Innholdsfortegnelse for Monday, September 16, 2024 i Woman's Own

Every birthday is something to celebrate but milestone ones always feel extra special, don’t they? On p48, three readers share the ways they entered their new decades, full of challenges and exciting adventures. I love the idea of marking your big day with something brilliant – like Estelle, who whipped off her clothes on a nudist beach, Dipti, who overhauled her career, and Colette, who has racked up more miles running than I can count! Life is about being brave, trying new things and having fun, and making the most of every year. If you’ve done something special to mark a big birthday, or if you’d like to share any story with us, we’d love to hear from you! My email is kira.agass@futurenet.com or you can write to us at…

The fiery debates some topics can create between panellists are one of the reasons Loose Women is such a well-loved show. And with a roster of strong, opinionated individuals in the cast list, it’s hardly surprising that sometimes things can get heated. But one topic seemed to hit a nerve with Coleen Nolan, who appeared to take aim at anchor Christine Lampard as they discussed whether attractive people live longer – even branding Christine ‘ugly’. Coleen, 59, seemed irked as she grimaced at the camera and dramatically threw her hands in the air when Christine, 45, led the debate about those who are more attractive apparently living longer lives. Coleen then sarcastically asked Christine, ‘Are you going to press that button?’ Christine tried to appease Coleen by saying that some…

FLORAL FANCIES The perfect transitional style. Jacket, £30, sizes 6-24, George at Asda SCENTS APPEAL Comes with a handy travel size. No.5 Aegean Rose Eau de Parfum set, £16, M&S GREEN FINGERS Add texture and colour with a glazed bobble pot. Planter, £19.50, M&S BOTTOMS UP! Impress your guests at the dinner table. Glass, £1.49, Home Bargains DEVOTED TO DENIM A great fit and wash at a purse-friendly price. Jeans, £16, sizes 4-20, Primark GET COSY Update your interiors instantly with stylish accessories. Mirror, £60, light shade, £25, throw, £32, textured cushion, £22, other cushions, £16 each, all Dunelm HAPPY FEET Team with a pared-back outfit. Shoes, £35.99, Zara FULL BLOOM A fun finishing touch. Earrings, £9.99, parfois.com PASTEL PERFECTION Ideal for layering. Cardigan, £29.99, sizes xs-xxl, lindex.com OMBRE EFFECT Shop the…

Little details The easiest way to freshen up your outfits for the season ahead is with a new accessory and M&S has really upped its game in this department. Loafers are a great trans-seasonal shoe before you’re boot-ready, giving any look a cool, masculine edge. And this roomy sling bag will be my everyday go-to. Bag, £25, shoes, £45, both M&S Hannah Stylish essentials Denim is a year-round wardrobe winner and I’m really impressed with F&F’s offering. With cool new cuts and washes, the range is produced using fewer chemicals and less water and energy. I’ve got my eye on this oversized shirt, a handy layering tool that’s guaranteed to go with everything. Shirt, £19.50, sizes 6-22, F&F at Tesco Charlie JUST ONE NEW PIECE CAN BREATHE LIFE INTO A…

HRT WORRIES Q I’m 57 and began taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) three years ago. It has transformed my life, but a couple of weeks ago, I had a period. It lasted for five days, then the bleeding stopped. I’ve had none since. My daughter is a nurse and wants me to see my GP, but I’m mindful of how stretched the NHS is. Can I just wait and see? A It’s not uncommon to have some bleeding when you first take HRT, but any bleeding that occurs six months or more after starting it should be checked out by your doctor. Give the surgery a call, ask who you should see, and they will get you booked in. Blood pressure confusion Q I have taken blood pressure pills for…

