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My mum was murdered looking for love online

On an April morning last year, four-year-old Aron Siermans sat alone by his dead mother's body as day broke in Ballarat, Victoria.
Aron Siermans's mum was murdered looking for love online.

Aron Siermans. © The Australian Women's Weekly. Photography by Eamon Gallagher.

When his mother’s friend dropped by to check on the single mum, who had not been returning text messages, Aron answered the door.

“There was a big man last night and he bashed Mummy with a bat,” the little boy said. “Mummy won’t wake up to give me any breakfast.”

They are words that will forever haunt the Siermans family. That this innocent child most likely watched his mother die a brutal death at the hands of a relative stranger is a horror too awful to contemplate.

Single mum Sharon met her murderer on an online dating site, not realising he was a career criminal with more than 100 convictions to his name, most recently the brutal knife-point rape of a 52-year-old woman.

Sharon and Aron in happier times.

In the early hours of an April morning last year, he broke into her Ballarat home and attempted to rape her. When she fought back, he brutally bashed her with a cricket bat, then slit her throat and left her to die, all while her terrified son Aron hid nearby.

Dinsley was convicted of Sharon’s murder last December.

Meanwhile, Aron has been left to live with his grandparents, John and Denise, who have shared their heartbreak in the February issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly.

“Never, ever, go on to a dating website,” warns Sharon’s mum, Denise. “You just don’t know who you’re talking to. I wish all of them were shut down so no family ever has to go through what we’re going through.

“We’re just a normal Australian family, but with the click of a button, she made the wrong choice. If this can happen to us, it can happen to anyone.”

The Ballarat community is holding a fundraiser for Aron on February 22. Details are available at www.facebook.com/AronSiermanFundraiser.

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Princess Beatrice begins new job at Sony Pictures

Princess Beatrice has become a showbiz royal after landing an internship at Sony Pictures Europe in London.
Princess Beatrice in London

The 25-year-old daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson began working at the international headquarters of the entertainment distribution company earlier this month, according to reports, after taking an extended break from working.

The young royal had previously worked at an investment capital firm after completing her university studies, but quit last year after 12 months in the job.

She then spent the rest of 2013 travelling with her businessman boyfriend Dave Clark, who works for Virgin Galactic, the space arm of Richard Branson’s company. Beatrice’s global travels last year included skiing in Aspen, holidaying over the new year in St Barts, a trip to Venice with her mother, and attending weddings and parties with her sister, Princess Eugenie.

Beatrice graduated from Goldsmiths College London in 2011 with a degree in history and history of ideas, after which she undertook several periods of work experience and unpaid internships in a bid to find a career.

Beatrice, who is sixth in line to the throne, elected to pursue a career instead of carrying out royal duties, but has not decided what she wants to do.

She is patron to two charities but rarely performs royal engagements solo.

Meanwhile Beatrice’s younger sister, Eugenie, has moved to New York where she recently began working at Paddle8, an online art and design auction house.

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Barbershop of horrors: Worst male haircuts

Brad Pitt haircut

Brad Pitt’s new buzz cut has been the talk of Hollywood this week, but Brad isn’t the only male star to sport some unusual locks.

The A-list actor debuted his bizarre new look on the red carpet at the Screen Actors Guild Awards last weekend, quickly overshadowing the glamorous frocks Brad was surrounded by.

“It’s for a part, it’s not a choice” Pitt told red carpet reporters. The actor was referring to his new war flick Fury, which he’s making alongside Shia LaBeouf and Aussie actor Xavier Samuel in the UK.

While we wait for Brad’s sexy hair to grow back, check out these other celebs who have come off worse in a fight with the clippers.

“It’s for a part, it’s not a choice” Pitt told red carpet reporters about his new ‘do.

Blast from the past: Brad has been a big fan growing out his locks.

Thank goodness British babe David Beckham swapped the bleach for this sophisticated swept back look.

Old school sex symbol David Bowie has swapped the spiky carrot top for a more refined look.

Silver fox George Clooney proves that he only gets better with greys.

Viggo Mortensen’s shaggy locks have started to look a little shabby. Time for a trim perhaps Viggo?

Johnny Depp’s tresses sometimes toe the line between sexy and sleazy. Someone tell Captain Jack the locks on the left are in desperate need of some attention.

No, that’s not the lead singer of Nickelback on the left, but in fact baby-faced blood sucker Robert Pattinson sporting some serious peach fuzz.

Criminal Minds star Shermar Moore should arrest himself for this hair follicle faux pas. Less is more we think.

