Innholdsfortegnelse for Oct-2018 i Woman & Home

Anti-ageing as a beauty concept is over for us at woman&home. As grown-up women I think we all agree it’s a daft idea. None of us – not even the Queen or Madonna – can stop the clock. I have a few friends who’ve had a bit of work done but most of the women I know aren’t as obsessed with looking young as the media often implies. I don’t strive to appear younger than 54, I just want to look the best version of myself – groomed and a little bit glamorous is the goal for me. I wouldn’t describe myself as a beauty junkie but there are products and treatments I would never give up. Here’s my checklist: • Regular salon colour at John Frieda topped up with…

What is the one thing you’re terrified of? Touching flowerpots… I promise I’m not crazy! What is your biggest addiction? Coffee – I can get through six to eight cups a day. Tell us the wildest thing you’ve done... Taking part in the reality TV show, Bear Grylls: Mission Survive. Who was your teenage heartthrob? I had two: Dustin Hoffman and John Thaw. And now? I’m looking for one! What is the one thing you’d change about yourself? I wish I didn’t worry so much. What is your mantra? My great-great-grandfather Samson Fox adopted it from Benjamin Disraeli: “To the brave, nothing is difficult.” Who is your ultimate power woman? One who admits her fragility as much as her strength, and knows the value of her family and friends as…

This isn’t about being wealthy; it’s about identity and attitude. Fashion label JD Williams calls us “Midsters”; women aged 45+ living a “vibrant phase of life full of new possibilities”. According to its report, a third of us have always worked, without taking a career break, and the same number see ourselves as the main breadwinner in our household. We’ve earned the right to spend our money as we like, and we’re old enough to know that wasn’t always the case. Until the Sex Discrimination Act came into force in 1975, banks could refuse to give women mortgages without a male guarantor. And as late as 1980, we could be turned down for credit without a man’s name on the loan agreement. Now, as those mortgages are being paid off…

• Keep a joy journal and use it to note whenever you feel joy. When you smile, or laugh, who are you with? What are you doing? What sights, sounds or textures trigger joy in you? • Repeat the exercise, this time noting your killjoys. Which people, places and things sap your energy? • Start a joy project. It might be a room overhaul, say redesigning your bedroom, or planning an occasion like a dinner party. Pick three aesthetics from your joy list to implement. • Remember, by putting joy into the world, you are expressing the hope that tomorrow can be even better than today. Joyful by Ingrid Fetell Lee (Little, Brown Spark) is out now.…

2002 Emma lands her first big presenting job with MTV, before going on to guest- host This Morning and Loose Women. 2008 She marries Busted band member, Matt Willis, after three years of dating. 2013 Emma replaces Brian Dowling as the presenter of Channel 5’s Big Brother. 2014 She takes over from Holly Willoughby as co-host of The Voice UK; she is also the host of The Voice Kids. 2017 Emma is drafted in to present the Brit Awards with Dermot O’Leary as Michael Bublé is forced to pull out. 2018 She launches a new bed linen range (pictured above: Klara Duvet Set) with Dunelm, from £50.…

Fern, 61, lives with her TV chef husband, Phil Vickery, in Buckinghamshire. She has four children. GONE WITH THE WIND I’d take this book to a desert island. Scarlett O’Hara is the original feminist – tough and hard-working, although not exactly looking for equality among women. MY GLASSES They’re my essential item on my bedside table… in fact, in life! I need them to drive, shop, read… THE FILM, ELF It makes me laugh every time I watch it, and what more do you need than that? CYCLING I love getting on my bike and going for an explore. The north Cornish coast is very hilly and rugged, but so beautiful and worth the sore legs! WATERPROOF MASCARA It’s the one beauty product I couldn’t live without because when I…

Completing a marathon is, to an extent, a mental achievement. “When you reach the point that you can’t go on, it feels physical,” says Alex Hutchinson, author of Endure . “But your physical limits are actually mediated by your brain. In most instances, dropping out is a decision.” This is where age can be an advantage – and is why, according to a US study of data from the Chicago, New York and Boston marathons, recreational runners continue to improve until they’re 50 (elite runners peak at 35). Many runners who start later in life never pushed themselves when they were younger so have more “in the tank” now.…

Believe it or not, “vinegar” was one of the most searched terms on Google last year. There are so many varieties out there, some brilliant for cooking – or simply putting on your chips – but the two creating the most buzz are cider vinegar for its supposed health benefits (Elizabeth Hurley, Victoria Beckham and Jennifer Aniston all reportedly drink it every morning), and white vinegar as a chemical-free, super-cheap way to clean your house. Read on for the lowdown on what to buy – and how to use it… Improved digestion, shiny hair, sparkling taps… vinegar does it all Cider vinegar The benefits? Devotees – who call it ACV (standing for apple cider vinegar) – claim that 1tbsp each morning helps improve digestion, particularly for people with lower stomach…

I can remember the day my biological clock started ticking. It was over a game of cards; sevens, I seem to recall. I was 28, and my husband and I were on a last-minute package holiday in Portugal. We’d met a lovely family – mum, dad, two kids – and ended up spending a lot of time with them. One evening, we were all playing cards in their apartment, spaghetti Bolognese bubbling away on the hob. Swimsuits were drying on the balcony, the place smelling of hot showers, freshly washed hair and clean pyjamas. I suddenly realised, I’d like this. I want to be cooking spag bol for a family of my own. “I just wanted to be a mum and cook spag bol for a family of my own”…

The new rule about fashion is there are no rules. And JD Williams’ new I AM campaign is all about making fashion feel good and empowering women over 45 with more choice, colour and freedom – plus clothes that fit you perfectly. Its autumn collection means you can leave the tired old you on the fitting room floor and step out in fabulous, vibrant colours with affordable pieces that not only look amazing, but fit beautifully too. With sizing to suit real women, this is fashion designed to give you the confidence to live life to the full – and our tips will help you carry off every look brilliantly. ANNA 59, from Isles of Scilly ‘I’m all about not living life by the rules. It’s liberating to defy age…

ROSIE GREEN is the beauty director at w&h and has spent much of her 20-year career testing beauty products. NADINE BAGGOTT is a British beauty journalist, whose YouTube channel has 70K+ subscribers. CAROLINE BARNES is an A-list make-up artist with a “speed beauty” YouTube channel offering tips and tricks. BEN COOKE is an in-demand hairdresser and co-founder of the Lockonego salon in London’s Chelsea. ANNA-MARIE SOLOWIJ is a former Vogue beauty director who co-created the online beauty shop, BeautyMART. FIONA M c KIM is w&h’s beauty editor with second-to-none knowledge of all the latest launches. RUBY HAMMER is one of the best-known make-up artists, who has worked with Cindy Crawford and Kate Moss. LEE PYCROFT is a celebrity make-up artist who is passionate about integrating beauty and emotional self-care. ALISON…

