning a very traditional double breasted suit in a light navy check, Hiddleston kept things super simple to let his threads do the talking at the recent FIJI Water event in New York.The importance of impeccable tailoring was on display here with Hiddleston easily showing men how classic suiting is done with a combination of the aforementioned blue check suit, a white dress shirt, blue knitted tie, solid white pocket square and brown lace-up dress shoes. He may have been wearing a timepiece but it wasn’t to be seen; not that you’d notice anyway. Hiddleston also made sure that the most important rule of double breasted suiting was satisfied with the last button of the jacket left undone.Here’s a closer look at the suit’s details. Classic, clean and devoid of any distractions. If you’re the type of man who likes a timeless English approach to sharp suiting, this is the way to pull it off.

• The Best Suit Brands Dominating Today’s Sartorial Game
• A Double Breasted Suit Is The Sharpest Classic Look; Here’s How To Wear It

The post Tom Hiddleston Knows The Secret To Mastering A Double Breasted Suit appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

It’s not an illicit bedroom romp, but it’s nearly as bad. And — like it or not — it’s probably on your phone. And your partner’s. And, come to think of it, most ‘monogamous’ human beings’ digital histories.

Microcheating is the latest term to enter our dating-cabulary and it is as controversial as it is rampant. While some dating coaches call it a sin almost as bad as a full-blown affair, others say it’s more evidence than crime.

Either way, when you ‘innocently’ respond to someone you low-key lust-after’s Instagram story, knowing your partner wouldn’t approve (but heady with plausible deniability) then you, my friend, are microcheating.

Or, as Rachel Lloyd, an eharmony expert puts it: “It might start with a bit of flirting online, and build towards full-blown emotional affairs in the digital environment. The fallout from these situations can be as devastating as a physical affair,” (The Sun).

“Advances in technology and the multitude of available platforms means that people often feel there is endless choice,” she continued. “This choice can sometimes lead people to make toxic decisions.”

“A couple of Instagram likes here and there might not seem so bad, however you need to consider the intent behind them.”

To avoid this kind of infidelity, Rachael told The Sun that worried partners should set boundaries as soon as possible, explaining that clear communication can help avoid any awkward misunderstandings.

As for the one with the wandering eye? Korin Miller, from Women’s Health, once spoke some wise words on this topic; “there can be a serious thrill in exploring [your fantasies] solo—provided, of course, it doesn’t compromise your relationship.”

Read Next

• Social Media Flirting Rules You Are Probably Getting Very Wrong
• Subtle Signs You Should Leave The Love Of Your Life

The post Micro-Cheating: The Modern Dating Sin You Are Probably Guilty Of appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

It's not an illicit bedroom romp, but it's nearly as bad. And — like it or not — it's probably on your phone. And your partner's. And, come to think of it, most 'monogamous' human beings' digital histories.

Microcheating is the latest term to enter our dating-cabulary and it is as controvers...

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

The post Microcheating Is The Modern Dating Phenomenon We Are All Guilty Of appeared first on D'MARGE.

A new week means it’s arm day and arm day means supersets, copious amounts of curls and protein shakes. All is well in gym land then — or so you think. The general consensus amongst bodybuilding circles dictates that muscle development comes from focusing one’s attention on the muscle they’re trying to grow. In other words you mentally activate a particular muscle from lifting, thus endorsing its development.

A new study published in ‘Frontiers in Sports and Active Living’ suggests that this long-standing belief of bodybuilding isn’t the most effective method. When training encompasses muscle performance as well as muscle growth, these researchers believe that gym junkies need to instead focus on moving the weight itself rather than focusing on the muscle in order to lift heavier and longer.

“The higher overall muscle activity with an internal ‘muscle focus’ is not specific to the muscles mentally isolated during lifting,” says the review’s author, Professor David Neumann, of Griffith University in Australia.

“Rather, it seems to represent increased activity of non-target muscles, too.”

Fundamentally they’re recommending trainers think outside of the body. In their findings the analysts consistently found that when weightlifters instead focused their attention on the external effects of their efforts, such as the movement of a barbell, lifts were accomplished more economically and with less effort.

“It appears that this external focus allows automatic control processes to operate, removing the attentional demands and mechanical inefficiency of conscious muscular control,” says Neumann.

Some stats from the study revealed that at 80% of maximum effort in one bench press study with increasing load, the muscle activity advantage of muscle focus over an external focus simply disappeared.

