Saturday Star 2025-07-19

Scrolling through TikTok lately, you might have come across videos about the “Orange Peel Theory”. At first glance, it sounds oddly specific. Why is peeling an orange suddenly a relationship trend? But the idea behind it is as sweet and thoughtful as it sounds, and it’s making many people rethink what love truly looks like. The Orange Peel Theory suggests that the small, everyday acts we do for our partners, like peeling an orange, can mean far more than big romantic gestures. Not because someone can’t peel their own orange, but because it shows care, thoughtfulness and the kind of gentle attention that makes us feel safe and loved. While you won’t find the “Orange Peel Theory” in any psychology textbook, the conversation it sparked is deeply rooted in relationship…

We all love a good gadget, but I never expected to find life-changing gems while sitting in bed casually scrolling through Temu when bored with the choices on Netflix. These weren’t expensive, flashy tech buys, just simple little tools that have now become part of my everyday life. I didn’t think I needed any of them until they arrived… and now, I honestly can’t imagine living without them. From speeding up my morning routine to solving problems I didn’t even know I had, here are 5 gadgets I never knew I needed, but am so glad I bought. 1. Hairline powder for quick coverage I didn’t expect much from this little compact of hairline powder, but wow, it works. It comes with a sponge applicator that inserts into the…

It has been 30 years since the iconic film Clueless hit the screens, captivating teenagers with its memorable characters, witty dialogue, and its unapologetic love for fashion. To celebrate these memorable moments, Mattel and Paramount have announced that they are teaming up to celebrate the anniversary of the beloved film. The two organisations are releasing Barbie doll versions of Cher Horowitz and Dionne Davenport, the film’s stylish and charismatic leads, portrayed by Alicia Silverstone and Stacey Dash. The partnership was announced on July 10, with the dolls set to debut today. The Horowitz and Davenport Barbie dolls showcase the characters in their most iconic outfits from the film. The film’s high-fashion aesthetic, which still holds up today, is undeniable. The iconic outfits, like Horowitz’s signature plaid skirts and blazers,…

Unlike their Hollywood counterparts, such as Reese Witherspoon, Jessica Alba, and Jennifer Aniston, who have demonstrably moved on from their divorces, many high-profile personalities in Mzansi are still navigating their healing journeys. This couldn’t be more apparent than on Showmax’s Untied, where the well-known guests share their no-holds-barred take on marriage and divorce. With Relebogile Mabotja tactfully broaching issues that audiences want answered, she does a sterling job in celebrating her guests while empathising with them too. Of course, some of the scandals made headlines, too, while others were kept low-key. I watched episode one with Nonku Williams, who unpacked her tumultuous marriage before her rise to fame on The Real Housewives of Durban. And who could forget the “cheesecake saga” between Sonia and Matthew Booth that turned the country…

While Mandela Month is a time for reflection, kindness and generosity, it is also a reminder to help combat poverty and inequality. And The Academy on Disney+ reveals how some of the issues are being championed in pioneering ways. As part of the streaming platform’s People & Places: Shorts collection, it celebrates individuals who have made giant strides in their profession despite facing numerous socio-economic obstacles. Under the direction of award-winning film-maker Julia Jansch, the short feature spotlights Azile Arosi. This young woman from Khayelitsha discovers healing and purpose through sailing at The Academy, a transformative training programme offered by the Royal Cape Yacht Club. In a chat with Jansch, she shed light on how the project came about. “I made a movie called My Father the Mover, which won…

Moving house forces you to clear out the junk you’ve been hoarding for decades. I came across a journal I kept in 1997. My colleagues had paid for a ticket for my new wife to join me in Ireland after I had finished a three-week business trip to Austria and England. As I read the reflections of my twenty-something self, I cringed at some of the crap that occupied my thoughts back then. But I was also able to think about how we evolve as humans. I remember someone saying, ‘You’re not a stone, you can change’. Our world is changing so fast it makes a thinking person’s head spin. It’s hard enough keeping up with factual information that should shape one's thinking. We also have to deal with…