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Woman “bullied” on plane over budget seating trick

<p dir="ltr">A young woman has recalled a flight from hell when she was “bullied” by a couple who were trying to utilise a seating hack that went viral on TikTok. </p> <p dir="ltr">The solo traveller took to Reddit to recount the story and ask social media users if she was in the wrong for her action. </p> <p dir="ltr">The woman began by saying she usually pays more to select her plane seat ahead of time, but a medical emergency on another plane had her waiting on standby and left with no option other than to sit in a middle seat.</p> <p dir="ltr">When she was finally able to board, she was greeted by a couple who had purchased both the window and aisle seats in a bid to have more space, utilising a travel “trick” that has been popular on TikTok.</p> <p dir="ltr">The method, which has been dubbed the 'poor man's business class', usually leaves travellers with an empty middle seat and more space, and few travellers opt to pick a middle seat. </p> <p dir="ltr">“When I got to my row the man and woman were chatting and sharing a snack... it was obvious they were together. I mentioned to the man that I'm in the middle, and he got up to let me in,” the unsuspecting traveller wrote on Reddit.  </p> <p dir="ltr">“I asked them if they would prefer to sit together, I said I was totally okay with that. The woman reacted rudely to this and said ‘you're not supposed to be sitting here anyway’.”</p> <p dir="ltr">After noticing how the plane was full, she offered to show the pair her new ticket with the correct seat number on it.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She flicked her hand at my ticket and made a disgusted sound. I offered again if they wanted to sit together to which she didn't reply, her partner said it's okay and... made some small talk,” she continued. </p> <p dir="ltr">The man’s girlfriend then interrupted their conversation to ask,”'Did you use one of those third party websites to book your flight? It's so frustrating when people cheap out to inconvenience others.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The American woman explained that she had booked her flight directly and she had been placed on standby like everyone else and didn't choose the middle seat - she was assigned it.</p> <p dir="ltr">She then tried to keep the peace by refusing to engage with the furious woman.  </p> <p dir="ltr">“I was so done with her attitude, I put my headphones on and attempted to do my own thing,” she explained.</p> <p dir="ltr">But the “entitled” girlfriend wasn't letting it go, as the woman explained, “This woman kept reaching over me and tapping her partner and trying to talk to him in a way that was super intrusive.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“I could tell even her partner was trying to engage her less so that she would hopefully stop, but she didn't.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think they tried to pull that tactic where they don't sit together on purpose...hoping no one will sit between them. But on full flights it doesn't work. And even so - it's not the other person's fault.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The traveller's post was met with hundreds of comments slamming the girlfriend’s behaviour, as one person wrote, “It's like a toddler having a tantrum.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“She was disappointed and a total a**hole. Gross entitled people,” another added. </p> <p dir="ltr">Another person applauded the traveller’s level-headed behaviour, writing, “Wow! You are my hero for keeping it classy - I’m afraid I would not have been as kind as you.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Travel Trouble

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5 sneaky beauty tricks that take a decade off your look

<p>What if we told you there were five super simple turn-back-the-clock tricks that could brighten the face, open up the eyes, improve plumpness and give you enviably shiny hair? Well, that’s exactly what we’re telling you. And these tips don’t require and expensive trip to a beauty salon and can be done in your very own bathroom. </p> <p>When it comes to your skin, just one super-charged anti-ager will instantly boost your beauty routine—and deliver the kind of results we’d all be happy to see in the mirror. Here are five tricks you should definitely try today.</p> <p><strong>Try a Sleeping Beauty elixir</strong><br />They don’t call it beauty sleep for no good reason. While you’re head is on the pillow, it’s the perfect time to slather on an overnight face and neck cream that uses skin brightening ingredients such as vitamin C, algae extract and anti-oxidants. You will wake up more supple, radiant and bright – and in some cases, with firmer skin.</p> <p><strong>Go for bold lip</strong><br />A bold yet fresh lip will instantly brighten and lift the face. The trick is to go one or two shades brighter than you usually do – without option for a blast of neon. Diffuse bright edges with a cotton bud to stop hard lines.</p> <p><strong>Shake the magic wand</strong><br />Eyelashes have the ability to really open up your eyes and thus give you a more youthful look instantly. So everyone, get acquainted with the eyelash curler. A must for opening up tired, droopy eyelids before applying mascara – it works every time. </p> <p><strong>Attempt a gravity-defying mini massage</strong><br />As massages stimulate circulation, cells and collagen, everyone should be giving themself a daily morning face massage using small circular motions. Focus on your forehead, cheeks, chin, and gently pat under eyes to help with firmness and reduce bloating.</p> <p><strong>Let your hair shine on</strong><br />Shiny, healthy hair makes everyone look better – and it one of the easiest beauty tricks to master. Try mashed-up avocado mixed with olive oil as a hair mask – it’s cheap, natural and really effective.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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5 time-saving laundry tricks

<p>Doing laundry seems to be a never-ending chore. These simple tricks will make your life a little easier next time you do your washing.</p> <p><strong>1. Use lingerie bag for socks</strong></p> <p>Losing and then pairing mismatched socks makes laundry a bigger task than what it already is. Make sock washing easier by washing all your socks together in a lingerie bag. Gone will be the days that you find odd socks stuck in a pair of jeans or hiding in the washing machine.</p> <p><strong>2. Make detergent yourself</strong></p> <p>If you are ever concerned with the chemicals and ingredients in laundry detergent then you can opt for a natural detergent by making it yourself. To make homemade detergent, stir together one bar shaved bar soap, 1 cup of borax and one cup of washing soda. You can put the ingredients in a food processor or blender to create a fine powder. Simply store in a sealed container.</p> <p><strong>3. Make dryer sheets yourself</strong></p> <p>To make budget-friendly dryer sheets, you will need old scraps of cloth, essential oils and white vinegar. Mix one cup of white vinegar with roughly 25 drops of essential oils. Fold the cloth scraps and place them into a jar or storage container. Moisten the cloth with vinegar mixture but do not saturate them. Then use one cloth per dryer load to freshen laundry.</p> <p><strong>4. Use chalk to remove grease stains</strong></p> <p>If you have any chalk handy it can pre-treat grease stains. The chalk powder helps absorb the grease and will leave your clothes looking clean again.</p> <p><strong>5. Use baby shampoo to unshrink clothes</strong></p> <p>If you ever accidentally shrink one of your favourite items of clothes then reach for baby shampoo. Baby shampoo can stretch clothing and restore it to its former shape and size.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Home & Garden

