Innholdsfortegnelse for 8-Dec-2014 i Woman's Own

With the New Year round the corner, many of us are thinking calendars. And you may be surprised to know there’s a new pin-up on the block: Paul Hollywood! The Great British Bake Off star has described himself as 1 a ‘fat old Northern bloke’, but his 2015 calendar is currently outselling Lady Gaga and Ed Sheeran’s efforts. Just picture those blue eyes gazing at you as you make your morning cuppa. They’d put a smile on the face of even the grumpiest of us! Join us online Head to our fabulous website, womansown.co.uk, to get all the latest celeb gossip, r great competitions I and deals, plus beauty, fashion, easy recipes and health tips.…

As if her year couldn’t get any harder, poor Danniella Westbrook, 41, was caught up in an explosive row recently with her ex-boyfriend, cage fighter TomRichards, 25, which resulted in his arrest. It was alleged that even her son, Kai, 18, got involved and suffered an eye injury that needed hospital treatment. A source revealed, ‘It was supposed to be an honest discussion between them about what happened in their relationship and what their future holds. But things turned sour. When they couldn’t be calmed down, Tom was arrested. ‘It’s clear they can’t cope being together. They just clash too badly.’…

Christmas is a big occasion in Birds Of A Feather star Linda Robson’s house, and she can’t wait to celebrate the festivities this year. But currently filming the new series of Birds with co-stars Pauline Quirke, 55, and Lesl Joseph, 69, as well as starring in panto as theWicked Queen, it’s no wonder she can seem to find the time to get organised. W caught up with Linda, 56, mum to Lauren, 31, Louis, 22, and Bobbie, 18, for a quick catch-up on family traditions, their embarrassing Christmas table and disastrous gifts from her husband, Mark! Happy Christmas, Linda! Are you all ready for this year’s festivities? I haven’t done anything yet! I’ve been doing toads of Birds Of I A Feather filming and I’ve just finished The Choir with…

For trendy teens Teenage girls can be difficult to buy for, but a pretty scent or palette will make her smile. For busy bees Give hard-working mums, stressed-out sisters and frazzled friends the gift of me-time with these bathtime treats. For super stockings You’ll ace the office Secret Santa with one of these purse-friendly presents. For glamour pusses For the woman who has it all, gain some brownie points with these luxury treats this Christmas.…

Nestling under the tree are piles of presents – perfume, a Thomas The Tank Engine train and some GHD straighteners. But, they’re not what they seem. The perfume is likely to leave you with a rash, the toy has potentially deadly small parts while the straighteners could burst into flames. Hardly a happy Christmas. While we think we’re bagging a bargain, in fact fraudsters are preying on us with potentially lethal counterfeit products. And we may be unknowingly fuelling a criminal industry that costs the economy an estimated £1.3 billion a year. Last year, customs officials revealed they’d already seized more than 91,000 fakes, worth millions of pounds, in the run-up to Christmas. This included 22,000 knock-off sunglasses and 2,000 items of counterfeit jewellery. Top of many people’s Christmas list…

Germ warfare The average kitchen worktop has 10 times more bacteria than a toilet seat - and kitchen sponges and cloths are the number one source of germs. To combat this, try wetting your sponge or cloth and popping it into the microwave for two minutes to zap any pesky bugs. 5 ways to boost your health Overdoing it this festive season? Try these wellbeing tips. 1 EAT ALMONDS They’re rich in magnesium, a mineral which helps break down the glucose in your body to energy. Aim for a handful a day. 2 DRINK A VITAMIN MIX Try Emergen-C (£4.99, pack of eight). You’ll get 1,000mg of vitamin C, as well as vitamins D and B. 3 WALK A MILE A DAY Macmillan Cancer Support and the Ramblers say breast…

HOW TO... earn an extra £240 by Christmas! 1BECOMEA MYSTERYSHOPPER Mystery shoppers are usually repaid any money they spend in the stores, andmay also be allowed to keep some of the products bought. In return you’ll usually be asked to comment and rate aspects about a store’s customer services, products and layout. Sign up with a website such as Gapbuster, JKS Mystery Shopping and Retail Maxim. AVERAGE EXTRA EARNINGS: Two mystery shops a week: £40 a week 2 GET PAID TOSURF (THE WEB) Any Question Answered (aqa.63336.com) is often on the lookout for internet researchers. When a customer asks a question through their mobile phone, the researchers hunt out the answer and replies online. You earn around 30p for each correctly answered question. AVERAGE EXTRA EARNINGS: For 10 questions a…

