Innholdsfortegnelse for 03-Dec-2019 i Woman's Weekly

These days, the Christmas season seems to start after Bonfire Night; decorations generally start going up in early December and after Boxing Day it’s all over! Of course, in the past it was the reverse, with celebrations starting on the 25th and continuing for 12 days, which certainly helped beat early-January misery. However, my friend, who is also the local vicar and very old school, keeps his decorations up until Candlemas on 2 February, as still happens in some other countries. But even he admits that’s highly eccentric nowadays – and it certainly confuses anyone coming to visit in late January!…

Bridie O’Callaghan, early 1950s, sent in by her daughter Philomena Sykes This photo of my late mum and dad was taken in Dublin soon after they became engaged. I love how elegant Mum looks in her suit. ✣ We’d love to see how great you looked in any era up to and including the 1980s. Please send a good-quality photo with your name, address and daytime phone number clearly written on the back, to: Fashion Dept, Woman’s Weekly, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP. Photos will be returned.…

Eamonn Holmes turns 60 on 3 December and the TV host has spent well over half those years on screen. He started out as everyone’s favourite sex symbol on GMTV, now he’s wife Ruth Langsford’s naughty, but lovable, co-host on This Morning. So what is it about Eamonn that has kept us entertained for 40 years? Having fronted various shows on Ulster Television from 1979, Belfast-born Eamonn got his big break when he joined GMTV, hosting the first show on 1 January 1993 with Anne Davies, followed by other co-hosts including Lorraine Kelly, Fiona Phillips and Anthea Turner. Of all his famous interviewees, Eamonn revealed the worst person was magician David Blaine on the GMTV sofa in 2001. Eamonn said, ‘He just refused to talk and so I did all…

A slimming suit There are lots of style variations, so choose a design that works for your shape. A double-breasted blazer will help balance broad shoulders, while straight-leg trousers will streamline your silhouette. Ensure you keep some ankle on show and avoid the fabric gathering on top of your shoes. Show some skin There’s no need to cover up completely, in fact strategically flashing a little flesh can highlight your best features. Bardot necklines are the perfect example, as they show off toned shoulders while keeping the upper arms covered. An off-centre split reveals just the right amount of leg, too. The do-it-all dress We love this design for so many reasons. It covers your neck without feeling restricting, the weight of the fabric looks luxurious and ensures it doesn’t…

✣ Electrocardiogram (ECG) – sensors stuck to the chest wall show the electrical current through the heart, including rate and rhythm, indicating where the heart muscle is injured. ✣ Exercise ECG – running or cycling during an ECG reveals which part of the heart can’t cope with greater demands during activity. ✣ Coronary angiography – dye injected into a blood vessel goes around the body to show on scans where the heart’s own blood supply is reduced or blocked. ✣ Blood tests – checking risk factors of high cholesterol and blood sugar, plus troponin, a heart-muscle protein released with more serious heart damage, such as in a heart attack.…

Should she go to private school? Q My son and daughter-in-law have decided my granddaughter will sit exams for private schools as they say she’s clever and deserves the best chance in life. We sent our three children to the local school and they all have degrees and good jobs. I feel offended. Susan, Taunton A I think that you’ve put two and two together and made five! Your son and daughter-in-law are making a decision about their child and what they think will be best for her. You made a decision for your children and you’re happy with your choice, which is great. Your son’s not saying by doing something different that he thinks you did it wrong. This really is a decision for them as parents, so I…

Save 33% on a stay at Goldsborough Hall, paying from £99* per person for one night in a Deluxe room, the Chef’s five-course Taster Menu dinner, full Yorkshire breakfast and entry to the gardens and grounds. *Offer based on two people sharing a Deluxe double/twin bedroom, valid until 31 March 2020, excluding 23–31 December 2019 and 14–16 February 2020, and subject to availability of allocated rooms. There is a £10pp supplement for Fridays and Saturdays, and supplements apply for higher category rooms and suites. Full pre-payment required on booking with a five-day cancellation period.…

