Home//Better Homes and Gardens Australia/November/December 2022/In This Issue
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022SUBSCRIBE AND RECEIVE ABONUS CHRISTMAS PUDDINGSUBSCRIBING IS EASY Send original or copy of this coupon (no stamp required) to: Magshop Reply Paid 5252 SYDNEY, NSW, 2000 M22CBHG Offer ends 09 November 2022. *Savings are based on the cover price of $7.50. For automatic renewal credit card subscriptions $74.99 will be charged to your credit card for the first 13 issues then the subscription will renew and be billed as $74.99 every 13 issues thereafter. Subscription renews unless cancelled or until the nominated credit card expires. You can cancel at any time by giving notice in writing or by phone and receive a refund for the remaining portion of your subscription. By including your email address, Better Homes and Gardens will keep you informed of offers and updates from our publisher, Are Media Pty Limited, and…2 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022CHEERS TOFESTIVE VIBES1 DASHING REINDEER Weave a tale for the kids and let their imagination take flight by telling them this dashing pair has found its way to your home – all the way from the North Pole! Instructions on page 174 2 PAPER BAUBLES Simple, chic and undeniably festive, gold, neutrals and green with a dash of perky red is always a winner if you like country or Scandi decorating. If you’re not big on a traditional tree, let eucalyptus or olive branches do the honours. They’re sturdy enough to hold glam baubles – or a homemade advent calendar. Instructions on pages 169 and 170 “Include foliage garlands in your decor – fresh for scent, faux for ease” 3 LINEN-CUFFED STOCKINGS Even if you’re fairly new to sewing, these linen Christmas…3 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022YOURSummer STYLEHARVEYNORMAN.COM.AU online | mobile | in store Resort paradise SETTLE IN COMFORT AS YOU RELAX WITH FRIENDS AND ENJOY COOL DRINKS WITH THIS SOPHISTICATED BURANO ALUMINIUM LOUNGE RANGE. HARVEYNORMAN.COM.AU online | mobile | in store Let’s go outside APPRECIATE THE GREAT OUTDOORS. WHETHER IT’S A COASTAL PANORAMA OR A GARDEN VIEW, THE CONTEMP ORARY ESTELLE TIMBER DINING SETTING WITH ITS COASTAL-INSPIRED DESIGN, AND RESILIENT WICKER DETAILING, WILL HAVE YOU SITTING PRETTY ALL SUMMER LONG. HARVEYNORMAN.COM.AU online | mobile | in store Midday refresh HIT RESET THIS SUMMER WITH LAZY AFTERNOONS BY THE POOL IN THIS MODERN TAKE ON CLASSIC WICKER, THE HANNAH LOUNGE RANGE. HARVEYNORMAN.COM.AU online | mobile | in store All-day dining CATCHING UP WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS IS EASY WHEN YOUR OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE IS OPEN ALL DAY.…2 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022BALIHIGHHeading off to a tropical retreat can involve a plane trip, luggage and lots of money. But you can create an intoxicating paradise in your own backyard – and you don’t need to be in the tropics or subtropics! Even if you live in a temperate zone, you can still create the look of the tropics, without the heat and humidity. This type of garden relies on big, lush, flamboyant foliage rather than colourful flowers to create all-year interest. Brisbane private garden Taman Air comes direct from Bali and is full of design ideas you can borrow! SEEN ON BHG TV FRIDAYS 7.00 PLANTING TIPS • Choose statement plants that have big leaves and understorey plants that have interesting textures and bold colours. • For drama, put plants with contrasting…3 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022A PARADE OF POP UPSSEEN ON BHG TVFRIDAYS 7.00 You may think planting annuals is a waste of time, since they only last for a year. But there are huge benefits – the main one being they give you instant colour and gratification. Because annuals complete their life cycle in just 12 or so months, they don’t have time to waste, pushing up their flowers in super quick time. Another benefit is you can have different bloomers with their different colours in different arrangements every year. And that’s just what they’ve been doing at gardens around historic Spring Bluff Railway Station in Queensland since 1914. At this time of year, it’s bursting with bright and bouncy annuals that liberally sprinkle