Innholdsfortegnelse for Monday, September 18, 2023 i Woman's Own

Are you mad about mowing? Gaga for growing? (Worried I’ve lost the plot?!) Well, on p68 we’ve got all your garden dilemmas sorted – with advice to help get yours ready for winter. And if you’ve got any questions yourself, send them in to me (kira.agass@futurenet.com) and I’ll pass them on to our experts! It’s a real buster of an issue this week, with 32 extra pages – certainly not a brief read! There’s extra puzzles, more real life, and tasty recipes from GBBO stars, along with plenty more – including an exclusive offer from Slimming World on p36, and on p18 get ready for the autumn weather with our selection of supermarket bargains (I love the orange jumper)! Enjoy, and have a great week! AIR FRYERS AREN’T JUST FOR…

AGEISM AT ITS WORST Disney really needs to rethink how it portrays older characters… So today I identified as an old hag. Actually, probably do most days, but today my Haggy-McHagface self-image was inspired by none other than Disney. Yep the happy, Technicolor world of perfect princesses, charming princes and talking mice. Because evidently some Yanks think their American-as-apple-pie mega movie behemoth is responsible for inspiring prejudices against older generations. So much so that New York has begun rolling out anti-ageism lessons in high schools in which students are being encouraged not to refer to older people as ‘elderly’ or, er, ‘cute’. ‘WHY DO WE DISRESPECT OUR ELDERS SO MUCH?’ So much typical American navel gazing, right? Or is it? Got me thinking (which is exhausting at my age) and…

Writing a message for my daughter Sienna’s 21st birthday, I try to find the words I want to say, the advice I can give, and the wisdom I can share. Sienna won’t open the card for another 19 years, but it’s unlikely I’ll be by her side then. Because shortly after she was born in November 2021, I was dealt the devastating blow that I had 12 months to live. Now, 22 months on, I’m still here, defying the odds and making each day count. I’m not sure how much longer I have, but for the moment, all that matters is making memories with my daughter. I started feeling poorly in July 2021, but I was three-and-a-half months pregnant, so I assumed the headaches, tiredness and sickness was all to…

From barbecues to ice cream and, of course, those sugary cocktails, the summer months are chock-full of temptations that test even the most strong-willed of us. Noticed the dial on the scales creeping up? Don’t worry – there’s no need to spend a fortune in order to shape up. ‘Dancing, jogging and body-weight exercises are things you can do for free, and all you need for a home workout is a mat,’ says personal trainer Jemma Thomas (justmovingwithjem.com). Commit to regular movement with these easy ideas and notice a difference in just seven days. MOVE… To help burn those calories JOG TO THE BEAT Turn up the volume on your favourite tune and jog on the spot, lifting your knees high and swinging your arms. Build up to…

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 tennis star’s surname is the same as the pianist who recorded the music played by Ryan Gosling’s character in La La Land? AUSTINBARTOLIBARTYEVERTGRAFHALEPHENINHINGIS KERBERKINGKVITOVAOSAKASELESWADEWILLIAMS CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 _ Dafoe, actor who appeared as the Green Goblin in Spider-Man: No Way Home (6)4 The _, 2022 historical epic film starring 1 Across,27 Across, 3 Down, 6 Down and 22 Down (8)10 Become encouraged (4,5)11 Sailing vessel (5)12 Mountain ash (5)13 Duplicate (9)14 Eavesdrops, informally (7)16 South Pacific country (4)19 Singing voice (4)21 No one in particular (7)24 Disingenuous (9)25 Stories (5)26 Excessively fat (5)27…

