Gwyneth Paltrow is known for plugging a lot of ~~completely unfounded~~ questionable products and advice on her website Goop, but will her latest venture make the cut?
Snctm (like Sanctum) is an exclusive sex party based in Los Angeles, and after spreading its wings to New York, they’re heading to the Hamptons next month.
WATCH: The promo video for the parties is the epitome of female empowerment and sexual liberation.
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The party apparently tickles the fancy of Gwyneth and her boyfriend, Glee co-founder Brad Falchuk, as well as Bill Maher, who you may remember from referring to himself as a house n-ger last month as a hilarious “joke”.
WATCH: No, really, he actually said it and context doesn’t help the situation.
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Snctm owner Damon Lawner says privacy is of the utmost importance and then goes on to reveal intimate details of his most famous clients’ sex lives.
“[Gwyneth is] not a crazy-kinky person, like people think,” Lawner said. “She’s a down-to-earth total sweetheart…They are exploratory with each other.”
The party ain’t cheap, with male members paying between $1500 and $1875 – the discount applying for those that bring a female counterpart.
If you’re after the VIP treatment, which doesn’t necessarily result in more sex but you do get a sterling silver pendant of a lion, you’ll need to pay $75,000. You’d think that price point would at least get you a gold lion, but hey.
Just a couple of gals taking charge.
If you’re a female however, entry is free!
You just have to submit full-length photos to see if you’re attractive enough and then, judging by the company’s promotional video, be treated as an equal and gain empowerment from acting as a table for his whiskey.
Bargain.
It’s tough to make the cut though, with the party’s guest list restricted to 99 guests out of the “more than 1000” that normally apply.
But is it worth it? According to the founder manifesto, which doesn’t appear to be in any way ironic, Lawner says Snctm has achieved the impossible.
Damon Lawner, as pictured at the top of his manifesto.
“At every Soirée year after year, I look around and can’t believe the majesty of our fledgling society.
“The members and guests in attendance, some of which prior I could have only dreamed of meeting, frolicking wide-eyed in the most opulent locations in the world,” he writes, clearly using the synonyms tab on Word.
“With an energy, that feeling, that simply cannot be expressed without being present.
“It’s an experience you have to immerse yourself in to understand.”
If you want to know more, Showtime is releasing an eight-part documentary on the sex parties, or just wait for a review on Goop.
New research has found an “oversupply” of educated women grappling to find an equally educated partner has led to a massive jump in the number of eggs being frozen
In Australia, a 2017 survey revealed women make up almost 58% of registered domestic undergraduate students. This gender imbalance is predicted to continue to grow, reflecting a decline of men following on with higher education.
The study reported women want equality in a relationship and are refusing to settle for second best when it comes to an equally educated partner.
It’s a finding that has women all over the world shaking their heads and proclaiming, “duh”.
The process of egg freezing made headlines earlier this year after Sofia Vergara permanently block her ex-fiancé from accessing her frozen embryos.
Yale University conducted the research and spoke to 150 women at eight different egg freezing clinics in both the US and Israel.
Almost all (90%) of the women said their motivation for freezing their eggs was due to being were single/unmarried, and 81% of the women college degree.
The author of the study, Author Prof Marcia Inhorn told the BBC yesterday that she hopes the findings will debunk the outdated notion of the selfish and barren career woman.
“Extensive media coverage suggests that educational and career ambitions are the main determinants of professional women’s fertility postponement, especially as they ‘lean in’ to their careers. Rather, they were desperately preserving their fertility beyond the natural end of their reproductive lives, because they were single without partners to marry.”
“Egg freezing is a method of storing a woman’s unfertilised eggs to allow her to try to conceive at a later date, when natural conception would be unlikely. It may been seen as a way of preserving the possibility of fertility for women who are not in a position to becoming pregnant straight away, or whose fertility is at risk for medical reasons such as cancer treatment.”
“Frozen eggs may be stored for many years without significant deterioration. When the woman is ready to use her eggs, they are warmed, and then fertilised with sperm. The aim is for the fertilised egg to develop into an embryo, which can then be transferred to the woman’s uterus giving a chance of pregnancy.”
