Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2017 i Woman & Home

This is our last issue of 2016 and I’d like to say a big thanks to regular readers of woman&home and a warm welcome to new readers from Essentials magazine – we’re delighted you’ve joined us. Whether you’re partying or panicking this month, you’ll find plenty of wonderful solutions, hacks and ideas to ensure you have a stress-free Christmas and a fabulous New Year. From our easy three-ingredient Christmas cocktails (p154) to delicious canapés (p134) and the best ever roast (p138), your Christmas food and drink is sorted. If you’re wondering what to wear on Christmas Day, check out our selection of slimming LBDs (p84) – and treat yourself to a designer accessory (p38). Don’t miss our Christmas Essentials Bonus (p151), which has the solutions to all those last- minute…

THE KNITTY GRITTY • Layer up in shades of grey and sleek stripes. A fine knit roll-neck will give a round-neck jumper that extra fashion oomph! • Know your colour palette. Pick one tone and style your bag to match. • A knitted skirt takes it from work to weekend. Dress it all down with slip-me-on sneakers. RED ALERT • A button-down shirt dress works around the clock. Up the cosy factor and layer it under a sporty zip-up knit. • Yes, the bomber is still big. It’s the perfect piece to say I’m so up to the minute… without really trying. • Be brave and mix your sportier look with heels. Chunkier, strappier versions make it look effortless. OVERSIZE ME • It’s not getting any warmer, so bring on…

A skinny scarf instantly updates your look Upgrade that purse Personalised stationery makes you the correspondence queen Up the fun factor with a novelty clutch…

Written by Mr Selfridge’s Dan Sefton and set in the Cornish countryside, Delicious tells the story of passionate cook Gina (Dawn French), who is divorced from chef and hotel owner Leo (Iain Glen), but when Leo’s new wife, Sam (Emilia Fox), suspects he’s having an affair and confides in her, it turns out to be Gina who’s the “other woman”. Sheila Hancock stars as Leo’s mother, while Tanya Reynolds plays Gina and Leo’s teenage daughter, Teresa, and Ruairi O’Connor plays Sam and Leo’s teenage son, Michael.…

“Sorry to be a Grinch, but when it comes to Christmas cheer, I just never seem to get the memo” ’Tis the season to be jolly, tra la la la la, la la la l-aaaaaaaargh. Sorry to be a Grinch, but when it comes to Christmas cheer, I just never seem to get the memo. Why do I dread it so much? Let me begin with a little list… The tiresome build up that begins in August; the skin-crawlingly irritating festive ditties played on a loop in every lift, shopping mall and workplace; the never-ending round of Christmas parties with cold vol-au-vents, warm wine, and tepid conversation with the office bore you’ve steadfastly avoided for the rest of the year; and, perhaps worst of all, the unrelenting pressure to show…

‘I’m elated – it’s been a huge confidence boost to revisit this passion that I thought I’d left behind’ ‘In my fifties I returned to modelling!’ JOANNE REARDON, 53, took part in a jeans shoot and also our Style Inspiration pages for the Christmas issue of w&h. She is a part-time receptionist and is married to Frank with sons, James, 27, and William, 24. What happened next… Taking part in the w&h fashion shoots over the past year, which featured real women, really brought back how much I loved fashion and modelling. I had worked in modelling years ago but when I met my husband at the age of 22, I gave it up. We were looking to get a mortgage, which was hard to do on an unreliable model’s…

Written by Sally Wainwright ( Happy Valley ), Last Tango in Halifax follows the lives of childhood sweethearts, Celia Dawson (Anne Reid) and Alan Buttershaw (Derek Jacobi), who married after 60 years apart, and their two children; Celia’s daughter, headmistress Caroline (Sarah Lancashire), who left her marriage for a same-sex relationship, and Alan’s daughter, Gillian (Nicola Walker), who runs a farm and works in a supermarket. When series three ended, Caroline had been left widowed with a baby after her partner, Kate (Nina Sosanya), was killed in a car accident, while Gillian had married her partner, Robbie (Dean Andrews), whose violent brother she killed.…

1 You get fewer colds. According to John Upham of the University of Queensland, our immune systems having battled with assorted viruses over the decades have remembered how to deal with them. 2 Allergies decline and migraines peter out. You become less sweaty. 3 You do not care what people think of you, or at least care less. 4 You have better sex. The older we get, the less inhibited we become. 5 Here’s a good one. Believe it or not, with age the mind becomes sharper at a number of vitally important abilities. We may temporarily forget the name of the Defence Secretary but we can whip up a meringue while explaining to a twenty-something why apostrophes are necessary.…

Back to black New Year’s Eve party Lesley Exley, MD at Exley Hervey Executive Search, and daughter Francesca, 20, who is studying at Leeds university, both live in London and love a bit of glamour for the festive season. FRANCESCA keeps it chic with a spaghetti strap dress – and the same detail echoed in her shoes. Dress, £295, 6-18, LK Bennett. Shoes, £130, Kurt Geiger. Necklace (worn as bracelet), £178, Butler & Wilson. Ring, £107, Konplott LESLEY plays down her patterned coat with simple black trousers. Jacket, £307, 10-18, Joseph Ribkoff. Trousers, £195, 36-42, Joseph. Shoes, Lesley’s own. Necklace, £107, Konplott. Cuff, £320, Halo & Co at thefollyboutique.com . Ring, £49, Konplott Stripes and monochrome are the easiest prints to pull off Graphic note…

The easiest all-weather updo is the nape bun. Simply make a ponytail at the nape of the neck, then twist your hair around and around itself, then finally secure in place. Oribe gold-plated hairpin, £59 A DREADED DOWNPOUR The ultimate winter hair bugbear, even a sprinkle of rain is destined to instigate a bad hair day, but a blow-dry, salon or home, helps close the cuticle and start you off with smoother hair that can withstand the elements, even those with frizz. “I always say ‘the smoother the better’ as this will last the longest,” says James Galvin, Kérastase Ambassador. “Hair that has all of its movement blow-dried out will slowly start to go back to its own natural state over the next couple of days, so what…

