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Christmas cooking countdown

Christmas cooking countdown

Feeling overwhelmed by how fast Christmas is approaching? If you’re losing track of time and need help organising your thoughts, this Christmas Countdown timetable might just be the answer.

Download this chart, print it out and place it on the fridge or in your handbag. It’s the ultimate Christmas checklist for every busy woman.

Download your Christmas Cooking Countdown here.

Your say: It is a time for giving, so why not share your tips for making Christmas cooking less stressful below and help other readers ofThe Weekly.

Video: The perfect Christmas ham

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Students encouraged to lie their way out of trouble at school

Students encouraged to lie their way out of trouble

A school in the UK is rewarding children for lying to their teachers.

Students at Perse School in Cambridge, England, are encouraged to talk their way out of minor offences like being late to class, using their phone or not doing their homework.

When a pupil is caught breaking the rules, they are given 10 seconds to give a reasonable excuse. If they are successful, they are not punished.

Related: Why girls are having sex at 12

The school’s principal Ed Elliott says he thinks giving kids the chance to explain themselves out of a tight spot is hugely beneficial and will see the school turn out the next generation of power brokers.

“As head, I like to play my part in creating a quick-thinking, communication-savvy generation by giving students who have committed a minor offence 10 seconds to talk their way out of a punishment,” Elliott told the BBC.

“Many rise admirably to the challenge, and in so doing develop the charm and eloquence needed in the next generation of British entrepreneurs and wealth creators.

“It’s a great lesson in life to talk your way out of a tight corner in a very short period of time.”

Elliott says “white lies” are accepted, but complete hoodwinking is unacceptable. Explanations must also be amusing or witty.

Related: Dancing robots help kids with autism

Perse School is a progressive private high school that counts Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, Thomas P Campbell, director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Sir Peter Hall, founder of the Royal Shakespeare Company and several Nobel Prize winners in its alumni.

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Halle Berry seeks restraining order

Halle Berry seeks restraining order

Halle Berry is taking legal action to rush through an extended restraining order against her ex-partner Gabriel Aubry, after a violent brawl at her home on Thanksgiving Day.

Halle and her lawyers are concerned that Gabriel sparked the fight with Halle’s fiance Olivier Martinez – which saw both men end up in hospital – in front of her four-year-old daughter with Gabriel, Nahla.

Despite a judge granting a temporary emergency protection order, which requires Gabriel to stay at least 100 yards (91 metres) away from Halle, Nahla and Olivier, the actress isn’t taking any chances, website TMZ reports. She is rushing to the family court to extend the original five-day protection order for an indefinite period of time.

If the restraining order is granted, Gabriel will not be allowed to see his daughter for an undetermined period of time.

“Halle’s argument is pretty simple — if Gabriel can’t control himself enough to protect Nahla from emotional trauma, it’s too risky for him to be around the child, Halle or her fiance… with whom he clearly has a beef,” a source tells TMZ.

Halle’s lawyers have previously argued that Gabriel’s temper is out of control.

Following the Thanksgiving Day fight, Gabriel was charged with battery and taken into custody upon his release from hospital, but was later released on $20,000 bail.

Halle and Gabriel have been involved in a bitter custody battle since they split in 2010.

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Ryan tells Eva: ‘You’re driving me crazy’

Ryan tells Eva: 'You're driving me crazy'

The screen heart-throb’s love life is far from perfect.

He’s one of the world’s sexiest stars with legions of female admirers. So you could be forgiven for thinking that Ryan Gosling’s girlfriend would be thanking her lucky stars – on a daily basis!

But it seems that when it comes to Ryan’s romance with Hollywood siren Eva Mendes, 38, nothing could be further from the truth. The impossibly good-looking pair’s relationship – which kicked off in September 2011 when they acted together in the movie The Place Beyond The Pines – may have begun on a passionate note, but it’s believed to have hit rocky ground.

“Ryan is a long way from happy right now,” a close friend, who speaks to the actor almost weekly, exclusively tells Woman’s Day. “He is crazy in love with Eva but, to be honest, crazy is the right word because she is driving him nuts.”

The friend claims Ryan’s inner circle are becoming concerned, and that “his family can’t stand Eva and even his friends are worried she’s not the right girl for him”. Not surprisingly, the tumultuous relationship is said to be taking a toll on the actor. Ryan, 32, is no stranger to dating Hollywood A-listers, with his The Notebook co-star Rachel McAdams – whom he has described as “one of the great loves of my life” – and Sandra Bullock among his exes.