Christian Bale sported a Donald Trump style comb-over for his role in American Hustle. Thank goodness he went back to being his usual sexy self once the movie wrapped.

Bradley Cooper proved he was once a mere mortal too, with this blonde bomb! Thank goodness he’s ascended to Hollywood sex symbol status and will never try this again.

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How Harry won Cressida back after Las Vegas

Prince Harry was fresh from a romantic Caribbean getaway with new girlfriend Cressida Bonas when he was photographed, completely naked, with another woman.
Prince Harry and on again - off again love interest Cressida

Prince Harry and his current love interest, Cressida Bonas.

The shocking images – taken inside Harry’s Las Vegas hotel – made headlines around the world and convinced Cressida that the fourth in line to the throne was not the man for her.

“It set everything back and confirmed Cressida’s fears that dating Harry was trouble,” a friend tells the February issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly.

Harry refused to take no for an answer – he returned to the UK and wooed Cressida like never before, whisking her away on a romantic holiday to Botswana. But just weeks later, he was deployed to Afghanistan, leaving Cressida in London to fret about the future of their romance.

“Cressida was in a terrible state,” a family friend says. “She was in tears a lot, naturally worried about Harry, but also completely unsure about what to do in terms of their romance.

“All the while, Harry was writing these devastatingly romantic love letters, which made Cressie even more upset.

“Harry had asked Cressida to wait for him, but she was very divided. She didn’t know

if the relationship was what she wanted. She liked Harry, but she absolutely hated all the press attention.”

When Harry returned, the romance continued “hot and cold” until they attended the Glastonbury festival in June 2013. It was there, at an exclusive backstage party, that both Harry and Cressida threw caution to the winds and fell in love.

“Cressida was dancing like crazy and bouncing around the dance floor, and I have never seen Prince Harry so relaxed,” a friend says. “He was spooning her and they were openly kissing.

“It was the turning point. Cressida had finally given in and fallen for Harry.”

Cressida at Glastonbury in 2013 when she fell for Harry.

Fast-forward seven months and the world is waiting for the young couple to announce their engagement – but just how long we’ll be waiting is anyone’s guess.

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Prince Harry ‘drank from prosthetic leg’ on charity trek

Prince Harry lived up to his reputation as the “party prince” while on his recent charity trek to the South Pole – by telling “eye-wateringly” rude jokes and drinking champagne out of a prosthetic leg.
Prince Harry

The Prince attended a ‘welcome home’ press call for the Walking With The Wounded South Pole Challenge in London yesterday, looking fresh-faced after shaving off the famous ginger beard he grew while in Antarctica.

The Walking With The Wounded challenge finished on December 13 when three teams of wounded servicemen and women – some of whom are double amputees – successfully reached the South Pole after skiing across 200km of Antarctic plateau.

British actor Dominic West, who was part of the Commonwealth team helping to raise money for military charities, divulged stories of the young royal’s antics while in Antarctica.

West described Harry as a “fantastically nice chap” who has a wicked sense of humour: “He told some eye-wateringly rude jokes which, for a non-soldier like me, was pretty shocking!”

West also divulged details of the group’s celebratory antics when they finally reached the South Pole.

“Two of the Aussie guys stripped naked and ran round the pole but most of us, Harry included, just went on a two-day bender with the Icelandic truck drivers who had brought some lethal home brew with them. There was a lot of liqueur drunk,” West said.

“We all drank champagne out of Duncan’s (Slater, a double amputee injured in Afghanistan in 2009, who was on the British team) favourite prosthetic legs.”

Trek pals: Prince Harry and Dominic West in Antarctica. Image: Getty.

West added that despite his royal status, Prince Harry was not above performing some of the more mundane group tasks.

“He would often reach the meeting point before the rest of his men and would build these incredibly lavish, castellated latrines, with battlements and loo roll holders,” West revealed.

“It must have taken him 40 minutes at least to build, they were just fabulous. I would often sit on the latrine thinking “this is a royal flush in every way!”

“Harry also massively helped me out when I was struggling with my skis at first. He was a great guy.”

Prince Harry, who is fourth-in-line to the throne, was a patron of the expedition, and spoke of his pride at his fellow trekkers.

“Inspiring others is one of the cornerstones of this charity,” the prince said yesterday. “To demonstrate to those who have suffered life-changing injuries that anything is still possible.

“That this truly unbelievable achievement by everyone behind me… will remind everybody that they can achieve anything they want to. Our wounded, injured and sick [servicemen] they simply want to be treated the same way as before they were injured. With respect.”

