Innholdsfortegnelse for Christmas 2017 i Australian Women’s Weekly NZ

For this, our Christmas issue, I asked our wonderful AWW team to write a few words about what they love most about the season. For some it was easy, while for our Deputy Editor, Emma – a true worshipper of everything Christmas – it was hard to fit her favourite things into just a few lines. Admittedly, just getting our heads around the fact that Christmas is a few short weeks away takes some effort for most of us. Life is always so busy at this time of year, it’s difficult to think about getting present lists together, fighting your way to the back of the garage to find the box of Christmas decorations (and the tree stand, which in our house we can never find and end up buying…

A good read Pearl of wisdom“ Need to soften butter without melting it? Warm a small glass in the microwave for a few seconds, then place it over the butter. It will quickly soften and be perfect for spreading. ” What a joy to read your November issue. I especially loved the Mimi Spencer article about middle age. I am in my 60s and I can really laugh about some of Mimi’s observations. Your regular columnists Jo and Pat are always a good read. Thanks for Monica McInerney’s travelog about Dublin – where I lived for several months. What a beautiful place it is with genuinely kind people. JILL Gutsy lady I read with much admiration the Georgina Beyer interview with Judy Bailey in the October edition of your…

It’s a chilly early Sunday morning on The Mall in the heart of London. The regal red road running from imposing Admiralty Arch at Trafalgar Square to the heavenly gilded Winged Victory statue atop the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace has been closed off to cars for a few precious hours and transformed into a scene from the 1950s. Morning joggers are politely asked to take a detour as vintage cars – Triumphs and Rovers – are parked up and 22 extras, picked for their retro haircuts and 1950s look, parade in period costume – nipped in waists, long pencil skirts; and men in homburgs, brogues, grey suits and trench coats. This is the only time the road can be closed, and director Ben Caron is working…

Not many people know this, but if you go into labour unexpectedly, Joan Withers is the woman you want by your side. One of our leading businesswomen, Joan commands respect in the boardrooms of some of our biggest companies and has been the recipient of several awards, including the Supreme Winner at New Zealand’s Women of Influence Awards in 2015. But in April this year she found herself at the business end of helping her daughter-in-law give birth. By her own admission, Joan is “not good with blood or anything like that”, but it’s amazing what reserves she discovered she had when the chips were down. Her son Jamie and his partner Margaret had come to stay in the granny flat on her lifestyle block at Karaka. Joan and her…

“ Know your limits, Mum! Don’t do the flaming pudding thing. ” In the weeks leading up to Christmas, my mother was always at the kitchen table surrounded by her cookbooks. Final decisions had to be made about Christmas dinner. Of course, there would be ham and turkey, but what my mother loved most was making Christmas cakes, sweet biscuits and her famous Christmas chocolates – delicate, shiny mini puddings with spun sugar holly leaves on top. They sat in rows on a giant tray on the back verandah to cool and set. Eat one and the theft was obvious. Eat a whole row and it wasn’t so obvious. On Christmas Day, my mother opened the china cabinet and brought out the good dishes. The cabinet had found a way…

Golden glamour If you can’t try a little glimmer and gold at Christmas, when can you? The beauty of this look is in the pairing of a finely pigmented gold shadow with a reflective red lip. A bold red lipstick will always turn heads, regardless of the level of precision you feel confident with when it comes to application. The good news is, the range of reds available right now, from buildable lip stains to punchy matte lipsticks, means there’s an option for everyone. For the glamorous golden touch, you can go all out with a soft halo of gold shadow around the eye or use it as an accent on the lid and inner corners. Choose a radiant liquid foundation with good coverage or use a luminising primer underneath…

