Innholdsfortegnelse for February 3, 2025 i Woman's Own

How much would you dare to bare? Topless sunbathing is one thing, but how about getting your kit off at a nudist festival? On p28, read about writer Donna Smiley’s first time flashing the flesh in public – and the eyebrow-raising question she was asked! Stripping off might not be everyone’s cup of tea but I love her final thoughts – don’t knock it until you’ve tried it! It turns out that going au naturel can also boost your confidence. For some more easy ways to perk up, turn to p44, where the brilliant Woman’s Own beauty team brings you très chic – and cheap (even better!) – tips on looking and feeling great. And, on p20, our fabulous fashion team shares their favourite mood-boosting buys. Enjoy, and have a…

DON’T SWEAT IT Matching bottoms are also available. Jumper, £9.99, sizes xxs-xl, H&M ETERNAL FLAME Scent your home with 33 hours of burn time. Candle, £6.99, TK Maxx PICTURE THIS Display your favourite photographs. Frame, £8, Habitat SAFEKEEPING Personalise with your initials. Key ring, £9.99, katieloxton.com SOFT SKIN Cooling effect. Hydrating Serum Stick, £4.99, Essence at justmylook.com SET THE TABLE Poundland’s new homeware makes it easy to refresh your dining table on a budget. Seagrass basket, £4, bowls, £1.25 each, small plates, £1.25 each, large plates, £1.50 each, place mats, £2.50 for two, wine glasses, £2.50 for four, glass tumblers, £1.50 for two, cutlery, £6, table runner, £4, vase, £2.50, candle, £1, ceramic houses, from £2, reed diffuser, £3, all Pepco Home at Poundland IN CREDIT Stylish storage. Card holder,…

The disappearance of a loved one is terrifying to contemplate but, sadly, it’s a prospect countless families face, with over 170,000 people reported missing every year in the UK. While 76% of missing adults are found within 24 hours, some remain unaccounted for years – even decades – later. But hope is never lost. Incredibly, a missing person case made headlines again recently after it was finally solved 52 years on from the disappearance. ‘IT LED THE TEAM TO HER’ After Sheila Fox vanished from Coventry city centre in 1972, aged 16, her parents gave police a black and white photo to help identify her and she remained on record as a missing person for five decades. In December 2024, cold case detectives unearthed the photo and shared it online.…

CAN I TAKE A DOUBLE DOSE? Q Last year I had a lot of indigestion, and my GP referred me to have a camera passed down my gullet. It showed I had inflammation in my oesophagus, and I was given omeprazole pills to take every day. They worked wonders but a week ago my symptoms recurred. Can I double dose? A The standard dose of omeprazole is 20mg. Doctors do sometimes prescribe 40mg, but I have to say I wouldn’t advise changing the dose of any prescribed medication without speaking to the doctor first. Your GP will ask you questions about your symptoms and may well try increasing the dose, but do please speak to them first. ARE MY CHOLESTEROL LEVELS OK? Q I had my annual check-up recently and,…

Jammy coconut sponge PREP TIME: 20 MINS COOK TIME: 30-35 MINS CALS: 441 FAT: 26G SAT FAT: 18G CARBS: 45G SERVES 12 Reminiscent of retro school puds, this easy traybake is great with a cuppa, or warm with custard. YOU WILL NEED 250g butter, softened250g golden caster sugar1tsp vanilla extract4 medium free-range eggs200g self-raising flour100g desiccated coconut, plus extra to decorate2-3tbsp milk, to loosen200g jam (we used raspberry) You will need: 18 x 28cm baking tin, the base lined with baking paper HOW TO DO IT 1 Heat the oven to 170C Fan. In a bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and briefly beat again. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then sift in the flour and mix until it’s just…

1 MOVE YOUR MORTGAGE For many households, their mortgage is the most significant bill. If you’re one of the 8% of mortgage holders whose home loan has slipped on to your lender’s standard variable rate (SVR), switching to a better deal could save a significant sum of money, according to UK Finance. For example, someone with a £250,000 mortgage over 25 years could save nearly £4,600 a year by remortgaging from the average SVR at 7.95% to a best buy two-year fixed rate at 5.52%, according to calculations by Moneyfacts. SAVE Nearly £4,600 in the above example, according to Moneyfacts. 2 SWITCH YOUR SAVINGS Get paid to save. The Bank of England reckons that £252 billion is sitting in UK current or savings accounts earning no interest whatsoever. By moving…