BEST MASK Philip Kingsley Elasticizer, £32. NICOLA CLARKE: “This product really is incredible. My clients really rate it too.” BEST CONDITIONER Pantene Gold Series Moisture Boost Conditioner, £5.99. BEN COOKE: “Designed for thick curly hair, this can really transform dehydrated hair.” HAIR INNOVATION Living Proof Full Dry Volume Blast, £23. ROSIE GREEN: “I gave this to multiple fine-haired friends who all proclaimed it the best guts-giver they’d ever tried.” BEST FOR SHINE Redken Diamond Oil Glow Dry, £33.50. BEN COOKE: “A very light oil that works better on finer hair types.” BEST FOR FRIZZ John Frieda Frizz Ease Original 6 Effects Serum, £6.99. ANNA-MARIE SOLOWIJ: “It’s the ultimate hair tamer.” BEST ROOT COVER-UP Color Wow Root Cover Up, £28.50. NICOLA CLARKE: “This is a must-have when time is of the…

“A convenient way to manage hair removal without the hassle of going to a clinic” BEST SKINCARE DEVICE Neutrogena Visibly Clear Light Therapy Acne Mask, £39.99. DR STEFANIE WILLIAMS: “I often recommend this to my patients to use in combination with their prescription creams.” TOOL ICON  ghd Platinum +, £175. FIONA McKIM: “ghd are the Apple of the hair world, always disrupting right from their very first model to this new smart straightener that senses your hair type and styling needs.” BEST DEVICE FOR BODY Philips Lumea Prestige, £575. DR SAM BUNTING: “This is a super-convenient way to manage hair removal yourself without the hassle of going into a clinic. It’s a great option for those prone to shaving bumps and ingrown hairs.” BEST HAIRDRYER Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer, £299. ROSIE…

ENJOY! • Weekly one-to-one support with your very own fully qualified Nutritionist • Deliciously healthy dishes, perfectly portioned and beautifully balanced – delivered to your door • Easy, effective and economical meals • No need to shop and chop – or even think – we’ve done it all for you • It works! Join thousands of others who’ve lost weight the Jane Plan way Woman&home Diet by Jane Plan is the diet delivery service that gives you perfectly proportioned meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner – plus snacks – all ready-prepared for you. We know what it’s like not to feel confident in what you’re wearing, which is why we asked Jane Michell, the founder of Jane Plan, to devise a special box to help you drop a dress size,…

1 BEST FOR: SLEEKNESS  Panasonic Nanoe™ Ceramic Rose Gold Hair Straighteners, £199.99 What’s that there? If you wonder what this can bring to the already crowded straightener party, I’d argue quite a lot. Its clever technology draws in moisture from the air to hydrate hair, and 10% longer ceramic-coated plates with even heat distribution means speedier styling. How’s the hair? I’d expect my frazzled ends to show a few hours after styling, but they stayed straight and shiny all day. 2 BEST FOR: SPEED  T3 Cura Luxe, £235 What’s that there? That’s the kind of price that makes you inhale sharply through your teeth, but we live in the age of the hi-tech dryer and this delivers all the bells and whistles. Think intelligent heat controls, styling and drying modes…

“THIS NEW WONDER DRUG SAVED MY LIFE” “There are three principle reasons why we’re seeing improved results in treating breast cancer,” says Dr Rosy Daniel, Integrative Medicine Consultant. “Early detection, more targeted treatments to control tumour growth and a holistic approach – mind, body and soul – which women are intuitively using to empower themselves.” Alison Porter, cancer survivor, journalist and coach, agrees: “You have to be an active participant in your own health,” says Alison, who has written a self-help manual detailing her own journey, Stronger than Before. “It’s the book I wanted when I was diagnosed but couldn’t find,” she explains. Split into three parts – practical tips, emotional patterns and behaviours, and life after cancer, it’s full of tips and advice plus deeply practical lists like what…

• BREAKFAST THE FULL ENGLISH BAP Fill a wholemeal roll with lean bacon, sliced tomatoes and mushrooms. Top with an egg fried with low calorie cooking spray – sunny side up. • LUNCH JACKET POTATO SERVED WITH MIXED BEANS AND SALAD Pile a generous serving of Heinz Five Beanz on top of a large jacket potato and serve with a big helping of crispy salad. • DINNER CHICKEN CURRY AND RICE Tuck in to a homemade chicken curry with rice – it’s even tastier than the takeaway version! Enjoy with a glass of wine or beer. Food written in bold are Slimming World’s Free Food® which you can enjoy freely, without measuring or counting! Find more delicious recipes and ideas at slimmingworld.co.uk…

“Don’t worry that they’ll make you pile on the pounds – that’s a complete fallacy” Are nuts the health hero we think? According to dietitian Dr Carrie Ruxton, “Absolutely! They are rich in protein, unsaturated fats (the best ones for heart health), fibre, and a host of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin E, magnesium, calcium, selenium and folate.” Some are better than others for particular health issues but, whichever your preference, definitely put them on your weekly shopping list. And don’t worry that they’ll make you pile on the pounds – that’s a complete fallacy. “Quite the opposite,” explains Dr Carrie. “They can help to control body weight as they boost satiety – that feeling of fullness after eating.” Studies show that eating nuts daily, as part of a…

If you love gardening and want inspiration from some of the most beautiful and glamorous gardens in Europe, our new trip to the alluring French Riviera is not to be missed. We’ve teamed up with garden-holiday specialists Brightwater to create a bespoke 5-day itinerary exclusively for woman&home readers. You’ll visit some of the area’s finest gardens, including a private one-off tour by the enthusiastic owner of the exotic Clos du Peyronnet garden in Menton, the exquisite gardens of the Fondation Ephrussi de Rothschild in St Jean Cap Ferrat (seen below), the Jardin Exotique d’Èze, Monte Carlo’s marvellous terraces and the Hanbury Gardens (La Mortola) just over the border in Italy. You’ll also get the chance to experience Menton’s incredible lemon festival, where elaborate floats and sculptures in dazzling shades of…

