Innholdsfortegnelse for August 12, 2025 i Woman's Own

Is it ever OK to socialise with colleagues? That’s the big question we’re asking this week, and given some of my closest friends are people I’ve worked with, I am firmly in the ‘yes’ category. But not everyone agrees! Turn to p47 where two readers battle it out. There’s another big question that seems to get asked every day, only this time it’s at home – ‘What’s for dinner?’ (To be honest, it’s usually me asking it!) If you’re stuck for ideas, on p34 our brilliant food team has the answer with three new recipes that are sure to become family favourites – better yet, they’re easy too. It’s schnitzel tonight for me! And if you’re feeling a bit fruity, turn to p16 and try the latest trend with high-street…

TOO OLD TO WORK OUT Apparently being over 25 means youngsters don’t want to see you in the gym… In a world gone increasingly bonkers, think I just found the ultimate in lunacy. And it involves you. One of those rare, old-fashioned creatures in possession of common sense and, possibly, a few grey hairs. Yes, we’re talking women, maybe not in the first flush of youth (or acne as we called it back in the day). Women who have been there, done that – who wore leg warmers before Bella Hadid and Doja Cat (who have both been spotted wearing them) were even thought of. Now, confession time, I go to a gym where my Lycra is twice as old as the next oldest female attendee. And I’m not even…

Buy of the week Heading abroad? Block out noisy passengers and airplane hums with Loop 2 Quiet Ear Plugs. Made out of soft silicone for a comfy fit (£19.95, loopearplugs.com). THE TO-DO LIST HAVE A BREW Up to two daily cups of tea can help reduce your risk of heart problems and stroke, says new research from China. But no sugar or sweetener. WEAR HEELS Small, comfortable heels, that is. They can strengthen the muscle fibres in the pelvic area, which can help you to beat bladder weakness**. SKIP SIESTAS Napping for longer than a period of 30 minutes during the day could increase your risk of type 2 diabetes***. Set an alarm so you don’t overdo it. If you do one thing Learn to open up Struggling to express…

I feel rejected Q I’m 52 and divorced. I’ve been trying online dating for two years now, and it’s awful. I’m always rejected, whether it’s after just chatting online or after one date. My friends say it’s because men want younger women. My daughters (25 and 27) say it’s because I’m no fun. I want to meet someone, but I feel so miserable. A It’s understandable to feel miserable; online dating in your 50s can be a minefield of rejection and unsolicited opinions. While your friends and daughters mean well, their feedback reflects their views more than the truth in this case. Instead of asking, ‘What’s wrong with me?’, ask, ‘What’s wrong with my dating method?’ Online dating may not be the right way for you to meet someone, whereas…

READER QUESTION Q I’ve heard you can get cheap car hire deals if you agree to drive a car one way to a destination. Will it save me money? A Some car rental relocation firms will let you drive a car, campervan or motorhome, from a set point A to point B for a very small charge. This might be appealing for a road trip. But do your research carefully if you’re considering the idea – I found very mixed reviews of some of these firms when I looked into it. Go green for less Snap up Wild & Wood skincare goodies – which are vegan and handmade in Yorkshire – for less. They’re offering 20% off orders over £20 with the code MAG20 at wildandwooduk.co.uk until 31 August 2025.…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr Saturn ruling your sign enables you to make some plans for the long term. So, think about where you want to be a year from now and take action accordingly. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May You’re fond of the good things in life: food, beautiful views, to name a few. However, you know it’s an inside job really, so focus on restoring your inner peace. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun The life and soul of the party, you can be relied on to provide entertainment and one-liners. Embrace the spotlight and you might discover a secret admirer. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul You’re a force to be reckoned with when it comes to protecting those you love, and you might be…

MEET ME AT SUNSET by Carol Kirkwood (£16.99, HB, HarperCollins) On the scorching isle of Majorca, everyone is hiding something. Designer Camille Fontaine arrives there with a broken heart, fleeing from the ruins of a love affair. But even the sparkling sea and golden sands can’t protect her from her own memories. Sunseeker Isobel seems to have it all – until the cracks begin to show in her perfect life. Stephanie is Hollywood’s new darling, but she is plagued by self-doubt. And Michel has been desperately in love with Camille for years – can they finally find happiness? This sultry, summery read explores a web of love, lies and seduction in the sun. THE NIGHT LAGOON by Jo Morey (£16.99, HB, HarperCollins) Stann Creek, Belize. In the heart of the…

Harry’s NEW CAREER LOW The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s £100 million Netflix deal has reportedly been scrapped. The streamer will not renew their contract when it expires in September. A TV insider said, ‘The deal is done; no more shows will be made. Netflix feel they’ve got all they can from the couple.’ They added, ‘Netflix were clever in that they got a hell of a lot of viewers for the first documentary series, and knew, realistically, it would prove the zenith of content from the Montecito pair.’ It’s been reported that Harry’s polo documentary reached 500,000 viewers worldwide, while just over 5 million saw Meghan’s cookery show, With Love, Meghan. The insider said of Netflix, ‘They’re not unhappy with how things turned out – they got those initial…

