Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2018 i Australian Women’s Weekly NZ

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are just a couple of months away from exchanging vows at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. No doubt there are many touches still being put to the big day – final dress fittings, meetings with florists, caterers, photographers, cake decorators and the like. I remember my wedding 16 years ago and how much work it seemed to be to organise a comparatively small affair for 85 family members and friends. I can’t begin to think what a job it would be to pull together a wedding that will be seen by millions, attended by global leaders, and critiqued the world over. Certainly, Harry and Meghan won’t be short of help with the preparations, but they have already shown they’re determined to do things their…

RAISING EYEBROWS High-end fashion house Balenciaga has made haute-couture crocs. Despite a $1075 price tag for the rubber shoes, they sold out before they even hit stores. ALL THINGS SPICE It was nice to see the Spice Girls back together, even if it was just for a reunion lunch. Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Mel Brown got together last month, sending fans into a spin. SHOCKING PINK Women-only car spaces in China are causing a stir on social media. The bright-pink spaces are marked with stiletto heels and, strangely, are 1.5 times wider than regular, non-gendered car spaces.…

Tonya Harding’s name isn’t Tonya Harding any more. “My name is Tonya Price,” she said, when she saw me taking notes. In 2010, she had just returned home to Washington from Los Angeles, where she’d been doing another one of the odd jobs she’d collected over the years – colour commentary on ill-advised video stunts for the TV show World’s Dumbest. She was still in her cute LA clothes, still made-up, and she went out to a local restaurant. She was having drinks with a friend when she spotted one Joe Price, a heating and air-conditioning worker, on the karaoke stage. He was singing Great Balls of Fire. “I’m going, damn, he’s got beautiful eyes,” she said. “I mean, the eyes are the centre to your soul, okay? You might…

It’s an irresistible image. The world’s most famous media couple – Tina Brown, one-time queen of Manhattan, who, by the age of 40 had edited Tatler, Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, and her husband, Sir Harry Evans, celebrated former editor of UK newspaper The Sunday Times, starting each day in a New York diner with piles of newspapers – and their iPhones – discussing stories and how they would cover them over scrambled eggs and decaf cappuccinos. “I would have absolutely died to have done a newspaper,” Tina says. “I suspect there’s nothing more fun.” It’s not too late, I suggest. At 64, she is trim in a cream silk shirt, tight pants and snakeskin heels and could pass for much younger. She looks at me quizzically – she…

New mum Catherine Warnock was breastfeeding her baby son James when she heard the familiar refrain introducing the nightly news. It was November 22, 1981, the day of her 21st birthday, and she raced to the television, just as she’d done every day since her aunt Joy Summers had vanished six weeks earlier. Each painstaking day, the Catholic family had prayed for a miracle, but as Cath cradled her tiny son in her arms, the familiar voice broke the news they dreaded: “The body of a woman has been found in a shallow grave…” They knew instantly it was Joy. “It was the most horrible birthday present,” recalls Catherine, now 57. “We had nothing to celebrate that day.” The discovery of Joy’s body, in scrubland near Frankston in Victoria, confirmed…

GET THE LOOK Textured NEUTRALS Go for understated elegance in neutral tones and natural fabrics. Black & WHITE Interesting textures and patterns make a monochrome palette pop. Blue & DENIM Add crisp white to keep this perennial favourite looking sharp.…

Treatments such as those covered here are a pricey commitment, with some costing hundreds of dollars for a one-off. When the consultant mentions that the best results come from a course of visits, it’s enough to leave a lump in your throat. But if being happy with the state of your skin and addressing issues that have long bothered you is a priority, it’s useful to know many clinics now offer treatment plans where the cost is divided into payments throughout the year, some the equivalent of the cost of a cup of coffee a day. One-off facial treatments like sonophoresis, radio frequency, microdermabrasion and peels can have a big impact from around $100 per session. Tweaks like Botox and fillers vary hugely in cost – they start from $150…

1 CHEST DISCOMFORT OR PAIN Feelings of heaviness, tightness, pressure or a crushing sensation over the chest are all classic symptoms of a heart attack. This discomfort may be mild, or it may spread to different parts of the upper body. It may also be accompanied by a general feeling of being unwell. 2 ARM TINGLING, NUMBNESS OR PAIN A tingling arm – particularly the left arm – is a renowned heart attack symptom. Arm discomfort can occur in one or both arms, and can also be present as numbness, pain, heaviness or just a general feeling of uselessness in the limbs. 3 NECK CHOKING OR BURNING SENSATION Unexplained discomfort around the neck area is also a heart attack symptom. It may feel as though you’re choking or it could…

QI’m 53 years old and for the past few months have had occasional ongoing knee discomfort that’s now spread to my ankle. I’m able to walk fine for a short while, but sometimes feel uncomfortable pains in the knee and ankle when walking around for a long time. Is this common? It’s also been suggested by my family that I should wear “proper shoes” - what exactly should I be looking for? M.P. Pain in these two joints should be investigated. The most likely possibility is osteoarthritis or a musculoskeletal strain. Wearing a comfortable supportive shoe may be part of the approach to relieving the pain but you also need to work out the cause. Your GP can point you in the right direction. QI recently found out that I…

