Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2016 i Woman & Home

1 Most treasured possession? My Barbra Streisand record collection – I have every single LP she’s ever released. They were a present from my friend Helen and I still love playing them. 2 Most scared of? Abseiling and anything slightly dangerous. I’ve got a lot more fearful since becoming a mother. I used to love rollercoasters and riding on the back of motorbikes but I’m worried about something happening to me now. 3 Last said sorry to? Woody, after he told me something and I realised I wasn’t listening to him properly. 4 Biggest indulgence? Sequined garments and shoes, especially shoes that have sequins on! I’m like a magpie when it comes to shiny things in shops – it’s the Strictly effect. I’m hoping Nelly has size seven feet so…

NEW THREADS We love Needle & Thread, the affordable modern British label that nails the embellished look. They’ve got party season sussed with sequinned dresses, bomber jackets and coats. Bomber, £250, needleandthread.com FEELING FELINE Cat prints have become a latest fashion favourite – we love these (domesticated) finds… Shirt, £59.80, misspatina.com . Bag, £15, very.co.uk . Metal and black stone watch, £195, Kate Spade at watchshop.com JUSTIFY YOUR LOVE With designer bags costing a fortune, we’re loving these mid- priced Milli Millu styles. Plus with each purchase, they’ll donate a life-saving kit for a child in need. Gstad structured bag, £325; Quebec…

From the moment we wake up, switch on our phones and turn on the radio, we’re surrounded by news, views and noise, all competing for our attention. Life is fast, we’re on the move and constantly connected, so when it comes to myriad daily decisions, our response is to gather endless data and canvass opinion, sift it, sort it, analyse and overthink. (What shall I wear for this meeting? Is my teenage daughter unhappy? Shall I change jobs? Does my mother have the care she needs?) Often, we know the answers to all these questions – if we’d only stop and listen to our feelings. So how do we tap into our most ancient source of wisdom? Intuition is a gut feeling. It tends to take over when we’re under…

Roja, 59, is the creative force behind the ultra high-end brand Roja Parfums. “Christmas is incredibly special to me, a magical time and perhaps, like everyone else, I have a haunting sense that Christmases in the past were better. I grew up in an era when people didn’t have everything they wanted. There was a real feeling of Christmas being a time of treats. My mother, Eileen, adored Christmas. She had been born into a very poor family and she used to tell us how her father would make a toy for each of them for Christmas. I suppose the contrast between daily hardship and the magic of Christmas morning stayed with her and she wanted to transfer that association to us. My brother, Michael, and sister, Susan, certainly feel…

STEPH SAYS… I still remember the outfit Dom was wearing when we met for the first time almost 30 years ago – a blue checked shirt, moleskin trousers and brogues. I thought he was absolutely gorgeous. He was running a property rental company at the time and I wanted the top floor of this huge mansion he was marketing; I was pursuing a career in NATO and very aspirational! Back then, I had no idea my feelings were reciprocal, so I simply shut myself off to the idea of Dom and me ever being together. It was ten years before we met again, by which time I was living in Brussels, working for the European Commission. I was in the UK on business and a mutual friend had set me…

Perfect with black trousers or a hip-hugging pencil skirt Upgrade your silky blouse with a slinky wraparound collar LOOK ONLINE See our favourite party season styles at womanandhome.com/sparklytops…

Revive your inner hostess THE PROBLEM It’s your party but now everyone’s here you feel like crawling into bed. You daft thing, you’ve overdone it in your quest to give everyone a great time! THE SOLUTION Vitamin B12 is still the energy reviver par excellence and will give you a proverbial kick in the pants when you need it most. CHOOSE An easy-use under-the-tongue spray that does the business super fast. Normally you should resist taking it after lunch as it keeps you going too long. But it’s time to party so get spraying now. WE LIKE Better You B12 Boost Pure Energy, £11.95 for 25ml, victoriahealth.com. Each spray delivers a mega 1,200mcg blast. Beat the energy slump THE PROBLEM That long lunch has taken its toll and you’re not…

Love your bones Lunges help strengthen bones – the scaffolding to keep your body straight. • Stand in a stance slightly wider than shoulder-width-distance apart; place hands on hips, with shoulders pulled back and your chest lifted. • Step forwards into a lunge. Don’t let the front knee come over the line of your toes; the knee of your back leg should point to the ground, with upper body straight. Hold for 20 seconds, then lunge forwards on the other leg. Rest for 10 seconds; repeat several times. Practise the Fallen Angel Lift This exercise is a particular lifesaver if you’ve been stuck in front of a computer all day. Aim to do 10 of these every day to help realign your upper body: • Lie face down on a…

