Innholdsfortegnelse for 28-Mar-2023 i Woman's Weekly

Freshening up In our house, we love a spring clean; sometimes we rearrange the furniture too, to spruce things up. So we’ve done the same with Woman’s Weekly, and I hope you’ll find it fresher, brighter and easier to read. I’m always keen to hear your thoughts, via the email address below. Also, if you enjoy our puzzles, we’ve decided that from now on, to make life simpler, we’ll print the answers in the same issue (upside down, so they’re not too much of a temptation!). You’ll find them on page 57. Do look out for our new Woman’s Weekly Gardening magazine too, which is on sale from 23 March.…

Irena Popovic, 45 Tell us about your look I love anything that’s a bit different and a little quirky. My coat is from Zara. It’s such a statement piece, with its bold print and sequin trim. I’ve gone for a pattern clash with my stripe top, teamed with Diesel jeans and boots by Zadig & Voltaire. Usually my look is very ‘corporate’ for work, but I still like to add my own stamp with either a flash of colour or a bold print. What’s your favourite thing about yourself? My personality. Jane Selden, 53 Tell us about your look Today it’s monochrome, with a black jacket from Jigsaw and white jeans by 7 For All Mankind. Underneath, I’m wearing a charcoal grey top by Wyse. My trainers are Veja, my…

DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF STRETCHING ‘Regular stretching helps keep joints and tendons flexible,’ says physiotherapist Sammy Margo. ‘If muscles are tight, the range of motion can feel restricted, adding pressure to joint tissues. Strong muscles and regular stretching ensure joints are well supported.’ DON’T LET YOUR WEIGHT SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL ‘Excess weight puts additional stress on your joints, which can accelerate the risk of osteoarthritis, particularly in the knees,’ says Sammy. ‘Studies have shown that every pound of weight lost in obese adults will result in a fourfold reduction on the load exerted on the knee. So losing a few pounds can go a long way to improving your overall health and wellbeing.’ DO COOK WITH SPICES Turmeric, ginger and cayenne pepper have anti-inflammatory properties and are a…

CHIC COVER-UPS These classic styles will elevate your look in an instant, while remaining practical too. Renting is a good opportunity to experiment with your style without making a long-term commitment, so have fun and try a new colour or silhouette. Flattering belted design DESIGNER BAGS Have you always coveted a Mulberry handbag but can’t quite justify the price tag? Well, now’s your chance to get your hands on some stylish arm candy, even if it’s for just for a few days. A bold colour will lift your look FANCY FROCKS Whether it’s for a wedding or another spring occasion, renting is the perfect solution if you’re only looking to wear something once, helping the planet and your purse. You can hire for four to 30 days, so there’s plenty…

Health They don’t acknowledge my success Q My mother thought I was the stupid one in the family and never promoted my education. She sent me to a different school so I could learn practical things. My siblings went to university and now have good jobs. At 57, I enrolled at university, got a degree and I’ve been invited to do a PhD. My siblings joke about me being a late starter. Lisa, Nottingham A Well done, that’s very impressive! And you prove to all of us that it’s never too late to reach our potential. I’m sure your siblings are proud of you but the way they treat you is habitual and, in reality, has little to do with the woman you’ve become. I think it’s up to…

So, Ches said he and Jen can come,’ Scott said, his nose red as he cradled a mug of hot chocolate. He’d just returned from night fishing. Kim secretly thought he was mad, as it was freezing. She’d shivered in bed without him to snuggle into. ‘Where?’ she asked, taking eggs from the fridge. Scott was about to shower while she cooked breakfast. She couldn’t wait because his fishy smell was making her feel queasy. ‘To Lake Farm.’ As she sliced bread, she could have sworn he said Lake Farm, but she must have misheard. She’d booked the break months ago when she had wanted to encourage his new-found obsession – sorry, hobby. Lately, though, she was dreading the stay at a luxury Devon fishing complex to celebrate his 40th.…

Great reads The Only Child by Kayte Nunn (£8.99, PB, Orion) 1949, Orcades Island. A pregnant 16-year-old arrives at Fairmile, a home for unmarried mothers, who are considered ‘fallen women’ by the Catholic Church. In this cold, unforgiving place, babies are stolen and cruel punishments handed out by nuns. And before the winter’s end, the teenager will disappear. In 2013, Frankie Gray is helping her mother to renovate Fairmile Inn, but when they uncover a tiny skeleton in the grounds, horrific secrets of the past come to light… A raw, resonant mystery. Last Summer on State Street by Toya Wolfe (£16.99, HB, Cornerstone) When you lose everything, what remains? A dark shadow looms over the housing projects of State Street. As the Chicago Housing Authority prepares to tear down their…

