Innholdsfortegnelse for Feburary 2016 i The Australian Women's Weekly

A TREND RECENTLY EMERGED where people all over the world have started to live with fewer possessions in the search for a simpler life. Dozens of blogs and books are dedicated to minimalism, which is a lot like spring-cleaning or decluttering, just more permanent. Proponents of living minimally say, “Don’t declutter, de-own”. They advocate living with as few as 100 items, support a “capsule wardrobe”, experiment with living in very small homes and take recycling very seriously. The basic theory? Fewer possessions give people more money and time to spend on something more worthwhile. Even though materialism and magazines are not exactly incompatible, I have some sympathy for the minimalists. I bet many of you returned from holidays with a SodaStream or salad bowl and wondered where to put it.…

NO BODY, NO MOTIVE: How can someone be found guilty of murder when no body exists nor any credible motive has been established? WITNESSES: Of all the witnesses called by the Crown, none knew Keli, none had any evidence of a crime having been committed and many contradicted themselves. WHEALY: The judge at Keli’s trial, Justice Anthony Whealy, made it clear to the jury in his summing-up that he doubted a murder case against her had been proven – and afterwards took the rare step of expressing his misgivings in the media. TRACK RECORD: Keli had already adopted out a child when Tegan was born and would adopt out a subsequent child. Why would she kill the one born in between? TEDESCHI: The Crown’s case was built on circumstantial evidence…

“I HEARD SO MANY STORIES FROM WOMEN WHO SAID, ‘I’M THE PRIMARY BREADWINNER, BUT IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG, THE [SCHOOL] OFFICE WILL ALWAYS CALL ME’.” AS KIDS DON their squeaky new school shoes, spare a thought for the mums who are steeling themselves for yet another year of tuckshop duty, class reading and cake baking. Mothers are the great, unsung army propping up schools across the country – covering library books and selling uniforms, organising fetes and flogging lamingtons – and many of them are in the paid workforce as well. As if morning lunchboxes and evening readers weren’t onerous enough. Seemingly with no sense of the irony, schools enforce a curious double standard: they tell our girls they can dream big and be anything they want, but then confound…

“I always loved doing the shows in Paris, especially Christian Dior and Galliano. I adored how they always wove a story into the show and the gowns were just exquisite.” Anneliese Seubert TRADEMARK: PARISIAN FASHION HOUSES LOVED HER “CLASSIC” BEAUTY. BIG BREAK: FINALIST IN THE DOLLY COVERGIRL MODEL COMPETITION AT AGE 15. TODAY: NOW 42, LIVING IN CANBERRA AND MUM OF TWO LITTLE GIRLS. RECENTLY MODELLED FOR MYER WITH HER THREE-YEAR-OLD. Exclusivity is key in the fashion world and, at first, Anneliese was so exclusive she could only be booked in the school holidays! By 1990, she had won the Ford Supermodel of the World contest and was gracing catwalks for Christian Dior, Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent, earning her the title of one of…

“Children who have access to a garden are far more likely to eat vegetables.” A HEALTHY DAY Breakfast: Weet-Bix or porridge or yogurt and a banana Mid-morning: Cut-up fruit/vegetables Lunch: A sandwich or wrap, or sushi with mixed filling Afternoon: Raw vegetables from the garden Dinner: Meat or fish, rice and vegetables Source: Independent nutritionist Dr Rosemary Stanton YOUR LOVELY CHILD starts the day with a bowl of porridge and berries, followed by some carrots and hummus for morning tea, a wholegrain cheese and salad wrap for lunch, a banana mid-afternoon and fish with sweet potato and broccoli for dinner. Right? Probably not. And to be fair, that’s not what we grown-ups are eating either, according to the latest national health data. The gap between our good intentions and what…

ARE YOU BEING overdosed with medication that is supposed to be keeping you healthy, but doing the opposite? Excess medication is a growing threat to the health of Australians, with half of all Australians aged between 65 and 74 years and two-thirds of those aged 75 and over reported to be taking five or more medicines daily. While the right medications can prolong your life and improve your quality of life, the wrong drugs, the wrong doses or the wrong mix of drugs can be dangerous. The potential for adverse medication effects compounds as you add more drugs to the mix. This is called polypharmacy and it has been associated with dangers in older people such as a higher risk of falls, disability, altered cognition, hospital admissions and deaths. If…

