Woman amp amp home uk june 2017

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SOPHIE RAWORTH SOP Coonquering nerves, b king glass ceilings break & thosse Chelsea secrets!

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Behind the scenes on The Durrells

editor’s letter

Nurture your passion…

PHOTOGRAPH TREVOR LEIGHTON SOPHIE WEARS DRESS, ADRIANNA PAPELL SUE’S HAIR CUT BY JOEL GONCALVES AND COLOUR BY SASKIIA AT DANIEL GALVIN, LONDON (020) 7486 9661

W

ell, what’s yours? From baking to beekeeping, from flamenco to floristry, we’re celebrating the things you love doing this month.

Passions are something our columnist Karren Brady says you find in your heart – not your head (p21), and I agree. It’s something you love to do, whether that’s part of your job or not. Be inspired by five w&h readers on p58, who explain how they found their intriguing “pastimes”…

I agree with psychology professor Angela Duckworth’s sentiments on p51 that it’s not talent we need in abundance but effort and tenacity. She refers to this as “grit”. And the good news is, you can get “grittier” by nurturing your passions!

Our cover star, Sophie Raworth, is passionate about everything she does.

She’s recently rediscovered her passion for playing the piano and has others she would still like to indulge, like opening a bookshop. She tells our Entertainment Editor Nathalie Whittle how gardening is her therapy, so she’ll be in her element

when she presents the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this month. I love her insight into the team – how Monty Don is so charming (I’m not surprised) and what great mates she is with Joe Swift (he designed her garden by text!). A love of gardening runs in the family so she bought her green-fingered mum, Jenny, to our shoot too – see p16.

One of my passions is travelling. I love new experiences, meeting people from different cultures and stepping into a new world. I remember the sense of excitement I had the first time I went to India or on safari in South Africa. As students, my husband and I went travelling together, and it’s still a passion we share today.

And judging by the number of bookings we’ve already had for our new w&h Travel Experiences, travel is your passion too!

Every month we’re bringing you the best holidays, tours and exclusive experiences money can buy (p129). This month they include a once-in-a-lifetime tour of Japan to see the cherry blossom, and a trip to Corfu, following in the footsteps of the Durrells.

We know you love the ITV series too (see our behind-the-scenes feature on p46).

Plus we’re giving you the opportunity, like Sophie, to spend time with Joe Swift to visit some of the beautiful gardens in Madeira. And we’ve also arranged a feel-good fitness holiday to Spain with WalkActive guru Joanna Hall.

So enjoy a wonderful experience with friends and family – or simply on your own, whatever your passion.

See you next month,

“It’s all about finding and following your own passion”

w&h

NEW

travel EXPERIENCES TOURS HOLIDAYS

The new w&h travel service with bespoke holidays and unique experiences chosen for you JAPAN IN BLOOM A trip of a lifetime to explore this fascinating country and see its famous cherry blossom (p130)

MAGICAL CORFU Follow in the footsteps of the Durrells and meet Gerald’s wife Lee Durrell on the Greek island (p134)

Editorial Director

SPECTACULAR MADEIRA Discover the island’s natural beauty with garden designer and Chelsea presenter Joe Swift (p137)

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MUST-SEE VIDEOS FROM OUR COVER SHOOT DON’T Sophie Raworth MISS reveals the five things she’d tell her younger self.

Watch it now at womanandhome. com/sophieraworth THE BERRIES ARE COMING! Find our mouthwatering recipes on page 176, and watch our video for the best strawberry cheesecake at womanandhome.com/ strawberrycheesecake

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MARKETING HEAD OF MARKETING, WOMEN’S LIFESTYLE Sian Cupid DEPUTY HEAD OF MARKETING, WOMEN’S LIFESTYLE Laura Timms SENIOR MARKETING EXECUTIVE, WOMEN’S LIFESTYLE Emma Salter OFFERS EDITORIAL Simon Whittaker

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26 JUNE 2017 CONTENTS

Spring fashion wishlist

76

41

Michaela Strachan’s passions

Eye-catching accessories

58

Secret passions… revealed!

118

Ways to sculpt your body

Features 15

Our favourite things Sue’s pick of all things metallic 16 ON THE COVER VIDEO Sophie Raworth Conquering nerves, breaking glass ceilings and those Chelsea secrets!

21 Karren Brady On the benefits of following a passion 46 ON THE COVER Behind the scenes on The Durrells We go on set to meet the cast of this hit ITV show 51 ON THE COVER Nurture your passion How you can find the four key

ON THE COVER

PHOTOGRAPH TREVOR LEIGHTON STYLING FAYE SAWYER AT CAROL HAYES MANAGEMENT HAIR & MAKE-UP LIZ BECKETT, USING CLOUD NINE AND SUQQU DRESS CHI CHI AT HOUSE OF FRASER BRACELET ACCESSORIZE

10 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

ingredients for a happier life 57 Women in their fifties love to bend the rules Writes author Bella Pollen 58 Guess what our passions are? You’ll be surprised and inspired by these five women’s intriguing pastimes 65 Meet the women leading the House of Lords The Leader and Shadow Leader on the important work they do 68 The real women behind This Girl Can The campaign that’s inspiring the nation to get moving 72 woman&home inspired me to change my life One woman’s story of moving to the country and starting a new lifestyle 76 How we give back Four famous faces reveal acts of kindness – big and small 80 United against dementia Two families share their stories 85 ON THE COVER Are you the driving force in your marriage? Find out if you’re an “alpha” or “beta” wife 88 My midlife foodie fixes Mimi Spencer on easy ways to make a healthy difference to your diet 90 The woman who knows your guardian angel Read about Lorna Byrne’s extraordinary gift

158 The big screen debate How much should we try to limit children’s access to smartphones and tablets? We hear from four parents 163 6 of the best summer short courses Go on a learning holiday 167 Your 60-minute money MOT Easy checks to save money 170 New Directions: Our businesses are blooming Three women tell how they’ve grown their flower and garden companies

Fashion & beauty 23 The fashion edit Key buys for June 25 Indulgence The latest watches 26 ON THE COVER Fashion gets girly Grown-up frills and florals… here’s how to wear them well 39 Dress from the toes up! Summer dresses and standout shoes 41 The one buy you need now…

Must-have statement earrings 42 Step it up Embellished sneakers 92 What to wear at the weekend Embrace easy dressing your way 99 Your shape your way Tips and tricks to go big and bold this summer >>

TRAVEL 129 HOLIDAYS CHOSEN FOR YOU! Including a once-in-alifetime trip to Japan, plus Corfu, Madeira and more!

W&H EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCES 104 The power of perfume Celebrating 25 years of The Fragrance Foundation 106 Summer lovin’ – your quick fix power make-up Easy tips for a natural look 112 Love your hair… when you’ve got no time Keep it simple and effortless 114 ON THE COVER Find your perfect foundation What to wear for summer and beyond 118 ON THE COVER w&h Bonus: Secret body tweakments They really make a difference!

Travel 130 See the cherry blossom on the ultimate tour of Japan An exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime holiday offer 134 ON THE COVER Lee Durrell in Corfu Magical Corfu is home to ITV’s The Durrells, and we’d love you to join us on this trip and meet Lee Durrell 137 ON THE COVER Madeira with Joe Swift A green-fingered tour of Madeira’s most beautiful gardens with the UK’s top garden designer, Joe Swift 140 Join our WalkActive holiday in Spain!

We’ve joined forces with Joanna Hall to offer this fabulous fitness holiday 142 The magic of Myanmar, and Pompeii & the Amalfi Coast Two more exclusive experiences 143 The real Marigold hotel tour A 10-day tour taking in India’s unmissable sights

Wellbeing & health 146 ON THE COVER The snacking diet Lose up to 7lb in 4 weeks – without feeling hungry!

151 How to beat bingo wings Easy moves to fit into your routine 12 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

DEALS

INVITATIONS 63 JOIN US FOR A FABULOUS SUMMER LUNCH

43 GET 20% OFF AT PHASE EIGHT Save money on your holiday wardrobe this month with this great discount 161 LOSE WEIGHT WITH THE W&H DELIVERY BOX Meal plans delivered to your door… and you can save £25 152 How to get healthy happy feet Solutions for bunions, heel pain, ingrown toenails and more 155 An allergy caused my asthma A tale of adult-onset asthma diagnosis 157 Your health Ask Dr Rosemary Leonard

…on 21 July at Kensington Roof Gardens in London

207 MEET MARTINA COLE Come to our in conversation event with the bestselling crime author

176

Delicious summer recipes

Food & homes 175 The food edit What’s trending 176 ON THE COVER Turn simple into special Summer’s new take on everyday ingredients 189 The wine edit The best bottles now!

191 The home edit Great buys this month 192 ON THE COVER 30 new garden ideas Three readers’ gardens with three different styles 203 Essentials solutions The latest pet technology and gadgets

191

Home buys all under £25

192

Garden inspiration

Time for you 205 Books The best of the new releases 208 In conversation with Paula Hawkins Author of The Girl on the Train 211 w&h weekend What’s on this month

In every issue 212 Coming next month 169 womanandhome.com What’s new 225 Your horoscopes Monthly stars 226 My loves & hates Fitness coach and bestselling author, Joe Wicks

More offers 144 Fabulous subscriptions offer Subscribe to w&h from only £31.99 165 Travel offers Book your dream holiday, plus a buy-one, get-onefree cruise sale on p188 199 Gardening offer A fantastic deal on a colourful hydrangea

Rewards for subscribers This month, save £16 when you join the Hotel Chocolat Tasting Club for just £6.95.

Also, get 50% off a gorgeous bouquet. Join Rewards* today at womanandhome.com/ rewards

Want to order a subscription to woman&home magazine? Go to womanandhome.com/june2017 for our great offer this month.

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Gardening is my

therapy

Sophie Raworth talks to Nathalie Whittle about conquering nerves, breaking the glass ceiling said, “You’ll be fine because gardeners – and what you don’t see happen at Chelsea… are lovely people” – she was right.

C

ATCH SOPHIE RAWORTH, 49, presenting the BBC News and you’ll observe a woman who’s cool, calm and collected – neither a hair out of place nor a crease in her blouse. Meet her in the flesh and she tells a very different story. “What you don’t see is me rushing down to do Six O’Clock News and the make-up women shouting, ‘But we need to put some powder on you, Sophie!’” she explains. “The truth is, I don’t want to be too made up because I don’t want to pretend I’m anything I’m not.”

With such integrity, it’s no wonder she’s celebrating 20 years on national news this year, having covered everything from Bill Clinton’s impeachment in 1998 to the Royal Wedding in 2011.

But it’s at this time of year that Sophie makes the transition from hectic newsroom to front the coverage of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show – and it doesn’t faze her. Her mother, a florist, and her businessman father transformed the garden of their family home in Richmond into a show garden, and if you watched Sophie’s episode of BBC One’s Who Do You Think You Are?, you’ll know that

green fingers run in the family – her great grandfather once worked in Kew Gardens’ iconic Palm House.

Sophie lives with her husband, property company director, Richard Winter, and their three children, daughters, Ella, 12, and Georgia, 11, and son, Oliver, nine, in London.

BEHIND THE SCENES AT CHELSEA… When you visit Chelsea, you might think each garden is down to the work of a single designer – well, I’m there when the other 99 people are hard at work!

My job starts three weeks before the show opens – during “the build” – when huge teams, from construction workers to nurserymen to the people who polish the leaves (yes, really!) start transforming their patches of turf. I’ll be in my hi-vis vest and steel toe cap boots, watching in awe. Last year, designer James Basson did a garden inspired by the South of France and there were people laying down snail shells by hand that he and his children had collected from the woods in Provence – that was incredible to watch.

Every year there are disasters. There have been trees that haven’t survived the build or plants that haven’t quite performed as they should, and there’s a huge panic two days before opening day.

You wouldn’t know it’s a competition though because there’s this wonderful camaraderie and the gardeners help each other out. When I got the job, my mum

One of my favourite things about doing Chelsea is being reunited with the team.

