Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2021 i Woman & Home

Hello 2021! Everyone is pretty pleased to see you! And to celebrate the start of this very welcome brand-new year, we have some fantastic ideas for a life refresh. How about starting with ‘me time’? I think we could all do with giving ourselves permission for self-care, so get started by reading our beauty feature Mind & body me time, on page 86, for some ideas on glorious ways to relax and revive. Of course it’s not all about lying around in the bath. In fact, increasingly for me, the answer to everything is always fresh air and a bit of communing with nature – read our Brrrr… Bring it on feature on page 46 about the new trend for embracing the cold. Turn to our travel inspiration section on…

1. The eye-opener Want smudge-free application and everyday glamour? Try this affordable mascara. Maybelline Falsies Lash Lift Mascara, £9.99, Superdrug 2. Limitless lashes Cult status for good reason – expect length, volume and separation. Worth every penny. Lancôme Hypnôse Mascara, £27, lancome.co.uk 3. Suitably sensitive Formulated for sensitive eyes, get elongated lashes without discomfort. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Volume Mascara, £16.50, laroche-posay.co.uk 4. Va-va volume Make-up artists love this non-irritating mascara. MAC Cosmetics Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara, £16.50, maccosmetics.co.uk 5. Lash magic Get that doe-eyed look minus the clumps with this richly pigmented formula. Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara, £22, lookfantastic.com 6. Luxurious length Lashes will reap the luxury benefits of this volumising formula. Chantecaille Faux Cils Longest Lash Mascara, £62, chantecaille.co.uk 7. Up, up and away! Achieve serious volume…

Feel like you’re constantly running to catch up with everything on your to-do list? Sometimes it’s a struggle to find time to relax, exercise and enjoy that elusive ‘me time’. And when you do finally chill out, there’s that guilty nagging feeling that you should be doing something more ‘productive’. Good time management is a skill most successful people have mastered, and while it might seem difficult, you can alter any habits and become more productive. You might think you can’t get up early to exercise or don’t have enough time to see friends, but when you change your mindset, you can make the most of your time. HAVE A FOCUS DAY We all put things off, especially hard or boring tasks (hello, tax returns). But productivity coach Clare Evans…

Charlotte Hawkins has been open in the past about her and her husband Mark Herbert’s struggles to conceive before she fell pregnant with their five-year-old daughter, Ella Rose. And it’s clear to see how grateful the GMB presenter, 45, is for her family and the time they spent together in lockdown, especially as she’s watching two of her close friends going through such hardships – Kate Garraway worrying about her husband, Derek Draper, who’s very ill after contracting coronavirus last March, and Jacquie Beltrao suffering with breast cancer for a second time. As we speak to Charlotte about Future Dreams Sisterhood campaign – which donates a post-surgery bra to a breast cancer patient every time someone buys a bra – she also tells us why she sees age as a…

I’ve always tried to be ahead of the curve, making changes before they are forced upon me. Of course, you can’t always be in control of your destiny, but I’m a firm believer in looking ahead and arming yourself to get the best out of life. I’ve been a working mum since my eldest son was born 30 years ago. As a single divorcee to boot, I’m looking in trepidation at the prospect of an empty nest as my youngest approaches 18. I started to think about how I was going to deal with this rite of passage – something that, like the menopause, is rarely spoken about but is a challenge for many women. I wanted to do something that was in keeping with who I am, that would…

‘I ACTIVELY ENJOY THE RAIN AND THE WIND!’ Turning up fungi in winter is just one of the season’s joys for Jo Brown, illustrator of Secrets of a Devon Wood: My Nature Journal. I’ve always been a winter person – summer is too hot, sweaty and busy – and I actively enjoy the rain and the wind. The rain brings out the fungi, the wind is exhilarating and reminds you you’re alive! Coming back from a blustery walk along a near-empty beach to a house smelling of whatever delights you have in the slow cooker is a feeling you can’t beat. I enjoy winter food far more than summer salads, and now get all my groceries from a firm that delivers locally cured hams, steak, the most amazing orange eggs…

‘At one point I actually apologised to them. Don’t accept any nonsense – be downright rude’ When my landline rang one Saturday last August, I should have been at my daughter’s wedding in France. We all know why I wasn’t. I could see it was a local code so I answered and a woman’s voice said, ‘If you do not recognise a recent Amazon transaction  of £79.99, press 1.’ Like a fool, I did. A man explained he was part of a government-funded team set up after an increase in hacking cases since lockdown. He said unusual transactions on my Amazon account had triggered red flags. ‘I’ll transfer you to our technical team,’ he said. Next, Thomas introduced himself and asked me to log in to my RBS bank account.…

Lockdown created the perfect opportunity for scams and for criminals to tempt us with stay-at-home treats such as hot tubs and even puppies. Age UK’s charity director Caroline Abrahams says, ‘Criminals are also sending phishing emails and texts claiming to be from the Government and health bodies. There have even been reports of fake doorstep coronavirus testers, as well as rogue shoppers that take money or bank cards to deliver essential items but never return.’ For more advice, go to ageuk.org.uk…

