In this way and so many others, carers frequently sacrifice their own needs, both present and future, to their own detriment. Palliative Care Victoria’s Dignified and Respectful Decisions initiative offers a lifeline, providing free resources that empower carers with the tools and knowledge they need to honour their loved ones’ wishes while also taking care of their own wellbeing.

What palliative care services are available? Spotlight on DARD

Palliative Care Victoria’s groundbreaking “Dignified and Respectful Decisions (DARD)” initiative provides free, invaluable resources to help carers navigate complex care decisions on behalf of loved ones who can no longer make decisions for themselves. Funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing and the Victorian Government Department of Health, the free resources inform and support families and substitute decision makers.

Carers can also gain clarity around the various care plans available, understand how to work with aged cared teams and access wellbeing support articles. There’s also a glossary which includes medical terminology, helpful definitions about advance care planning and directives, end-of-life care terms and other relevant information. These free resources also provide support for carers in their own lives, with detailed self-care and wellbeing strategies to ensure they can continue caring while looking after themselves both now and in the future.

Practical advice on carers self-care

Self-care for carers might seem contradictory, but DARD aims to transform the carer’s experience. The initiative’s free resources are designed to help carers anticipate future challenges and implement effective strategies to support them through this often-challenging journey.

One supportive hint involves building a network of trusted family members or close friends who can assist with some of the caregiving tasks. There are also smart strategies available to help think through various immediate and long-term decisions that need to be made.

Another beneficial tactic that DARD sets out, is to set aside some time each week for activities that feed your soul. This could be as simple as meeting a friend for a movie or going for a walk in your favourite park. Importantly, there are resources to help point carers in the right direction should they feel overwhelmed or just need to discuss their situation.

Collaborative decision making

Carers often find themselves in situations where the values and preferences of their loved ones need to be honoured in the face of complex medical information and choices. It’s in this instance that respectful and considered collaborative decision-making with healthcare professionals is crucial.

DARD’s free resources provide a framework for these essential conversations, ensuring that carers are well-prepared to engage with healthcare teams effectively and respectfully. By leveraging these resources, carers can feel more confident in their discussions with doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers.

They’re empowered to ask pertinent questions, understand the implications of various care options and advocate for the best interests of their loved one. This collaborative approach allows for dignified and respectful decisions, while it helps to lighten the emotional burden carers, as medical decision makers, so often carry.

More help and support for carers of older Australians

For more information on how Dignified & Respectful Decisions (DARD) can help you or someone you know, visit www.dard.org.au.

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A DAY OF ADVENTURE

Head out for a hike (and maybe a picnic too) at a national park that you haven’t visited for a while. Before you go, download the Birda app. It makes identifying and logging birds easy.

Consider the Australian Tree ID app as well to help identify species of trees, conifers and palms. Make it a game of who can spot the most varieties. National park websites have lists of walking trails and their grading to help you choose your route.

HOST A SCHOOL HOLIDAY DINNER PARTY

Who says grocery shopping during school holiday has to be boring? Put the kids in charge at the supermarket or farmers’ market by getting them to plan a dinner party for the family.

First, get them to choose the cuisine, then draw up an ingredients list. And together you can do the shop and help them prep the meal.

Don’t forget dessert! Encourage them to be creative by designing place cards and a centrepiece for the table. Then all dress up for your grand dinner party!

SEE ART, DO ART

Remember when we were young and encouraged to get creative with arts and crafts? Once we get older with jobs and kids, it seems there’s no time for such artistic endeavours. Rediscover creativity this school holiday as a family by exploring free art galleries and museum exhibits in your local area.

It’s incredible how inspiring these can be. Afterwards, sit down together and try your hand at arts and crafts as a collaborative family project. See what you can come up with – it might become a masterpiece to talk about (or perhaps, laugh about!) for years to come.

HOST A SCHOOL HOLIDAY MOVIE FESTIVAL

It’s easy to whack on a film and watch it together as a family. But a planned movie festival is much more fun! Go with a theme like animals or superheroes, for example. Each family member can then pick a film along those lines.

Keep that theme going with snacks and even dress-ups like animal print PJs or superhero capes. Of course, popcorn is a must. It’s a great and budget-friendly way to spend a winter’s day inside.

FREE SCHOOL HOLIDAY EVENT FINDERS

State tourism websites often list free events for families. These often cover everything from festivals to community fun days.

Eventbrite also lists free events – simply type in “school holidays free for kids” and your location for all the latest. Pack a lunch and plan a day adventuring at art galleries or national parks all school holiday long.

The post School holiday hacks: Fun ideas to keep the kids entertained for little to no cash appeared first on Now To Love.

Most recently, the Jonesy and Amanda Show host bared her soul in an interview with Stellar magazine. She opened up about navigating Harley’s devastating diagnosis. And how she’s found it “hard to accept”.

“Every time I talk about this, sometimes I’m fine and sometimes it gets a bit overwhelming,” she admitted while describing her husband as “quite remarkable.”

“He’s so pragmatic with this. He just gets on with it. And I’ve gone through a phase of being angry because I’d say things to him like, ‘Oh, come on, stand upright’, or ‘Your voice…’

“I knew what it was, he’d been diagnosed. I knew what was going on, but I found it hard to accept.”

Amanda isn’t reading up on Parkinson’s. She doesn’t want to know what they’re in for. Instead, she says she’s choosing to take each day as it comes. “I’m living it as it happens. And part of that is choosing to be naïve,” she shared.

“I’m living it as it happens. And part of that is choosing to be naïve.”

Amanda Keller, Radio Host

“There’s no easy way out. But I know what I’m like. And I’d be prone to overthinking and panic. [I’d try] to fix things that are so out of my control.”

ON-AIR BREAK DOWN

In May, Amanda became emotional while live on the Jonesy and Amanda show, again over her husband’s diagnosis.

The tears came as Amanda began sharing a story about planning their son Jack’s 21st birthday party. She wanted to put a slide show together to play throughout the night – something that would have traditionally been Harley’s domain.

“He has been the guy who will make the kid’s birthday invitations. He’s very creative. He will work on the computer to do this funky stuff. Normally, he would have done all of that,” Amanda shared.

“And with the way things are with Harley at the moment, he’s got Parkinson’s disease and things are just hard.”

THEIR LOVE STORY

Amanda and Harley live in Sydney’s seaside suburb Coogee, and they’ve just celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary on May 27th.

The couple got married in 1990, the same weekend as the Monaco Grand Prix. But their love story began two years prior in 1987.

Harley was a producer on the show Beyond 2000 that Amanda was auditioning for, and he knew she was the one the moment he laid eyes on her.

This particular role saw his leading lady wedged into a tiny, two-man submarine making an ascent from the choppy waters. Recalling that magical moment, Harley laughed, “The lid was lifting up and there was Amanda desperately trying to remember what her piece to camera was going to be.

“And all she could do was vomit over the side as the thing bounced around the harbour. It attracted quite a crowd in the viewing room! But she was pushing through it. She was being a brave soldier – and that’s what she is like.”

A BRAVE BATTLE

Ironic how not much has changed. Amanda has continued to put on a brave front since they received Harley’s devastating diagnosis seven years ago.

However, it was just last year in 2023 that the radio host disclosed his health challenge publicly on her Double A Chattery podcast.

“I first noticed Harley’s footfall around the house changing, like he was dragging his leg, and his hands started to shake, and he said he’d just been whacked in the thumbs as a wicketkeeper playing cricket, but I felt something was going on,” Keller told her podcast co-host Anita McGregor.

“I know Harley so well, and how protective he is of his inner core, he was absolutely scared and in denial, and who would blame him.”

Shortly after the show aired, Harley received the gut-wrenching diagnosis. “When he came home (from the doctor), we both just sat there completely numb,” Keller said.

LONGING FOR THE WAY THINGS WERE

Parkinson’s is an incurable neurodegenerative disease that causes uncontrollable movements like shakiness, stiffness and difficulty with balance and coordination. Sadly, symptoms gradually worsen over time.

Only human, Amanda has opened up about “hating herself” for wishing things were different and getting frustrated at the situation.

“I miss the ease of life. Of going to a restaurant, [but then] Harley’s back gets sore, and he’s quietly spoken so the noise overwhelms him. I miss the ease of travel. It changes us,” she said.

“But we’re not alone in that. Life is this stuff, isn’t it? We talk a lot about long-term relationships, and how popular culture celebrates the beginning and the end.