Q My husband has been getting a lot of dandruff lately. None of the anti-dandruff shampoos are working. What causes it and what else should he try? T.O. He should see his GP so that the skin of his scalp can be closely examined. A gentle unscented non-soap scalp cleanser may be all that is needed. However, it may be seborrhoeic dermatitis, psoriasis or a fungal skin infection needing specific medical treatment. Q My job requires me to be at my computer all day. I have been experiencing very watery and bloodshot eyes recently. Can you suggest something to help them? I sometimes use saline drops, but that’s all. K.L. Your red eyes may not be related to your computer use. Have your eyes checked by your GP or optometrist.…

“This show-stopper dessert is a triumph of textures – buttery crisp pastry, toffeed cherries and a cloud of meringue.” Cherry marshmallows MAKES 24 PREP AND COOK TIME 45 MINUTES (+ REFRIGERATION TIME) ½ cup (125ml) water 8 teaspoons powdered gelatine 1½ cups (330g) caster sugar ⅔ cup (230g) glucose syrup ½ cup (125ml) water, extra 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste few drops red food colouring ¾ cup (120g) icing sugar 1½ tablespoons cornflour CHERRY JAM 250g cherries, seeded, chopped coarsely ½ cup (110g) caster sugar 1 CHERRY JAM Place cherries and sugar in a medium saucepan; cook, stirring, over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Simmer for 12 minutes or until cherries are soft and jammy. Cool. 2 Lightly grease a 20cm x 30cm slice pan; line base and sides…

White sangria spritzer MAKES 1.5 LITRES (6 CUPS) PREP AND COOK TIME 20 MINUTES (+ REFRIGERATION TIME) Stir 4 strips orange rind, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 star anise, 8 cloves, ¼ cup caster sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. Simmer for 5 minutes or until thickened slightly. Transfer to a heatproof jug; cover. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until cold. Strain mixture into a large jug. Add ⅓ cup brandy, 2 sliced white nectarines, 2 cups chilled sparkling mineral water and 750ml bottle chilled sparkling white wine (or moscato for a sweeter version). Top with fresh lemon balm or mint leaves. Non-alcoholic option You could drop the brandy and swap wine for sparkling white grape juice. Elderflower mimosa MAKES 1.75 LITRES…

1. Sugar and spice LUSTAU PEDRO XIMENEZ ‘SAN EMILIO’ $32 (375ML) It’s the time of year for indulgences, so if sweet wine is not usually on your list, now’s the time to try it. This is a rich, dark, unctuously sweet sherry, redolent with treacle, sultana and spice cake notes. 2. Bargain buy 2017 VILLA MARIA PRIVATE BIN MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC $15 A zesty lift of fresh mown hay underpinned by ripe passionfruit, pink grapefruit and gooseberry notes. Its great value means you can buy more salmon or shellfish to match! 3. Fab fizz 2014 TOHU ‘REWA’ MARLBOROUGH BLANC DE BLANC BRUT $33 A precise, lemony fresh bubbly made from 100 per cent chardonnay, ‘Rewa’ has plenty of depth of flavour and verve – add a strawberry to the glass…

“Cards were a festive straw-poll of your family’s popularity.” Is it really better to give than to receive? As a perennial Christmas card-posting procrastinator, I couldn’t possibly comment on that. Last year, I only got one Christmas card in the mail. It had a New York postmark. “But I don’t know anyone in New York,” I thought as, intrigued, I ripped open the envelope. It turns out I did know someone in New York. One person. A dapper young raconteur with impeccable manners, an erudite turn of phrase and surprisingly elegant handwriting for a man of his age. It was from TVNZ Breakfast host Jack Tame, thanking me for my weekly gardening contributions to his Saturday morning show on Newstalk ZB, and crediting me with the continued survival of the…

1 Sail away in the Bay of Islands Chart your own voyage in the Bay of Islands for a self-catered Christmas on azure waters. The Sensation yacht is licensed to cruise more than 270km of coastline from the stunning Poor Knights Islands to the western side of Great Barrier Island. Cook up a Christmas feast while anchored off a secluded island or head to Motorua Island to dolphin watch. When: For Christmas 2017 bookings, visit baycharters.co.nz. 2 See the Caribbean Spend Christmas with Santa on a surfboard on the waves of the FlowRider simulator. Onboard a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise departing from Florida on the Harmony of the Seas, Action Saint Nick will be ziplining and in the skydiving simulator as well. Harmony of the Seas is one of the…

