Innholdsfortegnelse for 19 December 2016 i New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Here at the Weekly we’ve been very lucky over the years to have the Prime Minister open the doors of his home to us. John and Bronagh Key have been generous with their time, and in sharing their private world. Just a few months ago, we were invited to spend time with Bronagh, who shared some “normal” aspects of their relationship – they’d begun watching political drama House of Cards together. But quiet time was something of a luxury while John’s job ensured he was one of if not the most in-demand individuals in New Zealand. Whilst she didn’t particularly enjoy the attention of such a public role, Bronagh found ways to make it work. And to make her relationship work. Being flexible was key – something John’s role never…

“Our wonderful marriage and our nightly ‘golden hour’ chats have helped me survive” As he celebrated his incredible 100th birthday milestone last week, there’s one person above all else whom Kirk Douglas credits with his long life – his wife and partner of 63 years, Anne. In a rare moment of tenderness, the legendary Hollywood actor, who has three Oscar nominations, two Golden Globes and more than 90 films to his name, told how: “I was lucky enough to find my soulmate 63 years ago, and I believe our wonderful marriage and our nightly ‘golden hour’ chats have helped me survive all things.” German-born Belgian-American actress, philanthropist and producer Anne (97) has been a rock in Kirk’s tumultuous life, standing by him despite rumours of extramarital affairs and ongoing health…

Best known as the bumbling but much-loved waiter Manuel from Fawlty Towers, actor Andrew Sachs passed away on November 23, aged 86. His wife of 57 years, Melody, revealed the actor had quietly been battling vascular dementia for four years. Melody says the German-born comedian continued to work for two years after his diagnosis, but his health declined rapidly after a bout of pneumonia. He entered a care home for the last eight months of his life. She says her husband had a constant stream of visitors – including their daughter Kate (54) each Sunday – and his final months were happy. Melody says she feels very lucky for the time she had with him. “Don’t feel sorry for me – I had the best husband and we really loved…

“ When people ask me how I manage to juggle all the elements of my busy life, I explain that I never sit still for more than a second – and I love it this way. With five children and nine grandchildren, I have my work cut out for me and, because of the age gap between my eldest and youngest, I’ve been making school lunches every day for 33 years. It’s lucky I have a good imagination! I’m the third of seven children and we grew up in Dunedin in the ‘60s when the Lebanese community there was large and friendly, and everybody wandered happily in and out of each other’s homes. Ours was a happy house – always full of people, eating delicious home-made food. We were musical…

Dust with chai spice mix, if liked. Use a wooden spoon to prop the oven door open while cooling. CLASSIC TROPICAL PAVLOVA SERVES 8 5 egg whites (see tip) 1¼ cups caster sugar 1 tbsp cornflour, sifted 1 cup thickened cream ¹/ ³ cup lemon curd 1 mango, thinly sliced 1 banana, sliced 6 lychees, sliced 1 passionfruit, pulp Small mint leaves, to serve 1 Preheat oven to 150°C. Line an oven tray with baking paper. 2 In a bowl, using an electric mixer, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar, 1 tbsp at a time, beating between each until dissolved and mixture is thick and glossy (about 8 minutes). Beat in the cornflour. 3 Pile meringue onto the tray and use a spatula to shape…

1 Summer dressing 1 A floaty, loose dress is what we all need during the warmer months – something you can throw on over your swimwear when heading to and from the beach, or wear for a long, lazy lunch. Here’s a cool collection from EziBuy, French Connection and Seed Heritage. 2 Beach essentials If you’re heading for a day of sea, sand and sunshine, then you’ll be needing a beach tote, an oversized towel, a fabulous pair of sunglasses, a pair of flip-flops and the de rigueur straw hat. Plus, I’ll be adding one of these siesta neck pillows from Cotton On to my beach tote this summer! FIND IT CITTA DESIGN (09) 631 0917 CLEARLY 0800 446 107 COLETTE BY COLETTE HAYMAN (09) 815 1481 COTTON ON 0800…

