Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2022 i Woman & Home

By the time you read this the sun should be shining and you’ll be outdoors somewhere relaxing with a cup of tea or a nice cold glass of wine. However in Britain, as you’ll know all too well, our weather has a mind of its own, so we’ve ensured your July issue of woman&home is as bright and summery as possible! I’m lucky enough to attend all the w&h cover shoots and, despite the fact I’m a lifelong devotee of wearing black head to toe, it was great fun to work with our cover star Steph McGovern, who simply adores bright colours. I love the boldness of her personal style revealed by her technicolour suits in fluorescent orange and acid yellow (page 16). There are so many different ways to…

1. Ocean breeze Be invigorated by the scent of the sea – this is ocean fresh and floral, with violets and blackcurrant. Jo Malone Crystal Campion Cologne, £56, jomalone.co.uk 2. Sun-kissed A heavenly fragrance that combines prickly pear, bergamot and jasmine. Diptyque Ilio eau de toilette, £106, diptyqueparis.com 3. Zesty fresh Part of a new collection – we loved Mandarin, which is light and juicy. Escentric Molecules M+ Molecule 01 + Mandarin eau de toilette, £95, harveynichols.com 4. Hit the tropics Like a mini break in a bottle – a sunny, joy-sparking scent. Loewe Paula’s Ibiza ECLECTIC eau de toilette, £68, selfridges.com 5. Green goddess This is earthy and aromatic, which is ideal if you’re after less feminine, floral fragrances. BYREDO De Los Santos, £127, byredo.com 6. Fruity and fresh…

I was raised not to let others down, to ‘pull myself together’ and have a ‘stiff upper lip’. My dad was a pub landlord, a job in which you are meant to be relentlessly jolly. Despite having had TB and coped with relative poverty, if a customer asked how he was feeling, he would reply ‘mustn’t grumble’. I think now, why the hell not? At 89, I definitely haven’t learnt the seemingly obligatory contentment of advanced years. Contentment isn’t a goal I seek because it seems a bit ‘I’m alright, Jack’ and to hell with everyone else. ‘Many young people I know are avid for change’ There’s so much to be angry about in the world. So many injustices, such widespread poverty alongside obscene wealth and waste. A desire to…

Boost your income With inflation running at a 30-year high, most of us are feeling the pinch, with the cost of everyday items like groceries or clothes rising sharply. But as wage growth fails to keep up with the accelerating rate, many of us are experiencing a shortfall in income. So, what can you do about it? Here are some tips to help you boost your income: ✢ Rent your driveway. If you live near a train station or popular destination, you could earn an average £213 a month by renting out your drive. Look at JustPark, ParkLet or YourParkingSpace to see if you can rent your space out. ✢ Sell unwanted clothes. Make some space in your wardrobe by selling what you don’t need. Apps like Vinted (vinted.co.uk) or…

Heatwaves don’t suit me. Aged 17, I was obsessed with St Tropez style, so one of my friends and I decided to go there on holiday. Well, nearly there. We actually stayed in a campsite up the road. I wanted sun-kissed skin, but as a pale, rosy-cheeked Scot I didn’t do well in hotter climes. One day we went to a beach bar, and who should be there but my ultimate heart-throb at the time, David Essex. I was wearing a khaki army shirt over my Liberty print string bikini to cover up the heat rash that had spread all over. Top of the list of things you never want to do is meet your idol when you are bright red, spotty and sweating. I could not have been more…

Could kicking off your shoes give you a boost? They may feel marshmallow-soft, but loose-fitting slippers interfere with your natural mechanics, and could cause aches, pains and even injuries over time. Plus, some summer shoes and sandals, especially heels and flip-flops, can be just as damaging. ‘If you think of how muscles atrophy when in a cast – say with a broken arm – it’s easy to understand how our feet become weak when their movement is restricted inside shoes,’ says Anna Toombs, barefoot runner and coach at trbalance.com. Going barefoot when you can gives your feet the freedom to work as they were designed. This strengthens neglected muscles, tendons and ligaments in your feet, leading to better stability, balance and posture* . Plus, padding around the house naked from…

1 Mix up your walks ‘Check an online map to find your nearest water sources, such as a river, lake or canal, and factor them into your weekly walks,’ says Catherine. 2 Soothe with sounds Listening to water inspires calmness, focus and creativity. Even the smallest garden or balcony has room for a battery-powered water feature, or download an app that has sounds of the ocean. Try Naturespace (free, App Store and Google Play). 3 Have a restorative bath A relaxing dunk in the tub will deliver benefits, says Catherine. Add healing minerals that are found in seawater – Westlab Soothing Dead Sea Bath Salt (£4.99 for 1kg, Boots) contains magnesium and potassium. 4 Take an energising shower As advocated by Wim Hof, aka The Iceman…

