A beautifully laid table, a centrepiece of freshly cut flowers, delicately cut sandwiches, vanilla cupcakes stacked high with soft pastel frosting and warm pots of tea…

Hosting your own tea party is a relaxing way to catch up friends and loved ones and is quite simple to do. Here are our tips for hosting High tea at home:

1) Bring a favourite- Encourage your guests to bring at teapot and their favourite tea to share with the group. You will get a variety of flavours and it’s fun comparing and discussing them

2) Tier it up- Purchase some cute tiered stands to hold macarons, sandwiches and other nibbles. Lace cut outs, floral prints, and cute prints are some of the many designs to choose from.

3) Looking glass- Glass vases are perfect for holding coloured mints and lollies. Layer different colours of lollies and marshmallows for cute decorative pieces.

4) Mix it up- As well as traditional sandwiches- mix it up by serving easy finger food such as sushi and steamed dumplings!

5) Set the mood- Scented candles can really set the relaxing mood. Coupled with some soft music, you’re ready for an amazing tea party.

Check list:

- Tea pot

- Tea sets

- Napery

- Flowers

- Sandwiches

- Lollies

- Cupcakes

- Tiered stands

Have you hosted a tea party? What are your tips?

Great items for a tea party in the Target catalogue:

and from Myer:

Sometimes the right anniversary present can be a little elusive. How do you find a meaningful gift that reflects the occasion without breaking the bank? If it’s a wedding anniversary you’re celebrating, your gift-giving should follow a certain sequence – a tradition we owe to US etiquette guru Emily Post. Read on for our Post-inspired guide to anniversary presents.

First wedding anniversary

Throughout history, couples have commemorated first anniversaries with paper-themed presents. A journal or photo album featuring mementos from your first year together can make a sweet gift option.

Third wedding anniversary

Third wedding anniversaries are celebrated with leather – a sensuous, luxurious material that stands the test of time. If you gift your loved one the perfect leather jacket they’re guaranteed to wear it for years to come.

Fifteenth wedding anniversary

Being married for fifteen years is quite the achievement. Give your partner some exquisite crystal champagne flutes and celebrate in style.

Twenty-five year anniversary

Silver stars in quarter-of-a-century celebrations, with 25^th anniversary gift-givers spoilt for choice. Woo your loved one with a little Tiffany or an elegant set of silverware.

If the prospect of slaving over a hot stove fills you dread, you’ve clearly yet to meet the perfect cookbook. The right cookbook can inspire the most unenthusiastic of chefs, and set the foundation for everything from three-course gourmet meals to 10-minute late night dinners.

Whether you’re a culinary novice, kitchen-curious or a bona-fide master chef, there’s sure to be a cookbook that’s right for you. Here are some of our suggestions:

The Cook’s Companion, Stephanie Alexander

Stephanie Alexander is widely considered the grand dame of the Australian kitchen, and if you crack open The Cook’s Companion it’s easy to see why. The weighty tome is packed with 1,000 foolproof recipes as well as need-to-know information about ingredients and kitchen equipment. It’s a no-frills affair ideal for beginner cooks.

Jamie’s Thirty-Minute Meals, Jamie Oliver

If you could elect a chef to be your best mate, it would be difficult to go past Jamie Oliver. Oliver’s ode to the 30-minute meal includes recipes for mustard chicken, spring lamb and Indian-style steak along with no-nonsense cooking advice and a dash of cockney humour.

The Cook’s Guide, Donna Hay

The darling of busy, working mums, Donna Hay’s A Cook’s Guide combines classic recipes and tried-and-tested cooking techniques with mouth-watering photography. Whether you’re seeking a new Sunday lunch option or ideas for an elaborate dinner party, this kitchen essential is sure to inspire.

It goes without saying that a microwave is an essential fixture of the modern kitchen. The appliance is the first port of call after a long day at work, letting you reheat leftovers, steam vegies or whip up a dinner in minutes.

However, the array of brands and models on the market can often make shopping for a microwave a daunting prospect. Luckily, we’ve taken the pain out of deciding what type of microwave is right for you.

Built-in

Perfect for space-starved kitchens, the built-in microwave is easily mounted under a cabinet or above a stove range. They usually vary in capacity with the largest models at approximately two cubic feet.

Convection

Does Masterchef-mania have you channelling your inner George Calombaris? Then you can’t go past a convection microwave. The supercharged counterpart to the humble countertop microwave, convection models rely on internal fans that circulate air so meals are cooked thoroughly and evenly each time. Despite being pricier than regular models, the capacity for roasting and baking is definitely worth the tradeoff.

