Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2016 i Woman & Home

Are you doing what you want? Well, most of the time at least… We all know life is about compromise – but the New Year is a good time to stand back and reflect on just how many compromises we’re making. Our feature on p36 will help you reflect on yours and reveal how you can change your life in a major – or minor – way. Sometimes it’s just about making a few tweaks. At other times, it’s about giving yourself space to think. Women are such plate spinners that we’re really bad at this – so why not start today and make time for you? “Follow your passion” is what people say when you’re looking for new ways to work or earn money. And the amount of women…

When I retired, I started dabbling in trying to keep fit but still have fun. I tried lyrical jazz classes, Pilates and Zumba. Then I thought, “There are so many brilliant dances out there – there must be a way of putting them together and just getting a flavour.” That’s how DDMIX started. I created DDMIX with the choreographer Nathan Clarke. I wanted to bring in every genre and every era of dance, and make it into a programme where you’re working out every part of your body. I discovered that Irish dancing uses a lot of the legs and calves, while Arabic and Flamenco uses a lot of arms. The programme is in short bursts so you don’t get bored. The hardest thing is motivating yourself to exercise –…

One March morning in 1993, I called my chairman and told him I wanted to buy a football club. “Football,” he said, “is very male-dominated and you’ll have to be twice as good as the men to be thought of as even only half as good.” “Luckily,” I replied, “that won’t be difficult.” The following Monday we owned a football club. I had no experience of running a business, absolutely no knowledge of football and I was 23 years old. But I had vision. I knew that no one was going to build a career for me – this was something I had to do myself. And so I did. It was the boldest decision of my life. And when, at the end of my first year, the business made…

DO THE SHIRT TUCK Tuck the middle of your top loosely into the waistband of darker trousers or skirts – this makes it look like you have a flatter tummy. Blouse, £59.95, s-l; trousers, £59.95, 6-16, both Massimo Dutti Attract attention with statement jewellery A talking-point necklace or earrings will divert attention away from trouble areas and makes people focus on your face. Necklace, £110, Stella & Dot. Earrings, £8, Accessorize ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE A looser-fitting structured top will skim over any upper-body bulges, while a bracelet sleeve will emphasise most women’s slimmest part – your wrists. VAMP IT UP Heels with lower vamps (the part that covers your toe cleavage) make your legs look longer as there’s more on show. £25, ASOS LEARN HOW TO LAYER Forget bulky separates,…

OUR EXPERT Monica Castenetto, a life coach who retrained after changing her own life, is also author of What’s Your Excuse for not Living a Life You Love? Visit livealifeyoulove.co.uk . If you don’t have a vision, her tips can help you create one. • WORK FROM DISSATISFACTIONS They indicate where your life isn’t what you want, and can show what’s lacking. Make a list of the areas you want to address, then start with the most urgent one. Work on changing this one area until you feel a benefit. • BE FLEXIBLE Regularly review where you’re at. What has worked, what hasn’t? There’s no need to be overly goal-oriented – make sure you adjust along the way to ensure you end up…

Michelle, 52, lives in London with her husband Mark who runs his own outdoor clothing company, Mountain Warehouse. They have an 11-year-old daughter and Michelle has a 22-year-old son from her previous relationship. After starting in PR and building her own PR company, Michelle held director and CEO positions at Estée Lauder, MAC, St. Tropez and, most recently, at PZ Cussons. There were a few memorable moments leading up to my decision to leave my job as CEO for PZ Cussons Beauty Division. I was giving all my energy to my job and the people who work for me, as I always had done. But deep down I knew the people I cared for most weren’t getting enough of me – and nor was I. I felt totally depleted. It…

Barbara, 68, and Jane, 67, (previously John) are retired teachers who met through work and married in 1987. Both had been married before, and Jane said one of the hardest things was telling her son and daughter and six grandchildren, who have all since been very supportive. The Danish Girl tells the real-life story of 1920s Danish artist Einar Wegener, played by Eddie Redmayne, who was one of the first known people to undergo a gender change. Barbara says: “So little had been written about transgender people and their relationships when we appeared in woman&home. We wanted to show that it is possible to stay in a marriage – and be happy – after one partner has had gender reassignment surgery, like Jane has. Reactions from friends, family…

Career-change expert Richard Alderson from Careershifters, says there’s never been a better time for a mid-career reboot: “While not every employer will see value in your skills and experience, there are plenty that will. And with flexible working increasingly accepted, you can try a number of different avenues while minimising your risk until you find the right path for you.” Richard has these tips: • Stay open-minded The perfect role might not even be on your radar right now. Don’t have too many non-negotiables. • Use your contacts Reach out to your network and your network’s network. Find other people in the same boat and look for mentors who have already done it. • Take action You can’t change career by just thinking about it. Start trying different things and…

This year I’ve decided to embrace the truth and that is, I’m a guilty hedonist. Instead of cutting down on calories, I’m resolving to have more of everything. More cocktails. More laughter. More dinners out with my husband. More cinema trips and popcorn with my kids. More time to read. More foreign movies. More box sets. More walks. More shopping trips with my daughters. More time with my mum. More coffee with my friends. More weekends away. More lipsticks. More music. More family roast dinners and red wine. I know this is contrary to the spirit of self-improvement that grips so many of us at this time of year, but lately I’ve been asking myself the following question – should I spend the rest of my life worrying about my…

