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Your 2025 Oscars wrap!

<div class="theconversation-article-body">In a year with few surprises in the awards categories, there was also a dearth of surprises on the red carpet. The sartorial themes included sparkling metallics, coloured menswear and bows, bows and more bows.</p> <p>Metallic gowns that resemble the Oscar statue are a familiar sight at the Academy Awards and this year was no different. Some of the standouts included best actress nominee Demi Moore in a magnificently glittering silver Armani Privé gown, Selena Gomez in custom Ralph Lauren encrusted with 16,000 individual blush-toned jewel teardrops, and Emma Stone in a minimalist Louis Vuitton sheath covered in iridescent fish scales.</p> <p>In the menswear category, tuxedos reign supreme. This year was notable only for the diversity of colours in which these suits came.</p> <p>Best actor nominee Timothée Chalamet lived up to his reputation for monochrome, richly hued ensembles in a custom butter yellow leather suit by Givenchy, paired with a matching silk shirt and delicate neck brooch in place of a tie. His best actor nominated compatriot, Colman Domingo (one of the best dressed men in Hollywood) was pristine in a double-breasted red silk jacket with black lapels, black trousers and matching red shirt by Valentino, similarly eschewing a tie in favour of a fine gold brooch. Andrew Garfield wore louche chocolate brown Gucci and Jeremy Strong wore a suit by Loro Piana in an unusual tone of olive green.</p> <p>Bows of varying size and stature were perhaps the strongest theme of the night.</p> <p>Best actress winner Mikey Madison in black and pink Dior, best supporting actress nominee Felicity Jones in shimmering liquid silver Armani, Elle Fanning in white and black Givenchy and Lupita Nyong’o in white Chanel were all adorned with bows at their waists.</p> <p>The most remarkable bow of the night though was best actress nominee Cynthia Erivo in a structured deep emerald-green velvet Louis Vuitton gown, the broad, wing-like sleeves of which were crafted as a bow.</p> <p>Notable mentions must also go to those attendees who do not fit neatly into any thematic category. Best supporting actress nominee Ariana Grande wore a meticulously crafted pale pink Schiaparelli confection and Lisa (of Blackpink and now White Lotus fame) perfected a feminine take on masculine suiting in a tuxedo dress by Markgong.</p> <p>The only real surprise was the lack of political statements on display. Unlike recent years, when pins and ribbons in support of Ukraine and Palestine were widely worn, this year only Guy Pearce was spotted wearing a Free Palestine pin, Conclave writer Peter Straughan wore a Ukrainian flag pin and Kayo Shekoni had “free Congo” emblazoned on the sole of her high heels.</p> <p>– <em>Harriette Richards</em></p> <h2>The best picture: <em>Anora</em></h2> <p>And the best picture Oscar goes to … <em>Anora</em> – the film that was favoured to win, so no surprises here.</p> <p>Though he had been working for more than a decade at the time, writer-director-editor Sean Baker came onto the independent movie scene with a bang with 2015’s Tangerine, a gimmicky film that was mainly celebrated for being shot on an iPhone. Why this would be celebrated is anyone’s guess. I suspect it’s because of the “I could do it too” factor – something the average person certainly couldn’t say if we’re talking 35mm celluloid.</p> <p>Since then, Baker’s films have relished in embracing the digital, neon world, but always in a kind of sentimental and shallow, rather than critical, register. None of his films are awful – and maybe that’s saying something in this day and age. Anora also is not awful, but it’s not particularly memorable either.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z20wJkdKz98?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>Anora follows a run of the mill American dream-type story about a hard-working stripper who seems to strike fairytale gold when a young, fun Russian oligarch falls in love with her. Only the dream turns out to be more of a nightmare (kind of) when things don’t quite work out and the film ends with the titular character once again independent and free.</p> <p>The idea of undercutting the fairytale setup of the typical rom-com is not at all original, and the film strikes me as even more schmaltzy in its rejection of the fairytale dream than if it had embraced it and played like a tween-focused Nickelodeon film (it’s about as poignant as this).</p> <p>The film’s cardinal sin, however – and it’s certainly not alone in this – is its critical overlength. Each of the film’s sections could have had some 20 minutes cut and we would have had an enjoyably tight romp at 80 minutes. Instead, Anora drags on, swept up in its imagining of its own profundity – at times pretentious, but mainly tedious.</p> <p>– <em>Ari Mattes</em></p> <h2>Not the year to stick a neck out</h2> <p>The speeches this year were conspicuously meek. No announcer majorly insulted anyone else. No winner assaulted anyone else. Even the James Bond retrospective lacked energy. What’s going on in Hollywood?</p> <p>There are clues that help explain this curious flatness. Host Conan O’Brien mentioned the pressure of “divisive politics” while reflecting on California’s wildfires. Several winners spoke about the importance of shared experience, of what unites us, of film as a medium that brings people together, a force for “<a href="https://pitchfork.com/news/oscars-2025-clement-ducol-and-camille-win-best-original-song-for-el-mal-from-emilia-perez/">good and progress in the world</a>” and “<a href="https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a63981052/adrien-brody-best-actor-oscars-2025-speech-transcript/">a reminder not to let hate go unchecked</a>”.</p> <p>The directors of No Other Land, receiving their Oscar for best documentary, shared the one clear critical voice. Palestinian Basel Adra wished his newborn daughter a life without the fear that governs daily life in his homeland. Israeli co-director Yuval Abraham agreed: “There is another way. It’s not too late for life and for the living. There is no other way.”</p> <p>However, that was the only moment people at the Oscars seemed willing to confront the political elephant in the room.</p> <p>Anora director Sean Baker used his last (of four!) acceptance speeches to compel more people to help keep cinema doors open. He made his point passionately: this was the best way to sustain an industry that could continue to make brilliant movies. That said, the most emotive speeches of past Oscars events went much further than just commenting on the bread and butter concerns of the film industry.</p> <p>This year, there were more clues in what people did not say. There were feints at Russian dictators – but nobody mentioned the war in Ukraine. There was no discussion of a certain election result, nor of filmmakers’ fears that Washington is now in the control of a governing faction that loathes them. Most revealing of all: nobody raised a peep about the President or his friends.</p> <p>Hollywood’s collective discipline was on show tonight – and 2025 is not the year to stick a neck out.</p> <p>– <em>Tom Clark</em></p> <h2>A banner year for independent film</h2> <p>Independent films were the big winners for this year’s Oscars. While many of the technical awards went to the big budget films, such as Wicked (the US$145 million film won costume design and production design) and Dune: Part 2 (made at a budget of US$190 million, and winning sound and visual effects), the night’s major awards went to small productions.