Innholdsfortegnelse for Jun-2018 i Woman & Home

Anything that bigs up your confidence is great in my opinion, so if cosmetic surgery is your bag, then that’s ok with me. I’ve never been brave enough to do anything to my face (although never say never), but the thing I always turn to when I need a beauty pick-me-up is a spray tan. Seriously, have you tried it? If there’s an event in my diary or I look a bit tired, I book in with my friend Suzie, who’s a wizard with a spray gun. The inconvenience (and mild embarrassment) of stripping down to your knickers is well worth the end result – all your lumps and imperfections are disguised, and your face is given a bit of a glow. It’s the best £25 you’ll ever spend on…

1965 This is me and my lovely mum at our back door in Neasden. I was only 16 and I was a young 16 year-old. I mean, you see girls now and it’s frightening how grown-up they are. 1967 This was an early, early fashion shoot. I did a range of Twiggy clothes as a teenager, and I think this was one of my designs. Great collar! 1973 David Bowie was in Paris recording his album Pin Ups. I’d just come back from holiday and was very sun-tanned, and he was very white; the make-up artist had the idea to do masks of make-up. It’s a great tragedy that we lost David. 1981 That’s my bubba Carly. I just love being a mum. She must be two here. She was gorgeous, and she came…

PREENED TO PERFECTION If there’s one thing we’ve taken away from London Fashion week it’s that asymmetric hems are still going strong. Work the trend this summer with a silk or georgette version from Studio by Preen. From £55-£220, 8-18, Debenhams FRAMES FIT FOR A QUEEN What does the Queen have in common with NASA astronauts? They both wear Silhouette Optical eyewear! You’ll love their lightweight frames and flexible arms, designed in collaboration with Berlin Fashion Week label Perret Schaad. £263 each, Silhouette at pretavoir.co.uk BUY NOW, WEAR FOREVER Oliver Sweeney is bringing its amazing leather skills to a new women’s shoe line. Expect classics in fine Italian leather that will see you into next year and beyond. THE DRESS WITH AIR MILES Crease-resistant Just below the knee…

HAND HOLDING BAG, FROM TOP 18ct vermeil cuff, £175, Missoma. 18ct gold bangle, £150, Catherine Zoraida. 18ct gold vermeil and kyanite cuff, £195, Monica Vinader. 18ct vermeil charm bracelet, £295; charms, from £50 each, Links of London. 14ct rose gold and diamond ring, £760, Bee Goddess at harrods.com. Vermeil and Kyanite stacking ring, £75; large, £85, Monica Vinader. 18ct rose gold topaz ring, £2,900, Annoushka. Bag, £149, Massimo Dutti HAND HOLDING PHONE CASE, FROM TOP 18ct gold-plated bangle, £150, Halcyon Days. Malachite and diamond watch, £4,100, Dior. 18ct gold vermeil bracelet, £325, Links of London. Gold plated and cz stones ring, £195, Merola. Phone case, £115, Smythson…

“In middle age I’ve found enormous satisfaction” THE INTENSIVE CARER FOR BULLIED CHILDREN Carrie Herbert MBE, 67, is a leading authority on bullied children and the founder of Red Balloon Learner Centre charity, “intensive care schools” for bullied children, offering full-time education in a therapeutic setting. Since 1996 the charity has helped more than 700 children – many of whom were suicidal. The charity has a 95% success rate of getting bullied children back into mainstream education. Carrie says: “There are nearly 100,000 children aged 11-15 not in school, partly or wholly because of bullying. I entered the workplace as a young, naive teacher. In middle age, I’ve found enormous satisfaction from providing young people with an education and wellbeing programme that goes a long way to helping them move…

We’re stressed and in a hurry, living in a competitive world in uncertain times, so it’s not surprising that simple, day-to-day kindness can fall by the wayside. Whether it’s road rage, queue rage, loneliness behind closed doors, workplace bullying or internet trolling, there are endless examples where the absence of kindness can make modern life a little worse for everyone. Yet making the effort to be kind – to see through kinder eyes and act accordingly – brings surprising rewards to you, the recipient, and anyone who witnesses it. It improves happiness, health, life satisfaction and connection. And it is also contagious, as we pay it back and pass it on. THE BENEFITS 1 It’s good for business Multiple studies show that kindness in the workplace reduces staff absence, and…

