Category: LIFESTYLE

Learn to draw during COVID-19 lockdown with the National Gallery of Victoria

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With the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic taking over the world, we’re in this for the long haul. So, why not learn to draw? Chances are you haven’t since high school, so, with plenty of time ahead of you and nothing but still life objects to focus on right in front of you, join some leading Australian artists in relearning how, all in collaboration with Melbourne’s greatest gallery, the NGV. They’re launching a new four-part virtual series for the Drop-by Drawing program, putting pencils back into the hands of many. At a safe distance. This virtual iteration of the program invites audiences to watch a video tutorial of a Drop-by Drawing class, which features tips and tricks on how to draw from some of Victoria’s most engaging contemporary artists. It features Victorian artists Minna Gilligan, Lily Mae Martin and Kenny Pittock giving a step-by-step guide on how to draw, whilst taking inspiration from some of their favourite artworks in the NGV Collection.  It all comes in three parts, the first of which starts this weekend! Here’s a run-down… PART ONE: PRESENTED BY LILY MAE MARTIN ON NGV CHANNEL SUNDAY 5 APRIL The first virtual drawing class hosted by Lily Mae Martin, takes viewers into the NGV’s 19th Century European Paintings Gallerywhere she takes inspiration from the life-size marble sculpture Musidora, 1878 by Marshall Wood. Musidora was a mythological ancient Greek goddess, who inspired all forms of literature and the arts and is the striking centrepiece of the gallery. Martin encourages at-home participants to focus on simple drawing exercises, including observational drawing and mark making,… Read More

4 things to know when planning your trip to Japan

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For many tourists, Japan is one of those countries they have to visit at least once in their lifetime. If you are planning your trip to this amazing country, then it is going to be the trip you will remember for the rest of your life. Many people think that traveling to Japan is very expensive, while in reality, it is much cheaper than visiting Western Europe, North America, and parts of Oceania. Some people also believe that Japan is difficult to get around and communicate. In reality, Japan is one of the easiest countries to get around all thanks to its incredible train networks that connect one city to the other. However, still, there are a lot of things you need to know before you plan your trip. What are they? Let’s find out. Visa requirements Of course, like most countries, you need a visa and passport to enter the country unless you are traveling from the visa-exempt country. It is essential to know that the Japanese government offers different visas for different purposes and lengths of time. Citizens from over 68 countries can travel to japan visa-free for tourism or business purposes while nationals from the rest of the countries would require to apply for a visa. In fact, Japan is soon introducing an eVisa in 2020, which is to simplify the application process for tourists or travelers. If you want more information on how to obtain Japanese e-Visa, then be sure to check out this website https://www.japan-visa.net/. People wear surgical masks Once… Read More

Beliefs and superstitions from around the world and why people believe them

Praying monk

Superstition, or the desire to affect unpredictable factors, makes people believe that there is a connection between non-related but co-occurring events. The belief that charms, for instance, encourage good luck or protect from bad luck is widespread and ever-present. These, some would say, irrational beliefs are passed on from generation to generation. Every country has its own, unique practices which are an integral part of their culture and tradition. So, let’s take a look at things that are considered bad mojo, how we can avoid them and what to do to break the bad luck streak. UK – fingers crossed, magpies and horseshoes “Keep your fingers crossed” is not just a common expression and a popular emoji, it is also an old British tradition when you want things to go your way. No matter if the fingers are physically crossed or the phrase is uttered, it is considered good luck and protection from evil. On the other hand, seeing an odd number of magpies is believed to be bad luck, especially if that odd number is 13, which means the devil is near. Many elaborate rituals were created in order to ward off the evil brought about by this odd flock, but these days they don’t raise nearly as much fuss. Having a horseshoe on your person, on your car or at your home is said to be all the protection you need. Australia – lucky frogs, boomerangs and cigarettes In the Land Down Under, frogs are considered a symbol of good fortune. They were… Read More

Because your hair needs to eat, too: The new John Frieda detox and repair range with avocado

John Frieda

Avocado is amazing for the bod and as it turns out, great for the hair, too. The new range by John Frieda contains works on clarifying the hair’s surface so that conditioning treatments can penetrate the hair more effectively. Using the potent combination of avocado oil and green tea, these antioxidants are high in vitamins A, B and E, helping to restore hair health and moisture levels, leaving you with instantly revitalised hair full of smoothness and shine. Why? Well, stressors of heat styling, chemical treatments, product build-up and environmental influences can leave your hair feeling dry, brittle and lacklustre. John’s got your back. See more about the range and get your own here.

