Beauty & Style

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How to make the best of a small space

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The smallest of changes can make the world of difference when decorating any confined spaces in your home. If you’ve recently downsized and discovered your smaller rooms have become a little too cluttered, fear not, there’s plenty you can do.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Small changes can make the rooms in your house appear larger and could allow for a tone of new space. Consider these subtle differences you can make without breaking the bank.</span></p> <p><strong>The difference furniture can make</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you have a small study or room that you want to get the most out of, an important piece of furniture to consider is the couch. It will generally be the biggest item in the room therefore, once you get the right style and fit, you'll have a starting point for the rest of your lounge's design.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Floor Planner is a wonderful tool to plan out and utilise the space in your room. It can give you a digital look of your room to make it easy to plan for the space.</span></p> <p><strong>Mirror, mirror, on the wall</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Apartment Therapy suggests that using mirrors within a confined space can do wonders to a room's atmosphere and feng shui. You can group small mirrors together or have large one that hangs half way down the wall. A floor length mirror which will create the illusion that the room if taller than it is. This is particularly beneficial if you have short ceilings. Mirrors will also reflect light around the room, and light can be so valuable in eliminating dark corners.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Word of warning, be careful what your mirror reflects. If it is a study with stacks of paperwork, it may make the room look cluttered and untidy. Simplicity in a small room is always best.</span></p> <p><strong>Shelving in small spaces</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Shelving in small spaces can be tricky, but once you figure out the right shape and size, they can look elegant. One space that is often under-utilised is under the stairs. If there is a gap, try creating horizontal shelving across the bottom of the stairs. Utilise Spaces suggests the space can be used for storage or be a small library. Also placing hooks or shelves on the inside of cupboard doors can do wonders with limited space.</span></p> <p><strong>Hang TVs on the wall</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to Harvey Norman, hanging a flat screen TV on the wall will cost anywhere between $187 to $300, depending on the size of the TV. This will create a vast amount of space considering you won't need a TV cabinet.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Whatever your challenge, there are always fresh ideas for changing your space before your space changes you.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Written by Stewart Bunn. Republished with permission of </span><a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/property/how-to-make-the-best-of-a-small-space.aspx"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wyza.com.au.</span></a></em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Princess Mary takes on the chilly weather in nude look

<p>Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has helped to celebrate the 175th birthday of one of the country’s oldest educational facilities in style. </p> <p>Rødding Højskole was created in 1844 by Danish pastor and poet Nikolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig, who is also the founder of a theological movement that helped to revitalise the Danish Lutheran Church. </p> <p>As the royal arrived to the incredible event, it was of no surprise to see the Princess managed to draw eyes to her regal outfit.</p> <p>The Australian-born was photographed sporting a stunning fawn coloured cape coat, along with a matching skirt and a high-neck knitted top. </p> <p>She let down her hair in loose waves and complimented her ears with pearl drop earrings to finish off the heavenly outfit. </p> <p>The colourful event included singing and speeches from various guests of honour. </p> <p>Princess Mary was given a tour around some of the campus's new buildings, and was given an invitation to see what some of the current students were working on.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery to see Princess Mary’s stunning look.</p>

Beauty & Style

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5 simple lifestyle changes for better sleep

