Innholdsfortegnelse for June 16, 2025 i Woman's Own

Swimwear alert! On p16 we have bikinis and one-pieces for everybody and they’ve really got me in the holiday mood. I can’t stop daydreaming about being on a beach – Aperol spritz in hand and trying to avoid tan lines. It’s a shame holidays don’t come around more often, isn’t it? But the anticipation of summer sun and being barefoot in the sand does keep me going all year! In this issue, we also touch upon trying new things (p21) and how good it can be for you. Whether that’s learning a new skill or picking up a new hobby, it can boost your confidence and even improve your memory. I’m going to be brave and give it a go. I like doing things with other people, though, so hopefully…

Just month ago, it seemed that telly’s new golden girl Stacey Solomon was unstoppable. With a series of hit shows, banking millions through lucrative TV and branding work, the mother of five’s place as the screen’s new national treasure appeared secure. But over the past few weeks, a series of fall-outs could have thrown Stacey’s world into chaos. Now a source close to Stacey, 35, has told Woman’s Own that she is worried her perfect life is in danger of crumbling. ‘The last few weeks have been a nightmare for Stacey,’ the source said. ‘Normally everything she touches has turned to gold, but I think she feels the tide is turning against her. The pressure of being in the spotlight seems to be taking its toll. She’s never faced a…

A PIVOTAL DECADE Did you spend your 20s partying? Was Ibiza your second home? For most of us that decade is when we smoke, binge drink, shun exercise and date the wrong people. However, a new study has shown that by our mid-30s that kind of lifestyle has already taken its toll. Indeed, according to Finnish researchers, the decade from 36-46 is a pivotal one for our future wellbeing. ‘What you do in that window shapes the health you’ll experience in the decades to come,’ says Dr Philip Borg, the founder of The Longevity Doctor, a specialist preventative medicine clinic. Cleaning up your act prior to this decade can undo the damage we’ve mostly done to ourselves. Which is really blooming lovely to know. Just 25 years too late! DOMESTIC…

Buy of the week Satisfy your sweet tooth guilt-free with Ombar Blonde Caramelised white chocolate (£2.75 for 70g, Tesco). It contains absolutely no refined sugar and is dairy-free – that’s a win-win. THE TO-DO LIST DITCH THE GUM The habit can release harmful microplastics into the body, found research published in the American Chemical Society journal. CUT DOWN ON CHICKEN Eating poultry four times a week has been linked to an increased risk of dying from cancer**. Get protein from chickpeas and lentils instead. WASH YOUR MAT Damp bath mats can be a magnet for bacteria. Wash fabric bath mats at least once a week on a high temperature setting. If you do one thing Try something new Feeling like you’ve been stuck in a rut lately? From trying out…

I hate how I look in pics Q Images of myself make me feel so horrible. I’m 49, and most days, I’m OK, but when someone takes my photo or puts one online, I feel sick inside and I can feel low for days afterwards. It’s just awful. A What you describe is relatable – many feel a disconnect between how they perceive themselves and how they appear in pictures. It’s also tempting to think that photos reflect real life, but they don’t. Photographs don’t show the real you, the way others see you in motion, with warmth and expression. However, not being happy to this sort of degree is a sign that you could do with talking to someone. A counsellor can help you to find ways to improve…

Courts failing children of divorce, says lawyer Break-ups are hard on everyone involved but, with 42% of marriages ending in divorce and half of those involving children under 16, how does it feel for kids caught between warring parents? Recently, Kim Kardashian, 44, and her ex-husband, Kanye West, 48, clashed over the co-parenting of their children, North, who turns 12 this week, Saint, nine, Chicago, seven, and Psalm, six. While the couple currently share joint legal and physical custody, since their eight-year marriage ended in divorce in 2022, the four children live primarily with Kim. She is said to be considering applying for sole custody, due to Kanye’s erratic behaviour. In one recent expletive-filled online rant, Kanye claimed he was being blocked from seeing his children. ‘I’m talking to the…