“ This is not a rose-tinted childhood fairytale. ” Goodbye Christopher Robin Directed by Simon Curtis. Starring Domhnall Gleeson and Margot Robbie Winnie-the-Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore… these marvellous make-believe characters have been a staple childhood read for generations, A.A. Milne’s world of Christopher Robin a favourite of children and their parents the world over. The real story behind the characters is now the subject of a film, Goodbye Christopher Robin. The first thing you need to know is that this is not a rose-tinted childhood fairytale movie for the family to enjoy on a rainy Sunday afternoon. This is a darker, far more grown-up story of a man and his family struggling through the trauma of war – a man who finds solace in his own imagination, and…

ATOPIS No more cover-ups! Clinically shown to restore hormonal balance, Atopis gives your skin an undeniably youthful glow. Intense hydration and a powerful blend of peptides, lipids and antioxidants create firm, evenly-toned, plumper skin. The Atopis range has been scientifically formulated to stimulate cellular turnover for revitalised skin that exudes a natural, healthy radiance. www.atopis.com SNOWBERRY RENEW is the perfect moisturising body oil for all skin types and all ages, including children, and is safe for use during pregnancy. It helps to tackle those stretch marks too! RRP $49 for 100ml. www.snowberry.co.nz LOVELOOPS Celebrate those you love this Christmas with an exquisite piece of personalised jewellery from LoveLoops. Handcrafted in New Zealand, these timeless pieces represent the everlasting bond shared between two people. Belle Sterling Silver LoveLoops set, RRP $479.…

Sagittarius Nov 23-Dec 21 If you are juggling your finances this Christmas, you can blame Saturn, which is entering your finance zone for the first time in 29 years. The world’s economies are set for a reality check, so currency exchange rates may affect you. Try to find your feet and ground yourself. If you feel your situation has become too complex, look for a simpler way of managing things. The more work you can do on this now, the easier 2018 will be for you. Capricorn Dec 22-Jan 20 Your ruling planet, Saturn, is changing signs in a 29-year cycle, so this will be an unusual Christmas when you may want to be alone. People look for a spiritual message at this time of year and you are no…

The summer fruit I wish I could eat year round is... “ MANGO. ” IF I COULD SWIM AT ANY NEW ZEALAND BEACH EVERY DAY, THE BEACH I WOULD CHOOSE IS... Enclosure Bay on Waiheke Island. If I had to choose another career I would be… An author of fiction, or a farmer. Actually I’d be a fiction-writing farmer. The unhealthy food I most wish was healthy is… Hot chips! The meal that truly says summer to me is… It’s not the food but the setting. Summer to me is eating fresh, wholefood outdoors. My best Christmas memory… It was the year I was given two ducklings, whose mother had died. I had an old metal sandpit that I filled with water for them so they had a pond…

MICHELE CRAWSHAW Editor - Christmas decorations made by our kids over the years. I love walking past the tree and seeing all of their wonderful handmade treasures. EMMA CLIFTON Deputy Editor - The movie Love Actually, eggnog, Michael Buble’s Christmas album, Neil Diamond’s Christmas album, Christmas Starbucks, Home Alone 2 and Mum’s Christmas cooking. BRONWYN MACKENZIE Art Director - On December 1, I love getting out the Christmas decorations and having a festive home for a month. I especially love my framed Christmas tree that is made up of jewellery from my mother, grandmother, nana, great aunts and even one piece from my great-grandmother, who I was lucky enough to know. A beautifully kitsch piece of nostalgia. MARSHA SMITH Designer/Craft Editor - I simply love making gifts for others, but…

