Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2018 i Australian Women’s Weekly NZ

“Gold is the gift of vanity and common pride, but flowers are the gift of love and friendship.”- Franz Grillparzer Walking up the path to our home 13 years ago with our newborn baby son in his capsule, sleep deprived and slightly delirious, we noticed a flash of yellow in the rather sparse garden beside the front doorstep. Daffodils! We had moved into the house three years earlier and never planted daffodils – actually there was very little growing in the garden at all due to our collective lack of green thumbs. So we could only assume they were from old bulbs that had lain dormant for a while and suddenly, unexplainedly, burst into bloom a week before the official start of spring. They couldn’t have chosen a better time…

New Zealand company Harker Herbals is modernising traditional herbal medicine with Be Well, their new range of powerful, 100 per cent natural, plant-based herbal tonics. Be Well uses clinically researched ingredients with modern plant chemistry to deliver potent natural health support. Our letter of the month writer this month will receive the full range of Harker Herbals Be Well tonics, worth $280. Writers of other published letters will receive an Australian Women’s Weekly cookbook.…

POWER COUPLE Hot off the wild success of Big Little Lies, Nicole Kidman has purchased the screen rights to author Liane Moriarty’s newest novel, Nine Perfect Strangers. CATWALK MOTHER Model mother Mara Martin caused waves walking a catwalk while breastfeeding her daughter Aria, who wore noise-cancelling headphones. BACK TO WORK FOR 9 TO 5 SEQUEL It’s been reported that Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton and Lily Tomlin are all on board for a sequel to their hit film 9 to 5 almost 40 years after the original was released.…

“You’ll have toast with your soup, won’t you? Good girl.” Allyson Gofton is buttering a pile of toast as we sit in the cosy kitchen of her Auckland home. Never one to turn down bread in general, I’m particularly thrilled to be well fed by one of New Zealand’s most familiar faces when it comes to food. For more than 30 years, Allyson has been helping Kiwi families make fast, delicious and healthy meals through her iconic TV show Food in a Minute, her columns in various magazines and newspapers, and her best-selling cookbooks. Based in both Auckland and in France with her husband Warwick and their two children, Jean-Luc (15) and Olive-Rose (11), Allyson is in the midst of organising her next cookbook, a compendium on baking with all…

“My divine dad, John, died aged just 43. Forty-three! I was only just that age myself until July.” My mum likes to tell a story. It’s about the time I applied for a job at the local New World supermarket. I was 14 and was looking forward to wearing the fire engine red, zip-front polyester uniform and name badge, using the clocking-in machine and earning $3.75 per hour, should I be successful. The owner, a man of community note, asked me a few questions. “Ah, Fiona,” he said, peering first at the application form, and then at me. “So I see here you’d like a part-time job. What does your father do?” My response was rapid, blunt, but entirely truthful. “He’s dead.” I got the job, possibly out of pity.…

“I am a big believer that you are never too young to create change.” Kiwi teenager Alexia Hilbertidou and Meghan Markle share one very special honour. Not many people in the world can claim to have made the Queen laugh in public, but Meghan and 19-year-old Alexia have done exactly that. As the founder of GirlBoss New Zealand, an organisation dedicated to empowering young females and closing the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, maths, entrepreneurship and leadership, Alexia was presented with a Queen’s Young Leaders Award in June. She wasn’t the only young person to be recognised that day, but none of the other recipients can boast that they got a giggle out of Her Majesty. “As you go up to accept your award from the Queen, you curtsy…

A year ago, I was drowning. I turn towards quiet like a plant towards the light, yet stillness and silence – a recalibrating stopping – were beyond me. I just couldn’t glean them anywhere amid the cram of mothering four kids and being a wife and full-time work; an agitation of the soul was swamping me. Quietude involves a fervent wish for simplicity, and I couldn’t simplify my life. The word noise is derived from the Latin word nausea, meaning seasickness. I was drowning in noise. It felt like a time for risky living; to somehow carve out tranquillity or I’d go under. My family was suffering around me. I was shouty mum, snappy and stroppy, becoming someone I didn’t recognise and didn’t like. Quietude felt like a necessary medicine…

“I didn’t know a pint of lager from a plate of egg and chips.” Twenty-five years ago, on a damp Monday morning, the McDermotts were running late. Where were the car keys, the football boots, the lunch orders and Patrick’s project on the country’s river systems that took me half the night to complete? We brought the dog in, put the cat out and climbed into the car for the drive to school and work. We sat in cranky silence until 10-year-old Courtenay announced she had a project to do, too. “It’s about how you and daddy met.” “This better not be When Harry Met Sally,” muttered Patrick from the back seat. “Believe me, it isn’t!” laughed the MOTH (The Man of the House). I told her our story that…

