Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2019 i Woman & Home

This time of year gets me thinking about shopping. I’ve been a more mindful spender over the past few months (huge sigh of relief from my husband Adrian) because we’re building an extension on our kitchen and every penny is needed for DIY and home improvements. I’ve been amazed at how much money can be saved by bringing a packed lunch to work and basically not going into shops. “Funny that!” says Adrian. When the weather gets warmer, though, a trip to the high street or a scroll through fashion websites is hard to resist. Most of us have a summer event in the diary to look forward to – a wedding, a day at the races or even just a barbecue with friends – and getting dressed for the…

WHAT ARE YOU TERRIFIED OF? Cockroaches and rats. WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST ADDICTION? I can leave a pile of chocolates on the table, but I can’t leave crisps, so we can’t have them in the house. WHAT’S THE WILDEST THING YOU’VE DONE? That extreme triathlon! The wildest thing of that was jumping off a ferry into the dark water, which had orca whales swimming in it! WHAT IS ONE THING YOU’D CHANGE ABOUT YOURSELF? I wouldn’t have given up competitive sport when I was 15, but then maybe I wouldn’t be doing it now. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE MANTRA? Go for it! WHO IS YOUR ULTIMATE POWER WOMAN? Currently Vicky Holland, a world champion triathlete. WHAT’S YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE? On a Wednesday, I come back from work and get into the…

WHEN COTTON MET CATH Presenter Fearne Cotton has delved into the Cath Kidston archives for her second product collaboration and the results are dreamy. Playful yet practical, the scenic prints will brighten any day of the week. Think raised embroidery, iridescent stitching and metallic embossing. Available in sizes 6-18. cathkidston.com TAILOR-MADE Have you ever tried on an outfit and wished the sleeves were wider? Welcome to Fame and Partners – just input your measurements and you can tweak details, add pockets or change the colour. Available in sizes 4-30. fameand partners.com AHEAD OF THE HERD… Animal print is here to stay, with quirky yet chic monochrome cow print becoming this season’s unlikely style icon. Hotter, the accessory brand known for style and comfort, has released the perfect shoes and bags…

To celebrate the start of the new season, woman&home and Wallis are offering an amazing 25% off for all readers. Wallis has delivered the ultimate edit of summer must-haves and wardrobe staples to take you from day to night. Comprised of a selection of essential jumpsuits, intricately patterned print dresses, colour-pop separates and accessories, the summer edit is designed with versatility and elegance in mind. Whatever your occasion, you’ll find the perfect outfit at Wallis. HOW TO REDEEM Simply visit wallis.co.uk and enter the code WOMAN25 at checkout, or show this page in-store (quoting the till code 12) to get 25% off. TERMS AND CONDITIONS The 25% off discount is only available on full-priced products purchased online at wallis.co.uk or in-store when showing this page. Discount is valid from 1-30 April…

“I’d advise anyone struggling with mental health problems not to fight it alone. See your GP and talk to people you’re close to – they will help. Just saying the words ‘I am not well’ can lift so much weight from your shoulders. After being diagnosed with severe anxiety, moderate depression and symptoms of OCD, I saw a local psychotherapist and my GP prescribed antidepressants, which have been a huge help. I soon learnt that anxiety can be a form of wanting control over everything in your life. As social media was a factor, I deleted most of my accounts. I also signed up to the charity SANE, which sent me text messages once a week for a month. It’s amazing how nice little notes of support can help in…

Barbara Hulanicki The founder of the game-changing Biba boutique, Hulanicki opened her first store in Kensington in 1964. With its decadent, Art Nouveau interiors and staffed by stylish girls (including a young Anna Wintour), it was a dress-up box of affordable treasures – 50s dresses, 30s-inspired silk stockings, ostrich feather boas… plus make-up, homeware and even Bibabranded baked beans. The second Biba that opened in 1966 even had a nightclub. No wonder it was dubbed “the sexiest shop on Earth”. CELEBRITY FANS: Marianne Faithfull, Cathy McGowan, Julie Christie, Edina Ronay, Twiggy, Princess Anne, Cilla Black Zandra Rhodes Rhodes wafted onto the fashion scene in the early 70s, the first designer to make printed textiles a key part of clothes design. Her flowing creations featured hand-painted prints inspired by nature (shells,…

What is your earliest childhood memory? I was sitting in my pram outside our house. A lady came up to me and said, “Now if you suck your thumb like that the big bad man is going to come and cut it off.” I remember thinking, “What a stupid woman. Does she think I believe that? The idiot.” I just knew that she was talking through her bottom. Where does your acting talent come from? All of my talents, whatever I have, come from my mother. Mummy really wanted to be an actress herself but of course nice Jewish girls didn’t do that then. But she never lost the ability to be dramatic in every way. My mother did everything possible to give me confidence and make me feel special…

Ruth, 59, lives in Surrey with her husband Eamonn Holmes, 59, their son Jack, 17, and their Border Collie and Dachshund cross Maggie. CHICK FLICKS I would say my favourite is Frankie and Johnny, it’s a beautiful love story and I watch it with Eamonn, who enjoys it too. I also love Love Actually – you can’t beat it – it’s a classic. ESCENTRIC MOLECULES 01 It’s a unisex fragrance that reacts with the body’s natural pheromones so it smells different on everyone. I get a lot of compliments when I wear it. I also love Jo Malone’s Jo Loves. I’ve worn her fragrances for years and never tire of them. SHEPHERD’S PIE My favourite meal is my mum’s shepherd’s pie. Her recipe brings back lots of memories, it’s the…

