Innholdsfortegnelse for 11-Oct-2021 i Woman

I love the idea of upcycling and giving a new lease of life to the less aesthetically pleasing items around my house then, in turn, granting them pride of place in their new form. But, if I’m honest, I am all talk and rarely indulge the persistent desire to create a masterpiece. Does this resonate with anyone? This week (p44) we talk to Miffy Shaw, who upcycled recycled (yes, really) materials to create her dream kitchen. Proof you really can turn trash into treasure. I’m not sure I’m ready to take on the kitchen, but she has inspired me to drag our old chest out of storage and make it look loved again. Also this week, are you sleeping too much? Unlikely in this house, but find out with our…

Their story started nearly 50 years ago and, despite launching their career back in the 1970s, ABBA – made up of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad – are still one of the best-known groups on the planet. Now the band are set to break their 40-year hiatus with their new album Voyage as well as their groundbreaking concert ABBA Voyage. Set to take place in a purpose-built arena in London, the show will feature holograms, new music and live performers. To celebrate the band’s reunion, we’ve taken a look back at their biggest career moments… Name change 1973 The two couples – Björn and Agnetha, and Benny and Anni-Frid, known as Frida – went on holiday in 1970, and gave an impromptu performance to United Nations…

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

When we bought this house we knew that, in its current state, it was completely unsuited to our lifestyle. Having said that, however, we could also see that it had huge potential. It had good foundations, but the small kitchen and separate reception room made the ground floor feel quite enclosed. We envisaged an open-plan space that looked onto the garden. The hard graft My husband Gareth is a builder and has his own company, Shaw Property Developments. He had ambitious ideas for renovating large parts of the ground floor to give us the room that we wanted, and proceeded to knock down the walls between the kitchen and rear reception room, and extended out into the garden to create a generous-sized kitchen-diner and sitting room. Adding character With regards…

The Larkins ITV In this new adaptation of The Darling Buds of May, Bradley Walsh and Joanna Scanlan head the cast as Pop and Ma Larkin. Set in the late 1950s, the six-part comedy drama follows the couple and their six children as they live off the land in the Kent countryside while battling with the authorities. Lady Boss: The Jackie Collins Story BBC2 Jackie Collins was known for her ‘bonkbuster’ novels, such as Hollywood Wives, but her own life rivalled her steamy plots. This documentary tells her story, with contributions from her sister Dame Joan Collins and three daughters. Angela Black ITV This six-parter follows wife and mother Angela (Joanne Froggatt), who seems to have the perfect life but is locked in an abusive marriage to Olivier (Michiel Huisman).…

Best for... running Good Move Go Train Printed High-Waisted Gym Leggings, £29.50, sizes 6-24, M&S Not only are these leggings stylish and affordable, they deliver on all the technicals, too. Sitting high on the waist, they stay put during the most vigorous of HIIT sessions. Best for... the planet Pretty Polly Eco-Wear Leggings, £20, sizes s-xl, prettypolly.co.uk Putting a planet-friendly spin on the classic black legging, Pretty Polly managed to make a pair that is not only a soft, seam-free dream to wear, but won’t clog up landfill sites once you’ve worn them out. Don’t worry – they won’t biodegrade while you wear them, only when they reach landfill. Best for... style Energy Printed Mesh Panel Leggings, £34, sizes 8-18, pourmoi.co.uk Working up a sweat has never looked so stylish…

IT’S REVEALED THAT MERYL AND ANNA ARE RELATED! It turns out that her starring role as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada is not Meryl Streep’s only connection to the world of fashion. The platform MyHeritage, who explore family histories, claim that the actor and the Vogue mogul Anna Wintour are, in fact, cousins! Eighth cousins, that is – the famous pair share their seventh great-grandparents on their maternal side. It’s a small world… PET OF THE WEEK It looks like David Walliams was enjoying quality time with his pets before bed, perhaps more than they were! SUSANNA Dumped! Ever since Piers Morgan made his dramatic exit from Good Morning Britain, Susanna Reid has been without a permanent partner – having had Richard Madeley, Adil Ray and Alastair Campbell…

Controlling cholesterol is easier than you think Cholesterol. Smacks of bad news, doesn’t it? But actually, cholesterol is pretty jolly vital. It’s made in the liver and forms part of the membrane of every single cell. It’s used to help us make vitamin D and hormones – and we can’t do without it. It’s not dissolved in the blood but instead, it’s carried along by proteins. Lipoproteins, to be exact. You still with me? Good, because the next bit is important. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) carry the cholesterol from the liver to the cells that need it. However, if there’s too much LDL, it builds up against artery walls, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, strokes, heart disease and other cheerful conditions. Hence it’s called ‘bad’ cholesterol. GPs can also…

Nailing your sleep routine is a tricky business. According to the experts, there’s a fine line between spending too much and too little time asleep. We’ve long been told that not getting our eight hours can impact our health, but scientists* have now found that over-sleeping could put you at risk of early death, too. In fact, those who sleep longer than eight hours a night have a greater mortality risk than those who sleep for less than seven hours. This is because over-sleeping raises the risk of chronic conditions, such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, anxiety and obesity. While sleep quantity is key to long-term health, sleep quality is also vital. So how do you know if you’re getting the right amount and the right kind? Take our quiz…