the beds between terraces built into the steep slope with boulders or, appropriately, railway…2 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022In yourGARDENSEASON SPECIALS Get soft and languid before it heats up! POWER PERFUME Lilac’s huge clusters of tiny perfumed flowers billow in a soft breeze. SO FLAMBOYAN Extravagant bearded irises unfurl seductively in a multitude of colours. SNOW IN SPRING There’s an air of romance with the Guelder rose or snowball shrub. KEY TO CLIMATE ZONES ZONE 6 Mild warm summer Cold winter ZONE 5 Warm summer Cold winter ZONE 4 Hot dry summer Cold winter ZONE 3 Hot dry summer Mild winter ZONE 2 Warm humid summer ZONE 1 Hot humid summer PLANT NOW In each issue we give ideas, tips and planting advice for cooler, warmer, wetter and drier areas in each zone, so ask at your local nursery which zone best matches your conditions. FLOWERS ALL ZONES Amaranthus,…2 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022FAST ED’SkitchenBARBECUED PORTERHOUSE WITH GOCHUJANG BUTTER Prep your steaks with a quick and zesty marinade, then cook on the grill until juicy. Whip up a spicy butter with Korean chilli sauce and serve up with crusty baguette. Recipe on page 108 SEEN ON BHG TVFRIDAYS 7.00 ONE-POT CHICKEN AND MANGO CURRY WITH MANGO-MINT SALSA This Thai-style dish is a curry you can really enjoy in summer when mangoes are in season. Sweet, spicy, creamy and aromatic, it’s a real winner of a chicken dinner! Recipe on page 108 ED HALMAGYI Join me as I show you how to give your meals and desserts a seasonal makeover on BHG TV, Fridays at 7pm on Channel 7. (Apologies, may be subject to change) Go to bhg.com.au for more food tips and tricks. TEMPURA…8 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022WILD STYLEMake the change from cot to ‘big bed’ an adventure, instead of a disruption, through a fun makeover. This jungle-inspired room was created with a blue and green paint job, themed furniture, lots of natural materials – timber, rattan and jute – and greenery both real and faux. Add the animals and your child will go absolutely wild for their roarsome new space! EASY STEPS TO YOUR ANIMAL HEADS Use off-the-shelf plywood to make cut-out animal heads you can hang on the wall. Gather your supplies • 9mm plywood • Water-based timber stain • Black acrylic paint • Semi gloss clear coat spray paint • Picture hangers You’ll also need Paper; pencil; cardboard box; cutting mat; craft knife; jigsaw; hand sander; 180-grit sandpaper; paintbrushes; PVA glue SEEN ON BHG TVFRIDAYS…3 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022COFFEE TABLE STORAGEEASY STEPS TO YOUR CRATE COFFEE TABLE Turn simple wooden crates into a living room feature – DIY beginners welcome! Gather your supplies • 460 x 310 x 250mm wooden crates (4) • 20 x 12 x 1200mm pine moulding • 897 x 600 x 12mm plywood • Castors (4) You’ll also need PVA glue; drill; handsaw; 20 x 1.25mm bullet head nails; cardboard scraps; hammer; cloth; nail punch; 15, 20 and 25mm timber screws; square; countersinking bit; paint roller and tray; clear polyurethane Here’s how STEP 1 To assemble crates, apply PVA glue to end supports, then join to sides with supplied screws – don’t overtighten (the glue gives the joint extra strength). Glue and screw in base panels. Tighten all screws. STEP 2 Cut four 290mm lengths of…2 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022FAKE IT ’TIL YOU MAKE ITPUMP UP THE VOLUME LUSH LIPS If you’d love to have a fuller looking pout, there are ways to plump it up without going anywhere near an injection. FIVESTEPS TO lush lips The skin on your lips is delicate, but responds well to regular TLC. Make a daily habit of pampering them and they’ll look and feel better in no time at all. 1EXFOLIATE Lip scrubs tackle surface dryness and boost blood circulation. Mix your own by combining coconut oil with brown sugar, then gently massage it over your lips in a circular motion. 2 SOFTEN Moisturising your lips will help to keep them soft and plump. The skin on them is thinner and prone to dryness, so apply a lip balm or cream on a daily basis. 