Next month, 26 women, aged from their fifties to their eighties, will be moving into a unique community they’ve had built in Barnet, north London. It’s taken 18 years and many ups and downs, but finally they say they’ve realised their dream. So what is it? Older Women’s Co-Housing (OWCH) is a groundbreaking co-housing community designed specifically for – and by – women, and they will manage it themselves. “It’s the first time in my life that I’ve actually done something revolutionary – and it feels incredibly exciting,” says Anna Watkins, 62, a costume designer. How does it work? Unlike a commune where the group owns everything and it’s share and share alike, everyone owns or rents their own flat (the largest have two bedrooms and cost around £314,000), but…

THE FOOD OPTIMISING EATING PLAN Fill up on healthy, naturally filling foods like lean meat and poultry, fish, rice, potatoes and pasta, plus lots of fresh fruit and veg – all Slimming World Free Foods that you can eat in unlimited quantities (in bold, right). No hunger, no guilt – two of the main obstacles to successful weight loss. You can also enjoy foods that are vital to a balanced healthy diet, such as bread, cereals and dairy products, every day, and a moderate amount of higher-fat treats, like sweets, alcohol and pastries, so you never feel deprived. “Comments about my weight reduced me to tears” Gaining weight left Kelsey-Beth Crossley the subject of cruel taunts. Now, she has lost almost 3st and got her confidence back. “I’ve tried all…

LYANNE SIMON, INTERNATIONAL SALES MANAGER, NYDJ Want to slim instantly? Check out jeans with built-in support. NYDJ has a patented criss-cross panel inside that flattens your front. Make sure the rise hits your natural waist to provide a slimmer silhouette and give comfort without gaping at the waistband. DONNA IDA, OWNER OF DONNA IDA It’s all about fit and fabrication for me when jeans shopping. You want to make sure they fit you properly with the right amount of stretch to be comfortable but hold their shape. If they go on easily, go down a size. Remember: premium denim jeans will always have 2% stretch and so you should have to wriggle to get into them because they will give when they warm up with your body’s heat. W&H TIP…

Does my diet really matter? What you eat can affect hormones in the body, which has a knock-on effect on the health of your skin. “I can literally see ‘gluten face’, ‘wine face’ or ‘dairy face’ in my patients,” says Dr Nigma Talib. “Poor digestive health controls how quick or how slowly your skin and body will age. Youthful, great-looking skin is always an inside job.” PRO TIP: Take a look in the mirror. “I see dairy face as quite bloated with dark circles, wine face is dehydrated, so lines are more pronounced, and gluten face is actually belly bloat, which also shows up as puffiness in the face.” Would stress take its toll? Time to find your inner calm and sense of skin wellness. “Get into the habit of…

When did you last have a haircut? Not a few inches off the ends, but a real “I didn’t recognise you!” transformation. An advantage of getting older is knowing what suits us, but when a safe haircut becomes a hair rut, it’s time to evolve. A great short style is so flattering and low-maintenance, you’ll wish you’d gone for it ages ago. If you’re tempted but need a nudge, we’ve all the expert advice, plus an amazing reader transformation overleaf... GOING SHORT – WHAT TO CONSIDER • Face shape Pixie cuts look cute on round faces, but chin-length styles can emphasise roundness. If you have a strong jaw, graduated layers around the chin will soften it. Short hair can make a heart-shaped face look even narrower at the bottom, so…

Breakfasts OUT: Cereal or toast. IN: Smoothies made with fresh fruit – think mango, berries, bananas – and almond milk or coconut milk. Bacon and eggs – high-fat foods fill you up faster and for longer than high-carb ones and don’t lead to weight gain. In his new book, Daniel has a great way with kale and eggs, plus fabulous omelettes and pancakes. Lunches OUT: Sandwiches, pies, jacket potatoes and ready meals. IN: Make-ahead soups with seasonal organic ingredients – see Daniel’s Comfort Soup, right. Salads with grilled fish or meat and plenty of salad vegetables. His book also includes recipes for sushi – filling, flavourful and leaving out the rice makes them almost carb free too. Dinners OUT: Pasta, potato and rice dishes. IN: Vegetable “substitutes” – see Daniel’s…

THIS MONTH… • BURSITIS • DIY SMEAR TEST • TEETH WHITENING • BLOCKED EARS • VIRAL INFECTIONS Q I’ve had pain on the outside of my right hip for several months, and originally thought I’d pulled a muscle. My doctor now says I’ve probably got bursitis in my hip, which really surprised me, as I’ve never heard of it before. Why have I got it, and how is it treated? A Bursitis is when a bursa, a small sac of fluid near a joint, becomes inflamed. The most well-known sites are the elbow and knee, but it also occurs around the hips (trochanteric bursitis), especially in women aged 30 to 50, and can cause pain when you climb stairs or rise from sitting. It is common in those that do a lot of exercise,…

Don’t get fobbed off is the message from consumer champions as the new Consumer Rights Act replaces three previous laws. It covers everything from online purchases, shop-bought items, digital downloads and contracts for ongoing services. In all instances, take your complaint to the retailer or person who supplied the service – not the manufacturer. A service doesn’t deliver? (even plumbing) The rules cover hairdressers, dry- cleaners, garages and any business that provides a service. If they did not carry out the work with “reasonable care” as “agreed with the consumer”, they will be obliged to put things right under the new Consumer Rights Act. Or give you some money back. This is easier to prove if, for instance, your plumbing leaks. Not liking your haircut might be arguable…