White bean, avocado and capsicum salad SERVES 4 PREP + COOK TIME 2 HOURS 30 MINUTES FIVE INGREDIENTS 375g dried white beans (see Test Kitchen tips) 400g heirloom cherry tomatoes 175g mini vine sweet capsicums 1 bunch (350g) watercress 3 medium (750g) avocados STAPLES  salt and pepper extra virgin olive oil 1/3 cup (80ml) red wine vinegar 1 Preheat oven to 150°C (130°C fan-forced). Line a large oven tray with foil; cover with a wire rack. 2 Place dried beans in a medium saucepan with enough water to cover by 5cm. Bring to the boil over high heat; boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover; stand for 1 hour. 3 Meanwhile, cut tomatoes in half; place cut-side up on wire rack, then season. Roast for 1 1/4 hours, or…

Buying nuts Buy nuts from places with a high turnover. While supermarkets do have high turnover, long warehouse storage can lessen this advantage. Seek out organic or health food stores, as they have an appreciation for freshness. Or keep an eye out for nuts at your farmers market. Buy them in smaller quantities more frequently. Storing nuts Nuts are high in oils, which makes them prone to rancidity. Store in airtight containers in the freezer to prevent the oils going “off”. Roasting nuts Roasting accentuates the flavour and hides any staleness, especially when they’ve been kept frozen. With the exception of pine nuts, it is better to roast them in the oven as opposed to the stove top, as it’s harder to heat the nuts through sufficiently without scorching the…

New Zealand is not short of spectacular spots to visit, but Central Otago is surely one of the best. The breathtaking approach to Queenstown via aircraft, threading naysayers wrong – which they did. It’s remarkable what Central Otago now produces, from lushly fruited, exotically-spiced pinot noir, to crisp, minerally white wines through those majestic mountain ranges, is a thrill that never grows old. Perennially popular with adventure seekers, the region is just as rewarding for wine lovers. ONE OF A KIND It’s our highest and driest wine region (the furthest south in the world), and the long, mostly cool growing season culminating in hot summer days with very cool nights is what gives Central’s wines their high-quality, vividly expressive character and complexity. It’s an unforgiving environment – almost no topsoil,…

WHO LIVES HERE? Built in the early 20th century, Heatherly has been home to three generations of the Leckey family. The property, currently inhabited by Georgie Leckey, her husband, Will, and children Hugh, 14, and Eliza, 16, as well as a collection of dogs, a cat, horses, sheep, and cattle, Heatherly first came into the family around 40 years ago, as a country weekender for Will’s family. “Will and I married in 1998, and we moved in soon after,” explains Georgie. Although Heatherly did not need renovating, the Leckeys have changed a few things since taking up residence. “We modified it with a new kitchen two years ago, a bathroom and new flooring,” Georgie says. “We moved the kitchen. It was to the side of the living area; now it…

Plant flowers to give colour all through winter – annuals like polyanthus, pansies, poppies and primulas, or perennials like wallflowers or winter-blooming agapanthus or red-hot poker varieties. Harvest apples, peaches, pears, berries and all the sun-warmed produce of summer and autumn. If you don’t have a backyard harvest, this is the time to plan one. Even a row of big pots on a patio can be filled with dwarf fruit trees for future bounty. Mulch and take advantage of the natural autumn “growth spurt”; feed everything, preferably on top of the mulch so you don’t burn plant roots, and water in well.…

DECIDE ON A THEME – be it dinosaurs, diggers, Disney, fairies, princesses, pirates or kitsch Kiwiana – and a colour scheme before you go shopping. COLOUR CODE Stick to neutral wall colours and use cushions, throws and duvet sets for pops of colour. These instantly freshen a room and are easily changed as your children get older. PLANTARAMA Let your children choose their own indoor plants to care for. Popular species include carnivorous plants, such as Venus fly traps and Sarracenia pitchers; donkey tails and string-of-pearls succulents; and Mimosa pudica, aka the sensitive plant, which recoils when touched. SAFETY FIRST Use LED bulbs in bedside lamps and use cable ties to secure electrical cords. STORAGE SAVERS You can never have too many storage baskets and boxes in children’s bedrooms. SMART…

Starring Claire Danes, Rupert Friend and Mandy Patinkin. Don’t judge me, but I’ve had an unforgivable hiatus from Homeland . I’ve no idea why, because I’ve loved every single episode. To rectify this horrifying situation I recently threw myself back into it, re-entering the fray at Episode 1, Season 4. I haven’t stopped watching it since and as Season 7 has now started on SoHo, it seems timely to remind you all that there is a reason why this show has won five Golden Globes and a swathe of Emmys. Our bipolar CIA anti-hero Carrie Mathison and her enablers Saul and Quinn keep me glued to the screen frame after frame, hour after hour, the twists and turns of global politics reflected in their personal ones.…