Whatever your New Year’s resolution, let’s make this the year we address our health issues head on – especially the ones we find it almost impossible to talk about. Vaginal dryness is just such a problem but, although it’s incredibly common, many women don’t even realise there is a simple solution. This means they put up with problems like painful sex and other symptoms such as itching, irritations and discomfort that can sometimes arise from ordinary activities like walking, exercising or even just sitting. That can all change though because vaginal dryness really can be easily treated once you make the decision to get help. First steps to get help Just as with any New Year’s resolutions, the first step is making up your mind to do something. Vaginal dryness…

• Get your gas appliances and flues regularly serviced by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. • Call one out if the flame on your cooker, fire or boiler is lazy yellow or orange (it should be crisp and blue), if you see soot or dark staining around or on appliances, if pilot lights frequently blow out, or if there’s increased condensation inside windows. • Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm in each room with a gas appliance. Available from around £15 from DIY stores or your energy supplier. • Don’t just rely on “black spot” detectors that change colour when CO is present – they won’t make a sound to wake you up, then it may be too late.…

Claire Todd, 54, is a chartered physiotherapist and runs Heartlands Physiotherapy Clinic in Daventry, Northants. “I’ve always enjoyed sport but for the past three years I’d felt a sharp pinching pain at the front of my hip in the groin area. A specialist hip surgeon diagnosed Femoral Acetabular Impingement (FAI), where the thigh bone and hip socket bang into each other, plus a cartilage tear and patches of osteoarthritis. I was booked in for a hip arthroscopy, a keyhole operation where the bone is trimmed and reshaped, and a tear in the cartilage sealed. But there was more wear and tear (osteoarthritis) than originally thought so eventually I may need a full hip replacement. There have been ups and downs in recovery but six months on, I’m optimistic of getting…

A survey by Cancer Research UK showed that 40 per cent of people dislike having to speak to the practice receptionist about their symptoms, and in some cases this meant that patients delayed seeking an appointment about something potentially serious, such as blood in their motions or urine. The problem is that in most surgeries there are simply not enough appointments available for everyone to be seen fast. Though medical receptionists are not medically qualified, even the most junior person answering the phone in my surgery knows there’s a world of difference between someone wanting treatment for their verrucas and someone with a breast lump. So when the receptionist asks you what’s wrong, it’s only so he or she can sort out an appropriate appointment. But there should be no…

Nina Donohoe, an occupational therapist specialising in spatial awareness and author of Steps in The Right Direction ( senseofdirection.co.uk ), says we all have grid cells in our brains, which are special neurons that allow us to understand our position in space. In 58 per cent of us, these light up strongly when we’re facing north, so we instinctively know how to orientate ourselves, but in others, the signal is weaker. However, you can improve your inner satnav with these tips: NAVIGATING WHILE DRIVING… Don’t rely on your satnav all the time – use it as a tool, but train yourself to do without. Use Google Maps Street View to do a “virtual journey” of your route before you set off – yes, it’s…

Smoked salmon canapés Shop-bought blinis and crispy granary toast stamped into star shapes make attractive bases for these posh toppings. Easy/Prepare ahead • Ready in 30 minutes • Makes 32 6 slices granary bread16 blinis (162g pack) 200ml crème fraîche150g garlic and herb cheese (we used Boursin)200g smoked salmonseveral sprigs of dill80g lumpfish caviar 1 Lightly toast the bread. Stamp out star shapes using a cutter, if you like, or trim off the crusts and cut each into quarters for squares. 2 Put 3tbsp crème fraîche into a bowl and mix with the cheese. Spoon this mixture on top of the blinis and top with a twirl of smoked salmon and a sprig of dill. 3 Arrange the salmon on top of the toasts and top with a dollop…

We used to impress guests with a great bottle of wine, but now we’re offering a choice of gin. The industry is booming, with supermarkets and wine merchants expanding their ranges as fast as you can say G&T, in a craze that has been dubbed “gin-naissance”. At my local, The Pump House in Bristol, there’s at an incredible 600-plus bottles on the menu. It’s always been a hang-out for gin aficionados but in the past 18 months, the range has more than doubled. “Some simply come in to take a selfie in front of our gin wall,” says co-owner Toby Gritten. “Others want to talk for hours about gin.” At Loki in Birmingham, gin tastings sell out practically the moment they go up on the website, says owner Phil Innes:…

For more than 90 years, woman&home has been inspiring and supporting women all over the UK. From features to fashion, woman&home is the gift that keeps on giving, every month of the year. If you buy the magazine regularly, or have a subscription, you’ll be one of the many women who enjoy the inspiring fashion and beauty features, expert health and wellness tips, and brilliant real-life stories about women just like you. So what better way to make sure you don’t miss out this Christmas, than to sign up as a subscriber, or give a loved one the gift of a w&h subscription? But don’t just take our word for it. Hear from four subscribers who make sure they always get w&h… Editorial Director Meet four women who make sure…

FASHION MUST-HAVES The 10 pieces every woman should own LOOK GREAT IN LESS TIME Fast-track beauty treatments, tricks & buys PLUS why you should go blonde! EAT HEALTHY EVERY DAY Less meat, more veg, bags of flavour and good for you! PLUS could Paul McKenna help you give up sugar for good? 30 BEST-EVER TIPS  to save time, effort, energy THE BONUS BE THE BEST YOU! 3 simple steps to happy, fit and healthy…

GOTHIC SUSPENSE The Last Days of Leda Grey by Essie Fox (Orion) A young journalist stumbles upon the reclusive Leda Grey, once an aspiring silent-movie star now living in a dilapidated clifftop house. Can he find out what brought her here? Shades of Sunset Boulevard in this atmospheric chiller. ZANY DEBUT The Wangs vs. the World by Jade Chang (Fig Tree) Charles Wang is ruined by the 2008 global financial collapse. He embarks on a road trip across America to round up his loved ones before heading to the family property in China. Funny, engrossing novel about a family in crisis. HISTORICAL EPIC Under a Pole Star by Stef Penney (Quercus) Against a backdrop of Arctic wilderness, a 19th-century love affair is played out between explorers Flora Mackie and Jakob…