3 HYDRATE…4 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022better books“You can’t prepare yourself for the emotional impact of this powerful novel”JOHN IRVING, AUTHOR All The Broken Places John Boyne (Penguin Random House, $32.99) The powerful sequel to The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. Ninety-one-year-old Gretel Fernsby has lived in the same London mansion block for decades. She leads a quiet, comfortable life, despite her dark and disturbing past. When a young family moves into the apartment below, Gretel can’t help but begin a friendship with the little boy, Henry, though his presence brings back memories she would rather forget. She finds herself facing a similar crossroads to one she encountered long ago. Back then, she denied her own collusion, but this time she can make a different choice – whatever the cost to herself. Can a person ever cleanse…2 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022LIGHT UP THENIGHT1 SALUTE THE SEASON Nutcracker dolls are a symbol of luck in German folklore and are also given as a keepsake to protect the home. So set up a pair of inflatable life-sized toy soldiers to stand sentinel either side of your front gate. Be inspired by this cute cottage to give your front of house a traditional Christmas glow-up. This home shows off every type of light – fairy, bud, garland, rope, icicle, curtain and more – to spectacular effect. Every part of the front yard is lit up, from the fence to the verandah. Nutcrackers greet you at the gate and an elf shows you the way along the path, while reindeer grace the ‘woodland’ and a giant gingerbread man offers a cheerful greeting. To get started, head…1 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022MERRYFESTIVE MAKESHEAVENLY ANGELS Finished sizes Large, about 29.5 x 20.5cm Small, about 19.5 x 13.3cm Gather your supplies • 30 x 30cm cardstock in gold, antique gold and/or white • Cricut Foil Transfer Kit (includes transfer tool and foil), optional For you to note For white cardstock angel with gold foil feathers on wings, refer to Angel Wings instructions (see page 168). Here’s how STEP 1 Before you start, refer to General instructions and supplies list (above right). Search BHGChristmas22 for angel templates at design.cricut.com. If desired, resize templates. Follow prompts to score then cut angel body and wings, including a mirrored set of wings. STEP 2 Press along score lines to create tabs. Bring cardstock around to form angel’s cone-shaped body and use double-sided tape to stick tabs inside body.…23 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022PRIVACY NOTICEThis issue of Better Homes and Gardens is published by Are Media Pty Limited (Are). Are may use and disclose your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy, including to provide you with your requested products or services and to keep you informed of other Are publications, products, services and events. Our Privacy Policy is at www.aremedia.com.au/privacy/. It also sets out how you can access or correct your personal information and lodge a complaint. We disclose your personal information offshore to our joint venture partners, service providers and agents. It is not practicable to specify all countries to which we may disclose your personal information. The countries your personal information will be disclosed to include New Zealand, the USA and the Philippines. In addition, this issue may contain Reader Offers,…1 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022Hello!And when it comes to embracing all things festive, we have lots of delicious and decadent ideas. For Chrissy baking, as pictured on our gorgeous cover, you can find inspiration in classic carol The Twelve Days of Christmas (page 14), from pavlova swans to golden cookie rings. Guaranteed the only place you’ll want the (gingerbread) lords a-leaping is straight into your mouth! But there’s more to the yuletide season than food, so we also show you how to craft Chrissy makes out of paper, fabric, faux leather and more (page 28). Get the family together to devise your own advent calendar or showcase homemade Santa and Mrs Claus figures around your home. So cute! Yet even among thoughts of a snowy North Pole, the weather outside is anything but cold.