SOUTH AFRICA MAY 2018 R37,90

Transcription

1 SOUTH AFRICA MAY 2018 R37,90

2 It s adventure time! Liven things up with our jewel-toned and gold metallic décor Buy any 2 SAVE R40 Velboa Scatters 45 x 45 R79.99 each WILD THING Bring a touch of the outside into your living space with plants of varying sizes to achieve a lush look inspired by nature. Sign up to our newsletter and stand a chance to Win a R1000 Sheet Street gift voucher. Be the rst to know about our new products and promotions by signing up for our weekly newsletter at sheetstreet.com Please see our website for T s & C s. Competition runs from 26 April - 31 May 2018

3 Polyester Duvet Set Single R (3/4) R (Q) R (D) R (K) R Scatters from R Framed Print R79.99* 3. Sandtimer R129.99* 4. Lamp R Disco Frame R79.99* 6. Delicious Monster R269.99* / Planter R Mirror Trinket Box R Gold Ornaments from R59.99* 9. Clock R Barkweave Curtain 230 x 218 R Scatter 45 x 45 R Velboa Throw 200 x 180 R349.99* 13. Foil Blanket R299.99* 14. Vase R89.99* 15. Pleated Lamp R289.99* 16. Pineapple R89.99 Make your house a home with a Sheet Street account! Apply in-store or at sheetstreet.com Promotion available from 26 April 6 May While stocks last. Excludes markdowns. DBN Toll-free line: Sheet Street is part of Mr Price Group Ltd, an authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider. FSP31450 & NCRCP46. Account approval subject to an affordability check. T s & C s apply.

4 I COVER STORIES 16 Kristen Bell is so honest about doing it all and finding true happiness 28 Declutter your Kitchen Pro tips for getting organised 33 Beautiful at Every Age Skin, hair and makeup tips 52 Mother s Day Makeovers Mothers and daughters show off six classic items 59 Win 64 Weight-loss Successes Losing weight was a team effort for these women 70 Bully Alert Lessons for kids and adults 94 Quick Recipes These dinners will be table-ready in 30 minutes or less! MAY SPOILS Glossy, gorgeous and and cheese, and more 23 Ask Vicki GH s in tiptop shape 10 May Spoils R180 and brand spanking new! lifestyle editor answers 27 Home Hacks under treats for you YOUR HOME your décor questions Fixes for household 13 Suddenly Everywhere COVER STAR 21 Time for Tea 24 Trend Watch 9 ways dilemmas Sumptuous satin 16 Chill Lessons from A home-made gift to do jungle greens 28 Colourful & 14 Fashion Must-have Kristen Bell The actress for Mother s Day 26 Garden Guide Clutter-free Your The jump suit and mom on marriage, 22 That s Genius! Tips, tricks and tasks kitchen and dining 15 Beauty Must-haves motherhood, macaroni Décor tips and more to keep your garden area, sorted! PH O TO GR A P HY : Y U TS A 2 GOODHOUSEKEEPING.CO.ZA May 2018

5 SO VERSATILE Pan-fry, roast, stir-fry, bake or even braai over the coals all four flavours in the Westfalia Avocado Oil range are suitable for any of these cooking methods. Avocado oil has an exceptionally high smoke-point, making it possible to retain the health structure, even when heated. #AVO EXPERTS

