Innholdsfortegnelse for Monday, June 12, 2023 i Woman's Own

Would you sunbathe topless? That’s the debate we’ve been having in the office this week – for some, it’s a resounding yes (in fact, there’s a couple of us who prefer an all-over tan, if you catch my drift!), while others wouldn’t dream of it. Personally, I can’t think of anything better than being on a beach, Aperol in hand, some prawns on their way and not a tan line in sight! Turn to p45 to see what two readers think of letting it (almost) all hang out. In keeping with the summer theme, on p16 we’ve got the perfect holiday bags and, on p30, there are summer skin smoothers. I also love our feature on p24 – how to feel more confident in 24 hours. Whether you need a…

LIFE LESSONS The only reoccurring nightmare I’ve ever had is about exams. You must know the one? It’s where you haven’t done any revision and just know you’re going to mess up. Forty years on that still wakes me up in a cold sweat. So, full sympathy to all the kids facing their exams this summer, one of the most stressful experiences you’ll ever go through in life. But it is that experience that teaches you so many things – discipline, achievement, disappointment and the fact that life can at times be a bit of a b***h. The calls for exams to be abolished are well intentioned, but it would take away a huge learning-curve experience from youngsters. Real life isn’t always going to be easy and the sooner that…

They won’t see their dad Q My ex and I ended our relationship two years ago, and he’s in a new relationship. We are on good terms, but his relationship with our daughters (22 and 19) is awful. They are now at the stage where they don’t see each other. He says they are very rude when he sees them, refusing to speak to his girlfriend and her son (11). He’s gutted about it as he wants a relationship but says they shut him down whenever he tries. A It’s not easy seeing your parents break up and enter new relationships. Talk to them and see if you can understand their motives and what they want from their dad. Perhaps their dad could see them alone once every few weeks,…

Grabbing the mirror from the table beside me, I sat up in bed and checked my reflection, making sure my hair and lip gloss were still intact. ‘Could you pass my hairbrush?’ I asked my husband Haydn, then 36, who was sitting in the chair beside me. ‘You look great,’ he reassured with a smile. It was September 2009 and, while it might sound as though I was getting ready for a night out, I was in fact in hospital – in the midst of labour with my firstborn! With a break between contractions, I took the time to give my appearance a once-over. It was an important day in my life, and I’d worked hard to make sure I was feeling my best – and that meant looking my…

READER QUESTION Q I find it tricky to get a good idea of how much things cost in different currencies when I’m abroad. Do you have any tips? A You’re not alone – research carried out by Tesco Bank found that 39% of Brits aren’t confident knowing the price of items in a foreign currency. Using the exchange rate calculator at visa.co.uk will give you an indication of how much something will cost in pounds. Just bear in mind that the exact amount may be different because the rate you get for your currency may be different, while exchange rates fluctuate, too. Go green for less ‘Try putting a rolled-up piece of aluminium foil in the cutlery section of your dishwasher to bring out that extra sparkle – for next…

6-12 June 2023 ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr On 11 June the moon in your sign gives you the perfect opportunity to take on a fresh, new challenge, which will really help you to believe in yourself more. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May The month has started well for you, and this will last as long as you continue to put yourself first and accept the opportunities that come your way. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun When Mercury moves into your sign on 11 June it will help you communicate your ideas better, think more clearly and intuitively know what is best for you. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul You feel as though your guardian angel is watching over you this week. You are protected in…

THE DEAD DON’T SPEAK by Claire Askew (£16.99, Hodder & Stoughton, HB) While a vicious vigilante wreaks havoc in the streets of Edinburgh, DI Helen Birch is stuck at home. Recovering from major surgery after surviving a shooting, she’s in constant pain and bored out of her mind. Her boss made it clear that she’s not to work until she’s recuperated. But Helen can’t resist becoming involved when her colleague Amy Kato shares news of an untraceable criminal whose behaviour is growing ever more threatening. Beginning an unofficial investigation of her own, DI Birch lands herself in unimaginable danger. Can she solve the case before she loses all she holds dear? An explosive thriller. A CHATEAU UNDER SIEGE by Martin Walker (£20, Quercus, HB) Picturesque Perigord in France is gearing…