“But the meat of life, the joy of life, the sadness of life, the true human condition, lies in the middle,” she said, her voice breaking.

THE BIGGEST SURPRISE

The heartbreaking week she had planning their son’s birthday made all these feelings come crashing back. She admitted to feeling “lonely” and that her heart breaks for her darling husband whom she thought would have to miss the birthday celebration.

She knew how hard it would have been for Harley to make it.

However, it was Amanda who was, perhaps, given the biggest surprise of all on Jack’s special day. The couple’s friend Pam and their driver Cole came walking into the party with none other than Harley.

“A lot of people were shocked because they hadn’t seen Harley for a while. But I know what it cost him to get there. And he said to me, how could I not be here?” Amanda said as tears began to form.

HARLEY OLIVER: THE ARTIST

Harley was born in New Zealand but grew up in London. While he’s best known for his career in television, Harley’s first love – other than Amanda – has always been painting.

It’s a passion that comes naturally. Harley was practically born with a paint brush in his hand. His great, great, great grandfather was Samuel Massey, a well-known English portrait artist. Samuel married his sister’s friend, also a painter, JN Rhodes.

So when Harley picked up a brush at the tender age of eight, it was no surprise that he took a liking to painting as well.

His affinity stuck with him. Harley attended Wimbledon Art School in London in the late 1960s. There, he painted English landscapes that stood out in an era of abstract minimalism. After art school, however, he got into television as an editor at the BBC.

Later, he moved into a producer role, then a director. He began making documentaries for National Geographic and the Discovery Channel as well as various programs for TV channels in Australia and New Zealand.

Of course, in between projects, he’d find time to paint. But it wasn’t until around 2014 that Harley decided to dedicate more of his time to being an artist. He debuted his first solo exhibition, Inappropriate Nudity, at Stanley Street Gallery in Sydney that year.

Since then, Harley has had two solo shows featuring some of his best works at the gallery, including Hitters, Grapplers & Strongmen and Dad Took A Picture.

Harley has also painted portraits of the Sydney Roosters rugby league team.

The post Amanda Keller opens up about “being angry” and finding her husband’s diagnosis “hard to accept” appeared first on Now To Love.

According to an ONJ insider, the news is “absolutely heartbreaking” for Olivia’s daughter Chloe Rose Lattanzi, 38. “She has so many memories shared with her mum on that ranch.

“The horses, all named by Olivia, ridden by her, the house, the garden, it’s going to be incredibly difficult for Chloe to let this property go.”

But, says the source, “Sadly, they have no choice. It’s devastating for everyone, but this is a money issue. The maintenance on the estate and the annual tax bill is crazy.”

“To keep that ranch would have financially impacted all the good work being done by Olivia’s charities and foundations. They made a promise to her they’d keep saving lives.

“She wanted her legacy to be about her philanthropic work. And she wanted it to continue after she had gone. There will be a few tears shed when this place sells, but it’s what Olivia would have wanted.”

FULFILLING OLIVIA’S DREAM

John and Chloe, who admits the passing of her mum is still raw, are carrying on the singer’s final wishes.

They are continuing to help others with cancer through the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in Melbourne.

The organisation provides much-needed support for cancer patients and funding for research on plant medicine for cancer. To do this, it needs a steady stream of income.

So as hard as it may be to let go, John has admitted that in addition to the sale of the home, some of Olivia’s items from the ranch will also be sold.

John tells PEOPLE, “Besides some of the personal effects that Chloe and I are keeping, many of Olivia‘s treasures will be sold at a Julien’s Auctions later this year.”  

He continues, “Part of the proceeds from this auction will go to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund where we’re making historical progress with the research on plant medicine and cancer.

“This was Olivia’s dream, and I promised her I would follow this through.”

WONDERFUL MEMORIES

The ranch arrives on the market almost two years after the Grease star lost her battle to breast cancer. And while John is bidding farewell to the home, he’s holding tight to their memories.

“Olivia and I made many wonderful memories at our home in Florida and the ranch in California. The message that keeps coming through so clearly is to love life, live life, and never forget about the good things that are going on,” John, a naturopathic entrepreneur, tells PEOPLE.

“The ‘Indian Way’ Ranch in Santa Ynez is a spectacular property where I can see a new family having great nature adventures and relishing the life experience.”

The sprawling 12-acre estate fronts the Santa Ynez River and boasts four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms. There’s also a pool, outdoor kitchen and two-bedroom guesthouse.

And true to Olivia’s animal-loving nature, the home is a pet-lover’s paradise. The estate features a barn, stable, arena and pastures to keep her fur babies happy.

The late actress was open about her adoration for all living creatures. “At one point, before I had my daughter, I had seven horses, nine dogs and a bunch of cats and chickens,” she shared in a 2022 interview. “But now, I have a dog, a cat, 13 chickens and two miniature horses.”

Olivia beamed with joy when she was around animals. And her spark was witnessed by everyone.

Speaking with The Australian Women’s Weekly in 2021, Chloe said one of the things she admired most about her mum was her ability to “see beauty in everything“.

The post Olivia Newton-John’s daughter Chloe is heartbroken over the sale of her mum’s Santa Ynez home appeared first on Now To Love.

I’d already visited the warm Aloha islands twice previously — in my 20s and 30s — and knew that Hawai’i offered all this and more. So it was a no-brainer that of all the places in the world to holiday, Hawai’i was at the top of my list. But, unlike my previous two trips, this time I was travelling as a solo parent with my sons, Maxwell, 13 and Louis, 5.

Here, my play, stay and eats list for an awesome memorable Hawai’ian family holiday that ticks all the boxes.

PLAY

Hang 10 surfing

We are not a beachy family — and I am not a confident swimmer, nor is Louis. It needs to be 40+ degrees for me to even consider getting into a pool or the ocean. But Waikiki is different. The water is warm, inviting and the waves are perfect for learning to surf.

I know because I learnt to surf on these waves on my first Hawai’ian holiday, in my 20s, and it was one of the most amazing experiences ever. So naturally I wanted my keiki to enjoy the same experience.

We booked in for a private lesson with two instructors at Waikiki Beach Boys Surf Lessons, which is operated from Hawai’i’s most famous (pink) hotel, The Royal Hawaiian. Maxwell and I had one instructor, and Louis was one-on-one with the awesome ‘Bono’. After a quick land-based tutorial and practice run, we were off and running (literally, because the sand’s so hot!).

Maxwell and I both stood up first go! Louis paddle-boarded with Bono and absolutely loved it — even got dunked by a wave, but got straight back on the board for more fun. Of all the experiences we had, this was my favourite. It was a mix of family connection, thrill-seeking, confidence boosting, breaking the daily monotony, and heart-warming, that all three of us summoned the courage to step out of our comfort zones and try something new together.

Snorkel with turtles and mantas

Our family desperately needed a circuit breaker — to pack away the screens and start ‘living’. And as one of our first activities in Hawai’i, this was the breaker. We did a two-hour catamaran snorkelling and sailing tour with Bike Hawai’i out to Turtle Cove, which, as its namesake suggests, is a playground for endangered turtles. We were lucky enough to see four turtles, a manta and a rainbow of tropical fish.

TIP: Do some practice snorkelling lessons in a pool prior to hitting the reef to build the kids’ confidence. Also, ensure your sunscreen complies with Hawai’i’s reef-safe sunscreen, such as Kokua Sun Care.

And before you book any tours, check the Sustainable Tourism site for certified tour operators, who provide great experiences with minimal environmental footprint and controlled tourist numbers.

Explore the valley of Jurassic dinosaurs

Louis is a huge Jurassic and dinosaur fan, so this was probably his favourite experience. The Jurassic Adventure Tour starts at the Kualoa Ranch Private Nature Reserve station (45-60 minute drive from Waikiki), which is where most of the dinosaur displays are (and great photo opportunities). Then, 20-ish tourists board an open-air AWD vehicle that takes you on a 2.5-hour bumpy adventure through the most incredible valleys to explore a range of iconic film sites, some still featuring the original movie props.

The tour includes six stops across two scenic valleys. First stop, a WW2 bunker converted to a movie set museum, with photos of famous movies filmed at Kualoa Ranch since Hollywood began, along with some pretty cool movie set memorabilia and a fierce roaring dinosaur that even Louis was too scared to go near!

