Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2016 i Woman & Home

It’s choosing what to pack that ties me up in knots I have always wanted to go on holiday with no luggage at all and buy everything I need when I arrive at my destination. It’s not the packing I loathe, it is the choosing what to pack that ties me up in knots. I have been to places where the clothes I have packed are too formal, not trendy enough, too shabby, too out of fashion or even worse… just don’t fit (who knew that the little black dress you wore last year looks like a black bin bag holding a tonne of potatoes this year?). Why do Italian women appear so effortless in their flowing linen maxi dresses, flat strappy sandals, large gold earrings and mirrored aviators propped…

This season, Phase Eight has everything you need for a stylish holiday wardrobe with a vibrant collection filled with stunning fabrics and beautiful prints. Featuring accents of bright orange and cobalt mixed with rich aubergine and classic navy and white, the latest collection allows you to build a capsule wardrobe of summer essentials for multi outfit opportunities and individual interpretation. The Phase Eight beach collection includes flattering swimwear, chic cover-ups and floaty maxis, while a full collection of feminine dresses, relaxed separates and versatile accessories will take you effortlessly from beach to bar and from day to night. With an exclusive 20% off to spend on the latest range – there’s even more reason to get shopping! HOW TO CLAIM Head to womanandhome.com/phaseeight  and fill out your details…

Any change – wanted or not – brings opportunity. It may seem brutal to find the positives during your toughest times, but that’s when you need them most No matter how careful we are to keep everything on track, and to count our blessings, life is always going to throw us a few curveballs. Things go wrong, plans go awry or we reach the end of an era and suddenly can’t see our way forward. Empty nest. Relationships foundering. Redundancy. Illness. When changes leave us feeling flattened and directionless, how can we build ourselves back up to a future that looks fabulous? Acknowledge the emotional shockwaves Any change sparks an emotional response. Yes, you knew your last child was heading off to uni. After all, you’ve stuffed your car with…

I can sit with a friend for hours and not run out of conversation Why do we all love Ab Fab’s Patsy and Edina so much? Because their bad behaviour and reliance on each other is so human… we know that they will always be friends, in spite of their ups and downs. Their common cause keeps their friendship alive. And even when one gets ahead of the other, their need for each other overrides any advantage, and they end up together again. They are not over-affectionate, but always look out for each other – some might say in a hopelessly codependent way. Female friendship is both complicated and simple. Complicated because my generation of females can be competitive, and simple because women are practical and…

• PROTECT YOUR SLEEP Insomnia is a common reaction to trauma because of high levels of stress hormones. One way to alter your stress levels is to actively think about positive things, not negatives, when you’re going to sleep. • REMEMBER TO BREATHE When I was having difficult procedures – like radioactive dye injected into my breasts – I focused on breathing slowly and evenly. It sounds so simple but it makes a big difference to stress levels. • TAKE YOUR THOUGHTS IN HAND When something traumatic happens it’s easy to “catastrophise” and fear the worst. Cognitive behavioural therapy helped me so I could try to stop. And mindfulness techniques helped me stave off fear and panic. I found the Headspace app helpful. • FIND THE POSITIVES When I was…

We all know it’s important to get the right fit for your body shape. When a pair of jeans fits you like a glove, you’ll not only look great, but feel great too. Luckily for us, that’s the motto of the American denim brand NYDJ. Say goodbye to all of your fit frustrations because with their jeans, which are designed by women, NYDJ aims to fit and flatter women of all ages and sizes, and make them look and feel amazing, confident and the most beautiful version of themselves. NYDJ understands women’s curves and developed an exclusive Slimming Technology that flattens in the front, fits in all the right places and shapes curves for a more beautiful silhouette. And not only does the brand bring a great fit, they’re in…

W&H READER FAVE BEST EYESHADOW  PALETTE MAC Eye Shadow x 9, £25 “Lovely selection of colours that stay on all day until you take them off.” BEST EYE w LINER  Stila Got Inked Cushion Eye Liner, £20 “I really love this. As little or as much as you like, it creates sexy eyes: a winner!” KB BEST EYESHADOW  Giorgio Armani Eye Tint, £27 “No more eyeshadow smudges midway through an evening thanks to this!” JGB BESTA MASCARA OW  Armani Guer Ene Maxi Lash So “Volume No more , £25.50 “My ue smudge o find the perfect throu mascara is over – if it’s hiha r house s keys in my J bag B , I’d go for this.” HMc BEST EYE PRIMER  Benefit Cosmetics…

BEST MOISTURE BOOSTER Filorga Hydra-Hyal Intensive Hydrating Plumping Concentrate, £45 “Like a drink for skin – plumps and quenches.” NE BEST PROTECTION  Dior One Essential City Defense SPF50, £41 “A suncream and a pollution barrier, l wore this on the Italian slopes – no burnt nose!” HMc BEST ALL DAY PRIMER Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield SPF30, £55 “A make-over in a bottle! Blurs lines.” KB W&H READER FAVE BEST GADGET  Clinique Sonic System Massaging Treatment Applicator, £22 (for Sonic System brush) “Easy to use, makes such a difference.” BEST VALUE ANTI-AGER La Roche-Posay Redermic C10, £29.50 “Lightweight, absorbs fast, leaving skin looking fresh. I use this every day.” JGB BEST PEEL  Radical Skincare Express Delivery Enzyme Peel, £45 “Amazing results after one use. Left skin…

