Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2020 i Woman & Home

I think it’s fair to say we have all changed a lot this year. Most of us won’t have seen family or friends for many weeks, and sadly some of us will have lost those closest to us. At the time of writing this letter, we have just passed the 100 days in lockdown milestone, which I’m sure none of us would have ever predicted would last this long when we all retreated into our homes back in March. While we have all been affected in a variety of ways by the pandemic – whoever thought we’d have to queue to visit the supermarket or the new way to greet friends is bumping elbows? – rather than dwelling on our losses, many of us are now looking at how to…

1. Scrub up Supercharged exfoliating acids dissolve scalp-clogging dead skin cells. Drunk Elephant & Chris McMillan T.L.C. Happi Scalp Scrub, £30, spacenk.com 2. Great lengths Hair-strengthening biotin and castor oil nurture post-lockdown hair. Redken Extreme Length Leave-In Treatment, £21.50, lookfantastic.com 3. Cult classic This pre-wash conditioner has a fresh summer scent. Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Therapies Mayan Vanilla & Orange Blossom, £35, philipkingsley.co.uk 4. Shine on Harnesses skincare heroes hyaluronic acid and vitamin E for softer, shinier and healthier hair. Kérastase Chronologiste Masque, £39.90, lookfantastic.com 5. Colour protect Complements home hair colour by boosting hair’s hydration levels. Schwarzkopf Color Expert Colour Sealer Conditioner, £3.99, boots.com 6. Scalp saviour Tackles hair woes, providing overnight nourishment for stressed-out scalps and dry lengths. Virtue Refresh Topical Scalp Supplement, £51, cultbeauty.co.uk 7. Sleek treat Restores…

None of us are one-dimensional characters, and if lockdown has taught us anything, it’s how to harness all sides of our personalities to deal with our roles as volunteers, homeschoolers or Zoom experts. No one is 100% introvert or extrovert, and many of us fall in the middle of the spectrum as ambiverts. Whichever one you identify with most, you can learn to develop your self-awareness by recognising your reactions and making the most of your strengths. Here are some ways to help you in your brave new world. 1 KNOW YOUR TRUE SELF The biggest difference between introverts and extroverts lies in how they are energised. Do you get your energy from being alone or by being with others? Do you feel drained or elated after social contact?…

Mum lived every day feeling anxious. She was anxious about the weather – gloomy days brought on a dark depression, and she dreaded it. She was anxious about timing. Just the thought of being late could send her into a tailspin. She was anxious about mess. Her favourite mantra was ‘There’s a place for everything, and everything in its place’. She was anxious about letting my sister and me out of her sight: understandable when you’re a small child, not so easy to deal with when you’re a teen or a young adult. The effort of ‘masking’ her traits led to a meltdown If you’d met Mum at a social occasion, you wouldn’t have known how anxious she was just to be in the same room as you. You wouldn’t…

LOVE IN MIDLIFE making relationships work It all seemed so straightforward when we were younger. If you were lucky, you’d finally fall in love, make a home, start a family and live happily ever after. Surely the hard stuff was done and dusted once you had met The One? But then, you discover life isn’t that easy. The truth is, you are a different woman in your 40s, 50s and 60s. And the man you thought you’d be committed to for life changes too. Some couples explore this new phase together and feel closer than they have done for years. Others change in different ways and find themselves growing apart. You should treat your partner as well as you treat your friends The age of 45 to 49 can…

Money, children and division of labour at home are among the most common non-sexual problems that couples face. ✣ Money – or lack of it – puts pressures not just on your day-to-day living, but your dreams for the future. With threats of a recession looming, it is vital that you talk honestly with each other, share your goals and problems, and cope with it together. ✣ Children can be a bugbear whether you share the parenting or they are your new partner’s offspring. You have to talk openly and honestly about any issues they raise. Any resentments will only fester if they go unspoken. ✣ Division of labour has to be fair. It is acknowledged that women still do more around the home than men, which doesn’t make sense,…

Treat yourself Love cheese? Get deliveries direct to your door while supporting artisan and independent cheesemakers. The best value I’ve found is Pong’s subscription box of UK and worldwide cheeses. The Cheese Club sends four offerings, around 50g-200g each, for £22, plus £7 to upgrade for an extra cheese. Use the code CLUB50 to get 50% off your first box, at just £14.50 for five cheeses, including delivery. Alternatively, the Abel & Cole Monthly Cheese Club sends four organic cheeses for £15.50, while The Cheese Geek and The Cheese Society Cheese Club start from around £30 a month. THRIFTY TRICK Buying and selling items is the most popular way for over-50s to make extra cash. Big brands and brand-new items, in the box or with tags, can rake in the…