LOVE SCANDI There are some seriously cool beauty brands bringing anti-ageing Nordic ingredients to the UK. Two of my favourites are skyn Iceland and Lumene. Both take a no-faff, natural approach to beauty – skyn sources its ingredients from the unspoiled resources of Iceland, and Lumene uses the power of Arctic spring water. skyn Iceland Icelandic Youth Serum, £40; Lumene Nordic C Valo Glow Refresh Hydrating Mist, £6.50 THIS MAY… I’M BRIGHTENING MY SKIN using Elemis Superfood Vital Veggie Mask, £30 LOCKING IN MAKE-UP with Ciate London Extraordinary Translucent Setting Powder, £18 BOOSTING MY HAIR to bespoke heights using the customisable nozzle of Living Proof’s Body Builder, £23 INJECTING A BIT OF SPRING into my mani with NARS Nail Polish in Seashell Pink, £16 NEW LOVE Tom Ford’s pigment-rich Lip…

OLIVIA FALCON, beauty journalist and founder of beauty concierge Editor’s List (editorslist.co.uk): I am a big believer in combination treatments – the best, most natural results come when you take a 360-degree approach and have a structured game plan that works on all layers of the skin. It’s not just about getting a shot of Botox to soften wrinkles – to cheer up a grumpy resting face, you need to think about radio frequency or ultrasound treatments to tone and tighten the deeper muscles of the face, and injectable skin hydrators like Profhilo to work on the texture and to boost collagen. ALICE HART-DAVIS, beauty journalist and author of The Tweakments Guide: Fresher Face , £14.95 (thetweakmentsguide.com): If you notice that your mouth is developing a tendency to pull down…

Do you ever feel bombarded, sensorially speaking? Nowadays, moments that would once have been idle are full of stimuli and even a quick walk to the bus stop can include plugging into a podcast while speed-scrolling Facebook and sipping a grande skinny latte. No wonder experts say we should take ourselves off to a quiet room for five minutes a day and focus on being, not doing. Bit much out there, isn’t it? Plenty has been written on the subject of mindfulness, and whether you’ve got into that or not really bothered (guilty), there are other ways to find a sense of quiet in this shouty world. Take fragrance, for example. Our sense of smell has the power to draw us inside our own minds and memories in a flash,…

1 BASE NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer in Hazelnut, £24 I am fussy about concealers and have a big selection in my kit, but this one is foolproof and I reach for it again and again. For a natural day-to-day look this almost becomes my base. I use it round my eyes, my nose and on areas of pigmentation to take the dullness out of my skin. 2 APPLICATOR Beautyblender Foundation Sponge, £17 I have lots of brushes for work but Beautyblender is my favourite way to apply my own make-up. I use this to apply foundation, concealer and even my moisturiser. I always use it damp and give it a good wash once a week. 3 LASHES Surratt Relevée Lash Curlers, £28 You can’t beat a pair of brilliant…

Hay fever is more than just a sniffly nose and watery eyes. It now affects 30% of Brits every year; the highest rate in Europe. And this is predicted to double by 2030, with an explosion of new middle-age sufferers. “Because it’s not life-threatening, studies and tests have been rather limited,” explains Shilpa Shah, pharmacist at Lloyds Pharmacy. But this doesn’t mean it should be trivialised. “One study found its effects on your reflexes are the same as being over the blood alcohol limit for driving,” says Professor Adam Fox, a consultant allergist. We reveal how you can crack down on this debilitating condition. What is it? Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen, typically when it comes into contact with your mouth, nose, eyes and throat. “In tree…

“SHOULD I SKIP BREAKFAST?” “Whether you love eating Cheerios for breakfast or struggle to eat as soon as you wake up, that’s fine because everyone is different,” says Eve. “One of the big breakfast myths picks on the scary stuff: carbs,” says Laura. “If you’re going to eat carbs, eat them for breakfast so you have all day to work them off. Sounds, legit, right? Wrong,” says Laura. “There is no evidence that eating more carbohydrates at certain times of day will affect your weight. It is, in fact, total energy intake over a week that makes the real difference to body weight.” “CAN I EAT AT BEDTIME?” Got a hankering for a midnight snack? “Every diet-related article seems to suggest that eating late at night automatically converts celery sticks…

THIS MONTH... Too much vitamin A • Dealing with hay fever • Is physio enough for treating a damaged knee? Q I fell over playing tennis a month ago, injuring my knee. An MRI has shown that I have torn the cartilage. However, I can walk and bend my knee, though it hurts a bit, and my doctor has said I just need physiotherapy. Don’t I need surgery? A There are large crescent-shaped pads of cartilage on top of the tibia (the big bone of the lower leg), which act as shock absorbers within the knee joint. Unfortunately, they can become torn during a violent twisting motion. In the past, anyone with a suspected torn cartilage would have keyhole surgery, and the torn piece of cartilage would be trimmed away. But this…

Did you know that bladder weakness affects one in three women? Whether it catches you out in a yoga class, mid-wiggle on the dance floor, during a frantic dash for the bus or just vacuuming the hall, it can happen at any time and at any age. Many factors can increase the possibility of bladder weakness – from pregnancy, birth and the menopause to genetic incontinence and obesity. And with so many women affected, it’s time to stop feeling anxious and embarrassed, and do something about it. Bladder weakness doesn’t need to have a negative effect on your social life or put an end to the activities you enjoy doing. Always Discreet stops you worrying about where the nearest loo is and lets you get on with your life. Bladder…

