Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 37, 2021 i New Idea

I can never get enough royal news – and I’m definitely not the only one! That’s why we’ve given our sister publication, New Idea Royals magazine, an exciting update this month – with the magazine now bigger and better than ever! As Australia’s only magazine dedicated to all things royal, the new-look magazine features loads of exclusive interviews and captivating features. Visually, we’ve changed things up with a bolder-size format, dazzling designs and rich, striking images. Check it out by grabbing your copy of New Idea Royals on stands right now. Happy reading, royal fans!…

This month will mark 14 years since the world lost Patrick Swayze at just 57, but sadly, his loved ones are still at odds over his fortune. In his will, Patrick left his wife of 34 years, Lisa Niemi, his $55 million estate, but sources say the Dirty Dancing actor’s family is still bitter about not getting a cut! “Some of them feel off about it, especially after being there towards the end of his life,” tells a source, who notes that Patrick’s family has remained wary over the fact his will changed just seven weeks prior to his untimely death. “They’ve never received a straight answer about it – it’s a sore spot,” the source adds.…

Tom Cruise may be known on-screen as an action hero, but in real life it seems the bad guys have gotten one-up on him. According to reports, the megastar was robbed of thousands of dollars worth of luggage and belongings when his bodyguard’s car was stolen in Birmingham, England. The BMW X7 vehicle was parked outside the Grand Hotel, where Tom is currently staying while filming Mission: Impossible 7. Police found the car a short time later, about 4.8km away. However, at press time Tom’s belongings hadn’t yet been recovered. The robbery is the latest snag Tom, 59, has hit while filming M:I7, with production already experiencing pandemic delays and shutdowns.…

Any TV executive will tell you that the secret to breakfast television is stability. But unfortunately for Sunrise, dark clouds are rolling in to shake things up! New Idea’s Channel 7 insiders, who have agreed to speak under the promise of anonymity, reveal that long-serving co-host, David Koch, has high hopes to vacate his Sunrise chair by Christmas! While it’s not certain whether Kochie – who joined the breakfast show in 2002 – will step down permanently, the insider claims the 65-year-old recently broached to network management about taking a hiatus next year. Add reporter Edwina Bartholomew’s upcoming maternity leave into the mix and as our source puts it, “a storm is coming to Sunrise”. Kochie has been honest about the pressures of his high-flying gig in the past, but…

When Prince Harry decided to attend a charity polo match in Colorado last month, his wife, Meghan Markle, was all too happy to remain in their Montecito mansion with their two children, Archie and Lilibet. But after the Aspen Polo Club released a picture of Harry and his victorious team to Instagram, sources say the Duchess of Sussex “ended up rather regretting her decision to stay home”. Indeed, Meghan, 40, was reportedly “unimpressed” that Harry, 36, was pictured arm in arm with Riley Ganzi, a hotshot 24-year-old polo player who, along with her brother Grant, played with the Duke of Sussex in the tournament on August 19. “Meghan’s mind went into overdrive as soon as she noticed Riley, who is talented, gorgeous and a lot of fun,” says a source.…

Live on Sunrise earlier this month, Edwina Bartholomew excitedly revealed she’s expecting her second child with husband, Neil Varcoe. But the joyous news hasn’t stopped there for Eddie! The TV presenter had another baby announcement to make last week when she took to Instagram to share an update with her fans. “It’s twins!” Eddie captioned a photo on her Instagram Story – sending her followers into a frenzy! While fans were left with high emotions by the revelation, Eddie quickly confirmed it was in fact her gorgeous Highland cow, Shirley Manson, that she was referring to. The 38-year-old explained that her pregnant cow had given birth to twins at her and Neil’s Blue Mountains farmhouse, Warramba. “Look what happened over breakfast. We welcomed furry little William Wallace to the @warramba…

