Innehållsförteckning för Issue 5, 2021 från New Idea

OK, confession time – I hate being in the kitchen. Cooking and baking just make me so stressed. So much so, I’ve avoided using my oven for about five years in favour of a limited menu that I can make on the stove, in one pan! But it’s time I discover the joy of cooking and expand my culinary repertoire – and what better recipe to start with than our No-Bake Choccy Cake (page 47). Not only does it satisfy my chocolate addiction, but no oven is required. It’s all about baby steps, after all. Enjoy the issue – and a slice!…

They’re hopelessly devoted to each other, and now Grease icon Olivia Newton-John and her daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, have announced they’re making more music together! “You guys have been asking for it so we’re going to do it again, and again and again and again,” Olivia, 72, and Chloe, 35, shared on social media. “It’s our favourite thing in the world to do.” The mother-daughter duo’s new song is titled, ‘Window In The Wall’. It comes some five years after their first collaboration, ‘You Have To Believe’.…

Former MasterChef star Julie Goodwin has plenty of reasons to smile after announcing she’s recently become a grandmother! Taking to Instagram last week, the series’ inaugural winner revealed the exciting news by sharing a picture of herself standing next to her husband, Mick, who can be seen holding the adorable newborn. “A brand new life. For all of us, I think. Welcome to the world baby Delilah Marlene,” Julie captioned the adorable snap. While Julie, 50, opted not to reveal which of her three sons is now a proud dad, that didn’t stop fellow MasterChef contestants from congratulating the new grandmother. “Congrats guys,” Poh Ling Yeow commented. Last year, Julie courageously revealed she’d spent time in a mental health facility as she struggled with depression and anxiety. “I just had…

After a successful six-decade long career, Aussie showbiz legend Bert Newton has amassed a rumoured $15 million fortune, alongside his equally famous wife, Patti. But New Idea has learned there are growing questions around who stands to inherit the hefty family fortune, especially given the current situation with their estranged son, Matthew. A well-placed insider insists 75-year-old Patti has been planning to make changes to her and Bert’s wills, following the birth of their daughter Lauren’s sixth child, Alby, last year. “Patti has become accustomed to watching their finances like a hawk,” explains the insider. “She has become quite the financial planner over the years.” “THEY’RE IN THE PROCESS OF HASHING OUT EVERY DETAIL ... THINGS HAVE PROVEN TENSE!” The source notes that Patti “takes no chances” when it comes…

With Harry and Meghan running for the hills, the Queen is hunting for inspiring, glamorous faces to help her connect with young people around the world – and first on her hit list is Hollywood royalty Angelina Jolie. “The Queen is pivoting her priorities, especially now that she’s given up on Harry and Meghan doing anything of note for her, despite previously promising her they would take on youth engagements as their number-one role,” says a source. “She is impressed with how Angelina champions her charities and causes in a professional manner and has asked her aides to arrange a meeting.” Angelina has always respected the Queen, says the source. The pair had a historic first meeting in 2014, where the Queen made the Oscar-winning actress an Honorary Dame. An…

MIKE’S FLIRT-FEST WITH SARAH! He was accused of gaslighting his on-screen wife Heidi Latcham during their season, but according to our insider, Mike Gunner sets his sights on a new bride during the reunion. “He was seriously flirty on set,” dishes the show spy. “Mike was like a kid in a candy shop and was trying his luck with anyone he could. At one stage he seemed very starry-eyed for Sarah. There was lots of chatter about his interest in her”. INES IS NASTIER THAN EVER! She quickly became one of the series’ biggest villains after she unleashed a scathing verbal attack on her husband, Bronson Norris, while on their honeymoon – and fans shouldn’t expect anything less from Ines Basic upon her return. “Ines was so hostile!” says an…

This September marks 15 years since Steve Irwin tragically died, and his pregnant daughter, Bindi, is set to honour his legacy in the most heartfelt way yet – by naming her new daughter after him. “All her friends think she’ll give her dad a nod in the baby’s name, and Stevie will almost certainly be in the mix – and maybe Sue, too, given that’s the middle name Steve gave Bindi as a tribute to his favourite dog, Suey,” reveals an insider. The news comes after Bindi and her husband, Chandler Powell, re-created an iconic photograph of Steve kissing Terri’s belly while she was pregnant with Robert. According to the source, the first-time parents are determined to make sure their baby girl, as well as any future children, grows up…

