Innholdsfortegnelse for 02-feb-16 i Woman's Weekly

I’m writing this just ahead of my birthday, but because of our printing schedule, you’re reading it just after. After some humming and erring, I’ve decided to ask my family for one of those fitness bracelets as a present, which monitor your activity and how your body is working (Dr Mel wrote about them in last year’s 20 October issue). I’ve always been sporty and fairly active, but I’ve become increasingly aware a) of the amount of time I spend sitting at my desk and b) that I’m not walking as much, or as effectively, as I should be. Tackling a) hasn’t been too hard as, thanks to our health-conscious parent company, I now have my computer mounted on a cantilever arm which enables me to work standing up (which…

‘I’d love to be in a Bond movie’ Carol Decker How do you take your tea? I like an Earl Grey with milk, but really I’m a coffee girl – double espresso with treacly molasses sugar. Who would you most like to have a cuppa with? Madonna. We’re the same age and I wonder how she finds the energy to do all she does. You’ve got to give her credit for how she keeps going. It takes hard work. What item would you save if the house was on fire? If I could lift it, my late father’s baby grand piano. Dad was a fantastic pianist; he went to Liverpool School of Music. Mum was a really good singer. In Liverpool, there were two pools companies: Littlewoods and Vernons. Most…

Which do you prefer – digital or film cameras? ANN OLIVER: I like digital because you can delete the photo if you don’t like it. However, I do miss the excitement of seeing your photos after they’ve been developed from film. ANN THOMAS: It’s good to have the capability of digital but I never get round to printing my pics! ANNI MILLN: I think digital cameras take better-quality photos. ALIZON PAVELEY: Digital for my husband, but I like film. I like to see them in an album. JILL STIRLING: Digital. Can you still buy film?…

How to make piping for a cushion cover Cushion covers look so professional with a piped edge, and covering a length of piping cord with a strip of fabric is easy when you know how. It’s essential to cut the fabric on the bias, so fold a square of fabric in half diagonally and cut along the fold so you have two triangles. Using dressmaker’s chalk, mark 5cm in from the raw edge and then cut along this line. Continue to cut strips until you have enough to go all the way around your cushion. See our video tutorial at womansweekly.com/piping There’s a great selection of our informative health articles on our website… womansweekly.com/health Gardening inspiration It’s time to start planning ahead for a glorious display…

One warm early summer evening I wandered round the garden inspecting my roses. Their healthy buds were about to burst into flower and I went to bed happily anticipating their fragrance and colour. Early next morning, I drew the curtains and looked out. On the lawn were a baby deer and his mother, heads turned towards me, velvety ears pricked up, huge brown eyes alert. My heart melted and, thrilled, I clasped my hands. Seeing the slight movement, they turned and bounded away. I tiptoed down the garden to see if they were still around. They weren’t. Neither were my rosebuds. Every bush had been chewed down to a stump. I’ve heard about urban foxes, but urban deer? The nearest forest is miles away. But the town ends and the…

Women didn’t seem to lose friends. Verity had stacks We were finally getting married after nine years together. We joked that it was for tax purposes, but I never wanted to be with anybody else. “I have to write my vows by when?” I asked, chewing a biro. Verity laughed. “Don’t worry. As long as I get to censor them the week before, that’s fine.” I wrote Vows To Verity at the top of the page, and stared at the enormity of it. I had never made a huge promise to anyone, and what I wrote had to be the truth, and nothing but. “There’s a bit of a hurry, though, for other stuff,” she said. “The food order at The Feathers; the little matter of a honeymoon; the best…

‘We began life in our new home with a blank canvas’ When Greg and Paula Patton took a day trip to Broadstairs, they spotted their dream house in the window of an estate agent. ‘We fell in love instantly and put in an offer the same day, before we had even seen the beach or town,’ laughs Paula. The house is a Victorian villa, on the end of a small terrace. ‘It was huge compared to our house in London, and it had all its original features,’ remembers Paula. Structurally, the house was sound, but the décor was in need of serious work. ‘We wanted to retain as many of the original features as possible, but give it a modern touch too,’ she says. The couple and their baby son,…