If there’s one thing lockdown has taught me – and I think I speak for most of us here – is that we can get by with less. After over two months of no new purchases, I’m OK. Who knew? Never before in my life have I bought so little. In fact, the only money I’ve spent is on food for the family and the odd beauty bits and pieces you can pick up at the supermarket. And you know what? I feel better for it. My wardrobe may consist mainly of last summer’s gear, but while we emerge from a global crisis, that’s hardly an issue right now. However on a more serious but optimistic note, I think we’ve all come to accept that on re-entering into this brave…

START WITH SKIN PREP Make-up can enhance what you’ve got, but it’s no substitute for real radiance, which comes down to two things: a smooth texture that light bounces off freely; and good circulation, carrying oxygen to the skin’s surface. Thorough cleansing is key, as it dislodges the rough-textured dead skin cells that can build up and subdue shine. Lather up with lukewarm water and a nourishing oil or balm like Laura Mercier Conditioning Cleansing Oil, £33, then remove with a flannel for extra smoothness. Twice a week follow up with an acid toner, which loosens the joins between dead cells so they’re easier to budge. REN Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic, £27, is effective without being aggressive. However, circulation improvements take more than just beauty products, but the…

If you try one thing this month SWIM OUTSIDE! Lisa Buckingham is a cold-water swimmer and fitness journalist. Whether it’s in a lido, the sea or a lake, cold-water swimming fans cite its incredible physical and mental health benefits, saying that it gives you an instant reset if you’re feeling low or anxious, leaving you with a feel-good glow. Want a piece of the action? First things first, when you enter cold water, you may get a cold-shock response, which can make you gasp. As you get in, take a long, slow out-breath to help counter this and don’t put your head in the water until your breathing has steadied. Wear a bubble swimming cap if you’re putting your head in; if you’re not, wear a woolly hat. If you…

On the days you do a workout, have one portion of starchy carbs from the list during that day. Try and consume it in the meal that follows the workout but if that’s disruptive to family life, then choose any of the meals. Below is sample day of food. I’ve used examples from the Blast book, but so long as you stick to the guidelines, you can make up your own meals. SAMPLE BELOW ASSUMES YOU’RE DOING A PRE-LUNCH WORKOUT: Breakfast Smoked haddock omelette OR 2 vegan sausages, mushrooms and tomatoes Lunch A jacket potato with tuna in a mayo/ yogurt mix with a massive salad OR Bean and lentil chilli with rice (your carbs) PLUS Small bowl of low-sugar yogurt with raspberries and blueberries Snack 1 dessertspoon houmous and…

EMILIE SHARES HER TIPS: 1 CHECK YOUR FRIDGE TEMP ‘If you find your food is going off too quickly, adjust the dial.’ 2 KEEP IT AIRTIGHT ‘Dry-store foods, such as flour, nuts, dried fruit, spices, granola, cereal and bread.’ 3 TREAT HERBS LIKE FLOWERS ‘Remove any plastic wrapping and stand them up in an inch of water. Store in the fridge.’ 4 SAVE YOUR SPUDS ‘Potatoes are the most wasted vegetable in the UK. Leave root veg out of the fridge in a dark, cool cupboard or canvas bag.’ 5 SORT YOUR VEG DRAWER ‘Remove plastic packaging so your veg doesn’t sweat. Store lettuce leaves in a container with kitchen paper to suck up excess moisture.’ 6 DON’T FORGET YOUR FRUIT BOWL ‘Bananas produce ethylene gas, which ripens other fruit,…

✢ The sciatic nerve runs from your hips to your feet. If this is compressed or irritated, it can result in sciatica. A slipped disc, back injury or spinal problems are known causes. ✢ Sufferers experience pain, tingling or weakness from the lower back, through the bottom and down one leg. ✢ Treatment options include painkillers, physiotherapy or surgery. ✢ The Back In Shape app from The Mayfair Clinic (backinshapeapp.com), provides exercises, plus tracking and alerts with clinician interaction.…

Research studies have shown that moderate coffee consumption – three to four cups a day – has been linked with a longer lifespan, and that coffee drinkers may have a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and liver cancer. The reason for these benefits is unknown, and most studies did not distinguish whether the coffee was caffeinated or not. But the caffeine in coffee can certainly make you more alert, which can be useful if you need to stay awake, for example to drive a long distance. On the downside, the caffeine in coffee can raise your heart rate, and in some it can cause palpitations, make you anxious and jittery, and disrupt sleep. It can also be addictive, and withdrawal symptoms can include headaches and…

1 SAFETY FIRST If you have pets or little ones, then naked flames might not be the safest idea to have around your outdoor seating area. Make the swap to these battery-powered candles. Moroccan lanterns, from £19.99 each, drop bulb battery festoon lights, £19.99, 50 warm white LED micro battery outdoor fairy lights, £12.99, TruGlow waterproof outdoor candle trio, £26.99, all lights4fun.co.uk 2 SET THE SCENE Create a living room feel in your garden by softening outdoor seating with cushions and sheepskins, and add a little magic with twinkling lights. Fireside lanterns, from £45 each, white bamboo lanterns, from £30 each, metal pendant string lights, £45, Helford floor cushion, £225, Tibetan sheepskin rug, from £125, all thewhitecompany.com 3 CLASSIC STYLE This Spanish-inspired chimenea sits on raised feet (to keep not…

