Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 51, 2022 i Woman's Day Magazine NZ

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas here in the Woman’s Day office. We’ve put up a real tree (the smell is incredible!) and decorated it with home-made ornaments, the Secret Santa presents are piling up underneath it and there are plenty of windows open on our advent calendars. While our hectic holiday deadlines can make me a bit Grinchy, it’s hard not to feel the festive cheer as the temperatures climb and the beach becomes a serious post-5pm option. But no one is more cheerful than our cover star Jay-Jay Feeney, who’s celebrating a stellar year after going public with her new relationship and undergoing a long-awaited breast reduction. For the full story, turn to page 10. And if you want even more Jay-Jay in your life, you’re…

HOT OFF THE PRESS An emotional Céline Dion has put a halt to her performing career after being diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called stiff person syndrome, which results in regular muscle spasms. “Unfortunately, the spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I’m used to,” reveals the My Heart Will Go On chart-topper, 54. Céline says she had no choice but to postpone and even cancel some of the shows of her Courage tour, which was to restart in February after several delays. “I miss seeing all of you, being on the stage, performing for you,” tells the mother-of-three. “I always give 100% when I do my shows, but…

Special tribute When John Travolta received the devastating news that his “soulmate” Kirstie Alley had been diagnosed with colon cancer, he could scarcely believe it was happening again. He’d barely had time to process the news when her family confirmed the worst last week – that Kirstie, his beloved Look Who’s Talking co-star who spoke openly in 2018 about her wish to marry him, had died aged 71, shortly after her diagnosis. “John is crushed,” sources exclusively tell Woman’s Day. “It’s the worst possible news and he is barely coping.” It’s no wonder John, 68, is spiralling, given that Kirstie’s shock death comes just four months after his other beloved friend and co-star Olivia Newton-John, 73, succumbed to breast cancer. His wife Kelly Preston died of the same insidious disease…

Real life On a winter’s evening in 2019, Wellington nurse Catherine Flanigan crossed the deck of the Ocean Viking with a concerned look in her eyes and determination in her gait. While other New Zealanders sailing the Mediterranean that night might have been taking a relaxing cruise, chasing the last of the summer sun and sight-seeing at historic places, Catherine, 35, was dressed in full heavy-duty marine rescue kit — complete with hard hat, headlamp and gloves — preparing to nurse women with severe burns. Just minutes earlier, she’d been at sea on a rigid hull inflatable boat, helping to rescue dozens of refugees and migrants who had risked their lives to flee Libya in the hope of finding a better life in Europe. Then she was called back to…

ROASTED SPROUTS, CANDIED WALNUTS & BACON SERVES 6 PREP 10 MINSCOOK 35 MINS • 1kg Brussels sprouts • 3 rashers rindless bacon, cut into batons • ¾ cup Market Kitchen Walnut Pieces from The Warehouse • 2 tbsp maple syrup • 2 tbsp parsley, chopped 1 Preheat oven to 220°C. 2 Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil. Blanch sprouts for 5 mins or until vibrant green. Drain, then transfer to a tray. 3 In a small frying pan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add bacon and cook, stirring, for 10 mins or until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon, reserving extra pan oil. Drizzle pan oil over sprouts and toss to combine. Bake for 25 mins or until crispy. 4 Place walnut pieces on…

Psychics Q I lost my partner suddenly to a major heart attack nearly four years ago. I didn’t get to say goodbye and now my dad has just passed. Are they OK? What do you see for me? Will I move to the country when I retire? Maree MITCHELL SAYS Your beautiful partner is allowing your dad to step forward from the spirit world first. Your father is a lovely man. He tells me he’s very proud of you and doesn’t want you to worry. He is watching over you from Heaven. Your partner is coming through with so much love for you and tells me you are soulmates. Your partner says you had so many plans for things you hoped to do together, but he will always be close…

The cat’s pyjamas SHANIA TWAIN The country music superstar reminded everyone that she’s still the queen of leopard print as she arrived at the 2022 People’s Choice Awards in Los Angeles. That does impress us much! IN THE PINK MEGAN FOX “Pretty in pink” might be pushing it, but the Transformers actress sure looked eye-catching as she attended Florida’s Audacy Beach Festival, where her fiancé Machine Gun Kelly was performing. Finally official! SUKI WATERHOUSE & ROBERT PATTINSON After four years together, the model and the actor made their very first public appearance as a couple at a Dior men’s fashion show in Egypt. Sinking out loud! ED SHEERAN When the Afterglow singer agreed to shoot a music video at a beach, he probably pictured a tropical destination... Poor Ed…

