Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2021 i Woman & Home

This time of year, when summer’s truly up and running, is the moment we’re at peak relaxation. The garden is less demanding and it’s time to hit those deckchairs. And where once all we wanted to do was switch off, we gradually start thinking, ‘One of these days, I’m going to get organised…’ What are your dreams for the coming year (yes, I’m still at school in my head)? How can you make them happen? Well, for one you can focus on yourself, whether that’s learning how to breathe away stress (p26), starting a walking or running programme (p100) or, if you’re single, getting out there – take advice from our brilliant experts who all run successful dating websites in our feature The Love Experts on p40 – even if…

SPREAD THE WORD Not all cases of malignant melanoma are caused by exposure to the sun. Three years ago I was diagnosed with cancer of the vulva. It would be so good if vaginal examinations were as standard as breast checks. I was fortunate because I noticed a change in the skin on my vulva and had a remarkable GP and consultants. I now have six-monthly checks and am enjoying life. It could have been so different. Ann, by email SUNNY SKIES I read your feature Small change, big difference [July] and idea 6, Choose a blue wall, made me smile. I thought you’d like to see our wall, which we painted during lockdown. Instead of holidays, we have a cuppa on our own beach. Happy days! Geraldine, by email…

Since she joined the Loose Women panel in January, a new audience is getting to know Charlene White, with her straight-talking presenting style and opinions on everything from mental health to taking up netball. She shifts seamlessly from hosting the Loose Women panel to her regular role as ITV news anchor, while still finding time to develop and present other shows, such as her documentary with Sir Trevor McDonald, Has George Floyd Changed Britain?. Although she earns rave reviews from critics, it’s Charlene’s warmth and sense of relatability that her viewers, Twitter and Instagram followers love. Ours is the first magazine shoot Lewisham-born Charlene, 41, has appeared in, and she says, ‘I can’t believe it. You’ve all made this such a fantastic experience.’ We are sure it will be the…

✢ Celebrate your quirks. You never know who has the same interests, and finding you both love bell-ringing is a great way to get chatting. ✢ Love yourself so others can do so more easily. Sounds cheesy, but if you’re not in a good place, it’s tricky to find someone who will appreciate you. ✢ Be prepared for the dirty parts of country living. If you’re looking for love with a farmer, you’ll have to accept that it’s not a job, it’s a life. They may come home stinking of cow poo. ✢ Cast the net wide and be open-minded about type and location. DATING TIPS DO tell friends where you are going on a date. Safety is the priority, always. DON’T meet anywhere that doesn’t allow a quick getaway.…

1 ENDOMETRIOSIS  This woefully misunderstood disease can take between six and 10 years to be diagnosed. Historical taboos about menstrual pain still impact understanding, but thanks to initiatives like Endometriosis Awareness Month, the hope is that sufferers will receive timely diagnosis and treatment. 2 MENOPAUSE  According to a survey of 5,000 women by Dr Louise Newson, one-third had to wait three years or more to have their perimenopause symptoms properly diagnosed, while 18% reported visiting their GP six times before receiving appropriate information and advice. Women going through menopause are also frequently misdiagnosed with depression, irritable bowel syndrome and migraines. Through the work of the British Menopause Society, health professionals are being educated to support and empower women. 3 DISCRIMINATION  Medicine has a harrowing history of injustices…

‘I am surrounded by the history of people I never knew’ Ididn’t grow up in a fancy-pants house with an east wing, extensive grounds and staff who came running when summoned – although my mum did a great job of keeping us supplied with beans on toast and clean pants. The house I grew up in was terraced and my bedroom was known as ‘the box room’. While my brothers shared a bedroom, my bed filled the floor of the little room at the front of the house in Collier Row, Romford. For most of my life, I’ve been rootless. First, hopping from flat to flat, then marrying a soldier who was posted far and wide, meaning our houses were always temporary and never felt like home. So when my…

Thrifty trick Planning on buying a new car? Don’t assume car dealers will offer the best financing deal. In the six months after travel restrictions lifted, almost half of female drivers said they were considering buying a car, and nearly two-thirds (64%) planned to use car finance, according to research by Compare The Market. Yet 44% of female borrowers fail to shop around. Car dealerships usually offer hire purchase (HP) or personal contract purchase (PCP) loans. However, for most borrowers with a good credit history, a personal loan from a bank or building society often has a lower interest rate, as well as other advantages, such as not requiring a deposit. See if you can save on sites such as GoCompare, Compare The Market or MoneySuperMarket. Treat yourself Start the…