Japan – an ancient culture of emperors, fierce shoguns, samurais and brutal martial arts. Yet it’s also a place of gentle geishas, colourful kimonos, exquisite garden design and Zen Buddhism. How did a country so deeply rooted in such diverse heritage become one of the most modern and advanced economies on the planet? Pondering such questions is what makes a trip to Japan so incredibly rewarding. Having travelled there once, you’ll feel drawn back to revisit this truly enigmatic country. Fully escorted price includes: ✢ See Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine, Omotesando Street, the Harajuku area and Akihabara Electric Town ✢ Views of Mount Fuji from Lake Kawaguchi and the hot spring, mountain spa resort of Hakone ✢ Travel at 189mph on the bullet train ✢ Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park and Museum…

Teriyaki glazed steak Glazed in rich Asian flavours, this steak dish is so simple to make. Serves 2 • Ready in 30mins, plus resting 3tbsp olive oil 4 Maris Piper potatoes, sliced 2 thick-cut rib-eye steaks 50ml teriyaki sauce 6 garlic cloves, minced 2 large shallots, minced 200g kale or chard 200g large leaf spinach 2tbsp sesame seeds 1 Heat 2tbsp oil in a frying pan and cook the potatoes for 20mins, turning once. Transfer to a baking tray and keep warm while you prepare the rest. 2 Increase the frying pan to a high heat; add 1tbsp oil. Season both sides of the steaks, then cook for 1min on each side. Liberally brush with teriyaki sauce and cook for 2-3mins for rare, 4mins for medium, or 5-6mins for well done.…

This pale green is the perfect base for a modern country look, and paired with blush pink, it creates an elegant scheme that be can be styled as rustic or polished as you like. Whether you give the walls a new look, go for furniture in a new finish, or just update accessories, this duo will be sure to give your home a sweet new look for spring. Sweet dreams Soft blush and nude tones are the ideal companion for fresh, cactus greens, and this velvet upholstered bed provides the perfect partner. Avoid fabrics with a sheen or the scheme will become chintzy and less modern-looking. Walls painted in Box Tree matt emulsion, £21.50 for 2.5L, Crown. Madehurst king-size bed in Elegance Velvet Vintage Lilac/ Mink, £1,109, Mood Collections Sitting…

Great British Bake Off host Prue Leith is the author of eight novels. The Lost Son (Quercus) – the third novel in The Angelotti Chronicles series – is out in hardback on 11 April. The first two, The House at Chorlton and The Prodigal Daughter, have been reissued to coincide. By the afternoons, my creative brain has gone to sleep. I sit down with a cup of coffee at about 8am and write until 1pm. Then I’ll make “staff lunch” for my husband (who is generally in the garden) and my great little team, who deal with recipe testing and so on. If I didn’t plan, it would be chaos! When you’re doing a trilogy, it’s bad enough trying to recall all the character profiles and timelines with a detailed…

A Fatal Inversion by Barbara Vine Bright young things become involved in murder over a long, hot summer. It’s a theme I return to again and again. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier Quite simply the most perfectly plotted novel of all time. When I was 14, I read it as a romance – now I see it as a thriller. The Binding by Bridget Collins A magic love story about books and memory. Finding a new favourite book at my age is a bit like making a new best friend – all the more welcome because you don’t expect it to happen again. It reminded me that before I was a writer, I was a reader. A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett This was my…

ANSTEY HARRIS Novelist Anstey lives in Kent with her violin-maker husband. On p49 she recalls how her clever mum outwitted the kids to cut their family’s sky-high phone bills back in the 80s... Tell us about an occasion when you felt fabulous... My debut novel, The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton, was published in January this year. It was the culmination of 15 years of trying and failing and trying again. The launch party was wonderful and at the centre was me – holding my book and feeling totally fabulous. WENDY TURNER Wendy is a hair and make-up artist who worked on our fashion shoot on p20. She’s also the founder of The Grown Up Edit, an online lifestyle journal for women looking for honest advice and inspiration. Tell…

I have started researching cosmetic procedures. Yes, really. I never thought I’d reach the point where I’d look in the mirror and think, “Perhaps a lower face thread lift wouldn’t be such a bad idea.” But then my skin had never before slid off my jawbone and formed dumplings where my chin used to be. A kind friend calls this “a loss of definition”, but we all know what that’s code for, don’t we? Jowls. Look, I’ve always subscribed to the theory that it’s best to age naturally. I just wanted to look like the best version of me, that’s what I told myself. But jowls are a bit of a deal-breaker. If you have them, you’ll know what I mean. If you don’t have them, sorry, but you can…

The temperature is minus 10 outside in snowy Finland and a lavish party is about to get underway inside a top Helsinki museum. Some Finnish TV bigwigs are sipping fizz alongside the country’s politicians and all are here for the glitzy launch of Sky One’s new, no-expense-spared animated series Moominvalley. But the biggest buzz happens when big-name British actors arrive, including Taron Egerton and Rosamund Pike. Jennifer Saunders has also breezed in looking Ab Fab as she’s whisked up to the VIP area. There we find time to chat about Finland’s iconic Moomin characters, created by the late Finnish author Tove Jansson and on which the new 10-part Moominvalley is based… Jennifer’s very enthusiastic about the project, but admits it was a nudge by her daughter Freya which threw her…