Then on through scenic valleys featured as backdrops to some of the Jurassic movie franchise’s famous scenes, a fly-by the Skull Island set (with Kong and skulls) and a stop at the Indominus Rex paddock, complete with dinosaur cages, viewing platform and 60-foot walls to make your own Jurassic-inspired home videos.

TIP: Watch the Jurassic Park movies and Skull Island before the tour.

Take an unrushed dip

Don’t make the mistake of packing activities into every second of your Hawai’ian holiday — schedule time to enjoy the pool and Waikiki beach. Some of my most beautiful memories are playing pool monsters in the Halekulani pool, watching Louis swim underwater for the first time at the Outrigger Reef pool, and absorbing the cool vibes (a hotel fave for cool American tribes) and light show (incredible show projected onto a building) from Alohilani’s rooftop infinity pool and bar, complete with live music.

And my favourite family moment of all? Waikiki beach. The boys were nestled into a giant inflatable pool lilo together, and I chauffeured them through the waves.

Immerse yourself in the history, culture and traditions

Spend a day and night at the Polynesian Cultural Center, which is set out across vast grounds (take good walking shoes!) and comprises six Polynesian island villages.

Our package included the Island Villages, Luau and Dinner, and Evening Performance. It’s a big day (12-9pm) with a lot of ground to cover and LOADS of action to both watch and ‘do’, but I highly recommend this experience. Alternatively, you can book each experience separately – but do them all if you can!

The Island Villages

Each village includes arts, crafts, traditions, performances, displays and interactive activities. Maxwell and Louis did spear throwing, fishing, keiki island games, learned to play the ukulele, covered themselves in islander tattoos, did newspaper printing and learned to weave palm leaves, but there are loads more, including hula dancing.

There are islander performances, which combine music, song, dance, costumes and culture with great traditional storytelling.

We took a guided canoe ride through the grounds first, so we could plan out our day and get a good overview of the villages, but you can also do guided group tours.

The lūʻau and dinner

Our package included the authentic lūʻau – a traditional Hawai’ian feast and show featuring traditional dancers, singers and storytelling. What makes this lūʻau even more special is the Polynesian Cultural Centre is the only lūʻau where you eat the pig that is prepared in the imu (a traditional Hawai’ian underground oven).

The buffet is a great opportunity to try a vast array of traditional dishes including poi (a paste made from taro), kālua puaʻa, poke (marinated sashimi with salad), lomi salmon, ahi ahi and a rich selection of tropical fruits and desserts, all created under the direction of Chef Graham Elliot.

The evening show

We were blown away by the incredible show, HA: Breath of Life! Staged at an amphitheatre, the show brings to life a moving story through song, dance, costume, theatrics, and fire performances, taking audiences on a journey across the Pacific. We learnt about the different island cultures, traditions, great ancient voyagers and the universal truth, life and death. The kids were absolutely enthralled, despite it going to 9pm (two hours past Louis’ bedtime).

Care for the land

As tourists, we’re usually thinking about what our holiday can do for us, but responsible tourism and a more meaningful holiday can actually be achieved by giving back to the location — listening to locals, understanding the past and present, learning about the land and… getting your feet muddy!

Admittedly, I was a little worried my kids wouldn’t engage with the two-hour Mālama Experience (mālama refers to ‘taking care of’ the land) — which embraces the importance of sustainability and how mother earth, and the lands are interconnected. But we all loved it!

Maxwell cracked open a coconut and drank the milk, both trawled through muddy taro ponds plucking dead leaves, searching for apple snail eggs to crush (disturbingly therapeutic crunching their shells to ensure the taro plants survive), catching tadpoles, and learning about the valleys, the water sources, the land, habit, ocean and people, and how they are all interconnected to provide and sustain life.

Plant a tree

Still on this note, there’s a real ground swell in Hawai’i moving towards ‘mālama’ and responsible, sustainable tourism. It’s well worth factoring in at least one Mālama experience — you’ll feel just as good giving as Hawai’i feels receiving.

At Alohilani Resort, Hawai’i’s first carbon-neutral hotel, guests can book a special tree planting experience at Gunstock Ranch on O’ahu’s famed North Shore. Each tree planted is tagged with an individual radio-frequency identification chip that records everything from its health to the story of its planting. Guests who plant a tree – to commemorate a wedding, as a gift to a child, or in memory of a loved one – can track the tree throughout its lifetime.

Shopping

The main strip, Kalakaua Avenue, is bursting with luxury designer stores. It’s got great energy, but not really suitable for shopping with kids in-tow. However, there are a few arcades that segway off worth a visit. One, The Royal Hawai’ian Centre, has a mix of cool sneaker shops and limited edition pop culture pieces (interesting for teenagers), local Hawai’ian designer clothing, artworks, crafts, and foods (Maui chocolate, Kona coffee), a great food court and the global luxury designers, if you are so inclined!

The Ala Moana Centre is the mega centre (think Chadstone Shopping Centre), which has a mix of affordable, novelty, unique, department stores and designer. As well as several food courts.

The Waikiki Premium factory outlets: We bought up big at the factory outlets last trip, but they’re out of town and you need a full day. It wasn’t on my priority list this time round.

What else can you do?

Here’s a list of activities worth considering, which I’d done on previous trips to Hawai’i.

Pearl Harbour: The kids will love the submarines and rocket displays, and the parents will be totally moved by the tragic WW2 events that took place here.

Volcano exploration: There are no active volcanoes on the island of O’ahu but Bishop Museum has an ‘active volcano’ in their science adventure centre, and Diamond Head has a crater you can hike.

STAY

We stayed at three hotels, each unique and offering a different type of family experience. I always stay at multiple hotels when holidaying because the hotel is as much a part of the experience as the destination.

Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort

Why you’ll love it: It’s bang-on Waikiki Beach, has a great outdoor family pool and three ‘hot tubs’, and is a ten-minute walk from the main strip, Kalakaua Avenue. The hotel had a recent major renovation, so it’s fresh and sparkly new.

The Vibe: Relaxed, family-friendly, inclusive. The rooms and hallways are filled with artworks depicting Hawai’ian history, tradition, sea life and contemporary culture – it’s like a museum of past and present!

I spoke to many guests who were all repeat patrons, saying they loved the friendly staff, location and hotel facilities. I would definitely stay at Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort and other Outrigger hotels again after this experience.

TIP: Club-level rooms come with ‘Voyager 47 Club Lounge’ access, which includes free locally-inspired breakfasts, Kona coffee, sunset cocktails, craft beers and nibbles from 4-6pm daily.

Halekulani

Why you’ll love it: More formal and luxurious, Halekulani has an elevated, sanctuary-like feeling, with spacious, beautiful rooms, vast lush green grass grounds, ample shaded outdoor seating areas with water features, and poolside ‘check in’ required.

Location: The hotel and pool are right on Waikiki beach, and just one bock (10-minute walk) away from Kalakaua.

The hotel’s famous signature restaurant, House Without A Key, refers to the welcoming ‘doors are open’ vibe. Sunset cocktails at the restaurant while listening to traditional musicians and watching a hula performer, with the beach as the backdrop, are a must.

The vibe: Luxe, picture-perfect setting, beautiful, formal.

Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach

Located bang in the shopping strip and restaurant action and across the road from Waikiki beach, Alohilani Resort is the first carbon-neutral hotel in Hawai’i. The recent refurbishment has resulted in a grand, decadent and impressive entrance, complete with soaring ceilings, contemporary local artist artworks, as well as historical tributes to Queen Liliuokalani, who was overthrown on January 16, 1893, when United States troops invaded the Hawai’ian Kingdom, and past prominent figures dotted throughout public spaces.

The piece de resistance is the Oceanarium, which the kids will love, and the video art (light show projection) by artist Joseph Pa’ahana and the pool, complete with cabanas, pool-immersed sun lounges and live music at Swell Bar.

The standard two-bedroom rooms are not very spacious, so if you have a family, it might be worth upgrading to a suite.

The vibe: The hotel seemed to cater for a young, cool US tourist market crowd – there were plenty of small groups of friends and families holidaying together. This made for really interesting people-watching (even their swimsuits are fabulous!)

EATS

Great restaurants, icons, diners, drinks and foods to try…

Denny’s

It doesn’t get any more American than the 24-hour diner Denny’s. Serving pancakes, burgers, and fries with the option to ‘upsize’ every meal with irresistible additions from pancakes to bacon strips and the occasional fruit salad option, the kids will love it.