Out with my dog Cesar, a Great Dane, it’s no surprise people stare at us. I’m on crutches and he’s attached to a rather strange-looking wheeled cart. But the fact we are even out at all is a miracle. Because we’ve both come back from the brink – and the devastating fear that we would never walk again. I had always wanted to be a dancer and, with hard work, I achieved my dream. I was even on stage with One Direction and Olly Murs, too! But then, in April 2013, while performing as part of a troupe, disaster struck. The routine involved diving into a pool but somehow I ended up landing feet first in the shallow end. I felt a sickening thud, reverberations shuddering through my body. I…

When people tell me how much they’ve spent on Christmas gifts, I have to suppress a little smile. You see, I don’t spend a penny on my presents - in fact, I find most of them in the rubbish skip. It all started in 2006. I was working as an art teacher and while dropping my son, Jacob, then 14, at school one day I got chatting to a fellow mum, Pia, at the school gates. We discovered a shared love of arts and crafts, and started meeting for coffee at her house every week, where we learnt how to do felt-making together. Soon we learnt to make everything from colourful handbags to ornamental birds. Before long, we’d amassed a hoard of handmade objects, from dip-dyed cushion covers to flowery…

Too good to be true I was annoyed to read ‘Wine, nibbles and a multimillion pound scam’, but I can’t say I’m surprised. These schemes have been running for years and they ruin lives. I’m glad those responsible have been punished. It just shows that you don’t get something for nothing. People need to be wary of anyone offering something that seems too good to be true. Nathalie Earnshaw, North London Raising awareness My wife recently passed away and was an avid reader of Woman’s Own. Despite recovering from bowel cancer, she died from an untreated hernia. I want to raise awareness so that anyone with even the first symptoms of a hernia seeks medical help straightaway. It’s often seen as a less serious health problem, but my wife’s case shows…

Britain’s Craziest Christmas Lights CHANNEL 5, TUESDAY, 2 DECEMBER, 8PM A must-see documentary starting tonight that sees four UK households transform their suburban semis into a glittering festival of Christmas lights. Not to be missed. Royal Variety Performance ITV,MONDAY,8 DECEMBER,7.30PM Hosted by Michael McIntyre, global icons Shirley Bassey and Bette Midler take to the stage at this year’s Royal Variety Performance, held at the London Palladium. It’s set to be an unforgettable evening of music, theatre, comedy and dance. Only Fools And Horses GOLD, FRIDAY, 5 DECEMBER, 10PM As a festive treat, Gold will be airing the first ever Only Fools And Horses Christmas special on Friday. The 33-year-old episode sees the hilarious antics of Rodney, who reads a book about body language and puts his newfound knowledge of the…

HIT Glamourpus This stunning strapless number fits Cheryl, 31, like a glove and shows off her curves in all the right places. The sparkly Elizabeth Taylor-esque jewels really give this dress the wow factor! MISS It’s awrap Looking a bit like she’s been mummified, Mrs F-V’s tiny frame looks swamped in this OTT ruched floor sweeper. We love those luscious locks though. HIT Monochrome magic Cheryl oozes style and elegance in this black sleeveless pencil dress with cute Peter Pan collar. Plain and simple – this LBD rocks! MISS Red hot – or not! The star’s style radar deserted her with this figure-skimming, see-through lace jumpsuit. Not her most sophisticated look this year! MISS Fright night Cheryl channels Morticia Addams for a really dramatic look, but we’re not entirely convinced…

Brave mum Claudia Winkleman made an emotional return to Strictly Come Dancing, but it wasn’t an easy decision. After spending three weeks with her daughter, the presenter ound herself in turmoil over whether she could return to work. ‘Claudia was torn over what to do, but she had been there for Matilda for three weeks, barely leaving her side, and thought the time was right to come back,’ a close friend of the star revealed. ‘Claudia loves the job. It’s been a bit of a tonic getting back into the swing of things.’ Claudia, 42, was absent from Strictly after Matilda, eight, suffered horrific burns following an incident on Halloween. ‘Considering how bad the injuries were, Matilda has Denise, Shobna Gulati and Tim Healy keep things spicy! made a remarkable…