FOR SMOOTHING CELLULITE Beauty writer Emma North tried VibroSculpt by Endosphères, from £300, efmedispa.com As someone who’s always been conscious of their dimpled thighs, this sounded like the perfect solution. Combining micro-vibration and compression, it promises to break down fat cells and reduce cellulite for smoother skin and, from my experience, it did just that. Lying face down, my therapist applied oil then ran the device up my thighs. It felt a lot like a deep tissue massage and the rotating spheres stimulate lymphatic drainage incredibly well. The next day I was left with very slight bruising but my legs felt toned and my cellulite much less noticeable. I’d certainly recommend it for those that really suffer with dimpled skin, but for the price, I’d think carefully before committing. CONFIDENCE…

1 BEST FOR PUFFY FACES Fraîcheur Paris Ice Globes, £59.99, cultbeauty.co.uk Cryotherapy, aka ice treatment, helps increase blood circulation, minimise pores and soothe inflammation. Keep these glass globes in the freezer, then massage over your face for 10 minutes to help de-puff, tighten and brighten skin. Keep the globes moving, so you don’t freeze your face. The result? A more sculpted and radiant appearance. 2 BEST FOR TONING JOWLS AND NECK Magnitone LiftOff Microcurrent Facial Toning + Lifting, £90, Boots This impressive bit of kit uses microcurrents to replicate high-tech salon facials. Work the pulses around your face to boost, lift and invigorate your complexion in five minutes flat. Also comes with a Prepare + Glide gel. Use three times weekly for best results. 3 BEST FOR BETTER CLEANSING Temple…

L-theanine is being added to a number of buys. In the US, PepsiCo launched Driftwell, a functional water that contains 200mg per can. Not sure which product to pick? ‘Capsules will hold higher concentrations of L-theanine than tea, so start with a lower dose and slowly increase it,’ says Dr Newman-Beinart. You could try: ✢ THE DRINK: Slow Cow, £17.99 for 12, Amazon A sparkling water infused with six ‘relaxing’ plant extracts, including L-theanine. ✢ THE DAY HELPER: Solgar L-Theanine 150mg Free Form, £29.99, hollandandbarrett.com Take twice a day for best results. ✢ THE NIGHT AID: New Nordic Melissa Dream, £14.99, hollandandbarrett.com With lemon balm extract and 134mg L-theanine. ✢ THE SACHETS: Pink Cloud Relax Drinkable Vitamins, £25, Boots Taken hot or cold, these contain 50mg of L-theanine. ✢ THE…

When it comes to health, both walking and running are great exercises for body and mind. The NHS recommends that adults should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity during the week or at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity. And, walking at a moderate or brisk pace, or going for a jog, are activities that can help you to meet this target. Plus, the bonus of choosing to walk or run as your go-to workout is that they’re cheap – even free! They can also be adapted to suit different levels of fitness. However, if you’re still undecided about which one to commit to, then read on to see which suits you best. WALKING THE POSITIVES Just getting outside for a walk in nature boosts emotional…

Up until four years ago, I enjoyed a healthy lifestyle, walking my dog 10k a day in the fields near my home. But, during one August walk, I was bitten by a tick. I barely noticed, as it was small and did not itch or look like a mosquito bite. At the time, my son was getting married and I was busy, so when I began feeling unwell I thought it would pass. A few days later, at the wedding reception, a friend noticed a large, red rash on my arm. She was a pharmacist and advised me to see a doctor. By now, I had a headache, a sore throat, fatigue, low mood and flu-like symptoms, so I went to my GP and showed them the bite and rash.…

in the evening makes it more likely that you will get indigestion later in the night, especially if you lie down soon after a meal. And this could potentially have a knock-on effect on how much sleep you get, which may make you snack more the next day. Some people may find that not eating after dinner helps them to lose weight, but this is simply because they are eating less. With the rise in popularity of intermittent fasting, it’s no surprise that this question is often asked. But it is fiction! There is no set time after which foods are more or less likely to make you gain weight, as a calorie is a calorie (and by calorie I simply mean unit of energy), whatever time you eat it.…

