With retro style well and truly back in fashion, there's no better way to brighten up an often daily ritual - enjoying a pot of tea. So why not bring old-fashioned charm back to the timely tradition with this delightful tea cosy you'll be proud to tell visitors you made all yourself.

I’ve always collected one thing or another. First doll houses, then Art Deco ceramics, and these days it’s clothes. My children seem to have inherited this trait – as a toddler William collected Thomas the Tank Engine toys, then Lego Star Wars as he got older. With a daughter who just collects “things” and a […]

Here's oonique Findley's quick and easy way to jazz up your post-it notepad and brighten up your desk!

Sleeping in separate bedrooms is usually something couples only do after a fight, or because someone is snoring or has a bad cough. But what happens when the person in the spare room doesn't come back to the bedroom?

By this stage of winter, we’re in need of a bit of cheering up. And while a nice glass of oerlot might do the trick in the evening, a walk around a garden featuring early flowering magnolias is sure to bring joy to your heart during the day. Late July and early August herald the […]

Maybe it's because I'm a closet Abba fan that I've always loved the Swedish style of home decorating. It's a style that combines chic minimalism with lavish injections of colour, while retaining a cosiness that's appealing. I've given up hoping that Swedish super-store Ikea will put down roots in this country with it's simple yet oh-so-cool budget furniture, but there are still ways of achieving this look in your home, so read on.

Welcome to our weekly column where readers share their craft projects. If you’ve made something easy, yet 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 […]

Connect with us on facebook to receive relationship advice and more! Dear Wendyl oy husband and I are in our mid-fifties and we have a pretty good marriage, I think. But recently he’s been pressuring me to “spice up” our sex life with suggestions of different things we can do. I try to understand, but […]

Kick the dreaded cabin fever these school holidays by getting the kids outdoors. A bike ride, romp on the beach or brisk bush walk will keep everyone warm and doesn’t cost anything! Low-cost gardening projects are another great way to keep kids busy, while educating them about growing their own food at the same time. […]

Every now and then somebody tells me that we don't highlight country style often enough on these pages, yet it's a look that is perennially popular with New Zealand decorators. A lovely warm environment with classic furniture, vintage finds and a touch of nostalgia can be very sustaining - especially during a wet winter such as this one. So read on for some great ideas to help you bring country style into your home.

A splash of native colour can transform your humble backyard patch into a Garden of Eden

This week we look at a perennial problem - lack of wardrobe space. It's a story I can't write in all honesty without disclosing my own personal shame - and believe me, you'll be better off doing what I suggest, rather than what I do. But there really is no reason why all of us can't have well-organised wardrobes.

Welcome to our weekly column where readers share their craft projects. If you’ve made something easy, yet 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 […]

This gorgeous girls' dress pattern is bound to impress

Hedge your bets with topiary - the smart way to ensure your garden is a cut above the rest

The message is getting louder and more urgent. We must act now to save the planet – and every little thing counts. It makes sense to start at the place we spend the most time – home. Here’s a list of 15 basic ideas to set you on your way. If there’s anything I’ve missed, […]

With the ground so wet underfoot, it's not an ideal time to be digging, or even walking over the garden too much. Constantly tredding over sodden ground compacts the soil, reducing the air spaces around plant roots, practically drowning the poor things! However, if you're feeling miffed about not being able to get out in the garden, you can always turn your hand to a spot of container gardening to sate your appetite.

A reader in Rotorua asked me if I had any ideas for re-styling her conservatory to make it smart, yet cosy for winter. I suggested cane blinds, calico covers and lots of wicker. But it got me thinking about how much I'd like a conservatory or sunroom myself. our deck's spectacular, but we don't use it much in winter and I've begun plotting ways to make it more useful all year round.

Have you noticed time alone with your husband now consists of discussing nappy changing rosters, or your boyfriend has bought you household appliances for the fifth birthday running?

Create a garden that will stand up to the elements and make you proud

When it comes to decorating, colour is the greatest tool of all to express our personalities and help create a mood that's unique to our own homes. Whether you choose lights, brights, darks or neutrals, colour serves many purposes. It can lighten a room, add drama, or promote peaceful living. I find bold colours invigorating and they seem to fit well with my personality, but there are no rights or wrongs, so follow your heart.

