Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2024 i Woman & Home

What is the saying? Time and tide wait for no (wo)man. It’s so true, isn’t it? The older I get, the more I want to experience new things. More confident in my ability to say no, which I think comes with age too, I’m acutely aware that life really is for living. Our cover star Fern Britton is clearly subscribed to this mantra when she says, ‘Stop talking yourself out of things… Stop the excuses and do the thing you’ve always wanted to do.’ Fern is arguably in her best shape ever and I’m not talking physically – though there’s no doubt that she looks incredible. There is a real sense of peace in Fern, it is clear that she is really enjoying life, embracing everything that comes her way.…

SUNNY SHADES…

This summer marks 40 years since Tessa Sanderson won gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. But her win didn’t just see her take home a medal. The former javelin thrower also made history as the first Black British woman to win gold, and she remains the only British person to have come first in a throwing event at the Olympics. Ahead of this year’s Games, woman&home caught up with Tessa, 68. Here, she looks back on her historic win, shares her advice for this year’s hopefuls and introduces us to some of the incredible sportswomen to keep an eye on this year. Hi Tessa, what was it like winning gold 40 years ago? It was absolutely incredible, especially because I went there not being the favourite. It was a…

It was British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli who first coined the phrase ‘never complain, never explain’, and succinctly encapsulated the stiff upper lip of the Victorian age. Adopted by members of royalty, high-ranking army officers, aristocrats and fellow prime ministers Stanley Baldwin and Winston Churchill, its timeless wisdom, particularly in the face of the rise of the popular press, made it a guiding mantra of the powerful and the unaccountable. If Queen Elizabeth never actually said it, it didn’t matter. It was the maxim by which she lived and guiding principle of the Firm; her view, and that of her courtiers, was always the long view. ‘Say nothing, the storm will pass, everyone will move on.’ As royal historian Robert Lacey observes, ’”Never complain, never explain” is not a…

Even if you’re not going to the Paris 2024 Olympics, it is still possible to attain a certain level of French chic this summer. Think Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face, the 1957 film where the legendary star plays a frump turned fashion editor who travels to Paris with her photographer boyfriend and ends up having her picture taken in beautiful locations around the city. Once on French soil, Hepburn appears in an array of glorious designer outfits. To me, the fuller midi skirt and shirt combination has the ‘Audrey Hepburn on a day off’ vibe. Perfect when it’s hot in the city – and elsewhere – in July. ‘It’s the Audrey Hepburn on a day off vibe’ To stay chic in extreme temperatures, it’s best to stick to natural fibres…

Ruby’s career path is far from traditional. Getting her master’s degree in economics and stumbling on an opportunity to work in beauty, a couple of years later, she had forged a name for herself as a world-renowned make-up artist. You may remember Ruby & Millie cosmetics, which Ruby launched with Millie Kendall in 1998. After working with the likes of Kate Moss, Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell and receiving an MBE, Ruby has earned her reputation as one of the most respected make-up artists in the industry. TOP TRICK When it comes to make-up, people mainly think about colour, but it’s also about texture. Does your make-up have a sheen, or is it liquid or powder? And how do you apply it? For me, a brush is a tool that…

You don’t always need over-the-counter medicines or a prescription to treat ailments and injuries. Natural alternatives, such as raw garlic, parsley, dill, ginger and turmeric, are among the drug-free options that can help lessen cold symptoms, soothe bad tums and relieve hot flushes. WANT TO USE THESE INGREDIENTS AT MEALTIMES? Turn to page 111 for inspiration GINGER for digestion Ginger is the queen of digestion foods, says herbalist Sebastian Pole. It’s cheap, easy to get hold of and highly effective. Use it to ease nausea and improve your digestive system. ‘It can help build appetite and encourage you to absorb more nutrients, while invigorating your circulation,’ adds Sebastian. SAGE for hot flushes A delicious companion to pork or onion in stuffing, sage also has antibacterial, anti-sweating and muscle-relaxant properties. ‘It’s…

Eton mess to share Dive into this easiest ever meringue for an indulgent pud. Serves 6 • Prep 20 mins • Cook 1 hr, plus cooling 3 medium free-range egg whites150g caster sugar½tsp cornflourHandful basil, plus extra to serve150ml double cream150ml Greek yogurtFew drops vanilla extract For the coulis: 400g strawberries250g raspberries2tbsp Chambord raspberry liqueur (optional)3tbsp icing sugar 1 Heat the oven to 160C Fan/Gas 4. Whisk the egg whites until frothy, then increase the speed and whisk until stiff peaks form. Gradually add the sugar 1tbsp at a time, until you have a smooth and glossy meringue, then whisk in the cornflour. 2 Draw a circle on a sheet of baking paper 18cm in diameter, invert on to a baking sheet, then spoon the meringue in a mound, smoothing…

