Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2020 i Woman & Home

Are you ready for spring? I know I am. In fact I’m ready for a fresh start all round. It’s about this time of year I emerge from my mental hibernation and start tidying in advance of early spring-cleaning. After the deluge of Christmas gifts and both daughters’ birthdays, we are often drowning in a sea of ‘stuff’ by the end of January. This always leads to a good clear-out and endless donations to charity shops, which is both beneficial to us and the good causes. We’ve also been doing some cosmetic work on our house over the winter, and I’m hoping by the time you read this I‘ll have unpacked all the boxes we have been living out of for what seems like a year, but which is, in…

Cut out packaging by swapping plastic soap bottles for a natural bar. Bia Cold Pressed Invigorating Soap, £17, codexbeauty.com 1. Zero waste wonder 2. Be planet friendly A plastic toothbrush takes 1,000 years to decompose, so try one with a biodegradable handle. Georganics Natural Beech Toothbrush, £4.40, georganics.com 3. For natural radiance These organic ingredients are tested on humans, not animals. Herbivore Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum, £45, cultbeauty.co.uk 4. Kind to all Protect hair with this vegan, cruelty-free blow-dry lotion in environmentally friendly packaging. FFØR Free From Blow: By Blow Styling Crème, £18, fforhair.com 5. Sustainable pampering Bramley products contain 100% natural, biodegradable ingredients, while the packaging is made from recyclable plastic that uses sugar cane not petroleum. Bramley Body Lotion, from £4, bramleyproducts.co.uk 6. A clean fragrance We…

1 Get up as soon as your alarm rings – no more snooze button. 2 If you’re feeling overwhelmed, write on a sticky note, ‘The most important thing to achieve today is…’ and fill it in. 3 Make your bed before leaving the house in the morning. 4 When putting on your underwear, stretch down and try to touch your toes. 5 After finishing lunch, walk around the house or office at least once. 6 When you turn off your computer for the day, give your desk a quick tidy-up. 7 Before breaking from any task, write down the first thing you’ll do when you resume it. 8 Every time you wash your hands, take three deep breaths. 9 Whenever you buckle your seat belt, press play on your audiobook.…

Spring is traditionally the season for new beginnings; it’s when flowers uncurl themselves out of the damp ground and it feels like the world is waking up after its long, dark sleep. The clocks leap forward and suddenly you want to get out of bed and try something new! If it’s good enough for nature it’s good enough for us, right? The difference between us and the rest of the natural world is that we can choose our own spring. We don’t have to wait for the sun or season to make changes to things that aren’t working for us any more. We can do it whenever we want. We could do it right now if we really wanted to. Deep down, we all know what that something is that…

Had you not become an actor, did you have a plan B? I didn’t want to do the same thing as my family, so acting was my plan Z! My plan A at university was to use my English degree to become a writer or teacher – I loved reading books and writing, so I thought something would come of that. Then Pride and Prejudice took me down a path I wasn’t expecting. I hope to go back to plan A at some point. What are you passionate about? Work has been a big thing for me. Whether that’s because my parents brought me up with a good work ethic, I don’t know. The other thing that makes me happy is having a simple life at home with Rose. What’s…

In the early spring of 2006, I was trudging along the Edinburgh pavements in harsh sunshine, with my newborn daughter asleep in her pram. The cherry trees were in bloom and the sun was emerging again after a long winter. My gait had become ungainly in recent months; I often stumbled and waddled slightly, which I’d put down to my recent pregnancy. As I pushed the pram along, I spotted another woman about the same age as me, smartly dressed and standing alone outside one of the shops. The woman smiled at me. I felt grateful for the contact with another adult, especially someone who seemed – given the understanding look in her eyes – to be a mother herself. We started to exchange pleasantries. I couldn’t quite place her.…

Remember The Golden Girls? That iconic US sitcom from the 1980s where four women in later life shared a Florida flat – alongside friendship, heart-warming storylines and blistering one-liners? Turns out they were ahead of their time. These days, flatmates aren’t just for university. Increasing numbers of midlife women are choosing to share a fridge and the TV remote without sharing a bed or DNA. SpareRoom, Britain’s largest flat-sharing website, reports a 700% rise over the past decade for women aged 45-54 looking for a flatmate. ‘The older groups aren’t the largest groups but they are by far the fastest growing,’ says Miriam Tierney from the company. Who wouldn’t relish a 24/7 opportunity to share woes, an Earl Grey and Hobnobs with their best buddy? Or in Maureen Lipman’s case,…

Move over leopard, there’s a new print in town! Snakeskin is set to be big news this spring, but if you don’t fancy a head-to-toe look, try adding a python accent to your outfit by experimenting with accessories. From luxe-looking boots to chic totes and clutch bags, any of these pieces will instantly add interest to your outfit. Pair your snakeskin with neutral shades for an expensive designer look, but at brilliant high-street prices.…