READER QUESTION Q I’ve heard you can get cheap items via police auctions – but how do they work? A With police auctions, you can buy lost property or goods that were seized from criminals when the police could not locate their rightful owners – items like jewels or designer handbags, say. Some forces have their own eBay shops; some sell by means of auction houses, in person or online. Find more info on the ‘Buy cheap stolen goods’ page at moneysavingexpert.com. Go green for less Cut your energy bills this summer by taking a cooler – or even cold – shower. A refreshing start to the day that saves you money! 3 easy ways to... Protect your home when away Take these steps to cut the chance of theft…

RYLAN CLARK And… relax! Luckily for him, presenter Rylan, 36, managed to fit in some R & R when he jetted off to film the second series of Dating Naked UK. What better way to switch off than whiling away hours on a boat? THE BECKHAMS On top of an impressive property empire, Posh and Becks own a £20 million luxury yacht. The superboat, named Seven as a homage to the number worn on Becks’ shirts for Manchester United and England, as well as to daughter Harper Seven, has five suites and has room for 10 guests as well as seven crew members. Our invite must have got lost in the post. AMANDA HOLDEN Scrolling through Amanda’s Instagram, it’s clear that the BGT judge, 54, is always living her best…

A wave of adrenaline rushed through me as I hung up the phone. I’d just received an apology from a supermarket chain and been given a £15 voucher. It was for complaining about poor service – and I was thrilled with the outcome. That morning, I had gone into their store and expected to be in and out quickly as all I wanted was a school shirt for my granddaughter. The size I needed wasn’t on the shop floor so I went to find a staff member to help me. I covered the whole shop before I tracked someone down about 10 minutes later. By that point, I was irritable. The disgruntled (and possibly overworked) employee was most unhelpful, barely answering more than yes or no to me. So I…

How Judy LOST FOUR STONE Judy Finnigan has wowed with her recent slimmed-down figure and now personal trainer Laurel Alper tells Woman’s Own that the star, who recently celebrated her 77th birthday, appears to have lost up to four stone and dropped down to between a size 14 and 16. But, while she looks amazing, with many fans asking how she shifted the pounds, the former This Morning star’s new look is the result of a terrifying health scare. In 2018, Judy needed ‘two major lifesaving blood transfusions’ after taking ibuprofen for her knee pain caused a stomach ulcer. Opening up about the scary incident, which could have seen her ‘bleed out within an hour’, Judy said, ‘I nearly died’. Since then the author has overhauled her lifestyle, upping her…

HOLE IN ONE Pick up some on-trend crochet. Cardigan, £32.50, sizes 6-22, F&F at Tesco WIGGLE IT Fun face furniture available in three shades. Sunglasses, £15, M&S HAT TRICK Keep those UV rays at bay while looking stylish. Hat, £25, FatFace AL FRESCO DINING Keep in the car for impromptu picnics. Fold-up blanket, £19.99, H&M SUNSHINE STYLE Mix soft sunset shades to create a dreamy outfit. Top, £79, sizes xs-xl, Mint Velvet; skirt, £130, sizes 6-22, Boden; shoes, £53.99, Hush Puppies; earrings, £8, Accessorize; necklace, £80, latelier73.com; bracelets, stylist’s own DRINK PINK Three cheers for these bargain stems. Glass, £3, George Home SENSITIVE SOUL Alcohol and aluminium free. Deodorant Stick, £8.95, Weleda at Holland & Barrett PEEP SHOW Wear with summer frocks or pale denim. Shoes, £22.99, Deichmann PERFECT PAIR…

Strapless This retro costume is designed to be worn strapless, with removable straps included to give you endless options. Made with moulded cups, hidden shelf support and tummy control panels, you’ll feel secure without any spillage. Available in 10 gorgeous shades and prints. It's a wrap Perfect for hourglass figures, the wrap’s diagonal lines work to streamline curves. The V-neckline flatters a fuller bust, while a high-cut leg helps elongate the body. This costume proves that flattering swimwear doesn’t have to be expensive; it’s all about clever design and detailing. Post surgery This green gem has built-in dual pockets to allow for easy insertion of breast forms. Non-wired padded cups, built-in control and a cinching belt highlight your waist, while ribbing helps elongate the body, smoothing over curves to create…

