Innholdsfortegnelse for September 15, 2025 i Woman's Own

It’s a bumper issue this week, with more of everything we hope you love. Dare I say it, but autumn really is upon us (I feel like I literally just said this about summer!). From p22 we have 75 brilliant new-season buys (barn jackets, yes, please!) from £6, and on p48 there are 14 new products to help guarantee a good hair day come rain or blustery wind! There’s also an exclusive Slimming World plan and offer (from p40), and on p44 reader Natasha Stewart shares her weight-loss story with us in a letter to her younger self. It’s that old adage of ‘I wish I knew then what I know now’, and it’s such a lovely piece about how far she’s come. Enjoy, and have a great week! JOIN…

Nadia Sawalha is known to speak her truth on Loose Women. Having been a panellist since the talk show launched 26 years ago, she’s fearlessly frank and candid. Then, as well as How to Stay Married (So Far) - her taboo-testing podcast with her TV producer husband of 23 years, Mark Adderley, 54 – she’s just added Nadia Unfiltered to their thriving YouTube channel. Off-screen, Nadia, 60, has also been campaigning for greater menopause awareness, Gaza, and for a life-extending cancer medication to be made available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. When we caught up with her for an exclusive chat, the broadcaster, influencer and mum of two daughters (Maddie, 22, and Kiki, 18) revealed why creating her own content makes her tick, and her true feelings about the…

THE REAL LIFE OF A PRINCESS We’re all fascinated, but is it all it’s cracked up to be? For some reason, little girls have always been encouraged to be princesses. Even now, when they could be nuclear physicists, it’s still frothy frocks and Prince Charming. Fairy stories, Disney and the bridal business feed us this ditzy dream while we’re still in nappies. But why? Because when you look at the experiences of real-life princesses, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. They may not have to worry about paying the bills, but Prince Charming often turns out to be a frog, there’s often a wicked stepmother (or other evil relative) and ballgowns aren’t conducive to practical stuff like, er, breathing. Plus there’s always someone desperate to document your every…

PINKY PROBLEM Q The little finger on my right hand is permanently bent inward. I’m a keen bowls player, and it’s starting to affect my game. I asked my pharmacist for a splint, but I can’t stretch the finger into it, and they said I would need an operation, which I really don’t want. Do you have any other ideas? A It sounds like something called Dupuytren’s contracture, and is caused by the tissues in the palm of the hand forming into a cord that pulls the little finger (and sometimes the ring finger) into a flexed position. Ask your GP to refer you to a hand surgeon. Surgery isn’t the only option. The cord can be injected with something called collagenase to break down the cord. WHY IS MY…

With the summer-holiday season over for another year, now’s the perfect moment to refocus on goals. Whether you’re looking to kick-start your weight-loss journey or just simply get back into a better routine, we’ve teamed up with Slimming World to bring you this healthy eating plan. Designed for you to feel full and satisfied, this plan could help you lose up to half a stone in just two weeks*. HOW IT WORKS 1 Follow the menu. You can always repeat any days you enjoy. 2 Slimming World’s eating plan, Food Optimising, is based on the science of energy density (the calories per gram in food), of satiety (how filling a food is) and how easy a food is to overeat. It’s a simple way to cut calories without needing to…

Beat the heat Using a dryer, straighteners or curling tongs? Protection is a must. Q+A Heat Protect All-in-One Spray, £10.95, qandaskin.com, targets split ends, detangles and protects all at once. Get your superfoods Lee Stafford Power Foods Strength Treatment, £10.99, Boots, is powered by superfood ingredients including spinach and guava that help strengthen weak strands from the inside out. Do a detox Beautiful swishy strands start with a healthy scalp. Lacura Detox Shampoo, £3.99, Aldi, refreshes at the roots to tackle flakes, excess oil and product build-up so your hair and scalp feel refreshed. Boost your blonde Sun exposure, heat styling and pollution can all affect blondes. Between salon visits, use John Frieda Tone Perfecting Treatment, £12.99, Boots, to reinvigorate your colour. Choose from Honey, Champagne or Platinum. Save your…