I inherited my love of Marmite from him, but none of his talent for “sums” ‘Dad thought he had discovered the secret of the universe’ JULIA LLEWELLYN SMITH was baffled by her father’s job and penchant for “sums”. My dad Chris shares a job title – theoretical physicist – with the late Professor Stephen Hawking. But as a child, it never crossed my mind that Dad – who was then lecturing in physics at Oxford University – might be rather good at science. To me, he was just Dad. He drove me to friends’ houses, had no idea how to cook (when Mum went away for rare nights, we subsisted on chocolate), was always the first on the dance floor (he loved, and still loves, The Beatles and The Rolling…

Find your summer style at Cool & casual Who said cover-ups had to be boring? A lace biker jacket adds edge in an occasion-worthy fabric. Fun & flirty Sitting just below the knee and with slimming vertical stripes, you’ll sparkle in all the right places. Mother of the bride Nothing beats a LLD (Little Lace Dress), and this stylish waist detail will cinch you in without even trying. Make a statement Think Great Gatsby with a beaded maxi. Nude strappy shoes add a modern touch to this vintage look.…

The future’s looking bright for grown-up women. Finally, the beauty industry has admitted that “anti-ageing” is a fallacy, so we can refocus not on chasing youth, but on skin health, quality and texture – and just feeling great at every age. How? Simplicity, consistency and self-preservation. Using the stuff we know works to fight the stuff we know does the most damage; UV rays, pollution, the building up of dead cells and the slowing down of turnover. Follow my four simple steps for fresh, fabulous skin… Clean up (twice) Spick-and-span skin feels lovely, is far likelier to glow and can properly absorb any skincare you use next. Tiny pollution particles only come off with a proper double-cleanse, not a once-over with a wipe. First remove surface guff with a cotton…

30s THE CLIENT Actress Joséphine de La Baume GET THE LOOK Joséphine has a pale bronzy colour that really works with her fair skin. It’s not a shouty red, but is deliberately faded. TIP Joséphine has a lot of hair but it’s fine. A chemical tint gives her hair a lot more body. 40s THE CLIENT Model and charity campaigner Erin O’Connor MBE. GET THE LOOK A semipermanent vegetable colour covers Erin’s greys. TIP On lighter hair use greys as a highlight, mixing them in with other shades. 50s THE CLIENT Model and actress Liz Hurley GET THE LOOK We keep the base her natural colour and then use wheat-coloured lowlights around her face to bring lightness and texture. TIP For styling-damaged hair, a conditioning treatment like my Jo Hansford…

The biggest thing in skincare right now is also the smallest – tiny, concentrated boosters that, when dropped into your normal skincare, give supercharged results. There’s a drop out there for every skin need from exfoliation to hydration and tanning, so I’ve tested the lot in my favourite classic moisturiser, Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, £24.50 . BEST FOR: NO MAKE-UP DAYS • Erborian BB Drops, £32 The formula A daytime drop with ginseng and a hint of pigment from the cult Korean-French brand. Promises a “baby skin effect”. Hmmm. The feel Odd description aside, very nice! Peachy in tone, sheer and silky. I went for a 50/50 ratio with cream and spread it on with my fingers. The finished result A light, moist veil that evened out…

FRESH PATTERNS Bring summer into your home with the new SS18 collection from Joules. I love the mix of large-scale blooms, small spots and fresh checks in its Whitstable Floral collection… find the designs on kitchen and bed linens, cushions and seat pads (which are reversible, perfect for a quick change). IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE… I’m a big fan of the bold ferns, palms and tropical plants that are everywhere this summer. Look out for large-scale prints on cushions, canvases and crockery. SOFT SPOT Check out the new Padstow collection of patterned carpets from Brintons, perfect for making your floor the hero of a new room scheme. From subtle houndstooth designs to ginghams and my favourite, this pastel spot, the range will make you look at patterned carpets afresh.…

Harissa lamb burger with mozzarella Lamb can be a little on the fatty side so it works well with lots of spices. This is a burger for the barbecue or kitchen with a good kick of heat. Easy/Prepare ahead/Freeze (burger) • Ready in 40 mins • Serves 4 1-2tbsp olive oil 1 red onion, finely chopped 500g minced lamb 1tbsp harissa paste 1tsp dried mint 1tsp ground cumin 2 x 250g balls mozzarella TO SERVE 4 burger buns, slices of red onion, sliced tomatoes, rocket 1 Heat a little of the oil in a frying pan, add the onion and cook for 5 mins until softened then remove from the heat. Mix together the lamb mince, harissa, mint, cumin and cooked onion in a bowl. Season. Form into 4 burgers…

