Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2022 i Australian Women’s Weekly NZ

From the tip of her silver shoes to the top of her silver-streaked curls, Andie MacDowell radiated beauty and confidence as she strode up the runway for L’Oréal’s “Le Défilé Walk Your Worth” at Paris Fashion Week. Ever since she stopped dyeing her hair during lockdown, Andie, 64, has been praised as an exemplar of ageless beauty. The star has previously said she’s more comfortable with her natural hair colour. “I truly want to be where I am and look my age,” she declared.…

Dame Emma Thompson was thrilled to be walking the red carpet with Matilda the Musical co-star Alisha Weir. Olivia Colman was the epitome of style in a beaded gown and black cape, while Cate Blanchett opted for an eye-catching suit. Jennifer Saunders and Dame Judi Dench both looked ab fab at the BFI London Film Festival for the premiere of their film Allelujah. Judi has said the film speaks to the debt owed to the health workers.…

Safari queen grecian goddess Hawaiian adventures Country weekender…

from the Test Kitchen Use a zesting tool for the lemon rind. You can use freshly cooked salmon, coarsely flaked smoked trout or smoked chicken as an alternative to the hot-smoked salmon. Salmon in paper with green olive & preserved lemon salsa SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK TIME 35 MINUTES 4 x 200g salmon fillets1⁄3 cup (50g) finely chopped green olives1 tablespoon finely chopped preserved lemon rind (see Test Kitchen tip)½ cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley50g butter, cut into quarters200g baby spinach leaves roast potatoes, to serve 1 Preheat oven to 220°C (200°C fan-forced). 2 Rinse 4 large sheets of baking paper under water to soften. Place a piece of fish in the centre of each sheet of paper. 3 Combine the olives, lemon and parsley in a small…

Chicken & rosemary saltimbocca SERVES 1 PREP + COOK TIME 20 MINUTES 125g truss cherry tomatoes1 tablespoon extra virginolive oil1 chicken breast fillet1 slice prosciutto1 long sprig rosemary1 wooden toothpick10g butter2 tablespoons dry white winesalad leaves, for serving 1 Preheat grill to high. 2 Place the tomatoes on a small oven tray; drizzle with half the oil. Cook under the grill for 5 minutes or until skins split. 3 Meanwhile, place chicken breast between sheets of plastic wrap; pound with flat side of a meat mallet very gently until even in thickness (not too thin). Alternatively, pound with a wooden rolling pin. 4 Place prosciutto and rosemary sprig on top of chicken breast and secure with a toothpick. 5 Heat remaining oil and the butter in a small frying pan…

A Brief Affair by Alex Miller, Allen & Unwin There’s a seductive, languid poetry to Alex Miller’s writing that gently lulls the reader into his world and makes it a place you never want to leave. There, we are surrounded by a melange of sights, sounds, smells and most importantly characters, a place that is at once embracing and poignantly thought-provoking. In A Brief Affair that universe is largely inside the head of Dr Frances Egan, a 42-year-old academic, wife and mum of 14-year-old Margie and 10-year-old Tommy, and follows what happens when an abandoned sexual encounter with a beautiful stranger on a business trip to China shifts her perfect life off-kilter. “Everything had changed,” Fran ponders. “She could see no way back to her innocence.” “The affair has for…

The other day, I was searching for an important document I needed. There are people in the world who store such items in neatly organised folders, arranged in neatly organised cupboards or special cabinets – I am not one of those people! While I was haphazardly hunting for said document, I came across a random project from my childhood (what it was doing there is anyone’s guess). Looking at the handwriting, I think I must have been about eight or nine years old. It was a timeline of how I wanted my life to roll out. According to its contents, I was going to get a dog at 15, go to university at 18, own a house at 20, get married at 25, have a baby at 30, start a…

In the sprawling slums, or favelas, of Rio de Janeiro, where the streets move to the sound of samba, psalms and sirens, everyone knows the name of Flordelis. Her songs seep through the alleyways and her face gazes serenely from boarded-up shopfronts, offering an invitation to embrace “The Miracle”. A child of these desperate slums, Flordelis dos Santos de Souza, dark-haired and petite, rose over three remarkable decades to become a multi-format superstar, heading an empire that spanned music, politics and religion. She faced down drug gangs, took in dozens of orphaned and abandoned children and carved out a place among Brazil’s business and political elite. As her fame grew, millions came to think of Flordelis as a living saint. “But that’s not how I see her now,” says Allan…