<p>Why is sleep so important? It promotes good health, makes us happier, ensures that cuts and wounds heal faster, makes us more alert and active during the day, lowers stress, improves memory, supports a strong immune system and reduces the chances of developing diseases and conditions. But you already know this.</p> <p>You’ve done everything to get better sleep – darkened your room, switched off your mobile phone, turned down the temperature in the thermostat and even invested in some premium <a href="http://blog.ettitude.com/blog/why-you-should-say-no-to-cotton-in-your-bedroom">organic bamboo sheets</a>. Yet the sleep God doesn’t pay a visit.</p> <p>What are you doing wrong? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. A lot of people suffer from poor quality of sleep.</p> <p>National guidelines recommend adults have at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night but <a href="http://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/">studies</a> show a third of Australians fail to get enough on a regular basis. So what can you do to ensure an uninterrupted night of dreamless sleep?</p> <p>Although darkening the bedroom is a good habit, making certain lifestyle changes for better sleep may prove to be more beneficial. Here are five of them:</p> <p><strong>1.Say no to naps</strong></p> <p>Yes, napping during the day can help replenish your sleep debt, but it can also make nighttime sleep worse. Afternoon naps not only decrease the quality of sleep but also prevent you from falling asleep easily at night. If you absolutely must indulge in a siesta during the day, then ensure that it’s 30 minutes or less. To avoid nodding off in the afternoon, talk to a friend, take a short stroll, have a glass of cold water or simply wash your face.</p> <p><strong>2.Do light exercise before bedtime</strong></p> <p>Working out regularly not only promotes good health but also elicits better sleep. <a href="http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/discomfort-15/better-sleep/slideshow-sleep-tips">WebMD recommends</a>exercising regularly to get some high quality shut eye at night. However, rigorous exercises should be avoided four hours before bedtime. Ideally, do some light exercises before hitting the bed such as yoga or Tai Chi.</p> <p><strong>3.Avoid drinking liquids close to bedtime</strong></p> <p>Guzzling down drinks and even water before bed isn’t a good idea because it leads to frequent trips to the bathroom. Once you’re awake, it’s hard to fall back to sleep. Avoid drinking liquids at least two hours before bedtime to eliminate bathroom visits at 3am.</p> <p><strong>4.Do something calming</strong></p> <p>Even doing 10 minutes of an activity that calms or relaxes you can make a significant difference. This is particularly useful for people who worry and think a lot catching some z’s. Read a book, have a warm bath, do deep breathing, listen to some Mozart or calming music, meditate.</p> <p>Taking a warm bath can soothe tired muscles and drop your body’s temperature after an hour tricking the body into thinking it’s time to sleep. When we doze off, our body’s temperature falls so tricking your body is a good way to induce sleep. Add Epsom bath salts to your tub in order to reduce stress and relieve sore muscles.</p> <p><strong>5.Ditch the caffeine</strong></p> <p>Simply cutting down on coffee and tea isn’t good enough. Some kinds of chocolates, pain killers and weight loss pills also have caffeine in them. Read the list of ingredients in chocolates and ask your doctor if your pain killers and medication have caffeine in them. Even small amounts of it can inhibit a restful slumber.</p> <p>Experts advise having some warm milk or sipping on chamomile tea laced with honey to encourage sleep. Sniffing some lavender or dabbing a small quantity of lavender oil on your pillow also helps. This essential oil is known to slow down heart rate, decrease blood pressure and even promote healing.</p> <p>A few lifestyle changes, such as the ones listed above, can go a long way in instigating a night of good sleep. The trick is to try different things and see what works best for you. For example, you may find that reading a book might not be as effective as taking a warm bath.</p> <p>Keep trying and before you know it, that evasive eight-hour catnap you’ve been craving for so long will come to your command in no time.</p> <p><em>Written by Phoebe Yu. Republished with permission of </em><a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/health/5-simple-lifestyle-changes-for-better-sleep.aspx"><em>Wyza.com.au.</em></a></p>

Beauty & Style

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How the Queen conveys messages through her eclectic outfits

<p>The Royal Family often use their wardrobes and fashion choices to reflect a statement, or even share messages without having to say anything. </p> <p>It is a move flagrantly used by the Duchess of Cambridge and Sussex, who usually go out of their way to wear local designers and emblems when they are on royal tours overseas. </p> <p>However it is not just the younger royals who use their wardrobes to convey a message as the Queen has used her brooches, hats and other accessories to make a statement for decades. </p> <p>On Wednesday, Her Majesty wore a striking purple coat and dress with a matching hat while visiting the Royal British Legion Industries Village in Kent. </p> <p>It is one of a series of events the Royal Family will be attending in commemoration of Remembrance Day. </p> <p>Along with the stylish outfit, the royal wore a shining amethyst brooch that once belonged to Queen Victoria’s mother. </p> <p><em>HELLO! </em>magazine noted the brooch can be interpreted as a gesture of comfort for the veterans, and the gem in general is viewed as a stone for alleviating sadness and grief during a period of mourning. </p> <p>It is also a stone perceived to be one of peace, with a calming presence, and even protection against harm. </p> <p>However, it could just be possible the Queen enjoyed the colour of the brooch as she is one for colour coordinating. </p> <p>The most senior royal has worn the brooch previously for military-related occasions, including a visit to the Poppy Factory and a Walking with the Wounded reception.</p> <p>Royal sleuths love to consider the statements the Queen is making by what accessories she wears, and the speculation rammed up when the US President visited the UK. </p> <p>It did not go unnoticed that the day Donald Trump landed in the UK, the monarch sported a brooch that had been given to her by former president Barack Obama.</p> <p>It is nicknamed the American State Visit Brooch, and was hand selected by the Obamas to give to Queen Elizabeth during their State Visit to the UK in 2011. </p> <p>While the royal did opt for a different accessory when she officially met with Trump, royal watchers were convinced that Obama’s gift was a deliberate choice. </p> <p>On the second day of the president's visit, she wore a Sapphire Jubilee Brooch -  a gift from Canada. </p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see the Queen’s brooches that royal watchers say are a “message.”</p>

Beauty & Style

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Princess Mary is drop dead gorgeous in blush evening gown

<p>Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and her husband Crown Prince Frederik stepped out in stunning evening looks as they attended a prestigious awards event.</p> <p>On Saturday, the couple went to the Crown Prince Couple’s Awards, an annual event where extraordinary achievements within the Danish culture and social work are recognised.</p> <p>The Australian-born royal wore a blush-coloured asymmetrical gown that was complimented with an elegant updo, while Prince Frederik donned a navy suit and a polka dot tie.</p> <p>The pair presented The Crown Prince Couple’s Cultural Award and the Crown Prince Couple’s Social Award, with the winners each receiving 500,000 Danish krone (about AU$108,000) in prize money.</p> <p>The Crown Prince Couple’s Awards were established in 2004 as a wedding gift from the Bikuben Foundation.</p> <p>This year marks the pair’s 15<sup>th</sup> wedding anniversary. Together they have four children – Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, and twins Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent.</p> <p><span>Scroll through the gallery above to see Princess Mary's impeccable style.</span></p>

