Innholdsfortegnelse for February 24, 2025 i Woman's Own

Would you have a ‘FaceTime sleepover’? That’s what we’ve been debating this week. If you’re not sure what it means – you’re not alone! But, once deciphered, it’ll either make you go aww or urgh! It means falling asleep while on a video call with your partner. Gen Z is mad for it and I’ve got to say, I agree! Why wouldn’t you want to spend as much time as you can with your favourite person? Hold on… even I made myself cringe at that! Maybe it’s a bit too mush to admit to, but separated because of holidays or work commitments, I’d be game for a little video action! Turn to p43 to see whose side you’re on. Then flip to p44 and imagine whiling away the hours on…

WHAT MEN REALLY WANT When it comes to women, men are quite specific… No real shocker that February is one of the months when the dating industry does well. After all, firing an arrow through the heart of your desired à la Cupid is slightly illegal. Not to mention a bit messy. And a first date sitting in A&E is no one’s idea of fun. ‘TALKING TO THE OPPOSITE SEX IN A PUB IS SO 1980s!’ Any case, we digress. Dating… always was a minefield, but these days it comes with the added horror of everything being digital. Actually talking to the opposite sex in a pub is soooo 1980s, darling! It’s all about swiping screens, enhanced photos and getting the experts involved. Dating agencies for professionals have seen a…

Buy of the week Beat muscular aches and pain with Deep Heat Gel (£4.99 for 100g, Boots). Containing fast-warming ingredients to increase blood supply to the area for a soothing effect. THE TO-DO LIST GO BIRDWATCHING Enjoying the local wildlife could help improve your mental health**. Visit wildlifetrusts.org to find your local birdwatching site. LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE A glass half-empty attitude can cause imbalances in the brain linked to dementia, says research by University College London. SKIP HOT SHOWERS Washing under water that’s too hot can strip your skin’s natural oils, leading to irritation. Stick to between 37-40C. If you do one thing Use an electric toothbrush Upgrading from a manual brush can help to rid your mouth of cavities and gum disease more easily. Unsure how to…

She’s rude at work Q I work with a really difficult woman. She’s sarcastic whenever I say something and, at times, quite rude to me. She laughs it off when our manager tells her to stop. We’re both in our 40s, and I obviously rub her up the wrong way, but I’m sick of it. She’s not popular at work but she only singles me out. What can I do? A It’s draining when someone’s behaviour makes things harder than necessary. It sounds like this woman perceives you as a threat, which accounts for her passive-aggressive and rude behaviour. As ignoring her isn’t working, speak up when she does it to you. As your manager is aware of what she’s doing, ask them to ensure it stops. HE WON’T INTRODUCE…

As parents, we like to think we know what our children are getting up to, but while substances such as alcohol and cigarettes can be smelt and seen, there’s one deadly drug that is going under the radar, despite a spike in popularity across England and Wales. Ketamine, which comes in powder or liquid form, is used as an anaesthetic, sedative and pain reliever in both animals and humans. It was first taken recreationally in the 1990s and now ‘the party drug’ is more popular than ever with young people enjoying the relaxed high it can bring as well as using it to relieve anxiety and depression. In parts of the UK, ketamine is so easy to get hold of that kids order it on a phone app, like they…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr Venus in your sign helps you to make new connections in your working life. This will take you closer to where you want to be. Stay focused on your vision. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May As an Earth sign, being in nature helps you to feel energised. So make time to take walks outside and you will feel your connection to yourself and others grow. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun Jupiter in your sign gives you the strength to make some big changes by the end of this month. If you are feeling overwhelmed, take smaller steps forward. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul Now would be a very good time to start studying something new in order to help you to…