BEST NAIL COAT  Deborah Lippmann Genie In A Bottle, £18 “This is my go-to for bare nails, as the lilac colour helps neutralise yellowiness, for a fresh professional look in seconds.” JGB BEST GAME CHANGER Nails Inc Paint Can, £10 “Ingenious! Perfect for a cheeky mini-mani when time is tight – it’s fantastically easy and quick to use.” MC BEST TOPCOAT  Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Diamond Top Coat, £6.99 “Super-efficient brush. It dries rapidly – two coats gave a really high-gloss finish.” MC W&H READER FAVE BEST POLISH OPI Nail Envy, £10.50 An outright winner. “Good colours and stays put like you have been to a nail bar.” BEST NEW RANGE  Smith & Cult Nailed Lacquer, £19 “Fantastic shades, I’m a big fan of these 5-free…

3 OF THE BEST… PARTY POLISHES They go with everything, especially a cocktail! • Nails Inc Paint Can Spray Nail Polish in Mayfair Market, £10 • Leighton Denny Expert Nails in Desert Rain, £11 • Jessica Custom Nail Colour in Fashionably Late, £10.50. YOUR SECRET WEAPON FOR A GREAT BASE A mid-afternoon make-up melt is no joke. When you spot red cheeks, dark circles or pigmentation peeking through, reach for colour correctors. They knock dodgy shades out of your skin and hug onto your base so they both last longer. • Green’s great on redness; try Marc Jacobs Stick Colour Corrector in Co(vert) Affairs, £28 • Prettily pink Hourglass Ambient Light Correcting Primer in Mood Light, £36, brightens sallow skin • Peach is the tonic for dark undereyes. Stila Correct…

CURLY, FLYAWAY, WIRY, FRIZZY • Conditioning Shampoo Remember multi-tasking 2-in-1 Wash & Go? Much like conditioning your hair BEFORE shampooing works like an oily facial cleanser, co-wash is the buzzword for a cleansing conditioner – aka a moisturising shampoo. Best suited to naturally dry hair at the roots – think curly, afro or super frizzy – a blend of oils such as coconut, borage, avocado, grapeseed and argan oil make this a one-stop shampoo. But it’s not for everyone. • What to choose Unwash Bio-Cleansing Conditioner, £29.95, is a one-step creamy all-in-one that suits oily scalps thanks to natural oils of coconut, borage and evening primrose. Aveda Be Curly Co-Wash, £20.50, has babassu oil to keep curls frizz-free for up to three days, or try the luscious new Phytoelixir Cleansing…

RESISTANCE TRAINING TWO TO THREE TIMES A WEEK IS CRUCIAL FOR BOOSTING BONE DENSITY 1 INCREASE BONE DENSITY Strong bones need weight-bearing activity. Think walking, jogging, stair climbing, training with weights – and let’s not forget dancing. MODERATE INTENSITY ACTIVITY Thirty minutes at a time, five times a week, is a good start. This can be a combination of strolling, power walking, or a light jog. And this can form part of your daily routine – one large study of 60,000 post-menopausal women discovered walking at a brisk pace over four times a week resulted in a lower risk of hip fracture. The take-home message? Every little really does help. RESISTANCE TRAINING Two to three times a week is crucial for boosting bone density and for strengthening the muscles that…

Inspired by Maxine’s fitness journey and want to get into shape with Zumba? She has made six exclusive videos with woman&home to help you do just that. From the ultimate dance moves to four routines devised by Maxine – each set to an uplifting soundtrack – whether you’re a fitness regular or a total beginner, you’ll find a workout to suit you. Maxine also talks about five things she would tell her younger self. Watch the videos at womanandhome.com/ dietandhealth For classes with Maxine visit maxamazin.com  Lorraine: Living to the Max with Maxine Jones DVD, £13, Amazon…

IN SEASON It’s berry time! Packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, it’s your excuse to eat lots of strawberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants and raspberries. Gooseberries will be around for fools, crumbles and jam. Summer greens are in season now with broad beans, runners, peas and green beans ready for salads. Lamb is delicious at this time of year, as are sardines and mackerel. Crab and clams are at their best too. BOOK OF THE MONTH Sirocco by Sabrina Ghayour (Mitchell Beazley) This is Middle Eastern food with a fresh, light approach. Don’t be led into thinking that it’s all about spice – this cooking is full of citrus and fresh herbs. From a preserved lemon Martini to kick off the evening, try some orange, thyme and spice chicken wings. A prawn,…

Anyone who grew up drinking Mateus at parties will be amazed to hear that rosé wines are regarded as the pinnacle of sophistication in certain circles, especially if they hail from Provence. Pinks from the Côte d’Azur were always considered chic, but since Brad and Angelina released their first Miraval rosé in 2013, interest and sales have gone crazy. You used to be able to divide the rosé market into two equal camps – pale ones that are almost made like white wines, and richer, deeper coloured ones that are almost mini red wines – but the rise and rise of Côtes de Provence and its imitators has shifted the balance in favour of the former style. We’re also seeing fewer sweet rosés – especially white Zinfandels and so-called “blush”…

PICTURE THIS Helen adores paintings. This harbour scene captures a coastal town perfectly. £38, coastalhome.co.uk UNIQUE STYLE Transform your living space with handmade cushions. From £55, irenewerner.com LOUNGING AROUND Stretch out on a corner sofa. From £2,889, sofaworkshop.com ANTIQUE STYLE Looks great in any corner. £179.50, thefarthing. co.uk GLOBETROTTING A coffee table, blanket box or a seat in your hallway! £299, thefrench bedroomcompany.co.uk SITTING NICELY This classic wing-back Mona armchair will add a stately charm to any room. £449, swooneditions.com BEAUTIFUL BLANKET A warm and inviting Merino wool throw for style and comfort. £140, johnlewis.com…

GATHERING THE WOOL Once the sheep have been sheared, the fleeces are washed, stretched and dried. Then the wool is “carded”, which is when a series of rollers comb and align the fibres. TRADITIONAL SKILLS Then all the wool is drafted onto bobbins before being spun into thread, which is twisted together to create high-quality yarn. Spools of yarn are dyed by being bathed in colour vats at the Brintons factory, then spun to remove extra dye and dried. After this, they are positioned on the loom for the weaving of the carpets to begin. HAND FINISHED Every metre of Brintons carpet is inspected by eye twice, and they are all finished by hand before leaving the factory. FIND OUT MORE To see the range, order a sample or find…