BOUTIQUE HOTEL Give your bedroom the five-star treatment with this uber-glamorous look. Inspired by upmarket boutique hotels, the bed is the star, whether it’s a statement four-poster or chic oversized headboard with plush upholstery. Luxuriate in layers, from smooth satin sheets and silk pillowslips, to tactile velvet eiderdowns, throws and cushions. KNOW YOUR BED LINEN Zoe Stewart, bed linen buyer at John Lewis, gives us the lowdown. ✢ Polycotton is a blend of durable polyester and soft cotton. Easy-care, it dries quickly, keeps its colour and needs minimal ironing. ✢ Cotton is naturally breathable and comfortable to sleep on. It washes well but does require ironing. ✢ Egyptian cotton is renowned as one of the finest cottons in the world. Soft, strong and long-lasting, it feels cool in summer and…

Orzo, butternut squash and pea one-pot Oozy and comforting, this hearty all-in-one uses minimal equipment but delivers maximum flavours. Serves 8 • Ready in 1 hr 1 onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, diced 2tbsp olive oil 800g butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1cm-thick half moons 150g Boursin or herby cream cheese 800ml vegetable stock 300g orzo 200g frozen peas Parmesan to serve, optional You will need: A pot with a lid that’s suitable for the hob and oven 1 Heat the oven to 220C/Gas 7. On the hob, soften the onion and garlic in the pot with 1tbsp oil. Put to one side. 2 Add the squash to the dish with the remaining oil and a pinch of salt, and roast in the oven for 25 mins. 3 Stir the…

CHILLING THRILLER The Dark by Emma Haughton (£12.99, HB, Hodder & Stoughton) In a bid to escape her own demons in the UK, Kate takes a job as the resident doctor in a remote outpost in Antarctica. While she knew the isolation was going to be tough, she didn’t expect a killer to be living among the 12 residents. Kate has to figure out which one of them it is. A modern-day Agatha Christie on ice, you’ll get shivers as you read it. LAUGH OUT LOUD MOVING TALE All My Mothers by Joanna Glen (£14.99, HB, Borough Press) Mothers are artists – a beautiful sentiment from a beautiful book that challenges the notion of what a mother should be. Eva (as in forever) is lost. She’s sure her mother doesn’t…

‘I’m fascinated by the way people do their best to recover’ Best known for her global phenomenon The Girl on the Train – later turned into a film starring Emily Blunt – Paula Hawkins returns with A Slow Fire Burning. Exploring how far people will go when put in extreme circumstances, we meet Laura, a character who has been judged most of her life, which is all too evident when she finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. This book started out with the character, Laura. I had been thinking about her for a  while – a woman who has disinhibition (basically, saying or doing something without thinking about the result) – but I wasn’t sure what to do with her or what story she’d fit into.…

KILLER TWIST A KISS BEFORE DYING by Ira Levin This is one of the few books that I’ve read more than once. Levin manages to create a filmic tension with marvellous twists (Levin’s debut crime classic is also a favourite of horror author Stephen King). And I adored Rosemary’s Baby and The Stepford Wives – also by Levin, and all of which have been adapted into film versions. CLASSIC MYSTERY THE WOMAN IN WHITE by Wilkie Collins There are so many different characters, all telling the story from their own point of view – and with each one you think, ‘This is my favourite.’ As an actor, you start casting the parts in your mind. The more wonderful the characters are, the more you want to play them. SPEED READ THE…

1. Vegan friendly Sally Hansen Good Kind Pure Nail Colour in Laven-Dear, £8.99, Superdrug , is made with 100% vegan ingredients such as potato, corn and wheat. 2. Seven-day wonder Essie Treat Love & Colour in Punch It Up, £8.99, Boots , will make your nails stronger in a week, promising 35% less breakage and 60% less peeling. 3. Get your vitamins Cienna Rose Nail Lacquer in Blueberry Sorbet, £9, ciennarose.com , is brimming with goodies like provitamin B5 and vitamin E to bolster fragile nails. 4. Quick slick In a rush? Try fast-drying Avon Pro Colour in 60 Seconds Nail Enamel in Twinkle in Time, £3, avon.uk.com 5. Two-week mani Rimmel London Super Gel Nail Polish in Cocktail Passion and Top Coat, £6.99 each , deliver salon-style nails…

