Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2019 i ELLE Australia

MY RESTING FACE is not a smiley one. It’s a fact I grew accustomed to long ago. I’m not an unhappy person. But every now and again, on the street, in an airport, riding an elevator, I’m reminded, usually by a complete stranger, that I should “smile”. “Cheer up.” “It can’t be all that bad.” The person requesting the readjustment of my facial features is typically male (there is a myriad of essays penned about why that is) and my typical reaction is to knit my eyebrows tighter in annoyance and add a stomp to my step. I don’t think I’m alone. No-one likes being told to smile on command. “THE IDEAS FOR WHAT CONSTITUTES JOY RANGED from A LIZZO SONG to DOG BOTTOMS that WIGGLE AS THEY WALK” What…

Fashion’s love for all things artisanal shows no signs of waning, with patchwork, fringing and embroidery still big on the runways. Among the stand-outs were the intricate woven totes Dior presented at its recent show in Marrakech – but they’re more than just the latest It-bag. Never content to only create clothes for clothing’s sake, designer Maria Grazia Chiuri tapped a slew of African craftsmen and textile-makers for the resort 2020 collection, helping support female artisans in the process. The result was a celebration of craft and craftsmanship we can all get behind.…

“RESORT SEASON PROPELLED BELTS into MUST-HAVE TERRITORY” YOU DON’T TEND to think much about belts – until you do. That’s how we’re feeling lately anyway. Where once fashion was fairly indifferent, the resort 2020 season propelled belts into must-have territory and now we can’t get enough of them. Thin leather creations with gold sculptural buckles by Bottega Veneta? Hand ’em over. Wide, futuristic numbers by Louis Vuitton? Gimme more. Then there were Miu Miu’s covetable brown leather versions, Isabel Marant’s chic studded styles and Chanel’s logo-ed take in the prettiest of baby blues. Whether you’re opting for a bold statement or minimal style, belts are all about proportion control. If you’re going to cinch at the waist, play with oversized silhouettes such as billowy men’s shirts and masculine blazers. Or…

AFTER MONTHS SPENT nestled in cocoons of knitted sweaters and bulky blazers, mournfully watching the European summer play out on our feeds, we’ve finally been liberated. Summer is upon us, resort season is in full swing and the options for reviving our existing wardrobes are aplenty. Time to get shopping (starting with this super-chic beachwear courtesy of Chanel). IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE TORTOISESHELL, ZEBRA, LEOPARD AND TIGER – THE TIME IS NIGH TO UNLEASH YOUR WILD SIDE CANDY CRUSH SUMMER BRINGS A BRIGHT MOOD AND AN EVEN BRIGHTER WARDROBE. RESTRAINT? WE DON’T KNOW HER KEEP IT COOL BREEZY FABRICS IN SHADES OF WHITE, BEIGE AND EGGSHELL WILL ALWAYS BE THE HALLMARK OF HIGH-SUMMER CHIC. JUST ADD WATER… OR A COCKTAIL IF YOU LIKE PINA COL ADAS BOLD HAWAIIAN PRINTS…

BOOK CLUB ALWAYS starts off so well. You set a luxurious reading window. You choose the first title together, and it goes down very well. You serve interesting wine and cheese. You feel great about the idea: smart women hanging out and talking about culture. This is fun! The next time, the wheels come off. Kate gets busy at work and bails; Amy loses her copy; Ashna admits she didn’t read it; and everyone else muddles through, slightly annoyed. This is… not fun. Enter: the book swap. Instead of one piece of required reading, everyone brings a book (or two) they’ve enjoyed, talks about why they recommend it, and all go home with something new. There’s no pressure to speed-read (or spend money on) something you’re not actually that into…

FOR GEORGIA “GIGI” CONNOLLY, it has always been horses. From the time she could walk, she was head over heels for riding, and that passion has stayed with her for nearly three decades. “It definitely made life easier for my parents when I was a teenager,” she says, laughing. “If I was to stay out too late the punishment would always be, ‘You can’t ride.’ That was enough to keep me in line.” When Connolly was 11, she met Amanda Ross, an equestrian at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and realised she could make a career of her equine obsession. “Amanda went to the same primary school as me and she was always my idol,” Connolly says. “When I was 10 and she was competing in the Olympics, I wrote her…