HRT made me feel like “me” again Janet Ellis, 60, TV presenter, actress and author. “I was well into my fifties when my menopause started. My hot flushes weren’t too severe and I’ve had no night sweats, though I’ve had real difficulty sleeping and felt anxious. I never suffered from PMT, in fact I loved taking the pill, so have no problem with taking HRT, but I took plenty of advice from the charity Wellbeing of Women (wellbeingofwomen.org.uk). We have a history of breast cancer in my family but I talked to friends and my doctor, and decided that it was better to feel better and take that risk, than not. I haven’t regretted it. I’ve had no side effects, apart from some bleeding after the taking the first one…

For all dessert lovers, try a slice of heaven from Nigel’s fabulous new book… Chocolate peanut butter cheesecake The older I get the more I like clean, bright flavours. The fresh astringent notes of ginger, lemon, pomegranate and passion fruit. The bite of yuzu and vinegar. The cool, ice-crisp notes of mint and lime, white grapefruit and soy. The sort of flavours that quicken your heart rate rather than slow your pulse. And yet, there is much pleasure to be found in the occasional wodge of claggy cheesecake. A cake to slow your pace. Cream cheese, Nutella, chocolate. The sort of stuff that lands on both plate and palate with a dull thud. Cloying foods have a comfort-blanket quality. Tahini, the sesame paste the colour of a Cotswold barn, has…

PRETTY GROUP Simple flowering plants are really welcome at this time of year. Start with terracotta pots, which can be found easily – you may even have some in the garden left over from summer. Paint them white – emulsion will be fine and you’ll get a nice, chalky finish. Plant them up and add silver glitter on the top for a sparkly, festive touch, then scatter more glitter around the pots. Finish by adding foliage and tea lights. HALL STORY Set the scene by dressing your hallway. A fresh floral arrangement looks and smells wonderful. Here, fresh green and white have been used in an antique-style urn. An antique mirror behind the arrangement will reflect light back into the hall. Instead of a wreath outside, place it inside the…

CENTRE STAGE Using a garden trough as part of a table candle centrepiece means it can be easily lifted off the table when the food arrives. Place pillar candles equally and surround with moss. SO COSY This is perfect for a fireplace or hearth if you don’t have an open fire. Group together different-sized pillar candles, add a couple of hurricane lanterns and dot through with baubles and pine cones. THREE’S COMPANY Pour some sand into three glasses then push three white taper candles into each one. Drape a beaded garland or fairy lights around the glasses and add a few shiny baubles. BRING NATURE IN Place pillar candles on antique-style trays. Tie on ivy leaves with baker’s string, and arrange decorative pebbles or small baubles around the base. LANTERN…

SITTING ROOM The mantelpiece is the focal point. The tree stands to one side, with the presents beneath. Maddy has dressed the mantelpiece with ornate French metal candleholders, livened up with red candles. A rug in front of the fire adds warmth and texture to the wooden floor. MANTELPIECE DETAIL Maddy has pinned on a simple string garland with red wooden hearts and stars on it, anchored by candlesticks on each side. She has added quirky decorations to stand on the mantelpiece, which she bought in France. Votive holders in different shapes and sizes add a warm glow, then as a finishing touch, Maddy has draped ivy from the garden along the mantelpiece. DINING ROOM A large vase in the middle of the table with foliage and red berries makes…

LOVELY PLACE SETTING To show you care. Christmas heart place mat, £1.75, dotcomgiftshop.com STYLISH SIGN Hang by the front door to welcome friends. Personalised hanging slate sign, £12.99, gettingpersonal.co.uk SWEET TREATS Keep the kids – and adults – quiet with a box of goodies! Christmas crate, £29.95, plantabox.co.uk NICE MESSAGE A fun plate for the special day, £4.99, hm.com CREATE A GLOW With this beautiful stag candle. Broste deer candle in copper, £7.95, scandinavianshop.co.uk CHRISTMAS STORAGE Keep all your baked goodies in this set of 3 festive Christmas Joy cake tins, £34, emmabridgewater.co.uk FEELING FLUSH This made us laugh in the office! Santa loo seat cover and pedestal mat, £19.95, houseofbath.co.uk SANTA’S LIST Which side will…

PRUE LEITH E-readers are great for big, serious reads, which is what I like on holiday. The Classical World: An Epic History of Greece and Rome by Robin Lane Fox (Penguin) is so hefty it will take another holiday to finish it, and then I will be bereft. Lane Fox’s prose is clear, convincing and fascinating. Keeping an Eye Open by Julian Barnes (Jonathan Cape) is all about art, so an odd choice for an e-reader but if you have your iPad next to it, you can see the pictures he’s talking about as you go. Completely compelling portraits of (mostly) French painters from Romanticism to Modernism – it’s well-informed and deeply admiring, but never didactic. I’ve only read half a chapter of The Girl who…

