Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2021 i Woman & Home

Booker Prize-winning author and academic BERNARDINE EVARISTO talks about her development as a successful writer and her new memoir, Manifesto On Never Giving Up, on p223. Who cooks the Christmas dinner in your house? Preparing a traditional Christmas dinner is not only beyond my skill set, it’s very time-consuming. So I leave it to the experts, which means our festive meal arrives in supermarket cartons and we only have to heat it up! On p50, Escape to the Chateau stars ANGEL AND DICK STRAWBRIDGE reveal what’s kept them busy during 2021, including writing Living the Chateau Dream. How do they fit it all in? Who cooks the Christmas dinner in your house? Dick is a fabulous cook so he’s generally in charge of proceedings, but really it’s a family affair.…

1. Beautiful brush Expensive, yes, but this handmade 14k gold-plated brush adds such shine, it’s worth paying for. Balmain Golden Spa Brush (part of a set), £130, lookfantastic.com 2. Heaven scent Lightly spritz through hair and let the infusion of the best roses in perfumery waft wherever your diary takes you. Diptyque Eau Rose Hair Mist 30ml, £44, spacenk.com 3. C’est chic An argan-based hair oil for shine and deep hydration. Rosemary and rose geranium oils add fragrance. French Girl Rose Replenishing Hair Oil, £33, oliverbonas.com 4. Cool tool Give someone the gift of a salon blow-dry. ghd Helios limited-edition Professional Hairdryer, £169, ghd.com 5. Classy statement Adorn your do with an effortlessly chic headband, guaranteed to upgrade any hairstyle. Slip Pure Silk Head Band – The Knot, £69, cultbeauty.co.uk…

The couple talk us through their Christmas must-haves. WE PLAY Ruth We steer clear of the TV on Christmas Day. We prefer to play games like charades. When Jack was about six, we got a dancing game on the Wii, and watching him play that with my mum was so funny. WE WATCH Eamonn I like traditional Christmas films such as It’s a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol and The Bishop’s Wife. Ruth I like The Holiday with Cameron Diaz and Jude Law. It’s so romantic with the snowy cottage, it’s gorgeous. WE LISTEN TO Eamonn I like White Christmas, and Slade’s Merry Christmas Everybody, and Wizzard’s I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday. I’m drawn to all the 70s stuff. Ruth I love listening to traditional carols on Christmas…

Holding your shoulders back and stomach in may help you look your best for a photo, but – let’s be honest – not many of us can last more than a few seconds before we slump back down again. But this constant hunching forces the lower back to curve excessively, and pushes the stomach outwards – making you look much bigger than you are. Years of heavy handbags, bending over smartphones and wearing high heels have added to the problem. But there is good news – it’s never too late to change your posture. Short-term tweaks can help you look instantly slimmer in that LBD, while a long-term investment will not only help you age well (and develop less back pain and future problems), but could improve digestion, boost circulation…

‘Christmas involves a suspension of disbelief’ We all carry our favourite places in our minds. I can describe, in minute detail, the view of my grandmother’s Dublin kitchen from a vantage point beneath the dining table. She’s gone now, and the kitchen is modernised, but that warm, fuggy kitchen endures in my imagination. Some of those places aren’t real. I  have a personal Pemberley, perhaps you have your own Manderley or Bleak House. Having been weaned on BBC Radio 4’s The Archers, I have a  personal Ambridge, and it was mind-bending to be invited to write about it. This past year, I finished the second book in a trilogy of wartime life in Ambridge. It’s daunting to become part of a story that has endured for 70 years. In this…

They’ve written a best-selling book and star in Fortunately, a BBC podcast that has been downloaded more than 20 million times, but when it comes to Christmas, are broadcasters Fi Glover and Jane Garvey as hopeless as the rest of us? Here’s their advice on dealing with 12 festive fails… 1 YOUR CHRISTMAS DELIVERY IS MISSING PIGS IN BLANKETS AND SPROUTS. WHAT DO YOU DO? FI Pretend that you were planning a themed lunch. If the first thing in your cupboard is a tin of chilli powder, then it was always going to be a Mexican Christmas. And who needs a sprout in a burrito? JANE Say that you always have a flatulent-free Christmas and therefore won’t introduce sprouts into the mix. After all, they’re just small cabbages with…

✢ SCENT IS AN EASY WAY TO MAKE YOUR HOME FEEL FESTIVE Think woodland, satsumas and log fires. Dick and Angel have it covered with a Winter Forest scented candle, which includes fresh green pine needle, mandarin, bergamot and fir balsam, from their new thechateau.tv range. ✢ MAKE A COCKTAIL IN YOUR SLOW COOKER Cranberry apple cider: add 2.2 litres cider (or apple juice), 700ml cranberry juice and 2tbsp brown sugar (or honey) to your slow cooker and stir. Then wrap three broken cinnamon sticks and 1tsp whole cloves in a double-thickness piece of cheesecloth, tie with string and add to the pot. Cook on high for two hours, remove the spice bag, and switch the cooker to keep warm. Serve garnished with a slice of apple or orange. Leftovers…