Q When I think spring, I think of florals, but I find that I don’t really know how to wear a print well. How would you recommend I incorporate florals into my wardrobe without looking too old or too young? Florals prints are certainly everywhere – on shoes, scarves and bags, as well as clothes. They have been gracing the runways of all global fashion shows for a while now and this spring is no different. There are many ways you can wear florals successfully, depending on your style and personality. Try these tips: • Start small by limiting your floral focus to one piece of clothing or a scarf, bag, shoe or belt. • Team florals with neutral colours, such as a floral shirt with plain pants.  • For a…

I’m a big fan of using botanical oils in my skincare routine, particularly for cleansing. It absolutely made sense for a body wash to be infused with them! Palmolive Luminous Oils is easy to apply and lather. The beautiful scent made using it a pleasure and it lingered on my skin for hours afterwards. Peony is a note used in quite a few fine eau de parfum fragrances, so it feels special to have it in a body wash. I’m all about elevating those everyday things to make them a little special, and with a busy life and family, time in the shower is a small escape from the demands of the day. Spending on any type of indulgence isn’t easy when you have other priorities, so it’s nice to…

Period poverty is a real problem that affects everyday Kiwis – every month. It's when women and girls can't afford basic necessities such as pads and tampons. This can have an impact on their ability to work or go to school. Countdown believes no Kiwi woman should miss out on taking part in education, work or any other activity simply because they can’t afford an absolute essential. That's why it has locked down the prices of its Homebrand and Select sanitary products to make these essentials more affordable for all women. The price of Homebrand pads and liners has come down from $3.30 to just $2, while Select pads, liners and tampons, which used to cost up to $5, are now priced between $2.80 and $3.80. This is expected to…

• Buying herbs is fairly expensive, and occasionally half the bunch goes to waste. If you are buying fresh herbs, plan the week’s menu so they all get used. • Better still – grow your own. Live herbs in pots are barely more expensive than a cut bunch, and they can grow in amidst your other plants, or in pots, if you don’t have space for a herb patch. • Be prepared to substitute ingredients in recipes. Don’t buy a whole jar or packet of something you will never use again. • Food storage is vitally important. Wasted food is wasted money. Keeping food airtight and cool is the key to it lasting longer. • Plan ahead. Shopping without a plan can mean impulse buys, and food that won’t get used before it has expired.…

HELP FOR KIWI KIDS The Collective’s new Rhubarb and Gingerbread yoghurt is part of a fundraising initiative with iconic Kiwi chefs – in this case, Al Brown. Sales will enable 3000 more Kiwi kids to join the Garden to Table programme. RRP $5.79. SHAPE SHIFT Arnott’s Shapes just got a little lighter. The new Shapes Light with Sweet Potato have 40 per cent less saturated fat than Shapes Originals. Available in two flavours (Sea Salt and Garlic & Herbs) from all major supermarkets. RRP $3.50. DID YOU KNOW? There is a way to get more juice out of those precious, often over-priced, limes. Instead of just cutting the fruit in half, slice around the “core” four times. You’ll be able to squeeze more juice out of the cheeks of the…

SPARKLING WINE: superb quality and great value; crisp, fruity finesse. CHARDONNAY: stylish, complex with white peach, citrus and subtle oak biscuit/spice notes. RIESLING: can be dry through to sweet, balanced by crisp acidity; citrus, Granny Smith apple and white flowers. PINOT GRIS: dry to sweet; pear, ripe apple, baked gingerbread and spice. GEWÜRZTRAMINER: heady, exotically scented white, generally off-dry with a rich, fruity palate. ALBARINO: A Spanish white that’s fruity, mineral and textural. VIOGNIER: Ripe apricots with a touch of jasmine; fuller bodied and textural. PINOT NOIR: plum, cherry and red berries, silky, perfumed and ripe fruited. SYRAH: fragrant, elegant, spicy red/black fruit and florals…

MODERN MODEL When your home is an outstanding 1960s modernist house, there is a responsibility that comes with the ownership. “We feel honoured to be custodians of this great home,” says PR guru Kathee Gunn of the home she and husband Tony live in. It was love at first sight when they first saw the Melbourne house 20 years ago. “Tony and I have always admired modernist architecture because of the flow of space and light. As soon as we walked in we knew it was right.” It wasn’t until a previous owner sent them a newspaper clipping from the 1960s that the true history of their house was revealed. “It was built by Holgar & Holgar in 1968,” says Kathee, referring to the Danish husband and wife architect team…

I don’t know about you but, for me, the first day of spring often feels like a joke without a punchline. As a gardener, I flip the calendar over to September with all the eagerness and expectation of a small child on Christmas Eve, except the only socks I’m hanging up are damp woollen ones, and they’re going over our clothes rack rather than a tinsel-strewn mantelpiece. Of all the seasons, spring is surely the one we look forward to the most after another winter – and yet, perversely, it’s celebrated with the least fanfare in the Southern Hemisphere. Elsewhere in the world, spring is synonymous with joy and jollity. There’s the Jewish Passover, the technicoloured Indian Holi festival and Japan’s traditional Hanami cherry blossom celebrations, but unless you’re a…

