Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2021 i Australian Women’s Weekly NZ

As humans, we love to “put something in a box”. We love to take people or situations and neatly label them with assumption. We all do it, as much as we’d like to think we don’t. On a fundamental level, it is the way we are wired. And with good reason. If our minds had to process everything we encountered as unique or one-of-a-kind, we’d literally have a neurological meltdown, so instead we categorise – we put something in a box. But there’s always a downside, especially when it comes to people. When we put people in boxes,we limit who they are. We stifle their greatness. We group them with a set of rules that determines how they should look, act and be, and never is this more evident than…

If I wasn’t a musician, I’d be a … Bum?! I have no back-up profession in mind for me. My next album is inspired by… My life experiences over the past five years. So much has happened that I’ve had to process, and now these things sit on my heart to sing and write about. After The Masked Singer NZ, my favourite reality show is… The Real Housewives of Atlanta . The last message I sent on my phone says… “12.30, huh? Let’s skip it and reschedule my roots and a trim for another time. I’ll have a luxurious sleep-in instead. Love you, thank you!” That was to my hairstylist and make-up artist, and it shows both my laziness and penchant for a good lie-in!…

When it comes to acting, people are always surprised to know… “How do you learn all those lines?” The answer is always, “Bloody hard work!” If I wasn’t doing this, I would… be screaming and tearing at the walls of my padded cell. The line that sticks in my head is… “We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.” William Shakespeare, The Tempest , Act 4, Scene 1. The last message I sent on my phone says… “I’m outside” – I was picking my son Cameron up to go to a steam room for a “schvitz”. My greatest achievement is… Creating two beautiful sons with my wife Jennifer [Ward-Lealand]. Life is too short for… Bad beer.…

“I will miss my Grandpa, but I know he would want us to get on with the job,” said Prince William in his telling tribute just days after the death of Prince Philip. And certainly, after the dignified pomp and heart-rending solemnity of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral, the royal family on both sides of the Atlantic has done just that. While Her Majesty returned to official duties with two virtual audiences just days after the funeral, the rest of the family also threw themselves back into work, virtually and in person. There were photos from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s visit to a family farm in County Durham as the couple took turns behind the wheel of a tractor, and also of Prince William, who met players from…

Most families have secrets, scars from the past that everyone senses they shouldn’t ask about, but the secret Denise Young kept from her daughter Nina for 25 years was more than discarded family baggage, it was intense, shocking and life-changing. So, it’s no wonder that when Nina discovered the truth about who her father really was, about the unvarnished horror of his crimes, it made her question her whole sense of self. “It felt like the ground had fallen out from underneath me. I thought, there’s no way Mum could know because if she knew then obviously I would know about it too,” Nina tells The Weekly as she casts her mind back to that day when everything went dark. By this time Nina was aware that her father had…

I’m back at last … back to how I was before I lost my mind. Sitting in the tranquil Daintree Rainforest in Far North Queensland, I roll a ball of black sapote ice-cream around my mouth, feeling all the terrible anxiety I’ve carried for the last year melt away – just like this delicious rainforest fruit ice-cream melts in my mouth. Travelling alone up to Cape Tribulation, Kulki country, to the most beautiful place on Earth – the northern tip of Australia – has been my ultimate test. It’s been quite a journey because, you see, on Sunday, March 1, 2020, I lost my mind. Not just for a minute, but for an entire day. Gone. I have no memory at all of what took place – and I never…

ListenDying for Sex (Spotify) When Molly Kochan was diagnosed with terminal cancer, she upended her entire life and embarked on a sexual adventure. Dying for Sex is that story, with Molly and friend Nikki Boyer discussing her trysts in all their hilarious and moving glory. WatchThe Pleasure is Ours – The goop Lab (Netflix) This is a real eye-opener. The goop team dive into the world of female pleasure, interviewing nonagenarian sex educator and author Betty Dodson (who has since passed away) and providing the female sex education you wish you’d had as a teen. ShopSex toys go mainstream! Let’s face it, buying sex toys used to be a bit seedy, browsing websites with names like Good Vibrations and then having an anonymous brown box turn up at your front…

We’ve come a long way since German actor Carl Baudin created flesh-coloured greasepaint to conceal the joint between his wig and forehead in the early 1900s. Today, a great foundation formula has the power to enhance your complexion, boost your confidence and possibly even rewind the clock a little. Unfortunately, there are caveats when it comes to getting great results after a certain age. “Instead of trying to hide flaws as we might when we’re younger, think about enhancing what you have,” says Trinny Woodall (right), founder of Trinny London. In practical terms, that might mean focusing on different parts of your face, switching formulas and getting your hands dirty again. “The issue is that as we mature, foundation can sit on skin and emphasise lines if we don’t adapt,”…

