Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2024 i Woman & Home

Welcome to May’s issue of woman&home, and we have something to celebrate because spring is finally here! It’s felt like a long time coming, hasn’t it? This month, Fiona Bruce adorns our cover – and what a beautiful cover star she is. Fiona’s career spans an incredible 35 years at the BBC and in our interview, which starts on page 16, she is eminently honest about her life in front of the lens as well as behind. As she hits the milestone of 60 years old at the end of April, as well as celebrating her 30th wedding anniversary, Fiona’s zest for life is obvious – admitting that she has booked a DJ who usually works in London nightclub Heaven to play the tunes at her party. It’s clear that…

LOUD LIPSTICKS FOR SPRING…

For years the stigma attached to mental illness meant that many had to suffer in silence. While there is still work to be done, today the subject is becoming less of a taboo, thanks to women like Dame Emma Thompson, Shirley Ballas and Dame Kelly Holmes, who are opening up conversations surrounding their mental health. Emma Thompson At times, double Academy Award-winner Emma has been plagued by poor mental health and depression. The 64-year-old has revealed that she used acting to escape ‘the voices in my head’. She explained, ‘[it’s] the constant “must do better”, “must try harder” plus “you’re too fat and not really a very good mother”, that punitive conscience is part of my psychiatric problem.’ Emma has also had to cope with her daughter Gaia’s eating disorder…

Swearing is having a moment… Honestly, it’s bl**ding everywhere. Wicked Little Letters has Oscar winner Olivia Colman in the middle of a potty-mouthed poison-pen mystery. Last year’s revelations at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry laid bare former government advisor Dominic Cummings’ effing and jeffing on WhatsApp. Even academics are busy with asterisks in new books on the topic, including philosopher Dr Rebecca Roache. So could swearing be having a renaissance – and who’s on board? We asked two midlife women with opposing views to share their thoughts. DID YOU KNOW? ✢ In the medieval age, to be truly offensive, curses had to involve the holy, such as ‘God’s bones’. ✢ The F-word’s origins are foggy, but could have been a gift from the Germanic tongue and a common word for sex…

‘Knowing we’ve helped other women means the world to us’ Suzie Boudier, 51, and Myriam Djellouli, 51, are the founders of health and beauty business Minerva Wellness. Both from Bromley, Kent, Suzie is a single mum to Saskia, 20, and Sofia, 19, while Myriam lives with husband Dan and their sons Axl, 13, and Florian, 10. THE IDEA In April 2018, brand manager Suzie hired Myriam, a local stylist, make-up artist and national trainer for Guerlain, to do her make-up for an event. As they got chatting, the two women discovered they were both suffering perimenopause symptoms, such as extreme fatigue, anxiety, brain fog and insomnia. They became friends and, fascinated by the power of plants to heal, decided to be their own health detectives to try to find a…

The must-have jeans Whether you’re a fan of the figure-hugging skinny or roomy wide-leg, jeans are as diverse as ever, ensuring there’s a cut for everyone. The forever jacket The classic trucker jacket has evolved to cover a plethora of silhouettes, from a polished blazer to quilted bombers. The classic shirt Look for statement collars and frilly details to give the humble denim shirt a softer spin. With heaps of styling potential, wear with a denim skirt or jeans to create a cool head-to-toe look. The do-it-all dress Nailing that comfy-yet-smart aesthetic, a denim dress is a year-round wardrobe staple that will never date. Add femininity with a fit-and-flare design that looks just as good smartened up with strappy heels as it does with box-fresh trainers on off-duty days. The…

Caring cleanser The brand is known for its Cleanse & Polish, so we were intrigued to see how Liz Earle Superskin Advanced Nourishing Cleansing Balm, £39, boots.com, measured up. Very well, it turns out. It has a botanical scent and is packed with nourishing ingredients – essentially a spa in a jar. Boost barriers Sore, irritated skin? Your skin barrier could be damaged – it’s worryingly easy to do through overuse of potent skincare, or harsh weather. Byoma Barrier+ Repair Treatment, £16.99, boots.com, is a real healer that makes an instant soothing difference to damaged, sensitive skin. Potent peel Containing an impressive 25% blend of acids, this peel means business but won’t irritate. L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Dark Spot Exfoliant Peel, £31.99, boots.com, will overhaul skin. Hydration station No7’s new…