6 CONTENTS MAY SMOOTHIE IN A BOWL 94 IN THE CLEAR 36 JUMP TO IT! 52 HEAD OVER HEELS 14 SIMPLY STUNNING 28 subscribe 61 GH Do Diet Do this for a healthier, happier life advice, wise buys brew a taste twist Weight! How having a workout partner helped these women to shed the kilos 67 That s Genius! Carinè Müller falls under the spell of two enchanting islands in magical Mozambique Thirty days of inspiring and super-tasty suppers 64 Team up to Lose Live-well and feel-good ideas and buys YOUR LIFE 69 Why Girls Night is 80 Double Happiness 83 Your Weekend Where to eat, play and stay GH REPORT 94 A Month of Meals in 10, 20, 30 Minutes! 33 Psst...! You are your Most Beautiful Right Now! Tips and products to help you look and 85 GH Report Consumer news and product reviews feel your beautiful best 88 Buyer s Guide Blenders of Bullies How to raise YOUR KITCHEN a civilised child in an uncivilised world 73 Your Bookshelf This month s best buys 74 How she did it Author Jojo Moyes 76 Kids, I ve Met Someone I Really Like... The fears and concerns your children may have if you re dating again 91 S mores Fridge Cake Whip up this no-bake chocolatey dessert 92 That s Genius! Treats, tools and titbits READER OFFERS GOODHOUSEKEEPING.CO.ZA May 2018 For print-magazine subscriptions subs@magsathome.co.za or call Subscribe to the tablet edition at www. goodhousekeeping.co.za/subscribe. BUMPER READ Crucial How time with your girlfriends can benefit your children 70 Navigating a World 4 78 Motoring VW Polo Vivo 93 Dress up your Beer 79 Your Pets Smart Give your favourite IN EVERY ISSUE 6 From the Editor 8 Your Feedback 116 My Puzzles 118 Your Horoscope 119 Stockists 120 #JustSaying Photography Yu Tsai Hair Suave Professionals Celebrity Stylist Marcus Francis Makeup Simone Siegl for Neutrogena Styling Christine Baker Prop Styling Alex Bain Production 3Star Productions Sweater Boden Skirt Mother Earrings Lela Rose Rings, from left Vita Fede, Marc Jacobs from Shopbop 51 Subscription offer 59 Win one of two three-night getaways for four people to The Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Spa COMPETITION WINNERS For the names of previous competition winners, visit PHOTOGRAPHY: JARED SMITH, ALEX LUCK, COLLEEN COPPENHALL FROM DIS PHOTOGRAPHY, MARK CAMERON YOUR BODY

