Innholdsfortegnelse for Australian Women's Weekly Christmas 2018 i The Australian Women's Weekly

Maggie Beer is laughing and twirling, flouncing the skirts of her brand new dress. It’s a deep red, with a floor-length skirt that drapes and rustles, and suits Australia’s most beloved cook to a tee. As a tribute, The Weekly’s Style Director, Mattie Cronan, has commissioned this wonderful surprise – a gown created exclusively for Maggie by prominent Australian designer, Toni Maticevski. As the vermillion dress lined in lilac emerged from its suitcase, Maggie was visibly moved. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever put on – the colour, and the voluminous skirt,” Maggie said, choking back tears. “I love it! I’m so happy.” It’s not a dress Maggie would normally choose for Christmas Day, given the practicalities of preparing her family feast, and The Weekly asks Maggie where she…

Turkey with apricot and hazelnut stuffing SERVES 6 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES (+ STANDING TIME) If you’re entertaining a larger crowd, simply double the recipe to feed 12. 125g baby spinach ⅓ cup (50g) dried apricots, chopped coarsely ⅓ cup (45g) roasted hazelnuts, chopped coarsely 1 cup (70g) fresh breadcrumbs 1kg frozen ready-to-roast turkey breast, thawed 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 6 fresh thyme sprigs 2 tablespoons brandy 1 cup (250ml) salt-reduced chicken stock 1 Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). 2 Place spinach in heatproof bowl; pour over boiling water, stand for 1 minute. Drain; cool under running water. Squeeze small handfuls of spinach to remove excess liquid; chop and place in a medium bowl. Stir in apricot, hazelnuts and breadcrumbs; season. 3 Place…

BLUE SWIMMER CRAB Also called sand crab, blue swimmers are harvested from the wild. You’ll find them year-round, with peak supply from November to April. They are not sold live – buy them raw or already cooked – and their average weight is 300g–400g, yielding around 100g of meat. The males’ shells are bright blue uncooked; females’ shells are mottled brown. Both turn bright orange when cooked. LOBSTER Also called rock lobster or crayfish, worldwide there are around 45 species; the size depends on type. They’re wild-caught and at their best purchased live, as the flesh (mostly in the tail) deteriorates quickly. When cooking whole fresh lobster in boiling water it’s best to slightly undercook, as the flesh will keep cooking once removed. For convenience, try frozen tails.…

Best-ever glazed ham SERVES 8 WITH LEFTOVERS PREP AND COOK TIME 2 HOURS 15 MINUTES (+ RESTING TIME) 1 Coles Half Leg Ham, Bone In (about 4.5kg) 2 carrots, peeled, cut into large chunks 2 celery sticks, cut into large chunks 1 brown onion, cut into large chunks 4 ripe peaches 2 tablespoons caster sugar watercress, to serve PEACH AND RUM GLAZE 40g butter 1 small brown onion, coarsely chopped 2 ripe peaches, seeded, coarsely chopped 2 whole star anise ¾ teaspoon ground cardamom ¾ cup (180ml) dark rum ¾ cup (180ml) white wine vinegar 1 cup (220g) firmly packed brown sugar 1 Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Run a small sharp knife down the back of the ham. Using your fingers, gently separate skin from fat. Remove and…

Christmas smash cake PREP TIME 30 MINUTES (+ FREEZING TIME) ¼ teaspoon vegetable oil 290g dark chocolate Melts 2 x 269g pack Ferrero Collection gold and white pearl cachous ROYAL ICING 1 egg white 1½ cups (240g) pure icing sugar 4 drops lemon juice 1 Brush the inside of a 22cm diameter (12-cup capacity) dome-shaped stainless steel bowl or pudding basin with the oil; place in the freezer for 10 minutes. 2 Place chocolate Melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH (100%) for 1½ minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, or until melted. 3 Pour the chocolate into the bowl and turn to coat the bowl evenly. Spread the chocolate to the top edge of the bowl with the back of a spoon to create an even layer. Place bowl…

Heeling power A wedged heel is the perfect summer staple to elevate a casual look. Turn over a new leaf Inject a citrus twist into your summer wardrobe. Let the sunshine in An unlikely power pair – cinnamon and sunflower yellow work brilliantly together. Cool, calm and collected Light linen will keep you cool on a hot summer’s day. Ocean treasures Nostalgic but new, shell-adorned and pearl jewellery is a must-have summer accessory with a golden touch. ALL PRICES ARE APPROXIMATE.…