Jaime Winstone ‘I HAD A LOT OF FUN PLAYING A VAMPIRE’ The Babs and Four Lives actor on her scary new role… New comedy horror Count Abdulla follows young British Muslim Abdulla Khan (Arian Nik), who has recently qualified as a doctor and finds himself torn between the demands of his religious mum Bushra (Nina Wadia) and wanting to party with his fun-loving friends. After escaping from his family’s Eid celebration, Abdulla sneaks off to a Halloween party hosted by his friend and colleague Amrita (Manpreet Bambra), who he secretly fancies. But after realising she’s already taken, a dejected Abdulla heads home. Things then take an unexpected turn when he meets a vampire called Kathy, who sinks her teeth into him and he transforms into a vampire too! ‘Kathy’s a…

Desperate Holly INSIDE HER INNER CIRCLE The last few weeks have been challenging for ITV’s golden girl Holly WiIloughby, amid rumours of a fall-out between her and right-hand man Phillip Schofield, who recently stepped down from This Morning after 21 years on the sofa. Now, as she returns to work after bosses granted her two weeks away from the show and without Phil, 61, by her side, who is Holly turning to? Cracks in her relationship with Phil began to appear after their infamous ‘queue-gate’ scandal last year, and in recent months Holly, 42, seems to have ramped up her friendship with Alison Hammond, even having ‘girl therapy nights’. Now she has a raft of support around her, including Dermot O’Leary, who acted as an usher at her 2007 wedding,…

FULL BLOOM Thick straps ensure you can still wear a bra. Top, £15, sizes 8-24, Tu Clothing FACE TIME Leaves skin feeling softer. Vitamin E Quench Sheet Mask, £6, The Body Shop CHECK MATE Stylish storage too pretty to hide away. Tin, £2, Dunelm GO WITH THE FAUX No maintenance required! Lavender in basket, £7, Primark THINK PINK! Infused with strawberries. Mermaid Pink Gin, £38 for 70cl, John Lewis & Partners BLUSH HOUR A beautiful dress will see you through a variety of occasions. Dress, £56, sizes 6-24, and necklace, £14, both FatFace MAKE A STATEMENT These showstoppers are perfect for wedding season. Earrings, £15.99, Zara SHORTS STORY Flattering longer length. Shorts, £32, sizes 6-24, Next TOTES AMAZING Roomy enough for all your essentials. Bag, £11, Matalan SPLASH HIT Wow…

Sticky black pepper noodles SERVES 1 ‘The easiest way to get that fiery Szechuan flavour is to use pepper, just plain old pepper – the same one that you use every day, but lots of it. Udon noodles are low in fat, and broccoli increases the nutrient and fibre content.’ YOU WILL NEED ½ pack soft udon noodles (about 100g)A few broccoli florets1 garlic clove, slicedA few slices of red chilli½tsp vegetable gravy granules½tsp tomato ketchupSplash of soy sauceSesame oil HOW TO DO IT 1 Cook the noodles in a pan of salted, boiling water for 10 mins, adding the broccoli halfway through, then drain, reserving a small mugful of the cooking water. 2 Meanwhile, pan-fry the garlic and ¼tsp of black pepper in a splash of sesame oil over…

Hospitals should be places of care and comfort. But more and more frequently, we’re hearing about horrific sexual assaults on staff, visitors and patients taking place, with a report in April laying bare the shocking scale of the problem. The Women’s Rights Network (WRN) found that over 6,000 sexual attacks were reported over the last three years, including assaults on children, some who were under 13 years of age. ‘These statistics are jaw-dropping,’ says WRN founder Heather Binning. ‘We are horrified at what we have uncovered.’ The offences took place in both private and public hospitals in England and Wales, with only 4.1% of those reported resulting in the alleged offender being charged. One of the most shocking cases is that of pensioner Valerie Kneale, 75. ‘WE’RE HORRIFIED AT WHAT…

He’s been on our screens for more than 30 years, but it seems that veteran broadcaster Richard Madeley could be worried about his career. The star, who currently works ad hoc on Good Morning Britain, admitted he fears he’s ‘not good enough’. And with his work future arguably uncertain, could his wife, Judy Finnigan, see an opportunity to encourage him to retire? Richard, who is known for his often controversial opinions, made the confession while speaking about how he and his daughter, fitness instructor Chloe, 35, deal with negativity on social media. The star, 67, revealed, ‘Chloe and I both wake up to storms on social media almost every day. It only matters if you think it matters. Gary Lineker has ripped into me several times, but it’s water off…

