Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2024 i Woman & Home

Over the years I have been fortunate enough to meet a number of high-profile names. It’s often a talking point around the dinner table, with friends keen to hear what people are really like. And that’s just what they are – people. Meeting Fiona Phillips for this month’s cover shoot cemented that view. Once the GMTV poster girl, Fiona, despite being away from our TVs for a few years, is still as recognisable as ever – testament, perhaps, to her long-standing and successful career. Fiona, however, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease last year, which she describes as ‘devastating’ – but her positive attitude and determination to try and beat the condition are overwhelming. Now taking part in clinical trials, Fiona wants to raise awareness and is ‘determined to live the…

Has your hubby traded in the family hatchback for a flashy sports car? Inked a tattoo onto his triceps and bought a motorbike? Is he suddenly talking about quitting his job and launching a start-up boutique brewery? Well, fasten your psychological seat belts, girls, because your husband’s midlife crisis has started without him. What’s worse, we have to take it seriously. Yep, the ‘male menopause’ is a real phenomenon. According to some of Britain’s leading researchers on ageing, we need to stop trivialising the male midlife crisis. Apparently, the realisation that a man is slowing down, balding and becoming less hunky is hugely damaging to his psyche. The awareness that he’s not going to ever make CEO or afford that coveted des res can lead to a severe drop in…

‘WE MAKE SICK CHILDREN SMILE’ Vanessa Crocker, 60, from north London, will spend much of the festive period visiting children in hospital. Our charity, Spread a Smile, grew from conversations at our kitchen tables in 2013. My friend Josephine Segal, 56, had arranged for a magician to visit her 12-year-old nephew, Aaron, who was having cancer treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Now enjoying life at university, that visit made such a difference to Aaron that he asked if she could do it for other patients. Working together, we started with three entertainers – now we have more than 80. They visit 27 hospitals and three children’s hospices around the country. As a charity with no statutory funding, we rely on the generosity of supporters. Parents often tell us that…

1 POWER COUPLE When two blockbuster movies, Barbie (based on Mattel’s fashion dolls) and Oppenheimer (about the American physicist who created the atomic bomb) were released on the same day in July, they seemed to be polar opposites. But as well as star-studded casts, they shared a central theme – what it is to be human – and the phenomenon Barbenheimer was born. Barbie marketing was estimated to have cost $150 million vs Oppenheimer’s $100 million, while for cinemagoers eager to experience both, the question was: which to see first? 2 Got a Spare copy? Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, brought new meaning to the term ‘oversharing’ when he published his memoir Spare in January. His family revelations blasted through even the Palace’s mighty defences and, according to Guinness World…

I’m part of a trend. Not the one for super-stretchy big knickers, the one for having an only child and getting your other one from the Kennel Club. Now I have two boys – one is taller than me, the other is covered in mud and hurls tennis balls at my head when I’m trying to read. Which I find adorable, of course, because I find everything Scruffy does adorable. It’s not just me in this dog-meet-dog world. Midlife Dogzillas are everywhere. We aren’t boring you with baby photos – we’re trapping you in front of endless phone pics of our surrogate child, choosing to ignore the glazed look in your eyes. You might not welcome a full rundown of the fur baby’s funny little ways, either, but we don’t…

Crime dramas make for gripping TV but how close are they to the truth? DCI Fiona Wynne, who investigates serious crimes every day for the North Yorkshire Police, talks about her career highs, lows – and Happy Valley. What does a typical morning look like? My alarm goes off between 5.30 and 6am. As a detective, I don’t wear a uniform, but I still like to look smart in a trouser suit or dress to project professionalism. I’m usually at the station by 7.30am. My first task is to read the daily ‘force log’, detailing major updates from the past 24 hours. If key crimes like high-risk domestic abuse or stalking have emerged overnight, I’ll brief my team of 70 and they will take action. Which part of your job…