Beauty & Style

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5 easy things you can do for better digestive health

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The good news is bowel cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable if detected early. Here’s what you need to know today. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re one of the many Australians who believes bowel cancer is just an ‘old man’s disease’, think again. Sadly, it affects men and women almost equally, and 1 in 15 Aussie women will develop bowel cancer in their lifetime.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is currently the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia. But the good news is that bowel cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable if detected early.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s simple. Follow these 5 Be Well Week tips:</span></p> <p><strong>1. Be informed about the major bowel cancer risk factors</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">- a personal or family history of bowel cancer</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">- a genetic predisposition</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">- aged 50 years and over</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">- a history of bowel polyps, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease</span></p> <p><strong>2. Be vigilant and follow up symptoms</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Regardless of age, know the symptoms of bowel cancer and if you notice something isn't right don't delay in talking to your doctor about them.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Although bowel cancer often develops without any obvious warning signs, it’s important to follow up with a doctor if you experience any of the below for more than two weeks:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">a change in bowel habit</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">a change in appearance of bowel movements</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">blood in the stool or rectal bleeding </span></li> </ul> <p><strong>3. Be knowledgeable about your family history</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Having relatives, especially first degree relatives such as parents, sisters, brothers or children with bowel cancer significantly increases your risk of developing bowel cancer also.</span></p> <p><strong>4. Be conscious of your diet and lifestyle</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is estimated that changes to diet and physical activity could reduce the incidence of bowel cancer by up to 75 per cent. So it is important for women to be aware of what they can do to help reduce their risk. Visit bowelcanceraustralia.org for the latest diet and lifestyle guidelines.</span></p> <p><strong>5. Be proactive with screening and surveillance</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Medical guidelines recommend screening for bowel cancer every 1 to 2 years from age 50. Talk to your GP or pharmacist today about bowel cancer screening or purchase a BowelScreen Australia® test online at bowelscreenaustralia.org or by phoning 1800 555 494.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Regular surveillance may be recommended by a specialist for people with a family or personal history of bowel cancer or if you are at an increased risk of developing the disease – including if you have a history of bowel polyps, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Republished with permission of </span><a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/health/nutrition/5-easy-things-you-can-do-today-for-better-digestive-health.aspx"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wyza.com.au.</span></a></em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Princess Mary shares a rare sweet moment with son Prince Christian

<p>Crown Princess Mary was joined by her children for a special day out last week, which showed off the Aussie royal’s motherly demeanour. </p> <p>Prince Christian, 14, and Princess Josephine, eight, were filmed sticking close to their mother in a rare moment royal fans don’t often get to see. </p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4acgY3npjg/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4acgY3npjg/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Fanpage of CPMary (@crownprincess_mary_ofdenmark)</a> on Nov 3, 2019 at 10:24am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The family spent the day close together in the cold, with Prince Christian even seen sipping on a cup of hot brew to warm himself up. </p> <p>The special day was spent together to commemorate the last day of hunting season in Denmark.</p> <p>Thousands of people gathered to be welcomed by the Danish royals for the legendary 13-kilometre horse race which takes place every year. </p> <p>The future Queen of Denmark became a patron of the Hubertus Hunt's Honorary Prize after Prince Henrik, Mary's father-in-law, passed away in 2018. </p> <p>The Tasmanian-born royal was a picture of pure elegance as she stood above the crowds with her two children in a regal, tailored brown jacket with gold buttons over top a turtleneck and matching brown pants. </p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see the Danish royals. </p> <p><em>Image: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chris.christophersen/">Chris Christophersen</a></em></p>

Beauty & Style

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"Absolutely gorgeous": Schapelle Corby’s new look leaves fans stunned

<p>Social media users have praised convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby’s appearance as she gave her first interviews since her release from Bali prison.</p> <p>The 42-year-old, who in 2005 was convicted of attempting to smuggle cannabis into Indonesia, appeared on the <em>Kyle and Jackie O Show</em> and <em>Studio 10</em> on Wednesday morning and shared her story from behind bars to promote her updated memoir <em>My Story</em>.</p> <p>Corby shared the pictures from the interviews on Instagram to her 168,000 followers, who expressed their support for the former felon and praised her looks.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4N97apgO6a/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4N97apgO6a/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Schapellecorby (@schapelle.corby)</a> on Oct 29, 2019 at 3:05pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“It’s honestly so good to see you back on Australian soil... looking amazing too,” one supporter wrote.</p> <p>“Looking absolutely gorgeous and beautiful in this photo Schapelle,” another commented.</p> <p>“You look very pretty,” one added.</p> <p>Others also described Corby’s look as “healthy”, “attractive” and “stunning”.</p> <p>Corby also referenced her appearance change on<em> Studio 10</em> when the panel was looking at a footage from her conviction. “She doesn’t have a double chin,” Corby joked.</p> <p>Speaking on <em>Studio 10</em>, Corby, who has maintained her innocence, said her conviction had affected her view on the ordeal.</p> <p>“Who do I think did this? I don’t know. But part of my mental illness was being accused of this, and there was nothing I could say to save myself,” she said.</p> <p>She also told the <em>Kyle and Jackie O Show</em> that she had been struggling after the death of her father in 2008.</p> <p>“I was like a [triple] whammy. Dad died, my final appeal came through negative, and then my mum’s partner of a long time died as well. I just couldn’t cope,” she said.</p> <p>The interviews marked Corby’s first public appearances since her deportation back to Australia in 2017.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4ON6LUAuIs/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4ON6LUAuIs/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">For so long Ive been consciously avoiding the #media. Today I faced my fears @studio10au thankyou for making it so easy for me. Chatting about my updated book @schapellecorbymystory</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/schapelle.corby/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Schapellecorby</a> (@schapelle.corby) on Oct 29, 2019 at 5:25pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“For so long I’ve been consciously avoiding the #media. Today I faced my fears,” she wrote on an Instagram post.</p>

