Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2018 i The Australian Women's Weekly

I have a friend who is known for her extroverted personality. She’s the kind of person you marvel at as she enthrals a table of 30 people with her latest story, complete with theatrical embellishment. Standing at a petite 5ft, 5in, she’s not afraid to climb onto a nearby chair for greater effect. She has run her own business, worked in Paris, London and New York and never misses an opportunity to grab a stray microphone and regale a room full of strangers with a song (despite lacking any discernible musical talent!). So, when on a recent interstate flight together she went missing for 20 minutes I assumed she was off making friends. The truth is she was in the toilet cubicle hyperventilating as she ran cold water over her…

BANISH THE BIG C Australia is likely to become the first country in the world to eradicate cervical cancer thanks to the success of our national school-based vaccination program. A NEW HOME These shy Albatross chicks feel right at home in their new mudbrick nests on Albatross Island in Bass Strait. Scientists hope their new homes will improve breeding success and survival rates for this vulnerable species. QUEEN GOES GREEN The Queen is keen to turn the palace green. She has banned plastic straws and bottles on all royal estates. Internal caterers will now only be able to use china, and paper goods must be recyclable.…

During his 51-year marriage to Denmark’s Queen Margrethe, Prince Henrik, a free-spirited French aristocrat, managed to baffle, amuse, intrigue and infuriate his adopted country. It was only with his death in mid-February, aged 83, that the Danes finally acknowledged their fondness for him. Tens of thousands took to the streets, and the simple funeral he insisted upon brought the country to a standstill. Apparently taken aback by the scale of the mourning, TV pundits took to asking if they perhaps had Henrik all wrong. Not that he was an easy man to make sense of. Born in south-western France as Henri de Laborde de Monpezat, he spent much of his early life in Vietnam, where his father, André, an autocratic and slightly cranky count, owned rice and tea plantations. The…

Just imagine the scene. You’re cruising on the glorious Queen Mary 2. You decide to throw caution to the wind and join the fencing class and after a frenetic clash of swords you lift your mask to discover that the rather balletic, energetic lady you have been lunging at is none other than Celia Imrie, the plummy-voiced star of the Marigold Hotel films, Calendar Girls, Bridget Jones’s Diary and bestselling novelist to boot. It could happen, really. Celia regularly hops from Southampton to New York on the liner and always throws herself into the on-board activities. “I’ve probably done the journey about seven times now. I’m mad about the sea,” she explains excitedly. “I go line dancing. I do the quiz. And, you know, in the middle of the ocean…

As we age it’s important to guard against a natural loss in flexibility and mobility, so that we can live full, pain-free and active lives for as long as possible. If you’re experiencing aches and soreness in the joints and tendons, or suffering from the painful symptoms of mild osteoarthritis, it can be all too easy to stop moving, stop stretching, and reach for the synthetic anti-inflammatories just to get by. That’s where the all-natural powers of curcumin found in Flexofytol – designed to improve joint health and flexibility – may help. MADE FROM NATURE Curcumin, the main wonder ingredient in Flexofytol, is the all-natural extract found in turmeric, and scientific evidence has shown that it may have wide-ranging benefits for your joint health, flexibility and general wellbeing. Having been…

From work to home, social events to family, modern life demands plenty from us. When you're on the move, comfortable, stylish shoes give you the power to keep up – and achieve the extraordinary every day. Ziera's core promise comes from years of experience in how their shoes fit and feel. Their deep knowledge of materials and the intricate mechanics of the foot has enabled them to develop their own comfort technology, with unparalleled underfoot comfort systems to provide cushioning and arch support that cocoon the whole foot. A major focus for Ziera has always been designing a wide range of orthotic -friendly shoes with styles to suit any lifestyle. From casual to dress shoes, walking to corporate classics, Ziera’s orthotic-friendly shoes have extra depth and a removable inlay to…

