Stick a bunch of lollypops into an orange to make an attractive centrepiece for a birthday party table. Attach a balloon with the child’s name written on it to the back of each chair so they can find their places.

When kids are playing at the end of the day, set a timer bell to remind them that teatime or bedtime is near. When the bell rings, they know they have 10 minutes to finish their activity and pack up. A 15-minute buzzer may better suit older children.

Take the sting out of sandfly bites by rubbing them with Vegemite. The vitamin B content stops the itch, so the child is less likely to scratch and infect the bite. It’s especially good for small children.

Occupy children on a rainy day by having them cut out large coloured letters from headings in magazines. When new schoolbooks need covering, glue the letters onto plain covers to form their name, grade and subject in an individual and easily recognised way.

Paint your children’s names on their school lunch boxes and drink containers with vividly coloured nail polish. It will stay on through countless washes and can be touched up easily when it chips or wears off.

Put a wading pool under the rotary clothes hoist, then peg a bed sheet over the lines to protect children from the sun while they play.

Keep children’s paintings in a large, two-ring binder when you run out of space on the fridge. Name and on them as they get older.

Coloured popcorn sprinkled over or around plain icing on a child’s birthday cake looks pretty and doesn’t cost much.

Make time once a year to have your good rings and earrings cleaned and polished at the jewellers. This will make them sparkle like brand new.

Consider packing darker-coloured clothes when travelling. They won’t show dirt easily and this avoids excessive hotel cleaning bills.

Look taller instantly by wearing one colour from head to toe. Choose a close-fitting shape, rather than a full one, and avoid anything like a contrasting belt that breaks the vertical line.

To get the most out of an outfit, choose a simple, classic style in a versatile colour. Just change the shoes and other accessories to take it right through from day to night.

Every woman should own a full-length mirror. You can limit you mistakes by seeing how you really look from top to toe and from front to back.

Sort through and pull out all the things in your jewellery box you no longer wear. Take them to your jeweller to remake into something you will wear.

Hang scarves over a coat-hanger to stop creases. If you fold sway in a drawer, you’ll most likely have to iron them every time you wear them.

Invest in a nude-coloured fabric bra for wearing under tight tops and T-shirts. It is guaranteed to give a smooth, clean look.

Before you go bargain shopping at sale time, first go through your wardrobe and make a list of exactly what you want. This will not only limit your spending, but also save the hassle of trying to return something you didn’t need.

The tip of a man’s tie, when done up, should sit just on the belt buckle, not above or below.

For weddings, race days and other important occasions, always carry a spare pair of pantyhose with you in your handbag. You’ll never have to panic again.

Follow extreme fashion trends with caution. Fads could end up being costly when you never get the maximum wear out of them.

Avoid ugly “VPL” (visible panty line) in slim-fitting trousers, skirts and dresses. For a clean look, try wearing comfortable stretch cotton G-strings or figure-hugging control briefs or hosiery.

Bring new life to your old favourites by having clothes professionally dyed, or do it yourself at home. Items such as black jeans will look as good as new.

To avoid excessive colour fading, turn pants and jeans inside out before popping them into a machine wash. A cold wash is usually best.

Make sure you Scotchgard any suede or nubuck shoes and boots before wearing them. Once they get wet, it’s difficult to keep them in shape.

Think of accessories as essentials – not as added extras – as they can make or break an outfit. Choose good quality pieces that will pass the test of time and fashion.

To give the illusion of a long elegant neck, choose tops with V-necks and low plunging necklines. For best results, choose darker colours which highlight skin tones.

When there’s no clothes brush available to remove unwanted lint and dust, use masking tape wrapped around your hand, instead.

Lipstick stains can be removed in the wash. Dab on surgical spirit or methylated spirits first, then wash normally.

Darker colours like black, navy and chocolate brown are generally the most slimming colours. Make sure you wear the one colour from top to toe for best results.

To hide a thick waist, wear loose-fitting garments that come to the hips, and avoid tucking anything bulky into pants or skirts. If your legs are good, make a feature of them.

A classic tailored suit is a great investment but, over a period of time, may need a little updating. Search for new button shapes and colours to replace the original ones and give your suit a fresh new look.

Never wear pantyhose – no matter how sheer – with open-toed sandals. Bare feet are the only option.

Go through your wardrobe at least once a year. Throw out or give away anything you haven’t worn in the past 18 months. If it hasn’t seen the light of day in that time, the odds are it won’t.

Fill your shoes with socks and pop them in plastic bags or proper shoe bags when packing. This stops shoes from being crushed in the bag and protects clothes from being marked by dirty soles.

Women with larger breasts should avoid any tops or shirts with loud, bright prints. Draw attention away from your top by choosing patterned pants and skirts.