FROM OUR COVER SHOOT: Ruth and Eamonn reveal the five things they’d tell their younger selves. Watch them now at womanandhome.com/ ruthandeamonn CHRISTMAS STYLE FOR ALL AGES The details that make a difference – learn the tricks at womanandhome.com/xmasfashion LOOK SLIMMER INSTANTLY! Learn the secrets of great posture at womanandhome.com/goodposture ONE AMAZING PIE! See Food Director Jane Curran create a festive feast of a raised pie at womanandhome.com/raisedpie GIFTS MADE GORGEOUS Fabulous wrapping ideas – get inspired at womanandhome.com/ giftwrap BEHIND THE SCENES... Here’s the w&h fashion team on location in Amsterdam – they look very relaxed but we’re assured it was all horribly hard work! Check out the results in our inspiring Big Easy fashion feature on page 22. EDITORIAL COMPLAINTS We work hard to achieve the highest standards of editorial…

Eamonn and I have our first Christmas special of How the Other Half Lives coming up – and trust me, the super-rich do Christmas very differently to most of us! Do they clamber around in the loft looking for the decorations and untangle Christmas tree lights? No! They have people do it for them – and to buy their gifts! Eamonn is the real spender in our household. He’ll come home with a jukebox or an elaborate piece of Irish art. It does have its perks, though, because he recently surprised me with a pair of diamond earrings. He put them in this little box within several bigger boxes – it was very romantic. The How the Other Half Lives Christmas special…

The Lace blouse Blouse, £95, 8-20, Laura Ashley. Earrings, £8, Next. Necklace, £338, Anton Heunis. Bracelet, £119, Shourouk at Fenwick of Bond Street. Twist ring, £101; teardrop ring, £79, both Diamonique at QVC. Skirt, £22.99, s-l, Zara. Bag, from a selection, Oasis The Wrap top Top, £29, 8-22, M&Co. Choker, £15, Marks & Spencer. Ring, £191, ekria.com . Clutch, £25, Next The Cut-away Top, £32, 8-20, Principles by Ben De Lisi at Debenhams. Earrings, £106, Anton Heunis. Necklace, £91, butterfly-jewellery.com . Pouch, £85, Kurt Geiger. Jeans, £79, 6-20, Biba at House of Fraser. Flower ring, £131, ekria.com . Other ring, £59, Astrid & Miyu The Sequinned tee Top, £25, 12-24, Lavitta. Earrings, £12, Next. Bracelet, £46, butterfly-jewellery.com .…

“I am a firm believer that the future of the human race lies with women” A global icon, Dame Helen, 71, recently became the first Patron of Women for Women International, a charity that helps women rebuild their lives after conflict and war. She’s also about to star alongside Will Smith, Kate Winslet and Keira Knightley in Collateral Beauty, playing a character who helps a grieving father (played by Smith) find meaning in life again. Helen is married to American director Taylor Hackford. She splits her time between London, the US and Italy. When I heard about the work of Women for Women International I was blown away. Really, it felt like I’d been waiting a long time to come across an organisation like this. It’s a charity that makes…

I’ve got six grandchildren now (five girls and one boy) whose ages range from three to almost 30 – I’m always laughing when they’re around. The eight-year-old recently said to me, “Granny, I love you very much, I hope you never die. But when you die, I will miss you.” Then there’s the 15-year-old who told me I need to get a new bra. I asked, “Why darling?” and she said, “You’re getting a bit droopy.” They’re all on moustache patrol too! What kind of a grandmother am I? Both a strict and a daft one! My sons live all over the place – one is in Edinburgh, another in east London and another in Spain, but I never miss an opportunity to see them. The only condition the boys…

The very act of naming the fear helps to manage your emotions Feel the joy of being with loved ones, not the threat of losing them SIAN, 51, has two adult sons from her first marriage, a stepdaughter of 19, and a son and daughter aged ten and seven, from her marriage to journalist Paul Woolwich. The family live in Kent. This Christmas will be chaotic. I know it is for most of us – the usual few days full of squabbling and tears, laughter and hugs. Paul preparing a massive lunch, spending hours by the oven, wine glass in hand, Radio 4 blaring. Meanwhile by the tree, the adult children feigning excitement when they get yet another jumper, the “babies” ripping the paper off their gifts, barely looking at…

I HATE THE WORD “NETWORKING”. TERMS LIKE THESE ARE A FORM OF VOWEL CANCER The best thing about being a writer is that you can go to lots of parties and call it “research”. Generally speaking, you know you’ve been to a good bash when you wake up in an unfamiliar nation with nipple jewellery. For me, socialising is as natural as breathing. But for those who find mixing tricky, here are my top mingling tips... 1 AVOIDING SOCIAL SIBERIA When you enter a room and don’t know anybody, never loiter in the doorway looking lost. Simply select the most boisterous group and insinuate yourself into the conversation with the words, “You’re clearly the most fabulous people in the room. So, what have I missed?” Gregarious types love an audience.…

‘No matter how hard I’ve tried, it’s a chapter of my life I’ve never escaped’ Walking my dogs through the idyllic Somerset countryside where I live, I often bump into my neighbours. Although I haven’t lived in the area long, they’ve been nothing but welcoming, stopping to exchange a friendly hello when they see me. Yet as I return their smiles, part of me is always wondering what they’ve seen or heard about me. I’m not famous. In almost every way, I’m a totally ordinary 65-year-old woman, a mother of two and grandmother who enjoys growing herbs in my garden and making jam. But I’m always painfully aware that some of the people I meet on a daily basis will have read newspaper stories which mention me and feature my…

“Once you get to know the Royals, they’re very normal and make good patients!” Tucked in quiet Marylebone streets, the King Edward VII Hospital is the Royal Family’s hospital of choice. The Queen Mother, the Queen, her husband Prince Philip and Prince Charles have all been patients. More recently, the hospital made headlines when the Duchess of Cambridge was treated here for severe morning sickness, leading to the tragic suicide of nurse Jacintha Saldanha, who had been taken in by a hoax phone call from a radio show. Caroline Cassels steered the hospital through all of this – joining as a nurse in 1984 and becoming Matron ten years later. Today Caroline, who lives close to the hospital, tells us what life is like inside the most exclusive private hospital…

