Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2018 i Woman & Home

“The next time anyone says our generation is past it, I’ll read them the riot act” What a laugh our readers lunch at The Langham, London, turned out to be. My colleagues who had been to our events before had told me to expect a lively bunch of guests, and of course I fully expected woman&home readers to be particularly vibrant. But nothing prepared me for the hilarious, fascinating and downright fun bunch I got to spend the afternoon with. Seriously, the next time anyone suggests to me that our generation is past it (sadly it still happens!), I will remember that occasion and read them the riot act. Surely the most inspiring women of all time were the suffragettes, and I would really like to draw your attention to…

Check mate Go all out with one check upon another. Team slim-cut pants with a new take on the trench... a belted cotton style will see you through to summer. Layer up like a pro with fashion-forward lengths and add a backpack... just because you can. Sporty remix Return of the mac? Yes, but this time it’s with a trendier finish. A collarless cut with a drawstring waist make it easy to style with a girly dress. The alternative? Sling it over some slouchy side-stripe pants... sports luxe to the max. Say it with stripes It’s the one look every woman can wear. Thin stripes, fat stripes, blue stripes, beige stripes. Low-key fabrics look seriously luxe in a striking maxi skirt. Forget a classic blouse – if you want a…

SNAKE TRENDY TRAINERS White or light… comfort is key EMBELLISHED Jewels, studs and embellishment. Don’t hold back KITTEN HEELS Hooray for the heel we can all walk in! SLIDES Let your shoes steal the show with tassels and embroidery HIGH VAMPS It’s time to cover up your toe cleavage NATURAL ORDER Wicker, bamboo and straw bags are big SUMMER BOOTS Ankle boots reign supreme TASTE THE RAINBOW Embrace multicoloured stripes SATIN SHOES Perfect for special occasions, satin is THE fabric…

 Created and written by The Walking Dead star Lennie James, Save Me follows the story of Nelson Rowe (played by James), the life and soul of the local pub, who is falsely accused of a terrible crime and sets out to find the real perpetrator. Doctor Foster star Suranne Jones plays Claire, who Nelson had a love affair with 13 years ago and hasn’t seen since – until now. Suranne lives with her husband, TV/film writer Laurence Akers, and their two-year-old son in London. “There are some dark moments in this series, but I never take work home with me” I have to admit, I wanted a bit of a break after I finished Doctor Foster . When filming ended, I went straight off to America for…

1 Be responsibly selfish  Work out how much you really want to do something. Ask yourself: Do I want to do it? Do I have to? If you are only agreeing to please someone else, then you will become resentful. There’s nothing wrong with putting yourself first – it means that, in turn, you can provide more for those around you. I call this being responsibly selfish. 2 “No” is a complete sentence  I have a rule based on the acronym JADE. Don’t Justify, don’t Argue, don’t Defend yourself, and don’t Explain. In other words, if you don’t want to do something just say so; you don’t have to go into reasons why you don’t want to do it. 3 Say no initially – but suggest they ask you again…

Women want to see characters that feel familiar The other night I switched on the TV and flicked between Peaky Blinders, starring the mesmerising Helen McCrory, and the Kay Mellor drama Love, Lies & Records with Ashley Jensen, and realised that the last taboo in television had been broken. Broadcasters have finally realised that women in the prime of life are the stuff of prime-time television. Think of the redoubtable Sarah Lancashire, whose face is a road map of experience and suffering in Happy Valley, or her equally powerful performance in Last Tango in Halifax. Or Suranne Jones dominating the screen in her award-winning turn as the eponymous Doctor Foster, Olivia Colman in Broadchurch or even Sofie Gråbøl in The Killing. Of course, there have always been women of a…

ho can resist the appeal of the new? We’re a consumer nation. We buy stuff, use it, and when we fall out of love with it, we throw it away. These days, nothing seems built to last anyway. Yet, while shopping can be fabulous when done right, a cluttered life is stressful, and having stuff is not always a joyful experience. The good news is we can learn to live more sustainably, simply – and well. Tara Button is the author of A Life Less Throwaway: The Lost Art of Buying for Life , and founder of BuyMeOnce.com , an international movement that aims to shift us from disposable shopping habits into buying smarter and for life, making us happier in the process. So…

