Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2025 i Woman & Home

Lorraine Kelly has had a stellar career, but it wasn’t an easy start for the star who tells us, ‘When Rosie [Lorraine’s daughter] was just weeks old, I got a call saying that I wasn’t being asked back to GMTV.’ It’s a stark reminder of how easily we can be replaced, but also sparked my interest because, as a working mum, I too went back to work when my children were babies. It’s a tough juggle, but Lorraine’s passion for the career she has pursued is proof that where there’s a will, there’s a way. Her relationship with her daughter is one to be envied and there’s no doubt her new granddaughter is the apple of her eye. The workplace is still far from even and women still often have…

BRIGHT NEW LIP SHADES…

‘I TRAINED PIGEONS FOR PADDINGTON IN PERU’ Jill Clark, 66, from Lincolnshire, is the founder of animal talent agency 1st Choice Animals, which she runs with her son Dean, 43. I was running a dog-training club when I was asked to audition my Border collie Jacy for a Post Office advert. The agency told me what was needed, so I trained Jacy up to grab hold of the postie’s trousers and spin him around perfectly. The audition went well and, before I knew it, other shows and films were approaching me to train animals. This led me, 37 years ago, to set up my own animal talent agency. I’ve trained everything from cats and dogs to parrots and budgies on EastEnders, and farm animals for All Creatures Great and Small.…

With the number of centenarians in the UK expected to more than triple over the next 25 years, now’s the time to prepare financially for living longer. Increasing longevity calls for a mindset shift. Rather than planning to fund a couple of decades beyond state pension age, you could be looking at 30 or 40-plus years – especially if you tap into work or private pensions before you reach state pension age. More than a third of us are concerned about running out of money if we live to 100, according to research by Canada Life. It also found that many people are underprepared: 43% of those aged 35 to 54 have less than £10,000 in savings. If turning 50 only marks the middle of your life, will you have…

Go wild FOR PRINT From leopard to zebra – team with simple pieces in khaki, brown and cream for a chic everyday look, or add a pop of colour for a bolder take. Not sure? Accessories are a great introduction to a trend. Try A SPORTY TOUCH Blending comfort and style, the new preppy aesthetic is a look we can get on board with. These varsity-inspired pieces aren’t necessarily for the gym, but will definitely help you nail off-duty dressing. Power PAIRINGS The latest boot trend of a wider and slouchier fit will instantly modernise your timeless midi dress. Simply pick your desired heel height – there are plenty of feet-friendly styles around. Also, ditching the heavy outerwear for a lightweight jacket will see you through spring. Simply SUEDE Arguably the…

Sophie began her medical career as an anaesthetist and ICU doctor in the NHS, but in 2014 decided to make the jump into aesthetics. With clinics on both Harley Street and in Kent, she has established herself as one of the UK’s top aesthetic doctors, thanks to her subtle, ‘have they, haven’t they’ approach to injectables. Sophie regularly shares her expertise on Instagram and is one to follow if you are curious about aesthetics, but are not sure what is the right treatment to try. TOP TRICK Active ingredients aren’t necessary for everyone to get the best out of their skin. If actives (like retinoids) irritate it, you will do more harm than good by using them. There are gentler alternatives that will help you have the best skin health…

Happy to see the back of long winter days and bad weather? The new season is a great opportunity to eat healthier, move more, be outdoors and get your sleep back on track – but health niggles can also strike as we head into spring. Think you know what will help you feel your best? Test yourself, and get our expert tips on handling the switch. THE QUIZ Grab a pen and circle your chosen answer for each question. 1 When in the day does pollen have the biggest impact on your skin? A B 2 Which of these might improve in spring? A Blood pressureB InflammationC Eyesight 3 What surprising thing should you do following the clock change on 30 March? A Drink more teaB Take…