In our 20s, we’re keeping up with the latest trends; in our 30s, it’s all about trying to look cool on the school run; when we hit our 40s, signs of a ‘life well-lived’ could be showing. You suddenly realise it’s no longer enough to paint on a red lip as you’re flying out the door to meet the girls for a long overdue cocktail; and that LBD that used to suit all occasions somehow just doesn’t cut it any more. So how do we still look glam in our 40s and beyond? My advice is to start with what you do have. Go through your wardrobe and try outfits on. It’s always best to take a photo of yourself wearing them, as you can look at them more objectively.…

Finding the right foundation is one of the most important steps in your make-up routine. Just like you might tweak your skincare as the seasons change, your make-up also deserves a refresh. Thanks to continuous research, the latest technologies are likely to be more skin-improving than anything you’ve tried before. For skin that’s neither dry nor oily, go for a sheer, water-based formula like NYX Professional Makeup Total Control Drop Foundation £14, lookfantastic. com, to ensure a natural finish. Oily skin suits a silicone-based formula with mattifying elements. Trinny London BFF Rebalance Foundation, £39, combines oil-control coverage and skin-levelling ingredients in one hit. While dry skin likes a formula with a high water content, oils and other hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, help foundation glide on more easily. Estée…

✢ RENTING Consider the rental period, factor in the cost and ensure it leaves enough time for the item to arrive and be returned after the event. Each rental service is different, so familiarise yourself with any cleaning, damage and repair policies before you rent. Red wine spillages happen to the best of us. Experiment with your style. Renting is an excellent way to try something new without committing to a big purchase. Don’t forget to look at some of your favourite brands too. LK Bennett and Baukjen both offer borrowing services. ✢ BARGAIN HUNTING Shop smart and don’t be distracted by discounted prices. Carefully consider each purchase to ensure that you’re buying something you really love or need rather than being swayed by the savings. Charlotte Staerck, co-founder and…

Counter-intuitively, the more pigmented the lippie, the more it reveals about the condition of your lips – so prep is everything. ‘Prepping not only makes lipstick look incredible but helps keep it on much longer,’ says Zoë. ‘Starting with a lip scrub, buff off dry skin. This also encourages blood flow to the area, which gives an instant plump.’ Next, hydrate with a hit of skincare. ‘Rather than applying balm to your lips before lipstick application, add a touch of hyaluronic acid,’ recommends Caroline. ‘This gives a nice matte surface for the lip colour to adhere to.’ Try Typology Plumping Serum 3% Hyaluronic Acid + 2% B5, £11.90, or for the full works, Tinker Taylor Lip Kit, £69.30.…

1 THE BEST FOR ANTI-AGEING RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream, £24.99, rocskincare.com This all-rounder touts an award-winning formula to minimise wrinkles, crow’s feet, dark circles, puffiness and loss of firmness. Packed with pure RoC retinol, this works in overdrive to deliver results in just 12 weeks. It also contains a boat-load of hyaluronic acid, which quenches dehydrated areas of the skin in one go. 2 BEST EYE CREAM FOR DRY SKIN Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue, £44, charlottetilbury.com Buttery and nourishing, this hydrating eye cream contains an impressive cocktail of active ingredients, including cell-energising peptides, a retinol derivative for improving texture and lines, and brightening vitamin C to help combat pigmentation. Skin will be left feeling nourished and looking brighter. 3 BEST EYE CREAM FOR TIRED EYES The Ordinary Caffeine…

COVID-19 has dominated our health and headlines for the past 18 months. While the vaccination programme has seen a decline in hospital admissions and deaths, there’s one part of the pandemic that isn’t going away – long COVID. To date, around 150,000 people in the UK have died from COVID-19, but a government study estimates that two million Brits have experienced or are still experiencing ongoing symptoms from their original infection. As a result, membership at online support groups – set up for long COVID sufferers (or ‘long haulers’ as they are known) – has swelled to tens of thousands, and more than 80 long COVID clinics have opened. You are 30% less likely to develop long COVID if you’ve been vaccinated. While the scale of long COVID cases is…

I began to struggle with negative thoughts and feelings in my early 40s after a series of major life events that all seemed to happen at once. My mum died, which was a huge bereavement, I had a total hysterectomy that knocked me sideways emotionally and physically, and I relocated to look after my elderly grandmother with accelerating dementia. This saw me leaving my home town, all my friends and a high-pressured job, which became too much to cope with. Previously, I’d been able to make life-changing decisions without too much upset, but it increasingly felt like walking through treacle with limited emotional resources to draw upon. I was low, teary and anxious, and I started experiencing paranoid thoughts – thinking I was a terrible person. I didn’t have clear…

Q I would like to get a sexual health check, but would prefer not to go to a clinic. Is there a way of doing it at home? A Yes, there are various sexually transmitted infection home testing kits available. You can buy them from pharmacies or various online medical services, but they may also be available on the NHS. The website freetesting.hiv offers free home HIV test kits and, depending on where you live, home syphilis testing may also be available. These involve using a small lancet to take a pinprick of blood to send back. Sh24.org.uk also offers NHS home sexually transmitted infection testing but, again, it depends on where you live, and offers testing for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia. This involves swabs and a small pinprick…

