Woman s own 8 august 2016 by read_m11333

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‘INEARLY RUTH BEGS EAMONN CLOBBERED RICHARD!’

MUM’SDOUBLE TRAGEDY

ButI’m fighting back

‘STOP TAKING ME FOR GRANTED!’

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This week in Woman’s Own

Andrea with boyfriend Nick

Wedding bellsahead?

Join us on ine

Cover photos Rex, Mel Media, Mirrorpix, Splash This page Rex, Alamy

Head to our fabulous website, womansown.co.uk, to get all the latest celeb gossip, great competitions and deals, plus beauty, fashion, easy recipes and health tips.

Features

Celebrity 4 Summer blues 6 ON THE COVER Judy snaps: ‘I nearly clobbered Richard’ 8 ON THE COVER Ruth: ‘Stop taking me for granted!’ 10 Matt Baker: ‘Alex and I are like brother and sister’ 60 Kelvin Fletcher: ‘I was standing in just a thong!’ 66 Jasmine Harman

There’s nothing better than a good love story and Andrea McLean sounds like she’s living her happy ever after with her new man, business owner Nick eeney! The Loose Woman is so smitten he’s hinted that here could even be wedding bells around he corner. ‘We both agreed tha marriage is a possibility in the future,’ Andrea gushed. ‘If the children asked us to marry, we would deﬁnitely move it forward, but right now we’re incredible happy as we are.’ Andrea met Nick on a blind date and described is like ‘a volt of electricity’, Aww, he sounds perfect to us!

12 Olympics: We are gold! 14 My life: He posted naked pictures of me online 28 Special report: Sleep with me for £10,000 34 ON THE COVER Mum’s double tragedy: ‘But I’m fighting back’ 40 Real life: The cook who surprised everyone 44 Turning point: Saved by the three day nanny

Subscribe to Woman’s Own from £10.99* X Every subscription comes complete with a free trial digital version – for iPad and iPhone Subscribe online at womansownsubs.co.uk/12Y or call 0330 333 1113, quoting code 12Y *Quarterly by UK Direct Debit. Lines open 7 days a week from 8am to 9pm (UK time). For full terms and conditions, please visit magazinesdirect.com/terms. Offer ends: 30 September 2016

VE SA UP TO

19%

Life & Style 17 ON THE COVER Holiday special: Last minute buys £30 or less 22 ON THE COVER 10 hot haircuts for summer 25 Beauty: £10 tops! 26 ON THE COVER Ditch sugar today and drop a dress size 31 Health news 32 Are you taking your medicine correctly? 36 Food: Flavours of the Med 39 Food news , including grown-up thirst-quenchers 54 Just for you: Be a judge for product of the year 2017. Win an overnight stay in London

Your favourites 30 Emotional health: Our therapist Anita Naik tackles your problems 42 Smart shopper, including a guide to contactless payments and a look at the best e-readers 50 Getaways: Perfect peace in Cassis! 52 Puzzles: Your weekly crossword, clues & arrows, wordsearch and sudoku 55 Your stars with Wendy Bristow 59 In touch: Write to Miriam 62 All the TV gossip, including a chat with Bradley Walsh and the big exit at Corrie 65 Behind the scenes with Richard Arnold

Summer b

Join the glitterati

Jane Seymour, 65, is the ultimate glamourpuss. It turns out the perfect accessory to cerulean is diamonds, diamonds and more diamonds. We approve!

Not content with a sequinned dress, Christina Hendricks, 41, adds more shiny things to her look in the form of a mirrored clutch and dazzling courts.

Words Stephanie Maylor Photos Rex

What a diamond!

4 WOMANSOWN.co.uk

Back of the net The shoes, the hair, the perfect shade of navyâ&#x20AC;Ś everything about Davina McCall, 48, is bang on, especially the on-trend netting that ďŹ&#x201A;ares out from the knee.

Suits you, madam Leona Lewis, 31, updates the classic two-piece suit in cool cobalt, with a black cami top and sandals.

blues

Trending

From pretty pastels to rich jewel tones, this cool colour is an ageless choice

Getting leggywithit

Slink off Embracing the trend for nightwear-asoutwerwear, Eva Longoria, 41, is elegant in this slinky satin number with its plunging neckline.

Velvetvamp Fearne Cotton, 34, is ultra glam in navy. The dress looks simple from the outset but the velvet panel and sheer cut-outs add a sexy slant.

Like a ﬁne wine, Jennifer Lopez, 47, is getting better with age, and this thighskimming shift dress shows off her toned pins – pastel blue looks amazing with bronzed skin!

Accessorise allareas We’re used to seeing the Duchess of Cambridge, 34, in a classic shift dress and fail-safe wedges, so it’s great to see her in such a bold hue.

WOMANSOWN.co.uk 5

All the P I S S O G . .. k e e w s i h t t a h w g in Who’s do

NAUGHTY, NAUGHTY Keith Lemon has spilled some serious gossip about one of his best mates! The Celebrity Juice host was chatting about his co-star Holly Willoughby and what happens during ﬁlming, when he said, ‘We’re all drunk, Holly more so. She’s like a drunken old man! She looks like an angel but we have to carry her off afterwards and hide her shoes, because if she wobbles off in her shoes, she’ll fall off stage!’ And he says it’s also Holly, 35, who leads the others astray! ‘She’s the Holly is a Juice worst out of us all and a bad ringleader! inﬂuence!’ admitted Keith, 43. We can’t believe it!

Words Jennifer Kyte Photos Rex, Splash, Mel Media, Twitter @hollywills, @staceysolomon, Instagram@Schofe, @myleeneklass

Feeling HOT!

Friday mornings have got a little bit better this summer now that James Martin has taken over hosting duties on This Morning, and we’re not the only ones who think so. Viewers are tweeting in their hundreds to confess their secret crush on the chef! ‘You have made my morning! Gorgeous James Martin every Friday through summer? I’m in heaven! Thank you This Morning,’ one tweeted. Another added, ‘How gorgeous is James Martin, great job today!’ But it wasn’t just James, 44, who got the attention – viewers were also loving his co-host Anita Rani, 38. ‘Very refreshing for the end of the week with Anita Rani,’ tweeted a viewer. Here’s to a long hot summer!

Judy lost her temper on the way to Nice…

Moving on

We love spending the morning with James!

The nation’s biggest showbiz family are on the hunt for a new home, and it’s going to be a whopper! The Beckhams are rumoured to be house hunting in the Cotswolds and Victoria, 42, wants stables, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools, a design studio for her fashion business and even a pond for David, 41, to ﬁsh in. ‘Victoria wants her own version of Downton Abbey,’ said a source. ‘Something very classic as opposed to their place in London, which is very modern.’ Sounds lovely to us!

‘I NEARLY CLOBBERED HIM!’ O

Celebrity news A terrace BBQ is all Joe Swash needs

Judy Finnigan snaps at hubby Richard

h dear, it looks like Richard Madeley was on the receiving end of a very annoyed Judy recently after she admitted that she ‘nearly clobbered him!’ Judy was talking about a recent incident when they were travelling to the South of France, – and it’s something a lot of women can relate to! ‘We stopped off at a service s ation for a bite to eat and to use the toilets,’ explained Judy, …and Richard, 68. ‘Fat chance 60, bore the of the latter brunt of it! – at least for me. The queue

for the ladies snaked right around the block. Meanwhile, Richard swanned into the gents in seconds. When I finally had to go, I found myself seething as I shuffled slowly forwards for about half an hour in the queue. ‘When I finally returned to the car, mad as a box of frogs, Richard calmly informed me it’s because men’s toilets feature lines of urinals or stalls into which blokes are happy to pee in public. I nearly clobbered him! ‘‘I know that!’’ I hissed. ‘So why don’t they build twice as many loos?’ ‘It’s not just motorway services – theatres and cinemas are just as bad. And it’s so unfair!’ We couldn’t agree more.

A GOOD GRILLING! These celebs show how it’s done at a summer BBQ ’s been Phillip Schofield all on n io nt te at paying ng ni or M is Th e os th cooking segments

up! LOOSE CHANGE! Posh by name, posh in taste!

It looks like our fave daytime TV show could be about to have another makeover! The Loose Women producers are preparing for a shake-up at the end of August in the hope of ﬁnding even more success. As we reported last week, the show has been going from strength to strength, with more than one million viewers daily – but as all the panellists’ contracts run out at the end of next month, we’ve heard there might be some new faces getting involved and a few on their way out. ‘There are lots of exciting surprises in the pipeline for September,’ a source revealed. ‘It will build on current success.’

It’s a meatlovers’ affair at Myleene Klass’ house

E M G N I K A T P ‘STO ’ ! D E T N A R G R FO TV star Ruth Langsford feels husband Eamonn Holmes is leaving her out in the cold…

Words Kerrina Gray Photos Xposure, WENN, Instagram @RuthLangsford

V’s power couple Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes have us grinning from ear to ear at the moment, as they host This Morning over the summer months. But behind closed doors, all is not as perfect as it seems, with Ruth telling pals that she feels like her husband, 56, is neglecting her. ‘Ruth feels taken for granted by Eamonn,’ a close pal explained. ‘She wants her Eamonn back, not her on-screen husband and work associate.’

Ruth and Eamonn, who have 14-year-old son Jack together, are one of TV’s best-loved couples, having spent 10 years on screen together – and their chemistry is undeniable. ‘Ruth says that at work her husband is bubbly and attentive, the perfect husband,’ our source continued. ‘She wants that Eamonn to come home with her. But they’ll travel in the car to work in complete silence and then on arrival, Eamonn Added the source, ‘She thinks comes to life. She says she intimate, quality time is lacking has two husbands – one on and that sometimes he can act screen and one off screen.’ like more of a work colleague And after six years of than her husband. She has to marriage, what Ruth, 56, really remind him that she is his wife wants is for her husband to and he needs to do more in prioritise spending some quality the romance department.’ alone time with her, and start making more of an effort away from Eamonn and Ruth the studio. are a ‘great couple’ ‘Ruth can’t remember the last time Eamonn acted on impulse or bought her ﬂowers simply to say he loves her,’ the close friend explained. ‘It’s always post-row or for a birthday or anniversary. She feels she’s too young for the romance to be dead and wants him to step it up!’

Friends say Ruth wants more ‘quality alone time’ together

More romance

8 WOMANSOWN.co.uk

But it seems Eamonn, who also has children Declan, 27, Rebecca, 25, and Niall, 22, from his ﬁrst marriage, doesn’t see the problem. ‘Ruth says that Eamonn thinks they spend enough time together, he doesn’t understand the fuss she’s making about quality alone time,’ the source added. ‘But then Ruth thinks he wouldn’t understand, he’s a man and she’s just nagging.’

Firm favourites But despite their issues at home, no one can deny that they’re the UK’s favourite TV couple. ‘This Morning – class with Eamonn and Ruth presenting it,’ one viewer tweeted, with another adding, ‘I cannot wait to watch This Morning with Ruth and Eamonn tomorrow. Great couple.’ We agree! X

‘She feels r too young feoto the romancnd be dead a to wants him!’ step it up

Celebrity Holiday stress: Coleen says her and Ray often ‘don’t speak’

‘I CAN’T STAND HIM!’ Coleen Nolan makes a shock marriage confession!

oleen Nolan has admitted that there With are times when she husband ‘can’t stand’ her husband Ray Ray Fensome, and it’s always when they’re about to jet off on holiday. The Loose Woman was talking about going to the airport before a trip when she confessed that her musician partner annoys her so much that they don’t speak! ‘I don’t think me and Ray, in all the 16 years we’ve been together, have ever got on a plane and spoken,’ Coleen, 51, revealed. ‘By the time we get on the plane I can’t stand him!’ Explaining further, she added, ‘We once had three hours at the airport, and then we ﬂew to Vegas – we didn’t speak for 16 hours!’ Asked why by her Loose colleagues, Coleen, who’s mum to Shane Jr, 27, Rixton band member Jake, 23, and daughter Ciara, 15, continued, ‘Because he leaves it to the last minute but then gets all stressed and then he has no patience whatsoever. You know at airports you queue? You queue to check in, you queue to get your passport checked, you queue to go through customs, all of that. He moans and he moans, ‘Well this is ridiculous.’ And I go, ‘Yeah, we’ve been queuing for all of ﬁve minutes now!’’ Oh dear, let’s hope you have a happy holiday once you get there, guys! X WOMANSOWN.co.uk 9

‘ALEX& IARE LIKE

BROTHER & SISTER’ TV star Matt Baker talks co-hosts, gymnastics and awkward interviews!

Words Jane Oddy Photos BBC, Rex, Ant Upton/Eyevine

e’s a former British gymnastics champion who has flown hang gliders for Blue Peter, taken part in endless charity challenges and hosts two popular TV shows. And now The One Show’s Matt Baker is about to jet off to Rio to bring us all the live coverage from the 2016 Olympic Games! Just before he left, we sat down with the Countryfile star, 38, who’s married to physiotherapist Nicola Mooney, 37, and dad to Luke, eight, and Molly, six, to find out more…

Hi Matt! Looks like you have quite a summer ahead of you! Absolutely. I can’t tell you how excited I am about it. I’m going to be totally in my element and I really think the Rio Games will be amazing.

You were once a gymnast. Can you still do a back flip? Yes, I can! I’ve got a trampoline at home now for the kids and I use it more than they do. I used to do it frequently, but then suddenly a month or so goes by and I think, ‘Can I still do it?’ Then off I go!

Matt in his Blue Peter days

On The One Show with Alex. ‘We’re a really good team,’ says Matt Your commentary is pretty excitable, do you think you’ll be able to contain yourself if Team GB do well? It will be really hard! But I am so enthusiastic about great gymnasts from any country really, it’s not just the British gymnasts at all, even though they are all my friends. Maybe it’s because I know what it feels like to do the sport and the hours it takes to train. I have so much respect for anyone who puts themselves out there and goes for it.

Are you holidaying in Rio after the Games? No, I am going on my own and coming straight back. I have to focus on the job because it will be so full-on. But I am going away with my family after. I’ve been to Rio before with Blue Peter, at Carnival time. I just remember the colours and the noise – it will be a big party. I can guarantee the Brazilians will put on a show!

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Celebrity How do you make your work and family life balance? Time management is important, and also not always thinking that work is everything. It really is crucial to take time out. I work very hard – competing in gymnastics taught me that. I love my work and I love my life! I’ve got to where I want to be and it’s very satisfying.

Do you have happy memories of your Blue Peter days? Yes, it was an extraordinary time for me. As a presenter, the show teaches you how to cope with every situation. Whether you are in the Arctic Circle or in the middle of a jungle, you’re presenting in tricky circumstances!

What has been your most embarrassing moment on air? I haven’t had any crazily embarrassing things happen but there have been some corking interviews on The One Show over the years – Bruce Willis was one of them! He didn’t really want to talk about the ﬁlm that he had come on to talk about and it was just so awkward. But it taught me a lesson. If that ever happens to me again, I will just sit back and say to the celebrity, ‘So what do you want to chat about? What’s on your mind?’

Do you have anyone on your wish list to interview? We’ve met so many

great stars on the show now – I am literally ticking them all off! But Eddie Murphy would be awesome.

