Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2016 i Woman & Home

 This is the season to be merrier together . It’s about memories, mindful moments and future dreams. It’s surely why children are so special at this time of year. I can remember my own getting more excited as each day passed and they longed for 25 December to arrive. “I trust your Christmas will be full of joy and happiness – remember to cherish those special moments, too” Of course for me now it’s about feeling de-stressed and calm – and usually I’m wishing Christmas was another month away! Yet I still love the special day itself, as now my own children are grown up, I have two tiny grandsons to enjoy it with. Plus buying everyone presents is so much easier these days as you can order online and…

‘ Some people can turn a simple bunch of flowers into a centrepiece… but not me!’ I know what I like but sadly I’m not very creative… Although I do try! I have a friend who collects bird feathers from her garden all year round and, come Christmas time, turns them into an amazing door wreath with tartan ribbons and gold baubles. The result is just beautiful! My friend also grabs a bundle of ivy from her garden and uses it to decorate her fireplace. It looks like something from a high-end interiors magazine. She has a talent that I yearn for because if I grabbed anything from my garden and tried to turn it into a stunning Christmas decoration, it would look like, well… something I’d just grabbed…

STRESS-FREE SHOPPING Let personal shoppers take the pressure off with Debenhams’s complimentary gift finder service. Available at 88 stores nationwide. Book online. Bra, £28; briefs, £15, both Reger by Janet Reger, debenhams.com FENWICK of Bond Street is offering two new services. EEE (Engrave, Emboss, Embroider) allows customers to personalise jewellery, knitwear or leather while the GGG (Giftwrap, Giftlist, Giftbox) service includes gift wrapping available to collect in store or by post. Wrapping is complimentary when you spend over £150. La Portegna leather card holder, £40; Viski 14k gold-plated flask, £40, fenwick.co.uk FUR REAL Faux fur brand Bandits are offering to personalise all scarves in Selfridges (London). Available in store now. From £79, plus £10 for each letter, selfridges.com…

TOUCH OF GLITTER I always try to incorporate a bit of sparkle into my outfit and these mid-heel ankle boots will add the wow factor to my wardrobe of cropped trousers. Glitter ankle boots, £25 SHINE ON Nothing brings in the festive season like a sparkly knit, and stripes elevate this jumper for a sports luxe edge. Metallic high-neck jumper, £14 SPARKLY ACCESSORIES Earrings are having a moment so I’m keen to get on board with these ear cuffs that will work day or night. Crystal stone ear cuffs, £10 CHIC SHEARLING Our fashion pages have been full of biker jackets so I’m ready to embrace this look and style it out with a cosy knit. Shearling biker jacket, £40 ALL IN THE DETAIL I love the burgundy stripe trim…

“I have always spent Christmas in London and I am wildly sentimental about the city during the period” To mark Vogue’s centenary year, Alexandra has written a personal memoir, Inside Vogue: A Diary of My 100th Year (Fig Tree). She lives in London with her long-term partner David Jenkins and her son Sam. For the past 58 years, my Christmas has remained almost entirely unchanged. I love Christmas and part of what I love is the thread that binds the years together, hung with traditions and rituals, even if I can’t remember quite how my own came about. Until I was 36, I spent every Christmas with my parents in their London flat. We had the same style of Christmas tree (Norway spruce), the same fraught hanging of the tangled…

“His voice was exactly the same” “My friend led me towards a tall, dark handsome man” Lesley Lokko, 52, is a novelist and architect who splits her time between South Africa, London and Edinburgh. The tradition in Scotland is to kiss a tall, dark stranger to welcome in the New Year, but little did I expect the “stranger” I came across one Hogmanay. I was staying in Edinburgh, where I grew up, struggling to meet a deadline for a novel. Secure in the knowledge that the “dreich” (dreary) weather would keep me indoors, glued to my laptop, I declined all invitations. But after a fortnight of only the sound of the keyboard for company, I was beginning to suffer cabin fever. When, at a quarter past six on New Year’s…

OUR EXPERTS BERNARDO J CARDUCCI is a professor of psychology and author of Shyness: A Bold New Approach (Harper Collins, £12.34) SUSAN CAIN is author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking (Penguin, £8.99) and co-founder of the Quiet Revolution Most of us feel shy sometimes – and research suggests that up to 40 per cent of us feel shy often. If you feel self-conscious in a crowd, if small talk is arduous and attention makes you feel awkward, it’s easy to focus on the downsides of being shy – but there are positives too. Shyness and the careful, sensitive temperament from which it springs make the world better for everyone – and can come with built-in super-powers too… • Shy people are thinkers.…