Just peachy It flatters all skin tones! • NAILS YSL La Laque Couture Nail Lacquer in Op Art Coral, £19.50, for fingers and toes, is out soon. • LIPS Dior Lip Glow Colour Reviver Balm Holo Glow, £23, the balm that becomes a flush of colour with the warmth of your lips. • SKIN Erborian BB Shot Mask Radiance “Baby Skin” Effect, £6, is a sheet mask drenched in BB cream for a 7am fast facial. Love it! • CHEEKS Too Faced Peach My Cheeks Blush in Peach Dream, £25, a cream-to-powder texture, and is so pretty on the apples of your cheeks. BEAUTY UNDER SCRUTINY Eye openers New lashline definers. 1 The new black! I’ve not worn a navy eyeliner for years, but Sisley Phyto Khol Star Waterproof All-Day…

 “So, how much do you want to shed?” asks Victoria at AlumierMD. Tricky question. My first medical grade peel comes with the self-imposed condition that I’ll take it slow. Sure, they’re famous for unbeatable work on skin texture, pores and pigmentation, but we all remember Sex and the City’s Samantha Jones, puce and cracking after her little “freshen-up”. I’m scared. Yet somehow the disarmingly friendly Victoria swiftly has me all in for a medium-depth Glow Peel. This lactic acid, salicylic acid and resorcinol blend deep-cleans pores, detaching dead skin cells so healthy new ones “push” them off. You can have them as often as every two to four weeks and the number of sweeps determines the level of shedding. After one Victoria asks me to rate my discomfort and I…

Prebiotics & probiotics Prebiotics are a form of dietary fibre that acts as a fertiliser for good bacteria – probiotics – in the gut. We need both to have good gut health, and the more you feed “the good”, the less room there is for “the bad”, which leads to overly sensitive skin, psoriasis, eczema, acne or inflamm-ageing. Look for nutrients such as marine enzymes, antioxidant-rich berries and grapeseed oil, which help make skin more resilient. THE SERUM Rich in prebiotic polyphenols, with vitamins C and E, the new Caudalie Premier Cru The Serum, £90, contains super grapeseed and resveratrol for brighter skin and fewer dark spots. THE RADIANCE BOOSTER One of the skincare brands of the moment, Orveda The Healing Sap, £125 from Harvey Nichols, combines a marine enzyme…

1 Surround yourself with positive people Our moods are contagious, so being with folk who look on the bright side is life-affirming, and promotes positivity. 2 Remember the good times Whether it’s through photos, a diary, videos or more, recalling a funny incident triggers happy emotions – hence our love of long-standing family jokes! 3 Make laughter a daily habit, even when alone Action for Happiness recommends smiling at yourself broadly in the mirror first thing every morning: it encourages a light-hearted attitude to whatever the day may hold. 4 Meditate It’s thought the feeling of calmness following meditation leads to better perspective… and out of that so often comes humour. You could also, of course, focus on an image of something funny when you meditate – it’s a win-win!…

THIS MONTH… Raynaud’s • Over-the-counter Viagra • Recovery after fracture • Lead poisoning • Online slimming pills QI suffer from Raynaud’s, but it’s been especially bad this winter. My doctor suggested taking antidepressants, but I’m not depressed, just fed up with cold and painful fingers and toes! A With Raynaud’s, tiny blood vessels in the extremities go into spasm with any drop in temperature, making fingers and toes go white, and feel painfully cold. As well as keeping fingers and toes as warm as possible, taking nifedipine, losartan or ramipril can help to widen blood vessels. Fluoxetine, which is used as an antidepressant, gets good results too, and this is almost certainly why your GP recommended it, so I think it’s worth a try. QWe’ve been renovating our Victorian house, and discovered…

Sailing through the world’s most beautiful glacial fjords, with the chance to see snow-topped mountains, waterfalls, seals, an abundance of birds and villages caught in time, is an experience like no other. So we’ve joined forces with Norway’s legendary coastal cruise line Hurtigruten to offer this fantastic high summer journey, which Lonely Planet have named “The World’s Most Beautiful Voyage”. We’ll take you on an adventure from Bergen to Kirkenes and back, crossing the Arctic Circle twice and experiencing the “midnight sun”. Summer’s long, light days are the best time to explore the coast, as flowers bloom, rivers fill with fish and giant waterfalls cascade into the fjords. Plus, you’ll get to experience this incredible voyage in the company of TV presenter Julia Bradbury. During your 12-day cruise, you’ll enjoy…

