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Ballet flats are back. Here’s what the research says about how they affect your feet

<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kristin-graham-1427672">Kristin Graham</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/helen-banwell-305575">Helen Banwell</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a></em>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/saravana-kumar-181105">Saravana Kumar</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a></em></p> <p>Ballet flat shoes – those thin-heeled lightweight slip-on shoes – are making a fashion <a href="https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/ballet-flats">comeback</a>. And it’s not hard to see why: they’re versatile, easy to wear, soft, flexible and often worn by celebrities.</p> <p>We have often been warned of the dangers of high-heeled shoes, so you might think ballet flats are problem-free.</p> <p>When you look at the research, however, a complicated picture emerges. There’s no definitive evidence to show ballet flats are generally harmful to foot health in the long-term. But ill-fitting ballet flats can be a problem.</p> <h2>Make sure it fits, especially in the toe box</h2> <p>An estimated <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30065787/">70%</a> of the population are wearing ill-fitting shoes. This mismatch between foot and shoe shape can increase foot pain, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17507530/">reduce stability</a>, and can mean more blisters, corns and calluses. And habitual wearing of tight shoes has been <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0958259207000533">associated</a> with bone changes in the toes and feet over time.</p> <p>Many flats feature a shallow and narrow toe box (the part of the shoe where the toes go). A too-small toe box often doesn’t align with the shape of a foot and ends up squishing the toes. It can also <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0958259206000770">increase</a> pressure on top of and under the foot, and <a href="https://jfootankleres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1757-1146-6-28">restrict</a> the movement of the forefoot during walking.</p> <p>But a too-big toe box is also a problem. Too much foot movement within the shoe can cause pressure and friction on the skin, which can also lead to calluses, corns, blisters, and wounds.</p> <p>A poorly fitting toe box can also cause micro trauma to toenails which, ultimately, can change <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anuva-Bansal/publication/347522694_Traumatic_Nail_Disorders/links/60d6135592851ca94487df7e/Traumatic-Nail-Disorders.pdf">their look and thickness</a>.</p> <p>So if you’re wearing flats, make sure you choose a shoe with the right sized toe box.</p> <h2>What about the heel?</h2> <p>Health professionals often recommend a small heel over a completely flat shoe. Very flat shoes can <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27498844/">place</a> <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0268003307002082">more</a> strain on the soft tissues that support the foot arch – specifically, the plantar fascia.</p> <p><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27498844/">Research</a> has shown moving from a completely flat shoe to a small, raised heel reduces the tension force on the plantar fascia during standing activities.</p> <p>On the other hand, other <a href="https://journals.lww.com/jpojournal/Fulltext/2009/01000/Effects_of_Shoe_Heel_Height_on_the_Roll_Over.7.aspx#:%7E:text=The%20roll%2Dover%20shapes%20seem,without%20a%20change%20in%20alignment.&amp;text=Photographs%20of%20the%20prosthetic%20feet,shapes%20of%20these%20feet%20superimposed">research</a> has shown most people will adapt their ankle and knee motion to accommodate shoes of different heel heights.</p> <h2>What about support?</h2> <p>Ballet flats tend to have very flexible, thin soles and heel counters (the part, coloured red in this picture, that hugs the heel and the back part of the foot).</p> <p>These thin and flexible structures mean flats are often accused of lacking support. But debate rages among foot and shoe experts about how important support is in the first place.</p> <p><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27729290/">Research</a> on barefoot-style shoes has shown walking in these types of shoes significantly reduces some loads on the knee compared to more stable supportive shoes.</p> <p>Minimalist shoes have also been found to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30102872/">increase strength</a> in certain foot muscles used when we push off during walking, running or jumping.</p> <p>However, other research found stable supportive shoes can <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33428439/">improve knee pain</a> when walking more than flat flexible shoes.</p> <p>The thin soles in flats mean there is little cushioning under the foot. While more cushioning can improve comfort, and reduce stress and strain on your foot sole <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0021929011001758?casa_token=gecXFCMi0LcAAAAA:TazyTd8TRaAl_bG0jprifYIUIlWRDwEH6bVeymBYTWups2iDGMuUjLs2gaNqsiNGHVJhHC3J9AdB">skin</a>, there is no evidence it reduces loads across the lower leg.</p> <p>In fact, walking in cushioned shoes has been shown to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20191571/">increase</a> the load on the knee compared to flat, flexible shoes.</p> <h2>So, what’s the verdict?</h2> <p>The verdict is mixed. Yes, there’s evidence poorly fitting shoes and a flat heel can be detrimental, with consequences seen in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0966636221000199">rearfoot</a> (around the ankle) and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0966636218300687">knee</a>.</p> <p>But there’s also no hard evidence ballet flats cause long-term foot health problems.</p> <p>What matters is choosing a well-fitted shoe to suit your foot shape and needs.</p> <p>If you’re shopping for ballet flats, try to:</p> <ul> <li> <p>choose a pair with a toe box that does not cramp your toes and has a sole at least as wide as your foot</p> </li> <li> <p>choose flats that offer at least some structure and support</p> </li> <li> <p>choose a pair with a small heel rather being than completely flat.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/207806/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> </li> </ul> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kristin-graham-1427672">Kristin Graham</a>, Lecturer in Podiatry, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/helen-banwell-305575">Helen Banwell</a>, Lecturer in Podiatry, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/saravana-kumar-181105">Saravana Kumar</a>, Professor in Allied Health and Health Services Research, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/ballet-flats-are-back-heres-what-the-research-says-about-how-they-affect-your-feet-207806">original article</a>.</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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How to declutter your home in 15 minutes flat

