Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2015 i Woman & Home

In 15 years, Phil and I have only had seven or eight rows. We are completely different, so we do get exasperated with each other very easily. He doesn’t like doing chat shows or anything live, for instance, but he’s so good at it. On the other hand, he’s always having a go at me for letting my mouth run away with me. Funnily enough, we don’t see each other socially that much. But we do sometimes make plans. Last summer he went to Cornwall for a week and our families met up for the day on the beach. He refers to me as his “other wife”. People think we’re actually a couple. It doesn’t help if Phil fuels rumours that we’re having an affair! After he told a story…

‘My most important list is the one I don’t need to make… what NOT to do!’ I’ve never understood anyone who does not make a to-do list. It’s the simplest of documents that both focuses the mind and makes you do the things that need to be done when they need to be done – whether you like it or not! The sort of things that go on a to-do list are the things that slip through the net, but because they have a time limit they have to be done… now! Post a birthday card, call the bank, book the dog into the vet, return a parcel, etc. There it is in black and white. What must be done, by you. Just by having the things written down, you…

…and 10 more! Embrace AW15 with suede, leopard print and faux fur…

Make your work day sync with your energy Our best productivity comes from the first four-and-a-half hours a day, so tackle your most challenging or important task first. Don’t look at emails, answer phones or multitask. Recharge your brain If you try to concentrate on one piece of work for longer than 90 minutes without a break, your mind will flag. A ten-minute walk round the block will recharge and reboot your mind. Even taking a break from your screen and sitting in a different location to read printed material or make a call helps. Use fewer words TED talks are limited to 18 minutes, and research shows that too much information – too many words! – prevents the successful transmission of ideas. In presentations, a picture can speak volumes.…

One evening in the summer of 2013, a couple of months before we were due to celebrate our golden wedding anniversary, my husband Robert, then 79, went out in his car. I was busy and lost track of the time, then suddenly looked at the clock and noticed it was getting on for 9pm. I’d been expecting him back by 8 at the latest. The time ticked by and still there was no sign. I began to get worried and phoned the police, but there had been no reports of road accidents. Robert refused to have a mobile, so there was no way I could contact him – although I was surprised he had not got a message to me by some other means. All I could do was wait.…

Yes, it’s a great time to try a neat little cleanse – a lot easier than January! Juicing guru Shauna Martin is super keen on an end-of-summer cleanse for good reason. “Barbecues and trips to the beach can mean a big increase in the consumption of animal protein… and a big drop in your energy levels!” says Shauna. “Reset your energy with a short cleanse that will detox your body by giving your digestive tract a rest.” Not sure if you can do it? Why not try her so-easy juice and raw food cleanse and see how it works for you… How long will it take? “A four-day cleanse is what personally feels right for me and seems to be the magic number for most people to reset and recharge,”…

I’ve hit the menopause and I’m starting to feel it • TRY A TIPPLE OF TOMATO JUICE Researchers at Tokyo Medical University found that menopausal women who drank a 200ml glass of tomato juice twice a day for eight weeks not only almost halved their anxiety, hot flushes and irritability, but burned off more calories while at rest too. Why? It could be because chemicals in the juice, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid, act in the same way as oestrogen. • SUPPLEMENT YOUR DIET When you are trying to counteract the symptoms of the menopause, you need a whole battery of nutrients rather than just one supplement. That’s the approach taken by leading nutritionist Dr Marilyn Glenville, who has formulated Meno Support (£23.98 for 60, naturalhealth practice.com), with a blend of…

Join us for a fabulous day with the legendary fashion designer Barbara Hulanicki, the woman behind the original BIBA, and hear about her life now and the influences behind her new autumn collection on sale exclusively at House of Fraser. You’ll join us for a delicious brunch as well as a glass of bubbly at The Tea Terrace Restaurant in House of Fraser Guildford, before hearing Barbara in conversation with our fashion director Julia May Morgan, and being given the chance to put your own questions to the influential designer. Afterwards you’re invited to the women’s fashion floor for a glass of bubbly at the BIBA department and to shop the new collection, with Julia on hand for all those styling and fashion tips. There’s an exclusive discount of £10…

Alopecia is a general term. There are many different types and causes of hair loss in women: • ALOPECIA AREATA is caused when the immune system attacks the hair follicles. Sometimes the hair grows back, either within months or years. Some sufferers like Linda go on to develop alopecia totalis (no scalp hair) or alopecia universalis (no hair on your head or body). Severe stress can be a trigger. • FEMALE-PATTERN HAIR LOSS appears as general thinning on top. The causes are still not fully understood, but it may be genetic. It can happen in women after the menopause due to hormonal changes. It’s usually self-limiting but does not fully recover. In pre-menopausal women, like Helen (right), it’s often called androgenic or androgenetic alopecia. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can also…