There’s one thing Sonia Kruger wants to clarify about her upcoming new series, Holey Moley – non-sports fans need not switch off! “This show is the antihero of the big, slick sports entertainment show,” insists Sonia, 55. “It’s putt-putt with incredible obstacles ... and one of the USA’s most hilarious exports ... Rob Riggle.” While Sonia’s been queen of the ballroom and the small screen for some time, she confesses she’s open-minded to conquering the green, too! “I love the idea of playing golf ... the beautiful courses, the social aspect ... but getting the ball in the hole is so frustrating,” she quips. Ahead of the show’s launch, the presenter opens up to New Idea about her health, happiness and tells all on why people have her all wrong.…

As a teenager, Elise Marcianti was afraid to drink water. The 15-year-old was in the grips of an eating disorder that saw her weight shrink to just 38kg. At her lowest, simply drinking water or inhaling the smell of food made her fear she’d gain weight. Now 21, Elise is sharing her road to recovery from anorexia nervosa. “I hope all young women can accept their bodies and be proud of who they are, irrespective of their size and shape,” Elise, from Melbourne, VIC, tells New Idea. Her journey to “hell” started after her beloved grandma passed away. She’d also hurt her knees and couldn’t exercise. Jealously and comparison to her schoolmates made Elise body conscious, and she began restricting her diet. “Once I decided I wanted to eat less,…

Watermelon, Strawberry and Lime Ice-Pops Makes 6, Prep: 10 mins 500g piece watermelon 250g punnet strawberries ¹/ ³ cup icing sugar mixture 2 tblsps lime juice 1 Peel and discard skin from watermelon. Cut into 3cm pieces. You will need 350g watermelon flesh. 2 Trim and discard stalks from strawberries. 3 Place watermelon pieces, strawberries, sugar and juice in a blender. Blend well until smooth and creamy. 4 Pour evenly into six 125ml-capacity ice-pop moulds. Tap bases of moulds to remove any air bubbles. Insert sticks. Freeze overnight. 5 When ready to serve, run moulds under warm water for a few seconds to remove the ice-pops. TIP Make sure you blend mixture very well to ensure the mixture does not separate on freezing. Any shape ice-pop moulds can be used.…

KATE MIDDLETON VICTORIA BECKHAM JESSICA ALBA CHRISSY TEIGEN…

UPDATE DETAILS Here’s something you can do right now. Make sure your pet’s microchip is up-to-date with your current address and phone number. You can get the chip scanned at your local vet to check details. Also, be sure that your pet is registered with the council. A name tag on the collar with a contact number is another good idea. SEARCH THE IMMEDIATE AREA If your cat or dog is missing, one of the first things to do is to door knock neighbours and ask them to check their yards, garages and sheds. If your pet has had a scare or managed to escape your yard, they may well be hiding close by. LET EVERYONE KNOW Get on your local area’s Facebook page, as well as lost and found…

It’s no secret that thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, 2020 was an incredibly difficult year for all, marred by feelings of social isolation and loneliness. But for many new mothers, these feelings are hardly new. Edwina Sharrock, midwife and Philips Avent ambassador, believes there are a variety of reasons that new mums experience feeling alone. “Most commonly, this feeling of loneliness is due to the dramatic change in a parent’s everyday life. When a new little family member arrives, mums aren’t working, socialising or being as spontaneous, and these are changes that happen suddenly,” she says. It’s also not uncommon for new mums to feel overwhelmed by this new dependence from bub, especially if they are the first one in their friendship group to have a baby, so their friends…

Let it be said, 2020 wasn’t exactly all sunshine and rainbows. But when we live in a society that prizes optimism and positivity, it’s easy to feel pressured to pretend that we’re happy even when we’re not. But suppressing our true emotions can take its toll. Life coach Jaemin Frazer says it’s important not to deny feelings, like pain and frustration, when they come our way. “While ultra-positivity is culturally celebrated, it can come at a great personal cost,” says Jaemin. Here, he explains why being honest about our emotions is the best way to find authentic joy… WHAT IS POSITIVITY PRESSURE? Socially, we’re rewarded far more for presenting a positive and happy image to the world than by being honest and real about our feelings or situation. Therefore, in…

