Innholdsfortegnelse for July 28, 2025 i Woman's Own

At the moment there’s a real focus on embracing the skin you’re in, and I think it’s brilliant – and such an important message. Every line, every stretch mark, it all makes us who we are and ageing really is something to celebrate. That’s something I fully believe – after all, not everyone gets the chance to grow old. Here comes the but..! But I would be lying if I said I wouldn’t mind ditching just a few – heck, even a couple – of my wrinkles! And I’m choosing not to feel bad about wanting a bit of a youth boost. If you feel the same, on p28 there are speedy solutions to help turn back the clock, because ultimately we all want to be able to look and…

SINCE WHEN IS CHOKING SEXY? Let’s talk about sex. But forget about the old-fashioned term ‘making love’. Apparently, being throttled is part of foreplay, and strangulation during sex is thought to be the second-most common cause of stroke in women under 40. It can also lead to difficulty swallowing, seizures, incontinence, memory problems, depression, anxiety and miscarriage. Shockingly, a draft version of a recent council-funded sex education presentation for Welsh secondary schoolchildren allegedly included ‘safe’ choking advice such as: ‘It is never OK to start choking someone without asking them first.’ The advice was taken out before the presentation was shown to children. But data suggests over a third of 16- to 34-year-olds had experienced strangulation during sex, compared with 16% of 35- to 54-year-olds and 3% of those 55…

Buy of the week Swap your evening tipple for Trip CBD drinks (£5.98 for four 250ml cans, Asda) – made with pure CBD as well as natural ingredients to promote calm. THE TO-DO LIST EAT RAISINS A sprinkle of dried fruit with your cereal in the morning can reduce the risk of dying from heart disease by 18% and cancer by 11%, says research*. DITCH ‘DOOM SCROLLING’ Consuming negative content – from news stories to social media – can increase depression**. Limit screen time and unfollow any accounts that make you feel uneasy. SIP COFFEE A morning cuppa can help you to stay sharp, strong and mentally well as you age, found a US study. Just make sure it’s caffeinated to reap the benefits. If you do one thing Protect…

I’m scared of nice men Q I was in a violent relationship for many years. To outsiders, he was lovely, friendly and kind (which is what I fell for), but behind closed doors, he was violent and abusive. I left him eight years ago, but he is still impacting my life. He moved on without any consequences, and I have nightmares and can’t trust anyone. I went on a date with a friend of a friend, but his kindness made me freeze inside. A After abuse by someone who presented as “kind”, your nervous system has learned to see being nice as danger. It’s survival. That is why this triggers you. You likely have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Talking with someone is your first step to moving on. Call the…

Pottering around at home, I saw my phone light up with a video call from my daughter Hollie, then 31. I swiped the screen, expecting to see her grinning back at me – only tears were streaming down her face. ‘What’s wrong?’ I gasped. Hollie held up six white sticks in front of the camera, and I squinted to focus on them. ‘I’m pregnant!’ she said, suddenly grinning through her sobs. I immediately started squealing with excitement as I congratulated her. ‘I KNEW I COULDN’T MAKE EXCUSES’ AVERY ARRIVES It was November 2021, and Hollie and her partner Paul had been trying for a baby for years, but her endometriosis made it hard to conceive. They’d had a failed round of IVF too, but now it was finally happening for…

READER QUESTION Q I often end up spending more than I’ve planned to on holidays, once all the costs are factored in. How can I avoid this? A The key is to make a budget for the whole trip, not just the travel and accommodation costs. Will you need to hire a car, pay for airport parking or for transfers? Will you have pet care costs to cover? Remember travel insurance too. You may find Go.Compare’s holiday budget calculator at gocompare.com helpful. Go green for less Buying certain key household items in bulk like dried pasta will reduce the number of single-use plastics you use and usually save you money too, says NatWest. Or even better, check if you have a zero-waste store nearby where you can refill bottles and…