The superstitious Christian Dior was fascinated by the zodiac, hence the wonderful “Tell Me Dior” collection launched by the iconic house. Timeless and personal, this is one jewellery trend that has really lasted. Charlie Moore picks the best designs… Libra Gold plated brass and opal necklace, £39, Astrid & Miyu. Capricorn 18ct gold plated over sterling silver necklace, £315, Jessica de Lotz. Gemini 14ct gold and pavé diamonds, £430, Sydney Evan. Taurus 18ct gold plated over sterling silver and emerald necklace, £225, Decï. Leo Gold plated, crystals and resin beads, £370, Dior. Sagittarius 18ct gold and diamond double-sided pendant, £1,300, Theo Fennell at Harrods. Aquarius 9ct white gold, silver and diamond set necklace, £255, Laura Lee. Aries Gold plated over silver and diamond double-sided necklace, £210, Van Peterson. Pisces 18ct…

RED ALERT • Steal everyone’s attention with eye-popping red. It’s guaranteed to get you noticed instantly. • Bold and bright calls for simple shapes. Keep your separates understated and let your colour do all the talking. • Make it modern with on-trend ankle boots. HIGH SHINE • If a sparkly top and trousers are your go-to party gear then it’s time to rev things up. • Oversized jewels are just what you’re looking for. Choose a simple shell top shape with unmissable embellishment and give your black trousers an up-to-the-minute boost. • An encrusted clutch will clash perfectly and show how fashion confident you are. ALL IN ONE • Need a slick finish but with just seconds to spare? Step into a spotted jumpsuit. Smart, sexy and so simple to…

Joanne Todd, 45, works for the fire service. She lives in Bedfordshire with her husband and four sons. “It started with a tiny lump below my bottom teeth. My dentist prescribed antibiotics but it didn’t go away. I went back for an X-ray and the results showed a shadow, but still I was told not to worry. As a child I was hit in the face by a swing and everyone thought this shadow was remnants from that. My dentist referred me for a non-urgent hospital appointment. “Everyone was telling me to wait but I knew something was badly wrong. I couldn’t wait in the system and though I’d never gone private, I called my local private hospital and saw a consultant within 48 hours. “He also thought it was…

TURNING POINT AFTER DIVORCE Clare McGrath, 46, is an office manager. She lives in Dorset with her two daughters, Millie, 15, and Clover, 12. When my husband, John, told me he’d been seeing another woman for six months, I felt like I’d stepped out of my own life and into a soap opera. For the past few months, I’d noticed him coming home from work late at night and not answering his phone, but when I finally confronted him, I expected him to put it down to stress at work. After all, I’d always imagined an affair was something that happened to other people – not me. I’d fallen for John when we were both working in TV production; we married two years later, bought a lovely home in Sussex…

Queen Of Shops Mary Portas, 55, divorced Graham Portas, father of her two children, in 2003. She met journalist Melanie Rickey in 2004 and the couple converted their civil partnership into a marriage in 2014. They now have a two-year-old son, Horatio, together. “Have I loved men? Yes. Have I loved more than one woman? No. But did I know that I’d had crushes on men and women in the past? Yes.” Former Sex and the City actress Cynthia Nixon, 49, ended her 15-year marriage to Danny Mozes in 2003. She then started dating activist Christine Marinoni, whom she married in 2012. “I’ve been straight and I’ve been gay, and gay is better,” she explains. Cynthia has two sons with her husband, and one with her wife. Psychotherapist and author…

UPGRADE: MODERN CLASSIC Daphna Anducich-Rowe, 40, is a singer-songwriter and lives with her musician husband in London. Jeans are a favourite… but she tends to take a low-key approach to styling. If jeans form the basis of your outfit, you’ll need to reinvent them to extend their outfitting potential. A silky cream blouse and fitted blazer is a classic look that’s always modern with the right accessories – a skinny silky scarf and trilby bring it into 2016. UPGRADE: CHIC AND EASY DRESSING Molly Eldridge, 68, lives in Surrey, two houses down from her three grandchildren, and tends to spend all her time in comfy trousers. Think a slouchy trouser is the key to comfort but doesn’t say smart? Try a jersey dress. It allows you to indulge with ease…

NEW IN MY MAKE-UP BAG If, like me, you usually just grab foundation and go… Elizabeth Arden Flawless Start Instant Perfecting Primer, £28, might slow you down a second but everything now looks way better. SHE’S GLOWING! Super skin meister Dr Harold Lancer, known for his lengendary “Lancer Glow”, is the celebs’ favourite doc, loved by Beyoncé, Scarlett Johansson and Kim Kardashian. More of a laser man, now we can all get a bit more radiant without going Stateside, just by mixing his new Lancer Dani Glowing Skin Perfector, £85, under or into your foundation. Yes, I’m an addict! JUST LOVE IT! She’s done it again! Make-up genie Charlotte Tilbury has created her Mini Miracle Eye Wand, £29, a double-ended under-eye heroine that wipes out tiredness. Check out Charlotte’s new…