“Part of the problem is that skincare labels can overstate performance. I’m yet to experience ‘poreless’ or ‘glass’ skin.” Every now and then, brands tackle the beauty vernacular. The magazine I worked on in New York banned the word “anti-ageing” many years ago. It was quite inconvenient given that most of the products we wrote about were formulated to improve ageing skin. At the time, I thought it was woke and empowering. At the time, I had no wrinkles. Fast-forward a few decades, some children and two international moves ... I have well-earned lines. And I wouldn’t say I’m offended by words like anti-ageing any more. In fact, if that’s what the formula actually does, then why not mention it – I’d quite like to know what I’m buying. Part…

Ever treated a headache with acupuncture? Tried herbal tinctures for a cold? Had acupressure to bring on labour? Then you’re familiar with Chinese medicine. Practitioner and author Katie Brindle is on a mission to help us work this ancient wisdom into our everyday lives. “There are so many sides to Chinese medicine that aren’t known in the West,” Katie, who has been teaching Yang Sheng on Instagram for free during COVID restrictions (@ katie_brindle), says. “It’s powerful and you can do a lot of these techniques on yourself.” In her London-based practice, Katie teaches clients yang sheng – ‘nourish life’ – simple movements whose roots extend back thousands of years. Practised daily, they can transform the way you feel and function. You can do the exercises in any order. “Start…

For women experiencing vaginal dryness, says Dr Talat, the discomfort and knock-on emotional effects are considerable. “The area can feel irritated, intercourse can become painful, and when you are not aroused in the same way as before, this also becomes something you need to navigate in your relationship.” Experts are quick to point out that while every woman will benefit from a different combination of treatments, one of the first steps is a vaginal moisturiser or cremolum (or pessary). “This can quickly bring comfort and relief, and can work in conjunction with other types of treatment,” explains Dr Talat.…

Coconut aminos is a salty, savoury seasoning sauce made from the fermented sap of the coconut palm and sea salt. It is similar in colour and consistency to light soy sauce and can be easily substituted. You can find it at major supermarkets and health food stores. Always check the label for allergen advice. You will need 2 x 375g packets of vine leaves. To prepare the leaves, drain them from the brine; rinse under warm water. Remove stems with a sharp knife; leave to drain in a colander or lay flat on paper towel. Browning the meat before adding it to the slow cooker enhances the flavour and gives the meat a beautiful, rich colour. Do this in a preheated, oiled frying pan – add the meat in batches,…

Chargrilled broccoli steaks SERVES 4 AS A SIDE. PREP + COOK TIME 15 MINUTES 1/3 cup (80ml) extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind 1 small clove garlic, crushed 750g broccoli 150g marinated goat’s cheese chilli flakes, for serving 1 Whisk ¼ cup (60ml) of the olive oil, lemon juice, rind and garlic together in a small bowl; season to taste with salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper 2 Cut broccoli into 1cm thick slices. Place broccoli on a tray, brush with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Cook broccoli on a heated oiled chargrill plate (or barbecue) over medium-high heat for 3 minutes each side or until just cooked. 3 Serve drizzled with dressing, top with goat’s cheese and sprinkle with chilli…

You will need to start the labne a day ahead. Labne is made by straining yoghurt through a fine cloth to release the liquid component, which is known as whey. The longer the straining time, the thicker the labne will become. The leftover whey will keep refrigerated for up to 2 days; use it in your smoothies or soups. A savoury labne can be made by omitting the sugar and vanilla. To fast-track the draining process, wring the top of the cloth every 15 minutes. For a decadent dessert, top with dairy-free chocolate ice cream and shaved dark chocolate. We used a mixture of raspberries, blueberries and cherries.…

The Ripping Tree by Nikki Gemmell, HarperCollins Nikki Gemmell first conceived of this, her great Australian novel, more than a decade ago. “I was living in London, dreaming of the tall blue skies of home,” she tells The Weekly . “I moved back to Australia in a great rush of thankfulness. But then life crashed spectacularly into the writing process – a new baby arrived alongside several more books and the death of both my parents, which knocked me for six. But my protagonist, Tom, wouldn’t let me go. I returned again and again to her.” This haunting page-turner is the result. “It’s an historical thriller, a big departure for me,” Nikki says. There are heart-stopping moments and an undercurrent whodunnit that runs through to the final page. But it…