Tropical sundaes SERVES 6 This cheat’s mango ice cream is super healthy and a cinch to make. PREP TIME: 25 MINS, PLUS FREEZING CALS: 200 FAT: 1G SAT FAT: 0.5G CARBS: 41G YOU WILL NEED 3 large, very ripe bananas, peeled and chopped 350g frozen mango chunks 250ml light coconut yogurt (or use regular) Zest 1 lime ½tbsp vanilla bean paste 2-3tbsp runny honey (optional) 4tbsp passion fruit curd, plus an extra drizzle to serve 400g mixed diced tropical fruit (use tinned) Light squirty cream (optional) Toasted coconut flakes (optional) HOW TO DO IT 1 Spread the sliced banana on a lined tray and freeze for at least 1 hr, or until solid. 2 In a blender or food processor, whizz together the frozen banana, mango, yogurt, lime zest and…

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 Name the film in which Whitney Houston made her final screen appearance. The answer is the one missing from the grid. CALIPPOCHOC ICECORNETTOFABFEASTICE POPJUBBLYMAGNUM ROCKETSOLEROSPARKLESPLITTWISTERZAPPZOOM CROSSWORD ACROSS 7 McKenna __, star of films Gifted and Crater (5)8 Therapy (9)10 __ Riseborough, star of Please Baby Please (6)11 Captain __, singer of 1982 No 1 hit Happy Talk (8)12 Was attractive (8)13 __’s Anatomy, long-running TV medical drama series (4)15 The Great __ Bake Off, TV cooking contest (7)17 Anonymous (7)20 Tori __, singer of 1996 No 1 hit Professional Widow (4)22 __ Proposal, 1993 erotic drama starring Demi Moore and…

Film MATERIALISTS In cinemas 13 June A matchmaker’s lucrative business goes awry when she falls into a toxic love triangle that may threaten her clients. Chris Evans, Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal star. Music NOCTURNE LIVE AT BLENHEIM PALACE Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, 19-22 June, tickets from £45 Gary Barlow (left), Nile Rodgers, The Corrs, and Richard Ashcroft take over the palace as the heritage site’s great court transforms into an open-air live music venue. Other stars include Beverley Knight and Natalie Imbruglia. Live BEYONCÉ: COWBOY CARTER TOUR Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, 10-16 June Queen Bey pitches up at this iconic stadium for the London leg of her Cowboy Carter tour, during which the US superstar is expected to bring performances of a lifetime. Whether you’re a diehard fan or…

Joanna Vanderham ‘IT’S HARD TO SAY WHAT SHE BELIEVES’ The actor discusses her role as a notorious Mitford sister… Based on Mary S. Lovell’s biography The Mitford Girls, six-part drama Outrageous tells the tale of aristocratic sisters Nancy, Pamela, Diana, Unity, Jessica and Deborah, who caused a stir in the 1930s with their romantic lives and political leanings. ‘IT’S BEEN INTERESTING’ Joanna Vanderham plays Diana, who falls for Oswald Mosley (Joshua Sasse), founder of the British Union of Fascists, and walks out on her wealthy husband Bryan Guinness. ‘At the beginning of the drama, we show the warm, fun person she was before she met Mosley,’ says Joanna, who has previously starred in BBC1 thriller The Control Room. ‘She becomes cold and hard, so it’s been an interesting character journey…

Sitting in the chair for my monthly nail appointment, I relaxed as my manicurist began removing the nail colour, ready to file my nails before a new shade was applied. ‘What colour are you going for today?’ she asked, as she removed the existing powder colour. But as I looked down at my hands, I spotted something on my right thumbnail. ‘MY DOCTOR NOTICED PIGMENT CHANGES’ ‘That’s weird,’ I thought, looking at the dark brown line that was running from the base of my nail bed to the tip of my nail. It looked like someone had drawn a straight line in brown felt-tip pen. ‘That is unusual,’ the manicurist agreed, explaining that she’d never seen anything like it before. It was September 2024 and my job as a certified…

