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Bec Hewitt: I’m happier than ever!

Bec Hewitt: I'm happier than ever!

He may have bowed out of the Australian Open, but Lleyton Hewitt and his family are still grinning.

The Hewitt family’s recent visit home has seen former Home And Away star Bec Hewitt fall back in love with the man she married more than seven years ago, telling friends she and Lleyton have never been happier and Australia is a big part of the reason why.

After a year of disappointments on the tennis circuit and stress, compounded by a fire at their home in the Bahamas while their three children slept inside, 2013 couldn’t have begun on a sweeter note according to a close friend of Bec, 29, and Lleyton, 31. “They are super happy right now, having bounced back from a low point in 2012,” the insider confirms exclusively to Woman’s Day.

“It was because of the fire [Bec, her mother and children Mia, 7, Cruz, 4, and Ava, 2, were lucky to escape alive], plus Lleyton being away from home a lot, and his moodiness when cooped up in hotels with Bec and the kids when they did accompany him on tour. And Bec has been miserable living in the Bahamas.” But it all magically changed as soon as they hit Australia, as it always does, says the friend.

“Bec can relax here because she has equal status with Lleyton and can do her own thing. She doesn’t have to be cooped up in the house for safety all the time as she is in the Bahamas, which drives her nuts. “Bec’s favourite thing in the world is watching her kids with their cousins at birthday parties and parks and hanging out at each other’s houses. It reminds her of her own childhood. “Also, all three of her kids adore the excitement of the tennis scene in Australia and their dad being recognised. They like being around that buzz here, so that’s beautiful for Bec to watch.”

Read more about Bec’s new found happiness in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday January 21, 2013.

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Demi Moore’s back on track

Demi Moore's back on track

It’s been a rough year for Demi Moore, but she has bounced back!

Demi Moore’s life has had more ups and downs than a roller-coaster in the past year. But the 50-year-old must draw comfort from the fact she has one of the most incredible bodies in Hollywood for a woman her age. Snapped during a luxury beach holiday in Mexico, it’s clear Demi is in better shape than ever – a fact that didn’t escape the attention of one handsome young man who joined her on the sand and doted on her throughout the day.

“She seemed to have him wrapped round her little finger,” a beachgoer tells Woman’s Day. “She was very flirty – she really was teasing him unashamedly.” And it seems Demi was revelling in all the attention from young men. “She skipped out on most of the spa activities and seemed to flirt with every young male in sight, including a 17-year-old,” a source tells a US magazine.

But according to reports, the mum-of-three also has a 31-year-old man waiting for her back home in LA. Sources say Demi is “hooking up” with playboy Harry Morton – who counts Jennifer Aniston, Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton as former conquests – and the pair were recently spotted on a dinner date. The two are “having a lot of fun together”, an insider reveals.

Woman’s Day sources say Demi’s beach break was at the urging of her three daughters – Rumer, Scout and Tallulah – who until recently had cut off contact with their mum. It’s believed the girls insisted she leave the Hollywood scene and give herself some time out after a hectic year that included her ex Ashton Kutcher, 34, filing for divorce and a rehab stint.

Read more about Deni’s new life in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday January 21, 2013.

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Ellen Degeneres: The countdown is on!

Demi Moore's back on track

Ellen’s on her way Down Under, and we just can’t wait! We’re already practising our dancing.

When Ellen DeGeneres announced she’s bringing her show Down Under, fans around the country went bananas. They started online campaigns for her to visit their towns, posted videos of themselves dancing, and even petitioned for her to visit wife Portia de Rossi’s childhood neighbourhood of Geelong, Victoria.

No doubt Aussie actress Portia’s humble upbringing is worlds apart from the luxurious LA life she’s become accustomed to and the Beverly Hills estate she and Ellen call home.

The couple, who have been married for four years, bought the 789 square metre modern mansion for a whopping $18 million. Located on Hillcrest Road in the exclusive Trousdale Estates, the four-bedroom home, designed by famed celebrity architect Hal Levitt, boasts impressive glass walls, soaring ceilings, several fireplaces, a library, six bathrooms, an elegant swimming pool and breathtaking views across Los Angeles.