#1 KEEP IT LIGHT To avoid foundation settling into your laugh lines, look for luminous lightweight formulas, Liz explains. #2 SHINE DIVERSION “A little luminizer on the cheek bones can do wonders to distract from fine lines,” Liz says. #3 PRECISION POWDERING Apply powder sparingly. “The less powder there is over your fine lines, the less likely it is to sit in them.” #4 SHADOW GUIDELINES Blend, blend, blend! “You don’t want any hard lines that look like arrows pointing toward your laugh lines,” Liz instructs. #5 CHEEKY DETAILS “Smile lines can sometimes make you look tired. Combat this by adding a little cream blush high on the apples of the cheeks,” Liz says. BEAUTY HACK Forget lips! Pawpaw ointment is surprisingly handy for your eye make-up routine. Try it…

Our gut is teeming with tiny micro-organisms, in fact there are 10 times more bacteria cells in the gut than there are human cells. This environment of micro-organisms known as the “microbiota” are kept in harmony with the help of a wholesome diet rich in prebiotics and probiotics. Prebiotics are the fibrous material in foods like onions and apples that are like food for the bacteria in the gut. Probiotics, on the other hand, are usually bacteria found in fermented foods. These fermented foods contain a range of bacteria but for them to be considered a “probiotic” they must have clinical evidence of their health benefits. Then, of course, they need to survive processing and the treacherous journey through our gut. To be sure your foods contain probiotics, look for…

FROM MAGGIE Easter is always a celebration of food and family. My daughter Saskia’s baked ham comes from her Black Pig range, created from free-range Berkshire pork, and it’s an occasion in itself. The quince glaze gives a wonderful caramelised counterpoint to the sweet fat of the ham which we find impossible to resist. And there’s so much more to share. We love having the starters around the kitchen bench so both the prunes and bacon and liver crostini can be eaten hot from the oven without me missing out. At the same time everyone is given a last-minute job to do before we take all the food out to the table, which is set in the garden to take advantage of my favourite season of all, autumn. Once the…

White chocolate cheesecake SERVES 12 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 20 MINUTES (PLUS COOLING AND REFRIGERATION TIME) 180g white chocolate, chopped finely 250g sour cream 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste 1kg cream cheese, softened, chopped ½ cup (110g) caster sugar 4 eggs, separated 2 tablespoons caster sugar, extra fresh berries and white chocolate curls, to decorate CHOCOLATE BISCUIT BASE 80g dark or milk chocolate, chopped finely 40g butter, chopped 250g chocolate ripple biscuits 1 Place chocolate in a small heatproof bowl, spoon over sour cream. Microwave on high power (100%) for 2 minutes, stirring halfway. Whisk until smooth; add vanilla bean paste. Cool to room temperature (see Test Kitchen tips). 2 Preheat oven to 150°C (130°C fan-forced). Grease a 25cm springform pan; invert base. Line the side of the…

When entertaining, you can’t really go wrong with serving a cheese board. Rule of thumb is to keep it simple. If you are having a really big party, showcase one really stunning cheese like a whole wheel of ripe triple crème brie with very simple accompaniments. For a smaller gathering, it’s nice to have about three or four interesting varieties, each with a point of difference for your guests to try, like an aged cheddar or Tasmanian Heritage Triple Cream brie, Classic Blue and Red Square washed rind (pictured above). Savvy serving Serving cheese at the right temperature is important to allow the full flavours to be appreciated. Place the cheeses on the serving board and cover with a clean damp tea towel for up to two hours before serving.…

CHEMIST WAREHOUSE Vitamin C is essential for the proper function of the immune system, and this formula provides a high-strength, one-a-day dose in a great-tasting, orange-flavoured chewable tablet. RRP $19.99. chemistwarehouse.com.au FLEXOFYTOL Suffering from joint pain and stiffness? Introducing Flexofytol – the new high-efficacy curcumin supplement that has been derived from turmeric: nature’s wonder medicine. Now available in Australia and New Zealand. RRP $49.99. Visit flexofytol.com.au VITUS NEW VITUS IRON+C is a delicious powder containing 100% plant-based sources of iron and vitamin C to support daily needs. This nutrient-dense blend helps boosts energy and vitality, naturally. RRP $34.95. Available from selected pharmacies and health food stores. Visit planethealth.com.au DR. OETKER Easy Choc is a delicious, ready-to-melt chocolatey covering in a microwavable pot. Available in milk or white, simply melt in…

