Innholdsfortegnelse for 12-Sep-2022 i Woman's Own

Autumn has arrived and, with it, autumn fashion. On p16, our Fashion team has rounded up the very best in new-season ankle boots. There’s something for everyone: high heels, low heels, even leopard-print (for those so inclined!), and there’s a pair that, wait for it, is under £6! We had fun playing guess the bargain in the office. Someone who isn’t messing around, though, is reader Dawn Lewis. She’s taken turning 50 to a whole new level and has completed one very impressive bucket list. I love her story about taking chances and not holding back. Turn to p40 to read all about why it’s never too late to try something new (or, indeed, a lot of new things!). Enjoy, and have a great week! The Woman’s Own Look Younger…

HOW CAN ROYALS EVER UNDERSTAND? You can’t claim to be ‘normal’ or an average Joe with your multi-millions and multiple homes... Remember when Prince Charles promised us a ‘slimmed down’ Royal Family? Well, the only thing that actually appears to be more slender is the increasingly willowy Duchess of Cambridge. Even having three babies hasn’t left her with any saggy, baggy bits. And talking of those three nippers, this week sees Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis start their new prep school in Ascot, Berkshire. It’s supposed to be one of the best in the country and even has its own golf course. It’s also an eye-watering £21,000 a year. For each child. ‘THE COSTS WON’T BE WORRYING WILLIAM’ At least they will save on travel, as the Cambridges…

Have you heard about? DRINKING TOO MUCH REALLY DOES AGE YOU Partial to a sip of vino during the week? If you’re having more than five glasses, you could be running down your biological clock*. Scientists found that those who drink over five glasses of alcohol per week had an increased risk for developing diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. The NHS recommends no more than 14 units each week – that’s a bottle and a half of wine. It worked for me Tracie Roberts, 54, Staffordshire ‘I had COVID-19 and was still experiencing headaches, plus chest and back pain months later. After visiting the GP and several visits to hospital, I was referred to the 12-week Nuffield Health COVID-19 Rehabilitation Programme (free, nuffieldhealth.com). Its specialist support and techniques to improve wellbeing…

Health ask us Our sex drives don’t match Q My partner and I are both in our 50s and got together about two years ago. For years, I’d had a miserable marriage, and my new partner is wonderful, but I worry that there’s something wrong with one of us. He has a low sex drive, and I want sex constantly. Should one of us see the GP? A It’s a misconception that it’s always women who have low sex drives and men who have high ones. And, as you’re finding, it’s common for a relationship to be out of sync in this respect. What’s important here is to talk about it openly and honestly and find a compromise, rather than worrying that something is wrong with one of you. MY…

Skincare experts Fade Out know a thing or two about beauty products that are designed to deliver lasting results. The affordable beauty brand believes in the power of feeling skin-confident and the impact an effective product can have. That’s why it has dedicated 40 years to understanding pigmentation and skin tones. It’s no surprise that Fade Out has won itself a global fan base and sold millions of jars worldwide! Whether you’re looking for a brighter, more even skin tone or a glowing younger-looking complexion, Fade Out can help you achieve your skin goals. Rooted in science (minus the hype), Fade Out formulas contain a unique cocktail of active ingredients designed to address specific concerns, blended with their cult brightening formula. The result? Luminous, revitalised skin in just 28…

Energy-saving kitchen hacks Save money and use less energy with these simple tips COOK SAVVY According to energy supplier Utilita and supermarket Iceland, 52% of us don’t know how much energy our appliances use. Air-fryers, microwaves and slow cookers are all more economical than the oven, so consider switching. BOILING ERRORS When boiling water on the hob, use the correct size lid so it doesn’t take longer than is needed. And only fill your kettle with the amount of water you need. CLEAN COILS Look after your fridge. If the coils at the back are dirty, it cannot efficiently release heat, which can lead to your fridge using more energy. Ideally, it should be 10cm from the wall to ensure optimum energy-efficiency. FILL YOUR FREEZER It takes more energy to…