How much does it cost to freeze your eggs?
Medicare is only an option if you have to freeze your eggs because of a medical conditions, explains IVF Australia.
It is not a cheap nor an easy process.
“Most women who freeze eggs are not infertile and hence do not receive a Medicare rebate. That is why we have created a special egg freezing package to make the costs clear and simple.”
Item Cost
Egg freezing cycle (up to 10 eggs retrieved) $6,885
Additional eggs retrieved (in increments of 10) Additional $300
Day surgery fee $1,045
Medications From $1500
Anaesthetist fee Approx. $500
Ongoing storage $500 per year
The egg freezing cycle costs include:
Cycle monitoring blood tests & ultrasound scans
Specialist nursing care and couselling support
Surgeon’s fees
Initial freeze and 6 months complimentary storage
For more information on the egg freezing process consult your GP, a fertility specialist or call 1800 111 483
So you think you’ve been doing everything right, making extra super contributions so that you can retire comfortably, but there’s one thing which might not have accounted that will chew considerably through your super nest egg – your pet.
Us dog and cat owners are under no illusion that our furry mates come cheap but new Australian research has now uncovered to what extent that rings true – and it’s a doozy of a figure.
According to the study, owning a dog costs about $1818 a year (this includes food, grooming, vet bills etcetera) while a cat is slightly cheaper at $1339. This is fine when you’re working but what about when you hit the golden ticket age when super is payable? You’re going to have to have enough in the bank in order to sustain your lifestyle, and your pet’s lifestyle.
The study estimated this will equate to needing an extra $36,360 at retirement if you’re a dog owner and $26,780 if have a cat, That number, of course, will increase if you have more than one pet.
On the flip side owning a pet can have considerable health advantages including boosting your immune system and helping you get better sleep.
“Research has shown that owning a pet can have a number of physical health benefits, including increased cardiovascular health, increased physical activity and fewer visits to the doctor,” Dr Liz Walker, RSPCA Victoria’s CEO, tells The New Daily. “Dogs, especially, help us enjoy the outdoors while getting some regular exercise.
However, if you are worried about the costs then consider adopting a fish or budgie as these will only require you to save an extra $1200 and $2400 respectively to cover their costs at your retirement. Bargain really.
Last week, one of Australia’s most senior politicians said something that made my heart leap (an anomaly, I’m sure you’ll agree). I woke up to the glorious dulcet tones of Christopher Pyne on my radio (again, something I didn’t expect to be typing!), as he boldly proclaimed, via leaked audio, that the Turnbull government was working on making marriage equality a reality in Australia.
“We are working on it. We’re going to get it and it might be sooner than everyone thinks. We’re working on that outcome,” declared an obviously tipsy (and therefore infinitely more relatable) Christopher Pyne to raucous applause.
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It’s finally happening, I dared to dream, a newfound spring in my step as I headed to work. Where it all began to unravel pretty darn quickly.
Because, of course, it was short-lived. Instead of opening up the real possibility of the thus-far elusive ‘Marriage Equality Bill’, the Liberal Party basically ate itself from within as the sort of bickering you’d expect from a Real Housewives episode ensued.
^ Rare footage of Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbott
The focus was pretty much all on “Liberal party infighting”, pitting the conservative faction against the moderate faction, instead of concentrating on the matter in hand – equal marriage in Australia.
Pyne’s comments particularly incensed this guy:
Tony Abbott cried foul play, saying any change to the Liberal’s policy would be a “breach” of trust.
“To dump the plebiscite, to do anything without a plebiscite, would be a breach of faith with the people,” the former-PM said.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull blamed Labor for the delay, believing his plebiscite to be the solution to achieving marriage equality (more on this later).
“We took a very straightforward policy to the election, which was there would be a vote on gay marriage in the parliament after the Australian people had voted to support it in a plebiscite,” he said.
“I believe if a plebiscite had been held it would have been carried but the reason the plebiscite has not been hold is because Bill Shorten blocked it.”
Anyways, the comments succeeded in causing SUCH a media furore – including calls for his resignation – that Pyneo (can I call him Pyneo?) was forced to issue a public apology with his tail well and truly between his legs, the poor lamb.
