Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 2008 i Woman's Day Magazine NZ

Their 12-year marriage was always seen as one of the royal family’s happiest unions, but behind closed doors Peter Phillips and his Canadian wife Autumn had been struggling to make it work for almost a year before their shock divorce announcement last week. While their decision to split is said to have “shocked and saddened” the Queen, the pair confided in pals that the rows had become so bad separating was their only option. “When they first met, it was a classic case of opposites attract,” tells a pal. “They were enamoured by each other. But in recent years, resentment started to creep in and the arguments were becoming unbearable. Autumn has always felt she gave up so much for Peter and she was barely speaking to him for much…

While most stars were dancing the night away after the biggest event in the Hollywood calendar, Reese Witherspoon and her husband Jim Toth were at each other’s throats! A fellow party-goer claims the Big Little Lies star and her talent-agent hubby, 50, arrived at their after-party looking “tense”, and when they got inside they had a full-scale row at the bar before Reese stormed off, leaving a “furious-looking” Jim standing alone. Our source spills, “Reese is extremely ambitious and Jim’s always been understanding and supportive of that until recently. “Now he has demanded that she turn down some upcoming work offers and spend more time with him or he will walk away. This ultimatum has clearly been a shock to her.” The Walk the Line actress, 43, “was clearly distressed…

It’s one of the most remote places on the planet – an atoll with three buildings, limited electricity and a satellite phone – and it’s where 18-year-old Charlie Thomas will be living for the next eight months. “I’m going on a big research vessel,” she says with a grin. “It drops us off and it doesn’t come back.” “She was born to do this,” declares proud mum, The Breeze radio host Jeanette Thomas. “There’s just no way you’d ever stop anything like this, you just foster it and we’ve done that from the get-go.” Jeanette shares, “There’s never been any fear of any type of animal or bug. It’s quite the opposite. Charlie wants to love and save everything, and try and make the world a better place.” Since she…

MUSIC STARTED IT ALL One of the best-selling artists of all time, the “What’s My Name?” songstress has released eight studio albums and 71 singles, selling more than 272 million certified units since 2005. LINGERIE ON THE BRAIN The annual revenue for her size-inclusive Savage X Fenty intimates line, which launched in May 2018, is estimated at a hefty $232 million. PRICEY PAGE TURNER RiRi and publisher Phaidon debuted The Rihanna Book in October, a 504-page visual autobiography for $230. Limited editions go for $270, $8.5K and $116K. BREAKING BEAUTY BOUNDARIES In September 2017, Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty make-up line debuted with more than 40 shades of foundation — a new industry record. It made an estimated $880m in revenue in its first 15 months. SPLASHY EXPANSION In May 2019, Rihanna…

For years Chyanne Bevan’s family believed her escalating weight was caused by secret food binges. Strangers on the street abused the Wellingtonian, calling her lazy and obese. But the struggling former cheerleader was hitting the gym four times a week and sticking to a strict diet. When she was finally diagnosed with a serious condition almost three years ago, everything started making sense. Chyanne’s changing shape, ill health and mood swings were the result of Cushing's Disease. “I’m looked at as a fat girl who eats takeaways and doesn’t exercise, but it’s not the case,” says the 23-year-old, who works as a landlord at her parents’ property investment business. “I hate going to get fish and chips, so I send my partner Sam in, because people look at you like…

STEP 1 To dice onion, cut onion in half lengthways, place flat-side down. Cut parallel vertical slices, starting just after the root end. Holding the onion on top with one hand, make parallel horizontal cuts through the slices. Cut thin slices crossways to dice. STEP 2 To remove tomato seeds, cut the tomato in half horizontally using a small serrated knife. Hold the tomato over a bowl and scoop out the seeds with a teaspoon. STEP 3 To slice capsicum, cut in half lengthways, cut away the white membrane and remove the seeds. Cut lengthways into quarters or long strips.…