Don’t go breaking my heart – is exactly what Elton John could soon be telling his husband, David Furnish, if they can’t get over their latest relationship hump. Looking tense as they boarded a yacht in Nice, France on August 23, sources say the couple’s 28-year partnership is steering off course, due to Elton not wanting to be left alone while David embarks on exciting new career ventures. In July, it was revealed that David, 58, is teaming up with Meghan Markle to produce Pearl, an animated family series for Netflix. “I am delighted that we are finally able to announce this exciting animated series,” a clearly chuffed David said. Having studied filmmaking as well as business, David apparently has a real talent for producing. However, his work will see…

Around 100 babies were born after their fathers died during the terrorist attack. People magazine has followed their journey in the wake of the tragedy for the past two decades. “They are the joy, the salve, the ointment,” said Jenna Jacobs, whose son, Gabriel, was born 11 days after the death of his father, Ariel. LAUREN McINTYRE Lauren was born three months after dad, Donald, a police officer, died running into the South Tower. She’s comforted by her dad’s bravery. RONALD MILAM JR Ronald Jr’s father was killed in the Pentagon attack. “I feel like my dad is watching me,” he says. “Every move I make, he’s here.” ALLISON LEE Allison’s father, Dan, was on Flight 11, which crashed into the North Tower. “On September 11, we celebrate my dad’s…

The slaughter at Hope Forest in South Australia in 1971 earned the dubious title as the worst family mass murder in modern Australia. On September 6, which was Father’s Day, Clifford Bartholomew carried out a rampage across the family farm. Ten members of the family were murdered, including eight children. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the horrific murders. But re-examination of the case reveals two twists, which resulted in a new generation of shattered lives in the wake of the killings. Not only does a dark mystery remain over why Bartholomew ended up serving less than a decade behind bars, but a secret the killer hid for decades resulted in another family also being traumatised by the carnage he caused. The harrowing tale began at a Father’s Day…

Roasted Almond and Honey Fudge Tart Serves 8 to 10, Prep and Cook 45 mins 250g pkt Butternut Snap Cookie 1 tsp ground cinnamon 75g unsalted butter, melted 300ml tub thickened cream 50g Violet Crumble bar, chopped FILLING ½ cup honey 100g unsalted butter, chopped ²/ ³ cup thickened cream 1 tsp vanilla bean paste ²/ ³ cup roasted almonds (100g), chopped 1 Lightly grease a 24cm round x 3cm deep, fluted loose-base flan tin (23cm base). 2 Place biscuits and cinnamon in a food processor. Process until finely crushed. Add butter. Process until combined. Press evenly over base and up side of prepared tin. Refrigerate. 3 To make filling, place honey, butter, cream and vanilla in a medium saucepan. Stir over a low heat until butter is melted. Boil,…

Throughout your life, welcoming a fringe is basically a rite of passage. Whether the almighty chop takes place because of a rash decision as a teenager or during the depths of a seemingly endless lockdown, there’s one thing we know for sure – fringes are pretty fun! Perfect for those looking to refresh their ’do, curtain fringes are a low-maintenance way to spice up a look and add depth and dimension to your face. Before you reach for the scissors, try to avoid an at-home DIY and leave it in the hands of a seasoned stylist. Speaking of professionals, Amanda Tua – founder and creative director at Amanda Tua Hair – gives the style a thumbs up and walks us through how to style a curtain fringe, the maintenance required…

When we make time to be creative, we allow more happiness and a sense of peace in our lives. According to author Karyn Sepulveda, one of our greatest gifts of being human is our creativity. “Everyone is creative, but in our fast-paced world, it is often pushed aside and forgotten. This lack of creativity in our lives can leave us feeling a sense of dissatisfaction or restlessness,” says Karen, who has an online course called Awaken Your Creativity. “You don’t have to be ‘good’ at anything in particular to be a creative person, creativity is not about an end product – it is about the act. “That is where the magic exists,” she adds. “When we make time to be creative, simply for the sake of enjoyment, we are prioritising…

