Innholdsfortegnelse for Christmas 2018 i Australian Women’s Weekly NZ

If I surveyed our team here at The Australian Women’s Weekly, I can bet that their favourite time of the year – hands down – would be Christmas. It’s that wonderful feeling of being able to reflect on the year that’s been, to look forward to the warmth and the freedom of the summer holidays and, of course, to get caught up in all the glittering, magical excitement of the festive season. But more than that it’s a chance to feel grateful. Not just for what’s under the Christmas tree, but for those around you – the people who have supported you, lifted you up when you needed it and been there to share a laugh. And for some it’s a chance to say thank you for the most wonderful…

OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST I totally agree with Professor Kerryn Phelps that nature is therapy for us. Not just being in the fresh air and sunshine (as long as we don’t overdo it and get sunburnt) but also the fresh fruit and veges that help us keep healthy and energised. Let’s get with nature’s plan and, even though we live busy lives, have lunch outside in the sunshine; take five minutes to tend to some potted veges; take the kids to the beach to pick up rubbish, swim and fish. Leave the car at home if you can walk to the local shops. Create a community garden and involve the kids. Everyone benefits, socially and physically, by helping weed and water. And, who knows, maybe we can make the world a better…

On the day of our Australian Women’s Weekly photo shoot, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Langbein household: an enormous cake, a festive table-setting, a series of beautiful dresses. Annabel has fake-tanned that morning and is growing concerned at how deep the colour is turning as the day progresses. We pause for tea and scones, a ritual that is taken very seriously. There is a decades’ old Chinese teapot, and a rattan warmer basket that keeps it hot between pours. Annabel’s teacups are floral, vintage and beautiful – passed down through the generations (which ensures we hold them very, very carefully). It’s a beautiful sunny day and the mood is festive. Which is good, because Annabel is a very Christmassy person. In fact, when it comes…

Meli Berends Sometimes, when life throws curveball after curveball at you, the only thing that gets you through is the faith – however small – that things can only get better. In early 2019, Meli Berends will celebrate two milestones: the first birthday of her youngest son Tomi, and 10 years since her breast cancer diagnosis. Back in 2009, Meli was 33 and a single mother to 18-month-old Eli when she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. She had moved home from the Gold Coast to be with her mother, Tomi, who had been diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer. Back in Christchurch, Meli had crawled into bed one night, her hand flopping onto her chest when she lay down. She felt a lump – a big one. Meli knew she…

Emma Thompson has a new look, but the sound is familiar. Impervious to interruptions, immune to hesitation, it whoops and loops in elaborate conversational circles before finally giving way to a reapplication of peachy-coloured lipstick. “Bugger. Worn it all off. Think I’ve been banging on too much,” she says. Banging on is one of the things Emma has done brilliantly down the years. She not only has opinions on everything, but the verbal virtuosity to ensure they are fully and inescapably broadcast. In the past, her fondness for saying what she thinks has landed her in trouble, with critics labelling her “the most annoying woman in Britain”, but the actress isn’t listening, and today, reassuringly, there is something else she wants to talk about. First, though, that new look. The…

Q With Christmas nearly here there are plenty of parties popping up on the social calendar. I have been invited to a few very fancy affairs but I don’t really want to buy anything new. I have one elegant black dress I can wear but I’m struggling with how to make it look a bit different for each event. Could you give me some tips on how to jazz up an old classic? A I love jazzing up an old classic! A great fitting black dress made of beautiful fabric will stand the test of time so is certainly worth the investment. Accessories such as jewellery, shoes or even a coloured belt can change your look and style in no time. Try gold or pearl jewellery and strappy black sandals…

Q My mother has become very absentminded. Is there any way I can tell whether it is just old age or something like dementia? What symptoms should ring alarm bells? Z.M. You will need to take her to her GP for a full assessment as there are many conditions that can mimic dementia, such as depression or urinary tract infection, or the use of some medications. Warning signs include having trouble with everyday tasks; loss of interest; personality or behavioural changes; and difficulty with recent memory. Q I’ve heard that fish oil is not as good for heart health as previously thought. Is it still worth taking fish oil for arthritis? L.D. The recommendations about fish oil have ebbed and flowed for years. It is clear that we need omega…