Marianna Glucina, About Face “Treat your acne from within. Acne can be aggravated by hormones, diet and digestion (a sluggish liver or bowel, a diet low in zinc and magnesium, or high in carbohydrates). Eating more antioxidant-rich foods, reducing dairy and sugar, and introducing zinc, omegas and magnesium through supplements are simple but extremely effective and drug-free ways to reduce acne. I’d also recommend good topical skincare products – a decent cleanser, a hydrating moisturiser and a vitamin A serum are great for normalising the skin and supporting a healthy skin barrier.” Ashleigh Scott, The Facialist “Just choosing one tip is so hard because it’s about a holistic approach, but firstly I’d recommend clients start by avoiding foods that congest the skin. Think full-cream dairy like chocolate, cheese, cream, ice…

THE WORKOUT PLAN BENCH DIPS HOW TO: Sit on the edge of a bench. Place hands next to your hips on the bench with hands facing forward. Keep both feet flat on the floor with knees bent. Take the weight on your hands, moving slightly forward from the bench. Lower yourself down by bending at the elbows. Push yourself up and repeat. LAT RAISE HOW TO: With a dumbbell in each hand, stand up straight, shoulders back, abs engaged. Engage core and roll shoulders back. Knees should have a very slight bend for stability. Slowly raise arms out to the side until they’re about at head height. Slowly bring them back down in a controlled movement. Repeat. TRICEP EXTENSION HOW TO: Grab a dumbbell. Engage your core. Hold the weight…

In the wake of Australia’s tragic bush fires, we Kiwis need to show our support for our cousins across the Ditch. Queensland is unaffected by the fires, but its tourist bookings are down. In light of that, I flew with Air New Zealand to Brisbane for a mother-daughter getaway. 1 Cool Brisbane As mentioned by many friendly Uber drivers, as well as Rob Cochrane from free walking tour organisation Brisbane Greeters, Queensland’s capital has changed a lot in the past 35 years. Apartments now flank the Brisbane River and the dining scene has grown up. Eva and I spent our first night in town at Ovolo The Valley – located in edgy Fortitude Valley. This cool and quirky boutique hotel has a rooftop pool and serves breakfast…

Q My husband and I have been debating the pros and cons of co-ed versus single-sex schools for our kids – we have two boys and a girl who will be going to high school in the next couple of years. What are your thoughts? • School Daze, Auckland A Well, I think we made an interesting choice with our kids. Not good or bad, anyway. Our three went to single-sex schools and I think maybe for their grades it was a good idea. Socially, I’m not so sure. It depends on the child. It’s got to be what suits the individual kid really. I briefly went to a single-sex school but hated it. My parents put me in co-ed and I flourished. Talk to your children’s teachers now and…

14 The number of years between The Incredibles and its sequel – the longest gap between a first and second movie in Disney/ Pixar history. 1.6m Wolverine’s height in the comic book. Hugh Jackman, on the other hand, stands at 1.88m. 200 The number of unique pieces of rubber, fibreglass, metallic mesh and nylon used in the construction of Christian Bale’s bat-suit in The Dark Knight. $12 BILLION Roughly the amount grossed worldwide from Marvel’s The Avengers, Age of Ultron, Infinity War and Endgame films combined. 5 Gal Gadot was this many months’ pregnant during the filming of Wonder Woman. 2500 The number of original costumes created for Thor: Ragnarok. 6 Arnold Schwarzenegger spent this many hours in the make-up chair each day to become Mr Freeze in 1997’s Batman…

How well do you know this sexy Scottish show? Before you dive into season five of the steamy time-travelling romance, test your Outlander knowledge with our ultimate fan quiz. 1 What is Jamie’s full name? A. James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser B. Jamie Randall Fraser C. James Mignonette MacKenzie Frazer 2 What does Jamie give Claire as a present on their wedding night? A. His sister’s brooch B. His mother’s pearl necklace C. His father’s dagger 3 How does Claire figure out that Geillis is also from the future? A. Geillis tells her B. She overhears it C. She sees the scar from a smallpox vaccine 4 How did Claire get Jamie out of prison when he was arrested for duelling in Paris? A. Wrote a passionate letter B. Slept…

