Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 23, 2021 i New Idea

I threw a birthday party for my daughter over the weekend. She’d invited her entire class and, unsurprisingly, they had an absolute ball. But if I’m honest, the occasion was equal parts fun and stressful. Surely, I’m not the only one who finds kids’ parties testing – particularly when you’re hosting. Even after someone else’s party, managing that post-party sugar crash is a feat in itself! But my daughter had the best day of her life, so I’d do it all again in a heartbeat. If you’ve got a party coming up, head to page 48 for some cracking cupcake recipes. Happy party planning!…

She’s the runaway hero of the series, becoming a fan favourite thanks to her fabulous fashion sense, but New Idea’s on-set spies have revealed that Alan Sugar’s EA, Miss MoneyPenny, is indeed a fake! The insider says that not only is the breakout star not the Lord’s executive assistant – she’s a hired model. The source explains that Celebrity Apprentice is, in fact, her first foray into the television industry and, apart from her exciting new gig, she still has a day job outside of the boardroom.…

Recently, it’s been revealed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are testing out a plethora of alternative ways to heal the psychological trauma they allegedly experienced at the hands of the royal family. Happily settled into their new lives in California, which is considered by many to be the therapy capital of the world, the couple have plenty of science-based and alternative health avenues at their fingertips. Prince Harry, 36, has undergone EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing) treatment, which is used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. Meanwhile, last week it was reported his pregnant wife has been using reiki touch techniques on herself and their 2-year-old son, Archie. Now, New Idea can reveal the couple were considering a silent birth for the imminent arrival of their baby girl. “Meghan…

Harry’s determined to tell the world what he and Meghan describe as “their truth”. But royal pundits are questioning if he’s shared a few porky pies, especially after some of the more lurid claims he made in the Apple TV+ series, The Me You Can’t See, quickly become unstuck. Firstly, Harry insisted his son Archie’s first words were “Grandma Diana”, apparently due to there being a photo of the late Princess of Wales in his nursery. However, Harry had previously insisted on James Corden’s TV show that Archie’s first utterance was “Crocodile – three syllables”. Harry also complained that he was the family’s ‘yes man’ when it came to royal tours, and suffered from burnout from too much travel. He referred to a four-day visit to Nepal in March 2016…

Someone’s been hitting the gym! Prince William set hearts racing when he revealed he’d had his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine – but not for the reason you might think. Sharing a photo to Instagram, the Duke of Cambridge posed with his jumper rolled up, and fans quickly gushed over his bulging bicep. “Check out the surprise guns,” one user wrote in the comments section. Another user cheekily said: “No wonder the Duchess of Cambridge looks always so happy,” alongside the bicep and googly eyes emojis.…

The divide between the veteran actors and Summer Bay’s starlets could be about to widen, with rumours ramping up about the return of Home and Away’s legacy stars Kate Ritchie and Bec Hewitt. This year, both the actresses have dropped hints about making a comeback, and while fans will no doubt be elated if they do, New Idea’s on-set source says it wouldn’t go down so well with the young stars. “As deals and opportunities dry up for the young guns, the last thing they need is two big names returning to steal the spotlight from their characters,” tells a source, who says reintroducing characters like Sally Fletcher (Kate) and Hayley Smith (Bec) would “eradicate” a lot of the screen time for the smaller characters. Rob McKnight, who hosts the…

2005 BEA’S KILLER EX! Before marrying her Prince Charming, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Princess Beatrice was unlucky in love. In fact, her first serious beau turned out to be a convicted criminal. Paolo Liuzzo dated Bea for about 10 months between 2005-2006 while he was on probation for a drunken assault that killed a young man in Massachusetts. During the relationship, Paolo flouted the conditions of his probation to join Bea and her parents on a Swiss holiday. As a result, his probation was extended and his relationship with Bea ended abruptly. In 2009, three years after the split, Paolo was charged with a string of offences, including possessing cocaine and fraud, while in Australia. He was was arrested by Gold Coast police after he crashed his car into traffic lights.…