Monty Don is the charming one who everyone wants to meet, while Joe Swift and I have a close bond – he calls me “Head girl” and I call him “Head gardener”. He designed my front garden for me… by text! My husband is a keen gardener, so he “kidnapped” our back garden, leaving me with a 10x10ft patch at the front. Joe sent me over a design and told me what to buy – box balls and Japanese anemones – and I dug all the soil over, laid it out, and I was texting him photos, while he’d text me back saying, “No, move that over there!” and “Go back to the garden centre and get more!” Now people stop outside my house to admire it.

The most heartbreaking part of Chelsea is the great plant sell-off. A bell is rung at 4pm on the last day and everyone rushes in to buy the plants – so all the gardens get dug up. I remember last year watching Jo Thompson’s Gold medal-winning garden being completely destroyed. It was brutal.

When I’m not presenting, you’ll find me searching for a new rose to plant in my garden – it’s my tradition. My favourite is a pale pink one called “New Dawn”. Every year I come back with something from Chelsea – I even bought two Silver Birch Jacquemontii trees one year!

I find gardening a bit like therapy. It’s time out, it’s space, it’s slow and >>

the real me

“One of my favourite things about doing Chelsea is being reunited with the team, plus seeing the wonderful camaraderie between the gardeners”

woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 17

SOPHIE SAYS...

Secret skill? Diving. I trained with the British team when I was a teenager.

I might not be so good now though!

The one you want to master?

Dancing… but I’m not doing Strictly!

Guilty pleasure? Lindt chocolate.

Best decision you ever made? While working as a news reporter in my twenties, I was asked to present the regional news in Yorkshire and I turned it down because I didn’t want to be on TV. Then I went home and everyone said, “Why don’t you just try it?”

– and I rang them back and said yes.

The mantra you live by? Carpe diem – seize the day.

Female role models? The journalists Lynn Faulds Wood and Pattie Coldwell who died in 2002 – family friends who both inspired me to become a journalist.

I don’t have my phone – we all need something like that that gives us a break from the full-on lives we all lead.

My son, Ollie, is getting green fingers.

While I was away recently, he was tidying up the front garden with his dad. He’s started growing carrots too.

ON 20 YEARS IN NATIONAL NEWS… When I got my first job co-presenting the BBC’s Breakfast News, I had a lot of nerves. I kept thinking, “Oh my god, there are all these people watching me!”

It really freaked me out. Confidence doesn’t come naturally to me, but I’ve gained a lot more as I’ve got older.

People often think newsreaders pitch up an hour before they’re on air, get a bit of a powder and off they go – I wish!

What you don’t see is I get into the office hours beforehand to write my headlines, scripts and cues. Then when I’m on air and there’s a break, I’m often rewriting cues and responding to breaking news.

There’s no one in our ears telling us what to do or say, either. The morning after the Brexit vote I stood in Downing Street and was live on air for five or six hours as events unfolded. David Cameron had just resigned. None of us knew what was 18 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

going to happen next, and you have no choice but to react to events in the best way possible. My heart was pounding.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t make mistakes – I’m just lucky no one has noticed.

Years ago on Breakfast, the most common one was introducing a guest who wasn’t that guest at all and they’d say, “No, that’s not me” – and I’m thinking, “Well, who are you?” All you can do is apologise – and keep going!

When I started out I thought, “Great, I’ll be able to do this until I’m 40.”

That’s the way it was – you didn’t see “older” women on TV. Fortunately, things have changed and are continuing to change – since I’ve turned 40, I’ve had far more work than I had in my twenties or thirties.

And now I’m almost 50 and I have a lot more I want to do and can do.

We’re the generation who are going to keep going, aren’t we?

I’m not saying there aren’t still glass ceilings and walls for women to break – there are. I did a documentary a few years ago called The Trouble with Working Women, where I explored sexism in the workplace, and one of the things we found was that women weren’t shouting as loudly as men. We should all have the confidence to speak up and acknowledge our own worth.

One of the biggest changes in 20 years has been social media. People can be very forthright on Twitter. There was one “incident” last year where people were saying I’d had a “dodgy fake tan”. It even ended up in the papers! I’d just been on holiday, so I was thinking, “What?” I’ve only ever had one fake tan and it was for Strictly Children in Need! You have to learn to take it with a pinch of salt.

ON FAMILY AND FRIENDS… I have a handful of very close girlfriends who I’ve known most of my life – and they’re so important to me. I’ve known my oldest friend, Jules, since I was three and now she lives in Vietnam, but the thing about true friends is that you can not speak for weeks or months and then pick up exactly where you left off.

PHOTOGRAPHS TREVOR LEIGHTON STYLING FAYE SAWYER AT CAROL HAYES MANAGEMENT HAIR & MAKE-UP LIZ BECKETT, USING CLOUD NINE AND SUQQU FIRST PAGE SLEEVELESS TOP, LK BENNETT. TROUSERS, BODEN SECOND PAGE HAND-PAINTED GOWN, SASSI HOLFORD OPPOSITE PAGE FLORAL DRESS, CHI CHI AT HOUSE OF FRASER. SHOES, ASOS THIS PAGE JENNY WEARS: SILK SHIRT, GANNI FLOWERS C BEST LTD, UNIT C1-C2 FLOWER MARKET, NINE ELMS LANE, LONDON SW8 5EH, AND GISELA GRAHAM

the real me When I have a down moment, I surround myself with friends and family. My dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s last year and he inspires me every day. He got himself a personal trainer and took up boxing – at 75. He’ll always say, “I’m going to give it my best and go for it” – we can all learn from that.

When the kids were very young, someone said to me, “The older they get, the more they need you.”

Often they need you when you’re least expecting it – and you have to be there. It’s a juggling act I still haven’t mastered.

ON SECRET PASSIONS… My sister, Kate, is the person I lean on in a crisis. We’re very different – she’s an academic and has just written her first book on rethinking global economics. But when you need advice, she doesn’t just say, “This is what you should do” – there’s a long pause until she comes up with the answer – and it’s always right.

If I wasn’t on TV, I’d probably have opened my own bookshop… I adore reading! I recently started a website – readbyraworth.com – where I post reviews of my favourite books, like Rose Tremain’s The Gustav Sonata. If I can’t have a real bookshop, I might as well have a virtual one!

My husband, Richard, is crucial in my life. We met through friends in our twenties, but it wasn’t an instant thing.

Our paths crossed a bit, but it was several years before we got together.

I still feel very lucky to have married him.

The older I get, the more I savour time on my own. I can very happily be at home alone, pottering about, watching TV (especially if it’s Line of Duty or The Durrells), while surfing the internet.

I feel good when I do that.

Our secret to making it work is respecting each other… and giving each other space. We’re very much a family unit, but he’s very good at letting me go off and do my stuff – and I let him do the same. We have our separate hobbies – and that’s important in any relationship.

A passion I have recently rediscovered is playing the piano.

I quit when I was 10, but we inherited a baby grand piano

ON MUM AND ME… When I got my job on Chelsea I instantly felt at home – I’ve got Mum to thank for that.

I was about five when she started her floristry business, and she and Dad transformed the garden of our home into an oasis of Rambling Rectors and Fringed tulips.

I live near my parents so I’m over there a lot – and I speak to Mum on the phone almost every day. When I’m worried about something, she’ll say, “What’s the worst that can happen?” When someone puts it like that, you think, “You’re right, it will be fine.”

We do clash – of course we do! She tells me I’m bossy, while she says, “I’m from Nottinghamshire, I’m going

when we bought our house, and by chance I heard my friend, Alistair [McGowan] on the radio talking about how he’d started playing again. So I rang him up and the next thing I knew, he had me playing in a Christmas concert in front of 300 people! It wasn’t until I was sat at that piano with everyone watching that I realised I suffered from stage fright. I was physically shaking!

I’d love to make more time for those holidays where you lie down and do nothing – does anyone get those any more? Last summer, Richard, the kids and I went to stay on my godmother’s farm on the Isle of Wight.

I lazed around reading books, while the kids were out playing with the animals.

You can happily do nothing all day and not go anywhere – it’s bliss.

Coverage of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show will run daily on BBC One and Two from 23-28 May.

Sophie and her mother Jenny

to say it as it is” – which doesn’t always go down well!

MUM JENNY SAYS… Sophie’s mother Jenny, 75, runs Jenny Raworth Garden Days, taking small groups to private gardens in the UK. When Sophie had her own children, we became even closer. I’m quite a strict grandma, but they know they’ll get biscuits and Haribos at mine. I also let them watch TV as much as they like, which I know Sophie doesn’t. The joy is that you don’t have to set the rules as a grandparent, do you?

They say you’re not interested in gardening until you have a garden of your own – that’s true of Sophie.

We were always in the garden the main presenters for the when she was growing up.

Chelsea Flower Show. One When Richard and I bought of the best things about it is our family home in the 70s, it that sometimes I get to go was a dilapidated piece of land in before it opens – and ask and we spent years developing all my burning questions. I the garden, though I can’t once had some irises that pretend she was sat there wouldn’t flower, and one of sowing seeds with me! Now the growers told me to give she phones me up and says, them a handful of fertiliser in “Mum, shall I plant this there?” spring – and it worked. w&h and I’ll say, “No, that won’t look right!”

What would Sophie tell her younger self?

I was so proud Go to womanandhome.com/sophieraworth when Sophie and see our exclusive video became one of woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 19

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in my opinion

KARREN BRADY OUR BRILLIANT COLUMNIST WRITES EXCLUSIVELY FOR W&H EACH MONTH

‘Unless you follow a passion or passionately follow what you enjoy, you will have no idea who you can become’ Most people think that if they spend their life doing something they’re passionate about, everything else in their life will just click into place.

It’s true that a career lasts a lifetime, and if you have a job you love, by God that improves things.

But passions don’t always have to be jobs. Because passions are something you find in your heart… rather than in your head.

Passions can be simple, like reading or making something.

Or they can be more complicated, like learning or teaching.

But mainly they are about doing.

Doing whatever you want, regardless of what other people think about it and doing it with enthusiasm and energy.

Discovering a passion is like finding harmony in your life and that, in my experience, results in waking up content. And, trust me, that’s the best way to wake up.

But most people can’t work out what they’re passionate about.

For me, it doesn’t have to be something worthy but it does have to be something you find worthwhile; usually something that makes you feel strong, independent and ultimately happy.

And it should never matter what anyone else thinks about it.

I couldn’t care less what people think about me or my passions. And it’s that attitude that has been at the heart of me being able to do what I want

and achieve what I have in terms of business. When it comes to my personal life, though, I’m most passionate about carving out time at the weekends to spend with my husband and family. Oh, and scented candles come a close second on my list of passions!

When I took over a rundown football club in 1993 at the age of 23, people scoffed, laughed and put me down.

The following year, when Birmingham City made a profit for the first time in its modern history, they gulped, and when I sold it for £82 million, they stopped laughing.

I do what I want with my life – I say yes when I mean it and no thank you when I don’t.

I stopped trying to please everyone and focused on pleasing myself. Judging your own life by other people’s standards and attitudes is a sure way to live in misery and disappointment.

Unless you follow a passion or passionately follow what you enjoy, you’ll have no idea who you can become. We have only one life so my best advice is, go live it.

So ask yourself this. If you had a week where you could do anything you wanted, what would you do? Whatever it is… that’s called a passion! w&h

PHOTOGRAPH LIZ McAULAY

Find a passion and life gains harmony

GO TO WOMANANDHOME.COM

Read more of Karren’s columns at womanandhome.com/karrenbrady

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The Blues

PHOTOGRAPH OMER KNAZ STYLING CHARLIE MOORE

Dial in to dark blue for the latest take on wristwear

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Hagen steel, £155, Skagen at Fossil Group.

Silhouette crystal and steel watch, £199, Citizen. Helvetica leather strap watch, £290, Mondaine at Goldsmiths. Toccata steel and diamonds, £875, Raymond Weil w&h woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 25

Summer Too grown-up to do girly? Well, that’s where you’re wrong… frills, florals and all things feminine should be top of your spring wishlist. Here’s how to wear it well Photographs Anthony Edwin Fashion Director Julia May Morgan

26 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

style inspiration

IN FULL BLOOM

Not brave enough for boho?

Fear not… full florals don’t have to be done the old-fashioned way.

Button your dress down and leave your pussy bow loose for a more modern take on the look.

Add the right accessories.