Always use proper suit hangers for all jackets and coats. Ask for the hanger when buying the jacket, or invest in some proper suit hangers to help prolong the life of your tailored clothes.

Avoid unpicking hidden stitching in the pockets of jackets. It is there to help the clothes keep their shape over a longer period of time, and stops your hands pulling on the pockets.

To protect your pantyhose from snagging and catching, first roll them up in a ball and then tie them, before storing in drawers.

Dry out soaking wet shoes by stuffing them with crumpled newspaper, leaving them to dry slowly, out of direct sunlight.

At the end of each season, take all your shoes and boots to a shoe repairer to have them resoled, if necessary, and cleaned. Buy suede cleaners and shoe dyes to freshen up old favourites.

Men should dress in neutral shades or tone-on-tone colours to take the guesswork out of dressing well. Colours should complement each other. Choosing accessories will then be a breeze.

At the end of winter, check all winter coats for loose hems, then dry-clean them. Leave in dry-cleaning bags to avoid collecting dust throughout the summer period.

Put a stop to ladders in pantyhose by dabbing a small amount of clear nail polish onto each end of the run.

Look after all leather, vinyl and patent leather handbags properly by filling them with crumpled newspaper when they’re not in use. Keep them out of direct sunlight – put them away in a soft cloth bag, such as an old pillow case.

When ironing woollens and knitwear, place a damp cloth on top first, then lift and press the iron over the garment. Pushing may cause it to lose shape.

To brighten sandshoes and trainers, first pull out the laces and inner soles, then spray shoes with a stain remover and machine wash with Napisan. Dry away from direct sunlight.

Avoid letting water run from the tap directly onto woollens, as this can matt the fibre and spoil the look of the garments.

Avoid static in lingerie by wearing underclothes made of natural fabrics, or use fabric softener in the wash.

When washing knitwear, avoid stretching the clothes. Never hang any knits on plastic or metal hangers. Always fold and lay them flat to help maintain their shape.

Give a new lease of life to pre-loved fashions. A good alterations shop can change old collars, put splits in skirts, reshape loose dresses and make long pants into pedal-pushers. You’ll discover a whole new wardrobe!

Treat your underwear with care and increase wearability by washing and tumble drying all bras, pants, pantyhose and delicate items in cloth lingerie bags.

When you’re travelling, avoid fabrics like linen and 100 per cent cotton, as they crease too much. Stick to wool, cashmere, microfibre and jersey for an easy, non-iron trip.

Add a few drops of perfume to the water in the steam section of your iron whenever you are pressing clothes.

When skiing or snowboarding at Whistler, Canada, take time out and explore some wilderness on a dogsled. You’ll never forget the adventure, writes Mike Dolan.

A transgender couple have taken their love public to challenge the trolls who make their lives hell. Jamie Eagle, 20, who was born a boy, and Louis Davies, 25, who was born a girl, are both “transitioning” between genders. They met last year and have been inseparable ever since, getting engaged in March. Until recently, […]

Debora Krizak knows the pain of unexplained fertility, and the pride of being a parent after a long and painful journey. In an extract from her book How would you like your eggs? she shares her experience. I was emptying out my bedside drawers the other day when I stumbled across a half empty box […]

Her career was rumoured to be in decline after she ended lucrative contracts with Victoria’s Secret and David Jones, but Miranda Kerr has cemented her supermodel status, being crowned the world’s second highest-paid model. Miranda took out second place in Forbes magazine’s annual list of top-earning models, earning $7.2 million in 2013. Miranda was beaten […]

British fashion icon Grace Coddington has returned to modelling with a cast of fellow ‘leading ladies’ at age 72. The former model and creative director of American Vogue stepped into the fashion world and fell into modelling at the age of 17. But her catwalk career was cut short at the age of 26, she […]

A mother’s scathing blog post about a raunchy TV advertisement that aired at 8am has gone viral. Florida woman Rebeca Seitz was watching Good Morning America with her two young children when a commercial came on that nearly caused her to choke on her cornflakes. The ad, for new ABC drama Betrayal, showed a completely […]

Behind the cabin curtains lies a world of sex, alcohol and dirty tricks. An ex-hostie lifts the lid on what really goes on when passengers aren't looking.

George Clooney turns 54-years-old tomorrow, and he’s never looked so good. Ironically, it will be his first birthday celebration as Mr Amal Alamuddin. In light of the milestone, The Weekly take a look at the many men who have been made over by their wives, going from scruffy to sleek in months, or even weeks. […]

Want to go skiing, but think it’s all too complicated? As Australia enjoys some bumper snowfalls, take these top tips for a family adventure to Victoria’s Falls Creek.

Some stars get it right all the time… almost! Occasionally even the finest fashionistas fall flat, failing to impress style-watchers.