Style tip Create a layered look by adding gold or semi-precious stone bracelets around your watch Style tip Use a thin metallic belt to nip in the waist of an evening jacket, or add shape to party dresses Style tip Gold flatters all skin tones and the pointed toe on this shoe will help to elongate your legs Style tip Enhance a deep V-neckline with a statement crystal necklace. Keep earrings and other jewels simple…

1 Vibrant and fresh Chloé Eau de Parfum Lumineuse, £59 for 30ml, johnlewis.comLight and bright, this new scent combines luminous rose with amber and jasmine. Floral, fresh and uplifting. 2 Golden touch Tiffany Rose Gold Eau de Parfum Intense, £88 for 50ml, johnlewis.comNow in a concentrated formulation, notes of patchouli, rose and jasmine are deepened with pepper and orange. 3 Musky magic Diptyque L’Eau Papier Eau de Toilette, £125 for 100ml, diptyqueparis.com This scent is inspired by a fresh pad of paper, combining musks and woody elements. 4 Full-on floral Narciso Rodriguez All of Me Eau de Parfum, £63 for 30ml, theperfumeshop.co.uk With notes of magnolia, rose and geranium, this is like inhaling a big bouquet of blooms. 5 Ginger spice Jo Malone London Ginger Biscuit Cologne, £124 for 100ml,…

Do you remember Christmas during lockdown, when we were all told to stay at home? Well, despite the obvious horror of a life-threatening virus sweeping the globe, I secretly enjoyed it. There was zero anxiety about the amount of parties, festive lunches and rolling buffets I’d be expected to go to, because there were zero social events happening and therefore no guilt over those last-minute ‘I’m so sorry, I don’t think I’m going to be able to make it’ texts that I’d usually end up sending. I have memories of watching Strictly and messaging a friend saying, ‘Is it wrong that I’m loving not having to mix with other people?’ with her immediately replying, ‘Me too!’ But it’s not just me and my friends who are total Grinches. According to…

THIS MONTH ✢ Intimate pain ✢ Meds for baldness ✢ Weird cravings Q I’m so embarrassed, but I have a pain in my bottom. It lasts for short spells and comes on in bouts. I had a consultation with my GP over the phone and was told that the problem was my coccyx; later, I was told it was piles. My bowels are fine, but I’m really confused. A This sounds distressing. Anal pain can have multiple causes. Firstly, let’s go on the doctor’s initial hunch – could this be your coccyx? Pain here tends to result in pain at the base of your spine and is worsened by sitting, going from the sit to stand position, or bending forward. Periods, going for a poo or sexual activity can all…

Tasty recipes & amazing ideas Salt and pepper prawns with sweet potato wedges The homemade chilli sauce is the key to this recipe. If you like, swap the prawns for veggies or halloumi. Serves 4• Prep 30 mins• Cook 50 mins 4 small sweet potatoes (about 800g)2tbsp olive oil24-28 large, peeled raw prawns2tsp sea salt2tsp freshly ground white pepper1tsp Chinese 5 spice1tsp caster sugar200g cornflour For the sweet chilli jam: 8 large red chillies, seeded and chopped6 garlic cloves, chopped2tsp grated root ginger150ml rice wine vinegar150g granulated sugarVegetable oil, for fryingMayonnaise, and Asian salad leaves and herbs, to serve 1 Make the sweet chilli jam ahead of time. Put the chillies, garlic and ginger in a food processor, blend to a rough paste and transfer to a saucepan. Add the…

Share the love Field & Flower online butchers are donating the legs from each of their higher welfare turkey crowns sold this Christmas to FareShare (fareshare.org.uk), an organisation that redistributes nutritious food to charities across the UK. Each week, they provide enough food to create almost a million meals for vulnerable people in homeless shelters, community cafes and more, including school breakfast clubs and older folk’s lunch clubs. Some 70% of UK consumers choose a joint or crown, so that’s an estimated 14 million turkey legs that go to waste each year. However, the turkey legs provide enough meat for a family of two to three people, and they can also be bought separately from the website. Visit fieldandflower.co.uk to order yours. COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH Brewberry Yum A fruity…