SLOGAN STYLE Wear with denim shorts for your off-duty get-up. Top, £9.99, sizes xxs-xxl, H&M BE SHELLFISH Add a pop of colour to your outfits with these hoops. Earrings, £5.99, parfois.com BEAUTY SLEEP Wake to a sun-kissed glow. Lacura Night Shine Tanning Face Mist, £2.99, Aldi HEADS UP A timeless classic that you’ll bring out every summer. Hat, £5, Primark DINNER PARTY Guests will love this playful dish. Plate, £5, Primark SEASIDE ESCAPE Bring the beach to your backyard with lobster motifs and deckchair stripes. Mirror, £10, lampshade, £10, wicker heart, £10, candle £4, planter on plate, £5 each, faux plant, £4, gnome ornament, £6, crab planter, £4, seagull, £2, metal lantern, £3 each, wooden wall plaque, £8 each, cushions, £6 each, wine glass, £1.50 each, tumbler, £1 each, plates…

Next H&M Zara Joules…

There are plenty of triggers that can disrupt your tum during the summer, not to mention the temptation to overdo the booze, barbecue food and snacks – bad news for your digestion. But some simple measures can help you avoid discomfort during the holiday season. Here’s what to try. SWERVE SICKNESS ‘The risk of food poisoning rises during the warmer months, partly due to unsafe practices when eating outside, combined with warmer temperatures, which help bacteria in foods grow faster,’ says GP Dr Anya Leaver*. Take care when… PREPARING A PICNIC Wash your fresh food first. ‘Bacteria that cause food poisoning, such as salmonella, listeria and E. coli, can live on the surface of fruit and vegetables,’ says Dr Leaver. Washing them before eating or cooking them helps prevent infection.…

Chicken schnitzel SERVES 4 Served with a garlicky herb butter and crunchy slaw, you’ll be making this speedy winner on repeat. YOU WILL NEED 2 large chicken breasts100g panko breadcrumbs6tbsp plain flour2 medium eggs, lightly beatenVegetable oil, for fryingZest 1 lemon For the slaw: ½ small white cabbage, finely shredded1 fennel bulb or 1 large green apple, finely choppedSmall bunch each: chives, parsley, finely choppedJuice 1 lemon, plus wedges to serve2tbsp olive oil50g grated Parmesan, plus extra to finish For the garlic butter: 100g unsalted butter3 garlic cloves, crushed4tbsp finely chopped fresh herbs (basil, parsley, etc.) HOW TO DO IT 1 Halve the chicken breasts horizontally to make four thin steaks. Use a rolling pin to bash the fillets out between two sheets of baking paper to flatten a little…

1 SHE’S DYSLEXIC As a child, Beatrice struggled with reading and spelling and was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of seven. But instead of seeing it as a setback the princess takes it in her stride, calling it her ‘gift’ and working to change the narrative around it. 2 FILM STAR In 2009, the princess played a lady-in-waiting in the film The Young Victoria, which featured Emily Blunt as Queen Victoria. The film was co-produced by Beatrice’s mother Sarah, Duchess of York. She had a brief cameo at the beginning of the film and viewers couldn’t believe Beatrice’s uncanny resemblance to her great-great-great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria. 3 ROYAL RUNNER Back in 2010, Beatrice became the first royal to complete the London Marathon – and to this day she remains…

Bustling around the kitchen, I leaned down to give my best friend a fuss. ‘You’re never far away, are you, Rocky?’ I whispered, ruffling my two-year-old merle goldendoodle’s shaggy ears. It was May 2024 and Rocky had been with me and my sons Lukas, then nine, and Liam, seven, for three months and we all adored him. Although Rocky was blind, he’d learned to find his way around our home. Working long hours delivering groceries, I loved coming back to our home in Bethel, North Carolina. And every evening, I enjoyed watching TV and playing board games with Lukas and Liam, Rocky the dog snuggled between us. One evening in August 2024, I popped a load of washing into the tumble dryer and switched it on, then got into bed…

Dashing to the toilet, I winced as a burning sensation shot between my legs. It was April 2022, and I’d been having issues down below for a while. A history of heavy bleeding, fibroids and polyps had led to a hysterectomy two years earlier, but while I’d hoped that would be the end of my troubles, now, aged 45, my GP had told me I was menopausal. Recently, my bits were constantly sore, itchy and dry, but one symptom in particular was driving me crazy. ‘It’s like passing razor blades,’ I said to my partner Jef, then 54, as I came out of the bathroom. We’d been together for five years and he was so understanding, especially when I told him I couldn’t face getting intimate. ‘It won’t be forever,’…