Fanned-out flutter This multitasking mascara curls, lifts and emphasises all in one sweep of the wand. W7 Flirty Eyes Mascara, £3.50, w7makeup.co.uk, transforms your eyes from drab to fab in seconds and keeps them the focal point of your make-up. Cherry flush Dab some Collection Lip & Cheek Stain, £3.99, collectioncosmetics.com, over the apples of your cheeks and blend for a natural-looking blush. The gorgeous berry shade can be used on lips, too. Powder palette Morphe 8R That’s Rich Complexion Pro Face Palette, £25, uk.morphe.com, has everything you need to create a variety of looks. Offering bronzers, contour creams, highlighters and blush shades, this is worth investing in. Blackcurrant blush Swap coral cheek shades for something deeper. Ciate London Marbled Light Illuminating Blush, £18.50, ciatelondon.com, is the perfect pop of…

If you do one thing... BE AWARE OF THE LATEST CELEBRITY SCAM NatWest is alerting people to scams that use a celebrity’s name or image without their knowledge to lure victims into making fake investments. One customer lost £150,000 in a cryptocurrency scam after receiving a cold call from a fraudster pretending to be Martin Lewis. For more info on how to avoid scams, go to natwest.com. READER QUESTION Q My evenings are so rushed that I often resort to convenience food for dinner. Any advice? A I use a slow cooker – just put the ingredients into it in the morning, put on the lid and set the timer. There’ll be a delicious dinner ready for me later. You’ll find great slow cooker recipes at goodto.com/recipes/tag/slow-cooker. Prepping ahead is…

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 fictional dogs was awarded the title of Honorary Life Master by the American Contract Bridge League? The answer is the one missing from the grid. BEETHOVENBRIANBRUISERDUGEDDIEHOOCHLADYLASSIE MARLEYPLUTOSCOOBY DOOSHEPSNOOPYSWEEPTOTO CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Be able to buy (6)4 Quicker route (5,3)10 Country that borders Algeria and Libya (7)11 Veneer (7)12 Light beams (4)13 Tall building (10)15 Alanis Morissette single (6)16 Tilda _, star of We Need to Talk About Kevin (7)20 Cowboy film (7)21 Defeated (6)24 Toy dog breed (10)26 Surrender (4)28 Camera without film (7)29 Unity (7)30 _ Johansson, star of films Lucy and Black…

Film SPEAK NO EVIL In cinemas 13 September When an American family are invited to spend the weekend at a British family’s idyllic country estate, their dream holiday soon turns into a nightmare. A remake of the 2022 Danish film of the same name. Starring James McAvoy (Split, Glass, X-Men). Music SNOW PATROL The Forest is the Path (Polydor), out 13 September Six years since their last release and the first since the departure of drummer Johnny Quinn and bassist Paul Wilson, Snow Patrol are back. Discussing the new album, lead singer Gary Lightbody said, ‘This is the beginning of something, and we are so excited to share it with you all.’ Event THE WEEKEND FESTIVAL 21 and 22 September, Victoria Embankment, Nottingham, tickets from £32.95 A new family festival…

She’s one of Loose Women’s most loveable ladies, thanks to her raucous laugh and larger-than-life personality. Brenda Edwards, 55, first found fame on The X Factor in 2005 when she made it through to the semi-final of ITV’s smash-hit talent competition, under the mentorship of Sharon Osbourne. Yet behind her bubbly exterior, the West End star has experienced more than her fair share of heartbreak. She lost both of her parents in a car accident when she was aged just four years old, and tragically her son Jamal passed away in February 2022 from a heart attack at just 31. Amazingly, the singer - who is also mum to daughter Tanisha, 29 - still sees the goodness in life, and is rarely spotted without a smile. Here Brenda opens up…

Blouse Red is the colour of the season so get on-board with this cute top. The designer-inspired tie front adds a playful touch and the peplum hem is super flattering. Layer a vest underneath and style with your favourite jeans. Wide-leg jeans If you’re yet to add a pair of wide-leg jeans to your outfit rotation, now’s your chance. This ultra-wide cut has some serious leg-lengthening powers and will look effortlessly elegant. Lean into the retro vibes and wear with a pussy-bow blouse. Co-ord Head-to-toe block colour not only looks chic but makes you appear taller, too. Win-win! This relaxed set is super versatile – try half tucking in the shirt to add structure and swap the flats for a sleek mule for a more feminine look. Denim dress Who…

