Innholdsfortegnelse for December 16, 2013 i Woman's Own

Editor’s LETTER I have to admit that when Denise Welch lost over 2st on the Lighter Life plan for her wedding day, I never thought she would keep it off. But now, five months later, I am pleased to say the 55-year-old actress has proved me wrong. In this recent festive snap (above) she looks even trimmer than before. However, I do think there’s a point when we all have to stop dieting and start living! I just hope Denise is now eating healthily, and she takes some time off over Christmas to indulge in a few Join us online Head to our fabulous website, womansown.co.uk, to get all the latest celeb gossip, great competitions, plus beauty, fashion and cookery – as well as Christmas gift ideas galore!…

We’re not used to Fern Britton being too vocal when it comes to her private life. The television presenter and author always sidestepped the rumours of a feud with Phillip Schofeld, her former This Morning co-host, and rarely talks about her family. However, in a bizarre turnaround, she’s now dishing the dirt – posing the question, is Fern losing it? In this revealing new chat with radio DJ Beverly Macca, Fern, 56, talks binge eating, her ‘fit’ hubby, and those This Morning glory days… Talk to us about your time on This Morning… I did 10 years from 1998/99 and I left in 2009 on my birthday, which seemed like the right time to go. Was Phillip Schofield around when you started? No, he makes out like he’s been there…

Bowls of rum punch, buffet tables groaning with sausage rolls, replays of 1980s hits blasting out and you in your finest LBD with glittery nails, red lippy and a pair of stilettos you know will be absolutely killing you by the end of the night. This is what the Christmas party season’s all about, isn’t it? It’s a chance to finally let off some steam after the hectic weeks of shopping and working out who’s going to whose for the big day. Anything goes Suddenly, the only thing you’re supposed to be doing is having fun and, as Noddy Holder roars out, ‘It’s Christmas!’ it’s hard not to let go of the stress and party like crazy. But whoa! Before you get too carried away, isn’t there a more sinister…

Special effects Put down that denim polish and step away from leather-look finishes. There’s only one nail effect worthy of a festive soirée, and that’s glitter. But forget the heavy formulas of yesteryear. Rimmel Space Dust, £3.99, creates a high-shimmer result for a wearable grown-up touch. Let it snow Nothing says Christmas like the new limited-edition Nails Inc Kensington Church Street Snowflake Effect Polish, £12. With a merry mix of both glitter and sequins, it makes your nails appear as though they’ve been dusted with a lovely frosting of delicate snowflakes. Wear it over a pale shade of polish, such as silver or nude, for best results. Faux naturel If you’re not blessed with strong nails, try a glam set of falsies. Fashion designer Henry Holland has teamed up with…

This year is my first Christmas with my husband David. We only married in July, so it’ll be special with all the celebrations to know that we’re finally man and wife. To help us enjoy the day, along with our son, Jay, five, we’ll have 15 of our family round for a turkey feast. But when they’ve all gone and our little boy is tucked in bed, I’ll open the front door and ask my husband to leave. And David, in return, will be so happy to go. We love each other dearly, but we simply can’t bear sharing a bed. It’s why David has his own home 10 minutes down the road from me. There, he can sleep happily without me beside him. Surely, you say, marriage means sharing…

Cold, frankincense and... mornings! The Neoprene cover on this ingenious hot water bottle (£34.95, Cuckooland.com) keeps it warm for up to five hours. Use it cold, too, for aches and pains. Frankincense essential oil is a great all-round health tonic, so treat someone to Neal’s Yard Frankincense & Mandarin Shower Cream (£14 for 200ml, nealsyardremedies.com). This 660g dumb-bell alarm clock (reduced to £15.95 at prezzybox.com) won’t turn off until you’ve done 30 bicep curls before breakfast! 3 step fix Indigestion DO THIS Cut down on caffeine and smoking, leave three hours before going to bed after a meal and sleep with your head raised to avoid heartburn. TRY THIS Drink a glass of water mixed with 1tsp apple cider vinegar before a big meal to help break down food. Eat…

With only a few weeks to go until Christmas, the race is on to get your family’s plans finalised, your presents bought and your home looking its best. The pre-Christmas clean-up can be a tough one, especially when it comes to tackling those grimy, muckier jobs you’ve been putting off until the last minute. And, once the festivities are in full swing, keeping your home pristine can become a seemingly never-ending task. Stay spotless That’s where Plenty Super Strong will come in handy. Its specially bonded structure offers outstanding strength even when wet, so you can use it for those nastier messes where you would normally use a cloth – such as cleaning the hob, oven, bathtub or those sticky little handprints. Combining the cleaning power of a cloth with…