My cousin Jacqui runs a nice, comfortable, rather old-fashioned hotel in a location that looks like the backdrop to every edition of Countryfile. It was in her husband’s family for three generations, but he died suddenly five years ago. Since then, she’s managed it pretty much single-handed, with occasional help from her son and daughter. ‘Why don’t you come up for a long weekend?’ she said a couple of weeks ago. ‘It will be relaxing,’ she said. ‘We’ve got a swimming pool and a beauty spa. Go on, you know you want to, and I’ve not seen you for absolutely yonks.’ Jacqui is possibly the only person in the country who still uses the work ‘yonks’. As we all know, this is short for ‘donkey’s years’. So why isn’t it…

BIRD BOOST With the springtime dawn chorus ringing out in full throat, now is a great time to rise early and spot feathered friends in your garden or local park. That’s because a study has found that birdwatching significantly improves your mental health. According to the research by Bioscience, simply observing birds can help reduce anxiety, depression and stress. Seal baby boom Almost double the number of young seal pups were spotted this winter on a five-mile stretch of Norfolk coast, compared to 2019. A total of 3,796 pups were seen lolling at Horsey and Winterton-on-Sea, where shallow waters, flat beaches and high dunes make ideal breeding grounds for grey seals. The record-breaking population boost is a sign of a healthy colony, supported by plentiful fish from the North Sea.…

With show business and glamour running through his veins, it’s hard to imagine Craig Revel Horwood up a ladder in an old paint-flecked jumper, but the Strictly Come Dancing judge reveals that’s exactly how he’ll be spending his upcoming holiday. For rather than chilling out by a pool in sunny climes, Craig likes nothing more than staying in and doing a spot of painting and decorating. ‘I am a home bird when I’m not working, but there’s a reason, because I’m always on tour,’ the hard-working TV star explains. ‘So, because I’ve got March free, I’m going to spend time painting and decorating. I love it. ‘The preparation is a bit boring, filling in the holes, but I enjoy cutting in and choosing the colours. I’m going to get a…

I think it’s probably a myth that opera singers need to be a bit on the large side so they can get more air into their lungs, making their voices bigger and stronger. When I was working full-time as an opera singer, I travelled a lot and found myself eating in hotels. You form bad habits, such as eating late, and you can end up gaining weight very easily. If you have a justification, like ‘I need to be a fatty in order to breathe better’, then that’s a good excuse! In 2009, I joined the Royal Opera House. I remember walking through the door on my first day, feeling so smug and pleased with myself. I said to the woman behind the desk, ‘Hello, I’m a new principal artist.’…

3 ways to... Beat bad breath 1 DRINK WATER ‘It can help rinse out bacteria and other particles or debris leading to bad breath,’ says dentist Alan Clarke. And if you’re a smoker, stop – tobacco causes a profound and stale odour. 2 TRY SUGAR-FREE MINTS They can help to neutralise odours. Antiseptic mouthwashes and tongue scrapers can help too. And make sure you brush twice a day for two minutes and clean between your teeth. 3 VISIT THE DENTIST Check-ups every six months can help identify conditions causing bad breath, such as gum disease, infections and cavities. Keep health conditions under control because some cause bad breath. MY HEALTHY LIFE RACHEL LAWRENCE Rachel is a Pilates teacher My go-to remedy Movement! No matter how I’m feeling, movement always…

TESTED BY US so they work for you Difficulty level YOU WILL NEED ✱ Two 40cm squares of patterned fabric ✱ 50x100cm plain fabric ✱ Matching thread Stockists: Into the Wild large floral fabric in Aqua, £14.50 per m, Warp & Weft Honey wovens cross-weave fabric in Goldenrod, £16 per m, both sewhot.co.uk Note: Use a 1cm seam allowance throughout. 1 Cut the plain fabric into one 18x40cm piece for the bottom edge and two 16x100cm for the waist ties. 2 Pin and sew the patterned squares either side of the plain bottom-edge piece, with right sides together. Press the seams towards the patterned fabrics and topstitch 5mm from the seam to secure. Fold this panel in half widthways with right sides together. Pin and sew sides together. Clip the…

Difficulty level TESTED BY US so they work for you Instructions overleaf MEASUREMENTS To fit A 48x48cm/19x19in cushion pad, when slightly stretched. MATERIALS 3 x 100g (210m) balls of Emu Classic Aran (100% acrylic) in Cream (102)*. A pair of 5.5mm (UK 5) knitting needles; a 3.5mm crochet hook; 4 x 2.5cm buttons; a cable needle; a 48x48cm cushion pad; optional stitch markers. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk TENSION 15.5 stitches and 22.5 rows, to measure 10x10cm, over full front pattern, using 5.5mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS St(s), stitch(es); k, knit; p, purl; cn, cable needle; c4b, cable 4 back thus: slip next 2 sts onto cn and hold at back of work, k next 2 sts, then k 2 sts from cn; c4f, cable 4 front thus: slip next 2 sts…