The Last Reunion by Kayte Nunn, Hachette The women soldiers of the WWII Burma campaign were forgotten fighters. Nunn’s superb segueing skills bring to life three recruits and their commander, at a New Year’s Eve 1999, 55 years reunion. Calcutta 1944, rich Beatrix sits out the war rolling bandages. But when Bubbles and Plum sign up for mobile canteen duty, Bea enlists too. London 1999, Aussie Olivia is despatched by her art dealer boss to Bea Pelham’s mansion to finalise the sale of rare netsuke (valuable Japanese ivory, amber, coral sash toggles). When Olivia gets stranded at Bea’s remote mansion, the women forge a firm bond. In Oxford in 1976, a woman had stolen these netsuke from an unlocked cabinet at Ashmolean Museum. The Affair by Danielle Steel, Pan Macmillan…

The Kiosk by Anete Melece, Walker Books Olga dreams of travel in the kiosk where she sells lotto tickets. When a wind blows the kiosk into the river with Olga inside, she washes up beachside. Early One Morning by Mem Fox & Christine Davenier, Penguin A farm boy is searching for a breakfast egg. He looks under a tractor … a haystack … a chicken is chasing him to give him a clue! The Emu Who Ran Through the Sky by Helen Milroy, Magabala Emus run fast but clumsy Lofty keeps falling over. Bush Mob Council send him to Platypus, who invents a feathery paraglider, so he can run through the sky!…

Wild wind and torrential rain thrash the Bradley home. The pitter-patter of the first drops to fall has been quickly replaced with a pelting that hits the windows so hard they risk smashing. Wagadhaany shivers with fear as a bitterly cold draught comes through a gap in the door frame. ‘We need to sandbag,’ Henry Bradley says forcefully, his role as patriarch of the family never more tested than now. ‘Others have already done it. We’re going to lose everything if we don’t take action now!’ It’s an announcement and an order in one, his four sons jumping to attention instantly, as does Wagadhaany, waiting for her instructions as their servant. ‘No!’ Mr Bradley’s wife, Elizabeth, has never raised her voice in their home and her challenge to her husband…

Gemini May 22 - Jun 22 Good news for your happy birthday month: planet Mercury is in Gemini for all of June. Not so ab-fab is that for the first three weeks it’s retrograde, meaning in mischief mode. Also known as Hermes, the Greek god of travellers, Mercury stimulates movement, though this month’s is likely to be less physically free-ranging and more the mental sort. The new moon eclipse in Gemini on June 10 celebrates the start of your astrological new year with inspirations, epiphanies and a personal growth spurt – though best wait till the last week of June before getting others on board with any new projects. Cancer Jun 23 - Jul 23 June starts nicely for family-centric Cancerians, with Venus joining Mars in your sign for a…

Seeing Setting Up Camp: The Soldier’s Tale. Composed by Igor Stravinsky in 1918, and designed to be read, played and danced, it’s a beautiful collaboration between the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Indulging My love of all things French (and, yes, that includes wine) at the 2021 French Film Festival Aotearoa. Screening in 11 cities across the country, the films may help soften the blow that it’s unlikely any of us will get to Europe for some time.…

Imagine yourself on a hot summer day in the not-too-distant future. You’ve brought your three-year-old daughter to the playground because she loves the swings. A natural athlete, she is using her strong little body to propel herself ever higher, her blonde pigtails trailing behind her like streamers. She’s soaring, and your breath catches as she reaches the top of the swing’s arc and her tiny hands let go of the chains. You rush towards her as she crashes to the ground. She is dazed, but not injured. It is just as the doctor promised: her bones are unbreakable. You hug her and remind yourself of the insurance policy you put in place before she was born. She has a vanishingly small risk of cancer, and no risk of diabetes. She…

As we approach the front door of a terrace home in Sydney’s Newtown, a waft of patchouli oil comes along with its owner, antiques dealer and jeweller Sarah Jane Adams. Hugs are given and offers of masala tea are made as, wide-eyed, we take in the eclectic beauty of her home, which has been sanded down to find long-lost wallpaper, and displays a multitude of antiquities and memories of a life well lived. It’s “organised chaos”, Sarah Jane laughs, taking us through to her sitting room, where we nestle in for an hours-long chat, ranging through topics as diverse as reality TV and reclaiming menopause. With her striking looks and uniquely personal style, Sarah Jane – or SJ as she introduces herself – has always been more likely to stand…

