Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2023 i Woman & Home

Someone once told me that when you are gardening you should focus on one area and finish it before moving on to another part. A slow process but one that is, they said, effective. Each year, I try to implement this and, every year, I fail. Whether it’s a small child requiring my attention, a grown man (my husband) asking me a question or a dog deciding that the well-turned soil now looks like a great place to dig, the distractions are endless. And, there’s the rub. While I dream of a tidy garden with all the trappings of heritage venues like Wisley, and a swinging chair where I can sit with a good book, the reality is that it often looks a little wild. The cottage ‘look’, as I…

PUT A SPRING IN YOUR STEP…

I was running up the escalator at Piccadilly Circus when a gust of wind lifted my skirt sky-high. It gave a whole new meaning to Air on the G string. Poor old Bach would have been turning in his grave. Luckily my girlfriend was right behind me. ‘I can’t believe you still wear G-strings,’ she scolded, tugging down my hem. She then advised me quite sternly that it was time for more sturdy nana knickers. I’ve worn G-strings since the 70s. Yes, that bit of elasticated dental floss sometimes chews at my nether regions until it feels as though I’m flossing my fallopian tubes. But that flash of thong peeking over the top of my jeans as I bend over has always felt sexy and empowering, emblematic of my liberated,…

Growing up, we never had a camera, so school photos like this are precious. Unless you went to an event or a family party where someone happened to have one, you relied on these school mementos. I’m on the left in glasses, and then there’s my brother, sister and eldest brother, who was about 10 at the time. ‘Schools aren’t just where children are educated’ To working-class families like I grew up in, these photos were really important. For me, schools aren’t just about where children are educated. They are integral to the community and provide avenues for children to visit places they would never have thought of. I was fortunate where I lived. In the East End of London, we may not have been financially rich, but we were…

GET DRESSED UP A dress is the obvious choice for any event. For something extra special, why not try renting? It’s an excellent option if you want to dazzle in a designer number without splashing out. Style tip To ensure you look and feel your best, find something you truly love, rather than what feels ‘appropriate’. Best of the rest Style tip Events can involve a lot of sitting and standing, so look for materials that don’t crease easily, such as lyocell and polyester. THE VERSATILE MIDI SKIRT From slinky bias cuts to flirty fit-and-flare, there’s a midi style to suit every shape. Silky designs, in particular, require the right foundations – go for supportive, VPL-free underwear for a streamlined silhouette. Style tip To avoid your heels sinking into a…

Fresh start Inspired by the crispness and delicacy of paper, Diptyque L’Eau Papier Eau de Toilette, £125 for 100ml, diptyqueparis.com, is completely bewitching. Reeling off the ingredients – roasted sesame seeds, steamed rice, floral mimosa and sweet white musks – can’t possibly convey its appeal. Darling buds Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet Eau de Toilette, £117 for 100ml, dior.com, is a floral feast of lively sweet pea, Damascus rose and peony, cushioned by soft white musks. It’s heavenly – close your eyes and you can imagine you’re walking through a meadow of newly blossomed wild flowers. Modern floral Unconventional and complex, Anine Bing Rose Wood Eau de Parfum, £130 for 100ml, aninebing.com, is a rose blend with a lot to say. Inspired by Anine’s childhood springs in Scandinavia, it heralds that…

THIS MONTH ✢ Vaping✢ HRT and cancer✢ Brain-training games Q I’ve been a smoker since my teens and I’m now in my 50s. I changed to vaping, but my daughter is still horrified at me. Which is worse – real cigarettes or electronic ones? A As a doctor, I would much prefer for patients to not start smoking, or if they do, it would be much better for them if they could stop smoking altogether. But I also appreciate that quitting smoking can be extremely difficult for many people. For smokers, e-cigarettes can be a useful step to quitting nicotine completely. You say that you have been a smoker for many years. Switching to e-cigarettes means that you are now receiving the nicotine to help your cravings, but you are…