Beauty & Style

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How to achieve long-term weight-loss success

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So, you’ve adapted your diet. You’ve started to implement the right kind of exercise. What’s left? Essential changes to your environment and your daily habits, which could mean the difference between success and a slimmer you, or a return to the couch potato life you’re trying to escape!</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to the latest scientific studies out there, here are the changes you can easily make today.</span></p> <p><strong>Rule 1. Declutter your kitchen.</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Snack foods lying around can be a major culprit in weight gain, say researchers from Cornell University, tapping into the mindless eating habit many of us have. The study suggests rearranging cupboards, pantries and the fridge so the first foods you see are healthy ones, making tempting foods invisible and inconvenient to get to, and serving dinner straight from the pot on the stove or counter, rather than having food on the table. All of these strategies can help whittle your waistline.</span></p> <p><strong>Rule 2. Get more sleep.</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Feeling tired all the time? It could be affecting your weight. A recent study in the scientific journal Sleep linked sleep deprivation with obesity – and experts believe a lack of sleep can affect hormones which control appetite. Which means the more tired you are, the more likely you are to reach for a doughnut (or two) – in fact, another study published in the Journal of Health Psychology found that calorie intake following a bad night’s sleep could be as much as 20 per cent higher. Tips for better sleep include getting your shut-eye in a cool, dark room, keeping technology out of the bedroom, having a wind-down time before bed (without devices/screens), avoiding caffeine close to bedtime and avoiding sleeping in to ‘catch up’ on your sleep debt. You’re better off waking up at the same time every day.</span></p> <p><strong>Rule 3. Get your hormones checked.</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Do you suffer unusual levels of fatigue, intolerance to cold, constipation and dry skin? Have trouble losing weight? It might be worth seeing if you have a hormone imbalance. Post 50, the slowdown of the thyroid and its knock-on effects (a decrease in metabolism) can hamper even the best weight loss efforts, say experts.</span></p> <p><strong>Rule 4. Get a health-care team on speed dial.</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re in pain with a sore knee or aching back, the last thing you want to do is work out – right? Well, before you undo all your good work, get yourself to a good osteopath, physio or some other type of physical therapist who can help rehabilitate you or treat new injuries so you can get back to the gym as soon as possible.</span></p> <p><strong>Rule 5. Treat your stress levels.</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s scary but true: chronic stress does nothing for your spare tyre. Studies show when you’re stressed and overwhelmed, the ‘stress hormone’, cortisol, rises – leading to cravings for more sugary, fatty foods. And they’re going to pitch a tent right where you don’t want them – on your tummy. What can you do? Tackle the stress with mindfulness, meditation, yoga and other forms of relaxation. Make changes in your life where you can to lower stress levels on an ongoing basis.</span></p> <p><strong>Rule 6. Make sure you have the right levels of calcium and vitamin D.</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As we saw in Part One of our series, now you’re over 50 you need to bump up those calcium levels. And, you also need to ensure you’re getting enough vitamin D – possibly via a supplement. Research shows the two work in tandem and can contribute to a reduction in belly fat.</span></p> <p><strong>Rule 7. Test your body fat.</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can’t afford to lose muscle or bone mass when you’re over 50, so if you want to know you’re heading in the right direction (ie, losing fat only), book in for a DXA scan, buy a scale which measures weight and body fat (be aware these can vary in accuracy), or do it on the cheap: tracking body changes with a tape measure and how your clothes fit is probably one of the best indicators around.</span></p> <p><strong>Rule 8. Enlist a weight loss buddy.</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Social support can make the difference between keeping weight off – or regaining what you’ve lost, say researchers. In one study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Study, participants who started a weight loss program with friends enjoyed greater weight loss and found it easier to maintain their weight going forward. Maybe this is partly because you know your friend is relying on you to show up, and you don’t want to let them down.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Written by Rachel Smith. Republished with permission of </span><a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/health/how-to-achieve-long-term-weight-loss-success.aspx"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wyza.com.au.</span></a></em></p>

