Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2021 i Woman & Home

At w&h we are all about celebrating, supporting and inspiring each other, and in this issue we’ve really excelled ourselves when it comes to filling it with brilliant women. Reading our features, I was struck by the endless possibilities that life has for us, if we can just be brave enough to embrace them. We went abroad and stayed on p36 features three women who travelled across the world in the hope of making it a better place, and ended up starting new lives in their destination. And in We followed our plan B on p42, we meet women who retrained later in life, with incredible results. Both showed me examples of the path not taken – there’s always time to do something different! And on the subject of inspiration,…

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS What an inspirational article the Amazing Women Awards 2021 [July] was! Reading about what these women are doing for various causes has made me want to do something similar. I  had chronic infective endocarditis this year and had to have major heart surgery. I now want to raise awareness about it, and I  shall take ideas from these ladies. Thank you for inspiring me onwards. Julie, by email RIGHT RESORT I really enjoy your holiday articles. However, in the article about Best British Beaches [July], the Bamburgh Castle Inn was described as being in the quaint town of Bamburgh, when in fact it is in Seahouses, a busy seaside resort with a lovely harbour. Glynis, by email LIVE AND LETTE LIVE Kathy Lette’s piece in August’s issue…

She has built a reputation for fearlessly getting on with whatever life throws at her. Victoria Derbyshire grew up in a violent household, where, as the eldest of three, she was determined that her father and his fearsome rages would never define her or her siblings. Her no-nonsense approach to being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 inspired many. She never asked ‘why me?’ – instead, she made video diaries to help her cope and to support the wider cancer community. When her award-winning morning show on the BBC was axed last year as part of cuts, she moved forward, channelling herself into new adventures, not least taking part in last year’s I’m A Celebrity because it was her sons’ favourite show. One of her latest projects is a podcast…

We are all familiar with the sense of being lost for words – whether due to being overwhelmed by a particularly difficult, or joyous, experience, or because we’re simply feeling tongue-tied and confused. In moments like these I have always found myself turning to poems, which, with their special powers of expression, can help me articulate, or better process, what I can’t quite put into words myself. I often think of poems like spells that enchant us and seep into our consciousness, shaping our perspectives. Some poems speak directly to our souls, while others are more dreamlike, and carry us along on waves of sound that lull, soothe and console. ‘At any stage of life, a poem can enrich, move, entertain, guide or support’ The sound of poetry is something…

‘I imagine Jacobean ladies relished a cackle with their mates’ During a recent declutter, I found a holiday diary from 1994. ‘We’re jammy!’ I’d written with undisguised glee. ‘Checked in late so we were upgraded to first class. Canapés, fags, goodie bags with eye masks and socks. Smoking on a plane! Could life have actually been any better? Caracas is loud, manic and exciting,’ I went on. ‘Hotel smells toilety but is  OK. A woman warned us to wear bulletproof vests as she got shot at but we’re not scared!’ At 29 years old, my best friend and I were on our way to Cuba via Venezuela. We loved an adventure and a chance to kick up our heels. Aside from our delight in being allowed to smoke in-flight (yuck),…

The greatest lesson I’ve learnt in life is that you can’t please everybody. You’re fighting a losing battle. As somebody who has had so much expectation put on them from every angle, I have done that. If you’re trying to make everyone else happy, ultimately you’re only going to make yourself miserable. I’ve learnt from being a young Indian woman that freedom is complicated. I always knew the boys had it easier than the girls. From day one, I was, ‘I  want to be the master of my own destiny, I  don’t want to be in a  marriage like all the women around me, doing everything for the men.’ Marriage just seemed like it was for the patriarchy. I  didn’t see any advantages to being a  woman growing up. Freedom…

My sister Lucy and I were inseparable as children, teenagers and adults. Although I was two years older, I still looked up to Lucy. She was inquisitive and adventurous, brave and funny. When I was six, we were eating crisps in a country pub garden while our parents, Jackie and Alan, had a drink. Lucy was running after some chickens when suddenly a cockerel landed on her head. I’d have been scared, but Lucy found it hilarious. I loved her fearlessness. We were more than sisters, we were friends too. Our family moved around a lot because of Dad’s career in finance. Wherever we went, we had each other. That bond was unshakeable. In our 30s we lived within walking distance of each other in London. We knew each other’s…