Reality check After watching the first episode of The Bachelorette NZ, I wondered what on earth the producers were thinking. Here was Lesina, a beautiful 32-year-old professional woman, and 25 of the most unlikely men (including a 20-year-old!?) vying for her attention. I thought the show was doomed! Then they brought in Lily McManus as a second Bachelorette and it all made sense. Lily and Lesina are both lovely young women, but at 23 and 32, they’re at very different stages in life. Introducing Lily has certainly separated the men from the boys! And I love Lily’s “Three rules to live by”(WD,Feb 17), although I am a bit doubtful about number three – as much as I’d love to “never wear a bra”, I’m afraid it’s a bit too late…

One of the perks of working at Woman’s Day is we have a valid excuse to watch the Oscars live each year. With 16 pages of awards’ glam and gossip to fill, watching the show is a legitimate part of the job – and a lovely way to spend a Monday afternoon! So while we tap away at our computers, we can also oooh and ahhh at the red-carpet arrivals and stand together to celebrate the big winners. It’s a buzz. This year’s ceremony was particularly special, watching Taika Waititi win his first Oscar. As he thanked his mum and dedicated his win to all indigenous kids who dream to make it as an artist, we all burst with pride. The fact his win was for Jojo Rabbit is amazing.…

‘YOU’VE ALWAYS BEEN MY FAVOURITE!’ It was a royal double date last week when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, at a visit to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre. The senior royals took the train from London to Loughborough together, where they toured the facility and learned about the organisation’s efforts to help injured military personnel. Prince William, 37, even joined in a game of wheelchair basketball. After missing a series of shots, his father gave him an encouraging squeeze on the shoulders, which seemed to do the trick. “It was lovely – he then managed to shoot the hoop and everyone cheered,” tells an onlooker. Sources say William and his 71-year-old dad’s relationship is stronger than ever after they supported each…

The Academy Awards are a time to celebrate all things Hollywood but for Margot Robbie, last week was all about bibs, booties and baby bumps! A source claims the Bombshell actress was dropping clues galore during Oscars week that she and filmmaker husband Tom Ackerley are expecting their first child. “Margot tellingly avoided champagne – her usual tipple – at the Charles Finch & Chanel dinner at the Beverly Hills Hotel the night before the Oscars,” dishes the source. “And she went for the vegetarian option instead of the seafood starter, which really got tongues wagging. “At one point, Joan Collins even gave a big wink and commented on how she had the ‘pregnancy glow’, which made Margot blush – but Tom looked tickled pink!” Word has it that Tom,…

‘I promise to let you suffocate me with your kisses and cuddles ’ When Shortland Street actress Rebekah Palmer swapped her nurse’s uniform for a dreamy wedding dress to marry Bevan Randell on February 7, her groom couldn’t believe his eyes. “I’ve never seen Bex look so beautiful in my life and there were just so many emotions going on all at once,” says Bevan from their Hawke’s Bay honeymoon two days later. “I thought I knew what to expect, but nothing prepared me for when I first saw her – she looked absolutely stunning. I was blown away.” And his loved-up bride felt the same, gushing, “I don’t remember even looking or seeing anyone else. I just saw him at the end of the aisle and thought how handsome…

In another exciting twist for The Bachelorette NZ, five intruders have been sent to Argentina to shake things up this week! With a world champion sailor, a smooth-talking ladies’ man and a familiar face among the new contenders, choosing love has become even harder for Bachelorettes Lesina Nakhid-Schuster and Lily McManus. MIKE BULLOT, 35, SAILOR If Art Green calls and asks you to fly with him to Argentina for love and adventure, it’s an opportunity hard to turn down! That was the case for world champion sailor and Bachelorette NZ intruder Mike Bullot. The Aucklander is good friends with the show’s host and new dad Art, who fell head over heels with Matilda Rice as New Zealand’s first Bachelor. “I’d just come back from 10 months overseas, where I was…