Imagine waking up every morning to the sound of your alarm, excited and happy to be starting a new day. When you look in the mirror you admire your body. Everyone tells you how great you’re looking and asks what your secret is. Sound too good to be true? If you, like many other women, don’t feel this way, you may have a hormonal imbalance. Research has documented that over 40 per cent of women have an undiagnosed underactive thyroid gland. If you feel tired all the time, crave sugar, use alcohol and coffee to lift yourself, retain weight around your middle and feel the cold, you could be suffering from this problem. What Does Your Thyroid Do, and What Does This Mean For You? The thyroid gland is the…

Tomato ginger chilli jam MAKES 3½ CUPS PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 45 MINUTES 1kg ripe Roma tomatoes 6 fresh long red chillies 2 fresh small red Thai chillies 3 cloves garlic, crushed 2 teaspoons finely grated ginger 2¼ cups (500g) caster sugar 1/3 cup (80ml) white vinegar ¼ cup (60ml) lemon juice 2 tablespoons fish sauce 1 teaspoon coarse cooking salt 1 Start by sterilising the jars (see below). 2 Chop the tomatoes and chillies coarsely. 3 Place the tomatoes, chillies, garlic, ginger, caster sugar, vinegar, lemon juice, fish sauce and salt in a large heavy-based saucepan over high heat. Stir, without boiling, until the sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil, then reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 1¼ hours or until the jam is thick.…

EASY ICE-CREAM A proper ice-cream maker is essential for churning out creamy, delicious ice-cream every time. If you’re short on space, though, KitchenAid has an efficient solution. Its ice-cream bowl attachment is an innovative way to use your stand mixer and it creates a smooth, delicious ice-cream. RRP $199. SWEET SCHOOL The Australian Patisserie Academy is offering short courses on everything sweet, from cake decorating to chocolate creation. These are practical hands-on courses for all abilities. Beginners work on basic foundation techniques while intermediate and professional students can learn the latest trends and technical skills. Visit theapa.edu.au. WINE TIME Did you know that the advice of drinking red wine at room temperature originates from medieval France, where temperatures averaged 14°C? A far cry from the typical Aussie temperature of 22°C.…

Q My children have gluten intolerances and packing a healthy allergy-free lunchbox can be challenging, not to mention boring for me and for them. Can you suggest a tasty alternative to sandwiches for school and work lunches? K. Richardson, via email. Rice paper rolls are great for school and work, but best eaten close to making. Pack and store them in an airtight container covered with damp paper towel, or wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap. Dried rice paper sheets are readily available from supermarkets and Asian grocery stores. TOP 5 ALLERGY-FREE LUNCHBOX TIPS 1. Make your child aware. Whether it is your child or a school friend, make sure your child is aware of the allergy and talk to them about what they can and can’t take to…

NEW easy single serve pouch. BENEFUL Medleys are packed with tender meat, wholesome grains and vitamin-rich veggies, all wrapped up in a home-style gravy - perfect for mixing with dry dog food. Preparing a healthy and delicious meal for your favourite little friend has never been better – from the moment you open the pouch right down to squeezing out the very last drop of gravy. FREE SAMPLE To get your sample, scan this page with viewa FREE NUTRITION GUIDE Use the free viewa app and scan this page to check-out the free interactive nutrition guide for your furry friend!…

1. Medi Skin Tag Remover Say goodbye to skin tags with Medi Freeze Skin Tag Remover. It offers safe and painless removal of skin tags on the neck, armpits and under breasts. Medi Freeze Skin Tag Remover comes with Skin Saver Target Shields for targeted application and protection of the surrounding skin. RRP $29.95, 38ml. 2. Nature’s Way Osteo-K Vitamin K2 is vital for maintaining strong bones as calcium requires this vitamin to properly attach to bones. Nature’s Way Osteo-K Vitamin K2, RRP $19.99; Calcium & K2 + Vitamin D, $24.99. Available at Coles, Woolworths and pharmacies. CHC70307-02/15. 3. Pandora Pandora’s beautifully designed Disney jewellery collection captures the fun and magic of Mickey Mouse. Wear the charm as a pendant or on your Pandora bracelet for a fun style statement.…