Coconut and lemon bars SERVES 16 This old-school slice is sweet, tangy and perfect with a cuppa. YOU WILL NEED For the biscuit base: 50g ground almonds100g caster sugar75g plain flour50g desiccated coconut, plus 1tbsp to scatter over the top100g unsalted butter, melted For the filling: Finely grated zest 4 lemons and 230ml juice (about 5 lemons)4 medium eggs, beaten230g caster sugar35g plain flour You will need: 20cm square loose-bottom tin, base and sides lined HOW TO DO IT 1 Heat the oven to 160C Fan. In a food processor, whizz all the base ingredients until they come together into a crumby dough. Press into the lined tin and bake for 15 mins until lightly golden. 2 Meanwhile, whisk all the filling ingredients together in a bowl. Strain through a…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr A motivator and leader, don’t be surprised if someone asks you to take on a project that feels daunting. You are more than capable, so seize the opportunity. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May As an Earth sign it’s important that you balance work with rest. If you feel you’re overdoing things, pause and consider what you need to do to take care of yourself. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun You know your idea will work out, so take the first step towards fulfilling this dream. The sky’s the limit – you can achieve all you desire one day at a time. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul Make the most of Jupiter being in Cancer all year by thinking big. What would…

COURTENEY COX AND CLAUDIA WINKLEMAN Strictly presenter Claudia, 53, and Hollywood A-lister Courteney, 61, are said to have been pals for years. This wasn’t widely known, so fans were surprised when, in a 2023 social media video to promote applications for The Traitors, a hooded figure alongside Claudia was revealed to be Courteney asking to sign up. It’s not clear how the stars became friends, but Courteney and her partner, Snow Patrol’s Johnny McDaid, spend half their time in the UK, so it’s likely they hit it off with Claudia and her husband Kris Thykier at a London hotspot. STACEY SOLOMON AND MOLLY‑MAE HAGUE Sort Your Life Out’s Stacey made a new friend during a recent family holiday. The mum of five and her brood stayed at the £1,000-per-night Regnum…

Ant and Dec’s MEGA-MONEY DEAL They’re arguably the UK’s biggest presenters, having won the award for Best TV Presenter at the National Television Awards for 23 years in a row (they’re nominated for a 24th at the time of writing). So it’s not surprising that Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly are also paid very handsomely. And now the Geordie duo are reportedly set to sign one of TV’s biggest deals. The pair, who both turn 50 later this year, are said to have been offered a three-year £30 million golden handcuffs agreement by ITV, in an bid by the broadcasters to prevent them being poached by rival channels. A TV insider said, ‘This is one of the last golden handcuff deals in television but ITV see Ant and Dec as…

Vicky Pattison may have started out as a bolshie, brash and brassy girl when she first came into public consciousness in 2011 on MTV reality show Geordie Shore – but come 2025, she’s had quite the turnaround. The 37-year-old presenter is about to take to the dance floor on this year’s Strictly, and bookies revealed she is rated around 10/1 to win the show – fairly high odds. But it has been a journey to get to where she is now, as she has admitted herself, ‘Nobody would have anticipated that a little girl from Wallsend would be in the place that I am now less than me. I had zero faith in myself. And my time spent on Geordie Shore just completely reinforced the idea that I probably wasn’t…

EASY PIECE Team with your favourite denim. Top, £9.99, sizes xxs-xxl, H&M TACTILE TEXTURE Fluffy-trim fabrics will update an old sofa. Cushion, £8.99, The Range EAR CANDY Faux pearls bring glamour to any outfit. Earrings, £3.50, Peacocks UP IN ARMS Bangles finish any look nicely. Bracelets, £5 for set of 4, Peacocks TEA BREAK Add a Scandi-cool vibe to your morning brew. Mug, £4, Dunelm IT’S A CINCH Wear with jeans or a floaty dress. Belt, £8.99, New Look BRILLIANT BEIGE Revamp mealtimes with calm-toned crockery. Bowls, from £3.50 each, plates, £5 each, place mats, £3.50 for set of 4, wine glasses, £5 each, dipping bowl, £3.50 for set of 3, all Primark; cutlery, stylist’s own FULL CIRCLE Bring a stylish touch to the table. Place mat, £5, Ikea SCENT-SATION…

Buy of the week Itchy, irritated cut? Apply Weleda Hypercal Wound Salve (£7.95 for 25g, amazon.co.uk). It’s made with calendula, which acts as a natural antiseptic to relieve soreness. HEALTH MATHS 3 steps to relieve a migraine… APPLY A HOT OR COLD COMPRESS MASSAGE THE PAINFUL SPOT REST IN A DARK ROOM Soothed senses and reduced tension. If you do one thing Freshen up your tongue Brush for two minutes, twice a day, and floss meticulously too? What about your tongue? ‘The tongue is a haven for bacteria, food particles and dead skin cells, making it a breeding ground for plaque and bad breath,’ says dentist Dr Deepa Vakil*. ‘As plaque accumulates on the tongue, it can spread to the teeth and gums, increasing the risk of gum disease, cavities…