<p>While most of us would love to live in a mess-free home, it’s hard to find enough time to dedicate to decluttering the entire house. A better way might be to break the big job into small 15-minute-or-less decluttering tasks like the ones below.</p> <p><strong>Kitchen</strong></p> <p>Use bins and baskets to organise similar items. Label them so the system is clear to everyone. If you’re living in with other people, buy a pantry bin for each member of the home. This will not only keep the space looking neat and tidy but will also reduce the risk of people “mistaking” your food for their own.</p> <p><strong>Home office</strong></p> <p>Make your home office user-friendly by reorganising the space in a way that makes sense to you and your family. For example, store homework equipment in an area where your children can easily access them and things that are used less can be kept up high.</p> <p>Julie Stuart, founder of online craft store and blog Clever Poppy<span style="text-decoration: underline;">,</span> adopted this approach when she moved her home office into her open plan living and dining room.</p> <p>“All of my stationery is stored in a basket on my desk. For those things you don’t need on a day to day basis, store them out of sight in a cupboard or wardrobe.”</p> <p>Keep track of your mail and other paperwork that clogs up your desk by stacking it into three categories: bills, personal mail (e.g. wedding invitations) and then one for everything else. If you’re feeling particularly motivated, take the time to pay your bills now or just keep the piles stored neatly in a tray on your desk so it’s easier to tackle later on.</p> <p><strong>Living room</strong></p> <p>Keep on top of clutter throughout the week by identifying the biggest clutter culprit in the living room (e.g. kid’s toys, mail). Dedicate a few minutes every day, or every couple of days if you’re particularly time pressed, to dealing with that.</p> <p><strong>Bathroom</strong></p> <p>Pull all of your toiletries from the cabinet shelves and throw out anything that’s expired or unnecessary (do you really need four lipsticks in the same shade?) Follow this by giving the shelves a quick wipe-down and replace all of the remaining products, putting the items you use the most in easily accessible spots.</p> <p><strong>Bedroom</strong></p> <p>Take some time on a Sunday evening to pick out the clothes you plan on wearing for the rest of the week and hang them at the front of your wardrobe. This will minimise stress in the mornings and will stop you from tearing your closet apart (and making even more of a mess) to find a pair of piece of clothing.</p> <p>Another way to ease the morning rush is to organise your clothing by grouping like with like (e.g. all business shirts together) and adding garment tags to keep them together.</p> <p><strong>Linen closet</strong></p> <p>A simple way to quickly get you linen closet in order – and to stop sheet sets getting lost in the pile – is by tucking a complete sheet set inside one of its pillowcases. If you have a little extra time, stack the sets according to size (single, queen, king).</p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>Written by Natalia Didovich. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz.</span></strong> </a></em></p>