BEST FLY CATCHERS Place this discreet trap near your fruit bowl and fruit flies will be attracted inside. Fruit Fly Trap, £5.99, lakeland.co.uk Ideal for barbecues, picnics and camping – the smell isn’t very nice, but it’s great at attracting flies and wasps. Victor Poison-Free Reusable Wasp and Flying Insect Trap, £8.50, amazon.co.uk Mix boiled water with a tablespoon of sugar, let it cool, then pour into this trap. Simple yet effective. Buzz Off wasp catcher, £7.50, gardentrading. co.uk CLEVER FOOD COVERS BowlOver Covers are made from cotton and have elasticated edges to fit easily over bowls. They can be washed and reused over and over again. £13 for six, in-spaces.com Bamboo Trays have a gauze cover that folds down…

BOOK OF THE MONTH The Muse by Jessie Burton (Picador) Two very different young women separated by 30 years whose stories are linked by the discovery of a lost painting. Set in London and southern Spain, this is a deeply involving and thought-provoking read. My book of the month. COMING OF AGE NOVEL The Girls by Emma Cline (Chatto) California, 1969. Bored, naive and disillusioned 14-year-old Evie is drawn into a cult with a charismatic Charles Manson-like leader. This is where she feels she belongs. Vivid, exacting portrait of a vulnerable young girl coming of age. GRIPPING CRIME Daisy in Chains by Sharon Bolton (Bantam Press) Maggie Rose, lawyer and true crime writer, refuses the blandishment of serial killer Hamish Wolfe, who wants her to overturn his conviction. A gripping…

After You by Jojo Moyes (Penguin) Unmissable sequel to Me Before You . Get Even by Martina Cole (Headline) A wife avenges her husband’s murder. The Penguin Lessons by Tom Michell (Penguin) Funny, delightful memoir about one man and a penguin. Even Dogs in the Wild by Ian Rankin (Orion) Rebus is back, brought into the investigation of the murder of a top lawyer. In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume (Picador) Tragedy affects a small community – told with her trademark warmth.…

FROM OUR COVER SHOOT: Julia Sawalha reveals the five things she’d tell her younger self. Watch it now at womanandhome.com/julia HOW TO MAKE BAKED EGGS WITH JAMON AND TOMATOES Award-winning Spanish chef José Pizarro shows, step by step, how to put together this brunch dish in 20 minutes. Watch it now at womanand home.com/bakedeggs HELP A GREAT CAUSE It’s Cupcake Day in aid of Alzheimer’s Society on Thursday 16 June – find more details on p78. Be inspired to take part with our cupcake decorating videos – see them now at womanandhome.com/ cupcakedecorating DISCOVER YOUR STYLE Our reader mothers and daughters get clothes-swapping on p84. Could you do it too? Discover fashion and shopping editor Charlie’s styling secrets at womanandhome.com/fashion GO WITH THE CURL Wavier looks are so on trend. Learn…

Director MANDIE FLETCHER, 61, is an award-winning director who has worked on TV classics including Only Fools and Horses , Blackadder and Miranda . She lives in Dorset. She says: “I’ve had to manage the nation’s expectations directing this film. Everywhere I go people tell me they can’t wait to see it – that’s nerve-wracking!” Producer DAMIAN JONES, 51, has worked on over 30 feature films, including The Iron Lady , The History Boys , The Lady in the Van and, most recently, Dad’s Army . He lives in London with his wife and their 19-year-old daughter. He says: “My favourite memory of the shoot is Jennifer…

PUT A RING ON IT We love these colourful, 60s-inspired Capri rings. Rose gold and ceramic rings with rose quartz or blue sapphires, £1,360 each, pomellato.com/gb THE SILK ROUTE Head to East for colourful printed silk separates and kaftans – easy summer style with a luxury edge. Silk tunic, £139, s-xl; top, £39, s-xl; silk trousers, £149, s-xl; earrings, £12; cuff, £25, all east.co.uk JET SET Leather empire Lamb 1887 has added colourful travel accessories to its collection for summer. Cue handy clear beauty cases, £70; passport holders, £55; and luggage tags, £40, lamb1887.com GO BRIGHT… with a handcrafted and unique bag from the Wayuu tribe in Colombia. Beautiful embroidery and glass beading make these so wantable. From £120-£240, blaiz.co.uk…

The Queen has taken her job of constitutional monarch seriously She is a calm, dutiful, dignified, kindly family woman The Queen’s Official Birthday 10 JUNE: The Queen attends a service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral. 11 JUNE: The Queen’s official birthday sees a Birthday Parade on Horse Guards Parade. 12 JUNE: The Patron’s Lunch will be held in The Mall for the largest ever street party to celebrate The Queen’s patronage of over 600 charities and organisations Years ago, as a young Today programme reporter, I took a wrong turn at Peterborough Station on the day of a royal visit and found myself standing, baffled, at the end of a red carpet. Ten feet away from me, alighting from the Royal Train and looking faintly…

‘My favourite summer nights are shared with family, friends and festivals’ Radio DJ Edith Bowman, 42, will be presenting the BBC’s coverage of Glastonbury this year. She lives in London with husband Tom Smith, 35, of the band Editors, and their children Rudy and Spike. “Some of my favourite summer nights have been spent wandering around music festivals. I’ve spent half my life going to them, through work, as a music fan and as the dedicated wife of a musician. My first festival experience was at T in the Park in 1995 and I’ve been to at least three every year since. It’s not just about the music, it’s about the shared experience and being with friends, partners or kids.” Edith Bowman’s Great British Music Festivals (Blink Publishing) is out…

