Innholdsfortegnelse for 8-Oct-2024 i Woman's Weekly

The Wight stuff “These days, newlyweds often seem to have hugely glamorous and exotic honeymoons (perhaps after an equally glamorous and expensive wedding, which may even have followed no-expense-spared hen and stag dos). My parents, in contrast, after a simple church ceremony, took off to a guest house on the Isle of Wight and thought themselves in the lap of luxury. To be fair, it was the early 1950s, so what passed for glamour had a much lower bar so soon after the war. Although they had a lovely time, strangely we never had family holidays there. I’ve never got to know that beautiful island, so I really enjoyed our feature on page 38.”…

Jenny Eclair has had a busy summer podcasting, recording the audio version of her new memoir and penning material for her upcoming tour – not to mention being a grandma to two-year-old Arlo! She says the Older & Wider podcast she co-hosts with her friend, comedy writer and fellow Grumpy Old Woman Judith Holder – a weekly ramble about life – is generating some of the most responses of any work she’s done. ‘I have never done a project before where I get feedback like we do from our Older & Wider listeners. It is very personal. We get the most touching emails,’ she says. ‘We seem to appeal to a lot of older women who have lost their mothers. They listen to us as it takes them back to…

“During the summer, I went away with my partner and our two children, which was wonderful and hellish at the same time. Going away with older children reminds you that you’re on the way out. It’s like going away with your carers – they look after you. My daughters Charly, 22, and Bonnie, 17, are much quicker on the ball about things, such as finding directions. We went to Sicily, and sometimes when you’re in a foreign place, you’re slightly bewildered and looking around absentmindedly while trying to get your bearings. They’re not very indulgent of that. I have to make sure I don’t get accused of being a bit dotty; there’s an irritation and ‘tsk tsk’ in their voices. ‘A 90-minute dinner with your partner is quite a lot!’…

When Denise Leigh’s mother was carrying her, she knew there was a chance she might pass on her blindness. Denise was born with her mum’s condition, but it didn’t stop her realising her extraordinary musical talent and following her dreams. Against all the odds, in her 30s, Denise’s world opened up for her, with the help of Guide Dogs and meeting her soulmate and accompanist, Stefan. Her current dog, Tilly, was waiting in the wings as she stood on the Britain’s Got Talent stage to rapturous applause after the couple’s moving rendition of Climb Ev’ry Mountain. ‘My first dog Crystal gave me more confidence’ ‘I’ve been with Stefan for 18-and-a-half years, and all because of an awards ceremony for the RNIB,’ smiles Denise, 53, from Audley, Staffordshire. ‘For starters, I…

3 healthy teeth myths MYTH Chewing gum can replace brushing. TRUTH ‘While sugar-free gum can help reduce plaque, it’s no substitute for brushing and flossing,’ says specialist orthodontist Dr Sarah Sadek*. Make sure you floss once and brush twice a day for three minutes. MYTH You should brush harder for cleaner teeth. TRUTH ‘Brushing too hard can damage enamel and gums,’ warns Dr Sadek. Use a brush with medium-hard bristles and don’t press too firmly. MYTH You only need to see a dentist if you have a problem. TRUTH ‘Regular dental check-ups are essential for preventive care and early detection of issues,’ says Dr Sadek. Find your nearest NHS dentist at nhs.uk. WHAT’S THAT? Dry, thinning hair? Give it a boost with KinKind’s Give Me Strength! Shampoo and Conditioner Bars.…

3 OF THE BEST… CUSHIONS STYLE TIPS 1 KEEP COLOURS NATURAL Stick to a palette that you would find in nature at this time of year – think copper and rust oranges, paired with earthy browns or sludgy greens and blues. 2 LAYER PATTERNS Mix and match different animal motifs and prints. Go for a busy print across your bedding or soft furnishings, then choose pared-back patterns for the rest of your decor in similar shades. 3 CUTE CHARACTERS Be playful with this trend, embracing whimsical woodland creatures and characters through ornaments or prints. There are the usual rabbits, hedgehogs, squirrels and birds, but fallen leaves, toadstools and mushrooms found on the forest floor are proving popular too.…

Book club The Winds From Further West by Alexander McCall Smith (£16.99, HB, Birlinn General) The smallest events can spark enormous changes in our lives. So it was for Neil. His life had been falling into place – a great job, a lovely Georgian flat in Edinburgh, a budding romance with a new partner – until a throwaway remark in the workplace changed everything. As his career disintegrates and he is crushed by a betrayal, he leaves everything behind for the seclusion of the Isle of Mull off the west coast of Scotland – where the arrival of two wolf cubs might just help him rebuild his life. A warm-hearted novel. Marigold Mind Laundry by Jungeun Yun (£12.99, HB, Transworld) Imagine washing your mind free of its troubles. That is…

