Table of contents for March - April 2021 in Fairlady

I read this week that Formula One racing driver Lewis Hamilton had renewed his contract with Mercedes for £54 million (R1 106 505 584.64). Not to sound like Jacob Zuma, but I don’t think I’d even be able to say that number. In November last year, Hamilton explained the reason he was delaying signing his contract was because it felt ‘insensitive’ to talk about money when so many people were battling because of Covid-19. Awww. Bless. About a month ago, I – like millions of other people worldwide – saw the clip of ‘Putin’s Palace’, the obscene mansion built for him on the Black Sea, although he denies it, of course. The tasteless pile of concrete features a full-sized subterranean ice-hockey rink, as well as the usual movie houses, salons,…

THE GREAT ESCAPE I grew up looking through FAIRLADY magazines with my cousins and friends. We especially loved the fashion and culinary pages. We sometimes pretended to eat the food, or we’d pick a house or room and say it was ours. As I grew older and went to college, I thought I was going to afford that skin or hair routine in your pages, afford the food and décor. But life had other plans for me. I still page through your magazine (with my son and daughter now). It’s an escape from the situation and noises outside and within. Sometimes we share the little surprises (samples) we get. I enjoy the beauty products, although I sometimes wish there were food samples! I look forward to my aunt coming home…

Algria Ferreira HAIR & MAKEUP ARTIST, SELF-CONFESSED MAGPIE ‘I love something a little unexpected, a little bit rock ’n’ roll, and always a little sparkly. My name means happiness… I have to leave a trail of sequins behind me wherever I go!’ Cara Saven FOUNDER & OWNER OF CARA SAVEN WALL DESIGN ‘I would say my style is casual – a bit sporty/ street, with a smattering of vintage. I was much more trend conscious when I was younger; now I shop more for comfort and longevity. I’ve also become more casual in my style – haven’t we all?’ Lukundo Nalungwe MODEL, MOTHER OF THREE, WIFE, LANDLADY & FARMER ‘I would describe my taste in clothes the same way I describe my taste in music and movies: a little bit…

Beauty ‘I don’t think about being beautiful or not being beautiful. It’s more about feeling confident inside your own skin, really, and thinking about yourself as little as possible.’ Speaking her mind ‘I don’t tell the truth; I tell what ought to be the truth.’ Deciding on a career in acting ‘It was only when I realised how actors have the power to move people that I decided to pursue acting as a career.’ Choosing roles ‘You can’t be trying to make a film that pleases all people, you know, so it’s not a concern of mine.’ Marriage ‘Marriage is a risk. I think it’s a great and glorious risk, as long as you embark on the adventure in the same spirit.’ Motherhood ‘At the prospect of bringing children into…

Hobbiton Back in 1998, Peter Jackson’s team of location scouts was scouring New Zealand for the perfect spots to film the trilogy The Lord of the Rings. Jackson had given them a very specific brief for the location of The Shire: in order to stay true to JRR Tolkien’s description, they needed ‘unspoilt green pastures, a rising hill and a magnificent pine tree by a lake’. Flying over Matamata on North Island, they found a place that ticked all those boxes: Alexander Farm, a 505-hectare working sheep and cattle farm. The owner, having heard neither of Jackson nor The Lord of the Rings, told them to come back later when the rugby was over. At the time he had no idea what he was in for – or that his…

Jodi Picoult hasn’t really left her home in New Hampshire much since March 2020, but she’s been quite busy, thank you very much. ‘Quite busy’ in her world involves simultaneously co-authoring a novel, writing a piece of musical theatre and releasing her latest novel, The Book of Two Ways. Just to be clear. It’s lunchtime in the United States when we meet on Zoom and, in spite of her gruelling schedule, the woman on my screen is smiling, her trademark red curls in two plaits over her shoulders. Jodi’s latest novel follows the journey of Dawn Edelstein, a death doula who comes close to dying in an aeroplane crash. She survives, but in what she believed would be her last moments she found herself thinking about the man and life…