1 IT’S A FUN THING TO DO… Eyes down – online bingo is all about having fun! Our players enjoy the variety of games on Woman’s Own Bingo, which offers great experiences that they can share with fellow players. More women join the fun every day. 2 …AND SO EASY It’s very simple to get started and, once a bingo game begins, your auto-dabber automatically marks off your numbers for you – this way, you will never miss a number or accidentally lose a game. Cosy up for a relaxed round of online bingo! 3 MAKE FRIENDS IN THE CHAT ROOMS Woman’s Own Bingo offers a lively social environment. You can talk with other members all over the UK, share stories or have a laugh while you wait for your…

With a career spanning more than five decades, it’s no wonder that Lesley Joseph has been hailed as a natural treasure. She’s appeared on Loose Women and Strictly Come Dancing, and recently finished a spell in London’s West End, where she performed in the musical Sister Act alongside singer Beverley Knight. But while most would be slowing down at her age, the 79-year-old insists her love of working (and walking) is what keeps her young at heart. Here, the mum of two reveals what’s next for her and why, despite her own mother living to the grand age of 103, Lesley isn’t taking any day for granted. Hi Lesley! You recently turned 79 and look amazing. What’s your secret? My mum lived until she was just under 104, so I…

James & Chloe IS THIS WHY THEY SPLIT? As James Haskell sparks romance rumours with a new woman, following his split from Chloe Madeley in October 2023, it must be leaving the fitness guru with mixed feelings. Especially considering it’s thought the new couple first met while Chloe and James were still together. The former rugby union player, 39, has reportedly been seeing 34-year-old divorced mum of two Helen Barclay for just over a year. But the relationship has become more serious in recent months, with the pair enjoying an increasing number of dates and spending time at each other’s houses. Now many are questioning if his new woman is the real reason that he and Chloe called it quits after five years of marriage. James has not commented on…

As I took the spaghetti off the hob, my partner Lyndon, then 20, came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. ‘What’s cooking, good looking?’ he said, nuzzling my neck. It was 2007 and we were just a few months into a relationship after meeting at a local pub, where he was a doorman. Tall, tanned, cheeky and an ex-professional boxer, he was so big and strong. Things had moved quickly between us and now, just a few months on, he’d already moved in with me. Lyndon made me feel so appreciated. After a year together, I fell pregnant, and he couldn’t wait for us to be a family. But after our 20-week scan, I started to notice changes in him. He’d lose his temper over nothing,…

Buy of the week Itchy, irritated cut? Apply Weleda HyperCal Wound Salve (£8.95 for 25g, Holland & Barrett). It’s made with calendula, which acts as a natural antiseptic to relieve soreness. If you do one thing Prepare for a blood test Fear of needles? You’re not alone – 25%* of Brits share this phobia – but, luckily, there are plenty of ways to make your appointment less anxiety-inducing. ‘Make sure whoever is taking your blood knows that you’re nervous,’ says Dr Neel Patel, GP from LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor. ‘Doctors and nurses encounter anxious patients all the time and will be able to make adjustments, such as reclining your chair or asking you to lie down.’ And wrap up warm (with clothes that provide easy access to your arm). ‘Our veins…

I can’t get dating right Q I recently re-entered the dating scene at 58 after a long marriage, and it’s been tough. I’m overwhelmed with messages on dating apps, and the connections either move too quickly with talk of sex or fizzle out after weeks of online chatting. I met one man who seemed great, but after two months I found out he was dating multiple women, which left me feeling hurt and used. A Dating can be emotionally draining, especially after a long marriage, and modern dating norms make it harder. To regain control, set clear rules: What are you looking for? How long do you want to chat online before meeting? What behaviours are unacceptable? Remember, you are in charge. Don’t hesitate to express when you want exclusivity,…

1 Cut your conditioner Blake Lively = beautiful hair. Her secret? Use a mask instead of conditioner. Masks do everything a conditioner does (detangle, moisturise) but contain a higher concentration of nourishing ingredients. Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Remedy Mask, £5.50, Boots, encourages long-lasting smoothness. 2 Scrub up A really good scrub is a great way to perk up the senses when you’re tired, and make your skin soft and gleaming. Soap & Glory Pink Flake Away Body Scrub, £7.99, Boots, smells incredible with a satisfyingly scrubby grain. Use two to three times a week to keep skin in tip-top condition. 3 Accessorise all areas Instead of pricey jewellery, treat yourself to a hair accessory. You’ll get that same dopamine hit without spending a fortune – and your hair will look…

Tears of pride pricked my eyes as my daughter Daisy chatted away in fluent Italian to me and her dad Alan, then 37. Italian myself, I’d always spoken a little to Daisy, and she’d picked up the odd word. We called her Amore too – a nickname that suited our beautiful little girl perfectly. We’d spent every summer since Daisy’s birth in 2010 at my parents’ home in southern Italy. This year – 2014 – Daisy, aged four, had spent a couple of extra weeks with them when Alan and I returned to the UK. ‘She worked so hard to get the hang of the language,’ my mum Margherita said. ‘It’s helped her make so many friends too.’ Daisy was such a social little girl. Born in June, she was…