While most of us can only dream of calling such a place home, for Ellen and Portia, it’s a downgrade from their former $37 million pad. The couple sold the property, which sprawled over more than a hectare, to E! Entertainment host Ryan Seacrest.

Read more about Ellen’s LA life and her trip to Australia in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday January 21, 2013.

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Kate’s baby joy at 15 weeks!

Kate's baby joy at 15 weeks!

Kate is showing off her bump in her first 15 weeks of pregnancy.

For the Duchess of Cambridge, the past three months have felt like an eternity. After revealing her baby news just six weeks into her pregnancy when she was admitted to hospital with severe morning sickness, she couldn’t wait to get through the first – and worst – trimester. And the happy occasion has come at last, with the couple joyfully announcing when the baby is expected to arrive.

“Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to confirm they are expecting a baby in July,” a St James’s Palace spokesman said. When Kate attended her portrait unveiling at the National Portrait Gallery last week, she happily showed off the adorably tiny bump protruding under her empire-line dress.

Palace insiders confirm she’s about 15 weeks along, meaning the baby will likely arrive mid-July. If born early, he or she could share its late grandmother Diana’s birthday, July 1. Despite an horrific start to her pregnancy, it seems Kate, 31, is now coping with the nausea.

“Kate is loving ginger,” a source close to the royal family tells Woman’s Day. “She has ginger in hot water and has gone off coffee.” Our well-placed source also reveals Kate is taking 40-minute naps each afternoon.

Read more about Kate’s pregnancy in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday January 21, 2013.

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Aussie dog gets a driving licence!

Aussie dog gets a driving licence!

Four-legged fundraiser Bundy has a top speed of 283 km/h and a love of sausages.

This motorcycle-riding canine – who has helped raise millions of dollars for charity – is on her own important crusade this year. To continue raising prostate cancer awareness and visiting terminally ill children, seven-year-old stumpy tail cattle dog Bundy needs to loose fat… and fast.

“She has to drop two kilos – she looks like a wombat at the moment, especially as she has no tail,” laughs owner Tex O’Grady. Tex says it’s the popularity of Australia’s only dog with a special licence to ride a motorbike that’s made her put on the beef. There are always irresistible food gifts on offer during their 80,000km-a-year charity rides, which includes duties as official champions for the Prostate Cancer Foundation and ambassadors for the Project KidSafe Foundation.

“When we are out and about people feed her sausages,” Tex explains. “It’s OK to have one – but if everyone does it, then it ends up being 60.” The famous dog from Coffs Harbour broke her back a few years ago in a non-motorbike related accident and was going to be put down, but Tex came to the rescue.

“It cost $15,000, which I couldn’t afford, but the motorcycle community came up with some of it – the rest I had to beg, borrow and steal,” he says. After six months of rehabilitation Bundy was back on the bike. Now Tex has put Bundy on a strict diet and exercise regime so she can continue doing what she loves – making a difference to people’s life while perched atop the petrol tank strapped into her harness.

See more at: www.texandbundy.com.au.

Read more about Tex and Buddy’sn adventures in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday January 21, 2013.

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First ladies’ frocks: The inauguration gowns

All eyes were on the First Lady as President Barack Obama’s second inauguration was celebrated today.

Michelle Obama dazzled in a ruby-red Jason Wu designed frock, the same US designer she chose to make her debut in, four years ago, causing the designer’s sales and popularity to surge.

The Smithsonian museum houses a collection of the glamorous inauguration gowns. Click through to see some of our favourites.

Michelle Obama in Jason Wu at the inauguration ball.

Michelle Obama makes her debut as First lady in 2008.

Michelle’s debut gown was a triumph for designer Jason Wu

Hillary Clinton’s violet lace gown was designed by Sarah Phillips.

This dress made Barbara Bush the “most glamorous grandmother in the United States”.

Jacqueline Kennedy’s gown was designed from her own sketches.

Nancy Reagan’s 1981 dress was designed by James Galanos.

Laura Bush wore a gown designed by a Texan designer to the 2001 inaugural ball.

She opted for a similar style in the 2005 inauguration.