…GRAPHIC PRINTS ALISON WOOD, 54, a buyer at QVC, lets woman&home reinvent her everyday look with confident colour. • Tangerine orange will get you noticed for all the right reasons. • A black waistband breaks up all that block colour and defines your waist. • Graphic prints are your go-to starting point. Team with a tone-on-tone knit. • Temper down your outfit with pale grey ankle boots. Top, £98, xs-l; skirt, £130, 6-16, both Jigsaw. Bag, £259, Amanda Wakeley at QVC. Boots, £139, Senso. Rings, from £35, all Pandora A contrasting gold bag makes this low-key outfit so luxe …EASY TAILORING JOTI PATEL, 40, lives in dressed-down jeans. • Haven’t thought about mixing cream with white before? It instantly looks expensive, and an easy blazer is your key piece for…

The beef stew is so easy to put together… but you’d never guess from the rich taste Roasted herby vegetable frittata Simple to put together and packs an impressive veggie punch. As well as being a great midweek family meal, this makes a healthy lunchbox filler.  Easy • Ready in 50 mins • Serves 6 1 red onion, sliced into wedges 2 courgettes, cut into 3cm chunks 3 red peppers, deseeded and cut into 3cm chunks 500g new potatoes, sliced into 5mm rounds 3tbsp olive oil 10 free-range eggs 100ml double cream 200g feta cheese, crumbled 4tbsp each chopped mint, parsley and tarragon 2tbsp grated Parmesan 1 Heat the oven to 200C, gas 6. Put the vegetables and potatoes on a roasting tray, toss through the oil, and season well with salt…

GREEN TREND I’m predicting plenty of fresh green around this spring, and if you need a hero piece, how about the Betty armchair in olive pure cotton matt velvet, £590, from sofa.com ? Shown with its Chaplin coffee table, £320. IN THE CLEAR You just have to pop into Marks & Spencer and see its new range of clear glass vases for yourself. Not only are they perfect for displaying flowers of all shapes and sizes, the clarity of the glass, handmade in Poland using traditional glass blowing and casing techniques, and stringent quality checks, mean these pieces will last for years to come. We love the prices too, from just £15. SOFT SHADES I’m loving the new Spring/Summer 18 collection from Murmur, especially its subtle colours…

MY BOOK OF THE MONTH The Hoarder by Jess Kidd (Canongate) Carer Maud looks after Cathal Flood in his squalid home. Despite her intentions, Maud is drawn towards the house’s mysteries. With vivid characterisation, this novel is funny yet tender and unforgettable. PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen (Macmillan) With shocking twists, this intricate thriller proves all is not what it seems for the discarded first wife and the woman about to marry her ex. Addictive. FEEL-GOOD READ Coming Home by Fern Britton (HarperCollins) Abandoned as babies, Henry and Ella’s mother now wants to make peace with them. But moving on is far from straightforward. A heartfelt novel about family, secrets and atonement. GOTHIC CHILLER The Coffin Path by Katherine…

INDIA KNIGHT is a columnist for The Sunday Times and author of The Goodness of Dogs . She writes about learning how to finally say no on p62. • Who – or what – makes you laugh out loud? The audiobook of Alan Partridge’s Nomad, which nearly caused us to crash the car from laughing so much. • Your top tip for worrying less? It’s important to be able to tell the difference between things that don’t really matter, and genuine crises. Only the latter are worth your energy. SHANE WATSON is a writer whose work regularly appears in The Telegraph and The Times . She writes about why midlife women need trends more than ever…

“I LOVE A WHITE TEE – IT GOES WITH EVERYTHING” 1 Dress for yourself. If you don’t feel good you won’t look good. We are bombarded with styling rules, take note of them but then decide if you want to break them! 2 I love a white tee – it goes with everything. I now buy Fruit of the Loom men’s cotton tees in bulk. When that bright white look fades, don’t feel guilty about using them as a duster! 3 My fail-safe staple is a great pair of jeans. My favourite brand and style is the Diesel Fayza. They are low, loose and cool. Team them with a cami, a great suit jacket and a pair of killer heels. 4 Get organised. I get up…