looking at Katie Frade’s home all beautifully decorated for Christmas, it’s hard to believe that the family’s move to the house in East Dulwich, London, nearly didn’t come about. Katie and her husband Paulo had thought about moving house in 2016 as their property at the time didn’t quite fit the bill. ‘Our previous home was almost perfect, but didn’t have enough space for entertaining or a separate area for adults – two of our must-haves,’ says Katie. Deterred by the uncertainty of the post-Brexit property market, they changed their minds and concentrated on improving their existing home. Then fate intervened. ‘Typically, as soon as we’d completed the refurbishment, Paulo found this house online in 2018,’ says Katie. The property for sale was a five-bedroom, semi-detached, neo-Georgian house, and it…

MAKE OVER A MANTELPIECE Start with a spruce garland, then add texture with dried hydrangeas, glossy greenery and sprigs of eucalyptus. Top with honeycomb baubles, paper stars and other lightweight decorations. STYLE THE STAIRCASE Gather foliage, a few fir cuttings, berries and flowers, and arrange in a small bouquet tied with a big bow, to hang from the newel post. Choose large-headed blooms for a colourful statement that will also fill the hall with scent. HANG WINTER BASKETS Repurpose summer’s hanging baskets into a seasonal display. Plant up with ivy, winter pansies and heather in a palette of reds, pinks and purples. Add some glittery decorations, and replace the usual chain with gold beading. CREATE A WREATH Use fresh moss to pad out a natural willow wreath base. Tie up…

HISTORIC River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer (£16.99, HB, Headline) A compelling novel from a debut author who’s one to watch. The year is 1834, the setting is Barbados and slavery has been abolished. But what does that really mean when former slaves are still required to work for another six years – for free? In the ultimate act of resistance, Rachel goes on a hopeful and heartbreaking journey through the Caribbean and South America in search of her five children – who are now adults – who were taken away from her. Powerful, moving and lyrical. LIFE-AFFIRMING We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman (£14.99, HB, Transworld) A book about death and dying shouldn’t be funny, yet this novel is bursting with humour and warmth as well…

Christmas and New Year is usually a time for royal reflection. The Royal Family has celebrated Christmas at Sandringham ever since 1988 (aside from during the pandemic), and King Charles has kept up the late Queen’s tradition. Although he has kept much the same – the Christmas Eve black tie supper, the joke presents on trestle tables, the walk to church on Christmas morning and the early lunch before everyone watches the Monarch’s speech at 3pm – Charles has made some changes. He still hosts the Boxing Day and post-Christmas shoots at the Norfolk estate, but unlike the late Queen, prefers to spend New Year (or Hogmanay) at his Scottish home Birkhall. ‘Charles views Christmas as family time, not “royal” time’ And as he views the Christmas period as family…

VAL McDERMID was born in Kirkcaldy, Fife. A former award-winning journalist and a number-one bestselling novelist, she has sold over 19 million books across 40 languages. On page 57, she talks about her tough start in journalism. What’s your all-time favourite TV show? The West Wing. With brilliant dialogue, complex characters and political manoeuvring, it was irresistible. The script was witty and credible, and Martin Sheen’s Jed Bartlet the best president America never had. Bestselling author of four books for adults and three for children, SOPHIE DAHLhas also written two prime-time BBC shows. She shares the books that changed her life on page 171. What’s your all-time favourite TV show? The Durrells, based on Gerald Durrell’s My Family and Other Animals. It’s a love song to Corfu, a place I…

TIME FOR A TIPPLE…

Vicky McClure MBE In 2018, actor Vicky – who tragically lost her grandmother to dementia in 2015 – embarked on a deeply personal journey where she set out to discover the true extent of music’s power in combatting dementia. And from there, Our Dementia Choir was born. The Line of Duty star has opened a conversation surrounding the disease, which affects 850,000 people across the UK, resulting in reducing stigma and prompting sufferers to seek help. Since then, the choir, which is based in Vicky’s home town of Nottingham, has starred in two documentaries alongside performing at the National Television Awards and Splendour Festival. Meanwhile Vicky, 40, was awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for her services to drama and charity. We can’t wait to see what the…

