Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2016 i Woman & Home

Reflect, take stock and actually enjoy what you’ve got Do you find it difficult getting your grown-up family together – even for a relaxed Sunday lunch? It’s not that we don’t like being with each other, in fact we often holiday en famille. It’s just there’s always someone who can’t make it and before you know it you’re scheduling a date in July! Somehow though we make it happen, moving things around because we believe seeing each other face to face is far better than texts or WhatsApp messages. My life remains busier than ever, as I’m sure yours does, yet I still firmly believe in the importance of making time for YOU. Whether that’s learning something new, reading a book, having a massage or just daydreaming. It’s important to…

“It’s an honour to be carrying the flag for women in their fifties; I can say, ‘Look, it doesn’t matter what age you are, you can go for it” After an astonishing 31 years on breakfast TV, Lorraine, 56, is still at the top of her game, and thanks to a fitness regime, revealed in her DVD, Living to the Max (out now), she’s looking – and feeling – better than ever. She presents Lorraine at 8.30am until 9.25am every weekday on ITV. Lorraine lives between London and Dundee with her husband Steve Smith, a cameraman and photographer. They have one daughter, Rosie, 21, who is in her fourth year at Edinburgh Napier University studying journalism. When you’re younger, you aspire to this idea of perfection,…

THE INBETWEENERS The Holy Grail of bags, the brands that hit the sweet spot in terms of designer detail, luxury fabrics and all no more than £350! This season’s detail: What we’re still loving… Saddle bags, tassels, backpacks and top-handle bags are still going strong. MOST WANTED FOR S/S16 If you’re after an investment bag, get your name down on the waiting list! 1 The “Jodie” camera bag, £1,230, Chloé at Harrods 2 The personalised backpack, from £795, Burberry 3 The half-moon shape, £1,690, Victoria Beckham THE TRENDS SHOES THE TRENDS THE SHAPES YOU NEED TO KNOW The toe shape – it’s all about a pointy toe. Peep-toes are making a comeback too. The heel – block heels are a big hit while skinny…

MEET OUR EXPERTS Carole Gaskell is a business coach, founder of Full Potential Group ( fullpotentialgroup.co.uk ) and author of Your Pocket Life Coach (Thorsons). Nina Grunfeld is a professional coach, bestselling author and founder of Life Clubs ( lifeclubs.co.uk ), running courses to help you declutter your life. BE “GOOD ENOUGH” Often our natural perfectionist streak makes us busier than we need to be. We all want our homes to look great and serve friends an impressive meal, but if it means a whole day sorting the house and another day shopping and cooking, there’s a danger the whole lunch or dinner party will be exhausting rather than fun. HOW? Take a step back and ask, what’s my realistic ideal? Focus…

Time can roar past, but with big life events, you have something to cling to What happened to time? Where did it all go? Some days we look around, as baffled as Rip Van Winkle or Sleeping Beauty. Surely it was only yesterday that the child over there was Molly’s new baby – how come he’s rattling round on a skateboard? It was only last month, surely, that we were at the christening, laughing at his dad’s bald spot – now he’s bare as a billiard ball! But surely we’ve seen you all since then? We haven’t? Eleven years? What happened? Time-slip is a familiar feeling, and not only in the elderly. In the rear-view mirror of life, things seem to be close but when you make a cold, hard…

BREAKFAST Coffee and good brown bread, toasted, with Marmite in the week and marmalade at the weekend. And butter of course! LUNCH Homemade soup in the winter – always made-ahead – and salad in the summer using leaves from the garden – tomato salad or maybe a Caesar salad. DINNER I always cook in the evening, usually a main and a starter, which could be a tart, a mackerel pâté or a bruschetta. Today we’re having a vegetarian cottage pie for the main. TREATS We never have dessert during the week. At weekends, we’ll have a piece of cake. My favourite is lemon drizzle, or a toasted bun in the afternoon.…

‘The sense of achievement from volunteering with vulnerable children will stay with me’ BEST FOR ADVENTURERS ERIKA OAKLEY, 59, and her husband Steve took up a volunteer placement at a children’s home in Colombia when they retired. They live in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, and Erika now works part-time as a PA for the charity Mencap. When Steve and I retired in January 2014, volunteering abroad was at the top of our list. After leaving my job as an aviation security trainer at Heathrow airport and Steve leaving the police force after 32 years, we wanted to combine a volunteer placement with a gap year – neither of us had ever done anything like that before and it was a case of now or never. We’ve both been blessed with good health,…