Sports luxe Give your weekend jacket a glamorous update Wear it a different way. Try your dressed- down parka over a modern maxi dress. Don’t be fearful of stripes. Fine versions with dark block colours will still flatter. Psst… wear long-line control briefs underneath to smooth out your curves. Pyjama style Simplify your spring style with this trendy duo Chunky vertical stripes will give the illusion of a longer body: hoorah! Slimmer and taller in seconds. Create a curvier figure with a belted sleeveless jacket. An extra layer always looks more styled. Loose and easy, wide-legged pants work on any figure. Add a heel for extra height. Spring leather Go big and bold, let your skirt steal the show Try a cropped jacket over a longer top. Mismatch your hem…

Sylvia Clark, 80, a retired librarian, and Brian, 85, who was in the Army, live in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, and have two children. SYLVIA SAYS I was 18 and he was 23 when we met at a dinner-dance. It was his good manners I fell for. We were married two years later, in 1957. Getting a telegram from the Queen on our 60th wedding anniversary was lovely; I can hardly believe it’s been that long! Brian was in the Army, which suited me because I wanted an adventure. He was stationed in Germany when I was pregnant the first time, and we arrived with nowhere to live and had to create a home from scratch – the Army wasn’t very good at catering for wives then. We were careful never…

Married 20 YEARS Colin, 57, and Livia Firth, 48 “The secret is to make sure that we spend enough time together,” says Colin. Married 29 YEARS Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks, both 61 “She makes me laugh more than ever,” says Tom. Married 30 YEARS Martin Kemp, 56, and Shirlie Holliman, 55 “She’s my best friend,” says Martin. Married 32 YEARS Jennifer Saunders, 59, and Ade Edmondson, 61 “I’m not great at arguing and nor is Ade,” says Jennifer. Married 33 YEARS Jamie Lee Curtis, 59, and Christopher Guest, 69 Their secret? “Don’t get divorced,” says Jamie. “Hold on.” Married 35 YEARS Imelda Staunton, 62, and Jim Carter, 69 “We make the effort to not work apart very often,” says Imelda. Married 39 YEARS Meryl Streep, 68, and Don Gummer,…

My weekends away with “the girls” are a cherished beacon in my diary, and I find myself aching to see them to hear their news – and for them to get their take on mine. Whatever the location – Paris, Brighton or Southwold – the format never changes. We arrive. We start talking, laughing and eating. Then we leave 48 hours later without ever drawing breath. I always return home feeling re-energised and happy. To this day I have never laughed as much as I have when I’m with them. And it’s always been the same – in the old days we’d go out for dinner; these days we’ll find an Airbnb so we can take four hours over breakfast if we wish, or curl up on the sofas drinking…

After my session with Tara, I feel proud of the good choices I have made, and freed to briskly rid myself of possessions that make me feel bad (that purple jumper!). I also resolve to use my gorgeous crockery more often. I’m about to buy a new hall table, as the one I have is fake gilt and has caused me two decades of regret. So I’ll apply Tara’s advice about considering my core taste, and asking questions about quality and longevity when choosing a new one. It’s lovely to think that what lasts ultimately saves you expense, is good for the planet – and may also become a treasured heirloom.…

So you’ve glimpsed a handsome stranger at a party. What next? Jean Smith, social and cultural anthropologist and founder of flirtology.com , offers her advice. 1 Start with a neutral question. This is something that opens up the conversation, rather than closing it down with a “yes” or “no” answer. No idea what to say? Take your cues from the environment. At a gallery opening or museum you could say, “What do you think of this painting?” If you’re at a party, try, “How do you know the host?” 2 Move on to flattery. If it’s going well, Smith suggests giving them a compliment. Just make sure it’s genuine. Something playful like, “You have such a wonderful smile.” 3 Hold their gaze. In other words, no nervous…

“I’m working harder than I ever have but loving every single minute” From PR guru to ethical jeweller Sarah Greenaway, 52, is the founder of ethical jewellery brand mosami.co.uk  and lives in Rockbourne, Hampshire. She was head of sustainability communications for B&Q. I’ve always been passionate about the environment. I grew up in the country and love being surrounded by nature. I studied agriculture at university and eventually went to work for Tesco and then M&S. But it was as a skincare buyer and brand manager of Boots No7 that I learned the tools – ethics and professionalism – that served me for the rest of my career. They were wonderful times but incredibly stressful. I would be working from the moment I got up at 6am through…