MY PICK OF THE MONTH Whistle in the Dark by Emma Healey (Viking) When her daughter Lana is found unharmed after having been missing for four days, Jen is mightily relieved but Lana refuses to say what happened to her. When they return home, their family starts falling apart. As Jen struggles to connect with Lana, this is less a “whodunwhat” and more a sensitive study of a mother-daughter relationship. PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER Our Kind of Cruelty by Araminta Hall (Century) Mike is on trial for the murder of his ex-girlfriend Verity’s new husband. On the advice of his lawyer, he writes down what really happened. But how will his lawyer twist what he knows to save him? I devoured this gripping, unsettling and brilliantly constructed thriller in one breathless gulp.…

Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott (Penguin) This 1820’s classic has everything – a love of medieval history, chivalry and outlaws, a witch trial, religious injustices and more. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (Penguin) Part revenge story, part ghost story, part saga. Lockwood arrives on the Moors in 1801 and, after a terrifying encounter at Wuthering Heights, is taken back in time to hear the story of Heathcliff and Cathy. The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory (HarperCollins) It’s the balance between research and emotion that brings the women behind the history to life. We stand in their shoes and feel for them… a wonderful read. Affinity by Sarah Waters (Virago) This atmospheric masterpiece is an historical psychological thriller set in a women’s prison on the banks…

Humans The sci-fi drama about robot servants who begin to develop consciousness and humanity is back for a third series. Katherine Parkinson and Gemma Chan return, while Mark Bonner (Catastrophe) joins the cast. Channel 4 Innocent Hermione Norris and Lee Ingleby lead this brand-new four-part drama about a man who has served seven years in prison for murdering his wife – but he has always protested his innocence. Will justice prevail? ITV King Lear Anthony Hopkins heads up an all-star cast in this adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Lear reigns over a military dictatorship in a fictional, present-day England, with Emma Thompson, Emily Watson and Florence Pugh playing Lear’s daughters. BBC Two Springwatch You know spring has truly arrived when Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan, Martin Hughes-Games and Gillian Burke return to…

ROSIE GREEN  is w&h’s brilliant new Beauty Director. She lives in South Oxfordshire with her husband, son and daughter, and two guinea pigs. • What do I love most about being the age I am? I read recently that life dissatisfaction peaks at 44. If this is as bad as it gets, then I’m OK with that. • My motto in life? Light the candle! I’ve always hoarded candles and been too precious to burn them. But no longer! I also think it’s a good metaphor for life in general, right? BERNARDINE EVARISTO MBE  is an award-winning author, and lives with her husband in west London. She writes about her relationship with her charismatic father on page 88. • What do I love most about being the age I am?…

‘We women waste half our lives worrying about what other people think’ The other day on the train, I did something I never thought I’d do. I told someone off. In front of lots of people. And he wasn’t a naughty boy belonging to me either. He was a naughty boy of about 30 with a laptop and headphones with a microphone attached into which he began to speak loudly. Very loudly. Naughty Boy had plonked himself down opposite, set up a mobile office on the table between us and started having a business meeting. The entire carriage got to hear the details of this arrogant prat’s latest venture. On and on he bellowed, oblivious to other passengers. Well, after 20 minutes, I’d had enough. “Excuse me for interrupting your…

LIFE’S A BREEZE What’s not to love about a flowing maxi? Style it for summer with your buttons meeting somewhere in the middle then add your own belt for extra glam factor. TOP IT OFF You can always trust a silky tunic dress to make you feel fashion-forward and fearless about your figure. Just add a pretty printed scarf, tied cleverly as a turban. LAID-BACK LUXE Give your tailoring an easier twist with a pale pastel tee. It’s your accessories that will really up your game… a jewelled bag and oversized headband will make it modern. DREAM TICKET Still don’t know what to wear to that summer wedding? You do now. It doesn’t get prettier than this jewelled maxi dress. Sheer, floor-sweeping and in a soft powder blue. All you…

