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Princess Mary’s twins turn one!

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Denmark’s littlest prince and princess celebrated their first birthday on Sunday with matching Eskimo cakes.

Crown Princess Mary’s youngest children Vincent and Josephine spent their big day at home at Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen with their older siblings Christian, six, and Isabella, four.

An official photographer captured the family celebrating the occasion in a series of relaxed portraits.

Vincent and Isabella were born on Janaury 8, 2011, at Copenhagen’s Rigshospitalet.

Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine celebrate their first birthday.

A Danish royal family portrait from November 2011.

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The royal family at a photocall in Copenhagen in August 2011.

Prince Christian plays with Princess Josephine at a photocall in August 2011.

Prince Christian on his first day of nursery school in March 2007.

Prince Christian’s first day of nursery school in March 2007.

Frederik and Christian at a photocall in Denmark in August 2007.

Mary, Frederik and Christian at Isabella’s christening in July 2007.

Mary and a baby Isabella in May 2008.

Prince Christian on the royal yacht in June 2008.

Mary and Isabella on the royal yacht in June 2008.

Christian almost falls into a fountain in Hobart in August 2008.

Mary, Frederik, Christian and Isabella at Hobart Zoo in August 2008.

Mary and her family in Sydney in September 2008.

Mary messes around with Christian in Sydney in September 2008.

Mary cuddles Isabella in Sydney in September 2008.

Isabella learning to walk in Sydney in September 2008.

Isabella tries to escape the royal balcony at a function in April 2009.

Mary, Frederik and Christian at the wedding of Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria in 2010.

The family at Vincent and Josephine’s christening in April 2011.

Christian and Isabella at the christening of their brother and sister in April 2011.

Mary and Frederik at Vincent and Josephine’s christening in April 2011.

Mary and Frederik take Christian to his first day of school in August 2011.

Christian couldn’t wait to get to his first class.

The royal family on Christian’s first day of school in August 2011.

Christian was obviously thrilled to be off to school.

Christian on his first day of school in August 2011.

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Get sun savvy

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We’re constantly reminded about the perils of the sun. Although crops wouldn’t grow, solar panels would be wasted and vitamin D in our skin would be deficient without it, the sun is often given a bad wrap.

Yet when we look at the irreversible damage it causes to our skin, we do need to make sure we protect ourselves from it at all times (and leave the solar panels to soak it up, not our skin).

What is sunburn?

The redness of the skin, what we call sunburn, is caused by surface blood vessels of the skin starting to dilate (similar to cheeks being made red by pinching) as a reaction to the UV radiation of the sun (specifically UVB rays). No doubt, your next question is, “What is the difference between UVA and UVB radiation?” UVA rays are the ageing rays and UVB the burning rays, and both are harmful to the skin.

Sun care must haves

The dark side of tanning

Gone are the days of the tan as a status symbol of the West (in the Middle East, India and many parts of Asia it is the opposite, with white skin symbolising a higher social status). These days, we are all on the hunt for products and services that will give us flawless, youthful skin.

One way to achieve this is to protect your skin every day by using a broad spectrum sunblock cream. Remember, though, that the sun doesn’t only affect you while on holidays/in a swimsuit/playing outdoors, so make sure you have a defence against it each time you leave the house. UVA rays (“A” for ageing) are also strong enough to penetrate glass, so don’t think that your skin is protected by the windscreen when you’re on a lovely Sunday drive.

Our favourite tanners

What does SPF mean?

We all know what it stands for – sun protection factor – but what does the number represent? Basically, if your skin can withstand 10 minutes in the sun without burning, then with an SPF15, for instance, your skin will last 15 times that – 150 minutes – in the sun before burning. With SPF30, it will last 30 times that – 300 minutes. However, this is only a guide because everyone’s skin reacts differently and the best choice is to wear sunblock whenever you go outside – and reapply it!

SPF30+ will filter out 97 per cent of the sun’s UV radiation, but in reality, it might be much less than this because we often do not apply sun cream correctly. The Cancer Institute of NSW recommends, as a guide, using a teaspoon-sized amount of sun cream on each arm, leg, front of body and back of body. The average adult needs around 7 teaspoons of sun cream to protect their whole body.

The best advice is to stay covered up. With so many cute caftans available, there is no reason you can’t cover up and look fabulous at the same time.

**Sun=1, You=0

** Even the best of us stumble and fall at the altar of the sun every now and then (hopefully not often) and end up with a bit of sunburn (perhaps you missed a spot with the sun cream or the water was just so nice that you forgot to get out and reapply).

