Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 48, 2025 i that's life!

Can you imagine if one your favourite actors turned up at your wedding? That’s what happened to couple Jessica and Sharik. The huge Lord of the Rings fans tied the knot on the Hobbiton movie set in Matamata, NZ. The movies’ star, Elijah Wood, who played Frodo Baggins, happened to be visiting and posed for pix with the pair (see Trending on p14.) What a magical moment for them! It got us talking about our own brushes with celebrities. The stars are just like us after all! ‘I saw Natalie Portman on a hike in Byron Bay,’ Beth told us. ‘It looked like she was having a disagreement with her now ex-husband, but she was so beautiful!’ That’s when Demeter chimed in. ‘I saw her in LA!’ she told us.…

AUSSIE REAL LIFE Lying on the sand, I watched as my husband John, then 33, taught our son Kiola, two, how to surf. Kiola burst out in giggles every time the board reached the shore. ‘Again!’ he begged. Three months pregnant with our second bub, in October 2002, life felt perfect. Born in Nowra, NSW, my family had moved to Jakarta, Indonesia, when I was 10, where my dad, Richard, worked for the Australian embassy. We were on a trip to Kuta, Bali, in April 1993 when, aged 19, I first met John, then 25. Falling madly in love, I moved to Kuta to be with John in December that year. In time I began working for the Australian Consulate General, and John opened a surfboard shop in Kuta. On…

WHO’S A TOP DOG?! What a paw-formance! Aussie sheepdog handler Jess Kimpton made history at the 2025 Trans-Tasman Sheepdog Test in New Zealand, becoming the first woman to be part of the team to round up the Wayleggo Cup! Jess’ win, with her border collie Newcomen Stitch, was a long time coming for the 32-year-old from East Kurrajong, NSW, who’s been working like a dog for 15 years to earn the title. ‘I’m over the moon,’ said Jess, who is only the third woman ever to make the Aussie team. And her secret to success? Jess says it’s simple. ‘You can’t push sheep, you guide them.’ Clearly, she’s leading the flock by example! A precious WEDDING Lord of The Rings fans Sharik and Jessica Burgess-Stride knew they wanted to have…

HALLOUMI, POMEGRANATE & WALNUT SALAD SERVES 6 PREP & COOK 25 MINS 2 x 250g packs halloumi, thickly sliced 1 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp za’atar 150g rocket 1 large fennel bulb, finely sliced 50g walnut halves, toasted 50g pomegranate seeds ½ small bunch of dill, roughly chopped DRESSING 4 tbsp walnut oil 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses 2 tsp cumin seeds, toasted and lightly crushed 1 Whisk all the dressing ingredients together with some salt and pepper to season, then set aside. 2 Heat the air fryer to 200°C for 2 mins. Brush the halloumi slices on each side with the olive oil. Sprinkle the za’atar onto a plate and press both sides of the halloumi slices into it. Lay the halloumi in the air fryer basket and bake for…

Waiting at the doctor’s clinic, dread rose in my stomach. ‘Oh, you’re here again,’ the nurse sighed, recognising me from my previous visits. ‘What is it this time?’ ‘I’ve got nerve pain all over my body as well as soreness in my ears,’ I muttered, embarrassed. Since I was aged four in 2003, I’d battled a carousel of illnesses including sinus infections, ear pain, nerve flares, itchy burning skin, gut problems, and bouts of vomiting. When I moved to Perth, WA, in February 2021, to work in admin for a mining company, my symptoms worsened. A year later, I was sitting in front of yet another GP. Peering into my ear, the doctor almost looked amused. ‘You have fungus inside your ears,’ he said. ‘Could it be from mould on…

Walking into my room, I flopped onto my bed. At 12, I was tired after a long day at school. ‘Come and help me cook tea,’ Mum sang out. ‘Coming!’ I called back. Suddenly, the bed began to shudder. What’s happening? I panicked. The temperature plunged and the bed rose… with me on it! Dad burst in, hearing my screams. ‘Leave her alone!’ he shouted to the evil spirit. The bed dropped and I bolted out of the room. ‘I can’t believe it’s happening again,’ I sobbed. This wasn’t my first spooky encounter. I’d been so relieved when we moved into this house two years earlier. Our previous home had been haunted, and it was terrifying. Aged three, I’d felt a hand squeeze my throat at night and had run…

Have you ever felt an invisible hand guiding you, a sudden sense of comfort, or a perfectly timed coincidence? Many believe these moments are whispers from angels. In the New Age community, angels are seen as luminous messengers who bridge the gap between the divine and our daily lives. Their guidance is subtle, but once you recognise it, their presence becomes undeniable. Dream messages One of the most common ways angels communicate is through our dreams. When we sleep, our busy minds quieten down, creating space for higher guidance to flow in. You might dream of an angel offering comfort, or of a loved one who’s passed bringing reassurance. Sometimes the message is symbolic – an image of a sunrise might signal new beginnings, or a key signal new opportunities.…

YOUR real-life stories Yawning, I rested my head against the window next to the passenger seat of the car. I’m so tired, I thought. I was 18 and we’d been at my aunty’s house for a New Year’s Eve party to welcome in 2008. While it was a late night, it was by no means crazy. But as my mum, Kerry, drove me and my little sister, Pixie, then 16, home around 6pm the next day, I felt exhausted. ‘I’ll just close my eyes for a little bit,’ I said. When I woke up, Mum and Pixie, were by my bed. ‘What’s going on?’ I asked. ‘She’s back,’ Mum said, sounding relieved. To my horror, I discovered I’d been in a zombie-like state for a fortnight. ‘You’ve been asleep for…