How to grill the perfect steak We asked David Lagonell, chef director at London Steakhouse group Temper, for his foolproof tips. 1 Room temperature Remove from the fridge at least 20 minutes before cooking. This will help with the distribution of heat, resulting in an evenly cooked steak. 2 Season Use flaky sea salt, giving it time to dissolve and penetrate the meat. 3 Sear This triggers a caramelisation called the maillard reaction. It enhances the flavour and creates a wonderful texture. Use a heavy-based frying pan and a little vegetable oil over a high heat. 4 Active grilling This is the constant turning of the steaks and aids the searing process – aim for a golden brown colour. 5 Hot resting Cook the steak and rest it simultaneously. Find…

the first forkful is almost too divine. Thumbprint-sized nuggets of pasta drenched in a thick, terracotta sauce of sweet pumpkin, black pepper and mascarpone. Glistening jewels of pancetta sprinkled on top ooze their juices into the sauce, adding a naughty, salty note. I make a swooning face and hold my fork out to my partner, Giles. ‘You are not going to feed me,’ he laughs. But this scene – a tiled terrace with simple tables and cushioned chairs, couples sloshing wines from ruby carafes, vines dangling from the pergola overhead, sun rippling off the pool – feels like it demands such a romcom move. Along with the local pasta, orecchiette, and each other’s company, we’re gently sozzled on inky-dark, clove-spiced Negroamaro wine; the delicious, 3pm kind of tipsy where you’re…

Penning love stories for friends, using the boys they liked as heroes, it is not surprising that Santa Montefiore would one day become a novelist. Weaving rich narratives in romances, historical fiction and spiritual stories, she takes readers to exotic locales and bygone eras – even introducing time travel in her latest book, Shadows in the Moonlight. Psychic medium Pixie Tate is called on to unravel a mystery at St Sidwell Manor – and may need to make a decision that changes everything. My books have become increasingly spiritual over the years. When I was in my 20s, people were less open to the paranormal, and I steered away from it. But in my ninth book, The Italian Matchmaker, I really threw myself in – the main character is a…

Top-selling author SANTA MONTEFIORE shares her writing tips on page 175. She also reveals her fascination with the spiritual world, which inspired her latest book, Shadows in the Moonlight. Where was your last holiday? Skiing in Klosters, Switzerland, where I grew up. My grandmother was a Swiss skiing champion and my grandfather was captain of the English skiing team in the 1930s – they met racing. I have an apartment there that used to belong to my sister (Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, who died in 2017), so it’s very sentimental. When his plan to become an international pop star foundered, Journalist GILES SMITH became a pop critic for The Independent instead. On page 38, he explores our enduring love of ABBA. Where was your last holiday? The Isle of Wight – Britain’s…

SOAK UP THE SUN…

With summer fast approaching, I’ve decided to give myself a sporting chance of getting fit – which means picking an exercise activity. But what? My only rules about sport are: nothing involving water, balls, my feet leaving the earth or sweat. Push-ups – like anything that risks spilling a gin and tonic – are out. My preferred activity is Scrabble, in which there is not much potential for death. My main anxiety in life is that the evil ratbag who dreamt up cardio funk classes might be thinking up something else right now, the sadistic rascal. I did once enter a school marathon. People even thought I’d won until they realised that I was just finishing last year’s race. Still, keen to join the get-summer-ready fad for fitness, I’ve spent…

‘THE BEACH HUT IS MY RETREAT’ Kate Iles, 60, lives in London with her husband, Eddie. Sitting on the steps of my beach hut in Whitstable, Kent, I love gazing at the sea and sky – the landscape clears my head. It’s an hour’s drive from London, and when I get there I’ll swim or take my inflatable kayak out. Later, sitting in the sun with a book, I feel relaxed. It’s the only place I’m sure of no interruptions – the reception is too weak for anyone to ring me. My sister Judith saw the hut for sale 25 years ago. We split the £4,000 price, and our mum, Maisie, chipped in too. We had to rebuild it after a few years, but we kept it painted blue, and…