“You’re looking for lack of happiness, social withdrawal, sleep disturbance (either being really fatigued and sleeping all the time, or insomnia), change in appetite and when things that used to bring you happiness don’t bring you happiness anymore,” explains Waters. “Plus changes in habits – either reducing healthy habits, like you can’t be bothered running anymore, or bad habits creeping in, like too much time online, substance use or alcohol use. Everyone has those things occasionally, but if they’re happening frequently and over a long period (more than a month), that’s when you need to see someone.” “It’s never a bad idea to seek support,” says Stark. “You know when you get to the point where you’re like, ‘I can’t do this alone.’” If you feel you need to see…

I’VE NEVER SEEN MY MUM CRY. Not a single tear. When I was little, this worried me greatly. “But why don’t you cry?” I would squeak, through my own snuffled sobs. “Because it doesn’t solve anything,” she once replied. Yes, my mother is the ultimate pragmatist. (She doesn’t drink, either, because “it doesn’t get you anywhere”. Well, no, I used to say as a teenager, but it’s fun.) While I’m no longer fazed by the fact I’ve never seen my stoic mother cry, I can’t claim to take after her on that front. To quote Jude Law in The Holiday, I am a “major weeper”. I cry at the usual fare – adverts, books, someone I love getting ill, seeing a friend get married, watching films on planes (there’s actual…

SHORE THING EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A TRIP TO THE BEACH. DIVE IN BUCKET LIST Bucket hats are back in a big way – and just in time for summer. FLAT CHAT Play the tourist in adventure-ready chunky sandals. SUGAR RUSH Creamy sorbet hues sweeten up daring swimsuit silhouettes. BEST DRESS Popped over your swimmers or worn with heels, a floaty summer dress is a wardrobe hero. FEEL THE BEAT THESE FUN, FLIRTY PIECES ARE MADE FOR GOOD TIMES IN THE SWING Make a statement with bold and blingy earrings. MAKE IT BRIEF Big sleeves and intricate details balance out short hemlines. IT’S A WRAP Strappy heels that tie around the ankle make you instantly dance floor-ready. MIXED BAG Swap boring black for marble and metallics. HAPPY FEET Prints and…

WHAT IS BLUE LIGHT? Blue light refers to the high-energy wavelengths that sit on the blue end of the visible light spectrum. Much of the blue light we’re exposed to comes from the sun, however it’s also emitted by LEDs — such as those found in our phones, TVs and laptops. According to recent research, Australians are spending more than one-third of their day in front of these devices. WHAT DOES IT DO TO MY SKIN? Blue light isn’t all bad – at the right wavelength, it can actually be harnessed to kill acne-causing bacteria. But while relatively harmless in small doses, the issue arises from the frequency and close range at which we’re exposed to our screens – and given the fact that most of us scroll, tap and…

KAI Z FENG @kaizfeng The Shanghai-born photographer, who’s snapped everyone from Selena Gomez to Cate Blanchett to Kate Bosworth, turns his lens to our cover star Elle Fanning on p90. On my playlist: New Music Friday on Spotify. On my reading list: The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck by Mark Manson. As rude as it sounds, it’s way deeper than that. On my to-do list: Making a short film. On my wish list: The new Mac Pro and [Pro Display XDR Retina] 6K screen. On my bucket list: The North Pole. On my blacklist: People who are unkind and have a bad attitude. ESTHER LOMB @estherlomb_ She only started modelling three years ago, but the German beauty is proving to be one to watch. See her take on…

“THERE WERE HOMAGES to the ’70S, BUT CATAPULTED INTO THE MODERN DAY” HERE AT ELLE, we prefer to look to the future rather than dwell on the past – yet we couldn’t help but get swept up in the deja vu of the resort collections. Bohemian fringing, paisley prints, corduroy suits and floaty blouses – the season was riddled with homages to the ’70s, but catapulted into the modern day with new cuts, colourways and fabrications. Take Chloé, which staged a staggeringly beautiful show in Shanghai. Tucked in among the brand’s usual whimsical prints and feminine silhouettes were notable retro vibes – blouses fastened with trailing scarves, strappy leather sandals and an abundance of khaki. At Dior, the Marrakech setting made the collection’s tribute to Yves Saint Laurent, a one-time…