WINTER CHEER Bring colour and scent into your patch from now until spring by planting winter-flowering shrubs. Give them a sheltered spot with plenty of light or, alternatively, grow them in containers, so you can position them close to the house when they’re flowering. You’ll enjoy the waft of their fragrance each time you pass. Bath time A birdbath is not just a pretty garden feature; in winter, when ponds and puddles freeze over, it’s a vital source of fresh drinking and bathing water for birds. Put it in open ground, away from anywhere cats can lurk, and change the water daily to avoid the spread of disease. You can use something as simple as a terracotta saucer, or invest in an ornamental birdbath.…

MEASUREMENTS Approximately 37cm/14½in tall. MATERIALS 1 x 100g (280m) ball of Hayfield Bonus DK (100% acrylic) in each of Signal Red (977) and White (961)*. Oddments of Black and Pink DK yarn and a few metres of Gold metallic yarn or thread. 4mm crochet hook; toy filling. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk. TENSION 18 stitches and 20 rows, to 10 x 10cm, over double crochet, using 4mm hook. ABBREVIATIONS Ch, chain; st(s), stitch(es); dc, double crochet; lp1, loop 1 st thus: insert hook into next st, wrap working yarn twice around index finger of left hand, then slide hook underneath the wrapped yarn, so that the 2 strands sit on the hook, draw these 2 loops through, yarn round hook and draw through all 3 loops, (carefully removing finger); dc2tog,…

“I was standing in the front garden, which is really only a hedge with ideas above its station, when one of the neighbours walked past briskly. He is the sort of neighbour who can’t resist making an amusing remark, or even a non-amusing remark. ‘Evening, Missus,’ he said, even though it was technically the last dregs of the afternoon. ‘Getting ready for your trip to Bethlehem, I see.’ At least, that’s what I thought he said, only it didn’t seem to make much sense. ‘Mmm,’ I said, which normally suits most circumstances. ‘Getting a bit nippy, isn’t it?’ He was followed a minute later by another neighbour of a similar turn of mind. ‘I hope you find room at the inn,’ this one remarked. ‘Mmm,’ I said. ‘Getting a bit…

By her own admission, Lorraine Kelly is one of the most upbeat people on television, admitting ‘I’m a glass-half-full kind of person!’ Despite the fact she’s woken up every weekday at 4.45am to present her show, Lorraine insists the Good Morning Britain crew have it harder. ‘Susanna and Piers get up in the real wee small hours, and when I first moved to London and did the six or seven news hour, you’d have to get in at four, so I’d be getting up at three. Now that really was early!’ She adds, ‘I remember getting a taxi in Camden because there was no public transport, and you’d see people falling out of nightclubs. It was a bit soul-destroying!’ During her 35 years on ITV, the bubbly Scottish presenter has…

“Receiving my MBE was my proudest achievement – because it was a surprise. I was also able to celebrate it with my husband Scott, and we went to Buckingham Palace together, which was unheard of years ago. I took Mum and Dad, too, I wanted them to see me get my honour from the Queen, in recognition of my services to entertainment and my charity work. ‘I say thank you to people who don’t always get recognition’ Their parents lived in council houses all their life, though I don’t mean that in a bad way! One of my grandfathers worked for the council and one worked down the mines, so for my parents to see me receive the award was such a thrill for me. My cousin Iain, who’s a…

HIKING HELPED me cope with breast cancer My diagnosis of stage 2 breast cancer last year was a huge shock. There’s no family history and I’d felt fit and healthy. I had a lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy. I’d been warned it would make me very tired but I was still amazed at how it wiped me out. After surgery, I knew I had to look after myself, so I began daily morning meditation. It calmed me and stopped negative thoughts about my cancer. Before my diagnosis, I’d signed up for a Macmillan Mighty Hike, because my brother-in-law had died of cancer. I wasn’t able to complete it because it fell two days after my surgery. I knew I wanted to do another one, so once my energy returned after radiotherapy…