Clowning Around Cupcakes Makes 24, Prep and Cook 2 hours, 10 mins 2 x 410g pkts vanilla cupcake mix Hundreds and thousands, to decorate HATS 2 x 330g pkts royal icing Orange food colouring gel 24 original ice-cream cones 72 Mini Jazzies and 24 Jaffas, to decorate FROSTING 400g unsalted butter, chopped, at room temperature 4½ cups icing sugar mixture 1 tblsp milk Yellow liquid food colouring 1 To make hats, place both packets of icing in a small bowl of an electric mixer. Add ²/ ³ cup water. Beat on low speed until smooth and thick. Tint orange. Transfer to a medium jug. 2 Holding the wide top of each cone, dip into icing to cover completely. Allow excess to drip away for 2 minutes. Stand on two large…

If maintaining a large home sounds too hard, living independently in your own villa or apartment in a friendly and supportive community might be worth considering. Residents benefit from less household chores, less maintenance, and the increased time to enjoy living life and following their passions. A retirement village may not be for everyone, but according to Uniting Independent Living (uniting. org/villages), those who choose to make the move do agree that they should have done it sooner. Their advice? The best way to decide if a move to a village is right for you is to book a tour and chat to some of the residents about their experiences.…

Getting a pet is an exciting and momentous occasion in your life. But bringing them home can come with many extra costs, so consider the financial impact they may have before diving in. START-UP COSTS “As they say, pets are for life, not just two weeks of holidays, so you need to plan to look after them for approximately 15 years,” says financial adviser Helen Baker. Helen notes that the expenses of owning a pet are varied, from the initial outset of acquiring a particular breed, to the set-up costs, through to their food and treats and finally, their ongoing veterinary care. IS INSURANCE WORTH IT? Unsurprisingly, the first year of pet ownership is the most expensive, with the RSPCA estimating the cost of getting a dog to be somewhere…

BOOK GREAT CIRCLE BY MAGGIE SHIPSTEAD Troubled Hollywood starlet Hadley Baxter finds herself intrinsically drawn to playing vanished pilot Marian Graves. It’s a role that will lead her to investigate Marian’s life. Spanning decades, the novel beautifully tells the story of two bold women. OUT NOW TV THE UNUSUAL SUSPECTS After a $16 million necklace is stolen from businesswoman Roxanne Waters’ home, a police investigation ensues. But as the stakes get higher, the masterminds behind the heist must try not to turn on one another. Co-stars beloved Aussie actress Miranda Otto. THU. 8.30PM ON SBS STREAM SWEET TOOTH This quirky Netflix drama tells the story of a young boy, Gus (Christian Convery), who is half-human and half-deer as he navigates a post-apocalyptic world and unexpectedly befriends a wandering loner. The…

Cher is planning to turn back time on her amazing life and career in a new biopic for Universal Pictures. On the eve of her 75th birthday earlier this month the iconic singer confirmed the news on Twitter, writing: “OK, Universal is doing a biopic.” Cher revealed that her “dear, dear friend” Eric Roth, who is known for Forrest Gump, will pen the film. She will serve as a producer alongside Mamma Mia!’s Judy Craymer and Gary Goetzman. “[Cher’s] unparalleled success in music, film and TV has inspired generations. We could not be happier to tell her story to cinema audiences,” Judy said in a statement. During her six-decade-long career, Cher has dominated the industry, having sold more than 100 million records as well as winning an Oscar for her…

She tragically lost her husband, John Kennerley, in 2019 and now Kerri-Anne Kennerley has been left heartbroken all over again after her much-loved mother, Grace, died last week, aged 99. In a sweet tribute, Kerri-Anne confirmed the sad news on Instagram, sharing a video of her mother dancing to Meghan Trainor’s ‘All About That Bass’. “This morning we lost our beautiful dancing queen, always elegant and graceful. She is now up there dancing with dad and John. We will always love you, Mum,” she touchingly penned. The post was flooded with condolences from Kerri-Anne’s showbiz friends including Patti Newton, model Megan Gale and presenter Kylie Gillies. Last year the media personality praised her “fun” mother in a tribute for Mother’s Day, giving an insight into their close bond. “You might…