I will… WEAR MY JEANS LESS Avoid throwing on your old faithfuls and try out a new look. A midi skirt, jumpsuit or corduroy trousers can be just as versatile. I will… WEAR MY EVENING WEAR FOR DAY Don’t save sparkle and shine for night – pair with comfy knits, slouchy trousers and careful layering. I will… TRY NEW TRENDS It can take a while to embrace a new look, but be brave in your fashion choices and see how many compliments you get! I will… WEAR MORE ACCESSORIES The small details count – invest in accessories that will work with most of your wardrobe, so neutrals, golds and monochrome. I will… EMBRACE MORE PRINT If you shy away from big prints, start with subtle floral pieces and work your…

Actress Jane Fonda once said that she finally decided to get some work done because she was sick of looking tired all the time when she wasn’t. However, Maryam Zamani oculoplastic surgeon and aesthetic doctor, warns: ‘It might be called a tweakment but it’s still a medical procedure and that shouldn’t be taken lightly.’ Do your research – there’s nothing better than a recommendation but swot up online and, if needles are involved, check your practitioner is registered at gmc-uk.org…

1 BEST FOR REDNESS Avène Cold Cream, £11, lookfantastic.com Thanks to temperature fluctuations associated with winter, more and more of us experience redness, inflammation and tightness. Avène’s cold cream is a moisturiser that provides immediate relief from flushing, with calming thermal spring water, while the addition of white beeswax helps restore the skin’s lipid barrier to prevent future flare-ups. It also works as a fantastic cleanser and lip balm. 2 BEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN Lush Ultrabland, £9, uk.lush.com A hug in a tub made with sensitive skin in mind. Based on an ancient formula for cold cream, the gentle ingredients include almond oil, rose water and honey. Those with acne, eczema and psoriasis applaud its ability to deeply cleanse without 3 irritation. Scoop up a nugget and massage between your…

If last year taught us anything, it was the importance of health; mental and physical. Looking out for (never mind looking after) those close to us became top of our agenda, and the words ‘neighbourhood watch’ took on a new meaning. One fantastic legacy of the lockdown era is still with us. Daily outdoor exercise. Free. Simple. Safe. So, my lovely friends, let’s raise our spirits and our heart rates (and with a bit of luck, our bottoms), and explore a fraction-of-the-cost way you can hold mind and body together. Did you notice how I narrowly avoided the words ‘self-care’? Nifty, wasn’t it? I’m also going to dodge the word workout. Because this is about ‘Ooh I can’t wait’ rather than ‘God, it’s hanging over me’. Sisters, I give you……

Finding out that I had blood cancer in 2016 came as a total shock. I was spending the May bank holiday with my new partner  Simon, when I woke up with a sore chest and nausea. By that night, even tiny breaths were painful. Next day I vomited constantly, so when my doctor’s surgery reopened, I walked there, propped up by Simon. I’d left the house with only my phone and keys, not knowing that I wouldn’t return home for six weeks. ‘Claire donated five million cells’ The doctor ordered me to go to hospital. Thankfully, my three daughters were at my ex-husband’s. I had pneumonia and was put on a ventilator. Blood tests revealed something worrying with my white blood cells and the consultant told me I had acute…

IBUPROFEN OR PARACETAMOL – WHICH PAINKILLER IS BEST? Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), so it will reduce a fever and inflammation, but though its pain and fever-reducing effect occurs shortly after taking it, the anti-inflammatory action can take longer – a couple of weeks or more. It is good for general pain relief, but also especially good for stiff, painful joints and aching muscles. It can irritate the stomach lining, and cause stomach ulcers, so should never be taken on an empty stomach. It can also cause fluid retention, and should be avoided in older people, especially those with heart problems, and should be used with caution in those with high blood pressure and asthma. Side effects can include nausea, stomach pain and loose stools. It should not…

Zero-waste stores and refill stations have become more widespread in recent years, thanks to consumers’ growing concerns about sustainability. Regular supermarkets are getting in on the act too. Last summer, Waitrose introduced 200 packaging-free lines at its Oxford store, and Asda is trialling a similar concept in Leeds, allowing shoppers to buy selected items unwrapped for the first time. Until such offerings become more widespread, do what you can by carrying reusable bags, buying fruit and vegetables loose, taking your own containers to use at meat, fish and deli counters, and avoiding plastic where possible. Search for a zero-waste shop near you at thezerowastenetwork.com ENJOY IT Crown paint now comes in 100% recycled and recyclable plastic containers. Visit crownpaints.co.uk…

Ratatouille If you can’t find vegetables that are roughly the same diameter, it doesn’t matter – the main thing is that they are sliced to the same thickness. Serves 2 as a main course or 4 as a side dish • Ready in 35 mins 300g slow-cooked tomato sauce 1 aubergine, thinly sliced widthways on a mandoline 1 large green courgette, thinly sliced widthways on a mandoline 1 yellow courgette, thinly sliced widthways on a mandoline 2 large tomatoes, thinly sliced on a mandoline 2tbsp extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling sea salt flakes basil leaves (micro basil if you can find it), to serve you will also need: 2ltr gratin dish or 4 small 500ml gratin dishes, and a mandoline 1 Preheat the oven as hot as it can go…

