Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 18, 2021 i Woman's Day Magazine NZ

He’s the 2019 season heartthrob whose relationship with Martha Kalifatidis has become one of Married At First Sight Australia’s biggest success stories. However, it seems Michael Brunelli may be adding a little sugar to the mix, after being spotted on a flirty date with none other than 2021 alum Coco Stedman. Michael and Coco, both 30, were seen enjoying a cosy lunch date in Sydney recently, before teasing a future business venture on social media later that day. While Michael and Coco said their meeting was more business than pleasure, many fans took to social media to warn Martha about the pair’s obvious chemistry. “What a beautiful couple,” one follower said, while another warned, “Be careful, Martha, she might steal your man.” Coco famously cheated on her MAFS husband Sam…

As Prince Harry last week raced against the clock to get home from California to his mourning family – all while making sure his pregnant wife would be OK without him – he largely left the logistics at the other end of his flight to organisers back in Britain. But the impending reunion with his estranged brother Prince William, after more than a year, was no doubt at the front of his mind. SURPRISE VISIT And as his British Airways flight touched down at Heathrow on Sunday, April 11 – just making the deadline to be able to quarantine for five days before the Duke of Edinburgh’s April 17 funeral – a waiting blacked-out Land Rover was there ready to whisk Harry on to the 15-minute drive to Frogmore Cottage,…

Jennifer Lopez has always hinted she’d be open to a reunion with ex-fiancé Ben Affl eck. “I think different time, different thing, who knows what could’ve happened? But there was a genuine love there,” she confessed in 2016. And with her engagement to Alex Rodriguez now offi cially over – thanks to his alleged cheating and other relationship issues – the rumours have already started that J.Lo could soon be turning to her famous ex for comfort. “Jen’s priority is protecting her reputation and, right now, she’s between a rock and a hard place,” says our insider. “Alex’s supposed cheating was not a good look, but neither is ending an engagement after three failed marriages.” STILL CLOSE However, knowing that newly single Ben was waiting in the wings for another…

Powerlifter Angela Wilkinson clearly remembers the moment Karen Daniels came to her for training late last year. The pair knew each another through the gym where Angela was a personal trainer and Karen was into bodybuilding, but Angela hadn’t seen her for years. “She was wearing a beanie when she arrived and she struggled to walk,” recalls Angela. “She was tired. She’d put on weight and had burn marks on her arms. She was shy – not the Karen I knew. She was totally different and there was a darkness there.” Little did Angela know that the mum-of-two had been battling stage-four breast cancer and a year of gruelling chemo had taken its toll – those marks on her arms were a side effect. But Karen, from South Auckland, was…

Taurus APR 21 – MAY 21 Feel that old zest for life returning? Time to speak up about a stressful issue or take a stand on something you feel passionately about. As planets crowd into your centre arena, your confidence expands and your vision and ambitions are stimulated. TIME TO TRY Do something adventurous as May approaches. ANDIE MACDOWELL Like many Bulls, she’s loyal and reliable to loved ones. Gemini MAY 22 – JUN 21 Ready to stop and smell the roses? Every year, as the sun enters your 12th house, your contemplative side seeks a quieter environment. Geminis tend to be busy, productive people, but regular breaks are essential – not only for your mental state, but for your body and soul. TIME TO TRY Pack a…

THE CURATED SPACE You’ll be inside a lot over winter, so indulge yourself with a specially created space, filled with objects you love. This room opening into another room has an art gallery feel, which amplifies the importance of the collection of personal objects, furniture and paintings. The warm brown walls in Resene Leather in the foreground set the tonal scene, while the contrasting neutral wall in Resene Quarter Linen behind keeps the overall space relaxed and welcoming, and will give you plenty of moments of joy. The floor is stained in Resene Colorwood Dark Ebony. Vase painted in Resene Calico. Rug from Nodi, chair and vase from Domo, shelf from Citta, armchair and coffee table from Matisse, Head ornament and dishes from Republic Home. THE HOME ADMIN SPACE Commandeer…

