Innholdsfortegnelse for February 4, 2013 i Woman's Own

Christmas bills started dropping through your letterbox yet? Mine have, so now I’m economising once again! I have swapped supermarkets for the weekly shop and saved a staggering £50 per week, without starving the family, and am planning how we can get a cheaper mortgage now we’re not locked into our deal any more. I never realised there are so many painless ways of cutting costs, so if you’re interested in doing the same turn to page 28 to discover 10 more ways to beat those bills. Do share your tips with me too! facebook.com/womansownmagazine twitter.com/womansown womansowneditor@ipcmedia.com 020 3148 6565…

Monday I arrive in Australia for my seasonal jaunt and a break from the sofa. Well, almost. I’m the UK showbiz correspondent for Sunrise – Daybreak in the Southern Hemisphere – so I always pop in to see my Channel 7 friends when I’m in Oz. As they say to me whenever we hook up, everybody loves a bit of Dickie Down Under! Tuesday Headed into the Sunrise studios to do a voice-over for an Anthony Hopkins interview I did in London. I’d never met the Oscar winner before and what a gent he was. Currently starring in Hitchcock as the famous movie director, Anthony revealed the extraordinary prosthetics he had to wear for the role and insisted that there was nothing sinister about the legendary film-maker’s passion for bottle…

Meeting my pop idols One of the big perks of my job is that I get to meet some of the pop stars who I loved when I was growing up. I am beyond excited when the likes of Spandau Ballet, A-ha, Bananarama or Human League come into the studio. It’s even better if they perform a track from their heyday because I feel like I am getting my own private concert. A few years ago George Michael was a guest on the programme and I thought I was going to spontaneously combust. This is the man who has written the soundtrack to my life. When I was introduced to a clearly bemused George, I got so star-struck I could barely blurt out a hello. He’s one of the best…

Lynda has hit out at critics who accused her of falling off the wagon and going back on her promise to quit alcohol. In an exclusive interview with Woman’s Own, she tells us, ‘I’m disgusted by what’s been written, claiming I’ve gone back on the booze. That’s pathetic and upsetting for my family.’ Lynda, 64, and her second husband, Michael Pattemore, decided to give up drinking alcohol more than six years ago out of their own choice. ‘Just before [last] Christmas, what I actually said was, “After six years of being teetotal, I can reveal that we shall be seeing in 2013 with a few champagne bubbles in our glass.”’ Lynda is always refreshingly open, which is why she is now so hurt at the recent accusations. ‘I’ve always been…

The children sat in a circle on the floor, listening eagerly as my mum read to them. It was story time at a local playgroup and Mum was keeping them all entertained as usual. But this was no ordinary children’s club. It had been started by my mum two years earlier for youngsters who have learning disabilities and now brought happiness to more than 50 children. ‘It gives me so much pleasure seeing them having fun,’ she told me. Mum had always helped others. Growing up, she’d cared for her autistic sister and later worked with learning-impaired adults. But she had established this children’s centre called New Hope in our hometown of Worcester after caring for my little sister Emily, a daughter she’d had aged 41 with her new partner…

Slimming has never been simpler than with Woman’s Own Diets. Our easy to follow diet club has all the tools you need to help you lose those extra pounds. There are expert tips and advice, an online calorie counter and support from our dieters’ forums to help you successfully reach your target goal weight. What is Woman’s Own Diets? It’s an online diet service that offers a personal food diary to track your own calorie intake. Just input how much weight you want to lose and it will calculate the date you should hit your goal and exactly how many calories you are allowed each day to get there. It also takes into account any exercise you do too and no foods are banned, so you’ll always find something you…

