Category: LIFESTYLE

Your Cointreau loving friends will love this limited edition Christmas pack

Cointreau christmas pack

Stuck for gift ideas for your cocktail loving friends and family? Luckily, Cointreau has come to the rescue with this stylish limited edition Christmas pack that comes in a neatly packaged tropical box which includes a bottle of Cointreau as well as a super cute brass pourer. It’s the perfect gift for the Margarita lover in your life. Available at all leading independent retailers for RRP $56.99, Cointreau serves as a flavour amplifier, helping reveal the other ingredients while bringing balance, depth, and freshness to the mix. Zesty, fresh, floral and sweet with an instant freshness, lingering on the palate, it is a harmonious blend of nuanced notes yet remains intensely orange, it’s perfect for creating those summer cocktail recipes.  Here are a few summer cocktail ideas to kick start the party.  Holiday Margarita Ingredients: 30mL Cointreau 60mL Blanco Tequila 30mL Fresh lime juice 6 drops Aromatic Bitters Top with Rosemary Sprig Method: Combine all ingredients in a shaker and add ice.  Shake and strain into a cinnamon sugar-rimmed coupe glass. Garnish with rosemary sprig. Summer Margarita Ingredients: 30mL Cointreau 50mL Tequila 20mL Lime 4 Fresh Strawberries 1 bar spoon Sugar Syrup Method: Rim the glass with some fleur de sel.  Combine Cointreau, Tequila, lime and strawberries in a shaker with ice. Muddle it, shake it, strain it and serve it. Tip: Garnish with mint sprig on the top of your glass to bring some freshness. Original Margarita Ingredients: 30mL Cointreau 60mL Tequila 30mL Fresh lime juice Method: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker…. Read More

Christmas cannoli treats in Melbourne

Cannoli

Cannoleria, the cannoli royalty in Melbourne is ensuring that everyone will have a sweet December and Christmas this year with its limited edition Christmas range. From GIY (Garnish It Yourself) ricotta filled panettone that includes a gluten free version to a Christmas Tree Kit that’s perfect for kids and Panettone infused Flavour of the Week Cannoli throughout December, it ‘cannoli’ mean it’s time to be festive! Complete with two flavours this Christmas, the Panettone available, plus a delicious gluten free Pandoro. ·       Pistachio Panettone: traditional panettone layered with pistachio ricotta and coffee ricotta, comes with pistachio spread and cannoli shell crumbs ·       Rocher Panettone: traditional panettone layered with hazelnut ricotta and chocolate ricotta, comes with white gianduja spread and cannoli shell crumbs ·       Gluten Free Pandoro: gluten free traditional pandoro layered with traditional Sicilian ricotta, comes with a vegan chocolate and hazelnut spread and icing sugar For more and to buy some while you can, head to their website

Give thoughtfully this Christmas with Cleanse & co.

candles cleanse and co

Candles, ethically sourced crystals, tea, soaks, essential oils, crystal lamps – this is just a small sample of thoughtful gifts available at Cleanse & co. The brand exists to help you align with your higher self through products and practises, reconnecting, healing and inspiring you to all that you truly are — loved, worthy and whole. Cleanse & co. candles are lovingly handmade in Australia and currently have a gorgeous Cleanse-mas range which includes Gingerbread Candle, Holiday Eve, Santa’s Treat, as well as Rose Quartz ornament candles which are perfect for the Christmas tree.  The candles include crystals (which should be removed before burning) and if you prefer a particular fragrance, you can make it personal by selecting a custom scent for an extra $10.00.  Here are some of our favourite picks from the Cleanse-mas range: Santa’s Treat Candle ($69) Indulge in the scents of Santa’s treats, a blend of sweet, chocolate and minty joy. This delicious blend will warm your senses and create the most mouthwatering aroma in your space this Christmas. Infused by only the best vegan-friendly scents, supported in a blend of natural Soy & Coconut wax. 400g approx. 70 hour burn time if candle care is followed. Clear Quartz string lights ($34.95) Shiny and bright, illuminate the darkness, I am now surrounded with love and light.” The amplifying stone. Clear quartz is essential when manifesting intentions. It encourages thought clarity and heightens the purpose in your heart and mind. It is a powerful stone for energy as it enhances all levels…. Read More