Neumann says that this method of external focus can maximise an athlete’s performance in training and competition. This method is also believed to be a complement to ‘dissociative’ focus strategies, things such as listening to music in order to reinforce exercise adherence in less active people.

As with most studies though the results aren’t bullet proof. The area of muscle fatigue and strength gains have yet to be determined whilst the other studies in this area have been relatively small — 11 to 29 participants that are mainly young Western males who are already proficient at weightlifting. A more diverse study group should help reinforce these findings a bit more.

“It would be worthwhile to examine whether transfer of these effects occurs to similar sporting tasks,” adds Neumann. “For example, some sports like shot put and discus, require a short-term maximal muscular effort.

“We should also explore ways to maximise the beneficial effects of an external focus. Using VR for instance, completing a deadlift could be translated into an imperative like virtually lifting a heavy bar to free a trapped virtual person.”

Whilst the findings suggest that the traditional way might not be the most effective method to lift weights, there still remains a place in exercise routines for mind-muscle connections, specifically in hypertrophy and lifting form awareness.

Read Next

• What Happens To Your Muscles & Body When You Stop Lifting Weights
• Scientists Believe That Weight Lifting This Way Will Make You Live Longer

The post Australian Researchers Believe You've Been Lifting Weights Wrong All Along appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Ever woken up with a string of drool connecting your lips to a stranger’s shoulder? Me neither — though I would suffer the indignity in a heartbeat if it meant pressing fast forward on an Economy red-eye. That’s in theory, of course.Problem is, after hearing the FDA alerts and seeing friends get hooked on sleeping pills, up until now I’ve steered clear of artificial slumber. So when I travel, while my partner sleeps like a (snoring) princess, I can be found cursing my neighbour’s epileptic-taste in movies and studiously shutting my eyes only to develop vertigo every time I reach the edge of sleep.It turns out I’m not alone. Around one in three people have at least mild insomnia — a condition made worse by unusual circumstances like being launched 30,000ft into the stratosphere. Factor in the extortionate business class prices and it’s easy to see why so many people resort to sleeping tablets (roughly $15 a pill, for the strong kind), rather than paying $1,000 to $2,000 extra for a lie-flat seat.There are a number of medical concerns one should understand, however, before smugly heading down the pharmacy, which is why we got in touch with Stephen Massey, a GP from Bondi Doctors.According to Stephen, sleepless travellers have four different options when it comes to getting some big Z’s on the plane.

Ambien (strong prescription drug)

Ambien (Stilnox, if you’re in Australia) is one of the most effective ways to knock yourself out. But swallow with care; according to Stephen, “Ambien is a sleeping tablet that has been associated with abnormal behaviours such as sleepwalking and amnesia — so would be risky using it for the first time on a plane.”

“I’ve heard many stories of people cleaning the house, internet shopping etc. and having no recollection.”

If you are on a short-haul flight then this one is a no go, as it may leave you groggy for hours afterwards. However, if you have used it before, feel you really need it, have discussed it with your doctor, and are on a long haul flight, Ambien or Stilnox can be a great option (although if you are someone who is already at risk of DVT, this could heighten your chances, as you will inevitably move around less if you are fast asleep).

Temazepam (sedating sleeping tablet)

According to Stephen, Temazepam “is a more traditional sedating sleeping tablet” the main risk of which is oversedation — “particularly if combined with other sedatives such as alcohol.” So remember: if you are planning on knocking back one of these, steer clear of the beer.Also, in the same way as Ambien, if you take a Temazepam and it actually works, you are putting yourself at a higher risk of DVT as a person who gets up and walks around every couple of hours. So weigh up how important this sleep really is to you, and assess whether you are a person who is already at risk of DVT, before opening the pack.

Melatonin tablets

While anyone with a serious sleep issue will probably need something stronger to be effective, for others with more of a mental block to sleeping on a flight, Melatonin is a natural supplement that can help with sleep. Although the scientific jury is still out as to whether Melatonin works because of the placebo effect or because of biochemistry, either way it carries fewer risks than the stronger stuff.Melatonin also allegedly helps with jetlag, with some people swearing by the technique of taking it at the time you plan to go to bed in the time zone you are travelling to for a couple of nights before you travel. This supposedly sets your body’s clock to your new time zone and allows you to make the transition seamlessly.