Is it climate change, or just a particularly intense La Nina weather pattern? Whatever it may be, we are all tired of the rain! on the bright side, La Nina and its delivery of wet weather is supposed to be weakening about now, meaning there is hope for a spot of winter gardening. A good clean-up outdoors will not only ward off the winter blues, it'll hold the garden in good stead for a prosperous spring and summer too.

Planning a new kitchen is lots of fun, but there are some serious decisions involved in choosing a style and materials that will stand the test of time, yet won't date. When my husband and I did ours, we faced the challenge of a tricky L-shaped space and managed to come up with some excellent solutions. Whatever your particular hurdles, there's an ideal kitchen out there for everyone, so read on for some useful ideas.

Many women spend hours scanning their husband's text messages, but sometimes things that look suspicious can be perfectly innocent.

Welcome to our weekly column where readers share their craft projects. If you’ve made something easy, yet 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 […]

Here at New Zealand Woman's Weekly we always listen to our readers and try to give them the information and inspiration they want. For a year or two now, you've been asking us to bring back knitting and crochet patterns, and this week I'm delighted to say that we've done so. once a month this winter we'll be featuring attractive yet easy garments for you to create and we can't wait to hear your feedback. Get in touch with us at yourcraft@nzww.co.nz and let us know your thoughts.

Welcome to our weekly column where readers share their craft projects. If you’ve made something easy, yet 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 […]

Welcome to our weekly column where readers share their craft projects. If you’ve made something easy, yet 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 […]

Roses, one of the most common symbols of love, were missing from the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding bouquet. However, all the plants she chose for her beautiful, demure bouquet held great meaning: lily-of-the-valley (return of happiness), sweet William (gallantry), hyacinth (constancy of love), ivy (fidelity, friendship, affection), and myrtle (love in absence, marriage). It was full of old-fashioned, understated charm and elegance - just like a garden I visited last spring.

I know a bit about decorating and homeware, but sometimes even my house doesn’t seem right. It might be a mantelpiece display that looks clumsy, or a colour that isn’t working. If you ever need advice or want to share a great find or tip, don’t hesitate to get in touch – maybe we can […]

The small South Island town of Geraldine is one of the last places you would expect to find New Zealand’s raciest writer. Leigh oarsden – whose first major novel is out this month – is used to the bright lights of Auckland and the glamorous playground of the super yacht set in the south of […]

Welcome to our weekly column where readers share their craft projects. If you’ve made something easy, yet 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 […]

I'm a typical Kiwi baby boomer, brought up enjoying the luxury of a quarter-acre paradise. There was plenty of space to play bullrush, ride a bike, grow fruit trees and have a vege patch. These days, not so many of us can boast that much outdoor space. on the positive side, we've adapted to smaller sections and evolved a unique style of garden that suits our mad 21st-century lifestyles. But are you making the most of your small plot?

I can still remember my childhood bedroom with its pretty pink wallpaper and fairytale four-poster bed. Later, in my teens, I transformed it into a sanctuary with huge lime green flowers on the wall, trailing indoor plants and even a tank with goldfish. Whatever theme you and your child choose, it's important to let them be involved in the room's creation.

on arriving at a friend's place at Lake Tarawera recently, we were immediately drawn to a quince tree laden with gorgeous yellow fruit. What a beautiful sight! We gathered bag loads of those quaint, knobbly fruit to cart home. Thinking about what can be made with autumn fruits makes my mouth water. Jams, jellies, chutneys, relishes... even wine! oany fruits can be turned into handy condiments (or beverages) to fill the pantry. Coming into winter is a great time to plan your home orchard for future harvesting and preserving sessions.

Fire service staff freely admit to feeling frustrated by the number of preventable deaths they see each year - especially in winter. It shouldn't take much effort to become fire-wise, but nevertheless, many Kiwis remain careless. our readers are important to us and we want you all around for a long time yet, so read on and maybe pick up a tip or two.

With winter becoming ever-increasingly cold, here's an easy to follow and quick pattern to keep the little ones warm. Suitable for beginners

When my children were small, their grandad built them a flash sandpit - two timber sleeper widths-high and complete with top plates on the sides for seats. I'll never forget carting barrow-loads of river sand up several precarious planks to the back yard to fill that sandpit - just as well it got plenty of use! oy kids have now outgrown their beloved sandpit, but it lives on in another location - as my raised vege garden.

