Table of contents for Issue 46, 2022 in New Idea

It’s been months of unpredictable weather, though last week we were finally able to fire up the BBQ for the first time since we came out of winter. Just a few skewers and steaks on the balcony – but for a split second it felt like spring had finally sprung! Let’s hope it stays that way because I’m looking forward to inviting some friends and family around in the coming weeks for a deliciosa Mexican feast where I’ll be serving up more than just the usual tacos. See pg 38 for inspiration. Also in this issue, former Neighbours star Melissa Bell invites us along to her fabulous wedding day – wait until you see her over-the-top wedding dress (her words not mine). Happy reading! Editor newidea@aremedia.com.au newidea.com.au @newideamagazine @newideamagazine…

Sylvester Stallone and wife Jennifer Flavin may have called off their short-lived divorce, but there still seems to be some lingering trouble. Last month the couple seemed to be having a spat while out shopping in Beverly Hills. Jennifer, 54, appeared exasperated with a pleading Sly, before storming off ahead. In August this year Jennifer pulled the plug on their 25-year marriage. Reports suggested that Sly was blindsided, with the Rocky star later spotted having a tattoo of his wife covered over. However, the pair did a quick about face and retracted proceedings the following month. “It was a very tumultuous time,” Sylvester, 76, admits. “But there was a reawakening of what was more valuable than anything, which is my love for my family.” Sylvester also said the…

NEWS Julie Powell, who became known for her adventures whipping up Julia Child’s recipes, passed away on October 26 after a cardiac arrest. The bestselling author was just 49. In 2001, Julie began blogging about her attempts to make all 524 dishes from Julia Child’s classic cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking. She then wrote a memoir about her antics, which inspired the 2009 film Julie & Julia starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. “Julia taught me what it takes to find your way in the world,” Julie said.…

Royals Ever since Prince Harry was born with his shock of ginger hair and news broke of his mother’s torrid affair with a dashing red-headed army officer, there have been nasty allegations that he’s not King Charles’ son. And after picking through his troubled relationship with Charles in his upcoming memoir, Spare, sources say Harry has suggested through gritted teeth “that it might not be such a bad thing after all!” “Of course, he is joking, in his own dark way, but parts of him have naturally wondered over the years,” says an insider. Sources tell New Idea exclusively that Harry, 38, is being encouraged to get a DNA test to set his mind at ease, once and for all. “It was Meghan’s idea,” says a source of Harry’s 41-year-old…

Local stars Karl Stefanovic was every inch the doting dad during a family stroll in Melbourne last week with his wife, Jasmine, and their toddler, Harper. And it’s clear the 2-year-old has her famous father wrapped around her little finger, with the Today host left holding her hobby horse! But these family-of-three outings could soon become a thing of the past, as sources suggest Karl, 48, and Jasmine, 38, are hoping to welcome a new addition to their brood. “It’s more Karl who would like a second bub with Jas, which surprises a lot of his mates,” dishes one close source. “They thought he was very much done. But he’s enjoying Harper so much and is very hands-on. “She has become such a cute little character and Karl feels a…

Not even a spot of Melbourne’s infamously dreary weather could deter the Aussie A-list from galloping to Flemington Racecourse for the race that stops the nation. Red was the winning colour of the day, with Bec Judd, Brooke Warne and Jules Robinson all making a splash in the hue. But it was Delta Goodrem who really turned heads as she arrived in a bicycle-drawn chariot. No horse, no worries?…

Hollywood After months of speculation, Gisele’s divorce from Tom Brady was signed, sealed and delivered within a matter of days. Confirming that they’d “grown apart”, the couple, who share kids Benjamin, 12, and Vivian, 9, reportedly hired a mediator and sorted out alimony, custody and child support without the need to go to court and battle for their jointly earned $1 billion fortune. Under Florida state law, the details of the split will remain private – though one source told People magazine they agreed to joint custody. They’ve also got to divide up their expansive property portfolio worth $40.5 million. “My priority has always been and will continue to be our children, whom I love with all my heart,” said Gisele, who is also stepmum to Tom’s son John, 15.…