Film A HAUNTING IN VENICE Out in cinemas 15 September Kenneth Branagh returns to his ’tache (and the director’s chair) as Hercule Poirot sniffs out a murderer at a seance in the floating city. Based on Agatha Christie’s tale Hallowe’en Party, and featuring another starry cast, it’s worth investigating. Concert BUSTED: 20TH ANNIVERSARY & GREATEST HITS TOUR Multiple locations including London, Nottingham, Glasgow and Leeds, until 10 October 2023. Tickets from £42 Noughties boy band Busted, who brought us classics like Year 3000, Air Hostess and Crashed the Wedding, will be at an arena near you for their 20th anniversary tour. With special guests Hanson and New Hope Club. Performance: THE FULL MONTY – UK TOUR Multiple locations including Cheltenham, York, Bath, Aberdeen and Canterbury, 14 September 2023 until 6…

Jane ‘I DON’T NEED ANYONE’ Jane McDonald has admitted that she’s ‘not bothered’ about moving on, following the death of her fiance Eddie Rothe two years ago. The 60-year-old, who was with Eddie for 13 years before he tragically lost his battle with lung cancer in March 2021, confessed, ‘I don’t feel like I need someone in my life to make it fulfilled… I don’t feel like I need anyone.’ Instead, Jane relies on her girlfriends who have also lost their partners. She said, ‘We have a coping mechanism. I have a great group of girlfriends now, who are all in the same situation. We have a great time, we go out, we have dinner, drinks, parties round each others’ houses.’ The former Loose Woman continued, ‘We’re all in the…

STATEMENT DRESS Floaty and fabulous, add a belt for extra definition. Dress, £28, sizes s-l, Primark DAILY GRIND Season your meals in style. Salt and pepper set, £18, Next ADD TO BASKET Storage that looks good too. Baskets, £20 for set of two, Nutmeg at Morrisons GET THE GLOSS Non-sticky yet ultra glossy. Ciaté Dewy Gloss Tinted Lip Jelly, £18, ciatelondon.com FILL YOUR BOOTS Kick off the new season with this on-trend buy. Boots, £38, Tu Clothing WARDROBE WINS Master the art of layering with a checked shacket. Wear with drawstring trousers for a comfy weekend look. Shacket, £30, and trousers, £25, both sizes s-xxl, bag, £24, all Autonomy at Bonmarché; T-shirt and shoes, stylist’s own FANCY SOAP Notes of rose water. Baylis & Harding Kindness + Hand Wash, £5,…

She’s best known as Richard and Judy’s daughter and has been in the limelight since birth. But away from her parents, Chloe Madeley has carved out a name for herself – and it hasn’t come easily. ‘WE’VE HAD ARGUMENTS WHILE WE’RE RECORDING’ ‘People don’t realise that I work many different jobs,’ she says. ‘I graft my a** off to make an income.’ Chloe has revealed she went back to work just eight weeks after giving birth to her daughter Bodhi, who she shares with former rugby union player James Haskell, because she ‘needed the money’. And one thing she wants people to know is that she doesn’t rely on her parents financially. ‘Seriously, the only comments that really annoy me are when people accuse me of living off my parents,’…

Waking from the general anaesthetic, I saw my partner Paul with our newborn son, swaddled in a blanket. As he placed the baby in my arms and kissed me, I felt total happiness. There was a time when I believed I’d never find a soulmate who’d be able to see past my height. And I’d been told all my life that my body would never be able to safely carry a baby, even if I could manage to get pregnant. Now, though, I had a man who adored me, we had a child together and I knew dreams really could come true. My parents and brothers are all of ‘normal’ height, and as a baby there was no indication that I was any different. But after experiencing problems with my…

MY SKIN IS SO SORE Q For 20 years, I have struggled with spots and sweat sores on my inner thighs, breasts, armpits and groin. In 2020, I was diagnosed with hidradenitis suppurativa and prescribed an antibiotic called lymecycline. This worked initially but after a couple of years the sores flared, and I have tried other antibiotics without much luck. Is it worth going back to my GP? A Yes. Your GP can take a swab that can be sent to a lab to check which bacteria are present and which antibiotics they are sensitive to. Given how long this has been going on, they may refer you to a dermatologist as there are immunosuppressive medications available from specialists to help treat hidradenitis. Why can’t I hear? Q Two weeks…

