Search

Woman “bullied” on plane over budget seating trick

A young woman has recalled a flight from hell when she was “bullied” by a couple who were trying to utilise a seating hack that went viral on TikTok. The solo traveller took to Reddit to recount the story and ask social media users if she was in the wrong for her action. The woman began by saying she usually pays more to select her plane seat ahead of time, but a medical emergency on another plane had her waiting on standby and left with no option other than to sit in a middle seat. When she was finally able to board, she was greeted by a couple who had purchased both the window and aisle seats in a bid to have more space, utilising a travel “trick” that has been popular on TikTok. The method, which has been dubbed the 'poor man's business class', usually leaves travellers with an empty middle seat and more space, and few travellers opt to pick a middle seat. “When I got to my row the man and woman were chatting and sharing a snack... it was obvious they were together. I mentioned to the man that I'm in the middle, and he got up to let me in,” the unsuspecting traveller wrote on Reddit. “I asked them if they would prefer to sit together, I said I was totally okay with that. The woman reacted rudely to this and said ‘you're not supposed to be sitting here anyway’.” After noticing how the plane was full, she offered to show the pair her new ticket with the correct seat number on it. “She flicked her hand at my ticket and made a disgusted sound. I offered again if they wanted to sit together to which she didn't reply, her partner said it's okay and... made some small talk,” she continued. The man’s girlfriend then interrupted their conversation to ask,”'Did you use one of those third party websites to book your flight? It's so frustrating when people cheap out to inconvenience others.” The American woman explained that she had booked her flight directly and she had been placed on standby like everyone else and didn't choose the middle seat - she was assigned it. She then tried to keep the peace by refusing to engage with the furious woman. “I was so done with her attitude, I put my headphones on and attempted to do my own thing,” she explained. But the “entitled” girlfriend wasn't letting it go, as the woman explained, “This woman kept reaching over me and tapping her partner and trying to talk to him in a way that was super intrusive.” “I could tell even her partner was trying to engage her less so that she would hopefully stop, but she didn't.” “I think they tried to pull that tactic where they don't sit together on purpose...hoping no one will sit between them. But on full flights it doesn't work. And even so - it's not the other person's fault.” The traveller's post was met with hundreds of comments slamming the girlfriend’s behaviour, as one person wrote, “It's like a toddler having a tantrum.” “She was disappointed and a total a**hole. Gross entitled people,” another added. Another person applauded the traveller’s level-headed behaviour, writing, “Wow! You are my hero for keeping it classy - I’m afraid I would not have been as kind as you.” Image credits: Shutterstock

Travel Trouble

5 sneaky beauty tricks that take a decade off your look

What if we told you there were five super simple turn-back-the-clock tricks that could brighten the face, open up the eyes, improve plumpness and give you enviably shiny hair? Well, that’s exactly what we’re telling you. And these tips don’t require and expensive trip to a beauty salon and can be done in your very own bathroom. When it comes to your skin, just one super-charged anti-ager will instantly boost your beauty routine—and deliver the kind of results we’d all be happy to see in the mirror. Here are five tricks you should definitely try today. Try a Sleeping Beauty elixir They don’t call it beauty sleep for no good reason. While you’re head is on the pillow, it’s the perfect time to slather on an overnight face and neck cream that uses skin brightening ingredients such as vitamin C, algae extract and anti-oxidants. You will wake up more supple, radiant and bright – and in some cases, with firmer skin. Go for bold lip A bold yet fresh lip will instantly brighten and lift the face. The trick is to go one or two shades brighter than you usually do – without option for a blast of neon. Diffuse bright edges with a cotton bud to stop hard lines. Shake the magic wand Eyelashes have the ability to really open up your eyes and thus give you a more youthful look instantly. So everyone, get acquainted with the eyelash curler. A must for opening up tired, droopy eyelids before applying mascara – it works every time. Attempt a gravity-defying mini massage As massages stimulate circulation, cells and collagen, everyone should be giving themself a daily morning face massage using small circular motions. Focus on your forehead, cheeks, chin, and gently pat under eyes to help with firmness and reduce bloating. Let your hair shine on Shiny, healthy hair makes everyone look better – and it one of the easiest beauty tricks to master. Try mashed-up avocado mixed with olive oil as a hair mask – it’s cheap, natural and really effective. Image credits: Shutterstock

Beauty & Style

5 time-saving laundry tricks

Doing laundry seems to be a never-ending chore. These simple tricks will make your life a little easier next time you do your washing. 1. Use lingerie bag for socks Losing and then pairing mismatched socks makes laundry a bigger task than what it already is. Make sock washing easier by washing all your socks together in a lingerie bag. Gone will be the days that you find odd socks stuck in a pair of jeans or hiding in the washing machine. 2. Make detergent yourself If you are ever concerned with the chemicals and ingredients in laundry detergent then you can opt for a natural detergent by making it yourself. To make homemade detergent, stir together one bar shaved bar soap, 1 cup of borax and one cup of washing soda. You can put the ingredients in a food processor or blender to create a fine powder. Simply store in a sealed container. 3. Make dryer sheets yourself To make budget-friendly dryer sheets, you will need old scraps of cloth, essential oils and white vinegar. Mix one cup of white vinegar with roughly 25 drops of essential oils. Fold the cloth scraps and place them into a jar or storage container. Moisten the cloth with vinegar mixture but do not saturate them. Then use one cloth per dryer load to freshen laundry. 4. Use chalk to remove grease stains If you have any chalk handy it can pre-treat grease stains. The chalk powder helps absorb the grease and will leave your clothes looking clean again. 5. Use baby shampoo to unshrink clothes If you ever accidentally shrink one of your favourite items of clothes then reach for baby shampoo. Baby shampoo can stretch clothing and restore it to its former shape and size. Image credits: Getty Images