✢ Gather evergreen foliage from outdoors and arrange in the centre of your table. Try pine for the base with stems of eucalyptus on top, plus a few sprigs of feathery asparagus fern. ✢ Position tea-light holders and candlesticks among the greenery and finish with a scattering of pine cones or metallic tree decorations. ✢ Tie cutlery and napkins together with velvet or grosgrain ribbon in matching shades of green. To the bow, attach a name tag cut from wrapping paper. Lowther dipping bowl, £6, Lowther side plate, £60 for set of six, Lowther dinner plate, £96 for set of six, Handsworth cutlery in Salt, £90 for a 24-piece set, and Heddon small candlestick, £42, all neptune.com…

Millionaire’s trifle Decadent and delicious, we love the theatre that comes with a sparkler or two! Serves 20 • Ready in 40 mins, plus chilling and setting 350g shortbread biscuits, blitzed 75g unsalted butter, melted 2 x 270g tubs M&S Millionaire’s Mini Bites or equivalent For the chocolate mousse: 150ml whole milk 400ml whipping cream 200g dark chocolate, in chunks 3 egg yolks 15g sugar 4 gelatine leaves, submerged in cold water to soften For the caramel: 2 x 397g tins Carnation caramel 1/2tsp sea salt flakes For the topping: 600ml double cream, whipped Gold leaf, sparklers and sprinkles You will need: Trifle dish with a 2.8ltr capacity and 22cm diameter 1 Combine the shortbread and melted butter then press into the trifle dish in an even layer and chill for…

1 Deck the doorway Adorn your front door with a welcoming wreath to greet guests. Team with potted fir trees and a cluster of lanterns to light up the porch or entrance way after dark. Attach your wreath with a swag of satin ribbon or use a metal wreath hanger slipped over the door. Faux-fir wreath, £30, and brass lanterns, from £50, all layeredlounge.com 2 Make a festive display Replace wall art with a rustic arrangement of Christmas wreaths. Use a large branch or wooden pole to create your display, attaching it to the wall using a couple of sturdy hooks. Decorate wreaths with sprigs of greenery and winter florals, and hang using loops of white ribbon or string. Rattan grapevine wreaths, from £4 each, hobbycraft.co.uk 3 Liven up a…

SPARKY ROMANCE On a Night Like This by Lindsey Kelk (£14.99, HB, HarperCollins) We all need an escape at times, and who better to serve a delicious, escapist romance than the author of the I Heart series? Fran Cooper’s in a relationship and knows what path she’s taking, until she’s offered a job to aid a celebrity on a yacht en route to a tiny Italian island. Mixing with the rich and famous, and bumping into handsome Evan may change it all. Who doesn’t want to read about Italy and a sparky heroine? PERIOD DRAMA Lily by Rose Tremain (£18.99, HB, Chatto & Windus) Dame Rose Tremain is back with another gem. Lily, an orphan abandoned at the gates of a London park, is saved by a police officer and…

Trisha Ashley Best-selling writer of romantic fiction, Trisha Ashley has charmed us with her heartwarming and humorous stories – many of which have topped the charts. Now she’s back with another festive story. One More Christmas at the Castle sees Dido helping the owner of a castle plan a Christmas to remember. My mind seems to accumulate all kinds of odd and interesting bits of information. With each novel, I wait for things to bob to the surface and begin to connect. I can’t really explain the process any further than that. The stories of my main characters are rooted in their pasts – even if those roots have been torn up at some point. I only set novels in areas I have lived in and know well, those with…

‘I don’t put myself down in front of other people’ Bernardine Evaristo is a British author and academic. In 2019, she became the first black woman to win the Booker Prize for her eighth book, Girl, Woman, Other. She is a professor of creative writing at Brunel University London and a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. Her new book, Manifesto on Never Giving Up, is an intimate and inspirational memoir about her journey as a writer. She lives in London with her husband. My career has exploded in the last two years, and luckily I’m at a stage in my life where I celebrate and enjoy it. Not a lot of things faze me any more – I feel I can handle whatever comes my way. When I…

CAPRICORN 22 DECEMBER – 19 JANUARY Whatever happens around the 11th has repercussions into late January. It’s about relationships or money, and sparks a deep re-evaluation. At Christmas you see why. Call 0905 789 4159* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates AQUARIUS 20 JANUARY – 18 FEBRUARY Do you still yearn for an ex? They could reappear after the 19th. There’s a chance of a secret affair – even just in your head. It’s telling you something. Call 0905 789 4160* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates PISCES 19 FEBRUARY – 20 MARCH You’re wishing for a happy Christmas, but the fun picks up just before New Year. Your ruler enters Pisces and fortunes improve. You get lucky in every sense. Call 0905 789 4161* and choose weekly,…