Lemon drizzle Bundt Using a Bundt tin elevates this classic recipe to the next level. Serves 12 • Prep 10 mins • Cook 40 mins 225g butter, softened, plus extra for greasing225g caster sugar4 medium free-range eggs Zest2 lemons5tbsp whole milk225g self-raising flour1½tsp baking powder For the drizzle: Juice 1 lemon 100g granulated sugar You will need: 22cm Bundt tin, well greased and floured 1 Heat the oven to 160C Fan. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add the eggs one at a time, beating constantly. Add the lemon zest and milk. Sift the flour and baking powder, then fold in gently. 2 Spoon the batter into the prepared Bundt tin and bake for 40 mins, or until a skewer comes out clean. 3 For…

TWISTY PAGE-TURNER The Impersonators by Angela Chadwick (£22, HB, Renegade) When two out-of-work actors decide to set up an impersonation agency, it seems harmless enough. Lucy and Jack pose as plus-ones at weddings, staff at corporate events, and even a doctor to appease an elderly woman. But, when Zelda, a jilted lover, comes looking for revenge, have they bitten off more than they can chew? Truly original, it’s quite brilliant. NOSTALGIC 80S MYSTERY I Would Die For You by Sandie Jones (£9.99, PB, Pan Macmillan) Anyone who ever had a crush on a pop star may sympathise with Cassie, and her fascination with lead singer Ben Edwards in the heady 1980s. But Ben’s affections lay elsewhere – with her sister Nicole. When, years later, a reporter turns up at Nicole’s…

Born in Dublin, now living in Canada, EMMA DONOGHUE is a Booker, Oscar and BAFTA-nominated writer of novels, plays and screenplays, whose latest novel is The Paris Express. On page 173, she reveals how she writes. If you could do any job, just for one day, what would it be? I would like to be a forensic pathologist. Or rather, I’d hate it – the stinks and horrors, maggots and blowflies – but if I could summon up enough nerve, fascination could overcome my revulsion, that’s what I’d be. Bestselling author of more than 20 novels, the latest one by VERONICA HENRY is One Night at the Château. On page 39, she reveals what she has a weakness for. If you could do any job, just for one day, what…

SPRING GREENS…

Domestic goddesses are nothing new. In the 1860s, Mrs Beeton sold over two million copies of her Book of Household Management, which warned there was ‘no more fruitful source of family discontent than a housewife’s untidy ways’. And ever since American inventor Josephine Cochrane designed the first dishwasher from a shed in her back garden in the 1890s, we’ve been embracing ways to make cleaning easier. Today’s ‘cleanfluencers’ draw a similar following on social media, yet there is no whiff of drudgery as we declutter and deep-clean our way to happiness at home. It’s like we’ve turned back the clock, with cleaning less of a chore and more of a way to boost our mental wellbeing. TikTok videos with the hashtag #CleanTok have over 150 billion views. Spending more time…

Seven months pregnant with my first child, I spotted a rusty wrought-iron cot in the back of a junk shop in Normandy, way back in 1990. With brass balls at each corner and a rail to hang reams of voile, it was just like the crib in Sleeping Beauty – and nothing else would do for my precious baby. ‘I borrowed a horsebox to take my 12ft armoire home’ Ten minutes later, it was mine, much to the dismay of my parents, who I was on holiday with. Somehow, we wrestled it apart, collapsed the car seats and crammed it into the back of the car. Curled up into a ball, I was perilously close to being speared by a 19th-century iron leg. Restoration comedy Back home in England, I…

TIMELESS ELEGANCE OCEAN BLUES ✢ From cornflower to powder, blue is having a major moment in accessories. ✢ Look for standout textures such as scrunched handles and woven leather, and wear with crisp white, classic black, or mix with other blues for a tone-on-tone effect. RAFFIA REVIVAL ✢ Whatever the weather, bright woven accessories instantly evoke that summer feeling. ✢ Their handcrafted, sun-kissed texture makes them perfect for pairing with bold floral or tropical prints. CITRUS BURST ✢ Building on the popularity of butter yellow in 2024, zesty hues will brighten your warm-weather wardrobe. ✢ For a modern look, style them with white or soft lilac, rather than black. ANIMAL ATTRACTION ✢ Animal prints, though bold, can act as neutrals in your wardrobe. Don’t be afraid to wear them with…

