Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 1913 i Woman's Day Magazine NZ

Being the children of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt certainly comes with its perks! Zahara, 14, Shiloh, 12, and 10-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne stepped out with their famous mum last week at the star-studded premiere of the new Dumbo film. The movie’s actors – Colin Farrell, Danny DeVito, Eva Green and Michael Keaton – were in attendance, but it was the unexpected appearance of Angelina, 43, in a slinky Versace gown, and her children that stole the spotlight. It’s one of several events the Hollywood heavyweight has attended with her kids in recent months during her ongoing custody battle with ex-husband Brad, 55. While the War Machine actor hasn’t been photographed with his kids since the infamous 2016 split, Angelina has been trotting them out to events across the…

Kate and Meghan opted for very different style statements when they stepped out to celebrate Commonwealth Day last week.  While Kate recycled her stunning red Catherine Walker coat – which she wore when touching down in Wellington with Prince George in 2014 – Meghan had clearly been doing a spot of shopping. The pregnant royal visited the Canadian Embassy looking resplendent in a green embroidered  Erdem wool dress and coat that is believed to have cost around $15,000. Later in the day, she joined other royals for a church service at Westminster Abbey wearing a bespoke Victoria Beckham outfit with a $17,000 price tag! Meghan’s fondness for couture has reportedly caused tension at the palace, with reports earlier this year she’d splashed almost $800,000 on clothes during her first year…

When Michael Jackson died in 2009, the world ached for the three young children he left behind – Prince, Paris and Blanket. Aged just 12, 11 and seven at the time, it seemed the worst had happened to them at a heartbreakingly tender age. But while the death of their legendary father was the ultimate cruel blow, the recent release of the gut-wrenching documentary Leaving Neverland has come a close second – and it’s tearing them apart. In the two-parter, which TVNZ screened last week, former Jacko fans Wade Robson and James Safechuck give graphic accounts of how they were given treats beyond their wildest dreams by the pop superstar – and were then sexually abused over and over again. A source close to the Jackson family claims that Prince,…

As her hubby Dan Webb keeps flirting with predatory bride Jessika Power, Tamara is ridding herself of every memory of the ex-rugby player by putting her wedding dress in the bin outside her Melbourne home! The clear-out comes ahead of the shock news that Tamara, 29, has become besties with MAFS NZ contestant Samuel Levi, with the pair connecting via a mutual pal and bonding over the fact they’re both twins. The Auckland influencer, 25, now plans to move to Aussie to flat with his new bud. Tamara tells us, “Our characters are very similar. We’re both strong, but believe me, we still clash. Fun and games!” Samuel adds, “We have so much in common, but most of all, I’d pinpoint our take-no-s*** attitude and honesty. MAFS NZ aired in…

Wedding bells may soon toll for Kardashian momager Kris Jenner as her toyboy beau Corey Gamble prepares to propose. The 38-year-old, who got together with mum-of-six Kris almost five years ago, has enlisted Kim’s rapper husband Kanye West for help in choosing the ring. Now the entire family is waiting on tenterhooks for the big announcement. “Kris knows it’s happening and she says she can’t wait to start planning a huge wedding,” tells a source. “She’s even joking that she and her youngest daughter Kylie could team up for a joint bash!” Jokes aside, twice-married Kris, 63, is delirious with happiness given she never thought she’d wed again after her divorce from Bruce Jenner – now known as Caitlyn. “Kris never expected her relationship with Corey to last more than…

There was no ignoring how Glee-ful Lea Michele looked as she walked down the aisle to marry the love of her life in a gorgeous Monique Lhuillier gown. The TV star, 32, tied the knot with clothing-company president Zandy Reich, 36, in a super-romantic ceremony in the Californian wine region of Napa, following three years of dating. “I couldn’t be more grateful,” Lea gushes. “More than anything, we’re just so happy to be able to spend the rest of our lives together.” Her former Glee co-stars, 32-year-old Darren Criss and Jonathan Groff and Becca Tobin, both 33, were there, but it was the show’s creator Ryan Murphy, 53, who officiated the ceremony, whose presence meant the most to Lea. “When Zandy got the seal of approval from Ryan, that was…