Sam Wood instinctively knew that his life had changed forever when he met his now-wife Snezana for the first time on The Bachelor seven years ago. With sparks immediately flying, the couple have more than lasted the distance. Now a father to four beautiful daughters and living in the family’s recently-renovated dream home in Melbourne, Sam is also counting his blessings after selling his fitness app, 28 by Sam Wood, for a whopping $71 million last year. Down-to-earth Sam, 42, says that “not in a million years” could he or Snez have imagined achieving this sort of success when they signed up to find love on the hit reality series. “I was working in a relatively successful gym and doing lots of personal training appointments and I was comfortable,” Sam…

Bruschetta Toasts SERVES 2 PREP 5 MINS ■ 4 thick slices Vienna bread ■ ¼ cup fresh basil pesto ■ 250g punnet cherry tomatoes, quartered ■ 120g feta ■ 50g baby rocket ■ Olive oil, to serve 1 Toast bread and place on two serving plates. 2 Spread pesto evenly over toast. Top with tomatoes. Crumble over feta and top with rocket. 3 Serve bruschetta drizzled with oil. TIP Assemble bruschetta just before serving. For a change, replace basil pesto with sundried tomato pesto or olive tapenade. Salmon Spaghetti Primavera SERVES 4 PREP & COOK 18 MINS ■ 375g spaghetti ■ 150g packet hot-smoked salmon fillet ■ 2 bunches asparagus, trimmed, halved ■ 300ml tub light cooking cream ■ 2 cup frozen peas ■ 150g tub basil pesto, pecorino and…

FOODIE TO FOLLOW: @lowfodmapcooking When nutrition sciences student Lydia Taylor (@lowfodmapcooking) was diagnosed with fructose malabsorption, she found the bland offering of the low FODMAP diet far from mouth-watering. Her solution? To create FODMAP recipes for herself. And boy, are we glad she did. Proving that low FODMAP foods can be delightfully delicious, Lydia serves (and shares) everything from tomato and mozzarella pasta made with FODMAP-friendly ingredients to patatas bravas with a twist. Of course, you don’t have to be strictly low FODMAP to enjoy this account, so we suggest everyone hits that follow button! ASK AN EXPERT Confused as to what’s what in chilli sauces? Here’s a quick run-down. Sriracha is the perfect condiment to serve with any dish. Use it on tacos, dumplings, sushi…

Advice Do you see money as simply a tool to get you from A to B? Or is money central to your personal identity? Becoming financially self-aware is the starting point to financial freedom. And that means getting to know a side of yourself you may not have considered before – your money personality. THE SAVER Savers wait until items are discounted before making a purchase and always aim to pay with cash rather than credit. However, Savers aren’t comfortable taking on higher-risk investments. The issue for Savers is the security of having physical money impedes their ability to grow their funds over time as savings are eroded by inflation. THE SPENDER Spenders enjoy the latest of everything. This costs money, which leaves Spenders facing solid debt. To break the…

Quick and easy updates for my home Just add colour! Adding a pop of colour can transform a room. According to the Dulux colour forecast 2023, after the last couple of years, it’s only natural we want an instant mood lifter in the house, so don’t hold back. Andrea Lucena-Orr, colour and communications manager at Dulux, suggests to introduce colour, try painting the skirting boards in your living room, the edge of a door, the back of a bookshelf, a bedhead in your child’s room, or breathe new life into an old lamp base, chair or door with a coat of paint. “You’ll find that colour really makes a house a home – once you get started with paint colours, you’ll never look back,” says Andrea. Keen to modernise your…

YOU CAN WIN A SHARE IN $2000! COMPACT STARS To win one of six prizes of $50, complete the puzzle and read the coloured squares to reveal a TV series featuring Brenda Blethyn (4). Write this title on the coupon. $300 UP FOR GRABS! PRIZE TO SHARE! SUPER CROSS For a chance to win one of two prizes of $250, simply solve the crossword to reveal the name of a rom-com TV series featuring our pictured star (4,4) in the coloured squares. Write this on the entry coupon. $500 UP FOR GRABS! ACROSS1 Show to be true (5)4 Fashionable (4)7 Local priest (5)10 Thin strip of land (7)13 Eastern stretching and meditation practice (4)15 Slowly, in music (5)16 Flexibility with facts in order to sound attractive (6,7)17…