We love entertaining with family and friends at Spotlight! Now that Christmas is almost here, it’s time to get organised for hosting family and friends, so why not enjoy it too! At Spotlight, we have everything you need to decorate your table setting and take your Christmas party outdoors in style. From the Classic Christmas Collection with rich reds, forest greens and ornate gold to the new Christmas range with its touch of contemporary luxury, you’ll love choosing from the huge range of on-trend kitchen and outdoor dining collections at Spotlight stores. Head to your nearest Spotlight and get into the spirit of the season with a wonderland of Christmas homeware, decorations, table settings, crafting and ideas to enhance your festive feast. Celebrate with Spotlight www.spotlightstores.com A little attention to…

“ Don’t feel any guilt for taking lots of short cuts and not making everything from scratch. ” After decades of Yuletide madness I’ve decided to take advice from the movie Frozen… and just “let it go”. Don’t get me wrong, we’re not ditching Christmas, but rather I’m giving myself permission to make it easy on myself. It’s all the stress and associated guilt I’m ditching and we’re going to have a lovely, simple, meaningful festive season where smiles and happiness will be the order of the day. Well, that’s the plan anyway. I’ve finally figured out that it’s you who gets to choose the kind of Christmas that’s right for you and your family. There is no need to buy into all the frenzy and hype if you don’t…

PHOTOGRAPHY • MIKE ROOKE STYLING • LULU WILCOX HAIR AND MAKE-UP • MELLE VAN SAMBEEK MODEL • ZOE STOWERS FROM UNIQUE MODELS LOCATION • twentyone & THE SUGAR CLUB AT SKYCITY AUCKLAND…

1. Elizabeth Taylor Love & White Diamonds EDT, 100ml, $89. A bright and feminine scent redolent of citrus flowers. 2. Mon Guerlain EDP, 50ml, $173. Vanilla is the opening hit from this fresh oriental scent that wears warm and sweet, yet chic. 3. Jimmy Choo L’Eau EDT, 60ml, $99. A heart of nectarine and peony brightens this fresh floral. 4. Kenzo World EDP, 50ml, $150. Stand out from the crowd with this edgy floral that dries down to a musky amber scent. 5. Lancôme La Vie est Belle L’Eclat EDP, 50ml, $168. Sparkling and bubbly, it’s happiness in a bottle, with orange blossom, sandalwood and vanilla. 6. Emporio Armani Because it’s You EDP, 50ml, $135. Sweet and luscious with a romantic, modern mix of ripe raspberry, rose and vanilla. 7.…

Banana cinnamon date stacks MAKES ABOUT 10 A chewy, cinnamony dacquoise base studded with sticky dates, layered with fresh cream, sliced banana and toasted almonds, then finished with lashings of dark chocolate ganache – what’s not to like? DACQUOISE 6 large egg whites 300g (1⅓ cups) caster sugar 150g (1½ cups) almond meal, sifted 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon 100g (¾ cup) pitted dates, roughly chopped GANACHE 80ml (⅓ cup) cream 100g (⅔ cup) dark chocolate melts (buttons) OR chopped dark chocolate CRÈME CHANTILLY 600ml cream 60g (½ cup) pure icing sugar OR icing sugar mixture, sifted 2 teaspoons vanilla extract OR vanilla bean paste OR vanilla essence BITS & PIECES 6 bananas 160g (1 cup) toasted almonds, roughly chopped 1 Preheat the oven to 130°C fan-forced. Line four baking trays…

Three tips for the perfect pavlova The classic Christmas dessert is known as being a tricky one to get right. Here are three quick tips to get that pavlova spot on. • Don’t cook other dishes or boil the kettle when making pavlova – these activities create steam, which adds moisture to the air. • To give structure to your meringue so it’s less likely to collapse during baking, run a flat-bladed knife up the side all the way around to make furrows. • Leave the pavlova in the oven after baking to cool and dry out completely. Just remember to keep that door closed or you risk a cracked pavlova. The best roast vegies For extra-crispy roasties, add ½ teaspoon of baking soda to the water in which you…