House of Fraser Beauty isthe go-to destination for allyour Christmas shopping.Seek out Estée Lauder andLancôme for award-winning skincareand chic cosmetics, while fans of plant-based botanicals will love classic Clarinsor quirkier Kiehl’s. For beautiful, wearablemake-up, Bobbi Brown has every basecovered, while edgier Urban Decayand NARS are must-have brands for thelatest colour trends and pro formulas.Looking for a very special gift or a treatfor you? Iconic Crème de la Mer skincareis unadulterated luxury at its finest.What better excuse do you need? Pluswith our exclusive offer, present shoppingand treating yourself couldn’t be easier.Don’t forget – with House of Fraser’sBuy & Collect service, you can buy yourfavourite brand and collect it the next day,even if your local store doesn’t stock it! And, don’t miss House of Fraser’sin-store events on these Thursdays– 26th November, 3rd,…

Make lips pop We love this season’s punchy lip shades and flattering sheeny finishes. Build up lip colour in layers, blotting between each one to ensure the pigment stays put through dinner, drinks and dancing. A perky pink is fun. Try Max Factor Lipfinity Lip Colour in Stay Cheerful, £10.99 (Collect 43 Boots Advantage Card points), or Clinique Pop Lip Colour + Primer in Wow Pop, £16 (Collect 64 Boots Advantage Card points). Or go for a classic cherry red with L’Oréal Paris Infallible Mega Gloss in Miami Vice, £6.99 (Collect 27 Boots Advantage Card points). The new smoky This season’s smoky eye is updated with rich, gold-flecked tones. Wash a light shadow over lids, blend a deeper colour into the socket and highlight inner and outer corners with shimmering…

Welcome 2016 with a healthy mind and body, by joining Nourish, a wellbeing event hosted by designer and presenter Linda Barker. Now in her fifties, Linda has combined her enthusiasm for health and fitness with a collection of experts to create an inspiring wellbeing event. It will deliver practical advice to help you achieve a healthier mind and body. YOUR TWO-DAY NOURISH EVENT In the stunning surroundings of Grays Court Hotel, York, you will attend a series of workshops and presentations from Linda’s guest gurus and accomplished educators, and will cover: • How to prepare fabulous, healthy food • How to feed your body what it really needs • How to turn your garden into your larder and chemist • How to take time out to recognise what is really…

When woman&home first made the decision to support Breast Cancer Care, we did so because of what you told us. And you told us not just moving stories of your own experience and of loved ones affected by this cruel disease, but also of wanting to make a difference. It was a feeling I shared as, like many of you, I have lost dear friends to breast cancer as well as, thankfully, seen others regain their health. The idea for the Pink Ribbonwalks came about as a result of a collaboration between woman&home and the team at Breast Cancer Care. It was 2005 when we asked you to join us for the first ever one at Blenheim Palace, and were thrilled when so many of you responded. I remember it…

The North American Menopause Society RECOMMENDS Good evidence CBT and clinical hypnosis Prescription drugs (require specialist advice) Seroxat (paroxetine) and other SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) Effexor (venlafaxine), an SNRI (selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) Lyrica, a central nervous system depressant used for epilepsy and chronic pain, and others from the same family (gabapentinoids) Dixarit (clonidine), a migraine drug that prevents widening of blood vessels and increased blood flow to skin CAUTIOUSLY RECOMMENDS Some evidence Weight loss Mindfulness-based stress reduction Soya isoflavones DOESN’T RECOMMEND No, insufficient or inconclusive evidence Cooling techniques Avoiding triggers Exercise Yoga Relaxation Acupuncture Herbal and nutritional supplements other than soya…

I feel a bit like a spoilsport writing this. After all, Christmas is a time for having fun, not doing a crash course in first aid on your friends or family. But the reality is that having a house full of visitors, cooking large meals, all those scented candles, using fairy lights of unknown vintage, plus opening boxes stuck down with lots of tape mean that accidents can and do happen (especially after a few glasses of mulled wine). So here are some practical tips on what to do if the unexpected happens. 1 BURNS  Christmas, sadly, is a peak time for burns, whether from cooking or candles. • What to do The aim of treating a burn is to cool the skin to limit tissue damage, so flood it…

I can’t get enough of bubbles at this time of year. Oh all right then, at any time of year. There’s something about the ritual of opening a bottle of fizz – the twist of the cork, the gentle release of pressure, the mousse frothing in the glass – that lifts my spirits. And then there are the wondrous aromas teased out of the grapes as the base wine turns from tart, lemony juice to a toasty elixir. The leading sparkling wine makers are modern-day alchemists. 2012 Philippe Michel Crémant du Jura (£7.29, 12%, Aldi) Trust good old Aldi to track down this brilliant-value fizz from eastern France, made entirely from the Chardonnay grape. Spicy, savoury and bone dry, it has notes of oatmeal and citrus, and refreshing bubbles. 2010…