7

8 FROM THE EDITOR Real INSPIRATION ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS I love Mother s Day is because it is a chance to gather memoirs and memories that make your heart happy. If you re a mom, I m willing to bet that on your fridge, tucked in your bedside drawer or stowed away in a memory box somewhere, you have a collection of Mother s Day cards, notes and crafts created for you by your children over the years. I ve never been able to part with the painted-macaroni-framed photo of my son, which he created at playschool 15 years ago, or the Arabic poems my daughter gave me when we lived in Dubai. (I got to celebrate three Mother s Days then Arabic, UK and South African!) Unlike my kids, I couldn t actually read Arabic, so I just had to have good faith that those poems said lovely things about me. All of us moms, daughters, sisters, aunts and nieces deserve to be celebrated, and that really is what this issue is all about. I m so grateful to all of the extraordinary women out there who were happy to share their stories (and faces) with us this month to help inspire us all to love our uniqueness every day. GoodHousekeepingSA twitter.com/ GoodHouseSA 6 GOODHOUSEKEEPING.CO.ZA May 2018 We ve got three amazing mothers and daughters on our fashion pages, showing off different ways to style the same item (page 52); families representing all generations moms, grans and teens sharing their skincare secrets (page 36); four beautiful women being shown how to make their makeup flattering (page 46); and six inspiring weightloss stories from women who teamed up with a friend to exercise back to a healthy weight (page 64). I feel so uplifted by these stories and photoshoots I hope you do too. I also hope that May is an extra-special month for you, one where you feel loved and appreciated for everything you do and all the sacrifices you make, and just for being you because you re fabulous! Sally Emery, EDITOR sallye@assocmedia.co.za FOLLOW goodhousekeepingsa za.pinterest.com/ GHmagazine Sally Emery (sallye@assocmedia.co.za) Vicki Sleet (vicki@assocmedia.co.za) Sarel Greyling (sarel@assocmedia.co.za) Karin Joubert Carinè Müller (carine@assocmedia.co.za) Ruth Mwakanandi Paula Hepburn-Brown Elmari Potgieter Jeani Johnson Dawid Yzelle Ashanté Dlamini-Mthembu Bev Nates Cleo Marcopoulos (cleo@assocmedia.co.za) Clare Robertson Juana Parathyras (juana@assocmedia.co.za) Aphiwe Khambule Helen Wallace Madge Booth (madge@assocmedia.co.za) Danielle Barnes Gaynor Siljeur Carmen Clegg (carmen@assocmedia.co.za) Leanne Miltiadou (leanne@assocmedia.co.za) Alice La Fember HEARST MAGAZINES INTERNATIONAL SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT/GENERAL MANAGER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR ASIA AND RUSSIA Simon Horne SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT/EDITORIAL AND BRAND DIRECTOR Kim St Clair Bodden DEPUTY BRANDS DIRECTOR Chloe O Brien FASHION/ENTERTAINMENT DIRECTOR Kristen Ingersoll EDITORS IN CHIEF, INTERNATIONAL EDITIONS KAZAKHSTAN Elena Melnikova RUSSIA Natalia Rodikova UNITED KINGDOM Lindsay Nicholson UNITED STATES Jane Francisco CHAIRMAN CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER HEAD OF ADVERTISING AND CREATIVE SOLUTIONS GROUP BRAND DIRECTOR HEAD OF DIGITAL AND MARKETING HEAD OF TALENT DIGITAL TRAFFIC MANAGER DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER DIGITAL ASSISTANT DIGITAL SUPPORT DIGITAL MEDIA AND DATA STRATEGIST CAMPAIGN MANAGER HEAD OF CREATIVE STUDIO CREATIVE STUDIO DIRECTOR PRINT SUPPORT CREATIVE STUDIO PRODUCER/ART BUYER CREATIVE STUDIO HEAD OF COPY CREATIVE STUDIO COPYWRITER CREATIVE STUDIO PROOFREADER CREATIVE STUDIO GROUP ART DIRECTORS CREATIVE STUDIO SENIOR DESIGNER CREATIVE STUDIO DESIGNERS SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER INTEGRATED PROJECTS MANAGER BRAND ACTIVATION COORDINATOR MARKETING COORDINATOR MARKETING ASSISTANT GROUP VIDEOGRAPHER AND PHOTO EDITOR HEAD OF DISTRIBUTION AND SUPPLY CHAIN PRODUCTION MANAGER ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER STUDIO MANAGER DTP OPERATOR HR OFFICER FINANCIAL MANAGER SENIOR ACCOUNTANT ACCOUNTANTS DEBTORS CONTROLLER INTERNS Jane Raphaely Julia Raphaely Leigh Kinross Emilie Gambade Elrike Lochner Kim van der Linden Nasheeta Khan Blue Masoka Simone Smit Tarryn Ballentine Marilize Nel Kareesha Naidoo Kat de Sarigny Kassie Naidoo Jorika Moore Cindy Comer Jaime Waddington Celeste Jacobs Kelly-May Macdonald Victoria Meder, Janine Nel Jessica Cohen Nadine Williams, Stacey Knipe Nicole Newman Dee Berry Mushfieqah Kannemeyer Claudell van Eeden Potego Mminele Valentina Nicol Marcus Newkirk Paul Livingstone Shaakira Ajam André Reinders Michelle Saunders Natasha Marillier Bianca de Jongh Marcellé Finnucane Lee-Ancher Strauss, Angelene Facolyn Meagan Dowman Kirsten Marshall, Nazeema Dramat Lesego Mtsolongo, Kim Mockey CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHAIRMAN S PA Janine Duncan CLERICAL ASSISTANT/DRIVER Trevor Goodall OFFICE ASSISTANTS Carol Geduld, Felicia Burt CAPE TOWN HEAD OFFICE Associated Media Publishing, 9th Floor, 80 Strand Street, Cape Town 8001; PO Box 5355, Cape Town 8000; gh@assocmedia.co.za JOHANNESBURG OFFICE The Business Exchange (TBE), 90 Rivonia Road, 2nd Floor, North Wing, Sandton 2057; COMPANY WEBSITE REPRODUCTION Reproduction by Associated Media Repro. Good Housekeeping magazine is published and distributed monthly by Associated Hearst (Pty) Ltd, 9th Floor, 80 Strand Street, Cape Town 8001, by permission of Hearst Communications Inc, New York, United States of America. If you cannot find a copy in store, please send an to info@assocmedia.co.za. Printed by A division of Novus Holdings EDITOR LIFESTYLE EDITOR/DEPUTY EDITOR ART DIRECTOR ART EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR/ASSISTANT EDITOR COPY EDITOR CONTRIBUTING COPY EDITOR SENIOR AFRIKAANS EDITOR SENIOR AFRIKAANS TRANSLATOR AFRIKAANS TRANSLATOR/TYPESETTER WRITER GROUP FASHION DIRECTOR FASHION EDITOR FASHION ASSISTANT GROUP BEAUTY DIRECTOR BEAUTY EDITOR GROUP BEAUTY WRITER ONLINE EDITOR DIGITAL ASSISTANT DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCER KEY ACCOUNT MANAGERS ADVERTISING CONTROLLER PHOTOGRAPHY: JULIAN GOLDSWAIN. HAIR AND MAKEUP: RENEE DE WIT AND DANIELLE VAN CUYCK, BOTH FROM GLOSS ARTIST MANAGEMENT

