An eco-minded surfer has crafted a quirky response to the huge waste of plastic in haircare by launching a snappy line of waste-free shampoo and conditioner bars. more
As grateful as we are to streaming services for helping us through the cataclysmic void that 2020 has been, we’ve really been missing the thrill of catching fresh new film releases. One particular movie mecca that true cinephiles have been very keen to return to in the post-COVID world is Palace Cinemas, a beloved beacon of premium indie films and limited-release flicks that you really can’t catch anywhere else in Australia. Well, the clever team at Palace has come up with a brand-new business model that allows movie buffs to get their fix of the latest releases without leaving the house – enter Palace Home Cinema. more
Spring has well and truly sprung, with summer following close behind on its heels. This change of season means it's time to treat yourself to a shopping spree and give your wardrobe a well-deserved update. So you can elevate your aesthetic without even leaving the house, global fashion retailer H&M has launched its highly anticipated online store in Australia! From today, Tuesday October 20, you can hop online and fill your cart with all of the gems you've been eyeing on your recent trips to the shopping centre. Convenience unlocked. more
Halloween is just around the corner and there's no better way to celebrate the spooky occasion than playing dress up. Thanks to Big W, your dogs can now get in on the action too, as the retailer has just dropped an adorable range of Halloween-themed petwear. Your four-legged friend is about to get freakily fashionable. more
One of the hardest things about pet ownership is that you can't just pack a bag on a whim and escape for the weekend. Logistics of feeding and dog-sitting aside, you know deep down that you are powerless to resist the look – you know the one, the 'please don't leave me' look. If you've put weekends away on the back burner because you can't bear to leave your little mate behind, we have some news that may pique your interest – QT has gone to the dogs (literally) with the introduction of Pup Yeah! fur-friendly stays at its hotels across Australia and New Zealand. more
While all eyes have been drawn to the work currently being undertaken restoring prominently positioned retail strip Colwill Place in Windsor, the revitalised hub’s first tenant has already quietly opened behind it. Beloved Gold Coast-born plant, pot and gift store The Borrowed Nursery has just sprouted a second locale in an old mechanic shed at behind the precinct, establishing a must-visit treasure trove of locally grown plants, bespoke ceramic vessels and artisan-crafted gifts. Oh, and the space doubles as a venue for hire! Here’s what you need to know about this charming newcomer … more
If the swooping birds haven't given it away, it's officially spring, which means one thing – picnics! Rolling out a rug and whiling away the afternoon with a plethora of cheese and a cheeky pet-nat is undoubtedly one of our favourite past times. But somewhere along the line, someone made the executive decision that all picnic rugs had to be plaid. Well, to that The Somewhere Co. say nay. The brand is here to save you from the status quo with a stunning range of pretty picnic rugs, cooler bags and miscellaneous goodies. more
The idea throwing some clothes in a bag and escaping the city for a few days in the mountains sounds pretty great right about now. Fresh air, freedom and reconnecting with nature – what's not to love? Unless you are a seasoned camper and have a full suite of gear ready to go when you are, it can quickly turn from a budget-friendly getaway or family holiday into something far more costly and overwhelming. Well, fellow nature lovers, there's now a brand-new campground at O'Reilly's that is perfect for seasoned campers as well as total novices. The benefits of camping minus the hassle? We're in! more
Since COVID-19 reared its ugly head, an estimated 20 million plastic sanitiser bottles have made their way to landfills or our oceans. Whilst it's of paramount importance to keep those mitts clean and germ-free, the increased reliance on single-use plastics is not particularly great news for the environment. Thankfully, there's hope – or should we say Hoap – it's hand hygiene, reimagined. more
Things are feeling pretty heavy right about now so if you're in need of a little light-hearted awwww moment, we highly suggest you set a reminder for 6:00 pm AEST to tune in to Phillip Island's livestream of its world-famous Penguin Parade. Live Penguin TV officially launched on Tuesday August 25 to a modest audience of 771,000 viewers who simply couldn't get enough of the adorable seabirds. more
Ahh, Father's Day. The annual occasion where we struggle to choose what gift we should present to our paternal figures. Will it be socks? A carton of beer? Maybe some barbecue tongs ... wait, did we buy any of those last year? We've found something original that your dad, grandpa or even your uncle won't have yet – Victoria Bitter's new fragrance. Boasting super-cool packaging and the unbeatable essence of the Super Pride hops used to brew the beer, we won't blame you if you put an extra one in the basket for yourself. more
