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

Who doesn’t love a piece of arm candy? Draped over you and so good-looking that passers-by stop to stare… I’m talking about bags! Party season is upon us and I jump at any excuse for a new one – especially if it doesn’t break the bank. On p16 we’ve got 20 of the best to oomph up your evening look and they start at just £9. We’ve also got six perfect red lipsticks on p28 – our brilliant Beauty team promises there really is one to suit everyone, and on p32 we’ve got you covered if you’re hosting, with some easy – and very moreish – party food. Plus, on p40 find your home’s festive look – and the decorations you need to bring it to life. Are you leaning…

With Christmas just around the corner, it’s a time for love and celebration for most couples and families. But are things a little frosty between Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, who have recently admitted to sleeping in separate beds? It’s no secret that Richard’s desire to keep working on live TV – while Judy has said ‘I love my quiet life tucked away with my home and family’ – has caused tension between the pair. But now, Richard has made a surprising confession about his job on Good Morning Britain and how it has impacted their relationship, confessing, ‘When I’m doing GMB I sleep in the spare room. I do probably sleep a little bit better in bed with Judy but I’m OK on my own.’ Adding how he wouldn’t…

It might be the season of goodwill to all men, but women are still mostly making like the Christmas turkey. Stuffed. Sorry girls, but even in December 2024 when everything festive is about diversity, inclusion and equality, women over 50 are more likely to feel patronised or ignored because of their age. Fifty. Bloody 50! Sorry but some of us have got handbags older than that! Supermodel Elle Macpherson turned 60 this year, for Gawd’s sake. But, sigh, it seems that entering your fab 50s means you’re more on the shelf than that damn elf you bought as a joke to scare the husband. More than one in three middle-aged women say they have been patronised because of their age, while 27% feel they have been ignored. To be fair…

Party wardrobe feeling too tight? Or is embarrassing bloating wrecking your confidence when it comes to dressing up this season? Rich food, sweet treats and flowing booze are enough to make anyone’s stomach blow up like a Christmas pudding. However, a few simple lifestyle changes could take care of that uncomfortable tummy swell. From ditching salt and sipping mint tea to moves that will help eliminate trapped wind, here’s how to get a healthier, happier and flatter tum. Chew your food On average, we chew our food just six times before swallowing. But chewing too quickly allows large particles of food to enter your stomach and intestines, which can cause digestive problems. Instead, we should be aiming for around 30 chews – or even 40 for harder food like steak…

Burger fries SERVES 6 The ultimate way to impress guests, and keep them going back for more. £1.20 PER SERVE PREP TIME: 20 MINS COOK TIME: 25 MINS CALS: 550 FAT: 35G SAT FAT: 12G CARBS: 36G YOU WILL NEED 600g frozen French fries1tbsp each garlic and onion powder150g bacon lardons400g beef mince5 gherkins, finely choppedSmall bunch parsley, finely chopped1 pickled jalapeno, seeds removed, finely chopped1tsp Dijon mustard3tbsp tomato ketchup4tbsp mayonnaise100g Cheddar, grated HOW TO DO IT 1 Heat the oven to 200C Fan/Gas 7. Toss the fries with the garlic and onion powders and season with salt. Spread evenly on a baking tray and cook for 20 mins, until golden. 2 Meanwhile, fry the lardons over a medium-high heat until golden. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon, leaving…

HARRY EVICTED? He has spent four years making Montecito, California his home, but is Prince Harry about to be booted back across the pond? The re-election of Donald Trump, who has been vocal in his opinion of Harry, could see the duke have his visa revoked. Earlier this year, Harry’s US visa came under scrutiny after he admitted using cocaine, marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms in his 2023 memoir Spare. Trump had previously threatened to rescind the visa if he was elected. A source said, ‘One unlikely loser of the 2024 US presidential election is Prince Harry. Trump has said Harry should not be allowed to stay in the US since he “betrayed the Queen” and was “not forthcoming about his past drug use on his visa application”. While the Duchess…

CAN I GO PRIVATE? Q I have a pea-sized lump on my cheek. It has been unchanged for years. My GP says it is a cyst and that, as it is not in any way sinister, the NHS won’t fund its removal. This probably sounds very vain, but I have come into a bit of money and am considering having it removed privately, but have no idea how I should go about this. Can you advise? A Firstly, the most important thing is that you see someone who is properly qualified. Have a look on the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons website (baaps.org.uk), where you can search for surgeons in your area. Some may be happy to see you without a referral for this, but if not, you can…