Helen Taft began the tradition of donating her gown to the museum in 1909.

Mamie Eisenhower’s gown embroidered with 2,000 rhinestones for the 1953 inaugural balls.

Pat Nixon wore this Karen Stark for Harvey Berin gown in 1969.

Eleanor Roosevelt wore this pink rayon crepe gown to the 1945 inaugural reception.

Lady Bird Johnson wore this gown after President Johnson’s election in 1965.

Rosalynn Carter’s 1977 inauguration gown.

Michelle Obama’s dress and Jimmy Choo shoes are the latest addition to the collection.

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Shirtless Australian Open hunks

Novak Djokovic got us a bit hot under the collar when he stripped off after winning the Australian Open men's singles final. Here are some of the best shirtless shots from the tournament.

Novak Djokovic might not be everyone’s favourite tennis player but he won himself a new legion of female fans when he stripped off after defeating Stanislas Wawrinka last night.

The Serbian ace ripped off his shirt to celebrate his victory in the fourth round of the men’s singles competition at the Australian Open, thrilling women around the world with his muscular physique.

Gloriously, it was far from the first time a hunky player bared their torso at the tournament. Here are our favourite shirtless pictures from the Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic celebrates his win over Stanislas Wawrinka.

‘Djoker’ is fond of showing off his buff physique.

He got our pulses racing when he ripped off his shirt.

Roger Federer also showed some skin.

Tomas Berdych.

Novak Djokovic celebrates his defeat of Rafael Nadal in the 2012 men’s final.

Novak Djokovic’s physique got us hot under the collar.

Djokovic’s impressive abs.

Novak Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic celebrating.

Rafael Nadal shows off his back during his match with Djokovic.

Rafael Nadal.

Andy Murray during his game against Djokovic.

Andy Murray.

Roger Federer during his match against Nadal.

Rafael Nadal changes his shirt as he plays Roger Federer.

Nadal during his match against Tomas Berdych.

Juan Martin Del Potro as he plays Roger Federer.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga during his match against Kei Nishikori.

Nicolas Almagro of Spain.

David Ferrer of Spain.

Spain’s Feliciano Lopez.

Alexander Dolgopolov of Ukraine.

Bernard Tomic changes his shirt during his match against Alexander Dolgopolov.

Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil.

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Do-it-yourself: Australia Day animal masks

Do-it-yourself: Australia Day animal masks

These DIY masks are a great way to involve kids in the build-up to your party. They’ll be so proud to show off their creations to family and friends.

You’ll need

From Officeworks

  • A4 cardboard sheet

  • Elmer’s School Glue

  • Scissors

  • Paintbrush From craft/discount store

  • Grey felt

  • Black sticky-backed felt

  • White turkey feathers

  • Black glitter

  • Ribbon or hat elastic.

What to do

  1. Download koala template from the Woman’s Day website and print out (or draw koala freehand, drawing face and nose as separate shapes) on paper. Trace onto cardboard and cut out face and nose. Put nose to one side.
  1. Place cardboard face on grey felt. Cut out face shape.
  1. Paint cardboard face with glue. Place grey felt piece over glue and press firmly to secure.
  1. While face dries, cut the nose out of the black sticky felt using cardboard nose as template.
  1. When face is dry, cut out eyes (pierce centre first with pointy end of scissors or a scalpel – an adult should do this).
  1. Glue some small, fluffy feathers in place on the ears.
  1. Gently peel backing tape off black felt nose about halfway and cut so backing tape is still in place on bottom half of nose (this is so it doesn’t stick to your nose). Stick in place on mask.
  1. Gently separate a section of the felt and cardboard on side of mask just below ears, slip ribbon or elastic in between, glue in place and press felt and cardboard back together. Repeat on other side. Alternatively, tie hat elastic through holes pierced at sides of mask.

Extra-crafty step Pop some glue on the nose and sprinkle with black glitter for a little sparkle. This glue will dry clear.

