Innholdsfortegnelse for December 14, 2015 i Woman

You might remember Pat Eddery, the champion jockey who rode to victory in over 4,000 races. From his first ever trophy, to his retirement in 2003, he seemed unstoppable. But I knew him as my dad, loving, kind, funny… and battling an addiction that would one day tear our family apart. In those early years, before Dad’s battle with alcohol took hold, I can only recall happy memories. Growing up with him, my mum Carolyn, older sister Nichola and little brother Harry, family life was chaotic but happy. Mum and Dad had met as teenagers and were still in love. And in our farmhouse full of cats, dogs and budgies, there was rarely a quiet moment. Even from a young age, we knew Dad was special. How many other 10-year-old…

There are some moments in life that you know you’ll never forget. Often, most of them are happy memories – of days spent with the ones you love, of incredible holidays abroad with friends. But then there are moments that stick in your mind for an altogether different reason… As a child, Christmas was always my favourite time of year – it meant mountains of presents and being allowed to eat as much chocolate as I could manage. But as I got older and reached my twenties, then my thirties, it came to mean so much more. Working long hours as a nurse, any time I got with my family was precious. And, if work permitted, I loved nothing more than spending Christmas Day with everyone at my parents’ house,…

CHRISTMAS CRACKERS! For a figure-flattering dress that will wow at any occasion this Christmas, Woman’s Lifestyle Director Kath Brown loves the latest collection from JD Williams. Bold, printed styles are designed to skim rather than cling, while ruching will make you look like you’ve dropped a dress size in seconds. Go to jdwilliams.co.uk  to find out more.…

With the festive season well and truly upon us, many of us can’t wait to wrap up in cosy jumpers and head out for a winter walk. But while everyone else is outside, sledging and building snowmen, I’ll be stuck indoors… Just 12 months ago, life was very different. At 36, I was a mum to my sons Louis, 10, and five-month-old Teddy, and on maternity leave from my job as a primary school teacher. I loved nothing more than spending quality time with my sons and husband, Al. At weekends, we’d go on trips to the beach, long walks in the countryside, or cheer Louis on at one of his rugby matches. Then, last December , bundled up in warm coats and scarves, we decided to go the zoo.…

He’s had so many affairs Most of our friends think my husband is simply charming and friendly. But behind the casual flirting is a horrible truth – that he’s had affair after affair for all of our marriage. For a long while, every time we had sex, all I could think about was the fact that he was coming to me from another woman’s bed – and going back to her too. He’s had the same mistress for two years now. Last year, when I finally said I’d had enough and it had to stop, he said he thought it didn’t matter to me because I’d accepted it for so long – I told him he had to be wilfully blind to think so. He promised to end it, but…

Joanna Czechowska read The Lake House by Kate Morton, hardback £18.99, ebook £5.12 (Mantle) On gardening leave from the police, Sadie is staying with her father in Cornwall when she comes across Loeanneth, an abandoned house. She later learns the story of a baby boy who vanished there 70 years earlier. Moving back to the 1930s, we see young Alice Edevane at home in Leoanneth with her sisters and baby brother. This thrilling novel travels back and forth in time, with the riddle of what happened to the baby finally revealed. Our verdict: See womanmagazine.co.uk/  books for the latest book information…

Looking out the window at my shiny new shed, I was pleased as punch. My old one had been rotting away and I’d wanted to replace it for ages! And thanks to Woman Bingo, I decided to splash out on a new one. You see, just a couple of months ago, I hit the jackpot while I was playing one evening, winning £1,000, which I put towards sprucing up my home. It was around 8.30pm when I was playing a link game in the Tiki Bingo room. Sometimes I use autoplay, so my numbers get called automatically while I’m out of the room making dinner or getting a cuppa, but this time I was watching the game play out. Not the first time I’ve played bingo…

SANTA’S SPECIAL DELIVERY 1-24 December Discover a month of prizes and Cashback! Santa’s starting Christmas early by giving you the chance to win daily prizes, plus earn up to 24% Cashback! Opt in and visit the Promotions page every day between 1 and 24 December to discover the Prize of the Day. Plus, for every day you play a minimum of £5 on any games you’ll earn 1% Cashback on your losses, up to a maximum of 24% Cashback. ULTIMATE NEW YEAR’S PARTY 11-15 December Ring in the New Year with a fantastic £500 cash prize to spend on your party! Opt in and play a minimum of £10 on Bingo, £30 on Slots or Slots Mini Games or £50 on Casino or Casino Mini Games between 11 and 15…