She didn’t feel anything any more, just a dull awareness Josie watched the departures board click to reveal a white-out of cancellations. The snow didn’t show any sign of stopping and people were still arriving at the terminal, resignation replacing hope on their faces. It would be a long wait. She queued for coffee at the nearby cafe and then searched for a seat in the waiting areas, dragging her case behind her. She used to like her coffee strong, black, but now settled for the milky comfort of a latte. She took solace wherever she could these days. Backpackers had abandoned themselves to sleep, heads resting on their rucksacks, oblivious. She would have preferred a quiet spot, somewhere to read, to lose all sense of the endless waiting. Weaving…

What’s This For? Unicough (£8.95 for 150ml, Boots) is a new treatment for all coughs. The pharmacy-only medicine has a unique, patented cocoa formulation and includes diphenhydramine to reduce the irritation (hypersensitivity) of the nerve endings in the throat caused by colds and flu. This means that Unicough works by suppressing the urge to cough irrespective of the type – dry, tickly, chesty or wet. Clinical trials show it works better than a linctus to reduce the frequency of the cough and reduces night-time disruption due to coughing fits. My Healthy Life Alison Savory, British Acupuncture Council member and lecturer reveals how she boosts her health and wellbeing. My go-to remedy Apple cider vinegar. It’s known as a natural folk remedy for arthritis and joint pain. It’s also an…

Exotic Paradise Home Editor, Emily Dawe, spent three nights at Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, Morocco Mazagan, about an hour’s drive from Casablanca, is a palatial resort in El Jadida. Built in 2009, the decor has been designed in authentic Moroccan style, from the mosaic floors to the ornate lanterns adorning the ceilings. The resort offers plenty of activities. However, it was the spa facilities that interested me. I tried the Hammam first. The ladies-only area combines a soothing steam room and a relaxation area where you’re served traditional tea. Feeling fully cleansed after the Hammam, I wrapped myself in a fluffy white dressing gown and had a one-hour full-body massage. It was pure bliss; I floated back to my room that night and enjoyed the best sleep I’d had…

‘Rita was a dancer,’ said Frank. ‘Who says she wasn’t an actress, too? Have we been wrong about her?’ The story so far It’s the hot summer of 1976 and ex-dancer RITA PALMUIR has just been released after 11 years in jail for the murder of jeweller ED BREARDALE. FRANK, a detective who’s been asked to reinvestigate the case in light of some new developments, looks through the notes compiled by DI ROBERT CHALGRAVE for the first investigation. Chalgrave resigned from the force a couple of years ago. Pushed out, more like, Frank reckons. When Rita ventures outdoors for the first time, she comes face to face with Robert Chalgrave. He insists she killed Breardale for what was inside a blue jewellery box. Rita denies this but Chalgrave threatens to…

Aries 21 March - 20 April You won’t get your way in everything. Instead of arguing the toss, put your energy into more positive, productive pursuits. Friends and family are vying for your attention. Arrange a get-together. You’ll be surprised how much fun you have when you escape your day-to-day routine. For more, call 0901 609 2591* Taurus 21 April - 21 May Someone has been working hard behind the scenes to undermine you. No matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to find out who, how or why. Rise above it and find a healthy outlet for your energies. Joining a club devoted to your favourite hobby could do just the trick. For more, call 0901 609 2592* Gemini 22 May - 21 June You’re tired of…

Snapped! I know I said I wouldn’t bore you with my holiday snaps, but I couldn’t resist sharing these smile-inducing moments from my travels. The pastel rocking chairs look out on to the aircraft parking bays at Miami airport. The toilet sign (flushing with your feet? Who knew that was even possible!) was at Belize airport and the unmissable smelly noticeboard was outside a brilliant shop (The Belizean Breezes Soap Co.) full of gorgeous handmade soaps and products on Ambergris Caye island. See their lovely stuff at belizeanbreezes.com…