FLOWER POWER  A maxi dress has become the style staple for instant holiday chic: keep it on trend with oversized florals on a black background and finish with gem-encrusted flats and a fringed bag. MULTI-TASKER  A sleeved cotton tunic is a mainstay as it layers over your swimwear easily and can be paired with trousers if you need extra coverage. DAY TO NIGHT  The khaki colour of this skirt gives this feminine pleated silhouette an edge. Add a classic black cami top and flat sandals with sparkle to give your look an evening spin. INSTANT UPDATE  If there’s one new thing you buy this summer, make it an off-the-shoulder top – it’s the key piece that is surprisingly easy to wear. Add striped culottes to keep your style looking fresh.…

SUE BOWEN, 55, has two children and lives in Basingstoke. She’s a job sales service executive. • FRINGE-HEM TROUSERS £179, 8-20, Luisa Cerano Sue styles them with a relaxed oversized shirt dress and “look at me” heels. Shirt dress, £79.99, one size, Massimo Dutti. Vest, £6, 6-24, Marks & Spencer. Shoes, £99, Miss KG. Bag, £120, Modalu. Cuff, £50, Reiss. Ring, £105, amazon.co.uk • TUXEDO DRESS Sue keeps it modern, layering an off-the-shoulder top underneath. Top, £28, 6-16, Marks & Spencer. Heels, £235, Sargossa. Hat, £22, Principles at Debenhams. Clutch, £565, Mawi. Watch, £185, Marc by Marc Jacobs at WatchShop LUCY BOWEN, 22, lives in Basingstoke and is a freelance fashion assistant. • TUXEDO DRESS £169, 6-18, Hobbs Lucy wears it work-ready with neat flats and a toning…

JO GLANVILLEBLACKBURN, w&h’s beauty director, with 25 years’ experience in the beauty industry, she knows what she likes and loves. JGB BARONESS KARREN BRADY OBE, mentor, businesswoman and Lord Sugar’s aide on The Apprentice – she tells it how it is! KB HELEN McCRORY, MULTI-AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS, currently starring in BBC’s Peaky Blinders. Fast becoming a beauty goddess too! HMc MIA COLLINS, GENERAL MERCHANDISING MANAGER FOR BEAUTY AT HARRODS, lives and breathes beauty products on a daily basis. MC DR NIGMA TALIB, AUTHOR AND NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR, specialising in skin, diet and holistic wellness. DrNT NATHALIE ELENI, CELEBRITY SKIN FACIALIST AND MAKE-UP ARTIST, can always spot a hot new beauty must-have. NE JOEL GONCALVES, AWARD-WINNING HAIRSTYLIST, loved by colleagues and clients alike. JG KENNETH SOH, INTERNATIONAL A-LIST MAKE-UP ARTIST, understands women more…

BEST SHEER BASE  bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream, £26 “Sheer coverage that’s beautifully glowy and hydrating.” KS BEST BRONZER  Vita Liberata Trystal Minerals Self Tanning Bronzing Minerals, £35 “Blurs out imperfections, giving a natural glow.” KB BEST COMPACT  Lancôme Miracle Cushion £30 “Lightweight, yet covering, I love the way my skin looks. A fave in my bag.” JGB W&H READER FAVE BEST BLUSH No7 Powder Blusher, £9 “Great colours, lasts all day, blends lovely, beautiful texture.” BEST BB CREAM  Vichy Normaderm BB Clear, £16 “Controls breakouts and provides a subtle glow.” NE BEST ANYDAY  BASE By Terry Light-Expert Click Brush, £48 “Lovely product: good coverage, skin feels like cashmere. A keeper!” HMc W&H READER FAVE BEST BUY BASE L’Oréal True Match Genius, £12.99 “A…

W&H READER FAVE BEST IN SHOWER  Sanctuary Cooling Shower Drench, £7 “Spa-like scent: luxury feeling for high-street price.” BEST OIL  Jo Malone London Blackberry & Bay Shower Oil, £32 “The scent, the texture, the way it makes my skin feel – a joy to use.” KB BEST BODY SCRUB  Decléor 1000 Grain Body Exfoliator, £26 “Simply loved by all! A family favourite, I had to wrestle this off my children and husband!” HMc BEST FOR LEGS  Legology Exfo-Lite, £42 “All that tired legs need. A great addition to any bathtime treat.” NE BEST BUST CARE Sisley Phytobuste + Décolleté, £162 “I love this! It undoes years of sun damage on the cleavage.” KB BEST MOOD ENHANCER  Champneys As Good As New Heavenly Days Sleep Pillow Mist, £11…

W&H READER FAVE BEST NEW CLASSIC  Chanel Chance Eau Vive, £49 for 35ml EDP “Beautiful, feminine fragrance with a twist.” BEST AROMATIC  Jo Malone London Mimosa & Cardamom Cologne, £42 for 30ml “Jo Malone knows how to capture the essence of fruit, veg, plants and herbs and turn them into delightful scents – this is no exception.” KB BEST FLORAL  Diptyque Florabellio, £60 for 50ml EDT “The name says it all: soft floral notes and a fresh scent. A great everyday perfume.” DrNT BEST ORIENTAL Annick Goutal Ambre Sauvage, £166 for 75ml EDP “Just give me anything amber with the Parisian chic twist of Annick Goutal… and I’m sold!” JGB BEST COLOGNE  Atelier Cologne Pomélo Paradis, £90 for 100ml Loved by every judge! “My scent for the…

