Innholdsfortegnelse for November 22, 2013 i Woman's Own

Doing the double Downton’s Michelle Dockery, 31, shows that sometimes two reds are often better than one! She mixes a bright scarlet top with a burgundy skirt for a modern look. Leather forecast It’s a brave woman who wears top-to-toe red leather, but Eva Longoria, 38, pulls it off by opting for a plain, pulled-back hairstyle and minimal accessories. Sheer beauty Cheryl Cole, 30, oozes glamour in a see-through beaded dress. The slash neck and long sleeves give a sexy, sophisticated look, perfect for covering up arms. Luxe lace Kimberley Walsh, 31, has the perfect petite figure for a body-skimming dress. The sheer panels down the middle of her torso and each leg enhance her curves. Simply stunning If we had a fab body like fashion model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, 26,…

Odd couple Courtney Stodden and Doug Hutchison have split after two and a half years of marriage, with sources blaming her stint on Celebrity Big Brother for the break-up. Courtney, 19, and Doug, 53, set tongues wagging after they married when she was just 16. Critics blasted the couple’s 34-year age gap and Courtney was immediately thrust into the limelight, thanks in no small part to her skimpy outfits and enhanced chest. But it was her time on CBB in September, alongside Carol McGiffin and Louie Spence, that got her noticed in the UK. It was also during that period that insiders say Courtney found her independence, which ultimately led to the split from Hollywood actor Doug. ‘Courtney has changed so much since being in that house. She is more independent…

The tree is up, the lights are twinkling, the presents are wrapped and the aroma of freshly baked mince pies wafts from the kitchen. And chances are it’s all thanks to you, right? Us women are the ones getting Christmas sorted, aren’t we? Think of that Asda advert last year that got all the criticism, it showed Mum making up beds for guests, wrapping pressies, cleaning the house, cooking the turkey. More than 620 people complained, calling it ‘sexist’ and ‘offensive’ but what about the rest of us – weren’t we secretly thinking ‘spot on’? And, of course, we believe we should be doing all the work because if we didn’t, well, quite simply, it would never get done! More than 80 per cent of women think men don’t understand…

Fast glamour For a touch of style, pin back one side of your loose locks with a diamanté clip. We love this Crystal Baroque Hair Slide, £10, from Accessorize Topknot Pull hair up and secure at the crown. Keep some volume and twist hair into a bun around the band. Use hair grips to secure Rock-chick style Perfect for shorter locks. Brush hair off the face and keep slick at the sides, then set firm with hairspray Steal her style ZOOEY DESCHANEL Blowpro Blow Up Root Lift Concentrate, £9.99, Superdrug. Just apply the Blowpro to damp hair and blow-dry upside down for some extra oomph. Then finish off the style by using tongs on the ends…

Beating the holiday blues My sister is 27 and her mood turns very dark with the change of seasons. I told her I think she has seasonal affective disorder and to get one of those special light boxes. She’s a beautician and spends most of the day in a darkened room, which isn’t very practical. What do you suggest? Clemmy, 33, Herts I’m a long-time sufferer of SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and last year I discovered something that, for me, was better than a holiday or a traditional light box. It’s called Valkee (valkee.com) – an MP3-sized medical device with small but powerful bright lights (instead of speakers) embedded in the ear buds. It delivers a safe dose of light to photosensitive brain cells surrounding the ear canal. You need…

1Make the best use of each moment Carry your address book and a pile of Christmas cards in your handbag, so you can write them at the bus stop, on the train home or in the dentist’s waiting room. It’s amazing how much you’ll get done and it’s much more enjoyable than sitting down after work and trying to do them in one go. This way, you can relax in front of the telly instead. 2Buy the same gift for a few people If you have two aunts, buy them both the same scarf or perfume, and get the same book or toy for any of your separate nephews and nieces. As long as they don’t know each other, they will be none the wiser. And if you take advantage…