She asked Santa for a sister Sitting down at the kitchen table with my daughter, Scarlett, I picked up the pen to begin our very important letter. ‘Now, darling,’ I said. ‘What would you like Father Christmas to bring you?’ It was December 2012 and Scarlett was two. I expected her to say she wanted a pretty doll and a cuddly teddy, or one of the many other toys we’d seen when we’d been out shopping. Instead, her big blue eyes looked at me so earnestly. ‘A baby sister,’ she said. And in that moment, I thought my heart would break. Because it was the one thing my husband Tom, then 29, and I wanted for her more than anything in the world. Yet it seemed it was a gift…

It was my sister-in-law Maggie who introduced me to Woman’s Own Bingo. I don’t even own a computer – I’m a bit behind the times! But when Maggie won a £1,000 jackpot three years ago, I was really keen to find out more. Visiting Maggie and my brother Harry one day, she showed me how the site works and helped me to sign up. It was really quick and simple. I used to play in bingo halls but I rarely go now as I work long hours in a pub. In any case, I find playing online is much more fun – you can fit it in around your timetable. Every couple of weeks, I pop round to Maggie and Harry’s for dinner and we’ll log on to Woman’s Own…

Stainless steel cordless coffee percolator £39.99 (RRP £79.99) Maintains temperature Threepint capacity (four to 12 cups) Boildry cut-out and overheat protector Cool-touch easy-grip handle This easy-to-use percolator automatically turns off when coffee is brewed and maintains a perfect temperature for as long as required. With the modern mirror-finish stainless steel jug, it looks great in any kitchen. Bread, cake and jam maker £89.99 (RRP £129.99) 11 programmes and a loaf-size selection (750-900g) Delayed start and keep-warm function Also makes cakes and jams Produces a range of delicious breads and jams. Crust control means you can choose a light, medium or dark crust. Follow the quick and easy recipes. Comes complete with hook, measuring cup and measuring spoon. How to order Simply go to womansownshop.co.uk or freephone 0800 138 0088*. Pay…

Hayley Tamaddon will be skating on thin ice when she joins Coronation Street as lovestruck student Andrea – because she’s set her sights on Rovers boss Steve McDonald. Hayley, of course, is no stranger to soap, having made her name as feisty Delilah Dingle in Emmerdale before going on to win Dancing On Ice in 2010. Hayley, 36, chats to Woman’s Own about battling with nerves, trying to diet and the festive season… ‘I love buying and giving presents’ What are your plans for 25 December? I’ll probably be in London for it this year. It’ll be my first one away from my parents in 36 years, which will be as weird as anything. But I have no idea other than that. I’m sure it will be spent with friends…

Blackout Tess Daly, 44, wows in this Emilio Pucci LBD with an on-trend oversized clutch and retroinspired hair wave. US X Factor judge, Kelly Rowland, 32, playing it safe in black court shoes, looks great but not quite as glam. Get some zest appeal Carol Vorderman, 52, looks so radiant and shows off her famous curves to perfection. She may be a superstar but actress Cameron Diaz, 41, looks like she can’t breathe in this just-too-tight orange number. Crazy for crystals Is anyone a winner in a see-through bejewelled body stocking? If we have to pick, Kate Moss, 39, gets our vote in a classic, buttoned-up blazer and black ankle boots. Lady Gaga, 27, must be freezing in so little! A bit of all white Model Heidi Klum, 40, always…

Stacey Solomon, 24, came third in 2009, when she was mentored by Dannii Minogue. Since the show, she’s forged a successful TV presenting career, won I’m A Celebrity, written her autobiography and is launching her own fashion range. What are your memories of The X Factor? It was one of the best times of my life, apart from having children. It was such a big experience for me, and something I never thought I’d be able to do. It was hard, but I loved every second of it. Is there too much pressure on the contestants? Back in my day, you auditioned in a room, and then you went to boot camp – and that was pressure enough. Now you have to do the audition, then another live performance and…

