Innholdsfortegnelse for Monday, November 20, 2023 i Woman's Own

The run-up to Christmas (yes, we’re officially in it!) is often full of plans – there’s endless shopping, baubles to get out of the attic, cards to write and cleaning to squeeze in. But while the festive season has to answer for an awful lot in the way of stress, it’s full of fun plans (who doesn’t love those!) too, and hopefully a lot of them involve spending time with your favourite people. On p16 we’ve got the best party flats that will mean you can dance all night at every bash, on p22 there’s seven steps to a happy Christmas, and on p28 it’s time to sparkle with our bargain beauty buys. If your head’s not quite in the game yet, don’t worry – the issue has plenty more…

On the outside, Stacey Solomon appears to have it all. A beautiful family, successful career and loyal followers. But behind closed doors, it seems things could be getting too much for the star as she’s confessed to being in tears multiple times and that she ‘can’t cope’. With five children, it’s easy to understand how things could get on top of Stacey and she has previously admitted, ‘My anxiety is high.’ Now, Stacey, who is mum to Zachary, 15, Leighton, 11, Rex, four, Rose, two, and one-year-old Belle, has recalled how Rex finding some metal moulds of his newborn feet to take into school made her cry. The star, 34, told followers, ‘Today Rexy wanted [to] bring something for show and tell and he got these moulds of his newborn…

THE MANOPAUSE? DO ME A FAVOUR! Robbie Williams has no idea what he’s talking about WHOOP! Ladies, some excellent news for you. That pesky menopause thing that we all go through at some point isn’t really a menopause at all! It’s a result of too much sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll! We’re cool rock chicks, not slightly knackered middle-aged wrecks after all… OK, so I don’t exactly remember all the bad girl stuff I supposedly did but then if you did it properly you probably wouldn’t, would you? No, I haven’t gone mad, I’m simply following the reasoning of one Robbie Williams, rock star, who has spent vast amounts of time recently telling us how he’s suffering from the ‘manopause’. See what he did there? ‘STEP AWAY FROM OUR…

Pesto-stuffed chicken with roast greens PREP TIME: 10 MINS COOK TIME: 25 MINS CALS: 430 FAT: 21G SAT FAT: 11G CARBS: 9G SERVES 2 With just five ingredients, this is an easy winner for busy week nights YOU WILL NEED 2 chicken breasts, skin on3tbsp red pesto75g feta, crumbled160g pack mixed green veg (we used beans, Tenderstem broccoli and asparagus)1tbsp balsamic vinegar HOW TO DO IT 1 Heat the oven to 180C Fan/Gas 6. Cut a pocket in the side of each chicken breast. Mix together the pesto and half the feta, then divide between the chicken pockets. Season with salt. 2 Heat a drizzle of oil in an oven-safe frying pan. Cook the chicken breasts, skin-side down, for 10 mins until the skin is crisp and golden. Turn skin-side…

Love can be found in the most unlikely of places. Down the aisles of a supermarket, on a busy train, in your local coffee shop -the list is endless. Meeting at work isn’t unheard of either, but what about when your workplace is a prison? Recently the headlines have been dominated by the spate of female prison officers engaging in romantic relationships with inmates, with experts blaming lack of training and poor recruitment processes. At one prison, HMP Berwyn in North Wales, an astonishing 18 female members of staff were dismissed this year for inappropriate relationships with prisoners, with the prison now facing a staffing crisis. Three of the 18 were jailed for misconduct in a public office. So why are so many women risking so much for these illicit…

Mariah SUED AGAIN! It should be the most wonderful time of year for Queen of Christmas Mariah Carey, but instead the singer is embroiled in a legal battle. The star is being sued for copyright infringement over her iconic festive hit All I Want For Christmas Is You. Songwriters Andy Stone and Troy Powers are seeking £16.5 million in damages after claiming that the 54-year-old ripped off their song. ‘I’LL NEVER FORGET WRITING THE LYRICS’ In 1989, four years before Mariah’s tune stormed the charts, the pair wrote a song, also called All I Want For Christmas Is You. Now they’re claiming that there are similarities in the lyrical hook and melody between the two songs, with a legal document saying, ‘[Mariah] palmed off these works with her incredulous origin…

