Winter is officially here and don’t we know it? After what seems like an endless downpour, the Man of Many team (and half of Sydney) is hunkering down in the damp recesses of their homes, eager to ward off any further bad weather. That might sound dull, but it’s the perfect environment to get stuck into a new book, series or podcast, and to be honest, we aren’t complaining. If you are in the same boat as us, why not start off with a few recommendations from the team, courtesy of our weekly Staff Favourites?
UNIQLO HEATTECH Crew Neck Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Nick Hall – Editor-in-Chief
I’ve always been a fan of the cooler weather. To me, being able to layer up is key to putting together a tasty outfit, and it all starts with a solid base. In my opinion, the HEATTECH Crew Neck from UNIQLO is a perfect go-to for anyone who wants to stay warm while also elevating their staple pieces. I am a big fan of the ultra-stretch fabric as it allows me to move freely, even when tucked in, and it still feels formal enough that you could wear it out on its own. It’s been a godsend underneath my Pendleton shirts, and I am certain that it will be getting a workout this winter.
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Oliver Cabell X TaylorMade Golf Shoes
Scott Purcell – Co-Founder
I’ve got a confession; I’m a shit golfer, but I’m trying to get better. I’m the typical guy with all the gear and no idea, but I always do my best, hacking around the course and still loving the game. So this week, I was excited to see one of my favourite sneaker brands, Oliver Cabell, release a collaboration golf shoe with TaylorMade. I usually go for the brand’s Low 1 White shoes, which fit perfectly with a pair of jeans or as easily with casual attire. The golf shoe collaboration is pretty much the same Italian luxury leather design matched with some of TaylorMade’s excellence in performance technology. They’re available for purchase starting 27 June 2024 on Oliver Cabell’s official website and limited to just 200 pairs, so you best get in quick!
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PANGAIA Nettle Denim Jacket in Mid-Wash
John Guanzon – Head of Social
Lately, I’ve been making a conscious effort to become a more mindful shopper, especially when it comes to fashion, paying closer attention to quality, sustainability and origins of a garment. With this in mind, I recently came across the brand PANGAIA whose ethos is to create innovative, eco-friendly materials and products that promote biodiversity and an Earth-positive future. While I could picture myself wearing most things in their extensive range, the Nettle Denim Jacket in mid-wash caught my eye.
At first glance, it looks like just another denim jacket, but when you delve deeper, the jacket is actually crafted with a unique blend of regenerative wild Himalayan nettle and cotton. The Himalayan nettle is a plant that grows abundantly in the wild without the need for pesticides or fertilisers. Not only that, but it helps regenerate soil health, supporting local ecosystems and communities. The organic cotton used in the jacket is grown without harmful chemicals, ensuring a lower environmental impact and promoting healthier agricultural practices.
What I love about PANGAIA is its dedication to protecting, preserving, and promoting biodiversity on Earth. The B-Corp-certified brand is at the forefront of material innovation, developing unique fabrics like Plant fibre made from bamboo, pineapple, and banana leaves, and Fruit fibre, made from bamboo, nettles, seaweed, and eucalyptus. Every product in the range is born from science and purpose, solving environmental problems and accelerating an Earth-positive future. Even celebs like Harry Styles and Justin Bieber have been spotted sporting their vibrant, eco-friendly tracksuits. Knowing all of this not only makes me confident in wearing a high-quality garment but also proud to wear a label that truly embodies sustainability with every fibre.
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Zephyr Sky Bar
Harry Parsons – Senior Branded Content Manager
Are you looking for the perfect rooftop bar for the weekend or mid-week date night? Look no further! I recently visited Zephyr Sky Bar during their Vivid promotion, and “blown away” would be an understatement. Situated at the top of the Hyatt Regency, you’re immediately welcomed with panoramic views of Darling Harbour. Enhancing the view, I had a clear sight of all of Vivid’s installations, making the scene even more magical. The atmosphere is both premium and cosy, serving as the perfect backdrop for my midweek date night.