Disney Life (£9.99 per month, App Store/Google Play) This new Netflix-style service gives you access to Disney and Pixar films, TV shows and books, too. Christmas Tree (free, App Store) Decorate your very own virtual Christmas tree! OK, I know it’s not exactly the same, but it plays jolly music to get you in the mood, and you can share pictures of your finished masterpiece. Crackling Fireplace Christmas Jumper (jumper, £35.99, morphsuits.co.  uk. App, free, App Store/Google Play) A jumper with a slot for an iPhone so you can create a fireplace effect live on your chest. Fun, a bit mad, but definitely a talking point at parties! Funky Pigeon Cards (free, App Store/ Google Play/Windows) Never got round to writing your Christmas cards? It’s not too late…

Rose ‘For Your Eyes Only’: Rose of the Year 2015 This former winner of the Rose of the Year is a British-bred variety with simple, yet stunning, open blooms, each with a central eye and two-tone flowers with added scent. Low-growing and repeat-flowering from summer through to autumn, it’s perfect for ground cover or pot growing. Plant height at maturity 1m . Buy 1 Bareroot of any variety for £14.99 Buy the Rose Duo (one of each variety) + 100g Rose Fertiliser for £22.99 (RRP £37.97) – SAVING £14.98 Rose ‘Sunny Sky’: official Rose of the Year 2016 Honey yellow blooms turn to soft yellow on this scented rose, which has been voted Rose of the Year for 2016. Each bloom averages 10cm across, bearing up to 30 petals…

Lovely Luther Actor Idris Elba has not only won over the critics, but also became a sex symbol. Now he’s known across both sides of the Atlantic thanks to series including The Wire and Luther , which returns to BBC1 for a two-part special next week. Idris, 43, is dad to Winston, aged one, with girlfriend Nalyana Garth, and his 14-year-old daughter Isan, with Kim Norgaard. More than anything you have to make time to be with your children. It’s something I battle a lot because of my career, because as much as it’s nice to be busy and working, ultimately children don’t raise themselves. You’ve got to be there to help them and guide them through it. That’s one thing I…

All this nonsense about Strictly being fixed is completely stupid. If that were the case, then Peter would still be in the competition! People who are having a pop at the show are just saying it to get themselves on the front pages, it’s all so obvious. There’s no truth in the claims whatsoever. I don’t know what the other judges are going to score and I can’t be told what to do. If we were just mouthpieces for the BBC, it would be a dull show, darlings! Anyway, it’s all about the audience vote now as the public will decide our winner, so we can’t do more than guide them. Damon and I celebrating our dog Sophie’s 14th birthday. We’re so in love with her…

My days are spent shopping for gorgeous cushions, sketching pen and watercolour illustrations and styling luxurious rooms across the world – everywhere from New York to Oslo. Sounds like a dream? In fact, this is my job. But until this April, I was working 50-hour weeks in a very different career. It took turning 40 for me to get the courage to change my life. Growing up, I’d always been artistic. One of my childhood memories is a picture of the Amalfi Coast that hung in the kitchen. Perhaps, subconsciously, that inspired me. Aged 18, I had two options – to go to art school or to study history of art and architecture and French at Trinity College in Dublin. My parents had both gone to university and, conscious of…

Ruching from neck to hem gives such a flattering shape GET THE LOOK * It may be winter but bare legs are still on-trend. Wear opaques during the day, then whip them off for evening. Don’t forget your fake tan if you’re feeling too pasty. * A flattering ruched dress is your festive hero. Wear with tights and boots for day and party heels for night. * At this time of year, daytime shimmer and sparkle is practically compulsory. Combine a lurex top with a metallic pleated skirt for the ultimate all-day glamour. * Keep your hair and make-up simple for a modern look.. Update your black trousers with this slim-fitting sequin top…

