Innholdsfortegnelse for 21-jul-14 i Woman's Own

When Bob Geldof recently talked of his ‘intolerable’ grief at losing his daughter Peaches, we all felt his pain. ‘You could be walking down the road, and suddenly out of the blue there’s an awareness of her. And you know – I buckle.’ It also reminded us that in the midst of all the questions and comments surrounding the 25-year-old’s death, at the centre of it all is simply a father grieving. And there’s no underestimating that loss. Our hearts go out to you, Bob. Join us online Head to our fabulous website, womansown .co.uk , to get all the latest celeb gossip, great competitions and deals, plus beauty, fashion, easy recipes and health tips.…

She may be battling cancer, but brave Lynda Bellingham has made a rare public appearance to support a cause close to her heart. The actress was attending the opening of an anti-domestic violence centre and spoke out in support of women everywhere who have been victims of abusive partners. It comes after the star’s previous shocking revelation that she herself suffered during her 15-year marriage to former husband Nunzio Peluso. She told how one terrifying night Nunzio had picked up a broken stair post, ready to strike her. ‘‘Go on, hit me,’ I said. ‘I’m sick to death of being frightened of you,’’ Lynda recalled. In the wake of that incident, Lynda has said, she found the strength to walk out on Nunzio, the father of her sons, Michael and…

There we have it, it’s official – more women than ever are working mums. Recent figures* show that the number of us juggling our kids with a job has risen by a fifth since the mid-1990s to a staggering 5.3 million Isn’t it great! Us ‘have-it-all’ women are bringing up perfect families while holding down busy jobs. We can give our little ones a teary-eyed goodbye as we drop them off at the school gates, then put in a good eight hours at the office before re-engaging with the family at the end of the day. We have money, independence, a stimulated mind and fantastic employment prospects. Double burden And, with so many famous celeb mums embracing motherhood and top TV roles, well, it only endorses it all the more.…

What to do Pick one calorie-controlled breakfast, lunch and dinner from the lists Select a daily ice cream. Have 300ml skimmed milk a day (to top-up your calcium levels). You can use this in tea or coffee, or just have as a separate drink if you wish. Aim to walk 10,000 steps a day. This usually means moving around for at least an hour and a half, but ideally use a pedometer to track your steps accurately. You can pick one up online for about £10. Breakfasts 40g bowl of bran flakes or Cheerios with skimmed milk, 1 small chopped banana and a 150ml glass of orange juice. 1 slice brown toast with 1tbsp peanut butter and apple. 2 poached eggs and a grilled tomato on a slice of wholemeal…

Summer salad with feta and pickled cherries SERVES 4 PREP TIME 10 MINS COOKING TIME 10 MINS + 30 MINS COOLING YOU WILL NEED 50ml red wine vinegar 1tbsp sea salt 150ml water 100g caster sugar 200g cherries, halved and stones removed 1 medium courgette, stalk removed ½ firm cantaloupe melon, skin and seeds removed 2tbsp extra virgin olive oil Pinch of sea salt Small handful mint leaves 100g feta HOW TO DO IT 1 Place the red wine vinegar, sea salt, water and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Simmer for 2 mins, stirring to make sure all the salt and sugar has dissolved. Take off the heat, pour into a bowl or container and leave to cool for 5 mins. Add the cherries and…

I needed somewhere to grieve When my usually on-the-ball mum, Sheila started forgetting birthdays, I was worried. She was 65, and her sister, Angela, had died from Alzheimer’s in her sixties. I was terrified it would happen to Mum, too, and an MRI scan confirmed our worst fears – Mum had the disease. My dad, Donald, 71, decided they’d move from Ruislip, north-west London, to Northampton, to be near my sisters and brother. But Mum declined quite rapidly and went into a nursing home. Four years after her diagnosis, she caught pneumonia. It was too much for her frail body and she died with Dad at her side. I felt angry and cheated that I’d lost my mum when I was only 32. What made it harder was that I…

How do you save money? Tell me your top saving tips and, if it’s printed, you’ll get £25. Email me at tara_evans@ipcmedia .com . And follow us on Twitter @WomansOwn and also @taraevans 5 SECRETS FOR A stress-free holiday Here’s our guide to making sure your summer getaway is plane sailing… 1 WEIGH IN Check the airline rules on luggage limits, especially hand baggage, to avoid excess charges. A pair of luggage scales, such as Digiflex (digiflex.co.uk), which cost around £7, will be much more accurate than trying to use bathroom scales. 2 LEAVE YOUR HOUSE IN SAFE HANDS Worried about leaving the house empty? Companies like Homesitters ( homesitters.co.uk ) and The Home Service ( house  sitters.co.uk) will take care of your…

Waxing lyrical I was asked to unveil the new-look David and Victoria Beckham at Madame Tussauds. The up-to-date waxworks are spookily real, as opposed to the ones at rival Louis Tussauds in Great Yarmouth, where Posh looked like a cross between Andrea McLean and Anne Robinson! Teacher’s pet! How I teased Kate Garraway after she went to interview a teacher at a school games hall. ‘I might need to stay behind after class,’ she joked after catching sight of the handsome chap. Blimey! I thought it was awkward when we both reached that age where we could have sired the year’s X Factor intake – but teachers? Major fail. Brothers in charm Robson Green will star alongside James Norton in…