A Reduced libido is common; psychological problems, anxiety and depression may play a part, while illnesses can affect a man’s confidence in his ability to perform. Also, if testosterone levels drop, due to testicular or brain hormone issues, physical and psychological effects can lead to a loss of sexual interest. Medications such as steroids, opioids and antipsychotics may also suppress testosterone levels. Your partner needs to talk to his doctor to tease out what the cause is. However, this isn’t simple, as many of the signs and symptoms are nonspecific, multifactorial and may be associated with various lifestyle and psychological factors, as well as with normal ageing. New guidelines from the British Society for Sexual Medicine define testosterone deficiency as three or more sexual symptoms associated with total testosterone less…

The character and sense of history you find in an older house has always appealed to me and it was definitely a factor when we chose this property,’ says Bek. ‘The moment my husband Andrew and I walked in, we knew this was the one. The peaceful setting, quirky layout and beautiful old wooden banisters and inglenook fireplace in the living room sold it to us. ‘Luckily, the house was in good condition inside, though the walls were mostly painted off-white, so it seemed quite cottagey and a little too cool for my taste. My starting point for decorating is always colour. I’m drawn to deep, autumnal shades of red, orange and yellow, and I like similar tones running through the rooms to bring everything together. The stronger colours tend…

GO FOR GARLIC Plant garlic cloves now and you can be harvesting your own crop come summer. Choose one suitable for the UK climate, such as ‘Solent Wight’. SEED SAVER Cut down faded perennials to keep your borders tidy – but leave any with attractive seedheads, for interest and to provide food for insects and birds. SCILLA THRILLER There’s still time to plant scilla, a spring-flowering bulb with starry blue or white flowers. It looks fab naturalised in grass or under shrubs and trees.…

CHERAINE HOBBS, 53 Tell us about your look My bright blue faux-fur coat is from M&S last season. I love the colour and it’s great fun to wear (as well as being cosy!). My floral-print jeans are from H&M three years ago and my boots are Timberland. My jumper is also M&S. I tend to live in jeans, but own a lot of clothes. I’m just waiting for my husband to take me out so I can wear them! And the best bit of your body? My legs and ankles. IANA NTONTOS, 32 Tell us about your look I love wearing skirts and dresses in rich colours in winter. I found this skirt in TK Maxx. I really liked the retro print. My jumper is Warehouse and my jacket is…

HAIR FOOD Garnier Ultimate Blends Moisturising Hair Food with Aloe Vera & Coconut, £6.99, Boots Frizz is caused by hair absorbing water from the atmosphere, so if you pile on the hydration with your products, it won’t need to get it from somewhere else. This big tub of goodness harnesses nourishing aloe vera and coconut to to leave hair feeling soft, but not weighed down. FLYAWAY FIGHTER Charles Worthington Moisture Seal Hair Oil, £6.99, Boots Smooth the blend of concentrated oils through damp hair, before blow-drying or warm a drop in your palm and use on stubborn ends and flyaways. Start with a tiny amount – oil can make hair look lank quickly. Add more if needed. BRUSH IT OFF Paddle Brush, £8, The Body Shop There’s no denying a…

ZESTY LIME FISHCAKES Blitz these light and tasty fishcakes together in the food processor for the ultimate no-fuss supper. SERVES 4 ✣ 600g (1¼lb) skinless haddock fillet or other white fish, cut into chunks ✣ Grated zest of 1 lime ✣ 1tbsp lime juice ✣ 4 spring onions, roughly chopped ✣ Small bunch of flat-leaf parsley ✣ 100g (3½oz) canned sweetcorn kernels ✣ 1 medium egg white ✣ 4tbsp plain flour ✣ 3tbsp sunflower oil ✣ Salad and lime wedges, to serve 1 Place the fish in a food processor with the lime zest and juice, spring onions, parsley, sweetcorn and egg white. Season, and pulse to chop and combine. 2 Shape the mixture into 12 small fishcakes of equal size. Place the flour on a plate, and season with…