Award-winning crime writer Belinda Bauer wrote her first novel at 45. Her ninth book, Exit , sees pensioner Felix Pink on the run after making the biggest mistake of his life. Although my novels can be humorous, I don’t inject that as such – injections hurt! All I do is pay attention to the characters – their foibles, mannerisms and opinions – then I hope their reactions feel realistic. Real life is often funny. People love a mystery, and the slow drip-feed of information can feel almost impossible to orchestrate. But when you know the reader will discover vital details at exactly the right time, it’s satisfying. I never know when story ideas will pop up. But when I get a great idea, I can’t let it go. I…

Brimming with caustic wit, desire and quiet desperation, Luster is New York writer and artist Raven Leilani’s highly anticipated debut. It’s a coming-of-age novel following the chaotic life of Edie, a young black painter who’s failing in her dead-end admin job, and struggling to survive in New York. After a succession of unsuitable hook-ups, Edie falls headlong into the suburban home of a middle-aged white man she is dating. Here she must navigate his uneasily open marriage, and becomes an unlikely friend of his adopted black daughter, Akila – not least because she’s the only person who knows how to do her hair. Raven lives and works in Brooklyn. ‘I wanted to create a woman full of want and error’ At first, writing was a means of escape. I started…

DOROTHY KOOMSON is an award-winning, global bestselling author, who took time out to write a short story for us on page 170. Her novels have been translated into more than 30 languages and UK sales alone are in excess of two million copies. What’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to you? That reading my books made someone feel real. It was the first time they realised black women could be the heroine of any story. So many black women have said that over the years; it always makes me tear up. Author KATHERINE MAY is an avid lover of the outdoors. She presents The Wintering Sessions podcast, where writers or performers talk about the cold seasons in their life, and her latest book is Wintering, which made her…

@kazzstyle, 58, adds gold and pearl detailing to a look from @veneziadesigns for a super-luxe feel @stilettotrainers, 43, teams tonal accessories with her snakeskin maxi for a great put-together look @adelaknox, 44, wears a pleated skirt, which elongates her figure, giving a streamline silhouette @whitehairwisdom, 58, chooses leopard trainers to update double denim for a modern twist @wearitlikeruth, 42, opts for ankle boots to give her printed dress a new vibe @lynnlovesshopping, 55, shows how to utilise evening wear for a more wearable daytime look @tolu.thompson, 31, keeps her accessories simple and lets her dress do the talking @simplydeborah, 27, mixes neutral tones complemented by chic, timeless accessories Add your pictures by hashtagging #womanandhomestreetstyle or email wandhstreetstyle@futurenet.com to join in.…

Smartphones and social media can be a real time drain, but we can retrain ourselves to pay less attention to them. ‘Think about what you really want to give your time to, and what’s stealing your time,’ says Herbert. ‘When you’re on social media, suddenly 20 minutes is gone. That 20 minutes every morning and every afternoon over the whole week is a lot of time spent on something you don’t really value.’ DO IT Evans suggests switching off notifications and alerts, and turning your phone to silent or putting it in a different room when you need to get something done. There’s a feature on most phones that limits your time on certain apps – it should take no more than five minutes to add restrictions to your screen…

It dawned on me that something wasn’t ‘right’ around the time I was 46. My confidence crashed, I was depressed, anxious, my brain was foggy. I hardly recognised myself. Then came the sweats – hot flushes roaring in during the day, sweats waking me throughout the night, skin soaked, sheets drenched. Cue insomnia and 3am panic attacks. Then the flesh duvet moved in. And decided to stay. Indefinitely. I was hot, flabby, confused and convinced I had early onset dementia. It was the sweats that made me wonder if I was perimenopausal. Eventually, unable to carry on in a body and brain I hardly recognised, I sought help. I was lucky to have a doctor who had helped me with decades of painful, heavy periods caused by polyps, fibroids and…

If you’re contemplating a major change, life coach Faith Hill (sparkescapes.com) suggests a few things to consider: 1 Ensure your life change is aligned with your values. What’s important to you? For example, being close to nature or having plenty of free time. If there is a mismatch from the start, it may not ultimately fulfil your dreams. 2 If it requires a big investment upfront, are you happy to make that now? Or is there a more cost-effective approach or prolonged investment plan to consider? 3 Do you need to learn something new first, for example, a business skill or language? If so, are you really committed to putting in the necessary time and energy before the life change takes real effect? 4 Friends’ advice can be valuable but…

Athletes have long used sub-zero temperatures to improve fitness by speeding recovery from intense training sessions. There are countless pictures of sports stars – from tennis pro Andy Murray to athlete Jessica Ennis-Hill – in ice baths. But it’s not just international athletes reaping the rewards. Increasing numbers of us are aiming to zap our ailments in the deep freeze. ‘Our clients used to be almost exclusively premiership football teams,’ explains Ian Saunders, Chief Executive of CryoAction, which makes cryotherapy chambers for the country’s gyms and spas. ‘We’re now seeing many more grandmothers using our chambers to help with arthritis. A lot of people with fibromyalgia and MS are active users too – plus those who want to reduce the signs of ageing.’…