Gather fallen leaves A build-up of wet, fallen leaves on your lawn can suffocate the turf and can make paths dangerously slippery. Use a lawn rake or leaf blower to gather up the leaves into a pile. Then put them in jute or netting bags – or use a bin liner with holes pierced into it, tie the top loosely, then store out of sight for up to two years. The leaves will decompose to create a wonderful soil conditioner for your garden in the spring. Prune perennials Now is the ideal time to trim perennial garden plants, though take care you only prune the right ones. Plants that benefit from autumn pruning include roses, herbs like rosemary, thyme and sage, and vegetables like asparagus. Avoid cutting back flowering perennials,…

A regular face on our TV screens, Motsi Mabuse, 41, is recognisable to us all, but how well do we know her? We sat down with the Strictly Come Dancing star, who lives in Germany with her husband Evgenij Voznyuk and daughter, to discuss what makes her happiest – and what made her blush! 1 Item in your wardrobe That is such a hard question – especially to start with! But I’d have to say my shoes, although I can’t pick a pair. I love them all! 2 Reality show It has to be Strictly, what other choice could there be? I was on the German version before joining the UK team and I just love it. 3 Celebrity hero I love Oprah Winfrey, she’s my everything!…

ANYTHING STILL GOES! Bonnie Langford has just finished a sell-out season in the musical smash Anything Goes – a phenomenal 50 years since she made her West End debut as Scarlett O’Hara’s daughter in Gone With The Wind at the Theatre Royal back in 1972. ‘Fifty years has just flown by,’ she tells me. But Bonnie won’t have her feet up for long. She’s starring in her cabaret show in October at The Pheasantry in Chelsea. ‘It’s just me and it’s called Live and Still Kicking. It couldn’t be more different to Anything Goes. This is much more personal and intimate.’ And as always with pal Bonnie, it’s sure to be a night to remember. SUPER-FLY GUY! Emmerdale’s Mark Charnock is celebrating his nomination for a National TV Award as…

Linda Nolan Linda Nolan writes to Samantha Womack following the former EastEnders star’s cancer diagnosis. Dear Samantha… I was so shocked and devastated to hear about your breast cancer diagnosis, following the passing of Dame Olivia Newton-John. If I can say anything to you, the support you’ll get from the public will be amazing – it has been nothing but overwhelming and heartwarming for me. People are genuinely lovely and want to wish you the best. Initially, I kept it quiet because I didn’t want people to pity me, but it was a weight off my shoulders when it came out and I hope you’re feeling a sense of relief too. I’ve been diagnosed with cancer three times and each time it’s just as scary, especially as my cancer is…

Tired of cooking and decide to order in? Fair enough, except we all know that takeaways tend to be higher in fat and salt than the meals we’d normally make for dinner – not ideal if you’re trying to eat a balanced diet or you’re hoping to lose weight. ‘In general, takeaways should be an enjoyable treat eaten occasionally,’ says Hannah Braye, nutritional therapist at Bio-Kult. ‘But you can make them much healthier with a few clever swaps.’ Don’t want to miss out on your favourite takeaways? Here’s how to make them into a more nutritious meal. Fish and chips ✣ SMALL CHIPS 606 calories/23.8g fat ✣ BATTERED COD 444 calories/28g fat ✣ BATTERED SAUSAGE 380 calories/30g fat ✣ FISH CAKE 186 calories/9.3g fat MAKE IT HEALTHIER Skip battered fish,…

While smart technology is normally used to count how many steps you’ve completed or to see your pizza delivery driver at the front door, your gadget could just be the latest weapon in fighting crime. During a recent murder trial, the jury was shown footage from a Ring doorbell that captured soldier Collin Reeves rowing with his neighbours. Days later, he killed them, and that footage helped to send Reeves to prison. And it’s not just doorbells but smart watches, dashcam footage from cars and smart speakers such as Alexa that are helping to prevent crime or bring people to justice. While concerns have been raised about smart technology intruding on our privacy, could our devices be a force for good? Woman’s Own looks at some of the cases solved…

