Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2019 i Woman & Home

This issue is a marvellous mix of incredible women, affordable buys and achievable ideas. Firstly, I’m delighted to be able to reveal the 2019 winners of our Amazing Women Awards, in partnership with Hotter shoes. This campaign is now in its second year, celebrating grown-up women who are achieving wonderful things every day. As you can imagine, trying to choose the winners from our diverse range of entries was perhaps one of our greatest challenges to date. And in addition, thousands of you helped us by voting online to ensure your Hotter Community Heroes were recognised too. Turn to page 50 to see this year’s winners – 10 truly inspiring women. Since I joined w&h, one of my aims was to make fashion more affordable, and the team have worked…

STOP APOLOGISING! I hold a global management position. The main difference I see between men and women in senior roles is that when it comes to persuading and influencing people, men are full of confidence with little substance, while women are factually correct but apologetic with it. Only when women portray confidence in our facts and decisions will we be accepted into positions of power. In woman&home, I’d welcome more examples of ‘go-getter’ women at the top of their field, who got there on their own merits and aren’t apologetic about it. Jo Snow, by email PRIDE OF BAKEWELL In your article on celebrity staycation hotspots, I’m with Beverley Knight and Twiggy in championing the Peak District and Lake District. However, Bakewell is not famous for almond and cherry tarts…

ANKLE BOOTS Whether you’re a block heeled, stiletto or Chelsea boot fan, everyone needs a trusty pair of ankle boots. Worn with jeans or an A-line skirt, this timeless classic pulls your whole outfit together. These are ideal for bunion sufferers – the memory foam maximises comfort. WALKING BOOTS These chunky boots are having an on-trend moment. Try pairing yours with a floral dress and oversized knit for a casual, laid-back look. If you prefer a softer, more ladylike style, then try a lace-up brogue boot. KNEE-HIGH BOOTS The classic 70s style is back and there’s never been a better selection of long boots. Wear under flowing midi dresses or skirts to breathe new life into your existing wardrobe. Duo’s boots all come in a choice of narrow to wide-width…

The READING DOG ‘COCO HELPS THE CHILDREN FIND THEIR VOICE’ JO RUSH, 47, is a full-time mother and part-time volunteer. She lives in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, with husband Martin and children Abi, 14, and Dylan, 12, and their dogs Coco, a Labradoodle, and Flo, a Sproodle. State education is under such pressure that I think it’s important parents do all they can to support schools. While my children were at primary school I had volunteered to come in and help as a parent reader, but once they’d moved to secondary, I wondered how else I could help. My dog Coco and I were already volunteering in care homes with Pets as Therapy (PAT), an organisation that sends volunteers and their pets into hospitals, care homes and schools. But then I heard…

Marion Bailey, 68, lives in London with her film producer husband, Mike Leigh. FACIALS I get them at Linda Meredith. It’s my indulgent treat and I find it so relaxing. Make-up artists often tell me I have good skin. A SUNDAY ROAST My husband and I share the cooking – he does the creative stuff and I do the baking. There’s nothing better than a good roast dinner. REAL ALE I don’t have real ale often, but when I do, I always think, ‘I should try this more.’ And I like to relax with a nice glass of red wine. FRED ASTAIRE FILMS When I was a child, I used to be glued to them on the TV on a Sunday afternoon, and I still love them now. I really…

Understandably, Harriet felt devastated. Her husband’s confession meant she faced the loss not only of her marriage but of the fidelity she had trusted in. Was she right to try again? Yes. Counsellors typically report that a majority of couples who do try eventually bring their marriage to a stronger place. Was she correct in feeling a failure? No. The real failure was her husband’s cowardice in having affairs rather than solving their marriage difficulties by recommitment or a clean separation. If your partner has an affair, don’t: ✢ Assume this is the end. Affairs are a sign of problems, but often the unfaithful partner is actually looking to bring the relationship back from the brink. ✢ Try sorting this alone. Affairs need outside help. If the counselling you get…

This year, our Christmas lunch will take place on two dates – Friday 29 November and Friday 6 December. Having recently unveiled its new look, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London offers timeless heritage, contemporary flair and impeccable service. You’ll enjoy a fabulous drinks reception and a luxurious three-course meal with wine pairings in the hotel’s ballroom overlooking Hyde Park. To make sure you feel ultra glam for the lunch, you’ll also have the chance to be pampered in the morning by a Color Expert hairstylist, with appointments available from just £5. Tickets are limited so book your place now for a festive afternoon of wonderful food and great company. ✢ Visit www.womanandhome.com/christmaslunch19 to secure your tickets to our exclusive lunch…

In the mid-90s, before Dawn French made us all seem a bit more cool, the sight of a woman in a dog collar provoked a variety of reactions. Of course some people were thrilled, saying, ‘Good for you.’ Others would say, ‘Are you really a vicar?’ and very often, ‘What should I call you – Father?’ I didn’t really mind being called Father Lucy – there were some people who just needed to use a title – but mostly I said, please do just call me by my name. For others, the sight of a woman in a dog collar was a provocation. It just didn’t feel right to them. And so their reactions ranged from mild hostility to an outright confrontation, for example at the crematorium when a relative…