FIRST-NAME BASIS My 8-year-old daughter, Jasmine, recently became suspicious of the tooth fairy after she overheard that the magical fairy isn’t real. My quick-thinking husband decided to handwrite a letter, and popped it under the pillow the next time a tooth fell out. It worked! Jasmine came running into my room with a smile, saying: “It must be real because the fairy knows my name!” MICHELLE WURFEL, HILLCREST, SA. A Kodak moment with little Archie Bear! SAMMY RAWLINGS, VIA EMAIL. MERE MALE My MM friend, Greg, found the foolproof solution to never forgetting his wife’s birthday and wedding anniversary. He opened an account with a local florist and provided them with both dates, as well as instructions to send a bunch of flowers with a card signed, “Your loving husband,…

Australian sailor, Jessica Watson, announced the sudden death of her long-time partner, Cameron Dale, in an emotional Instagram post last week. Jess, who sailed into the hearts of Australians after her 2010 solo circumnavigation of the world at just 16 years old, revealed Cameron had passed after suffering a catastrophic and ultimately fatal stroke six weeks prior. “Cam and I have been inseparable since 2011, our shared world centred on messing about on boats,” Jess, 28, said in the moving post. “Describing what Cam means to me is impossible – everyone who knows us understands how much we simply loved each other,” she continued. Even with all of her amazing career achievements, including receiving the Medal of the Order of Australia, Jess added that being “Cam’s ‘Jess’ is the role…

Just weeks after ruffling feathers for filming new anthology series, Roar, in Sydney amid COVID-19 restrictions, Nicole Kidman is currently facing a new wave of criticism for travelling to Hong Kong to film drama series, Expats. The Aussie actress, who has barely made a single misstep in her career, is now making headlines for all the wrong reasons over her involvement in the series. Initially, eyebrows were raised over the fact Nicole, 54, was granted a rare quarantine exemption to enter Hong Kong during the global pandemic. Now, critics are questioning whether it was an astute decision, given the recent political unrest in Hong Kong and neighbouring China. Although Nicole has always kept her personal political beliefs private, reports have indicated there are concerns her involvement in this series may…

Sarah ‘Fergie’ Ferguson has been the toast of the town in recent weeks, following the release of her new bestselling novel, Her Heart for a Compass. And, last week the Duchess of York was relishing her place in the spotlight as she attended the British LGBT Awards in London. Fergie was all smiles as she rubbed shoulders with RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner, Lawrence Chaney, and chatted to other guests. The former royal, 61, looked quite chic in her navy dress, which she accessorised with a military-inspired jacket and heels. However, she joked to a reporter that: “I look rather dull in comparison [to Lawrence].” Meanwhile, the outing comes after Fergie recently joined her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, and the Queen on vacation at the royal family’s Balmoral Estate in Scotland.…

On-screen, the celebrity coaches appear to be gelling perfectly as they compete to secure the top spot with their best singer. But last week, fans went into overdrive and became convinced they had found evidence of a secret feud between Rita and fellow judges Guy and Keith! Eagle-eyed fans noticed the British singer’s Instagram account revealed she was following just one other coach: Jessica. It’s no secret Jess and Rita have had amazing chemistry and even appear to be close friends on the show, but Guy and Keith appeared not to make the cut! After Rita’s Instagram move made headlines, the British singer quickly added the two coaches to her ‘following’ list. According to the Daily Telegraph, Rita’s Instagram friends list “went from 993 to 995 overnight” after she was…

OPRAH WINFREY Fans have had a front- row seat to the ups and downs of Oprah Winfrey’s weight-loss journey over the years. But the media mogul is now living her most healthy life and has WW (formerly Weight Watchers) to thank for it. Recently, Oprah left her Instagram followers seriously impressed when she shared a photo of herself looking trim and terrific in a jumpsuit. Oprah joined WW in 2015 and explains she no longer tries to lose weight to “fit into a pair of jeans”. Instead, she’s embraced being “healthy”. “This is about making smart choices until healthy eating become a habit. It’s a way of living,” she has previously said. Oprah also makes working out a regular part of her daily routine. For an hour per day, she…