DIRTY MONEY by Charlotte Philby (£16.99, HB, John Murray) Ramona Chang is making the change from reporter to private detective. She dives head first into an investigation of a high-end escort service used to dupe female students, but before long realises she needs higher-level clearance to crack the case. Meanwhile, government operative Madeline is frustrated when she hits a mysterious wall during her investigation into money laundering by a family in Kazakhstan. She needs someone unknown to her agency to uncover the truth. When the two women are brought together by their connected cases, they must face the grisly underworld behind the glittering facade of London’s elite. A dazzling crime story. THE LAST DAYS OF KIRA MULLAN by Nicci French (£18.99, HB, Simon & Schuster) Between her breathing exercises and…

GALS ON THE TOWN A night out at the Broadcast Awards where ITV1 scooped the Channel of The Year gong. Always great to hit the town with the team with a glow up! Charlotte Hawkins, Ranvir Singh, Laura Tobin and I quaffed a few glasses of bubbles to celebrate, with our resident warm front and party girl Laura taking a break from presenting the weather to bag as many selfies as possible. Let’s just say there was no holding her back from man of the hour James Corden! CORRIE ON BEV! Pal Beverley Callard has always been open about her mental health so it was great to see her on sparkling form recently. ‘I’m a fitness teacher now and I’m going to keep that going. It’s good for my mental…

Stacey INSIDE THE TV STAR’S £5 MILLION FORTUNE After first appearing on our screens in 2009 as a 19-year-old on The X Factor, Stacey Solomon has come a long way – and so has her bank balance. Today the star, 35, is said to be worth a staggering £5 million! But how has she built up her wealth? Last year, it was reported that the mum of five was making £27,000 each week thanks to her TV roles and lucrative brand deals. That would mean Stacey earned over £1.4 million in 2024 alone. The star is also said to make £3,000 per episode for her telly work, whether that be on Loose Women, Sort Your Life Out or last year’s series of Renovation Rescue. On top of that Stacey reportedly…

COTTON BLEND Team with your favourite pair of jeans. Shirt, £30.50, sizes 6-24, Per Una at M&S FRAME IT Showcase your special moments. Photo frame, £8.99, TK Maxx CROSSBODY Made with vegan leather. Bag, £42.99, katieloxton.com DESIGNER INSPIRED We love this chic style. Jacket, £29.99, sizes 8-16, TK Maxx WORK OF ART Bring a unique feel to your home. Vase, £14.99, H&M Home AT-HOME SANCTUARY Create your own indoor haven. Cushions, from £10 each, side table, £35, plate, £12, throw, £22, all George at Asda SCALLOPED EDGE A budget-friendly update for your living space. Coffee table, £45, Dunelm HYDRATION HIT Replenish dry complexions. Hydrating Cleanser, £22, tropicskincare.com MANI-PEDI Gives a gel-like finish. Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Berry Sorbet, £4.49, Barry M STRIKE A MATCH They look great on display. Bottled matches, £15.50,…

Designer-inspired I love finding pieces that offer a designer look for a fraction of the price, and this frilled waistcoat is a perfect example. Last year, I had my eye on a similar style from a high-end brand, but I couldn’t justify the cost. So, when I spotted this version from Tu, I was beyond thrilled! Waistcoat, £25, sizes 8-24, Tu Clothing Becky Button up This dress is a great investment to buy now and wear all year round. While it’s still chilly, I’ll pair it with a long-sleeve polo neck for a layered look. Come spring and summer, it’s perfect to wear on its own. The fit is incredibly flattering, offering just the right amount of structure. Dress, £30, sizes 8-24, Tu Clothing Charlie Cool quilting A new take…

From pricey vitamin drips to eye-wateringly expensive facials and even 18-carat gold dumbbells favoured by celebs (yes, we’re looking at you, Gwyneth!) you’d be forgiven for thinking that looking after your health requires you to remortgage your house. But feeling good doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. In fact, there are things you can do that are absolutely free. 1 TRY ACUPRESSURE Luxury massage beyond your budget? Relieve pain using just your thumb. ‘Pressing the point located on the back of your hand between the base of your thumb and forefinger can help relieve headaches and stress,’ says Kunal Makwana, founder of kmakfitness.com. 2 PRIORITISE HYDRATION Keep a water bottle nearby and sip regularly, suggests nutritionist Cara Shaw from blueiron.co.uk. ‘Staying hydrated improves energy, digestion and skin…