ELEANOR BY JASON GURLEY, HARPER VOYAGER. In a publishing world gripped with trends and the endless search to nail “the next big thing”, it’s refreshing to come across Eleanor, a truly original work propelled into bookstores by sheer people power. Self-published American author Jason Gurley, 37, has been writing novels since he was 18 and Eleanor started taking shape in 2001. It is an incredibly inventive and beautiful tale which, rich with 12 years of hard labour, became an Amazon bestseller before a traditional publisher and film company came knocking last year. “When I started writing the novel in 2001, it was a very different story,” Gurley tells The Weekly. “Back then it was a vehicle for answering the big questions about faith and belief. By the time I found…

I read Jung Chang’s Wild Swans when I was in early high school, and to this day it remains one of the most memorable novels I have ever had the pleasure of devouring. Moving swiftly through a gamut of emotions, this true story changed the way I read books forever. I can honestly say that I have never been changed by a story – true or fictional – like I have been by this one. This is epic storytelling, incredibly crafted. I love it. Every word. Erin is appearing in Cats, which continues its run in Brisbane from January 29, Adelaide from March 18, then Perth from April 16.…

Aquarius Jan 21-Feb 19 Your personal appearance, reputation, profile and public face is more important at the moment because so many horoscope factors are in your sign, Aquarius. Normally, this would mean an important plan or change is wrapped up in a fortnight. This time, however, you must wait until after Valentine’s Day to resume discussions, alter plans or even go back to the drawing board. If it’s about you, then it’s going to be held up or shift shape. Be aware of that, then decide. Pisces Feb 20-Mar 20 There are three scenarios this month. One finds you operating behind the scenes with no recognition, as others take the attention or credit. Another sees you deliberately covering up confidential secrets. The last scenario is more unusual and you may…

PEARL OF WISDOM Friendship and romance is like a long-stemmed rose. The stem is the friendship; the blossom is the romance. JOANNE RINKEVICH , SEAFORD, VIC. The winner of our Pearl of Wisdom this month wins a 12-month subscription to The Australian Women's Weekly, valued at $83.40. Bravo for Bindi As the mother of a five-year-old girl, I often despair about the lack of positive role models for my daughter. In a world of Hollywood clones, Bindi Irwin is a blessing. She’s real, brave, talented, loving, passionate, kind, lovely and strong. She’s the epitome of everything a mum would be proud of in a daughter. Thank you, Bindi, for everything you do for our planet and upcoming generations. VANESSA JENSEN, MAROUBRA, NSW. Jess is gorgeous How beautiful is…

GOLDEN GLOBES Although she was pipped at the post as Best Actress for her role in Carol , Cate Blanchett won the fashion stakes in her intricate, fringed 1920s-inspired Givenchy gown – one of many splendid outfits that caught the eye on the night. It wasn’t the year for Australians, though – Ben Mendelsohn also missed out on a Globe for Best Supporting Actor in the thriller Bloodline .…

THE FLYING DOCTORS Rebecca starred opposite Peter O’Brien in her breakout role. HALIFAX F.P. As forensic psychiatrist Jane Halifax in the series than ran from 1994 to 2002. LOGIE WINS Rebecca won Gold and Silver in 2009, and Silver in 1991 and 2010. PACKED TO THE RAFTERS Opposite on-screen husband Erik Thomson as matriarch Julie. MENTAL Rebecca made a big-screen turn with Toni Collette and Anthony LaPaglia. WINTER Rebecca teamed up again with Peter O’Brien to play Eve Winter in this crime drama. PETER ALLEN: NOT THE BOY NEXT DOOR Rebecca played Peter’s mother, Marion. THE DRESSMAKER Rebecca joined the Kate Winslet-led cast in this smash film.…

ON JANUARY 6, in a tiny village nursery in the heart of rural England, around 20 children began their school year with the most famous two-year-old in the world, Prince George of Cambridge, third in line to the throne. When Prince William embarked on his first day at school in 1985, he faced an official press photocall, but in keeping with their desire to keep Prince George’s childhood as carefree as possible, the Duchess of Cambridge took these snaps herself and released them to the media.…

