Good Housekeeping South Africa

Every Christmas, one of my mom’s many tasks is to bake the bits needed to assemble a gingerbread house. A few days before Christmas we gather around the big dining-room table stacked with bowls of icing and colourful sweets, and each person decorates

1 I’m not always the best at following an evening beauty routine, which is why I love these wipes. They take off all my makeup – including waterproof mascara – really easily and they leave my skin feeling moisturised too. The sensible clip lid means

‘I’M ALWAYS TRAVELLING, especially locally. I gravitate towards fast-acting products that don’t take up much room in my luggage and aren’t prone to leaking or spilling. Many of these gems are multipurpose too, which saves me time, money and energy wh

Holiday time is all about fun-filled adventure and your wardrobe should reflect this! Pack at least one fancy dress, in a vibrant eclectic print, for the perfect evening look. Stripes are big news this season. Choose them in bold, saturated colours f

Stuff pitted green olives with lemon zest and blue cheese, and thread onto cocktail picks. For each Martini, shake 100ml vodka and a splash of olive brine over ice for at least one minute, then strain into a glass. Mix fruit jam and softened cream ch

1 Opt for no-cook appetisers. Put together beautiful cheese and charcuterie boards instead of fussing over hot hors d’oeuvres. They’re delicious and can be assembled in minutes on pretty wooden, slate or marble chopping boards. Include an assortment

Perfectionism among Gen Z teens is at an all-time high. Add the constant pressures and stresses of social media (and the ‘picture-perfect’ ideals that come with it) and you begin to understand why your child’s confidence may be taking a knock. Accord

Q ‘I’m trying to grow out my hair. How often do I really need a cut?’ — ANGELA C ZIPHO SAYS: It’s a catch-22: you’re trying to increase length, but you need to get regular trims to ensure your hair stays healthy and doesn’t split or break at the en

The cheeks are often the first place to show signs of ageing (bet you thought it was your eyes), when they lose that curvy padding. SUITS YOU? Cheek contouring is a real fresh fix if it’s done correctly. ‘The key is not to overtreat,’ says dermatolo

Hitting the sand turns your regular walk into a strength-training workout for your quads, calves and glutes. When your feet sink into the grains with each step, your legs have to work harder to propel you forwards. The result? Up to 50% more kilojoul

High-quality friendships can boost health and wellbeing. Here’s how: When women feel close to someone, levels of progesterone, a hormone that helps reduce stress and anxiety, go up, a study from the University of Michigan in the US found. The surge w

That’s a hypnic jerk, and about 70% of people have experienced these sudden muscle contractions, according to the US National Sleep Foundation. As the brain eases into dream, or REM, sleep, it sends a signal down the spine to immobilise voluntary mus

LIKE MOST OF US, the royal family has been doing the same thing at Christmas – including those embarrassing party games – for decades. The children, the cousins, the aunts and uncles, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren and their assorted dogs

AS PARENTS, we’re usually deep in the details of everyday life. Why won’t he do his homework? Is she having too much screen time or not enough greens? Philippa Perry wants you to take a step back. In her new book, The Book You Wish Your Parents Had R

Teaching children to recognise and cope with emotions such as anxiety and anger is no easy feat. But once they learn, they’ll have tools that can last a lifetime. The key? Start early. ‘Most of a child’s brain is developed by age five,’ says family t

Alice believes marrying a wealthy businessman and moving to Kentucky will help her escape her dull life in England. There she meets feisty Margery O’Hara and starts distributing books to remote families. But then a body is found in the mountains, tea

‘To this day, I remember the first shoot I did for Top Billing. I don’t know how many takes I had to do. We worked probably 10 hours just for a one-hour show. I can still see the red-and-black chequered pantsuit I was wearing as host Neil McCarthy an

So why the surge? Blame it on nature. The warmer weather and longer days kick cats’ reproductive drive into high gear. That means shelters get overwhelmed with kittens, making spring and summer the perfect time to adopt a new furry friend. 1. PREPAR

This hot new diner overlooking Camps Bay beach is set to entice holiday-makers and locals alike. Layers of natural textures set the on-trend tone, while the grill-centric menu (it offers a range of flavourful buns filled with everything from prawns t

When your wake-up call is the sound of elephants splashing in a watering hole beneath your balcony, you know your day is going to be a true African adventure. I pulled up a chair to watch this beautiful dawn ritual. There were 11 elephants in the her

Just three hours from Cape Town, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve stretches across 58 000ha of the Little Karoo. Located outside the picturesque town of Montagu, the reserve is a sanctuary for indigenous flora and fauna, including the Big Five, but it’s the

Start with our Mint-chocolate Cookie Dough (opposite page) and templates, then get decorating! SWEET SURROUNDS Set the scene by adding edible decorations. (Check out www.cabfoods.co.za for a remarkable array of edible cake and cookie toppers, inclu

Active Time 25 minutes Total Time 30 minutes Serves 4 2 tbsp olive oil1 large onion, chopped4 garlic cloves, smashed salt flakes and pepper1 tsp ground coriander700g roasted red peppers, drained if necessary and coarsely chopped425g canned chickpea

Boost your career by being proactive. It’s a good time for developing strategies, doing research or building relationships. Go slowly and remember that human nature is complex. On the social side, there’s plenty to keep you stimulated. Self-care: Yo