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A quick and easy guide to the holliest and jolliest Christmas cocktails

When it comes to the holiday season, nothing screams festive like Christmas-themed food and drinks. For your next holiday party, or if you're looking for a festive tipple on Christmas Eve to welcome in the big day, here's a list of our three favourite Christmas cocktails. All easy to make and undeniably delicious, these festive cocktails are guaranteed to have you in the Christmas spirit quicker than you can say "Another round!" Holiday Margarita Ingredients: · 30 ml Cointreau · 30 ml Blanco Tequila · 30 ml Fresh Lime Juice · 6 drops Aromatic Bitters Method: 1. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and add ice 2. Shake and strain into a cinnamon sugar-rimmed coupe glass 3. Garnish with rosemary sprig Holiday Cosmopolitan Ingredients: · 20 ml Cointreau · 40 ml Vodka · 20 ml Fresh Lime Juice · 20 ml Cinnamon Clove Cranberry Syrup Method: 1. To make the syrup: Add 1 cup cranberries, 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, 1 stick cinnamon, 5 cloves in a saucepan and heat up until boiled 2. Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake until well chilled 3. Strain into chilled glass 4. Garnish with a cinnamon stick Holiday Jam Ingredients: · 20ml Cointreau · 40 ml Vodka · 20 ml Fresh Lime Juice · 10 ml Cranberry Juice · 1 Bar Spoon Blackberries Method: 1. Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake until well chilled 2. Strain into chilled glass 3. Garnish with a blackberry Image credits: Supplied

Food & Wine

Why quick health fixes are never the solution

When it comes to diet and exercise, there are no shortcuts. Weight loss, muscle gain, addressing nutritional deficiencies, lowering of things like cholesterol... none of these things can be done quickly. All efforts must have a cumulative effect to work. We love a "quick fix" because we don't like hard work. When a study breaks the news that, for example, a glass of red wine a day is equivalent to going to the gym, people change their approach to their health without understanding what was actually a very flawed, limited study. But the messages from quick fixes are catchy. "I don't have to go to the gym!", "If I eat this, I'll lose weight in three weeks!", "I can get a six-pack without doing crunches!", and so the beliefs go. Knowledge, hard work and discipline is the only secret to achieving health goals. But that doesn't stop people trying to seek out an easier way. Quick fixes are appealing for many reasons. The world of health is complex and often unclear (and even contradictory). Quick fixes are clear cut. They give you explicit instructions that are easily followed, and they're usually one-dimensional, e.g. "don't eat anything except chicken and broccoli". They also often give you a hint of success early on, which gives you confidence. If you dramatically drop your regular diet for a juice cleanse that is only 25 per cent of your regular calorie intake, of course you're going to lose weight. Until you don't. The unsustainable – and usually unhealthy – nature of quick fixes is that they normally come with a yo-yo effect. You'll lose weight dramatically in the first few weeks but then you'll plateau, and then that weight will pile back on with a vengeance. The yo-yo effect is actually called "weight cycling", and is largely psychological. You embark on a reduced calorie diet and/or energy-intensive exercise regimen that is extreme from the outset, and initially you experience pride and elation over your efforts. The effects of fatigue soon set in and force you back to old ways (and often, backwards) in your health-related endeavours. Any kind of quick fix diet will also slow your metabolism down, because when you cut calories you're also cutting macronutrients. The result? Muscle loss instead of fat loss. This unhelpful quick fix mentality applies to "superfoods" and any kind of "ground-breaking" ingredients (think chia seeds, kale, blackcurrants, nut oils and the like) too. No single food can speed up your progress when it comes to your health goals. We're obsessed with quick fixes because they have a cult value to them. They're based around creating a fear of something – whether it's going to the gym or sugary foods – and telling you that if you follow a certain, easily-prescribed doctrine, you can be free of that fear. As a consumer, scepticism is your greatest tool when thinking about supposedly revolutionary health studies and claims made by so-called experts. When reading about a scientific study that claims a quick fix concerning the miraculous benefits of one type of food, specific exercise activity, or diet, there are a few important things to know. Firstly, that study might be taken from a minute group of subjects (e.g. only 10 people), which doesn't provide reliable evidence. Studies also can use unnaturally high concentrations of a "miracle" ingredient, enabling researchers to produce a desirable result that will get published in journals and mainstream media. A great example in recent times of this has been goji berries, and their purported effect on heart disease prevention. It's also vital to know what many studies are funded by corporations that stand to benefit from those desirable results. You, as a consumer, should be wary of any quick fix backed up by a single scientific source, because that research might have solely been conducted with a view to use it to sell a product. When it comes to health fixes, if it's easy and revolutionary, it's too good to be true. Take to Google with a sceptical eye, and you'll find it's easy to discover how misleading any quick fix can be. Image credit: Shutterstock Written by Lee Suckling. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stuff.co.nz.</a>

