Innholdsfortegnelse for Monday, July 08, 2024 i Woman's Own

This week we meet reader Jane Brown who lost both her breasts to cancer. She’s been on a mission to fundraise for charity and to raise awareness – encouraging women to check their boobs regularly, and she’s done some of that by competing in a gruelling (and I mean really gruelling!) event – topless. I can’t stop thinking about how incredible Jane is – turn to p18 to read her inspirational story, then take her advice. Feel each breast and armpit, and up to your collarbone. Do it standing up and laying down, and look with your arms raised and by your sides. I know, it’s something so many of us put off, me included, but please make the time for this – and I will too. Visit nhs.uk and…

TIME FOR TENNIS Love-matches, new balls and lots of grunting… It’s Wimbledon time where millions suddenly become tennis fans despite barely noticing the sport the rest of the year. And while on the surface it’s all Pimm’s and primness, a day out in SW19 is less double faults and more double gins. Even in the royal box. Hugely lucky to have been a couple of times and it’s fascinating to see the great, good and very posh letting their hair down. Retired players, A-listers, minor royals and business tycoons are just as bad as you and I. Though I am sworn to secrecy about which royal ‘absently mindedly’ took their royal box blanket home and the tennis star who had to be given a volley by their other half for…

Buy of the week Stop tummy troubles and restore your bowel to its natural rhythm with Imodium Dual Action Relief Tablets (£4.99 for six tablets, Boots). HEALTH MATHS 3 steps to beat blisters this summer If you do one thing Boost your pelvic floor These muscles around the bladder, vagina and back passage can weaken after childbirth, during the menopause when oestrogen levels fall or simply as we age. Luckily, kegel exercises can help. ‘To find the right muscles, imagine stopping the flow when passing urine, by contracting your muscles up and inwards,’ says continence specialist Jane Simpson*. ‘Squeeze, lift and hold for a moment, then let go. Simultaneously, imagine you are trying to stop passing wind. Pull the muscles around your anus, squeeze lift and hold.’ Do this for…

Health ask us Why won’t she leave her husband? Q One of my best friends complains about her husband all the time. She says he’s lazy and selfish. Her stories are funny and often have us all laughing, but I always come away wondering why she doesn’t leave him. He isn’t physically abusive, but his ‘jokes’ come across as mentally abusive. A Many people fall into a pattern of complaining endlessly about their partners, partly to offload and partly because it can make for funny conversations. In reality, they often don’t tell you about the good parts, so you end up with a very distorted vision of the relationship. That said, if you feel that there is a darker side, talk to your friend to find out if your suspicions…

Many will agree that a life without friendship would be a lonely one. We all need friends – whether they are people we turn to for honest advice, those we lean on in difficult times, or those we look to have a good time with. It isn’t about quantity, though, but quality. Research shows that Brits have fewer than four true friends, on average, but many experts believe that having just a handful of strong friendships is far more beneficial to our wellbeing than a large circle of acquaintances. Woman’s Own investigates and speaks to a woman who, keen to shrink her social circle, began friendship culling. ‘I started striking through names’ Christabel Smith decided that while some of her friends were worth keeping, others were not. There are friends…

READER QUESTION Q I’ve heard people talking about the ‘50:30:20 budget’. What does this mean? A The idea is that you spend 50% of your income on your ‘needs’, 30% on your ‘wants’ and 20% on savings, and that it helps you plan how much you spend and save. However, it assumes half your income is spare for your wants and savings, and that’s not achievable for a lot of people. When it comes to your cash, it’s important to look at your circumstances and devise a plan that works for you. Go green for less Get 10% off at new sustainable period pants brand Annahita by using offer code MAG10 at annahitah.com until 31 July 2024*. The Pro Flo range come in a choice of styles – there’s even…

JANUARY 1998 After a year of dating, David put a ring on it and asked Vic to marry him. He’d later go on to give his wife a further 14 engagement rings. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, after all! MARCH 1999 Victoria gave birth to the couple’s first child, Brooklyn. They chose the name because Vic was in New York when she found she was pregnant. JULY 1999 The couple tied the knot in a fairy-tale wedding at Luttrellstown Castle in Ireland. Victoria wore a corseted satin dress by Vera Wang – said to be worth $100,000. MAY 2000 Posh was officially a WAG! Victoria and Brooklyn supported David at Manchester United, who won the Premiership that year. SEPTEMBER 2002 The couple welcomed their second son, Romeo James, on 1…

INSIDE MEL B’S £3.9 MILLION LAWSUIT Just weeks after he filed a lawsuit against her, Mel B’s ex Stephen Belafonte touched down in the UK to bring the couple’s 12-year-old daughter Madison – who he has custody of – to stay with her mum. Stephen, 49, is suing the Spice Girl, claiming she ‘engaged in a deliberate and wide-ranging campaign to cause him severe emotional distress and destroy his reputation.’ The $5 million (£3.9m) lawsuit comes after Mel, also 49, accused her ex-husband of subjecting her to domestic abuse. ‘I wasn’t just emotionally and physically abused, there was all the financial abuse too,’ she shared. Mel said of the recent lawsuit, ‘It’s a cruel continuation of his abuse.’ Denying any claims of abuse, Stephen said, ‘Never, not once. We never…