Charlene says: ‘My mum, Dorrett, died of bowel cancer at the age of 47. Earlier this year, I became a spokesperson for the No  Butts campaign, to spread the word about the symptoms of bowel cancer, which is the UK’s second-biggest cancer killer. ‘We’re uncomfortable about bowel movements when we don’t need to be. It’s important to me to help prevent other families from suffering the way we  did.’ Signs of bowel cancer ✢ Blood in your poo or from your bottom. ✢ Changes in your bowel habit. ✢ Weight loss you can’t explain. ✢ Extreme tiredness for no apparent  reason. ✢ Lump and/or pain in your tummy. If you notice anything unusual/blood in your stools, please see your GP. Find out more: bowelcanceruk.org.uk…

In another life, I taught French at a private boys’ school in Leeds. I was there for 12 years, and in spite of not having chosen to teach either in the private sector, or in a single-sex school, I found it enriching in many ways. It was a very different school to the one in which I’d taught previously – a mixed comprehensive in Dewsbury, where the motto was ‘Vocation, Vocation, Vocation’, and where every subject was expected to contribute directly towards future job applications. The head of my department had made it clear that I was to teach only what was on the curriculum. Music, art and literature were seen as an indulgence, unlikely to lead to realistic job prospects, while sciences and computing were necessary and practical. ‘Joy…

What’s at the top of your bucket list? Strictly Come Dancing. Why have they never asked me?! Every year I see the line-up and think, ‘Why was I not considered?’ I thought I’d be an obvious choice because I’m a BBC person and I appeal to quite a wide age group. I’m so frustrated! What’s your earliest memory of performing? I went to a little local dancing school called Chadsworth Stage School in Claygate, Surrey. From the age of three, dancing was my life. My mum was a professional dancer. She toured all over the UK. I guess it was in my genes. At first, I wanted to be a ballet dancer then, as I grew up, I realised I didn’t have the feet or the turnout for it. I…

✢ Strict criteria won’t find you a match. Have a wish list by all means, but don’t have rigid requirements. ✢ Don’t let the past dictate the future. Everyone has history, but it shouldn’t influence how you treat new partners. ✢ Relax and enjoy the journey. It’s supposed to be fun! ✢ Don’t be desperate. Don’t give yourself deadlines for an emotional process, it will come across as needy. DATING TIPS DO meet during the day somewhere public, for a coffee or walk in the park. DON’T agree to meet for dinner. If it’s a no from the off, there’s a long way to go to dessert. DO consider getting some relationship counselling – we offer sessions as part of our package. DON’T have a checklist and tick off the…

My mother was born in Lucknow, India, in 1944. Her mother, Ellen, was of Scottish descent, and her father, Albert, was Anglo-Indian. My grandmother Ellen and her twin baby boys emigrated to the UK in 1947 to set up a new life for the family in the Midlands. My grandfather Albert and my mother, only four at the time, were to join them a few weeks later. But Albert never did leave India and instead entered into a relationship with another woman. He and his new wife had a baby together and in 1954, when my mother was 10, the family arrived in the UK, where they settled in north London. My mother didn’t see her mother again until she was in her early 20s, when she was tracked down…

What is one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned? You’ve only got one crack at it, so make it count and love every second. People bemoan getting older, but it’s great. There are annoying things like gravity suddenly turning round and saying, ‘I’m not going to be your friend any more,’ and you wake up every morning saying, ‘I’m sure that wrinkle wasn’t there yesterday.’ But, as far as feeling more content with the way life is, that’s one of the  loveliest things about getting older. What has your career taught you? To only do jobs that are of real interest. Being true to myself has shaped my career choices. Sometimes they were very out of my comfort zone or they were things that were unfamiliar to me, but I…

1 Have a favourite clothing brand? Set up a saved search on resale platforms such as eBay and see if you can cut your fashion footprint by buying more second-hand clothes. 2 Care for what’s already in your  wardrobe to extend the lifespan as much as possible. You don’t have to be a super-skilled sewer; ethical fashion activist Orsola de Castro recommends using vintage brooches to cover holes. 3 ‘Good news! One of the easiest things you can do to help the environment is to simply wash your clothes less,’ declares Georgina Wilson-Powell in Is it Really Green? Everyday Eco-Dilemmas Answered. Levi’s suggests washing jeans after 10 wears, for example. 4 Another tip from Wilson-Powell is to ditch the tumble dryer. ‘It’s not just the earth you’ll be helping,’ she…