As one of the faces of Rio 2016!

You get on so well with your co-host Alex Jones… We’re lucky, we’re like brother and sister! Where I grew up in the north-east and where she grew up in Wales are very similar places, and we come from similar backgrounds.

What’s her most annoying habit? She loves it to be really warm in the studio and when I get excited, I get hot and it’s a nightmare! So I’m trying to regulate my body temperature to what she likes. Sometimes she is wearing dresses, so I appreciate why she wants it to be warmer but when you’re sat there in a shirt and sweating, I am like, ‘Please Alex, can we have it a little bit cooler?’

And her best trait? Alex is so lovely and caring. She will always be looking out for you and your feelings, which is such a nice thing. We are a team and really good together.

If you had 24 hours left on earth, what would you do? I’d hire a massive bus and get every member of my family on it and maybe go on a whistle-stop trip to all those places in the world that I’ve loved in my time. My career has given me the opportunity to travel all over the world and so there are places I love!

You must get spotted in some strange places... I get recognised all over the world and it’s quite strange. My programmes appear on BBC World. I get recognised through the gymnastics too, because of YouTube! X

‘I love my ve work and I leogot my life – I’vant to to where I wvery be and it’s g’ satisfyin Matt with his wife of 12 years, Nicola

◆ Matt is part of the BBC’s Rio 2016 team bringing live coverage of the 2016 Summer Olympics beginning 5 August across TV, radio and on the BBC Sport website WOMANSOWN.co.uk 11

With the Olympic Games just days away, we look back at the superstars who won big at London 2012… SIR CHRIS HOY Record-breaker Chris

Words Jennifer Kyte Photos Rex, iStockphoto.com

won two gold medals in competitive cycling in 2012, bringing his career total to six – making him officially the most successful UK Olympian ever.

ANDY MURRAY

Wimbledon champ Andy took home the gold in 2012 too. He defeated Roger Federer to become the first British singles champion in more than 100 years.

VICTORIA PENDLETON

Victorious Victoria won the gold in the 2012 keirin, adding to her 2008 gold medal for the sprint. Since then she’s retired from cycling and now has a career in horse racing.

Olympics

NICOLA ADAMS

The boxing flyweight champ made history in 2012 when she became the first ever Olympic women’s boxing gold medallist.

JESSICA ENNIS-HILL She’s not just a world champion, Jessica is also an Olympic hero after winning the gold in the heptathlon at the London 2012 games. Nice one, Jess!

MO FARAH

Our fave Mo won two gold medals back in 2012 – one for the men’s 10,000 metres and the other for 5,000. He did so well that he was awarded a CBE. Well done, Mo!

WOMANSOWN.co.uk 13

Heposted naked pictures of me online With her ex-partner out for revenge, Lyndsay Melia, 29, was humiliated. Now she wants to warn others...

Words Nisha Mal & Anna Verdon Photos David Wood/Hotspot Media

s a child you imagine living happily ever after with the man of your dreams. And when I met Paul Dickenson I thought just that – we’d be together forever. We had a solid relationship built on trust, but that all changed after he betrayed me in the worst way… Paul and I ﬁrst met in a pub in January 2006. I was out with my friends when we got chatting. At 26, he was seven years older than me, but that only made him more attractive. So when he asked me out on a date, I couldn’t say no. Two weeks later, on Valentine’s Day, he took me to the cinema, in Ferryhill, Durham, where we lived. And we soon became a couple, spending our weekends going to the pub for drinks or snuggling up on the sofa together in front of horror ﬁlms. We could barely keep our hands off each other too! Of course that initial lust did fade. It was only natural and what replaced it, while less passionate, was surely just the

14 WOMANSOWN.co.uk

next phase of our relationship. And, despite the odd argument over the washing up or what we were going to have for dinner, we were happy and Paul would make me feel special, always telling me he loved me. Then, in March 2009, I found out I was pregnant. Telling Paul, I could see from the smile on his face how happy he was. Throughout the pregnancy he’d look after me, cooking me dinner, and running out for my orange pop and caramel cravings. In October 2009, our daughter Kate was born and from the start Paul was a brilliant dad, helping with the night feeds and changing nappies. I was selfconscious about my post-pregnancy body and didn’t feel sexy, despite Paul telling me I was beautiful. Although Paul would try to make a move, I just wasn’t in the mood, but I tried to reassure him it was just a phase. Then, in April 2011, in a bid to

‘I wanted him to be happy’

Paul and Lyndsay had been together for eight years

reignite our spark, Paul said he wanted things between us to be better. ‘Perhaps we should try something to improve our sex life,’ he suggested tentatively. I knew how important it was to him and I wanted him to be happy. ‘Maybe we should film a video together,’ he said, looking me in the eyes to gauge my reaction. At first I was shocked. ‘No way,’ I said. I didn’t like catching myself naked in the mirror and couldn’t imagine capturing it on film – just the thought of it made me feel uncomfortable. But Paul seemed convinced it would

improve things between us. ‘It’s important for couples to have a good sex life,’ he said. ‘We need to try something.’ He reassured me that he would use a digital camera, so no one would see it apart from us. Perhaps he was right – after all, we’d been together ﬁve years and I loved him, so six months later I agreed.

Becoming angry While Kate was staying with my sister Cheryl, I told Paul I’d give it a go. As Paul pressed play, I tried to strip off seductively but I felt so awkward. I pushed my fears aside, focusing on the fact this would help save our relationship. Afterwards, as we lay in bed together, Paul kept telling me how amazing I was. While I forgot about the tape, just the idea of it seemed to

My life looking at – Paul had put our sex tape online. Even worse people were rating the video we’d ﬁlmed in the privacy of our bedroom. I was mortiﬁed and felt so vulnerable.

Feeling trapped

Lyndsay was sent an email with a link to a porn site make a difference – our sex life picked up again. Then, in May 2013, I discovered I was pregnant again. Paul and I were so excited Kate was going to be a big sister. At the 20-week scan we discovered we were going to have another girl and we were pleased we’d kept all of Kate’s old clothes. When Charlotte was born that November, I felt just the same as with Kate, so full of love and blissfully happy to now have two gorgeous girls, and Paul by our side. But back home it wasn’t like the last time. Paul wasn’t helping out as much as before and we started arguing. By the time Charlotte was four months old, I’d had enough. ‘I can’t put up with this any longer,’ I told Paul as we bickered in the living room. ‘You need to move out.’ Paul begged me to change

my mind but I needed some space, so he moved his clothes out and found a place nearby. He still visited the girls every day and we tried to stay civil for the children, but as Paul begged me to take him back and I kept refusing, he got increasingly angry.

Then, in April 2015 I got a text from Paul: ‘If you don’t bring the girls to see me I’ll put the sex tape online.’ I was horriﬁed he still had it – he hadn’t mentioned it for so many years. I’d assumed he’d deleted the footage when we split. But he was trying to get back at me for ending things. I text him back begging him to delete it. And when I didn’t hear from him again until November – when he sent the girls a Christmas card – I hoped he’d just been making idle threats. After all, this was the man who’d been part of my life for almost a decade. But two months later, an email with his name on it dropped into my inbox. There was a link to a porn website. Staring at the images on screen, I felt sick as it dawned on me what I was

I emailed him back, asking him what he thought he was doing. ‘R u for real’ I typed. But instead of apologising he told me he’d sent it to my best friend and was planning to send it to everyone on my Facebook. The thought of friends and family seeing the tape filled me with dread. I felt so trapped. Why was he doing this? I rang my best friend and pleaded with her not to open the link – thankfully she hadn’t. I then rang my sister Cheryl and burst into tears. She told me to call the police. At first I was embarrassed by the thought of them seeing it, but I knew I had to tell them, so I rang to give a statement. I also contacted the porn site – which gets 21 billion views a year – and asked them to take the video down – the thought of strangers watching it made my skin crawl. Three days later I got a call from the police telling me they’d arrested Paul. I felt so relieved. He appeared at Scarborough Magistrates Court in February 2016 but I didn’t want to go – I couldn’t bear to see him again. He admitted to disclosing a sexual film with intent to cause distress. He was told to pay an £80 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs and, as well as an indefinite restraining order preventing him from contacting me, he was given a 26-week prison sentence. But the nightmare of it all lives on for me. I still can’t believe the father of my children would do this – he’s not only let me down but his girls too, it’s the ultimate betrayal. I would urge every woman out there never to make a sex tape, no matter how much you love your partner and how convinced you are that your relationship is forever. You don’t know where it might end up. X

‘Why was he doing this?’

The pair have two daughters. ‘He’s let his girls down, too,’ says Lyndsay

WOMANSOWN.co.uk 15

Fashion

HOLIDAY BUYS Grab yourself a last minute bargain before you head off to the sun. Here are our favourite beachy buys – and they’re all £30 or less! £30, sizes s-l, Topshop £25, sizes 6-22, Next £14.99, sizes 6-20, bonprix. co.uk

THROW-ON DRESSES

£14.99, sizes xs-xl, lindex.com £19.99, sizes 6-24, bonprix.co.uk

ONLY £14.99

£24.99, sizes 6-18, New Look Dress, £27, sizes xs-xl, necklace, £15, bag, £29, all Accessorize WOMANSOWN.co.uk 17

FASHIOVNE ED’S FA

£29.99, sizes xs-l, lindex.com

£29, sizes s-xl, Simply Be

£26, sizes s-l, Next

£25, sizes 12-32, JD Williams

KAFTANS

£29.99, TK Maxx

£29.99, sizes 10-32, bonprix.co.uk

Kaftan, £25, one size, White Stuff £24.99, sizes 8-26, bonprix.co.uk

UP TO SIZE 26

£14.99, sizes s-l, lindex.com

£29, sizes 6-18, Warehouse

£25, sizes 6-18, Fat Face

SHORTS

£12.99, sizes 8-18, New Look

£16, sizes 6-22, Next 18 WOMANSOWN.co.uk

£25, sizes 6-18, Fat Face

Top, £26, shorts, £22, both sizes 8-22, M&Co

£22.99, sizes 6-18, H&M

SWIMWEAR

Fashion £16, sizes 12-32, JD Williams

Top, £8, bottoms, £5 sizes 6-22, Primark £29.99, sizes 10-22, bonprix.co.uk

UP TO SIZE 32

£28, sizes 6-22, Next

£28, sizes 4-16, Topshop £21, sizes 8-24, kaleidoscope.co.uk

£25, Michael Van Der Ham at M&S

£28, Asos

£24.99, New Look £27, Monsoon

£28, Topshop

ONLY £17.99

EMBELLISHED SANDALS £15, boohoo.com £17.99, Deichmann £24.99, New Look WOMANSOWN.co.uk 19

£22, Very

20 WOMANSOWN.co.uk

£26, sizes 4-14, glamorous.com

£29, sizes 10-26, JD Williams

£28, sizes 8-16, Fashion Union

£29, sizes 10-26, JD Williams

£22.99, sizes 8-18, New Look

£14.99, sizes 6-16, blueinc.co.uk

£28, sizes 6-22, F&F at Tesco

JUMPSUITS UP TO SIZE 26

£12, Matalan

BEACH BAGS

£19.99, bonprix.co.uk

UNDER

£20

£15, Very

£19.99, bonprix.co.uk

Jumpsuit, £16, sizes 8-20, sandals, £16, both Peacocks

Fashion

JUST

£8 £8, Asos

£11, yoins.com

£29, John Lewis

SUMMER CLUTCH BAGS £28, Topshop

£25, East

Bag, £27, dress, £25, sizes xs-xl, belt, £25, necklace, £15, earrings, £12, all Accessorize

£25, Oliver Bonas

£18, Asos

£12, Asos

£12, zalando.co.uk

ESPADRILLES Compiled by Becky Joiner-O’Riordan

£29.99, Zara

ED’S FAVE

£24, River Island

WOMANSOWN.co.uk 21

THE BOUNCY BOB

AS SEEN ON ALESHA DIXON, 37 From the fearless length and creamy blonde hue to the va-va-voom root lift, Alesha’s hair’s got talent! The key to this bold bob is body and bounce so it’s best reserved for those with thicker hair, like Alesha. ASK FOR A bob with plenty of movement and some long layers snipped in sparingly. If it’s too layered, it will add years to your look.

THE LONG ’N’ LAYERED

AS SEEN ON CAT DEELEY, 39 There’s a myth that women of a certain age shouldn’t wear their hair long, but provided your locks are kept in pristine condition (no split ends, ladies) then we say grow for it! ASK FOR A few graduated pieces at the front so the length doesn’t drag your face down, and long layers throughout to add bounce.

SUPERCU

Summ Like those well-worn flip-flips, our hair can after weeks in the sun. Here are 10 stylesto THE SHOULDERSKIMMER

AS SEEN ON ANDREA McLEAN, 46 This fresh, fashionable look is long enough to put up into a ponytail when you need to. ASK FOR A shoulder-length cut with a few layers to take the weight out of thick hair.

THE CHOPPY LOB

AS SEEN ON VICTORIA BECKHAM, 42 Finally! Posh has ditched the extensions in favour of a sexy, tousled style. And by taking her hair up to the collarbone, she’s shed years in the process. ASK FOR A chest-skimming style with choppy layers for texture. A soft, beachy blow-dry shows off the cut perfectly.

THE LONG CROP

AS SEEN ON SCARLETT JOHANSSON, 31 Short cuts have the power to accentuate your favourite features – Scar-Jo’s celebrated pout takes centre stage now. ASK FOR A cropped cut that is tapered into the neck with length through the front and a side-sweeping fringe.

Beauty

THE SHAG

AS SEEN ON HALLE BERRY, 49 The reason this shaggy cut looks so darn good is the modern shattered shape and nonchalant wispy bangs. A great cut for anyone with naturally wavy, kinky hair. ASK FOR A chin-grazing bob that is cut into to give a wispy effect, with a long, choppy fringe.

THE BLUNT BOB

AS SEEN ON CATE BLANCHETT, 47 Chic and ageless, this classic bob elongates your neck while the blunt ends help to thicken the appearance of ﬁne hair. ASK FOR A one-length, blunt cut that sits around the jawline. This style suits those with oval or heart-shaped faces.

TS FOR

er!

THE DEMI-FRINGE

AS SEEN ON SIENNA MILLER, 34 Not sure about a full-on fringe? Try Sienna’s demi-fringe, also known as a fringe/un-fringe or gringe. It’s totally versatile, worn as a sweeping side fringe or parted in the middle. ASK FOR A long, cheekbone-skimming fringe that tapers down at either side to blend with the rest of your hair.

look pretty tired take to the salon

AS SEEN ON JESSICA CHASTAIN, 39 Turn up the cool factor on basic, shoulder-length locks with an asymmetric twist. Part your hair on the side to show off the cut’s architectural shape to the max. ASK FOR An asymmetrica lob which is cut upwards at an angle towards the back, keeping the length at the front.

THE ROCK CHICK LOB

AS SEEN ON DAVINA McCALL, 48 Davina usually opts for a simple blunt cut but we love her choppy update. The razored ends and heavy fringe score her some serious cool points. ASK FOR A textured lob that sits around your collarbone with a full, eye-skimming fringe.