THIS MONTH ✢ Unsafe sex✢ Alcohol allergy✢ Checking moles Q I recently came out of a 15-year marriage and, after having had too much to drink two nights ago, I had unprotected sex with a man from work. I’m worried, what should I do? A There are two issues here – pregnancy and infection. In terms of pregnancy prevention, you can still take the morning-after pill, so don’t delay heading to a pharmacy. There are two options – one pill can be taken five days after intercourse, the other up to 72 hours. Neither requires a prescription. Depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle, you may also have the option of having a coil inserted, which acts to prevent pregnancy as a result of the incident. Your…

Sea bass ‘aqua pazza’ Meaning ‘crazy water’ in Italian, this dish gets its name from the watered-down wine broth originally made by Neopolitan fishermen. Serves 2 • Ready in 25 mins 2tbsp olive oil½ bulb fennel, cut into thin wedges2 whole sea bass, gutted(250-300g each)2 garlic cloves, sliced50ml white wine50ml just boiled water50g mix of green and black pitted olives½tsp chilli flakes1tbsp capers400g tin plum tomatoes, drained15g parsley, choppedCrusty bread or steamed potatoes, to serve 1 Heat the oil in a large shallow pan (one with a lid) over a medium-high heat. Add the fennel and sizzle for 5 mins on each side until golden, then move it to the sides of the pan. Season the cavity of the sea bass and drizzle with a little olive oil before adding…

Say goodbye to plastic Meet the eco-friendly Hokan bowls Hokan (meaning ‘safe keeping’) was created by Alistair Donald, who swapped the leaning towers of cling-filmed bowls and plastic boxes for a plastic-free solution that can be used to cook, bake and serve, then store and save food. The stoneware bowls are odour- and stain-resistant, heat evenly and retain heat efficiently. The range is perfect for all one-pot wonders including stews, curries, soups, pies and more. Hokan has partnered with The Felix Project, which helps feed local communities in London. For every small bowl sold, Hokan donates 1.5 meals; each medium bowl, three meals; large, 4.5; and sets of three, nine meals. From £24 for a 400ml small bowl, hokanbowls.com COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH Pickle margarita Trust us, it may sound…

NEW WORLD VIEW The Giver by Lois Lowry I read this book at eight years old and it changed my understanding of reading forever. Not only did it move me to tears and fill me with hope, it also shocked me. There’s a moment when a character experiences colour for the first time and it called every assumption I’d made about this fictional society into question. It made me realise that books could change the way you think about your own world. SENSE OF PLACE Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë When I first read this, it was the twisted love story of Cathy and Heathcliff that held me in its thrall. Now, the palpable atmosphere is what I find most inspiring. I’ll never think about a misty moor without feeling…

KATE SILVERTON, journalist turned child therapist, shares the ‘soul alignment’ she enjoyed with her late father, on page 63. Do you swear? If so, how often? Starting out as a cub reporter, the language in the newsroom was pretty fruity, with the F-word heard in almost every exchange. It became embedded, so I have to edit myself today, though I don’t typically swear. If I am solo parenting, cooking supper and the kids are squabbling, you might just hear the hint of a muttered FFS! Top-selling author and award-winning screenwriter DAVID NICHOLLS’ adaptation of his hit novel One Day is currently one of our favourite binges on Netflix. On page 177, he explains the genesis of his latest novel, You Are Here. Do you swear? If so, how often? I…

STATEMENT BOTANICALS…

‘My message to women? Get out of the kitchen!’ I can’t cook. I use my smoke alarm as a timer. I once went to the corner store and asked for a ‘pinch of nutmeg’ and a ‘clove of crushed garlic’, so it’s no wonder I find throwing a dinner party more gruelling than a samurai initiation. I’ve tried, I truly have. When you wish upon a Michelin star, dreams can come true, right? Wrong. As a newlywed, my first dinner party attempt was duck à l’orange. I braised the duck successfully but the gravy was a lumpen disaster. I was in danger of being arrested for carrying a congealed weapon. The next recipe I failed to master was salmon Wellington. I remembered to lightly flour the tray but forgot about…