Busy dad Clarke Gayford has his hands full. “C’mon, Neve, sit!” he says strictly. “Sit. Calm. Put your butt down!” But it’s not his daughter Neve Te Aroha he’s talking to – it’s a black labrador guide-dog puppy named after the 10-month-old “first baby”. The Blind Foundation’s puppy litters are named alphabetically and when the letter N came around five months ago, “Neve” was a no-brainer for this cute canine. After all, Clarke is an ambassador for the charity – and it was while he was cuddling an armful of squirming trainee guide dogs for his last Woman’s Day photo shoot that news broke his partner Jacinda Ardern was expecting three months after she was sworn in as Prime Minister. “That was a pretty interesting moment,” the TV presenter, 41,…

The red and raw-looking skin on Maree Gopfert’s thigh is a daily reminder of how close she came to dying. The young Wellington mum is lucky to be alive after battling a flesh-eating bacterial infection that saw doctors cut out large chunks of flesh in her lower right leg that has left her with nerve damage and a mass of scar tissue. Unable to work, the doting mum is reliant on family members to look after her children, Bonnie, seven, and two-year-old Wolf. “To think they could have lost their mum is pretty sad,” the 28-year-old tells, revealing how, just days before she ended up in hospital, she, Wolf and a niece had all been bitten by white-tailed spiders. Eerily, her sister Sharleen had been treated with antibiotics a month…

SERVES 10 PREPARATION 30 MINUTES (PLUS CHILLING) COOKING 45 MINUTES 200g plain sweet biscuits ½ cup almond meal ¼ cup cream 75g butter, melted 750g cream cheese, softened ²/ ³ cup caster sugar 2 eggs 1 lemon, zest and 1 tablespoon juice RASPBERRY PURÉE 200g frozen raspberries, thawed ¼ cup caster sugar 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1. Preheat oven to moderately slow, 160°C. 2. Break biscuits into a food processor and process to a fine crumb. Transfer to a bowl with almond meal, cream and butter. Mix well to combine. 3. Using your fingers, press the crumb mixture down evenly over the base and around the sides (5cm high) of a 24cm springform pan. 4. Roll a thick glass over the shell to firmly press the crumbs down. Chill. 5.…

1 TRENCH The classic cover-up Face life’s daily battles in style with a timeless trench. Versatile and hardworking, the classic trench is something all women should own and works with almost every outfit. The fit is crucial here – make sure the shoulders aren’t too wide and the sleeves aren’t too long. Try pairing with black tailored pants, a floral statement blouse, chunky hoops and a satchel for a fiercely feminine look. 2 LACY BODYSUIT The feminine foundation Underwear as outerwear can be a scary concept at first, but a gorgeous lacy bodysuit, worn as a base layer, is a perfect place to start. Wear underneath dresses or blouses for a hint of sexiness, plus it’ll give you an additional layer in the cooler months, without the bulk…

Out with the old, in with the new! Wave goodbye to hidden nasties in your everyday beauty products and welcome innovative, skincare-inspired ingredients with Revlon PhotoReady Candid™ Foundation and Concealer. This new range contains the antioxidant, anti-pollutant power of vitamin E, plus anti-blue light ingredients to help protect skin from the environmental stressors we’re exposed to every day. So with all the good stuff that’s gone in, what’s been taken out? Think synthetic oils, parabens, phthalates, artificial dyes and fragrances. Now more than ever, it’s important to know what’s in and what’s out when it comes to ingredients you put on your skin – and unwanted nasties like these are not what your skin needs! ‘Know what’s in and what’s out when it comes to ingredients you put on your skin’…

Planning any event can naturally lead to feelings of stress and anxiety, especially when it’s taking place in your own home. Children’s birthday parties are, of course, no exception – what with a bunch of sugar-fuelled kids tearing up your backyard, not to mention having to host their parents too! Sometimes we get so caught up in the event itself that we lose sight of the fact that celebrating another year around the sun is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with family and live in the moment – these milestones only happen once, after all. How then can you maximise your time with loved ones while still creating an epic day for everyone? Turns out, it’s not as hard as you think – if you let a few clever…

Queenstown is a fan-favourite for both New Zealand and overseas tourists. In the school holidays, my family and I flew south to this Central Otago hotspot for a top-notch summer break, travelling around to see the amazing scenery in all different kinds of ways. 1 Take a drive We packed for all weathers but arrived to blazing sunshine for our three-day, two-night stay. With some time to spare, we decided to rent a car for the day. Hiring a car last-minute in Queenstown can be tricky due to high demand, but luckily, a rental place had a sedan for us. We headed out of town, bypassing pretty Arrowtown and headed up the zig-zag road of the Crown Ranges, pausing at the top to drink in the spectacular view. From there,…

