Innholdsfortegnelse for 03-feb-14 i Woman's Own

It’s refreshing to hear a star be so honest about ageing. Former Sporty Spice Mel C, who has just turned 40, admitted she was ‘terrified of Botox and avoided it for a long time but then I had it and really loved it. If you have a tiny, tiny bit then that’s fine.’ She added, ‘That’s another thing about ageing, learning to be a bit kinder to yourself.’ Like Mel, we’d all prefer to look younger, yet are reluctant to do anything too extreme – but happily we’re not famous! However, I am going to start being kinder to myself – now where are those chocs?! Join us onlin Head to our fabulous website, womansown.co.uk, to get all the latest celeb gossip, great competitions and deals, plus beauty, fashion, easy…

Pauline Quirke is happy in her own skin – she’s enjoying the romping return of hit ’90s comedy Birds Of A Feather and she’s finally found her preferred weight. A friend of the actress told Woman’s Own, ‘Pauline admitted to me, ‘I haven’t weighed myself but I’ve put on more than 3st – I think I’ve put on 3½st.’’ Hard to maintain After losing a whopping 8st on the LighterLife diet in 2011, Pauline, 54, unveiled her new body and at the time was really happy with the results. But the pal says, ‘Pauline loved her slimmer shape but just found maintaining it was not practical. She offcially stopped the diet when her contract ended – however she was already putting the weight back on well before that.’ The pal…

Sinitta ‘Simon would have talked me out of it’ You’ve got to hand it to pop star Sinitta. She was first to be voted off Dancing On Ice, and the second out of the jungle on I’m A Celebrity... But you can’t keep a good woman down, and she’s determined to last a bit longer on The Jump. Following a holiday with Simon Cowell, Sinitta, 50, is raring to go. Are you nervous, Sinitta? I am, but not as bad as when we first started our training. Before, I wouldn’t even look at the ski jump, I was so frightened. I always watch steve Redgrave when we are given something new to do, because he looks at it, listens to the instructor, takes it all in, and if he likes…

Don’t miss this! If you’re a size 14 or more, head for the British Plus Size Fashion Weekend on 14-15 February, at Vinopolis, London Bridge, to snap up bang on-trend looks, such as these from the show’s sponsor, Evans. Spend your day watching glamorous catwalk shows, browsing the 25 pop-up shops offering exclusive discounts and partying the night away. To buy your VIP ticket (£45), which includes access to the catwalks, the VIP lounge and catwalk seating, entrance to the after-party and an exclusive Woman’s Own goody bag, log on to bpsfw.com. Reader rated ‘This fabulous fedora from New Look is perfect for those bad-hair days and goes well with lots of different outfits.’ MAXINE RATTRAY, 56, FROM HARROW, LONDON EXPERT ADVICE ‘To clean precious metal jewellery I only use…

How the diet works 1Buy the items on the shopping list below. This is enough for a week and should cost around £17.50 (£2.50 a day). 2Keep stocked up on the cupboard and fridge-freezer basics listed below. If you buy these in bulk every few weeks or so, they should add no more than 50p a day to your budget. 3 Simply use your purchases and store cupboard items to create our delicious caloriecounted meals and snacks, helping you lose 1-2lb a week. 4 In addition to the menu suggestions, drink half a pint of 1% fat milk (for example in tea or coffee) daily to boost your intake of bone-friendly calcium. 7-DAY SHOPPING LIST ◆ 4 pints of milk ............................. £1 ◆ 454g pack 5% fat sausages... £1.99 ◆…

Quick fixes to save your marriage Most relationships hit the wall at some point – stop the rot and make new habits to help you repair, reconnect and re-establish love I can’t cope We’ve been married for 15 years and have a boy of 10 and a girl of 13, but my husband and I fight increasingly about money. He earns little as a photographer but spends big – partly, I think, because he has so much spare time and that makes him depressed. I’m a nurse and often take on extra shifts to make ends meet. If I’m honest, I’d say that we’re only staying together for the kids. If we split up, my standard of living would be worse than it is now. Sometimes we don’t speak for…