Keep calm and carry on We’re a nation under pressure. 50,000 tweets relating to feeling stressed are posted on twitter each day according to research. Meditation is a great way to relax. Download the free app, Headspace, and find peace of mind. Indulge! For a healthier option to satisfy your sweet tooth, try dark chocolate – proven to reduce blood pressure and risk of stroke. These Dark Chocolate Snowflakes (£4.50 for two, Hotel Chocolat. com), are delicious. Banish the bugs ’Tis the season for colds and flu. But don’t worry, Cuticura’s Sensitive Antibacterial Hand Gel (99p, boots.com), kills 99.9% of bacteria, and contains soothing aloe vera.…

15 June 2015: Life is precious It seems crazy to think I have a life-threatening illness. I think about how, as I am lying in bed, the cancer cells are multiplying inside me right now. It seems so scary. Life is the most precious gift. 21 July 2015: Bald and proud I am now completely bald and you know what? I’m proud! Just because I have no hair doesn’t mean I am not Katie any more. Yes, there’ll be days where I would die to have my hair back, but the point is not having hair is keeping me alive. 30 July 2015: Helping people I’ve had countless messages from people saying my story and writing has changed their perspective on life. That is exactly what I wanted. For everyone…

1 ZSL WHIPSNADE ZOO, BEDFORDSHIRE Not only can kids meet Santa and receive a special gift, but Mrs Claus will be hosting craft activities and you can meet some reindeer. Book ahead for early morning VIP experiences. From £3, zsl.org 2 CLUMBER PARK, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE Christmas at this country estate involves traditional brass bands and craft activities. Join Santa for stories in his grotto and meet Rudolph in the Walled Garden. From £3.65, nationaltrust.org. uk/clumber-park 3 WESTFIELD SHOPPING CENTRES, LONDON Santa is sharing his luxurious holiday cottage with favourite characters from Shrek . Shrek and Donkey will be escorting children through the elf-manned passport control to see Mr Claus. From £8, uk.westfield.com…

TELLING LIES Atonement by Ian McEwan Set in a big house just before the outbreak of the Second World War, teenage Briony is an aspiring writer and in love with the gardener. When she discovered he’s in love with her older sister, she tells a lie with tragic repercussions. DETECTIVE WORK The Suspicions of Mr Whicher by Kate Summerscale It reads like a thrilling novel but this is the true story of the Kent family asleep in their opulent home in the summer of 1860. When their baby boy vanishes from his cot, the search leads to a gruesome discovery and a major police case. SECRETS OF THE HOUSE The Winter Children by Lulu Taylor Olivia and Dan are so happy with their twins…

I joined Woman Bingo years ago and still enjoy it as much today. There’s a huge variety of games and everyone’s so friendly, I love catching up on everyone’s gossip. When I first joined, I played the Deal Or No Deal slots most, but now I love Speed Bingo. Each game lasts about 30 seconds, and it’s just 1p to play. I’ve tried other sites, but none are as enjoyable as Woman Bingo. There are always lots of new games, which keeps things fresh. I’d had lots of little wins, and then I hit my first jackpot. I’d been playing Cloud Bingo when, all of a sudden, my numbers started being called. I got the Full House then scooped the Progressive Jackpot, winning £1,250. My husband and I used the…

PUT YOUR FEET UP Foot Massager (£79.95, red5.co.uk ) Tired tootsies can enjoy a choice of three massage modes, two levels of pressure and a heated option. A great gift for a loved one, and you may get to sneakily use it yourself. STYLISH SOUNDS Retro Mini Radio (£79.99, myvq.co.uk ) Your radio can now be as stylish as your Emma Bridgewater crockery! The new Retro Mini has DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity, plus a powerful 10-watt speaker. New prints include Pink Hearts, Blue Daisy and Marmalade. NEW KIDS’ TABLET Robin (price plans from £13 per month, EE.co.uk ) Comes pre-loaded with 40 games as well as Hopster, allowing access to shows like Postman Pat . Child-proof bumper included.…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr A passionate fling could be sparked at this time, but these same blazing influences could damage a long-term relationship. Awareness will help you make the best of your stars, not the worst. TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May This is absolutely not the time to take a situation to the edge just to see what will happen – you won’t like the results – and unless you are prepared to kiss goodbye to someone or something, stay sweet. GEMINI 22 May – 22 Jun Be wary of your movements and consider how your actions could be interpreted by others. Never rule out the power of the unconscious mind to bring about precisely what you desire. CANCER 23 Jun – 23 Jul You are one…