Stare at my photo and you’ll see the scars that snake up my neck – stretched, mottled and lumpy. In fact, more than half of my body is disfigured like this. But then look at the way I’m standing so tall and defiant. I won’t be ashamed of how I am. To me, my body bears the marks of a survivor. As another Christmas nears, the anniversary of when I was so viciously attacked, I want everyone to know my incredible story, and to realise that, however dark the past may be, the human spirit can triumph. It was 23 December 2008 when my life changed. I was 40 years old and it was my son Jack’s 20th birthday. With the presents for my other two boys – Charlie, 17,…

3 of the best Party palettes Cute and compact, these make-up kits are perfect for your handbag 1£5 OR LESS Looking for the perfect stocking filler? Flutter Pretty Purples Eye Palette, £5, Superdrug, will brighten up any makeup bag. 2 £10 OR LESS Love a smoky eye? You’ll adore Revlon PhotoReady Primer + Shadow, £8.99. Start with the primer then layer the three shadows. Easy! 3 £15 OR LESS Autograph Large Face Palette Collection, £15, M&S, is a fab all rounder. With 12 eyeshadows, eight lip colours and two blush duos, it’s all you’ll ever need. Fragrance first We’ve seen foundations that can smooth lines and fake tans that firm, so it was only a matter of time before fragrance started to work harder. DKNY be delicious Skin EDT, £39,…

My friend and my sister have excluded me My sister and I share a good friend. Both of them are newly single and have been spending a lot of time together. My friend recently told me off for not being a better friend through her breakup and added, ‘Your sister thinks you’ve been a bad friend too.’ I’m so angry I don’t feel I can talk to either of them but Christmas is just around the corner and I can’t not speak to my sister. Help. Leanne, 36, London No one likes to feel ganged up on. But you don’t know yet if your sister truly said what your friend claims. The only way out of emotional triangles like this is to talk (not text) directly with each person in…

The letters poured out of me in those first six months following the death of my daughter Charlie, 13. I just couldn’t stop writing. Tapping out simple stories about daily life on my computer became a kind of refuge. I described anything and everything, from the unwavering support of my friends to the time that I was so dazed by grief, I served uncooked lasagne and simply couldn’t understand why it was so chewy. I didn’t know that writing to a lost loved one was a common way of coping with bereavement. It was just my way of keeping my beautiful girl in the centre of my life. It’s now been eight years since Charlie and her friend Liv Bazlinton, 14, were killed on an unmanned level crossing in Elsenham,…

1 Give creative gifts this year The Wineworks Wine Kits from lovebrewing.co.uk make fun presents. For £32.95, you’ll have 30 bottles of wine ready in seven days at just over £1 a bottle! Homemade preserves and chutneys are brilliant gifts and only take a few hours to make. Nigella Lawson’s chilli jam recipe (nigella.com) is a favourite with us. Cath Kidston Preserve Labelling Kits (£12 for a pack of 20, John Lewis) will add a really professional finish. 2 Crack those codes When you’re out shopping and spot something you want, take a picture of the barcode and product name with your smartphone. Then have a look online to see if you can find any money-off codes. Julian House of myfavouritevouchercodes.co.uk says discount code sites can save you around £1,200…

CLUES & ARROWS Fill in the clues in the direction of the arrows THE PERFECT CHR ISTMAS GIFT FROM £11.49 Save up to 16% Treat your loved one to a magazine subscription Subscribe now at magazinesdirect.com/C LR 3 or call 0844 848 0848 quoting code CLR3 Quick & Easy If you really don’t have much time to spare, give your brain a break with one of these SUDOK U To solve the puzzle each 3x2 box, each column and each row must contain the numbers 1 to 6 WORDSEARCH The answer is the word missing from the grid CAT CLEANER COMPUTER DOG GUARD HOLOGRAM JANITOR MAYOR MIRROR O.A.P. ROBOT SECRETARY STATUE TEMP VOLUNTEER CROSSWORD Put your feet up and have a go at our classic crossword ACROSS 7 Call on…

A few games of bingo is my little treat each week. My mum used to take me to her local bingo games when I was expecting my son Philip, now 34. We agreed to split our winnings. The first time I played, I won £10 and Mum won £400, so we each went home with £205. I still go along with Mum every week. Simple to play I had never owned a computer until recently. After my dad sadly passed away two years ago, Mum asked me if I would like his. One of my friends offered to show me how online bingo works, so I signed up to Woman’s Own Bingo, which is so easy to play. This was as we were coming into winter and, with the snow…