Body

Get-rich-quick schemes, pyramids and ponzis: five signs you’re being scammed

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bomikazi-zeka-680577">Bomikazi Zeka</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-canberra-865">University of Canberra</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/abdul-latif-alhassan-1390159">Abdul Latif Alhassan</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-cape-town-691">University of Cape Town</a> Consumers are under a lot of financial strain. The <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/09/cost-of-living-crisis-global-impact/">World Economic Forum</a> reports that the cost-of-living crisis is affecting people across the globe. With food and fuel prices rising, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep financially afloat. On top of that, salaries <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/workers-pay-globally-hasnt-kept-up-with-inflation-e6df92d">aren’t keeping up with inflation</a>, making it more difficult to save and build wealth. It’s during such times of economic difficulty and uncertainty that fraudsters lure unsuspecting consumers into “<a href="https://www.sabric.co.za/">get-rich-quick</a>” schemes, offering <a href="https://www.sabric.co.za/stay-safe/ponzi-pyramid-schemes/">an avenue to make easy money</a> by investing in a “lucrative” financial opportunity. Nothing beats the prospect of making easy money, and every now and again there seems to be a “get-rich-quick” scheme circulating on WhatsApp or on social media that seems legitimate. But it’s not. Our research interests centre on financial systems in emerging economies, and we advocate for financial inclusion and empowering marginalised communities through financial literacy and financial planning. We use our academic platform to share our expertise on finance, including common financial traps people should steer clear of. “Get-rich-quick” schemes are one such trap. They’re also sometimes called ponzi or pyramid schemes. The schemes are a form of <a href="https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/financial-fraud">financial fraud</a>. The people running them take money through deception: the misrepresentation of information and identity. They promise financial benefits that don’t exist. You should avoid them because, more often than not, they are bogus and fraudulent business ventures. There have been some massive fraud schemes over the past 30 years. In the early 1990s, <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/mmm-global-russian-ponzi-scheme-from-1990s-reborn-and-now-spreading-like-wildfire-in-africa-a7333366.html">MMM Global</a> - one of the world’s largest and most notorious ponzi schemes - defrauded up to 40 million people, who lost an estimated $10 billion. Ponzi schemes have since resurfaced in different forms in <a href="https://www.iol.co.za/weekend-argus/news/ponzi-scheme-investigated-as-some-victims-lost-as-much-as-r200-000-c3c3633c-2abb-4dd4-b668-a5ea608deb41">South Africa</a>, <a href="https://guardian.ng/business-services/nigerians-lose-over-n911b-to-ponzi-schemes-related-fraud-in-23-years/">Nigeria</a>, <a href="https://www.voazimbabwe.com/a/zimbabwe-money-pyramids-ponzi-schemes/6305100.html">Zimbabwe</a>, <a href="https://allafrica.com/stories/202105170964.html">Kenya</a>, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1108/JFC-09-2020-0177">Ghana</a> and several other African countries. There are five tell-tale signs of a “get-rich-quick” scheme. Watch out for them. <h2>The five tell-tale signs</h2> Firstly, they offer exaggerated and above-market returns within a short period of time, with the promise of little to no risk. There are two golden rules when it comes to investing. The first is that it takes time to make money. Amassing a small fortune within a short space of time should raise questions about the scheme. The second rule is: the higher the risk, the higher the return. In other words, no investment is risk free or can guarantee significant returns. There is always some risk involved. An investment that promises substantial returns tends to be quite risky, which repels most people with a low appetite for risk. Secondly, new members are constantly recruited to join the scheme. Typically, such schemes are sustained by relying on the investments of new members to pay existing members. Once the number of existing members exceeds new members, the scheme goes “belly-up”. At best you lose out on the returns you were promised. At worst you lose all the money you’ve invested. When the scheme collapses, it is almost impossible to recover the money you’ve lost because you’ve technically given it to a stranger (remember, the definition of financial fraud encompasses the misrepresentation of identity). Thirdly, there is urgency to join the scheme and no clarity on how the scheme works. This is a classic characteristic of a “get-rich-quick” scheme. There is usually no clear answer about the nature of the scheme, what it invests in, how it generates its returns or the credentials of the organisation. Legitimate investments are transparent and can provide investors with all the information they need to help them decide whether to invest. Unsurprisingly, a proper check of “get-rich-quick” schemes will unmask their fraudulent nature. This is why there’s always the urgency and coercion to make an immediate financial commitment under the guise of missing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get rich. Fourthly, the scheme is not registered with or regulated by any recognised authority. Regulatory authorities are important because they monitor the conduct of financial service providers and protect consumers by keeping their best interests in mind. The protection provided by financial regulators also instils confidence in financial systems. “Get-rich-quick” schemes are not registered and operate outside the framework of regulatory bodies. This makes investors more vulnerable to loss and makes it more difficult to seek legal recourse when the loss occurs. Legitimate investments in South Africa are offered by authorised financial service providers and regulated by the <a href="https://www.fsca.co.za/Pages/Default.aspx">Financial Sector Conduct Authority</a>. You can search for any authorised financial service provider on the authority’s <a href="https://www.fsca.co.za/Fais/Search_FSP.htm">website</a>. Fifthly, they use the testimonies from existing members who’ve earned big bucks to promote the scheme. At the initial stages, the scheme tends to pay out to those who have invested early, and these members are encouraged to share the news of their wealth (which travels fast and far) to promote the scheme. But this is a tactic used to create the impression that you too can earn returns in the double digits. These schemes are both unsustainable and unethical as one person gets wealthy through someone else being deceived. <h2>Too good to be true</h2> It’s worth repeating that if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Wealth comes from a sound investment strategy and decisions made over time. Any promise to “get rich quick” should be treated with the cynicism it deserves. It will ultimately reveal its fraudulent nature. Recognising the signs of “get-rich-quick” schemes can save you from unnecessary financial distress. It’s always a good idea to do your own investigation before committing your finances into any investment. You can find more information on the various types of scams through the <a href="https://www.sabric.co.za/">South African Banking Risk Information Centre</a>’s website and report them to the <a href="https://www.safps.org.za/Home/Contact">South African Fraud Prevention Service</a>.<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/205798/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bomikazi-zeka-680577">Bomikazi Zeka</a>, Assistant Professor in Finance and Financial Planning, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-canberra-865">University of Canberra</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/abdul-latif-alhassan-1390159">Abdul Latif Alhassan</a>, Associate Professor in Development Finance & Insurance, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-cape-town-691">University of Cape Town</a> Image credits: Getty Images 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/get-rich-quick-schemes-pyramids-and-ponzis-five-signs-youre-being-scammed-205798">original article</a>.