Thrifty trick Take advantage of Free Wills Month during October or Will Aid in November to get your will written for free. Seize the chance to save your loved ones time, trouble and expense after you’re gone. During Free Wills Month, over-55s can get a will written or updated by a solicitor for free, although donations to charity are encouraged. Sign up for a reminder at freewillsmonth.org.uk Alternatively, anyone can get a simple will written by a solicitor via Will Aid in November, in exchange for a donation to one of nine charities. The suggested donations are £100 for a single will, or £180 for a pair of basic mirror wills. Visit willaid.org.uk Treat yourself Turn digital pics into memories to treasure, by snapping up free photo prints for just…

Best hand sanitiser Gloved Moisture-Replenish Hand Sanitiser, £25 for 375ml, gloved.co.uk ‘The gentle formula doesn’t dry your hands out. It smells wonderful and looks posh in the downstairs loo.’ CWH Best skin brightener REN Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic, £27 for 250ml, renskincare.com ‘This really does make skin glow. Skin looks fab even after just one use.’ CWH Best shampoo bar Percy & Reed All Lathered Up Cleansing Shampoo Bar, £10 for 50g, percyandreed.com ‘Smells delicious, lathers well, and leaves hair feeling clean and soft.’ SCW Best for general wellbeing Welleco The Super Elixir™, £62.50 for 300g, welleco.co.uk ‘Over 40 natural ingredients help to boost hair, skin, nails, gut health and energy levels.’ SCW Best mask Lumene [LÄHDE] Nordic Hydra Oxygen Recovery 72H Hydra Gel Mask, £20.90 for 150ml,…

Our memories of being locked down are fading, and the UK is (hopefully) in recovery mode. However, it’s safe to say that COVID-19 changed all our lives and some things will never be the same again. The NHS has been pushed to the brink and, as it has battled to reduce COVID infections, we have all had to radically change how we used the service. ‘Over the course of the pandemic we saw many normal parts of life adapt to a virtual setting, from how children received an education to how we work, so it is unsurprising that this also included the way we communicated with medical professionals,’ says Dr Ashish Srivastava, a GP. And so with digital doctors and online prescription orders becoming the norm, let’s take a look…

I know what you’re thinking. The doctor, obviously. And yes, that’s a good start, but it may involve a referral to someone with an overly long waiting list. If you have a bit of spare cash, then a visit to a chiropractor is worth it. Or is it an osteopath? Or a physiotherapist? To be quite frank, I’ve never been very clear on their differences and I’ve sampled all three flavours in my time, so I was pleased to have the opportunity to find out more. I think we have to expect some overlap. They all treat problems with joints, muscles and nerves, and they all have the same goals – pain relief and injury recovery. They all want to make us better, a) so we’re in less pain and…

FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST Grill 2 Linda McCartney Vegetarian Red Onion & Rosemary Sausages until cooked through, along with halved tomatoes . In a pan sprayed with low-calorie cooking spray, fry sliced mushrooms and 1-2 eggs to your liking. Serve hot with baked beans . FRUITY SALAD Chop fresh fruit like kiwi , grapes , melon , cherries and orange . Serve with fat-free natural yogurt , a dusting of cinnamon and a sprig of mint. MUSHROOM AND EGG BAP Fry a portobello mushroom in a pan sprayed with low-calorie cooking spray for 10-15 minutes, turning. Crack an egg into the pan and cook to your liking. Fill a toasted 60g wholemeal roll with sliced tomato , wilted spinach , the mushroom and egg , and season to taste. WHOLEWHEAT BIX…

CHICKEN KIEV AND CHUNKY CHIPS Ready in 1 hr 2 garlic cloves, crushed Finely grated zest of 1 lemon, and the juice of ½ 120g plain quark 10g fresh parsley, chopped 4 large skinless and boneless chicken breasts, fat removed 800g floury potatoes , cut into chunky chips Low-calorie cooking spray 1 medium egg , beaten 2 slices wholemeal bread (from a small 400g loaf), whizzed into breadcrumbs 300g carrots , cut into rounds 250g green beans , trimmed 200g thin-stemmed broccoli 1 Preheat your oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/gas 6. Mix the garlic, lemon zest and juice, quark and parsley. 2 Slice a pocket lengthways into the chicken breasts, making sure not to cut all the way through. Spoon ¼ of the mixture into each pocket and press together to…