The eggs are all-white If you’re planning to dye eggs for Easter, white-shelled eggs (available in kosher grocery stores) will give the best results. Freeze fresh While passionfruit are still plentiful and cheap, seal them into ziplock bags and freeze them whole. They defrost quickly and taste freshly picked. DIY anti-ant If ants are a problem, combine 1 cup sugar, ½ cup water and 1 tablespoon Borax (from the laundry section of supermarkets) in a saucepan, bring to the boil, stirring until sugar has dissolved, and boil for three minutes. Allow to cool, then place spoonfuls in ants’ tracks. Keep mixture away from pets and children. Revitalise rusty tools To clean old rusty tools, submerge them in Coca-Cola overnight or up to three days. Rinse them thoroughly, allow to dry…

It was a Friday morning and Dervla McTiernan was supposed to be taking her two small children on a holiday. Instead, she was sitting in her car outside a GP’s office in Perth with her heart in her throat. In one hand, she held her phone, and an email that could make all of her dreams come true. A literary agent loved the sample she’d read of Dervla’s first novel and wanted to see more. In the other hand was a piece of paper representing a threat that could smash everything to a thousand pieces – a list of neurologists her doctor had urged her to call immediately to remove the large tumour that had just been detected in Dervla’s brain. “The doctor had said, ‘You have a brain tumour…

Bitcoin has been hot news as its value jumped about 1700 per cent over 2017 to $25,410 on December 17. It’s now virtually halved to $13,332 at the time of going to press. For investors it’s been a wild ride, leading many investment experts to advise people to steer well clear. Bitcoin was created after the global financial crisis as a currency enabling people to transact without banks. And while cryptocurrencies have been hijacked by speculators hoping to make quick profits, others are using them like conventional currencies to buy goods and pay bills. Anyone can buy bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies through a specialist exchange or broker, getting started with as little as $250. Websites such as bitcoinreviews.com.au can help you find a reputable exchange, as well as offer price…

Hit your stride Great news for those who love the Australian outdoors: a new guided trek opens in Tasmania this spring. The Three Capes Lodge Walk is a four-day, 46km jaunt through the spectacular Tasman National Park, starting with a boat transfer from Port Arthur, and includes stays in wilderness lodges. Book early at taswalkingco.com.au . Good vibes in Uganda Fancy an African adventure with a do-good element? School for Life founder Annabelle Chauncy, a winner in The Weekly’s 2014 Women of the Future Awards, is organising two trips to Uganda on July 9-16 and 16-23. As well as school visits, you will stay in the Murchison Falls National Park. Visit schoolforlife.org.au/travel4impact . Double Eclipse Athens to Lisbon is the…

The happiest day of my life was... I have two children so rather than hurt one of their feelings, I’m going to say it was the day I was crowned Miss Junior Watsonia 1964. My biggest disappointment is... That I have never appeared in a Hollywood movie. Then again I’m only 63, and as I always say to the young folk, “Hold on to your dreams, kids.” I'm embarrassed to admit that... In my first year teaching, back in 1977, I used to actually smoke in the classroom. In fairness the students were Year 12 and they all smoked, too. I'll always regret... Getting that spiral perm in the ’80s. If I could only eat one meal for the rest of my life, I'd choose... Roast chicken, lemony potatoes, and…

Nicole Kidman may well be Hollywood’s quintessential Renaissance woman. At 51, a time when most Hollywood actresses bemoan the lack of substantial roles and the fading lustre of their careers, Nicole is riding the crest of a professional wave that has reinvigorated her presence and longevity in a notoriously capricious industry that often abandons genuine talent if it’s not wrapped in a vivacious 30-something package. Yet here stands Nicole, who strode onto the Hollywood stage almost 30 years ago as Tom Cruise’s love interest in Days of Thunder, defiantly winning accolades and honours not only for her moving, complex roles on screen but also for her skill and acumen as a producer. Underpinning this professional revitalisation – Big Little Lies, the HBO TV series which Nicole starred in and co-produced…