Buy of the week Soothe irritated eyes with Optrex Moisturising Eye Drops (£5.40 for 10ml, Tesco). Use two drops as needed to nourish and hydrate. HEALTH MATHS 3 steps to heal a cold sore Reduced irritation and spreading on your face, and person to person. If you do one thing Have a cold shower daily While it might not sound appealing, washing in cold water has a whole host of benefits. Thanks to the skin’s huge number of cold receptors, the shock of low temperatures sends electrical impulses to the brain triggering not only your ‘fight or flight’ adrenaline response to danger, increasing alertness, but the release of endorphins – aka happy hormones too, says Dr Rachel Taylor*. Plus, regularly finishing your shower with a 30-90 second blast of cold…

We’re different people Q I’m unhappy with my life. The kids have left home, and I want to move to a smaller house, travel and be able to see more friends. My husband is in his 60s, the same as me, but old before his time. He says he sees no point in travelling and I’m to do it alone if that’s what I want. I feel so angry after all these years of doing what he wants. What can I do? A Navigating different desires in a relationship requires patience and a compromise that meets both partners’ needs. This means finding a middle ground. Instead of listing all the changes you want to make, try to blend your differing ideas so that you’re not at a constant stalemate. If…

Lightweight finish Aveeno Face Calm + Restore Oat Gel Moisturiser, £11.59, Superdrug, is my favourite moisturiser. It’s so soothing, which is ideal for the changing season – I find this time of year can wreak havoc on my skin. This cream feels incredibly lightweight and absorbs instantly – it sits well under my make-up, which is handy when I’m rushing to get ready in the mornings! Annie Nourish, nourish, nourish! As I get older, my skin feels much drier than it used to, so I need a richer, more nourishing formula. Vichy Mineral 89 100H Moisture Boosting Cream, £24, lookfantastic.com, works brilliantly. It combines super hydrators including hyaluronic acid, squalane and vitamin E to keep skin moisturised for up to 100 hours. Sarah Brighten up I don’t think you have…

The menu MONDAY PORK KATSU CURRYTUESDAY LAMB FRIED RICEWEDNESDAY SAUSAGE TRAY BAKETHURSDAY ONE-POT VEGGIE SPAGHETTIFRIDAY SPICY MEATBALL NACHOSSATURDAY SHREDDED CHICKEN GYROSSUNDAY CHICKEN AND MUSHROOM PIE Monday Pork katsu curry COSTS £7.15 SERVES 4 This Japanese-style curry sauce works really well with crumbed pork, or use chicken thighs if you prefer. YOU WILL NEED 1 onion, cut into chunks1 carrot, cut into chunks2 garlic cloves, peeled1tbsp cooking oil1tbsp mild curry powder1tsp garam masala300ml vegetable stock2tbsp smooth peanut butter200g long grain rice and sliced spring onions, to serve40g roasted salted peanuts, finely chopped For the pork: 4 boneless pork chops, fat removed4tbsp sesame seeds100g panko or dried breadcrumbs75g plain flour1 medium egg, beatenVegetable oil, for shallow frying For the slaw: ½ Chinese cabbage, finely sliced100g carrots, peeled and julienned1tbsp vinegar or rice vinegar½tbsp soy sauce HOW TO DO…

After putting my three-month-old son Garrett down for his nap, I glanced at the clock, then at my trainers by the front door. I wondered if I could squeeze in a run. It was 1985 and, at 33, I was a keen runner, even running a 10k while five months pregnant. Leaving a friend to watch my son, I dashed out. ‘SOME DAYS, I COULD HARDLY WALK’ Then, two miles in, I hurt myself. I yelped, as an excruciating pain flashed across my lower back. Somehow, I managed to hobble the two-mile journey back home. I was petite, at 5ft 2in, and I’d always been fit and healthy. Although I’d had niggling back pain for a few years, I’d ignored it but now the pain wouldn’t go away. I went…