My beloved late husband, Bryce Courtenay, was funny, brave, and romantic. I am certain if he could have known I was writing a memoir about his life he would have slapped both hands on his knees and said, “Good goddles caboddles!” Bryce lived each day as though it were his first, or his last. And his resilience and unfailing positivity continues to inspire me. A few days before he died on November 22, 2012, he said, “Darling, I want you to embrace the gift of life as I have.” In many ways Bryce led parallel lives: the first one cherishing his abiding love for me, his family, our pets, gardening, and an obsession with rugby; and the second as a writer. He said, “A writer’s life is a lonely one.…

from the Test Kitchen We used Grand Marnier for this recipe; you can use Cointreau or brandy. If you don’t want to make small cakes, the mixture can be baked in a deep 20cm square or deep 23cm round cake pan for 2 hours. For a burst of cranberry goodness swap out the glace cherries and add 125g Ocean Spray Craisins. Little microwave Christmas puddings MAKES 8 PREP + COOK TIME 50 MINUTES 750g mixed dried fruit1 cup (250ml) water1 cup (220g) dark brown sugar125g butter, chopped1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)2 teaspoons mixed spice2 teaspoons finely grated orange rind2 eggs, beaten lightly1 cup (150g) plain flour1 cup (150g) self-raising flour⅓ cup (80ml) dark rum 1 Combine mixed dried fruit, the water, sugar and butter in a large saucepan.…

Tomato and preserved lemon salad SERVES 4-6 PREP AND COOK TIME 20 MINUTES 1kg ripe tomatoes1 (130g) Lebanese cucumber, chopped1 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped coarsely2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil1 tablespoon finely chopped preserved lemon rind (see Test Kitchen tip)¼ teaspoon ground cumin1 teaspoon pomegranate molasses 1 Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil. 2 With a sharp knife, lightly score a cross in the base of the tomatoes. Drop tomatoes in the water and cook for about 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a bowl of iced water. When cooled, drain in a colander, then peel away the skins. Cut tomatoes in half and scoop out seeds; chop coarsely. 3 Transfer the tomatoes to a medium bowl and add…

As the party season approaches, it’s time to prepare our homes for planned gatherings, unexpected drop-ins and the occasional overnight guest – sometimes at very late notice! Beyond a good declutter and tidy up, there’s lots of ways to get ready for guests. It’s all about creating a space where they can feel instantly welcome, comfortable and relaxed, and enjoy spending time there. I always say it’s not just about how your home looks – it’s about how it feels. Here’s how to make a space people will remember for the silly season and beyond. Kitchen & dining During the holidays, the heart of the home works hardest. 1. Plate up: It’s all about being prepared. Have at least 10 dining plates in the cupboard that you can pull out…

The Secret World of Connie Star by Robbi Neal, HarperCollins An epic tale set between 1934 to the 1950s with four families in Ballarat. Connie is the daughter of preacher Joseph Starr and his second wife, Flora, 20 years his junior. He blames himself for the death of his first wife with whom he had Thom, 10, Lydia, nine, and Danny, five. Flora is a cheery, unflappable wife. Connie is different. She sees angels and demons. She says Dad is either an angel dressed as devil or a devil dressed as angel. The children knew the softer their father’s voice became, the angrier he was and when it was a whisper, the rod would follow. When boys sign up for war, the parish aff airs become an escape route for…

Find A Word Win 5 x $50 We've hidden a host of holiday travel words in the grid. These words can be spelt horizontally, vertically, diagonally, backwards and forwards, but always in a straight line. When you have found all the words listed below you should have 11 letters left over. These will spell the winning word. Write the winning answer on the coupon on the last Puzzles page for your chance to win $50. ACCOMMODATION AIRCRAFT AIRPORT APARTMENT BACKPACK BICYCLE BUS CARAVAN COACH COMPARTMENT CREW CRUISE DEPARTURE DESTINATION DUTY-FREE EMBARKATION FIRST-CLASS GUIDE HOSTEL JOURNEY LUGGAGE PASSENGER PASSPORT PLATFORM RUNWAY SEAT STATION STOPOVER TICKET TRAIN VISA WINGS Solution in next month’s issue. Easy Crossword ACROSS 7. Esteem, distinction 8. Yelled, bellowed 9. Time past, long … 10. Possible danger 11.…

There is something about a new fragrance that lifts your spirits and now the master perfumers at Elizabeth Arden have taken that to a luxurious new level. The just-released White Tea Eau de Parfum and Body Water Cream have been developed using the science of mood-boosting smell to encourage a sense of wellbeing in its wearer. Musky, woody and floral, it will soon become a favourite. To celebrate the launch, we’ve got two sets of fragrance and body cream, valued at $171 each, to give away. To enter, email your name and address to awwnz@aremedia.co.nz with EA in the subject line. Entries close November 30.…

Valentine Low is The Times newspaper’s royal correspondent and though he has been reporting on the House of Windsor for more than a quarter of a century, following the royal family all over the world, he has never written a book about them. So it’s telling that this highly respected journalist’s first leap into the murky world of royal exposés is not a biography, but an investigation into the hidden world of courtiers. These are the royal advisors – the private secretaries and communications specialists – who keep the business of monarchy turning. They are vitally important (and usually very smart) cogs in the wheel of “The Firm”, gatekeepers and strategists to the Crown, who the public rarely gets to see but who hold a great deal of power. While…

“The Wiggles was a learning experience … now this is a whole new chapter.” “I have one emotion: smiling,” quips Emma Watkins to The Weekly’s photographer who is directing today’s retro Palm Springs-vibe shoot at the Berry View Hotel in the Shoalhaven region of New South Wales. “Just don’t ask me to smile with my mouth closed,” she qualifies with a laugh. If smiling, chatting and sailing through photo shoots like a seasoned veteran are the skills Emma has on display today, they’re not perhaps the ones she’s best known for. They’d be singing, dancing and being a rockstar of the children’s entertainment world. That’s why countless Wiggles fans – and their gobsmacked parents – were devastated when the now 33-year-old announced in October 2021 she was leaving the iconic…

