Category: LIFESTYLE

Gift Mum a RedBalloon experience she won’t forget this Mother’s Day

Red Balloon mother's day

Mums are looking forward to something a little different this year for Mother’s Day according to a national survey conducted by experience gurus, RedBalloon. Booking data shows spa and dining experiences are soaring in popularity as people are excited to create new memories and spoil mum post lockdown. Before you think about purchasing that set of random floral mugs for mum, take a look at the following figures:  Nearly 47% of mums received a gift they didn’t want or need for Mother’s Day, with one in ten Aussie mums admitting to throwing away an unwanted Mother’s Day gift.  Only 13% of Aussie mums would describe gifts from their loved ones as ‘exciting’, while 11% believe their Mother’s Day gifts as ‘the same as always’ After two years of limited opportunities to create new family memories, the majority of Aussie mums believe the best Mother’s Day gifts are the ones you can share together. A post-pandemic trend is emerging around Mother’s Day this year, with mums most wanting to receive gifts to experience with the family (46%) and unique experiences (31%). With this in mind, RedBalloon has pulled together a top list of experiences to spoil mum this Mother’s Day.  Cheese Making Class with Bottomless Bubbles  Cheese lovers out there, this one’s for you. For this interactive class you’ll roll up your sleeves and get stuck into making your very own bocconcini and burrata. Guided by an expert host and sipping on bottomless bubbles, you’ll learn all the basics of the art of cheese making, from milk… Read More

Travel trends of the future

Spain travel alley street

Many analytical agencies constantly make forecasts for the future – they determine what the exchange rate will be, how the economy will develop, and what technical innovations will be put into operation. And the travel news agency Skift has made a similar analytical forecast for the tourism industry and identified a list of trends for the next five years. In this review, we will find out how the tourism industry will change in the next few years. Trips up to 100 miles According to experts, even though the pandemic has almost ended, the consequences of it will be felt for many more years. Because long-distance travel is still subject to sanitary regulations and various restrictions imposed by governments, international organizations, and transport companies, local tourism will continue to be popular over the next five years. More people than before will choose to travel short distances (up to 100 miles / 160 km). For example, you can go to the nearest sea coast, to places of rural and nature tourism, as well as to the nearest cultural attractions. This trend is influenced not only by the pandemic but also by political instability in the world. In addition, protest environmental sentiments are now actively spread, which are directed against aviation, and citizens of different countries are striving to support local businesses as much as possible after several difficult years. The return of the popularity of long-distance travel Of course, no matter what problems arise in the world, experts do not expect a complete abolition of long-distance travel…. Read More

Lark Distilling Co celebrates legacy with a 20-year-old batch

Lark Distillery

If you’ve got some cash to splash and the taste for finer whiskey, then Lark’s got your number. Aged for 20 years and finished with precision by renowned Lark Head Distiller, Chris Thomson, the Legacy release showcases a legacy three decades in the making, culminating with this rarest and oldest single malt to emerge from the House of Lark. Legacy is rich on the nose, before taking you to sweet notes on the palette and finished with oak and spice, long viscous malt and hints of black pepper. This once in a lifetime release is a whisky destined for the collector’s cabinet and to be enjoyed on life’s most special occasions. Available from Lark for $2,499 and with only 322 bottles available, eager connoisseurs can join the waitlist to receive exclusive updates and purchase your own piece of the Lark Legacy since it released on 21 March.