McGiffin fan I was worried about Carol McGiffin when she was in the Big Brother house. I’m a big fan of hers, so I wanted her to win. But she played it her way – no frills, no creeping, just plain honesty. She may not have won, but I believe she helped Charlotte win. I’m so pleased Carol’s boyfriend Mark accepts her for who she is. I loved her on Loose Women and it’s not the same without her. Don’t leave the UK, Carol – you’ll be sorely missed! A Reynolds, Nottingham Cover up! ‘Selfies’ were bad enough, but now we have to deal with celebs snapping their bums, too [11 November]. It seems these women want as much attention as possible. Three words, ladies – put it away! Carol…

Coming home? Boyzone singer Ronan Keating, 36, has put himself forward for The X Factor as a replacement for rival boy band man Gary Barlow. The Irish star, who has already been a judge on the Australian version of the show, said, ‘I would love to be on the panel, to replace Gary when he goes. I’ve learned a lot from being on the Australian show.’ And he admitted he’d like to come back to the UK permanently to spend more time with his three children from his marriage to his ex, Yvonne. ‘It would be difficult to pull away from Australia because I love the country and the people – but I’d also love to be near my kids. So to do the same show here would be brilliant.’…

‘I’m so grateful’ Relieved This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield has taken to Twitter to thank train staff and passengers for helping his mum, Pat, 76, after she took a tumble at Reading train station. Phil, 51, tweeted, ‘Thank you so much to the amazing staff who just helped my mum… incredibly kind and caring. Also to the lovely passengers who helped and who I didn’t get to thank. I’m so grateful.’ We’re so glad to hear your mum is OK, Phil! ‘He had a wife’ Sherrie Hewson has revealed that she suffered heartbreak recently after a love interest 20 years her junior admitted he had a wife. The actress, 63, was in Spain filming ITV show Benidorm when she met the restaurant owner, who she dated for several weeks before…

Brenda Edwards, 37, was in Sharon Osbourne’s camp back in 2005, eventually coming fourth. She has since found regular work as a west End leading lady, starred in a TV sitcom and released an album. Sum up your X Factor experience… It was the best time, and the hardest time. The one thing I remember is being very, very nervous, and very excited too. My highlight was going to sharon’s house in La. That was just the most beautiful time I’ve had, before or since. Did you stay in touch with Sharon? I did, she came to see me play mama morton in Chicago, which I did after the show. Obviously, she’s busy managing her career and her family, but she took the time out for me. What happened after…

Christmas party MAXI DRESS Choose an elegant full-length dress and you’ll feel stylish and glam CRYSTAL JEWELLERY A bit of bling will instantly brighten up any outfit FAUX-FUR SHRUG It’s the perfect way to stay cosy without a big coat Christmas Eve SEQUINNED JACKET Team it with jeans or a pencil skirt to dazzle all night ILLUSION SKIRT Not only will it slim your legs, it’s also bang on trend – what’s not to love? SATIN SANDALS Nothing says ‘ready to party’ like this high shine fabric – just add a platform and some jewels to really wow! Christmas Day FLUFFY CARDIGAN Now you can look glam and stay warm in this textured knit. The three-quarter-length sleeves are so flattering SHIFT DRESS Opt for an embellished style and team it…

Your quick steps to getting thinner 1 Begin with the three-day kickstart, which is low-carb and low-salt to help you beat the bloat and drop a few pounds super-fast. 2 Follow up with seven days of tasty calorie-controlled eating – choosing from our mix-andmatch list of breakfasts, lunches and dinners. 3 Team with half an hour’s daily exercise – eg, brisk walking, swimming or a gym session. 3-day kickstart Follow this as closely as you can to get your weight loss going as soon as possible DAY ONE ◆ Breakfast Small glass of tomato juice, mushrooms, and 1 egg scrambled with a little milk ◆ Lunch Celery, cu cumber and cherry tomatoes topped with 70g canned tuna in water, d r ain ed, and 1tbsp light mayonnaise ◆ Dinner Small…

The minute we stop and relax, says Cary Cooper of Lancaster University, leisure sickness can strike. ‘It happens because your immune system is stimulated by pressure,’ he says. ‘So when you have deadlines, your body knows you can’t get ill. Once you take a break, your body thinks, ‘No more pressure, I can get sick now.’’ Not if you follow our simple tips… Chill out on turkey It’s low in fat (a large skinless portion is just 232 cals/6.4g fat) and high in protein, which helps to blunt your appetite and means you’re less likely to gorge on roast potatoes. And an added bonus is that it also contains calming and mood-enhancing tryptophan, an amino acid that’s crucial for good health. You can also find it in cheese, nuts and…