CULT51 is a skincare range that boasts scientifically advanced ingredients to deliver potent, clinically proven de-ageing of the skin. We’re offering w&h readers a fantastic 25% discount on the range, which includes the following: DAY CREAM, £100 for 50ml or £40 for 20ml This rich, protective cream helps to deeply hydrate skin, works as make-up application primer, contributes to a reduction and calming of redness and irritations, minimises wrinkles and brightens your complexion. NIGHT CREAM, £125 for 50ml or £50 for 20ml This de-ageing night cream is infused with an advanced formula of natural, potent, active ingredients. Calming Japanese seaweed soothes skin, while rich antioxidants work within your skin’s metabolism to deliver hydration, de-ageing, luminosity and restoration of skin’s energy. DERMA LINE CONCENTRATE, £40 for 4ml Use this powerful, instant…

SCALP CARE A healthy scalp equals healthy hair. A scalp detox is a bit like giving your complexion a deep cleanse. It gets rid of a build-up of dead skin cells and rejuvenates the hair follicles to help your hair grow well. Try Kérastase Scrub Apaisant, £32.25, a soothing scrub cleanser to leave your scalp and hair feeling renewed. FRIZZ BATTLE A halo of fluff is always enough to ruin your day when you’ve spent ages painstakingly blow-drying your hair smooth. Seal your hair against humid or damp weather with Percy & Reed Oh-So-Smooth Frizz Fixer, £15. Just spritz it onto dry hair to seal your locks after styling and boost shine. TREAT THINNING As we age, a shift in hormones can make hair get finer and thinner. If your…

‘I look very different, dare I say a bit younger, which is always a good thing!’ ‘There’s nothing that makes me feel more self-assured than a good hair day,’ says w&h reader Lorraine Ewing, 66. ‘If you’re not happy with how your hair looks, you just don’t get that feel-good factor,’ she adds. Lorraine had recently retired and thought it was the perfect time to change her hair colour – but after returning from holidaying abroad she was concerned that her hair, now a little dry and dehydrated from sun exposure, would become even more damaged from hair colour. ‘It’s a common concern that colouring your hair can cause damage,’ says the Schwarzkopf Color Expert Ambassador. ‘But it’s all down to the product you use.’ Schwarzkopf Color Expert uses an…

How do you know if you need a hearing test? Those aged 55+ should have their hearing checked every two years, as most hearing loss appears gradually. Can you check your hearing at home? ‘Telltale signs that indicate your hearing has worsened include turning the TV up too loud, conversations becoming difficult in noisy places and asking people to repeat themselves,’ says Gordon. You can also do a three-minute test on the Specsavers Hearing Check app, which gives you an indication of whether you need a longer test with an audiologist. What happens at a test? ‘The audiologist will run through your medical history and check the health of your eardrums and ear canal,’ explains Gordon. You’ll don headphones to assess the range of pitches you can hear. What does…

Q1 HOW WELL DO YOU SLEEP? A I used to sleep well, but now I wake during the night B Very well C It takes me a long time to drift off D Even if I go to bed early, I often wake up tired Q2 DO YOU TAKE SUPPLEMENTS? A Yes, I have a cupboard full, but I only take them when I remember B Yes, a daily multivitamin C No, they’re a waste of money D I take something to boost my energy first thing Q3 HOW OFTEN DO YOU EXERCISE? A As regularly as I can B I don’t go to a gym, but I’m always rushing around anyway C I don’t really D I sign up to new classes and then swap Q4 HOW MANY DIETS…

THIS MONTH... Gout in women • Beating constipation • Research into predicting the risk of ovarian cancer Q I recently developed a really painful big toe, which I thought was due to wearing tight, high-heeled shoes. However, blood tests showed that I was having an attack of gout. This really surprised me, as I thought it only affected men. Is it common in women too? A Gout occurs when crystals of uric acid, caused by high levels in the blood, accumulate in a joint, leading to inflammation and intense pain. Gout is more common in men between the ages of 30 and 50 – they tend to have higher levels of uric acid than women. However, after the menopause, uric acid levels in women tend to rise, meaning gout can occur in…

If you’d like to save time and money by steering clear of buying clothes you’ll never wear, then sign up for a personal shopping session. Stores including John Lewis and Debenhams offer free appointments with professional stylists, to find new outfits for anything from a style refresh to a holiday wardrobe. Tell them your dress size, shoe size and preferences when booking an appointment online with the John Lewis Personal Styling Service or a Debenhams Personal Shopper. The stylist will then select items beforehand, ready for you to swan into a private fitting room.…

Buckwheat bundt cake with cranberries and dark chocolate In the Celle region in Lower Saxony, Germany, buckwheat cake with lingonberries is a real classic. Cranberries are a good substitute and keep the sponge moist, a chocolate glaze adds the finishing touch, and the cake is crowned with fresh figs. Makes one cake (diameter 22cm) for the cake mix: 5 eggs 150g dark muscovado sugar 250ml mild vegetable oil, plus extra for greasing 2–3 drops vanilla extract 175g buckwheat flour, plus extra for dusting 75g cornflour 150g ground hazelnuts 5 tsp baking powder pinch of salt 175ml almond milk 50g dark chocolate, 70 per cent cocoa content, roughly chopped 200g frozen cranberries, thawed to decorate: 30g dark chocolate, 70 per cent cocoa content, roughly chopped 3 fresh figs, quartered 1 Heat…