The first day your baby smiles at you is everything. For me, that was even better than the day Billy was born. Maybe because he came three weeks early and was tiny, and having an emergency caesarean was quite traumatic. The day he smiled back at me I just melted. I was like, ‘Oh my God, all the sleepless nights and you love me back!’ I just saw his little face light up at me. I can’t explain the connection I had. It blows everything else out of the water. This young girl who used to be, ‘I want that role’ – it all goes out the window. You think, ‘You are my life. You are everything to me.’ It changes your outlook and perspective. I never pictured it on…

✢ Santander, which refunded Jess’s money after an investigation, runs scam awareness events online (santanderevents.co.uk). A spokesperson said, ‘If you’ve been contacted by a scammer, you think you have responded to a scam email or text, or you’ve given details out to the wrong people, tell your bank straight away and report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.’ ✢ RBS refunded Jess following an approach by woman&home. ‘We agree this was a sophisticated scam and have refunded Mrs Reynolds,’ said a spokesperson. ‘We continue to warn customers that they will never be asked to move money to a so-called “safe” account.’ No matter how convincing the caller may appear, this is a scam.…

GREEN HOMES Beware offers of help to access the new £5,000 government grant for energy-efficient improvements. Applications must be made via gov.uk PENSIONS Treat pension pot review offers cautiously and check the Financial Services Register to make sure the person is FCA-authorised. TV LICENCE Fraudsters are exploiting confusion around the recent fee change. No one will pay for a new licence until they have been contacted by a letter from TV Licensing. Ignore other emails, letters, calls or visits. TAX DEMANDS HMRC never asks for immediate payments for tax arrears, nor sends emails promising rebates. JURY SERVICE A text notifies the recipient of jury service and provides a link – at a cost of £34.99 – to defer the summons. Ignore. THE CRUELLEST CON Action Fraud, the UK’s reporting centre…

Thrifty trick Make money from your make-up by recycling old beauty products. At Boots, you can get £5 worth of Boots Advantage points by dropping off five empty products at a participating store. My John Lewis members can also get £5 off their next beauty purchase by handing over five or more empty beauty products. Elsewhere, return five of Lush’s black pots for a free face mask, or swap an empty perfume bottle for 10% off your next purchase at The Perfume Shop. Alternatively, you might raise more by selling empty perfume bottles and glass candle jars on eBay. Big brands such as Diptyque, Jo Malone and Chanel attract the highest prices. TREAT YOURSELF Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a suitably romantic novel and cut costs at the same time. Sites…

I have a confession. I’ve become one of ‘them’ – a city dweller who’s moved to the countryside. Apparently a fifth of people in Britain are seeking greener pastures, a trend that started during lockdown last year. Not everyone has packed their bags – on my last trip to London I’m pretty sure there were still some lights on. But we’re witnessing a sea change in the way people want to live. And that means a change in the way we dress. During lockdown, all we wanted was loungewear. Now many of us are spending more time outdoors, our focus has shifted again. Since moving to the country, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve worn heels. And I’m worried dresses are a thing of the…

Need advice on how to look after your hair? Award-winning hairstylist Charlotte Mensah‘s new book, Good Hair: The Essential Guide to Afro, Textured and Curly Hair, is an inspiring manual, with everything from identifying your curl texture to creating your own haircare routine. Crowned ‘Afro Hairdresser of the Year’ three times at the British Hairdressing Awards, Charlotte (charlottemensah.com) is also the owner of the Hairlounge salon in London’s Portobello Road and founder of the Charlotte Mensah Manketti Oil product range (see details below). Here, in an exclusive extract from her book, she fills us in on easy ways to look after Afro hair. How to care for your hair WASHING Wash hair weekly with a moisturising shampoo that contains extra emollients, followed by a rinse-out conditioner. Products formulated for dry…

REMAIN POSITIVE Louise Chunn, founder of therapy platform Welldoing Ltd (welldoing.org), says: ‘The key thing to remember if you are wrestling with getting your life back under control is that you can’t actually do that right now. But that doesn’t mean you should give up trying. You will need to adjust your expectations though, and not hold yourself to unreasonably high standards. Positive steps can be very small, such as making sure that you are getting some time to yourself, that work (if you are working from home) has barriers, that you are eating well, and getting outside for fresh air for at least a short period every day. And if you do start to feel depressed, you will find therapists and counsellors on welldoing.org, who will be happy to…

From day to day you probably don’t give your bones much thought – why would you? It’s not until something happens, such as a break or fracture, that we tend to think about them at all. But keeping your skeleton strong and healthy is essential. Roughly 80% of our bone health is down to genetics – which means if a member of your family has osteoporosis, you’re more likely to as well. According to the NHS, while osteoporosis affects three million of us in the UK, it’s not just older people that are at risk. WHAT IS OSTEOPOROSIS? This is a condition where your bones lose strength so they’re more likely to break. They don’t look any different or change in size, but their internal structure weakens. ‘Bones are living…

EATING OUT If you eat out regularly, there are some really simple ways to stay on track: ✢ Share one pizza and have it with lots of salad. ✢ Avoid pasta with creamy sauces; go for tomato-based ones instead. ✢ Don’t fill up on bread. ✢ Substitute salad for fries and pinch a couple from someone else’s plate! ✢ Ask for salad dressing on the side so you can control the amount. ✢ Drink plenty of water. ✢ Eat slowly, enjoy your meal, stop when you are full. ✢ Skip having dessert, unless it’s a special occasion. ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS If it’s your birthday, an anniversary or special holiday like Easter, have what you like and enjoy it. Just make sure the celebrations don’t go on too long; eating and…

