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How should I add sunscreen to my skincare routine now it’s getting hotter?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/monika-janda-167949">Monika Janda</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/caitlin-horsham-1405367">Caitlin Horsham</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katie-lee-228942">Katie Lee</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> Sun exposure is the number one cause of skin cancer – including the most deadly form, melanoma. High levels of sun exposure cause <a href="https://europepmc.org/article/MED/26437734#id580549">an estimated 7,200 melanomas in Australia each year</a>. Too much sun exposure can also lead to premature ageing, resulting in wrinkles, fine lines and age spots. Can a tweak to your skincare routine help prevent this? <h2>When should I start wearing sunscreen?</h2> In Australia, we are advised to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30681231/">wear sunscreen</a> on days when the ultraviolet (UV) index reaches three or higher. That’s year-round for much of Australia. The weather forecast or the Cancer Council’s free <a href="https://www.sunsmart.com.au/resources/sunsmart-app">SunSmart app</a> are easy ways to check the UV Index. Besides “primary sunscreens”, which are dedicated sun-protection products, a sun protection factor (SPF) is also found in many beauty products, such as foundations, powders and moisturisers. These are called “secondary sunscreens” because they have a primary purpose other than sun protection. Primary sunscreens are regulated by the <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/news/news/about-sunscreens#_Sun_protection_factor">Therapeutic Goods Administration</a> and the SPF must be determined by testing on human skin. SPF measures how quickly skin burns with and without the sunscreen under intense UV light. If the skin takes ten seconds to burn with no sunscreen, and 300 seconds to burn with the sunscreen, the SPF is 30 (300 divided by 10). <h2>Is the SPF in makeup or moisturisers enough to protect me the whole day?</h2> Simple answer? No. SPF 30 mixed into foundation is not going to be as effective as a primary SPF 30 sunscreen. Also, when people use a moisturiser or makeup that includes SPF, they generally don’t do the three key steps that make sunscreens effective: <ol> <li>putting a thick enough amount on</li> <li>covering all sun exposed areas</li> <li>reapplying regularly when outdoors for a sustained amount of time.</li> </ol> One <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37632801/">study</a> had 39 participants apply their usual SPF makeup/moisturisers and photographed them with UV photography in the morning, then again in the afternoon, without reapplying during the day. The UV photography allowed the researchers to visualise how much protection these products were still providing. They found participants missed some facial areas with the initial application and the SPF products provided less coverage by the afternoon. Another consideration is the product type. Liquid foundation may be applied more thickly than powder makeup, which is generally lightly applied. The <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/products/medicines/sunscreens">Therapeutic Goods Administration</a> tests primary sunscreens so they’re effective when applied at 2mg per 2 square centimetres of skin. For the face, ears and neck, this is about one teaspoon (5mL) – are you applying that much powder? It’s unlikely people will cake on their moisturiser thickly and reapply during the day, so these products aren’t effective sun protection if outdoors for a sustained amount of time when used alone. <h2>If skin products with SPF aren’t giving me better protection, should I stop using them?</h2> These products can still serve a protective purpose, as <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/srt.13010">some research</a> suggests layering sunscreen and makeup products may help to cover areas that were missed during a single application. When layering, SPF factors are not additive. If wearing an SPF 30 sunscreen and makeup with SPF 15, that doesn’t equal SPF 45. You will be getting the protection from the highest product (in this scenario, it’s the SPF 30). A good metaphor is SPF in makeup is like “icing on the cake”. Use it as an add-on and if areas were missed with the initial sunscreen application, then there is another chance to cover all areas with the SPF makeup. <h2>Should I apply sunscreen before or after makeup?</h2> It depends on whether you’re using a chemical or physical sunscreen. Chemical sunscreens need to absorb into the skin to block and absorb the sun’s rays, whereas physical sunscreens sit on the surface of the skin and act as a shield. When the main ingredient is zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, it’s a physical sunscreen – think the classic zinc sticks you used to apply to your nose and lips at the beach. Physical sunscreens are recommended for people with sensitive skin and although they used to be pretty thick and sticky, newer versions feel more like chemical sunscreens. For maximum sun protection when using chemical sunscreens, apply sunscreen first, followed by moisturiser, then makeup. Give the sunscreen a few minutes to dry and sink into the skin before starting to put on other products. Chemical sunscreen should be applied 20 minutes before going outdoors. When using a physical sunscreen, first apply moisturisers, followed by sunscreen, and then makeup. When reapplying sunscreen, it’s recommended to wash off makeup and start fresh, but this isn’t going to be practical for many people, so gently patting sunscreen over makeup is another option. Physical sunscreens will be most effective for reapplication over makeup. <h2>What type of sunscreen should I use?</h2> The best sunscreen is the one you actually like to apply. Protecting your skin on a daily basis (and not just for trips to the beach!) is a must in Australia’s high UV climate, and should be done with a primary sunscreen. Look for sunscreens that have the label “broad spectrum”, which means it covers for UVA and UVB, and has at least SPF30. Then experiment with features like matte finish, milk texture or fragrance-free to find a sunscreen you like. No sunscreen provides 100% protection so you should also use other sun protection such as protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, using shade and avoiding the sun during peak UV hours. Skin care and makeup products with SPF is better than nothing, but don’t rely solely on your morning makeup for sun protection the entire day.<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/213453/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/monika-janda-167949">Monika Janda</a>, Professor in Behavioural Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/caitlin-horsham-1405367">Caitlin Horsham</a>, Research Manager, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katie-lee-228942">Katie Lee</a>, PhD Candidate, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</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/how-should-i-add-sunscreen-to-my-skincare-routine-now-its-getting-hotter-213453">original article</a>.

Beauty & Style

3 home improvement hacks to add value to your home

As people all around the world feel the weight of the intensifying cost of living crisis, a new warning has come: the property market is in for a rough ride. Some anticipate that house prices may drop, which serves as bad news for anyone hoping to sell their house. But all hope is not lost, with experts chiming in to share their tips on adding some value back into your house, without breaking the bank in the process. As Matthew Shaw - head of sales at the UK’s Ultra LEDs - put it, “before you start thinking about putting your home up for sale, it’s worth having a look around and making some alterations to give you a better chance of selling for a great price.” And Ultra LEDs’ technical engineer Tom Cain had a few tips in mind to help guide hopeful homeowners as they set out on their improvement journey. <ol> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Redecorating </li> </ol> It might sound simple, but adding just a fresh coat of paint to a room can make all the difference. Neutral colours are best, as those viewing the property will be forced to consider the potential there - or as some would say, “a blank canvas”. Additionally, one can’t go amiss with a few feature items, to draw the eye to areas of note while making the room feel new and fresh - pot plants, throw pillows, and trinket dishes can act as a fabulous centrepiece. <ol start="2"> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Garden gurus </li> </ol> Gardens can serve as a place to rest, to play, to plant, and to admire. They’re often the thing people remember most about the homes they’re viewing - right after the kitchen - so it’s important to have the space in tiptop shape. “It should feel like an extension of the home rather than just a large piece of grass or concrete,” Tom said. “It’s essential, and doesn’t cost much at all, to clear out any clutter or rubbish, trim borders, mow the grass if you have any, and cut back any overgrown trees or bushes - particularly if they block any sunlight).” <ol start="3"> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Declutter </li> </ol> Not only will this help viewers to see the potential in your property, it’ll provide a fantastic clean-up opportunity in the meantime. Buyers want to be able to visualise themselves living there, as Tom put it. Areas that see a lot of traffic - the likes of living rooms and kitchens - should be kept clean and tidy, as potential buyers can be discouraged at the sight of piles of stuff lying around. Tom suggested also considering the layout and furniture in a space, as “it’s surprising how this can impact the size and feel of a room.” Images: Shutterstock