“Harry had been struggling with periods of depression but on his way home from a New Year’s party, he suddenly felt massively down and couldn’t see the point in living. He stood on the edge of the train station platform thinking about jumping onto the tracks, but the incoming train slowed down – Harry thinks the train driver spotted him – and that gave him the chance to think again. The next day he broke down and confided what had happened. As a mother, it’s heartbreaking and scary to hear your child say they have nothing to live for. I took him to A&E and by midnight, 10 hours after we’d first arrived at the hospital, psychiatrists decided Harry was too high a risk to be allowed home but there…

CHAMPIONS OF THE ARTS Fuelling our passion for culture BRAND NEW DIRECTIONS Brilliant entrepreneurs leading the way SMASHING THE GLASS CEILING Role models at the top of corporate environments CELEBRITIES DOING GOOD Stars of stage and screen who also do great work for charity DON’T TELL ME I CAN’T Women doing exciting things and fulfilling their dreams SOCIAL AND TECH GENIUSES From Instagram influencers to app inventors CHANGING OUR COUNTRY Women in high places dedicated to making our lives – and the lives of children – better…

When I was 15, my mother received an enormous phone bill. She was a full-time primary school teacher and a single parent, and the bill was horrendous. It was 1980 and it was well into the £100s. It wasn’t enough for my friends and me to spend all day at school together; we wrote letters to each other and we talked on the phone – if our parents were out – for hours. The second my mum left the house, no matter where she was going, I would ring my friends. ‘Call after call came in that we couldn’t answer’ My mum invested in a phone lock: a small silver padlock that went on the dial of the phone and prevented it from going round, so you couldn’t dial out.…

One thing I love about my job is discovering brilliant products and spreading the word on the transformational joy they can bring – it’s not just about what they can do on the outside, it’s how they can make you feel internally that’s just as important. There’s nothing more uplifting than a swipe of bright lippy, or a sweep of mascara to cheer you up just when you need it most. My mum was feeling down recently – she’s recovering from breast cancer and, quite understandably, the experience has taken its toll on her confidence. To perk her up, I grabbed some lovely make-up samples that had just landed on my desk and gave her a mini makeover. Fresh brows, defined lashes, a pop of pink blusher and a delicious…

To address GRF, “ramp up your skincare by adding in a vitamin C serum in the morning and a retinoid in the evening,” says Alice. Applying a good SPF daily is also essential. RETINOL Origins Plantscription Retinol Night Moisturiser with Alpine Flower, £49. PLANT STEM CELLS Elemis Pro-Collagen Definition Face & Neck Serum, £92. VITAMIN C Vichy Liftactiv Vitamin C Skin Brightening Corrector, £28. SUNSCREEN Dr. Sam’s Flawless Daily Sunscreen, £29, drsambunting.com…

We’ve partnered with award-winning, scientific haircare brand Living Proof to offer you 15% off their entire haircare range. With formulas to address all hair concerns – whether you need fullness, volume, de-frizzing or some styling saviours – you’ll be pleased to know the brand is also free of silicones, parabens and phthalates, and is cruelty free too. Plus it’s packed full of science that’s non-toxic and safe for colour and chemically treated hair. YOUR FREE GIFT The first 500 customers using the code will also receive their bestselling Perfect hair Day (PhD) Dry Shampoo in travel size, powered by a Triple-Action Cleaning Technology to address how hair looks, feels and smells. Fast-absorbing powders soak up oil and sweat, while its patented Healthy Hair Molecule (OFPMA) helps remove the powders easily…

✢ TEA DIETS So-called detox teas have a laxative effect, helping you feel trimmer, but they come with risks. “Laxatives can be addictive and abuse of them can cause IBS and damage to organs,” says Laura. ✢ RAW FOOD DIETS Eating only raw fruit and vegetables until 4pm each day. The idea is that eating ‘live’ plant enzymes and vitamins boosts cell regeneration to treat conditions such as diabetes and cancer, but in reality, it cuts out vital nutrients. “What’s more, many vitamins need a helping of fat for the body to absorb them,” says Eve. ✢ APPETITE SUPPRESSANTS Drinks and lollies that reduce your appetite come with risks. “Many of them are just water, which bloat you and diminish feelings of hunger,” warns Eve. “All these things take us…

In all its roughage glory, fibre is going to be big this year. “Fibre is becoming more popular, as people have woken up to the fact that it’s actually a really important nutrient,” says Rob Hobson, head of nutrition at Healthspan. But unfortunately we’re just not getting enough in our diets. The experts recommend we aim for 30g of fibre daily. But only 4% of women are managing that. On average we only get 17g a day – and our bodies are suffering as a result. Gut feeling When we think of fibre, our digestive system instantly springs to mind. After all, it’s essential to ensure the smooth transit of waste through the colon and to aid in preventing issues, such as constipation. Depending on the variety, fibre can act…

PARIS, FRANCE There’s always a good reason to visit the City of Lights, and now – if you’re in the mood to treat yourself – you can stay in style at the newly renovated Hotel Lutetia. This iconic Art Nouveau building sits on the chic Left Bank in the bohemian St Germain neighbourhood, originally dating from 1910. During the 1930s, Hotel Lutetia became the epicentre of the city’s intellectual, cultural and artistic life, with visitors such as James Joyce and Ernest Hemingway, and residents including Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse – so you’d be in good company. Culture-wise, there is always plenty to see in Paris, but make a beeline for the new Atelier de Lumières (atelier-lumieres. com), where you can “walk inside” famous artworks. Stay Rooms at the Hotel…