You’ll need

From Officeworks

  • A4 cardboard sheet

  • Elmer’s School Glue

  • Scissors

  • Paintbrush

From craft/discount store

  • Cotton wool or cotton wool balls

  • Yellow feathers

  • Dark grey felt

  • Ribbon or hat elastic

What to do

  1. Download the cockatoo template from the Woman’s Day website and print out (or draw freehand, drawing face and beak as separate shapes) on paper. Trace onto cardboard and cut out face and beak. Cut a V at bottom of face shape to fit around nose. Set beak aside.
  1. Cut out eyes (pierce centre first with pointy end of scissors or use a scalpel – an adult should do this).
  1. Glue three yellow feathers to front of face mask at the top.
  1. Now paint glue all over the front of the mask, including over bottoms of feathers where they’re glued to the mask. Break up cotton wool or cotton wool balls and stick all over the glue.
  1. Paint glue over beak template and stick on a piece of grey felt to cover it. Trim off excess felt.
  1. Fold the beak in half lengthways so the felt is on the outside. Firmly press along the edge so there is a distinct fold.
  1. Open up and fold about 1.5cm of one pointy end inwards towards itself (if you printed the pattern from our website, follow line on pattern). This creates a slightly flatter section to attach to the mask while still allowing the beak to look like a beak.
  1. Glue top of beak in place in between the eyes.
  1. Glue a length of ribbon on either side of the cockatoo face. Alternatively, tie hat elastic through holes pierced at sides of mask.

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Gift fit for a queen? An elephant, apparently

Gift fit for a queen? An elephant, apparently

Queen Elizabeth

What do you buy the woman who has everything on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee? An elephant, a baby llama, a piece of land in Antarctica and a dog bed in the shape of a crown.

These bizarre items are just some of the thousands of gifts received by Queen Elizabeth in 2012.

Related: royal baby could share birthday with Diana … or Camilla

Buckingham Palace has released its annual record of the official gifts given to the Queen and other members of the royal family.

The long list shows Her Majesty also accepted a wickerwork throne, a set of gold, silver and bronze Olympic medals, a bag of precious stones, two park benches, a jewel encrusted dagger and a hand-knitted tea cosy featuring the monarch and her beloved corgis.

Further gifts included 436 books, 235 CDs, 81 pieces of embroidery or knitting, 78 self-portraits, 19 tea towels and nine jigsaw puzzles.

Other members of the royal family got their fair share of interesting presents too.

Prince Philip was given a solid gold sword, a pair of Swarovski binoculars and a life-size model of a man crafted entirely from chocolate biscuits, while Prince Edward and his wife Sophie got two bottles of rum and a CD on good manners.

Prince Andrew accepted a box of mangoes and a “birthday cookie” while the Duke of Kent was given some crocodile teeth and a bottle of Ugandan gin.

Related: Prince Harry beats George Clooney to sexiest man title

The list does not include gifts given to Prince William and Kate, Prince Harry or Prince Charles and Camilla, as they compile theirs separately.

The royal family were ordered to publish full lists of every gift they accept after it emerged that Charles had made $35,000 secretly selling on presents he had received.

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Famous sports cheating scandals

After years of furiously denying he used performance enhancing drugs to win his record seven Tour de France titles, Lance Armstrong has made a full confession to Oprah Winfrey.
Lance Armstrong

After years of furiously denying he used performance enhancing drugs to win his record seven Tour de France titles, Lance Armstrong has made a full confession to Oprah Winfrey.

In the first part of the interview that aired today, Lance admitted using many banned substances, as well as “blood doping” to help him succeed in the tough sport.

Lance’s admissions were shocking, but it’s not the first time athletes have been caught cheating in sport.

Here are some of the biggest sports cheating scandals.

Lance Armstrong confessed to using drugs and lying about it.

Figure skater Tonya Harding hired a man to break rival Nancy Kerrigan’s leg in 1994.

Ten of the 12 members of the Spanish Paralympic basketball team had no disabilities.

Floyd Landis was stripped of his 2006 Tour de France title after testing positive to drugs.

Mike Tyson illegally bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield’s ear in 1997.

Shane Warne tested positive to a diuretic in 2003, but said he was taking it for weight loss.

Sprinter Ben Johnson admitted using drugs to win at the 1988 Olympics.

Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ move was slammed in the 1986 FIFA World Cup.

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