Standing by the cooker, I stirred the risotto bubbling away in the pan and took a sip of white wine, my foot tapping to the beat of the jazz music trickling from my stereo speaker. A handsome man padded across the room, giving me a peck on the lips before topping up my glass and asking about my day. It was January 2023 and, while it might seem I’m in a committed, loving relationship, the man I’m with is married – and not to me. We met through a website for people seeking discreet affairs, and we have enjoyed numerous dates together in my home. After a lovely evening, he goes back to his wife and I continue with my busy life, focusing on my work as a relationship counsellor…

Have you heard about? PEPPERMINT OIL CAN HELP BEAT ROAD RAGE Feel furious when you’re behind the wheel? Investing in a peppermint oil air freshener could bring calm, suggests new research by Northumbria University. Participants in a study were split into two groups for a driving simulation, with the result that those in the control group were aggressive 16.7 more times than those in the peppermint oil group. Those exposed to the scent were also more alert. Give it a try! It worked for me Debbie Tudor, 58, from Shropshire ‘After reading about how important protein is to maintain muscle mass as we age, I used an online protein calculator and found that I wasn’t eating enough every day. To help keep me feeling strong so I can enjoy activities…

DOES SHE HAVE CANCER? Q My daughter is 21. Her periods are regular, but she has just told me that she has been spotting between her periods for several months. She has been to a sexual health clinic and had several tests, which are all negative. She apparently called our GP surgery to book a cervical screening, but was told that she was too young to have one. Surely that can’t be right if she has these symptoms? A laboratory won’t process smears in women in England under the age of 25. However, her GP will want to see her and examine her. Given that a sexually transmitted infection has already been ruled out, they may well refer her for a colposcopy to take a closer look at her cervix.…

Great value If you find scrubs a bit messy, then try these nifty Soap & Glory The Exfoli-Great Scrub Gloves, £5, Boots. They’ll save you money, as you can use them over and over – just make sure you pop them in the washing machine on a regular basis! Slip them on your hands, add some shower gel and lather up. Gently buff legs, arms, bottom and tummy as you go to banish any bumps or spots and leave skin feeling flawless. I love mine – just don’t overuse; three times a week is plenty. Sarah Gently does it If you’ve got easily inflamed skin and feel that scrubs can be a bit irritating, then try this formula that’s been specially developed for sensitive types. Q+A AHA Exfoliator Body Scrub,…

B&M BOLD BOTANICALS Choose shades of green and leafy motifs for this statement look Next TROPICAL BRIGHTS Bring summer to your garden with these vibrant shades…

CLUES & ARROWS Fill in the clues in the direction of the arrows 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 birds was traditionally associated with the Norse god Thor? The answer is the one missing from the grid. CROWDOVEEAGLEFALCONGOOSEGULLMAGPIEOWL PIGEONRAVENROBINSPARROWSTARLINGSWANTHRUSH CROSSWORD ACROSS 7 _ Arquette, star of the 2002 horror comedy film Eight Legged Freaks (5) 8 Arranged in twos (6,3) 10 2022 slasher film starring 7 Across, 11 Across, 20 Across, 14 Down & 24 Down (6) 11 Neve _, star of the TV shows Party of Five and House of Cards (8) 12 Excellent of its kind (8) 13 Sediment of wine (4)…

They’ve had their fair share of highs and lows, but the Nolans have never shied away from discussing their spats. In her latest book, New Beginnings, eldest sister Anne, 72, details even more revelations about their fall-outs. ‘I did not want the release of this book to hinder my reconnected relationships with my sisters… [but] I need to be honest and transparent and explain my side of the events that unfolded,’ Anne explains. Here, Woman’s Own takes a look at what really happened. MAN IN THE MIDDLE Things first blew up for Coleen and Anne in 2006 after a ‘heated exchange’ between Anne and Coleen’s then-partner Ray Fensome. It was said to have started when Ray allegedly called Anne’s daughters lazy, before stopping her from looking after his daughter Ciara.…

WATER DRAG! Melissa McCarthy and Javier Bardem take on sea witch Ursula and King Triton in new live-action Disney flick The Little Mermaid – and Melissa tells me she took inspiration from her drag pals. ‘She seems like a really good-time Sally,’ Melissa says. Talking about the demonisation of drag in the US, she says, ‘It’s insane. It’s just to bring joy.’ QUEEN OF THE SCREEN! And speaking of drag, Mel B has joined Queen of the Universe on Paramount+ as a judge. ‘This is drag on fire,’ she says of the show that brings acts from around the world to compete – and sing live ‘In a corset!’ she gasps. ‘I wore one for the first time on the show and I felt sick after a few hours.’ Meanwhile,…