Who loves Christmas?! I know I do (perhaps not quite as much as Ruth Langsford, who, says husband Eamonn Holmes, starts preparing in January – read our brilliant interview on p20). But what’s not to like about twinkly lights, piles of presents and an excuse to eat non-stop for days on end? And I’ve learnt a lot reading all the amazing features in this issue – Ruth prepares her table the day before, while Amanda Redman (in our celebrity line-up on p24) takes a whole week – now, that’s organised! For last-minute gift ideas, see our books gift guide on p214, while the homes pages (from p176) are full of ideas on decorative themes, not to mention making a festive wreath. And wait until you see the food (from p128)…

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

‘CHRISTMAS IS NOW A TRIBUTE TO MY MUM’ Comedian, Strictly Come Dancing star and Loose Women presenter Judi Love, 41, lives in east London with her children San, 16, and 11-year-old Shi. Christmas is about my children and family time. Normally, myself and the kids spend Christmas Eve with a large group of my close friends of 20 years. We pile into one of our houses for a party and everybody brings a dish and a drink. Christmas is about food, laughter and being with people you love the most. I’m the youngest of five and, as a child growing up in Hackney, east London, Christmas was all about the build-up. Mum began squirrelling away festive treats from the moment they appeared on supermarket shelves but I’m too disorganised for…

‘Biologically speaking, it’s natural to undergo postural changes,’ says physiotherapist Chongsu Lee. ‘Bone becomes less dense and smaller in size after menopause, plus muscles lose their strength.’ HRT may help boost bones, but easy lifestyle changes can make a big difference. ‘Most effective is regular exercise, such as swimming, Pilates and yoga, as they improve the function of joints and muscles,’ says Chongsu. ‘A healthy diet, including vitamin D and plenty of water, is also vital.’…

LOVE ACTUALLY (2003) One Scrooge might have declared it the least-romantic movie of all time, but it is adored by audiences for its bittersweet character, humour and charm, which make it rather lovely, actually. HEARTWARMING DANCE Hugh Grant as Prime Minister dancing around Number 10 Downing Street to Jump. WHO TO WATCH WITH Those prepared to suspend disbelief in the name of love. BEST FOR HEARTWARMING MISTLETOE MOMENTS IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) It puts the wonder into the most wonderful time of the year! With its eternal message that life is worth living and small acts of kindness make a big difference, it has been cherished since just after the end of the Second World War. IMMORTAL LINE ‘Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.’ WHO…

Perfection at Christmas is an unattainable goal. As long as everybody has something to eat and a bed to sleep in, it’ll all be all right! We should all be a little bit kinder to ourselves. There’s nothing wrong with having high standards but it’s also OK to accept that you’ve reached a limit. I don’t buy into this ‘You can be anything you want to be’ mentality. You can’t. Marriage is proper graft. My husband Graham and I met when we were teenagers and we’ve been bumping along together for nearly 30 years. A happy marriage is not a destination because you’re working at it all the time. I once heard someone say the reason they had never got divorced is that neither of them wanted to get divorced…

‘There’s so much truth in the old Zen proverb that says the obstacles are the path’ Rachel Gotto, 52, is a clinical hypnotherapist and life coach. She lives in County Galway, Ireland, with her partner Malcolm, 58. The sea has always been in my life. Growing up in West Cork, Ireland, my brother Dominic and I swam, sailed and fished in our little rowing boat. The sea can be a harsh teacher, but it can be healing, and it taught me the resilience and tenacity of spirit I’d come to need. In the summer of 1994, I met Nic, then 38. Sea-tanned, with blue-green eyes, Nic was a fisherman and deep-sea diver. He taught me to scuba-dive and we’d dive for scallops for our dinner. In July 1998, I was…

What’s your earliest memory of acting? I once went to a fancy dress party in the most extraordinary mermaid costume that my mum made. I could only stand in it so spent most of the time in the corner but I was happy with that, just being this incredible mermaid. What scares you? Ill health in my children – I have struggled with ill health myself so I don’t want them to face similar challenges. Many years ago I was diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which affects the joints and most other systems in the body. The symptoms are varied but the main one is chronic pain and dealing with it is quite challenging. There’s no cure but I’ve tried pretty much any treatment out there,…

THE TROPHY TROUSERS ✢ Shimmer into any room with a pair of statement trousers perfect for party season. Look for relaxed fits that fall effortlessly to the floor so that you can sashay with confidence. ✢ Tuck in the top to accentuate your waist and create a defined break from the sequins. ✢ Fuss-free shoes are ideal with these bottoms, so look for simple black slingbacks or metallic strappy heels that won’t draw attention away from the trousers. THE STATEMENT DRESS ✢ It’s easy to return to that fail-safe black dress, but this season, step out of your comfort zone and try a standout sequin frock. ✢ Long sleeves are great if you’re conscious of upper arms, while wrap detailing adds flattering coverage around the middle. ✢ Keep accessories simple…

One thing I can’t do on the big festive day is an itchy, hot Christmas jumper. I know they’re fun for all the family, but just no. For me, Christmas Day has to be about comfort, a little bit of glam and – most importantly – a look that revolves around flat shoes. Fortunately, this year’s trend is for chunky boots with dresses, though you might prefer trainers, flat mules or pumps, especially with trousers. I’m a big fan of red, as not only does it look great in photographs, but it works for every hair colour and skin tone. Experiment and find the perfect shade for you. The dress I’ve picked ticks lots of boxes for me. Firstly, the brand has ethical credentials and secondly the fabric has a…