ASK THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S WEEKLY Q The studs on the bottom of an old bag have put rust marks on my cream-coloured wool carpet. How do I remove them? A. Murphy. Pour small mounds of uniodised salt onto each mark, then moisten with just a few drops of lemon juice. Do not saturate – the marks should still be covered with damp salt. Leave the mounds to dry completely, then vacuum the salt away. Simple stencils To make a simple stencil for numbering your rubbish and recycling bins, print numbers in a large clear font on your computer, trace them onto thin cardboard and cut out, leaving a stencil. Tape the stencil to the bins and paint them with spray paint or a brush, then remove. You are here When…

“ I think people have grown tired of quick-fix presents bought in a hurry. ” Everything is pregnant at my place in the country right now. My fruit trees have tiny plums, tiny apples, tiny peaches and tiny nectarines precariously balanced on the tips of branches where blossom had struggled then prevailed in our windy, wet spring. My vegie garden has tomato blossom and some tiny tomatoes, my potatoes are plumping up under the ground and my cabbages are forming. I love this time of the year, full of the promise of things to come. It’s not long until we will be able to dine on ripe, sweet tomatoes warmed by the sun and plums popping with flavour. Not long until we spend hot afternoons walking down to the…

GIVEAWAY The critically acclaimed circus extravaganza Cirkopolis – by Montreal-based troupe Cirque Éloize – is set to thrill Auckland audiences from December 5-10 and we’ve got the ultimate prize pack to give away. The prize pack includes four Cirkopolis Premium Elite tickets, giving you access to an exclusive pre-show lounge at The Civic, a free beverage on arrival and during interval, and a Cirkopolis souvenir programme each. To enter, email awweditor@bauermedia.co.nz, subject line “Cirkopolis”, or enter online at nowtolove/cirkopolis and enter the code AWWMG012 by December 1, 2017. Follow us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/awwmagazine and on Instagram @awwmagazine.…

I meet Deborah Moore in an elegant old-school hotel in Knightsbridge, London. It must have been the bee’s knees in the 1980s. It’s the one that her father, Roger Moore, used to love. In fact, she’s sitting in the exact same seat in the exact same cocktail lounge where I last met Roger about 18 months ago. We’re here to talk about her father’s last book, À Bientôt... At the time of writing it, he had no idea it was a full-on “à bientôt” (“bye for now”) because he felt very alive, very himself, very switched on, always joking. “Who is this fella in the mirror?” He didn’t feel as if he was in his 90th year. He’d say, “What is old age? Does it define us? Where did the…

In his letter to his daughter following a bittersweet day on November 20, 1947, walking his “Lilibet” up the aisle, King George VI wrote, “I can see that you are sublimely happy with Philip, which is right, but don’t forget us.” It was a love match that young Princess Elizabeth had fought for. She first met naval officer Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark when she was an impressionable 13-year-old, but her father made her wait until after her 21st birthday to become engaged. Five years later, the young couple, now with two children, were thrust into the biggest jobs in the land when the King died and Lilibet became Queen Elizabeth II. “Lilibet is the only ‘thing’ in this world which is absolutely real to me and my ambition…

Ferrero Rocher has been part of celebrating moments of togetherness since it began as a family business in Italy in the 1940s. From gifting choices for loved ones or colleagues, like the golden Ferrero Rocher Cube Gift Box or the impressive Ferrero Rocher Cone, giving and receiving a box of rich, creamy Ferrero Rocher chocolates is always a delight. This Christmas, create special moments for family and friends with Ferrero Rocher as your inspiration, and bring delicious creativity to the festive table with a beautiful Ferrero Rocher-topped dessert recipe and elegant crafted bon-bon table setting. Watch the eyes of your guests light up as you bring out these brown sugar meringues topped with Fererro Rocher. They’ll love the delicious crunch of the Ferrero Rocher wafer shell, the creamy filling and…