Inflammation levels increase as we get older, due to ageing cells releasing inflammation-fuelling molecules. Smoking, obesity, pollution and stress can also increase levels. But you can reduce chronic inflammation. ✢ YOUR GUT ‘The body is made up of cells, and those within the gut can renew fully within four weeks,’ says Lola, so it’s possible to reverse inflammation damage. Lola recommends eating a plant-rich diet with plenty of wholefoods, and reducing sugar, processed meat, alcohol and caffeine. ‘Improving your gut’s microbiota diversity is vital,’ says Lola. ‘Introducing live cultures and prebiotic fibre is a great way to kick-start the revival of a healthy gut lining.’ Try Together Health’s Multibiotic Microbiome Support, £14.99, togetherhealth.co.uk ✢ YOUR MUSCLES AND JOINTS ‘Check your posture, especially while watching TV, sitting at a computer screen…

1 Do you eat regular meals? A No, I frequently skip meals. B I never miss a meal – ever! C Yes, but I have lots of extras when I’m having a bad day. D No, I tend to just eat when I can. 2 What kind of snacker are you? A Pretty much every time I go into the kitchen I have to grab a snack. B I’m an impulse snacker – and my snacking can quickly turn into a binge. C I’m either avoiding snacks altogether or eating a whole packet of Jaffa Cakes in one go. D I don’t do snacks. 3 How do you feel after eating your evening meal? A Stuffed – I ate too much. B Annoyed with myself because I can’t seem to…

If you fancy indulging more on those balmy summer nights, you might want to think again. Current advice is that people should not drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week, and should have at least two or three alcohol-free days per week. Although there are often news stories about the benefits of red wine, in general the risks of alcohol outweigh any benefits. One unit of alcohol is 10ml/8g of pure alcohol, which is approximately the amount of alcohol that the average adult can process in an hour, though of course this varies with each person. Depending on the strength of the alcohol involved, a pint of beer contains between two and three units, a glass of wine between two and three units, and a measure of spirits…

Rachel Nogueira has had a long love affair with Cornwall. ‘I used to camp on the beach here as a student, and I’d gaze longingly at the beautiful houses and say to myself, one day…,’ she reminisces. So when Rachel, husband Manuel and their two sons, William and Victor, set their sights on a holiday home, Cornwall was top of the list. Initially, the local properties seemed beyond their budget, but Rachel kept an eye on the market and soon a house came up at a price they could afford. The idyllic setting immediately won the couple over. ‘When we arrived, we could see there were sand dunes about 100 metres from the house. We walked over the top of them and there was the sea. At that moment it…

FULL OF FLAVOUR Tasting Original Beans chocolate is like sampling a bottle of fine wine, except instead of grape varieties, there’s information about the cacao beans. Every bar that is purchased plants a tree and supports the livelihood of 175 farming families in some of the world’s oldest cacao-growing regions; originalbeans.com HOME SHOPPING We’re aware of waste within the fashion industry, but what about interiors? Haines Collection offers a platform for the sale of high-end designer fabrics, wallpaper, lighting and accessories that are offcuts, slightly misprinted or simply leftover from big projects and would otherwise be thrown away; hainescollection.co.uk FOR SOGGY SUMMERS You don’t need a ticket to Wimbledon to know a decent brolly is a British summertime staple. Well-established family firm Fulton now has an eco range of sturdy…

Beyond Burger Plant-Based Burger, 2 x 113g, £4.50, most supermarkets Our food team’s favourite vegan burger, this delicious classic looks and cooks exactly like its meaty counterpart, but is made entirely from plants! Co-op BBQ Chipotle Infused Salmon Fillets, 210g, £6.36 Two flavour-packed marinated salmon fillets, these come with the skin still on, so they won’t fall apart on the grill. Asda Extra Special Ultimate British Chicken Shawarma Kebab, 900g, £8.50 Feed a crowd with large skewers of chicken in a warming mix of shawarma spices, plus a lemon and garlic yogurt to drizzle over.…

Like strawberries and cream, books and summer go hand in hand. Whether it’s sitting in your own back garden or relaxing on the sun-soaked shores of a Caribbean beach (we wish!), there’s nothing nicer than escaping into the pages of a good book. That’s why we’re bringing you an extra helping of books in our 13-page bumper book special to get you started. Not only do we have your usual reviews, How I Write with Rosie Walsh and a fascinating conversation with bestselling crime writer Karin Slaughter, we also have a round-up of the latest novels and non-fiction, perfect for lazy days or balmy summer evenings. Fancy a quick read before diving into the pool? Then you’ll love our two wonderful short stories from authors Jane Fallon and Emma Cowell.…