PET OF THE WEEK Misty says spring is here! CAROLE M, VIA EMAIL. This is my 9-month-old daughter Charlee reading her great-grandma’s copy of New Idea after our weekly family dinner! NADIA MCINERNEY, MOUNT BARKER, SA. Charlotte enjoying a swing at the park since kiddies are too grown up. ALLYSON WILKIE, BASSENDEAN, WA. This is my grandson Tyler who loves The Wiggles. MERLE ROGERS, KILLARA, NSW. Queen of the kitchen, and hearts I loved reading about Julie Goodwin in New Idea (Oct. 10). Years on from winning the 2009 MasterChef competition, it’s wonderful to know that Julie’s passion for food and cooking continues to evolve with the success of her cooking school on the NSW Central Coast, Julie’s Place. My cooking library wouldn’t be complete without a couple…

When choosing the subject of her twisty historical mysteries, Tea Cooper loves to look in her own backyard for inspiration. In The Butterfly Collector, she kicks things off at a real-life event from the 1920s – the Sydney Artists’ Masquerade Ball. “I have a fascination with history and bringing to light the women whose achievements have been overlooked or attributed to their fathers or husbands,” Tea tells New Idea. Her latest read looks at the connection between a botanical illustration of a butterfly and a missing baby from five decades earlier. “I was inspired by heart-rending tales of baby farming that was rife in Australia at the time,” she says. OUT NOW…

Mariah Carey Who knew the singer was such good friends with teen actress Millie Bobby Brown? Well, stranger things have happend! Dustin Hoffman The Oscar winner got cosy with on-screen wife Sissy Spacek at the premiere of their film, Sam & Kate. Heidi Klum Joined by daughter Leni as Catwoman, Heidi wormed her way to the top of the best costume list at her Halloween party. Michael J. Fox It was a family affair at the annual A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s gala as the actor arrived with his wife, Tracy Pollan and their kids. Victoria Beckham Talk about girl power! The star spiced up Drew Barrymore’s life as she stopped by her talk show for a chat. Renée Zellweger Cop that cheeky grin! Renée…

“I’M 32 – WE’RE CONSIDERED GERIATRIC POP STARS. THEY START TRYING TO PUT US OUT TO PASTURE AT AGE 25.”Taylor Swift says she’s just happy to be here, as her latest album Midnights smashes records. “I THINK I’LL SHUT UP SHOP!”Julia Morris jokes she’s swearing off sex following her divorce. “I KNEW AS SOON AS IT WAS OVER THAT I WAS GOING TO BE A MEME.”Lupita Nyong’o reflects on being seated behind Will Smith after he slapped Chris Rock at this year’s Oscars. “[MY] BACK IS STILL WRECKED!”Minnie Driver’s replies to a fan who said she alone carried the 2004 film, The Phantom of the Opera. “IT DOES HAUNT ME, BUT I LOVE IT.”Victoria Beckham reflects on her and David’s infamous matching leather outfits.…

NEWS The auctioneer’s hammer has fallen, but don’t assume the bang of the gavel also put a stop to the drama between this year’s Blockheads. Indeed, after three months of blood, sweat, tears and many sleepless nights, The Block has now wrapped for another year. And as the dust settles from the eventful auction day, sources reveal “it all kicked off” between the contestants one last time during some post-finale celebrations. “Emotions were running high, understandably,” dishes a well-placed source. Causing the tension, or at least some of it, is said to be the widespread rumours that Tom and Sarah-Jane are “in negotiations” to have their own design show. “No doubt this isn’t sitting well with some of the other teams,” says the insider. “Many of them already thought SJ…

You could be forgiven for not being familiar with the name River Stefanovic, Karl’s youngest son with ex-wife Cassandra Thorburn. While siblings Jackson and Willow are regularly seen on both parents’ social media, as well as their stepmum Jasmine’s hanging out with little Harper, sightings of the popular teen are a rarity. So, when images of River appeared on Cass’ Instagram as they celebrated his 16th birthday on October 26, plenty of tongues started wagging, with many taken aback by just how much River looks like his old man! “A lot of family and friends had a double-take when they saw those photos – young River is all grown-up!” a close source shares with New Idea. Currently finishing up Year 10 at school, “old soul” River is said to be…