Find out what’s on your horizon… IF IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY… It might sound strange to say, but a lot of this year is going to be about you considering how you come across in the world. We are not talking just about your appearance, though your appearance may be a focus for you in the 12 months ahead. Think about how you are presenting yourself to others, personally and professionally. Join our astrologer and moonologer, Yasmin, for a free Full Moon online ceremony this week. Visit moonmessages.com/ fbevents. READER Q&A Q Will I have a new man in my life this year, my soulmate? I feel he’s so close. BURNESS, TATURA, VIC. A There is a very good chance you will meet someone who could really fascinate you in the…

Angelina Jolie’s secretive brother is living in a run-down apartment building in one of LA’s most crime-ridden suburbs, New Idea has learnt. Reclusive James Haven – who famously shared a passionate smooch with his  younger sister at the Oscars back in 2000 – has been holed up with his long-term girlfriend, karate teacher Ashley Reign. Exclusive photos obtained by New Idea show the low-key movie producer arriving at the property for three successive months, as coronavirus numbers soared in California. The building complex where James now hangs out is a far cry from his and Angelina’s Beverly Hills upbringing and her current A-list lifestyle. It features one neighbouring apartment, which is completely burnt out and boarded up. An eyewitness tells New Idea, “It’s in a very downtrodden and seedy neighbourhood.…

Bradley Cooper and Irina Shayk are talking about having a second child together! The former couple welcomed 3-year-old daughter, Lea De Seine, in March 2017, but ended up splitting two years later amid rumours Bradley had grown too close to his A Star Is Born co-star, Lady Gaga. “Neither of them are attached and both focused on Lea – and she wants a sibling,” explains a close friend. “Irina’s heart will always be with Bradley, so she’s all for them having another kid, but Bradley’s pretty clear there won’t be marriage and he can’t promise her a romantic relationship either. He’s willing to try, though, and that’s enough for Irina.”…

From the big screen to the ring! Matthew McConaughey has teased he’s giving up acting to become a professional wrestler! “I’ll say not too much because, as you know, you can’t say too much about these things, but it is something that interests me,” he said in a recent interview. The Oscar-winner is frequently seen at WWE wrestling matches and watches at home with his three kids. “I love the suspensions of disbelief, because my kids and I watch and they’re starting to get that when they go: ‘Oh this is fake,’” he said. “I’m going: ‘What are you talking about? No way!’”…

When Kyly Clarke was spied kissing racing car driver James Courtney at the Bathurst 1000 race last year, they looked very much like a couple in love. But just six weeks later, they mysteriously called it quits. Now, New Idea can finally reveal the reason for the speedy split. According to an insider, the TV personality turned interior designer grew concerned about how recent James’ break-up with marketing manager Alexandra Elms had been, causing the mother-of-one to quickly lose interest. “She was sceptical of the circumstances surrounding his previous relationship,” a pal tells New Idea. Interestingly, the source alleges Alex discovered text messages between James, 40, and Kyly, 39, that he insisted were nothing more than “friendly chatter”. While Alex is said to have been “distraught” at the time, friends…

She’s announced her plans to release her very own historical romance novel, and now New Idea hears Sarah Ferguson is hoping to turn the book into a TV series in a bid to build up her bank account. A big fan of the Netflix hit series Bridgerton, the Duchess of York is said to have recently reached out to the period drama’s creator to turn her fictional Mills & Boon book, titled Her Heart For a Compass, into a TV show, too. Unsurprisingly, royal author Phil Dampier believes members of the royal family would find the 61-year-old’s latest career ambitions a little cringe-worthy. “I’m sure it will make some of the royals cringe with embarrassment, but they will turn a blind eye and let her get on with it. After…

It’s not just Chris who has come under fire from disgruntled viewers – his co-host Julia Morris left fans fuming after she told The Project people shouldn’t comment on other’s bodies. The 52-year-old was referring to Bachelor star Abbie Chatfield’s run-in with AFL legend, Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico, who suggested she shouldn’t be walking around the camp in a bikini. But many viewers took offence to Julia’s comments and argued she often makes remarks about the appearance of her co-host. “So should Julia stop treating Dr Chris like meat? The double standards are ridiculous. Seriously, Julia,” sneered a fan. Others piled in on Julia, noting her comedic persona had often used Chris’ looks as the basis for many of her gags. In 2016, Julia was forced to defend herself after viewers…