Shave ice

A must Hawai’ian dessert! But not all shave ice is created equally. The Island Vintage Shave Ice shack, located out the front of the Royal Hawaiian Centre on Kalakaua Boulevarde, was the best Shave Ice we had (and we had a few!). It’s basically shaved ice with syrups over ice cream. Heaven!

A lūʻau and a kālua

Pig prepared in an imu (traditional earth oven) might not go down well with the kids, but the buffet and show are a must-see. As well as the Polynesian Cultural Centre (see above), Disney Aulani and Hilton Hawaiian Village offer similar experiences with a traditional show.

Poke bowls

Fresh salmon or ahi ahi with salad and rice, I lived on these!

Farm-to-plate and local produce

There’s a real movement in Hawai’i to promote sustainable, local produce, and there’s plenty to choose from, including Ahi (tuna) and Lomi Lomi (salmon), Kona coffee, Maui chocolate, macadamias, farm-to-glass Kō Hana Rum.

Alohilani resort also features an Earth to Cup menu, a sustainable food and cocktail series at Swell cantered around locally sourced products. Dishes include Spicy Kauai Shrimp Satay and Molokai Beef Filet Carpaccio, but enquire at every eatery and you’ll usually find a dish that’s local.

Spam musabi

I couldn’t bring myself to eat the American favourite, ‘Spam’ aka. Ham in a tin, but these Musabi cafés are everything and well worth a look in.

Kona coffee

I tried one Starbucks coffee and, well, it wasn’t my thing. Instead, drink the local brew, Kona coffee! There’s the Honolulu Coffee Experience Center in Waikīkī, a Coffee Gallery at North Shore Marketplace and Kai Coffee Hawaii, which has an extensive menu of specialty artisan roasted Hawai’ian coffee options.

Mac with cheese

Not Hawai’ian, but very American! My kids both loved this, although it was prepared on the spot at Alohilani’s Voyager Club Lounge chef, so it was of quality standard!

Fun pack breakfast cereals

I normally won’t buy the sugar-packed cereals, but we did bring back a mini cereal fun pack and I wish I bought more. I have never seen the kids get out of bed so quickly to eat breakfast!

Hawaii was a real sugar hit for myself and my two boys, and one that I’d highly recommend for any family wanting ‘it all’. We stayed for 10 nights, which allowed enough time to do a wide range of activities and rest and relax.

*For more information, visit Hawaii’s official tourism site, Go Hawaii.

BOOKING FLIGHTS

Keen to try it all for yourself? Book flights easily with Hawaiian Airlines, offering direct flights from Sydney to Honolulu and 120+ daily flights between islands. The airline specialises in Hawai’i holidays so you can get the full experience the moment you get onboard. Plus, you can enjoy no change fees, one free bag, entertainment and Island-inspired food and beverage on all Sydney to Hawaii flights.

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“It’s such a beautiful day,” I told him.

He barked in agreement before tugging on the lead, eager to meet new people that he could stop and have a cuddle with.

Though wolf-like in appearance, he was a teddy bear at heart.

My partner, David, and I had got him in March 2018, when he was 12 weeks old, and he settled into our home perfectly.

He was cheeky, and loved testing the limits of what he could do – like snuggling with us on the couch or the bed – but we loved him for it.

Now, he was 18 months old, with bundles of energy. Once we’d finished our walk, we headed back towards home.

We were around 200m away, when suddenly I felt a thud on my back and everything went black.

When I came around, I was in the hospital, covered in wires. David was by my bedside.

“What happened?” I croaked. I couldn’t remember a thing.

David explained a woman had been driving down the quiet road where Max and I were walking when her vehicle lost control, mounted the pavement and hit me, propelling me head-first into a rock wall, cracking my skull open and exposing my brain.

The wall was surrounded by trees and bushes, meaning my lifeless body was hidden from sight from anyone walking past.

The vehicle had eventually crashed onto its roof further down the road.

Fortunately, Max had escaped unharmed.

Realising I needed help, our clever boy ran home to raise the alarm.

He pawed at the door until David opened it.

“He was covered in your blood, and I knew something must have happened to you,” David told me.

When I didn’t answer my phone, he grabbed Max’s lead and let him lead the way.

Before reaching me, David came across the police at the scene where the driver had crashed.

“Please, help me. I can’t find my partner!” he shouted to them.

With the help of Max, they found me hidden behind a tree, unconscious and bleeding from my injuries.

The ambulance arrived and took me to the hospital, where I was put in an induced coma for 27 days.

I’d sustained a traumatic brain injury and needed to go through an 11-hour reconstructive surgery because every bone in my face was broken.

My neck, pelvis and wrist were all fractured, too, plus my liver was ruptured. I also had five of my bottom teeth knocked out.

“You wouldn’t have made it if it wasn’t for Max,” David told me, teary-eyed.

The paramedics said if I’d been left there 10 minutes more, I’d be dead. Max had saved my life.

Over the next few weeks, I was in ICU and then the neurology ward, slowly healing. I couldn’t see Max at that time as he wasn’t allowed inside the hospital.

“How is he?” I asked David.

“He’s worried,” David replied. “He keeps looking for you.”

My heart ached for him. When I was finally well enough to be moved to the brain injury rehabilitation unit, David brought Max to visit me in the outside grounds.

Seeing me, he sprinted over and jumped right into my arms.

“Mummy’s okay,” I told him through my tears. “All thanks to you.”

It was a precious moment. I never wanted to let him go.

I got home from my three-month stay in the hospital right before Christmas.

The recovery was long, but having Max by my side helped me to cope.

In time, the driver pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention causing grievous bodily harm.

She was sentenced to two months jail, suspended for nine months.

Then, in September of 2021, I received wonderful news.

“I’m pregnant,” I told David.

We had been trying for a while, and I’d just come back from seeing the doctor for nausea.

Other than gestational diabetes and having to take medication to prevent blood clots, I had a healthy pregnancy.

On May 5, 2022, we welcomed our beautiful son, Isaac.

When I introduced him to Max for the first time, my heart was bursting with love.

“He’s here because of you,” I told Max.

For his bravery, Max was awarded the Animal Hero Award by the RSPCA in 2020 for saving my life.

We were all so proud of him.

Tragically, Max passed away at five and a half years old after a series of health issues, leaving us devastated.

Isaac’s now two, and we tell him stories about our hero dog, Max.

We’ll never forget what he did for our family.

The post Hero husky saved my life appeared first on Now To Love.

Since the show aired in 2015, Anna has gone on to experience a variety of achievements in both her career and personal life – including recently welcoming her second child.

Ruby Robards was born in early March 2024, and she has made the perfect addition to their family.

Speaking exclusively with Now To Love, Anna gushed about her newborn and how her eldest daughter Elle reacted to her sister’s arrival.

Elle was so excited to meet her new baby sister, and Anna documented the heartfelt moment where her firstborn met Ruby, posting an adorable video of Elle reacting to her arrival.

“We put her meeting Ruby up on Instagram and it got almost like nine million views and almost 12 million on TikTok, it was that first meeting where she almost lost her breath when she met Ruby for the first time. It was just so, so adorable and so cute and she was  very excited,” Anna said of the moment Elle met Ruby for the first time.

Anna also spoke to us about how Elle is handling the change, saying she has fully embraced her role as a big sister.

“She’s always taking on that motherly [role], being a motherly figure in a way, like helping out with things, trying to help change her nappy. But she’s grown up in the last nine weeks since having Ruby and it’s really nice to see because I was a little bit worried that she would get a bit jealous.”

Anna is not only a mother but also a businesswoman. The 37-year-old co-founded wellness and beauty supplement brand INTU Wellness, and spoke to Now To Love about how she’s juggling both her personal and professional life. 

“It’s challenging at times, like it’s certainly not easy. But I feel like I’ve got it under control, like it’s my business so I’ve always got to be there, which is why I returned to work so early, but at the same time I’ve always really prided myself on balance. So I’ve made sure that with all these work commitments, I make sure I have a really sort of good balance.”

Having a newborn hasn’t stopped Anna from continuing to work on her brand, and she hinted that there may be some new INTU Wellness products and launches on the horizon.

“We’ve got products that we can release, but we actually want to focus on the core range at the moment. Then we’ll gradually release others later down the track.”

In terms of tips and advice for new parents and parents-to-be, Anna said it’s all about balance and finding products that make life easier.

“Something I did learn as a parent was what sort of good quality products to use, and for me, nappies are actually really exciting because you’re changing your child’s nappy probably over 10 times a day.