Home Hints & Tips

Five top experiences to add to your travel bucket list

Ticking an unforgettable experience off of your bucket list is a highlight of any trip, but compiling your list of experiences to start with can be tricky. Lucky for you, <a href="https://tripadvisor.mediaroom.com/press-releases?item=126673" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TripAdvisor</a> has revealed a top five list of bucket list experiences from all over the world, based on authentic feedback left by fellow travellers over the past 12 months. Ranging from the red sands of Dubai’s Lahbab desert to going to new heights above Egypt’s ancient sites, here are five top experiences you simply must do in your lifetime. Premium Red Dunes, Camel Safari & BBQ at Al Khayma Camp - Dubai, UAE If you’re heading to Dubai anytime soon, the premium red dunes of the Lahbab desert should be on your itinerary. <blockquote class="instagram-media" 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);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CfUNRRusndF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <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> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <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 style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CfUNRRusndF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Alpaca Expeditions Travel Peru (@trekwithalpaca)</a> </div> </blockquote> Along with enjoying the scenery, there are plenty of activities, including a 4WD dune bash, sandboarding, and ATV rides, as well as camel rides, interactions with falcons, and cultural activities at the Bedouin-inspired Al Khayma camp. Hot Air Balloons Ride - Luxor, Egypt Take to the skies with this aerial experience, where you can enjoy views of Luxor’s West Bank by the light of sunrise. During your flight, you will get to see vast temples and statues illuminated by the low-lying morning light, with plenty to learn about from your on-board expert guide. Cappadocia Balloon Ride and Champagne Breakfast - Goreme, Turkey The second hot air balloon ride to make the list, this experience will see you depart from the plains of Anatolia, Cappadocia, and take in the landscape of honeycombed underground cities and chimney-shaped rocks. Plus, this sky-high experience comes with a decadent breakfast buffet. Classic Inca Trail Trek 4D/3N to Machu Picchu - Cusco, Peru This four-day excursion from Cusco will see you immersed in a mix of cultural, historical and natural sights along the famous Inca Trail. <blockquote class="instagram-media" 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);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8HS4Yvp5m0/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <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> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <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 style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8HS4Yvp5m0/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Radu B (@radu.barden)</a> </div> </blockquote> After passing through villages and archaeological sites, you’ll be in for a guided tour at the sacred mountain of Machu Picchu. Blackstone Beach, Cliff Jump & Hidden Treasures – Aruba A must for lovers of adventure, this experience will see you get behind the wheel of your own utility task vehicle (UTV) and explore the rugged, desert terrain of Aruba. One traveller who took part described it as “an experience of a lifetime” and an “amazing memory we will never forget”. For the full list of top experiences, head <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/TravelersChoice-ThingsToDo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Image: Instagram

International Travel

"She didn't add any smiley faces!" Woman fired for not using emojis

A Queensland woman has won an unfair dismissal case, after the ex-wife of the business owner demanded she was fired immediately over sending a text message that didn’t include any smiley face emojis. According to the Fair Work Commission (FWC), Phoebe Wang who was overseeing her ex-husband’s Sens and Goya cafes on the Gold Coast had smashed her phone on the counter, jumped up and down while screaming “Kristen Gordon must be fired” immediately after receiving messages from her about a staffing issue. Ms Gordon had been employed by the business for about 14 months and was a casual working full-time hours. Part of her job included rostering staff and time sheets. Her colleague, who was there at the time of the incident, told the FWC she asked to see the messages to understand why Ms Wang was so angry however, she found the messages to be normal. Allegedly, Ms Wang said that Ms Gordon was arguing with her because there were no emojis included. Ms Gordon told the FWC that she had been told Ms Wang repeatedly stated she “didn’t add any smiley faces! There are no emotions!”. Ms Gordon went on to say she was unaware her “completely reasonable text message” had caused so much upset. The next day after working a full shift, Ms Gordon was told by a manager they were forced to dismiss her. Fair Work Commissioner Chris Simpson concluded that Ms Gordon was dismissed at this point, despite any attempts for it to appear otherwise. Commissioner Simpson ordered Sens Catering Group Pty Ltd to pay Ms Gordon $5357.80, plus 9.5% superannuation. Image: Getty

Legal

Why you need to add Copenhagen to your travel bucket list

As international borders have officially reopened and people are heading off on their long overdue adventures, one place that needs to be at the top of everyone’s travel list is the beautiful city of Copenhagen. The capital of Denmark has so much to offer, from extraordinary architecture, a mouth-watering food scene, and some of the nicest people you will ever meet. The stunning culture, amazing scenery and rich history are just a few reasons why Copenhagen should be at the very top of your travel bucket list. The architecture One thing Copenhagen is known for is its amazing and unique architecture that is instantly recognisable to people around the world. The harbour that boasts the colourful houses, or Nyhavn (meaning New Harbour), is home to spectacular views and is home to some of Copenhagen’s most delicious restaurants and cafes. Other must-see spots in Copenhagen include the Royal Theatre, Royal Residences, the house of Hans Christian Andersen, Frederik’s Church and so many more. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/06/copenhagen-1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Nyhavn, or New Harbour. Image credit: Supplied <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/06/copenhagen-2.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> The Royal Theatre. Image credit: Supplied <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/06/copenhagen-3.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> The Royal Residence. Image credits: Supplied The activities Copenhagen is filled with fun ways to spend the day if you’re looking for something other than wandering around and looking at pretty buildings. One thing that everyone in Copenhagen should do is a canal tour which begins in Nyhavn. These tours are very reasonably priced and take approximately one hour, and are complete with a guide who will point out all the historic monuments that the city has to offer. Another spot to pay a visit to is Tivoli: the third-oldest amusement park in the world. Whether or not you’re one for rides, the gardens on which Tivilo sits are extraordinary on their own, and are laced with delicious restaurants. Tivoli also puts on a pantomime in an open air theatre that has been running since the 1800s. If you are looking for a truly unique experience, take a trip to Freetown Christiania, a “free state” that is often dubbed a hippie paradise, that operates independently of the rest of Copenhagen. Enjoy the markets and scenery of Christiana, but be wary that there is a strong no photos rule! <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/06/copenhagen-6.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> The Tivoli carousel. Image credits: Supplied <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/06/copenhagen-7.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Freetown Christiania. Image credits: Supplied The food Copenhagen has a notoriously famous food scene which is filled with traditional dishes that are a must-try. One Danish specialty is known as Smørrebrød, which is a traditional Danish open sandwich. Usually served on dark rye bread, Smørrebrød is stacked up with the most delicious toppings, with places that serve the traditional dish offer a range of different toppings. Another unusual thing the Danish food scene is known for is their street hotdog stands. Similar to what you would find in America, you will find a hot dog stand on every corner of Copenhagen, with each one offering delicious street hot dogs. One place all foodies must visit in Copenhagen is Sankt Peders bakery, which offers cinnamon scrolls and delicious Danishes every day of the week. Established in 1612, this famous establishment is the oldest bakery in the city and is a hot spot for all travellers to visit. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/06/copenhagen-4.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Traditional Danish Smørrebrød. Image credits: Supplied <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/06/copenhagen-5.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Sankt Peders bakery. Image credits: Supplied All images: Supplied