Huevos rancheros A lighter option that brings sunshine vibes and addictive Mexican flavours. Serves 4 • Prep 10 mins • Cook 15 mins Glug olive oil, plus extra for frying1 small red onion, ½ chopped, the rest finely sliced1 fat garlic clove, crushed400g tin tomatoes½tsp dried oregano½tsp smoked chilli flakes, plus extra to serve400g tin black beans, rinsed and drained2 limes2 small ripe avocados Handful coriander leaves, roughly chopped, plus extra whole leaves to garnish2-3 pickled jalapenos, plus extra for garnish Glug sunflower oil4 medium eggs8 small flour/corn tortillas, toasted on a hot griddle50g Lancashire or feta cheese, crumbled Green or red salsa, to serve 1 Add a glug of oil to a frying pan. Fry the chopped onion and garlic with a pinch of salt for 5 mins, then…

Healthier, happy meals Tesco has introduced a premium meal deal. It includes new, colourful, fresh salads from its own-label Wicked range, such as Shawarma Roasted Cauliflower & Tahini Salad, and its Finest range, with its King Prawn & Mango Salad. It also offers Pollen + Grace meals, like Peri Peri Spicy Rice, YO! sushi sets, and Itsu bao’buns and gyoza – in addition to the usual mains, snacks and drinks. The meal deal costs £5.50, but Tesco Clubcard members can get it for just £5. It’s a great boost when you’re trying to cut calories and the cost of lunch on the go. COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH Kimchi bloody Mary Use up the gut-friendly condiment in this lively, spiced-up tipple. Serves 4400g tin peeled cherry tomatoes4tbsp kimchi1tsp Tabasco sauce Juice…

✢ Add depth to a neutral palette with rustic wooden furniture and blue, almost-black, painted backdrops. ✢ Use subtle patterns, like watercolour prints and simple stripes, for an unfussy and fresh scheme. ✢ Give a modern property a period feel by picking out traditional details. Add panelled walls, choose tufted furnishings and lay reclaimed flooring.…

When I first started growing 35 years ago, I began with food. A Green Oak Leaf lettuce that I could pick a few leaves from every day for my supper, all year round. For me, it was and still is all about the foodie varieties of veg and how to grow the maximum amount of delicious produce from every corner of my garden at Perch Hill in East Sussex. Having trialled and tested so many varieties of veg here, and now nearing 60, it feels like it’s time to hand over everything I’ve learnt. SPEEDY SUPPER My instant gazpacho takes just two minutes from colander to table. Take 500g of ripe tomatoes and one mini cucumber – my favourite is La Diva – and cut into chunks. Blend in a…

FOODIE FAVE Lympstone Manor, Devon Overlooking Devon’s Exe Estuary, this elegant getaway is perfect for gourmets. Nature’s bounty provides the initial draw, with fresh fish from the surrounding waters and down the coast at Brixham, and wine made from the on-site vineyards. But it’s the cookery of chef Michael Caines that makes this intimate retreat worth visiting. Nothing shows off his Michelinstarred skills better than the multi-course Taste of the Estuary menu, featuring the finest British seafood, from plump scallops to flaky cod. Even though eating is largely the point of a visit, there are other highlights at Lympstone Manor. In summer, a suntrap al fresco pool awaits in the grounds, while a sculpture collection dotting the lawns and meandering through the trees adds an outdoor-gallery atmosphere. And of course,…

Having reimagined Hillary Clinton’s life in Rodham, written a novel inspired by Laura Bush in American Wife and entertained us with coming-of-age stories such as Prep, it’s fair to say Curtis Sittenfeld is highly adept at conjuring up a vivid cast of female characters. Insightful, humorous and smart, she crosses literary and commercial genres. In her latest novel, Romantic Comedy, TV scriptwriter Sally Milz falls for singer Noah Brewster – will his supposed penchant for dating models rule her out? Curtis lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her husband, two daughters and a chihuahua. Watching a lot of Saturday Night Live through the pandemic is where the idea for Romantic Comedy came from – and the first half of the book focuses on the week leading up to a show featuring…

horoscopes Star sign of the month TAURUS 20 APRIL – 20 MAY An insight clarifies recent misunderstandings. Relationship matters come to a head, and there’s a surprise on the 9th. YOUR MONTHS AHEAD On May 17th Jupiter arrives, bringing opportunities and positivity. If you’re planning a move, travel or a course, do it after then. Call 0905 789 4151* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates. GEMINI 21 MAY – 20 JUNE Early May offers an insight into a problem. You’ll know the solution by mid-month. On the 21st, the sun enters Gemini. Powerful opportunities and people are onside. Call 0905 789 4152* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates CANCER 21 JUNE – 22 JULY During the full moon on the 5th toxic feelings flow – yours or another’s.…