WHAT TO EAT FOR HEALTHY HAIR • PROTEIN Your hair is mostly made up of protein, so make sure you include enough lean meat, eggs, fish and some dairy in your diet. • ZINC This trace element could make a difference if your hair is falling out more than usual (but bear in mind that seasonal changes and hormonal fluctuations might also play a role). Brazil nuts are a great source, because they boost your selenium quota at the same time. • OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS Eat loads of oily fish as well as some dairy products, like cottage cheese. • VITAMINS C, E, B7 AND B3 Supplementing your intake of these vitamins is a good idea.…

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour x Olimpia Zagnoli Lip Protectant Stick Sheer Tint SPF 15, R255 This is perfect for wearing under your face mask. It keeps your lips soft and hydrated, and should you have occasion to reveal them it adds a gorgeous dash of pink or red – illustrator Olimpia Zagnoli is known for her bold use of colour. Mr Price Home Hemp Soap Bar, R69.99 An absolutely fabulous soap that is produced in South Africa! I love the fragrance, and it lathers beautifully without drying my skin at all. I’m a huge fan. Gatineau Melatogenine Anti-aging Refreshing Cleansing Cream, R580 Wonderfully gentle, this cleansing cream contains almond oil that restores skin as it cleanses. Claire Hill WPC Eye Complex Advanced Anti-Ageing Eye Gel, R1865 Okay, this silky-smooth eye…

PORK RAMEN SERVES 4 PREP + COOKING TIME 3 HOURS 35 MINUTES STOCK • 1kg pork trotters • 1 thick smoked pork rasher or kassler chop • ½ bunch spring onions BROTH • ¼ cup light soya sauce • ¼ cup mirin (Japanese rice wine) • ¼ cup sake (Japanese rice wine) • 2 tbsp caster sugar • 4 shiitake mushrooms, sliced PORK • 600g pork loin (no skin) • vegetable oil • salt and pepper • togarashi spice blend (see ‘Tips’) TO SERVE • 250g ramen noodles • small bunch spring onions, shredded • 4 soft-boiled eggs, halved • 1 sheet nori, quartered • sesame seeds, toasted • togarashi spice blend 1. To make the stock, place the trotters, pork rasher or chop, and the white bits from the spring onions in a saucepan. Cover with water and simmer for 3 hours. Strain, then drain off the…

Small Pleasures BY CLARE CHAMBERS At a local newspaper in South East London in 1957, journalist Jean Swinney receives a curious letter written to the editor. Gretchen Tilbury – abeautiful, well-to-do woman – claims her 10-year-old daughter is the product of a virgin birth. Gretchen has absolute proof that no man was involved in her miraculous pregnancy. Jean’s monotonous life is flung into a deep-dive investigation that takes her across England. Will solving the mystery help her find happiness and purpose, or will it turn out to be a messy affair that results in the implosion of work and personal relationships? Small Pleasures is a compelling read. You’ll find yourself trying to separate fact from fiction, not unlike Gretchen does on her gripping journey. – Caroline Petersen The Kingdom BY…

THIS MONTH’S FABULOUS PRIZE A NUXE Nuxuriance® Ultra hamper, worth R2890 The NUXE brand is a pioneer in natural-origin cosmetology. Formulated and manufactured in France with pharmaceutical-quality standards, NUXE skincare and fragrances combine sensory awakening, the strength of nature and the efficacy of science. The NUXE Nuxuriance® Ultra line of anti-ageing skincare is formulated to replenish, regenerate and fill in wrinkles – fighting all the signs of ageing. NUXE products are available at select Woolworths, Truworths and Foschini stores.…

Algria Ferreira Do you have any sentimental pieces of clothing in your wardrobe? I have a pair of drop-crotch jeans that I bought 20 years ago, and to this day it’s my favourite pair of jeans. My second-favourite piece is a silk bralette from Stefania Morland – a little piece of art right next to my heart. Then there’s a sparkly sequinned top that I wear at least once a week, and a barely-there cashmere vest. And I don’t go anywhere without my cashmere pashmina – it was a gift from a special friend who understands my love for the French brand Zadig & Voltaire. Any jewellery that’s close to your heart? I am never without three tiny little rings on my left hand. They are so skinny that they…