Q Since my 35-year-old daughter had her second child she has suffered with very heavy periods. She also becomes very emotional and everything is an effort. She has been offered various contraceptive pills, but is reluctant to take them as they give her thrush and facial spots. She isn’t depressed, and has a lovely home and two gorgeous children aged four and five. I am totally supportive, but not having suffered myself I am not sure what to say, and I feel so useless. A Many women find their periods get heavier after having children, and if the combined pill isn’t suitable, a progesterone-releasing intra-uterine device is an effective alternative, and side effects are rare. Having heavy periods can lead to anaemia, which can cause tiredness, and I hope she…

PLANT FRAGRANT HYACINTHS Choose various jars with narrow necks so bulbs don’t sit in water. Fill with water, stopping just short of the rim, then dry around the rim. Place bulbs on the rims of jars, pointed end upwards. If the roots have started to sprout, tuck them into the jar. If the bottom of the bulb touches the water, pour a little out – the bulb may rot if in direct contact with water. Use brown paper to make paper-hat style covers for the bulbs, slip over the top and leave jars in a dark, cool cupboard for a few weeks. When shoots appear, bring jars out into the light and remove the covers. Leave in a warm spot and they should flower in a few weeks.…

1 FALL IN LOVE WITH A PATTERN ‘When it comes to choosing a wallpaper that you’ll want for years, start by finding a few designs that you really love, or feel comfortable living with. The right one will please your eyes and mind every time you look at it. Florals, birds and stripes are common wallpaper themes that have – and will – stand the test of time.’ Ruth Mottershead, marketing director, Little Greene Brodsworth Empress wallpaper, £101 per roll, littlegreene.com 2 LOOK FOR WELL-MADE PIECES ‘Quality and style don’t always go hand in hand. When buying furniture, be sure to poke about a bit, opening drawers and looking underneath. Pick it up if you can – if it feels too light in relation to its appearance, then…

ACTIVE AND ETHICAL GETKIKI is on a mission to help women buy sustainably made activewear from independent brands. With more than 120 products to choose from, the range includes recycled and organic options. Each purchase supports tree planting and carbon reduction schemes. Take a look at getkiki.com PINK – AND GREEN Pink gin makes a great Valentine’s gift and 58 Gin’s Apple & Hibiscus Gin can boast being green too. Sustainability credentials include using wonky apples to reduce food waste, using glass corks so bottles are 100% recyclable – and even a distillery kitted out with reclaimed wood furniture; 58gin.com SKI-BAY Planning to hit the slopes this season and need new kit, or decided your winter sports days are over and want to sell your stuff? Check out WhoSki.com. Created…

Use the best flour you can find to bake great cinnamon rolls Steamed chocolate and clementine sponge with orange sauce An excellent way to use up any leftover Christmas clementines and a great rib-sticking pud to indulge yourself with in the cold weather. Serves 4-6 for the sponge: 175g unsalted butter, softened, plus more for the bowl 8 clementines 175g golden caster sugar 3 eggs, lightly beaten 125g self-raising flour 50g cocoa powder 1tsp baking powder pinch of salt for the orange sauce: 75g caster sugar ½ vanilla pod, split, seeds scraped out 50ml orange liqueur 100ml orange juice juice of 1 clementine 40g unsalted butter 200g crème fraîche, to serve 1 Start with the sponge. Butter a 1.2-litre heatproof bowl. Carefully cut the skin from the clementines and cut…

AN ISLAND ESCAPE IN BALI Shimmering rice terraces and temples glowing beneath the sunset – Bali is simply stunning. Experience it on Intrepid Travel’s Beautiful Bali for Solo Travellers trip, where you’ll go on cycling tours, market visits and a sunrise volcano climb. BOOK IT Nine days from £740, including transfers, accommodation, excursions and some meals. Flights extra; intrepidtravel.com RUM AND RHYTHM IN CUBA No need to bring your own dance partner on this adventure – Responsible Travel’s Cuba salsa dance holiday offers no single supplement, and 30 hours of intensive dance tuition with expert locals. This Caribbean island lives and breathes salsa, and in the evenings you’ll hear the fast-tempo music blaring out of many a bar in Santiago de Cuba. On the trip, as well as learning the…

A BURNING by Megha Majumdar (Simon & Schuster) Jivan, Lovely and PT Sir dream of a better future in contemporary India. But a devastating terrorist attack changes everything. THE CHARMED WIFE by Olga Grushin (Hodder & Stoughton) Things have gone wrong for Cinderella. So she sneaks out of the palace to ask for help from a witch… THE PROPHETS by Robert Jones, Jnr (Quercus) Two enslaved men find solace together. But when a fellow slave preaches the owner’s gospel, the enslaved turn on each other. ASYLUM ROAD by Olivia Sudjic (Bloomsbury) As Anya plans her wedding, she returns to her childhood home of Sarajevo. And when the past resurfaces, she begins to change.…