MEET OUR EXPERTS Dr Anton Emmanuel is a consultant gastroenterologist and medical director of Core, which fights digestive diseases. Kirsten Crothers is a dietitian and gastro specialist, and British Dietetic Association Spokesperson. HEAD HEARTBURN OFF AT THE PASS THE MAIN OFFENDERS: If you’re prone to heartburn, which one in five of us are, you’ll be all too familiar with the burning pain that’s caused by stomach acid rising from behind the breastbone up to throat. Large meals put more pressure on the stomach, which makes heartburn worse and festive food can exacerbate it, as fatty foods like sausages can cause excess acid. TACTICS TO WARD IT OFF Think fluid Drinking plenty of fluid keeps your bowels moving, so there is less pressure in your system. Allow time to digest Don’t…

“Layers of cleansing and scrubbing with skin-nourishing peptides and hyaluronic acid, HydraFacial is always a dream before a date” FINDING A MOMENT OF PEACE… Right now you’ll find me in a cosy chair trying my hand at needlepoint, thanks to a session with the wonderful Kaffe Fassett. “Needlepoint is rhythmical and akin to meditation” he says. It makes you focus on your hands too, so you’ll love the patchouli, amber and cedar notes in Kaffe Fassett On Point Collective Hand Cream for Heathcote & Ivory, £10 for three. WHAT ‘I’ WANT …when it’s all about me • For the thrill… Anything from the Diptyque 34 Bazaar collection, especially Essences Insensées 2016, £105, my ultimate choice in dressing table chic. • Indulge me… One of the most beautiful fragrances:…

’Tis the season to wear all things special! Think vivid hues, velvety textures, sequins and shimmer with beauty accessories. I’m talking lips, nails, gleaming skin and shimmering hair. Worth the investment, these party must-haves are your instant go-to, making you look fab in minutes and saving precious time in the long run. But steady now… not all at once remember! BEJEWELLED BEAUTY A lip colour beautiful enough to pull out for touch-ups: Christian Louboutin Loubilaque Lip Lacquer in Casanovella, £60, inspired by the mirror-like sheen of Japanese lacquers, contains some serious pigment for high-coverage, high-shine gloss. This non-sticky burgundy hue is flecked with gold shimmer and the tube can even be worn as a pendant. Or go for the matt-effect sponge-tipped YSL Baby Doll Kiss & Blush Lip and Cheek…

Givenchy Le Soin Noir Lace Mask, £225 Yes, the price. But for the same investment as one pricey facial you get four luxurious sheet masks in black lace, drenched in firming, plumping algae extract that works down to cellular level. Keep them and you’ll have Givenchy fancy dress too! Ole Henriksen Power Bright, £40 Vitamin C is an unbeatable skin brightener, and this clever kit contains a polishing sugar scrub, tingly 25 per cent Vitamin C concentrate and balmy rosehip oil cleanser. The whole routine takes 20 minutes, skin looks instantly lit and pigmentation fades over time – happy days! Nügg Winter Glow Kit, £18.99 Six pots of oil-based mask with a faff-free five-minute waiting time. This kit has revitalising, exfoliating and hydrating varieties to multimask if you wish. The…

TEXTURE MIX Keep it all one colour but in different tones and textures to add interest. Bracelet, £148, Butler & Wilson. Clutch, £26, Next. Sweater and skirt, as before ADD SPARKLE to an everyday bag and pin on a brooch. Brooch, £78, Butler & Wilson TALKING POINT Shoes… because life is too short for boring footwear! Sparkle trainers, £245, Russell & Bromley. Pom-pom boots, £165, KG by Kurt Geiger. White heels, £69.99, Zara. Pearl-detail heels, £210, LK Bennett BELT UP! Give a tux jacket or LBD more pep. Double belt, £18, V by very.co.uk . Bow belt, £85, LK Bennett…

Effortless clothing is the Dash signature: on-trend styles that feel bang up to date, with lovely little standout details… quality essentials that make it easier to deal with whatever a multitasking day can bring. From easy-wear trousers, jeans and skirts, to cosy knitwear, tops and dresses in unique prints, to scarves, bags and even hats, this is a versatile range that simply feels and looks good! Bold prints are the perfect way to liven up your autumn/winter wardrobe, all you need is one or two standout printed pieces to refresh your look for the whole season. All of the Dash prints are designed in-house by their fantastic design team, taking inspiration from things they see every single day or while away on their travels. The designers use a variety of…