Read more Ryan and Eva’s great divide in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday November 26, 2012.

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Melissa George: The real heartbreak behind my meltdown

Melissa George: The real heartbreak behind my meltdown

It turns out that the Home And Away star’s unrelenting desire for a child could be fuelling her erratic behaviour.

For a woman who finds herself with the enviable choice of croissants in Paris or dog-walking in New York, what Melissa George really wants is much closer to home. What she wants – or “needs” she says – more than anything else in the world is to hold a baby of her own in her arms.

But in an interview with Woman’s Day, the 36-year-old revealed her burning desire to be a mother is putting pressure on her new relationship with millionaire boyfriend Jean-David Blanc and leaving her depressed. Such is the pressure she feels, she has even joked that perhaps she should just “buy’’ a baby to satisfy her family’s questioning about when she might have a child, and says how “relieved’’ she will feel when she finally does fall pregnant.

“Yes, it’s obvious I need to have kids but the more pressure, the more upset I get,’’ she says. “I just think that’s really unfair. “At my sister’s wedding everyone was asking me [when I was going to have children] and I thought ‘OK, so should I just go and buy one? What do you expect of me?’ People want the best for me but it makes it very hard for me.’’

Melissa says newspaper headlines such as “Melissa George and her millionaire boyfriend want babies’’ don’t help, and she finds public attention of this kind “upsetting’’. “It actually puts a lot of pressure on me, like sad pressure,’’ she explains. “It makes me feel really sad because I don’t deserve to be told when it’s the right time and put pressure on a relationship that’s new. When I am pregnant, phew, I will be so relieved.’’

Read more about Melissa’s heartbreak in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday November 26, 2012.

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Russell’s heartache: It’s too little, too late

Russell's heartache: It's too little, too late

He says he’s made a stupid mistake and is desperate to reunite with his family, but Danielle’s talking to lawyers.

He may be selling his beloved South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL team but the incredible gesture won’t win heartbroken Russell Crowe back his estranged wife Danielle Spencer. This is what numerous friends of the couple who spoke exclusively to Woman’s Day are saying, declaring Russell’s overture “too little too late” in what is shaping up to become a true Hollywood-style divorce.

“It’s pretty simple, I have to make more time for my family,” Russell, 48, says of his decision to step back from the team friends say his wife so often complained came before her and their two sons, Charlie, 8, and Tennyson, 6. In an email to Channel Nine, Russell says he has learned his lesson that all work and no time for family caused problems in his nine-year marriage. “I have to address personally how busy I made my life outside of my actual job,” he writes. “If I have any chance of keeping my family together, I have to simplify my life where I can.”

He’s also promised to undergo relationship counselling in a bid to get Danielle to hold off on the divorce papers. “Russell doesn’t want his sons to be raised in a broken home,” an insider reports. “He’s even agreed to see a marriage counsellor if that’s what Danielle wants.” Russell took a break from his usual Tweets about exercise to state he now realises he has been too preoccupied with his career.

After wrapping the biblical epic Noah last week, he wrote: “Starting on another film set tomorrow [thriller A Winter’s Tale – his fourth film this year]. I need to go home & be with my children. Cannot believe how fkd (sic) up my schedule has become this year.” However, it appears his words are falling on deaf ears. Those close to the couple say Danielle, 43, has not been won over.

Read more about Russell and Danielle’s relationship breakdown in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday November 26, 2012.

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Katie changes Suri’s name: I’m Sara now

Katie changes Suri's name: I'm Sara now

A different moniker is just the start of Katie’s brave plan for her daughter’s new life – and Tom Cruise is furious.

For six years, Suri Cruise has redefined what it means for a child to be spoilt. With a wardrobe reportedly worth $3 million, private jets and helicopters to ferry her between mansions, and round-the-clock staff to indulge her every whim, it’s no wonder her father Tom Cruise fondly referred to her as “the Princess of Beverly Hills”.

But as the dust settles from her parents’ divorce earlier this year, it’s clear mum Katie Holmes is preparing the youngster for a brand new – and far less privileged – life in New York. And the first step in her grand plan to reinvent Suri is as drastic as it is genius – re-naming her daughter Sara.