BAT AN EYE Yes, insta-fix false lashes are a great way to exaggerate lashes to the max (preferably using transparent glue Ardell LashGrip Clear Adhesive, £3.99), but I’m always wary before a big night. For guaranteed fat lashes that simply wash away, my all-nighter must-have super-smudge-proof mascara of choice is Clinique Lash Power Flutter-to Full, £20. COVER UP... PERFECTLY “Focused concealing” is the way to cover up, and the Cover FX Perfect Pencil, £15 at Harvey Nichols, is your ideal, do-it-all precision tool that conceals imperfections, defines your lip line, shapes the arch of your brow and, along the waterline, will brighten your eyes. GET GLOWING Avoid frosty pastel metallics, go for more bronzy-gold shades on skin, eyes and body. Backstage for S/S17 this MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Beaming…

As beauty ingredients go, it doesn’t have the sexiest connotations. But, however improbable, clay is becoming the hottest thing in skin right now. How? Because it’s brilliant at getting the job done, whether that’s pulling dirt from pores, smoothing scaly arms or detoxing an overloaded scalp. You’ve probably tried mud masks before – few of us escaped the 90s without sampling a face-puckering sachet – but now beauty brands are sourcing it from all over the world. There’s a rainbow of diverse varieties, each with unique nutrients offering a cocktail of benefits for your skin. Dig into our pick of the best… Thermal spring A Spanish coastal clay loaded with mineral deposits that soothes sensitive skin, clears congestion and brightens. Add to that three more varieties of clay and exfoliating…

TAKE PRE-PARTY PRECAUTIONS We all know how lousy a hangover makes us feel – nauseous, headachy and with little (or no) get up and go. Trouble is, you’ve got no time to languish in bed and nurse your nasty symptoms when there’s so much to do! So, be prepared and head off a hangover before it starts, suggests nutritionist Sarah West ( zebedees.co.uk ). “Eating high-fat foods before your night out ‘lines the stomach’ by helping to slow its emptying time – the longer food stays in the stomach, the slower the rate at which alcohol will be absorbed into your blood,” she explains. “Opt for healthy fats such as salmon, nuts and avocado, which are both slow to digest and also rich in nutrients. They’re also a…

LUMO LIFT £59, amazon.co.uk While exercise disciplines such as Pilates and yoga can do wonders for your postural awareness, it’s what you do the other 23 hours of the day that really counts. Lumo, a discreet sensor that you clip onto your clothing below your collarbone, emits a gentle vibration when it senses you slouching, reminding you to sit – or stand – tall. The device syncs wirelessly to a computer or smartphone app (iPhone or android) to display how many “good posture” hours you sustained, as well as your daily steps (and sets you a daily goal for both). The app also includes exercises to help you hone the postural muscles until sitting up straight becomes second nature. FITBIT CHARGE 2 £129.99, fitbit.com This is…

The doctor said she couldn’t find anything wrong. It was baffling We’d just moved home when the symptoms started. My husband, Paul, and I had bought a four-bedroom new-build house in Sale, Cheshire, and it was lovely to be able to decorate and furnish it from scratch. In particular it was great having so much room – especially for our son Josh, who was then five years old. Not long after we moved in, however, I started to feel under the weather. I’d get headaches and feel fluey and nauseous. I assumed I was run-down. I’d just started my own business, based at home, assessing damage on buildings for insurance. I was working long hours six days a week, and had a very energetic little boy and a busy social…

Headaches Nausea/vomiting Exhaustion Drowsiness Dizziness Flu-like symptoms Palpitations Chest pain Collapse without necessarily losing consciousness If you experience any of these symptoms: GET FRESH AIR IMMEDIATELY.  Open doors and windows, turn off gas appliances and leave the house. See your GP immediately or go to hospital – tell them you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to be tested as soon as possible because CO leaves the system very quickly.…

THIS MONTH… • BELL’S PALSY • SINUS ARRHYTHMIA • OBESITY GENE • GP RECEPTIONISTS Q I’ve had a few palpitations recently, and the ECG my doctor organised showed “sinus arrhythmia”, though I didn’t feel anything abnormal when the recording was being done. Is this serious? A The beating of the heart is controlled by an electrical centre within it known as the sinus node. A normal regular pulse is known as “sinus rhythm”. In some, especially young people, the heart rate varies when you breathe in and out, which is labelled as “sinus arrhythmia” on an electrical recording of the heart. It’s not usually associated with palpitations and because you didn’t have any while you were having the ECG, it’s worth asking your doctor about wearing a heart monitor for 24 or 48…

‘Clients imagine I’m sitting in a dull London office, not wandering through my Spanish orchard picking olives’ PAULA SHERIDAN, 52, is married with one adult son. She lives in the Andalucían mountains in Spain. She relocated from London and runs iHubbub, a home business network. VIEW FROM MY DESK Panoramic views of incredibly blue skies, wild olive trees, peach orchards, my swimming pool glitters between the trees and I can see mountains in the distance. Ten years ago I was working for a hotel group in Newbury as a marketing and PR manager. I had an operation for shoulder pain that went wrong and I had to resign from my job. My husband, Ken, hated his job as a water company MD, flying all over the world, so we decided…

Serve the beef with those traditional accompaniments everyone loves Roast cured beef Curing the sirloin first gives the most tender results and amazing flavour. Easy/Prepare ahead • Ready in 1 hour 45 minutes, plus chilling and resting • Serves 6 with leftovers 1tbsp mixed peppercorns (black, green, white and pink) or just black2 sprigs rosemary90g light brown sugar45g coarse sea salt900g beef sirloin1tbsp olive oil TO SERVE 2 heads garlica little oil2tsp ready-grated horseradish200ml pot crème fraîche 1 Crush the peppercorns roughly in a pestle and mortar, then add the rosemary leaves and crush them a little. Mix with the sugar and salt and rub this cure over the meat (remove the think layer of fat and strip of sinew on top of the sirloin first if you prefer). Put the…

We Brits can’t get enough bubbles these days. And I mean sparkling wine, not just Champagne. We still drink plenty of the latter – we’re the world’s number one export market after all – but it’s sales of Prosecco and a growing taste for English wines that are behind the boom, doubling the amount we drink in the past five years. As the impact of Brexit looms over the wine industry, anything imported from overseas will increase in price, making home-produced fizz more appealing than ever. Thirty-seven new wine estates opened in the UK last year, which gives you some idea of the potential in these islands. And yet I can’t see us giving up sparkling wines from Italy, Spain and France. One tip: the gap between the quality of…