Countertop

Countertop microwaves are simple, functional and efficient – ideal for a wallet-conscious shopper with ample counter space.

Over the range

Allowing your microwave to be combined with a stove hood, over the range models are most at home in sleek and stylish kitchens. Prices start from $100 but expect to pay up to $1000 for top-of-the-line models.

Speedcook

The Rolls Royce of microwaves, speedcook models cook food about four to eight times faster than regular versions. They also effortlessly bake, roast, broil and grill, with no need to pre-heat. Investing in a speedcook model is also a wise way to save on electricity – these are the most energy-friendly microwaves around.

There’s something to be said for a good old DVD when it comes to keeping the kids entertained, particularly during the school holidays when the weather can turn a little wet and windy. So why not invest in a few films the whole family can enjoy together?

Animated

There’s a wide variety of wonderful cartoons that will make happy viewing for both the young and the young-at-heart. The choices are limitless, but for starters try: Shrek, The Lion King, Happy Feet, Toy Story (1, 2 & 3), Up, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Finding Nemo.

Retro cool

They may be retro by modern standards but surely the charm of the 70s, 80s and 90s endures when it comes to the likes of ET: The Extra-Terrestrial, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Ghostbusters, Back to the Future and the original The Karate Kid.

Adventures

Kids (and parents) craving films that pack a little more punch should give the likes of The Goonies, Pirates of the Caribbean, Harry Potter, and The Chronicles of Narnia a view. Just make sure whatever you choose is age-appropriate for your little ones, as sometimes things can get a little scary!

Classics

Some films truly are timeless. Classics made decades ago have been watched by generations of children and their appeal still holds firm today. Among them are The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Mary Poppins.

Knowing you’re wearing the perfect bra can work wonders for your confidence levels. Unfortunately, shopping for the perfect bra can have exactly the opposite effect. Studies show that 85 per cent of women buy the wrong bra – unsurprising given the conflicting information about styles, sizes and brands on the market.

It’s important to note that understanding your body shape will help you discover the bra that’s just right. If you’re small busted, you’re likely to covet lingerie to create the illusion of larger breasts, while your better-endowed counterparts will often prioritise support and a comfier fit. Here’s our shortcut to selecting the perfect bra.

Small victories

Most small-busted women want to enhance their breasts and make the most of their curves. In this case, push up bras promise instant, bombshell appeal. But if your style is more kitten than vixen, a padded bra is a demure alternative.

Curves ahead

For large-busted women, ill-fitting bras come at a hefty price: back aches and bad posture. Full-cup and underwire options offer comfort and high support levels while minimiser bras are perfect for those who want to downsize.

The all-rounder

If you’re somewhere in between, choose a balconette or demi-cup – these bras are supportive, attractive and flattering to all shapes and sizes.

There’s nothing fun about hair removal, but choosing a method that works best for your hair, skin sensitivity, lifestyle and budget is a good place to start. If you decide to boycott the beauty salon in favour of going DIY, do your research and seek professional advice on what products and methods will be most beneficial for your needs.

Shaving

Shaving is a perhaps the fastest, easiest and least painful of all hair removal methods, particularly for legs and underarms. Shaving is inexpensive and generally requires little more than shaving foam (to prep the area), a razor and moisturiser to slather on post-shave.

However, because shaving only cuts hair back to the skin’s surface and the roots remain, hair can grow back within a day or two. Shaving can also increase the likelihood of ingrown hairs or irritated skin. Investing in a good razor, and regularly replacing it, can help tackle these problems.

Waxing

This can be a salon or DIY affair, though if you’re not very good with pain it might be best left to a beauty therapist for a quick and pain-free result. Those braving it at home will need to decide what wax type best suits their needs. Pre-coated wax strips are ideal for smaller areas like the upper lip, eyebrows and bikini line, while kits where the wax is heated, applied with a stick and removed using muslin strips is better suited to larger areas like the legs.

Do a test wax before you begin. Hair needs to be long enough for the wax to grip to the hair, about a quarter of an inch. Apply the wax in the direction of the hair growth and remove it in the opposite direction. Press firmly around the area you are waxing. Do small sections at a time, and don’t go over an area more than two or three times as it will become irritated. Use a soothing gel or lotion post-wax to help calm the skin and soothe the sting. Exfoliate and moisturise after the area has settled.

