Innholdsfortegnelse for 25-Jan-2022 i Woman's Weekly

An Edinburgh find It was back in the 1980s, and we were called the Wooden O Theatre company, at the Edinburgh Festival, trying to build our acting careers. With lots of late nights, inevitably we ended up in one of that city’s excellent fish-and-chip shops and, surprisingly, that’s where I first discovered a culinary sensation. I’ll concede that haggis is by no means a looker, but from that moment on I was sold on its oaty, flavoursome goodness. So, although not a Scot, I look forward to Burns Night every year for an extra excuse to enjoy it! See page 10 for another central element to the poet’s celebration on 25 January.…

Spices, such as turmeric, ginger and even black pepper, are increasingly popping up in beauty products, as we demand more natural skincare. With their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties, it’s not hard to see why – after all, inflammation and oxidative stress can accelerate signs of ageing (such as fine lines and sun damage). However, while spices can help, they’re not unique in these nutritional superpowers. Mother Nature equipped most plants with these qualities (berries are a great source of antioxidants, while olive oil can reduce inflammation, for example), so aim for a varied diet of natural foods, including spices, to grow old gracefully.…

Schwarzkopf LIVE 5 Min Colour Boost Hair Mask in Icy Pearl, £5.79, feelunique.com They say A five-minute hair mask suitable for bleached to dark-blonde hair. The formula, which lasts up to six washes, has three effects in one. Prolongs the vibrancy of your hair colour, temporary colour change for a pink colour result and intensive care with coconut oil for hair-damage reduction and beautiful shine. We say This is almost like at-home colour meets conditioning treatment meets colour toner – and I love it! You apply it all over towel-dried hair, using the gloves that come with it, leave it to work its magic for five minutes, and then rinse off and blow-dry. It makes my blonde hair look fresher and lighter after just one use. Eloisa Johnson, Deputy Fashion…

No, it wasn’t spooky at all,’ I said to my friend Amy after she’d told me a long story about how she’d discovered a film she loved. ‘It was blue car syndrome.’ ‘You what?’ Amy frowned. ‘What you experienced. It’s called blue car syndrome – or frequency illusion.’ ‘OK,’ she said, looking confused as a group of men over by the bar broke out into raucous laughter. ‘And what exactly does that mean?’ I took a sip of wine and tried to work out the best way to explain. ‘Well, when you first read about that film in the magazine it sounded interesting, so your brain sort of sat up and paid attention when it came up again in the quiz, and then someone mentioned it at work.’ ‘Yes, Zoe.…

A surge of anxiety swept through Sally as she shut the bedroom door one Saturday morning. She found herself tiptoeing downstairs so she could hear every sound in case it all went horribly wrong and windows shattered or tools went crashing to the floor. ‘What’s the worst that could happen?’ she asked herself, and made a cup of tea to avoid thinking about the answer. Robot Ronnie was on test with her for the weekend at the request of her persuasive boss Simon. Ronnie needed to redeem himself following a recent catastrophe when, instead of painting the walls of a house white, he’d painted all the windows white instead. Sally was the marketing manager at Robot Renovations and, according to Simon, she was the ‘perfect guinea pig’ for the next…

Well, Jill, you know the old saying… A holiday will either make you or break you.’ Jill knew what her friend said was true, but she didn’t want Steven to break away from her. She loved her husband and always had. She just wanted to make things right between them again. The hotel she’d chosen was just across the road from the Eiffel Tower. They’d spent a weekend there before they married. Jill packed her new pink dress, intending to wear it on their first night in Paris. Steven would finish a conference in Lyon, then travel up to join her afterwards. Yesterday, her daughter Katie had popped in for a cuppa. ‘Mum, what’s wrong with you and Dad?’ she’d said. ‘You don’t seem to spend any time together nowadays.’…

Audrey Carson enjoyed people-watching. She liked to speculate secretly about her subjects, who they were, where they came from, what they did and why. She wasn’t nosy, she just observed the human condition. She liked to be helpful, too, which was why she was particularly interested in the young couple she’d noticed around a month ago in the supermarket – the red-headed girl and the dark-haired boy. They’d each opted for a basket instead of a trolley, so she was certain they were both single. Being a woman of regular routine, Audrey visited the supermarket at the same time every Thursday. To her delight, on each occasion, the young couple were there, too. By the fourth week, she knew they were made for each other – even if they didn’t.…