SNAPDRAGONS (ANTIRRHINUM) One of Sarah Raven’s favourite annuals, she says antirrhinums have been enjoyed by generations of children, enthralled by the flowers’ dragon-like jaws. Why do you think snapdragons are making a comeback? Vintage and romantic designs for clothes and home furnishings are very much on trend at the moment, and I think these colourful, retro plants also fall into that bracket. They come in a wide range of lovely colours too. What’s the new way to think about them? I sow outdoors in June, in prepared beds or pots. They go on to flower from midsummer until November. They make a great late-season filler in borders with other plants that bloom at the same time, such as Rudbeckia hirta, ‘Cherry Brandy’. We also sow a batch in October for…

Five-day sourdough starter Making a starter is a way of creating a living, wild yeast that will help your bread rise and give it a unique, slightly ‘sour’ flavour. 200g Marriage’s Dark Rye Wholemeal Flour you will need: 1 litre container with a lid DAY 1 In the container, mix 100g rye flour with 100ml water to make the starter. Loosely place the lid on top and leave at room temperature. DAYS 2-4 Each day, feed the starter at around the same time, by mixing in 10ml water and 10g rye flour. Leave at room temperature with the lid placed on top. It will begin to bubble and grow. DAY 5 The night before, or at least eight hours prior to making the bread, feed the starter with 70ml water…

Having topped last year’s charts with her debut novel, Blood Orange, lawyer Harriet Tyce’s writing has taken an even darker turn with The Lies You Told. Here she reveals how she came to craft her second standout thriller. I was a barrister for nearly 10 years before I had children. It’s helped, as both Blood Orange and The Lies You Told have strong legal storylines, and the central characters are barristers. It was extremely daunting writing my second novel. I didn’t want to disappoint anyone. In the end I got better at tuning everything out and just writing the book as it came. You get there in the end. Coming up with a good idea, working out the characters and their motivations, making the premise believable, setting up the scene…

TENSE AND TAUT Sleep With Me by Joanna Briscoe This is one of my favourites of the thriller genre, as it’s about someone just arriving in someone else’s life. They come in side stage and no one really notices them until their life starts unravelling, and their dark intentions become clear. That’s what this is – a tense, taut book. WEIRD AND STRANGE The Stopped Heart by Julie Myerson Something unbearable has happened to the couple in this book, so they move to the countryside. There, they encounter weird neighbours and a strange atmosphere – and while it’s not necessarily ghosts, you most definitely feel the energy of the people who had lived in the house before. A man then arrives and changes everything. It’s so…

Award-winning journalist and broadcaster SAMIRA AHMED presents Radio 4’s Front Row and BBC’s Newswatch. Her BBC4 series Art of Persia was the first major western documentary series to be shot in Iran in 40 years. On p25, she talks about shaping her children’s critical thinking with vintage TV shows and films. Who is your greatest inspiration? Madonna has always pushed boundaries: on celebrating female sexuality, controlling her image and business, and seeking new creative new challenges. SJ WATSON‘s first novel, Before I Go To Sleep, has now sold over 6,000,000 copies worldwide. It won the National Book Award for Crime Thriller of the Year, and a film was released in 2014. His new novel, Final Cut, is out now. Read his short story, The Charm, on p170. Who is your…

Add your pictures by hashtagging #womanandhomestreetstyle or email wandhstreetstyle@futurenet.com to join in.…

VICTORIA BECKHAM The queen of neutrals, Victoria champions whites, creams and camels. TIP Layer fabrics of the exact same shade or pair with contrasting detailing. AMAL CLOONEY Both professional and playful, Amal’s wardrobe has amassed as many column inches as her career in law and human rights. TIP Wear a red lip with muted accessories. NAOMIE HARRIS Actress Naomie often opts for a pale palette, as seen in this Proenza Schouler dress and trench coat pairing. TIP Keep make-up minimal for a chic daytime LADIES IN LACE JENNIFER HUDSON The singer and actress has mastered the art of a vampy lace dress, as seen in her repeat appearances on the best-dressed red carpet lists. TIP Keep the aesthetic elegant with neutral-toned make-up, lips and nails. RACHEL WEISZ A long-term fan…

What is your earliest memory of television? My mum says when I was about 18 months old, she used to give me my bottle in the early evening, and The Magic Roundabout music would come on and I’d drop the bottle, spin round and be completely obsessed with Zebedee and Dougal. What was your plan B? From the age of eight I wanted to be on television, but I had planned to be a teacher as a back-up. I was going to do my PGCE, but that didn’t come off because I never got my maths O-level, and even though I have a degree in English and Art History, they refused me. So my television plan just fell completely into place. Best advice you’ve been given? I used to work…