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Pilot praised for revealing simple trick to cope with severe turbulence

<p>A pilot has shared his simple "water bottle trick" for anxious passengers to cope with turbulence in the air. </p> <p>Sydney-sider Jimmy Nicholson and his wife Holly recently shared a video of their bumpy flight with "horrible" turbulence that went viral on TikTok, after Jimmy shared his tips on how to cope with the anxiety. </p> <p>In the video, his wife was filmed hyperventilating, and at one point even pulled out a sick bag. The couple held hands as other passengers were heard screaming during the wild turbulence. </p> <p>“So we’re at the back of the plane so it’s worse here," Jimmy, who looked more calm than most passengers, said in the clip. </p> <p>“It’s not comfortable, probably some of the worst I’ve been in. Could be widespread storms so pilots just have to pick their path of least resistance and go through it so nothing to worry about.</p> <p>“Planes are built to withstand way worse. Not fun evidently, but completely fine.</p> <p>“I’m a pilot and actually fly this aircraft type (Airbus). Here’s why you have nothing to worry about.”</p> <p>For those terrified of turbulence, Jimmy suggested looking at the water inside an upside down water bottle. </p> <p>“Water bottle trick: The water isn’t moving much, is it?” he said.</p> <p> </p> <div class="embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important; width: 603px; max-width: 100%;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7272043055874723073&amp;display_name=tiktok&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40jimmy_nicholson%2Fvideo%2F7272043055874723073%3F_r%3D1%26_t%3D8fD3XY38vB4&amp;image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign-sg.tiktokcdn.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-alisg-p-0037%2FoM6n8BXn3ENnHuqtQEMUDb4jUe6fkgAi0BORgF%3Fx-expires%3D1693292400%26x-signature%3DrKGHV84h94FBzJrVu4RsUV8upK0%253D&amp;key=5b465a7e134d4f09b4e6901220de11f0&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> <p>He added that if the water appears to be moving gently in the water bottle, then the turbulence feels worse than it actually is. </p> <p>“Remind yourself it’s completely normal. The plane isn’t going to fall out of the sky,” he said.</p> <p>The pilot suggested turning on the air conditioning and looking out the window to calm your nerves. </p> <p>The video ended with passengers clapping after they rode out the turbulence, and the TikTok has been viewed over 2.4 million times, with many thanking Jimmy for his tips. </p> <p>“This helps so much! We need more pilots to post about the stuff the rest of us think will be the last minutes of our lives,” one wrote.</p> <p>“Thank you for explaining this. I’m an anxious flyer and seeing you talk about it has helped," commented another. </p> <p>“Thank you for this video. I saved it and going to watch it in my flights when I am frightened," wrote a third. </p> <p><em>Images: TikTok/ Instagram</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Try these tricks the next time small talk becomes unbearable

<p><strong>Real talk</strong></p> <p>Bonnie Todd runs 250 food tours a year – a job that puts her in contact with hundreds of new people every week. Food-lovers come to her for an introduction to local tastes and flavours. And a large part of what keeps her guests satisfied, and willing to recommend her business to others, is the personal connection she makes with them.</p> <p>“I try to get past the small talk and general recommendations pretty quickly,” says the 42-year-old. “It’s all about finding common ground within the group, and trying to make it a unique experience. So I’m always asking questions. And when I find that spark of commonality, I dig into it.”</p> <p>The practice is key to Todd’s approach because, unlike many tours, hers require people to sit together sharing food and drinks. When groups don’t gel, or never get past the “Where are you from?” stage, what should be a stimulating experience can turn into an awkward and draining couple of hours.</p> <p>We’ve all been there: trapped in a superficial exchange that bounces aimlessly from one meaningless topic to the next. It can make you never want to step foot into another party again. But don’t despair: there are some tactics that can help you turn boring small talk into an energising conversation.</p> <p><strong>Put yourself out there </strong></p> <p>Improv performer Natalie Metcalfe’s job is to keep a scene going – to create an exchange that’s compelling for both the people involved and for a live audience.</p> <p>“In improv, it’s all about offers,” she says, referring to the act of bringing new information into the dialogue. Through these back-and-forths, the relationship between the characters is established and that kicks things off. “It’s the same thing in a regular conversation. You’re constantly making offers to see if you and the person you’re talking to can connect.”</p> <p>An offer in real life can be as simple as complimenting someone on what they’re wearing, and asking them about it. You can try sharing something you recently learned, or an interest you’ve just developed, creating an opening for the other person to ask you a question. Or, you can describe a relatable problem you’re having – a noisy neighbour, a plant that’s not thriving, a question of etiquette – as a prompt for advice, or some cooperative troubleshooting.</p> <p>One of Todd’s go-to approaches is to share a personal story of her own that relates to the other person’s experience. “If I find out someone has been to a place I’ve travelled, I’ll tell them an anecdote about what I did there, and ask them to share their own story.”</p> <p>Of course, putting yourself out there can sometimes feel scary, even when you’re not on stage. But Misha Glouberman, who runs a course called How to Talk to People About Things, says taking that leap pays off.  “A lot of the time in conversations, there’s something we’re interested in, but there’s a part of us that doesn’t want to take the risk of revealing it because we think it might be boring or inappropriate.” But the result of following those internal cues of fascination has the opposite effect, he says. “People like learning about other people’s interests. So be more open about yours, and a little more curious about theirs as well.”</p> <p><strong>Be inquisitive and listen </strong></p> <p>Radio interviewer Terry Gross once said, that the only icebreaker you’ll ever need is, “Tell me about yourself.” Instead of asking a pointed question like “What do you do?”, this type of open question gives someone a chance to offer up a topic they might be more excited to discuss.</p> <p>“Talking about yourself is really pleasurable. It activates the exact same hormone in your brain as sex,” says Celeste Headlee, the author of We Need to Talk: How to Have Conversations That Matter. “Another tip you can take from neuroscience is that if you start a conversation by allowing someone to feel good about themselves, then they’ll be more open to new ideas and new thoughts for the rest of the conversation.”</p> <p>Of course, upping your curiosity quotient needs to be paired with actually paying attention to the answer. “Listening is hard for homo sapiens. It’s not something our species does easily,” says Headlee.</p> <p>Indeed, people often start crafting their response before the person they’re talking to has finished speaking. Or they’ll get distracted, thinking about an email they forgot to answer. Since a great conversation is by definition a two-way street, these habits have the effect of ending one before it can even begin. Intentional listening, on the other hand, is a key to an empathetic, engaging dialogue.</p> <p><strong>Use disagreement wisely </strong></p> <p>According to Headlee, one of the other things that gets in the way of a meaningful conversation is the all-too-human need to be right. “A really common mistake is the ‘well, actually’ response,” she says, referring to that deflating moment when a person lets their need to correct you about a small detail you’ve just mentioned get in the way of continuing a story. “Google has made this worse,” she adds. “You’ll say, I went to the hotel with the largest patio in the entire world, and while you’re still talking, the person is already on their phone looking to see if that’s actually true.”</p> <p>But while trivial arguments can be an obstacle to a good conversation, Glouberman points out that differences of opinion can also help propel a chat into richer territory. “We assume that the world is just as we see it, that we see it directly,” he says. “But of course all of psychology and neuroscience tells us that’s not the case.”</p> <p>A respectful disagreement, if the other party is open to it, is a great opportunity to enrich your view of the world by understanding someone else’s.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/uncategorized/try-these-tricks-the-next-time-small-talk-becomes-unbearable" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. </em></p>