How to shop NOW! Hurray! You can now buy everything on the next 14 pages thanks to the Blippar app. Follow our guide (right) and then shop direct from the page –it’s so easy! Scan this page! Now you can do all your Christmas shopping from this page – just by using the free Blippar app on p49. It’s so easy! Scan this page Now you can do all your Christmas shopping from this page – just by using the free Blippar app on p49. It’s so easy!…

We love unwrapping presents in the buff! The sun’s rays warmed my skin as I relaxed on my lounger. ‘What a perfect day,’ I smiled, sipping a glass of Buck’s Fizz. It was Christmas Day 2012 and my family and I were spending the festive season in sunny Cape Town, South Africa. In the kitchen, my husband, Mark, 41, was preparing a turkey feast while my dad, Simon, 60, and stepmum, Sheryle, 57, enjoyed a leisurely dip in the pool. New to nudity It sounds idyllic, doesn’t it? And indeed it was. But there is one thing I should probably mention – we were all stark naked! Mark had introduced me to the joys of wearing no clothes 10 years earlier. We had met through Dad’s amateur dramatics group in…

We’ve teamed up with online store Beauty Outlet Direct to give you a Christmas gift – a stunning L’Oréal Infallible Lip Duo Compact and nail varnish, worth £16 – all you pay is just £2.99 postage. Choose from four shades: Timeless Volcano, Golden Peach, Always Toasted (right) and Stay Nude Pink. And then why not treat yourself to an Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Gift Set, with a Skin Protect Cream, Intensive Daily Moisturiser and Lip Protect Stick, or Flower By Kenzo Eau de Parfum? Happy Christmas! How to claim For your free L’Oréal Infallible Lip Duo Compact and sparkly nail varnish, worth £16, simply go to beautyoutletdirect.co.uk and click Special Offers. Follow the instructions and use the code WOLLN at the checkout. It couldn’t be easier! Or send a cheque…

London is a real cracker By late November it feels as if every corner of the capital, from Trafalgar Square’s Norwegian Christmas tree to skating at the Natural History Museum, is in a celebratory mood. Shopping is exhilarating but exhausting, so keep it manageable by sticking to Oxford and Regent Streets. SHOP Oxford Street’s elegant, dome-like lights are a big hit and while you’re there, take in Selfridges’ wonderful window display. Then, for a Christmas shop with bells on, head to Liberty in Regent Street before a must-do Hamleys experience. FUN Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park (from 22 Nov) is the best place to take the whole family. Feast on bratwurst and German beer at the Bavarian Village, explore an icy medieval village in the Magical Ice Kingdom, £7, and…

‘Please don’t buy me socks for Christmas!’ Seventies heart-throb David Essex is still making the girls swoon, and at 66, he shows no signs of slowing down. We managed to grab him for 10 minutes to find out all about his favourite Christmas moments, and why when it comes to prezzies, he’s begging his kids to lay off the socks this year… Tell us about your most memorable Christmas? Six years ago, we got the whole family together, which is quite rare. One of my sons lives in America, and he few over. In fact people few in from all sorts of places. It was a cracker. Do you have a fun, festive moment? We had a friend over who thought he was the greatest chef. He gave us a…

‘I need to stop eating’ Dawn French has admitted that she wants to get home so she ‘can stop eating’. When asked about her favourite things to do since arriving in Oz in May, where she was a judge on Australia’s Got Talent, Dawn, 56, said, ‘Eating is obviously a thing. I’m now three sizes bigger than when I turned up, I need to get home to really bad food so I can stop eating.’ She also recalled how her plan to treat the local children on Halloween night went wrong. ‘I bought loads and loads of Halloween sweets and NO kids came knocking,’ she said. ‘I had to eat them all!’ CUTE ALERT! Just when you thought David and Harper Beckham couldn’t get any more adorable, they do! The…

Katie Price on real trees, mountains of presents and the naffest gift she has ever received… ‘ Katie Price doesn’t hang about and within a year of meeting new man Kieran Hayler, 26, she has married and had her fourth baby, Jett, now three months old. The festive build-up in the controversial mum’s busy household is never dull, especially with her children Harvey, 11, Junior, eight, and Princess, six. We chatted to Katie, 35, to get the lowdown on what makes a perfect Pricey Christmas. It’s your first Christmas as a new family with Jett, where will you be? I always spend Christmas at home with the family and it will be the same this year. Will you have everyone over to you? Yes. Kieran’s family will be staying the…