This tour is a wonderful blend of some of the finest sights in northern Italy. First, Lake Garda, where waves lap gently on the shingle shoreline, with the snow-capped Dolomite Mountains in the background. Then Venice, a unique city full of cultural delights such as the Doge’s Palace, St Mark’s Basilica and the Grand Canal. Finally, Verona, one of the most romantic cities you’ll ever find, and the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet . Personalise your holiday... Why not attend the Verona Opera Festival? It’s the world’s oldest open-air opera festival, and is set in a Roman amphitheatre. When the lights dim, the magic begins and the most beautiful voices fill the air. It’s sure to make your holiday extra special. From £61pp. The price includes: ✢ Classic or…

‘Our first workshop was a sellout’ Debbie Hutchinson, 49, lives in Marden, Herefordshire, with her husband Hutch and two children. She co-founded Twisted Sisters, a flower farm and florist, with her sister Melissa, 47. ✢ THE IDEA In 2013 I retired from the army after 24 years working in communications systems. I loved it, and it’s where I met my husband Hutch (says Debbie). I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next but I knew I wanted to work outdoors. We’d recently moved to a smallholding in Herefordshire, so it made sense to do something with the land. We’d also converted a barn on our property, and in 2017 my sister Melissa moved in. She’s always been creative and, after leaving her job in the NHS, she made wonderful…

You’ll get good advice in larger John Lewis stores and at Currys, which has an expert service partner team (knowhow. com) that can help with setting up smart home tech, problem-solving or repairing kit (no matter where you bought it). The website also has superb do-it-yourself guides. Many tech companies will offer installation for an extra charge, or you can hire an electrician trained in installing smart home tech – NICEIC (niceic.com) has a list of registered contractors.…

Southern-style chicken The sauce is the secret to this dish. SFSWFT 4-6 • RFBEZ JO 1IS 20NJOT 1 NFEJVN SPBTUJOH DIJDLFO for the barbecue sauce: 2 MBSHF TIBMMPUT, QFFMFE 10 HBSMJD DMPWFT, QFFMFE 2 MBSHF SFE DIJMMJFT, USJNNFE 3UCTQ PMJWF PJM 8 TQSJHT GSFTI SPTFNBSZ 2UCTQ GFOOFM TFFET 2UCTQ TNPLFE QBQSJLB 3UCTQ TPZ TBVDF zFTU BOE KVJDF PG 2 MFNPOT 1UCTQ NVTUBSE QPXEFS 150H TPGU CSPXO TVHBS 225NM UPNBUP LFUDIVQ 175NM PSBOHF PS BQQMF KVJDF GSFTI QBSTMFZ, HSJMMFE BTQBSBHVT BOE QPUBUP TBMBE, UP TFSWF 1 For the sauce, put the ingredients in a blender, season and whizz until combined. Put into a saucepan, bring to the boil, simmer for 15mins, then cool. Set aside 150ml for the chicken. 2 Spatchcock the chicken by cutting along either side of the backbone. Remove…

✢ Aldi is the first supermarket to stock the latest vintage of Beaujolais Rosé – a wine from one of the most celebrated regions in France. Each elegant bottle is gorgeously floral and emblazoned with a tiny angel. Now that’s divine wine! £5.99, Aldi ✢ Meanwhile Majestic Wine’s offering consistently wins over critics and has a blooming rose cut into the base of each bottle. The Gérard Bertrand Côte des Roses AOP Languedoc, 2018, is dry and crisp with flowers on the nose, and strong notes of cherry and apple. £12.99, Majestic, majestic.co.uk ✢ Trust good old M&S to stock a pink to make the boys (and girls) drink. Their blush-coloured Coteaux Varois en Provence comes in an hourglass-shaped bottle and is nicely off-dry with notes of melon and papaya.…

1 The Evidence Against You by Gillian McAllister (Penguin) McAllister’s gripping legal yarn tells of a girl whose dad was jailed for killing her mum. 2 Critical Incidents by Lucie Whitehouse (4th Estate) An axed detective investigates the mystery surrounding her murdered friend and a missing girl. Grimly realistic. 3 Twisted by Steve Cavanagh (Orion) With a plot that more than delivers, this book-within-a-book about a crime writer is a head-spinning must. 4 Call Me Star Girl by Louise Beech (Orenda Books) Radio DJ Stella trades secrets on air, but she wasn’t expecting a confession of murder… 5 Cruel Acts by Jane Casey (HarperCollins) A retrial murder case and copycat killings beat at the heart of this captivating crime drama. You’ll be totally hooked. 6…

Watching… My Brilliant Friend. It’s set in 50s Naples and has utterly swept me away. It’s my escape when the news gets too much and I can’t work out one Brexit amendment from the next. Reading… Sadie Jones’ new book, The Snakes. Her debut The Outcast was one of my favourite novels ever. Singing along to... Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This is in the car with my running mate, Hannah. It’s our warm-up before a 10-mile run. Eating at… The Berber Lodge, Morocco. My winter break discovery with my friend Bridget. It’s hard to explain the tranquillity that place exudes. Savouring… Life’s small triumphs instead of running straight into the next big challenge. I often fail to recognise the moment and then wonder why I was in such…