Allowing yourself a five-minute daily stress window could be the key to surviving the festive season. Jo Usmar, author of This Book Will Make You Fearless (£8.99, Quercus), says: ‘This simple technique stops the snowball effect. When worries appear during the day, jot them down and remind yourself you’ll deal with them later. By writing them out, you’re forcing yourself to get to the nub of the issue, and knowing you’re not ignoring them will make you feel better. ‘Once you get to your scheduled five-minute worry time, cross off the things on your list that are no longer relevant – such as anything that you’ve resolved during the day. ‘For anything else, ask yourself, “Can I do anything about this?’’ Think it through, but if it’s really a no,…

WHAT IS IT? ‘Long COVID is used to describe COVID-19 symptoms that last 12 weeks or more,’ explains Dr Brian O’Connor, consultant in respiratory medicine and long COVID clinic lead at Cromwell Hospital. WHAT CAUSES IT? We’re still learning a lot about COVID-19, so experts aren’t sure why some patients experience long COVID and others don’t. However, Dr O’Connor has noticed a common demographic at his clinic. ‘Long COVID patients tend to be women aged mid-20s to mid-50s who are high achievers and often have children.’ He believes they’re suffering most because they’re returning to a full-on lifestyle too quickly and not allowing their bodies to recover from COVID-19. THE IMPACT Symptoms can vary, but typically include fatigue, breathlessness, and chest, joint or muscle pain. ‘While most symptoms are physical,…

✢ Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is recommended by the NHS as a method for treating anxiety, depression, and other mental and physical problems. ✢ It is therapy that identifies negative thought patterns to create positive changes in feelings and behaviour. ✢ Some studies have found CBT techniques can also help women during the menopause. ✢ Claire used the Bloom app, which has 500+ CBT exercises to manage stress, improve sleep and build better mental habits; App Store, £59 a year or £10.50 monthly.…

1 ANSWER: B Head outside and stretch your legs – it’s the quickest and easiest way to avoid feeling overwhelmed and having cabin fever when cooped up indoors. ‘Try to spend at least half an hour outdoors every day over the Christmas period,’ says psychologist Dr Meg Arroll. 2 ANSWER: C Lobster is very high in the compound purine, which can lead to a build-up of uric acid. This gets deposited in the joints and can cause gout. While the common view is that those who drink port are more likely to suffer with the condition, beer is far higher in purines, so avoid it too if you’re at risk of the condition. 3 ANSWER: A Vitamin D is crucial right now, as it helps to regulate how we respond…

Fiction. Cervical cancer is linked to high risk human papillomavirus (HPV) in the majority of cases. However, HPV can be passed on through skin-to-skin contact, which includes vaginal and anal sex but also oral sex, skin-to-skin genital contact and sharing sex toys, not simply male to female penetrative sex with a penis. This means that you can still get HPV and be at risk of cervical cancer and other cancers such as vulval, anal and oral cancer. You will be invited for cervical screening every three years between the ages of 25 and 49, and every five years between 50 and 64. Cervical screening picks up cervical cell changes before they become malignant so it can actually prevent cancer – put simply, it saves lives!…

Spiced maple nut mix Offering the perfect balance of sweet and salty, this also provides a delicious kick of spice for good measure. It's ideal when served with a glass of fizz or your favourite festive cocktail, and also makes a wonderful edible gift. Serves 12 • Ready in 25 mins 400g natural mixed nuts 4tbsp maple syrup 2tsp mixed spice 2tsp sweet paprika 100g mixed cranberries and chopped apricot pieces You will need: Baking tray lined with baking parchment 1 Heat the oven to 160C/Gas 3. Put the nuts in a large bowl, and mix in the maple syrup, spices and 1tsp salt. 2 Pour onto the baking tray and cook for around 20 mins, stirring halfway through. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Finally, mix through the…

At a busy time of year for home cooks, one of the many joys of cheese is that no cooking is required. All the hard work creating those delicious flavours and textures has already been done for you. Having a great selection of cheeses on hand in the fridge makes for a very easy meal. Serve yours with apples, crackers or grapes on the side, or as part of a buffet. Serving a cheeseboard is a delightfully leisurely way to round off a meal. There are hundreds of different cheeses around the world, and here in Britain we are lucky to have a long, rich heritage of cheesemaking. This means there are lots to choose from when you put together a festive cheeseboard. Making a choice The key principle is…