Pot up a bathroom plant, why you should ditch the make-up remover wipes, and starch those sheets. It’ll grow on you! Homegrown... Your focus may be on what is happening in your garden at the moment, but why not bring a little greenery inside? Your bathroom’s low light and high humidity can be perfect for plants. Here are some great options to try: ALOE VERA Place it near the bathroom window and don’t water it –the humidity alone will be enough. And don’t forget, if you burn yourself, snip a bit of aloe vera and squeeze the gel on the affected area. ORCHID Place near the natural light source but make sure it is filtered. They love the humidity and will be very happy left to their own resources. BEGONIA…

So you missed the garden party Prince Charles hosted to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Prince’s Trust earlier this year? Better have your own garden party then. Outdoor occasions! Kiwis ought to be good at garden parties. After all, we have the weather, the gardens and Katherine Mansfield’s famous 1922 short story The Garden Party to inspire us. The luxurious setting for Mansfield’s story was her childhood home at Tinakori Road in Wellington. She was evidently not a keen gardener, but once wrote to her sister Charlotte, “Oh, how I love flowers!... I have a bunch of good, old-fashioned marigolds on my table, buds, leaves and all.” Katherine’s idea of a table decoration probably wouldn’t have cut it at a garden party in the 1920s, but it’d work perfectly…

Cute as a button, these wee snowman decorations are a great alternative to hanging strings of fairy lights on your Christmas tree. Light entertainment! What you’ ll need • LED tea lights • Black and orange permanent markers • Red pipe cleaners and mini pompoms • Hot-glue gun • Scissors • Black cardboard • Fine red ribbon or wool (for hanging) • 1cm-wide ribbon (for scarf) 1 Using the black marker, draw a face on the tea light. 2 To make the earmuffs, cut a piece of pipe cleaner about 6cm long and glue around the top edge of the tea light. Glue pompoms on to the ends of the pipe cleaner to finish the earmuffs off. 3 To make the top hat, cut two small pieces of black card as shown. 4 Hot glue together, then attach…

Mum’s reliable recipes Thank you Nici Wickes for including Mum’s Kitchen in your recipe section. I have never been great at trying out new recipes, but since your mum started supplying her recipes, I have started doing them and amazed myself – none have failed and they taste great! Now when I get the magazine, it’s the first page I go to. One day, I hope to see a Mum’s Kitchen cookbook – and I’ll be the first in line to buy it! M Hukatere, Matakohe $100 WINNING LETTER It’s simply Christmas “Nigella’s Christmas promise” (12.12.16) is an exciting read. With festivities just around the corner, even just the thought of it can be stressful. While it is the happy season, the preparation and gift buying part can be exhausting…

Rich OFFERINGS When David Walliams was offered the role of Mrs Trafe, the lunch lady in Billionaire Boy, he was hesitant at first. “I didn’t know if I’d enjoy it, but it fitted well and it’s a good comic part for me,” laughs the British actor, comedian and author. As inspiration, David admits he channelled the dinner lady from his own schooldays. “She had a big ladle and she’d go, ‘I’ll rap your knuckles faster than you can say Jack Spratt’, if you made a comment about her food not being very nice.” The TV movie is based on David’s book about Joe Spud (played by Elliot Sparkes), a rich boy who wants a friend. But while it’s a children’s story, don’t be put off, he urges. “The books are…

Simon Holst has co-authored more than 30 cookbooks with his mum Alison and has just released his latest Everyday Easy Weekday Meals in Minutes (Hyndman Publishing, $34.99) My favourite book ever is… The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson. It’s a ripping yarn, full of likeable characters and totally unexpected twists and turns. Also, because it’s European, the perspective is just a little different. My book of the moment is… The Complete Kiwi Pizza Oven by Alan Brown. After more than 18 months as a pile of bricks, my pizza oven is finally taking shape. It has all sorts of useful tips and suggestions to get the most from your pizza oven.…