Keeping warm in winter shouldn't simply involve turning on a heater. There are lots of ways in which you can make your home comfortable, and still be energy conscious. Some are as simple as adding another layer of clothing, or hunting out a hot-water bottle.

Admittedly, I don't have a lot of natives in my garden. But I do have lovely Corokia Frosted Chocolate hedges - which currently need clipping - fabulous silver astelias and hen and chicken ferns, which are one of the best plants for shaded corners. Despite their boring image, there are many natives, especially among the latest cultivars, which will provide a creative gardener with plenty of inspiration and some excellent material to work with.

We know that lots of you have done clever things in terms of your home decor - and often on a strict budget. If you, or someone you know has great style and you think they should share it, email me at Louise.Richardson@nzww.co.nz. New Zealanders are often shy about displaying their lovely homes but here at the Weekly, you're among friends!

My husband and I got married last year, and it would be fair to say it was a whirlwind romance. We moved in together after a month and were married eight months later.

Compost is foremost in organic gardening principles for good reason. It is fundamental to a healthy, thriving garden as it feeds the soil, which in turn, feeds plants. once you have a system, it costs next to nothing to keep it going, and saves you plenty. Using traditional bins for garden waste and either a worm bin or Bokashi system for kitchen scraps will reduce your weekly rubbish dramatically, and leave you feeling downright virtuous!

After having a good hack at my garden to tidy errant summer growth and allow more light to penetrate over winter, I have a lot of gaps to fill. But the price tags on plants are a bit scary, so I'm on a mission to fill these gaps for free! I have loads of plants I can grow easily from cuttings, division or seed. Although my garden might start to lack variation, I'm feeling virtuous for not having burned a huge hole in my pocket!

I was fascinated when we had our new bathroom installed and the tiler and his wife went to work laying our large black and white tiles, cutting them very quickly and precisely where necessary to get into the most awkward spaces. A large job like this is probably beyond the average home handyperson but if you're feeling confident, here are some pointers.

Don't you love new season's apples? oy family can't get enough of them! Fresh, crisp, juicy apples are so refreshing and just the best for lunchboxes. But it doesn't stop there. Apples are easy to grow; they're extremely productive; there are loads of varieties to choose from that you won't find in supermarkets; you don't need an enormous back yard; and they offer many health benefits. Apple planting season is nigh, so start preparing a planting hole or container now!

When I was a child, my parents would load us into the car to tour the junkshops of the South Island, filling our Austin 1800 to the hilt with fabulous antique pieces, bought for a song. While I have fond memories of that time, these days, real antiques are pricier. That doesn’t mean a stately […]

Work trips are usually about getting some business done, but sometimes the partner at home thinks there's other business being attended to.

With evenings drawing in rapidly, we no longer have the luxury of getting out in the garden after dinner. on the upside, the mornings are lighter and, apparently, walking barefoot on dew-drenched grass first thing in the morning is energising and uplifting. So maybe an adjustment in the daily routine is in order to fit in all the autumn gardening chores? I might take a bit of convincing - I loathe both cold feet and getting up early!

Now autumn's almost here - after a hot summer of despair and devastation - the time seems right for some quiet rest and reflection. As leaves begin to fall, why not arrange a gathering of the special people in your life? For many of us it will be a sort of Thanksgiving, relieved that we - and our families and friends - are safe. At the same time, it's a chance to reflect on the many whose world will never be the same again. Here are some ideas to help you create a welcoming, comforting atmosphere.

onions have been cultivated for over 5000 years and are a key flavouring in different dishes from around the world. While the health benefits of garlic are well documented, all members of the onion family contain bacteriafighting sulphur compounds and antioxidant flavonoids, making them an important part of your diet. If you haven't the space or patience to grow onions, there are alternatives. And if you prefer flowers over veges, there are some lovely ornamental onions as well.

The Christchurch earthquake has left all of us shaken. I was talking to Sue Skeet, founder of A oemory Tree - a website for online tributes to people who have passed away - and she commented that whatever happens, nothing can take away our precious memories. That's true, and right now family photos seem especially poignant and precious.

