Innholdsfortegnelse for February 16, 2015 i Woman

JB Gill As part of X Factor runners-up JLS in 2008, JB knows how to cope with competition – he faced it again when he was on Celebrity MasterChef last year. Stacey Solomon Here’s another X Factor star who went on to reality glory, becaming Queen of the Jungle in 2010. She also competed on Celebrity Mastermind! Louise Thompson Former model Louise joined the second series of reality show Made In Chelsea in 2011. She will no doubt bring some drama to the slopes! Phil Tufnell Tuffers is an old hand at reality TV, having won I’m A Celeb in 2003, plus competing on ill-fated Hole In The Wall in 2008 and Strictly in 2009. Louie Spence Pineapple Dance Studios’ breakaway star was a judge on Dancing On Ice in…

Sitting in my home office, I spend my days sending emails, taking calls from clients and working on building up the number of people who follow me on Twitter. But there was a time when I had to rely on my husband for a wage and, when my marriage fell apart, I thought I’d lost everything. Yet now I’m a fully fledged business woman and I’m proud to say that my success is all down to me. I’d had some experience of carving out a career – my ex-husband Rob* ran his own catering butcher’s and I worked alongside him, taking care of the marketing and meeting customers. But after I had my daughter Katie, now 24, and son Johnathon, now 23, I gave up my job to be a…

THE CULOTTES With the comfort of trousers but the feminine look of a skirt, no wonder culottes are all over the high street. This is a serious new classic. Be sure to team with a fitted top to make the most of your shape. Top, £20, sizes 6-22, Dorothy Perkins Culottes, £14, sizes 6-22, Primark Shoes, £55, Autograph at M&S Clutch, £45, House of Fraser Rings, £12.99 for pack of 12, New Look THE WIDE BELT Meet the accessory that will inject any outfit with fashion factor. Just add a statement belt to a jumpsuit, dress or coat to highlight your middle and be right on-trend. Jumpsuit, £75, sizes 16-18, Warehouse Heels, £62, Topshop Earrings, £1.99, New Look; Belt, £18, River Island Bag, £35, Therapy at House Of Fraser THE…

Drink juice Bursting with anti-inflammatory properties, montmorency cherries can help reduce the pain of joint conditions like arthritis. The easy way to get your daily dose is to drink it. Try CherryActive Concentrate (£9.19 for seven servings, hollandandbarrett.com). Look after your skin The weather plays havoc with our skin. Look after yours with Pure Gold Collagen (£30.99 for a 10-day supply, boots.com ). With collagen, borage oil and vitamins, the supplement helps hydration and promotes suppleness. Get some shut eye Nearly one in 10 adults suffer from insomnia at some point. Background noise can help, so get the free Pzizz app, with a soothing selection of sounds – from whirring to crashing waves.…

Oh-so-good-for-you chicken and kale stir fry You’ll make this flash-in-the-pan meal again and again. STAR INGREDIENTS Ginger is a potent anti-oxidant and helps with PMS symptoms. Garlic has been shown to help lower blood pressure and promote good cholesterol levels. Lemons are rich in vitamin C to bolster the body’s defence against bacterial infections. Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory, helping to ease arthritis, asthma, and eczema. Kale assists the immune system by boosting the liver’s ability to flush out toxins. Carrots contain vitamin A, which promotes eye health and boosts immune function. SERVES 4 PREP 10 MINS COOK 15 MINS 425g mini chicken breast fillets 2.5cm root ginger, peeled, grated 2 garlic cloves, grated 1 lemon, finely grated zest and juice 2tbsp rapeseed oil 1/4tsp turmeric 2 red onions, sliced 250g…

The Hair Group is offering every UK Woman reader a free haircut and blow-dry. It’s important to keep your crowning glory in great condition and regular cutting will help it to look healthy and glossy. So, if your hair is in need of some TLC, bring it back to life with a cut and finish at a Hair Group salon, where you’ll be looked after by a talented stylist. With over 190 salons nationwide, there’s bound to be one near you. Offer closes 3 April 2015. HOW TO CLAIM Simply go to hairgroup.co.uk  and find out if we have a salon in your area. Then complete the coupon below and send it to: The Hair Group/Woman Issue 7 2015, Unit F, Penfold Estate, Imperial…