FLORAL FANCY Deborah, 57, lives in Tyne and Wear and works as a PA. A dusty pink suede biker jacket gives a soft, smarter feel than leather. POLKA PRETTY Libby, 29, lives in London and works as a customer service manager for British Airways. COOL CULOTTES Meikle Hope, 78, lives in the West Midlands and is an ex-retail consultant. ASYMMETRIC STYLE Nayna, 57, lives in South Oxfordshire. She is the founder and CEO of womens wear label Hope Fashion – named after her mum!…

1 A roll-on perfume oil applied to pulse points lingers longer than a fine spritz and has a stronger aroma too. Malin + Goetz Cannabis Perfume Oil, £40, blends hot peppery notes with fresh citrus and grounding sandalwood. 2 Layering scents is a lovely idea, but can prove tricky if you don’t know which ones to mix. Chanel’s limited-edition Chance Perfume Pencils, £65, are made up of four complementary reinventions of their classic Chance fragrance. Apply one to start your day and refresh with another later. 3 Instead of spraying perfume onto your skin, try misting yourself with Jo Malone Velvet Rose & Oud Hair Mist, £46. Hair is naturally more porous than skin and retains fragrance better, so your scent is released gently over time. 4 Intensify your fragrance…

If you try one thing this month CHALLENGE YOURSELF Annie Deadman (@anniedeadman), personal trainer, author and creator of health programme, The 21 Day Blast Plan (theblastplan.com), says: We’re emerging from a dark winter and if your exercise regime has been hibernating a little, now’s a great time to dust it off. To get motivated, think about booking an event – maybe a long-distance hike, a running race or a swim. Pair up with a mate or go it alone, stick your headphones in and stride out. Training with a goal in mind gives you focus and is good for the soul, as well as mental and emotional health. Work on your bones and muscles too. That means some weight-bearing exercise (walking, jogging, anything on your feet, basically!), as well as…

MYTH ‘Once the cancer has gone, reconstruction is simple’ One of the hardest elements of the reconstruction process is timing, says Victoria. ‘Being told you have breast cancer is difficult enough, but then having to think about whether chemotherapy and radiotherapy are advisable, as well as what type of reconstruction to have, can be very stressful.’ However, there are no right or wrong decisions. ‘Everything needs to be tailored to the woman at that specific time,’ she explains. ‘The rush is to remove the cancer and if reconstruction needs to wait, the outcome can still be exceptionally good – they just take a little longer to attain.’ MYTH ‘Your breasts will look worse than they did before’ ‘The results that can be achieved by autologous reconstruction are incredible…

t least half of us are tempted by unhealthy snacks twice a day or more*, which is why our snacking habits could be scuppering our weight loss goals. In fact, 27% of women say they nibble even if they’re not feeling particularly hungry, with a third saying they turn to unhealthier options when they are bored. Sound familiar? Here’s how you can get on top of it. TRY THE 3:2:1 FORMULA If you find yourself picking at food throughout the entire day, adopting a snacking structure can help avoid overeating. ‘The formula helps people make better choices throughout the day by highlighting the recommended size and frequency of top-ups in-between meals,’ say Graze’s head of health and nutrition, Eleanor Freeman. The method includes: ✢ Three balanced meals (including breakfast) ✢…

Weird as it may sound, this is true. Warts, which are called verrucas when they grow into the soles of the feet, can be a pest. They look ugly and can hurt if they are on a pressure area. They are caused by certain strains of the HPV virus, and though around 70% of them eventually disappear in around two years, many people want to get rid of them sooner than this. Options include caustic paints containing acid, available from chemists, or freezing with liquid nitrogen. A recent study though has shown that covering the offending lesion with duct tape can be just as good. Cut a piece of tape to just cover the wart, stick it on and leave it for six days. If it falls off, put a…

CHOOSE PIECES WITH DUAL PURPOSE Store extra cushions, throws or even books, magazines and board games inside this fabric coffee table. The top comes up to reveal a large storage space inside, and its circular shape will take up less space in your living room than a rectangular or square option. Fulton fabric coffee table, £149; Grayson three-seater sofa, £599; Damien over-the-sofa floor lamp, £79, all Dunelm 1 THE LIVING ROOM HIDE STUFF UNDER THE SOFA Yes, really! The ultimate hiding place for all those CDs and DVDs that you (or he!) can’t bear to part with, this storage sofa can also hold extra bedding for overnight guests. Choose to have the chaise on either the left or right, and cover it in one of 224 different fabrics, to suit…

Can you dig it? This month, the UK’s tree-planting season comes to an end. This has been one of the busiest seasons on record, with organisations across the country determined to get as close as possible to the 50 million new trees needed in order to help meet carbon emission targets. Let’s give it one more push – visit woodlandtrust.org.uk/ bigclimatefightback and heartofenglandforest.com/ get-involved/volunteering ‘Milk’ – sugar warning Beware of the ‘health halo’ of vegan m*lks (as some call non-dairy milk alternatives). A study on takeaway coffees by Action on Sugar found that when sweetened plant-based m*lks are added to drinks, it sends our sugar intake soaring. Ask for unsweetened in coffee shops and seek out the brand you want to become your new fridge hero. Plenish is the UK’s first…