✢ Over 40% of the UK population are snorers and snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnoea*. ✢ For women, hormonal changes during the menopause can make snoring worse. ✢ The noise of snoring can be between 50-100 decibels – as loud as a lawnmower or washing machine. ✢ Losing weight, reducing alcohol intake, changing sleeping positions and wearing an anti-snoring mouthpiece may help. ✢ Somnilase costs £550 per session and Kym was treated by ENT surgeon Dr Vik Veer (consultant-surgeon.co.uk).…

Sleep is absolutely essential to health, but it is also one of the first things to be disrupted by stress, be it physical, such as pain, or psychological stress. Your body needs sleep to heal and recover, and without it, not only are we tired, but also often irritable or unable to concentrate. In fact, sleep problems are known to be associated with dementia, and people who sleep for six hours or less a night in their 50s and 60s are more likely to develop it in later life. (It’s important to note that scientists are, as yet, unclear if it is the lack of sleep that directly causes the increased risk, or another factor.) There are lots of reasons why you may have difficulties sleeping, from hot flushes and…

1 BRICK RED This natural orange-brown shade adds a warming glow. TRY IT Perfect for spaces you love to retreat to at the end of the day, this earthy tone will make a TV den or snug feel cosy and cocooning. USE IT Dare to put brick red on all four walls for an immersive, intimate feel. In a larger space, use it on one wall to highlight the room’s focal point, such as a sofa or bed. 2 CHARCOAL GREY Banish any stress vibes with this deep, calming shade. TRY IT Cosy in bedrooms or living rooms and intimate in a dining room, mix charcoal with lighter tones for a layered, neutral scheme that feels restrained but interesting. USE IT A great background colour for wall art and gilt…

✢ Start with an all-neutral palette of soft grey and taupe to create a calm, cohesive backdrop. ✢ Bring in warmer accent colours to add punch, from hot pink and red to dusky blue and green. ✢ Choose tailored upholstery in chic linen, wool and plush velvet for a smart, elegant look. ✢ Go big with artwork in bold abstract prints and vibrant tones. W & H TAP TO EXPLORE Items on this page are shoppable. Turn to page 5 to discover how to bring woman&home to life on your phone…

GREEN BROWNIES As awareness grows of the environmental impact of cut flowers, more sustainable gift options are coming to the fore. From its Exeter bakery, Cake or Death offers boxes of luxurious handmade vegan brownies that arrive through the letterbox. Flavours include Biscoff and peanut butter; cakeordeath.co.uk BRIDGEWATER X BEESWAX Switching cling film for plastic-free reusable sheets is sustainable and stylish with the Emma Bridgewater and The Beeswax Wrap Co. collaboration. Made from locally sourced beeswax, organic cotton and organic oils, packs come in three sizes and four patterns, including Strawberries & Lemons; emmabridgewater.co.uk CUT CATS’ CARBON PAWPRINT It’s not just people who generate carbon emissions – our pets do too. Reduce the impact of your moggy with Lovebug insect-based cat food. This protein-rich kibble provides a nutritionally complete meal…

HISTORY REIMAGINED Tenderness by Alison Macleod (£18.99, HB, Bloomsbury) In 1960, DH Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover was tried for obscenity at the Old Bailey. Alison Macleod’s account shows us what was at stake. Had the case been proven, the defendant – Penguin Books director Sir Allen Lane – would have faced a three-year sentence. At the heart of the book stands Lawrence, struggling with ill health as he strove to bring about a new age of tenderness. LIFE AND LOVE Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney (£16.99, HB, Faber & Faber) Sally Rooney set the literary world alight with her second novel, Normal People, so it comes as no surprise we’re excited about her latest book. Still young, Alice, Felix, Eileen and Simon are navigating their way through…

