Innholdsfortegnelse for September 1, 2025 i Woman's Own

It sounds such an obvious thing to say but memories are so important, and songs, clothes, even smells, can take you right back to a moment in time. Sometimes they don’t even seem like significant moments, but they are the ones our brains have decided to hold on to, so they must mean something! This is all to say how much I love writer Rachel Tompkins’ story on p18. It’s about the memories stored in her parents’ attic and the unboxing of some special items from her childhood years. It really made me smile and goes to show why so many people hold on to things, because trips down memory lane are priceless. (That Womble might actually be worth something one day, Rachel, so I’d hold on to that!) Enjoy,…

LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER Life as a national newspaper editor was never dull, and events can come back to haunt you – some involving nappies. ITV2’s The Princess Diaries explores the life of 18-year-old Princess Andre – who has had a mad upbringing in the spotlight as the daughter of Katie Price and Peter Andre. Katie is said to be furious that she doesn’t appear at all in her little girl’s series. Hmm. Mum and daughter have always adored one another. After all, who else other than Katie would bring her then-baby Princess to a high-powered editorial meeting and proceed to change a nappy in front of a horrified bunch of male directors? Katie got the deal there and then. Apples don’t fall far from trees. LOOKING FOR A MAN…

Buy of the week Beat heartburn flare-ups and indigestion with Gaviscon Double Action liquid (£6.39 for 150ml, Superdrug). The peppermint formula helps provide relief for up to four hours. HEALTH MATHS 3 steps to cut down on vaping Reduced cravings, improved focus and building healthier habits. If you do one thing Look up at the sky How the stars can help relieve our daily stresses In need of a boost? Lifting your spirits could be as easy as gazing up at the stars*. Feelings of awe from stargazing – known as skychology – can help release the happy hormones serotonin and dopamine, which not only improve your mood but also reduce fatigue. ‘Stargazing allows us to connect with something greater than ourselves,’ says consultant psychologist Dr Elena Touroni**. ‘This can…

My life is going downhill Q I’m in my late 40s and hate myself. To friends and family I put on a happy face but inside I feel like my life is going downhill. I’m worried about my job, as well as money, and I regularly feel anxious. I sometimes think it’s menopause but often I worry it’s just me. I feel alone, afraid and that it’s too late to make changes. A Many women experience increased emotional difficulties such as anxiety and feeling past their prime in their 40s and 50s. It’s down to a range of factors, such as ageing parents, growing children and a general feeling of uncertainty about the future. The key is not to put on a brave face but to talk about it. Your…

Be careful if you’re heading out for a glass of wine this weekend, as according to new research, there’s been a dramatic rise in drink spiking, with one in 10 adults falling victim. When your drink is spiked – either with more alcohol or drugs, including the date rape drug Rohypnol, or ‘roofies’ – you’re less able to defend yourself against a robbery or a sexual assault. But some people are being spiked for ‘fun’ in a game allegedly called Take Them Down, in which perpetrators watch victims fall over, publicly humiliating them. ‘PEOPLE ARE BEING SPIKED FOR FUN’ Recently, Good Morning Britain’s Ranvir Singh opened up about one terrifying experience when working in Manchester ‘years ago’. ‘I had arrived early and I went to the bar and bought one…

READER QUESTION Q My kids say their packed lunches are boring. Do you have any tips for cheap ways to improve them? A Consider keeping a selection of different types of bread in your freezer, such as pittas and bagels, so your kids can have variety without the risk of food going stale. Pasta salads can be made cheaply and in batches. While for snacks, instead of buying small boxes of dried fruit such as raisins, buy in bulk, then split into small containers. If you have time, bake simple treats such as flapjacks instead of buying them. Go green for less Check out Ruby Cup’s new range of sustainable period underwear. Choose from Fearless (RRP £18.95) for light-flow days and Flow Freedom (RRP £24.95), designed to hold up to…

26 August-1 September 2025 ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr With Saturn moving backwards through your sign, it’s the perfect time for you to re-evaluate what’s most important to you. Take your time making any new plans. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May Remember your power and worth when facing difficult situations this week. You have what it takes to handle these challenges with grace and ease. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun You’re always insightful about other people’s problems. You may well be called on as a listening ear and the advice you give will be invaluable. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul If you’ve been feeling out of sorts, make time to enjoy a bath or walk by water to rebalance. You’re more sensitive than most, so honour…