VINTAGE VIBE Place votive holders filled with water and flower heads on a tiered cake stand. Add similar-coloured baubles and other small decorations. REPEAT, REPEAT Choose three or five of the same type of vase, fill with the same flowers, such as red and white amaryllis, tie with the same ribbon and place in a row. CENTRE STAGE Place hydrangea and chrysanthemum flower heads into Oasis in a glass vase, tie the vase with ribbon and add thin taper candles. SQUARED UP Fill a square tank vase with the same coloured baubles, then tie with sheer ribbon like a parcel. A simple floral arrangement adds height and interest.…

Siobhan and Mick Quinn’s home is stylish and contemporary, with large open rooms that are ideal for entertaining at Christmas. Their festive look is elegant, with white decorations on the tree, green and white foliage in vases and some foraged foliage on the table. Guests can really enjoy a leisurely meal in these super-comfortable dining chairs MAKE IT RELAXING The Quinns have opted for comfortable upholstered dining chairs. A classic wooden table is wide enough for all the place settings and centrepiece, covered with a large white runner. Candlesticks in different sizes make a simple tablecentre. EXTRA SEATING An open kitchen with a large island is perfect for when guest arrive. They can gather around it, have a drink and sit if they want to. Just add a floral arrangement…

Believe it or not, this cosy home is brand new! Sue and Gary Reeve wanted a traditional farmhouse feel – and they made sure they achieved it. It looks perfect dressed at Christmas with the log-burning fire, exposed brick and wooden floors – and red folk-inspired accessories really set the scene. WARM WELCOME A roaring log fire is a big bonus at Christmas – it sets the scene and draws people to it, whatever the weather. Arrange furniture around it so that everyone can enjoy the flames, but not so close that guests get too hot! KEEP IT SIMPLE When the rest of the house is decorated lavishly, sometimes it’s nice to keep it simple when you sit down to eat. Start with a plain white tablecloth then add white…

FOCUS YOUR EFFORTS There’s no point in trying to get your whole home “spring cleaned” if many rooms won’t be seen by guests. Concentrate on areas that will make a difference. › Start with the outside Clean the windows, the front door and sweep the path. Mini Christmas or bay trees either side of the door give an instant welcome. › For easy cleaning, QHotels resident housekeeping expert, Nan McDowell, shares her tricks: › Start by emptying rubbish, tidying and stripping linen. Then open the windows to let fresh air in. › Don’t use more than four products – a multi-surface antibacterial cleaner, toilet gel, glass cleaner and polish will cover everything. › Always spray product onto the cloth first, never the surface. Spraying directly onto the surface will result…

Adele Parks lives in Guildford, Surrey with her husband Jim and 15-year-old son Conrad. She has written 15 bestselling novels including The State We’re In and Spare Brides . Her new novel, If You Go Away , is an epic love story set during the First World War. For me, the story always comes before the characters. When I read a nonfiction account of “surplus women” after World War One, I wanted to know more about what it was like for the women left at home during the war and who then had to pick up the pieces afterwards. That was the impetus behind Spare Brides. I wanted to tell the stories of these voiceless women. While researching the war,…

“We’ve teamed up with Riviera Travel to offer you some tempting travel offers. Whether you’d like a long-haul adventure to New Zealand or Vietnam and Cambodia, a short break in Europe or a fabulous river cruise, you’ll be looked after on your journey by an experienced tour manager.” Five-star European river cruises Eight days from £1,099pp; 14 days from £1,699pp Travel on one of our five-star ships on the Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Main, Rhône or Seine. Selected departures April to November 2016. Price includes: • Return rail* and Eurostar, or flights, taxes and transfers • Five-star cabins with hotel-standard beds, private bathrooms and river views • Exceptional cuisine with full board throughout • Extensive and fully inclusive touring programmes New Zealand Land of the Long White Cloud. 22 days from…

Another year, another opportunity to make a dream come true, or at least do a better job of fulfilling our New Year’s resolutions. Will 2016 bring us nearer a cure for dementia? Will the economy shrink and the price of oil rise? Will Prince Harry find his princess and will the White House become home to the first female President of the USA? 2016 will be a year of transformations. It marks the end of a nine-year cycle, so it is also a year of endings. Think back to 2007 when this nine-year cycle began, specifically, the ninth month of 2007 – September – when the economy came tumbling down and institutions collapsed in front of our very eyes. It was the end of the Age of Prosperity and the…

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AQUARIUS 20 JANUARY – 19 FEBRUARY Health and fitness go to the top of the agenda – the 13th is the day to launch your programme for the brand new you. The weekend of the 24th thrusts a relationship into the spotlight – is it yes I do or no I don’t? Weekly update 09058-170551* PISCES 20 FEBRUARY – 20 MARCH Friends are a priority, whether your support and advice helps them make important decisions or because you are embarking on a group project. Even if there are teething troubles, you’ll get there in the end. Weekly update 09058-170552* ARIES 21 MARCH – 20 APRIL The faster you try to go, the less you’ll achieve. Slow and steady wins the race, plus by taking the time to go back over…