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Meet the "flunky" who performs a very unusual service for The Queen

<p>Being the Queen of the United Kingdom comes with a few more perks than your average joe. </p> <p>In addition to two birthday celebrations a year, a vault of beautiful tiaras and an endless hoard of staff waiting on her hand and foot, the British monarch has someone to assist her in a fairly strange task. </p> <p>The Queen’s personal assistant and senior dresser, Angela Kelly has said she breaks in the sovereign’s shoes so she doesn’t have to. </p> <p>"As has been reported a lot in the press, a flunky wears in Her Majesty's shoes to ensure that they are comfortable and that she is always good to go. And yes, I am that flunky," Kelly wrote in her memoir titled<span> </span>The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe,<span> </span>as reported by<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2019102779688/the-queen-right-hand-woman-angela-kelly-new-book-exclusive" target="_blank">Hello</a>.</p> <p>"The Queen has very little time to herself and not time to wear in her own shoes, and as we share the same shoe size it makes the most sense this way."</p> <p>Queen Elizabeth granted Kelly, who served as her close confidant for 25 years, to write not only about royal fashion, but their relationship together. </p> <p>This is the first time a current member of the royal household has been given special permission to write such intimate details, as per the book’s publisher Harper Collins. </p> <p>"It gives a rare insight into the demands of the job of supporting the Monarch, and we gain privileged insight into a successful working relationship, characterized by humor, creativity, hard work, and a mutual commitment to service and duty," Samantha Cohen, the former assistant private secretary to the Queen said. </p> <p>"Angela is a talented and inspiring woman, who has captured the highlights of her long career with The Queen for us all to share."</p> <p>Kelly’s book will delve into the replication of the royal family’s Christening gown, the Queen’s 2012 Olympics clip with James Bond and what happened when Michelle Obama came to London in 2009. </p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see Queen Elizabeth's "flunky" and close confidant. </p>

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Just hug me: Rare light-hearted moment for Meghan Markle caught on film

<p>It is safe to say it has not been a smooth week for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after the release of their documentary<span> </span><em>Harry &amp; Meghan: An African Journey. </em></p> <p>However, in typical royal style, the Duchess took it in stride when attending the One Young World Summit’s opening ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall in London. </p> <p>It was there she shared a beautiful and heartwarming moment when she insisted a presenter hug her instead of curtsying. </p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B39GdQtneUM/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B39GdQtneUM/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by HELLO! Magazine (@hellomag)</a> on Oct 23, 2019 at 1:57am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>A video posted to the Sussex Royal Instagram Account showed the moment a founder of the nonprofit, Kate Robertson, began to dip into a respectful curtsy to greet the Duchess. </p> <p>However the royal mother had her arms outstretched in preparation to embrace Robertson, who she has known since 2014. </p> <p>The Duchess appeared to shake her head "no" as Robertson began to curtsy, instead pulling her up to finish the warm hug. </p> <p>It is the first appearance Markle has made since the release of her’s and Prince Harry’s controversial documentary which outlined their struggle of being a modern royal couple. </p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B37w7v7pHzy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B37w7v7pHzy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal)</a> on Oct 22, 2019 at 1:26pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Both the Duke and Duchess were incredibly candid about navigating a relationship so closely followed by the British press. </p> <p>The Duchess revealed a friend warned her to end her relationship with Prince Harry when they first began dating. </p> <p>"My British friends said to me, 'I'm sure he's great, but you shouldn't do it, because the British tabloids will destroy your life,'" she recalled.</p> <p>"And I very naively - I'm an American and we don't have that there - said, 'What are you talking about? That doesn't make any sense! I'm not in tabloids!' I didn't get it."</p> <p>Markle also revealed that while she "really tried to adopt the British sensibility of a stiff upper lip," she has struggled with the ongoing scrutiny. </p> <p>"It's not enough to just survive something, right?" she said. </p> <p>"That's not the point of life. You've got to thrive, you've got to feel happy."</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see Duchess Meghan’s sweet moment in pictures. </p>

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Duchess Meghan steps out in bold look for the first time since doco drama

<p>The Duchess of Sussex stepped out in public for the first since the airing of a controversial documentary, where she opened up about the pressures of royal life. </p> <p>On Tuesday night, Duchess Meghan, 38, attended the opening ceremony of the One Young World Summit at London’s Royal Albert Hall. </p> <p>The One World website noted the royal as a “long standing supporter” of the organisation since joining as a counsellor at the 2014 summit in Dublin. </p> <p>She attended the event without  her hubby, Prince Harry, to fulfill her role as vice-president of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust. </p> <p>The former actress showcased her glossy locks and made a bold statement in a royal purple $50 dress - one royal fans saw before from when she was pregnant with her five-month-old son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. </p> <p>The long-sleeved, bright plum coloured number is from Babaton by Aritizia and was first worn back in January 2019 when she and the Duke of Sussex visited Birkenhead, Englandin. </p> <p>During the opening ceremony, the royal was announced as one of 70 counsellors to appear at the summit, along with fellow celebs, Bob Geldof and Ellie Goulding. </p> <p>Ahead of Tuesday's event, the<span> </span>Sussex Royal<span> </span>Instagram account shared photos and footage from Meghan's appearances at previous One Young World summit.</p> <p>In one video, the royal addressed an audience in Dublin. </p> <p>She spoke passionately about female empowerment and implementing change, regardless of how old you are. </p> <p>"I think what scares people is that the idea of female empowerment is somehow threatening," she said.</p> <p>"No, it's not! You empower the women, you're empowering the community."</p> <p>The Duchess also mentioned as a child she successfully petitioned for the wording of a TV advertisement to be changed, in order to reflect gender equality. </p> <p>"I think anything is possible, because with my small voice at 11 years old we could do it, so I can only imagine what all of you are going to be able to do," she said.</p> <p>Tuesday’s events follows after both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made headlines for the release of the ITV documentary<span> </span>Harry and Meghan: An African Journey. </p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see Duchess Meghan’s bold purple look.</p>

