Innholdsfortegnelse for 10-mar-14 i Woman's Own

Take a look at these women. Model Christie Brinkley (top left) has just turned 60, while actress Raquel Welch (left) is now 73. Wow, you say, they look so young! But do you admire or envy them? We all want to look the best for our age, but this can take constant maintenance – from strict vegan diets to punishing daily workouts and perhaps even having a little work done? Hmm… suddenly it all sounds like too much effort – so I’d better get used to my wrinkles after all...…

Comedian Dawn French has been jolted into losing the weight she gained last year and could be dieting to save her life. She told a friend, ‘I’ve lost 2st already,’ after receiving the shock news that her ex-husband, Lenny Henry, had been diagnosed with diabetes. The pal told Woman’s Own, ‘Dawn’s turned over a new leaf in terms of her approach to eating. First it was Jennifer’s [Saunders] cancer, now Lenny’s diabetes. Dawn knows her weight will cause long-term health problems and is doing something about it.’ Dawn, 56, who originally lost a whopping 7st back in 2011, confessed, ‘I think when you’re over 50 you have to pay attention to your health a bit. I’d just ballooned more than I had wanted to, but you can always address it.…

‘We were drunk on the telly!’ Stephen, 42, and Chris, 37, are both hairdressers from Brighton. They have known each other for 10 years, and regularly watch TV together in Chris’ living room with some ‘pink’ wine and a takeaway. We love that you drink Laurent Perrier pink champagne in front of the telly – is that the norm for you both? Stephen Well, Chris only drinks anything that’s pink, don’t you?! Chris Cheeky, no I don’t. I don’t like white wine or red wine but I do love rosé. I guess that’s pink – like my personality. Have you ever been drunk on television? S There was one occasion, yes. I woke up in the morning and couldn’t remember anything and I was worried in case I had said…

From £12 Colour pop The delicate floral pattern and high neckline on this dress look ultra modern on actress Michelle Dockery, 32. Just match the brightest colour on your dress to your shoes for a standout outfit that is sure to get you noticed. Casual cool Rip up the style rule book by teaming an elegant circle skirt with a slouchy knit for effortless daytime glamour. Keep bold florals understated, like Katie Holmes, 35, by accessorising with a simple cream clutch and a pair of nude heels. Be bright Purple jewel tones, as seen here on Kate Garraway, 46, are so versatile and can be reworked for any season. Wear printed trousers now with a smart blazer and team with a floaty chiffon top for summer.…

THE ‘BIG’ GIRL From an early age my weight never went below 12st and I tried really hard not to let my size get me down. Inevitably, though, as I got older I became interested in dating and going out with my friends. I began to feel more insecure, especially as all my girlfriends were slim. I managed to hide behind my bubbly personality, so no one would realise how low I felt. THE BUSY MUM When I left home at 23, more weight crept on. I started eating out a lot, socialising and ordering takeaways. I met Brian when I was 30 and married him three years later, wearing a size 16 dress. I regret not joining Slimming World before my wedding. Two pregnancies followed – having young children…

My manager is destructive Last year, my boss brought in a manager to ‘motivate’ staff and sales. This woman uses fear and intimidation to motivate us. Now, two of my team have resigned and I’m looking for a new job. My husband says I should tell my boss just how destructive this woman’s whole approach has been before I leave. Is it ever OK to go over your line manager’s head? Carmen, 39, Swansea It depends whether your boss brought this woman in to play ‘bad cop’ to his ‘good cop’. If he did, he still gets to be the nice guy while the new person is there to do the dirty work. Of course, it is possible he has no idea that she is using fear or intimidation to…

The smell of freshly baked croissants wafted through the cafe. Picking up a pen, I began to write my postcards. It was December 2012 and the first morning of my weekend in Paris – a city I had dreamt of visiting for so long. Yet while to many I may have looked like any other tourist, a sadness deep inside gripped at my heart. Because this wasn’t any ordinary city break – and these weren’t just any old postcards. The messages I was writing were to be a loving tribute to a very special lady on her 60th birthday – someone who wasn’t there to celebrate herself… Growing up in Dorset, I’d had a wonderful childhood. My mum, Vivienne, was a teacher, just like Dad, and did everything to make…