“When you get out you feel like Superman, you’re ready to take on the world.”-gono games When Jono James was born with cystic fibrosis, doctors told his parents that he wouldn’t live past the age of 10. “They said not to try any alternative therapies as they were not going to work but my parents effectively ignored that advice and Mum made it her full-time job to help me. That’s how I was raised,” says Jono. “At 14, when other kids were watching cartoons, I was researching articles on the internet to save my life.” Along the way Jono discovered ice bathing, which the now 34-year-old credits as life-changing. “My general health improved a lot, my mental health was way better as well, and my resilience and fortitude in normal…

Gingerbread house cookies MAKES ABOUT 24 HOUSES PREP + COOK TIME 1½ HOURS (+ REFRIGERATION & STANDING) 3 cups (450g) plain flour1½ cups (330g) caster sugar1 tablespoon ground ginger2 teaspoons ground cinnamon1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda200g butter, melted1 tablespoon golden syrup1 egg, beaten lightly300g white chocolate Melts, melted, cooled length of ribbon or cord, for hanging, optional 1 Sift dry ingredients into a large bowl (A). Combine melted butter, golden syrup and egg in a small bowl. 2 Stir the butter mixture into the dry ingredients until combined. Knead dough for 5 minutes or until smooth. Divide the dough into 2, press into a disc and wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour. 3 Roll each piece of dough between two sheets of baking paper to about 4mm…

Garlicky roast mushrooms SERVES 4 PREP + COOK TIME 30 MINUTES 800g medium portobello field mushrooms2 cloves garlic, sliced thinly8 sprigs thyme, plus extra to serve⅓ cup (80ml) extra virgin olive oil2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1 Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced). Line a medium oven tray with baking paper. 2 Trim stalks slightly from mushrooms. Place mushrooms on tray; top with garlic and thyme sprigs. Drizzle with oil and vinegar; season with sea salt flakes and freshly ground pepper. Cover loosely with baking paper. Bake for 10 minutes, remove baking paper and roast for another 10 minutes or until mushrooms are golden and tender. Serve topped with extra thyme sprigs. Not suitable to freeze.…

Sheet science As heavy bedding goes firmly into storage for summer, here are four tips to making your bed both comfortable and picture-perfect. 1 MATTRESS CONTROL Always use a good mattress protector that is easy to wash. And if you enjoy a cosy sleep, add a mattress topper. These come in different weights, fabrics and softness levels, and can be kept on year-round and washed or dry-cleaned with the change of seasons. 2 THE TOP SHEET DEBATE People generally enjoy having the same feel on the top and bottom of their skin. If you don’t like a top sheet, look for a range of bedding where the same fabric comes in fitted sheets and quilt covers. 3 LAYER UP At least one feature of your bed should really stand out,…

1939 ~ Palmi, Calabria, Italy Clasping her father’s arm at the church threshold, Gia looked down the aisle to her younger brother, Salvatore, waiting for her at the altar. The priest gave a nod and with a gentle fluster the few wedding guests in pews stood up, her mother, Nonna, Taddeo’s parents and family. Wall-candelabra smoke ghosted up the plaster, and the seventeenth-century crucifix behind the altar watched from its blood-red backdrop. Gia thought of Taddeo and what he might be doing in Australia just then. Yet it was impossible to conjure much substance of him or Australia from the still pictures she’d seen. Angelo went to step forward but she baulked. “Come,” he murmured with fatherly gentleness. “Who falls in water doesn’t drown, but who falls badly will.” She…

Sagittarius Nov 23 - Dec 21 December’s effervescent sun, expressive Mercury and adventurous Venus in your energetic sign paint you a rainbow of birthday options and holiday opportunities. It’s a combustible month, though, so if the going gets feisty, be generous with your special gift of seeing the funny side in whatever’s happening. When Jupiter’s forward move in late December unleashes a tsunami of exciting ideas, by all means set your sights high but don’t press agendas. Set them on simmer to brew and distil while you aim your Sagittarian arrow into the crystal distance of the coming year. Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 20 When reasonable Venus and methodical Mercury rendezvous midmonth in your capable sign, your commonsense contributions to the season of unreason’s merry madness and mayhem become…

What is the most precious thing in the world to you? My health. Even though I used to smoke and drink like a pirate, I’m blessed with pretty good health. I put it down to good genes and vegetables. Long may it continue! What’s the most lifechanging event you’ve ever experienced? Home-birthing my daughter when I was 20 years old. As soon as I found out I was pregnant at 19, I knew that I did not want to give birth in a hospital. Eden was born in the bath of her paternal grandmother’s house in Newtown, Wellington, 32 years ago. It was the first time I felt full agency over my own body and powerful beyond words. Do you believe everyone has a soulmate? Despite being in a 25-year…