When 1 News presenter Melissa Stokes isn’t dolled up in front of the TV cameras delivering bulletins, or putting her reporting boots back on for the upcoming new series Now and Then, she’s packing lunchboxes and juggling kids’ sports. Like any mum of two energetic boys, including a fussy eater and one with ADHD, Melissa, 41, has the big task of feeding sons Hugo, eight, and Freddie, six. And she admits it can be harder than working as one of New Zealand’s most familiar faces in news! “I try hard to make sure they have proper food or healthy snacks every day, including veges, fruit, fibre and protein, but I don’t hit the mark every day,” admits Melissa, who is married to cameraman Dave Pierce, 44. “My kids have the…

Looking down at her burgeoning baby bump, Ashleigh Lilley can’t help but beam. “I just never, ever thought this would be possible,” says the mum-to-be, tears sparkling in her eyes. “Doctors told me that 2020 would be the year that I might die, and now it’s become the year I’ll give birth!” In 2015, doctors estimated the Christchurch-born 26-year-old had just five years to live. Along with her younger sister Megan, 23, Ashleigh is one of only four people in New Zealand to suffer from the potentially fatal, exceptionally rare condition glycogen storage disease (GSD) type 1B. The sisters’ livers are missing a crucial enzyme that makes and stores fuel from carbohydrates. In 2016, the year after her bleak prognosis, Ashleigh told Woman’s Day how she and Megan had survived…

Moist Coconut Cakes with Coconut Ice Frosting SERVES 8 PREPARATION & COOKING 1 HOUR, 15 MINUTES (PLUS COOLING) 125g butter, softened ½ teaspoon coconut extract 1 cup caster sugar 2 eggs 1 ½ cups self-raising flour ½ cup desiccated coconut 250g extra-light sour cream 1/3 cup milk COCONUT ICE FROSTING 2 cups icing sugar 11/3 cups desiccated coconut 2 egg whites, lightly beaten 1 tablespoon water pink food colouring 1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease an 8-hole (½ cup) petite loaf pan and line the base of each hole with baking paper. 2. Beat butter, extract and sugar in a small bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Transfer mixture to a large bowl. Stir in sifted flour, coconut, sour cream…

What causes adult acne? Acne for adults can be triggered in a number of ways but to put it simply, it’s caused by overstimulated sebaceous glands combined with a blocked pore, which then creates a pimple. Hormonal imbalance is the number-one cause of overstimulated sebaceous glands, though stress, some medications, reproductive issues, menopause and diet – especially dairy – can also play a large role. Using unsuitable products is also a huge problem. Those that contain pore-blocking and occlusive ingredients like mineral oil can exacerbate the problem. What are the best treatments? Adult acne treatment requires an in-depth skin analysis to determine the right clear-skin management plan that combines in-clinic treatments with prescribed home care. Clients often want a “miracle wand”, but the situation is more complex than that. A…

Not keen to be pricked and punctured in the quest for a wrinkle-free complexion? Enter synthetic snake venom. Magen Darel, guru of skincare across Australasia, is offering the ViperLift Bio Treatment, $300, from his new Origani flagship store in Auckland. Loved by celebrities, including Katie Holmes, Debra Messing and Cheryl Cole, the primary ingredient is synthetic snake venom – applied as a non-surgical, entirely pain-free alternative to Botox. What are the key ingredients? The key ingredients are synthetic snake venom, peptides, vitamin A and hyaluronic acid. The synthetic snake venom replicates that of South-east Asia’s Temple Viper, and acts like a natural, nonsurgical Botox for the whole face. Hyaluronic acid holds moisture thousand times more than water, which supports skin becoming more supple and soft. It also reduces redness and…

WEEK 1 DAY 1 40 secs on, 20 secs off. Do 3 rounds • Bench dips • Lat raise • Tricep extension • Shoulder press • Burpees DAY 2 40 secs on, 20 secs off. Do 3 rounds • Supinated dumbbell curl • Tricep extension • Hammer curl • Bench dips DAY 3 40 secs on, 20 secs off except for when running. Do 3 rounds • Run or bike for 5 mins • Lat raise • Push-ups • Shoulder press DAY 4 Break from arms DAY 5 40 secs on, 20 secs off. Do 3 rounds • Start with 5 mins of running or jogging. Sprint for 30 secs, jog for 30 secs • Bench dips • Lat raise • Tricep extension DAY 6 40 secs on, 20 secs…