• Travel by private coach and Eurotunnel or ferry from London • Two nights bed and Champagne breakfast accommodation in a four-star hotel in the centre of Reims • Champagne-filled private dinner at the medieval Palais du Tau • Tutored Champagne tasting by an Arblaster & Clarke expert • Private party with Champagne and canapés at Taittinger’s Demeure des Comtes de Champagne in the centre of Reims • Behind the scenes visit to one of Champagne’s famous vineyards • Gourmet farewell lunch at the Champagne Vilmart Chateau • Local transport by coach – so if you’re usually the designated driver you don’t have to worry • The chance to buy superb discounted wines and Champagnes direct from the best producers…

‘My daughter’s hair inspired my business’ Ekwy Chukwuji-Nnene, 40, is married with two daughters and lives in London. She is founder of Equi Botanics, a vegan haircare line for Afro hair that encourages growth. • THE IDEA I worked as a business analyst and knew nothing about haircare products or running my own business, but two things triggered my light-bulb moment. Firstly, about eight years ago, I was left with a bald patch from hair extensions that had been woven too tightly – I was wearing extensions because in my experience, Afro hair is hard to grow. The second was that my eldest daughter, Danielle, had extremely tightly curled hair, which was brittle and broke off when she tried to grow it. I couldn’t find anything in the shops that…

THE TREND SRI LANKAN Pineapple and cashew curry Easy/Prepare ahead • Ready in 55 mins • Serves 6 2tbsp sunflower oil 1 onion, chopped 1 lemongrass stalk, bashed and sliced 1tsp ground cinnamon 1-2tsp dried chilli flakes 1tbsp black mustard seeds 2tsp turmeric 2tsp fennel seeds 400g can coconut milk 160g can coconut cream small handful fresh or dried curry leaves 1 large pineapple, skin removed, cored and cut into medium chunks 100g unsalted cashew nuts, soaked in cold water for 30 mins, then drained 1 Heat the oil in a sauté pan and cook the onion and lemongrass over a low heat for 15 mins. Add the spices with some sea salt and black pepper, and cook, stirring, for 5 mins. 2 Now add the coconut milk and cream…

PESTO DRESSING It’s easy to make a punchy pesto dressing using Mazola Corn Oil. Pour the oil into a food processor and add a few black peppercorns, sliced garlic, fresh basil leaves, parmesan shavings and chopped nuts (we like walnuts). Pulse until combined but stillwith bite – delicious with pasta or grilled fish. MAGNIFICENT MUFFINS Mazola Corn Oil is great in savoury muffin recipes that call for oil in place of butter. Search online for recipes that include nuts and seeds – and grated veg such as carrot, courgette or beetroot. Bake a batch for a great vegan lunchbox snack. EASY TIKKA MARINADE Make tandoori-style chicken kebabs by marinating cubed chicken overnight in a mix of Mazola Corn Oil, ready-made tikka masala curry paste and natural yogurt. This makes chicken…

HOW TO MAKE IT WORK • Shop for graphic prints – find them on bed linen, cushions and even the occasional furniture. It’s a key motif. • Choose soft shades, such as blush, aqua and lilac, similar to the chalky neutrals trend, but boosted by navy and black details. • Look out for bold lighting – an oversized pendant, floor lamp or desk light will complete a scheme. Geo scheme  Aztec three-seater sofa in teal, £1,059; Urban geo cushion, £15; Granite monochrome cushion, £9; Speckled blush print cushion, £8; Arizona tie-dye cushion, £22; Molly tub chair in rose, £99; Aula table, £99 for 2; Noble geo shaggy rug, £109; Dexter floor lamp, £69, all jdwilliams.co.uk Retro starbursts Bed linen, from £10; quilted grey throw, £40; cushions, from £8 each; vase,…

HOW TO MAKE IT WORK • Layer rugs, cushions and throws, introducing tribal and Aztec patterns as well as hatched, criss-cross designs. Look for fringing and pom-poms combined with woven sections. • This is a great style update for neutral rooms, while still being cosy during the autumn months. Go to town and accessorise with plenty of baskets, house plants and glassware. • Be creative with wall spaces – platters and framed iconic images are perfect for adding to the global feel. Neutral finish  Stella two-and-a-half seater sofa in taupe brushed linen cotton, £1,540; Casablanca large rug, £765; Chaplin coffee table, £320; Chaplin side table, £220, all sofa.com Layer up  Kin basket, £100; Popcorn wool throw, £120; Isadore cushion, £50; Banks loop cushion, £55; Popcorn wool cushion, £50; Keanu sculptural…

Celebrating 25 bestselling years, Lesley’s new novel The House Across the Street (Michael Joseph) is out now. In theory my day is very ordered. I take Stan, my ruby Cavalier King Charles spaniel, for a walk before coming back to write all day, just stopping for supper. At least that’s how it was for years but these days, I find it much harder to motivate myself so I put off the evil moment for as long as I can. I sit at my desk on a pink velvet chair from Anthropologie that has made my life wonderful. I swing around in it and imagine I’m a Hollywood mogul. Stan is always at my feet. French windows overlook the garden and I’m surrounded by pictures of my…

ADELE PARKS is a multimillion-selling women’s fiction author, and her latest book, I Invited Her In , is out on 20 September. She writes about how she bounced back from divorce on p64. • My beauty lifesaver is… YSL Top Secrets All-in-One BB Cream, an all-round miracle worker. Love it! • My pampering treat is… A massage, which I keep promising myself I’ll treat myself to once every couple of months. In reality, it’s one or two a year! Former Lifestyle Editor of Sunday Times Style , SHARON WALKER writes for the Observer and healthista.com  – and explores ways to feel more joyful on p48. • My beauty lifesaver is… Oxygenetix Foundation or Obagi SPF 50 Sunscreen, which…

“I get my hair done once a week… it’s far better for my mood than any antidepressant!” Fifteen years ago, they discontinued my perfume. I couldn’t quite believe it. I went back to the counter to check, but there was no mistake. I had heard it right the first time. Must de Cartier II, with its distinctive red bandsman’s cap, was no more. The assistant was a faded Elizabeth Taylor type, one of those weary, older make-up artists who never managed to trade the face that fate gave her for the lovely life it was made for. I think she must have spotted how upset I was because she said, “They always stop making the beautiful scents. I don’t know why.” She reached behind her and produced a bottle. “This…