CHARLOTTE TILBURY Creator of her own brand, Charlotte is deeply entrenched in the fashion elite – best friends include Kate Moss, Kristen Stewart and Victoria Beckham, and her celeb clients range from J-Lo to Penélope Cruz and Salma Hayek. Trend to try “For a more youthful look always apply blush high up on the apples of the cheekbones for a healthy pop of colour.” Career highlight “Launching my own brand over four years ago was a pivotal moment in my life. Make-up is a true secret power and I’ve created a woman-to-woman brand that makes expert-led red carpet make-up effortless for every woman from 18-80!” Top make-up tips “Invest in brushes: they make all the difference and can last for years.” Charlotte’s Magic Cream, £70 MUST DO PAST 40 “Try…

1 EYES  FACE Stockholm Luxe Lash Mascara, £28 With mascara I think you’ve got to kiss a lot of frogs before you find the right one. This comes off easily with water when you want it off, but miraculously also stays put when you want it to! 2 SCENT  Acqua Di Parma Iris Nobile, £78 I love this scent. It reminds me of Italy where I used to go a lot – Milan for work, Tuscany on holiday. It’s floral but not sweet. It’s subtle, not cloying or girly. A grown-up floral. 3 SKIN  Dermalogica Phyto Replenish Oil, £67 This is a new discovery – you can use it during the day under make-up but I mostly use it at night. It’s brilliant in winter when your skin’s really dry,…

Ask a health professional and they’ll tell you it’s not the type of water that matters, simply that we drink more of it. “How much you need varies according to body size, sweat rate and how much exercise you do, but two litres or eight glasses a day is ideal,” confirms Aisling Pigott, registered dietitian and spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association. And while all fluids count – yes, even tea, coffee and fizzy drinks – nothing beats pure water for sugar-and calorie-free healthy hydration. TAP Vs BOTTLED – WHICH IS SAFER? “Both are safe to drink, it’s just that they go through very different processes,” says Kinvara Carey, General Manager at the Natural Hydration Council. “Tap water is chemically treated, spring and mineral waters aren’t, but they’re very strictly…

SOAR MILL COVE SALCOMBE This luxurious hotel, with its own golden beach, is nestled into a Devon hillside – so many of the rooms have stunning ocean views. It’s the perfect place for a British seaside escape and dogs are made to feel as welcome as you, with a gift of dog treats on arrival. There are plenty of local coastal walking trails to explore as well as a spa to relax in. Bliss. THE COST Three-night stay from £195pp* THE DATES Offer applies Monday-Friday, until 24 May 2018 (excluding 4-6 May) WHAT’S INCLUDED • Three nights in a Country View room • 20% off spa treatments • First dog free, second dog £10 per night TO BOOK Call 01548 389968 and quote TIMEINC OFFER VISIT womanandhome.tripsmiths.com/soarmill THE…

MONDAY Veggie filo quiche This is a great “dinner tonight, lunch tomorrow” dish – leftovers are just the job for a packed lunch at work.  Easy/Prepare ahead • Ready in 30 mins • Serves 4 4 large sheets filo pastry 25g butter, melted 125g bag baby leaf spinach 6 free-range eggs, whisked 3tbsp milk small bunch mint, chopped 100g cooked artichoke hearts, halved 100g vegetarian feta, crumbled you will need  a 24cm loose-bottomed tart case 1 Heat the oven to 200C, gas 6. Line the tart case with the filo sheets, leaving some overhang. Brush each layer of pastry with melted butter, then fold the overhang back into the case and brush with more butter. 2 Prick the spinach bag with a fork and microwave for 30 secs, until just softened. Open…

Before we start, if you have an overdraft or a credit card debt, paying this off is priority. The tips here assume you already have savings, a pension and your finances are under control. Remember that the value of investments can fall as well as rise – you must be prepared to take a risk and a long-term view. What to do with £1,000 TOM I’ve been putting my pension contributions into an Indian fund for the past 10 years. As you can take your pension from age 55 in most cases, it is a long-term view – but not too long. It is a market with potential, and £1,000 is small enough to invest and see what happens. Try the Jupiter India Fund – an expert fund manager decides…

Chocolate and Nutella buckwheat stacks Buckwheat is naturally gluten free and full of flavour and nutrients. A great nutty taste, it works well with the chocolate and nut combination in this indulgent brunch recipe. Easy • Ready in 20 mins • Serves 4 (makes 8 pancakes) 150g buckwheat flour 1tsp baking powder 1tbsp sugar 1 free-range egg 284ml carton buttermilk 60ml milk 60g butter, melted 140g dark chocolate, melted 4tbsp golden syrup 300ml cream, whipped 140g Nutella few scoops ice cream 100g toasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped 1 In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder and sugar. Make a well in the centre and crack in the egg, then pour in the buttermilk and milk. Whisk to form a smooth batter. 2 In a large saucepan, melt the butter. Pour this…