Spicy chicken with chilli lime dipping sauce MAKES ABOUT 32 PREP AND COOK TIME 25 MINUTES (+ MARINATING TIME) You will need about 32 toothpicks 8 chicken thigh fillets 2 tablespoons fish sauce 2 cloves garlic, chopped finely 2 fresh small red chillies, seeded, chopped finely 1 teaspoon caster sugar 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil chopped fresh coriander leaves and spring onion, for serving lime wedges, for serving CHILLI LIME DIPPING SAUCE 2 tablespoons lime juice 2 tablespoons water 2 teaspoons sugar 2 teaspoons fish sauce 1 fresh small red chilli, seeded, chopped finely 2 teaspoons finely chopped coriander stalks 1 Cut chicken into 4cm pieces. 2 Combine the fish sauce, garlic, chilli and sugar in a medium bowl. Add chicken; mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours…

STEP 1: Run the tip of the knife around the small bone at the opposite end to the hock. Begin to slice on a slight angle down to the bone. If the ham slices do not come away totally, run your knife lengthways along the bone to remove slices. Continue to slice towards the hock. STEP 2: Continue slicing down to the bone, working your way around the ham. When you’re about a third of the way up, you can remove the first small bone by making a few short cuts at the joint. Continue the process with the next bone along. Lay ham on its side and run the knife along the bone towards the hock end to remove the side of ham from the bone. Slice the piece…

• Don’t be put off by having to make a syrup for this recipe. Let the sugar melt slowly, tilt the pan so the sugar browns evenly and stir it gently. Remember, sugar reaches a very high temperature when caramelising, so be careful. Remove the pan from the heat, add the juice and stand back, as the mixture will spit and spatter when the cold juice hits the hot caramel. Lumps of toffee will form at this stage and these need to be melted. Sometimes if you just leave the syrup alone, the residual heat will melt the toffee, but most people are in a hurry, so return the pan to a low heat and stir it until the toffee melts. Be careful not to let it boil – you…

SPREAD IT ON Sometimes there is nothing better than a bit of bread and spreadable butter! So Lewis Road have come to the party and added Lewis Road Creamery Spreadable to their stable of dairy goodness. Available at supermarkets. RRP $7.65 for 250g tub. TOMATO BUZZ Tomato brand Beekist is making a beeline to sustainability! Their packaging is now 98 per cent plastic-free. This will remove 5.5 million plastic punnets from supermarket shelves, meaning 100 tonnes less plastic being taken home by Kiwi shoppers every year. DID YOU KNOW? No wonder he has got such a big belly! It is estimated that $189 million worth of milk and cookies is left out for Santa Claus every year!…

Start buying early… a few bottles tucked away each week aids stress levels and budgets, plus you’ll likely encounter special offers on favourites. Will it just be nearest and dearest, or are ravening hordes descending? Beach, bach, barbecue? Plan accordingly – sparkling and white wines suit warm weather, as do lighter-bodied reds. More robust reds are great barbecue partners. Wine spritzers (half wine, half soda) help lighten the liver’s festive load. Party Central? A good rule is to allow approximately one drink per person per hour; you should get around five glasses per standard bottle. Always offer both food and non-alcoholic drinks: after all, it’s the silly season, not the stupid season. Many specialist wine stores have a sale-or-return policy to reduce over-catering, and may supply…

WHAT YOU NEED GIFT BOXES CHRISTMAS BAUBLES Give each guest a cute little gift box containing a hand-made bauble. They look great on the table and are a lovely memento for family and friends to take home and put on their Christmas tree. GIFT BOXES Decorating boxes is fun and easy and it doesn’t take long to transform a plain little carton into a pretty, present-worthy gift box. 1 Remove the lid from your boxes and spray-paint the outside of each box with your chosen colour. Allow a few hours to dry. 2 Measure the top of the lid and cut out a square of patterned paper to fit. Glue in place. 3 Line the box with tissue…

Deck the halls with boughs of Osmanthus heterophyllus, fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la! Okay, I concede that my alternative lyrics for that classic carol mightn’t be as catchy as getting all jolly over boughs of English holly, but here in the Southern Hemisphere we’ve always had a slightly different take on Christmas, haven’t we? Instead of snowflakes, eggnog and swags of pine cones and holly berries, we make do with snow-white pavlovas, lolly logs, ice-cream cones and summer strawberries. I’ve never experienced a “proper” Christmas, as my English expat friends like to call their Yuletide celebrations. Consequently, my idea of a traditional red, white and green festive season is one inspired by craggy pohutukawa in bloom along our coastlines, waxy new potatoes dug straight from the…