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Tiny “furnished” flat asks for eye-watering rent

<p dir="ltr">While many might consider sacrificing some extra space in their home for a cheaper price, the landlords renting out this studio flat in London have gone the opposite direction and raised eyebrows for the interesting interior design choices.</p> <p dir="ltr">The one-bedroom, one-bathroom flat in Streatham, London, has been <a href="https://www.openrent.co.uk/property-to-rent/london/studio-flat-knollys-road-sw16/1460779" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listed</a> on UK site OpenRent for a hefty £1147 ($2204) a month.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though it appears quite ordinary from the outside and the listing details, things become stranger as you look through the interior photos provided.</p> <p dir="ltr">The furnished flat comes with a double bed, which has been shoved against the window and just a few footsteps away from the kitchen, including an oven, sink, bar fridge, and cabinets.</p> <p dir="ltr">The bathroom is just as bizarre, with the toilet located beneath a cut-out section of the wall and thin, rectangular mirrors above it and the single sink in the adjoining room.</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite being advertised as furnished, potential renters will need to source everything else to go with the bed and wooden cabinet provided.</p> <p dir="ltr">The interiors also feature grey walls, timber floorboards, and a slanted roof in the bedroom and kitchen area.</p> <p dir="ltr">The property has been available to rent since early August, with a minimum tenancy of one year and a maximum of two tenants.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-f7a55918-7fff-1bdd-f0f9-bf716bd6f035"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: OpenRent</em></p>

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Royal Ballet: How Duchess Camilla stays fit during lockdown

<p>The Duchess of Cornwall has taken up ballet with a group of “ancient friends” as a way to stay fit.</p> <p>During a conversation with Dame Darcey Bussell and Angela Rippon, Duchess Camilla revealed she had been taking ballet lessons for 18 months through Silver Swans tutorials aimed at the over-55s.</p> <p>The 72-year-old duchess said she decided to try the discipline after visiting a Silver Swans class in New Zealand in 2018.</p> <p>“At first I thought it was going to be very funny and I was going to laugh at everybody toppling over next door to me,” she said.</p> <p>“But we concentrate so hard that we don’t even know what our friend next door is doing.</p> <p>“You might groan a bit afterwards, huff, grunt and everything else. But you do feel so much better. It’s fun.”</p> <p>Since then, she has been attending classes with three “ancient friends”, she said. “The four of us clatter around and when we are in London, we do it once a week. It makes all the difference.”</p> <p>Camilla said while she might have “improved a tiny bit” after 18 months of training, she would not be “taking to the stage”.</p> <p>The duchess, who was recently appointed as the Vice-Patron of the Royal Academy of Dance, encouraged those aged over 55 to have a go at ballet during the coronavirus lockdown through the Silver Swans online classes.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">With the news that The Duchess of Cornwall is to become Vice Patron of the Royal Academy of Dance, Her Royal Highness undertook a video call with <a href="https://twitter.com/DarceyOfficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DarceyOfficial</a> and Angela Rippon to discuss the Silver Swans programme. 🩰<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/InternationalDanceDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#InternationalDanceDay</a><a href="https://twitter.com/RADheadquarters?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RADheadquarters</a> <a href="https://t.co/urjDxgg9BZ">pic.twitter.com/urjDxgg9BZ</a></p> — Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClarenceHouse/status/1255399394867843073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>In the video call with Bussell and Rippon, the duchess also shared an update on her husband Prince Charles, who recently recovered from coronavirus.</p> <p>“My husband is a workaholic, so he will work wherever he is. He’s sitting at his desk now working away,” she said.</p> <p>“We try and do something for all our charities most days to try and give them a bit of encouragement and just try to lend our support.”</p>

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“I screwed up”: Morning show host hit with backlash after mocking Prince George for taking ballet