Dress it down with darker tones.

High heels will give it a more glamorous edge.

Style it with your own belt.

Just because it comes with one, doesn’t mean you have to do what they say!

Camisole, £62, xxs-xl, Samsoe & Samsoe. Dress, £110, 8-20, Laura Ashley. Heels, £250, LK Bennett.

Necklace, £92, Nocturne. Belt, £10, Accessorize. Bag, £450, Aspinal of London >>

woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 27

style inspiration

LOVE LACE

Want to wear lace the modern way? Look for a sweatshirt shape, but make sure it has that wantable texture. A lacy finish will give an instant nod to the girly factor.

Work it with a pull-you-in pencil skirt. Stretchy but structured – yes, you can get away with pink.

Neat hair? No way! Bundle it up and just pull out a few messy bits to soften your look.

Jumper, £265, xs-l, See by Chloé at Selfridges. Skirt, £89, xs-l, Winser London. Earrings (just seen), £12.99, Pilgrim

28 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

SLIP UP

Slinky silk separates… does it get more indulgent? Look for pastel shades with soft ruffled trims.

Odd earrings? Yes, everyone’s doing them. Mix and match different pairs – one long, one short.

Ankle-tie shoes are trending right now… make like a ballerina and go for soft pink ribbons.

Cami, £255, xs-m; skirt, £255, 6-12, both Elizabeth and James at Selfridges.

Cardigan, £32, 6-18, Next. Shoes, £22.99, New Look. Earrings, £355, Marni at Fenwick of Bond Street >>

style inspiration

ON THE LOOSE

Want that easy breezy feeling, without looking underdressed?

An off-the-shoulder knit says sophisticated, sexy and so grown up.

Pleats please… a wider pleat is more forgiving. Choose crisp white and try that higher waist.

Nothing looks more expensive than silver and white – stick to this combination and you’ll always feel elegant.

Jumper, £69, 6-16, The White Company. Body, £65, 6-14, ST Studio.

Skirt, £320, 36-42, WtR. Earrings, £111, Nocturne. Belt, £6, Yours

ALL IN ONE

Looking for one piece you can wear to any occasion? Step aside separates, the jumpsuit guarantees stress-free styling.

All you need to think about is the right accessories. Add your own belt and match it to your block heels.

Full frills? No, they’re not too flouncy. They’re bang on trend.

A pleat here or a frill there and you’ve ticked the boxes.

Jumpsuit, £349, 4-16, Whistles.

Shoes, £120, Kurt Geiger. Rose gold and diamond ring, £70; 14k yellow gold diamond ring, £265, both Pandora >>

woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 31

style inspiration

TRUE BLUE

It’s the ultimate ageless dress – cascades of tiered chiffon.

It doesn’t get more romantic.

Make it your own with a girly underslip and wear it loose like you haven’t even tried.

Work it in the day with a soft, pointed flat or fit for the dance floor with sky-high heels.

Dress, £254, xs-xl, Ghost.

Skirt, £45, s-xl, gudrunsjoden.com.

Shoes, £89, Mint Velvet. Earrings, £150, Halo & Co at Harvey Nichols

SHOW IT OFF

Is this the dream dress?

A longer length, a loose waist, and if there’s one thing every woman can get on show, it’s sexy shoulders.

If you’re feeling body beautiful undo a couple of buttons. A little leg on show never hurt anyone.

Add metallic heels, in a height you can handle, or slip on some flats… anything goes.

Dress, £410, xs-l, DKNY at Fenwick of Bond Street. Shoes, £149.95, Madeleine.

Earrings, from a selection, meadowlark jewellery.co.uk. Ring, £45, Pandora >> woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 33

style inspiration

GREAT LENGTHS If you have long legs, wide pants are for you. Work them in cream or white for the ultimate Great Gatsby finish.

The lace blouse is back, just look for collar details. It may look ultra-girly, but tuck it in with your oversized trousers and you’ve nailed the new look.

Forget a classic coat, add a longer length knit. For a more fashionable finish, wear it slightly off the shoulder.

Cardigan, £174.95, xxs-xl, Samsoe & Samsoe. Blouse, £209, 8-14, Sonia Rykiel at Fenwick. Trousers, £39.99, xs-xl, Zara. Sunglasses, £450, Jimmy Choo. Earrings, £149, Donatella Pellini at Fenwick of Bond Street. Bangle, £60, K by Kelly Hoppen at qvcuk.com >>

34 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

style inspiration

TAKE A BOW

Choose one tone and work in lots of layers. As long as you’ve built bows into your look, no one will question a thing.

Switch things up and wear the inside on the outside.

A vest top over a neat knit gives you two looks in one.

Add a flippy floral skirt… but what’s the right hem length? Just below the knee.

Long-sleeved top, £55, 6-18; bow strap vest top, £59, 6-18, both Mint Velvet.

Skirt, £72, 6-16, Paisie.

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Dress, £130, 4-18, Asos.

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woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 39

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TV EXCLUSIVE BEHIND THE SCENES

“We’re just like A REAL FAMILY!” As The Durrells enchants with a second series, Charlotte Williamson goes on set to meet the cast and discover just how close they really are…

THE STORY Based on Gerald Durrell’s classic memoir, My Family and Other Animals, The Durrells’ combination of a brilliant cast, sparkling script (thanks to Men Behaving Badly’s Simon Nye) and a backdrop of sun-drenched scenery is exactly what you want from Sunday night TV. The series follows the fortunes of the eccentric Durrell family’s four years spent in Corfu in the 1930s. Louisa, widowed and short of money, moves her children – Larry (Lawrence), Leslie, Margo and budding animal-lover Gerry (Gerald) – from Bournemouth to Corfu.

Eight weeks is spent filming in Corfu, and then six weeks in Ealing Studios in London, where w&h caught up with the cast.

The pioneering mother Keeley Hawes, 41, plays the family’s mother, Louisa. Keeley is married to the actor Matthew Macfadyen and has three children.

I think a big part of the appeal of the programme is the urge to ‘Do a Durrell’, running away to a different life abroad where your children can be free-range.

Louisa is quite amazing when you remember she was a single mother in the 1930s with very little money who took her family across the world, as it was then.

To do that on a whim is either mad or makes her the most imaginative woman you could ever meet. She was doing it to create a better life for her children.

There’s a wonderful quote from Larry in real life who said, “The best thing about our mother is that she allowed us to just be.” Which is really telling. To have two amazing talents in one family [Gerald, who was an acclaimed naturalist as well as a writer, and Lawrence, who became a bestselling novelist] Keeley Hawes (left) must partly be down and the cast (top) enjoy to the mother. socialising together between takes 00 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

woman&home I’m a big fan of My Family and Other Animals; the book changed my life.

When I was little, I didn’t travel much.

I grew up in London, and my dad was a cab driver. We lived in a small flat – there were six of us and lots of pets: a poodle, a cat, a tortoise. This book took me away.

The Durrells cast clicked instantly.

When we’re filming, we don’t spend a day apart. I’ve worked on other series where you might not get on so well, and that’s fine, but this is different. We eat and socialise together. We have a Durrell WhatsApp group to stay in touch when we’re not filming. I think you can see that warmth when you watch the programme.

The three eldest Durrell “children” are in their twenties and Milo, who plays Gerry, is 14, but I do look out for them – I suppose that’s inevitable because I’m a mother myself. And they’re very generous and loving with me, and let me in on their secrets.

You have to have that shorthand when you’re playing a mother. We have emotional scenes that are heartbreaking but are then cut with something that’s really

funny. And that’s life – [the writer] Simon is so clever. He has four children of his own. My family came over while we were filming in Corfu, and they got on very well with The Durrells cast. My kids think they’re the coolest people ever.

Our quota of animals has doubled at least in the second series. Because we’re working with so many, it can smell really bad! One of the episodes is set entirely during a rainstorm. Gerry thinks the animals look depressed and brings them inside, so we shot the episode in Ealing Studios with loads of animals.

On one day we were outnumbered with eight animals and six actors in one room! That was very funny. We had two pelicans, a donkey, a chicken on my lap, a rabbit, a goat, a tortoise… They were just everywhere. I don’t like filming with the pelicans, though. They’re big with massive wings and I find them unnerving.

‘Louisa took her we’re filming in family to the other When Ealing, we’re always but swatting side of the world freezing away imaginary flies.

The make-up artists for a better life dab on Elizabeth Arden Hour cream to – who wouldn’t Eight give us a Greek glow dream of that?’ and use Evian spray before takes to make it look like we’re perspiring.

In real life, I’m nothing like Louisa.

I’m very can-do so I don’t relate to the way she relies on others. I feel very independent – but I have people who back me up. Matthew and I have a very fair relationship – we both work and both do our share of parenting.

The Durrells cast spent eight weeks filming on the Greek island of Corfu

We have a dog, Nanna, and we’re getting the children some fish. It’s good for them to look after an animal. We’ve had pets before, and when one of them dies, one of the children will say, “I’m so sorry about your bunny rabbit, Mummy.” They’re not my rabbits! They’re not going to be my fish.

Leslie, the gun fanatic

Callum, who plays Leslie, gets on well with his on-screen mum, Keeley

Callum Woodhouse, 22, plays Leslie, the fire-arms-obsessed middle son.

Leslie is a bit of a lost soul trying out lots of different things. He doesn’t have anything he’s passionate about – other than guns. It was fun learning how to dismantle and reassemble a real gun for the role. Leslie is fun to play. He reminds me of myself – he’s grumpy for no reason. In this series, he’s calmed down a bit. He’s trying lots of ventures, such as introducing English food like Scotch eggs to the Greeks. He wants to make money for the family – and please his mum.

Keeley as a mum is amazing. She’s the best person to be around because she’s so helpful and guiding but never in a condescending way. This has been my first role since leaving university – I was really lucky. At first I was walking around the set feeling overwhelmed and not knowing anything. Keeley was there for me constantly, helping me without making me feel like a newbie.

I grew up in County Durham, and am the youngest in my family. My mum is a nurse practitioner and my dad works for an oil company. Growing up, we had nine rabbits and they all ran away. Not all at the same time! But they all escaped. I now have a phobia of snakes – I can’t stand them. There’s a scene where I get bitten by a scorpion, and Gerry [Milo] says, “Don’t worry; it’s fine.” And he’s standing close to me with a snake writhing all over him. It was really hard for me. Milo was totally chilled with the snake, though. >> woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 47

woman&home

Margo, the teen daughter

Milo as Gerry with Theo (Yorgos Karamihos), a Greek naturalist and his mentor

Daisy Waterstone, 22, plays Margo, the third child and only Durrell daughter.

‘Margo has a strong female figure Every day funny to look up to something happens on set of the who hasn’t because animals and also because followed of people’s the rules’ personalities.

Keeley looks after me like a best friend. I always ask her advice – not just on acting but on life in general. She’s very wise.

My dad founded Waterstones bookshops and my mother is a producer and I’m the youngest of eight – I have six “halves” [half-siblings].

Margo’s the only girl and is close to her family, which I am. Milo and I are very close too.

Daisy, who plays Margo, enjoys close friendships with her co-stars

Larry, L arry, tthe he wri writer iter Animal-lover A i ll Gerry G Milo Parker, 14, plays Gerry, the youngest child who discovers his passion for animals while living in Corfu.

Gerry is nature-obsessed. In this series, he’s starting to become more interested in conservation rather than just keeping animals. For instance, otters were nearly extinct in Corfu in the 1930s, and he gets two and tries to breed them. After a while it works – and that’s all I’m going to say…

I liked animals before filming The Durrells – we have a toy poodle, Cybil – but not as much as I do now. You can’t rely on them doing what you tell them.

The pelicans are the naughtiest. We also have two donkeys, and they’re very good, but the best behaved is the dog.

As a family on set it’s incredible how well we get on. Keeley is like a real mum to me, which is lovely as I miss my own mum a lot when I’m in Corfu. My dad acts as my chaperon – he’s semi-retired – and my mum works for the NHS. Dad makes sure I fit in three hours of schoolwork a day [a legal requirement for child actors].

Filming in Corfu is incredible. The sea is so clear and I went snorkelling every day. My tan is all down to MAC make-up, though; it’s sprayed on and comes off when I sit down! I’m actually really pale.

