Category: LIFESTYLE

New Zealand post-lockdown travel guide

New Zealand NZ Lake mountain escape

by

Updated: 11/04/2021

Now that the world’s best leader, Jacinda Adern has opened up her little slice of paradise to Australia, bookings have gone through the roof! The long awaited travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand has finally arrived and we’re all heading to NZ for our first international holiday in almost a year. But, gone are the days of the city escape. It’s all about the great outdoors. Caravan and campervan hiring platform Camplify has already seen a huge uptake in bookings, so have rounded up some of New Zealand’s most unique caravans, campervans and motorhomes to inspire your next road trip.  Juno Hamilton Juno is a 2019 Volkswagen Crafter and one saucy mama. Brand spanking new and ready for your next off grid adventure. He’s 100% handcrafted and has all the boujie knick knacks to fulfill your wildest #vanlife dreams. Juno has been made from some of the finest timbers with no expense spared. From his large fridge/freezer (complete with ice trays to help you create the perfect evening cocktail) to his outdoor hammock and super luxe memory foam bedding, Juno will welcome you home with open arms after a long day of exploring. Bernie Auckland Bernie is a 2011 Volkswagen Crafter and one laid back individual. He’s essentially the motorised lovechild of a handcrafted Canadian cabin and Coromandel beach shack – think rustic vibes mixed with fresh coastal touches. That being said, Bernie is strong, stylish, large and in charge – with all the trimmings to match. From his large fridge/freezer (complete with ice… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE, TRAVEL

Tags: , , , , ,

Cinderella on stage is coming to Sydney!

Santino Fontana and Laura Osnes Original Broadway Production of CINDERELLA (c) Carol Rosegg

by

Updated: 11/04/2021

Opera Australia and the Gordon Frost Organisation are teaming up to bring us the Rogers & Hammerstein masterpiece Cinderella on stage in Sydney this year. Continuing their wildly successful collaboration of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s timeless musicals, most recently The King and I, Opera Australia and The Gordon Frost Organisation are uniting again to produce the Tony® Award-winning Broadway production for the first time in Australia, with support from the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW. One of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s most popular titles, Cinderella was written for television, debuting in 1957 starring Julie Andrews, who was nominated for an Emmy Award for her performance. More than 100 million viewers saw the broadcast, more people than any other program in the history of television at the time. Cinderella was re-made for television in 1965 starring Lesley Ann Warren in the title role, Ginger Rogers and Walter Pidgeon as the King and Queen, and Celeste Holm as the Fairy Godmother. A further television remake followed in 1997 with Brandy as Cinderella, Whitney Houston as the Fairy Godmother, Bernadette Peters as the Stepmother, Whoopi Goldberg as the Queen and Jason Alexander as Lionel. And now, it’s on stage in our fair Sydney with tickets on sale on 30 April, with pre-sales from 26 April – join the waitlist now at cinderellamusical.com.au.

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY, THEATRE

Tags: , , , , ,

A new kind of Mexican in Melbourne: Johnny’s Green Room ‘New El Paso’

Tacos

by

Updated: 11/04/2021

This Sunday 11 April, there’s a new once-off Tex-Mex extravaganza at Johnny’s Green Room in Melbourne, showcasing the yummiest in food and drink of the Mexican persuasion. Complete with Melbourne rooftop views, delicious Mex-American dishes will be pumped out for under $20 alongside tunes from DJ Chico G. Oh, and a special one-time-only gelato taco from gelateria (and Johnny’s neighbour) Pidapipo will round out the menu with the perfect sweet finale. Garage Project will also have their Golden Path IPA on tap to sip (for only $12 a pint) and enjoy the city views whilst you chow down on delicious tacos and quesadillas. Here’s what to get excited for: Totopos con queso – $11 Corn chips & nacho cheese sauce Mushroom quesadilla – $11 Pine mushrooms, Oaxaca cheese & jalapeño Burnt ends hard shell tacos (2pc) – $17 Smoked brisket burnt ends, salsa roja & guacamole Torta ahogada – $16 Fried chicken sandwich, chipotle mayo, iceberg, guajillo & tomato salsa Pidapipo gelato taco – $11 Sweet corn gelato tacos with capsicum and strawberry jam, poached cucumber & peanut croquant Johnny’s 8 Ball – $20 Blanco tequila, mezcal, Aperol, yellow chartreuse, lime Find it at Johnny’s Green Room presents: ‘New El Paso’ Sunday 11 April, 12pmLevel 2, King & Godfree LnCarlton VIC 3053