THE STORY SO FAR: Frankie Bishop moved to Fuerteventura after losing her nerve when she crashed her ambulance. She wakes from a nightmare and her flatmate Rik is at her side, and she finally admits what happened. He’s on the island after his fiancée called off their wedding on the day. Miles and Lois Carmichael, who Frankie cleans for, have recently bought a sailing boat called Serenity, and when their skipper Adam Morgan says the cleaners have let them down, Miles asks Frankie if she will step in. She goes home to get changed and Rik offers to help. She turns him down but promises to try and meet him in the bar later. It turns out to be a much bigger job than she expected and she ends up…

London lit up in colour Winter Light is a sparkling free, open-air exhibition at the Southbank Centre. Lightworks designed by world-renowned artists illuminate iconic buildings and trees along the River Thames. They include David Ogle’s neon light installation (pictured), called Loomin, which forms a colourful canopy across the plane trees of Queen’s Walk. The full exhibition is visible each night from dusk to 11.30pm, until 28 March. Visit southbankcentre.co.uk for more details. Lights and laughter… plus could you be the fastest knitter? TELL ME MORE... Brits have chosen their all-time favourite movie soundtrack, and Grease is the word! The 1970s film version of the musical won 23% of votes in a survey by Showcase Cinemas, with Dirty Dancing and Mamma Mia! rounding off the top three. DID YOU KNOW? You…

Barbara Stokes (second from left) circa 1950, sent in by daughter Tanya Stokes. I love this photo of my mum with her twin sisters Maureen (left) and Doreen( far right) with their mum, Elizabeth Myers. They all look so smart! The shot was taken by my mum’s uncle on Bexleyheath Broadway, south-east London. ✢ 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, 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6JR. Photos will be returned.…

While some tartans date back to the 16th century, new tartans continue to be designed and added to The Scottish Registry of Tartans. From fashion designers to families and schools, so long as it meets the design requirements, anyone can register a new tartan. Searching the registry for your family tartan is interesting, but since tartan is steeped in tradition rather than rules, you can wear any sett you choose. With so many sett options to choose from, how do you decide which tartan to wear? ROBERT BURNS LEGACY TARTAN What better tartan for Burns Night! This beautiful blue variety has criss-crossed lines of black, green and black, with a dash of red! BLACK WATCH The navy and green sett of Scotland’s 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland. Catherine, Duchess…

Household chores might seem boring, but they keep our minds and bodies sharp – reducing our risk of dementia and helping those with a diagnosis live well for longer. Evidence suggests that social isolation is linked to an increase in the speed of cognitive decline. Staying social as we age can provide a vital sense of purpose. And talking with friends and loved ones can reduce the risk of depression. Removing trip hazards is important for all older people, as our balance and sight decrease with age. It’s particularly helpful for those with dementia, who can struggle with their sense of depth or perception. Decluttering also makes it easier to find things – helping people to stay independent for longer. Exercise is one of the best ways to reduce our…

Grace’s hair whipped around her face, and the trees that lined the pavements of Sweetcroft Avenue thrashed together, sending leaves rattling along the street. A light breeze had given way to a brisk wind and Grace knew that, even though it was still winter, beyond the prim hedges and picket fences that hid the neatly mowed lawns of the suburban neighbourhood, washing lines would be duly loaded with the weekly wash. Grace sighed and rummaged in her bag for her mother’s house keys, already anticipating the monotony of the day ahead. Her mother’s chatter about the neighbours’ new patio or the renovation work on the library. Since leaving her home town for university 14 years ago and starting work as a chartered surveyor in London, Grace couldn’t help but resent…