Look no further than Louise Minchin if you’re after fitness inspiration. When the seasoned triathlete arrives at our cover shoot, the results of her training regime are immediately obvious – defined biceps, toned legs and barely an ounce of fat in sight. According to Louise, 50, the combination of swimming, cycling and running gives you a specific body type. “I can spot a triathlete a mile off,” she says. On top of her busy schedule – she hosts BBC Breakfast alongside Dan Walker Mondays to Wednesdays, and is mum to Mia, 17, and 14-year-old Scarlett with her husband David – Louise trains for an impressive seven hours a week. So how does she fit it all in? “This week I’ve been really busy and one day I had only half…

You can keep your statement bags and cashmere coats, your “because I’m worth it” diamonds and your Scandi designer furniture. The best thing I have ever bought, without any shadow of a doubt, is a caravan. The minute I set eyes on my beautiful Rye Harbour seaside bolthole, my heart soars. A 41ft 3-berth 2017 ABI Ambleside, this is a piece of kit that seems to have been designed and built purely with midlife women in mind – and since that is precisely what I am, it’s perfect. In fact, it’s the perfect physical representative of where I feel I am in life. There’s nothing cool or ironic about it – it’s not a Silverstream or vintage 70s number. Mine is a proper static. Inside, it combines the nifty genius…

NOMINATE YOUR HERO TODAY, FROM ONE OF THESE THREE CATEGORIES… CARING FOR OTHERS From nurses and doctors to carers at home, the women on the frontline of caring IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT WE LIVE IN Litter-pickers, beachcombers and campaigners to save the high street or the local library; everyone changing the face of where we live for the better GOING THE EXTRA MILE FOR CHARITY Women raising money, ramping up awareness for important causes HOW TO ENTER The deadline for nominations is Thursday 2 May. Email: amazingwomen awards2019@ti-media.com You will need to supply the following information: ✢ Your name, email address and contact number ✢ Your nominee’s name, age, email address and contact number (we’ll want to get in touch if we decide they’re a candidate for the shortlist, so please…

“People wanted to look like her. The make-up, the hair to go with it, she just had this innate style…” V&A curator Jenny Lister is describing Mary Quant, icon of Swinging London and the subject of a major new exhibition opening at the museum this month. Quant’s designs came to symbolise the 60s “sexual revolution” – and all the youth, fun and freedom that went with it. She was the first British woman to achieve global success designing under her own name and is credited with more innovations than you can shake a square-toed patent leather pump at: the mini, hot pants, tights, fashionable make-up… She was 25 when she burst onto the staid British fashion scene – opening her first boutique, Bazaar, on London’s King’s Road in 1955. While…

“We need visible role models who prove your value doesn’t diminish as the tally of candles on your birthday cake grows” Seeing Olivia Colman’s beaming face as she picked up her Oscar was a wonderful moment. Ultra-glamorous in her Prada gown, and basking in multiple awards successes, it felt like watching one of our own, laughing and fooling around with the A-list. We’ve witnessed this much-loved, home-grown star progress from TV shows like Peep Show and Broadchurch to justifiably rubbing shoulders with the biggest names in showbusiness. But it wasn’t just the recognition of the phenomenal talent of this daughter of a Norfolk nurse and chartered surveyor that made it so uplifting. It was the fact that here was a breath of fresh air. The real deal. A 45-year-old woman…

While I was out walking my dog my friend Helen rang. “Steph, we’ve had bad news,” she said. “Graham has cancer.” In comedy circles Helen and Graham Linehan are a power couple. She is part of the team behind the BBC series Motherland , and Graham is the BAFTA and Emmy award-winning genius behind Father Ted . But that word – cancer – had reduced my strong, funny, practical friend to a quivering mess. I know that feeling all too well. My own husband Andy was diagnosed with colorectal cancer four years ago. The symptoms came on really suddenly, and we were told Andy’s cancer was already stage four and incurable. Your world shatters and the person you want to talk to, to lean on and share with is the…

Anew release from Jo Malone is, like the Clint Eastwood character in a good Western, perennially top of everyone’s most wanted list. This spring sees the brand’s new Wild Flowers & Weeds scents enter the fragrance arena, and their beauty in both bouquet and bottle place them firmly in the spotlight. Five distinctive colognes all hold their own alone, and blend seamlessly when layered. Flit from rose-laden Lupin & Patchouli, to the green androgynous notes of Nettle & Wild Achillea. Mist on a sparkling morning dew with the crisp accord of Hemlock & Bergamot, or match Cade & Cedarwood with Willow & Amber for a sensual aroma worthy of a balmy evening. Be sure to lasso them immediately, before they disappear… 30ml cologne, £49 each, jomalone.co.uk…

✢ GLOW REHAB A combination of powerhouse procedures tightens, brightens and lifts. Think PRP Microneedling (your own blood injected into the skin to stimulate collagen), Laser Genesis to target fine lines and uneven skin tone, and Profhilo to plump and intensively hydrate skin. From £1,500 with Dr Maryam Zamani; drmaryamzamani.com ✢ FACIAL REMODELAGE It begins with a deep cleanse, using specific hand movements to manipulate and release facial muscles and emotional tensions. This is followed by deep but gentle manipulation around the lip and eye area to drain toxins and reduce water retention and unsightly puffiness. £160 for a 45-minute session; martinedericheville.com ✢ COSMETIC ACUPUNCTURE FACIAL A-list facialist Sarah Bradden has devised a highly effective, energising and rejuvenating treatment that uses a combination of specialist acupuncture techniques to relax facial…