The first thing you notice walking into Zoë Ball’s dressing room is her impressive collection of sparkly shoes. Part of the Strictly “uniform”, she wears them to present It Takes Two , the popular Strictly Come Dancing spin-off show on BBC Two every weeknight. What you don’t see is that Zoë is also happy to generously lend some of her collection to complete strangers who are the same shoe size as her (that would be a seven). “A lovely lady tweeted me about a pair I’d worn on the show recently,” says Zoë, showing me the pink sequined ones in question. “She wanted to buy them for her wedding so I asked whether she’d like to wear mine instead.…

To paraphrase what Joseph Campbell, the famous mythologist, once said, “We are not looking for the meaning of life as much as the experience of being alive.” And around December, when the flickering of candlelight and the sound of carols give us all a spiritual feeling – even though we may not be churchgoers – it is a good time to be in touch with your spirituality. Spirituality is vital to living, but it should not be confused with religion. Spirituality, for me, is living your life with an open heart. Being accepting, kind, being open to ideas and thoughts and becoming the best of you. Your spirit is what makes you who you are. It is not what you do. When we describe ourselves, we often list our job,…

Layering necklaces One is never enough! Cluster pendant necklaces together or cheat with a pre-layered version that can be worn in multiple ways. Left, £15, Accessorize. Right, £115, Stella & Dot SHOW YOUR BRA Ensure all eyes are on your sexy straps and eyelash lace, and keep ugly fastenings out of sight. Above, strapless side-fastening bra, £40, 32-38 A-D, Ultimo. Red bra, £24.99, 32-36 A-D, H&M. Lacy bra, £81, 32-36 B-F, Mimi Holliday DRESS UP BY DRESSING DOWN Sequinned joggers? Embellished jeans? Yes please. Joggers, £195, 8-16, Marc Cain. Jeans, £22, 8-22, Tu at Sainsbury’s SHOW YOUR PERSONALITY  with a novelty bag. Thief bag, from a selection at Mawi. Star bag, £19.99, New Look. Cat bag, £115, Karl Lagerfeld at veryexclusive.co.uk YES YOU CAN… Wear tights and sandals. Semi opaques…

Claudia Winkleman’s look is nothing short of iconic: the long fringe, pale lipstick and eyeliner. It is so unmistakably her, in fact, that Marks & Spencer invited her to create her own beauty products, and chose a simple black-and-white shot of the famous fringe and eyes to promote the range. Claudia, 43, is married to film producer Kris Thykier, and they live in London with their children, Jake, 12, Matilda, nine, and Arthur, four. I’m obsessed by eyeliner. It’s my armour and gives me a real confidence boost. And weirdly, 99 per cent of the correspondence I receive is about what conditioner I use. I was expecting letters to be from nice, hot 28-year-olds going, “Can I take you out?” But I get none of those; only questions about conditioner.…

‘This will be my first child-free Christmas in 19 years’ Lucy Cavendish, 48, lives in Oxfordshire with her four children, Raymond, 19, Leonard, 12, Jerry, 11 and Ottoline, eight. This Christmas, I will be doing something I never thought possible. I’m spending Christmas without my four children. Instead, I shall be tucked away in a cottage in the Lake District with my new partner. There will be no big family meal, no shouting and squeals of delight and endless begging to pull the crackers. There will just be him and me. In many ways, I can barely believe this is happening. I’m so wedded to Christmas, to the whole joyful ritual of it, that the thought of being without my children would usually have emotionally poleaxed me. However this year,…

BACKLESS When it comes to backless dresses, adhesive bras are your style saviours. Make sure the cup fits fully and feels comfortable. STRAPLESS Opt for a bra with sturdy underwiring to keep you in place. Bigger busts benefit from a half corset. LOW V It’s all about feeling secure – maintain that ideal shape by tightening those straps to get a bit more lift. HIPS Slim down those thighs with a miracle-making minimiser, and make your legs look longer than ever. TUMMY Create the ultimate hourglass figure and tame your tummy with these waist-cinching wonders. BUM Lift and sculpt your derrière to perfection and give Kim Kardashian a run for her money.…

Most party food is small, delicious and deceptively high in fat – making it all too easy to consume several hundred calories in just a few mouthfuls. But if you follow our guide, you’ll find there are plenty of ways to indulge and still fit into your LBD! GREEN LIGHT NIBBLES Smoked salmon A good source of omega-3 fats, which will help keep your heart healthy and skin youthful. A generous portion (50g) contains just 80 calories. Smoked salmon blinis are slightly less virtuous thanks to the soured cream. Prawns No need to feel guilty about pigging out on seafood. It’s low in fat and calories – 1 tiger prawn contains 15 calories. Breadsticks/grissini and tomato salsa Salsa is low in fat, rich in vitamin C and lycopene, a phytochemical…

