Innholdsfortegnelse for FEBRUARY 2020 i Essentials South Africa

Hello! We all have things we don’t particularly like about ourselves, whether it’s your tendency to dissolve into a puddle of nerves at the mere thought of public speaking, or being a pushover at work. But what if I told you the things you see as your ‘flaws’ could actually be the secret to your success? According to Professor Philip Corr, who specialises in personality neuroscience, every personality trait has its positives and negatives – it’s how you manage and cope with them that makes all the difference. Having an anxious disposition, for example, has been linked to creativity and higher levels of self-awareness, while introverted leaders have been found to be just as successful as extroverted ones (see p14 for more). And if one of your ‘flaws’ is that…

Pearl Thusi, 31, started out in local series like Isidingo and Jacob’s Cross. It wasn’t until she landed the role of Patricia Kopong in TV comedy drama The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency in 2009 that her career took off. Since then, she’s starred in local films, such as Kalushi and Catching Feelings, as well as international hits like TV’s Quantico. This month, she’s taking the lead in the first script-to-screen African Netflix Original, Queen Sono, playing the role of Queen herself. Pearl lives between South Africa and the US with her daughters, Thandolwethu, 12, and Okuhle, four. My character in Queen Sono is complex, and I just love that about her. I feel so fortunate to be playing the title character; and Queen is a feisty personality. She’s an…

☑UNDERSTAND IT ‘Simply understanding that this is how evolution has designed us can help us manage anxiety,’ says Sarah. It’s a theory backed by research. A 2015 study* found that students who interpreted anxiety as being helpful reported less emotional exhaustion and performed better academically. ☑WALK IT OFF ‘When I’m anxious, I remember to walk,’ shares Sarah. ‘One theory is that it provides the stress hormones with an outlet.’ ☑THERAPY AND MEDICATION If your worry feels intense, excessive or hard to control, seek professional help. ‘I’m not anti medication or therapy,’ adds Sarah. ‘I still dip in to both when I need them.’…

International ovarian cancer support charity Ovacome has come up with an acronym – B.E.A.T. – to help people remember and identify the main symptoms of the disease. Bis for bloating that is persistent and does not come and go. E is for eating difficulties, and feeling fuller quicker. A is for abdominal or pelvic pain that you feel most days. Tis for toilet changes, either bladder- or bowel-related. Often, these symptoms will be caused by something less serious than ovarian cancer. However, if they are not normal for you and last for two weeks or longer, then you should be checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible. *For more information on ovarian cancer and to find your nearest CANSA Care Centre, visit cansa.org.za…

3 STEPS TO... BETTER BROWS 1. TINT THEM Home tinting sounds intimidating, but just a few mess-free minutes with Refectocil Eyelash and Eyebrow Tint, R99,20, Clicks, equals six weeks of flattering definition for brows. Mix the tint up with the Oxidant 3% Developer Cream, R112, Clicks, comb through with the wand, leave on for 5 to 10 minutes, then wipe off and rinse. 2. FILL THEM Skinny twist-up NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil, R152,95, Clicks, is the easiest way to fill gaps and comes in eight shades. 3. SET THEM Clear gels keep everything neatly groomed, but never look unnatural. What’s more, the bargains work just as well as the pricey buys in our experience. Essence Lash & Brow Gel Mascara, R41,95, Dis-Chem, has fantastic hold. HAVE YOU HEARD…

When it comes to skincare, we live in an age of excess. Just when we’d got the hang of the whole ‘cleanse, tone and moisturise’ thing, the Asian inspired multistep regimen trend turned up with essence lotions, sheet masks and serums upon serums. Actually, a 12-step daily skincare routine isn’t very realistic or necessary – and, honestly, who can be bothered? But when there’s a product out there for every niche skin requirement, the temptation to slap on ‘miracle cures’ one after another can be way too strong to resist. If this all sounds familiar to you, a skincare detox could be just the thing that you’re missing. PERFECT DOSE It’s not only what you use, but how much of it that can turn a clogged complexion into a happy…