On the night of my 30th wedding anniversary I could have won a BAFTA for best actress. My two daughters and their husbands had arrived at my house. The way I hugged and kissed them, you’d have thought I was the happiest woman alive. But I was so miserable, my make-up was cracking under the strain of holding a smile. ‘Happy 30th!’ my elder daughter, Tammy, cried as she thrust a bunch of red roses into my hands. My husband, Robbie, hadn’t been there to greet them because he’d told me he had to go out to buy cigarettes. But I suspected his main mission was a quick visit to a certain brunette in the new housing estate. Without being aware of it, I found a vase in the kitchen…

Are you new?’ Jenny clutched her clipboard to her chest so the man addressing her couldn’t see it had nothing on it. ‘I just started today.’ ‘Runner, eh?’ Jenny nodded. The man in the headphones grunted. ‘And they put you on this show? Someone doesn’t like you.’ Very carefully, so he wouldn’t notice, Jenny slid one hand into her pocket and switched on her tiny recorder. ‘What do you mean? Doesn’t everyone want to work on Tonight with Derek and Dianne?’ The man snorted. ‘A word of advice. Keep your head down, jump when told to jump, don’t look Dianne in the eye, especially the left one, and never get caught in a room alone with Derek. Got that?’ Jenny nodded. Then, remembering her recording, said, ‘Yes, I’ve got that.’…

So far, Nick’s date wasn’t going well. Whenever he tried to break the ice by asking a question, Helen’s answers were so brief it put him off asking another. After they’d been walking for 15 minutes, he suggested stopping for a coffee. They found a snug cafe but the music was playing just that bit too loudly, making conversation difficult. It had taken him ages to summon up the courage to ask Helen out. When she had said, ‘OK, what did you have in mind?’ he was stumped. Expecting her to say no, he hadn’t thought that far ahead. Sensing his discomfort, she’d suggested going for a walk. ‘See where that leads,’ she said. Unfortunately, it had led precisely nowhere. Worse still, before they reached the cafe, it had started…

Whether you want to pick up a new skill or take a deep dive into a long-held passion, a craft holiday is a great way to relax and meet like-minded people. Design a mosaic Colourful, dynamic, unique… just a few of the words to describe the work made by previous students of mosaic maestro Liz Tiranti. Based in her roomy garden studio close to the buzzy seafront in Hove, near Brighton, East Sussex, Liz offers classes for up to eight people to create a stunning mosaic design (mirror, picture, tabletop or garden feature), or sculpt a 3D shape that can be decorated later with mosaics. Suitable for those with some experience – or none at all – bring your friends, or go solo and make new ones. Prices include materials…

There she was, darting down the street again. Joan tutted as she watched her neighbour from the window. That Millie Nicholls – always out, always doing something ‘good’ – either collecting for charity or helping people find their lost cats. She’d made Joan miss her favourite programme last week by ringing the bell and asking her to buy raffle tickets. Joan had ended up buying a couple just to get rid of her. She noticed later that the first prize was a meal for two at the bistro in town. So that was a waste of time. ‘I won’t be going in there,’ Joan had muttered to herself as she threw the tickets away. Why did Millie Nicholls annoy her? Joan pondered this question as she took a biscuit out…

1 Avoid tuber rot If you’ve stored tender herbaceous perennials, such as gladioli, dahlias, begonias and cannas, check that they’re dry and well-ventilated, and not turned rotten. 2 Deadhead pansies Be sure to regularly deadhead winter pansies. By removing any faded or diseased flowers, you’ll keep them blooming for longer and stop them setting seed. 3 Prepare soil for early peas Place a cloche over the ground for a few weeks to prepare soil. This will warm it and prevent it from waterlogging.…

‘The menopause has changed my shape but it hasn’t ruined my life’ With a career spanning over two decades, it’s safe to say that Ruth Langsford is a veteran when it comes to the TV world – and it’s something that still thrills her today. ‘You’re very lucky if you can go to work and look forward to it. And I do. In all the years I’ve been on TV, I still love it and I’m still excited by it,’ she reveals. As well as regularly hosting Loose Women, Ruth, 61, and her husband Eamonn Holmes, 62, were part of the This Morning family, fronting the show during school holidays, although Eamonn has now decided to move to GB News. The couple have also had various shows of their own…