“It’s really important to invest in really good products, whatever that may be, to protect their skin, because baby’s skin is actually 30% thinner than adult skin, so you’ve really got to really protect them and Huggies were definitely hands down the best,” Anna shared. “They’ve got this new zinc-enriched layer, which protects your baby skin against irritation, they’re the only nappies on the market that have that, so it’s those things that you’ve got to find that’s going to make your life easier.”

Overall, the new mum-of-two seems to be settling into her new routine, and is loving being the mother to two beautiful girls.

The post EXCLUSIVE: Anna Robards on motherhood and how her family dynamic has changed since welcoming baby number two appeared first on Now To Love.

Enter SpinTel, one of Australia’s leading telecommunication providers. You might not have heard of them, but their customers are singing their praises and they’re raking in the awards for service, value and delivery. You might think if you’ve dealt with one telco, you’ve dealt with them all, right? Wrong. What sets SpinTel apart is that they deliver on their promise to ensure a seamless experience that ensures you’re always online and effortlessly plugged into the digital world.

Elevating your experience

Choosing an ISP isn’t just about the speed of your connection; it should also be about the quality of service and support you receive. If you’ve ever spent time on hold waiting (and waiting, and waiting) for support, you’ll know how frustrating that can be. With SpinTel, exceptional customer service is at the forefront of everything they do.

In addition to great chat support, SpinTel’s friendly experts are just a phone call away, ready to address your queries and help within minutes. Whether you’re a tech-savvy enthusiast or a casual user, SpinTel’s dedicated support team ensures that your connection remains seamless and hassle-free.

Unbeatable value on NBN plans

At a time when every dollar counts, SpinTel understands the importance of offering value packed NBN plans without compromising on quality. With nationwide coverage and a wide range of plans tailored to suit every household’s needs, SpinTel ensures that you get the best value for your buck.

If you have kids or teenagers at home, you’re going to need data and a lot of it. SpinTel’s home NBN plans include unlimited data, so they’ve got you covered from just $49 a month. Plus, their transparent pricing ensures no bill shock surprises, so you can rest easy knowing exactly what you’re paying for each month.

Award-winning SIM only mobile plans

SpinTel shows excellence beyond broadband, clinching the title for Best SIM Only Mobile Provider – Value, at the Finder 2024 Mobile Awards, rising above 26 competitors.

A SIM-only mobile plan presents an exceptional deal for families, particularly those looking to equip their kids or teens with a device. By passing down an older phone, parents can pair it with SpinTel’s incredibly affordable SIM-only plans. Prices start from only $14 per month for the initial six months, offering a generous 25GB of data.

Experience the SpinTel difference

With a glowing rating of 4.4 on ProductReview.com.au and accolades from industry-leading publications such as Finder, WhistleOut, Canstar Blue, and Money magazine, SpinTel consistently get top marks for transparency, value for money and exceptional customer service.

To find out more, hop onto the SpinTel website for the full rundown on pricing, plans and hardware or call 13 22 10 to speak to their friendly customer service team.

The post The award-winning internet and mobile company you’ve never heard of until now… appeared first on Now To Love.

“Tay, you shouldn’t come here,” my mum said when she caught me.

It was 2010 and even at 10, I knew my dad did drugs.

Addicted to meth, he slept all day, was always tired and could never concentrate during a conversation.

Strangers visited our house at odd hours and we moved around a lot, without any explanation.

Dad often fought with his own parents, but they were the ones who took me and my brothers, John, seven, and Nathan, four, to school recitals and sports events.

“You need to grow up,” Grandma said to my parents bitterly one day. “You both need to get jobs.”

My father was 16 when I was born, and my mother 18.

Neither of them finished high school.

Every weekend, they dropped us off at our grandparents’ house.

“Why can’t you stay with us?” I often asked Mum, but her reply was always the same.

“I need to go away with Dad for a bit,” she said.

I loved my parents but also hated them for abandoning us.

While I could see they loved each other, they fought all the time, too.

Often, we came home from school to find them sulking or shouting at each other.

When this happened, I took my brothers out to play with Nerf guns or we rode our bikes around the neighbourhood.

Only my best friend, Angelica, knew what my home life was like. I kept it a secret from everyone else at school.

In April 2012, our brother Blayte was born.

I wondered how my parents would provide for him, but we all adored Blayte and took him under our wing.

One day, when I was 12, my cousins and I were at a bowling alley when my Aunty Kelly arrived.

“Taydam, I need a word with you,” she said.

“What happened?” I asked.

We stepped outside and she handed me the phone.

“I’m going to be going away for a while…” my dad told me.

I began to cry.

He’d been caught dealing drugs and was going to jail.

At first, we visited Dad regularly in prison, but after a few months, Mum stopped going and started seeing someone else.

John, Nathan and I went to live with our grandparents.

When Dad got out of prison two years later, Mum got back together with him.

“This is a bad idea,” I said to her. “Let Dad sort himself out first.”

She didn’t listen to me and soon I noticed she’d lost weight, had dark circles around her eyes and was always angry.

“Are you doing drugs?” I asked her.

“Of course not!” she said, but I knew she was lying.

I felt so ashamed that both my parents were addicts.

I hated myself and wondered what I’d ever 
do with my life.

Then, when I was 14, a woman approached me at 
a shopping centre.

“You should consider modelling,” she said, handing me a card.

I asked my grandma what she thought.

“Give it a go,” she urged, and helped me get an ABN.

Modelling gave me confidence and I realised I had a choice.

I could choose to feel sorry for myself or I could make a go of my life. I decided on the latter.

In my final year of high school, I did a journalism course and loved it so much I enrolled in a Bachelor of Journalism and Film at the University of South Australia when I left school. At uni, I interned at a community radio station which offered me a regular gig.

Then, I was approached by George, the founder of The Adelaide Set – an online youth platform.

He gave me a job interviewing local politicians and musicians for their radio show.

In October 2020, George, 30, and I were attending an event together.

We’d become close so I decided to tell him about my rocky childhood and the problems my parents had.

I was nervous about how he’d react to what I told him, but he smiled at me.

“Look at how amazing you turned out regardless of your situation,” he said. “You should be proud.”

“You’re right,” I said, grinning at him. “I am proud of myself.”

After four months working together, George and I became a couple.

He encouraged me when I started an Instagram account advising businesses on how to grow their social media output.

I also started running online social media courses.

My career has gone from strength to strength, and in October last year George and I got engaged.

Over the years, I’ve met people from wealthy backgrounds with family members who are addicts. It taught me that addiction doesn’t discriminate between rich and poor. It’s a health issue.

Everyone has a choice in how they react to life’s challenges.

When I was a teenager I felt a lot of shame around my family situation, but now I’m proud of what I’ve achieved despite all that.

My brother John, 20, is now working with horses and living with his girlfriend. Nathan, 17, and Blayte, 11, are still at school.

While I’m not close to my parents, I forgave them a long time ago.

I hope my story inspires others to keep going. Life can be beautiful, no matter your upbringing.

For support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (Aust) or 0800 543 354 (NZ).

The post I caught my parents doing meth. Now I’m helping others appeared first on Now To Love.

Instead of buying your mum or mother figure another keepsake that will – let’s face it – probably end up in the back of the closet until it’s stumbled upon during the next home-decluttering mission, perhaps you could create memories that will last a lifetime.

Enter the experience gift. With so many different activities to explore, there’s an option for every type of mum to enjoy whether she’s a foodie, an adventure junkie or just sorely in need of a bit of pampering (she deserves it, after all).

We’ve pulled together some of the best and sure-to-be-memorable experience gift options for your loved one for Mother’s Day, 2024.

The best experience gifts for Mother’s Day 2024

01

Dining experience

prices vary at 6HEAD

Best for: the mum who loves dinner with a view

For a real treat for mum, try booking her in for a culinary adventure with a view thanks to 6HEAD’s waterfront dining experience. And did we mention Mum will get to enjoy the visual delights that Vivid brings to Sydney at the same time she devours her meal?

Key features:

• Waterfront dining venue
• Hida-certified Wagyu
• Fine dining desserts

02

Spa gift card

from $25 at Endota

Best for: the mum who needs self-care time

Endota Spa has always exuded a sense of serenity, relaxation and calm. So, opting for a gift card for your mum to pick her ultimate indulgence (did someone say, “massage”?) is a guaranteed winner.