“Don’t try too hard to dress a room, but do buy furnishing items when you seem them as you’ll always find a place for them” Faced with the challenge of downsizing, Lisa James was determined to stay in the beautiful conservation area of Oxted in Surrey, where you’ll find her clothing and gift shop Hi Hi Store, however she found it impossible to find a detached family house within her budget and decided to change her focus completely. “I stopped looking at three-bedroom houses and began looking at two-bed properties with the potential to create a third,” says Lisa. “I also widened my property choice to look at any style, including apartments. That’s how I came across our current home, which I found while searching through the property website Rightmove.”…

1 A Country Escape by Katie Fforde (Century) Fran’s childhood dream is about to come true. But can she turn round the fortunes of her aunt’s dilapidated farm and find love in the process? 2 The Endless Beach by Jenny Colgan (Sphere) Set on the island of Mure, will café owner Flora find her happy ever after with her distant boyfriend? 3 The Year of Surprising Acts of Kindness by Laura Kemp (Orion) Will Ceri be successful in helping rebrand a Welsh seaside village as “the village of love”? 4 Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella (Bantam) Sylvie and Dan plan to be together for the long haul. But when panic sets in, their attempts to keep the magic alive leads to shock discoveries… 5 The Gods…

 Having had a weight problem for 35 years, Rachel was desperate to find a way of being able to lose weight once and for all. ‘I had just about resigned myself to the fact that I would be overweight for the rest of my life, when I came across the principles of the Metabolic Weight Loss Programme. I followed these and to my amazement, I lost 3 stone in just over 3 months and then went on to successfully maintain my weight. The relief was enormous to have found something that finally worked for me.’ With an average weight loss of 7-14lb a month for clients and hundreds of hand written testimonials, Rachel’s results speak for themselves Rachel became passionate about wanting to help as many people as possible with…

1 MILKTOOTHLDN.COM The lowdown If you love statement gold earrings that don’t cost your monthly mortgage, these are for you. Colourful and distinctive, they also have a vintage selection. The damage Above, £49; left, £46 2 DORINA The lowdown This lingerie brand’s highlights include the Tone on Tone collection, with three Skin shades in four key bra styles with matching bottoms. The damage Bras, £16-£18, 32A-38DD; briefs, £8-£9, 8-18, very.co.uk 3 PRETTYSPECIALFASHION.COM The lowdown Fashion buyer and biker jacket aficionado Caroline Rochell couldn’t find the ultimate leather, so decided to design a sassy range herself. Expect buttery soft leathers with interesting trims. The damage £295-£425, 12-18 4 LITTLE LIFFNER The lowdown This Swedish bag brand channels classic shapes with a fashionable edge. The damage…

CIRCULAR Go full circle with pom-poms and texture BUCKET BAGS Pull your look together ELONGATED TOTES Yes ladies, size matters OVERSIZED …because we all covet a Mary Poppins bag! BUMBAGS A lot more chic than you think Avoid the tourist look by wearing it cross-body…

We think of fashion as a young woman’s game. Everyone may be far more relaxed about what is and isn’t age appropriate in 2018, but we still assume that, past 45, you haven’t much use for trends. You want classic, timeless clothes; elegance rather than edge, a lovely grey cashmere sweater and some tailored black trousers and an ivory blouse and… hellooo… is anyone still awake? Yes, that, unfortunately, is the problem with bypassing fashion at this point in our lives. You may look smart and well put together, but you probably won’t look like you at the air-punching peak of your powers. Even so, a lot of us are scared of trends. It’s the vision of Chinese dressing gowns worn in the day; pleated leather skirts and asymmetric hems…

“Saying no is incredibly freeing. I felt euphoric. I never looked back…” recently sent a truly liberating email. Someone was asking me, again, to come and give a talk, on a topic I know nothing about, at the other end of the country, at an inconvenient time of year, for free. Instead of doing what I normally do – saying yes out of politeness, resenting having said yes for weeks, feeling crosser and crosser as the moment approached, wondering desperately whether I could cancel at the last minute – I said… no. I wrote wishing the person all the best with their project. But, I said, “This isn’t going to work out for us.” There was no point in pursuing me any longer: I couldn’t do it. I was too…