22-28 July 2025 ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr A sociable sign, ruled by Mars, if a party needs organising, you’re the one to do it. Plan a fun get-together for friends and create an event to remember. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May While you’re one of the most determined signs, something has happened recently to rock your faith. Continue with your plans and keep a positive outlook. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun With Venus in your sign right now, you can multitask more than ever, particularly in working life. Approach plans with an open mind for the best outcome. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul Now Jupiter is in Cancer, you find you have the Midas touch. This is a very positive time for you, so be…

BEFORE DOROTHY by Hazel Gaynor (£16.99, HarperCollins, HB) The greatest journeys will test your courage. Many years before Dorothy arrives in Oz, her aunt begins an unexpected adventure of her own. Emily Gale becomes a mother overnight when her sister suddenly dies, leaving behind an orphaned child in desperate need of a loving home. In the unforgiving prairies of Kansas, can Emily survive relentless dust storms and drought, troubles in her marriage and the overwhelming grief of her tragic loss? The strength of her love for baby Dorothy may just hold the healing power she needs. A magical story about hope, endurance and self-discovery. THE ITALIAN HOLIDAY by Catherine Mangan (£9.99, Little, Brown Book Group, PB) Amid the stunning scenery of Italy, life is about to take an unexpected turn.…

Seven months pregnant with my first child, I spotted a rusty wrought-iron cot in the back of a junk shop in Normandy, way back in 1990. With brass balls at each corner and a rail to hang reams of voile, it was just like the crib in Sleeping Beauty – and nothing else would do for my precious baby. Ten minutes later, it was mine, much to the dismay of my parents, who I was on holiday with. Somehow, we wrestled it apart, collapsed the car seats and crammed it into the back of the car. Curled up into a ball, I was perilously close to being speared by a 19th-century iron leg. UNIQUE FINDS Back home in England, I had it powder-coated in white, and bought a mattress and…

Meghan’s FEARS FOR ARCHIE The Duchess of Sussex is reportedly concerned that Britain will become a ‘longed-for fantasy’ for her son Archie. Royal expert Tom Quinn believes that Meghan, 43, fears her eldest will become more interested in the UK as he gets older, especially when he finds out more about his family being royals. Quinn claims that she has not wanted King Charles to send overextravagant gifts for his grandson. Tom said, ‘Archie loves the idea that his grandad lives in a castle and Meghan was worried that a magnificent shepherd’s hut or similar extravagant present will only increase Archie’s growing interest in his royal connections.’ He continued, ‘She doesn’t want Britain to become a longed-for fantasy for her son, so she had been pushing Harry to insist that…

TEE TOTAL Add more bang to your basics with this slogan style. T-shirt, £12.99, sizes xs-4xl, H&M SUNNY SANDALS Perfect for special occasions, with a comfy low heel. Shoes, £39.99, reserved.com PRETTY POTTERY Display on its own or with fresh flowers from the garden. Vase, £15, M&S CATCH THE WAVE A roomy shape for beach days and weekends away. Bag, £39, cape-cove.com COMPLEXION PERFECTION Banishes impurities. Byoma Milky Moisture Cleanser, £13.99, cultbeauty.co.uk MEDITERRANEAN DREAM Create that holiday vibe in your bedroom with rich blues and bold yellows. Duvet set, from £12, lemon cushion, £14, wall art, £10, all Matalan BEING SERVED Enjoy some al fresco dining with this fruity find. Tray, £23.95, desenio.co.uk PICNIC PRINT Frills and lemon motifs are warm-weather wins. Shorts, £22.50, sizes 6-24, Next PUCKER UP For…

Breezy boho top Whether you’re heading to a festival, a picnic, or a beach day, a bohemian top adds laid-back style to any outfit. Team with denim shorts, a maxi skirt, or layer under dungarees. Made from 100% cotton with broderie detailing, this top perfectly captures the free-spirited vibe of warm sunny days. Longer shorts This summer, why not upgrade your denim cut-offs to a Bermuda style? Their mid length, hitting just above the knee, makes them flattering for a variety of body types. Petite cargos Barrel-legged trousers are not only on-trend, they’re universally flattering, suiting a wide range of body shapes. Thanks to their softly structured balloon shape, this style looks best cropped just above the ankle. These 100% cotton cargo pants are tailored for a petite frame, ensuring…

