Matchmaking is an art form, a God-given gift that elevates the rare individual who possesses the skill to a level of genius. It’s a brave person that chooses to venture through the psyche of another, believing they have what it takes to make the other happy. I am not one such person – but when […]

Dear Wendyl, I’m in my early thirties, very fun-loving and social, and married to the sweetest man you could find. But a while ago I spent a weekend away with some friends and something terrible happened. I slept with one of my girlfriends, which at the time seemed quite natural, as we were all a […]

An olive tree or two will bring peace and harmony to your garden.

Make your own chic and versatile knitwear to see you through the changing seasons in style.

Dear Wendyl, My husband is one of many Kiwis who suffer from depression. In the early days of our marriage we didn’t know what was wrong and several times I nearly left him.

**Dear Wendyl, **My husband has been having an affair for the past six months, but I only just found out about it. I caught him out and he admitted it and since then he has been verbally abusive to me, really disgusting and he refuses to move out. Can I make him? I don’t have […]

Long distance relationships are all about hours on the phone, hours on the road and hours on your own. It’s not for everyone, full of giant pregnant pauses of not knowing when your next rendezvous will be and the insecurities that ensue. Are the sleepless nights of wondering what he’s up to really worth it? […]

Dear Wendyl, All of my three kids are now at school and I really want to go to university and do the study I missed out on when I got pregnant at 17.

This cheerful hue adds a fresh, natural feel to your home.

Pave the way to a sustainable garden that won’t leave you down in the damp.

Dear Wendyl, Two years ago when I was working at a different place, I had an affair with someone. Actually, he’s the reason I eventually left, because it began to get too serious...

Dear Wendyl, My husband is really helpful around the house and does his fair share of the chores, which is great. However, I wish he wouldn’t try to help with the grocery shopping.

I am not a jealous person, but if my boyfriend flirts with anyone hot, then I am likely to rip his head off...

Make a splash and add a touch of cool to your garden.

Bring out your inner artist and create some bright and colourful canvasses.

Dear Wendyl, My husband has been a very successful businessman and we’re very well off...

Dear Wendyl, I’m one of those lucky people who has a really glamorous mother. She used to be a model and has always looked fantastic.

In deep discussion about what “true love” is and if it exists, someone challenged me to write a blog about it. He challenged me to think about a concept almost as multifaceted as the concept of God. What is God? Most of us understand the idea but we struggle to define it, let alone prove […]

How to add a touch of luxury to your room without sacrificing functionality.

Make your garden a haven of serenity with a few simple steps.

Dear Wendyl, My best friend and I both got pregnant around the same time and we have had the most wonderful time together sharing in our pregnancies...

Dear Wendyl, I recently got kicked out of my flat – I didn’t do anything bad, my landlord just decided to sell it

Dear Wendyl, Six months ago my brother went to jail for a horrible crime. I have no doubt in my mind he’s guilty and for that reason I refuse to visit him. My family say he needs our  support but I won’t do it. He’s always thought he could get away with stuff and I […]

Will you marry me? Four little words the desperately in love long to hear. Words that can create empires or sink ships.

Dear Wendyl, over the holidays I met an amazing guy while I was away on a friend’s boat.

Celebrity role models are making modern mums feel they have to be perfect in every way. There was a time when having a baby gave you a get-out-of-jail-free card for at least 12 months to look frumpy, tired and flabby

Your guide to building the perfect bathroom - even on a budget.

There are several surprising tips and tricks to make your blooms last longer.

Dear Wendyl, I have a great relationship with my girlfriend. We make each other laugh, have lots of things in common and have great sex...

Is cheating on holiday still counted? Our agony aunt Wendyl dissects the situation

Dear Wendyl, I returned from Australia four years ago and mended myself back together after my relationship didn’t work out.

Even to this day, I sometimes have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming when I look at my lovely kitchen. Mind you, it was a long time coming – and on a very strict budget.

Some gardeners seem to be able to grow food season after season without the slightest difficulty. No doubt they have many secrets, but one of them has to be the soil.

If you've ever thought knitting is outdated, think again! This beautiful shawl would be perfect for a special occasion or even everyday wear. It's proof that fine craftsmanship is alive and well.