Finding Alice Keeley Hawes stars as Alice, who’s widowed after her husband Harry (Jason Merrells) has a terrible accident. The six-part drama sees Alice discover many unsettling secrets about Harry. Joanna Lumley and Nigel Havers also star. ITV It’s a Sin Set in the 1980s, this five-part drama follows gay teenager Ritchie Tozer (Olly Alexander) who begins a new life in London with friends whose lives are tested when AIDS arrives. Keeley Hawes and Neil Patrick Harris also star. Channel 4 Pooch Perfect Dog lover Sheridan Smith hosts an eight-part competitive dog-styling series that follows professional canine crimpers taking part in challenges and doggy ‘transfurmations’ to win the title of the UK’s Top Dog Stylist. BBC1 The Pembrokeshire Murders This three-part miniseries tells the true story of the hunt to…

You’re booked Join Daisy Buchanan as she interviews famous authors, snooping around their bookshelves to get an insight into the books and authors they love. Guests include Jeffrey Archer, Nikita Lalwani and Adam Kay. Acast, Apple Podcasts, Podtail, TuneIn. Today in Focus If you’re fed up with soundbite news, this goes behind the headlines to give you a deeper insight. Presented by the Guardian’s Anushka Asthana, expect 20-30 minutes of lively, informed journalism. Acast, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify. My Life in TV One of TV’s cheeriest people and This Morning presenter Alison Hammond delves into her favourite TV moments and memories in this light-hearted, fun podcast. Acast, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify…

Pieces of a Woman Vanessa Kirby and Shia LaBeouf play parents-to-be Martha and Sean, whose home birth ends in tragedy. Martha must deal with her grief and fractious relationships with her husband and mother. Netflix WandaVision Two super-powered beings living idealised suburban lives start to suspect that all isn’t as it seems. This follows on from blockbuster Avengers: Endgame , with Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany). Disney+ Sex Education There’s a third series of the school comedy-drama starring Asa Butterfield as Otis and Gillian Anderson as his sex therapist mum, Jean. Harry Potter actor Jason Isaacs is Peter, brother of ex-head, Mr Groff. Netflix…

PISCES 20 FEBRUARY – 20 MARCH The sun enters on the 18th, and shortly afterwards, a relationship begins to gain weight, aided by romantic Venus from the 26th. Call 0905 789 4161* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates ARIES 21 MARCH – 20 APRIL It’s hard to focus on anything other than money, but don’t negotiate before the 21st. Do that around the 19th. Meanwhile, is romance with a friend on the cards? Call 0905 789 4150* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates TAURUS 21 APRIL – 21 MAY Fiery Mars in Taurus makes you cranky. Watch out for temper blow-ups. On the upside, you’ll feel energised. The 19th is stressful or unexpectedly romantic. Call 0905 789 4151* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates GEMINI 22 MAY…

‘We’re standing on our own stilettos’ Falling in love is like going to the doctor and being told that you need to put on weight. Is there anything more exciting than that first kiss, prompting a swoon worthy of a Beatles concert circa 1966? You’re so high above cloud nine that you have to look down to see it. Hell, you’re so elated, you keep expecting air-traffic controllers to ask you to relay your position – which is probably half-naked in the restaurant loo because you just can’t keep your hands off each other. But the pressure to be loved up on Valentine’s Day is too much. Some of my divorced girlfriends are so desperate not to be alone on 14 February they’re scraping the bottom of the biological barrel,…

DREAM COME TRUE Like many others, I started writing during lockdown. For me, that time also came with a cancer diagnosis. But I wanted to let other readers know that I turned my experiences round into the realisation of a lifetime dream, and have published my first book, called Reaching for the Light. Jan Mitchell Rogers, by email A STITCH-UP? Amber Graafland’s article on 10 style lessons [November] suggested that for a few pounds, a pair of high-street trousers can be transformed. Why is it acceptable for only a few pounds to be paid? Many seamstresses take time and effort to ensure the perfect fit, but may earn less than minimum wage. Karen, by email TOO CLEAN I love the idea of feeling grateful for small things. But including the…

Women are more likely than men to be perfectionists, and it’s holding us back. ‘Perfectionism is a real reason for procrastination – people think, “I haven’t got all the time I need to get it done, I’m not going to be able to do it perfectly, so I won’t start it,”’ says Evans. Herbert agrees, and tries to fight against it: ‘I wanted to do a 45-minute run the other day but my meetings ran over and I only had 24 minutes. At first I thought, “I’ve missed my window, I’m not going to go.” But then I realised I could put on my trainers and get out the door, even if I just run for 19 minutes. It’s better than nothing.’ DO IT Stick to your goals as it…

What’s your greatest achievement so far? Being a mum. I went through such a lot to become a mother. It wasn’t easy going through IVF [multiple times], looking at all the other options then going through the adoption process. I feel very blessed that I’m now a mum. What’s the biggest personal hurdle you’ve had to overcome in life? I hate the fact that I’m defined by two things – my mother’s death and infertility. I don’t think I’ll ever get over my mum dying [Lisa’s mother, Julie, died when she was 16], you just learn to live with it. But, although infertility and that journey was tough, my daughter and I heal each other. You started acting in 1992 – what was your plan B? There was never a…