THE WICKED COMETH by Laura Carlin , Hachette The year is 1831 and 12-year-old parson’s daughter Hester White is recently orphaned and taken into the home of her parents’ gardener and his wife. Her happy life in rural Lincolnshire is now replaced with the squalor of a one-room hovel in a London slum. Desperate to escape her greatly reduced circumstances, during a time when people are mysteriously disappearing without a trace, fate hands her an opportunity when she is accidentally run over by a horse-drawn carriage and injures her leg. The occupant, young physician Calder Brock, inexplicably takes her into his home to convalesce. Believing her to be the poor urchin she appears to be, he arranges for Hester to be tutored by his sister Rebekah, who…

Glass-half-full, happy-go-lucky computer scientist Rob’s life appears to be on track. He’s found the woman of his dreams in orderly accountant Anna, and he’s sold an app for more than $1 million. Completing his bliss is five-year-old son Jack. But when his precious boy starts behaving unusually, suffering dizzy spells and crashing his bicycle into a tree, alarm bells ring and Anna insists they take him to the doctor, who gives them devastating news. For a parent, it disrupts the natural order of life when a child is given a grave prognosis, but life doesn’t always play fair. For logical Rob, who is used to solving problems, it is a struggle trying to come to terms with his son’s illness and his anguish is almost beyond description. Both Rob and…

Letter of the month I love how The Australian Women’s Weekly shares the stories of so many successful female role models. Your article A woman of her time was a wonderful insight into the life of our Prime Minister. I feel very privileged to live in a country where we have a smart, articulate and genuinely caring leader who is clearly seeking to make our country a fairer place for all. It is wonderful for the younger generation to have such a positive role model. We can only be extremely grateful that she said yes to a job she didn’t really want. Thanks for your story highlighting the personal side of Jacinda Ardern and also for putting the “role of women” at…

She’s the eighth (soon to be ninth when the latest Cambridge baby is born) in line to the throne. He’s the UK ambassador for George Clooney’s tequila company, Casamigos, who eschewed university or a career in finance to work as a barman and climb the ladder to make his mark in the Sloane Ranger cocktail club world and run Mahiki nightclub in London. They met skiing in the winter playground of the rich and famous – the Swiss resort of Verbier – in 2010, and despite living at times in different countries have remained utterly devoted. I’m talking, of course, of Princess Eugenie, the youngest daughter of Sarah, Duchess of York, and Prince Andrew, and her now fiancé, Jack Brooksbank, the son of well-heeled accountant, George Brooksbank, and his wife,…

Kanoa Lloyd has made the leap from being a weather presenter on TV3’s news-hour to co-anchor of the channel’s primetime offering, The Project, with seemingly effortless ease. She is thoughtful, sassy, articulate and warm. In an industry of big egos, she is a breath of fresh air and one of the brightest stars to grace the small screen in a long time. But, perhaps most importantly, she is not afraid to be vulnerable. In the wake of Metiria Turei’s admission of benefit fraud last August, Kanoa leapt to the defence of beneficiaries in an emotionally charged opinion piece on The Project. “I think there’s a certain part of the population, when the benefit pops up in the news, that likes to shame and dismiss people who have been in the…

They are four words Anne-Marie McMillan never wanted to hear: “Your child has cancer.” Living through it once was harrowing enough. But to be delivered that diagnosis twice was like a heartless form of torture. Anne-Marie and her husband, Glen, still find it hard to fathom. They are parents in a typical Kiwi family living in Rotorua; she’s an early childhood teacher, he’s a maintenance planner, and together they have three kids – Kimberly, Josh and Natasha. But what sets them apart from friends and neighbours is that two of their three children have had cancer – and the exact same cancer, even though there is no known hereditary or genetic link. “Basically, we were told that for both of our children to have it was simply bad luck,” Anne-Marie…

“Don’t try to give an adult child an old teddy bear... they find this stuff alarming.” Sitting in a small café recently, I inadvertently overheard a conversation between two well-dressed older women. “I know it’s no fun being told you have a fatty liver,” said one to the other, “but you have to look on the bright side.” “What’s the bright side?” “Nobody can see it! I mean it’s not like you have to buy your liver a plus-size dress to wear to the wedding!” They both fell about laughing. “What am I going to wear?” asked the first woman. “I’m the grandmother of the bride. Beige lace or red satin?” “Red satin,” I said to myself. “Red satin!” said her friend. “Done – now for the gift. I was…