MARIAH CAREY She may hit the right notes in music, but when it comes to fashion Mariah has had some shockers. This time, she got it just right – the fishtail gown covered more of her shapely figure than usual and the candy-pink colour made her skin glow. VANESSA WILLIAMS She’s no Ugly Betty, but we don’t think this grey-blue cape-style design did Vanessa any favours. As for the gold detail at the waist, it looked like a Christmas ornament. JENNIFER LAWRENCE Jen can usually do no wrong in the style stakes, but perhaps the Passengers star was thrown by her new blonde hair extensions? It was the only explanation for donning this unflattering polka-dot crop top and fitted skirt ensemble. SARAH FERGUSON This was quite a revealing look for…

For eight years, he’s been lighting up the world with his charm and humour, and as his time as US president comes to an end, Barack Obama (55) switched on the White House Christmas tree for the last time. To a chorus of Jingle Bells, sung by the assembled crowd and singers such as James Taylor (68), Barack did the honours for the last time, watched on by his wife Michelle (52) and daughters Malia (18) and Sasha (15). Christmas is a big deal at the White House, with the mansion this year decked out in festive trimmings reflecting “The Gift of the Holidays” theme. Decorations included 56 Lego gingerbread houses – one for each of the US states and territories – and larger-than-life woollen replicas of the family’s dogs…

‘I have given everything I could to this job that I cherish and this country that I love’ " There is more to life than me being Prime Minister. Our relationship is much bigger than that.” John Key’s moving words couldn’t have proved truer when he spoke to the Weekly on the eve of his and wife Bronagh’s 30th wedding anniversary. At the end of the day, family would always come before duty. Still, the National Party leader shocked the nation – and the world – last week, announcing he was resigning from the top job, declaring it to be the “right time” to go and citing his desire to spend more time with Bronagh, and their children Stephie (23) and Max (21). As he stood in front of the…

As engagements go, it couldn’t have had a more romantic start. In a twist that echoes the plot of Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen’s classic tale of enduring love, it has recently emerged that Pippa Middleton’s fiancé James Matthews bailed out her brother’s ailing business shortly before he proposed. Hedge fund manager James (41) is said to have poured $179,000 into personalised marshmallow firm Boomf in an effort to secure Pippa’s heart. And it seems to have worked. A decade after they first met in the Caribbean, where his parents own a hotel, the pair are planning what is set to be the most prestigious society wedding of 2017. “James knew Pippa was ‘the one’ when they met in St Barts 10 years ago,” according to a friend. “But he…

I find it hard to believe it was 36 years ago that I published my first Best Dressed List right here in the Weekly. Over the years, I’ve seen many celebrities come and go. The biggest change I have seen is in men’s fashion. These days, I’m happy to see men becoming very fashion-conscious. I’ve always believed that fashion should be fun and individual to the person wearing it. They should put their own creative twist to it, making the look their own. Take from the world of fashion what suits you and leave the rest well alone. TINA CROSS (57) ENTERTAINER Tina’s fashion style and flair is exquisite. She is a fashion knockout – a class act both on and off the stage. PARRIS GOEBEL (25) CHOREOGRAPHER Her sense…

‘The Williams’ story touched my heart so much. Their triumph over adversity resonated’ Katherine Lancaster and Jeremy Williams make an unlikely pair – she’s a young Kiwi singer with plans to study opera; he’s a renowned American football coach dying of motor neurone disease. And what brought them together in the first place is even stranger – an old reality television show. “I just happened to sit down one Sunday afternoon in 2013 and switch on the TV,” explains Lower Hutt local Katherine (32). “I never do that, but I did that day.” The programme she watched was a rerun of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, featuring the “Four Js”: Jeremy, his wife Jennifer – a breast cancer survivor – daughter Josie, now 15, and son Jacob (13) who has spina…

CHEEKY DROP It’s finally here – Paul Henry’s own drop of red! The wine aficionado and TV personality has released his pinot noir in partnership with Invivo wines. It’s proved to be so popular, its initial run sold out! Now back on shelves, the Central Otago wine is “unique”, says the broadcaster and typically Paul reckons it’s “bloody fantastic”. It is available from Glengarry stores and winefriend.co.nz, for RRP $29.99. Bean there! It’s officially platter season and while some dips can be less than kind on the waistline, Lisa’s new bean-based range is different. There are three flavours – Greek Yoghurt, Mexican Chipotle and Thai Sriracha – and because they’re made with beans, they have a four-star health rating and are gluten-free. Available from supermarkets for RRP $4.89. A gift…