Drink green tea ‘Green tea appears to have a cleansing effect on the liver,’ says Dr Andrew Holt from the Birmingham Liver Clinic, which is based at BMI The Priory Hospital. ‘It contains polyphenals, which help prevent scar cells from growing, and it’s thought it can protect against liver disease. ‘It’s vital we look after our liver as it’s central to almost all the processes in our body. It makes protein, maintains our health and acts as a store to trace elements such as selenium. It’s also important in terms of immunity. ‘Stick to two cups of green tea a day and don’t consider taking green tea extract concentrate tablets instead, as there have been reports linking them to liver failure.’ Chop up some fruit ‘Don’t be tempted to buy…

Big bonus This diet will help you differentiate between a ‘head’ craving and true hunger and to appreciate the value of food as fuel for your body, not reward. What ‘s the philosophy? Instead of struggling to keep on top of your eating all the time, the day on, day off approach – also known as alternate-day fasting – lets you have one 24-hour period of unrestrained eating, followed by a strict diet day the next. Overall, you’ll eat about the right amount of calories to lose weight at a steady and safe 1-1½lb a week, but because you’re eating what you want to 50 per cent of the time, you won’t feel deprived and be tempted to cheat. HOW TO DO IT ♦ Start with an On day during…

Save with out spending Here are my top tips this week to ensure you’re making the most of your hard-earned cash 1 CUT THE COST OF HEATING BILLS Call the Heating Helpline free on 0800 810 8303, or visit heatinghelpline.org.uk for money-saving tips. As well as an easy search facility, this consumer advice service can also find reputable local heating engineers. 2 NO MORE RIP- OFF MOTOR REPAIRS Protect yourself from being conned at your next car service by checking the maintenance work quote against the average costs on automd.com – and then haggle! 3 GET PAID FOR HAVING YOUR SAY Review sites such as dooyoo.co.uk and ciao.co.uk will pay for your opinion on anything from movies to camping equipment. Expect around £5 for eight reviews. 4 SHARE BOOKS ON…

Recently got a tablet or smartphone? Then you need to know about apps! 1 WHAT IS AN APP? App is an abbreviation of application, which is a self-contained programme that offers a specific function. 2 WHY DO I WANT ONE? They allow you to customise your device to your needs. So if you’re the next Mary Berry, download the latest baking app. 3 ARE APPS EXPENSIVE? A lot of the best ones are free. Paid-for apps start from as little as 59p, depending on your phone type. 4 DO THEY WORK ON ALL DEVICES? You need to download the correct one through the device. An app created for an iPhone won’t work on a Kindle and vice versa. 5 HOW DO I USE THEM? All devices come with a link…

‘I read the cards to help solve problems’ When my day job finishes at 5pm, I go home and step out of my formal black trousers and suit jacket, and fish out my wand and tarot cards. While by day I work as a university administrator, my real passion starts at night – when I become a witch! It all began back in 1988 when I was 16 and I came across a pack of tarot cards in a junk shop in my hometown of Nottingham. I was enthralled by them and had soon learnt how to give readings. I also collected books on the history of magic and witchcraft and went to ‘mind, body and soul’ conventions. It was fate One of these was at a cosy little seaside…

1Tear up the floor Midnight Tango tour From 13 March Two of Strictly’s hottest dancers, Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone, take to the floor in this Latin spectacular, produced and choreographed by Arlene Phillips. From super-saucy tangos to passionate paso dobles, there’s something for all dance fans – and Strictly favourite Russell Grant even makes an appearance! To book tickets go to midnighttango.co.uk or contact your nearest venue. 2 Voice of an angel Classical Barbra by Barbra Streisand. Out 4 February Barbra reveals her inner diva in this collection of classical songs and arias. Her iconic voice makes this album a must-listen for her fans. Win! We have 10 copies of Classical Barbra to be won. To enter, go to womansown.co.uk, click Win and look for the comp. For closing…