International Travel

What adds value to your house? How to decide between renovating and selling

The government’s <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/homebuilder">HomeBuilder</a> scheme allows <a href="https://www.corelogic.com.au/news/homebuilder-renovations-where-are-most-owner-occupied-dwellings-below-15-million">certain</a> home owners to apply for a tax-free grant of A$25,000 if they are spending between $150,000 and $750,000 renovating a home or building a new home. Eligibility criteria are strict. The scheme has boosted renovation talk in some circles (although, as CoreLogic has <a href="https://www.corelogic.com.au/news/vacuum-effect-and-its-implications-homebuilder-scheme">pointed</a> out, it may merely bring forward works that were already planned). Here are some questions to ask yourself when trying to decide between renovating and moving – and how to add value to your existing home. <h2>What adds value to a house?</h2> Property market observers <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/advice/how-to-make-your-home-stand-out-when-selling-932031/">advise</a> updating or renewing bathrooms or kitchens – even small fixes such as replacing a cracked or dated splashback, replacing a bath or adding skylights can go a long way. Think about easy repairs that create an invaluable good first impression – a fixed-up fence, a new carpet or resurfaced flooring or even good old decluttering. But remember you’ll only qualify for HomeBuilder if you plan to spend at least $150,000 on an owner-occupied home worth no more than A$1.5 million (CoreLogic has <a href="https://www.corelogic.com.au/news/homebuilder-renovations-where-are-most-owner-occupied-dwellings-below-15-million">listed</a> which suburbs have the most owner-occupied properties under A$1.5 million). <h2>Factors to consider if you’re thinking of renovating</h2> How long till you retire? How secure is your employment? Thinking carefully about your earning potential between now and retirement will help you understand how what you can borrow and afford. If you are planning to stay, you will get the benefit and enjoyment of the renovations. Do you need to stay close to school or work? If that’s a consideration, renovating may be worth more to you than buying further out. Look closely at what your property is worth (there are plenty of online calculators) and keep track of how much similar local properties with one extra bedroom or bathroom sell for. That will give you a sense of the value-add to your home equity that a renovation might represent. Be honest with yourself about the total cost of renovation. There are myriad expenses not always initially apparent. These may include: <ul> <li>planning fees (the cost of getting a development assessed by council)</li> <li>the cost of architectural drawings</li> <li>consultants’ fees for environmental impact statements or arborists’ reports</li> <li>extra costs due to a heritage listing</li> <li>renting, if it’s not possible to live at home during renovation</li> <li>the cost of protecting underground public assets such as water or sewerage pipes</li> <li>extra costs caused by poor access or other limitations.</li> </ul> Consider the possible long-term savings of retrofitting your home to be more energy-efficient. Proper insulation, secondary glazing, draught excluders and solar PV energy are expensive upfront but will save on long term running costs. It’s likely, as energy costs increase, homes that are at least partially off grid will be more attractive and valuable over time. And remember that for some, even with help from HomeBuilder, renovation won’t stack up economically. Some older people may eschew home renovation to put money aside to help children get a foot on the property ladder. Others may decide potentially expensive renovation is worth it to hold onto a family home to which children return as they get older. It might sound sentimental but the idea of Christmas in the family homestead is worth it, for some. <h2>Tax considerations</h2> Find out what tax breaks, if any, you might be eligible for if you renovate to divide the family home into a smaller space (if you’re keen to downsize, or enhance the accessibility of your home, for example) and adding a self-contained granny flat. However, if the granny flat is leased out, this section of the home would be considered income-producing. Your “main residence” is generally <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/General/Capital-gains-tax/Your-home-and-other-real-estate/Your-main-residence/">exempt</a> from capital gains tax when it comes time to sell, but you may not qualify entirely for this exemption if a section of the property is income-producing. You may also consider remodelling the family home into a duplex and, depending on council planning laws, convert the title into dual occupancy. However, these suggestions may complicate eligibility for the HomeBuilder grant (which seems to exclude property investors, although there’s no mention of partly converting the main place into a dual occupancy). The best option here is to seek advice from a tax specialist. <h2>Factors to consider if you’re thinking of selling up and buying elsewhere</h2> Use a <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/home-loans/stamp-duty-calculator">stamp-duty calculator</a> and <a href="https://www.localagentfinder.com.au/selling-costs-calculator">cost-of-selling calculator</a> to get a rough idea of those costs. How important is proximity to work? Particularly if the coronavirus pandemic has opened your (or your employer’s) eyes to working remotely, would you consider a move to a more remote area where you can afford a bigger house? Chat with a range of real estate agents and get into the habit of reading market media coverage. Have a sense of what houses sell for that featured your desired attributes (such as more bedrooms or off-street parking). As a chartered building surveyor, I’d advise would-be downsizers to be cautious when buying a brand new high-rise apartment, due to risks of potentially costly defects that might become apparent over time. And remember, even if you do sell and buy a new place, very few are able to find the perfect home. You may decide to make renovations anyway. There are no easy answers. It comes down to your individual circumstances, your attitude to risk and ensuring you have a good grasp of the relative costs of each option. Talk to a financial adviser, tax accountant, real estate agents, builders, architects and others who have been through each process about what they’d do differently next time. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-adds-value-to-your-house-how-to-decide-between-renovating-and-selling-140627" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Home Hints & Tips

Five home improvements that WON’T add value

Though renovations and home improvements are usually a sure way to add value to your property, that isn’t always true. There are some improvements that require a large investment that won’t turn a profit when you come to sell and others that add no value at all. Wendy Chamberlain, an avid house flipper and Buyer’s Advocate, shares five home improvements that won’t bump up your property’s selling price. 1. Over-the-top kitchen and bathroom updates Though renovating the kitchen and bathroom is usually a worthwhile investment, ‘over renovating’ these spaces may result in your hard work (and cash) failing. “Some key areas may make the home look more modern, but ultimately, buyers may not care that much,” Chamberlain told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.domain.com.au/news/8-home-improvements-that-wont-add-value-to-your-property-2-1113892/" target="_blank">Domain</a>. “If the existing kitchen, while dated, is functional, you may get away with leaving it as is and focusing your cash and efforts elsewhere.” As for the bathroom, adding marble tiles or other luxury fitting and fixtures may look great, but often won’t return the value you’d expect. 2. Integrated heating and cooling “Heating and cooling are areas unlikely to provide an immediate renovation return,” Chamberlain said. Since buyers will generally be satisfied with a simple split system air conditioning unit, installing expensive full ducting - which can cost up to $20,000 depending on the size of the house - may end up being a waste of money. “Ducted heating and refrigerated cooling are expensive to install. For your reno, a cheaper yet effective split system heating/cooling unit may be just as adequate for the job.” 3. Inconsistent design Adding stylish gold tapware and marble tiles to a bathroom sounds great, but it can work against you if the rest of the home uses chrome fittings and laminate floors - and stays that way. Chamberlain explained that changing one or two items or areas could also highlight problem areas in the house: “when you change one thing, the next looks dated”. 4. Bespoke features and luxe fittings Though it’s common to see top-of-the-line flooring, fancy tech, imported tiles and elaborate light fittings in multi-million-dollar celebrity homes, more often than not these higher quality details won’t impact the final selling price as much as you may expect. Some custom high-end inclusions like an infrared sauna can also be seen as personal, while buyers will be wanting to see themselves in the space as their own (which may be sauna-free). 5. Messing with the existing floor plan For owners looking to renovate before selling to improve their returns, removing rooms is a big no-no. Chamberlain added that moving or removing load-bearing walls can become costly quickly. “Not to mention the quickly escalating costs as soon as you need to move plumbing,” she said. “If you can, stick to the existing layout and renovate the rooms and floor plan you already have. Tips for renovating “When renovating, always keep in mind what is going to appeal to a future buyer when the time comes to eventually sell,” Chamberlain said. Before you bust up the drop sheets or call a builder, it’s important to do your research and note how your plans may compare to other homes in your area that are on the market. “If you’re renovating a property with the primary aim to sell it, consider which updates or areas will result in the best return for every dollar spent,” Chamberlain said. Image: Getty Images

Home Hints & Tips

Using valuable inner-city land for car parking? In a housing crisis, that just doesn’t add up