• A community of microbes – around 100 trillion in all – including bacteria, yeasts, fungi and other living organisms, which inhabit your skin, mouth, vagina and, most important of all, your gut. There are around 6,000 different species of bacteria, and your microbiota is as unique as your fingerprint. How you’re born and fed as a baby (caesarean and bottle-fed babies have a less varied microbiota), together with your diet, lifestyle, age and where you live – rural Africans, for instance, have a more varied, healthier, microbial profile – all contribute to the ecosystem in your gut. • The microbes help control weight, not only by being allies in the digestive process, but also by affecting how you respond to the hormones that control hunger, appetite and satiety (the…

This December, my oldest son is getting married to the most gorgeous girl. So I’m going to become a mother-in-law, that dreaded butt of jokes and loathing: bossy, inquisitive, interfering and prone to overstaying her welcome. I fondly believe, of course, that none of those qualities are mine at the moment. I love my daughter-in-law-to-be. She’s been part of our family for ten years and we couldn’t be more delighted they’re getting married. I’m bursting to be involved, but learned early that I must take a step back. After all, this is their party, not mine. This was underlined when, after celebrating their engagement, my son said they planned to get married in 18 months’ time. “How can you wait that long?” I nipped in, without thinking. “If it was…

WHAT IT MEANS It’s a document that allows the individual to authorise another person or people – as it can be shared (not necessarily a relative) – to look after their money or finances. WHEN TO ASK FOR IT It’s never too early, bearing in mind that you will only use it if the need arises. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO The application document is on gov.uk, and must be signed by both donor and attorney. A non-related layperson who’s known the person for two years or more (or a solicitor or doctor) has to then certify that the donor has sufficient capacity to understand what they’re doing and that there’s no undue influence. Someone with an early dementia diagnosis can be certified as having capacity. The document is only…

Now that we all take lots of photos with our phones, get into the habit of trimming your photo folder whenever you have a moment. 3 FREE SERVICES for backing up your photos Dropbox This online service offers 2GB of space. Back up photos, documents and videos on your computer, phone or tablet, and share them easily; dropbox.com Google Photos Google’s new service gives unlimited photo storage. It works on iPhone, Android and the web; photos.google.com Apple iCloud If you have a Mac, iPhone, iPod or iPad, you can get 5GB of storage for photos and documents using this official Apple service. It’s all stored centrally so you can access your most important files from anywhere; iCloud.com…

“For the third year running, w&h is proud to support the Specsavers everywoman in Retail Ambassador Programme, which celebrates women in retail,” says w&h Editorial Director Sue James. Sue joined a distinguished panel of judges to select the ambassadors. “It’s about women who are fantastic role models, leaders in their sector and who help champion other women too,” says Maxine Benson MBE, who, along with Karen Gill MBE, founded everywoman, the network for women in business. Helen Normoyle “Have fun. Working hard is about doing things outside of your comfort zone and doing something that you’re passionate about because then it doesn’t feel like work. Let your intuition guide you too.” HELEN IS CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER AT DFS She oversees marketing communications and PR, customer relationship management and consumer research…

So easy – an all-in-one! Gorgeous with a glass of iced tea or as a dessert with our fruit sauce (on opposite page) or cream. Easy/Prepare ahead • Ready in 1 hour 20 minutes • Serves 8-10 250g plain flour2tsp baking powder1tsp ground cinnamon85g butter, melted100g light muscovado sugar150ml milk2 large free-range eggs 4 eating apples250g blackberries FOR THE TOPPING 50g butter 2tbsp light muscovado sugar icing sugar, to dust YOU WILL NEED  a 22cm springform cake tin, buttered and dusted with caster sugar Sift the flour, baking powder and cinnamon into a large bowl. Add the butter, sugar, milk and eggs and slowly whisk with an electric whisk or mixer until well combined. Pour into the tin. Heat the oven to 190C, gas 5. Peel and core the apples…

STYLE WATCH with Ben de Lisi “For autumn/winter 2015, geometrics remains strong, with a subtle colour palette of grey, celadon and sky. Scandi style continues to be important, with furniture shapes that are clean and modernist. My Ben de Lisi Room Concepts bathrom collection for Abacus Direct is purposefully designed to be low-key, chic and understated. Surface pattern on accessories is key, with retro graphics featuring prominently in my Designers at Debenhams collection. London is my home, so London buses and destinations, Union Jack cushions and boxes all dominate. I love anything with a sense of humour such as my animal accessories, French Bulldogs being a recurring theme!” BACK TO 1985! Next Home is 30 years old this year! Who would have believed it? And to celebrate, they’ve launched a…