1 LAUNCH ON A SHOESTRING KATE JENKINS, 46, is married with two children and lives in Swansea. She runs Gower Cottage Brownies, selling cakes as gifts. Launching I started with a modest outlay of £500, which paid for a simple website, basic packaging and a hygiene certificate (about £20) to use my own kitchen. I used to bake as a hobby and test-ran the success of my brownies by selling them in my father-in-law’s village shop. An alternative way would have been at farmers’ markets, school fairs or local bakeries and shops. I didn’t want the risk or the stress of borrowing money, and I used social media to market them. Within a few months I was selling 14-20 boxes of 12 brownies a day at £14.99. I was…

Super veggie pie This dish provides four of your five a day and about half the recommended daily intake of fibre a day in one tasty bowl of deliciousness. Easy/Prepare ahead • Ready in 1 hour • Serves 4-6 FOR THE MASH 1 celeriac, peeled and chopped300g parsnips, peeled and chopped(about 2)375g sweet potato, peeled andchopped (about 2) FOR THE FILLING 2tbsp sunflower oil2 medium onions, peeled and chopped1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped1 stick celery, chopped2 garlic cloves, crushed200g chestnut mushrooms, chopped250ml vegetable stock (we used KnorrVegetable Stock Pot)250g cooked Puy lentils (MerchantGourmet)2tbsp soy sauce YOU WILL NEED an ovenproof dish, around 2-litre capacity 1 Start with the mash: simply put all the veg in a saucepan, bring to the boil then simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and…

COLOUR OF THE YEAR Dulux colour experts have revealed the colour of 2016 to be Cherished Gold, a gorgeous and slightly retro shade of soft ochre. Teamed with subtle pastels of Soft Almond, Sun Dust, Soft Cinnebar, Paper Mint and Lucky Penny, it makes for an easy-to-live-with colour palette that’s easy on the eye. BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS Dahlias were once an old-fashioned bloom but have become so on trend. It might be a while before you see them in the garden, so choose these lovely faux ones and create an uplifting display. Fake dahlia mixed bunch, £32, okadirect.com STORAGE SOLUTION What a great idea – a coffee table with a drawer that opens from both sides! You can get oodles in it too. Plato coffee table, £279, swooneditions.com PICK A COLOUR…

The beauty of incorporating Scandi style into your home is in the simplicity. Start with plain units and a neutral colour scheme and then build interest with accessories that incorporate accent colours and pattern. Keep to just two or three colours for a coordinated look, like the on-trend shades of indigo and saffron used here. Team patterned tableware with solid colour pieces, then add in soft furnishings like cushions and lampshades in a contemporary geometric design, to give a fresh and stylish feel that is easy to live with. Colour and pattern White tableware with a grey Scandistyle trim teams well with block colour mugs, cookware and plain white pieces. Neat storage drawers are great for smaller utensils, packets and minor clutter, painted to complement the tableware. Wooden serving platters…

EMMA DONOGHUE Emma Donoghue’s internationally bestselling novel Room is being released as a film starring Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay (pictured below). I wrote the script and was involved in every aspect of the film. They really let me in and I was on set in Toronto once or twice a week for the whole shoot. I read Charles Dickens’ Little Dorrit because I was curious to see how it had been adapted for film. In the novel, the point of view switches between Little Dorrit and the man who loves her, but they made the film in two halves so the story is seen from one point of view then the other. In Room we have the inner monologue of a five-year-old boy and there’s…

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LET IT GO… Guilt, clutter, stress and body hang-ups! THE NEW SEASON STYLE RULES Our top 20 game changers and how to wear them PLUS The big wardrobe makeover – get dressed with less stress! SPRING’S COLOURFUL NEW MAKE-UP PLUS Find your perfect foundation REINVENTING ROMANCE Love AND desire in marriage ENJOY THE FOODIE MOMENT! Whatever your weekend plans, we have the inspiring recipes to match NEVER MISS AN ISSUE! Get woman&home delivered to your door – see page 122 or go to magazinesdirect.com W&H BONUS ENERGISE YOUR LIFE • Keep going all day long • Feel more alert • De-age your body…

Your new film The Danish Girl , about the first person to undergo gender reassignment surgery, explores love in a unique way… What’s beautiful about the story is how love has nothing to do with one’s sex or sexual orientation. Einar [Eddie Redmayne], who becomes Lili, shares this beautiful, unselfish kind of love with Gerda [Einar’s wife, played by Alicia Vikander], who remains so loyal of him even though he undergoes this transformation. Then my character Hans enters into a relationship with Gerda, and Einar understands that, and there’s no jealousy at all between these three very dynamic people. Many critics have drawn attention to the sensitive side you’ve brought to physically imposing characters in films such as Rust and Bone and…

HANGING AROUND  A perfumed oil-infused tassel will fragrance your surroundings in a stylish way, £29.50, uk.rituals.com FAB DIFFUSERS Divine! Revitalising, £23.50, greenand  spring.com; Orange & Bergamot, £39, moltonbrown.co.uk GO FOR GOLD Protect your tablet in style with a chic metallic cover. From £37, filofax.co.uk RED ALERT Get noticed with this standout handbag, £245, luluguinness.com TRIPLE TREAT Because one necklace is never enough. Show off your style status with a layered design. £85, stelladot.co.uk WHY HAVE ONE…  Lipstick, when you can have three! Pick and mix from 50 gorgeous minis. Tom Ford Lips & Boys II, £27 each, all selfridges.com LUXE CHOCS Made with single estate cocoa and pure Madagascan vanilla, £17.50, demarquette.co.uk TIME FOR TEA A diffuser mug makes a…