Relationships

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6 essential tips and tricks for your kitchen

<p>Whether you’re friends with a professional chef, watch every cooking show on which you can lay your eyeballs, or your mum was some kind of wise, kitchen magician, it seems that everyone has their very own secret cooking tips to make life easier, or at least less stressful, in the kitchen. We’ve gathered a few of our own just in case no one’s ever shared them with you until now.</p> <p><strong>1. Where there’s smoke…</strong></p> <p>People often think that setting off the smoke detectors is a sign of an unskilled cook, but, as long as you’re not burning anything, don’t be afraid of a little smoke or vapour. Some foods just need that extra heat to reach their flavourful best, and that’s okay. Just make sure you’re safe.</p> <p><strong>2. Dressing in a jar</strong></p> <p>If you’re not a fan of off-the-shelf salad dressings, the natural solution to lifeless salads is making your own dressing. The annoying part of that is mixing such small quantities of ingredients in a bowl can be ridiculously fiddly. Next time, pop those ingredients into an old (clean) jam jar and give it a good shake. Not only will it be easier, you’re guaranteed to combine everything much better than you could with any whisk.</p> <p><strong>3. When life gives you lemons</strong></p> <p>If you’re using lemons or limes when you’re cooking, save the leftover skins once you’ve juiced them. You can use them to disinfect your chopping board without any chemicals. Plus, the smell is pretty fantastic.</p> <p><strong>4. Perfect pasta</strong></p> <p>When cooking pasta, the best tip we can offer is to remove the noodles from their water just before they’re completely cooked. Then, with just a little bit of the starchy water, pour them into the same saucepan in which you’re cooking your sauce. Cooking the pasta with the sauce for at least a minute or two will help infuse the flavours. If you’re not already cooking your pasta this way, you soon will be.</p> <p><strong>5. You crack me up</strong></p> <p>If you find that you’re constantly picking tiny shards of eggshell out of your dishes before you cook, you might want to adjust the way you crack your eggs. Rapping the eggs onto a sharp/thin edge of a bowl of counter causes these small fractures. If you crack the egg onto a flat surface, you’ll avoid a lot of the fuss. Plus, it’s really easy to do that cool one-handed egg crack this way. Bonus!</p> <p><strong>6. No-stick cheese</strong></p> <p>There’s a reason buying pre-grated cheese is so ridiculously expensive – grating cheese yourself is one of the most loathed kitchen tasks around. But if you spray your grater with a little cooking spray before you start, it will help the cheese glide over a little easier. Plus it’s going to make cleaning a dream.</p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"><em>Images: Getty</em>                                                                </span></p>

Home Hints & Tips

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7 tricks to get more out of your next cruise

<p>There’s nothing quite as relaxing as a luxury cruise, and while there’s probably no way to have that bad a time on a cruise (unless you’re prone to sea sickness or afraid of deck chairs) there are ways in which you can considerably enhance your experience.</p> <p>We’ve put together a list containing seven tips and tricks for getting more out of your cruise so you truly have a cruising experience to write home about.</p> <p><strong>1. Get to your port of departure a night before</strong></p> <p>Did you know hundreds of cruisers actually miss the boat entirely because of delayed flights, traffic and bad weather? And many more get their cruise off to a bad start as a result of the fact that they’ve only managed to board by the skin of their teeth.</p> <p>Do yourself a pre-cruise favour and arrive at your port of departure a day early.</p> <p><strong>2. Don't be afraid to splurge and say Bon Voyage in style</strong></p> <p>A luxury cruise is no time to be a frugal Fred Flintstone. Get your cruise off to a great start (and look like a real hero in front of your spouse) by splashing out on champagne and roses. There's no better moment to make a toast to new adventures!</p> <p><strong>3. Avoid the pool area during busy times</strong></p> <p>This might seem strange, but when have mega cruise ships ever had enough poolside chairs to accommodate everyone? You’d be much better served by scoping around to find a place to call your own and avoiding the mass of humanity who are sitting around the pool sun-burning in tandem.</p> <p><strong>4. Eat on your own terms</strong></p> <p>Sure, it’s nice to meet and greet strangers at group dining times, but sometimes it’s also equally as nice to break up the routine. So don’t be afraid to order room service breakfast and have a picnic on your balcony or pay an extra little bit to dine at your cruise’s speciality restaurant.</p> <p><strong>5. Stay on the ship</strong></p> <p>Of course this doesn’t apply to all port calls (if you’re visiting Venice you have to see Venice) but these forced events are generally rushed, contrived and not all they’re hyped up to be. And by staying aboard the ship you have all the ships facilities (with the exception of maybe the ship throttle and steering wheel) to yourself!</p> <p><strong>6. Get a spa pass</strong></p> <p>A lot of cruises are offering these nowadays and for something as simple as $25 a day you can soak, steam and be massaged in luxury. There’s nothing like getting a luxury massage as you cruise through the pacific ocean, relieving your aches and pains.</p> <p><strong>7. Go to the disco</strong></p> <p>Even if dancing isn’t your thing, you owe it to yourself to bust a move at the ships disco. You’ll definitely meet some interesting characters there and chances are you’ll be more than willing to return to the floor the next night. It’s a vicious, funky cycle!</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Cruising

