Big shout-out to all the dads this weekend. Whether you are in Australia celebrating Father’s Day or overseas where the date has already come and gone, we’re sending our thoughts and warm feelings your way. Being a father is no mean feat and I thank my lucky stars every day that my dad was cool, calm and collected when I was growing up. Big props to the old boy, dealing with me and my brothers surely wasn’t easy, but he made it through (relatively) unscathed. With the vibes high and the warm fuzzies practically bursting from our cores this week, we’re keeping the ball rolling with another edition of Feel-Good Friday. Have at it.
R.M. Williams Unveils Australian Paralympic Games Uniforms
Aussie icon R.M. Williams has unveiled the official ceremonial uniforms for our athletes at this year’s Paralympic Games. Showcased in a stunning display down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées for the opening ceremony, the uniforms celebrate the unique Australian spirit of both the famed bootmaker and the incredible Paralympians representing our country.
The collaboration, the eighth consecutive between Paralympic Australia and R.M. Williams, saw designers work closely with athletes to craft accessible and functional apparel that caters to all needs. With this year’s ceremonial uniforms, R.M. Williams has added push studs in place of buttons, allowing the wearer to easily button up or down with minimal contact. Elasticated waistbands have been added to trousers, and an easy zip closure has been integrated into the brand’s popular Surry Sneaker.
“R.M.Williams was founded on the premise of personal connection with our customers, understanding their lifestyles and crafting beautiful products that cater to their needs,” Paul Grosmann, R.M. Williams chief executive officer said. “We’re proud to continue that legacy today, dressing Australia’s Paralympians in uniforms that they can feel comfortable and confident in.”
The uniforms also feature ‘The Journey’, an artwork by Indigenous artist Rheanna Lotter, a proud Yuin woman and founder of the aboriginal art collective Ngandabaa. It features eight circles to represent the Australian states and territories, tracks to represent the connection between the Paralympians, and boomerangs to represent challenges overcome in the journey to the Games. The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games take place from 28 August to 8 September.
Crown Sydney Offers ‘Suite Escapes’ for Winter
There is nothing quite like a luxurious stay at a ritzy resort. Whether it’s a weekend away or a mid-week jaunt, you always come back feeling refreshed, relaxed and full of vigour. No one knows this better than the overly hospitable people at Crown Sydney, who, until October 14, are offering up the ideal getaway option.
With the luxury hotel’s Suite Escapes package, you can experience the ultimate romantic getaway for two in the outpost’s decadently appointed Executive Suite. With waterfront views of the iconic Sydney skyline, an expansive lounge and dining area, and a bevy of intuitive technology at your fingertips, this stunning room is the crème de la crème of Crown’s luxury options.
Guests will also receive a daily breakfast for two at Epicurean, the hotel’s sophisticated open kitchen buffet. Replete with cuisine from around the world and set against a stunning backdrop of Sydney Harbour, this breakfast is unlike anything you have experienced before.
The Crown Sydney Suite Escapes package also comes with valet parking and late checkout so you can leave feeling truly relaxed. Priced from AUD$849, the new deal is the perfect way to usher in an anniversary, birthday or just because you feel like it.
Human Pickle Infiltrates Spanish Tomato Festival
The lengths some people will go to, honestly. To celebrate the flavour combo of the new Pickle Flavoured Ketchup, the saucy legends at Heinz had the bright idea to send a Human Pickle into the world’s biggest tomato festival, La Tomatina in Buñol, Spain. A nationwide search ensued with 23-year-old Northern Beaches man Angus Cummings identified as Australia’s most enthusiastic pickle lover. From there, he was strapped into an oversized pickle suit, flown to Spain and unleashed amongst an army of tomato-slinging festival-goers eager to paint the town red.
“I am obsessed with the taste of both pickles and Heinz tomato ketchup. I even have a TikTok account dedicated to pickles. So naturally, when I heard about the challenge, I knew I was the right person to rock the suit and show the world how epic and delicious this Heinz flavour combo really is,” Angus said.
The new Heinz Pickle Flavoured Ketchup combines the delicious taste of tomato ketchup with dill pickle flavour for a tangy sauce that can go with just about anything. You can try it for yourself, with the condiment available in-store at Coles, Woolworths, and Metcash nationwide from 14 October.
Toyota Releases Diamonds Made From Car
Not every day does a headline like this land in our inbox, but they had us at “diamonds made from a car.” What we’re looking at here is a three-way collaboration between Toyota, Australian jewellery designer Millie Savage, and diamond creator Heart in Diamond to launch the new Toyota C-HR with a collection of nine rings, one necklace, one bracelet, a pair of earrings, and our favourite, a tooth grill.
How did they do it? They took carbon-extracted components from a pre-production C-HR and grew these one-of-a-kind lab-grown diamonds in around four weeks before Millie Savage made them into the pieces seen above. “The concept of transforming something mechanical into something organic was a major inspiration,” she said.