From just 75 p per serving Sausage, bacon and mustard pies MAKES 6 PREP TIME 30 MINS COOKING TIME 45 MINS YOU WILL NEED ◆ 400g pork sausages ◆ 100g smoked bacon lardons ◆ 6 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped ◆ 1tsp sage, chopped ◆ 1tbsp wholegrain mustard ◆ 500g plain flour ◆ 75g butter ◆ 100g vegetable fat or lard ◆ 1 egg, lightly beaten HOW TO DO IT 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/Gas 6. Remove the skin from the sausages and put the meat in a large bowl. Add the bacon, tomatoes, sage and mustard and season. Mix well. 2 Blend the flour, 1½tsp salt and butter in a food processor until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs. Heat the vegetable fat, or lard, in a pan with 150ml water…

Here are the facts. I am 27 and my spine is broken in three places. I can only get about in a wheelchair. Yet even though I am disabled, I made the decision to become a mum and now have Cody, aged two, and Cerys, 10 months. Yet since having my children, I’ve faced some of the most shameful prejudice you can imagine. There have been Facebook messages criticising my decision and actual comments to my face. One time when I was pregnant, a woman came up to me in the supermarket and looked at my bump. ‘Have you thought this through?’ she said with a real tone of disdain. Perhaps you don’t believe that in this age of equality there can be such feelings against disabled mums like me.…

Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr Home, family – everything domestic enters a new positive phase after Thursday, which will help no end if you’re feeling run-down. Don’t agree to too much – let others take up the slack. I know that will feel unusual but, really, this is no time to be Superwoman. Taurus 21 Apr – 20 May A friend could be going through a painful time. A partner could be angry or, at least, frustrated. Fortunately, after Thursday you can rise above problems and see things from a higher perspective, which is truly useful right now. Gemini 21 May – 20 Jun Plan an action-packed weekend. Saturday is a splendid day for getting loads of things done. If you work, Friday is good for motoring through tasks…

Jacqueline Jossa has caused a huge stir in Walford since she joined EastEnders four years ago. As Lauren Branning, she’s been a teen alcoholic, tried to kill her own father, and had an affair with married Jake Stone, played by Kym Marsh’s ex-husband, Jamie Lomas. We caught up with the starl, 21, to find out what really goes on behind the scenes at the soap, how she copes with some of her more hard-hitting storylines, what it’s like working with Jamie, Danny Dyer and co, and her plans to date a certain Keith Lemon… What can we expect from Lauren in the next few months? I want her to do something really horrific! I’m ready for something ridiculous. I want to get my teeth into something big. Such as? I…

Black magic Kylie Minogue, 45, adds a playful twist to this asymmetric style with a huge bow across the shoulder and a cheeky one to add balance at the hip Prom queen Corrie’s Catherine Tyldesley, 30, channels the fabulous 1950s with a nipped-in waist and fared-out skirt – the perfect disguise for bigger hips. Lady in red Actress Amanda Seyfried, 28, looks like she’s ready to be unwrapped in this glam satin number. Cover star Helen Mirren, 68, the doyenne of eveningwear, picks an oyster satin overlay to make a chic and fattering alternative to a separate shawl. Racy lacy Curvy girl Dita Von Teese, 41, knows all the tricks for slimming your silhouette. She breaks up a solid block of colour with a waist-whittling ribbon. Bow belle If you want…

Hollywood star Julia Roberts has been dealt another tragic blow, following the death of her estranged halfsister, nancy, last month. The actress is said to be suffering an ‘emotional collapse’ after learning that her mother, Betty, has been diagnosed with cancer. Julia, 46, was left shaken after doctors found a cancerous tumour on Betty’s lung during a routine mRI. ‘Everyone was frantic because Betty has a history of smoking and emphysema,’ a source said. Pals are said to be worried about Julia, who found out about her mum’s condition in the weeks before nancy, 37, was found dead in her bathtub after an apparent overdose, with prescription medication found nearby. a suicide note was found next to her body, which allegedly blasted Julia and the rest of the Roberts family.…