And… relax ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr While, right now, you might feel in need of a new adventure, the universe is encouraging you to slow down a little and take stock. Pause before proceeding. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May Your steady nature and good sense of humour makes you popular among your peers. You need to know how much you bring to others and believe in your worth. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun Are you feeling the luck and expansiveness of Jupiter? Over the past couple of months, life has started to change for the better. Please enjoy the journey. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul With Mars in your sign, you feel motivated to look after yourself physically. If you’ve been feeling low in energy,…

Kate Moss ‘I WAS SHY AND SCRAWNY!’ The model talks about her rise to fame in a new documentary about the fashion industry. ‘IT WAS QUITE OVERWHELMING’ Jam-packed with models, designers, A-list celebs and other big names, In Vogue: The 90s takes viewers on a fascinating journey through 10 years that changed fashion. Featuring interviews with the now Vogue global editorial director Dame Anna Wintour, designers John Galliano and Tom Ford, and famous faces, including Kim Kardashian and Nicole Kidman, the six-part documentary focuses on some of the era’s most defining moments. In the first episode, Kate Moss reflects on her meteoric rise to fame in 1992 when she was chosen to shoot a Calvin Klein campaign with Mark Wahlberg, then known as rap star Marky Mark. ‘I was really…

POTTY MOUTH During a recent episode of Lorraine, stand-in presenter Christine Lampard, 45, was forced to apologise to viewers when Linda swore live on air. Revealing how she’d love a cameo in EastEnders, Linda, 66, said, ‘I did do one wartime one years and years ago called CivvyStreet. I played Lou Beale’s sister Flo Beale. But I have hinted a few times... even a little cameo role on there or whatever.’ She added, ‘But I’d like to be a real b**ch.’ Christine then joked, ‘This is a daily occurrence on Loose Women isn’t it? Where we say, “Linda, don’t swear.”’ SEX CONFESSION Before splitting from hubby Mark Dunford, Linda said, ‘I’ve been celibate for two years.’ But when co-star Denise Welch said ‘get with the programme’, Linda added, ‘I know, you…

JESSICA BIEL AND JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE In the summer of 2022, actor Jessica and singer Justin, 43, marked 10 years of marriage by renewing their vows in Italy. ‘It was very intimate. It was very small, a couple of our friends, and we literally barely put this thing together,’ revealed Jessica, 42. ‘We almost cancelled it. We thought, “This is silly, are we going to feel goofy doing this?” [But] actually it was so moving.’ PENNY LANCASTER AND ROD STEWART Ten years after they first married in Portofino, Italy, former Loose Women star Penny and singer Rod reaffirmed their love for each other in front of 100 guests at their Essex home in 2017. Rod, 79, shared, ‘I love Penny more now than ever.’ While Penny, 53, added, ‘Being able to…

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE NEW SMOKING BANS? Less lighting up outdoors will save lives, but it could kill livelihoods… There have been times when the husband has taken way too long to do something that should be ridiculously simple. He huffs, he puffs, he glares, he stares, and mostly blames me. Because, obviously, it is indeed my fault that there is someone daring to smoke in a pub beer garden on a glorious late summer afternoon. It doesn’t matter how far away we manage to sit away from the puffer, the wind will instantly swing round to ensure the smoke blows straight at the husband. It would be funny if it didn’t instantly mean his Lordship then stomps off back into the boozer to sit in a darkened…

Now that we’ve waved goodbye to summer holidays, the coming months where we switch on the heating and hunker down at home seem appealing. But it’s still important to spend time outside – regardless of the weather – as it could improve everything from your sleep to stress levels. The simple act of getting outdoors is what helped the Princess of Wales cope during difficult times when recovering from surgery and having her cancer treatment. Kate made a statement* to say she knows the power of nature for wellbeing – because it brings us joy and also keeps us physically, mentally and spiritually healthy. FILL UP YOUR LUNGS Start your day right with a breathing exercise outside. ‘Breathwork can help you get through stress, anxiety, grief, panic attacks, phobias and…