Australia joined the United States-led coalition to remove the Taliban from power and defeat Al-Qaeda. More than 26,000 Australian soldiers served on Operation Slipper between 2001 and 2014 – of those, 41 Aussie soldiers died and many were wounded. Earlier this year, the US, Australia and international forces withdrew from Afghanistan, and the Taliban regained control. Despite two decades of support, the Afghan security forces collapsed in 10 days. Many men, women and children now face persecution under Taliban rule. To help, visit unrefugees.org.au/donate…

Fajita Chicken Tacos Serves 4, Prep and Cook 20 mins 40g pkt fajita spice mix 500g uncrumbed chicken breast schnitzels 1 tblsp vegetable oil 1 cup fresh coriander leaves, firmly packed ¼ cup Greek yoghurt, plus extra to serve ½ large iceberg lettuce, thinly shredded 12 mini soft white tortillas, heated 1 Reserve 3 tsps of spice mix in a small bowl. 2 Place rest of spice mix in large bowl with chicken schnitzels and oil. Toss well to coat. Season with salt and pepper. 3 Heat an oiled, large non-stick frying pan over a medium to high heat. Add chicken. Cook about 2 minutes on each side, or until cooked through. Remove. Cut chicken crossways into 1½cm slices. 4 To make salad, finely chop half coriander and place in…

Raspberry, Coconut and White Choc Muffins Makes 6, Prep and Cook 50 mins 1¾ cups self-raising flour ²/ ³ cup caster sugar ½ cup desiccated coconut 100g unsalted butter, melted, cooled ¾ cup milk 1 egg, lightly beaten 150g white cooking chocolate, broken into pieces 1 cup frozen raspberries Icing sugar mixture, to decorate 1 Line a 6-hole Texas muffin pan (¾-cup capacity) with muffin cases. 2 Place flour in a large bowl. Stir in sugar and coconut. Add butter, milk and egg. Whisk until smooth. Fold in chocolate and frozen raspberries. Divide evenly among muffin cases (about ½ cup in each). 3 Cook in a moderately slow oven (160C) for about 35 minutes, or until golden and just firm in the centre when lightly touched. Stand muffins in pan…

Spritz this volume booster on your roots and blow dry in. The heat-activated formula has Arctic root and lavender extracts for results that last beyond your wash. It’s a splurge, but this compact styler fits in your handbag to touch up your fringe whenever you need it. If your hair is feeling a bit dryer in this harsher weather, apply a little bit of oil onto the very ends and see the glossy difference. A small-barrelled brush will help give extra lift to a shorter fringe.…

VetChat CEO and Breeder’s Choice partner, Dr Claire Jenkins, has easy tricks for stress-free cat transport. GET FAMILIAR Familiarise your cat with their carrier. Before you set off, ensure your feline is physically healthy and, with the help of tasty treats, slowly introduce them to their carrier so they feel settled in it. SAFE HAVEN Make the carrier as wonderful as possible with a warm blanket to lie on (use the same blanket each time), treats they love, a comfortable temperature and partially cover with another blanket so they can see out if they like. KEEP CALM AND TRAVEL Use a calming pheromone spray in the carrier to keep your cat relaxed. Spray at least 10 minutes before placing them in the carrier, as it can irritate the airways if…

Spring is a time many of us associate with hayfever. But while it’s true many allergy-causing plants pollinate at this time of year, GP Dr Michela Sorensen says the peak time varies depending on where you live. Read on for more facts you may not know! HAYFEVER SEASON VARIES FROM STATE TO STATE “In south-eastern Australia it’s classically spring, starting in October to November,” Dr Sorensen explains. “In Western Australia it begins in July and in the Northern Territory and North Queensland, peak allergy season is December through to April.” IT’S OFTEN WORSE IN THE MORNING If you find your allergies hit hardest early in the day, Dr Sorensen says you’re not alone. “If possible, stay indoors in the morning as grass pollens mainly circulate [then],” she advises. YOUR SYMPTOMS…