Loose Women vs Vanessa IS THE BATTLE ON? Her show’s very much in its infancy, having only launched in March, but there’s good news for Vanessa Feltz as her daytime programme Vanessa has been extended. When Woman’s Own asked if the veteran presenter, 63, was worried about being axed following the news of the cuts at Loose Women she told us, ‘No, we do not fear that.’ Instead she revealed, ‘Here’s an exclusive, we’ve just had an extension.’ Vanessa continued, ‘We were commissioned for six months, but we’re running about eight months at least, there’ll be a Christmas break and then we’re very much hoping to come back in the new year. We’re thrilled.’ The good news comes just weeks after it was reported that management at 5 were scrambling…

Sole saviours Q I don’t like my toes! Can you recommend flat summer sandals? I can only find open-toe styles. Melany Thomas, Brighton A How about trying caged sandals? They are making a strong fashion statement this season and are incredibly comfortable. My favourite pair on the high street is from Zara – they strike the perfect balance between style and practicality. They are super versatile and work just as well with relaxed shorts for a casual day out as with a flowy midi dress for a polished look or even wide-leg trousers. Charlie Denim delights Q I’m 5ft nothing. Can I wear barrel-leg jeans? Natasha Sumner, Bristol A Absolutely! They are flattering on all shapes and sizes when styled thoughtfully. The key is to focus on proportions and choose…

Most of those slightly strange noises we all create are normal. However, those creaks, squeaks and rumbles could also be your body’s way of alerting you to something else that’s going on. So, is it time to stop worrying or should you see your GP? Here’s what you need to know. Whooshing A whooshing sound when you’re lying down is often due to blood moving through the arteries and veins that run behind your ears. ‘If it’s in time with your heartbeat, this could suggest pulsatile tinnitus,’ says Ayurvedic practitioner Sunita Passi. Relaxation and breathing techniques before bed can help slow your heart rate and aid sleep. WHEN TO GET HELP Whooshing could indicate an ear infection or, occasionally, a blood vessel blockage, so get checked if you’re concerned. Ringing…

Apple and berry slice SERVES 16 This is a fluffy, cake-style traybake with a gooey, fruity centre and crumbly top – perfect for a packed lunch. YOU WILL NEED 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely sliced6tbsp berry compote10g flaked almonds3tbsp icing sugar For the cake: 200g butter, softened150g soft light brown sugar100g soured cream1 medium free-range egg1tsp vanilla extract½tbsp ground ginger1tsp cinnamon250g plain flour1tsp baking powder You will need: 20 x 25cm baking tin, base and sides lined HOW TO DO IT 1 Heat the oven to 160C Fan. Put the butter and light brown sugar in a food processor and whizz until smooth. Scrape down the sides and add the remaining cake mix ingredients, then whizz again until well combined. 2 Spread two-thirds of the cake mixture over the base of…

SIX WEEKS BY THE SEA by Paula Byrne (£16.99, HB, HarperCollins) England, 1801. When Jane Austen arrives in the sunny seaside town of Sidmouth, she has no idea that the course of her life will be irreversibly altered along the way. Accompanied by her family, she plans to spend six weeks relaxing in the fashionable Georgian holiday resort. Her brother Frank has set his hopes on uniting Jane with his friend Captain Peter Parker. But a rival is waiting in the wings: the abolitionist and lawyer Samuel Rose. As Jane becomes better acquainted with both men, many surprises await her. This sparkling slice of historical fiction explores the first love of one of the world’s most famous writers. OUR BEAUTIFUL MESS by Adele Parks (£16.99, HB, HarperCollins) How far would…

COLEEN NOLAN She already has two grandchildren but earlier this summer Col, 60, revealed she was getting two more – her daughter Ciara and partner Max are expecting, as is her son Shane and his other half Kim. ‘I can’t actually believe this but I wanted to share with you all that I’m going to be a nanny again!’ she wrote on social media. JANE SEYMOUR In June, the super-glam actor welcomed her fourth grandchild when son Kris and his wife Miso had their first child, Kristie. Jane, 74, said, ‘People say grandchildren are the best. And I went, “Gosh, boring people having to show you their grandchildren. Never do that.” And now I am that boring person. I am like the worst culprit!’ LORRAINE KELLY Lorraine’s daughter Rosie had…

With his arm draped on my shoulder, my boyfriend Tyree, then 36, led me towards the hotel room door. Opening it, he ushered me inside. The room was huge, a grand king-size bed sat in the middle with rose petals scattered on the sheets. And out on the balcony was the most stunning view of Las Vegas. But as I sat on the edge of the bed, I felt anything but excited to be spending the night there. Because just moments later, Tyree left, leaving the door open for a strange man to enter. In his 50s, balding, with a paunchy stomach, he leered at me, making me shudder with disgust behind my fake smile. He was a client and would be the first of at least half a dozen…

