Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2017 i Marie Claire Australia

NICKY LOVES ♥ $1095, Saint Laurent at Parlour X, parlourx.com.au I’ve joined a few political rallies in my day. In 2003, I marched with thousands to protest the Iraq War. It was an epic eye-opener: there was mass hysteria, street biffo and police arrests. The crowd was angry but they were only reacting to a destabilising, unsafe world. Fast-forward 14 years, and that feeling’s returned thanks to the inauguration of an over-tanned bigot with sexism pumping through his veins. So on January 21, myself and the marie claire team – with my nine-year-old daughter in tow – joined the Women’s March in Sydney (and millions the world over) to protest renewed threats to our rights. Yet unlike the agro witnessed years back, this was a calm crowd carrying the smartest…

TREND #1 THINK PINK Forget pretty and pastels, this season it’s all about high-octane magenta, fuchsia and raspberry STYLE TIP The runway tells us it’s time to take dressing in colour to the next level – try this hot hue head to toe. TREND #2 LOUD & PROUD Statement and slogan T-shirts have officially taken over. Get on board and let your fashion do the talking STYLE TIP Take cues from Dior: team a bold tee with a sweet skirt to nail the look. TREND #3 SHIRTING REDUX Textured fabrics and unexpected shapes are redefining old classics. Pair with relaxed separates in a neutral palette STYLE TIP This trend melds a borrowed-from-theboys aesthetic with a sense of living simply – so keep it casual.…

marie claire INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY The photo ops in the first few days of Donald Trump’s presidency showed a lot of flashy penmanship. We saw the new president, brassy coif in place, lips pursed, putting his loopy-polygraph signature on document after document with all the enthusiasm of Game Of Thrones’s Joffrey authorising executions. It didn’t take long for abortion rights to come under threat. In week one, the self-proclaimed “pussy grabber” now occupying the Oval Office reinstated a global gag rule that bans US-funded groups, like NGOs or health organisations, from even discussing abortion with their patients, mostly poor women in poor countries. During his campaign, Donald Trump had emphasised he is now – if he wasn’t before – decidedly “pro-life”. Debating Hillary Clinton, he declared, wrongly, of late-term abortion:…

marie claire INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY HIGHS MAY 20 Tsai Ing-wen becomes Taiwan’s first female president, and one who’s putting women’s issues at the top of the agenda. From law professor to top pollie in less than a decade, Ing-wen is also the country’s first unmarried leader. JULY 8 Dior scores a female creative director – the first woman to hold the top position in the fashion house’s 70-year history. Maria Grazia Chiuri made a splash with the “We Should All Be Feminists” T-shirts she sent down the runway in her debut show. JULY 12 In Canberra, Dr Anne Aly (right) becomes Australia’s first female Muslim MP, and Linda Burney became our first female Aboriginal MP. JULY 13 Theresa May becomes Britain’s second-ever female prime minister. JULY 26 Hillary Clinton scores…

Anouree Treena-Byrne was handed to Hamilton-Byrne and her husband Bill at the age of four, after her mother – who was married to Bill’s son – committed suicide. However, it wasn’t until she was rescued from the sect at 17 that she learnt the truth about her mother. “My earliest memories are playing with my brothers and sisters and watching us all get hurt in some way. I had so much hate for Anne. There was a sense of fear with her, she was capable of anything at any time. “When she hadn’t seen us for a long time she would pretend to be nice. The next minute you would see someone being whacked over the head. “She used starvation as a form of psychological manipulation. By the time we…

Scarlett Johansson might have been walking the 2015 Oscars red carpet in Atelier Versace and a Swarovski necklace, but she was more concerned with another accessory. “I had to bring my breast pump, because I was nursing and every ounce is like liquid gold,” says the actress, who had given birth to her daughter, Rose, five months earlier. After the ceremony she reunited with it in the company of mutual friends, Kelly Ripa and her husband, Mark Consuelos, but not for long. “Somehow, Mark got ahold of my breast pump – in a bag with all the milk, ice packs in there and shit. But our cars got separated. Apparently, Kelly looked over, and was like, ‘Wait a minute – is that Scarlett’s breast pump? We’ve got to get it…