I have fallen in love so hard it hurt when I landed. I have cried, overeaten, not eaten, got drunk, dyed and cut my hair, moved house, moved country, and lost myself entirely in pursuit of romantic adventure. But it has never quite worked out. Intense? Me? Pah! But this passion for others, this energy in love, I do not reserve solely for romantic kicks. It is also how I come to find my friends. And the upside? I have never had to let them go. I don’t ever have to experience the low points and depression that come with romance. This is how I met Ilia. I was at Warwick University about to begin a masters in creative writing after the teaching career didn’t prove to be all I…

4549 is the most common age bracket for couples going through divorce. 62% of divorce proceedings are started by the wife. 60% of marriages are expected to end in divorce by the time the 20th wedding anniversary comes around. ✣ UNREASONABLE BEHAVIOUR is cited by 83% of women starting divorce proceedings and 73% of men. ✣ OLDEST DIVORCE A 96-year-old woman in Italy was divorced by her 99-year-old husband after 77 years of marriage, when he discovered letters relating to an affair she’d had 60 years earlier.…

If you buy one thing this month CHOOSE A MOOD-BOOSTING LIPSTICK Never underestimate the feel-good power of a great lipstick – it’s our make-up must-have during challenging times. During World War Two, women opted for bold reds to lift spirits, something many of us replicated with vibrant hues throughout the bleakest hours of lockdown. If you’re yet to suss out your signature shade, allow us to point you in the right direction. Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Revolution in Pillow Talk, £25, is the perfect lip-plumping nude, or for a hit of high-shine pink, try Kevyn Aucoin Unforgettable Lipstick in Enigma, £24, while bareMinerals Mineralist Hydra-Smoothing Lipstick in Energy, £20, is a fiery, orange- toned red, guaranteed to perk up both tired complexions and frazzled brains.…

At Phase Eight, we’ve been busy ensuring our latest collection is filled with chic and versatile classics you’ll love now and for years to come. Our daywear range features stylish separates to help you build your go-to capsule wardrobe. Try a printed blouse paired with denim culottes, or tailored dog-tooth trousers with a linen cami now and your favourite knit come winter. As a Dress Destination, we have a versatile collection. Our must-have dress-up, dress-down style is our tie-neck long- sleeved floral maxi, which looks just as fabulous paired with trainers here as it will with heels and a cocktail in hand. HOW TO REDEEM To redeem your 25% discount, simply present this page in-store, or use the code WHP820 when you shop online at phase-eight.com TERMS AND CONDITIONS *25%…

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, but to help, we have a great money-off offer. SAVE £25 Use the code WHCPA0920 at janeplan.com or call 020 3489 4770 *Prices quoted for the first month of the plan include £25 introductory discount. Not combinable with any other code. P&P charges may apply. Offer operated by and your resulting contract is with Jane Plan Ltd, a company wholly independent of woman&home, published by Future plc. PLUS! WOMAN&HOME DIET SUPPORTS YOU ALL THE WAY with weekly email and telephone support to help you keep on track…

We have seen phenomenal change take place globally over the past few months. Families were brought together (and thrown apart), and tasks we took for granted became rare labours of love. The shutters came down on socialising and staying in became the new going out. Pubs, parties and ‘fancy a quick one after work?’ became replaced by a pattern of homeschooling, clapping and baking banana cake. Which we ate, in big wedges. Suddenly the family was at home. The usual comforting routine was crushed underneath a stampede of everyone’s fight for broadband and the contents of the fridge. The food bill tripled, tempers shortened and clothes tightened. The permitted daily walks just couldn’t shift the bad habits that were starting to become entrenched, and it seemed everyone was yearning for…

It’s worth noting that you might hear the same drug or treatment called different things. For example, a type of immunotherapy called checkpoint inhibitors, is also described as a monoclonal antibody or targeted treatment. Monoclonal antibodies (MABs) ✢ These mimic natural antibodies, but are made in a laboratory. ✢ MABs trigger the immune system by attaching themselves to proteins on cancer cells, making it easier for the cells of the immune system to find and attack the cancer cells. ✢ Checkpoint inhibitors are MABs that work by helping the immune system attack cancer cells. Vaccines to treat cancer In the same way that vaccines work against diseases, these cancer vaccines are made to recognise proteins that are on particular cancer cells. This helps the immune system to recognise and mount…