Where I went This charming city in the south of France is about 25 miles from Avignon. Its cobbled streets, friendly locals and enchanting Roman monuments were loved by Vincent Van Gogh, who lived there for two years. What I did Busy mornings were packed with sightseeing, followed by sun-soaked, lazy afternoons drinking red wine in the romantic little squares. A visit to the Roman amphitheatre and the Saturday morning market (one of the largest in Provence) are both musts. Where I stayed Hotel Du Forum (hotelduforum.com), where the service is flawless. Nestled among restaurants and boutiques, the hotel is directly opposite the spot where Vincent Van Gogh painted his masterpiece The Starry Night. What I ate La Gueule du Loup on Rue des Arènes in the centre of the…

When you think about it, it was inevitable that Bill Nighy (above) should be cast as the aristocratic Sergeant Arthur Wilson for the new Dad’s Army film. Elegantly tall and scrupulously polite, with a faintly diffident air – who else could fill the gleaming shoes of the late John Le Mesurier so perfectly? ‘Well, I hope the world forgives me for not being John Le Mesurier,’ says Bill, whose film credits include Love Actually, Pirates Of The Caribbean, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1. ‘He was brilliant. When the part was first mentioned, I got a box set of the TV series and watched it, each night concentrating on a different era; it ran from 1968 to 1977. I’d forgotten that for…

Where I’ve been… To London, not to visit the Queen, like the French snail and slug, but to see a wonderful exhibition at the Buckingham Palace art gallery, Masters Of The Everyday – only on until 14 February. Who I’ve met… A friend who, in his late eighties has started making pottery, and already produces beautiful bowls and vases. What I’ve seen… The film Brooklyn. Just lovely. If you go, take hankies. What I’ve bought… Sheepskin wristbands. My usually incurably cold hands stay warm now and the bands don’t look too old lady-ish.…

Duster Coats Loose Shirts Graphic Skirts Block Heel Ankle Boots STOCKISTSHouse of Fraser 0845 602 1073; houseoffraser.co.uk Lindex lindex.com Mango 0845 082 2448; mango.com Monsoon 020 3372 3052; monsoon.co.uk M&S 0333 014 8000; marksandspencer.com New Look 0344 499 6690; newlook.com Ted Baker 0345 450 2484; tedbaker.com Topshop 0344 984 0264; topshop.com Very 0844 822 2321; very.co.uk Zara 0800 030 4238; zara.com…

We're holding more of our fiction workshops at our London HQ. Learn how to write fiction or poetry in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. What are you waiting for? Book a place now! ABOUT OUR TUTORS Writing A Short Story With A Twist Monday 18 April, Friday 8 July and Friday 28 October With Gaynor Davies and Della Galton 10am MEET AND GREET, with tea and coffee 10.30am TALK Writing for the Woman’s Weekly audience 11am TALK Dos and don’ts when writing a twist 11.30am BREAK Tea and coffee 11.45am EXERCISE Write an opening paragraph 1pm BREAK for lunch 2pm EXERCISE Write a 100-word twist/outline and share it with the group 3pm BREAK Tea and coffee 3.15pm GROUP DISCUSSION What makes a good twist in a story? 4.15pm Problem solving…

Finished size of large heart: Approx 10 x 7cm YOU WILL NEED • Cotton fabric in two designs/ colours • Small button • Needle and sewing thread • Brown string • Large eye needle • Pencil • Polyester filling or dried lavender and rosemary • Bay leaves, whole nutmegs and cinnamon sticks To begin 1 Enlarge our photograph by 125% on a photocopier and cut out the heart templates. Draw round the templates on the wrong side of the fabric with a pencil, adding an extra 5mm around the outside edge for seam allowances. Cut out. 2 Machine- or hand-stitch the heart shapes together in pairs, wrong sides facing, leaving a 4cm opening along one of the straight sides. 3 Carefully clip into the seam allowances around the curves and…