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Paramedic shares surprising croup candle hack

<p>For people all over, winter is the prime time for catching an unwanted cold, or feeling the brunt of a chest cough - especially in the young and old. </p> <p>But for those little ones prone to the likes of croup and other respiratory illnesses, one former paramedic and mother-of-two has shared her best bit of advice for helping those kids. </p> <p>Nikki Jurcutz, who is also CEO of the child safety organisation Tiny Hearts Education, has taken to social media to demonstrate her favourite ‘hack’ for calming a child who is having difficulty breathing. </p> <p>As Nikki explained, croup season had hit, and she had previously shared this trick a good number of times throughout her career as a paramedic.</p> <p>She went on to share that her own child is prone to croup, and that it can make sufferers “feel like they’re suffocating”, while “the more distressed and upset your child becomes, the worse the symptoms of respiratory distress become."</p> <p>“The best thing,” she explained, “[that] we can do as parents is try to keep them calm, and distract them, so we can slow their breathing down.” </p> <p>And after an audio clip of her son breathing before and after applying her unique technique - in which his breaths go from laboured to relaxed - she revealed that “if I hadn't of used this technique, we probably would have been calling an ambulance."</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" 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);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Csa6V0NtTGq/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <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> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </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;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Csa6V0NtTGq/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Tiny Hearts (@tinyheartseducation)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Parents in her comments were grateful for the advice, with many reaching out to thank her, and others noting that they’d tried similar techniques with good results, while sharing their own for everyone else to see. </p> <p>“We do this too but with my hand pretending it’s five candles and she has to blow each one out (so I pop a finger down each time),” one wrote. “We also do it while she is using the spacer/ventolin to really encourage each inhale.”</p> <p>“Amazing, also blowing bubbles helps. I learnt yesterday when my baby needed physio,” another said. </p> <p>“Smell the roses then blow out the candles, one of my most used lines for cardiorespiratory patients,” one user shared. </p> <p>And as one other said, “Homeopathic remedy - spongia. It completely changed my child’s cough from can’t breathe to totally manageable. I would highly recommend a consult with a homeopath if you have a child who gets this recurrently because it would make such a big difference and reduce hospital visits”.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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The trick to removing a stain from any surface

<p>When it comes to household tasks there’s one in particular that makes everyone shudder. I’m referring, of course, to cleaning. No one likes to clean and no matter how often you clean your home it’s never fun.</p> <p>But that doesn’t mean it has to be difficult. The following guide will teach you the best way to tackle stains on any household surface.</p> <p><strong>Carpet stains</strong></p> <p>While some people may opt to hire a carpet cleaner, there are actually very few carpet stains you can’t clean yourself. Add a splash of vinegar to the stain and dampen a cleaning cloth. Gently pat at the stain and rinse the cloth at regular intervals. Repeat this process until the stain lifts.</p> <p>Then sprinkle bi-carb on the damp area and work it into the carpet a little. Once the bi-carb dries, use a vacuum to clean it up.</p> <p>If you like, sprinkle some lemon juice to freshen things up. If you’ve done everything right you’ll be left with clean, fresh smelling carpets.</p> <p><strong>Tile and hardwood flooring</strong></p> <p>Add vinegar to a bucket of water and use it to mop up as much of the stain as possible. Apply more vinegar directly to the stain. Combine with bi-carb and wait a few minutes for a chemical reaction. You will notice some bubbling and frothing.</p> <p>Gently scrub at any marks with a brush until clean. Finally, use clean water to either wipe or mop the area again to finish things off.</p> <p><strong>Bathroom surfaces</strong></p> <p>Bathrooms are tough to clean but this mixture makes mould and mildew a thing of the past. Combine 1½ cups bi-carb soda, one cup of liquid soap, ½ cup of water and ¼ cup of vinegar together in a bucket.</p> <p>Use this to clean shower screens, remove mildew and scrub tile grout. For maximum effect use a coarse sponge or hard bristled brush.</p> <p><strong>Kitchen benchtops</strong></p> <p>Most modern kitchen benchtops will not stain due to the materials they are made from. However, anyone with a kitchen knows they still require constant cleaning in order to stay hygienic.</p> <p>Use a cleaning cloth and vinegar to keep benchtops sanitised. You can use bi-carb anytime if something more abrasive is needed. This could be useful for things like dried cereal or food stains. If the vinegar smell becomes too much, deodorise with lemon juice.</p> <p><strong>Concrete and garage floors</strong></p> <p>The same ingredients can be used to make a powerful degreaser. This will clean any oil or scuff stains from concrete and other robust surfaces. Simply add one cup of vinegar to a few teaspoons of bi-carb, along with a drop or two of liquid soap. Add this to a spray bottle and fill to the top with warm water. Shake to combine the ingredients.</p> <p>Use the spray bottle to apply the mixture to any stubborn stain you wish to remove. For the best results, apply liberally and wait several minutes before scrubbing with a hard bristled brush. If you have one available you might also wish to use a pressure washer.</p> <p><em>Written by Michael Brooke. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.domain.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Domain.com.au</span></strong></a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

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Cheap tricks for the cruise enthused

