Category: LIFESTYLE

What to do in Sydney this Mardi Gras

Gay man suit cocktail

Because life, Mardi Gras this year will be different. In response to the pandemic and to ensure they’re providing safe spaces for the community to come together, this year’s Mardi Gras festival will look different than it has in the past. Here are four new events to look forward to: LAUGH OUT PROUDFriday 26 February, 2021Enmore TheatreAfter a sold out inaugural event in February 2020, Mardi Gras’ comedy gala is back for a night of belly laughs with Australia’s best and brightest LGBTQI+ comedians. Featuring a stellar line-up of hilarious queer stand-up talent, Laugh Out Proud is Mardi Gras’ comedy event of the year! Hosted by the award-winning Nath Valvo, Laugh Out Proud has loads of comedic talent for one incredible night only – including: Geraldine Hickey, Mel Buttle, Thomas Jaspers, Rosie Piper, Margot Tanjutco, Selina Jenkins, Jake Howie and Jay Wymarra. MY TRANS STORYFriday 26 February, 2021NSW Teachers Federation AuditoriumAt a time when the trans experience is becoming more visible we still rarely see stories by trans and gender diverse people on a screen, in theatres, a bookshelf or in popular culture and when we do, they focus on coming out and surgery or discrimination and hate crimes. From the personal to the political My Trans Story features proud trans and gender diverse storytellers from Sydney and beyond, including Tea Uglow, Andrew Guy plus more to be announced, celebrating their complex, sometimes funny, often fearless, always fierce histories. MY DRAG STORYSaturday 27 February 2021NSW Teachers Federation AuditoriumWith Priscilla, Queen of the Desert stamped on our national identity and Drag Race sashaying across screens there’s no doubt Drag has sunk its six-inch heels into the mainstream. From… Read More

3 watermelon cocktails to keep summer alive

Watermelon-cocktail

Summer in a weird lockdown-limbo can be hard. What’s the best way to get through it? Have a guess… Thankfully, Ciroc vodka’s intro’d a new mix for the season, making the most of the ripest watermelons the country’s got on offer. Here are the recipes. Cîroc Watermelon Le Twist 40ml Cîroc Summer Watermelon  20ml Lemonade 40ml Soda 10ml Splash of Cranberry Garnish with a lime wheel, fresh watermelon wheel & sprig of fresh mint. (1.2 standard drinks) Cîroc Summer Watermelon Sparkle 25ml Cîroc Summer Watermelon  10ml Cranberry Juice Topped with champagne (+ 5ml elderflower if desired) Garnish with a watermelon skin twist. (1.2 standard drinks) CÎROC Watermelon Frosé (Serves 4) 200ml Cîroc Summer Watermelon  3 cups ice cubes ½ bottle pink moscato 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice 625g watermelon flesh, seeds removed Mint garnish Prep: 10min Extra time: 4hr freezing Purée Watermelon Flesh & freeze into cubes. Blend frozen watermelon cubes, lime juice, vodka & pink moscato. Serve in empty watermelon & garnish with mint. (2.5 standard drinks based on 12.5% wine)

Hear the greatest opera arias in 90 mins at Sydney Opera House

Merry Widow Opera

Described as the ‘best of opera without the boring bits’, Opera Australia is putting on a 90-minute show that’s jam-packed with tunes that most people will be familiar with and not realise! The opera masterpieces are famous around the world, not just the soundtrack from a commercial and come from a completely different time by some of the greatest musical minds in history. Performed by an all star operatic cast, they’ll perform tunes that the audience will no doubt recognise from car and pasta adverts, along with films such as Pretty Woman and Star Trek. On now until 3 March 2021, the performances go for 90 minutes for $69 for adults (fees may apply). Concession prices available. Opera Australia Box Office (02) 9318 8200 www.opera.org.au