CLASSICAL SPAIN SEVILLE, CORDOBA AND GRANADA Selected departures March to November 2013 Andalucia is one of the most beautiful corners of Europe, where the excesses of modern life do not seem to have taken root and travellers are welcomed as honoured guests. Immortalised in the writings of Ernest Hemingway and beloved by Orson Welles, it is the Spain of Carmen, Figaro and flamenco. Rich with the legacies of the Moors and Romans, its charm will captivate you. Seven days from £499pp* Fully escorted price includes: ◆ Return flights to Malaga from London Gatwick, London Luton, Bristol, East Midlands, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Belfast City, Dublin, Leeds Bradford, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle or Southampton ◆ Six nights’ bed and breakfast at excellent quality three- and four-star hotels, staying in Seville, Granada and Mijas ◆…

Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr It may seem that you are swimming against the tide. It’s not that there are obstacles exactly, it’s just things seem a little harder going than they were. Maybe it’s that your energy levels are low. Up the self-care and make sure you get plenty of sleep and green veg. ◆ For more call 0901 609 4780 Taurus 21 Apr – 20 May This week there’s a shift of gear and life gets busier. It may be that some money-making opportunity you thought had come to nothing suddenly kicks off again and you need to run around making sure it happens. It’s all good, if a little hectic. Plan in a relaxing weekend. ◆ For more call 0901 609 4781 Gemini 21 May –…

He’s made us look good naked, he’s fixed our fashion faux pas, he’s even taught us how to cook Chinese food. Now style guru Gok Wan has his sights firmly set on the country’s singletons. In his current TV series, Gok, 38, gives women makeovers that’ll turn them into dating divas. I’ve had real issues with selfesteem, so I can understand women who aren’t confident. I was bullied at school and I think that helps me to empathise with women. I haven’t always been entirely happy with who I am, but I’m working at it, step by step. Each year I find that I understand a bit more about myself. don’t talk about my love life, but let’s just say that 2012 was a fruitful and fun year! I definitely…

Now we’re ONLINE! So much to read, so many competitions to enter – make this the week you visit our website, if you haven’t already. Every day you can catch up on the latest celeb gossip, beauty and fashion advice and more! Did you know? SUZANNE CARTER, LIFESTYLE EDITOR ‘This week we’re dining in with some of our favourite celebrity cooks. On p42 we’ve created a three-course menu using delicious and easy recipes from the lovely Gino D’Acampo, Nadia Sawalha and Lorraine Pascale.’…

An empire-line cossie makes the most of slim waists Best for creating curves Emma Forbes, 47, swaps an unflattering black deep-plunge swimsuit and fussy tie-side sarong for a simple slimming halterneck, high-leg style in eye-catching cobalt blue. Find a selection of tummy-control swimsuits from £15 at M&S. Best to trimatum Feeling a little bloated? Slip on a ’50s-style high-waisted bikini brief, like Kate Moss, 39. The stretchy fabric flattens the stomach and helps to streamline your hips. Best to lengthen legs Former model Stephanie Seymour might be 44, but her figure looks 20 years younger. Even if you’re not blessed with her long legs, a high-cut swimsuit will elongate yours. Best to slim hips While flimsy triangle tops, as worn by Denise Van Outen, 38, are more suited to smaller…

February is going to be Helen Mirren’s month. First, her new film Hitchcock opens in the UK, then she’s o ff to the BAFTAs, where she’s nominated for Best Leading Actress for her role as the wife of the legendary director of classics like Psycho and The Birds. O nly a few days later, He len, 67, begins her sell-out run as the Queen on the London stage in a new play, The Audience. We’re tired just thinking about her schedule! Luckily, Helen’s made of strong stuff. In the beginning Helen was born Ilyena Lydia Mironoff in 1945 to her Essex-based Russian father, Vasiliy, a cab driver, and English mother, Kathleen. The family later changed their name to Mirren. Helen landed a place at the National Youth Theatre aged 18.…