Local stars Melissa Bell did her best to fight back tears of joy as she walked down the aisle to exchange vows with the man of her dreams, Grant Thompson. Held at the Chapel by the Sea overlooking Broadwater on the Gold Coast, the October 29 ceremony took place on the eve of Melissa’s 50th birthday, and the former Neighbours star admits she “started to get emotional” as she reached the altar. Looking spiffy in a pink jacket, financial planner Grant, 60, was also overcome with emotion when he turned and saw his bride wearing her stunning lace and tulle gown. “I had a special box of tissues at the ready and had to grab for them a couple of times,” Grant says with a smile, as the newlyweds share…

Chocolate Date Baba Cake with Drippy Glaze SERVES 8-10 PREP & COOK 1 HOUR, 10 MINS ■ 1½ cups chopped, pitted dried dates ■ 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda ■ 100g unsalted butter, chopped, at room temperature ■ ¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar ■ 2 eggs, at room temperature ■ 75g dark chocolate, coarsely grated ■ 1¼ cups self-raising flour ■ 1 tblsp cocoa DRIPPY GLAZE ■ 125g dark chocolate, finely chopped ■ 2 tsps vegetable oil 1 Grease a deep 24cm baba pan. 2 Combine dates and 1 ½ cups water in a medium saucepan over a high heat. Bring to boil. Remove from heat. Stir in soda. Cool. Transfer mixture to a food processor. Process until smooth. 3 Beat butter and sugar in small bowl of an…

Advice GOT A RELATIONSHIP Q? DR LURVE HAS ALL THE ANSWERS... Remember the days when you and your partner would give each other a simple look and instantly, you’d be all over each other ready for a passionate night? The reality is that many couples experience a change in desire over time – but if you’re feeling out of sync when it comes to intimacy, know that you aren’t alone! Most couples (around 60 per cent of long-term partners) admit their libidos become mismatched. This is called ‘desire discrepancy’ where you or your partner has a higher or lower sex drive than the other. This unbalancing of the sexual scales, while common, doesn’t mean you need to leave it that way. While one partner is facing sexual rejection and lowered…

Advice How can I prepare my garden for unpredictable weather? Keeping on top of the weather at the moment seems like an impossible task – it’s hot and wet, leading to the threat of flood and bushfires. So how do you disaster-proof your garden to withstand the worst Mother Nature can throw at it? BUSHFIRES Bushfires are a scary and real threat for so many homes across Australia. The best way to reduce this threat is to remove the fuel a bushfire needs. This is especially true for surrounding areas to the home. Trim overhanging branches, mow surrounding lawns and reduce garden bed areas close to the perimeter of the house. KEEP IT CLEAN Have a good tidy up around the home as well, paying attention to other flammable material…

Stars From November 7-13 Scorpio OCT 24 – NOV 22 Phew! It’s not just on a physical level that you’re busy, but an emotional one too. Discussions about finances or health may be triggering big conversations, but try not to overreact. This weekend’s social stars should shake off a few worries, and as they say, laughter is the best medicine of all. Lucky sign: Fellow Scorpions Sagittarius NOV 23 – DEC 21 Trying to make sense of things? As Mercury enhances your lateral thinking, make it your mission to solve a mystery or delve more deeply into a situation that’s been creating stress of late. And as destiny takes control, look out for an intriguing person who could feel strangely familiar. Lucky gemstone: Emerald Capricorn…

Naomi Watts doesn’t have to think twice when asked what drew her to The Watcher – it was the opportunity to work with the powerhouse producer of hit shows Glee and American Horror Story. “I was excited the moment I was told Ryan Murphy was involved and that he wanted to talk to me,” says Naomi. “I read the script and I was just gripped.” The miniseries follows Nora Brannock (Naomi) and her family, who move into a beautiful house, only to receive ominous letters by someone claiming to be watching their every move. As Naomi tells, the fact the show is based on true events, makes watching it even more “terrifying”… What can you tell us about The Watcher? It’s really about who ‘The Watcher’ is. That’s the big…