EDGE-OF-THE-SEAT READ Dead Rich by GW Shaw (£16.99, HB, Quercus) This quick-paced thriller is a timely release. Dating for only a matter of weeks, Kai is unsure when Zina asks him to join her family on their superyacht in the Caribbean. Once on board, he finds Zina’s father, a Russian oligarch, has powerful enemies. As their luxurious surroundings become their prison, Kai has to decide who he can trust. A page-turner that will leave you guessing as twists, turns and secrets are revealed. MOVING FAMILY BOND This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub (£16.99, HB, Michael Joseph) Not every book teaches you something, but Emma Straub’s insightful novel does. In this love letter to a parent-child relationship, we meet Alice on the eve of her 40th birthday. Life isn’t perfect –…

I loved THE MAID by Nita Prose. Molly is a maid in the Regency Grand Hotel, who’s ignored until a murder happens, and Molly is no longer invisible. Deirdre Spendlove, Dublin I’m currently reading Nora Ephron’s I FEEL BAD ABOUT MY NECK . It’s definitely a book to read in one or two sittings. A hilarious look at ageing. Rachel McConnell, Brighton THE HOUSE ON THE WATER’S EDGE by CE Rose is a psychological thriller about family. Chilling, compelling and deeply touching. Belinda Goodwin, Stockport Susie Boyt’s LOVED AND MISSED is every feeling I’ve ever felt about mothering, being a daughter and friendship, in words I couldn’t muster. Lorraine Rogerson, Broadstairs…

Left. Left. Left… Hold on… Sally’s finger hovers over the screen. Nice smile. Cute French bulldog. 5ft 10. Kind eyes. She reads through his profile. He’s a family man, divorced. ‘Amicably!’ it says in brackets. Loves fitness, Scandi TV, Curb Your Enthusiasm . So far so good. Oh… ‘and rowing’. She sighs. She has no desire to stand on a freezing riverbank every Saturday morning, cheering on her man. She swipes left… He’s 6ft 2? Way too tall. They would look ridiculous together. A little girl out with her dad. Left. Works in IT. Left. Crooked teeth. Likes Ed Sheeran. Plays rugby. Left. Left. Left. ‘You want me to date someone who does hot yoga?’ She gives up, puts her phone down and flicks on the kettle. This is pointless.…

Sherwood David Morrissey leads an all-star cast, including Lesley Manville and Robert Glenister. As a detective chief superintendent from the East Midlands, he is investigating two murders that stir up tensions in a former mining town. BBC1 Cooking with the Stars The celebrity cooking competition hosted by Emma Willis and Tom Allen is back for a second series. Among the stars putting on pinnies are Anne Hegerty, Dr Ranj Singh and Anton Du Beke. ITV The British Soap Awards 2022 After an absence of two years, the stars of Emmerdale, EastEnders, Corrie, Doctors and Hollyoaks gather at London’s Hackney Empire to hear who’s won the awards voted for by fans. Hosted by Phillip Schofield. ITV The Midwich Cuckoos Keeley Hawes stars in this sci-fi novel adaptation. One night everyone in…

My Garden Podcast Former TV and radio presenter Penny Haslam presents this chatty podcast for have-a-go gardeners. From planting a magnolia to keeping tabs on her dog Joey, her passion is a delight. The Food Chain Did you know connoisseurs can taste climate change in wine? This BBC World Service podcast looks at what it takes to put food on your plate. Other episodes include giving up caffeine, what we feed our dogs, and a heart-warming interview with two cookery writers and friends – one Ukrainian, one Russian. Stories of Our times This daily podcast from The Times takes you behind the headlines for an in-depth look at major stories. Hosted by Manveen Rana and David Aaronovitch, the fascinating topics range from looking at the link between COVID and dementia…

Star baker and presenter PAUL HOLLYWOOD used lockdown to get back in the kitchen and prepare recipes for his new baking book. On page 42, Paul shares memories of making meringues with his great-great-gran, and reveals why he still loves going home to Mum. What’s your favourite summer drink, and where would you like to enjoy it? Give me a very, very cold Italian beer and sit me in a restaurant overlooking the Colosseum in Rome. DAME SHEILA HANCOCK is an actor, author, theatre director, and TV and radio panellist. She has appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Just a Minute since 1967 and, at 89, is releasing a new book, Old Rage. On page 27, she explains why getting angry is no bad thing. What’s your favourite summer drink, and…