<p>After mocking Prince George’s school curriculum,<span> </span><em>Good Morning America<span> </span></em>anchor Lara Spencer has issued an apology after nationwide backlash ensued.</p> <p>During a segment on the show, it was revealed that the eldest son of Prince William takes ballet classes, with his dad mentioning that “Prince George absolutely loves ballet.”</p> <p>To which Spencer responded: “I have news for you Prince William, we’ll see how long that lasts.”</p> <p>But the quip didn’t go down well, as shortly after she was forced to apologise for the incident on her Instagram due to significant criticism: “My sincere apologies for an insensitive comment I made in pop news yesterday. From ballet to anything one wants to explore in life, I say GO FOR IT. I fully believe we should all be free to pursue our passions. Go climb your mountain – and love every minute of it.”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1gzsy_D7-L/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1gzsy_D7-L/" target="_blank">My sincere apologies for an insensitive comment I made in pop news yesterday. From ballet to anything one wants to explore in life, I say GO FOR IT. I fully believe we should all be free to pursue our passions. Go climb your mountain-and love every minute of it.</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/lara.spencer/" target="_blank"> Lara Spencer</a> (@lara.spencer) on Aug 23, 2019 at 9:07am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>She also made a statement on air Monday morning: “I screwed up. I did,” she said. “It was stupid, and I am deeply sorry. I’ve spoken with several members of the dance community over the past few days.</p> <p>“For me the lesson is that words hurt, and it was not my intention, but it was insensitive and I thank you all for giving me the opportunity to apologise personally to you and for you guys coming in here to talk to me and to educate me, again, I’m really sorry.”</p> <p>Her response came shortly after members of the dance community rallied around the young prince and other male dancers with the hashtag #boysdancetoo.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1gjmZTBCxW/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1gjmZTBCxW/" target="_blank">DEAR @lara.spencer of GOOD MORNING AMERICA. I have a message for you. Wake up. It’s 2019. Get with the program. Please share and repost this so a boy who needs to see this feels supported if he dances or wants to! #boysdancetoo #ballet #goodmorningamerica #traviswall #laraspencer #bully</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/traviswall/" target="_blank"> Travis Wall</a> (@traviswall) on Aug 23, 2019 at 6:49am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1hWQ-lhxCU/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1hWQ-lhxCU/" target="_blank">Ballet promotes strength; it cultivates discipline and focus. Ballet provides us with a sense of community, an outlet for creativity, and an avenue for understanding others. Ballet creates a space and a world in which reductive gender stereotypes don’t belong. Ballet is as much masculine as it is feminine, and we’re tremendously proud of and inspired by all our male dancers. #boysdancetoo • Pictured are many of the men in our Company and NB2 currently rehearsing for our season opener Romeo and Juliet!</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/nashvilleballet/" target="_blank"> Nashville Ballet</a> (@nashvilleballet) on Aug 23, 2019 at 2:09pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>There were over 1000 people who took part, as they aimed to raise awareness about the profession.</p>

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How Princess Diana's height stopped her from pursuing one of her biggest dreams