It’s 1pm and Karen Barber has been drilling the celebrity skaters from Dancing On Ice for six hours. Karen, 51, who has two daughters, Laura, 20, and Emma, 22, from her 21-year marriage to Stephen Pickavance, and has been with DOI’s Christopher Dean for two years, wants to set the record straight about her ongoing feud with fellow judge Jason Gardiner. ‘I think I make Karen sick but that’s fine,’ says Jason. ‘I’d be happy to have a drink with her but she’s not interested.’ Over to you, Karen... I don’t read the headlines about Jason and me. What he says is completely up to him, I can’t control him. It’s just Jason playing a game and I don’t want to play it. His comments are usually interesting but I…

After her fantastic five stone weight loss, married mum-of-three Andrea now splits her time between working as a distributor for a weight-management company and a carer to her two autistic children. ‘I’m always meeting people through my new job and want to dress smarter, but I’m worried I’ll look frumpy rather than professional,’ she says. The Woman’s Own makeover team showed Andrea how she can strike the right look for work and play. Get the right style Fashion Editor Fiona Reardon explains how easy it is to change your look SHOW THEM OFF! Andrea lives in leggings and jeans, so I persuaded her to show off her enviable legs in a fitted dress with lace illusion panels down the sides that draw attention to her new figure. CREATE A WAIST…

Reader rated EMMA BROOKSBANK, 40, FROM LEEDS ‘I use Calendula Cream, £6.60, Nelsons, as I’m prone to dry patches on my face and my skin is really sensitive. It absorbs quickly and a little goes a long way. It is my miracle find.’ Suits-all skincare A massive 2.3 million UK women never use a moisturiser because they don’t think it will work for their skin type. Whether you suffer from dryness, like Courteney Cox, 48, or greasiness, Garnier’s new Moisture Match range, £5.99, has a cream to suit you. The lust list We’re head over heels for Lancôme’s new-season make-up range, In Love. Inspired by the illuminating, romantic colours of spring, the collection brightens skin with a healthy glow. Begin with a spritz of Dewy Mist, £22, to prime the…

EMMA RECOMMENDS Prone to anxiety? moodscope.com tracks your ups and downs, so you can see a pattern to your moods I feel I’m putting work before kids DEAR EMMA, My 11-year-old daughter is starting secondary school in September and my work has said they’d like me back full-time. That would mean she’d have to stay in after-school care and I’m worried that it seems like I’m putting work before her. What should I do? Jo, 42, Bedford There may be a good range of clubs and sports that your daughter will love. Other parents are certain to also be in this situation, so perhaps you can sort out a sharing schedule. Parenting forums such as netmums.com can also have good ideas. DR RADHA RECOMMENDS Go to bhf.org.uk to find out…

My arms held her so gently yet I still couldn’t help the thumping in my heart. This was my first cuddle with my baby who’d been whisked away from me at birth before I’d even had a chance to see her. ‘She’s very small,’ was all I’d been told, and for four anxious hours my partner Shazaad, 32, and I had been left waiting. Now here we were, finally holding our little girl, who we’d named Suraya. ‘She’s beautiful,’ I said, but as I gazed down and saw her tiny face peering out of a bundle of blankets, I felt a tingle of fear creeping over me. Suraya was perfectly formed, with olive skin and dark hair, but so impossibly tiny. She’d been born at 36 weeks and yet weighed…

Fancy a treat? Then why not club together with friends and start saving now for a fantastic, relaxing spa break at the award-winning Ragdale Hall. The specially discounted two-day event will give you the chance to sample the spa’s state-of-the-art facilities, including the multimillion-pound Thermal Spa and newly opened Pavilion, the long-awaited leisure area. Featuring sumptuous sofas to relax in, garden-view loungers and beautiful contemporary artwork and glassware, the area oozes blissful calm and is Ragdale Hall’s ultimate chill-out zone! Take advantage of this great offer now for an indulgent twonight (three-day) break at one of the finest spas in Europe. ◆ To view all treatments and facilities, go to ragdalehall.co.uk 2013 dates for your diary ◆ 2-4 June ◆ 8-10 September ◆ 29 Sept-1 October ◆ 10-12 November Your…