There’s nothing better than having a style that makes you happy. That can mean choosing a cut and a colour that works, or refining an at-home routine that makes creating great hair easy. Any hair expert will thrive on helping you achieve a look you love. Show photos of hair you admire to your stylist so you can work together to create your dream ‘do. In the meantime, we have tips and inspiration to help you achieve a good hair day, every day. ‘Most salons offer fringe trims for free, so you can pop in every few weeks for a refresh’ FIND YOUR PERFECT CUT A NOTE ON CURLS The joy of curly, coiled and Afro hair is its body, bounce and movement. As long as your cut works with…

Cow’s milk has been in our diets for millennia, but in recent times, non-dairy milks have soared in popularity, with 48%* of Brits now using them. But it’s not just milk. ‘You’ll also need to cut out cheese, butter, cream and ice cream,’ says dietician Sophie Medlin**. ‘Plus, butter, milk and milk powder are sneaking into foods such as bread, ready meals and some crisps.’ Here’s what to expect when you make the change. 1 YOU WILL CALM ALLERGIES A dairy allergy can lead to a variety of symptoms, from a rash or itchy lips to wheezing and vomiting. But while quitting might mean fewer reactions, consider the alternatives wisely. ‘Nut milks, for example, may not be suitable for those with nut allergies,’ says nutritionist Lara Hughes***. 2 TRICKY DIGESTION…

Hello you lovely lot. Right, I have 500 words and I’m not going to use them for persuasion or coercion, because that doesn’t work. I want to explain what the point of exercise is. All facts, no emotion. Then you can make up your own mind. The first fact is that many people view exercise purely as a means to lose weight. So that 45 minutes of exertion three to four times a week becomes only about burning calories. Yet – and this is important – we burn calories all the time. Just sitting still. Breathing, digesting and metabolising uses around 60% of our daily calories. Then our hard-working brains use another 20%. Another 10% goes on essential daily movement, getting dressed, cleaning teeth, cooking etc. So, that means just…

Roast chicken with warm veggie salad A herby anchovy butter adds bags of flavour to this easy one-pan roast. Serves 6 • Prep 20 mins, plus resting • Cook 1 hr 10 to 1 hr 20 mins 1 large free-range chicken (about 1.8kg) 150ml dry sherry700g baby new potatoes, halved/quartered4 large romano peppers (about 500g), halved and deseeded3 small red onions, quartered½tsp sherry or red wine vinegar Small bunch parsley, chopped50g pitted green olives, halved120g rocket For the anchovy butter: 75g unsalted butter, softened50g tin anchovies in oil (about 12)1tbsp finely chopped rosemary, plus2-3 sprigs3 garlic cloves, crushed Zest1 lemon 1 An hour before cooking, remove the chicken from the fridge and bring to room temperature. Whizz the anchovy butter ingredients in a food processor with plenty of salt and…

Cookbook classics Master a new favourite recipe with classic dishes from some of the most admired chefs. The Hamlyn series includes Anna Del Conte’s Classic Italian Recipes, Ken Hom’s Classic Chinese Recipes, Elisabeth Luard’s Classic Spanish Recipes and Chetna Makan’s Classic Indian Recipes. Each book of 75 beautifully illustrated recipes celebrates each chef’s rich culinary heritage. These culinary treasure troves would make a fab gift for the foodie in your life and are £8.99 each. TREND TO TRY Harissa pulled pork WHAT IS IT? Jolly Hog Slow Cooked Rose Harissa Pulled Pork with Belazu, 450g, £10. A collab between two of our favourite brands, these slow-cooked pork cheeks are irresistible and so easy to turn into some incredible meals. They’re well worth picking up the next time you’re in Sainsbury’s.…