1 Tracker When we travel, it’s easy to misplace things – bags, keys, devices – so a tracker is worth its weight in gold. It attaches to your belongings, then an app will let you know either where they are or where they were last seen. Tile’s Mate, £19.99, uk.tile.com, has a three-year battery and a 76m Bluetooth range. 2 Portable speaker Whether you love your own tunes in your hotel room as you get ready or a podcast while sunbathing, a portable Bluetooth speaker is a must. It’s a gift when camping too – relax to an audiobook, rather than trying to read by torchlight. The Move 2, £449, sonos.com, offers 24 hours of playback on one charge and is IP56 water-resistant. 3 Insect bite healer If your repellent…

My earliest memory of my older sister Priya wasn’t one where she was present, but rather, the realisation of her absence. I was four or five, standing in my bedroom in our little terraced house in Maidstone, Kent, feeling that a fundamental part of me should be there but was missing. My sister had been sent to India to live with our grandparents, ahead of my parents and I making the final move over there and leaving England behind forever. While the idea seemed to make sense to the grown-ups at the time, we didn’t join her for another four years. It was a choice that created aftershocks in our family, even decades later. When I was seven, and knew I was about to be reunited with her, it filled…

You can’t beat the summer months – blue skies, barbecues, plus the mood-boosting benefits of warmer weather! There are, however, some downsides to the sunny season. Sultry days can play havoc with your hair and make-up. And then there’s the trial of having to get your body out after months covered up in layers of clothing – and revealing feet that have been tucked up in boots for months. But we firmly believe these short months are here to be enjoyed, so we’ve rounded up expert tips and hard-working buys to help you survive – and thrive – in the sun. Q If I burn in the sun, what should I do? We all know it’s never good to get sunburn, but sometimes those rays can catch us out. If…

While 69%* of women admit to worrying about their stomach, life’s too short to stress about it. The menopause makes it trickier to shift weight – we lose muscle as we age, and declining oestrogen levels can cause tummy flab to settle. The good news? Our effective routine, created by w&h’s fitness expert Annie Deadman, targets the waistline to help us feel fitter, toned and much more confident. Turn to get started. Your 7 EASY MOVES These exercises hit all of the muscle groups that form your core – made up of the chest, abdomen, pelvis and back. Hoping to get defined abs? While these moves will certainly improve your strength, if you want to see results as well as feel them, you need to do the routine alongside…

Sitting on the bus the other day, I overheard a conversation between two women. They were discussing a female friend of theirs who had died suddenly from a heart attack. ‘Such a shock!’ one of them declared. ‘How could that happen? She was always so slim, not an ounce of fat on her.’ In today’s body-and-diet-obsessed world, slim is often viewed as the aim, the target, the holy grail of happiness. But is slimness or leanness also an indicator of being in good physical health? I’m not going to beat around the bush, being overweight or obese can have a serious impact on health, for sure. The World Health Organization (WHO) says ‘carrying extra fat leads to serious health consequences, such as cardiovascular disease (mainly heart disease and stroke), type…

Baked feta Greek salad with figs Jammy, salty feta gives sweetness and depth to this updated classic. Serves 4 • Prep 15 mins • Cook 20 mins 250g feta1tbsp fig conserve2tbsp extra virgin olive oil½tsp chilli flakesSprigs of fresh oregano or 1tsp oregano400g mixed tomatoes, chopped½ cucumber, deseeded and sliced into half-moons½ red onion, thinly slicedSmall bunch basil, finely chopped, plus extra to serve2-4 pitta breads, roughly torn150g Kalamata olives, sliced in half2-4 figs, quartered For the dressing: 3tbsp extra virgin olive oil1tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 Heat the oven 180C Fan/Gas 6. Line a medium size baking tray with foil and put the whole feta block in the middle. Spread over the fig conserve, 1tbsp oil, the chilli flakes and oregano. Roast for 10-15 mins until starting to turn golden.…

NEXT Green scene Give the natural world a touch of zing with vibrant greens, confident patterns and natural woods combining in this easy-to-use scheme. PRIMARK Punchy pastels Style out a sideboard with scallops, stripes and florals in punchy pastels, working this season’s update on cottagecore. JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS True blue Calm things down with classic powder blue and off-white. Of course, there’s plenty to look at, with pattern-on-pattern a great way of updating a bedroom. M&S Modern country Try bold checks and stripes in olive and terracotta to give the modern country look a warm, earthy vibe – scallops are a must! GEORGE HOME Mono magic Soften a monochrome look with pale wood and touches of blush. Striking shapes are a must, from lighting to side tables, vases to…