Smudgeproof stain Got a long night of fun ahead? Then you might prefer a lip stain like Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint in Undefeated, £24, Boots, which refuses to budge. No matter how many people you greet, canapés eaten or drinks sipped, this pigmented formula promises to stay put for 12 hours. Subtle shade Dame Helen prefers a more lightweight lipstick than a punchy matte finish and if you’re the same try Lisa Eldridge Baume Embrace Melting Lip Colour in Red Curve, £26, Space NK. The balm-like formula is subtle, hydrating and most importantly comfortable to wear no matter what the festive occasion. Bold balm If you want something more natural-looking then Revlon ColorBurst Lacquer Balm in Provocateur, £6.82, amazon.co.uk, is ideal. The high-shine balm is packed with shea, mango…

Disco fever Warm whites Festive traditions…

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 In 2005, the Viking meeting site of Thynghowe was discovered again by amateur historians in which area of forestry? The answer is the one missing from the grid. ARGYLLASHDOWNBRECHFADEANEPPING FINGLEFRISTONGRASMEREGWYDIRKIELDERMABIENEWSALCEYSHERWOODWYRE CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 _ House, star of films Cousins and Hunting for the Wilderpeople (6)4 Covering every step (4,1,2,1)10 Spotty dog (9)11 Group of nine (5)12 Humped mammal (5)13 Repay money spent (9)14 Pantries (7)16 and 19 Across: Next _, 2023 sports comedy-drama film starring 1 Across, 21 Across,29 Across and 15 Down (4,4)19 See 16 Across21 _ Fassbender, star of films Steve Jobs and Shame (7)24…

Film MOANA 2 In cinemas now In this long-awaited sequel, Moana, Maui and co answer a call to travel to the far seas of Oceania. But as they enter into dangerous waters, they are faced with an adventure unlike anything they’ve dealt with before. Disney magic for all the family. Performance LOVE ACTUALLY IN CONCERT Until 19 December 2024, multiple locations including London, Birmingham, Bath and Portsmouth, tickets from £38 What’s better than watching classic romcom Love Actually at Christmas? Enjoying the hit movie with a full orchestra performing alongside it! Follow the love lives and interrelated stories of Hugh Grant’s and Martine McCutcheon’s characters and the rest of the gang in what promises to be a truly unforgettable evening. Event LAPLAND UK Until 24 December 2024, Whitmoor Forest, Ascot;…

She rose to fame three decades ago as part of the girl band Eternal, before going on to become a well-loved Loose Women panellist and actor. But how well do we know Kéllé Bryan? Here the 49-year-old, who shares her two children, Regan, 13, and Kayori, 11, with husband Jay Gudgeon, tells Woman’s Own all about her favourite things. 1 Item of clothing A long, cream JD Williams coat that has an attached scarf. Sometimes at red carpet events you’re wearing a skimpy dress and you don’t want to freeze, but you equally don’t want to wear a coat and look scruffy so it’s perfect for that. It also looks fab dressed down with trainers and jeans so it’s a great staple. 2 Holiday destination Fiji. I went there for…

KRIS JENNER AND KHLOÉ KARDASHIAN Momager Kris twinned with her daughter Khloé and granddaughters True and Dream in these adorable festive-print jammies. Get the rest of the family involved next time, guys! THE ROONEYS Mum Coleen managed to rope her five boys (including husband Wayne) into this fun festive tradition. We love that their PJs are personalised with their names! THE BECKHAMS They’re one of the most fashionable families around, but even the Beckham clan don matching pyjamas. That is, of course, apart from Posh, who sported silk custom Victoria Beckham PJs. At least she joined in with the Santa hat! FRANKIE BRIDGE Loose Women star Frankie, her ex-footballer husband Wayne and their family opted for classic black and white chequered PJs. How does she still manage to look glam…

Buy of the week Beat heartburn flare-ups with Gaviscon liquid (£6.50 for 200ml, Sainsbury’s). The peppermint formula helps provide relief for up to four hours. THE TO-DO LIST DELAY DRINKING COFFEE AFTER BRUSHING TEETH Wait 30-60 minutes after cleaning your teeth for your morning latte to help prevent acid erosion. MANAGE NOISE EXPOSURE Use earphones? Set the volume to 80 decibels using your phone’s headphone safety feature to protect hearing. WASH TOWELS REGULARLY Cleaning your towels after every two to three uses is important to help rid bacteria that can cause skin infections. If you do one thing Choose comfortable shoes Squeezing into footwear to look the part during the festive celebrations? This can play havoc with your health. ‘Wearing an ill-fitting shoe can put strain on your tendons and…

