Innholdsfortegnelse for 6-Jun-2022 i Woman's Own

Do you ever play the ‘What would you do if you had millions in the bank?’ game with your partner or friends? I seem to do it a lot – wild holidays, biiiig diamonds, a yacht or two – and, of course, a chef, personal trainer and masseuse on standby. It’s nice to dream, but on p8 we take a look at celebrities for whom it’s actually a reality – in fact, a couple of them have billions rather than millions to play with. I read it the other day and I’m still a shade of green. Don’t worry if your budget is slightly less flash than the A-listers’ though – you can still look a million dollars! We’ve got bargain fashion buys, home makeovers and how to prep your…

BEYONCE’S BIG BLING Queen B’s engagement ring was said to cost $5 million, but Bey, 40, upped her bling game for this year’s Oscars after-party at Chateau Marmont, rocking up in Tiffany & Co’s The Historic 1939 World’s Fair Necklace, worth $30 million (£24 million). Not your average party piece. CLEAN SWEEP Cleaning sensation Mrs Hinch made her own dreams come true when she purchased a £1.1 million house. The 32-year-old influencer said she used to fantasise about living there. Excuse us while we set up an Instagram page… A BIRTHDAY TO REMEMBER The Kardashians aren’t known for their subtlety. Khloé pulled out all the stops for daughter True’s fourth birthday party, providing real kittens for the starry guests to cuddle and a balloon display that’s rumoured to have cost…

It is about time that we embraced our buxom bods – even Victoria Beckham is doing it! The other day, the husband caught me doing something rather embarrassing, doing something he never does. It involved being nearly naked, a mirror and a look of concentration. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. OK, brace yourself. I was staring at my thighs. He thought I was being vain, but I don’t think there’s a woman of a ‘certain age’ who won’t understand exactly what was going on. They were looking fat. And I swear there was more cellulite than the day before. And stretch marks. And I vowed not to eat anything for the rest of the day. ‘YOUNG WOMEN WANT FULLER FIGURES’ Writing it down now it’s as mad as…

Q After numerous appointments and assessments, my son has been diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum and we are all on a learning curve on how to manage the condition. The school has been supportive, and we have seen a dramatic improvement in his behaviour. Throughout the process, my partner has questioned whether he may also be on the spectrum. How do I  go about getting him assessed? A Your partner should make an appointment with his GP. It is not uncommon to find other members of the family to be on the spectrum. The doctor will probably ask him to complete a questionnaire in the first instance, which she can then forward to specialists for their assessment.…

Shimmer and shine If fake tanning isn’t quite your thing, but you want to add some instant warmth and glow to your legs, then Rituals The Ritual of Karma Soul Shimmering Body Oil, £21.50, rituals.com, is what you need. The blend of oils gives a silky sheen and the very subtle mineral particles create a sun-kissed glow. And of course it can be used all over. Close shave When it comes to getting your legs hair-free and smooth, shaving is the least painful and most fuss-free option and the Estrid Starter Kit, from £7.95, estrid.com, makes it even easier. It’s a brilliant subscription service that delivers razors straight to your door so you never run out again. Tailor your package to how frequently you shave and they sort the rest!…

✣ Check surgery is right for you: research the procedure, in case there are less invasive ways to achieve your results. Look at testimonials online and meet your surgeon before going ahead. ✣ Set your standards: each country sets its own standards for hospitals and clinics – from staff qualifications to operating theatre cleanliness. ✣ Cheaper isn’t better: if the price looks too good to be true, it probably is. Consider additional costs, such as travel, insurance, and anything to aid your recovery. ✣ Aftercare is not an afterthought: access to high-quality aftercare is something you should expect from any cosmetic-surgery provider you select. It is much easier to access in person if your provider is closer to home.…

Spruce up your DIY skills. To boost your home-improvement abilities, head to the Ideas and Advice section on B&Q’s website (diy.com) for guides on everything from how to hang wallpaper to fixing problems with tile grout. You could save loads by doing simple jobs yourself – but remember to call in an expert for skilled tasks. Top tip! Check if your workplace or employer offers any benefits. Many offer a healthcare plan, discounts at certain retailers, or ‘cycle to work’ schemes that reduce the cost of a bike and cycling equipment, so it’s worth looking into. £202,660 IS THE AVERAGE COST OF RAISING A CHILD TO 18…

FEEL-GOOD TALE THE SLOW LANE WALKERS CLUB  by Rosa Temple (£8.99, Simon & Schuster, PB) Sometimes we find connections in the most unexpected places… Daniel is restless. After losing his job, he’s stuck living in his sleepy Cornish hometown. Seeking a little excitement, he begins a local walking club. Disappointingly, the only person to show up is a little old lady from two doors down. But appearances can be deceiving, and Daniel soon discovers Hazel’s adventurous past is truly fascinating. A heart-warming read. DID YOU MISS? THE DIAMOND EYE  by Kate Quinn (£14.99, HarperCollins, HB) 1937, Kyiv. Studious Mila Pavlichenko spends her time between the library and her young son – that is, until she becomes the world’s deadliest sniper. Hitler’s invasion of Ukraine forces Mila to become a lethal…