RATATOUILLE & SAUSAGE BAKE SERVES 4 PREP 20 MINS COOK 35 MINS • 6 sausages of choice • 1 red capsicum, seeded, thickly sliced • 1 eggplant, sliced • 1 zucchini, thickly sliced • 1 red onion, sliced • ¼ cup olive oil, plus 1 tbsp extra • 800g can whole tomatoes • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • 1 tsp dried Italian herbs • 1 cup sourdough breadcrumbs 1 Preheat oven to 200°C. 2 Heat a chargrill or frying pan on high. Chargrill sausages 5-6 mins, turning on all sides, until golden. 3 Chargrill capsicum until skin blisters. In a large bowl, combine remaining vegetables and oil. Season to taste. Chargrill 2-3 mins each side until tender. 4 In a large casserole dish, combine all vegetables with sausages. Scatter over…

I was just about to hit the hay when the news came through about Prince Philip’s death. Sure, he was 99 and had recently spent a month in hospital, so it wasn’t strictly a surprise, but I was shocked nonetheless – he’s been a commanding royal presence ever since I can remember. I have hazy memories of going to a tree-planting event with my Kea scout group and seeing him there in his role as president of the World Wildlife Fund. Years later, I completed my Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award with a memorable camping trip in the Waitakere Ranges, where about a dozen of us slept in the one tent. I’m sure the supervising teachers were cursing his name as we chatted loudly all night. Our hearts go out…

Almost two decades since their farewell, the Friends cast – Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer and Lisa Kudrow – got back together to film their much-hyped reunion last week. “They all got really emotional when they saw the set,” says an insider. But sources say the cast picked up right where they left off. “The jokes and conversation flowed naturally,” says our spy. So much so, that after filming wrapped, the gang headed back to Jen’s Bel Air mansion for dinner! “So much has happened since they filmed Friends, but no one has changed,” says a source. Even Matthew, 51, was looking back to his old self, after a rough few years – and insiders say it’s all thanks to his good friends. “He only…

After visiting our shores more than a dozen times, it was poignant that the Duke of Edinburgh made sure his “special relationship” with New Zealand was acknowledged at his funeral. As we went to press, the plan was to have a member of the New Zealand Defence Force observe the coffin as it arrived at St George’s Chapel. Philip’s first trip to Aotearoa was alongside the Queen in 1953-54, when the pair visited 46 towns and attended 110 functions in 38 days, with an estimated three-quarters of the population turning up for a glimpse of the royal wave. Afterwards, the prince wrote that he found Kiwis “universally charming and, on the whole, considerate”. It was on a return visit to Wellington in 1970 that he, the Queen, Charles and Anne…

The Gladiator is prepping to be a groom! Nine years after his split from former wife Danielle Spencer, Russell Crowe’s apparently ready to walk down the aisle again – with new love Britney Theriot. But he’s got a mission to complete first – get in fighting-fit shape! Insiders say the 57-year-old, who gained weight to play the late Roger Ailes in 2019 series The Loudest Voice, has been staying active and following a strict diet ahead of popping the question to his American girlfriend. “Russell’s doing everything he can to knock off the kilos,” says a source. “He wants to walk down the aisle looking his best.” SPORTY COUPLE Dating 30-year-old fitness buff Britney – who he’s been snapped enjoying tennis sessions with in Sydney on several occasions – has…

BETH – WEDDING DRESS The retail worker is hawking her Shona Joy La Lune wedding dress for a steal of $300 on Facebook. BOOKA – MUSIC Booka is now flogging an album made during her time on Married At First Sight titled Demos of a Bride. SAM – CLOTHING LINE Sam launched his own clothing line Grouse Mouse during the premiere episode and is now selling tees worn by Coco for $84.95. JAIME – WEDDING RING The intruder is offloading her stunning $16,200 diamond ring that FIFO worker Chris presented to her on the experiment.…

Q I’m worried I frightened Mum by telling her she was dying while she was under morphine. I think the hospital did the wrong thing by her. Virginia MITCHELL SAYS Your beautiful mum is at peace and tells me the hospital did all they could. She doesn’t want you to worry. She wishes she told you more often how very proud she is of you, and sends all her love. She’s watching over your children. Q I’m applying for banking jobs. Will I succeed and is P the right person for me? Still single MITCHELL SAYS Banking is a good choice to focus on. I keep hearing a voice from Spirit say to me, “Persistence will eventually pay off.” The P person is in your life at this time for…