Amazing looking hair is a lot easier to achieve when you arm yourself with the right tools. Here are my top 10 picks to tame your mane with ease. A little bit of practice and you’ll look like you just stepped out of the salon every time you leave the house. Tool time! 1 The brush The secret to creating a salon-quality blow-dry at home is a barrel brush. The natural boar bristles are designed to combat static as well as smooth and polish the hair without any chance of breakage. ghd Natural Bristle Radial Brush, $35 2 The protector Once of the best ways to avoid frizz as well as extend the life of your blow-dry is to wear a shower cap. Don’t take it off until you leave…

Don’t let all the healthy habits you’ve developed this year vanish just because it’s Christmas. Take it easy on the party canapés and festive feasting, and you can still have a wonderful yuletide. Merriment in moderation! Your careful plans to stay healthy all year can evaporate in a flash at Christmastime. While the odd indulgence doesn’t hurt, you’ll be kicking yourself come January if you let your health regime slide completely. Here’s how to avoid that. •  EAT BEFORE GOING OUT TO CHRISTMAS FUNCTIONS You’re less likely to get stuck into sugary or salty snacks at Christmas parties if you’ve had a nutritious meal beforehand. Make sure you have a good helping of protein – that will help you to feel full and less likely to overdo the chips and…

Despite being close to the centre of last month’s devastating earthquakes, the village of Hanmer Springs has come out remarkably unscathed, and we’re delighted to report that it’s business as usual for this tourist hot spot. The day I arrive at Hanmer Springs, a brisk southerly has brought a fresh dump of snow to the surrounding mountains, creating a breathtaking backdrop and a chilly five degree temperature. But less than 30 minutes after checking into our hotel, I’ve braved the outdoors in nothing more than my swimsuit and a fluffy towel. Not what I’d normally wear sightseeing, but then I am in an alpine spa village, and I am surrounded by the steaming hot water of the famous Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa. Incredibly, the mineral-rich water that meanders…

SLIP OF THE TONGUE This morning at church, we were told of an upcoming bus trip to Aramoana. A lovely lady wanted to go and asked the collector if she could please pay her fare for the “Marihuana bus”. Everyone cracked up laughing and she blushed red like a beetroot. I do hope she enjoys her bus trip to Aramoana! B Ferguson, Dunedin SCARY SANTA A small girl of my acquaintance refused to go anywhere near Santa Claus for a photograph. The last straw came when Father Christmas offered her a lolly – she burst into tears and ran out the door! Obviously “stranger danger” has been well drilled into her – it’s a bit sad though, isn’t it? Jinty, Otago, September 22, 1997 VERSE AND WORSE There’s something bizzare…

‘The poor thing looked like I’d tied it up to hold it captive in our living room’ It seems almost heretical, but this year we didn’t get a Christmas tree. Don’t get me wrong. I love Christmas and I love the smell of pine trees. It used to be a wonderful ritual – me and my daughter in one car, my husband and the border collie in another, driving to our favourite Christmas tree seller and spending quite some time selecting the perfect tree. It had to be bushy – skinny Christmas trees didn’t do it for us. It had to be a Goldilocks height – not too short, not too tall, but just right. Droopy was okay because Kate felt that with enough love and water, a droopy tree…

DANCER Combine the talent of an incredible ballet dancer with an Oscar-nominated director and the resulting documentary is bound to be beautiful. Blessed with astonishing power and poise, Sergei Polunin took the dance world by storm and became the British Royal Ballet’s youngest ever principal at the age of 20. However, five years later, he decided to walk away from it all. Dancer is an unprecedented examination of this complex young man who made ballet go viral. Even those who don’t like ballet will enjoy this film.…