FABULOUS 50S ‘I’M KNOWN AS “THE VINTAGE LADY” IN MY VILLAGE’ Yana Prendergast, 50, creates personalised embroidery. She lives in Buckinghamshire with her husband Andrew. When I was working as a reporter for a local newspaper, I had to attend a jive dancing course for a feature. I loved it, and the outfits the teacher wore. As I continued jiving and attending dancing events, my eyes were opened to how beautifully people could dress. I started wearing the full skirts with petticoats at home a few days a week, as I loved how they twirled, and they made me feel feminine. Eight years ago, my husband said, ‘I don’t know why you don’t wear 50s clothes all the time, you seem so much happier.’ I realised he was right, and…

So, I may have been a mature bride and worldly wise at the age of 40, but here I felt like my dad, Terry’s, little girl again – and I am so grateful to my friend, Sim, for capturing us in this moment. I was a little late getting married, as my husband, Mike, and I spent five years trying to conceive before being told a few months before the wedding it was unlikely to happen. Mike and I had made peace with it. My friend said, ‘Sometimes you have to make your bouquet with the flowers that are within your reach,’ which I thought was lovely. There were three girls in our family. I was the middle one. Like many young kids, I struggled to find myself, but Dad,…

We all have a front-row seat to the Golden Age of Couture this spring. The New Look series on Apple TV+ focuses on the post-World War Two life of French designer Christian Dior (played by Ben Mendelsohn), with Juliette Binoche as Coco Chanel and Glenn Close as Carmel Snow, the legendary Harper’s Bazaar editor-in-chief. And on Disney+ there’s a Cristóbal Balenciaga series. The Spanish designer was known for his craftsmanship, geometric silhouettes – such as the A-line and tunic dress – and was often referred to as ‘the designer’s designer’. ‘The 50s-inspired jacket is The One’ Whether it’s due to binge-watching the latest fashion TV or the fact I’ve consciously uncoupled myself from the trademark blazer, this spring, the 50s-inspired jacket is The One. Its cropped silhouette looks good with…

beauty expert I’D LOVE TO FIND A MASCARA THAT DOESN’T SMUDGE I’m always on a quest to find a mascara that doesn’t smear or flake halfway through the day. My love of cream eyeshadows makes this even more of a challenge! But I’ve found it in Victoria Beckham Future Lash Mascara, £32, victoria beckhambeauty.com. It gives fluttery lashes that last – even after a workout. All you do is remove with warm water – I use a foaming face wash too. Magic! HOW CAN I GET MY FEET READY FOR SANDAL SEASON? Treat your feet like your face. You wouldn’t go days without applying moisturiser to your face, so do the same for your feet – a daily dose will help keep your feet smooth and soft. I’m a big…

Chicken pad Thai For noodle lovers, this one is ready in a flash, a hearty and filling stir-fry that won’t disappoint. Serves 2 • Prep 10 mins • Cook 20 mins 180g flat rice noodles2tbsp groundnut or vegetable oil50g peanuts1 large chicken breast, cut into smallchunks3 banana shallots, finely sliced2 garlic cloves, crushed2 medium eggs, lightly beaten2tsp light soy sauce100g bean sprouts4 spring onions, finely slicedSmall bunch coriander, choppedLime wedges and sliced chilli, to serve For the sauce: 2tbsp tamarind paste2tbsp soft light brown sugar1tbsp fish sauce1tbsp sweet soy sauce (ketjap manis)¼tsp chilli powder, optional 1 Soak the noodles in warm water for 15 mins until softened. Drain and set aside. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the peanuts and…