Author, journalist and broadcaster ELIZABETH DAY waxes lyrical about the power of female friendships on page 32. Her latest book, Friendaholic: Confessions of a Friendship Addict, is out now. What photo do you have on your phone home screen? A close-up of my cat’s face. He’s called Huxley. He’s the most beautiful ginger tom I’ve ever seen (that’s an entirely objective opinion), and he looks like he’s smiling at me. It makes me happy. Award-winning crime writer DREDA SAY MITCHELL talks about her school days and why she’s so passionate about education on page 51. What photo do you have on your phone home screen? The bay in Grenada near where my grandparents lived. It’s called Flamingo Bay – but the locals call it Petite Tu. It takes me back…

COUNTRY ESCAPE…

HELEN GLOVER As a two-time Olympic Champion and three-time World Champion, Helen, 36, is considered one of Team GB’s greatest ever rowers. At London 2012, alongside rowing partner Heather Stanning, Helen set an Olympic record, won Team GB’s first gold medal of the games and became the first British woman to win an Olympic rowing gold. SARAH STOREY In 2021, Sarah, now 45, became Britain’s most successful Paralympian of all time when she won her 17th gold in the women’s C4-5 road race in Japan. The mum of two has taken home medals across two disciplines during her sporting career: cycling and swimming. With no plans to retire, we’ve no doubt there is more success coming Sarah’s way too. LAURA KENNY With six Olympic gold medals for cycling under her…

My friends have been the greatest and most consistent loves of my life. They have seen me through heartbreak, grief, divorce and miscarriage. They have been there for me at my lowest points and have celebrated my happy moments – most often in a dimly lit karaoke bar singing Spice Girls at full throttle. ‘The best friends are those who love us without expectation’ When I went through unsuccessful fertility treatment recently, my best friend Emma turned up on my doorstep bearing my favourite cup of jasmine tea from a local cafe. We sat and talked everything through. She did what she’s always done – made me feel heard and understood. Yet for all that friendship has given me, I realised we don’t have a language to express what it…

You are never too old to wear vintage. Even those of us who spent the 1970s dressed in hand-me-downs and jumble-sale buys have ditched the stigma and come round to the idea. Isn’t it brilliant that second-hand is no longer second best? My friend’s teenage daughters are all over Depop and Vinted; I love their enthusiasm and singular style, the fact that they care about the environment and are not taken in by fast fashion. According to research by thredUP, an American online consignment store, the resale market is growing faster than traditional retail, and by 2030, vintage clothing is expected to be twice as popular as fast fashion. Second-hand is cool at last, just as long as it doesn’t smell… While my local charity shops are mostly full of…

I NEED TO MAKE MY HAIR LOOK THICKER Long term, a supplement with biotin can boost growth. Try Vegamour GRO Biotin Gummies, £36 for 30 days’ supply, uk.vegamour.com. Styling tricks can help too. Spritz damp hair with Charles Worthington Thicker & Fuller Thickening Mist, £8.99, before you blow-dry – 84% of testers said it gave their hair twice the fullness. Then pop in some Velcro rollers for 30 minutes, for maximum lift. HELP! MY SKIN IS SO FLAKY FROM USING A PRESCRIPTION RETINOL CREAM Retinoids can leave skin irritated. So switch to ceramide-rich, hydrating moisturisers to build up the skin barrier and make it more resilient. Elizabeth Arden Advanced Light Ceramide Capsules, £48 for 30, elizabetharden.co.uk, are ideal for oily and combination skin, making the skin barrier 28% stronger after…