THE SKIRT A slinky satin midi skirt feels super luxe and can elevate any look. OUTFIT 1 Wear a loose top over the skirt, add a hat, and chunky sandals will give the summer style a tougher edge. OUTFIT 2 Throw on a chunky cable knit and pair with smart knee-high boots and a slouchy bag. OUTFIT 3 Tuck a floaty patterned blouse into the skirt. Finish with gold hoops and chic kitten-heel boots. OUTFIT 4 A Breton top and denim jacket are essential. Dress it up with espadrille wedges for comfort and style. THE JEANS This season, embrace a wider-leg denim that’s as comfortable as it is stylish. OUTFIT 1 Slip on a tee under a blazer, tuck into the jeans to highlight your waist and add block heels…

‘Incorporating strength-training moves that focus on balance is vital,’ says Anna Black, personal trainer and founder of The 40s Woman*. ‘It can improve joint stability – preventing injury – and proprioception (awareness of where your body is in space).’ Try these three simple balance moves, a few times a week. Do three sets of six repetitions: ✢ Single leg balance Stand. Lift your right foot and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat on the other side. ✢ Chair sit Stand in front of a chair with your back to it. Bring arms forward, and lower down onto the seat, keeping knees in line with toes. Push through your left foot to come back up to standing. ✢ Kneeling superman Start on hands and knees. Keep spine neutral, neck in line with…

✢ The North Face Vectiv Hypnum Shoes, £125, thenorthface.co.uk These comfy hiking shoes are made for women, thanks to slimline heels and bracing around the midfoot. ✢ Dare 2 Be Women’s Plyo Lightweight Trainers Active Pink Black, £65, dare2be.com These have plenty of cushioning for extra support and bounce. ✢ AKU Womens Alterra Lite GTX, £139.99, trekitt.co.uk Worth the spend, these shoes are lightweight. The Gore-Tex membrane ensures feet stay dry. ✢ Apple Watch Series 6, from £379, apple.com Track your heart rate, calories burned and number of steps taken.…

✢ Lyme disease is an infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks. Symptoms include fatigue, fever and aching joints – with or without a rash that can look like a ‘bullseye’ target. ✢ Symptoms can mimic other conditions such as depression and arthritis, often resulting in misdiagnosis. ✢ Ticks are most likely to be found in grassy and wooded areas. ✢ If bitten by a tick, use fine-pointed tweezers or a tick-removal tool (available from pharmacies) to remove it. Grasp close to the skin and pull the tick upwards, without squeezing or crushing it. Clean the bite well.…

Chronic pain is very common and is defined as pain lasting for longer than 12 weeks. In some cases there may be a known underlying cause, such as arthritis, but in others, the original injury may have resolved but the nervous system has upregulated and is still sending pain signals to the brain. In this case, the pain itself is the disease, not whatever started it. There are lots of painkilling medications available over the counter, the most common being paracetamol and ibuprofen. Doctors then gradually prescribe according to the analgesic ladder, where the medications increase in strength and dose, perhaps to include an opiate containing medication such as codeine or tramadol. However, these medications are addictive and have side effects, such as headaches, which may actually worsen your condition.…

✢ Check the mattress you’re buying is the right size for your bed frame, as UK and European sizes can differ. ✢ Size-wise, the mattress and frame should be at least 10cm longer than the tallest person sleeping on them. ✢ Test the bed size by both lying down on it, with arms up and resting your head on the palms of hands. If your elbows touch, it would be wise to buy bigger, perhaps a king or super-king. ✢ Soft to medium mattresses are great if you like to ‘sink into’ a mattress. Medium (not too soft, not too firm) are ideal for side sleepers; medium/firm offer more support but some give; while firm mattresses give extra support from head to toe, so are good for back or front…

✢ Echo the farmhouse vibe with wood panelled walls, exposed brickwork and flagstone floors. ✢ Bring in rustic furniture to complement – use mix-and-match pieces for an informal look. ✢ Add warmth with bold colour combinations – try mustard and teal, or cherry red and emerald green. ✢ Work in surprise elements for a modern twist, from oversized pendants to geometric prints.…