James Martin prefers beef Wellington SERVES 6 PREP TIME 35 MINS COOKING TIME 25 MINS YOU WILL NEED FOR THE PANCAKES 3 eggs 6tbsp plain flour 150ml milk knob of butter FOR THE MUSHROOMS 1 large onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped knob of butter 350g button mushrooms, finely chopped handful of fat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped FOR THE WELLINGTON 1kg beef fillet 375g pack ready-rolled puff pastry 75g smooth chicken pâté 1 egg and 1 egg yolk, beaten together HOW TO DO IT 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/Gas 6. For the pancakes, whisk together the eggs and four. Add the milk, whisking to make a thin batter. Be careful not to overwhisk or the batter won’t be light. 2 Heat a non-stick frying pan until really hot.…

My friend Sophie Ford is a real-life Christmas angel. No doubt she’d squirm with embarrassment to hear that, but this December she’ll be bringing magic to so many families’ lives. And I know more than anyone because my nine-year-old son, William, is one of those lucky ones. I became friends with Sophie in April this year when I came across the not-for-profit organisation Baking A Smile. I read online about how she and her team of cooks give their time and money baking cakes for sick children. It’s a way of making the kids feel special and saying how brave they’ve been. My son William suffers from cerebral palsy, Asperger’s syndrome and an unknown genetic condition. At four, he needed a bowel transplant and has had to spend many of…

Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr It’s your role in life right now to be the lightning bolt of inspiration that someone else badly needs. Their relationship with you is changing their life – whether they like it or not. Remember this if you’re feeling a bit stuck or if they start acting strange around you. For more call 0901 609 4780* Taurus 21 Apr – 20 May Any minute now you’ll be having second thoughts about a person or something you have planned for the future. This shouldn’t be a bad thing, but it will take up headspace when you’re trying to manage Christmas. Talk it over sooner rather than later. For more call 0901 609 4781* Gemini 21 May – 20 Jun As this week starts, you’re full…

Penguin Pick DAILY TILL 22 DECEMBER The penguins are back by popular demand! Each day of the week, a penguin will offer a different promotion, such as guaranteed jackpots and big oneline prizes. Make sure you vote for your favourite! CHRISTMAS JUMPER PHOTO 23-29 DECEMBER Take a photo of yourself wearing a Christmas jumper and send it in – you could win a cash prize! Our five favourite photos will win £100 each, plus ten runners-up will each win £25. DOUBLE JOY POINTS 24-26 DECEMBER All Joy Points earned on any games will be doubled, including all Joy Points won in the free chat room games. Your double Joy Points will be paid out on Friday, 27 December. See the promotions page at womansownbingo.co.uk for full details of these special…

DUBAI WHY GO? Dubai offers virtually guaranteed winter sun and beaches, with a frenzy of five-star hotels. Most are big, going on enormous, like the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab (above), the wavy-glass Jumeirah Beach and the Madinat, which is built around a waterway network. Their standards of food, service, hygiene and comfort are high and most have kids’ clubs. But if you’re hoping for culture or historic heritage, you caught the wrong plane. Apart from golf and soft adventures in the sandpit, including rocking and rolling over vast dunes or wadi bashing (off-roading in the desert) along dry riverbeds, plus the occasional horse or camel race, there’s not much to prise you off the sunbed. TRAVEL WITH Travelsphere (travelsphere.co.uk) PRICES START AT £1,039pp for four nights, B&B, including fights, transfers…

Time I got really drunk at Christmas God, it would’ve been a long time ago. I don’t tend to get too silly because I have the kids. We have a dance-off on Christmas night and that usually leads to some people getting pretty merry. Thing I bought A delicious Pret A Manger artisan cheese and chutney baguette. I was on the road and fancied something easy. Being a pop star doesn’t always mean you get catered for! It was really tasty. Memorable Christmas Probably the last one! I was playing Cinderella in pantomime and the kids came to watch me on Christmas Eve. My youngest boy, Alfie, got really upset with the ugly sisters for bullying me. He sat in my dressing room after the show and tried on my…