MATTHEW GRAHAM Ex-head of PedoEmpire, pleaded guilty to 13 charges. Allegedly shared hardcore child sex abuse material with McCoole and Scully. ERIC MARQUES Dubbed the “largest facilitator of child porn on the planet”. Allegedly hosted Matthew Graham’s network on his Tor service. PETER SCULLY Allegedly operated child sex and torture ring from the Philippines. Pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and human trafficking. SHANNON McCOOLE Former childcare worker and head of global child sex abuse ring. Jailed for 35 years for sexually abusing young children in his care. UNNAMED VICTORIAN The 27-year-old was jailed for making child sex abuse material with a young female relative in his care, which he shared with Graham.…

Chic black Racy red Nudes & whites…

5 minutes WITH BIANCA CHEAH Founder of the health, fitness and beauty website Sporteluxe . 1 Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than ... her smile. 2 When I travel, I always take ... baby wipes to cleanse and freshen up mid-flight. 3 My daily skin routine involves … a daily facial massage at night with Sukin Certified Organic Rose Hip Oil to help hydrate and firm. 4 The most common beauty mistake women make is ... not fuelling their bodies with the right food. Be kind to your body and it will be kind to you back. 5 My signature fragrance is ... Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle. Top trend: Coconut oil Coconut oil is a super-hydrating and nourishing moisturiser. Try these coconut-infused products for smoother skin. 1. Jergens Hydrating Coconut…

Q I just read that taller people are more prone to cancer. Is this true? I am over six feet (1.83m) tall. J.D., Vic. A number of international studies have shown a small increase in risk of cancer in taller people. They found links between height and bowel, skin, breast, ovary, womb, kidney and brain cancers, as well as leukaemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. You can’t do anything about your height, but you can be vigilant about cancer screening at appropriate ages and reducing risk behaviours such as smoking, drinking alcohol, excessive sun exposure and being overweight. Q I’ve seen ads for baby paracetamol, but am scared to give it to my baby. What’s your advice? J.R., WA. Paracetamol helps to relieve fever and pain. It can be given after your…

Sweet potato fries SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK TIME 25 MINUTES 3 small (1kg) kumara (orange sweet potatoes), skin on oil, to deep-fry 1 Cut sweet potatoes into chips 1cm thick. 2 Add oil to a large saucepan to one-third full; heat to 180°C (or until a cube of bread browns in 30 seconds). Deep-fry potatoes, in batches, until golden (3-5 minutes per batch, reheating the oil between each batch). Drain well with a slotted spoon, drain on a wire rack or paper towel and season with salt. Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Beer-battered fries SERVES 6 PREP AND COOK TIME 35 MINUTES (+ COOLING TIME) 6 large (1.3kg) desiree potatoes oil, to deep-fry 1 cup (150g) plain flour, plus ½ cup (75g) extra, to coat ½ teaspoon baking…

Silver beet and ham pie SERVES 8-10 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 3 green onions (green shallots), sliced finely 1 bunch (750g) silver beet, washed, trimmed, shredded finely 2 tablespoons finely chopped dill ¼ cup finely chopped curly parsley 1½ cups (360g) fresh ricotta cheese 4 eggs, beaten lightly 100g fetta, crumbled 50g shaved leg ham, sliced finely 10 sheets filo pastry 100g butter, melted 1 tablespoon sesame seeds 1 Preheat oven 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Grease an 18cm x 28cm slice pan. 2 Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the green onion; cook, stirring for 1 minute. Add the silver beet; cover and cook for 3 minutes or until just wilted. Transfer to a colander…

Prize-winning pumpkin scones MAKES 8 PREP AND COOK TIME 30 MINUTES 60g butter, softened ¼ cup (55g) caster sugar 1 egg yolk 1 cup (250g) cooked, cold mashed pumpkin 2½ cups (355g) self-raising flour ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 2 tablespoons milk 2 teaspoons icing sugar 1 Preheat oven to 240°C (220°C fan-forced). Grease a baking tray; line with baking paper. 2 Beat butter, sugar and egg yolk in a small bowl with an electric mixer until combined. Transfer to a large bowl. Stir in mashed pumpkin. Sift over self-raising flour, salt and bicarbonate of soda. Using a flat-bladed knife, cut the flour mixture through the butter mixture to make a soft dough. 3 Place dough on a floured surface and knead lightly. Roll or pat dough…