GET TO KNOW MODEL BEHAVIOUR These three Australian gals made waves on the international runway circuit during S/S 2017, walking almost 100 shows combined. STONE UNTURNED Designed in Antwerp, Belgium, and sold exclusively in Australia at Bassike boutiques, these delicate and decadent jewels have shot to the top of our wish list. Karolin, both the name of the brand and its founder, offers an elegant array of rawcut stones set beside tiny diamonds, finished with luxurious gold. BAGS OF STYLE Inspired by Coco Chanel’s classic designs, Karl Lagerfeld launches her namesake Gabrielle bag (illustrated above), our new lust-have. SUMMER LOVE Australian photographer Akila Berjaoui releases her first book The Last Days Of Summer (Prestel Publishing, approx $60) next month. Her distinctive, sunsoaked imagery will have you yearning for a European…

TRY THI S Apply a lavenderinfused lotion like L’Occitane Lavender Body Lotion, $40, before bed. Research shows that lavender increases deep (or slow-wave) sleep, and it’s also known to decrease your heart rate, making you feel calmer and more relaxed. DO THIS Smother your feet in a moisture-rich lotion at bedtime and cover with cotton socks for super-soft feet by morning. Try: Endota Spa Organics Avocado & Mint Foot Cream, $35; Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Foot Cream, $7.99. SKIN SAVERS DREAM WORKS Reach your skin goals faster by putting it to work while you snooze. Try: This Works Sleep Plus Dream Body (1), $45. This anti-ageing moisturiser boasts a time-release system that activates sleep-promoting fragrances and essential oils while you sleep. Ren Wake Wonderful Night-Time Facial (2), $58. Get salon-style results…

BLOCK STAR Healthy chocolate is here! Made with coconut and almond milk, Pumpy Jackson is free from added sugar, dairy and gluten, and tastes divine. Visit pumpyjackson.com.au. SALT OF THE EARTH Make your recommended daily teaspoon of salt count with The Salt Box’s range of more than 40 gourmet salts, sourced from around the globe – they’re best used to flavour your favourite healthy dishes. We’re loving Black Truffle and Smoked Applewood. Visit thesaltbox.com.au. TIP Snack on a handful (20g) of nuts a day to decrease your risk of heart disease by 30 per cent, and cancer by 15 per cent.* POWER PLANTS With 459k Insta followers, it was only a matter of time before clean-eating Taline Gabrielian published a book, Hippie Lane: The Cookbook (Murdoch, $39.99). There’s not a…

STYLE TIP Cinching a shirt at the waist is the perfect way to introduce feminine shape to 9-5 shirting. CASUAL FRIDAY Few looks have stood the test of time quite like the shirt/jean combo CLIENT MEETING Classic sky-blue stripes are offset by a waisted mid-length skirt in black…

GRAPHIC CONTENT Marimekko’s collab with Swedish glass and ceramics designer Carina Seth Andersson uses black-and-white contrast to highlight organic forms and geometrics. From $28, visit marimekko.com. BE MY BABY Design meets your darling dearest with the limited-edition Bugaboo Cameleon3 Kite – a take-anywhere pram with all the bells and whistles. From $1869, visit bugaboo.com. Add some sophistication to your home and rediscover the pleasures of mixology with the new Manhattan range from Georg Jensen. Inspired by Gatsby-era New York City, this collection boasts mirror-polished steel shakers ($225, right), champagne buckets and so much more. Visit georgjensen.com. HAPPY HOUR The brew of choice for fashion-conscious Italophiles, Peroni embodies artisanal craftsmanship, crisp flavours and a refreshing aftertaste. It’s the only way to see in the weekend. Visit peroniitaly.com. TREND ALERT Wrap your…

BETTY CHURCHER was the director of the National Gallery of Australia in the ’90s. “Betty Blockbuster” they called her. She exuded charm – she could talk world gallery directors into lending her masterpieces that she’d turn into wonderful shows. She had the most stylish, silver bob and I thought she was dazzling. I was a young reporter when I first met Betty in 1996, and I interviewed her for the last time in 2015, a few weeks before she died of cancer. She wanted to talk about how she felt about her death and her love of art. I admired how passionate she was about art, but not at all in an “elite” way. There is a photograph of her in the National Gallery where she just looks so warm…