MONOCHROME + ONE COLOUR POP • Scared of colour? Then this is a great way to ease yourself in. Pick one piece and go bold – jewellery, bag, scarf or shoes. • Graphic monochrome looks fresh when you mix the prints together – red shoes will really anchor the look. • Remember to keep everything else tonal for a modern approach. • Don’t forget, make-up can add colour too – play up your red shoes with a classic red nail polish and lipstick. Top, £125, xs-xxl, MaxMara Weekend. Trousers, £29.99, xs-l, Zara. Shoes, £69, Carvela. Bag, £320, Loeffler Randall at Harvey Nichols. Earrings, £58; torque bangle, £66, both Tamarzizt. Necklace, £55, Shh by Sadie. Star bracelet, £175; pearl ring, £475; star ring, £345, all London Road Jewellery SHADE-ON- SHADE COLOUR…

“Don’t just brush on your mascar a, wiggle a loaded brush right at the lash roots for definition: it will make them seem naturally thick” HOT STUFF Marc Jacobs Beauty is a sleek new covetable make-up collection launching in Harrods. From super-soft, blendable shadows to a delish peppermint plumping lipgloss, my favourite is this seven-shadow palette: Style Eye-Con No.7 Plush Eyeshadow, £45, in eight colourways. DOUBLE UP ON THE GO Pop a creamy multitasker in your bag for fast touch-ups throughout the day: Revlon Colorstay 2-in-1 Compact Makeup & Concealer, £13.99, fast, flawless skin; Suqqu Dual Lip Color in EX02, £20, in contrasting lip tones. REASONS TO LOVE ROSE… IN BRIT STYLE The Body Shop British Rose Shower Gel, £5, and Body Butter, £14, use an essence of handpicked roses.…

Part of L’OCCITANE’s award-winning Immortelle range, this anti-ageing face cream is packed with natural active ingredients to reduce fine lines and leave skin noticeably smoother and firmer. Powered by the collagen-boosting properties of immortelle essential oil, with its added ability to improve skin’s microcirculation, the cream’s silky light texture glides on smoothly to visibly correct imperfections and increase skin elasticity. Over time, the skin’s texture improves, with luminosity and suppleness restored. FREE SKIN DIAGNOSIS Understanding your skin’s condition and needs is key to maintaining a healthy, glowing complexion. That’s why L’OCCITANE is also inviting w&h readers to experience a complimentary skin diagnosis and receive expert advice tailored to your skin and personal needs. You can spend time with a trained expert and find out the answers to all your beauty…

1 PROTECT AND REPAIR Always start with the product that repairs and protects hair first, such as a heat protector or leave-in conditioner. Try Davines Your Hair Assistant Blowdry Primer, £24.80, a leave-in anti-humidity heat protector spray that also speeds up drying time, or Percy & Reed Perfectly Perfecting Wonder Balm, £18, which preps and primes hair in readiness for styling. 2 ADD HOLD AND VOLUME Products that provide hold and volume should go only where you need them, such as at the roots. Hot favourite is TRESemmé Beauty-Full Volume Mousse, £5.50. If you have fine hair, try Phyto PhytoVolume Actif Volumizing Spray, £17.50. 3 PERFECT FINISH Finishing products such as creams, oils and sprays add shine, texture and hold. Gotta try: Percy & Reed Hair’s Best Friend Totally Intensive…

“I had a feeling there was more to the situation than just a cyst” Rona, 54, is a support worker for adults with disabilities. She is divorced and lives in East Lothian with her 17-year-old daughter. I’ve always been very healthy. I’ve exercised, eaten well and barely had a sick day from work. Then one night in August 2008 I had an excruciating pain in my lower right abdomen, which was persistent enough for me to see my GP the next morning. He examined me and said that if he didn’t know better he’d think I was three or four months pregnant because my stomach was so bloated. I had heard of ovarian cancer but wasn’t sure of the symptoms. I now know that the bloating was one of several…