1918 Women over 30 granted the right to vote; women can stand as an MP for the first time. 1928 All women over the age of 21 gain equal voting rights with men. 1939-1945 During World War Two, women work in traditionally “male” occupations such as in factories producing munitions. 1965 Barbara Castle becomes the first female minister of state as the Minister of Transport. 1967 Abortion is decriminalised, while the contraceptive pill becomes available to women via family planning clinics, regardless of marital status. 1970 After industrial action by women at Ford’s Dagenham plant, it is now illegal to pay women less than men. 1979 Margaret Thatcher becomes the UK’s first female prime minister. 1994 Every working woman has the right to maternity leave. 1997 The number of women…

• DO SOMETHING NEW If your friendship is in need of a reboot, try doing something totally new together. Chat about what you’ve always wanted to do but never got round to and get a firm date in the diary. • GO AWAY TOGETHER Nothing beats going away for some female bonding. An overnight spa break? A week relaxing in the sunshine? The trip itself is only half the fun – you’ll have such a great time planning and then reminiscing, that you’ll be booking another before you know it! • COMMIT One of the most common reasons friendships fall apart is growing resentments – and often over little things. Friendships take work and effort from both sides. Having a busy day and tempted to cancel your coffee date? Don’t.…

THE CHAIR Eames lounge chair in white leather and walnut. Never dates and goes with everything. And so it should for £3,870. THE COOKING POT Le Creuset Dutch Oven, £160. Tara says, “This was the pot that inspired BuyMeOnce. Beautiful, classic and great at its job, it’s a natural heirloom.” Choosing just one is like trying to pick your favourite grandchild. They come with a lifetime guarantee in a range of lovely colours THE TOASTER Dualit 4-slot classic toaster, £199. Tara says, “Unlike other manufacturers, Dualit make their sturdy toasters as robust and fixable as possible. They offer spare parts for every element so if it ever breaks, it’s repairable.” THE SOFA Heal’s Matera three-seater sofa in butter-soft tan leather. Beautiful and oh-so comfortable, from £2,499. THE KETTLE  Stellar stove…

Sonya Gulliford, 57, lives in Dorset. She works for the NHS and has three grown-up daughters. “I divorced about 18 years ago; since then, I’ve been in a series of long-term relationships. I was with my last partner for three years – we met at the gym – but our relationship ended four years ago. “So I’ve been single now since I was 53. I have a full life and enjoy my job, but then I started thinking it would be nice to share those special times with someone else again. “In January 2017, I decided to take the plunge and go online. I went for Elite Singles, as they cater for people looking for serious relationships. I wrote the profile myself – and was honest about my age! I…

“I’m reassured the redness will go down quickly – it does – and four weeks later I’ve got that indefinable ageless veneer” I define a “tweakment” as more than a facial but less than a scalpel. Have you tried one? Are you curious? Whatever your viewpoint, there’s no denying that this sort of work is the talking point of the beauty industry right now. Last year, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons reported a 40% drop in cosmetic surgery, with brow and face lifts in steepest decline (71% and 53% year on year). Why? Because non-invasive tweaks are booming, both in sophistication and popularity, so there’s less need than ever to go under the knife. Frustratingly, this area of aesthetics is still a bit Wild West in terms of…

GREAT FOR COVERING SPOTS • Vichy Dermablend 3D Correction Foundation £23, 7 shades, lasts 16+ hours Coverage Full coverage. The ultimate foundation to improve the look of redness, dark spots, scarred and acne-prone skin. Best for? Those who are after great spot and blemish coverage that also manages to stay looking natural. Avoid if… It’s not really one to choose if you prefer barely there cover. What we love? This covering formula with SPF 25 is non-comedogenic, paraben free and hypoallergenic, and has a cooling texture when applied. GREAT FOR SWEAT-PROOF COVER • CliniqueFit Workout Makeup SPF 40, £29.50, 4 shades, lasts 12 hours Coverage Light; for healthy skin. Great texture and cover with a high SPF, but with just four shades you need to colour-match pretty well. Best for?…