My female role models are… Journalists who go to places where women shouldn’t be, such as war zones. And I’m always impressed with athletes like Jessica Ennis-Hill. She’s very inspiring – to be at the top, have that drive and have a young child too. She seems very balanced and not taken in with material things. I’m closest to… My mum. She’s a strong woman. We’re more like sisters – she was quite a young mum and never treated me like a child. The most I have ever spent any money on… Was a car. It was my first smart car – a Mercedes SL – when I started earning some proper cash. I was obsessed with it, but then it got stolen! I was so upset but it was…

SPECS APPEAL Fashion icon Twiggy has launched her first eyewear collection for Aurora, with subtle crystal and gemstone embellishments for winter bling. £125 each, specsavers.co.uk KNITS GO HIGH TECH Machine washable, technical cashmere that moves with the body – hello new brand Kit and Ace. Our go-to for affordable luxury. From £25-£350, xs-l, kitandace.com CRUISE CONTROL Cruise or resort collections (so called because designers catered for wealthy clients who spent the winter on their yacht!) have now arrived on the high street thanks to Coast and Phase Eight. Top, £49; trousers, £79, both 6-18; cuff, £25, all coast-stores.com DESIGN DIRECTOR Fashion’s love affair with customisation continues with Aspinal of London’s Chameleon tote (left) and Muji’s white trainers (above). Bag, £895, aspinalof london.com. Trainers, £24.95; laces,…

Monica Castenetto, 47, tells about her own voyage of discovery to a different life. My job in management consultancy didn’t leave much room for anything else. When the company was taken over, the values changed and I stopped enjoying it – but didn’t have the space to think about what else I could do. I couldn’t do the job and make plans at the same time – so in 2002, I took a leap and handed in my notice. I don’t have children and I’m not married so in that sense, I didn’t have responsibilities to stop me. But money and security have always been important to me and career has always been the centre of my life, so it felt scary. I had six months of savings, and after…

Louise, a teaching assistant from Sussex, has been married to Vincent, 51, a former business analyst, for 21 years. They have two children, Ben, 18, and Isobel, 12. Vince and I have been together since school and, for me, it was love at first sight. Vince was very intelligent, naturally witty and clever with words. Aside from his family, his other love was sport. He exercised 365 days a year and competed internationally. In 2006, he represented Great Britain in the Triathlon European Championships in Holland, and he also took part in the legendary IRONMAN triathlon in Austria. On the morning of Saturday 21 April 2007, Vince left our house at 7am to go on a training ride. He’d usually cycle for about five hours, returning around midday. After he…

Eddie Redmayne plays painter Einar Wegener, married to talented illustrator Gerda Gottlieb (Alicia Vikander), who became interested in gender performance. When a model failed to turn up she asked Einar to pose and he adopted the alter ego of “Lili”. This unlocked such deep feelings, Lili sought gender reassignment. The Danish Girl is in cinemas now. Read our review on p168 .…

Max Macmillan, 15, has played Timothy Turner, the son of widowed physician Dr Patrick Turner, since series two. He had a starring role in the Christmas 2013 special when he contracted polio, and this coincided with the marriage of Dr Turner to Shelagh, the former Sister Bernadette (Laura Main). A poignant moment was Timothy walking down the aisle at their wedding wearing calipers. He has since learnt to walk again. My son, the on-screen child of Dr Turner GILLY MACMILLAN, 45, is Max’s mother. She is a writer and lives in Bristol with her financial consultant husband and three children. The first time I saw Max dressed as Timothy Turner, it was hard to comprehend it was actually him. He came out in this incredibly smart uniform with his shirt…

hero jeans The darker the fabric, the slimmer your legs will look Rose gold hardware and contrasting stitching give these a super-stylish finish If you’re braving skinnies, always go for super-soft denim that hugs your skin SHOES Make your pins look endless with pointed heels with a low vamp. £89.95, Moda in Pelle Skinny  They are the around-the-clock jeans that, styled right, can look amazing on any shape • For a bigger bust, layering your skinnies is key. Pop a white shirt under an on-trend long-length knit to elongate your upper half. • A hip-skimming sleeveless blazer will straighten out curvier hips and bottom. Wear with a pussy bow blouse to keep all attention up top. • Avoid an unwanted muffin top – choose a high-waisted skinny with built-in support…

Denim experts are at hand to help your every jean dilemma. • For that boutique experience, Donna Ida’s denim clinic has experts in store, over the phone or on email to help you find your perfect fit. • House of Fraser is introducing premium shop fits in ten of their stores, including Bristol, Leeds and Cheltenham, with more to come. They’ll have in-store specialists and fit guides to glide you through your jeans shopping experience. • Taking a trip to London in the near future? Then a visit to the denim studio at Selfridges is a must. With an extensive range of designer denim and a denim tailor who offers two-hour alterations across every brand, you’re sure to find something that suits you.…