It’s said things between Season 6 co-stars Jessika Power and new mum Cyrell Paule become so heated, blonde beauty Jess was left “shattered” and contemplating “taking further action” against Cyrell. “She just exploded during the dinner party ... I’ll be surprised if it all makes it onto screens,” the insider says, alleging that Cyrell was “throwing drinks, slamming her hands, swearing and verbally attacking Jess. It was a very intense moment and uncomfortable to be around – Jess didn’t know what hit her!” It’s believed Jess provoked Cyrell, who shares 1-year-old son Boston with Love Island star Eden Dally, by accusing her of having a showmance with her partner. “Jess absolutely hit a nerve and Cyrell just lost it.” Following the confrontation, a “completely inconsolable” Jess was comforted by Sarah…

HOW AN AUSSIE SLEUTH CRACKED THE CODE AFTER HALF A CENTURY A chilling message left by the elusive Zodiac Killer has been cracked by an Aussie codebreaker – 52 years after the first murder! Dr Samuel Blake, a Melbourne mathematician, worked with a team across the world to solve the message. The series of numbers, symbols and letters called the ‘340 Cipher’ has been puzzling authorities and amateur sleuths since it was first sent to the San Francisco Chronicle back in 1969. It is believed the message contained key clues to the serial killer’s identity, but the truth is even more chilling. According to experts, the message says: “I hope you are having lots of fun in trying to catch me. “I am not afraid of the gas chamber because…

Mexican Prawn Fajitas with Mango Salsa Makes 10, Prep and Cook: 30 mins 500g raw peeled prawns (30) 2 tblsps fajita seasoning 2 tblsps olive oil 2 green capsicum, thinly sliced 1 onion, thinly sliced 10 mini flour tortillas, warmed Chipotle mayonnaise, shredded iceberg lettuce, sliced avocado and lime halves, to serve MANGO SALSA 2 small-medium mangoes (350g each), finely chopped 2 tomatoes, deseeded, finely chopped 1 long red chilli, deseeded, finely chopped 2 tblsps finely chopped fresh coriander 1 tblsp lime juice 1 To make salsa, combine all ingredients in a bowl. Toss to combine. 2 Place prawns, seasoning and half the oil in a large bowl. Toss to coat. 3 Heat remaining oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add capsicum and onion. Cook, stirring occasionally,…

Retro Layered Aussie Salad Serves 8, Prep and Cook: 45 mins 250g rindless bacon, finely chopped 2 cups frozen green peas 2 x 450g cans diced beetroot, drained ½ iceberg lettuce (about 350g), shredded 6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled, coarsely chopped 2 x 250g punnets baby roma tomatoes, halved ²/ ³ cup sour cream ½ cup thousand island dressing 1 tblsp lemon juice 2 green spring onions, thinly sliced Salted potato crisps, to serve 1 Heat a non-stick, frying pan over a medium to high heat. Add bacon. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 3 to 5 minutes, or until crisp and light golden. Drain on absorbent kitchen paper. Cool. 2 Add peas to a large saucepan of boiling water. Return to the boil. Boil for 1 minute. Drain. Rinse under cold…

For generations, we’ve been living by a set of decorating ‘rules’ that very few of us have questioned. But in reality, most of the dos and don’ts that we’ve believed to be true are, in fact, tales that just cage our creativity. Temple & Webster stylist Allira Bell busts these common interior design myths... MYTH: ALL TIMBER NEEDS TO MATCH Individual pieces that spark joy and express personality are more important than perfectly matched furniture suites. Not sure where to start? Contradiction is key. Mixing tones can feel risky, but contrasting light with dark timbers adds depth and creates a layered space. Keep the look balanced by limiting to three timber types per room. MYTH: SMALL ROOMS ARE BEST PAINTED WHITE While white does give an airy feeling to interiors,…

1 Always eat the same food as bub (when on solids). They learn how to eat from watching you. 2 Make mealtimes fun so they look forward to going in the highchair. Get some happy music on and, as much as possible, involve the whole family. 3 Try to set a consistent routine so your baby gets to know what happens when they go into the highchair. Ensure the TV is off and there are no distracting toys in sight. 4 Go at your baby’s pace and don’t rush mealtimes. They’ll tell you when they have had enough food or if they would like more. 5 It can take up to 10 or more tries of offering a new food to a baby before they accept it, so don’t be…

