fire starter

The diminutive blonde that is Reese Witherspoon enters the Four Seasons hotel in Beverly Hills on four-inch heels, in a Stella McCartney royal purple dress, her blonde hair parted to the side, dimples on display. Physically, she is everything Hollywood boxes and sells as fluff: easy on the eye, easily dismissed. But, with talent, brains and grit, Reese has challenged the label others may have given her, and demonstrated that she is a force to be reckoned with.

big talent tiny art

When it comes to art, big and bold is usually what captures our imagination. Monet’s Water Lilies series stretches across endless canvases; Michelangelo’s 5m-high David towers over visitors. But size is not always an indication of skill. These artists create mind-blowing pieces that can easily fit into the palm of your hand – no canvas or clay required.

Starting A Conversation

When it comes to certain topics, the generation gap seems insurmountable – finding a 20-something and a 50-something with the same taste in music is like finding a unicorn. But how about a contentious topic like transgender athletes, for example? We tested it out – can you tell the age of these women based on the opinions they hold on this controversial issue?

Shame On You, Shame On Me

Public shaming is nothing new, really. In the old days you would have been locked in the town square stocks for minor transgressions like swearing or drunkenness, or been made to don a dunce cap for acting out at school. (Those were still around in some parts of the US as recently as the 1950s, believe it or not.) But the Monica Lewinsky scandal in the ’90s kickstarted a new form of online vigilantism that has only gathered strength with the advent of social media. In the two decades that have passed since her affair went viral, a culture of shaming and public humiliation has woven itself into the fabric of society, creating what Monica describes as ‘a mob of virtual stone throwers’.

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

‘The first thing I did? I went to DionWired and bought a tumble dryer.’ Kristen Peterssen woke up a multimillionaire at the age of 26, and had to grow up very fast. Here’s how she handled the pressures of suddenly coming into money.

WILD @ heart

She was born into the industry, but Laura Dern’s route to the top had much more to do with her passionate love of her craft and her indie spirit than her famous parents. Whether she’s outrunning a raptor, taking a baseball bat to her husband’s toy collection (you go, Renata!) or exploring the nuances of a quiet conversation, this Oscar winner has us mesmerised.

Home at last

With her 70th birthday on the horizon, Bafta award-winning screenwriter Shawn Slovo decided it was time to come home to SA – after 56 years in Britain. She called on architect Carl Jacobsz to help create a unique eco-home under the African sky she had so longed for.

Out for lunch

Having your lunch ‘al desko’ – again? You are not alone. Most of us don’t take our lunch break, or any breaks during the day for that matter, bar a quick dash to the loo. Here’s why you need to change that.

ACTIVE DUTY

If you’ve had it with going nowhere on the treadmill or feeling frumpy in your saggy old leggings, these two entrepreneurs will have you inspired to sweat it out in no time.

Guiltily Ever After

Infidelity is a curious thing. You can spend years condemning it, years feeling shocked by the latest gossip or indiscretion, years promising yourself with absolute confidence that you would never be ‘one of them’. And then something changes – it may be your relationship, your state of mind, work pressure... and you find yourself being the one person you never wanted to be, suspended in a web of lies.

Can You Blame Your Weight On Your Genes?

We’ve heard it all before: if you just eat x and work out by doing x, you’ll lose x amount of weight in x amount of time. But what happens if none of that works for you? More and more people are turning to genetic testing for the answer.

TRUE ORIGINALS

The aesthetics may be steeped in history, but there’s nothing old-fashioned about these classics. Designers have given trench coats, fisherman sweaters and tweeds a fresh, modern feel.

THE SWEET SPOT

An authentic French crêpe, served up in style? Or a scoop of ice cream in just about any flavour imaginable? We know just the place!

Prue believer

Prue Leith is a novelist, chef, Michelin-starred restaurateur, businesswoman, cookery writer, entrepreneur, Bake-Off judge, campaigner – and total one-off.

Odd jobs

Working a ho-hum desk job and making chit-chat around the water cooler isn’t for everyone. These women have the kind of job titles that you don’t often see printed on a business card – ranging from cool to downright crazy.

IN POLE POSITION

Former London lawyer Kathy Lee helps people get into shape and take control of their own lives through pole-dancing. She’s all about turning the stereotype on its head.

CHEERS!

How about a little something?

CHARLIZE OUR BOMBSHELL

Charlize Theron has found longevity in variety, juggling producing with acting and taking on roles in everything from rom-coms and action flicks to acclaimed dramas. In fact, she was instrumental in getting Bombshell made – for which she snagged a best actress Oscar nomination earlier this year – saving the project by restructuring the finances when an investor pulled out. Margaret Gardiner chatted to the actress about the prescience of Bombshell, motherhood and living life on her own terms.

Carnaween House

It is the light that is so arresting. Both silver and gold, it glances like burnished steel, bathing the Narin-Portnoo beach in an angelic glow.

Do You Feel Like A Fraud?

A Dealing with self-doubt is an everyday struggle for a surprising number of people. It’s that little voice that says, ‘You just got lucky.’ ‘They made a mistake; they’re going to figure you out.’ ‘You don’t have what it takes and it’s just a matter of time before you fail.’ Welcome to the Imposter Syndrome club – at the very least, you’re in good company!

It's Summer! Celebrate The Season With Fuss-Free Alfresco Fare

Outdoor cooking is a favourite feature of SA summer life, whether you have a big backyard or not. With instant gas and electric braais, and easy-to-prep recipes like these, you can make your midweek meals a fuss-free alfresco affair.

Have Hobbies Become A Thing Of The Past?

In an era of side hustles and the never-ending pursuit of success, doing something pointless just for the joy of it is often seen as a waste of time. But having a hobby can make you happier, healthier, better at time management and more successful at your job.

UTIs– ALL YOUR BURNING QUESTIONS ANSWERED!

You know the feeling: needing to run to the loo every half hour (even though your bladder is empty) and the burning sensation once you get there. There’s nothing quite like the discomfort of a urinary tract infection (UTI). But what exactly are UTIs and, more importantly, is there anything we can do to avoid them? Clinical nutritionist Ruth Marcus fills us in.

true COLOURS

Move over, Queer Eye guys! Mother-daughter duo Fay and Megan Coleman have performed incredible makeovers – life-changing transformations that will bring you to tears faster than Jonathan van Ness can say ‘Yaaass, Queen!’

saving my SONS

When Ilana and Martin Gerschlowitz’s eldest son was diagnosed with autism, they were told he would never live a normal life. ‘Put him in a home and forget about him,’ one person advised. But Ilana refused to accept that nothing could be done.

PLAYING FAVOURITES

Whether they admit it or not, parents tend to have a favourite child. (You know who you are. And if you don’t, your siblings definitely do!) Parental favouritism is nothing new – but admitting to it has become something of a taboo.

My ABUNDANT, JUICY LIFE

Instead of resting on her laurels as the daughter of Diana Ross, Tracee Ellis Ross has made a name for herself as an award-winning actress, director, activist and fashion icon.

MONEY talks

Self-proclaimed ‘money dork’ and author of How to Manage Your Money Like a F*cking Grownup Sam Beckbessinger tackles your burning questions.

HOW TO MAKE HAPPINESS A HABIT

We tend to picture happiness as a far-off ‘one day’ destination, but science says you really can create it for yourself. Put some pep in your step by cultivating these six habits every day.

A step in the RIGHT DIRECTION

The walking habit gives you more than regular exercise – it can be a way to take charge of your life.