Future-proofing – 5 ways to ensure you have a prosperous financial future

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If you are someone who focuses on living life to the fullest, you might not have thought much about setting yourself up for the future. But having a plan will help you to achieve your financial goals, travel to the places you want to see and take time out to spend with your family in retirement, without worrying about how to pay the electricity bill. Here are a few tips to help you on your way: Super-charge your super Most of us don’t think much about our superannuation.  We sign up to a fund, hopefully remember to consolidate our super from ghosts of jobs past and then put it right out of our minds. But if you want to ensure you have a comfortable retirement, it is never too early to take a closer look at your super fund. Are you with a retail fund, an industry fund, or do you have a self-managed super fund? Financial accountants and SMSF accountants can advise you of whether you are maximising your superannuation. If you are unsure about whether you will be financially comfortable for retirement, it is worth investing in professional advice. Pay off debt It is impossible to get ahead while juggling personal loans, credit card debt, and AfterPay repayments. If you are struggling with debt, try sitting down and listing all of your outstanding payments. Then figure out how you can start paying them off. If you are not sure where to start, try calling the National Debt Hotline on 1800 007 007. Have… Read More

No, organic wine doesn’t give you fewer hangovers

Organic wine

Drinking green when it comes to red, white and rosé wine has never been so popular. Sales of organic wines are booming, and wine retailer Cellarmasters has quadrupled its organic wine range in the last 12 months alone. “A couple of years ago we would only have a handful of wines from organic producers, but they weren’t marketed as being ‘organic’ as there was very little interest at the time,” explained Christine Ricketts, Cellar Director for wine retailer Cellarmasters. “However, in the last 12 months we’ve seen a huge surge in demand and supply of organic wines. Organic wines are free from chemical pesticides, and organic farming practices treat the environment more fairly.” “Many experts also believe organic wine tastes more vibrant than conventional wine, so there are many reasons to try organic wine if you haven’t already,” she added. But no, organic wine does not give you fewer hangovers; here, Christine debunks the most common myths about organic wine. Myth: Organic wine doesn’t give you hangovers Although organic wine tends to have less sulphites than conventional wine, it can still give you a hangover. Hangovers are caused by the alcohol content, although histamines and tannins in wine can contribute to a sore head the next day. If you want to avoid hangovers all together, moderation is key no matter what wine you’re drinking. Myth: Organic wine doesn’t taste as good as normal wine Organic wine hasn’t always had a great reputation when it comes to taste. However, these days most green wines tend to… Read More

School daze – 5 tips for surviving the pressures of exam time

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When you are in the midst of final exam time at school, it can feel as though your whole life is riding on these few weeks. People often give up exercise, socialising and family time while they shut themselves away in this room frantically cramming for the all-important tests. So, how can you get through the stress and pressure unscathed? Here are a few tips to help you on your way: Ask for Help If you are struggling in a particular subject, then now is the time to ask for some assistance. Sometimes you need someone new to take you through a concept and explain the topic in a different way to give you that breakthrough moment that you need. You can find HSC, QCE, and VCE tutors (or any other final-year acronym you need) available online, who specialise in preparing you for end-of-year exams. They will take you through the areas where you are struggling, set you practice questions, and offer tips and advice to help you remember the critical points. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare This point may be the most tedious and unwelcome piece of advice that you will receive, but the earlier that you start your prep, the less stressed you will be once exam time rolls around. Try to break your study into manageable components that can be completed one at a time. Set yourself a daily or weekly target, muster up all of your self-discipline, make yourself a sticker chart if you have to, but make sure you are taking small… Read More