WHEN SARAH AND her husband David Roxburgh, travelled to Queensland to visit close friends almost a decade ago, they instantly fell in love with the area. “After a visit to the area of Hawthorne, the location ticked all the boxes for us,” says Sarah. The picturesque suburb, with its idyllic lifestyle and warm tropical weather, was a perfect match for the couple and their two daughters, Chloe, 15, and Tess, 11, and Bryce, the family’s pet labrador. After a few months searching, the couple stumbled on a tired 1970s brick veneer home in complete disarray. “The property had severe foundation flaws, so we decided to knock it down and build a house that was in keeping with the beautiful streetscape,” says Sarah. Their design intent was clear from the start…

1. Beneful Beneful Medleys are single serve pouches packed with tender meat, wholesome grains and vitamin-rich veggies, all wrapped up in a home-style gravy. Available in six delicious flavours for your four-legged friend. 2. Ballantyne Butter Make everyday moments and special occasions brilliant with Ballantyne’s range of premium butter. 100% Australian made and family owned since 1929. Visit ballantyne.com.au. 3. Caruso’s Super Collagen Builder Caruso’s Super Collagen Builder may assist in the production and maintenance of collagen, and helps support hair and improve hair strength. Available from pharmacies and health food stores. Visit carusosnaturalhealth.com.au. CHC70429-02/15 4. Charles Darwin University Study with a new world university in 2016. A place where you can follow your passion to make things better – however big or small. Our flexible, supportive culture provides options…

AS WE HEAD back to work after the Christmas holiday break it’s a perfect time to plan how we are going to get our money to work harder for us this year. And, as part of sorting out your investments, you need to establish your relationship with risk and also how long you have to invest. Generally speaking, the greater the risk you can tolerate, the more chance you have of making higher returns on your money. The level of risk you’re able to live with influences your investment decisions, as does your time horizon. If you have a long-term goal, such as building a nest egg for your planned retirement in 20 years-plus, you have time to ride through the market’s ups and downs, evening out the impact of…

“A deeply curious child” raised in Texas and Alaska, Jason Gurley spent his early years raiding his parents’ bookshelves and “perched in the branches of a magnolia tree, my nose in a paperback,” he says. He now lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife, daughter, mother-in-law, a Boston terrier, a chihuahua, and a couple of cats. He wrote his first novel after leaving high school and began self-publishing in 2013. Having Eleanor picked up by a publisher was “a dream come true”. He is now working on a novel “about the one person we all hope to find in our lifetime, and what happens when your time with them is cut short.”…

ALL THAT IS LOST BETWEEN US BY SARA FOSTER, SIMON & SCHUSTER. Sara Foster’s new thriller is gripping. Less forensic crime investigation and more a compelling slice of domestic noir, All That is Lost Between Us throws the reader into the heart of a family in turmoil as a group of teenagers become the victims of a terrifying hit and run while walking home from a friend’s house. One of them is left fighting for her life in hospital, and as family members try to piece together what has happened, what at first seems like a brutal accident may actually have had far more sinister motives. Foster cranks up the tension with a cast of characters concealing dark and explosive secrets. It’s set in the idyllic English Lake District, and…

“Everyone into the water! We’re going to get wet and wild!” IN BLIZZARDLY COLD Canada, where I was born, everybody hates the month of February. Christmas has come and gone, the temperature is a thousand degrees below zero and giant icicles hang from eaves. There’s some fun to be had watching people slide down footpaths, breaking arms and legs on the way to get a coffee. It’s nothing like February in Australia. From the day I arrived, I was impressed by the way Australians cope with the long, hot days and nights of late summer. Let me count the ways. 1. You can drive a car using only elbows and fingertips until the steering wheel cools down. 2. You talk calmly on the TV news no matter how many flies…