There’s nothing more gracious and elegant than perfect posture – it can cause heads to turn just as fast as a great dress. I was once at a fitness convention full of young, super-toned instructors leaping on and off the stage in neon leotards, but then one lady walked on stage and made the whole conference go quiet… none of us had ever seen such a striking woman and it was all down to her posture! She was in her late fifties, a beautiful, curvaceous size 16, and she oozed confidence from every pore and every movement she took. From her walking on to the stage to being seated was like watching a ballet. From that day on, I have always taught my clients about posture – it not only…

IS IT EFFECTIVE? Yes, it’s the most effective solution for hot flushes and night sweats – medically referred to as menopausal vasomotor symptoms. It also helps prevent osteoporosis and may protect against heart disease if started close to menopause. IS IT SAFE? There are risks and benefits. There’s a slight increase in breast cancer risk if you take combined HRT for more than five years, which declines once you stop taking it. If you start taking HRT close to the time of your last period, it helps to protect your arteries against furring and hardening (atherosclerosis), and the development of harmful “plaques” (fatty build-ups that can rupture, causing a blood clot, which can lead to a heart attack). If, however, you start taking HRT at 60+ it can increase your…

Claire Enders, 57, founder and CEO of Enders Analysis, a leading media research company, tells how a missed diagnosis of Lyme disease caused her immune system to close down, putting her life at risk. Claire is married with a grown-up son and daughter. I want to spread awareness of the risk from tick bites that often don’t show the classic rash GPs are taught to look for, to save other people the chronic pain and loss of health I have suffered. Last June, I became ill with what’s now known to be Lyme disease. Although I’d had it 12 years earlier, no one in the practice where I’d been treated before thought to get a test done or prescribe antibiotics. The result was catastrophic. The disease attacked my joints and…

Beyond toys If your grandchildren, godchildren or nieces and nephews already have bedrooms overflowing with plastic, you may prefer to think about a gift with a different kind of value. RARE PRINTS From £25 upwards Why You can enjoy looking at a framed, limited-edition print while it appreciates in value. Opt for children’s prints from Lauren Child or Quentin Blake (a Roald Dahl print from The Big Friendly Giant, pictured below, costs around £145 mounted and framed). For Pick a print that they will love and this is a gift for anyone – art-of-illustration.co.uk has a good selection. FINE WINE From £40 upwards Why Set aside for when they reach 18 and they may have a valuable bottle to sell (if not, they can always drink it). Storage is the…

Blue cheese There’s a blue to suit all tastes. Colston Bassett Stilton has won more awards than you can shake a stick at! This dairy has had only four cheesemakers in the past 100 years. It’s a rich and creamy Stilton. The same dairy makes Shropshire Blue, which is milder but has a luscious, creamy taste. Over to France, Fourme d’Ambert is from the Auvergne region. It is one of the milder of the blue cheeses, with a soft, creamy texture. You could also try creamy Gorgonzola or lighter Dolcelatte. Hard cheese Montgomery Cheddar is unpasteurised, which contributes to its earthy, rich flavour. The milk is from their own herd in Somerset, and Montgomery is one of the last few truly traditional Cheddars made today. Ossau Iraty is made from…

THROWING A PARTY? Make life easier and buy some delicious canapés to serve alongside your homemade ones (see our recipe ideas at womanandhome.com/partyfood )  Asda Extra Special Lamb Kebabs (£4) are meaty and substantial, and their mini Coquilles St Jacques are delicious (£4). M&S as always have new and exciting ones like Ham Fritters with Cheese Fondue Sauce (12 for £6) and Mini Lobster Mac and Cheese (10 for £10). For something sweet, Tesco frozen 12 Chocolate-filled Churros with cinnamon sugar (£2) are a steal and really crispy, as they should be. Co-op’s 12-piece steamed Dim Sum Collection (£4) would make a good, cheeky starter too! TASTY CANAPES Brindisa are the masters of all foods Spanish. Team their Ibérico Ham Platter (£18.95, Ocado) with pitted green Perello…

SPARKLE AND SHINE Hang a pearl wreath on a mirror and add different-sized silver or glass candlesticks, pretty foliage and battery-operated fairy lights. BERRY RED Create a simple festive display on one or both ends of the mantelpiece, keeping to just one colour, such as deep red. >> SO SIMPLE This idea couldn’t be easier. Place a selection of baubles in a row along the mantelpiece. You may need to anchor them with Blu-tack or double-sided tape (attach where it can’t be seen). Then at intervals, place glass votive holders – preferably patterned ones – and the odd table jewel or tiny bauble. Perfect! GREEN AND FRESH Pillar candles look great in a row, interspersed with white flowers, such as amaryllis or lilies, with ivy strands trailing in front. Choose…