Here we go, ladies. The truth is out. According to a recent study, we’ve all lied in the bedroom. In fact an incredible 70% of women fake an orgasm at some point in their lives. But why? What is it that makes us feel the need to pretend we’re having the time of our lives when we’re actually far from satisfied? One of the main reasons is actually out of our concern for a partner’s feelings. We’re scared that if we don’t make the right noises and show him we enjoyed it too, he’ll be upset. And we’d all much rather have a nice cuddle or a cup of tea in the post-sex throes than an argument about what went wrong. But there are other reasons too. Some women admitted…

Fear ne Cotton You don’t have to be in your fifties to benefit from this anti-ageing style. DJ Fearne, 32, looks fresh and trendy since she went for the chop. A blunt, one-length bob like Fearne’s gone for can make fine hair seem thicker. Jerry Hall It’s the cut that everyone’s talking about – Jerry Hall, 57, has just lopped off her famous Hollywood waves in favour of a shoulderskimming bob, known as the ‘lob’. Now it looks glossy, healthy and super-youthful. Katie Price After years of sporting hair extensions, Katie Price, 35, recently revealed a more natural, edgy and modern style. And we think she looks fab! The long layers make this a versatile cut, which is quick and easy to style. Jessica Alba Actress Jessica, 32, opts for…

Steps to success 1 Choose one breakfast, one lunch and one dinner every day. It doesn’t matter if you have the same breakfast or lunch for a few days in a row. You can follow the planner as many times as you like or find more recipes at slimmingworld.com. 2Fill up on Free Foods throughout the day – foods that are printed in bold in the recipes and menu plans are all Free and can be enjoyed without weighing, measuring or counting. If you feel peckish between meals snack on fresh fruit and vegetables, and lots of fat-free yogurts are Free too. Use fat-free salad dressings, artificial sweeteners, stock, herbs, oil-free passata and tomato purée and spices freely to flavour meals as well. 3 Have daily portions of dairy, cereals…

Watch out for... Blue light We’d be lost without smartphones, laptops and TVs, but they all emit ‘bad’ blue light, which scientists from the Vision Institute in Paris now say can damage the cells in your eyes. ◆ How does it affect me? It’s everywhere. The sun produces it year round. We need some ‘good’, natural blue light (blue-turquoise) to help regulate our body clocks. But prolonged exposure to ‘bad’ blue light (blue-violet), emitted by electronic devices and light bulbs, raises the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness. ◆ What can I do about it? Limit your screen time and eat lots of green leafy veg. Ask about glasses and sunglasses that offer protection against ultra-violet light from the sun and filter out blue-violet light.…

£50 each if you nominate a friend That moment, so filled with pride, so incredible to see, felt like a dream. How could it be happening to our family? Yet there was my mum Sacha standing there in front of Prince Charles. I felt the tears slide down my face. Our very normal family from North London was in Buckingham Palace and my mum was receiving an MBE. I couldn’t have been more proud. She’d been on such an incredible journey to get here and it had started when she’d found herself homeless and pregnant aged 16. With no support from the father and separated from her own family, she was forced to move into a hostel in her home town of Luton. But after her son, Ricky, was born…

NA MED & SH A MED Don’t get duped into handing over extra money to renew or replace your passport. In the past year, dozens of copycat websites have sprung up offering to file your passport forms for you, for example, UK-passport.net and Passport-uk.co.uk. You might think you’re going through the official channels, but you’re actually paying a thirdparty organisation to do something you could easily do yourself. They may even offer to fasttrack your application and, while they’re not doing anything illegal, they’re charging you over the odds to check your forms. Visit the Government site where fees are clearly displayed: gov.uk/passport-fees. 5 WAYS TO… challenge park ing tickets There are more than 70 reasons why you could be given a parking ticket – from leaving your car on…

Most women celebrate a significant birthday with a party or even a trip abroad, but a trend shows more of us are resorting to plastic surgery to celebrate. ‘In this economic climate, people still feel guilty splashing the cash on surgery as it’s seen as indulgent and nonessential, but doing it for a landmark birthday justifies the cost,’ says Shami Thomas from Transform Cosmetic Surgery. ‘Over the past two years, we have seen a marked increase in the number of people coming in for that longed-for operation to mark a big birthday.’ And these four women are in no doubt that changing a body part at the same time as blowing out their candles was the best thing they ever did. Here they show off their brand new bodies. A…