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

For two years, that ‘save the date’ turned to ‘postpone the date’, as the pandemic put paid to plans and rained on many a parade. Happily, weddings are now back in style and we mean STYLE! Blowout bashes are the order of the day as people want to dress to impress again, and low-key buffets and barbecues have made way for upscale themed events. Think masked ball, Golden Age Hollywood, circus and living art installation. To celebrate the va-va-voom wedding boom, we’re popping open the vintage champagne to toast these famous couples from the past. EDIBLE ELEGANCE Jamie Oliver and Jools Norton The couple, together since they were 17, tied the knot in July 2000 at All Saints church in Rickling, Essex. Five children later, they admit to bickering, but…

What’s your earliest memory of journalism? Reading newspapers. After school, I’d pick up a copy of the paper and pore over it. My nan was a cleaner for WHSmith so would bring home the out-of-date newspapers to share out. At school, when I said I wanted to be a journalist, I was told I should consider working in a typing pool. I remember challenging the careers officer, saying, ‘What advice is that? If anybody is in the wrong profession, it’s you.’ I’ve always had a lot of sass. By the time I applied to journalism school I had as much work experience as I could possibly garner. To this day, I love reading. What was your plan B? As a kid you can’t have a plan B because then you’re…

It may not seem like it, but my pastoral duties as the vicar of Finedon extended beyond simply dressing up and standing at a pulpit on a Sunday morning. It also required me to dress up and appear on stage on a Saturday night – which, being at the more showbiz end of a vicar, suited me quite well. We are fortunate here as we have a church with its own theatre – the Star Hall – set up as a temperance theatre in the Victorian era as a way of providing entertainment for parishioners without the demon drink involved. It still doesn’t have a drinks licence, but it isn’t unusual for people to smuggle in a gin and tonic. ‘Getting tights on and off is not easy for a…

You get what you need, not what you want. Within a few days, I turned 40, got divorced and I got the job on Van der Valk. I’d been auditioning loads that spring and I wanted other jobs more. With hindsight, as our borders were shutting, it felt immensely liberating to be somewhere else, filming in Amsterdam. I’ve been seduced by the city. It’s brought me love and friendship, and I wouldn’t have had that connection if I’d got one of the other jobs. There’s a stigma about being shy and introverted. As a child, I was always hiding behind my mother’s skirt and I never put my hand up. Even at university, I never spoke up. I was always a shy performer, and in my 20s, I’d often question…

SUITS YOU This summer, try flattering structured culottes for an effortlessly stylish holiday look. The longer hem and loose cut of the shorts create the illusion of a shape-skimming skirt, while the belted tie draws the eye to your waist. BAGS OF STYLE A sleeveless midi dress is a summer staple. The fitted top half will highlight the slimmest part of your waist before flaring gently to create a flattering shape. With such a simple silhouette, don’t be afraid to experiment with a statement accessory, such as an oversized bag in a neutral shade. ELEGANT ASYMMETRICS Hoping to make a statement at cocktail hour? This one-shoulder peplum design is a chic way to turn heads. Let your top do the talking with this look – keep your bottom half relaxed…

Now the sun finally makes an appearance after an unpredictable and rather chilly spring, we’re all ready for shedding those winter layers, but also experience a slight twinge of panic at the idea of baring legs, arms and feet. Don’t worry though, we are here to help. Forget faddy diets and hurried exercise routines – you’re just a few steps away to feeling gloriously confident to take on summer. TONE AND SMOOTH We’ve taken the legwork out of preparing to bare with a roundup of the best body-confidence boosters BODY BRUSHING AND MASSAGING About 90% of us suffer from cellulite, which is basically fat pushing through layers of collagen fibres under your skin, and it’s prone to areas with less-efficient circulation. So grab a body brush – we like Elemis…

So the sunshine is a-coming and the wine is a-chilling. It’s early summer and here in the UK that means, ‘Quick, it’s not raining… let’s get some mates round!’ And, before you know it, the chairs are out, the burgers are sizzling and the house is full of tiddly snorts of laughter. We feel we’ve earned it – I don’t know about you, but I’m still milking the denial of lockdown. We want to grab any chance for a devil-may-care moment with both hands, make the most of every balmy evening, every golden hour, and turn every Tuesday into a Friday. ‘We want to turn every Tuesday into a Friday’ Thing is, it can come back to bite us in our ever-so-firm glutes if we don’t watch out. A few…