Home & Garden

Heavily pregnant mum and disabled child kicked off plane

Siobhan Foster, her husband, and their disabled child were kicked off their flight after she was accused of being "aggressive" by a flight attendant. Foster, who is seven months pregnant, was onboard an easyJet flight to Ibiza to celebrate her brother's wedding. She struggled to find room for her carry-on in the overhead baggage compartment, so she asked a flight attendant to help her find space, but the response was reportedly "a sharp ‘Clearly Not’", which eventually led to a dispute. When things escalated, all 180 passengers were eventually told to disembark. One of Foster's outraged friends posted the <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/23859832/easyjet-passengers-kicked-off-pregnant-mum-stewardess-fight/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">video</a> on social media, and the Newtonabbey mum was seen collecting hand luggage while struggling to carry her toddler. “We’re being thrown off the plane today because of somebody thinking they’re better than everyone else,” the friend said. The easyJet stewardess responded: “Bye, bye bye," as the upset family walked down the stairs. Foster took to Facebook to complain about her experience with "sleezy jet". “So, I asked could you help me find somewhere, her reply was ‘You’ll need to find somewhere yourself’ even though there literally was nowhere," she wrote. She then claimed that she asked for help again, because she was heavily pregnant, to which the flight attendant allegedly said: "You’re being abusive and it’s not my job to help you.” Another flight attendant reportedly backed up her co-worker, but Foster argued that other airlines have been more helpful as she is pregnant. “Writing this, I understand it would make you think was I being abusive, but I honestly wasn’t and the whole plane can vouch for me,” Foster wrote. “People were actually putting this on [Facebook] about how bad I was treated.” After eventually finding a place for her bag, the pregnant mum was allegedly confronted by two other crew members who also accused her of being “aggressive.” Foster decided to ignore them because she was "crying" and "so upset," but the flight attendant reportedly started raising her voice. They were then kicked off, and were told it was because of Foster's aggression, but when Foster’s mum and brother asked for an exact reason, the crew members allegedly couldn't give them a direct response. After an hour, everyone had to disembark and the family were met by eight police officers and two Swissport employees and were told they would not be allowed back on the flight, despite other passengers being allowed back in. “So, that whole day we were in Belfast airport from one lunchtime to nine that night with our child, my legs were so swollen and sore with being on them all this time I was crying uncontrollably that this was happening to us for no reason whatsoever. “I’m so traumatized to the point I don’t know how I’ll ever fly again,” she wrote on Facebook. EasyJet has denied any wrongdoing and a spokesperson told the Daily Mail that "a group of passengers were "behaving disruptively." “EasyJet’s cabin crew and ground agents are trained to assess and evaluate all situations and to act quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other passengers is not compromised at any time. “The Captain took the decision to ask all passengers on the flight to return to the terminal so the situation could be resolved and as soon as it was they re-boarded and the aircraft continued to Ibiza.” Despite the incident, the Foster family eventually made it to Ibiza the next day, just in time for the wedding, after catching a RyanAir flight out of Dublin. “Thankfully we got to Ibiza and made my brother’s wedding to say how stressed, upset, and overwhelmed I’ve been I honestly think I’ve no words,” she wrote. “EasyJet should be ashamed of themselves and I most definitely am taking this further, I’m still in shock of how we were treated especially being seven months pregnant and having a disabled child with us.” Images: Facebook

Travel Trouble

Pilot praised for revealing simple trick to cope with severe turbulence

A pilot has shared his simple "water bottle trick" for anxious passengers to cope with turbulence in the air. Sydney-sider Jimmy Nicholson and his wife Holly recently shared a video of their bumpy flight with "horrible" turbulence that went viral on TikTok, after Jimmy shared his tips on how to cope with the anxiety. In the video, his wife was filmed hyperventilating, and at one point even pulled out a sick bag. The couple held hands as other passengers were heard screaming during the wild turbulence. “So we’re at the back of the plane so it’s worse here," Jimmy, who looked more calm than most passengers, said in the clip. “It’s not comfortable, probably some of the worst I’ve been in. Could be widespread storms so pilots just have to pick their path of least resistance and go through it so nothing to worry about. “Planes are built to withstand way worse. Not fun evidently, but completely fine. “I’m a pilot and actually fly this aircraft type (Airbus). Here’s why you have nothing to worry about.” For those terrified of turbulence, Jimmy suggested looking at the water inside an upside down water bottle. “Water bottle trick: The water isn’t moving much, is it?” he said. <div class="embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important; width: 603px; max-width: 100%;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7272043055874723073&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40jimmy_nicholson%2Fvideo%2F7272043055874723073%3F_r%3D1%26_t%3D8fD3XY38vB4&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign-sg.tiktokcdn.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-alisg-p-0037%2FoM6n8BXn3ENnHuqtQEMUDb4jUe6fkgAi0BORgF%3Fx-expires%3D1693292400%26x-signature%3DrKGHV84h94FBzJrVu4RsUV8upK0%253D&key=5b465a7e134d4f09b4e6901220de11f0&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> He added that if the water appears to be moving gently in the water bottle, then the turbulence feels worse than it actually is. “Remind yourself it’s completely normal. The plane isn’t going to fall out of the sky,” he said. The pilot suggested turning on the air conditioning and looking out the window to calm your nerves. The video ended with passengers clapping after they rode out the turbulence, and the TikTok has been viewed over 2.4 million times, with many thanking Jimmy for his tips. “This helps so much! We need more pilots to post about the stuff the rest of us think will be the last minutes of our lives,” one wrote. “Thank you for explaining this. I’m an anxious flyer and seeing you talk about it has helped," commented another. “Thank you for this video. I saved it and going to watch it in my flights when I am frightened," wrote a third. Images: TikTok/ Instagram

Travel Trouble

Try these tricks the next time small talk becomes unbearable

Real talk Bonnie Todd runs 250 food tours a year – a job that puts her in contact with hundreds of new people every week. Food-lovers come to her for an introduction to local tastes and flavours. And a large part of what keeps her guests satisfied, and willing to recommend her business to others, is the personal connection she makes with them. “I try to get past the small talk and general recommendations pretty quickly,” says the 42-year-old. “It’s all about finding common ground within the group, and trying to make it a unique experience. So I’m always asking questions. And when I find that spark of commonality, I dig into it.” The practice is key to Todd’s approach because, unlike many tours, hers require people to sit together sharing food and drinks. When groups don’t gel, or never get past the “Where are you from?” stage, what should be a stimulating experience can turn into an awkward and draining couple of hours. We’ve all been there: trapped in a superficial exchange that bounces aimlessly from one meaningless topic to the next. It can make you never want to step foot into another party again. But don’t despair: there are some tactics that can help you turn boring small talk into an energising conversation. Put yourself out there Improv performer Natalie Metcalfe’s job is to keep a scene going – to create an exchange that’s compelling for both the people involved and for a live audience. “In improv, it’s all about offers,” she says, referring to the act of bringing new information into the dialogue. Through these back-and-forths, the relationship between the characters is established and that kicks things off. “It’s the same thing in a regular conversation. You’re constantly making offers to see if you and the person you’re talking to can connect.” An offer in real life can be as simple as complimenting someone on what they’re wearing, and asking them about it. You can try sharing something you recently learned, or an interest you’ve just developed, creating an opening for the other person to ask you a question. Or, you can describe a relatable problem you’re having – a noisy neighbour, a plant that’s not thriving, a question of etiquette – as a prompt for advice, or some cooperative troubleshooting. One of Todd’s go-to approaches is to share a personal story of her own that relates to the other person’s experience. “If I find out someone has been to a place I’ve travelled, I’ll tell them an anecdote about what I did there, and ask them to share their own story.” Of course, putting yourself out there can sometimes feel scary, even when you’re not on stage. But Misha Glouberman, who runs a course called How to Talk to People About Things, says taking that leap pays off. “A lot of the time in conversations, there’s something we’re interested in, but there’s a part of us that doesn’t want to take the risk of revealing it because we think it might be boring or inappropriate.” But the result of following those internal cues of fascination has the opposite effect, he says. “People like learning about other people’s interests. So be more open about yours, and a little more curious about theirs as well.” Be inquisitive and listen Radio interviewer Terry Gross once said, that the only icebreaker you’ll ever need is, “Tell me about yourself.” Instead of asking a pointed question like “What do you do?”, this type of open question gives someone a chance to offer up a topic they might be more excited to discuss. “Talking about yourself is really pleasurable. It activates the exact same hormone in your brain as sex,” says Celeste Headlee, the author of We Need to Talk: How to Have Conversations That Matter. “Another tip you can take from neuroscience is that if you start a conversation by allowing someone to feel good about themselves, then they’ll be more open to new ideas and new thoughts for the rest of the conversation.” Of course, upping your curiosity quotient needs to be paired with actually paying attention to the answer. “Listening is hard for homo sapiens. It’s not something our species does easily,” says Headlee. Indeed, people often start crafting their response before the person they’re talking to has finished speaking. Or they’ll get distracted, thinking about an email they forgot to answer. Since a great conversation is by definition a two-way street, these habits have the effect of ending one before it can even begin. Intentional listening, on the other hand, is a key to an empathetic, engaging dialogue. Use disagreement wisely According to Headlee, one of the other things that gets in the way of a meaningful conversation is the all-too-human need to be right. “A really common mistake is the ‘well, actually’ response,” she says, referring to that deflating moment when a person lets their need to correct you about a small detail you’ve just mentioned get in the way of continuing a story. “Google has made this worse,” she adds. “You’ll say, I went to the hotel with the largest patio in the entire world, and while you’re still talking, the person is already on their phone looking to see if that’s actually true.” But while trivial arguments can be an obstacle to a good conversation, Glouberman points out that differences of opinion can also help propel a chat into richer territory. “We assume that the world is just as we see it, that we see it directly,” he says. “But of course all of psychology and neuroscience tells us that’s not the case.” A respectful disagreement, if the other party is open to it, is a great opportunity to enrich your view of the world by understanding someone else’s. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/uncategorized/try-these-tricks-the-next-time-small-talk-becomes-unbearable" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Relationships