<p>Princess Diana will always be remembered as the fashion icon of the '80s and '90s, and one of the traits that made her look so good in her bold, creative and flattering outfits were her enviously long legs.</p> <p>At nearly 178cm (5’10), the Princess of Wales was taller than most women and it is no doubt her height left a major impression on everyone she met. However, it did mean some of her most beloved passions were quashed.</p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7828696/new-project-9.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/254954e0df994e54a23c6db3c9790fb8" /></p> <p>Her impressive stature meant her childhood desire to become a professional ballerina was short-lived because of how quickly and tall she grew. A majority of female ballerinas were much shorter than Princess Diana and aside from her long legs and torso – the royal would likely have never been allowed to continue on as a professional ballerina anyway.</p> <p>Before she married into the British royal family, Princess Di had come from an aristocratic family as the daughter of an earl. As a member of the Spencer family and one of the most prominent names in British nobility, a dance career was unfortunately deemed “improper” due to her name and upbringing.</p> <p>However, the princess was still able to have a “real” job that adhered to her own love of children by becoming a nanny and later on a kindergarten aide – her last job before she become a royal member.</p> <p>Her days of dancing resurfaced in her young adulthood when she hired a dance teacher to help her reconnect with her lifetime passion for dance.</p> <p>Her ballet teacher Anne Allan spoke about Princess Di’s love of dancing in <em>Diana: In Her Own Words</em> in 2017 to mark 20 years since the royal’s tragic death in 1997.</p> <p>“When I first met her you could see that there was a huge shyness. But over time as we went through our dance class I realised just how much dance meant to her,” Allan said.</p> <p>“She had dance in her soul. I realised the pure enjoyment that it gave her. She loved the freeness of being able to move and dance. She loved it. I could see it helped to alleviate her emotional life. That was hard for her at that time.”</p> <p> <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7828694/new-project-10.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/23a74f55d7ad4a66a9710c062b58a761" /></p> <p>While the Princess would never pursue a dancing career, she did find other ways to connect with her first love.</p> <p>She was a major supporter for the English National Ballet and often could be seen at appearances to watch and cheer on other young aspiring ballet dancers.</p> <p>The royal also famously danced with Hollywood heavyweight John Travolta at a White House event in 1985. The same year she lovingly surprised her husband at the time, Prince Charles, to a guest appearance at the Royal Opera House where she performed in a quick duet to <em>Uptown Girl</em> with dancer Wayne Sleep who described the experience as <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/jul/14/thats-me-diana-dance-wayne-sleep" target="_blank">“surreal”</a> to <em>The Guardian</em> in 2017.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7828693/new-project-11.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/d48ae400b47c494d850ba4065ede82d3" /></p> <p>“Diana loved ballet, but she also wanted to learn jazz, tap and contemporary. Sadly, I couldn't teach her, because I was away on tour so much. But she approached me again when she wanted to perform at the Royal Opera House – it was a private show for supporters and friends of the Royal Ballet. Charles was going to be in the audience and she wanted to surprise him; it was all top secret," Sleep remembered.</p> <p>“The audience gasped when Diana appeared, as if they'd all taken one huge breath. The routine had a bit of everything: jazz, ballet, even a kickline. At one point, I pirouetted and she pushed me down; then I carried her across the stage. I remember thinking, 'Don't drop the future Queen of England.'”</p> <p>It turns out Princess Diana has not been the only royal to love ballet. In 2018, it was revealed Prince George, 5, began taking ballet classes – just one more way the people's princess still holds weight in the lives of her descendants.</p>

Music

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5 questions to ask before moving into a granny flat

<p>If managed correctly, a granny flat arrangement can turn into a win-win scenario for all parties. It can also turn sour fast. If you’ve toyed with the idea of entering into this sort of arrangement, it’s important to make sure you’re aware of the implications.</p> <p>Here are five questions to ask before moving into a granny flat.</p> <p><strong>1. Am I really ready to live in a granny flat?</strong></p> <p>While often in these situations you still have plenty of your own personal space, there is going to be a loss of independence to a degree. It’s important to ask yourself if you are really willing to give up this space when moving in with your family.</p> <p><strong>2. Is my family really ready to live with me?</strong></p> <p>It’s not pleasant thing to think about, but the harsh reality is there may be some parties who are not altogether pleased with the situation (even if it seems like they are on the surface). It’s always worth having a frank discussion with all the parties that are affected, and asking them if this is arrangement is indeed willing to go into. </p> <p><strong>3. Is my pension going to be affected?</strong></p> <p>Depending on the arrangement you enter into, moving into a granny flat can affect your pension entitlements. It’s important to check with the Department of Human Services<a rel="noopener" href="https://www.humanservices.gov.au/" target="_blank"></a> and a financial professional about the ramifications of making this move, and ultimately whether or not you’re willing to live with them.</p> <p><strong>4. Have I formalised the agreement?</strong></p> <p>This may seem like adding unnecessary red tape to the arrangement (especially when you’re dealing with family), but formalising the agreement can go some way to avoiding conflicting. Getting the rights and responsibilities of each party down on paper is the best way to manage expectations and ensure no one is given the short end of the stick.</p> <p><strong>5. Do I have a backup plan?</strong></p> <p>If things do go awry you don’t want to be left high and dry. It’s important to have a backup plan up your sleeve just in case the worst does happen, and you can be sure you’re in the best position possible to recoup and ultimately recover.  </p> <p>Have you moved into a granny flat? Or perhaps you know someone who has? What do you think about the arrangement? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