Our pick for… ACTIVE EXPLORING SARDINIA With its own distinctive language, culture and cuisine, the Med’s second largest island is Sardinian first, Italian second. Everyone raves about its glittering beaches and true-blue seas, but that’s just for starters. In the space of a day, spectacularly diverse Sardinia wings you from Bronze Age towers and tombe dei gigante (giant tombs) to time-forgotten villages, landscapes sculpted from granite rock, vineyards and olive groves. Narrow roads corkscrew to wild-flower-freckled fields, holm oak woods where wild pigs snuffle, river-woven ravines and alpine peaks. Whether you’re flying or arriving by ferry, you’ll arrive in one of Sardinia’s charismatic cities. The island feels much bigger than it looks on paper, so plan wisely. South-coast capital Cagliari is a beauty, with its showstopping clifftop citadel Castello – a…

Heidi Perks spent 15 years in marketing before making her literary breakthrough in 2018 with Now You See Her – a debut thriller about a missing four-year-old girl. Her gripping books delve into complex human relationships, creating compelling stories we can’t get enough of. Following a string of bestsellers, her seventh novel, Someone is Lying, sees teenage girl Issie disappear while on holiday in Portugal with her boyfriend Dylan. It’s her mum Jess’ worst nightmare, but with the boyfriend refusing to talk, what does she have to do in order to find her? Learning to accept your child will grow apart from you as they get older is difficult. But it did give me the seed of an idea for Someone is Lying. It also came from a conversation I…

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF Sally Bretton The Beyond Paradise actor lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and children. WAKE UP I usually wake up around 5.30 or 6am – I’m an early bird. A couple of days a week I’ll grab my dog and a head torch, and I’ll run around a few fields with a friend. It’s more of a social chat than for fitness, but I like running in the dark, because it feels like I can trick my body into thinking that it’s not really happening! BREAKFAST Then when I get back I’m sorting the kids out with breakfast and packed lunches, and I’ll grab mine as I go. I usually have a couple of boiled eggs. After that it’s the school run – we…

STAR LETTER HOPE RENEWED I’m 52 and have been happily married for 25 years. Until I read It’s Never Too Late for Better Sex! [February], I had no hope of regaining my pelvic floor muscles, following a long first labour and two subsequent children. This article gave me real hope. I’ve ordered Kegel pear drops to try – 2025 could be the start of a whole new me. Name withheld GENDER BIAS I’d noticed that when I get together with my grown-up children, it tends to be my daughter who offers to cook. After reading Judgemental, Moi? [February], I realise it’s so easy to fall into gender-stereotypical patterns. I shall be suggesting my sons acknowledge this and step up in future. Carla ROMANTIC TWIST Reading Michelle Hather talk about her…

‘I’VE GIVEN PEOPLE I CARE ABOUT A LIFETIME OF LOVE’ Karina Ward, 49, has been a surrogate mother for two sets of friends. A hospital counsellor, she lives with her husband, Tim, 61, and children, Jayden, 14, and Kayla, 13, in St Brelade, Jersey. Little could Sue and I imagine when we became friends in 2003 that I would give birth to her babies. We first met in 1994, when I was 19 and started working as a medical secretary at the local hospital in Carlisle. It wasn’t until 2003 that we became the best of friends, bonding over a bottle of wine and the heartbreak of our first marriages failing. By that point, Sue was 36, and had been trying for a baby for seven years, with many rounds…

You and your partner may feel pretty well matched, but once you’re between the sheets, does that compatibility end, as one of you thinks it’s the perfect opportunity to have sex, while the other would rather read or go straight to sleep? Being on different sexual pages is common, and is one of the main reasons couples visit GP and clinical sexologist Dr Angela Wright. ‘For men and women, there’s no right amount of sexual desire and your libido can change. It’s normal for our sex drive to ebb and flow as we go through life and relationship stages,’ she says. There are lots of reasons you may lose interest in sex. These can be physical, such as erection difficulties for men or hormone changes for women, or related to…