One of our finest writers, Sebastian Faulks CBE is perhaps best-known for Birdsong, now a classic of modern English literature. In his latest book, Snow Country, we journey to Austria, where Anton, a young journalist, and Lena, born with nothing but a strength of character, fatefully cross paths at a sanatorium. Fans will recognise the setting from his much-loved book Human Traces. Sebastian lives in west London with his bookseller wife, Veronica. They have three children and a blue whippet called Hector. Sebastian’s last book was dedicated to Hector, who is his best friend. ‘In failure, you’ve moved things along a bit’ Snow Country is set in Carinthia, in the south-east of Austria. I’d stayed there quite a few times with a friend. There was something about the houses and…

For each new rental, Karis had the same ritual – a new pair of curtains, a vase of fresh pink peonies on the dining table and a new food bowl for Virginia. She had moved many times, but this was the first without Caleb. This move marked a new start in more ways than one. ‘Go on,’ she said to Virginia, who licked her face in reply. ‘This is our place now. Go explore.’ She lifted the stack of mail that had gathered on the mat, then watched as Virginia stalked off towards the kitchen, her white tail slinking around the corner. The place had a smell to it that she hadn’t noticed during the viewing – the smell of old, damp wood. She set the pile of bills and…

SCORPIO 23 OCTOBER – 21 NOVEMBER During the first week of October, the stars align for you to create more money or romance. However, don’t commit until you’ve fully examined the small print. Call 0905 789 4157* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates SAGITTARIUS 22 NOVEMBER – 21 DECEMBER After the 7th, Venus comes onside, sprinkling love dust for the month. She is also a great influence for enhancing your appearance. Makeovers work wonders. Call 0905 789 4158* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates CAPRICORN 22 DECEMBER – 19 JANUARY If you love setting goals and planning, a key day for getting organised is the 13th. You may need to after explosive work or home atmospheres in October’s first half. Call 0905 789 4159* and choose weekly, monthly…

LIBRA 23 SEPTEMBER – 22 OCTOBER  Double-check birthday plans, as the communication planet is messing about before the 19th. Wish for a fresh start on the 6th. YOUR MONTHS AHEAD  Expect the unexpected. Close relationships will see surprising developments. Also, a situation with a child or a lover will improve around the new year. Call 0905 789 4156* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates.…

‘My top DIY technique? Just move house’ DIY should really be DYI – Do Yourself In. I speak from painful personal experience. Like many women, I call every gadget a ‘thingy’. My only DIY procedure is the highly technical art of whacking the crap out of any electronic device till it works again. But when the fuse box blew recently and I was reduced to feeling my way around the house by Braille and not one electrician I phoned was available until, oh, the next millennium, I was forced to fix it myself. This involved putting the thingamabob inside the whatchamacallit, turning the doohickey clockwise then whacking it with a stiletto heel and, hey presto! Let there be light! Emboldened, I then decided that to be a truly independent feminist,…

1. Ultimate smoother Short wild boar and longer flexible bristles work in tandem to detangle and smooth. Hair Rituel by Sisley Paris The Radiance Brush, £60, sisley-paris.com 2. Big and bouncy A brush that makes it easy to achieve a salon-worthy blow-dry at home. Hershesons The Pro Blow Dry Brush Large, £30, hershesons.com 3. The multitasker Brush downwards to straighten, or wrap around to curl. Heated bristles cause less damage than tongs. Dafni Muse Style & Curl Ceramic Brush, £119, qvcuk.com 4. No more tangles Tiered teeth tackle knots in 3C-4C curls. Tangle Teezer Ultimate Naturally Curly Detangler, £12, boots.com 5. Gently does it Great for those with fragile hair or extensions. Carefully spaced bristles and a flexible base means less breakage. Manta Mirror Blue, £28.50, mantahair.com 6. Frizz-free A…

As momentum grows to redress the gender imbalance in the arts, we celebrate female British artists who’ve been inspiring us for decades. MAGGI HAMBLING K nown for intricate sea and landscapes, Hambling, 75, now a CBE, is also a sculptor. Her 2020 statue of Mary Wollstonecraft sparked controversy for portraying her naked – a choice the artist vehemently defended. She also sculpted Oscar Wilde’s memorial in London’s Charing Cross. Maggi Hambling’s 2020 exhibition at Marlborough Gallery, London, showed Lion in Enclosure, 2019, Young Dancing Bear, 2019, Covid Spring, 2020 (pictured), and Self Portrait Working, 2020, The 2020 exhibition also marked Hambling’s 75th birthday. CHANTAL JOFFE Joffe, 52, uses photos of friends, adverts, fashion magazines, her mum and pornography for what an independent art critic called her ‘big, rude paintings’. She…