Peg out your washing There’s no better way to mark the start of spring than by hanging out your laundry to dry. Yes, you might have to dodge the odd seasonal shower but, on sunnier days, it feels good to let clothes, sheets and towels blow freely in the breeze. In fact, a third of Brits say that seeing washing hung outdoors makes a house seem more homely*, and there are other benefits too. You’ll help your respiratory health by not having damp garments lingering indoors, not to mention the money you’ll shave off your energy bills when ditching the tumble dryer – a full load can cost almost £2 per cycle**. What’s more, this wholesome chore motivates you to get out in the garden first thing, where you’ll feel…

When the team at w&h suggested that this month’s topic should be about shaping up for a holiday, I made my lemon-sucking face. ‘Getting in shape shouldn’t just be for holidays,’ I said, amid peals of laughter. But if your holiday is in July or August, starting right now is great. Far too many people go on a crash diet three weeks before going away, and it puts such pressure on your heart, your metabolism, your sanity and very probably your marriage. Yeah, you’ll lose weight – but also muscle – which is the worst thing you can do. So, from now we have about three months. How exciting! And, remember, we’re not aiming for a beach body (what is that, even?), no, sisters, our goal is looser clothes, stronger…

Watercress and almond pesto with burrata and courgettes A peppery take on pesto works wonderfully with the creamy burrata cheese for an almost-no-cook meal. Serves 6 • Prep 15 mins • Cook 10 mins 500g spaghetti, or any pasta shape you prefer200g small courgettes, thinly sliced2 x 100g balls burrata cheese For the pesto:80g watercress, plus extra to serve1 small bunch basil, leaves picked75g toasted almonds Finely grated zest and juice 1 lemon, plus extra zest to finish1 garlic clove, finely grated100g finely grated Parmesan6tbsp olive oil 1 Cook the pasta according to the pack instructions, in a large pot of salted boiling water. 2 Meanwhile, whizz all the pesto ingredients in a food processor until mostly smooth. Season with plenty of salt and freshly ground black pepper. 3 Drain…

1 LIGHTEN UP WITH LILAC Our colour crush of the season, lilac is given a grown-up feel when paired with terracotta shades and shapely accessories. Abaya bamboo pendant, £28, A3 wall art, £15, Austin dining table, £500, Hermione dining chairs, £109 each, carved wool rug, £80, arch vase, £18, Brushstroke table runner, £12.50, matt side plates in Mushroom and Lilac, £2 each, Marshmallow mugs in Lilac and Lime, £5 each, white debossed matt serve bowl, £4, all habitat.co.uk 2 Statement NEUTRALS Create a relaxed, inviting feel by building up textured layers. Look at what’s going on underfoot, with stone or ceramic tiles, wooden floors and natural rugs, then add items like tactile cushions and ceramics, and woven throws. Give your scheme definition with touches of dark brown, giving…

Whatever the size of your plot, make the most of it by planting an abundance of colour and produce. From growing your own veg to landscaping, you’ll find plenty of ideas to inspire you and turn it into your perfect sanctuary. 10 NEW GARDEN LOOKS From left-to-grow lawns to grow-to-cut flowers, drought-loving designs to space-saving planting, the latest trends have something for every garden and gardener alike. Our gardens have evolved since lockdown, and we’re all keen to get the most from them, as we crave space to work or entertain, or places to just sit and be. ‘Gardeners are finding new ways to encourage more wildlife onto their patch, trying sustainable techniques to improve their soil and be water-wise,’ says Guy Barter, RHS chief horticulturist. 1 GREEN LANDSCAPING As…

ESCAPIST PAGE-TURNER Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld (£16.99, HB, Transworld) TV scriptwriter Sally Milz is over romance, or so she thinks. In the week leading up to a famous late-night TV show, singer Noah Brewster steps into the host role. As they start to connect, why does Sally go into self-sabotage mode? Smart, funny and a fascinating look behind the scenes of a sketch show, it’s another exquisitely written novel from Sittenfeld. Read our chat with her on page 171. COMING-OF-AGE DRAMA Go as a River by Shelley Read (£16.99, HB, Transworld) To be so immersed in the setting of a book is a privilege, especially when the author is writing about the very landscape in which she comes from. In this beautifully lyrical novel, Read introduces us to Victoria…