Gino D’Acampo The feisty Italian’s newest book, La Dolce Diet, also includes exercises to help burn off the calories in the tasty food you’ve prepared Avocado and smoked paprika bruschette SERVES 4 PREP TIME 15 MINS COST PER SERVING £1.35 YOU WILL NEED ◆ 3 ripe avocados ◆ 4tsp freshly squeezed lime juice ◆ 4 x 2cm thick slices of rustic bread, halved and toasted ◆ 1tsp smoked paprika ◆ 4 large round tomatoes cut into ½cm slices to serve ◆ Salt 1 Halve the avocados, discard the stone and scoop the flesh into a medium bowl. Pour over the lime juice and mash roughly using a fork. Season with salt. 2 Spread the avocado mixture on each toasted piece of bread and sprinkle with a little paprika. Serve accompanied…

As I bounced on to the stage wearing a red wig and blue fur waistcoat, I felt an instant buzz. Hello, London,’ I shrieked and launched into one of my crazy on-stage characters, Katalina Kapowski, the eastern European popstar. Soon the audience was roaring with laughter and I felt so happy and at ease. At the age of 34, there was nothing I liked doing more than ‘playing the fool’. Filling a void It all began in 2010 when I was working as a self-employed life coach. Keen to learn new skills, I enrolled on a crash course in TV presenting. My partner and I had separated and my mum helped care for my son, Elliot, then seven. I was soon working for the online channel Positive TV, which fitted…

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN 2011 Michelle Williams sizzled as Marilyn Monroe in this film, based on a true story. Our hearts broke for Colin (Eddie Redmayne) as he swooned over the ’50s sex symbol during the filming of The Prince And The Showgirl. THE ARTIST 2011 A silent film? In black and white? In 2011? Against all odds, this modern French classic about the rise of the talkies had us hooked. The swinging soundtrack and flapper dresses more than made up for the lack of talking, and Michel Hazanavicius’s ambitious film racked up five Oscar wins. TROPIC THUNDER 2008 Failed actor Tugg Speedman and his friends find themselves in a real-life war movie when they’re abandoned in Vietnam. Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. had us in stitches…

Win! £200 CLUES & ARROWS Fill in the clues in the direction of the arrows. The shaded squares will reveal the hidden word or words WORD FIT Prize puzzle To be in with a chance of winning the prize below, fit the words in the grid. The shaded squares reveal the hidden word(s). 3 Letters Boo Bra Cob Rim Tab 5 LETTERS Evict Inbox Nanny Wield 6 Letters Formal Infuse Logger Prefab Vanish 7 Letters Examine Lawsuit Laxness Tribune 8 Letters Indicate Irritant Sizeable Trespass 9 Letters Gauntness Inclusive Stalemate Versatile Win! A case of French wine Woman’s Own has teamed up with French Wines With style to offer one winner a mixed case of six absolutely cracking wines, as selected by top UK experts and journalists! All the wines…

At home on my own one friday night, I decided to log on to Woman’s Own bingo and play a few games. It’s so much fun and there had been lots of extra excitement on the site as the jackpot for the wonderland slot game had topped £1 million. So I thought I would try my luck and enjoy a few games. Before I started, I bought a few tickets for the Bingo 20 game too, then switched rooms to the Wonderland slots to play for the big-money prize. I was happily daydreaming about how I would spend such a huge jackpot if I won, when I suddenly noticed that my balance had gone up to over £3,000. ‘Oh my goodness!’ I thought. ‘Have I won another bingo jackpot?’ I…

On the spot with... Matt Barbet The Daybreak presenter, 36, is married with two daughters and lives in London 1 Beatles or Stones? Beatles. I can play a few songs on the guitar. 2 Beer or wine? The older I get the more I appreciate a glass of red. It’s easier on the waistline too. 3 Herbal tea or espresso? Flat white. The ITV coffee machine broke today and my world collapsed. 4 Strict dad or soft touch? Neither. You have to strike a balance. 5 Peppa Pig or Tree Fu Tom? Peppa. I watch it with my three-year-old. 6 Bacon bap or porridge? Today I had a bacon bap and a croissant. Isn’t that awful? I’m going for a bike ride later to burn it off. 7 Great British…