Tomato and chorizo spaghetti SERVES 4 This easy pasta sauce is healthier than shop-bought, and far tastier too. PREP TIME: 10 MINSCOOK TIME: 2 HRSCALS: 490 FAT: 8GSAT FAT: 2.5G CARBS: 82G YOU WILL NEED 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes2tbsp tomato puree1tsp caster sugar120g finely chopped chorizo4 garlic cloves, very thinly sliced4 fresh oregano sprigs, or a pinchdried oregano400g dried linguine or spaghetti1 ½tbsp olive oil50g rocket leaves1tsp balsamic vinegar2tbsp finely grated Parmesan, to serve HOW TO DO IT 1 Tip the tomatoes into a medium saucepan. Half-fill each tin with water, swirl to rinse, then add to the tomatoes. 2 Stir in the tomato puree, caster sugar, chorizo, garlic and oregano. Bring to a simmer, then partially cover with a lid and cook very gently for 2 hrs…

‘I TAUGHT MYSELF TO GARDEN USING MY BARE FEET’ ‘I achieved my ultimate dream’ BBC Gardeners’ World presenter Sue Kent lives in Swansea My earliest memories of gardening are of being in my dad’s potting shed, making cups of tea out of soil. I come from a family of gardeners – my great-grandfather was an RHS medallist and even had a Royal warrant to supply asparagus to the then Prince of Wales! I was born with an upper limb difference caused by the drug thalidomide. Growing up, I had to adapt a lot – and gardening was no exception. When my husband and I and our two children moved to our current house in Swansea in the 80s, I taught myself to garden using my bare feet, pulling out weeds…

It’s been over two decades since Myleene Klass first burst on to the music scene as one fifth of Hear’Say. She rose to fame on reality TV show Popstars in 2001, when she beat thousands of other hopefuls to secure a place in the group. Since then, the singer, 46, has carved out a successful TV career, and is a regular face on Loose Women, along with hosting a Saturday afternoon slot on Smooth Radio. But while her career has soared, her personal life has been tough over the years. She went through a very public divorce from her first husband, Irish security guard Graham Quinn- the father of her two daughters, Ava, 17, and Hero, 13 - in 2013. Luckily, Cupid struck once again for the musician, who is…

Arms raised in the air, I swayed in time to the music, enjoying the buzzing atmosphere. It was August 2003 and me and my uni friends were on holiday in Cuba, celebrating the end of our exams. As we laughed away, I caught the eye of a sexy stranger. He was 6ft tall with a cute quiff, and wearing basketball trainers. I’d spotted him earlier that day by the pool and thought he was handsome. And now, as our eyes locked, I fancied him even more. ‘I want to kiss him,’ I giggled to my friends. I hadn’t meant to speak so loudly, but he suddenly smiled and introduced himself. ‘I’m Justin,’ he said with a sexy Canadian drawl. Later we chatted on the beach, and he made me laugh…

In a bid to shake things up and attract new viewers, last year saw ITV recruit TikToker and podcaster GK Barry as the latest - and youngest - Loose Women panellist. But who is she and how did she become TV’s hottest new talent? ‘It all happened during lockdown,’ GK – whose real name is Grace Keeling – shares. She explains, ‘[While at Uni] I just started making videos of embarrassing things that had happened to me… my second video got something like 200k views, which was big news, and I just thought screw it I’m gonna keep doing it,’ adding, ‘from there, it just flew’. Here we chart the star’s rise to fame and see what’s next for her. ‘I DEFINITELY HAVE IMPOSTER SYNDROME’ MAKING A NAME FOR HERSELF While…