Peach melba lattice pie We’ve given this retro dessert a modern makeover. Serves 10 • Ready in 1 hr 40 mins, plus chilling For the pastry: 350g plain flour 30g caster sugar 1tsp salt 280g cold unsalted butter, diced For the filling: 10 ripe peaches 100g caster sugar 1tbsp lemon juice 1 vanilla pod, split and seeds removed 1½tbsp cornflour 150g fresh raspberries 1 egg, beaten Vanilla ice cream, to serve You will need: 22cm pie dish, greased 1 For the pastry, put the flour, sugar, salt and butter into a food processor and pulse to form large breadcrumbs. Pour in 90ml cold water; pulse until a dough is formed. Wrap in cling film and chill for 30 mins. 2 For the filling, score an X in the bottom of each…

The Sunday Times bestselling author of The Garden of Lost and Found worked in publishing before turning her hand to writing. Her latest book is The Beloved Girls, a compelling family drama set at a mysterious manor house where the past is shaping the present. I am always thinking of ideas for stories. I have since I was a child. One idea will stick and I know that’s the one I want to write about. I make sure I know my characters. I write questionnaires to answer, their favourite film, food, etc. Actor Alec Guinness said when he knew what shoes a character wore he could play them. It’s a bit like that. Writing energises and exhausts me. Sometimes it’s exhilarating but it can be hard and you believe the…

VIOLENT NIGHT WHEN WILL THERE BE GOOD NEWS? by Kate Atkinson This is a simply wonderful, complex look at violence against women. It’s an incredibly clever book and is beautifully plotted, just like all of Kate Atkinson’s books. It’s moving and sad, and just one of the books that I reread, if not simply to marvel at her great writing and how clever she is. DRUG DEAL NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN by Cormac McCarthy I think everyone should read this book, just because of his great writing – and he’s so smart. At the sentence level it’s magnificent, but it’s also a very insightful portrait of America at a particular time, with an old man looking back at things going wrong. It’s extremely powerful. DUBLIN DEBUT IN THE WOODS…

London, 1929. The rain hurled itself against the sitting-room windows. It seemed to have rained every day since she arrived. Wallis was trying hard not to feel disappointed in this new city, which was supposed to be a whole new start. But it was the case that nothing had yet measured up to expectations. Her second husband Ernest Simpson – polite and kind-hearted as he was – had been her yardstick of what the English were like. But his countrymen were entirely different. They seemed remote and chilly in a way she had never before encountered. They had strange rules of table etiquette; eating with both knife and fork, not just fork as Americans like herself did. And they got straight on with it rather than waiting for everyone to…

LIBRA 23 SEPTEMBER – 22 OCTOBER After your birthday month begins on the 23rd, life is busy. You’re determined to get something you want. Over the next week you can. Just don’t be heavy-handed. Call 0905 789 4156* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates SCORPIO 23 OCTOBER – 21 NOVEMBER Summer might be over, but your love life is sizzling. On the 11th, Venus enters Scorpio and romance is on the agenda. Collaboration helps you get things done. Call 0905 789 4157* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates SAGITTARIUS 22 NOVEMBER – 21 DECEMBER Put the 13th in your diary to go after a goal. If you need to have an important conversation or tackle a task, do it then and see magic happen. Call 0905 789 4158*…

VIRGO 23 AUGUST – 22 SEPTEMBER  Most of September you are charm itself. But a relationship matter comes to a head around the 20th. Resolve it before the month is out. YOUR MONTHS AHEAD  If a partnership fell by the wayside in summer, it will likely be back on track in January – or replaced by something better. Relationships improve next year. Call 0905 789 4155* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates.…

Olivier Award-winning actress and author CELIA IMRIE – well-known for her roles in Dinnerladies and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – has just brought out her fifth book, Orphans of the Storm, which she talks about on p166. What’s your favourite coast? The Côte d’Azur for its wonderful mixture of colours, and the sea, which is  forever thrilling. I so understand why the Impressionists were mesmerised by  this place. ELINOR CLEGHORN is  a feminist cultural historian and author of Unwell Women: A Journey Through Medicine and Myth in a Man-Made World. On p48, she explores the way women are treated by the medical establishment. What’s your favourite coast? Sark, a tiny Channel island where no cars  are allowed and the night skies are incredible. My husband has family who live…