Retirement Income

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Rare photos show a young Queen Elizabeth at the ballet

<p>Rare photos of a then-Princess Elizabeth at the ballet have surfaced – and they prove Her Majesty has always been the Queen she is today.</p> <p>In a documentary called Royal Journey, footage shows a young Princess Elizabeth and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, enjoying a night out at the ballet during a royal tour of Canada and the United States in 1951.</p> <p>Princess Elizabeth is just 25 years old but cuts a regal figure in her yellow gown, a fur wrap and a glittering tiara. Prince Philip, who was 30 at the time, looks every bit the young gentleman in a tuxedo.</p> <p>The couple are given a standing ovation as they arrive to watch the performance at the Winnipeg Ballet Company in Canada, and the princess is gifted a bouquet of flowers from a young ballerina.</p> <p>Their appearance at the ballet was just five months before the royal couple’s life would change forever. After the death of Elizabeth’s father, King George VI, in February 1952 Princess Elizabeth became the ruling monarch at just 25 years old. And 65 years later, she still is.</p> <p>To see the photos scroll through the gallery above. </p>

News

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5 ways to customise your granny flat

<p>A backyard studio can be a tranquil escape from your house to immerse yourself in your favourite hobbies. It is better than converting an old bedroom and gives you greater space and privacy to do whatever activity you love most. Here are five ideas what you could use your granny flat for.</p> <p><strong>1. A gardener’s studio</strong></p> <p>If you have a green thumb it makes sense to create a gardening shed in your backyard granny flat. Build a workbench and add hooks to hold your small tools on the wall. You can be creative in the design of your gardening studio and even get a window box and create a mini-greenhouse.</p> <p><strong>2. A yoga retreat</strong></p> <p>Don’t spend money going to yoga classes if you have the space (and expertise) to do it in your own house. Leave the floor clear for your yoga mat and if you have spare space, invite a friend to come and exercise with you as well. To make your yoga retreat comfortable all year long, add bits and pieces that make you feel relaxed and peaceful.</p> <p><strong>3. An office</strong></p> <p>If you are working from home, then your granny flat is the perfect location for your office. Not only will it give you peace and quiet, your mind will associate the granny flat with work instead of your house. This will allow you to walk into your house and immediately be able to unwind.</p> <p><strong>4. A workshop</strong></p> <p>Trade your garage for a granny flat workshop if you’re a builder and fixer of things. Unlike working in your garage, the granny flat won’t be as cluttered and allow you to use up all the space you need. A cement slab would be your best floor option.</p> <p><strong>5. An art studio</strong></p> <p>If your granny flat has great natural light, then it will be the perfect space to let your creative mind roam free. Paint the walls with your preferred colour and then decorate the space with items that can inspire your art. This space will not only be like a little getaway but you can stop worrying about getting your art supplies on any furniture. You also won’t have to pack up after yourself.  </p>

Home & Garden

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Spain’s National Ballet dances with Parkinson’s patients

<p>This year marks two centuries since Parkinson’s was first recognised as a health condition, and every year on April 11 – World Parkinson’s Day – the world unites to help raise awareness for this debilitating and heartbreaking disease<a href="/health/body/2017/03/is-it-possible-to-detect-parkinsons-sooner/" target="_blank"></a>.</p> <p>In Spain, a group of ballet dancers from the Ballet Nacional de España spent some quality time with a few special guest dancers at their studios in Madrid – Parkinson’s patients.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F146153208766303%2Fvideos%2F1297008637014082%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p> <p>“It was a real pleasure for us to dance with them in this special day,” the National Ballet wrote on Facebook. It just goes to show, disability doesn’t have to be a barrier to getting out there in the world and having some fun.</p>

Body

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Why a granny flat could be the best investment youve ever made