Money & Banking

"Kids are quick": Romantic proposal takes wild turn

What was meant to be a beautiful proposal took a turn for the worst when the engagement ring plunged right through the jetty cracks and into the ocean below. Luke was down on one knee ready to propose to his pregnant girlfriend Stephanie on the Hervey Bay jetty while two-year-old Harper Jane watched on. But before they saw what was happening, Harper Jane quickly grabbed the engagement ring from the box and it slipped out of her hands. “Kids are quick, much quicker than you think - I didn’t actually realise she had grabbed it,” Luke said in a TikTok. Luke called out Harper Jane's name before immediately throwing off his thongs and taking his phone and wallet out of his pocket, ready to jump into the water. <div class="embed" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; border-style: initial; vertical-align: baseline; width: 619px; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7141170167098117402&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40alarcon_sinverguenza%2Fvideo%2F7141170167098117402%3Fis_from_webapp%3D1%26sender_device%3Dpc%26web_id%3D7070374670839465473&key=59e3ae3acaa649a5a98672932445e203&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> <p dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Roboto, Rubik, 'Noto Kufi Arabic', 'Noto Sans JP', sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;">Blindsided in the moment, his friend called out that he couldn’t jump because it was too shallow causing him to change his landing mid way through which left him with an earache. But Luke was on a mission to find the ring and was excited when he heard Stephanie’s dad call out to say that he could see it. “I can see it! Stop there, by your right hand,” he could be heard calling out. Thanks to the crystal clear waters of Hervey Bay, Luke was able to find the ring quickly and get back to shore. The ring eventually ended up on Stephanie’s finger, with the couple then revealing that Luke also wanted to ask Harper if he could be her step-dad. “I’m committing to them both so I felt like both of them should be present,” he said. “It’s just funny. Even if we had lost (the ring), there would have been humour in it - just sadness, too. “That will go down in the history books for us.” Images: TikTok

Relationships

A quick guide to shiraz

A good shiraz is the perfect winter drop but how do you choose one and what is it like to drink? Here’s a few things to look for when choosing a shiraz. Winter may bring cold wind, rain and even snow depending on where you call home, but one great thing you can indulge in during the colder spell is a good red. With its strong, full-bodied flavour, a hearty shiraz is just the ticket to take the chill out of your bones. Shiraz is also known as syrah, so if you ever get over to Europe and feel like an intense red tipple, always ask them for a glass of syrah since the serving person may not know of it by another name. When poured, the colour can be anywhere between a medium red through to a rich purple/red to even a black in some varieties. Mint, spice, blackcurrant, aniseed, plum and chocolate are just some of the primary fruit characters you’ll be able to detect with shiraz. As the wine ages these flavours will evolve into more complex notes. Young varieties will often have a firm tannin taste, which means it tastes dry and comes out strongest around the middle of your tongue. For older wines, the tannins will be a little finer. Shiraz goes perfectly with red or game meat, so if you’re planning to have a big, juicy steak for dinner then pair it with a full-bodied glass of shiraz and you won’t be disappointed. Australia produces great reds, especially shiraz. South Australia’s Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale have made steady names for themselves as regions which produce some great tasting reds. Gill Radford, co-owner of Barossa winery Radford Wines, reveals that while shiraz can be a great wine all-year round, it’s extra special in winter. “The colder months do create a lovely romantic notion of great, slow braised dishes, roaring fires and a feeling of nourishment and contentment that can only be appreciated with a great glass of red,” she says. When it comes to choosing a good shiraz, she said it will come down to personal preference in terms of palate and what you enjoy. However, it’s good to keep in mind the different varieties of shiraz depending on where it was produced. “Shiraz differs from region to region. For example, the Barossa makes really inky, deeply concentrated wines while Eden Valley (in the Barossa Ranges) tends to be more elegant and refined, while still harnessing its intensity,” she explains. Generally the cost of a bottle of wine is indicative of its quality, so more expensive wines tend to be aged longer in barrel. Younger, full-bodied varieties tend to have higher tannins and alcohol content. When it comes to pairing a shiraz with a meal, Ms Radford recommends a tasty French dish. “I’ve been known to go a little crazy for cassoulet – it’s a fabulous peasant dish that is really labourious but worth the effort,” she says. Image credits: Getty Images