1. Eyes on the prize! This precious new bag by Gucci is the ultimate trophy piece. 2. Chinese artist Liu Wei brought a creative streak to his exclusive capsule collection with Max Mara. 3. Wrap and stack your wrist in a plaited cuff, direct from the Louis Vuitton runway. 4. A sidestep from the famous Wild Thing fringed heel, Aquazzura offers this wrapped flat. 5. If you only add one thing to your wardrobe, make it a sculptural, reworked trench.…

marie claire INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY M&C SAATCHI “The stairs in this ad showcase the steps we’ve taken in Australia to create equality for women over the last 140-odd years. Though the gender pay gap is something that’s been slowly closing, there’s still a fair way to go. Having the baby at the bottom of the stairs looking up to the top talks to the fact that it’s our job to help the next generation – our children, and our children’s children – get there. Because after all, the woman who is paid less isn’t just someone’s employee, she is also your daughter.” GPY&R “When the subject of the gender pay gap raises its head, the conversation often moves to emotionally-led reasons women ‘deserve’ to earn the same, more, or less,…

TAMARA & JOHN-PAUL Tamara, an editor and content producer, 27, and John-Paul, a TV/film production assistant, 30, had an on-again, off-again relationship for two years while at university. Both currently single, they agree their relationship ended because it lacked a certain “intimacy” that they couldn’t entirely explain. TAMARA “John-Paul and I had one of those tumultuous on/off relationships you have in your late teens. We had this instant chemistry, really great banter, could talk for hours about anything. It was a great connection and meeting of the minds. But for some reason there was also this tendency for really extreme fights. I guess we were like magnets – attracting and repelling. “It always felt like there was a third person in our relationship: our friends. It’s like that at uni.…

It was a classic lazy summer day and the sweat beads were starting to form on my forehead as I clasped two juicy, sprinkle- laced doughnuts to my face. I was trying to capture the perfect Instagram foodie shot – candid, colourful, full of unstudied effortlessness, which is to say, none of those things at all. I’d already changed my outfit so as not to clash with the doughnuts. I paid $55 for a tray of nine – you can’t just have one, the appeal is in replication – to be delivered to my house. And now I was standing conspicuously on the street, my housemate perched in front of me, to his credit holding back a huge sigh. Every few seconds I’d leap over to him and check the…

HER ESCAPE As a teenager, Aminata Conteh-Biger was kidnapped by rebels in her hometown of Freetown, Sierra Leone. Upon her release she became a refugee, arriving in Sydney 17 years ago. She is now an ambassador for the UN. HER IDEA After the birth of her children, Conteh-Biger decided to help women with pregnancy-related issues in Sierra Leone. “I never thought I’d have a baby because of what I’ve been through,” she says. The Aminata Maternal Foundation, which funds birthing wards and medical supplies, is her way of giving back. HER RETURN As part of an episode of SBS Dateline, Conteh-Biger returned to Freetown to visit the maternal wards benefitting from her foundation. Seeing that impact was an emotional moment. “I have a lot to be grateful for,” Conteh-Biger says.…

IF IT’S CRIME YOU LIKE Try The Missing, a BAFTA-winning, spine-chilling thriller starring beloved British character actress Keeley Hawes, back for a second season on Foxtel’s BBC Those lazy, hazy, halcyon days of summer are well and truly over. But, every cloud has a silver lining, and the shiny, mercurial one that clings to the first few days of autumn is this: the return of binge-worthy television. Summer isn’t kind to TV. It’s the season of cricket and tennis. Woe betide anyone looking for a gritty drama in the warmer months. Everyone’s too busy outdoors. But that’s all changed now with the launch of Big Little Lies (1), the adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s bestselling novel, now screening on Foxtel’s Showcase express from HBO. This show is seriously star-studded with Reese…

If you’re always looking for ways to make your nails stronger, hair longer, and skin glow, you might want to check your pantry. According to leading Australian nutrionist Lola Berry, your diet can have a huge impact on these aspects of your appearance. “Our skin is a unique organ that can tell us what’s going on within our bodies, such as vitamin deficiencies,” says Berry. “Thankfully, your body also responds quickly to the foods that make you thrive. These ‘hero’ foods nourish the skin, hair and nails. Including them in your diet is a sure-fire way to give your beauty regime a boost.” Here, Berry dishes on her favourite superfoods, promising radiance from the inside out. CELERY “When I’m carrying extra fluid, I drink celery juice and the fluid just…