Elementary shot Benedict Cumberbatch muscled in on U2 at the Oscars, in the best photobomb of 2014. This one goes down in the hall of fame for sure! Thumbs up! Following in his granny’s footsteps, it looks like Prince Harry couldn’t resist this cheeky double thumbs-up at the Commonwealth Games. Corrie on Antony! Antony Cotton looks like he’s preparing for take-off as he photobombs his Corrie co-stars Kym Marsh and Simon Gregson Watch out, guys! Jaw dropping Emma Thompson popped up behind 12YearsASlave actress Lupita Nyong’o, who didn’t have aclue.Jawdroppingly awesome! Look out, Judi! Ju i ench may be adame,butcheeky star Dustin Hoffman couldn’t resist putting up the bunny ears as she posedontheredcarpet. A hopping good pic! A royal wave While in New Zealand earlier this year, Kate Middleton didn’t…

EXPERT ADVICE ‘James fly aways by spraying your brush with hairspray, then smooth over hair for a frizz-free finish STEPHANIE MAYLOR, BEAUTY EDITOR Get the look Clarins’ new make-up collection is their most flattering yet. Build up a subtle smokiness with Ombre Matte Cream-to-Powder Eyeshadows, £19 each (1), then add intensity with the easy-to-use 3-Dot Liner, £20 (2). Finish with Rouge Eclat in Pink Magnolia, £19.50 (3), for a rosebud pout. 3 of the best... Christmas surprises 1 No7 Fresh & Gorgeous Cracker, £8. Forget the naff knock-knock jokes, we’d much rather pull a cosmetic cracker. This one is filled with a miniature Intense Volume Mascara and black Kohl Pencil. 2 Tory Burch Holiday Cracker, £18. Fragrance fans, rejoice! You and your pulling partner will be fighting over the cute…

Should I take free food home? Our office has breakfast and lunch brought in almost every day for clients and usually there are a lot of leftovers. Most of the time we all divide up the leftovers to take home, but my boss will often urge me to go and take first dibs because she knows I am a single mum with two teenage boys at home to feed. Recently our new office manager has noticed my perk and has made a few remarks. Am I being paranoid or should I ease off so as not to draw attention to myself? Katie,44,Hove Presumably, your boss is the one paying the catering bill so giving you first dibs sounds like her way of acknowledging your value. So here is what you…

Stepping back from the Christmas tree, I admired my handiwork. The fairy lights were perfectly arranged, the tinsel just so, and a very special bauble took pride of place at the top of the tree. But it wasn’t any old decoration. This little ornament had brought my daughter back tome just as she was slipping away… Our nightmare started two years ago. My daughter, Caja, then 18, was the baby of the family. She was living at home with me and my husband, Juan, then 48, and had just started training to be a nail technician at college in Porthtowan, Cornwall. Funny and outgoing, she already had a gang of new friends from college. As Christmas approached, Caja was excited to spend the holidays with her dad and me and…

We all dream of having time on our hands and enjoying new adventures once we retire but it’s important to factor in our finances. From 6 April 2016, a new State Pension will apply to women born on or after 6 April 1953 and men born on or after 6 April 1951. The new State Pension will be easier to understand and you will be able to find out what you are likely to get at a younger age. If you’re eligible for the new State Pension, rest assured it will still reflect your National Insurance (NI) record from before 6 April 2016. Anyone who reaches State Pension age before 6 April 2016, or who is already receiving a State Pension, will continue on the current pension scheme. That includes…

Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr Your drive to achieve calms down and is replaced by socialising and parties! A friend may be getting on your nerves so don’t get into an argument at the weekend. Enter into the spirit of goodwill to all men (and women). ◆ For more call 0901 609 4780* Taurus 21 Apr – 20 May Lovely aspects to your ruler Venus make this a great week for having fun – lucky it’s the party season. It’s also fabulous for projects involving shared resources – especially if you’re expanding your house or family. Think big. ◆ For more call 0901 609 4781* Gemini 21May–20Jun December is superbusy anyway, but this weekend is full-on. Romance is in the air and your emotions are shaken and stirred. Single…

Sharon Harrison, 45, from Essex, couldn’t believe her luck when she hit the jackpot for a second time Sitting at my computer, I heard my husband, Steve, 33, pull in to the drive. ‘Hiya,’ I called, as he came in with his friend. ‘She’s on the bingo, she loves it,’ Steve explained. It was about midnight and as Steve had been out, I thought that I’d play my favourite game, Bejeweled Bingo. I’d only just bought some tickets when I’d heard the car pull up but I was about to win big. I’ve been a member of Woman’s Own Bingo for about a year and I’ve won quite a few times, including £400 and £500 on link games, which had been really exciting. But as Steve and his mate were…