Joanna Czechowska read The Boy That Never Was by Karen Perry, paperback £3.85, ebook £2.99 (Penguin) If you were gripped by 2014 BBC drama The Missing, you’ll love this. Told from alternating points of view, Harry and Robyn describe the tragic loss of their young son Dillon, who disappeared during an earthquake in Tangiers. Back home in Ireland, Robyn is pregnant again but then Harry sees Dillon on a Dublin street. Writers Karen Gillece and Paul Perry have crafted a tale that’s hard to take for any parent but you won’t be able to stop reading. Our verdict: IF YOU LIKED THAT, TRY THESE… Sixth sense Blue Monday by Nicci French Five-year-old Matthew Faraday has been abducted and while his face is all over the newspapers,…

1 DELIGHT IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC At the northern end of the busy resort of Punta Cana is a hidden gem. The Sivory Punta Cana has a slice of beach all to itself and 55 luxury rooms. It’s a foodie paradise, boasting the nation’s only AAA Four-Diamond restaurant. Book the Sivory Meal Plan and you’ll have breakfast delivered to your door, lunch and dinner included, cocktails nightly and a well-stocked in-room wine cooler. Your suite, meanwhile, is Indonesian in style and your spacious outdoor terrace has plump day beds. An ideal spot for those who like their privacy and want to completely unwind. BOOKING: Double rooms from £140 per night; sivorypuntacana.com. BA offers direct flights from Gatwick to Punta Cana twice weekly from £598.44 return including taxes; 0844 493 0787/ba.com.…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr Aside from the possibility of an early Valentine’s gift in the form of a passionate statement, you could find a project you’ve been working on is favourably reviewed. For your reading 09058 172557 TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May Allow the dust to settle. There is surely a grain of goodness in the events that are taking place now, and maybe you have to go a little further before you can see them, feel them and touch them. For your reading 09058 172558 GEMINI 22 May – 22 Jun Have the courage to take a chance, especially if it promises to widen your professional world: nothing ventured, nothing gained. What do you have to lose? For your reading 09058 172559 CANCER 23 Jun –…

Blue-eyed Ben! Benedict Cumberbatch broke the hearts of millions of fans when he announced his engagement to Sophie Hunter, 36, last year. But before his wedding, the 38-year-old has got a packed awards season thanks to his role in The Imitation Game , plus he will be appearing on stage as Hamlet. Busy boy! I seem to have become a verb as in ‘I have cumberbatched the UK audience’ apparently. Who knows, by the end of the year I might become a swear word too! It’s crazy and fun and very flattering. I’ve been very lucky at what’s happened in my career to date, but playing something as far from me as possible is an ambition of mine. I’d like Gary Oldman’s career. I’d love to…

To the millions of viewers around the country, the pain etched across Linda Carter’s face is clear. The EastEnders star, played by Kellie Bright, is at the centre of one of the BBC soap’s most controversial storylines. Linda is six months pregnant after being raped by her brother-in-law, Dean, played by Matt Di Angelo. With her husband Mick’s support, she bravely decided to keep the baby – despite the possibility that the father may be her rapist. It’s a shocking situation and one that you would think… hope… would only appear in a fictional soap. Yet Analyn Megison, who found out that she was pregnant after being raped, faced a whole different battle… even after her rapist was jailed. Fighting back tears, Analyn willed herself to…

Every mum will know that children can be very honest – sometimes brutally so. From making you cringe at bus stops by asking about the facts of life, or blush in the queue at the supermarket by talking loudly about needing the loo, they’ll say whatever’s on their mind. Normally I can recover from these experiences quickly, but then my little boy Oliver said something that left me speechless. I’d been overweight ever since I was a child. I loved sweets and crisps, and my mum let me have whatever I asked for. So, every day after school, I’d snack until dinner time, then I’d gorge on huge portions of pasta and potatoes. As my tummy developed rolls, classmates would tease me mercilessly. But, looking for comfort, their taunts of…

My friend is stealing from me One of my friends, who I’ve known since we were at school together, was always the popular and lucky one. She got a good job, a husband who did well and her children shone. I felt I plodded along in her shadow but we remained good friends. A few years ago, just as my life and career started to improve, it fell to pieces for her. Her husband left her, her children have been troublesome and her career has stalled. We still meet up but things have been strained. A few weeks ago, my youngest daughter told me she’d noticed that when this friend visits, things go missing – this time, her favourite pen. I said she must be mistaken but the more I…