NATALIE ‘Denise Van Outen’s bikini is great for showing off her athletic build. I’m not so keen on Kate Moss’s beach style. The highwaisted pants make her look rather shapeless.’ CELINA ‘I think Stephanie Seymour looks the best of all in her sexy black one-piece swimsuit. She’s slim, and she looks healthy and toned too, which is a great message for women in their forties.’ CHARLENE ‘Emma Forbes’ swimsuits don’t look drastically different to each other, but she definitely appears slimmer in the blue number. I’ll be trying this style myself this summer.’…

Nearly a year has passed since Lisa Maxwell proposed to her partner of over 15 years, Paul Jessup. But despite telling Woman’s Own that she would be wed by the end of 2012, there’s still no ring on her finger. Could it be that Lisa has been scared off by her Loose Women pals? With nearly every member of the panel racking up at least one failed marriage, there have been whispers of a divorce curse on the show’s ladies. Surrounded by such heartache on a daily basis, Lisa, 49, who has a 13-year-old daughter, Beau, with Paul, 44, accepts, ‘We’ve all had our problems, we have all lived a life.’ But in addition to displaying the scars of divorce, Lisa’s Loose Women friends also provide comfort and advice. Known…

Stepping on to the scales, I can feel the shame burning in my face as the dial rockets to 15st. At 5ft 5in, I’m more than 5st overweight and I hate my body. It’s why I’m saving up £5,000 to have a gastric band fitted. I’m like so many women out there, opting to go under the knife to get the figure they yearn for. So why is it my daughter Charlotte, 22, son Ryan, 19, and mum, Joyce, 64, are so desperate for me not to go through with it? Why do they plead and beg with me, often close to tears? After all, thousands of these operations are done in Britain every year, aren’t they? But with me, it’s different as I have already had gastric surgery once…

It’s called beauty sleep for a reason. During the day, our skin is resting so it can focus on protecting itself from the environment, but at night it goes into repair mode, with the most intense cell rejuvenation occurring in your deepest sleep, between midnight and 1am. Sleep soothers Ensure you get your eight hours with these buys The candle Burn This Works Deep Sleep Heavenly Candle, £25, while you’re in the bath and unwind with the lavender and chamomile fragrance. THE LOTION Relax your senses and nourish your skin before bed with Lavender Body And Massage Gel, £20, L’Occitane. This gel-cream contains calming essential oils. THE SPRITZ The blend of oils in Champneys Relaxing Pillow Mist, £7.50, soothes the mind to help you drift off to sleep. DID YOU…

1 Do shop online but don’t stay loyal to chains It doesn’t pay to be loyal when it comes to online grocery shopping. Almost all of the big five supermarkets are currently offering some impressive incentives to get you to do your weekly shop with them. For example, both sainsburys.co.uk and tesco.com are giving £12 off your first shop when you spend over £60, while waitrose.com is taking £20 off a £100 spend. Even if you add on delivery charges, that’s still a sizeable saving. The added bonus is that the same stores will send you special deals to entice you back while you are literally shopping around. ocado is currently offering lapsed customers 20 per cent off if their shopping comes to over £40 – a possible saving of…

Reader rated LORRAINE HAWKES, 38, FROM WORTHING ‘I’ve suffered with night cramps since childhood and end up hopping around the bedroom to stop the pain. Finally, I’ve found a solution. I eat a banana before bed as cramps can be triggered by potassium deficiency. I also take Crampex (£6.99, 48 tablets, Boots). Now at last I can sleep well.’ Does alcohol harm your brain? Woman’s Own’s GP Dr Radha Modgil helps sort fact from fiction ◆ THE LOWDOWN Researchers claim that two glasses of wine a day can reduce the production of new brain cells by 40 per cent and impair memory. ◆ THE TRUTH ‘Experts found that rats with a blood alcohol level equivalent to the US legal driving limit made fewer cells in the area of the brain…