</p> <p>While the definitions of “independence” and “studio” films don’t exist in a neat binary when it comes to production and global distribution, we can distinguish between film juggernauts and smaller films.</p> <p>Three independent films won significant awards that are of note. Latvian film Flow was the first independent film to win best animated feature, up against major films Inside Out 2 (Pixar Films) and The Wild Robot (DreamWorks).</p> <p>The film follows a cat, a dog, a capybara, a secretary bird and a ring-tailed lemur navigating a post-apocalyptic world with rising sea levels. The film also only used free and open-source software Blender and mostly used sounds from real world counterparts of the various characters. It was made for a budget of just €3.5 million (A$5.9 million).</p> <p>The best documentary film nominees were dominated by independent films. Notably, the winner No Other Land has sadly been unable to find a distributor to release the film in the United States. (It is available for streaming in Australia on DocPlay, and in select cinemas.) The film was only eligible because the Film Lincoln Centre in New York facilitated a one-week, qualifying theatrical run.</p> <p>The night’s top glories went to Anora, made on a budget of just US$6 million (A$9.7 million) and taking home the awards for best film, director, actress, screenplay and editing.</p> <p>In his acceptance speech for best director, Sean Baker spoke of the importance of films getting a theatrical release. Films, he said, are about humanity – and that is best experienced in watching a film with other people.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ozpV7LyJ4YQ?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>During awards season, Baker has often spoken about the importance of small budget films in the expression of core human experiences.</p> <p>The final message of the night went to Baker when he thanked the Academy for recognising a truly independent film: “Long live independent film!”</p> <p>Indeed, independent films ruled this year’s Oscars.</p> <p>– <em>Stuart Richards</em></p> <h2>Best actor and actress</h2> <p>Mikey Madison, who won the best actress award for Anora, is quite good in the role. That said, it’s difficult to evaluate her performance in such a meandering film.</p> <p>She tries hard playing a stripper who falls for Prince Charming – a Russian oligarch (Hollywood’s anti-Russian sentiment has certainly grown in recent years) who turns out to be a bit of a weakling with meanie parents. But Madison never really convincingly embodies the character, and we’re ever aware as we watch the film that she’s an actress working her way through relevant emotions and intensities.</p> <p>That said, Madison is good at yelling and stripping, and this is the main way she shows her chops here. She screamed well in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019), too. The bar this year was admittedly pretty low, and truth be told Madison’s performance in Anora (aside from Fernanda Torres for I’m Still Here) is probably the best out of the nominees.</p> <p>In contrast, Adrien Brody, who won the best actor award, is absolutely unforgettable in the flawed but magnificent The Brutalist – the best he’s been since The Pianist, and the deserved winner by a mile out of a similarly mediocre field. Brody is simply a pleasure to watch, and drives, in a wholly embodied way, this grandiose and exceedingly long film (the fact it doesn’t feel long is largely due to his magnetism).</p> <p>The screenplay, in which the character comes across as a combination of arrogant, sweet and at times comedic, allows Brody to display the full range of his talent, and he plays the whole thing with an endearing vulnerability. But, again, it’s unfair to compare Brody and Madison – The Brutalist is a spectacularly accomplished cinematic epic, while Anora feels as stylish and profound as a social media video (I know that’s the point, but that doesn’t make it any more compelling).</p> <p>– <em>Ari Mattes</em></p> <h2>A lacklustre year for music</h2> <p>This was a strong year for music-based films, with three of the most nominated ones being musicals of various types: the big-budget Broadway adaptation Wicked, the original film musical Emilia Pérez, and the musician biopic A Complete Unknown.</p> <p>The music of the ceremony itself was nicely assembled, with a live orchestra (conducted by Michael Bearden) accompanying proceedings from above the stage.</p> <p>But the show was marred by an absence: the best song nominations were not performed live. The new songs this year were so bland, however – especially when compared to the Wicked score and Bob Dylan – that I can hardly blame the producers. The nominations included a dull Elton John song, some soft guitar rock from Sing Sing, Diane Warren’s 16th (!) nominated song (more soft rock), and two forgettable songs from Emilia Pérez (one of which, El Mal, was the winner).</p> <p>So little faith did the Academy have in the songs that only a few seconds were played from each, mostly covered by a montage of interviews with the songwriters.</p> <p>This year’s nominated best scores were not much more memorable, but Daniel Blumberg deserved his win for The Brutalist. It demonstrates a high level of composition and orchestration craft. It uses edgy instrumental textures to increase the feelings of uncertainty and imbalance that the film imparts.</p> <p>The show included a lot of Wizard of Oz. Ariana Grande sang Over the Rainbow from the 1939 film and Cynthia Erivo sang Home from The Wiz, the 1974 soul musical based on the book. Then they performed Defying Gravity from Wicked together.</p> <p>Another subtle Wizard of Oz nod was the music played during the commercial breaks: a loop based on Brand New Day from The Wiz, whose 1979 film version had its music produced by the late Quincy Jones. Queen Latifah and backup dancers brought some much needed energy to the last hour of the ceremony with Ease on Down the Road, also from The Wiz, as part of a Jones tribute.</p> <p>One surprise was an unnecessary but enjoyable James Bond sequence featuring Margaret Qualley dancing to John Barry’s famous theme, a performance of Live and Let Die by K-pop star Lisa, Doja Cat singing Diamonds Are Forever, and Raye’s rendition of Skyfall.</p> <p>This plus the various numbers from the Oz Musical Universe only highlighted how lacklustre this year’s nominated music was.</p> <p>– <em>Gregory Camp</em></p> <p><!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/harriette-richards-992933">Harriette Richards</a>, Senior Lecturer, School of Fashion and Textiles, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ari-mattes-97857">Ari Mattes</a>, Lecturer in Communications and Media, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-notre-dame-australia-852">University of Notre Dame Australia</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gregory-camp-1280180">Gregory Camp</a>, Senior Lecturer, School of Music, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-auckland-waipapa-taumata-rau-1305">University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/stuart-richards-9983">Stuart Richards</a>, Senior Lecturer in Screen Studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tom-clark-4911">Tom Clark</a>, Chair of Academic Board, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/victoria-university-1175">Victoria University</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/from-the-fashion-to-the-speeches-to-the-music-this-was-an-oscars-of-few-surprises-5-experts-break-it-down-251264">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Movies