Forget the frontline. The legendary Windmill Girls served the cause on stage – lifting the spirits of bomb-ravaged Londoners and many a serviceman. The year is 1941 and Soho is ablaze. Piccadilly Circus is bathed in a bright orange glow as German planes roar overhead dropping more bombs into the furnace. An incendiary crashes through the roof of some stables near Great Windmill Street, engulfing horses in rubble. Out of the choking clouds of smoke emerges a curious sight. Two beautiful young women are leading six terrified horses by their halters. By the time the girls reach Vine Street police station and deliver the horses to safety, they are also belting out a note-perfect rendition of I’ve Got Sixpence . It takes physical strength and a dollop of chutzpah to…

Revlon ColorStay Light Cover Foundation, $38, has pomegranate extract to boost hydration and a formula that lets you build coverage where you need it most. Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation, $67, has hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid and vitamin C to even skin tone instantly and then improve clarity over time. Dior Forever Natural Nude Foundation, $109, is a fresh-feeling formula with a high concentration of water and plant extracts to hydrate skin and boost radiance. Mecca Cosmetica In A Good Light Face Tint with SPF 30, $47, delivers great protection with a high SPF against both UVA and UVB rays, as well as lots of hyaluronic acid for hydration. Juice Beauty Stem Cellular CC Cream, $66, is packed with aloe vera and coconut oil, which deeply soothes, as well…

For repair Caudalíe Resveratrol-Lift Instant Firming Serum, $120, tones and smooths skin with a blend of resveratrol, hyaluronic acid and vegan collagen. For comfort Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Face Cream, $29.24, has fruit extracts and an amino-peptide complex to hydrate. For all over Linden Leaves Aromatherapy Synergy Absolute Dreams Moisturising Lotion, $29.99, is enriched with kiwifruit, harakeke and rosemary extracts to keep skin nourished.…

1. With a loose fist or cupped hand, rapidly and firmly pat down the insides then up the outsides of the arms. Then, pat down the outsides and up the insides of the legs including onto the feet. 2. Pat in a circle around your abdomen, your lower back, all over your head and finally your thymus (between your breasts).…

Anxiety itself is very much a part of our common human experience. It’s the result of living in this uncertain, ever-changing world – a result of being human! Our brains are hard-wired to experience anxiety. It is an inherent, self-protective mechanism. If we perceive something to be dangerous or threatening, our brain triggers a stress reaction called the fight or flight response – a neurochemical process that prepares our body to run or stay and fight to protect yourself against the perceived threat. This is what we experience as anxiety. And I can say firsthand anxiety isn’t a flaw or a weakness (which is why I avoid words such as ‘disorder’ or ‘illness’). We need to let go of ideas about anxiety meaning you are ‘not good enough’, which typically…

Jambalaya SERVES 4 PREP + COOK TIME 55 MINUTES (+ STANDING TIME) 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil 4 (800g) chicken thighs cutlets 250g cured chorizo sausage, sliced 2 medium (300g) brown onions, chopped 3-4 cloves garlic, crushed 2 (300g) celery stalks trimmed, sliced 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning 2 teaspoons sweet paprika 1 medium (200g) red capsicum, chopped 1 medium (200g) green capsicum, chopped 400g canned diced tomatoes 2 cups (500ml) chicken stock 1½ cups (300g) long grain white rice 8 large (560g) uncooked prawns ¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley lemon wedges, for serving 1 Season chicken with salt and freshly ground pepper. Heat half the oil in a large, deep frying pan over medium heat; cook chicken for 10 minutes or until well browned all over.…

My favourite thing about this time of year is… The cold. I love winter and feel like a fish out of water in the summer. Must be my Scandi genes. Sadly, it doesn’t get cold enough here for my liking. Life is too short for… Listening to people talk about what diet they’re on. I feel most comfortable when I’m… Wearing Dad’s bush shirt at the family whitebait hut in Taranaki. At the moment, I’m most looking forward to… Beginning work on Brokenwood season eight. I miss throwing myself utterly into an all-consuming machine for months on end in a relentless winter! The best item I ever purchased was… My surfboard. It represents a victorious moment where I said, “I’m going to give this a hoon,” despite my inner critic…