Ready?’ I asked, with a pizza cutter in hand. ‘Ready!’ came Sophie’s reply from the screen, and as we opened up our takeaway boxes, our virtual pizza night got underway. It was the height of the pandemic and although lockdown was preventing us from spending time together in person, we were getting to be experts at romantic online dinner dates. We’d met six months earlier on a dating app and discovered we both loved food. Trips out to museums and galleries, or to see a show, were always followed by a restaurant meal – usually Chinese or Thai, as we’d discovered we both had a passion for Asian food. When COVID-19 hit, our regular meals out were replaced by those pizza dates over Zoom, dressed in our lockdown uniform of…

‘I went naked sunbathing’ Estelle Keeber, 41, lives in Leicester with her two children. Standing on the beach next to my friend Sarah, 39, we enjoyed the sunshine on our skin. It was September 2022, and we were celebrating my 40th birthday in Barcelona. Far from being your typical beach holiday, Sarah and I had opted for something a bit different and completely out of our comfort zones. We’d come to a nudist beach, and as we stood there on the sand, looking out to the sea, naked, all I could think was, ‘Why haven’t I done this before?’ In the lead-up to my 40th, I’d started to reflect on the things I’d been through in my life. A single mum for 10 years, I’d had a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy,…

Save the salad Lettuce leaves that are past their best are one of the most thrown-away ingredients. Here are some smart ways to save them from the compost bin… BAG IT Once opened, add a sheet of kitchen towel to the bagged salad. This will soak up excess moisture, increasing the longevity of the leaves. CRISP UP Revive floppy lettuce leaves by soaking them in ice water for 10 mins. You’ll be amazed at how they spring back to life. PAST-IT PESTO When there’s no return, whizz peppery salad such as rocket or lamb’s lettuce with 2 cloves of garlic, 50ml olive oil, 1tbsp capers, juice of ½ lemon and salt. This will make a green sauce that’s delicious when drizzled over meat. Ditch the diet! Stock up on your…

Real life from the heart Rocking my son in my arms as he wept, both sadness and relief engulfed me. ‘It’s going to be OK,’ I promised him. It was 2010, and Hayden, then 12, had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. In 2002, when Hayden was five, his father Dave, 33, died by suicide. Dave had bipolar, so I knew the signs. Hayden showed them all - mood swings and big highs followed by extreme lows. I’d started homeschooling him, but it wasn’t until Hayden attempted suicide at the age of 12 that the doctors took me seriously. ‘I’m scared, Mum,’ he said, the day he was diagnosed. ‘I know, sweetheart. But now we can get you the help you need,’ I reassured him. With the right medication, I knew…

Pattern clash Calm harmony Natural greens…

FRANKIE by Graham Norton (£20, HB, Hodder & Stoughton) Frankie has never been the main character in her own story, but she certainly hasn’t lived the life expected of her, either. From a cluttered London flat, Frankie entertains young Irish carer Damian with tales of a colourful past, from her life in a traditional Irish town in the 1940s to years spent among the daring, larger-than-life artists of 1960s New York. Although Frankie never found the confidence to take centre stage, she knows that living life on the sidelines provides unique insights that others may miss. Graham Norton weaves a heartfelt, sweeping story about resilience and relationships in all their forms. THINK AGAIN by Jacqueline Wilson (£22, HB, Transworld) Ellie’s life hasn’t quite panned out in the way she imagined.…

As the waiter topped up my wine, I chatted comfortably to my date, Charlie*. Things were going well – he was tall, handsome, had a good job in publishing, and I could feel the ‘spark’ everyone talks about. We were getting along famously and I began to wonder, ‘Could this be it?’ He’d arrived a bit late and red-faced to our date at a bar, which would usually have put me off. But when he explained that his young daughter had thrown a tantrum and launched a toy at his face, causing a cut to his lip that required a trip to A&E, I couldn’t help but sympathise. Dating as a single parent certainly wasn’t easy. ‘I’M NOT THE MOST POPULAR FISH TO CATCH’ DATING POOL I’d decided to dip…