Melbourne: the NGV Triennial EXTRA festival returns

NGV Triennial 1

Art lovers rejoice! The National Gallery of Victoria’s Triennial EXTRA, its free late-night festival, returns in 2021 featuring a program stacked with live performances, DJs, dan ce, food, pop-up bars and after-hours access to the NGV Triennial exhibition, launching Friday 15 January and running nightly until 14 February. Here are some highlights to add to the diary. AS SHE FLOATS BY SCOTTY SO – Tue-Sun, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm – Exhibiting NGV Triennial artist Scotty So appears across the Ground Level of NGV International silently lip syncing a Chinese Opera inspired by the myth of the Chinese moon goddess Chang’e. Dressed in a holographic Tang dynasty style Hanfu robe with hair and makeup styled after the traditional images of the moon goddess, So performs as an offering to the spirits of the space. SCARLETT NIGHT BY SCOTTY SO –Tue-Sun, 8:30 pm – 9:00 pm – Scarlett So Hung So, artist Scotty So’s drag persona, takes visitors on a journey through time in Adam Nathaniel Furman and Sibling Architecture’s NGV Triennial installation Boudoir Babylon 2020, paying homage to Japanese actress and singer Yoshiko Yamaguchi, 60s songstress Rebecca Pan, Greek diva Maria Callas and Australia’s queen of pop Kylie Minogue. OPENING WEEKEND DJS – 15, 16 & 17 Jan, 6.00 pm – 9.00 pm – Setting the scene on the Forecourt and in the Garden, local DJs performing during EXTRA’s opening weekend include emerging talent Millú; local nightlife mainstay Andee Frost; disco, funk and electronic specialist Edd Fisher; and multifaceted classical house DJ and curator Merve. JEFF KOONS ON ICE BY HAMISH MCINTOSH – Mon, Wed & Fri, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm & 7.00… Read More

New year, new diet – But is going vegan bad for your teeth?

A child at the dentist

Veganism is one of the fastest-growing food trends in the world with A-list celebrities including Zac Efron and David Attenborough promoting the benefits of a meat-free diet.  In the space of a few years, Australia has quickly become the second most popular country in the world for vegans.  But, because nothings ever as it seems, before embarking on a dietary change you should do your research and consider the potential impacts on your oral health. We grilled with Doctor Rick Iskandar, who’s a Philips Sonicare ambassador and principal dentist at Tailored Teeth, who had some important things to say. Why do dentists go on about toothbrushes and oral health? Many of the complaints people have about their mouth and teeth are caused by plaque, a sticky layer containing colonies of bacteria and their by-products that forms on our teeth over time. Bad breath, gum disease, tooth decay and staining can all be caused by plaque being left on your teeth and gums for longer than it should be. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily limits the amount of time plaque and bacteria sit on your teeth and helps to prevent many of the smelly, unsightly or painful consequences of neglected teeth. The right toothbrush is key to good oral health. I started recommending electric toothbrushes over manual brushes a few years ago. My patients and I are interested in effectiveness, safety, and efficiency when we brush our teeth. For that reason, I recommend the Philips Sonicare range. The Philips DiamondClean 9000 model is especially… Read More

Opera’s back! Opera Australia’s 2021 season kicks off

Merry Widow Opera

In what’s probably the best piece of news to start 2021 with, Opera Australia’s back. After a hiatus of what felt like forever because of the pandemic, a brand new season has just been announced, kicking off with a show in English that everyone can appreciate. With emotions flying, the leadership of Opera Australia announced the Merry Widow will take to the stage at the Sydney Opera House in all its 50s art deco glamour. This is on from 5 January. Followed by Verdi’s Ernani in collaboration with La Scala in Milan, it’s a first for Opera Australia and the Opera House, shining a light on the magic of Verdi’s Italian classics. Followed by other classics like Tosca and a few other firsts, Opera Australia is stopping at nothing to return its singers to the stage in their world-class best. Watch below to see more about the season ahead or head to the Opera Australia website.

Overcoming weight loss plateau: What should you do?

Canterbury mens gym fitness running

The frustrating reality of a weight loss routine is that you’re likely to hit a plateau. Anybody who has embarked on a weight-watching plan faces this sooner or later. Even with the best diets and strict gyming, most people get surprised when the numbers begin to stall on the scale. According to The Insider, this may be why about 80% of weight losers regain their initial weight within a few years. Can you relate to this? It’s understandable why you’ll get upset after working so hard to hit a target only to get stuck. Find out below what you can do. Cut more calories Active females are required to consume 2200 calories daily, while active men need 2500. However, for those targeting weight loss, your cut back should not go below 1200 calories (for all genders). This rule stems from medical studies that state that less than 1200 calories a day increases the chances of overeating. In relation to weight plateaus, the math works quite differently, and you’re about to find out why. Dieticians recommend cutting back from 2200 to 2000 calories in the first few weeks of your weight loss routine. After that, you should continue to adopt a gradual decline until you finally hit 1200 calories. At each stage of the decline, your body gets used to your daily consumption rate until it plateaus. It therefore makes sense that cutting back more will force your body to shed off more muscle along with fat as you get in shape. Remember that as you lose weight, your… Read More