Country music star Beccy Cole and cabaret singer Libby O’Donovan are in a spin. They’re due to be married in 22 hours in a perfectly picturesque vineyard in the Adelaide Hills, but the flower girl’s dress is missing. The flower girl’s name is Maisy. She’s eight years old, strawberry blonde with a dusting of freckles, Libby’s daughter from an earlier relationship and, though she doesn’t know it yet, Maisy will be the star of this wedding. “As soon as the result of the plebiscite was announced, she went straight into, ‘When’s the party? I’ve invited all my friends to be flower girls. I want a dress with purple spots and can I please be the one who says, you may kiss the bride.’ She was just so into it,” Libby…

In a darkened city street in Sydney’s Surry Hills on a Friday evening in December 1931, a whistle and a cry goes out into the night. Feet scurry along the road, doors slam and the lights go out. Lillian Armfield smiles and tells the newspaper reporter the noise is a signal. She’s been spotted. Back at Central Police Station, the reporter sees Lillian interacting with female offenders. One young streetwalker, Rene, happily chats to Lillian while waiting to be charged with offending the good order. Special Sergeant Lillian Armfield was both feared and revered. A year beforehand, Lillian was responsible for notorious crime boss Kate Leigh being sent down for cocaine possession. Lillian had nabbed Kate with cocaine she was trying to throw into an open fire. The risks were…

A year ago, I was drowning. I turn towards quiet like a plant towards the light, yet stillness and silence – a recalibrating stopping – were beyond me. I just couldn’t glean them anywhere amid the cram of mothering four kids and being a wife and full-time work; an agitation of the soul was swamping me. Quietude involves a fervent wish for simplicity, and I couldn’t simplify my life. The word noise is derived from the Latin word nausea, meaning seasickness. I was drowning in noise. It felt like a time for risky living; to somehow carve out tranquillity or I’d go under. My family was suffering around me. I was shouty mum, snappy and stroppy, becoming someone I didn’t recognise and didn’t like. Quietude felt like a necessary medicine…

“Growing up ... it was at mealtimes we stiched our experiences together.” Every Saturday for the first 20 years of my life, my family sat down to lunch together. Whatever we were into – dance, sports, drama or just sleeping in – all seven of us would gather in the kitchen of our parents’ home in Brisbane and squeeze around the table. Those meals were rarely anything fancy. We might share fluffy bread that you could rip apart instead of slicing, cold meats, cheeses and salads. We kids would help Mum [Quentin Bryce] prepare the meal, set the table and tidy up afterwards. It’s the togetherness I remember most about these meals. I knew this was my tribe. They were helping me grow up and I knew they were there…

The beauty realm is in the midst of a gold rush. Gold-infused products are glitzy and shiny. And pricey. Cost per ounce partially explains the inflated price tag – but are there other benefits to be extracted? The history between gold and beauty dates back to the Ancient Egyptians and Romans who heralded it as a skin cure-all. In the modern world a key US study noted positive results when gold leaf was tested on low blood-flow skin ulcers. Another found gold to be beneficial in treating autoimmune diseases and inflammation. Admittedly, there are limited studies assessing the efficacy of gold’s inclusion in skin care. Anecdotally, the precious metal is touted to reduce fine lines and smooth texture. However, what’s guaranteed is an instant, glorious sheen – thanks to gold’s…

QI’m 76 and had a hip replacement a year ago. I did the physiotherapy, but I’ve struggled to walk since without a walker. The doctor tells me I had “Trendelenburg gait” from muscles being cut and not healing due to my age. I can’t understand why the operation wasn’t done from another point if they knew older people had problems with this. What can I do next? H.F., NSW. There’s a move away from the lateral surgical approach to reduce this complication. You need to focus on a solution to your current unacceptable situation. Still persist with muscle strengthening and gait correction exercises with your physiotherapist. PRP injection may help the cut muscles to heal. They are usually done by a musculoskeletal medicine physician. Q Since being menopausal, I’m finding…