The ultimate city break that is jam-packed with amazing things to do. Plan your upcoming trip to New York in style with our fashion team’s top tips for this exciting city. Where to stay The Arlo Soho is the trendy hotspot everyone’s talking about. Set on Hudson Street, this stylish hotel features warm, homely touches throughout, with loads of quirky features. The best part has to be the rooftop bar. Sip on cocktails and take in the bright lights of The Big Apple. Prices start from $259. Visit arlohotels.com/arlo-soho What to bring back Greenwich and West Village have amazing boutiques and stores with wall-to-wall wonderful gifts. We love Bookmarc, the Marc Jacobs bookstore filled with chic coffee table books. Things to do For art lovers, a few hours spent at…

“I LOVE TO EXPERIMENT BY LAYERING UP ANIMAL AND FLORAL PRINTS” 1 IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN I recently had a consultation with stylist Lynne Meek (stylingmatters.co.uk) who reset my thinking about what colours to go for. Since I’ve learned this I have enjoyed shopping and creating outfits so much more. 2 DON’T BE AFRAID TO EXPERIMENT I adore print (obviously!) and love layering – such as animal and floral together, and large with small prints. I unify this mix by keeping the colour or tones the same. 3 I LOVE JEWELLERY and my maximalist style lends itself well to the statement earrings trend. My mantra is the bigger the better! 4 LEARN ABOUT PROPORTION At 5ft 2in I know that high waists elongate my…

Maybe it’s the influence of Deborah Meaden, Kelly Hoppen, Oprah Winfrey or any of the other fearless financial role models on TV, but we’re learning the thrill not just of spending money but investing it too. (When Oprah bought a 10% stake in Weight Watchers, the price of shares leapt. Her $43.5 million investment is now worth more than $400 million.) Turns out, we’re pretty damn good at it, with female investors typically outperforming their male counterparts and the FTSE 100 index. “Over a three-year period, our female members achieved average annual returns 1.8% higher than the men,” agrees Barclays’ Claire Francis. If we’re not buying into existing businesses, we’re starting our own or generating a second income (86% of sellers on Etsy, for example, are women). “Midlife women don’t…

“If I need a shot of confidence, I’ll wear a suit or trousers and a top. Not heels – they don’t make me feel empowered” Emma Willis must be the busiest woman on TV. So far this year she’s presented two series of Celebrity Big Brother , The Voice Kids , the documentary series Emma Willis: Delivering Babies – which meant spending 12 weeks training to be a maternity care assistant – as well as guest-presenting This Morning . “Me time, what’s that?” she says laughing. “I’m definitely bottom of the list.” We meet in north London on a scorcher of a day – Emma insists on sitting outside to make the most of the British summer,…

KATH BROWN Editor “You’ll always see me wearing a printed dress – I can’t get enough of them. This shirt dress with long sleeves offers the perfect amount of coverage and looks great with embellished ankle boots.” CHARLIE MOORE Fashion Editor “I like black but it doesn’t like me – however, I can get away with it if it’s within a print with other colours. And anything that makes my legs look longer and balances my proportions out is a major plus, so I’ll be wearing these jeans thanks to their elongating side stripe.” PAULA MOORE Fashion Director “Monochrome is the perfect partner to a block of colour so these black-and-white patterned trousers will go nicely with this bright green blazer – just right for the colder months.” MIRANDA McMINN…

I was brought up to believe marriage is for life. For better, for worse; no get-out clauses. My parents had already celebrated their ruby wedding anniversary when my marriage broke down. I thought that getting divorced would be the worst experience of my life. It turned out to be the best. Simon and I had done everything by the book. We met when I was 23 and he was 24, we’d been together for three years before we got hitched, and were married for four years before I got pregnant. We’d taken our time. For years we’d lived, worked and played side by side. I’d thought it was forever. It wasn’t, but that doesn’t mean the marriage was a failure and it certainly doesn’t mean I am a failure…

Jacqueline Gold, the boss of Ann Summers, is absolutely not what you expect. Softly spoken and good-humoured, she doesn’t once use the word “vibrator” during our hour-long chat – instead euphemistically referring to them as “toys”. She’s also a woman’s woman through and through, from providing financial independence to around 350,000 women over the years via the company’s party plan model, to confessing that the reason she’s wearing tight jeans on such a hot day is that she did her own fake tan over the weekend “and it’s very patchy!” We meet at her sumptuous home – befitting for the 16th wealthiest woman in Britain – deep in the Surrey Hills with an undulating landscape stretching from the garden. She is surprisingly tiny, even in vertiginous cork wedges, and looks…

1 SUPPORT UPCYCLED FASHION Fast-changing trends and cheap manufacturing mean we throw things away without a second thought. Fashion and recycling have worked in tandem for decades through upcycling and charity shops, but now designers, including those on the high street, are becoming increasingly adventurous, creating stylish, beautiful designs from waste products. Arket, sister of H&M, is one of the latest, with sustainability firmly established within each process – from the choice of supplier and materials chosen (astonishingly, many items are made from PET, the material used to make plastic bottles) to informing customers about how to care for their products to prolong their lifespan. “The world’s annual consumption of plastic materials has increased from around 5 million tonnes in the 1950s to nearly 100 million tonnes today” 2 KNOW…

A lot of fashion women have a kind of “uniform”. They buy the very best versions of the items they like – and that like them. Items that will ideally last them a decade, if not more. They buy for keeps, in other words. Take Elizabeth Saltzman, who styles celebrities such as Uma Thurman and Gwyneth Paltrow. She may pick out all sorts of wondrous red carpet-appropriate flights of fancy for her clients, but for herself she has what she describes, without a hint of embarrassment, as her uniform. (This woman wears the best navy trousers and cream silk tops I have ever laid eyes on.) What’s more, “none of it is new,” she tells me. “I don’t understand the phenomenon of buying to throw it away.” Nor does she…

There’s a list of things that get my huff in a puff: call centres, seeing something on sale after I’ve paid full price, malfunctioning parking meters. Another that’s consistently in my top five is adverts for wrinkle-fighting face creams that feature models who are barely over 20 years old. Why, oh why am I being sold something that promises to deliver radiance/fightpigmentation/ward off wrinkles by a young twentysomething for whom dull describes not her skin but how she views “walks” and garden centres? “The advertising industry is full of young people,” laughs Nadine Baggott, 56, my friend and a journalist of 30 years’ experience with a YouTube channel for beauty grown-ups (@nadinebaggott). “Often the person in charge of marketing, the one making the decision about how the pictures are going…