‘MOVING ABROAD CHANGED OUR LIVES’ Deborah O’Grady, 51, moved to Portugal in August 2023 with her husband, Jonathan, 50, and their 14-year-old daughter Maya. Deborah is the founder of Home, through which she mentors women undergoing rapid transformation in both life and business. After Jonathan and I got married 18 years ago, in Spain, we talked about wanting to live abroad. But then life became hectic. We both had careers; we then had a baby, time flew and, before we knew it, she was in school. We began to feel disillusioned and trapped; it felt like life had become a treadmill. We were worn out and working long hours, and Maya wasn’t enjoying school as she once did. Jonathan and I had an honest conversation and admitted we felt bored.…

Our world is changing, with cutting-edge technology driving the way we live. Although studies suggest 50% of us fear the future, those responsible for spotting trends say there’s more to look forward to than you think. ‘We already have the technologies to solve most of the world’s problems,’ says futurist Matthew Griffin, founder of 311 Institute, a futures think tank. ‘We know how to heal thousands of previously incurable diseases, and we have the knowledge to tackle climate change and beat world hunger. It will take time to scale up some of these innovations, but there’s a lot to be positive about.’ FASHION & BEAUTY Caring for our clothes like plants Fiona Harkin, foresight editor at The Future Laboratory, says: ‘Consumers will be looking for brands to act as conservation…

It’s 1976 and here I am sitting in an office we are about to vacate, looking very bewildered. I was a trainee journalist at the Plymouth and South Devon Times, and on this day I was manning the phones as the rest of the building was taken down around me. Every time I went to write something, a phone would ring – that’s how we did business back then. People were calling in with their stories and I’d tell them to ring back the next day, as everyone was busy moving. We were a local paper and people trusted us. At this point in my career, I’d take home £96 a month, £60 of which would go on rent. It didn’t leave a lot – although with a gallon of…

We wear our velvets all year round – our philosophy is don’t save them for best!’ says Jo Hooper, founder and CEO of NRBY Clothing. And we can all appreciate this timeless approach. There are certain items of clothing I know I can always rely on. My velvet tuxedo jacket is a perennial go-to. It has instant feel-good properties and is an easy way to upgrade any outfit. Velvet looks beautiful in natural light, so I wear the jacket during the day with love-worn denim and a cotton shirt, or over a boiler suit and trainers. Fashion confidence comes from finding reliable clothes that work for you, so you can get dressed and get on with the day (or evening). The beautiful tuxedo jacket looks fantastic with slouchy cargo pants…

IS THERE AN EASY WAY TO WAVE MY HAIR? If you can’t get to grips with tongs for waving and curling your hair, then try new Hershesons The Wave Maker, £150, hershesons.com. It uses rolling barrel technology to literally wind your hair around the heated barrel for effortless waves. There are three heat settings and an inbuilt cooling system, which means you can ‘set’ your waves in place to help them last longer. One for your Christmas list! WHAT CAN I DO TO STOP MY HAIR FROM GOING FLAT? There’s nothing more frustrating than painstakingly styling your hair, only for it to drop after 30 minutes. It’s all about the prep to help that style last the night. My hairstylist, Jamie from Hare & Bone in London, has converted me…

Cheesy salmon omelettes Not just for breakfast, these ‘royale’-style omelettes are served with a quick cheese sauce that uses up leftover dairy after Christmas. Serves 2• Prep 10 mins• Cook 15 mins 20g unsalted butter2 garlic cloves, crushed2-3 large handfuls spinach, kale or other greens, shreddedHandful mixed herbs, finely chopped (we used chives and dill)4 medium eggs70-100g smoked salmonLemon wedges, for squeezing For the cheese sauce: 100g Brie or Camembert, roughly chopped100ml single cream 1 For the cheese sauce, gently heat the cheese and cream in a small saucepan until melted. Blend with a stick blender until smooth. Keep warm while you make the omelettes. 2 Melt half the butter in a large non-stick frying pan. Add the garlic and cook for 1 min, then add the greens and cook…