GREEN BOTTLES Proving that sustainable can still be stunning, this emerald console table features a terrazzo top made from recycled glass beer bottles, meaning each one is totally unique. With its slim, black metal legs and modest footprint, it’s ideal for hallways, living rooms and bedrooms alike. FLORAL FANCY Online florist Bloom & Wild has collaborated with the iconic Morris & Co, to launch three floral creations, each alluding to the masterpiece that inspired it. Make someone’s day by sending them the Hazel (shown) A DOG’S LIFE After receiving an abundance of requests throughout the years, Joules has finally launched a range of stylish pet accessories, in partnership with Rosewood Pet Products, to ensure your pampered pooch can match your style. How can you resist a nautical neckerchief for your…

Layered look The key to a smart but relaxed scheme is structure – with a simple square sofa, you can be free to mix accessory shapes and finishes. Izzy sofa in Canvas pure Belgian linen, £1,940, Sofa.com. Kalmar woven cushion, £79; Andas cushion, £35, both Also Home. Cable throw, £450, Celtic & Co. Kerala coffee table, £219, Barker & Stonehouse Structured simplicity Rattan is seeing a timely return and pairing it with light oak gives it a more modern appeal. Neutral beiges and barely-there pinks soften the look. Cane chair, £799; Santino bench, £299; arched lamp, £295, all John Lewis & Partners Pure and simple When it comes to accessories, avoid high gloss and keep to unfinished woods, stone, concrete and burnished metals, mixed with basketware and natural materials such…

1 Face It! by Debbie Harry (HarperCollins) Unveiling the intriguing history of Debbie Harry, frontwoman of Blondie, this is an entertaining reveal-all read. 2 I Carried a Watermelon by Katy Brand (HarperCollins) In this fun-filled memoir, the popular comedienne explores all the ways Dirty Dancing has influenced her life. 3 Home Work by Julie Andrews (Orion) Julie recounts the success of her Hollywood years. An intimate and heart-warming memoir. 4 Ian McKellen: TheBiography by Garry O’Connor (Orion) With his varied career and position as LGBT campaigner, icon Sir Ian McKellen’s story is one that delights and inspires. 5 Finding My Voice by Nadiya Hussain (Headline) Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain delves into the way her beliefs have shaped her world view. Honest and absorbing. 6 Janis: Her Life and Music…

Heather Morris is author of international bestseller The Tattooist of Auschwitz, a fictionalisation of the story of Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, who fell in love at a concentration camp. Her new novel, Cilka’s Journey, is the much-anticipated sequel. Heather lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband. I promised Lale that I would never give up trying to tell his story, but I was so surprised by the success of The Tattooist of Auschwitz. My intention was to self-publish, sell 100 copies and give them away to friends. The success was way beyond anything I ever thought. I am very humbled. It’s now published in 51 countries. I always wanted to tell Cilka’s story, from the moment Lale told  me about her. This is a 16-year-old girl who survived not…

Watching The latest two seasons of Orange is the New Black. Reading Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki, and I’m going to read The Bluest Eye again, in memory of its author Toni Morrison. Listening to Stevie Wonder, to get those lyrics right for my tour! I listen to Prince every day and my niece Sophie introduces me to new bands. Eating at The Salt Yard on London’s Goodge Street. I’m also looking forward to going to the new Bloomsbury Street Kitchen. Learning to Speak Spanish and French, especially as one of my best friends is French. I have an ear for accents so when I speak a tiny bit everyone thinks I’m fluent! Scrolling Dog rescue websites like Hope for Paws in California because they make me…

✢ Audley Travel offers tailor-made trips to Egypt. A nine-night trip including a four-night Sanctuary Retreats Nile cruise on Sun Boat IV as well as three nights in Cairo (staying in a superior room at Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence) and two nights in Aswan (staying in a premium Nile view room at Sofitel Legend Old Cataract) before the cruise costs from £3,344 per person, based on two sharing*. For more information visit audleytravel.com/ egypt or call 01993 838410. w&h…

Our journey began in Peru’s capital, Lima, with time to wander through the Spanish colonial streets and churches of the UNESCO-listed old town. Iquitos, less than a two-hour flight from Lima, is the gateway for cruises on the Amazon, aboard the cosy 30-passenger Amatista . She sails deep into the heart of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, the largest national park in Peru. A staggering 60% of Peru is covered by an immense green quilt of jungle, home to more than 25,000 plant species, 1,800 types of birds, 360 mammals, 250 amphibians, 300 reptile species and 2,500 varieties of fish. Yet only 6% of the country’s population shares this remote environment, many of them ethnic tribes isolated from the outside world. ‘We woke to the sounds of exotic birdsong and…

Soak up all that Europe’s most cultured river has to offer, with its wealth of grand baroque architecture, medieval cities, picture-perfect towns and the sights that inspired Strauss and Mozart. Stepping aboard, you will appreciate the superb surroundings of your floating luxury hotel for the next seven nights, with spacious and well-appointed cabins or suites, private bathrooms and meticulously prepared fine cuisine. From Budapest, we slip our moorings and head on our journey north to Esztergom, spending the morning exploring its historic centre, before continuing westwards to the beautiful old town of Bratislava. Navigating through Lower Austria, we then reach the romantic town of Dürnstein, where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned. After, we visit the remarkable monastery in Melk, with its 200m-long Emperor’s Gallery, lined with portraits of Austrian emperors.…