IF YOU’RE FEELING … FRUSTRATED “Frustration with others is almost always a cover for frustration for self,” says Jaemin. “The way out of frustration, therefore, is always through taking full responsibility for your own results and relationships. Without judging yourself for your current reality, realise that you are the only person who can improve the quality of your life for good.” IF YOU’RE FEELING … JEALOUS “Jealousy is an unresourceful form of comparison,” explains Jaemin. “It flows from an external strategy for meeting the need for significance. The key is to own your value and worth internally, and therefore have nothing to prove or defend. Make the most with what you’ve been given.” IF YOU’RE FEELING … DISAPPOINTED “If you’re going to do anything remotely worthwhile with your life, disappointment…

Described by fans as a “Regency-style Gossip Girl”, Netflix’s fanciful new series Bridgerton has everybody talking – and for good reason! The first season, an imagination of US author Julia Quinn’s The Duke and I, tells the story of the Bridgerton family and their unlucky-in-love daughter, Daphne. Her quest to find an appropriate suitor has the entire town talking. But beyond the show’s fast-paced storylines, steamy love scenes and extravagant fashion, its biggest drawcard of all is Dame Julie Andrews. Voicing the town’s gossip queen, Lady Whistledown, the iconic star’s famous sound is immediately recognisable, even if you missed the news of her casting! “To be honest, we never expected in a million years that we would end up with Julie Andrews as our narrator,” says series showrunner, Chris Van…

Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas have called it quits on their year-long romance, with a cleaner busted throwing a cut-out of the 32-year-old actress in the bin outside Ben’s home shortly after the split, which occurred over the phone, was confirmed. Now there’s growing concern that Ben’s fight to stay sober could be derailed by his break-up. As a result, his ex-wife Jennifer Garner, 48, is stepping in. “Jen knows she will spend the rest of her life caring for him and his mental health. He is the father of her children, so it’s in her best interests that he has her support,” explains the source, who notes Ben, 48, has lost a stack of weight. “Jen’s heart sank when she found out about the breakup,” the source says,…

Prince Charles and Camilla are said to have been left shocked and in a scramble after their communications secretary Julian Payne announced he was quitting the royal household for good. According to reports, Julian is leaving to take on a new role at a global public relations firm. And insiders say the communication expert’s departure is no doubt a real blow for the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. After all, he has been credited for rebuilding the pair’s reputation over the past five years and helping to grow their social media following and presence. Meanwhile, Prince William’s private secretary Christian Jones has also resigned after just 10 months in the job.…

This year is set to be another jam-packed year of back-to-back projects for workaholic Nicole Kidman – however, her latest role is sparking controversy before production even begins! The Oscar-winner will play comedy legend Lucille Ball in the much-hyped biopic Being the Ricardos, yet fans and Hollywood industry players alike are clamouring against her casting. In fact, they believe the role should have gone to another flame-haired actress. “This has disaster written all over it for Nicole,” says a source. “There’s been huge backlash in Hollywood against her casting, with most industry insiders supporting the notion that the role belonged to Debra Messing.” When fans speculated that perhaps Nicole had been chosen because Debra, 52, wasn’t available to star in the film – which follows Lucille and her husband Desi…

The country waited in anticipation to meet Cam and Jules Merchant’s baby boy, Oliver Chase, after he was born last October – including their fellow MAFS All Stars. But while everyone assumed they’d get to meet adorable Ollie at the reunion, they were left high and dry after Cam and Jules pulled out! “Everyone was told they’d be there for the reunion, but they never showed,” tells one participant. “A few of us even brought gifts for Oliver and flowers for Jules because producers insisted they’d be in attendance with ‘The MAFS baby’. But they just skipped it.” As a result, producers were “left scrambling” following their last-minute pull-out. “They had to get on the phone and convince anyone they could to fly in,” says the source, who reveals Season…