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Harry’s girl Cressida’s secret Sydney holiday

Today, she's the woman hotly tipped to marry Prince Harry, but just two years ago, Cressida Bonas was a carefree backpacker enjoying a gap year in Australia.

Today, she’s the woman hotly tipped to marry Prince Harry, but just two years ago, Cressida Bonas was a carefree backpacker enjoying a gap year in Australia.

Shy and bohemian, Cressida spent six months living in a share house in Bondi, learning to surf, partying and working in a bar in Sydney’s Double Bay.

She also travelled to Byron Bay, where she befriended a family with five children, impressing them with her love of kids and friendly personality.

“She’s very natural and softly spoken – a really gorgeous girl,” her host said.

These pictures document Cressida’s six months of sea, sun and sand Down Under.

Cressida enjoying herself in Sydney during her time as a backpacker.

Fellow bartenders at Mrs Sippy describe Cressida as “sweet” and “lovely”.

Rum was Cressida favourite tipple when she socialised at Sydney bar Mrs Sippy, where she also worked.

Prince Harry would be relieved to hear Cressida didn’t enjoy any Aussie romances.

Cressida also had offers to work as extras in advertising shoots, but it is not known if she went ahead and filmed anything.

At a Ralph Lauren Wimbledon Party in June 2011.

Cressida at Glastonbury in June 2013.

Cressida with her half-sister Isabella Calthorpe in June 2013.

Cressida with her old friend Princess Eugenie in June 2013.

Cressida and Eugenie in June 2013.

Cressida at a club launch last November.

Cressida out and about in London in September 2012.

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Princess Ingrid of Norway’s beautiful birthday portraits

Princess Ingrid of Norway's dreams came true this week, with her family gifting her a glamorous photo shoot to celebrate her 10th birthday.
Princess Ingrid of Norway

Princess Ingrid of Norway’s dreams came true this week, with her family gifting her a glamorous photo shoot to celebrate her 10th birthday.

The little Princess looks lovely in the elegant images, posing barefoot in the palace and with a giant bunch of gold balloons.

The new shots are unlike last year’s birthday pictures of the Princess which saw her walking hand-in-hand with her dad, Crown Prince Haakon and her grandfather, King Harald — the two men who share her destiny as head of the Norwegian monarchy.

In total, three images have been released of Ingrid to celebrate her special day. Many royal commentators have remarked on how much the Princess is growing to resemble her mother, Crown Princess Mette Marit.

The Norwegian Palace also released images of both King Harald and his late father King Olav when they were ten years old to complement the new royal images.

The little royal had a birthday party for family and friends at Skaugum, the official residence of her parents Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, to celebrate the occasion.

Princess Ingrid of Norway celebrated her 10th birthday by posing with a swathe of balloons (pic: Facebook).

The little royal also posed with flowers in a white sundress (pic: Facebook).

The little princess also posed barefoot for some more formal portraits (pic: Facebook).

Ingrid shared her ninth birthday portrait with her dad, Crown Prince Haakon, and her grandfather, King Harald (pic: Facebook).

Ingrid’s great-grandfather, King Olav and grandfather, Prince Harald at age 10.

Ingrid with the rest of her family in the official Christmas portrait last year.

Ingrid is looking increasingly like her mother, Mette-Marit.

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Days Of Our Lives star quits show

It’s been a dramatic 21 years for Alison Sweeney and her character Samantha Brady on Days Of Our Lives. But the 37-year-old has decided this year will be her last on the show she has starred in since she was 16-years-old.

“I’m celebrating my 21st year and I decided that it’s going to be my last year with the show,” she told Ellen DeGeneres on her talk show.

“I mean it’s awesome. I love Sami, I love Salem, I love my job, I love daytime, I love the fans, I love everything about it.”

Alison, who has never had more than a two-week break from the show, says she is looking forward to spending time with her five-year-old daughter and nine-year-old son next year.

See more long running soap stars here!

Alison Sweeney as Samantha Brady on *Days Of Our Lives*

Alison Sweeney as Samantha Brady on Days Of Our Lives

Susan Lucci played Erica Kane on *All My Children* for 41 years.

Susan Lucci played Erica Kane on All My Children for 41 years.

Ron Moss has played Ridge Forrester in *The Bold and the Beautiful* for 25 years.

Ron Moss has played Ridge Forrester in The Bold and the Beautiful for 25 years.

Ray Meagher has played Alf Stewart on *Home & Away* for 26 years.

Ray Meagher has played Alf Stewart on Home & Away for 26 years.

Melody Thomas Scott played Nikki Newman in *The Young and the Restless* for 35 years.

Melody Thomas Scott played Nikki Newman in The Young and the Restless for 35 years.