TOUCHING TALE SAVING MISSY by Beth Morrey (£12.99, HarperCollins) In what’s been described as a ‘coming of old’ story, we meet prickly Millicent (Missy). Grieving for her husband, with a son living in Australia and a daughter she hasn’t spoken to for a year, she is lonely. That is until she meets two very different women – along with Bobby the adoring dog – who help her realise it doesn’t have to be that way. Featuring a cast of flawed but lovable characters, this is a story of friendship and having a second chance at life – one to savour.…

‘I realised what things were important to me, and this book felt like one of them’ With film rights already snapped up, and Stephen King calling it extraordinary, Jeanine Cummins’ American Dirt is a stunning story about Lydia and her nine-year-old son Luca’s terrifying journey as they flee cartel violence and attempt to cross the border from Mexico into the US. Jeanine lives in New York with her husband and two daughters. There are so many reasons I wrote this book about a mother and son who find themselves on the run. Firstly, I’m married to an immigrant, and although he’s Irish – and his experience is very different to the people I’m writing about in the book – he was an undocumented person for years and we lived in…

Out to Lunch with Jay Rayner This podcast serves up anecdotes and tasty bites as the famous restaurant critic dines with a big-name guest at a restaurant of his choosing. Guests include actors Alex Kingston and Kathy Burke, and Spice Girl Mel C. Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podtail The Tip Off If you’re gripped by the gritty twists of undercover journalism, you’ll love this. Maeve McClenaghan interviews journalists who reveal how they pursued their biggest stories – from the Windrush Scandal to a murder case in West Cork. Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Podbean AgeSpace A companion to agespace.org, this is invaluable for older people and their families. Each episode gives expert advice on topics like driving or travel in old age, power of attorney, inheritance, NHS Continuing Healthcare and dementia. Apple…

Dance performances There’s just time to catch the Strictly Come Dancing Arena Tour, on until 9 February, returning 7 May; strictlycomedancinglive.com. For gravity-defying hip-hop dance set to Sting’s music, Message in a Bottle is an uplifting story of humanity and hope, 6-21 March at the Peacock Theatre London, 1-4 April at The Lowry Salford, and 8-11 April at Birmingham Hippodrome; sadlerswells.com. In London, celebrated Romanian ballerina Alina Cojocaru will be performing new and classic pieces – including Sir Frederick Ashton’s iconic Marguerite and Armand, 20-23 February; sadlerswell.com. Multi-award-winning contemporary dance troupe BalletBoyz’ all-new show, Deluxe, kicks off a UK tour at the Theatre Royal Glasgow, from 1 March; balletboyz.com. Last but not least, Northern Ballet’s Geisha features two young friends, whose lives are torn apart, 14-21 March at Leeds Grand…

✣ Explore Dubrovnik on a tour led by an expert guide ✣ Marvel at Krka National Park’s interlocking waterfalls ✣ Cross the Stari Most bridge, now returned to its former glory in Mostar, once Europe’s border with the Ottoman Empire ✣ Immerse yourself in the history of Diocletian’s Palace in Split, brought to life by the intimate knowledge of a local guide ✣ Discover the delights of medieval Trogir, an alluring old port ✣ Explore the dramatic Dalmatian Coastline, visiting picturesque Cavtat and a restored watermill ✣ Return flights from a selection of regional airports, plus all hotel transfers ✣ Seven nights four-star hotel accommodation, including all local taxes, with breakfast and dinner ✣ The services of our experienced tour manager throughout…

ARIES 21 MARCH – 20 APRIL March’s last third is eventful. On the 20th, your birthday month starts on a fun note with plans for big pleasure. From the 23rd a development has potential to knock a grumbling issue on the head. Call 0905 789 4150* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates. TAURUS 21 APRIL – 21 MAY After the 5th when your ruler hangs out in Taurus, life takes an upswing. Romance improves and you feel richer in various ways. The 8th brings a surprise. Call 0905 789 4151* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates. GEMINI 22 MAY – 22 JUNE Travel mess-ups before the 10th are frustrating, but any misunderstandings are then cleared up. If you need to forgive someone, it’s easy after the 16th. Call…

Bestselling author ISABEL ALLENDE has written 23 novels – her latest is A Long Petal of the Sea. She has also set up a foundation in memory of her daughter, to support women. On p63, she writes about meeting the Obamas. What makes your dog the perfect companion? I have two dogs, Dulce and Perla. Perla looks like a cross between a bat and a gargoyle – ugly but very smart. I’m definitely closer to dogs than to people – they don’t talk back and they’re forgiving! CHRIS MORLEY lives in Surrey where she horse-rides with her daughter Mia, grows organic veg, and tries to wear out her crazy cross-breed Louis, a seven-year-old Cocker-Collie. She writes for magazines, covering travel, gardening, sustainability and business, and reveals all about gap years…

Can you believe it’s been almost 20 years since Davina McCall presented the first episode of Big Brother? And ever since the controversial hit show catapulted her to household fame in 2000, it’s felt like she’s been part of our extended family. Davina admits after so many years in ‘the biz’ she’s now landed in a very good place, saying, ‘People like Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield probably can’t take the train because they’ll end up getting hounded, but I do, and I just have nice chats with people!’ And, like the British public, the years have also been incredibly kind to Davina, now 52, whose age-defying looks can be attributed to her enviable youthful vigour – and being happy. Happiness is something she places great importance on these days.…