Food & Wine

7 quick tips for cleaning your kitchen’s trickiest appliances

Microwave: Steam away messes Don’t waste elbow grease on the crusted messes in your microwave – just let them steam clean. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice into a microwave-safe bowl. Add the lemon pieces to the bowl, along with 1/2 cup of water. Nuke the water and lemon for three minutes on high, or until the liquid starts to boil. Without opening the door, let the lemon water stand for five minutes. The lemony steam will help break down the gunk, making it easy to wipe off after you remove the bowl. Take out the turntable to clean it, then wipe down the top, bottom, sides and door of the microwave before putting it back. Blender: Let it self-clean Hate the idea of scrubbing every inch of the blade? Let your blender do all the dirty work. Fill the pitcher with hot water as soon as you’re done using it, add a couple drops of dishwashing liquid, and run the blender like you would for a recipe. Rinse it out and it will be ready for your next concoction. Just make sure you take the blender apart and give it a hands-on scrub every now and then for a deep clean. Slow cooker: Deep clean with baking soda A slow cooker makes food preparation easy, but the cleanup? Not so much. When your appliance has a mess that can’t be wiped away after a pre-soak, it’s time for a deep clean. Add ¼ cup of baking soda and a squirt of washing up liquid, then fill with water. Put the lid on, then turn the machine on high for two to four hours. Stand mixer: Use a wet rag Place a wet rag over areas with built-on food residue to loosen it. After a few minutes, the dried gunk should be softer and easier to wipe away. When cleaning the beater, let the attachment soak in water to help dissolve the mess before scrubbing it clean. Toaster: Target the crumb tray Don’t forget about that crumb tray, if your toaster has one. Slide it out and shake off the crumbs, or turn the whole machine upside down and shake lightly if it doesn’t have a removable tray. Wash and dry the tray before putting it back to get rid of any caked-on food. To clean out the inner corners of your toaster, reach in with a pastry or basting brush. Finish by wiping the outside with a damp cloth and mild detergent, or a bit of vinegar if it’s stainless steel. Stove hotplates: Try different tactics for gas vs. electric For a gas hotplate, unclog the port with a pin or unfolded paper clip. Then take off the removable parts of the cooktop and soak them in hot, soapy water. Scrub them clean, then rinse thoroughly. Wipe the cooktop with a damp, not wet, cloth to prevent water from leaking into the burner. Electric hotplates should never be submerged in water, so it can be hard to break down burnt spills, especially when washing up liquid isn’t strong enough. Combine baking soda and water until it has a paste consistency, then use the mixture to scrub the mess. Garbage disposal: Use lemon for a fresh scent If your disposal is starting to smell, it’s time for a thorough cleaning. Get rid of grime in the grinding mechanics by pouring half a cup of baking soda into the disposal, followed by a cup of white vinegar, two cups of ice, and one cup of salt. With the cold water running, turn on the garbage disposal until the ice is gone. To freshen the odour, cut a lemon and grind the pieces one at a time in the disposal. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/food-home-garden/home-tips/7-quick-tips-for-cleaning-your-kitchens-trickiest-appliances" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Home & Garden

"It was very quick": Children's entertainer dead at 29

Beloved children’s entertainer Chelsie Whibley has died at the age of 29. The actress, best known for her roles in Dani's House and Sadie J, was open about her battle with cystic fibrosis which caused mucus to build up in her lungs and function at 25 per cent. Her heartbroken husband Glyn Whibley shared the devastating news in a lengthy facebook post saying how wrong it felt waking up with her not there. “I cannot put into words the heartbreak I am now feeling without you here,” he wrote. “Waking up without you by my side just feels so wrong and I’m waiting to realise that this is all just a terrible dream… but sadly I know it is not. “From the first time we met I knew that this day would come but I knew you were the one I wanted to spend my life with…and it has been an incredible life…one that I would not change for anything in the world.” Glyn thanked Chelsie for being his inspiration and for bringing happiness into his life saying he would forever treasure their memories together. “You were such an inspiration to me and so many others, with such vigour and determination to prove the doctors wrong and keep living on. “We have made so many memories together that I will treasure for the rest of my life and I thank you for choosing me to share your life with! “You have brought such happiness to me and you will never know the true amount of love I had for you!” Glyn wished there was a different way to help Chelsie with all the suffering but knows she’s at peace “looking down on us”. “You were the love of my life and my bestest friend and I am going to miss you so so much! “I’m sorry we didn’t get the chance to go away in our caravan more and enjoy more times together… but those trips we did take will be sacred to me! “You are my absolute world and you will always be in my heart!! “I will look after your mum and help her through this devastating time along with the rest of your family… but at long last you can finally rest in peace without fear and discomfort. “I love you so much baby and will never forget you!! I can’t believe I’m actually writing all this but I know you’re still with me in spirit looking after me!! “Until we meet again my beautiful wife… I love you!!!!!!!! X x x” Image: Facebook

News

Five quick ideas for staying active in retirement

Retirement is possibly the only time when you have the opportunity to do whatever it is you want. But for those of you who are stuck for ideas to stay active and motivated, here are some exciting ideas that can easily be done alone or with other like-minded retirees. <ol> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Travel </li> </ol> The kids have grown and moved out and you can finally visit that place you’ve always wanted to but couldn’t. Definitely an enriching experience to learn about different cultures, foods, and how things work across the world. If you’re unable to travel, even just planning a trip for when you eventually can is fun. <ol start="2"> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Volunteer </li> </ol> You’ve done your fair share of 40-hour weeks (or even more!), but if you miss having something to do for others, then volunteering is definitely for you. The best way to volunteer is to find an organisation you’re passionate about and see whether you have the skills to help them out. Alternatively, go in the other direction and choose a cause or activity you’re not even remotely familiar with – which transforms the entire exercise into a learning opportunity as well! <ol start="3"> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Sport </li> </ol> This is possibly one of the best ways to meet new people, but also sport will keep you fit and healthy, which is definitely what you want during retirement. If sport isn’t for you then consider heading down to your local park and becoming a spectator! <ol start="4"> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Go back to school </li> </ol> If there’s something you’ve always wanted to study, now is the chance to go ahead without any distractions. Not only will you be learning interesting information, it will also keep your mind sharp. <ol start="5"> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Find a new hobby </li> </ol> With all the time in the world it could be fun to join a painting or pottery class. Other hobbies you may want to get immersed in include cooking classes, book clubs, or even growing your own vegetable garden. Image: Shutterstock