The Ginger and I recently made it to 27 years of wedded bliss, but if anyone asked me the secret to a long and happy marriage, I’m not sure I’d know what to say. Better off asking Pamela Anderson. She must know what she’s talking about – she’s been married five times, twice to the same guy, and most recently to a producer she first dated more than three decades ago. The marriage lasted 12 days. So I think we can assume she knows what doesn’t work. Personally I’d have been suspicious about a groom-to-be who declared publicly: “There are beautiful girls everywhere. I could have my pick. But – for 35 years – I’ve only wanted Pamela.” So much wrong with that. But as one of their publicists trumpeted…

Let’s go clubbing,” my daughter said enthusiastically. It took me no time to think before I said, “Excellent! Yes, let’s go clubbing!” Oh, what a time to be alive. Getting dressed to “go clubbing” when one hasn’t been in a decade was the start of the impossible mission to Mordor. Just like the journey Sam and Frodo made across the places they went through (I can’t remember the names) to chuck the ring into the volcano thingy. I knew what I wanted to wear, but according to my fashion-forward son of 21, wearing heels would make me look like I was “going to the office”, so my cute DKNY kitten heels were out. Now I was wearing a cute little jacket, black jeans and Converse. He said I looked great.…

What would you do if you suddenly had the ability to hear the innermost thoughts of the people around you? And what if those thoughts were expressed through song? Fun new musical dramedy Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist explores these questions and has an exciting cast of familiar faces ready to put on a show. MARY STEENBURGEN as MAGGIE It’s only fitting that Mary, who plays Zoey’s mother, would be part of this show, as she became a songwriter after having routine surgery from which she woke up hearing music. LAUREN GRAHAM as JOAN This Gilmore girl is moving out of Stars Hollow to play Zoey’s boss. Maybe she took some lessons at Miss Patty’s dance studio? ZOEY’S EXTRAORDINARY PLAYLIST, MONDAY, 9PM, TVNZ ONDEMAND PETER GALLAGHER as MITCH Playing Zoey’s father, Peter…

1 LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER MONDAY, 7.30PM, SOHO2 The award-winning satirical news programme returns with season seven. Expect laughter, guest appearances and utter calamity as everyone’s favourite Brit pieces together the week that was for American television. 2 THE BRIT AWARDS WEDNESDAY, 7.30PM, BBC UKTV The Grammys are done and dusted, but the musical gongs keep coming with the 2020 Brit Awards. Dance along to this year’s all-star performances, including pop phenomenon Billie Eilish, Harry Styles, Lewis Capaldi, Mabel and Lizzo. 3 FAIR GO MONDAY, 7.30PM, TVNZ 1 Uncovering slimy operators in New Zealand for over 40 years, Fair Go is back with gusto for 2020. Whether it’s battling bureaucracy, combating crimes or simply fighting for people’s rights, Pippa Wetzell, Haydn Jones…

Aquarius JAN 21 – FEB 19 Keep a notepad handy as your brain will be buzzing all week. With Mercury swinging the spotlight onto your cash zone, reassess household expenses (and your spending) – you might save a small fortune. A money-making enterprise could have potential. Pisces FEB 20 – MAR 20 Your social circle is expanding, so make space for stimulating new people. Farewells are never easy, but don’t let sentiment hold you back. It’s all about quality not quantity, not just socially, but on the home front as well. Clear-outs should feel surprisingly satisfying. Aries MAR 21 – APR 20 With Mars on your chart’s pinnacle, you’re turning into a powerhouse. Just don’t overdo it as Mercury retrogrades tend to increase mistakes, and not everyone shares your enthusiasm…