Q My sister-in-law is lovely and normally we have a great relationship. She is a prolific Facebooker and is always posting updates about her primary school-aged children. Only problem is that sometimes the photos include my kids. I asked her to avoid using pictures with my kids in them. She got quite offended and is now a bit frosty with me. How can I break the ice with her? • No Pics!, Wellington A Well, this is such a super-interesting subject! I guess some people don’t understand the dangers of the internet and often when we are unaware, we can react by taking offence. You need to send her a beautiful card and maybe some flowers (I know it seems a bit much, but we are talking in-laws!) and just…

Do opposites really attract? Scandal’s Scott Foley and The Walking Dead’s Lauren Cohan have paired up in Whiskey Cavalier as sensitive FBI agent Will and tough CIA operative Frankie, who butt heads when they’re forced to work together. Off-set, though, the acting duo couldn’t be closer. The co-stars and friends share more with Woman’s Day ... You didn’t know each other before the show. Did it take you long to get acquainted? Scott: I think you can tell fairly quickly if you’re going to get along, if you find the other person funny. We get along really well. But the cast as a whole just gels and we’re really fortunate for that. Lauren, has it been nice to work on a lighter show after doing The Walking Dead? Very nice.…

SLUTEVER From Thursday on Neon Rating: Vogue sex columnist and fearless feminist Karley Sciortino takes a look at all things sexual, challenging outdated ideas about sexuality and gender in a fun and immersive way. WONDER WOMAN From Wednesday on Netflix Rating: The 2017 blockbuster is now ready to be streamed! It’s an origin story for the popular DC character and shows what she went through to become the superhero we love. QUEER EYE Now on Netflix Rating: The Fab Five are back! This time, they’re heading to Kansas City, Missouri, for another season of emotional makeovers and amazing transformations. THE GOOD DOCTOR Now on Netflix Rating: With two full seasons now available to stream, you can get a dose of this heart-warming show about the life of a young autistic…

Pisces FEB 20 – MAR 20 This week’s heartfelt stars might work like an honesty potion, with people becoming more open – just don’t get caught up in hurtful gossip or break someone’s trust. If a new pet has been under discussion, brace yourself! After Thursday, the pester power may step up a notch. Aries MAR 21 – APR 20 If a difficult situation needs resolving, an honesty session might help diffuse the tension. By Thursday, a sense of hope and optimism should begin to infuse your horoscope – from then, it’s onwards and upwards. Wear a diamond for extra support and luck. Taurus APR 21 – MAY 21 In need of some stress relief? If recent events (or your hectic schedule!) have taken a toll, it’s time to slow…

Aquaman hero Jason Momoa looked ready to swap his trident for a rugby ball as he cheered on our national sevens team at a tournament in Vancouver. Rocking an old-school All Blacks jersey and some criminal striped pants, the Hawaiian heart-throb seemed to be a good-luck charm for our boys, with the Kiwis beating Argentina in a last-gasp try as Jason, 39, roared from the stands. “Win or lose, I bleed all black,” the actor later wrote on Instagram. “So thankful to meet the @allblack7s and go on the field.” Jason has previously shown off his haka skills alongside Temuera Morrison at the world premiere for Aquaman and has spoken of his special ties to Aotearoa, saying, “I just need citizenship and we’re good. Obviously, I’m very close to it.”…

With a kiss on each cheek, the Duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex put on a show of unity at a Westminster Abbey church service this week, much to my relief. Never has a double air kiss meant so much to royal fans! I, for one, read this as a public sign of harmony after months of rumoured tension. Certainly our sources have said in this week’s cover story (page 8) that Prince Charles felt the need to step in to help Kate and Meghan sort out their differences – in public at least! I think it’s fair to say that talk of discord between the Fab Four has been detracting from all the wonderful work the royals have been doing recently. I guess all families have their differences, but this…

It was a star-studded affair, but George and Amal Clooney nabbed the limelight at a fundraising gala at London’s National Portrait Gallery last week. The A-list couple – who are now based in the UK with 21-month-old twins Ella and Alexander – enjoyed a child-free date night, rubbing shoulders with royalty, including Kate and Charles, plus supermodel Kate Moss, her partner Count Nikolai von Bismarck, and David and Victoria Beckham. Also in attendance was Princess Beatrice, who made her public debut with boyfriend Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.…