Words Stephanie Maylor Photos Rex

THE TWINLENGTH LOB

WOMANSOWN.co.uk 23

Promotion

Give your hair

ABOOST

Don’t let age stop you enjoying fabulous-looking hair every day…

rushing your hair, doing a mirror check and feeling pleased with your reﬂection puts a spring in your step. And when you feel good about yourself, you’ll radiate conﬁdence. But what if your hair isn’t looking as nice as you’d like? Or, worse, it’s starting to thin? Then it’s time to think about giving it a vitality boost. The Plantur 39 range of shampoos, tonic and conditioners are specially formulated to do just that.

Howtohelpprotectyourhair Find out exactly which Plantur 39 product is right for your hair type

PhytoCaffeine Shampoos

Choose the shampoo that best suits your hair type. O PLANTUR 39 PHYTOCAFFEINE SHAMPOO FOR FINE, BRITTLE HAIR contains a gentle conditioning agent to boost volume. O PLANTUR 39 PHYTOCAFFEINE SHAMPOO FOR COLOUR-TREATED AND STRESSED HAIR protects with provitamin B5 and natural wheat extracts.

PhytoCaffeine Tonic

This tonic is ideal if you prefer not to shampoo your hair every day, or need to use a shampoo other than the Plantur 39 PhytoCaffeine shampoos. O PLANTUR 39 PHYTOCAFFEINE TONIC is packed with caffeine, vitamins, zinc salts and nature’s phyto-active substances to protect against testosterone for up to 24 hours.

Formoreinformation To ﬁnd out more about Plantur 39, including the scientiﬁc research behind the collection, visit plantur39.co.uk. Plantur 39 shampoos, tonic and conditioners are available at Boots, Superdrug, Tesco, independent pharmacies and at Amazon.

PhytoCaffeine Conditioners

Pick the conditioner that works for your hair type. O PLANTUR 39 CONDITIONER FOR FINE, BRITTLE HAIR increases your hair’s strength and resilience using essences of white tea, corn and natural wheat extracts. O PLANTUR 39 CONDITIONER FOR COLOURED AND STRESSED HAIR contains avocado to smooth hair and help regenerate its surface.

From a study of 2,000 UK adults

This haircare collection contains a Phyto-Caffeine Complex that helps to protect against age-related hair loss. Developed by Dr. WolffResearch, it contains caffeine, which has been proven to protect hair against the negative effects of testosterone – a hormone that has an increasing impact on your hair around the menopause. Used daily, the Plantur 39 products can provide nourishment to the hair just where it’s needed, at the hair root, and the beneﬁcial effects can last for up to 24 hours. Many of us say hair loss makes us feel less attractive, older and insecure.* So protect your hair now to help it stay healthy and looking good. It’ll boost both your hair and your conﬁdence!

Nourish your hair

Beauty PS Beauty Lipstick in Hot Pink, £1.50, Primark At this price, you can afford to experiment with bolder lip colours, like this sizzling pink.

Next Hello Summer cosmetics bag, £6 Summer has arrived, according to this sweet little make-up case. The perfect travel companion. Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water, £4.99 Tough on make-up but gentle on skin, micellar water takes the hassle out of cleansing. The bottle lasts for 200 uses!

£10 tops!

Who said looking great had to cost a lot? Not us! Essie Gel Couture, £9.99 No base coat, lamp or soak off required. All you need are two coats of colour and the top coat for a highgloss mani that really lasts.

Bourjois Volume Reveal Mascara, £9.99 We love a product that’s as practical as it is stylish. This mascara has a neat little mirror on the tube for on-the-go application.

Words Stephanie Maylor

Ecotools Makeup Brush Cleansing Cloths, £6.99 Your brushes are a breeding ground for bacteria, so regular cleaning is a must. These handy wipes make it easy.

Avon Ideal Flawless CC Sticks, £8 each Blur imperfections with these creamy colour-correcting pens. Green targets redness, lilac brightens, and yellow zaps dark circles.

Lacura Expert Wrinkle Smoother, £4.99, Aldi This wrinkle-buster hits stores on 7 August, so be quick! You’ll notice firmer skin and softer creases in just four weeks. WOMANSOWN.co.uk 25

h c t i D

A P O R E …D Z I S S S E DR out ne? i l d t n s i i f a o w t our quiz y ’ s g r n i e v n i a r u ar-c uff r g t s u s t r e u e o w Take Is the s

TAKE OUR QUIZ

es, sugar does taste great but it also activates reward pathways in the brain, producing cravings that can be really hard to control. A teaspoon of sugar has around 20 calories, and most sugary foods are devoid of vitamin and mineral goodness. To see if your need for sugar is affecting your weight and what to do about it if so, take our quick quiz. What’s your usual breakfast? A Poached or boiled eggs B Nutty muesli, porridge or wholemeal toast C Non-wholegrain/sugary cereal with milk D Sugary tea or coffee and/or mufﬁn

How would you describe your energy levels? A Pretty good and stable B A little sluggish mid-afternoon, but you still function C You reach for coffees or diet drinks to help you through the day D You can’t get through the afternoon without a sugar fix

How do you feel when you eat dessert? A Like you didn’t enjoy it enough to have wasted all those calories B Satisfied C Wow, that was yummy and you’d like some more D A little bit disgusted with yourself but still wanting chocolate with your after-dinner coffee

B Feel satisfied and move on with your day C Are tempted to eat more, but force yourself to stop D Completely lose control and polish off another slice What happens when you get an urge to eat something sweet? A You don’t really get sugar cravings B You have some fruit C You allow yourself something sugary – like a mini Mars bar D You’re likely to lose control and polish off a whole packet of biscuits

It’s been a long hard day, so you: A Go for a run and/or get an early night B Relax in front of the TV with a glass of wine C Allow yourself dessert D Binge on a whole tub of ice cream or box of chocolates If you go without sugar for a day or two, you feel: A No different. You rarely eat sugar B Brighter and more energetic C Tired, with a bit of a headache D Weak, anxious and fatigued

What are your thoughts on fresh fruit? A Sweet and delicious – you have a couple of servings every day B You like it well enough and have a piece every day C OK, but you’d rather have apple pie than an apple D Unappealin

Words Angela Dowden Photos iStockphoto.com

After a fe your favo chocolate cake, you: A Don’t have a favourite chocolate ca – it’s too sw for your tast

Diet

SHAKE OFF YOUR SUGAR HABIT Follow these tips and drop up to 7lb in just four weeks ◆ When a sugar craving strikes, have a glass of water and a protein snack (eg, a handful of prawns or a slice of ham) instead. It will help even out your blood sugar and lessen your craving.

◆ At mealtimes, choose slowerreleasing carbohydrates like wholegrain bread, pulses and wholewheat pasta with proteins like meat, fish, eggs or Quorn and plenty of fruit and veg. ◆ Make your surroundings less ‘food toxic’ – eg, keep worktops and cupboards clear of chocolate and sweets so you can’t graze on them. ◆ Keep a food and feelings diary to identify when your sugar cravings strike and what drives them (eg, boredom, anger, low self-worth, etc). ◆ Have delicious juicy fruits like grapes, mango or cantaloupe on standby for a mid-afternoon blood sugar dip.

The idea of giving up sugar sounds: A Easy, since you almost never eat it anyway B Like a healthy thing to do – but you like sugary foods MOSTLY As. You can take or leave sugary occasionally foods and are probably a skinny minny. If you C Good, but you don’t do need to lose weight, however, remember that think it’s possible allowing yourself the occasional sweet treat can D Scary. Sugary foods actually make it easier to stick to a diet! are your comfort MOSTLY Bs. You limit your sugar intake and find this fairly easy to do. Keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll The feelings erceive be able to lose any excess weight relatively easily. re: MOSTLY Cs. You’re not dangerously hooked on sugar nsation that yet, but you have a sweet tooth and have to rely on n gradually willpower to limit your portions. Willpower can fail, mbling so read the tips above to make cutting down on ch sugar and managing your weight easier. t-headedness MOSTLY Ds. You’re a sugar addict. You may feel eadaches a bit helpless and like your waistline is out of iety or irritability, control, but you can still break the habit ty to concentrate and start shaping up – see akiness our tips above.

YOUR RESULTS

WOMANSOWN.co.uk 27

Sleep with me for

£10,000

Subtle digs in meetings or making you work all hours, if you thought your bosswasbad,checkouttheseones

hey say ‘people don’t leave jobs, they leave managers’ and, according to a new survey, it’s true. Incredibly, 42% of us have quit a job because of a bad boss. It’s a worrying sign given that a third of us feel our current boss isn’t up to scratch. But some can definitely be worse than others...

BAD BOSSES R EPORT

Words Anna Cook Photos Ben Lack Photography, ncjMedia Ltd, Rex

THEINDECENTPROPOSAL Maryam Mashayekhi was looking forward to starting a new career. In May 2010, aged 31, she got a job as a trainee hairdresser at a Toni & Guy salon in her home town of Shefﬁeld. But within weeks of starting the job, Maryam claims her married manager, Christopher Story, started to make life difficult for her, even asking about her sexual preferences in front of colleagues.

Undermining

And that wasn’t all. As she tried to get her qualiﬁcations, she said that her boss called her ‘stupid’ daily and she lost her self-confidence. Then, in a car outside a client’s house, Story, a dad of two, propositioned Maryam, offering her thousands of

28 WOMANSOWN.co.uk

pounds to sleep with him. He said to her, ‘How much money do you want to have sex? Are you having sex for £1,000? What about £2,000 or £10,000?’

Horrified, Maryam says she rejected his advances, saying ‘No, not even for £20,000. I love my husband.’ But that wasn’t the end of her ordeal. Still in the car,

Christopher Story was found guilty of ‘inappropriate conduct’ Story tried giving Maryam money before forcing her head towards his groin. ‘It was as if he were trying to pay me. I was horriﬁed by this and immediately pulled away,’ she says. ‘He said he was having a joke.’ After six months, Maryam was signed off unfit with severe depression and had no

THESCAMMER She was an award-winning businesswoman and had an OBE no less – so you might think Anne Ganley was a dream to work for. Well, you’d be wrong. As head of the builders’ merchants Thompson & Sons Ltd, Anne had a ﬂeet of Range Rovers at her disposal. But when she was behind the wheel, she had a knack for running up driving licence penalty points. And with 12 points – meaning Anne would lose her licence – rather than accept her

punishment, she took drastic measures. Anne, 59, paid her employees to take speeding points on her behalf, including a pensioner. For five years, Anne thought she’d got away with her scam – but then pictures emerged of Anne behind the wheel of her Range Rover when she claimed she wasn’t, and she was forced to admit 14 offences. The court heard that, when

asked to accept the points, only one employee refused, and Anne’s lawyers insisted she didn’t put them under pressure. ‘There is no

Special report

Maryam was signed off work before receiving £20,500 compensation

HOW TO COPE WHEN YOUR BOSS TURNS BAD X GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING: You need to create a paper trail of all requests as well as everything you produce. If your boss is the type who gives directions verbally, follow up with an email to confirm that you heard everything correctly. If your boss contradicts him or herself, you’ll have proof. X WORK OUT YOUR BOSS’ MOTIVATION: Maybe it’s not that they really care about how long your lunch break is but they care about how it looks to their superiors. If you know you’re not being personally attacked, you can change how you react.

choice but to leave the job she had wanted so much. Despite claiming he had a ‘good working relationship’ with Maryam, Story, now 42, was found guilty of inappropriate conduct that left Maryam humiliated and her confidence shattered. She was vindicated when she was awarded £20,500 compensation.

suggestion the employee was put under any kind of duress or threat in terms of her job. They may well have believed that, but there is no evidence of that. She ran the business, she was at the helm and she accepts full responsibility.’

A reputation

Yet the court heard that Anne had ‘quite a reputation for firing people’ and that several employees felt ‘obliged’ to take the points for their boss. Anne was jailed for 30 months at Newcastle Crown

‘He askedhow much money I wantedto havesex’

Court after she admitted perverting the course of justice. Eight of her former employees were given suspended prison sentences after being convicted of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. The judge told Anne that she had abused her position of power, saying, ‘You have behaved in a thoroughly dishonest way, and in doing so you have brought down your employees, people who would otherwise have been law-abiding.’

X STAY CALM: If your boss is a shouter, don’t react by shouting back. If they are petty or smallminded, don’t descend to smallness yourself (however tempting!). Your boss’s boss could be watching you and this is your chance to show you can cope under pressure and are an ideal candidate for promotion. X BE WARNED: It can be hard to battle a bullying boss because, under UK law, you only have the right to claim unfair dismissal if you’ve been employed for more than two years. Get advice from ACAS, an organisation devoted to preventing and resolving employment disputes, at acas.org.uk.

L BOSS THE FOOTBALCT OR DO E VS TH

When Chelsea’s doctor Eva Carneiro tried to treat a player last August, it meant he was sent off. Angry, boss Jose Mourinho dubbed her ‘naive’. Dr Carneiro, 42, claimed constructive dismissal, turning down a £1.2 million settlement, before receiving an undisclosed sum and an apology. WOMANSOWN.co.uk 29

Emotional health

Ask ANITA

ContactANITA

Send your questions to askanita@timeinc.com Follow her on Twitter @AnitaNaik Or go to anitanaik.co.uk

MY COLLEAGUE HAS IT IN FOR ME Recently, a woman at work had a go at me in front of everyone. It really upset me and the more I think about it, the angrier I get. I was just checking something with her and she bit my head off. I feel nervous around her anyway as she’s more senior than me but I didn’t expect that. My work friends say her behaviour is outrageous and they think she has it in for me, which has upset me even more. They say I should report her to my boss, but I don’t want to make it worse. Sylvia, 45, Cardiff

Mum-of-two Anita Naik is an agony aunt and author with 22 years of experience. Whatever the problem, she’s here to help…

I’m worried about my daughter. When she was pregnant she moved closer to where I live so I could help when the baby came. I want to be closer to her and to support her but I don’t know how. Her husband’s gone all day and I pop over daily, but I can see she’s struggling. She’s very anxious and cries a lot but can’t say what the issue is. My grandson is only three weeks old so I know some of this is normal – the health visitor and midwife say it’s the baby blues – but she rarely goes out, saying she has nowhere to go. All her friends from school have moved away so she’s very lonely. How can I help her? Laura, 63, Tonbridge Aside from feeling overwhelmed by her new role as a mother, your daughter is exhausted, hormonal and probably feeling isolated by her new surroundings. You are probably being more supportive than you think simply by being there. Ask her what you can do to help. She might just need a shoulder to cry on, or some practical and emotional support, or simply time to catch up on sleep. When she feels stronger, suggest that she goes to a local mum and baby group. Making friends with other new mums will help her to beat the baby blues. Go to netmums.com – they have ‘Meet a Mum’ boards where mums can arrange to meet up. 30 WOMANSOWN.co.uk

Thebigquestion

Hiscarcrash ruined our sex life

My sex life with my husband has always been good – until six months ago when we were in a serious road accident and he nearly died. My husband recovered, but his sex drive hasn’t returned. When I ask him about it he gets upset and says it’s him not me but how can that be? The lack of sex is starting to affect me. I find myself crying for no reason and feeling overly anxious that he’ll leave me. I even find myself ﬂirting heavily with other men at work, which isn’t me at all. Help! Anon, 38 Whether you realise it or not, he’s still suffering from the fallout of the accident. It’s not uncommon for someone’s sex drive to vanish after they’ve gone through a huge trauma. Your husband needs time, help and counselling to get back to where he was. Being a witness to what happened will have been traumatic for you too and feeling distraught and acting out of character is not about lack of sex, but about what you’ve been through. Please see your GP for advice and contact Victim Support (victimsupport. org.uk), who can offer both of you emotional support to deal with the traumatic levels of stress that you have gone through.