When I first moved to New Zealand – even after living in some of the highest-priced US property markets – I was taken aback by house prices. My shock was reinforced by the condition of the houses, many of which lack sufficient insulation, adequate heating or cooling, or double-glazed windows. I wondered why I’d pay so much for a house that needed so much attention. Then I overheard someone quip, “In New Zealand, you pay for the land and the house comes for free.” Suddenly things made a lot more sense. Unlike in the US, where land is valued at a small fraction of the “improvements” (the building that stands on the section), in New Zealand it’s the exact opposite. But it also raised a big question: in a country where the cost of land is so exorbitantly high and the supply of housing so scarce, how could so many surface car parks exist? <img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/423711/original/file-20210929-20-1wzh8e5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /> Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter: apartments, restaurants, playgrounds – and car parks. Shutterstock <h2>The price of parking</h2> Take Auckland, for example, arguably the most housing-constrained market in New Zealand. Specifically, the still developing Wynyard Quarter on the downtown waterfront presents a clear case of car parking over potential housing. One of the several abundant surface car parks is located on Jellicoe Street. It encompasses 8,146 square metres of tar, paint and parked cars. The massive lot has a NZ$37,000,000 <a href="https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/property-rates-valuations/Pages/rates-details-results.aspx?an=12343250744">valuation</a>, with the improvements valued at $1,000,000 — presumably all that pavement and paint. The next part is a bit more difficult to swallow. The land is valued at just over $4,500 per square metre. With the average parking spot occupying 15 square metres, that means each spot is worth about $68,000. That’s just for the parking spots themselves, not all the land required for people to drive in and out and around the car park. <h2>What parking earns</h2> Now things get interesting. The Jellicoe Street car park is maintained by Auckland Transport which provides people who drive to the CBD the courtesy of a free initial hour of parking followed by a rate of $6 per hour. So for just $18 drivers can park for four hours. On the weekend those four hours of parking will cost a mere $6. Assuming a parking space is fully occupied during all operating hours (from 7am to 10pm Monday to Sunday), it could optimistically take in $480. Extended over an entire year, a single space might earn just under $25,000. Ignoring overhead costs and more realistic occupancy rates, it would take almost three years for a single open-air parking space to earn back the cost of the land it sits on. Perhaps this sounds economically viable. But what isn’t in this equation is the actual, very high cost of cheap and plentiful parking. <h2>Parking expectations</h2> The widespread availability of low-priced parking in high-demand locations has significant impacts on our cities. When people expect parking to be available in these locations, they often choose to drive rather than use a more sustainable mode such as public transport. This means people buy more cars and take more trips by personal vehicle. When cheap parking spots fill up during peak hours, people tend to <a href="https://www.oecd.org/officialdocuments/publicdisplaydocumentpdf/?cote=ENV/WKP(2019)4&docLanguage=En">cruise for a parking space</a> rather than search out slightly more expensive and less convenient alternative locations. That is, they circle a car park or a city block until someone else leaves. When enough drivers do this it <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/money/19-04-2021/its-car-vs-car-on-the-central-auckland-street-where-parking-is-free/">creates more</a> congestion, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The long-term availability of cheap urban parking also implies that parking in such locations is a public good. People expect parking to always be in these places and will fight to keep the land from being used for higher and better purposes. This is where the rubber hits the road. Open-air parking is the least productive use of important urban land. In the midst of the greatest <a href="https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/money/2021/02/housing-crisis-auckland-housing-affordability-among-fastest-deteriorating-in-the-world-report.html">housing affordability crisis</a> in perhaps a generation, we could stand to lose some of this car space in favour of apartments. <h2>People before parking</h2> According to the <a href="http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/documents/central/pdfs/appendix12.pdf">Auckland District Plan</a>, a one bedroom/one bathroom apartment should occupy about 45 square metres — precisely three parking spaces. The good thing about an apartment building compared to an open-air car park is that we can build it up. Instead of some 200 spots for cars, we can build more than 600 apartments across ten storeys. Rather than storing a couple of hundred cars for part of the day, with bare pavements overnight, we could provide living space for up to 1,200 people around the clock. We could do the same thing with the car park across the street and the one a block over and so on — until we are a city and a country that focuses more on housing people than parking cars. It will be hard to let go of the car parks. Where some see an <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland-council-plans-to-sell-downtown-carpark-with-new-skyscraper-likely-instead/SGE2OD2KCB3AOY33WKYXSAJJPM/">opportunity for urban regeneration</a> through the development of under-utilised space, others see the loss of car parking as another <a href="https://www.autocar.co.nz/autocar-news-app/life-s-about-to-get-tougher-for-auckland-cbd-workers-with-cars">impediment</a> for city workers to overcome. But we simply have too much space in our cities dedicated to the car. Our land is far too valuable to pave over. It’s time to use a fraction of that space to house many people instead of a few machines.<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; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/168745/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/timothy-welch-1252494">Timothy Welch</a>, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-auckland-1305">University of Auckland</a> 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/using-valuable-inner-city-land-for-car-parking-in-a-housing-crisis-that-just-doesnt-add-up-168745">original article</a>. Image: Shutterstock

Real Estate

Rolling media coverage of missing persons cases can add to the trauma for all families left behind

The public has been privy to live footage of police operations. New South Wales police, dressed in overalls, scoured dense bushland to retrieve a small piece of fabric. Reports <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-21/another-piece-of-fabric-found-william-tyrrell-search-day-seven/100633540" target="_blank">suggested</a> the yet-to-be-analysed fabric may be linked to the case of missing boy William Tyrrell. William’s case – along with the location of Cleo Smith in Western Australia and recent developments in the case of missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay in Victoria – have been prominent news stories. Media interest can invite the public into the investigative process. But rolling media coverage can have an immediate and long-lasting effect on the families left behind. That’s not only the families of that particular case, but the families of other missing people, whose case isn’t in the news. Non-stop coverage can invade their privacy, raise and dash their hopes, and prolong their trauma. More people go missing than ever make ‘news’ In 2020, Australia’s <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.missingpersons.gov.au" target="_blank">National Missing Persons Coordination Centre</a> had more than <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.missingpersons.gov.au/about" target="_blank">51,000 reports</a> about the safety and well-being of a missing person. Many of those cases are resolved within one month. Yet more than <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.missingpersons.gov.au/about" target="_blank">2,600 cases</a> are long term – when a person is missing for longer than three months. It’s rare for the families of people who are missing to have had any contact with the media before. So it’s difficult for families to navigate and manage media interest. Bruce Morcombe’s son Daniel was 13 when <a rel="noopener" href="https://danielmorcombe.com.au/daniels-legacy/" target="_blank">he was abducted</a> from the Sunshine Coast in December 2003. His remains were found in 2011. Bruce <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/lifematters/minimising-distress-for-families-of-missing-children/13635622" target="_blank">told the ABC</a> how he managed the media interest. He said the disappearance, homicide and the criminal investigation created a groundswell of empathy. However, he said when the momentum slowed and it was looking like the case would become “cold”, the family and their supporters created media opportunities – to offer a new hook, a new angle – to continue community engagement. Families of missing people believe “someone, somewhere must know something”. Media offers the greatest capacity to reach that “someone”. However, media attention is not guaranteed and is not an <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348632071_Lost_from_the_conversation_Missing_people_and_the_role_of_Police_media_in_shaping_community_awareness" target="_blank">even playing field</a>. <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/nov/06/cleo-smith-search-ends-in-joy-but-what-of-australias-other-missing-children" target="_blank">Attention only falls</a>, and priority given, to cases assessed as vulnerable. Cases the media deems newsworthy or those that reach high engagement (through liking, commenting and sharing on social media) also get attention. How does this rolling media coverage affect families? When the media provides rolling coverage of every tiny development in a missing persons case, it can raise hope for some families watching on. But for others, it can have the opposite effect. A <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280876972_'I_still_hope_but_what_I_hope_for_now_has_changed'_A_narrative_inquiry_study_of_hope_and_ambiguous_loss_when_someone_is_missing" target="_blank">2015 study of Australian families</a> I conducted as part of my PhD found increased hope also creates a “hope hangover”. Families told me this is where anticipation peaks but they need recovery time to manage the emotional assault of a possible resolution. Families of missing people also told me they have to remain resilient as other cases are solved, and the uncertainty of how long the investigation of their own loved one will take. In other words, media reporting of outcomes of one case can compound the trauma experienced by families of other missing people, whose case has not yet been resolved. Then there’s the invasion of privacy Privacy for these families is <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/missing-and-found-understanding-the-privacy-needs-of-missing-people-13786" target="_blank">also an issue</a>. Loren O’Keeffe, founder and chief executive officer of <a rel="noopener" href="https://mpan.com.au" target="_blank">Missing Persons Advocacy Network</a>, was buoyed by community interest to help the search over the five years her brother Dan was missing. When he was found, in traumatic circumstances, despite asking for privacy, she noticed the community felt a sense of ownership over Dan and the family’s story. Earlier this week, when Loren reflected about the location of her brother, she told me: <blockquote> […] journalists incessantly ringing the doorbell, flooding inboxes demanding interviews, seeing awful commentary over social media – completely overwhelmed us when we needed space and silence to process our reality. It’s an unconscionable notion; desperate families that get media and public support for “search” are then obliged to share such raw grief and delicate detail at the debilitating time of “found”. </blockquote> Specific media quidelines would help The reasons people go missing can be diverse and complex. These can be due to a crime, complex mental illness, suicide or misadventure. This means a number of different media guidelines or codes of practice could potentially come into play to shape media coverage. There are no Australian media guidelines specifically about reporting missing persons cases. They are needed. We may be able to learn from the success of <a rel="noopener" href="https://mindframe.org.au" target="_blank">Mindframe</a>, a national program that provides evidence-based recommendations for media reporting and public communication about suicide and mental illness, among other issues. The program has been developed and refined over two decades, providing a strong platform for collaboration between the media and people involved in mental health and suicide prevention, including those with lived experience of these issues. The guidelines do not restrict media reporting of the issues, but provide an opportunity for media and those working with the media to reflect on a number of issues. These include the types of content and messaging that may reduce risk of harm and distress, reduce stigma, and increase people’s willingness to seek help and offer help to others. Jaelea Skehan, director of <a rel="noopener" href="https://everymind.org.au" target="_blank">Everymind</a> (the organisation behind the <a rel="noopener" href="https://everymind.org.au/programs/mindframe" target="_blank">Mindframe</a> guidelines) told me that with media guidelines specific to missing persons, newsworthy coverage would still take place, but would also consider the potential impacts on those directly involved or impacted by similar experiences. Remember, the stories of the investigations of missing persons cases are not the full story of the life of the person who is lost or the families left behind. As the brother of a young woman missing for more than 30 years told me as <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280876972_'I_still_hope_but_what_I_hope_for_now_has_changed'_A_narrative_inquiry_study_of_hope_and_ambiguous_loss_when_someone_is_missing" target="_blank">part of my research</a>: <blockquote> Hope can get buried deep below, we [the families of missing people] are like icebergs. We don’t have rose coloured spectacles on, it’s like they have been ripped off. We see the world as it is. There is a lot that others don’t see. </blockquote> The community, when watching on, needs to remember that.<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; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/172487/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sarah-wayland-18783" target="_blank">Sarah Wayland</a>, Senior Lecturer Social Work, <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-new-england-919" target="_blank">University of New England</a> This article is republished from <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/rolling-media-coverage-of-missing-persons-cases-can-add-to-the-trauma-for-all-families-left-behind-172487" target="_blank">original article</a>. Image: NSW Police (Facebook)

