Innholdsfortegnelse for Monday, November 27, 2023 i Woman's Own

Love getting down to it in the kitchen? On p32 we’ve got tasty festive treats to get you in the Christmas mood. An edible wreath, tree decorations and cupcakes – sounds pretty good to me! Plus, the wreath is no-bake, so I like to think that means no messy counter. For some non-edible decs, turn to p42 for the latest trends from your favourite shops. A bauble that’s shatterproof? It’s like magic! And wouldn’t it be nice to be able to transport yourself to a Christmas film location on p46? The hot topic this week is gift receipts – is it ever OK to ask for one? It’s tricky, isn’t it? I keep jumping back and forth and think it probably depends on who has given you the present, but…

Alison Hammond has been part of This Morning since 2002, first joining as a reporter and competition announcer not long after she first burst onto our screens in Big Brother. Fast forward two decades and fan favourite Alison is now a regular fixture on the famous sofa, and in recent months she’s arguably helped keep This Morning afloat. But while we can’t imagine the show without Alison, it seems that the star is perhaps considering a future elsewhere. Following Holly Willoughby’s departure from the ITV programme, the presenter, 48, has told Woman’s Own, ‘I’d love to do Loose [Women] – I’d do any programme. I’ve done most of them!’ So will Alison, like Holly, turn her back on the show that made her? Hot property Alison’s vivacious personality has landed…

HOW POSH ARE YOU? If Nicky Haslam’s guide is anything to go by, we’re all common! True story. The first time my mum heard my future husband speak she uttered the immortal phrase, ‘Ooh, don’t he talk nice?’ Like I’d brought home one of the landed gentry who owned most of Buckinghamshire rather than a bloke from a council estate in, er, Margate. He didn’t talk ‘posh’. He just spoke slightly different to my lovely, cockney mum. And of course, the perception of an east London accent sounding ‘common’ echoes to this day. A combination of Dick Van Dyke meets the Krays with a heavy dose of Danny Dyer. ‘WE ALL JUDGE FOLK ON HOW THEY TALK’ You probably have the same kind of assumption made about your accent whether…

Have you heard about? COFFEE CAN CAUSE BODY ODOUR Consider yourself a caffeine addict? That morning drink could be making you smell, says nutrition expert Ashleigh Tosh from Prepped Pots. ‘Caffeine goes to our apocrine sweat glands, found in areas such as the armpits and groin, which are responsible for producing fatty sweat. As the bacteria on our body mixes with this sweat, it causes body odour.’ Stick to one small cup a day or try decaf. It worked for me Katy Wakefield, 45, from North Berwick ‘I was experiencing mood fluctuations and had difficulty focusing. My GP said it could be perimenopause, but I was reluctant to take HRT. I now use Doctor Seaweed’s Weed and Wonderful Pure Seaweed (£14 for 30 capsules, doctorseaweed.com) which is a natural seaweed…

Health ask us Everything about this time of year is irritating me Q This year, I am not feeling the Christmas spirit. I’m single, fed up and everything festive is irritating me. The idea of going to my brother’s and spending all day with his in-laws and kids fills me with dread. What do I do? A There are so many reasons that people feel low at Christmas – if there’s nothing obvious, it’s likely to do with the expectations of the season. Everything festive signals towards family, being happy and joyous, and life isn’t always set up for that. If you don’t feel like celebrating this year, choose to do what’s right for you and what makes you happy. WHY WON’T SHE LET ME HELP HER? Q My sister…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr The Moon in your sign on 22 November gives you the opportunity to set a clear intention for the month ahead. How can you take a step towards this today? TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May On 24 November you will have more clarity around what you want from your closest relationships. You may have to be bold and speak up, but it’ll be worth it. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun The Full Moon in Taurus on 27 November helps you clarify what’s most important to you, and to also attract the help you need to move forward. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul November is a master number month (11), giving you the confidence to act on repeated ideas and to move…

TACKLE! by Jilly Cooper (£22, HB, Transworld) The masterful Jilly Cooper is back! In the 11th instalment of her glorious Rutshire Chronicles, Rupert Campbell-Black finds himself in difficult times. His wife is desperately unwell, his prized racehorse has passed away and his daughter has persuaded him to buy a flagging football club. As the new owner of Searston Rovers, he sets his sights on victory in the Premier League. With help from Searston’s dazzling secretary, Tember West, Rupert is determined to come out on top – even if that means ruffling the feathers of the corrupt rival football club. This rollicking read is brimming with delicious drama, pitch-perfect puns and scandalous revelations. THE BLACK FEATHERS by Rebecca Netley (£18.99, HB, Penguin) For Annie, marrying wealthy widower Edward Stonehouse means a…