COOL GREY  A glass lamp with a pale grey shade is timeless. Clara table light, £90, bhs.co.uk FROSTED FINISH Add a hint of sparkle. Silver pine cone wreath, £30, debenhams.com FRINGE EDGE  Add texture and warmth to a living room. Herringbone throw, £70, houseoffraser.co.uk SPELL IT OUT  Simple wooden letters that say the right thing! £9.50 per letter, poshgraffiti.co.uk STYLE AND COMFORT Add elegance with new chairs. Flynn Scoop Back Chair in Persian Grey, £139, made.com SIMPLE CHIC For a sophisticated feel, dress a tree with white and silver decs. From £1.50 each, sainsburys.co.uk…

LIGHT BY LANTERN A few rustic lanterns create a lovely, warm glow. £15.99, dobbies.com CUTE CUSHIONS Throw a Christmas cushion or two onto your sofa for the festive season. Reindeer, £5, wilko.com SILVER TOUCH  A pre-lit wreath for your front door, or above a fireplace. Silver wreath, £25.98, amazon.co.uk TABLE TALK  A solid oak coffee table will last forever – good-sized drawers help hide clutter. Classic oak table, £329, hampshirefurniture.co.uk LIGHT MY FIRE  A fireside essential. Bucket, £16.55, romanathome.com…

HOT READS THIS MONTH FAMILY SECRETS The Marble Collector by Cecelia Ahern (HarperCollins) Finding her father’s collection of marbles prompts Sabrina’s discovery that he is not all she believed him to be. An illuminating and touching father/daughter story about memory, childhood and secrets. HISTORICAL THRILLER Playing with Fire by Tess Gerritsen (Bantam Press) A piece of music triggers violence in musician Julia’s three-year-old daughter. Searching for answers, she travels to Venice and its past. A change of beat for Gerritsen, but as intriguing and satisfying as always. FABULOUS DEBUT The Clasp by Sloane Crosley (Hutchinson) Three friends reunite for the wedding of a college friend only to embark on a road trip that takes them across the globe in search of a missing necklace.…

My aversion to knitting grew from a lack of necessity. When I was growing up, my grandmother made my sweaters. There were roll-necks and fisherman sweaters and delicate cardigans, fringed ponchos and turtlenecks and sleeveless vests. She would visit us and sit on the couch as we gathered to watch M*A*S*H or Little House on the Prairie . When the dialogue on the television stopped, before the commercial began, I could hear her knitting needles chatter like teeth. Her hands were smooth and dry and warm, the nails cut short, the yarn looped around her fingers. On her lap, that scroll of wool grew by inches every time I remembered to look. Her knitting bag, a brown 70s zigzag of tapestry, squatted on its crossed haunches beside her feet. Inside…

1 The Little Book of Earrings is bound in faux leather, and is available in two sizes, holding either 12 or 48 pairs of earrings. Using padded pages with fixing holes, your earrings are held safely in pairs. The sleek design allows secure, easy storage on a book shelf, or suitcase, unlike traditional earring trees. Available in a beautiful array of colours. Buy from www.flydragonfly.co.uk 2 Style Never Goes Out Of Fashion Cobra & Bellamy make affordable, classically designed watches. Pictured is our latest addition to the range the LAMORNA, a ladies watch retro in design easy to read, a joy to behold. Available in Stainless Steel at £115, 21 Carat or Rose Gold Plated at £125 with a black or brown hand stitched leather strap. The…

ARIES 21 MARCH – 20 APRIL Preparation meets opportunity in mid-March and mid-June, and you should select these periods to make your boldest moves. The secret of success is to take on big challenges but know when you are getting in over your head. Your year ahead 09058-170090* TAURUS 21 APRIL – 21 MAY You are your own greatest resource. Never forget it. People and places far away figure prominently in 2016: some of you may have the opportunity to go thousands of miles while others will find a new life in a distant location. Your year ahead 09058-170091* GEMINI 22 MAY – 22 JUNE The 23rd March, 2 June, 13 August and 8th December are all dates around which certain projects and associations may stand or fall. Early June…

STRONGER, HAPPIER YOU… Make this your best year ever! FIT MEETS FASHION Inject some sporty style into your everyday wardrobe SKINCARE SECRET SHARE Top expert must-haves ARE YOU DOING WHAT YOU WANT? Take our lifestyle check-up! HEALTHY COMFORT FOOD Delicious dishes with less added fat, more vitamins NEW PALEO DIET So good you can take the weekend off! NEVER MISS AN ISSUE! Get woman&home delivered to your door – see page 122 or go to magazinesdirect.com W&H BONUS THE BEST NEW HOLIDAYS FOR 2016 DonÕt book a break until youÕve read our guide!…

How did it feel stepping back onto a Star Wars set after all this time? It should have felt ridiculous! It was 30-plus years ago. Yet here I was. I will tell you that it felt great. I wasn’t sure it would, but it was the right company and the right director [JJ Abrams]. Larry [Kasdan] wrote a wonderful story, and I was proud to once again be involved. Is it important for you to keep on working? A man should never rest on his laurels. He should prove his mettle every day. That has nothing to do with being macho, but with taking responsibility for yourself and your family. I still struggle with a lot of the problems I’ve always had, but I know how…