Older mums Tina Malone looked so happy with her new baby recently. However, after reading of her plans to have another child, I’d like to point out not all women over 50 can afford IVF. For them, having more children is not an option. Ann Miller, Nottingham Time to stop the selfies I was angry to see a ‘selfie’ shot of Sam Faiers, taken from her hospital bed. She is not the only celebrity to do this and I don’t see the need. If they are poorly, taking photos should be the last thing they are thinking about. Kirsty Meredith, email PIC OF TH E WEEK Win £50 if we feature your photo Such injustice My heart went out to the Hilson family when I read their tragic story about the…

DI VA demands Simon Cowell may have got Cheryl Cole, 30, to return to The X Factor by offering her a series of incredible perks. After she was dumped from the US version of the show, Simon, feeling a tad guilty, is now promising the singer use of his private jet, unlimited funds for her wardrobe and £2 million pay. As a source revealed, ‘Simon wants to boost ratings again, and he thinks Cheryl’s the one to do that.’ Don’t MISS IT... True Detective, Sky Atlantic, Saturdays If you haven’t heard of this new US crime series yet, where have you been? Hollywood heavyweights (and Oscar noms) Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson play cops hunting a serial killer in the Deep South. It’s dark, thrilling and unmissable. Model behaviour Kate…

Fern’s DIET HELL Fern Britton has been forced to deny she is using diet pills, after a company used her image and details as a means of selling the tablets. Furious Fern, 56, took to Twitter to declare, ‘Warning: it’s not me! It’s a scam!’ The advert, for raspberry ketone supplements, stated, ‘English TV presenter Fern Briton used this diet to lose over 2st in just 28 days. Since being on the diet, she has lost more than 7st. She recommends this exact diet to anyone looking to lose belly fat.’ However, Fern has never offcially been associated with the company. She’s not the first star to be used in these ads, which appear prominently on Facebook and other social media sites. Pauline Quirke, Adele and Lorraine Kelly have all…

There’s no doubt that Simon Cowell is positively beaming following the birth of his son, Eric, but the new father will face fresh pain when he is separated from his baby as the result of a court ruling. Simon and Lauren Silverman, his partner and Eric’s mother, will be forced to endure several separations from April onward, when Simon, 54, returns to the UK for Britain’s Got Talent. Rather than being based with him full-time, Lauren will return to her home in New York to be with her elder son, Adam, eight, her child with her ex-husband, Andrew Silverman – who also happens to be Simon’s former best friend. As part of the divorce settlement, which was thrashed out while Lauren was heavily pregnant with Eric, she and Andrew share…

What I’ve been through turned my life into a living hell. I lost absolutely everything – my home, my job, my sanity and self-esteem. I suffered symptoms as raw as a drug addict dependent on their next fix or an alcoholic sinking gallons of cheap booze, even that of a gambler who’s ready to risk their livelihood for a last flutter. Yet there was no professional help for me, no recognised counselling, because what I suffered wasn’t – and in many ways still isn’t – taken seriously. All I can say is that it began harmlessly enough with a little black dress… A comfortable life Ten years ago, aged 43, I was a high-flying career woman. I’d left school at 16, got a factory job and worked my way up…

Avon Ultra Color Absolute Lipstick in Lovely Fuchsia, £8 Caring balm meets cool colour in this new all-in-one from Avon that will ensure your pout stays soft and supple. Nutrilips Balm in Hannah, £14, wild aboutbeauty.com Besides the striking raspberry hue, this formula is rich in shea butter and vitamin E. YSL Gloss Volupte in No4, £21 Gloss can make a real statement. This is a full-on, no-messing, true-colour lip shine. And best of all, the formula is so light it feels barely there. Clarins Gloss Prodige in Coral Tulip, £17 A fab does-it-all gloss that makes your pout appear fuller with its smooth, non-sticky colour. Burberry Lip Glow in Lavender No25, £18.50 This lilac-tinted gloss looks fantastic layered over a fresh pink lipstick. M&S Limited Collection Matte Lipstick in…

