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I ruined ‘Miss Perfect’ at the reunion

Drunk at the high school reunion

The common dread swept over me when I received the invitation in the mail for my 20 year high school reunion. “You have to go!” my teenage daughter Chelsy giggled when I rolled my eyes. There didn’t seem much point, I had only kept in contact with a handful of friends since high school. I was, however, a little curious as to how some people had turned out. Especially Sarah-Jane…

In 20 years it’s unbelievable how much she hadn’t changed. Arrogant, rude and still a bully I was surprised when she nestled next to me for the formal dinner. “So how is everything?” she sniggered insincerely “You look just the same” she chuckled. I had put on a fair amount of weight and dyed my hair blonde, I looked nothing like the girl she went to high school with – and Sarah-Jayne knew it.

Warning myself that I shouldn’t take her comments to heart, I moved to the other side of the room. When I returned, one of my friends Angela, a proud mother, was eagerly showing Sarah-Jane pictures of her twins “It looks like you picked them up from the ears!” she gasped in to laughter, leaving Angela obviously offended.

Dinner was even more painful, Sarah-Jane running a loud commentary on everyone who graced the podium labelling them everything from “Fat” to “Stupid”. She even picked on someone’s partner’s hairstyle. It amazed me how none of us, 20 years on could tell her to shut up.

As she picked her dinner apart, Sarah-Jane loudly boasted how she rarely ate cooked food and adhered to a strict raw diet. She also remarked on how ashamed we should all be on how we consume meat like wild animals.

Sarah-Jane had not drunk alcohol in over 15 years as drinking was only for “weak minded and socially inept people”. By then half of us were on our third glass of wine! As in high school, there was nothing to stop her relentless badgering and I could barely take it – I retreated to the bar.

I ordered a fruity cocktail blended so smoothly I couldn’t taste a drop of rum. Then, I had a stroke a genius. I quickly ordered another, for Sarah-Jane. I returned to the table and set it down in front of her smiling sweetly. She assumed it was juice. After one sip Sarah-Jayne proceeded to demolish the entire delicious concoction, almost automatically her eyes glazed over. I could not believe it – after one drink she was wasted!

Sarah-Jane began cackling hysterically and waving her napkin about making an absolute fool of herself. She began screeching over the speaker on stage inviting many irritated glares and hushes for her to quieten down. Everyone on our table stared at her in disbelief, wondering how had this once ice-queen turned in to such a raving mess.

After an in-depth recount of how she lost her virginity, Sarah-Jayne announced to our group “I feel crap” and burst in to tears. As pathetic as she looked I thought it was about time she felt what it was like to be ridiculed.

She cried uncontrollably and thrust her mobile phone at me to call her partner. Within ten minutes John arrived to pick her up. Incredibly unimpressed (he obviously wasn’t a drinker either) he hauled a hysterical Sarah-Jayne over his shoulders and out of the room. It couldn’t have worked better and I celebrated with another fruity cocktail with my real friends.

Your say: Have you had a similar experience? Share your stories and thoughts below.

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Are supplements actually doing you harm?

supplements

Supplements: wonder drug or waste of money? Accredited nutritionist Caitlin Reid discusses the pros and cons of supplements.

Three out of four Australians take at least one supplement and every year at least one exciting new supplement hits the market. Supplements aren’t intended to be a food substitute as they don’t and can’t replicate all of the nutrients and benefits of whole foods, yet their popularity is forever growing. The reason for this may lie in the fact that people are more health conscious and are looking for ways to slow the ageing process. There’s also the growing fear of our soil being nutrient depleted and nutrition consequences of processing and cooking food.

Generally, if you eat a variety of whole foods, supplements may not be worth the expense, as most health experts agree supplements should not be a substitute for food. Supplements work in isolation, while food has a complex source of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals, all working together to maintain and boost health.

In the US, a 2010 Congressional investigation of herbal supplements found trace amounts of lead, mercury and other heavy metals in nearly all products tested, plus many illegal health claims made by supplement manufacturers.

However if you can’t eat enough whole foods or have certain conditions such as anaemia or osteoporosis, you may benefit from taking a dietary supplement. The important thing to remember is to know what is in the supplements you take and to not take excess. While excess water-soluble vitamins are excreted, fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body and can be hazardous in large amounts.

If you do decide to take a supplement, follow these tips:

  • Consult your doctor: Talk to your doctor before you start taking supplements and work out which ones are appropriate for you and in what amounts. Be sure to ask about possible side effects and interactions with other medications.

  • Check the label: Read the label on the supplement packet carefully so that you know what is in the supplement(s) you are taking. Important things to look at include the active ingredient, the nutrients included, the serving size and the amount of nutrients in each serving.

  • Avoid megadoses: Only take the suggested serving size and avoid taking multiple supplements containing the same nutrients. Excess intake can lead to toxicity.