At the familiar sound of the throaty engine, my girls jumped up out of their seats and ran to the front door. It was a Saturday evening in September 2012, the moment 17-yearold Hannah and Millie, 12, had been waiting all day for. Their dad was home... He’d only been gone a week but it had felt like a lifetime. It always did any time Tony was away from the three of us. We’d met while working at a Fiat car dealership, and our first date had been on Valentine’s Day 1989, when I was 30, Tony 22. ‘It’ll never work,’ our mothers had said. ‘You’re far too old, he’s far too young.’ I preferred Tony’s take on it all – a goodnatured shrug. ‘It’s only a number,’ he’d said.…

Worth over £180 each With thousands of items launched into stores every year, it can be hard to know which ones to choose. This is where the Product of the Year awards can really help. They cover everything you need in your weekly shop from food, baby care and toiletries, to healthcare, household cleaning products and pet food. The awards will give you an insight into the most innovative and value-formoney goods on the market and they’re voted for by you. To mark Product of the Year’s 10th anniversary, it’s offering 50 lucky readers the chance to win a selection of products worth over £180! Health and beauty FEMININE CARE Always Infinity Pads Made of revolutionary Infinicel foam, £3.49 per pack ORAL CARE Listerine Advanced Defence Sensitive Long-lasting protection, £5.49 ELECTRIC…

Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr There’s no such thing as a private life now. Everyone’s noticing, and probably talking about, the way you’re changing. Some of them find the way you’ve coped over the past year mind-boggling. You, though, are feeling liberated. There’s no going back. Embrace that fact. ◆ For more call 0901 609 4780* Taurus 21 Apr – 20 May Throughout January you’ve been thinking about how you live and imposing some heavy-handed discipline or restrictions. There’s no denying it’s hard, but you’re finally learning some big lessons. Give yourself a pat on the back and keep it up. ◆ For more call 0901 609 4781* Gemini 21 May – 20 Jun Money – yours and other people’s – and how you spend or share it has…

She’s been This Morning’s showbiz correspondent for more than a decade now, but Alison Hammond, 38, reckons she’s happier now than she’s ever been. As well as interviewing some of the biggest celebs, she gets to hang out regularly with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, so to say she loves her job is an understatement! We sat her down to get the inside gossip on Holly’s wild nights, Phil’s secret whisky obsession, and what really happened when Eamonn turned his legendary charm on her… When it comes to the show, who’s your best mate on set? That’s hard! I’m pretty close with everyone. Me and Phil have loads of banter and we text each other all the time. Holly and I get on really well, too. I’ll pop into their…

Scarlet fever Cheryl Cole, 30, almost disappears into the red carpet with this gown’s vermilion train. A matching nail polish and clutch ties the whole outfit together. Go green with envy The spearmint shade, the ankle-grazing trousers, the flattering trapeze top… Oh Rihanna, 25, there’s nothing we don’t love about this ensemble! Off the scale As singer Ellie Goulding, 27, shows, a gently fared fshtail style balances out curves – a great trick for slimming down larger hips. Nice bit of fluff Dancing On Ice judge Ashley Roberts, 32, combines two hot trends with her lace top and fuffy skirt. No jewellery and simple sandals keep the look from going too over the top. Vested interest Cate Blanchett, 44, has totally mastered the look of effortless elegance in this colourblock…

She’s lost over 2st and has been flaunting her fab new figure, but sources close to Denise Welch, 55, claim she’s insecure, and terrified she will lose her younger husband, Lincoln Townley, 41. ‘Denise’s insecurity is manifesting itself in depression and neediness,’ a close pal told Woman’s Own. ‘She feels particularly clingy and needs Lincoln’s undivided attention, especially as she is now more of a housewife than a household name. Plus the age gap is playing on her mind – she wants to turn back time.’ Even though Den has openly talked about having an eyelift for her 50th birthday and a ‘knife-free’ facelift in the past, she is apparently seriously considering having more work done in a bid to keep herself looking as good as possible, claiming she doesn’t…