This month, a court-ordered sheriff raided the home of fake wellness guru, Belle Gibson, over her continued refusal to pay a fine of more than $500,000. Belle breached consumer laws and misled the public by claiming she cured her own brain cancer. She detailed her ‘cancer-curing’ methods in the cookbook and app The Whole Pantry. Belle claimed to be donating her profits to charities, but investigations revealed of the $440,500 she made, just $10,000 actually went to charity. She was slapped with a $410,000 fine, which has since accrued interest. Despite claiming she’s broke, records show she spent thousands on trips to Bali, clothes and cosmetics. Her house was first raided in January 2020.…

Following a long and emotionally taxing custody battle, Brad Pitt has finally been granted joint custody of his children with Angelina Jolie, after a judge made a tentative ruling in the actor’s favour. “He’s so relieved,” sources tell. “His only intention is to spend more time with the kids.” The couple’s headline-making divorce has seen Brad, 57, fighting for nearly five years for equal rights to their five youngest children. Judge John Ouderkirk, the private judge hired by the two stars to oversee the case, made his thoughts clear in a lengthy ruling last week, after hearing from multiple testimonies. “Brad was just trying to have more time with his kids, it has been clear that Ange has done everything possible to prevent this,” another source revealed after the decision…

Princess Diana’s personal biographer, Andrew Morton, has spoken out in the wake of the BBC investigation into the revelatory Martin Bashir interview. Morton, the author of Diana, Her True Story, tells New Idea he agrees the disgraced journalist was out of line when he “scared Diana half to death” and “deceived her” by showing her falsified documents and bank statements during the infamous 1995 Panorama interview. Despite the deception, Morton believes Diana was still an active and willing participant in the bombshell interview. “Ironically, she wanted to speak out – first of all talking to me for the biography, and later with Bashir,” Morton says. Meanwhile, the  respected royal author believes the root of the current feud between Diana’s sons, Princes William and Harry, stems back to her death in…

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge enjoyed a fun-filled tour of Scotland last week, which saw them return to the place where their love story began. Kate and William, who are officially known as the Earl and Countess of Strathearn in Scotland, appeared more loved-up than ever as they carried out a number of engagements that saw them attend a drive-in screening of Disney’s Cruella, try their hand at land yachting and chat to the local children. But the sweetest moment of the trip came when the couple made a nostalgic visit to the University of St Andrews, where they first met as students 20 years ago.…

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s departure from the royal family has played out in front of our eyes. But now, the tale is set to get a dramatic retelling in Lifetime’s new film, Harry & Meghan: Escaping The Palace. Last week, fans were treated to the first glimpse of the film when Lifetime shared an image of two actors – Sydney Morton, who will play Meghan, and Jordan Dean, who will star as Harry – dressed identical to Harry and Meghan at the Commonwealth Day Service 2020. This was their final engagement as senior royal family members.…

Under a cloud of controversy, The Weakest Link made its return last week with comedy legend Magda Szubanski as host – a role originally filled by the late actress, Cornelia Frances. Cornelia famously hosted the show from 2001 to 2002. Now, her son, Lawrence Eastland, tells New Idea that the new iteration was always destined for trouble. “The minute I heard the show was coming back, I thought, ‘Good luck with that,’” says Lawrence. “It will never be the same. I knew whoever was going to take mum’s place would have big stilettos to fill.” And while that person is the hilarious Magda, Lawrence isn’t the only one surprised by her appointment. Top industry experts condemned the casting decision earlier this year. “I don’t think the same effect is there,”…

Apricot Harissa Lamb Serves 4, Prep and Cook 35 mins 1 tblsp olive oil 750g diced lamb 1½ tblsps harissa Middle Eastern blend 2 tblsps tomato paste 1½ cups chicken stock ¾ cup apricot nectar 350g finger eggplants, trimmed, cut diagonally into 1cm slices 120g baby spinach leaves Tzatziki and toasted Turkish bread, to serve 1 Heat oil in a stockpot over a high heat. Add lamb in two batches. Cook, stirring, for about 3 minutes, or until browned. 2 Return all lamb to pot with spice blend and paste. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in stock and nectar. Bring to boil. Cover with lid. Gently boil for 15 minutes. 3 Add eggplant. Gently boil, covered, for a further 5 minutes, or until tender, being careful not to overcook…