Sunlight glances off a speedboat’s wake as it roars away from Thao Dien district with its embassies, Western expat residences, Pilates studios, cafés and sprawling millionaires’ follies. I’ve been watching the river since sunrise from a bay window in my room at the Villa Song, a French colonial-inspired boutique hotel, and the prettiest place to stay in Ho Chi Minh City. By the far bank, a family of four gathers under a plastic canopy to eat breakfast on the deck of a cobalt blue fishing boat. An island of reeds and grasses and plastic refuse drifts downstream towards the Mekong Delta. Around the next bend, an immense steel bridge carries peak-hour scooters in their thousands towards the cluster of skyscrapers and French colonial terraces of Saigon (as locals still call…

For the first time since 2010, The Royal New Zealand Ballet is staging a national tour of Christmas classic The Nutcracker. Tchaikovsky’s magical and much-loved score will be performed live in Christchurch, Auckland and Dunedin; a specially made recording will accompany performances in other centres. For more details, visit rnzb.co.nz. The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas Pops is a great opportunity for the whole family to enjoy an assortment of festive music. With plenty of traditional favourites, be ready to enjoy a very merry singalong! For more information and ticketing, visit nzso.co.nz.…

Garden beauty Flourish by Juliet Nicholas & Barb Rogers, Penguin Random House Gorgeous, inspirational and blooming lovely… the green-fingered artistry of New Zealand women is on display here in a glorious garden tour that travels from Northland to Stewart Island. Beautiful photographs accompany the gardeners’ stories. Their creations range from a pocket patio in Auckland to a sculptural delight in Akaroa and sprawling country and coastal beauties, some of which are open to the public. Around New Zealand WILD JOURNEYS by Bruce Ansley, HarperCollins In 15 standalone chapters, Bruce Ansley goes on an adventure through New Zealand, visiting places and stories from the recent and more distant past – the infamous escapades of prison escapee George Wilder, a hunt for a ghost bird in South Westland, a drive…

Sagittarius NOV 23 - DEC 21 The planetary trinity of sun, new moon and Jupiter in Sagittarius doing a happy dance on December 7 ushers in the Archer clan’s fabulous astrological new year. When mid-month Mercury joins the crew you’ll certainly be talking the talk, but in the midst of festive merriment you might want to consider pressing the edit button occasionally. No need to tell all: a hint of mystery never hurt. Your primary December survival strategy is adaptability, as this month calls for flexible dancing with shifting goal posts and sudden adjustments – fortunately it’s your forte. Wishing you all the best for a cool Yule and joyous New Year. CAPRICORN DEC 22-JAN 20 What people say they’ll do in December and what they actually manage can seem…

MICHELE CRAWSHAW EDITOR: Rewatching the video of our five-year-old son singing his slightly inappropriate and very funny version of Jingle Bells while dancing in circles on the coffee table on Christmas Eve. Eight years later it’s traditional family viewing the night before Christmas. EMMA CLIFTON DEPUTY EDITOR: Annabel Langbein’s quote that “Christmas gives us a sense of anchor” is feeling very true for me, and this year I’ll be celebrating the end of 2018 with my loved ones, and some Champagne! BRONWYN MACKENZIE ART DIRECTOR: Being one of seven children we have 40-plus at our Christmas Day lunch. It’s a glorious get-together of parents, siblings and cousins… and this year we have the first of the next generation on the way. You can’t beat family! MARSHA SMITH DESIGNER/CRAFT EDITOR: It’s…

A treasure trove of beautiful things can be found at Cranfields. The Wellington store and online retailer (see cranfields.co.nz ) sources the highest quality homewares and gifts from across the globe. This stunning ceramic and pewter serving platter is part of the store’s elegant dinnerware collection and is handmade in Italy. The stylish piece makes a statement gift, and comes boxed, in a soft cloth bag. Our letter of the month writer this month will receive a Cranfields Italian ceramic and pewter serving platter, worth $260.   Writers of other published letters will receive an Australian Women’s Weekly cookbook.…

PIPPA Middleton and her husband James Matthews have welcomed a son. The Duchess of Cambridge’s younger sister checked into St Mary’s Hospital just three days after she stepped out in stunning emerald green for the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank. The little boy is the first child of the couple, who married in Berkshire last year. The newest arrival is a cousin to William and Kate’s children, George, five, Charlotte, three, and six-month-old Louis.…