To the uninitiated, cold water immersion might not sound like a good idea. However, it triggers an adrenaline rush that stimulates the release of feel-good dopamine. Blood vessels near your skin’s surface constrict, increasing blood flow to your skin, internal organs and brain, and it’s now thought this may protect people from degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Scientists from Cambridge University recently found a ‘cold shock’ protein in the blood of regular winter swimmers at London’s Parliament Hill Lido, which is shown to slow the onset of dementia and perhaps even repair some of the damage it causes. Like any exercise, open-water swimming can help prevent circulatory disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity and other conditions, explains Dr Melanie Wynne-Jones. It’s also important to note that extremes of temperature should be avoided…

Dolly Parton, the fourth child of 12, grew up in a large Tennessee family where everyone sang, played instruments and enjoyed music. They’d sing together on the porch, at church, or for local special events. Dolly was hugely influenced by her mother, Avie Lee Owens Parton. She not only encouraged Dolly to pursue songwriting, but also influenced her daughter’s style with her own beautifully expressive singing. Avie Lee saved dozens of songs Dolly wrote as a child, and she proudly urged her daughter to share her music with visitors and family alike. When she was eight, her Uncle Bill Owens replaced her home-made instruments by giving little Dolly her first guitar. Today, Dolly is the most revered country artist in the world. She’s loved in the UK and gave a…

I was free. I was 23 years old and this was my first time in America, my first night in New York City and my first (and last!) cuddle with Bruce Springsteen. A couple of years earlier I had been working a 12-hour night shift in Gordon’s Gin factory dreaming of becoming a writer. A few years later I would be a young married father struggling to make a living as a freelance journalist. But that night in New York I was about as free as I was ever going to be in my life. I didn’t want to miss a second. ‘Wonderful things just seemed to happen’ This was backstage at the Palladium on East 14th Street, downtown Manhattan. Bruce had just played a four-hour set and I had…

SPRITZ ON A NEW SCENT Fragrances have a unique power to conjure up feelings, emotions and images. Psychologist Suzy Reading explains, ‘They can instantly connect us with positive memories, thereby changing the way we feel. Also, our preferred perfume makes us stand tall and take a deep breath, which boosts our mood even further.’ If you need to be engulfed in a great big hug, the enveloping scent of Valentino Voce Viva EDP, from £76, is deeply comforting. For a joyful lift, the lighter Lancôme Idôle EDP, £86, 75ml, smells of fluffy rose musk. Fall in love with the evocative notes of Guerlain Mon Guerlain Bloom of Rose EDT, £65, 50ml, and feel sexy wearing the flirtatious Jimmy Choo I Want Choo EDP, £85, 100ml. Or enjoy the new affordable…

Is your friend looking decidedly fresher and glossier? Did her dark circles suddenly disappear or did she gain a more defined nose overnight? Quick, discreet, more affordable and often offering instant pay-off, non-surgical procedures or skin ‘tweaks’ are not about dramatically altering your face, but freshening it up in a subtle way. When done well, a tweakment offers the ideal balance of correction, with a natural result. For many of us, a lot more time spent on video calls has made us more aware of how we look when speaking and animating – no angle of our faces has gone unnoticed. ‘Zoom has made us all scrutinise our faces much more closely than we used to,’ says independent aesthetics expert Alice Hart-Davis. ‘We would never spend that long looking in…

With every new year comes a new set of trends, and if last year taught us anything, it’s that our health and wellbeing is a top priority. Here’s what to look out for in 2021: DIGITAL THERAPY Online therapy has boomed during lockdown, making this new way of accessing psychological therapy more acceptable. ‘In 2021, there will undoubtedly continue to be a rise in loneliness and isolation until a more permanent solution for COVID-19 is found, so in reality we will be facing a follow-on mental health pandemic,’ says psychologist Dr Meg Arroll (drmegarroll. com). And with people realising just how convenient digital therapy is, there is likely to be increase in demand, with people opting for online sessions instead of travelling to see a therapist. AYURVEDIC MEDICINE Yoga became…

✢ If you’re worried about osteoporosis, speak to your GP, who’ll carry out a risk assessment. ✢ If you’re at a low risk you will simply be given lifestyle advice. ✢ If your risk is moderate you may be sent for a bone scan, known as a DEXA scan. ‘This is a very easy scan,’ says Kirsty. ‘You lie on an X-ray bed and the scanner scans your hips and spine. It can tell a lot about how weak or strong your bones are.’ ✢ If you’re high risk, you’re likely to be given medication. One that works for most people is alendronic acid, taken as a tablet once a week, to reduce the rate of bone loss. ✢ For more info, go to theros.org.uk or call 0808 800 0035.…

Has your exercise gear seen better days, or do you fancy a change? Upgrading your kit will not only boost your mood, but working out in the same outfits every day for months or even years can lead to saggy material, an improper fit and, ultimately, a lack of motivation. Here’s our handy guide to help inspire you. ON THE GO 1 UA STORM TECHNOLOGY TOTE Battle the elements with this water-resistant UA Favourite Metallic Tote. The internal compartment is handy for packing in everything, and the double webbing straps let you carry it in various ways; £30, underarmour.co.uk 2 SPOUT WATER BOTTLE Stay hydrated with this reusable bottle from Takeya Actives. The spout lid lets you drink on the go and keeps water cold for 24 hours; £32.99, amazon.co.uk…