Nutella Cream Doughnut Trifles Serves 6, Prep 15 mins 1½ cups thickened cream 1 tsp vanilla extract ½ cup Nutella 6 mini choc hazelnut doughnuts, quartered 250g punnet fresh strawberries, quartered Chopped toasted hazelnuts, to decorate 1 Beat cream and vanilla in a small bowl of an electric mixer until soft peaks form. 2 Whisk Nutella in a large bowl until smooth. In two batches, fold in whipped cream until just combined. 3 Divide doughnuts among six serving glasses (300ml capacity). Top evenly with strawberries. Spoon over Nutella cream. Refrigerate, covered, for 2 hours. 4 Serve trifles decorated with chopped hazelnuts. “Whether it’s doughnuts, pizza, pastry, pasta, focaccia or anything else, making delicious dough is simple and easy with Thermomix. Our Dough Mode makes kneading seamless and hands-free, so you…

“Smells divine and sits so well under my tinted moisturiser, and handy for a quick freshen up on the go.” Andalou Sensitive 1000 Roses Floral Toner, $19.99, priceline.com.au “This is the perfect toning colour for my hair.” Kevin.Murphy Blonde. Angel Colour Enhancing Treatment For Blonde Hair, $43.95, adorebeauty.com.au “This is an absolute essential for me. It helps target my skin pigmentation and peels away dead surface skin cells to reveal the ultimate skin upgrade.” Andalou Naturals Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask, $24.99, priceline.com.au ‘My handbag must-have!’ Ultra Violette Sheer Screen Hydrating Lip Balm in Rose, $25, ultraviolette.com.au…

If you’ve ever noticed your clothes are a bit tighter at the end of winter, you’re not alone. In fact, studies show it’s common to gain two to three kilos during the cooler months. But with a little bit of know-how, you can avoid those creeping kilos. Here, celeb trainer Michelle Bridges from 12WBT shares her top 10 hacks! 1 FIND A FUN GYM CLASS It’s warm, indoors, and full of people to keep you motivated. Organise to join a class with a friend so that you are kept accountable for showing up – no excuses! 2 TRY HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES TO YOUR FAVOURITE TAKEAWAY MEALS Getting into the kitchen for a big healthy cook-up during winter is a great way to spend those cold nights in. We have a great…

TAURUS APR 21 – MAY 21 Slow down, Taurus! Money-related matters might require a rethink over the next few weeks. As new info comes to light, your feelings and strategies will almost certainly change. In the meantime, your busy social life should keep you occupied: brunches, dinners, drinks ... what a whirl, and what a lovely antidote for all the stress that’s around. Enjoy some downtime. LUCKY CRYSTAL: GOLDEN CITRINE GEMINI MAY 22 – JUN 21 Everyone will have an opinion this week, making decisions harder than ever. If obstacles are popping up, don’t push: a situation may require more thought and research. As luck would have it, this weekend’s extroverted stars should shake off a few worries. Lovebirds might bust through an important barrier, while couples might feel the…

COLD CUSTOMER When my daughter was 5 she had a pet duck. One day she asked, “Mum, can I have a rabbit?” I replied “No, you already have a duck!” Her next question: “How long do ducks live for?” JACKY COLLINS, ALSTONVILLE, NSW. ROYAL NAMESAKES Thanks for your wonderful article on the Duchess of Cambridge’s new baby bump and predicting that it will be another girl. I too think that it will be a girl, making it the perfect family with two girls and two boys. I think she will name the baby Alice Caroline Marina – Alice after [Prince Philip’s mother] Princess Alice, Caroline after Princess Caroline of England and her own mother Carole, and Marina after [Prince Philip’s cousin] Princess Marina. Such beautiful, regal names! ANGELA MORRISSEY, EAGLEHAWK,…

Ex-journalist and first-time author, Casey Beros claims “life is too short to walk around feeling crappy about yourself”. That’s why she penned self-help book The ‘Bad’ Girl’s Guide to Better. Here she chats to New Idea about everything writing… Inspiration for my book came from… When I was younger, I felt like the people I looked up to weren’t really transparent with their mistakes, which is a shame because there is such camaraderie in brutal honesty. Life is beautiful and incredible, but it can also be tough and lonely and kind of relentless – and we could all do with someone to hold our hand through it, so I made a bestie in a book. When I have writer’s block I… Procrastinate, write my shopping list, fold the laundry ……