Red-dy for Xmas! Her Love Don’t Cost A Thing, but we’re willing to bet Jennifer Lopez’s personalised Valentino handbag is worth a pretty penny. Looks good, though! Elf-esteem Coast radio stars Toni Street, Sam Wallace and Jason Reeves looked adorably festive as they posed for a snap outside the Shore Baptist Church in Auckland. Deer Dolly Never one to buck the trend of festive costumes, Dolly Parton slipped into a reindeer onesie to promote her holiday special. On the nice list... “No rain on this parade – just a bit of Christmas sunshine,” Black Ferns legend Ruby Tui captioned this selfie from the Santa parade in Gisborne. “Was so good to be back home.” Season’s greetings Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds looked chuffed to meet Mrs Claus. “She smelled like…

HOT OFF THE PRESS For the first time since Shane Warne’s tragic death, his ex-wife Simone Callahan has spoken out about the heart-wrenching grief she’s still experiencing nine months on. “It’s still fresh and it’s fluid,” the 52-year-old says. “It never goes away. It’s hard because it’s something I never expected would happen.” Simone also revealed that despite his numerous affairs and their well-publicised split, the pair still shared a “really good relationship”, which was important for them to maintain for their children, Brooke, 25, Jackson, 23, and Summer, 21. “I never called myself a single parent or a single mum because I had Shane there,” she adds. “He was always there for the kids. Now it’s just me and I’m the sole caretaker, so it’s a tricky one to…

For stunning Ngahuia Piripi, playing a major part in dramatic, death-defying scenes on Shortland Street while heavily pregnant is all in a day’s work. Last year, while 30 weeks pregnant with her son Niau, the actress – who has starred as surgeon Esther Samuels for the past seven years – very carefully performed stunts, watched the on-screen father of her child meet a violent end and even acted out giving birth for the gritty online series Shortland Street: Retribution. This year, at 35 weeks pregnant, Ngahuia’s character ends up in another sticky situation in Shorty’s shocking Christmas cliffhanger. “Ferndale is definitely not the place you want to be around during Christmastime!” laughs the bubbly 32-year-old. “Esther ends up in a dire situation with the people she loves most. We were…

Erin Simpson and Zac Franich have always loved the festive season, but now that they’re parents to adorable five-month-old Harrison, it’s even more magical. “I just love Christmas,” says Erin. “I’m one of those people who thinks about presents all year. I’ve already got a Harrison-themed Santa sack, decorations and a Harrison Christmas teddy bear!” Luckily, her hubby Zac, 34, is equally enthusiastic. “I’m into it from November onwards,” he admits. “I’m the person who’s happy when they hear Christmas carols in the supermarket. With Harrison on board, I’m 100% dressing up as Santa this year.” For Erin, who battled a number of medical issues trying to conceive Harrison, spending the past five months looking after him has been a dream come true. “Because I’m an older mum, I was…

Reality bites THANDO ‘I’LL FIGHT TO WIN!’ It’s been nine years since Thando Sikwila first auditioned for The Voice Australia. Back then, she was a young musician itching for a chance to show what she could do. But while Thando made it through the blind auditions, she was eliminated shortly afterwards. It was an experience that shook her. “I was 20 – I hadn’t lived a life and I hadn’t had much experience as an artist,” explains Zimbabwean-born Thando, now 29. “I put a lot of pressure on myself, and sought to validate myself and my talent by doing the show. When I was eliminated, I felt like I wasn’t good enough to pursue a career in music.” That elimination lit a fire in her belly and Thando set out…

WIN! A SHARE OF $2000 CRYPTIC CROSSWORD ACROSS 8. Nothing on vine is like a sheep (5)9. Time pea mashed into footy snack (4,3)10. One who criticises part of a front door? (7)11. You, we hear, once put on small amount of weight (5)12. Held short again from entranceway (9)14. Pirates hold a despicable person (3)15. Jim calls for workout room (3)16. I’d reversed, made an incantation, then drove off (9)19. Space agency left on the nose! (5)21. Briefs of the latest news of happy times (7)23. A menu Al designed for old students (7)24. Strikingly bright to get 6 + 6 + 500 (5) DOWN 1. Power point – hit movie alien (6)2. Girl amok crazy at heaviness (8)3. Keep up look (4)4. My robe redesigned for…