WHEN ALEXANDER WANG was tapped by Bulgari to reinterpret its Serpenti Forever bag, he had a specific type of person in mind: “Someone who is an alpha!” he quips. Wang’s signature sex appeal and youth-centric design ethos may seem an unexpected fit for a 135-year-old Italian high-jewellery brand, but he insists there are more similarities than meet the eye. “I think we both enjoy designing for a sinful woman,” he explains. “It’s the kind of woman who is curious – a thrillseeker.” “IT’S [FOR] the KIND OF WOMAN WHO is CURIOUS – a thrillseeker” The bag collection, which was recently released to much fanfare during New York Fashion Week, features six styles – including a belt bag with a detachable handle and straps, a double-flap tote and a mini box…

“SO, ARE YOU EXCLUSIVE?” I asked a friend who has been dating the same guy for two months. “Ish,” she replied, with a slight shrug, meaning: she’s not sleeping with anyone else but she could if she felt like it, and so could he, maybe. “Any dietary requirements?” I messaged my Dinner At Mine WhatsApp group. “I’m vegan-ish,” came one response, meaning (I requested clarification) he orders oat milk lattes and is “mainly plant-based these days”, but if I was going to make a delicious cacio e pepe, he would happily eat it and wouldn’t need a cashew cheese version made in a separate pan. “Are you watching Game Of Thrones?” a man at a party asked me. I said “ish” because I’ve sort of watched a few episodes, listened…

GRACE JOHNSON For this year’s Met Gala, Dakota Johnson ditched her boyfriend, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, in favour of a date with her younger sibling Grace, who made her Met debut in a glittering rainbow Gucci gown before heading to the label’s after-party in another dazzling number. All eyes are now on the 19-year-old IMG model who clearly knows how to handle a red carpet. ZSELA With a voice reminiscent of Tracy Chapman, Brooklyn-based singer Zsela is the younger sister of Creed and Westworld actor Tessa Thompson. Performing in looks by game-changing New York designers Telfar and Vaquera, Zsela shares her sister’s style credentials, plus an ability to wow audiences with her enthralling performances. She’s just released a new single, “Earlier Days”, is in the midst of supporting Cat Power on…

EASY DRINKING “The days of high-alcohol, full-bodied wines are over, [in favour of] lighter and fresher expressions,” says Fitzsimmons. Opting for a low-ABV (alcohol by volume) wine of 10 per cent or less is smart hot-weather drinking, especially over the course of a lazy afternoon. He suggests trying “light, chuggable beauties” such as vin de soif (translation: wine of thirst) or glou glou (literally “glug glug”), which allow you to enjoy your wine with less of an effect. TRY: 2018 Little Things Flo’s Fizz (9.5% ABV), $29. BIGGER THE BETTER At twice the size of a standard bottle, “Magnums are ideal for entertaining groups if you each want to get more than a couple of glasses of a particular wine,” says Fitzsimmons. The good news is a range of smaller…

PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS THE BEST WAY TO FIND JOY? IT STARTS WITH REDEFINING WHAT HAPPINESS MEANS TO YOU FAIRYTALES STILL WRAP their endings up in a bow with “happily ever after”. But for those of us living in the real world, slipsliding our way through the fast-moving, hyper-connected, always-on 21st century that’s careering closer to climate catastrophe, happiness seems ever more elusive. New statistics bear out the suspicion that we’re all hovering on the verge of burnout and despair, and plenty of high-profile figures have made their mental-health battles public, including Sophie Turner, Cara Delevingne, Lizzo and Ariana Grande. Yet we also have more resources at our disposal than ever. Society’s treatment of mental illness has come a long way since depressed mums suffering in suburbia were handed out valium…

“The first experience I had of anxiety was when I was seven,” says Maddie Holm, 23, a graduate policy officer for the NSW Government and Beyond Blue volunteer. “I got a lot of nerves in my stomach and I’d feel very sick. I would fidget a lot, pull at my hair, pick my fingers and get sweaty palms. And any time I was away from my mum, I’d get panic attacks.” Holm saw three different psychologists before she recently discovered her perfect match. “I spoke to my GP and said I needed someone who specialises in anxiety in young people, and she took more of a holistic approach. She recommended a couple and I spoke to each on the phone about my issues and the treatment I’d already had. They…