Smoked salmon BEST SMOKED SALMON Native Hebridean Smoked Scottish Salmon, 900g, £35, shop.scottishsalmon.com This impressive smoked salmon has a pleasant oaky-smoky flavour. It’s perfectly seasoned and has a wonderful texture. Pastrami Smoked Salmon, 100g, £5.50, Waitrose & Partners The salmon’s subtle smokiness combines well with the pastrami flavour to give something a little different. Great for meat lovers, this would be lovely for a buffet or in a bagel. BEST SUPERMARKET SMOKED SALMON  Morrisons The Best Smoked Salmon, 300g, £6 The thin slices give a melt-in-the-mouth texture to this smoked salmon. It has a fantastic texture and a delicate smoked flavour. Serve with lemon. Crazily good cranberry sauce BEST CRANBERRY SAUCE Extra Special Cranberry Sauce with Ruby Port, 230g, £1.50, Asda The perfect accompaniment to Christmas dinner. This cranberry sauce…

This elegant family dwelling wasn’t always the epitome of country sophistication that it is today. Originally built as a coach house in the 1850s, the property was divided into flats and hadn’t been updated since the 70s. ‘I was scouring property websites one day when I spotted this unique building,’ says Laura Butler-Madden. ‘It was rather in need of love, but we decided to take a look.’ She and her partner Patrick were living in London at the time but that wasn’t a deterrent. ‘Patrick went to school in Dorset and I grew up here, so we had always thought about moving back to this part of the world,’ says Laura. On viewing the property, they knew instantly that it had potential. ‘We were both inspired by the huge central…

LOCH LOMOND AND THE TROSSACHS Glittering waters and stunning snowscapes make southern Scotland a perfect winter destination. It’s all about the views here, of vast lakes fringed by mountains, and pine-scented woods shimmering in the low winter sun. Climb to a vantage point such as Callander Crags, or follow the Scottish Scenic Route, a trail of art installations that mark viewpoints on the main roads around the park. WINTER WILDLIFE Whooper swans and goldeneye ducks gather on the water, and red deer descend to the lower slopes to graze. You might even glimpse a red squirrel darting around in the trees. FESTIVE FUN Children will love the Festive Faerie Trail at Luss, a mile-long woodland trail with hidden faerie homes. From December to early January; lochlomondfaerietrail.com WHERE TO STAY Wake…

SELF-DISCOVERY Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult (£16.99, HB, Hodder & Stoughton) If there’s anyone who can tackle the pandemic, it’s Jodi Picoult. Diana works at Sotheby’s in New York and has her whole life planned out, including a trip of a lifetime to the Galapagos Islands with her surgeon boyfriend, Finn. But when the pandemic hits, Finn can’t leave and Diana makes the journey on her own. Becoming stranded in ‘paradise’, she begins to discover what’s important in life. Reading at times like a dystopian novel, it’s almost unbelievable to think this has been our reality, and with one humdinger of a plot twist, it’s another fantastic, clever read from Picoult.…

Need some gift ideas? From beautifully bound children’s classics to fascinating biographies and inspirational cookery books, here’s your guide to this year’s must-have treats. And the bonus is they’re so easy to wrap! COSY SEASONAL READS THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS by Poppy Alexander (£8.99, PB, Orion) Freya is back home in Portneath, but after losing her mother, she’s expecting no joy from the festive season. To lift her spirits, she decides to cook throughout the 12 days of Christmas. Could it be time to pursue her dream of opening a restaurant? And could handsome Finn Harrison, the man next door, become part of her life? Find out in this deliciously romantic and uplifting story. UNDERNEATH THE CHRISTMAS TREE by Heidi Swain (£8.99, PB, Simon & Schuster) Redundant…

SHARP DEBUT BURNT SUGAR by Avni Doshi This is Avni Doshi’s debut novel, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize last year. It’s a razor-sharp tale of love and betrayal, focusing on the dysfunctional relationship between a grown-up daughter and her troubled mother. It’s the kind of story that will have you totally gripped. TWIN LIVES THE VANISHING HALF by Brit Bennett A beautiful story about twins in a black community. They are very light-skinned, and one chooses to leave their town and pass for white while the other stays. FAMILY BONDS BECAUSE OF YOU by Dawn French I read this novel because I was interviewing Dawn French at the South Bank – she’s a wonderful storyteller. In her new book, a child is stolen from her mother at birth.…

Have a nice weekend, Miss!’ ‘Yes, Miss, have a good one!’ Cassie smiled automatically as the last of her Year 7s tumbled out of the art room. Once, her weekend would have been crammed with activities – different ones over the years. Ben’s swimming lessons when he was small, football practice as he got older, and more recently band practice – with the associated packing of snacks, washing of muddy kit and repeated requests to ‘Keep the noise down, please!’ But now? With Ben off on his gap year, teaching English in Japan, the weekends had become a great yawning chasm of nothingness. Well, that was unfair. Cassie had plenty of friends, and since Ben had left they’d been great for drinks and coffees and chats. But she’d been determined…

SAGITTARIUS 22 NOVEMBER – 21 DECEMBER  Your day for setting goals and starting fresh, good habits is 4th December. Around the 19th, a relationship matter hits a crisis. YOUR MONTHS AHEAD  Towards the end of December your ruler changes signs, which promises bumper times for family, possibly travel. Spending needs careful budgeting next year. Call 0905 789 4158* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates.…