1 CLINIQUE DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT HYDRATING JELLY, 50ML, $29. This lightweight, bouncy texture delivers maximum hydration plus pollution protection. 2 DIOR HYDRA LIFE GLOW BETTER FRESH JELLY MASK, $98 A peel-scrub hybrid brimming with citrus fruit and apricot kernel extracts, leaving skin brightened and refreshed. 3 ESTÉE LAUDER NUTRITIOUS VITALITY8 RADIANT EYE JELLY, $65. Revitalises tired eyes thanks to its cooling jelly formula.…

for her for him for kids You little beauty!…

Modern family TWO PHOTOS capturing three generations of the Royal family have been released in honour of The Prince of Wales’ 70th birthday. Prince Charles celebrated at a luncheon hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace, and reflected on the landmark birthday in a recent edition of Country Life, which he edited. “I have reached the biblical threshold of three score years and 10, with all the scars that go with it,” he wrote. He also revealed a passion for pheasant crumble pie. “I invented a grouse one recently, as well as moussaka with grouse – in other words, groussaka.” SHE’S CAMERA REDDY Filming has begun for I Am Woman, the biopic of pioneering Australian singer Helen Reddy (above, right). Tilda Cobham-Hervey (The Kettering Incident) was snapped in Sydney in…

This Christmas Maria Pinto Exposto will lay down to sleep on a yoga mat in a cell in Kajang Prison, Malaysia, more than 6500 kilometres from her four sons and three grandchildren in Sydney. She has lost 20 kilograms since she was jailed four years ago and survives on the meagre amount of food she can afford with money her family sends each month. Life has been bleak for the former social worker from Cabramatta who was sentenced to death for drug trafficking in May. But for the first time in a long time, Maria has been sleeping a little easier. On October 10 the Malaysian government announced plans to abolish the death penalty so even if Maria loses her appeal, she has hope that the law will change and…

Fan Bingbing, China’s highest-paid actress, had the world at her feet. Newly engaged to fellow actor Li Chen, another household name in China, she was the face of Luis Vuitton and De Beers Diamonds, a perennial front-row guest at Paris Fashion Week, with wardrobes full of Valentino couture and a sprawling property portfolio rumoured to be worth hundreds of millions of US dollars. In June this year, the X-Men actress was fresh back from Cannes promoting an action flick with Penelope Cruz, had just wrapped Air Strike, a World War II blockbuster with Bruce Willis, and was shooting a sequel to her 2006 domestic smash hit Cell Phone. Enjoying critical acclaim and enormous popularity in her home country, she sat at the top of the Forbes’ rich list of Chinese…

Diane Lane is giggling. She’s just remembered a particular night she spent at the White House a few years back. Barack Obama was still President and Diane was one of the guests at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner. This is the glittering fundraising bash where journalists mix with politicians, senators and specially invited celebrities, and the President gives a usually pretty funny speech. “When the cast members from House of Cards arrived it was like royalty had walked in, because these people [the polticos] are so in love with themselves and they think that all the plot points are really about them,” Diane explains, still laughing. “It was the penultimate one in the Obama administration and a good time was had by all. It made the Oscars feel like…

Don’t sacri›ice ›lavour or ›lair and have your food ready in a ›lash with these recipes from our Christmas Express cookbook. Roast pork wreath with stone fruit SERVES 6 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 1.25kg pork fillets 5 fresh bay leaves 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 40g butter, chopped 1 small (100g) red onion, quartered 3 medium (450g) yellow peaches, halved, stones removed, cut into wedges 3 nectarines (500g), halved, stones removed, cut into wedges 1¼ cups (310ml) sparkling wine fresh red currants, optional, to serve 1 Preheat oven to 220°C (200°C fan-forced). 2 Create a wreath with the pork fillets by tying the two ends together with kitchen string, overlapping by 4cm. 3 Tie string at 5cm intervals around the fillets, tucking in bay leaves. Season pork.…

1 Fennel and cheese pan stuffing SERVES 10 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced). Place 2 red onions, cut into thick slices crossways, in a single layer in a shallow roasting pan. Top with 1 baby fennel, sliced thinly; drizzle with 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil. Cover with foil; roast for 30 minutes. Toss a 315g, 1-day-old loaf sourdough bread, torn into chunks, in a large bowl with 1 tablespoon thyme, 2 tablespoons currants, 2 tablespoons pine nuts, ⅓ cup grated parmesan, ½ cup vegetable stock and 1 egg until combined. Spread evenly over onion mixture in pan; toss to combine. Roast for 30 minutes or until browned. 2 Chorizo and onion pan stuffing SERVES 10 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 25…