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 Created in the 60s, which game’s working title was Pretzel? The answer is the name of the game that is missing from the grid. BOGGLECATANCHESSCLUEDOHOTELJENGAKERPLUNKLUDO MARBLESMONOPOLYRISKSCRABBLETWISTERUNOYAHTZEE CROSSWORD ACROSS 6 The _ Woman, 2014 romcom starring Cameron Diaz and Leslie Mann (5) 7 Fish tank (8) 10 Rapper’s _, 1979 single by The Sugarhill Gang (7) 11 Sally _, star of films Paddington and The Lost King (7) 12 True _, 1993 thriller starring Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette (7) 13 2002 musical starring Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere (7) 14 See-through (11)…

MRS HINCH As well as being mum to sons Ronnie, five, and Lennie, three – with a third on the way – cleaning guru Mrs Hinch (aka Sophie Hinchliffe) is also a fur mum to dog Henry, three alpacas called Roy, Rodney and Raymond, and a number of adorable silkie chickens. ‘Animals do speak but only to those who know how to listen,’ shared the 34-year-old influencer. DAVID BECKHAM It’s no secret that David loves country life, and that includes spending time with his chickens and beloved dogs Olive, Sage and Fig. A true animal lover, the star, 49, even rescued a lamb in 2023, although much to daughter Harper’s disappointment didn’t keep it. STACEY SOLOMON As if she didn’t have enough on her plate being a busy working mum…

At the start of 2024, Denise Van Outen decided to have a year of saying yes. The star, who rose to fame on The Big Breakfast in the 90s, and turned 50 in May, explains, ‘My priority was to just have fun.’ But a year later, Denise jokes, ‘I’m so exhausted! This girl can’t say yes any more. I’ve got to make 2025 my year of no.’ As she reflects on a whirlwind 12 months, the star opens up about dipping her toe back into the dating pool, learning to love her own company and putting herself first. READY TO MINGLE When it comes to men, Denise hasn’t had it easy. She split from husband Lee Mead, with whom she shares daughter Betsy, 14, in 2013, after four years of…

WINTER WHITES Holly dazzled in a white, floor-length, bespoke gown from Halfpenny London and the star jokingly posted online about the dress, ‘Baby it’s cold outside but things are heating up on the ice…’ The glam look was a hit with fans, with one saying, ‘You pull it off amazingly.’ PRETTY IN PINK Last year Holly channelled Barbie in this pink, floor-length gown with over-the-shoulder detail. The chic dress, which is from Solace London and priced at £560, was certainly a showstopper. GORGEOUS GLITTER BALL For the final last year, the presenter pulled out all the stops and stunned in this mirrored gown from luxury brand Sophie Couture. But it didn’t come cheap, with the magical dress costing a staggering £2,800. We hope she wore it more than once! SUNSHINE…

QUESTIONABLE CAREER CHOICE But we shouldn’t be blaming Bonnie Blue for the bad behaviour of men Congratulations if you’ve just achieved dry January/losing weight/going to the gym. But what do you make of the resolution a 25-year-old woman called Tia Billinger achieved in the dark, frozen wastes that are the first month of the year? ‘I MAY NOT LIKE IT, BUT SO WHAT?’ Tia, from Stapleford in Nottinghamshire, had sex with 1,057 men in just 12 hours. A world record, beating adult film actor Lisa Sparks, who bedded 919 men in 24 hours in 2004. Tia’s mum handed out the condoms while her blonde, blue-eyed, petite daughter achieved her aim, which was filmed for social media. In very graphic detail. You may, however, know Tia – who looks almost childlike…

Dry skin, Raynaud’s, chilblains, asthma, stiff joints and lack of vitamin D. Let’s face it, there’s not much to love about winter. Yes, it might be tempting to hide under the duvet until the first signs of spring, but there are steps you can take to protect your body and help you survive (and thrive!) while waiting for better weather. PREVENT CHILBLAINS Chilblains are painful, itchy swellings on a hand or foot, caused by poor circulation when exposed to cold. Avoid them by wearing comfortable, well-fitted shoes, keeping feet dry (towel down properly after a bath or shower), wearing clean socks, staying active to improve circulation and warming up gradually when coming in from the cold. PROTECT YOUR JOINTS Arthritis may worsen in winter because colder weather increases inflammation, says…