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"No one cares": Albo roasted over Spotify Wrapped

<p>At the end of each December, music streaming service Spotify share their results to each individual user of their most played songs of the year. </p> <p>As is tradition, many people share their results on social media, sparking worldwide commentary about people's listening habits over the last 12 months. </p> <p>Joining in on the fun this year was Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who took to Instagram to share his top five songs he had on repeat in 2024. </p> <p>His top song was <em>Australia</em> by G-Flip, with each of his top five tracks coming from Australian artists, such as Angie McMahon, and bands Lime Cordiale, Hockey Dad and King Stingray. </p> <p>Despite his representation for local music, many were quick to call out Albo for sharing his Spotify Wrapped at all. </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-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DDK7lLHTrAF/?utm_source=ig_embed&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/p/DDK7lLHTrAF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Anthony Albanese (@albomp)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“No one gives a frig what’s on your Spotify list. What they want to hear is what you are actually doing to bring the cost of living issues down and what you are doing with the housing affordability crisis,” read one brutal comment under his post. </p> <p>“No one cares. Do your job,” another person said, while someone else wrote, “The country is f***ed & your tweeting about Spotify #priorities.”</p> <p>“WTF? my electricity bill just went up 20% this morning and you’re show me this !!” another added. </p> <p>One comment simply wrote, "Explains why he hasn’t had time to listen to those who voted for him."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram/LUKAS COCH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial</em></p>

Music

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That's a wrap on iconic Aussie favourite

<p>Allen's Sweets have confirmed the end of production of the iconic Fantales, after being on Aussie shelves for almost a century. </p> <p>Manufacturer Nestlé made the shock announcement on Tuesday that the chocolate-coated caramels would stop being produced in July. </p> <p>The decision to pull the fan favourite lollies from shelves follows a rapid decline in sales and the need for significant and expensive upgrades to continue to make Fantales at Nestlé’s Melbourne confectionery factory, the company said.</p> <p>“We know our decision to stop making Fantales will be sad news for many people,” Nestlé Oceania Confectionery General Manager Andrew Lawrey said in a statement.</p> <p>“Many of us grew up with Fantales and have fond memories of them."</p> <p>“Despite the sense of nostalgia Fantales evoke, unfortunately people simply aren’t buying them as often as they used to.”</p> <p>Confirming the news that sales of the iconic sweet have dropped, experienced IGA shelf stacker Claudia Byatt says, "I worked at IGA for 5 years. They do not sell. And girl fr [for real], no one is buying Minties either."</p> <p>Despite the lack of sales, experienced Fantales eater Natasha Clarke fired back, "I buy them and i'm who matters!!"</p> <p>Lawrey went on to say the equipment needed to make Fantales needs significant investment.</p> <p>“It’s become increasingly difficult to get the parts we need to maintain it, and with declining sales, replacing it isn’t viable,” Mr Lawrey said.</p> <p>Fantales were first created in 1930, when the Golden Age of Hollywood saw people flocking to the cinema. </p> <p>To ride the wave of movie magic, the delectable chewy caramels were wrapped with ‘fan tales’ of actors and musicians on its wrappers, to the delight of quiz fans and "fun fact" enthusiasts. </p> <p>Mr Lawrey wanted to assure those with a sweet tooth that other Allen's favourites are here to stay. </p> <p>“While investment in the future of Fantales is not sustainable, we’re continuing to invest in our other Allen’s lollies, including fan favourites such as Snakes Alive, Party Mix and Minties,” Mr Lawrey said.</p> <p>The news of the beloved Fantales leaving shelves had Aussies up in arms, with many believing they are a staple of Australian culture. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">WHAT?! Fantales are ending?! I always assumed they'd just exist for the rare occasion I want to revisit my childhood.</p> <p>— Dani (@danikiemel) <a href="https://twitter.com/danikiemel/status/1671311976172228608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">It’s just not a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/straya?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#straya</a> without <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Fantales?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Fantales</a></p> <p>— creatrixZBD (@zbdEmanuelle) <a href="https://twitter.com/zbdEmanuelle/status/1671320060483493888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Dentists retirement plans rely heavily on Fantales, Minties &amp; White Knights. Oh and those little toffees with sprinkles in paper at school fair days! <a href="https://t.co/tywtqeW9BQ">https://t.co/tywtqeW9BQ</a></p> <p>— PolarK (@Karina_Melbs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Karina_Melbs/status/1671325235327688704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Goodbye Fantales. You helped me through many boring briefings, meetings, seminars and workshops.</p> <p>— waggacrow | @waggacrow@toot.site (@waggacrow) <a href="https://twitter.com/waggacrow/status/1671309285010321408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>The last production of Fantales will be in mid-July, and Fantales will be available for sale while stocks last.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Nestlé</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Mum speaks out after reaction to cling wrap video