Now, let’s talk about the food and cocktails, which were truly standout moments of the evening. Until June 15th, Zephyr Sky Bar is offering Vivid-inspired cocktails that not only look incredible on their illuminated coasters but also boast exceptional flavours, thanks to the expert bartenders and their collaboration with Four Pillars Gin. There are plenty of options, such as the Shiraz Breeze, Strawberry Blush (served in a large light bulb), and Rare Harmony. My favourites were the Yuzu Glow, featuring Four Pillars Fresh Yuzu Gin, Marionette Blue Curacao, lemon juice, and sugar, and the Pillars of Humanity, where a bartender creates the cocktail right in front of your table. This particular cocktail includes Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin, Four Pillars Fresh Yuzu Gin, Oscar Bianco Vermouth, and Marionette Orange Curacao.
No date night is complete without some food, so my partner and I really indulged in the menu. Every dish was flawless and easily shareable. The menu is extensive, but if I were to recommend anything, it would be the Truffle Arancini, Lobster Popcorn (served in a lobster tail), the filo-baked brie, and the KFC sliders.
If you plan on checking out Vivid before it ends on June 15th, I highly recommend making Zephyr Sky Bar your first stop to kick off the night!
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Wise
Alex Martinez – Media Sales and Brand Partnerships
I’m heading to Bali next week and need to handle some travel admin, including converting some Aussie Dollarydoos to Indonesian Rupiah. Thankfully, Wise, the international money management platform, made this process incredibly simple and stress-free. The user experience is outstanding, with a sleek and intuitive platform that makes everything super easy. I now have a local currency-loaded digital Wise card in my phone wallet, ready to tap and go wherever accepted. My wife has also received a physical card linked to the same account so she can indulge in a massage whilst I continue to delete beers at the beach club.
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LEGO Star Wars TIE Interceptor
Marcus Hurley – Sales and Partnerships Manager
LEGO – I could probably just stop there and submit my Staff Favourite and continue with my day. I feel there is nothing else to say. I could wax lyrical about the child-like freedom and peace building a new LEGO set brings. I could talk about the anticipation alone being enough to justify the purchase of any LEGO set. Just knowing the calm, fun and fulfilment that comes from sitting down, knolling (if you are that way inclined) – Note: Knolling is simply the process of arranging objects, in this case LEGO pieces, so they are parallel and in order – and methodically watching your creation take form.
I recently treated myself to the LEGO Star Wars TIE Interceptor. It is currently sitting on my shelf waiting for life to present the perfect opportunity to sit down and build it. I’ve toyed with bringing the box into the office and building a bag for every little success I may experience at work. I’ve made plans to build it after my partner and I have successfully got my daughter to sleep, this always inevitably ends with plonking ourselves on the couch, grateful for the opportunity to relax.
So yes. Life can get in the way of some of the things that bring us joy and relaxation, but in my opinion, this is all part of the LEGO experience. It’s not just the building, it is everything that exists around it.
The TIE Interceptor looks simply stunning (in its box) and will look even better once built, lined up next to my R2D2, Landspeeder and X-Wing. It is the latest in the LEGO Star Wars offering and already comes with the ‘Hard to Find’ tag. So, when the time comes, I’ll sit down next to my partner, taking it in turn to build one page at a time and, if I’m lucky, we may even have Star Wars A New Hope playing in the background.
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Bourke and Ward
Richie Hall – Video Producer
If you are looking for pinsa, the hand-pressed Roman-style pizza in Sydney’s CBD, then Bourke and Ward must be on your list. Think of it like a healthier alternative to pizza that looks more like a flatbread with a distinct cloud-like crust. I won’t go into the exact science of what makes it different, you’re better off trying it for yourself at Bourke and Ward. Located on Pitt St and open Mon-Fri until 10pm it’s an ideal spot to head after work to enjoy a handcrafted cocktail, beer and the flavours of Southern Italy. The highlight is, of course, the variety of Pinsa!
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