<p>If you’ve got enough spare turf in the back yard, a granny flat or secondary dwelling could represent a clever property investment. And with more and more granny flats popping up across the country, homeowners and investors are beginning to realise their money-making potential.</p> <p>It’s a great way to generate additional cash flow through rental income as well as increase your property’s value if and when you decide to sell. They can generally be built quite quickly and can offer a positively geared investment in most cases. Furthermore, another benefit of granny flats is that they can be used for a variety of purposes including additional accommodation for extended family, a home office, hobby space or rental income.</p> <p>People are discovering that granny flats are no longer just tiny bedsits or rumpus rooms, instead they can represent good quality, separate dwellings on the same block without the need to subdivide.</p> <p>The New South Wales government defines a granny flat as a self-contained extension of a home that is within, attached or separate from the home but on the same lot of land, and not in a strata plan or community title scheme. The granny flat must be self-contained, meaning it has its own entrance, as well as a separate bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, laundry and living area.</p> <p>If you’re considering a granny flat, here are a few things to keep in mind:</p> <ul> <li>They can only be built on a Residential Zone property</li> <li>The owner of the granny flat must also be the owner of the primary dwelling</li> <li>They can’t be built on strata title, subdivided or community title property</li> <li>The block must be at least 450m2</li> <li>There is a limit of one granny flat for each residential property</li> <li>The granny flat can have no more than 60m2 of living space. However, patios, verandas or carports can be attached in addition to that allowance</li> <li>They must have clear, separate and unobstructed pedestrian access</li> </ul> <p>Make sure you do your homework in deciding whether a granny flat is the right investment for you, including checking the following:</p> <ul> <li>Local council – check what you can and can’t do in terms of zoning and local restrictions</li> <li>Demand – talk to local real estate agents on levels of demand in your area</li> <li>Costs – get quotes from builders as well as a market appraisal on rent and value from your real estate agent to decide on viability</li> </ul> <p>Before you make a decision, it’s also important to weigh up the cash flow benefits as well as resale considerations. Also ensure you consider potential issues around sharing utilities, maintenance and noise, and the rental implications for each property.</p>

Money & Banking

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Find the ballet dancer in the sea of flamingos

<p>We’ve tested your <a href="/news/news/2016/09/can-you-solve-this-maths-problem/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">problem-solving</span></strong></a> and <a href="/news/news/2016/09/can-you-spot-the-dog-in-the-herd-of-cows/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">object-finding</span></strong></a> skills before, and each time you’ve blown us away with your keen and agile minds. But can you keep up the great work?</p> <p>In this head-scratching visual puzzle, a ballet dancer is hidden among a huge flock of similarly-coloured flamingos. Take a look for yourself and see if you can spot her.</p> <p><img width="500" height="500" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/28798/dance1_500x500.jpg" alt="Dance1" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>Still stuck? Scroll down to reveal the answer…</p> <p><img width="500" height="500" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/28799/dance2_500x500.jpg" alt="Dance2" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>Tell us in the comments below, how long did it take you to find her?</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/09/can-you-spot-the-dog-in-the-herd-of-cows/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Can you spot the dog in the herd of cows?</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/09/is-this-cat-walking-up-or-down-the-stairs/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Is this cat walking up or down the stairs?</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/09/spot-the-owl-hiding-in-the-trees/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Spot the owl hiding in these trees</strong></em></span></a></p>

News

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Lie-flat seats are finally coming to economy class

<p>There’s nothing that makes you dread flying economy more than walking past those plush, spacious seats in first class. However, we have great news; there will now be a seat that will turn every row of the economy cabin into a flat bed, allowing all your dreams to come true.</p> <p>These "Sky Couches" can already be found on Air New Zealand’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777 wide body jets, and at $150, are about half the price of an upgrade to premium economy.</p> <p>A new design from seat manufacturer Geven indicates it's a trend that's soon to catch on. On flights featuring their new “Piuma sofas”, passengers can upgrade their booking (in advance or on board) to an entire row wide enough for two to sleep. Depending on the airline, the cost of the upgrade is estimated to be about $200 per person.</p> <p>For airline, this is an opportunity to turn half-empty flights into profitable ones. With that in mind, it’s not surprising to see that several airlines, including South African Airways and Air AsiaX, have already signed letters of intent to purchase the so-called Piuma Sofas. </p> <p>Watch the video above to see how the new chairs will work.</p> <p>Would you use something like this? Let us know in the comments below. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2016/04/10-usa-destinations-with-spectacular-scenery/"><em>10 USA destinations with spectacular scenery</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2016/04/12-packing-tips-to-travel-with-one-suitcase/"><em>12 packing tips to travel with one suitcase</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/%20http:/www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-tips/2016/04/how-to-carry-important-travel-documents/"><em>The best way to carry travel documents</em></a></strong></span></p> <p> </p>