1. BRONZE Dust your forehead, cheekbones, nose and décolletage with this gorgeous trio of complementary bronzing shades for a sun-kissed glow with a smooth, matt finish. SAVVY By DB Jumbo Bronzer, 18g, $9.99. 2. EXFOLIATE This gentle cleanser uses non-abrasive microparticles of bamboo extract and ground walnut shells to remove dirt and impurities leaving clean, radiant skin. Aloe vera and chamomile work to soothe skin and rose hip, jojoba and sesame replenish and protect the skin’s moisture barrier. Sukin Facial Scrub, 125ml, $9.99. 3. SMOOTH Want to speed up that blow-dry time? Express Dry Blow Dry Spray does exactly that with a fortifying accelerator for a faster blow-dry process. The surface tension of the water is weakened, speeding drying time to give you more time for fun in the sun.…

MONOCHROME ZONE This month we celebrate the effortless elegance of black and white. Smart white dinnerware – handcrafted ceramic designs by The Fortynine Studio – comes to life against a backdrop of polka dots, proving this tried and true chromatic and dramatic combination will never go out of style.…

CLICK FOR CHIC Shop this season’s must-have styles curated by our fashion editors at e-commerce site StyledBymarieclaire.com.au. Plus, check out what our team’s been wearing (above), find accessories to upgrade your look and shop the five dresses every woman should own. Read your go-to glossy on all your favourite devices: download our digital edition at the App Store, Zinio or Google Play. CHECK OUT OUR NEW LOOK! Over 20,000 women visit marieclaire.com.au every day to get their fix of the latest fashion, beauty, celebrity and current affairs. And with a beautiful new look, you’ll want to bookmark stat! Join our weekly newsletter for stories delivered straight to your inbox. GIRL POWER Watch behind-the-scenes footage from our “The Future Is Female” shoot (page 38). The portfolio features inspirational Aussie women –…

marie claire INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY It is early evening in Paris in the middle of December and the lights are sparkling along Avenue Montaigne. On the first floor of a townhouse around the corner from the main Dior headquarters and atelier, Maria Grazia Chiuri sits on a sofa in a lofty white room. The floor and soft furnishings are dove grey, or rather, Dior grey. The weather is mild in Paris and the 52-year-old is wearing a black minidress and knee-high leather riding boots. Her hair is cut in a choppy platinum bob. Covering both of her artisan’s hands are fierce rings: jagged, hard, flashing baroque pieces fit for a Roman emperor or a gnarled rock star – an eagle with wings outspread over the knuckles either side, a giant…

To the outside world, entrepreneur Sarah Wilson seems to have it all: she’s beautiful, smart and successful, best known as the creator of her multi-million dollar I Quit Sugar empire. But few know Wilson has battled an avalanche of mental illnesses throughout her life, including bulimia, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and bipolar. In her new book, First, We Make The Beast Beautiful, she wraps them all into one simple – and yet so very complicated – diagnosis: anxiety. Here, she explains what anxiety looks like at its most frightening, but also how she has learnt to channel it into her rich life journey. HOW IT FEELS TO FALL INTO AN ANXIOUS SPIRAL In a hotel room, 30,000 words into writing the first draft of my book, I had an anxious spiral.…

With their bowler hats, braids and brightly-hued full skirts, the traditional costume of the cholita woman is one of the most iconic images of Bolivian culture. But it’s also a pejorative term and a restrictive one. Until recently, cholitas were refused entry to restaurants and even public transport, due to the outfits’ reputation as lower class – thanks in part to their origin as the clothing of peasants from the Altiplano, near Bolivia’s administrative capital, La Paz. But a new photo series celebrates the young women who are using traditional dress to reclaim their identity, and also empower themselves through fashion. Featuring 35 women and shot across a period of two months by French photographer Delphine Blast, the series celebrates the fact that “cholitas have managed to find their place…

Like most women who were girls in the ’90s, British actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw knows all the lyrics to “Tale As Old As Time”. She had the cassette tape of the iconic Beauty And The Beast soundtrack and listened to it over and over as an eight-year-old growing up in Oxford. “I was totally obsessed,” she recalls. “Beauty And The Beast was my Frozen.” So, her response when finding out she would join the cast of this month’s live-action reboot alongside Emma Watson? “I think I squealed down the phone to my agents louder than any other job I’ve ever gotten,” she laughs. “It’s a childhood dream come true.” As the saucy Plumette – a French maid who is transformed into a feather duster – Mbatha-Raw found herself waltzing with Ewan…