Sitting in the back garden with our feet cooling down in the children’s paddling pool, me and my husband Andrew, 36, chatted in the sun. ‘Let’s make some plans for after lockdown,’ Andrew said. ‘What about a cycle to the North Yorkshire Moors?’ ‘Sounds perfect,’ I smiled. It was May 2020 and six weeks into lockdown. Married for just over four years, we both loved cycling and since having our children, Henry, then two, and Hattie, 12 months, life was so busy that we only managed to squeeze in a bike ride while they were napping. ‘A POLICE OFFICER KNOCKED AT MY DOOR’ Like today, a glorious Saturday on which we had taken turns going out on our bikes while the other watched the kids. The next day, Sunday 10…

HEADACHE HELL Q I’ve always suffered from bad migraines, but over the last year or so these have become so frequent that I have been living off paracetamol and ibuprofen. My GP referred me to a neurologist, who tells me they think that my headaches are being caused by the painkillers I’m taking. I’m confused! How can the drugs I take to help ease my headaches be causing them? A Though it may sound counter-intuitive, there really is such a thing as an analgesic headache where headaches can occur from overuse of painkillers. You may get some withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the painkillers abruptly so speak to your doctor about weaning down slowly from these medications – and keep a headache diary. Is long-term laxative use safe? Q…

Blended blonde If you’re blonde, it’s easier to get away with greys. ‘Gwyneth’s hair is naturally light, so the contrast with white hair is much softer,’ says grey blending expert and L’Oréal Professionnel educator, Nancy Stripe. This look is best achieved in the salon, but if you’re an at-home pro, you can create face-framing pieces with a kit like Jerome Russell Bblonde Maximum Blonding Balayage Kit, £8.99, Superdrug. Platinum silver ‘Helen has a wonderful natural white tone and I’m sure she uses toning shampoos and conditioners to keep this looking very bright,’ says Nancy. We love L’Oréal Paris Excellence Cool Silver Enhancing Silver Treatment, £11.99, Boots, which transforms brassy greys to vivid platinum. Getting playful with your cut is a great way to modernise silver hair, according to Nancy. ‘The…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr Focus on your highest priorities and get motivated to make a start on that new idea you’ve been considering. You will be amazed at what you can do. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May With Venus in Taurus, luck is on your side. Also in your ruling planet, maximise this period by moving beyond your comfort zone and into a different area of work. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun Having the Sun in your sign helps you break your larger goals into smaller steps. If you feel overwhelmed, create a plan and stick to it for the long term. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul With Mercury and Jupiter currently in your sign you can attract all of the support you need in…

WE LIVE HERE NOW by Sarah Pinborough (£22, HB, Orion) After a near-fatal accident, Emily and her husband move to a grand, desolate country house in Devon. But whenever Emily is alone in Larkin Lodge, strange forces begin to stir. Fires extinguish, floorboards creak and books fall from shelves. Still recovering from her medical condition, she questions whether she is hallucinating or if a sinister presence is lurking in her home. The empty suite upstairs is so devoid of life that she fears some terrible event happened there. While Emily tries to uncover the dark truth about the house, she is confronted by the shocking secrets in her marriage. TABLE FOR ONE by Emma Gannon (£16.99, HB, HarperCollins) Willow’s perfect life has fallen apart. One day she is living her…

MICHELLE MY BELLE! It was a proper Sunday funday for Michelle Collins as she celebrated her birthday at a pub in London’s Covent Garden. I’ve known Michelle for 30 years and she looks nowhere near her 63 years of age. A strict gym routine helps keep her in shape – that and the fact that there’s never a shortage of belly laughs when we get together, which counts as an ab workout, right?! NO ENDER FUN! Hot on the heels of Michelle’s do I made her co-star Adam Woodyatt a very happy man when I invited him as my guest to the 3rd anniversary party of the ABBA Voyage concert, with the super Swedes adding four new tracks to the set list. It was right on the Money, Money, Money…