If you’re unhappy about what your colleague has done, you should try to talk about it with her before taking ofﬁcial action. This woman may have been having a bad day and not meant to snap at you, or she may not have meant to be so aggressive. Of course, only you can say but I will add that it sounds like your friends are stirring up the drama and fuelling your anger. Is there other evidence for what they’re saying or have they blown this out of proportion? You have every right to feel angry, but deal with it in a low-key, private way first and see if you can solve it quickly and easily.

5 WAYS To fall in love

r again with each ingotbyhe following our expert tips…

Get back that loving feel Get to know each other: Ask questions, be interested in them and find out what they are into now. Pretend you’re dating again: put in the effort.

Be grateful: Gratitude for all the things your partner does, over criticism for all the things they don’t, is the key to the success of a relationship.

Pay attention to each other: Feeling ignored is one of the big relationship killers. Hug them spontaneously, ask them about their day and be interested.

Have regular date nights: Go somewhere new and do something different. Remind each other of how much you used to like each other.

Be kind: It sounds so simple, but be affectionate, say kind words and act kindly. You’ll be amazed at what it brings.

Photo iStockphoto.com. Posed by models

SHE HAS THE NEW BABY BLUES

Live well

3 ways to soothe

ACHES AND PAINS

Summer is a peak time for injuries as we throw ourselves into exercise, gardening and DIY. Here’s how to beat them

HEAT OR COLD? ‘For a new injury you need cold,’ says Boots pharmacist Tom Kallis. Try frozen peas or ice wrapped in a tea towel to decrease the blood ﬂow to the injury, which reduces inﬂammation and swelling. If your pain is recurring, applying heat to the area will promote healing. Try Boots Hot/ Cold Compress (£6.99).

WARM UP Ensure you warm up before – and stretch after – physical activity to prevent strain and injury. ‘In the short term, rest is the right thing to do for something like a muscle sprain or strain, but for joint or back pain it’s much better to keep moving as much as possible,’ says GP Dr Sarah Brewer. Try Deep Relief Pain Relief Gel (£5.99 for 50g from pharmacies) to help control pain and maintain mobility.

GET SUPPORT Gardening and some DIY can be tough on your knees. Boots Advanced Adjustable Knee Support (£17.99) relieves joint and muscle pain, reduces swelling caused by sprains, strains or sports injuries, and helps to prevent further injury. It also supports weak, arthritic or injured knees.

Health 25%

NEWS

Words Julia Shaw Photos iStockphoto.com

Reader rated

BOX CLEVER! Yumbox Classic (£24.95, eatwelluk.co.uk) is great for picnics or for the kids’ school lunch boxes. This cleverly designed box will help your child (or any adult) to enjoy healthy, nutritious lunches. There are ﬁve separate food wells, each labelled with a food group (veggies, grains, fruit, dairy, protein) for a balanced meal. Everything is removable for easy washing, too, and the lid is leakproof.

Caroline Mentzer, 36, from Oxford ‘After suffering terrible mood swings during my ﬁrst pregnancy I was determined to enjoy my second, so I tried Bach Original Flower Remedies (£7.35, Holland & Barrett). The Mimulus remedy really helped with my fear and anxiety and enabled me to relax.’ Caroline is a nutritionist and author of parenting blog mydaughterwontsleep.com

App of the week MyAsthma, free, myasthma.com Developed in conjunction with GlaxoSmithKline, this handy app can log your symptoms and keep a record of the weather, temperature and pollen count to help you avoid triggers.

DON’T THROW AWAY... ...THOSE BIG

AVOCADO SEEDS They’re full of nutrients! Rinse, then dry them out in the oven at 120°C for two hours. Next remove the outer skin – the inside seed will then be soft enough to slice up and blitz in a blender. Add this to your cooking, sprinkle on salads or use in smoothies for a health-giving, antioxidantrich, gut-friendly treat. WOMANSOWN.co.uk 31

r u o y g n i k a t u o y e Ar

MEDICINE ? Y L T C E R R CO Get the best out of your medication by avoiding these common mistakes... TAKING TOO MANY PAINKILLERS

Taking painkillers and cold remedies containing the same ingredients could lead to side effects and overdosing, warns Boots pharmacist Angela Chalmers. ‘Too much paracetamol, for instance, saturates the liver enzymes preventing them from functioning and can result in permanent damage and even death,’ she says. Always read the leaﬂet and stick to the recommended dose.

IGNORING USE-BY DATES

Words Michele O’Connor Photos iStockphoto.com, Shutterstock

Like food, the expiry date is there for a reason. ‘After this date, the active ingredient may have degraded so you won’t get the optimum concentration in your bloodstream,’ explains pharmacist Anshu Bhimbat from LloydsPharmacy. So clear out any old medicines from your cupboards and take to your pharmacist for safe disposal.

NOT FINISHING ANTIBIOTICS

Skipping antibiotics or not completing the course can cause infection to reoccur and increase the risk of antibiotic resistance, warns Anshu. ‘Your body builds a defence against the antibiotic, but you won’t be fully treated, allowing any underlying infection to reoccur and, if you need to take that antibiotic again in future, it may not be effective.’ Always take doses at the same time every day, too.

ST TAKING MEDICINE LA T GH THING ATdrenNI ’s paracetamol are

Cough mixtures and chil ky to remove laden with sugar, which can be tric teeth, warns back of ices crev and from the bumps ndation. If Karen Coates of the Oral Health Fou ing, they rush th-b taken at bedtime, after too before Take ay. dec th can contribute to too options. e r-fre suga ut abo ask or tooth-brushing 32 WOMANSOWN.co.uk

FORGETTING ABOUT SUPPLEMENTS

Many ‘harmless’ supplements can interact with medication. For instance, the headache remedy, feverfew, can increase blood pressure when combined with certain migraine drugs, while vitamins K and E can affect anticoagulants. ‘Tell your GP or pharmacist about any supplements you’re taking,’ advises Anshu.

NOT TAKIN AS DIRECT G It ’s im ED

portant to read the in label to ch struction ec k to be taken if your medication n ee a before/aft t a certain time of da ds er food, sa y or ys A tablets, su ch as antib nshu. ‘Certain iotic inﬂammato ry drugs, sh s and antiould be tak with or aft en er food for eff absorption or because ective they can affect the stomach li ning, causing irri tation,’ she explain s.

Health GIVING CHILDREN EDICINE ADULT Mdos e, this is Even in a smaller potentially dangerous, warns Anshu. ‘Adult medication is formulated speciﬁcally for adults and is signiﬁcantly stronger than a child’s.’ Always give medications formulated for children, unless directions are clearly given.

NOT SHAKING THE BOTTLE

‘Shaking the bottle allows the active ingredients to be evenly dispersed so you get the correct dose,’ explains Anshu. Not shaking means the particles will have settled at the bottom of the bottle so you won’t get the concentration you need. Plus, as you reach the bottom, the concentration will be much stronger.

TAKING WIT THE WRONGH DRINK

CRUSHING OR HALVING PILLSmacist

Always check with your phar before breaking up tablets, warns Anshu. Many medications have an outer coating, which protects the stomach or ensures slow release of the drug – so crushing pills increases the risk of side effects and of getting a large dose too quickly. Try taking caplets or capsules with a spor ts cap water bottle if you ﬁnd tablets hard to swallow. This creates a funnel so the water ‘ﬂushes’ the tablet down. Or ask about liquid or dissolvable medication.

‘Never take tablets of any kind with grapefruit jui ce,’ says Angela. Research sho ws it contains a substance that can dangerously alter the ‘breakdown’ of some dru gs. Alcohol can increase the sedative effects of code ine and cause stomach bleed ing in those on anti-inﬂamma tories, too. Unless instructed otherwise, take all medication with water .

NOT USING THE CORRECT SPOON

According to a recent survey by New York University’s medical school, parents who use teaspoons to measure out medicine quantities are twice as likely to give their children incorrect doses (either too much or too little) than those who measured in more precise millilitre units. ‘Every liquid medicine is issued with a spoon or syringe so the exact dose can be administered,’ says Anshu. ‘And if you’ve mislaid it, simply ask for another rather than resorting to using an ordinary teaspoon or tablespoon.’ uk 33

Cancer couldn’t

hurt me now Elizabeth Hutton, 36, had been given a terrifying diagnosis – so why didn’t she feel scared?

hat would you do if you were told you had a life-threatening illness? When I was given a terrible diagnosis, I didn’t cry or panic. I’d already experienced something so heartbreaking not even cancer would ever compare to that pain… Already parents to a beautiful girl Emily, then two, my husband Matthew and I were thrilled when, in January 2010, I fell pregnant. With each week that passed, I enjoyed watching my bump grow and then at around 20 weeks, I was in bed when I felt a ﬂutter in my stomach. ‘The baby is kicking,’ I said to Matthew. He put his hands on my bump and smiled excitedly. From then on, whether I was lying down or at my admin job, our baby was so active. So in May 2010, when we went away with friends to the Lake District, and I hadn’t felt our baby’s gentle kicks all day, I knew something wasn’t right. While our friends looked after Emily, we drove to a hospital. There, a nurse scanned my stomach but as I stared at the grainy image on the screen, I was ﬁlled with nerves. Our baby wasn’t moving. ‘I’m sorry,’ the nurse said, gently. ‘There is no heartbeat.’ As she told us our baby had died in the womb, it felt like my

own heart might physically break. When we were alone, Matthew and I sat in silence. But then the tears spilled from my eyes as the grief hit me. We picked up Emily and then drove four hours back to our home in Guildford. The next day, I went to our local hospital and was given a tablet to induce the labour. Back at home I fell asleep crying as I realised I’d In a fight for never see my life, Elizabeth baby alive. At had a double midnight, I mastectomy woke up with pains in my stomach. Rushing Through wracked sobs, I said to hospital, a nurse stayed with goodbye to my son. Then the Emily so Matthew could be nurse took him away and with me. After eight hours of returned with pictures of his labour, I gave birth but there hand and footprints. Leaving was no sweet cry or tears of the room with a piece of paper joy – just heartbreaking silence. instead of our beautiful Then, the nurse lifted up our boy – Toby – was agonising. As baby. ‘It’s a boy,’ she said. we walked down the corridor, passing a mother cradling her newborn, it didn’t seem fair.

Words Matthew Barbour & Smita Mistry

‘Iwas filledwith nerves’

34 WOMANSOWN.co.uk

At rock bottom

Kicks Count helped Elizabeth and now she’s CEO

Two weeks later we had a small funeral before our son was cremated. After, family and friends were so supportive but I struggled with the loss. Taking time off work, I curled up in bed, certain the grief would never end. A month later, in June 2010, a post-mortem revealed an abnormality in the placenta’s chromosome had deprived Toby of iron – he’d died of severe anaemia.

Although I had a reason, I still felt so empty without my son. As Matthew and I put on a brave face for Emily, inside we were hurting. No one could ever replace Toby but we wanted to give Emily a little brother or sister. Two months later, in August 2010, a pregnancy test revealed I was pregnant. While we were thrilled, this time Matthew and I were so cautious. I insisted on having extra scans but living in fear would only harm the baby. I needed to do something positive.

From the heart Mum Elizabeth vows to stay strong for Josh and Emily

I quit my job and while childminding, I took care of the charity’s online shop and organised fundraisers. I helped Kicks Count grow and, in October 2012, I proudly took on the role of CEO. When I’d lost Toby, never did I imagine that I could be happy again but it felt like we’d forged a new path. By September 2015, the kids were both in school and I had time to dedicate myself to the charity full-time. But then, six months later, I was getting into bed when I felt a hard, pea-sized lump on my right breast. Having spent the last four years telling women to trust their instincts, I knew prompt action saved lives. Twelve hours later, I was sitting opposite my GP, who didn’t seem concerned, so I tried not to worry. Still, he sent me to the hospital for a scan, mammogram and biopsy just to be safe.

The cancer was invasive and highly likely to spread, so without hesitating I agreed to a double mastectomy. It was daunting but I’d already suffered the loss of a baby. Being told I had cancer didn’t compare to the pain I’d felt when the sonographer said my son had no heartbeat. If I could survive losing a child, I knew I could survive cancer.

On a mission

Back home, I told Emily, seven, and Josh, four, I was poorly and needed medicine that would make me ill at first, but then make me feel better. But surgery was a month away and I couldn’t just sit around waiting. So I contacted a breast cancer awareness charity Coppafeel. They too had the same message as Kicks Count – get to know what is normal and report any change – and so together we came up with a plan to raise £17,914 – a pound for every woman and baby who loses their life each year to breast cancer and stillbirth. In April this year, I had a double mastectomy and then reconstruction. After, I didn’t feel any different and once the wounds healed, I started chemotherapy. I’ve still got two months of treatment left and while the doctors are happy with my progress, there’s always a chance the disease will return, but I’m determined to fight it. And I’m still focused on fundraising – so far we’ve raised £3,500. Saying goodbye to my son was the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to endure – even harder than battling cancer – but it’s given me a strength I never knew I had. X

‘Iputon abrave face’

Inner courage

A week later, I anxiously returned for the results. ‘We found two lumps that are cancerous,’ the doctor explained. I waited for the tears, to be overwhelmed with shock and fear, but surprisingly there was nothing – just determination to beat it. ‘What do we do now?’ I asked.