Facebook Messenger scams are on the rise – here’s how to protect yourself

Facebook Messenger scams prey on our vulnerabilities Scams through Facebook’s Messenger platform are being reported at higher rates than ever before, according to AARP, citing its own data as well as that of the government. Since Facebook’s early days, cybercriminals have been mining Facebook’s direct-messaging capabilities to scam unsuspecting victims out of money. One of the earliest Facebook Messenger scams involved a message, purportedly from a friend, claiming they were stuck in a foreign country and in desperate need of immediate financial assistance to get out. It wasn’t really the friend, however, but rather a scammer who had hacked into the friend’s account. Imposter scams such as “the friend in a foreign country” have evolved and proliferated over the years. The common thread is the scammer either creates an account impersonating an actual Facebook account or hacks into an existing Facebook account. In either case, the scammer then uses the fake/hacked account to send private messages to the account holder’s friends that elicit either money or personal information. The messages vary, but all are designed to prey on our human vulnerabilities, including: <ul> <li>the desire to be a “hero”</li> <li>the desire to appear “generous”</li> <li>the desire to win “free money”</li> <li>the desire to be loved and admired</li> <li>the desire to avoid shame or punishment</li> </ul> If a scammer tries to message you, report them, Facebook advises, but that begs the larger question of how does one recognise a Facebook Messenger scam? Current Messenger Facebook scams According to Facebook and our cybersecurity experts, here are the most common Facebook Messenger scams today: Romance scams. Preying on our desire to be loved and admired, romance scammers appear as attractive strangers with sad stories and a desire to love and be loved. The most effective romance scammers will friend a number of mutual friends before reaching out to any of them, in an attempt to make themselves seem less like strangers and more like people in the same social network. Many use photos they’ve stolen off the Internet and many pose as members of the military or as doctors, in an attempt to inspire trust, admiration, and even authority. What they all have in common is they can’t meet you just yet because they’re somewhere far away, and although it may take a bit of time, even as much as several weeks, they will eventually ask you to send money so that they can come to see you. Lottery scams. Preying on our desire for “free money,” lottery scammers appear as friends or organisations who are thrilled to tell you you’ve won money in some lottery or contest. The common thread? It’s a contest you have no recollection of having entered and to get the prize, you’ll have to either pay a fee or “refundable” advance or provide personal information. Inheritance scams. Also preying on our desire for free money, inheritance scammers claim to be lawyers or others who represent someone who has died and supposedly left you their estate or some portion of it – but first, you’ll have to fork over some money or personal information. Loan scams. Another variation on the “free money” theme is the loan scam, whereby the scammer promises low-interest loans with no money down – except for a “refundable” application fee. Facebook points out that loan scammers may send messages via Messenger and also leave posts and comments on Pages and in Groups to legitimise themselves. However, legitimate lenders wouldn’t offer loans via Facebook Messenger, nor would they ask you for money to proceed with a loan application. Donation scams. Facebook specifically warns users to watch out for “famous people” or people claiming to represent a charity hitting them up for a donation. Donation scams, which are easy money for a scammer because they are a direct request for payment, prey on our desire to be perceived, or to perceive ourselves, as generous. “Hey, is this you?” scams. Consumer Affairs warns of this “phishing scam” that uses the threat of shame to goad you into giving up personal information. The scammer hacks into one of your Facebook friend’s Messenger accounts and sends you a video, asking if it’s really you in the video, and implying there’s something in the video that could embarrass you. If you ever get a message like this, Consumer Affairs urges you to ignore and delete it to avoid giving away personal information or introducing a virus onto your computer. Red flags to watch out for Unfortunately, Facebook Messenger scams evolve rapidly (as soon as we suss them out, there are several more to replace them). So, it’s a good idea to be aware of these warning signs that we culled from our experts: Someone is asking you for money. While Facebook warns specifically against strangers asking for money, Rachel Wilson, investigative coordinator for The Smith Investigation Agency, points out to Reader’s Digest that any time anyone asks you for money over Messenger, it’s immediately suspect. “If friends or family ask you to help them in an emergency, always call to speak with them personally to confirm that the message originated with them.” Someone is getting a little too personal. When someone sends you a message requesting personal information, especially financial information, it should be considered suspicious, advises Sean Messier, credit industry analyst for Credit Card Insider. Messier suggests not revealing any such information until you’re certain the message-sender is who they claim to be, but it’s probably also a good idea to never reveal any such information over Messenger at all. Someone is offering something for free. You know how they say there’s no such thing as a free lunch? Well, there’s no such thing as free money on Facebook, points out Robert Siciliano, security expert. This is true for any kind of “free money” Messenger message, including those involving lotteries, loans, contest winnings, inheritances, lost bank accounts, and reimbursements of money owed. Someone who wants to take the conversation off Facebook (to text or email, etc). Facebook warns against taking conversations off Facebook unless you’re absolutely certain, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the message sender is who they say they are. Messages that seem out of character for the sender. If a message seems “out of the norm” for the sender, trust your instincts and ignore it. This is doubly true if the message includes an attachment. Be very wary of opening attachments in general, and particularly if something seems “off” about the message or the sender. Messages rife with spelling and grammatical errors. Facebook points out that when a message is filled with typos and grammatical errors, you should have your guard up. A single typo is one thing, but things like the misspelling of names and places are a big red flag. Messages from new accounts with few friends. Roger Thompson, CEO of Thompson Cybersecurity Labs, points out that new accounts with few friends should always be considered suspicious until confirmed otherwise. Friend requests from such accounts and from duplicate friend accounts should be considered suspect as well. To avoid getting hacked (and used by a cybercriminal in an imposter scam), Wilson recommends updating your social media passwords regularly and always use two-factor authentication. She also notes that with Facebook use increasing among seniors, it would be a good deed to speak to older family members about Messenger scams and how to avoid them. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/science-technology/facebook-messenger-scams-are-on-the-rise-heres-how-to-protect-yourself" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Technology