BEST FACE OIL Decléor Aromessence Neroli Amara Oil, £48. ALISON YOUNG: “Skin control in a bottle! I’ve used neroli my whole career. When your skin is out of sorts, it always works to bring it back into balance.” BEST MASK Charlotte Tilbury Instant Magic Facial Dry Sheet Mask, £18. ALICE HART-DAVIS: “I don’t know HOW this mask does what it does, but it always gives a fabulous result – and so quickly.” BEST DAY CREAM Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, £82. ALISON YOUNG: “This moisturiser changed the face of skincare! It has the most divine texture and is packed full of antioxidants and luxurious rose and mimosa absolutes.” BEST CLEANSER Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, £15. ANNA-MARIE SOLOWIJ: “The head-clearing scent of eucalyptus, the comforting creamy texture and…

BEST NAIL POLISH O.P.I Infinite Shine 2 Gel Effect Nail Lacquer, £14.50. FIONA McINTOSH: “A great alternative to Shellac. It is applied like a classic polish (no curing), but has the finish of a gel mani.” BODY INNOVATION Sanctuary Spa Wet Skin Moisture Miracle, £5. FIONA McKIM: “They say ‘miracle’, and they aren’t joking. Slap on wet skin, dress right away, it’ll magically sink in and soften skin in seconds.” BEST BODY SCRUB Clinique Sparkle Skin Body Exfoliating Cream, £23. CAROLINE BARNES: “This is so refreshing, smells amazing and makes my skin zing! Perfect for sensitive skins.” BEST BODY MOISTURISER Ameliorate Transforming Body Lotion, £9. CAROLINE BARNES: “Active ingredients gently exfoliate skin, allowing it to lap up the hydration. Feels super smooth after just a couple of applications.” BEST HAND…

Imagine this: I’m your facial fairy godmother with the power to grant one wish for your skin. The usual rules apply, no wishing for more wishes or bringing a long-gone complexion back from the past… May I hazard a guess at your heart’s desire? Regardless of skin type, tone or time spent on the planet, there’s something we all want and that’s glow. Fresh, radiant texture is the ultimate sign of skin health and, as we approach the drearier end of the year, there’s barely a face that wouldn’t benefit from a bit of a brighten-up. Are you ready to get your sparkle back? Your wish is my command… Where did my glow go? “As the weather turns cold, our skin’s moisture is depleted due to decreased moisture content in…

1 FRAGRANCE Byredo Blanche Hair Perfume, £48 With fragrance, I’m loyal for about six months to a year, then I discover something new. This is fresh and floral and if you don’t have time to wash your hair, no one’s any the wiser! 2 MAKE-UP Charlotte Tilbury The Retoucher, £25 When you’ve got dark skin, under the eyes is always a bit of a problem area, and this just works for me. It’s really easy to apply – you just dab it on, as much or as little as you need – it’s got great control and it’s the right colour. 3 MOOD Anya Hindmarch Washing Powder Candle, £50 I always like to light a candle on my desk, which feels indulgent. I’ve just discovered this – the fun rainbow…

To celebrate the launch of the brand new Immortelle Reset Serum, L’OCCITANE is offering every woman&home reader a complimentary travel size to take home (worth £9), PLUS 15% off when you spend £35 or more on skincare**. Our busy, modern lives are packed full of stress, pollution, fatigue and much more. In fact, our lives are now so demanding that we’re sleeping two hours less each night than people did in the 1960s! This naturally takes its toll on our skin and this is where the new L’OCCITANE Immortelle Reset Serum steps in to become your overnight skin saviour. Containing a trio of powerful ingredients (including L’OCCITANE’s iconic Immortelle essential oil), it delivers results from day one. Wake each morning with a fresher, smoother complexion and see the results grow…

For the first time ever a woman with advanced breast cancer, which had spread around her body, has been completely cleared of the disease by groundbreaking therapy that harnessed the power of her own immune system to fight tumours. Judy Perkins, an engineer from Florida, was 49 when she was selected for the radical new therapy after several rounds of routine chemotherapy failed to stop a tumour in her right breast from growing and spreading to her liver and other areas. At the time, she was given three years to live. The team extracted immune cells from her body, tweaked them in the lab, then reinjected them for a highly personalised anti-cancer therapy. Peter Johnson, an oncology professor at the Cancer Research UK Centre, said the study confirmed the immune…

THIS MONTH… The pros and cons of mammograms • Gallstone treatment • Can supplements strengthen bones? Q A recent scan showed that I have a gallstone. What is the best treatment for this? Are there tablets, or do I need to have my gall bladder removed, and if so, are there any risks I need to be aware of? A The gall bladder sits under the liver in the upper right section of the tummy and is a storage reservoir for bile, which we use to help digest fatty foods. The exact reason why gallstones sometimes develop here is unclear, but they are pretty common, occurring in about one in three women. Your risk of gallstones increases with age, higher levels of female hormones, being overweight and having diabetes. For…

• Return flights from London to Nice** and transfers • Four nights bed and breakfast at the four-star Riviera Marriott Hotel de la Porte, Monaco. ***The first 10 bookings will receive a complimentary upgrade to sea-view rooms with more available on request, subject to availability, or at a supplement • Dinner and welcome drink plus two lunches and one additional dinner • Visits to Jardin Exotique d’Èze, Fondation Ephrussi de Rothschild, Exotic Gardens of Monte Carlo, Serre de la Madone and Hanbury Gardens (La Mortola) • W&H Exclusive Experience: guided tour by the owner of the Clos du Peyronnet garden Grandstand seat for the afternoon parade at the Menton Lemon Festival • Transfers • Services of a Brightwater Holidays representative…

TREAT YOURSELF Fancy a fiver off hair and beauty treatments from Treatwell ( treatwell.co.uk ), the biggest beauty booking website in Europe? Leave a review after any booking and you’ll automatically get £5 off your next appointment for over £30 within a month. Save on haircuts, manicures, tanning treatments, spa days and more – you’re definitely worth it! NEED TO KNOW Women get hit by the gender pay gap even after they stop working. The triple whammy of lower pay, part-time jobs and time out caring for children or relatives affects many of us. And it slashes our retirement saving potential. The result? By the time we draw our pensions, men have tucked away more than twice as much as women, according to the Office for National Statistics.…

• Unite an open-plan space by choosing one colour to use across kitchen cabinetry, a feature wall, hero upholstery and finishing touches. • Pick painted pieces to withstand family life – any knocks can be touched up. • Use artwork to lead the eye, like Louise has in her kitchen and living areas. • Dress beds with two plain cushions and two patterned ones, for hotel-style appeal. • Splash out on oversized lighting to up the wow factor.…