THE MUSICAL SENSATION ‘Every night feels as amazing as the first’ ‘Hamilton portrays people of colour in status roles and it’s an honour to be part of it’ ALLYSON AVA-BROWN, 37, lives in south London with her partner, Mark. She plays Angelica Schuyler in the hit West End musical, Hamilton . It has taken me a long time to believe in my voice. My mum used to playfully tease that she could pick me out of a group by my distinctly husky voice. Other girls were high-pitched, but I thought I sounded like a broken piano with a few keys missing. I loved to sing, but I didn’t think of myself as a singer. I started going to youth theatre in my teens, then secured a place at the Sylvia…

Bestselling author JK Rowling tragically lost her mother to complications connected to MS in 1990, when her mum was just 45. Talking about it on Woman’s Hour , she admitted it brought ‘guilt and worry and anxiety’ into her life. She has subsequently become a generous benefactor to institutions involved with the illness. Last September, she gave a £15.3m donation to the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, a state-of-the-art centre in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, founded in her late mother’s memory.…

Three years ago, Sharon Sweeney invited her long-time friend and former flatmate David Hall to live with her in London. I couldn’t believe my luck. David and I had become friends when we flat-shared in our 20s – and here we were ready to team up again in our 50s – this time admittedly more cocoa than caipirinhas. I’d separated from my husband, and David, who’d uprooted from London and his job to care for his mother until she passed away, was ready to return to the capital. Three years later, it’s still working brilliantly IMHO. Financially, it’s a bonus but most of all I love the company, having someone to chat to, and getting his updates on everything from the latest in politics to RuPaul’s Drag Race. I mainline…

Think big about what you want from life. I come from an immigrant family that had really humble beginnings. My parents came from Kashmir. They left all their family behind and moved to a small town, Long Eaton in Derbyshire. We had absolutely nothing. I shared a bedroom with my sister while my mum and dad slept on a mattress in the living room for 10 years. We lived very modestly, but that didn’t stop me wanting more. Your circumstances shouldn’t stop you from thinking big – you can make your own luck by grabbing opportunities and putting the effort in. Make sacrifices to get to where you want. When I was 16 a lot of my friends went on holiday, but I worked in a factory to pay for…

‘80 people turned up to my first class’ Sarah Goldsack, 52, lives in Godstone, Surrey with her husband Al and three sons. After being diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, she launched inclusive fitness classes, Paracise, in 2017. THE IDEA I’ve worked as a fitness instructor all my life, but I began to get weak on my right side, which made me trip and fall over. I was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy in 2014. I was still teaching 20 classes a week, but in 2016, I ruptured two ligaments in my knee. My consultant said he would operate, but I’d have to give up teaching and might never be able to walk again, which was a terrible shock. After the operation, I was determined to get back on my feet, and exercise…

JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS The effortless midi dress is here to stay! Opt for flattering design features like arm-slimming elbow-length sleeves and leg-lengthening tiered hems. Dress, £89, sizes 8-18, AND/OR at John Lewis & Partners; watch, £115, Paul Hewitt; earrings, £65, Missoma; rings, from £40, all Olivia Burton; boots, £49.99, Zara REISS Invest in a suit this spring and it will provide plenty of options. Wear the blazer with jeans and a T-shirt or the tailored trousers with a billowing blouse to completely transform this classic design. Blazer, £265, trousers, £150, both sizes 4-16, Reiss; earrings, £50, rings, from £40, all Olivia Burton M&S Good news! M&S has launched a range of fabulous fit jeans so there’s something to suit all shapes and sizes. Why not try on-trend double denim…

Every season brings a set of shiny new rules, but like you, I’m not a slave to fashion and I refuse to follow trends religiously. To be honest, all I really want to do is elevate and reinvigorate what I already own. Over the years, I’ve learned accessories are the easiest and most affordable ways to do this – for me they’re the building blocks of every outfit, with the power to transform even the most boring basics. The good news is, there are some exciting new trends shaping the season ahead. The most significant one for me is the return of the giant tote. I’ve spent years downsizing and squeezing everything I own into a small-but-perfectly-formed cross-body bag, but trends now dictate that the oversized version is making a…

1. BEST FOR CREATING A RELAXATION RITUAL Disciple Miracle Drops CBD, from £30, depending on dose Don’t shy away from taking CBD orally – it doesn’t contain the cannabinoid compound THC, meaning there’s no risk of psychoactive effects. Brilliant for warding off low-level anxiety, the earthy, seed-like flavour is an acquired taste, but you could add it to a warm drink instead. Start with a low dose and work up. 2. BEST FOR BOOSTING YOUR COMPLEXION Aurelia Probiotic Skincare CBD Super Serum, £64 CBD is a powerful antioxidant and works well during the day to shield skin from pollution, as well as regulating sebum production to treat acne and breakouts. This serum is lovely and lightweight, perfect for layering under your moisturiser day or night. 3. BEST FOR TONING DOWN…