Olivia Newton-John is totally devoted to her daughter Chloe Lattanzi! The 71-year-old Grease star, who is battling stage four breast cancer, was all smiles as she held hands and cuddled with her 34-year-old daughter, who’s starring in this year’s season of Dancing with the Stars in Australia. After a practice session with dance partner Gustavo Viglio, the adoring mum and daughter stepped out in Melbourne looking radiant. Chloe, who has battled depression for 15 years, has also had issues with anorexia, body dysmorphia, drug addiction and alcohol dependency, but she’s tipped to be the break-out star in the show. “People forget that I’m a legitimate singer and musician because my depression and anxiety have overshadowed that part of me,” she recently revealed. “I want people to see me for who…

After months of speculation over whether her wedding would go ahead, Princess Beatrice and her fiancé Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi have finally set a date to tie the knot. But with the scandal surrounding her father Prince Andrew showing no signs of abating, the pair have scratched plans for an opulent affair, opting instead to say “I do” in front of just 150 family and friends in London on May 29. “Originally Beatrice wanted the big fairytale wedding just like her sister Princess Eugenie, who had 850 guests and thousands of well-wishers gathered outside,” tells a palace insider. “But with the crisis engulfing her family, it’s clear a wedding of that size just wasn’t appropriate. At times, she’s struggled to even imagine going ahead at all given the negativity and stress…

Move over Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt – Hollywood has a new reunited couple! Former flames Renée Zellweger and Bradley Cooper have hardly seen each other since their split in 2011, but all that changed at the Academy Awards last week when the pair enjoyed an intimate reconnection. “Renée later told friends it was up there with winning the Oscar,” spills a source close to the Bridget Jones’s Diary star. “Talk about everything happening at once! She has always thought of Bradley as the one that got away.” On Oscars night, eagle-eyed fans spotted Renée, 50, and Bradley, 45, having a cosy tête-à-tête in the auditorium. Bradley was there for his role as producer of Joker and Renée was in the running for BestActress for her role in Judy –…

Out & proud PHILLIP’S BIG REVEAL Days after beloved British broadcaster Phillip Schofield announced he was gay, his wife Stephanie has revealed she loves the TV star “as much today as I ever have” and that she will “still be there, holding his hand” in the future. The silver-haired presenter of ITV’s This Morning show stunned fans when he made the announcement on February 7. But his revelation was met with messages of support from all over the world – including New Zealand, where he lived for five years in the ’80s and got his big break in television broadcasting. After his shock announcement, the star, 57 – who married Stephanie in 1993 and had two daughters, Molly, 27, and Ruby, 25 – shared that he must have been gay…

‘What’s the point in having millions in the bank if you’re not going to spend it? ’ What Rihanna has accomplished in the 15 years since she released her first song is nothing short of remarkable. She’s sold more than 60 million albums, delivered 14 number-one singles and won nine Grammys. Two years ago, she launched her wildly successful Fenty Beauty brand. Her Savage X Fenty lingerie line followed in 2018 and this year, the “Take a Bow” singer founded fashion brand Fenty with French luxury goods giant LVMH, which also owns Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton and Sephora. Now the 31-year-old Bajan beauty is the richest female music star in the world, with a fortune, Forbes confirms, of $900 million – and it’s growing. “Rihanna came from humble beginnings,” notes…

Little Pepi adores books, loves pottering in the dirt and easily makes friends – and her proud papa couldn’t be happier with the tot’s magical milestones and streaks of independence. It’s been just over a year since Scout Barbour-Evans made international headlines after giving birth midway through changing gender. The papa – who identifies as takatapui (the Maori term for LGBTQ+) and uses the pronouns they and them instead of he or she – says it’s been an eventful first 14 months, but their little girl is thriving. Today the Christmas baby, known affectionately as “Pepi”, is walking and talking and showing her independence as she toddles off down a path, not caring to look back for an instant. “Watching her grow so quickly into this little person is so…

Green Shakshuka SERVES 4 PREPARATION & COOKING 30 MINUTES 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 medium leek, thinly sliced 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced 1 baby fennel bulb, trimmed, thinly sliced, fronds reserved 150g kale, coarsely chopped ½ cup vegetable stock 8 eggs ½ cup drained labne ¼ cup pitted green olives, halved 4 pita pockets, chargrilled 1. Preheat grill to high. Heat oil in a large heavy-based ovenproof frying pan over medium heat. Cook leek, garlic, sliced fennel and kale, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until veges soften. Stir in stock and simmer. 2. Using the back of a spoon, make 8 shallow indents in the mixture. Break 1 egg into each hollow. Place pan under grill for 6-8 minutes or until egg whites are set and…