The intense look of adoration on my face here, aged seven or eight, says it all about my lifelong obsession with cats. The photo was taken on our annual family holiday to Portsalon, northwestern Ireland. Sometimes, we took our own cat, Puss in Boots. My sister and I loved building him sandcastles and tunnels to run through, but this year, we’d had to leave him behind. I was missing him, so when I found this black and white puss we immediately made friends. We’d moved from Surrey to Northern Ireland in 1982, when I was four, because Dad, a surgeon, got a job in Derry. In the midst of the Troubles, he was operating on victims of bombs and shootings. There were military checkpoints everywhere and our local shopping centre…

If you buy one thing this month TRY NEW-SEASON MAKE-UP As summer slowly slip into autumn, now is the ideal time to treat yourself to some new cosmetics. The grown-up equivalent of a new pencil case, fresh make-up is just the thing to update your look for the months ahead. Our favourite treats are: Bobbi Brown Face & Cheek Palette, £32, which combines a bronzing powder, illuminating bronzer powder and blush to create a glowing complexion. Laura Mercier Rose Glow Caviar Stick Eyeshadows, £25 each, are perfect for pretty neutral eyes. Hourglass Curator Eyeshadow Collection, from £38, allows you to customise your own palette of pigment-rich eyeshadows. Clarins Supra Lift & Curl Mascara, £23, promises a more wide-eyed effect on application. For lips, choose the matte finish of Estée Lauder…

I love nothing better than a smart coat because you can throw one on over the most basic outfit and look fabulous. Remember when people were turned away from supermarkets for turning up in their PJs? If only they’d worn the most beautiful tailored coat over the top. I road-tested this and went to the local shop in my sleepwear under a classic camel coat. No one batted an eyelid. That’s the beauty of exquisite tailoring. Naturally, I get excited when a new coat season looms. From trench coats at Celine, a gold design at Burberry and military style at Victoria Beckham and Balmain to boxy 80s silhouettes at Isabel Marant and Max Mara’s quintessentially British country look, it’s enough to send the most seasoned fashionista into a frenzy. I’m…

Jane Clarke, nutritionist and founder of Nourish Drinks, says immunity-boosting food can help us as cold and flu season approaches. As well as vitamin C, vitamins A, B6 and B12 should also be part of our winter defences. Stay well by ensuring these are on the menu: ✢ Vitamin A can be synthesised from beta-carotene-rich foods, such as peppers, carrots and sweet potatoes. You’ll also find vitamin A in oily fish, dairy and eggs. ✢ Vitamin C can’t be stored in the body, so you’ll need a daily dose. Good sources include kale, broccoli and Brussels sprouts, plus citrus fruit and berries – try frozen berries in a winter smoothie spiced with cinnamon. ✢ Vitamin B6 can be found in chickpeas, chicken, nuts and tofu. Roast chickpeas with turmeric and…

If you want to go virtual, contact your surgery to see if they’re offering video consultations – most GP surgeries, hospitals, mental health services and community care services are now doing so. If your NHS surgery is partnered with Push Doctor, you’ll have access to their medical professionals for free. Or, you can use one of the many paid-for services available online – in terms of digital development, private sector healthcare providers are leading the way. PAID-FOR OPTIONS INCLUDE: ✢ Gogodoc offers GP services within the hour on video or phone. £35 for 15 minutes; gogodoc.com ✢ Simplyhealth has a level one plan and app, costing £7.50 per month; simplyhealth.co.uk ✢ Babylon provides cover for a year at £149; babylonhealth.com…

✢ Trim all visible fat off meats and remove skin from poultry. ✢ If you feel hungry between meals, snack on Free Food and, for the very best weight loss, reach for fresh fruit or vegetables first. Fruit and veg that are lowest in energy density are called Speed Free Food. ✢ For extra health benefits and filling power, choose wholegrains, e.g. wholemeal pasta or wholegrain rice, where you can. ✢ Aim to have between 6 and 8 drinks a day – choose water, sugar-free drinks, tea and coffee. Remember any milk needs to come from your allowance. ✢ The most successful slimmers join a group or online programme for shared support, inspiration and motivation. >>…