‘My enthusiasm for wine led to a new job offer’ Patricia Dearlove, 60, lives with her daughter Millie, 26, in St Leonards, East Sussex. By my mid-20s I had qualified as an English teacher, left home and had a place of my own. Entertaining was one of my greatest pleasures, and I took pride in serving a good wine to my friends with the meal. We weren’t glugging through bottles for the sake of it – the fun was in discussing each wine’s merits. Although I loved the idea of working in the wine industry, I needed the financial stability of my teaching job. I was a single mum in my 30s, and the school holidays gave me quality time with Millie, plus the chance to travel, visiting vineyards abroad.…

One-pan chicken curry PREP TIME: 15 MINS COOK TIME: 40 MINS CALS: 237 FAT: 12G SAT FAT: 4G CARBS: 6G SERVES 6 A few pantry basics keep this easy fakeaway fast and thrifty. YOU WILL NEED 2tbsp vegetable oil6 large skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs1 onion, finely chopped3 garlic cloves, crushed2cm ginger, finely grated½tsp chilli powder1tbsp turmeric1tbsp garam masala400g tin whole cherry tomatoes300ml chicken stock200g spinachHandful coriander, leaves picked6tbsp natural yogurt, to serve (optional)Flatbread and/or steamed rice, to serve (optional) You will need: 26cm shallow casserole dish or high-sided frying pan HOW TO DO IT 1 Add 1tbsp of oil to a large sauté pan and fry the chicken, skin-side down, for 3-4 mins, until crisp and golden, then set aside. 2 Add the remaining oil to the pan and cook…

READER QUESTION Q Which works out better for your purse: buying fresh or frozen food? A Research by consumer group Which? found that you could save money on many food items by buying frozen, but it’s not always the case, so be sure to check. Alongside the initial cost, buying frozen has other potential money-saving benefits; you’ll avoid food waste because you can just use the amount you need and leave the rest in the freezer for next time. Go green for less Help protect your delicates in the washing machine by popping them in a mesh laundry bag – you can buy these online for a few pounds. Wash as per the items’ care label instructions. 3 easy ways to... earn by renting your things out Could you bring…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr It’s important to distance yourself from negativity of any kind this week. Try imagining that you have an invisible cloak of protection at difficult times. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May It’s time to let go of what is not bringing you joy. Make a commitment to release anything that is disturbing your inner peace and make this your priority. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun You are more in touch with the truth about a certain matter now. So listen to the insights you are receiving and find alternative ways to walk your talk. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul With Mars back in your sign you have the opportunity to push forward with an idea you have. Take inspired action and watch…

ISLAND SONG by Pepsi Demacque-Crockett (£16.99, HB, HarperCollins) The 1950s, St Lucia. After the passing of their father, two sisters must make a decision that will tear them apart. While Agnes sets sail for London to forge a new life, Ella remains at home in their small village to care for Agnes’ children. Life in England is not at all what Agnes was expecting and she faces untold challenges while forging some deep friendships. Ella faces troubles of her own at home, but with the wise words of Auntie Flora she begins to heal. This profound and moving novel explores separation, sacrifice, struggle and the powerful bonds that tie us. CLEVER LITTLE THING by Helena Echlin (£20, HB, Headline) Charlotte’s daughter has always been an unusual child. As well as…

Dame Joanna Lumley ‘IT’S FUNNY, TOUCHING AND FULL OF CHARM!’ The Absolutely Fabulous star on a new comedy spin-off… If you watched Motherland, the BBC2 comedy about school-gate mums, you’ll know that Dame Joanna Lumley appeared as Felicity, the mother of self-centred posho Amanda. ‘IT’S A DARLING SHOW!’ Now the much-loved star is reprising the role for spin-off series Amandaland, which centres around the now-divorced title character and the challenges she faces as she downsizes and moves to a new area with her teenagers Manus and Georgie. Although she doesn’t have the most motherly bond with Amanda, Felicity is often on hand to dispense backhanded compliments and veiled digs about her daughter’s new home, while being in denial about her own loneliness. ‘We saw a bit of her in Motherland,…

Last Friday night, as I snuggled up on the sofa with my knitted blanket on my lap, I took a sip from my mint tea and put on my glasses. Then I focused on the job in hand – the cross-stitch pattern I was working on. The perfect Friday night. Meanwhile, my 70-year-old mother, Stephanie, was on a wild night out in London, having enjoyed a bottomless brunch with her friends, and I’d offered to be her taxi home from the train station. Just then, my phone beeped with a message from her: ‘Train due into Bicester Village at 22:10.’ ‘I’ll be there,’ I replied, putting down my cross-stitch to head out. I had to laugh as I pulled up at the station in my oversized fleece hoodie, without a…