Follow this expert advice to get the best results from your DIY dye job. 1. BE SPECIFIC Ideally, go for kits specifically made for highlights. Pick your shade and follow the instructions to the letter. 2. USE A LITTLE If you’re using a normal DIY dye, remember that less is more. You can always treat yourself to another session in a week if you fancy more impact. 3. GET A GRIP Make sure you have a few hair grips to hand so you can apply your colour with more precision, section by section. 4. COLOURBLOCK Use a barrier to avoid staining your skin and even areas of hair you don’t want to treat. Vaseline does the job. 5. STICK TO CREAM Go for cream hair-dye formulas for highlighting, as they…

3 FOODS TO GET YOU GLOWING… Nutritional health coach and food blogger Madeleine Shaw on the top foods that leave her feeling radiant inside and out. 1. SWEET POTATOES Don’t be afraid of carbs; they’re essential energy-givers. Sweet potatoes are low GI, so they release energy slowly. What’s more, they’re fat-free and high in vitamin A, key for healthy eyes, and B vitamins, which are responsible for healthy skin and hair and fighting disease. 2. CHICKEN A good source of daily protein is essential to build and repair muscle, bones and tissue. White meat, such as chicken, is a healthy source of protein – low in fat and rich in vitamins and minerals. 3. AVOCADO With a healthy source of fat, cell-protecting vitamin E and radical-busting antioxidant carotenoids, avocados are…

OVARIAN CANCER Look out for a swollen tummy (constant bloating), discomfort in your tummy or pelvic area, feeling full quickly when eating and needing to pee more regularly. WOMB CANCER Mainly affects women going through menopause. The most common symptom is irregular vagina bleeding, which is unusual after menopause, so should be checked out straight away. VULVAL CANCER This is rare and mainly affects women after menopause. It can cause pain or itching. You may notice a lump, a discoloured thickened area on the skin or an open sore that doesn’t heal. It can also cause bleeding or pain urinating. VAGINAL CANCER Look out for vaginal bleeding after menopause, bleeding or pain during and after sex, a lump or itch in your vagina that won’t go away, and pain when…

Take steps to overcome your food addiction by starting where you know you have the most infuence in your life – with yourself. Be honest about what’s causing your behaviour around compulsive eating. Ask yourself… ✱ What thoughts and emotions do you associate with food and eating, and how can you minimise their influence or work through them? ✱ What sort of things get in the way of you improving your eating habits? Write out a list to help you focus. ✱ What environments and social pressures stimulate your unhealthy eating?…

BEGINNER LEGS SQUAT WITH TRICEPS EXTENSION Stand with feet a little wider than shoulder width apart with a dumbbell in each hand. Squat down and lower the dumbbells to the foor. Stand up, lift dumbbells up above you, then bend elbows and lower dumbbells back behind your head, so elbows are pointing up. Lower down into squat again and repeat. ADVANCED LEGS SINGLE LEG DEADLIFT TO UPRIGHT ROW Hold dumbbells by your sides, back straight. Lean forward at hips, and lift your left leg out straight behind you. Let weights hang down. Draw the weights into your sides. Reverse back to start and repeat with right leg. BEGINNER CORE CHEST PRESS WITH SINGLE LEG EXTENSION Lie on your back with your arms raised, holding a pair of dumbbells. Lift your…

HE'S STRUGGLING TO HEAR ME NOW Q Recently, my husband had a nasty ear infection and ended up with a perforated eardrum. The GP put him on a course of antibiotics, which ended a week ago. He says he feels pain-free, but I’ve noticed that he's now turning the volume up on the TV and often doesn’t hear me when I'm speaking to him. I'm worried that he has permanently damaged his hearing – could this happen? A Probably not. It is normal for the hearing to be a bit impaired following quite a bad ear infection. In fact, it can sometimes take up to six weeks for hearing to return to normal. However, if you still think that there is a problem at that stage down the line, then…