SHOP DIRECT So if you buy at Macmillan online and click on the Amazon link, at least 5% goes to the charity. The same applies to the RNLI. So you get the huge choice from Amazon and then the charity will earn up to five times as much as through other give-as-you-shop sites. UNWANTED GIFTS? If you’ve been given a present that’s not to your taste or size, sell it on Ebay for Charity and give 10 to 100% of the sale proceeds to your favourite cause. If you don’t want to sell online, make sure you Gift Aid anything you leave at your local charity shop. BUY CARDS DIRECT Many retailers donate less than 10% of the price of Christmas cards to charity. Buy online from the charity and…

LIFE STORIES LES PARISIENNES by Anne Sebba (W&N) In 1939, the Germans marched into Paris. But a number of Parisian women dared stand up to Hitler. Why did some collaborate and some resist? How did they make their choices? A fascinating and illuminating account. A DANGEROUS INNOCENCE by Artemis Cooper (John Murray) Bestselling novelist and author of the much-loved Cazalet Chronicles, Elizabeth Jane Howard led a colourful life. Through interviews with friends and family, this long-awaited biography throws light on her work, marriages and more. ROSE HILTON by Ian Collins (Lund Humphries) One of the last survivors of the St Ives group, artist Rose Hilton has led an extraordinary life, only able to pursue her career after the death of her husband. This beautifully illustrated biography is an intimate…

1 A picture-perfect Cotswolds weekend A frosty winter morning in a beautiful corner of Gloucestershire. The air is crisp and the low sun gives the honey-coloured stone of the buildings a pinkish hue. If you’re looking for a perfect winter weekend hideaway, with a guarantee of top service and luxury, then Barnsley House is just the place. Located near Cirencester, Barnsley House has 18 bedrooms, and was once the home of the celebrated garden designer Rosemary Verey. It has its own spa offering Elemis treatments as well as a private 30-seater cinema and even a “Village Pub” serving delicious food and great beer in front of roaring open fires. Head chef Francesco Volgo presides over the more formal The Potager Restaurant, where the aim is to use the fresh veg…

Group decision A really easy way to make a statement and perfect if you live in a small space, arrange different shaped and coloured paper decs and hang in the sitting room, above the dining table or from the stair banister. Foil stars, from £10 for 3; paper honeycombs with glitter tops, £11 for 5, both talkingtables.co.uk . Pinwheel dec, £13 for 6, rockettstgeorge.co.uk Sophisticated style Start with dark walls, then choose furniture in sumptuous velvet teal and petrol shades. Cocktail chairs are so fashionable, and useful at this time of year too. Choose a black tree for a change – it will make the jewel colours of the baubles really stand out. Carpet: Bell Twist in Damson, £40/sq m, brintons.co.uk .…

Edible centrepieces are a fun idea, such as a gingerbread house or pull-apart bread flavoured with cranberries and orange peel Carole Middleton founded Party Pieces, her successful party supplies company, 29 years ago after finding it difficult to source fun, simple party products for her children’s parties. Now, the online company is going from strength to strength with a vast number of best- selling party ranges. Here, Carole talks about how to pull together a stunning table for a festive celebration. Many people have no idea where to start with designing their table… where do you think it should all begin? Firstly, think about the shape and scale of your table and the number of guests you expect to seat. If you’re tight on space, don’t overfill your table, but…

NOSTALGIC FUN From top left, clockwise: Flamingo, £8, oliverbonas. com . Globe, £4.99, dobbies.com . Champagne bottle, £14, anthropologie. com . Passport, £5, johnlewis.com . Poodle, £4, marksandspencer.com . Festive goose, £9, tch.net . Humpty Dumpty, £10.99, giselagraham. co.uk . Suitcase, £46, selfridges.com LOVE LONDON From top left, clockwise: Big Ben, £3, george.com . Royal corgi, £16.95, libertylondon.com . Navy diamond-shaped bauble, £45, williamedwards.co.uk . Number 10 Downing Street, £32.50, bombki.co.uk . London Eye, £27, for a set of 6, qvcuk.com . British bulldog, £25,…

JARS AT THE READY! It wouldn’t be the same without Christmas chutney, the most delicious accompaniment to cold cuts and cheeses. And our recipe is made with tangy Bramley apples and mellow dates, so it’s the perfect balance of sweet and sour to cut through strong, salty flavours for a fresher finish on your palette. It’s best to get started with our Christmas chutney recipe around now, as it will be at its very best about two months after bottling, when all the flavours have had time to develop. Find the recipe at womanandhome.com 3 of the best for festive drinks • Mix your cocktails in this diamond cut cocktail shaker – we think that it’s a steal at just £17.50 from M&S. • Crafted in small batches…