…1 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022better decoratingSALAD DAYS Let artwork come to life in your kitchen. Kimmy Hogan Timber Salad Bowl in Blush, $89.99, adairs.com.au. DINEALFRESCO Splurge on a quality, durable outdoor setting which features curved resin wicker seats, cushioned for your comfort. Estelle 6-piece outdoor dining setting (table/4 chairs/bench), $3499, harveynorman.com.au. Decorate with table lamps When it comes to creating beautifully layered lighting effects, table lamps are invaluable. Not only are they functional, they are also aesthetically pleasing, which can only enhance your decor. At night, the low-level lighting helps set a calm, relaxed mood, which is just what you need after a hard day at work. Amalfi Filmore table lamp 35 x 35 x 58cm in Brown/Natural, $259.95, isalbi.com.au. For the love of MOSAICS Looking for a mini update? A single vibrant piece adds…2 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022OURDOOZYDAISIESSo often beautifully referred to as the flower of innocence and a new beginning, you’ll find daisies being delightful all over the world. But nothing beats the Australians. Also known as paper, straw or everlasting daisies, their stiff petals rustle when touched, seem to last forever and are a must in dried arrangements because they retain their brilliantly rich colours. And there are so many to choose from! Pick a favourite and plant it in a pot or grow them all by spraying a mix of seeds over a large patch and you’ll have your own crackling wildflower garden that can last from late winter through to the end of summer. SEEN ON BHG TVFRIDAYS 7.00 STRAWFLOWER (Xerochrysum sp, formerly Helichrysum sp) The best known of the paper daisies, this…4 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022PERK UP, THENBRIGHTEN UP!SEEN ON BHG TVFRIDAYS 7.00 MELISSA KING Let me show you more ways to make your garden healthier and stronger on BHG TV, Fridays at 7pm on Channel 7. (Apologies, may be subject to change) Go to bhg.com.au for more gardening tips and tricks. WEEDING Weed seeds can lie dormant in the soil during the cooler months and are now ready to grow, flower and set seed again. So get rid of them before flowers appear. The Cyclone Hand Weeder, $9.85, is ideal for weeding in garden beds and lawns without damaging or disturbing the surrounding plants or turf. Available from Bunnings, Mitre 10, Home Hardware and all other leading hardware retailers, cyclone.com.au. “There can be no life without soil and no soil without life, so keep it healthy” IMPROVING…3 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022COOKING WITH KARENBANG BANG PRAWNS WITH CRUSHED PRAWN CRACKERS AND SWEET CHILLI MAYO The name ‘bang bang’ comes from the Sriracha and sweet chilli in the sauce for these crispy deep-fried prawns – it’s spicy but not too hot to handle. This dish is a great starter for your summer entertaining. Recipe on page 114 SEEN ON BHG TVFRIDAYS 7.00 WARM SLOW-ROASTED TOMATOES WITH LABNA AND ZAATAR BREAD You can turn plain pita into tasty triangles by baking with zaatar – a tangy, earthy herb-and-spice blend. It goes beautifully with the juicy tomatoes and creamy labna. Recipe on page 114 KAREN MARTINI Join me as I show you how to make delicious dishes on BHG TV on Fridays at 7pm, on Channel 7. (Apologies, may be subject to change) Go to bhg.com.au…5 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022SHAPEANDSTYLEThe area under and near your staircase can be tricky to utilise without spending up big on bespoke cabinetry, so go DIY and use colour to zone the space, then install a mini study and entry console. EASY STEPS TO YOUR STAIR DESK Add steel legs to a stained timber benchtop, sized to tuck in under your stairs. Gather your supplies • Interior acrylic paint • 2400 x 900 x 32mm timber benchtop • Water-based timber stain in Walnut • Hairpin table legs (4) You’ll also need Dropsheet; painter’s tape; paintbrush; paint trays and rollers; 180-and 220-grit sandpaper; soft lint-free cloths; hand sander; tape measure; pencil; drill/driver; timber screws Here’s how STEP 1 Mask off area under stairs with painter’s tape. Lay dropsheet and cut in masked area with a…4 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022LANTERNSSO LOVELYEASY STEPS TO YOUR PAPER LANTERNS With just paper, tape and ribbon you can craft cute and colourful lanterns. Gather your supplies • Coloured A4 paper • 6mm decorative adhesive tape in several colours • Decorative punch • Curling ribbon