Key features:

• Choose a facial, massage, body or beauty treatment
• Nourishing skincare

03

Wine tasting

from $55 at RedBalloon

Best for: the mum who loves a tipple

There are few things better in life than food and wine. This 90-minute wine tasting with a tasting plate experience in NSW’s Hunter Valley pairs both of these glorious experiences for your mum to enjoy. There are 16 wines to taste and an artisan tasting plate for two as well as a glass of sparkling on arrival. Buy this as a present and Mum will be sniffing and swirling those wine glasses in no time.

Key features:

• Self-guided wine tasting using an Enomatic tasting system
• Choose from a selection of 16 super-premium wines
• Complement your tasting with an artisan-tasting platter

04

Britbox subscription

from $8.99 at Britbox

Best for: the mum who loves her TV shows

Let mum connect with her favourite British shows at the touch of a button with a subscription to Britbox. A Touch of Frost, Absolutely Fabulous, Black Books… all the classics are there for many nights on the couch.

Key features:

• Get 12 months for the price of 10
• All the best of British telly

05

Hydrating oil massage and hot springs bath

from $205 at RedBalloon

Best for: the mum who deserves to be spoiled

The ultimate in indulgence and rejuvenation, this Pure Fiji Hydrating Oil Massage and Hot Springs Bathing Pass in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula is the perfect relaxing experience to bestow upon your mum. If mum doesn’t live in the area, why not make a holiday of it? Your siblings could chip in for an Airbnb voucher so she can continue to make the most of some “Me Time”.

Key features:

• Pure Fiji Hydrating Massage at Timeless Day Spa
• Bathing pass at the Peninsula Hot Springs

The post 5 Mother’s Day experience gifts so thoughtful, you’ll instantly score favourite child status appeared first on Now To Love.

From decorating our faces – and probably the walls – with her expensive lipsticks to pinching her luxury face creams and borrowing her hair straightener as teenagers, we owe a lot of what we learnt about beauty to the leading lady in our lives.

With Mother’s Day fast approaching on May 12, there’s no better time to atone for our beauty sins and spoil mum with something she’ll love.

From the latest skincare releases to the hottest tools, we’ve rounded up the beauty buys mum will genuinely delight.

And, if we’re honest, you’ll probably want to pinch them for yourself later. After all, we can make up for said sins, but we don’t have to change completely…

The best beauty gifts to give this Mother’s Day

01

Aceology Ice Globe Facial Massager Set

$64 at Adore Beauty

Best for: the mum who hates feeling puffy in the morning

A must-have for her beauty routine, these pore-tightening, puff-busting, skin-lifting, radiance-enhancing balls will do wonders for her skin.

Colours: blue, lilac and pink

Key features:

• Can be used as a lifting facial massage
• Or as a lymphatic massage

Also available at:

• $64 from Sephora

02

Slip Pure Silk Turban

$95 at Sephora

Best for: the mum who wants to protect her hair while she gets her beauty sleep

This silk turban is designed especially for curly and/or thick hair and will help against the effects of friction throughout the night.

Colours: pink and black

Materials: pure silk

Key features:

• 100% highest grade (6A) long fibre mulberry silk
• Double-lined inside and out

Also available at:

• $95 from Amazon
• $95 from The Iconic
• $95 from David Jones

03

Super Collagen Moisture Dew

$62 at Par Kie

Best for: the mum who wants plump, hydrated, healthy skin

This Japanese treatment essence is perfect for quenching thirsty skin and nurturing weakened barriers. Mum’s skin will thank you for it.

Size: 120 ml / 4.05 fl oz

Ingredients: Lactobacillus/ Hydrolyzed Collagen Ferment Filtrate Extract, Aqua, Butylene Glycol, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-50 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sorbitan Oleate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol

Key features:

• Helps reduce redness
• Deeply hydrating
• Fermented Marine Collagen

04

Mermade Hair Pro Waver

$109 at Mermade Hair

Best for: the mum who loves big bouncy waves

If she can’t go anywhere without her signature beachy, boho or glam waves, then surprise her with this hair tool that will become her new best friend.

Sizes: 32mm and 25mm

Colours: pink and black

Key features:

• Three XL barrels
• Multiple heat settings
• Heat protection glove

05

Tarte Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler

$36 at Sephora

Best for: the mum who is all about lashes but doesn’t want extensions

“I have repurchased this several times as it is the best one I have found! Easy to use, does not rip out lashes and creates a beautiful, lasting curl,” said a five-star reviewer.

Ingredients: Water, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydrogenated Stearyl Olive Esters, Stearic Acid, Cera Carnauba, Triethanolamine, Alcohol, Candelilla Cera, Acacia Senegal Gum, Panthenol, VP/VA Copolymer, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Aminomethylpropanediol, Chlorphenesin, Iron Oxides (CI 77499)

Key features:

• Paraben-free
• Sulphate-free

Also available at:

• $73.86 from Amazon

06

Gucci Rouge a Levres Satin Lipstick

from $66 at Myer

Best for: the mum who wants a touch of luxury in her makeup bag

This creamy lipstick will be her new go-to for a perfect and long-lasting satin finish.

Colours: 36 shades, including nudes, reds and pinks

Ingredients: Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Triisodecyl Trimellitate, Polyethylene, Polybutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceresin, Dicalcium Phosphate, Cera Microcristallina/Microcrystalline Wax/Cire Microcrystalline, Talc, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Silica Silylate, Propylene Carbonate, Parfum/Fragrance and more

Key features:

• Satin finish
• Lightweight
• Packaged in a gold tube

Also available at:

• $72 from Gucci
• $72 from Sephora

07

Kora Organics Turmeric Brightening Exfoliating Mask

$72 at The Iconic

Best for: the mum whose beauty icon is Miranda Kerr

This 2-in-1 mask is the ultimate self-care gift, offering a deep clean facial in a tube and can be used as an exfoliating scrub or leave-on detoxifying mask.

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Pumice, Glycerin, Rosa Canina Fruit, Lactobacillus Ferment, Water/Aqua/Eau, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Powder, Lactobacillus, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Sodium Levulinate, Sclerotium Gum, Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract and more

Key features:

• Suitable for all skin types
• Vegan
• Gluten-free

Also available at:

• $72 from Adore Beauty
• $72 from Myer
• $72 from Kora Organics

The post The best beauty gifts to give mum this Mother’s Day that you’ll want to “borrow” later appeared first on Now To Love.

Steering my pram into the bustling cafe, I took a seat.

“Better get this little one fed,” I said to the other new mums I was with.

I scooped up my son, Theodore, six weeks, and fumbled for the hem of my top to discreetly yank it up.

My loose-fitting maternity T-shirt was designed to keep me covered in moments like this, but the functionality of it – minimal at best – came at the cost of fashion.

As Theo fed, I glanced around at my friends and noticed they were wearing the same type of go-to uniform – leggings and baggy T-shirts.

“Imagine a nursing top that looked great, made feeding easy and guaranteed you wouldn’t accidentally flash your boobs,” I said to the girls.

“I’d take one in every colour,” one mum chimed.

“I’d pay good money for that,” said another.

Everyone agreed comfort, discretion and style didn’t seem to exist for breastfeeding mums.

I wondered if there might be a niche for a fashionable nursing garment to do double duty as maternity wear.

Before falling pregnant with Theo, I’d had a great career in banking spanning 13 years. I loved the busy days and late nights and the thrill of solving complex problems.

My husband, Matthew, 34, was supportive at home but kept busy in his job as an engineer.

Without my career, I had no idea what to do with my spare time.

“I feel like my brain is turning to mush,” I told Matthew one day.

Coffee with the mums had left me feeling inspired, and I started sketching out designs for better breast-feeding tops.

I wanted to create a trendy fitted T-shirt that made breast-feeding easy with zips that allowed for easy access.

“Just have fun with it,” Matthew encouraged. “See where it takes you.”

His words struck a chord.

With a more relaxed approach, I took my idea to a pattern maker who helped me develop early T-shirt samples.

I named the business MylkSociety, and between feeds and nappy changes I worked on getting it off the ground.

Finally, in November 2019, I launched the range online.

Despite telling people about it on social media. sales were slow and when Covid lockdowns hit in 2020, I didn’t get a single order.

It was disheartening but I persevered.

I came up with a new slogan: Breastfeed with ease – anywhere, anytime, especially at home!