He keeps me hanging on Q Nine months ago, I met a man on a dating app. We message daily, and I always wake up to a lovely message from him. The problem is we have never moved beyond messaging or the odd FaceTime call. I recently told him how hurt and fed up I am with his reluctance to meet. He responded with an instant FaceTime and a series of long, loving messages, but we’ve gone back to just one message a day. A What you’re describing is a pattern known as ‘breadcrumbing’. This is when someone drops just enough messages or vague hints to keep you interested, but never follows through. Their goal is to keep you invested enough to feed their ego. I can hear how exhausting…

Dear Natasha, What would you have said if you’d seen me in the high street the other day, swinging bags full of new, size-10 clothes? I don’t think you’d have recognised the future you. Shopping had always been your idea of hell. Your friends would slip into figure-hugging dresses and cute tops, while you were stuck in size-24 cover-ups and black leggings you bought online. Trying to help, a friend once picked a dress off a rail and handed it to you, saying, ‘This will definitely fit!’ You felt even worse when you pulled it on in the changing room, only to find the zips wouldn’t fasten. You may have kept up a cheerful front, pretending you enjoyed hitting the sales as much as they did, but underneath you felt…

Being a mum to my four sons is what I am most proud of in life. When Ben was born in April 1983, I never dreamt I’d be lucky enough to have three more boys, though, as my first experience of motherhood and Ben’s start to life wasn’t easy. ‘I ADORED WATCHING MY BOYS ALL TOGETHER’ At eight weeks old, he was diagnosed with congenital heart disease and he had his first major surgery just weeks later. It was heart-wrenching watching my tiny baby being wheeled into the operating theatre time and time again. Yet, despite what he was going through, Ben hit all his milestones and was the most wonderful big brother to Toby, Zach and Ollie. I adored watching them all together, they loved cars and racing. I…

People are always surprised to hear that my home is rented from a housing association. We were originally renting a garden flat in a busy town, but I yearned for a place in the country, and this house, being detached and surrounded by fields, ticked all my boxes. I had to think hard about the decor because being a new build, this place felt like a bland white box. My last home was decorated quite neutrally, but I wanted to be brave with colour here. However, my biggest fear was tackling the hallway, as it’s such a big, open space, so I initially found it daunting. FIRST SIGHT When I eventually move, I may need to change the interior back to white, but as tenants, we are allowed to decorate…

THE WISH by Heather Morris (£20, HB, Zaffre) Beautiful connections can form in the most unlikely circumstances. Though desperately ill, 15-year-old Jesse is overflowing with love for her friends and family. Perhaps her dearest love of all is playing video games. So she makes a wish from her hospital bed – a VR experience of her life, one which will remain even if she doesn’t. Lonely, isolated Alex, a 29-year-old VR games designer, is the only person who can bring this dream to life. As an unexpected friendship blooms between the dying teenager and the young man, their lives will change forever in this heartrending story. MANIFEST LIKE A MOTHER: HOW TO ATTRACT THE LIFE YOU WANT IN THE TIME YOU HAVE by Francesca Amber (£16.99, HB, Ebury) Take control…

Andrew Lincoln ‘I SAID NO TO THE ROLE TWICE!’ The former This Life actor on his new thriller, Coldwater… Set in a fictional Scottish town, this six-parter centres on John (Andrew Lincoln), who’s discontented with his role as a stay-at-home dad. ‘THEY AREN’T IN A GOOD PLACE’ The drama, however, begins in London, where John’s mounting mid-life crisis comes to a head after he witnesses a violent altercation, which leads him to move with his wife Fiona (Indira Varma) and their kids to picturesque Coldwater for a fresh start. ‘John is struggling with his place in the world,’ says Andrew. ‘He and Fiona don’t have time for each other because so much focus is on the children. They aren’t in a good place.’ After arriving, John befriends his neighbour Tommy…

Turning over in my luxurious Vispring bed, I snuggled up to Barney, who sighed contentedly. Elsewhere on my king-size mattress, I heard the soft snores of Ambrose, the other handsome chap I shared my life with. While this may sound like a ménage à trois (and, technically, it was one of sorts), I was in fact cosied up in my cottage in Kew, south-west London, with two Old English sheepdogs. The year was 2004 and they were the great loves of my life after a painful divorce from my first husband. I met my second husband, Pascal, three years later but there was a merry-go-round of unsuitable men in the interim. The main reason so many didn’t fit the bill? My beloved boys didn’t like them. PASSING THE AUDITION Indeed,…

Toes tapping and hips wiggling, I grabbed my daughter Maya and we spun round to the sound of ABBA’s Dancing Queen. It was November 2020 and me and Maya, then 13, loved a kitchen disco - dancing while making dinner or doing the washing-up. Apart from playing on the Wii, it was our favourite lockdown activity, just the two of us. But now, as I twirled around, I felt a dull ache in my left breast. I’d had it for a few weeks and put it down to running. Then a few days later, I rolled over in bed and felt a strange sensation of something moving deep inside the breast tissue. I’d never felt anything like it before, so the next day, I went to see my GP. ‘It’s…