Around a million people in the UK are set to develop diabetes in the next few years, adding to the three million or so diagnosed, and around 590,000 who don’t yet realise they have it. Diabetes means the pancreas gland can’t produce enough insulin, a hormone that regulates blood-sugar levels and stores surplus glucose in body cells; these may also develop ‘insulin resistance’. Why it matters There’s no such thing as ‘mild’ diabetes – you can develop complications, even if you don’t need medication. A raised blood-sugar level can trigger chemical disturbances or dehydration (see box, right) and, longer-term, diabetes damages vital arteries, so you’re more likely to develop heart disease, strokes, kidney damage, blindness or poor circulation that can lead to limb amputation. One in 10 people with diabetes…

Don’t feel guilty for having more money Q I’ve been very fortunate as I was left a fair bit of money by my parents. Over the years I’ve had several friends who, for various reasons, have struggled with their finances. I’ve lent them money with the agreement they’d return it. The problem is that often they don’t. I don’t want to sound greedy by asking them for it. But when I hear they’re going on expensive holidays, it makes me angry because it feels as though they’re cheating on me. Pip, Hull A Lending money so often spoils relationships, especially when people don’t pay you back or take too long to do so. Shakespeare said in Hamlet: ‘Neither a borrower nor a lender be’ and he was right! It’s understandable…

Liven up your borders with this pageant of colourful dahlias. Flowering through summer and well into autumn, a long-lasting display is guaranteed. And with five vivid varieties to choose from, you will never be short of blooms for dazzling cut-flower arrangements. Height: 120cm. Spread: 60cm. Size 1 tubers supplied. Collection comprises: • Dahlia ‘Fire and Ice' Beautiful red and white striped blooms with a bright golden ‘eye’. • Dahlia ‘Lady Darlene' Yellow petals each have a red tip, creating a flame-like appearance. • Dahlia ‘Maxime' A handsome dahlia with attractive red petals, each delicately edged in pale primrose yellow. • Dahlia ‘Rebecca's World' Crimson blooms that fade to white sit side by side with white blooms that mature to deepest red. • Dahlia ‘Royal Bumble' The white outer petals of…

‘The best married couples have high hopes but low expectations’ This is very nice,’ says Wendy. ‘It was so good of you all to come.’ ‘Yes, very nice,’ says Irene, who has known Wendy since school. ‘It was good of you to ask us. Very good of you.’ ‘Yes,’ I add, because I don’t want to feel left out. ‘Very nice.’ It is Wendy’s hen night and the conversation is not exactly flowing. This is partly because, as hens go, none of us are spring chickens. Some of us are wondering whether it would be rude to leave at 9.30pm to seek the comfort of our beds. And partly because Wendy isn’t getting married for about six weeks. ‘Why are you holding the hen night so early?’ I asked when…

I read Rosemary’s column about three chickens called the Beverley Sisters [22 September 2015] and it reminded me of when I met the real Beverley Sisters 65 years ago, when I was 12. We lived on a council estate in Hackney, London, and the Beverley Sisters lived in the next block from us. Our neighbour was the only person in the area who owned a phone and one day she took a message for them from their agent. I was asked to deliver it. I ran to their flat and was invited in. The message said that their agent needed to contact them urgently about appearing at the London Palladium with Danny Kaye. The sisters gave me an enormous box of American chocolates and a signed photo. I was over…

We love letters Woman’s Weekly, 110 Southwark St, London SE1 0SU. PS. It really helps when you put your details in capitals We do not return photos (apart from ‘You Look Great!’) so please don’t send originals Email us Womansweeklypostbag @timeinc.com  Tell us your full name, address and daytime phone number, please Fancy a chat? Log on to facebook.com/  womansweekly We can’t wait to hear from you! Important! All contributions to Woman’s Weekly must be original and NOT duplicated to other publications. £25 will be paid to the writer of the ‘Letter Of The Week’, and the ‘Good To Meet You’ contributor will receive a gift or similar as stated at time of publication of contribution, for all rights in each letter printed. The Editor reserves the…