Q My second and third toes on both my feet are becomingly increasingly bent and the tops are now thick and sore from rubbing on my shoes. What can I do? A This sounds like hammer toes. They are often linked with bunions, where the big toe pushes against the next toe, and this means the second toe cannot lie straight. Squashing the toes into ill-fitting shoes always makes the problem worse, and the first thing to do is avoid wearing pointed styles, and make sure your toes have wriggling room. Draw an outline of your foot on paper, and then lie your shoes on top – if you can still see the outline then the shoes are not wide enough. The only way to correct hammer toes is with…

WELCOME TO OUR HOME Set the scene in the hallway with fun garlands and an Easter tree. We mixed faux blossom with white painted twigs and fresh pussy willow, then decorated with eggs and little birds. And have chocolate eggs available, of course! Table, £725, Neptune. Mirror, £255, okadirect.com. Garlands, £5.95 each, Pipii. Chicken garland, £9.50, Gisela Graham at tch.net. Bud vases, £12 each, LSA. Easter egg, from £9.95, Bettys. Cards, all Paperchase. Wire basket, £20, kaleidoscope.co.uk. Chocolate eggs, all M&S. Mini basket, £2.95, Pipii. Rabbit, £20, Laura Ashley. Candles, £13.50 for 20, Shearer Candles. Cockerel, £15.95, Parlane. Vase, £65, LSA. Birds, £2.50 for 6, Rice. Other decorations, all Gisela Graham DRESS THE MANTELPIECE Not just for Christmas, it’s lovely to make a feature of the mantelpiece at Easter too.…

Harissa salmon fillets This is a dream recipe – delicious, simple and with just three ingredients. Plus it’s good for you too! Easy • Ready in 20 minutes, plus marinating • Serves 4 500g salmon fillet, skinned5tbsp natural yogurt (not Greek)5tsp harissa paste 1 Cut the salmon into 4 fillets. Mix the yogurt and harissa with salt and pepper. Put the salmon on a foil-lined baking tray – oil the foil so the salmon won’t stick. Spoon the yogurt mixture over the salmon. Pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes. 2 Heat the grill and grill the salmon until just cooked, about 10 minutes. Per serving: 242 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated), 1.5g carbohydrate On the side HEALTHY GRAIN SALAD Just take a pouch of ready-cooked quinoa, grains and red…

The weather may make me chomp on my words, but I always think of the long Easter weekend as the time to reach for a few bottles of something white. Having spent the winter months drinking almost nothing but toothsome reds, I’m looking forward to the summer and the changes it brings to my choices. Unless you’re serving lamb – in which case, Rioja or New Zealand Pinot Noir are excellent bets – the food we eat at this time of year (see p157) tends to work better with whites. The acidity in goats’ cheese and tomatoes, for example, is best partnered with a tangy, refreshing Riesling, Chablis or Sauvignon Blanc. (Acidity plus acidity is one of the counterintuitive “rules” of food and wine pairing.) But don’t just stop there.…

“I originally wanted traditional fireplaces, but was won over by Shahriar’s drawings of sleek granite fireplaces with storage” The most vivid memory Kirsty Jones has of her first viewing of this house in Hampstead, London, was of the ancient pear tree in the back garden that towered over the property. “It seemed so out of proportion for a London garden, but it came with a preservation order, so we knew we were going to have to live with it.” Huge trees were not Kirsty and Tom’s only worry: when they first saw it, the house was divided into five tired bedsits, with a kitchen and bathroom on every floor. What’s more, the couple and their three young children, Callum, Finlay and Isla, who are now 14, 12 and 11, were…

“I like the tension and physicality that comes with doing fight scenes” Tell us about your new film, London Has Fallen [Gerard plays a secret service agent who must thwart a plot to assassinate world leaders]. The script is fantastic and it’s tense, scary and also has a hell of a lot of humour in it. We have a great cast including Morgan Freeman, Aaron Eckhart, Angela Bassett, Melissa Leo and a couple of newbies in there. You’re known for action films; what do you enjoy about them? I pretty much do all my own stunts, unless the insurance company won’t allow me to. I like the tension and physicality that comes with doing fight scenes, although on Olympus Has Fallen [the prequel to London Has…