1 BEST FOR: A “PROPER” TAN Isle Of Paradise Glow Clear Self-Tanning Mousse in Dark, £30 I have always been scared of trying a deep tan, but I did want to rid my legs of their corned beef-like complexion. This did that and then some. It’s clever stuff; colour-correcting and brightening my pins, as well as giving me a great colour. Bonus feature Packed with organic tanning actives, and avocado, chia seeds and coconut oils. 2 BEST FOR: YOUR FACE Elemis Total Glow Bronzing Moisturiser, £27 My skin looked brighter, more even-toned and had a very gentle colour – a bit too subtle for my liking, so I topped up the next day to achieve my preferred intensity. Bonus feature It dries really quickly, leaving a satisfying texture on my…

The woman&home Diet by Jane Plan is the diet delivery service that provides you with 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’re here to help – and with a great money-off offer. Choose a plan that suits your weight-loss needs Plans include: perfectly portioned meals, weekly support, breakfast, lunch, dinner (just 1,200 calories a day), food diary and personalised menu. PLUS! WOMAN&HOME DIET SUPPORTS YOU ALL THE WAY with weekly email and telephone support to help you keep on track SIGN UP NOW & SAVE £25 Use the code WHCPA0519 at janeplan.com or call 020 3489 4770 *Prices quoted for the first month of the plan…

✢ GLUTEN Since 2010, sales of gluten-free products have doubled. “Despite this, it’s estimated that just 1% of the UK population have coeliac disease,” says Eve. So why are we frightened of bread? “Those who were plagued by agony after eating gluten genuinely experienced miracles from going gluten-free. Known as the ‘nocebo effect’, sometimes people who believe they’re sensitive and think they’re eating gluten (but were actually served a gluten-free dish) will suffer negative gut symptoms.” ✢ DAIRY Cow’s milk has been wrongly demonised “It’s recommended by practically every dietary expert in the world as the most reliable, nutritious and easily available source of calcium for humans,” says Eve. ✢ FAT “Without fat, other things, such as sugar, would need to be added to food to make it tasty and…

Wouldn’t it be great if we could stop time and pause all those things that can happen to our face as the years go by, like wrinkles, sagging and pigmentation? We know, getting older can’t be avoided, but what we can do is use the very best skincare to help our complexion look good, whatever age we are. Quality products like NIVEA’s new Q10 Power range can give our skin a helping hand to look younger and fresher, no matter how many years we have on the clock. From the age of 25, our levels of collagen, a protein that keeps our skin firm and bouncy, decrease by 1% a year. Production of Q10, an enzyme that helps kick-start our skin cells to repair themselves, as well as boosting the…

✢ SOLUBLE FIBRE absorbs water, and attaches to cholesterol particles and takes them out of the body, reducing the risk of heart disease. And because it isn’t absorbed, it doesn’t spike your blood sugar levels. Good sources: oats, nuts, seeds, beans, apples and berries. ✢ INSOLUBLE FIBRE doesn’t dissolve in water and remains intact as the food moves through your gut. It acts like a broom through your bowel, speeding up the process and movement of waste and preventing constipation. Good sources: brown rice, wheat bran, rye, spelt, fruits and vegetables (particularly the peel and rind).…

Fully escorted price includes: ✢ A visit to medieval Ronda, one of Spain’s most spectacularly situated cities ✢ A visit to Granada’s palace fortress, the Alhambra ✢ A guided tour of Seville, then an evening sampling delicious tapas ✢ A visit to Cordoba, with a guided tour of the Mezquita mosque (entrance included) ✢ Return flights from a selection of regional airports, plus all hotel transfers ✢ Six nights in three-star superior and four-star accommodation including all local taxes, with breakfast ✢ The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout PLUS optional excursion: ✢ Witness a mesmerising, authentic flamenco performance in a charming theatre in Seville, filled with passion and energy. Enjoy a complimentary drink while you admire the superb artistry of world-class dancers, singers and musicians, who…

NEED TO KNOW Is your mortgage a ticking time bomb? Nearly one in five mortgage borrowers have interest-only loans, according to the Financial Conduct Authority. That means if they don’t have the money to clear the debt when their mortgage ends, they risk losing their home. Luckily, banks and building societies are becoming more sympathetic to older home owners wanting to continue their mortgage after official retirement age – today, more than 70% of mortgages can extend until the borrower is 75 years old or over. If you do have an interest-only mortgage, check if you can remortgage to a lower rate or longer term, or switch some or all of the loan to a repayment version. TREAT YOURSELF Fancy some fresh flowers? Bag a bargain bouquet from the new…

WHAT’S IN SEASON As things get warmer, all the best foods come into season. Expect to see the first of the year’s strawberries, gooseberries and salad crops. Lamb is at its peak and seafood is crying out to be teamed up with tasty Jersey Royals. APPLIANCE LOVE I’m sure there’s a name for crazy women who fall in love with their kitchen appliances, but just LOOK at her! Smeg’s new SMF03 stand mixer comes in four gorgeous colourways and is an absolute dream to use, with its new, dishwasher-proof dough hooks. £449.95, smeguk.com BOOKS OF THE MONTH It was completely impossible to choose just one book… Floral Libations This stunning number contains 41 inventive drinks by Cassie Winslow (Chronicle Books, £11.99). FIZZ Saturday Kitchen’s Olly Smith’s joyful new book…