But this latest instalment in the long-running saga of ‘Why the heck can’t we follow suit with the rest of the world?’ was particularly frustrating.
~ Frustrating because all polls suggest the majority of Australians are in favour of same-sex marriage.
~ Frustrating because I have friends who can’t exercise the same human right as myself and have their union recognised as an official marriage.
~ Frustrating because the Prime Minister himself supports marriage equality and once said Australia is the “odd one out” in same-sex marriage among nations including the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand, the majority of Europe and Canada. 22 countries around the world have same-sex marriage. Taiwan will become the first country in Asia to legalise it.
We’re part of a small club now, Australia. Along with our equally slow-off-the-mark chums Austria, Hungary, Switzerland, Northern Ireland and the Czech Republic. But the list of countries where same-sex marriage is not legal is getting smaller each year.
Last week, Germany made the leap , despite the fact chancellor Angela Merkel is the head of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party and said she had a “hard time” with same-sex marriage.
But, in a beautiful display of German efficiency, Merkel allowed a conscience vote and what do you know? Germany legalised same-sex marriage within a week.
What most of the countries that have passed gay marriage have in common is that the majority did this through parliamentary votes and court rulings, no expensive plebiscite in sight.
Which, by the way, could cost the Australian economy more than half a billion dollars. How’s about we pump it into helping charities support LGBTQI people driven to depression by feeling excluded within everyday society? LGBTQI teens and young adults have one of the highest rates of suicide attempts. Or anti-bullying programs for schools and educating teens in acceptance? Or even pumping it into the wedding industry itself would be a better use of public money than this polarising idea. Side note: Not every gay person wants to get married – but they at least want the option!
Here’s why I agree with the Opposition that a plebiscite would be a horrible move:
You’re basically telling gay people that their getting married could be an issue. That they’re different. That they’re not entitled to the same legal framework as other members of society.
“The idea of young people, perhaps yet to come out, seeing the legitimacy of their identity debated on the national stage, that is not an ideal which we should inflict on any citizen when we have a better path,” Labor leader Bill Shorten said in September last year.
“Let me be as blunt as possible: a No campaign would be an emotional torment for gay teenagers and if one child commits suicide over the plebiscite, then that is one too many. Mr Speaker, achieving marriage equality should be an occasion for joy, a unifying moment of celebration.”
History won’t be kind to us if we keep dragging our heels on the inevitable. This is pollies being out of touch with public opinion at a catastrophic level.
I’m going to leave you with a personally poignant moment from this year’s Mardi Gras celebrations in Sydney.
My friend, who was marching in the parade, was called back by a father with his little girl on his shoulders. He made his way over to the spectators, as the dad explained his little girl wanted to wish him a happy Mardi Gras, which she did, by giving him a high-five.
He was so touched by this display of sheer acceptance – from the dad and the little girl – but didn’t that one tiny gesture just encapsulate what the whole event was about? Love IS love, after all.
Let’s lobby this message of acceptance and love, and get it done.
When you read somewhere that eating high levels of protein is the best way to be healthy, of course, you up your protein intake. However, extremes are rarely a healthy choice for your body.
There are so many of these ‘healthy’ habits we embrace with a little too much zeal, and it can mean depleting your body of essential vitamins and minerals.
We spoke to celebrated nutritionist, Fiona Tuck, to find out how we can get some balance back into our ‘healthy’ lifestyles.
Taking heartburn medication long-term
Antiacids or proton pump inhibitor medications decrease the amount of stomach acid being produced to alleviate acid reflux and heartburn. Long term use can deplete vitamin B12 leading to a vitamin B 12 deficiency.
Vitamin B12 is required for haemoglobin synthesis, a healthy nervous system, cognitive function, pernicious anaemia to name just a few. Deficiency signs can show as poor memory, poor cognitive function, numbness or tingling in the extremities, tiredness.
Depleted choline may also result from long-term antiacid use. Choline is required for fat emulsification, neurotransmitter synthesis and healthy brain function.
Increase vitamin B12 foods such as red meat, liver, mussels, pate, fish.