<p>Anyone who's been on a cruise has some advice to share - from how to <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/cruising/9-ways-to-stay-safe-on-a-cruise-ship" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stay safe</a> on board, which <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/cruising/words-you-need-to-know-before-going-on-a-cruise" target="_blank" rel="noopener">terms</a> to listen out for, and how to <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/cruising/7-things-making-you-sick-on-your-cruise" target="_blank" rel="noopener">avoid coming down</a> with anything that might throw a spanner - or in this case, a paddle - in the holiday works. </p> <p>But if there’s one thing most people can agree on, it’s that they’d like to save a few cents wherever they can when planning to embark on their luxury cruise getaway. Whether it be accommodation, transport, entertainment, or food causing the concern, experts have advice prepped and ready for all prospective travellers.</p> <ul> <li><strong>Booking </strong></li> </ul> <p>Typically, people approach booking their holiday in one of two ways: planning as far as possible in advance, or leaving it to ‘the last minute’. </p> <p>As <em>Cruise Guru</em>’s Andrew Zhang claims, cruises can be sold out up to one year before the ship sets sail. And while many will offer customers “early-bird” promotions, those who prefer to wait a little while longer don’t have to fear missing out, with late-minute deals regularly available. The only downside being that options will be limited, with their speedy counterparts already having snagged the spots. </p> <p>Research is important, so if it’s possible, try to be flexible with your travel times, and shop around until you find the best deal for your needs. </p> <ul> <li><strong>Companions </strong></li> </ul> <p>Just like with renting - where more bedrooms typically means more ‘value’ for your money - it can be cheaper to travel with a larger party. Always check for potential discounts when travelling with more than two people, be that friends or family, as many cruise liners will offer money off for each guest above three staying in the same stateroom, or some sort of similarly enticing deal.  </p> <ul> <li><strong>Cabins </strong></li> </ul> <p>Cruise ships are not immune to the ‘class’ system that plagues airline travel, boasting the same first, business, and economy agenda. </p> <p>Although prices and deals will vary depending on the company, generally a ship’s inside cabins come out cheapest, and considered an excellent option if your only need for the room is to get some shut eye, and to be gentle on the budget. </p> <p>However, for those with their eyes on a more lavish experience in a balcony room or an entire suite, <em>My Cruise</em>’s Michael Middleton has some words of advice. </p> <p>“Some cruise lines are now offering an upgrade bid system,” he says for those dreaming of an upgrade, but urges customers to remember that like most things, the best items on offer will be snatched up first.  </p> <p>Other experts suggest looking out for loyalty programs, as they often come with benefits - from spa treatments to general freebies - and savings, even if they won’t necessarily provide an upgrade. </p> <ul> <li><strong>The Loop </strong></li> </ul> <p>On a similar note to loyalty rewards, the experts suggest signing up to a variety of cruising newsletters. This way, you’ll be alerted and first in line when a deal is announced, and a number of cruise companies even offer exclusive deals to eager subscribers. </p> <p><em>Images: Getty </em></p>

Cruising

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“Works like a charm”: Edwina Bartholomew’s surprising trick for a happy marriage

<p>Edwina Bartholomew has revealed that for the past seven years, she and her husband have been sleeping in separate bedrooms. </p> <p>The couple have been together for ten years and married for five, and Edwina claimed it is their unique sleeping arrangement that has “kept their love alive”. </p> <p>Speaking to<em> The Daily Telegraph</em>, the 39-year-old admitted, “it shocks people when they come to our house and see two rooms set up. One for me with a pinkish bedspread, big wardrobe and piles of magazines and books.</p> <p>“One set up for my husband with his gym gear and other ‘manly’ stuff. My room is always messy. His is always neat. He is a bed-maker. I am not. He puts his clothes away. I like to file mine away on top of a chair in case I need them again.”</p> <p>While the rooms are a surprise and an amusement to their guests, that’s far from the case for the pair, with Edwina announcing them “the secret to our happy marriage”.</p> <p>With some concerned about how their arrangement might impact their sex life, Edwina noted that she and husband Neil Varcoe share two children - Molly, three, and Thomas, who is nearing one. </p> <p>“When I would get up for work, he would struggle to get back to sleep, so we decided to trial separate rooms,” Edwina told <em>News Corp Australia</em> of their decision to try having their own rooms, before going on to explain how having kids locked in their decision. </p> <p>“When we had kids, it continued.” She explained, “I would sleep overnight with the baby in my room and then he would wake up early to take over. Ten years into our relationship and five years into our marriage, it works a charm.”</p> <p>Edwina and Neil are not the first public figures to keep their sleep separate. Retired NRL star Benji Marshall and his wife Zoe have had their own beds for over 10 years - Zoe once told <em>news.com.au</em> that it was “heaven” for the couple. </p> <p>In fact, it may even be something of a royal arrangement, with the late Queen and Duke of Edinburgh also having slept separately. </p> <p>Relationship experts are divided on the subject of separate bedrooms.</p> <p>Those who are in favour of the arrangement mention the benefits - from a good night’s sleep to an improved sex life. Some, however, fear it could lead to a lack of communication between a couple. </p> <p>It seems Edwina and Neil have found the sweet spot for a successful marriage - and for getting some much-needed sleep - with the couple set to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary in April.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

Relationships

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12 tricks to save every last drop of beauty products