Following an initial report in US magazine In Touch, a close girlfriend, who has known the Dawson’s Creek star for more than a decade, has confirmed the name change to Woman’s Day. “Katie has chosen a normal name like Sara to help her understand that her old life as ‘Princess Suri’ is over now,” says our source. “Katie thinks renaming her Sara will help her understand that wasn’t real – that was just a fairy story for a little girl. And because Suri is a common nickname for Jewish girls whose real name is Sara, she thought it was the natural choice.”

The friend admits there’s no doubt Katie’s bold plan will infuriate Tom, who was planning to reunite with Suri for Thanksgiving. “The cracks in Tom and Katie’s marriage began to appear when they disagreed over how to raise Suri. Katie wants her to grow up as grounded as possible,” explains our insider. “Once she had established custody, the first thing she did was sign Suri up for a normal school, whereas Tom had always insisted she would be home schooled by Scientology tutors.”

Read more about Suri’s new life in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday November 26, 2012.

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MKR couple’s split gets nasty

MKR couple's split gets nasty

After 15 months together the hot couple’s romance has gone off the boil.

Popular MKR couple Rocco La Bella and Carly Cheung have ended their relationship, Woman’s Day can exclusively reveal. While many believed their reality romance would be one of the few that would endure, it seems that even their love has soured. The pair finally admitted they had split up when a series of extraordinary posts on their Facebook pages came to light which suggested they were in the middle of a public bust-up.

“Hi to all my Facebook fans who think I [Rocco] am the best guy in the world,” said the status update posted last week. It then went on to make a series of unfounded allegations against the TV cook, including referring to Rocco as a “sleaze bag good for nothing”. And as fans began commenting on the bizarre rant, they all began to assume it was his girlfriend Carly who had just “vented”. It even appeared she’d joined the fray, outing herself as the one who posted the message.

“I don’t believe it’s called hacking when that person is myself, Carly, who has been his girlfriend for the last 15 months,’’ came a reply from Carly and Emily’s fan page. So when Woman’s Day contacted the couple, we were expecting to hear that their love had gone cold, but instead they told us they had been the victims of an elaborate hacking hoax designed to make it appear that it was Carly writing the posts.

“Our page got hacked but we are still together,’’ said Carly at first. An emotional Rocco also said their pages had been hacked and that they were still together. But later, he and Carly confirmed they had gone their separate ways. “Rocco and I have not been together for some time now,’’ Carly said. The Facebook posts which went up last week were intended to make it look like Carly was behind them. She denied having anything to do with them.

Read more about the MKR coule’s split in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday November 26, 2012.

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Modern family real-life twins: We hated being Lily

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The parents of the adorable twins who played baby Lily on the sitcom tell HENRY MELLER why the girls have ‘retired’, and turned down a chance to make $34,000 per episode.

Their girls scored a dream role on a top-rating, multi-award-winning US sitcom. Even First Lady Michelle Obama declares it her favourite show. So why did the parents of twins Ella and Jaden Hiller – who shared the role of Lily – remove their daughters from the hit series?

In an exclusive interview with Woman’s Day, Doug and Michelle Hiller reveal their astonishment at the behaviour of other showbiz parents, and explain why – despite promises of fame and fortune – their beautiful four-year-old twins are now “retired”. Doug, a carpenter who never had the slightest interest in his children becoming actors, admits they weren’t prepared for the gruelling grind of filming a hit TV show.

“We saw an ad on Craigslist [classifieds website] looking for identical Asian girl twins, so we sent in a picture and they were cast. It was crazy,” he recalls. Michelle, a stay-at-home mum whose family is originally from the Philippines, says, “The girls were in 36 episodes throughout Seasons 1 and 2 – they didn’t have an agent, so they got $200 per girl per day. All the money they earned went into their college funds.”

As exciting as it was for Doug and Michelle to see their babies mixing with stars like Eric Stonestreet and Jesse Tyler Ferguson – who play Lily’s gay dads – they soon realised the twins weren’t loving it quite so much. “Halfway through Season 2 their personalities had started to develop, and it was really clear to us that they weren’t enjoying their time on set,” Michelle explains. “So we told the producers the girls wouldn’t be coming back. They tried to get us to change our mind and they offered us better and better terms.” But not even big bucks could convince the pair.

Read more about Doug and Michelle’s decision to take their twins out of the top rating show in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday November 26, 2012.

RELATED VIDEO: Celebrity Mini-Mes!

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World’s most relaxing holiday destinations

It’s undeniable that Paris in the spring is enchanting while Aspen offers a bustling winter wonderland and world class skiing – but where do you go to truly tune out from the stresses of modern life? Read on for our top picks for the ultimate in relaxing holiday destinations. By Rosalind Scutt.