1 Restore and rebuild Too much sunshine can impair your skin barrier, reducing its ability to retain water, which results in dryness. When your skin is suffering like this it needs ceramides, a type of fatty molecule that acts like mortar between skin cells, to fill in those cracks. Try Nip + Fab Barrier Ceramide Fix Overnight Cream 12%, £29.95, Boots. Then, once you’ve improved your skin’s barrier function, invest in a humectant-rich cream that attracts moisture like a magnet and holds hydration in the skin. We love Tula Skincare 24-7 Ultra Hydration Triple-Hydra Complex Day & Night Serum, £41, spacenk.com. 2 Eyes and lips The skin around our eyes is already thinner and more fragile than the rest of our face and has a lot to contend with during…

READER QUESTION Q When is the best time for me to start saving up for Christmas? A Starting to save now is a good idea if you can afford it; even a small amount over a few months can make a big difference. But with the soaring cost of living it’s even more important not to put yourself under any financial pressure. Work out what you can afford to save and if it’s not as much as you’d hope, adjust your expectations rather than stretch yourself too far. Go green for less Get 50% off your first order of Fluus fully-flushable period pads, designed to break down into biodegradable materials, with offer code GOGREEN50 at wearefluus.com. From £5 for 15 pads, with a monthly subscription service available.* 3 easy ways…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr The North Node stationing direct for a couple of days from 17 September encourages you to follow through on an idea you’ve had on the back burner. Go for it! TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May With Mercury moving forward in fellow earth sign Virgo, it’s a good time to make a practical plan for a vital work project. Focus on service to create success. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun Your mind can take you in a positive direction, or spiral downwards. Stay focused on what’s working well in your life and on what you are most grateful for. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul Being sensitive, you find it hard when there’s conflict in your close relationships. If this has been the…

THE GOLDEN SPOON by Jessa Maxwell (£8.99, PB, Penguin Books) The ultimate baking competition is about to turn deadly. For star host Betsy Martin, Bake Week is far more than a game show – it represents her entire legacy. Welcoming six amateur bakers into her grand home at Grafton Manor, she knows they’ll do anything to win the Golden Spoon. But someone isn’t playing fair. And when sugar switched for salt escalates to murder, the race begins to find the killer. A deliciously creepy thriller. NIGHT TRAIN TO MARRAKECH by Dinah Jefferies (£8.99, PB, HarperCollins) It’s 1966 and Vicky has been searching for answers all her life. Her estranged grandmother lives in Morocco and Vicky is determined to find her. Accompanied by her cousin Bea, she begins a life-changing train…

Amanda Holden ‘IT’S HORRIBLE HISTORIES FOR ADULTS!’ Join the Britain’s Got Talent star for a fun romp through the ages… In new series Sex: A Bonkers History, Amanda teams up with historian Dan Jones to explore attitudes towards sex and sexuality from ancient times to the 20th century. ‘IT’S CHEEKY AND VERY FUNNY!’ Far from being a dull, dry documentary series, the five-parter sees the pair get into the spirit of things by dressing up for each era, with Dan donning a suit of armour while investigating Tudor times, and Amanda getting into full Bridgerton mode as she finds out about sex in the Regency period. ‘I bill this as Horrible Histories for adults!’ says Amanda. ‘I think that’s the best way to describe it. It’s cheeky, upbeat and very…

Have you heard about? PARMESAN CHEESE COULD BOOST MEMORY Not just a tasty pasta topping – the probiotics in this particular cheese could help improve memory in old age, found new research*. People aged 52-75 with mild cognitive impairment took part in the study, and findings showed that eating Parmesan for three months improved brain test scores. Just make sure you stick to 28g per serving, as it’s high in calories. It worked for me Lisa Flynn, 51, from Manchester ‘I was experiencing fatigue, no libido and anxiety due to the menopause. I now take Elle Sera (£49.95 per month, ella-sera.com), a blend of five herbal ingredients for hormones including maca and Siberian ginseng. I have more energy, improved libido and better focus. I’m even going on dates and exercising…