10. Meredith in The Talented Mr Ripley (1999) 9. Elizabeth I in Elizabeth (1998) and Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007) 8. Susan Jones in Babel (2006) 7. Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001–2003) 6. Jude in I’m Not There (2007) 5. Katharine Hepburn in The Aviator (2004) 4. Daisy Fuller in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) 3. Sheba Hart in Notes on a Scandal (2006) 2. Carol Aird in Carol (2015) 1. Jasmine Harris in Blue Jasmine (2013)…

Try a few yoga-inspired stretches at your desk – just make sure your camera is off if you do them during a boring meeting! • SPINE From a seated position, twist around and grab the back of your chair with both hands. Pull your belly in towards your lower back and release. Repeat a few times. • LEGS Sit with both feet on the floor, then bring one leg up, placing the ankle on the opposite knee or thigh. Gently press the lifted knee down towards the floor. • SHOULDERS Rotate them in large circles, backwards and forwards. • ANKLES & FEET Flex and point feet; circle ankles in both directions. • HANDS & WRISTS Shake your hands, circle your wrists, and pull four upturned fingers of each hand back…

MY CALENDAR IS FULL OF DEAD PEOPLE. When my phone alarm chimes, I fish it out from the pocket of my cargo pants. I’ve forgotten, with the time change, to turn off the reminder. I’m still groggy with sleep, but I open the date and read the names: Iris Vale. Eun Ae Kim. Alan Rosenfeldt. Marlon Jensen. I close my eyes, and do what I do every day at this moment: I remember them. Iris, who had died tiny and birdlike, had once driven a getaway car for a man she loved who’d robbed a bank. Eun Ae, who had been a doctor in Korea, but couldn’t practice in the United States. Alan had proudly showed me the urn he bought for his cremated remains and then joked, I haven’t…

There’s a good reason ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has been used as a herbal medication for thousands of years. The plant has adaptogenic properties, offering benefits to both body and brain. Ashwagandha has long been used to reduce anxiety, depression and stress, and to increase concentration and energy levels. The recent uptick in its popularity is not entirely unexpected. Ashwagandha, probably the best-known of all the plants used in Ayurvedic medicine (the ancient Indian herbal medicinal system), comes from a small perennial shrub grown in India, the Middle East and parts of Africa. It has small red and orange berries, giving the plant its other name: winter cherry. The berries are pretty, but it’s really the roots that are important for medicinal purposes and that are used to create the stress-relieving…

Food is the best way to ensure sufficient intake of the essential vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy, functioning thyroid. The following are all excellent: • FISH AND SEAFOOD, especially tuna and lean white fish • EGG YOLKS (a good source of selenium, vitamin A and vitamin D) • DAIRY PRODUCTS such as milk, cheese and yoghurt • LIMA BEANS (a great source of magnesium and fibre) • IODISED SALT IF YOUR DIET IS LACKING FOR SOME REASON, CONSIDER SUPPLEMENTING WITH: • VITAMIN A – for thyroid hormone metabolism • SELENIUM – to help prevent thyroid disease • VITAMIN D – a deficiency is common in hypothyroidism • IRON – to aid hormone conversion…

Yes, this is about never using shampoo or soap. The idea is not to expose your body (and the planet) to even more chemicals. Your hair will eventually self-regulate and your scalp will stop producing excess oil when you stop stripping it of oil all the time. Most no-pooers swear by it, saying that (after an unpleasant greasy period of up to three months) their hair became self-cleaning and their scalps are in perfect health. (True confession: my husband did it, and his hair is great now, but for the first six months of no-pooing I had to love him a lot to want to be anywhere near him). But Anabel Kingsley, London-based trichologist and owner of Philip Kingsley, is having none of it. No external part of your body…

UPPING YOUR GAME They say beautiful exercise gear is the best way to motivate yourself to be more active. Don’t ask me who ‘they’ are – I can’t even remember where I heard it. But I plan to take it to heart because online shopping helps me fill the Covid-19-shaped void in my life. Also, wearing nice workout gear makes you feel more legit when you’re panting away in your living room, in a way that saggy sweatpants just don’t. The only reason I don’t have a pair of The Sydney active tights from Burnt Studios just yet is because they seem to be wildly popular and keep selling out. So come on, guys: restock, please! – Liesl IN THE LAP OF LUXURY Working from home has been a real…