Taken at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, this triumphant picture brings up so many emotions; but mostly, it is a testament to the journey of a little girl who wanted to become an Olympic champion. I had just won Gold in the heptathlon, which came after a lot of stress, high hopes and fears that I had to overcome. I was injured during the competition, and conquering any seeds of doubt leading up to this day required a lot of mental strength. I had been in amazing shape since June and thought I was physically ready, but when my body let me down – injuring my calf and achilles tendon – I needed to delve deep for that resilience to coax myself through it. It was a big lesson for me…

Unable to find a jumper she loved as much as an old, navy knit borrowed from her mum, Rachel Carvell-Spedding created her own business. ‘I focused on the most timeless shape; if you had one jumper in your wardrobe, it had to be this one,’ explains the founder of British knitwear brand Navygrey. Over five years later, and with nearly a decade’s research into materials and supply chains, she has elevated the humble knit. ‘Finding a great British wool was paramount. The fact that so much of our wool ended up being sourced from Aberdeenshire (where my mother’s family is from) was a bonus.’ ‘Britain has always been good at knitting’ As someone who grew up before fast fashion, I like the idea of companies that specialise in one thing…

You’ve probably seen them popping up on your Instagram feed and even your favourite Netflix shows – celebrities strapped into sinister-looking masks, glowing in an ominous red light. While it may seem like a sudden social media fad, light therapy has been used for decades in salons – the boom comes from the at-home tools becoming available and (somewhat) more affordable. But can a light bulb really transform your skin in the same way a cream or serum can? ‘While it may feel as though nothing is happening, LED is very powerful,’ says super-facialist Sarah Chapman. ‘It uses controlled wavelengths of light energy to target specific areas to trigger certain responses.’ Each wavelength appears as different colours, which trigger different skin cell responses. Red and blue are the most commonly…

Q I’ve been putting off my cervical screening for a year now, as I find it so painful. How important is it to have another given I’ve never ‘failed’ the test before? A Cervical cancer kills almost 900 women a year in the UK, despite it being a largely preventable disease. A staggering 99.7% of cervical cancers occur as a result of HPV (human papillomavirus). If we can prevent and screen for this, we will be well on our way to beating the disease. Cervical screening (also known as a smear test) is not a test for cancer, but a test to identify cells that could ultimately become cancerous. Nobody enjoys having it done. Patient opinions range from embarrassing to uncomfortable and downright awful. However, the procedure takes under…

Lost some of the get-up-and-go you had when the year started? It’s no wonder – winter can be tough on both the mind and the body. Fortunately, improving your lifestyle can be as simple as syncing your sleep to the new season, or adding more fruit and veg to your daily menu. So, if diet plans and gym programmes are the stuff of your nightmares, try our effortlessly small changes, which will have you looking and feeling healthier in no time.…

From stress levels and vitamin deficiencies to creaking knees, your body can reveal all sorts of surprising things about your health. But could you spot if symptoms are down to something serious or just a natural part of ageing? Here’s what to check for. GRINDING TEETH Often occurring at night, this is known as bruxism. The result is an eerie grinding noise as the two sets of teeth scrape against each other, says Dr Deborah Lee from doctorfox.co.uk. ‘In extreme cases it can cause jaw pain, earache, tinnitus and even broken teeth.’ Try a night-time mouth guard, fitted by your dentist. Bruxism is often related to anxiety and depression, so see your GP if you think this is the cause. WHOOSHING A whooshing sound when you’re lying with your head…