NEWS Anh Do’s son Xavier is following the comedian and author into the spotlight, with the handsome 18-year-old signing with a prestigious modelling agency. “Modelling was never a life goal,” Xavier admits. However, after some friends suggested he should give it a go, Xavier looked into it and was soon welcomed aboard by Chadwick Models, one of Australia’s top agencies. Along with Xavier, Anh, 45, and his wife Suzie are parents to Luc, Leon, and Summer. Anh recently admitted his kids played a crucial role in the hugely successful series of WeirDo children’s novels he created. “They’ve been like the Anh Do books’ market research department. I probably owe them hundreds of thousands in income,” he jokes.…

NEWS Fifi Box is one foxy lady! With her blonde hair styled in a choppy bob, the radio personality channeled rock-star chic on the red carpet at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards in Sydney. As well as turning heads on the night, the mum of two, 45, received plenty of great feedback for her embellished little black dress on social media. In fact, her Instagram was alight with fiery symbols from the likes of Anthony Callea, former Gogglebox star Yvie Jones, and Natalie Bassingthwaighte. “Looking good Fif!” added Megan Gale, while Shaynna Blaze gushed: “Knock out!”…

Local stars For decades, Rebecca Gibney has brought warmth and joy into our lounge rooms as the insanely watchable star of numerous hit shows like Packed to the Rafters, Halifax f.p., The Flying Doctors and Wanted. But her present-day life as a renowned actress and happily married mother of one is a far cry from the sad upbringing Rebecca experienced growing up in a fractured home with her unstable father, Austin. “My father was an alcoholic. It scarred all of us,” Rebecca, 57, bravely revealed. Born in New Zealand in 1965, Bec is the youngest of Austin and wife Shirley’s six children. Sadly, ‘Mama Shirl’ as Rebecca affectionately calls her mother, bore the brunt of her abusive dad’s tirades. “My mother shielded us a lot from it. I could remember…

Hollywood Gisele Bündchen’s divorce from Tom Brady dominated headlines the second their split was announced. But one person in particular was watching the marriage implode with vested interest – her movie star ex, Leonardo DiCaprio. “Leo always did think of Gisele as the one who got away,” confirms a source. The former couple broke up in 2005 after six years together. It’s believed Leo was mapping out a plan to win Gisele back when she suddenly took up with NFL star quarterback Tom, 45. “Even Leo felt he couldn’t compete with a guy like Tom,” tells the source. Now, he’s taking Gisele’s divorce after 13 years of marriage as a possible way back into her heart. However, “Leo knows he has a tough road ahead,” says the source. “He hurt…

Crime Smiling for the camera with their arms around one another, Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito could be mistaken for carefree tourists enjoying the central Italian town of Gubbio. But behind their wide smiles is a desperately sad story. Though they are no longer a couple, Amanda and Raffaele are bonded for life by a trauma that still haunts them to this day. Just 50 kilometres away from where the photograph, splashed across publications around the globe, was taken, Amanda’s 21-year-old housemate Meredith Kercher was murdered in her bedroom. The grisly crime, which took place in November 2007, made international headlines after Amanda and Raffaele were wrongly convicted and subsequently cleared, twice. ‘It was nice to talk about something that wasn’t the case’ In a rare interview, Raffaele told The…

Food Mexican Corn and Avocado Bean Salad SERVES 4 PREP & COOK 25 MINS ■ 2 fresh corn cobs, husks removed ■ 400g can black beans, drained, rinsed ■ 250g punnet cherry tomatoes, halved ■ 1 cup chopped fresh coriander ■ ¼ cup chopped pickled sliced jalapeños ■ 2 tblsps lime juice ■ 2 medium avocados, peeled ■ 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce ■ ½ x 230g packet white corn tortilla strips, lightly crushed ■ Lime pieces, to serve 1 Using a sharp knife, cut away corn kernels from cobs. Place in a large bowl with beans, tomatoes, coriander, jalapeños and half the juice. Season with salt and pepper. Toss well. 2 Coarsely mash avocados with a fork in a bowl. Stir in remaining juice. Season with salt and pepper.…