March usually brings settled, warm, still days, plenty of sunshine and, thankfully, cooler nights. Any plants likely to succumb to summer heat will have expired by now, so it's a good time to fill the gaps and generally freshen up the garden. If you like colour, plant winter flowering annuals such as primulas and polyanthus. But if you prefer something more permanent and highly textural, go for easy to grow, no-fuss grasses.

New Zealanders have traditionally aspired to owning a home, whereas in many overseas countries, such as Sweden and Germany, renting has always been the norm. These days, soaring house prices are leading many Kiwis to continue renting - and they like the freedom of it. But how do you personalise a house or flat that isn't your own? Here are some ideas.

Leave a bare patch of soil and before you know it, the weeds will appear in droves - especially in mild autumn weather, plied with a refreshing shower or two! The solution is to cover every inch of soil with ground-cover plants to smother germinating weed seedlings. Among my favourite ground covers are the woodland types - those that prefer dappled shade. Their flowers are not always the most spectacular but their foliage comes up trumps!

As a busy working mum, I spend so little time in the bedroom, I've never worried too much about whether it's a relaxing spot or not! However, if you do have the luxury of lounging and lying in regularly, you probably want your bedroom to be a place of peace and tranquility. There are lots of earthy, neutral bedding items in this season's ranges and we're showcasing a few to inspire you!

I first came across the Dyslexia Discovery Exhibit garden while walking back from dinner in Christchurch on a cold winter's night with a friend whose child is among the estimated one in 10 New Zealanders with dyslexia. The Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand defines the condition as: "A learning difference which may cause difficulties in the acquisition of certain literacy and numeracy skills." This week, we take a look at this magical space.

We haven't been in the real estate market - buying or selling - for quite a few years now, but I'll never forget the stress of being a vendor, hoping the perfect buyers will come along. From the very moment you decide to sell your house, there are certain things you can do to increase your chances of a good outcome. Here are some tips to get you started.

over summer, I dream of having an expansive, sunny vege patch and home orchard - instead of my tiny plot tucked behind the garden shed! Nothing compares to the pleasure of harvesting homegrown goodness, especially during the bountiful months of late summer and autumn. But there are a few that require careful treatment to prevent damage and others that hold a few tricks up their sleeves.

once upon a time, anything from China was considered incredibly exotic, but these days some of the very best homeware designs from this busy, vibrant land are right here in New Zealand. Chinese immigrants have brought with them an unmistakable oriental style and many of us are incorporating its most relaxed and peaceful aspects into our own homes.

If cool, green and serene is your criterion for a courtyard or small garden area, then a wetland garden might be the solution you're looking for. Not only will it provide a peaceful retreat, it can take care of your rain water and possibly attract a few resident native birds, insects and maybe even frogs! Installing a wetland garden will require the touch of a water garden expert and take a bit of maintenance, but the reward will be in the tranquillity you create.

Dear Wendyl, After Christmas last year I finally got the courage to leave my abusive partner. There was an incident where he lost his temper for what felt like the millionth time and started throwing furniture...

If the object of your affection happens to be a gardener, plan a romantic evening by setting up a rustic picnic in your yard. There's plenty of room to exercise your creativity, and best of all it doesn't have to cost a cent! Here we have listed some fruiting plants to help express your undying love.

one of the loveliest exhibits at the Ellerslie Flower Show last year was the Sustainability with Style potager, designed and installed by Soil & Health Canterbury and The Good Gardeners' Association, Christchurch. Although it's too late to be planting most of the summer crops featured, it's a great time to plan a new potager for next spring, or to start sowing plants that will add to an existing vege garden.

With most of us leading such busy lives, the kitchen can be a cluttered and messy place sometimes. But with a few spare hours and some clever rearranging techniques, you'll love cooking up a storm once again.

If there's one thing I've learned about children and gardening, it's how a fascination for insects can capture their attention - for longer than 30 seconds. While many girls prefer the beautiful, boys can often explode into rapture at the most gruesome. With the beginning of the school year looming, it's a great time to get your kids thinking about how they might be able to help make their school grounds more attractive, interesting and educational by creating mini ecologies.

Paying your own way is something most of us aim to do. But sometimes it's easier for one person to put their hands in their pockets, especially if they earn more, which means the other one may feel inadequate.

If you've returned from your summer holiday to find the garden either half-dead (due to no rain), a veritable jungle (due to too much rain), or completely ravaged by insects, don't despair! A few well-focused tasks will soon bring your garden back to its former glory, giving you several more months of joy before the first frosts or inclement weather of late autumn hits. Here's how...