SITTING PRETTY Award-winning designer Lucy Tiffney is the latest talent to collaborate with Sofa.com, bringing her hand-painted style and bright botanicals to a sofa or cushion near you! The bold fabrics are perfect for creating statement pieces. BREATHE EASY Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are found in most paints and can be harmful to human and environmental health. But eco-conscious paint brand Earthborn ensure its breathable designer paints contain no added VOCs or other nasties. So a healthy home can start with your walls, even if you go for this scrumptious shade of Cupcake. BOTTLE IT UP You’d never know it by looking at (or feeling) Weaver Green’s gorgeous home textiles but all their products are made of 100% recycled plastic bottles. With the same soft feel as cotton or…

It’s one of our favourite celebrations, from the joy of home decoration to the glorious Easter egg hunt. And Hobbycraft are here to help you make Easter even better this year. Want to decorate your home in pretty spring colours? From cute bunnies to bright spring wreaths, you’ll be inspired. And if you’re organising an Easter egg hunt, you’ll find brilliant accessories, from glittery fillable eggs to hanging banners and pretty baskets. Hobbycraft has all you’ll need for bonnets, craft projects, table décor, baking, flower arranging, card making, knitcraft and more… at affordable prices. Making precious memories yourself. #EasterMadeEasy Shop in store or online at hobbycraft.co.uk/easterAnd for more ideas and inspiration, visit blog.hobbycraft.co.uk…

Isabelle’s 7 TOP PICKS PICK OF THE MONTH The Garden of Lost and Found by Harriet Evans (Headline Review) Nightingale House was designed by artist Edward Horner and his wife Liddy as a happy place, but one summer in 1919, Liddy discovers Edward setting fire to his masterpiece. Fast-forward to the present day, and Liddy’s great-granddaughter Juliet arrives at the house, unlocking the door to a long-buried past. Evans’s storytelling feels both authentic and satisfying. An immersive mystery. THRILLING CHILLER Sleep by CL Taylor (Avon) When Anna accepts a job at a hotel on a remote Scottish island, she hopes it will ease her insomnia and help her move past the terrible events that occurred the night of the accident. But when seven guests arrive, each one withholding a devastating…

Novelist Erin Kelly has written eight books – including the bestselling He Said/She Said and the official Broadchurch novel. She lives in London with her husband and two daughters. Confession: I only became a journalist because I thought it would help me get a book deal one day. But after more than a decade of sticking to the facts, I was longing to make things up. The best thing about journalism is that it cures you of the fear of a blank page. I knew it was possible to earn my living with words. I’m not sure if I manage to balance work and family. I live in a state of barely suppressed panic! Motherhood changed me, though – it’s given me much greater empathy and patience… and heralded the…

Britain’s Got Talent Bring on the dancing dogs, ventriloquists plus granny and grandad singers, as Britain’s talented try to impress viewers and judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams. Ant McPartlin is back with Declan Donnelly too. ITV Beecham House This lavish costume drama, set in 19th-century India, follows the lives of Beecham House’s wealthy residents, including former soldier John Beecham and his interfering mother Henrietta. Tom Bateman stars. ITV The Victim This legal thriller stars Kelly Macdonald as the mother of a boy who was murdered 15 years ago by a then 13-year-old. John Hannah plays the detective who gets caught up in the case. BBC One Chimerica A dedicated American photojournalist Lee Berger (Alessandro Nivola) has lost his way after years of working in war…

our Planet Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, this big-budget documentary series, filmed in 50 countries around the world, focuses on the Earth’s most remarkable species and fragile habitats. Netflix Hanna Teenager Hanna (Esme Creed-Miles) has been raised in total isolation. But when she and her father (Joel Kinnaman) are separated, Hanna embarks on a perilous journey. Amazon Prime Video The Highwaymen Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson star as former Texas Rangers Frank Hamer and Maney Gault, who lead a posse to track down notorious gangsters Bonnie and Clyde. Netflix…

✢ Comedy fans at the ready… Jennifer Saunders will be appearing in Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit, directed by Richard Eyre at the Theatre Royal Bath from 13 June-6 July; theatreroyal.org.uk ✢ Tom Jones will be performing two headline London shows outdoors in the spectacular courtyard of the Royal Hospital Chelsea on 15 and 16 June. Tickets from £50; liveatchelsea.com ✢ We can’t wait for Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, a musical starring Joe McFadden. Kicking off at Dartford Orchard Theatre, Kent, then touring. From 5 Sept; priscillauktour.com…

Star sign of the month TAURUS 21 APRIL – 21 MAY  There’s so much going on. The planet of revolutionary change is making life hectic (for April-born Taureans especially). As May proceeds, things look super exciting around the 18th. YOUR MONTHS AHEAD You’ve never experienced change-bringer Uranus in Taurus before (unless you’re 84!). Exciting developments flood in – accept, don’t resist. Call 0905 789 4151* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates. GEMINI 22 MAY – 22 JUNE Passions run high around the 5th. If you’re single, it’s a prime time to find a mate. If you have one, intense feelings are surfacing. The 14th is romantic. Call 0905 789 4152* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates. CANCER 23 JUNE – 23 JULY On the 16th, Mars…

Larry splits his time between London and Normandy, France. He has four children – Vanessa, George, Eloise and Eva – and one granddaughter. My earliest memories… I was raised by my granny. She was an old-fashioned, working-class woman. When she was young, her mum trained her to wash, cook and clean, and then at 14, she worked as a servant in a house. So when I moved in with her at the age of nine, I learnt how to run a household. It definitely came in handy – a lot of boys nowadays don’t even know how to boil an egg! My rise to fame… I chose to go into the acting world by chance really. Growing up, I just wanted to be successful at something. I thought I wanted…