Q I like to think that I’m healthy – I try to eat well and exercise when I can. Is there anything that will stop or delay women going into the menopause, which I can take or add to my diet? A The menopause occurs when there are no more follicles in the ovaries, which can produce eggs. You are born with all the follicles you will ever have, so the timing of the menopause is set before you are born (unless you have a surgical or medically induced menopause). But that doesn’t mean there aren’t things you can do. The first point is that if you smoke you should stop – smokers tend to go through the menopause two years earlier than those who don’t, and stopping smoking has…

July is when the best of British berries and stone fruits are ripe for the picking. From raspberries and strawberries to peaches, apricots and cherries, they’re all at their sweetest and most flavourful. If you’re after the freshest possible produce but don’t grow your own, treat yourself to a day of picking at a local PYO farm. Take a reusable bag along and pick what and how much you fancy, and you’ll be happy to learn prices are usually far friendly than at supermarkets. And don’t assume they’re only good for dessert. Try crushing a few raspberries into your vinaigrette and marinades or making a tangy relish to accompany grilled meats. Or effortlessly elevate a plain leafy salad or slice of toasted sourdough with the magnificent match of strawberries and…

✢ Pair pale greens and blues with dusky pinks for a soft summer palette. ✢ Lighting is key in cottages with small windows and low ceilings where there’s no room to hang pendant styles. Opt for floor and table lamps to add warmth and create a cosy atmosphere. ✢ Velvet fabrics and metallic touches, like brass and nickel, elevate an otherwise casual look. ✢ Bring in natural elements, with pale oak furniture and woven jute rugs, to stop pastel schemes looking saccharine.…

Raspberry madeleines These petite cakes are made prettier with bottlegreen raspberry cordial icing and a sprinkle of dried rose petals. Makes 24 • Ready in 25 mins, plus chilling 100g caster sugar 2 eggs 100g plain flour ½tsp baking powder 100g butter, melted, plus extra for greasing Finely grated zest of ½ unwaxed lemon 75g icing sugar 2-3tbsp bottlegreen Plump Summer Raspberry Cordial Dried rose petals, to decorate You will need: 2 x 12-hole non-stick madeleine tins 1 Whisk the caster sugar and eggs in the bowl of a stand mixer for 5-8 mins, until thick enough to leave a trail. 2 Sift the flour and baking powder over the egg mixture and gently fold in. Fold in the melted butter and lemon zest, then cover and chill for at least…

Spotting wildlife is one of the joys of this trip. For the best possible views, remember to carry binoculars, be patient and keep a safe distance (particularly near mother bears and cubs). Here’s what you might find and where: ✢ Downtown Banff Grazing elk ✢ Sulphur Mountain Bighorn sheep, chipmunks ✢ Lake Louise Look out for bears from the gondola ✢ Icefields Parkway Grizzly and black bears, elk, mountain goats, caribou, wolves, moose. Cougars are a rare spot, but it does happen! ✢ Sunwapta Falls You should spot bears and moose ✢ Vancouver Island Bears, wolves and bald eagles ✢ Strait of Georgia between mainland and Vancouver Island Orcas, humpback whales, sea lions, otters and seals…

POOLSIDE PAGE-TURNERS Summer Fever by Kate Riordan (£8.99, PB, Penguin) Take a trip to Italy with this seductive thriller. We’re in Villa Luna Rossa – the villa Nick and Sarah have bought to run as a holiday home. As their first guests arrive, it becomes apparent neither are who they claim to be. A compelling and unsettling read with summer written all over it. Guilty Women by Melanie Blake (£12.99, HB, HarperCollins) In the follow-up to bestseller Ruthless Women, we are reunited with four feisty women on a beautiful island off the English coast. They’re determined that the show must go on, despite their fifth member being missing and ratings falling. Tensions are high and the stakes are higher. If you love Jackie Collins, you’ll love this racy crime thriller…

AUSTEN’S WORLD Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby (£14.99, HB, Cornerstone) Following her hit Miss Austen, Gill Hornby’s new novel returns to the world of Jane Austen, mingling real-life events with fiction. Anne Sharpe has been cast off by her father. Left with slim means, she becomes a governess to Fanny Austen Knight of Godmersham Park. When Aunt Jane and Uncle Henry Austen visit, the friendships that follow will change Anne’s life. Weaving events recorded by Fanny in her childhood diaries with her own imaginative reading of how things might have been, the author has created another winning tribute to Jane.…