THIS MONTH WE'RE MAKING... Hummus & roasted veg wraps, using leftover roast chicken and vegetables 1. This is the perfect, healthy lunch following a dinner of roast chicken and veg, where there’s bound to be leftovers. Shred the leftover chicken breast, and cut the leftover roast vegetables into small chunks (if you’re cooking the veg from scratch, we roasted sweet potato, red onion and courgettes). Then set aside. 2. To assemble the wrap, dollop a rather generous spoonful of hummus on a wrap, then pile on the chicken and vegetables, and top with rocket leaves. 3. Serve it open with lemon wedges, or roll up and wrap in cling wrap for a packed lunch. NEW IN STORE PICK N PAY POWERED BY KAUAI FROZEN-FOOD RANGE Health-food eatery Kauai has partnered…

SPICY SPATCHCOCK CHICKEN SERVES 4 READY IN 1 HR 20 MIN 1,4kg chicken Juice of 1 lemon 1 tbsp harissa paste 2 tbsp olive oil 250g plain yoghurt 2 tbsp tahini paste 3 tbsp coriander, chopped 1 Preheat a covered braai, or preheat the oven to 200°C. Put the chicken on a board, breast down. Using kitchen scissors, cut along both sides of the backbone and remove it. Turn chicken over, pressing down on the breast to fatten. Push a few skewers through the wings and the drumsticks to make turning easier. 2 Season the chicken generously and squeeze over the lemon juice. Spread over the harissa paste and drizzle with the olive oil. 3 Braai for 1 hr, turning every 10 min. Or roast in the oven for 1…

HOOK IT UP Willow baskets are great for quick end-of-day tidy-ups for all of your family's toys, books, magazines, iPads and other stuff that tends to lay about – just throw it in and it's out of sight in an instant. CREATE A KIDS WORKSPACE Keep the kitchen table clear of books and paper by using floating shelves and a panel of paint to turn a bit of wall into a crafting or homework corner. CUSTOMISE A TOY CUPBOARD A basic pine unit can become a colourful addition using just a tester pot or two of bright paint. DECLUTTER THE KITCHEN Turn cube shelving into the family’s control centre, with compartments for storing away tableware, school letters and other daily essentials. DIVIDE & CONQUER Tired of your family members dumping…

‘A worthy follow-up, this novel is entrancing and poetic writing at its best’ FIND ME BY ANDRÉ ACIMAN (FABER & FABER) As the sequel to the bestselling novel Call Me By Your Name (adapted into an Oscar-winning film), Find Me traces the lives of Elio, his father Samuel, and Elio-s former love interest Oliver in four different stages, years after Elio and Oliver-s initial summer romance. Written both lyrically and reminiscently, all three characters are explored in immense detail as they make certain choices that completely alter the course of their lives. André Aciman beautifully captures the varying textures, sights, and sounds of each city as the novel travels from Rome and Paris to New England. Country Lovers BY FIONA WALKER (HEAD OF ZEUS) You’ll be transported to…

SWOONING ...OVER GORGEOUS ACCESSORIES See how our stylish fashion editor Xolani Gumede used these fabulous pieces in our Summer Brights fashion spread on p32. TESTING ...WHOLESOME ICE-LOLLY RECIPES This month, dietitian Emer Delaney shares how to make healthy ice-lollies at home (p65) – we can’t choose a favourite; they’re all so darn tasty! PEEKING ...INTO A FEW READERS’ HANDBAGS! It’s not as odd as it sounds, we promise! Three readers share what they carry in their bags (p10) – and what they mention may surprise you... PLANTING ...OUR HANGING BASKETS See our how-to tips and best basket buys on page 87.…

Amy De-Keyzer, 30, lives with her husband, Mark, and their dog, Sammy, in a four-bedroom house. Amy is employed full-time as a press officer for an animal welfare charity. We got our dog Sammy from a small animal rescue charity in November 2013, after he’d been abandoned. We knew he may have separation anxiety at first, but we were determined to give him consistent boundaries from the outset. Initially, I was adamant that he wouldn’t be allowed upstairs and couldn’t jump all over the furniture. But that didn’t last very long… ‘Sammy finds it stressful being shut behind a door and I feel much happier knowing that he’s content’ After Sammy had settled in, it became clear that he was incredibly reliant on me and wanted to be with me…