Meet Montjiro, the Japanese Chihuahua who has over 4,700 followers on Instagram, where his owner (and designer) showcases him modeling an extensive line of handmade, designer dog wear. His doggy clothing label Mon’t has made a celebrity out of this seriously trendy pup, whose modelling skills put the likes of Kate Moss and Cara Delevingne […]

August is a big month for celebrity birthdays – and, as it turns out, a few champions of big-time glamour…

She became one of the world’s most famous supermodels when she kicked off her career with a Calvin Klein campaign. And 25 years later, Christy Turlington has proved she’s still got it, reprising her role as the face of the underwear brand at the age of 44. In a new ad for the brand the […]

The Weekly’s associate editor Michael Sheather spent his weekend pretending to be a robot because he wants to be involved in his children’s lives. I love my kids a lot: I must, otherwise I’d never have dressed as a robot. That’s a sentence I never thought I’d ever write. But it’s also the truth. I […]

Organising a holiday, and particularly travelling with kids, doesn’t have to be difficult, according to Andrew McEvoy from Tourism Australia. “I think a lot of parents think travelling with kids is too hard, but you can have a fun time,” he says. “Twenty years ago there were no such things as kids clubs and babysitting […]

Keep it simple but interesting.

Jessica Gomes had big shoes to fill last night as she walked the David Jones season launch catwalk for the first time since replacing Miranda Kerr as the face of the department store. And she nailed it. Stepping into the role with confidence the 27-year-old former Sports Illustrated and Victoria’s Secret model walked that catwalk […]

Julius is four years old, he has Down syndrome, and he is featuring in his second advertising campaign. Here, his mum Catia Malaquias tells us what makes him unique, and what makes him just like any other kid. “So, what is different about Julius?” I asked my 5 year-old daughter Laura, trying hard to sound […]

To smack or not to smack, that is the question. Bad puns aside, it is a regular discussion of modern parenting: whether giving your offspring a quick slap on the hand/leg/bottom should be allowable. For this parent, it has been tried and tested with very different results. My firstborn was a rare tantrumer, but when […]

We’ve seen her grow from TV’s girl next door to screen siren and now Michelle Williams has made the leap to smouldering fashion model in a new campaign for Louis Vuitton. The 32-year-old actress has made her modeling debut and given a rare behind the scenes glimpse into the goings on behind the lense on […]

Dearest Disney, I am writing to thank you for such a wonderful production of Disney On Ice: Princesses and Heroes. I took my 4 year old, along with six of her closest friends and their mothers and it truly was a splendid day out. From the moment the lights dimmed – the audience hushed – […]

As the world waits for Kate to give birth, Zoe Arnold shares some tips to induce labour. It seems ‘Waity Katie’ is exacting her revenge … with representatives from the world’s media literally camping outside her hospital, waiting for the delivery of her baby. We can all assume the Duchess is now officially overdue, after […]

It’s a scenario that is only too familiar to many mums — your 12-year-old daughter needs a bra, but the racks are packed with lacy, push-up, padded contraptions that leave them looking like a Victoria’s Secret model. With two tween daughters, Melbourne mum Jo Konstandinou was looking forward to taking her girls shopping for their […]

Nicole Kidman has posed in a bondage-style mask for an edgy new photo shoot. The images — which appear in the new issue of German Vogue — feature the 46-year-old actress wearing a black lace mask and staring suggestively into the camera. Other shots show her wearing silver gloves adorned with large spikes and a […]

After announcing the winner of the 2013 Original Dolly Model Search, the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief tells The Weekly why the nationwide competition now asks for more than height and weight measurements. Yesterday 16 year-old Samantha Garza was announced the winner of The Original Dolly Model Search 2013, becoming an ambassador for the glossy teen title as […]

When Sydney woman Nadine Newell found out she was pregnant she couldn’t wait to go shopping for a whole new maternity wardrobe, but her excitement quickly turned to horror when she realised that absolutely nothing fit. Why? Because, like 35 per cent of Australian women, Nadine is plus-sized and most maternity brands don’t stock anything […]

It's time to hit the re-start button and get your financial affairs in order. Follow these six savvy tips to stop you treading water.

As the world waits for the royal baby to makes its appearance, we look at some of the best baby products for your own little prince or princess.