Dear Wendyl, I’m in a relationship with my ex partner’s closest mate and have been for the last two years.

You’re enjoying a romantic candlelit dinner with your new man when your cellphone rings. It’s the babysitter, ringing to say your toddler has thrown up everywhere and perhaps you should come home. Or you and your potential Mr Right are getting up close and personal on the couch, only for your teenager to barge into […]

I’ve been seeing a guy for over a year and he was very caring and loving – then I noticed a change in him.

When Auckland couple Karen and John began creating their garden in 2004, their first challenge was to remove the bamboo that bordered the property. They cut it back and took it to the elephants at the zoo – cut it back again and again. In the end it all had to be dug out and […]

Dear Wendyl, I thought I had been happily married for over 35 years until I discovered my husband is what I suppose you would describe as a cross-dresser...

Dear Wendyl, My friend recently sold her house but the new owners don’t take possession for two months as they’re returning from overseas. I went to visit the other day and she was planting out a garden and painting the fence, even though the house is sold and she will be moving out soon. She […]

Normally I’d scoff at anything that only flowered for a single day. What is the point of going to all the trouble of growing something to find it’s only prepared to share its best with you for 24 hours? But I have had to concede that the day lily is probably going to change my […]

Dear Wendyl, I made a New Year’s resolution this year to give up smoking and I’ve actually done it. I had been a smoker for 30 years, but I really feel like I’ve kicked it this time. The problem is my partner of 25 years is still smoking and refuses to even consider going without. […]

Add some flower power to your house by turning the garden's gifts into floral art

Inspiration is a key component of great gardening - here's our guide of the best

We meet a champion of New Zealand's native trees and plants

I always used to love watching my mother crocheting because the results are so immediate. In a single evening she would always produce something significant. I’m very keen on having a couple of these funky cushions for myself, so I’ll have to persuade her to pick up that crochet hook again – or learn how […]

Safety in numbers is great for some things, but not when you’re overweight and relying on a friend to make you feel okay about that.

Dear Wendyl, Recently I met a great man. We get on so well, share a lot of the same interests and he adores me. But no matter how hard I try I'm not physically attracted to him. When we sleep together

Last year we looked after a friend's house for a month, who had a wonderful pool

We’ve just met inspirational Sandra Kaminski on the previous Home pages and enjoyed a peek into her picture-perfect private world. Now, New Zealand Woman’s Weekly is very proud to bring you this sensational four-page crafty Christmas decorating feature. Sandra graciously shares her best secrets for entertaining in style. See how the simplest items and ideas […]

I've always been attracted to short things, so it's no wonder I love miniature planting

We’ve just met inspirational Sandra Kaminski on the previous Home pages and enjoyed a peek into her picture-perfect private world. Now, New Zealand Woman’s Weekly is very proud to bring you this sensational Christmas decorating feature. Sandra graciously shares her best secrets for entertaining in style. See how the simplest items and ideas can often […]

We’ve just met inspirational Sandra Kaminski on the previous Home pages and enjoyed a peek into her picture-perfect private world. Now, New Zealand Woman’s Weekly is very proud to bring you this sensational four-page crafty Christmas decorating feature. Sandra graciously shares her best secrets for entertaining in style. See how the simplest items and ideas […]

We’ve just met inspirational Sandra Kaminski on the previous Home pages and enjoyed a peek into her picture-perfect private world. Now, New Zealand Woman’s Weekly is very proud to bring you this sensational four-page crafty Christmas decorating feature. Sandra graciously shares her best secrets for entertaining in style. See how the simplest items and ideas […]

Floral artist Sandra Kaminski is virtually my neighbour (she lives two streets away) and I’ve loved entering the magical world this passionate woman inhabits. Sandra’s creative eye can see the decorative potential in almost anything and since meeting her I have been looking at the most mundane objects with new eyes. From pom-poms on presents […]

Dear Wendyl, I come from an unusual family in that I'm the only one who has managed to make a go at life. I own my own business, have a great marriage and three terrific kids. But the rest of my family

Honey Anderson's gorgeous, old-fashioned garden on the Canterbury Plains holds the secret to self-sustainability...