Kris, 46, lives in Bath with his wife, Hannah Dodkins, and their two children, Thomas, six, and Elsie, three. My earliest memories I used to live in Canada as a kid and I remember seeing a grizzly bear in our back garden. I was stood on the balcony but I didn't scream, I just stared as it sniffed around. My rise to fame When my acting career eventually took off, I went into theatre, then films, and after that I landed a role in BBC sitcom My Family. In the early years I hardly made any money, but it was enough to keep trying! Within two years I went from being unable to pay my rent to being flown to the Toronto Film Festival. Acting is the best job in…

SUSAN QUILLIAM is a relationships expert specialising in love and sex. She is the author of 22 books, including the rewrite of The Joy of Sex. She is our expert commentator on the effects that affairs can have on everyone involved on p64. What’s your guilty pleasure? I love a well-crafted crime novel – but it has to be one that ends with the good guys winning and the bad guys getting their just desserts. The guilt comes because these novels are escapist; the pleasure through engaging with a demanding puzzle that has a reasonably happy ending. LUCY WINKETT is Rector of St James’s Church Piccadilly. She was one of the first generation of women to be ordained in the Church of England. She speaks on interfaith, gender and political…

SHE SAID IT: ‘You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it’ Edith Head, Hollywood costume designer ✢ Turn to page 40 to follow the style evolution of some of the world’s most famous and powerful women WHAT YOU TOLD US… I’ve not read a book by Veronica Henry that I didn’t like, and this one is amazing. A good storyline with believable, engaging characters... I loved the rural setting and the cider making – totally recommended and raising a glass or two of cider to A Home from Home. Yvonne Morgan ✢ Let us know what you’ve been reading on our Reading Room FB page womanandhome…

GOK OF AGES Stylist Gok Wan has teamed up with shopping channel QVC. His debut collection WULI:LUU, which translates to ‘my unexplained’ in Vietnamese, ‘is my take on classic wardrobe pieces that flatter women and help them feel their best,’ he says. From £28, sizes 10-22, QVCUK.com TIME TO SPARKLE To celebrate 60 years in business, footwear favourite Hotter has launched its limited-edition anniversary collection. And to celebrate this diamond milestone, the shoes are of course sparkly! Create your own bespoke pair embellished with Swarovski crystals – you’ll look dazzling. £120 each, Hotter DISCOVERING HARPENNE Brand new from the team behind River Island is this fantastic collection aimed at 40-plus women. The range includes 120 pieces featuring unique prints and colours designed to flatter all skin tones. We’re in! From…

‘Top of my bucket list is for one of my scripts to be made into a TV show’ What is your first memory of acting? My former drama teacher Susan Ford encouraging me and saying ‘well done’ made all the difference. She is the only reason I’m an actress. It wasn’t even because I was good – it was because she said I was good. Do you have a plan B? My father was an entrepreneur, my mum had a shop, and my great-great-grandparents had a department store on Oxford Street that burned down, so my roots are in retail. I’d like a ‘lifestyle store’, like the ones in Australia that sell a bit of everything. What’s your biggest achievement? Beyond my children and my marriage, it’s the three cookbooks…

Understandably, Anna feels blamed by society. Yet like her partners, she only wanted love – and unlike them, she wasn’t breaking any vows. Was she naive to expect her first lover would choose her? Yes. Had he been going to leave his ‘rock’, he would have done so sooner. The likelihood of a lover leaving their main relationship often declines with every month the affair continues. Was she wrong to end it with her second lover? No. As she suspected, it wouldn’t have been a ‘straightforward love story’ but would have taken time and effort for her lover to become free – if he ever was. If you’ve fallen for a partnered man, don’t… ✢ Get seduced. Affairs feel exciting – because of the secrecy and because your lover knows…

STYLISH friends Simply beautiful buys you’ll want to give and receive BEAUTY lovers Gorgeous pampering gifts for glamorous girls HOME birds Help them create the perfect place to relax TASTE makers Foodies will adore these fabulous flavours and fun ideas MALE order Treat the men in your life to something special LITTLE ones The best toys and games to keep the kids entertained TRENDY teens There’s sure to be something here for the hard-to-please! STOCKING fillers Fun for all the family – for under £20…

We’ve been listening to your comments about how you’d like to see more women like you in our magazines, and we want to change the way women are portrayed – but we can’t do this without your help. If you’d like to be styled by our experts for our fashion pages, or model the most wearable make-up and hairstyles, then send us some pictures today. Help us to empower women through our pages and make a real difference, stop being invisible and get noticed for all the right reasons! Get involved now! LINDA DAVISON, 72 My name is Linda and I’m 72 years young. I work for Boots three days a week as a customer sales advisor, which I love. I have a twin sister – we are very close…