We were terrified he’d die if we left him Sinking on to the bed, I broke down in my partner David’s arms. It was June last year and I was crying for our two-week-old son, Oscar, who was hooked up to a ventilator after suffering a brain haemorrhage. Although he’d been born six weeks early, he was 5lb 3oz with a healthy cry. But while I was having my first cuddle, doctors realised he was struggling to breathe. Suddenly he was whisked away and put on a ventilator at Peterborough City Hospital, 15 minutes from our home. For two weeks, David and I juggled visiting him with looking after my two children from a previous relationship, Jodie, then two, and Harvey, three. But then doctors discovered that Oscar was having…

What’s all the fuss about? ‘It’s so bad, it’s the new tobacco,’ claims Simon Capewell, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Liverpool, because experts now believe that sugar is addictive. And that addiction is threatening to destroy us. The average Brit consumes more than one kilo – 238 teaspoons – of (mostly hidden) sugars a week, which has resulted in over two thirds of us now being obese or overweight. ‘It’s contributing to an epidemic of type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and early deaths,’ warns Professor Capewell. Why is it suddenly in the news? Those 238 teaspoons (see left) don’t come from one lump of sugar in 238 cups of tea. The real problem is the tons of refined sugars hidden in everyday foods like ketchup, soups,…

On the table in 10 Beefy quesadillas Too hungry to wait for the oven to heat up? No baking needed with this yum snack! 1 Top 1 soft flour tortilla with 4tbsp tomato salsa, sprinkle over a can of M&S Minced Beef (£2.79, 400g), 2 spring onions, chopped, 55g of tinned sweetcorn, ½ a small red pepper, deseeded and chopped, and 75g Edam, grated. 2 Put another tortilla on top and press down. Brush a large frying pan with oil, add the quesadilla and cook over a medium heat for 2-3 mins, until the cheese begins to melt. Flip over and cook for another 2-3 mins. Cut into wedges. Serve with soured cream or guacamole on the side. We love... Each one of these 12 delicious chocolate bars is Fairtrade,…

Looking for a mascara that will add volume and length to your lashes? Revlon’s Custom Eyes black mascara has a smudgeproof formula that stays put all day and brightens your eyes. Woman’s Own has teamed up with Beauty Outlet Direct, an online shop specialising in luxury beauty brands at fantastic prices, to offer every reader one Revlon Custom Eyes black mascara, worth £9.99. You only need to pay £2.99 postage and packing. When you order, why not treat yourself to two great additional beauty offers – a Revlon ColorStay Concealer in either light or medium and a Revlon Grow Luscious Lash Liner, with a choice of black, brown or dark green colours? Treat yourself A Revlon ColorStay Concealer in light or medium RRP £6.99 Our price £3.95 Revlon Grow Luscious…

Woman’s Own  Exclusive event just for YOU! 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-ofthe-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 2014 dates for your diary ◆ 30 March - 1 April ◆…

What to do happily spent days in the pool, which is free, and at 29.5 degrees, warm enough for the two-year-olds to play without getting cold. The boys couldn’t get enough of the exhilarating Wild Water Rapids in the outdoor pool, while the girls lapped up the toddler water play areas. But if you’re happy to pay more, there are over 200 activities – from falconry to archery, tennis to golf. We booked paintballing, quad-biking as well as a painting session for the girls. Everyone was seriously happy, and my other half (a seasoned paraglider) still quakes at his Aerial Tree Trekking experience on the zip-wire. My mother painted money boxes (made from clay) for her granddaughters, my sister went head to head with my dad to make the most…

From globetrotting as one-fifth of Westlife to being crowned King of the Jungle on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Kian Egan, 33, has certainly done his fair share of A-list living. But as the singer tells Woman’s Own when we cornered him for a catch-up on a rare day off, he’s never happier than when he’s spending time with wife Jodi, 30, and son Koa, two… Which parts of your body do you like most and least? I quite like my arms and chest, which is lucky as I don’t work particularly hard on them. I don’t really like my stomach, though. It’s where all the food goes, of course, and it really shows! Who is your celebrity hero? Dave Grohl from Foo Fighters. I met him…