STYLE TIP Puffer jackets are no longer just for the great outdoors. Pair with a fitted knit. STYLE TIP Keep a bodysuit in your inventory - they’re chic, neat and perfect paired with pants.…

We’ve all made fashion choices we’ve later regretted and underwear is no exception. From uncomfortable g-strings to too-tight control briefs, one wrong underwear decision can have awkward repercussions (read on to discover fashion stylist Claire Fabb’s story). When you’ve outgrown the uncomfortable, new Bonds Comfytails has you covered. Made from breathable cotton and available in a range of on-trend colours, they gently hug your body for the ultimate comfort and style. BONDS NEW COMFYTAILS AVAILABLE NOW IN BIKINI, HI LEG, MIDI AND FULL BRIEF. WWW.BONDS.COM.AU “BEING COMFORTABLE IS KEY – AND THAT GOES FROM THE CHIC OUTFIT YOU WEAR WITH CONFIDENCE, TO THE BRIEFS BENEATH.” CLAIRE FABB – STYLIST CLAIRE’S UNCOMFY TALE It all began innocently enough. I was out with my little girls, picking up some groceries – balancing…

A IS FOR ANTIOXIDANTS Every woman needs a daily dose of antioxidants. “It’s your body’s defence against the ravages of everyday life on your skin, mopping up the chemicals produced by the sun and pollution,” explains dermatologist Greg Goodman. Left unchecked, these chemicals can damage skin structures. “Using antioxidants at the start of the day supplements sunscreens, and at night they sit well with repairing ingredients like vitamin A,” adds Goodman. TRY: Origins GinZing Eye Cream (1), $44. “I really like teas, especially green (flavonoids) and white,” says Goodman. Trilogy Rosapene Radiance Serum (2), $42.95. Plant-based antioxidants are colourful, like the red in tomatoes (lycopenes), and the orange in vegies (carotenoids). Medik8 C-Tetra Vitamin C Day Cream (3), $129. Vitamin C is natural to our skin and can help with pigmentation.…

PERFECT MATCH Double-down on colour with Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Matte Gel Eye Crayon in Whirlpool, $36, and O!Mega Lash Volumizing Mascara in Peacock, $38. INSTANT GRATIFICATION Need better skin now? This trio works in next to no time 1 Avène Hydrance Aqua Cream-In- Gel, $56.95, offers immediate and long-lasting hydration. 2 Charlotte Tilbury Instant Magical Facial Dry Sheet Mask, $35, brightens in just 15 minutes. 3 It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Eye Cream, $72, has a subtle blue tint to minimise dark shadows. QUICK STICKS! The latest in lip colour OIL: Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Oil in Whispering Orchid, $16.95. BALM: L’Oréal Paris Sexy Balm in Can’t Sit With Us, $19.95. LIPSTICK: Bobbi Brown Art Stick Liquid Lip in English Rose, $46. IT’S A THING ! UNDER-EYE LINER…

STAY ON TASK You might pat yourself on the back for multi-tasking, but you’re probably just draining your brain. Constantly shifting your focus from one task to another leads to the rapid burning of oxygenated glucose, the fuel you need to maintain concentration, says Dr Daniel Levitin, neuroscientist and author of The Organized Mind: Thinking Straight in the Age of Information Overload. “Multi-tasking causes the brain to burn through fuel so quickly that we feel exhausted and disoriented after a short time,” he says. If you find you’re easily distracted (and who isn’t?) then Dr Levitin suggests compiling an explicit list of what you need to do. “Then your attention won’t drift to the newest, shiny object on the internet,” he explains. “And limit social networking to certain times of…

YOUR GET-REAL GUIDE TO CAREER & FINANCIAL SUCCESS The feeling of being overwhelmed, over-scheduled and out of control is all too familiar for modern workers. But fixing it takes more than simply booking yourself a tropical holiday. According to leading business and life strategist Shannah Kennedy, there is a monumental confidence problem affecting this generation, caused by the relentless pace of change. The high-flying executive coach and author has been the wing-woman for many successful CEOs, and says the volume of self-doubt problems that women – and men – are experiencing in the workplace is reaching epidemic levels. “To put it bluntly, people just can’t cope with the pace of life anymore,’’ she explains. “They think they are coping, but if you scratch the surface you get an entirely different…

