The cooler weather has finally hit Sydney, and the Man of Many team is enjoying some brief respite from the heat. That means days spent indoors with a good book, peaceful sounds and a dulcet air of tranquillity. Unless, of course, you are in Melbourne, surrounded by thousands of people, dance parties, Formula 1 vehicles and any number of shrill-inducing activities. Each to their own, I guess. Here is what we’ve got stuck into this week, all prepped in a tidy little Staff Favourites package.
Quntis Monitor Light Bar
Scott Purcell – Co-Founder
Yes, you read that right. I’ve got no idea how to pronounce the brand name, but when I was offered to try this out, I jumped at the opportunity. I’ve already got a light bar at home from BenQ which I absolutely love and have discussed on a previous Staff Favourites, but this oneis something else.
The Monitor Light Bar comes with a battery-powered wireless remote control to adjust the brightness and warmth or coolness of the light. Some slight bugbears are that the top of the remote swivel controls the colour and side controls the brightness but I’d prefer a single dial where perhaps you double click to change between the two modes as it can be confusing if you accidentally change the colour or vice versa.
The other thing is I wish the light expanded out towards me more. While it does provide decent brightness for my desk space, it kind of dissipates closer to the edge of my desk. I’ve tired to adjust the light to cater for this but can’t really do so with it shining in my face. Overall, it’s still decent and if you haven’t already got one I strongly recommend it. It’s the 2024 equivalent of a desk lamp but cooler.
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Pale Blue USB-C Rechargeable Batteries
John Guanzon – Head of Social
I don’t know about you, but I’m always caught out without any batteries in my household when I need them. Just last weekend, I was mid-game, playing Palworld when my Xbox controller batteries died and I didn’t have any spares in the house. Spewin! Sure, there are plenty of rechargeable devices now, but a good portion of tech still relies on single-use batteries; think computer accessories, game controllers, and kid’s toys.
Not only are single-use batteries surprisingly costly nowadays, but they’re also a huge environmental nightmare with an overwhelming majority of single-use batteries ending up in landfill. Despite the B-cycle initiatives and recycling boxes, Government data estimates that 90% of handheld batteries go to landfill instead of recycling centres. Here’s where Paleblue comes in with a genius solution: USB-C fast-charging batteries.
We all know that rechargeable batteries are nothing new, but the Paleblue batteries remove those clunky battery charging docks and replace them with USB-C charging cables. The included USB-C to USB-A cable allows you to charge multiple batteries simultaneously via a regular wall charger, a power bank, or anything that supplies two amps of power. Why didn’t anyone think of this sooner?
One Paleblue smart USB-C rechargeable battery can replace more than 4,000 single-use alkaline batteries which will add up to thousands of dollars in savings. So not only are you doing your bit for the environment, but you’re saving money and never getting caught out mid-game with a dead battery. The Paleblue rechargeable batteries are available in a number of formats – AA, AAA, C, D, and 9 Volt and are available at select stores, Amazon, Woolworths, and online.
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Token Restaurant, South Yarra
Richie Hall – Video Producer
I had the pleasure of dining at the newly opened Token in South Yarra on a recent weekend in Melbourne. On the corner of Toorak Road and Darling Street, Token is a vibrant, sprawling restaurant with an action-packed open kitchen at the centre. Head Chef Jun Sun and his team take on old favourites and modern classics with a menu inspired by dishes from across Asia. The highlights for me were the Bluefin tuna nigiri, salmon + jalapeno temaki, whole split Skull Island prawn + token chilli butter and the wagyu beef skewer. The gyozas, dumplings and noodles will have to wait for my next visit. There’s a lot on offer here and it’s well worth a visit.
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KNKG Conquer Backpack
Alex Martinez – Media Sales and Brand Partnerships
You know that feeling of packing your groceries or the car and you have one of those satisfying moments where everything fits perfectly in a Tetris like fashion? This is the bag version of that feeling. The KNKG (King Kong) Conquer Backpack has a rugged but sophisticated exterior design with plenty of exteriors zips and pockets for quick grabs such as keys or your wallet. However, if Shrek has taught us anything, it’s that true beauty lies beneath the surface, and this is where the Conquer Backpack really stands out. The bag boasts customisable (including the ability to remove) internal velcro dividers. This means you can mix and match the internal structure of the bag to perfectly suit whatever you put in there. It also comes with a range of attachments to help you conquer your outdoor or athletic endeavours. Now that’s handy.
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The Medium Tote Bag by Marc Jacobs
Naman Singh – Content Writer & SEO Specialist
This tote bag is one of those items that I initially felt was largely unnecessary, but once I purchased it, I wondered how I lived without it. The Tote Bag from Marc Jacobs is available in 3 sizes – the small, medium and large. I have had the medium tote in black for about a year and a half now and I am continuously amazed by the effortless combination of functionality and style.
With it’s surprisingly large width, even in the medium size, it accommodates all your essentials, like a laptop, keys, makeup, or anything else you need to get through the day. Comfortable to carry around, with the signature Marc Jacobs design front and centre, this is the perfect everyday bag. The tote is available in classic black, beige or warm sand.
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McConnell’s Sherry Cask Finish Irish Whisky
Jacob Osborn – Staff Writer
I celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by pouring myself a few drams of this flavour-packed Irish whisky from McConnell’s. It was aged for 5 years in first-fill bourbon barrels and then finished in Oloroso sherry casks to deliver a robust ruby colour and subtly sweet taste. A nose of flower, maple syrup, grass, dried fig, cherry, lemon peel, and cinnamon gives way to a creamy palate of raisin, vanilla, cinnamon, dark chocolate, apple, and dark cherry. Malted grain comes out to play on the finish and brings notes of coffee, dark chocolate, maple syrup, and oak spice along with it.
Originally founded in 1776, McConnell’s was knocked out of business by Prohibition and then recently brought back from extinction. Now up and running with a new distillery, the label is proving itself a modern master of blended Irish whisky. And that’s “whisky” without the “e” (it’s usually spelled “Irish whiskey”) as part of a tradition that harkens back to the initial family-owned distillery. As for the Sherry Cask Finish expression, it offers a smooth texture and sherried taste and reveals plenty of nuance with every sip. Whether you’re still celebrating St. Paddy’s Day or looking for a solid whisky at a great price, this one’s for you.
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Sony WH1000XM4 Headphones
Oliver Koraca – Intern
Yo, hear me out (literally), the Sony WH1000XM4 are my favourite pair of headphones (I have a severe dent in my cranium as I am emotionally unable to remove them). They are amazing! While the newer, sleeker and sexier WH1000XM5 exist and the release of the WH1000XM6 is imminent, I just have never felt the need to upgrade. The superior comfortability, crisp quality and deafening noise-cancellation together make this headset a peak of my existence, especially when getting a ruthless swell in at the gym.
You do not need to concern yourself with the middle-aged gentleman who has just finished doing an 80kg standing hip-thrust in the squat rack (that he has the audacity to call bicep curls), followed up by a call out to you saying “back in my day… blah, blah”. You can just zone into your workout and feel as if you are the only person in the gym. I use them any chance I can get and they are by far the best headphones I have ever used. I cannot help as if life feels a little black and white with them off.
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