Gerald Durrell was a real pioneer with conservation as he didn’t like the way some zoos were treating animals. I recently became an ambassador for the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, which is an honour. It’s important that people realise that animals need us to survive.

And we need them to survive too.

Josh O’Connor, 26, plays the eldest child, aspiring novelist Larry.

Larry is the father figure. He’s also a tortured writer. He’s grumpy, debauched and sex-obsessed. I can relate to his “tortured artist” persona – when I was younger, I thought that being troubled would somehow make me an artist.

In Corfu, me, Callum and Daisy live in villas close by – we can walk onto our balconies and talk to each other. We’re good friends outside of filming too.

I grew up in Cheltenham, the middle of three boys. My mum’s a midwife and my dad’s a teacher. The only pet we had was a hamster. On The Durrells, the animals are very much part of the cast. Keeley and I did a scene with the pelicans and their wings started flapping. It was supposed to be emotional, but we couldn’t stop laughing.

They say never work with animals and children – but Milo and the animals are the best-behaved of us all! w&h

ANTHONY BLOOM, “THE BIRD WHISPERER” Anthony is the one man on set everyone is in awe of. Known as “the bird whisperer”, he can make birds do impossible-seeming things. His menagerie includes two pelicans, magpies and a lanner falcon.

“I had to teach the magpies to pick up bits of Larry’s book with their beaks and fly with them out of the window,” he explains. And what of the pelicans? “Some of the cast are a bit wary of them,” he says. “They don’t actually bite but can lunge at the actors.”

The Durrells is on Sundays at 8pm on ITV. You can follow in the footsteps of the Durrells and visit the locations where the series is filmed on our exclusive Corfu experience. See page 134 and book at womanandhome.com/corfu

00 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

PHOTOGRAPHS ITV/JOHN ROGERS/ LAURENCE CENDROWICZ/JOSS BARRATT

Margo is observant of people and finds it easy to connect. She enjoys the company of others. In the first series, she was desperate to meet a man. In the 1930s, women had to be a wife and a mother, and there wasn’t room for them to do what they wanted. But in the second series, Margo has started thinking out of the box. She’s lucky because her mother is alone and leader of the family.

She has a strong female figure to look up to who hasn’t followed the rules.

PASSION PURPOSE

PRACTICE RESILIENCE These are the four key ingredients for a happy, successful and fulfilling life. And best of all, they’re all achievable

Talent versus tenacity

We’re all fans of talent. We think of it as that “magic” ingredient. A sprinkling of fairy dust bestowed upon the lucky few. But what if, in fact, it’s not so much talent that sets life’s great achievers apart, but something else?

When the author Angela Duckworth was teaching maths to high school students, she noticed it wasn’t the brightest, most talented students who excelled, but those who worked the hardest. Of course talent – the ability to improve quickly – does matter, but without practice and stamina, talent is useless.

Angela refers to this as “grit” – the power to keep going through ups and downs. Grit means not giving up, but here’s the nub – not because you have to do something, or you said you would, but because you want to do it. It’s about showing up and doing it like you mean it.

So it’s not talent we need in abundance, but effort, passion and tenacity. Any one of us can grow grit. It’s actually an incredibly uplifting message.

it’s lucrative, or they love fame, or success, but because they can’t Psychology professor ANGELA imagine not doing it. And it’s not just DUCKWORTH wrote Grit after she left a celebrities that expound this advice; high-flying job as a business consultant research studies show people from to teach maths – where she realised that all walks of life are more satisfied IQ wasn’t the main thing separating and perform better when they do those who thrived from the ones who something that fits their interests. struggled. Her TED talk on Grit has The trouble is most of us have been viewed 10 million times. quite a skewed idea of how we might find a passion.

No idea what We often assume that, your passion is? like talent, passion However ill-defined your is a God-given gift interests, you know that that’s bestowed on some things you hate doing, you in a lightningothers you enjoy. You don’t Ask any successful bolt moment. In have to find the “right” one individual fact, you could immediately – just a what drives them on, spend several years direction that feels whether that’s author exploring a number good.

Salman Rushdie, fashion of different interests designer Nicole Farhi or before coming upon your comedian Michael Palin, and what passion. The key thing here is to you’ll hear time and again is that they foster a passion. Falling in love love what they do. They can’t wait to with a sport, musical instrument, or get on with the next project. These indeed anything, needn’t be sudden people do what they do, not because or swift, but can grow gradually. >>

OUR EXPERT

1

Nurture your passion

woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 51

life edit

2Find your purpose

Practice 3 really does make perfect

Many of us will work at something for a day, a week, or even a year, but soon find our interest dwindles when our attention is caught by the next glittering prize on the horizon.

We book tennis lessons this season, switch to golf the next, and before we know it we’re wondering about trying a cookery course instead.

That’s all very well if you’re exploring your interests, but if you want to become excellent at something you’ll need to stay focused and practise. And we mean 52 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

HOW GRITTY ARE YOU?

parable of the bricklayers. Three bricklayers were asked, “What are you doing?” The first says, “I’m laying bricks.”

The second says, “I am building a church.” And the third says, “I’m building the house of God.” Same job, very different perspective.

really practise, not just Virtuoso violinist a lot but with intent. It Roberto Díaz describes needs to be deliberate this kind of deliberate and sustained. In any practice as “working to new activity you’ll find your Achilles’ heel improve quickly at first, – the specific aspect then gains will trail that needs problemoff and performance solving.” You might flatlines, so increased feel this sounds like experience in itself a terrible grind – and won’t lead to excellence. yes, it is hard – but it’s For example, you can also rewarding. There’s do the same run three nothing like getting times a week, every better at something week for a year, to make you feel great. without seeing any improvements. If you Set yourself want to get faster or a challenge that’s fitter, you’ll need beyond your reach and to time yourself work towards it. So if your and record your goal is to improve your tennis performance, then but your serves are weak, make adjustments you practise serves, ideally in your training with a coach, who can based on your speed. give feedback.

On a scale of 1-5, 1 being: not like me at all, and 5 being: very much like me, score yourself for each point. Add up your score to find your grit level.

1. New ideas and projects don’t distract me from previous ones.

2. Setbacks don’t discourage me.

I don’t give up easily.

3. If I set a goal, I won’t later choose to pursue a different one.

4. I am a hard worker.

5. I can maintain my focus on projects that take more than a few months to complete.

20+ A paragon of Grit.

15-20 Moderately Gritty 10-15 Fairly Gritty 5-10 Not very Gritty Under 5 Could be Grittier

your 4Harness resilience

There’s an old Japanese saying – “fall seven, rise eight” – which is the epitome of grit. When faced with setbacks, gritty people bounce back.

They see the future not only as bright, but also as something they can influence. In other words, they have an optimistic outlook. It’s the difference between saying “I mess everything up” or “I’m hopeless”. Compared with “I mismanaged my time” or “I didn’t do my best due to distractions”, which is something you can fix. Adopting this kind of positive attitude will help you get back up when you hit a bump.

TOP TIP Practise positive self-talk.

If you make a mistake, instead of saying, “I’m the most stupid person, I always make mistakes,” say to yourself, “Everyone makes mistakes sometimes; I can learn from this setback to do better next time.” w&h Grit: Why Passion and Resilience are the Secrets to Success by Angela Duckworth (Vermillion) is out now

WORDS SHARON WALKER PHOTOGRAPHS GETTY IMAGES

Gritty people have purpose.

They feel what they’re doing is important and not just for them but for others too. For society, for their students, to be a better parent, for the greater good. That’s not to say they’re all saints, but their purpose is a powerful source of motivation – it gives them the drive they need to power on through the setbacks.

Finding a purpose is entirely individual. You could be working in marketing for a hotel chain, for instance – not an immediately obvious choice for a passion project – but the fact that you are connected to your clients’ enjoyment of their holidays could make you feel you are making a valuable contribution to their lives.

TOP TIP It may be that you can carry on doing what you’ve always done but – with a tweak of perspective – with renewed vigour. Think of the

Ru les

in my view

Women in their fifties love to bend the...

Don’t hold back, writes the author Bella Pollen. Life doesn’t follow the rules – so why should we?

BELLA POLLEN, 55, is a bestselling novelist whose books include Hunting Unicorns.

Previously, under the name Arabella Pollen, she ran a successful fashion label. She is married with four children.

Her memoir, Meet Me in the InBetween, is out this month.

I’ve never been very good at being told what I should or shouldn’t do. It’s more about working things out for myself than anarchy. I grew up in Sixties New York. It was the time of civil resistance, Martin Luther King and the Black is Beautiful movement. It seemed that the only people doing anything interesting were those kicking against the system. I took note – rules and the bending of them is how we shape the world we want to live in.

Everyone needs a code to live by, but rules shouldn’t be followed without question. Too often they veer towards the petty, restrictive and unimaginative.

No, no, no is hardly an inspiring call to arms and it brings out the contrarian in me. I’ve spent a disproportionate amount of my life doing the opposite of what others have advised – you can’t start a business at 19, marry a gambler, call

yourself a feminist and enjoy being wolf-whistled at. You can’t flirt with danger, run away from your marriage, run away from yourself…

Well, I could and I did, though others were eventually proved right. I had no design background when I fell into the fashion world, and though for a while it was a grand and exciting adventure, ultimately, I was no match for the deadening mindset of corporate thinking.

A clash of both culture and temperament put paid to marriage at 23 with Giacomo, an Italian art dealer.

I regret neither. I’m cursed with a restless spirit and tend to find out about the world by crashing through experience.

Still, if there’s freedom and opportunity in ignoring prevailing wisdom, there is risk and heartache too. From the salutary to the mortifying, I’ve learnt some tough life lessons over the years – about staying true to myself, about the value of friendship. I’ve discovered that home is a concept, not a geographical place, and that you can’t love another person without fighting them too.

Where does that leave me in my fifties? Well, I think I understand my heart better now and what drives it. I’ve learnt to write my own rules, big or small, according to what makes me happy. If that’s dancing on the table, starting a

PHOTOGRAPH GETTY IMAGES

“I’ve learnt to write my own rules”

new business should the mood take me, or travelling the world alone, so be it.

Some things never change though.

I guess I’ll always be caught between opposing desires – feeling safe, but warming my fingers on the edge of danger. Being married, being part of the family, but needing to spend time on my own. London and the west of America, the two extremes I call home.

As a flawed feminist, I will continue to march for equal pay and rights while celebrating that men and women are fundamentally different.

Rules should be more about integrity than morality. I don’t want to feel constrained by age any more than I want to feel constrained by gender, race or an agenda set for me by others. Women in their fifties? We’re a powerful force. If there was ever a time to kick against the system it’s now. We must be willing to bend the world into the shape it needs to be. To hell with the disapprovers, the naysayers – negative voices too complacent or scared to challenge the status quo. Life doesn’t follow the rules, so why should we? Besides, it’s fun to make a little trouble out there. w&h Meet Me in the In-Between

by Bella Pollen (Mantle) is out on 18 May. woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 57

Guess what our PASSIONSare?

00 0 wom woman& ho e A BRAND BRAND NEW NEW ATTI AT TUDE o an& an&hom U

woman n&home

What do you do with your “me time”?

You’ll be surprised and inspired by these women’s intriguing pastimes…

woman&home 00 o a & o e A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE U 59

THE BIKER ‘When I started riding my Harley, friends thought I was having a midlife crisis’

60 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

I owe my four-year love affair with Harleys to my husband, who’s been a motorbike enthusiast for many years. We met a decade ago and I began “riding pillion” on his Harley, which was his pride and joy.

For a long time, I was happy just being Mick’s passenger. I enjoyed the physical closeness to him, and also, I just never thought I would be confident enough to ride a bike like his myself.

Four years ago, we were at a barbecue with some friends who we’d meet up with at Harley events, and Mick suggested I have a go riding his bike as we were in a field, off-road, so I didn’t need a licence.

I reluctantly agreed. I knew the basics, but my heart was thumping as I climbed on.

I went very slowly and cautiously, but the experience of being in control of the bike was so different to just being the passenger. I loved it. I caught the Harley bug that day and haven’t looked back.