“In my eyes I had just passed some imaginary ‘living in the country’ test.“ We have a paddock in front of our house. It’s about two acres and leads down to the beach, so we walk up and down it quite a lot. A while back I realised it was overrun with waist-high kikuyu, which was fast becoming impenetrable. We’d soon need to be wading through it with a machete. Fortuitously, when driving down the road one day, I passed a local farmer and stopped for a chat. By the end of the chat she had agreed to put seven calves on the land to keep the grass down – I was overjoyed. Having been raised in the city, I know absolutely nothing about cattle, but I have read a…

Crazy Rich Asians Starring Michelle Yeoh, Henry Golding and Constance Yu. Written by Kevin Kwan. Directed by Jon M. Chu. It’s a no-brainer that Hollywood would bankroll the big-screen adaptation of The New York Times bestseller Crazy Rich Asians. Not only is it a book club and beach-read staple, it has everything Hollywood loves in a box-office romantic-comedy: some bling, some more bling and some true love thrown in for good measure. And when you factor in the pressure Tinseltown is under when it comes to diversity, what you have here is a big, fat, winning ticket. If you loved every minute of the book, then most of this story serves that one almost page-for-page, right up to the final act. The fact the filmmakers decided to make the ending…

Kayte Nunn, 52, was born in Singapore, where her father was stationed with the British Royal Air Force, but raised mostly in England. She currently lives in NSW, Australia, with her husband and two daughters. Looking back, Kayte says her childhood was “full of books, stories and foreign countries”, so it’s no surprise she fell into a career in publishing as a magazine, book and website editor. The Botanist’s Daughter is her third novel, first foray into historical fiction and the result of months of dogged research, “following a trail of breadcrumbs, researching a particular plant that caught my attention,” she says.…

Beyond compare Okana was born out of need – to develop a sustainable, safe, natural skincare range that really works. At Okana we believe nutritive, wholesome food has the power and the ability to keep skin radiant. Our focus has been on creating a skincare range with minimum natural ingredients in high concentrations to deliver more powerful, beautiful results for less. Our products are effective, easy to use and made for everyone. Okana is real food made beautiful. okana.co.nz Designer style Make any occasion fabulous! Dreams can become reality with our range of beautiful designer clothing in sizes 10-26. From casual lifestyle clothing through to fabulous special-occasion wear, Magazine has choices to suit everyone. Exquisite accessories available instore complete your look. There is always something special at Magazine. www.magazineclothing.co.nz Hydration…

GIVEAWAY KEEP ALLERGENS OUTSIDE Unovent® home ventilation system is cost-efficient and simple to install (DIY) with individual ductless outlets, each with its own fan and washable G4 pre-filter. The system pulls dry air from the roof cavity into the home spaces, reducing moisture and window condensation. It costs up to 75 per cent less than other systems and has no expensive maintenance contracts. To provide cleaner air and help fight allergies, it comes with the Unovent® PollenGuard® Helix™ Filter. Scientifically developed and tested, it is an industrial grade filter that captures smaller potentially harmful particles in the air (pollen, dust mites, spores, pollution). It is a natural, sustainable product, developed and manufactured in New Zealand by Lanaco for Unovent® systems using a unique grade of NZ wool fibre. We have one DIY Unovent® Home Ventilation System…

Your August editorial about the Mumble recipe, and Jo Seagar’s comment that she makes a really good Christmas cake, made me smile. Every year since 2009, I’ve hauled out that year’s December issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly to make the Seagar’s at Oxford Christmas cake it features. I’ve made this cake each year, not just for Christmas, but also for gifts, an 80th birthday, and a double mixture for a centenary cake for our local post office. So best of luck to Jo for whichever direction she wishes to take, but she’ll remain a fast favourite in kitchens like mine for many years to come. Sheryl Bainbridge…

Dr Libby Weaver is an emotional creature when it comes to her life’s work. “I don’t always blubber,” she laughs. “But my eyes well with tears very regularly.” If you were to look at the fields she works in, you might think to yourself: food, hormones, and now beauty… where’s the heart pull in that? But each of these topics comes with a lot of emotional baggage that we only start to appreciate when something goes wrong. Food starts to react badly with you, you start to notice the signs of ageing in your face, your mood swings make you feel like your brain is rented out part-time to a crazy person. Suddenly, these simple words become gateways to very loaded conversations. And for her ever-increasing audience, Libby has become…