…AM CLEANSE to prep skin. Elemis Nourishing Omega-Rich Cleansing Oil, £29.50, deep cleans. ANTIOXIDANT SERUM Pat a few drops directly onto clean skin. SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Gel, £150, is recommended by most cosmetic doctors. MASSAGE IN OIL to cheeks, forehead and jawline. Try Sunday Riley Artemis Hydroactive Cellular Face Oil, £60. MOISTURISE One of the ultimate age defiers, the updated Sisleÿa Integral Anti-Âge, £285, out 16 Jan, now works on extending the lifecycle of skin cells. PROTECT Double up your sunshield and primer. Try Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30, £55. …PM CLEANSE Do a “double cleanse”, especially if you wear make-up, for clearer pores. Follow Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser Pink Pepper & Mint, £20.75, with La Roche-Posay Physiological Make-Up Remover Milk, £12. EXFOLIATE…

Multitask your mask “I like massaging masks into my skin while I’m in the bath,” says Anastasia. “The warm steam enhances the experience and boosts the skin’s micro circulation. This acts as a real glow-booster. I also adore leaving masks on overnight. I would honestly say that most nights of the week I am rotating an assortment of creamy, hydrating, gel, hyaluronic, comforting masks on my skin. I like to layer products beneath it too. Serums and face oils go under the masks as layering helps to have more contact with the skin.” GOTTA TRY Great for cleaning deep down, “One of my favourite masks for a night out right now is the Charlotte Tilbury Goddess-Skin Clay Mask, £45,” says Teresa, “I’m obsessed!” Or try the new breed of active…

easy beauty • Think “slept in”, grungy glamour, all mascara and just-pinched cheeks. Fast details for more impact: Two or even three coats of mascara for the biggest lashes you can manage. A multi-bristle brush is key, as it captures every lash and makes it ten times more noticeable. W&H loves mega-thick Bobbi Brown Eye Opening Mascara, £23; Clinique Chubby Lash Fattening Mascara, £17.50; and Tom Ford Waterproof Extreme Mascara, £39. Pop those cheeks with a fresh pink blush for an instant burst of energy. YSL Beauté Fusion Ink Blush in Pink Attraction, £35, is a cool gel you can blend to create either a sheer tint or a full-on flush; or rub in Maybelline Baby Lips Balm & Blush in Flirty Pink, £4.99. ol’ blue eyes is back •…

SHAPE THAT WAIST W&H ROAD-TESTED Slendertone Connect Abs, £179.99, slendertone.com/connect A “smarter” version of the iconic abdominal muscle- toning belt, with EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) technology that works the abdominal muscles. It syncs directly to your smartphone via Bluetooth, plus has a free Connect coaching app, so you can regulate the intensity and duration of a session with your phone, while syncing you with weekly targets, challenges and lifestyle advice. THE VERDICT We love this! So easy to become addicted to its tingling sensation for 30-minute sessions. It’s simple to connect to your phone; you apply the belt – middle gel pad over the tummy button – then turn it on and ramp up the intensity from 0-100 (60 is as much as I can bear right now).…

Eat real meals – no hunger! Eat 5 a day fruit and veg – no problem Gluten free – beat bloating! Reboot your metabolism – shed any unwanted weight Stick to the rules in the week – take the weekend off! Food expert and author Daniel Green explains the Paleo benefits: In the two years since I published my last book, The Paleo Diet , Paleo has gone mainstream. It’s hardly surprising as the simple principle of cutting out all the synthetic, processed foods that are the cause of our 21st-century bad health and replacing them with fresh meat, fish, nuts, seeds, fruit and veg gives us a food plan that’s perfectly suited to our bodies. There is no counting calories. There is no hunger, just…

Nothing can stop you being the fittest, healthiest version of you – least of all age or ability. One of my fittest clients is in her late seventies and had suffered a stroke when I started working with her. Years on, she’s fighting fit and has regained most of the movement she lost. There are two key areas that I worked on with her and which will make a big difference to you too… Flexibility Flexibility training helps to keep your joints strong, keeps you mobile and helps prevent injuries, plus it helps with balance and agility. The more flexible you are, the more fluidity of movement through your body you will have, which naturally makes you more elegant. Often this is overlooked in favour of spending time on exercises…

Professor Sonia Blandford is Professor of Education and Social Enterprise at the London Centre for Leadership in Learning at the UCL Institute of Education. She is also the founder and CEO of the charity Achievement for All, which helps schools ensure every child is properly understood, valued and so can learn effectively, and which knows anti-bullying strategies are a crucial part of that process. UNDERSTANDING BULLYING › Bullies prey on those they see as different, weak or vulnerable with physical, verbal or psychological abuse. Bullying is the repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, which thrives where there’s an imbalance of power. Think everything from name-calling to exclusion from games, from taunting about background or disability, to persistent insults and intimidation on social media.…

Noodle soup The trick is to make the “master” stock then have it in the fridge ready to add your own ingredients. Studies show that soup has a high satiety index, which means it helps to feel full quicker and for longer – a great choice for anyone trying to lose some weight. Easy/Prepare ahead/Freeze (stock only) • Ready in 1 hour 15 minutes • Serves 4 FOR THE MASTER STOCK 1.5 litres stock (we used chicken)2 stalks of lemongrass, bruised2 large red chillies, chopped2 garlic cloves, sliced4 lime leaves, lightly crushedlarge knob of fresh ginger (10cm),peeled and sliced FOR THE PRAWN SOUP 200g sugar snap peas200g asparagus tips, sliced½ ripe pineapple, chopped300g straight-to-wok udon noodles250g raw prawnszest and juice of 1 lime1tbsp soy sauce2tsp Thai fish sauce2tbsp chopped fresh coriander…