‘I wanted a female perspective on getting punched in the face’ Karin’s books have been published in 120 countries and sold more than 40 million copies, which include the popular Will Trent series. Her 2018 book Pieces of Her aired as a Netflix series earlier this year. She has revisited some of its characters in her new novel Girl, Forgotten, which investigates a murder that has remained a mystery for 40 years. Karin lives in Atlanta, Georgia, in the US. I thought Pieces of Her would be a stand-alone novel. But reading scripts for the Netflix show, I started thinking more about Andy (Andrea Oliver) and her mum. I wondered about Nick, Andy’s father, and how someone gets that way. You’re not born a horrible person with murderous intent, it…

Reading I’m not really a big reader but I loved Out of This Century by Peggy Guggenheim. I am obsessed with coffee table books. At the moment, my favourite is Rose Uniacke at Home by the famed interior designer. Watching I’m a box set fan. I have ADHD so sometimes I find it hard to concentrate on reading, but watching things, I can really immerse myself. I’ve been watching Sky News a lot because of everything that’s going on, but if I want to relax, I’ve been loving Mood on BBC Three. I also watched Pam & Tommy – it was nice you didn’t have to think too hard! Listening When I was in London, I’d always listen to podcasts like Jo Good’s Dogs and the City because it was…

LEO 23 JULY – 22 AUGUST July takes off on the 23rd when the Sun enters Leo. The next 29 days are fabulous for reaping much-deserved recognition and having fun. Set goals on the 29th. Call 0905 789 4154* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates VIRGO 23 AUGUST – 22 SEPTEMBER A significant moment with a friend occurs around the 16th. After the 20th, you’re craving the chance to kick up your heels. Hopefully, you have a holiday booked! Call 0905 789 4155* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates LIBRA 23 SEPTEMBER – 22 OCTOBER Give others a wide berth in early July when tempers are fraught. After the 5th life relaxes. You may be a homebody after the 17th – DIY really appeals then. Call 0905 789…

Former fashion model Lisa Butcher, 50, found hypnotherapy to be life-changing. ‘I discovered hypnotherapy 15 years ago when overcoming bereavement, having lost my father and ex-husband just weeks apart. It re-patterned my thoughts and healed me on many levels – boosting self-confidence and bringing focus so I could move forward. I’ve used hypnotherapy for anxiety, illnesses, pain reduction, phobias and for stopping bad habits. I went on to study for a diploma in cognitive hypnotherapy and NLP so I could work as a practitioner. I believe everyone can benefit from hypnotherapy – it is such a wonderful tool that can be used to enhance life.’ ✢ lisabutcher.co.uk…

THE OBSTETRICIAN ‘It’s a privilege to help women give birth safely’ ‘When babies thrive, we know our support made a difference’ Dr Jo Mountfield, 58, has been a consultant obstetrician at the Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton since 2001 and became vice president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 2019. Jo lives in Winchester, Hampshire, with her husband, Steven, 64. I get involved in a pregnancy and birth when it’s not straightforward. In an acute situation, you’re making life-changing decisions. Just recently we organised an urgent scan for a woman with high-blood pressure whose baby was not growing normally. I wanted to admit her urgently, but she had lots of social issues complicating her life and was reluctant. ‘It’s very important, as we might need to deliver…

I’m from a family of bakers, so going into the business was always going to happen – not that my teenage self thought so. Even in the photo of my great-great-grandma’s 90th birthday (where I’m already doing the GBBO stance), we’re standing in front of cakes. She was great at making meringues and cream – on their own, no fancy flavours. I grew up in and around bakeries. Dad was a baker, my brother Lee is a baker, and my uncles Ralph and Billy worked with Dad. We used to help out in the shops. Dad made all the bread, pies and scones, and then we’d wander down to the bakery and nick a doughnut. The smell of flour and baking is something else. My mum loved it too. She…

My mum was larger than life, a 4ft 11in Irish pistol who could cut you in two with a lash of her tongue, and in her next breath, charm you with her hospitality. She thrived on being the centre of attention. In her mid 40s, she was a divorced mother of two when she unexpectedly fell pregnant and married Dad, a dapper 60. In addition to her kids, she became a stepmother to his teen daughter, and within months a new baby – me. It can’t have been easy to juggle her blended family. But she coped with it all until one Friday afternoon, a week after my 16th birthday, Mum told me she was leaving my father and me the next day. At age 60, she was moving directly…

‘Bras should be inspiring’ Priya Downes, a 40-year-old former head of merchandising at Burberry, has always had a passion for business. In 2019, she launched her lingerie brand, Nudea, with Sophie Turnbull, a former head of bra innovation at Victoria’s Secret. Priya lives in Buckinghamshire, with her husband Jason and their three children Jasper, seven, Rupert, five, and Penny, two. THE IDEA Ever since I started wearing a bra as a teenager, I had been disappointed with what was on offer. I felt uninspired when it came to shopping for something I wore every day, and saw the opportunity to leverage my skills to create truly unique lingerie that was comfortable and beautiful. I also wanted to make shopping for bras convenient, modern and inspiring. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT Sophie and…