SHINE BRIGHT This triple-action brightening peel contains a bi-phase formula. There’s the green top phase, infused with natural nourishing oils to comfort the skin’s barrier, then the bottom pink phase gently boosts exfoliation. Shake to combine the two and apply two-to-five drops for full face coverage to boost skin cell turnover, diminishing dark spots and discolouration and reveal brighter looking skin. Elizabeth Arden Visible Brightening CicaGlow Concentrate, $137 MORE MILK PLEASE The beauty world has fallen head over heels for cult US beauty brand Milk Makeup. The clean label creates makeup and skincare products that are equal parts good for your skin and seriously high-performing (the cute packaging is top-shelf worthy too). Now available at Sephora. Run! 1 Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint, $73 2 Milk Makeup Watermelon Brightening Serum,…

CRISPY PORK NECK WITH CHILLI JAM & GREEN BEANS SERVES 4 PREP 10 MINS COOK 30 MINS •1/3 cup peanut oil, plus extra for deep-frying • 6 long red chillies, chopped, plus extra to serve • 1 large red onion, chopped • 4 garlic cloves, bruised • 2 tsp shrimp paste • 3cm ginger, chopped • ½ cup brown sugar •1/3 cup lime juice • 1 tbsp soy sauce • 650g pork neck, trimmed, cubed • ½ cup plain flour • 1 tbsp sesame oil • 500g green beans, trimmed • 2 tsp sesame seeds, toasted • steamed white rice, finely sliced green onion, to serve 1 Preheat oven to 180°C. Line an oven tray with baking paper. 2 In a small frying pan, heat peanut oil on high. Fry…

Funfetti madeleines The classic treat gets a kid-friendly makeover MAKES 18 Preheat oven to 180°C fan. Place a 9-hole silicone madeleine tray on an oven tray. Beat 2 eggs, ¹/ ³ cup caster sugar and 1 tsp vanilla extract in a small bowl with an electric mixer for 5 mins or until thick and creamy. Sift ²/ ³ cup plain flour and ¼ tsp baking powder twice, then fold into egg mixture with 100g melted and cooled unsalted butter. Stir in 2 tbsp rainbow sprinkles. Spread half the batter into pan holes and bake madeleines for 10 mins or until golden and firm to touch. Stand in pans 8 mins before carefully releasing from silicone mould and transferring to a wire rack. Wash and dry mould and repeat with remaining…

Creamerie MONDAY, 9.30PM, TVNZ 2 In this local black comedy series, it’s eight years since a plague swept through humanity and decimated the male population. Women now rule the Earth, but unless they rid their bodies of the virus and produce sons, the human race will become extinct. A group of dairy farmers in rural New Zealand may have discovered the answer when they stumble upon one of the only men left on hiding in the bush. Blumhouse’s Fantasy Island THURSDAY, NEON In this supernatural horror movie, a group of strangers thinks they’ve hit the jackpot when they receive a mysterious invitation to visit a tropical resort where their deepest fantasies will be realised. But the dream quickly becomes a nightmare when they realise they’re actually part of a sick…

MY BEST BINGE WATCH Currently, I’ve been bingeing New Amsterdam. I even set up an account on Neon the night I watched the season one finale to find out what happened. I couldn’t wait for Netflix to release it! MY TOP PODCAST I love This American Life. It’s the podcast I consistently go back to, especially when I’m driving. MY READING RECOMMENDATION I have so many books going all at once – I’m terrible. But I would recommend The Choice by Edith Eger. It is incredible! I couldn’t put it down. MY LOCAL HANGOUT I spend a lot of time at my favourite coffee shop in the Mount called Spongedrop. It has the best cheese scones, which are amazing heated up with jam and butter. MY BEST BEAUTY TIP I’m…

Anna steals the show Presenting in LA, Anna Kendrick brought the glam to this year’s BAFTAs with this daring – and dazzling – Zuhair Murad gown. Sweet milestone Songbird Anika Moa celebrates “100 days of not being buzzed & being sober” with a treat for her taste buds. “What a buzzy feeling!” she writes. Surf’s up for Isla & Sacha There was no mankini in sight when Isla Fisher hit the waves with husband Sacha Baron Cohen near Sydney. Wild wedding Former All Black Craig Innes married ex-60 Minutes star Belinda Henley on a wet and windy day in Hawke’s Bay. Model mums Irina Shayk and her tutu cute daughter Lea, four, stepped out in New York for a play date with fellow fashionista Karlie Kloss and her new baby,…