SAM’S THE MAN! A trip to Turin for Eurovision and an audience with UK entry Sam Ryder who, of course, gave us our best result in years. I caught up with pal Rylan and Scott Mills, who always join me blinking into the light after a heavy night to give me the Eurovision gossip.  Sam may have hit the high notes but by the time our party ended I had a baritone voice to rival Elvis Presley’s! IN THE FRAME WITH JOAN THE DAME It’s always a pleasure when Dame Joan Collins pops into GMBwith hubby Percy – and like everyone else she has been enjoying celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. She told me she’ll soon be jetting off to St Tropez for summer on the beautiful French Riviera, where…

Meghan & Harry SHOWDOWN! They’re said to have fallen out with his brother and his brother’s wife, and their relationship with his father is tumultuous at best, but the Sussexes have always remained steadfastly loyal to the Queen, who Harry says he has a ‘special relationship’ with. The younger of Prince Charles’ sons even claims he’s making sure his 96-year-old grandmother is ‘protected’ and has the ‘right people around her’ in her twilight years. With Harry perhaps ready for battle, the tensions may be set to boil over. Harry has had no qualms about broadcasting his concerns around returning from the couple’s California base. His admission of fear over ‘security issues and everything else’ could make a trip home troublesome. Royal expert Duncan Larcombe explains, ‘Relations between the Sussex and…

Emilie shares her tips… 1 KEEP IT AIRTIGHT  ‘Dry-store foods such as flour, nuts, dried fruit, spices, granola, cereal and bread.’ 2 TREAT HERBS LIKE FLOWERS ‘Remove plastic wrapping and stand them in an inch of water. Store in the fridge.’ 3 SAVE YOUR SPUDS ‘Leave root veg out of the fridge in a dark, cool cupboard or canvas bag.’ 4 SORT YOUR VEG DRAWER  ‘Remove packaging so your veg doesn’t sweat. Store lettuce leaves in a container with kitchen paper to suck up moisture.’ 5 DON’T FORGET YOUR FRUIT BOWL ‘Bananas produce ethylene gas, which ripens other fruit, so keep them separate. Apples, berries and pears last longer in the fridge.’…

She’s stealing from colleagues Q Recently, I caught a woman at work stealing from another colleague’s bag. It looked like she was taking money (which she denied), but later this colleague said she had lost £50. When I said she must give it back, she accused me of taking things too, saying she’d seen me take coffee home. I feel afraid to speak up. What do I do? A Over a third of British office workers admit to stealing from work, with the most popular items being stationery (71%), toilet rolls (52%), and food and drink (44%). However, what this woman is doing is on another level. She’s accusing you to keep you quiet, but by not speaking up, you are condoning what she is doing. You owe it to your…

Butter chicken PREP TIME: 10 MINS COOK TIME: 40 MINS SKILL LEVEL: EASY CALS: 375 FAT: 21G SAT FAT: 14G CARBS: 6G SERVES 6 A British curry-house classic, made to be a little bit healthier. YOU WILL NEED 1kg chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces Low-calorie cooking oil spray 1 onion, finely chopped 3tbsp butter 1tbsp minced fresh garlic 1tbsp minced fresh ginger 1tbsp garam masala 1tsp curry powder ¼tsp cayenne pepper (if you like it a bit more spicy, you can add more) 1 x 400ml tin full-fat coconut milk 400g passata Fresh coriander leaves, to garnish HOW TO DO IT 1 Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Spray a large non-stick frying pan with cooking spray and add the chicken. Cook until the chicken is golden on the…

1 CAN YOU GET IT FOR FREE? Check if you can find what you’re looking for online for free. There’s all sorts of stuff on freecycle.org – I recently picked up a garden table and chairs all local to me. You can post to say you’re looking for items, too – as well as list items you would like to give away. And if you can’t find what you need for free, can you get it second-hand? Check out eBay and buy-and-sell groups on Facebook. 2 ARE YOU GETTING THE CHEAPEST PRICE? If you are buying new, make sure you get your item for the best price, so check on price comparison sites, such as Google Shopping (shopping.google.com). And you can stay up to date with different retailers’ offers by signing up to…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr You get along with everyone, not just people you know. You’ll be surprised by conversations when you connect with a new group. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May Make more of an effort at a family function. Getting away from the hubbub with children will have lots of benefits. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun If you’re asked to join a new social group, check what they offer first. A shopping spree sees you buying some amazing gifts. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul You enjoy your spare time. Your kind nature will be apparent when you help a friend or neighbour solve a problem. LEO 23 Jul – 22 Aug Mercury’s strong celestial energy encourages increased activity this week. Decluttering is a great…