Thief asks woman out on date after robbing her at gunpoint

A US woman has gone through the harrowing experience of being robbed at gunpoint, but it was what happened after the fact that was almost as eerie. Amber Beraun was checking the mail one night at her Indianapolis home in May when she was approached by a man with a gun. The gunman was later identified as Damien Boyce. Speaking to WRTV, Beraun said she was confronted by Boyce, who attempted to enter her home. She refused and gave him all the cash she had handy, which came to $100. Before he made his escape, Boyce asked Beraun a very unexpected, and quite frankly bizarre question - to add him on Facebook. The thief also noted he was planning to pay her back. Beraun responded, telling him she “believed” him and that “times just get rough”. Boyce proceeded to ask the woman to “come chill”. He was later arrested by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and charged over a separate armed robbery on June 12, where two people got shot and one was hit in the head with a brick. He was also charged with his robbery of Beraun. Beraun said her local neighbourhood has been affected by the terrifying incident. "It makes me a little on edge knowing that people walk up and down the street, looking for places to commit crimes," she said. "It makes it a little different when you hear noises at night." Beraun insisted she "never" thought something like this would happen to her. "He took away my sense of safety from my home." Image credit: ABC America

Legal

6 essential tips and tricks for your kitchen

Whether you’re friends with a professional chef, watch every cooking show on which you can lay your eyeballs, or your mum was some kind of wise, kitchen magician, it seems that everyone has their very own secret cooking tips to make life easier, or at least less stressful, in the kitchen. We’ve gathered a few of our own just in case no one’s ever shared them with you until now. 1. Where there’s smoke… People often think that setting off the smoke detectors is a sign of an unskilled cook, but, as long as you’re not burning anything, don’t be afraid of a little smoke or vapour. Some foods just need that extra heat to reach their flavourful best, and that’s okay. Just make sure you’re safe. 2. Dressing in a jar If you’re not a fan of off-the-shelf salad dressings, the natural solution to lifeless salads is making your own dressing. The annoying part of that is mixing such small quantities of ingredients in a bowl can be ridiculously fiddly. Next time, pop those ingredients into an old (clean) jam jar and give it a good shake. Not only will it be easier, you’re guaranteed to combine everything much better than you could with any whisk. 3. When life gives you lemons If you’re using lemons or limes when you’re cooking, save the leftover skins once you’ve juiced them. You can use them to disinfect your chopping board without any chemicals. Plus, the smell is pretty fantastic. 4. Perfect pasta When cooking pasta, the best tip we can offer is to remove the noodles from their water just before they’re completely cooked. Then, with just a little bit of the starchy water, pour them into the same saucepan in which you’re cooking your sauce. Cooking the pasta with the sauce for at least a minute or two will help infuse the flavours. If you’re not already cooking your pasta this way, you soon will be. 5. You crack me up If you find that you’re constantly picking tiny shards of eggshell out of your dishes before you cook, you might want to adjust the way you crack your eggs. Rapping the eggs onto a sharp/thin edge of a bowl of counter causes these small fractures. If you crack the egg onto a flat surface, you’ll avoid a lot of the fuss. Plus, it’s really easy to do that cool one-handed egg crack this way. Bonus! 6. No-stick cheese There’s a reason buying pre-grated cheese is so ridiculously expensive – grating cheese yourself is one of the most loathed kitchen tasks around. But if you spray your grater with a little cooking spray before you start, it will help the cheese glide over a little easier. Plus it’s going to make cleaning a dream. Images: Getty

Home Hints & Tips

6 amazing things you didn’t know your phone could do

Nobody ever bought a shiny brand new smartphone and then studiously read the manual! Maybe it’s just us but unfortunately it means we’ve missed out on the secret but amazing things your smartphone can do. You don't even need to download any apps to do these nifty tricks. Here are some of our favourite ones that we’re sure will impress next time you need them. Taking a screenshot A great trick if you want to share a hilarious text, picture or Facebook post with friends or family. iPhones – SImultaneously press (but not hold) the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button (top right of phone). You should hear a shutter click as well as see a white flash. The screenshot will be located on your Camera Roll in photos. Androids - Hold down the Power button and Volume -down button at the same time for a couple of seconds. Or hold down power button and home icon at the same time. If this doesn’t work, you can hold down the power button until the option to take a screen shot appears. Taking multiple photos at once A life-saver if you are taking pictures of wriggling kids or people who blink exactly when you take the picture (there’s always someone in the group isn’t there?). This little trick lets you take multiple pictures with a single click. iPhones – In the camera app, rather than tapping capture button to take photos, hold it down. Your camera will automatically take multiple picture (around 10 pictures a second) until you release the button. Androids - In the camera app, tap the gear icon and turn on “Burst Shot” settings. Return to your camera app and hold onto the capture button. Or go to camera, select mode, auto and click on burst shots. Change text size If the tiny text on the smartphone is giving you a headache, there’s an easily solution. You can change the settings so all text on your phone is large. iPhones - Go to Settings > General > Accessibility and turn on “Larger Text.” Androids - Go to Settings > Accessibility > Vision and tap font size and set it to Large. Read to you It really seems like technology can do anything, including programming your smartphone to read to you. iPhones - Go to Settings > General > Accessibility and turn on “Speak Selection.” You can even customise the voice that speaks to you choosing from a wide range of accent including Australian. To get your phone to speak to you, highlight text (double-tapping or tapping and holding on to it) and then tap Speak button in the pop-up menu. Turn off music automatically If you are one to listen to music or audiobooks as you drift off to sleep, you can use a timer to turn it off so it doesn’t drain your battery life. iPhones - Go to the Clock app and tap on "Timer," then "When Timer Ends." From here, scroll all the way down to the bottom of the screen and select "Stop Playing." Androids - Open the music player and go to Settings. Look for "Music auto off" and set it to however long you want the music to play. Search text messages Searching for messages is handy if you are looking for a specific text containing details like addresses, emails or dates. iPhones – When you open your Message app, scroll up and a search bar should pop up at the top of all your messages. Type in the phrase you are looking for. Androids – Open the Message app and then tap on the Menu. A few options will appear and click search. Image: Shutterstock