BE ALERT TO ATTENTION YOUR CHILD IS RECEIVING The abuser’s goal is to create trust and safety by treating the victim as someone special. TRUST YOUR GUT Even if the abuser holds a reputable position, if extra attention is lavished on a child, parents need to question whether or not it’s right. WATCH FOR SECRECY Often abused children are told the relationship is special, leading the victim to protect the abuser and pull away from others. PLAYFUL TOUCH OFTEN ISN’T What starts as hugging can become invasive and leads to confusion for children who trust their abuser. ENCOURAGE KIDS TO SPEAK OUT Teach children to tell their parent any time they’re uncomfortable around a person. Source: Trauma psychologist Howard Fradkin…

They haven’t seen eye to eye on much during their short time together, but there’s one thing Billy Vincent and Susie Bradley have in common – cosmetic enhancement! Former nude model Billy, 28, admits to Woman’s Day he’s had Botox in the past, while single mum Susie, 25, tells us she’s had anti-wrinkle injections, as well as lip fillers and a breast augmentation. In fact, the Thai clinic that performed the boob job recently used the MAFS star in its publicity, posting Susie’s cleavage-heavy selfies alongside adverts for the procedure, which costs from $4250. “I don’t mind that the Botox stopped me frowning so much,” confesses Billy, who insists he only got the injections to stop his forehead sweating. “I wish I had it for the show because all I…

In order to stay on the show and maximise her screen time, Jessika has had to resort to underhand methods to ensure she doesn’t drive Mick away completely. Reportedly at the suggestion of producers, the blonde beauty wrote a 60-page diary detailing all the things she loves about the farmer, which has now been leaked. Jessika begins, “Dear Mick (hubby), I wrote a book about you … It was easy to come up with lots to say about the incredible person you are, the wonderful things you do and all the ways you are completely, ridiculously perfect, unlike anyone else … Yours, Jess (wifey).” She also writes, “The most wonderful thing about having you in my life is getting to see you 24/7, morning and night … You’re braver and…

Two years after their bitter falling out, Kim and her stepfather Caitlyn, 69, are rebuilding their relationship. The pair – who stopped speaking over allegations made in Caitlyn’s autobiography – bumped into each other at a Beverly Hills dermatology office recently and Kim decided to hold out an olive branch. “She approached Caitlyn and told her it was time to move forward – if anything for the sake of her sisters Kendall and Kylie, who were deeply affected by the family division,” reports an insider. “Caitlyn really appreciated Kim’s gesture and said part of her felt ashamed that she couldn’t have been the bigger person and had let their feud go on this long.” The women embraced and both broke down in tears as they promised to mend their rift.…

It was at Disneyland in 2011 that Hollywood hotties Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes made their first public appearance as a couple, so what better way to celebrate the actress’ 45th birthday than a trip down memory lane?! The usually reclusive couple returned to the Happiest Place on Earth with their adorable daughters, Esmeralda, four, and Amada, two, although the La La Land heart-throb, 38, looked noticeably gloomy as his girls chowed down on cinnamon churros and took to the skies aboard the Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride. Could there be truth to the rumour Ryan and Eva, who met on the set of crime drama The Place Beyond the Pines, are headed for a split after eight years together? “They’ve been at war over everything for months now,” a…

Infectious diseases clinical lead Dr Michelle Balm of Capital & Coast DHB says some of the most important bacteria causing necrotising fasciitis are staphylococcus aureus or streptococcus pyogenes. This can cause infection after a skin wound, but often there is no obvious wound present. Risk of infection in any wounds can be reduced by good wound care and handwashing. Prompt antibiotic treatment and surgery is usually required to treat necrotising fasciitis. “There is no clear evidence of spider bites – especially white-tailed spider bites – causing necrotising fasciitis,” she says. “We would see around five to 10 necrotising fasciitis cases at Wellington Regional Hospital each year.”…