Planning for Christmas and New Year should be approached like a marathon rather than a sprint. Over that period, you could easily find yourself organising a dozen lunches and dinners, as well as a party or two. So make sure you’re well prepared, by buying your wines in advance and giving a bit of thought to your choices. Oh, and if in doubt, over-cater. People tend to worry too much about Christmas Day, when most of us like to serve a few posh bottles, and not enough about the rest of the holiday season. That’s why I like to get my party wines sorted first. It’s tough to find great drinking under £5.50 these days, especially with the drop in the value of the pound, but I’ve sniffed out a…

1 KENT’S LEADING COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL & SPA Enjoy a relaxing winter break at East well Manor Hot el & Spa: traditional log fires, a glass of champagne, dinner, bed and breakfast , full use of the extensive spa facilities, golf course and a complimentary spa treatment each. From £260 for two. www.eastwellmanor.co.uk  Tel. 01233 213000 2 Wilderness Cottages Located throughout Scotland, Wilderness Cottages offers a unique collection of properties, from small cottages to larger houses. Short breaks available. Pets Welcome. New 2017 brochure. www.wildernesscottages.co.uk  01463-719219 3 Dart Valley Cottages South Devon A super collection of holiday homes from cosy cottages for 2 to family houses for 10. Lovely beaches and countryside, Dartmouth and Dittisham 2017 brochure available www.dartvalleycottages.co.uk  01803 771127 4 STOP SEARCHING START RELAXING Pride of Britain Hotels,…

1 Krill Oil - The New Super Omega 3 Omega 3 in Krill Oil is in a unique phospholipid structure which reseach now suggests is superior to fish oil omega 3 when delivered to the body for maximum omega health benefits. Krill Oil also provides astaxanthin a highly respected antioxident and also choline beneficial for brain and memory function. Silvertown Health Krill Oil is ecoharvested to protect nature in the pristine clear waters of the Antarctic. RRP £24.95, Reader Offer £16.97 + p&p ( 60 capsules up to two months supply) Free home spa facial masque with first order. Tis offer can be withdrawn at anytime. Order Online / More Info: www.silvertownhealth.co.uk  or Tel. 24 Hour Order Line - 0345 0956 903 2 Sty le Never Goes Out…

Star sign of the month SAGITTARIUS 23 NOVEMBER – 22 DECEMBER On or near the 10th you’ll discover where you stand, and with knowledge comes power. Make that move before the 18th. Expect a surprise package in your Christmas stocking. For weekly updates, call 09058-170549* THE MONTHS AHEAD  Hard work gets results. Be conservative in your plans, and downsizing in the spring could work to your advantage. To hear a detailed breakdown of the next few months, phone Penny on 09058-170478* CAPRICORN 23 DECEMBER – 19 JANUARY Home is where the heart is. Travel has its share of problems after the 19th; thereafter expect delays and no-shows. Christmas has an aura of the unexpected… in a good way. Weekly update 09058-170550* Six months ahead 09058-170479* AQUARIUS 20 JANUARY – 19…

TRULY MOVING Every three minutes someone develops dementia… but what is it really like to live with Alzheimer’s? We challenge you not to be inspired by Wendy’s account. It’s a must-watch: see it now by clicking on womanandhome.com/alzheimers THE EASIEST UPDO EVER Think you can’t wear a ponytail as a grown-up? Think again: our version is stylish, sophisticated and dead simple to do. Watch how it’s done at womanandhome.com/ponytail DECORATE YOUR CAKE Ten ways to decorate a Christmas cake, which are surprisingly easy but will make a seriously impressive centrepiece. These simple ideas show you how to take classic white fondant icing to the next level, using simple techniques and cake decorations that you can find in any supermarket. Watch it now at womanandhome.com/cakeideas EDITORIAL COMPLAINTS We work hard to…

“I always cook the traditional Christmas lunch myself. I’ve got it down to a fine art” TV presenter and author Davina had a complicated start in life. Her French mum and English dad separated when she was very young and Davina lived with her gran, Pippy, between the ages of three and 13, before moving in with her dad and stepmum. In her early twenties, Davina battled alcoholism and heroin addiction. She now lives with her husband Matthew Robertson and three children, Holly, 15, Tilly, 13, and Chester, ten. In her new book, Lessons I’ve Learned (Orion Spring), Davina relives her highs and lows… I’m obsessed by Christmas! I’m famous for my lights. In early November, I festoon the entire front of my house with sparkly, flashing, animated…