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF Charlotte Hawkins Good Morning Britain star Charlotte Hawkins, 47, lives in Surrey with her husband, Mark Herbert, and their daughter, Ella, seven. WAKE UP My alarm goes off at 2.45am for GMB. I’m not sure you ever get used to it. I’ve been doing breakfast news for about 15 years and it’s ironic, because I don’t think I’m a morning person. I have to drag myself out of bed and it’s only in the shower I start to wake up. MORNING My working day begins as soon as I get in the car, when I’ll read through the day’s papers and our briefing notes. My journey takes about 40 minutes, which is a really good time to get through everything. BREAKFAST If it’s a…

The arrangements for May’s coronation are in full swing – the crowns have been resized, the invitations sent and new thrones assembled. It is shaping up to be a momentous moment both for the country and the monarchy. Code-named Operation Golden Orb, the late Queen actually began much of the organisation, alongside the then Prince Charles, and it was her succession planning that publicly decreed that ‘when the time came’, Camilla should be crowned as Queen Consort. I’ve met Camilla many times, find her the most approachable and down to earth of all the senior royals, and whatever your view on Charles’ (and Diana’s) adultery, she has definitely earned her stripes. My view has always been that she married the King in spite of the crown, not because of it,…

FASHION FAVE I have been a reader of w&h since the 1970s, and was delighted to see the resurgence of paisley in February’s The Good Life fashion feature. It took me back to my school days, when we made a paisley blouse exactly like the one you show from Gant. Those lessons stood me in good stead, as I had little money when I first got married, and made all my own dresses and blouses for work. Keep turning out these amazing features! Susan PARTING WAYS Thank you for publishing My Husband Told Me He Was Gay [March]. Having been lied to by my ex-husband in the same way, I found it a comfort to know I’m not alone. Unfortunately, it has taken many years of counselling for my children…

There has been an explosion of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) diagnoses that have been shared on social media. The charity ADHD Foundation reports a 400% increase in the number of adults seeking assessment since 2020. The rise was triggered in part by the anxiety and lack of routine during lockdown, which exacerbated symptoms for many. It’s believed to affect 1.5 million adults in the UK. The cause of the neurodevelopmental condition isn’t known, although it can run in families. The main symptoms include difficulty concentrating, compulsive behaviour, hyperactivity and poor organisational skills. In the past, it has been linked predominantly to boys, most of whom were disruptive at school, while among adults, three times as many men as women are diagnosed with ADHD. But Phil Anderton, managing director of…

What are you like first thing in the morning? I’m a morning person. I wake up early as I’m always really excited for the day. I have lots of energy and getting up at about 5am gives me a few precious hours before I start work. I’ll do a lot of meditating, yoga and some breath work, and then I’ll prepare for the day ahead. What is your worst habit? It can be a good and a bad thing, but I’m a list-making person. I schedule everything so I’m obsessed with timekeeping. So if someone asks me ‘What have you been up to?’, I’ll literally list everything, and my daughter tells me ‘That’s infuriating’. I have ADHD and I think it’s to do with that. If you’re home alone, what…

DOUBLE DENIM OMBRE SEPARATES ✢ This painterly print gives a luxurious feel to high-street pieces and works beautifully on flowing fabrics, such as chiffon and silk. ✢ Colourful precious stone jewellery and metallic accessories work beautifully to finish off the look. COORDS ✢ These head-to-toe outfits look just as chic dressed up with heels and statement jewellery. ✢ Don’t forget you can also wear each item as a separate – maximising your outfit’s cost per wear. POLKA DOTS ✢ With retro origins, it’s important to keep polka dots looking fresh and up to date. ✢ Choose clean, modern silhouettes and keep the majority of your colour palette monochrome. ✢ Graphic oversized dots can make a real style statement, with the larger print being the most flattering for plus-sizes. DUNGAREES ✢…

How to look your best every day! beauty inspiration It’s easy to get into a rut when it comes to your make-up routine. It can be so tempting to stick to what you know, but trying something different could revitalise your entire look. The new season is the perfect excuse to try something fresher, lighter and more modern, just in time for all those bank holiday celebrations and social engagements. And we have the ultimate inspiration to help you do just that. FIND YOUR FOUNDATION FIT Your base is the cornerstone of your entire make-up look, so it’s important to get it right. Lighter finishes are more flattering in the spring, and glide over lines and wrinkles. For a fresh and effortless look, use a sheer base and layer it…