Increase choline foods such as eggs, chickpeas, soy lecithin
It is beneficial to speak to your GP if you are on long term antiacids and have your Vitamin B 12 levels checked.
Eating too much protein
A high protein diet such as red meat and protein powders can create an acidic environment in the body by producing ammonia, a by-product of the break down of protein.
In order to compensate for the high acid diet, the body withdraws on alkaline minerals such as calcium.
Long term high protein diets combined with a diet high in acid-forming foods such as salt, sugar, coffee et can have adverse effects on the bones by leaching calcium.
The body needs more water if protein intake is high to flush out waste products e.g. ammonia. This can put a strain on the kidneys.
Aim for 1g of protein per kg of body weight. This can vary depending on health, age, weight so always refer to a nutritionist to ensure you are eating the right amount for your body.
Taking antibiotics
Antibiotics kill off bacterial infections within the body, but they can also destroy the good bacteria that are naturally present in our gut.
Chronic antibiotic use can disrupt natural microbiome or gut flora which can affect the immune function, mood and may lead to digestive discomfort.
After finishing a course of antibiotics it is beneficial to take a course of probiotics to help recolonise the healthy gut bacteria.
Increase prebiotic foods to help support the probiotics such as fresh fruits and vegetables and fibre.
Increase small amounts of fermented foods such as fermented vegetables, kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha and kefir.
Consuming too much fibre
There is the possibility of lowered absorption of minerals if large amounts of fibre, e.g., rice, bran and grains are eaten at every meal.
Fibre is essential for healthy bowel function; it lowers cholesterol, helps to regulate hormones, so aim to include easy to digest fibre such fruits and lightly cooked vegetables.
Avoid eating large servings of legumes, rice, wheat and bran type products which can cause bloating and gas.
Keep portions small and ensure beans and pulse are well prepared and cooked to avoid any unpleasant digestive side effects.
When eating high fibre foods drink plenty of clean filtered water to avoid excess thirst or constipation.
Aim for more than 3g of fibre per serve.
Oh, nuts!
Taking menopause supplements such as black cohosh and soy isoflavones
Soy isoflavones can have a phytoestrogen like effect in the body.
This means they can mimic the action of oestrogen by blocking oestrogen receptor sites. They may be beneficial as phytoestrogens are mild oestrogens which are weaker than normal or synthetic oestrogen.
They may, therefore, protect against harmful xenooestrogens (foreign oestrogens from chemicals, plastics and synthetics) so may actually be protective to the body. There is some concern that harmful oestrogens may be linked to oestrogen based cancers.
Avoid genetically modified soy products and highly processed soy products with preservatives, additives, gums and artificial flavours. Choose non-GM organic soy or fermented soy products.
Offspring delivered yet another devastating blow this week as Billie (Kate Stewart) and Mick (Eddie Perfect) decided to call it quits.
We’ve watched them fall in and out of love for the past six seasons and while their relationship was far from perfect, it was one of our favourite pairings on the show.
While it’s not the first time the couple have gone their separate ways, we’re not holding out much hope of a happy-ever-after this time around.
Relive some of their biggest moments from the series below.
Six At Best: After sleeping with Nina, Mick confesses to Billie by writing a song called “Six At Best” about how bad Nina is in bed. While it’s mortifying for Nina, it does help the sisters reconnect.
Mick and Billie try to have a baby with Andrew: Billie is desperate for a baby and asks Mick’s brother Andrew to be their donor.
Billie finds out she’s pregnant: Billie wants a baby more than anything in the world. In season two, when she finds out she’s pregnant it’s one of the happiest, most beautiful scene of the series (watch the video snippet below). Sadly, she later has a miscarriage.
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Billie finds out shes pregnant
Mick and Billie accidently buy a house: There’s nothing quite like getting swept up in the moment at an auction and accidently buying a house…
The wedding: Their relationship has had more ups and downs than most, but watching Billie and Mick tie the knot at the end of season four was heart-warming to say the least.
Jealousy: Billie struggles with Mick’s close relationship with fellow musician Roseanna (Clare Bowditch).
Billie cheats on Mick: Billie has a drunken one night stand with a former lover.
Billie and Mick move overseas: After getting back together again, Billie decides to move to London with Mick.