Jake Gyllenhaal has been dating his French girlfriend, Jeanne Cadieu, since 2018, and it appears that the actor is getting clucky. While promoting his new film, Spirit Untamed, alongside Julianne Moore, Jake hinted to Access Hollywood that he is ready to become a dad. When asked if she could see Jake as a father, Julianne said, “Oh my God, I think he’d be the perfect dad, period!” She then teased Jake by asking him, “What’s the hold up, Jake? Come on, man!” Jake quipped back, “Truly, I don’t know … I think that it’s getting to be time.”…

He has a number of blockbuster films under his belt, but now it appears that Chris Hemsworth might be adding a new gig to his résumé – the mayor of Byron Bay! Last week, the Hollywood hunk backed opposition to a proposed tourism development on sacred Indigenous sites in Byron Bay. “I fully support traditional custodians’ right to preserve and protect their homelands,” he said in a video uploaded to Instagram. The move has set tongues wagging that the Thor star could be gearing up for a role in politics in the future.…

Three weeks after having his leg amputated in life-saving surgery, Bert Newton is doing well and staying positive. Taking to Instagram, his doting wife Patti Newton shared a touching image of the iconic TV personality, 82, sitting in a wheelchair beside his hospital bed. Bert appears to be in good spirits, smiling from ear to ear as he posed with one of his six grandchildren, Lola, 7, by his side. “I wanted to show you Bert’s doing OK, still flirting with the nurses and having a laugh,” Patti gushed. “Spending time with his darling Lola. And taking a day at a time. A long journey, but he’s blessed with so much love.” Bert underwent the intensive surgery to amputate his leg earlier this month, following complications with a toe infection.…

Over the past few weeks, sharpshooting CEO Lord Alan Sugar has been very critical, often sceptical, of this year’s stars, who are currently fighting it out for the top spot on Celebrity Apprentice. But despite his success as a business magnate and his impressive peerage title, it seems the Lord is no stranger to scandal. In 2018, Alan came under fire after he posted a tweet about the Senegal World Cup squad, where he compared the players to people selling sunglasses and handbags on beaches. The tweet featured a photoshopped picture of the team looking as though they were selling counterfeit goods. “I recognise some of these guys from the beach in Marbella. Multitasking, resourceful chaps,” he sneered. Many fans felt the tweet was racist and Alan managed to dig…

Although Jennifer Aniston’s marriage to Brad Pitt might have come to an end more than 15 years ago, she has nothing but love for her ex. The actress sat down with Friends co-stars  Courteney Cox and Lisa Kudrow to deliberate over some of the famous faces who guest-starred in the sitcom over the years. “Mr Pitt was wonderful. [He was] fantastic!” gushed the 52-year-old, as Courteney and Lisa agreed with the star. Brad famously appeared in Season 8 of Friends in 2002, starring as Ross’ friend, Will (left), who had been holding a grudge against Rachel, played by Jen – his wife at the time.…

Sarah Ferguson is standing firmly by her former mother-in-law, the Queen’s, side as the family rift between the royals and the Sussexes grows even wider. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent claims about their perceived ill-treatment has rocked the royals – in particular Her Majesty. Adding insult to injury, the monarch is still mourning the passing of her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip. Royal author Phil Dampier confirms to New Idea that the royal family have rallied around the Queen, 95, with Fergie and her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, unexpectedly emerging as key supporters. “Andrew has always been the Queen’s favourite son. Despite his fall from grace, he is the one supporting her privately,” Dampier confirms. “He and Fergie are frequent visitors to Windsor Castle and Sarah often walks her…

In a royal first, Sophie, Countess of Wessex has spoken out about her personal experience with menopause. In her new role as patron of Wellbeing of Women, the 56-year-old took part in a video discussion where she urged women to see menopause in a happier light. Sharing her own symptoms, the mother of two revealed it had affected her brain in a big way. “You suddenly can’t remember what on earth it was you were talking about. Try being on an engagement when that happens,” Sophie joked. “Your words just go. And you’re standing there going, ‘Hang on, I thought I was a reasonably intelligent person. What has just happened to me?’ “It’s like someone has just gone and taken your brain out for however long before they pop it…