Roast beetroot and goat’s cheese terrine SERVES 8 AS AN ENTRÉE PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES (+ REFRIGERATION TIME) 5 medium (750g) beetroots 1 small bulb garlic 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil 1 cup (100g) walnuts 550g jar marinated goat’s cheese 1 bunch chives, chopped finely chervil, baby salad leaves and lemon-infused olive oil, to serve 1 Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Remove the leaves and trim the roots from the beetroot. Trim the top off the garlic bulb. Place beetroot and garlic on an oven tray; sprinkle with oil. Roast for 30 minutes, then remove the garlic; it should be soft. Roast the beetroot for a further 30 minutes, or until a skewer goes easily through them. In the last 10 minutes of cooking,…

POACHING CRAB Place the crab in the freezer for 1 hour or until asleep (insensible). Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil. Lower in the crab; cook for 12 minutes per 1kg, then leave in pan for 5 minutes. Transfer crab to a tray to cool. REMOVING APRON FLAP, GILLS AND LUNGS Turn crab on its back and pull off and discard the triangular flap (the “apron”) at the base of the body. Pull away the top shell (carapace). Remove the greyish gills and lungs found near the lower legs. REMOVING LEGS Twist legs and claws off the body using your hands. Twist leg sections apart; meat will come out of some sections neatly when you do this. REMOVING MEAT Using a meat mallet or crab crackers, crack…

Brown sugar and mustard glaze In a medium saucepan, place ¾ cup (165g) firmly packed brown sugar, ⅔ cup (160ml) apple cider vinegar, ⅔ cup (190g) wholegrain mustard, ¼ cup (70g) Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce and ½ teaspoon salt. Bring to the boil over medium-high heat, whisking to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat to low; simmer for 5 minutes or until glaze reduces slightly. Remove from heat. Reserve ½ cup glaze for serving. Use remaining glaze for ham as for recipe above.…

Looking for some Christmas inspiration as a special treat for your friends, family and loved ones this year? Add a touch of Ferrero Rocher magic to your next big baking session and you’ll be the toast of the festive season. With a little imagination – and with some delightful help from the classic hazelnut taste of Ferrero Rocher – you can turn these simple mini white chocolate cheesecakes into delicious works of art! Then you can really bring your decorative Christmas table settings to life with Ferrero Rocher Christmas Shooting Stars, Ferrero Rocher Cubes for personal treats or gift boxes, and even spectacular Grand Ferrero Rocher to make a truly bold statement. Let the festivities begin! “With Ferrero Rocher, you can really bring your decorative Christmas table settings to life.”…

In full bloom Swap out your pantsuit for a floral co-ord this season. Lovely in lavender Lavender is the key hue of the season. Play with different tones to complete your look. Frill seeker Ruffles add a romantic feminine touch to evening wear. Float away Soft prints and billowy silhouettes make for the perfect garden party attire. Jewel tones Rich coloured gemstones make the perfect statement for party dressing. ALL PRICES ARE APPROXIMATE.…

Felt decorations You’ll need • Cookie cutters – heart, star and circle shaped• Cardboard• Felt• Hot glue gun or pins• Large threading needle• Coloured twine• Trimmings of your choice – buttons, bows etc• Fishing line 1 Using the cookie cutters as your template, trace the outline of the desired shape (a heart, a star or circle for your plum pudding) onto cardboard. Cut out the cardboard shape. 2 Using the cardboard shape, outline two felt shapes and cut them out. 3 Pin or glue the felt shapes to each side of the cardboard shape. Then blanket stitch around the shape. 4 Apply trimmings with a glue gun. Hang onto your tree using fishing line. Christmas wreath You’ll need • Wire, wire coat hangers or a prefabricated brass ring (purchase from…

Brilliant fiction Transcription by Kate Atkinson, Penguin It had always been the two of them: Juliet Armstrong and her dressmaker mother, who scrimped and saved for her daughter’s ballet, piano and even elocution lessons. But the “scholarship girl” in a fee-paying school’s bright future stopped when her magnificent mother died. The 17-year-old leading light in drama club “had gone, as far as Juliet could tell, and never really came back.” Atkinson’s empathetic, erudite novel opens with Juliet, 60, lying in a London street after being hit by a car. Reflecting, she thinks that it had “probably been a long enough life”. She has been away from Blighty for 30 years. Backtrack to 1940 and “intellectual [but naively ripe] communist” Juliet is working for the secret service, transcribing the conversations of…