Retirement Life

The quick and easy way to create an office in your living area

Working from home is here to stay, but for many Australians the luxury of a home office isn’t always an option. Bunnings have teamed up with Better Homes and Gardens to bring you these handy hacks to create your own designated work space at home. 1. Find the perfect desk First things first, you’ll need a sturdy desk. Whether you buy a ready-made desk or build one yourself, ensure it’s the ideal size (common dimensions range between 120 and 180cm wide and 60 to 90cm deep). Select your countertop material to suit your interior style. A minimalist, timber design is the epitome of Scandinavian style, whereas a black metal desk evokes an industrial mood. <h3>2. Add a feature wall</h3> A bold feature wall creates a strong visual contrast and can liven up any lacklustre room. It’s also the key to dividing your study nook from an open-plan area — creating a separate space that’s truly your own. Here, the Bunnings team use premium paint to form a striking focal point. This rich black colour has a calming and powerful effect, perfect for creating focus in a working zone. What’s more, this simple DIY paint project can transform your home office in a matter of hours. <h3>3. Install floating shelves</h3> Sufficient storage is key to an organised workstation, so you can sit down with a clear mind at the start of each working day. Floating shelves are the answer to decluttering your desk and keeping organised, as they can hold folders, stationery, and other office equipment. Open shelves are also a beautiful way to personalise your study and show off décor. Plus, installing shelving is a straightforward DIY task that any renovation novice with a power drill can tackle. <h3>4. Allow for ample lighting</h3> Whether your home office is tucked around a corner or is a statement piece in your living room, it’s important to consider lighting. Poor lighting can induce eye fatigue and headaches, while negatively affecting your energy and productivity. Whilst we can’t all have an office with a view, it is worth considering a space with great natural light, which creates a warm, attractive environment and can enlarge a small space. If possible, position your desk near a window, and invest in a lamp to further brighten your desk. <h3>5. Decorate with plants </h3> Bring the outdoors in with a burst of greenery on your desk. A leafy desk friend is proven to boost attention, reduce stress and increase creativity, not to mention plants also improve air quality. Decorate with indoor plants that are easy to care for and require little sunlight, such as a snake plant, peace lily or philodendron green. Image: Better Homes & Gardens

Home Hints & Tips

Five minute fixes: car care and repair on a budget

All those seemingly unimportant cosmetic problems with your car can add up when it is time to sell. Here’s how to fix a range of automobile problems yourself quickly and efficiently. A rock chipped my windshield <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844627/car-fix1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/072bedc1b8dc487db1b4c594c466831c" /> Image: Shutterstock A pebble tumbles out of a dump truck on the highway, your windshield smacks it at the maximum speed limit and your day is ruined. Not necessarily – small chips and bullseye cracks are easy to repair. First, keep dust, mud, bird droppings, and such out of the crack, because they will interfere with the repair. So pull over and put some clear plastic tape over the windshield crack until you can make your permanent fix. Then tend to the crack as soon as possible. Changes in temperature and everyday vibration caused by driving can worsen the crack. Swing by an auto parts store and pick up a clear epoxy repair kit designed specifically for windshields. They can be pretty cheap. Apply the adhesive according to the package directions. Do-it-yourself fixes won’t work well for cracks larger than, say, 30 centimetres. For those, you’ll need to have the windshield replaced by a professional. Someone scratched my car's finish <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844626/car-fix2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/3e85e8f3a66547b584c27c853f42ce0a" /> Image: Shutterstock Rub your finger gently over the scratch. If you can’t feel the indentation made by the scratch, you’re in luck. Only the surface clear coat was marred, not the paint layer. Go to an auto parts store, pick up a polish (many feature scratch-removing properties), and follow the package directions. If you can feel the scratch on the surface of your car’s finish, buffing and polishing will not help. The only solution is to paint over the scratch to make it less noticeable. Browse through the fingernail polish available in your home, a drugstore, or a department store. When you find a shade that matches the colour of your car, delicately paint over the scratch and let it dry. If you mess up the patch job, dab on a little nail polish remover with a cotton swab to clean it up, let it dry, and start over. Auto parts stores also sell touch-up marking pens and coloured polishes that will disguise a scratch temporarily. I ripped my car seat <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844625/car-fix3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/fd2b5cefab3b4d0ebfcd00ba7a3b4337" /> Image: Shutterstock If you’ve cut a gash in your car’s leather or vinyl upholstery, find duct tape that matches the colour of the upholstery and cut a piece just large enough to cover the rip. Auto parts stores sell duct tape in a wide range of colours. The tape will mask the wound until you can get it permanently repaired at an upholstery repair shop. Auto parts stores also sell colour-matching adhesive repair kits for leather and vinyl upholstery. Duct tape and do-it-yourself repair kits don’t work quite as well on fabric, however. For large fabric tears, you’ll need the help of an auto upholstery shop. I'm worried my child's car seat isn't secure <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844624/car-fix4.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/180a8c402ef2422f84dc23ff6eea0bbe" /> Image: Getty Images You never want to put your kids in harm’s way. But an incorrectly installed car seat is doing just that. To find out if your car seat is up to snuff, take a quick ride to your local police station. Most police are trained to spot a faulty car seat and will be able to secure yours properly. In addition, many libraries, doctor’s offices, day care centres, and other places where kids congregate hold free car-seat checkups. Find out when the next one is scheduled. My car has been dented <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844623/car-fix5.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/3bb486a27ec24dd0a80a484bb6412906" /> Image: Getty Images Here are two ways to fix a dent without taking your car to the shop: If the dent is on or near the wheel arch, you’ll be able to tap it out with a hammer, but only after you unscrew the black plastic shields under the arch. To do this, first make sure the emergency brake is in place. Next, using a small screwdriver, unscrew the four to six screws holding the shield in place. Depending on the size of the dent, use either your fingers or a hammer to knock out the dent. Of course, if the dent is on the plastic shield itself, there is no need to take it off. Just get underneath it and push out the plastic with your fingers. If the dent is on the side of your car, you’ll need a little suction to repair it. Find anything with a suction cup attached. Many automatic pencil sharpeners, for instance, have them on their bases. Most auto supply stores sell suction cups for pulling out dents. They cost about $7. Take the cup, place it directly over the dent, and pull it off. That wonderful pop sound indicates you’ve pulled the body back into shape. I got car wax on my bumper <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844622/car-fix6.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ac244476aab44f5fb6bc2029ccfb13d1" /> Image: Getty Images Until they make car wax that easily comes off plastic car components, thank goodness for WD-40. Spray a little of it on the wax and wipe it off with a rag or an old toothbrush. This also works for wax that gets into crevices. All those seemingly unimportant cosmetic problems with your car can add up when it is time to sell. Here’s how to fix a range of automobile problems yourself quickly and efficiently. I can't jump-start a dead car battery <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844621/car-fix7.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/17ce1b848abf4f9b82939a62ca47590c" /> Image: Getty Images You found a kind soul to help you cable up your reluctant car battery, but the engine still won’t turn over. Don’t despair. The good news is that a car battery might get really, really weak, but it’s never completely dead. If your jump-start isn’t working and there’s a lot of corrosion around the battery terminals where you attach the cables, pour a can of cola on the corroded area. The acid in the cola will dissolve the corrosion, improving your connection and increasing your odds of a successful jump-start. The cola also contains electrolytes, which will help improve the electrical flow. Once you get home, wash the battery with a little bit of water to get rid of the cola residue. My car is specked with stubborn sap <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844620/car-fix8.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/7aecadfd8b7e4b2c96b7735abc475dc5" /> Image: Getty Images Soap and water won’t remove sap stuck to the finish of your car. But there is a simple solution. Pour a drop of rubbing alcohol directly on the sap spot, rub with your fingertips, and watch the marks disappear. No need to rinse, either. The alcohol will evaporate. This article first appeared in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/true-stories-lifestyle/five-minute-fixes-car-care-and-repair-budget" target="_blank">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a rel="noopener" href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRN93V" target="_blank">here’s our best subscription offer.</a> <img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" />