Take That ‘OUR COMEBACK HAS BEEN CRAZY!’ The band take a trip down memory lane in Reel Stories… Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen join host Dermot O’Leary for another of his cinema-based interviews to look back at the highs and lows of their remarkable career as Take That, which was formed, along with Jason Orange and Robbie Williams, in 1990. As they watch clips of concert performances and other archive footage, the trio discuss their rise to global stardom, Robbie’s shock departure in 1995, the band’s break-up the following year and carving careers as solo artists. They also talk about their decision to make a comeback in 2006, which has seen them rise back to the top with more sell-out tours and hit albums. ‘WE’RE STILL BLOWN AWAY…

SHIMMER AND SPARKLE The ultimate party frock. Dress, £30, sizes 8-24, George at Asda DESIGNER INSPIRED Elevate a plain chunky knit jumper. Earrings, £3.50, Primark VELVET TOUCH Platforms with a cushioned insole for extra comfort. Shoes, £39, Next SNOW GLOBE Features edible gold leaf. Spiced orange and cranberry gin liqueur, £24, threshers.co.uk CENTREPIECE Add an elegant touch. Candle stick, £20, debenhams.com MERRY AND BRIGHT Go bold with your holiday decor this year. Dark pink cushion, £9, pink wreath cushion, £10, green cushion, £10, candy cane cushion, £8, navy cushion, £8, striped cushion, £10, pre-lit tree, £25, plain baubles, £8 for pack of four, two-tone baubles, £12 for pack of four, all George Home WRITE IT DOWN The perfect stocking filler. Notebook, £4, Matalan SHINE ON A simple yet stylish design.…

Dread slipping into a slinky number at this time of year, but don’t have the time for long workouts? One simple move can have a big impact. ‘Jumping can help improve muscle tone, particularly in your legs, stomach and arms,’ says fitness coach Suzy Alvarez. ‘It’s also a fun way to keep active.’ So, what are you waiting for? YOUR FIVE QUICK JUMP EXERCISES If you’re a beginner, start with 20 seconds’ jumping and 20 seconds’ rest. Do the five exercises to make one circuit and repeat twice. As you become fitter, increase the time you’re jumping by 30 seconds and add one more circuit rep. 1 SCISSOR JUMP Perform a standard lunge – bend one leg forward at a 90-degree angle, while keeping the other leg bent behind you…

Tree decoration biscuits PREP TIME: 30 MINS, PLUS COOLING COOK TIME: 8-10 MINS CALS: 145 FAT: 5G SAT FAT: 3G CARBS: 34G SERVES 20 Pack these colourful spiced biccies into bags for a thoughtful (and tasty) gift YOU WILL NEED 200g boiled sweets, separated into colours100g unsalted butter, softened100g caster sugar1 large egg, beaten1½tsp vanilla extract1tsp ground ginger1tsp ground cinnamon270g gluten-free plain flour, plusextra for dusting½tsp xanthan gum You will need: 10-12cm star biscuit cutter and 4-5cm star biscuit cutter HOW TO DO IT 1 Crush the sweets (still in their wrappers) using a rolling pin. Remove the wrappers and set the sweets aside, in separate colours. 2 In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg…

Have you ever imagined skating around the Rockefeller Center’s ice rink like Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel in the family classic, Elf, or wondered what it would be like to stroll through the village where Cameron Diaz stayed in The Holiday? While you may not be able to step into the film, you can be transported to some of the iconic locations. And, great as it is to hunker down every year in front of the TV for a good dose of nostalgia, maybe this is the year to relive those magical cinematic moments for real. Home Alone Chicago What could be more exciting for a child than being left at home on their own? For Kevin McCallister that became a reality in this iconic 90s film. And the star…

It’s almost 10 years since Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin announced they were ‘consciously uncoupling’. Since then, stars have followed suit with amicable or under-the-radar splits. Until now! The past few months have seen the return of dramatic break-ups. With Chloe Madeley and James Haskell the latest pair navigating separation, we look at some of 2023’s most shocking splits. KEVIN COSTNER AND CHRISTINE BAUMGARTNER Yellowstone star Kevin had more than his departure from the show to deal with when his wife Christine filed for divorce in May, after 18 years of marriage. And it wasn’t long until the exes were flinging accusations. The actor, 68, claimed that Christine, 49, refused to leave their marital home - despite a prenup stating she had 30 days to vacate the property after filing…

When I bought my dream home in the Cotswolds in autumn 2020, I planned to write and work in a peaceful environment. But peace was the last thing I experienced in that house. The nightmare started before I even had the house keys. I asked the departing owner’s permission to park outside so I could take my disabled mum for a walk. We returned to find a van had blocked my car and then a man appeared, aggressively accusing me of trespassing and letting my dog foul on his property. I was stunned – it was complete rubbish. UNWANTED PRESENCE The man was Jonathan Barrett, and he was my neighbour. The next time I saw him he was full of apologies and friendly, which appeased me. I was there every…