Hello everyone! When I was asked by woman&home to be their new health and fitness contributor, I did my best to remain calm. You know – dignified, mature and checking my diary to see if I could squeeze them in. I excused myself, went to the loo and shouted ‘Yes, yes, yes’ from inside the cubicle, doing a little dance as I punched the air. I’m chuffed to bits. So here I am and we’re going to tread arm in arm together through the minefield that is midlife, exploring all sorts of different topics. Please don’t think I’m going to preach at you, though. Like every third word I write will be ‘squat’. (I promise we have much more interesting things to chew over.) I’m not just a 50-something personal…

✢ Graze Sweet Chilli Crunch, £4.49 for 4 snacks, graze.com 139 calories per pack A protein powerhouse packed with sweet chilli beans, corn and peas. ✢ Raw Bake Station Crookies, £20 for 10 packs (5 cookies per pack), rawbakestation.co.uk 175 calories per pack Made with oats and nuts, these mini cookies are the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. ✢ Pip & Nut Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups, £1.65, pipandnut.com 102 calories per cup Curb chocolate cravings with a hit of almond butter protein.…

IF IT’S OSTEOARTHRITIS This is a form of arthritis where the cartilage that protects the end of bones inside joints breaks down, so eventually the bones rub against each other. This causes pain and stiffness, and the area may also become inflamed, leading to swelling. Bony growth can also develop at the edge of the joints, leading to deformity. For some sufferers, the symptoms are mild and may come and go, whereas others may experience continuous and severe symptoms, making everyday activities difficult. Almost any joint can be affected by osteoarthritis, but it’s most common in joints that carry the body weight; the lower back, the hips and knees, and also in the small joints of the hands, especially the fingers. The condition can usually be diagnosed with an X-ray.…

Thai-spiced fish with noodles Ready in only 25 mins, this dish is bursting with flavour from the spice mix. You can use almost any white fish for this recipe; we recommend cod or hake. White fish is really great for adding a protein fix, with the added benefit of being low fat. PREP: 10 MINS • COOK: 15 MINS • SERVES 4 • PER SERVING: 340 cals, 41g carbs 4 cod or hake fillets (about 150g each) sea salt low-calorie cooking spray 4 noodle nests (about 200g) 1 red or yellow pepper, deseeded and cut into strips 4 spring onions, trimmed and thinly sliced lengthways 1 medium carrot, peeled and cut into thin strips (julienne) 3tbsp light soy sauce juice of 1 lemon 10g fresh coriander, chopped for the spice mix: 1tsp ground…

Following the success of The Improbability of Love, which won the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for best comic novel, we’re looking forward to Hannah Rothschild’s latest novel, House of Trelawney (£16.99, Bloomsbury). I have a shoebox where I keep random ideas, press cuttings, photographs and mementos, which relate to the subject or themes of a new book. If I get stuck during writing, I empty the box on the floor to reconnect with the original inspiration. As I have a day job, I have to be disciplined at deadline time. Every hour, every minute is used. Luckily I can write anywhere. When starting a new book, I treat it like an illicit love affair and take my computer on assignations to coffee shops and occasionally hotels. I start with characters…

THE WRITER I CAN MOST RELATE TO ACROSS THE WIRE by Luis Alberto Urrea He refers to himself as someone who is ‘culturally bisected’. I find that relatable being from a mixed background myself. By The Lake of Sleeping Children is so good. You open that book, read the first sentence and you’ll cry. ADMIRABLE WRITING STYLE LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA by Gabriel García Márquez Everyone raves about One Hundred Years Of Solitude, but this is my favourite. He writes long, flowery sentences that blow in all different directions, but it’s not confusing. He can pack 50 words in one sentence. This book shows redemption is always possible. No matter how far away from your goal you get, you can always circle back. THE ONE TO LOOK OUT…

Flesh and Blood In this gripping story siblings Helen, Jake and Natalie’s widowed mother falls in love with retired GP Mark. Finding out more about him reveals secrets, lies, rivalries and betrayals. Imelda Staunton and Russell Tovey star. ITV The Pale Horse Agatha Christie’s whodunit follows Mark Easterbrook (Rufus Sewell) as he tries to uncover the mystery of a list of names found in the shoe of a dead woman. Also stars Claire Skinner and Sean Pertwee. BBC1 Last Tango in Halifax The hit drama featuring Alan (Derek Jacobi) and Celia (Anne Reid) returns. It’s seven years into their marriage, but the couple aren’t seeing eye to eye. Nicola Walker, Josh Bolt and Sarah Lancashire also return. BBC1 Intelligence David Schwimmer stars in this six-part sitcom set in the UK’s…

Outlander The time-travel drama returns, with Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan as Claire and Jamie Fraser. This time they’re trying to protect their home during the American Revolution. Amazon Prime Video To all the Boys I’ve Loved Before: PS I still love You Lara Jean (Lana Condor) and Peter’s (Noah Centineo) romance takes an unexpected turn when John (Jordan Fisher) enters their lives… Netflix Locke & Key Prepare to be creeped out by this 10-parter telling the story of three siblings whose father is killed in mysterious circumstances. Mad Men’s Darby Stanchfield and Aled Jones’ daughter Emilia Jones star. Netflix…