Looking online, I came across a charity called Kicks Count, which was set up by a local woman, Sophia Wyatt, just nine months earlier after her daughter was stillborn. ‘If mums feel any change in movements they need to get them checked out. It could save their life,’ she’d written. Wanting to help, I created a fundraising page and encouraged people to donate to the charity. I also handed out leaﬂets and stickers and it gave me something to focus on. Seven months later, in April

2011, our son Josh was born. This time a strong cry ﬁlled the room and as I cradled my healthy baby boy in my arms, happy tears spilled from my eyes. Emily loved covering him in kisses and his giggle helped Matthew and I heal. While I loved him with all my heart, I still wanted to keep Toby’s memory alive through my work with the charity. So when Josh was one year old,

Elizabeth is proud to raise awareness

X To ﬁnd out more visit kickscount.org. uk/category/ elizabeths-boobyblog/ WOMANSOWN.co.uk 35

ecipes from Easy Mediterranean by ue Quinn (£14.99, Murdoch Books)

FROM

95p

Flavours of

G PER SERVIN

T E ED

Simple re and b h flavour – treat the family to a holiday-style feast this weekend

Gigantes beans and halloumi in spicy tomato sauce SERVES 4-6 PREP TIME 15 MINS + SOAKING COOK TIME 2½ HRS

Photography Alan Benson

YOU WILL NEED

◆ 200g dried gigantes beans, soaked overnight ◆ 1 carrot, cut into 3 pieces ◆ 1 celery stalk, cut into 3 pieces ◆ 2 bay leaves ◆ 2tbsp olive oil, plus extra to drizzle ◆ 1 large onion, chopped ◆ ½ red pepper, chopped ◆ 1-3tsp harissa paste, to taste ◆ 2tbsp tomato paste ◆ 1 heaped tsp dried oregano ◆ 300ml passata ◆ 250g halloumi, cut into 1cm slices

36 WOMANSOWN.co.uk

HOW TO DO IT

Rinse and drain the beans, put them in a large saucepan and cover with lots of cold water, then add the carrot, celery and bay leaves. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 45-60 mins or until slightly tender but not soft – the exact time will depend on the age of the beans. Drain, keeping 200ml of the cooking liquid,

and discard the bay leaves, carrot and celery (or use the vegetables in another dish). Preheat the oven to 170°C/Gas 3. While the beans are cooking, warm the olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion, red pepper and a pinch of salt and fry for 8 mins. Add the harissa paste and tomato paste, stir, then add the oregano, beans,

COST PER SERVING

£1

passata and cooking liquid, and season. Tip the mixture into an ovenproof dish, cover with a double layer of foil and bake for 1 hr. Remove from the oven and check on the sauce – if it looks dry, stir in a splash of water. Tuck the halloumi slices into the bean mixture, cover with foil and cook for a further 45 mins. Drizzle with olive oil to serve.

Tomato bread with mint, hazelnuts and serrano ham MAKES 6 SLICES PREP TIME 10 MINS COOK TIME 2-4 MINS YOU WILL NEED ◆ 3 large ripe tomatoes ◆ Large handful of mint leaves, chopped, plus some extra leaves to serve ◆ 6 slices of sourdough or country-style bread ◆ Olive oil, for brushing ◆ 1 garlic clove, cut in half ◆ 6 slices serrano ham ◆ Handful of skinned hazelnuts, toasted and roughly chopped ◆ Olive oil or hazelnut oil, to serve HOW TO DO IT Wash the tomatoes, then slice off the tops and grate them over a bowl using the largest holes of a box grater. Discard the skins. You’ll end up with a nice juicy pulp. Add the chopped mint and

generously season with sea salt and black pepper. Stir and set to one side while you get on with the rest of the dish. Lightly brush the bread with olive oil and cook on a hot griddle pan or barbecue until it has charred stripes on both sides. Lightly rub the hot toast with the cut sides of the garlic clove. Go easy COST PER – you want just a hint SERVING of garlic. Arrange the toast on a large platter and generously spoon the minty tomato pulp over it. Arrange curls of serrano ham on top and sprinkle with the hazelnuts and the extra mint leaves. Drizzle with hazelnut oil or olive oil and serve immediately.

95p

Whipped ricotta pots with roasted balsamic strawberries

MAKES 4 SMALL POTS PREP TIME 10 MINS COOK TIME 40 MINS YOU WILL NEED – much will depend on the ◆ 2tbsp honey, or to size of the berries. Set aside taste ◆ 2tbsp balsamic to cool completely (transfer vinegar ◆ 250g fresh the berries and every last strawberries, hulled and drop of syrup to a bowl to halved if large ◆ 500g make this quicker, if you like). ricotta cheese ◆ 1-2 While the strawberries are pinches ground cinnamon roasting, whip the ricotta ◆ Handful of pistachio with the cinnamon and the nuts, chopped remaining honey (add more to taste if you like) until light and HOW TO DO IT fluffy, then chill until needed. Preheat the oven to 180°C/ To serve, simply spoon Gas 4. Whisk together 1tbsp the whipped ricotta of the honey and the balsamic mixture into bowls, spoon vinegar and season with sea the strawberries and their salt and a little black pepper. lovely syrup over the top and Pop the strawberries into a sprinkle with the chopped small ovenproof dish that fits pistachio nuts. If you are in them snugly and toss with the the mood, layer the ricotta, honey and vinegar mixture. strawberries and pistachios in Roast for about 40 mins or glasses or jars, finishing with until your kitchen smells like strawberries and a sprinkle strawberries and the fruit is of nuts and some sunflower tender but still holds its shape seeds, if you like.

COST PER SERVING

95p

WOMANSOWN.co.uk 37

Food

SOFA SUPPER

GREEKRICE& BARLEY SALAD SERVES 4 PREP TIME 10 MINS COOKING TIME 2 MINS COST PER SERVING £1.67

Microwave 1 x 250g pouch of Merchant Gourmet Pearl Barley and 1 x 250g pouch of Tilda Basmati Microwave Rice to pack instructions, stir well and allow to cool. In a hot frying pan, cook 60g pine nuts until golden all over, tip into a large bowl with 1 chopped red onion, zest and juice of 1 lemon, 2 tbsp olive oil. Chop 1 bunch each basil, parsley and mint and add to the bowl. Halve 250g red and yellow tomatoes, 200g feta cheese and toss through the herb mixture. Using a fork, stir through the rice and grains and garnish with extra herbs to serve.

2 3

Words Sophie Austen-Smith Photos timeincukcontent.com

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Food

Pizza Express have now transformed their famous pizzas into brand new take-home pastas. Choose from spicy Sloppy Giuseppe, simple Margherita, sweet Pollo Ad Astra and peppery American Hot for your cheat day dinner – £2.99 from Waitrose. And don’t forget the Dough Balls!

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Cawston Press Gooseberry, 330ml, 99p, Boots Sweet gooseberry purée is combined with sparkling water and apple juice for a quintessential blend of British summer ﬂavours.

Thomas & Evans No.1, 330ml, £4.50, thomas-and-evans.com A mixture of apple, elderﬂower, citrus and oak, this high-end soft drink is for the discerning drinker. It’s delicious with or without your favourite gin! WOMANSOWN.co.uk 39

The cook who

surprised everyone When Selena Govier, 41, felt anxious she baked. But no one could believe what she did next…

s I put the ﬁnishing touches to the roast dinner, I know my customers are in for a treat. The turkey is golden brown roasted to perfection, the Brussels sprouts are just the right shade of green and the roast potatoes look crunchy. As I bring the meal out from the kitchen I am treated to oohs and ahhs from my customers, who are ready to dig in. But they’re in for a shock… Because, instead of a savoury gourmet roast the turkey is a Victoria sponge and the gravy trickling over it is in fact

Words Alley Einstein & Anna Cook

Selena loves novel ideas

40 WOMANSOWN.co.uk

Selena’s roast isn’t what it seems

caramel. The entire meal is made from cake. But back in January 2009 I had a very different life. Working in HR, responsible for 140 people, I loved my job. But then I was made redundant. Although my husband Mark was supportive, saying I’d ﬁnd another job soon, I felt like I didn’t have a purpose in life. I found myself spending hours staring into space. Desperate, I started to apply for any job going – from shelf-stacker to shop assistant – to ﬁll my days while Mark was

working in IT. But I was turned down for being overqualiﬁed and I sunk further into despair. I went to see my GP, who diagnosed me with anxiety and depression. He referred me to a psychiatrist. I’d see her once a week and we tried treatments including cognitive behavioural therapy, but they didn’t make a difference.

Is it a cake or a burger?

Confident once more, Selena is now her own boss By summer 2010 I realised if I was going to beat my anxiety I’d need to start structuring my days like I had at work. So I started writing down simple tasks for myself, getting up at a certain time, making lunch and cleaning in hour-long blocks. It might not sound like much but it felt like I was taking back some control. Two months later I was in my kitchen when I spotted some recipe books. Then suddenly it dawned on me that after following a series of instructions and ending up with a cake, I’d have something to show for my day. So that afternoon I whipped up a Victoria sponge. As I beat the eggs, butter and sugar

Real life home in Falmouth, with 400 cupcakes. Just one day into the three-day festival I’d sold every single one. My cakes proved such a hit that soon I was selling at local food fairs, church fetes and events. I put all my effort into making the cakes rather than focusing on my anxiety. Mark had so much faith in me, in spring 2012, he suggested we rent a small manufacturing kitchen to keep up with the demand. But still I had doubts. ‘What if I fail?’ I asked. Yet, rather than succumb to my anxiety, I decided to put the knowledge I’d learnt from my course and create a business plan. While researching I discovered that I could afford to rent a kitchen and cafe 12 miles away in Truro. With the support of Mark and his mum Jackie, we found an old schoolhouse and spent months renovating it. On Valentine’s day 2013 our cafe and bakery, The Baking Bird, opened for business. As well as selling our cupcakes, I was also creating bespoke wedding cakes, osting up to £400. Then, after atching TV ne day, I saw e celebrity ef Heston umenthal oking bizarre eations such edible Selena with ndles, and hubby Mark ecided to start erimenting with irky designs. The more complicated they were, the more I had to focus. It meant I didn’t have time to think about being anxious and my attacks began to reduce. ‘Try this,’ I said to Mark one time as I emerged from the kitchen carrying what looked like a roast turkey. He couldn’t believe it when I cut into it and he saw it was actually a cake. ‘Delicious,’ he laughed as he tasted it. He seemed so impressed that in December 2013,

The Baking Bird cafe has helped Selena beat her anxiety I decided to treat my customers to my Christmas dinner with a difference. First I made the giant sponge cake to look like the turkey. Then I crafted some sprouts out of fondant and made roast potatoes out of Rice Krispies. After two days of baking I’d made a huge roast dinner – enough for more than 25 people. Each customer arrived at the cafe and paid £8.50 for their all-you-can-eat sit-down dinner with a difference and every one was impressed. I’ve gone on to make other quirky cakes including a huge hamburger made entirely from cake and fondant. And after my ﬁrst was so successful, I’ve also made my alternative Christmas dinner twice more – in 2014 and 2015 – complete with orange Matchmakers as carrots and green beans made from chocolate ﬁngers.

‘Ifeltthe oldme return’

together I felt the old me return. Soon, whenever friends came to visit me, I’d make them something – cookies, cupcakes – and hearing their praise made me feel so proud.

Time to study Then, in January 2011, Mark told me about his friend who’d just started a small business after going on a free local course. ‘You could learn how to sell your cakes,’ he said. It sounded quite daunting, but I reasoned the course would give me a reason to leave the house and it would be good to learn some new skills. So I signed up and every Thursday I learnt about things like VAT and customer liability

insurance. At times my anxiety was still so severe I could have crumpled but I forced myself to stay strong. And, after six months, when I finished the course it felt like a real achievement. It gave me the confidence I needed to start selling my cakes. I spent the next few weeks developing delicious fillings with syrup and jam. Finally, with 17 different varieties including Rocky Road and Peanut Butter, I was ready. That September, with Mark by my side, I was at the Cornish Country Fair, an hour from our

Sales booming I now have ﬁve staff and turn over around £300,000. I’m doing so well I hope to open a second branch this year. And, while I still get the occasional anxiety attack, working in the bakery helps. As proud as I am to be a successful businesswoman at 41, for me baking has given me something even more important – my life back. ◆ WOMANSOWN.co.uk 41

Smart shopper Our expert Tara Evans saves you time and money with her cash-savvy tips

Your guide to…

CONTACTLESS PAYMENTS BPAY

illions of people use contactless payment cards. These cards let shoppers ‘tap and go’ to make purchases in stores under £30, without using their pin. A record £1.5 billion was spent this way in March 2016 alone, according to the UK Cards Association. Here’s my guide to the cards, phone apps and gadgets that could end the use of cold hard cash…

CONTACTLESS CARDS

Photos Getty, iStockphoto.com, Shutterstock

If your credit or debit cards carry the contactless sign, you can now tap them to pay in shops, cafes and restaurants around the country.

ANDROID PHONES Last month Google launched Android Pay. To use it you need to download the free app on to a phone using the Android 4.4 (KitKat) operating system or higher, and a near ﬁeld communications (NFC) wireless data transfer chip. Big banks like Lloyds, Halifax and HSBC have signed up – but check yours is one of them before downloading the free app from the android store.

APPLE PAY This ﬁrst launched in the US and has been available in the UK since July last year. If you’ve got an Apple Watch or one of the latest iPhones (iPhone 6, 6S or SE) then you can download the free Wallet app.

Barclaycard operates bPay, which can be used in more than 300,000 locations if you have a UK-registered Visa or MasterCard debit or credit card. You’ll need a bPay wristband (£19.99), fob (£17.99) or sticker (£14.99), or one of the Topshop x bPay range of wearable devices. You add funds online or via an app, and you can auto top-up your device, too.

PINGIT (Apple, Android and Windows app) Pingit is a free, easy way to transfer money from any UK bank account by using just a phone number. The sender and receiver both need to be signed up before cash can be sent; pingit.com. PAYM You’ll need to register your mobile number to the account that you want payments sent to, via your banking app. Then log into the app and select a friend’s number. You don’t need their bank details, but they will need to have registered their number with your bank; paym.co.uk.

LOOK AFTER YOUR DETAILS

X Banks are obliged to protect you against fraud, as long as you’ve taken reasonable steps to look after your card and details, but check your bank account balance regularly to detect unusual transactions. X To prevent your cards from being skimmed (where criminals access your details using contactless technology), buy a card protector, such as Tenn Well Secure Sleeve, pack of 10, £6.99, amazon.co.uk. Or simply wrap your card in tin foil! X Triple-check account numbers and sort codes. If you mistakenly transfer to the wrong account, it can take weeks – and a lot of hassle – to get it back.

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British Gas has launched a new energy plan giving customers free electricity at the weekends between 9am and 5pm. It reckons that the tariff would cut £60 a year off bills. The catch is that it’s only available to dual fuel customers (those who get both gas and electricity from British Gas) and have a smart meter installed. ly of mers art , but be ng to see can money this eal.

Great gadgets for bookworms who want to pack light this summer!

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Waterproof for up to 30 minutes, this is super-easy to use if you’re a ﬁrst timer and holds up to BEST 3,000 books, with FOR BEGINNERS a battery life of up to two months.

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DO ONE THING THIS WEEK... CHECK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

WHY NOW? Recent research by comparethemarket.com analysed over 700 insurance products and found many don’t provide enough cover for problems like missed ﬂights, lost luggage and cancellations. WHAT SHOULD MY COVER INCLUDE? The Money Advice Service says a minimum level should offer: X £1 million or more for medical expenses in Europe or £2 million or more for the USA X £2 million or more for personal liability X Automatic cover for entire cost of getting you back home in a medical emergency X £2,000 or more for cancellation/travel abandonment X £1,500 or more for baggage cover and a realistic limit for valuables and single articles

HOW TO GET IT RIGHT

X Never, ever buy travel insurance from your tour operator, airline or travel agent without comparing prices online ﬁrst. X Don’t go for the cheapest policy as these will have higher excesses and rigid exclusions. Use a comparison site – consistently reliable ones are: moneysupermarket.com; compare themarket.com and gocompare.com.

1/3 of people aged 50+ now will keep working once they reach retirement ages, according to research by Old Mutual Wealth and YouGov.