She’s the picture of innocence as a nurse on BBC1’s Call The Midwife. But the show’s star, Judy Parfitt, didn’t mince her words when she hit out at women who have plastic surgery. ‘It’s pathetic,’ the 78-year-old actress said recently. ‘You don’t look any younger. You look well for a bit until it starts going again, but it takes all the character out.’ Boom time Despite Judy’s strong remarks, anti-ageing surgery is on the rise. Since 2008, the number has increased by 25%*, with eye, face and neck lifts becoming more and more popular. But it remains a topic of fierce debate. So is there anything wrong with going under the knife? Or should we choose to grow old gracefully? Of course, plenty of celebs have been brave enough to…

Take a look at your dressing table – is it overflowing with skincare? Today, it seems there’s a product for everything – day cream with SPF, night cream, eye cream, neck cream, serums, masks, peels and fillers. The list is endless, but are we doing our skin more harm in the long-term? ‘I’m starting to see more and more clients with congested and dull-looking skin caused by overloading on products,’ says Nichola Joss (below), Sanctuary Spa skincare expert. ‘Layering creams on top of one another can actually make them less effective, so you don’t see the results that you would expect.’ We all want to see results quickly, but we’re also guilty of flitting from product to product without allowing them time to work. As Dr Daron Seukeran (left), an…

NEW YOU 2014 RELATIONSHIP SPECIAL You may think things are just fine between you and your man. You’ve been together long enough for those first romantic days of being ‘in love’ to have faded a bit but you’re happy enough. Yet what couples don’t always realise is that cracks could be forming below the surface and if left untreated, they could prove dangerous. In my role as a leading relationship coach, I have devised a quiz to help you test just how things really are between you and your man. And if you find any cracks? Don’t worry – I can help on how to make things rock solid again… 1 Thinking back to when you were first going out, you... A Remember it as a wonderful time and realise…

Our sex life has vanished Since having IVF twin boys five years ago, sex has all but vanished from our relationship. I gained a lot of weight and felt fat and hormonal. Eventually, my husband stopped asking for sex and my libido went into deep freeze. During a recent argument, he said he still loved me and our family very much but that unless I stopped being jealous and paranoid, splitting up was ‘looking inevitable’. I know I have to get our marriage (and our sex life) back on track but I’ve lost all my confidence. Rhianon, 35, London Rhianon, 35, London Few events stress a marriage more than a new family member and you managed two, so please, have mercy on yourself and your hubby! I don’t think enough…

Ready in under 30 minutes TIP Miso paste is sold in most supermarkets, it gives a lovely swee t taste and goes really well with fish Miso salmon and noodles SERVES 4 PREP TIME 10 MINS COOKING TIME 10 MINS COST PER SERVING £2.80 YOU WILL NEED ◆ 2tbsp miso paste ◆ 6tbsp rice wine, dry sherry or white wine ◆ 4 salmon fillets ◆ 2tbsp sunflower oil ◆ 200g sugar snap peas, sliced ◆ Bunch spring onions, sliced ◆ 1tbsp sesame seeds ◆ 600g cooked egg noodles ◆ 225g tin bamboo shoots, drained HOW TO DO IT 1Mix together miso paste and wine in a shallow dish. Add the salmon, turn to coat and marinate for 10 mins. 2Heat 1tbsp sunflower oil in a large frying pan. Shake excess…

Did you know? From June, airlines, train operators and high-street shops will no longer be allowed to charge a premium rate for calling their helplines, thanks to new Government rules. Companies have been using 0845 or 0870 numbers to make extra money from you, so it’s great news this is finally getting sorted out. Financial firms like banks and insurers are not included in the ruling, but the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which looks after the industry, has said it’s working on it. In the meantime, log on to saynoto0870.com to swap expensive numbers for cheaper local ones. HOW TO… bag a beauty bargain! ◆ SHOP AROUND Whenever I need to stock up on bath/shower gel, shampoo or deodorant, I always head to my local Boots or Superdrug as they…