White wear Keep it light this summer with whites from Witchery. The simplicity of the seamless Milano dress, $160 (XXS-XL), makes it a classic staple you can keep for years to come, and the feminine off shoulder embellished top, $170 (4-16), is a lovely look for day or evening wear. See witchery.co.nz. Dress sense! Nothing says summertime like a floaty floral frock. Dress it up with a pair of heels for a party or team it with sandals and a wide-brim hat for the beach. Splurge on the silk Liam Audrey dress (left), $349 (6-14), shop.rubynz.com, or save with the Max Suzie split shoulder wrap dress, $150 (6-18), maxshop.com. ICONIC COLLECTION  If you love the bold, oversized costume jewellery that was popular in the 1980s and 90s – think the…

Imagine the moment I saw the films of my own lung scans placed up on the light box in the specialist’s office. Because of my years of experience as a doctor, I did not need to be told the result, or read it in a report. Spontaneously and uncharacteristically, tears began to roll down my face. Blood clots. All through my lungs. Within minutes, an emergency trolley had arrived and I was surrounded by a team of intensivists and physicians, an oxygen mask appearing as a cannula was inserted into a vein in my arm. I remember feeling as though I was observing all the drama from a distance. It wasn’t really happening. This must be a mistake. The denial phase passed fairly rapidly as I was wheeled into the…

Gut health Did you know one of the best ways to lose weight and keep it off is having a healthy gut? Studies have shown that the intestines of those who are overweight or obese contain more bad bacteria than those of lean people. The more bad bacteria in your gut, the less beneficial bacteria there is assisting with digestion. So if you are trying to lose weight, it might be worth looking at improving your gut health by taking beneficial probiotics. Non-dairy sources of calcium We are told from a young age that calcium is important for building strong bones, but what if you can’t eat dairy? Did you know you can get your calcium needs from something other than dairy products? White beans, oranges, almonds, sardines, figs, leafy…

Three-in-one basic fruit mix MAKES 9 CUPS (2.5KG) PREP TIME 40 MINUTES (+ STANDING TIME) Ideally, make this recipe one month ahead. This basic fruit mix is enough to make a regular-sized cake (see recipe, right), a boiled or steamed pudding to serve 10 (see recipe, overleaf), and 12 mince pies (see page 105). 170g packet dried cranberries 2⅓ cups (375g) sultanas 2 cups (320g) currants 2⅓ cups (375g) coarsely chopped raisins 1 cup (150g) finely chopped pitted dates ⅔ cup (120g) finely chopped pitted prunes 1 cup (200g) finely chopped dried figs 2 large (400g) apples, grated coarsely ¼ cup (90g) golden syrup or treacle 2 cups (440g) firmly packed dark brown sugar 1½ cups (375ml) brandy 2 teaspoons ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon…

Sizzling harissa prawns SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK TIME 20 MINUTES (+ MARINATING TIME) 24 (1kg) uncooked king prawns 1 lemon 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1-2 tablespoons harissa paste (see Julie’s tip) ¼ cup (70g) Greek yoghurt 1 cup (200g) jasmine rice 1½ cups (375ml) chicken stock ⅓ cup (80ml) extra virgin olive oil 1 medium (200g) red capsicum, chopped 1 medium (170g) red onion, chopped 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon smoked paprika ¼ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 1 Shell the body of prawns, leaving heads and tails intact. Run a small knife down the back to “butterfly” prawns; remove vein. 2 Finely grate rind from lemon; cut lemon into wedges. In a large bowl, combine rind, garlic, harissa, yoghurt and 2 tablespoons water. Add the prawns; toss…