Lifestyle benefits of coffee

Coffee cup

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in Australia. Due to its high levels of antioxidants, it seems to be relatively healthy. Studies have shown that coffee can improve your lifestyle and build immunity against several diseases. In this blog post, we will share the top health benefits of coffee and how it can improve your lifestyle. Effect of coffee on your lifestyle Coffee has a significant role in improving your lifestyle. And here is how this drink manages to keep you on your toes. 1.   Improved energy levels Coffee is linked with increasing energy levels. This is because coffee consists of a stimulant called caffeine. After consuming a cup of coffee, caffeine finds its way to your brain and makes you more alert. In the brain, caffeine blocks neurons that cause sleepiness. Therefore, drinking a cup of coffee will make you more alert and active during office hours. 2.   Coffee a day keeps the doctor away Coffee is known to fight several heart diseases. The Caffeine in your cup of coffee boosts blood circulation and aids your heart in supplying blood.  Coffee can prevent plaque build-up in the heart arteries, which block blood flow. Caffeine can increase your blood pressure which pierces through the plaque build up in your heart arteries.  3. Keeps You Alert Coffee is your number one source of staying alert and reducing stress. A cup of coffee can boost your brain activity and help you stay focused.  Coffee is a remedy for lazy days, creative blocks and… Read More

Redroad V17 vacuum: surging suction, stunning look and great value

Vacuum woman

Do you miss the good old days when shopping was fun? Now with excess choice at our finger tip, it has somehow become an arduous task. But if you are looking for a cordless stick vacuum cleaner, we happen to have some tips: choose the one with a high suction, good look, and great value. Isn’t ‘great value’ common sense, you may think. But actually, many people end up buying a cheap vac only to find out how incapable, shoddy, and a waste of money it is. The others reach deeper in their pockets to buy a ‘brand name’ without realizing they could have got one with the same, if not better, performance at a much cheaper price. Redroad V17 has the best value we’ve seen so far; It cleans with flying colors, offers a 2-year warranty, and is listed at only $350. Redroad also has a surging suction.  The speed of V17’s digital maglev brushless motor reaches a whopping 120,000rpm, surpassing that of 98% other vacs. But unlike many others of the top 2%, Redroad V17 restrains from tuning up the motor speed to a vainly impressive level at the risk of compromised motor service life or increased noise. To further boost the suction in a healthier (though not easily noticed) way, Redroad V17 turns to optimized the air duct design. With the 450W motor and now patented air duct design, Redroad realizes a 155AW suction or 26,500pa vacuum pressure, marking the highest in the category, while keeping a low noise. With the surging… Read More

Your superannuation: is salary sacrificing still worth it?

Australian 50 money

First things first, what is salary sacrificing? Salary sacrificing for your superannuation is when you choose to forgo a portion of your wage so you can put more than the standard 9.5% into super. For example, if your employer is filing 9.5% super for you at each pay, you are offering to reduce your wage before tax to add more into your super fund.  Previously beneficial, the changes to super legislation has meant that salary sacrificing super has become almost redundant now that you can do it yourself. The only real difference is the timing of when you get that little extra in your pocket from week-to-week or end of year, when your tax return is lodged. Let’s explore some pros and cons of salary sacrificing in Australia, taken from the mind of Gerry Incollingo, MD of LCI Partners, a firm that specialises in accounting advisory, lending, wealth, property, insurance and legal. Pros  Beneficial by reducing your taxable income You will be paying less tax and increasing your retirement savings Soothes the stress of saving extra retirement money because no effort is required. Your investments happen automatically via your employer’s payroll system Cons Low income earners: Not recommended for low-income earners as they are not paying a hefty amount of tax to begin with, such as those earning less than $37,000. Also, it may be difficult to manage and afford your expenses if a further percentage of your wage is taken away to contribute to your super Lending issues: Keep in mind if you are young or… Read More

Movember partner and skincare brand Brutal Truth is just what the uncomplicated and practical man is looking for

Brutal Truth

Forget the fuss. The truth is, men don’t care for complicated when it comes to grooming, so skincare brand Brutal Truth has filled that gap with their ‘real approach’ to support the everyday guy.  100% Australian owned and made, the Brutal Truth product range features ingredients sourced from across the country, including Australian native extracts such as Tasman Pepper Berry, Australian Rainforest Lime, Australian Desert Lime and Kakadu Plum.  The brand is committed to delivering a balance of naturalness, affordability and sustainability and all products are free from parabens, sulphates, aluminium, artificial colours, synthetic fragrances or non-sustainable ingredients. And they certainly are not tested on animals. In its mission to help Aussie males live happier, healthier and longer lives, Brutal Truth is also a proud partner of Movember, which helps fund men’s health programs across three key cause areas, mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer. Check out the 100% made in Australia range here which is available at Woolworths and won’t break the bank! Please note, the antiperspirant roll-on is available at Coles.  Antiperspirant Sprays – RRP $12.00 AUD. Looking for sweat protection, naturally? It makes scents. Brutal Truth Antiperspirant Sprays are aluminium free and made with natural ingredients, including Aloe Vera and Kakadu Plum to keep skin smooth and healthy and free from odour. Available in Rustic & Woody and Clean & Crisp. 3-in-1 Face Hair Body Wash Rustic & Woody – RRP $13.00 AUD. Designed for the face, hair and body, it’s perfect when you are on the go… Read More