Money & Banking

“That is not activism”: Barack Obama quick to call out keyboard warriors

Barack Obama spoke at the Obama Foundation’s annual summit in Chicago and spoke about the state of politics and activism within the US as well as the ‘woke’ culture that continues to grow in the world of politics. Being ‘woke’ means being aware or attentive to injustices in society and some people use being ‘woke’ to ‘cancel’ people who do things wrong, whether that be spelling mistakes in tweets or using the wrong word to describe something. The former US President was quizzed and got passionate about those who are ‘politically woke’. “This idea of purity and you’re never compromised and you’re politically woke, and all that stuff — you should get over that quickly,” he said, according to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/barack-obama-says-politically-woke-should-get-over-themselves/news-story/3500ce14ebfaaa2d4674556e2fcc1769" target="_blank">news.com.au</a>. “The world is messy. There are ambiguities. People who do really good stuff have flaws. People who you are fighting with may love their kids and share certain things with you.” He was also quick to mention the issue with young people thinking that they can spark change by pointing out spelling mistakes. “One danger I see among young people particularly on college campuses is that I do get a sense among certain young people, and this is accelerated by social media, that the way of me making change is to be as judgmental as possible about other people and that’s enough,” Mr Obama said. “Like if I tweet or hashtag about how you didn’t do something right, or used the wrong verb, then I consider that I can feel pretty good about myself because, ‘man did you see how woke I was, I called you out’,” Mr Obama said, prompting laughter in the crowd. “That is not activism, that is not bringing about change. “If all you’re doing is casting stones, you are probably not going to get that far.” <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7832154/obama-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/836c492da6f6498a9ce70d8c9f5decf0" /> Former first lady Michelle Obama also spoke about the US’s problems with racism. “Families like ours — upstanding families like ours who were doing everything we were supposed to do and better — as we moved in, white folks moved out because they were afraid of what our families represented,” she said. “I always stop there when I talk about this out in the world because I want to remind white folks, ya’ll were running from us. This family. This family with all the values you read about, you were running from us. “And you still running, because we’re no different from the immigrant families that are moving in. the families that are coming from other places to try to do better.” “I can’t make people not afraid of black people,” she said. “But maybe if I show up every day as a human, a good human, maybe that work will pick away at the scabs of your discrimination.”

News

Quick change! Cate Blanchett turns heads with her showstopping outfits in New York City

Cate Blanchett’s stylist was working overtime on Monday after the actress stepped out in not one, but four showstopping looks as she promoted her new movie, Where’d You Go, Bernadette, in New York City. The 50-year-old turned heads as one of the ensembles was an over-the-top tuxedo with giant blue satin puff sleeves. The Eighties-inspired look was paired with a black leather clutch and sky-high patent stilettos, as she paraded around the city in the jaw dropping look. Her hair was styled in a retro updo, with her blond locks pinned into a low bun and her fringe flicked out. Earlier in the day, the star made an appearance on the Today show, wearing a stunning Barbie pink Akris Resort buttoned-up jacket and matching skirt. She accessorised with a pair of quirky sunglasses and kept the rest of her face fresh and simple with light makeup. Then, halfway through the day Cate stepped out in another chic outfit as she made her way to AOL Build, where she continued to promote her new movie. She chose a silky brown blouse and wide-legged brown trousers. Her fourth and final look was possibly the most impressive of all, as she paired a lemon coloured top with a pair of black peg pants. Scroll through the gallery above to see all of Cate Blanchett’s stunning looks.