Picture books(0-5) ANIMALPHABET by Julia Donaldson and Sharon King-Chai, PanMacmillan From ant to zebra, this delicately cut-out book is in a class of its own. The Gruffalo author asks who has more wrinkles than a hedgehog? With beautiful flow, the eye of the answer (an igunana), looks out from a rock on the opposite page. King-Chai’s illustrations are unforgettable and will enchant every child. A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Tony Mitton and Mike Redman, Hachette A re-telling of Charles Dickens’ classic. Mitton rhymes with glee: “Bob Cratchit gave a cough. Tomorrow’s Christmas Day, sir. So may I take it off?” But it’s Redman’s cinematic, cartoon characters that fly off the page from great heights, which make this book zing. Best of all, the ghosts won’t scare little…

The 9000km Trans-Siberian Railway network connects Moscow with Vladivostok. While many tourists spend seven consecutive days on board a single train without disembarking, we take a series of long-distance sleeper trains and visit six cities over 21 days. For bookings, try realrussia.co.uk . Australians must obtain a 30-day Russian visa before arrival. All transport and accommodation bookings are required to complete the application.…

NESTLE SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK Christmas Tastes Better with Nestle Sweetened Condensed Milk made from fresh Australian milk and over 100 years of know-how, helping to make your baking a sweet success every time. Visit nestle.com.au OLAY Spoil your skin this Christmas! The Olay gift set includes cult Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Moisturiser and Miracle Boost Essence with powerhouse ingredients amino peptides and hyaluronic acid for firmer, plumper skin. Regenerist Miracle Duo Gift Set, RRP $49.99. NIVEA New NIVEA Cellular Hyaluron Filler firms and re-plumps. Instantly and with regular use, this formula fills the wrinkles. It activates skin cell’s own production of hyaluronic acid and collagen*. NIVEA Cellular Hyaluron Filler Day Cream SPF15, 50ml is $27.99. * TESTED ON SKIN CELLS MYER FAO Schwarz is back and with a great line-up of toys…

NEW GAME Naomi Watts, 50, will star in the upcoming prequel to Game of Thrones. The new series will be set thousands of years before the original. HALL OF HEROES Sports chameleon Jana Pittman has been inducted into the NSW Hall of Champions. Jana took up bobsledding after retiring from athletics to become the first Aussie woman to compete in the summer and winter Olympics. LEMON SMILE The Wiggles are backing a call by Annabelle Potts, five, to raise vital funds for brain cancer research. Suck a lemon and hashtag #lemonfacechallenge to support Annabelle.…

Jacki Weaver has a terrible hangover. She was out last night with “the Senator” – aka ex-husband Derryn Hinch – and can’t remember when she got home. “But I went to bed alone, you’ll be pleased to know,” she says with a laugh. Jacki has a colourful history in the infidelity department, but she’s apparently a new woman with husband number four, South African actor Sean Taylor. “I’ve never cheated on this one,” she says. Fifteen years of marital monogamy, she reckons, is a pretty good effort: “It is for me!” An Australian stage and screen star since the ’60s, Jacki knows her personal dramas have threatened to eclipse her professional achievements in the past. But that was before her breakout role as sociopathic crime matriarch, Smurf Cody, in 2010’s…

There’s something unique and rather special about Kerryn Phelps. It strikes you instantly and then grows as you get to know her. When I ask her friends, family and colleagues to explain, they talk about compassion, integrity, a razor-sharp intellect and an unstoppable need to fix things. All fantastic qualities for Kerryn’s primary career as a GP and The Weekly’s longstanding medical specialist. And also, as it happens, spot-on for a politician. Only, as things currently stand in Canberra, caring activists seem to be thin on the ground while power-hungry career politicians grandstand in the limelight. Unfair? Perhaps. But there’s no question Australian politics needs a makeover and a bit of old-school “wanting to make the world a better place” certainly wouldn’t go amiss. So, when Kerryn decided to do…