NEW SCANDI STYLE It’s all about dark wood and linen fabrics teamed with copper and marble accessories. Walls are dove grey – much softer than white – and blinds give a clean look. A MOROCCAN TOUCH Bring the Moroccan look up to date with cooler shades of cobalt blue and white. Mixing patterns is the key, but stick to the same colour palette to prevent it being overpowering. Fretwork designs proliferate on furniture and accessories. ART OF ROMANCE Rich colours and textures make this look so desirable. Start with a rose gold bed in a romantic design then add nostalgic florals. Velvet, fur and silk are must-have fabrics. Combine your leather and dark woods with tartans and plaids on curtains and accessories CLUB LOUNGE Leather is back with a bang…

SKINCARE SIMPLIFIED End the confusion over which product goes on first with our simple, at-a-glance guide… DAY CLEANSE Unless skin’s oily, a splash with warm water should do the trick. TREAT Get the most potent products on first – eye cream and serum. HYDRATE Moisturise and comfort skin with a day cream. PROTECT If your moisturiser doesn’t contain SPF, use a facial sunscreen with at least SPF 30. NIGHT CLEANSE Use an oil or balm cleanser and a warm flannel to gently remove make-up, dirt and oil (you might need a separate eye make-up remover). TREAT Get that serum and eye cream out again, and take a few extra minutes to massage them in this time. NOURISH Layer on a facial oil and/ or moisturiser (you know what your skin…

Perfect time to plant A hand-selected offering of perennial plants and bulbs that will create sensational displays year after year. Plant these now and by early summer next year, stately allium spires will stand tall above the flush of colour of the wallflowers HIGHLY ARCHITECTURAL & DESIRABLE AMAZING ALLIUMS MINIS MIDIS GIANTS We have hand-selected an exclusive mix of alliums to display an assortment of heights, colours and forms, perfect for those that want to add glamour and structure to a border or pot. Alliums are often seen in breathtaking purple swathes. Supplied as top-quality bulbs in individual bags at the optimum time to plant. BUY THE ULTIMATE ALLIUM MIX OF 100 FOR JUST 1p MORE & SAVE £19.98 ALMOST 12 MONTHS OF FRAGRANT FLOWERS PERENNIAL WALLFLOWERS A collection of…

GIZZI ERSKINE “I read Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (Virago) when I was 18. Obviously, it’s all about hedonism, and was an eye-opener into the whole sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll thing, which was fascinating for me. I read it again when I was 25 and it was interesting to see how, given how much I’d grown up since the first time I’d read it, my perceptions had changed. I’ve downloaded it to take on holiday and enjoy once more. I think The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon (Vintage) is brilliant. I work a lot with autistic kids and found how it was written really interesting. I want to see it in the theatre because I hear the play’s wonderful, so…

Sebastian, 62, lives with his wife Veronica and their 18-year-old son at their home in West London. Their other son and daughter are away at university, soon to return home. He is the author of 13 novels including Birdsong , Charlotte Gray , Human Traces and his latest, Where My Heart Used to Beat . Both my parents read a lot. They belonged to a book club that sent them books. My father was a solicitor in a small firm in Newbury in Berkshire, later on becoming a judge. My mother worked as a nurse before working for Elizabeth Arden. From the age of about 14 or 15, I wanted to be a writer but that’s not…

1 The Little Book of Earrings is bound in faux leather, and is available in two sizes, holding either 12 or 48 pairs of earrings. Using padded pages with fixing holes, your earrings are held safely in pairs. The sleek design allows secure, easy storage on a book shelf, or suitcase, unlike traditional earring trees. Available in a beautiful array of colours. Buy from www.flydragonfly.co.uk 2 If Only It Had Sleeves Short sleeve now available. An inexpensive fashionable way to expand your summer wardrobe. Stretch lace or tuille sleeves which can be worn under sleeveless dresses. Available in 10 colours - £39 www.camiconfidential.com Contact 01614271881 for a free brochure 3 Woman & Home Reader Offer Martha Hill Honey Skin Care set Save Over 50% plus a free gift ,…

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Star sign of the month VIRGO 24 AUGUST – 22 SEPTEMBER Let the brilliant solar eclipse (20th) light up your life. Astrologically speaking, you have everything going for you. It is not other people who will hold you back now. Something to think about on or near the 25th. For your weekly update call 09058-170546* VIRGO: THE MONTHS AHEAD Not since 2003 have you had so many opportunities for growth and happiness. There has never been a better time to bring that dream into reality. To hear a detailed breakdown of the next few months, phone Penny on 09058-170475* LIBRA 23 SEPTEMBER – 23 OCTOBER This has been a challenging two years for team Libra, but the total lunar eclipse of the 28th marks the end of a term of…