They’re much better known for their prowess in the sporting arena — their respective abilities to tackle, run, scrum or thwack a ball. But for one night only this week, some of Sydney’s burliest blokes gave vent to their gentler side at the premiere of Disney On Ice. Rugby league’s finest, Matt Ballin, Matt Cooper, […]

They cost tens of thousands of dollars and take teams of seamstresses weeks to create but the outfits on the catwalk at Haute Couture Fashion Week are unlikely to ever be worn by any real women. The world’s biggest luxury brands have descended on the world’s fashion capitals this month to show off their most […]

The whole world is watching — just when will the world’s newest Prince or Princess arrive? As soon as a pregnancy is confirmed, doctors hand expectant mothers a due date — but how often is this correct, or is all in the hands of nature and your hormones? We’d love to hear your stories — […]

A US designer has created a range of luxury handbags with built-in gun compartments. With the motto “fashion that fits any lifestyle, holster that fits any handgun”, the Designer Concealed Carry collection features a wide range of bags from a $269 canvas carrier to a $4200 crocodile skin version. Every design has dual locking zippers […]

Children from wealthy families may do better at school than their poorer classmates because of superior genetic “inherited abilities”, according to a new Federal Government report. The controversial claim is made in a Productivity Commission research paper, published today, that examines the reasons behind the cycle of disadvantage in Australia. Parental brain power and inherited […]

Beyoncé Knowleshas posed for some racy covers in her time, but this is her raciest yet! Covered from head to toe in glitter, the singer has posed nude for the cover of Flaunt magazine. The beautiful images, by photographer Tony Duran, were shot as part of her Year of 4 album campaign back in 2011, […]

Australian model Robyn Lawley has launched her own sexy plus-sized swimwear range. Robyn, 24, has teamed up with Bond-Eye Australia to launch a glamorous collection of bikinis and one-pieces in sizes 12 to 22. The curvy size 16 beauty said her own struggle to find swimwear that wasn’t “boring” and “unflattering” inspired her line. “I […]

Robbie Williams has put his music career on the back-burner to focus on his new “full-time” passion – his new men’s clothing line Farrell. Named after his grandfather Jack Farrell, the line is thoroughly British and seriously trendy, taking our fashion team completely by surprise. The collection, designed in collaboration with former Burberry design director […]

Paul Keating has proven you’re never too old to be a style icon. At 69, the former prime minister is back on the front page thanks to a snazzy pair of red suede loafers. Mr Keating was on page 1 of Sydney’s Daily Telegraph today, not because he was having lunch with current Prime Minister […]

David and Victoria Beckham celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary this month but while they’re fashion icons now, they haven’t always been so stylish. Back at the beginning of their romance, Posh and Becks were very fond of matching outfits, including some very memorable black leather cat suits in 1999. “What were we thinking?” David has […]

Actress Alicia Silverstone is asking vegan mums to donate their breast milk to women who have trouble breastfeeding. Concerned with the struggles women face when providing healthy breast milk for their newborns, the 35-year-old mother-of-one is encouraging mums to donate through her blogThe Kind Life. Alicia, who has a two-year-old son named Bear Blu to […]

The number of women cheating on their husbands has risen by more than 40 per cent in the past 20 years, a new study reveals. The National Opinion Research Center’s General Social Survey found that one in six wives cheat on their husbands, up from about one in 10 in 1991. The percentage of men […]

Prada has cast a black model in an advertising campaign for the first time in nearly two decades. Malaika Firth — a 19-year-old Kenyan-born, British-raised model — appears in the luxury brand’s autumn/winter 2013 campaign. Related: Fashion magazine under fire for racist slave shoot It is the first time Prada has cast a black model […]

Women can be astronauts and prime ministers but watch a music video and you could be convinced ladies are only capable of two things: gyrating and licking phallic objects, writes Zoe Arnold. I’m one of those people who hears a song on the radio, knows half the words, but has no idea of the artist. […]

She’s been in the online dating game for less than two months, but Martha Stewart, 71, has revealed she’s already had more than a few risqué sexual encounters. In a television interview that aired in the US on Wednesday night, Martha admitted to having a one night stand and even “sexting”, which involves sending naked […]

If 50 is the new 30, why can’t women find work past their 50th birthday? Zoe Arnold asks why we aren’t taking advantage of our highly-skilled mature workforce. Jean is university educated. Actually she has three degrees — two undergraduates and a Masters — and she’s been working in her field for more than 30 […]

She might be 48, but Liz Hurley showed off a figure girls half her age would be envious of last night. The actress and model donned a floor-length asymmetric berry-coloured gown to friend Elton John’s annual White Tie and Tiara ball in London. The dress showed off her fabulous physique, clinging in all the right […]

At 44, she’s twice the age of most models but Christy Turlington is taking the fashion world by storm — again. More than 25 years after she made it big the first time, Christy is making a modelling comeback. The beautiful mother-of-two has landed three major fashion campaigns in the past month including high profile […]

After an unsettling encounter on an Indian safari looking for the last of world's Asiatic lions, Mike Dolan explores the national parks and cultural beacons of the Indian state of Gujarat.