I spent the next year taking lessons on a small motorbike, and passing all the necessary tests to get my licence, so I could legally ride a Harley on the road.

Then, just before Christmas in 2014, Mick called me outside one day, and to my shock wheeled a new Harley Davidson, wrapped in a big bow, out of the garage.

I was speechless, and couldn’t believe he’d bought me such an expensive present, as new bikes can cost between £15,000 and £30,000.

Motorbikes are “Marmite”; what some people love about them, others fear or dislike, but I adore their power, the noise they make and the sense of freedom I get when I’m riding down an open road.

It’s intoxicating and totally escapist.

Now Mick and I “ride out” together most weekends from February to October, taking trips in the UK and Europe.

When I started riding my Harley, friends thought I was having a midlife crisis, although my daughter and son were supportive, and even now people are amazed at the contrast between my career as a Pilates instructor – where I have to be calm and relaxed – and my noisy, fast hobby.

Like to know more? Visit harley-davidson-hangout.com

THE BEEKEEPER ‘I knew absolutely nothing at first but now my bees are the centre of my world’ SARAH-JANE VINCENT, 53, is an actress and lives in Rudgwick, West Sussex, with her husband Ian, 55, who owns a building company. She has three grownup daughters and four granddaughters.

Gently opening a hive and seeing thousands of my bees happily working away inside making delicious honey for me to harvest, my heart soars.

When I first took up beekeeping in May 2011, my daughters thought it was just a crazy fad that wouldn’t last. But six years on it’s become my passion,

WORDS EIMEAR O’HAGAN PHOTOGRAPHS LIZ MCAULAY STYLING JILLIE MURPHY HAIR & MAKE-UP LIZ KITCHINER AND SARAH JANE GREEN SARAH-JANE TOP, SIMPLY BE. TROUSERS, PHASE EIGHT. SANDALS, NEW LOOK. NECKLACE, EAST. BANGLES, ANNIE HAAK. RING, HER OWN

JACKIE BREALEY, 57, is a Pilates instructor. She lives in Aldershot, Hampshire with her husband Mick, 58, a motorcycle-training instructor, and has two grown-up children, a daughter and a son, from a previous relationship.

People do a double take when I roar up on my black Harley Davidson, take off my helmet and realise I’m a woman.

Perhaps I’m not what they imagine a Harley enthusiast looks like, but I’m proud to be a part of what is still a very male-dominated community, and hope my passion for the bikes will encourage other women to become interested too.

JACKIE TOP AND TROUSERS, LUISA CERANO. WEDGES, LISA KAY. EARRINGS, LOLA ROSE FIONA DRESS, ALEXANDER MCQUEEN. BOOTS, VALENTINO ABBY TOP, LUISA CERANO. JEANS, BONMARCHE. WEDGES, LK BENNETT. JEWELLERY, HER OWN TICK TOP AND NECKLACE, BOTH EAST. TROUSERS, SIMPLY BE. SANDALS, RUSSELL & BROMLEY. BANGLES AND RINGS, HER OWN

secret passions and after my family, my bees are the most important creatures in my life.

I’m a keen gardener and love growing my own veg. Wanting to become more self-sufficient and help my garden stay healthy, it struck me that a beehive would be a great way to achieve both.

I knew nothing about beekeeping though, so through my local beekeeping association I went on a one-day taster session, learning what being a beekeeper would involve – and I was fascinated.

I went on a eight-week course before I felt confident enough to order a hive and 10,000 bees from a specialist company, plus the protective clothes and smoker that I would need to stay safe. In total, I spent around £550 to get started.

The day my bees arrived by courier, I felt like when I brought my daughters home from hospital; daunted by the responsibility but also incredibly excited.

Beekeeping is quite a seasonal hobby – March to September is very busy. I check the bees weekly to make sure they have a water source nearby, enough pollen, and space in the hive, since if they aren’t happy they will “swarm” and go elsewhere.

In winter, it’s too cold to open the hives, so it’s a quieter time and I take my holidays then, going skiing. I actually find myself missing the bees though!

I now have nine hives and have outgrown my garden so I keep them in a nearby orchard. If my family can’t find me at home, they know where I’ll be – visiting my half a million bees.

I harvest their surplus honey every August, leaving them enough for the winter. I take the combs out and spin them in a “honey spinner” that removes the honey. I usually get enough runny, amber-coloured honey to fill 250 jars.

I buy the jars, and labels printed with my details, from my bee equipment supplier but I’m planning to design and print my own labels this summer.

As well as eating the honey myself, I give it to friends and make candles and lip balm from the wax too.

It’s so satisfying caring for these little creatures, enjoying the fruits of their work and knowing I’m doing my bit for the environment.

Like to know more? Visit The British Beekeepers Association, bbka.org.uk

THE ACROBAT ‘People are amazed about my passion for circus skills but it really is for anyone’ FIONA DENT, 49, is a Group Managing Director at Time Inc. (UK) Ltd. She lives in London.

Suspended eight feet above the ground, hanging from a metal hoop by my knees, I block out everything around me and focus on using my body strength and the hoop to perform a sequence of acrobatic tricks and dance movements.

It’s physically intense, can be painful and there are some calculated risks, but that only serves to fuel my passion.

Circus skills is much more than just a hobby to me. It’s a huge part of my life, taking up at least five evenings a week.

I’ve always been a physically active person and enjoy pushing my body to its limits. As a child, I did gymnastics so I also knew how to do things like cartwheels, the splits and handstands.

But the sequences I do on the aerial hoop, and the acrobatics I practise, including trampette jumps into somersaults and dive rolls, are harder but more satisfying than anything I’ve ever done before.

In December 2012, I saw the most incredible aerial hoop performance at an event in London and was captivated.

I felt compelled to try it for myself.

I heard about the National Centre For Circus Arts (NCCA) in Shoreditch, London, and I signed up for its aerial courses, including trapeze and acrobatics. I now practise aerial hoop and acrobatics there.

When I tell people about my passion for circus skills they are amazed. You have to have a certain level of fitness to do Circus, but you certainly don’t need to be young, and it can improve fitness immeasurably.

Like to know more? Visit nationalcircus.org

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w woman&home e

THE WILLOW WEAVER ‘Starting with a bundle of dried twigs and creating a willow basket is so satisfying’

THE FLAMENCO DANCER ‘When I dance I feel happy, empowered and passionate’ ABBY GOLLICKER, 41, is Head of Client Services for a serviced office company.

She’s single and lives in London.

Sitting in a darkened theatre, watching the flamenco dancer on stage, I had goosebumps. She was so intense and completely absorbed in the music. I knew I had to try it for myself. That was 2008, shortly after I’d left the Army and just before I was due to move to London.

As soon as I moved to the capital, I signed up at a flamenco school called Ilusion Flamenca! First I learnt different steps and techniques, investing in a pair of special flamenco shoes and a long skirt, which cost around £90 each.

Now my classes are focused on learning choreographies, and when I dance I feel empowered, passionate and happy. I love that I don’t need a partner to dance flamenco, unlike some other styles of dance, and it’s such an emotional art form. It’s very liberating and ageless – our class ranges from twenties up to 70.

Like to know more? Ilusion Flamenca! holds classes in London, Berkshire, Bristol and Stroud; ilusionflamenca.co.uk.

Ambiente Flamenco has classes nationwide: ambienteflamenco.co.uk 62 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

TICK COOK, 49, is a company secretary and lives in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire with her husband Paul, 57, a management consultant.

She has two grown-up children.

Throughout my life, I’ve always found it essential to make time to be creative. It’s an opportunity to unwind and have some breathing space.

Painting used to be my passion, but around 2009 I started to look for something new to challenge myself.

On a visit to an arts centre in Cirencester, I saw an advert for willow-weaving classes run by a local willow worker called Norah Kennedy.

I was intrigued as although I didn’t know anything about it, I’ve always been interested in design and sculpture, so it appealed to me as a new craft to try.

I signed up to a beginner’s class, and was instantly hooked. It wasn’t just that the act of weaving itself that was therapeutic, but realising how much there was to learn, with so many things that can be made

from willow, was very exciting.

Initially I’d thought I’d like to make garden structures, but after starting by learning how to make a small posy basket, I realised that was where my passion lay.

Fruit baskets, log baskets, cat baskets – you name it, I’ve made it and weave at my kitchen table, whenever I get the chance. I give away lots as gifts, but have also sold some at country fairs.

Eight years on from my first class, I still go every week and I have forged strong friendships with fellow weavers.

I also attend workshops to learn new techniques, and the better I get, the more of a perfectionist I become.

Like to know more? Visit The Basketmakers’ Association at basketmakersassociation.org.uk w&h

GO TO WOMANANDHOME.COM

Love to find your passion? See womanandhome.com

INVITATION

Join us for a fabulous

SUMMER LUNCH 21 JULY – PUT IT IN YOUR DIARY NOW! “If you love our w&h Christmas lunch, you’ll y love this summer event! Join us at the famous Kensington Roof Gardens (above) for a three-course meal to celebratee our great British summer in style. You’ll be able to relax and enjoy a delicious lunch in a perfect rooftop setting in the heart of London. I hope to see you there.”

SUE JAMES, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR R

INVITATION Friday 21 July 2017 F 12-4pm, Kensington Roof Gardens, London

Welcome drinks and canapés S rved in the Spanish Garden Ser

PHOTOGRAPH ISTOCK BY GETTY IMAGES

Your free goodie bag Worth £95 packed with summer essentials

TO BOOK visit www. womanandhome. com/summerlunch to secure your tickets to our exclusive lunch

A delicious threecourse lunch You’ll be treated to a fantastic seasonal menu, with wine pairings devised by our food director Jane Curran and the Roof Gardens’ in-house chef

Luxury goodie bag MAKE A DAY OF IT! Our website has lots of ideas to make the most of your day in London, including discounts with local shops in Kensington and great local hotels.

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Price £155 per person

% Book now at www.womanandhome.com/summerlunch TERMS & CONDITIONS TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE AND YOU AND YOUR GUESTS WILL NEED TO BE AVAILABLE ON FRIDAY 21 JULY TO ATTEND THE EVENT, STARTING AT 12PM AND FINISHING AT 4PM, AT THE ROOF GARDENS, HIGH STREET KENSINGTON, LONDON W8. WOMAN&HOME WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF TRAVEL TO AND FROM THE EVENT. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TICKETS, EMAIL US AT WANDHEVENTS@TIMEINC.COM

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influential women

Meet the WOMEN leading the HOUSE OF LORDS

How did you find out you were going to be made a peer?

Baroness Evans I received a text saying, “David C would like to speak to you…”

And I was like, “Oh, David C; I sort of know one – David Cameron – but I don’t know why he’s calling…” It was a complete shock. I must confess I had no idea what it entailed.

Baroness Smith I’d lost my parliamentary seat the day before, and had a hangover!

Then I received a call saying Gordon Brown wanted to nominate me for the House of Lords. I was speechless. We have a tradition on our side of the House of having women leaders – five of the last six. And if you look at our front >>

The Leader and Shadow Leader of the House of Lords tell Charlotte Williamson about the important work they do

F

or many of us, the House of Lords conjures up images of fusty peers in red robes. And a recent BBC documentary, Meet the Lords, didn’t exactly boost their profile when one peer described the institution as “the best day care centre for the elderly in London”. So it is refreshing to find that both the Leader and Shadow Leader of the House are not only women, but the kind who wear Hobbs and take the bus into the office – even if that office is the Palace of Westminster…

NATALIE EVANS, BARONESS EVANS OF BOWES PARK, 41, is the Leader.

She was made a life peer in 2014 and became Leader of the House last year, having previously headed up the charity New Schools Network.

She is married to James, a special advisor to Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, and they live in London.

ANGELA SMITH, BARONESS SMITH OF BASILDON, 58, is Shadow Leader.

From 1997 to 2010 she was a Labour MP. She was made a life peer in 2010, and became Leader of the Opposition in 2015. She lives in Bognor Regis with her husband, Nigel, a retired teacher.

Natalie (below right) and Angela (below left) are responsible for arranging the Government’s and Opposition’s business in the House (above)

woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 65

influential women THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED? BARONESS EVANS Can you describe the work of the Lords?