WHITE HEAT • Who says you have to wear black? All eyes will be on you in eye-catching icy white. • An elaborate faux fur will give you the glam factor instantly. Who cares what you’re wearing underneath! • Swishy full flares will up your party cred… all you need to add are super-strappy heels. BLACK MAGIC • It’s the cocktail dress every woman has dreamt of. Sexy, strapless and with just enough of a slit, you can show off a little bit of leg. • Want wow-factor heels? Then invest in the best. Take these stilettos for a spin and you’ll be the talk of the town. Guaranteed. • Finish things off with a glamorous clutch. You can always fall back on feathers and know you’ve accessorised to the…

YOU SMELL GORGEOUS !…

OUR EXPERTS SUE CLARKE Life, career and business coach, inthehotseat.co.uk LORRAINE THOMAS Author of The Mummy Coach and chief executive of theparentcoachingacademy.com AMANDA ALEXANDER Life coach and director of the Academy for Talented Women, amandaalexander.com Does it have to be you who decorates the house, buys the presents, then wraps them, plans the menu and rises at dawn to put the bird in the oven? If you find yourself doing everything, then try these tips to master the tricky art of successful delegating. WHAT’S STOPPING YOU? Start by addressing the reasons why Christmas has crept into a one-woman show in your household. Lots of us end up doing nearly everything because it seems quicker and easier than asking for help…

KNOW WHAT TO SAY It’s normal to find it difficult to talk about dementia. So ask open-ended questions such as, “How are you coping at the moment?” or, “How are you feeling today?” If they are concerned about things being their fault, reassure them it isn’t. Remember that often all you can do – and all they need you to do – is listen. Never make promises about what can be done or the future – you can only offer support. GIVE THEM YOUR TIME A 2014 survey from Mind found that nearly 40% of carers provide round-the-clock care and most can’t find time for themselves. Why not offer to support a person with dementia for a couple of hours a week? Their carer can catch up on sleep, see…

Each of our tips saves at least 100 calories, so simply choose five a day and you can lose at least a pound a week! Breakfast savers › Eat breakfast: research says you’ll eat at least 100 fewer calories over the course of the day. › Have 2tsp reduced-sugar jam instead of butter on your morning toast. › Swap 2 scrambled eggs for 1 poached egg on buttered wholemeal bread. › Swap 4tbsp muesli for 4tbsp bran flakes. Snack savers › Whenever you feel the need, have a glass of water instead and wait 10 minutes – chances are your hunger pangs are caused by dehydration. › Tempted to have a small chocolate bar? Go for a 150g pot of non-fat Greek yogurt sprinkled with berries and 1tsp honey instead.…

My work as a GP means I come into contact with loads of bugs every day, as the waiting room is full of people coughing and sneezing. Here are my tips on how I stay well during the winter months. › KEEP STRESS LEVELS DOWN I know, easier said than done, especially around Christmas, when, like everyone else, I’m trying to juggle festive preparations with a full-on job. According to research at the Common Cold Centre in Cardiff, when healthy volunteers came into contact with a cold, those who had a recent history of stress were more likely to develop cold symptoms. Stress appears to affect the immune system, and lower resistance to infection, probably by increasing the output of steroids from the adrenal glands. I’ve learned not to try…

The ONE effortless up do “A side twist is absolutely effortless and chic. Twist hair from the front of the head backwards and down, then gently bring the hair upwards and secure into place at the back using bobby pins. Accessories or beaded pins will add a feminine festive touch to the look.” Celeb hairdresser, Asgar Saboo TWO-IN-ONE RESCUE REMEDY Why does hair turn all wiry and uncooperative in time for the festive season? That’ll be a drying double act of bitter cold outside and heating inside. Fight back on both fronts with Shu Uemura Urban Moisture Hydro Nourishing Double Serum, £32, a bi-phase spray with hydrating moringa oil and environmental protectors, red algae and vitamin E. Shake up and spray on damp hair to coax it back to silky…

Earrings (as part of a set), £16, Mood by Jon Richard at Debenhams. Gold leaf necklace, £125, Loren Hope at thefollyboutique.com . Bracelet, £45, Hobbs. Pearl brooch, £38, Butler & Wilson ELEVATE a simple LBD with an embellished bag. £40, Therapy at House of Fraser MAKE A STATEMENT! With shoulder-sweeping earrings. £12.99, Zara SHOW YOUR PERSONALITY With a fun clutch! “Cake”, £65, I Know The Queen at Fenwick of Bond Street. Face, £100, Kurt Geiger. “One In A Million”, £295, Lulu Guinness w&h…