While a few women will sail through the menopause, most of us experience symptoms that can be quite severe and have a significant impact on everyday life. These can begin months or even years before your periods stop and last around four years after your last period, although some women suffer them for much longer. Hot flushes and night sweats are high profile, but other common problems include reduced libido, vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex, low mood or anxiety, as well as problems with concentration. WHEN TO SEE YOUR GP It’s always worth a visit if menopausal symptoms are troubling you or if you’re experiencing symptoms before you’re 45. Your GP can usually confirm whether you are menopausal based on your experience, but a blood test to measure your…

As so many of us will know, during and after menopause, hair can become thinner and fall out prematurely. In fact, more than a third of women in the UK over 40 suffer from early signs of thinning hair, receding hairline or already have a hair loss problem. The effects on our self-esteem can be huge… but there is hope. Dr. Wolff-Research has discovered properties of caffeine that could help reduce this type of hair loss – and developed a Phyto-Caffeine Complex that protects the hair roots. WHY IS HAIR AFFECTED? Up until menopause, a woman’s hair roots are protected by a high share of female hormones (oestrogen). After menopause, this share will decrease and the impact of male hormones will increase. Hair grows thinner, falls out prematurely and the…

Hormones have a lot to answer for when it comes to your skin. Remember overzealous teenage oil glands and premenstrual breakouts? Hormones. Specifically, oestrogen – the hormone that slows during menopause, causing melanin to rev up and old UV damage to surface as brown or greyish sun spots. Most of us have pigmentation to some degree, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do to fade and even reverse it. Arm yourself with our expert guide and remember it’s a long game. Patience and persistence pay dividends and, in the meantime, get to know a great camouflage concealer. GET SUN SMART “Nothing is as important for preventing and reducing skin discolouration as avoiding direct sun exposure and using sunscreen 365 days a year,” says US skin guru Paula Begoun.…

Diagnosis was a wake-up call to lose weight HEIGHT 5ft 2in WEIGHT BEFORE 15st WEIGHT NOW 10st 4lb Julia, who is single, lives in Lincoln and has one grown-up daughter. “I was in my early fifties when I began to feel ill. I’d get jittery and dizzy during the day. After eating I felt like my pulse was racing and I had palpitations. At night I’d wake up sweating and have to change my nightclothes. Sleep-deprived, I’d feel exhausted all day. I went back and forth to the doctor who, like me, thought it was probably the menopause. But I started to feel increasingly unwell. Eventually I saw a female GP who took me seriously, did blood and urine tests, and diagnosed Type 2 diabetes. It was a genuine shock.…

“Clients sign up for a minimum of one month of meals and snacks delivered to their door and we also offer weekly email and telephone support.” Jane Michell, founder . of Jane Plan It worked for me! Paula Walker, 43, from Bristol, is a finance director for a company supplying helicopters for Air Ambulance services. “Over the years I’ve tried lots of diets – Slimming World, Weight Watchers… you name it – but I’m an emotional eater and always yo-yoed, putting the weight back on whenever I lost it. I wanted to break that cycle and Jane Plan appealed because I wouldn’t have to think about it. Everything I needed would be delivered. The meal selection is fine, with over 70 meals to choose from, and in the…

Make the most of the trusted, impartial services while they are still available What is changing? Everyone is supposed to have access to “guidance” to help them navigate the increasingly complex pensions landscape and the Government tried to plug the gap for those who could not afford advice by launching the Money Advice (MA) Service – the one with those catchy “Ask Ma” adverts. The recent Budget announced that MA and Pension Wise (which was set up to offer guidance to those approaching retirement), along with The Pensions Advisory Service, are all being scrapped and absorbed into a new body that will offer financial education and guidance. But we don’t know when the replacement will be launched or what it will be called. The result? Even more uncertainty. Don’t put…

Become an expert storyteller. Really get to the heart of your client’s business, and select the parts of their story that will be the most interesting for the media and public to hear about. Hone your communication skills. Be a confident and articulate communicator with the media. Be passionate about your clients. It’s important to really believe in what they do, and know them and their business inside and out. People will see through you if you don’t. Remember to take time out. Working in public relations can be a 24/7 job, so be careful not to burnout. I was still taking calls from clients when I was in hospital having my first child. You need to create boundaries. lynnefranks.com…

SERVE WITH... MANGO AND PEACH “SANGRIA” Fill a quarter of a jug with peach nectar or purée. Add a chopped mango, lots of ice and top up with white wine. Polenta bread with antipasti Because of the cornmeal, this has quite a dense, grainy texture.  Easy/Prepare ahead/Freeze • Ready in 35 minutes • Makes around 12 slices 225g polenta (cornmeal) 225g plain flour 50g caster sugar 1tbsp baking powder 225ml buttermilk 1 large egg, beaten 60g butter, melted YOU WILL NEED a 30x20cm brownie tin, oiled and the base lined with baking parchment 1 Heat the oven to 200C fan, gas 7. In a large bowl mix together the polenta, flour, sugar, baking powder and ½tsp salt. Add the buttermilk and beaten egg and stir well. Add the melted butter and combine.…

SUMMER UPDATE Want to buy some on-trend homewares but don’t want to spend too much? Check out Homesense for an ever-changing range of designer goodies for all around the home at knock-down prices. It will become your new favourite store! See homesense.com MEDITERRANEAN APPEAL We’ve been shopping at Kaleidoscope for some time, but now it’s had a revamp and has some cool new items including these plates, from £14 for 2; and bowls, £16 for 4, kaleidoscope.co.uk GREEN LIGHT Designer lighting can be expensive, but Vita Copenhagen produces stylish lighting using high-quality materials but with a view to reducing environmental footprint. Carmina light, from £44, vitacopenhagen.com DOUBLE TAKE This dining set may look expensive designer, but it’s a real steal! The Tretton White rectangular table and 6 retro-style chairs are…