New label From the brains of Dijanna Mulhearn and our columnist Ljubenka Milunovic comes Sestre, meaning “Sisters”, a fashion movement “for women lucky enough to have curves”. The label features smart, luxury corporate wear for the fuller figure. To see more, go to sestrethelabel.com. Soft & snuggly As the warm summer days fade away, you might like to invest in a cashmere sweater for the colder months. New Zealand label ELLE + RILEY specialises in premium cashmere staples, such as the Ivy Oversized V jumper, $479 (above). See the whole range at elleandriley.com. New Zealand’s ethical fashion and yoga wear brand WE-AR has a fabulous range of styles in dusky pinks, greens, and a pop of yellow at we-ar.com. FOOT STEPS Perfectly timed for the change of season, New Zealand…

1. Apply DB Glow Get Em Pressed Bronzer, $19, to areas like cheekbones and temples, where the sun would naturally colour, for a safe, healthy glow. 2. NARS Wanted Eyeshadow Palette, $94, brings modern rusty reds to the table in a mix of matte, satin and metallic finishes – great for creating a striking evening eye look. 3. You can’t beat the value of Natio Eyeshadow Palette in Earth, $23. The silky shadows are top quality too. 4. Inika Organic Eye Shadow Duo in Choc/ Coffee, $44, is a mineral formulation that’s kind to sensitive eyes. 5. Collection Cosmetics Eyes Uncovered Palette in Nude Rose, $23, expands on a lovely wearable rose gold with a co-ordinating selection of shades. The deep plum along your lash lines and eye crease gives…

Heart disease doesn’t discriminate. What catches so many people out is a preconceived notion that only a certain “type” of person is affected by heart health issues. However, when you think about it, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn’t personally know someone who is either managing their blood pressure or has high cholesterol – or has had a cardiac incident. But that’s the point – there is no type. It’s one of many commonly held heart-health myths around. Here, we explore some other common beliefs. More than 170,000 people in New Zealand are currently living with heart disease. It is responsible for more than 6000 deaths every year – that’s equivalent to the loss of 16 to 18 Kiwi lives a day. Since so many of us will…

Plum and apricot chocolate crumbles SERVES 6 PREP AND COOK TIME 40 MINUTES 500g plums, quartered 500g apricots, quartered 2 tablespoons caster sugar vanilla ice-cream or thick custard, to serve TOPPING 1/4 cup (55g) firmly packed brown sugar 1/4 cup (30g) almond meal 1/4 cup (20g) rolled oats 40g dark chocolate, grated 1 Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced). 2 Combine fruit and sugar in a large bowl; toss to coat. Spoon the fruit into six (1-cup/250ml) ovenproof ramekins or a 1.5-litre (6-cup) ovenproof dish. 3 TOPPING Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. 4 Sprinkle Topping over the fruit. Place dish on oven tray. Bake for 20 minutes or until fruit begins to bubble up around the edges. 5 Serve with vanilla ice-cream or thick custard, if desired. Not…

Eggplant schnitzel with caponata SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK TIME 30 MINUTES (+ STANDING TIME) 2 medium (600g) eggplants 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 2 medium (240g) zucchinis, quartered lengthways, cut into 1cm pieces 1 medium (200g) red capsicum, cut into strips 2 small (200g) red onions, bases intact, cut into wedges 1/2 cup (75g) pitted kalamata olives 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze 1/2 cup (75g) plain flour 2 eggs 2 cups (150g) Japanese panko breadcrumbs vegetable oil, for shallow-frying 1 Cut the eggplants lengthways into 2cm-thick slices. Sprinkle with salt and stand on paper towel for 30 minutes to draw out moisture. Wipe off the salt and pat dry. 2 Meanwhile, to make the caponata, heat the olive oil in a medium frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the…

1 2016 VALLI VINEYARDS GIBBSTON VALLEY PINOT GRIS, $30 Grant Taylor has a lengthy history in Central and, with talented Jen Parr, makes fascinating wines at Valli. This is fresh and pretty, with pear, apple and baked gingerbread in a light, food-friendly style. 2 2017 RABBIT RANCH CENTRAL OTAGO ROSÉ, $22 Central’s an expensive place to make wine so well done Rabbit Ranch for always over-delivering quality while keeping it affordable. Delicate watermelon and strawberry, textural and fresh. Yum! 3 2016 PEREGRINE ‘RASTABURN’ CENTRAL OTAGO RIESLING, $27 Riesling loves Central, and is made in a variety of styles. This is off-dry, low in alcohol (9.5 per cent) with kaffir lime and honeysuckle aromas, a juicy, vibrant palate and clean, crisp finish. Pair with soft goat’s cheese, or even better, Comté…