Clean and clear While it might not be as exciting as unwrapping a new serum or a high-tech mask, prioritising cleansing will have the biggest impact on your skin. Think about it – there’s no point layering hardworking, expensive formulas onto skin that hasn’t been cleaned properly. The make-up and grime will stay on the surface of your skin, so the ingredients won’t be able to sink in and get to work. Really, it’s the most important step in your routine, and picking the right option for you will help to ensure that your skin is clear and ready for the rest of your regime. Take your time Most of us aren’t cleansing for long enough. Experts advise massaging cleansers into your skin for at least 60 seconds to really…

Sticky marmalade chicken traybake SERVES 4 This sweet-and-sour bake works well with pork fillets too. Use any green veg you fancy or have available. YOU WILL NEED 8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs3tbsp marmalade2tbsp soy sauce2tbsp rice wine vinegar (or cider vinegar)2 garlic cloves, crushedThumb-sized chunk ginger, peeled and chopped2tbsp sesame oil, plus extra to serve (optional)400g green veg (we used pak choi and Tenderstem)Small bunch spring onions, finely sliced1tbsp toasted sesame seedsCoriander leaves (optional)Cooked rice, to serve You will need: 33x25cm rectangular roasting tin HOW TO DO IT 1 Put the chicken, marmalade, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic and ginger in a large glass/ceramic bowl. Mix well until the chicken is fully coated. Cover and leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hr, preferably overnight. 2 Heat the…

READER QUESTION Q I’d like to help my teenager learn about money. Do you have any tips on where to start? A The good news is there’s loads of help online. For example, HSBC has resources aimed at ages from young children to over 16s at hsbc.co.uk/financial-education, while Lloyds Bank Academy has created resources to help support young people aged 3-16 and 16+ in learning how to stay in control of their financial wellbeing (lloydsbankacademy.co.uk). Check out NatWest Thrive, which covers loads of important topics too, at natwestthrive.com. Go green for less Hair need a quick refresh? Check out this Hair Gain Peptide Puff Dry Shampoo (5g). It uses a padded puff applicator, eliminating the need for aerosols, plus it means you can apply precisely, too. £14.99 + p&p, hairgainnow.com.…

YES ‘What a breath of fresh air it would be’ Louise Baty, 46, is a writer from Nottingham. I can see it now: getting comfy at my local Odeon as the iconic theme blares, and our star appears on screen, driving an Aston Martin. ‘The name’s Bond, JANE Bond…’ Oh, what a moment. Now actor Daniel Craig has hung up Bond’s three-piece suit for good, it’s high time the franchise was shaken and stirred. Come on, casting directors, surely everyone’s favourite Secret Service agent is crying out to be depicted by a woman at this stage. Dame Helen Mirren was right to describe Bond’s concept as borne from ‘profound sexism’. And yes, traditionally, the film’s female characters end up in bed with Bond or dead. At times, both. But I…

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 fictional cats gave its name to the 1995 debut album by US band Blink-182? The answer is the one missing from the grid. ALLEYCHESHIRECHLOEDUCHESSFELIXFIGAROGARFIELDKITTYOLIVERPUSSSALEMSNOWBALLSYLVESTERTOMYZMA 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: lessened the effects of. 25 = average. More than 45 = well done CROSSWORD ACROSS 6…

Film DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE In cinemas 12 September This September, we will wave goodbye to the iconic country manor and its residents as the stellar cast, including Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, Joanne Froggatt, Penelope Wilton and Lesley Nicol, return to walk the halls of Downton one last time. It’ll be an emotional one! Music ED SHEERAN Play (Gingerbread Man, Atlantic) 12 September British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran returns with his eighth studio album, Play. ‘It’s a real rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish, it encapsulates everything that I love about music, and the fun in it, but also where I am in life as a human, a partner, a father,’ Ed says of the new release. Tour STARTER FOR TEN: A NEW MUSICAL 10…

Recently, my daughter Matilda, 12, was given some pocket money by a relative – £10 in cash. ‘I hate using real money,’ she declared to me later. ‘It’s such hard work having to work out the change.’ I looked at her stricken and realised I couldn’t remember the last time I’d used cash myself to pay for something instead of a credit card or my phone. No wonder she’s not used to using cash. But with a greater reliance on digital payments – almost one in 10 Brits never use cash – I realise there’s a lot to be said for using notes and coins to pay for my purchases. So I decided to challenge myself to a week of only using cash to pay for things. Here’s how I…