Beauty For the skincare enthusiast These types can be a little particular when it comes to their product picks, but they also love a new discovery to add to their already-extensive regime. Clinique Moisture Surge Megastars kit, $95, is perfect for all skin types, and includes an overnight sleep mask and lip-plumping treatment that will definitely come in handy over the party season. Laneige Midnight Minis Lip Set, $33, is a limited-edition wonder, featuring five minis of the K-beauty brand’s bestselling products, including two juicy new flavours. For the makeup maven Makeup lovers are all about having fun with colour, whether it’s via a luxury brand or budget-friendly buy. Create eyes that mesmerise with Clinique Give Eyes A Lift kit, $58, which includes a mini version of its award-winning All…

SALT & VINEGAR SMASHED POTATOES WITH HERBS & CAPERS SERVES 6-8 PREP 15 MINSCOOK 1 HOUR 10 MINS • 1kg baby red washed potatoes • 1 cup white vinegar • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil • 250ml crème fraîche • ¼ cup chopped mixed herbs (we used chives, parsley, mint and dill) • 2 tbsp baby capers, drained • dill, baby rocket, to serve PICKED RED ONION • ¾ cup white vinegar • 2 tbsp caster sugar • ½ tsp sea salt flakes • 1 bay leaf • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced 1 Add potatoes and vinegar to a large saucepan. Cover potatoes completely with cold water. Place over high heat and bring to boil. Reduce temperature to medium-low and simmer for 20 mins or until potatoes have…

I still see your late dog AMANDA SAYS Solomon tells me he is still living and he came to the family as a rescue cat from a shelter about seven or eight years ago. Solomon was not abused but more neglected and abandoned, left behind when the people who owned him did a runner. He then wandered for a while and he became quite sick. A very kind person picked him up and he ended up at a foster home, then a shelter, where Jacinta found him. Solomon tells me he sees a passed-over dog around that often visits from the spirit world. A lovely male dog comes through and tells me his name is Wilson. I felt enormous pain around his body at passing and he tells me it…

The LOW DOWN Aussie actress Toni Collette confirmed her 20-year marriage is over just hours after pictures emerged of her husband Dave Galafassi smooching another woman on a Sydney beach. Dave, 44, and chiropractor Shannon Egan, 41, were seen frolicking in the waves before embracing with a kiss in front of Manly locals. The Muriel’s Wedding star, 50, and her musician husband – who share daughter Sage, 14, and son, Arlo, 11 – said in a statement, “It is with grace and gratitude that we announce we are divorcing. We’re united in our decision, and part with continuing respect and care for each other.” Toni met Dave in 2002 at an album launch, before they married in a traditional Buddhist ceremony in January 2003. Three years…

HOT OFF THE PRESS Fans couldn’t believe their eyes when former Grey’s Anatomy co-stars Ellen Pompeo and Eric Dane stepped out for a sushi date together in Los Angeles! The cosy display comes amid rumours the actress may have quietly split from her husband of 15 years, Chris Ivery. “Ellen and Chris will always love each other, but word is they grew apart years ago,” a close source tells Woman’s Day, adding that the couple – who share three children, Stella, 13, Sienna, eight, and Eli, six – are “working things out privately and won’t talk about it” until custody and financial agreements are firmly in place. “Regardless of what happens, their kids will always be their top priority, so it’s no surprise they would do this behind closed doors.”…

Perched on a stool in her kitchen, Jay-Jay Feeney takes a sip of her coffee, breaks out a big smile and reflects that she finally has a lot to celebrate this Christmas. Where the pandemic once clipped her wings, this year has brought about some newfound freedoms. The popular radio host is walking unaided again after a broken ankle, has happily ditched underwire bras after recent breast-reduction surgery – farewell, F-cups! – and no longer feels the need to crop her boyfriend, Hoani Molnar, out of social media photos to keep his identity secret. It’s 8am on a Tuesday when the loved-up pair welcome Woman’s Day into her inner-city Auckland apartment. They enjoy a quick goodbye kiss and cuddle before he leaves for work managing a fashion-tailoring store. Finding themselves…

When Kate donned a stunning bright green off-the-shoulder dress for the Earthshot Prize, along with a stunning emerald choker once worn by Princess Diana, it was only a matter of time before Meghan attempted to one-up her sister-in-law. And we didn’t have to wait long! Just four days later, Meghan stepped out of her limo at the Ripple of Hope awards in New York wearing a similar frock but in white. One Twitter commentator wrote, “Anything Kate can do...!” Meghan also wore Diana’s aquamarine ring, which she famously debuted at her 2018 wedding. Sources say Kate choosing Diana’s choker would have been particularly galling to Meghan, given she was denied an emerald tiara for her wedding day by the Queen. An insider quips. “If she’d got her way, she also…