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

My favourite VILLAINS As creations I appreciate and admire them all’ by Lynda La Plante In real life, women very rarely turn to crime of their own accord. They may have a warped perspective on reality due to an abusive upbringing; be coerced or manipulated into crime at the hands of someone they love deeply. They may have an addiction they need to fuel. There is usually a very sad back story. In fiction however, female villains entertain and appeal in a way they cannot in real life. They are alien to most normal women, their psyches entirely different, unimaginable. My favourite female villain in fiction is Mrs Danvers from Rebecca: chilling and downright frightening in her obsessive compulsiveness, she is a brilliant creation. On television in the numerous adaptations…

✢ Be proactive. Tell friends and family that you’re open to finding a match. I was introduced to Lee by a friend. ✢ Have a strategy. Think about where you want to live, travel and what your partner will need to help you with that. ✢ Be consistent. Like joining a gym, there’s no point going at it for two weeks in January and then losing interest. Tell yourself, every two weeks I will have a date, and hopefully that will translate into a relationship. ✢ Join an agency! This allows you to focus on important parts of your life while an expert looks for you. DATING TIPS DO keep your first date light and easy, and choose somewhere public. DON’T only talk about yourself, be prepared to listen. Everyone…

For almost 10 years I suffered awful pain in my joints and muscles, along with other mysterious symptoms. Doctors dismissed it as hormones, PMT or work stress – one claimed it was growing pains, while another suggested I was pregnant or had gout! No one referred me for further tests, or even considered that I might have had an underlying condition. Then, when I was 30, I was finally diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus – an autoimmune disease that mostly affects women, and causes symptoms including joint pain and organ damage. ‘Damaging clichés are still putting our health at risk’ Since being diagnosed, my care from the NHS has been wonderful, and my disease is under control, but I was determined to understand why I’d been misdiagnosed for so long.…

‘I wasn’t a typical ocean campaigner’ Natalie Fée, 42, is the founder of City to Sea, an organisation committed to empowering individuals to reduce their plastic footprint. Natalie lives in Bristol with her son, Elliot, 18. Scrolling Facebook in 2014, I saw a trailer for the film Albatross. Chicks on Midway Island, in the heart of the Pacific, were dying in their nests with a belly full of plastic. I couldn’t say that those bits of plastic weren’t mine because I had no idea where my rubbish actually ended up. ‘Governments are slow to change but they respond to public demand’ I wasn’t a typical ocean campaigner, I was a TV presenter and producer, but I was so devastated by what I saw, I had to do something to help.…

✢ Step into autumn the stylish way, with timeless accessories guaranteed to last. ✢ Warm tones of cream, beige, caramel and tan will lift any look, and give your outfit a luxe finishing touch. ✢ A snake-print belt is great with a classic white shirt to give more shape, while a structured bag elevates your fail-safe jeans. ✢ Nude heels elongate your legs, while clear sides are a modern update to the fashionable footwear.…

Let’s talk about denim. Thanks to the 70s influence that swept through designers’ collections, it’s having a moment. And I couldn’t be more excited. You could say I’m a jeans addict. Nothing quite beats the thrill of discovering the perfect pair – that special one that fits in all the right places. Keeping up with jeans trends, however, can be a bore. Skinny, flared, boyfriend, girlfriend, mom, you name it, I’ve probably tried them. Now that I’m settled into ‘that certain phase of my life’, I stick to what suits me. And leave the rest behind. But it’s not all about jeans this season. Denim has taken all manner of guises – jackets, dresses, skirts and accessories. Celine, Saint Laurent, Victoria Beckham and Vanessa Bruno did it best in my…

✢ Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quad in Honeymoon, £68, johnlewis.com ✢ Dear Dahlia Allure Shine Lip Plump in Attraction, £28, lookfantastic.com ✢ Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer in Hot Chocolit, £17, boots.com…