Collagen is a protein that makes skin plump and keeps our bodies supple. But as we age – even from our late 20s – collagen levels drop, leaving us with facial lines and more risk of physical injury. Here’s what you need to know about replacing lost collagen with supplements. A QUICK SCIENCE LESSON Collagen is a naturally produced protein that glues together our bones, skin, cartilage and blood vessels, and helps our tissues grow and move. ‘Collagen makes up 80% of tendons, 70 to 80% of the skin, 60% of cartilage and 30% of bones,’ explains Healthspan medical director, Dr Sarah Brewer. ‘It provides structure for soft tissues, binds the body together, and is key to maintaining youthful, plump, well-hydrated skin.’ WHY DO WE NEED IT? There are three…

1 BMR : Basal Metabolic Rate The number of calories your body would burn if you did nothing for 24 hours. ‘It’s what the body needs to perform basic functions like breathing and your heart pumping blood,’ explains Claire Smith, personal trainer at The Training Room. ‘The BMR is used to calculate the overall number of calories burned in a day, based on activity levels, and therefore the calories needed to lose body fat, gain muscle mass or maintain weight.’ 2 DOMS: Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness ‘The soreness from muscle damage felt around 24 hours after a workout, which can last up to three days, depending on the intensity and type of exercise,’ says Claire. ‘It’s the result of minor inflammation, due to tiny tears in…

Go into a chemist and you’ll see a wide range of different treatments for indigestion. But which one is best for you? Antacids usually contain calcium, magnesium and sodium compounds, and act to neutralise stomach acid. They are often combined with an alginate, which helps form a protective layer on the surface of the stomach and prevents acid rising back up the oesophagus. They act fairly fast and are good for occasional attacks of indigestion and heartburn. They are not so good for persistent symptoms of excess acidity. Examples include Rennie, Setlers and Gaviscon. H2-receptor antagonists work by reducing the amount of acid produced by the stomach. They are more effective than antacids but take longer to work, so may not give relief for a few hours. The most commonly…

Helen and Richard Spencer had never planned to live in the Oxfordshire village property they bought back in 1997 that has since become their permanent family home. ‘When both cottages next door to where we were living came up for sale, it was too good an opportunity to miss,’ Helen, who runs fashion boutique Nellie & Dove, says. Eyeing the two dark period cottages and barn as an investment opportunity, the couple imagined creating three separate properties to sell. Fate however, had other plans when Helen fell pregnant with twins, Bonnie and Poppy, now 16, arriving in addition to elder brother Fred, who is now 19. ‘We already loved living in the village, which is only an hour’s drive from London, and especially our location near the shops and pubs,…

Tree hugging Trees capture planet-wrecking emissions from the atmosphere. They are a natural climate solution that is universally popular. The UK is in the process of setting a new tree strategy, which will set out policies to expand tree cover in England. Tree fans like me are worried it won’t be ambitious enough. A draft  strategy released in the early summer that could give some indication of how the finished plan will look, raises England’s woodland cover from only 10% of land currently to just 12% by 2050. This is not enough! Join Friends of the Earth’s campaign to push for a real target and double tree cover; friendsoftheearth.uk/trees STUFFOCATION To get through months of lockdown, I have often imagined us all pressing a ‘reset’ button. Sometimes I thought of…

✣ YEAST NEEDS DELICATE TREATMENT. If it gets too hot it will stop working. So when you add water to the dough, make sure it’s tepid. Salt can also stop yeast from activating, so when adding to the dough, ensure they don’t stay in contact for long. ✣ TO TEST IF DOUGH IS SUFFICIENTLY KNEADED, do the window test. Take a small piece of dough and stretch it between your fingers without tearing it. Hold it up to the window and if you can see the light through it – then it’s ready. ✣ TO TEST IF BREAD IS COOKED, tap it. It will sound hollow if ready. ✣ USING A STAND MIXER MAKES MAKING BREAD MUCH EASIER and less messy. So if you start baking regularly, it’s a worthwhile…

LIFE LESSONS THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY by Matt Haig (£16.99, HB, Canongate) What if you had the chance to open a book and try another life you might have lived? In this life-affirming read, Nora Seed does just that. With so many regrets, she gets to see what could have been if she’d taken that job, joined her brother’s band or stayed with that man, by selecting one of the many books from the Midnight Library – a chance to start again. This one’s a firm keeper for the bookshelf. A RACE TO THE END FINAL CUT by SJ Watson (£12.99, HB, Transworld) The master storyteller SJ Watson – author of Before I Go to Sleep – is back with another clever psychological thriller. Visiting the struggling seaside town…

THE FRENCH WIFE by Diney Costeloe (Head of Zeus) Her big sister’s wedding is approaching, but Hélène’s orphan friend Annette has a secret that could ruin her family. Truly captivating. THE REVOLT by Clara Dupont-Monod (Quercus) Reimagining how Eleanor of Aquitaine inspired her sons to rebel and secure the throne of England. A character-driven tale. BRONTE’S MISTRESS by Finola Austin (Atria Books) Austin delves into the life of Branwell Brontë, as he arrives to tutor Lydia Robinson’s son. Then he and Lydia grow closer… MEET ME IN BOMBAY by Jenny Ashcroft (Sphere) Vividly set in colonial India, when Madeline and Luke first meet in 1914; their love seems unstoppable. Powerful and evocative. A ROOM MADE OF LEAVES by Kate Grenville (Canongate) It’s 1788 and after…