Mind

How certain personality traits could add years to your life

A recent study has shown that people who have certain personality traits will enjoy health into their 80s and beyond. According to research, the link between longevity and personality is as strong as financial stability or intelligence, both of which have previously been cited as relating to longer lifespans. While these traits are fairly stable in most people, experts believe these five key personality traits can be enhanced at any stage of life to increase the chances of longevity. Conscientiousness People who are often conscientious, meaning responsible and organized, tend to live longer than people who aren’t. Psychology professor Nicholas Turiano, says, “It’s probably the best silver bullet we can hope for.” He says that being conscientious builds up “a resilience factor” that can help individuals overcome major obstacles in life, such as health complications or poverty. People who are conscientious also tend to have healthier habits and lifestyles, and are diligent about having positive coping strategies. Purpose Another quality for longevity is having a purposeful life, and a clear direction in life and fulfilling goals to keep you motivated. People who are purposeful in their life tend to bounce back from confronting situations quicker than most, and have a self-awareness factor that can prove very valuable. Purposefulness also shows itself in the form of creativity and hobbies, as having these outlets keep the brain alert and fulfilled, as well as working to decrease the risk of dementia and depression. Optimism According to psychologist Lewina Lee, optimism has long been associated with longevity, and often goes hand in hand with confidence. “I would think that optimistic people tend to feel more confident about their ability to accomplish goals as they age,” said Lee. People who find the positives of ageing, like wisdom and emotional maturity, live an average of 7.6 years longer than those who feel negatively about getting older. These advantages are often seen in people who regularly exercise, eat a healthy diet and don’t let the small, unimportant things get to them. Extraversion Being outgoing or extraverted is another trait that can help to lengthen your span of health. Psychology professor Susan Charles said, “The link between social relationships and longevity is as strong as cholesterol levels or smoking.” Social butterflies tend to be more active in their lifestyles, which greatly helps overall health. There is also a link between valuable friendships releasing chemicals in the brain that increase happiness, making an individual feel less stressed and more assured. A lack of neuroticism Inner tranquility and an even disposition often help to reduce stress levels, and therefore promote longevity. Susan Charles said, “They’re less likely to report feeling ecstatic or so sad that nothing will cheer them up.” This inner peace and acceptance also helps to promote a healthy sleeping schedule, and reduce tension. Reducing outside stress factors, assessing relationships and increasing creative outlets can all be valuable tools to help someone achieve this inner tranquility. Image credits: Shutterstock

Body

Hotel chain adds royal touch to their new ad

A luxury chain of hotels have enlisted the help of honest to goodness European royals to help advertise their latest project. Raffles Hotels & Resorts launched the new ad for their London hotel, which features Princess Maria Olympia of Greece and Prince Nikolai of Denmark. In the two-minute advertisement, a group of six royals and high-society figures take viewers through the company’s rich history while showcasing their Singapore location. The first royal cameo comes from George Spencer-Churchill, Marquess of Blandford, who is featured having a flower attached to his lapel in the breakfast room. Princess Maria is then seen posing with a dog and cockatoo in the drawing room. Princess Mary’s nephew Prince Nikolai also makes an appearance holding a bird and painting. Next, the Archduchess of Austria and Princess of Hungary and Bohemia Anna Catharina von Habsburg, is filmed writing a letter at the Raffles Writer's Bar, and elsewhere her mother Archduchess Gabriele, can be seen lounging by the pool. Another royal cameo is made from Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur, who is seen gallantly riding in on a horse in the art gallery. The new advertisement finishes with all of the royals seated together for a lavish dinner in the Raffles Singapore resort. When asked to take part in the project, Princess Maria Olympia told <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimdobson/2021/11/02/raffles-hotel-launches-stunning-new-campaign-featuring-actual-royalty/">Forbes</a> that, "Raffles is emblematic of so much history and sophistication, and the brand has played host to so many notable moments with fashionable icons through the ages". Upon launching the royal campaign, Raffles stated on its official website, "Welcome to Raffles for our social season of enchantment and wonder, by appointment with six illustrious ambassadors.” "In the spirit of adventure, we invited them to step into an imaginary day in the life of their beloved Raffles, as wittily conjured up by filmmaker extraordinaire Peter Greenaway CBE. Celebrating our shared love of heritage and Raffles' role as the birthplace of stories and legends – past, present and future." Check out the video here: <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZyavSZKjX-I" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> Image credits: Raffles Hotels & Resorts

Travel Tips

Three girls murdered: "Something doesn't add up"