Rachel Adams played Audrey Hardy on *General Hospital* for 43 years.

Rachel Adams played Audrey Hardy on General Hospital for 43 years.

Kate Ritchie played Sally Fletcher on *Home & Away* for 20 years.

Kate Ritchie played Sally Fletcher on Home & Away for 20 years.

John McCook played Eric Forrester in *The Bold and the Beautiful* for 27 years.

John McCook played Eric Forrester in The Bold and the Beautiful for 27 years.

Tom Oliver has played Lou Carpenter on *Neighbours* for 22 years.

Tom Oliver has played Lou Carpenter on Neighbours for 22 years.

Katherine Kelly Lang has played Brooke Logan in *The Bold and the Beautiful* for 27 years.

Katherine Kelly Lang has played Brooke Logan in The Bold and the Beautiful for 27 years.

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Lingerie company bans Photoshop for ‘real’ ad campaign

The marketing move by young women’s underwear and swimsuit brand Aerie is a bold one aimed at customers fed up with digitally enhanced images. But it may not be as realistic as you think – the models, while curvy and buxom, are still thin and gorgeous.
An image from the Aerie 'real' ad campaign

An image from the Aerie 'real' ad campaign

The marketing move by young women’s underwear and swimsuit brand Aerie is a bold one aimed at customers fed up with digitally enhanced images. But it may not be as realistic as you think – the models, while curvy and buxom, are still thin and gorgeous.

The #aeriereal ads feature young girls lounging around in colourful lingerie with their “imperfections” – beauty marks, tattoos, lines, rolls of fat on their stomachs, dimples, and even stretch marks – on full display. They are also of varying bra sizes, not the standard B-Cup often used in lingerie campaigns.

But despite their apparent beauty ‘flaws’, even Ms Altman admits: “They are still models, they’re still gorgeous.”

The Aerie campaign comes after a recent furore over Photoshopped images, including the airbrushing of Girls star Lena Dunham on the cover of US Vogue.

The Aerie campaign features ‘real’ looking models

The ads feature un-Photoshopped images of models

The company says ‘what you see is what you really get’ with their ads

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How to make over your finances

It's important to review your financial situation regularly, and by following these simple tips you'll be able to assess where your hard-earned cash is going.
Piggy bank

Get goal-oriented

Before making any changes to your finances, it’s important that you figure out your financial goals and priorities. Starting off with smaller goals is far easier than looking at the big picture straight away. This can be as simple as clearing your credit card debt in six weeks instead of the usual 10 weeks. Successfully managing smaller goals will empower you to achieve bigger ones down the track. Think about where you’d like to be in two, five and ten years’ time. Do you want to own your own home, retire early or save for an overseas holiday? By writing down your goals, it will be easier to hatch a plan and start working towards them.

Create a budget worth sticking to

Update your household budget by reviewing all expenses, including bills, groceries, school fees, entertainment and housing costs. The golden rule of thumb is to make sure you aren’t spending more than you earn. If your budget doesn’t allow you to live the life you want, cut back or look into how you can generate a larger income.

Trim credit card debt

If you over-worked your credit card during the silly season, now is the time to take control of your debt and get it back into shape. For those with more than one credit card, it may be worth consolidating debts into the card with the lowest interest rate. Once debt is cleared, try to limit your credit card transactions and use cash whenever possible.

Shape up on spending

Aim to be a money-wise spender this year and look for great deals. Shaping up on spending shouldn’t be a means to rob you of everyday enjoyment, rather it should act as a way to distinguish between wants and needs and eliminate impulse buys. Do a stocktake of your wardrobe and build it with things you genuinely love and want to wear. Set aside one day a week to treat yourself to lunch and compensate by preparing meals for the rest of the week. With a little extra planning, you can still fund the things you enjoy without feeling guilty.

Become super fit

Are you getting the most out of your current superannuation set up? By taking the time to get on top of your super and looking at ways to consolidate funds, you can save thousands of dollars in the long run. Before making any changes, contact your financial advisor or fund manager to find out what your current benefits are and how this will change if you transfer your money to another fund. If your current fund provides you with insurance cover, find out what will happen to this cover when you transfer. By checking and comparing the levels of cover you can make sure that you aren’t leaving anything behind.

Dianne Charman is an Authorised Representative of AMP Financial Planning Pty Ltd, ABN 89 051 208 327, AFS Licence No. 232706. Any advice given is general only and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Because of this, before acting on any advice, you should consult a financial planner to consider how appropriate the advice is to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

To find your nearest AMP financial planner visit www.amp.com.au/findaplanner.

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