Inspiration for a beautiful abode Keen to refresh your home? We’ve chosen three looks for spring that are easy to work into existing neutral schemes. Try a statement French Fancy-inspired cushion on a cream sofa; a hint of Nordic blue on your bed with a woollen throw; or warm, earth shades from a Santa Fe-style rug, building up layers of interest accessory by accessory. Santa Fe Warm things up with a trip to New Mexico, where in summer the sun shines all day long before balmy evenings take their turn to slow the pace down. This is a great look for showing off favourite craft-inspired pieces – a patchwork quilt, a kilim rug or tapestry cushion – all in a rich, spice-infused palette of Terracotta, Ochre, Olive, Mustard and Plaster…

1 Water wisdom Water, and how we use it, features at Chelsea this year, with designer Tom Massey and architect Je Ahn’s collaboration on what water management could look like in the future featuring in their WaterAid Garden. Ideas to take home are resilient planting and permeable surfaces. In the Flood Re: The Flood Resilient Garden by Naomi Slade and Ed Barsley, lush foliage is at the fore. Use your garden’s water issues – too much or not enough – as a base for your design, with even a moat or water feature as part of your plans. 2 Reconnect with nature We can’t wait to see the Muscular Dystrophy UK – Forest Bathing Garden designed by Ula Maria. Inspired by the ancient Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, which means ‘bathing…

BOOK OF THE MONTH CONFRONTING THE PAST My Favourite Mistake by Marian Keyes (£22, HB, Penguin) We love Marian Keyes for her humour, relatable style and wisdom – all of which are present here. When Anna leaves her fabulous beauty PR job in New York to return to Ireland, people are confused. Now working for a high-end coastal resort, she meets someone from her past, someone she once called a friend. Is it time to face up to past mistakes? A big-hearted read full of big feelings. EXQUISITELY TOLD One Girl Began by Kate Murray-Browne (£20, HB, Orion) Combining past and present, here is an immersive and beautifully told story of three women connected to the same building. In 1909, we meet Ellen, who is working at a box factory;…

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF Ben Miller The actor and author, 58, lives in the Cotswolds with his filmmaker wife Jessica, their children Harrison, 12, and Lana, eight, and dog Stevie. WAKE UP I get up at 6.45am, put on my gym clothes and meditate for a few minutes before doing the Five Tibetans exercises – thought to restore vitality and strength. Once downstairs, I make an espresso. BREAKFAST I don’t eat breakfast as I’m intermittent fasting. I did the ZOE test, which analyses your gut, blood fat and blood sugar responses, and read that it’s good to give your organs a break from food to allow gut bacteria to recover. It feels like permanent fasting, as I’m always hungry! MORNING We leave the house at 7.40am for the…

horoscopes GEMINI 21 MAY – 20 JUNE The 26th is time to celebrate when Jupiter, planet of luck and abundance, enters Gemini for a year. An expansive influence, watch your waistline and online shopping. Call 0905 789 4152* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates CANCER 21 JUNE – 22 JULY Friends provide support and excitement – which you may well need after April’s difficulties at work and with family. Plans around the 18th? They’ll go with a bang. Call 0905 789 4153* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates LEO 23 JULY – 22 AUGUST Leo, are you missing your purr? The days around the 18th bring opportunities for comfort or recognition that make you feel valued. Perhaps a career boost? Call 0905 789 4154* and choose weekly, monthly…

STAR LETTER SOUND ADVICE As a 54-year-old struggling with menopause, ageing parents, grown-up children and looking after grandchildren, I picked up w&h and found it so helpful and informative. I am not alone! My goal now is to put myself to the top of the pile – you can’t look after others if you aren’t looking after yourself! Justine FOSTER HEROINE What an amazing woman Maggie Hartley is to foster over 200 children [No Ordinary Mum, March]. I’ve worked with children with an array of needs over the years – it’s rewarding but often exhausting. For Maggie to dedicate every day and night to her foster children is extraordinary. Amanda SINGLE AND PROUD Thank you for All The Single Ladies [February]. Trinny Woodall struck a chord with her comment, ‘When…

Thirty seconds into her woman&home interview and Fiona Bruce is almost speechless. ‘No. Is it?! Oh my gosh, I think it is! Oh my God!’ she splutters, mid-mouthfuls of halloumi salad. She’s struggling to digest the opening query: How does she feel about 2024 being her 35th year working for the BBC? Recruited as a researcher for Panorama in December 1989, Fiona went on to become the first female newsreader on BBC News at Ten before going on to present a host of flagship shows. ‘Do you know, I had not clocked that, at all. You’re just busy getting on, doing your thing,’ she says. ‘When I started at the BBC, I took out a private pension and I remember thinking, “Well, I’ll never be working past 50. No one…