‘Please can you send me a toy boy this year, Santa?’ Dear Santa, due to lockdown, I’ve slaved away as a short-order cook, counsellor, chauffeur, maid and general dogsbody for my family, while also working full-time. I’ve baked wheat fields of cakes for various charity stalls while also rustling up dinner for poorly neighbours, when all I’ve had in the fridge is half a  clove of garlic, a wilting lemon and a tube of eczema cream. In light of this, I was hoping I might be deserving of a little Noel love from you. I would really like a toy boy in my Christmas stockings (batteries included). Although, you’ve probably run out because what overworked, overlooked, taken-for-granted mum doesn’t want one of those? I’d be grateful if you could pull…

‘I prefer to give at this stage of my life’ ‘It’s about family for me’ The champagne has been popped, the log fire is burning and the halls are decked. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas round here, and Ruth and Eamonn are in great spirits for our photo shoot. Eamonn has been battling chronic back pain for most of the year – as he walks over aided by his crutch, Ruth quips, ‘Can we wrap some tinsel around it?’ This festive cheer is much needed after last year. Ruth and Eamonn spent the day just the two of them with their 19-year-old son Jack – and for Ruth, having her mum Joan with them this year is something she’s particularly looking forward to. Meanwhile, the couple, both…

Seeing someone’s face light up as they open your carefully chosen Christmas gift is as priceless as your own warm feelings of gratitude when you’re on the receiving end. But Christmas presents can be so much more than physical items. After another year of change and reflection, gratitude for what – and who – you have in your life is stronger than ever. ENJOY A BOOST OF KINDNESS The health and wellbeing benefits of acts of kindness, such as giving and receiving, are well documented. ‘Research shows that kindness boosts happiness and serves as an antidote to mild/moderate depression. Ultimately, it’s very good for mental health,’ says David Hamilton. The main hormone produced by kindness is oxytocin, which is involved in social bonding and reproduction. It can also lower blood…

WAIST TRAINERS This extra-firm shapewear is a must-have for celebs hitting the red carpet. What about mere mortals? VERDICT ‘Essentially a modern-day corset, it will hold you in, but it’s only a short-term solution, says Monica. TRY Miraclesuit Waist Cincher, £40, s-xxl, johnlewis.com FOAM ROLLERS Rolling on a foam funnel for two to three minutes a day breaks down knots in muscles and connective tissue, reversing damage from slumping. VERDICT ‘These are an excellent way to support posture and spinal mobility,’ says fitness expert Antonietta Vicario. TRY Foam Roller 45cm, £14.99, mymeglio.com POSTURE BRACES These ‘body braces’ are said to help you stay upright. VERDICT ‘They can be helpful in reminding you of when you are falling out of good posture, but they’re not a long-term substitute for muscular support,’…

‘There’s nothing like children who cannot contain their excitement’ ‘To the locals, we’re just the silly people who bought the chateau’ The past few years have been a whirlwind for Angel, Dick and their children Arthur and Dorothy. Between seven seasons of Escape to the Chateau, with an eighth on the horizon, the couple have turned their hand to a variety of pursuits, including weddings at the chateau, a UK tour, monthly cookalongs, a members’ subscription club called The Salon and their latest project – a book about their adventures. ‘If it hadn’t been for the pandemic, we wouldn’t have had time to write Living the Chateau Dream as we’re usually so busy,’ explains Angel. ‘It’s been amazing, remembering everything, it’s like reliving that memory again.’ Of course, life at…

‘Come as you are? Not me, thank you very much!’ Dame Joan Collins, born ‘some time between the end of the Great Depression and the beginning of the Second World War’, has been an actress since she was 17, but if you ask her exact age, she will tell you, ‘Google it.’ (The answer from Google is 88.) Appearing in more than 70 movies, hundreds of TV shows and plays, she’s played saints, such as missionary worker Edith Keeler in Star Trek, and sinners, most memorably, Alexis Morrell Carrington Colby Dexter Rowan in Dynasty. Even Alexis’ tally of husbands is outstripped by five-times-married Joan, who for the past two decades has been living happily ever after with Percy Gibson. A feminist who firmly ‘believes in lipstick’ and declares no women…

‘I get an extended Christmas with my crew and my family’ THE CALL-OUTS DON’T STOP JUST BECAUSE IT’S CHRISTMAS Katy Garrigan, 42, has been a firefighter with the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service for 14 years. She lives with her partner, Rob, and sons, Rafferty, six, and Rudy, four. I’m very proud to be a firefighter and lucky to have a job I love. Being in an emergency service does mean shift work, though, and over the past 14 years, I’ve worked some of Christmas every year. We’re a family that loves Christmas, so it’s always hard, but call-outs don’t stop just because it’s Christmas. A couple of years ago, we had a call around 1am on 23 December to a big house fire. Thankfully, the family was away that…

DESIGNER DISCOUNTS THE OUTNET Sister site to luxury online retailer Net-a-porter, The Outnet offers over 350 designer brands at up to 70% off. Launched in 2009, the site offers hassle-free returns and exceptional customer service, allowing you to snap up a bargain that feels as special as a full-priced purchase. A must-visit for some of the most coveted labels, including the likes of Rixo and Chloé. Alongside designer collaborations, you’ll also find The Outnet’s Iris & Ink, a timeless capsule collection that works with the site’s designer offerings. ✣ theoutnet.com GOLD LABEL AT TK MAXX You might be familiar with TK Maxx and the unique treasure-hunt shopping experience it offers savvy shoppers, but you may not have realised that you can also pick up some amazing designer gems at up…