✣ Check out the Forest Live gigs in beautiful woodland settings, including one of our all-time favourites, Madness, on 13 June at Westonbirt Arboretum and 20 June at Thetford Forest; forestryengland.uk/music ✣ London’s Wyndham’s Theatre will host the critically acclaimed Sheffield Theatres’ adaptation of Yann Martel’s Life of Pi from 22 June; lifeofpionstage.com ✣ Imelda Staunton will star in the iconic musical Hello, Dolly!, directed by Dominic Cooke. Showing for 30 weeks at London’s Adelphi Theatre from 11 August; hellodollyldn.com…

8 DAYS FROM ONLY £1,199 PER PERSON* Selected departures May to October 2020 Welcome aboard your first-class river cruise ship, your luxury floating hotel for the next seven nights. From the exceptional full-board cuisine to the luxurious cabins and suites, you’ll very soon relax as we journey south from Cologne through the Rhine Valley to magnificent Switzerland. YOUR ITINERARY DAY 1 ARRIVAL IN COLOGNE Fly to Düsseldorf or Cologne, or take the Eurostar to Brussels and transfer by coach to the ship. DAY 2 KOBLENZ Spend the morning at leisure on board, before arriving in Koblenz; explore the city and waterfront. DAY 3 RHINE GORGE AND RUDESHEIM Cruise through the Rhine Gorge before arriving in Rüdesheim, with time to wander its narrow streets. DAY4 SPEYER Unwind on board while cruising…

‘The kitchen is not my natural habitat’ Food for thought – what snack brings you comfort? Steaming risottos, creamy carbonara, truffle mash, fish pie, chocolate cake? Comfort food is nature’s penicillin, curing everything from a broken boiler to a broken heart. My only problem is that I can’t cook. I use my smoke alarm as a timer. The last time I baked was when I fell asleep on a sunbed. Truly, you’re looking at a woman who burns water. Until recently I thought ‘aspic’ was some posh ski resort in the Colorado mountains and ‘blancmange’ the highest point in the Swiss Alps. Isn’t ‘consommé’ the ecstatic cry of French honeymooners? And what the hell is a braise? ‘Braise yourself, darling’ sounds like Australian foreplay. Nope, the kitchen is not my…

POSITIVE STEPS Please thank Diana O’Connor for opening her heart in My First Christmas as a Widow [January]. I’m glad that Diana and Christine are creating something so positive from their situations. Caroline, by email SLIMMING CLUBS We noticed an article on money saving in a recent issue where readers were advised to cancel slimming club memberships at Christmas to take advantage of New Year offers. We believe that to succeed in losing weight members need to be 100% committed. That means there is no benefit to ‘cancelling’ at any point of the year. Our doors to groups are open all year round and we’re proud of our promise to support our members 52 weeks a year! Lucy Fisher, Slimming World CHIC AND CHEERFUL Why do French women think they…

Whether we want to lose weight, reduce stress or find more time away from technology, it’s tempting to set unrealistic goals. We can’t run the London Marathon when we’ve never jogged further than the front gate, and we know we won’t really rise at dawn to meditate for an hour a day. To make good habits last, keep them simple. Focus on the easy and the enjoyable because a healthier, happier life is no more than 30 seconds away. Here are your steps to success. 1 STOP JUDGING To design new behaviours, you first need to stop judging yourself and embrace any mistakes as discoveries. Expert BJ Fogg understands it’s hard, especially if you have perfectionist tendencies, but self-blame is like a sledge slipping down old tracks on a snowy…

Intimacy is a key part of life and getting it right ensures a sense of wellbeing and happiness. Yet a new survey by Boots has revealed that 80% of us Brits are still not confident talking about it. So, if you have an issue, large or small, it’s likely you have no one to confide in. That’s when you could benefit from expert advice. ‘As a society, we don’t learn how to talk openly about sex,’ says Kate. Here, she shares the most common problems discussed in her sessions, and the simple steps to help solve them. 1 Droughts are normal, but don’t have to last forever Can’t recall the last time you made love? In any relationship it’s likely your sex life has dwindled over the years. But you’re…

THE APPLE OF HER EYE The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, it is often said, and one glimpse of Carole Middleton, 65, reveals the source of 38-year-old Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge’s slender elegance. Former air steward Carole combines glamorous grannyhood with running Party Pieces, the Middletons’ hugely successful business, as well as Bucklebury Manor, a grand, but reassuringly ‘normal’ family home. ✢ CAROLE ON CATHERINE: ‘Over the years, it’s proved wise not to say anything.’ How very sensible! ✢ CATHERINE ON CAROLE: She ‘taught me kindness, respect and honesty. I was very lucky growing up.’ WHEN WE LOVED THEM BEST Walking through a muddy field in matching jeans and wellies, clearly enjoying each other’s company as they put the world to rights. IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO TATTOO…