TIP Good-quality stock (homemade or storebought) is important when making risotto, as it will form a large part of the flavour. NOTE Sriracha is a spicy Vietnamese chilli sauce and is available from most supermarkets. Use if you want to add a kick to your dish. PANCETTA AND SAGE RISOTTO WITH BUTTERED SCALLOPS SERVES 2 2 cups (500ml) good-quality chicken or vegetable stock (see tip) 2 1/2 tbsps olive oil 16 sage leaves 70g pancetta (or prosciutto) 2 French shallots (eschallots), thinly sliced 1 clove garlic, crushed 3/4 cup (165g) arborio or other risotto rice 1/4 cup white wine 1/2 cup peas (optional) 2 tsps roughly chopped parsley 1 1/2 tbsps butter 8 scallops 1. Place stock in a saucepan and bring to a simmer, cover and keep at a…

1. H²0 TO THE RESCUE Avène Hydrance Aqua combines the moisturising benefits of a cream in the light texture of a gel. It provides long-lasting hydration for sensitive skin and protects against pollution. RRP $56.95. Visit avene.com.au. 2. BE SURPRISED WITH EVERY BOX! The Parcel by marie claire is the must-have beauty box. For only $25, you’ll receive a selection of beauty samples valued at over $80 and delivered to your door. Sign up now! Visit theparcel.com.au. *Products photographed are indicative only and will vary. 3. LOVE THE SKIN YOU’RE IN Aveeno Sheer Hydration has a light feel that absorbs in seconds, keeping skin beautifully soft and silky. The exclusive Aveeno® Active Naturals® Oat Formula helps to seal in moisture all day for healthier-looking skin. RRP $12.99. Visit aveeno.com.au. 4.…

1. TRIM AND SHAPE The new Sensitive Precision™ Beauty Styler is the first device from Veet specially tailored to gently trim and precisely shape your sensitive body parts, such as face, underarms and bikini line. Available at leading supermarkets, pharmacies and independent retailers. RRP $49.99. Visit veet.com.au. 2. CHEERS TO THAT Peroni Nastro Azzurro is Italy’s number one premium beer; a crisp and refreshing lager with unmistakable character and a touch of Italian style. Visit peroniitaly.com. 3. CAPILANO BEEOTIC® PREBIOTIC HONEY New Beeotic® from Capilano is a 100% natural prebiotic honey. This premium Australian honey provides a natural source of prebiotics, which may improve the good-tobad bacteria ratio in your gut. Enjoy Beeotic® with your favourite foods or drinks for a delicious, natural way to help boost your digestive health.…

THE BIG NUMBER More than 1000 of the brightest brains from the worlds of motoring and artificial intelligence are working on Apple’s Project Titan; an autonomous driving system. The company’s goal is to move 500,000 units in its first year of launch, roughly 10 times what Tesla (their main competitor in this market) are selling at the moment. ROAD TRIP PIN . . CAR : Toyota C-HR ROUTE: The Gap, Queensland REVIEW: Australia has a tradition of literality when it comes to naming places (think Great Sandy Desert or Ninety Mile Beach). So when you find a spot called Mount Glorious you know exactly what to expect. Navigate your way through the leafy enclave of The Gap (named after the gap between Mount Coot-tha and the Taylor Range, obviously) and…

Affirmation for the month: I WELCOME FUN AND FRIENDSHIP; AND LOVE, TOO. Ariens have an entire team of celestial guides working around the clock on their behalf. Along with the support of your other guardian angels – friends and family – you’re in for a year where there’s no time to lose and much to gain. You’re inclined to review those long hours; the next step may be working closer to home. While not everything offers immediate rewards, plans put into motion around your birthday promise favourable results by year’s end. TAURUS April 21 – May 20 This month presents a paradox: even with the best of intentions, you may not be able to keep your mind off sex. Remember, you don’t have to act on every thought. No need…

In the summer of 1980, Ellen DeGeneres moved out of her New Orleans home after an argument with her girlfriend, Kat Perkoff. A few nights later, Perkoff tried to make amends when they ran into each other at a club. But DeGeneres, an aspiring comedienne, ignored her. “She was trying to get me to come home,” DeGeneres recalls. “I acted like I couldn’t hear her because the music was too loud.” That night was a pivotal moment in DeGeneres’s life, because it was to be the last conversation the pair would have. Travelling home later that evening, DeGeneres, then 22, passed a wrecked Mercedes at the side of the road. The next morning she discovered that Perkoff, a 23-year-old poet, was in the car and had been killed. “I should…