Can you imagine someone saying to a large person tucking into a burger, ‘Yeah you look like you really need that!’ Or calling a stranger or even a friend ‘fatty’, ‘lardy’, ‘chubby’ or any other derogatory term used to describe those who are overweight? Well, ‘skeleton’, ‘twiggy’, ‘stick insect’ – I’ve had them all and I hate it. And people seem to think it’s perfectly acceptable to tell me I should eat more, or they comment on how ‘lucky’ I am as I cut a slice of chocolate cake. But I don’t think I’m lucky at all. Has being 5ft 6in tall and 7st made me happy? No. I don’t have an eating disorder, and I’ve never set foot in a gym. Yet I’ve been teased and criticised to the…

My best friend won’ttake myadvice My best friend’s marriage is on its last legs. Her husband has finally agreed to move out but my friend, despite months of advice and nagging from me, is refusing to take legal advice. Meanwhile, her husband is busy running up a mass of debt. Last time she rang, I found myself almost shouting at her to pull herself together for the sake of her kids. How can I support my friend? Because what I’m doing isn’t working! Emma, 43, London It sounds like your friend is in deep denial about what is happening. Nagging won’t work, it’ll just make you feel stressed. She’s going through an awful time, and the last thing your friend needs is a broken friendship as well as a broken…

Fern Britton CANCER (17 JULY) Having a break revived Fern and The Big Allotment Challenge gave her the most fun she’s had in ages. This summer is a bumper period when she gets one stunning offer after another. We’ll be seeing even more of her soon. Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr There’s a challenging atmosphere this weekend. On the one hand you have to let something or someone go. But it’s not what you want. Is the issue they’re not going about things the way you would? Let that attitude go and all will be well. For more call 0901 609 4780* Taurus 21 Apr – 20 May You get a last chance this week to be creative with money before the moment passes. You might bag a stunning…

There are no rules about how you face breast cancer. No one’s expected to deal with it in a certain way. But what made my friend Fliss Hallett so incredible is that, despite going through the most terrifying time of her life, she had the courage to push her own needs into the background to help others. Fliss and I had been friends since we met at university in 1995. After graduating she’d moved to Stoke Gifford, Gloucestershire, and married James, 35, eventually settling down to being a mum to Noah and Martha. I moved to Cardiff to become a sales manager, but we met up whenever we could. When I got engaged to Christopher in 2012, I asked her to be my bridesmaid. There wasn’t anyone I wanted more…

PIC OF THE WEEK Win £50 if we feature your photo Inspiring story... What an inspiration Karen Mitchell is! I was really moved by her story and how she wanted to lose weight to become a bone-marrow donor for Pride Of Britain award winner Alice Pyne. She’s clearly very caring. I’m sure she will succeed in lowering her BMI below 30 so that she can be placed on the bone-marrow donor register and that one day someone will benefit from her kindness and resolve. She is a fantastic example for everyone. Anne Woodward, via email Get well soon, Dawn! Dawn French seems like such a nice person and a great role model for older ladies. It’s so sad to read that she’s been unwell and is struggling. She has always…

Heartthrob actor Kelvin Fletcher thankfully doesn’t take himself too seriously, he tells us. ‘I always like to think I’ve got a smile on my face,’ he says. Kelvin, who has spent the last 18 years in Emmerdale , lives in his hometown of Oldham, Lancashire, with his long-term girlfriend, former fashion buyer turned actress Liz Marsland. The couple have known each other since they were five years old and were childhood sweethearts, but got together seriously eight years ago. Kelvin, 30, talks exclusively about topless scenes, older women and getting ready to settle down… You’ve been topless on screen a lot recently – do you enjoy it? The topless scenes couldn’t have happened at a worse time. I broke my right hand a few months ago…

SOS SUSANNA In a bid to boost ratings for Good Morning Britain, bosses are said to have given presenter Susanna Reid, 43, a to-do list to help boost her popularity with female viewers. According to sources, she’s been asked to lighten her hair in order to appear less harsh, wear brighter colours, check her skirt length and nod more to look more sympathetic. ‘It’s a serious business getting GMB and Susanna back on track,’ an insider revealed. However, ITV denied the claims, calling them ‘absolute tosh’. Bargain hunter He may be worth millions of dollars, but that doesn’t stop Johnny Depp from loving a bargain just like the rest of us. The star, 51, has apparently become hooked on discount website Groupon after buying a barbecue grill from there. ‘Johnny…