While Ben and J.Lo are moving full steam ahead, their reconciliation comes with a few ground rules the actor needs to follow – namely “no strip clubs and no partying in general”, spills a source. Back in July 2003, exotic dancer Tammy Morris claimed Ben cheated on J.Lo with her. While Ben denied the claims, he and J.Lo called off their $2 million wedding just a few months later. “Jennifer was mortified,” a source reveals. “She isn’t taking any chances this time around. Ben knows he’s behaved badly in the past, but insists he’s changed. He completely understands Jennifer’s reservations and has agreed to her rules. Ben is just happy that J.Lo took him back. He’ll do anything to keep her happy this time.”…

Long before she arrived in Wandin Valley, A Country Practice’s Lorrae Desmond was one of Australia’s most unstoppable and adored stars. Born in NSW’s Southern Highlands, Lorrae first found TV fame in the UK after launching herself as a singing cigarette girl at just 15. She then became a prominent figure in theatre, cabaret and radio. In the early ’60s Lorrae returned to Australia, where her career catapulted thanks to her self-titled musical variety series, The Lorrae Desmond Show – which saw her make history as the first female to win the TV Week Gold Logie in 1962. Sadly, the actress and TV icon passed away at 91 on May 23. As her former ACP co-star, Michelle Pettigrove exclusively tells New Idea, Lorrae leaves behind a legacy that can only…

Karen and Deon Derrico always wanted a big family, but never in their wildest dreams did they imagine how large their brood would grow. The couple have a knack for making multiples, meaning Karen has only been pregnant six times – but has 11 children, with three more on the way! Her eldest two, Darian, 14, and Derrick, 9, were both born individually. They were followed by twins Dallas and Denver, 8, then quintuplets Deniko, Dariz, Deonee, Daician and Daiten, 6, then twins Diez and Dior, 2. Now, the big family, from Las Vegas, are sharing their life in a new television series, Doubling Down with the Derricos, which follows Karen’s latest pregnancy with triplets. “Our highlight was showing the authentic love we have for one another and our ability…

When a newly caught 4.4-metre tiger shark made its home at Sydney’s Coogee Aquarium in 1935, crowds flocked to see it. But visitors got more than they bargained for when the shark spat up a human arm! As the screams filled the air, the limb was fished out of the water. Initially thought to be the result of a shark attack, a medical examination revealed the arm had been severed by a knife. On the arm was a prominent tattoo of two boxers, with a rope attached to the wrist. The intact fingers offered fingerprints for the police to track down who the arm belonged to. The arm’s owner was identified as Jimmy Smith, a small-time criminal who had been dealing with big-time players. The case became known as the…

Warm Apple Custard Cheesecake Serve 8, Prep and Cook 1 hour, 30 mins 250g pkt Butternut Snap Cookie 60g unsalted butter, melted 2 tblsps slivered almonds, toasted Whipped cream, to serve FILLING 2 x 250g blocks cream cheese, chopped, at room temperature 1 cup caster sugar 2 tsps vanilla extract 3 eggs 300ml tub thickened cream ¼ cup custard powder TOPPING 25g unsalted butter 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, cut into 2cm wedges 2 tblsps brown sugar ½ tsp ground cinnamon 1 Invert base of a 23cm round springform pan (base measures 22cm). Grease and line base and side with baking paper. 2 Reserve 4 cookies. Process remaining cookies in a food processor until finely crushed. Add melted butter. Process until combined. Press over base of prepared pan. Refrigerate.…

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Too often, Australians approach their retirement years with dread. They fear they won’t have enough money to live on and, worse still, that somehow they’ll run out of money when they need it most. Although, you can have the retirement of your dreams and live a happy, wonderful life, thanks to tips from author and financial adviser, Patricia Howard. DON’T GROW OLD AND GREY BEFORE YOUR TIME Don’t live your retirement the way your parents did or according to some outdated rule book. Most importantly, don’t skimp on the here and now so you can leave a nest egg for your children. Retirement is your big opportunity. Make the most of every single day. YOUR ‘HALF A MILLION’ RETIREMENT NEST EGG Every Australian is eligible for the age pension. While…