5 tips for buying the perfect custom engagement rings

pexels ryan hiebendahl 9956089

When you think about marrying the love of your life, the first thing that usually comes to mind is the engagement ring to present to them during your romantic proposal. Generally, engagement rings play an essential role in reminding you of your relationship. It’s a beautiful symbol of a marital union between two people loving each other and wanting to spend the rest of their lives together. Moreover, having an engagement ring during the proposal is the tradition of marriage. But aside from these things, giving an engagement ring to your partner has added value to your marriage. If you’re getting a natural diamond ring, you and your spouse-to-be may consider it an investment. It can be a precious and timeless item that you can pass to your descendants over time. Regardless of how old it is, an engagement ring has a significant value that will never diminish even in the future. With that said, engagement rings are essential. Hence, if you’re planning to propose to your partner, you need to pick the ring that suits them. Typically, choosing a ring can be an exciting yet difficult task. There are so many options, and you can get confused easily. It can be even more challenging when you are looking for something unique and custom. You want a ring that reflects your individuality and taste. Fortunately, we have put together some useful tips for you to buy the custom engagement rings of your dreams. Let’s discuss this in detail now. 5 important tips for your custom… Read More

Hampers: what makes them the perfect gifts?

Picnic Hampers The Arch London

Gift-giving is an art in and of itself. Think about it, coming up with the perfect present to surprise someone can be really complicated. To make matters worse, the market is full of gift options nowadays. No matter how well you may know someone, there’s always the person who has everything, is a minimalist, or is difficult to decipher as to what their likes and dislikes might be. Regardless of what your gift-related problem is, I’m here to tell you there’s the ideal solution, fit for any occasion and any recipient, available at both online and brick-and-mortar stores. Yes, I’m talking about the versatile gifts called hampers Melbourne and Australia, in general, have fallen in love with. Curious as to why that is? Hampers Are an Easily Customisable Gift It can be a hassle to come across the perfect present for a specific occasion that transmits the right message – well, that’s the case with every other gift but hampers anyway! And, if you haven’t bought one by now, get it for yourself and you’ll come to see how kind of shopping can be a burdenless experience! Without any pressure whatsoever, you’d be able to get the ideal gift for various occasions. This could be a housewarming party, baby shower, birthday, anniversary, Mother’s or Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Christmas and Easter festivities, corporate events, end of school year, or a simple just because. If I were to pick an adjective that would describe the handy gift baskets in one word, then it would definitely be… Read More

Gift the Scotch Whiskey lover in your life Aberfeldy – ‘The Golden Dram’

Aberfeldy

There’s something very romantic about Aberfeldy Scotch Whiskey – the distillery’s origin, nestled within a lush valley in the foothills of the Central Highlands of Scotland and the story behind the distillery’s water source, which is, of course, a critical element behind a premium quality whiskey.  Christened ‘The Golden Dram’ – due to the pure freshwater drawn from the Pitilie Burn which was known to contain deposits of alluvial gold – Aberfeldy’s 12-Year-Old Malt Scotch Whiskey is a full-bodied, premium whiskey, golden in colour and rich in scents.  Your senses will be enveloped with spices and honeyed plump fruits, with tastes of syrup and vanilla fudge, and a whisper of smoke on the finish, all made possible by the longer fermentation process and oak cask barrels making Aberfeldy 12, super smooth. Mellowed for 12 years in handmade oak casks, this smooth, sweet dram offers rich rewards for those who like to dig deeper. Drink it neat or take your pick from the Aberfeldy cocktail collection.  Honey Highball: Tall and refreshing, this is a slightly unusual twist on the classic whiskey highball featuring chilled herbal tea as the mixer.  50ml Aberfeldy 12 120ml sweetened chilled chamomile tea (once tea is brewed, add 1tsp local honey and stir to dissolve before chilling).  5ml lemon juice Lemon garnish Golden Hot Toddy: Hot, spicy and zesty, this cocktail is perfect for cooler evenings. 50ml Aberfeldy 12 15ml local honey 20ml lemon juise 2-3 pieces of fresh ginger Hot water to top Spice mix (cinnamon, clove and star anise) The… Read More