Powerful thinking I was interested to read your article on trichotillomania [6 January]. I’m a retired mental health nurse and retrained as a hypnotherapist. Last year a lady came to me who had been pulling her hair out for 40 years. I thought, ‘How am I going to help her?’ After some research, I started asking my patient to imagine her arms getting heavy and falling into her lap when she felt the urge to pull her hair. It worked in two sessions, I was as amazed as she was! Many don’t consider it, but hypnotherapy really can work. Linda Dickins, Dorset PIC OF TH E WEEK Win £50 if we feature your photo Fantastic fundraising I want to share how proud I am of my children, Kieran, 11, Erin, nine,…

TASTY pairing Nigella Lawson could be in for some more controversy, after her married co-star on The Taste revealed that they were ‘very, very close’. Hunky Ludo Lefebvre, 42, admitted he hit it off with Nigella when they filmed the US version of the show last year. ‘I feel that I have known her for a very long time.’ he said. ‘We clicked right away.’ When asked about Nigella’s recent troubles, involving a court appearance and allegations of drug abuse, French dad-of-two Ludo said, ‘It broke my heart.’ Ooh-er. Don’t MISS IT... Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, After 15 years, this week sees the quiz’s final episode. For the last time, host Chris Tarrant will be asking celeb pairs if they’d like to go 50/50 or phone a friend,…

‘Pregnancy was hard on me’ Kim Kardashian, 33, has admitted she didn’t enjoy pregnancy one bit. When asked what she thought of women saying it was a beautiful thing, she was quick to respond, ‘They are lying. They are LYING to you. It was hard mentally on me.’ Kim suffered pre-eclampsia, and had to have baby North early. Speaking about her seven-month-old daughter with Kanye West, Kim said, ‘She changes all the time. One day she’ll look like Kanye, one day she’ll look like me. It’s crazy.’ Naughty 40 Kate Moss was never going to turn 40 quietly! The model celebrated at the exclusive 34 restaurant in Mayfair with friends like Naomi Campbell, Sadie Frost, Stella McCartney, Jo Wood, designer John Galliano, photographer Mario Testino and Radio 1’s Nick Grimshaw.…

When it was announced that Dermot O’Leary would be filling in for Phillip Schofeld on This Morning, no one could have predicted just how popular the swap would prove to be. But with fans calling for Phil, 51, to ‘be gone’ and for Dermot, 40, to ‘stay’, should Phil, who is affectionately known as ‘the king of daytime TV’, be worried? ‘I could definitely get used to waking up to Dermot on This Morning,’ wrote one viewer on Twitter, while another added, ‘Dermot can you stay please? Phil be gone!’ The X Factor host stepped into Phil’s shoes while he was busy with flaming commitments for The Cube, and Dermot clearly made a lasting impression on regular viewers, who went online to praise his ‘far more palatable’ presenting style. ‘Great…

At night I can’t sleep because I’m terrified someone will take my little girl away from me. I’ve read stories of children being removed from their parents because they are obese and I’m so scared they will come for my daughter. Phoenix is aged nine, 4ft 11in tall and weighs 10st 2lb. ‘Am I fat, Mummy?’ she asked me last week with tears in her eyes. I hugged her but didn’t know what to say, because she deserved more than my lies. Mothers everywhere will be shaking their head, horrified that I’ve let it get to this state. I’ve been accused of feeding my girl pizzas and chips, somehow fuelling this misery. And yes, I realise deep down that I must be doing something wrong. But I’m also speaking out…

3 of the best... Hair masks 1 FOR FRIZZY HAIR Moisture is key to fighting ageing frizz. Trevor Sorbie’s Frizz Free Repair Mask, £5.99, contains avocado oil to leave your locks super-sleek. 2 FOR COLOURTREATED HAIR The silky cream formula and UV filters in L’Oréal Elvive Colour Protect Mask, £5.09, boost gloss and protect against colour fade. 3 FOR DAMAGED HAIR Replenish tired-looking hair with Morrocanoil’s Restorative Hair Mask, £31.89. It helps strengthen and restore elasticity to brittle tresses. Reader rated JACQUI JOHNSTONE, 53, FROM ESSEX ‘I can’t get enough of Autograph Time Defy Foundation, £12.50, M&S. It’s a great price and a little bit goes a long way. The velvety, matt finish leaves my skin so soft tht it almost looks airbrushed!’ How I look younger X Factor judge…