VIRGO AUG 24 – SEP 23 Fallen into a funk? Under the magical new moon (in Virgo!), take up a challenge or kick off a project that’s close to your heart. With Mercury boosting your brainpower, you’re a force to be reckoned with. Moneywise, lucky stars are casting a bright light – what perfect timing! This weekend’s sky is brimming over with chatty, wonderfully social vibes. LUCKY SIGNS: PISCES & CANCER LIBRA SEP 24 – OCT 23 Just like the song, ‘The Times They Are a-Changin’, if your search for meaning has intensified of late, open your mind to new dreams and ideas – and to new people, too! When Mars catapults into your sign on September 16, those energy levels should skyrocket. Start making plans now. With a little…

1 The fictional town of Summer Bay is primarily filmed on which Sydney beach location? A) Bondi Beach B) Manly Beach C) Maroubra Beach D) Palm Beach 2 Which actor was not one of the original Home and Away cast members? A) Norman Coburn B) Judy Nunn C) Cornelia Frances D) Georgie Parker 3 Which member of the Hemsworth clan played Home and Away character Kim Hyde in the early 2000s? A) Liam Hemsworth B) Chris Hemsworth C) Luke Hemsworth D) Craig Hemsworth 4 Complete this line from the original Home and Away theme song: “Hold me in your arms. Don’t let me go…” A) “You know we belong together” B) “I’m walking on air” C) “I want to stay forever” D) “Everybody needs good neighbours” 5 The Braxton brothers…

After years of distancing herself from her girl-band roots, it seems that Sophie Monk isn’t quite done with music yet! The Love Island host is set to release a new single called, ‘Nice To Meet You’. The pop jazz track has been described as a far cry from the type of music she previously made with girl group, Bardot, as well as her previous solo releases. Despite recently being more focused on presenting and television gigs, Sophie, 41, hinted late last year that a music comeback was on the cards after appearing as Dragonfl y on The Masked Singer, where she dazzled audiences with her performances.…

In a headline-making confession, Julia Morris has admitted she’s undergone a little nip and tuck – and it’s wiped years off her appearance! The 53-year-old comedian revealed she had eyelid surgery to remove her hooded lids, with incredible results. Taking to Instagram, Julia cheekily captioned the before and after images with the message: “So who knew I had eyes?” The TV host also credited renowned Melbourne plastic surgeon, Dr Andrew Greensmith, for his work. Julia’s close circle of famous friends were left impressed with her new appearance, with TV presenter Jessica Rowe commenting: “Beautiful – inside and out.” Meanwhile, actress Rebecca Gibney joked that she wanted Julia to book her in to receive the same surgical treatment. The I’m A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! co-host has always…

Hollywood veteran Ed Asner has passed away surrounded by family, aged 91. The seven-time Emmy Award-winner is best remembered for his role as gruff newsman Lou Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show as well as titular spin-off series, Lou Grant. Ed’s decades-long career boasts a diverse range of work, including recently delighting younger audiences with his lead voiceover role in Disney’s animated film, Up. Ed is the third former Mary Tyler Moore cast member to pass away in recent months, with Betty White, aged 99, now the lone surviving cast member.…

Ever since she married the Prince of Wales, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, has bounced around his various country homes, from Aberdeenshire to Gloucestershire, but has never taken her eyes off the main real estate prize: Windsor Castle. Sources close to Camilla say she’s made no secret of the fact that the spectacular castle is her favourite of the royal residences. They add that she’s been pushing to move in while her husband performs the duties of King Regent for his ailing mother, the Queen. However, according to fresh reports out of the UK, Camilla, 74, may have been thwarted by her stepson, Prince William. The Duke of Cambridge is said to be moving his family into Windsor Castle while they hunt for a country home that’s closer to London than…