  • Check expiry dates: Supplements can lose potency over time, especially if not stored correctly. Discard any supplements past their expiry date.

  • Stick to reputable brands: Stick to the brands that have a good name as international research shows that many supplements can in fact contain ingredients that are not declared on the labels.

  • Be careful of mixing medicines: If you take prescription medications or have health conditions, ask your doctor if the supplement you are considering is safe for you.

Your say: What are your thoughts on health supplements?

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Video: JLo partying in Vegas

Jennifer Lopez has proven she’s not still hung up on her break-up from husband Marc Anthony.

The sexy 42-year-old singer stepped out recently in Las Vegas where she danced the night away at Pure nightclub where a very enthusiastic crowd cheered her on.

Earlier in the evening JLo performed at the iHeartRadio Music Festival where she showed off her famous backside and a little too much skin.

The mother of three-year-old twins looks like she is certainly getting her life back on track and at the moment, can pretty much handle it all.

Flick through the pictures of JLo performing and partying, and then watch the video of her dancing the night away.

JLo arrived with an entourage of more than a dozen people, including her backup dancers.

JLo shook hands with fans trying to get a glimpse of her as she partied in the VIP area.

JLo performs at the iHeartRadio Music Festival.

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Mel B exclusive: Meet baby Madison

Mel B exclusive: Meet baby Madison

The former Spice Girl tells SEBASTIAN VAN DER ZWAN why she’s looking forward to bringing up her newborn daughter in Australia.

When Woman’s Day drops by to visit Melanie Brown and her new baby, Madison, at their waterfront apartment in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, the forthright X Factor judge has only been in the country a few hours. She’s just stepped off a 14-hour flight from Los Angeles and has had only a few winks of sleep, thanks to her unsettled infant as well as her energetic four-year-old daughter, Angel.

Despite the taxing journey, which came just nine days after giving birth, the 36-year-old former Spice Girl shows no sign of exhaustion. She happily chats away, all the while cradling, swaddling and burping a sleepy Madison, and admiring her view of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The daunting task of juggling a newborn and her demanding role on the top-rating TV talent show doesn’t faze Melanie at all.

“I was born to multi-task,” she declares in her trademark frank manner, casting an eye over Woman’s Day exclusive family photos, taken a couple of days earlier at her LA home. Mel’s husband, Stephen Belafonte, is back in California, helping Mel’s eldest daughter Phoenix, 12, and his little girl Giselle, 7, settle in at school. He’ll soon join Mel for three months of family time Down Under, which she is very excited about. It’s clear Ronan Keating, Guy Sebastian and Natalie Bassingthwaighte have a surprise in store if they expect motherhood to have mellowed their famously stroppy fellow X Factor judge.

Congratulations on baby Madison and welcome back to Australia. What was it like flying all that way with a newborn?

Thank you. I’m used to travelling with kids but never a baby this small. It was a long and crazy flight! I wasn’t that poor woman with the screaming child, but Madison was squirmy and fussy the whole time, and she slept for maybe 10 or 15 minutes. I had to keep breastfeeding her and walking her up and down the aisle.

Read the full interview with Mel B in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale September 26, 2011.

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Jen’s new man warns: Back off Brad!

Jen's new man warns: Back off Brad!

Jennifer Aniston’s men are at war, with her new love Justin Theroux demanding an apology from her ex.

It should be one the happiest times of her life. After years of heartbreak and loneliness, Jennifer Aniston is in love with handsome new boyfriend Justin Theroux – and word is they’re preparing to start a family. Even if persistent pregnancy rumours sparked by her apparent baby bump prove untrue, close sources confirm the cohabiting couple have been trying for their first child.

However, more than five years after their devastating divorce rocked Hollywood, Brad Pitt has once again shocked the showbiz world by branding his time together with Jen, 42, as “pathetic”. In a hurtful and ill-timed bad-taste interview with US magazine Parade, Brad, 47, continued, “I was intent on trying to find a movie about an interesting life, but I wasn’t living an interesting life… My marriage had something to do with it – trying to pretend the marriage was something that it wasn’t.”

Needless to say, the actor’s insensitive comments cut deep. “Jen had a meltdown,” says a long-time friend of the actress, speaking exclusively to Woman’s Day. “She spent some of the best years of her life with Brad, and he totally dismisses it as boring and uninteresting! She couldn’t believe what he was saying.” “She was annoyed,” another pal tells. “She thought it was rude and inappropriate for him to say. Her agent and publicists went ballistic.” To make matters worse, at the same time, Jen’s 75-year-old mother Nancy Dow – with whom she had only recently reconciled after a long rift – was lying in hospital, fighting for her life after a serious stroke.