SUNSET SHADES A perfect day-to-night holiday outfit. Shirt and trousers, £35 each, both sizes xs-l, River Island RETRO REVIVAL A fun, vintage-inspired design. Cooler, £34, Polarbox at John Lewis & Partners GET ORGANISED Perfect for planning. A4 weekly pad, £12.50, onceuponatuesday.co.uk DESIGNER INSPIRED Stand out from the crowd with this bright, quilted bag. £38, River Island THINK PINK Hit the beach in style. Swimsuit, £40, sizes 6-20, Accessorize BRIGHT AND BOLD Give your summer wardrobe an immediate boost of colour with bright swimwear. From left to right: Bikini top, £45, bottoms, £45, swimsuit, £85, bikini top, £45, bottoms, £45, all sizes xs-xl, tocoswim. com; accessories and shoes, stylist’s own HOLIDAY HERO Designed to be packed flat into your suitcase. Hat, £17.50, M&S PICNIC MUST HAVE Lightweight with different reclining positions. Chair, £23, John…

Crochet The bag If crochet clothing isn’t for you, you can still tap into the trend and add a boho flair to your outfit with a knitted bag, perfect for carrying your essentials while making a stylish statement. TOP TIP Block colours complement a patterned bag. Total outfit cost £48.99 The beach dress The easiest way to wear this trend is with a colourful crochet maxi dress. For a chic beach look, layer it over your favourite swimsuit. Alternatively, pair it with a cream slip underneath for a gorgeous day dress. TOP TIP Finish off with classic summer raffia accessories. Total outfit cost £46.99 The trousers Crochet trousers are rarely lined, making them best suited for holiday wardrobes. They serve as a trendy and comfortable cover-up. Opt for colours like white,…

Spinach and ricotta pasta bake PREP: 20 MINS COOK: 30 MINS CALS: 408 FAT: 8G SAT FAT: 4G CARBS: 56G SERVES 5 The sauce for this cheesy bake includes beans for an extra helping of protein and fibre. YOU WILL NEED 300g conchiglioni (giant pasta shells)400g baby spinach250g pot ricotta6 basil leaves, plus extra to garnish690g jar passata rustica400g tin borlotti beans in water, drained3 garlic cloves, crushed½tbsp balsamic vinegar5g Parmesan or pecorino cheese, gratedSalad, to serve You will need: 35cm-wide oval ovenproof dish HOW TO DO IT 1 Heat the oven to 180C Fan/Gas 6. Cook the pasta for 10 mins in a large pan of salted, boiling water. Rinse under cold water, then drain and set aside. 2 Meanwhile, rinse the spinach, then add to a pan and…

‘If she could do it, I could try’ Joanna Gutkin, 37, lives in north-west London with her husband Royi, 38, and their children Maya, nine, Rafi, seven, and Yoni, four. Reading aloud to my two-month-old daughter Maya one afternoon in December 2014, it was one of the happiest parts of our day. Soon enough, I was familiar with the popular children’s authors, and Julia Donaldson’s The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom became firm favourites for me and Maya, and later her brothers Rafi and Yoni. JULIA’S JOURNEY As a girl, I’d loved creative writing and had gone on to work as a copywriter, but it wasn’t until I became a mum that it sparked a different idea. ‘I’d love to write a children’s book,’ I told my husband Royi.…

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 modern form of which of these baked items is thought to derive from the Austrian kipferl? The answer is the one missing from the grid. BAGUETTEBAPBISCUITBUNCAKECROISSANTFLANLOAF NAANPASTYPIEPITTAROLLTARTTORTILLA CROSSWORD ACROSS 6 See 5 Down 7 Fish tank (8)10 Domed hairstyle (7)11 _ Ridge, 2017 war film starring Andrew Garfield (7)12 _ Banderas, star of films The Mask of Zorro and The Skin I Live In (7)13 2004 Franz Ferdinand song (7)14 Rural leisure venue (7,4)19 Not listened to (7)21 _ Lawson, celebrity chef (7) 23 Maybe (7)25 Loss of memory (7)26 Old soldiers (8)27…

Michelle de Swarte ‘SPENT IS LOOSELY BASED ON MY LIFE’ The actor and comedian on creating a new comedy drama about a washed-up model facing poverty… Scouted by an agency at 19, Michelle de Swarte went on to enjoy a successful career as a model for the likes of Gucci, Burberry and Tommy Hilfiger. ‘I MADE SILLY MONEY’ Now a stand-up comedian and actor, she’s drawn on her experiences to write and star in this new six-part series as fashion model Mia, whose career is over, but has mountains of debt after blowing her huge earnings. ‘It’s very loosely inspired by my own life,’ says Michelle, who’s also starred in Netflix comedy The Duchess and Sky comedy-horror The Baby. ‘Much like Mia, I was coming to the end of my…