READER’S TIP

Printer cartridges are expensive – som times even more costly than themselves. So, n one runs out, offs the cost of a new o by recycling the em one for cash or Te Clubcard points. Lisa Adams, 28, West Midlands

Saved by the

ThreeDay Nanny! With four children under the age of two, single mum Rosie Parsons, 33, knew she needed help…

Words Kristina Beanland Photos Eddie Esdale, Channel 4/Mark Johnson

huge pile of laundry in my arms, I trudged downstairs. But as I walked into the living room and took in the scene before me, I felt the tears well in my eyes. I thought I’d left my children, triplets Jacob, Sienna and Summer, two, and their little brother, Zach, 15 months, playing quietly as I got on with some housework. How wrong I was. The room looked like a bomb site. Books had been pulled off the bookcase, pages torn apart. The curtains were hanging off the curtain pole, and toys – some broken – scattered the ﬂoor. Immediately, I felt the anger wash over me. ‘Look at what you’ve done!’ I said, my voice rising. ‘You need to help Mummy tidy up – now!’ But my children didn’t move an inch. As I looked at Sienna, she burst into fits of giggles. Once again, I’d lost the battle… I’d always wanted to be a mum, Supernanny so when I Kathryn fell pregnant Mewes

with triplets, I wasn’t anxious or scared. I was sure my maternal instinct would take over and I’d work out what to do. Family and friends gave me heaps of baby clothes, and my husband Lee and I chose wallpaper covered in clouds and rainbows for the walls of the nursery. When the triplets were born in July 2013, I felt that instant rush of love that so many new mums talk about – as I looked down at my two girls and a boy, with their chubby cheeks and tiny toes, I knew I’d do anything to protect them. Back home, with Lee at work during the day, my days were a relentless cycle of feeding and nappy changing. But the sleep deprivation was worth it every time I saw one of my babies smile. And then, when the triplets were nine months, I fell pregnant again. It was a surprise – but a happy one. Lee and I reasoned that, with our already hectic household, we could cope with

Rosie with her little brood one more baby. Zach was born in December 2014 and while I adored him, it quickly became apparent just how much of a challenge caring for four babies was going to be. I found myself doing all the things I knew a parent shouldn’t do. They chose when they ate and when they napped. I even put a single bed in the nursery and slept there, knowing I would have to wake up in the night to feed anyway. And as time passed, my

relationship with Lee started to suffer. With less time for each other, small bickers became big rows and we realised that we weren’t as happy as we thought we’d been. Our relationship limped on for another six months, but in July 2015, Lee moved out. I knew it was for the best, but suddenly I was a single mum to four children under two years old. I was already struggling, and now I had no partner to rely on. How was I going to cope?

‘Howwas Igoingto cope?’

Turning point that everything changed. As I watched the parents struggle with screaming children, I recognised the bags under their eyes, the look of desperation on their faces. ‘This could be me,’ I thought to myself. And then I watched in awe as supernanny Kathryn Mewes transformed their lives, turning their screaming children into compliant angels. In that moment, something inside of me snapped. Finally I realised – I needed her help. That night, I sent an email to the show’s producers. As I typed out my message, a strange sense of relief washed over me. It was the first time I’d admitted I couldn’t do this alone. And when I got the call a month later to say I’d been accepted on to the show, I almost burst into tears. So, in April 2016, Kathryn arrived at my house in Honiton, Devon. My hands were shaking as I opened the door to Kathryn – wearing her trademark tweed jacket with her glossy hair – and I couldn’t help but feel doubtful. I’d seen how good Kathryn was on TV, but could she really tame my children? That first day, Kathryn looked on as my kids ran riot. When they were finally in bed, she told Rosie me the truth I’d pregnant been dreading. with her ‘You need to triplets learn to discipline them,’ she said. I knew Kathryn was only trying to help, but it still hurt to hear. All I wanted was to be a good mum. But I knew that if anyone could help me, she could. So, over the next two days, Kathryn passed on her tips and tricks. We created a ‘shouting spot’ – like a naughty corner – so when Jacob bit his sisters, he had to stay there for ﬁve minutes. The first time I sent him there, he was appalled –

but when I refused to back down to his screams, he knew I was being serious. Then we had to tackle bedtime. Because I’d always stayed with the children, they didn’t know how to self-soothe. Hearing them cry was heartbreaking but Kathryn taught me I had to set boundaries. I wasn’t hurting them, I was helping them. Then, on the last day, Kathryn suggested that we take a trip out. I couldn’t help but feel nervous as I strapped Zach into the buggy, the triplets holding on. But as we walked down the street, Kathryn taught me how to keep them occupied to avoid tantrums – pointing at toys in shop windows, and letting them press the button at the traffic lights to cross the road.

‘Icouldn’t dothis alone’

And the truth is, I didn’t. As the triplets became more mobile, keeping them under control was impossible. At night, they would get out of bed, shouting and screaming. Desperate for peace and quiet, I’d race upstairs to them with tears in my eyes and plead, ‘Please go to sleep.’

Out of control I continued to give in to their every demand but, far from making my life easier, it became more difficult. They’d answer back and run away, so whenever we left the house I could feel

strangers staring at me, wondering why I couldn’t control my unruly children. Family and friends would offer their help, and Lee saw the children regularly – but I didn’t want anyone to think I was failing. The 15 hours a week the triplets spent at nursery provided some relief, but even when staff said that Jacob had been biting other children, I refused to admit I couldn’t cope. In fact, it wasn’t until February 2016, when an episode of The Three Day Nanny came on TV,

Empowered And by the time we stopped at a cafe for a coffee, I didn’t feel stressed or embarrassed, I felt empowered. Finally, I’d done something right! When Kathryn left after three days, I couldn’t believe the change in my children. Instead of screams and shouting, the sound of them chatting and laughing together filled my house. Of course, it was nerveracking to wave goodbye to Kathryn, but she’d given me the tools I needed to be a good mother – and I felt confident that, finally, I could go it alone. Since then, my life has been transformed. I’m certain I can keep my children under control, and it means I finally get to spend quality time with them. We love going to the beach and playing in the park. And this week, when the new series of The Three Day Nanny hits our screens, I’ll be sure to tune in. I can’t wait to see how Kathryn transformed the lives of other families – just like she did for me. X X The Three Day Nanny is on Wednesdays, 8pm, Channel 4 WOMANSOWN.co.uk 45

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Departures up to October 2016 and April to October 2017. Price includes: X Return ﬂights, taxes and transfers, or return Eurostar* and TGV X Seven nights in three-star superior to ﬁve-star hotels with breakfast and four dinners X Tours of Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Arles, the Camargue and the Luberon hills X An experienced tour manager

Departures up to October 2016 and April to October 2017. Price includes: X Return ﬂights, taxes and transfers, or return Eurostar* and TGV X Seven nights’ three-star superior/fourstar accommodation with breakfast and ﬁve dinners X See Carcassonne, Marqueyssac, Lascaux cave, Gothic Albi, plus a Dordogne boat tour X An experienced tour manager

Departures up to October 2016 and April to October 2017. Price includes: X Return ﬂights, taxes and transfers X Seven nights in four-star accommodation with breakfast and four evening meals X Fully guided tours of Rome, Assisi, Siena, Florence and Arezzo, plus Ufﬁzi art gallery X An experienced tour manager

To book or for a free brochure, call 01283 742 395 Or visit escorted.womansown.co.uk Terms and conditions *Supplements applicable for certain regional stations. Additional entrance costs may apply. Prices are per person, based on two sharing and subject to ﬁnite availability. Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel. Offer operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Riviera Travel Ltd, ABTA V4744, ATOL 3430, a company wholly independent of Woman’s Own, published by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd.

46 WOMANSOWN.co.uk

O G N BI

Margaret was able to treat her family and her pet dogs with her win

Promotion

‘I went on honeymoon with my £1,000!’ Margaret Shannon, 56, from Liverpool, enjoyed a romantic break after scooping her jackpot

ucking into a steak with my new husband Steve in a restaurant in Malta, we toasted my success. The treats we were enjoying during our two-week honeymoon were all thanks to me winning £1,000 with Woman’s Own Bingo. I love reading the stories about people who have won on Woman’s Own Bingo – so much so that I thought I’d sign up myself in January.

The evening after I’d joined, I decided to try out one of the games online. I played Sapphire Bingo on my phone, which is really easy to do. The numbers are marked off automatically, so you don’t have to keep checking them, and it’s just 10p a ticket. I bought six tickets, and my numbers started getting ticked off. Suddenly, I only needed two numbers. I began to get excited – could I win the jackpot? Then the ﬁrst number came out and the other one immediately after. My name came up on the screen and it said I had won. 1. Sit down and relax – take I couldn’t time out for yourself to play. elieve it! 2. Treat it like a night out at the I said to bingo. If you want to chat online, Steve, ‘I think it’s a great way of making friends. I’ve just won!’ 3. Take it at your own pace and I couldn’t sleep don’t forget that the hosts until I knew for are on hand to help if you sure, so I rang have any questions. customer support

Margaret’s top tips!

at 1am the next morning, and they conﬁrmed I had. It was an amazing surprise to win a big cash prize. I couldn’t think straight because I thought, ‘What will I do with all this money?’ The next person I told was my daughter Hayley, 33, and she was over the moon for me. But it still didn’t quite seem real until the money actually went into my bank account a few days later.

‘Isplashed outonnew clothes’

Treats all round Steve, 70, and I got married last September and we’d booked a two-week break to Malta for our honeymoon. We had chosen an all-inclusive package, but winning the jackpot meant that we could really enjoy ourselves. It was such a treat. I splashed out on some lovely new clothes for our honeymoon. I also decided to

treat myself to some expensive new make-up. It was nice to be able to spend on the family, too. And even my pet dogs Daisy and George got a couple of knitted jumpers! I’ve tried other sites, but I haven’t liked them as much as Woman’s Own Bingo. Now I put in a couple of pounds once a month, o I can have a few games when I fancy. Woman’s Own Bingo is such good fun and everyone got a share of my winnings – even my dogs! X

Turn over

TO CLAIM YOUR

£25

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womansown-bingo.co.uk

O G BIN

‘My two jackpots gave me £6,000!’ A second cash prize for Christine Oddi, 66, means she can spoil herself on holiday So, tell us why you joined Woman’s Own Bingo? I used to go to the bingo halls, which I enjoyed, but when I heard about playing online, it sounded like a lot of fun. I liked the idea of playing in the

comfort of my own home, so I signed up.

How did you hear about the website? My two daughters are also members of Woman’s Own

More fun & more games

Now you can play Woman’s Own Bingo on your mobile phone and tablet...

NEW MOBILE SITE! 48 WOMANSOWN.co.uk

Bingo and they told me about it.

How did you win your huge jackpot? I bought two 10p tickets for Sapphire, a 90-ball bingo game and then won £5,244!

And how did you feel when you realised you had won? I was shocked and also really confused! I had left the game to play out and then saw that my balance had rocketed up by £5,000, so I was surprised, to say the least!

Who have you shared your win with? I won the £10,000 Super Jackpot, so half the jackpot was

shared with the rest of the community who were playing at the time! I’ve also shared my win with my sister, who’ll be joining me on a fantastic trip to New Zealand in 2017.

What did your friends and family say? They were all very happy for me. One of my daughters calls me ‘jammy’ because this is my second big win. In 2015, I won £1,000 on the Playoff Palace after winning a line in Sapphire Bingo earlier in the same week.

Who did you first tell? I told my kids straight away and they were so pleased for me.

Promotion members are friendly and the chat rooms online are always full of people you can have a natter with. Sometimes I see my daughters in there as well and we say hi to one another! Plus, I’m lucky enough to have had more than one jackpot win, so that’s another reason I love playing. You never know what is going to happen. It could be you!

How easy is it to play the games? The site is so easy to get the hang of. When my daughters helped me to set up my account online, I wondered whether I would be able to work it, but it’s really straightforward.

Do you play on your laptop, tablet or phone? What game were you playing before you won the money? This was my ﬁrst game of the evening. I couldn’t believe it when it happened!

What were you doing when you found out?

I thought I’d buy two tickets for Sapphire Bingo before I went to bed. I bought my tickets and then left the game to autoplay, so my numbers would be called even if I wasn’t at the screen. Then I went to sort out the kitchen and put the dishwasher on, leaving the game to play out. My daughter had gone to have a bath and I was knocking on the bathroom door, trying to string the words together to explain what had happened!

What else did you do with your win? I had booked a trip to New Zealand with the previous jackpot win I’d had on Woman’s Own Bingo, but,

as I said, this new £5,000 win meant I could invite my sister to join me. To be able to treat her and pay for her to come on the trip of a lifetime was amazing. I can’t wait to go!

Why do you enjoy playing Woman’s Own Bingo? It’s great being part of such a welcoming site. The other

I play on my laptop and I play in different places, the sofa, in bed while watching a TV show and, sometimes, if I’m cooking, I take it in the kitchen and play while I cook!

What’s the best part of the site? If you win in the week on some games in Sapphire, you get free tickets for the Playoff Palace on a Sunday. Playoff Palace is a special promotion bingo room where you play for cash prizes. It’s great because there are big jackpots, so you get double the chance to win.

How would you sum up your win in one word? Amazing! And, in two words, truly amazing! X

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*New customers only. Registration required. Minimum £10 deposit. You must be 18 or older. UK only. Valid until 30 September 2016. You must enter the code WO32H on registration and accept the Welcome Bonus when you deposit £10 to receive the £25 bonus. 250% Welcome Bonus – max £100. Bonus must be wagered four times before withdrawals. Wager and cash-out requirements apply. See full T&Cs at womansown-bingo.co.uk. Play responsibly. 3,500 chances to win is based on 1p games. For more information, visit gambleaware.co.uk.

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WOMANSOWN.co.uk 49

Perfect peace in

CASSIS! The pretty port town in Provence is one of southern France’s best kept secrets....

Self-catering at Villa Cassis is best for value

WHERE TO STAY

There are plenty of lovely hotels in town, but one of the best value options is renting a self-catering apartment. Villa Cassis is a smart complex with a hort 15-minute walk along the coast from the own centre. The contemporary studio apartments have a fresh, modern feel and huge balconies with views across the sea to Cap Canaille. Book at holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/cassis/228827. Prices tart at £167 per night (two-nights minimum stay).

Words Helen Ochyra Photos Alamy, iStockphoto.com

A ride up to Cap Canaille will reward you with stunning views

50 WOMANSOWN.co.uk

Jump on an electric bike for an out of town tour

TOUR ON TWO WHEELS

An electric bike tour (£32 for 2hr 30min with Cassis à Vélo, cassisavelo.fr) will take you out of the town along quiet country lanes between the vines and the olive trees. The pathway is steep but you can hire an electric bike, making the climb up to Cassis’ wineries a breeze. Each corner yields yet more dyllic Provençal views – bushes bursting with bright pink ﬂowers, emerald green vines marching in verdant rows towards white-washed farmhouses and the limestone cliffs of Cap Canaille (the highest in France) standing tall against a brilliant blue sky.

Getaways

WHY GO?