FROM OUR COVER SHOOT: Lorraine reveals the five things she’d tell her younger self. Watch it on womanandhome.com/lorrainekelly SOPHIE KINSELLA, author Celebrating Mother’s Day, Sophie writes about a moment in time that captures that special relationship on p64. LOVE ABOUT EASTER? Tulips in all their beautiful colours. And Lindt Chocolate Bunnies! ALISON DAVIDSON, Homes Editor She styled our fabulous Easter shots on p148. DOWNSIDE? Unpacking 50 boxes of props on a cold, damp January day. UPSIDE! The amazing smell of the spring flowers – they were the first of the season and lifted our spirits. We were also surrounded by chocolate eggs – bang went the diet! JANE CURRAN, Food Director With her team, including Luba Gadjourov, left, she taste-tested all the Easter buys on p155. DOWNSIDE? After the first…

It dawned on me that my life was out of balance My best friend invited me out for dinner recently. I opened my diary (I don’t do digital) and told her that I was out of the country that week, busy the following Monday (my House of Lords roster night), Tuesday I had a board dinner (West Ham United FC), Wednesday I was speaking at an equality conference, Thursday was a nightmare but Friday was good. She said her diary was full that Friday… but she would clear it as she makes time for the things she cares about. Her words touched a nerve because it made me realise I haven’t been doing that. Every week, every day, every hour of my life is allocated to a meeting, and some…

We’ve planned a glamorous reader day out in the World Heritage city of Bath during Bath in Fashion 2016, a week-long extravaganza of catwalks, talks, exhibitions and workshops – one of the most significant fashion gatherings outside of London. The 2016 line-up includes talks with fashion designers including our own in conversation with Zandra Rhodes event, as well as Erdem, Julien Macdonald and Nicholas Oakwell. Be sure to allow time for retail therapy and to visit the Fashion Museum’s new exhibition, “A History of Fashion in 100 Objects”. A gourmet lunch at The Bath Priory It’s Bath’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, where you’ll be welcomed by a glass of fizz on arrival and a selection of canapés in their elegant drawing room, overlooking the hotel’s gardens. Executive head chef Sam Moody…

‘ You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it’ 3 micro moves for big results Decide what won’t get done today Many of us start each day assuming we can tick off everything on our to-do list. As a result, we don’t decide early enough what to put off and by the end of the day the choice has been made for us. Accept the limits of your day and make conscious choices what to prioritise. Off with the digital alerts It’s hard to make progress when a beep, buzz or notification interrupts you every 30 seconds. This digital chain-jerking can be a drag on productivity. Turn off one or more alerts to regain time and focus. Prep one thing for tomorrow Lay…

I told myself I was imagining it, that he’d never risk all we had I focused on my new life, rather than resenting losing my old one Lisa Tesseyman, 49, a GP dispenser, lives in Cambridgeshire with her children, aged 22, 15 and nine. It all happened very fast with Chris. We met on a night out when I was 27 and he was 20. I wasn’t looking for “the one” but we got on well and were barely apart. Chris worked in a bar and was living with his dad. He was quite shy but we felt so at ease together. Within months, we were engaged and I was pregnant. Our daughter Zoe was born Christmas Eve 1993 – the day before, we’d bought our first flat, a maisonette…

The Buttonless Trench Taking a softer approach on the classic, the buttonless trench is your lightweight saviour if you’re caught in a springtime shower THE RULES • Suitable for any occasion, tie that belt up to define your waist and create an hourglass silhouette. • Want to look slimmer? Leave it undone and let the trench glide over your curves. • Petites should choose a trench that finishes above the knee so you don’t drown in all the fabric. • It’s a great style for skimming over larger hips, yet still letting you show off some leg. HOW TO WEAR IT? Loose and laid-back, cover up a midi dress worn with a sleek pair of stilettos The Collarless Cocoon If you’re looking for something a bit smarter this season, then…

‘Always cleanse before bed. It’s much harder for skin to increase cellular turnover if there is still dirt and make-up on your face’ Louise Riby Exfoliate differently Over 40, skin cell turnover slows down, so chances are you’ve already noticed it getting bumpier and definitely on the dull side. So switch the way you scrub. If you’ve only used a beady scrub until now, switching to an enzyme acid exfoliator (one with fruit acids) can help to lighten and even prevent pigmentation issues, and you’ll need less foundation. “Using products with a natural AHA complex once a week are also gentler than an abrasive exfoliant,” says Sian Jones, head of Research and Product Development for Balance Me. Switch to Kiehl’s Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub, £24, with tiny pieces of fruit,…