I see her in the distance. Her newly dyed bright red hair, the purple rucksack Pete bought her for Christmas, even though I’d specifically asked him not to. I’d known what it would encourage, and I was right. She’s almost at the security check but has stopped. She seems to be looking for something. Her passport I imagine, the one I’d put in my drawer for safekeeping, the one she’d agreed she didn’t need now she’d decided not to go. ‘Laura!’ I call out. ‘Wait!’ But the departures lounge is busy and the crowd swallows my tiny voice. As I begin to run towards her I reflect; maybe it’s a good thing she didn’t hear me. I can only imagine her reaction. ‘Mum!’ she’d call back, weary and annoyed, then…

LIBRA 23 SEPTEMBER – 23 OCTOBER Relationships face challenges after the 10th. Don’t pick an argument around the 24th. Mid-month you’re craving some me time, so take it and blossom. Call 0905 789 4156* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates SCORPIO 24 OCTOBER – 22 NOVEMBER A work situation flares up after the 10th, which is impossible to sort in your usual ways. Bide your time and think before acting – especially around the 29th. Call 0905 789 4157* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates SAGITTARIUS 23 NOVEMBER – 22 DECEMBER September begins innocently enough, but from mid-month, stresses increase. A realisation on the 10th helps everything, and problem gets easier after the 13th. Call 0905 789 4158* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates CAPRICORN 23 DECEMBER…

TO THE RESCUE I was interested to see Jane Howorth featured [Amazing Women, July]. Two years ago I rehomed four ex-commercial chickens and it has been a brilliant experience. I’ve learned so much about their behaviour and looking after them provides great stress relief from my job in the fire service. Here is Green enjoying her dust bath while I enjoy w&h. Kate Scott, by email KEEP HOPE ALIVE After reading Meet the Modern Granny [July], I want say ‘don’t give up’ to the lady whose grandchildren went to live in New Zealand with her son’s ex-wife. After my brother and his wife split up, my mum still sent presents to her granddaughter in the US, despite getting no replies. Ten years on, I visited my niece in the US.…

Let me take you back to the early 2000s. My children were tiny. I loved them but I was beginning to crack, sick and tired of brightly coloured noisy children’s TV. Its weird baby talk. The noise. The fast edits. Oh how I loathed Tweenies. DVDs offered some respite. I introduced them to the gentler, handmade world of the old TV I had grown up on: Pipkins, Bagpuss and The Clangers . Sometimes it backfired. They freaked out when bees got loose near the bakery in Camberwick Green. When they started school, it became more important than ever to offer them an alternative view of the world than the image-obsessed gloss of popular shows such as High School Musical. My own mother warned me they’d be ostracised as weirdos if…

Where will our tentative steps out of lockdown lead? There is no proven route. Nevertheless, I’m hoping that as you read this, you are sitting on a glorious beach or getting back some sense of normality. It’s not that my head’s in the sand you’re sitting on. Just that I’m an optimist. My state of mind is not something that has ever been in jeopardy. That’s not to say I haven’t had my moments of deep concern – the days that have started off darker than others, the moments of fear when someone fails to observe the two metre rule. But I have been granted the gift of positivity, something that has never been more severely tested than now. A glass-half-full person, you may find me annoyingly upbeat Along with…

Surrender the things you cannot control. It’s time-consuming to worry about things that are out of your control; instead put your energy into something you can change and the things you’ve let go of will diminish. Aside from creative activities like cooking, exercise, and decluttering cupboards, I use distraction to cope with anxiety. Reaching out to other people and helping them takes your mind off things not in your power. No matter how dark a situation feels, it’s always temporary. It will one day be a memory, even though it’s so hard to feel like that when you’re in it. I’ve had problems with anxiety because of my medical history, so I was less anxious throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. If you start trusting yourself with each experience you overcome, you…

‘I SWAPPED HANDCUFFS FOR HORTICULTURE’ Susan Main, 47, works at RHS Harlow Carr, one of the society’s five major gardens in the UK. She lives in Darley, near Harrogate. On the day I got my job as a horticulturist, my mum gave me a mug that read, ‘lawn enforcement officer’. It was a perfect present because for the past 13 years I’d been a police constable, starting my career in Bacup, Lancashire. Joining the police was not something I’d planned. After studying biomedical science at university, I returned home with no real idea of what I wanted to do. I applied to be a police special constable, and enjoyed working in a team. Eventually I made it my full-time job, specialising in working with vulnerable children. It was a fulfilling…