Hokkien Mee with Lamb SERVES 4 PREPARATION & COOKING 20 MINUTES 300g thin Hokkien noodles 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 700g lamb strips 1 medium onion, thinly sliced 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, finely grated 2 garlic cloves, crushed 200g sugar snap peas, trimmed, halved lengthways 1 medium yellow capsicum, thinly sliced 1 courgette, cut into ribbons 2 cups wombok, finely shredded 1/3 cup hoisin sauce 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce 1 tablespoon hot water 1/3 cup small mint leaves 1. Place noodles in a medium heatproof bowl. Cover with boiling water. Separate with a fork and drain. 2. Heat half the oil in a wok over high heat. Stir-fry lamb in batches until browned. Remove from wok. 3. Heat remaining oil in wok. Stir-fry onion for 2 minutes or until soft.…

The word “diet” can be a little bit daunting, especially when it means changing the way we live and banishing the foods we love to eat. But while most diets will ensure we maintain a healthy weight, the following regimens are designed to target internal wellbeing and avoid health complications so we feel stronger than ever. We’ve found some options that are simple to follow and formulated to improve the overall you. 1 DASH DIET Did you know the number of people with high blood pressure has doubled in the past 40 years? The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or DASH, diet is designed for those wanting to treat or prevent high blood pressure (hypertension) and reduce risk of heart disease. Designed around eating fruits, vegetables and lean proteins, it’s…

MAGIC MEMORIES Capture all the action as it happens with the Canon EOS M50 Camera, with video footage in high-definition 4K display. Send your snaps straight to your phone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, or get extra creative and film a time lapse of all the party fun. SWEETEST SOUNDS Control the party playlist and music volume via your smartphone – or your voice if your hands are tied – with the Sonos One. Pair two Sonos One speakers together in a single room for surround sound, or separate them for tunes in every room. DONE AND DUSTED With the most powerful suction of any cord-free vacuum, the Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute + vacuum is at your service for all those party crumbs, wherever they may occur. Plus, with a 40%…

Never mind Meghan and Kate – when I grow up, I want to be the Queen. I think it was seeing her in her bright orange coat and matching funky hat after making her first Instagram post at the Science Museum that did it. Grannies just don’t get groovier. Her Majesty could quite justifiably be living out her days sitting in front of the telly, ploughing through the gingernuts. But at the ripe old age of 92, she’s still out there, one of the busiest royals in the family, dressed to the nines and not afraid of vibrant colours – no beige knitted cardies and fluffy slippers for this nonagenarian. I don’t know how she’s managed it, but she seems to have pulled off the rather remarkable feat of moving…

The nicest, coolest, handsomest boy who taught me one of the most important lessons in life has died. Suddenly and irreversibly he is gone, and I am in shock. It was only a year ago that I was running out of the house, heels in hand, late for dinner at a beautiful little Italian restaurant in a quiet street in Wellington. My partner and I had had a silly fight because he wondered why I was so desperate to go out for dinner with a boy I’d had a crush on when I was 10 years old. He didn’t understand that this boy had made me believe in princes and good guys. As I got into the car to drive to a reunion of four friends who had not seen…

Daffodils is set to be your new favourite Kiwi flick! The musical stars iZombie’s Rose McIver and Home & Away’s George Mason as a young couple in love, and it features a slew of great New Zealand music. Ahead of its release on Thursday, tune in to this playlist of catchy tunes that will pop up in the film.…

Mag mania! Every Sunday morning, I get so excited because I know our local supermarket has the new issue of my fave mag, Woman’s Day, ready and waiting to be bought – it always puts a smile on my face! Congratulations to Art and Matilda on their wedding and exciting baby news (WD, Feb 25), and to Anika Moa and wife Natasha on having a daughter (WD, Feb 11). A huge thanks to Sido and her team for working so hard to give readers a great magazine each week. • Jenna, Auckland Stay strong I’ve just read your article about Suzy Heazlewood (WD, Mar 11). It’s so sad that society can make a person feel that bad about themselves. To be suicidal because of constant bullying and judgement is horrendous.…

Just days after seemingly snubbing each other at an official celebration for Prince Charles, the feuding Duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex put on a very different display at Westminster Abbey last week. Surprising onlookers with their apparent warmth, Kate was seen greeting her sister-in-law Meghan with a kiss and a smile as they arrived with other senior royals for a Commonwealth Day church service. It’s the first time they’ve been seen interacting cordially with each other since December and a royal insider tells Woman’s Day that the “uneasy truce” comes after an intervention staged by their father-in-law Charles. “It became clear that the situation was spiralling, so with the Queen’s backing, Charles ordered the women to sit down with him at his private offices in Clarence House and hammer out…