With its pastel harbourfront and towering limestone cliffs, you’re sure to fall in love with the charming French port of Cassis. You won’t ﬁnd posing celebrities and private beaches here, this is a resort of sun-soaked vineyards, pebble coastlines and boules being played in the heart of town. And you don’t have to face a busy airport to get here either – the seven-hour train journey from London St Pancras whizzes you through the French countryside, and is a pleasure all by itself. Book for September when the temperatures are more comfortable and the town less crowded, but you’ll still see plenty of sunshine.

En Vau

Cassis is surrounded by unspoiled beaches. Here are a few gems…

Grande Mer In the centre of Cassis, this Bestouan large, supervised beach is a top pick for those seeking laid-back lounging, helped by plenty of restaurants and cafes in easy reach. Bestouan A sizeable car park and an easy walk from the town centre make Bestouan a popular sunbathing spot. The gently sloping curve of pebbles keep the sun all day long and there are café bars as well as iews across to Cap Canaille. En Vau You’ll need your hiking boots, but it’s worth it. Turquoise water, spotless shingle and towering imestone cliffs combine to make this the sort of swimming spot people cross continents to ﬁnd. It’s a 90-minute walk from Cassis on rocky paths – carry plenty of water. L’Arene This rocky beach a couple of miles east of town is for those seeking a true escape. No facilities, no ifeguard but clear water for a elaxing swim at the foot of Cap Canaille. There’s a small car park and L’Arene n easy ﬂight of steps for access.

Mussels are a speciality in Cassis The Bodin winery

VINEYARD VISIT

Cassis is one of France’s mallest and oldest wine ppellations, and today there re 12 vineyards in just 210 hectares. Although Cassis’ wine is hard to ﬁnd in the UK, one of the best places Our writer o discover more is at the Bodin Helen samples winery. This slick operation was the winery’s et up by the poet Emile Bodin white wines with vines brought from Texas fter the phylloxera aphid wiped out their French counterparts n the 19th century. In the asting room a range of mostly white wines await. All are dry and light but the Blanc de Blancs s a favourite, and is worth buying a bottle to take home.

Grande Mer

BRILLIANT BEACHES

BEST BITES

From Bodin it’s a short cycle ride back to town and to the Nino restaurant on the harbourfront. A wooden boat bolted into the wall marks this out as one of Cassis’ best seafood restaurants. Take a seat on the terrace to feast on freshly caught loup (seabass) and Moules à la Provençale (mussels with tomato, herbs and garlic) washed down with a bottle of Cassis wine. Main courses from £17.

GET ME THERE!

◆ Eurostar have several weekly direct trains from London St Pancras to Marseille (eurostar.com, from £99 return). It’s worth upgrading to Standard Premier class as you’ll get breakfast, lunch and drinks served at your seat. And, unlike ﬂying, you only need to check in 30 minutes before departure. It’s an easy 40-minute drive to Cassis from Marseille. Hire a car to pick up at Marseille St Charles station with Holiday Autos (holidayautos.co.uk, from £32 a day). For more information on Cassis, visit myprovence.fr. WOMANSOWN.co.uk 51

Just for

FUN!

Got ten mi Quick & Easy

CLUES & ARROWS

If you really donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have much See time to spare, give your brain if you can solve these in a break with one of these 10 minutes

Fill in the clues in the direction of the arrows

To solve the puzzle, each 3x2 box, each column and each row must contain the numbers 1 to 6

SUDOKU

CROSSWORD I N N T O E N E D A S P P I N R E A

U N O B J E C T I O N A B L E

H V M I N E D A U L O CO N J U RR O U R

U S T I F I E D E M R I AN P E RU S A D A I P I OU S GRA T F S A S A F T E R T A S T E I T AB L E BOM D I N MOME N T A R I E A T AR A I ML E S E D E L F R I E ND L Y

CLUES & ARROWS

WORDSEARCH

B O Y I S H F L E E C E

SUDOKU

Puzzle solutions 52 WOMANSOWN.co.uk

C A R T Y R E S F

U T L C G F T L P

C L A O L O I L O

U A E O R P L R T

M S U M F T E D A

B R A L O T E I T

E T O N A N N P O

R P R W D K S L E

S B I C Y C L E S

WORDSEARCH The answer is the word missing from the grid

BICYCLES BISCUITS CAR TYRES CUCUMBERS FLIP FLOPS

FLOUR GOLD INK LEMONS OIL

PETROL POTATOES SALT SAND WATER

nutes? 1

travel offer

14 15

EXPERIENCE FABULOUS CAPE TOWN & A KRUGER SAFARI

CROSSWORD

Put your feet up and have a go at our classic crossword

ACROSS 1 Lacking reasonable grounds (11) 9 Item worn over a kilt (7) 10 Inspection (7) 11 Hurtful (9) 12 Fireplace (5) 13 Apiece (4) 14 Unpleasant flavour (10) 16 Unique (10) 19 Military shell (4) 21 ___ down, made quieter (5) 22 Short-lived (9) 24 Cloudy, hazy (7) 25 Without a clear plan (7) 26 Environmentally harmless (3-8)

DOWN 1 Inoffensive (15) 2 Member of a courtroom panel (5) 3 Dismiss from a game for a breach of the rules (4,3) 4 Deadlock, stalemate (7) 5 Provide water for (8) 6 Calmly, rationally (15) 7 Hanker (6) 8 Charge exorbitantly (6) 15 Very hot Indian curry (8) 16 Propose, plan (6) 17 Boyfriend (7) 18 Green fizzy drink (7) 20 Characteristic of a youth (6) 23 Baptised (5)

Woman’s Own, Time Inc. (UK) Ltd, Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU. All prices are correct at time of going to press. Time Inc. (UK) Ltd regrets that it cannot be liable for the safe custody or return of any unsolicited material, nor can we answer any letters or return submitted material unless accompanied by an sae. Time Inc. (UK) Ltd reserves the right to shorten or modify any letter or material submitted. By submitting this material you consent to Time Inc. (UK) Ltd reusing the submitted letter or material in any format or medium. Time Inc. (UK) Ltd also regrets that it cannot accept unsolicited fiction manuscripts. This periodical shall not, without the written consent of the publishers first given, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade at more than the recommended selling price shown on the front cover, and it shall not be lent, resold or hired out or otherwise disposed of in a mutilated condition or in any other unauthorised cover by way of trade or affixed to or as part of any publication or advertising, literary or pictorial matter whatsoever. Subscription rates: One year, 50 issues (including postage): UK £56.10; EUR €157.15; USA $103.05; Rest of world £120.40. For enquiries and orders email help@magazinesdirect.com; alternatively, from the UK call 0330 333 1113, overseas call +44 330 333 1113 (lines are open Mon-Fri GMT, 8.30am-5.30pm ex. Bank Holidays). © Time Inc. (UK) Ltd, 2016. Published by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd, Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU. Cover printed by Wyndeham Peterborough, text printed by Wyndeham Bicester. Repro by Rhapsody.

SOUTH AFRICA A ‘world in one country’ is no exaggeration – in South Africa you can enjoy incredible game viewing, a patchwork of different cultures, amazing scenery and history, superb food and excellent wine… Departures September to November 2016 and January to November 2017. The price includes: ◆ Return ﬂights, taxes and transfers ◆ Three- and four-star hotels with breakfast, including two lunches and three dinners ◆ Visits to Kruger National Park, Swaziland and the Cape

16 DAYS FROM £1,999 PER PERSON

of Good Hope, plus a journey along the Garden Route, whale watching in Hermanus* and a winelands tour ◆ A chance to stay overnight in a tented safari camp ◆ Escorted by an experienced tour manager

FOR A FREE BROCHURE OR TO BOOK, CALL 01283 742395 OR VISIT escorted.womansown.co.uk Additional entrance costs may apply. *Dependent on season. Prices are per person, based on two sharing and subject to finite availability. Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel. Offer operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Riviera Travel Ltd, ABTA V4744, ATOL 3430, a company wholly independent of Woman’s Own, published by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd.

WOMANSOWN.co.uk 53

Just for you

BE A JUDGE FOR

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR 2017 E

very year, thousands of new products hit supermarket shelves, but working out which ones to try can be tricky when there’s so much choice! That’s why the Product of the Year Awards are so helpful. They recognise the best new offerings, as voted for by over 11,500 shoppers just like yourselves. And, to kick off next year’s Product of the Year Awards, we’re giving you and a friend the exclusive opportunity to win a spot on the jury panel, so you can help select the best and most innovative new launches of the year. You’ll be judging everything from food, baby care and toiletries, to healthcare and household cleaning products. To be in with a chance of winning,

tell us which new product you think deserves to be crowned this year’s Product of the Year. The winner and a friend will join the panel of industry experts in drawing up the shortlist of must-haves on Wednesday 14 September 2016 in London. As part of this great prize, you’ll also be treated to an overnight stay at a Tune Hotel of your choice on either 13 or 14 September 2016. Tune Hotels are the ultimate choice for the savvy traveller, a no-frills concept but with premium Hypnos beds and power showers in every room. All of Tune’s locations are in Central London, so you can soak up the sights before popping your judging hats on as you join the Product of the Year 2017 panel.

Soak up the sights of London

STAY IN

LONDON

HOW TO ENTER

For your chance to win a place for you and a friend on the judging panel on 14 September 2016, simply tell us in no more than 25 words which new product should be Product of the Year. Send your answer plus your name, address and telephone number to: womansownwebcomps @timeinc.com by 23.59 on 30 August 2016.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS The prize is a position on the Product of the Year 2017 judging panel for you and a friend, plus an overnight hotel stay. Winners must be able to attend the judging day on 14 September 2016 in London. Winners will be staying at a Tune Hotel in London sharing a double or twin room on either Tuesday 13 or Wednesday 14 September 2016. Guests will need to check out at the time given by the hotel. Travel to and from the judging event will be included, plus lunch on the day. Travel to and from the hotel plus any additional expenses are not included in the prize. The judges’ decision is ﬁnal. The competition opens on 2 August 2016 and closes 23.59 on 30 August 2016. Standard Woman’s Own rules apply, for details go to timeincuk.com/standard-competition-terms.

54 WOMANSOWN.co.uk

Photos istockphoto.com

It’s your chance to have your say about the best new products to hit the shelves this year…

W IN AN OVERNIGHT

Aries

21 Mar – 20 Apr It’s all-change – and ﬁnally in the right direction. Some infuriating situation that’s dragged on most of the year is shifting and new ways of dealing with it come ﬂooding in. Your spirits rise, too. It’s been hard, but have faith that it can now truly be better.

◆ For more call 0901 609 4780*

Taurus

21 Apr – 20 May Did something exciting happen yet? If not, there’s still a chance a stunning person sweeps you off your feet or a surprising development gives you a thrill. And, if you and another are mired in a difﬁcult, conﬂictridden situation, that’s lifting, too.

Your

stars

Discover your destiny with Wendy Bristow, our expert astrologer

23 Jul – 22 Aug This is your week. The Leo New Moon brings an energy boost, new ways of looking at old situations and a shot of va-vavoom for projects you want to get off the ground. As long as you do the legwork and don’t just wait for life to change.

Photo Rex

◆ For more call 0901 609 4784*

Sagittarius

23 Nov – 22 Dec What was going on early March? Or mid-to-late May? After no end of obstacles, hold-ups or deeply frustrating difﬁculties, you’re picking up a thread that got dropped then. It hasn’t been the easiest few months but at last you have the energy to sort it.

◆ For more call 0901 609 4789*

◆ For more call 0901 609 4782*

Leo

◆ For more call 0901 609 4787*

23 Dec – 20 Jan Capricorns can become the Eeyores of the zodiac. On a bad day, your sign can moan for Europe. You need to watch that tendency now because certain astro-forces could trigger some negative thinking. There’s actually a whole lot to be happy about.

21 May – 20 Jun Not everyone loves what you have to say or want to do. But, unless they’re a Leo or a Virgo, you’re in a stronger position than most to get your way. Just ensure you’ve thought things through and attended to the small print, which is crucial now.

◆ For more call 0901 609 4783*

24 Oct – 22 Nov Much of this year, your ruler, Mars, has been, frankly, messing about, going backwards and forwards, bringing all kinds of difﬁculties, not to mention a short temper and weird obsessions. As of this week, he moves off and ﬁnally you’re sane. Celebrate.

Capricorn

Gemini

21 Jun – 22 Jul The Leo New Moon sets off a theme about how much you value yourself. In dealings with cash, and in subtler ways like self-esteem and how you are treated, there’s a chance for a fresh start. That could include budgeting to get out of debt.

Scorpio

◆ For more call 0901 609 4788*

◆ For more call 0901 609 4781*

Cancer

Horoscopes

Aquarius

Princess Beatrice

21 Jan – 19 Feb Love makes the world go round, apparently. Close relationships are worth investing in. If your marriage has gone stale or a friendship hit the buffers, this is the week to make an effort and try to turn the situation around. The New Moon helps it happen.

U ST ) LEO (8 AUG for the ci u cr al Next year is ts her ‘Saturn e ge princess – sh the planet of n e return’, wh ajor y brings a m it il b responsi an could me challenge. It ies or , e marriag bab . le a dutiful ro

Virgo

23 Aug – 22 Sep With your ruler in your sign you’re functioning at peak Virgo form – and, at the weekend, lovely Venus arrives to make things even rosier. It’s a great inﬂuence for your love life, decorating schemes and enhancing your image. And lasts all month.

◆ For more call 0901 609 4785*

◆ For more call 0901 609 4790*

Libra

23 Sep – 23 Oct Yours is the sign of partnerships and one-on-ones. And this week you could well meet someone who becomes a future best buddy. Some naughty Librans encounter a sexy individual and kick off a secret affair. Whatever happens, it won’t be boring!

◆ For more call 0901 609 4786*

*Starlines are updated every Thursday. Calls cost 65p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge and last around three minutes. For entertainment purposes only. Users must be over 18. You must have the bill payer’s permission. SP: Spoke, 0333 202 3390

Pisces

20 Feb – 20 Mar There’s a hell of a lot happening in your sign’s zone of love and partnerships. You could experience the kind of fated meeting that happens only rarely. It might not be a lover but someone who changes your life another way. Smile at strangers!