Russian pashka SERVES 6-8 PREP TIME 10 MINUTES (PLUS REFRIGERATION TIME) 250g cream cheese, softened 250g fresh ricotta 1 cup (220g) caster sugar 250g sour cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract finely grated rind of 1 lemon finely grated rind of 1 orange ½ cup (80g) sultanas ½ cup (40g) flaked almonds, toasted 1 Beat the cream cheese, ricotta and sugar until smooth. Add the sour cream, vanilla and citrus rind. Stir in sultanas. 2 Line a wire conical sieve (20cm across, 14cm deep) or small colander with muslin. Spoon cream cheese mixture into sieve. Cover and place over a bowl; refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight. 3 Invert the Pashka onto a serving plate, remove muslin and decorate with almonds. You can also use dried fruit and flowers…

WHO LIVES HERE? Chrissie Jeffery and husband Richard Banks have called their apartment in Sydney’s Potts Point home for the last six years. The building itself dates back to the early 1900s and the common areas of the apartments retain much of the character of that time. However, the couple’s use of colour and their passion for modern art mean their corner of the building is nothing if not contemporary. “When we moved in the previous tenants had been here for more than 15 years and all the rooms were painted oaky yellows, drawing room red and those sorts of very late 1980s colours,” says Chrissie. “I felt that what we needed to do was just paint it out, so I painted the whole apartment soft white, painted the woodwork…

THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL SOCIETY Opens APRIL 19 It is 1946 and London-based writer Juliet (Lily James, top right) has received a letter from a mysterious book club started in Guernsey, an island in the English Channel, during the German occupation of WWII. Juliet decides to visit the island and meets the members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, including the intriguing farmer who wrote the letter. As she begins to write a book about the club and their experiences during the war, what she discovers will change her forever. This story of friendship, courage and the power of books is charming on screen. A WRINKLE IN TIME Opens MARCH 29 Based on the beloved 1962 fantasy novel of the same…

SHE SHOWED WOMEN the sky is the limit when she became the first female pilot to cross the Atlantic solo in 1932, but Amelia Earhart’s legacy has been eclipsed by her mysterious disappearance in 1937. Now a new study claims to have finally settled the matter. An American professor says he has established with 99 per cent certainty that bones found on the Pacific Island of Nikumaroro in 1940 were Amelia’s. The bones and a bottle of the herbal liqueur Benedictine were sent to Fiji for analysis, but the researcher declared the bones belonged to a male and they were subsequently lost. Now, academics using a computer program which estimates sex and ancestry from skeletal measurements, say the bones are indeed Amelia’s. ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED? New Zealand’s favourite gladiator…

1 This adorable red panda cub is the latest success story from Perth Zoo’s breeding program. 2 Chris Hemsworth melted hearts when he went surfing with daughter India. 3 Ninety-nine-year-old George Corones has smashed the 50m freestyle world record in his age category. 4 Bindi Irwin is among 17 history-making women to be immortalised in plastic by the makers of Barbie. She tweeted that she was “honoured”. 5 The NSW town of Hay marked Mardi Gras for the first time with a parade of 20 floats down the main drag of the town of just 2000 people.…

During the long, hard years under house arrest, Aung San Suu Kyi lived alone in a decaying lakeside villa, denied news, medicine, even contact with her children, but sustained by an outside world that revered her as a heroine. Worthy Western institutions showered her with awards and honours, and right-thinking celebrities from George Clooney to Yoko Ono joined the rolling campaign for her release. Suu Kyi’s remarkable one-woman battle to bring democracy to her native Myanmar (formerly Burma), became a global cause célèbre, and when, barely two years ago, she became the country’s first civilian leader in decades, millions rejoiced. Today, 72-year-old Suu Kyi is an international pariah, her saintly reputation shattered. The same organisations that handed her prizes are scrambling to disassociate themselves from her, and her Hollywood fan…

When I first learnt that Kylie’s new album Golden was a country fusion, I was a little reticent ... but actually it is mesmerising. Sumptuous pop riffs and the discovery that Kylie has the perfect country voice. It’s an extraordinary blend of classic Kylie pop, yet soul-baring country-style lyrics. It’s personal. It’s deep. Her most raw thoughts set to music ever, yet somehow with their catchy, sunny melodies those thoughts are made beautiful. And that has always been Kylie’s style. To see good rather than bad. To create ease rather than stress. I’ve known Kylie for some time now and I’m glad to say we have an emotional shorthand. Kylie is and always was extraordinary and special, yet down to earth real. We meet in The Ritz, Piccadilly. She has…