ACE YOUR BASE If you’re after a foundation upgrade, then invest in Clarins Everlasting Youth Fluid SPF 15, £35. It’s a fantastic combination of make-up and skincare concentrated into a radiance- and youth-boosting foundation. Or try No7 Protect & Perfect Advanced All in One Foundation SPF 50+, £17, which packs wrinkle-busting benefits into a flawless-finish foundation. THIS NOVEMBER… I’VE BEEN TRYING OUT CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser, £12, which gently removes make-up and exfoliates without dryness. PROTECTING my skin with Elizabeth Arden Great 8 Eight Hour Daily Defense Moisturizer, £36, with SPF 35 – and it shields from pollution too. NOURISHING dry areas with Garnier Body Intensive  7 Days Softening Lotion, £5.25. SPRITZING Bulgari Parfums Splendida Tubereuse Mystique 50ml, £73. It’s warm, powdery and sexy. 3 NEW BOOSTING HAIR MOUSSES ✢…

1 Dryness Firstly, ensure it isn’t dehydration in disguise. Dry is a skin type that naturally lacks oil but dehydrated skin lacks water, which can happen to anyone. If you’ve suddenly noticed tightness or your skin drinking your make-up, you may be parched. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is the top hydrator, especially in products with several weights to hold water at various layers of the skin. No7 Laboratories Hydrating Skin Paste, £18, and Avon Anti-Wrinkle Plumping Concentrate, £15, both pack in three HA weights. If you’re naturally oily but dehydrated, L’Occitane Immortelle Precious Essential Water, £19, has HA and rosewater in a light texture. Face oils can juice up dry skin, just make sure it’s non-comedogenic (not pore clogging), like Garden Of Wisdom 100% Pure Squalane Oil, £9. Aurelia Balance &…

They may be one of the smallest parts of our bodies – in fact, they contain the smallest bone in the human skeleton – the stapes – but they’re one of the most important organs. Our ears provide us with one of the five crucial senses: our hearing, which helps us socialise, work and communicate, and even warns us about potential dangers. We’d simply be lost without it. Sadly, losing your hearing is a reality for an increasing number of people. According to Action on Hearing Loss, there are now 11 million people living with reduced hearing in the UK – that’s around one-sixth of the population. And by 2035, this is expected to soar to 15.6 million. It’s not just a ‘granny’ condition. Hearing problems are already more common…

0-6 Hormones are to blame Steadily been putting on weight? Your hormones have changed, but your eating habits haven’t. Thanks to the menopause, women need 100-200 calories less per day compared with before. ‘Weight can increase as your body tries to compensate for lower oestrogen levels in order to protect your bone health,’ says Dr Glenville. If you’ve been eating the same way for 20 years, cut down portion sizes. Beat bloating by swapping white bread, rice and pasta for wholegrains and vegetables, plus drink plenty of water. Walking, aerobics, jogging, swimming or skipping can be beneficial, but you need to aim for 150 minutes a week. 712 You have a bad relationship with food You may think you’re being clever, but fasting during the day, skipping meals or following…

WHAT’S IN SEASON With pumpkins, squash, sprouts and dark winter veggies coming in, now is the time to batch-cook hearty, vitamin-packed suppers with kale, mushrooms and chestnuts. Clams, monkfish and mackerel are ripe for seafood lovers, or game is also at its peak. TRUFFLE SHUFFLE The height of decadence, truffles are having a high street moment! Award-winning producer Godminster has launched a gourmet organic Black Truffle Cheddar, which contains Black Truffles collected by a real hunter and hound. Only on sale until the end of December, £7.50, Waitrose, Ocado, Selfridges and godminster.com Meanwhile, M&S is going truffle heavy too. We love their new Truffle Oil, glorious on mac and cheese, or chips. £5 for 100ml HEALTHY HONEY Odysea’s Pine & Fir Tree Honey officially has the lowest levels of sugar…

AUTUMN RED Summer’s gone indeed, but autumn’s here – so what better time than now to cosy up with this luxurious berry-laden medium red from the Loire Valley? It pairs beautifully with charcuterie and seasonal mushrooms for just under a tenner. Les Nivières, AOP Saumur 2017, £9.49, Ocado AFFORDABLE FIZZ This elegant-looking sparkling rosé is bright and refreshing but with festive flavours like redcurrant and citrus just poking through. Perfect with lighter fish or chicken dishes, and an excellent wine to kick off any dinner parties at this value. McGuigan Black Label Sparkling Rosé, £7.50, Sainsbury’s SAINTLY BEER This delicious, biscuity beer just happens to be alcohol-free. The simple recipe combines four natural ingredients: pilsner malt, hops, Bavarian spring water and single-use yeast. Suitable for vegans and contains just 53…

BOOK OF THE MONTH Gone by Leona Deakin (Black Swan) A dark, psychological story that questions the nature and position of psychopaths in society. Dr Augusta Bloom is a private detective, drawn into a complex game. People are missing, but there’s no evidence of abduction, so what, or who, is the cause of the sudden disappearances? Clever and well plotted, this is a true original that will stay with you long after its chilling close. LOVE AND LOSS Akin by Emma Donoghue (Pan Macmillan) Professor Noah Selvaggio is about to embark on a trip to Nice to uncover his mother’s wartime secrets, when he receives a call from social services, asking him to look after his great-nephew, Michael. In a mesmerising read, we follow this rather odd couple…