Technology

8 hair washing tips to transform your tresses this winter

One curly-haired influencer has shared her secrets to happy and healthy hair with the world, promising small changes that “make a big impact” over all. In a video posted to her social media accounts, Jennie - who goes by ‘The Curly Carr’ online - stressed the importance of learning to properly cleanse hair, and the benefits it can have on the likes of “hair health, definition, shine, volume, and growth”. As she explained, she too used to be guilty of just hopping in the shower, quickly slathering her hair in shampoo, and rinsing to get the job done. “I had no clue what I was doing!” she confessed. “Seems like such a small thing, but makes a big impact.” But luckily for Jennie - and anyone else fortunate enough to hear her top tips - she did learn what she should be doing, working her way towards the luscious locks many dream of, before setting out on her mission to help others on their hair journey. And in just eight simple steps, that won’t cost you a fortune in new products, Jennie has shared her findings, as well as some helpful advice to help with the transition from quickfire wash to thorough and effective hair care. Step one was straightforward enough, with Jennie noting that it’s important to “make sure your hair is thoroughly wet all the way through”. According to some experts, a good wetting with warm water helps hair to open up, allowing for a better conditioning process later on. Step two called for emulsifying shampoo in your hands before it goes anywhere near your head. Essentially, rub it between your hands until it froths up - once you’ve got the suds, it’s time to move on to the hair. Step three instructed hair hopefuls to massage their heads. But, as Jennie advised, do it “with the pads of your fingers, don’t use your nails”. Be gentle up there, just like you would be to your face. Step four followed directly on from three, with the instruction to message “all around your head” and to make sure everything got a good clean. Jennie noted that it may take anywhere from 3-5 minutes, but it would all be worth it to have your scalp cleansed. Step five had Jennie calling for the lengths of hair to be remembered, as “it’s not just your scalp getting buildup with products, dirt, and oil”. Step six was to use a <a href="https://www.priceline.com.au/product/189080/lady-jayne-restorative-scalp-brush-silicon-bristles-1ea">shampoo brush/scalp brush</a>, particularly for those who - like Jennie herself - tended to go a few days between washes, or did a pre-shampoo process. Step seven was another one many would be familiar with, as Jennie noted the importance of making sure all shampoo had been thoroughly washed out “before moving on to conditioner!” And last but not least, step eight instructed viewers to listen to their scalps, as they’d know best when it was time for the next all-important wash. “Your hair can always be refreshed,” Jennie explained, “but if your scalp is dry, itchy, and you can see buildup, it’s time to wash!” <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CnmLyOjKDC1/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CnmLyOjKDC1/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jennie 🌷 | Curly Hair Care and Simple Hairstyle Tutorials (@the.curly.carr)</a> </div> </blockquote> Images: TikTok

Beauty & Style

7 tricks to get more out of your next cruise

There’s nothing quite as relaxing as a luxury cruise, and while there’s probably no way to have that bad a time on a cruise (unless you’re prone to sea sickness or afraid of deck chairs) there are ways in which you can considerably enhance your experience. We’ve put together a list containing seven tips and tricks for getting more out of your cruise so you truly have a cruising experience to write home about. 1. Get to your port of departure a night before Did you know hundreds of cruisers actually miss the boat entirely because of delayed flights, traffic and bad weather? And many more get their cruise off to a bad start as a result of the fact that they’ve only managed to board by the skin of their teeth. Do yourself a pre-cruise favour and arrive at your port of departure a day early. 2. Don't be afraid to splurge and say Bon Voyage in style A luxury cruise is no time to be a frugal Fred Flintstone. Get your cruise off to a great start (and look like a real hero in front of your spouse) by splashing out on champagne and roses. There's no better moment to make a toast to new adventures! 3. Avoid the pool area during busy times This might seem strange, but when have mega cruise ships ever had enough poolside chairs to accommodate everyone? You’d be much better served by scoping around to find a place to call your own and avoiding the mass of humanity who are sitting around the pool sun-burning in tandem. 4. Eat on your own terms Sure, it’s nice to meet and greet strangers at group dining times, but sometimes it’s also equally as nice to break up the routine. So don’t be afraid to order room service breakfast and have a picnic on your balcony or pay an extra little bit to dine at your cruise’s speciality restaurant. 5. Stay on the ship Of course this doesn’t apply to all port calls (if you’re visiting Venice you have to see Venice) but these forced events are generally rushed, contrived and not all they’re hyped up to be. And by staying aboard the ship you have all the ships facilities (with the exception of maybe the ship throttle and steering wheel) to yourself! 6. Get a spa pass A lot of cruises are offering these nowadays and for something as simple as $25 a day you can soak, steam and be massaged in luxury. There’s nothing like getting a luxury massage as you cruise through the pacific ocean, relieving your aches and pains. 7. Go to the disco Even if dancing isn’t your thing, you owe it to yourself to bust a move at the ships disco. You’ll definitely meet some interesting characters there and chances are you’ll be more than willing to return to the floor the next night. It’s a vicious, funky cycle! Images: Getty