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE, MEXICAN FOOD

Tags: , , , , , ,

Victoria and Albert Museum London’s got an exhibition of Fabergé eggs and more

Faberge 1

by

Updated: 10/02/2022

Opening this November, the V&A announces Fabergé in London: Romance to Revolution, the first major exhibition devoted to the international prominence of the legendary Russian goldsmith and the importance of his little-known London branch: Fabergé in London: Romance to Revolution Gallery 39 and North Court 20 November 2021 – 8 May 2022  With a focus on Fabergé’s Edwardian high society clientele, the exhibition will shine a light on his triumphs in Britain as well as a global fascination with the joyful opulence of his creations. Three of his legendary Imperial Easter Eggs will go on display for the first time in the UK as part of the exhibition’s dramatic finalé. Who or what is Feberge? Carl Fabergé is the man which is now synonymous with his internationally recognised firm that symbolised Russian craftsmanship and elegance – an association further strengthened by its connection to the romance, glamour and tragedy of the Russian Imperial family. Highlights to see: A miniature of the Imperial Regalia, lent by the Hermitage Museum, made for the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle will capture Carl Fabergé’s role as official goldsmith to the Imperial family a figurine portrait taken from life of the private bodyguard of the Dowager Empress will be on display – a sculpture on a level of rarity with the Imperial Easter eggs A prayer book gifted by Emperor Nicholas II to Empress Alexandra Feodorovna on his Coronation Day will also sit alongside early photography of the Imperial family with their prized possessions, and more! For more information and to book your visit, head to… Read More

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: , , , ,

Heart Health Month: expert shares 5 tips for a healthy heart

Gym yoga exercise

by

Updated: 06/04/2021

Did you know that approximately 1.2 million Australians over the age of 18 experience heart health issues at some point in their lifetime? As February is Heart Health Month we sat down with Eric Chan, Head of Pharmacy at Blooms The Chemist, who shared expert insights on his top 5 ways to support your cardiovascular health. Eat a heart healthy diet Try to avoid eating food with high levels of added sugars, salts and saturated fats as excessive consumption has been shown to increase your risk of high blood pressure and cholesterol. Try to include leafy greens, wholegrains, berries and protein rich foods. You can also head into your local Blooms The Chemist to undertake one of their free health checks for cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Incorporate exercise into your routine Exercise is crucial for supporting a healthy heart. Regular moderate to vigorous exercise may help to lower blood pressure, help improve blood flow, and help lower cholesterol levels. Incorporating aerobic exercises, resistance training and flexibility/stretching work can all help to support your cardiovascular health. Find ways to ease your stress levels While some stress may be a normal part of life, too much can be a bad thing, especially for the health of your heart. High levels of cortisol from long-term stress may increase blood cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure. To help ease your stress levels, try to find a relaxing activity that you enjoy, like meditation, yoga or listening to music. Blooms The Chemist also has trained 110 staff in Mental Health… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE

Tags: , , , , ,

Get your booking for Drag Brunch Sundays at The Smith, Prahran Melbourne

Max Drag Queen

by

Posted: 05/04/2021

Sometimes brunch can be boring. To remedy that, you need a little glitter in your life. Enter The Smith Prahran, offering up Sunday brunch options that serve food, yeah, but offer up the snacks the likes of Max Drag Queen up as the main dish in all her glamorous glory. A two-hour brunch package that includes a brunch dish and bottomless spritzes, you’ll be entertained by Max and Jaw Breakers’ DJs Kali and Sabrina. For the menu and to make a booking, head to The Smith Prahran’s website.

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: , , , , , , ,

5 tips to prepare better outfit combinations for everyday wear

Fjallraven clothes

by

Updated: 16/11/2022

Coming up with new outfits and clothes to wear every day is a struggle for most of us. The entire day depends on how we dress, which brings out our confidence and makes us feel good about wearing that particular outfit. For this, many ladies take to the stores once a week and get another new piece of clothing that doesn’t fit in the closet or can be worn on any occasion. This can be a big let-down and a waste of money. Combining outfit pieces well that go with each other to look like the match was made in heaven can seem challenging. However, it isn’t that hard and can help you save your money and time. Here are some of our expert tips for creating the best outfit combinations you could have ever imagined with a bit of creativity and hard work: Organise your outfits If you want to wake up every day and not have to select what to wear and dread over not having the right outfit combinations, you need to start organising. Not the spring closet cleaning that everyone does to make their wardrobes penetrable but in a way that all your outfit combination is assembled and prepared to put on.  This way, you can know what items you don’t have in your closet to match with some clothing, for example, a pair of black jeans to go with some shirts that require it. Keep all your matched outfits together in the closet or set in the same hangers for… Read More