Netflix has announced it’s started production on Byron Bay-based reality series Byron Baes, featuring a string of hot young things – and Zac Efron is determined his Aussie girlfriend Vanessa Valladares will be one of them! According to a source, the 33-year-old Netflix star is using his contacts at the streaming giant to pull some strings and get Byron Bay-based Vanessa, 25, a gig on the series, which producers say will feature plenty of “fights, flings and heartbreak”. Meanwhile, model and former Love Island star Elias Chigros, 30, has reportedly signed on to appear in the “docu-soap”, as well as curvy influencer Jessica Vander Leahy, 33. However, fellow social media star and new mum Elyse Knowles has denied being part of the cast. “Just putting it out there, I am…

What better way to celebrate becoming a billionaire than expanding the family? Sources say that’s exactly what Jessica Alba plans to do, with her highly successful natural baby and beauty company Honest about to go public on the stock exchange. “Jessica’s going to be one of the richest women in the world. She doesn’t have to work another day in her life. And now she just wants to focus on her family,” a source tells Woman’s Day of the mother-of-three. And with the 39-year-old actress’ youngest child Hayes, three, starting preschool this year, the source says, “She wants a fourth child to fill her days.”…

Dakota Johnson has begged fiancé Chris Martin for a super-quick wedding over fears his ex-wife Gwyneth Paltrow is planning to turn their wedding into a three-ring Goop circus! An insider says the Fifty Shades Of Grey actress, 31, who was spotted wearing an engagement ring in December, was hoping for a “discreet ceremony” without all the showbiz bells and whistles. Unfortunately for Dakota, she and her 63-year-old mum Melanie Griffith are already locking horns with Chris’ ex-wife Gwyneth, 48, who sources say is offering all kinds of help but really wants to be in control. An insider says, “Gwyneth’s been giving Dakota business cards of planners, florists, dress designers – she’s even offered her entire Goop design and beauty team to be available 24/7! Dakota is freaking out. She just…

As tough a nut as he was to crack, Prince Philip had a certain soft spot for his late former daughter-in-law Princess Diana, it was revealed last week. Although Philip’s joy over his eldest son’s choice in bride soon turned to concern when he learned how “obsessed” she was with Camilla Parker Bowles, Diana’s friend, British journalist Richard Kay, has revealed the duke tried his best to counsel heartbroken Di in his own tough-love way. Richard reveals the duke would write to Diana at Kensington Palace, trying to help her stay married to Charles. At times he would blame her for their miserable marriage, but Richard claims Diana “danced with joy” around her apartment when Philip finally conceded she was right in her fears that Charles had a mistress. “We…

Prince Philip and the Queen quickly discovered they had four very different children – sometimes, much to his frustration. But Philip’s own strong personality is reflected in each of them – even Prince Charles, who he labelled a “romantic”. “Philip didn’t think Charles was cut out to be king in his early years,” a source tells Woman’s Day. “But Charles certainly took after Philip in his sense of duty.” It’s Philip’s second child Anne, the Princess Royal, who is most like her dad. She said after his death, “My father has been my teacher, my supporter and my critic.” Our insider says of their dynamic, “She shares his brusqueness, but also his no-nonsense attitude and a wicked sense of humour. He was so proud when she represented England at the…

‘Trying to get pregnant isn’t as much fun as you think it will be!’ It’s a thought shared by almost every first-time mum-to-be: “Jeez, there’s an awful lot they don’t tell you before you get pregnant!” Katrina Rore is no different. The incredulous Silver Ferns star adds, “There’s something new every day – and why do they need so much stuff? Pregnancy, eh? It’s definitely a journey!” Thirty-seven weeks along, the netball great and her builder husband Joel, 29, are now very much counting down the days until they can meet their baby girl, and Katrina says she couldn’t be more excited at becoming a mum. However, the road to motherhood was, for her, a little tougher. Though she’d been experiencing a dream pregnancy, like so many couples, Katrina and…