Cruising

16 ways to kill garden weeds

<h2>How to kill garden weeds with ease</h2> Looking for a safe way to keep weeds and grass from growing in the cracks of your paved patios, driveways and footpaths? Here are a few tricks that will keep weeds at bay. <h2>Baking soda</h2> Sprinkle handfuls of baking soda onto the concrete and simply sweep it into the cracks. The added sodium will make it much less hospitable to dandelions and their friends. <h2>Bleach</h2> Pour a bit of undiluted bleach over them. After a day or two, you can simply pull them out and the bleach will keep them from coming back. Just be careful not to get bleach on the grass or plants bordering the path. <h2>Boiling water</h2> Put on the kettle and pour boiling water over cracks where weeds grow. This will kill the stubborn weeds. <h2>Vinegar</h2> Are dandelions a problem? Make them disappear for good by spraying them with full-strength white or apple cider vinegar. Early in the season, give each plant a single spritz of vinegar in its midsection or in the middle of the flower before the plants go to seed. Aim another shot near the stem at ground level so the vinegar can soak down to the roots. Keep an eye on the weather, though; if it rains the next day, you’ll need to give the weeds another spraying. <h2>Borax</h2> Sprinkle borax in the crevices where you’ve seen weeds grow in the past. It will kill them off before they have a chance to take root. When applied around the foundation of your home, it will also keep ants and other six-legged intruders from entering your house. But be very careful when applying borax – it is toxic to plants. <h2>Bottles</h2> When using herbicides to kill weeds in your garden, you have to be careful not to also spray and kill surrounding plants. To isolate the weed you want to kill, cut a 2-litre soft drink bottle in half and place the top half over the weed you want to spray. Then direct your pump’s spraying wand through the regular opening in the top of the bottle and blast away. After the spray settles down, pick up the bottle and move on to your next target. Always wear goggles and gloves when spraying chemicals in the garden. <h2>Corn gluten meal</h2> This non-toxic herbicide kills weed seedlings within just a few days of application. An organic byproduct of the corn milling process, corn gluten meal is made up of 10 per cent nitrogen. It works by inhibiting weed roots from forming, according to <a href="https://www.thespruce.com/corn-gluten-herbicide-careful-timing-2152947">TheSpruce.com</a>. But the timing is important: You have to apply corn gluten meal to soil before weeds emerge. <h2>Landscape fabric</h2> This all-natural method takes longer to decompose than mulch. But don’t buy just any type. “Hold the fabric up to the light and make sure the pores in the fabric are small enough to prevent weeds from growing through the barrier,” recommends the Family Handyman. “Also, a good-quality landscape fabric is one you can’t tear or stretch easily. It should feel stiff, not flimsy and limp. <h2>Carpet scraps</h2> Alternatively, if you have scraps of carpet lying around, us these to suppress weeds in you garden. Place upside down in your garden or along your garden path and cover with bark mulch or straw. Use also around your vegetable garden. <h2>Newspaper</h2> Like carpet, laying down newspaper will block sunlight, prevent oxygen from reaching the soil and smother weeds that are already growing. Put down 10 layers of newspapers on the soil, wet it with water to hold it in place and then cover with mulch. <h2>Salt</h2> Bring a solution of about 1 cup salt in 2 cups water to a boil. Pour directly on the weeds in the cracks of your path to kill them. Another equally effective method is to spread salt directly onto the weeds or unwanted grass that come up between bricks. Wait for rain to rinse it off. <h2>Shower curtains</h2> Those old shower curtains will also come in handy next time you do any landscaping with gravel or bark chips. Just place the shower curtain under the mulching material to prevent annoying weeds from poking through. While weeds can be pests, bugs can be beneficial. <h2>Spray bottles</h2> Fill a spray bottle with undiluted white vinegar to get rid of the weeds and grass poking out of the cracks in your concrete, as well as ants and other insects. Be careful not to spray it on your plants though, as the high acidity could kill them. <h2>Vodka</h2> For a quick and easy weed killer, mix 30mL of vodka, a few drops of dishwashing liquid and 2 cups water in a spray bottle. Spray it on the weed leaves until the mixture runs off. Apply it at midday on a sunny day to weeds growing in direct sunlight, because the alcohol breaks down the waxy cuticle covering on leaves, leaving them susceptible to dehydration in sunlight. It won’t work in shade. <h2>Trowel</h2> <div id="page6"> <div id="test"> <div> Looking for an extremely hands-on approach to how to kill weeds? A trowel is an easy way to dig them up, particularly if they’re big weeds. <h2>WD-40</h2> Don’t let pesky prickly weeds ruin your garden. Just spray some WD-40 on them and they’ll wither and die. <div data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/gardeningtips/16-ways-to-kill-garden-weeds"> </div> </div> </div> </div> Image credit: Shutterstock This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/gardeningtips/16-ways-to-kill-garden-weeds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Home & Garden

Social media good for older people’s health

Older people should use Facebook and other social media to help prevent their health declining, a study has found. Researchers at the University of Exeter in England carried out the research among 65 to 95-year-olds and found that people who spent time online did not feel as lonely as others their age, which helps stop declining physical and mental health. The study followed seniors from 31 residential care homes across the United Kingdom. Researchers noted those trained to use technology felt more self-competent, were more sociable and demonstrated improved cognitive abilities. The project's leader, Dr Thomas Morton, said the findings highlighted how loneliness among older people can contribute to their poor health. “Human beings are social animals, and it’s no surprise that we tend to do better when we have the capacity to connect with others. “But what can be surprising is just how important social connections are to cognitive and physical health. “People who are socially isolated or who experience loneliness are more vulnerable to disease and decline.” Margaret Keohone, a participant of the study, said learning to navigate the internet “changed her life”. “Having this training changes people's lives and opens up their worlds, invigorates their minds and for lots of us gives us a completely different way of recognising our worth as we age,” said Margaret Keohone. “I was just slipping away into a slower way of life.” Images: Getty

Technology

The trick to removing a stain from any surface

When it comes to household tasks there’s one in particular that makes everyone shudder. I’m referring, of course, to cleaning. No one likes to clean and no matter how often you clean your home it’s never fun. But that doesn’t mean it has to be difficult. The following guide will teach you the best way to tackle stains on any household surface. Carpet stains While some people may opt to hire a carpet cleaner, there are actually very few carpet stains you can’t clean yourself. Add a splash of vinegar to the stain and dampen a cleaning cloth. Gently pat at the stain and rinse the cloth at regular intervals. Repeat this process until the stain lifts. Then sprinkle bi-carb on the damp area and work it into the carpet a little. Once the bi-carb dries, use a vacuum to clean it up. If you like, sprinkle some lemon juice to freshen things up. If you’ve done everything right you’ll be left with clean, fresh smelling carpets. Tile and hardwood flooring Add vinegar to a bucket of water and use it to mop up as much of the stain as possible. Apply more vinegar directly to the stain. Combine with bi-carb and wait a few minutes for a chemical reaction. You will notice some bubbling and frothing. Gently scrub at any marks with a brush until clean. Finally, use clean water to either wipe or mop the area again to finish things off. Bathroom surfaces Bathrooms are tough to clean but this mixture makes mould and mildew a thing of the past. Combine 1½ cups bi-carb soda, one cup of liquid soap, ½ cup of water and ¼ cup of vinegar together in a bucket. Use this to clean shower screens, remove mildew and scrub tile grout. For maximum effect use a coarse sponge or hard bristled brush. Kitchen benchtops Most modern kitchen benchtops will not stain due to the materials they are made from. However, anyone with a kitchen knows they still require constant cleaning in order to stay hygienic. Use a cleaning cloth and vinegar to keep benchtops sanitised. You can use bi-carb anytime if something more abrasive is needed. This could be useful for things like dried cereal or food stains. If the vinegar smell becomes too much, deodorise with lemon juice. Concrete and garage floors The same ingredients can be used to make a powerful degreaser. This will clean any oil or scuff stains from concrete and other robust surfaces. Simply add one cup of vinegar to a few teaspoons of bi-carb, along with a drop or two of liquid soap. Add this to a spray bottle and fill to the top with warm water. Shake to combine the ingredients. Use the spray bottle to apply the mixture to any stubborn stain you wish to remove. For the best results, apply liberally and wait several minutes before scrubbing with a hard bristled brush. If you have one available you might also wish to use a pressure washer. Written by Michael Brooke. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.domain.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Domain.com.au</a>. Image credits: Getty Images

Home Hints & Tips

How to clean your glasses the right way

Is there anything worse than dirty glasses? We already can’t see properly without them! Many people believe glass cleaner is the best way to clean your eyeglasses, but we’re here to tell you it’s not. Clean your eyeglasses with soap: Cleaning glasses with soap is scratch-free, cheap and easy. You need to wash them gently, but it’s a method that will not harm your eyewear. <ol> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Rinse your glasses in warm water</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Add a drop of gentle dish soap to the lenses</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Smear the soap on both sides, including the earpieces</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Rinse off the soap</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Dry them with a lint-free or microfibre cloth</li> </ol> Things to avoid: <ol> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Paper towels</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Tissues</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Shirttails</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Acetone</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Windex</li> </ol> Although Windex and other glass cleaners may seem like the best way, the chemicals in these formulas have the potential to remove coatings you’ve paid to put on your lenses. The safest, best way to give your glasses that brand-spanking-new shine is to use basic dish soap! Image credit: Shutterstock