Samantha Bates, 48, Tamworth Tell us about your look… I like quite smart, classic clothes – I don’t really do casual. In winter I wear a lot of jeans and boots. This pair are from Ted Baker and my wrap is from M&S. I love the clothes in Joules and Cath Kidston as they are a bit unusual – you don’t see loads of people wearing the same thing as you! And the best bit of your body? My hair. Susan Cook, 58, Stourbridge Tell us about your look… I wear a lot of jeans as they are comfy, and easy to dress up and down. I do wear dresses if I’m going out, though. Today I’m wearing a jacket from Debenhams with a top and…

Blunt Bob Perfect for: Making fine, thin hair appear thicker. A great way to get rid of tired-looking ends, too. Ask for: A long bob snipped bluntly so it’s totally uniform with no layers. Hair hero: Get a salon-smooth finish with Remington Protect Straightener, £89.99, which is kinder to hair than other types of irons. Textured Chop Perfect for: Most hair types and face shapes. The wispy pieces around the ear and sweeping fringe help to balance a strong jawline. Ask for: A long, choppy cut with a side-swept fringe. Hair hero: A light misting of L’Oréal Elnett Precious Oil Hairspray, £3.98, will ensure this style stays in place. Pixie Cut Perfect for: Thick or thin hair, grey or coloured. A cut that’s best for those with softer features. Ask…

Chocolate Pancake Layer Cake SERVES 6 300g (10oz) plain flour 2tbsp cocoa 1tsp baking powder 1tsp bicarbonate of soda 90g (3oz) light soft brown sugar 284ml carton buttermilk 75ml (3fl oz) milk 2tsp vanilla extract 2tbsp vegetable oil, plus extra for frying FOR THE FILLING: 250g tub mascarpone 3tbsp milk 10tbsp no-sugar strawberry jam (we used St Dalfour) FOR THE DRIZZLE: 100g (3½oz) dark chocolate, broken into squares 30g (1oz) butter 2tbsp golden syrup TO FINISH: 150g (5oz) blueberries 1 In a large bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and sugar. 2 In a measuring jug, combine the buttermilk, milk, vanilla and oil. Whisk together with a fork. 3 Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and whisk together to make a thick, smooth batter. 4…

This stocking-stitch cushion uses intarsia to create a contemporary addition to your home. The fabric back gives plenty of opportunity to be creative with colour. Instructions overleaf MEASUREMENTS 40 x 40cm/16 x 16in. MATERIALS 2 x 25g (55m) balls of Erika Knight British Blue Wool (100% wool) in each of Pale Beige (Fawn) and Purple (French); 1 ball in each of Light Blue (Iced Gem), Grey (Mouse), Pink (Boho) and Brown (Milk Chocolate)*. Pair of 3¾mm (No.9) knitting needles; 50 x 50cm of cotton fabric for backing and matching sewing thread and sewing needle; 40 x 40cm cushion pad. TENSION 22 stitches and 30 rows, to 10 x 10cm over stocking stitch, using 3¾mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS K, knit; p, purl; st, stitch. NOTE Yarn amounts are based on average requirements…

Q What’s so special about these fridge-freezers? These larger-than-life, side-by-side American-style appliances aren’t just about giving a kitchen the wow factor (although they will certainly do that). They have more capacity than a standard-sized fridge-freezer, easily coping with family-sized loads of chilled and frozen foods, plus they’re roomy enough to incorporate clever or useful extras such as drinks/ice dispensers, a wine cabinet or specific chilled sections. The drawbacks are that due to their size, they cost more to run than a standard-sized fridge-freezer, and many are expensive to buy, though Beko’s American-style fridge-freezer, ASDL251B, H1,790 x W910 x D720mm, is a cost-effective choice, at £699 from AO. It has room for 364ltr of chilled and 190ltr of frozen food and comes with a water dispenser. Q How big are they?…