Sometimes a spot of shopping is all you need to boost your mood and put a smile on your dial – helllooo dopamine! If you want to indulge in a little bit (or a lot) of retail therapy, then we've got some good news for you! One of the biggest online shopping events – Afterpay Day – is just around the corner. Get those digits ready to click like the wind so you can nab some splurge-worthy deals. more
Whilst a lot of skincare ranges are aesthetically pleasing, sometimes they don’t get to the root of the problem. That’s where tbh. skincare comes in. This science-first skincare line is formulated with a patented technology – XBIO – that effectively kills the acne-causing bacteria that lies within your skin. Stress breakouts sorted. more
Let’s just all agree that this year has been a pretty wild ride, which has probably (definitely) taken a toll on your soul and left your skin looking and feeling a little bit ordinary. The importance of carving out time for self care during times of increased stress cannot be understated – it’s not only good for your physical wellbeing but it’s imperative to keep your emotional and mental health in check. Sure, there are an abundance of day spas and salons within close proximity to your house but sometimes the very act of getting in the car and driving out of town for the day can be relaxing in itself. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some excellent day spas in Southeast Queensland and beyond so you can truly make a day (or night) of it – massages, facials, treatments, coffee, and most importantly, time to yourself – sounds pretty darn great to us! more
Life on land is feeling pretty overwhelming right about now so consider this your official invitation to dive deep and live out your mermaid dreams whilst exploring the newest exhibition at Museum of Underwater Art (MoUA). From August 1, Coral Greenhouse is officially open to visitors giving recreational divers and snorkelers the first peek at the colossal installation. Weighing in at more than 58 tonnes, Coral Greenhouse is the first-ever underwater building created by world-famous underwater sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor as a means to open debate about our relationship to our seas and highlight the importance of conserving them. more
The use (or should we say misuse) of single-use plastics in the home is an issue we are tackling product by product. One nasty but need-to-have tool that we have yet to find a working sustainable alternative for is cling wrap. Of course, there has been a few biodegradable cling wraps that have hit the market, but these are usually made from regular plastic with an organic additive blended in. This means it disintegrates much quicker, but sadly it still breaks down into microplastics that then flow into our ecosystems and never disappear. In other words, these products are no bueno. Thankfully a new and improved product has arrived – introducing Great Wrap, and like its namesake infers, it is a great alternative for the environment. more
It is widely understood that fashion is the second most polluting industry in the world (the first is oil, just in case you were wondering) but what isn't as straight forward is where or how to start your conscious shopping journey. One of the reasons for this is that the term 'sustainable fashion' is inherently loaded and to borrow from the beloved green ogre Shrek, it's like an onion in that there are many layers. To help you navigate the minefield, retailer David Jones has joined the likes of Net-A-Porter and The Iconic to launch a platform dedicated to share the stories behind conscious brands and makers to make it easier than ever to shop better. more
If you jumped on the gardening bandwagon during the last few months, you likely learned the saying that 'it ain't all sunshine and roses' rings very true. With the knowledge that growing your own greenery isn’t as easy as it looks, brother and sister team Tom and Prue Bauer decided to take matters into their own hands. Inspired by horticulturist-approved technology, the pair nurtured and grew a leaf-covered solution – airgarden – an easy-to-use aeroponic garden that will help prospective fresh-produce growers to sprout up to 150 fruits and vegetables in less than one square metre of space. more
Last week, we compiled five (hopefully) helpful ways to reduce the amount of plastic in your life. If you missed it, you can take a peek here and look, we don't want to rehash all of the grim details but the sad truth is that almost every piece of plastic ever created still exists in some form today. By 2050, reports indicate that the oceans could have more plastic than fish – let that sink in for a moment. Given its widespread use in literally every facet of life, reducing your plastic consumption can feel pretty overwhelming at the start – a feeling that Rachel Sebastian knows all too well. In fact, it was this exact sense of unease that motivated her to create Zilch – an online marketplace committed to turning your daily routine into a plastic-free one. more
If your four-legged friend is a little on the nose or your pupper pal sadly suffers from skin sensitivities, Cider & Basil is here to help. The pet-centric lifestyle brand was founded by Henrietta Lau in 2016 after her own dog, a 56 kg Maremma named Cider broke out in full-body welts after a bath with a pet-shop bought dog shampoo. The reaction was so severe that Henrietta took matters into her own hands and set out to create an all-natural, cleansing dog wash that not only smells delightful but is kind to irritated skin. more