All about StickyBeak: the new festival celebrating Sydney

Man chef hands food

Archie Rose make some top-notch spirits in Sydney and have since hiot the fast track on their global popularity. This year in 2022, renowned drinks writer and presenter Mike Bennie along with the distillery are bringing the best of Sydney hospitality together for StickyBeak, an inaugural two-day festival of incredible drinks, top-notch food, DJs and curated masterclasses. Made possible by the City of Sydney’s scheme awarding grants to those with a vision to help bring the city back to life, Archie Rose has curated the festival to celebrate Sydney’s rich hospitality industry from Friday 29 and Saturday 30 April, from 5pm – 10pm at Hyde Park Barracks. Local favourites on the line-up include Newtown’s much loved Bloodwood, pasta masters Fabricca, sausage kings and queens LP’s Quality Meats, our friends at Gelato Messina,  Morgan Mcglone’s newest venture SUNDAY and newcomers FIREPOP who will be butchering Blackmore wagyu onsite for charcoal-grilled skewers. And that’s just a taste. For more and to sort yourself out with tickets, head to the StickyBeak website

Learn how to travel again with Lonely Planet’s new experience guides

Aberdeen Scotland

With the world unlocked and travel now a thing again, Lonely Planet has released a new range of pocket-sized guides for the savvy traveller. Or, just anyone who needs a bit of friendly reminding of how to travel and see the world again. Called the Lonely Planet Experience series, it’s a range of guides for various global cities, led by local experts with on-the-ground perspectives. The series help travellers uncover new ways to get away from the everyday. Filled with unforgettable experiences and interesting local surprises, travellers can ‘dip in and dip out’ to experience travel with a difference. The new Experience Guides are designed for today’s traveller and are based on research that identified what travellers want –being able to guide their own trip, being surprised with fresh takes on well-known places and being able to connect with their destination through authentic, memorable experiences. Taking you from pre-trip to post-trip with all the handy must-knows and dos along the way, these guides unlock the ability to be the master of any trip overseas, putting the power of local’s knowledge into your hand – all without the pesky need for data roaming and incessant Googling or visits to peer review pages. If you’re catching yourself thinking about a trip, consider some of these destinations that Lonely Planet’s already got an Experience guide for: Japan, Italy, Portugal, Ireland, Scotland and Iceland. 29 new destinations will also be launched throughout 2022 including world regions, cities, and countries. For more of a look and to try them yourself… Read More

Mercury Retrograde: what it is and why your crystals matter

Ashley Bellino Stoned Crystals

With Mercury’s next retrograde coming up on 10 May 2022, there’s a lot to know about the planets, stars and what it all means for you, your life and how things will go over that period. We spoke to Ashley Bellino, founder of Stoned Crystals about it all and what it looks like. Join us to discover more… What does ‘Mercury Retrograde’ even mean? The planet Mercury goes into retrograde three to four times each year. During this time, it is commonly mis-perceived that Mercury is moving backwards. However, it’s just moving slower than Earth, causing the illusion that it’s moving in retrograde. In Astrology, Mercury represents the messenger. It rules all things communication, intelligence, knowledge and is rational and practical. Therefore, when Mercury is perceived to be going backwards, it can cause breakdowns in communication, technology, travel and planning. During this time, when the structures within our lives go a bit wonky, it is a great time to look within and re-evaluate in order to build stronger and more congruent foundations within our lives. A Mercury retrograde is not a time to start new things, but is rather a time to tie up loose ends, re-evaluate and finish projects. Mercury Retrograde v. Modern Lifestyles With the rise of technology, we are constantly bombarded by screens and devices; all day, every day. Because we spend such a large portion of our lives at work, we often forget to give our bodies (or more specifically, our brain) a break. Our workspaces and now even our homes… Read More

Can new lithium extraction technology be a game-changer?

Lithium electric car charger

The push for electric cars amid environmental concerns has made lithium a hot product. It is one of the base minerals for battery technology. There has been a growing demand for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in portable electronic devices (such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops.), electric cars and electric tools. Currently, the price of lithium is around NZ$15000 per tonne but due to extraordinary demand, its price even reached NZ$50,000 for some time. That lithium’s demand is skyrocketing can also be gauged from an estimate by consulting firm McKinsey. The demand will grow from an estimated 500,000 tonnes in 2021 to as much as 3.8 million tonnes by the end of the decade. Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) According to the McKinsey report, alongside conventional lithium supply, direct lithium extraction is going to be the driving force so that the industry can respond more swiftly to the soaring demand and in a more sustainable way. Most conventional mining projects are not eco-friendly. The traditional way is damaging to the environment. It generates a lot of carbon dioxide. It is believed that for one tonne of lithium extracted, 15 tonnes of carbon dioxide are generated. Even some of the direct extraction methods of using brine leaves behind brine salts. New technology within the DLE method There is a new method for extracting lithium. It extracts fluid from underground, separates minerals from water, and then returns it back to the ground. Through this method, the carbon dioxide emitted is significantly lower. This method has already been tried with… Read More