Minestrone soup with pea shoots We’ve added borlotti beans to this filling soup to provide extra fibre, serving it with flavoursome peas for freshness. Serves 4 • Prep 5 mins • Cook 35 mins 1tbsp olive oil1 onion, finely chopped1 carrot, finely chopped2 sticks celery, finely chopped2 garlic cloves, crushed1tsp oregano1ltr vegetable stock400g tin chopped tomatoes50g orecchiette pasta4 slices Parma ham100g frozen peas400g tin borlotti beans, rinsed and drained To serve: Parmesan, grated Pea shoots 1 Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onion, carrot, celery and a pinch of salt, and fry for 10 mins. Add the garlic and oregano. Fry for a further 2 mins, then pour in the stock and tomatoes, and simmer for 10-15 mins. 2 Stir in the pasta and a generous pinch…

The start of a new season always sparks the desire to revamp our homes, from a major declutter to a lick of paint, or even just a new cushion or two. Take a look at the new trends hitting the high street and feel inspired to make a change to your home decor – however big or small. 1 QUIET LUXURY Dial up the luxury of a neutral scheme with plush velvets, marble finishes and brass touches. This is the perfect trend to try if you already have neutral decor – simply introduce dark shades of brown, umber and taupe alongside tactile textures. Think thick-pile velvet and bouclé fabrics. 2 BOLD BRIGHTS Feeling brave? Embrace this season’s maximalist trend with vibrant colours, loud prints and eclectic furniture. For this look,…

COASTAL GLITZ Burgh Hotel, DEVON WHY GO This landmark island, with its striking, whitewashed hotel, is a prime destination for a special weekend away. If your idea of escapism involves eloping to a different era, Burgh Island in glorious South Devon is perfect. It’s accessible at low tide – or hop aboard the giant sea tractor that ferries guests across the water at high tide, and transport yourself into a bygone age of glamour and decadence. The island has a colourful history. Bought in the 1920s by filmmaker Archibald Nettlefold, who built the now-iconic hotel, in its heyday, it was a hub of high-society parties. Legendary guests included Noël Coward, Josephine Baker and The Beatles, as well as Agatha Christie. The crime author was captivated by Burgh’s wild seclusion, penning…

OVERCOMING FEARS The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson This was the first book I read independently. I understood the words and I understood the jokes. ‘You know what you are,’ says Mrs Barn Owl, explaining that nocturnal creatures cannot be afraid of the dark. ‘Yes,’ agrees Plop. ‘And what I am is afraid of the dark.’ Gets me still, to be honest. It was my first taste of independence and the thrill will never leave me. FEELING SUPPORTED Quiet Girl in a Noisy World by Debbie Tung I read this, my first all-picture adult book, during the pandemic. Locked down with my family, homeschooling, fielding never-ending demands of all kinds, I never had a minute to myself and, as a profound introvert, felt I was…

TAURUS 20 APRIL – 20 MAY Your birthday season starts with a tricky few days. Thankfully, others are listening. Need to straighten situations that haven’t gone your way? That’s when to do it. Call 0905 789 4151* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates GEMINI 21 MAY – 20 JUNE Life may have been confusing lately but from the 7th things fall into place. You can have conversations without mishap and from the 16th it’s easier to be assertive. Call 0905 789 4152* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates CANCER 21 JUNE – 22 JULY There’s been a lot of backtracking, but the 5th is your best day for getting stuff done. Put effort into a personal project. Other hiccups take care of themselves. Call 0905 789 4153* and…

Women suffer from facial prejudice; we’re judged on our looks in a way that men aren’t. Think about it, how often do you go out without your ‘face’ on or ‘zhuzhing’ up your hair? Many of my girlfriends have taken anxiety about their looks to extremes, but I’m not one for cosmetic surgery. My mother told me never to pick my nose, especially from a catalogue. Seriously, the only plastic surgery a woman should experience is cutting up the credit card she was going to use to pay for that painful facelift. Same goes for injectables. Ironically, the very same friends who inject chemicals into their faces also eschew carbs and sugar because their ‘bodies are their temples’. But who am I to judge? Ageing is to women what kryptonite…