WHAT’S HER RECOVERY TIME? Q Our daughter fell off during a horse riding lesson. We took her to the local A&E department and they said she had broken two ribs. They sent her home with painkillers but didn’t strap her chest, which surprised me. She’s still in a lot of pain. Should I take her back, and when can she ride again? A We used to strap fractured ribs, but we now know that strapping restricts the ability to expand the chest fully, which can mean that phlegm collects on the chest and there is an increased risk of infection. It is important that she is able to breathe normally and cough if she needs to. She can ride again when she is pain-free without medication. Does he need another…

If you want to cover grey One option is permanent dye – it lasts longer but regrowth stands out more. Another is semi-permanent dye, which may not pick up all greys. Then, lastly, temporary root spray or powder. The pros suggest going slightly darker on white areas that don’t take colour well. To get Michelle Yeoh’s natural-seeming cover-up look, try Josh Wood Colour Root Smudge in Dark Blonde, £15, Boots. If you want to embrace your grey Growing out your grey reveals a range of natural silvery tones, as no one’s hair is a block shade. To reach Andie MacDowell’s length takes time, though a good chop will help. For a shortcut, try grey highlights with a platinum toner. It means bleaching, so compensate with a nourishing conditioner. A toner will…

Don’t waste it! Try these three easy tips to save your fruit scraps from the bin 1 BAKE Stash apple and pear peelings in the freezer and add them to cakes and other bakes like pancakes for a boost of flavour and fibre. They also make a great healthy snack – simply bake at 120C Fan for 40 mins until dry and crispy. 2 CLEAN The potassium and natural oils in banana skins make them perfect for polishing silver, kitchen sinks and taps, and even leather shoes. 3 TENDERISE The acid and enzymes in kiwi fruit and pineapple are great for tenderising meat. Scoop out the flesh to eat, then rub the underside of the skin along both sides of the meat. Ditch the diet Stock up on easy teas…

George Home GLOBAL NEUTRALS Style a rustic look with rattan furniture and touches of greenery Home Bargains COOL COUNTRY Try soft shades of blue and lavender for this modern take on a classic countryside look…

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 words, that are associated with The Wizard of Oz, is also the name of a Cannes Palme d’Or-winning film? The answer is the one missing from the grid. BRAINCOURAGECYCLONEDOROTHYFARMGLINDAHEARTKANSASLIONSCARECROWSLIPPERSTIN MANTOTOWITCHWIZARD CROSSWORD ACROSS 2lbs (8) DOWN Wordwise You have 15 minutes to find as many words as possible using the letters in the grid. Each word must contain four or more letters, one of which must be the central square. No proper nouns, plurals or foreign words. There is one nine-letter word, for which the clue is: laxity. 15 = average. More…

Film THE NAKED GUN In cinemas now Liam Neeson stars as Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. in the latest installment of the Naked Gun franchise. When the world needs saving he’s the only man up for the challenge of leading the police squad. Also starring Pamela Anderson. Music THE JONAS BROTHERS Greetings From Your Hometown (Republic), 8 August It’s a big year for singing siblings the Jonas Brothers. It’s their 20th anniversary, and they’re back with their seventh studio album – and it’s one that we’ll be blasting all summer long. Event EDINBURGH FRINGE 1-25 August, multiple locations across the city The world’s largest performing arts festival takes over the streets of Edinburgh once again for the month of August. Whether you want to discover new and up-and-coming artists – or…

Adrian Dunbar ‘IT’S WONDERFUL TO BE BACK FOR A NEW SERIES!’ The Line of Duty star on the return of crime drama Ridley... It’s been three years since we first met former detective inspector Alex Ridley, who was living out his days as a pianist and singer at Marling’s, the jazz club he owns with his friend Annie (Julie Graham), when he was lured back into the force to lend his expertise as a consultant. ‘THE SONGS FIT THE STORIES’ Now he’s back in a second four-part series to help crack more cases with his former protégée DI Carol Farman (Bronagh Waugh), who’s now in charge of investigations. ‘It’s wonderful to be back because the first series did well and was well received,’ says Adrian Dunbar, who plays the show’s…

This one’s going up on the wall,’ I said to my husband, Barry, showing him the photo of me in rehearsals for our ballet school production of Aladdin. I liked it because I looked poised and elegant in my long white skirt and dramatic black leotard, and it seemed to sum up the total joy I felt to be dancing again in my retirement. My love of ballet came from my late mum, Barbara, who had been set to dance professionally until World War Two broke out and her dreams were dashed. Instead, she’d ended up running her own dance school. When I was old enough, she encouraged me to learn, too. Her passion for dance was infectious, and sharing that with her became a special part of my life.…