IF I THINK I’VE BROKEN MY TOE I DON’T NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR The toe bones are small, and have very little protection, so they can easily be broken by bashing them such as on a door or chair, or dropping something on them. Symptoms include bruising, swelling and pain, especially when you try walking on it. As long as it’s not your big toe, and the toe isn’t bent at an angle, then there usually isn’t any need to see a doctor. Instead, apply ice initially, then strap it to the next toe, with some light padding in-between, such as cotton wool or tissue. Replace when you wash your foot, and keep this on for four to six weeks, until you can walk comfortably. You should, however, see…

1 TEMPER TECHNOLOGY Devices, electronics and gadgets are all part of modern life, but it’s good to have a break from them, which is easier if screens are stored in cupboards or behind doors. Try concealing the television behind beautiful bespoke doors constructed from a set of vintage floral prints. Putting tech out of sight allows us gizmo-free downtime to concentrate on other things. 2 ENERGISE YOUR WORKSPACE Houseplants can absorb electromagnetic radiation, so will make a great addition to a workstation – try aloe vera, ivy and cacti. A couple of oversized plants will add a splash of green and break up the straight lines of a desk and shelves, while a backdrop of favourite photographs, postcards, pictures and collectables provides visual inspiration. 3 INVEST IN LONG-LASTING…

Home eco edit Decluttering? Ensure your items don’t end up in landfill. Reuse is always the best option and many charities have made it easier to get donations to them without having to lug heavy bags to their stores. Request a freepost label from the British Heart Foundation, and you can send in packages up to 10kg. Got something bigger? Book a free, Covid-secure furniture collection via bhf.org.uk. In 2019, BHF saved 71,000 tonnes of items going to waste, while in 2020, the organisation resold 250,000 sofas. Is yours next? Get away to Stow-Away Fancy a romantic Valentine’s city break with good sustainability credentials? Head for central London to the Stow-Away: South Bank. This is an eco-friendly apartment-hotel made from repurposed shipping containers. The entire building is recyclable, and its…

Lighter Thai green curry This fragrant curry really packs a punch. Serves 4 • Ready in 30 mins 2tsp sunflower oil 200g baby aubergines, quartered 250g mixed veg (asparagus, baby corn, pak choi) 400ml can coconut milk 1-2tsp fish sauce juice of 1-2 limes for the curry paste: 1 onion, roughly chopped 5cm piece ginger 3 garlic cloves 2 lemongrass sticks, roughly chopped 1 red and 1 green chilli, roughly chopped 1tsp ground coriander 2tsp fish sauce 2tsp palm sugar or honey large handful fresh coriander, including the stalks to serve: sticky rice; 2tbsp toasted coconut; 1 red chilli, sliced; extra fresh coriander leaves 1 Put 1tsp of the oil in a food processor with all the curry paste ingredients and whizz to a fine paste. 2 Heat the remaining oil…

TWISTS AND TURNS SHIVER by Allie Reynolds (£12.99, HB, Headline) Buckle up – this chilling thriller will have you feeling like you’re hurtling down a black run. Milla, a former snowboarder, is invited to a reunion in the French Alps. The friends haven’t seen each other for 10 years since the disappearance of the beautiful Saskia. With a broken ski lift, a blizzard setting in and a group turning on each other, secrets are about to emerge – and it isn’t pretty. An unforgettable debut. DISTURBINGLY BRILLIANT THE PUSH by Ashley Audrain (£12.99, HB, Michael Joseph) The arrival of baby Violet was supposed to be the happiest day of Blythe’s life – the chance to become the kind of mother she’d like to be, not the kind she had grown…

With film rights already snapped up and praise pouring in from other authors, Abigail Dean’s debut novel, Girl A, about Lex – a child escaping a ‘house of horrors’ and freeing her six siblings – looks set for success. Abigail grew up in the Peak District where the book is set, but now lives in London with her husband, and two cats, Buzz and Woody. I’ve always been fascinated by sibling relationships. As an only child it’s a relationship I’ve never been a part of – the adoration and the resentment you have for a brother or sister. It’s always preoccupied me. I wanted to write about a big family and make myself a part of it. I’ve also always been interested in true crime cases, and wondered what these…

THIS MONTH YOU’LL FIND ME…  Watching Everything to do with the Vikings. I’ll be tuning in to view Norsemen – it’s hilarious and not what you’d expect at all! Reading English Pastoral: An Inheritance by James Rebanks. I’m really interested in the sustainable farming debate and Rebanks writes beautifully about it. Listening To everything from Radiohead to Mozart. I’m driving a lot more because of the pandemic and so I’ve discovered podcasts. The National Trust podcast series is my current listen. Learning To switch my phone off more. Less technology and going back to reading more paper books. I’ve realised how much it makes me relax and delve into other worlds. Scrolling To contradict my answer above… Instagram. It has some fantastic content. Shopping I hate it, unless it’s beautiful…