1 CHOOSE A LETTER Wrap gifts in pretty co-ordinating papers then either buy or make your own letters in contrasting colours. Guaranteed to make the recipient feel special. 2 SOFT TOUCH Odd-shaped presents? Instead of struggling with paper that may be too stiff, use fabric! And tie it instead of sticking. You could even wrap the gifts in a silk scarf and make it part of the present too. 3 LITTLE BOXES If you have lots of small things to wrap, buy some boxes of the same size and colour, and put a gift in each one. Then decorate with two or three different- coloured thin ribbons, creating different designs for each box; add pretty embellishments using the same colours. 4 CRAFTY MOMENT Discover your creative side by decorating simple…

“ I like an understated look, so a small tree, simply dressed, and candles and greenery on the fireplace gives just the right feel.” When Susannah Hemmings describes the semi-detached Victorian house in Surrey she and Victor first bought as, “damp and derelict”, she is not exaggerating. “It had been left empty for a year and it had not been touched since the 1960s. Two days after we signed the contract I collected the keys from the agent and raced round to my dad’s garden centre to borrow a sledgehammer. Then singlehanded, I demolished all the MDF partitions that carved the master bedroom into two rooms divided by a corridor,” she laughs. That was the start of their inspirational building project, opening up spaces and letting in more light. Susannah…

OPULENT ROSE Rose & Oud Candle, £40, florislondon.com CLEMENTINES & CLOVES Scent of Christmas Candle, £13.50, joythestore.com FIVE CHARMING MINIS London Miniature Candle Collection, £66, jomalone.co.uk CEDARWOOD & BALSAM FIR Limited Edition Snow Candle, £95, rojadove.com A TOUCH OF LUXURY Thé Russe Candle No.75, £65, l-objet.com GOLDEN GLOW Christmas Wish Candle, £30, neomorganics.com JOURNEY TO LAPONIA Fabled Juniper Berries & Lapp Pine Candle, £39, moltonbrown.co.uk LIMITED EDITION Biba Tabac Noir 3 Wick Candle, £55, houseoffraser.co.uk FIGS & FIRS Matty Bovan Limited Edition Candle, £30, millerharris.com COMFORTING BLEND Log Fires Scented Candle, £16, ashleigh-burwood.co.uk…

WARM GLOW Great for propping or hanging. Star light, £25, houseoffraser.co.uk HOUSE TO HOME How charming is this! Wooden house, £12.99, therange.co.uk SPELL IT OUT Copper-toned ornament perfect for any room. £24.99, very.co.uk NAME IN LIGHTS Light up your own phrase! Cinematic light box, £44.99, festive-lights.com SETTLE IN Spark up your sofa with this fab light-up cushion. £19.50, marksandspencer.com ALL TANGLED UP The perfect decoration for all year round. LED dome, £6, matalan.co.uk STAR BRIGHT Light up a room with a bright silhouette. LED star, £29.99, argos.co.uk PRETTY PRESENTS Crystal parcels with 90 LED lights, set of 3, £75, johnlewis.com ALL IN A NAME A sign sure to light up the occasion. Noel light,…

The bestselling author of Eats, Shoots & Leaves and Cat Out of Hell has written her second novel about the Evil Talking Cats, The Lunar Cats (Century). Your new novel in a nutshell? A retired librarian, Alec, who has already endured an exposure to Evil Talking Cats, finds himself caught up in another mystery with them. How did you dream up the Evil Talking Cats? I think all cats, if you look at them, are probably evil although they don’t all talk. However there are lots of talking cats in literature, my favourite being Saki’s Tobermory, who’s given the power of speech, but it’s horrifying because he knows everything and he has no compunction about exposing everyone’s worst…

1 Pattard Cottages Luxury barn conversions sleeping 2-8. Adjoining meadow. Near coast & pubs. Now with on-site restaurant. 01237 441311 www.pattard.co.uk  www.pattardkitchen.com 2 Cornish Horizons Holiday Cottages Over 500 VisitEngland graded holiday cottages. 5* luxury barns, houses with leisure facilities and hot tubs, relaxing beach and rural retreats. Pets welcome. Book through us an accredited agency . www.cornishhorizons.co.uk  01841 533331 3 CREEKSIDE COTTAGES Creekside Cottages offer a beautiful selection of self-catering cottages sleeping from 2 to 8. Dogs welcome. All our cottages are situated in stunning locations on the south coast of Cornwall. Available throughout the year, just come and relax . www.creeksidecottages.co.uk  Tel. 01326 375 972 4 Wilderness Cottages Located throughout Scotland, Wilderness Cottages offers a unique collection of properties, from small cottages to larger houses. Short…

Star sign of the month CAPRICORN 23 DECEMBER – 19 JANUARY  On Twelfth Night you’ll be throwing out more than the Christmas Tree. This is a year of positive change and it all starts with events on or near the 6th and 12th. Make no compromises. For weekly updates, call 09058-170550* THE YEAR AHEAD  You have a real shot at making it this year – whatever making it means to you. But you need to get off the starting blocks asap. To hear a detailed breakdown of the year ahead, phone Penny on 09058-170099* AQUARIUS 20 JANUARY – 19 FEBRUARY You’ll gain nothing by forcing the pace. Go slow. Avoid a possible financial glitch in the first week by honesty and prudence. Take any get-aways after the 8th. Weekly update…

Past resolutions always revolved around my weight and work There is a list of New Year’s resolutions I could make, but deep down I know I’d never stick to. Among them would be, and in no particular order… Eat less and exercise more Work less and travel more Spend more time with my friends and family (and work less) Cook more (but eat less) Drink more water and much less wine! In fact when I look at any list of resolutions I have made for the past 20 years they all revolve around my weight and my work! But truth is, I’m still working hard and still have that last stone to lose. So this year I’ve given up on my own resolutions and focused on other people’s. Beginning with…