Jennifer Lopez was taken by surprise when her boyfriend of two years, Alex Rodriguez, got down on bended knee during a recent romantic holiday in the Bahamas. In the weeks prior, the former baseball pro had gone to great lengths to keep his plan top secret, visiting jewellery stores alone to find the perfect ring with which to propose. Given that “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” singer Jennifer has been engaged at least four times before, the former New York Yankees star knew he needed something a cut above the rest – and he found it in a whopping 20-carat, emerald-cut diamond. As the sun set on their secluded Caribbean beach, Alex, 43, presented his love with the stunning $6.5 million sparkler and asked her to spend the rest of…

When Melissa Lucarelli meets Woman’s Day, the Married at First Sight Australia contestant has already been in New Zealand for 72 hours, but she hasn’t seen a single sight. “It’s such a beautiful country and it’s my first time here, but I’ve only really visited radio and TV stations,” she laughs. “But that’s OK – not everyone gets to have this kind of tour. I feel like a VIP!” Feeling sorry for the Sydney-based talent agent, we whisk her away to Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour for a view of the Sky Tower. But for Melissa, 38, it’s the locals who are the real attraction. “Every single person I’ve spoken to is amazing,” she gushes. “You’ve got such great people here. I love New Zealanders.” And after failing to find love with…

As a celebrity hairdresser, she’s rubbed shoulders with British royals, but MAFS bride Jules Robinson was caught exhibiting some very un-ladylike behaviour while celebrating her 37th birthday with her castmates last week. “It definitely looked like she may have indulged in a few too many,” alleges a witness in Sydney’s Double Bay. “I thought she was going to topple over at one point. She was letting her hair down big-time!” And despite her seemingly perfect onscreen marriage, Jules was also seen getting into a war of words with her husband Cameron Merchant, 35, shortly before storming out of the bar, which might have something to do with their co-star Cyrell Paule, 29, planting a boozy kiss on Cam right in front of her. “She was not happy!” claims a source…

With an upcoming wedding and a baby, the good news is twice as nice for Jennifer Garner, who has reportedly accepted a proposal from her boyfriend John Miller – after discovering they’re expecting their first child! “John popped the question at home following their first scan,” a friend of the Mother’s Day actress reveals to Woman’s Day. “Jen burst into tears when he presented her with an antique diamond ring. She really can’t wait to become Mrs Miller and have her happy ever after.” And it won’t be a long engagement, with rumours twice-wed Jennifer and the 40-year-old fast-food CEO will tie the knot on her 47th birthday in the Italian village of Savelletri di Fasano, Puglia, where her bestie Jessica Biel married Justin Timberlake. “They want to keep it…

Glam Hollywood stars Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin have been arrested and are facing time behind bars after allegedly trying to buy their daughters places in top US universities. In a plot that’s unfolding like a blockbuster script, secret tapes have seen the two actresses implicated in a $36 million scam involving 33 well-heeled parents who had brainy cheats take entrance tests for their little darlings. Some students were also digitally inserted into pictures of sports teams they’d never played for. In last week’s dawn raid, FBI agents, allegedly with guns drawn, burst into the Los Angeles home Felicity, 56, shares with her husband, Shameless actor William H. Macy, arresting the Oscar-nominated Desperate Housewives actress for reportedly forking out $22,000 to get her eldest girl, aspiring actress Sofia Grace, a…

‘I don’t want to retire and wonder why I never did that one thing that made my heart fill with joy ’ She’s the breakout star of local black comedy Fresh Eggs and is on the cusp of global fame with her role in Disney’s live-action remake of Mulan. Already, she’s been presented with a rising-star award at a film festival in Macau. But Xana Tang, a Chinese-Vietnamese beauty from South Auckland, insists it’s a “happy accident” she tried her hand at acting – and she only recently realised it could be a career option. The 26-year-old’s lucky break came at high school, when her teacher suggested the two Asian students in her class should audition for the part of a Chinese-Kiwi girl in the movie Matariki. Xana (pronounced “Zanna”)…