Kai Hansen’s dying wish was to give his wife, Anna, another child. The dad-of-one, who suffered terminal pancreatic cancer, donated his sperm. Then, on his deathbed, the couple picked out names for their unborn baby. Six days later, Anna promised to have his child as Kai succumbed to his cancer. Now, three months on, the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services Patient Review Panel (PRP) are requesting Anna prove that it was his wish for her to have his baby. The mum is now in a fight against time to use the sperm before it’s too late. “It was his dying wish,” Anna tells New Idea. “I promised him the day he passed I would have his kid.” Kai was the love of Anna’s life and, after being together…

India Oxenberg was just 19 years old when she became entwined in the world of a terrifying sex cult. Ten years on, she’s now shared details of her ordeal in a gripping documentary, Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult. The now-defunct organisation was operating as a multi-level marketing scheme that offered self-help seminars to the rich and famous. For India, now 29, it all started when her mum, Catherine Oxenberg, known for her role in the TV series Dynasty, attended a self-improvement seminar. The program was recommended to Catherine by a trusted friend and, when they were told celebrities like Gerard Butler and Jennifer Aniston had also attended, the mother-daughter duo could not help but be impressed. After the seminar, India persuaded her mum to spend $6500 so they could attend…

No-Bake Celebration Choc Cake Serves 12-14, Prep: 50 mins 2 x 380g packets 2 unfilled chocolate sponge cakes Wafer sticks, Ferrero Rocher and Raffaello chocolates and Maltesers, to decorate FROSTING 400g unsalted butter, chopped, at room temperature 2½ cups icing sugar mixture 100g white cooking chocolate, melted, cooled 2 tsps vanilla essence DRIZZLE 100g dark chocolate, chopped ¼ cup pure cream 1 To make frosting, beat butter in a large bowl of an electric mixer until pale and creamy. Add icing sugar, ½ cup at a time, beating until combined. Add chocolate and vanilla. Beat until smooth and combined. 2 Sandwich cakes with ¹/ ³ cup frosting between each on a serving plate. Spread a›thin layer of the frosting over top and side of cake. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, or…

New Aussie craft beer Hughie has pledged to donate $2 from every case sold to the charity GIVIT, which raises much-needed funds for food, equipment and other necessities for those living in drought-affected outback communities. The brew’s name comes from the bushmen’s plea for rain, “Send it down, Hughie”, made popular during the devastating droughts of the early 20th century. Brewed in Goulburn, NSW, Hughie is a light, refreshing lager made from 100 per cent Australian-grown hops and malt, and makes a great, easy-drinking thirst-quencher at the end of a long, hot day. Available exclusively from Dan Murphy’s and BWS, $57.99/case; $19.99/ 6-pack; $3.99/can.…

Running a household has its ups and downs, so each week we bring you the latest tips and tricks to make your home life easy A VIRTUAL TO-DO LIST Who doesn’t like crossing off tasks on their to-do list? No more writing it down on scraps of paper, the app TeuxDeux lets you greet each day with an uncluttered mind. The app comes with custom colours, voice-to-text and the ability to drag to-dos to tomorrow, if you didn’t get time to mark them off today. teuxdeux.com A WELLBEING CHECK FOR KIDS Created to help busy parents complete a quick check-up of their child’s social and emotional wellbeing, Child360 takes you through five simple questions, allowing you to identify where things are going well and where you might like to take…

CRICUT JOY A new, compact and smart cutting machine from Cricut has launched to make personalising everyday items even easier. “At only 15 centimetres, the Cricut Joy can be used almost anywhere in your home, giving you the flexibility to make projects wherever you are,” says Tom Crisp, Head of Design at Cricut. CRAFT 365 The new Craft 365 website and app is your one-stop shop for all your craft needs. Members have access to the largest crafting community in Australia, with exclusive promotions and benefits from premium brands, extensive classes and workshops, craft projects, plus early offers on events.…

One in five children have an undiagnosed eye problem. But while early detection can be invaluable, 44 per cent of kids haven’t even had an eye test by their ninth birthday. “We know for kids, particularly poor vision can have an impact, not only on their physical and social development, but also their education,” reveals OPSM optometrist, Elizabeth Kodari. It’s for this reason that OPSM has teamed up with children’s icon Healthy Harold to raise awareness about eye care. “Even if a child may not have symptoms of impaired vision, it’s important to have an eye check because they might not be able to tell you things are blurry.” WHAT SHOULD I LOOK OUT FOR? One of the most common eye conditions that affects kids is myopia (short-sightedness). Kids with…