Cool cover-ups Colourful and stylish sarongs, kaftans and kimonos are all a must-pack for every beach holiday. Perfect to slip on for a lazy lunch or a sunset stroll. Stunningswimw ear Take your pick from our favourite poolside pieces. From bold bikinis to stylish swimsuits, there’s a beachwear option to suit everyone! Summer sandals Make sure you’re pedi-ready then treat your feet to a pair of fancy flats. They’re comfy, wear-anywhere and glamorous, too. Chic shorts Show off some leg in a pair of this season’s hottest shorts. Make sure they’re the perfect fit and keep the length a little longer. Coloured sunnies Shades have had a quirky makeover. Look out for fun-shaped frames that flatter your face shape. Bright tops Team jeans, a skirt or shorts with a colourful…

3 ways to... Revive your roots Save time and money at the salon with these clever buys 1 Clairol Nice’N Easy Root Touch -Up take , £4.28, covers greys to in just 10 minutes and the seamless results last up to three weeks. 2 Charles Worthington Instant Root Concealer, £9.99, could not be easier to use. Lift hair up and away from the scalp then spray on to roots in short bursts to build up coverage on greys and grown-out colour until your next wash. 3 Josh Wood Blending Wand, £12.50, M&S, is a non-permanent colour brush that instantly disguises roots so you can spread out dye jobs. Drink wine, look younger Rather than discarding the skins of the grapes from its English wine, M&S is utilising their youth-boosting power…

5 ways to get into that bikini Top fitness coach Joanne Henson, author of the What’s Your Excuse series, offers her top tips: 1 PICK AN EXERCISE YOU LIKE If you don’t like running, don’t run. When you find something you enjoy, you’ll be much more likely to stick with it. 2 FOODS ARE MADE MOREISH Many salty and sugary foods are purposely formulated so you want more. Have them as occasional treats only. 3 DON’T BE TEMPTED Buy individually wrapped biscuits, not a packet, to stop leftovers taunting you. 4 AVOID SUGAR AND CARBS Those cravings are a physical condition. Choose foods with a good proportion of protein and good fats for prolonged energy. 5 COMMIT Remove the word ‘try’ from ‘I’ll try to go…

Whatever my kids want, they get. Quad bikes, iPads and wardrobes full of designer clothes. You might accuse my husband Alan, 33, and me of spoiling Reiss, 14, Chase, 12, and seven-year-old Mackenzie rotten – and you’d be right. But I don’t see what the problem is. Why have kids if you’re not going to give them everything you possibly can? Pester power My parents split up when I was six and Mum worked two jobs to make sure me and my brothers had everything we needed. When I fell pregnant with Reiss when I was 18, I wanted to do the same. I’d spend a fortune on designer clothes because I thought if Reiss was well dressed, people would see I was capable of looking after him. When Chase…

Perfect PASTELS Pastels are taking interiors by storm, so give your kitchen a mini-makeover with some pretty but practical accessories. Take it outside With the Sainsbury’s range of pretty plastic plates, colourful cutlery and party straws, al fresco dining has never been more stylish! Just add a cosy picnic blanket and settle down for some fun in the sun. Memory Lane picnic pieces, from £1.50 We love... This handy drinks dispenser, only £15 from M&S, is perfect for your summer parties. Guests can help themselves to another Pimm’s! Save v splurge SAVE Serve your salad in style with this hot pink bamboo bowl, £8.50, from Oliver Bonas. SPLURGE This wooden colour-dipped salad bowl, £20, from Tesco, will add a tasteful touch to any kitchen. SAY IT IN style The…

Do you know someone who goes that extra mile to help others? Woman’s Own and Macmillan Cancer Support have launched the first ever Role Awards. For full entry details and a chance to win a cruise with MSC Cruises go to womansown.co.uk/rolemodel . Macmillan Cancer Support offers help to cancer patients, their friends and family. Visit macmillan.org.uk  or call 0808 808 0000. To donate and help Macmillan make sure no one faces cancer alone, text INSPIRE to 70550 to donate £3.…

Back to the BAY? Dannii Minogue has confessed that she’d love to return to Home And Away , 24 years after she last starred in the Aussie soap as teenager Emma Jackson. ‘I’d really like to go back. I walked past the set and it made me want to nip in and do something. Maybe I could come back as Emma Jackson’s sister?’ Dannii, 42, joked. NO ESCAPE! She’s currently on our screens as hot new love interest Samantha in Casualty and also being tipped for a stint on Strictly, but Michelle Collins says there’s one role she can’t escape: Cindy Beale from EastEnders. ‘I haven’t been in it for 17 years but I still get workmen calling out, ‘Oi, Cindy!’’ the former Corrie star, 52, said.…

Purchase A classic 1930s telephone that I bought from a shop I was passing while filming Long Lost Family. I thought, ‘I have to get that for my wife.’ And she absolutely loved it. It’s on a table in our living room, it makes the room look like a film set. Embarrassing moment I’m a bit of a busybody and a few weeks ago I saw someone in the driver’s seat of a car on their phone, so I marched over to tell them off – before realising it was a left-hand drive. I wanted to crawl under the nearest rock. ‘I love you’ It was to my dogs, Misty and Maxwell, when I left the house this morning. I was going away for a few days, so I didn’t…