<p><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Warning: This article contains disturbing content which some readers may find distressing. </em></span></p> <p>A TikTok influencer said her son was temporarily taken from her home by child protection authorities after she <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/mum-slammed-for-cruel-cling-wrap-prank" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted a video</a> of her husband pushing the child around while he was swaddled from the neck down in cling wrap.</p> <p>The mum, Savannah Glembin, who has 1.1 million followers on TikTok, appeared emotional as she announced in a clip that authorities took her son, Gunner, away following the initial video.</p> <p>“Gunner has been taken from us until CPR can evaluate our home because I posted a video of my husband and son playing," she said.</p> <p>The video of the incident sparked concern among TikTok users, Gunner, who appears to be about two years old, was tightly wrapped in cling wrap while being moved around by his father, Hank.</p> <p>Savannah defended their actions in the video, saying it was “just a funny thing Hank did because Gunner was getting into the stove that day and tried putting a fork in a socket”.</p> <p>Several TikTok users commented how they were left feeling uncomfortable and disturbed by the video, which has since been taken down, with one user @auntkaren0 reposting the video, calling it “feels like abuse”.</p> <p>At one point the boy is placed standing on the bed before he falls forward onto his knees, unable to move his arms as he’s constrained by the cling wrap.</p> <p>“He’s a worm”, his father joked.</p> <p>“If you have a grumpy toddler all day, this is the only way,” the mum is heard saying in the background of the video.</p> <p>Hank, in military uniform, then proceeded to place Gunner face down on the bed before he was flipped over onto his back.</p> <p>User @auntkaren0, who reposted the video, also said, “I don’t see what’s funny here. I don’t understand how putting your toddler in an uncomfortable position is funny and then posting it for views.</p> <p>“Not only did you not just do this for your own entertainment, you thought this was going to be everybody’s entertainment.</p> <p>“This is why I don’t like family channels like this, because they will go to any length for views.”</p> <p>Many other TikTok users shared their concern for the child, one comment said, “My anxiety when he fell forward and I was like omg he’s going to suffocate.”</p> <p>Another comment read, “That gave me anxiety. The feeling of not being able to move! That poor kid.”</p> <p>A third user said, “That gave me anxiety. The feeling of not being able to move! That poor kid.”</p> <p>Addressing the initial video, Savannah appeared tearful, saying, “Right now, we're dealing with a situation where Gunner has been taken from us until CPS can evaluate our home because I posted a video of my husband and son playing.</p> <p>“That video was skewed in a way [that resulted in] people thinking we were abusing our child. But he was laughing and smiling and it was just a funny thing Hank did because Gunner was getting into the stove that day and tried putting a fork in a socket.</p> <p>“Hank playfully wrapped him in cling wrap - he had room to move. He looked like a little worm, like a little cucumber. He was at no point in distress or crying.</p> <p>“We would never hurt our son, we would never hurt our child. He is the best thing that's ever happened to us.</p> <p>“I posted that video two days ago and the response that it had gotten was positive so like I didn't know that someone had thought it was bad until yesterday when cops showed up at our door and separated us, his family.</p> <p>“We went down and made our statements, thinking Gunner was going to be returned to us that day and that CPS would do their investigation and see that our home is safe.”</p> <p>“All I can say is that my son is so loved and cherished. He is my miracle baby, he was my fourth pregnancy after three miscarriages, and he's the light of my life.” She added.</p> <p>“We made a mistake and we don't deserve our child taken away because of it.”</p> <p>The mumfluencer then posted another TikTok that appeared to show the child was back home in the custody of her and her husband.</p> <p><em>Image credit: TikTok</em></p>

Legal

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Mum slammed for cruel cling wrap ‘prank’