Holding a forkful of spicy noodles to my lips, my belly was rumbling. The fiery snacks were the only thing that could satisfy these pregnancy cravings. It was June 2019, and at 35 weeks, I was counting down the days until I could meet my baby boy. Me and my fiancé Jack, then 22, had just moved into our own flat and once our baby was born, we planned to get married. I couldn’t wait to be a proper little family. ‘FOOD FELL OUT OF MY MOUTH AS I ATE’ Now, with Jack doing a night shift at his factory job, I tucked into my spicy snack with no one to witness my guilty pleasure. Afterwards, my lips started tingling. ‘Must be the hot sauce,’ I muttered, wandering into the…

DOSAGE CONFUSION Q I was on an antidepressant called citalopram at a dose of 40mg a day for about a year. Last week, I decided I should try to come off it. I was feeling so much better, but since stopping, I have noticed my anxiety has returned with a vengeance and I’m really struggling with sleep. Can I restart at the same dose? A Citalopram is one of a family of antidepressants called SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). It is quite common to get withdrawal symptoms like those you describe if they are stopped abruptly. Try going back on the 40mg dose and taper your dose down by 50% every two to four weeks. If your anxiety returns, speak to your GP for advice on dosage. Have I caught…

Long-lasting As someone who’s often out of the house from the very early morning until the late evening, I need a concealer that lasts and Kosas Revealer Super Concealer, £25, cultbeauty.co.uk, is the most long-wearing option I’ve tried, all without looking cakey or creasing. Plus, it’s available in an impressive 38 shades. Rhiannon Invisible formula I’ve used E.l.f. 16HR Camo Concealer, £7, elfcosmetics.co.uk, for years and it has never let me down – it’s the buy I recommend the most often. It provides impressive coverage, hiding even beauty spots and pigmentation, all without looking or feeling heavy. I couldn’t be without one in my make-up bag. Annie Handy multitasker I tend to apply my make-up on the go, so I’m often working with minimal kit. Sculpted by Aimee Complete Cover…

Fakeaway favourites Ditch the takeaway for these simple homemade options, you’ll be surprised what you already have in your cupboards… 1 TASTY NOODLES Combine oyster sauce, soy sauce and a pinch of sugar. Cook noodles according to pack instructions. Heat a splash of oil in a wok and fry ginger, garlic and chilli. Add vegetables like broccoli and carrots and protein of your choice. Toss in the noodles and sauce. 2 FAJITAS Mix together ground cumin, oregano, garlic granules and chilli powder. Sprinkle over thinly sliced peppers, onions and chicken. Fry with a little oil. Serve in wraps with soured cream and salsa. 3 CHINESE FRIED RICE In a frying pan, cook diced onion in oil until soft. Add cooked rice, stir to combine. Add beaten eggs to the pan,…

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 Fast & Furious characters shares a name with characters in the movie Scream 3 and the game Grand Theft Auto IV? The answer is the one missing from the grid. BRIANDECKARDDOMINICGISELEHANJAKOBLETTYLUKE MAGDALENEMIAMR NOBODYRAMSEYROMANTEJVINCE CROSSWORD ACROSS 7 Quasi-permanently hooded character in South Park (5)8 2004 to 2022 medical comedy drama TV series starring Martin Clunes (3,6)10 Hairy __, TV cooks Dave Myers and Si King (6)11 Successful (8)12 __ Woodley, star of films Divergent and The Fault in Our Stars (8)13 Cooking fat (4)15 2023 motor racing biopic film starring 12 Across,5…

Jodie Whittaker ‘WE WANTED TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THIS GROUP OF WOMEN’ The former Doctor Who star on a new true-life drama… Based on real events, Toxic Town dramatises one the UK’s biggest environmental scandals. The four-part series, set in Corby, in Northamptonshire, begins in the 1990s as the local council redevelops the land of a former steelworks. Jodie Whittaker plays Susan McIntyre, whose son Connor is born with a limb difference in 1996, and soon discovers that his is not an isolated case… ‘She meets several local mums whose kids have been born with limb differences like Connor, and it just doesn’t seem right,’ says Jodie. ‘Then she’s contacted by a journalist who has started to see similarities, too. It’s pre-internet, so it happens slowly, by word of mouth,…