Are there limits to lipo? What you should know about liposuction

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Are you considering getting liposuction done? If so, you may be wondering just what is possible to achieve aesthetically with the liposuction procedure. The more that you know about lipo, the better you will feel about making the decision to undergo the procedure. Liposuction is a versatile procedure that is often combined with other cosmetic procedures in order to enhance the results. That said, there are some limits as to what is possible with the liposuction procedure. Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure Those who are overweight or obese should not be using liposuction as a solution or treatment. Liposuction does work to remove fat and slim and trim areas of stubborn fat, but this is not a way to treat obesity. It’s a procedure with a focus on contouring your body and face, purely for cosmetic purposes. The best way to get the results that you want is to work out, eat right and lose the weight naturally. Once you’ve lost weight and have held your weight steady for several months, then you should consider liposuction as a way of treating those stubborn and difficult-to-remove areas of fat on your body. Liposuction can’t remove more than 5L According to top Sydney plastic surgeon Dr Jeremy Hunt, it’s not considered to be safe to remove more than 5L of fat from most patients. The needs of each patient will differ greatly, and the desired results will vary greatly. If you are concerned about how much fat you can realistically have removed, be sure to… Read More

Hustle Boxing Sydney – the fitness studio for the everyday hustler

Hustle boxing

Hustle Boxing is new to Sydney, encouraging quality routines for the slightly nervous, right in the middle of Sydney’s LA-style exercise hub in Potts Point. The product of Simon Maree and Tim McGann, it’s all about technical boxing meets full-body conditioning where you’ll “build a boxer’s body with a champion’s mindset”, as they say. With six different class styles inspired by the likes of Jagger, Beyonce, Michael Jordan and Adriana Lima, it’s the kind of place you to go see, be seen, break a sweat and try your hand at something with some gloves in an environment purposed to inspire confidence and encourage getting involved! The near-dark room feels like you’ve travelled to an underground club in New York and is split in two for your 50-60 minute sweat session. First up, floor work using Y-bells, resistance bands and bodyweight exercises to tone and strengthen then boxing using state-of-the-art aqua bags for cardio and endurance.  When the music starts it’s just you and the bag with lots of personal space you push yourself to new limits with the support of your trainers. Hustle aims to ‘help you challenge your muscles and mind – and win’. The schmick facilities include an open plan Scandi feel reception, Dyson hairdryers in the bathroom and they supply everything even a glove dryer so there’s no need for sweaty gloves and old ratty wraps.  Hustle Boxing is located at 176 Victoria Street Potts Point, pricing starts from $35 for a casual class and $70 per week. 

Book of Man Festival London: What it is and what you need to see

Cock art

Without men, we’d be nowhere. Primarily without penises we’d be nowhere. So, the Book of Man Festival exists in a way, to showcase man and engage them in a changing world. It’s about opening eyes, learning skills, understanding things and communicating about vulnerabilities and fears with friends, family and each other. Topic of one of the festival’s most outstanding events? Dicks, of course. Scroll down for more. For the festival; a series of events in London this March will be providing a chance to develop and enjoy new perspectives. 10TH MARCH – THE PENIS GALLERY X VAGINA MUSEUM Location: The Book Club, 7-9pm The Penis Gallery is returning after a highly successful night last year which showed penises in their (strictly flaccid) glory and featured a panel discussion about taboos and anxieties around the fellas. This will be with panelist Dr Chris Morriss-Roberts, who has studied and written about the role of penises in the locker room, and male body perceptions in general.  We also have a further coup in welcoming artist Jamie McCartney, the man behind The Great Wall of Vagina, as well as his Penis Flags, is a man very much au fait with all genitalia matters. Buy tickets 16TH MARCH – HOW TO HAVE MORE AND BETTER SEX! Location: Rotate, 7-9pm In this interactive session we will tackle the new world of sex and dating. With the format of audience Q&A a top panel will discuss people’s bedroom issues, dating worries and generally give advice for better sex and happier relationships. For couples, singles,… Read More