MINDSPOT is a free, government-funded online service. Once you’ve taken an assessment on the website, it offers you access to a therapist, plus tailored online courses based on cognitive behavioural therapy. It’s suggested you commit four hours a week to each eight-week course. Check out mindspot.org.au. The INSIGHT TIMER app offers thousands of free guided meditations on various topics, as well as bedtime stories and meditation music tracks, plus paid courses. SMILING MIND is a free mindfulness app from an Aussie not-for-profit that provides meditations and explainers on topics including sleep and relationships. “I use the MOODFLOW app, which tracks your moods using different colour palettes,” says Stark. “For those of us who are anxious, our brains lie to us and say we’ve been depressed forever. But this app shows…

YOU COULD FORGIVE ELLE FANNING FOR BEING A TOUCH BLASÉ. This is a woman who had acted in 10 movies, 11 TV shows, two shorts and lent her voice to a cartoon... all before she was 10. By age 12, The New York Times had printed a rapturous profile of her. Most years, she stars in two or three films – some years, even four. The highs and lows of Hollywood could easily have taken their toll on a young actor. But in reality, Fanning is a ray of sunshine. “In this industry, you have to make things really special,” she says. “I always try to hold on to that – each moment is so amazing, and you never know if it’s going to be taken away from you. It’s…

WHAT IS CHANEL WITHOUT KARL LAGERFELD? For more than three decades the Kaiser of the international fashion world developed a personal brand so remarkable that a Chanel show without his presence – slim-fitted suit, burst of white hair, darkened sunglasses – felt inconceivable. When he passed away in February, aged 85, he died as one of the industry’s most enduring icons. I learnt about his death from a unique vantage point – at London Fashion Week, where the news ricocheted through everybody’s iPhones and turned the fabulously dressed attendees sombre and still. How to make sense of a brand so intrinsically tied to its designer? What did a post-Lagerfeld fashion world look like? These were the heavy questions hanging over Virginie Viard’s official debut in May, when the cruise 2020…

Q. I’VE NOTICED MY SKIN IS LOOKING A LITTLE LESS FIRM THESE DAYS. WHAT STEPS SHOULD I ADD TO MY AT-HOME BEAUTY ROUTINE? A. Firstly, losing a little firmness happens to everyone. As we age, the collagen stores that were once plumping out our skin begin to wane and go into early retirement – and when we say early, we’re talking from about age 25. What’s worse, free radicals and atmospheric skin aggressors (pollution, UV damage, even stress) can accelerate the process, which means many of us deal with slackening skin much earlier than we should. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to downshift the speed at which your skin gives in to gravity. It’s no surprise that good nutrition and drinking lots of water play a role, but…

I FEEL I SHOULD START WITH A DISCLAIMER: THERE WILL BE TALK OF POO. Those who don’t want to hear about poo might want to move on. I know it’s still the last taboo, but it’s not talking about it that led to 20 years of fighting with my digestion and, well, fucking up my gut. I’ve never been particularly kind to my stomach. As a child, I was fussy and sugar-fuelled, throwing tantrums at the sight of anything green. In my teens, dieting worsened things (and when I say dieting, I mean irresponsible and not-very-happy extended periods of barely eating). The story doesn’t take a dark turn to eating disorders, thankfully, but I would say I teetered on the edge. Those days are behind me – but the legacy…

“WHEN I DISCOVERED the place it had a very distinct ’80s decor,” interior designer Fleur Delesalle remembers of her Parisian apartment. Rather than being put off by the dated style, her idea was to refresh the interior and create an up-to-date atmosphere that felt cheerful and revitalising. After years of collaboration with French architect India Mahdavi, Delesalle has developed a discerning eye for colour. Her chosen palette for her own home? An energising assortment of blush, mustard and olive shades, which pop against a neutral base of walnut and white. “The rose, yellow and green tones give the smaller rooms a cosier feel,” she explains. The larger rooms proved more difficult to fit out. “The master bedroom was really big, so we needed to employ a few tricks to occupy…