The last jacaranda flowers are falling in a purple cascade. The summer heat rises in central Brisbane, glancing off cars idling at the lights. Pedestrians barely notice the handsome man being arrested in a narrow lane at the old dental hospital. He backs away as the police and detectives approach with handcuffs. Then someone yells “cut” and the scene dissolves into the tropical day. These are the last days of filming Harrow, a 10-part TV series. The extraordinarily attractive man in trouble with the law is the actor Ioan Gruffudd, who plays Dr Daniel Harrow, a forensic pathologist who bends the rules to get the truth of what happened to the body on his slab. He delves into the lives of the dead people. But being the leading man on…

Having great hair clearly has a big impact on our self-confidence and mood. That’s why a quality haircare regime is such a fantastic daily self-confidence booster. New Pantene Smart Pro-V formula combats damage by finding weak spots and strengthening hair in all the right places, helping us feel strong and confident on the inside too. Just ask UK songstress Ellie Goulding, who says: “My hair represents me. When it looks strong and healthy, I feel strong and healthy. Now I’ve discovered Pantene SMART Pro-Vitamin, there’s no going back.” beautyheaven REVIEWS AND REWARDS “My hair felt really good after the first wash and continued feeling stronger the longer I used it. I noticed less breakage, split ends and flyaways than usual, even with my normal styling routine.” BELLELUXE “From first use…

Years of grins, giggles and guffaws cause tiny creases to form at the outer corner of the eyes. We’re all for embracing these smile lines, but that doesn’t mean neglecting the delicate eye area all together. A two-pronged approach is the best way to address unwanted fine lines. And that’s something to smile about. PART ONE QUENCH Smile lines emerge over time as a result of repeated facial muscle contractions. They’re a souvenir of a life well lived – and we love them for that. Advancing fine lines around the eyes are the ones worth taking a stand against. They emerge due to a combination of skin dehydration and a decline in collagen and elastin. “The skin around the eyes is much thinner, so wrinkles develop more rapidly in this…

In medical practice, we are increasingly viewing the complex microscopic world inside your gut as the fantastic new health frontier. The past decade has seen a massive amount of research into the so-called “gut microbiome”, or the microscopic population of the human gut. The human gut contains potentially thousands of different species of microorganisms. Any individual person’s gut may host between 500 and 1500 species. As we discover more and more, we are beginning to realise just how complex the interactions of these microorganisms are with the human body, particularly the brain and the immune system. Probiotics are powerful therapeutic microorganisms that are essential to human wellbeing. They are also useful in preventing and managing some diseases, from allergy and asthma to dental decay or diarrhoea. Low levels or an…

The CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) first released their Low-carb diet as a result of a rigorous 2012 clinical trial of overweight and obese adults. That study found that there were superior benefits from following a high-carb, low-fat diet, when followed as part of a complete lifestyle plan. Participants experienced substantial reductions in body weight, fat mass and blood pressure as well as improved mood and quality of life. In the years since its first publication, doctors and other health practitioners have used this plan in the treatment and management of their patients, with great success. On the back of that comes this new updated release, the CSIRO Low-Carb Every Day. This version offers new food ideas and menu options to enable you to make smart food choices,…

Australian chestnuts have never been better and this season is set to be a bumper one. The sweet nutty flavour makes them ideal for cooking or snacking, in pasta, salads and more. To shell, score a cross in the flat side and microwave, roast or heat in a frypan or barbecue. Buy them until July. For t he ultimate foodie adventure you can go chestnut picking. Visit chestnutsaustralia.com.au  for more. ON-TREND BAKING The Weekly is renowned for bringing food trends to the home cook and our newest cookbook, Real Sweet, celebrates all that’s fashionable in baking. You’ll find Triple Tested recipes for cakes and pastries in delightful combinations featuring vegetables, edible flowers and fruit. $49.99 from all good booksellers and awwcookbooks.com.au. EVERYDAY ART Illustrator and conservationist Nathan Ferlazzo…