FRESH NOTES Smell Diptyque Eau Des Sens and go to a happy place: a garden in south of France (orange blossom), sipping a G&T (juniper berries) and the vibe is very Grace Kelly (patchouli). £80 for 100ml EDP Heeley Chypre 21 will look very 2016 on your bathroom shelf, but has all the makings of a classic chypre – citrus crispness balanced with deep oak moss and patchouli. £125 for 100ml EDP Bit of a cliché to describe a spring fragrance as “fresh”, but what choice does Jo Malone London Nasturtium & Clover leave us? It’s got rocket, lemon and bitter florals, so it’s punchy, crisp and, well, as fresh as an allotment in April. £44 for 30ml Cologne The…

“Embrace food as something to linger over” MEET OUR EXPERTS Rachel Bartholomew, nutrition consultant, and coach Mandy Pearson, authors of Mindful Eating (CICO Books) Anna Black, mindfulness teacher and author of A Year of Living Mindfully (CICO Books) Ever munched your way through a mammoth box of popcorn at the cinema when you weren’t even hungry? Devoured your dinner in front of the telly without really tasting it? So many of us down that lunchtime sandwich while checking emails or log onto Facebook over a cup of tea and a biscuit or two… “Mindless eating” is all about being hardly aware of how much or even what you’re eating. And chances are you’re putting on weight because of it. Well, you’re not…

Trials are still underway for a screening programme but as that is still some way off, awareness of symptoms is vital. This is what to look out for: • Persistent pelvic or abdominal pain. • Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly. • Needing to urinate more urgently or more often than usual. • Increased abdominal size/ persistent bloating (not bloating that comes and goes). Occasionally there can be other symptoms, such as changes in bowel habits, extreme fatigue, unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite. And any post-menopausal bleeding should always be investigated by a GP. If you have any concerns at all, visit your GP. It is unlikely to be ovarian cancer but it’s far better to check.…

Earn 5% tax free The biggest game changer in tax-free saving is the introduction of peer-to-peer or Innovative Finance ISAs (IFISAs), which are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. How do they work? Peer-to-peer lenders pool together the cash of hundreds or even thousands of “investors” and then lend this money out directly to individuals or businesses – cutting out the banks. This means rates are competitive for both borrowers and lenders/investors. For the first time, this April, you will be able to invest in these platforms through the Individual Savings Account tax wrapper. You can invest from just £10. What are the risks? Borrowers are credit checked so peer-to-peer platforms do not lend money to just anyone and your risks are reduced further by spreading lending across a number…

Here at Party Pieces we love springtime and all that comes with it. As spring arrives so do pastel shades, fresh new trends and one of our favourite seasonal events – Easter. As a company we’ve had many months of planning for this lovely time of year! Easter 2016 is very exciting for us as we’ve got some charming new ranges to share. One of my favourites has to be the iconic Liberty Betsy range, the mix of ditsy florals make it perfect for an Easter celebration. Bouncing Bunnies is another one of our brand-new ranges, bursting with cute rabbits and ideal for children’s parties. With 2016 marking the 150th anniversary of Beatrix Potter’s birth we’re anticipating that classic Peter Rabbit will prove very popular. Lots of fun mixed with…

Chocolate box celebration cake We know – this is completely OTT, but what fun for a gathering and a serious chocolate feast. Make it dramatic or try our version with a simpler decoration. Easy/Prepare ahead/Freeze (sponge only) • Ready in 1 hour 30 minutes • Serves 12-18 375g butter375g dark chocolate6 free-range eggs225g caster sugar125g self-raising flour, sifted110g ground almonds FOR THE FROSTING 225g butter, at room temperature450g dark chocolate150g icing sugar30g cocoa powder FOR THE DECORATION  a selection of chocolate eggs or sweets – or both around 100 chocolate cigarellos (from chocolatetradingco.com) or thin chocolate finger biscuits (optional) ribbon (optional) YOU WILL NEED 2 x 20cm square cake tins (or use one and bake in 2 batches), oiled and lined with baking parchment 1 Heat the oven to 180C, gas…