<p>It’s easy to end up spending a fortune on beauty products. All too often you can find yourself caught short when your favourite product runs out just when you need it. So to save some of your hard-earned cash, try some of our tips to make your products go the extra mile.</p> <p>1. If you have a favourite foundation that’s only got a bit left in the bottle, add some Sorbolene cream, shake well, and turn it into a tinted moisturiser.</p> <p>2. Don’t throw away plastic tubes of product such as eye cream, foundation or lip balm. Cut off the ends and scrape out the remaining product to get a couple more uses out of it.</p> <p>3. Remove the hard top layer of your powder compact (caused by the oils in your skin) by placing a strip of sticky tape over it. When you lift it off, the top layer will come off too leaving you with a like-new compact.</p> <p>4. Dropped and broken an eye shadow, blush or powder foundation? You can fix this by pouring a small amount of rubbing alcohol into the container until the product becomes a paste. Use your finger to press the product back together. Once the alcohol evaporates you will have a solid product once again.</p> <p>5. Bring your dried out mascara back to life with a few drops of saline solution. Pop the lid back on, shake well, and use again.</p> <p>6. Another mascara tip for when you’re running low is to place the container in a cup of warm water before use. This will loosen the product from the insides of the tube. Remember though that mascara should only be kept for about three months, so toss it if it is past its best.</p> <p>7. Broken your favourite lipstick? You can melt it with a lighter and join it back together. Wind up the lipstick that is still in the tube and use the flame from a lighter to gently melt it a little. Then do the same with the matching end of the broken piece. Push the two pieces together and smooth out the sides with your finger. Allow it to dry and it should be as good as new.</p> <p>8. If your powder blush has crumbled, turn it into a lip colour by adding a blob of Vaseline. Mix with a spoon and store in a small tub with a lid.</p> <p>9. Use a crumbled eye shadow to make your own nail polish. Simply add the fine powder to a clear nail polish, shake well and use. Works well with glitter-based eye shadow too for a sparkly look.</p> <p>10. If you have old nail polish that you can’t get open, place the handle in a mug of warm water. This should loosen it enough to be able to open.</p> <p>11. Turn your last few drops of perfume into a scented moisturiser by adding it to a tub of lotion.</p> <p>12. Keep your make-up brushes in good condition by wetting with warm water and then rubbing in some olive oil. Rinse under warm water to remove excess product, and then rub in some shampoo to get the last of the make-up out. Leave to dry before storing. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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5 ways to ripen your avocado in minutes

<p>The humble avocado can be a wily adversary when it comes to eatability. What lies beneath their dark, glossy skin is at best a guessing game. Many a meal has been ruined by slicing one open only to discover rock hard flesh. Fortunately, there are a few clever tricks you can you to ripen up an avocado quicker than you can say “guacamole”. Here are five of our favourites.</p> <p><strong>1. Wrap it in glad wrap</strong></p> <p>One of the easiest ways to quickly ripen an avocado is by wrapping it in glad wrap! Something to do with the heat and moisture generated we are led to believe.</p> <p><strong>2. Peas and a blender</strong></p> <p>If you’re really stuck and need to do something with your rock hard avo, try dicing it up and popping into the blender with a handful of frozen peas. Instant creamy guacamole!</p> <p><strong>3. The tin foil trick</strong></p> <p>For really, really unripe avocados, this tin foil hack might just do the trick. Simply wrap your unripe avocado in foil and pop it in a low temperate oven (around 90c). Leave for around 10 minutes then transfer to the fridge to cool. Avocadoes release ethylene gas (which helps them to ripen) much faster in the oven due to the warmth. This method can change their taste slightly though so is best used when the avocado will be turned into something like guacamole or added to a recipe.</p> <p><strong>4. Lime juice + apple cider vinegar</strong></p> <p>Another trick to create instant, creamy guacamole. Take a sharp knife, cut your avocado in half then score the flesh into sections. Pop the segments out into a bowl and sprinkle with a tsp of apple cider vinegar and the juice of ½ a lime. Allow to sit for a few minutes then mash.</p> <p><strong>5. Brown paper bag + flour</strong></p> <p>As bizarre as it sounds, the humble brown paper bag can help ripen up an avocado considerably faster than nature alone. Pour ½-1 cup of flour into the bottom of the bag then add your avocado. Seal the bag and leave in a warm spot to ripen. This can take anywhere between 12-48 hours. To speed up the process, add another piece of fruit like a banana or apple to the bag as this will add to the ethylene gas production and thus speed up ripening.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Food & Wine

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13 budget beauty tricks

<p>There are plenty of beauty tips that are not worth listening to. Who actually throws out their mascara after three months? Do you really need to buy enough make-up brushes to rival an artist's palette? And will putting strawberries all over your teeth really give you a smile to rival Lucille Ball’s? It’s all a bit too hard.</p> <p>Use these simple, DIY tricks to save your time, money and effort.</p> <ol> <li>To avoid lipstick on your teeth, after applying your lippie stick your finger in your mouth and pull it out. This way your finger will take the excess product, not your teeth. </li> <li>Concoct your own plumping lip venom (and save yourself $30) by adding a drop of cinnamon or peppermint oil to your lip colour.</li> <li>Vaseline costs you pocket change and has to be the most hard-working beauty products out there. Apply to lashes before bed to make them grow longer and thicker over time, use it to tame unruly eyebrows, apply to pulse points before spritzing your perfume to make the scent last longer, combine with sea salt to make a scrub and mix with lipstick to make a subtle cream blush.</li> <li>Don't have a curler? Give yourself groovy, long-lasting waves by flat-ironing your braids with your hair straightener. Avoid making the braids too tight lest you like the crimped look.</li> <li>Don't listen to Sally Hansen when she says you need to buy cuticle cream. Eye cream applied to your nail beds serves the same purpose.</li> <li>While towels cause static and friction, drying your hair with a cotton T-shirt eliminates the frizz factor completely.</li> <li>A light dusting of baby powder between coats of mascara creates fullness you have not dared to even dream of.</li> <li>There's nothing worse than blotches of dry shampoo that could be mistaken for dandruff. Always apply it the night before, not the morning of, to prevent product build-up.</li> <li>Want to give your lipstick long-wear power? After applying, hold a tissue over your lips and lightly dust with translucent powder to set the colour.</li> <li>Got a spot of foundation on your white shirt? A touch of shaving cream on a damp cloth should clear it right up.</li> <li>You can reduce hair static and fly-aways by slicking it with a dryer sheet.</li> <li>There's no tougher wait than the time it takes your conditioner to work or your manicure to dry. Cut that drying time in half by dunking your nails in a bowl of cold water for two minutes shortly after painting.</li> <li>Had a messy experience with leaky products in your suitcase? Hasn't everyone? Just unscrew the caps, place a layer of cling film over the top and screw them back to prevent any liquid from ruining your trip.</li> </ol> <p><em>Written by Kathleen Lee Joe. First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stuff.co.nz.</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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"They were tricked": Kyle Sandilands defends the return of ISIS brides