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Five foods to avoid for better health

<p>We all know we should try to eat well, but sometimes fancy diets can be complex and tedious to follow. If you want to take some quick and easy steps to losing some kilos and staying healthier, why not target some of the major culprits in your diet.</p> <p><strong>White Bread</strong></p> <p>Your morning toast or a sandwich at lunchtime may be weighing you down more than you think. White bread has little nutritional value and can contain a lot of hidden sugar. Like a lot of processed foods, a lot of the nutrients have been stripped out in the process of making it more palatable.</p> <p>To remedy the situation, try replacing white with whole grain or whole wheat bread, which have much greater health value, or even try wholegrain tortillas as a lighter alternative for holding your sandwich fillings.</p> <p><strong>Fried Foods</strong></p> <p>Fried foods can pile on the pounds and can lead to high cholesterol and higher blood pressure, which are big health issues as you get older. It’s not just the fast food that needs to be avoided; you should also re-consider how you are cooking at home. Perhaps use baking or grilling as a healthier cooking method for the foods you would normally fry. Often it is just a matter of getting creative with recipes to achieve equally appetising results.</p> <p><strong>Fruit juice</strong></p> <p>Fruit juice has acquired a “healthy” image as an alternative to soft drinks as well as through clever promotion and marketing. However the fact is that fruit juice is often just as high in sugar as many soft drinks. Try to limit your intake and replace with water whenever possible.</p> <p>If you do take fruit juice, try to make it yourself rather than buying commercial products – even if they say they are 100% juice, they may have been in long term storage and have lost a lot of their nutritional properties. Try including veggies when you make juices too – they often have better health benefits and can taste great when blended with fruit.</p> <p><strong>Processed Baked Goods</strong></p> <p>Cakes, donuts, biscuits and pastries can be really addictive treats, but they are a big no-no when it comes to weight control. They are usually high in white flour, sugar and fats, which can be adding whopping amounts of calories to your diet.</p> <p><strong>Alcohol</strong></p> <p>It may not be something we immediately associate with weight control, but alcohol is fundamentally refined juice of natural foods, which usually means it has concentrated sugars that could be adding a lot of sneaky kilos to your weight over time.</p> <p>The cumulative effect of foods such as these can be dramatic, but the good news is that reducing or eliminating them does not have to involve drastic changes in your eating habits. Just replace them with the healthier alternatives, such as those suggested above. The benefits to your wellbeing and waistline are well worth it.</p> <p><em>Written by Tom Raeside. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/health/nutrition/five-foods-to-avoid-for-better-health.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a> </em></p>

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Michelle Obama shows off banging body at 55!

<p>Michelle Obama has taken to Instagram to share her “self-care”sunday which displayed her famous biceps. </p> <p>The former first lady, 55, was photographed holding a large and weighty medicine ball over her head while blaring her abs in matching black sports bra and leggings. </p> <p>The mother-of-two says she is all about having a “no pain, no gain” mentality in order to succeed. </p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B32b2d6gxLA/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B32b2d6gxLA/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">It doesn’t always feel good in the moment. But after the fact, I’m always glad I hit the gym. How did you all take care of yourself on this #SelfCareSunday? 💪🏾</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/michelleobama/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Michelle Obama</a> (@michelleobama) on Oct 20, 2019 at 11:45am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“It doesn’t always feel good in the moment,” she explained while talking about her work out. </p> <p>“But after the fact, I’m always glad I hit the gym.”</p> <p>The post has raked in over 1 million likes and had over 21,000 comments filled with supportive bicep emojis. </p> <p>“You put me to shame,” wrote on admirer, while another said: “Come on mama!”</p> <p>“So proud of you Michelle,” another fan wrote before adding: I’m going to plank because of this post.”</p> <p>While many praised Michelle for her “inspiring” body, others joked their #SelfcareSunday looked a lot like a big hearty breakfast and a good sleep in. </p> <p>In her memoir<span> </span><em>Becoming,<span> </span></em>Obama wrote her regular workouts and healthy eating allowed her to maintain a work-life balance as a working mother.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see the best of Michelle Obama in pictures. </p>