MAESTRA by LS Hilton (Zaffre) Fired from her job, Judith travels to Europe. With an unexpected death on her hands, suddenly she’s on the run. A pacy, sexy thriller set in the decadent world of the super-rich with a resourceful heroine at its heart. SONG OF THE SKYLARK by Erica James (Orion) Out of work, out of love, Lizzie starts work in a care home where she meets the redoubtable Mrs Dallimore. As Lizzie listens to the old lady’s story, she learns to look at her own life in a new way. A thoroughly enjoyable feel-good read. KEEP YOU CLOSE by Lucie Whitehouse (Bloomsbury) A fatal accident – or was it? A fractured friendship. A buried secret that must never surface. A killer twist. A riveting, serpentine thriller that gripped…

The hardy Fuchsia “Pink Fizz” flowers from top to bottom from June until September, reaching an impressive 1.5m (5ft) in its first growing season. • Buy 3 for £9.99 or DOUBLE UP FOR JUST 1p and buy 6 for £10 • Buy the Complete Tower Pot Fuchsia Collection for £29.99 (RRP £44.96), SAVING £14.97 (3 plants, 100g Incredibloom Fertiliser, 25-litre Incredicompost and a Tower Pot Kit) Closing date: 31 March. Plants dispatched from March Offer available to readers on the UK mainland only. All orders will be acknowledged by letter or email, advising you of the expected dispatch date. Offer subject to availability. Your contract for supply of goods is with Thompson & Morgan, a company wholly independent of woman&home, published by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd. woman&home will collect your…

HOLD ON  With spring in full swing, a pastel bag is every woman’s must-have accessory. £145, cambridge satchel.com ARM CANDY  Liven up your wristwear with a bit of colour! Left: £69, ice-watch.com. Right: £70, komono.com SWEET SHADES Spring nail colours, £15 each, butter london.co.uk PRETTY POSIES These small jewel-coloured bud vases are so useful for single flowers. £17.50 each, shop.nina  campbell.com FABULOUS FLORALS  A really gorgeous and vibrant bouquet in a reusable hat box. £75, marksandspencer.com HEAVEN SCENT Serious glamour and a modern floral accord, Roja Parfums Rose, £345 for 50ml parfum, rojaparfums. com ; or go fun and fruity with Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh Blush, £59 for 75ml EDT, boots.com FOR FOOD LOVERS  Three new flavoured…

Join us at Bath’s most fashionable shopping destination, Jolly’s House of Fraser, for a VIP shopping evening on Thursday 21 April from 6pm. Indulge in an evening of live entertainment, luxury events and tasty tipples, and get the latest expert styling and beauty advice from the w&h team. Highlights include: £10 VOUCHER  Bring this page to a Dickins & Jones till and receive a £10-off voucher for when you spend £50 or more during the Bath in Fashion event, and the first 100 guests will receive a luxury goody bag. Terms and conditions apply, see womanandhome.com/jollysevent…

Janet, 60, lives in West London with husband John, 58, MD of TV production company Sunset + Vine. They have two children, Jackson, 28, and Martha, 24. Janet is also mother of the singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor through a previous marriage. Janet’s first novel, The Butcher’s Hook (Two Roads), is published on 25 February. I wasn’t looking for anyone when I met John. I had a very demanding job as a Blue Peter presenter, which I loved, and a child – Sophie was about seven. I’d been divorced from Sophie’s father for over two years – we’d got together at 16 so this was the first time I’d really been on my own. John and I were introduced by a mutual friend and I remember thinking John…

“ I expected to be at home more by now, though what I do is purely my pleasure” “I often wear jeans on Bake Off… but only because Paul, Mel and Sue do!” There’s a lot of talk about the lack of older women on TV but I’ve never felt any pressure to try to look younger. I’m quite happy with my face. I’ve got loads of wrinkles! My granddaughter was sitting on my lap looking at the area around my collarbones which is a bit baggy and bony and said, “Granny! You’ve got two holes!” I have no wish to have any Botox, or a facelift. Our surgeons are busy enough. Let them do proper jobs! My skincare routine is zilch! I clean my face every day with a…

“My job means I’ll be talking to a young person one moment and a head of state the next” THE PRINCE’S TRUST Martina Milburn, 58, has been the CEO of The Prince’s Trust since 2004. She lives in Hampshire with her husband Keith, who works for the Crown Prosecution Service, and has three sons aged 30, 27 and 20. I first met The Prince of Wales at my final interview, and yes, I was quite nervous. It didn’t occur to me I would be given the job because the competition was stiff. So I decided to enjoy it – it’s not every day you have a cup of tea with the future king. My role is to be responsible for everything. One moment I’m talking to a young person, the…