What to wear on Christmas Day Plus party tops, heels, skirts, bags and sparkling accessories Come on over! Canapés, cocktails and fabulous festive dining, plus the best fizz! More energy, less stress Tricks to calm you down… or recharge! Your magical Christmas home Gorgeous candles, show-off centrepieces and new light displays W&H BONUS ESSENTIAL LAST-MINUTE LISTS Impressive, stylish and fun ideas: Gift wrapping, board games, crackers, beauty and fashion instaglam buys… and lots more!…

ELECTRIC BLANKETS FROM ONLY £16.99 Fitting easily under sheets, these blankets heat up fast, keeping you warm on the coldest of nights! There are three heat settings, a heat level indicator and removable power cords for hand washing. Available in luxury soft polyester lining or cosy fleece lining, in single, double and king size. Single has a 50W element and comes with a detachable controller: double and king sizes have two 50W elements and two controllers so your half of the bed is at the perfect temperature. LADIES SHEEPSKIN MULES ONLY £29.99, SAVE £10 Wonderfully comfortable ladies sheepskin-lined mules featuring a sheepskin collar, with genuine suede uppers and a lightweight EVA sole. The mule design makes them easy to slip on. Upper: sheepskin. Lining: sheepskin. Sole: man-made. Sizes: 3, 4,…

“I collect first editions – I love the sense of time that they evoke” In conversation with… MARTINA COLE MARTINA COLE is the author of 23 bestselling crime novels including Dangerous Lady and The Take . Her latest, Betrayal (Headline), explores conflicting loyalties in a tight-knit crime family and is out now. Betrayal developed from two things that fascinate me – the dynamic in a relationship between an older woman and a younger man, and thinking about different kinds of betrayal. People get betrayed in all sorts of ways, but I think the worst is when it’s in the family. The story focuses on three characters; Reeva O’Hara, who’s a chaotic single mum with five children, her…

HOLDING by Graham Norton (Hodder) When human bones are discovered in the quiet Irish village of Duneen, the community is thrown into disarray as secrets are on the brink of being revealed. A compelling mystery packed with engaging characters. SMALL GREAT THINGS by Jodi Picoult (Hodder) When a baby dies, a midwife is accused of murder by its father, a white supremacist. A thought-provoking and unputdownable novel about race and prejudice that shows Picoult at her very best. MOUNT! by Jilly Cooper (Bantam) He’s back! Rupert Campbell-Black will do anything to ensure his horse Love Rat is declared champion. Cooper is on top form with a novel as sparkling as any Christmas lights. CARTES POSTALES FROM GREECE by Victoria Hislop (Headline) Ellie goes to Greece to follow in the footsteps…

JOHN LEWIS ANNA RIGBY, 56, is head of buying at John Lewis, with an emphasis on gifts, accessories and seasonal events including Christmas. She joined as a graduate and has worked for the partnership for 35 years. She lives in west London with her husband, Mark, and children, Aly, 24, and George, 22. WHAT I DO I lead the buying group of over 50 partners, focusing on the strategic direction of what we sell, making sure we deliver the very best products for our customers. John Lewis is now famous for the Christmas advert and I like to think we’re famous for our Christmas shops, too. We work way in advance; there’s at least 18 months between conception and delivery. We work with our design studio, suppliers and merchandise colleagues…

SCANDI SCENE Create this informal setting by covering the table with a felt runner and using festive china in a mixture of red and white stripes and a pretty snowflake design. Make a charming centrepiece out of a glass dome with a cute animal scene inside. Add LED candles with woodland animal drawings on, to complete the relaxed look. Alia chairs, £215 each; Teramo dining table, £845, all ercol.com. Red stripe plates, £15 for a 12-piece set, george.com. White, red and grey plates, from £10 each, houseof fraser.co.uk. Tirol tumblers, £25 for 4; Otis wine glasses, £40 for 4, all lsa-international.com. Other tumblers, £8 for 4, sainsburys.co.uk. Champagne flutes, £2.50 each, ikea.com. Battery candles, £7 each, mandco.com. Glass dome, £80, lsa-international.com. In dome: faux snow, £11 per pot, hobbycraft.co.uk. Fawn,…

Dunelm has a fabulous range of homewares to help you create the perfect Christmas setting Presenting a warm, welcoming home full of festive cheer is what we all want at Christmas... but preparing for the fun and family celebrations is far from easy! The pressure to have a perfect time, in the perfect setting can be hugely stressful. Luckily there is help at hand; Dunelm, the leading specialist homewares store, has a fabulous range of buys to help you get it right with no fuss. From Christmas trees to garlands and even great gift ideas, whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find excellent quality, brilliant value and amazing choice. Turn your home – indoors and out – into a winter wonderland with the latest decorations, from playful light-up reindeers to classy…