There are some foods which naturally contain vitamin D. These include oily fish, such as sardines, herring, salmon and trout – you can choose either fresh or tinned. Other naturally occurring food sources of vitamin D include red meat, liver and egg yolks (not the whites). It is also possible to fortify foods with vitamin D, this generally includes most margarines and some cereals, as well as baby/infant formula milk. Some cow’s milk alternatives, such as soy milk, may also be fortified with vitamin D.…

Should I make a move on my boss now he’s separated? Q I’ve fancied my boss forever, and I know he’s not happy at home. Then last Friday his wife came into work, they had a flaming row in front of everyone, and on Monday he told me he’s at a different address and they’ve separated. Now I wonder if this is my chance to finally tell him how I feel about him. I’m sure if I made a move he’d be interested and want to reciprocate. I’m also sure he’d be much happier with me than with her. Should I tell him I like him? SUSAN SAYS A Short-term, your boss may well want the comfort of a fling. But if he and his wife reconcile, you’ll be blamed.…

Dog-friendly retreat in Somerset Nestled in the ancient Somerset village of Cheddon Fitzpaine, near Taunton, Sunrise Cottage is ideal for hikers and their four-legged friends, or those wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It’s situated on the doorstep of the Hestercombe Estate, which boasts an abundance of woodland walks and formal gardens – ideal for exploring, whatever the weather. On chilly evenings, brave the short stroll to The Swan at Kingston, which is nearby, and sample the selection of Somerset ales and home-cooked fare, before heading back to the cottage to warm up by the inglenook fireplace with its cosy wood burner. With a fully equipped, spacious kitchen, the cottage feels like a ‘home away from home’, with its large downstairs area for entertaining…

The boy looked up from his computer game, suddenly realising the car had turned off the busy road and was now on a winding country lane. ‘What are you doing, Dad? Let’s go, I’m tired.’ Jim hit the brake as a pheasant strolled out into the road. He remembered pheasants scuttling out of the way 40 years ago as he and his mother were driven down this lane by Frank – at speed. He turned to his wife... ‘This is the place – just as I remember it.’ ‘Look, don’t get your hopes up. It’s a long time ago. Who knows what’s happened in the meantime.’ Ellie folded the map and stared around at the scene. A flat landscape of fields and woodland. Exactly as her husband had described it…

There’s no doubt the most crucial issue facing the future of our planet is the climate-change crisis. A man-made ticking time bomb, it’s a race against the clock to cut carbon emissions and ensure the world is still inhabitable by 2050, and activists are doing all they can to draw attention to the issues. But when eco-warriors belonging to the group Insulate Britain blocked the M25 several times last month, gluing themselves to the tarmac and causing hours of traffic jams, resulting in an elderly woman suffering a life-changing stroke when her son was unable to get her to hospital, they were met with hostility and a lack of support from the public. Protesting is a key element of pushing for change, but when lives are put in danger, it’s…

NREM 1 or falling asleep (10 minutes). You’re quite alert and easily woken. NREM 2 or light sleep (20 minutes). Brainwaves slow down. NREM 3 or deep sleep (50 minutes in the first cycle, gradually lessening). Start of deep sleep – it’s harder to be woken up. No eye movement or muscle activity. Body repairs muscles and tissues, stimulates growth and development, and boosts immune function and energy. REM SLEEP (10 minutes in first cycle, gradually increasing). Brain is more active and most dreaming occurs. Heart rate and blood pressure rise, breathing quickens, and is irregular and shallow. Helps learning and memory function.…

‘So proud of what we have’ Over the years, I’ve got used to strangers staring at me and my husband Conrad, 56, in the street, or giving us a double take as they walk past. In fact, from the moment we started dating in August 1993, the looks were so frequent and relentless that Conrad started calling it the ‘barcode look’ as people turned from me to him and  back, scanning us slowly, trying to make sense of what they were seeing. Whether we were having a few drinks at a bar or doing our weekly shop in the local supermarket, we always attracted stares. To this day, I’m compelled to say something to those people, to explain politely that what they see is nothing unusual – simply two happy…

Why go? Less touristy than its east-coast neighbour Barcelona, Madrid is the place to come for a seriously authentic Spanish experience. It’s here you’ll find Michelin-starred restaurants alongside brilliant cheap eateries, rooftop city vistas, stunning parks and some of the best galleries the country has to offer, including Museo Reina-Sofía, which houses Picasso’s Guernica among many of his other works, as well as delights from Dalí and Miró. Summers are scorchingly hot so it’s best to visit from September to December or during springtime, but with an abundance of top-class hotels, most at reasonable prices, you won’t have trouble finding somewhere luxurious to stay whenever you visit. Things to do and see Unlike Barcelona, Madrid of course doesn’t have a beach, but what Spain’s capital lacks in sand and sea,…

Power Hour We’re all looking to get more out of life and ourselves and this podcast looks at ways to do just that. Host Adrienne Herbert talks to leading coaches, creatives, innovators and change-makers to share ways we can unlock our potential and live our best lives. Acast, Apple Podcasts, Podtail. Crime Time FM: On the sofa with Victoria Hosted by crime writer Victoria Selman once a fortnight, this is the place for crime fiction fans to get their fix. Discover the latest trends in the genre and hear how writers create those heart-stopping moments. Apple Podcasts, Buzzsprout, Google Podcasts, TuneIn.…