<p>Kyle Sandilands has spoken out in support of four ISIS brides and their 13 children returning to Australian shores from Syria. </p> <p>The radio shock jock went on an impassioned rant on the <em>Kyle and Jackie O Show</em> on Thursday morning, explaining why he supports them being brought back home, as he believes they didn't know what they were getting themselves in to. </p> <p>He said, "They are Australian citizens who were tricked, young girls tricked into sex slavery, getting bashed and threatened."</p> <p>"They've lived in a Syrian refugee camp for several years with children. I welcome you with open arms, you're welcome back to the country."</p> <p>Kyle also questioned the onslaught of negative media attention the families have received since returning to Australia just days ago.</p> <p>"It's very strange how a lot of these journalists are acting like they're the horrible terrorists," he said.</p> <p>Sandilands called for people to remember the dire conditions the families have been living in at the al-Hol and al-Roj refugee camps in Syria, and encouraged people to be a little more compassionate to the families. </p> <p>"Yesterday there was an article saying they've gone to a McDonald's and a Kmart and I was like 'So what? Just like anyone else can'."</p> <p>His comments come after Sky News host Peta Credlin slammed the Albanese government for failing to provide reasons why the families were repatriated.</p> <p>"It's completely shirked its duty to explain how the safety of a few women who rejected Australia to join terrorist groups abroad trumps the safety of the wider population," Ms Credlin said.</p> <p>"They (residents of Sydney's southwest) shouldn't have terrorists or terrorist sympathisers living in a street next to them."</p> <p><em>Image credits: KIIS FM / Nine</em></p>

News

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13 stylist-approved tricks for having the shiniest hair ever

<p><strong>Rinse with cold water</strong></p> <p>Perhaps you’ve heard that cold water helps constrict pores. Well, it has a similar effect on your hair. According to stylist, Stefani Padilla, cold water seals and smooths the hair cuticle, locking in moisture and adding shine. After using shampoo and conditioner, finish with a blast of cold water.</p> <p><strong>Give gloss a try (at the salon)</strong></p> <p>At your salon appointment, ask your stylist for a gloss treatment. “A clear gloss, with a little gold colour in it, delivers the ultimate shine,” says colourist, Will Francis. “I like to leave it on for at least ten minutes.” The way the light reflects off hair post-gloss makes it look super lustrous.</p> <p><strong>Minimise heat styling</strong></p> <p>Heat styling can wear away hair’s cuticles, so it becomes dry, frizzy and breakage-prone. Padilla advises giving your hairdryer and flat iron a rest in favour of air-drying, at least a day or two a week.</p> <p><strong>Invest in an ionic hairdryer</strong></p> <p>Of course, there will be occasions when you want a bouncy blow-dry. So it’s important to invest in the right type of tool – specifically an ionic blow-dryer, which dries the hair faster than alternatives and helps reduce static. One major blow-dry mistake that may be sabotaging your style? Ignoring the nozzle attachment. It’s there for a reason and that’s namely to smooth strands and enhance shine.</p> <p><strong>Blow-dry like a pro</strong></p> <p>Remember, it’s not just about the tool, but how you use it. Be sure to hold the hairdryer a few centimetres away from your head to moderate heat damage. “Always blow dry from root to end – in the direction of the cuticle,” says celebrity colourist, Michael Canalé. “Keep the brush moving while doing so. The continuous, fluid motion smooths and flattens the cuticle, resulting in shiny hair.”</p> <p><strong>Opt for protective products</strong></p> <p>When it comes to heat-styling, you already know that protecting your tresses is a must. But what you might not realise is that pollution and UV rays also damage hair. The right formula can shield against heat and environmental damage.  A nourishing oil “is great because it protects hair from thermal stress, UV, colour fade and environmental aggressors. I always use it on my clients,” says Francis.</p> <p><strong>Slather on some oil</strong></p> <p>Restore radiance with a nourishing oil. Use it as a weekly treatment (massage into scalp and strands) or smooth a few drops daily on the ends to enhance hydration and sheen. Padilla recommends using a lightweight oil, like a nutrient-rich jojoba oil infused with shine-boosting rosemary, protective Ayahuasca plant essence, and moisturising vitamin E.</p> <p><strong>Up your omega intake</strong></p> <p>Certain nutrients are shown to improve hair health – chief among them omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. “Your body needs these to produce lustrous locks, from the inside out,” says Padilla. Load up on fish, like mackerel and sardines. Don’t love seafood? Consider a fish oil capsule. Other omega-rich foods include walnuts, flaxseeds (and oil), avocado and tofu.</p> <p><strong>Shampoo less frequently </strong></p> <p>You’ve certainly heard this before, but it bears repeating… stylists are begging you to stop shampooing your hair every day. Washing less actually preserves shine by allowing natural oils to do their job, according to Francis. Try to limit cleansing to two or three times a week, and make sure you know how to properly wash your hair.</p> <p><strong>Use a clarifying shampoo - in moderation</strong></p> <p>Clarifying hair is important to avoid build up, which can deplete the shine. Want squeaky clean strands? Consider adding a clarifying shampoo into your rotation once a month (but not weekly as it can dry out your tresses). When it comes to picking the right formula, Padilla recommends steering clear of chemicals and sulphates, which can strip the hair as well as open the cuticle. “The key to shine is to keep cuticle closed and protected,” she says.</p> <p><strong>DIY an apple cider vinegar rinse</strong></p> <p>Another in-shower, shine-booster is a weekly apple cider vinegar rinse – it’s basically a DIY version of a clarifying shampoo. Combine two tablespoons apple cider vinegar with one cup water. After shampooing, saturate strands. Rinse thoroughly, and follow with conditioner on the ends only. “The citric acid in the apple cider vinegar dissolves root build up and any other follicle-clogging bacteria that dulls the hair,” explains Canalé.</p> <p><strong>Try a weekly treatment</strong></p> <p>Topical hydration is so important to maintain hair’s natural gleam. “I suggest my clients use a treatment or mask once a week, as a self-care ritual to heal and preserve hair health,” says Padilla. To use, simply massage into the scalp and pull through dry hair. For maximum hydration, keep it on overnight and wash out in the morning. The natural oils in these formulas lock in moisture and make hair shiny.</p> <p><strong>Brush daily</strong></p> <p>Channel your inner Marcia Brady. Well, not quite. While you don’t need to brush your strands 100 times, Padilla does suggest daily brushing. “Brushing pulls natural oils from the scalp down into the hair, which acts as a natural moisturiser,” she says. Be sure to choose a brush with natural or boar bristles, which are a gentler and less damaging alternative to metal and synthetic.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/beauty/13-stylist-approved-tricks-for-having-the-shiniest-hair-ever?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. </em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Six tricks to combat air travel sickness