“I focused on the sleek lines and innovative design of the Toyota C-HR, infusing these elements into the jewellery pieces. The final products are bold yet refined, reflecting both the car’s contemporary aesthetic and my own style.”
Whether you’re in the market for a new vehilce or not, these pieces are pretty awesome in their design, and are available to purchase right now at the milliesavage.com with prices starting from AUD$1,400. The Toyota C-HR on the other hand, will cost you a little more. It’s priced from $42,990 plus on-road costs, and there’s a top-of-the-range GR Sport model that’s priced from $54,990 plus on-roads. Still, there’s no doubt it’s one of the best-looking vehicles in its segment.
The North Face Launches Largest New Format Store in Sydney
Iconic outdoor adventure brand The North Face has unveiled its largest new format store at Sydney’s World Square. With a double-height glazed facade and cutting-edge micro-tile screens, the latest outlet provides Sydneysiders with a high-tech look at the brand’s illustrious future.
According to The North Face, the new format store focuses on human connection, blending physical and digital realms, bringing nature into the store and rethinking sustainability. It’s one of three new openings in Australia this year, alongside Doncaster opening in Melbourne this September and Bondi Junction in Sydney opening in October 2024.
“We are excited to bring to market a retail experience that is globally consistent, but offers local relevance,” Stone Dong, vice president and managing director at The North Face APAC said. “Our stores provide a balanced combination of authentic outdoor apparel and equipment, while also outfitting the needs for every day. We believe the innovative technology and elevated design of these stores will resonate well with the Australian and New Zealand consumer.”
Best of all, the new opening isn’t the only big news the brand has to share. To celebrate the opening of the new World Square store, The North Face is giving the first 100 visitors a Jester Crossbody with a pre-loaded travel card. Travel cards will be pre-loaded with $20 to be used on public transport – and The North Face will be ready with suggestions of where you can explore by bus, train or ferry around Sydney. Additionally, The North Face will be hosting three days of climbing at World Square, breaking down the barriers of climbing and enabling urban explorers to ‘play different’.
“We fundamentally believe in the benefits of going outdoors, and the wellbeing it brings,” Paul Karis, general manager at The North Face Australia & New Zealand said. “Our new store will inspire people to unlock those benefits. We are excited to deliver this new customer experience to the market – a place you can go to get inspired and equipped to go exploring, whether it’s in your own backyard or the coldest, harshest places on the planet.”
Darling Harbour Gets Into the Paralympic Spirit
To mark the start of the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, Darling Harbour’s new Tumbalong Park Sound Shell and Palm Grove have been transformed into a Paralympics Live Site. From Wednesday, 28 August – Sunday, 8 September, Sydneysiders can head to Palm Grove to view all the Paralympics action, with live broadcasts on the big screens, food trucks on-site and a bunch more family-friendly options available. For more details and further information on all activities and offers, visit the Darling Harbour website.
Aria Marks a Quarter-Century of Culinary Excellence
Birthday celebrations are in order. Celebrity chef Matt Moran’s Aria Sydney is set to mark 25 years of fine dining this September, and to honour the occasion, the iconic restaurant is serving up two exclusive menus for the entire month. The new offering pays homage to the venue’s storied past and includes a 25th-birthday tasting menu of reinvented legacy dishes and a bar snack menu created by Aria alumni.
The seven-course menu will be $290pp and will feature modern interpretations of some of Aria’s most beloved dishes, including: yellowfin tuna, daikon, bergamot & dashi (a tribute to the earl grey salmon dish of 2010); scallops, Moran Family Farm guanciale, apple & elderflower (a tribute to pork belly which appeared on Aria’s menu in some iteration between 1999 – 2016); and the chocolate delice, sherry and hazelnut that graced the Masterchef pressure kitchen.
“A restaurant is nothing without its people. Since 1999, Aria has been more than just a restaurant; our guests have filled our space with joy, choosing to celebrate their special moments with us,” Matt Moran said. “Our incredible staff have brought our vision to life with passion and innovation; and our exceptional suppliers have provided the world-class Australian produce and wines that have been the foundation for our enduring legacy. All of these elements make Aria what it is, and we’re excited to have the opportunity to celebrate that, together.”
Aria’s 25th birthday celebration menus will be available from 2 – 29 September, with bookings available via the Aria website.
Black Star Pastry’s Mooncakes are Landing
Few brands in Australia boast the cult-like following that Black Star Pastry does, and for good reason. The bakery’s extensive range of mouth-watering treats is growing all the time, and this week, the champion team unveiled its latest mooncake creations. Created from snow skin made by sticky rice, the latest Chocolate and Hojicha (inspired by the signature Ume Forest Cake) and Mango and Yuzu mooncakes burst into stores on Monday, 26 August, offering fans the chance to indulge in a little celestial delight. Best of all, the traditional Strawberry & Rose and Black Sesame & Cheesecake flavoured mooncakes have also returned, much to the delight of fans. These limited-edition mooncakes are available both individually and in packs of four, so get in quick!