She lives on a sheep farm near Otorohanga and has managed to write three novels between helping out on the farm, working as a vet and raising two children. I juggle so many things while still staying sane by... Not doing a thorough job of any of them! I work two days a week and my children have to ask me things about four times before I realise they’re talking to me. My son Blair said the other day, “I like it at Grandma’s; there aren’t spiders on the ceiling in her toilet.” But I’ve tried to be a perfectionist and it nearly led to divorce. My inspiration for this story was… The idea that, if you happened to be a wee bit psychic, you probably wouldn’t want people to…

Sitting down for dinner in a Christchurch hotel with his mother Ruth, a 17-year-old John Key spotted a young waitress he’d met once before. Dressed in a long maroon gabardine skirt with a peach blouse and a kitty bow, Bronagh took John’s eye. “Mum always maintained that I said, ‘Oh, that’s the girl I’m going to marry,’” John told the Weekly. “Whether that’s true or not, I can’t remember, but that’s what she said.” The pair had briefly met a short time earlier, when an upset Bronagh had turned up at her friend Jenny’s house. Both girls had just failed their economics exam, but fortuitously, John was there tutoring Jenny’s sister. “He opened the door and I was crying on the doorstep,” Bronagh recalled. “He ended up sitting with one…

JAMIE OLIVER He’s had months of sleepless nights since welcoming River Rocket in early August, but Jamie (41) says he has an extra reason to celebrate this festive season – his youngest has started to settle at nights. “It’s a dream now!” he says. For the celebrity chef, it’s his favourite time of the year, with his household descending into happy chaos. He and his wife Jools (41) are also parents to Poppy (14), Daisy (13), Petal (7) and Buddy (6). But with a bustling household, one of Jamie’s favourite things to do is to steal time alone with his wife. “When all the kids have gone to bed, there’s a bit of crappy Christmas telly, fire lit, a whisky in the hand and a little bit of a cuddle.…

When doctors told Kay Baird (61) to expect to be permanently confined to a wheelchair by 2013, she was having none of it. It’s been nearly four years since that prediction and the Ashburton woman can be found ticking off another workout – her 1029th – and throwing herself into life with her family. It should come as no surprise then that this attitude and determination has seen her named Senior Curvette of the Year for Australia and New Zealand at Curves women’s gyms. “I just thought, ‘Gee, this would be a great way to thank the wonderful supportive staff at the gym for all of their help,’” she says about entering. “It didn’t even occur to me about it going way further than that!” she laughs. Kay’s accolade is…

nici WICKES It’s time to dial up the BBQ! I’m bringing the taste of Thai street food and the moreishness of Middle Eastern cuisine to my BBQ grill, while Mum is keeping it all green with her fantastic salad. Give them a grilling! Nici Wickes FOOD EDITOR GEAR UP FOR SUMMER WITH THESE LIGHT, TASTY MEALS Lamb & feta sticks with flatbreads MAKES 8-10 skewers A great way to stretch lamb steaks a bit further is to serve them as skewers threaded with other ingredients. The saltiness of feta or haloumi goes well with the grilled meat. 2 cloves garlic 2 tbsp olive oil Squeeze of lemon juice Salt and pepper 4 lamb leg steaks, 2-3cm cubed 100g firm feta (or haloumi) 12 cherry tomatoes 12 button mushrooms 8-10 wooden…

Cover-ups and beach-appropriate fashion is what most of us will be wearing during the summer holidays. Here are a few options to help you find what will work best for your needs. Plus, some gorgeous styles of swimwear to get you in the mood. Hello sunshine! • The beach dress should be on everyone’s shopping list this summer – it’s the ultimate stylish cover-up. • This EziBuy one would work for everything from a cruise to simply hanging out at the bach. • Always remember to wear a wide-brim hat to shield your face from the sun. HAT $19.99 from GLASSONS. CAPTURE DRESS $59.99, SARA SANDALS $49.99 both from EZIBUY. TOWEL $25 from THE WAREHOUSE. • This fabulous Jeanswest skirt is maxi length with sheer georgette outer layers and a…