Spritzing air freshener on the pile of trainers in the hallway, turning up the intensity on the plug-in or rotating the dried-up reeds in a diffuser. We’re all guilty of using these quick fixes to try to make our homes smell better, especially when guests are about to walk through the door. But none of these tricks will elevate your home out of the ordinary. That’s where scentscaping comes in. The idea behind fragrance feng shui is to pay close attention to the purpose of each room in your home and how you want to feel when you’re using it, changing up the scents according to those different needs. ‘Scentscaping elevates the notion of simply lighting a candle, or placing a diffuser, encouraging us to think more deeply about the…

TIMELESS CLASSIC Emma by Jane Austen Until I discovered Emma as a teenager, I’d assumed all literary heroes were aspirational and perfect. Emma isn’t. She’s arrogant, snobbish and meddling, but I adored her. I realised that it’s our flaws that make us unique and memorable. Whenever I create a character, I start by asking, ‘What is their weakness? Their struggle? What do they long to change?’ And that is thanks to Emma. 90s ZEITGEIST Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding This was published when I was 26, and I read it feverishly, thinking, ‘This is me.’ I wasn’t the only one, because I was asked if I’d be in a BBC documentary about ‘real-life Bridget Joneses’. I blame Bridget, in part, for making me think it was OK to drink…

horoscopes LEO 23 JULY – 22 AUGUST We’re gearing up for Leo season, when the lion shines. On the 12th Venus enters, bringing fun and romance. On the 22nd, birthday time begins with exciting news. Call 0905 789 4154* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates VIRGO 23 AUGUST – 22 SEPTEMBER Summer’s for taking a break and you’re more than ready. On 26th July, your ruler Mercury enters Virgo, things start hotting up and you’re energised again. Call 0905 789 4155* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates. LIBRA 23 SEPTEMBER – 22 OCTOBER What have you been putting off? Make sure you devote energy to it mid-month. After that it’s a fun time when being silly and showing off is good for giggles. Call 0905 789 4156* and…

One of the many privileges of working alongside the royal family is to see them up close and unvarnished. It was always a pleasure to be with the late Queen Elizabeth II on a public engagement – albeit slightly nerve-racking in case you did anything wrong! I remember once, on a job in October 2020 at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down, I attracted the raised eyebrows (and a silent ‘tut’) of the Queen’s lady-in-waiting as I scuttled just in front of the royal party, desperately trying to get out of the way. Queen Elizabeth, however, caught my eye and smiled mischievously. She was on fantastic form that day – no doubt grateful to have been allowed out following COVID restrictions. And I needn’t have worried –…

STAR LETTER PAY IT FORWARD I first read w&h when my neighbour gave me a copy while I was recovering from surgery. It became my go-to read and now I always save a few issues for my holidays. I am currently away and passed a copy to a fellow traveller. I’ve just come to my room to find a note under my door, thanking me for introducing her to the ‘best read’, and saying she has ordered a subscription. Keep up the amazing work! Hayley JUST THE JOB I love your magazine, and the article Teenagers at Work by Becky Dickinson in the March issue really caught my eye. I was thrilled to see such a supportive mum and showed the article to my son, who is soon to be…

Not so long ago, a couple would celebrate their nuptials with a glass of sherry and a ham sandwich, and it would all be over by mid-afternoon. Now, festivities can last all day and half of the night, while hen and stag dos are often multi-night breaks. Little wonder, then, that the average cost of a UK wedding has almost doubled over the past decade, according to Compare Wedding Insurance, from £11,441 in 2012, to £21,725 by 2023. A wedding list is now longer than Princess Diana’s train, and the expense mounts up faster than confetti on church steps. Costs are even more eye-watering on top of the current cost-of-living crisis. A 2022 survey on wedding site Hitched revealed that 59% of UK couples went over budget with their weddings.…

SUNSET SHADES ✢ A printed co-ord has heaps of styling potential – wear together or combine with block colours. ✢ Create a seamless wardrobe by sticking to a warm colour palette – reds, oranges and pinks all work well together. BREEZY DRESSES Whether you prefer flowing long sleeves or strappy sundresses, these pretty holiday frocks are ready for some rays. WEAR WITH PRINTED COSTUMES If you shy away from pattern, swimwear is a great time to give it a go, as you don’t need to worry about what to pair it with. Prints with darker bases or side panelling can give the impression of trimming inches. WEAR WITH CARGO COOL ✢ Smart and easy to wear, these on-trend cargo pants can be teamed with everything from a simple tucked-in tee…