The daughter of the late Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman and Italian director Roberto Rossellini, Isabella, 65, began her career as a model, becoming the first ever face of Lancôme in 1983, a role she held for 15 years while juggling a successful acting career and starring in films including Blue Velvet , Death Becomes Her and Wild at Heart . At the age of 42, Isabella was dropped by Lancôme for being “too old”, but more than 20 years on, she’s been rehired – proving that age really is just a number. Isabella is single and has two grown-up children. When I was young, I didn’t want to become an actress because I was afraid of the comparison…

SHAPING THE FUTURE Working with children for a better world for us all SUPER ENTREPRENEURS Inspiring stories of business start-ups BEST IN BUSINESS Doing exciting things in the world of work CHAMPIONS OF THE ARTS Fuelling our passion for culture “DON’T TELL ME I CAN’T” JD WILLIAMS AWARD Women making a difference in new and interesting ways CELEBRITIES DOING GOOD Stars of stage and screen who also do wonderful work for charities SOCIAL INFLUENCERS Best bloggers and vloggers shouting about midlife CHANGING OUR COUNTRY Women in high places dedicated to making our lives better PLUS OUR TWO READER-NOMINATED CATEGORIES: Community heroes and Friendship above and beyond Winners will be announced in our November 2018 issue.…

1 Kindness is innate Humans are wired to co-operate in order to survive – but at the same time, we’re naturally competitive and liable to see things from one perspective only (our own!). However, it’s possible to build up your “kindness muscle” – and the more you practise, the more natural it becomes. 2 Practise perspective-taking Research shows that forcing yourself to see the world from others’ point of view can boost empathy and strengthen kindness. So that means considering how your partner might feel after a long day, or your neighbour now that her nest has emptied. 3 Meet rudeness with kindness Even if that means inventing excuses for the person being rude. (“Maybe they’re anxious/had bad news today.”) Make your kind response transform the space. (“Are you having…

‘Because I have no ties I’m free to drop everything and just take off’ As the dance ended, we clinked glasses one last time. I was in a nightclub in Addis Ababa with two young Ethiopians and a young Nigerian after a week of working together. We’d just been served a slap-up feast and watched some very vigorous traditional dancing, including a group of women in tight cardigans who vibrated their torsos so their breasts bounced. I laughed so much I had to wipe away tears. The young Ethiopians were laughing too. The call had come out of the blue. Would I go to Ethiopia to interview some coffee farmers? A couple of weeks later, I was sipping freshly roasted coffee while gazing down at a pack of hyenas. The…

‘IF I’M HONEST, I’D RATHER BE 50 THAN 40 – 50 IS THIS BRILLIANT TURNING POINT FOR WOMEN THESE DAYS’ What is your earliest acting memory? My dad was a primary school teacher and used to direct all the plays, including Annie , and I remember feeling so jealous that I wasn’t in it. I would love to have been this all-singing, all-dancing child, but there weren’t the funds or the willingness to drive me around everywhere, so it wasn’t until I got to university that I seriously considered it as a career. Did you have a career plan B? Whenever I drop my daughters [Dora, five, and Gwendolyn, three] off at school, I always think that as hard as the teachers work, there can’t be a more rewarding thing…

HAIR GAME-CHANGERS Feeling flat? Living Proof Full Dry Volume Blast, £14, is hands down the best fullness booster my mother-in-law has ever used – and she’s tried them all! “Non-sticky, no residue and it really lasts.” Feeling rough? Josh Wood Colour Everything Mask, £15, promises “colour-locking, fade-slowing, hair-glossing and deep conditioning”. My hair was back to health in five minutes. OLD FAVOURITE GARNIER MICELLAR CLEANSING WATER, £3.33 , is in every make-up artist’s kit for a reason. Gentle, effective and affordable. NEW LOVE JO LOVES POMELO CANDLE, £55 This gorgeously clean, zesty grapefruit scent will keep your home fresh this summer. HOTTEST SHADES Dior Vernis in Splash, Pow, Wizz and Blop… perfect for a sunshine pedi, £20.50 each. THIS JUNE...  I’M WEARING... Burt’s Bees super-sheer glossy lipsticks,…