You’ll also need Metal ruler; pencil; cutting mat; craft knife; scissors; double-sided tape; glue dots For you to note • Make a range of lanterns by adapting this technique, such as omitting the central cylinder or using a scallop punch on lantern edges. • Use different paper sizes such as A5 and A3, and vary the sizes of the top and base, and number of decorative tape strips. Here’s how STEP 1 Lay pink sheet of paper horizontally. Use ruler and pencil to draw a straight line 2.5cm from each…2 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022better healthGIFT OF SIGHT SHARE THE VISION Professor Fred Hollows helped restore eyesight to many people with avoidable blindness. Freddy Bear is a new initiative of The Fred Hollows Foundation, which continues to give people access to eye care. Freddy Bear retails for $60, with $25 from each sale going towards restoring sight to needlessly blind people around the world, including Australia, freddybear.com.au. HIDDEN GEM Urinary incontinence and bladder leakage affect four in 10 women. And now there’s an alternative to having to wear pads as a solution. The innovative Coo-wee incontinence device, which is sustainable and easy to insert, works by applying specific pressure internally to support the urethra and bladder and stop leakage. From $89, coowee.me. TIME TO REFLECT Taking a few moments to be totally present in the…1 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022better financeSimple ways to slash years off YOUR MORTGAGE With interest rates rising, it’s important to get debt-free quicker MORTGAGE OFFSET ACCOUNT What is it? Basically it’s an account linked to your home loan. Depositing monies into an offset account lets you make extra repayments on your mortgage that you can withdraw at any time. How does it work? When your wage is deposited into the offset account, you reduce the size of your mortgage for the period the extra money is in the account, which in turn reduces interest payments, helping to pay off your debt faster. FORTNIGHTLY PAYMENTS When we sign up for a mortgage, many of us think the easiest option budget-wise is monthly repayments. But according to government website MoneySmart, you should consider switching to fortnightly repayments.…2 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022TWELVEDELICIOUS DAYS OF CHRISTMASPEAR, APRICOT AND ALMOND FRUIT CAKE Preparation time 1¼ hours plus 1 hour standing Cooking time 2 hours Makes 20cm round cake or six 10cm round cakes 275g dried pears, finely chopped125g dried apricots, finely chopped2 Tbsp crystallised ginger, finely chopped½ cup slivered almonds, toasted½ cup pistachios, roughly choppedFinely grated zest of 1 lemon¼ cup rum (or orange or apple juice), plus ¼cup extra, to brushMelted butter, to grease1½ cups plain flour1½ tsp baking powder½ cup almond meal250g unsalted butter, softened¾ cup caster sugar¼ cup brown sugar4 free-range eggsEdible gold leaf and candied pear slices (see recipe, below right), to serve HONEY ICING 1 Tbsp honey¼ cup boiling water3 cups pure icing sugar, sifted STEP 1 Put dried fruit, ginger, nuts, zest and rum in a large bowl. Stir to…22 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022better petsProtect your furry friend From short trips to longer journeys, keep your pet safe in the car STRAPPED IN Use a safety harness to strap your dog to the seatbelt or place him in a travel crate. If you have a cat or rabbit, use a portable carrier you can strap to the car. You can be fined for an unrestrained animal in a vehicle and can face jail time if they are injured as a result. A washable car hammock, pet seat cover or sheet can help protect the upholstery. CLIMATE CONTROL Ensure your pet is in a well-ventilated space in the shade (car shades can help) and never leave them alone in the car. According to the RSPCA, pets left in hot vehicles can die in as little…2 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022TWELVEDELICIOUS DAYS OF CHRISTMASA partridge in a pear tree PEAR, APRICOT AND ALMOND FRUIT CAKE Give your classic fruit cake a glam new look. This lighter version is drizzled with honey icing and decorated with gold leaf and glossy candied pears. Recipe on page 156 Two turtle doves ‘TURTLE’ CARAMEL PECAN BARS Taking inspiration from American turtle candy, this