<p><strong><em>Warning: This article contains disturbing content which some readers may find distressing. </em></strong></p> <p>Tiktok influencer Savannah Glembin and her husband have come under fire for their decision to wrap their distressed toddler’s entire torso in cling wrap. </p> <p>In the now deleted video, the couple can be seen taking a concerning approach to discipline with their “stubborn” child. While Enya’s ‘Only Time’ plays in the background, Savannah’s husband Hank is standing behind their son, Gunner, as the toddler perches on a bed, his arms trapped against his sides in layers of cling wrap.</p> <p>“Grumpy toddler all day?” Savannah can be heard asking her audience, while over the video the text “this is the only way” is displayed. </p> <p>The family’s dog appears, before Hank lays Gunner on the bed, facedown, and states that “he’s a worm”. Gunner, then on his back, cries as he rolls to his side, unable to move any further. </p> <p>Although Savannah removed the incident from her feed, many accounts stitched the original video (the TikTok equivalent of a repost with additional commentary) beforehand. One user, known on the app as Aunt Karen, offered a trigger warning at the beginning of hers, stating that “this feels like abuse.”</p> <div class="element-embed clear-both" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px; color: #333333; font-family: roboto_regular, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; background-color: #ffffff;"> <blockquote id="v13272776541841646" class="tiktok-embed" style="box-sizing: border-box; position: relative; width: 605px; margin: 18px auto; line-height: 1.15; overflow: hidden; text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: proxima-regular, PingFangSC, sans-serif; max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@auntkaren0/video/7207105964476992811" data-video-id="7207105964476992811"><p><iframe style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: initial; border-style: none; max-width: 100%; width: 605px; height: 740px; display: block; visibility: unset; max-height: 740px; margin-left: auto !important; margin-right: auto !important;" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7207105964476992811?lang=en-GB&amp;referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tvanouvelles.ca%2F2023%2F03%2F07%2Fune-video-tiktok-seme-lindignation-alors-quun-bambin-est-la-proie-du-jeu-lugubre-de-son-pere" name="__tt_embed__v13272776541841646" sandbox="allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-scripts allow-top-navigation allow-same-origin"></iframe></p></blockquote> </div> <div id="magnite_outstream" class="splitbox-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: roboto_regular, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; background-color: #ffffff;"></div> <div id="fsk_splitbox_992_onscreen" class="fsk_splitbox_992_onscreen" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; color: #333333; font-family: roboto_regular, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; background-color: #ffffff;"> <div id="fsk_splitbox_992" class=" fsk_splitbox_992" style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 603px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; height: 0px; text-align: center;"><iframe id="fsk_frame_splitbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; width: 602.998px; height: 0px; border-width: initial; border-style: none; margin: 0px;" name="fsk_frame_splitbox" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> </div> <p>"I don't see what's funny here,” Aunt Karen concludes. “I don't understand how putting your toddler in an uncomfortable position is funny and then posting it for views. </p> <p>“Not only did you not just do this for your own entertainment, you thought this was going to be everybody's entertainment. </p> <p>"This is why I don't like family channels like this, because they will go to any length for views."</p> <p>People from all around the world were in agreement, outraged at the treatment of the toddler. </p> <p>The uproar grew so loud that child protective services in the US - where the family reside - got involved, and Savannah was forced to post a tearful ‘apology’ to her account.</p> <p>“I made the biggest mistake of my life posting this video. Genuinely and truly he was laughing and smiling and was out of the plastic in under five minutes,” she said. Many were quick to point out that while Savannah had apologised for posting the content, she hadn’t actually owned up to what they’d done to their son. </p> <p>“Right now, we're dealing with a situation where Gunner has been taken from us until CPR can evaluate our home,” Savannah told followers in another video, “because I posted a video of my husband and son playing."</p> <p>Savannah insisted that her son was not upset, despite his distressed demeanour in the original post. </p> <p>"That video was skewed in a way [and led to] people thinking we were abusing our child,” she said. “But he was laughing and smiling and it was just a funny thing Hank did because Gunner was getting into the stove that day and tried putting a fork in a socket.</p> <p>"Hank playfully wrapped him in cling wrap, he had room to move, he looked like a little cucumber. At no point was he in distress or crying.</p> <p>"We would never hurt our son. He is the best thing that's ever happened to us.”</p> <p>Savannah noted that they hadn’t expected the response their video received, and claimed that they hadn’t realised anyone felt negatively “until yesterday when cops showed up and our door and separated us, his family.”</p> <p>"We made a mistake,” Savannah concluded, “and we don't deserve our child taken away because of it."</p> <p>Gunner has since been returned to the couple, with Savannah captioning yet another TikTok update “home where he belongs”.</p> <p><em>Images: TikTok</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Wrapping presents leads to mother's cheeky Christmas discovery

<p>Queensland mother of four Nicole, was wrapping her Christmas presents early this year, when she had to take a second glance at a few images on what she thought was fairly innocent and cute wrapping paper.</p> <p>What she didn’t realise, was that after wrapping a few presents she accidentally selected something a little too inappropriate.</p> <p>The paper, innocently named "Christmas Wrapping Paper Roll" online actually contained X-rated cartoon images. One of an aroused snowman and another of a randy reindeer mounting another.</p> <p>I purchased them online and only noticed when I was wrapping my third present - thankfully the first two were for me and my partner!" she laughed.</p> <p>"When I first saw it I had to send photos to my friend and mother to see if they noticed anything off while wiping laughing tears from my face."</p> <p>Nicole said she wasn't planning on ditching the paper from Typo completely, but with her younger children, she wasn't keen on her kids asking about the birds and the bees over Christmas lunch.</p> <p>"I have only wrapped small presents in it now with strategically placed name labels," she said of her work-around.</p> <p>"I find it hilarious and have showed everyone. I put the post up on social media in case someone hadn’t noticed or may have left it too late to buy more paper ... and to give people a laugh!"</p> <p>Feeling the need to share, Nicole posted snaps of the paper in the Christmas Mums Australia Facebook group, and wasn't the only one to find it funny. Over 340 members of the group commented on Nicole's post.</p> <p>“This is the best!” one person commented.</p> <p>“That’s gold! I love it,” added another.</p> <p>As the laughter and jokes kept coming, many shoppers said that others shouldn’t be so surprised by the images, given Type, the store Nicole purchased from is known for selling cheeky items like this.</p> <p><em>Images: Typo</em></p>

Family & Pets

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5 clever uses for Christmas wrapping paper and cards