Prince Harry is thought to be on the hunt for a ‘permanent UK home’ a year after he and wife Meghan were evicted from Frogmore Cottage. According to royal expert Tom Quinn, Harry is beginning to pine for his life in the UK and wants to find a way to keep in touch with old friends, who are said not to get on with Meghan. ‘As time goes by, Harry misses some aspects of his old life in the UK,’ he said. ‘Inevitably, the honeymoon period where everything in the States is new and exciting is coming to an end and Harry is looking back at the past through rose-tinted spectacles.’ Tom added, ‘He misses his old Etonian and Army friends, many of whom have not visited as they don’t…

Health ask us COST CONFUSION Q After being diagnosed with coeliac disease, I’m sticking to a gluten-free diet, but I’m finding this expensive. My sister lives in Scotland. She also has the disease, and she gets gluten-free products from her local pharmacy with no prescription charge. I live in Sussex and my GP is reluctant to prescribe for me. Can I insist? A Gluten-free products used to be available on prescription across the UK, but as they’ve become more widely available in supermarkets the rules have changed and vary between the nations and regions. Visit coeliac.org.uk. Under ‘Information and support’, enter your postcode to find out what you can access on the NHS in your area. Help! My legs hurt Q Several weeks ago, I had a bit of a…

Mask time Hard-working treatments can make all the difference to dull skin, and they don’t need to take long. A sheet mask like Dr Paw Paw Your Gorgeous Skin Glowing Mask, £5.99, Sainsbury’s, is packed full of hydrating goodies such as hyaluronic acid and bakuchiol to nourish and soften while perking up sallow cheeks. Pop onto clean skin and leave for a few minutes for a nourishing freshen up that will leave your face looking noticeably happier. Prep and glow Primers are an important step in your make-up routine as they’re designed to balance your complexion and improve texture, which then adds plenty of staying power to your base. In addition, Kiko Milano Gold Reflections Flawless Mirage Luminous Face Base, £15.99, kikocosmetics.com, is filled with a very subtle golden shimmer…

Picnic perfect We all know that packing your own saves money, but here’s how to avoid a disappointing day of wilted sarnies and warm drinks… FREEZE... cartons and (plastic-)bottled drinks. Pack frozen to keep other food cool. They will defrost slowly and be lovely and chilled when you want to drink them. SWAP... prepared salads for a box of chunky vegetables, such as carrot batons, celery sticks and whole cherry tomatoes, which won’t wither and will keep their crunch for longer. SEPARATE... any dressings or condiments – they’ll make things taste soggy. Instead, take them in small containers to add when you’re ready to eat. Ditch the diet Stay cool with Co-op. Choose two packs from a selection of Cadbury ice creams for just £4. Co-op members SAVE £2.40, non-members…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr It’s time to focus more on your health and wellbeing. A fire sign, it can be difficult for you to slow down, but that’s exactly what you need to do for a few days. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May At times you need to bear in mind that making progress is more important than getting everything perfectly right. Slow and steady growth is favoured. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun With Jupiter in your sign, the sky’s the limit. If you were guaranteed success in any venture, what would you do? It’s time to think big and explore new opportunities. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul The Sun in Cancer helps you to clarify what’s important to you. Are you able to make…

THE PHOENIX BALLROOM by Ruth Hogan (£16.99, HB, Atlantic Books) Venetia once dreamed of opening her own ballroom dancing school, but life didn’t quite pan out that way. Aged 74, she is now a widow with a sizeable bank balance and an empty home. Having always chosen the safe path, she decides it is time to become truly independent. Beginning with a makeover and a new dog, Venetia soon sets her sights on a more ambitious project. When she rediscovers a building where she once taught waltzes and tangos, the former teacher becomes determined to breathe new life into the ballroom – and reignite her own sparkle along the way! A delightfully uplifting novel. HOUSE OF KWA by Mimi Kwa (£10.99, PB, ABC Books) The story of Mimi’s family is…

Sunshine-filled walks on the beach, the carefree feeling you get while your responsibilities are temporarily on hold, and the knowledge there’s no pressure. What’s not to love about a holiday romance? You meet, you love, you part, and then you get back to normal life with none of the complications that tend to come with a long-term relationship. I’ve tried both and I have to say, there really is nothing quite like the carefree joy of a summer fling. ‘I ADORE THE CAREFREE FEELING THAT YOU GET’ My first was in 1986 when, aged 14, my grandma took me on a coach holiday to Worthing. I was a teenager surrounded by pensioners and things took an exciting turn when I took a shine to one of the waiters – a…