◆ For more call 0901 609 4791*

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In touch

Got something to say? Email or write to Miriam today Whatabride OFPITCHE EKwe wearson WE 50 if ur Win £ yo herbigday u t a fe hroeto p is her choice Why should people even give their opinion on someone else’s choice of clothing? Whether it’s for a wedding or not, it is the bride’s choice for her special day. The question has been raised as clearly people think anything that is a break from the norm or not traditional bridalwear is wrong. The bride should choose her own style to suit her own personality so she feels comfortable and good about herself. I’m all for admiring other people’s fashion choices and I like to see nice clothes, but I do not see why this should be open to criticism from others. Lynn Richardson, via Facebook

I’m looking forward to a change from Phillip and Holly presenting This Morning. It’s good to keep things fresh with new faces. I’m excited to watch Ruth and Eamonn, they’re my favourite presenters! The icing on the cake is James Martin – I miss seeing him every week on Saturday Kitchen! Paulette Cornwell, via Facebook

WRITE Miriam Habtesellasie, In touch, Woman’s Own, Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU

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NETWORK Here’s what you’ve been talking about on Facebook this week… X A wedding cake made out of cheese? I don’t fancy that – it’d smell like dirty socks! Shirley Roberts X Eva Longoria looks so classy in this blue number! Anne Smith X Good on Prince William for keeping his kids out of the spotlight! He has first-hand experience of what it’s like. Val Delieu X If I hold open a door for someone and they don’t say thank you I always say really loudly, ‘You’re welcome!’ Manners cost nothing. Melissa Dawson Hodson

ThisMorning’s Don’tcall newfaces Adeleadiva

How to contact us! Words Abby Rose Photos Rex

Here is a picture of my two children, Mason and Zara, and our Great Dane, Ralph. He just doesn’t stop growing! Lucy Minas, Milton Keynes

From you

X You’ve got to keep your heels, head and standards high. I try to wear heels when I can, but at 63 I spend more time in ﬂip-ﬂops! Joy Neiger

So what if Adele wants a pizza first thing in the morning?! She is a beautiful young woman with a great personality and an amazing voice. She’s earned it and it’s not too outlandish. My early morning request would be a bright, beautiful morning so I can walk my This dogs and drink in the lovely Di sn ey views. Adele deserves theme whatever she requests. Christine Tyler, via cake must Facebook have take

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WOMANSOWN.co.uk 59

‘IWAS STANDING

IN JUST A THONG!’ Kelvin Fletcher looks back on the past 20 years on Emmerdale

Words Kerrina Gray Photos Planet Photos, Rex, WENN

elvin Fletcher was only 12 years old when he first joined Emmerdale, and it certainly hasn’t been an easy ride for his character Andy Sugden. Especially this week, when he faces the possibility of time behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit! Luckily life is far more blissful for Kelvin, who married his childhood sweetheart Liz Marsland, 33, in November last year. The couple are now expecting the arrival of their ﬁrst baby any day now. We caught up with the actor, 32, to find out more…

Shirtless again? Andy shows Viv Hope (Deena Payne) how to work an animal print in 2004

HiKelvin,congratulations on recently marking 20 years at Emmerdale! Can you imagine life without Andy?

happen so I try and ready myself. But it’s a great place to work – it has been an amazing place to be for 20 years.

I don’t know really, I’ve always consciously tried to imagine life without Andy and without Emmerdale because as an actor there’s every possibility that will

Kelvin joined the soap aged 12

Would you like to still be playing him in another two decades’ time? I’m trying to picture what I would be like with grey hair, would I start to look like Clive [Hornby, who played Andy’s dad Jack Sugden]? It’s a hard question, but Emmerdale has given me so many opportunities and a real sense of fulﬁlment and purpose.

What’s been your favourite thing about growing up on the soap? I tell you what’s not been my favourite thing, having pictures

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

‘I’ve alwayst kept ﬁt. Bu een s when you’rye with as that gu off it your top te can be qui cringey’

Celebrity Andyouhavealittleoneon the way – are you excited? Yes – there will be a little bit of change in my life, which is good. It’s something I can’t wait for!

Wrong side of the law – Andy’s currently in deep water of little me so accessible on the likes of Google and whatnot. All those terrible haircuts and outfits over the years. You keep them in your grandparents’ attics, but mine are out there for the world to see! But joking aside, it’s been a really cool place to grow up and I think the highlights are those big scenes. I feel quite proud really.

What’s been your most embarrassing moment on set? It takes a lot to embarrass me but I think the most exposing was when I was in my early twenties and my character was ﬁrst getting married to Katie [Sugden, played by Sammy Winward]. It was Andy’s stag do and I remember reading the scripts and thinking, ‘Oh God!’ Andy was stripped naked, then he had nothing to wear so he had to pull a thong off a washing line and come into the pub! I don’t think I watched it.

They often make you strip off! I don’t really mind it. I’ve always kept ﬁt and looking like I do has just been a by-product. I eat what I want, when I want – I’m not a ﬁtness fanatic. But when you’re seen as that guy with your top off, it can be quite cringey.

How is married life going for you?

Kelvin with his real-life wife, Liz

It’s great, a lot more peaceful than married life in a soap! We grew up together so we know each other really well, she’s seen me at my worst, I guess – my eight-year-old self with the mushroom haircut.

How does Liz feel about the amount of women Andy gets through? Andy does quite well, doesn’t he? I can promise you, it’s not in my contract! And they always put me with really beautiful women as well. We ﬁnd it funny, Liz loves to watch it. And I’m always keen to get her feedback. Liz loves the stuff with Bernice [White, played by Samantha Giles], and she thinks Chrissie’s great as well.

Do you have any guilty pleasures? I’ve got a bit of a weird obsession with gardening at the minute, I keep going out and cutting my lawn. Is it a sign of me getting older? Liz laughs, she’s just watching TV, looking out the window and I’m doing a bit of Titchmarsh.

At the moment poor Andy is being set up by Chrissie [White, played by Louise Marwood ]. Why do you thinkshe’sgotitinforhim? The catalyst in all this is her finding out I’ve had a night with Bernice, while she’d finished with me anyway. We weren’t technically together, so when you really get down to it he’s not done that much wrong. I think this is the last nail in the coffin for Chrissie – every male in her life has been dishonest, and the one person she thought wouldn’t do that is Andy. She’s out to get men in general, I think!

Thisweek,Andy’sincourt and we don’t know if he’s going to be sent down. Do you feel for him? Yes suddenly Andy’s world’s just crashing down, the panic is really setting in because there’s a chance that he’s going to go to prison for something he just didn’t do. It’s a big scene, it’s a big storyline and I want to get it right. I want to nail it. ◆ ◆ Emmerdale, weekdays, ITV WOMANSOWN.co.uk 61

T V All the

OSSIP

ere! If it’s happening… it’s h

A KID FOR KYM!

CORRIAIEL SPEC

There’s a shock in store for Corrie fans – it’s been announced that Kym Marsh’s character Michelle McDonald becomes pregnant! ‘Michelle’s pregnancy is big news for her and Steve, but will end up having bigger repercussions in the street,’ a show source explained ‘As always it is not going to be all plain sailing. It’s going to be a huge storyline for Kym.’ Kym, 40, who is mum to David, 21, Emily, 8, and Polly, ﬁve, is excited, especially as he’ll only be acting at having a baby! ‘It’s always nice to play at it and not go back to the sleepless nights!’ she admitted.

ANNA’S STARKERS!

, iStockphoto.com, ITV, Channel 4

Husband-repeller Gail strikes again

Word s Kerrina Gray Photos Rex, Alpha

BYE BYE LES...

bles, because Get ready for ﬁreworks on the cob been promised it’s and ie Corr Les Dennis is leaving r, who plays acto The g! ban a with that he’ll go out tful years. even Michael Rodwell, has quit after two s have ucer prod and ‘The talented team of writers on hael Mic for exit atic dram come up with a very 62, Les, ,’ ﬁlm to ting exci be will ch the show, whi would come revealed. ‘I always knew that the time more do to dom when I would want the free . But I will time t righ the like s projects. Now just feel an iconic such of part n bee have I s year treasure the s! pen show.’ We can’t wait to see what hap

62 WOMANSOWN.co.uk

She’s had to get used to seeing plenty of nudity on her new show Naked Attraction, but host Anna Richardson has admitted that she drew the line at taking her own clothes off! Talking ‘STEP AWAY about the series, where contestants FROM MY SMALLS, bare all before a ﬁrst date, Anna, 45, YOUNG MAN…’ revealed, ‘Presenting the show in the buff was mentioned. I made it categorically clear that I was totally not taking my clothes off and presenting in the nude! I 100 per cent applaud and admire every single Anna won’t be person on fleshing out there, because her role I wouldn’t have the nuts to do that!’

Your time

‘It was simply brilliant’ The king of quiz shows Bradley Walsh is back with something brand new… Host of The Chase since 2009, Bradley Walsh, 56, has a brand new quiz show up his sleeve – and this one comes with a twist

The show is your idea – are you nervous about it hitting screens? I’m looking forward to seeing how the ITV audience enjoy Cash Trapped. I came up with it in my dressing room about 10 years ago whilst in between scenes on a drama.

What makes it different to other quiz shows? You have to win to be able to leave. You could be stuck there for days, weeks or

years. It’s a game of strategy. Play it right and you could win big over a long period of time – there’s nothing like it.

Was filming it fun? I loved ﬁlming it! The banter and rivalry between the contestants was unique. There was one contestant called Es who told me he had a plan on the very ﬁrst show. I can’t tell you what he did, but whether it was luck or not, you’ll have to watch the show because it was simply brilliant.

You’ve presented quite a few quiz shows now, which is your favourite?

SAY YES TSOS THE DRE FRIDAYS, TLC

If you enjoy Don’t Tell The Bride, then you’re going to love this! Bringing the famous American show to British shores, David Emanuel – who designed Princess Diana s iconic we d g – will make brides’ big days complete as he helps them search for that one special gown to make their dreams come true.

Location, Location, Location

The Chase. It is without a doubt the most exciting and fun time I’ve had making a show.

Bradley is still the quiz host with the most

OOH LA LA!

◆ Cash Trapped, weekdays, ITV

Ever wondered what happens when the cameras stop rolling and a first date Will it be a double becomes a second? room or a single? You’re about to find out, in Channel 4’s First Dates Hotel! Maitre-D’ Fred Sirieix, 44, will be inviting those looking for love to a hotel in the French countryside, and if the contestants get along, their stay will be extended. ‘The hotel, whilst retaining all of the charm of the restaurant series, will give the viewer the chance to see first dates develop into second dates, answering that eternal question ‘what happens next?’’ series editor Adam Chapman revealed.

TUESDAYS, CHANNEL 4

Our favourite propertyhunting duo are back with a new series. Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp are as brilliant as always helping people ﬁnd their dream homes across the country. Catch missed episodes on All 4.

The Supervet: The Bionic Stories WEDNESDAYS, CHANNEL 4

We’ll ﬁnd out more about the Supervet himself, Noel Fitzpatrick, as he tells the story of how he invented and developed the advanced treatments he uses in his surgery. With all the drama and compassion we have come to expect, this is a must for animal lovers.

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Behind the

Your time

SCENES ‘Isingin theshower everyday!’ EastEnder Shona McGarty chats about Whitney and fun in the sun! Lee’s done the dirty on poor Whitney – how’s she coping? I think they belong together, but they are rushing into things. All Whitney has ever wanted is a family and someone to love. There could be a happy future for her.

Summer fashion – what’s your take on it?

I’d tell him to get lost! I’m a girls’ girl when it comes to things like this. I’d dump him and get a vajazzle to celebrate.

I love a maxi dress! I’m not a fan of shorts because I don’t like my legs. I love colours, but I try to stay away from Day-Glo because of Whitney. She loves a neon pink, that girl.

Incredible to think you’ve been on the Square eight years!

You also love a warble! How’s your music going?

I love Whitney. She’s a big part of my life. She’s got a big heart and sees the good in everyone. It’s gone so quick. I’m 24 now!

Really good! I’m working on stuff but I’m so busy with EastEnders and loving it. At least I get to sing in the shower every day.

Speaking as Shona, what would you say to Lee if Whitney was your bestie?

Photos BBC, Rex, Instagram @Binky Felstead, WENN

matter was, and he went and sorted it out. I was so awkward and star-struck!

Canyourremember your first day? I can! Costume gave me shoes for Whitney but they were a bit small. I didn’t want to cause a fuss but Adam Woodyatt [Ian Beale] came up and asked me what the

As Whitney, with Lee and the Carter clan

Alison and I come with a warning!

Corrie on Carla

What a caper I had when I was reun ited with Alison King, aka Carla! She’s only bee n gone a couple of months but Alison is now your ‘virtual’ guide for the new Corona tion Street On Tour exhibition at Glasgow ’s SECC from 27 August, where fans can visit the original sets. ‘I miss his cinnamo n buns,’ Ali told me in Roy’s Rolls. ‘But the ham gave me the creeps. It used to sweat unti l they replaced it with a plastic one!’ The same will one day be said of me at GMB, I’ve no doubt!

Chelsea girl!

Has Binky been taking style tips from Whitney?

Made In Chelsea: South Of France is my guilty TV pleasure of the summer. I caught up with star Binky (aka Alexandra Felstead) to talk her on-screen split with boyfriend JP. ‘We are having space and that has been really good for me,’ she said. Being surrounded by dishy mill ionaires would mend my aching ticker, too !

SISTER ACT!

Catch former X Factor champ Alexandra Burke in ﬁne voice as Deloris Van Cartier in the UK tour of Sister Act. I’ve known her ever since she exploded on to our screens in 2008 and she’s kept her feet on the ground – a credit to her mum, who was in Soul II Soul: ‘She said, ‘You are going to be criticised for everything you do,’ says Alexandra. ‘Your look, your style, everything.’ Hope she looks good in a wimple!

There’s nun finer than my pal Alex!

Celebrity

Up close & personal

‘Ihavereally nice toes!’ JasmineHarmantalksembarrassing moments and her big regrets… With kids Joy and Albion

Her favourite place in the sun, Saint Vincent

If you had 24 hours to yourself, what would you spend it doing? I’d sleep! Then I would have a bottle of wine, go for a really nice pampering session, have a nice dinner and then go back to sleep. Sleep is my priority!

What’s your greatest achievement? My children. For us even just having children was difﬁcult and that’s why it feels like even more of an achievement. It wasn’t

Have you ever been star-struck? Yes, when I met Prince. We went to a VIP after-party about 20 years ago and I got to meet him. He invited me and my friend to Chaka Khan’s birthday party with him, I think he fancied my friend. He wouldn’t let me take a photo. 66 WOMANSOWN.co.uk

straightforward unfortunately, but we’ve managed and they are delightful.

What’s your biggest regret? Not trying to have children sooner, because I didn’t realise how difﬁcult it would be for me. The other thing is that I wish I’d been more understanding of my mum. She’s a hoarder and we had lots of arguments and upsets before people understood what hoarding was or why people did it. That’s something I should have handled better when I was younger.

What’s been your most embarrassing moment? I had a smear test and the doctor suddenly looked up and said, ‘Are you the lady off the telly?’ That was quite embarrassing!

Where is your dream holiday destination? There are a few, it depends on what time of year. I love the Algarve, I used to live there so it almost feels like I’m going home. But the most amazing holiday I’ve ever had was on an island in the Caribbean called Saint Vincent. As far as paradise islands go it is up there because it’s not spoilt at all.

What’s your favourite body part? My feet. I have really nice toenails – even my little toes have got a nail like a ﬁngernail. A lot of people have said to me, ‘You have a really good toenail!’

Whowasyourchildhoodcelebcrush? Ralph Macchio, who was in The Karate Kid. He was gorgeous and he was the wimpy kid that learned karate, I love his character. I had posters of him on the ceiling! X

X A Place In The Sun, Saturdays & Sundays, Channel 4

Words Kerrina Gray Photos Rex, Photoshot, Getty, PA Images

hen it comes to the perfect job, hosting A Place In The Sun must be up there! And presenter Jasmine Harman knows only too well how lucky she is, having been on the show for 12 years. We sat down with the mum to Joy, two, and Albion, seven months, who’s maried to cameraman Jon Boast, to talk regrets and body parts!

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