Q I am in my late 50s and need to have an operation on my foot, which will be the first operation I have ever had. I want the surgery, but I am terrified about the anaesthetic. Could you please explain to me what happens? I am worried about waking up during the operation! A Please do speak to your medical team about your concerns so that they are aware and can offer you more support. It is common to feel anxious about the surgery itself, the recovery from the operation and the general anaesthetic. For a general anaesthetic, your anaesthetist will see you before the surgery and explain everything that will happen. Either when you are on the ward, or in the anaesthetic room, once you are in your…

Here at woman&home we love a bargain, so we’ve curated hundreds of brilliant promotions and special offers to help you save more on treats and essentials. Whether you want the most flattering foundation or effective mascara, or simply fancy a new fragrance, we can help you find the very best deal. Head to womanandhome.com/vouchers to discover deals, seasonal sales and offers across your favourite brands, all in one easy-to-find place. One of our favourites outlets on womanandhome.com/vouchers is LOOKFANTASTIC – the ultimate beauty destination, with the biggest brands in luxury skincare, haircare and beauty. We offer their best discount codes and voucher codes, so you’re guaranteed to get the best prices. You can treat yourself to one of the world’s most famous skincare products, Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair. This lightweight…

1 CONNECTING WITH NATURE Biophilic design is a big trend this year, with the bathroom now seen by many as a space for wellness. The term refers to a connection between interiors and the natural world, whether by increasing light and fresh air with large windows and skylights, the use of natural materials such as wood and stone, or bringing in plants and greenery to improve air quality. Aspen Pine wallpaper, £65 per roll, grahambrown.com 2 BURNISHED FINISHES Replacing fittings is a simple way of giving a bathroom a new look. Brushed brass, burnished gold and polished nickel take on an aged patina over time. Arezzo brushed brass shower system, £349.95, victorianplumbing.co.uk 3 SHAPE SHIFTING Wall-to-wall matching tiles are out, replaced by a more relaxed combination of tiling in…

French onion soup with cheese and chive croutons The buttery, boozy aroma of this classic warms the heart. We’ve swapped the usual Gruyère for Grana Padano to give it a tasty twist. Serves 2 • Ready in 1 hr 10 mins 60g butter 5 onions, thinly sliced 2tsp soft brown sugar 2tbsp brandy 2tsp flour 2 garlic cloves, crushed 150ml dry white wine 450ml good-quality beef stock or bone broth For the croutons: 2 slices of sourdough baguette, toasted 25g Grana Padano, finely grated 10g finely chopped fresh chives 1 In a heavy-based lidded pan, melt the butter until sizzling. Add the onions, season, and cook over a medium heat for 10 mins until softened. Stir regularly. 2 Stir in the sugar and brandy, put the lid on the pan and…

THE SHEPHERD’S LIFE by James Rebanks is about the centuries-old way of life of sheep farming and the personal journey of the author. Clare Walters, Camberwell, London Absorbing and thought-provoking, FEEDING THE GODS by Elizabeth Harrison addresses friendship, ageing and the roles women take. Bianca Stott, Cheshire THE MERMAID OF BLACK CONCH by Monique Roffey was unforgettable. Told in a lyrical Caribbean voice, it’s a timeless tale of a cursed mermaid. Ruth Herbert, Maidstone, Kent I’ve just read THE GOVERNOR by Vanessa Frake. It was so good I finished it in two days. Frank writing by such a respected person. Lynne English, Coventry…

CHILDREN’S CLASSIC THE HUNDRED AND ONE DALMATIANS by Dodie Smith When I was growing up my parents had a dalmatian, and I must have read this book 10 times. I didn’t really like people very much, but I loved dogs. It’s also a very sweet, sad, touching, and ultimately happy story. A perfect children’s book. COMPELLING CHARACTERS GREAT EXPECTATIONS by Charles Dickens The way the very dramatic life story of one individual reveals the whole of society, and the way it works, is very clever. COMIC TALE TOWARDS THE END OF THE MORNING by Michael Frayn This comic novel, set at an obscure national newspaper in 1960s Fleet Street, sees a journalist’s dream of fame and gentlemanly life realised. It made me laugh so much I fell out of bed.…