Beauty & Style

Quick tips to revive your lawn

If your lawn is invaded by moss and weeds, give it a quick renovation in autumn. With a few tricks up your sleeve, in spring your lawn will be as good as new and you’ll avoid a more time-consuming revamp. On a day when there’s no wind, apply a selective lawn weed killer and leave it to work for around 10 days (check all lawn products to make sure the one you use suits your lawn variety). Borrow or rent a dethatcher, choosing a power model for more than 100 square metres of lawn. Water the lawn to loosen the soil, then five days later go over it thoroughly lengthways and widthways with the dethatcher fitted with a catcher to eliminate moss. Scatter coated grass seeds in the bare areas and spread slow-release fertiliser granules, that gradually release their nitrogen, over the whole surface of the lawn. The repeated addition of lawn foods can result in soil becoming acidic, which favours weeds, so add lime to your lawn occasionally to reduce acidity and cut down on time spent weeding. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.handyman.net.au/quick-tips-revive-your-lawn">Handyman Australia</a>.

Home & Garden

Quick and easy: 4 ingredient breakfast burrito

Avocados are a stone fruit with a creamy texture that grow in warm climates. Whether you are spreading it on sourdough, whipping up a delicious dip for chips, or just enjoying one straight from its shell, eating an avocado any time of day is a great idea. Serves: 4 Ingredients <ul> <li> 4 x 16cm corn tortillas </li> <li> 4 regular eggs </li> <li> 8 tablespoons chunky tomato salsa </li> <li> 1 large avocado (220g)</li> </ul> Method <ol> <li> Heat a non-stick frying pan and lightly toast each tortilla until just golden. </li> <li>Transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm. </li> <li>Add a little water to the same pan and crack the eggs into it.</li> <li>Cook the eggs until the whites are set. </li> <li>Spread each tortilla evenly with salsa, top with an egg and slices of creamy avocado. </li> </ol> Optional: Serve immediately sprinkled with fresh coriander or basil leaves. Recipe by 4Ingredients for Australian Avocados.

Food & Wine

A quick guide on growing rhododendrons

Stealing the show in spring, rhododendrons are covered with large clusters of flowers, and many keep their foliage year-round. Autumn is the best time to plant them, so the roots develop before winter sets in. Avoid planting in midsummer. Most varieties prefer lightly shaded areas sheltered from the wind. The soil should be well-drained, so if it is heavy, loosen it and dig in organic matter like leaf mould or pine needles and a generous amount of potting mix. Plant the rootball just below the surface, taking care not to stamp on it when firming up the soil. If the plant is looking unhappy after a year or so, it can be moved to another spot. Ensure the rootball is moist, dig it out and replant, then water in and add mulch. 1. Test the soil Rhododendrons like an acidic soil with a pH level of 4.5-5.5. If it’s too alkaline, growth will be stunted, and the leaves will turn yellowish. 2. Plant in pots If the soil in your garden is high in lime, don’t plant rhododendrons in the ground, grow them in large pots. USE a potting mix with a high acidity to provide the correct soil conditions. MAKE a hole twice the size of the rootball and tease out the roots. WATER the shrub in well to remove air pockets and keep the roots moist. 3. Keep them flourishing Rhododendrons are shallow-rooted and don’t like the ground beneath them to be overly raked or dug over. In prolonged dry periods, water regularly and mulch with pine needles. To prepare them for the cooler weather, water well in late autumn if there hasn’t been much rain. They generally don’t freeze in winter, but they will dry out if the leaves lose water through evaporation and the roots are in frozen ground. For healthy growth, cut off dead flowers in late spring and spread a thick layer of bark mulch. They don’t need regular pruning, but tip pruning while the plant is still small encourages bushy growth. GROW TIP: Apply an acidifying fertiliser in spring or add a 50mm layer of half-rotted compost, taking care not to disturb the roots of the rhododendrons. Written by Lee Dashiell. Republished with permission from <a href="http://www.handyman.net.au/how-grow-rhododendrons">Handyman Australia</a>.

Home & Garden

Quick-thinking airline attendant saves young girls from terrible fate

A quick-thinking airline attendant has saved two teenage girls from a terrible fate, when they showed up at her counter with one-way flights and no identification. The duo, aged 17 and 15, turned up to Sacramento International Airport with two small bags and two first-class tickets to New York, booked by another person. Airline worker Denice Miracle knew something was wrong. “Between the two of them, they had a bunch of small bags. It seemed to me as if they were running away from home,” American Airlines worker Miracle said. “They kept looking at each other in a way that seemed fearful and anxious. I had a gut feeling that something just wasn’t right.” What she did next could have saved the girls’ lives. After refusing to let them board the plane, Ms Miracle called the police and explained the situation. Deputy Todd Sanderson soon arrived on the and talk to the girls. It didn’t take long to realise just how close they’d come to an unsightly fate. Sanderson found out the girls had met a man named “Drey” on Instagram, who’d purchased the tickets offering them $US2000 ($2530) to model and feature in music videos. “When I told them that they didn’t have a flight home, that’s when it kind of sunk in that maybe I was actually telling the truth,” Sanderson said. “In my opinion, what was going to happen was they were going to go back to New York and become victims of sex trafficking. They said they wouldn’t have let that happen, and I said they probably wouldn’t have had a choice.” Sanderson praised Miracle for her quick-thinking. “I fully believe she probably prevented these girls from becoming victims,” he said. What are your thoughts?