‘MY FATHER’S SECRET ROCKED MY WHOLE IDENTITY’ Rachel Watkyn OBE, 52, lives with her husband, Steve, in Crowborough, East Sussex, and has three grown-up stepchildren. As my father lay dying, he told me about a box of secrets hidden under his bed that would answer any questions I may have about my past. What I found inside changed my life forever. I was brought up believing my father was an aristocrat, part of the noble German Gaisberg family. As such, I was expected to behave like a perfect young baroness. But home life was chaotic from the start. Living in squalor Despite my father’s aristocratic heritage, my two half-sisters and I lived in squalor. The farmhouse was freezing and filthy – dirty pots were piled outside the back door, we…

What are you like first thing in the morning? I’m pretty good. I get terrible anxiety and that’s the first emotion I feel when I wake up, but I choose to use that as a motivator. The first thing I do is clean my face, etc, put in my hearing aids, take a shot of Symprove and I’m good to go. What’s your worst habit? Snoring. It’s not a habit as such because I can’t help it, but I’m terrible. You can literally hear me through walls. ‘I always want to keep working in some shape or form’ If you’re at home alone, what do you do? Indulge in a box set while eating beans on toast, then chocolate. Fabulous. Who or what makes you happiest? My kids. They can…

When was the last time you had sex? With many of us feeling exhausted by the daily demands of life, physical intimacy with our partners can easily slip down our priority list. We may not have the drive and desire any more, or perhaps we simply feel we don’t have time. ‘Women often think there’s something wrong with them if they’re not enjoying sex,’ says Sarah Rose Bright. ‘But often it’s because the type of sex they’re having is not enjoyable for them. ‘If you look at sex in the movies, we see people ripping each other’s clothes off and heading towards the “ultimate” goal of orgasm. The pressure is huge, and it can leave couples feeling like they’ve somehow failed. It also means that sex can become very routine…

QUIET CLASSICS ✢ Stick to simple silhouettes such as an A-line skirt and a Bardot neckline for easy, elegant dressing. ✢ Tap into the utility trend with a khaki skirt. The shape adds a feminine feel while an elasticated waist ensures all-day comfort. ✢ Ballet flats are making a comeback. The lace-up detail adds drama and stops them feeling too prim. MEET YOUR MATCH ✢ A two-piece can be mixed and matched with wardrobe basics to create endless outfits. ✢ Don’t be shy of shorts – a looser style is less exposing and the high waist flatters figures. ✢ Back home, team with trainers and a heavier knit. STREET TO SAND ✢ Finding the perfect swimsuit is never easy, but we might have found the one with this beauty. With…

beauty inspirationHow to look your best every day Smell is our most powerful sense. One sniff of something we love, or hate, can immediately send us to a different time and place, depending on our deeply held memories. Perhaps this is the reason so many of us wear fragrance that reminds us of happy times. Scent is deeply personal. ‘A woman’s perfume tells more about her than her handwriting,’ Christian Dior once said. Whether you like big notes or prefer something more subtle, your fragrance should be an extension of you and make you feel wonderful. Want a new perfume? The woman&home beauty team will help you find your ideal notes. Find your FRAGRANCE FIT Every scent falls into a distinctive ‘family’, which is how one perfume is distinguished from…

health reportWe can help you live your best life Did you know that we eat a credit-card sized amount of plastic each year? While most Brits already realise plastic isn’t good for the environment, it appears the fish in our oceans aren’t the only victims. Everyday routines from cooking to drinking coffee could be increasing plastic consumption, and having a long-lasting effect on our wellbeing. DROWNING IN PLASTIC Microplastics are just that – micro. They range in size from 5mm to 10 nanometres, so are easily ingested and absorbed by our gut. And they are found everywhere. Just one litre of bottled water contains almost a quarter of a million nanoplastic fragments*. Damaging our health It’s thought that once microplastics enter our bloodstream, they attach themselves to red blood cells,…