Bunny masks Perfect for Easter parades, the masks are easy to make and will make the egg hunt super-enjoyable. Materials White cardboard poster-sized sheet, medium thickness (450gsm) Mask template downloaded from nowtolove.com.au/bunnymask  and printed onto A4 paper Cotton wool balls Pink felt Striped paper straws Scissors Glue Paintbrush Double-sided tape Also required: pencil 1 Cut out the mask template, including the eye holes, nose and ear inners. 2 With the cardboard sheet in landscape position, place mask in the centre and trace around. Extend the strap markings on the template to the edges of the cardboard with your pencil so your mask will be long enough to wrap around your child’s head. 3 Cut out the mask and eye holes (gently pierce a hole in the centre with…

MAKING SCENTS OF CAMELLIAS Camellias are possibly the most perfect flowers – opulent, blooming for months through the gloomiest time of year, hardy yet delicate looking. They lose out to roses in only two ways: lack of scent and a tendency to drop from the stem an hour after you put them in a vase. But if you choose wisely, you can have them on the bush and in a vase with a soft sensuous, scent as well. While there are camellias that tolerate full sun, these scented varieties need dappled shade, or even deep shade in warmer climates. High Fragrance: Pale pink, double, frilly and divine. “Scentuous”: White petals with a pale pink centre, loosely ruffled, semi-double and long blooming. Koto No Kaori: Single blooms in…

• MARCH 17 In Melbourne Theatre Company’s production of Abigail’s Party at Southbank Theatre, The Sumner (photo 3). Beverly invites her neighbours in for an evening which descends into a night of social awkwardness, scandalous flirting and hilarious insults. Visit mtc.com.au. • MARCH 23 Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is back with Puccini’s love story La Bohème (2). Visit opera.org.au. • MARCH 28 Dave Hughes, Cal Wilson and Peter Helliar (8) join a mix of comedy superstars at The Melbourne International Comedy Festival.Visit comedyfestival.com.au. • MARCH 29 More than 65 Impressionist masterpieces feature in the Art Gallery of South Australia’s exhibition Colours of Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay (9). Visit artgallery.sa.gov.au. • MARCH 30 In an Australian exclusive, Cartier: The Exhibition, at the National Gallery of Australia, showcases pieces from the jewellery house (1,…

The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart by Holly Ringland , Fourth Estate There’s an aching heart beating through author Holly Ringland’s narrative that although at times seems almost broken, is stitched back together with shards of optimism that offer constant hope. These are characters we love, care about and want to nurture. I wouldn’t mind meeting a few of them and definitely would love to go to the flower farm the first half of the story is set in and join in the long lunch. The book opens with Alice Hart, a deep thinking, book-loving and traumatised nine-year-old who is devoted to her mother and terrified of her father, sitting at her eucalyptus desk reading. Soon a shocking fire in their seaside home leaves Alice orphaned. When…

I went to Brazil and fell in love with Barbara. Her allure was magnetic, the attraction instantaneous. My friends Diana and Zora felt it too. We all agreed that Barbara was one of the best things that happened to us on our Brazilian holiday. Barbara’s a pousada (guest house) at Praia da Pipa, one of the most revered beaches on Brazil’s north-east coast. We’d hired a driver in the city of João Pessoa to take us there – a 146km journey – and he dropped us off in a little square down by the beachfront. We looked around, nervous strangers in a new place, wondering where we should stay, and there she was, nestling under a thick canopy of trees, beckoning us. She was colourful and pretty. Her 14 rooms…

Aries MAR 21-APR 21 Happy birthday, and welcome to the real beginning of your year, pioneering, enterprising Aries. Energetic Sun and quick-change Uranus in your sign are raring to ramp up the action, but for the first half of April Mercury’s spinning its wheels. Arians are advised to plan, strategise and practise the mantra of Mars in Capricorn: give it time. Then, when mid-month Mercury spurts forward in tandem with Aries fresh-start new moon, it’s all mojo motivation and game on. In a nutshell – which is how Arian’s like their information – the first two weeks of April are a time to wait, the last two to accelerate. TAURUS • APR 22-MAY 21 April is pretty much a garden of earthly delights with Venus in one of her favourite playgrounds…