Amber admits ‘I’M LIVING MY MUM’S DREAM’ Indie pop artist Amber Carly Williams grew up surrounded by music, but it wasn’t until the death of her mother, a talented guitarist, that the seven-year-old first picked up the instrument. “I started playing guitar the year my mum died and, from then on, I never put it down,” says Amber, now 19, from Christchurch. “That planted the roots of music for me. Although at the time, I may not have realised I wanted to pursue it because she did, I look back now and think that would’ve factored into why I started playing. “I was inspired by what she loved so much and began to find that music was a great coping mechanism. Music is my escape and allows me to express…

They may talk for hours about positions, pain and pleasure on their hit podcast The Trainee Sexologist, but when fans comment on radio diva Sharyn Casey and her longtime friend Morgan Penn’s “sexual chemistry” or ask whether they “get it on”, they’re barking up the wrong tree. “Ewww, no!” laughs Sharyn when Woman’s Day brings it up. “Imagine the headline of the article: From sex podcast to lovers!” But while it might be a good story, the besties have no desire to jump in the sack together, with Morgan, 34, happily single, while The Edge afternoon host and mum-of-one Sharyn, 35, has an active but up-and-down sex life with her husband, The Rock presenter Bryce. Their differing sexual experiences and perspectives are what has made The Trainee Sexologist such a…

Curious about Kirby AMANDA SAYS Kirby shows me she has passed over. She tells me she was only seven weeks old when she first came to the family. Kirby was about 15 when she passed but had always been in very good health. However, Kirby did show me that one of her legs had a prior injury many years ago. Kirby tells me she was very close with Alison’s dad, Dudley Simpson, who had passed away a few years before. I suddenly felt a very powerful man come through. Dudley was a very famous television composer and he composed the music for Doctor Who for many years. Wow, what an honour to meet this man! ALISON SAYS I reached out to Amanda because I’m an avid Woman’s Day reader and…

YOUR CHARACTER ROBYN IS A FORMER CIA AGENT. CAN YOU GIVE US MORE OF HER BACKSTORY? She’s done working for the people who make the big decisions – done with the greed, done with the uberpowerful. Robyn is a leader. She’s very skilful and she’s taking what she’s learned through the years and using it for the other 99 per cent – that’s who she wants to fight and equalise for. WAS DENZEL WASHINGTON, WHO STARRED IN THE 2014 FILM REBOOT, A BIG INFLUENCE? I love that Denzel made the show relevant again. He set the bar in a way, but also gave us a lot of room to go in a completely different direction. The earlier characters were much more stoic, but Robyn doesn’t have that luxury. She has…

MOVIE SIX MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT It’s the summer of 1939 and tensions between the UK and Germany are at boiling point as Adolf Hitler’s power grows. A finishing school for daughters of influential Nazi families operating on the south coast of England is under scrutiny. But when a teacher tries to raise the alarm on the school’s suspicious activity, dark forces will stop at nothing to silence him. IN CINEMAS THURSDAY PODCAST THE TRAINEE SEXOLOGIST Sharyn Casey and her BFF, sexologist Morgan Penn, are back for another round of funny and frank conversations about bonking. And Morgan promises that no topic is off limits, saying, “This season, we’re going deeper than ever before. It’s time to prioritise pleasure,  break taboos, clear the shame and learn how to live in a…

MINI HERO! CHRIS HEMSWORTH It was “take your kid to work day” for Chris last week, with one of his seven-year-old twin sons joining him – complete with superhero costume – on the set of Thor: Love And Thunder. BACK TO SCHOOL PRINCE ALBERT The royal grabbed some handy homework tips for his six-year-old twins on a visit at a school in Monaco. It’s Cousin Itt! FERGIE The former Black Eyed Peas frontwoman could have been giving the paps the hairy eyeball... but we wouldn’t know under all that hair! WHERE’S HEIDI & CO? HOWIE MANDEL The America’s Got Talent judge wears his co-stars on his... er, body. Can you see Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum, Simon Cowell and Terry Crews? DENIM DREAM ISLA FISHER The Aussie comedic actress proved her…