TO BEGIN… Sandwich your skin In theory, all our faces look better veiled in a light, glowy base than smothered in a flat, full-cover one. In practice, light bases can’t be trusted to make it to the end of a long night (or even a long taxi ride), but the sandwich technique can help. Begin with a thin spreading of grippy, yet invisible, face primer, buff in a coat of lightweight base, then top it off with a smattering of soft-focus loose powder. Yes, that’s three products instead of one, but those extra workhorse layers allow you to wear a skin-like, dewy base and have it last. NARS Soft Matte Primer, £29 , and Laura Mercier Light Catcher Setting Powder, £33 , make a hardworking yet weightless duo. For your…

Christmas is just around the corner, so what better way to treat yourself than with a brand-new fragrance? Traditional eau de parfum spritzed from a bottle is always wonderful, but it’s not the only way to enjoy fragrance. From hair perfumes and scented body creams to enticing diffusers and candles, there’s a wealth of olfactory offerings to choose from. But how do you decide what’s right for you? Well we are here to help you navigate your way through all the sweet-smelling ways to enjoy fragrance, so you can scent-scape your whole life. Ready, steady, spritz! WINTER’S BLOOMS The seasonal shift in weather brings with it a few cyclical lifestyle changes. Freshly painted toes are swaddled in thick cable knit socks; refreshing G&Ts make way for a warming glass of…

I asked my Instagram followers for the first thing that comes to mind when we say ‘Christmas’. The responses, while meant in jest, rang true and spoke of nightmare family gatherings, anxiety over food temptations and never being alone. Last Christmas, if you remember, was a right old damp squib. So, chances are this year will be different. Complete gay abandon, whole nine yards, lock stock and barrel. But with dignity and control. We all know that health and happiness are what really matter, but it’s still OK to value how we look. I utterly loathe the word ‘diet’ but here it’s meant as reference to what we eat in any one week. We’ve learnt that WE are in control of what we put in our mouths, no one else.…

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recently published draft guidance about the pelvic floor and pelvic floor exercises. This included the fact that the pelvic floor and how to exercise it should be on the national curriculum. I welcome this, as less than one in five women performs pelvic floor exercises daily. The pelvic floor is a hammock of muscles in your pelvis, which supports your organs. If the pelvic floor weakens, then there can be problems resulting in prolapse and urinary incontinence. All women should be doing pelvic floor exercises, irrespective of age, and we should be doing them daily! But how? Firstly you need to find the muscles of the pelvic floor – the back part is felt as you squeeze as if you were…

All these cheeses mentioned are widely available in supermarkets. Local specialist cheese shops or market cheese stalls are also well worth a visit. Cheesemongers often offer tasters to help you make a choice. Many specialist cheesemongers have online shops, giving you a chance to buy a wide range of cheeses and have them delivered. All these companies are noted for the range and quality of their produce: ✢ The Cheese Geek thecheesegeek.com ✢ The Courtyard Dairy thecourtyarddairy.co.uk ✢ The Fine Cheese Company finecheese.co.uk ✢ Neal’s Yard Dairy nealsyarddairy.co.uk ✢ Paxton & Whitfield paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk ✢ La Fromagerie lafromagerie.co.uk…

LOOK ONE CLASSIC BERRIES & GREENERY A timeless colour combination that never goes out of style, classic berry red and green will add festive cheer to any setting. Use foliage and greenery as a starting point, from fir trees and spruce to decorative swags and garlands, then simply pile on the colour with bold berry-red baubles, holly sprigs, scarlet ribbons and red paper pom-poms. STYLE TIP Add opulence to plain fir garlands by working in fresh flowers and greenery – choose large-headed blooms, bright berries and lush leafy sprays to add fragrance and colour. LOOK TWO OPULENT JEWEL TONES Pile on the glamour with this bold, flamboyant look. Vibrant jewel tones and luxe burnished golds pop against a backdrop of decadent greens and blues. Peacock colours give a  classic scheme…

A ROOM MADE OF LEAVES by Kate Grenville is inspired by a real-life settler in Australia. It conjures up the landscape’s beauty and a woman’s tenacity. Louise Evans, Cambridge This sweeping epic of a novel, GREAT CIRCLE by Maggie Shipstead, completely enveloped me as I fell in love with the brave, adventurous Marian who was ‘born to be a wanderer’. Nikki Weir, Dorset I read THE HOUSE GUEST by Charlotte Northedge in three days! After her sister vanishes, Kate moves to London, in this thriller. Hope this new author writes more. Jacci Hales, Scarborough I have been reading THE DICKENS BOY by Thomas Keneally. Charles Dickens sends his son, 16, to colonial Australia. A vibrant novel of his adventures. Lena Walton, Box Hill, Surrey…