Gold Digger Wealthy 60-year-old Julia Day, played by Julia Ormond, falls in love with Benjamin (Westworld’s Ben Barnes), 25 years her junior. The affair rocks Julia’s already damaged family in this twisty/turny six-part drama, but is Benjamin really the gold digger they think he is? BBC One Catherine the Great Helen Mirren plays Empress Catherine, who ruled Russia during the 18th century, in this lavish new historical drama. The opulent four-parter follows the latter years of Catherine the Great’s reign. Sky Atlantic The Light Sarah Lancashire plays the wife of a local politician (Mark Lewis Jones) in this four-parter set in a Welsh town that suffers a major disaster at a regeneration project. Channel 4 The Wall EastEnders star Danny Dyer is now hosting this all-action game show, with teams…

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Get ready for glitter, huge heels and shimmying around as RuPaul brings the award-winning drag competition from the US. BBC Three Online Living With Yourself Paul Rudd plays Miles whose marriage to Kate (Aisling Bea) is on the rocks. When he tries a new treatment, he leaps at the chance for a quick fix, but it’s not really the answer…. Netflix Modern Love This romcom anthology series is adapted from a New York  Times column and explores love in its ever-complicated ways. It has a stellar cast too, with the likes of Tina Fey and Anne Hathaway. Amazon Prime Video…

Star sign of the month SCORPIO 24 OCTOBER – 22 NOVEMBER  Mercury messes about in Scorpio before the 21st so question every assumption. From the 19th, though, you feel you’re back in control. YOUR MONTHS AHEAD  Unpredictable Uranus influencing close relationships brings surprises. Your single best friend falls in love and moves to Australia. Your partner takes up skydiving. That kind of thing. Call 0905 789 4157* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates. SAGITTARIUS 23 NOVEMBER – 22 DECEMBER Good-luck planet Jupiter has been onside all year for you. Time to harvest opportunities, especially after the 22nd. November birthdays see a 12-year high. Call 0905 789 4158* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates. CAPRICORN 23 DECEMBER – 19 JANUARY Next month things lighten up, but for now, keep…

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CATHERINE WESTWOOD EXECUTIVE EDITOR Miranda McMinn GROUP LIFESTYLE DIRECTOR Geoffrey Palmer GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR David Dowding ACTING ART DIRECTOR David Graham GROUP CHIEF SUB EDITOR Emma Badger LIFESTYLE DIRECTOR Jayne Marsden FASHION DIRECTOR Paula Moore FASHION EDITOR Hannah Hughes DEPUTY FASHION EDITOR Eloisa Johnson SENIOR FASHION WRITER Millie Gooch SENIOR FASHION STYLIST Becky Joiner-O’Riordan GROUP BEAUTY DIRECTORS Charley Williams-Howitt and Sarah Cooper-White BEAUTY EDITORS Fiona McKim and Stephanie Maylor ACTING BEAUTY EDITOR Jessica Beech FEATURES DIRECTOR Jane Kemp FEATURES EDITOR Sharon Sweeney TRAVEL EDITOR Helena Cartwright BOOKS AND FICTION EDITORS Emma Shacklock and Zoe West CELEBRITY DIRECTOR Jack White DEPUTY CELEBRITY DIRECTOR Robyn Morris CELEBRITY FEATURES EDITOR Hayley Minn SENIOR CELEBRITY WRITER Selina Maycock CELEBRITY WRITER Georgia Farquharson HEALTH & FITNESS EDITOR Lucy Gornall SENIOR HEALTH WRITER Faye M…

With a successful career spanning more than four decades, you might expect Dame Helen Mirren to be a bit of a diva. After all, she’s a woman who’s won an Oscar, a BAFTA and a Golden Globe among her many accolades, but in person she’s warm, friendly and down to earth. However there’s no denying Helen, 74, commands attention when she speaks. When discussing her latest role as Russian empress Catherine the Great, she’s not afraid to set us straight about the fascinating royal when we suggest Catherine was distracted by men. ‘No,’ Helen interrupts. ‘That’s wrong. She doesn’t allow her head to be turned. She has relationships, she uses sex for pleasure, but her head is never turned.’ Helen admits she did extensive research to get into character. ‘You…

DENIM DELUXE The denim jacket is the cover-up that works no matter the season. For now, layer over an argyle knit and double up with white wash jeans. Tick off the animal print trend with a sleek accessory. LAYER UP Sophisticated separates will transform everyday outfits. A pleated skirt looks effortlessly glam, day or night. For day, wear with a soft jumper and a classic camel coat. Flash a checked blazer underneath for extra style points. DRESS SENSE Clever layering can make a summer dress work even harder for you. Add an oversized knit over the top to wear it as a midi skirt too. Chunky hiker boots are practical and on trend – what’s not to like? CHECKMATE Bold checks were all over the catwalks for autumn/winter. Pair a…

Recently I had lunch with a friend aged 41 – more than a decade younger than myself. ‘I’m having a massive midlife crisis,’ she declared, sucking manically on a cigarette. ‘I’ve separated from my husband, which has been awful, but I’ve met a new man, which is great. I’ve got a personal trainer and lost two stone, and a book deal, which has to be delivered in four months!’ ‘Blimey, how exhausting,’ I said. ‘Never mind, you’ll be fine when you get past 50.’ She snorted on the green juice that she was now sucking up, presumably to carbon-offset the fag, assuming I was joking – but I was deadly serious. On paper my life looks awful: full-on job, three children to juggle, the only child of a mum with…