In the distant past of last century, when all gardens had a rhubarb patch, children were force-fed the vegetable becauseit was good for the bowels. "Plenty of roughage," mothers explained with relish.

These beautiful invitations could be used for any kind of Christmas occasion.

This fabulous record frame is a lovely, heartfelt gift.

Dear Wendyl, Recently my boyfriend and I had a huge argument. We had both had a bit to drink, but I never expected him to hit me. He whacked me across the side of my face so hard that I fell against the

It’s ironic that a plant that has widely been regarded as a wild, thorny menace should be the one that provides the ingredients for one of our tastiest desserts. But that’s the bramble for you – a prickly nuisance that every summer and autumn produces such delights as raspberries, blackberries and boysenberries. All you need […]

Sometimes I think it would be nice to have more than one house, with each one decorated in a very different style. Part of me loves sleek white minimalism (impossible with kids, let me warn you) and another part loves lots of black and silver, à la Art Deco. The one style I really adore, […]

Dear Wendyl, our daughter and her ex husband ended their marriage recently. As the divorce is a good length of time away, we would like to know if we're still beholden to give gifts to the ex for Christmas

When you've slaved to turn your garden into a calm oasis of botanical elegance, introducing child-friendly elements can be a challenge. Coloured, plastic playpens and tacky trampolines don't sit well with

Dear Wendyl, I love my partner of six months a lot and our sex life is pretty amazing. The only problem is he still talks about his ex and the antics they got up to in the bedroom. We'll be in bed and

There was a spooky trend in the 1960s and 1970s for naming babies after herbs. I was personally acquainted with a number of oarigolds and Rosemarys, one Sage, a Sorrel and a Rue, none of which were too

Artist Joy Bell lives in the past and does so very joyfully indeed. The only obvious modern intruders in her tiny Victorian home north of Auckland are a TV, washing machine, CD player, a couple of kitchen appliances – and of course, electricity and hot and cold running water. Apart from these modern touches, Joy […]

Dealing with a partner's infidelity can be more difficult than some people can bear, so the relationship breaks up. But what if your partner mends their ways and refuses to leave? Hi Wendyl, I thought

How often are you referred to as "The Quiet One", "The Shy One" or "The Worrier" before you believe that is who you are and behave accordingly?

Dear Wendyl, I have just moved into a new rental property. I'm 44, single and live on my own, and I have met a very nice new neighbour. He's single, 42 and lives with his son.

You shared each other's lives, possibly a house and maybe children. But can you really share friendship with an ex?

There’s nothing like the pre-summer try on of last year’s (or last decade’s) bikini to make a person think she should eat less bread and more fruit. At the same time, the idea of strawberries and other red things such as cherries, guavas, plums, rhubarb, tamarillos and persimmons, which look so stunning with cream – […]

A few years ago half of our flat, two-acre section was neglected. Well, more accurately, ignored. It was behind a post and rail fence and since we never seemed to get around to planting it, it simply sat there and grew grass. It was mown every now and then, but ultimately even that fell by […]

our first home was furnished with finds from the famous Auckland inorganic rubbish collection, but these days we aim a little higher. Furniture is a big investment and I'd hate to think of you repeating

Trust is so important if any relationship is going to be truly happy. But what happens when trust is lost all because of a computer? Dear Wendyl, I think my husband has been watching pornography late

Anyone who’s older than about 40 may remember the days when there was only one kind of lettuce in the garden. It was a type of iceberg – dense, heavy-hearted and bland – and was served by health-conscious mothers as a salad with tomatoes and chopped up hard-boiled egg. Some really adventurous mums would add […]

With our increasingly busy lives it’s really important we have a peaceful space to come home to each night. You might laugh at this idea, citing children and pets or even sloppy partners as an excuse for living in a hectic mess, but why not take the time to apply some basic Zen principles anyway? […]

Some people look forward to retiring when they're older, but others would rather have more financial security and be busy, so they keep working. But what happens when your husband forces you to retire?