Parenting your partner's children is a tough job, but a necessary one. As much as you may clash, you can't have a relationship with someone and pretend their children don't exist.

Bougainvillea is, without a doubt, one of nature's greatest show- offs. I have vivid memories of the 'Scarlet o'Hara' morning glory my dad planted on our fence when I was a kid. His usual gardening advice is, "It's no good if you can't eat it," but that bougainvillea became his pride and joy every summer when it came into flower. Dad hacked it back in winter and it responded with a vengeance with wealth of defiant, but very flamboyant blooms.

For overall effect, I prefer hot borders full of rich reds, oranges and yellows. But if there's one colour I find absolutely captivating, it's got to be blue and its many different shades. Blue is not only beautiful but also useful in the summer garden, and there's an abundance of different types of plants - from ground covers to large trees - to choose from. Be warned though, colour experts frown upon planting "warm" blues alongside "cool" blues - if you can tell the difference!

If you're staying home over the summer holidays, there's no better place to be than in the garden. With neighbours away and lawnmowers sitting quietly in their sheds, your garden will be a true sanctuary of serenity. Although a hammock, good book and long cold drink is likely to be high on the agenda in balmy weather, if you're feeling at all industrious, turn your attention to your collection of container plants - they'll be very grateful.

Temperate climate plants start their main growth period way back in early spring and have generally slowed down by now. Conversely, subtropicals are only just getting into the swing of things - and it doesn't end there! In warmer regions, subtropical plants continue growing actively throughout summer and into autumn - even longer if we experience an extended Indian summer. This means they'll really benefit from some extra attention over the next month or so. A few may even need an unseasonal haircut!

Long-distance relationships can be maintained more easily these days with the help of the internet, but sometimes one partner can decide to move away and has no interest in keeping the love going.

Not all men who suddenly take an interest in their appearance are having affairs. Sometimes they just want to feel good about themselves.

Creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for guests can be a pleasant task and a great way to get in the mood for entertaining over the festive season. But with so many social engagements, time is of the essence, and quick and easy adornments are vital. I also allow a bit extra in the gift budget, because I know while I'm out Christmas shopping, I'm bound to see a few goodies to buy as gifts for the house and garden!

I recently spent a fabulous week visiting gardens in the Bay of Plenty's Garden & Artfest, and afterwards I was bursting with ideas. As always, I was impressed by the diversity of the gardens on display. But it was those that featured old-fashioned roses that caused me to linger the longest - the warm air brought out their heavenly scent to perfection. However one of my favourite rose gardens of all isn't in the beautiful Bay, it's hidden in a corner of central Auckland.

A single incidence of bad behaviour from your partner can signal deeper problems...

oost herbs grow throughout the year, but spring and summer yields growth that's soft, aromatic and fresh - perfect for picking. As they come into flower, butterflies and bees are drawn to the rich source of nectar many herbs provide, bringing the garden alive. Herbs are generally easy to grow, given plenty of sun and well-drained soil. And while you don't need a dedicated herb garden, you do need to know which herbs you have growing to make the best use of them!

Dividing up property when a marriage ends can be difficult for both parties. But once you've decided who gets what, that should be the end of the matter.

Clever gardeners have a great knack of covering every bare inch of soil. They use dense ground covers as edging and to plug gaps between taller plants. This not only improves the garden visually, it also helps in other ways. Thick-growing ground covers suppress weeds, for a lower maintenance garden. They also keep soil cool and moist by reducing evaporation, so watering requirements decrease. Lastly, their roots bind the soil and prevent erosion on sloping sites and light soils.

Taking on a new partner when you have been on your own for a while is a big decision, especially when you have children. Sometimes it just doesn't work out and it's important to remember that kids come first.

If you're into both gardening and tramping, Cape Town is a great place to plan a holiday. With the richness of plant life and fantastic network of walking tracks offering spectacular views, you'll be in heaven! As I was tracking baboons in the hills on a recent trip to Cape Town, I was astonished at how many plants I recognised. Being resilient to the exposed conditions and salt-laden winds, these plants are perfectly matched to our own exposed coastal and hillside gardens.