Baroness Evans We scrutinise legislation that comes from the Commons using the Lords’ expertise. Angela and I have specific roles, but a lot of people across the House still do normal work. So we’ve got business people, people who practise law, medics and so forth.

Baroness Smith The expression I always use, taken from the Canadian Senate, is the Chamber of Sober Second Thought.

But we’re not elected so we shouldn’t try to have the final say and tell the Commons what to do. Most of our work is under the radar. When people picture the House of Lords, they picture us in those stupid red gowns. We hardly ever wear them!

So when do you wear the robes?

Baroness Smith You wear them when you’re introduced to the House on your first day and during the Queen’s Speech.

Incidentally, I insist on wearing robes with fake fur. I’ve been here seven years, and I’ve only worn them four times. We are quite a modern house. There’s this idea that peers are all very grand and wealthy; yes, there are some like that, but there’s also a lot from normal backgrounds.

Can you remember your first day?

Baroness Evans That’s when you take the oath of allegiance to the Crown.

After the oath, you have lunch with your family. I was introduced on the same day as [former actor] Michael Cashman – he was a Labour MEP – and among his guests were Lily Savage, Dot Cotton and Sir Ian McKellen. My husband sat next to Dot Cotton when I was introduced – my family barely paid any attention to me!

Baroness Smith My parents came to mine. My mum’s from a mining family and my dad worked in a factory, so the House of Lords isn’t where you would expect someone from my background to end up. I could see my mum trying not to cry.

Are there a lot of rules in the Lords?

Baroness Evans We run ourselves as it were – because we’re not elected – so we have to abide by the rules in order for us to work together. When I started, I 66 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

“For me, it’s having confidence in yourself. Things have happened and you think, ‘I just can’t believe this is happening to me!’ But then you think, ‘Actually, I’ve been asked to do this, so I can do it, and I can do it well and I believe in myself to do it’.”

BARONESS SMITH

“When the nomination to stand for the party had come up in my hometown and I was dithering, my husband said, ‘If you don’t do it, someone else will’. And I thought, actually, I had nothing to lose.”

used to come in and sit in the chamber and watch to understand what’s going on.

Baroness Smith I did that too. And you look for any problems as well, and think, “Thank goodness that wasn’t me!” Part of Natalie’s job is to jump up and say “Order! Order” and it’s this person’s turn to speak or that person’s turn.

Do you have a typical day?

Baroness Evans My days are incredibly varied. My Government role is to make sure we get our legislation through, and Angela’s got her role as Leader of the Labour lords. Because there’s no Conservative majority – well, for any of the parties there wouldn’t be – we have to work across the House, and that’s not just the two of us, but with the Liberal Democrat leader and the convenor of the Crossbenchers.

Baroness Smith Coming from the Commons, my view of the Lords – I feel embarrassed now to admit it – was that it would be more relaxed. It doesn’t feel that way now! I was in today at 8.30am, and I won’t leave until 9pm or later – the House sits until 10pm or 11pm. Now as Leader, I do fewer debates than when I was Shadow Home Office minister, but the ones we do tend to be the big ones.

What achievements are you proud of?

Baroness Smith It’s hard to talk individually because what does come through here is teamwork. One thing I’m proud of as a team is the legislation the Lords did with the tax credit cuts in 2015.

Baroness Evans Getting the Article 50 bill through was a challenge. To keep on smiling will be the biggest achievement over the next few years with the wealth of legislation coming our way with Brexit!

Do you have a secret passion?

Baroness Evans I would love to just pack up for a year and go travelling.

Baroness Smith I’ve always wanted to play saxophone. I used to say, “If I lose my seat, I’m going to learn”. And then I came here and got even busier! w&h

Do you have any amusing anecdotes?

Baroness Evans When I first started, I didn’t realise that the word “peers” on The House of Lords currently has 805 members a door means “men”, so compared with the Commons’ 650 I wandered into the men’s Approximately a quarter are women toilets. I never made that The average age is 69 mistake again!

The majority – around 700 – are life peers, Baroness Smith One time appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Prime I was rushing to go into the Minister. They can be affiliated to a political party chamber and someone had or independent, known as crossbenchers. The left their handbag on the remainder are elected hereditary peers and the floor. My legs got caught, Lords Spiritual, made up of 26 bishops and I knocked myself out!

Our columnist Karren Brady, Baroness Brady I went into the chamber of Knightsbridge, was made a life peer in 2014 with a black eye.

FACTS AND FIGURES

PHOTOGRAPH GETTY IMAGES

bench – Natalie’s as well – we’ve got a lot of strong women. We’re very supportive of each other too.

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THE REAL WOMEN BEHIND

THIS GIRL CAN The popular This Girl Can campaign from Sport England is back on our screens. We meet the women inspiring a nation to get moving

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port England launched the This Girl Can campaign in 2015 following research that revealed a huge difference between the numbers of men and women who were playing sport. The advert showed women of various ages working out, sweating and their bodies wobbling; it was viewed online by 13 million people and helped 1.6 million women start – or restart – an activity.

The new campaign is set to Maya Angelou’s poem Phenomenal Women, and sees women aged from 15 to 70 enjoying their favourite sport. “A new message this time is something women don’t usually hear: it’s OK to take a break, to have a week off, to walk not run,” says Jennie Price, chief executive of Sport England. “Many of the women we’ve featured talk about stopping, then starting again. We want to say it’s normal to take a break – but that needn’t stop you for good.”

THE RUNNER Debbie Squance, 51, is a pre-school teacher from Plymouth. She is married to Tony, a postman, and they have two grown-up children.

I can’t imagine life without running.

After a run, I’m set up mentally for the rest of the day. It wasn’t until my late thirties that I took up running seriously after joining a gym and spotting an ad for a running club. Just before turning 40, I ran my first half-marathon.

A year later, after a series of health complications following a chest infection, I contracted necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh-eating bacteria.

I ended up having my right leg amputated above the knee, and my whole world just stopped. I had to learn how to walk again. Being an amputee is a constant challenge; you have things up against you every day.

I had strong motivation to start running again, though – I remember

how much I used to enjoy it. I wanted to prove that I could do it. I hate giving up. After 15 months, I started to learn to run on a prosthetic leg, which was very hard – you have to think about hazards, such as running on uneven surfaces, and trusting your leg. I was then lucky enough to be put in touch with a coach who taught me how to run on a running track. Step by step, my whole body had to relearn how to run, from my arms to my core – you need a really strong core to stay upright – to my left leg.

Four months in, the NHS gave me my blade. This made it much easier.

My initial goal was to complete a lap of the track without stopping for a breath or a rest, and I achieved this eight months after getting my blade.

My biggest achievement to date has been running the 10K in Plymouth last October. It’s taken me ten years to get there, but I managed. Running gives me my freedom and my independence.

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THE OPEN-AIR SWIMMER Sue Bairstow, 70, is married with three adult sons. A former social worker, she works two days a week in social care and social work. She lives in South London.

I swim all year round at Tooting Bec Lido, the largest outdoor pool in the UK, where I’m a member of the swimming club. The This Girl Can film was made in winter when the water temperature was about three degrees!

I’ve always swum, and it’s something you can do at any stage of life.

The all-year aspect only began after I broke both ankles within the space of

11 months. I missed the summer, and by the time I was well enough to swim again it was October and I knew if I didn’t go in then, that would be it for the winter. In fact, I found the cold water energising – you feel wonderful when you come out, and though evidence that it might make you less likely to get colds is only anecdotal, I do stay pretty healthy.

That said, my major health problem is osteoporosis, which was diagnosed three years ago when my ankle turned

over. I was prescribed courses in Nordic walking and Zumba dancing on the NHS, both of which I loved and helped with balance and strength.

My message to anyone thinking of taking up exercise later in life would be to try everything and if possible make it a social event with a friend or by joining a club. I love walking too, and my husband joins me for that, but I do my other activities with groups of friends. We all inspire and encourage each other.

Swimming is something you can do at any stage of life

WORKING OUT WITH A BABY Stephanie Outlaw, 31, lives in East London and is the head of ecommerce marketing for a fashion retailer. She is married to Alex, the co-founder of a men’s online fashion company, and has a six-month-old daughter, Olivia.

Before getting pregnant, I worked out six days a week. Some days were intense cardio, some Pilates.

Rather than do exercise to fit into a jeans size, I did it because I loved it.

Because I’d had a miscarriage previously, I was very nervous during the first trimester of my pregnancy and did no exercise. I felt low – without it, I’d lost part of my identity.

After my 12-week scan, I sought advice from doctors who said it was fine to exercise. I signed up to prenatal classes and started going three times a week, and my confidence came back.

The workouts focused on areas such as arms and buttocks and weren’t very intense. It was a totally different mindset to what I was used to, in that everyone wanted to get bigger (rather than smaller) because a growing waistline meant a growing baby!

I graduated from prenatal to postnatal classes. It’s up to you whether you bring your child or not.

When Olivia was younger, she slept through the classes, but now if she starts fussing, I pick her up and use her instead of a resistance band.

She seems to enjoy it!

If a mother has never done any exercise before, taking the time to go to classes and meeting other mums is great. It’s more than saying “hi”; it’s women going through what you’re going through. >>

It was a mental thing – I had to do something for me

Step by step, my body had to relearn how to run

woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 69

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inspirational women

THE BOOT CAMP DEVOTEE Stacey McGlynn, 35, is an estate agent from the Wirral. She has one daughter, Isabella, who’s seven.

A few years ago, I gained a lot of weight and really lost my confidence.

I’d been made redundant just before Isabella was born, so spent two years off work raising her. During that time I had no routine. The weight just piled on and I ended up with joint problems.

Then I split up with Isabella’s father – and felt I needed to do something.

About three years ago, my friend dragged me to my first boot camp class. It was on a rugby pitch and it appealed to me because the thought of going into a gym was too intimidating – I felt that people would be judging me, especially men.

But that first class almost killed me!

I couldn’t get even halfway down to do a squat. I felt a total failure.

I went away, joined a diet club and lost a stone and a half. Mentally, I was in a better place when I returned to the boot camp six months later. Why did I go back? Because I hate giving up! Before my pregnancy, I was very determined – walking away was not like me.

This time I got chatting to a couple of the other women and discovered they were on journeys similar to mine.

Each class lasts an hour and is overseen by a personal trainer. We do a variety of exercises – from using resistance bands to running in relays – and in all kinds of weather. I’ve even flipped tyres in the snow! I love training

Boot camp got me back on track mentally – and helped me lose eight stone

outside – you feel so much better than stuck in a gym with artificial lighting, even if your fingers go numb.

Boot camp has become such an important part of my life that I juggle my childcare around the classes and try and go every day. I’ve managed to lose eight stone, but it’s not just about losing weight; it’s about how I feel. After a class, the stresses of the day just go away. I always feel a sense of achievement.

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Bisi Adewumi, 39, works in the financial services sector. She is single and lives in North West London.

Until I joined a gym a couple of years ago, I hadn’t exercised since I was a teenager. I was pretty active up until the age of 15 when my education became more serious. I didn’t participate in sport in college, and when I started work, I still didn’t think about my health. I was just focused on work, making money, travelling and enjoying life.

Two years ago, I met a personal trainer who was handing out flyers outside my office and he persuaded me to try out the gym, and I used that as an opportunity to get back into shape. I was aware that I had neglected my fitness for a long

my first session was awful! I arrived wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt – and everyone else was wearing nice outfits. I was so embarrassed! We did cardio, and I thought I was going to die.

I was sweating and couldn’t keep up.

It’s become much easier, though.

Now I have the strength and experience to work out more independently. I go to the gym three days a week and do a combination of cardio and weights.

I enjoy training as it makes me feel stronger, fitter and fabulous.

When I’m not able to get to the gym, I follow workout videos on YouTube. If you’re not comfortable at the gym, do it at home and practise and build up confidence. If I can do it, you can too. w&h

I enjoy training as it makes me feel stronger, fitter and fabulous

#ThisGirlCan How do you get active? We’d love to hear your stories

@womanandhome

WORDS ALEXIS CHESTNOV, CHARLOTTE WILLIAMSON

I just thought, I’ve got to get my THE GYM BUNNY time. act together. I joined the gym and

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“

inspired me to change my life” W

hen I was heading for my fifties, it struck me I wanted a complete change of lifestyle. I couldn’t see myself slipping into retirement. I felt there was another life available for me to make the most of.

