Diane Ackerman 
Today, Rita lives near her daughter in an apartment in an assisted living community. In her bathroom, she hangs her late husband’s famous photos, some starring her. Says Mary, “Sometimes I ask her, ‘Do your friends ever wonder who this lady is, why you have these photographs?’ I don’t think many of them have had … Read more
Growing up in Derby in the 1980s, Christmas Day was always the same. I woke my sisters up early (they were 10 and 13 years older than me, so not quite as excited about Santa), then we made tea and took it into our parents’ bedroom. There we all crowded on to the bed and … Read more
Still not tired from Black Friday and Christmas shopping? One of Australia’s biggest shopping events – Boxing Day – is just around the corner, and Amazon has kicked things off early, launching its highly-anticipated Boxing Day sale today (December 22). From 00.01 (AEDT) on December 22 until 11.59 December 28, shoppers can get their hands … Read more
Bettina Pittaluga “I feel connected through others, through words, vibrations, scents, gestures, a gaze, a voice, an action, a gathering. Connection, for me, is as much sensory as it is a matter of values, representing our humanity in its entirety, in both discourse and action. In a beautifully ambivalent yet icy state, it takes very … Read more
Lashes have become a huge focal point in the past decade and there are myriad ways to enhance them, but these are my favourite options. Lash extensions take two-three hours to apply and last up to a month. Done well, they look natural, in particular the Ellipse flat lashes, which have forked ends to double … Read more
Trigger warning: This article contains descriptions of child abuse. For 20 years, Natanya Pienaar was gagged by the legal system in order to protect a man who stole her childhood. But the moment Hermanus “Manie” Senekal was convicted of molestation and rape, Natanya proudly stood baring the scars of her survival. For more Real Life … Read more
It can feel like the world can be divided into two types of women—those who embrace sequin sets and those who would, quite literally, never. Hear us out, though: Like so many things in life, wearing sequins isn’t a black and white affair. While true sequin devotees may lean into the more-is-more look and love … Read more
There are many questions to grapple with when considering what to wear at Christmas. Some people dress for Christmas Day as they would for a cocktail party, in smart frocks and sparkly earrings, while others consider sacrosanct the choice of spending the day in elasticated-waist comfies, the better to accommodate the eating of one’s body … Read more
The rise of technological cleaning products has reached an all-time high with the likes of Ecovacs and Dyson reigning supreme. But for a limited time only, Amazon has reduced the price of the Lefant Robot Vacuum, another popular brand, by 60 per cent, bringing the total price down to $159.99. The smart robot vacuum supports … Read more
The season, for me, starts in October. It is secretive, this beginning, as the rest of the world continues about its usual, autumnal business: school runs, talks of daylight savings, soup. I, meanwhile, am watching for the first sign of Christmas, looking for it on lichened branches. Sloe berries, purpled and clustered on blackthorn, their … Read more