Having been on Loose Women for over 20 years, Coleen Nolan is practically part of the furniture. But despite her longevity and popularity, the singer is feeling increasingly uncomfortable on the programme, thanks to the ever-growing roster of presenters. Coleen has now admitted she finds it ‘hard’ to trust newer panellists, fearing she will offend them with her dry sense of humour. ‘I’d be scared in case they thought I was being mean or they’d take it really personally,’ she confessed. CHANGING FACES Coleen has made it clear she preferred Loose Women back in the day, when there was a smaller group of presenters who were all good friends on and off camera. ‘I find it hard sometimes because there’s a lot more Loose Women now,’ she said. ‘There used…

Dancing in my husband Amine’s arms at our wedding last October, I felt like I was dreaming. I could scarcely believe that, after spending 18 months of our two-year relationship apart, separated by lockdowns and border closures, we were finally husband and wife. At the back of my mind, though, I knew that soon we’d have to say goodbye and, eight months on, we’re still living 1,300 miles apart. Amine, 26, and I met in September 2019 when I was on a work trip to Morocco for my travel and wellness business, which I combined with my job as a locum NHS doctor. He was the night manager at my riad guest house and there was an instant connection. ‘I LOVED HIM, BUT IT ALL FELT SO HOPELESS’ After spending…

Have you heard about? PUCKERING UP IS GOOD FOR YOUR TEETH! Kissing isn’t just fun, it can boost your oral health, too. How? ‘It produces more saliva in your mouth, which helps you chew, taste, swallow and prevents bad breath,’ says orthodontist Dr Khaled Kasem. It can also help reduce your risk of tooth decay. ‘The extra saliva provided by kissing can wash away the bacteria on your teeth, which breaks down stubborn oral plaque.’ Go for it! It worked for me Susan Ince, 52, Northamptonshire ‘When I turned 48, I was feeling more anxious than normal and wasn’t sleeping well. My regular Pilates class and walking in nature didn’t help either. But since taking FutureYou Cambridge Ashwagandha+ (£21 for 56 capsules, futureyouhealth.com), I have a more comfortable night’s sleep…

IS THE GRAPEFRUIT MYTH TRUE? Q My husband had a mini stroke a month ago and was started on a drug called clopidogrel to thin his blood. My sister came to stay recently and over breakfast told us he shouldn’t be eating grapefruit while taking this medication. She is not medically qualified and can be a bit of a ‘know it all’, but I thought I should just check this out. A Clopidogrel is used to thin the blood and reduce the risk of blood clots and, therefore, the risk of further strokes. On this occasion, your sister is correct! Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice can make clopidogrel less effective, so your husband should avoid grapefruit while taking this medication. ARE STEROIDS HARMING MY BONES? QI was diagnosed with…

Christine Mozzamdar, Clinical Services Director at the Transform Hospital Group, says: ‘We’re seeing steady uplift in enquiries coming from individuals who are experiencing complications or issues following surgery carried out by less reputable providers, both at home and abroad. It’s particularly prevalent with those who travel overseas for surgery, not least because they don’t have access to the same level of aftercare once they travel home. Different countries require practitioners and surgeons to have varying levels of qualifications, or have different regulatory processes in place, so standards can vary wildly.’ ✣ For more info or for more on the range of treatments available, visit transforminglives.co.uk…

Swap and save Recreate iconic McDonald’s meals at home with Aldi’s fakeaways 1 MISSING THE CHICKEN BIG MAC? Save just over 50% and make Aldi’s version for £1.97 a burger. You’ll need… Specially Selected Seeded Brioche Burger Buns (99p, 200g), Roosters 2 Chicken Quarter Pounders (99p, 227g), Everyday Essentials 10 Mild Cheddar Slices (99p, 200g) and Nature’s Pick Iceberg Lettuce (46p). Finish with plenty Chunky Burger Sauce (79p, 250ml), which we think tastes just like Big Mac sauce. 2 OR FOR A SPEEDIER OPTION... go for their on-the-go wrap range that mimics those from the golden arches. Choose from BBQ Chicken and Bacon, Peri Peri Chicken or Spicy Veggie Wrap, all £1.95. Ditch the diet Go retro with Angel Delight, Ambrosia and Mr Kipling ice creams, available now at Iceland.…

Global terracotta Dark luxe Serene green…

Keeley Hawes ‘I HOPE PEOPLE FEEL DISTURBED BY IT!’ The Durrellsactress on starring in a new sci-fi thriller… Keeley heads the cast of The Midwich Cuckoos, which is set in a small town where nothing much happens… until one night when everyone in a particular zone falls unconscious. When the blackout lifts, it’s found that every woman of child-bearing age is pregnant, eventually becoming parents to some strange but gifted children. Keeley says that she hopes viewers are creeped out by the events that follow as a terrifying force begins to gain strength. ‘IT’S BOUND TO BE TROUBLING ‘It’s very subtle and builds slowly until the danger becomes more apparent,’ says the star of dramas such as Line of Duty and It’s A Sin. ‘If you think about the idea…