What was your experience making Aloha ? [Director] Cameron Crowe has this ability to write very funny dialogue, but at the same time is able to twist it to make it have impact. I saw the film as a story about redemption. Humans are flawed, and to be able to get a second chance is important – we learn more from our failures than our successes. You’ve recently moved from film to theatre with The Elephant Man . What interested you in playing Joseph Merrick? John Hurt in the 1980 film The Elephant Man is what made me want to become an actor. And playing a real person is a tremendous responsibility. Being able to get on stage, connect with the audience and inhabit…

NEW BUSINESS These gorgeous Kate Spade card holders will impress clients. £31 each, amara.com CHRISTENING FIND The classic children’s story is 150 years old this year. Alice In Wonderland cup and saucer, £25, whittard.co.uk FOR HIM  For the man who has everything: Personalised cuff links, £125, plus £25 for initials or engraving, aspinaloflondon.com CHOCOLATE LOVER Buy this chocolate connoisseur collection or choose your own. Coffret Gourmandises, £29, lamaisonduchocolat.co.uk MAKE IT PERSONAL Create a unique book with personal details of family members – or even your house! Personalised house book, £29.99, photobox.co.uk . My First Year book, £29.99, gettingpersonal. co.uk . The Book of Everyone, £29.50, thebookofeveryone.com PARTY TIME! Who wouldn’t want to receive this!…

Favourite gadget? I bought one of those Vitamix machines recently – unbelievably expensive, but bloody hell it is amazing! Now I make my own pesto, hummus, mayonnaise. It’s literally easier than opening a jar. When did you last cry? Oh, I’m a terrible crier – probably yesterday when I was driving home listening to The Listening Project on Radio 4. Biggest fear? That my children grow so fast. It’s terrifying. Have you ever been arrested? I was once sent a very stern letter about letting my dog off the lead in Holland Park, but I’ve never been arrested. Any recurring dreams? Yes, that I’m in an out-of-control car. I think that means I’m a control freak. Home decorating bête noir? Feature walls because they shorten the space. Everything should be…

LUXE LEATHER • Love a leather jacket? Then go that extra length and try autumn’s alternative… the coat. • Stick to slick, minimal cuts and understated details. If you want to make it look even more expensive, then we say opt for navy. • Who says you can’t wear a hat? Go big, go bold, but leave colour and frills behind. BOHO BELLE • Yes you can! We promise! Boho dresses aren’t just for those below 30… get a grown-up version in a luxurious print and fabric then wear it like you mean it. • Cover up with a cropped furry gilet. It will nip in your waist and instantly up the luxe factor. • Easy suede ankle boots will prove a brilliant buy. Why not be brave and go…

• If you want to encourage your spouse to part with his belongings, be respectful. Never say, “This looks awful; you might as well give it away.” • Be purposeful: don’t talk about “binning” stuff – instead, recycle or suggest he donates to a specific charity that he is fond of. • Start decluttering in an area – hallway or kitchen – that will make an impact, but that isn’t too emotionally challenging (don’t make a beeline for items of sentimental value, such as shirts or books inherited from his late father). • If a job feels huge, break it down and ask, “Which do we need, love, value, use?” Commit to a specific, bite-sized challenge, eg, sorting T-shirts, not the whole wardrobe, so you get the satisfaction of completing…

NAIL SOLUTION Do you find that even when you wear base coat, you still get a yellow tinge to your nails? I did until I started wearing Deborah Lippmann Genie in a Bottle Illuminating Nail Tone Perfector, £16. It’s “like purple conditioner to brassy grey hair” and makes nails shine like new. A FAST FIX OF COLOUR …on roots only! Just about the easiest way to extend time between colouring grey, I’m loving this skinny-size Oribe Airbrush Root Touch-Up Spray, £25, especially as it has my red too! Spray on the spot, set and go. AH JOY OF JOYS One of my favourite ever fragrances, Eau de Magnolia by Editions de Parfums by Frédéric Malle, is now in a shower gel along with four more scents. The stubborn but dear…

THE SHEARLING GILET TRY A NEW LAYERING PIECE • Go for a muted tone and it will work with most of your wardrobe. • Tonal colours will make your outfit look more expensive. • Want to show off a slim waist? Nip it in with a skinny belt. • Think long – a longer line gilet will streamline that figure over trousers, midi/maxi skirts and dresses. ABIGAIL MACDONALD, 53, lives in London and has three children. She runs a small business making hand-painted signs (visit notonthehighstreet.com/abigailbryansdesign ) and loves to keep her style fuss-free and simple. More ways to wear it WORK WEEKEND THE LEATHER-LOOK SKIRT TRY A DIFFERENT TEXTURE • Stick to rich, muted colours in faux leather and it will look more expensive. • Pockets…