A adding more spice to your meals will give your wellbeing a boost, whether you ‘slam it to the left‘ or ‘shake it to the right’. Because whichever way you choose to turn up the flavour in your meals, the Spice Girls were onto something when they urged us to spice up our lives to ‘feel fine’. Adding just a teaspoon and a half of herbs and spices to your diet a day could lower blood pressure, according to recent research*. And the good news is it’s not just heart health it helps, from fresh breath to preventing COVID-19 and fighting depression, spice can do you good. So, it’s time to turn up the heat and reap the rewards… Cardamom Often called the ‘Queen of Spices’ because of its pleasant…

Cancer risk Radiation is known to damage DNA, increasing the risk of mutations and potentially leading to cancer, so monitoring of cancer incidence after radio-iodine, a common treatment for hyperthyroidism, is vital. A meta-analysis of data from 500,000 people treated with radio-iodine has, reassuringly, found no increase in the risk of specific cancers, except for thyroid cancer (an already known risk that is monitored for in patients on this treatment), where the incidence was nearly doubled. FOOD TRIGGERS IN CHILDREN New evidence suggests food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome is under-diagnosed in UK children. Some 3,500 paediatricians filled reporting cards for cases fitting the surveillance case definition over a month. Some 98 cases were reported, with 135 trigger foods, including cow’s milk, fruits and vegetables, egg and fish. Allergen exposure leads to…

Linzi nibbled at her dry piece of toast and gazed enviously at Mick’s plate. He had lashings of butter, real butter, on his piece of toast and it was smothered with the expensive marmalade she loved. How she hated being on a diet. She gave up on her toast, covered with low-calorie, low-fat, low-taste spread, took a sip of her bitter sugar-free, skimmed-milk coffee and got up. ‘So,’ Mick called after her as she walked down the hall. ‘What do you want for your birthday this year?’ Linzi looked in the hall mirror. What she wanted was a whole new wardrobe, but not before she lost weight. That would be pointless. Oh, for the days before she was married, when she was a size 10. Now, she was on the…

Stepping through the door of Isabel’s was like stepping back in time, but Jean delighted in the sight of several elderly ladies sitting contentedly under huge, humming hairdryers. She always felt like a mere youngster here. ‘Morning, girls. Morning, Paul,’ she said, smiling as she squeezed past the umbrella stand. As always, she blessed the day she had discovered Isabel’s. Two years earlier, after her husband had passed away, and newly arrived in a small Dorset town, Jean had looked in the various hairdressers along the high street and gazed at their exorbitant prices in despair. Turning into an old-fashioned arcade, she had spotted Isabel’s. She had been greeted warmly, and the price list was so reasonable that Isabel’s soon became her hairdresser. ‘The usual this morning, Jean?’ said Paul.…

Whether you are into traditional tales or modern masterpieces, our literary quiz should have you racking your brain for answers. Oh, and watch out for one trick question! CLASSICS 20th-century treasures 1 Harper Lee’s 1960 novel To Kill A Mockingbird, set in Depression-era Alabama, is now considered a literary classic. In the 1962 movie of the same name, who played the part of lawyer Atticus Finch? A Burt Lancaster B Robert Mitchum C Gregory Peck 2 In F Scott Fitzgerald’s Jazz Age novel The Great Gatsby, with whom is the wealthy Jay Gatsby passionately in love? A Molly Bloom B Daisy Buchanan C May Welland 3 Which of these three books was Agatha Christie’s first novel? A The Murder of Roger Ackroyd B Lord Edgware Dies C The Mysterious Affair…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr This promises to be a very intense week. Make sure you take time to pause and reflect before speaking out. TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May It’s an excellent time to do anything practical. Odd jobs that are outstanding can be completed easily now. GEMINI 22 May – 21 Jun Relationships are in focus for you. Do your best to put yourself into the other person’s shoes. You’ll be glad you made the effort. CANCER 22 Jun – 23 Jul Your health and wellbeing might need a boost at this time of year. Do anything that will make you feel pampered and nourished. LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug This may be a week of many surprises. So be prepared to change your plans…