recipe gives the traditional luxe caramel, choc and pecan combo a biscuit base for yummy bars to share (or keep!) Recipe on page 156 Three french hens PARIS-BRESTS WITH PLUMS AND HONEY MASCARPONE What could be more French than a cream filled pastry piled with delicate spun sugar? An elegant addition to your dessert table, it will have everyone talking. Recipe on page 157 Four calling birds INDIVIDUAL CHERRY PIES These perfect pies filled…2 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022WEEKEND MODE1 AWASH WITH WHITE Bring vacation vibes into your home by transforming it into a sweet retreat. Start with a white paint job for an instant refresh that instills a sense of space and peace. For an even more dramatic result, don’t stop at the walls – extend your paint project to floorboards and ceiling beams. Then add strategic touches of charcoal paint to doors and window frames to draw the eye towards sunny and leafy views. 2 GO WITH THE FLOW Enhance entertaining areas by ensuring they are connected and unobstructed. It’s not just physical space and flow. Visual aesthetics are also key. Here, low stools let the eye skim over the tabletop and to the alfresco dining area, deck and garden. The mood you want to create is…4 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022COAST INTO SUMMERTurn your verandah or pergola into a coastal-inspired retreat with a simple update. All you need is a resort-style outdoor setting – comfy chairs are a must for long, lazy meals – and to use neutrals, blues and crisp white for your cushions, crockery, linens and pot plants. So easy, so relaxed! SEEN ON BHG TV FRIDAYS 7.00 GET THE LOOK FOR SHOPPING DETAILS, SEE OUR STOCKISTS PAGE…1 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022FIND LOVE WITHLAVENDERLAVENDER SPECIES ENGLISH LAVENDER (LAVANDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA) Also called true or common lavender, it’s actually native to the Mediterranean. The small flowers attract bees and butterflies. It’s aromatic when brushed against or crushed and is cultivated for its high-quality lavender oil. FormUp to 90cm-high clumps with wispy inflorescences at tips in blue-purple, blue-violet, lavender or white-pink. Narrow grey green to purple-green foliage. Climate Frost tolerant. Flowering time Early to mid-summer. Garden use Formal or informal edging, rock gardens, herb gardens and vegie plots. FRENCH LAVENDER (LAVANDULA DENTATA) Also called fringed lavender, this species is native to Spain. While not as fragrant as other lavenders, its leaves have a rich lavender rosemary scent. Form Up to 90cm-high clumps with colourful light purple flowers at tips. Bright, grey-green narrow leaves have toothed margins.…5 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022LIDDLEBUGGERS!EASY STEPS TO YOUR GARDEN STAKES Teach your children about upcycling with this fun project to transform bottle caps and lids into garden art. Gather your supplies • Bottle lids and caps • Plastic spray primer • Spray paints • Artist’s acrylics • 5mm x 30cm dowels You’ll also need Face mask; paint palette; paintbrushes; high-strength adhesive; scissors; plastic takeaway container Here’s how STEP 1 Arrange lids and caps into shapes such as a flower and a caterpillar. STEP 2 When happy with arrangements, and working in a well-ventilated area wearing a face mask, spray shape caps and lids, and single lids, with plastic primer. Leave to dry. STEP 3 Spray caps for shapes with 2 coats of paint in desired colours, such as pink for petals and yellow for…1 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022moon guideNOVEMBER 2022 You must plant all ABOVE-ground crops during the moon’s WAXING cycle. You must plant all BELOW-ground crops during the moon’s WANING cycle. Times are in Australian Eastern Standard Time, AEST. This applies to NSW, the ACT, Qld, Vic and Tas. For SA and NT, deduct half an hour. For WA, deduct two hours. During Daylight Saving Time, add 1 hour. ZODIAC SIGNS The 12 signs of the zodiac are divided into four groups – fire, air, earth and water. Fire signs Aries and Sagittarius are in harmony with all fruit. Leo is in harmony with nuts and all seed‑producing crops. Earth signs Capricorn and Taurus are in harmony with all root vegetables that produce crops below the