It’s not my plan to spend Mum’s last days with her. When I receive the call from her care home to say she is declining, I fling an overnight bag together and leg it to the station. Her home is in Lanark, an hour by train from Glasgow, where I live with my husband Jimmy (our three grown-up children have left home). I spend the journey willing her to hang on. My mum, Margery, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s six years ago. At the time, we lived in Biggar, South Lanarkshire, and Mum was just up the road, alone in a house of her own. She and my dad divorced 30 years ago, and her second husband had passed away. As she became more confused, we muddled along as best as…

THE WIFE’S STORY ‘I didn’t want to throw away 26 years of my life’ Harriet*, 50, was married to Mark* for more than 20 years and they have two teenage children. I’d been married for 22 years when I discovered my husband had had an affair. He’d been a charming, attentive man when I first met him, aged 22. We were married two-and-a-half years later, and went on to have two beautiful children. At the beginning, we laughed together and had fun. But our relationship was very up and down over the years, punctuated by arguments. In later years, we barely had anything to say to each other, let alone any kind of physical relationship. Even so, when I found out about his affair, in 2017, it was still a…

EVER READ ABOUT someone losing money to a scam and thought, ‘How were they daft enough to fall for that?’ We hear so much about scams these days that it’s easy to think we’re wise to all the tricks, but as our financial lives become increasingly complex, and so much of our spending is online, it’s getting ever easier to be tricked. Action Fraud received over 275,000 reports last year, which is thought to be the tip of the iceberg, as many scam victims keep quiet, through embarrassment or because they think there’s no point. The losses can be devastating: pension pots representing a lifetime’s savings, deposits for a new home running into thousands. But it is possible to beat the scammers, if you know how to protect yourself. SCAM…

Colour. Most of us love it. Yet, when it comes to getting dressed, many of us are afraid of going too bold. Which shades do and don’t suit us? What does or doesn’t go with what? Let’s deal with the second bit first. The easiest way to start – like as not you are doing it already – is to sport a single colourful item per outfit, and keep the rest of your ensemble dialled down. Approach number two, wear multiple separates in the same shade, or in versions of the same shade. The fashion pack calls it tone-on-tone. I call it so-much-fun – and so will you, once you have got your head around it. Approach number three. Google the colour wheel, and pair shades that are opposite each…

Geometric print Jane Gooch, 61, lives in Kent and works as a pre-school manager. This coat is reversible! See it worn on page 97. The jumpsuit Jane Callas, 63, lives in Worcestershire and is a retired pharmacist. Avoid tying fabric belts in a bow as they add excess bulk. A loose knot is more flattering and looks more modern. Animal print Mary Botibol, 86, lives in Surrey and is a retired antiques dealer. A cropped jacket is perfect for petites as it balances your proportions. Leather Victoria Hughes, 64, lives in Surrey and works as an interior designer. Treat khaki as a neutral. It mixes beautifully with bright shades of colour.…

The blow-dry It’s as inclusive as a style can get and easily one of the most popular looks ever. All you need to know is the type of finish you want. Maybe it’s coaxing your strands to look smooth and glossy, or sweeping your hair to one side without an obvious parting, for an easy-breezy vibe. Whatever your preference, achieving a great blow-dry at home is achievable. ‘Yes, it’s about how it is finished and executed, but it’s also about how the hair is prepared,’ says celebrity hairdresser Errol Douglas. Like foundation for the face, creating a good hair base with a heat protectant styler sets you up for a great finish. ✢ After misting TRESemmé Heat Defence Spray, £3.67, through damp hair, blow-dry roughly until about 80% dry. ✢…

1 HAIR Percy & Reed Wonder Balm, £18 I have fine, limp hair that normally gets worse the more product I use, but Percy & Reed made me fall back in love with serums. I use their Wonder Balm and Wonder Treatment Oil, and my at-home blow-dry can last for up to five days. 2 LIPS Nude by Nature Moisture Shine Lipstick in Nude, £20 Good ingredients are key to lip products for me, especially ones that will condition and add moisture. There’s lots of make-up that will work for a short period of time but this lipstick delivers in bad weather and real life. 3 SCENT Aromatherapy Associates Ultimate Bath & Shower Oil Collection, £65 I treasure my oils and switch my scent depending on my mood. It feels…

Nikki Magrath’s life changed entirely when her hearing disappeared overnight. ‘I had childhood conductive hearing loss, which left me virtually deaf in one ear. I managed for 40 years, until in July 2000 I woke up to find I was totally deaf in my good, hearing ear, leaving me with just 25% hearing in my already deafened ear. ‘After a full investigation three weeks later, I was diagnosed with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL). But because of the delay, it was too late to treat and I was left with permanent hearing loss in that ear. In 2016, I was struck by it again, leaving me completely deaf. I was terrified. This time, though, audiologists Aston Hearing were able to help me immediately, which meant my latest hearing loss was…

Think it’s trickier now to stay slim than it was in your twenties? Sadly, you’re right. But the good news is, you can still turn things around if you discover what’s derailing your diet. ‘Yes, it’s harder to lose weight after 50,’ says nutritionist Dr Marilyn Glenville, author of Natural Alternatives to Dieting (Natural Health Publications). ‘As we get older we naturally lose muscle, which makes it harder to burn fat – and this causes our metabolism to slow down.’ So, with maintaining a healthy weight also essential for lowering your risk of arthritis, heart disease and diabetes, take our quiz to find out what’s secretly stopping you from slimming.…