BRYCE CORBETT Keli Lane has fascinated the country since she went to jail in 2010 for the murder of her newborn daughter. Executive Editor Bryce Corbett has been closely following the story for the past five years. His report on new developments in the case is part one of a two-part special which will conclude next month when Keli’s parents finally break their silence. See page 26. SUSAN HORSBURGH Last month, The Weekly’s Senior Writer brought you a rare glimpse of the real Bindi Irwin in our January cover story. In this month’s issue, the Melbourne mum-of-three turns her attention to something closer to home with a report on how schools are failing working mums. See page 70. REBECCA RAC Our Style Editor Rebecca approaches all her photo shoots with…

“A group of lawyers is working to prove she was wrongfully convicted.” THE YEAR 2016 may be only a month old, but it’s already proving to be a year of milestones for Keli Lane. The arrival of 2016 marks five years since she went to jail for the 1996 murder of her newborn daughter, Tegan. It means it will be another eight years before she is eligible for parole. And most significantly of all, if Tegan is still alive – as Keli fervently maintains is the case – the little girl who never was would be turning 20 later this year. Each is a milestone that Keli will mark while behind bars. Friends and family who have spoken to The Weekly for this special two-part report…

Joel Jackson, ACTOR (PETER ALLEN: NOT THE BOY NEXT DOOR) Q: What does Valentine’s Day mean to you? Half of the population is giddy with love, being spoilt, and the other half is cursing a past lover or searching for “the one”. Q: Describe your ideal Valentine’s Day. A day of the ordinary made extraordinary. Like a coffee date with your loved one – but in the presence of 1000 other couples doing the same as part of an event or record. To see that scale of love would be quite profound. Q: When it comes to diamonds, is it the thought or carat size that counts? It’s the story that counts. Example – when my sister became engaged, I flew from Karratha to Perth and back to…

BY THE TIME I was twenty-six, I’d had more highs and lows than a trainee trapeze artiste. I’d been working three to four jobs since the age of fourteen, I’d been sexually assaulted and sent my attacker to jail, I’d had a stepdad who’d made it clear to me that it was time for me to get out of home and start making my own way in life, I’d lived both overseas and in one of the toughest towns in the Australian outback, and I’d married the man I believed was the love of my life (um, okay, I was twenty-three!), only to discover that we weren’t exactly on the same page. But I was determined to keep moving onwards and upwards, and had the self-belief and determination to know…

“Being single has been a lot of different things. It’s traumatic and exhilarating.”Susan Sarandon IT IS THREE nights before Christmas in 2010 and a couple is arguing. All the bitterness and hostility that has been strangling their marriage for years has them in one final choke hold. The wife turns to her husband: “There’s your suitcase. Take it and go.” This time, she means it. And so he gets up and leaves. This time, for good. The wife waits. She had always imagined collapsing in a heap and ranting and railing because that is what you are supposed to do when you split from your partner of 13 years, isn’t it? Yet when she sits down, the only sound that escapes her lips is an enormous sigh of relief. “I…

I bizarrely purchased a fluoro pink beach dress. ICAN’T BELIEVE MORE isn’t being done about this. In their thousands, innocent Australian women are getting lured into this dastardly trap. I speak to you today as a victim, painful though it is to admit that I was stupid enough to fall prey. But I blame my vulnerability on me being relaxed, comfortable and tanned. So I’m using the power of this magazine column to urge Julie Bishop, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, to provide a new travel warning that may prevent some of us from landing at a place of great despair and confusion. The warning should read: “The government wishes to advise all Australian women travelling overseas that it is not prudent under any circumstances to purchase clothing overseas. No…

LABEL LOVE: Autograph Fashion It’s all in the detail for Autograph Fashion. The label’s summer collection is made from natural fibres, in lighter, cooler fabrics. The brand’s must-have pieces are flowing statement dresses and figure-flattering swimwear. Comfy bras Looking for glamorous bras which don’t compromise on the comfort? Triumph’s latest pretty lace designs with larger cup sizes and thicker straps for extra support are just the ticket. BELT UP An easy way to add shape and definition to your outfit is to belt it.UK online brand Boden offers a fun range in quirky colours and prints. Easy does it NICOLA WAITE HAS GONE BACK TO BASICS WITH THE NW + ESSENTIALS COLLECTION. THE CAPSULE RANGE OF ONE-OFF PIECES PROVIDES THE BACKBONE FOR A WARDROBE, BUT CAN BE WORN TOGETHER. PAIR…