What people can expect from finally re-emerging after Covid lockdowns

House party

Australia had to impose some strong restrictions on people, and they’ve had to do this for some time. While Australia’s response has helped the country fight this virus more effectively than many other countries, the people still had to remain inside, but that is now coming to an end. People are going to be re-emerging soon, and it’s important to know what that might look like. Hyperfocused on cleanliness The reality is this pandemic has opened everyone’s eyes to a whole new world. People are focused on cleanliness because they’re more aware of viruses and bacteria. You have probably seen many videos or read all sorts of information telling you how easily things can spread. This new focus on cleanliness might create all sorts of social norms, like scoffing at anyone who doesn’t clean their hands well or does something unsanitary when others are around. People might have been able to tolerate unsanitary behavior, but that’s not the world people are going to see after the pandemic is over. Hard to cope Living for so long under lockdowns and dealing with the economic blow the country has taken has created negative feelings in many people. Yes, people will be happy once the pandemic is over, but that doesn’t mean people won’t be on edge. For one, living in isolation gives you the freedom to not worry about other people. Still, once the lockdowns are over, everything starts again. Face it, people aren’t always good. Sometimes, they’re downright bad like the CMC lawyers and the sexual… Read More

Make it creamy: Creams’ new round of fabulously-flamboyant desserts

Creams indulgence doughnut box 3

For everything sugary, carby and delicious, there’s only really one name you need to know in London: Creams. Encircling the city, Creams are the place to go for fabulously flamboyant desserts and sweet treats, celebrating all things vibrant, colourful and fun. Think gelato, loaded waffles and sky-high shakes, to crepes, cheesecakes and even savoury choices, there’s something for everyone on the menu. Currently, they’re pumping the doughnut option from November onwards, that rival even the biggest names in doughnut providores around town (sorry Doughnut Time and Crosstown!). Add on top of that the usual Creams staples like shakes, crepes, sundaes and the rest of it, you’ve got a whole menu that spreads the whole gamut of things your dentist would slap you for eating. Coupled with fluffy waffles, sweet-but-not-sickeningly-so cookie doughs and generous scoops of icecream finished with lashings of sauces and syrups, Creams cafes are the producers of some of the best desserts known to man – and it’s easy to see why. “We’re even more proud of our commitment to diversity. People matter more to us than anything else (even ice-cream) and we open our arms to everyone both as customers and in our cafe teams”, they say. Like desserts, like philosophy! Find your nearest Creams at their website.

3 reasons Sydney’s property market may rise in 2021

House home

Real estate markets around the world were impacted by the events of 2020. Some markets fell, others remained stagnant, and reduced housing inventory pushed prices up in others. Sydney’s market in 2021, from the perspective of property buyer agent Sydney, has the potential to rise in 2021. There are a lot of positive signals and government action being taken that indicate 2021 will see Sydney’s market rise and possibly the rest of Australia’s markets. 1. FHLDS will help first time home buyers First home buyers are at a disadvantage when buying a home because they don’t have another home to sell to cover costs. The First Home Loan Deposit Scheme offer deposit rates of as low as 5%. The scheme also eliminates the need for mortgage insurance. When the federal budget was announced in October, the scheme was expanded to 10,000 eligible buyers. Sydney buyers will be able to use the scheme for homes up to $950,000. 2. Low interest rates are here to stay While the market starts to recover, interest rates will play a major role in Sydney’s market. Low rates are always favourable because they enable buyers to pay less for home ownership. Rates are between 1.77%% and 3.95%, with variable rates tending to be lower. The rates for some home loans are as low as 1.77%, but rates may fall even lower in 2021. Lower rates indicate a buyer’s market, and along with the FHLDS program, these lower rates may help would be buyers land in their first home or newly… Read More