“ Sparkling wine is the ultimate festive mood setter. ” I always write this particular column with an internal wail, going something along the lines of “What?! Christmas already?! What happened to the year?!” Despite my perennial best intentions, the festive season again looms with no diligently purchased and wrapped presents tucked away, no plans for the who/what/ wheres of Christmas dinner, no tree lights unravelled... frankly, just no idea at all really. Oh well, there’s some comfort in such familiar territory, and of course I’m always safe in the knowledge that come December I have plenty of wine on hand! So it’s definitely time to get on to my favourite Christmas “chore”: planning the menu and its accompanying wines. Whatever your festive style, a handful of well-chosen wines will…

What you need Large Christmas baubles (no glitter and preferably with a matt finish) Fine sandpaper Pencil Small paintbrushes Empty toilet paper roll A4 sheet of cork Scissors Hot glue gun Resene Art Action Clear Glaze gloss (optional) Twine Selection of Resene testpot colours: 1 Give baubles a light sand to remove any dirt and roughen up slippery surfaces. This will help the paint adhere well. 2 Rotate baubles so the “seam” forms the side of each creature’s head. Use a pencil to divide the “face” of each bauble into four parts (see dotted lines on drawings below). 3 Using the drawings as a guide, pencil in curved lines to mark the forehead of the deer, owl and fox and the face of the hedgehog. The lines all come from…

SET THE SCENE Establish a theme for your Christmas get-together. We’re loving this rustic ensemble with a hint of country flavour thrown into the mix. Get the look by using stone ceramics, wooden accents and a pop of colour to keep things cheerful. TREE CHANGE A decorated tree is synonymous with Christmas, but if you fancy a break from the classic pine or want a more simplistic approach, let these ideas inspire you. SOOTHING SANCTUARY If you’re doing a spot of redecorating and want to create a relaxing retreat (which might be needed after the festive frenzy!), consider a palette of soft hues and muddied pastels. We especially like the aptly named Resene Soothe, which beautifully complements the green tones of Christmas. INTO THE WOODS If you’re after a Scandinavian…

The boys are back! Join Sol3 Mio for their concert season this summer. The boys will serenade crowds all over New Zealand with a mix of opera arias, traditional songs, hits from their albums, and everyone’s favourite Christmas carols. For more information, go to ticketmasterco nz BEACH POLO The “Sport of Kings” is coming to Auckland’s North Shore on December 14 and 15. Mixing horses and high fashion with a beautiful beach vista, Takapuna Beach Polo promises to be a glamorous day out. The event is also offering beachside styled picnic hampers full of goodies. For more information, go to beachpolo.co.nz. Catch the Peace Train with Cat Stevens Musical icon Yusuf/Cat Stevens will return this December for his second-ever New Zealand tour to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his first major hit single…

Special INTEREST The Crown: The Inside History by Robert Lacey, Allen & Unwin. The exquisite Netflix drama has refocused the royal spotlight on the Queen, as it shows the early, complex years of her monarchy and the private and public battles she had to face. In this gorgeous book, royal biographer Robert Lacey – the historical consultant on both The Crown and Helen Mirren’s movie The Queen – has created the ultimate guide to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. The book is also filled with beautiful photos of the royals and their on-screen counterparts. My Mother’s Kitchen, Potton & Burton. There’s nothing quite like Mum’s home cooking, even when you’re a famous chef. More than 70 of New Zealand’s favourite foodies, from magazine writers to celebrity chefs and TV cooks, share favourite…

1 Every recipe in The Australian Women’s Weekly is triple-tested by our world-famous Test Kitchen, established in 1950. Each dish is created by our food team, then tested three times to ensure it works as well for you in your kitchen as it does in ours. 2 You can trust The Australian Women’s Weekly’s food team to be first with the new trends – after all, we introduced Chinese cooking into homes in the 1970s and are now giving mainstream appeal to the new world of superfoods and clean eating. 3 Ingredients will always be in your local supermarket and if we do suggest an exotic item, we always give an alternative that’s easy to find.…