Man of Many’s Staff Favourites: 5 Things We Loved This Week (November 15, 2026)

Man of Many’s Staff Favourites is back to brighten up your weekend, as we celebrate the products, services, entertainment, and experiences that have caught our eye over the week.

We get to try so much of the cool, novel, and curious on a daily basis, but these encounters don’t always result in full write-ups or reviews. So we collect them here in the hope you’ll find something new and exciting to give your week a lift.

This week, we’ve got a weekend outing the whole family can enjoy, swimwear options for men and women, an excellent new grooming brand to try out, and a refreshing summer drink. Check them all out below!

1. Powerhouse Paramatta – Fun for Three Generations

Rob Stott – Editor In Chief

If you haven’t made your way out to Parramatta in Sydney’s west in a while, it’s time to revisit your priors. The riverfront precinct has shed its shabby, old-school image and finally feels like a genuine second CBD in Sydney – and the new Powerhouse Parramatta is the undeniable centrepiece. It’s not often you get a chance to check out a brand new, genuinely world class cultural institution, but I took a multi-generational crew – my daughter and my parents – there over the weekend . It’s rare to find a museum that genuinely lands for all three age brackets without anyone checking their watch.

For the kids, Overflow is a fun chance to splash around indoors, offering plenty of high-energy space to burn off steam. While the retro mall installation is pure nostalgia for parents and grandparents alike; there’s something uniquely humbling about trying to explain a landline phone to a four-year-old.

Before you wrap up, make sure you carve out time for The Dark. It’s an atmospheric, sensory-heavy standout that shifts the pace completely and shows off the sheer scale of what this new museum can do. Between the revamped dining options along the river and a museum that actually respects the attention spans of both toddlers and retirees, Parramatta just earned a permanent spot on the weekend rotation.

2. Gali Swimwear – The Indigenous-Owned Swim Shorts With a Better Story Than Anything Else at the Beach

A couple of weeks ago an email landed in our inbox from a bloke called David Leslie, the founder of a small Indigenous-owned swimwear label called Gali. Most of what hits our inbox this close to Christmas blurs into one, but this one stuck with me.

Every pair of Gali swim shorts is designed with an Indigenous artist, and a big chunk of the profits goes straight back to the artists and their communities. My pick of the range is the Lukarrara (Blue). The print comes from Warlukurlangu artist Pauline Napangardi Gallagher and her Lukarrara Jukurrpa (Desert Fringe-Rush Seed Dreaming), with the geometric pattern showing how the seeds fall to the ground and get gathered. That’s a far better story than anything printed on the boardies sitting in my drawer.

They’re made from a soft, lightweight recycled fabric that dries quickly, so you can go from the beach to the pub without the soggy-shorts walk of shame. If shorts aren’t your thing, there are over 30 swim brief designs (for the brave), plus sand-free beach towels that pack down into a little carry bag and make a cracking stocking filler.

At $129.95 a pair, they’re worth every cent, and I’d much rather fork out for something that actually gives back. If you’re on the lookout for a Christmas gift with a bit more meaning behind it, this is the one.

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3. Can I Have a Sleepover? – Perfect Gift For Her

Hannah Maher – Sales & Partnerships Coordinator

It’s that time of year again when I convince myself I need another bikini, despite having absolutely no shortage of them already. But this one was a little different.

I recently stumbled across a Surry Hills pop-up showcasing a bunch of independent Australian fashion and accessory labels. I’d already been following Can I Have a Sleepover? on Instagram, so seeing their swimwear in person was the perfect excuse to finally try it for myself. I ended up trying on pretty much every single style and colour before settling on the Halter Top in Green Plaid.

I’m a sucker for anything plaid, so it was always going to be a winner. It’s beautifully made, and you can genuinely tell there’s so much thought and love behind the brand. I even got to meet the lovely owner at the pop-up, which made the purchase that little bit sweeter.

I’m always a fan of discovering and supporting independent Aussie businesses, especially when you can see the passion behind what they’re creating. So, if you’re looking for a gift for her this Summer, check out Can I Have a Sleepover?

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4. Highland Haircare: Wash, Condish, Cream and Clay Pomade

Elliot Nash – Staff Writer

Being a man sometimes means neglecting the grooming side of things. Unwashed hair, zero conditioning, no styling products. Just roll out of bed, ruffle your hair and get on with it. But there’s something to be said for taking a little better care of yourself, which is probably why my fiancée has been eyeing my new Highland haircare products with envy.

I’ve been using The Wash, The Condish, Glacial Cream and Glacial Clay Pomade, a quartet of daily essentials that cleanse, condition and bring out your hair’s natural texture. Between coconut-derived cleansers, argan oil and shea butter, there’s a decent mix of ingredients aimed at keeping your hair soft, hydrated and the dreaded frizz under control. The styling products also offer two approaches: Glacial Cream for a looser, more natural look and Glacial Clay Pomade for more hold and structure.

But it’s not just the results that have me upping my grooming game. It’s the fragrance. The Wash has a wild mint and sandalwood aroma that actually makes me look forward to washing my hair. And unlike most styling creams I’ve tried, Glacial Cream comes in an easy-to-use tube that makes dispensing the right amount much more straightforward, with less mess and residue to wipe off afterwards.

Highland also touts ingredients that support healthy hair growth. Whether they do anything for my bald spot remains to be seen, but I’m sure it’ll be most gracious if they do.

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5. Smooch

Elliot Barsby – Commercial Director

There’s no shortage of new functional drinks popping up, promising everything from better sleep and sharper concentration to improved memory and increased energy throughout the day.

Australian-made Smooch is taking things in a slightly different direction, turning its attention to something a little more interesting. Desire. Specifically made to “awaken your body and set the mood”, what better place to put that claim to the test than the Man of Many office?

I can confirm it’s light, refreshing and very much hits the spot on a warm Sydney day. The Blush Rush flavour is crisp and easy-drinking, with a taste similar to Creaming Soda, just with a bit more going on beneath the surface. It’s also completely alcohol-free, caffeine-free and made without artificial ingredients.

Now I can’t personally vouch for its aphrodisiac credentials, but as far as a refreshing afternoon drink goes, I’m certainly not complaining.

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