On September 26, 1955, 23-year-old movie star Debbie Reynolds married 27-year-old teen-idol crooner Eddie Fisher. The couple instantly became America’s Sweethearts, mobbed by the press and hordes of screaming, swooning, adoring fans wherever they went. The birth of their daughter, Carrie Frances Fisher, on October 21, 1956, made headlines around the world. In the late spring of 1957, Eddie gave a concert at the Palladium in London. It speaks volumes about the state of their marriage by then that Debbie brought along her best friend from childhood, Jeanette Johnson, so she’d have someone to talk to. From London, Eddie, Debbie and Jeanette headed on to Europe to meet producer Mike Todd and his impossibly gorgeous movie-star bride Elizabeth Taylor. Mike was Eddie’s closest friend. Eddie was Mike’s best man at…

I am supposed to be meeting Daphne Selfe at 1.30pm, after she has finished a photo shoot, but at 11.45, I get the call to come sooner. “That happens with me,” Daphne apologises as we sit down for what is now an early-bird lunch. On an average fashion shoot, you might expect a model to wear three looks in four hours, but Daphne has rattled through four in two. “Everyone goes home quicker. I know what I’m doing, I suppose. It’s not like shooting with some young girl.” As the world’s oldest working model, with a career spanning 69 years, she’s certainly got the experience. Daphne Selfe was born on July 1, 1928. At 90, she’s gung-ho and full of energy, laughing loudly and gamely climbing on cabinets to get…

Bugsy Ross likes his long hair. He thinks it makes him look cool. And so, when the six-year-old started kindergarten last year, his parents weren’t surprised that he didn’t want to cut it. What did surprise them was the reaction of a few older schoolmates. “You’re a girl, you’re a girl,” they taunted. “We weren’t prepared for that at all,” Bugsy’s mum Michelle Glew-Ross, wife of comedian Tim “Rosso” Ross, tells The Australian Women’s Weekly. At preschool, Bugsy had worn jewellery, owned a doll named Brett, taken ballet classes and had plenty of girlfriends. He had also played in a soccer team, wrestled with boys and been obsessed with Lego bricks. “That’s just always been his personality,” says Michelle. “He’s open to all sorts of things.” Like a growing number…

MAYE MUSK The iconic model, mother of three and grandmother to 10, is as stylish and delightful as they come. Maye’s five-decades modelling career has now taken full flight. An in-demand model with a huge social media following, fronting global campaigns at 70 years young, Ms Musk feels like she is only getting started. From Point Dume in Malibu, Maye showcases top designers, classic silhouettes and coordinates in white and pink cotton, linen and luxe textures. Candyfloss pink Fashion Salmon pink…

Cover all bases When it comes to rapid coverage, choosing a big, fluffy, very dense brush to apply your foundation covers a large surface area in a flash. Apply liquid base to the back of your hand and then touch lightly with the brush before stippling, then swirling all over your face. Even less effort? Doing the same with a loose powder foundation. Stick foundations are that funny midpoint between time-consuming if it’s a full face you’re after, and super-quick if you just want a bit of coverage in selected areas. They generally offer dense opaque coverage – just swipe on and blend with your fingers. We find them useful for hectic days, lazy weekends and 3pm touch-ups. In the same vein, a really great concealer – one that’s liquid…

SMALL WORRIES Do you ever feel that you have a never-ending list of things to worry about? Researchers have found that, in the absence of bigger problems, a quirk in our brain will make tiny things seem more problematic than they really are. This is called “concept creep” or “moving the goalposts”, as we are constantly changing what is defined as a problem. So those concerns may not be as bad as they seem! BRUSH UP ON THIS! Among many of the disposable plastic items we take for granted are toothbrushes. New Zealand company Grin Natural is looking to combat the wastage with their eco-friendly toothbrushes, and is also helping those less fortunate with their “Share A Grin” campaign. With every Grin Natural product bought from New World supermarkets, a…

Oozy risotto balls SUPPLÌ AL TELEFONO STUFFED WITH MOZZARELLA When you tear these balls in half you get a long strand of mozzarella and everyone shouts ‘supplì al telefono’, referring to it looking like a telephone wire, hence the funny name. I’ve been single-minded here and only filled these delicate little balls with oozy mozzarella, but you can totally pimp your ride by adding a pinch of dried chilli or fresh herbs, a little anchovy, pesto, mushroom, pepper or even another complementary cheese. SERVES 8 1 HOUR 10 MINUTES ½ x White risotto (see page 112) 200g plain flour 200g fine stale breadcrumbs 2 large free-range eggs 1 whole nutmeg, for grating 125g ball of mozzarella cheese 50g Parmesan cheese 1 litre sunflower oil, for frying 1 lemon Make the…