Novel and new to try Pignoletto Brut, £9, Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference A sparkling wine from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, it boasts good balanced acidity and a creamy finish, with a rounded green apple and luscious peach flavour. It would go particularly well with antipasti, cheese and meats. Great all-rounder Dandelione Prosecco, £6.95, Iceland Classic green apple flavour with a light, fresh, delicate fizz. We loved this Prosecco on its own or it would be great used to top up fruity cocktails, such as Bellini or mimosa. Favourite Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, £9.50, Morrisons the Best With more of a cooked Bramley apple flavour in style, with a pleasing amount of bubbles in the glass, it’s one we could imagine drinking throughout the night without fear of…

dream destination Exciting ways to get away from it all GREAT FOR PRIVACY CASTAWAY MALDIVES Rose Goodman plays Robinson Crusoe at a resort offering innovative fun As I’m whisked away on a speedboat from the hustle and bustle of Malé International airport through the pristine waters of the Indian Ocean, the first thought I have is, ‘Is this a dream?’ The second is, ‘I’m never going to want to leave.’ A scattering of more than 1,000 palm-studded coral islands – many of them with private resorts – there’s a reason why the Maldives draws celebrities, honeymooners and chic travellers after a once-in-a-lifetime break. A mere 30-minutes later, I reach my archipelago oasis for the next five nights – Kuda Villingili, nestled in the North Malé Atoll of the Maldives. And…

WITTY ROMANCE The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford I spent a weekend reading this when I was 16 or 17. Linda was the most romantic heroine, and I too longed for a louche Fabrice type. I once sat on a case at the Gare du Nord, hoping I might find one, but a guard told me I was on the wrong platform and a security risk, so that was the end of that. This book never fails to enchant me. Mitford’s a brilliant satirist, and incredibly funny. LONDON LIFE White Teeth by Zadie Smith I read it in 2001, during a summer of volcanic heat. New York, where I was living, was so close and unrelenting but White Teeth made me forget where I was. I fell into it,…

GREAT VALUE I picked up my mother’s issue of w&h and a quick flick turned into a long and pleasurable read. I was gobsmacked by how much content you manage to pack into one issue. It’s worth every penny and more. Alison MOVING FORWARD Bridget’s story about her autistic daughter Lucy [Finding Hope in Heartbreak, October] was inspiring and relatable. My son Tommy was also diagnosed at two, and I relied mainly on local charities for children with autism and other special needs. Tommy is now 29, and he lives in a supported living home with carers. He has a happy and fulfilling life, and we still get to spend time with him, which is lovely. Julie MY COMPLIMENTS My sister gave me two backdated copies of w&h and I…

When she married Prince Edward, the youngest child of the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, back in 1999, few knew who the then Sophie Rhys-Jones was – and even fewer could predict how integral she would become within the Royal Family. Sophie and Edward share a daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, 20, and son, James, Earl of Wessex, 15, and have become treasured members of The Firm in recent years. And with Sophie, who turns 59 next month, now being described by royal insiders as ‘one of the new stars of the show’, it’s clear to see why she has risen through the royal ranks. Humble beginnings When she started dating Prince Edward back in 1993, Sophie was working in PR after training to become a secretary at a college…

What are you like first thing in the morning? There’s a great word in the English dictionary, which is matutinal. It means bright and cheery in the morning. I’m not quite that, but I’m OK as long as it’s not before 6.30, otherwise I’m a humgruffin and I barely get to the kettle. What’s your worst habit? Finishing other people’s sentences. I just don’t wait, I don’t allow the pauses, which is stupid really. I immediately think I know the word that they’re searching for, which is incredibly arrogant, because quite often it’s the wrong one! If you were home alone, what would you do? I’m quite a restless person so I will potter endlessly about the house with the radio on. If I really need to rest, then I…