EVERYONE’S GOING TO FESTIVALS nowadays, which makes it difficult to have a truly “festival” festival experience. By which we mean properly let go, with cutting-edge music, an electric atmosphere and without danger of being in the background of an influencer’s perfectly manicured Insta post. So perhaps it’s time to head off the beaten track... THE BEACH RAVE KALA FESTIVAL, DHËRMI, ALBANIA “IMAGINE if IN THE BEACH, LEO HAD BEEN MORE ABOUT THROWING A DISCO at THE FOOT of A GORGE and YOU’LL GET THE IDEA” After its debut last year, Kala has put this Balkan country on the festival map. Across the Ionian Sea from Greece’s Corfu, and with an unexplored strip of idyllic beaches, Albania has the potential to “do a Croatia” in terms of festival tourism. Only right…

SCORPIO OCTOBER 24 – NOVEMBER 22 Reopening an old argument in the hope you can prove that you were right is a waste of time. What happened, happened; leave it where it is, in the past. With the sun in your sign, this is a time for looking forward, not back. You have new projects to launch that are full of potential – just make sure you’ve done all the pre-flight checks, and then you’ll be good to go. SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 23 – DECEMBER 21 This year of miracles still has some goodies in it to delight you. The sweetest one will be left for last, but what you get this month is an active opportunity: a chance to form a new partnership. It’ll probably be professional rather than personal,…

NEW CLASSICS What do you get when you cross Superga’s timeless white sneakers with the coolness and ease of Australian It-brand Aje? Platform off-white trainers with playful raffia soles (aka the shoes you’ll want to wear all summer long). CHARMED, WE’RE SURE The cult-collectable charms you grew up with have had an of-the-moment update in recycled sterling silver and responsibly sourced stones thanks to Pandora Me. Make like campaign face Millie Bobby Brown and pick and mix your faves. au.pandora.net BODY OF WORK Designer Anissa Kermiche’s jewellery – often shaped into hips, boobs and butts – has many a cool-girl stamp of approval (Leandra Medine Cohen and Lena Dunham are fans). Go one better and add one of her new vases to your home. BOW OUT Resort season surprised even…

Put the fun in functional with a quirky-cute (and nostalgia-inducing) bag. Chunky wooden heels are made for urban adventuring. A cinched-in waist and unexpected fabric will help soften an otherwise masculine style. Don’t be afraid to swap standard beige for shots of colour – pretty pastels are perfect for summer.…

“EUPHORIA is MARKING THE END of ME TRYING TO DO THINGS JUST to PAY THE RENT” WHEN HUNTER SCHAFER made her acting debut in gritty high-school drama Euphoria, it was actually the 20-year-old’s second turn in the public eye. In 2016, Schafer’s home state of North Carolina passed a bill that enforced people to use the bathroom that corresponded with their assigned sex at birth rather than their gender identity. Schafer, a trans woman, made headlines when she became one of the teenage plaintiffs for an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit, which resulted in the bill being repealed. Schafer says she’s proud to have advocated for the trans community in her state. “But I did get a little confused as to what my goals were,” she admits. “I had to…

COMMITTED “This is the hill I will die on and I won’t be deterred from my devotion.” INTO IT “I will argue about this with you on Twitter and IRL if I’ve had two glasses of wine or more.” INTERESTED “If I wasn’t so busy being me, I’d love to be more involved.” ISH Less “been there, done that, bought the T-shirt”, more “did a recce on Google Earth, considered doing it and borrowed the T-shirt”. ANTI “No way, uh-uh, not on my watch, mister (but open to persuasion).” ACTIVELY AGAINST “I would rather Céline Dion poked my eyes out with the pointy end of her Met Gala feathers than concede.”…

From the creators of Instagram account @everyoutfitonsatc, this hilarious guide to life is based on the realisation that you’d much rather be a “Miranda” than a “Carrie”, outwardly rejecting the idea that Ms Hobbes was anything less than aspirational (consider her killer career, intelligence, myriad chic suits and refusal to take anyone’s shit). There are comical observations such as “how to layer a bucket hat over a hoodie”, but also more useful advice, like how to break up with the Skipper in your life. $29.99, Hodder & Stoughton; out October 29…

“ONE OF THE MOST enjoyable meals I’ve ever had was eaten entirely on my own. At the height of last year’s World Cup-induced soccer fever, I fled to Barcelona for a four-day solo trip, seeking refuge from London’s beer-soaked streets. Sitting down to dinner on my first night – at a restaurant I’d chosen without having to consult anyone – I could barely suppress the shimmy of excitement that threatened to up-end my mother’s childhood rule of “no dancing at the dinner table”. You see, while eating out with friends is undoubtedly one of life’s great pleasures, it’s almost always a negotiation of sorts. Luxuriating in the freedom of being able to order exactly what I wanted, I went all out, ordering plate after plate. Would the lady like to…