9 Make some new memories. Fill Mother s Day with some of your favourite family recipes made with love. Look out for our delicate, new Fleur stoneware collection, now available at your nearest Le Creuset Boutique Store. Shop online for the perfect Mother s Day gift at or call our customer help line on for more information. Free delivery on all online orders. LeCreusetSA Download the Le Creuset Recipe App!

10 YOUR FEEDBACK SAY IT W r it eit Right now We love to hear your views and news. Get in touch with us today! WINNING Dear GH, SHARE WITH US GoodHousekeepingSA I HAVE ALREADY briefly commented on your Instagram feed, but I feel a proper letter is in order. I want to say how impressed I am with Good Housekeeping lately, so much so that I am now going to subscribe. I haven t bought magazines for years, believing them to be a frivolous waste because they mainly promote unrealistic ideals of beauty while trying to sell you stuff! But not Good Housekeeping! Since I bought your November 2017 issue with the amazing swimsuit feature, which had curvy models in bikinis, I was impressed! twitter.com/ GoodHouseSA goodhousekeepingsa za.pinterest.com/ GHmagazine letters to gh@assocmedia.co.za Post letters to Good Housekeeping, PO Box 5355, Cape Town 8000 Please include your city and daytime phone number in all correspondence. Letters may be edited. I remember being blown away that a magazine did that, and now with your April 2018 fashion feature, Denim for You, I see that it wasn t just a one-off, but an authentic part of Good Housekeeping s wish to represent real women as they really are. I have to say I loved the mix of ages, colours and sizes of the readers in the denim feature. It made me feel Yes! inside. I also love that you feature strong and powerful women with heart like Ellen DeGeneres, Reese Witherspoon and Oprah on your covers all of them have inspired me to buy my copies of GH. I m now subscribing to GH, so thank you! You guys have essentially restored my love of magazines! PS: I love your Instagram feed too. It s full of inspiration mixed with reality. Louise Hughes, Port Shepstone (Louise wins a Catrice hamper worth R2 000) NOTE FROM EDITOR: We ve got a great subscription offer this month: 30% off the regular price plus the chance to win a skincare hamper worth R560. See the details on page 51. GOOD HOUSEKEEPING FOOD ISSUE 2018 TRIED AND TESTED BY YOU FOOD FAVES I ve tried out so many recipes from your Special Recipe Edition. All of them have been a hit, but my family s favourite is the Spanish-chorizo Stew. I ve been trying to make our meals more affordable by bulking up meat with beans, lentils and chickpeas and this recipe has chickpeas, so I was really pleased. And they re healthy too! Agnes P, Cape Town FAMILY MATTERS I bought the Jan/Feb issue and was captured by Lisa Edelstein s story, Fitting a Family Together. I have a stepdaughter whom I ve raised since she was 13. I spoke to her and explained the sort of behaviour that would make our home happy. It was the best thing that I could ve ever done, as she is the best daughter I could ve wished for. Sometimes she even exceeds my biological children in the way she treats our relationship. You won t survive stepparenting if you re not cut out for it. Communication is key if you re not happy, raise your concerns. Keeping quiet can also have a negative effect on your relationship with your husband. Linco (real name withheld), Rustenburg Writ e to us and stand a chance to A COVERDERM HAMPER WORTH R2 000 WIN Coverderm has been changing lives for more than 80 years. This range of dermoceuticals offers expert solutions for all skin types. The hamper includes a Coverderm Removing Cream (75ml), Extra Care Lotion, Filteray Body Plus SPF 20, Filteray Face SPF 40, a vanity bag and a double-sided mirror. Coverderm products are hypoallergenic and not tested on animals. Selected products are available at selected Dis-Chem pharmacies, independent pharmacies, salons and online at nailmetics.co.za. For more info, contact info@ nailmetics.co.za. Connect with Coverderm on social GH PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF COVERDERM 8 GOODHOUSEKEEPING.CO.ZA May 2018