It’s the time of year for upping our game and, for many of us, one of the areas of potential improvement is our sex life. Libido diminishes, in both women and men, as we get older. However, feeling sexy at any age comes down to a complex set of variables, so it rarely makes sense to spotlight sex in isolation from other parts of your life. A good sex life is strongly connected to a good life in a holistic sense, and often, focusing on a different area that needs a boost – communicating better with your partner, improving your fitness, reducing stress at work – will lead to you feeling more sexy. You also need to make space in your life for sex, and that takes effort. ‘When you’ve…

Looking stylish has never been so easy FOLLOW SUIT Jacket, £250, trousers, £170, both sizes 6-18, jigsaw-online.com; shirt, £95, sizes 8-18, phase-eight.com; shoes, £250, katespade.co.uk; rings, £60 and £70, hotdiamonds.co.uk; foil curtain, £9.99, gingerray.co.uk THE NEW CLASSIC ✢ A crisp white shirt is a timeless wardrobe staple. This embellished version is great for low-key cool. ✢ The perfect foil for this shirt? Silver straight-leg leather trousers are on every fashionista’s wish list! Shirt, £295, sizes xxs-xl, katespade.co.uk; leather trousers, £350, sizes 6-16, jigsaw-online.com; shoes, £100, aldoshoes.co.uk; rings, as before; baubles, £12.50 (pack of 3), marksandspencer.com; garland, £19.50, merimeri.co.uk SHINE ON ✢ A sequin jacket is the perfect throw-on-and-go shortcut to adding instant glam to any outfit, from dresses to jeans. ✢ Wear your sparkle with similar colours such as cream…

How to look your best every day Having fun and spending time with loved ones is good for the soul, but the party season can also be stressful and busy, leaving energy levels zapped and you feeling more drab than fab. Whether you’re dashing out the door with hardly a minute to spare, or perhaps one too many prosecco-fuelled late nights has wiped out your motivation for another celebration, fret not. Read on for the cleverest ideas for quick festive beauty fixes – all with minimal effort, maximum results – that will make you feel and look fabulous in minutes. PERFECT YOUR COMPLEXION Cheat eight HOURS’ SLEEP It’s the best beauty treatment we can give ourselves, helping to regenerate the skin and boost collagen, but almost three-quarters of us are…

We can help you live your best life After the shopping, the wrapping, the cooking, the cleaning (and the panicking!), it’s all too easy to be flagging and in need of a pick-me-up by the end of the year. But an energy boost isn’t just beneficial to get you through the busy festive season. Knowing exactly what your body and mind need could be the difference between starting 2024 with a bounce in your step or slipping into a slump until spring. The secret? It’s all down to your personality traits. ‘There are lots of factors at work, from how extroverted or introverted you are, to how well you cope with change,’ says life coach Marie Houlden. Want to end the year in style and start 2024 raring to go?…

It’s time to ditch the prosecco and opt for something with a slice of winter wellbeing this Christmas. Mulled wine has long brought on the festive feels, but its origins are steeped in medicinal benefits. Romans first heated red wine as a means of defending their bodies against the harsh winter months and, as its popularity continued throughout the Middle Ages, various spices were added to avoid sickness. This could mean that a glass or two over the festive season is good for us – so, what are you waiting for? Bottoms up! 1 YOU’RE LESS LIKELY TO CATCH A COLD Vino tinto, the main ingredient of mulled wine, is packed full of antioxidants, polyphenols and flavonoids, all which are immune boosting. ‘Flavonoids have antiviral properties, which means they can…

Goals. Such an intimidating prospect, aren’t they? If you score there’s a roar. If you miss, the crowd groans and boos. Well, we’re having none of that here. This month’s column is about collecting small wins, which can be easily tucked into a weekly routine without too much upheaval. First up, exercise. And no, it doesn’t have to mean a lot of jumping about. Thirty minutes a day of low-level movement (walking, housework, gardening) is linked to a reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease. Amazing, isn’t it? If we make 10 of those minutes a little more energetic, say power walking or swimming, maybe even jogging or a low-impact workout, then we’re really ramping things up without it taking over our lives. Now we need to add some strength…