The break-up: Billie flies overseas to see if she can salvage her marriage. She returns to tell the Proudman family that despite their best efforts, they couldn’t make it work and Billie and Mick are officially over.
He’s only been out of jail for a few months but according to a new report from The Sun, disgraced Australian entertainer Rolf Harris is plotting a career revival.
The publications claims the 87-year-old, who was sentenced to five years and nine months prison time in the UK after a jury convicted him on all 12 counts of indecent assault committed on girls as young as 7 between 1968 and 1986, has asked his team to find him a role on a TV show.
“Rolf genuinely believes he could still have a career after everything that’s gone on,” an insider explained to The Sun.
The source adds the former Animal Hospital star is “desperate to work” and is “going nuts” sitting idle in his Berkshire mansion.
Despite his battered reputation, the report says the Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport hitmaker believes an acting gig could help change the public’s opinion on him.
“They’ve said they will do all they could but in reality he’s seen as untouchable right now,” the source continued.
Reports also claim the musician is working on a comeback album and has penned a series of songs accusing his victims – some of who were just seven when he abused them – of being “money-grabbing woodworms” and mocking them for being old and no longer “pretty”.
Insiders claims the disgraced entertainer wants to land a TV role to help repair his reputation.
On January 9 this year, Harris came before another London court to face a further seven charges involving allegations made by seven women over a 33-year period from 1971.
He was found not guilty on two counts of indecent assault and one of sexual assault.
After being released from prison in May, Rolf was facing even more charges for the alleged assault of three women between 1971 and 1983.
However the jury were unable to reach a verdict and the artist was cleared.
Following his release, the father-of-one requested that he be able to spend his “final years in peace” with his wife, Alwen.
Rolf, pictured with his wife Alwen, was released from jail in May.
If Chandler Bing was commenting on his future self, we’d imaging he’d say something like: “Could you BE any more different?”
Matthew Perry decided to celebrate his nation’s Independence Day with a screening of cult classic Jurassic Park on July 4.
The 47-year-old stepped out to Hollywood Forever Cemetery on Tuesday evening, where he caught a viewing of the 1993 movie.
Matthew Perry looked ready for a cosy night at the 4th of July celebrations.
The actor rose to fame playing Chandler Bing.
The Friends actor was in casual attire donning a baseball cap, as he chilled on the grass with picnic rug.
Matt was in good spirits, smiling and giving the thumbs up for cameras.
The iconic TV star first jumped onto our screens as the quick-witted Chandler Bing back in 1994 on Friends.
At the time Matt was a fresh-faced 25-year-old, who was joined by newcomers, Jennifer Aniston, Matt Le Blanc, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow and Courteney Cox.
23 years later, of course the actor and his co-stars are going to look different, though Matt has been exceptionally candid about the toll his drug and alcohol addiction has taken on him.
Chandler Bing aka Matthew Perry: 1995 vs Today
Monica Geller aka Courteney Cox: 1995 vs Today
Joey Tribbiani aka Matt LeBlanc: 1995 vs Today
In 1997, three years after the pilot episode of Friends aired, the star was prescribed Vicodin after an accident with a jet ski.
The actor was already battling a drinking problem at the time, and the added drug addiction sparked a years-long struggle to get clean.
“I couldn’t stop,” he told People in 2013.
“Eventually things got so bad that I couldn’t hide it, and then everybody knew.”
Rachel Green aka Jennifer Aniston: 1995 vs Today
Ross Geller aka David Schwimmer: 1995 vs Today
Phoebe Buffay aka Lisa Kudrow: 1995 vs Today
The star completed his first stint in rehab in 1997 for Vicodin addiction, and his second in February 2001 for addiction to opioids, amphetamines and alcohol.
Now, Matthew is a passionate advocate for others going through the same journey and often speaks candidly about his history with addiction.
Sharing his need to get better, Matt explained to the BBC, “It wasn’t a question of strength.”
“It was a question of whether I wanted to live or die—that was the real decision. I’m happy to say that I chose life.”
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These days Matt is a playwright.
These days Matthew is kicking many career goals.