Being able to work from home and more space were the main reasons Nicci Gower was looking to move house four years ago. Nicci and her husband Andrew run stationery company hammondgower.co.uk. “Our house in London was lovely but we didn’t have an office,” says Nicci. “We also wanted more space for our three sons.” The couple started their property search, but there was little available. “An Edwardian house hadn’t been on my radar; I was hoping for an old manor, but we were won over by this place,” says Nicci. It had previously been kennels, which a developer had converted, and then been owned by an American couple, but it wasn’t to Nicci’s taste. “It was too classic and smooth. But I could see that I could add colour…

1 Try to handle all your personal post as little as possible… once to open and read, once to action if necessary, once to file if necessary. But make sure you really need to keep and store that piece of paper and can’t just make a note of, for example, a warranty number. 2 The sticky end of a Post-it note is great for picking up debris from a computer keyboard. 3 A simpler way to clean shutters or Venetian blinds is with vinegar, water and a sock used like a sock puppet. 4 Use a rubber glove to get rid of pet hair from upholstery and fabric; when damp, the glove has just the right texture to grab fuzz. 5 Use a kitchen sponge to de-pill a sweater; just…

Ann Cleeves and her husband Tim live in Whitley Bay. She is the author of the two bestselling crime series featuring DCI Vera Stanhope, and DI Jimmy Perez. Both have been adapted into the hugely successful TV series, Vera and Shetland . Her latest novel featuring Vera is The Moth Catcher (Macmillan), and she has also written a Galaxy® Quick Read, Too Good To Be True (Pan), out on 4 February. Vera Stanhope came into my mind almost fully formed. I was writing a psychological suspense novel but had got stuck. I was in the middle of a funeral scene and decided the door would burst open and let someone in just to free things…

Darcey Bussell is striking a series of poses perched on a very wobbly board in vertiginous heels. Twisting her torso and kicking up her legs, the former dancer knows how to make all the right shapes – even if she’s worried about going through the board. “Well, I’m quite heavy!” This grit was also in evidence at the launch of her new aerobic workout programme DDMIX (Diverse Dance Mix), where she was one of four teachers leading the routines. While everyone else appeared exhausted – if elated – after each set of exercises, Darcey barely needed to catch her breath. Born in London the eldest of three siblings, Darcey was raised by her mother, Andrea, a fashion designer, and her stepfather, Philip Bussell, a dentist. After attending The Royal Ballet…

LOOK ONLINE For more designer treats go online at womanandhome.com/indulgence…

GET IN LINE • Rule number one: less is always more. Nothing says understated style quite like a striped Breton tee. • Modern joggers don’t have to be baggy, look for sleek, sheeny styles that cling to your best bits. • Bring back the bomber, but with a cosier, wintery finish. A longer length will see you through those winter months and tick the trend box in one! LET LOOSE • When it comes to daywear, these are the shapes every woman dreams about. • Long slouchy jumper, slinky sexy pants. Layer one over the other and breathe out all day long. • Add big, bulky boots to give your look clout. Firmly on fashion’s radar, you can stack ’em up and stride out. PRETTY PLEASE • Give your classic…

Joanna Miller, 46, decided not to return to her career in education after the birth of her third child. Instead, she followed her lifelong love of verse to launch poetry print company bespokeverse.co.uk . She won Not On The High Street’s Partner of the Year 2015 Award and now employs a team of eight part-timers. Joanna lives near Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire with her husband and three children, age 11, ten and seven. I’d started as an English teacher in secondary schools, which I did enjoy but became quite burnt out – education was really changing. I then become an English advisor, going into schools, but the meetings all took place out of school hours so it wasn’t conducive to family life. When our third child was one, my…

CAROL VORDERMAN, 55, lives in Bristol with her mother, Jean, two children, Katie, 23, and Cameron, 18, and her partner, former RAF pilot Graham Duff. I’m trying to be at home much more to spend time with my mum, who’s 87 and has had three cancers. I grew up in a very poor, single-parent household and shared a bed with my mum until I was nine, and I love that she shares my home now – we’re incredibly close. Most nights, Katie or I will cook and we all have dinner together – it’s great. The only challenge of us all being under the same roof is that it all takes time – I’d do a lot more work if I lived alone, but then what would be the point…

Marital therapist Andrew G Marshall says: “Getting the balance between ‘us’ and ‘me’ is difficult. Too much ‘us’ and you can feel like you’ve lost your identity, while too much ‘me’ can destroy a relationship. What’s more, the mix needs to change at different life stages.” • RAISING CHILDREN During this period, it’s easy to lose sight of “me” time, which often comes after family and couple time. So it’s important to feed yourself with occasional weekends away with friends. Space apart can refresh your relationship. Key skill You need to learn to be assertive, which can be summed up as: “I can ask, you can say no, and we can negotiate.” Unfortunately, we find it hard to ask (because we’re frightened of being turned down) and difficult to negotiate.…

32 per cent of vendors in the UK (excluding London) are selling to downsize, according to the estate agent Savills; while only 16 per cent of London sellers are. 64 According to retirementmove. co.uk , the national estate agent specialising in retirement properties, the ideal age to move is 64 – at this age, people are mentally agile enough to cope. OVER65s will downsize on the number of rooms, but not the size. “They’d prefer fewer, generously proportioned rooms that they can move their existing furniture into,” says Henry Lumby, head of Savills’ Retirement Living.…