Best served on the day of making, Madeleines are buttery little shell-shaped sponge cakes that are arguably one of France’s greatest gifts to baking. Madeleines MAKES 24 PREP AND COOK TIME 30 MINUTES 125g butter, melted, cooled plain flour, for dusting 2 eggs ⅓ cup (75g) caster sugar 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste 2/3 cup (100g) plain four, extra 1/4 teaspoon baking powder icing sugar, for dusting 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C (180° fan-forced). Brush two 12-hole (1½ tablespoon /30ml) madeleine pans with 1 tablespoon of the melted butter. Dust with the flour; shake out excess. 2 Beat the eggs, sugar, lemon rind and vanilla bean paste in a small bowl with an electric mixer for about 5 minutes or until thick and…

Smartly dressed When trying to eat well, it’s hard to beat a salad. It is an easy way to get your five-plus-a day, but you could be adding unwanted ingredients, such as sugar and polyunsaturated fats, with the dressing you put on top. A dressing should enhance the flavour of the salad and make it easier to eat, so here are five healthy options to try. 1. Olive oil Get back to basics with a splash of pure olive oil or add a bit of vinegar to make vinaigrette. 2. Citrus Lemon, lime, orange or a mix of them all will add a nice natural flavour. 3. Hummus For something a bit thicker, try hummus. Make it yourself or buy a natural one from the supermarket – either way you…

You know how the old saying goes, if something tastes good, it’s probably not good for you – but why can’t it be both? Well, it can. The Uncle Tobys team believes no one should have to make the compromise between a breakfast cereal that tastes good and one that’s actually good for you. That’s why their scrumptious new cereals are fortified with iron, antioxidant vitamins C and E or protein to give your breakfast (or snack!) that little bit extra. You’ll be scooping up 25% of your daily C and E antioxidant vitamins* when you enjoy a bowl of Uncle Tobys Plus Cranberries & Blueberries or getting 25% of your daily iron needs* with Uncle Tobys Plus Cashews + Nutty Clusters. High in healthy wholegrains and containing no artificial…

1 2015 DASHWOOD MARLBOROUGH RIESLING, $12 A vibrant lift of citrus blossom, sweet limes, honey and beeswax on the nose leads to an off-dry, crunchy, lighter-bodied burst of fruit on the palate. Great balance and amazingly good value! 2 2016 SPY VALLEY SINGLE VINEYARD MARLBOROUGH GEWÜRZTRAMINER, $22 Spy Valley never puts a foot wrong with this wine. Layered ripe melon and quince fruit threaded with rose petal, Turkish Delight, ginger and jasmine, just off-dry with a crisp finish. Try it with a Thai curry for a true sensorial experience. 3 2016 NOVUM MARLBOROUGH SYRAH, $40 A brand new label, and a very tiny one at that, but a name worth watching. Pure and varietal with violets, crushed red berryfruit, damson plum and peppery spice. Super yum. 4 2017 WAIRAU RIVER…

RESENE COLOUR CONSULTANT BRENDA NGATAI TALKS ABOUT USING BOLD COLOUR When expressing your interiors personality with bold colour, consider the following: 1. Balance and proportion. The room size will determine how much bold colour to use. Too much can saturate and dominate everything else around it; too little can also feel unbalanced. Generally, the larger the area, the more colour it will take. In tiny spaces, colour can be used in cushions, a throw or artwork, while keeping walls an off-white such as Resene Alabaster or Resene Half Black White. In an open-plan space, “zoning” a wall is a great way to showcase colour, while also giving the area its own identity. 2. Tone and depth of colour. It is crucial to get this right. Choose two or three shades,…

• Create a table centrepiece with pots of fragrant hyacinths, grape muscari, miniature cyclamen or ‘Tête-à-tête’ daffodils. You can buy these in bloom at garden centres. Tuck them into small baskets or ceramic pots and conceal their plastic containers with a skirt of foraged moss or lichen.  • Display cut tulips, freesias and branches of blossom in old glass milk bottles or a collection of mismatched preserving jars. Change the water every second day. • Daffodil bulbs ooze lots of sap and should be displayed in their own vase, otherwise they’ll shorten the lifespan of other cut flowers.  • Dining alfresco in spring? Sling a blanket over the backs of your guest’s chairs in case it gets a little nippy.  • Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, or…

You can go from lover to divorcee in a matter of minutes in Los Cabos, Mexico, and it’s a beautiful experience. It’s easy to fall in love with Los Cabos, a remote, sparsely populated region at the bottom of the Baja California peninsula, where the semi-arid desert that slopes gently down from the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range to the sea has a majestic aura of its own, and the beaches sparkle in the year-round warmth. Hollywood A-listers jet in regularly (Jennifer Aniston’s totally smitten, and George Clooney has a holiday home – “the biggest one, on the top of the hill,” according to one guide), while a common story you hear from the mere mortals who work here – be they Mexicans, Spaniards, Americans, Canadians – is “I…