The wee end isn’t complete without Strictly C Dancing’s sequins, fake tan and its hosts, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. We sat down with Tess, 45, to catch up with all the backstage gossip, what life is like with husband Vernon Kay, 40, and their two daughters – Phoebe, 10, and Amber, five – and what she’s got planned for Christmas. You and Vernon are so busy, do you manage to get more time alone now the kids are older? Vernon and I had lunch together last week! We went to our favourite restaurant where we go as a family, and the waitress said, ‘You’re on your own, I can’t believe it!’ Those moments are rare because our eldest is 10, so she wants to come with us if we…

It’s a big secret’ Birds Of A Feather’s Pauline Quirke and Lesley Joseph spill the beans on their new series, kicking off on New Year’s Day The Birds are off for some winter sun, Lesley? Dorien’s book is selling well - Fifty Shades Of Green - so she treats the girls to a holiday in Tenerife. I’m going first class, they’re in economy. And there are lots of stunts, which I did myself. Like putting on your own tights? No, cheeky! But I do have to have some help with that because of my nails, you see. Pauline, your son Charlie plays Linda’s on-screen son-what’s he like? My lovely Charlie! He’s like a communal Charlie. We all have a bit of him. He’s 20 now and was born more or…

‘People are SURPRISED’ Susanna Reid split from her partner of 16 years, Dominic Cotton, earlier this year, but they still live together – despite the fact he’s in a new relationship. The presenter, 43, revealed, ‘We live separately but together and happily in the same house. I think people are surprised that we can do it this way.’ The couple decided to stay in the same house for their three sons, Sam, 12, Finn, 10, and Jack, nine. ‘It’s nice for the children to know Mum and Dad are still there,’ said Susanna. ‘I’m privileged to have a great relationship with my ex, to the point where we can live together comfortably and he can have a new relationship.’ FILLER REGRET? Tulisa Contostavlos 26, has opened up about those cosmetic…

She shocked the nation after walking out of I’mACeleb after just three days in the jungle, but beneath it all Gemma Collins has been battling with inner demons that she’s struggling to put behind her. The reality TV star has admitted to self-harming and binge eating while trying to come to terms with the guilt she feels over an abortion she had before joining the cast of TOWIE. Adding to her heartache, Gemma, 33, suffered a miscarriage in 2012, which she shockingly believes is punishment for the termination. Baby heartache Gemma had been taking the contraceptive pill for the three months prior to finding out she was pregnant. ‘The doctors said the embryo wouldn’t be a good one because I’d been taking medication,’ she said. She made the decision to…

As Christmas nears, you’re probably busy putting the finishing touches to your tree, baking mince pies and wrapping gifts for your loved ones. A year ago that was me, too. A doting grandmother, excited to spend the day with her family. But then something terrible happened that changed everything. So this year there will be no tree, and no tinsel over the fireplace. Because this time of year is a constant reminder of the day I lost my darling daughter in the cruellest way. Life was once so happy. Having emigrated from Ireland to New York in the early 1970s, I worked long hours as a nurse to provide for my children, Michael, Noreen, Patricia and Carmen. Their dad and I had split when they were little so it was…

Thisshort,sharp but really successful diet will work if you followitexactly,asit restricts you to around 1,000caloriesaday.You’ll need to avoid alcohol for aweekandmakesure you’re active every day too,butifyouputinthe effort you’ll be thrilled with the results – you couldloseupto7lb! THE RULES 1 Simply follow the easy meal plan we have listed, without any extras. Don’t worry, we’ve selected dishes carefully so that they are filling and satisfying! 2 You can swap days and meals around if you want to, but do try to keep plenty of variety in your diet. 3 Anything you drink must be calorie-free, eg water, herbal teas and diet drinks. 4 Do 30 minutes of exercise each day –brisk walking (or running if you can manage it) – to help maximise your weight loss. DAY 1 Breakfast 1xGolden SyrupOatSoSimpleporridgepot…