International Travel

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Hilarious pictures capture cat’s “ballet” moves

<p>Ever wonder what your cat gets up to when you’re not around? Well, it could be this! One pet owner in Japan has gathered a huge online following after sharing the hilarious photos of their cat performing some incredible ballet moves.</p> <p>Take a look at the cute kitty’s enviable arabesques and pas de chat in the gallery above.</p> <p>Does your pet have a secret talent? Tell us about it in the comment section below.</p> <p><em>Source: @ccchisa76 / Twitter</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/news/news/2016/05/rescue-wombat-sorts-out-laundry/">Rescue wombat “sorts out laundry”</a></span></em></strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/05/photos-of-the-tiny-tortoise-hatched-at-bristol-zoo/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Photos capture the moment a tiny tortoise hatches</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/05/gallery-of-very-important-cat-jobs/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>12 very important cat jobs</strong></em></span></a></p>

News

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Hidden benefits of living in a granny flat

<p>In recent times Granny flats have grown in popularity considerably, and it’s easy to see why.</p> <p>Not only is it a way of cutting down on overheads at home, granny flats allows parents and adult children to share financial, emotional and practical support in all aspects of life.</p> <p>In NSW, Australia for example, over the past year there was a 75 per cent increase in people building on their blocks of land compared to five years ago, as people respond to a tight housing market.</p> <p>Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that despite a declining birth rate, the average number of people per household has actually grown steadily, and the increasing popularity of granny flats doesn’t necessarily have to represent young adults moving to take care of their parents. Many of the inhabitants of granny flats are taking care of the younger children who are in their house.</p> <p>Social researcher Mark McCrindle told News.com, “Most young people with children are very busy and one of the biggest financial costs is paid child care. If they can get the parents to move in they can help share the costs, and they have childcare at the same time. It has good social and economic benefits. I think it is a positive thing in a lot of ways and we will see more of it into the future.”</p> <p>That being said, if you are thinking of getting into a granny flat with your children, it’s important to document the changes to your living conditions. Centrelink general manager Hank Jongen says, “Although we may accept you have a granny flat interest, even if it is not in writing, we recommend that you have a legal document drawn up by a solicitor to give evidence of the arrangement.”</p> <p>The reason for this is that living in a granny flat may affect age pension payments. Mr Jorgen adds, “We do not use market value to assess the worth of a granny flat interest. Instead, we need to know what you transferred to the property owner in exchange for the granny flat right or interest.”</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/finance/money-banking/2016/01/10-important-quotes-about-money/"><strong>10 quotes that show money isn’t everything</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/finance/money-banking/2016/01/facing-up-to-why-we-fail-with-money/"><strong>Facing up to why we fail with money</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/finance/money-banking/2016/01/new-zealanders-lose-millions-to-online-scams/"><strong>New Zealanders lose $12m to online scams</strong></a></em></span></p>

Money & Banking

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Ballet helping people with Parkinson’s find a new lease on life

<p>Ballet is providing a surprising outlet for people with Parkinson’s, a degenerative disease that affects people’s motor skills. In classes run by English National Ballet in the UK, people with Parkinson’s get a chance to lose themselves in the music and even find themselves dancing in the freeing environment. As you can see from the video above, the Dance for Parkinson’s program incredibly gives people a respite from the pains of Parkinson’s.</p> <p><em>Source: Channel 4 News</em></p>

Caring

Over 60

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