FEELING FESTIVE Nothing screams it’s Christmas like a wardrobe full of sequins, statement jewels and touches of velvet. Sequin sweatshirt, £139, sizes xs-xl, busbyandfox.com; trousers, £75, sizes 6-24, White Stuff; earrings, £12, Next; pearl ring, £25, gold ring, £65, both screampretty.com; bracelets, stylist’s own IT’S A WRAP Team with your favourite jeans. Top, £18, sizes 6-26, Next DANCING FEET Be quick, we predict a sell-out of these sparklers! Boots, £23, George at Asda COLOUR POP Enjoy a joyous welcome. Doormat, £19.50, Oliver Bonas CHECKMATE An easy-to-wear wardrobe staple. Scarf, £12.50, M&S DISCO PANTS Get party-ready quickly. Trousers, £18, sizes 4-20, Primark ON-THE-GO Perfect for your handbag. Profusion mini lip set, £4, Boots STAR OF THE SHOW The perfect finishing touch to any outfit. Earrings, £19, Phase Eight SOFT CLUTCH Wear…

SEEKING A CURE FOR MY FACIAL FLUSHING Q For several months now, I think I’ve been going through the menopause. I don’t want to bother my doctor as I feel I’ve got away with things quite lightly compared with many of my friends, but I am really struggling with facial flushing, which is so embarrassing. Can you recommend anything? I don’t want to take HRT. A Facial flushing is a common symptom of the menopause. It is often worse when drinking alcohol or after eating spicy foods, so it is worth cutting these out of your diet. Stress will also make the problem worse but, if none of these apply to you, please speak to your GP, as there are non-hormonal medicines that can help. WILL AN OP BE TOO…

Glossy lips The buttery and never-sticky formula of Morphe Lip Gloss in shade Frolic, £10, Selfridges, provides both instant shine and tons of colour. The shimmery pink gloss is ideal for festive events. Party pout Looking just like a top luxury brand, this gorgeous lip set will be top of everyone’s Christmas wishlist this year. PS… Lip Set, £7, Primark, contains lipstick, liner, gloss and oil for just £7! Rainbow palette Be bold with your eyeshadow, with the help of this magic metallic palette. Sleek I-Divine Palette in Making Waves, £9.99, Boots, is packed with 12 stunning shades. Highlighter high Nothing says party ready like a sweep of highlighter along the cheekbones, so this blusher and highlighter compact is a must-have. W7 Afterglow Blush & Highlight, £4.95, w7makeup.co.uk, is the…

Into the blue Opulent reds Evergreen…

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 The samurai class was abolished in Japan during the reign of a British monarch with what name? The answer is the one missing from the grid. ALFREDANNECANUTECHARLESEDWARDELIZABETHGEORGEHAROLDHENRYJAMESJOHNMARYRICHARDVICTORIAWILLIAM CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 From a place of authority (2,4)4 Deliberate disruption (8)10 Try (9)11 Chris _, starred as Owen Grady in the Jurassic Worldtrilogy (5)12 Jacket part (5)13 Musical instrument (9)14 Natalie _, actor whose films include Black Swan and Jackie (7)16 _: Love and Thunder, 2022 film starring 11 Across, 14 Across,19 Across, 24 Across & 25 Down (4)19 Christian _, star of The Fighter and…