What to record next week THE GIFT BBC1 Ever wished you’d told that special someone how you felt before it was too late? Mel Giedroyc and Matt Baker travel around the world, from Africa to Hollywood, uniting people with loved ones to pour their hearts out while there’s still time. MODERN TIMES THURS BBC2 Denmark’s at the centre of a sperm-donor storm and this fascinating film tells the story of four British women who’ve opted for supposedly superior ‘Viking’ sperm to get pregnant. What’s more, it can all be done at the click of a button. EDUCATING JOEY ESSEX TUE, ITV2 He’s always been a snappy dresser and now the Essex lad is taking his passion for fashion further, with a crash course in haute couture. Talk about reem! SCOOP…

Our expert, Lara Lewington, gives her verdict on the latest innovations to make your life easier. Follow Lara on Twitter @laralewington PERFECT WINTER WARMERS WE LOVE Muji Touchscreen Gloves (£9.95, muji.eu) Cold weather doesn’t freeze our desire to use our smartphones on the go, so touchscreen gloves are the essential winter accessory. There’s no shortage of them around, but if you want a snuggly pair with a choice of colour and design, Muji has a stylish selection to offer, and at a decent price, too. STYLE FILE Cocoon Grid-It bag organiser (from £7.90, Amazon.co.uk ) If your handbag is as messy as mine, you’ll be amazed by this customise-as-you-need-it bag organiser. Ideal for chargers, phones, running watches, and all those things you don’t want in a tangled…

‘My jackpot paid for a Caribbean cruise’ Jan Wilce, 63, from Kent, says: Flicking on the TV, I couldn’t find a thing to watch. Luckily, I knew just how to keep myself entertained and, opening my laptop, I logged in to my Woman Bingo account. I’d been a member for a year. I used to go to the bingo hall but, after moving house, it was a bit inconvenient to get to. Playing online was just as much fun though, and there was a huge choice of games. The site was really simple to use, too and I found it easy to navigate. I have my favourite games, like Snap and Sapphire – a 90-ball room – but I try new ones regularly, as you can…

I earned cash on a New Year Lanzarote holiday Amanda Village, 44, lives in Sheffield with her son Kai, six. She works as a part-time secretary for a firm of architects. ‘Three years ago, I saw an ad for Quidco on the internet and decided to try it,’ says Amanda. ‘I needed some travel and car insurance so I thought it would be useful.’ Soon Amanda was using Quidco for her food shop, for clothes and for shoes. ‘Kai is sight impaired so I often buy sensory toys for him and treat him to holidays. Quidco has been wonderful for money off holidays. I took him to Lanzarote over the New Year, which was fabulous.’ When Amanda decided to get a subscription for Sky TV, she immediately logged on to…

TIPS TO DO DENIM: * Add a 2015 twist to your look by piling on gold, fine jewellery. Pendants, bracelets and midi rings – you can never have too much. * We saw tan suede A-line skirts at so many spring/summer shows so get ahead and buy one now! * Remember: the darker the denim the more flattering it will be. * Channel your inner Farrah Fawcett with loose, flicked hair and dewy skin. Colour of the season ochre gives blue denim a new lease of life…

A gem from South Korea (which brought us BB creams) is Mizon Returning Starfish Cream, £25, cultbeauty.co.uk. It uses starfish extract to speed up the growth of fresh, new, youthful skin cells. French polish line Soigné has hit the UK and we love everything about it, from the shades to the sleek bottle. Soigné Nail Lacquer in Menthe, £11 each, soignenails.com. Uniq ONE All in One Coconut Hair Treatment, £13.99, feelunique.com, smells delicious and has 10 strand-saving benefits from heat protection to fighting frizz. Beauty editors swear by the healing powers of Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, £14.50, beautybay.com, which uses salicylic acid and calamine to stop any spots in their tracks. Everyone from Elle Macpherson to Victoria Beckham swears by Anastasia Soare’s line for wow brows. Try Anastasia Beverly…