Depilatories

Depilatories work by chemically dissolving the hair. Generally considered a fast and painless method of hair removal, depilatories, which come in cream, lotion, gel and spray formulations, are applied to an area with the hair simply being wiped away after an advised time period. Like shaving, the result is short-lived, lasting a few days or longer.

Depilatories can cause irritation if left on for too long, particularly for those with sensitive skin. Be sure to do a little test patch before applying a new depilatory to an entire area and follow the instructions for use.

Epilators

These work by pulling hairs out by the roots with an electric device, generally fitted with coil springs, tweezers or rotating disks. Epilators can be a little painful for some, so are not the best option for those with very low pain thresholds. Some people use epilators as a way of maintaining hair removal between waxing, as hair doesn’t tend to grow back for upwards of a week or two.

It’s National Scrabble Day on April 13, a day that marks the birthday of the board game’s inventor Alfred Mosher Butts, an out-of-work architect who developed the word game in New York in the 1940s. The popularity of Scrabble endures today, with more than 100 million sets sold worldwide.

Scrabble isn’t the only board game fondly remembered by many whose childhoods were before the days of Nintendo Wii, Xbox, PlayStation and social media. Here are a few other classic games we think should be played with family and friends for a fun night in:

Monopoly: Not unlike the economic concept it takes its name from, Monopoly is all about dominating the real estate market. First introduced in 1935, Monopoly is now played in 111 countries, 43 languages and a range of editions.

Twister: Not your typical board game but Twister is good, light fun. A tangle of limbs and plenty of laughs. Spin and see where your feet and hands land.

Trivial Pursuit: More of a recent classic, this question-based board game was created in 1979 and is a favourite with general knowledge and popular culture enthusiasts.

Chess: The ultimate two-player test of strategy, chess is one of the world’s most popular board games.

Cluedo: The ultimate murder-mystery board game. The object of the game is to deduce who the killer is, what weapon was used and which room it occurred in.

Snakes and Ladders: Also known as Chutes and Ladders, the aim of this long-standing favourite is to get to the end first, whether you’re helped by ladders or hindered by snakes.

In the market for a new tent? Here are a few tips to help you choose the right one.

First off, start by doing a little research. Check out specialist retailers like BCF, Hiking.com.au and Kelly’s Camping and Outdoors, and department stores like Aldi and Big W to see what’s on the market. This should help you identify what brands and models appeal to you as well as giving you an indication of how much you may want to spend. If you plan on going camping regularly, it may be worth investing a little more in the tent in the long run.

Next up, decide how many people the tent will be housing. It might be best to choose one a little bigger than you need, just so you have a little more elbow room or storage space. Another consideration is how many rooms you’d like. Having two rooms allows for a little more privacy, particularly if camping with the kids.

Consider how easy or hard a tent will be to erect. Pegs should be long and thick so they are easy to nail and preferably steel over plastic, so they are less likely to break. Details like no-see-um mesh – which helps keep small insects out – and zippers around openings like doors and windows will increase comfort. Windows or a roof vent will also help air circulation in the tent. Look for tents that are waterproof or repellant with a rainfly for added protection, should rain hit while you’re enjoying the great outdoors!

Whether you’re a kid or an adult, sitting still in a car (or bus, plane or train) for long stretches of time is never fun. After a couple of hours, your body can feel stiff and sore and boredom and restlessness can kick in. So why not plan some road trip entertainment to help pass the time enjoyably?

If you are parents to little ones aged one to four, be sure to stock up on plenty of toys, colouring books and CDs such as sing-a-long favourites like The Wiggles and something a little more soothing like Rockabye Baby (rock classics have been remade into lovely instrumental lullabies) to help them to sleep. Interactive learning toys are also a good way to keep kids that are a little older busy (with some educational benefits!) for a few hours, as are card and car-friendly board games and portable DVD players for watching movies on the move. Meanwhile, teenagers and adults might find a mix of old classics like books and magazines (whether it’s in the traditional print or e-Reader format) and crossword or Sudoku books coupled with modern faves like iPods and portable game consoles an effective means of passing time.

The key to a successful road trip is to research the best route to your destination – whether it’s the quickest or the most scenic – decide which suits your needs and then plan ahead. Look for fun stopovers like tourist attractions to visit along the way, pack plenty of fun and games, allow sufficient time to get there and make sure to factor in food and toilet breaks. Some GPS units come with Google to help you see points of interest along your journey.

Who’s ready for a Road trip?

*Sings*

“99 bottles of beer on the wall….”