Multi award winning broadcaster John Campbell has attached his considerable mana to the mast of the network he once locked horns with in dire competition. “At TV3 I was working with great people, we were the underdog, we had fewer staff, fewer resources, fewer viewers. It felt like a kind of adventure,” he says of his former role. He knows he’ll find it different at the state broadcaster. But he’s happy to be back on the telly, admitting, “I’ve missed it.” His new role is that of a roving reporter/presenter for TVNZ. From all accounts this job was tailor-made for him. He’s a free agent, to roam at will seeking truth and justice in the Campbell way. He’s come to the job by way of his stint on Radio New…

ALL PRICES ARE APPROXIMATE.…

If you enjoy it, putting in a bit of extra effort with your make-up for a special event can make you feel like a million bucks. The trouble is, sometimes it feels as if buying the products to create that special look costs about the same! That’s why this season we’ve chosen to highlight three classic looks that won’t date quickly. It means if you buy one new item – say, a lipstick or an eyeliner – you’ll be able to use it for any future special events, as well as it being versatile enough for more casual occasions. Each item can be easily sourced at a range of price points too. Smoke signals A truly timeless look, a sultry, smouldering, smoky eye is the LBD of your make-up repertoire.…

It happened in the tuna aisle at the supermarket. Journalist Jill Stark, 42, was feeling miserable, unmotivated and beset by a nameless sense of “what’s the point?”. As someone who’d long battled anxiety, she knew it was important to set small goals for herself every day. “Even on the very worst day, the least I could do for myself was put food in my body,” she says. So on this particularly black afternoon, she peeled herself off the couch, dragged herself to the supermarket and contemplated her dinner options. She wanted something simple, something comforting. A pasta bake, she thought – hot, carb-rich and nourishing. “I found the tuna aisle, and that’s where things fell apart,” Jill writes in her new book Happy Never After. The lights were harsh. The…

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…

Red velvet cupcakes MAKES 12 PREP AND COOK TIME 30 MINUTES (+ COOLING TIME) ¾ cup (110g) self-raising flour 2 tablespoons cocoa ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 100g butter, softened ¾ cup sweetened condensed milk 1 egg 1 tablespoon red food colouring gold pearl sugar and gold stars (or similar), to decorate CREAM CHEESE FROSTING 1¼ cups (200g) icing sugar, sifted 80g butter, softened 125g cream cheese, softened 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk 1 Preheat the oven to 170°C (150°C fan-forced). Line a 12-hole muffin pan (⅓ cup/80ml capacity) with paper cases. 2 Sift flour and cocoa into a medium bowl. Add vanilla, butter, condensed milk, egg and food colouring. Beat on medium speed with an electric mixer for 3 minutes or until mixture is light and fluffy. 3 Divide mixture…

• GINGER Combine ⅔ cup (230g) honey, ½ cup (115g) glacé ginger (chopped coarsely), ½ cup (110g) firmly packed brown sugar and ¼ cup (60ml) water in a small saucepan. Stir over a low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Blend or process all ingredients until well combined. Brush over ham occasionally during baking. • ORANGE AND MAPLE Combine 1 cup (340g) orange marmalade, ⅓ cup (80ml) maple syrup, ½ cup (110g) firmly packed brown sugar and 1 cup (250ml) dry ginger ale in a small saucepan. Bring to the boil; reduce heat to medium. Simmer, uncovered, about 10 minutes or until reduced by half. Brush over ham occasionally during baking. • HERB AND GARLIC Pound 2 teaspoons thyme leaves, 1 tablespoon rosemary leaves, 1 tablespoon fennel seeds, 3 peeled…

Little gluten-free Christmas cakes MAKES 6 PREP AND COOK TIME 2 HOURS 30 MINUTES (+ COOLING AND STANDING TIME) 1kg dried fruit mix 1 cup (140g) pitted dates, chopped ½ cup (160g) fig jam 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon rind 1 tablespoon finely grated orange rind 1 tablespoon ground ginger 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 cup (250ml) ginger beer 250g butter, softened 1 cup (220g) firmly packed dark brown sugar 4 eggs, at room temperature 1 cup (110g) almond meal ¾ cup (110g) gluten-free plain flour ½ cup (75g) gluten-free self-raising flour walnuts, pecans, macadamias, blanched and natural almonds, to decorate ⅓ cup (80ml) dark rum, plus extra, optional ribbon, to decorate 1 Preheat oven to 160°C (140°C fan-forced). Line the base and sides of six deep 9cm round cake…