EVENT DETAILS • The event will take place on 3 September, beginning at 11am and ending at 12.30pm, with plenty of time to shop the collection after. • Tickets to the event cost just £25, and include a delicious brunch at the Tea Terrace, a talk with Barbara, a glass of bubbly, as well as an exclusive BIBA gift and goodie bag. YOUR BIBA GIFT You’ll receive a pouchette, worth £39, in a variety of limited edition colours. To book your tickets, simply visit womanandhome.com/bibaevent  Be quick – it’s sure to be a sell-out.…

THIS MONTH… • ASTHMA • VACCINATION FOR MENINGITIS • ACID REFLUX Q I’ve had mild asthma since childhood, but recently it has got worse. My blue inhaler stops my wheezing, and my GP has advised me to use a regular inhaler containing steroids. Will it make me put on weight? A Anyone who needs to use a reliever inhaler more than three times a week should be on preventative treatment. The best drugs for this contain steroids – giving them via an inhaler means the bulk of the dose is delivered into the lungs, so side effects are rare. I’ve never come across anyone who has gained weight as a result of using a steroid inhaler. If anything, people on steroid inhalers are able to lose weight, as better asthma control means…

MAKE IT WORTH YOUR WHILE Too much time and hassle can make trying to sell your stuff a false economy. Sort your items. Separate out the money-makers from the maybes, and put a time limit on your ‘sale’ and what price you are prepared to accept. Keep for-sale items in a dedicated space, and with the packing and postage materials close to hand. When you secure a buyer, try to upsell – mention similar items you may have or might sell later (particularly to collectors). TAKING PAYMENT AND PAYING TAX Newer methods of taking online payments include Google Wallet and Stripe, as well as Paypal. Having an account makes you more flexible when selling. If you occasionally sell the odd item on eBay or at car boot sales, it’s unlikely…

Paying for your funeral at today’s rates could save your loved ones money and stress in the future. In 2007, the average funeral cost was £2,288; by 2014, it was £3,527. If costs continue to increase at this rate, they’re expected to reach more than £5,400 in six years*. The Prepaid Funeral Plan freezes the cost of your cremation funeral at today’s price. Funeral director’s services, cremation and minister’s fees will all be covered, and the plan helps you take care of the funeral arrangements. You can pay with a one- off payment or in monthly instalments. Contact Dignity for a free information pack and £50 discount – call free on 0800 033 4744, quoting DWM01ND**.…

GREEN JUICING We’re loving green juices for a speedy health boost! Our fave is avocado, kiwi, apple juice, pear and spinach whizzed up in our NutriBullet (widely available, around £85). Its powerful engine blends skin and pips so all the fibre stays in. GOAT’S CURD Used to be you could only find it in special cheese shops, but M&S have launched their Abergavenny Fresh Goat’s Curd (£3.50 for 100g). It’s citrussy and herbal. Spread on sourdough, use in a cheesecake and check our recipes online too. HONEY & CO. THE BAKING BOOK  by Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich (Saltyard Books) From this husband-and-wife team, formerly of Ottolenghi, this is a book for all bakers. If you love a sticky fruit bun or a fab cheesecake, or want inspiration for amazing…

12 stunning wines for half price 12 bottles for £59.98 plus P&P – was £120, saving 50% Newly launched this month, woman&home Wine, in association with Virgin Wines, offers readers an exceptional half-price deal on a selection of 12 delicious boutique wines, direct from small, family-owned vineyards across the world. Your case boasts some of the very best wines that we have to offer, with silky-smooth, decade-aged Spanish Rioja, delightfully crisp Aussie Sauvignon Blanc, juicy and refreshing Gold-medal-winning rosé from the Languedoc and much, much more. Plus, to bring a sparkle to your summer entertaining, we’re including a lovely bottle of bubbly Prosecco and two Dartington Crystal Champagne flutes absolutely FREE (normally £25.99). Light, elegant and refreshing, this wonderful sparkling is the right way to celebrate. With mouthwatering wines worth…

“I had never renovated a house before I bought this one, so I was really excited by the prospect of creating something exactly as I wanted it,” says Wendy, a divorced, retired image consultant. “I was down- sizing from a four-bedroom detached house in Berkshire and moving to Yorkshire to be close to my daughter, Sarah, and my two grandchildren. I loved the location of this house but it was very dated so I knew there was plenty of scope to do something really special with it. I also wanted it to be a house in which every inch of space was used,” she explains. Her first priority was to extend the galley kitchen sideways and open it all up to make it one large living space. So as soon…