The award-winning actor has starred in many hit shows including The Kennedys: After Camelot, opposite Katie Holmes.
But the 47-year-old is proudest of his latest achievement, his self-penned play, The End of Longing.
The End of Longing is inspired by his own experiences.
Last year, it premiered in London’s West End, where it box office records, and now the actor has brought it to Off-Broadway.
The plot is inspired by his own experiences, with the titular character Jack an alcoholic.
Matt explained he was inspired to write the script with the idea that “people can change”—specifically, that “broken people can turn into better people.”
“I’ve experienced a lot of changes in my life and I see people change every day,” he expressed.
“There’s a common notion that people can’t change. I disagree with that.”
For ten years Rachel, Monica, Ross, Chandler, Joey and Phoebe made us laugh with their hilarious antics… See what your favourite Friends are up to in the gallery below!
There’s no denying McLeod’s Daughters was one of our favourite Aussie television shows of all time. And according to some recent social media activity, it seems as if there COULD be a revival in the works.
Michala Banas, who played Kate Manfredi and Simmone Jade Mackinnon who played Stevie Hall, both uploaded the same picture on their Instagram accounts this morning.
Michala and Simmone uploaded a shot of their characters Kate and Stevie, along with Jodi (Rachael Carpani) with the caption “Watch this space…”
Well ladies, consider us WATCHING THIS SPACE LIKE A HAWK.
In the meantime, we are happy to speculate.
Could this mean re-runs of the show will return to Nine Network? Or will the series be picked up by a streaming service (here’s looking at you Stan Australia) for a revival?
We should also point out, the image Michala and Simmone uploaded is not an official promotional image from the show. And we have had no official word on any potential revival activity…
Lisa Chappell, who portrayed Claire McLeod (whose death on the show was traumatic enough to rival that of Patrick’s on Offspring) reflects on the success of the series.
“McLeod’s came along right when Australian drama needed it,” she tells TV WEEK. “The timing was right, as we were this big, very different show about women on the land. It had a big heart. It struck a chord and the audience came with us.”
Perhaps the timing is now right again. We’re certainly ready to see what the team at Drover’s Run are up to now. Bring. It. ON!
Suddenly, resting bitch face doesn’t seem so funny anymore.
Your neutral face – being how your face rests without any expression could be telling people if you’re rich or poor. Why is this important? Individuals who are perceived as wealthy are considered to be more reliable and are more likely to be given better and higher paying jobs.
The research comes from the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Arts and Science and confirms that first impressions are a self-fulfilling prophecy, perpetuating your social class and influencing the opportunities presented to you.
The research has found that your class status could only be determined through your neutral face, not when expressing emotions.
Even more interesting is that other external social and cultural biases such as gender and race did not affect the results of the study.
The neutral face is the best possible way to see life-long habits of expression that will become etched into the face, such as happiness (wealthy) or stress (poverty). Those are obviously a generalisation but Associate Professor Nicholas Rule, a lead author on the paper explained, “Over time, your face comes to permanently reflect and reveal your experiences. Even when we think we’re not expressing something, relics of those emotions are still there.”
“What we’re seeing is students who are just 18-22 years old have already accumulated enough life experience that it has visibly changed and shaped their face to the point you can tell what their socio-economic standing or social class is.”
“There are neurons in the brain that specialize in facial recognition. The face is the first thing you notice when you look at somebody,” Rule elaborates.
“We see faces in clouds, we see faces in toast. We are sort of hardwired to look for face-like stimuli. And this is something people pick up very quickly. And they are consistent, which is what makes it statistically significant.”
The study used a benchmark of $75,000, based on the US average median family income.
Step one saw volunteers broken up based on an income per year of under $60,000 or above $100,000; their neutral face was then photographed and presented to a different set of participants.
Step two asked the second round of participants if the people in the photos were rich or poor. The results revealed participants did this with 53% accuracy, a percentage that transcends random chance.
“People talk about the cycle of poverty, and this is potentially one contributor to that,” says Rule.
Can you guess which man is ‘poor’ and which is ‘wealthy’?
Don’t let the polo shirt fool you – the man on the left falls into the ‘rich’ category and the man on the right is considered to be ‘poor’.
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