The first thing to do if you are sunburned is to cool down by running a cool or cold bath or shower, to take the initial sting out of the burn, and drink lots of water. Next is to get some anti-oxidants onto your skin as soon as you can, such as a body lotion with vitamins A, E and C in it, spread liberally over your body. The anti-oxidants help resist the free radicals in your skin that have been awakened by too much exposure to sunlight.

The damage the free radicals are causing continues for up to 72 hours, so keep your skin well covered with anti-oxidants for as much of that time as possible.

Once the initial burn has started to go down, you can follow up with sun damage repair products (gels or sprays usually). Also take some vitamin C and E supplements to help your body keep up the fight against free radicals.

Fake it…

The best way to achieve the “I’ve just returned from summering on the Continent” sun-kissed look is artificially. There are so many fake tan products on the market that we’ve barely scratched the surface, but we’ve put together a few of our favourites. One thing to remember with fake tanning is skin preparation – it is essential. Otherwise, all the time you spend gloved up in front of the mirror, bending into awkward positions, will be wasted when your elbows and knees turn a bright white (because you didn’t exfoliate first).

Make-up

A full face of make-up at the beach is about as natural as nylon – not a good look. Let your skin breathe on the beach by cutting make-up down to the bare essentials – waterproof mascara and an SPF30+ tinted moisturiser for your face and body. The debate around tinted moisturiser is as old as the hills. Some swear by it, while others argue it is neither a good moisturiser nor a good foundation. Yet it is a safe way to keep some colour on your face while you’re hitting the waves or paddling in the pool.

Sun loving make-up

Lip smacking

Don’t forget your lips. Lips don’t tan, but they sure do burn. Make sure to reapply lip balm with SPF as often as you can. Each time you take a sip of water or get dumped by a wave (and get a mouthful of water), your lip balm gets washed off. So, when you reapply your sunblock, pop your lip balm on again.

Your say: What is your favourite suncare product? How do you make sure you are protected from the sun? What are we most likely to find in your beach bag?

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Garden games for bored kids

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Summer is the time for kids in the garden — school holidays, and hopefully fun and fresh air instead of square eyes from watching too much TV.

Today’s gardens though often don’t tempt kids outside. They’re neat designer gardens, created to impress onlookers, rather than with spots for cubbies, and trees with handy branches to climb. Some garden design features are even dangerous for kids — steep banks and terraces that kids can fall down —especially if the kids are on rollerblades or pogo sticks or yelling to a friend ‘Watch me’ as they try to balance along a stone wall.

So how do you lure kids into the garden?

First of all, don’t worry about any damage (except to the kids). Squashed plants and even torn branches will recover, but a child who’s been yelled at for landing a netball in the petunias will see the garden as an adult’s place, not really theirs too.

Kneel down and consider the garden from a kid’s point of view. Look for dangers — not just those steep walls, but also stone mulch or a steep driveway can be dangerous if kids are using their Christmas rollerblades or remote controlled cars (If it’s possible, some kid will try it.)

Are there any fish ponds and other water features? Either keep water fenced off from kids, or have a solid reinforcing mesh cage just under the water — or both. (This also discourages golden labradors from leaping in there.)

Watch out for flowers in the lawn that might attract bees, or bindi eyes or prickles, or bright berries that might tempt any kid who hasn’t learned that not every berry that’s red can be eaten.

Now make gardens more tempting. Provide shade —commercial shade sails or homemade ones. Hats, the right clothes and sunblock might protect from sunburn, but gardens without shade aren’t fun places to play in January’s heat. Encourage kids to head outside early in the morning, or at dusk, too- but don’t forget the mozzie repellent, and those protective clothes.

Give kids the materials and the ideas for simple cubbies — blankets over the clothesline, sheets draped over chairs or a ‘teepee’ over a fence. A big cardboard box — the sort a new washing machine or TV came in — makes a superb cubby when doors and windows are cut out. (Never let kids play with plastic packaging though, or anything that they can suffocate in, or that is heavy when it falls on them, or sticks that can poke.)

Buy a cheap magnifying glass so kids can see how fascinating a leaf is close up — and how terrifying an ant can be when it looks enormous. (NB: make sure it’s not a bull ant or a jumping ant or one that can sting).

My favourite game was ‘statues’. You need at least three kids for this or adults who like to play too. The person who is ‘it’ stands with their back to the other players, who stand at least three metres away. They have to sneak up on ‘it’ — but if they’re moving when ‘it’ turns around unexpectedly then they have to go back to the start. It’s surprisingly creepy having people sneak up behind you — and lots of fun and giggles to be the sneakers. If you’re playing with little kids- or ones who are a bit timid, it’s best to have an adult as ‘it’.

Gardens can be places of magic. You can surf a tsunami on a towel, or ride a flying carpet or a flying saucer. The best games of all, that go for hours till you’re called in for dinner, are ones where you ‘just pretend’. That tree is really the enchanted castle. There are elves living in the grevillea, and those clouds are dragons flying in the sky.