BRILLIANT BOTANICS A touch of Scandinavia and the tropics seems to be a trend that’s here to stay. Gorgeous foliage, textures and natural themed homewares are all popular. Not only do we love the simplicity it brings to your home, but also the sense of calm and serenity. With artistic flair, the mother/ daughter duo from Inscribe Design create beautiful, unique coasters, clocks and wall hangings from eco-friendly bamboo (below). inscribedesign.co.nz Nice ’n natural Throws in natural fibres and neutral shades add a Nordic feel to your living space or bedroom. 1. Berit natural throw, $149. thefoxesden.co.nz  2. Sand bauble throw, $119.frenchcountrystore.co.nz Green theme Embrace this trend by scattering gorgeous botanical printed or green textural cushions throughout the home. Jungle Kitty large floor cushion, $149, and Bettina velvet sham…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED • RESENE TESTPOTS: Resene Bullion (metallic) Resene White Resene Black Resene Romantic Resene Aqua Resene Art Action Clear Glaze gloss • Papier mâché craft eggs • Bamboo skewers • Paintbrushes (variety of sizes) • Sponge • Transfer lettering or quotes (Rosie’s Studio range from The Warehouse is ideal) • Polystyrene block or sturdy cardboard box “Don't be afraid to experiment because that's half the fun!" Resene has a gorgeous range of shimmering colours in their innovative range of Metallics and Special Effects. These are perfect for craft projects such as this one, when you want to add a touch of glam to your creation. METHOD To make it easier to paint your eggs, push a wooden skewer into the base of each egg and use this to…

“It seems the shock of being outside and having some free range was too much for them.” Even if I didn’t live in the country I’d still visit the Kaikohe A&P show because it encapsulates everything I love about rural living. You’re surrounded by cattle, sheep, horses and sheepdogs and every animal is there for a reason –whether it’s jumping fences (horses), racing with kids on their backs (sheep) or just standing around looking beautiful for the judges (cattle). But my favourite place is the long shed, where they keep the poultry for judging and, most importantly, puppies, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys and rabbits for sale. And it is in this long shed that my husband and I always have the “A&P” argument. Every year, without fail. It starts with…

It’s early morning in Bali, a light haze lies over the rice paddies, the soft cooing of doves joins the dawn chorus, and the air is heavy with the scent of frangipani and burning incense. Graceful Balinese women are quietly placing delicate offerings to the Gods. This daily devotion happens outside virtually every home and business on the island. The Balinese are God-fearing people, whether their God be Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim or Christian. Shortly after my visit, one of the island’s many active volcanoes sprang into life after a lull of nearly 60 years. Tens of thousands of villagers fled their homes and holy men of all denominations prayed the eruption wouldn’t come. The previous threat of disaster had been a tornado brewing out at sea; we were told the…

THE SECRETS AT OCEAN’S EDGE by Kali Napier , Hachette When Ernie poured his money into a wheat farm in Western Australia, he thought he was securing a future for wife Lily and daughter Girlie. But it’s 1932 and the Depression is hitting hard. The promised government subsidies fail to eventuate and the house Ernie has inherited from his father burns down in a mysterious fire; worse still, it isn’t insured. This is where we join the Hass family, packing up, leaving their Aboriginal home-help to be sent back to the mission, and heading for Dongarra on the coast. Ernie is hiding his shame behind a veil of optimism and Lily is a well of sadness cloaked in pull-yourself-together gumption. Girlie is 10 and understands little, not…

“His liquid stage performance made Michael Jackson look like a creaky robot,” says Rolling Stone Australia’s founding publisher Toby Creswell of the “bend from the waist” movement that Mick Jagger complained Hutchence copied from him. Two decades after his death, Michael Hutchence’s star still shines brightly and this biography of the INXS frontman and his rise to the top of the rock charts recounts the story of an artist of contradictions. Hutchence was a loner who hated solitude; he was shy but played to crowds of 25,000; he appreciated both masterpieces and trash. Some of the stories may already be known to devoted fans: how, at 15, his parents separated, and unable to afford to take both sons with her, his mother chose to take Michael to LA, leaving younger…

AN UNSUITABLE MATCH by Joanna Trollope , Macmillan Divorcee Rose, 62, bumps into school pal, widower Tyler, at his actress daughter’s London debut. “My younger self must have been stupid not to grab you,” the father of two blurts. Rose, whose surgeon husband emigrated to Melbourne with the nurse he had been having an affair with, feels the same. But a late-in-life love is complicated when both partners have children, especially when those children are attention-seeking adults who do not support their parents’ new romance. FOUR RESPECTABLE LADIES SEEK PART-TIME HUSBAND by Barbara Toner , Penguin/Random House It’s 1919 and behind the curtains in Prospect – a sheep-farming town in New South Wales – live Louisa, a sexy widow who’s a bit…

Natalie’s mystery death A NEW WITNESS has come forward in the unsolved death of Hollywood star Natalie Wood. The body of the actress was pulled from the water off the LA coast after a night of drinking with her husband, Robert Wagner, and Christopher Walken, in 1981. Initially declared accidental, her lonely death was suspicious, police have since said. LA homicide detectives revealed earlier this month that they want to question Wagner again in light of new evidence, saying his story “doesn’t add up”. On her last night alive, Wood invited Walken to join her and Wagner on their cruiser, The Splendour. Another person aboard the boat, Dennis Davern, in 2011 revealed new details of the night, saying a fight broke out between Wagner and Walken, and Wagner accused his…