My colleague is rude Q I’ve been working with a woman in her 40s and she’s always made it clear she doesn’t like me. She recently sent me a text saying we should try to get on, which I found annoying. My manager has said she is fed up with us and wants to see changes. But it wasn’t my fault to begin with! I need this job, so what do I do? A There are so many reasons why we don’t always get along with the people we work with. Differing work styles, personality clashes, conflicting values and ambition are just some of them. Whatever the reason, you have to find a way to work together. This woman has already reached out to say she wants the conflict to…

Non-slip The best kind of primer is the one that grips my make-up in place and also offers deep hydration for my combination skin. The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer, £6, Boots, really ticks all the boxes for me. It mattifies any excess oil, hydrates and stops make-up from slipping. A true gem! Stephanie Colour correct I often have flushed red cheeks in the mornings, so I need something that will help neutralise the colour and Barry M Fresh Face Colour Correcting Primer in Green, £5.99, always comes to my rescue. The green-toned formula melts into my skin and balances redness, hydrates and ensures my make-up lasts all day. Annie Brightening base During the summer months, I like to switch out my primer for something that offers brightening benefits such as…

Cherry and amaretti crumble cake SERVES 10 Bake Off and Strictly star John Whaite has combined two classic bakes in this impressive teacake that’s far easier to make than it looks. YOU WILL NEED 175g unsalted butter, softened175g light brown muscovado sugar1tsp almond extractZest 1 lemon2 large eggs100g soured cream175g self-raising flour½tsp fine sea salt250g (drained weight) cherries soaked in kirsch For the crumble: 150g self-raising flour100g cold unsalted butter, cubed75g light brown muscovado sugar75g amaretti biscuits, crushed40g flaked almonds You will need: 23cm round, loose-bottomed cake tin, greased and base lined with baking paper HOW TO DO IT 1 Heat the oven to 160C Fan/Gas 4. For the cake, cream the butter, sugar, almond extract and lemon zest until lighter in texture and pale. Add the eggs and…

Q I get a lot of fallen leaves on my lawn in autumn. What’s the best way to deal with them? A If your garden is small, gather the leaves up using a lawn rake, then stuff them in a hessian or netting sack, or a bin bag that’s been punctured with a garden fork to allow for aeration. Leave the sack in a corner of your garden for a year or two and the leaves will break down into a lovely leaf mould soil improver. If your garden is large, consider investing in a leaf blower. Q I want a garden heater so I can still sit outside in the evenings. However, I only have a balcony, so a traditional log-burning fire pit isn’t practical. What do you suggest?…

Claire Richards looks nothing short of stunning with minimal make-up and a sweatshirt on, so it’s hard to believe the singer has just celebrated her 46th birthday. She smiles from ear to ear when she’s talking about her new album, Euphoria, on which she covers songs from some of her favourite female artists, and describes it as ‘full of bangers’! Does she feel weird not having her other four Steps band members with her when she’s performing? ‘I do, but equally it’s a bit less chaotic,’ she admits. ‘It’s like trying to herd cats when you’re trying to get all of us on stage.’ The band are fully supportive of Claire’s solo ventures, as is her husband Reece, 55, who she gratefully says ‘picks up the slack’ when things get…

The boxes are still unpacked and there’s a smell of something unknown in the air – the smell of another house, another family. We moved into our new home a few days ago and, while I’m excited to have a bigger house, I feel something I can’t put my finger on. It feels a lot like grief. ‘IT’S A FEELING OF JOY AND SADNESS’ Our last house was a small, cottage-style affair. It had three bedrooms but was small – the main reason my partner Cornel and I chose to move after 10 years there. In those 10 years we saw my then four-year-old son grow to a 14-year-old, brought back our daughter Adriana as a new baby from hospital, marked their height growth on a wall in the kitchen,…