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After opening presents and reading cards from our loved ones and friends, we’re often left with piles of wrapping paper that need to be dealt with.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rather than throwing it straight into the bin, some can be recycled or repurposed into items that have that little bit of sentimental value.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here are </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://pop.inquirer.net/117417/10-diy-tips-for-recycling-your-christmas-gift-wrappers-and-cards" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">five</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> clever and crafty uses for your wrapping paper and cards this Christmas.</span></p> <p><strong>Confetti</strong></p> <p><strong><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846531/wrapping-paper1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/d993d6a78ab74456ac1a7f3e6e5ad702" /></strong></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: One Good Thing by Jillee / onegoodthingbyjillee.com</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An easy and cost-effective way to recycle wrapping paper, you can make the confetti just in time for any New Year’s parties or events you’ve planned. Just run the paper through a shredder or take to it with scissors and it’s ready to be used.</span></p> <p><strong>Drawer liners</strong></p> <p><strong><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846530/wrapping-paper2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/aeb39c63c2ef4199af0cadba93257641" /></strong></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Making Home Base / makinghomebase.com</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re someone who meticulously unwraps your gifts or you have some spare paper lying around, this hack could be perfect for you. Simply follow </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.makinghomebase.com/how-to-make-drawer-liners/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">this tutorial</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to line your drawers with the paper and give them a bright, new look with minimal effort.</span></p> <p><strong>Book wrappers</strong></p> <p><strong><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846529/wrapping-paper3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/b2c873ce9d28408aa95a3aef003f5dce" /></strong></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Eighteen25 / eighteen25.com</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a similar vein to drawer liners, wrapping paper can also be used to brighten up your stationery. Follow this easy </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://eighteen25.com/wrapping-paper-book-covers/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">tutorial</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to give your planners, notebooks, and journals that extra bit of colour and personality.</span></p> <p><strong>Bookmarks</strong></p> <p><strong><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846527/wrapping-paper4.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/b064416ccfc045b99b1769b262e9f01d" /></strong></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: The Frugal Girls / thefrugalgirls.com</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With this DIY project, you can turn your Christmas cards and discarded wrapping paper into a bookmark you can gift or keep for yourself. To make them, gather up your cards, a hole punch, and some ribbon, and follow this six-step </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://thefrugalgirls.com/2010/01/how-to-make-homemade-bookmarks-from-cards.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">tutorial</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. As for the wrapping paper, you can use it to add some extra decorations to your bookmarks.</span></p> <p><strong>Homemade envelopes</strong></p> <p><strong><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846528/wrapping-paper5.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/234a72cc71a24fed8cf1701e7abe9b7e" /></strong></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Creative Green Living / creativegreenliving.com</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wrapping paper can also be repurposed to make envelopes. Whether you want to send friends letters or save them for birthday and Christmas cards, follow this </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.creativegreenliving.com/2012/12/how-to-make-envelopes-from-magazine.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">tutorial</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to make envelopes that are even more personalised.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty Images</span></em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

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Family finds 1.3m snake wrapped around mirror

<p><em>Image: Brisbane North Snake Catcher/Facebook</em></p> <p>Checking your rear-view mirrors is essential before driving off. However, one Queensland family has discovered another big reason to perform this important safety check.</p> <p>The family had been off enjoying a picnic north of Brisbane on Sunday. Upon returning to the car – much to their shock – have discovered a large snake wrapped around the rear view mirror.</p> <p>According to Brisbane North Snake Catcher director Josh Castle, this was an unusual place to find a snake. “I’ve never seen it,” he told 7News.</p> <p>“I have pulled them out of car bonnets and stuff like that, which is more to be expected because they can into a bonnet from underneath.</p> <p>“The fact it was actually in the car and soaking in the sun through the window on the mirror is quite weird.”</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845991/new-project-8.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/44e7a1c59704460f8dd92137545a5f90" /></p> <p>The snake has been identified as a coastal carpet python approximately 1.3.m.</p> <p>“We’ve pretty much found them everywhere now. That pretty much tickets every box on where we’ve found them,” he said.</p> <p>Naturally, the internet absolutely lost its collective mind when photos of the car invader emerged.</p> <p>“Sell the damn car, it belongs to the snake now,” wrote another.</p>

Travel Trouble

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Get wrapping! Aus Post releases Christmas package deadlines

<p>Australia Post is urging all Australians to send their Christmas gifts and cards by mid-December at the latest as record volumes of parcels threaten to create delays.</p> <p>The postal service said 2021 has already seen volume records broken, with this year’s Christmas expected to be the biggest on record for the nation’s couriers and postal workers.</p> <p>With many state boarders still closed and online shopping showing no sign of slowing down, Australia post is anticipating parcel traffic to be extremely high. The organisation has hired more than 4000 Christmas casuals to cope with demand.</p> <p>To ensure Christmas gifts and cards arrive on time, Australia Post has set the following deadlines:</p> <ul> <li>All parcels sent via regular post must be sent by Monday December 13th.</li> <li>All parcels sent via express post must be sent by Monday December 20th.</li> <li>All Christmas cards should be sent by Thursday December 16th.</li> </ul> <p>Customers in Perth, Darwin and regional areas are advised to send their gifts and cards even earlier than the recommended deadlines to avoid disappointed.</p> <p>Australia Post's Executive General Manager of Business and Government, Gary Starr, said the service has been preparing for a bumper Christmas for weeks.</p> <p>"We're seeing record parcel volumes with more than 5.9 million households shopping online a month — that's more than half of all Australian households, and it's showing no signs of slowing as we head into the online sales season and Christmas," Mr Starr said.</p> <p>"That is why we've planned ahead with extra air freight capacity, weekend deliveries and recruitment of thousands of new team members to ramp up our delivery services, parcel sorting and customer care, and we'll be delivering right up until Christmas Eve.</p>

Family & Pets

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"We will wrap our arms around them": Family of six in tragic crash identified