The marriage of MeghanMarkle and Prince Harry in May will be the royal wedding fans have been dreaming of, and herald a new chapter for both the American actress and the House of Windsor. The prince, who as a boy was thrust into the spotlight as he mourned the death of his mother 20 years ago, has finally met a woman he can spend the rest of his life with, while simultaneously erasing the heartbreak of his past. His unconventional choice, a previously married actress who was living and working in Toronto, Canada, is proof that the era of a predictable monarchy is well and truly over. As Meghan and Harry sat side by side to describe how they fell in love, we witnessed the beginning of a revolutionary new…

Annette Bening slopes into our hotel-room interview looking less like the classic movie star she is than just a chilled out Californian mum – and I suppose she is that, too. After all, the actress, who turns 60 this year, has four grown children from her marriage to Warren Beatty. Surprisingly tall, she’s in a loose grey cashmere sweater and Perspex specs; on her feet are what seem to be shiny black plastic clogs. On her arm, completing the total effect of West Coast affluent boho, is a large wooden bangle spelling out “After all, tomorrow is another day”. “Ring a bell?” she asks drolly. It’s little wonder Annette is literally bedecked in film history. Her CV – American Beauty, The Kids are All Right, The Grifters, Valmont – plus…

I’ve been entertaining silly thoughts. One that passed through quickly was a brain tumour. I study the doctor’s face to see if he’s thinking the same, but he gives away no clues. Instead, his shoulders slump away from his ears and he attempts an expression of something like empathy. “You’re fit, you exercise, you eat well, you don’t smoke and at 56, you’re relatively young,” he says. “But there comes a time when we all have to admit to ourselves that we’re just slowing down. “You work hard, Wendy,” he sighs. “Maybe take some time off.” I’m the person at work who knows the system for rostering nursing shifts inside out. I’m the one my colleagues nickname “the guru” because my recall is so sharp, because I can problem-solve in…

“It isn’t the sugar he craves; it’s the comfort, surprise and delight that dessert, or any food, can bring.” Nutritional guidelines tend to group foods into heroes and villains. Today the bad guy turns out to be my good friend Mr Sugar. He’s the devilish character tempting us at every turn, the one singled out as the ringleader in today’s obesity epidemic and the base cause of just about every known disease. “Quitting sugar” is now a popular trend. A few years ago it was fat. Eggs, dairy, gluten, artificial sweeteners, GE-modified soya and carbonated fizzy drinks have also all had their “bad guy” stardom. But I think we should stop trying to find the criminal in food. Health is about mental, physical and social wellbeing. It’s all to do…

A reputable practitioner will take plenty of time to talk through any options with you. If you’re putting in the effort with good skincare practices but not getting the results you’re after, it can be a good idea to speak with an expert. The options available at skin clinics throughout New Zealand run the gamut from a one-off facial to brighten your skin, to more advanced appearance medicine options designed to address some of the common signs of ageing. However, deciphering treatment menus from skincare clinics can be intimidating and overwhelming! A reputable practitioner will take plenty of time to talk through any options with you, but it helps to have an idea of what’s available and the outcomes you might be hoping to achieve. With new trends and technology…

ROLL with IT An invigorating DIY facial is yours by operating the roller that dispenses the toning and tightening gel in Elizabeth Arden’s new Ceramide Lift and Firm Sculpting Gel, $151. Full of collagen-supporting peptides and ceramides, you massage the roller in an upward, lifting motion along jawline, neck and under cheekbones. FIRST BASE Estée Lauder leads the way for a host of new lightweight, long-wear foundations arriving this season by updating its full-coverage classic Double Wear with a more breathable, fresh-faced finish that won’t settle in creases. The fluid texture is easy to apply and build in areas that need a little more without being mask-like, and the SPF is a big plus. Estée Lauder Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Makeup SPF25, $69. Buy a lippy…

SWAP Plain biscuits FOR Multigrain crackers. Wholegrain foods are higher in fibre, which can help to lower your blood cholesterol levels. SWAP Mayonnaise FOR Avocado. For your sandwich spread, ditch saturated fat-laden mayo in favour of mono-unsaturated “good” fat avocado. SWAP Fried foods FOR Baked or grilled Excess oils (usually of the saturated variety) are absorbed when frying – choose to bake or grill instead. SWAP Sour cream FOR Greek yoghurt. Cut out saturated fat without sacrificing texture or flavour by swapping sour cream for plain Greek yoghurt. SWAP Chips FOR Unsalted nuts. When a savoury craving hits, nuts are a high fibre and unsaturated fat alternative. SWAP Salad dressing FOR Balsamic vinegar or lemon juice. To lower cholesterol, avoid high-fat store-bought salad dressings and make your own instead.…