Locals and loved ones alike say they can’t comprehend what’s happened after Lauren Dickason has allegedly murdered her three daughters in Timaru on New Zealand’s South Island. The three girls were found dead at home - twin sisters Maya and Karla, aged two and Liane, aged six. New Zealand Police did not share the nature of their injuries. Their mother Lauren Dickason, a doctor, briefly fronted court on Saturday morning, charged with murder. Police state no other people are sought in relation to this crime New Zealand Police have made a statement saying: ‘Police would like to reassure the community that this was a tragic isolated incident and we are not seeking anyone else.’ ‘The investigation into this tragedy is still in its very early stages, but we can confirm that nobody else is being sought in relation to the deaths of the three children,’ another statement read. <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="/nothing.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/7cb328e12ef64d0d99d1c40d48a111c8" /><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.56996587030716px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844205/three-girls-um.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/7cb328e12ef64d0d99d1c40d48a111c8" /> Lauren Dickason’s husband Graham, an orthopaedic surgeon, is reported to have returned home from work late last week to find the girls’ bodies and was said to have been “crying hysterically”. The Dickason family had moved to New Zealand from South Africa to start a new life in August and had exited two weeks of mandatory hotel quarantine only last week. Neighbour’s and friends can’t comprehend the situation Lauren’s former colleague and neighbour, Natasja le Roux, told media she “cannot comprehend what happened”. “(Lauren) is a medical doctor and she wasn’t arrogant or anything like that,” le Roux said. “She was very humble.” Le Roux said the couple had “waited years for those children” after struggling with fertility. When Lauren finally fell pregnant, everyone around the family was supportive and Le Roux said: “The nicest person it could happen to is that woman; she was really just a nice person, she and her husband.” <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="/nothing.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/06aad284e10e4cb0b58311b105bc7dbf" /><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.0880829015544px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844206/three-girls-2-um.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/06aad284e10e4cb0b58311b105bc7dbf" /> Another neighbour, who lived in the same area as the couple, said the parents “absolutely adored those children”. “Something just doesn’t seem right to us,” the neighbour, who did not want to be identified. “We don’t know what happened. There is not a lot of information, but they are kind people. “Something just doesn’t add up. “I don’t know if it’s the stress from New Zealand, moving there, being quarantined for so long and everything - just not coping with that going on. “So, I think whatever happened is not normal, it wasn’t normal circumstances.” “Something just doesn’t add up.” Grandparents are in a “state of shock” In a statement, Lauren’s parents and the children’s grandparents Wendy and Malcolm Fawkes, said the extended family were in a “state of shock”. “The extended families are in a state of shock as we try to understand what happened,” their statement read. “We ask for your prayers and support during this very difficult time. We would also request privacy as we battle to come to terms with what has happened.” “I’m torn apart” Mandy Sibanyoni, who worked as a nanny for the Dickasons in South Africa, described them as an “awesome family” with “wonderful kids” and no obvious problems. She said the only sign of “stress” she saw from Lauren was as a result of one of her daughters being born with a lip disfigurement, which needed surgical interventions. But both parents “loved their kids like nobody’s business,” she said. “I’m torn apart - a part of mine is gone,” Sibanyoni said in an interview with media in South Aftrica. “And it’s like those kids, they are my kids too because I raised them.” “I don’t know what to do about this because the only question that I’ve got now is, what happened? What went wrong? Because Lauren cared for her kids,” Sibanyoni added. Images: Facebook

News

Ellen DeGeneres adds Beverly Hills mansion to $94.5 million portfolio

Ellen DeGeneres has dropped $11.5 million on a brilliantly curated Beverly Hills home. The embattled talk show host has built a $94.5 million property portfolio. DeGeneres and wife Portia de Rossie have bought and sold $450 million in property over the past 17 years. The new five-bedroom home is centred in the Hidden Valley Estates and was built in 1961 by famed architect Robert Skinner. Since its construction, the property has been completely restored by architect John Bertram with the designer Sarah Shetter. The abode is as dreamy as it sounds, with glass walls, Douglas fir cabinets, Calcutta Gold and salt marble countertops, and a state-of-the-art chef’s kitchen. The new house can be found by going past Adele’s new $US9.95m home, which formerly belonged to Nicole Richie. Katy Perry also owns a $7.47m house at the end of the street, real estate records show.

Real Estate

We studied what happens when guys add their cats to their dating app profiles

These photos don’t just relay attractiveness; a recent study suggested that 43% of people think they can get a sense of someone’s personality by their picture. You might guess that someone who has included a photo of themselves hiking is an outdoorsy type of person. But as scientists who study human-animal interactions, we wanted to know what this meant for pet owners – in particular, male cat owners. If you’re a guy who owns a cat, what kind of effect does it have on suitors if you post a picture posing with your favourite feline? Prior studies suggested that women do judge a potential male partner based on whether he has pets. While they favour men with dogs, the results showed that they also give men with cats an edge over non-pet owners. Because of this, we reasoned that men pictured with cats would probably be viewed as more attractive and desirable than men who didn’t pose with any animals. In our study, we recruited 1,388 heterosexual American women from 18 to 24 years old to take a short anonymous online survey. In the survey, we presented them with photos of one of two young white men in their early 20s either posing alone or with a cat. To avoid biasing the women’s responses, we randomly presented which photo they saw first. Each participant only rated one man, with and without a cat. Each time the participants saw a photo, we asked them to rate the man pictured on several personality attributes, including his masculinity, femininity and date-ability. We also asked the women if they defined themselves as a “cat person,” “dog person,” “neither” or “both.” Most of the women found the men holding cats to be less dateable. This result surprised us, since previous studies had shown that women found men with pets to have higher potential as partners. They also thought the men holding cats were less extroverted and more neurotic, agreeable and open. Importantly, they saw these men as less masculine, too. This last point may explain our findings. Prior research suggests that women often seek masculine men – both in terms of physical appearance and behaviors. So the fact that women in our study found the photo of the man alone more masculine and more dateable supports the idea that women are likely to look first for clues related to masculinity when determining date-ability. We suspect old cultural norms may be playing a role in the responses. Past research suggests that male femininity and homosexuality are still perceived to be connected. Since cats are sometimes associated more closely with female owners – and therefore, considered a feminine pet – posing with cats may have primed the women taking our survey to default to this outdated trope, despite some popular media efforts to elevate the status of male cat owners. Alternatively, the perception of male cat owners as less extroverted and more neurotic, agreeable and open may have nudged our respondents to put these men in the “friend zone.” In other words, perhaps seeing a man pose with the cat suggests he might be a better confidant than date. It’s important to note that whether the women identified themselves as “cat people,” “dog people,” “both” or “neither” affected their perceptions. Women who self-identified as “cat people” were more inclined to view the men pictured with cats as more dateable or say they had no preference. Of course, like any research, our work has its limitations. Our sample is a very specific population – heterosexual, primarily white women, aged 18 to 24 years and living in the United States. We don’t know how these results would change if we surveyed, say, bisexual or gender-fluid women, men interested in men or individuals from different cultural backgrounds. And that’s the best part. This is a new, growing area of research, and it’s only one of a handful of potential studies on the relationship between pet ownership and first impressions on dating apps. This means we have our work cut out for us. But in the meantime, if heterosexual men are looking to get a match, it’s probably a good idea if they save showing off their photos with their favourite felines for the first or second date. Written by Misha Ketchell. This article first appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-studied-what-happens-when-guys-add-their-cats-to-their-dating-app-profiles-144999">The Conversation</a>.

Relationships

Cate Blanchett adds haunted English manor to real estate portfolio

After letting go of all of her Sydney properties, Cate Blanchett has added a sprawling English manor to her real estate property. The Australia actress, along with her playwright-director husband Andrew Upton, purchased the Highwell House in the UK for $6.25 million. However, the home comes with its own dark history and sordid past and is revealed to have been a famous haunted house that also was a drug den, a meeting place for pagans and a notorious hide-out for criminals on the run. The Victorian manor was built on the estate in 1890 and began to fall into disrepair in the early 2000s before it was refurbished in 2015. While the home today carries an airy, luxurious yet subtle charm, the property was labelled as Britain’s 13th most creepy abandoned house in 2015. A Facebook page dedicated to Highwell Estate, which was previously named Potters Manor House, is said to feature pictures from people who visited the home and claimed to have captured images of ghosts or spirits. Reports say local residents are overjoyed to have Cate, Andrew, and their four children moving into the home as they believe it has made the home safer. Scroll through the gallery to see the sprawling property in all its Victorian-style glory.

Real Estate

Princess Beatrice adds two more titles after royal wedding

She may have already been a member of the royal family, but after tying the knot with Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi over the weekend, Princess Beatrice can add another role to her list. In a private, intimate ceremony at Windsor Castle, Beatrice said ‘I do’ to her now husband in a beautiful vintage dress loaned to her by her grandmother the Queen. But she isn’t the only one who has a family of aristocrats as Edoardo himself is the son of Count Alessandro Mapelli Mozzi and Nikki Shale from the Italian royal House of Savoy. He also has a three-year-old son Christopher ‘Wolfie’ Woolf from his previous marriage with Chinese-American architect Dara Huang. This means Princess Beatrice has another fancy title she can include in her repertoire. “Edoardo is the only male descendent taking the family into the next generation,” his father told The Daily Mail. “He is a count — his wife will be a countess automatically and any of their children will be counts or nobile donna.” It is assumed that she will follow in her younger sister’s footsteps and drop the ‘York’ from her title. The 31-year-old is taking up another very important role, one that has nothing to do with royalty – and that’s becoming a stepmother. Edo has previously told The Telegraph that he and Wolfie’s mother, Dara are on amicable terms, saying they co-parent the young child. “I take [Christopher] to school a couple of mornings a week and finish in time to put him in bed three or four evenings,” he said. The couple was set to marry on 29 May at the Chapel Royal in St James’s Palace in London, but the service was delayed to the pandemic. After a recent relaxation of lockdown rules, weddings are allowed to take place in England but with no more than 30 guests. “Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice of York and Mr. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi were married in a small family ceremony on Friday 17th July. The ceremony took place at The Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor, with the kind permission of Her Majesty The Queen,” the palace confirmed at the time. “The couple decided to hold a small private ceremony with their parents and siblings following the postponement of their wedding in May. Working within government guidelines, the service was in keeping with the unique circumstances while enabling them to celebrate their wedding with their closest family.”