Holly Willoughby has become a firm fixture on our TV screens thanks to her bubbly, infectious personality. And while many of her dedicated fans are keen to praise the star for her presenting skills, that hasn’t stopped Holly, 34, from being hounded by a barrage of warped, x-rated images in the past few weeks. Simply by searching her name on Twitter to see what she’s been doing, any of Holly’s six million followers could quite easily stumble across the string of explicit pictures posted directly to her account. And, in a further low last week, Holly’s face was also doctored on to an extremely graphic image, which was made to look as if she was partaking in a sexual act. While the inappropriate snaps have since been taken down, friends…

Career coach Richard Alderson says: Test the waters: You don’t need to quit your job to start making changes. Try a course or apply for work experience, so you’ll know you’re making the right decision. Get help: Around 75% of jobs aren’t advertised, so approach people in fields you’re interested in for help or find mentors who’ve done what you want to do. People are your best route to finding new opportunities. For more advice, go to careershifters.org .…

OUT TO PARTY? Got an early festive date? There’s no need to binge at the buffet. Sip a cup of vegetable soup an hour before you leave home to take the edge off your appetite. It can reduce the amount of calories you eat at any meal by around 30%. YOUR 7-DAY PARTY DRESS DIET PLAN Our diet plan is based on a two-day fruit and veggie fast to kick-start weight loss and help detox your body. Then, by sticking to a calorie count of around 1,200 a day for the following five days you can lose up to 7lb in a week! The key to keeping the weight off is to eat little and often to keep your metabolism ticking over and carry on burning calories. EVERY DAY 1…

DO Take painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. They can really help with general cold and flu symptoms, including aches and shivers. Cook some chicken soup. Research has found it contains a substance called carnosine, which works on the immune system to calm inflammation in the body, easing your symptoms. Have lots of strong-flavoured hot drinks, such as honey and lemon. DON’T Go to your doctor. There’s nothing your GP can do to help you – antibiotics don’t work for viruses. But if you are feeling really unwell, especially if you suffer from another condition such as asthma or diabetes, or you’re pregnant, call the surgery for advice. Rush out to buy cough medicine. Evidence suggests it’s no more effective than a glass of water. Feel you have to stay…

Pain au chocolat tear-and-share wreath Pure heaven for a weekend brunch, and delicious fresh from the oven, so the chocolate is still soft inside SERVES 12 PREP 20 MINS COOK 20 MINS * 2 x 275g packs Jus-Rol Bake-it Fresh Pain au Chocolat * 2tbsp maple syrup * 150g white chocolate 1 Heat the oven to 220°C, Gas 7. Grease a 23cm tart tin and stand an empty cleaned food can, greased on the outside, in the centre. Unroll all the packets of croissant dough and cut each perforated rectangle into four equal pieces. 2 Break the chocolate from the pain au chocolat packs into small pieces. Place a couple of pieces of chocolate in the centre of each bit of croissant dough. Fold in the corners to make a…

MODERN OPULENT Use a mix of gold and silver metallics with a traditional candelabra to create this opulent table. For a more modern, shabby-chic feel, avoid formal place settings and lay everything out in a more random way. All you need then for a relaxed celebration is good company and plenty of champagne. All from BHS NICE & NORDIC There’s nothing like red and white to get you into the festive spirit, and these nostalgic vintage-style paper decorations will remind you of your childhood. Add touches of green to keep it looking fresh and stylish. All from Talking Tables ( talkingtables. co.uk ; 020 7627 6767)…

Last summer I joined Woman Bingo and had only been playing a few months before I had my big win. It was after reading a story just like this one that I decided to sign up. My mum had always been a fan of bingo and I’d dabbled on a few other sites, but being a Woman magazine reader, I was keen to try Woman Bingo. One evening, I was playing in the Bingo Lounge, while relaxing with my husband Karl, 42. We were watching a film so we had the lights off for added atmosphere! Karl loves scary films, so while we watch, I can enjoy a few games of bingo – it’s a lovely way to wind down. It was only the second time…