When confidence appears to be everything, it’s easy to believe that if we don’t have it, we should learn to ‘fake it till we make it’. But evidence suggests that embracing what we perceive to be our personality flaws is the real route to success. An anxious disposition, for example, has been linked both to creativity and higher levels of self-awareness, while introverted leaders have been found to be just as successful as extroverted ones. So why are we still trying to ‘fix’ ourselves? ‘There are no good or bad personality types,’ explains Professor Philip Corr, an academic in the psychology field who specialises in personality neuroscience. ‘They each have their positives and negatives. It’s how you manage and cope with them that make the difference. Whether you allow worry…

☑CHALLENGE IT ‘Our brains assume thoughts are real, but they’re not,’ explains Professor Corr. ‘What we think about ourselves is far from what we are. We can challenge thoughts rather than obey them. With practice, we get better at this.’ ☑FEEL IT ‘Remember there’s a difference between feeling something and what you decide to do about it,’ says Professor Corr. ‘Don’t be afraid of feeling shy and uncomfortable. Give situations a chance before you avoid or run away from them.’…

The first time that I married Clayton was in 2009 – I was just 26 years old. We met when I was in my final year of studying at university – although we knew of  each other through mutual friends, we initially connected via Facebook, when I roped him into helping me plan a surprise birthday party for his sister, who I was close friends with. Our first encounter was anything but romantic, yet our party planning quickly became an excuse to see each other again. ‘He made me laugh every time we spoke’ Spending time with Clayton felt both natural and exciting – we became a couple within a matter of days. Five months later, we were engaged, never considering how rushing things could affect our relationship in the…

SUMMER ESSENTIAL Cleanses, tones and removes make-up, as well as moisturises skin with vitamin-rich Thermal Spa Water. Vichy Pureté Thermale 3 in 1 One Step Cleanser, R269, Woolworths JUST LUMINOUS Use a drop or two on clean skin, or mix in with your foundation to brighten and tone. 3ina The Oil Drops Energy, R299,95, Edgars LIGHT AND CALMING Hydrates complexion with rose and camomile, and doesn’t disturb make-up. Sukin Original Hydrating Mist Toner, R136,99, Clicks…

✱ MORNING CLEANSE You’ll have cleansed thoroughly before bed, but a morning wash is still a must to clear away any bacteria from your pillow and prepare the skin’s surface to allow products to sink in. PROTECT Pollution, dehydration and UV rays all attack your skin on a daily basis – and that’s where serums come in. They have small, fast-absorbing molecules and contain higher levels of active ingredients than creams. Pick a serum that has protective antioxidants and hydrating hyaluronic acid. SEAL Traditionally, the job of moisturiser is to make your skin feel comfy and seal in an extra layer of hydration, but it will help to add sun protection to that list, too, by picking a product with SPF. Don’t worry about feeling greasy – good formulas like…

SHIMMER UP Bring a touch of summer to your beauty routine with a glimmering body oil like Coco Gold Tint + Tone Luxe Body Oil, from R149 . This indulgent treat is enriched with 10 natural oils to ensure your skin is intensely moisturised after every use and, even better, it has a subtle shimmer, which works beautifully to catch the light. SKIN SMOOTHER Burt’s Bees Exfoliating Facial Cleansing Towelettes, R125 , are essential for skin that feels fresh with a glowy finish. These nifty make-up-removing wipes are moistened with gently exfoliating peach and willow bark extracts that remove dull skin cells and leave your complexion looking bright and smooth. BRONZE DREAM Powder bronzer is brilliant at ridding your complexion of shine as well as contouring, but for a really…

FAB FIND Cotton On Body offers great quality at an affordable price. Active Core Tight in Khaki, R349, Cotton On Body LOVE LOCAL These tights are double-lined in the top-third section and double-stitched for extra reinforcement. Proud Protea Active Longs, R549; beanbagthebrand.com WISH-LIST BUY Hale Yoga Online is the site for international ftness apparel, such as this four-way stretch style from Lululemon. Lululemon Wunder Under High-Rise Tight, R2 200; hale.yoga…