Too consumed with concern for her mum, the former Friends star opted to take the high road and tried to push the controversy to the back of her mind. But there was one person who was determined Brad would not get away with his hurtful comments – Jen’s new boyfriend. A furious Justin, 40, got in touch with Brad through a mutual acquaintance, an artist and independent filmmaker named Marc, passing on a strongly worded warning that he should apologise to Jen.

Read more plus Jen and Brads war of words over the years in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale September 26, 2011.

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Zara Phillips lashes out at husband Mike

Zara Phillips lashes out at husband Mike

The Queen’s granddaughter hit the roof, the phone and then the airport.

When Zara Phillips first heard her husband of just six weeks had been caught flirting and canoodling with another blonde, the official response was relaxed. The other girl was simply a long-time friend, Zara’s spokesperson insisted. Zara, 30, was laughing off the incident, her pals claimed. But the champion equestrienne’s sombre appearance at a horse trial event in Ireland last week told a rather different story.

Now Woman’s Day can reveal Zara’s real reaction to allegations England rugby captain Mike Tindall, 32, was kissed by a female fan in New Zealand. We’re told the Queen’s favourite grandchild heard about the story from a friend and, shocked, immediately hunted down the news coverage and, later, the CCTV footage. Infuriated, she hit the speed dial on her phone and demanded to know what had been going on between Mike and the blonde. She didn’t give a damn about the 11-hour time difference between Ireland and New Zealand.

Never one to hold back, Zara unleashed her feelings on her hapless husband. Mike explained it was all innocent stuff and that the person he was said to have been “groping” had been at their wedding in July. Whether she believed him or not, Zara wasn’t impressed at Mike’s lack of discretion. And her disappointment only grew following claims of new reports and footage of the rugby star’s “overtly sexual” behaviour. Security video allegedly shows Mike trying to convince the unidentified blonde, reportedly an Englishwoman living in Australia, to leave the bar with him. A witness told MailOnline Mike put his hand down her jeans, kissed her and later attempted to undo her bra.

A shattered Zara turned for support to her close cousin Prince Harry, who tried to reassure her in a heart-to-heart phone call by saying, “Don’t worry. This is just what boys do.” But she couldn’t be consoled and immediately rearranged her schedule to fly out to New Zealand, landing there last Wednesday, two weeks earlier than originally planned. A close source tells Britain’s Daily Mirror, “She needs to sort this mess out with Mike and get back on track.” In the meantime, Mike was warned to “watch out” for any traps that “groupies” might try to lure him into. “He might want to be one of the lads but he can’t be any more,” says an insider. “He’s married to the Queen’s granddaughter, for goodness’ sake.”

Read about how the Queen feels about the pair’s scandal in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale September 26, 2011.

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William McInnes and Sarah Watt: Saving Sarah

William McInnes and Sarah Watt: Saving Sarah

They thought they had cancer beaten. Now, it’s back – but rather than despair, this remarkable couple is telling their tale of  life, love, family and the everyday beauty in between.

It was a rare night without the kids, and artist and film-maker Sarah Watt and her actor husband William McInnes, finding themselves reunited after weeks working apart, took the opportunity to have a quiet celebration together – in bed. The year was 2009 and, Sarah says, “Life was good.”

Her second movie, the romantic comedy My Year Without Sex, had just been released – while her first, Look Both Ways, also starring William and based on her personal battle with breast cancer, was continuing to garner widespread praise. Sarah, then 50, was looking forward to notching up her five-years-free-of-cancer milestone and reconnecting with her adored husband of 20 years.

“We had a lovely, energetic and happy reunion in which I hurt a rib,” is how she remembers that fateful day in her extraordinarily intimate new book, Worse Things Happen At Sea, co-written with William and released this week. “I will leave you to decide what activity we were enjoying at the time, but will confess there was an excellent bottle of duty-free champagne involved,” she writes.

“I clutched my side as we made jokes about our clumsiness, our weight, our middle-agedness. It hurt to laugh…” It was still hurting weeks later, when, Sarah says, “We tempted fate further and had a five-year-clear, happy-to-be-here party. But, like a poker player who doesn’t take the jackpot home, we had pushed our luck.” Sarah’s painful rib turned out to be secondary bone cancer. With its diagnosis came a terrifying prognosis. She had a life expectancy of 6-18 months without treatment, maybe double that with it.

Read more about the couple’s incredible story in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale September 26, 2011.

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Princess Mary: How I got my body back!

Princess Mary: How I got my body back!

Just eight months after giving birth to her twins, the Crown Princess of Denmark is in sensational shape. Woman’s Day uncovers her secrets.

Lithe and lovely Crown Princess Mary drew gasps of admiration as she stepped out to attend a friend’s wedding earlier this month. The poised princess, 39, has wasted no time in getting back into tip-top shape after giving birth to twins Vincent and Josephine in January. On the eve of her trip to Australia in November – her first official visit here since 2005 – Mary has again proven she is the queen of style. She’s certainly the perfect role model for post-baby fitness.