“It’s silly because I blame myself but it’s mainly a genetic disorder and just happens when things degenerate then inflame.” More New Zealanders than ever before are living with arthritis. Around 650,000 Kiwis – 17 per cent of the population – are affected by the condition, which can lead to chronic pain and is a major cause of disability in older people. One of the most common forms is rheumatoid arthritis, which women are three times more likely to suffer from than men. British actress Sadie Frost, 52, highlighted the significant impact of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) last month, revealing she suffers from the condition. The Dracula actress and ex-wife of actor Jude Law wrote about her diagnosis in an Instagram post during a trip to the Himalayas. “I have recently…

Bread crisps with confit tomatoes MAKES 16 + EXTRA TOMATOES PREP TIME 3 HOURS 30 MINUTES (+ COOLING TIME) 2kg Roma tomatoes 8 cloves garlic 8 fresh thyme sprigs 4 fresh rosemary sprigs 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon caster sugar 1/2 cup (80g) kalamata olives, pitted 10 basil leaves 16 thin slices ciabatta, toasted 500g fresh ricotta parsley leaves, to serve extra virgin olive oil, extra 1 Preheat the oven to 120°C (100°C fan-forced). 2 Quarter the tomatoes lengthways; arrange over an oven tray, cut-side up. 3 Break the garlic into individual cloves and bruise each one with the side of a large knife. Add the garlic to the tray with the thyme and rosemary sprigs. Drizzle with the oil and sprinkle with the sugar. Season generously…

Steamed Asian greens with char siu sauce SERVES 4 PREP + COOK TIME 25 MINUTES Layer 350g trimmed broccolini, 150g trimmed snow peas, 2 halved baby bok choy and 1 thinly sliced fresh long red chilli in a large baking-paper-lined bamboo steamer. Steam, covered, over a large wok of simmering water for 5 minutes or until vegetables are just tender. Combine vegetables, 1 1/2 tablespoons char siu sauce, 1 tablespoon light soy sauce and 2 teaspoons sesame oil in a large heatproof bowl. Heat 1 tablespoon peanut oil in a small saucepan until hot; pour over vegetable mixture, then toss to combine. Top with 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds and a thinly sliced seeded fresh small red chilli, if you like. Peas and parmesan crunch SERVES 4 PREP + COOK…

CHEESE BALLS The family-run Clevedon Buffalo Co now produces Cherry Buffalo Mozzarella. Made from fresh buffalo milk, the preservative-free mozzarella is dispatched on the day of manufacture. Available at supermarkets, $12.29 for 125g (12 balls). CLASSIC SODA Barker’s of Geraldine Classic Soda Syrups are sure to be a new family favourite. Just mix with sparkling or soda water to create a refreshing glass of Premium Dry Cola, Citrus Lemonade, Brewed Ginger Beer, or Lemon, Lime & Bitters. $5.99 for 710ml, from supermarkets. DID YOU KNOW? American doughnut empire Krispy Kreme has landed on our shores. The flagship store opened last month in Manukau, Auckland. You can enjoy their doughnut fix in-store or pop to the drive-through.…

Central Otago is packed with great cellar doors ranging in size and sophistication, but all offering classic Central hospitality and great wine. Don’t miss Gibbston Valley Winery, not only for the superb wine but also for its underground cellar and cheesery; take in the amazing view over lunch at Mt Difficulty; check out the art at Carrick’s bistro; visit Maude’s new tasting room in Wanaka; brave the cliff-hugging road leading to Chard Farm’s perch above the Kawarau River... the list is endless. And all that before you even consider the region’s wider delights, which include the rugged glamour of Queenstown and Wanaka, historic Arrowtown and Clyde, plus the skifields, lakes and outdoor recreation.…

The toughest, most sun-loving colour for a sunny garden or hot patio is bougainvillea, covered in gaudy “bracts” in everything from purple to hot pink, orange, white or pale pink, and even brick red. But bougainvillea has a secret. Named in 1768 by the French botanist Philibert Commerçon, after the leader of a French exploration party, Admiral Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, it’s likely it wasn’t actually Philibert who first discovered the plant when the ship landed at Montevideo, but his female companion Jeanne Barét. She was a brilliant botanist who disguised herself as a man because women weren’t permitted on French ships. Eventually, back in France, Jeanne was given a pension for her contributions to science – but even that was a secret too. So think of Jeanne when you plant…

“Lucas and Lachie's mission, which they chose to accept, was to accessorise their shared bedroom.” When I was growing up, my parents taught me that girls could do anything, although they drew the line at letting their daughters make any decorating decisions. Thus, for the first 18 years of my life, I slept under a brown candlewick bedspread in a room with pink paisley wallpaper and floral curtains that looked like they’d been tie-dyed in Fanta. My sister was the first to rebel, blue-tacking posters of James Dean all over her bedroom walls and purloining indoor plants – Boston ferns, maidenhairs and mother-in-law’s tongue – from other parts of our farmhouse. I soon followed her lead, glueing a poster of Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose to the side of…