Home Hints & Tips

"It's quite disturbing": Woman receives messages from dead husband

A widow has been left feeling "distressed" after receiving cryptic messages from her husband's Facebook account, two years after he died. Jenny Singe said her husband's social media account had become active earlier this year, when online hackers began messaging friends and family and posting on her husband's timeline. "It's quite disturbing really," Singe told <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/social-media-hack-woman-left-disturbed-after-receiving-messages-from-latehusbands-facebook-account/8c9dab63-11a6-4912-ba5c-61a06f51dd8e" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nine News</a>. Jenny said most of the posts were cryptic advertisements, further distressing her friends and family who were still in mourning. "My husband died almost two years ago and I am still grieving," she said. "I keep getting Facebook messages from (the hackers) and the first time was very distressing." Jenny attempted to contact Facebook to get her late husband's account taken down permanently, but said the social media platform was incredibly "unhelpful". "I have been through enough with losing my husband and now they were asking me to prove that he was dead," she said. "Facebook wanted me to provide them with all these details including his death certificate and all these other additional things." "Yet the hackers can continue on their merry way. I just thought, 'Why do I have to do all these things when I have done nothing wrong?'" "It's just not good enough." Protocols are currently in place for how to handle Facebook profiles of deceased people, however they must be either set up by the account holder prior to their death, or a family member must submit a death certificate online to the company. Family members can also memorialise an account which will prevent anyone from logging into it and will keep it visible on Facebook - however, it must be applied for with evidence of death. A Meta spokesperson told Nine News that the matter was being investigated. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to Jenny Singe for her loss. Meta is committed to protecting our community from hackers and the distress they cause, and the matter is being investigated," the spokesperson said. Image credits: Getty Images

Family & Pets

Time to focus: The accidental photographer’s guide to taking great travel shots

Interested in photography? Travelling overseas? Freelance travel writer, photographer and content queen Carolyne Jasinski shares some of the best tips to get great shots wherever you are. What makes the perfect photograph? Is it a complicated combination of aperture settings to determine depth of field or shutter priority to choose between blurred movement or keeping everything in focus? No. It’s much simpler than that. The perfect photo is the one you like best. But there is a knack to getting those pics. I am a travel journalist, so words are my main focus. But most stories need good photos to get published, so I have had to learn how to take photos for publication. I am the accidental photographer. I have taken courses, sat in on workshops and even been on a photography-based expedition to the Arctic. I have travelled with landscape photographers, wildlife snappers, photojournalists who cover war zones, news “togs” and those who shoot food and fashion. Each has taught me something different. So how do we get those great shots? Here are some simple tips to help budding photographers – and you might be surprised at how many of these you are already doing. 1. Don't knock the automatic setting Digital cameras have made life easy. If you’re happy with what your camera produces on automatic, stick to it. That’s what you’ve paid for. But, if you want to learn the “how and why” of photography, play with all those extra dials. Take a course or better still, go on a photography weekend and learn from the professionals. It’s really interesting knowing how to be in control. 2. Horizontal and vertical Take horizontal and vertical shots of the same subject — you’ll be surprised at how different the photos turn out. It’s especially important if you are going to try and sell them to a magazine or online site. More than once I’ve heard designers despair because they have the perfect image to go alongside a story, but it’s oriented the wrong way. Give them both and double your chances of getting published. If you want to make it to the cover of a magazine, take a vertical (portrait) photo. Horizontal (wide) shots are best for inside pages, especially a spread. 3. Rule of thirds Divide your frame into thirds — both horizontally and vertically. Place the focus of your pic on one of those third lines rather than in the middle of your frame. 4. Change your angle... Move A photo that looks ordinary from front-on can be much more interesting from a different angle. The trick is to move. Get in closer — unless it’s a wild animal. If there are big teeth or horns involved, just zoom in with your camera. Try getting down on the ground or taking the shot from a high point 5. People For me, travel is all about people. Photos always look better with people in them as they add perspective and “life”. Take snapshots to help remember the people you meet. But be kind. Lift chins and cover cleavages. Be aware of what shooting from down low does to your friends — no-one will thank you for highlighting their double chin or looking up their nostrils. 6. Zoom in Get up close and personal with your zoom lens. It can be a powerful tool for capturing the nitty gritty. 7. Shapes & patterns Look for interesting shapes. Natural patterns make naturally great shots. 8. Diagonals and leading lines Diagonals create visual flow and add the illusion of movement and dimension to photos. No matter where they start in a frame, they can pull you in and act as a leading line to where you want the focal point to be. Not all leading lines have to be diagonals … a curving river, for example can lead you to a spectacular backdrop. 9. Work with the light The general rule when it comes to working with light is: Don’t shoot into the light. Unless it works. Sunsets are a great example. But when shooting sunsets, always turn around and look at what the light is doing behind you. Sometimes it’s even prettier than what’s in front. Bright sunny days will often give the most ordinary pics. Early morning, shadows and evening light offer the best contrasts. 10. Contrast If you see contrast, capture it — look for light and dark, colour and mono. It might be a bright green shoot coming out of a blackened tree trunk, or a pop of colour in a sea of grey. They always make for interesting shots. 11. Framing Use natural elements to frame your shot. Same goes for man-made structures — they often make perfect boundaries for your pics. Natural props make your job easy. 12. Location markers Signs or souvenirs (with names) can help you remember where you are. Pics of information boards are great memory joggers and the best notes when trying to write your journal or travel story later. 13. Aim for something different Shoot the obvious but aim for more and shoot that, too. 14. Ask permission when shooting people Cultural cringe — if you are in a foreign country, always ask for permission to take a photo. It’s common courtesy. And before including children, always ask their parents and explain what you are doing. If you want to publish those photos, you’ll need written permission. 15. Surprise element Try to capture people (you know) when they are unaware that you are there. Candid shots are often the best. 16. Capture the moment It’s all about being in the right place at the right time. If you see a great photo opportunity, don’t think, “I’ll come back and get that later.” Later might be too late. 17. Reflections Use reflections to reflect on the moment. 18. Mood Let photos reflect how you feel. 19. Aperture and shutter priority It had to get technical somewhere. As you increase the size of your aperture (increasing the hole you shoot through) you let more light into your image sensor. That means you need a shorter shutter speed. If you increase the length of time your shutter is open, you decrease the aperture needed to get a well exposed shot. Aperture and Shutter Priority modes are semi-automatic on most cameras. If you set one, your camera will set the other. Or it will have a dial or meter to show where the perfect setting is. 20. Depth of field Aperture Priority — ‘A’ or ‘AV’ on your camera program dial. When would you use it? To get “depth of field”. If you want a shallow depth of field — an object in front in focus but the background blurred — choose a large aperture (f/1.4) and let the camera choose an appropriate shutter speed. If you want an image with everything in focus, choose a smaller aperture (f/22) and let the camera choose an appropriate shutter speed (generally a longer one). Or you can use Portrait mode on your iPhone. 21. Movement Shutter Priority — ‘TV’ or ‘S’ on your camera dial. When would you use it? To capture movement. If you want to photograph a moving object but want to freeze it so there is no motion blur, choose a fast shutter speed (1/2000) and let the camera decide how much light there is available and set an appropriate aperture. If you want to photograph the object but include some motion blur, choose a slower shutter speed (1/125) and let the camera choose a smaller aperture as a result. The slower the shutter speed, the more need for a tripod. 22. High resolution photos What does high resolution mean? It means a photo with a lot of information — showing a lot of detail. For publication in magazines, you need a photo with at least 300 dpi (dots per inch) that means your photos need to be at least 2MB in size (but the more, the better). All images: Carolyne Jasinski <p style="color: #0e101a; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">