Rituals Honey Touch, Indian Rose & Himalaya Honey Rich And Nourishing Body Cream, 200ml, $34. Nurture your skin with this rich and soothing body cream. Max Factor Smokey Eye Drama Kit in Lavish Onyx, $20.95. This two-in-one eyeshadow and eyebrow kit features vibrant, high-pigment shades and is perfect for creating a smouldering eye and defined brows. Lumira Soy Candle in Tahitian Coconut, 450g, $59. This fresh-scented candle will have your home smelling like a tropical location. Cedar + Stone Bulgarian Rose Water, 100ml, $38. A light spritz of this rose water will instantly refresh your skin. Doubles as a toner. Natio Rich Lip Colour in Cranberry (right) and Watermelon $12.95 each. These bright retractable crayons provide a sleek velvet finish. Rimmel The Only 1 Lipstick in Revolution Red (far left)…

How does a VLCD work? A Very Low Calorie Diet works by cutting down on carbohydrates and lowering your energy intake, which causes ketosis* – a process by which your body draws energy from its own fat stores. The OPTIFAST® VLCD™ Program can help you lose weight and establish healthy habits that last long after you lose those unwanted kilos. Your options You’ll have a delicious range of products to choose from on the OPTIFAST® VLCD™ Program, including soups, shakes, bars and desserts. The range offers protein, essential fatty acids and all the minerals, vitamins and trace elements your body needs to stay healthy. Online support The OPTIFAST® website has a suite of tools to assist you on your weight-loss journey, so you won’t ever feel alone. From meal plans…

Fruit and nut muffins MAKES 12 PREP + COOK TIME 40 MINUTES NUTRITIONAL COUNT PER MUFFIN 10.7G TOTAL FAT (1.9G SATURATED FAT); 960KJ (229 CAL); 27G CARBOHYDRATE; 5.6G PROTEIN; 2.8G FIBRE ¾ cup (120g) wholemeal self-raising flour ½ cup (75g) white self-raising flour ¾ cup (120g) nut, fruit and seed mix, chopped coarsely (see Test Kitchen tip) ½ cup (140g) vanilla yogurt ½ cup (125ml) milk ¼ cup (90g) honey 1 free-range egg ¼ cup (60ml) olive oil 1 small (180g) pear, chopped finely 2/3 cup (110g) nut, fruit and seed mix, extra, chopped coarsely 2 tablespoons honey, extra 1 Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Line a 12-hole (1/3 cup/80ml) muffin pan with paper cases. 2 Combine flours and nut mix in a large bowl. Whisk yogurt, milk, honey,…

Chilli chicken stir-fry SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK TIME 25 MINUTES 440g thin hokkien noodles 2 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil 800g chicken thigh fillet, cut into thin strips 4cm piece ginger, peeled, chopped finely 2 cloves garlic, chopped finely 1 long red chilli, seeded, chopped finely ¼ cup (60ml) white vinegar 1 teaspoon cornflour ¾ cup (180ml) sweet chilli sauce ¼ cup (60ml) soy sauce 1 bunch baby bok choy, quartered lengthways 6 green onions (green shallots), cut into 3cm lengths 1 Place the hokkien noodles in a heatproof bowl and pour over boiling water. Allow to soften for a few minutes; drain. 2 In a large wok or frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over high heat and stir-fry the bok choy and green onions with a splash…

BERRIES AND CHAMPAGNE JELLIES Makes 8 Divide 125g (half punnet) hulled, sliced strawberries and 60g (half punnet) blueberries evenly between 8 chilled, ½-cup moulds. Arrange moulds on a tray. Using a fork, whisk 1½ tablespoons gelatine vigorously into ½ cup just boiled water until dissolved. Mix in ¼ cup caster sugar and allow to cool slightly. Pour 2 cups ALDI Veuve Monsigny Champagne Premier Cru NV into a large jug. Whisk a little champagne into the gelatine mixture to equalise the temperature, then whisk this mixture back into the champagne, allowing the bubbles to subside. Pour enough champagne mixture into the moulds to cover the berries. Chill for 30 minutes, until almost firm. Sprinkle remaining half punnet hulled, sliced strawberries and half punnet blueberries over mixture in moulds. Top with…