HOW TO MAKE IT WORK • Introduce a hero chair in blue velvet upholstery– it will add a touch of opulence to a corner of a room. • Add plenty of metallics to help bounce light around a dark room scheme. Coloured glassware can help create the same effect. • Key patterns include big blooms, birds and chinoiserie designs. Find these on everything from cushions to bed linen, artwork to coffee cups. Boutique dining Farrugia dining table, £699; Moritz dining chairs, £299 each; Yoko shelving unit, £699; Delilah agate ceiling light, £450; vases, from £35 each, all johnlewis.com Posh cuppa  Floral cups, from £5 for a cup and saucer; Cranes Flying mugs, £6 each; Butterfly mugs, from £6 for a latte mug, all Fox & Ivy, tesco.com Glam florals  Chinoiserie…

HOW TO MAKE IT WORK • Be brave and choose green paint shades from the darker end of the colour chart to create a rich, inviting room for you and your guests. • Go for accessories with bold patterns – florals on bed linen and cushions will add plenty of interest. • Add yet more green to your scheme using faux plants – from pots of trailing string of pearls to large fig trees in planters. Step by step From top: Aquamarine Mid; Three Farm Green; skirting in Lamp Black, all £62 for 2.5 litres Intelligent eggshell, National Trust collection, littlegreene.com Fine foliage  Baltimore double bed, £449; Sandford side table, £299 for 2; Ficus tree, £99; Manhattan tumbler, £3; Hero double bed linen set, £59; Opulent Bird jacquard cushion, £17.50;…

1 Mum in the Middle by Jane Wenham-Jones (Avon) Juggling kids and her mother, Tess’s new start in life isn’t quite what she’d planned in this feel-good novel. 2 One Thousand Stars and You by Isabelle Broom (Penguin) Will a trip to Sri Lanka bring Alice the happiness she’s searching for? Evocative and romantic. 3 The Anniversary by Hilary Boyd (Penguin) Divided by tragedy, Stella and Jack are drawn together once more in this riveting relationships novel. 4 While I was Sleeping by Dani Atkins (S&S) When Maddie wakes from a six-year coma, piecing her life together brings heart-wrenching surprises. 5 The Memory Collector by Fiona Harper (HarperCollins) A poignant yet uplifting story of a woman who must delve into her mother’s past before she…

Strictly Come Dancing The sequins are back as a new haul of celebrities take to the dance floor. Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly return to present, while Shirley Ballas leads the judging panel alongside Darcey Bussell, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli. BBC One Strangers A distraught British professor, Jonah Mulray (John Simm) desperately wants to find out the truth behind the mysterious death of his wife (Dervla Kirwan) in a supposed car accident in Hong Kong. ITV Press Poirot legend David Suchet leads an all-star cast in this six-part drama that delves into the personal lives and professional dilemmas of journalists at two rival newspapers. BBC One Black Earth Rising Michaela Coel plays investigator Kate Ashby who works in the law chambers of Michael Ennis (John Goodman). When Kate…

Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan The 10-part series stars John Krasinski as CIA analyst Jack Ryan investigating suspicious bank transfers, which embroils him in a deadly assignment. Amazon Prime Ozark Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) and his family continue to navigate life with a dangerous drug cartel, as the second series of Ozark begins. But the stakes are even higher this time. Netflix The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society Didn’t catch it on the big screen? Lily James leads this touching film about a writer who bonds with a book club during the Second World War. Netflix…

• There’s not long left to catch an utterly spellbinding production of The King and I at the London Palladium. Until 29 September; kingandimusical.co.uk • Peruse Quentin Blake’s illustrations prepared for Roald Dahl’s classic at The BFG in Pictures exhibition. The Bowes Museum, County Durham. Until 30 September; thebowesmuseum.org.uk • Final opportunity to take in some of the best views of the villages surrounding Chatsworth as the guided park walks are soon to draw to a close. Until 17 October; chatsworth.org…

Star sign of the month LIBRA 23 SEPTEMBER - 23 OCTOBER  the jury is out. Contrary to the appearance of events, there is still life left in a situation. Keep working and you’ll get there. For weekly updates, call 09058-170547* THE MONTHS AHEAD  You’re going to see a lot more of your world. travel and widening horizons in both personal and professional terms. to hear a detailed breakdown of the next few months, phone Penny on 09058-170476* SCORPIO 24 OCTOBER – 22 NOVEMBER Put a ring around the 24th when what you thought was unchanging and unchangeable does an about-turn. Fasten your seat-belt. Weekly update 09058-170548* Six months ahead 09058-170477* SAGITTARIUS 23 NOVEMBER – 22 DECEMBER No need to rush your fences and no need to buy into other people’s…

HIGH STREET HIT J.JS Lee becomes the third designer to collaborate with John Lewis for their much admired Modern Rarity label. Built on the ethos of “fewer but better” pieces, the collection is made up of elevated knitwear in easy-to-wear colours. From £100-£130, sizes 8-18, available online at johnlewis.com and in store from 22 September. FULL SUPPORT For shapewear you’ll not be ashamed to be seen in (no Bridget Jones moments here!), Triumph’s Infinite Sensation range uses Magic Wire™ that’s lightweight yet still supportive. Bra, £30, sizes 32B/34A-38D; knickers, £18, sizes 8-20, uk.triumph.com THE ICONS & THE “I CANS!” The “Sylvie”, £1,790, Gucci at Harrods. £39, Kaleidoscope. The sequined striped pouch, £425, Attico. £40, Therapy at House of Fraser. The “Pixie”, £1,055, Chloé. £32, JD Williams. THE SHOE LABEL YOU…

1 HANKY HEM SKIRTS Defines your waist, a grown-up length and no cling – what’s not to love? 2 THE IT TROUSER Sporty side stripes are the must-have trouser 3 SPARKLY EXTRAS Special pieces to really make you shine 4 FLATTERING COATS Wrap up warm in smart, fun or patterned styles 5 BOLD BLOUSES An easy update to make your outfit pop 6 STYLISH SUITS Wear together or apart, a tailored suit has tons of fashion mileage 7 BRILLIANT BASICS The essential items to re-wear every year 8 BLOCK COLOURED DRESSES  From tunic to hanky hem to a wrap dress, it’s an easy and efortless go-to…

Top of my bucket list... Going to the Maldives. Someone said to me the other day, “It’s not always going to be there” because of climate change. It just looks incredible. I last felt really happy... At the weekend because Matt and I both had the day off together and we hung out with the kids. Saver or spender? I’m a saver, definitely. The only thing I’ve really gone to town on is my house, but that’s because it’s an investment. If you’re talking superficial splurges, it’s shoes. I never leave home without… My phone – it has all my bank cards in the case as well – plus a mascara and a moisturiser from Dr Frances Prenna Jones. My mantra is… Trust your gut; that’s what my mum has…