Mary’s Christmas Menu Char-grilled vegetable strudel with Roquefort You can use any cheese in this recipe, but we like Roquefort best. If you have any leftover cheese from a cheeseboard, e.g. Stilton or mature Cheddar – which is very likely at Christmas time – you can use this as well, but it is important to use a cheese with a strong flavour. SERVES 6 6 sheets filo pastry 50g (2 oz) butter, melted 75g (3 oz) Roquefort cheese, sliced CHAR-GRILLED VEGETABLES 1 onion, sliced into thin wedges 1 yellow pepper, deseeded and cut into 2.5cm (1 in) pieces 2 red peppers, deseeded and cut into 2.5cm (1 in) pieces 3 courgettes, trimmed and sliced into 2.5cm (1 in) pieces 3 tablespoons olive oil salt and freshly ground black pepper…

“I wanted to leave my safety zone and work with new people” What can we expect from your new album, Nobody But Me ? For the first time ever, I wanted to leave my safety zone and work with new people, such as Meghan Trainor and Harry Styles. When you have a lot of success, people don’t want to rock the boat. I’ve never taken so much joy in creating music as I did with this project – I laughed every single day. You also recently launched a perfume, By Invitation – what was the inspiration behind it? I didn’t bring out a fragrance earlier because I wanted to make sure it was honest and earnest. I wanted it to give women a sense of confidence –…

Trust us… this is the gift that keeps on giving. Diamonds and pearls are the best investment you’ll ever make…

In answer to the upcoming festive invitations, Hobbs has launched a limited edition collection of premium occasion designs, perfect for any RSVP. Inspired by the archives and British botanical fine artists, each piece is exquisitely cut to reflect the brand’s signature style. Timeless silhouettes have been realised at the in-house atelier, while intricate embellishments and unique hand-painted florals create an air of understated elegance. Hobbs’ main collection also plays into this mood for unrivalled sophistication, with exclusive prints and luxurious fabrics; think the softest silks, stunning georgettes and most sumptuous faux fur. Stylish separates will meet the more relaxed dress codes, while eye-catching accessories will help to elevate your day dress and take it into night – a wardrobe requirement synonymous with the festive season. Bring a sense of magic…

JANE PLAN is the delivery service that gives you perfectly proportioned meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner – plus snacks – all ready-prepared to make losing weight super easy. HOW TO SIGN UP AND SAVE £25 • Go to janeplan.com, click on W&H Flatter Tummy Box and select your plan. • You’ll be asked to sign up to a minimum of one month of meals; the longer you subscribe, the cheaper the deal! • Then, go to the menu selector to choose your own food from a range of more than 55 meals. • Your food will be delivered direct to your door at a time that suits you. • Enter code WH616 at the checkout (not to be used in conjunction with any other voucher codes). “It worked for…

Rest to restore What should you do when you’ve been chasing your tail for ages, there’s still tons on your list and you’re absolutely exhausted? Get busy doing nothing. That’s right, nothing. Take an evening off, put your feet up and take some Olive Bach Flower Remedy. Olive is for restoration, the remedy for exhaustion after a big effort. It’s said to either re-energise us or give us the go-ahead to rest properly. TAKE Two drops in a little water four times a day until you feel better. Easy! Bach Flower Original Remedies. £7.35, boots.com Reframe your mood… Step away from the seasonal mood rollercoaster and go from grumpy to happy or stressed to serene in the time it takes to have a shower! TELL US MORE Aromatherapy shower melts…

The key is to learn the one-move body toner – it will be the best Christmas pressie for your body as this sideways movement accesses all the troublesome zones: arms, thighs, waist, abs and bottom. The more toned your muscles are, the more your body burns calories, so squeeze this workout in before you go to that party. There’s no need for workout gear – in fact, it’s best to do it every day before a shower, whether in the morning or evening, or both! The one-move body toner › Start by just marching on the spot for a couple of minutes to make sure you have warmed up. Standing upright with feet hip-width distance apart, core muscles engaged and your hands tight, now simply lunge one leg out to…

THE BIG SMOKY THE PARTY EYE KIT MAC Spellbinder Shadow in Higher Power, £16 , the most velvety smoke ever. Sisley Eye Twist Long-Lasting Eyeshadow in Havana, £29, super-easy crayon colour. Lancôme Ombre Hypnôse Stylo in Violet Eternel, £20, a favourite, has a matte finish and is so blendable. Kiko Milano Sparkling Trail Eyeshadow in Structural Bronze, £6.90, a super-easy creamy halo of colour. Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Amethyst Aphrodisiac, £19, still one of the best “stay the night” colour crayons I know. Giorgio Armani Eye Tint in Senso, £27, a wand of indelible colour that dries and stays true. GLITTER FOR GROWN-UPS THE PARTY EYE KIT Lancôme Auda{city} in London , £42 for 16 shadows, one of four shimmery shadows in this fabulous palette. Givenchy…