You are invited to join Susan Lewis, one of Britain’s best-loved writers, and the w&h team at an exclusive event in central London on 16 September. Find out about her gripping new novel, and see her in conversation with our books editor, Fanny Blake, before posing your own questions. Susan lives in Gloucestershire with her husband and their two Coton de Tulear dogs, Coco and Lulabelle. Too Close to Home is her 33rd book, and focuses on a family who have moved to Wales for a fresh start but whose 15-year-old daughter, Paige, suddenly becomes withdrawn. My books are often issue-driven. I like delving into the heart of the family and of life. So I write about themes that affect people every day, for instance, dementia,…

Santa Montefiore lives in London with her husband, the writer and novelist Simon Sebag Montefiore, and their two children. She has written 16 novels, including The French Gardener , The Beekeeper’s Daughter and her latest, Songs of Love and War , the first in a sweeping trilogy. I think you’re born a writer, rather than becoming one. Certainly I was born wanting to describe the world. I wrote stories as a child and have done ever since. I can’t look out of the window without wanting to put it into words. I wrote my first novel, Meet Me Under the Ombu Tree , when I was 25. Until then, I didn’t feel I had enough experience of…

1 GOING GLAM Feel that instant luxe factor with a three-tone, faux fur stole. £125, Helen Moore at House of Fraser 2 FLAT OUT Opt for pointed flats – a snaky finish will up your style status instantly. £189, Leah Weller X Pretty Loafers 3 PRETTY IN PINK Rose gold is said to suit every complexion. Show you’re ahead in the style stakes with the watch world’s new favourite. £1,195, Raymond Weil 4 GO WILD Add a flash of animal print and up the ante on your favourite black basics. £110, LK Bennett 5 FULL TO THE BRIM Hats are big business for autumn – make a felt fedora your hero piece. £45, Hobbs 6 LOVE LEATHER Understated gloves always look expensive. Make them new with navy, not black. £18,…

SHED ONE WEEKLY TASK DON’T OVERHAUL YOUR LIFE IN ONE SWIPE It’s overwhelming, a mammoth undertaking – and that gives you more to do, not less. Take very simple baby steps, starting by dropping one weekly task. • HOW? It could as simple as finding an ironing service, getting someone else to make the arrangements for a girlfriends’ get-together or asking the kids or your partner to cook Friday supper or Sunday brunch. Maybe something you started with good intentions – an evening class, committee membership – has become a chore. Quitting won’t make you a failure. The “failure” is pouring in more effort. As you make these small changes, you’ll feel more in control, energised and inspired. FORGET “COULD DO BETTER” We all have our weaknesses, the areas we’re…

Journalist and writer Rachel Johnson, 49, is married and lives in London. She has three children, Ludo, Milly and Oliver. I love the picture below because even though my parents divorced, you can see us having a happy family holiday. Out of shot is my stepfather, who was based in New York, which was why, for a couple of summers, we drove from New York in a Volkswagen Beetle, all six of us – Boris, Jo, Leo, my mother, stepfather and me – to a beach house on Mount Desert Island, Maine. It was lent to my mother by some friends and I have happy memories of swimming in freezing Atlantic waters, in slightly warmer lakes, playing tennis down the road with my brothers, listening to the only album in…

• From cookery to upcycling, courses are on the rise all over the UK. But why? Educational psychologist Dr Estelle Doctor believes that keeping mentally stimulated is key to our general wellbeing. “Courses are a great way to reclaim time to ourselves, to nurture our natural curiosity and learn something new.” MY CULINARY ADVENTURE CLAIRE REED, 33, lives in Stafford and is married to Ben. They have two daughters, aged three and 13 months, and she runs a start-up clothing line for tall women called oneseventhree.com . Claire did an Indian cookery course with Seasoned Cookery School, which costs £149. Life with two young children is very routine-based and carving out some time completely for myself was quite empowering, and very refreshing. It was great to get…

EYE DEFINE when you need a bit more drama in your eyes… THE REVERSE SMOKY EYE (shown here at Roberto Cavalli) The smouldering, sexy new way to wear a smoky eye is upside down – “reversed”, with the dark, smoky layer placed under the lower lashes, matched with a light shadow on the eyelids. “Smoke worn under the eyes is quite sultry, while on the top is very old-school glamour,” says Sharon Dowsett, Maybelline make-up director. GET THE LOOK RIGHT There’s a whole generation of insta-blend, fast-drying, creaseless eyeshadow crayons. Much loved is the new Lancôme Ombre Hypnôse Stylo, £20, in eight shades including the versatile 04 Brun Captivant, a minky grey; or the fabulously buildable and blendable NARS Kohliner, £18.50, in eight shades. Or try…