This time of year, I always have to fight the urge to whack the person who cheerfully announces that “there’s only X more weekends until Christmas!”. Finding the right gift for each person can be tricky and the shopping days soon disappear. However, we wine-lovers are surely among the easiest of all to buy for. In the unlikely event you do happen to be stumped for ideas for the wine aficionado in your life, these suggestions may help. A BOOK There are many great books about wine. Andrew Jefford, Hugh Johnson or Jancis Robinson are ever-reliable authors, or perhaps try a specialist wine magazine subscription. Local winemaker Kevin Judd of Greywacke is also a seriously talented photographer – keep an eye out for his stunning publications. GLASSWARE Plenty of scope…

WHAT YOU NEED PINE CONE WREATH • Plenty of pine cones in various sizes • Vinegar (optional, for cleaning) • Resene testpot paints - we used: Resene Fountain Blue Resene Vista Blue Resene Gelato Resene Caper Resene Clover Resene Code Red Resene Comfort Zone Resene White • Resene testpot paintbrush (it’s handy to have two) • Faux berries • Cardboard, for drying • Florist wire, 22 gauge • Craft pliers/cutters • Metal wire wreath frame CHRISTMAS TREE CONES • Thin card • Scissors • Sticky tape • Quick dry craft glue • Resene testpot paints – we used: Resene Gelato Resene Fountain Blue Resene Comfort Zone Resene White (for details) Resene Bullion (gold) 1 Remove any debris or pine needles stuck to the pine cones. If they need more than…

Festive cheer Decorate your home this Christmas with your own personal touches. As tempting as tinsel is, try something more quirky, such as nature-inspired ornaments, pompom garlands, leafy wreaths and golden accents.…

• Give homegrown posies of red, white and green flowers to friends and work colleagues on Christmas Eve, because everyone appreciates free flowers to brighten up their festive dinner table! Buy cut flowers if need be and simply bulk out with fresh foliage from your backyard. • Make strawberry jam. Hull and slice 1kg ripe strawberries, place in a bowl and splash with 2 tablespoons raspberry vodka or cassis. Set aside until the berries release their juices, then combine in a pot with 1kg pectin-enriched jam-setting sugar. Over a low heat, stir until the sugar has dissolved, then turn up the heat and boil hard for 5 minutes. Pour into sterilised jars and seal. • Pot up a portable herb garden for friends to take away on their summer holidays.…

Mortal Engines 2D & 3D (December 8) Written and produced by Peter Jackson. Directed by Christian Rivers. Starring Hugo Weaving and Hera Hilmar. Sir Peter Jackson didn’t direct this, but as writer and producer his DNA is all through Mortal Engines and will be well worth seeing on the big screen. The Philip Reeve books the film is based on are a cracking read and while they target the Young Adult audience, the film skews a little older. This is a future world where the remaining cities – traction cities – roll around the barren landscape on the hunt for smaller cities they must devour to ensure their own survival; the biggest and hungriest of them all is London. But a rebellion is afoot, soon led by a…

THE BEST PART ABOUT ROMANIA IS... Its friendly people, who have kept great traditions that go back thousands of years. Romania is a beautiful country; the food is fantastic and the rich traditional costumes are appreciated all over the world. If I could go back in time and live in any era it would be... Ancient Greece. I was always fascinated by the ancient world and particularly by the Greeks, as the Western world adopted the Greek civilisation: democracy, theatre, music, architecture, mathematics, medicine, astrology... If I had to choose another career I would like to be... A concert pianist. I love classical music and piano in particular. The best part about New Zealand is... Its natural beauty. If you want to have your breath taken away you just need to…

GIVEAWAY Hushaberry’s luxury wool range makes an elegant and sustainable interiors choice. Designed and made in New Zealand, from the best wool in the world – ours! – all Hushaberry products are stylish and hard-wearing. This gorgeous houndstooth ottoman with leather trim is a welcome addition to a living, office or bedroom space, can withstand rigorous wear, repels dust, is hypoallergenic and will add a classic and timeless quality to your room. We have one Hushaberry Woven Houndstooth Pouf, valued at $495 to give away. To enter, email awweditor@bauermedia.co.nz , subject line “HUSHABERRY” or enter online at nowtolove/HUSHABERRY and enter the code AWWMG012 by December 2, 2018. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/awwmagazine CHRISTMAS FOLLOW 2018 US ON INSTAGRAM @awwmagazine…