Anti-Anxiety medication

If you are a nervous flyer, don’t normally have sleep issues, but struggle in unfamiliar environments, short-acting anti-anxiety medication (always to be discussed with — and sourced from — your doctor) can be what you need to get you over the line into the world of dreams, but not keep you there for an unnatural amount of time.

And if the tablets don’t work?

“Feeling drowsy but being unable to fall asleep is quite common,” Stephen said. “I suspect this is due to taking sleeping tablet out of sleep cycle. ie trying to fall asleep when not tired.”

“The bodies natural hormones that control sleep and waking combat the effects of the sleeping tablet creating the effect you describe.”

Overall advice

“Spending too long asleep in a plane seat increases the risk of DVT,” Stephen told us, so it is important to “take precautions such as getting up and walking around every few hours and staying hydrated” in the hours that you are not asleep (and if you are already at risk of DVT, potentially avoiding sleeping for too long — which may also involve not using sleeping tablets — at all).The biggest takeaway though is to remember never to mix medications, and never to drink alcohol if you are going to be taking sleeping pills or tablets.

Read Next

• This CIA Diet Stops Jetlag… But There’s A Catch 
• Why Flying In Business Class Is Actually more Stressful Than Economy

The post Taking Sleeping Pills On A Plane, What You Need To Know appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

It might be unbeknownst to you, but Scandinavia encompasses a portion of Northern Europe, specifically Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, all of which share similar climates, cultures, and lifestyles. It is these distinct factors, as well as their shared heritage, that has resulted in the world-renowned Scandinavian design.

Already a signature aesthetic in certain circles (we’re looking at you, Ikea), the Nordic fashion sense hasn’t yet caught on in quite the same way as interior design, despite how cool it is.

Unpretentious, minimal, and effortless are just a few of the words that come to mind when we think of the clean cut Scandinavian style. But how do you actually pull it off? Before we get into some of our favourite Scandinavian brands, here’s a quick crash course.

Defining Scandinavian men’s style

In our comprehensive guide to dressing like a Scandinavian – which you can read here – we highlighted that the Scandinavian look is effortless, and is accentuated by simplicity and elegance. Winter is when Scandinavian style shines; think the art of layering, as well as the importance of quality fabrics – be it mohair, wool, cashmere, and fur – to keep warm.

How to style Scandinavian menswear

The most common styles of Scandinavian menswear fall under these combinations. Follow these rules and you’ll look like you effortlessly rolled off the chic streets of Stockholm.

• Dark overcoats with denim or trousers
• Dark suits with leather shoes
• Casual-wear with sneakers
• Knitwear & layering

The post Popular Scandinavian Menswear Brands In 2022 appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Forget about all that tabloid fodder about who’s dating who. One way to really sway the public’s attention (okay, maybe just ours) is with a simple and understated Rolex which is actually affordable.

New wave pop musician Shawn Mendes was spotted during the week in New York fresh off the announcement of his latest squeeze, Camila Cabello. Although with an attire combo which showed off the versatility of the small diameter Rolex Datejust 36, Mendes was already a winner in our books.

The 21-year-old proved that age was no barrier to fine Swiss watches by pairing his blue-dialled yellow gold and stainless steel timepiece with oversized cotton shirt with some seriously cool detailing. Additional patches with indigo art work added depth to the shirt which was further enhanced by four buttons off for that true summer casual aesthetic.

Mendes paired the baggy shirt with skinny light blue denim and white sneakers with a gum sole. The result? A vibe worthy of 80s Los Angeles during summer.

Here’s a closer look of Mendes’ Rolex Datejust 36 which runs a smaller case alongside an automatic movement and that unmistakable Jubilee bracelet. A classic looking design which looks right at home with Mendes’ casual attire.

Don’t believe us? Later in the day Mendes switched up the shirt for an oversized beige sweater with black skinny jeans and leather boots alongside the same Rolex timepiece. The watch once again proved itself a worthy centrepiece for this casual outfit made for cool summer nights.

Those keen to replicate Mendes’ style moves will be glad to hear that the Rolex Datejust 36 in full Oystersteel (stainless) will set you back AU$9,200. Those after a bit more elegance with the yellow gold variant will have to fork out a few grand more with retailers listing the spec at around the US$10,500 mark.

Read Next

• A Guide To The Best Jeans Brands For The Perfect Fit
• 27 Chelsea Boots That Will Sharpen Any Look For Work & Play

The post Shawn Mendes Debuted A Beginner's Rolex Alongside His Latest Partner appeared first on DMARGE Australia.