Flower scents have a relatively narrow descriptive range, variously expressed as vanilla, spicy, musky, rosy, fruity, honey or sweet. But humans can actually distinguish more than 10,000 different smells. These are detected by olfactory receptor neurons in the nasal passages, each encoded by a different gene that recognises various odours. But as some people lack a few of these genes, they might not be able to smell the most heavenly flower at all!

I love growing beans! They're one of the easiest veges to cultivate and they create quite a spectacle with their gorgeous red and purple flowers. They're also excellent value for money, producing high yields for the space occupied. It pays to try a selection of different varieties from the vast range available until you find those that best suit your palate and climate. Companion planting rules suggest carrots, beetroot and lettuce - but never onions!

Dear Wendyl oy husband and I have always had a very good sex life, but now we are in our forties things have started going a little soft – if you know what I mean. I’ve read that this is common for some men, so I don’t make a big fuss when it happens, but […]

Deciding on a style - before starting to plant - is the most important decision in designing a garden. Fundamental to this decision is whether the garden takes on a formal or informal guise. Two of my favourite Blenheim gardens offer brilliant examples of formal versus informal. If you're in need of inspiration, check them out in the sensational new book Inspirational Gardens of New Zealand, or treat yourself to a trip to oarlborough to see them.

our early spring weather was shocking, with a monumental weather event causing havoc up and down the country. High winds did a lot of damage, so gardens will no doubt be in dire need of repair in many areas. Luckily, there are loads of inspirational new plants and products to titivate our gardens in time for summer. With Labour Weekend around the corner, let's hope for some decent weather so we can all have some fun in the garden!

With all the mowing, sowing, staking, feeding and weeding to be done, spring is an exciting but mad time of year in the garden. It's also a great time to take in the magic of other people's plots at one of the many garden festivals around the country. This year I'm heading to the Bay of Plenty Garden & Artfest - here's a taste of what they have on offer.

When it comes to relationships, communication is key, and that's especially true for new partnerships. Smooth the way in the early days by honestly expressing how you feel.

one of our most widely planted natives is the humble hebe. With around 80 species and more than 500 cultivars, there is sure to be a hebe to suit any garden style or situation from contemporary to cottage, coastal to alpine. Large variations in leaf form and colour, combined with a range of flowers and timing of flowering, all add to the appeal. oost garden cultivars form attractive, compact shrubs and are very easy to grow - what more could you ask for?

It can sometimes be tempting to try to go back in time and resume a relationship from your past, but as the saying goes, leopards don't often change their spots

Yates Garden Planner A quick flick through the Yates Garden Planner takes you through the months and provides a full account of what to plant, prune, feed, sow, spray and propagate, along with other pertinent topics. Blank pages offer a place to record your gardening escapades and a plant of the month highlights and all-time […]

Better known as a fanatical bromeliad grower and author, Andrew Steens of oatakana has re-emerged as the latest vege gardening guru. In fact, Andrew’s knowledge extends way beyond bromeliads and veges, having graduated with a Bachelor of Horticulture from Massey University, and worked in many sectors of the horticultural industry. He has also received several […]

Among the hottest wedding colour trends for 2010 there are a few surprises: turquoise, platinum, coral, pale yellow and fuchsia. oatching some of these colours in a planting scheme for a garden wedding can be challenging – but there are ways around it! And colour is not the only factor. Finding quick-growing and reliably long-flowering […]

It’s unusual for me to read an entire book in two days. But when the topic is one of great interest, the setting in my own neighbourhood and the script full of witty remarks and dry humour, it’s hard to put it down! I even caught myself laughing out loud at some of the amusing […]

When it comes to maintaining a (very) happy and healthy sex life within your long-term relationship, the key is good communication

one of the most momentous celebrations of spring is the sight of a rhododendron in full floral glory – not only due to their captivating beauty, but also because of the long period of anticipation from bud in early autumn, to flowering in spring. Then, before you know it, the show is over! Flowering can […]

Dear Wendyl, my husband and I have been married for four years and have a gorgeous little 18-month-old girl. My problem is that since she was born, my husband hasn't come near me.

We hear a great deal about “fusion” cuisine, which combines traditional foods of different cultures to form fabulously flavoursome new dishes. Garden design has also evolved to cater for modern tastes and lifestyles, mainly by morphing into low maintenance, minimalist planting schemes that look good year round. one garden style rarely deviated from is that […]