11

12 mayspoils FAB FINDS. GORGEOUS GIFTS. PRETTY PICKS. R180 AND UNDER TREATS FOR YOU COOL KEEPSAKE We spotted this lovely Madibathemed tin of tea at Clicks. R89,99 Glistens in the sun! TASSEL TIME Tap into the tassel trend and perk up your handbag while you re at it. These pretties are from Spree. R69 each GRIP TO GO Stick a PopSocket from alovesupreme on your phone and you re far less likely to drop it. Plus it ll help you take much better selfies. #justsaying. R180 each POT STAR Do you have pottedplant mania? Then we know you ll love this copper planter from Superbalist. R149 SUNDAE FUN DAY There s a new member of the Lindt Hello chocolate-slab family and it s a deliciously creamy, dreamy choice! R37,95 10 GOODHOUSEKEEPING.CO.ZA May 2018

13 POWER PLANNER This pretty planner from Clip Clop will help you to get everything from your weekly meals to work deadlines in order. R135 TWO S COMPANY These cute bespectacled socks by FEAT. sock co. are called Nerdy Girl and come in two adorable variations. R125 a pair PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED. COMPILED BY VICKI SLEET. PRICES CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS LOVELY LIGHT We love the gorgeous range of candles from MRP Home that double as trinket holders once they re done. R130 FAMILY FAVOURITE You can order this Ma se Kind pin in gold or silver from The Kwaai Gallery perfect for the favourite child in the family! R120 Spoilt for choice! COAST TO COAST These coasters by Shine Shine (available at Quirky Me) make a bright and beautiful gift. R180 for a pack of four GH BOX SET Local confectionery creative The Counter has just launched its prettily packaged gourmet fudge. We re smitten! R48 each STOCKISTS on page 119 May 2018 GOODHOUSEKEEPING.CO.ZA 11

14

15 SUDDENLY EVERYWHERE SUMPTUOUS SATIN Satin is a more budget-friendly alternative to silk and is no longer reserved for eveningwear. Here s how to incorporate this modern, luxe fabric into your everyday look A multicoloured scarf will prep you for the winter chill and be your new best friend. R170, QUEENSPARK A satin blouse will be a workhorse in your winter wardrobe. R329, H&M Satin adds a touch of glam to any outfit. Mix it up by pairing a satin item with other textures such as cosy knits. PHOTOGRAPHY: COLLEEN COPPENHALL FROM DIS PHOTOGRAPHY, PAUL SUESSE/BAUERSYNDICATION.COM.AU/ SUPPLIED. COMPILATION AND STYLING: CLEO MARCOPOULOS, CLARE ROBERTSON. PRICES CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS Give a nod to the satin trend with this chic peak cap. R79,99, THE FIX Add this pair of satin sneakers with extralarge eyelets and laces to your collection. R499, QUEENSPARK STOCKISTS on page 119 The built-in wrap belt on these trousers helps create a narrowerlooking waistline. R999, WITCHERY AT WOOLWORTHS For more FABULOUS FASHION TRENDS visit For a statement bomber, choose a satin one with ruffle detail. R300, THE FIX Add a hint of shine to your evening outfit with a navy satin textured clutch. R400, COLETTE BY COLETTE HAYMAN May 2018 GOODHOUSEKEEPING.CO.ZA 13