And, according to Mary’s Aussie family, there really is no secret to her slimline appearance. She’s just doing what comes naturally – leading a healthy, active lifestyle. “Mary doesn’t follow a strict diet at all,” reveals her sister-in-law Leanne Donaldson, who is married to Mary’s brother John. “She is so active she just burns the calories. Mary, like the rest of her family, is totally dedicated to exercise. She’s always walking, jogging, or riding a horse. And now she’s also running after four children – that’s guaranteed to keep anyone in shape!” Arriving at the Copenhagen wedding of family friends Sarah Kalbeitzer and Gregers Heering, Mary caused a sensation. She looked stunning in a purple silk dress that flattered her lean and elegant, 170cm-tall frame.

Her dramatic physical transformation has left the awestruck Danes wondering how a mum of four – who gave birth to twins only eight months ago – has suddenly developed the body of a supermodel. Leading Australian nutritionist Susie Burrell believes Mary is reaping the natural benefits of plenty of exercise and the healthy Scandinavian diet. “There are a lot of factors coming into play,” Susie tells Woman’s Day. “Having young, active kids and following a low-carb, high-protein diet are all linking together to give Crown Princess Mary that sensational, willowy, lean frame.

“The Scandinavian diet is a naturally high-protein eating plan. Mary would be eating a lot of foods high in omega-3 fats, a lot of good, oily fish, grains and nuts. The Scandinavians have far fewer obesity problems. Their diet is very low in processed carbohydrates – low in processed food in general. And Mary, following this diet, combined with her extensive exercise regime, is clearly being rewarded.” Sam Mower, an exercise physiologist and health consultant from Sydney’s Manly Beach Health Club, echoes Susie’s sentiments. “Mary is in peak shape because she has applied herself,” he says. “She has been eating the correct food and she’s obviously done what we call a strength program to enhance her resting metabolic rate. If you are weight training and you eat properly as you grow muscle, the muscle actually burns fat.”

See Princess Mary’s amazing new figure and read more about her health and fitness secrets in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale September 26, 2011.

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Divorce causes hair loss for women

Divorce causes hair loss for women

Anyone who knows someone who has gone through a messy divorce knows that it can be enough to make your hair fall out. But new research shows divorce can cause hair women’s hair to fall out unaided as well.

New research conducted by the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine shows that women who have lost a partner through divorce or death were more likely to be losing hair than those who were married or single.

Related: ‘Stress’ turning women grey at 25

The author of the project Dr Bahman Guyuron put the cause of hair loss down to the link between marital status and state of mind.

“Most likely, stress is the aspect of a troubling divorce that appears to lead to hair loss among women,’ he told HealthDay News.

But it’s not just divorcees who are showing the signs of stress on their hairline, the study also outlined other situations causing women are losing hair over.

The stress of having children was found to have the same effect.

Excessive drinking and smoking were also found to contribute to women losing their locks, and a history of skins conditions was also a contributor. But having a couple of drinks a week was found to reduce the risk of hair loss, and there was found to be a surprisingly lower risk in women who were overweight.

While men are more likely to lose their hair, the study found it was for different reasons with stress not being as great a factor.

New York dermatologist Dr Doris day said the link between divorce and hair loss in women was not surprising.

Related: Five tips for getting over a break-up

“It’s not a shock to suggest that various kinds of stress can lead to hair loss. Or that men and women don’t experience stress in the same way, so that their hair loss patterns may be different,” she said.

Factors for thinning hair in men included not exercising regularly, high blood pressure and a history of dandruff.

While remaining calm might be the best option for women to reduce the risk of hair loss, men should be more careful of how much there are smoking, drinking, and spending time in the sun.

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VIDEO: Brad clears up comments on being married to Jen

VIDEO: Brad clears up comments on being married to Jen

Brad Pitt has addressed the comments he made about his ex-wife Jennifer Aniston in an interview with the TODAY show in the US saying that Jen “doesn’t deserve it”.

“She doesn’t deserve it,” he said.

“She’s good people. There should be a statute of limitations on this thing.”

The 47-year-old actor apparently told Parade he spent the ’90s trying to pretend he was something that he wasn’t.

“I think that my marriage [to actress Jennifer Aniston] had something to do with it. Trying to pretend the marriage was something that it wasn’t,” he told the publication.

“One of the greatest, smartest things I ever did was give my kids Angie as their mom.”

Brad said the comments, which were reported across the world, were taken out of context.

When the interviewer tried to read the comments to him he responded by saying: “Please don’t read it. I don’t read these things, because I don’t want to be encumbered by any of that. I know my intentions and I know what I believe and I know things get misconstrued.”

Watch Brad clear up the comments in the video above.

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