OUR EXPERTS DOMINIC SMART is head trainer at DeSire Personal Training (marlboroughfitnessand performancecentre.com) LAUREL ALPER is a fitness expert and Pilates instructor (laurelalper.co.uk) LUCY WYNDHAMREAD is a fitness expert and author (lwrfitness.com) SARA NANKIVELL is a senior fitness manager at Nuffield Health (nuffieldhealth.com) ZOE JESSOP is a muscular physiotherapist at Oxford Circus Physio (oxfordcircus physio.co.uk) 1 Get an all-over body workout while brushing your teeth Stand with your back against a wall and legs bent at a 90-degree angle, knees directly above your toes. Hold this position for as long as you can – building up each time. Isometric exercises, like this one, which involve contracting muscles without moving at the joint, are great for toning. 2 bingo Banish as you wings shop Swap the trolley for two baskets –…

Tricky trends LAYERED KNITS Conquer autumn’s cosiest trend and layer up your knits for glamorous work-to-weekend style STYLE ME SLIMMER WINTER FLORALS Bigger BUST Troublesome TUM Heavy HIPS AT YOUR SERVICE FIGURE FIXER A belted blanket coat lets you set the rules for how tight or loose you want to wear this season’s essential throw-over. £65, 8-22, Marks & Spencer A SLIMMING FIT Drop a dress size with Artigiano’s miracle-working LDB. What’s the secret? its “super power” mesh lining means your curves are controlled. From £25, 8-20, Artigiano DID YOU KNOW  Phase Eight’s new brand Studio 8 ranges from 16-24 and is designed to suit and enhance enviable curves. Our top picks? The Lynn check cape, Nicole mac and Zena jumpsuit.…

Linda, from Staffordshire, is married with three children, aged 19, 21 and 28. Her husband Stuart is a company director. People often used to compliment me on my blonde curly hair but I took it for granted. I first noticed something was wrong just before I turned 50, after a trip to the hairdresser’s for my usual highlights. A few days later, I suddenly found a bald spot behind my ear. Thinking it must be an allergic reaction, I asked my hairdresser if she’d used a different product, but she hadn’t. To my horror, over the next few weeks, another bald spot appeared, then another. I was in complete shock. I went to see my doctor, who told me it was alopecia but that my hair would grow back. He…

1 Choose the right cheese. Full-fat, unprocessed, artisan cheeses – think Camembert, Roquefort, Brie de Meaux and Comte, rind and all – contain more than 400 species of bacteria, including lactobacilli, which, according to research, can remove cholesterol. 30g a day should be fine. 2 Step up the fibre, as gut microbes feed on fibre. Pick fruits with skin and pith, such as apples, pears, bananas, oranges and berries. Tuck into vegetables, especially Brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots, beetroot, spinach and artichokes, and also pulses. 3 Discover fermented foods. Try pickles (naturally fermented with bacteria, not vinegar) and fermented dairy foods such as yogurt and kefir (similar to buttermilk), and beers, which are packed with microbes. Try Biona Organic Sauerkraut, £1.85, Fresh Bio-Tiful Organic Kefir, £2.25 (both planetorganic.com), and Lambic Belgian…

Have you made a will? IS IT ESSENTIAL? Married people often think they don’t need a will because everything will go to their spouse. But the intestacy rules are particularly harsh for married couples with children – there’s a prescribed list of blood relatives who’ll inherit your assets in a set order of priority and, depending on the size of your estate, it may be that your surviving spouse doesn’t inherit everything. The only way you can influence that is to make a will. Review your will every five years and after any major life change (getting married or divorced, or having a child). WHAT SHOULD I INCLUDE? Who you want to benefit; who will become guardian to any children under 18; who will be your executor; what happens if…

Staggeringly, almost one in five households is now a buy-to-let property and the expected rise in the number of renters – up from 4.8 million today to 5.5 million in 2020 – means there is a growing demand that is pushing up rental income. However there is a lot to consider, especially as pundits say the property price rises over the past 20 years are unlikely to be repeated, and warn investors to be aware of ongoing costs. The average cost of a buy-to-let including mortgage interest, agents fees and repairs is around £8,000 a year – which eats into returns. 3 steps to get started Do your research carefully. You need an area with high demand for rental properties but affordable house prices. In expensive areas it can be…

The singer Lou Reed wasn’t thinking about wine when he wrote Walk on the Wild Side , but it’s a tune I like to hum when I’m out shopping sometimes, as a way of encouraging myself to try unfamiliar bottles. It’s all too easy to imagine that wine is produced in a mere handful of countries – what an American politician once described as “Old Europe” and then selected bits of the so-called New World. And to be fair, you could lead a happy life solely drinking things from places including France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile and Argentina. The downside is that you’d be missing out on the wonderful diversity of wine. I’m not suggesting that you develop a taste for the latest releases…