Welcoming your baby into the world is meant to be a moment of immense joy, but for Thames couple Mikaela and Oliver Fahey, it became a day they would never forget – for all the wrong reasons. After previously undergoing two Caesareans, Mikaela, 32, was preparing for her first natural birth – something she was beyond excited about. She had a completely normal pregnancy, but nothing could have prepared her and husband Oliver for their baby Ambrose’s emotional arrival. “He was all swollen,” recalls Oliver, 35. “His eyes were swollen shut, and he had bruising over his whole face and body. There was obviously something wrong, but we didn’t know what it was. Within a few hours, Ambrose had undergone blood tests and the results revealed it wasn’t good news.”…

Watermelon, Lime & Berry Cheesecake Jars MAKES 4 PREPARATION 15 MINUTES 200g gingernut biscuits 50g butter, melted 1 lime 250g mascarpone cheese 250g cream cheese, softened 1/3 cup icing sugar, plus 2 teaspoons extra 125g raspberries 125g seedless watermelon, diced into 1cm pieces 1 tablespoon small fresh mint leaves 1. Pulse biscuits in a food processor until chopped finely. Add butter, then pulse until just combined. Divide biscuit mixture into the bases of four 1½-cup jars. 2. Finely grate rind and juice the lime (you’ll need 2 tablespoons of juice). Process lime rind, juice, cheeses and sifted icing sugar until smooth. Divide cheese mixture into jars. Tap gently on the work surface to level the mixture. 3. Place raspberries and extra icing sugar in a bowl. Lightly crush berries with…

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DOUBLE DUTY Women who are serious about skincare could use this dynamic duo in their lives. Clinique Fresh Pressed Daily + Overnight Boosters, $130 for two of each, is a system featuring two applicators – one for daytime with fresh vitamin C (ascorbic acid 10%) and one for night-time with fresh vitamin A (retinol) – that work together to help reduce the look of lines and wrinkles. Used within seven days, these potent doses promise immediate and long-term results. The daytime vitamin C helps brighten, even and re-texturise, as well as neutralising free-radical damage. Used at night, vitamin A helps skin appear revitalised, refilling lines and recapturing skin tone. Super deals The supermarket beauty aisle just got a whole lot more glamorous thanks to Wet n Wild, from $7, which…

Raising kids can be quite a workout in itself and as most mums will know, keeping fit can be a real challenge. Since welcoming little Charlotte, I’ve found my days now revolve around sleeping, feeding, changing and playing. And in those early days, it was difficult to fit in a shower, let alone think about exercise! But I’ve found that even when exercise feels like the last thing I want to do, I never regret doing it. For me, on those trying days, it’s about putting one foot in front of the other and knowing how good I will feel afterwards. The benefits are huge, both mentally and physically, and it really helps set myself up for a good day. It gives me the much-required energy boost I need and…

We hear stories about parents leaping to their children’s defence all the time, don’t we? It’s usually involving a school rule the child doesn’t like or feels is unfair or, God forbid, is a breach of their human rights. Then the parents come out of the woodwork saying they’re going to fight the rule, take on the school or make a case of it. Haircuts, uniform rules, tattoos, the latest out of the UK was, wait for it, fake tan! A headmaster at a school in England banned fake tan because he said the students were becoming obsessed with how they looked instead of worrying about their actual schooling. Many accepted the ban as fair enough, but many parents also got up in arms over it. They went to the…

When the finale of Pretty Little Liars aired in 2017, over 1.4 million people tuned in – just in the United States alone – and it became the most tweeted about show of the year. It was certainly no surprise then when show producer Marlene King and her team of writers announced they had a sequel in the works. Now, after two years of waiting, the new series is here, with actress Janel Parrish, who reprises her role as Mona, saying it’s just as dark and dramatic as the original. The actress and singer spills her secrets to Woman’s Day. Pretty Little Liars had diverse characters, and portrayed different cultures and sexualities right from the beginning. Why was that important? Representation matters. Whether its diversity or sexual orientation, people want…

In Stacey Halls’ The Familiars (Allen & Unwin, rrp $32.99), Fleetwood Shuttleworth is 17, married and pregnant for the fourth time. But as mistress of Gawthorpe Hall, she still has no living child and her husband is anxious for an heir. When she reads a letter she isn’t supposed to find, she is dealt the crushing blow that she will not survive another pregnancy. By chance, Fleetwood crosses paths with Alice Gray, a young midwife who promises to help her. But as Alice is drawn into the witchcraft allegations that are sweeping 17th-century England, Fleetwood risks everything to try to help her. Time is running out and both women’s lives are at stake.…