ground, including garlic. Virgo is in harmony with all herbs. Air…2 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022better cookingA TOP TIPPLE ’Tis bubbles season! Make it a breeze to pick the right sparkling for entertaining with Innocent Bystander NV Prosecco, $20. Its citrus and pear notes are ideal with salad and seafood, innocentbystander.com.au. PLATE UP Beautiful baking deserves beautiful plating! Take your sweet treats to the next level with fluted-edge plates and bowls from the Wiltshire Petite Petal range, in Sage Green, Soft Blush Pink, Linen Grey and Blueberry. From $40 for a set of 4 bowls, at Spotlight and wiltshire.com.au. Get McHappy Supporting a good cause has never been more delicious! McHappy Day is on Saturday, 19 November, with $2 from every Big Mac sold going to Ronald McDonald House Charities. Show your support by heading into your local Maccas restaurant to purchase a Big Mac, Silly…1 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022BUILD A NEWSTUDY NOOKEASY STEPS TO A BUILT-IN DESK Attach Tasmanian oak panels to a flat-pack drawer cabinet and two walls. Gather your supplies • 450 x 720mm 4-drawer base cabinet • Drawer faces (4) • 32mm brass round knobs (4) • 42 x 19mm x 3m DAR pine • 864 x 580 x 18mm base end panels (2) • 2200 x 600 x 26mm Tasmanian oak panels (3) • 89 x 19mm x 3m DAR pine • Scandinavian oil • 60mm black cable ducts (2) You’ll also need Circular saw; circular saw guide; drill; 8mm counter sinking bit; 28mm and 65mm timber screws; felt floor protectors; tape measure; carpenter’s pencil; jigsaw; stud finder; clamps; white interior paint; paint tray; paint roller; spirit level; 240-grit sandpaper; rafter square; power sander; 60mm holesaw; combination…5 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022MEMORY BOOSTEREveryone forgets things from time to time, especially when life is busy. It can be frustrating, but don’t panic. As you age, fleeting memory problems do reflect normal changes to your brain, but thanks to decades of research there are strategies you can use to protect your recall. So don’t just accept a failing memory as part of ageing! Embrace these strategies to keep your mind sharp. PRIORITISE SLEEP Bad-quality sleep goes hand in hand with poor memory. It’s not only a matter of feeling tired if you’re sleep deprived, studies have also shown sleep’s key role in memory making and consolidation. So if you aren’t sleeping well, or enough, make the necessary changes. Most adults need eight hours a night. TRAIN YOUR BRAIN Learning new skills and challenging your…3 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022better livingIT’S TEA TIME You can do good for the planet while enjoying your fave cuppa with Dilmah. Embracing a ‘field to cup’ philosophy, as well as doing important environmental work, including its safe haven butterfly garden in Sri Lanka, Dilmah has been on a sustainability journey for more than 20 years and aims to be carbon negative by 2030, shop.dilmahtea.com.au. A WILD READ Take a fascinating journey into the wild to learn about the origin of life, the awesome power of nature and why animals are so important to our survival. Plus, find out how you can make small changes that have a big conservation impact in Wildlife in the Balance (Wildiaries, $34.99) by Simon Mustoe, an ecologist, expeditioner and conservationist, wildiaries.com. Ethical fashion New to the slow-fashion scene is…1 min
Better Homes and Gardens Australia|November/December 2022better techBoom shake the room! Your summer soundtrack needs a superb speaker! Play music from your devices or gaming console, pause or skip tracks right on the speaker, and set up playlists and control them remotely via the app. And, you can take your tunes outside, as the Hyperboom, $599.95, automatically adjusts the sound to fill any space. Plus it’s party proof, can take drink spills and pool splashes, and has a 24-hour battery, ultimateears.com. SCAN AND TRACK Australian skincare and wellness brand Synthesis Organics has partnered with traceability tool Storybird to roll out QR technology on its packaging. With a simple scan you will be able to access the origin story behind the particular product you have chosen, synthesisorganics.com. LOCAL LORE See all the best sights through the eyes of…1 min