Suddenly, online orders went through the roof. The new campaign had worked!

My 100 per cent Australian made T-shirts sold for $69 each, and incredibly, in the first year, sales reached six figures.

I was gobsmacked!

In time, it became a multi-million dollar business.

Despite the success, I kept my job in banking but extended my maternity leave to 20 months to nurture it more.

That came in handy when I fell pregnant again with my second child, Charlotte, who arrived in 2021.

This year, to focus more on motherhood and my career, I sold MylkSociety but on the same day I signed the deal, I was made redundant.

I took it as a positive sign I was ready to step into the next version of me.

Today, in between juggling two kids, I have an online business where I coach, consult and guide women who are building their own businesses. My aim is help women acheive financial freedom.

Sure, the journey is sometimes unpredictable, but I’ve learned a healthy dose of fun – and the right mindset – goes a long way. 

For more on Karina’s business, visit www.ecomco.com.au

The post My breastfeeding idea made me a millionaire! appeared first on Now To Love.

Well, it’s just around the corner and there is no such thing as being too prepared in our books.

The chocolate-filled, bunny-laden holiday is the perfect time to get in the spirit, dress up and celebrate.

If you want to get into the holiday spirit, these adorable matching Easter PJs will be right up your alley.

Below, we are looking at our favourite Easter pyjamas that fit the whole family so you can wake up on Easter Sunday in style ready and ready to get the egg hunt started.

The best matching Easter pyjamas for the whole family in 2024

01

Matching Bunny Oodies

from $64 (usually $94) at The Oodie

Easter in Australia does often mean that the weather begins to cool and we can be subject to chilly winds and cool temps. So try out one of Oodie’s festive bunny styles for a cosy and comfy Easter outfit, available in kids and adult sizes.

Key features:

• Machine washable
• Made with Sherpa fleece on the inside
• ToastyTek flannel fleece on the outside

Shop Now

02

Matching Easter Onesies

from $25 at Best & Less

If you want to truly immerse yourself in the Easter spirit then you’re going to need a full bunny onesie. These ultra-soft novelty onesies will be impossible to take off they’re so cosy, and think of the adorable family photos.

Key features:

• Available in light grey or purple
• Fluffy fleece fabrication
• Zip through

Shop Now

03

Brilliant Basics Bunny Print Pyjama Set

from $14 at Big W

Keep it simple and festive with these adorable full-length pyjama sets from Big W. Affordable and comfortable, you’ll want to wear them year-round.

Key features:

• Bunny themed prints
• Knit fabric
• Long sleeves

Shop Now

04

Matching Bambi Pyjamas

from $34.99 at Cotton On

If you love Bambi then you’ll love these matching pyjamas. You can choose between Thumper or Miss Bunny to match with everyone in the house. Choose from a range of designs for the kids, and then get yourself a t-shirt nightie here too.

Key features:

• Several designs to choose from
• Soft cotton fabric

Shop Now

The post Hop to it and get in the Easter spirit with these matching pyjamas for the whole family appeared first on Now To Love.

If you’re a parent, you’ve no doubt had some stressful medical experiences in your time. Calls from daycare when your child had a temperature, middle of the night trips to the emergency room or just inconvenient wait times when all you needed was a prescription or referral.

Thankfully, the introduction of digital healthcare can now make your life a little easier. With online medical consultation services like Instant Consult, you can now access healthcare for your child using your phone or computer.

Here’s how to navigate these services effectively to ensure your child receives the care they need – while also eliminating unwanted stress or hassle for you.

What are online prescription services?

Online prescription services have transformed the way parents access healthcare. They allow you to consult with a fully qualified doctor via video call. In these online consultations, you can discuss your child’s health concerns and needs, seek medical advice and receive prescriptions without having to leave your home.

They’re especially great for busy parents, allowing you to look after your child’s wellbeing in a convenient and timely manner. Of course, not all medical issues can be addressed via online consult, and in emergency cases, you should head straight to your nearest hospital.

How does it work?

At Instant Consult, online doctors are available from 6am until midnight (AEST) every day, including public holidays. This is incredibly helpful for parents who can’t manage face-to-face appointments or need prescriptions outside of clinic hours. For infants aged 12 months or younger with a valid Medicare card, bulk billing options are available.

To book an online appointment, you’ll first need to download the Instant Consult app and create an account. You can then request a consult, and after a short wait – usually within 15 minutes – you’ll be connected with a doctor. This quick turnaround is perfect for busy parents juggling multiple responsibilities, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing that all the doctors are registered in Australia and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)-accredited.

During the doctor consultation, you’ll have time to discuss your child’s health concerns and medical history. Be ready to talk about symptoms, any ongoing treatments or current medications and your child’s general health.

How can I receive a prescription?

After your consultation, the doctor may issue a prescription for refill or a new medication if necessary. You can then use this prescription at an online medication delivery service or your local pharmacy.

You can also obtain online medical certificates and even carer certificates through this service. Just like online prescriptions, these certificates will be sent directly to your account inbox and will stay there until you choose to remove them. This feature makes it easy to store and access important health documents in one accessible place.

How can I keep my family’s health records safe?

It’s now more important than ever to ensure our online information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands, and with Instant Consult, all communications take place on a fully encrypted server. Consults are conducted on a one-on-one basis, too, so you can feel confident knowing your child’s personal and medical information remains confidential.

Brought to you by Instant Consult. With Instant Consult, you can access high-quality, professional healthcare with just a click, available anytime, anywhere. Download the Instant Consult app today to experience easy access to healthcare for your family.

The post How to take the stress out of your child’s healthcare appeared first on Now To Love.

Now in its seventh year, the Mother & Baby Awards highlight the best baby and nursery products.

Cast your vote in the online voting categories below for a chance to win a personalised Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment movie prize pack worth $205.

The prize includes six blockbuster kids movies starring all their favourite characters, plus a personalised Bright Star Kids lunch pack with a school bag, lunch bag and drink bottle — all labelled with your child’s name.

HOW TO VOTE:

• There are six online categories in the 2018 Mother & Baby Awards

• Click “vote” next to your favourite product in each category

• You can only vote for one product in each category

• Once you have voted in all six categories, fill in your details for your chance to win a personalised Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment movie prize pack, worth $205

• Entries close 2 August 2018

THE ONLINE VOTING CATEGORIES:

1. Most Popular Environmentally-Friendly Product for Baby

2. Most Popular Family Car

3. Most Popular Family Holiday Destination

4. Most Popular Product for Baby

5. Most Popular Product for Mum

6. Most Popular Product for Nursery

The post 2018 Mother & Baby Awards: Vote for your favourite products in the online categories now! appeared first on Now To Love.

I know I do.

When it comes to designing a party food menu, I think moderation is the key, with a variety of foods on offer.

So, yes, at parties I host you will see the obligatory cupcakes, cookies or other treats that my kids are allowed to enjoy on occasion, but I always ensure there are healthy party food options that not only look great, but also help fill their tiny tummies.

Most importantly, these foods need to be super quick to prepare.

Let’s face it, who has time these days for time-consuming or tricky recipes?

I hope these five quick and easy party food ideas help you out for your next special event.

Piggy Pizzas

Mini animal pizzas are a great option for a kids’ party; they will fill the kids up and you can pack them with ‘hidden’ veggies.

If, like my daughter, your children have a soft-spot for pigs, create a cute piggy pizza with a pita bread base topped with tomato passata and mozzarella cheese, ham for the ears and snout, and mushrooms or olives for the eyes and nostrils.

Sailboat Sandwiches

A loaf of wholemeal bread, some cream cheese, a carrot and a green capsicum is all you need to create these cute sailboat sandwiches.

Use a sailboat cookie-cutter to cut out the boats and then top them with whatever spreads and veggies take your fancy. Pesto would also work well for the base, instead of green capsicum.

Teddy Pikelets

This was inspired by teddy French toast, a recipe that has become a firm family favourite.

To make it party-friendly, use pikelets instead of toast. Store-bought pikelets are a great option, or if you want to make them even healthier, you could make some homemade pikelets with wholemeal flour.

All you need is pikelets, three pieces of banana per pikelet for the ears and mouth and sultanas (or raisins) for the eyes and nose.

Fruit Pops

If you have some popsicle sticks or wooden skewers in the cupboard and fruit in the fridge, you can whip up a party food that every child will love – a colourful and tasty fruit pop.