KATE HUDSON 42 With her own activewear line, Fabletics, it’s no surprise that Kate likes to keep fit. Sharing videos of her workouts on Instagram, the actress is a fan of yoga, Pilates and strength training. As for her diet, Kate says she eats healthy most of the time so she can indulge in “wine and ice-cream”. DEMI MOORE 58 In her youth, Demi used to diet and exercise heavily, until she realised she would be happier at her “natural size”. Now the mum of three enjoys doing dance workouts at home using fitness device, the Mirror. JENNIFER LOPEZ 52 There’s no denying that J.Lo has one of the most enviable bods in the world – but she puts in the effort to keep it that way. The singer is…

ANDREW MCFARLANE Now 70, Andrew has stayed in the public eye and on our screens, including gigs on Play School. His latest role was in the drama Between Two Worlds. LENORE SMITH Perhaps taking a lead from her character, Sister Kate Wellings, Lenore left the world of acting behind and these days works as a podiatrist. ROB GRUBB Rob (Dr Geoff Standish) won a Helpmann Award for his role in the musical, We Will Rock You. He’s also returned as Detective Bill Graves on Neighbours. REBECCA GIBNEY Rebecca has become one of our most-loved TV and movie stars since playing mechanic Emma Plimpton, thanks to roles in Halifax f.p. and Packed to the Rafters. PETER O’BRIEN After playing pilot Sam Patterson, Peter has been spotted in Aussie TV shows like…

At the time, New Idea’s New York bureau chief, Leesa Tinker, whose apartment was just metres away from the World Trade Centre, spent an agonising day waiting for news on her family – whom she was separated from during the chaos. She was also unable to make contact with her parents or friends back in Australia. The New Idea office attempted to make contact with Leesa for 12 hours to check on her welfare, before she was able to email the team. “I saw the first plane go through the building – I thought it was a crash, but when the second one hit, absolute hysteria set in. The plane buzzed our apartment … The main thing is that we are safe,” she said at the time. The week following,…

When American Airlines captain Beverley Bass took off from Paris on the morning of September 11, 2001, there was nothing to differentiate this flight from the countless others she’d piloted in her career. Nothing that is, until a radio call came midway through the journey to the United States with news that would change her life – and the lives of countless others around the world, forever. “We were right over the middle of the North Atlantic,” the 69-year-old tells New Idea. “When I heard that the first tower had been hit, I presumed it was a light aircraft. I couldn’t imagine that it was a commercial jet.” A true aviation pioneer, back in the mid-’80s Beverley made history by becoming one of the world’s first female commercial airline captains.…

“Legacy strives to ensure the families of our veteran community can realise their full potential through our long-term social, emotional, developmental and financial support services to over 43,000 widow(er)s, children and people with a disability across Australia. Legacy Week is our annual appeal that encourages the community to show their support and raise vital funds for the families of veterans who have given their lives or health to our country. You can make a big impact and help us deliver numerous services and programs to the families of veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice.” Find out how at legacy.com. au/legacy-week…

Salmon and Corn Crepes Serves 6, Prep and Cook 30 mins $2.90 PER SERVE 400g pkt frozen ready-made crepes, thawed Steamed asparagus, to serve FILLING 50g butter, chopped ¼ cup plain flour 2 cups milk 415g can pink salmon, drained, bones and skin removed 310g can corn kernels, drained 3 green spring onions, thinly sliced 1¼ cups grated Tasty cheese 1 To make filling, melt butter in a medium saucepan. Add flour. Cook, stirring, over a medium heat for about 2 minutes, or until bubbling. Remove from heat. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly until smooth. Bring to boil. Gently simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, or until thickened. Remove from heat. 2 Stir in salmon, corn, onions and ¼ cup of cheese. Season with salt and pepper. 3 Divide hot…