Summertime just feels sexier, doesn’t it? Well, there’s actually science as to why. With more sunlight, warmer weather and often time off work leading to a greater sense of freedom, feeling emotionally and physically connected can often be much easier. With sunlight boosting serotonin levels – which makes us feel happier and less inhibited – there’s never been a better time to turn up the heat in (and out) of your bedroom. So, whether you’re holidaying at home or heading abroad, here’s how to live your best sex life – in bed and beyond! MORNING PASSION Our energy levels are often higher in the morning, and so is our natural desire, says senior sexologist Dr Ketan Parmar (clinicspots.com), who suggests taking advantage of the early sunlight and being intimate before…

Heading on holiday? Whether you’re in the UK or abroad, a hotel buffet can be hard to navigate. It can be tempting to load your plate up with every item on offer – some combinations you’d never even contemplate eating for breakfast at home (chocolate croissant and cheese, anyone?). Even if you’re not going away, we’re here to help you stay on track with our smart breakfast swaps that will keep you satisfied, slash those calories, avoid heartburn and help you stay in shape this summer. CEREAL SWITCH SWAP Berry granola (60g) and semi-skimmed milk (302 cals) FOR Bran flakes (30g), semi-skimmed milk (100ml) and 30g blueberries (169 cals) SAVE 133 CALS ✣ Bran flakes have high amounts of gut-healthy fibre, containing 17g per 100g, to help you stay regular.…

Zesty fish cakes SERVES 4 Serve these with a big salad and oven chips, or in rolls for a healthy twist on burgers. YOU WILL NEED 300g skinless, white fish fillets, choppedSmall bunch soft herbs, finely chopped (parsley, chives etc)Zest and justice 1 lime or lemon, plus extra for squeezing.Pinch chilli flakes200g cold mashed potato (homemade or shop-bought)1 medium eggPlain flour, for dusting2tbsp vegetable oil, for frying HOW TO DO IT 1 In a food processor, pulse the fish, herbs, lime or lemon zest and juice, chilli flakes, and a big pinch of salt, until the fish is chopped, but still a little chunky. 2 Add the mashed potato and egg to the fish mixture and pulse again a few times until combined. 3 With clean hands, shape the mixture…

Most women of childbearing age will be asked at some point, ‘When are you having kids?’, but for some of us, it’s the question that inevitably comes after having our first child that we dread the most: ‘When are you having another one?’ Because these days, for many people the answer is, ‘Never!’ In fact, half of all UK families are expected to be one child only within the next six years, according to reports. So what’s behind this growing trend for one and done? A new global survey conducted by the UN in response to plummeting birth rates suggest it’s not all down to preference – with two in five people over 50 surveyed reporting that they didn’t have as many children as they wanted due to financial factors…

It’s hard to believe it has been two decades since Brenda Edwards found fame on The X Factor, under the watchful eye of Sharon Osbourne. She made it to the semi-finals and has since carved out an impressive singing career, starring in West End musicals such as Hairspray, Sister Act and, most recently, Chicago. The mum of two has also become a regular face on television since joining Loose Women in 2019. However, with the daytime show set to reduce its screen time next year, Brenda, 56, tells us how she will cope with the changes and why she still gets starstruck! How are things? Good! I’m still with the Chicago tour. It’s going really well and I’m enjoying it. It finishes its run at the end of August in…

FABULOUS FLORALS Good Morning Britain’s Charlotte Hawkins, 50, looked a vision at Ascot when she wore this floral dress from luxury occasionwear brand Veni Infantino. BEAUTIFUL IN BABY BLUE Ascot is always a right royal affair and it provides some of the family’s best fashion moments of the year. We love that Zara Tindall, 44, switched things up from a dress and opted for this gorgeous powder-blue power suit instead. TRÈS CHIC Loose Women panellist Olivia Attwood, 34, perfected sophisticated but stylish with this dress from Self Portrait, but it was her statement hat that stole the show. MONOCHROME MOMENT Iconic supermodel Jerry Hall wowed fans with this monochrome number. The star, 69, paired her elegant white trouser suit with a lacy black camisole and a tulle hat, while the…