• Where should I start? Ask for personal recommendations, but choose a practitioner on an accredited register or a member of a professional body like the BACP. The website (bacp.co.uk) has a search tool to help you find someone in your area. Talk to more than one to find someone you’re comfortable with. • How much will it cost? Therapy can be free via the NHS or a charitable organisation. Private practitioners charge from £35 a session. • I’m worried it will open a can of worms Say so in the initial assessment and be guided on whether it’s the right therapy for you. • How long will it last? There are no rules, but there always needs to be an agreed plan.…

1 THE RAMPANT RABBIT. Jacqueline is most proud of this (a duel-action vibrator with “ears”, in case you were wondering). After securing sole UK distribution rights following its appearance in an episode of Sex and the City, they sold an incredible one million in the first 12 months. From £30. 2 REMOTE LOVE EGG. Another bestseller, this toy works via wireless remote control from up to 20 metres away so your partner controls the settings – 10 speeds and pulses. Perfect for couples looking to spice up their sex life. From £35. 3 MOREGASM RANGE. Launched last year, the Moregasm collection has already sold over 300,000 toys. With its patented “Climax Technology”, prolonged, low-frequency vibrations promise a more intense feeling. The range starts at £45.…

Helen Ommanney-Terry, 47, works as a homeopath in London; homeopathy@ommanneyterry.co.uk • A floaty midi dress works all year round. • A sleeveless roll-neck is perfect over long-sleeve dresses or blouses when you need extra warmth. Up your fashion cred and belt it. • Without the extra sleeve bulk you’ll be able to finish off with a slimline blazer – great for when the temperature drops. Luxe textures will take your look up a notch Natasha Anderson, 45, is a photographer. • A lacy cami top adds texture to your layers. • Pull it all together and wear a bright trench under your kimono. • Keeping your layers lightweight and flowing will make it easier to disrobe as the temperature rises. Do the double and wear check on check…

1920s Chanel No5. After WW1 US soldiers queued to take this new scent home for their wives. 1932 Revlon’s first coloured varnish, Cherries in the Snow, is still a bestseller today. 1935 Ambre Solaire launches as our love of tanned skin starts. 1947 Schwarzkopf introduces its first at-home hair dye. 1950s Max Factor’s Pan-Stik is in every woman’s make-up bag. Tweed by Lentheric is omnipresent. 1960s Mary Quant launches “paint box” cosmetics for “dolly birds”. False lashes go mainstream. 1970s Revlon’s Charlie is the first mass-market fragrance (and features a woman literally wearing the trousers). 1980s Giorgio Beverly Hills is as bold and brash as the decade itself. Legend says restaurants banned it for being so overpowering. 1985 Aromatherapy Associates, with its mood boosting essential oils, is a success. 1990…

“I love a mascara that separates, lengthens and never clumps or flakes. This ticks all those boxes” BEST POWDER Beauty Pie One Powder Wonder, £5.26 to members. NADINE BAGGOTT: “This is one of the new generation super-translucent, finely milled face powders that suits all skin tones and ages. Expect a non-cakey, demi-matte finish.” MAKE-UP INNOVATION Trinny London Stacks, products, from £16. ROSIE GREEN: “Trinny’s stackable make-up is a genius idea brilliantly made a reality. Perfectly portable, the formulations and colours are also totally spot on.” BEST MASCARA Lancôme Hypnôse Custom-Wear Volume Mascara, £25. DR SAM BUNTING: “I love a mascara that separates, lengthens and never clumps or flakes. This ticks all those boxes.” BEST LIP PRODUCT Chanel Rouge Coco Shine, £28. FIONA McINTOSH: “Finding the right level of shine in…

“A glorious scent that captures the modern genderless, ageless mood” BEST FRAGRANCE FOR HIM & HER Escentric Molecules Molecule 01, £71. JOHN VIAL: “The creator Jeff Lounds is a genius. This intoxicating, unusual scent remains all day without being overpowering.” BEST NICHE FRAGRANCE Shay & Blue London Blood Oranges, from £30. ALISON YOUNG: “A glorious scent that captures the modern genderless, ageless mood.” FRAGRANCE ICON Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker, from £19.50. ROSIE GREEN: “Celebrity fragrances are not usually my bag, but this is an insider secret – it smells like nuzzlable skin.” BEST NEW FRAGRANCE Gucci Bloom Nettare Di Fiori, £81. RUBY HAMMER: “Love this sensual blend, which is slightly deep and darker than the original.” BEST CLASSIC FRAGRANCE Chanel No 5, from £55. ALICE HART-DAVIS: “I’m right back…

1 Edit your products It’s tempting to fill fine hair with bulk-promising product, but too much can weigh hair down. Instead, be selective. Get spick and span with new Herbal Essences Scalp Balance Deep Sea Minerals Shampoo, £5.99, which cuts through every scrap of build-up without stripping moisture, then pick just one or two targeted stylers, no more. 2 Get a clever cut “The new ‘French girl bob’ is ideal for giving the illusion of fullness,” says Siobhan Jones, Headmasters ambassador for L’Oréal Professionnel. “The edges are cut blunt, which gives the impression of weight and defines the outline of the haircut, making hair appear fuller.” 3 Dry like a pro “Blow-dry products are key to creating a fuller look,” says Sophie Ruggiero, Nioxin education expert. “I would recommend using…

3 OVERNIGHT SKIN REJUVENATORS • ORIGINS HIGH-POTENCY NIGHT-A-MINS, £30 Upgraded with alpha hydroxyl acids, which promise to brighten the skin and boost cell turnover. • OLAY REGENERIST OVERNIGHT MIRACLE FIRMING MASK, £29.99 This feels satisfyingly rich, but absorbs quickly and is full of skin-boosting ingredients. • ELIZABETH ARDEN RETINOL CERAMIDE CAPSULES, £32 Retinol is combined with moisture-boosting ceramides, all delivered in the perfect dose. THIS OCTOBER... I’M ROLLERING ON Votary’s rejuvenating Intense Eye Oil, £115. STROKING ON HD Brows defining but not dramatic Brow Define, £18. BURNING The White Company’s Signature Candle in Ginger, £20. CLEAR WINNERS Susceptible to breakouts? Sanctuary Spa Daily Glow Radiance Tonic, £12; and Caudalie Vinopure Clear Skin Purifying Toner, £18, use gentle exfoliating acids to decongest and brighten without drying. HAIR HEROES If a summer…