16 FASHION MUST-HAVE YOUR KITCHEN the JUMP SUIT This stylish and versatile one-piece wonder is a flattering addition to any wardrobe weekend Layer a polo-neck knit under a linen textured one-piece. For a chic off-duty look, finish off your outfit with a pair of block-heel boots, a casual backpack and some shades. JERSEY R999, TRENERY. JUMP SUIT R999, TOPSHOP. SUNGLASSES R289, THE LOT. HANDBAG R459, ZARA. BOOTS R300, THE FIX. work (Jump) suit up in an item fit for the office its longer sleeves and collar detail give it a polished work look. A belt will cinch in the waist for a flattering fit. Add boots with heels and a top-handle bag. JUMP SUIT R300, THE FIX. EARRINGS R299, WITCHERY AT WOOLWORTHS. BELT R595, A-LIST. HANDBAG R659, ZARA. BOOTS R230, MRP. + FOR FASHION AND BEAUTY INSPIRATION EVERY DAY VISIT evening A dress isn t the only option when it s time for a night out. Pair your jump suit with strappy heels, gold hoop earrings and a sling bag, and you ll look as great as you feel! JUMP SUIT R699, POETRY. JACKET R899, NEW LOOK AT ZANDO. EARRINGS R29,99 FOR FOUR PAIRS, THE FIX. HANDBAG R559, ZARA. HEELS R1 449, CHARLES & KEITH. STOCKISTS on page 119 PHOTOGRAPHY: COLLEEN COPPENHALL FROM DIS PHOTOGRAPHY. COMPILATION AND STYLING: CLEO MARCOPOULOS, CLARE ROBERTSON. PRICES CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS

17 BEAUTY MUST-HAVES new ON THE SHELF Glossy, gorgeous and brand spanking new! Your new signature scent? PHOTOGRAPHY: COLLEEN COPPENHALL FROM DIS PHOTOGRAPHY, ISTOCK.COM, STUDIO D, SUPPLIED. COMPILED BY HELEN WALLACE AND APHIWE KHAMBULE. PRICES CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS PUCKER UP The new range of lip balms from Clarins will give you a glossy, subtle colour while keeping your lips hydrated at the same time. We ll take one in every shade, thanks! Clarins Instant Light Lip Balm Perfector (R285) in Plum APPLY white eyeliner on your lower lash line to brighten your eyes and make them appear bigger. Try: NYX Professional Makeup Faux Whites Eye Brightener (R159,95) in Baby Powder. MAGIC POTION Loved and trusted by celebs and skincare professionals alike, this iconic balm is finally available in South Africa. This magic salve treats all kinds of skin concerns and is suitable for all skin types. Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream (R650 for 59ml) AMP UP THE VOLUME Take your lashes to staggering new lengths with this highly anticipated mascara. The best part? It s smudge-proof and packed with vitamins. Benefit BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara (R355) brighter eyes in seconds DAB a neutral eye shadow into the inner corners of your eyes to draw more focus to them. Try: Yardley Stayfast Mono Eyeshadow (R109,95) in Stealth. DEFY TIME Experts have come up with a face cream designed to target the visible symptoms of hormonal imbalance on the face and banish any visible signs of ageing to keep skin looking supple. Genius! SIX Sensational Skincare Age Reverse (R753) THE BRIGHT SIDE Infused with three types of skin-beneficial clay and yuzu-lemon extract, this face mask will revive dull and tired skin, revealing a bright and even skin tone in just 10 minutes. L Oréal Paris Pure Clay Bright Mask (R164,95) COAT your lashes with a lengthening mascara along the upper and lower lashes to complete the wide- eyed look. Try: Elizabeth Arden Grand Entrance Mascara (R325). GH SCENT FILE When it comes to fragrance, Chanel never disappoints. With citrussy top notes and base notes including amber, tonka bean and vanilla, this new scent is the perfect combination of cosy and sexy. We have no doubt that this is going to be yet another hit. Coco Mademoiselle Eau De Parfum Intense (R2 475 for 100ml EDP) May 2018 GOODHOUSEKEEPING.CO.ZA 15