There are times when it feels like we just can’t stop eating. But what happens when it becomes something serious? Eight out of 100 people have full-blown food addiction, says recovery coach Dr Bunmi Aboaba, who specialises in food addiction. While you may not have something so extreme, many of us have an unhealthy relationship with food. Take Dr Bunmi’s quiz to learn of your connection with food… 1 IF YOU REACH FOR ONE BISCUIT, IS THE PACKET EMPTY BEFORE YOU KNOW IT? A I can have a biscuit and put the packet away. (1) B I have a few biscuits as a treat, but rarely have them in the house. (1) C I have to finish the packet off. I can't help it; it makes me feel good ’…

There’s a lot to be said for slow, steady weight loss, but if you’re looking to kick-start your diet or slim down for an important event, nutritionist Fiona Kirk’s new diet plan, which is based on the latest fat-burning research, may be your go-to guide. THE DIET BASICS Lose up to 4kg in 2 weeks This super simple eating plan recommends 20 research-backed diet and lifestyle changes. Think: increasing fruit and vegetable intake, cutting out izzy drinks, reducing starchy carbohydrates and including protein in every snack and meal. For maximum results, Fiona suggests that you make as many of the changes as possible in the two-week period. THE RULES Here are some of the essential tips for fast, achievable weight loss… 1 RETHINK BREAKFAST ‘There is scant evidence to prove…

Why is my nose red? Q Although I’m teetotal, I’m often asked if I drink a lot, which I find quite offensive. But I suppose it's an understandable assumption, as my nose is so red and lumpy. My dermatologist says that it’s rhinophyma, a complication of rosacea, which is a skin disorder I've had for ages. However, the rhinophyma seems to be getting worse, and I'm finding it difficult to cover it up at all. Any ideas? A In the very early stages, rhinophyma may respond to the same creams and medicines that doctors use to treat cases of acne, but it sounds as though you may have gone beyond this point. Other options to consider include having laser treatment, dermabrasion or even cryotherapy to help improve the appearance of…

LEANER LAMB BURGERS SERVES 4 READY IN 25 MIN 1 medium onion, chopped Spray oil 1-2 tbsp garam masala 400g pack of lean lamb mince 50g cucumber, thinly sliced Splash of white wine vinegar 1 fat garlic clove, crushed 100g plain yoghurt 4 small burger buns, toasted Salad leaves of your choice 1 Cook the onion with a couple of sprays of oil in a non-stick frying pan until soft. Add the spice and cook for a couple of min. Mix the lamb mince with the onion mixture, then season and shape into small patties. Leave the burgers in the fridge until ready to cook. 2 Wipe out the frying pan with paper towel and coat with a little spray oil. Fry the burgers for 8 min, then turn them…

RASPBERRY RIPPLE MERINGUES SERVES 6 READY IN 2 HR 20 MIN 45g raspberries Few drops of pink food colouring 4 egg whites 175g castor sugar ½ tsp cornflour ½ tsp red wine vinegar 1 Heat the oven to 120°C. Blitz the raspberries and pink food colouring in a food processor. 2 Whisk the egg whites to stiff peaks. Keep whisking while adding the sugar, 1 tbsp at a time. Once you have a smooth and glossy mix, whisk in the cornfour and vinegar. Fold through the raspberry mix to create a swirly effect, and spoon 6 large balls of mixture onto a baking tray lined with baking paper. 3 Bake for 2 hr. A crust will form, but they should be lovely and gooey inside. If you like, serve with…

GO BOTANICAL WITH COLOURBLOCKING Add drama with a half-height colour wall. Use masking tape and a spirit level to horizontally divide a crisp white wall, painting the lower half in a standout green. Inject elements of high-contrast black and white, and accessorise with plenty of plant life and terrariums for an on-trend botanical look. A faux ‘living’ wall of plants – or even a botanical-themed art gallery wall – is an easy way to give a nod to the nature trend, without the actual effort of plant care! FIND A NEW FOCAL POINT ‘If you’re going bold with the floor, whether using a paint effect, decorative tiles or a rug, keep the rest of the room pattern neutral’ In a more functional room, such as a study, you can still…