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A real princess: Duchess Kate’s special tea party for cancer patients melts hearts everywhere

<p>It was a scene many young children have imagined- a princess tea party with a real life princess.</p> <p>Duchess Catherine attended an important tea party set up for her at the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital during the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s Royal Tour in Pakistan. </p> <p>The mother of three happily obliged to wear a toy tiara when she visited 7-year-old Wafia Rehmani, while Prince William playfully sipped out of a tiny pink cup “brimming” with hot tea. </p> <p>The young patient, from over the border in Afghanistan, is battling a kidney tumour but hopes to be a doctor when she grows up. </p> <p>Wafia showed the Duke and Duchess her own toy medical kit. </p> <p>Princess Diana visited the same hospital over 20 years ago in 1996 and 1997. </p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3tCIhCFRfS/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3tCIhCFRfS/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal)</a> on Oct 16, 2019 at 8:07pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Earlier in the day, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the Badshahi Mosque inside the Walled City for an interfaith meeting to talk about promoting harmony and community. </p> <p>The royal couple also stopped by the National Cricket Academy in Lahore and both stepped up to the pitch. </p> <p>Prince William even managed to hit the ball for a six. </p> <p>The Duchess of Cambridge also gave her first speech of the tour at SOS Children's Village in Lahore, speaking parts of it in Urdu.</p>

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Winning pictures from Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2019 revealed

<p><span>The marmot had not been out of hibernation for long when it ventured out of the burrows – but an encounter with a fox left the rodent slack-jawed and frozen in fear.</span></p> <p><span>The dramatic image, aptly titled <em>The Moment</em>, has earned Chinese photographer Yongqing Bao the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2019 award, given by London’s Natural History Museum.</span></p> <p><span>“Photographically, it is quite simply the perfect moment,” said chief judge Roz Kidman Cox. </span></p> <p><span>“The expressive intensity of the postures holds you transfixed, and the thread of energy between the raised paws seems to hold the protagonists in perfect balance.”</span></p> <p><span>Cox added that the photograph, which was captured in China’s Qilian Mountains, “captured such a powerful interaction between a Tibetan fox and a marmot – two species key to the ecology of this high-grassland region”.</span></p> <p><span>Natural History Museum director Michael Dixon said the image shows nature’s fragility. </span></p> <p><span>“This compelling picture captures nature’s ultimate challenge – its battle for survival,” Dixon said.</span></p> <p><span>“The area in which this was taken, often referred to as the ‘third pole’ because of the enormous water reserves held by its ice fields, is under threat from dramatic temperature rises like those seen in the Arctic.</span></p> <p><span>“At a time when precious habitats are facing increasing climate pressures, seeing these fleeting yet fascinating moments reminds us of what we need to protect.”</span></p> <p><span>Bao beat out more than 48,000 entries from 100 countries to win the prestigious title.</span></p> <p><span>14-year-old Cruz Erdmann from New Zealand was named Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2019 for his portrait of a bigfin reef squid in Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.</span></p> <p><span>“To dive in the pitch dark, find this beautiful squid and to be able to photograph it so elegantly, to reveal its wonderful shapes and colours, takes so much skill,” judge Theo Bosboom said.</span></p> <p><span>“What a resounding achievement for such a young photographer.”</span></p> <p><span>The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition celebrates the world’s best nature photography. The winning images are evaluated by a panel of international experts for their artistic composition, technical innovation and truthful interpretation of the natural world.</span></p> <p><span>Scroll through the gallery to see the winning pictures from the competition.</span></p>

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The BIG way Princess Beatrice is choosing to differ from the rest of royal weddings

<p>The British public won’t have to sweat it when thinking about sporting the wedding bill for the next royal wedding. </p> <p>A palace spokesperson has told the<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1187899/princess-beatrice-wedding-cost-Princes-Eugenie-taxpayer-private-funding" target="_blank">Express<span> </span></a>Princess Beatrice and her fiance, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi will be privately funding their nuptials in 2020.</p> <p>It is a move not many royals have done in the past, including Beatrice’s younger sister, Princess Eugenie, who had a massive £2 million cost to the public for security. </p> <p>Eugenie’s hefty bill did not come without vitriol from the public, with thousands of U.K. citizens signing a<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.republic.org.uk/petition/royal-wedding-eugenie" target="_blank">petition<span> </span></a>addressed to the House of Commons, demanding no taxpayer funds be used for the royal ceremonies. </p> <p>The campaign was started by<span> </span>Republic, an anti-monarchist group.</p> <p>"Who’s heard of Princess Eugenie anyway?" Chris Williamson, a member of Parliament said in an interview at the time with<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1005073/Princess-Eugenie-wedding-cost-royal-wedding-latest-Chris-Williamson" target="_blank">Sky News</a>. </p> <p>"She carries out no royal functions, no useful purpose to the public sphere and yet we’re having to spend this kind of money."</p> <p>The parliamentarian referenced the fact neither of the royal siblings are full-time working members and have their own careers in the private sphere, despite occasionally supporting causes and attending events in representation of the Royal Family. </p> <p>Princess Beatrice and Edoardo were long-term family friends before they began dating 11 months ago.</p>