As we enjoy the first buds of spring and newly sunlit mornings, now is the perfect time to take a fresh look at fragrance. Spicy aromas feel right during darker months but now, brighter notes can reflect the season’s optimism – in your beauty ritual and your home. Whether you’re looking for a special gift or treat for yourself, Molton Brown’s new Dewy Lily of the Valley & Star Anise is sure to make a lasting impression. This delightful new fragrance combines top notes of fresh magnolia, green mandarin and star anise with a heart of just-picked white flowers including lily of the valley and a deep sandalwood and musk base. The result is a joyful blend, inspired by the Flora Day festival in Helston, Cornwall, where residents adorn themselves…

1 ERASE DARKNESS “Shadow-free makes your whole complexion look brighter,” says Sian Jones. Check out tinted eye creams that conceal as they prime and protect: try bestseller Garnier Skin Naturals BB Cream Skin Perfector Eye Roll-On Light, £9.99, or the refreshing Balance Me Tinted Wonder Eye Cream, £20, with classic cucumber, rosehip oil and light reflectors. 2 COOL PUFFINESS by “first placing a couple of cotton pads in the freezer,” says celebrity facialist Nichola Joss. “Gently massage an eye cream into the contour for a minute or two, then apply an icy pad to each eye to help cool, soothe and reduce puffiness. This will also push cream deeper into the skin to nourish more deeply.” Shiseido Bio-Performance Glow Revival Eye Treatment, £40, increases the blood flow circulation system to…

“Using styling products is about placement. Add cream, serum or oil where the hair is dry; mousse where lift is needed.” Aaron Carlo “Everyone always wants what they haven’t got,” says Paul Percival at Percy & Reed, “which can cause you to spend more time and energy than you need to on styling.” Going against your natural hair type can also cause more damage, he says, as we tend to use heated stylers to change it. Paul’s answer? “Find the best style to suit your natural hair type.” Work with your hairdresser to get the best for you: show pictures of hair similar to your natural texture, walk in with it air-dried so it opens up styles that can work with your natural texture. A good stylist can cut your…

EXCLUSIVE W&H DEAL Sign up to Jane Plan and save £25 off your first month. Prices start at £174 a month. Visit janeplan.com  and enter code WHE216 (not to be used in conjunction with any other voucher codes). Jane, 49, lives in London with her husband and their three children. She started her diet delivery service, Jane Plan, in 2010. In my twenties, I had a demanding job and busy lifestyle and my weight crept up to over 11 stone (I’m 5ft 6in). I joined a diet group that provided all my meals. The food was awful but I got down to 8st 12lb and it laid the foundations for my business idea. In 2004, I retrained as a nutritionist and got a job at a private hospital…

It’s never too late to bolster your bone health. While you can’t increase bone mass beyond your forties, you can make sure you keep strong by slowing bone loss. You reach peak bone mass between the ages of 30 and 35, followed by a period of stability, but then at menopause, bone mass starts to decline, due to lower oestrogen levels. The reason for this is that oestrogen affects the action of cells called osteoclasts, which resorb – or break down – bone tissue. The effect is that from 50 onwards fractures become more likely and from 60 and beyond, it’s reckoned that one in ten women are affected by osteoporosis, the condition that makes bones weaker and more likely to break. So how can you assess your bone strength?…

It makes life easier to set up an email filing system ORGANISE YOUR INBOX Having an email filing system makes life a lot easier, but few of us have the time to set it up. Luckily, most email providers can automate the process. OUTLOOK.COM Click the cog at the top right corner and choose “Manage rules”. Click “New”, and set up whichever rules you’d like. For instance, to file all emails from your boss to the folder “Work”, choose “Sender contains” and enter your boss’s email address. Then, under “Do the following”, click “Move to” and select the Work folder (or create it). Bingo! All emails from your boss will now go to the Work folder – just don’t forget to check it! GMAIL Google’s email system calls folders…