“Looking back at what I’ve written over recent weeks, you could be forgiven for thinking that you’ve stumbled into some terrible Mills & Boon novel. First there was David from the charity shop, who is being pursued by his first wife and doesn’t entirely like the idea. Then there is my little sister, Deb, who is engaged to the owner of the bookshop where she has been working. Deb is a wealthy divorcee and quite the catch, but Miles – that’s the bookshop man – appears to be having second thoughts. Or rather, he is wondering how he became engaged in the first place. He doesn’t remember mentioning it, but that’s no surprise. My sister is a woman with a powerful personality, and therefore quite capable of becoming engaged without…

‘EVERYBODY STOPS TO CHAT TO ME’ Yana Prendergast, 50, creates personalised embroidery. She lives in Buckinghamshire with her husband Andrew. When I was working for a local newspaper, I had to attend a jive dancing course for a feature. I loved the dancing, and the outfits the teacher wore. I started wearing full skirts with petticoats at home occasionally – I loved how they twirled, and they made me feel feminine. I now dress in a 1950s style every day. I’m known as ‘The Vintage Lady’ in my village – I’ll even wear my top hat to the post office! I can’t walk around without people stopping to chat to me – mothers whose children think I’m a Disney princess, older people who want to talk about life in the…

1 CLEAN AND FRESH H&M’s scent range is brilliantly affordable and stylish, just like its clothes. If you don’t like overpowering perfumes, try this bargain buy. It’s clean and crisp, with notes of cotton, eucalyptus and lily of the valley, and smells like freshly dried laundry. Modern Minimalist Eau de Toilette, £8.99 for 30ml, H&M 2 INTO THE WOODS Blending rich berries, white winter florals and woody notes, this fragrance suggests a wintery walk through a frosty forest. It’s the ideal scent to help get you into the autumnal mindset if you’re finding it difficult to embrace the new season, and the cooler weather that it brings. Ted Baker Elodie Eau de Toilette, £25 for 50ml, Boots 3 HANDBAG HERO This nifty little scent is a real bargain, and ideal…

Pesto pasta with crispy sausage Spinach and sunflower seeds make the pesto budget-friendly, while crispy sausage adds texture and extra flavour. SERVES 2-3 PREP 5 mins COOK 10 mins ✱ 200g dried long pasta (spaghetti or linguine)✱ 2 sausages, the meat squeezed out of the casing✱ 80g young spinach✱ 1 garlic clove, crushed✱ Zest and juice ½ lemon, plus extra zest to garnish✱ 30g sunflower seeds✱ 30g Parmesan cheese, finely grated, plus extra to serve✱ Small bunch basil, including stems, plus extra for garnish✱ 2tbsp olive oil 1 Cook the pasta in a large pan of salted boiling water, according to the pack instructions. Drain, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water. 2 At the same time, fry the sausage meat in a pan over a medium-high heat for 10…

Long-haul flight risks Mimicking a long-haul environment at cruising altitude, a laboratory study exposed volunteers to hypobaric pressure, with/without alcoholic drinks, and several hours’ sleep. The detrimental effects of alcohol and sleep on oxygen saturation and heart rate were supra-additive. Participants experienced prolonged periods of oxygen desaturation below the clinical threshold for hypoxia with a compensatory tachycardia. Long-haul flights aren’t good for anyone. Get up regularly, gently walk about, minimise alcohol intake and stay hydrated. AIR POLLUTION AND PSORIASIS Psoriasis is usually linked to interactions between environmental and genetic factors. A large UK study of participants who were free of psoriasis when they took part suggests that one of the environmental factors is air pollution. People in the highest quarter of the distribution of exposure to particulate matter and nitrogen…

Difficulty level YOU WILL NEED ✱ 8x16cm piece of grey felt✱ Black and grey embroidery thread✱ Embroidery needle✱ Small amount of toy stuffing✱ 50cm narrow ribbon✱ Brooch back 1 Fold the felt in half lengthways and, using the template below as your guide, cut out two dogs and two ears. 2 Using two strands of grey embroidery thread, hand-stitch one ear on to one side of a body shape so that the top edges are aligned. Repeat for the remaining pieces. 3 With six strands of black embroidery thread, sew a French knot on the side of the head on each body for the dog’s eyes. 4 Using two strands of the grey embroidery thread, work blanket stitch around the edge of the ears and both dog’s body shapes, working…

Dif f iculty level MEASUREMENTS To fit bust 82-86 (92-97) (102-107) (112-117) (122-127)cm/32-34 (36-38) (40-42) (44-46) (48-50)in. Actual bust 102.5 (114) (126) (137.5) (149) cm/40¼ (44¾) (49½) (54¼) (58½)in. Length to back neck 51 (53) (55) (57) (59)cm/20 (21) (21¾) (22½) (23¼)in. Sleeve length All sizes 45cm/17¾in. MATERIALS 6 (7) (7) (8) (8) x 50g (125m) balls of Sirdar Country Classic DK (50% acrylic, 50% wool) in Grey (Dove Grey 862) and 5 (6) (6) (7) (7) balls in White (850)*. Pair each of 3.25mm (No. 10) and 4mm (No. 8) knitting needles. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk. TENSION 24 stitches and 32 rows to 10x10cm, over pattern, using 4mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS Inc, increase by working twice into the same st; k, knit; p, purl; patt, pattern; skpo, slip 1,…