NEED TO KNOW Still not got round to writing a will? You’re not alone. More than half (54%) of UK adults don’t have a will, according to Royal London. However, a will saves stress and hassle for your family at a difficult time. It’s vital if you have kids or people who depend on you financially, and can also cut any inheritance tax bill. So seize the chance of Free Wills Month during October or Will Aid during November. With Free Wills Month, people over 55 can get a will written by a solicitor for free, although you’ll be encouraged to include a donation to charity in your will. Register for a reminder at freewillsmonth.org.uk Alternatively, anyone can get a simple will written by a solicitor with Will Aid in…

Easiest-ever squash and cheese soufflé These twice-baked numbers are incredibly rich and easy to make. Serves 6 • Ready in 1 hr 40 mins, plus cooling 1 butternut squash, peeled and diced 1tbsp olive oil 80g butter, plus extra for greasing 10g fresh breadcrumbs 75g plain flour 250ml whole milk 80g half Parmesan, half Cheddar mix, finely grated 4 eggs, separated for the pickled red onion: 1 red onion, finely sliced 2tbsp red wine vinegar 1tsp caster sugar to serve: 150ml double cream 2tsp thyme leaves 40g Parmesan cheese, grated you will need: 6 x 9cm diameter ramekin dishes 1 Heat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. Toss the squash in the oil and roast for 40 mins. When cool, blitz into a purée. Weigh out 300g of purée and set aside.…

✢ WINNING GIN This handsome festive-looking gin is a surprise hit from Aldi, and amazing value. Winning the highest distinction at The Spirits Business’ Gin Masters awards earlier this year, it beat stiff competition from bottles costing up to two times the price. Greyson’s Seville Orange & Persian Lime Gin, £14.99, Aldi ✢ FEELING LUCKY? Imagine if your bottle came with a £10k diamond. The dream! Jeweller Nicholas Wylde has teamed up with the Bath Distillery to give away a 1ct Wylde Flower Diamond. To win, you must buy any 70cl bottle of Bath Gin to find the lucky ticket number hidden under the cap*. Bath Gin, from £34.50, thebathgincompany.co.uk ✢ A TASTE OF SPAIN Distilled from olives, thyme, rosemary and basil, this elegant Mediterranean-inspired gin keeps winning all the…

✢ Embrace traditional prints on wallpaper and upholstery but play with scale. ✢ Use mirrors that reflect the traditional style of windows, and fill your interior with plenty of natural light. ✢ Cosy up bedrooms by layering knitted blankets and oversized, plump pillows onto beds. ✢ Pick quirky accessories that add character and charm to your home when displayed on open shelving.…

Queen of crime Martina Cole’s latest novel, No Mercy (Headline), is a chilling tale of ruthlessness and loyalty as one family fights to keep their place at the top. From the beginning I have always preferred to write through the night. It’s quiet with fewer distractions. You have to be in the mood, but when I am on a roll I can easily write for 12 hours or more. Some commitments can be in the diary months in advance, so these have to be honoured, no matter where I am with the book! Writing from home means I’m lucky enough to see my family more regularly than leaving home for a conventional 9-to-5 job, so it helps me maintain a good balance between writing and spending time with my loved…

My all-time favourite book National Velvet by Enid Bagnold When I was a child I loved it because it was a story about a weedy girl who wins a race on a horse with whom she has a perfect relationship. Now I look at it and I see it’s about two women with extraordinary agency, loving each other in a really unsentimental way, and facilitating each other’s dreams. What I’m reading at the moment Three Women by Lisa Taddeo It is a non-fiction, eight-year journalistic exercise, charting the desires of three very different women involved in very different relationships. It’s about how we form our sexuality and the cultures we grow up in – it’s honest, terrifying and fascinating, and it changes the way you think…

✢ Don’t miss Birmingham Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker at the Birmingham Hippodrome, 22 Nov-14 Dec; and London’s Royal Albert Hall, 28-31 Dec, brb.org.uk ✢ There’ll be laughs aplenty with Mischief Theatre’s Magic Goes Wrong, created with Penn & Teller. At London’s Vaudeville Theatre, 14 Dec-15 Mar, nimaxtheatres.com ✢ Women of the World features three days of world-class talks and shows exploring issues that matter to women and girls. 6-8 Mar, southbankcentre.co.uk…

I’m standing at the very top of one of the spindly towers of Barcelona’s dramatic basilica, the Sagrada Familia. The city stretches out below me, the Mediterranean sparkling in the distance. I can just see our ship, Viking Star, in the port. Two things strike me. First, my partner and I have just walked up to the ticket desk and swanned straight into Barcelona’s most visited attraction; last summer, we’d tried to do the same but the wait was five hours. Second, Viking Star is the only cruise ship in what’s normally one of the Mediterranean’s busiest ports. ‘I gazed out at the steely sky, feeling warm and toasty’ It’s early December and I’m trying a week-long, low-season Mediterranean cruise. Winter cruising in Europe is a relatively new phenomenon but…