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5 sneaky places you can get skin cancer (that aren’t on your skin)

<p>Skin cancer is highly treatable if caught early so make sure you’re checking these surprising spots and symptoms of skin cancer.</p> <p><strong>In the irises of your eyes</strong></p> <p>Just like you can get freckles in your eyes (it’s true!) you can also get other types of sun damage in your irises, including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. But isn’t skin cancer supposed to be, well, on skin? The truth is that any part of your body exposed to the sun is vulnerable and even though we may not think about it often, our eyes are one of the most exposed parts of our bodies. “Ninety percent of all skin cancers are due to sun damage,” says Bobby Awadalla, MD, a dermatologist and CEO of UVO. “And the more sun damage an area receives the more likely you are to develop a skin cancer in that location.” This is why you need to be vigilant about protecting your peepers. Since you can’t put sunscreen in your eyes (ouch!), make sure you wear UV-blocking sunglasses and get regular checkups with an eye doctor. And if you notice any strange new spots of colour in your irises or a change in their colour, make an appointment, stat.</p> <p><strong>Under your fingernails</strong></p> <p>With the popularity of gel manicures, fingers and toes are now in the hot seat – literally, thanks to the UV lights used to seal the gel coat. You hopefully already know how damaging tanning beds can be to your skin, says Stephen Stahr, MD, of The Dermatology Associates of San Antonio in Texas, and those quick-dry devices are basically mini tanning beds for your nails. While you can’t get skin cancer on your nails, the damage can penetrate through the nail to the skin underneath. To make sure you’re safe, he recommends putting sunscreen everywhere, including on the tips of your fingers and toes.</p> <p><strong>In your butt crack</strong></p> <p>One of the strangest places Dr. Stahr says he’s found skin cancer is inside a patient’s “gluteal cleft” – the butt crack. It turned out to be squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer that is generally not lethal, but is always caused by the sun. When he questioned the woman further he found that she favoured tanning in the nude and had always been very careful to make sure her cheeks were evenly browned. Thankfully she was cured with a quick surgery but Dr. Stahr says the moral of this story is to skip tanning – and make sure you’re checking your cracks and crevices for growths.</p> <p><strong>On your genitals</strong></p> <p>Both Drs. Awadalla and Stahr say they’ve had patients with genital melanomas and it is sadly not uncommon. The problem generally isn’t nude sunbathing. “Melanoma skin cancer, which usually develops at a site of chronic sun exposure can metastasise, or spread, to a site in the body which is far from its point of origin,” Dr. Stahr says. This is why you can find skin cancers on parts of the body that never see daylight. If you’re feeling shy, get over that quick. “One of my patients was very hesitant because she was embarrassed to show the doctor the growing pigmented lesion on her private areas but because she waited so long she ended up losing crucial parts of her anatomy,” he adds. So speak up.</p> <p><strong>Under your tongue</strong></p> <p>Ever wonder why your dentist lifts up your tongue and gives it a good look underneath and around the sides? One reason is that it is possible to get melanoma on your tongue. Even though you likely aren’t getting much sun exposure in your mouth, it is possible if the cancer has metastasised. And odds of getting any kind of cancer on your tongue or inside your mouth greatly increases if you smoke. So make sure you’re keeping up with your dental check-ups and ditch the cigarettes.</p> <p><em>Written by Charlotte Hilton Andersen. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/health/wellbeing/10-sneaky-places-you-can-get-skin-cancer-(that-aren%E2%80%99t-on-your-skin).aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a></em></p> <p> </p>

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Here comes the bride! Bindi Irwin reveals who will walk her down the aisle

<p>Bindi Irwin is eagerly waiting for her very “unique” wedding ceremony.</p> <p>The 21-year-old has recently revealed that she plans on carrying a very unique accessory as she makes her way down the aisle – a koala! Appearing on<span> </span><em>Good Morning America</em><span> </span>alongside her fiancé Chandler Powell, the couple spoke about why their nuptials at Australia Zoo mean so much to their family.</p> <p>Powell, a former professional wakeboarder, proposed to Bindi on July 24, 2019 on her 21st birthday.</p> <p>“We’re so excited,” said Chandler. “It’s where we met and where we got engaged so it only makes sense that we’d have it at Australia Zoo. I think this wedding is going to be unique because it’s going to be at the zoo with tons of animals.</p> <p>“I’m not sure how many people have walked down the aisle with a koala, but we may be setting some new trends for weddings from here on out!”</p> <p>Her husband-to-be also revealed that she has “colour-coded binders and itineraries” for her family members for the occasion, jokingly comparing her to Leslie Knope from TV’s<span> </span><em>Parks &amp; Recreation</em>. However, Bindi seems cool-as-a-cucumber about saying “I do” as she knows that’s what matters most.</p> <p>“The easiest part of wedding planning is just knowing that I get to marry this amazing guy,” she said of Chandler. “Whatever else happens, it doesn’t matter as long as you’re there. And my family. I’m happy.”</p>

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