Exclusive Christmas looks a little different for Jules Robinson and Cam Merchant these days – and that’s just the way they like it! “Last year, we decorated a metre above the ground,” Jules jokes of needing to keep the Christmas tree decorations out of two-year-old son Ollie’s cheeky little hands. Decking the halls of their Sydney home is just one of the special traditions the couple have started since they fell in love on Married At First Sight Australia in 2019. “Cam created a gratitude jar when we first met and we put our gratitudes into it throughout the year, then on Christmas Eve, we open them and read them,” shares Jules, 40. “We want to continue that with all our children in the future. It’s a lovely thing to…

Health Be well with YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BEING THE BEST YOU Having a healthy gut affects more than just our digestion – it also has an impact on our overall wellbeing. Research has shown that having a diverse microbiome (particularly your gut bacteria) has benefits for many other organs and even your brain. Expert Emma Li says it’s even more critical to focus on our gut health during busier, more stressful periods – such as the holiday season. “Maintaining the balance of bacteria in your gut is essential for nutrient absorption and keeping out toxins,” tells Emma. “When this doesn’t happen, it can lead to digestive issues, weight fluctuations, poor sleep, skin conditions and make you more prone to sickness because the immune system is less effective. “As the…

Tailored treat Tailoring has never looked so good and statement pieces like these are ideal for the party season. The bold red blazer cinches in at the waist, offsetting the wide-legged trousers in a matching matte satin fabric. Accessorise with silver accessories for some festive bling. Wrapped perfection Instead of “winter white”, which tends to look a bit bridal, opt for Champagne-coloured elegance. This midi-length dress has a feminine flutter sleeve and a removable belt, so you can add your own statement piece. Pair with soft gold accessories for a subtle touch of glitz and glam. Coordinated chic Go bold in these luxurious pure silk pieces for a show-stopping festive look. The slip skirt is midi-length and has an elasticated waist for comfort, while the halter-neck top features pleated perfection.…

AORAKI PŌHUTUKAWA SALMON BLINIS WITH AVOCADO CRÈME FRAÎCHE PREP TIME 10 MINS SERVES 8 AS A STARTER • 200g Aoraki pōhutukawa hot smoked salmon, sliced • ¼ cup Aoraki salmon caviar • 24 blinis • Fresh dill, to garnish • ½ cup capers, to garnish • Lemon wedges, to serve AVOCADO CRÈME FRAÎCHE • 1 NZ Avocado, scooped • 200g Tatua crème fraîche • ½ lemon, zest and juice • 2 Tbsp dill, roughly chopped • Salt and pepper, to taste 1 Blend all avocado crème fraîche ingredients together until smooth. Season and spoon into a bowl. 2 Place blinis on a serving platter. Top each blini with a teaspoon of Avocado Crème Fraîche, a slice of salmon, fresh dill, caviar and capers. 3 Serve with lemon wedges on the…

Psychics Sagittarius 23 NOVEMBER – 22 DECEMBER Spending up a storm? In your next life, you should become a professional buyer! If you’re after gifts or accessories, hit the shops on during the week, then schedule in some downtime. A twilight stroll or movie afternoon might do the trick! STAR TIP Feeling tense? A massage or physio session might be money well spent. SOPHIE MONK We hope the singer and TV presenter, who turns 43 on 14 December, celebrates her day in style at her home on Australia’s sunny Central Coast. Capricorn DEC 23 – JAN 20 As Venus enhances your feminine charms, prepare to be buffed and polished to perfection – new clothes, cosmetics, hairstyles... the works! People may gather like bees to a honeypot, but if…

MOVIE AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER Titanic director James Cameron hopes to make box-office history one more time with the long-awaited sequel to the 2009 blockbuster Avatar. Alongside Zoe Saldaña, Kate Winslet and Sigourney Weaver, Aussie action man Sam Worthington returns as Jake Sully, a former US marine who must once again fight to save the Na’vi people of Pandora. IN CINEMAS THURSDAY BOOK THE LIGHT WE CARRY by Michelle Obama In the follow-up to her bestselling memoir, the former US First Lady shares her personal toolbox for keeping balanced in the face of stress and adversity. Filled with stories of challenges and triumphs from her life, Michelle’s advice never feels preachy – more like a kind word from a friend. OUT NOW (PENGUIN, $60) EVENT SLEIGH! If you’re in…