It is awesome to celebrate the achievements of the powerful women in this world ( The Power List , November issue). I would also like to celebrate the countless women who achieve everyday miracles but will never feature in a magazine. The mothers who have weeks of sleepless nights, yet still get up with a smile on their faces to cook and clean for the rest of the family. Those who clean up the mess when children are sick. Those who spend their whole lives delighting in a disabled child who may never walk, let alone get a medal on sports day, or children who will never be able to say thank you. I celebrate those who care for the frail, the elderly and the terminally ill, not…

JUST KITTING The US embassy is feeling embarrassed after accidentally sending out a meeting e-invite with a photo of a cat in pyjamas relaxing with a snack. FRIENDSHIP BENCH A mental health project called The Friendship Bench has helped more than 30,000 people in Zimbabwe, and is now being expanded to other countries. It involves free “talk therapy” delivered by grandmothers. BROADCAST SNOOZE They say never wake a sleeping baby, and one meteorologist from Minnesota proved you don’t have to. She wore her son on her back while presenting a weather segment.…

Rio’s Sugarloaf Mountain is one of the most beautiful spots on earth to spend a 21st birthday. The girl in candy pink watching a ballet performance on top of the mountain with Copacabana beach spread out below claps and smiles at her father next to her. The pint-sized dancers in tutus are from one of Rio’s most violent favelas (slums), the ballet project a chance to dream in a place where their school is frequently closed because of shoot-outs between drug gangs and police. The birthday girl is from the other side of the world and she too knows about guns, having narrowly survived being shot on her school bus, her smile just a little lopsided as a result of damage to the nerve under her left eye. The world’s…

I feel I can speak with some authority on the subject of Christmas, having experienced 62 of them! I have clear recollections of Christmases past, dating back to the age of about three. The funny thing is, I don’t remember much about the presents; it is more to do with memories of the people around the dining table, the family traditions and the fun and laughter. Christmas for us was always about gathering the family together – there were cousins and elderly aunts and grandparents, plus we always had room for a few extras, such as travellers from overseas and varsity students who were working for my father on our Hawke’s Bay farm. There were lots of family traditions – such as attending church in the morning, dressed in our…

Celebratory dress Christmas Day is a time to celebrate, so even if you’re staying at home with loved ones, why not dress for the occasion? Spoil yourself and look divine with the Trelise Cooper Marilyn Monrose Dress, $799 (as worn by Annabel Langbein in this month’s cover story). A MUST-HAVE A good pair of leather sandals is an essential summer item! Whether you are looking for classic, colourful, a bit of a heel or comfort, there are plenty of styles to choose from. Sol Sana Fiesta Sandal Multi, $135. sol-sana.com.au BRIGHT and SILKY Put a pop of colour into your outfit with a beautiful BESS luxury silk scarf. Designed in New Zealand by founder and creative director Nicole Sykes, each vibrant…

Spectacular seafood platter SERVES 8-12 AS PART OF THE CHRISTMAS TABLE PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 45 MINUTES (+ 3 DAYS CURING AND REFRIGERATION TIME) Cured salmon 1 whole (1kg) salmon fillet, skin removed, pin boned 3 teaspoons finely grated orange rind 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon rind 1 teaspoon finely grated lime rind 2 tablespoons table salt ¼ cup (55g) white sugar ¼ cup finely chopped dill 1 Lay the salmon on a platter or tray. In a bowl, combine the rinds, salt, sugar and dill. Coat one side with half the mixture. Turn the salmon over and coat the other side with the remaining mixture. 2 Cover the salmon with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 days, turning it over every day and covering it again. The…

Mustard and redcurrant glazed ham with cherry compote SERVES 16 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES 300g jar redcurrant jelly ½ cup (125ml) tawny port 8kg leg ham 1⅓ cup (95g) hot English mustard ½ cup (110g) firmly packed brown sugar 1 medium (240g) orange 500g fresh cherries, pitted, left whole 1 Preheat the oven to 220°C (200°C fan-forced). 2 Combine jelly and tawny port in a medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until jelly is melted. Simmer, uncovered, for about 8 minutes or until mixture is thickened slightly. Pour half the glaze into a small heatproof bowl. 3 Cut through the rind of the ham about 15cm from the hock end of the leg (a zigzag cut looks effective). To remove rind, run a small sharp knife…