SEBASTIAN FAULKS is a bestselling novelist who quit journalism to write full-time after the huge success of his book, Birdsong, which was published in 1993. Awarded a CBE for services to literature in 2002, on p181 he talks about his latest novel, Snow Country. Who is your best friend? Hector the blue whippet is 14 now. He sleeps a lot and is rather forgetful. But his kindness, generosity of spirit and love of cheese are undiminished. I ask for no more in a friend. Author, broadcaster and host of the successful How to Fail podcast, ELIZABETH DAY has just published her fifth novel, Magpie. On p59, she explains why cats have always been particularly special to her. Who is your best friend? Emma, she’s a psychotherapist, so she knows me…

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

‘IT FELT LIKE THE END OF EVERYTHING, BUT IT WAS MY NEW BEGINNING’ Sam Green, 49, from Peckham, London, moved with her husband Mark to Sri Lanka to help rescue neglected street dogs and other animals. The morning of 7/7 2005 started like any other. My daughter, Aisling, 11, went to school while I had a conference call from home. I ran the London Underground engineering department and Mark worked for LU too. Then my phone started pinging with calls and messages. I raced into work. London was in chaos, and it was hard to believe what had happened. After the horrific terrorist attack that day, Mark and I led the police to the bombed carriage and worked at the crime scene for days. What haunted me were the personal…

PEACHES & CREAM ✢ Who said pastels are just for summer? Take sorbet shades into autumn by layering over tops and dresses. Try popping a frock over a high-neck blouse and pull the sleeves down to show a hint of the cuff. ✢ Gathered detail under the chest gives room for a fuller bust while highlighting your waist. ✢ Tan accessories will add depth to your outfit to bring your look into autumn. Dress, £120, sizes 6-16, frenchconnection.com; top, £165, sizes 6-16, meandem.com WHITE HOT ✢ Invest in the ultimate prairie dress. Look for key features like a high neckline, fluted sleeves and smock shape. A belt breaks up the block colour and adds definition. ✢ If the straw hat became your summer saviour, transition to a felt fedora for…

BEAUTY INNOVATION Best cleanser Frances Prescott Tri-Balm, £49 for 70g, francesprescott.com ‘A cleansing balm that you just roll onto your face. Genius! No mess, easy to use and left my skin smooth. Really like this!’ SCW Best hair tool GHD Unplugged, £299, ghdhair.com ‘Great size, styles the hair well and looks great. Nice and compact for handbag and travel.’ JR Best skin tool for facial toning Foreo Bear Facial Toning Device, £279, net-a-porter.com ‘Used regularly, this noticeably firms and tones your face without the ouch factor that other devices can have. Plus, the cost per use makes it a savvy purchase compared with salon facials that do a similar job.’ SCW ‘It tones your face without the ouch factor of other devices’ Best DIY hair colour Kristin Ess Rose Gold…

ROASTED RED PEPPER AND LENTIL SOUP Chop an onion and carrot , 2 garlic cloves, a few celery sticks and ½ swede , and put it all in a large saucepan. Add 300ml boiling water and bring to a simmer, then cover and cook for 10 mins. Add another 1.2ltr boiling water, 250g dried red lentils and 2 vegetable stock cubes, suitable for vegans. Bring to the boil then partially cover and simmer for 20 mins. Stir in 2tsp smoked paprika, a 400g can tomatoes , 450g drained and chopped roasted red peppers in brine, from a jar, and a drained 400g can borlotti beans , and cook for 5 mins. Blitz how you like it, season to taste and scatter with chopped fresh parsley. Serve with a mixed salad…

I was a teenager when I first realised that I had a snoring problem. My friends regularly moaned that I kept them awake during sleepovers, and eventually I became too self-conscious to stay at other people’s houses. As I got older, I found various ways to disguise or excuse my ridiculously loud snores. I would blame alcohol and smoking – even though I didn’t touch cigarettes, and I was constantly mindful about who might hear me when I was asleep. I fought not to nod off on a train or plane, and I was wary of starting new relationships. When I met my partner, Ben, we quickly fell in love. I couldn’t hide it from him that I snored but, thankfully, he was always kind and patient. When his flatmate…