This world of enchantment is waiting for your kids to find in. But they’ll need an invitation and an escort — an adult who can see that all is safe, and then show them how the magic can begin.

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Essential tips to keep children safe in the water

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While swimming is an important part of Australian culture, drowning remains one of the highest causes of accidental death in children.

The recent National Drowning Report compiled by Royal Life Saving shows child drowning deaths in Australia have again risen. Between July 1 2009 and June 30 2010, 48 children aged 0-14 years drowned. The majority of these drownings are preventable.

Eliminating child drowning

With the number of children being born in Australia rising; parents, government and the community must address the often neglected risk of child drowning before further lives are lost this summer.

Child drowning remains a significant cause of preventable death, particularly in children aged under 5 years. Parents and carers can reduce this risk and provide their children with valuable skills for life by following a number of actions.

These actions are: supervise your child, restrict your child’s access to water, teach your child to be water aware and learn resuscitation.

To ensure your child stays safe in the water:

  • Make sure your child is supervised at all times and, if they’re under the age of five, keep them within arm’s reach.

  • Familiarise your child with water and make sure they can swim early.

  • Provide barriers to water locations and inspect them regularly.

  • Objects that could be used to climb any fence near a pool should be removed from the area.

  • Pool aids and toys should be stored securely and out of view.

  • Learn resuscitation in case of an accident.

Royal Life Saving top swim safety tips:

  • Go together: when playing in, on or around water always make sure someone is with you.

  • Reach to rescue: if someone needs help, do not get in the water. Lie down and reach out with a stick or throw a buoyant object to them.

  • Stay afloat and wave: if you are in trouble in the water, try to relax, roll on your back, float, hold onto something if available and wave one arm to attract attention.

  • In natural waterways, always enter the water slowly; feet first, never dive in.

  • Where possible swim in designated swimming areas.

Video: National Drowning Report

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Resuscitation fast facts

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Resuscitation is a skill every Australian should have — the life you save with this knowledge may be a loved one, and should an emergency situation arise, the precious minutes wasted before response can be a matter of life and death. These essential facts come from Royal Life Saving Society — Australia.

What is resuscitation?

Resuscitation is described by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) as the preservation or restoration of life by the establishment and/or maintenance of airway, breathing and compressions and related emergency care. That is, resuscitation involves stimulating the heart and breathing air into the lungs.

Why should I learn resuscitation?

In most cases when an emergency occurs, a family member is the first on the scene. Having the skills to react in an emergency situation can mean the difference between life and death while you wait for emergency care to arrive.

What is DRABCD?

Resuscitation training follows the simple principles of:

  • Danger: Check for danger, to self, to bystanders, to victim, remove hazards

  • Response: Squeeze the victim’s shoulder and shout, “Are you ok?”, call for help

  • Airway: Check and clear. Check for ‘signs of life’

  • Breathing: No ‘signs of life’, give two rescue breaths

  • Compression: No immediate ‘signs of life’, commence CPR

  • Defibrillation: Attach a defibrillator and follow the prompts

How will I know if someone has ‘signs of life’?

If a person is unconscious, unresponsive, not breathing normally and not moving they have ‘no signs of life’ and CPR should be commenced immediately.

What does ‘any attempt is better than no attempt’ mean?

For aquatic incidents Royal Life Saving recommends two rescue breaths followed by 30 chest compressions (at a rate of 100 compressions per minute) and repeating the sequence. However if you feel unable or unwilling to do rescue breaths start with chest compressions as soon as possible and continue until help arrives.

Where can I learn resuscitation?

Royal Life Saving is one organisation that offers resuscitation courses to the public. Courses are approximately two to four hours long and your skills should be updated annually. However, you can also do a first aid course, which provides you with a range of skills for emergency situations. Contact your nearest Royal Life Saving office on 1300 737 763 to find out when courses are available.

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Brad Pitt explains retirement

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Hollywood actor Brad Pitt has spoken about the 60 minutes interview in which he said he would stop acting at the age of 50, explaining that he wasn’t putting an expiry date on himself.

“I wasn’t actually putting an exact deadline on my expiration date, but I see it coming. I just have other interests and I do quite enjoy the production side,” he said while in South Korea.

He also said that given the choice, he would choose wisdom that comes with ageing, over youth.

“Me, personally I like ageing. With age comes wisdom and I have said it before and I say it again, I will take wisdom over youth any day. I think certainly, being a father has changed everything for me as far as perspective and interest, taking care of myself and wanting to be around for them,” he said.

Brad Pitt at a news conference in South Korea.