We know all about the importance of looking after our skin over summer, but keeping our hair protected from the sun’s ravishing rays is important too. Let it fry and you can expect faded, frizzy hair that generally lacks lustre. Here are a few ways to keep your crowning glory looking as healthy as our model Adele’s over summer. Air dry: Warmer weather means it’s more practical to let your hair air-dry as much as you can to give it a break from hot blow-dryers. Pre-treat: If you’re going underwater, spray a leave-in conditioner through first to help protect your tresses from salt and chlorine. Accessorise: Securing your mane under a hat is the ultimate way to protect your hair as well as your scalp. Block: Spray-on sunscreen for the…

If you’re stuck for Christmas present ideas and want to give your nearest and dearest something thoughtful, these suggestions may help. HEALTHY SUGGESTIONS Encourage your loved ones to be healthy with your gift choices this year. • Food steamer Steaming vegetables is the healthiest way of cooking them – they retain more nutrients when lightly steamed. • Herb garden kit This is one way of encouraging the recipient to add healthy herbs to their cooking – they’re more likely to use them if they’ve got a supply handy that they’ve grown themselves. • Blood pressure monitor These mean you can keep an eye on your blood pressure without having to make numerous visits to the doctor. • Hula hoop Not just for kids, they’re a great way of staying in…

Coping with the loss of a loved family member can be one of the hardest things we go through and dealing with the deceased’s estate can be particularly difficult. For example, as a beneficiary, do you also inherit their debts? Grim realities! When my widowed mother died recently, I noticed several bills on her dining table that were unpaid. As her daughter, am I responsible for paying my late mother’s unpaid bills? If the debt is in the parent’s name only, children are not directly liable for debts left by their parents. If the debt is a joint debt shared by parent and adult child, then the child is liable for the payment of the debt. But creditors do have six months after someone dies to make a claim on…

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 – Dec 22 Your partner would love a spontaneous trip out of town or the expensive jacket they have been looking at. You will be in two minds whether to splash the cash; will they be upset that you spent so much? Of course not. If you want to spend it because the gift is perfect for them, then do so. And if this is a trip of some sort, your lover will be over the moon. Pack a bag for them and let it be a surprise. CAPRICORN Dec 23 – Jan 20 A past lover returns to see if you are available. However, you are just not interested. Make that very clear from the first conversation. This person could be persistent. Christmas Day is full…

I’d asked my beloved if I could play golf and I’d been given the green light. From my perspective, I had a five-hour window in which I would carry limited responsibilities. I’d still be connected to the matrix – I could be contacted – but basically I had five hours of leave to enjoy walking and swearing with my friend in a zigzag pattern over manicured lawns and landscaped corridors of frustration. It was cancelled. It’s scarcely believable, but it was raining. In Auckland! In October! In retrospect, the mistake I made was sharing my dreadful disappointment too early. Too many troubled glances out the window. Too many headshakes. Too many texts debating whether to play or not. Then the final phone call. Stupidly, I let the whole family overhear…

Often people describe novels as “light reading” in a way that is a bit snooty and critical. But sometimes a light book is exactly what I’m looking for. And from personal experience, I know that easy-to-read isn’t necessarily all that easy to write. Danielle Hawkins definitely has the knack. I’d describe her as a local version of Nora Roberts, except with a better sense of humour and a Kiwi-as attitude. Her latest novel The Pretty Delicious Café is set in a small Northland seaside settlement. That’s where Lia runs a slightly chaotic café with her best friend Anna. Both of them are stressed-out and working silly hours, plus Anna is trying to plan her wedding. There’s a great intro when Lia’s love interest, hot mechanic Jed, arrives in town and…

Tinseltown is living up to its name with just a couple of weeks until Christmas. The stars have been out and about in Hollywood, revelling in the festivities and stocking up for the big day – and it seems Santa has been kept very busy visiting his favourite stars! Christie Brinkley (62) was getting into the festive spirit by pulling a large bottle of plonk out of Santa’s sack, while Eva Longoria (41), who was dressed for the bracing winter weather in an elegant coat, made sure she got a hug from Santa. Olivia Newton-John (68), who released a new Christmas album with fellow Australian singer John Farnham (67) last month, was also jazzed with holiday joy, sharing a laugh with St Nick and riding in a tinsel-covered convertible in…