There will be three stockings under our twinkling tree this December, all overflowing with gifts. Our house will be full of laughter and the delicious smell of roasting turkey. Probably just like yours. Only, for my husband Steve and I, there will be someone very special centre stage – our darling daughter, Emily-Kate. She’s given us something to smile about for the first time in 14 years. And while in the past we’ve had to escape the house to get away from our unhappiness, this December we’re going to enjoy every moment. Because our route to parenthood has been so painful it truly feels like a miracle that we have her here today. Wanting a family Steve and I first met in a pub in our hometown of Newport, South…

HOW IT WORKS It’s a low-GI (glycaemic index) diet, which means the foods eaten release energy slowly, reducing blood sugar and insulin levels, so targetting unhealthy abdominal fat effectively. The diet contains whole grains – also linked with reducing tummy fat. It strips out excess salt, which can cause water retention and bloating, and cuts calories so you’ll lose fat all over too. Expect to lose 2-3lb in the first week and 1-2lb in subsequent weeks. What to do It couldn’t be easier – just select one breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack daily. Include ½ pint skimmed or 1% fat milk daily, or a calcium-fortified alternative like soya or rice milk if you’re milk-intolerant. If you find too much wheat or gluten makes you bloat, choose wheat-free alternatives. BREAKFASTS 1…

Psychologists say that almost all of us suffer from varying degrees of stress during the festive period – but most of us don’t recognise it. It’s the one time of year when we all set ourselves ludicrously high – and generally unrealistic – standards. Add in the extra expense, and there’s another level of stress. Worrying about money can affect our immune systems, which opens the door to infections. So, the most important thing all of us can do is lower our expectations – no-one will starve, there will be enough presents to go round and you’ll enjoy yourself more. In the meantime, try these solutions… Not sleeping at night It’s midnight and boom – you’re wide awake. Why do all those festive worries gang up and wait for the…

There are some moments a mum simply has to record. It was Christmas 2010 and my two girls, Liberty, three, and Mackenzie, two, were dressed as angels for the church Nativity play. They looked so adorable. ‘Give Kenzie a kiss,’ I said and Liberty pursed her lips just as I clicked the camera. How perfect. Liberty was big sister, but with just 18 months between them, it sometimes felt more like they were twins. Especially as Liberty had been born seven weeks early, weighing little over 3lb, and it had taken her time to catch up. My husband Garry worked in publishing while I was product manager for a healthcare company. We absolutely loved seeing the bond between our daughters. When Kenzie was two, she decided she didn’t want to…

The smoked salmon Mulled Wine Smoked Salmon, £9, 300g, M&S The presentation is stunning and this flavour combination tastes really Christmassy – our favourite new twist. Smoked Salmon Blini Kit, £5, 220g, The Co-operative A clever all-in-one kit with everything you need to make a stylish starter or canapé. Dressed Side Of Hot Smoked Salmon, £25, 1.041kg, Morrisons A tasty, sumptuous centrepiece topped with lovely dressed prawns and a tangy chilli glaze. The cheeseboard Cornish Cruncher Cheddar & Cider Bake, £4, 150g, M&S An individual baked cheese with a crunchy texture and a slightly boozy twang – get stuck in before it goes! Tesco Finest Chilli Lovers Cheese & Chutney Set, £5, 560g A novelty cheese with a difference – the chilli is hot, hot, hot but our testers found…

The 12 saves of Christmas 1 Pamper parties Get the girls together and take advantage of make-up brand Benefit’s free pamper parties in the runup to Christmas, available nationwide. For a £20 deposit, redeemable against a product, you can get a special partyseason makeover, including a brow shape and tint. Plus you can bring your own drink and food. For more information, visit beneftcosmetics.co.uk. 2 Charity on a plate If everyone’s coming to you this Christmas, check out your local charity shops for extra plates, glasses and cutlery – all priced at next to nothing. One chain told Woman’s Own it had so many dinner sets in stock that it was considering giving them away! 3Not-so Dear Santa No Christmas is complete without a letter to Santa, but some companies charge…