There’s no doubting Cate Blanchett’s sheer talent. The two-time Oscar winner has a rare ability to make you forget she’s an actor playing a part rather than the real deal, whether she’s playing the Virgin Queen or the Nordic Goddess of Death. Now the 50-year-old actor has expanded her already impressive range with two almost opposing roles that share one characteristic: they’re conversation starters for a much deeper problem in our society. The nine-episode Mrs America sees Cate embody conservative icon Phyllis Schlafly, and in the Netflix series Stateless she’s a singing, dancing cult leader (it sounds funnier than it is). ‘It’s ironic, isn’t it, not having entered the television space at all, that my last year has been taken up with acting in, and producing, two pieces of television,’…

NIKKI JACKMAN Joy catalyst and performing heartist ‘Debt and a stalled career showed me my true calling.’ I became a familiar face on South African television screens from 1998 to 2001 when I took on the role of Elise Buller in Isidingo. It was a real boost to my career, but after a while I began to feel stifled, playing the same character day in, day out. I believed I was on track to achieve all my career dreams, so I took a risk and decided to start my own production company, with the goal of launching my own international travel TV series. I resigned from my job with a sense of purpose and put everything in place. I was psyched. I prepared the pilot and proposals so thoroughly that…

Wedding bells rang for Yuri Tolochko, a Kazakhstani bodybuilder who, according to The New York Post, ‘finally’ married his sex doll ‘girlfriend’ Margo in a ceremony with (what seemed to be) family and friends in November 2020. You can watch their ‘romance’ unfold on his Instagram account, @yurii_tolochko. (The jury is out on whether this is a piece of performance art or a genuine ‘relationship’.)…

3 TO STILL THE MIND AND RELEASE ANXIETY OR ANGER Bhramari pranayama, or humming bee breath Find a comfortable seated position and close your eyes. Consciously relax your face by softening your jaw. Put your pointer fingers gently on the tragus cartilage (the protrusion in front of the external ear canal). Breathe in. As you exhale, gently push down on the tragus and, keeping your mouth closed, make a humming noise in your throat. Continue for as long as you need to. 2 TO SOOTHE EMOTIONS AND REDUCE AGITATION Sitali pranayama, or cooling breath Find a comfortable seated position and close your eyes. Stick out your tongue and try to curl the edges together. Not everyone is able to do this, so if you can’t, just purse your lips. Slowly…

Cindy Mfabe STARTUP COSTS: ‘I started out by designing garments for other people. I was producing clothes from my parents’ dining room with machines they had bought for me.’ TURNOVER: ‘I now have my own studio and I have showcased my designs on platforms like African Fashion International Fashion Week and Lagos Fashion Week. I also work as a pattern technician for some great designers.’ Tired of bringing her clients’ ideas to life instead of her own, Cindy Mfabe was on the verge of quitting when she got an exciting job opportunity. In 2016 she took part in The Intern by David Tlale, a reality TV show in which contestants vied to become the renowned fashion designer’s next intern. Someone else won the internship, but Cindy was offered a job…

CULTURE MUSHROOMS OYSTER MUSHROOM BILTONG Satisfy your craving for a savoury snack with vegan-friendly ‘biltong’. Oyster mushrooms are high in vitamins B1 and B2, as well as calcium, iron, zinc and folic acid, among others. R133 for 120g; faithful-to-nature.co.za HERBIVORE BROCCOLI BITES These crispy bites of goodness show a new side to broccoli. The fresh vegetable is flavoured with a blend of sunflower seeds and spices, then dried at a low temperature. Available in Sriracha and Pink Salt & Black Pepper flavours. R18,99 for 30g; herbivore.co.za PUKKA PUKKA LEMON, GINGER AND MANUKA HONEY TEA Whenever you’re in need of TLC or a pick-me-up, try this tea: it has all the goodness of lemon, ginger root and honey, rounded off with botanicals to enhance the flavour. R102 for 20 teabags; faithful-to-nature.co.za…