As thousands of our young adults head off to university this autumn, leaving gin-soaked, tearful empty nesters waving from campus perimeters all over the country, I find myself wishing time away until my four younger teens finally bugger off. My scan revealed not one, not two, but THREE babies. I felt like a Labrador I adore them, of course I do, but is it bad that while I wander zombie-like through their bedrooms, picking up pants dumped like cowpats all over the floor, piling crusty old cereal bowls in one hand and mouldy mugs in the other, I find myself imagining selling up and downsizing to a cosy one-bedroomed flat the minute the last one disappears, to make sure they don’t – aaargh! – move back in? I can’t be…

✣ Marriage has a feel-good factor for all couples, but it is higher for those whose say their spouse is also their best friend, according to research from the University of British Columbia. ✣ The rate of sexually transmitted infections diagnosed in those aged 65 and over rose by 23% between 2014 and 2018, according to Age UK. ✣ According to Statista, 15% of those surveyed aged between 40 and 70 years old said they had sex two to three times a week, but 34% said they had no sex at all. ✣ Couples over 60 are happier in their relationships than those aged between 30 and 60. But the happiest are aged 16-30. ✣ Arguing with your partner increases the longer you’ve been together, with 34% of couples together…

Start-up costs: £599 Comprising… Website hosting: £130 per year Website developer: £250 Software: £119 Printing: £100 Current turnover: £80,000 sewdifferent.co.uk Business breakdown Start-up costs: £500 Comprising… Public liability and product insurance: £500 Current turnover: £28,000 hollywintercouture.com Start-up costs: £5,000 Comprising… Branding, logo, packaging: £500 Website: £1,000 Photography: £200 Stock: £3,300 Current turnover: £130,000 shopbeyondmeasure.co.uk…

Understanding how to properly care for your skin can be baffling. Many of the questions we get asked are because there are so many different products on the market, so how can you choose what’s right for you? Beauty directors Charley Williams-Howitt and Sarah Cooper-White, plus a range of industry experts, cut through the confusion by answering some of your most asked queries. AM I CLEANSING CORRECTLY? If you fall into bed more than once a week without cleansing your face, then your skin is probably suffering. A quick once-over with a face wipe simply won’t cut it either. For good skin, ‘cleansing is the most fundamental step in any regime,’ says Emma Brown, celebrity facialist and Time Bomb skincare expert. ‘Simply changing the way you do it can transform…

JO MALONE CBE One of the best ‘noses’ in the business, Jo has been formulating the unusual scent combinations that made her a household name for as long as she can remember. Describing her talent for fragrance as her ‘compass’, it was the guiding force behind one of the biggest decisions in her life – selling her eponymous Jo Malone London to Estée Lauder in 1999. She launched Jo Loves in 2011, and now, fresh from a successful collaboration with high street retailer Zara, Jo is proof you should always follow your nose. My last-minute must-have By Terry Baume de Rose Flaconnette Liquid Lip Balm, £34, byterry.com If I only have time for two things before running out the door, I’d put on lipstick and cover myself with fragrance.…

MINIMUM DAIRY AND WHEAT Blast is based not just around getting rid of fat, but gaining extra energy, feeling more focused and less at the mercy of our hormones. Spending time without wheat, dairy and sugary products can give your gut a rest (and therefore your whole body – because the gut is our second brain, right?). Going the full Blast means not having wheat or animal dairy, but if that’s too much to ask, enjoy a little good sourdough as your carb portion and include cheeses in the AT list. GIVING UP ALCOHOL Oh come on… we were opening bottles for the whole of lockdown. Partly to soothe growing anxiety and partly because every night felt like Friday. Now is the time to stop drinking. If the very thought…

You’ll get stronger, firmer and generally fitter. You’ll also lose fat (which you will gauge by the tape measure, not the scales). All of which will give you lots of energy and you’ll skip, nay, dance through the weeks. For the first few days, however, you may feel a bit snappy and cross. You’ll think something is missing but it won’t be. You’ll pace around the kitchen wondering why you’re not hungry (that’ll be extra protein) and you’ll want something sweet, but your belly is full so you know you can’t justify it. Easing up your sugar and dairy intake will reduce menopausal symptoms and you’ll find that hot sweats become fewer. You’ll have less gurgling, less bloating and, after about a week, you’ll feel epic. Smug and epic. Hold…

Struggled to get to the supermarket or book an online delivery slot during lockdown? You weren’t the only one. Combined with the scarcity of foods available at times, it resulted in Brits developing a more ‘make do’ attitude to their meals, including eating food usually deemed to be past its prime. ‘One in six people in the UK paid less attention to use-by dates, and ate more out-of-date food than usual during lockdown,’ says Emilie Vanpoperinghe, co-founder of Oddbox. The good news? This was great for reducing the £840* worth of food a typical UK family wastes each year (41% of which is produce not used in time and past its use-by date). But could it harm your health to continue taking those risks? Here’s what you need to know…