Twenty-seven years after Bill Gates filled the whiteboard in his bedroom with the pros and cons of proposing to his girlfriend Melinda French, one of the world’s most influential marriages is over. Bill and Melinda announced they were divorcing in a joint statement on Twitter, in which they appeared to present a united front, saying, “We have raised three incredible children and built a foundation that works all over the world to enable all people to lead healthy, productive lives.” They said they continue to share that vision. The reason for the split they gave was, “We no longer believe we can grow together as a couple in this next phase of our lives.” However, the divorce petition, filed by Melinda and obtained by NBC, described the marriage as “irretrievably…

Three-time Olympic medallist Dame Valerie Adams might compete in a solo sport, but she’s taken one for the team. The mum-of-two was proud to receive her Covid-19 vaccine in preparation for the Games in Tokyo. “I’m doing my bit to keep  myself safe, but also my teammates safe,” said the shot putter. She urged others, especially her fellow Pasifika Kiwis, to follow in her footsteps when their time came. The Olympics are due to start on July 23. Mega moon From France to the US to Turkey, the world looked up in awe in April as a full moon – also known as a pink moon – dazzled our night skies. The stunning phenomenon occurs when our lunar friend comes as close to us as its orbit allows.…

Five years ago, Dame Judi Dench succumbed to her first tattoo. Etched on her wrist are the words ‘Carpe Diem’, a birthday gift and a reminder perhaps of a credo that has shaped both her career and her life. The multi-award-winning actor has been ‘seizing the day’ since she first played Shakespeare’s Ophelia at age 22 at Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre. Now she’s 86, and despite being one of the finest and most feted actors in the world, Judi has never rested on her gleaming laurels; in fact, she still crosses her fingers, hoping she will be hired again. “You worry about the next work, which is why I never turn anything down. But I wouldn’t change that because there’s something about being a bit insecure about the job you…

Superstar shares Your favourite celebrities are now coins, thanks to social network BitClout. The company has ripped 15,000 profiles from Twitter, allowing you to buy a token linked to a star and potentially cash in on their fame and influence. Virtual kicks When virtual shoe brand RTFKT Studios collaborated with crypto artist FEWOCiOUS, virtual pairs of sneakers sold out in seven minutes and generated US$3.1 million. Rumour has it more big brands and celebs want future collaborations. Fast-food tokens Taco Bell created 25 taco-themed images and animated GIFs as NFTs (or one-off digital tokens), and the lot sold in 30 minutes. All proceeds went to the Taco Bell Foundation’s scholarship program, restoring good sense to an otherwise crazy virtual-world sale.…

The premise of the book is problematic at best: a sociopathic, albeit handsome, Sicilian crime boss, with a penchant for throat-clutching sex play, kidnaps a “feisty” hotel sales exec and gives her 365 days to fall in love with him. Inexplicably, she does – and a UTIinducing amount of aggressive sexual congress ensues. Dubbed the Polish Fifty Shades of Grey, 365 Days is the first instalment in a controversial erotic trilogy by Blanka Lipinska, revolving around a swarthy alpha male called Massimo, who racks up his first sexual assault on page two. Granted, he’s not your garden-variety dreamboat. Still, 365 Days has become a global sensation. The novel has sold more than 1.5 million copies in Poland, and the English translation has recently arrived in New Zealand, hot on the…

Cate Blanchett Vigilant about sun protection, Cate swears by cold spoons on the eyelids to de-puff and loves Giorgio Armani foundation. Michelle Yeoh The actress has attributed her underlying glow to using Augustinus Bader’s cult moisturiser and Tatcha’s smoothing essence daily. Kerry Washington After base (she blends two Neutrogena shades), Kerry uses rose-gold highlighter on her cheeks to make them pop.…

Matte nude lips Autumn’s easiest beauty swap? Trade summery gloss for nude lips. The trick to finding the perfect shade for your skin tone is choosing a hue that takes the natural blush of your lips just down a notch. For nude novices, start with a stain and build from there. Remember: matte formulas have staying power, but look best on smooth, well-hydrated lips. Learn your ABC Get your winter skincare sorted in three easy steps thanks to these potent serums from La Roche-Posay. Retinol, also known as vitamin A, is for “after hours” to use at night to fight the signs of ageing, think of “B” as a booster for hydration and “C” as a fast route to clearer brighter skin, applied during the day. Easy! La Roche-Posay Retinol…