SHAKE2ALERT After signing up and designating your emergency contacts, the app basically goes into standby mode until you need it. When in danger, you shake the phone for two seconds until the screen goes red, at which point your contacts will be alerted, and they’ll be able to see exactly where you are on a map linked to your phone’s GPS, and see and hear what’s happening around you from your phone’s automatic recording in alert mode. This is super handy if you-re unable to find a number or press a button in an emergency situation. R30 per month subscription fee; available for iOS, Android and Windows 10 PRESENCE VIDEO SECURITY CAMERA This is like creating a DIY home-security camera! Download this app on an unused device like an old…

‘It’s time to embrace a “what will be” attitude for results’ AQUARIUS 20 JANUARY -18 FEBRUARY When you put your trust in people and give them the freedom to do as they choose, they often do exactly what you want. Ironic, isn’t it? So stop trying so hard to get the outcome you envisioned. Instead, adopt a ‘what will be’ attitude. ›ue sera, sera. Pisces 19 FEBRUARY-20 MARCH You’ve heard it before, but listen carefully: consider all aspects of a situation before jumping in. If you’re feeling under par, don’t force yourself to do something physically or mentally challenging. Time is your friend. Aries 21 MARCH -19 APRIL Aries tend to be all fire and brimstone in the heat of the moment and little lambs in the aftermath, which can…

…I ADORE ABOUT BEING ON STAGE Feeling the spotlight warm against my skin is truly a feeling like no other! I also love the vulnerability that comes with being in front of an audience – having to exercise the courage to express the deepest and most hidden parts of yourself for the world to witness is a deeply transformative experience. …I WISH MORE PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD You learn from everyone you meet in life. I have worked with scores of talented people and each of them has taught me something valuable that I carry with me to other projects. There are so many brilliantly creative people in the world and the thought of working with even a handful of them gets me buzzing! I hope to collaborate with artists and flmmakers…

‘For me size really is everything’ Eva Believer, 37, is a model and singer. I’m not bothered about having the latest designer handbag, for me it’s all about the size. I have so much stuff, and I need to be able to fit everything in. My friends joke that mine is a Mary Poppins bag – I’m constantly pulling out all sorts of random items. Usually, I’ll have sheet music with me, as I teach singing lessons to kids most nights of the week. And I have a lot of beauty products in my handbag, too. I never go anywhere without a full face of make-up if I can help it – even to the gym – which is why I always have my red lippy and my Chanel mascara…

☑EMBRACE IT ‘The more freedom you have to be yourself, the more likely you are to come up with great ideas,’ suggests Susan. ‘Go to the wilderness, unplug, have time alone. That’s where deep thought lies.’ ☑ENHANCE IT ‘Introverts can appear aloof,’ claims Professor Corr. ‘You may want to put extra effort into being warm to people so they don’t misinterpret the signals that your personality may give off.’ ☑BALANCE IT ‘Remember that too much loneliness isn’t good,’ advises David. ‘We need to be sociable, but not so much that it is overwhelming.’…

I KNOW THAT HE'S CHEATING ON ME Q My husband is cheating on me and I don't know what to do. I happened to pick up his phone just as an explicit sexual message came through. I won't go into details, but there were more messages from a woman and it’s been going on for quite a while it seems. I'm six months pregnant and am so afraid of what will happen next that I haven't done anything yet. A You have to put yourself first. You’re pregnant, and all this stress is no good for your health or for your baby. Along with the shock, it’s the fear of the unknown that’s rendering you silent. Talk to a trusted friend to come up with a plan that puts your…

1. TAP ON CONCEALER Less is more – too much concealer can look cakey and draw attention to the area you actually want to cover up. Gently tap it on under your eyes and around blemishes with your fingers, building up thin layers, then blend in with a concealer brush if needed. Use liquid concealer for your under-eyes, and cream stick concealers for spots. These cling to the area better and you won't need as much for a good finish. Maybelline Fit Me! Concealer, R109,95; Elizabeth Arden Stroke of Perfection Concealer, R299; Real Techniques Expert Concealer Brush, R150 2. CLEAN YOUR BRUSHES Dirty make-up brushes not only cause breakouts, but result in an uneven make-up application. Put a little make-up remover in a cup and swirl dirty brushes in it.…