I’m a huge fan of woman&home and I especially love the inspiring stories of people who change their lives or start new careers. On holidays I used to read these life-changing features to my

daughters, Rosie, now 28, and Jess, 26, jokingly pretending I was the person in the story. I loved the idea that you don’t have to follow a set path in life and can walk away and start afresh.

We were living in Manchester and my husband Bill, an accountant, was commuting from Manchester to Surrey, leaving at 5am on Mondays, and coming home 6pm on Fridays. My daughters were at university and Rosie was about to move to Germany for a year. It seemed

Mandy sells handcrafted bags made from Herdwick sheep wool 00 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

CREDIT NAME

Mandy Marshall, 56, sold her family home in Manchester to start a new life in Cumbria.

She now rents Castle Cottage, Beatrix Potter’s former marital home, and runs her own bag business

FE M I D L I AP

WITH O

Having embraced country life, Mandy is thrilled to live in Beatrix Potter’s former home

bonkers us all being in different places, so Bill started to look for jobs elsewhere.

I’d worked in fashion for 20 years.

When I sold my clothes shop I retained ownership of the premises and went into property development, renovating apartments and selling them on again, but I knew I wanted a different way of life.

Then a job opportunity came up for Bill in the Lake District.

I’m a complete townie and knew nothing of rural life but I reasoned if we just rented, but then didn’t like it, we didn’t have to stay. So we moved to Cumbria and downsized to a small rental cottage, while I sold our five-bed family home.

I kept an open mind about what I could do and then I saw an advert to train as a Blue Badge tourist guide. I signed up to a 12-month course, telling Bill, even if I didn’t end up working as a guide, at least it would teach me about country life.

Later in 2011, a unique opportunity came up to rent Beatrix Potter’s marital home of 30 years, Castle Cottage, which is owned by The National Trust, so we applied to be custodians and were accepted. We also bought a two-bed cottage in the village, which we rent out. I love the fact we get to live in this incredible house with phenomenal views, which would cost millions to buy. I don’t mind that it’s only rented – after all, I could be run over by a bus tomorrow!

A year later in 2012, by chance, I came

supplying wool. As a townie, I had no idea that it was rude to ask how many sheep they owned until one farmer looked at me in shock (it’s like asking how much money someone has in the bank).

I invested £19,000 (including fabric, factory costs, website and marketing), which was a risk, but the first batch sold out within three months and business has taken off. I still work as a tour guide part-time and do some property management, but it’s a great combination.

One major setback was when the wool started to fall apart on the loom in the factory. It took a worrying six months to solve the problem. Now all’s going well; we sell in two shops and online, and we’re working on a soft furnishings range. (The annual turnover is under £40,000 so far.) I was lucky enough to be invited to take part in the BBC Two TV series Back to the Land, where Kate Humble looked at how people make a living in the countryside, and afterwards I had lots of orders. It was amazing.

My life now is so different from the one we lived in Manchester. I love the sense of community here – we go to the village pub now and I don’t miss living in suburbia. I go Nordic walking and feel so healthy. So for anyone wanting to live a different life, I’d say take a step into the unknown because, above all, I feel excited about life.

And that’s a wonderful feeling.

Visit herdwick.co.uk >>

up with a business idea to make luxury, handcrafted bags out of local Herdwick wool spun into tweed. I didn’t even know what Herdwick sheep were before I moved here, but Beatrix herself won prizes for breeding Herdwick sheep.

One day, while in a gentleman’s shop in a local village looking for material to make cushions for our window seat, I found a roll of 30-year-old Herdwick tweed in the corner, which I thought would match our Herdwick wool carpet. I had no idea how much I needed and in a rash moment, decided to buy the whole lot.

It cost me £7,000, so when I came home carrying these huge rolls, Bill asked in amazement, “You’ve bought how much!”

I had the idea of turning the tweed into handbags, inspired by the traditional Radley tweed bags I used to sell when working in fashion. My ethos was to keep the product rooted in Cumbria.

I found a local factory and by 2013 I’d had the first batch of 120 items made, including bags and accessories such as iPad covers. I asked everyone I knew for feedback and ran a stall at a local wool festival to see what people thought. It was a hit!

Mandy turns I was still totally out of my tweed into comfort zone. I was terrified beautiful bags of speaking to farmers about

In a rash moment I bought £7,000 of fabric – my husband gasped, “How much!”

WORDS EMMA ELMS PHOTOGRAPHS DAYVE WARD/PHOTOGRAPHYBYWARD.CO.UK

UT A M

woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 73

Kate and Nick’s rail adventures took them to (clockwise, from top) Rome, Vienna, Berlin and South Tyrol

“Wasn’t Interrailing just something students IS INTERRAILING did in a gap year?”

FOR YOU?

74 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

of clean underwear to avoid a search for launderettes in unfamiliar cities.

On holidays, I am a planner, but I accepted, nervously, that the whole point of Interrailing was not to have an itinerary.

Armed only with a train map and a vague idea that we would like to visit Eastern Europe, we booked only our first journey and our first night in a budget hotel in Berlin, which was perfect after a long day exploring this fascinating city.

From there we began to improvise and explored Budapest, Vienna and Salzburg until too many menus rich in sausagemeat made us long for Mediterranean food and we headed to Tuscany.

One of the great joys of long train journeys is trundling through unfamiliar beautiful landscapes. Another is having the time to chat about inconsequential nothings. In this way important somethings can emerge.

We confessed we had both been dreading the time when our son would leave home but ideas for a different kind of life began to emerge. We both love Italy and, with increasing excitement, we started talking. Did we have to stay rooted in the UK? Our lives were changing…

Fast forward a few years and we have just spent the winter staying in a loft apartment with a view over Rome. I’ve

% Interrail passes come with different terms so study them carefully to choose the right one and, once travelling, make sure you follow the instructions on the Interrail ticket.

For example, you have to write each journey down before you get on the train. % Consider paying to go first class, which costs about a third more – you’ll have so much more room. On some rail networks, a waiter will even bring you free refreshments! % As a guide to prices, a month’s global adult Interrail pass (for anyone over 28) first class is £732 but prices vary according to time of booking and promotional deals available.

Once the UK leaves the EU we won’t qualify for Interrail but can get a Eurail pass instead.

Visit interrail.eu

retrained as a teacher of English as a foreign language and got my mojo back.

That first trip also sparked an idea for my novel Miss You, partly set in Italy. We’ll go home for the summer, but hope to return to Italy next winter. We’re thinking Naples, but maybe we’ll go someplace else.

I’ve discovered that life is more fun when you don’t plan everything!

Kate’s novel Miss You (Pan) is out now. w&h

PHOTOGRAPHS ALAMY

Author KATE EBERLEN, who is in her fifties, writes about her antidote to beat empty-nest syndrome…

Teenagers have a habit of taking over the house, filling it with their music, their friends, their trainers in the hall, even when, as in our case, you only have one.

When we drove back from the airport having seen our son off for his first summer away on an exchange in France, our house echoed. I knew, as university and a new life beckoned for my son, I wanted something to fill what began to feel like a painful void in my own life.

“What are we going to do now?”

I asked my husband Nick.

“How about Interrailing?”

There was a long silence. Was his mid-life crisis worse than mine? For me, Interrailing meant unwieldy rucksacks, towels that never got properly dry and long treks to youth hostels. If I’d given a thought to Interrailing since I was a student – which I hadn’t – I’d have imagined you had to be under 25.

A few minutes of research, however, informed me that there is no age limit, and that for a bit extra you can Interrail first class.

After agreeing that our luggage would have wheels, we booked our tickets.

I decided that any notion of glamour needed to be ditched in favour of lots

woman&home

How WE GIVE back

not a wildlife expert. Instead, I trained From cooking pasta for homeless children to as a dancer and an entertainer. Even on a wildlife programme you have to being an understanding friend, four famous think about your clothes – if we both up in green puffa jackets, it looks faces reveal acts of kindness, both big and small end like we’ve been out shopping together!

‘VOLUNTEERING HAS TAUGHT ME I turned 50 last year, but because I’d breast cancer, I really celebrated A LOT ABOUT THE HUMAN SPIRIT’ had it. Friends of mine haven’t been so

S

pringwatch presenter MICHAELA STRACHAN, 51, lives in Cape Town with her partner, Nick, a producer and cameraman. She has a son, Ollie, 11, and three grown-up stepchildren.

Our footage on Springwatch can be gruesome. Working on the series last year we saw a stoat going into a woodpecker’s nest and dragging the chicks out – I had to warn viewers about the

footage beforehand. This time round we’re filming in a new location in Gloucestershire. The camera team is incredibly excited about the kind of access they can get into birds’ nests.

I’ve known Chris [Packham, her co-host] for more than 20 years – we first worked together on the kids TV series, The Really Wild Show – so we’re very comfortable with one another. Unlike Chris, I’m

lucky. I was diagnosed in 2014 and had a double mastectomy. We celebrated my birthday in South Africa with 40 friends and family – we went camping in the mountains for three nights. I’m so over partying – I’m not someone who wants to get drunk any more.

I had Ollie late, at 39, and really thought I might never have children.

That’s the reason I split up with my husband, Duncan, when I was 36 – initially I hadn’t wanted children, and neither did he, but then the clock started ticking… I met Nick when I was out in South Africa looking for a holiday home, and we instantly hit it off. I’m so grateful to have had a child

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“I turned 50 last year, but because I’d had breast cancer, I really celebrated it”

00 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

in our experience

“Giving makes you feel better about yourself – it’s also lovely when someone helps you!”

– it has changed my life for the better.

Although when I first had Ollie, it was a shock – you wonder where the time goes! Then you start revelling in the cuddling and start enjoying the fact that you can’t get as much done as before.

I come over to the UK for work around eight times a year. I really miss my old friends when I’m away from the UK. What I don’t miss about the UK is the crowds and the traffic – I don’t think people have realised how bad it has become. And the grey skies!

I recently volunteered in a South African township where 15,000 people had been left homeless after a massive shack fire. I ended up making 600 pasta meals for the kids. The experience taught me so much about spirit and humbleness. The amount of stuff we have that we don’t need – these people have absolutely nothing, and they keep on going. It breaks my heart.

In South Africa, I’m a full-time mum. We’ve never had an au pair – somehow we’ve just managed. Ollie enjoys wildlife but his real passion is cricket. My way of getting him away from screens is to tell him he can only go on the iPad after he’s gone into the garden with his binoculars and spotted five different types of bird.

I’ve never watched a boxset in my life – I never seem to have the time! I go swimming, do Pilates, cycle and do a dance class once a week. We also have a nine-month-old rescue puppy, Rio, and she’s a great excuse to get outdoors.

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I have no desire to get married to Nick!

We’ve both been married before and have a child together, which is a far bigger commitment than marriage.

With a second marriage, I think you have to get it done in the first couple of years when you’re at your most romantic or not at all. If Nick suddenly got down on one knee, I’d find it hilarious.

Springwatch airs this month on BBC Two. Join Michaela on our exclusive Northern Lights tour, see womanandhome.com/northernlights

‘‘I’VE I’’VE ALWAYS S TRIED TO OS SHARE HARE THE GOOD FORTUNE I’VE HAD’ TV presenter and author FERN BRITTON, 59, lives with her husband, the chef Phil Vickery, in Buckinghamshire. She has four children: twins Jack and Harry, 24, Grace, 20, and Winnie, 16.

I’m at a very nice stage in life. The bulk of my career is done and I’m a woman who has a great deal of TV experience but I don’t feel I have to chase work.

When I was asked to host Gordon Ramsay’s new show, Culinary Genius, it was such a shock that I had to think about it for a couple of days. Then I came to my senses and said, “Yes please!”

Culinary Genius is a bit like Ready Steady Cook for the 21st century.

Different chefs set challenges for nine home cooks. Filming it was such fun.

I completely fell for Gordon, who was like my naughty little brother, bounding round the set shouting and swearing and being hilarious.

One of the other chefs was my husband, Phil Vickery. I haven’t worked with him for ten years and it was like being on a date! He was all shaven, smelling nice – and I do like him in his chef’s whites. He was being nice to me; suddenly, we weren’t parents at home any more.