THE RUNNER Annie Foulds, 46, is a pro runner, personal trainer and Sweaty Betty ambassador who lives in London; anniefouldspersonaltrainer.com “Protection is key. Look for thermal base layers and a hooded weatherproof jacket that’s light enough to store in your backpack once the sun shines” THE WALKER Diana Moran, aka The Green Goddess, 76, is the editor of health and fitness website primetimelife.tv and has released her new fitness DVD, Easy Fit . Walking is part of Diana’s regular fitness regime. “Super-soft fabrics that retain their shape are essential but, most of all, you need a proper yoga mat!” THE YOGA EXPERT Nahid de Belgeonne, 48, is the founder and director of goodvibesfitness.co.uk  and has just launched her yoga nidra guided meditation, available…

GOTTA LOVE! This chocolate box of colour is just the sweetest gift: Too Faced Love Flush Blush Wardrobe, £45 , with six “change with your mood” long-wear powder blushers. JO’S NEW TOY! This slim little Yoso Trim hair trimmer, £17.99 , is very addictive. With a mega-magnifying mirror in hand, it removes those irritating tiny fluffy hairs that “weren’t there before” and can create a clean brow shape super fast. HAPPY MOMENTS I’m known to be aroma crazy, especially at home, and I love this No22 Bookshelf candle, £38 at Liberty; while ila Incense For An Aroma Of Purity and Peace, £12 , ila-spa.com,  brings back memories of a holiday when I burned one every…

DR HAROLD LANCER, US dermatologist known for his polished perfect skin, is loved by Victoria Beckham and Kim Kardashian. DR NIGMA TALIB, naturopathic doctor, medical aesthetician and author of Reverse the Signs of Ageing (Vermilion) is all about beauty from within; adored by Sienna Miller and Penélope Cruz. DR TERRY LOONG is fondly known as The Skin Energy Doctor and specialises in integrative lifestyle medicine and adult acne. DR TAPAN PATEL at PHI Clinic, Harley Street is fast becoming one of London’s most trusted for lasers and fillers: his 8-point facelift is undetectable. DR FRANCES PRENNA JONES, the glamorous cosmetic dermatologist, specialises in non-surgical skin rejuvenation. TERESA TARMEY is loved by celebs for her bespoke lymphatic drainage facial massage. NATHALIE ELENI, red carpet facialist, knows how to brighten for a…

What will minimise my lines? A bit of needling, it seems! “I’m a big fan of mesotherapy,” says Dr Prenna Jones, a non-surgical treatment that applies multiple injections of pharmaceutical and homeopathic medications, plant extracts, vitamins, and other ingredients into the hypodermis. “In my opinion there’s no better treatment right now than Fractional Radio Frequency (F-RF),” says Teresa. This causes trauma to the skin in order for it to heal. Once the healing process kicks in, the cell turnover stimulates new collagen, leaving the skin plumped and softening fine lines. My mother had dark spots and at 43 I can see them lurking, help! We underestimate how many decades of cumulative sun exposure it takes before these friends come out to play! But things can be done. “Age spots are…

Diet & health Lose up to 10lb in 2 weeks without counting calories on our most popular diet ever! Fashion Boost your workout confidence with our pick of the best sports bras Recipes Cooking tonight? Choose one of our tasty recipes under 300 calories Hair & beauty The NEW make-up must-haves for every decade News & entertainment From the birth of Princess Charlotte to the release of James Bond – 2015 in pictures To join the w&h Reading Room on Facebook, search “w&h reading room” Lesley Dunn posts: “Beautifully written and very different from my usual choices.” @suewomanandhome: What a wonderful @womanandhome reader Christmas lunch with @RuthieeL and @EamonnHolmes thank you so much Caroline Caddell shared: “My seven-year-old started reading my December issue of woman&home before I did!” #YOURSAY Share…

We’ve teamed up with award-winning skincare brand Murad to bring you a luxuriously rich cream mask that instantly tightens, firms and deeply hydrates skin. Murad Age-Diffusing Firming Mask is a rich anti-ageing treatment mask that restores firmness and resilience while softening the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Skin is left noticeably smoother and more hydrated, while firmness is increased by an amazing 42 per cent after just one application. World-renowned dermatologist Dr. Howard Murad founded Murad skincare with the belief that only healthy skin can be truly beautiful, and their products deliver the noticeable skin improvements that make them one of the world’s leading forces in results-focused skincare. Fearne Cotton, Lisa Snowdon and Emily Blunt are just a few of the many celebrities who swear by the “Murad glow”,…

Vegetable Comfort Soup with Meatballs This is my favourite comfort soup for rainy days. It’s what I make when I am home all day. It always leaves me feeling satisfied and never like I’ve overindulged! 293 calories | 7g fat | 1.7g saturates | 10g carbs | 8g sugar | 1g salt | 46g protein | 5g fibre Serves 4 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium onion, finely chopped 225g carrots, peeled and chopped into small cubes 1 leek, finely chopped 1.75 litres chicken stock 1 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper 200g spinach FOR THE MEATBALLS 450g chicken mince 1 small red chilli, finely chopped ½ red onion, finely chopped 1 egg 1 tablespoon tomato purée 4 garlic cloves, crushed 1 tablespoon dried basil 1 First make the meatballs: Place the…

Research has shown that if you’re a heavy drinker then giving up for a month will make a big difference, especially if you’ve begun to develop fatty liver disease. But what if you’re someone who just enjoys a glass or two of wine on a regular basis? Keeping the cork firmly on the Chablis would certainly be kinder to your bank balance and guarantee hangover-free mornings, but could it actually transform your health? The problem is that many of us aren’t tuned into how much we’re actually drinking, says Professor Moore, who leads the alcohol liaison service at the Institute for Liver and Digestive Health at University College London Medical School. “Many people don’t realise that when they order a large, 250ml glass of wine in a bar that they…