Looking to give your home a makeover? The walls are the one place where you can make a difference – and fast. From modern paint effects (think ombré and graduated colour rather than 1980s rag-rolling) to clever ways of combining paper and paint; the latest wallpaper designs to ideas for tiles, we’ve found some great inspiration for your next room update. RETHINK SOFT SHADES • Muted colours can make just as much impact as bold ones. • Choose a wallpaper with an illustrative quality, then paint woodwork in a soft accent, like pale green. • Paint the edges of your door a different colour to frame the room. Hampstead Cool Grey wallpaper, £64 per roll; architrave painted in Dark Lead Colour; door painted in Pearl Colour Dark, both £29 for…

If there’s one element of our appearance that it’s possible to truly transform, it’s our hair. Height? Non-negotiable. Facial features? Rarely a good idea to start messing around with those. But a couple of hours and a bit of courage is all it takes to make a change up top, with zero obligation to stick it out if you’re not feeling the results. Often, a hair transformation aligns with a life transformation, like starting a new job or ending an old relationship, but I say why wait? Give these fresh ideas a spin now, from instant length to modern texture and colour tweaks that revive and refresh.…

IN SEASON Slowly but surely, the days become longer, thank goodness. Although forced Yorkshire rhubarb loves the dark, which gives it its iconic bright pink colour – perfect for gentle roasting with orange, ginger and honey. British vegetables include purple-sprouting broccoli, spring greens, cauliflower, sprouts, leeks and cabbage. There are plenty of root vegetables to enjoy too. Mussels and oysters are great at the moment. From further afield you’ll find blood oranges and the last of the Sevilles. BOOK OF THE MONTH Wine Lover’s Kitchen by Fiona Beckett (£16.99, Ryland, Peters & Small) You may know Fiona from her drinks column in the Guardian but she is also a mean cook, producing easy recipes with bags of flavour that all involve cooking with wine.…

MIX IT UP Schweppes have launched a new range, 1783 Premium Mixers. With only natural flavours, they are made for a whole range of spirits: Cucumber Tonic for vodka and gin; Salty Lemon Tonic for tequila; Crisp Tonic for premium gin and vodka; Light Tonic, low in sugar, for rum; Floral Tonic for juniper-rich gins; Ginger Ale for whisky and rum. (Waitrose, Ocado, 200ml and 600ml, from £1.19). GIN REVOLUTION Our love affair with gin is here to stay, with boutique distilleries popping up from Scotland to Cornwall. M&S told us that their gin sales were up 100% last year as their customers are increasingly interested in experimenting with gin, tasting different botanicals and the characteristics they impart. There’s a trend in regional gins where producers are using local botanicals…

Confident, bold and eye-catching, the latest florals in interiors are certainly anything but wallflower-like in attitude. Big blooms are flowering on everything from sofas to cushions, artwork to wallpaper, and while you can be as full-on as you like, just one or two key buys can also lift a room. Scale is key – this look is not about ditsy designs, rather flouncy prints that make a statement. Look for roses, peonies, tulips and camellias. You can also choose how dramatic to take the look, using black or navy as alternative background colours on fabrics and wallpapers for big impact. CREATE A MOOD BOARD Homes editor Jennifer Morgan has put her favourite swatches together to inspire you. Clockwise, from top left: Brian Yates Pip Dutch Painters wallpaper in cobalt blue,…

 Lisa lives in the mountains of New Hampshire with her fourteen-year-old daughter and two dogs, terrier Annabel and Sheltie, Bowie. “Talking to real-life detectives is the best part of my job” By the time I was 17, I loved reading Stephen King, VC Andrews, John Saul and all that dark twisted stuff. I have a theory that normalcy makes people seek out the abnormal and my childhood was a normal suburban upbringing. I wrote my first novel before I went to college. Coming from a family of business people I assumed writing would just be a hobby so I pursued an International Relations degree with a vision of working for a giant international company and jet-setting around the world. To a small-town girl from Oregon, that sounded like a great…

Star sign of the month PISCES 20 FEBRUARY – 20 MARCH Early March is the perfect time to make a heartfelt commitment. Go with your gut and don’t look back. Lost opportunities are for losers! For weekly updates, call 09058-170552* THE YEAR AHEAD You’ll be broadening your horizons, whether through travel, knowledge or experience. May and August are months of change in a year that promises much. To hear a detailed breakdown of the year ahead, phone Penny on 09058-170101* ARIES 21 MARCH – 20 APRIL It’s time for Cinderella to go to the ball. People give you their backing, and even a less than great result can be turned to your advantage. Weekly update 09058-170541* Year ahead 09058-170090* TAURUS 21 APRIL – 21 MAY You can bring beautiful things…