Make a STATEMENT Whether you love timeless tortoiseshell or adore oversized designs, a pair of sunglasses adds instant glamour. Round and oval faces often suit square frames, while angular faces can pull off circular and oval styles. Chic and EASY A comfortable pair of flats is a must-have for exploring on holiday or heading out on an evening stroll to a pub garden. Keep it luxe in a pair of sleek sliders, embrace the laid-back ease of summer espadrilles or go for simple yet stylish ballet bumps. One thing’s for sure, you’ll want to wear these all summer long. Stride out IN STYLE Pedis at the ready! With our social calendars filling up, it’s time to invest in a pair of heeled sandals. Add punchy hues like hot pink or…

ON YOUR MARKS… The key to a luxe-looking tan lies in the preparation, so don’t go in all guns bronzing. Consult this tanning timeline for a streak-free, flawless finish. The day before Shave 24 hours before. If you’re waxing, give it 48 hours. This allows time for pores to constrict, so you’ll avoid brown dots. The night before Self-tan clings to dry patches, so exfoliate with a non-oily scrub like Crazy Angel Body Polish, £11, crazy-angel.co.uk , to create a smooth surface. Shower and apply moisturiser all over. On the day Take a shower and pat your skin dry. Lightly moisturise any dry spots using Amanda Harrington Ultra Balm, £22, amandaharrington.com . Ensure the rest of your body is free of lotion, perfume and deodorant, which can act as a…

CLAIRE POWELL, 43, FROM WIRKSWORTH, DERBYSHIRE ‘I grew up on the Wirral Peninsula in a house just a few seconds’ walk from a peaceful stretch of water at the mouth of the River Dee. My memories are of wrapping up in all weathers to take family walks along the water’s edge, or eating ice creams while watching windsurfers catch a breeze from the Irish Sea. Now, it’s the first place I head to if I’m sick, run-down or when the stress of life gets too much. I’ve made big career decisions while gazing out over that expanse of water, and have healed from relationship break-ups with morning runs along the shore. Being close to water feels like a tonic for my soul.’…

Still eating like you’re in lockdown? Bikini weather causing you panic? You’re not alone – 42% of Brits lack confidence as a result of months spent at home, with 13% trying to lose weight ever since* . ‘Many of us reach for sugary foods out of habit or for comfort,’ says nutritional therapist Hannah Braye. But if you can learn to identify your triggers – whether that’s succumbing to elevenses or being prone to late-night snacking – you can start to put strategies in place to tackle those weak moments. Take our test to discover what has you reaching for the snacks, and the healthy eating approaches you might find helpful. WHAT’S YOUR EATING STYLE? ✢ MOSTLY ‘EE’ You’re an Emotional Eater ‘You find food comforting while you are preparing and…

Fact! Certain people do seem to attract more mosquito bites than others, and there are multiple reasons why this may be the case. People with the blood group type O attract more mosquitoes. This was shown in the 1970s, when scientists deliberately exposed volunteers to mosquitoes and then tested their blood groups. It may be some people secrete blood type markers onto their skin and the mosquitoes detect these, though why they seem to prefer type O blood is not known. Mosquitoes can also scent compounds found in sweat and in your breath, such as carbon dioxide or alcohol if you’ve been drinking, and can follow the scent trail to you. They are also heat sensing, so the sweatier you are, the more attractive you will be! Protect yourself by…

1 ADD AN ACCENT FEATURE Brighten up a living space by painting the inside of a window recess or around a door frame in a contrast colour. Introducing a shot of bright accent colour like this is an easy way of highlighting a decorative feature, or can help create a focal point in a plain room that lacks architectural details. Recess painted in Mustard Jar and wall painted in Cream White, both Easyclean Matt Emulsion, £25 for 2.5ltr, crownpaints.co.uk 2 MAKE YOUR OWN DESIGNER SHADES Upcycle a simple rattan storage basket to make a designer-look lampshade. Remove any handles first and then spray the basket black – try PlastiKote’s Matt Black Spray – giving it two coats and allowing time to dry between each. Once dry, add your cable, light…