LIGHT TOUCH Go for a modern ceiling light similar to Wendy’s. We loved this Jewel 6 Light Chrome design with diamond-shape shades, £129, debenhams.com CLASSIC LOOK This elegant table lamp will never date. Hanover Nickel Lamp and Henry Shade, £55, neptune.com COMPACT SEATING Perfect for a smaller room, choose a loveseat in a simple style that won’t date. Sophia Herringbone Mink Loveseat, £399, tesco.com TEXTURE AND COLOUR Add colour and interest with this Fleur Lime Cushion, £12.99, dunelm-mill.com FLOOR SHOW Muted greens subtly lift a plain sitting room. Regatta Rug, £150, plantationrug.co.uk SIMPLE STYLE The rustic design works well in a country-style room. Axis Dining Table and 4 Chairs, £799, Dickins & Jones at houseoffraser.co.uk FINISHING FLOURISH Curtains,…

1 TOTALLY TAILORED will make your legs look longer than ever. Aim high and flaunt those sexy feet with a classic heel. 2 WORKING A WIDE CUT? Then leave spindly heels behind. Look for chunky, strappy styles you can slip on in seconds. 3 CUTE AND CROPPED just loves a flat. Pointed styles will prove your fashion know how – easy and elegant without even trying.…

DECLUTTER YOUR CUPBOARDS It’s so easy to forget about what’s hidden in them! Get rid of anything that’s beyond its best, or out of date. Clean out the food and recycle the packaging. If something is still in date but you don’t think you’ll use it, donate to a local food bank. Reorganise any jumbled cutlery or utensils – organise by type and keep in separate sections. Any gadgets you’ve hardly used: bin, donate or sell. Arrange kitchenware by how often you use: everyday dishes on an easy-to-reach lower shelf, special-occasion pieces up above. Group objects by purpose and assign them to specific cupboards, ie all bakeware in one place. Contain messes by housing sticky or spillable food items on a tray (or even better, a lazy Susan you can…

HOT READS THIS MONTH CHILLING THRILLER A Game for All the Family by Sophie Hannah (Hodder & Stoughton) Moving to Devon should be an idyllic change for Justine and her family. Instead, threatening anonymous phone calls and their daughter’s strange withdrawal make her think again. Sinister and twisty: I was gripped. HISTORICAL Daughter of the House by Rosie Thomas (HarperCollins) 1910. The gift of clairvoyance gives Nancy Wix the means to break free from society’s constraints and forge her own life. Wonderful theatrical backdrop for a spellbinding, romantic story. FICTIONAL MEMOIR Circling the Sun by Paula McLain (Little, Brown) A racehorse trainer and aviator in the early 1900s, Beryl Markham was a woman who broke all the rules. I was swept up in colonial…

Travel Last-minute holidays under £500 Fashion Your guide to the best new season buys Recipes Sharing plates and easy weekend dishes Hair and beauty How to save sun-frazzled hair News and entertainment Strictly : The latest line-up rumours Subscribe at womanandhome.com To join the w&h Reading Room on Facebook, search “w&h reading room” Sue Smith posts: “Man at the Helm is a wonderful insight into family life from a young adult’s view” Our most pinned recipe this month? These asparagus and pesto tarts – definitely a late summer picnic favourite! @claire1000001 tweets: “@ThisisDavina looking fab on the cover of @womanandhome #inspiration” #YOURSAY  Share your thoughts with us via w&h social media. Find us at… facebook.com/womanandhome instagram.com/womanandhome @womanandhome pinterest.com/womanandhome…

Four- and five-star European river cruises Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Main, Elbe, Rhône, Seine or Douro: eight days from £999 per person; 14 days from £1,399 per person Cruise on a four-star superior or five-star vessel. Selected departures up to November 2015, and April to November 2016. Price includes: Return rail* and Eurostar, or flights, taxes and transfersFour- and five-star cabins with private bathrooms; full-boardExtensive and fully inclusive touring programmes Vietnam and Cambodia Sixteen days from only £1,999 per person See some of the finest sights in Southeast Asia. Selected departures October and November 2015, and January to November 2016. Price includes: Return Heathrow flights, taxes and transfersFour- and five-star hotels with breakfast, plus five meals Visits to Phnom Penh, Angkor, Hanoi, Hue’s Forbidden City, Ho Chi Minh City and Cu…

BE INSPIRED… To try something new, launch a biz, get fitter FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR HAIR AGAIN Update your style, undo the damage, transform your colour FASHION’S NEW RULES Learn the art of clever layering PLUS EXCLUSIVE RECIPES JAMIE OLIVER’S SUPERFOOD ONE-POTS Everyday healthy dishes from our favourite chef NEVER MISS AN ISSUE! Get woman&home delivered to your door each month. See page 102 or visit magazinesdirect.com W&H BONUS THE GOOD SLEEP GUIDE A great night every night… guaranteed!…