HOW DOES IT WORK? Losing weight with Slimming World is extra easy. Why? Simply because you don’t feel hungry. It’s a weight loss plan you can actually stick to. Their Food Optimising® eating plan is based on the science of energy density and satiety – so it’s easy, convenient and generous. WHAT CAN I EAT? You’re encouraged to fill up on healthy, naturally filling foods like lean meat and poultry, fish, rice, potatoes and pasta plus lots of fresh fruit and veg. These are called Free Food®, and you really can eat them in unlimited quantities so you never feel hungry – this takes away both hunger and guilt, two of the main obstacles to successful weight loss. There’s no need to weigh, measure or count calories. On top of…

Davina lives in East Sussex. She has three children Holly, 16, Tilly, 14, and Chester, 11. Right now people keep saying, “Oh Davina McCall – she’s addicted to exercise” – but actually, I’d love to have the time to be addicted to it! I’m a mum of three with a very busy job, so I don’t have the opportunity to work out “too much”. I try to exercise a minimum of three times a week and most of the time, I do HIIT classes. But let me tell you, if I were at retirement age, I’d probably work out five days a week. Even if you just do a 10-minute stretch, exercise is like a little gift to yourself – it’s something just for you, and that’s incredibly important. It…

IN SEASON October brings an abundance of fruit – blackberries, plums and apples are all at their best, perfect for a crumble on a chilly day. It’s game season, so there’s no better time to try some new recipes with venison, pheasant or guinea fowl. Seasonal veg makes it easy to eat the rainbow, with beetroot, butternut squash, sweetcorn and kale in plentiful supply. BOOK OF THE MONTH Bake for Syria by Lily Vanilli (£14.69, SUITCASE Media International) What started as a charity bake sale on London’s Columbia Road has evolved into a powerful charitable movement. This collection of recipes raises money for an important cause, and shares a love of Syrian cuisine and culture. PLASTIC-FREE TEA Did you know that the majority of British tea bags contain…

Lattice-top berry and sloe gin pie A lattice-top pie is a classic British bake that never seems to go out of fashion, and there’s something ultimately satisfying about the neatly weaved topping. Easy/Prepare ahead • Ready in 1 hr 45 mins, plus chilling • Serves 8 300g each hulled strawberries, raspberries and blackberries 50ml sloe gin 1tsp vanilla extract 75g caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling 1tbsp cornflour 2 x 230g packs ready-rolled, all-butter shortcrust pastry 1 egg, beaten, to glaze you will need 20cm fluted tart tin, greased 1 Heat the oven to 180C, gas 4. Put the strawberries, gin, vanilla and caster sugar in a pan and cook over a low heat for 10 minutes. Stir in the rest of the berries and the cornflour. Cook for a further…

GO GREEN Pop into your nearest Marks & Spencer and take your pick from its new range of faux plants. I’ve got the string of pearls trailing off a shelf at home and it looks so realistic. Fiddle leaf tree, £69; string of pearls, £25; ferns, from £49.50; cacti, from £9.50; ficus tree, £99; Saloon mirror, £79, all marksandspencer.com THE BEAUTY OF NATURE For its new collection, Natural World, the National Trust has taken inspiration from many curiosity cabinets around the UK. I love the rich colour palette, which just screams autumn. SLEEK LOOKS Help keep your kitchen free from cooking smells, with the new N90 angled-glass design chimney hood in black. With 31 light colours to choose from, you can illuminate your kitchen wall to suit your…

HOW TO MAKE IT WORK • Mix in rattan baskets and chunky-weave throws to add texture to your look. • Choose neutral accessories, such as a display of pillar candles, to complement this scheme. • Organic ceramics are another easy style buy. Grey tints Riley sofa in alle silver, £499; matching armchair in alle charcoal, £299; Maggie pendant light, £69; So Soft throw, from £39.50; Crescent chevron cushion, £15; Opulent Bird jacquard cushion, £17.50; velvet feather-print cushion, £25; stripe rug; geo rug, both from £19.50, all marksandspencer.com Curated display Joleen stripe cushion, £25; pompom cushion, £30; Maise basket, £28, Taby vase, £28; Turku vase, £22, all Gray & Willow; copper cage lantern, £50; tall wood base candle holder, £35, both Linea; Gray & Willow Shadow Leaf vase, £25; Linea copper…

HOW TO MAKE IT WORK • Shop for standout woodland pieces that come with an affordable price tag. The high street and supermarkets have some great products that really capture the feel of this look. • Think hero pieces – illustrated plates mixed with plain crockery, woodland animals in brass, or a printed cushion on a leather chair. • Mix with wood – platters, serving boards and even wooden handles on cutlery will help to achieve the look. Enjoy its simplicity and texture hit. Blue notes Ochre check cushion, £12; matching throw, £16; Hare pair objet, £10; faux clematis arrangement, £15; jumping hare candle, £4.50; floral letter rack, £15; faux fern plant, £8; floral frame, £10, all sainsburys.co.uk Fluffy bunny Rabbit cushion, £6; Mongolian cushion, £9; knitted pouffe, £39; curved…

MY PICK OF THE MONTH The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker (Hamish Hamilton) Barker takes the Trojan War and recasts it largely from the view of the women, in particular Briseis, princess turned captive and concubine to Achilles. Giving a voice to those silenced by history, this is a gripping feat of imagination that succeeds in being relevant today. OBSESSIVE LOVE Love is Blind by William Boyd (Viking) Brodie Moncur is a piano tuner whose talent takes him to Paris where he meets pianist John Kilbarron. Brodie’s life is changed when he falls for Lika, Kilbarron’s enigmatic mistress. But all is not as it seems. Thoroughly involving with beautifully realised characters and an unexpected sting in its tail. CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION Wild Fire by Ann Cleeves…

Kate Atkinson lives in Edinburgh. In 1995, she won the Whitbread (now Costa) Book of the Year Prize with her first novel, Behind the Scenes at the Museum . She has written 10 bestselling novels, including those featuring the Edinburgh detective Jackson Brodie. Her recent novels Life After Life and A God in Ruins each won the Costa Book Award. I didn’t write when I was a child but I was a reader. I was an only child and went to a school quite a long way away from home so didn’t really have friends nearby. As a result I spent a lot of time reading. Lewis Carroll was probably the author who had the most influence on me.…