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 are allowed. There is one nine-letter word in the grid, for which the clue is: Hatching equipment. Average = 25More than 45 = well done LINKWORDS Fit 10 words into the grid so that each links with the end of the word on its left and the beginning of the one on the right. Then unscramble the letters in the shaded squares to make a word. CLUE: Breed of pig that is black with a white band. HOUSEHOLD BEACH ARABLE PRIMARY ICE BASS STANDING BOLSTER PRIVATE LAWN BOXDASHGILESBLINDSTICKSOLOAROUNDFIGHTPLANWHITES Crossword…

Letter of the week Supervisor at work Reading your 20 December 2022 issue, I noticed a photo of a cat, Georgie, inspecting a kimono. So I thought you might like this snapshot of my grandson’s cat, Dave – he’s making sure I sew the trousers correctly! Sheila Robinson, Wester Ross PAWS FOR THOUGHT This is my friend’s dog Ellie, relaxing after her dinner. My friend Brenda dotes on Ellie and will be so excited to see her in your magazine. Beryl Smith, Didcot ✱ Got a pet pic that makes you smile? We can give it a good home GET IN TOUCH WE LOVE LETTERS Woman’s Weekly, Future plc, 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6JR. P.S. It really helps when you put your details in capitals. ✱ We do not…

Burgeoning displays of woodland wild flowers are erupting across forest floors and hedgerows in clumps and ribbons of heart-warming hues. Here are just a few native species of wild flowers to spot right now. COMMON DOG-VIOLET Viola riviniana Unlike its cousin the sweet violet, common dog-violet, also known as wood violet, carries no scent, yet is every bit as beautiful in appearance. A widespread, spring-flowering perennial, it is an important larval food plant for woodland butterflies in the fritillary family and sought after by bees and other insects as an early source of pollen and nectar. Wood anemone Anemone nemorosa Wood anemones are harbingers of spring, opening their petals to reveal their simple beauty as long as the sun is shining. They’re usually found growing in deciduous woodlands and below…

1 FLOSS BOSS For a brighter smile, floss teeth daily. It helps to remove build-up of plaque and food. These easy-to-use interdental brushes gently tackle problem areas. Boots Expert TePe Interdental Brushes, £3.25 for six, Boots 2 POLISHING POWDER Sprinkle this clever powder on top of your toothpaste for an extra dose of brightening power. With stain-removing and brightening ingredients, it’s worth a try for a more dazzling smile. Spotlight Oral Care Teeth Whitening Powder, £30, lookfantastic.com 3 UPGRADE YOUR TOOTHBRUSH Using an electric toothbrush provides a deeper clean than a manual one, which can lead to a brighter smile. This one, delivering 40,000 pulses per minute, is designed and approved by dentists. Ordo Sonic+ Toothbrush in Pearl Violet, £49.99, Argos 4 LIGHTEN UP WITH LED This kit is safe…

Infant GORD In a French study of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) in babies, incidents happened six times a day in those under six months old. Gradually, there was a significant decrease in the number of cases. Parental smoking was the most important factor worsening symptoms. Breastfeeding was associated with less reflux and a shorter time to recovery, compared to formula feeding. PPI drugs, such as omeprazole, are often used, but researchers acknowledged these had limited effect on symptoms. Notably they stressed the importance of the way parents soothe the distress of their child. SMOKING AND HEART FAILURE Almost all diseases are made worse by puffing away on cigarettes. Research now shows us that heart failure (HF) is no exception. A long-term study from the US finds that risk of…

Happy hues The race is on to fill the garden with a kaleidoscope of colour, from washes of pastel to vibrant, bolder hues. The easiest and cheapest way to grow a rainbow is to sow hardy annuals, which rush headlong from seed to bloom in as little as 12 weeks. Use them to weave strands of colour between shrubs and perennials, to make a cutting patch, or you can mix them with bedding plants for crowd-pleasing containers. Pastel pleasures Choose pastels for a relaxed feel. Try a row of Larkspur ‘Giant Imperial’ (H. 90cm) at the back of a border for striking floral spires in pink, lilac, mauve and white, set off by feathery foliage. For best results, pop the seeds in the freezer for a week before sowing to…

ARIES 21 MAR – 20 APR Your energy may come in spurts. Make sure you take the time to rest when needed. That way you’ll get everything done. TAURUS 21 APR – 21 MAY Tie up those loose ends – like jobs or repairs around the house and any paperwork. You’ll be glad you did. GEMINI 22 MAY – 21 JUN Communications of all kinds are under positive aspects for you. Whether it’s writing an important email or making a call, now is the time to do it. CANCER 22 JUN – 23 JUL You have bitten off more than you can chew. Cut out what no longer gives you pleasure and make more space for the new. LEO 24 JUL – 23 AUG Saying no isn’t easy, but it…