Bold stripes Body (throughout), £130, xs-l, Wolford. Pleated skirt, £55, 4-16, Miss Selfridge, worn with striped tights, £9.50, Marks & Spencer Collection. Stole, £195, LK Bennett. Watch, £159, Kate Spade at watchshop.com . Bracelet, £150, Annie Haak. Cross ring, £79; other ring, £129, both Sif Jakobs. Bag, £15.99, New Look. Shoes, £32, Lost Ink at Asos Party pieces Feather skirt, £165, 8-18, Matthew Williamson Butterfly at Debenhams, worn with polka dot tights, £18, Falke. Shoes, £75, Dune. Necklace (worn as bracelet), £45, Hobbs. Cross ring, £22.50; pearl ring, £79.50, both Diamonique at QVC. Top bracelet, £75, Folli Follie. Bottom bracelet, £45, Annie Haak. Double ring, £158, Carat London. Bow ring, £125, Pandora. Clutch, £39.99, Lotus Jewel colours Pink skirt, £75, 6-16, Finery, worn with metallic encrusted tights,…

ONE WOMAN AT A TIME • For women living in communities devastated by war, the future can be bleak. It’s likely their husbands or other family members have been killed and the women themselves have often experienced unspeakable violence. Women for Women International helps them start their lives again and rebuild their community. • Through the organisation’s 12-month programme women learn skills so they can earn a living, as well as life skills – from medical know-how to their voting rights. • Over the past 23 years the organisation has supported 447,000 women survivors of conflict in countries including Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Rwanda and Afghanistan. How you can help • Helen Mirren is currently sponsoring a woman through the one-year programme. You can too for £22 per month at womenforwomen.org.uk •…

There’s one scene in a bathing hut that’s particularly racy DAWN FRENCH Plays the ex-wife, Gina. Dawn, 58, is married to charity CEO Mark Bignell, and lives in Cornwall. She has a daughter, Billie, with her first husband, Lenny Henry. I have to admit, I have no desire to be in front of the camera any more, but when [executive producer] Phillippa [Giles] sent me the script for Delicious , I was so intrigued that I had a moment of weakness. I was hooked by all these layers of female friendship, betrayal and forgiveness. But I’d just got home from touring with my one-woman show, so I told her it would have to wait until next year – and she just said, “Well, there’s no reason…

“Although scheduling time to worry sounds odd, it’s a proven strategy for reducing anxiety” Do… VISUALISE THE END RESULT RHONDA BYRNE is a writer and TV producer, and author of global bestseller The Secret . She also made a film of the same name, and her most recent book is Hero (Simon & Schuster). You can easily understand that the more prepared you are before a test, exam or speech, the less fear you will have. Well, when you prepare your mind for something you’re about to undertake by visualising the outcome, you will reduce the fear you feel. You might also discover that the moment you begin to do the fearful thing, the fear disappears immediately. I have found this to be…

“My cards go on a string, just like my nana’s” At 3pm on Christmas Day, just when I imagine more progressive families are keying in the validation codes on their iTunes gift cards, or hunting Pokémon under the mistletoe, my long-suffering children and I are always watching the Queen’s speech. Because after a morning of fevered stocking opening, we stop, leaving the presents under the tree almost entirely unsqueezed until after we’ve eaten our (late) lunch and Elizabeth II and her corgis have signed off. My sons don’t question it, I will not entertain any other way (much to my former husband and his family’s frustration), because this is how my grandmother Nance always did Christmas. And so it is law. DRESSED FOR BEST As a child we always spent…

THE QUEEN had keyhole surgery on her right knee in 2003. THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE was treated for severe morning sickness when expecting Prince George. PRINCE PHILIP was hospitalised after falling ill during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012. THE QUEEN MOTHER had a fish bone removed from her throat, two hip operations and a cataract removal in the 1990s. PRINCE CHARLES had a hernia operation here and the Duchess of Cornwall was in for a hysterectomy. PRINCESS MARGARET died at the hospital in 2002 aged 71, after suffering several strokes. THE COUNTESS OF WESSEX had surgery after being diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy.…

“A complete bod y detox, such as fasting twice a year, is a great way to kickstart y our skin into looking more vibrant and healthy”Chico Shigeta, organic skin coach and facialist HAVING A SHARPIE MOMENT Loved for their ease of use and ability to create a look in a flash, these felt pen-style beauty magic markers are the ultimate handbag essential. THE EYE LINER The tip of Maybelline Master Precise Curvy, £6.99, really hugs the lash line and is super black. THE BROW DEFINER Shape and define your brow colour with bbrowbar Brow Corrector, £17 from blinkbrowbar.com, which erases any make-up errors or smudges. THE LIP LINER At £6.90 each, you can afford to buy a kaleidoscope of Kiko Long Lasting Colour Lip Markers. THE NAIL PEN Always on…

Help… it’s time to go! Keep these fast fix party beauty heroes close to hand. MASCARA CLUMPED? Grab a clean dry toothbrush and gently brush your lashes through. Better yet, always apply mascara onto clean lashes from the start to prevent this from happening. STREAKY TAN? If you’re tanning up before a night out, and have no time to get a pro-tan, please use a wash-off tanner. It’s way easier to wash away mistakes and correct in a hurry. One worth trying is James Read Wash Off Tan For Body, £12, in case a self-tan goes awry at the last minute. MAKE-UP SMUDGED? Try matching your primer to your foundation. If your primer is silicone based (many are), match with a silicone-based foundation on top. If you use a water-based…

We’ve all been there; slipping into slinky party wear only to be faced with that fleshy bra bulge or dodgy toenail that’s been happily unexposed since August. Believe it or not, this is a good thing. Deepest winter is the perfect time to begin long-game body treatments that will pay dividends by spring. And in the meantime? Fake it with the cleverest DIY buys. WOBBLY BITS Tackle any spots where fat stubbornly collects, impervious to exercise, with SculpSure. Using targeted laser energy this nukes fat cells, ignores other ones and results in about 25% local fat loss. It takes 25 minutes and feels anywhere from mildly prickly to painful. I felt achy, fine the next day, then three months on, my wobbly upper arms looked sleeker in a strappy dress.…