Nicola Clarke and Jo Hansford are hair colourists at the top of their game. Nicola is the down-to-earth 43-year-old creative colour director at John Frieda and Color Wow, with a client list that reads like an Oscar party invite list. And Jo Hansford is the UK’s most established colourist, celebrating 25 years of her namesake salon. “I’ve always believed in the power of hair colour,” says Jo Hansford. “It’s not just about covering grey, it can be like an accessory. And a confidence boost. I know what a difference it makes to me.” Nicola Clarke is similarly enthusiastic. “I love what I do!” she beams. Nicola mixes up working in her newly opened London salon (created in partnership with John Frieda) with days tinting, highlighting and glossing high-profile clients (think…

• Jo Hansford Intensive Masque, £28.50. “I use this daily on my fine hair instead of conditioner. It never weighs my hair down,” says Jo. • Color Wow Root Cover up, £28.50. “I leave this with my clients when they can’t see me for a while,” says Nicola. • Pureology Hydrate Superfood Treatment, £26.50. “This mask is great for putting moisture back into hair,” says Nicola. • Iles Formula Finishing Serum, from £42.50 at Harvey Nichols. “Expensive but amazing,” says Nicola. • Sachajuan Silver Shampoo, £20 at cultbeauty.co.uk Nicola loves this violet hued formula to counter yellow or brassy tones.…

When keeping your body healthy earns you a living, it’s important to the best care of it that you can. This is how Yoga instructor Fenella Lindsell discovered the power of turmeric. Fenella, aged 53, from London runs her own yoga business – Yoga Forever. Not only does Fenella run classes for people aged 8-80. She also organises six yoga holidays a year, which combine yoga with other sporting activities. After suffering from a “nagging knee”; Fenella went on the search for a solution and came across Turmeric+. “My practice and style of yoga is quite physically demanding, and I demonstrate a lot of positions as well as hopping up and down to adjust my students during classes!” “In addition to yoga I play tennis for our local club, run…

1 CROATIA  Croatia’s stunning coastline, fringed with pinewood forests and surrounded by turquoise waters, includes 1,244 islands, only 50 of which are inhabited, and there is only one way to explore them – by yacht. We’ve teamed up with Croatia specialist Prestige Holidays to offer an exclusive 8-day cruise around the finest islands at the perfect time of year to go. What’s included: • Return flights from London Gatwick to Split (regional flights available on request) • All transfers • 7-night cruise on board the MS Adriatic Princess in your chosen cabin category • Welcome drink • Half-board basis: buffet breakfast and light lunch (on certain evenings dinner replaces lunch) • Free wifi on board • Services of a Cruise Manager and crew on board • Escorted by a Prestige…

‘I interned with a 22-year-old to better understand the market’ Louise Chunn is 61, married with three grown-up children, and lives in London. She is the founder of welldoing.org , a website that helps people find a therapist most suited to them. • THE IDEA Five years ago, after working for 35 years in publishing, I left my job as a magazine editor and was thinking about what to do next. I knew I’d reached the end of working in a corporate environment, and couldn’t help feeling that there was more to life than just turning up at an office. At that point, exciting things were happening digitally. And previously, when I’d gone to find the right therapist for myself, I’d found the search extremely confusing. I…

A good-looking border is the focal point of any well-designed garden, drawing the eye with a pleasing combination of colour, shape and texture. But all too often the merits are short-lived because of lack of planning and failure to factor in what will flourish in a particular spot. An easy trick to get stylish results is repetition: get into the habit of buying several of each plant to fill out a space (right). Adding evergreen plants to the mix gives year-round interest and structure too. Here are some ideas for schemes that are easy to do and look good. 1 Aim for small but perfectly formed A cleverly planted border in a small garden can create a stunning focal point. If you find something you like, repeat the planting to…

IN SEASON As May turns to June, we are spoiled for choice with British produce! We still have the joy of English asparagus to go with Jersey Royals. Runner beans, peas and broad beans are fresh and ready to eat raw or cooked. Strawberries are just fabulous – just make sure you eat them at room temperature, not from the fridge. The same goes for tomatoes, too, which just need a sprinkle of sea salt and your best olive oil. There are still gooseberries and raspberries for desserts. Fish lovers will enjoy oily fish and fresh crab is at its absolute best in the summer months. BOOK OF THE MONTH Venice by Russell Norman (£26, Fig Tree) From the founder of the Polpo restaurant group, you’ll be taken…