I’m a barrister, and 18-hour work days with a lot of stress is the norm. So when pins and needles began running down my right leg, I initially ignored the warning signs and pressed on with my hectic lifestyle. During the past decade I’ve suffered several times with sciatica. I’d previously treated it by having a steroid injection in my back, which provided relief for about six weeks. I’d also quit my regular gym and Pilates sessions, which seemed to aggravate it. I was putting in long hours at my desk during flare-ups, although sitting down would ease it. However, after five months of niggles, my luck ran out. I was starting work on a complex case at the High Court, when almost overnight the pain became more intense than…

Q I’m a keen swimmer, especially outdoors in the summer, but I often get sore, itchy ears. I usually end up needing antibiotic drops from my doctor, but is there any way of preventing the problem? Don’t tell me not to swim! A This sounds like swimmer’s ear, an infection of the outer ear canal, which runs from the ear opening into the eardrum. The sea, rivers and even swimming pools can harbour a variety of bugs, including bacteria and fungi that can cause infections and inflammation of the inside lining of the ear. It’s often brought on by water that remains in the ear after swimming, where the bugs are able to thrive and multiply in the warm, moist environment, especially in the summer months. The best way of…

If you do one thing this month BAKE AN APPLE PIE! Can anything bring more comfort and delight than a freshly home-baked apple pie, which is hot out of the oven and floating in a generous amount of cream? We think not. Delicious British apples are available all year round but each variety has its own season and most of these are hitting their peak now. Out ultimate pie apple is the Jazz™ variety; a fusion of a Braeburn with Royal Gala. Denser than others, they do not bruise easily, store for longer, keep their shape and hold up well when baked. Try our decadent apple pie with salted caramel recipe at womanandhome.com/recipes/536554/apple-and-salted-caramel-pie…

Swiss roll Baked in just 10 minutes, this classic is delicious rolled with homemade jam or curd, and sublime with cream, too. As it is a fatless sponge, it doesn’t store particularly well, so eat on the day. Serves 8 • Ready in 30 mins 3 eggs, at room temperature 75g caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling 75g plain flour a pinch of salt 6 tbsp homemade or good-quality fruit jam or curd 200ml whipping cream, whipped to soft peaks you will need: 20 x 30cm Swiss roll tin, greased, then lined with baking paper 35cm-long sheet of baking paper 1 Heat the oven to 220°C/Gas 7. 2 Whisk the eggs and sugar in a stand mixer fitted with a whisk, on high speed until thick and mousse-like, and leaves a…

BLURRED LINES by Hannah Begbie (£7.99, PB, HarperCollins) The premise of Hannah Begbie’s debut novel is not only timely, but compelling. When Becky catches her boss, Matthew, with a woman who isn’t his wife, she walks out and says nothing. She owes him so much. But when the woman accuses Matthew of rape, she questions what she saw. Making sense of her own past, and the need to protect her teenage daughter, the lines become very blurred and no one is quite who they seem. Perfectly paced, the twists and turns are executed with precision.…

‘I wouldn’t give my younger self any advice. I’d just let her get on with it’ It’s been more than 20 years since Lisa’s first book, Ralph’s Party, became an instant bestseller. Sixteen novels later, she is now writing the psychological thrillers she always wanted to, achieving great success with the likes of Then She Was Gone and The Family Upstairs. In her new book, Invisible Girl, Jewell shows what it’s like to be an outsider and how we sometimes go looking in the wrong places for the bad people. Lisa lives in London with her husband, two daughters and dog. I have a rather strange relationship with my first book, Ralph’s Party. I wrote it for fun, for myself – and for my friend in Australia – who read…

Sarah picked up the leaflet in the arts centre. 'Want to learn to dance the tango?' she read. Ah, if only. At 50, surely her dancing days weren’t already over? She sighed. Once, she had danced almost every night. Now, it was just the occasional party. Dancing had always made her feel so good. So, why had she stopped? When had she stopped? She supposed life had just got in the way. ‘Thursday nights at 7pm,’ she read. ‘Everyone welcome.’ Dancing in the Moonlight… The song drifted into her head and, forgetting that she was standing in the foyer of the arts centre, she did a bit of a sway from side to side. It was their song. Where had she gone – the girl who used to dance the…

‘My skirting boards soon had topsoil’ A woman’s work is never done… not by men anyway. What became clear during lockdown is that giving a room a sweeping glance is the closest most men ever come to housework. My girlfriends, suddenly devoid of their cleaners, have not stopped whining about their husbands’ lack of domesticity. Yep. The enlistment of labour on a subsistence basis is now forbidden in Britain, except in one state – the holy state of matrimony. I used to think that the ultimate proof of female superiority is the fact that women live longer than men. But I’ve now realised that’s just so typically male – leaving all the cleaning up to a woman! During corona confinement, I was so tired from housework, I often threw the…