Want to try ashwagandha? You should always be cautious when trying something for the first time, cautions herbal practitioner Jéan Smit. ‘While most herbs, when used correctly, are unlikely to be harmful, remember that “natural” doesn’t mean “safe”. Herbal preparations, just like synthetic drugs, have the risk of being toxic, and can cause allergic reactions or affect your response to other medications. Common sense, care and forethought cannot be stressed enough. Start with a small amount to test for possible allergic reactions. It’s important that label instructions are followed: you should only take the herb for the specified length of time, as well as only the recommended amount.’ Ashwagandha is available in capsule and powder form from Faithful to Nature (faithful-to-nature.co.za) and Wellness Warehouse (wellnesswarehouse.com).…

• THE FRINGE IS HUGE, whether it’s super-short (think Die Antwoord’s Yolandi Visser); a heavy, shiny sheet of hair (Strictly Come Dancing’s Claudia Winkleman); or a curtain fringe, parted in the centre and swept softly to the sides (Jennifer Lopez). • CASUAL, SLIGHTLY GROWN-OUT BOBS AND LONGER, SOFTER HAIR ARE IN. ‘The idea is to look as though you’re not really trying,’ Sam says. ‘Sharp geometric cuts are not a thing this year.’ • GREY IS GOOD WHEN IT COMES TO COLOUR, even if it isn’t natural. ‘2020 was a big year for going grey – and we’re still there,’ Danielle says. ‘Gentle, natural colour is what it’s all about – nothing too dramatic. Soft highlights are also a trend.’…

TANDOORI FISH WITH GREEN CHILLI RICE SERVES 4 PREP + COOKING TIME 40 MINUTES GREEN CHILLI RICE • 1 cup (200 g) basmati rice • 1/3 cup (160 ml) water • 1 fresh long green chilli, sliced thinly • 1 tsp finely grated lime rind • 1 x 400 ml tin coconut milk • salt and pepper to taste TANDOORI FISH • 2 tbsp tandoori paste • 4 x 200 g firm white fish fillets • 2 tsp vegetable oil • 1 large carrot, cut into matchsticks • 1 large green sweet pepper, cut into matchsticks • 1 medium red onion, sliced thinly • ½ cup fish stock • 150 g sugar snap peas, trimmed and halved on the diagonal TO SERVE • poppadoms and lime wedges • 1/3 cup loosely packed fresh coriander leaves 1. Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear; drain.…

ANARA Are fatigue, mood swings, insomnia and weight fluctuations getting you down? As women, we undergo so many life phases that it’ hard to keep up. Anara’s products are developed to help you age well, the way you want to, rather than the way you were told, and provides you with the tools you need to navigate the different phases of your life. SHINE CLUB Introducing a glamorous new entrant to the South African wine landscape: Shine Club Wine. This refreshingly soft and fruity wine comes in three delectable variants. Designed to enhance your shine, it glistens and makes a memorable impression in its unusual, diamond-inspired packaging. Live your best life this summer with Shine Club. Drink Responsibly. Not for sale to persons under the age of 18 FIRST CHOICE…

KAMBROOK (JA-168) 2 200 WATT R499 CLICKS Designed with convenience and comfort in mind, this iron is easy on the pocket. Its performance was adequate – heavier fabrics required a few more strokes and extra pressure to get rid of creases. Heat-up time was adequate. The continuous steam output was not as strong as in some of the other irons, but the steam shot flattened heavy creases. If the iron gets too hot, even on the correct temperature setting, it might snag or burn delicate fabrics. The dial was a bit stiff to adjust. The reservoir has sufficient capacity and is easy to fill, but the water level is not easily visible. The iron is lightweight and comfortable to use, but the short cord is quite limiting. Verdict: An affordable…

Your completed crossword should reach us by 30 April 2021. Email it to flymag@fairlady.com with MegaXword No 174 or Brainteaser No 173 in the subject line, and provide your name, postal or physical address, email address and phone number. The editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Prizes may not be converted into cash. Staff members of the respective sponsors and Media24, as well as their advertisers, PR and digital agencies and their immediate family members, may not enter. Digital copies of the crossword are allowed, but photocopies are not allowed. Also read the standard terms and conditions opposite.…