My mum showered us kids with books, culture and praise Nina lives in Truro, Cornwall, with her partner Mark Nunney and their children, Eva, 16, and Alfred, 14. Nina’s bestselling first book Love, Nina , about her time as a nanny, has been made into a TV series starring Helena Bonham Carter (BBC One, Fridays, 9.30pm). Her novels, Man at the Helm and Paradise Lodge, which is out this month, are very autobiographical and her mother plays a key role. My parents married and had four children very quickly, then separated equally quickly. I don’t even remember living with my dad who married again almost immediately and had another family. We didn’t see him regularly as he lived too…

I wanted to bring people joy Veronica Henry began her career as a production secretary on The Archers , moving on to become a script writer for Heartbeat and Holby City among other shows. Since then she has become a bestselling novelist who has written 15 novels including A Night on the Orient Express and The Beach Hut . She lives in Devon with her three sons and their dog, Zelda. Her new novel, How to Find Love in a Bookshop (Orion), is out now. I got the writing bug when I started work on The Archers. I soon found out that it’s an absolute work of art…

Star sign of the month CANCER 23 JUNE – 23 JULY  Expect the unexpected. You could be going where you’ve never gone before, and not just in terms of travel. Enjoy this life-defining month: the winds of change are behind you. For weekly updates, call 09058-170544* THE MONTHS AHEAD  Travel is a major theme for the next three months; after that you’ll be putting in the building blocks of major enterprises, one on the home front. For a detailed breakdown of the next few months, call 09058-170473* LEO 24 JULY – 23 AUGUST It’s time to kick back and allow others to take charge. Health is a priority, and there could be a big date in the diary. Fulfilling your passion has more than one meaning. Weekly update 09058-170545* Six…

SPARKLE TIME A stylish updo deserves bold earrings. £106, Anton Heunis ADD DRAMA… ….with a stand- out necklace, £29.99, Zara GLITZ & GLAMOUR YSL Mascara Vinyl Couture in No 5, £25. Elizabeth Arden Sunset Bronze Prismatic Lip Gloss, £18 SOFA UPDATE Stylish cushions: Matthew Williamson Tropical, £25, debenhams.com ; Indian, £19.50, M&S; Missoni, from £114, amara.com STYLE SAVER Maintain a blow-dry overnight with a SILKE Hair Wrap, £45, silkelondon.com SO DARLING! Sexy scent. Marc Jacobs Decadence EDP, £49 for 30ml, debenhams.com GRAB THE ATTENTION With a talking point heel. Shoes, £29.99, publicdesire.com HOLD ON… …to something bright. Tote, £845, Mulberry. Lips clutch, £245, Lulu Guinness SAYS IT ALL! A fun gift for a fun friend. Wall sign, £8.95,…

HOT TROPICS • Feeling confident? Then you’re ready for the clash! Mix one print with another and showcase it head to toe. • Forget formal… unbutton your blouse and roll back those sleeves. • Stick to one-tone accessories.. a silky clutch and a slimming belt. Make them match and you’ll keep it looking modern. MELLOW YELLOW • A sexy slit skirt will leave just enough on show. • Look leggier than ever with seriously stacked heels. • Mix a low-key blouse with overindulgent jewellery. What’s not to love about a statement piece? FULL CIRCLE • Texture? Print? Colour? Work all three at once with an irresistible skirt. • Add a simple slip top and let your skirt steal the show. • Cinch in that waist with a contrasting belt. Dress…

DICKIE ARBITER was the Queen’s press secretary from 1988 until 2000. He is the author of On Duty With The Queen (Blink Publishing) “My most poignant memory is doing the washing up with the Queen! I’d been invited to Balmoral to ‘meet the boss’, and I said ‘I’ll wash, you dry’. However, she said ‘No I’ll wash, you dry’. She put me firmly in my place, making it clear that she was going to do the hard stuff and I would do the easy stuff.” MARGARET RHODES is the Queen’s first cousin and author of The Final Curtsey (Birlinn Ltd) “From a young age, the Queen and I shared family holidays in Scotland, and I have seen first-hand what she has achieved.…

Two evenings to choose from… We’re excited to reveal the first of our new and exclusive dining evenings, held at our fabulous headquarters in London, often used as a film and TV location. You’ll be treated to a delicious three-course dinner and wine, plus a special “In Conversation” talk featuring our guest authors, below… AN EVENING WITH THE HAIRY BIKERS • Monday 5 September 2016 With their irresistible enthusiasm, Si King and Dave Myers, aka The Hairy Bikers, have become national treasures and favourites with woman&home foodies. They’ll be talking about their new book, Chicken & Egg, and their brand-new TV show. AN EVENING WITH RADIANT 6 WEEKS SKIN TO AT ANY LIZ EARLE • Thursday 15 September 2016 Beauty guru and the authority on skincare, Liz Earle will be…

One-piece Elevate your all-in-one with a striking colour and figure-flattering shape. Perfect for petites Waist cincher Bikini Go all-out glam with sexy separates that perfectly fit your top and bottom. Sporty Bust booster Go from beach to bar in seconds Tankini Conceal your middle in style with our must-have tankinis. Tummy tamer Four ways to cover up A  classic kaftan is your cling-free cover-up. Ideal for disguising a bigger tum…

BEST LIP COLOUR  Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Liquid Lip Potion, £20 “Brush on for a thick glossy lip or blot for a stain: a stand- out favourite.” HMc BEST EASY WEAR  Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm, £7.99 “Tingly menthol, strong colour and stays on forever.” KB BEST LIP PENCIL  MAC Patentpolish Lip Pencil, £17.50 “Lovely, subtle colour, great shine and feels incredibly nourishing.” MC BEST LIP TREATMENT  Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil, £19 “This is one of the very best products I have ever used and I’m not sure how I ever lived without it!” KB BEST TINTED LIP BALM  Laura Mercier Lip Parfait Creamy Colourbalm, £19.50 “Hydrating and creamy: a subtle everyday lip.” KS BEST LIP DUO STAIN  Burberry Lip & Cheek Bloom, £24 “I love blending the…