1 The Lies We Told by Camilla Way (HarperCollins) A man’s unexplained disappearance; an unnerving child whose parents harbour a secret. A scary pageturner. 2 The Cliff House by Amanda Jennings (HQ) Loner Tamsyn strikes up a friendship with the new family in The Cliff House with disturbing results indeed. 3 Cross Her Heart by Sarah Pinborough (Harper Collins) A mother, her daughter and a best friend… one of them is living a lie. A dark and compulsive read. 4 The House Swap by Rebecca Fleet (Doubleday) A house swap turns nasty when Caroline discovers things she recognises. Sinister and compelling. 5 A Different Kind of Evil by Andrew Wilson (S&S) Agatha Christie finds herself up to her neck in a murder investigation on a Canary Island cruise. Cosy crime.…

Safe Michael C Hall (Dexter) plays a widowed surgeon whose daughter disappears under mysterious circumstances in this new eight-part thriller. Sherlock’s Amanda Abbington also stars. Netflix Lost in Space This new take on the 1960s sci-fi series follows the Robinson family on a mission to colonise new worlds – until their ship is knocked off-course and they land on an alien planet. Netflix Melrose Benedict Cumberbatch is a wayward aristocrat in this comedy drama. The stellar cast also includes Celia Imrie and Jessica Raine. Episode one of five is available from 13 May. Now TV…

Star sign of the month GEMINI 22 MAY – 22 JUNE On or near the 6th appearances are deceptive. Neither give into your hopes nor your fears. By the 16th you’ll be on firm ground. For weekly updates, call 09058-170543* THE MONTHS AHEAD  You won’t be short of work or success, but it may take until November before you see some important romantic developments. To hear a detailed breakdown of the next few months, phone Penny on 09058-170092* CANCER 23 JUNE – 23 JULY Keep your eyes focused on the week of the 25th when projects you’ve been working on come to fruition and you find out where you truly stand. Weekly update 09058-170544* Year ahead 09058-170093* LEO 24 JULY – 23 AUGUST Weddings and celebrations may well be in…

My rise to fame... I certainly didn’t harbour any ambition of being an actor because no one I knew had ever done anything like that. I just started off and one thing seemed to lead to another. I remember the first person coming up to me and saying, “You were on the telly last night.” And then very soon afterwards – or so it felt – I was doing Atonement and The Last King of Scotland and Narnia. My earliest memories... I grew up in a council estate called Drumchapel [in Glasgow]. In large part, I was raised by my grandparents and they didn’t allow me a lot of freedom until I was about 15 or 16 because they were scared for me, I think. They wanted to protect me…

We’ve got that “woo-hoo!” feeling. There’s nothing quite like a whole day to ourselves to lift our spirits and put us in a holiday mood. And since May is a veritable bank holiday bonanza, there’s even more of an impetus to squeeze every last atom of joy and relaxation out of the extra free time. By all means binge-watch Netflix, catch up on chores or spend your Monday on social media but just make sure that’s what you really wanted to do – you don’t want to wake up on Tuesday with a big dose of post-bank holiday blues Our experts • Dr Alice Boyes is a clinical psychologist and author of a new book, The Healthy Mind Toolkit. • Psychologist Ellen Bard focuses on work, self-care and personal growth.…

My beauty icons… Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Georgia O’Keeffe, Maria Callas – and all women who define style with their own taste. The quality I value most in my friends… Their humour. Laughing is good for your soul and can alleviate bad days. The last film I loved… The Danish Girl with Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander. I was so proud that Alicia, a Swedish actress – like my mum – won an Oscar. My favourite place… My farm in Long Island, especially with my chickens. My most treasured possession… My photos. If my house were to burn down, I’d run out with them.…

Kirstie, 46, lives with her partner Ben Andersen and their two sons, Bay, 11, and Oscar, nine, in London. A SAMANTHA SUNG SHIRT DRESS I bought my first one several years ago and now have quite a few because they work for every occasion. I’ve also been buying fabric and Rashmi [Makwana], who is the world’s most talented dressmaker, uses it to make dresses for me. MY JEWELLERY COLLECTION I’m quite attached to my jewellery. It’s mainly antique and it’s one of the things I treasure the most because a lot of it was given to me by my mum or by Ben. A GOOD TV DRAMA I’m rewatching The West Wing for the fourth time! I like any Richard Curtis film too. SPOILING MY NIECE, COCO The thing I…