Three years. That’s all the time it took for my marriage to crumble. I could still remember my wedding, still picture how handsome my husband, Mick, had looked in his suit. But now it was over. ‘I think we should get a divorce,’ I told him simply one horrible day in the summer of 1999. Hearing the words out loud, I felt my heart break. I could see the hurt and shock in his eyes, but I felt we had no other choice. We hardly spent any time together and, when we did, we either sat in silence or argued about the stupidest things. It was obvious we were both miserable. Things had been so different when we’d first met in 1994 on a night out with friends. I had…

3 step fix... Cystitis Many of us will experience this painful inflammation of the bladder. An urgent need to pee and burning pain when you go is usually caused by an infection. You’re more prone if you’ve been through the menopause, are pregnant or sexually active. ◆ DO THIS Mild cystitis usually clears up within a few days. Treat it by drinking plenty of water and take painkillers. If it continues, see your GP for antibiotics. Avoid sex as it can make cystitis worse and don’t smoke, as nicotine irritates the bladder. ◆ TRY THIS Keep your bladder empty. Drinking cranberry juice can help ease symptoms. Avoid scented soaps, which can irritate. ◆ BUY THIS Using over-thecounter remedies containing sodium citrate can reduce the acidity level in the urine, making…

Nominate a friend and receive £50 each For many, the death of a much-loved pet can be as heartbreaking as losing a member of the family. For years, the animal has been a best friend, confidant and loyal companion and then suddenly they’re gone. There’s no one to pat or cuddle up to on the sofa and the house is quiet. My mum, Yvette Price-Mear, understands this more than anyone because, through her hard work, she’s helped so many distraught owners cope with their sadness. It all started back in 1993 when I was 11. Mum, then 32, was working as a volunteer for a bereavement charity. One night, she came home looking troubled. ‘I keep getting calls from people struggling with the loss of a pet,’ she explained. I…

I’d be sitting in his chair confessing everything 48 My best friend runs gentle fingers through my hair and tells me I’m beautiful. For two hours, I can sit in a chair, have him concentrate on only me, and I can tell him anything. He’s one of the most important men in my life. It’s the kind of close relationship that could make a husband jealous, but not my Nick. For he knows he’s got Andrew Trott-Barn, 32, to thank for the fact we are married at all. Andrew is my best friend and also my hairdresser. I’ve been putting my honey-blonde hair in his hands for 13 years now. That first day in December 2000 when I walked into the Manchester salon where he was working, some strange chemistry…

Classical Italy - Florence, Siena, Assisi & Rome Eight days from £789pp. Selected departures April-October 2014 Italy is home to a number of fascinating historical cities and this tour takes in four of the best. You will visit the gem that is Renaissance Florence, Siena – famous for its Piazza del Campo – Assisi and Rome. With the Tuscan countryside never too far away, this really is an unbeatable destination for a tour. Fully escorted price includes: Return flights to Rome from London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Stansted, Luton, Bristol, East Midlands, Leeds/Bradford, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester or Dublin Seven nights’ accommodation at four-star hotels, including breakfast and four evening meals Guided tour of historic Rome Guided tour of Siena Visit to Florence Guided tour of Arezzo – one…

He’s the Mr Nice Guy of Dancing On Ice, a choreographer and retired Olympic champion – but when we caught up with Robin Cousins, 56, he was enjoying a rare day off at his Brighton home. However with the new series now back on our screens and his own stage show to star in, things aren’t going to stay quiet for long. We caught up with Robin to find out just how glamorous his life really is. Have you ever googled yourself? No way! I suppose if my agent told me I needed to or there was something I had to verify or check I might, but I have no interest in what’s being written about me online to be honest. I’ll never have any control over it, so what’s…