Put health and bowel in the same sentence and you automatically think of bowel cancer. This month’s column is not about scaremongering; it’s a guide for maintaining optimum health of an organ that doesn’t just digest food and store waste, but affects our whole wellbeing. Two words: gut and bowel. The gut tends to mean the whole of our digestive system, from our mouth to our anus, and incorporates the bowel, which is made up of the small intestine and the large intestine. We chew our food and, with the help of enzymes, it makes its way to the small intestine, where valuable nutrients are absorbed into the body. The undigested waste heads on towards the large intestine, where excess water is absorbed by the body, leaving the leftovers as…

Savour the last days of summer with a seasonal table arrangement using flowers or plants brought in from the garden. ✢ Lay the table with a linen cloth or runner in sunny yellow or soft sage green, and deck with rustic basketware, place mats, wooden serving boards and platters. ✢ Make individual place settings by potting plants up in enamel mugs or small terracotta pots – or try glass jam jars filled with a few fragrant blooms. Guests can take these away as a keepsake afterwards. ✢ Add name tags for guests using plant markers – try slate labels with chalk or wooden markers with pencil. Finally, tie cutlery with lengths of hessian or string.…

Stepping off the boat that links the tiny island of Tresco to St Mary’s in the Scilly Isles, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve landed on the other side of the globe. Caribbean-blue waters lap at soft-white sand, and pale dunes are studded with bright blue agapanthus, which grows like a wild flower. Half a mile from the quayside lies Tresco Abbey Garden, where a unique collection of plants originating from the Southern Hemisphere bloom year-round in the mild, frost-free climate. A speck of granite in the Atlantic Ocean, 30 miles off the tip of Cornwall, Tresco was transformed from a barren wilderness in the mid-19th century by plant collector Augustus Smith. He established the garden among the ruins of a 10th-century Benedictine monastery, and planted shelter belts of…

This month sees the return of the popular Second Hand September campaign. Organised by Oxfam, the initiative encourages people to buy second-hand rather than new clothes for 30 days, with the goal of raising awareness about the huge environmental impact of fashion. Did you know, for example, it would take 13 years to drink the amount of water needed to make one T-shirt and a pair of jeans? Browse charity shops, or check out dedicated pre-loved clothing apps such as Depop and Vinted, listings on eBay or the online stores of charities such as Oxfam; onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk…

Burnt Basque cheesecake with mulberry sauce When we tried our first slice of Spanish burnt cheesecake from San Sebastián, we knew it was love! We’ve paired ours with seasonal berries. Serves 12 • Ready in 1 hr 10 mins, plus cooling and chilling For the cheesecake: 650g cream cheese, at room temperature 200g granulated sugar 4 large eggs 300ml double cream, at room temperature Pinch of sea salt 1tsp vanilla extract 30g plain flour, sifted For the sauce: 350g fresh mulberries, stalks removed 35g granulated sugar Zest and juice of ½ orange 1tbsp honey 25ml dry sherry (optional) You will need: 20cm springform cake tin, greased 1 Heat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. Line the tin with a large square of baking paper; press well into the base of the tin,…

I was sad to finish EARLY MORNING RISER by Katherine Heiny – I didn’t want to leave the likeable characters living in this small American town. Rosalind Darnton, Buckinghamshire I’m delighted to have discovered Lucinda Riley’s SEVEN SISTERS books. They’ve enriched my life and I enjoy finding out about the history behind the stories! Dorothy Turner, Kent I loved Kristin Harmel’s THE BOOK OF LOST NAMES . I want to remain in her World War Two setting, where fearless forgers saved lives while putting their own at risk. Anaita Davar, Mumbai, India I’ve just finished Ruth Coker Burks’ ALL THE YOUNG MEN , a memoir of caring for AIDS victims, and the hostility they faced. It’s such an important read. Polly Allen, Bristol…

‘Nice is the most heavenly place on earth’ Writer and actor Celia Imrie has set three of her previous books in Nice, in the South of France, and Orphans of the Storm – her first historical novel – takes us back to the city in 1911. Marcella Caretto is beguiled into marriage with handsome Michael Navratil, but his jealous, controlling behaviour quickly sours their romance. And when he takes the disastrous decision to abduct their two little boys and sail to America on-board the Titanic, Marcella’s nightmare begins as she struggles to find the truth about what happened to her children. The novel is based on a heartbreaking true story. Celia and her friend, researcher Fidelis Morgan, trawled the archives in Nice to discover more about the desperate young mother…