Special deal for w&h readers – save £25 on your first month. You pay from £5.32 a day! With the Jane Plan delivery diet service, losing weight is super easy – and you’ll see results in your first week. Try starting it now to look your best for the festive season. HOW TO SIGN UP AND SAVE £25 • Go to janeplan.com, click on W&H Flatter Tummy Box on the home page and select your plan. • You will then be asked to sign up to a minimum of one month of meals; the longer you subscribe, the cheaper the deal! • Then, go to the menu selector to choose your own food from a range of more than 55 meals. • Your selection of breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks…

• Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly gas that can be emitted from faulty cooking/heating appliances powered by any carbon-based fuel (gas, coal, wood, petrol, diesel, etc). When flues, chimneys or vents become blocked, or boilers are not fitted properly, oxygen levels drop and CO is produced, which then builds up inside enclosed spaces. • Carbon monoxide is given off by charcoal BBQs, and poisoning can occur if these are used in an enclosed space (eg, a tent or small cabin). • CO has no odour, taste or smell so you can’t tell when you’re breathing it in. • Less than 2% of CO in the air can kill in between one and three minutes. • There have been at least 699 deaths from CO poisoning in the UK in…

Latest NHS figures for England reveal a 76% rise in the past decade of hip replacements among the under sixties We think of hip surgery as something that happens at seventy plus, often after a fall, but increasing numbers of women in their fifties and even forties are having replacements or the less-invasive hip-resurfacing operation that ballerina and Strictly judge Darcey Bussell, 47, underwent two years ago. Overdoing high-impact exercise is one cause; being overweight is another. But osteoarthritis – when cartilage lining the joints is damaged so bones rub together – is still the commonest problem. Whatever the reason, the development of smaller, longer-lasting replacement joints means surgeons are offering them to younger patients. So what to do to keep this hard-working joint healthy and pain free? Move your…

I’m often told by patients that they can’t lose weight because of their “genes”. There are thought to be about 97 different genes that can influence a person’s chance of being overweight, and the “FTO” variant gene has the strongest association with obesity. Research on nearly 10,000 people led by doctors at Newcastle University found that while having the FTO gene meant people were more likely to be overweight, it did not affect their ability to lose weight through diet and exercise, with or without other methods such as medication. So even if you carry the “obesity gene”, with determination and self-control, you can lose weight!…

Six of the best party foods GREAT BUYS FOR AN INSTANT & EASY DRINKS PARTY! FROM SAINSBURY’S: Chorizo Jam and Smoked Cheddar Croquettes, £2.50 for 9. Taste the Difference Lobster and Prawn with Smoked Chilli Butter and Hot Brioche Rolls, £4.50 for 8. FROM M&S: Three Bird Roast Sausage Rolls – all-butter pastry with turkey, chicken, duck and bacon, £5 for 12. Dinky Hot and Sour Prawn Doughnuts, £7 for 10. FROM MORRISONS: The Best Mini Beef Burger Sliders, £3.50 for 10 – on garlic and rosemary focaccia with Cheddar and tomato chutney. British Mini Classic Pies, £2 for 12 – mini steak and ale pies, chicken, ham and leek pies, all topped with a puff pastry lid. Turn over for our new party food recipes to wow your guests!…

Go for four basic cheese categories… soft, medium, hard and blue Buying There are no rules. We’re all different. Have fun. Explore. Experiment. Discover. The same goes for pairings; try cider and beer as well as wine and fizz. Match the sweetness of a grape with the saltiness of a Stilton. Try a sharp Cheshire with apple pie, or Cheddar with a strong porter beer. Storing Serve above 15°C (59°F), not straight out of the fridge. Let it get oozy and stinky. To store, wrap cheeses individually in cheese (waxed) paper. Keep different types of cheese, such as white bloomy rinds, blues and hard cheeses, separate. If storing in plastic containers as well, refresh the air every day, let the cheeses breathe, then rewrap. Soft and blue cheeses should be…

1 CLASSIC Despite all the new fancy gins, barmen still swear by Beefeater London Dry Gin (40%) for cocktails. Widely available at around £16-£17 for 70cl. 2 LEMONY Malfy (41%) You really get the Amalfi lemon flavour coming through in this Italian gin. Gorgeous bottle too. £25.95 for 75cl, 31dover.com 3 HERBY Silent Pool (43%) is an innovative gin flavoured with lavender and chamomile – in another beautiful bottle. £35 for 70cl, silentpooldistillers.com 4 SPICY If you like your G&T spicy, Opihr (40%) has a strong kick of black pepper, along with cubeb berries and coriander. £22 for 70cl Waitrose and Ocado 5 FRUITY Marks & Spencer’s new Pink Grapefruit gin (37.5%) is utterly delicious and refreshing. Serve garnished with a peeled segment of pink grapefruit.…

TOP 10 CRACKING CRACKERS A Christmas essential! Choose what works for your celebrations. 1 THE FEEL-GOOD ONES Multi, £39 for 6, toast.uk Fairly pricey but the gifts are sweet: including a Jasmine flower tea bomb and glass tree dec. 2 THE TRULY FESTIVE ONES Robin Reed Nutcrackers, £16.95 for 6, amazon.co.uk Each contains a mini nutcracker dec – really sweet! 3 THE FOODIE ONES Tassel surprise, £19.50 for 6, smallable.com Each contains a little cookie cutter (and if everyone leaves theirs on the table, well you’ll have a set!). 4 THE CRAFTY ONES Helsinki Origami, £20 for 6, johnlewis.com Super-stylish and with origami shapes to make inside. 5 THE SHARING ONE Star Sharing Cracker for 6, £12,…

CHECK THIS LIST! Have you remembered… Stamps…and last posting dates Bought your stamps? Good, but get writing those cards now, if you still do… The last UK posting date is 21st December for first class, otherwise you’ll have to send special delivery. These dates apply even if you’re using services like moonpig or funkypigeon to send personalised cards. For UK parcels by ParcelForce, you can send up to the 22nd or even send express on the 23rd to arrive Christmas Eve, but it will cost you £9 extra. The last dates for sending overseas vary between: 3rd December Africa and Middle East 7th Cyprus, Asia, Far East Eastern Europe 8th Caribbean, Central and South America 10th Greece, Australia, New Zealand 14th Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Poland 15th Canada, Finland, Sweden, USA 16th…