<p>A small community in southeast Queensland are "heartbroken" and calling for a complete road overhaul after a family of six's car plunged into a dam and claimed the lives of 13-year-old Leo Larsen and his four-year-old sister Mia.</p> <p>The two children were travelling alongside their two younger siblings and parents Dylan Wadley and Mel Martin when the car broke through a road barrier on Beaudesert Boonah Road, rolled down an embankment and flipped on its roof into Wyralong Dam.</p> <p>The couple managed to escape the submerged car with their five-week-old daughter Hope and one-year-old son Ace but tragically were unable to open the car to save Leo and Mia.</p> <p>The couple are stable after undergoing leg and pelvic surgery on Monday while their one-year-old boy remains in a critical condition. The five-week-old baby is stable.</p> <p>Local residents took to social media to express their condolences to the family.</p> <p>“There needs to be an overhaul of that road. Been many fatalities over the years … RIP little ones,” Sue Clarke wrote on Facebook.</p> <p>“It is extremely sad to hear. However whoever designed the road and markings in particular needs to have their head examined … you can legally pass when you can’t see but can’t pass when you can,” Tracey Maguire wrote.</p> <p>“Our little town of Pratten is heartbroken,” Jenni Kehlet wrote.</p> <p>“Fly high beautiful Leo and Mia. You were absolutely gorgeous children. My heart breaks for your mum and dad. So shattering. Praying for your little brother and sister,” Liz Turner wrote.</p> <p>“This is too sad. Just like that, their lives will never be the same. Sending all my love to their mum and dad,” Bonnie Girven wrote.</p> <p>The tragedy has shaken the local community in Pratten.</p> <p>Southern Downs Regional Council Mayor Vic Pennisi told Seven News: “We will wrap our arms around them. They are part of the community an at time like this, we all step up.”</p> <p>Inspector Douglas McDonald told reporters that the vehicle had skidded onto the other side of the road and crashed into a second guard rail before rolling down the embankment.</p> <p>“It came to rest on its roof in a semi-submerged position,” he said on Monday.</p> <p>“Unfortunately, those two children (who died) were trapped in the vehicle longer than the other occupants,” he said.</p> <p>“There was some difficulty getting some of the doors open to the vehicle.”</p> <p>Inspector McDonald said passers-by performed CPR on the children once they had been removed from the vehicle, but they passed away at the scene.</p> <p>“It’s really traumatic for our first responders and also for the members of the public who stopped,” he said.</p> <p><em>Photo credits:<span> </span></em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/news/two-children-killed-after-car-crashed-into-dam-were-trapped-in-vehicle/news-story/8886e8ca477d9bd548665667b1f4e4d4" target="_blank"><em>news.com.au</em></a></p>

News

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Embarrassing mistake on The Reject Shop Christmas wrapping

<p>An eagle-eyed mother has left the internet in stitches after spotting an embarrassing spelling mistake on Christmas wrapping paper that was picked up from The Reject Shop.</p> <p>The mother from Queensland said that she wrapped up all of her family’s presents using the wrapping paper, but it was only until she had finished that she realised that a key word was misspelled.</p> <p>She noticed that the word ‘Christmas’ was accidentally spelt as ‘Chirstmas’.</p> <p>The mother shared the mistake in a closed Facebook post, according to<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-7793323/Aldi-eagle-eyed-shoppers-spot-embarrassing-spelling-error-Christmas-wrapping-paper.html" target="_blank">The Daily Mail</a></em>.</p> <p>“Did anyone else pick up some wrapping paper from The Reject Shop? Check the spelling,” the mother said.</p> <p>“I wrapped them all before I even noticed. I think my family will find it funny, as I did.”</p> <p>Other shoppers were quick to point out that they’d bought the wrapping paper for their presents.</p> <p>“Oh my God, I didn't even take any notice and I've wrapped a whole heap up,” one woman said as she laughed.</p> <p>However, some were indifferent to the mistake as wrapping paper is only going to get “ripped” at Christmas.</p> <p>“Who cares, it's only going to be ripped open on 'Chirstmas' day,” one said as she laughed over the spelling over Christmas.</p> <p>One joked: “Just use it for the little ones who can't read yet.”</p> <p>Others said that they would specifically seek out the paper just for a joke with their family.</p> <p>“So funny, at least the person getting the presents might have a giggle - it'll be a present to remember,” one said.</p> <p>“I would buy it just for the spelling,” one said.</p> <p>Another said: “Gonna buy it anyway, see if anyone notices.”</p> <p>One said: “Bet you $100... unless you tell them, they won't even notice!”</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery to see what the spelling mistake on the wrapping paper looks like.</p> <p><em>Photo credits:<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-7793323/Aldi-eagle-eyed-shoppers-spot-embarrassing-spelling-error-Christmas-wrapping-paper.html" target="_blank">The Daily Mail</a></em></p>

Art

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Back to work! Duchess Meghan steps out in style after wrapping up maternity leave

<p>The Duchess of Sussex has officially returned to work after maternity leave.</p> <p>On Thursday, four months after giving birth to her and Prince Harry’s first child Archie Harrison, the Duchess attended her first engagement in London as she launched her work wear line.</p> <p>The Smart Set capsule collection was created in collaboration with Smart Works, a charity which provides unemployed women with free clothes and job interview training. The collection features apparels from fashion brands and designers such as John Lewis &amp; Partners, Marks &amp; Spencer, Jigsaw and Misha Nonoo.</p> <p>For every item sold from the collection, one will be donated to the charity.</p> <p>Speaking outside the John Lewis department store, Duchess Meghan said the initiative was the “kind of work I’ve been doing for a very long time”.</p> <p>She said, “A big piece of this is trying to transform the idea of charity to community … You don’t go through your closet and just toss in a box whatever you don’t care about anymore. That’s charity, as we know it today.</p> <p>“Community is going through your closet and saying, this is the blazer that I wore when I nailed my first job interview and got my dream job. And I don’t need that anymore, because I am where I want to be.</p> <p>“But if I’m able to share that blazer and be part of another woman’s success story, then that’s community.”</p> <p>According to a source, the Duchess will be wearing pieces from the capsule collection on her upcoming tour of South Africa later this month. “She’s planning to take a working wardrobe over anything too glamorous so I am sure we’ll be seeing more of Meghan in the Smart Set collection,” the source said.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see Duchess Meghan's stunning style. </p>

News

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That’s a wrap! Olivia Newton-John hands over the keys to her beloved Aussie home of 40 years