Beauty & Style

Add some spice to your summer with a spicy Mexican mango salad

A delightful summer salad that combines both sweet and spice for a fun al fresco starter. Time to prepare: 20 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes Serves: 6 as a side Ingredients Chilli corn: <ul> <li>2 tbs olive oil</li> <li>1 garlic clove, crushed</li> <li>1 tsp dried chilli flakes</li> <li>3 large corn cobs, husks removed</li> <li>425g can black beans, drained, rinsed</li> <li>200g Sweet Solanato™ tomatoes, halved </li> <li>1 red capsicum, finely chopped</li> <li>3 Calypso mangoes </li> <li>½ cup fresh coriander, chopped</li> <li>1 long red chilli, deseeded, finely chopped</li> <li>1 lime, juiced</li> <li>Extra virgin olive oil</li> </ul> To serve: <ul> <li>Coriander leaves</li> <li>Corn chips</li> </ul> Directions <ol> <li>For chilli corn, combine oil, garlic and chilli. Brush evenly over corn cobs.</li> <li>Preheat a barbecue grill plate over medium-high heat. Add corn. Cook, turning occasionally, for about 10 minutes, or until charred. Remove to a plate. Cool 5 minutes then cut corn kernels from cobs.</li> <li>Combine corn, beans, tomatoes and capsicum in a large serving bowl.</li> <li>Cut the cheeks from the mangoes. Using a large spoon remove the mango fruit from the cheeks and cut into 2cm cubes. Combine in a bowl with coriander and chilli.</li> <li>Spoon over corn mixture. Spoon over the lime juice, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Season and top with coriander. Serve with corn chips.</li> </ol> Recipe courtesy of <a href="http://www.calypsomango.com.au/">Calypso Mango</a>. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/recipes/spicy-mexican-mango-salad.aspx">Wyza.com.au</a>.

Food & Wine

Top 5 new and exclusive experiences to add to your 2020 bucket list

Dreaming of your next extended holiday or an escape for several weeks? You’ll be blown away by the incredibly diverse array of unique tours available right in your own backyard or within a short flight to Australia. Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in food and wine culture, reconnect with nature at a national park, or simply explore a new destination, AAT Kings’ range of Guided Holidays has something for every traveller. Because we all dream a little differently, AAT Kings offers two distinct styles of Guided Holiday to dozens of destinations in the new 2020/2021 brochure. Choose a <a href="https://www.aatkings.com/first-choice/?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=online_ebs">FIRST CHOICE</a> Guided Holiday for premium inclusions and more downtime, or take a <a href="https://www.aatkings.com/best-buys/?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=online_ebs">BEST BUYS</a> Guided Holiday for ultimate flexibility and must see sights. Can’t decide where to go first? We have listed our top five destinations you need to add to your 2020 holiday to-do list. 1. Margaret River, a food and wine lovers paradise Discover the incredible scenic landscapes, natural wonders and food and wine culture of Western Australia on the <a href="https://www.aatkings.com/tours/western-wonderland/?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=online_ebs">15 day Western Wonderland Best Buys Guided Holiday</a>. For the food and wine lovers, AAT Kings have added a brand-new experience to delight the senses and allow you to dine at the region’s best. While taking in the scenery of the gorgeous <a href="https://www.aatkings.com/destination/regions/margaret-river/?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=online_ebs">Margaret River</a>, you will enjoy a private wine tasting and three course lunch, tastefully paired with the region’s finest wines, at the Brookland Valley Estate. And as the Guided Holiday experts, AAT Kings take care of everything, so all you have to do is sit back with a glass of wine and relax with your fellow travellers. 2. The Magnificent Kimberley <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7832032/aat-kings.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a430d6dcb3d74b82b5675200950f7a77" /> On an AAT Kings holiday, you won’t just visit the bucket list sights, you will become immersed in the cultures and lifestyles of the distinctly unique destinations you visit. The Kimberley region of Western Australia is one of these unique destinations, and one that is unlike anywhere in the world. The unbelievable natural wonders such as the Bungle Bungles are truly otherworldly. On the <a href="https://www.aatkings.com/tours/wonders-of-the-west-coast-and-kimberley/?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=online_ebs">21 day Wonders of the West Coast & Kimberley First Choice Guided Holiday</a>, guests will be able to meet the artists of the Mangkaja Arts Resource Agency and Gallery, a fine art gallery, specialty store and studio space located in the centre of Fitzroy Crossing. A guided tour hosted by the Centre Curator provides an opportunity to not only view the incredible artworks, but to see the local artists working in the studio. You can purchase art directly from the local Aboriginal artists which contributes to the running and operating of the arts centre. 3. Iconic North Island of New Zealand Immerse yourself in the Maori culture and history as you venture from Auckland down to Wellington. Experience the North Island’s most iconic sights in this <a href="https://www.aatkings.com/tours/iconic-north/?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=online_ebs">7-day First Choice Guided Holiday</a>. As you make your way down the coast, you’ll stop off for an exclusive lunch at a private Waikato dairy farm, learn insider knowledge from your experienced guides, and immerse yourself in the centuries-old traditions of New Zealand’s indigenous people, including a cultural evening at Tamaki Maori Village. At Rotorua, you will choose from a range of sightseeing experiences, including a tour of the Hobbiton movie set, a tour of Waitomo Glowworm caves, or exploring Rotorua and its lakes in an amphibious WWII-era craft. 4. New Zealand’s Sensational South <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7831983/aat-kings.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/0a2670a80dc74b1e83ab2361b4f23e57" /> If you prefer to delve into the heart of New Zealand’s renowned food and wine country, you must add this <a href="https://www.aatkings.com/tours/sensational-south/">11-day Spectacular South</a> tour to your list. Starting in Wellington, where you’ll go on a guided walking tour with a foodie twist to get your senses tingling. The tour winds down the South Island’s east coast to Christchurch before branching off to Mount Cook, where you’ll join a local expert at New Zealand’s longest glacier, the Tasman Glacier. You’ll then head to picturesque Queenstown, embark on a scenic journey through Fiordland National Park, and travel to the magnificent wild West Coast and mesmerising Milford Sound. Culinary highlights include dinner at a top winery in Marlborough, a Be My Guest lunch at Morelea, and a farewell dinner at the Boatshed restaurant in Queenstown. 5. New Zealand Uncovered <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7831981/aat-kings-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/e5d0eafaf9f748478f9bde67d578b97d" /> Can’t decide between which island to visit next? Why not experience the best of both islands on AAT Kings <a href="https://www.aatkings.com/tours/new-zealand-uncovered/?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=online_ebs">17-day New Zealand Uncovered First Choice Guided Holiday</a>. Explore from Auckland down to Christchurch, experience the contrasts between the two islands: travel through picturesque Hinuera Valley, journey through farmland to the turquoise waters of Huka Falls, and explore magnificent Milford Sound on a nature cruise. See the scenery magically change from alpine to magnificent rainforests and the wild West Coast when crossing over the Haast Pass. Iconic destinations this Guided Holiday will take you include: the Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Lake Taupo, Charlotte Sound, Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Franz Josef Glacier, and Punakaiki – to name but a few. A journey through the North and South Islands of New Zealand is best undertaken with the experts. Delve into New Zealand’s national identity and explore the country’s Maori culture and history. Enjoy lunch at a dairy farm and Monteith’s Brewery, cruise across Lake Wakatipu for a gourmet dinner at Walter Peak Farm, and experience a Hangi feast at the Tamaki Maori Village. There is truly something to appeal to every traveller on this 17 day journey through the incredible North and South Islands of New Zealand. Start planning your 2020/21 escape now and save 10% with <a href="https://www.aatkings.com/earlybird/?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=online_ebs">Early Bird Savings</a> on all First Choice Guided Holidays in Australia and New Zealand when booked by 31 January 2020 and travel dates up to 31 March 2021. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMWdUqmsOdY?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=online_ebs">Need more reason to book? Click here.</a> This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with <a href="https://www.aatkings.com/?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=online_ebs">AAT Kings</a>.