BEST MOISTURE MASK ’Occitane Immortelle Divine Cream Mask, £78 “Such a treat: transforms dry and mature skin in just one use!” JGB BEST FACE OIL  Crème de la Mer The Renewal Oil, £155 “Great as an additional step to your evening routine or add a couple of drops to turbo-charge moisturiser.” MC W&H READER FAVE BEST DAY CREAM Olay Regenerist Luminous Brightening & Protecting SPF20 Moisturiser, £19.99 “Skin looks fresh and isn’t greasy.” BEST NIGHT CREAM  Darphin 8-Flower Nectar Oil Cream, £65 “An indulgent treatment that really nourishes – you awaken to plumper, more radiant skin.” MC BEST EYE CREAM  Bakel NutriEyes, £80 “I love this, especially as it’s designed for eyelids too. Works well for sensitive skin, and really does nourish and soothe.” NE BEST…

BEST DEFRIZZ  John Frieda Frizz Ease Forever Smooth Anti-Frizz Primer, £9.99 “Works well on frizzy hair. You can leave to dry naturally… just wash and go!” JG BEST MOUSSE  VO5 Give Me Texture Effortless Wave Creation Foam, £3 “Really liked this: you can leave hair to dry naturally to get a great texture. My assistant kept it!” JG BEST HAIR OIL  Redken Diamond Oil Glow Dry, £27.30 “I’ve been dyeing my hair since I was 13, but this undoes years of damage by adding shine and gloss without making it oily.” KB W&H READER FAVE BEST GAME CHANGER  Aussie 3 Miracle Oil Reconstructor, £9.99 “This revives my dreadful scarecrow locks to something Rapunzel-like.” BEST STYLER  Bumble and Bumble Surf Infusion, £22 “Genius product. So easy to use and…

MAC Lipstick in Ruby Woo, £15.50 “It’s the perfect red. And the lipstick quality is amazing.” YSL Touche Éclat, £25 “No doubt an icon. I’ve tried the rest yet always come back to my old favourite.” Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, £30 “It gives me confidence to go out without make-up on.” L’Oréal Elnett Diamond Hold Hairspray, £3.99 “Holds well and brushes out easily.” Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, £30 “My mother worked for them during the war and introduced me to this wonder cream.” Chanel No 5, £68 for 50ml EDP “Timeless – it was the first fragrance bought for me by my dad and I still Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, £14 “This has changed my cleansing ritual into…

“Facial fillers give you the choice to age how YOU want. It’s not about turning back the clock, it’s about making the most of yourself.” Expert aesthetics practitioner, Alison Telfer, who regularly treats patients with Juvéderm facial fillers, explains exactly how the process works… “Facial fillers are made of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in our bodies. When we are born we have plentiful amounts, as we get older this store diminishes, leaving the skin less well supported so lines and wrinkles develop. When a facial filler is injected in small amounts under the skin, it can lift and smooth targeted folds and wrinkles by replenishing and adding subtle volume. “The injections are relatively painless due to the local anaesthetic, lidocaine, which is added to some products and should…

CALM THOSE MOODS Try a mindful approach Roller-coaster moods are often the first inkling that menopause is on its way. “Hormone fluctuations can cause increased irritability or a blue feeling,” says Dr Chantal Hofstee, author of Mindfulness on the Run (Exisle Publishing). “A mindful approach is simply to acknowledge them with kindness.” Here’s her take… stomach. Take a deep breath. As you breathe out, relax and drop your shoulders. Say or think “I let it go”. Repeat a few times. SOOTHE STRESS WITH SCENT “Aromatherapy is the queen of all therapies to help combat stress, and as the menopause causes stress and stress worsens the symptoms, it helps you break free from the vicious cycle,” says founder of Balm Balm, Glenda Taylor. Treating yourself to an aromatherapy massage or spoiling…

Phyto-Caffeine Tonic This was created for women who wish to reduce hair thinning, but either don’t want to wash their hair every day, or need to use a different shampoo than Plantur 39 Phyto-Caffeine Shampoos. This tonic contains caffeine against the negative impact of testosterone, as well as the vitamin niacin, zinc salts and nature’s phyto-active substances, which help reduce hair loss. The Phyto-Caffeine Complex quickly reaches the hair roots and penetrates the hair follicle. • Use the dosage tip daily to apply the tonic directly to the scalp parting by parting, so that it can be massaged into the entire scalp. Massage in, leave on briefly (wait about three minutes), comb hair and style as usual. One bottle gives 40 to 50 applications. Phyto-Caffeine Shampoos The caffeine in these…

Zumba made me come alive again. I felt empowered Maxine Jones, 46, lives in London with her husband, CJ, an IT security salesman, and has two stepchildren. She became a Zumba teacher in 2011 after 20 years in banking. I first discovered Zumba when a friend invited me to a class. I’ve always been into fitness, but I’d never heard of Zumba so thought I’d give it a go. About 60 women turned up and they literally danced like they didn’t care, which was totally exhilarating. That class made me come alive. I felt so empowered, surrounded by a feeling of positive energy, family and sisterhood. I left on a tremendous high feeling ten feet tall and invincible. I had also had a great workout and decided to find my…

THIS MONTH… • HAND, FOOD AND MOUTH DISEASE • CONSTIPATION • SLEEP Q For as long as I can remember I’ve suffered from constipation. Despite trying to eat more fibre, I find it difficult to go to the toilet without taking senna. This works well, but then I never go the next day. How can I get my bowels to work normally? A Normally, food residues take around two days to pass through the large intestine (though in men it’s a little quicker than this). When you go to the toilet “normally”, only the residues in the lower half of the intestine are passed out, with the contents in the first part being passed out the following day. Stimulant laxatives tend to empty the whole of the large intestine, and that means…