1 Supercharge your breakfast ‘For the perfect power breakfast, use jumbo oats rather than ready processed porridge as they will leave you feeling fuller for longer. Add a handful of walnuts, ground sunflower and linseeds for slow-release energy and toss in berries and sultanas for natural sweetness instead of sugar,’ advises Laila Lewis, nutritional therapist at nourishingbynature.co.uk. This high-fibre combo will kickstart your metabolism and balance blood sugar levels for maximum energy. 2 Keep it colourful Our diet can become repetitive during December, but it’s vital to include vitamin-rich foods. Nutritionist Fiona Hunter says, ‘Eat citrus and kiwi fruits to boost vitamin C, which supports the immune system, and salmon for vitamin B, which keeps energy levels up throughout the day.’ 3 Have an avocado for lunch Avocados are powerhouses…

Chocolate caramel fudge MAKES 24 PIECES (6 GIFT BAGS) PREP TIME 15 MINS COOKING TIME 15MINS PLUS A FEW HOURS COOLING TIME COST PER BAG ￡1.17 YOU WILL NEED 90g butter 170g can evaporated milk 500g granulated sugar 397g can caramel 1tsp vanilla extract 600g dark chocolate, broken up HOW TO DO IT 1 Put the first five ingredients into a pan. Heat until the sugar has dissolved. ncrease heat and boil for 8 mins, stirring occasionally until the fudge thickens. Plunge the base of the pan into a large bowl of cold water to end the cooking. Whisk fudge with an electric mixer for 5 mins. Pour into an 18cm square tin lined with parchment. Cool. 2 Cut fudge into 24 rectangles. Put chocolate in a heatproof bowl over…

Fancy a new look for the festive season? We’ve teamed up with JD Williams to offer you the chance to win £500 to spend on their fantastic new collection, which includes gorgeous party dresses, luxurious lingerie, stylish shoes and must-have hats and handbags. From stunning, sequinned frocks to cosy winter coats – available in sizes 12-32 – JD Williams has everything you could possibly need to shine this Christmas. Their collections are constantly evolving and this winter’s is their best yet, full of unique pieces that look and feel great and fit perfectly. So, what are you waiting for? Just answer the easy question below for your chance to win. Good luck! YOUR QUESTION Just answer this... What’s another word for Christmas? A Noel B Thanksgiving C Palm Sunday If…

The fairy lights were twinkling and snow was falling in thick clumps. But for my friend Helen Cruickshanks, Christmas was the last thing on her mind. Her precious baby’s life hung in the balance and it would lead her to facing the toughest time of her life. Helen, now 40, loved being a mum and when I first met her at the school gates in 2008, she already had Libby, then three, and Sam, one. Living just 10 minutes from me in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, she soon became a close friend. In May 2012, Helen had some exciting news - she was pregnant again. It wasn’t planned but Helen and her husband, Paul, 38, were thrilled. Three’s the perfect number,’ she smiled the next time we met, rubbing her tiny…

Why go? Iceland is a country of extremes – in the summer it barely gets dark, while in the winter just a few hours of daylight are all that’s on offer. But the one thing that remains constant is the Icelanders themselves. A friendlier nation of people would be hard to find anywhere. Even at its busiest, Iceland never feels crowded because although it’s the second largest island in Europe after Great Britain, the population is just over 325,000. It’s also an island of adventure, drama and enormous beauty. Volcanoes are big news around these parts – over 130 contribute to the extraordinarily dramatic landscape for which Iceland is renowned, and 35 of them are active. Where to stay The Reykjavik Lights Hotel is inspired by the ever-changing light in…

Following Dad! She’s got a very famous father who’s made a career from cooking, so it’s no wonder that Matilda Ramsay will be following in his footsteps. Gordon’s 12-year-old daughter is set to star in her very own cookery show for CBBC next year, and she can’t wait! ‘I love cooking and it’s really exciting to have been able to make the series,’ she said. ‘My dad has given me a few cookery tips but I love experimenting in the kitchen and coming up with my own recipes. I really hope viewers enjoy it and maybe host their own food parties.’ Her family are also set to make appearances on the show, including Gordon, 48, mum Tana, 40, and her siblings – big sister Megan, 16, her 13-year-old brother, Jack,…

Christmas Day was spent At my mum’s house with the family. We got home from Australia after I’m A Celeb close to Christmas, so I was quite jet-lagged and my mum looked after me. It was like being a little boy again! Great Christmas memory When I was a kid. My dad passed away when I was 12 so the memories of those years are always special. He dressed up as Father Christmas. He’d spray footprints like they were coming into the house and stuff. I used to buy into it so much - I loved it. Christmas disaster I set fire to my mum’s table abou two years ago. Sh had some candles with holly around the sides – one of the flames caught the holly, which caught the…