What is your skincare philosophy? I am passionate about environmentally friendly, organic and vegan skincare. We are also very aware of the challenges of the New Zealand environment, including the harshness of the sun. These are the pillars of my skincare philosophy: Be natural, care for the environment and protect, protect, protect. What simple regime do you recommend for busy women? Use a gentle, water-based cleanser and toner. Then a water-based serum for the face and neck, with antioxidants as it’s easier for the skin to absorb and distribute other active ingredients, followed by a face cream. And always support the delicate eye area with an eye cream or gel. Beyond these simple steps, my number-one suggestion is to use broad spectrum sunscreen – every day. It’s the most important…

Mindful or mind full? With hectic schedules and the pressures of everyday life, many of us are spending less time living in the moment and more time churning over the past or worrying about the future. This can be exhausting and leads to us missing out on moments of joy because we aren’t paying attention. The good news? Practise can make us more present and mindful. So what exactly is mindfulness and how do we do more of it without adding another thing to our already long to-do lists? Mindfulness, according to expert Jon Kabat-Zinn, means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally. Benefits include decreasing stress, anxiety and depression, creating self-compassion and enhancing our ability to get on with others. But remember it…

I learned a salient lesson the other day about raising issues around your kids in public. Everyone wants to offer their advice and opinion. I mentioned on my radio show that my daughter had flipped off her bike. She’d accidentally hit the wrong brake and slammed the front wheels to a halt instead of the back ones. As it ground to a standstill front first, it flipped over her. Her chin was split open, she broke the scaphoid bone in her hand, had bruising and grazing up her hands, chest and legs, and she sprained her other wrist. I mentioned it on air because part of the pain of splitting your chin open and having stitches is that it really hurts when the local anaesthetic wears off. She’d woken at…

Studio Ghibli fans rejoice! This year, all of the films from Hayao Miyazaki’s legendary animation studio are coming to Netflix. Take a look at the first batch available to watch now ... CASTLE IN THE SKY Released in 1986, this was Studio Ghibli’s first film. An orphan boy discovers a girl with a mysterious pendant that unlocks an ancient castle in the clouds. They search for the castle, but danger follows them at every turn. MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO The cuddly character Totoro has become an icon in his own right and is the symbol of Studio Ghibli. This is a sweet story of two young children who move to be closer to their sick mother and befriend Totoro and his fellow wood spirits. KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE If you’re looking for…

BELLBIRD Wednesday on Lightbox  Rating: ★★★★ When a key member of a rural community passes away in this local film, the remaining occupants must discover love, and hope in the face of adversity. GENTEFIED Friday on Netflix  Rating: ★★★★ Set against the dynamic landscape of LA, three cousins must band together to keep their grandfather’s taco shop alive, all while pursuing their own dreams. HUNTERS Friday on Amazon Prime Video  Rating: ★★★★ Set in the ’70s and starring Al Pacino, this drama follows a unique brand of hitmen who uncover a number of high-ranking Nazi officials living in and conspiring against the USA. THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE Thursday on Neon  Rating: ★★★ It’s a romance to last the ages – literally. Possessing an uncontrollable condition that sees him jump through…

The Duchess of Cambridge proved she’s a natural with all things great and small last week! On a whirlwind visit to Ireland, the 38-year-old royal stopped by the Ark Open Farm near Belfast to speak with local parents and grandparents, promoting her landmark survey on early childhood and how it impacts adulthood. Compassionate Kate also got up close and personal with some adorable animals and children. She helped a youngster feed a lamb, laughed as she petted an alpaca, and even managed to charm Sophie the corn snake! Stewart Donaldson, who runs the farm, said that he had been told the mum of George, six, Charlotte, four, and Louis, one, wasn’t keen on meeting the yellow reptile, but the fearless duchess grinned and seemed to enjoy the unique experience.…