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: Below average. Average = 25 More 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: The Mercator _ is a famous type of map. Crossword Try the easy or cryptic clues, then rearrange the letters in…

Letter of the week Vintage verve A friend lent me this 1968 copy of Woman’s Weekly. Would you ever consider returning to this format? It’s instantly recognisable, and would stand out on the rack in the shops. Nowadays, all the women’s magazines look the same. Gay French, Isle of Man The Editor says: ‘That’s lovely to see and I remember it well, but readers tell us they like our more modern cover for today’s magazine.’ PAWS FOR THOUGHT Here’s our working cocker spaniel, Charlie, sitting in his patio chair in the sun! He’s eight years old and loves running around the woods and heathland that surround our home. He’s a bit of a mummy’s boy, so I get a lot of cuddles too! Denise Guy, Suffolk ✱ Got a pet…

IN THE MORNING Boost your breakfast Forget toast or cereal – fill up on eggs first thing, as they’re a great source of energy-boosting protein, and can help a hangover too. Jumbo oats will also fuel you until lunch. ‘Add a handful of walnuts, ground sunflower seeds and linseeds for slow-release energy, and toss in berries and sultanas for natural sweetness,’ says nutritional therapist Laila Lewis. No snoozing Get up when your alarm goes off. ‘Falling asleep again will leave you feeling groggy because you put your body and brain out of sync with their natural rhythm,’ says Rob Hobson, nutritionist and author of The Art of Sleeping (£9.99, HQ). Fling open the curtains Natural light resets the internal body clock and is still effective on a grey winter’s day.…

DOUBLE-BREASTED A well-tailored coat will always be flattering, and this style works especially well on pear shapes, adding volume to your top half. Wear open if you want more of a relaxed look, without the bulk. BORG LINING This textured design is having a moment, and with many silhouettes available, it’s easy to find one that works for you. Petites should opt for a cropped design, while taller frames can pull off longer lengths. PADDED Forever practical and now seemingly stylish, a quilted coat is guaranteed warmth. Look for built-in belts or drawstring detailing to add definition to your middle, or lighter quilting to minimise the padding. BELTED Elegant and timeless, these will take you from day to night in effortless fashion. Creating a gorgeous hourglass silhouette with its cinched-in…

In need of a quick lift? Positive psychology coach and author Bev Cripps has got you covered. 1 WRITE DOWN THREE GOOD THINGS At the end of every day – and preferably the last thing you do as part of your wind-down before sleep – write down three good things that happened to you that day and why they had a positive effect on you. On a bad day, it could be as simple as ‘It didn’t rain’ or ‘A stranger smiled at me in a queue’. It primes your mind for a positive night, and gratitude has been shown to have fantastic effects on wellbeing. 2 TAKE A MINDFUL MOMENT Go somewhere quiet, close your eyes and simply concentrate on your breath for a minute or two. You can…

Why do people read me wrong? Q I’ve been told by a few people recently that I’m intimidating and not easy to be with. I really don’t understand it, as inside I’m anxious about being liked. I feel as though I go out of my way to appear open and warm when I am cringing inside. When I asked someone why I seemed intimidating, they said I seemed so together and that I had everything under control; it made others feel uncomfortable. Even when I said I didn’t, they said that’s how I come across. How do I convince them otherwise? Judith, Hemel Hempstead A It sounds like your outside and inside are not doing the same thing. Perhaps your way to hide your insecurities is to be distant, which…

Green pockets The idea of rewilding stems from farmland that has been returned to nature, bringing with it a huge boost in biodiversity. We can take a similar nature-first approach in our own gardens, but without letting them become unruly jungles. Easy wins include cutting out pesticides and weedkillers, embracing wild plants, and creating pockets of habitat to nurture birds, bugs and bees. Go native Experiment by cultivating local, native plants that wildlife has adapted to feed and breed on, such as yellow hawkweed, purple loosestrife, mullein and ox-eye daisies. Mix with non-natives that are long-flowering and pollinator-friendly, such as lavender and buddleja. When summer ends, don’t be in a rush to tidy up dead plants. Hollow stems and seed heads of plants like fennel and teasel provide cosy nooks…

Horoscopes ARIES 21 MAR – 20 APR You are coming into a new chapter of your life. If you can surrender and accept the changes, it will be an enjoyable journey. TAURUS 21 APR – 21 MAY This is a time to broaden your perspective and to go beyond your self-imposed limitations. You’re ready for a breakthrough! GEMINI 22 MAY – 21 JUN Many exciting options are open for you now. Release your fears and step out with confidence. You’ll magnetise your dream. CANCER 22 JUN – 23 JUL Often our painful experiences lead to the greatest growth. When you begin to see the bigger picture, you’ll get all the answers you need. LEO 24 JUL – 23 AUG Trust yourself completely. Others may attempt to influence your decisions and…