MS is a chronic, inflammatory illness of the central nervous system that damages the brain and spinal cord, interrupting the crucial flow of messages between different parts of the body. ✢ The most common form of the illness is ‘relapsing remitting’. Damage to the nerves is mostly temporary, and sufferers can experience full or partial recovery. ✢ In its rarer ‘primary progressive’ form, patients experience a steady deterioration from the onset. ✢ The illness can affect balance, vision, swallowing, mobility, continence and memory, as well as causing problems with thinking, learning and planning. Fatigue is a common problem. ✢ It affects 2.3 million people around the world, and at least twice as many women as men, though the reason for that remains unclear. It’s virtually unknown in countries around the…

✣ Be upfront with each other. If something’s bothering you, have a chat about it. No one likes to find a note on a pile of dirty crockery saying, ‘Will the dish-washing fairy be doing these?’ ✣ Respect each other’s personal space. It’s not great when someone barges into your room unannounced asking to borrow a hairdryer. ✣ Keep communal areas tidy and clean. Who wants to step over someone’s pants on the bathroom floor? ✣ Have a cleaning rota. If one person has to do it all, resentments lead to tension. ✣ Make your own room into a mini haven. Get a TV or music system so you don’t feel pressured to go out if your flatmate is entertaining, or for when you just need to be on your…

Thrifty trick Treat headaches and other illnesses for less, by ditching big brand medicines and switching to generic versions with identical active ingredients. Own-brand or unbranded medicines can cost a fraction of big brands. For example, 500mg paracetamol caplets might cost £1.69 in an Anadin box, but only 40p as Boots’ own brand, while the same quantity of 200mg ibuprofen caplets cost £2.29 as Nurofen, but only 45p as Value Health Ibuprofen. Under-60s can even save on £9-a-pop prescription medicines if you need two or more a month, by paying upfront. NHS ‘prescription prepayment certificates’ cost £29.10 for three months or £104 for 12 months and allow as many prescriptions as you need. TREAT YOURSELF Here’s your chance to nab free beauty treats for your birthday. If you sign up…

FRESHEN UP FOUNDATION ‘Lighten up your base’ may sound like a spring beauty cliché, but it makes sense. So few of us truly need full coverage – if you have reasonably good skin, try a sheer foundation with heavy-duty concealer where needed. New Sisley Phyto Hydra Teint SPF 15, £78, shows how far tinted moisturisers have come. It has just enough pigment, a radiant finish and the same antioxidants and hydrating botanicals as the brand’s luxurious skincare, which explains the price. More shades would be great, but it’s sheer enough to adapt. Burt’s Bees Goodness Glows Tinted Moisturiser, £14.99, is less advanced on the skincare side but offers similarly comfortable, dewy coverage. If your skin is oily or has a lot of redness, Givenchy Teint Couture City Balm, £43, is…

Working as a dementia support worker means I’m no stranger to unexpected leaks. When the elderly ladies I care for get tearful because they’ve had an accident, I can empathise with their discomfort. My life was controlled by bladder weakness for years, so I know how traumatic it can feel. In fact, things became so bad I was suicidal. I first noticed the problem after having my three children in the 90s. It was also triggered by my asthma, which makes me cough severely. My GP advised pelvic-floor exercises, but they never worked, possibly because I was born with a tilted womb. So I just got on with it, but over the years it got so bad I’d need to change my incontinence pad six times a day. I’d carry…

Q Earlier this winter I had several chest infections, which were treated with amoxycillin. I’m now concerned I will have become resistant to it, so what happens if I get another infection? Most other antibiotics make me feel sick. A Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria are no longer susceptible to the drugs designed to kill them. It does not mean the body has become resistant to an antibiotic, rather it is the bacteria that has changed and become resistant. That doesn’t mean that just because you have had several courses of amoxycillin, it won’t work in the future. It all depends on the bacteria causing the infection. Bacteria are more likely to become resistant to antibiotics the more they are exposed to them, which is why doctors are now trying…

It’s the last hurrah for winter citrus fruits, so now is the perfect time to start making marmalade. Classic Seville oranges hit their peak in mid-January and are bountiful until the end of February. If you fancy something a little different, why not try making unusual marmalades or spiced preserves from leftover clementines and Sicilian ‘Moro’ blood oranges? We recommend blood orange marmalade, made with a dash of leftover-from-Christmas Campari, which is beautifully boozy and bitter. ✣ Need a recipe for marmalade? No problem! Just visit womanandhome.com/recipes/ sevilleorange-marmalade-recipe…

Fruit tartlet Add an elegant Parisian patisserie flair to teatime with these glazed fruit pastries. Makes 12 • Ready in 1 hr, plus chilling and infusing 320g shortcrust pastry 200g frozen or fresh strawberries, raspberries and blueberries 5tbsp low-sugar marmalade mint leaves (optional) for the crème patissière: 300ml semi-skimmed milk 1 vanilla pod 1 egg yolk, plus 1 whole egg 25g Silver Spoon caster sugar with Stevia 25g flour you will need: 12 x 6.5cm diameter tart tins; baking parchment and baking beans; piping bag with a 2cm nozzle 1 Heat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. Roll out the pastry and use to line the tart tins, then place on a baking tray and chill for 10 mins. Line the cases with baking parchment and baking beans, and cook for 10…