From compact courtyards to bijou balconies, there are so many inspiring ideas out there to help you transform the smallest of spaces. Whether it’s smart space-saving solutions, such as foldable furniture for a tiny terrace, or more creative concepts, like vertical planting, now is the ideal time to get your outdoor space in order for those (fingers crossed) sunny summer months ahead. Bistro set, £95, pyramid lanterns, from £35 each, all johnlewis.com 1 Think about storage Choosing outdoor furniture that folds or stacks when not in use is a great way to save space. Stylish rocking deckchairs are an original choice for a cosy outdoor area. Complete with padded headrest, these comfortable ones are perfect for chilling out and taking it easy. Rocking deckchairs, £69, grahamandgreen.co.uk 2 Add a plant…

Salted caramel, chocolate and cherry sundaes Cherry and dark chocolate are the perfect flavour combination. Serves 6 • Ready in 15 mins 75g dark chocolate (use at least 70% cocoa solids) 18 cherries with stalks 25g butter 125ml double cream 1tbsp caster sugar 500ml tub salted caramel ice cream Wafers and flaky chocolate bar 1 Melt the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water. Half-dip the cherries into the chocolate and put aside on baking paper, to set. 2 Gently heat the butter, cream and caster sugar in a saucepan until warmed through, stirring until well blended. Stir into the bowl of melted chocolate and remove from the heat. 3 Scoop the ice cream into 6 serving bowls. Pour over the warm sauce. Top with the…

✢ A self-catering stay at Una St Ives in a 2-bedroom lodge costs from £140 per night for a 3-night break in low season. Includes leisure club access, 01736 257000; unastives.co.uk ✢ Parking in St Ives itself can be difficult as the town is so popular. Arrive early, or opt for the Park & Ride service. The single-track railway ride along the coast into St Ives starts at St Erth, and is a joy in itself, offering unrivalled views of the ‘Cornish Riviera’. ✢ Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden at the Tate, 01736 791177; tate.org.uk ✢ Tate St Ives, Porthmeor Beach, 01736 791177; tate.org.uk ✢ The Leach Pottery, Higher Stennack, St Ives, 01736 799703; leachpottery.com. Museum and shop opening times vary. ✢ Check websites before travelling for opening times…

✢ Crescent Heights Lookout Point A widescreen panorama of downtown Calgary ✢ Badlands Horseshoe Canyon Eleven miles west of Drumheller, a huge U-shaped canyon with three-mile long maroon-striped walls encircling mesas and winding gullies ✢ Two Jack Lake Sweeping views (and reflections) of Mount Rundle in its emerald waters just outside Banff ✢ Rockpile Trail An easy, short path offers a gorgeous panorama of Moraine Lake, once used on Canadian $20 banknotes ✢ Morant’s Curve Overlooks the curling Bow River, 37 miles west of Banff. At its best in morning light with a red Canadian Pacific train heading east. We don’t ask much! ✢ Big Bend Dramatic hairpin turn on the Icefield Parkway (you can’t miss it), where the descending road wraps around the mountain face ✢ Spirit Island Dreamy…

Rosie Walsh As author of The Man Who Didn’t Call – a mysterious love story, Rosie was an instant bestseller, and with her new novel, The Love of My Life, going straight into The New York Times Best Seller list, it looks like another hit for this talented writer. There’s a region of every writer’s brain that lights up when it detects an idea. This happened for The Love of My Life when a dinner companion mentioned an obituary he was writing. I reached for my phone. ‘Obituary writer starts researching someone’s life,’ I wrote, ‘and discovers they are not who they say they are.’ Character work is a long-form process of layering – born out of research into my characters’ jobs and homes. I barely know them when I…

EYE-OPENING COMPLETE STORIES by Flannery O’Connor I was a very weird girl in a small south Georgian town, who was interested in gothic and dark subjects. Everyone kept telling me I was odd. Then a librarian gave me this collection and here was Flannery – a weird woman living in a small southern town, who was celebrated for her weirdness. That’s why it’s important to have representation. If I hadn’t read that book I probably wouldn’t be the author I am today. SINISTER ACCOUNT IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS by Erik Larson This book is about World War Two before the US got involved. William E Dodd, an academic, became America’s first ambassador in Hitler’s Germany. He considered it maybe an easy assignment and thought he’d go and write his…

The First Lady New streaming service Paramount Plus launches this month with this drama. Gillian Anderson plays Eleanor Roosevelt, Michelle Pfeiffer is Betty Ford and Viola Davis is Michelle Obama. Paramount Plus Man vs Bee One man’s struggle against an annoying flying insect provides Rowan Atkinson with ample opportunity for mayhem in his latest 10-part comedy series. Will it leave viewers buzzing or stung? Netflix Ms Marvel Iman Vellani plays Muslim teenager Kamala Khan, a  superhero mega fan who spends her life feeling invisible until she too develops super powers and becomes Ms Marvel. Disney Plus…