Choo chee cauliflower with cashews SERVES 4 PREP + COOK TIME 3 HOURS 30 MINUTES 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 medium (1.5kg) cauliflower 1 large onion (200g), cut into thin wedges 800ml coconut milk 2 cups (500ml) gluten-free vegetable stock 6 kaffir lime leaves ½ cup (75g) roasted cashews 2 teaspoons coconut sugar 1½ tablespoons coconut aminos (see tip) or gluten-free fish sauce 300g green beans, trimmed fresh coriander sprigs, extra roasted cashews and shichimi togarashi, to serve CURRY PASTE 8 birdseye chillies 4 (100g) French shallots, chopped 2 tablespoons finely chopped coriander stems and roots 1 stalk lemongrass, white part only, chopped 1 tablespoon grated ginger 2 cloves garlic 1 tablespoon ground coriander 6 kaffir lime leaves, torn ½ teaspoon ground turmeric 1 CURRY PASTE Process all…

Salmon & white bean fish cakes SERVES 1 (WITH LEFTOVERS) PREP + COOK TIME 25 MINUTES 400g can butter beans, rinsed and well drained 1 tablespoon store bought pesto, plus extra to serve 2 teaspoons dijon mustard 180g skinless salmon fillet, cooked and flaked 2/3 cup (50g) dried bread crumbs (panko) ¼ cup (60ml) vegetable oil, to shallow fry steamed green beans, mayonnaise, lemon wedges, to serve 1 Place the beans, pesto and mustard in a medium bowl and crush with a fork until mostly smooth. Add the salmon and half the bread crumbs, season and mix well to combine. 2 Divide into 6 x ¼ cup capacity patties and press into the remaining breadcrumbs. Freeze for 10 minutes, to firm up. 3 Heat oil in a medium non-stick frying…

Coconut & hazelnut cake SERVES 8 PREP + COOK TIME 55 MINUTES 2 cups (200g) hazelnut meal 1 cup (80g) desiccated coconut ½ teaspoon baking powder 4 eggs ¾ cup (165g) firmly packed brown sugar 100g butter, melted, cooled BLISTERED GRAPES 200g red grapes ½ cup (55g) caster sugar ¼ cup (180g) honey 2 cinnamon sticks 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 Preheat oven to 160°C (140°C fan-forced). Grease a deep 23cm round springform cake pan. Line the base and side with baking paper. 2 Combine hazelnut meal, desiccated coconut and baking powder in a large bowl. Whisk eggs and sugar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on high speed for 5 minutes or until thick. Fold in melted butter then hazelnut mixture. Pour mixture into lined pan. 3…

The prerequisites The first step is to get rid of clutter, as glamorous interiors are very pared back. Take inspiration from hotel rooms – the have the necessities in terms of furniture, and everything has a purpose. The trick is in the layering of fixed materials before the furniture and styling. The statement is added using the floors and walls. Furniture and styling are the icing on the cake. Elegant wall mouldings or linings, gorgeous stone benchtops, wardrobe mirrors, beautiful flooring and statement lighting set the scene. Always bear in mind Nothing in the room should be too over the top – think modern, refined and tailored rather than traditional and fussy. Glamorous interiors often have a neutral base with a combination of beautiful fabrics, furniture and accessories in neutral…

Best-selling author Nikki Gemmell was born and raised in Keiraville, Wollongong. “It’s on the slope of the wildly beautiful Mt Keira. The bush was my backyard. I’m a proud ’gong girl,” she says. “Both my parents left school early. Dad was a coalminer who was expected to go down the pit at 16. Mum was a coalminer’s daughter who was expected to marry one, which she duly did.” Nikki’s love of books came from her teachers, and her passion for writing from the thrill of having her poem published in the school magazine aged nine. To date she has written 13 novels and four works of non-fiction, and her books have been translated into 22 languages.…

Lapsed by Monica Dux, ABC Books Dux was a devout Catholic who in adulthood questioned her church until, on a family holiday in Rome, her daughter asks to be baptised. One Italian Summer by Pip Williams, Affirm Before the award-winning The Dictionary of Lost Words, Pip Williams wrote this family memoir set under a Tuscan sun. The Auschwitz Photographer by Maurizio Onnis and Luca Crippa, Double Day The chilling and uplifting true story of Wilhelm Brasse, the Auschwitz prisoner who took the photographs that exposed the Final Solution. You Don’t Belong Here by Elizabeth Becker, Black Inc. The untold stories of three brilliant female journalists – Aussie, French and US – who challenged taboos as war reporters. A Doctor in Africa by Dr Andrew Browning, Pan Macmillan The heart-stopping story…