Category: FEATURES, LIFESTYLE

Tags: , ,

Financial habits worth making

man hands wallet money

by

Updated: 16/11/2022

Are you suffering from financial stress? Signs may include arguing about money, mood swings, depression and difficulty sleeping. In a report conducted by AMP Financial, more than 1.8 million working Australians are dealing with financial stress. Financial stress can stem from: Not developing good financial habits as children Lack of education on how to save money Inability to find work Living beyond one’s means But it’s never too late to develop good financial habits. Keep reading to discover how you can reduce your financial stress. Learn to pay attention to your spending habits The most common mistake people make with their finances is not knowing what’s incoming and outgoing. How many of you ever take a close look at your bank statements? It may be somewhat of a surprise to discover how much you’re actually spending. All those streaming services and long forgotten apps soon add up—$9.99 here, $6.00 there. It doesn’t seem like much when you first sign up. Don’t forget to count the nights where you couldn’t be bothered cooking and opted for Uber Eats, or the designer boots and clothing you purchased on After Pay, or the gym membership you’ve been meaning to cancel but haven’t. There is little wonder as to why so many people are living payday to payday. Our financial experts recommend auditing your bank statement. Use a highlighter to mark everything you’re not sure of, or anything you no longer use and cancel them! You don’t need all TV streaming services, so pick your favourite and change them… Read More

Category: FEATURES, FINANCE & INVESTING, LIFESTYLE

Tags: , , , , , ,

How to keep your spending under control while still living your life

Man hands credit card online shopping

by

Updated: 20/03/2021

Keeping your spending under control when you have a family can seem difficult. The Australian Institute of Family studies found that even in the first year as parents, your newborn can cost you up to $13,000. And that’s not including what comes next—education, school fees and stationery, childcare and extracurricular activities, but having kids doesn’t mean you have to stop living your life. With our top tips to curb your spending habits, you’ll be able to still enjoy some of  life’s little luxuries. Put aside 20% of your weekly/fortnightly wages The first thing you do when your wage appears in your bank account is to transfer 20% into a high-yield interest account. You can use this money for when unexpected costs crop up or you want to treat the family to a fun day out or a holiday away. Try to keep enough money in case of emergencies (root canals, extra-large power bills, house repairs). Round it upSome financial institutions allow you to round up your card purchases to $1 or $5. So, when you make a purchase the extra can be transferred into your savings account or towards an eligible home loan. You’ll be surprised at how fast you can accumulate savings to spend on lunch with friends or an evening out on the town. Always plan out your meals for the week Only purchase what you need when you are grocery shopping and stick to what’s on your list. Shopping on an empty stomach or with the kids in tow can make grocery… Read More

Category: FINANCE & INVESTING, LIFESTYLE

Tags: , , , , , ,

Why everyone should start investing and where to invest

Investing money stocks app

by

Posted: 20/03/2021

Investing money is such a hot topic in 2021 and if ever you were going to try something new, maybe this is it! But, it can be a big, scary thing to embark on by yourself. Read on to get some quality insight from Gerry Incollingo, the MD of LCI Partners who we spoke to for his great insight into investing your hard-earned dollars. Everyone should start investing but knowing where to invest while minimising risk is key to growing your wealth or having a steady passive income. First time investors should be aware that there is some degree of risk with all investments, but by engaging the services of an investment strategist or financial advisor, together you can develop a solid investment plan to success. The key to good investment is education Many people think you need to be rich to invest, but the key to good investments is education.  One of the biggest mistakes new investors make is diving into the investment pool with little to no knowledge and without talking to a financial expert or investment strategist. Knowledge is power. Listen to podcasts, join online forums and read books on investments for beginners so you can feel more confident in your decisions. When you’re ready, connect with a financial advisor to customise a robust investment plan based on your personal circumstances. Methods of investment depend on your budget and long term goals There are a myriad of different ways you can invest your money—shares, bonds, property or even gold—but it all depends on… Read More

Category: FINANCE & INVESTING, LIFESTYLE

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Copyright © 2024 · All Rights Reserved · THE F

About · Terms of Use · Cookies · Privacy · Instagram · Facebook ·