AQUARIUS JAN 21 – FEB 19 For quite a few years, it was Capricorns who were under the most pressure. Now it’s your turn. Expect 2021 and the years ahead to be intense. The good news is these years can be the making of you. You have to shrug off any resistance to putting in effort. The more you work hard and live the way you feel you should, the better off you’ll be – emotionally, spiritually and financially. YOUR POWER DAY: JANUARY 27 PISCES FEB 20 – MAR 20 Is it just me, or does everyone love a good secret? It’s wonderful to be let into someone’s confidence. There are plenty of things going on in your life you may want to keep to yourself. Just make sure if…

From Drovers Run all the way to Summer Bay! Former McLeod’s Daughters star Bridie Carter has joined the cast of Home and Away, taking on the pivotal character of glamorous real estate agent, Susie McAllister. For Bridie, who has appeared twice before on the long-running Aussie soap, Susie is a role she simply couldn’t resist. Chatting to New Idea from her farm in the Byron Bay hinterland – where she lives with her husband, Michael Wilson, and their school-aged sons, Tobias and Otis – Bridie, 50, gives us the low-down on her new TV gig and the highly anticipated McLeod’s Daughters reunion. HOW DID THE HOME AND AWAY PART COME ABOUT? It was in the height of COVID and I was on my farm in lockdown, homeschooling my children, thinking…

MOVIE OCCUPATION: RAINFALL Two years into an intergalactic invasion of Earth, survivors in  Australia fight back in a desperate ground war. As casualties mount by the day, the resistance and their unexpected allies uncover a plot that could see the war come to a decisive end. IN CINEMAS THURSDAY MOVIE PIXIE Pixie (Olivia Cooke) wants to avenge her mother’s death by masterminding a heist. But her plans go awry and she finds herself on the run with two young men (Ben Hardy, Daryl McCormack) who are way out of their depth. IN CINEMAS THURSDAY BOOK SOMETHING LIKE THIS BY KARLY LANE Tilly and Jason are both recovering from broken hearts when their paths cross and they fall for each other. Can they move on from their difficult pasts and build…

Was Geri Halliwell’s first draft of her book the reason Victoria Beckham finally caved and joined the Spice Girls for their 2007 reunion tour? A new report from UK media mailout Popbitch claims the original draft of Geri’s children’s book, Ugenia Lavender, featured a take-down of Posh and hubby David Beckham that was eventually axed from the final cut, published in 2008. Geri’s originally planned characters Posh Princess Vatoria and Davey Bockham were noticeably absent from the finished draft. According to Popbitch, one deleted passage read: “In the middle of Musical Startroopers, Ugenia heard a noise that sounded like an overexcited army trumpet. It came from Posh Princess Vatoria’s bottom. ‘Ooh that was a good one!’ giggled Posh Princess Vatoria, as an eggy smell wafted through the tree house.”…

Jennifer Lopez has confirmed her wedding to Alex Rodriguez is off, saying: “We cancelled it and since then we haven’t really talked about it. We want to do it right ... We just have to wait to see where the world lands.” But is there more to the story? J.Lo’s ex-hubby, Marc Anthony, reportedly wasn’t thrilled with the engagement, and was planning an intervention to stop the marriage from going ahead! “He can’t stand Alex,” a source tells New Idea. Marc, who shares 12-year-old twins Max and Emme with J.Lo, “doesn’t think Alex has the capacity to be faithful”. A-Rod has faced cheating accusations in the past, including claims by Playboy model Zoe Gregory that he sexted her just weeks before proposing to Jennifer in March 2019. Earlier this month,…

Armie Hammer is facing a possibly career-ending scandal, amid shocking claims he has cannibalistic fetishes. Earlier this month, explicit direct messages the father-of-two allegedly sent went viral, alongside posts apparently from the actor’s private Instagram account, revealing his shocking double life. Armie denied sending the messages. He also appeared to share clips of semi-naked women, pictures of drug test kits  that he boasted wouldn’t detect certain substances, and posts that criticised his estranged ex-wife, Elizabeth Chambers, from the private account. Last week, Armie confirmed the account was real when he apologised for mistakenly calling one of his sexual partners “Miss Cayman”, despite not being associated with the pageant. He’d previously addressed the allegations when news broke that he was dropping out of his upcoming film Shotgun Wedding, describing them as…