Film THE MARVELS Out in cinemas 10 November Captain Marvel’s (Brie Larson) powers become entangled with Ms Marvel (Iman Vellani) and Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) in the latest girl-power instalment from Marvel – plus, loads more cats. Expect to fly higher, further, faster… Event SKATE AT SOMERSET HOUSE 15 November 2023 Until 14 January 2024. Somerset House, London. Tickets from £10 (adults) Get into the festive spirit as Somerset House’s courtyard is transformed into a huge ice rink. Unwind afterwards with a glass of Whispering Angel’s Rock Angel Côtes de Provence rosé and Swiss mountain-inspired food from Chalet Suisse by Jimmy Garcia. UK Tour DANCING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND 21 November Until 19 December 2023. Multiple locations including Portsmouth, Belfast, Liverpool and Nottingham. Tickets from £27.50 Former Strictly stars and…

They were together for almost 10 years, but just over a year after welcoming daughter Bodhi, Chloe Madeley and James Haskell have called time on their marriage. The personal trainer, 36, posted a statement on Instagram saying, ‘James and I mutually decided to separate at the end of September 2023. Beyond this statement, we will not be speaking about this matter publicly, as it is private and we have a daughter to co-parent, whom we will love and protect at all costs.’ James shared the same statement and added, ‘It’s with a lot of sadness I write this… My priority is my daughter’s and Chloe’s happiness and security.’ Ahead of their split, a source revealed that Chloe and James often had ‘explosive rows’. Speaking about their tricky transition into parenthood,…

CHAS AND DICK! Cosying up on the crochet at the Dingles with Emmerdale legend Lucy Pargeter – still pulling pints and fellas (mostly bad’uns) – after 20 years. And it’s just as chaotic on the home front, the mum-of-three tells me, ‘I’ve got two new puppies and a bearded dragon who loves to shower!’ The lizard was a present from the soap’s resident prankster Dominic Brunt, who plays Paddy. LIMITLESS FUN On set playing Ant and Dec’s hit game show with a ‘Limitless’ jackpot – which returns in the new year – ‘The cash prize is limitless but it depends on whether your nerves are,’ Dec reminds me as I hit the floor to play along. Find out how I got on in January. Meanwhile, the pair will say farewell…

PRINCESS OF WALES Kate has been the fashion envy of many. Known for her love of a tailored coat, a floral midi dress and a stylish skirt, the Princess of Wales’ wardrobe has always been fairly consistent. But now, Kate, 41, has entered the trouser suit era! So what prompted the royal to revamp her wardrobe? Royal style expert Miranda Holder says that becoming the Princess of Wales following the Queen’s death in 2022 has something to do with it. ‘Kate’s image has definitely taken on a more business-like feel ever since she became the Princess of Wales; her more serious wardrobe reflecting the gravitas of her heavyweight role within The Firm.’ Miranda continued, ‘She has literally been rebranded in line with her new level of authority as the Princess…

Waking up one morning in July 2020, I felt incredibly lonely, a painful feeling in my chest that had been building up for months. I was single, and during the COVID-19 lockdown I’d been self-isolating but was starting to wonder if life would always feel so empty. I worked in HR and had wonderful friends but wanted more – truth was, I was desperate to become a mum. ‘I want to have a baby,’ I blurted, calling my mum Jane, then 60, on the phone. ‘I’m thrilled for you,’ Mum replied, before silence filled the air. ‘Who is going to be the father though?’ I sighed, this was my biggest hurdle. It wasn’t like I hadn’t tried to meet someone. For the past five years I’d been on enough first…

Have you heard about? EATING DAIRY CAN HELP BEAT DEMENTIA Love a cheeseboard? You’re in luck – cheese can help fight dementia*. Scientists found that over 65s who ate it regularly scored higher on cognitive tests. Researchers believe this is because those who consume dairy have a more varied diet. Cheese also contains brain-boosting nutrients, such as potassium and vitamin B12. Stick to 30g daily, as it’s high in saturated fat. It worked for me Linzi Dunlevy, 37, from Scotland ‘I started experiencing psoriasis over a decade ago. It eventually covered 67% of my body, and I developed puss-filled white bumps on my skin. I was itchy constantly, which impacted my sleep. I now take AxisBiotix (£39.99 for 28 sachets, axisbiotix.com). It’s a food supplement made with a blend of…