<p>Olivia Newton-John, cancer survivor and <em>Grease</em> star, has sold her retreat of 40 years in the Byron Bay hinterland to an unknown buyer. She has had the 136-acre property on the market for 5 months, and it is unknown how much the property went for after it was listed for more than $5 million.</p> <p>Newton-John bought the home back in 1981 for $622,000 as a country escape as her fame rose to new heights after the musical success of her song <em>Physical</em> and the 1978 box office hit that was <em>Grease</em>.</p> <p>The home includes a pasture, creek, two dams as well as a rainforest of more than 10,000 planted trees.</p> <p>When it was listed in February this year, Newton-John’s purchase of the property almost 40 years ago had been about “having a peaceful base that was completely private [and] that was true to who she is: the animal lover and the environmentalist”, according to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.domain.com.au/news/sold-olivia-newton-john-hands-over-keys-to-her-ballina-getaway-of-40-years-864757/?utm_campaign=strap-masthead&amp;utm_source=smh&amp;utm_medium=link&amp;utm_content=pos5&amp;ref=pos1" target="_blank">Domain</a>.</p> <p><span>The original cottage was rebuilt in 2002 into a French-inspired country house with stone arches and vintage timber doors. There is also a country kitchen and a self-contained guest retreat, as well as a pond and a tennis court.</span></p> <p>“The expansive view from the farm is breathtaking and captured my heart all those years ago,” Newton-John told Domain when it was listed. </p> <p>“The 136-plus acres gives total privacy with peaceful, calming energy.”</p> <p>The home has four bedrooms and three bathrooms.</p> <p>Jillian McGrath, who is one of Newton-John’s oldest friends, was the obvious choice to sell the property as she is now selling real estate at McGrath Estate Agents. Settlement will reveal the total price of the country escape.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to take a tour of the peaceful home and property. </p>

Domestic Travel

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6 clever ways to use bubble wrap around the house

<p>Yes it’s great for posting fragile items, or for occupying kid for a good ten minutes, but bubble wrap has loads of other great uses too.</p> <p><strong>1. Plump up shoes</strong></p> <p>If you’ve had some shoes at the bottom of the wardrobe that are a little squashed, you can fix them quickly. Just ball up some bubble wrap and place it into the shoes to bring them back to life in around 45 minutes. </p> <p><strong>2. Drafty windows</strong></p> <p>Stick some bubble wrap on a window to reduce the breeze when you’ve got cracked glass. Simply spray the glass with water and place the bubble wrap against it, once you’ve measured up and cut it to size.</p> <p><strong>3. Protect fruit in the bowl and crisper</strong></p> <p>Pop some bubble wrap under your fruit and this will help protect it from getting bruised. In your crisper drawer it also gives you a quick way to clean as you can just replace the bubble wrap as needed.</p> <p><strong>4. Insulate hot food in transit</strong></p> <p>Cooked something in a slow cooker or casserole dish and need to transport it? Wrap it in bubble wrap and then a tea towel and this will give you a bit more heat on arrival.</p> <p><strong>5. Make a knee pad for gardening</strong></p> <p>In a pinch you can layer up some bubble wrap and use it to protect your knees while gardening.</p> <p><strong>6. Reduce the noise in your toolbox or drawers</strong></p> <p>Line the bottom of your utensil drawer or toolbox with some bubble wrap to reduce the amount of noise emitted when you move things around.</p> <p>Have we missed anything? How do you use bubble wrap at home? Let us know in the comments. </p>

Home & Garden

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5 reasons to start wrapping your luggage in plastic

<p>Wrapping your luggage tightly in plastic film as though it was an oversized sandwich might seem a little odd, but there’s actually some method to this madness. Here are five reasons you might want to give it a try next time you’re headed to the airport.</p> <p><strong>1. Extra protection against theft</strong></p> <p>While it’s generally recommended you avoid placing any objects of real value in your carry-on anyway, wrapping your checked luggage can be an extra layer of protection from sticky fingers. While it’s certainly not guarantee your items are going to remain safe, it’s an extra deterrent that might halt the less industrious thieves.</p> <p><strong>2. Alerts you to any tampering</strong></p> <p>When your luggage has been tampered with, if you want to stand a chance of recouping your lost items time is of the essence. A layer of plastic film provides a pretty obvious notification that something might be awry with your luggage.</p> <p><strong>3. Helps keep your bags together</strong></p> <p>If you’ve gone a little overboard with the souvenirs and your luggage is busting at the seams, wrapping it in plastic provides that extra layer of protection that will make you confident your new souvenir snow globes will make it to your destination.   </p> <p><strong>4. An extra deterrent against stowaways</strong></p> <p>While cases are few and far between, there are instances where passengers have become drug mules without even knowing it, and having your luggage protected with a thin plastic film provides an extra deterrent from this sort of thing happening.</p> <p><strong>5. Extra layer of protection against damage</strong></p> <p>Hey, we’re not saying bag handlers are careless, but when you’re processing thousands of bags everyday you’re not going to treat everyone like the Crown Jewels. A thin layer of plastic helps provide that extra layer of protection from damage.</p> <p>Where do you sit on the luggage wrapping fence? Do you think it’s worthwhile? Or is it just a waste of time, money and materials? Share your thoughts in the comments. </p> <p><em>Video credit: YouTube / raju paudel</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/travel-tips/2016/09/a-solution-to-lost-luggage-for-good/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>A solution to lost luggage for good</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/travel-tips/2016/08/8-common-mistakes-when-packing-checked-in-luggage/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>8 common mistakes when packing checked-in luggage</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/travel-tips/2016/08/how-to-ensure-your-bag-is-never-misplaced/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>How to ensure your bag is never misplaced</strong></em></span></a></p>

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