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Jessica Marais confirms pregnancy

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Jessica Marais confirms pregnancy

Speaking through her management today, Jessica Marais has confirmed that she and fiancé James Stewart are expecting their first child.

“James Stewart and Jessica Marais announce they are expecting their first child,” the statement from her management said.

“The couple are excited and looking forward to this next phase of their lives.”

The pair, who met on Packed to the Rafters where they played onscreen lovers, have been the subject of pregnancy rumours for the past few days.

The logie award winning actress, who left the Aussie TV show in 2010 to concentrate on a career in the US, has recently been working on American series Magic City, which is being filmed in Miami.

The pair who say they are in no hurry to get married spoke openly about having children in an interview with Seven’s Sunday Night.

“Jimmy can’t wait,” Marias said in the interview.

“We need to have at least a couple of boys; if we have a girl that looks like you, they’re going to have to have brothers,” Stewart said.

The pair are yet to comment on whether Los Angeles based Marais will relocate to Australia for the birth.

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Sneak peek: Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher

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Margaret Thatcher and Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep has received more Oscar nominations than any other star and looks likely to get another one for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in a new film.

The 62-year-old actress plays Britain’s legendary prime minister in The Iron Lady, which is scheduled for release in January, just in time for the awards season.

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Meryl’s casting in the film — which sees an elderly Baroness Thatcher reflecting on her life — was met with outrage, with many critics saying Meryl would butcher the role.

Those same critics have now completely changed their tune after seeing previews of the film.

Meryl is spectacular in the movie, and many are predicting the performance will earn her a 17th Academy Award nomination, and her third actual Oscar.

Whether she comes away with a coveted golden statuette or not, Meryl loves The Iron Lady, and says playing the legendary Thatcher was a “privilege”.

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“It took a lot out of me, but it was a privilege to play her, it really was,” Meryl told the UK’s Daily Mail. “It was one of those rare, rare films where I was grateful to be an actor and grateful for the privilege of being able to look at a life deeply with empathy. There’s no greater joy.”

Your say: Do you think Meryl Streep has captured Margaret Thatcher well?

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Home movies earn family $155k

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Home movies earn family $155k

For most people, home movies are nothing more than a way to embarrass your children at their 21st birthday parties — but for one British family, a short clip of their two sons has earned them a cool $155,000.

Howard Davies-Carr uploaded a short clip of his sons Charlie and Harry onto Youtube so the boys’ godfather could view it.

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That clip — entitled ‘Charlie bit my finger — again!’ — has now been viewed more than 387 million times, earning the family a $155,000 share of the advertising profits Youtube made from the clip.

Mr Davies-Carr now posts a new video every six weeks, and is still getting regular income from the video sharing site.

The family has used the money to put their three sons through private school, and to pay for holidays and other luxuries.

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“Nearly all income from YouTube is banked,” Mr Davies-Carr said. “A little is spent on holidays and we bought a castle for the garden.

“We would have struggled to put all three boys through private education but with the YouTube money we decided to commit to all, and it was always going to be all or none.”

Your say: Would you put your home movies online if it could make you money?

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Brad Pitt: I’m quitting Hollywood

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Brad Pitt: I'm quitting Hollywood

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt © Getty

Brad Pitt has announced he is quitting Hollywood on his 50th birthday.

In a candid interview that aired on 60 Minutes last night, the actor vowed he would not appear in another film after December 2013.

But while Brad is certain his acting career has a use-by date, he’s not entirely sure what he will do with his newfound free time.

“Hell if I know,” he said. “I am really enjoying the producing side and development of stories and putting those pieces together and getting stories to the plate that might have had a tougher time otherwise.”

Related: George Clooney on sex, orgasms and farts

Brad, 47, raises six children with his equally famous partner Angelina Jolie. The pair are notoriously guarded about their private life and try to keep their kids out of the limelight as much as possible.

Despite their best efforts, the children sometimes get photographed by the paparazzi, which worries and angers Brad in equal measures.

“Sure I worry,” Brad said. “It’s the only thing I get hot about, I’m ready to fight about. But on the other hand you know, it’s a trade-off, like anything.

“There’s a great trade-off. And we, these guys, I’m so happy for them, because they get to see the world. And their lives are so enriched by it.

“The privacy issues are something we’re always battling. But you know, it is true that a couple of ours do not like it. You know, they don’t like it and I’m sure that will colour them in some interesting way.”

Related: Angelina and Brad ‘prisoners’ in their own lives

On a lighter note, Brad spoke about his relationship with close friend and fellow actor George Clooney. Brad said he “loved” George, but thought that he was much better-looking than his silver fox pal.

When asked who was the sexiest man alive, Brad said: “I’m gonna go out on a limb. I’m gonna say me.”

Your say: Who do you think is sexier, Brad Pitt or George Clooney?

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