<p dir="ltr">If there’s one thing that's guaranteed to ruin a travel experience, it’s unexpected motion sickness, as there's nothing worse than feeling ill and not being able to escape until you land.</p> <p dir="ltr">Experts at Travel Lens have shared their holy grail tips for people to do before and during their flights to help reduce air sickness travel symptoms. </p> <p dir="ltr">Airsickness, otherwise known as motion sickness, is caused when the body receives conflicting information from the eyes, ears and muscles in regards to movement.</p> <p dir="ltr">This confuses the brain, which can cause nausea, fatigue and dizziness.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Air sickness is very common and with plenty of holidays still to come this year, it's important that people can enjoy them fully without the added stress of feeling ill on the plane," a spokesperson told <a href="https://travel.nine.com.au/latest/travel-advice-tricks-to-combat-airsickness-on-flights-expert/91e42ab8-ae9b-4b5a-a0f2-88525ee38886#1">9Honey</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">"For some people, sickness may be a persistent problem when travelling, but there are certain things that can be implemented to help ease any symptoms.”</p> <p dir="ltr">"Whilst on the plane it's important to stay as calm as possible and by making small adjustments you can reduce the effects of airsickness."</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Select your seat mindfully</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Your position on a plane has a drastic effect on how much movement you can expect throughout your journey. </p> <p dir="ltr">Typically the middle, the wing and closer to the front of the plane are the best places to sit as this is where the journey feels most stable. </p> <p dir="ltr">Try to avoid the back of the plane as seats further back can be subject to more turbulence.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Put the book and screens down</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">While reading or watching is a great way to pass the time on a flight, focusing on these forms of entertainment can only exacerbate the feeling of motion sickness. </p> <p dir="ltr">The best thing to do instead of reading or watching something is to try to relax and focus on breathing.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Avoid alcohol</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Many people are inclined to indulge in an alcoholic drink on a plane, however the effects of drinking while travelling are often less than desirable. </p> <p dir="ltr">Alcohol can dehydrate the body quickly and this can exacerbate symptoms, so it may be best to opt for a soda. </p> <p dir="ltr">Wait until symptoms have completely subsided before you consider having a drink or until you land.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Use mint and ginger</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Some studies have suggested consuming ginger before heading off on a flight can help to stop feelings of nausea. </p> <p dir="ltr">Whether it's taken as a supplement, in raw form or even as a can of ginger beer, it's definitely worth a try.</p> <p dir="ltr">The same can be said for peppermint, so taking a packet of breath mints in your carry-on is a must. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Choose your food wisely</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">While plane food is always a bit of a gamble, it's a good idea to eat before boarding. </p> <p dir="ltr">Steer clear of greasy and spicy foods as these can unsettle an already nervous stomach.</p> <p dir="ltr">And make sure you stay hydrated!</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Get comfortable</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Instead of staying upright for your whole flight, take advantage of a slight recline in your seats (just don’t forget to talk to the person sitting behind you first!)</p> <p dir="ltr">Consider taking a travel pillow to ease the strain on the neck throughout the flight and put any unnecessary items in the overhead storage to ensure the most comfortable environment for dealing with any sickness symptoms.</p> <p dir="ltr">Use the blankets provided and tune out any noise, and focus on deep breathing until you arrive safely at your destination. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Travel Tips

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A clever trick to make your rubbish smell nice (and 11 other handy home hints)

<p>You’ll wonder how you ever got along without knowing these sneaky home cleaning tricks.</p> <p>1. Throw lemon, lime or orange peels into your garbage disposal to clean the drain and give your kitchen a lovely fresh scent.</p> <p>2. Clean your silver quickly by lining your sink with foil, and then add half a cup salt and half a cup baking soda. Fill the sink with hot water and place your silverware inside for 30 minutes. The tarnish will transfer to the foil saving you loads of time as you won’t need to clean each piece separately.</p> <p>3. Use an old dryer sheet to polish and metal in your car. It will give much better shine than a regular cloth.</p> <p>4. To clean your cutting board, slice a lemon in half and rub it all over a plastic or wooden board. Leave to work its magic for 20 minutes before washing it.</p> <p>5. Clean the ceiling fan by sliding a pillowcase over each blade, then pull it off gently to collect the dust.</p> <p>6. If you have a grease stain on clothing, rub some chalk over it before washing to help get rid of the marks. </p> <p>7. Keep the tops of cupboards cleaner by lining with plain paper or newspaper. Simply replace every couple of months. </p> <p>8. Make your loo smell great by popping a few drops of your favourite essential oil in the middle of the roll. Lavender or rose are great options.</p> <p>9. Make your own fabric freshener in a spray bottle by combining one-eight of a cup of fabric softener, two tablespoons of baking soda, and topping it up with hot tap water. Shake well and use to freshen up clothing or upholstery. </p> <p>10. Clean vomit off a rug or carpet by baking a paste of baking soda and water. Clear up as much of the mess as you can and then smear the stain with the paste. Leave it to dry overnight until it becomes powdery and then just vacuum up.</p> <p>11. Clean your sandwich press or bench top grill by placing a doubled up sheet of damp paper towel in the press after you have used it and switched it off. The heat will cause the towel to steam and clean the press. Then just wipe it clean with another piece of paper towel. </p> <p>12. Clean up stained plastic containers by filling them two-thirds full with water and a tablespoon of washing up liquid. Add a quarter cup of bleach and microwave for 40 seconds, or until the solution is boiling. Leave to cool until the water is lukewarm and then wash your container as normal. </p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

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