POWERFUL WOMEN THE MERCIES by Kiran Millwood Hargrave (£14.99, Pan Macmillan) Inspired by true events, this bewitching novel captures the suspicion that tears a community apart. On Christmas Eve, 1617, the rural Norwegian island of Vardø suffers a tragedy as a sudden storm lays waste to the local men. Eighteen months later, godly Absalom Cornet arrives, determined to stamp out what he sees as female evil. Atmospheric and unforgettable. OVERCOMING ANGER SATURDAYS AT NOON by Rachel Marks (£7.99, Penguin) Sometimes a book comes along that really does make you think, and this story of two individuals who end up at an anger management class together does just that. Emily (who is on self-destruct) and Jake (who is hoping to save his marriage and relationship with son, Alfie) both…

THE GUEST LIST by Lucy Foley (£12.99, HarperCollins) As friends arrive on a remote island for a wedding, past grudges and hidden jealousies abound when a guest is found dead. A WINDOW BREAKS by C.M. Ewan (£7.99, Pan Macmillan) Out in the Scottish wilderness, a family dealing with grief for a lost son will do everything they can to protect themselves. THE MEMORY WOOD by Sam Lloyd (£12.99, Transworld) When Elijah comes across Elissa, kept captive in the memory woods, he refuses to alert the police. A truly chilling story. THE ALIBI GIRL by C J Skuse (£7.99, HarperCollins) With an alibi for every situation, no one knows who Joanne Haynes really is. That is, until someone gets too close… SIX WICKED REASONS by Jo…

Will’s frown and his finger tapping on the airport trolley told Lorna her husband was quietly fuming. They were the last passengers at the baggage carousel and his case had not appeared. After half an hour of queuing to report the loss, they left the arrivals hall to discover they had missed their hotel pick-up. ‘We shouldn’t have come,’ Will snapped over his shoulder on their way to the taxi rank. But of course they should. Their three children had clubbed together to give them this week in Tenerife as a 25th anniversary present. They had no idea their parents’ marriage was close to imploding. Full of regret, Lorna stared at Will’s tense, angry back. She couldn’t believe she’d been so stupid. Why on earth did I do it? she…

THIS MONTH YOU’LL FIND ME… Watching Watchmen – based on the graphic novel. I’m a big fan of the 2009 movie and this TV series is HBO at its finest. I’m also addicted to Stath Lets Flats. It just puts me in a happy place. Reading How to be Right in a World Gone Wrong by James O’Brien. I listen to his LBC show – he’s my favourite radio host and I’m loving his book so far. Listening to My Ibiza playlist on Spotify. It’s the perfect accompaniment to working out and walking. Anything from Madonna’s Hung Up to the kind of deep house they only start playing at 4am in clubs. Invigorating stuff! Eating Salad. I love raw vegetables and pulses. Also, avocado is a daily ingredient in all…

Laughter and song Who knew master impressionist Rob Brydon could sing! The Gavin and Stacey star is touring a new show with songs from Sondheim to Paul Simon and almost everything in-between. Charming and entertaining, he’ll also delight audiences with a cast of famous voices. At Colchester’s Charter Hall on 26 February and touring until 30 April; robbrydon.live Landscape art Wales is synonymous with castles, having more than 600 of them, so it’s fitting that the National Museum Cardiff will augment its own collection of castles in art. The museum is the first host of a travelling collection, Imagine a Castle: Paintings from the National Gallery, London. 28 January-10 May; museum.wales/cardiff Theatrical revival Far Away, Caryl Churchill’s dystopian drama about a world sliding into chaos, is being revived in a…

8 DAYS HALF BOARD FROM ONLY £999 PER PERSON* Selected departures April to October 2020 Over the past two millennia, empires have left indelible marks on Croatia. A fascinating blend of exotic history, Mediterranean ambience and natural beauty has made this a must-visit destination. Dubrovnik, with its famous marble-paved pedestrianised main street, is a treasure, while the Dalmatian coastline is as dramatic as any in Europe. Steep limestone cliffs plunge into sapphire-blue waters, and just offshore, the Adriatic is studded with islands. Some tiny, some large; some inhabited, some not – but all are beautiful. Every location we visit on this tour is simply stunning. These landscapes cry out to be explored, offering visitors a blend of compelling scenery and engrossing places on a journey back in time. YOUR ITINERARY…

✢ Exploring medieval Koblenz ✢ A visit to Rüdesheim, centre of the Rhineland wine trade ✢ Cruising through the Rhine Gorge ✢ An evening in Speyer ✢ A guided tour of Strasbourg ✢ Visiting the old walled town of Breisach ✢ A tour of the Black Forest and lakeside town of Titisee ✢ A tour of some of the finest Swiss Alpine scenery – the Jungfrau and Eiger mountains, and the lakeside town of Lucerne ✢ All meals on board, from dinner on your day of arrival until breakfast on your day of departure, including welcome cocktails and dinner, plus the Captain’s Dinner ✢ Return flights from a selection of regional airports or standard class seat on Eurostar from London St Pancras International and TGV ✢ Seven nights on board…