Many of us will have been told that going out in the cold with wet hair, or not wearing a coat, will mean that you will catch a cold, but this is not true! Colds are due to viral infections, and it may be that the idea came about because colds are more common in the winter months. You get them by breathing in the virus that someone else has sneezed or coughed out when you are in close contact with them, or by touching something like a doorknob that has the virus on it (from someone wiping their nose with their hand and then touching the doorknob), then touching your own mouth or nose. It might feel cold to go out with wet hair, but it won’t give you…

The UK has some of the best hen welfare in the world but there’s something that could make our hens even happier – switching to small, medium or mixed weight eggs. Large eggs, though popular with shoppers, cause pain to the hen (we’ll spare you the details!) and waste for the farmer. Smaller eggs are usually not just cheaper but better for you too. The laying hen is usually younger and in the peak of its life, there is a higher proportion of yolk to white, and both the yolk and white are of better quality. As a result, the w&h food team is going to move away from large eggs in their recipes. In most recipes, it makes very little difference if you change the egg size (swap large…

‘I love Paint & Paper Library’s Slate range of colours. They work so well in London interiors’ Sometimes the best opportunities can be found right on your own doorstep. This was certainly the case with the West London mews home interior designer Wendi Wolf Lewitt and her husband Paul discovered seven years ago. ‘Two adjacent mews houses, combined but never properly integrated, came on the market. We’d lived in the area for years and the property is in a quiet, tucked-away position at the end of a cul-de-sac. We never even realised the mews existed,’ Wendi says. The couple had originally been drawn to the area for its buzzy atmosphere, and felt the property was too good to miss. ‘The interior struck us as unusual, as it had windows on…

As the weather gets chillier, wrapping up in soft cashmere knitwear is one of life’s luxuries. Unfortunately, our penchant for this fine wool is taking its toll on the grasslands of central Asia, which is the traditional grazing ground for cashmere goat species. To meet demand, herders are raising more animals, increasing both temperatures and air pollution, so the area is in danger of becoming a desert. In response, John Lewis & Partners is funding a programme run by the Sustainable Fibre Alliance to promote best practice in land management and animal welfare. Do your bit by extending the life of your cashmere with good care. Handwash in cool water with gentle detergent, rinse well but don’t wring, dry flat and avoid ironing.…

Plum upside-down cake Plums are at their best in late summer and early autumn, so make the most of the season; this cake is a great way to do just that. Serves 10 • Ready in 1 hr 35 mins, plus cooling 75g light brown soft sugar 40g butter 2 limes 5 plums 175g Greek yogurt 160ml sunflower oil 4 eggs 240g golden caster sugar 300g self-raising flour You will need: 25cm round cake tin, greased and lined 1 Heat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. Mix together the light brown soft sugar, butter and the juice of ½ lime to form a paste. Brush or spread the mixture over the base of the cake tin so it’s covered all over. 2 Halve and de-stone the plums. Cut each half in half…

There’s nothing like cutting yourself off from the world and just relaxing, but I think it’s worth experiencing a taste of true island life. I suggest you purchase a driving permit (so take your driving licence with you) and hire a car. The driving system is exactly the same as in the UK. You’ll see so many villages and surroundings that are as precious as hotel and resort life. Here are some of my favourite destinations: 1 Harrison’s Cave, Hunte’s Garden, The Animal & Flower Cave and Farley Hill National Park offer a snippet of the island’s historical natural beauty. 2 Rum lovers should visit the Mount Gay Distillery for a tour and have a good lunch afterwards at the venue, or head to the St Nicholas Abbey Distilleries. 3…

Historical novelist Fiona Valpy is known for her evocative sense of time and place, and the strong women that inhabit it. Her latest book, The Storyteller of Casablanca, takes us to an intoxicating city that may just change the lives of its newest arrivals. Inspiration for my latest book hit when I received an email from a gentleman in America. He told me about his wife’s time as a refugee in Casablanca, fleeing Nazi-occupied France, and I began doing my own research. While everyone knows the Bogart and Bergman film, the plight of thousands of refugees who passed through the city to escape the war has largely been ignored. When writing dual timelines, I plan my storylines before I begin. I work out where they will run in parallel and…