Nocciolatini (hazelnut biscuits) The warming flavour of toasted hazelnuts and the short texture will brighten up a cold afternoon. Makes 20• Prep 35 mins, plus chilling• Cook 26 mins 100g whole hazelnuts200g 00 flour or plain flour130g unsalted butter, softened and diced100g caster sugar1tsp vanilla bean paste1/8 tsp salt50g egg (about 1 medium free-range egg)140g chocolate and hazelnut spread 1 Set the shelf in the middle of the oven and heat it to 160C Fan/Gas 4. Put the hazelnuts on a baking tray and toast them for 10-12 mins, shaking the tray midway. Allow the nuts to cool completely, then rub them between the palms of your hands to shed any loose flakes of skin. (If you are using pre-toasted hazelnuts, you can skip this step.) 2 Put the hazelnuts…

Inspiration for a beautiful abode LOOK 1 JEWELLED MAGIC Add a sense of wonder to your Christmas table with deep blue, purple and orange, mixed with traditional red and green. Incorporate touches of brass to add to the charm, while fresh flowers and foliage – which can be echoed in your choice of decorations and tableware patterns – lend almost a fantastical touch. STYLIST’S TIPS USE HERO BLUE A few touches of deep navy blue can take a traditional red scheme to a new level. Add a blue table runner and napkins for easy swaps. BE LAVISH This look loves flamboyancy, with ribbons and swags, bunting and garlands a must. Try an overhead arrangement of a simple evergreen wreath dressed in velvet ribbons. TRY QUICK ARRANGEMENTS Dot small posies next…

There’s nothing quite as welcoming as a Christmas scent when you walk through the front door. We’ve tried and tested this season’s must-have candles, so that your home smells heavenly throughout the holidays. BURN TIME 40 hours BUDGET BUY Peacock & Bird Clementine & Clove, £18, williammorrisathome.com A truly traditional blend of festive spices, encased in a striking patterned tumbler. BURN TIME 50 hours FUN FLORALS Little Karma Co. Post Roast Snooze, £34, littlekarmaco.com Lavender and frankincense are blended into a slumber-inducing scent. BURN TIME 45 hours WINTER AROMA Born of Botanics Limited Edition Midwinter, £50, bornofbotanics.co.uk Enjoy the rich aromas of ginger, star anise, cardamom and sweet citrus. BURN TIME 60 hours FRAGRANT TRIO Jo Loves Christmas: A Layered Candle, £80, joloves.com Christmas trees, plum pudding and log fires…

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF Jamie Oliver Chef and restaurateur Jamie Oliver, 48, lives in Essex with his wife Jools and their five children WAKE UP Monday to Thursday my alarm goes off at 4.30am. I roll out of bed, get washed and I’m in the car for 5am to go to London. I like to be the first one in. BREAKFAST We try to cook a really nice breakfast for the team at our HQ. Everyone will come in around 8.30am for brekkie, coffee and tea. We either have something with eggs or overnight oats. I can’t function without breakfast, my brain doesn’t kick into action. MORNING Normally I’ve got very busy days lasting until 7 or 8pm. I dance around all day like a nutter doing various…

horoscopes AQUARIUS 20 JANUARY – 18 FEBRUARY The Sun enters Aquarius on the 21st, highlighting what’s important in your life. Issues that come to a head on the 25th need addressing. Call 0905 789 4160* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates PISCES 19 FEBRUARY – 20 MARCH Many Pisceans are experiencing heavy responsibilities, low energy and low mood. Blame taskmaster Saturn in your sign – a challenging influence. Call 0905 789 4161* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates ARIES 21 MARCH – 19 APRIL There’s a definite shift in focus on the 5th, from fun to work, from escapism to responsibility. Work hard now and you’ll be amazed at what you achieve. Call 0905 789 4150* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates TAURUS 20 APRIL – 20…