Health ask us I struggle to fit in at work Q I’m a very introverted person, but I love my work. The people I work with are all very confident and I get lost in the background. I got this job in lockdown and loved it as it was remote. Now we’re in the office three days a week, I struggle to fit in. What can I do? A Workplaces are made up of all kinds of personalities. The dynamic works because nothing would ever get done if we were all one type of person. That said, whether you are an extrovert or an introvert, there will always be times when you need to do things that feel uncomfortable – this will build your confidence. Ask more confident colleagues to…

The Christmas tree was still twinkling in the living room and there were empty tins of Quality Street stacked up for recycling. It was New Year’s Day 2022 but as I dished up lunch for my fiancé, Brian, then 52, and my daughter, Yvie, 11, there wasn’t a plate for me. ‘I’m going on a diet,’ I explained to them. ‘OK, Mum,’ Yvie smiled, as I sipped a meal-replacement drink. After a Christmas spent indulging on chocolate, crisps, nuts, Christmas dinner and all the trimmings, countless puddings and just about anything I fancied, I knew I had to do something drastic to transform my life. TROUBLE WALKING At 5ft 3in and weighing 17st 7lb and a size 24 , I was a virtual recluse and my mobility was so bad…

READER QUESTION Q I love exchanging gifts with my closest friends but I can’t afford to splash out. Do you have any ideas of how to do it for less? A Suggest making each other gifts. You’ll be able to save cash and you’ll be able to give them a personal touch. For example, you could make a box of macarons, toffees or Florentines – you’ll find some delicious recipe ideas at goodto.com. Or you could make a photo collage of your favourite snaps of you together. Go green for less Opt for fabric gift bags instead of buying wrapping paper – that way they can be used year after year. You can buy them online on sites like Etsy (etsy.com), or better still you could make your own. 3…

And… relax 14-20 November 2023 ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr Love is on your mind, and meeting someone who’s a good match is possible. If you’re in a relationship, focus on your compatibility rather than differences. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May You may feel things have been slow to move in the past couple of months. Take the opportunity to think about what’s most important to you, now and in the future. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun If you’re deciding between two options related to work, go with what brings you the most excitement and energy, as you’ll need this to fulfil your objectives. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul You have all the tools to succeed in whatever you choose, so believe in your abilities and…

A DECEMBER TO REMEMBER by Jenny Bayliss (£8.99, PB, Pan Macmillan) Can three estranged sisters put their differences aside in time for the winter solstice? Half-sisters Maggie, Simone and Star had all but lost contact until the death of their quirky father Augustus. His eccentric shop, North Novelties and Curios, overflowed with unusual treasures and never failed to spark intrigue in Rowan Thorp village. Now, at the reading of his will, Augustus has one last surprise in store. His daughters must work together through a series of challenges to unlock their inheritance, rekindling the lost solstice celebrations of the village. A hilarious goose chase ensues. THE FIRST 48 HOURS by Simon Kernick (£20, HB, Headline) The clock is ticking and time is running out. A detective must solve a chilling…

Dominic West ‘THERE ARE SOME HEAVY SCENES...’ The Crown star on the return of the royal drama… The sixth and final series of the hit drama has arrived, but don’t expect to binge it all in one go because the first four episodes will be available to watch from 16 November, while the remaining six are due to drop on 14 December. The story picks up in the summer of 1997 with Diana, Princess of Wales (Elizabeth Debicki) beginning a whirlwind romance with Dodi Fayed (Khalid Abdalla), before the pair meet a tragic end in a Paris car crash. ‘IT’S VERY MOVING…’ ‘We see the last time Charles and Diana see each other and the last time she sees her boys,’ says Dominic West, who plays Prince Charles. ‘It’s very…