He spent our savings Q Four months ago, I discovered that my husband had used our joint savings for a risky investment without telling me. I found out by myself and I feel bitter, angry and fearful about the future. This loss has shaken my trust and left me barely able to speak to him. What should I do? A It’s completely natural to feel hurt and betrayed after such a significant breach of trust. To move forward, you should focus on two things: addressing your emotions and safeguarding your future. Start by having an honest conversation with your husband about how his actions have affected you. Then, work together to rebuild financially by creating a plan. This might involve downsizing, or your husband seeking additional or more secure work.…

Holding Dad’s hand in the side room we’d been ushered into, I tried to ignore the Christmas tree flickering its coloured lights in the corner. It was just two weeks before Christmas in 2017, but me, my dad, David, then 68, and Mum, Vivienne, 66, hadn’t felt much like celebrating. Dad had been struggling to swallow and now, following tests, we were about to find out what was wrong. The consultant explained they’d found a tumour in Dad’s stomach. ‘It’s stage 3 oesophageal cancer,’ he said, as I heard Mum and Dad start to cry. I’d never heard Dad cry before and I just felt completely numb. Aged 43 and an only child, I’d always been a Daddy’s girl. We were very close – listening to Queen on his record…

READER QUESTION Q I need a new dress for a big Christmas party – do you have any tips on getting one for less? A First, do you already have any dresses you could glitz up, such as by adding statement jewellery, or could you borrow a dress from a friend? Alternatively, consider renting one by using the John Lewis fashion rental service, for example. Find more information and T&Cs at johnlewis. com/our-services/fashionrental. It’s always worth scouring your local charity shops for bargains too. Go green for less Snap up this sustainable and colourful Mula Beanie, which is hand-knitted by ladies’ co-ops in Nepal using merino wool, recycled polyester and hemp, for HALF PRICE at sherpaadventuregear.com. WAS £25, NOW £12.50 (+P&P). Subject to availability. Offer correct at time of going…

10-16 December 2024 ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr On 10 December you may find yourself being offered a new role in your work, which brings an exciting uplift to your life. Embrace this positive change. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May The Moon in Taurus on 14 December helps you understand a situation more clearly, so you can make an important decision you have been putting off for some time. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun The Full Moon in your sign on 16 December brings the opportunity to meet new people who inspire you. There might even be an important collaboration ahead. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul While you are happy at home and love to be surrounded by family, accept social invitations during the festive period…

THE RAINFALL MARKET by You Yeong-Gwang (author) and Slin Jung (translator), (£14.99, HB, Penguin) If given the choice, would you swap your life for a better one? Lonely and dissatisfied, Serin is mystified when she discovers instructions that could change everything. After writing a letter explaining her woes, she receives an invite to Rainfall Market which opens only once a year, on the first day of the rainy season. Here she is offered a completely new life – as long as she can find true happiness within a week. Otherwise, she’ll be trapped forever. Accompanied by Isha the cat, Serin explores the enchanted market and the dangers lurking within. A magical and uplifting tale. INK RIBBON RED by Alex Pavesi (£18.99, HB, Penguin) Be careful what you write… Gathered at…

Max Brown ‘THIS YEAR’S EPISODE IS VERY EXCITING!’ The Sister Boniface Mysteries star on the crime drama’s seasonal special… ‘THERE’S MURDER, MYSTERY AND A PANTO’ Christmas is coming to the village of Great Slaughter and for the local am-dram society that means pantomime! CC Hector Lowsley (Robert Daws) volunteers the local police force to appear in Cinderella, but while policewoman Peggy (Ami Metcalf) is up for it, DI Sam Gillespie (Max Brown) and DS Felix Livingstone (Jerry Iwu) are horrified. ‘It’s not something that Sam wants to do,’ says Max. ‘He has no choice in the matter and doesn’t even get a good part. It’s probably the worst part that he and Felix are handed…’ As brash Bunny Frobisher (Katherine Kingsley), recently married to wealthy widower Aubrey (Martyn Ellis), is…