How much money could I save? If you spent £200 at Debenhams with Quidco you could expect to save £4-£6 with 2% cashback in store and 3% buying online. Shopping for big-ticket items will get you the most cashback. With Quidco you can get up to 10% cashback on Dell sales, plus free delivery*, on a laptop worth £550 – that could be £44! Make your life easier – order online and get paid for having groceries delivered. If you shop at asda.com this week, you’ll get £5.50 cashback – offer applies to new grocery customers. Quidco is the UK’s no1 cashback and voucher code site with over 2.7 million members. Quidco’s members will save millions on their shopping, insurance, travel, mobiles, utilities and much more. Join now and start…

THIS WEEK How to find a good tradesman TOP CONSUMER ADVICE FROM DEBBI MARCO With a tough housing market and difficult economic situation, many of us are now choosing to renovate our homes instead of buying a new one. Even if you’re not planning on making improvements, it’s highly likely that at some point you’ll need to call in a tradesman to fix something. But how can you be sure you’re getting the right man for the job? One of the best ways is through recommendation, so first ask your friends and neighbours if they know anyone. Also, remember to ask for references from anyone you’re looking to employ and follow these up. For any job, always get three quotes in writing so you’re clear on what is and isn’t…

Reader rated EMMA DYSON, 31, FROM LONDON ‘I love the little caramelised biscuits I get with my coffee at the hairdressers. Now you can buy the spread – smooth or crunchy. It’s great on toast, or just dip your spoon in!’ Lotus Caramelised Biscuit Spread, £1.89, supermarkets. Top trend Gourmet-style popcorn is set to be a huge trend. Our fave ‘grownup’ flavour is Sweet Chilli & Lime – spicy with tangy citrus. Delish! Love Da Popcorn, £1.59, Waitrose. Best bites A recent study showed that eating smaller portion sizes is one of the best ways to stay in shape. So for a sin-free pud, tuck into these tiny tempters. They’re perfect for when you have friends over for coffee – display on a cake stand for that special touch. 12…

Tears of happiness spilled down my cheeks as I stood at the altar. It was 22 October 2011 and I was thrilled to be marrying Tony, 49, at a picturesque church near our home in Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire. I felt like the luckiest bride in the world – just as I had the other three times I’d stood here with Tony. Because today, I was marrying him for the fourth time! We’d first met at school aged 14 but it took another four years to start going out. By then it was 1980 and we ran into one another by chance at a party. I was training to be a nurse at the time, and Tony was an electrician, and we sat up talking all night. The next day, I…

Do you often find yourself staring at the overloaded supermarket shelves, wondering which of the recently launched items really work and offer the best value for money? The Product Of The Year Awards can help! We’ve teamed up with them for 2013 to offer 50 Woman’s Own readers the chance to win a selection of some of the most innovative items around, as pictured here. Every year, in the largest survey of its kind, over 10,000 UK consumers vote for the most impressive and effective products across a variety of categories. This year, Woman’s Own was invited on to the judging panel that shortlisted them. They cover everything you need in your weekly shop – from food to baby care and toiletries to household cleaning. Look out for the red…

Just for fun WORDSEARCH The answer is the one word missing from the grid BRIGHT CHEAP COLOURFUL DARK DULL EXPENSIVE FRILLY FRUMPY LACY LARGE PINK PLAIN SCANTY SMALL WHITE Just for fun SIMPLE SUDOKU To solve the puzzle each 3x2 box, each column and each row must contain the numbers 1 to 6 Just for fun MINI WORD ACROSS 1 Departed (4) 5 On any occasion (4) 6 Get out of bed (4) 7 Or ___, otherwise (4) DOWN 1 Used to be (4) 2 Wicked, bad (4) 3 Deep Scottish loch (4) 4 Source of logs (4)…

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