1. Antique gold mirror, $300, from Bloom & Co, bloomandco.com.au. 2. Hampton salad servers, $49.95, from Eb&Ive, ebandive.com.au. 3. Palm leaf wide mouth vase, $79, from Jones & Co, jonesandco.com.au. 4. Short footed glass beverage dispenser, $80, from Williams-Sonoma, williams-sonoma.com.au. 5. Henriksdal bar stool with backrest, $105, from IKEA, ikea.com.au (store locations only). 6. Stripe Turkish beach towel, $55, from Bloom & Co, as above. 7. Marble coasters, $6 for set of four, from Kmart, kmart.com.au. 8. Manhattan table, $29, from Kmart, as above. 9. Santa Cruz bowl, $9.95, from Eb&Ive, as above.…

1. Tanda concrete candle, $60, from Tanda, tandamodern.com. 2. Little Captain pillowcase, $59, from Pony Rider, ponyrider.com.au. 3. Ranarp wall/clamp spotlight, $29.99, from IKEA, ikea.com.au (store locations only). 4. Muuto Four Flower vase in Opal, $198, from Top 3 By Design, top3.com.au. 5. Sahara cushion cover, $49.90, from Citta Design, cittadesign.com. 6. Marble topped pedestal table, $549, from West Elm, westelm.com.au. 7. Montana cotton knit throw, $189.95, from Papaya, www.papaya.com.au. 8. Oslo queen bed in Oak/Grey, $999, from Freedom, freedom.com.au. 9. Patchwork printed rug, $239, from Zara Home, zarahome.com.au. 10. Prado square mirror, $219, from Citta Design, as above. ALL PRICES ARE APPROXIMATE. ITEMS AVAILABLE ONLINE WHERE WEBSITES ARE QUOTED.…

MRS MONEYPENNY is Heather McGregor, a businesswoman who has been a columnist at the UK’s Financial Times for over 15 years. She is the author of several books, including Careers Advice For Ambitious Women (Penguin). You can follow her on Twitter (@mrsmoneypennyft), or send her an email at mrsmoneypenny@ft.com. THIS YEAR WILL be the last. The last school year, that is, of my nephew, William, who starts Year 12 in Brisbane on January 27. Through a spate of parallel fecundity, my husband and I and his two sisters all produced offspring within four months of each other at the end of the last century. Those three cousins are now all at or approaching the end of their 17th year and will leave school at six-month staggered intervals, thanks to being…

At the movies TRUMBO You may not have heard of Dalton Trumbo, but Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn, certainly. Trumbo was the screenwriter, uncredited because he was also a communist and blacklisted by an industry scared of the government. McCarthy’s House Un-American Activities Committee has provided plenty of fodder for movies, but this is one of the most arresting. Bryan Cranston gives an incisive performance as Trumbo and the classy supporting cast includes Diane Lane and Dame Helen Mirren (above with Cranston). Opens February 18. SPOTLIGHT This true story of The Boston Globe’s 2002 Pulitzer-Prize winning investigation into the child sex-abuse scandal among priests and subsequent cover-up within the Catholic Church is detailed and riveting. An all-star cast, including Michael Keaton and Rachel McAdams (both above), with Mark Ruffalo and…

IT ENDED BADLY BY JENNIFER WRIGHT, MACMILLAN. You have to love a book that kicks off with a quote from Buddha, side by side with a quote from a Taylor Swift song. Jennifer Wright has a lively witty style, and she looks at 13 of the worst break-ups in history as if they just happened. So Nero, Henry VIII and Lucrezia Borgia sit comfortably with Norman Mailer and Debbie Reynolds. They all had relationships that ended publicly and badly, some much worse than others. And they all make your break-ups look well handled. As Wright says, you could be “beheading your ex, castrating strangers, or starting an exciting new life with a sex doll”. It’s a well-researched book, and each break-up says a lot about the time in which it…