BE THANKFUL You’ve heard about gratitude lists before, but that’s because they work. Being consistently grateful increases the activity levels in your hypothalamus – the part of your brain that controls bodily functions such as eating and sleeping – thus improving sleep, optimism, relationships and physical health. Author Elizabeth Gilbert scribbles down one thing every evening that she’s thankful for and throws it in a happiness jar, to read during hard times or whenever it gets full. “Some people keep a gratitude diary, or keep photos of things they’re grateful for on their phone,” says Waters. “It doesn’t take away the stress of life, but it puts it in perspective.” Stark agrees: “You can’t just tell yourself everything is fine when your life is blowing up around you. But a…

Trained therapists are turning to Instagram to help destigmatise mental health issues and offer useful advice. @nedratawwab’s grid is full of posts with dot-pointed ideas on everything from how to deal with emotionally draining people to overcoming impostor syndrome. @lisaoliveratherapy’s posts have lengthy captions filled with psychotherapeutic exercises. And people living with specific disorders have many options for targeted assistance, including @cptsd_support for trauma survivors and @theocdstories for people with OCD. These helpful, free resources provide community support and are tailored to the way we take in information in the 21st century. But while psychologists argue that an Insta quote is no substitute for therapy, they might just help you through a bad day.…

SOCIAL MEDIA OFTEN comes under fire for being the cesspool of the internet, a place that breeds hatred and intolerance as much as it does laugh-out-loud memes. But it can also bring about a lot of good in the world – as Megan Phelps-Roper discovered. For Phelps-Roper, Twitter is the place where she learnt love is always a better comeback than loathing, where she found a new self, a new life and a new career... and even a husband. “I love Twitter!” she says. On Twitter, as in life, Phelps-Roper walks in the light. But she didn’t start off that way. If her name sounds familiar, it’s probably thanks to the three documentaries filmmaker Louis Theroux has made about the church she grew up in, the Westboro Baptist Church in…

She loves Johnny Cash. “He’s a favourite – he’s like my crush.” She’s currently listening to Billie Eilish (“Isn’t she amazing?”) and Maggie Rogers. Grease is her favourite film of all time. “I would dress up when I was young and pretend to be Sandy.” Gwen Stefani was the first concert she went to. “It was in Budapest when I was nine.” Angelina Jolie gave her some great advice. “We were doing interviews together and I’m so bad at them! She said, ‘I think back to when I was 21, and I have different opinions now. It’s okay to say you don’t know – you don’t always have to have answers to everything.’ It was reassuring.”…

POWER PINK Pink eyeshadow is the heeled thong of the beauty world – the eye-catching look is intimidating at first, but you’re immediately sold once you spot it on a Scandinavian It-girl. An electric magenta shade dusted across the lids looks effortlessly cool paired with a nude lip – just keep the application relaxed by buffing the punchy pigment across the entire lid, feathering the colour up and out over the crease. And remember: as with the sandals, confidence is key. BLUE MOOD Shades of blue were a makeup mainstay at the AW19-20 shows, and while we won’t suggest you get as graphic as Inge Grognard did (with blocky blue shadow at Mugler), there’s something to be said for a swipe of crisp cobalt on the eyes. Fear not, this…

WHAT IT IS: While acupuncture has been employed in Chinese medicine for centuries, the cosmetic benefits of facial acupuncture are only just beginning to become known. The concept is the same – a practitioner assesses your concerns and then gently administers needles to stimulate your body’s systems — but the results are entirely different. MO+ in Sydney offers a Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture treatment, which promises a plumper complexion with visible improvement to skin texture. WHAT IT FEELS LIKE: Tiny pricks on the surface of the skin, but there’s no pain. If anything, the sensation is more like the fleeting tingle of an itch. First, the acupuncturist checks my tongue and listens to my pulse to become more attuned to any bodily issues that may be manifesting themselves on the surface…