18 Chill lessons from Kristen Bell If it seems like you re constantly hearing Kristen Bell s voice in your kid s favourite animated movie, singing the theme song of a buzzy documentary, as a character on that hit TV show it s true. But we think her voice should be inside your head as well: the actress and mom has some incredible wisdom on dealing with marriage, momspectations and jerks Like, How do you do it? implies that a) I am doing it, which I am not I am doing what everybody else is doing, which is trying their best, and b) What is a balance, anyway? A balance teeter totters. A balance is not stationary it moves, something gives and other things take, and other days it might be the opposite. This kind of stream of consciousness sharing is one of Kristen s great charms, and it s why the actress has carved out a reputation for being as open as a 24 hour diner. Humans want nothing more than to be accepted, and I m no different. That doesn t happen by presenting perfection, she tells me. I believe in showing your dirty hands and your bumps and bruises and your faults, because that s what makes people feel connected and isn t that kind of the purpose of, you know, being on Earth? For more of that kind of wisdom, listen in. Your characters in The Good Place and Bad Moms are very different, but imperfection is a thing they have in common. In Bad Moms, Kiki is a doormat, and before she gets to the Good Place, Eleanor is the kind of person who cheats the elderly. I am attracted to characters who are inherently unlikable, and I make it my mission to get you to root for them. It s fun, not only because I m challenging myself, but also because that is human. You have no idea what anyone else is going through. My mom used to say to me when I was little, Just because you don t see the chinks in a person s armour doesn t mean you can treat them like you know their story. IT S MIDDAY ON A THURSDAY IN SUNNY Los Angeles, and Kristen Bell is sprawled out on her bed taking a deep breath, she says over the phone. For good reason: she s been in motion shuttling between Atlanta where she filmed the sequel to the hit movie Bad Moms and Los Angeles (the daughters she shares with husband Dax Shepard, Lincoln, 5, and Delta, 3, in tow), where she s shooting the new season of her smart sitcom The Good Place. Simultaneously which is a word Kristen uses often, and for good reason she s been doing voice over work for a bunch of things, but mainly the much anticipated sequel to Frozen, in which she will reprise her role as Princess Anna. She was taping lines for attractions at Disneyland Tokyo this morning before she decided to rush home to lie down. I was like, I could sit in my car, or I could take the extra 10 minutes to drive home and lie in my bed, she explains. Selfcare, she says, her voice only slightly muffled by pillows. I really believe in self care. Which goes some way towards answering the question of how she does it all. But this is not a question I m going to ask Kristen, because she s already told me she hates it. Well, I don t hate it I hate it and secretly love it, I suppose, because it s asked with the intention of getting a clear answer, and the answer is, there is no clear answer. In real life, are you a person who has a lot of empathy for jerks? Yeah, I have really got to a happy place the last five years or so, where I have so much sympathy towards people who are unhappy or jerky. Like, Oh, man, we have one ride here that s how you are going to spend it? What a bummer. Another thing that struck me about those characters is that they both go through a major transformation Kiki gets a spine, and Eleanor becomes a good person. Have you ever gone through a significant change? Personally, I experienced my most dramatic change when I met my husband. 16 GOODHOUSEKEEPING.cO.zA May 2018