The sheer girliness and happiness of it all was infectious I have three wonderful sons but not having a daughter does mean there are some experiences that I will never have, including those very female mother-of-the bride moments. When my eldest son got married last year, I loved every minute and my gorgeous daughter-in-law was utterly welcoming about sharing the experience, but being mother of the groom is just, well, different. Then last year my niece, Isabel, and her boyfriend Jack announced they wanted to get married in a register office close to where we live in north London but quite a distance from their home in south London. The wedding was to take place in February and over Christmas dinner, Isabel asked if she could “change into her dress”…

What is a social enterprise? In a nutshell, it’s a business that has a social purpose at its core, so a product or service that has a focus on making society, or a particular community, better. We work with people in the early stages of setting up a social enterprise and the idea often comes from someone’s personal experience. For example, if someone is ill and finds that the support structure they needed wasn’t there, they might use their skills to develop a support network that can also operate as a business. How does the Lloyds Bank and Bank of Scotland Social Entrepreneurs programme work? It’s a three-way partnership between Lloyds, the Big Lottery Fund and the SSE. Of our 15 cohorts each year, most focus on social enterprises looking…

Creamy vanilla on a crunchy gingery base – summer in a bite! Blackcurrant cheesecake A wonderful baked cheesecake that just oozes summer currants. You can use frozen ones too. Easy/Prepare ahead/Freeze • Ready in 2 hours, plus cooling and chilling • Serves 8-12 450g frozen blackcurrants 150g gingernut biscuits, blitzed to fine crumbs 40g butter, melted 560g cream cheese 200ml soured cream 175g caster sugar 2 free-range eggs and 1 free-range egg yolk 1tsp vanilla bean paste or extract YOU WILL NEED an 18cm loose-based deep cake tin, oiled 1 Put 300g blackcurrants into a small pan over a low heat. Allow them to heat through and soften, then mash them to a purée with a fork and leave to cool. Mix the gingernut crumbs and melted butter together, press into the…

Amazingly, Helen and Rob’s home in south-west London was originally a bungalow! “It was once the art room to a private school but had been converted by the time we bought it, although it was an odd layout. We had moved from a smaller house in Chiswick and wanted something bigger for our growing family – Sam, now 14, Connie, 12, and Lois, seven – and also to have a home office,” explains Helen. Although the house wasn’t ideal for what they wanted, Helen could see it had potential, with a big garden and rear access, quite unusual in this part of London. The family moved in in 2004. “To begin with we put a new bathroom and kitchen in and decorated throughout, but knew that we wanted to extend…

There is nothing quite so luxurious as stepping onto a wool carpet at the end of a long day. A wool-rich carpet is an investment that will pay dividends, as it will create a living space that is comfortable and inviting. DESIGN AND STYLE Brintons use an 80% wool, 20% nylon blend that is soft to the touch but hard-wearing, so it’s guaranteed to last. They produce stunning designs and have collaborated with some of the movers and shakers in the design world. CHOOSE PATTERN Although plain carpets have historically been the carpet of choice, more and more people are choosing patterned carpets as a more versatile option. They are perfect for high-traffic areas like hallways. GREEN CREDENTIALS Not only is wool on trend right now but it has hypoallergenic…

Nina’s mother, Elspeth Allison, is married to Alan and lives in Leicestershire. I’m thrilled with Man at the Helm and Paradise Lodge . To me, they’re happy books and talk about how Alan came into our lives. He really did save us. It wasn’t quite as she wrote it but Man at the Helm is in essence truthful and an amazing vindication of all the awful things that happened. I got married for the first time when I was 19 and my husband Paul Stibbe was about 35. At the time he was at the LSE and it was all Ban the Bomb and Swedish films – very exciting to me. However, Paul went into his family business manufacturing…

NADINE DORRIES Conservative MP “It’s difficult to find time in my day to read but carrying my e-reader with me has changed my life. I am now reading Elizabeth Gaskell’s Wives and Daughters. I recently discovered we have a connection and I’ve felt inspired to read her books as a result. The juxtaposition between privileged rural life and the industrial north reminds me of my experience of moving from Liverpool to a small village. I’m rereading Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. I love her description of that period in history. Thomas Cromwell fascinates me, and she has shown a gentler side to him. Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín is the story of a woman who leaves Ireland for America, and finds herself torn between her family roots and her new life…

GREECE vs DUBROVNIK COOL NEW ACTIVITY BREAK Sailing in Greece The summer holidays offer the perfect chance to get out on Greece’s Kassandra Peninsula, which promises warmer weather and calmer seas. Even if you only have a few days to spare, the Sani Marina Sailing Academy will get you out on the water. Pay £200 for a 10-hour intensive beginner sailing course spread over three days, with lessons held both on dry land as well as offshore. Each lesson starts with theory, followed by sailing practice, and a debrief at the end. DON’T MISS Sani’s beaches, including the state-of-the-art marina, which have Blue Flag status and crystal-clear waters. You’ll often catch sight of dolphins in the deeper parts of the bay. SUN FACTOR If the water activities aren’t enough, why…

“Before I did The Notebook , it was hard for me to even get an audition” In your new film, The Nice Guys , you play a bumbling detective who must solve the case of a missing girl with the help of a hitman, played by Russell Crowe – what was it like teaming up with him? It was so much fun. Russell rarely shows this lighter side of himself and I think he’s going to surprise people by how good he is at comedy. I was laughing all the time on the set! You welcomed your second daughter, Amada, in April – how are you finding fatherhood? I’ve never had so much enjoyment as I’ve had being a father, even though I’ve never…