Jam Jar Prawn Cocktails Serves 6 1 clove of garlic 4 rashers of higher-welfare smoked pancetta Olive oil 100g breadcrumbs 3 tblsps mayonnaise 3 tblsps natural yoghurt 3 tblsps tomato ketchup 1 lemon Worcestershire sauce Tabasco sauce 2 little gem lettuces 1 cucumber 200g ripe cherry tomatoes 1 punnet of cress 1 ripe avocado 100g cooked brown shrimp, from sustainable sources 200g cooked peeled prawns, from sustainable sources Cayenne pepper ON THE DAY Peel the garlic and finely chop with the pancetta, then place in a non-stick frying pan on a medium heat with 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Add the breadcrumbs and fry until crunchy and golden, tossing regularly. Leave to cool. For the sauce, whisk up the mayo, yoghurt, ketchup, half the lemon juice, and a dash each…

HAIRCARE I use this once a week for extra moisture for my hair. [This brand] has the best naturally derived ingredients, essential oils and proteins. Thanks To Nature Nourish Masque, $20, woolworths. com.au FEEL-GOOD ESSENTIAL Exercise is a non-negotiable for me. I feel so much better when I exercise, even if it’s a walk. I [also] take Nature’s Way Beauty Collagen supplements daily. Nature’s Way Beauty Collagen, $34.50, woolworths.com.au SKINCARE My skin feels nice and clean after I use this – and looks brighter, too! NEOSTRATA® Resurface Foaming Glycolic Wash, $54.95, chemist warehouse. com.au BEAUTY TREATMENT Laser facials – they’re the best way to keep my skin looking youthful. MAKEUP I love Urban Decay’s Naked Heat Palette colours, and the eyeshadow stays on all night. Urban Decay Naked Heat Eyeshadow Palette,…

Spring has officially sprung and what better way to shake off the gloom of winter and celebrate long-awaited sunny days than to redecorate. Creative director of Jones & Co, Jennifer Sampson, shares her expertise on how to brighten up and style your home for an easy refresh. COLOUR Choose some dusty pastels to work back with your wintry terracotta and clay highlight colours. Cool lavender and lilac are magic with these warmer shades, and this combination is so fresh and modern. Spring is about light and breezy fabrics, so ditch the velvets and swap out for linens. Gingham is a big trend for spring, so keep your eye out for pillows, throws, bedding – and Jones & Co ceramics! COMBINE Get caffeinated, throw some great music on and swap around…

Thanks to endless entertainment, food and even dating options at our fingertips due to smartphones, it’s seldom we find ourselves without something to occupy us. As a result, our experiences with boredom are fleeting. We might feel the panic begin to build when episodes of our latest Netflix binge run out, or friends go quiet in a group chat, but it’s rarely more than a few moments. Modern society has led us to believe that boredom is something to avoid at all costs, but science suggests the contrary is true. EXTRA CREATIVITY At its core, boredom is the result of a lack of stimulation, explains Dr Amy Silver, psychologist and author of The Loudest Guest. “It can occur when we’re not stretched by what is required of us or not…

READER Q&A Q Should I move into a share house with my friends or into a flat with my boyfriend? I’m not sure what to do! ANNA, COOGEE, NSW. A You’re still so young (not yet 20), so as an older woman, my advice would be to enjoy your freedom and experience a share house. Your current relationship has potential, but he could be a tad jealous or possessive. Give yourself some breathing space and see how you feel after a year or so. With the zodiac’s rebel, Uranus, stimulating your chart through 2022, settling down may be the last thing on your mind! Q Can you see travel in my astrology chart? I’m dying to get overseas, hopefully in the next few months. I have extended family in the…

BOOK NOT A HAPPY FAMILY BY SHARI LAPENA After a tense family dinner, Fred and Sheila Merton are murdered, leaving their three children devastated. Or are they? Each stand to inherit millions and they were never a happy family. But could one of them go as far as killing their parents? OUT NOW MOVIE RIDE THE EAGLE When Leif’s (New Girl’s Jake Johnson) estranged mother Honey (Susan Sarandon) dies, she leaves him her picturesque Yosemite cabin – but there are some conditions. Before Leif can claim his inheritance he must complete Honey’s list of tasks with his dog, Nora. OUT THURSDAY STREAM BACK TO THE RAFTERS It’s been six years since we last saw the Rafter family, and soon they are coming back to our screens with an all-new season.…