Thundering through the back door, I heard a crinkle of bags and then a crash and looked up to see my mum Stephanie, 71, and dad James, 74, walking into my kitchen laden with bin bags and boxes. ‘Your dad’s cleaned out the loft!’ Mum declared triumphantly. And that, I knew, was no mean feat, because my parents had lived in the same three-bed house, my childhood home, for going on 40 years, having moved there in 1986 when my sister and I were at primary school. And neither of them like throwing anything away. ‘You never know when you might need it,’ was always Dad’s motto. Which means that his garage is currently so crammed with items that you can barely get into it. And for years, his and…

SHOULD WE SEE OUR GP? Q Last weekend, we were at our friends’ barbecue. I noticed that the chicken looked a little undercooked and, afterwards, my husband and I both had sickness and diarrhoea. The sickness has settled but we still have profuse diarrhoea. Do we need to get medical help? A You could ask your doctor for a telephone appointment if you are otherwise well in yourself and don’t have a fever. Your GP may ask you to send off a poo sample for laboratory analysis. Sometimes, after a diarrhoeal illness, the diarrhoea persists after the infection has cleared because you have lost so many of the good bacteria that help digest our food. To remedy this, take a daily probiotic. Lump in the throat Q I had surgery…

Power shower Start your day right with the invigorating, spa-like scent of Sanctuary Spa Aqua Serenity Shower Burst, £9, Boots, which is as much a treat for skin as it is for the senses. The foam froths up, caressing the body with a nourishing blend of oils that keeps skin happy and hydrated for up to three days. At night, Feather & Down Dreamy Shower Cloud, £10, Boots, will help you unwind from the day’s stresses and be ready for bed with its relaxing aroma and cosy, velvety lather. Smooth operators The skin’s natural exfoliation process slows down as we head into the cooler months, so keep up the good body-buffing work with Soap & Glory Vanilla-licious Body Scrub, £9.99, Boots. Use once or twice a week, focusing on craggy…

Cook once, eat twice! Turn yesterday’s leftovers into new meals… 1 ROAST VEG Leftover roast vegetables make the perfect base for a quick frittata. Just whisk up some eggs, add your veg, sprinkle over cheese and bake or pan-fry for a fuss-free brunch, lunch or dinner. 2 RICE Cold rice is ideal for a speedy stir-fry. Toss it in a hot pan with garlic, soy sauce and whatever veg or protein you’ve got. Or you could layer it up with beans, salsa and salad to create a DIY burrito bowl. 3 STALE BREAD Blitz into crumbs and store in the freezer ready for topping pasta bakes or coating chicken. Or go sweet by soaking slices or chunks in egg and milk, and bake into a cosy bread and butter pudding.…

Dunelm CHERRY RED Try a colour-drench look in this rich shade or opt for a few well-chosen accessories to update your decor Habitat COLOURFUL COUNTRY Pair rustic furniture with pretty fabrics in a palette of soft blues, reds and greens…

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 What nickname did rock singer Janis Joplin adopt, also using it as the title of her final studio album? The answer is the one missing from the grid. BLOATBRUCEBUBBLESCORALCRUSH DORYGILLGURGLEMARLINMR RAY NEMONIGELPEACHPEARLSQUIRT 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: eating at the same table. 20 = average. More than 40…

Former model and TV personality Christine McGuinness, 37, who shares 12-year-old twins Leo and Penelope and eight-year-old daughter Felicity with ex-husband Paddy McGuinness, fills us in on the things that make her happy. 1 Item in your wardrobe A hoodie! Being on the school run, going on trains a lot or flying away, it’s just one of those comfort items. I like having a plain hoodie to throw on, it kind of goes with anything and it’s comfortable. 2 Colour Can I say ‘iridescent’? I’m looking at my nails thinking I always go for iridescent because it’s like a neutral, but it’s not. It’s got all the colours in when the light shines on it and I’m a bit like a magpie – if I see something shiny, then I…

Sheridan Smith ‘IT’S AN HONOUR TO PLAY THIS ROLE’ The BAFTA-winning star on the new true-life drama I Fought the Law… ‘ANN IS TRULY REMARKABLE’ This heartbreaking and inspiring four-parter tells the story of Ann Ming, whose life changed forever following the brutal murder of her daughter Julie Hogg in 1989. The 22-year-old mum of one had been strangled by William Dunlop, who hid her body under a bath at her home in Billingham, County Durham. She was sadly found by Ann three months later. Although the police found the perpetrator, Dunlop was acquitted and the so-called double jeopardy law, which prevented someone from being tried for the same crime, stopped him from facing justice. Based on Ann’s book, For the Love of Julie, the ITV1 drama stars Sheridan Smith…