Unique experiences you can find Down Under

Uluru Australia

Australia is one of the most unique countries in the world. It has everything from deserts to beaches, tiny rural towns to international metropolises and everything in between. Its native fauna and extreme weather add to the character of the country. Many people have an imagined stereotypical Australia in their minds and they are often shocked when they discover that the reality is far more interesting. There are plenty of museums, restaurants and cities to visit. There are also some experiences you can’t get anywhere else. Whether you’re a local looking to try something new and different or a visitor trying to fit as many uniquely Australian experiences as you can into your trip, we’ve got some great ideas for you. Visit iconic filming locations While the Australian New Wave movement of the 1970s may never be as famous as its French predecessor, it deserves far more popular and critical attention than it gets. It had an important impact, both on cinema and on how the world viewed Australia. Visiting the locations where some of these classic movies were filmed is a truly unique experience. Two of the most original and moving films of the genre were filmed in small towns in New South Wales. Ted Kotcheff’s Wake in Fright (1971) was filmed in Broken Hill and Peter Weir’s The Cars that Ate Paris (1974) was filmed in Sofala, in the Turon River Valley. George Miller’s Mad Max (1980) is most likely the famous film from this period. Much of it was filmed in and… Read More

How to choose the right home builder

Home builder

Building a new home is one of the biggest investments of one’s life. Therefore, it only makes sense to double-check everything and ensure that from start to finish, there are no compromises. Given how big of a decision it is, many people opt for getting their homes built from the ground up according to their customized requirements. Quite evidently, this calls for getting yourself the right home builder. A home builder is more than just a contractor. They are an important partner in your home investment – who have the power to make or break your deal for you. From building your house to suggesting and advising along the way – a home builder is the one boss person you don’t want to compromise on. 7 Helpful tips to get yourself the best home builder Worried that you may not be able to find a home builder that suits your requirements or matches your personality quirks? Well, you have landed the right place as we have compiled a list of some splendidly helpful tips that will ensure that before you get the house of your dreams, you get the home builder who understands it. 1)  Mark the spot It is understandable if the excitement of the situation causes you to skip straight to getting yourself a home builder, but even a rightful home builder would bring you back to this step. Choosing your ideal location is an essential first step of having a home builder do the work. In fact, many reputable home builders prefer… Read More

Fun and quirky Mother’s Day gift ideas

Man hands gift

It is that day you’ve been waiting to reveal that special gift for your mother and show how much you care or value her. You may have the best intentions on Mother’s Day, but how can you surprise her with something she would love or live to remember? It can be hard to think of where to begin, especially when it comes to gifts. The good news is that there are plenty of approaches that work. When we think about mothers day, it’s not all about the food and the children. There’s more to it than that. The way you treat your mother on this special day reflects on you. In the spirit of mothering, here’s a list of some of the best and quirkiest gifts for mothers you can find online. From personalized tags and fun and quirky mugs to Mother’s Day Flowers, these are the gifts for mothers you won’t find anywhere else! Surprising her with Flowers Nothing can say “I love you” like a beautiful bouquet. Get those blooms delivered to your home for the day that your mom just can’t get enough of. You’re sure to make your mom very happy with a fantastic flower gift basket. You can choose from a variety of Mothers Day Flowers and even get the basket delivered to her work. It is the perfect way to say “I love you” on Mother’s Day. Personalized Water Bottle Strap If your mom loves to get fit, and her favorites are water bottles, a personalized gift with a… Read More