Grand Marnier fruit cake PREP AND COOK TIME 5 HOURS 40 MINUTES (+ STANDING AND COOLING TIME) 3 cups (500g) sultanas 1½ cups (250g) mixed peel ¾ cup (120g) chopped raisins ¾ cup (105g) chopped pitted dried dates 2/3 cup (120g) chopped pitted prunes ½ cup (125g) chopped dried apricots 2/3 cup (150g) chopped crystallised pineapple ½ cup (70g) slivered almonds ½ cup (55g) coarsely chopped walnuts 1 tablespoon finely grated orange rind ½ cup (110g) caster sugar ¼ cup (60ml) orange juice ½ cup (125ml) Grand Marnier 250g butter, softened ½ cup (110g) firmly packed brown sugar 5 eggs 2 cups (300g) plain flour 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier, extra DECORATIONS 1kg ready-made white icing 1 egg white, beaten lightly ½ cup (80g) pure icing sugar, sifted 25cm round covered…

CHRISTMAS NOVELTY SOCKS, $20 (AMAZON) I couldn’t resist these rather spiffy socks. Worn in a hammock or armchair, they give new meaning to the concept of kicking back in style! 1 2018 MATAWHERO ESTATE ‘FIRST SUN’ GISBORNE ROSÉ, 1500ML, $40 Snaffle up one of these for Christmas, as what’s not to love about a magnum of shimmery pink, berryfruit-rich, textural rosé? Vibrant, balanced, fruity and yum. 2 NV MORTON ESTATE BRUT METHODE, $16 Gold-winning sparkling for under $20? Can’t go wrong there. Morton Estate has always made great bubbles: this is crisp and fresh with delicate apple, brioche and berry notes. 3 2016 PEGASUS BAY WAIPARA VALLEY ‘FORTISSIMO’ MUSCAT, 375ML, $40 Intensely aromatic, rich in fruit and florals – honeysuckle, quince, ripe peach and citrus – with a dusting of…

These cones look fabulous in groups of varying colours and heights along the centre of your dining table or sideboard. 1. Start by making a cone from thin card. Cut out a shape similar to the template above. Roll it up in the direction indicated by the arrow. The tighter you roll, the skinnier the cone will be and vice versa. When you start rolling you might like to use a little tape on the inside of the cone to hold it in shape. When fully rolled, glue along edge A to secure. 2. Paint the entire cone with two coats of one Resene testpot colour. Once dry, paint the tip with Resene Bullion, then add flecks or dots of white to the rest of the cone for a more…

For many years our family Christmas holidays were spent in a little old 1968 caravan in the Bay of Plenty. My parents had their caravan next door and we’d all set up tents and awnings and sit by the ocean in the summer having a lovely time with friends and family. We’d have swimming races across the estuary, I’d make pizza bread and get my youngest daughter Pearl to deliver it around the camp and in the evenings there would be wine and beer and barbecues. Some of our favourite family memories are from those Christmas holidays. The time I made jam from the wild blackberries. The time our dog Shirl chased a possum and it ran up my leg and sat on my head thinking I was a tree…

Auckland’s Cordis hotel is celebrating the release of the Disney movie The Nutcracker and the Four Realms with a special high tea inspired by lead character Clara and her journey. Available from November 16 to December 16. See cordishotels.com/auckland. Christmas comedy Keen for a Christmas chuckle? Head to Auckland's Basement Theatre in December for the Annual Christmas Show. Work Do , written by comedians Rose Matafeo and Alice Snedden, is a tale of a classic office party gone rogue, and will feature a rotating cast of Kiwi celebrities. See basementtheatre.co.nz . The iconic Farmers Santa Parade turns 85 this year and promises to be the best yet! Auckland’s Queen Street will play host on Sunday November 25 at 1pm, followed by Santa’s…

When best-selling author Jodi Picoult set out to write her latest book, A Spark of Light, she had no idea the theme of the novel would resonate so strongly with current political issues in her home country. The book was released as the United States Supreme Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh – described as a conservative “pro-life poster boy” – faced questions about his stance on abortion and reproductive rights. “That was obviously surprising to me,” says Jodi, “and yet it also reinforced for me why I wrote this story, because in America women’s voices don’t matter. Women’s stories don’t matter and when you don’t speak up men create a narrative of shame, saying things like, ‘You had this coming to you, this is your fault, you knew better.’ Those are…