It’s undeniable that Paris in the spring is enchanting while Aspen offers a bustling winter wonderland and world class skiing — but where do you go to truly tune out from the stresses of modern life? Read on for our top picks for the ultimate in relaxing holiday destinations. By Rosalind Scutt.

If you’re after perfect weather, pristine beaches, friendly locals and an incomparable sense of peace and calm head to Fiji. Choose from a huge variety of resorts on the mainland or take a boat to a nearby island where you’ll discover charming traditional huts set on golden sands beside the gently lapping Pacific Ocean. Aside from the natural beauty, the genuine warmth and kindness of the Fijian people is the main draw card — and ‘Fiji time’. Image: Getty

When contemplating a relaxing escape from the daily grind, India may not be top of mind. But India is a nation rich in culture and diversity. Alongside the crowded cities is a burgeoning resort market where travellers seeking rest and enlightenment can be transported to another dimension. Discover relaxation through traditional practises of yoga, meditation and other forms of spiritual wellbeing while enjoying all the elegance of a five-star resort holiday. Image: Shreyas, India

Japanese hot springs (also known as onsen) have been soothing the Japanese body and soul for thousands of years. As a volcanically active country, Japan has thousands of bathhouses scattered along its length, all powered by geothermal activity. Why not fly into a thriving metropolis like Tokyo or Osaka and soak up the wonder that is urban Japan before heading for the hills to imbibe a different kind of bliss. Many modern onsen target the tourist market with stunning accommodation and restaurants attached. Image: Flickr

If you want a holiday but don’t want to soak up additional rounds of alcohol and calorie-laden foods, consider a visit to a Thai detox resort. You’ll get all the pampering you need in the way of pool-side massages and indulgent beauty treatments while observing a fresh, healthy diet prepared by world-class chefs and gentle exercise. The idea is a deep cleanse your entire body eradicating you of physical and emotional toxins. Prepare to be lighter and brighter. Image: Kamalaya, Koh Samui

Located at the southern end of South America, Patagonia boasts some of the most dramatic landscapes on earth. Between the soaring mountain peaks and deep crater lakes is a bustling symphony of exotic plants and wildlife and a natural beauty punctuated only by peaceful silence. It’s not easy to get to (that’s just the point) but this haven of tranquility at the end of the earth provides just the right backdrop for stressed out individuals looking to disconnect from the world and rediscover a sense of perspective. Image: Getty

If you’re into rum and reggae, or sun, surf and spice then Jamaica is the place to unwind. Blissful sundrenched days melt into exotic balmy nights in a land famed for its golden sands and laid back locals. Jamaican culture is built around music and relaxation meaning no one expects anything of you — except good vibes. Do as much or as little as you like but just like Fiji, be aware that nothing happens quickly. Image: Getty

Australia’s own Lord Howe Island has been described as the world’s most beautiful location with a peace and tranquillity beyond compare. The crescent-shaped volcanic remnant 600km off the coast of Port Macquarie is a World Heritage Site. Most of the island is untouched forest with plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. Only 400 tourists are allowed on the island at any one time so book early! Image credit: Capella Lodge

If you’re looking to explore the serenity of ancient paradigms consider a trip to Tibet to encounter Buddhist wisdom and culture. Surround yourself with the simple but dynamic cycle of daily life; the lingering scent of incense, the bustling markets and the ceaseless murmurs of devout monks in prayer. Five star accommodation is unlikely here, but you’ll be enchanted by the slow and growing sense of wellbeing despite the lack of first world luxuries. Image: Getty

If you enjoy French wine and the rustic elegance that goes with provincial France then head to Paris, hire a car and get lost in the glorious wine regions nearby. Armagnac, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Cognac, Duras, Loire, Roussillon and Provence are just some of the options all within a few hours’ drive from the capital. Sample the many B&Bs along the way or hire a farm house for an extended stay. C’est magnifique! Image: Getty

At USD$50,000 for one night, Necker Island is the holiday destination of choice for many of the planet’s most financially empowered. The private island, owned by Sir Richard Branson and located in the British Virgin Islands, can accommodate up to 28 people via the Great House and six private villas. Amenities include Michelin-trained chefs, an infinity pool, private beaches, a tennis pavilion, a staff of 60 and a three-person aero submarine (of course!). Image: Necker Island

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