Not-so-mellow yellow Saffron is set to be wildly popular in 2020 – both in the kitchen and on the catwalk. Trade in the more wintery mustard shades for the much brighter, and bolder, hue. Blouse, from R499 , studio.w at Woolworths. Skirt, R429 , H&M. Hair clips, R100 for pack of two ; orange drop earrings, R100 ; rings, R160 for pack of eight ; all Colette Hayman. Tote bag, R550 , Woolworths. Heels, R659 , Zara. Fiery fuchsia Swap a boring, dated grey pantsuit for one in fiery fuchsia. Keep your silhouette feminine with a tailored blazer and cigarette pants. Blazer, R679 ; pants, R459 ; both Zara. Hair clips, R120 for pack of three ; earrings, R80 ; all Colette Hayman. Heels, R199,99 , MRP. All-over orange Tones…

Every second person has one, yet for some reason, most of us are way too embarrassed to talk about our vaginas. But this lack of intimate chat may be doing our private parts harm, as we’re just not giving them the care and attention they need. So we’re here to talk about them loud and proud, and reveal exactly what you need to do to take care down there. A FINE BALANCE This organ is vital for our sex lives, childbirth and menstrual cycles. And like other fragile areas of our bodies, the vagina needs gentle, regular care. ‘Women have great skincare regimes for their face, neck and hands, but they rarely have the same for their intimate area,’ says gynaecologist Tania Adib. Our vaginas are a delicate balance of…

Looking at those dumbbells, we’d forgive you for thinking that this was just another arms workout. But we want to show you that these two pieces of equipment can work your entire body – from your shoulders right down to your calves. Weight training will make you stronger and can help you slim down by burning kilojoules and speeding up your metabolism. ‘You’ll increase bone density and strength, which reduces the chance of osteoporosis as you get older,’ adds Chris, who has trained multiple celebrities. ‘Plus, it will lower cholesterol and improve heart health.’ And no, you won’t end up looking like the Hulk. ‘Women have 30 times less body-building hormones than men, so it makes it hard to create huge muscles,’ explains Chris. But that doesn’t mean you can’t…

THIS MONTH WE'RE LOVING... Stunning towels  Local designer Heather Moore of Skinny laMinx has done it once again... she's delivered another bold, bright design that instantly put a smile on my face when I saw it. The aptly named Sunshine Table Runner in the utterly gorgeous Persimmon shade (pictured here) epitomises happiness, doesn't it? It's just so inviting! The great thing about a runner is that it will fit any table size, and when sitting down to your meal, you can also include the matching napkins from the brand. This set-table scene is one you can recreate easily without needing an 'eye for design', thanks to these buys. R480 for the runner; R245 for matching set of two napkins ; see skinnylaminx.com DO TROPICS DIY-STYLE KNUS FABRIC Paging through the…

Hanging baskets are a stunning way to display a variety of your favourite flowering plants. They make a real statement in the garden and, besides adding a wantable burst of colour, they bring interest to your outdoor space. For a longer-lasting display, deadhead your flowering plants regularly and try to include a few evergreen shrubs, such as ferns or ivy, as well. Follow these simple steps… You will need Lined hanging basket (as big as possible); terracotta pot or bucket; scissors; garden trowel or flower pot; multipurpose compost; a selection of plants 1. Prepare your basket Place your basket in a terracotta pot or on a bucket to stabilise it while you work. Snip a few holes in the liner, which can be plastic, moss, coir or jute, to let…

Lisa Bunton, 36, and her partner Richard Mees, 35, bought this four-bedroom new-build home in 2014. They live here with their two children: Lyra, four, and Jenson, one. When the couple was expecting their son Jenson, they decided to turn a bland study-guest bedroom into a Scandiinspired nursery that would work well for Jenson while he’s still little, and later as he grows up. Lisa’s wish list included creating a neutral scheme that would blend with the rest of her home’s colour theme, introducing a feature wall, and adding fun accessories to make the space exciting for the kids.…