Raspberry Ripple Caramilk Cheesecake SERVES 10-12 PREP & COOK 1 HOUR, 30 MINS ■ 300g (20) digestive biscuits ■ 1 tsp ground cinnamon ■ 150g unsalted butter, melted ■ Fresh raspberries, to serve FILLING ■ 2 x 250g blocks cream cheese, chopped ■ 300ml tub sour cream ■ ²⁄³ cup firmly packed brown sugar ■ 1 tblsp vanilla extract ■ 3 eggs ■ 180g block Caramilk chocolate, chopped, melted RASPBERRY RIPPLE ■ 1½ cups (185g) frozen raspberries, thawed ■ ¼ cup icing sugar 1 Grease and line base of a 22cm springform pan with baking paper. 2 Process biscuits and cinnamon in a food processor until finely crushed. Add butter. Process to combine. Press firmly over base and up side of pan. Place on an oven tray. 3 For filling,…

Help the kids in your life get better with money with these simple tips: 1 Encourage smart spending Teach them the difference between “wants” and “needs” and help them prioritise paying for the necessities first. 2 Track spending Help log their expenses; this can be as simple as recording it in a notebook or setting up a spreadsheet. 3 Let them earn money Take an active role in giving pocket money, or if they are old enough to work, help them find a job. 4 Help set savings goals Do they have their eye on a new toy? What about a game console? Create weekly savings goals to help them get it quicker. 5 Separate savings Keep a separate bank account or location for their savings, this will teach them…

What’s fun and trending in nails right now? KEEP IT LOW-KEY It’s all about subtle shimmers this season, so treat yourself to a satin mani. With just the right amount of sparkle to suit every occasion, these pink and purple hues will become your new go-tos. BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS Give your nails a glow up and add dainty designs to each finger. If you’re skipping this month’s appointment, get your hands on a good base coat and stickers and apply them at home! DEEP DIVE Switch darker hues for an ocean blue that suits any shape and length. To get the most out of your blue shade, add a top coat layer for a shiny gel finish and long-lasting protection. ORANGE OBSESSION Get onboard the ’70s revival trend with orange hued…

Best hotels for amenities and experiences Want to treat yourself to a night, or even a weekend in a hotel? There’s a lot of choice out there. Sure, a decent view, great service and a central location are all well and good, but these features alone just won’t cut it anymore. There needs to be something extra to make a good hotel a great one. Here’s some wow-factor features to look out for that will leave a lasting impression. A FREE MINIBAR We’re so used to paying exorbitant prices for daring to even move something in the mini bar, so when you find out a hotel has a ‘complimentary’ minibar, there’s a good chance that will be the one you should book into. There’s something to be said about getting…

Q When am I going to meet my perfect match? I haven’t had much luck lately. – JUDY, ADELAIDE, SA. A With Jupiter and the moon both sitting in your chart’s relationship sector, your desire for companionship is strong. Your work zone also looks busy, so you may need to reassess your work-life balance and create more space for romance. In a perfect world your potential partner would be grounded and emotionally stable. Summer’s social stars should bring opportunities for romance. YOUR WEEKLY FENG SHUI COLOUR THERAPY According to feng shui, a drab environment reflects our state of mind, but bright, uplifting surroundings can stimulate thinking and boost our energy levels. Yellow is said to enhance intellect and aid concentration, making it ideal for study areas, while blue can calm…

AUSTRALIA ACCORDING TO HOGES by Paul Hogan From his hit variety show to the Crocodile Dundee movies, Paul Hogan has been adored by Aussies, and the world, for decades. While it’s been a while since Hoges has lived Down Under, he still calls it home. In his new book, the legend explores what he loves about Australia, and makes a pretty good case as to why his birthplace should be named the Eighth Wonder of the World. OUT NOW ONE by Jamie Oliver Love to eat but hate washing up? Jamie Oliver has the perfect solution. In One, the celebrity chef guides you through more than 120 recipes for tasty, fuss-free and satisfying dishes cooked in just one pan. What’s better: each recipe has eight ingredients or fewer, meaning minimal…