Domestic Travel

The tropical puppy island to add to your bucket list

The combination of sparkling sea waters, hot bright sand and adorable puppies might sound too good to be true, but it’s what you can expect when you visit this dreamy destination. Perched on the Turks and Caicos Islands near the Bahamas, Potcake Place is a dog rescue charity that allows tourists to walk local puppies and dogs along Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales. The pups are called Potcakes, named after the food that locals give them. According to the founder and director of the charity Jane Parker-Rauw, Potcakes are predominantly German shepherds, Labrador retrievers and fox terriers. The charity helps 500 strays get adopted every year. However, according to <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/terripous/theres-an-island-where-you-can-play-with-rescue-puppies-and?utm_term=.fn5XvGRAl&bffbanimals#.ia2DJP4Qj">Buzzfeed</a>, Parker-Rauw noticed that the puppies were quite wary around people. To solve the problem, in 2010 she started allowing locals and tourists to come and play with the canines for a few hours every day on “puppy socialisation walks”, in order to let them get used to being around humans before they find a new home. <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-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BrgIXAvH8_6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" 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="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 style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BrgIXAvH8_6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Mathilda Hermodsson🌍 (@mathildahermodssonn)</a> on Dec 17, 2018 at 12:34pm PST </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/BuEf3hhBWmg/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" 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> <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/BuEf3hhBWmg/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">Hi, my name is DiVina and I like long, romantic walks on the beach with #shelterdogs. 🐾 #adoptdontshop #turksandcaicos #gracebay #animalshelter #crazydoglady</a> <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/divinaface/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> DiVina Gurrola</a> (@divinaface) on Feb 19, 2019 at 8:35am PST </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-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BtkqlsbFDxT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" 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="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 style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BtkqlsbFDxT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Jessica Demaris (@booboojessy)</a> on Feb 6, 2019 at 11:53pm PST </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/BtdzGtqBe_B/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" 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> <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/BtdzGtqBe_B/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">We can’t adopt an island dog, we can’t adopt an island dog...</a> <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/unstoppabledogs/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> Meg McCarthy-Cataldo</a> (@unstoppabledogs) on Feb 4, 2019 at 7:53am PST </div> </blockquote> While there is no charge to walk a puppy, the queues could be long and the number of dogs available for trips varies day to day. Parker-Rauw said these short excursions could do wonders for the young dogs’ development. “These short interactions with nice people both in and out of the adoption center really help to give them confidence that yes, most people really are good,” said Parker-Rauw. “We have seen hundreds of times a very shy puppy just excel and develop over a short time this way. It's lovely.” Parker-Rauw said she and her rescue organisation, which is 100 per cent run by volunteers, are hoping to reduce the number of dogs on the street without resorting to euthanising. She said her efforts on educating, neutering and spaying the canines in her shelter seemed to have paid off, as she believed there are now fewer strays. “For the first time in a long time, I have some hope that we are actually getting where we need to be,” she told <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/potcake-place-puppy-turks-and-caicos/index.html">CNN</a>. “No more homeless dogs.” Will you add this place to your travel bucket list? Let us know in the comments.

International Travel

Edge of the world: The Tassie escape you need to add to your bucket list

Dominated by ‘the Nut’, a volcanic plug on the edge of town, Stanley is impossible to miss on a journey to Tasmania’s north-west. The Nut rises 152 metres with almost vertical cliffs on three sides plunging into Bass Strait, and at its base is the historic village just begging to be explored. George Bass and Matthew Flinders discovered the unique formation in 1798, naming it ‘Circular Head’; the region’s municipality is still called this. It was settled from 1826 after the Van Diemen’s Land Company was granted land in the north-west, including the Stanley area, and employees from England arrived in the region. The township was named in 1842 after Lord Stanley – who went on to serve three terms as the British prime minister – and the village eventually became a thriving and bustling centre built around farming. These days, tourism and fishing are its major drawcards, with people flocking to see the incredible views both of and from the Nut. Surrounded by beautiful coastline, and with heritage buildings and terraced streets, this ‘edge of the world’ town with its mix of natural and historical wonder is certainly worth a visit. “This beautiful historical fishing village is a place everyone should see. A lazy little town set under the Nut, this place has so much history, it will take you back to the early settler days. Gorgeous beaches to boot, and lots of restaurants to tickle your tastebuds.” - Jenny Barnes, Launceston, Tasmania What to do: <ul> <li>Climb the Nut or if, the challenge is too great, take the chairlift for incredible views over the north-west coastline and Stanley.</li> <li>Explore the historical township, which has a number of heritage buildings that have not changed over the years, including the Van Diemen’s Land Company store.</li> <li>Join a penguin tour or hop aboard a seal cruise to encounter some of the region’s local residents.</li> </ul> “You can see why Stanley is often referred to as ‘the edge of the world’, perched as it is next to the Nut, a little piece of land that drops off into Bass Strait. Our first port of call, like most travellers I would say, was a chairlift ride to the top of the Nut. We were lucky enough to be joined by a fifth-generation local man, Graham, who runs a B&B in town. To meet someone with such a long family history in Australia is quite rare, but it’s a common occurrence in Stanley. Home to some of the freshest air in the world, the breeze from the top of the Nut certainly blows out any cobwebs, and the views of the beaches on all sides are breathtaking. The town itself is charming, with its lovingly restored buildings that house cafes, art and craft shops, and B&Bs. Many of the original English settler buildings have been preserved, and a drive around town is fascinating. There’s Highfield, a historic house built in 1841 that’s regarded as the birthplace of the European settlement of Tasmania’s northwest, and you can even see the former home of Joseph Lyons, Australia’s tenth prime minister, who took office in 1923. But it’s not just the town and the Nut that are beautiful. We took a scenic helicopter flight out to the nearby Tarkine wilderness area, a huge expanse of cool temperate rainforest that contains Aboriginal archaeological sites – it really is a stunning place.” - Jen and Clint <img width="142" height="174" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7817348/australia-s-ultimate-bucket-list_142x174.jpg" alt="Australia -s -ultimate -bucket -list" style="float: right;"/> This is an edited extract from Australia’s Ultimate Bucket List by Jennifer Adams & Clint Bizzell published by Hardie Grant Books RRP $29.99 and is available in stores nationally.

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How should I add sunscreen to my skincare routine now it’s getting hotter?

3 home improvement hacks to add value to your home

Five top experiences to add to your travel bucket list

"She didn't add any smiley faces!" Woman fired for not using emojis

Why you need to add Copenhagen to your travel bucket list

What adds value to your house? How to decide between renovating and selling

Five home improvements that WON’T add value

Using valuable inner-city land for car parking? In a housing crisis, that just doesn’t add up

Rolling media coverage of missing persons cases can add to the trauma for all families left behind

How certain personality traits could add years to your life

Hotel chain adds royal touch to their new ad

Three girls murdered: "Something doesn't add up"

Ellen DeGeneres adds Beverly Hills mansion to $94.5 million portfolio

We studied what happens when guys add their cats to their dating app profiles

Cate Blanchett adds haunted English manor to real estate portfolio

Princess Beatrice adds two more titles after royal wedding

Add some spice to your summer with a spicy Mexican mango salad

Top 5 new and exclusive experiences to add to your 2020 bucket list

The tropical puppy island to add to your bucket list

Edge of the world: The Tassie escape you need to add to your bucket list

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