Travel Trouble

5 quick beauty tips to take 10 years off

We all look in the mirror every now and then and think, “Where did all that time go?” Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. But there are so many little things you can do to rejuvenate your look and even take years off your appearance. Here are five beauty tricks that will make you look younger in no time at all. 1. Only use anti-ageing foundation Not only do anti-ageing foundations contain SPF (to prevent any further sun damage), but they’re generally more moisturising than regular foundations and often contain light-reflecting particles. This gives your skin that youthful, dewy glow – the perfect antidote to the dryness that often comes with age. 2. Pinch, pinch, pinch It’s the tried-and-true method that’s been passed down through generations, and for good reason. “Picking your cheeks lightly gets blood flowing to the face, restoring a little glow and giving the skin a youthful-looking flush,” makeup artist Sali Hughes tells <a href="https://style.nine.com.au/2017/09/29/11/10/anti-ageing-makeup-take-ten-years-off-instantly-young-skin-foundation" target="_blank">9Honey Style</a>. Otherwise, you can always swap the good ol’ pinch for a cream blush in a youthful pink shade. 3. Invest in a good moisturiser Yes, we’ve all heard it before, but a good quality moisturiser can work wonders on your skin – especially your face – improving everything from complexion, texture and radiance. If you want to make an even bigger difference to your skin, opt for a tinted moisturiser – <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090513806000602" target="_blank">researchers have found</a> that an even complexion makes you look younger. 4. Lengthen those lashes A volumising, lengthening mascara is a sure-fire way to make your eyes look bigger, sexier and will draw attention away from any fine lines or other flaws. Even if your hair is light, go for the blackest black you can find, as this will make the whites of your eyes clearer and brighter. <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/beauty-style/2017/10/5-ways-to-perfect-your-eyebrows/" target="_blank">Defined brows</a> are also a must. 5. Don’t be afraid of colour As you will have no doubt noticed by now, your lips’ natural colour does tend to fade over the years. And while it can be tempting to stick to subtle shades, you’re actually doing yourself a disservice by avoiding bright, bold colours. Pinks, reds and even oranges will instantly wind back the years. Stay away from matte textures, as these can highlight lines and dry out your lips. Tell us in the comments below, what beauty trick do you swear by?

Beauty & Style

10 quick remedies to make your home smell better

Unfortunately, no matter how much of a clean freak you are, sometimes unpleasant odours are unavoidable. However, these simple hacks will help you remove the smells that arise in different areas of your house. 1. Bin Wash indoor bins with hot soapy water to remove smelly debris. Leave a few used fabric softener sheets in the bottom of the bin to absorb odours. 2. Stove If you have a spill on your stovetop or oven, sprinkle salt on the spilt liquid to remove the burned smell. This trick will also make it easier for you to clean up later. 3. Freezer To combat a musty freezer smell, place a clean sock with dry coffee grounds inside your freezer. 4. Microwave If you have an unpleasant smell in your microwave, fill a large bowl with 1 ½ cups of water and three chopped lemons with a fragrant spice. Bring to boil in the microwave and then leave it to steam for 15 minutes. Leave the door open for an hour to air the microwave out once you remove the bowl. 5. Dishwasher Before cleaning the dishwasher, check that the drain hose isn’t crimped and check the bottom of the machine for chucks of food or gunk. Then, pour 3L of vinegar into the bottom and let it sit for an hour. Run the dishwasher through a fully cycle. If the odour persists, call a plumber as it might be a sign of a bigger problem. 6. Cutting boards Scrub your cutting board with a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda or salt. Rinse well. 7. Fridge To remove an odour from your fridge, pour baking soda into a plastic container (like a margarine tub) and poke holes in the lid. Change as often as you need to. 8. Toilet Pour one cup of vinegar into the bowl and let it sit for five minutes. Scrub briskly and then flush to remove the smell. 9. Mattress If your mattress smells musty, spray with a disinfectant to kill the odour-causing bacteria. In between cleanings, sprinkle baking soda onto the mattress and wait 15 minutes before vacuuming. 10. Closet If you are a coffee lover, you can hang clean socks filled with coffee grounds in your closet to remove an unpleasant smell. What are your tricks to remove unpleasant odours? Let us know in the comments below.

Home & Garden

Lyndey Milan’s perfect pasta with quick cherry tomato sauce

For perfect pasta it is imperative to have plenty of salted boiling water. Do not add oil to the water as it stops the sauce adhering to the pasta. Serves: 4 Ingredients: <ul> <li>250g pappardelle pasta</li> <li>2 punnets (500g) ripe cherry tomatoes, halved</li> <li>100 g black olives, stoned (optional)</li> <li>2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped</li> <li>1 tablespoon red wine vinegar</li> <li>½ to 1 teaspoon chilli flakes (optional, to taste)</li> <li>1 bunch fresh basil, leaves picked and torn</li> <li>½ cup (125ml) extra virgin olive oil</li> <li>Sea salt</li> <li>Freshly ground black pepper</li> <li>½ cup shaved parmesan</li> </ul> Method: <ol> <li>For the sauce, place tomatoes, olives, garlic and vinegar (and chilli if using) in a large bowl and break up with a potato masher. Mix in the basil and olive oil. Season to taste. Leave for flavours to develop. This can be made up to an hour in advance.</li> <li>For the pasta,Bring at least 3 litres water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add a good tablespoon of salt and then ease in the pasta until it is all submerged. Stir until the water comes back to the boil. Then give another good stir, remove the lid and cook 4-5 minutes only (time is indicative of homemade pasta, please refer to the cooking instructions on the back of the pasta packet).</li> <li>Drain pasta (reserving ½ cup cooking water) and toss with the tomato mixture. Add reserved liquid if you want a wetter sauce. Sprinkle with parmesan and serve immediately.</li> </ol> <img width="188" height="205" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/43600/image__188x205.jpg" alt="Image_ (24)" style="float: right;"/>Tip: If preferred you can toss the sauce ingredients in a pan to warm through before tossing through pasta. Lyndey Milan is an acclaimed Australian Chef and Philips Kitchen Appliances ambassador.

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