At-home bronzing has never been more believable, with tangerine tones replaced by a ‘fresh from the Med’, sun-baked finish. With better-than-ever shade selections in a host of formulas – from mousse to mist, lotion to serum – you can make your self-tan selection as personal as choosing the perfect foundation. ‘Choose a self-tan that offers the skin hydration while creating your desired glow,’ explains tanning expert Michaella Bolder. ‘Mature skin tends to be thinner, so look for formulas that are lightweight but ultra-hydrating, like gradual tan.’ Whatever your preference, follow these general guidelines: exfoliate the night before with a non-oily scrub to ensure a perfect finish; fake tan clings to dry patches, so apply a little moisturiser to knees, elbows, ankles, wrists, hands and feet a couple of hours before…

THIS MONTH ✢ Hiatus hernia✢ Oral thrush✢ Bumpy skin Q In recent months, I’ve had terrible heartburn and a burning sensation in the chest. Initially, I put it down to poor diet and weight gain. When I eventually went to see my GP, they said I might have a hiatus hernia, but I always thought hernias were in the groin! I’m now on anti-acid pills and due to have a special type of X-ray. Does this sound right? A Hiatus hernias occur when part of the stomach squeezes up through a hole in the diaphragm – the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. So, it’s like a groin hernia, but in a different location. As a result, stomach acid finds its way into the oesophagus. Symptoms can include…

Harissa chicken and rice salad An easy, lightly spiced marinade transforms chicken thighs into a special main course. Serves 6 • Prep 20 mins, plus marinating • Cook 30 mins 4tbsp Belazu Sour Cherry Harissa4tbsp olive oilZest and juice 1 lemon4 fat garlic cloves6 large skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs1 red onion, sliced1 bunch spring onions300g thick asparagus, woody ends trimmed300g cooked rice, cooledHandful parsley, roughly chopped, plus extra to serveHandful fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped75g whole almonds, toasted and chopped50g dried sour cherries/sultanas2tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 In a glass/ceramic mixing bowl, mix together the harissa, 3tbsp oil, lemon zest and juice, garlic and seasoning. Set aside 2tbsp in a bowl to make the dressing for the rice. 2 Add the chicken and red onion to the bowl, tossing…

LOOK 1 CATCH OF THE DAY Take your cue from fashion, where lobsters are big news this summer, and dress your table with painted ceramics and embroidered crustaceans. Keep to a fun yet sophisticated palette, with chambray blue, lobster red and sunny yellow. LOOK 2 NATURAL ELEGANCE Create a sophisticated look by mixing delicate ceramics with natural textures, such as rattan, wood and linen. Choose organic shapes and style your table with fresh flowers – ditzy ones are best, adding to the natural mood. LOOK 3 MODERN MED Head to sunnier climes, even if you are in your own backyard, with a fun Mediterranean look that’s easy to recreate. Think of turquoise seas, red sands and blue skies, and the palette will come together easily.…

LAUGH OUT LOUD I Love You, I Love You, I Love You by Laura Dockrill (£16.99, HB, HarperCollins) Falling in love as a teenager is messy, but is it really any different as an adult? Based on the author’s own experiences, we take a trip down memory lane to when Ella and Lowe meet as teenagers. Though Ella falls instantly in love, they enter the friend zone. But, as years pass, they question if you can ever really just be friends. A spectacular, funny portrayal of being young and in love. SEASIDE SCANDAL How to Solve Murders Like a Lady by Hannah Dolby (£9.99, PB, Bloomsbury) Violet Hamilton is not your usual fragile and obedient Victorian lady – instead, she is a detective, working alongside her broad-minded husband. Ignoring the…

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF Dame Denise Lewis The Olympian and BBC pundit, 51, lives in Buckinghamshire with her husband Steve. She has four children. WAKE UP My eyes are open at 6.40am to make sure my 15-year-old is up. Then my five-year-old comes in, kisses my arm and tells me to get up. I brush my teeth, wash my face and slap myself a couple of times to say, ‘Come on, Denise. Let’s go!’ MORNING Once downstairs, I’m in the fridge for my bottle of Symprove, which is a water-based probiotic containing live and active bacteria. Within the hour I have a green tea, an almond milk matcha tea or a coffee before getting the youngest to school for 8.30am. I’m more chilled now than I was during…