Amefa Havane 62-piece cutlery set, £110 (RRP £395) Reassuringly weighty, the sweeping arc of Havane gives this modern design a real lightness of touch. The 62-piece set for eight people is presented in a black cabinet. Dishwasher safe; 18/0 stainless steel; 25-year manufacturer guarantee. Yummy safari 4-piece children’s cutlery set, £21 (RRP £75) Your little one will go bananas for these. Hand wash only; 25-year manufacturer guarantee. How to order Simply go to womansownshop.co.uk or freephone 0800 138 0088* and quote YWO990. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.45am to 5.15pm. *Calls from mobiles may incur additional charges. Calls to the 0844 enquiry number from BT landlines will be charged at BT rates of 5p/min, plus a 14p BT call set-up fee. Or complete the coupon using block capitals. Payment…

She’s been wowing on Strictly and is currently one of the favourites to lift the glitterball trophy in December. But behind the tassels and tangos, just how confident is Sophie of winning the competition? Well, as the singer sensationally reveals, she’s already written her acceptance speech! We caught up with Soph, 34, to find out more about working with Brendan Cole, dancing for her hubby, and why she’s completely unfazed by the teeny-tiny outfts… ‘There’s no point arguing with Brendan’ You’ve been getting scores of eights and nines! Are you enjoying Strictly? It really is lovely. I feel a bit guilty being away from training this lunchtime, but I’m back there this afternoon. It is a bonkers schedule, with such highs and lows. Every week has its mountains to climb,…

This Morning’s Ruth Langsford adores Christmas and, unlike the rest of us, she’s already got it all under control. Her husband, Eamonn Holmes, 53, on the other hand, ‘loves the build-up’ but can’t understand Ruth’s military-like organisation of the festive period. We cosied up with Ruth, 53, who is mum to Jack, 11, for a good old gossip about all things Christmassy, getting tiddly on bubbles while cooking dinner and putting on weight… ‘I’ve already bought my dog presents’ We’re feeling the panic – there are only 43 shopping days until Christmas! Without sounding smug, I’m very organised and I’ve already started! Can you believe that it’s nearly here? No, it doesn’t seem long since last year does it?! It scares me how quickly the years fly by and I…

With the new series about to kick off, we look at the best bits of the past 11 years 1 Love story? Katie Price and Peter Andre set eyes on each other for the very first time in the jungle in 2004 – a meeting that later resulted in two children, one bitter divorce and countless gossip column inches. 2 Desperate times… Her down-to-earth nature made Carol Thatcher 2005’s unlikely winner. But who can forget the ‘Wee-Gate’ scandal, when she was caught on camera relieving herself by her bed on the first night? 3 The ‘rock’ crumbles Paul Burrell, the royal butler who Princess Diana called her ‘rock’, was reduced to screaming and whimpering in 2004, when he took on rats, spiders and dung beetles. 4 Dean gaffaw! Ex-EastEnders star…

Your one-stop shop for the best festive fashion on the high street Berry heaven This year, tones of claret, grape and burgundy are the new black! Dress to impress It’s that time of year when only sequins and crystals will do! Sandals go strappy Make sure you’re pedi ready for these show-stopping styles Class y cover-ups Whatever you’re dressed in, make sure your outerwear gets you noticed, too Statement skirts These striking designs are a must-have buy for your wardrobe this Christmas Cute clutches The box clutch has landed and we love it. Time to travel light Velvet underground It’s the fabric of the season – ideal for any Christmas occasion Glam flats For when we need pretty shoes we can walk in! Only Glitzy knits You can still wear…