READER QUESTION Q Could I save money on my bills by having a water meter installed? A Depending on how much water you use, you may save money with a water meter, which bases charges on actual usage rather than the size of your home. In England or Wales, getting a water meter is free but in Scotland you will be charged for having one fitted. Try the Consumer Council for Water’s free water meter calculator, which asks questions about usage and gives estimated costs if you switch to a meter (ccwater.org.uk/watermeter calculator). You’ll find more info about water meters at moneysavingexpert.com. Go green for less The new Fluxies Period Pad is an ultra-thin, reusable period pad that features a wicking top layer and adjustable fastening clips. Available in Heavy…

CLUES & ARROWS Fill in the clues in the direction of the arrows WORDWISE Cope, coper, copier, copter, creep, crepe, crept, crop, epic, incept, inceptor, inept, nope, open, opener, opine, optic, pectin, peen, peer, pent, peon, peri, pert, peter, picot, piece, piecer, pier, pierce, pincer, pine, pint, pion, pioneer, piton, poet, poetic, point, pointe, pointer, porcine, pore, porn, port, potence, preen, prentice, price, prince, print, prone, protein, receipt, RECEPTION, recipe, reopen, repent, , repine, ripe, ripen, rope, toper, topic, trip, tripe, trope, tropic. WORDSEARCH Answer: LIRA SUDOKU CROSSWORD CLUES & ARROWS Puzzle solutions Sudoku To solve the puzzle, each 3 x 3 box, each column and each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9. Wordsearch Which of these currencies is the stage name of a singer who performed at…

Gazing at my wedding photographer’s portfolio, I looked at the beaming brides in their beautiful dresses. I was so glad I’d chosen her to capture my special day, but suddenly, I had a realisation. ‘She can work magic, but she can’t edit out my fatness,’ I panicked to my fiance, Colin, then 43. It was April 2019 and Colin and I were due to marry in six months’ time. Colin was always telling me I was beautiful, but at 14st 7lb and a size 16, I didn’t feel it. And I certainly didn’t want to be a big bride on our big day! I’d always struggled with my weight, with it creeping up to 14st by the time I’d finished university in 2010. When I was 22, I started dieting…

WILL I NEED SURGERY? Q I’m 45 and my periods have been getting heavier for the last couple of years. My GP arranged for me to have an ultrasound, which has shown fibroids. They want me to see a gynaecologist, but I’m really not keen on surgery. My mum had a hysterectomy and it took her months to recover. A Fibroids shrink naturally after the menopause unless you have HRT. However, the average age for the menopause in the UK is 51, so if you do nothing you could have another six years of heavy bleeding. The good news is that new surgical techniques may allow you to have the fibroids removed through your vagina rather than having a hysterectomy. Recovery is much quicker too. My knees are so sore…

Top tan Dial up your glow with PS… Paradiso Bronzing Drops, £3, Primark. Mix a few drops of this liquid sunshine with your moisturiser or foundation to top up your tan and boost radiance. Get even If your skin is feeling parched then caking on a heavy foundation will look anything but flawless and make dry patches appear worse. Lacura CC Serum Glowing Base, £4.99, aldi.co.uk, evens out skin tone without sacrificing the dewiness of a summer glow and can be pre-ordered online from this Sunday. Case study Palettes are a great way to experiment with your eyes. Sleek Makeup I-Divine Eyeshadow Palette in Royal Flush, £8.99, sleekmakeup.com, is full of burnt orange sunset shades, and works out at just 75p per eyeshadow. You’re blushing! When it comes to blusher,…

PREP TIME: 10 MINSCOOK TIME: 2 HRS 20MINS SKILL LEVEL: EASYCALS: 815 FAT: 31GSAT FAT: 11G CARBS: 70G Classic spaghetti bolognese SERVES 6 Lots of people grow up with this on the menu – this is how we do ours. YOU WILL NEED 1tbsp olive oil4 garlic cloves, finely chopped1 onion, finely chopped2 carrots, finely chopped2 celery sticks, finely chopped2 rosemary sprigs, finely chopped6 smoked streaky bacon rashers, chopped500g minced beef500g minced pork1tsp fennel seeds400ml red wine2tbsp tomato puree2 x 400g cans of plum tomatoesJuice of 1 lemon500g dried spaghetti To serve (optional): Basil leavesGrated ParmesanGarlic bread HOW TO DO IT 1 Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-based casserole dish over a medium heat, add the veg and rosemary and fry for 10 mins, or until soft and…