When I don’t have time to go to the hairdressers I tend to take matters into my own hands and chop off the annoying bit. It’s never a good look. The same applies to the garden. Pruning should be well planned, well considered and well executed. Fortunately, I’m more disciplined with my trees than my […]

Apparently the majority of people in the world will say their favourite colour is blue. It’s a calming, soothing shade. Just picture a clear blue sky or a sparkling azure ocean and I bet you’re already smiling dreamily. On the other hand, when we “get the blues “, this colour suddenly denotes melancholy. I’ve just […]

Imagine it’s a beautiful warm summer evening and you’re relaxing in the garden with a glass of your favourite tipple. You lean back, grab a strawberry from a nearby tub and drop it in your bubbly. Then you reach up and pick a bunch of grapes to go with the cheese platter and add a […]

I love fresh flowers in the home. There's nothing better when it comes to setting off my colourful decor. I'm especially fond of scented varieties such as freesias, daffodils and, my all-time favourite, sweet peas. My mother grows lots of these traditional favourites and every time I go to stay she always puts a little vase with one of her special posies by my bed where its sweet smell gives me sweet dreams!

Welcome to our weekly column where readers share their craft projects. If you’ve made something easy, original and fabulous, send us a list of materials, a note of your steps and two or three finished product shots (at least 2oB in size, if digital) and you could win a prize pack of products from Stampin’ […]

Dear Wendyl, Six months ago I went on a business trip with a team from work. one night, after we’d finished a hard day’s work, I drank too much and ended up in bed with a colleague in his hotel room. The next day we both agreed it was a bad idea and left it […]

A few months ago I was amazed at the mild winter we’d had in Auckland this year. Until recently I’d hardly even needed to wear a coat. Then August’s record-breaking cold snap arrived, stunning us all with its ferocity. We have gas heating, and cold weather brings condensation problems. So this weekend I’m planning to […]

Dear Wendyl, My husband has been divorced for 14 years. After all this time his ex-wife still comes before him and me

As mass-produced clothing became more prolific, the age-old craft of knitting lost its way for a while. The good news is that it’s back and more popular than ever. This beanie and scarf will delight the men in your life, and they’re easy to make! What you need oagnum 8 ply 100g balls To make […]

Dear Wendyl, Some friends recently set me up with a guy by inviting us both to a party. It was a bit awkward, as we both knew we were being set up, but I knew the minute I saw him that he was the one

Sitting here amid frighteningly vicious sou’west squalls, it’s easy to turn one’s mind to the pleasures of summer. Long days, blue skies, sunshine and, best of all, warmth – true bliss! And while rising temperatures are a while away, it’s not too soon to start thinking about what you can plant to bring even more […]

There’s nothing I like more than a nice hot bath with a dash of my favourite bath oil, a candle burning, and a nice glossy magazine. once I’ve finished frowning at the cobwebs on the ceiling, I really relax and it’s the perfect end to a busy day. If your bathroom is in need of […]

Dear Wendyl, I moved recently, and get along with my new neighbours very well. often we'll get together to do gardening or watch movies. one of my neighbours is a very nice man, and we get on famously.

Imagine never having to dig your garden again! It seems an odd concept when a spade is one of the most important gardening tools we own. But it's an idea that Australian gardener Esther Deans revolutionised

With the biggest event on the sporting calender fast approaching, why not get into the spirit by knitting and crocheting this gorgeous jersey and booties? I'm sure little ones will have a ball wearing them.

Dear Wendyl, My husband recently invited some old friends of ours to stay for two weeks. They were visiting from Australia and we hadn't seen them for 20 years

Dear Wendyl, Recently there was a report in the paper about the number of sexual partners people have in their lifetime. My husband read it and asked me how many I have had, so I told him. He was really shocked and said he had no idea when he married me 25 years ago that […]

Dear Wendyl, my girlfriends say I'm not open with them enough about difficulties in my personal life

For many of us, the pressures of everyday family life leave little or no time to enjoy some of the things we most love. I love nothing better than getting outside in the garden for a few hours on the weekend – in-between taxiing kids around and catching up on housework! But out of necessity, […]

Dear Wendyl, I've been seeing a man in what I thought was a casual relationship where we meet up, go out, sleep together and generally have fun. We're both in our forties...