ALL MOUTH THERE’S MORE TO A PERFECT SMILE THAN JUST BRUSHING TWICE A DAY… MOUTH HEALTH 101 Since our baby-teeth days, we’ve been told that brushing is the most important thing for oral hygiene – but that’s just the start of it. If we want to keep our gums nice and pink as well as hang on to all of our teeth, we need to do more. Flossing is essential, as is brushing your tongue. But among the culprits wreaking havoc on our gums, a lack of sleep is up there with smoking. Stress can also result in mouth ulcers, bad breath and teeth grinding, and can lead to issues such as nail biting, which accelerates the erosion of tooth enamel. The takeaway? Yet another reason to sleep more, stress…

It’s not just labelled laxatives that are giving your gut grief. The stratospheric rise (thanks to social media) of weight-loss aids, including detox teas and appetite-suppressing lollies, has been the subject of controversy within the health industry. Despite high-level influencers such as Kylie Jenner touting various “flat tummy” wares, consumers have experienced rather different results, including painful cramping and diarrhoea. In other words, the products are said to be triggering a laxative effect and can cause extensive long-term damage to the colon and liver. Our advice? Best to steer clear, and if you do experience gut issues, go to the professionals – Sydney’s Digestive Wellness Clinic specialises in the natural treatment of digestive problems, or try Enhanced Vitality in Melbourne.…

1. SONY Extra Bass Portable Party Speaker ($269, sony.com.au) I use this speaker all the time – the sound is amazing. Although, I  thought I was buying a chic little black speaker, but it does a light show like you’re at a rave every time it’s on. I can’t figure out how to change it. 2. VS SASSOON Salon Ceramic Straightener ($40, myer.com.au) I use a straightener when my fringe gets crazy. 3. O&M Jet Setter Mini Travel Hair Dryer ($50, originalmineral.com.au) I love a mini hairdryer because it’s easy to travel with. 4. APPLE 11-inch iPad Pro (from $1,229, apple.com/au) I use my iPad to show clients portfolios or work. I also use it to demo my [original] songs. 5. T TOPVISION 2400Lux Mini Projector ($193, t-topvision.com) I just…

STRAWBERRY FIELDS Where: Tocumwal, on the NSW/Victoria border – about a three-hour drive from Melbourne. When: November 29-December 1, 2019. Line-up: CC:Disco!, Milan Ring, Mildlife, Roza Terenzi and Wax’o Paradiso. Who goes: Your mates who love a bush doof. strawberry-fields.com.au MEREDITH AND GOLDEN PLAINS Where: Both festivals are held in Meredith, a 1.5-hour drive west of Melbourne. When: Meredith is December 13-15, 2019. Golden Plains falls in March. Line-up: This year’s Meredith includes Róisín Murphy, Julia Jacklin and Helena Hauff. Who goes: Anyone who loves a feel-good atmosphere and BYO alcohol policy. mmf.com.au; goldenplains.com.au VANFEST Where: Forbes, a five-hour drive west of Sydney. When: Usually falls in May. Line-up: This year’s acts included Willaris K, Golden Features, Pnau, Broods, Methyl Ethyl, Mallrat and Eves Karydas. Who goes: Your little bro…

SILVER BULLET Shift your hair into high gear with the new Silver Bullet Fastlane Rotating Curling Iron. A motorised barrel that works clockwise, anticlockwise or a combination of both means you can create an endless variety of looks – from beachy waves to bouncy curls or just give strands some added texture. It’s good hair at the touch of a button. silverbullethair.com.au PANDORA Introducing Pandora Me, a new collection of charms and earrings that inspires the spirit of self-expression. Have fun with moons, music notes and mythical creatures – every symbol has a meaning; it’s up to you to define it. pandora.net IT’S JEAN RILEY Combining style and substance, It’s Jean Riley is an Australian jewellery brand that’s focused on sustainable design and manufacturing. The label is actively reducing its…

BROKE BUT NOT BROKEN I barely make my rent every month. I’m 31, single and ambitious, and live in a big city. I’m not complaining – I have a studio apartment to myself, I’m employed and healthy, and I have good friends. I love my life, but I’ve got nothing saved, only $7 in my account. I’m selling my clothes to cover the rest of my rent, and I’m beginning to wonder how I’ll survive. How can I lead an interesting life without money? Any tricks you’ve picked up along the way? I’d love to hear your take on how to live on a miniscule budget. – Baked Beans Forever BB, my young possum: I ran around New York with one pair of jeans, two shirts, a fringed jacket and…