Angina is the warning that a heart attack may later occur. It is usually central, heavy chest pain that may radiate to your neck, left arm, jaw or back. It’s triggered by physical activity or mental stress but usually stops when you rest. You may feel sick, dizzy or breathless, although a few older people may not have much pain. It is similar to cramp – the heart muscle isn’t getting enough oxygen because the blood vessels that supply it are narrowed, which causes pain, especially when the heart is trying to work harder. Diagnosis If you get chest pain that goes when you rest, you must see a doctor urgently. They will examine you, take a detailed medical history and start with an electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood tests. ‘Stable…

1 TEETH BRUSHING Poor oral hygiene is the biggest cause of bad breath; brush your teeth thoroughly for 2-3 minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. 2 WATCH THOSE CREVICES As well as brushing, use floss or interdental brushes to clean between teeth, and get a scraper from the pharmacy to clean your tongue. 3 USE ANTIBACTERIAL MOUTHWASH Mouthwashes can reduce infection and smells from strong food, but some blacken teeth if used too often. 4 GET CHECKED There is no substitute for regular dentist checks to treat any dental or gum infection, followed by a thorough cleaning by the hygienist.…

Goldsborough Hall in Yorkshire overlooks 12 acres of historic gardens and tranquil parkland, and has a two AA-rosette restaurant. You could win a two-night stay for two in the sumptuous Royal Suite (below right), with full Yorkshire breakfast, dinner each evening – with the Chef’s five-course Taster Menu on one night, and cream tea on arrival. This Grade II-listed 17th-century mansion was once home to the Queen’s aunt. Today, it combines romantic, historic charm and contemporary style, along with top-of-the range facilities to ensure a luxurious stay. The award-winning Dining Room specialises in fresh, seasonal food sourced locally, while the stunning grounds were originally landscaped in the style of Capability Brown in the 1750s. ✣ For more details or to book, please call 01423 867321, quoting Woman’s Weekly. For further…

YOU WILL NEED  Time to make: 2 hours ✣ Rattan wreath base ✣ Spruce and pine ✣ Eucalyptus cinerea or Baby Blue ✣ Eucalyptus parvifolia ✣ Sea holly or thistles ✣ Pine cones ✣ Two mini silver baubles ✣ Florist’s wire ✣ Florist’s scissors ✣ Wire cutters ✣ 1m green velvet ribbon ✣ Buckets ✣ Flower food (optional) Stockists Rattan grapevine wreath measuring 20.3cm, £3 , Oasis silver metallic wire, £2.60 , pine cones, £3.50 , Hobbycraft. Silver baubles, £3 for 30 , Dunelm. All flowers and foliage sourced from New Covent Garden Market in London. CONDITION THE FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE BEFORE USE 1 Fill the buckets with some fresh water and add a little flower food if needed. 2 Remove all packaging and ties from the foliage and flowers.…

yourastrologysigns.com ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr You may be making some important decisions relating to your life direction. Allow time for the process to unfold. TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May This is a good week for putting energy and effort into your relationships. Listening will help to create more harmony. GEMINI 22 May – 21 Jun Someone new, or someone from your past may contact you. This is a good time for starting a new partnership. CANCER 22 Jun – 23 Jul The easiest way to handle the fluctuating energies this week is to go with the flow. Don’t take everything to heart. LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug This is a great time to launch a new business or to develop a creative interest. Links with children…

The Stationery Shop of Tehran by Marjan Kamali (£8.99, PB, Simon & Schuster) In the capital city of Tehran amid the political upheaval of 1950s Iran, Roya and Bahman meet in a stationery shop. Following a whirlwind romance they are to be married but, on the eve of their wedding, a coup d’état means Bahman never arrives. Sixty years later, when fate brings the two together, Roya wants answers. It’s a heartbreaking story of loss, love and fate you’ll remember long after turning the final page. Woman on the Edge by Samantha M Bailey (£8.99, PB, Headline) Get ready for this white-knuckle read, which starts the minute a stranger hands Morgan her baby before jumping in front of a train. As this psychological thriller continues, the questions keep coming. Why…