My daughter Hannah’s eyes shone as she told me about her day. Not only had she been tinkering with engines, she’d also learnt new welding skills on her work apprenticeship. It was May 2022 and it was clear that Hannah, then 18, was enjoying herself. Ever since she’d been able to pick up a toy spanner as a tiny toddler, she’d been fascinated by engines and would spend hours playing with toy cars. ‘I WRAPPED MY ARMS AROUND HER AS WE CRIED’ She’d worked hard to get the qualifications required to win an apprenticeship at the JCB headquarters near our home in Derbyshire. Now she was living her dream and her achievements were remarkable because she’d been coping with health issues including migraines, nausea and nosebleeds for months. Despite numerous…

HOW CAN I STOP BLOOD CLOTS? Q I had deep-vein thrombosis during my pregnancy 30 years ago, and my husband and I decided not to have any more children as a result. I’m now in my 50s and, out of the blue, have had another clot in the same leg. I’m on thinners – is there anything else I can do? A There are lots of risk factors for developing deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), including pregnancy, being inactive, smoking and being overweight. If any of those apply to you, it would be good to address those lifestyle issues. DVT can also be associated with underlying health conditions such as heart failure and Crohn’s disease, and there can be a genetic component, which can be checked with a blood test. CAN A…

Cosy up We’re huge fans of the Apothecary range at M&S. If you need a scent that will lure you out of bed on those frosty mornings, look no further than Apothecary Warmth Eau de Parfum, £10 for 50ml, M&S. Notes of cardamom, cinnamon and sandalwood will help you feel snug on the chilliest of days. Uplifting notes If you want something mood-boosting you’ll love Hollister Feelin’ Good For Her Eau de Toilette, £21, Next. Zingy citrus will energise you, while soft floral and woody notes will balance things out. The stylish ombré bottle gets top marks, too. Captivating and stylish Zara has a whole host of scents that look and smell much more expensive than they are. Zara Blanc-à-Porter Eau De Parfum, £22.99 for 100ml, zara.com, combines musky notes…

B&M ALPINE RETREAT This chic chalet style is perfect for creating a cosy bedroom to relax in Dunelm TWINKLING NIGHTS Midnight blues and starlit skies are the inspiration for this soft, sparkly look…

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 TE Lawrence’s war memoir Seven Pillars of Wisdom takes its title from which book of the Bible? The answer is the one missing below. ACTSESTHEREXODUSGENESISISAIAHJOHNJUDGESLUKE MARKMATTHEWNUMBERSPROVERBSPSALMSROMANSRUTH CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 American record company (6)4 2022 BBC crime drama series featuring 1 Down,9 Down, 22 Down & 23 Down (8)10 Item of clothing (7)11 Harmony or agreement (7)12 Taverns (4)13 Classical musicians (10)15 Flowing substance (6)16 Organise (7)20 Attains (7)21 Footballer who gets a goal (6)24 Decorative (10)26 Wonderful, informally (4)28 Ask earnestly (7)29 Shipping hazard (7)30 Slight trace (8)31 Garment combining top and trousers (6)…

JENNIFER SAUNDERS We’re sure that comedy legend Jennifer is going to be absolutely fabulous as the villainous Captain Hook in Peter Pan at The London Palladium. See Jennifer, 65, on stage from 9 December to 14 January 2024. BRENDA EDWARDS Loose Women’s Brenda is ready to make dreams come true with a swish of her wand as she plays the Fairy Godmother in Cinderellaat Bromley’s Churchill Theatre. The former X Factor star, 54, will perform from 2 to 31 December. CHRISTOPHER BIGGINS Actor and panto legend Biggins plays the Man in the Mirror in the production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre. The 74-year-old will be wowing audiences from 9 to 31 December. ANTON DU BEKE Proving he’s a man of many talents, dancer…

Top telly IT’S ME OLD CHINA! Unbelievably, it’s 11 years since me and Sid Owen got our trotters out on the Strictly dance floor together, but it’s a job that never leaves you – like GMB and EastEnders. ‘It’s like a second home and family,’ says Sid of his time in Walford. ‘I’ve left like five times. I’ve always had a good relationship with them and if they asked me back I’d jump at the chance. But it’s nice at the moment spending time with my daughter.’ EVER THE YOUNG ONE Sir Cliff Richard has been back on the road with his Blue Sapphire Tour, and has a new book out, A Head Full of Music, and a new album, Cliff With Strings. Catching up with him is like playing…

Dashing out of her bedroom, my daughter Maizy handed me her Christmas list: a bike, a scooter, roller skates… a typical list for an eight-year-old, but one that filled me with dread. I could just imagine myself now, running along behind Maizy on her scooter, trying to keep up with her, panting and wheezing and feeling the aches in my joints. It was 2019 and, at 21st, I was the heaviest I’d ever been. I hated that my weight was holding me back from being a fun, energetic mum – and, even more so, that it was preventing me from giving Maizy a sibling, like she desperately wanted. ‘I GASPED AS TWO LINES APPEARED ON THE TEST’ I’d met my partner Martin when Maizy was two, and at 18st and…