Directed by Allen Hughes In the dead of night on a long-haul flight recently I simply could not stop watching this gripping 4-part HBO series. The Defiant Ones is the story of hip-hop mogul Dr. Dre and his partnership with record producer Jimmy Iovine. Their story is an extraordinary one, told not just through their eyes but with additional and quite amazing access to some of the most iconic names in music – Stevie Nicks, Tom Petty, Bono and Eminem, to name just a few. From the early days of the N.W.A through to the formation of their record label Interscope and their three-billion-dollar Beats deal with Apple, this story is an engrossing slice of history and an incredibly compelling watch.…

Dear Donald Trump by Sophie Siers and Anne Villeneuve, Millwood Press We couldn’t resist this delight from Kiwi writer Sophie Siers, wonderfully illustrated by Anne Villeneuve. Sam is a young boy who sees Donald Trump on the TV news talking about building a wall. This, he thinks, could solve his own bedroom-sharing problems. He writes to the US president about it, but along the way finds a better solution. A great message, told with humour, and with plenty of triggers for discussion.…

Virgo AUG 24-SEP 23 Let’s hear it for sexy September, with your annual personal power date of Virgo new moon on the 10th perfect for mind mapping, list writing and goal setting for the year ahead. Mid-month, articulate Mercury in your sign along with Mars in your house of helpful others, brings great career news. This month’s red light? Your perfectionista tendencies. Not everyone has Virgo standards of excellence, so resist unrealistic expectations which could lead to disappointment. And micromanaging. Go easy on yourself. Others don’t need you to be perfect, that’s way too daunting. Your fallible, lovable human self is more than good enough. LIBRA SEP 24-OCT 23 Zen September is time for simplifying, tidying and snipping threads in life’s tapestry that no longer give pleasure, add beauty or…

1950s – the era of my childhood when kids were allowed to be kids and the sun seemed to be always shining. It was a slower pace of life, I loved the cars and the elegant attire of that era, there was less pollution and you could drink out of any stream or river, music was relatable and unique. Things had to last – I had one pair of summer shoes and one for winter, one best dress for winter and one for summer. Also there was hand-knitting and sewing, with mothers making every stitch with love and care.…

UPLIFTING AND INSPIRING I have been an Australian Women’s Weekly subscriber for a good number of years. I look forward each month to reading the many inspiring stories – but you excelled with the wonderful account of the lives of Helen and Tim Manson in the July issue. This should be compulsory reading for anyone who is concerned about the world our children and grandchildren are facing. Some news stories can be very worrying, but to read of this remarkable young couple living such selfless lives, upheld by their strong Christian faith, despite all the pressures (and some of the extreme horrors) of the modern world, was truly uplifting. Iris Jillett GRANDCHILDREN TELL IT LIKE IT IS! Reading Michele Crawshaw’s August editor’s letter, I have to agree with everything she says…

THE PRINCESS DIARIES PRINCESS EUGENIE OF YORK and sister Beatrice (above) have given a rare interview about royal life. As Eugenie prepares to wed Jack Brooksbank in October and Beatrice enters her 30s, the sisters have offered a glimpse into their bond, aspirations, and love.“It’s very nerve-wracking because you want it to be perfect,” Eugenie told UK Vogue of her wedding.“But then you realise that you’re going to be with the person you love for ever and nothing else really matters.” Women’s rights campaigners in Afghanistan hope a public policy change will end the barbaric practice of virginity testing. Girls as young as 13 can be jailed if an invasive exam finds her hymen is no longer intact. AGELESS STYLE The incomparable Faye Dunaway (above) has proved style is ageless…

By any standards, Curtis Stone is living the Hollywood dream. “It’s beautiful every single day,” says the charismatic celebrity chef. “We’re 10 minutes from the beach – we live in a cosmopolitan city, but there are deer in our backyard and coyotes chasing them. You can be in the mountains at Mammoth skiing and back down at the beach surfing the same day.” Curtis, his actress wife, Lindsay Price, and their two sons, Hudson, six, and three-year-old Emerson, live in Brentwood, an exclusive Los Angeles neighbourhood. At 42, Curtis is a best-selling cookbook author, a TV personality in Australia and in the United States, and the owner of two of LA’s leading, high-end restaurants, named after his grandmothers, Gwen and Maude. “Maude [his paternal grandmother] taught me how to make…

The airport terminal was packed but I managed to find a seat and settled in to wait. The woman next to me looked exhausted; she’d just come off an overnight flight from the States and was heading home to Invercargill. We got talking. It turned out she is an international rugby coach and recruiter, obviously a pretty high-powered one. She asked what I did. “Have you ever interviewed any women rugby players?” she said. No, I hadn’t. “You need to talk to Ruby Tui,” she told me firmly. “I’ll put you in touch.” And with that her flight was called and she was gone. The coach was Mere Baker. She’s a force to be reckoned with and a woman of her word. Not long afterwards I found myself in Tauranga…