We can help you live your best life health tips Winter is finally over, and you’re not just imagining that the warmer, brighter weather has refilled your tank. Sunlight energises us emotionally because it reduces production of the hormone melatonin, which promotes sleep but also lowers mood, says sleep coach Tracy Hannigan*. ‘We might feel more social and energetic – it’s like coming out of hibernation.’ But while spring provokes a sigh of relief in us Brits, there are downsides too. Perhaps you’re feeling off-kilter since the clocks went forward? Or is the prospect of all those bank holiday weekends tiring you out already? Here’s how to avoid falling at the first fair-weather hurdle. TACKLE THE SPRING SWITCH Harness your renewed motivation, adapt fast and make this season live up…

As awareness of mental health improves and we better understand depression as an illness, an increasing number of women are taking medication to support their recovery – antidepressant use in England has risen by 22% in the last five years, according to NHS figures. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the class of drugs most commonly prescribed to treat moderate to severe depression – if they’re an option that could help you, here’s what you should know before starting a course of treatment. 1 YOUR GP WILL DISCUSS DOSE AND DURATION You will typically be prescribed the lowest dose necessary to improve your symptoms. SSRIs are usually taken daily in tablet form and it’s important not to miss a dose for them to work effectively. ‘Most GPs advise a course…

If the beginning of the new season has got you thinking about setting new goals, then we have just the plan to help you get started. Get set for a lighter, brighter spring with this healthy eating plan from Slimming World. You can fill up on the foods you love, without having to worry about counting a single calorie and still lose weight. And, what’s more, you could lose up to 7lb in just two weeks*. HOW IT WORKS 1 Choose one breakfast, one lunch and one dinner every day, and feel free to repeat any meals you particularly enjoy. 2 Because Slimming World’s eating plan is based on the science of energy density and satiety (how filling a food is), it helps you to cut calories without having to…

Leila and Alex Shafarenko’s small, walled garden is a calm space where sunshine filters through a canopy of foliage, highlighting an array of spring flowers. ‘It was the garden that sold me the house,’ says Leila. The house dates from the 16th century and the garden has seen many changes. ‘The gardens of old houses have a special mood,’ she notes. When the couple first moved in, the garden was very traditional, with a framework of mature plants such as the magnolia, a purple-leaved ornamental cherry and wisteria. ‘I changed it around, getting rid of the greenhouse and compost heap,’ she explains. ‘I have a conservatory [which is] where I sow seeds – I love seeing what’s coming up each day.’ Having relocated the gazebo to a raised area, the…

FOR HILL TOWNS AND LANDSCAPES… UMBRIA WHY GO? This region has much in common with Tuscany next door: exquisite hill towns filled with medieval and Renaissance art, overlooking gorgeous green landscapes, vineyards and olive groves. But there’s a difference. Where Tuscany can be frantic and overcrowded, in Umbria, the same lovely things exist in an air of serenity and peace, thanks to the lingering influence of the most famous Umbrian of all – St Francis of Assisi. SEE & DO Umbria’s hilltop capital, Perugia, is one of the most fascinating art towns in Italy, with a mysterious underground city to wander through. It’s famous for chocolate, while nearby Deruta is the place to go for ceramics, and Solomeo, near Lake Trasimeno, is headquarters of Brunello Cucinelli, the cashmere king. But…

UNIQUE STORY The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger I wish I’d written this book. It’s romantic but with an edge. I also like its darkness and mind-bending nature. The fact that Henry meets Clare when she’s a kid, yet she knows him all her life, but by the time he meets her, he hasn’t met her is so smart! They’re in bed one day and he falls in and says, ‘I just met you as a kid.’ It’s a classic. POETRY IN MOTION One by Sarah Crossan This heartbreaking Young Adult story about conjoined twins, Tippi and Grace, follows their journey through to surgery, where they will be separated, and it’s all written in verse. Sarah deals with the subject beautifully and while it’s not rare to make me…