Woman's Own November 23, 2012

I’m already busily planning my Christmas gift list as I love to give presents. But this year, my family and I have decided it’s one present per person with a £50 limit. Every year, we buy more and more things we don’t need, so this year’s Christmas Day will hopefully be all the better for spending less money and more time with those closest to me. That said, should my husband win the lottery between now and 24 December, there is a nice Rolex I’ve got my eye on...   facebook.com/womansownmagazine twitter.com/womansown womansowneditor@ipcmedia.com 020 3148 6565…

On the spot with... Joan Rivers The feisty New York comedian, actress and writer, 79, has one daughter, Melissa 1 Movie or theatre? Theatre. As long as they’re alive on stage, I don’t care. 2 William or Harry? Tough choice. To go out with, Harry. But to govern the country, William is perfect! 3 Christmas: spend it home or away? Home. As long as it’s with the family. 4 Night in or night out? Night out. Theatre with friends and then a restaurant to gossip. 5 Book or Kindle? Book. Nothing to discuss. 6 Dogs or cats? Dogs. I have four: two in NY, two in LA. 7 Lark or owl? Owl! 8 Summer or winter? Winter. You can hide your fat ass under lots of clothes. 9 Spend or…

Christmas wow! Volumise it Here Carol Vorderman, 51, transforms her long layers and eye-skimming fringe into a bouncy, face-framing style. Backcomb all your hair at the roots, including the fringe section – but don’t overdo it, you still want it to be soft. Brush back off the face and spritz with hairspray to hold. Add a chic accessory If you have short hair like Dannii Minogue, 41, you can create drama for the evening with a beautiful hair clip. We love Dannii’s burgundy feather accessory. Find similar diamanté and feather clips for £12 at uk.accessorize.com. On the side A side plait is chic, simple and – best of all – this youthful style knocks off years! Tess Daly, 43, goes from office to evening by simply pulling her hair to…

Turn down the heating! The countdown to Christmas has begun and, this year, I’m determined to avoid the desperate last-minute rush. Now is a good time to start writing your cards. I know a lot of people send e-cards and texts these days, but I still like to send traditional cards. I put on a DVD of It’s A Wonderful Life, and get to work. This year, I plan to use the internet even more than usual to buy pressies. I’ll be putting in a big order to M&S for hampers, flowers and wine, then raiding Jo Malone for their candles. It’s not unheard of for me to spend an evening in my pyjamas getting half my Christmas shopping done in one go. Hot street Shopping online is brilliant because…

Sarah Millican Sarah Millican’s big break came via a break-up. In 2004, aged 29, she was working in a jobcentre on £9,500 a year when her husband ended their seven -year marriage. ‘I’m weirdly grateful to him because he released me,’ says Sarah of her ex. This weekend she fronts a Children In Need special of her BBC show, The Sarah Millican Television Programme, with a second series coming in January. ‘When I had a proper job I had three days off over Christmas , but I get a fortnight now – it’s more than enough!’ Did you know... Sarah once worked as a producer of Mills & Boon audiobooks. WITH HER BOYFRIEND, GARY But no plans for kids - ‘I don’t feel maternal and don’t want to put my…

Christmas interview There was a time when Denise Van Outen was a rabble-rouser, a ladette and a fully paid-up member of the London party scene. She used to hang out at the hottest venues. She had showbiz pals like Zoë Ball and Sara Cox. She drank, she danced, she once even stole an ashtray from Buckingham Palace. But now? The Strictly Come Dancing star tells Woman’s Own she’s happiest watching cartoons in her slobby clothes with her two-year-old daughter Betsy. But don’t think Denise has laid her party girl persona to rest completely. She flashes a grin, lets out her trademark dirty laugh and pleads guilty to still having a mischievous side. ‘I like being a yummy mummy and I do like to go out,’ insists Denise, 38. ‘It’s completely…