Whether it’s your hips, tummy or arms that irk you, we all have body hang-ups. But while I share those little bits of self-doubt, I have another one too. I have alopecia and am completely bald. I first noticed extra hair falling out in the shower when I was 11. It was March 1995 and I didn’t think anything of it, but six weeks later I was standing in front of my bedroom mirror when I spotted a bald patch on the side of my head. Panicking, I looked on the other side and saw there was one there too. Being so young, all I knew of hair loss was that it happened when you were seriously ill, and I shouted for my mum. As much as she tried to…

Ever caught a glimpse of yourself in the mirror and struggled to recognise the person staring back at you? Perhaps you’ve poked and prodded your lines, wishing you could make them disappear. Yes, while growing older has its perks – confidence, experience and a wealth of widsom – it also brings a change in appearance that we’re powerless to prevent. But would you really banish those lines if given the chance? Or do you embrace your wrinkles as a sign of time well spent? We asked three women this very question, with fascinating results… THE EXPERIMENT We took three women in their early fifties and digitally altered their image to gradually reduce the number of wrinkles on their faces in each picture. Then, we asked them to choose which version…

Get it before it goes! You can keep your new year’s health resolutions going with this multifunctional juicer that doubles as a blender, too. You won’t want to leave this one in a cupboard – it can make juices, smoothies and warming soups in seconds. Philips Juicer Blender was £129, now £79 from Tesco. SLOW-COOKED LAMB Spice up your Sunday roast by sprinkling over 3 crushed garlic cloves, 2tsp each of ground cumin and coriander, juice of 1 lemon and 2tbsp olive oil. Put into tin with 2 sliced onions and 300ml water. Roast at 160°C, Gas 4 for 3 hours, covered. Finish with pomegranate seeds and mint leaves. FIZZ THAT’S THE BIZ Get ready for your Valentine’s tipple. Cordoníu Cava Brut is down from £10, now £7 at Sainsburys.…

…buy this UNDER £8 FOR THE LOT! Looking for some great value gastro-pub grub? Check out Lidl for this low-cost luxury three-course meal that you can serve up in a dash. Fab fish starter Scottish Cooked Mussels in Garlic Butter Sauce, £1.99, 450g Good sized mussels, with lovely sauce. Simply microwave or heat through in a pan to serve. Meaty main Braemoor Smoked Hickory Pulled Pork, £3.49, 500g Such a crazy price and so tasty! Tender pork that melts in your mouth with a punchy barbecue sauce. Microwave or warm through in the oven, serve in soft white rolls – just 55p for 6. Fruity finale Fresh pineapple, 68p, Milbona Vanilla yogurt, 1kg, £1.79 Cut pineapple into wedges and chargrill each side for a couple of minutes. Serve with Vanilla…

£86… is the amount that more than half of all UK households are currently owed on average from their energy supplier, according to uswitch.com. Stay in control by submitting regular meter readings and switching. Extraenergy.com is a new provider which currently has one of the best deals, costing the average household £919 for a duel fuel plan. 1,500… is how many times the average home boils their kettle a year, according to British Gas. Only fill it up as much as you need, rather than to the top, to save energy. For more easy ways to save, go to do1thing.org.uk, which sets a simple task each day to cut energy use. It claims we can shave £200 a year off our bills. 7 in 10… of us paying monthly for…

Settling down on the sofa with my laptop, I bought some tickets to play Woman Bingo. I’ve been a member for seven years, and I enjoy playing in the evening when I have a moment to myself. Though there are many games to choose from, I absolutely love Bingo Lounge. It’s a 75-ball room and it’s so much fun. While the game runs, I have a natter in the online chat rooms. If you log in at similar times each day, you tend to see the same people and everyone is so friendly. Sometimes I even see family members in there who’ve joined on my recommendation! This particular night, I’d bought my tickets and sat down to play a few games. Suddenly, my numbers were all…

OUR CORRIE EXPERT SAYS: Sue Crawford is our Corrie expert and has interviewed the cast many times. Here, she explains why Anne’s death has touched so many… ‘I first met Anne when she returned to work after suffering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 1993. She rarely spoke to the press, yet she was one of the funniest and most candid people I’ve ever interviewed. No wonder the Coronation Street cast are utterly devastated. If it’s difficult for viewers to imagine the cobbles without her, imagine how much harder it is for them. As she left that interview, she got a message from her husband, asking her to stop on the way home and pick up a jar of mint sauce. She remained endearingly ordinary, yet her talent…