You are invited! Join us for a sumptuous High Tea, bring your friends and indulge. You will be treated to sparkling wine on arrival, followed by a traditional high tea while you listen to The Australian Women’s Weekly editor Michele Crawshaw talk to Helen Brown, the author of global best-seller Cleo: How a small black cat helped heal a family and her new book, Bono: The rescue cat who helped me find my way home. It's sure to be a day to remember. Don’t miss out... book today! HEAD TO: Magshop.co.nz/AWWHighTea  to secure your seats now Two locations. Tickets only $75 • Wellington – Hippopotamus Restaurant Thursday October 18, 2018, 1.30pm-3pm • Auckland – Stamford Plaza Thursday October 25, 2018, 1.30pm-3pm TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Wellington event is on…

I used to think all thank-you letters had to be handwritten on smart notepaper or cards but, hey, I’m a modern granny and have decided that these days you can send emails or Facebook messages or maybe a what’s-app thingy. Or even a text – but preferably not just the one-word abbreviation, THX, or a smiley face. The important thing is to actually send them. My childhood memories of Christmas and birthday celebrations always included the non-negotiable task of writing and posting the thank-you letters. They were always known as “bread and butter” letters in my family and the party wasn’t over until they’d been done. Today, my siblings and I are still pretty good at penning these notes. We’re particularly diligent with death, and always send handwritten letters when…

Spring jacket Coming into the warmer months, a denim jacket will be the perfect addition to your spring wardrobe. The Miami Jacket from Loobie’s Story is sure to turn heads with its pearl and stud embellishments. Available from selected stockists, $299. loobiesstory.co.nz A-B-C JEWELLERY Keep it personal with the new Love Letters collection from Karen Walker jewellery. The alphabet stud and hoop earrings and necklaces can be worn as single letters or in multiples to convey a message. Prices from $69. karenwalker.com SIMPLY CLASSIC New Zealand label twenty-seven names has taken inspiration from cult-90s TV series Seinfeld for their new collection Yada Yada. Simple shapes and classic styles make this a brand worth investing in. The Low Talker Shirt, $350. twentysevennames.co.nz Step this way Stay comfortable…

1 BASE: Use a mineral powder that gives good coverage and swirl on with a fluffy brush. Or use a radiant concealer with good pigment-density and dab on where needed. 2 MASCARA: Choose a lengthening version with a skinny brush you won’t bump on your eyelids – to save you having to tidy up! 3 BROWS: A controversial choice for a quick face, so leave them out if you must, but brows do provide definition. A product that offers tint and set in one via a spoolie brush is easy to rush. 4 CREAM SHADOW: Alternatively, skip the brows and use fingers to apply a touch of cream shadow to eyelids instead. 5 LIP AND CHEEK COLOUR: A multi-use cream stick that offers a hint of tint is ideal (otherwise…

At long last, there’s a scented product for people with sensitive skin – thanks to Aveeno Scented Skin Relief. Until now, you’ve probably had to rely on fragrance-free products to keep your skin looking healthy – and look on with envy while other people used products with delicious scents. Now you can have the best of both worlds and enjoy the luxury of a scented product that is gentle enough for dry, sensitive skin. New Aveeno Scented Skin Relief lotion and wash is clinically proven to be as gentle to sensitive skin as fragrance-free products. Lightly scented with coconut for that pampering experience you can’t get from fragrance-free products, Aveeno Scented Skin Relief lotion and wash is specifically designed for sensitive skin. The formula contains Aveeno’s trusted triple oat complex.…

Q My eyes hurt every time they are exposed to dust, smoke or a similar haze in the air. From time to time I even notice my vision is blurred. Is it possible that this is allergy related or something else, and what can I do to help with the pain? T.B. Smoke, dust and other airborne irritants can cause eye discomfort, redness and excessive tears that are not allergic. These irritants are fine, airborne particles, which can also cause runny nose, sneezing, cough and wheeze. If you need to be outdoors on those days, you can rinse your eyes with saline or fresh water and use artificial tears (available at any pharmacy) frequently during the day. Q My doctor told me I was pre-diabetic. Does this mean I will…

Oven-fried chicken burgers SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK TIME 30 MINUTES 2½ cups (175g) fresh breadcrumbs 4 (700g) chicken thigh fillets, hammered flat 50g butter, melted ¼ cup (70g) sweet chilli sauce ¼ cup (75g) kewpie mayonnaise juice of 1 lime 200g bag pre-cut coleslaw (not dressed) 4 brioche burger buns, split in half 1 Lebanese cucumber, sliced with a peeler into ribbons ½ small (50g) red onion, very finely sliced 1 Preheat oven to 220°C (200°C fan-forced). Line an oven tray with baking paper. 2 Add breadcrumbs to medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Brush the chicken pieces with butter, then dip into the crumb mixture. Press the crumbs firmly onto the chicken and place onto prepared tray. Bake for 25 minutes, then turn the chicken over and…