1 MyFitnessPal, Free on iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows Phone with Premium options With a database of over five million foods, this is the easiest way to track what you’re eating and count calories. Set yourself a daily calorie goal, then add food as you eat it either by text searching or scanning barcodes. 27 Minute Workout Challenge, from £2.29 on iPhone, iPad and Android A seven-minute workout that gives you the same results as an hour of exercise? Sign us up! This app brings together 12 high-intensity exercises that you do for 30 seconds, with ten-second breaks in-between. The app tells you what to do, keeping you motivated, and tracks your results. 3 Zombies, Run! Free on iPhone and Android, with Pro options If you’re struggling to find the motivation…

IN SEASON Bring a little Spanish sunshine into the kitchen with Seville orange marmalade. Never made it before? See our step-by-step video and recipe on womanandhome.com. You’ll also find blood oranges with their amazing juice. Shellfish are excellent right now too – mussels, clams, oysters and whelks are all plentiful. Healthy brassicas are also in, and so is fresh horseradish – nothing beats a homemade sauce with roast beef! PS If you think life’s too short to make your own horseradish cream, Tracklements wins our vote every time – fiery and punchy! BOOK OF THE MONTH Nisha Katona is best known for teaching Indian cookery to her 22,000 Twitter followers, but her new book Pimp My Rice (Nourish Books, £20) is full of inspiring recipes from Japan to Thailand, via…

After the indulgence of Christmas and New Year, now is a good time to cut back on the calories. One way to do it is to drink wines that are lower in alcohol. Given that alcohol is basically fermented sugar, it makes sense to avoid richer wines; there’s a significant difference between a red at 14.5% and one at 12.5%. There are two types of low-alcohol wine. The first category uses technology to remove most of the booze and can have as little as 0.5% alcohol. The second is naturally lighter because the grapes had less sugar at harvest time. The former has fewer calories, but a lot less flavour, so I’d advise you to choose the latter and just drink a little less of it. Alcohol levels in wine…

LIGHT WORK A statement lamp will add colour and this one is a great curvy shape. Calabash table lamp, £150, okadirect.com WALL ART Striking wallpaper, from top: Etta Mallow, £44/roll, villanova.co.uk ; MissPrint Muscat, £59.95/roll, johnlewis.com ; Whistle Dots, £48.50/roll, wallpaperdirect.com ; Seedheads, £23/roll, johnlewis.com GREY MATTERS Grey is an enduring trend blended with wood on this retro-style sofa. Team with shades of yellow on accessories for a fresh new look. Elvis 3-seat sofa in Pumice, £990, sofa.com ON TREND Add warm metallics to your room scheme for a quick and easy update. Copper fruit bowl, £17, tch.net FUNKY SHAPE Geometric shapes are so stylish at the moment, and this vase has a…

HOT READS THIS MONTH FAMILY DRAMA The Astonishing Return of Norah Wells by Virginia Macgregor (Sphere) Having walked out on her young family, Norah returns six years later to discover that another woman, her best friend, is in her place. Why now? What next? I couldn’t put this insightful, compelling novel down. FEEL-GOOD FICTION You and Me, Always by Jill Mansell (Headline) On her 25th birthday, Lily opens a letter from her mother that kick-starts a chain of events, affecting not just her but the lives of those close to her. A glorious heartwarming, romantic read with characters I was rooting for. HISTORICAL NOVEL The Queen’s Choice by Anne O’Brien (Harlequin) 1396. Meeting Henry Bolingbroke, Earl of Derby, will lead Joanna of Navarre to…

Tess Gerritsen, 62, lives with her husband Jacob, a retired physician. They have two sons, Adam, 33, who teaches college biology, and Joshua, 31, a film-maker, and a granddaughter. She is best known for her long-running series of crime novels featuring homicide detective Jane Rizzoli, and forensic pathologist Maura Isles. I grew up in San Diego, Southern California. My mother came from southern China and my father was second- generation American. He was a cook in his father’s Chinese and seafood restaurant so I grew up with great food. Reading was a really important part of my childhood. Our house was full of books and I was always at the library. I knew from the age of seven that I would be a writer. My father, however, was anxious for…

“We’ve teamed up with Riviera Travel to offer you some tempting travel offers. Whether you’d like a long-haul adventure to South Africa, a short break in Europe or a fabulous river cruise, remember – 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 Few ships can match the luxury and elegance of our selection of five-star vessels on the Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Main, Rhône or Seine. Selected departures April-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 India 11 days from £1,349pp; plus Shimla: 15 days…

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Star sign of the month AQUARIUS 20 JANUARY – 19 FEBRUARY  If Valentine’s Day fails to live up to expectations, don’t give up: after the 17th your love life, if not a lot more besides, picks up. You’ll have to watch finances, though – offers may be withdrawn and payments delayed. For your weekly update, call 09058-170551* THE MONTHS AHEAD  Have the confidence of your talents and take a business idea seriously. People will back you and you could come into money. To hear a detailed breakdown of the next few months, phone Penny on 09058-170100* PISCES 20 FEBRUARY – 20 MARCH You may not feel at your brightest and best at first, but by the 19th you’ll be back on top and enjoying the view. On the…