6-INGREDIENT BERRY TRIFLE SERVES 10 PREP & COOK 40 MINS 500g packet frozen mixed berries 2 x 85g packets port wine flavoured jelly 450g packet madeira cake, cut into 4cm pieces 2 cups French vanilla double thick custard 2 x 250g tubs mascarpone Fresh mixed berries, flaked almonds, to decorate 1 Combine frozen berries and 2 cups water in a large saucepan over a high heat. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Stir in jelly crystals, one packet at a time, until dissolved. Transfer to a large heatproof bowl. Cool slightly, then refrigerate for 2-3hours, until thickened and starting to set. 2 Arrange cake over the base of a glass trifle dish (12 to 14-cup capacity). Spoon over jelly mixture. Cover and refrigerate for about 2 hours, or until…

Did you know? Your brain can’t tell the difference between a real smile and a pretend one! Whether you’re genuinely grinning or just faking it ’til you make it, smiling triggers feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. So go on, flash those teeth and trick your brain into a better mood! 1 in 2 Around 50 per cent of the population lives with a chronic condition. GUT REACTION Stress can mess with your gut big time. When you’re anxious, your body releases hormones that speed up digestion, which means food races through your system before it’s fully processed. The result can be an unwanted and chaotic dash to the loo! Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, stretching or a good laugh can help keep things… well, moving at a normal…

EDITORIAL Editorial Director Kate Kirsten, Editor Sarah Firth, Deputy Editor Beth Young, Art Director Darren Monaghan, Picture Editor Holly Campbell ARE MEDIA Chief Executive Officer Jane Huxley, Director of Sales Anna Quinn, Director of Content Sally Eagle, General Manager Entertainment Susan Armstrong, Commercial Brand Manager Jessica Ashworth, Director of Marketing Carly Bowra Subscription enquiries: Customer Service 136 116 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm AEST) International +61 2 9692 3535 Email magshop@magshop.com.au Website www.magshop.com.au Advertising enquiries: advertising@aremedia.com.au Published by Are Media Pty Limited (ABN 18 053 273 546), 54-58 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. ©2025. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without prior written permission. that’s life! is a registered trade mark of Are Media. Use of trademark strictly prohibited. Licensing Inquiries: www.contentshop.com.au / syndication@aremedia.com.au…

The BEST AUSSIE real-life As my eight-week-old kitten purred happily beside me on the front seat of my ute, I grinned. You’re going to love your new home, I thought. It was June 2024, and, having recently lost my sweet puss Meow Meow, aged four, to a snake bite, I felt ready to open my heart to a new family pet. Back home on our 52,600 hectare cattle farm Evengy Station in central-west Queensland, my son Chayce, then 14, who was on holiday from boarding school, doted on our new ginger and white furball, who he named Mango. With a potty calf named Strawberry and two goats, Blueberry and Blackberry, already on the farm, Mango’s fruity name seemed fitting. We also had three dogs, Duke, Stella and Matthew. When Chayce…

BISCOFF ICEBOX CAKE WITH SUMMER FRUITS SERVES 10 PREP & COOK 45 MINS 3 egg yolks (see tip) ¼ cup caster sugar 1½ tbsp cornflour 1 cup milk 2 tsp vanilla extract 600ml tub thickened cream ¼ tsp ground cinnamon ¼ tsp ground nutmeg 2 x 250g packets Biscoff biscuits Mango slices, fresh raspberries, to decorate 1 Whisk egg yolks, sugar and cornflour in a small saucepan to form a smooth paste. Whisk in milk. Cook over a medium heat, whisking until custard boils and thickens. Whisk in vanilla. Transfer to a heatproof bowl. Cover surface of custard with plastic wrap. Cool slightly, then refrigerate until cold. 2 Meanwhile, lightly grease a large loaf pan (13cm x 24cm top measurement/11cm x 21cm base measurement). Line base and sides with baking…

Tears rolled down Pete’s cheeks as he listened to his older brother, Josh, read the eulogy. ‘Roxanne was the best person in the world,’ he wept. ‘She had a heart of gold. Though she was 80, her spirit was forever 21.’ The audience sniffled as Pete and Josh’s lovely mother, Roxanne, was carried out in her coffin. ‘Love you,’ Pete, 42, whispered in a final goodbye, as the back of the hearse was closed, ready to take his mum to her place of rest. Soon after, everyone met down the road at the pub for the wake. ‘Cheers to Roxy!’ loved ones toasted her wonderful long life. As more drinks were poured, the party turned the tears of sadness into joy, as everyone began sharing wacky stories of Pete and…

R esearch by Amazon Australia predicts on average people will spend around $2200 each across the silly season. When I read that figure, my heart fluttered a little. I don’t know about you, but my budget falls short of that by a mile! With three kids, a husband and close friends all deserving of something special this year, I have to make up for my lack of funds with creativity. If, like me, you’re keeping a close eye on the purse strings, now is the time to start thinking outside the retail box and putting your DIY skills to good use. WONDERFUL WOOL When I was a child, my great-aunt Beryl, who we called Bebbie, would knit the most wonderful soft toys and give them as gifts. She made me…

LOOK 1 OUT & ABOUT Layer a slip dress over a cropped tee, pop on some comfy sneakers, and you have a casual look that’s fit for everything from shopping to sightseeing. LOOK 2 HIT THE TOWN When it’s time to head to dinner or drinks, team your slip with some comfy block heels and a pair of statement earrings, and you’re ready to dazzle. LOOK 3 LAZY LUNCH Got somewhere to be? Step it up with sandals, some simple jewellery and a fun bag – perfect for brunch or a slow stroll around the markets.…