“You don’t always have to opt for a full facial – many offer quick or mini treatments that still have really great results as they are more targeted” Joanne Evans of Skin Matters Clinic BEST FOR EVERYONE, EVERY DAY Elemis Biotec Skin Resurfacer Facial, from £60 for 60 minutes TESTER’S VERDICT “One for those of us who prefer a techie results-driven facial to the lightly-does-it pampering kind, this includes two kinds of peel to work on large pores and blemishes. ‘Skin resurfacer’ sounds a bit extreme, but there’s nothing to be afraid of. The treatment begins with a relaxing manual cleanse, scalp massage and a light liquid exfoliation using natural enzymes, then comes ultrasonic peeling and LED lights to stimulate cell turnover. Finally skin is smothered in a deliciously…

HOT OFF THE PRESS This season, NYDJ have again proved to be on top of their designing game, using new fabrics and techniques. The newly launched Luxury Touch Denim is made from microfiber for your most flattering fit. For jeans that feel like a warm, cosy hug the Super Sculpt Denim is the ultimate in comfort. TOP STYLE NYDJ also offer a great range of tops – the perfect pairing pieces to the jeans collection. They’re easy and chic, styled in the season’s latest trends and flatter all body shapes. • Perfect length with rounded front and back, tick. • Material that doesn’t crease, tick. • Vertical back pleats for a perfect fit, tick! THE DENIM DIARIES NYDJ’s Slimming Technology works from within to make you look and feel a…

Rather than shopping at a store’s website, buy the gift through an online giving site. Same item. Same shop and price. How does it work? Retailers pay a small percentage to the online platforms as a fee for introducing the business, and the platform then gives some of this cut to chosen charities. EASY FUNDRAISING Easy to set up. Huge range of retailers. Donations vary. Remember to log on to the site before shopping and Gift Aid your donations – that will turn every £1 given to your good cause into £1.25. VERDICT This site is more generous for some shops, so browse before buying. Use the search tool to compare donations; easyfundraising.org.uk GIVE AS YOU LIVE Shop at some of the biggest stores. Simply log on, choose your favourite…

I’M VERY EXCITED TO TELL YOU about our new tour to Burma – a country I fell in love with earlier this year. We’ve partnered with travel experts Cleveland Collection, who I travelled with and are truly excellent, to offer you an escorted tour around the highlights of this beautiful country. You will be escorted by their wonderful local guides, stay at fabulous four- and five-star hotels, and enjoy a cruise on a traditional Pandaw river boat. The tour starts in Mandalay and you fly in from the UK via Bangkok. You’ll visit the stunning Bagaya monastery and U Bein bridge, Bagan, take a flight to Heho, visit Inle lake and then finish your 12-day tour in the capital Yangon. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.…

At Christmas, we all want to create a relaxed and cosy home that feels warm and welcoming with the charm of a traditional celebration. The Winter Cottage collection by Sainsbury’s is the perfect choice, featuring seasonal designs, rich colours and classic decorations. Deep cherry reds, crimsons and pine greens are offset by stunning soft golden accessories; classic motifs of reindeer, pine cones and holly that run through the collection. Why not create a talking-point mantelpiece display? Start with fabulous stag tealight holders (they would also look amazing as a dining table centrepiece). A sprig of natural-looking faux foliage, berries and pine cones here and there will make the look feel effortlessly elegant. And, of course, there must be a glow from candles – which have been specially created for the…

STAR TURN Wooden star with berries and cones, £19.99, wyevalegardencentres.co.uk SHADES OF GREEN Simple but stylish boxwood in a classic round, £45, rockettstgeorge.co.uk NATURE’S CHOICE Burlap bow, bursting with pine cones and berries, £55, selfridges.com FRUITS OF THE FOREST Add a splash of colour with this red wreath, £60, houseoffraser.co.uk PURE AND SIMPLE Frosted hydrangea lends a touch of elegance, £12.99, therange.co.uk WINTER GARDEN Fabulous fresh Christmas wreath with baubles, £130, coxandcox.co.uk ARCTIC ROLL White snow berry on twigs with a glitter finish, £44, notonthehighstreet.com RUSTIC WOODLAND Eucalyptus and winterberry, £50, thewhitecompany.com BERRY NICE Mistletoe wreath – greet your guests with a festive tradition, £35, tch.net SNOW SHIMMER White shaped heart covered…