Mirror Glaze Cake SERVES 12 PREP TIME 1 hour + freezing 340g packet butter cake mix 1 cup strawberry jam 270g NESTLÉ PLAISTOWE White Chocolate, plus 360g extra chopped 10 sheets gelatine 3 cups (750ml) cream 2/3 cup (160ml) water ¾ cup caster sugar 200g NESTLÉ Sweetened Condensed Milk White and red gel food colouring Mini meringues, raspberries and edible gold shimmer powder, to décorate 1 Prepare butter cake in 20cm round pan according to packet directions. Cool, then split in half. Line a 20cm round springform cake pan and spread with jam. Top with one cake round. Freeze 2 hours. 2 Melt 270g white chocolate. Soften 4 gelatine sheets in cold water for 5 min. Heat 2/3 cup of cream until just boiling, remove from heat. Squeeze excess liquid…

Kale, sprout and tahini salad SERVES 8 PREP AND COOK TIME 35 MINUTES Place 2 tablespoons sunflower seed kernels in a small dry heavy-based frying pan over medium heat. Stir gently for 3 minutes or until fragrant; cool. Trim 250g kale; shred kale thinly, transfer to a large bowl. Add 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes and 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil to kale; rub mixture well until kale softens. Trim 250g broccoli and 200g brussels sprouts. Shave broccoli and sprouts using a V-slicer or mandoline. Shave 2 medium (300g) green apples; stack slices and cut into thin strips with a knife. Add vegetables, apple and seeds to kale. Whisk 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons tahini, 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 1 small crushed clove garlic in…

1 Peach sangria MAKES 1.75 LITRES (7 CUPS) PREP TIME 10 MINUTES (+ REFRIGERATION TIME) Combine a 750ml bottle chilled white or rosé wine, ¼ cup brandy and 2 tablespoons caster sugar in a large jug; stir until sugar dissolves. Add 2 medium (300g) peaches, cut into thin wedges. Cover; refrigerate for 1 hour. Add 2 cups chilled soda water (or lemonade for a sweeter drink) and fresh mint leaves. 2 Peppermint tea mojito MAKES ABOUT 1 LITRE (4 CUPS) PREP TIME 15 MINUTES (+ COOLING TIME) Place 4 peppermint tea bags and 1 cup boiling water in a heatproof jug; stir in ›/› cup caster sugar until dissolved. Stand for 10 minutes. Strain into a large serving jug; discard tea bags. Cool. Add 1 cup Bacardi, 2 sliced limes…

Backyard boil with garlic and mussel butter SERVES 6 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES 1kg baby new (chat) potatoes 425g corn cobbettes 2 (330g) uncooked lobster tails 2 (500g) uncooked blue swimmer crabs 1kg uncooked large king prawns 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning (optional) ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped finely lemon wedges, to serve COURT BOUILLON ½ bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley ½ bunch fresh thyme 1 teaspoon black peppercorns 1 teaspoon fennel seeds 4 fresh bay leaves 1½ cups (375ml) dry white wine 1 medium (350g) leek, white part only, sliced thinly 2 medium (240g) carrots, sliced thinly 1 large (200g) lemon, sliced thinly GARLIC AND MUSSEL BUTTER ½ cup (140g) tomato paste 3 cloves garlic, crushed ½ cup (125ml) white wine 1kg cleaned black mussels…

Crackling ham roast This Christmas Coles will offer a traditional boneless ham topped with crispy crackling so it combines the best of both hot ham and roast pork with crackling. Accompany with red currant jelly, mango chutney and traditional mustard. The ham serves about 8 to 10 people. To cook, preheat oven to 240°C (220°C fan-forced). Remove ham from the packaging and pat dry with paper towel. Leave uncovered in the fridge overnight before cooking to dry out the skin. Remove the net and score across the rind, tie with kitchen string to keep a neat shape. Rub ham with 1 tablespoon of coarse cooking salt, place on a rack over a baking tray and roast for about 40-50 minutes or until the skin starts to blister and crackle. Reduce…

For the booziest Christmas cake ever, feed the cake once a week until Christmas, then glaze with marmalade or jam just before serving. Nadine Traditional Christmas cake SERVES 20 600g your choice of dried fruit 75g candied orange peel, finely chopped 1 tablespoon marmalade or apricot jam, plus 100g extra for glazing 100ml brandy, plus extra for feeding (optional) 125g unsalted butter, softened 120g dark brown sugar 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon treacle 3 eggs 100g plain flour 25g almond meal ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg ¼ teaspoon ground cloves ¼ teaspoon ground allspice 50g whole blanched almonds 1 Combine the dried fruit, candied orange peel and marmalade or jam in a large bowl. Splash the brandy over the top and leave it to soak overnight on…