Forget slamming your shed door shut and ignoring the mess. Design guru Belle Saf ’s stylish tips will have you excited to do work around the house again. MAKE A PLAN You need to consider your space and what purpose your shed renovation will serve. To make the process as easy as possible, make a plan before you start so you know exactly what you’ll need, and that what you have in mind is practical. It’s important to consider things like if you need bench space or if your shed will be purely for storage. MEASURE UP A good first place to start is measuring the area to make sure you are purchasing and installing the correct items, then working out where and how things will be placed. It makes…

Thanks to increasingly busy days and pressure to make decisions on the fly, the idea of trusting your intuition – going with your gut instinct – has fallen by the wayside. But Sheila Vijeyarasa, transformational coach and author of Brave, says it’s not too late to listen to our heart and our stomach – where we hold much of our emotions – when making smart life choices. All it takes are a few daily habits to reawaken the instincts that lie within… MORE MEDITATION When to comes to problem solving, we have been programmed to analyse and act quickly. Rather than letting your brain do all the work, Sheila explains that taking time to clear your mind can let your intuition have an important say. “When we stop thinking and…

READER Q&A Q Can you see a new dog coming into my life? I’m not sure if it’s the right timing, as I may be moving into a retirement villa in the next few years. MARY, TOOWOOMBA, QLD. A Dogs are the best, aren’t they! Have you considered adopting an older dog? I can see a burst of love in your chart in late July (Venus and Jupiter form a beautiful link), so that could signal the arrival of a furry friend. Don’t let age put you off – you’ve got so much love to give. QI long for a child to share with my partner. We have bought a house and this is the next step for us. Do you see it happening with my stars? KRYSTAL, PERTH, WA.…

She first showed off her singing chops in the hit film, The Sapphires, but music has always played a big part in Miranda Tapsell’s life. As a child, her parents filled the house with music – and this is something Miranda has brought into her own marriage with James Colley. “My dad played lots of music when he was cleaning the house,” the actress and author tells New Idea. “Whenever he was mopping, sweeping and vacuuming, he would always play music. Immediately, the monotonous and mundane job of cleaning, brought joy into the house. “So now when my husband James and myself are cleaning the house, we always have music on.” One song that Miranda, 33, and James love to sing together is ‘Islands in the Stream’ by Dolly Parton…

She’s one of the fiercest and most fabulous contestants in the Big Brother house, and at 66 years old, Sarah Jane ‘SJ’ Adams is also the oldest housemate. But SJ doesn’t think of age as an obstacle in the game. In fact, the jewellery dealer says it’s quite the opposite. “My age is far from a hindrance – it is my superpower,” she says. “My focus is using this awareness to strategise how to get further in this game. I am completely aware that I can only truly put trust in myself.” However, last week, the mum-of-two had her fellow contestants concerned after she had to be lifted down from the rope challenge by a safety officer to avoid hurting herself when she fell. “My body was so tightly locked…

Demi Moore has no time for red carpets and romance right now, thanks to her growing posse of pooches – which is now up to nine dogs! “Demi’s love of dogs is getting a little out of hand and it’s a full-time job looking after them,” a close pal tells New Idea. “They’re great dogs, but they bark a hell of a lot and are hard to house-train one at a time, let alone with this many.” The actress took to social media recently to unveil her troop of pooches, and insiders insist the pack are keeping the actress’ hands seriously tied. “She makes jokes about picking up dog poop all day long, but that’s just the start of it,” says the source, adding, “While she’s happy to be helping…

HELEN MIRREN The 75-year-old star has been on the silver-hair bandwagon for several years now and is loving it. “I did it because I’m lazy,” she explained. “I don’t want to sit in a salon for hours. I just can’t be bothered with that.” JANE FONDA The actress is “so happy” she embraced the grey at 83. “So much money spent, so many chemicals – I’m through with that.” ANDIE MACDOWELL Andie, 63, decided to go natural in lockdown – and hasn’t looked back! “I wasn’t colouring my hair ... and you could see my roots, and my daughters kept telling me that I looked badass. And that idea that I could look badass really appealed to me.” ALLISON JANNEY “I cannot tell you how amazing it is to feel…