SHINE ON To clean silver jewellery, squeeze some tomato sauce onto a soft cloth and rub into your silver jewellery. Remove the sauce and your jewellery will shine. BIRTHDAY BASH I learnt a neat trick from a friend while almost going through a packet of matches trying to light my daughter’s birthday cake candles recently. Dry spaghetti burns just like a match, but as it’s a lot longer, it won’t burn out as quickly. It’s great for relighting short wicks, too, as you won’t burn your fingers by having to get too close. FAST CHILL If you want to cool down a bottle of wine or non-alcoholic drink quickly, wrap it with a wet piece of kitchen paper and store it in the freezer for 15 minutes. PROTECTION RING To avoid irritation…

ULEKAN Try the vegetarian nasi campur, which is rice served with a variety of other small dishes. Organic jackfruit curry, baby eggplants in balado spices and baby sweetcorn fritters are stars of this dish. PELOTON You can’t go past Mama Jackson’s tacos, featuring jackfruit curry again! COFFEE ’N’ OVEN Go for the freshly baked pastries and bread, and the delicious smoothies… not to mention the coffee! QUINCE We loved the minted coconut water/date, honey and almond smoothie. Also the tropical fruit bowl and courgette fritters. TYGER Try the spectacular snapper bowl with Tyger’s own special-recipe coriander dressing.…

The Alliance Française French Film Festival rolls out across the nation through the month of March, brimming over with a deliciously nourishing array of French cinema. On the menu, and most certainly a main course, is Cannes Film Festival opener Ismael’s Ghosts. Here is your chance to soak up three of France’s most gifted actors together on the big screen, and what joy it is to watch Oscar-winner Marion Cotillard (Inception/La Vie en Rose) and César-winners Charlotte Gainsbourg (Melancholia/Antichrist) and Mathieu Almaric (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly/Quantum of Solace) face off with each other in a typically twisted and unpredictable French love triangle. Here, Almaric is Ismael, a widowed film director, his grief for his wife Carlotta (Cotillard) a palpable living, breathing force in his life. He continues to…

Evan Smoak is a highly trained assassin. Plucked from an orphanage at the age of 12, he became Orphan X, part of a secret programme organised, but not openly sanctioned, by the US Department of Defense. Orphan X was the programme’s top asset, but eight years ago Evan walked away from it to become The Nowhere Man, an anonymous saviour who uses his deadly skills to help people in desperate need. Only now, he’s a marked man himself. He knows too much, and ruthless Orphan Charles Van Sciver is hellbent on having Evan eliminated. In this, the third book in the Orphan X series, Evan receives a message from his mentor Jack Johns, the man who trained him to be a killer, while also teaching him to remain human. Jack…

LET ME LIE by Clare Mackintosh , Hachette (available from March 13) If you read Clare Mackintosh’s I Let You Go and couldn’t let it go, buckle up for another killer ride. Told from multiple viewpoints, this tale keeps you guessing. A year after her mum committed suicide jumping off the same spot where her husband ended his life a few months before, Anna receives an anonymous note suggesting her parents were murdered and she’s in danger too. THE WIFE BETWEEN US by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen , Macmillan Vanessa Thompson is obsessed with her ex-husband’s fiancée, young, pretty Nellie. Her marriage collapsed following failed attempts at fertility treatment and she is falling apart at the seams. But there’s more at play here…

Fuller hair, instantly Finally there’s a safe and natural way for men and women to conceal the appearance of baldness and thinning hair. Toppik’s new scientifically advanced technology uses organic keratin fibres that blend in undetectably with your hair to give you a natural, full-hair appearance in under a minute. Toppik Hair Building Fibers is your new secret weapon! RRP from $13.95, available at toppik.co.nz and selected hair salons. Fruity rosé Hello, weekend! There are still plenty of warm, sunny weekends left this summer to enjoy alfresco dining, so make the most of them with Stables Reserve Rosé. This smooth wine boasts a full and rich palate, while exhibiting raspberry, strawberry, red cherry, and plum aromas. It’s the perfect addition to any weekend get-together. RRP $19.99. Favourite fragrance Ecostore Lemongrass…

Pisces FEB 20-MAR 20 March swims into focus, with the Sun, Mercury, Venus and Neptune all in your sign. Since Pisces rules the feet, how about treating yourself to a foot massage, reflexology session or full monty deluxe pedicure to keep yours beautifully on the ground this month? If tough love shines an unflattering light on habits, attitudes or family skeletons, resist the regular escape routes (you know the usual suspects) and instead use Pisces new moon on the 18th as your personal portal to set the coming year’s healing intentions. For bonus points, try this with a water ritual or moon bath. ARIES MAR 21-APR 21 With change-maker Uranus, vivacious Venus and wordsmith Mercury in your sign for most of March, wherever you indie-spirits direct your energy (investments, inventions,…