Barbecued corn, spinach and avocado salad SERVES 8 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 4 medium yellow capsicums (800g) 3 trimmed corn cobs (750g), halved 2 medium avocados (500g), sliced lengthways 100g baby spinach leaves HONEY MUSTARD DRESSING ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon honey 1 teaspoon dijon mustard 1 HONEY MUSTARD DRESSING Combine ingredients in a screw-top jar; shake well. 2 Quarter and seed capsicums. Cut each quarter in half lengthways. Cook capsicum on a heated oiled barbecue, skin-side down, until skin blisters and blackens. Cover capsicum pieces with plastic or paper for 5 minutes, then peel away skin. 3 Cook corn on a heated barbecue until tender and lightly charred all over. Cut slabs of kernels from the cobs, taking care…

“Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together."- ELIZABETH TAYLOR COLOUR ME PRETTY IF YOUR SCHOOL PENCIL CASE WAS ONCE YOUR PRIDE AND JOY, THEN YOU’LL GET A KICK OUT OF THESE STATIONERY-INSPIRED COSMETICS. SUMMER LOVING Add definition and warmth to your complexion with one of these bronzing compacts. Both powders are embossed with tropical-inspired motifs and blend bronze and peach shades to deliver a subtle sun-kissed glow. AIR CARE UV LIGHT AND ENVIRONMENTAL AGGRESSORS CAN WREAK HAVOC ON OUR SKIN. HERE ARE A FEW ANTIPOLLUTION TARGETED PRODUCTS TO HELP SAY GOODBYE TO BAD “AIR” DAYS. ALL PRICES ARE APPROXIMATE.…

Defined eyes Eye shadow or eyeliner? It’s a personal preference, but for make-up artist Mary Wiles (who is Naomi Watts’ go-to), it’s liner. “I prefer eyeliner to eyeshadow for a quick look,” she says. “Apply it into your top lashes and blend with a fingertip, smudging up and out. This creates depth without making eyes look heavy. Finish with a coat of mascara. Apply to your top lashes and blend with a fingertip.” Make-up artist Sarah Laidlaw suggests blending a matte eye shadow in a shade darker than your skin tone across the hooded area of the lid to lift the area. “Curl lashes and finish with a thickening mascara. To add the illusion of fullness, brush on a soft brow powder. Past 40, eyelids start to get more hooded…

Sheep for sleep Sleeping in wool PJs creates a “thermal comfort zone” conducive to restful sleep, a study by The University of Sydney has found. Researchers found sleeping improvements for all ages but those aged 65 to 70 had the greatest benefit, falling asleep on average in 12 minutes compared to 27 for those wearing cotton. Researcher Dr Paul Swan, suggests sleeping under wool bedding was the norm not so long ago and that wool helps regulate body temperature, which then helps people fall asleep quicker, sleep longer and also have better quality sleep. Having the bedroom temperature either too warm or too cool is also thought to play a role in sleep disruption. Experts recommend a room temperature of just over 18°C. Tyffyn lunch boxes Leaking, bulky plastic lunch…

Having my photo taken with Santa is a tradition I’d long outgrown but then, I’d never expected to meet the jolly man in Moscow. “Privet, Santa,” I wave, delighted when he beckons me over. “Who’s Santa,” he jokes, “I’m Father Frost.” It’s a small difference, but embracing the Russian way of doing things is essential to celebrating a white Christmas here. It’s a few days before the 25th and we’re at a European-style Christmas market alongside a Moscow boulevard full of speeding cars and sirens. Getting a feel for the city means following the crowds to Red Square. Here we find an outdoor ice-skating rink and stalls selling mulled wine. Between the twinkling lights of the GUM department store and the psychedelic domes of Saint Basil’s Cathedral, it’s like finding…

There’s something narcotic about December. Almost dreamy. Underneath the frenzied wrapping of presents, the satisfying sights of champagne corks in flight, balconies with blinking lights and waves curling to shore, is a kind of slowing, and a sharpening of the senses. The days have drawn longer, vines have sprouted jasmine, a still cool sea climbs up the sands of our beaches then slides back in a comforting pattern, rising and falling: expand, contract, climb, retreat, repeat. Summer. Our seasons slide into each other as imperceptibly as a slow motion replay of a bowled lawn ball in Australia. The rhythms we understand best are not the shedding of leaves but the shedding of sand onto car floors or shower recesses, not piles of blossom petals but piles of wet towels, noses…