Travel Tips

Cheap tricks for the cruise enthused

Anyone who's been on a cruise has some advice to share - from how to <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/cruising/9-ways-to-stay-safe-on-a-cruise-ship" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stay safe</a> on board, which <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/cruising/words-you-need-to-know-before-going-on-a-cruise" target="_blank" rel="noopener">terms</a> to listen out for, and how to <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/cruising/7-things-making-you-sick-on-your-cruise" target="_blank" rel="noopener">avoid coming down</a> with anything that might throw a spanner - or in this case, a paddle - in the holiday works. But if there’s one thing most people can agree on, it’s that they’d like to save a few cents wherever they can when planning to embark on their luxury cruise getaway. Whether it be accommodation, transport, entertainment, or food causing the concern, experts have advice prepped and ready for all prospective travellers. <ul> <li>Booking </li> </ul> Typically, people approach booking their holiday in one of two ways: planning as far as possible in advance, or leaving it to ‘the last minute’. As Cruise Guru’s Andrew Zhang claims, cruises can be sold out up to one year before the ship sets sail. And while many will offer customers “early-bird” promotions, those who prefer to wait a little while longer don’t have to fear missing out, with late-minute deals regularly available. The only downside being that options will be limited, with their speedy counterparts already having snagged the spots. Research is important, so if it’s possible, try to be flexible with your travel times, and shop around until you find the best deal for your needs. <ul> <li>Companions </li> </ul> Just like with renting - where more bedrooms typically means more ‘value’ for your money - it can be cheaper to travel with a larger party. Always check for potential discounts when travelling with more than two people, be that friends or family, as many cruise liners will offer money off for each guest above three staying in the same stateroom, or some sort of similarly enticing deal. <ul> <li>Cabins </li> </ul> Cruise ships are not immune to the ‘class’ system that plagues airline travel, boasting the same first, business, and economy agenda. Although prices and deals will vary depending on the company, generally a ship’s inside cabins come out cheapest, and considered an excellent option if your only need for the room is to get some shut eye, and to be gentle on the budget. However, for those with their eyes on a more lavish experience in a balcony room or an entire suite, My Cruise’s Michael Middleton has some words of advice. “Some cruise lines are now offering an upgrade bid system,” he says for those dreaming of an upgrade, but urges customers to remember that like most things, the best items on offer will be snatched up first. Other experts suggest looking out for loyalty programs, as they often come with benefits - from spa treatments to general freebies - and savings, even if they won’t necessarily provide an upgrade. <ul> <li>The Loop </li> </ul> On a similar note to loyalty rewards, the experts suggest signing up to a variety of cruising newsletters. This way, you’ll be alerted and first in line when a deal is announced, and a number of cruise companies even offer exclusive deals to eager subscribers. Images: Getty

Cruising

“Very questionable”: Kmart mocked after customer's "ridiculous" delivery

A woman has taken to Facebook to mock Kmart over her recent delivery. The shopper shared on Facebook she had ordered a 20mm combination padlock from Kmart and was caught by surprise when it was delivered to her home on February 13. The woman had received a large cardboard box, and when she opened it, it was filled to the brim with plastic wrap to protect the item. However, once she dug out the plastic, she saw a small padlock at the bottom of the unnecessarily large box. “My delivery arrived today,” the woman said on Facebook. Other Kmart fans were shocked by the large box for such a small item, with many users deeming it “ridiculous.” “Omg! Seriously,” a user commented. "Ridiculous honestly yet a pair of jeans get scrunched up into a bag for delivery," another added. "It's absolutely rubbish that they waste like that," a third chimed in. Another comment read, ”How ironic ... how easy is it to break this lock that it needs to be so protected when shipped? Would you need it if it is so fragile? Very questionable Kmart ... What a waste,” Many other users joined in on the teasing, claiming they also received small items delivered in unnecessarily large boxes. "This happened to us recently with a car air freshener," one shopper said. "Yeah they keep sending me one item in a stupidly big box. I’d be much more appreciative of multiple items jammed into a big box to stop wastage or happy to wait for all items to be ready together," another claimed. "I thought my three bowls packed like this was bad!" another commented. Back in May 2021, another Kmart shopper complained that she received a small book in a “huge box.” Although some said it was “terrible”, other users claimed the size of the box shouldn’t matter because it’s recyclable. A Kmart spokesperson told Yahoo Lifestyle that the complaints have been forwarded to Kmart’s online team, and they will reassess how they manage and replenish packaging materials. "Regrettably, in this instance, it appears the team member who has packed this order did not have available or use the most appropriately sized packaging components," the spokesperson said. "While our team are trained and aim to minimise packaging use and waste, it is likely that they did not have access to appropriately sized packaging options so used what was available in an effort to pack and dispatch this order as quickly as possible." Image credit: Facebook

Food & Wine

Our Partners

Over 60

News

Shop

Catalogues

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Games

Information

Keep up to date

Search

Woman “bullied” on plane over budget seating trick

5 sneaky beauty tricks that take a decade off your look

5 time-saving laundry tricks

Heavily pregnant mum and disabled child kicked off plane

Pilot praised for revealing simple trick to cope with severe turbulence

Try these tricks the next time small talk becomes unbearable

Facebook Messenger scams are on the rise – here’s how to protect yourself

Thief asks woman out on date after robbing her at gunpoint

6 essential tips and tricks for your kitchen

6 amazing things you didn’t know your phone could do

8 hair washing tips to transform your tresses this winter

7 tricks to get more out of your next cruise

16 ways to kill garden weeds

Social media good for older people’s health

The trick to removing a stain from any surface

How to clean your glasses the right way

"It's quite disturbing": Woman receives messages from dead husband

Time to focus: The accidental photographer’s guide to taking great travel shots

Cheap tricks for the cruise enthused

“Very questionable”: Kmart mocked after customer's "ridiculous" delivery

Our Partners