It’s a fact – more people cheat at Christmas than any other time of year. The mix of office parties and stressed-out wives and husbands can prove toxic to a relationship, driving disillusioned partners into the arms of a lover. Dating websites specifically aimed at married people have recorded a surge in new members between 25 December and the new year. More shockingly, the majority of them are women. Last year, a record 13,835 women joined Undercoverlovers.com in this seven-day period, compared to 10,836 men. The website maritalaffair.co.uk reported a 67% rise in accounts being opened on 25 December. Even overall activity grew, with already existing members spending longer logged on. So what is it that gets into the mind of a woman who abandons her loved ones for sex…

At last I’m happy being me My boyfriend David and I had come away to my dad’s house in Marbella, Spain. It was Christmas 2012 and the sun and sea was the perfect antidote to the wintry celebrations back home. Only now, here we were on Christmas Eve at the villa, and Dad was looking worried. ‘Go and see David. He is upset about being away from his family at Christmas,’ he said. ‘David? Homesick?’ I frowned, as I climbed the stairs. He had been really looking forward to our holiday. I found him on the roof terrace. Then I heard music, saw the champagne. He didn’t look very upset, just jittery and excited. Suddenly, he knelt in front of me. ‘Will you marry me?’ he asked, holding out a…

4 step recipes If you want to wow your family and friends with a menu of delicious dishes over the festive period, then our Christmas Made Easy app is just what you’re looking for! Each recipe comprises of just four simple steps to ensure you spend your holiday season enjoying yourself instead of slaving over a hot stove. For just £1.99 you can have 64 traditional and modern recipes at your fingertips, from mouthwatering turkeys to melt-in-the-mouth puds and tasty tipples. Clever ideas Following our festive recipes really couldn’t be easier. As well as the four simple steps, we’ve tried to keep the ingredients to a minimum and you can even email yourself a handy shopping list to refer to at the supermarket. There is also a useful pop-up conversion…

What do most little girls want for Christmas – new clothes, DVDs, the latest trainers? My 10-yearold daughter Gracie would love all of those things. But she also has another dream, one that she’s determined will come true. For this year she’s going to be serving up turkey dinners to 40 homeless people. And it will all be in memory of a very special person in her life, her dad Craig. He and I got together in 1997 and he was great with my kids from a previous relationship, James, then 13, Thomas, six, and Kirstie, five. We’d gone on to have Gracie in 2002. But Craig had a tough past and had once lived on the streets. Even though he’d now found happiness, he was determined never to forget…

Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr Partners, their work and yours, are all spinning around in the cosmic blender. sudden changes provoke deep-seated worries you’ve felt for a while. There’s a bright way through. Got that urge to get all your Christmas bits sorted super early this year? Then do it. For more call 0901 609 4780* Taurus 21 Apr – 20 May stability and security are Taurean traits. so you could find this one-thing-after-another period trying. soon everything comes to a head. But at least then you know where you stand. Christmas shopping for friends and family? Just remember, small is beautiful this year. For more call 0901 609 4781* Gemini 21 May – 20 Jun The past three weeks have brought deep feelings to the surface – in…

Lovely hubby A few weeks ago, I stupidly left my mobile phone on the seat of the car when I got out. I was only a few minutes, but when I returned, the window had been smashed and my phone had been taken. As with most mobiles, my whole life was on it – photos, old text messages I’d kept, my calendar. So I’d like to thank my husband for buying me a new and improved phone and for not going on about how careless I was. He is truly the best. Erika Dawkins, London Against all odds I enjoyed reading Jane’s story about how she married a Moroccan tribesman [21 October] as it really struck a chord with me. I met the love of my life while on holiday…

Dancing Queen Former Strictly Come Dancing star Lisa Riley is getting back on the road, to host the show’s 2014 live tour. The ex soap star proved such a hit during her own stint on the show, that producers were desperate to get her back on board. Delighted Lisa, 37, said, ‘I had a ball on last year’s tour and was blown away by the amazing reception that I got from the audiences across the country. I can’t wait to go back on the road. See you in January!’ TMI SIMON! Simon Cowell left viewers in America squirming when he discussed his sex life live on TV. When critiquing two US X Factor contestants, a real-life couple, Simon, 54, said, ‘I can feel their sexual chemistry from here. So much sexual chemistry……