Get creative and use cookie-cutters to cut out some of your kid’s favourite shapes; gingerbread or star-shaped watermelon pops are a favourite in my house.

Rainbow fruit pops are also always a hit, so pack as many fruit pieces as you can on to each stick.

Strawberry Smoothie Slice

With just two ingredients – 1 litre of vanilla yoghurt and a punnet of strawberries – this Strawberry Smoothie Slice is a fantastic sweet party food option that kids of all ages will love.

Use a blender or food processor to mix the smoothie and then pour into a lined slice tin. Freeze for a minimum of two hours and then cut out your desired shapes.

For more great party food inspiration follow Emily’s The Party Bebe account on Instagram

The post Fun & healthy kids’ party food appeared first on Now To Love.

The 39-year-old spoke about how he liked to keep his public life separate from his private.

“I think it’s always a fine line,” he admitted during his appearance via satellite.

“I think it’s keeping a boundary that there’s this world that is the job and the world that is the home.”

Adding, “We don’t live in L.A. We live on a farm in New York, and we don’t lead a wild and crazy life. It’s not that hard. It’s not a big deal.”

In fact, Ryan credits his lifestyle choice from keeping him out of the public eye.

“I’ve never been the guy stumbling out of bars at three in the morning, at least that anyone is aware of,” he laughed, “It’s never been my thing.”

The actor is currently on the promotional tour for his highly anticipated new Marvel film, Deadpool.

Peter questioned the new dad about which of his films he’d allow his baby girl to watch.

Charming the entire panel (and us) Ryan joked, ” Well, that’s a good question. There are some she shouldn’t see because they are awful.Let’s call a spade a spade.”

“Luckily I have a couple of children’s movies under my belt. The Croods is one she would enjoy and maybe Turbo. She could see those.”

During Ryan’s time on The Project, he gave fans an exclusive first look at the official poster for his new Marvel film, cheekily captioned, “Bad ass. Smart ass. Great ass.”

Deadpool is set to hit our shores in February 2016.

The post Ryan Reynolds’ most refreshing interview about fatherhood to date appeared first on Now To Love.

Dubbed as The Face, it’s clear that Cindy’s little girl has blossomed into her doppelganger.

And the pretty teen is also following in Cindy’s footsteps, already making her New York Fashion Week debut as she attended the show for designer Public School NYC.

The 49-year-old beauty and her mini-me were snapped chatting to celebrity reporter, Mario Lopez, where we’re sure she praised her daughter’s achievements.

At a very young age, Kaia Gerber landed a number of notable modelling gigs.

“She’s such a great girl, both my kids are incredible,” Cindy, who is also a mum to 16-year-old Presley, gushed. “And Kaia’s smart, she’s got her head on straight.”

Kaia is definitely someone to watch out for, at such a young age she already has over 200,000 followers!

Not only is she an up and coming fashionista but, has also landed a role in the upcoming movie, Sister Cities.

Click through to check out the incredibly cool and beautiful mother and daughter duo

Cindy Crawford and her daughter, Kaia, were recently snapped chatting to celebrity reporter, Mario Lopez, where we’re sure she praised her daughter’s achievements.

And it’s pretty clear how similar the 14-year-old is to her mum.

The cute duo have many of the same mannerisms.

In fact, Cindy once mused on Facebook while she was looking at an old photo of herself, “Had to do a double take…@kaiagerber, that could be you!”

The brunette beauties certainly know how to capture the camera’s attention.

“Kaia’s blossoming into such a beautiful young woman and I really want to let her shine,” the 49-year-old said.

Adding, “I don’t want her to feel in competition with me, although I’ll tease her, and say, ‘You have my old hair — give it back!’ Or, ‘Give me back my legs!’ But she’ll be fine … She’s much more together and worldly than I was at her age.”

The pair are as thick as thieves!

Cindy is often spotted having fun with her little girl.

The 14-year-old reminds us so much of a fresh faced Cindy, when she came onto the fashion scene in 1988.

The Crawford girls definitely know how to have some poolside fun!

Whether they’re striking a pose or enjoying a candy apple, these brunettes have the best time together.

Cindy once quipped, “The face you have at age 25 is the face God gave you, but the face you have after 50 is the face you earned.” Kaia has a stunning future ahead of herself!

What a lil cutie!

Kaia has not only followed in her mum’s fashion footsteps, she has also landed a film role in the upcoming movie, Sister Cities.

She got it from her mama.

Cindy and Kaia still have silly fun.

It’s like looking into a mirror!

Nawww, what a sweet flashback.

What a wonderful role model! Cindy reminds her daughter, “Sometimes they can be so worried about getting the perfect image to post that they forget to live in the moment!”

The post Model Behaviour: Cindy and Kaia Crawford are the ultimate mother-daughter duo appeared first on Now To Love.

This is exactly what happened to six-year-old, Owen, who left his best friend, Hobbes, behind at Tampa Bay International airport. Owen was distraught – his grandmother had handmade Hobbes to look exactly like the tiger from ‘Calvin and Hobbes’, and he loved him dearly.

Luckily for Owen, Hobbes was found safe and well – and not only that, he was taken on an adventure!

One kind operation manager found a lonely Hobbes in the terminal, and took him all around the airport, from the control tower to the tarmac, and was able to show Owen all the amazing pictures when he returned from his holiday.

The sweet photos from Hobbes’ “adventure” will make you smile”.

Unfortunately, the case of the ‘lost teddies’ is a common one, and with excited little hands and forgetful little brains, it can be easy to leave Mr Bear of Ms Snuggles behind. Thankfully, the helpful group at Lost Teddy Bear, on Twitter and Facebook, have created a way of reunited little ones with lost teddies, by posting ‘lost’ and ‘found’ ads online.

The service recently reconnected a little girl in Sydney and her fluffy lion, Roar, through twitter and is set to reconnect many more.

Well done, internet.

“Checking out the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower. Looks like a storm’s rolling in!”

“Mmmm … gelato at Carrabba’s. Blood orange sounds pretty good.”

“Just helping this guy deliver some luggage at the Marriott. Don’t mind me.”

“Broken toilet at Airside E? We’re on it!”

“How do they keep these planes so shiny and clean?”

“Hope my fur is non-flammable! Guess we’ll find out.”

“Hobbes plays Jenga at the USO office at Tampa International.”

“Hobbes works out in the gym for employees at TIA.”

“Helping out at the help desk!”

“At last, Owen returns for me and I get to show him what I’ve been up to for the last five days. I had so much fun at TPA. Can’t wait to come back!”

Grey well loved bunny found at Birmingham Airport UK. Want to find his owner!

@lostteddybear @SW_Trains Ellie has a trip to the seaside. Still looking for lost family #lostellie #findellieshome

Oh no!! Spotted in subway at Knock #findteddyshome

Found this little fella on my way to work this morning at Newcastle railway station. Please help reunite him with his owner.

I spent the weekend at the Museum of Natural History. If you’re looking for me I am OK. #Halifax DM us #foundbunny

Waiting, waiting… Lost your teddy? This cute little guy is outside!

Can you help us reunite this little guy with his rightful owner? Found today at Danbury Country Park. As you can see he has been out exploring the park with the Rangers. We are taking excellent care of him, but he needs to be back with his little person. If you recognise this bear please get in touch!

@lostteddybear found this little rabbit in Calderstones Park, Liverpool. It’s now in the Reader cafe. #lostteddy

Lost and needs a home in Crouch End!

Bedraggled jellycat bunny found just up from the beach at lulworth cove beach… Has a necklace on. We’re looking after him until he’s reunited:(

@lostteddybear @BearsLost I was found in Luton Dunstable area on 23.3.15. I am safe and waiting for my family to come

@FGW lost monkey on Paddington to Great Malvern service. Now waiting at Worcester for my owner to collect me x

Dog was found n the pub on Satuday afternoon. We believe he belongs to a little girl but we have no way of contacting the family. He is obviously very loved and we know what an important job cuddly toys do so we are looking after him very carefully and giving him lots of cuddles so that he doesn’t feel too homesick. If he belongs to you then just give the pub a ring or pop over and pick him up, we open at middy everyday.

This guy was found on our 14:13 from Paignton to London Paddington. We really want to reunite him with his owner. He’s currently with our train manager.

A child lost this cute bunny … @lostteddybear

This handsome fellow was found near Tiger Airways. He’s safe and warm in the Control Tower. Is he yours?

No luck in my search this morning. RT if you can, hopefully my keeper will recognise me

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