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS This arch window mirror makes an eye-catching addition to any room. £249, artisanti.com FANCY FOOTWORK Cover this footstool in your own choice of fabric for an individual look. From £490, wesley-barrell.co.uk CHEERS! Wine goblets are ideal for the festive season. £14.90 each, villeroyboch.co.uk/shop villeroyboch.co.uk/shop RED HOT A red snowflake place mat is the perfect festive addition to your dining table. £4 each, johnlewis.com CLEVER IDEA Drape this ceiling pendant with foliage and pretty decorations like Susannah’s. £395, affordablelighting.co.uk SOFT & GENTLE A faux fur throw is a wonderful way to add warmth and texture to a room. £225, black-by-design.co.uk black-by-design.co.uk CUSHION THE BLOW Fall in love with this delightful cushion. £8, matalan.co.uk SAY IT WITH WORDS…

RUSTIC TOUCH  For a natural look, find a low metal or ceramic bowl, anchor pillar candles with Blu-Tack or candle dots, then fill the bowl with moss, fir cones and sprigs of foliage. Drape more foliage around the base and add sparkly fake silver berries. IN THE ROUND  So stylish but so simple! Take one ready-made wreath (or make your own if you’re feeling crafty; it doesn’t have to be too perfect) and pop a glass candleholder in the middle. Berry and herb wreath, £70, realflowers.co.uk MINI GARDEN  Terrariums make great centrepieces. Choose a largish size and place pretty things inside; in this case a collection of fresh flowers in different jars. Dot baubles around too and add a cheeky little robin on top. Similar terrariums from festive-lights.com festive-lights.com THREE-TIER  Perfect…

SUMPTUOUS REDS Julien Macdonald Noël Rose and Carnation Hand-tied, £50, interflora.co.uk ELEGANT BUNCH Winter Frost, from £60, wildabout.co.uk MERRY TOUCH Traditional Pine Christmas Bouquet, £35, next.co.uk LASTING DISPLAY Planted Snowflake Bowl, £14.99, dobbies.com TABLE CENTREPIECE White Candle Arrangement, £35, marksandspencer. com  (online only) WOW FACTOR Irresistible Winter’s Tale Bouquet, £25, coop.co.uk NOVELTY IDEA Floral Crackers, £28 for 2, waitroseflorist.com W&H EXCLUSIVE MAKE YOUR OWN BOUQUET The bouquet in our main picture was made by editorial director Sue James at Paula Pryke’s Flower School. Like to try making your own? w&h readers can order the Paloma Rose Flower Kit for just £50, including all the flowers you need to replicate Sue’s bouquet. To order the…

It never occurred to me not to carry on working when I had the children Daisy, 54, lives in London with her husband, Marcus Wilford, a TV news producer, and one of their two daughters, Lydia, 16. Their other daughter, Ottilie, 25, was a script editor on the TV series Victoria . My younger brother and I had a difficult start, I guess, because my mother left with another man when I was five. We lived with my grandmother and then with my father after he remarried. I saw my mum in the holidays and on occasional weekends. My parents had a strong influence on me. My mum, Jocasta Innes, was astonishing. She constantly reinvented herself, and I guess I’ve done the same. She went from…

HYGGE: THE DANISH ART OF HAPPINESS by Marie Tourell Søderberg (Michael Joseph) Hygge (pron. Hoo-gah) is the hot new lifestyle trend. This beautifully illustrated book shows how to make the right tweaks to improve your life. THE MISTLETOE MURDER by PD James (Faber) Four deliciously puzzling Christmas short stories by one of our greatest writers of classic crime. THE GOODNESS OF DOGS by India Knight (Fig Tree) For anyone even thinking about getting a dog, this is the book for them. A witty, personal and sane guide to dog ownership with charming illustrations. PENGUIN BLOOM by Cameron Bloom (Canongate) An injured magpie chick transforms the lives of the Bloom family in this touching and inspiring personal story with wonderful photographs. SPOON’S CARPETS by Kit Caless (Square Peg) A tapestry of…

mrandmrssmith.com/roksanda Grab one of these limited-edition gift cards designed by Roksanda Ilincic. Prices from £50, valid for visits to any of the 950 properties in the worldwide collection. UK delivery within five working days. shop.nationaltrust.org.uk/ gift-cards-vouchers/c252 Gift vouchers from £10 to £500 in multiples of £5. You can spend them in National Trust shops, cafés and admission points, or even use them towards a year’s membership or a holiday cottage booking. prideofbritainhotels.com/  gift-vouchers Use vouchers to pay for rooms, meals, spa treatments or activities such as horse-riding or cookery classes. Better still, all vouchers redeemed in January are worth an additional 20% of the face value. eurostar.com Create e-vouchers from £10 to £250, with a festive design and personal message. Use towards any Eurostar booking – passengers get…

1 TRX2 Molecular Food Supplement for Hair TRX2 Molecular Food Supplement for Hair is an innovative development of Oxford scientist Dr Thomas Whitfield, DPhil (biochemistry) and his team of Oxford Biolabs scientists. The idea of creating TRX2 hit Dr Whitfield when he was in Oxford, researching the process of hair loss. TRX2 is based on organic compounds which, when compared to some medicinal products, has no side effects. It’s the first hair loss treatment to contain potassium, Carnipure™ tartrate (L-carnitine – L-tartrate), BCAA and nicotinamide, and is delivered via a proprietary potassium channel-stimulating complex. Moreover, three of the key ingredients in TRX2 – selenium, zinc, and biotin – are officially recognised by the European Commission as contributing to the maintenance of normal, healthy hair. Hair treatments oft en promise a…

“I loved being pushed every day and watching how other people work. Helen Mirren is ridiculous” What can we expect from your new film, Collateral Beaut y? It’s a little bit It’s a Wonderful Life and a little bit The Wizard of Oz , and it’s the process of my character, Howard, putting his life back together. It’s like a small-movie superhero cast too. I loved being pushed every day and watching how other people work. I mean… Helen Mirren [who co-stars in the film] is ridiculous. As well as acting and producing, you’re busy with family life. How do you manage it? There is nothing harder you will ever do than parent a 15-year-old girl. When I talk to other parents, they say, “Oh, man,…