EASTER EGGS M&S Limited Edition Giant Cosmic Egg, £40. Only 7,500 made, milk chocolate with dulce de leche-filled golden spheres: a 1kg showstopper! ALDI Dairyfine Chocolate Bunny, 65p, and Choceur Dark or White Chocolate Bunny, 99p each. These are so cute and great value too! Harrods Cocoa Dusted Almond Easter Egg, £24.95. A beautifully handmade Belgian chocolate egg filled with cocoa-dusted almonds. Morrisons M Signature Belgian Milk Chocolate Marbled Easter Egg, £4. Belgian milk chocolate with dark and white chocolate designs. Chococo Milk Chocolate Butterfly Studded Egg, £9.95. Handmade 43% chocolate studded inside with milk chocolate butterflies. Tesco Finest Dark Chocolate Square Egg, £8. One for the grown-ups… dark Belgian chocolate with crunchy butterscotch. Lindt Lindor Chocolate Orange Egg, £8.99, Asda. We love Lindor’s new addition to the range –…

UPDATED CLASSIC Traditional furniture manufacturer Parker Knoll has launched a new range of sofas and armchairs called Maison. Comprising four ranges and five new fabric collections with a fresh new feel, their classic shapes are designed to last. Amelie sofa in Sky Lime, £1,423, Maison by parkerknoll.co.uk MAKE A STATEMENT Copper and wire are still trending on furniture and accessories – this amazing floor lamp would make a real talking point piece in your room. Copper wire floor lamp, £475, padlifestyle.com A PAINTERLY TOUCH There’s a definite artistic feel to homewares this season, from impressionist watercolours to modern art. Impressionist landscape cushion, £8; defaced art cushion, £7, both asda.com/george SMART PHONE We may use our mobiles most of the time, but this home phone is not only useful…

BLUE MOOD An inviting, fresh and vibrant look for your dining table. Bowls, £3.50 each. Glasses, £4 each. Small plates, £3.50 each. Dinner plates, £4 each. Large bowl, £10. Mugs, £4 each. Cushion, £12 (available 1 May) PERFECT PATTERNS There is a distinctly artistic look to these ceramics and table linens, with their feel of hand-drawn and hand-dyed batik-style designs. Coasters, £8 for 4. Side plates, £3.50 each. Round platter, £10. Napkins, £6 for 4 MIX IT UP Try layering dramatic prints with plains to create your own distinctive look. Bowls, £3 each. Tea towels, £3 each Moroccan style has a relaxed look – designs can be mixed and matched and range from simple lined edging to more intricate latticework patterns. Core to the trend is this stunning…

• DARE TO WEAR The latest fashion fabrics – colours, cuts, styles – we show how, yes, you can! • BE BEAUTIFUL… TRY SOMETHING NEW Latest make-up looks – make them work for you • THE NEW HEALTHY Delicious food combos plus our new, easy walking workout • BE YOUR OWN HERO How to expand your comfort zone… and shrink your worries! PLUS SPECIAL OCCASIONS EDIT The dresses, the bags, the shoes, the hats, the services – all you need to know MAY ISSUE OUT 31 MARCH…

Tracy lives in London with her husband Jonathan, a consultant in digital technology, their son Jacob, 17, and their tortoiseshell cat, Treacle. She has written eight novels including the international bestseller Girl With a Pearl Earring , which was made into a film starring Scarlett Johansson. I grew up in Washington DC with my older brother and sister. Our father was a photographer for The Washington Post. My mother developed a heart condition when I was three so was often bedridden until she died when I was eight. As a result, I grew up reading a lot. I found refuge in books, because they were a way of escaping the reality of our situation. My aunt told me I used to say, “I’m never alone if I’ve…

Star sign of the month ARIES 21 MARCH – 20 APRIL  Motivated by love, you have nothing to fear and everything to gain. Whatever happens on or near the 7th, keep your eyes on the long-term picture. For your weekly update, call 09058-170541* THE MONTHS AHEAD  How do you get what you want in life? Put in the hard work and by September you’ll start to see the pay-off. To hear a detailed breakdown of the next few months, phone Penny on 09058-170090* TAURUS 21 APRIL – 21 MAY It’s time for a retreat. A holiday will restore your spirits and enable you to see situations in a brighter light. Around the 22nd a relationship reaches a crossroads. Act from the heart, but not in anger. Weekly update 09058-170542* Year…