Andrea Ballancore, 45, is a customer assistant. She lives in Bristol and has two children. My 16-year-old daughter India was visiting her friend in Stockport for the weekend by train – the first train journey of that size on her own. My mother had recently died. India was very close to her and we were all grieving. When India was due to get her train back home to Bristol, she was on the platform at the right time – her mind probably not working as it should – and watched her train pull away before her eyes. She went to the information desk and explained, asking if she could get the next train, but was told she would have to pay £85 for another ticket. India went into an absolute…

A decade or so ago, many stylish dressers could be slightly snooty when it came to shopping: it was designer or nothing. That was before high-street fashion was thoroughly revolutionised with faster trend-led turnarounds, luxury-grade fabrics, sought-after designer collaborations – and smart ways to buy online. Today, high-street clothes are worn by everyone from the Duchess of Cambridge to the Prime Minister, and savvy shoppers know that the best wardrobes are a mixture of both high and low. But not all high-street brands excel in all areas, and the key is working out who’s good at what. So read on for our insider knowledge on what’s best to buy – and from where… Statement blazers MANGO Jo Glynn-Smith is vice president of marketing at jewellery brand Pandora. “Mango (shop.mango.com) is…

BRIGHT IDEA • Show your style confidence with head-to-toe block colour – just pick the shade that works best with your complexion. • You’ll know the right colour for you when it gives you that glow and makes you feel good. Put different scarves around your face to see what works. • Avoid loud prints... one tone speaks volumes. MIX IT UP • Yes, you can do ruffles – they’re not just for twenty-somethings. • Avoid fuss or frills around your bust but use them to add volume and drama to hemlines and cuffs. • Use volume to your advantage to conceal and exaggerate; sleeve details should be top of your list. • Not sure how to wear bold-coloured trousers? Work them with a top that has the same colour…

30s THE CLIENT Actress Sienna Miller GET THE LOOK Sienna’s naturally a dark blonde with no grey. I highlight it with foils, doing it freestyle so it doesn’t look too perfect. TIP If you keep your roots slightly darker it looks much cooler. 40s THE CLIENT Queen Rania GET THE LOOK We tint her base colour to cover greys then add mid-length highlights, so they look like flecks of sunlight. TIP Only got a few greys? Ask your colourist to paint just those sections out. 50s THE CLIENT Comedian Jennifer Saunders GET THE LOOK I keep her base colour darker, as the shadow makes her hair look fuller. Then I add lights. TIP If you’re going shorter, colour is extra important. It gives the style shape, volume and texture. 60s…

1 NAILS  Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover, £4.99 There’s foam inside the tub, you just stick your fingers in and it takes off all the polish. It’s so handy, really neat – and needs no cotton wool. 2 EYES  NARS Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner, £19 Some kohl doesn’t really show on me but this gives me the strong definition and the line that I’m looking for and really makes my eyes pop. 3 SCENT  Byredo Mojave Ghost, £142 for 100ml EDP I like to layer my perfume, and this is one of my favourites right now. It makes me feel like I’m in a tropical country and makes me happy! 4 BODY  Laura Mercier Crème Brûlée Honey Bath, £33 I love Laura Mercier, and I’ve been…

THIS MONTH… Reaching menopause and body fat • Losing weight in your fifties • Eye tests and glasses • Waxy ears Q I’m in my mid forties, and have just realised I need glasses to read small print. A couple of friends have suggested I should have an eye test, but is this really necessary? The specs I’ve bought from the supermarket seem to do the job just fine! A With increasing age the lens inside the eye gradually hardens, making it more difficult to see close objects, and most people find they need reading glasses soon after they reach their 40th birthday. To begin with, a single pair of corrective glasses may be all that you need, but you may well find that you need a different correction for your…

Kate divides her time between Chichester, where she lives with her husband, playwright Greg Mosse, her mother-in-law Rosie and a grumpy old West Highland Terrier, Mish, and Carcassonne, southwest France. Their children, Martha, 28, and Felix, 25, live in London and come home when they can. I don’t remember wanting to be a writer when I was a child but my mum says that I was always writing things. Apparently I wrote plays and made my friends make their own costumes but I’ve blocked all that out. Growing up, I thought I was going to be a violinist. I got a place at music school then realised in the nick of time that I wasn’t really good enough to be anything more than an orchestral player so I went to…