DELICIOUS SHORTCUTS CANNED BEANS FAST LUNCH SALADS Beetroot, haloumi and white bean salad SERVES 2 PREP AND COOK TIME 10 MINUTES Cut cooked beetroot from a 250g vacuum pack in half. Transfer to a bowl; add 1 large coarsely grated carrot, a drained, rinsed 400g can cannellini beans, 2 cups rocket, 2 sliced spring onions and ¼ cup roasted chopped hazelnuts. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons each extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice; toss gently. Season to taste. Cook 250g sliced haloumi cheese, in batches, in an oiled frying pan over medium-high heat for 1 minute each side or until browned. Serve salad topped with warm haloumi. Moroccan bean and egg salad SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK TIME 15 MINUTES Cook 4 eggs in a small saucepan of simmering water…

Dessert and coffee are great together, but it’s not worth losing sleep over. L’OR Espresso Ristretto Decaffeinato is the newest aluminium capsule from L’OR, for those that treasure fine coffee but want to avoid the stimulating effects of caffeine. Intense and spicy, with a rich flavour, it’s no coincidence that it pairs perfectly with an array of desserts! Next month’s Quick Bites winner will receive Three L’OR Decaf prize packs, to keep or share with friends, worth $100 each. To enter the draw, send your top tip to awweditor@bauermedia.co.nz  with “Quick Bites” in the subject line by August 31, 2018.…

I’ve written much about Marlborough’s benchmark sauvignon blanc, which not only put New Zealand wine on the international map but continues to function as the engine room of our near $2 billion wine industry. Making up 75 per cent of Marlborough’s vineyards, its dominance can sometimes obscure the region’s excellent-quality, interesting wines from numerous other varieties. So let’s explore what else is on offer and why it tastes so good. Marlborough’s fairly cool climate with high sunshine hours and long, dry autumns provides a highly desirable growing season, delivering heightened varietal expression with vividly pure fruit, balanced, crisp acidity and complex aromas and flavours. The long season also permits a wide range of styles, demonstrated by varieties such riesling, pinot gris and gewürztraminer, which can range from bone dry to…

Arriving on Friday night, I was definitely ready for cocktails and conviviality, and the Cordis Lobby Lounge didn’t disappoint. Contemporary elegance combined seamlessly with Kiwi hospitality and in no time I was sipping a delicious aperitif made with a locally-distilled rhubarb gin. Later, hungry, and not sure what I fancied, I headed to Eight restaurant, with its signature Eight “interactive dining” – eight specialist kitchens offer grill, seafood, salads, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Italian and delectable desserts, all under one roof. Under the guidance of Chef Volker, the emphasis on locally sourced, sustainable and seasonal products was evident. Cordis kitchens produce very low waste, too, a fact of which staff are justifiably proud. After my chosen octopus and oysters, it was time for meltingly tender lamb and coriander naan, fresh from…

Get your walking shoes on for a good cause with the Alzheimer’s NZ Memory Walk. Taking place all over the country, the walks aim to raise awareness and show support for people affected by dementia. Registration is free but donations are greatly appreciated. For dates and locations, visit alzheimers.org.nz/memorywalk. Indian Ink Theatre Company has returned with a sequel to the highly-acclaimed Krishnan’s Dairy. Mrs Krishnan’s Party is a joyous, life-affirming, party-within-a-play based around a surprise party that doesn’t go to plan. Shows will be held in Auckland, New Plymouth and Wellington this September. For more information, go to indianink.co.nz…

The Botanist’s Daughter by Kayte Nunn , Hachette Review by Juliet Rieden There’s an easy familiarity to Kayte Nunn’s new novel and it’s all down to her two incredibly likeable, headstrong heroines. Elizabeth is from Victorian England and you can feel her stretching to break with the constraints of her sex and era, as she canters on horseback, throws off her stifling boots and refuses (at first) to be owned by a man. Anna is from contemporary Sydney, quiet, reclusive, scarred by a dark past and trapped by a post-traumatic stress disorder she can’t discuss. But right from the start you feel a sense of camaraderie with the duo. Both are botanists, both are grieving and as the plot unwinds these two vulnerable adventurers come more sharply…

THE SECRET KEEPER by Susan Lewis, Penguin Random House It’s easy to keep turning the pages of this latest book from prolific British writer Susan Lewis as she leads us through a story of lost love, secrets, lies and deceit. As a teenager, main character Olivia fell madly in love with Sean Kenyon, and he with her. But circumstances saw them part and Olivia went on to marry and have a family with businessman Richmond Benting. Eighteen years later, illness and work difficulties are taking their toll on the couple. Olivia’s life is thrown into further turmoil with the reappearance of Sean and also of Richmond’s former girlfriend, Ana Petrov, a glamorous Russian who had carried out a jealous vendetta against Olivia when she first got together with Richmond. Is…

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 give an alternative that’s easy to find.…