Scrolling through Facebook in June 2021, I noticed an advert pop up for a pack of cards called 50 Things To Do When You Are 50. I was a week away from my 50th birthday and I’d already decided I wanted to do something special to mark the occasion. I’d imagined having a 1980s-themed party but COVID-19 restrictions meant I couldn’t see anyone. So, I bought the cards! A few days later, a little black box arrived. I put it on the kitchen table and my husband Andrew, then 54, and our children Hannah, 22, and Alan, 20, gathered around as I opened it. Inside were 50 little envelopes, 45 of them with suggestions of things to do and five blank cards to make up your own challenges. ‘Better get…

NEW TO BINGO? IT’S EASY TO PLAY Online bingo is easier than real-life bingo in many ways and is a great alternative if you’re unable to get to your favourite bingo hall. Playing online bingo is simple. Just find a bingo game you like the look of at Woman’s Own Bingo and choose the number of tickets you’d like to buy. A lot of games cost as little as 1p a ticket, so if you’re a bingo newbie you might like to give these a go first. The bingo numbers are called out, and your ticket will be automatically dabbed by your computer, so you never need to worry about missing a number! There’s a chat box in all our bingo rooms too, so you can also talk to other…

And… relax 6-12 September 2022 ASK ALEX A ‘WHAT IS MY HOROSCOPE TODAY?’ ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr With Mercury in retrograde you may feel you’ve gone backwards, but you haven’t. Your family will help with a solution. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May Want to change your career? Looking for a compatible course will help you in an interview situation. Find suitable, smart clothes. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun Bake from scratch and treat yourself this week. A talk with a loved one is required to understand each other better. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul The New Moon’s putting things in perspective. If a friend tries to push you into an event you’re not keen on, bow out gracefully. LEO 23 Jul – 22 Aug Something…

WOMEN LIKE US by Amanda Prowse (£8.99, PB, Little A) The path to happiness is never straightforward. Although Amanda Prowse is now an international bestselling novelist, it was a struggle to succeed. With touching honesty, she delves into the implications of being a woman in a culture obsessed with beauty, youth and body image. Prowse details her toxic relationship with food and her battles with self-esteem, as well as the imposter syndrome that has haunted her career. Despite these setbacks, she’s been able to live life on her own terms. Brimming with laugh-out-loud moments, this illuminating book is an ode to overcoming insecurities and thriving against the odds. FAIRY TALE by Stephen King (£22, HB, Hodder & Stoughton) Charlie has a secret that no one would ever believe. At a…

Bobby Brazier ‘I FELT THE LOVE ON SET STRAIGHT AWAY’ A new Slater is set to make waves in Albert Square! Billy Mitchell gets a big shock in EastEnders when a teenager turns up in Bridge Street Market and introduces himself as his son. The young man in question is Freddie Slater, whose mum is Billy’s ex-wife Little Mo. She’s been living in Devon with her boy since 2006 and has brought him up to believe that the hapless market trader is his dad. ‘HE’S SILLY AND RECKLESS!’ Bobby Brazier, who’s the son of TV presenter Jeff Brazier and the late reality star Jade Goody, plays the newcomer. ‘Freddie does silly things and he’s reckless, but a lot of what he does comes from a place of love,’ says Bobby,…

I’ve always struggled academically. After being held back a year, I started secondary school in September 1989, but I was in the bottom sets in all my classes and surrounded by pupils who wanted to mess about rather than learn. Not wanting to stand out or be picked on, I stayed quiet, but deep down I was frustrated. I found reading and writing so difficult. I couldn’t seem to grasp the way the words were formed, or I’d get confused by those that looked or sounded similar like ‘what’ or ‘where’. I felt embarrassed and didn’t want to talk about it, so nobody knew how much I was struggling. Instead, teachers said I was lazy or that I couldn’t be bothered to learn. And after a while, I started to…