I expect you’re reading this with a little trepidation. Perhaps you’re thinking I’m going to suggest we beat ourselves with the holistic stick and stop our caffeine intake in its tracks. How could I? [slurps coffee], that’s unnecessary… and cruel! Remember our pledge to improve the quality of the blood running through our veins? We aim to do this by exercising and eating mainly nourishing whole foods punctuated by moderate amounts of what we fancy. Well, the same applies to caffeine as it does to our favourite red wine, those chocolate-covered mini bites from M&S and our must-have crisps. Nothing is banned. They’re there to be savoured, just not all the time. Let’s have a closer look at caffeine. Obviously, the effects we feel after drinking caffeine will depend on…

Lemon mousse with amaretto We’ve used Greek yogurt to make a creamy, but zingy dessert. Serves 4 • Prep 15 mins • Cook 15 mins, plus chilling Zest 3 lemons80ml fresh lemon juice (about 3 lemons)175g caster sugar20g low-fat spread3 medium free-range eggs, beaten, plus 1 extra egg white250g low-fat Greek yogurt1tbsp amaretto2 amaretti biscuits, crushed You will need: Sterilised jars for the lemon curd, and serving glasses or bowls 1 In a glass bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water, add the lemon zest and juice, 100g of the sugar and all of the spread. Stir until melted. 2 Over the heat, add the beaten eggs and whisk slowly but continuously until thickening, around 7-8 mins (it should read 65C on a digital probe). Take the bowl…

Planting and arranging pots is a simple act that can lift the overall mood of your garden. Having started my career as a florist, I love that they’re like a flower arrangement in intensity, yet able to provide colour and joy for much longer. Here at my garden, Perch Hill, head gardener Josie Lewis and I recently counted that we have nearly 400 pots. I see them like the bubbles in a glass of champagne, the essential flourish in the creation of a beautiful garden. PLANTING POTS MADE EASY Planning is key Designing your pots in advance means you don’t over or under buy. Draw out a plan of the garden, then lay tracing paper over and cut out shapes representing each pot, which can be tacked on, and mark…

Exciting ways to get away from it all NEAR TO HOME Ice Bath Retreat Homewood Hotel, Somerset THE USP A chance for newbies to dip their toes – quite literally – into the cold-water immersion trend at a cushy country house hotel just outside Bath. The practice is said to boost your immune system and energy levels, improve mental health and aid circulation. WHAT IT’S LIKE Cold-water immersion therapy is all the rage right now, but don’t worry, you’re not expected to leap right in. That’s where this introductory retreat steps in, getting you acclimatised and motivated. Cold-water instructor and breathwork coach Lindsay Aubrey will arrive at your room and guide you through a calming 30-minute breathwork session, designed to clear stress, connect you to your body and prep you…

Author and screenwriter David Nicholls won international recognition with his bestselling novel One Day, which was made into a major Netflix series earlier this year. Twenty years since publishing his debut novel, Starter for Ten, David’s novels have gone on to sell more than eight million copies worldwide. His latest novel, You Are Here, is a love story between two lonely people, Michael and Marnie, which unfolds on a walk across the north of England. I have been going on a long walk every year for 10 years. I find three or four days where I slip out on my own and walk from one train station to another. My first long-distance walk was from Alnmouth to Berwickupon-Tweed, which is sensational. I wanted to write a love story that mirrored…

Popularity polls, and who is the most popular royal, can be an interesting (or irritating!) talking point. However, there is a serious issue behind the headlines. The public’s support, and thus taxpayer’s money, ensures the survival of the monarchy. Both courtiers and senior royals take a great deal of notice of polling figures, even when they pretend publicly that they don’t. The perceived wisdom (always rolled out when discussing royal renegades Harry and Meghan) is that younger, more liberal people are sceptical of the royals and the institution generally, while older people poll more favourably. Yet a recent study by King’s College London (KCL) found that primary schoolchildren in the UK are far more likely to support the monarchy than young adults. ‘Charles’ approval rating has improved to 66%’ Last…