WHAT’S WRONG WITH MY HANDS? Q A few days ago, I developed tiny blisters on my palms that were really itchy and then the skin in that area became very dry and flaky. I have never had anything like this before and I’m not sure what it is or what I can do about it? A This sounds like pompholyx eczema (also called dyshidrotic eczema). It can be triggered by stress, excessive sweating or contact with irritants, like soaps, detergents or other chemicals. Ask your chemist about hydrocortisone cream (which you can get over-the-counter) – this should be applied thinly to dry palms twice a day. Soap may well exacerbate the problem, so use emollients to wash and hydrate the skin. How quickly can food poisoning start? Q I was…

Mask up A multitasking mask can act as a quick-fix treatment for your complexion when it’s in need of some TLC, and under-eye patches will target the delicate skin for a short-term pep-up. GUVU Rose Gold Under Eye Masks, £14 for five pairs, oliverbonas.com, use niacinamide, collagen and fatty acids to depuff, brighten and target crow’s feet, to leave your eyes looking refreshed and bright all day long. Savvy serums The fine texture of serums means they absorb deeper and deliver noticeable results fast. Dehydrated skin makes wrinkles look deeper, so keep your complexion topped up with moisturising hyaluronic acid. Facetheory Hyaluronic Acid 2% Plumping Serum, £22, facetheory.com, will instantly bring back bounce and leave your skin feeling plumper. Peptides are another hero anti-ageing ingredient, and Medik8 Liquid Peptides Advanced…

Sunny shades Seaside inspired Cool hues…

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 types of horse and pony shares its name with one of South America’s largest department store chains? The answer is the one missing from the grid. ARABIANCOBDALESDRAUGHTERISKAYEXMOORFALABELLAFELL HACKNEYMORGANMUSTANGPUNCHSHETLANDSHIREWELSH CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Battle suit (6)4 __ __ to Candleford, 2008 period drama TV series starring Olivia Hallinan and Sarah Lancashire (4,4)10 Cutbacks (9)11 Without a __, 2002–09 police procedural TV series starring Anthony LaPaglia and Poppy Montgomery (5)12 __ Locke, Made in Chelsea star who has appeared on Celebrity Big Brother (5)13 Ever so much (9)14 Nibbles (7)16 Radiate (4)19 Harrison __,…

HAPPY GILMORE 2 Available to stream on Netflix from 25 July Adam Sandler reprises his role as golf champ Happy Gilmore; almost three decades after the hit film was released. Also starring Julie Bowen (seen in Modern Family), Ben Stiller (Night at the Museum) and Adam’s daughters Sadie and Sunny Sandler. BRIGHTON AND HOVE PRIDE 2-3 August The UK’s biggest Pride festival returns for its 53rd year, promising a colourful weekend of fun for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Alongside the legendary parade, watch performances from huge acts including Mariah Carey (yes, you read that right), The Sugababes, Will Young and Natalie Imbruglia. BURLESQUE THE MUSICAL 23 July-6 September, Savoy Theatre, London, tickets from £25 A huge new musical comes to the West End this summer. Based on the…

Keeley Hawes ‘IT WAS LOVELY TO BE BACK IN GREECE!’ The star of The Durrells returns to the land of ouzo and taramasalata… From the makers of The Tourist and The Missing, The Assassin stars Keeley Hawes as Julie, a retired contract killer who spends her days drinking, smoking and sunbathing on a remote sun-kissed Greek island. But when her adult son Edward (The Good Doctor’s Freddie Highmore) turns up with questions about his paternity, Julie’s dark past catches up with her. As things take a deadly turn, the pair are forced to go on the run together, pushing their dysfunctional relationship to the limits… ‘There’s very little like this on TV,’ says Keeley. ‘It has something for everyone. It has high-stakes drama and action, but there’s a lovely relationship…