I’m poised on the brink of a new chapter. This summer two of my children will have graduated. In two years, another will graduate and the youngest will have finished school. I don’t like the empty nesting when they leave home but it’s great that they are ready to go – I am very proud of them.

What’s beckoning now is Phil and I having a life together again! It feels like the start of something new, which is liberating. We constantly dream of spending six months a year in the South of France. Although the reality, of course, is that we’re still working >> woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 77

in our experience

Writing has given me a new lease of life. It’s much harder than standing in a studio for 15 hours but I love it. Still, it’s taken me about five books to be brave enough to write “writer” as my occupation on a visa application form without worrying I’ll be found out.

In general, I try and be a fountain, not a drain. Small things are important, like being courteous on the road, smiling, and saying thank you. I’ve always tried to share the good fortune that I’ve had with my family; my mother, sister, nieces and nephews. I also try to be a good friend. Properly listening is sometimes all the help someone needs.

For ten years I’ve been patron of the Genesis Research Trust. I’ve done lots of bike rides to raise money for research into premature birth and miscarriage and in September I’m going to Madagascar. It’s win-win because we raise a lot of money, but it also means keeping fit. And the friendships we make riding are incredible. I’m nearly 60 but I can still cycle 60 miles a day.

I keep my fitness going all year: I swim twice a week, do spinning and lift weights. When I want to switch off I just lie on the sofa in front of the telly.

Giving to others does make you feel better about yourself. But it’s also lovely when someone helps you! Small things are so lovely, like my daughter bringing me a cup of tea when I’m really tired. The other day my supermarket trolley tipped over, spilling shopping and breaking eggs. Just as I was having a bit of a moment, two men came and helped me. That moment of kindness really made my day!

Culinary Genius is on ITV. The Postcard by Fern Britton (HarperCollins) is out 29 June.

‘BEING KIND TO EACH OTHER IS A GOOD BACKBONE TO A MARRIAGE’ BBC Breakfast presenter NAGA MUNCHETTY, 42, lives with her husband, TV director James Haggar, in Hertfordshire.

When I was younger, I underestimated my value. I didn’t realise people would consider me someone who could mentor or help them. But the older I get, the more important giving back becomes.

I always reply to anyone who writes asking for career advice, and if a friend asks about work experience for their child, I’ll say, “Come and have a coffee.”

a practical person, so I tend to give solutions more than sympathy.

What makes me feel good is small acts of simple human kindness. Once on the way home, I offered a lift to three women at the bus stop. They were so surprised, but they all bundled in and we had a lovely chat.

Naga Munchetty presents BBC Breakfast every Thursday and Friday on BBC One 6-9.15am

My parents hoped I’d become a lawyer or doctor. So when I told them I was doing English literature at university, my mum was like, “What are you going to do with that – become a poet?” But today she’s my biggest fan: she records the programme and gives me proper feedback; it’s really helpful.

Since turning 40, life is getting better and better. I’m more comfortable with who I am, more confident with the people I surround myself with, and I speak up for myself more. You realise what’s important: health and happiness. Now I go to the gym three times a week and do yoga, and I eat healthily.

One of my mottos is: be kind to each other. My husband’s aunt said it to us on our wedding day and it’s influenced my marriage. If we’ve both had a tough day, instead of making it into a competition I make an effort to be kind. Kindness is a good backbone for a marriage.

It’s important to me that my friends and family know they’re cared about.

So if I see a website a friend will enjoy, or an event, then I’ll suggest it to them.

I try to be a good listener too. I’m quite

“It’s important to me that my friends and family know they’re cared about”

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and – like all families – we have moments where things are a bit tense, so it’s not all rosy! My advice to anyone at a crossroads is to stay creative.

If you’re facing retirement or your relationship has fallen apart, doing something creative such as gardening or cooking gives you another focus.

“I’m a big supporter nostrils, like a horse! I still try to run every week. I also of regional try to walk a lot – I don’t have a car. When I reached museums who are 35, several people said to “It’s time for you to losing their funding” me, take up yoga.” And they I’m a lifelong fan of Jane Austen – we call ourselves “Janeites”. This year marks 200 years since she died. I also love houses, so I thought I’d combine the two in my latest book. Her family were at the bottom of the gentry, which was the worst place to be. They had to keep up appearances but didn’t have the money to do so. She’s the outsider looking in on that world, which is why she’s such a brilliant novelist.

I agreed to be the guest speaker at the Sandringham Women’s Institute this year. They told me their president would be attending, too, and I thought, “Is that who I think it is…?” The Queen makes an annual visit to the village hall.

I took my mum and we had a wonderful time. I talked to the Queen about Jane Austen but she didn’t express any views on her favourite novel, alas.

‘I WANT THE NEXT GENERATION OF GIRLS SNAPPING AT MY HEELS!’ LUCY WORSLEY, 43, is a presenter, historian and author. She is also Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces. She lives in London with her husband, Mark, an architect.

My father said studying history would mean I would end up cleaning loos!

I was doing science A-levels to please him but it was my mother who realised I would much rather do English and history. My office is part of Hampton Court Palace – it looks like a fancy flat; you access it via a spiral staircase.

CREDIT NAME

WORDS CHARLOTTE WILLIAMSON AND VICTORIA YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHS BBC, CAROLINE McCLELLAND AT SUPERNOVA CREATIVE MANAGEMENT, CHARLOTTE MURPHY/CAMERA PRESS

were right! Running tenses you up, yoga stretches you out again.

Where I live in London is very modern and minimalist. Although I have an enormous respect for old things,

I don’t want a roof that leaks or the responsibility of looking after antiques.

I have a slight speech impediment – I pronounce my “r” as a “w” – and have been to see a speech therapist.

I wasn’t under any pressure from anyone in TV; I was purely interested to see if I could learn to roll my r’s.

I was told if I spent as many years saying my r correctly as I had spent saying it incorrectly, I would be cured.

Needless to say, I’m still not cured.

I used to run cross-country for Berkshire as a teenager – I’ve been told I’m good at long distances because I have unusually large

I work for a charity, and am a huge supporter of regional museums.

They’re losing government funding so have to find money from other means.

I’m the official ambassador for the Jane Austen’s House Museum at Chawton in Hampshire and regularly give talks to raise money.

One of my guilty pleasures is watching talent shows. I love Britain’s Got Talent and Strictly – when we married, Mark gave me a pre-nup in which I was to promise never to appear on Strictly!

I’ve written two children’s books – one on the Tudor Court, and one on the young Queen Victoria. My aim is to get children interested in history. I want a new generation of girls to be snapping at my heels and applying for my job!

Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley (Hodder & Stoughton) is out 18 May. w&h woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 79

w&h

DEMENTIA AWARENESS

Campaign

UNITED AGAINST

DEMENTIA As Alzheimer’s Society launches a campaign to improve support, understanding and the chances of finding a cure, two families share their stories

S

omeone develops dementia every three minutes and too many are facing it alone – this is why w&h is the media partner for Alzheimer’s Society to promote their valuable work. We urgently need to find a cure, improve care and offer help for people affected.

This Dementia Awareness Week (14-20 May), Alzheimer’s Society is urging everyone to come together and unite against dementia at alzheimers.org.uk

NADJA SWAROVSKI, SWAROVSKI 46, 46 and d her h husband h b d RUPERT ADAMS, 48 (above), talk about the impact of Alzheimer’s on their family. Nadja is the only woman on the executive board of the Swarovski Crystal Business, founded by her great-greatgrandfather, and also chair of the Swarovski Foundation. Rupert, 48, is a partner in an investment group. They live in London with three children aged 12, 11 and 10.

NADJA SAYS: The first time Rupert introduced me to his mother Pauline she was nice, 80 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

“In some ways, it has been easy for the family to care for her because she is still so kind and gentle”

Pauline, pictured here and opposite, was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s at the age of 62

Sh he was asked to be Lady in Waiting to the Queen, which was a tremendous honour. ho She filled this role for five years, but bu her creeping symptoms of what we now no know was Alzheimer’s made it more mo and more difficult.

but very quiet. I had just moved to London from New York and her manner was such a contrast to what I’d been used to. In New York, everything is fast-paced, everyone is loud and noisy!

Rupert’s father had died suddenly at the age of 57 and Pauline lived alone.

I’m m very close to my siblings, we’ve shared different responsibilities. sh Whether Wh or not to get tested for the gene ge defect is a tough one. Our children ch have dealt with it pretty well.

She was becoming a little bit vague and forgetful. She’d forget names, her keys and say things that showed her understanding of the world was slowing down. For a while it was easy to overlook because of Pauline’s nature.

In 2002, when Rupert and I were getting married, Pauline asked my father, “Who is going to walk Nadja up the aisle?” It was another sign that something was wrong – and soon after, Rupert and his sister took Pauline to the well-known neurologist Dr Angus Kennedy. A brain scan showed early-stage Alzheimer’s. She was 62.

It’s hard to plan ahead or make concrete decisions because the disease is so “inconcrete”. Pauline started on Aricept medication, which slows the progression in some people, and we were told the life expectancy was 8-15 years. That was 15 years ago. Her deterioration has been a gradual retreat into her own little world. There are stages along the way. At first, she was still driving but that had to stop because she’d forget where she was going. Then she’d need help getting dressed, or bathing.

In some ways, it has been easy for the family to care for her because she is still so kind and gentle. Alzheimer’s took away the cognitive thinking and you’re left with

the soul. Even as the disease progressed, Pauline would join us at meals and though she couldn’t contribute on an intellectual level, she always felt the emotion of what we were talking about. So she’d either be laughing along with us or sympathising. If one of us was sad, she’d notice. She’d say, “Oh gosh. Oh dear.”

Now Pauline lives in a cottage close to Rupert’s sister, with 24/7 care. Pauline can’t talk at all now, she’s bedridden, but she’ll always receive you with a smile.

Rupert and his siblings are thinking about taking the test to see if they have a gene defect that increases the likelihood of developing the disease.

I really believe that the more we talk about this disease, the more awareness there is, the closer we’ll get to solving it.

RUPERT SAYS: My mother was an amazing woman – caring, gentle and kind. In 1997, my father died suddenly of heart failure.

I firmly believe that the shock triggered something in my mother that may have been dormant.

When are memory problems a sign of dementia?

Forgetting why you have walked into a room.

Not necessarily a sign of dementia and can happen to anyone, particularly 50s-plus. A possible sign of dementia is if the room itself seems unfamiliar, even when it’s a room they know well.

Occasionally forgetting the name of a person, thing or place.

This is very common. It may

only point to dementia if you forget close friends, places that are very familiar or forget things very frequently.

Forgetting where you have left your car keys.

This isn’t something to worry about.

What is a concern is leaving something in an unusual place – for example your keys in a bathroom cabinet.

Now, No Mum may not know who we are but the emotional connection survives.

You can hold her hand, talk to her and just feel that connection making her happier.

What is the genetic link with Alzheimer’s?

Inheriting dementia is very rare.

Less than one per cent of people living with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia, may pass on the condition to their children and grandchildren. In cases where this does happen, symptoms often start at a much younger age than usual (so-called young-onset Alzheimer’s disease). Defects in three genes, APP, PSEN-1 and PSEN-2, are known to cause this inherited form of Alzheimer’s.

Defects in these genes can now be picked up by a fairly simple test based on a blood sample.

If a defect is found in a person diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s, this warrants testing their adult birth relatives for the same mutation. This is called “predictive” testing because finding the gene defect in a healthy person predicts, with near certainty, if they will go on to develop Alzheimer’s.

Genetic testing is available on the NHS for affected families and is carried out in a special regional genetics centre. Deciding to have a predictive test or not can be very stressful, so support and counselling is important for those undergoing it. >>

woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 81

dementia awareness

KAY SAYER, 70, (above) lives with her husband, Ian, in Christchurch.

She has two grown-up sons from an earlier relationship. Kay was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014.

KAY SAYS: Before I received my diagnosis, I spent a lot of time hoping I didn’t have dementia. My mother had Alzheimer’s and her mother had vascular dementia, so when I started forgetting things – whether I’d done a chore or what I’d done five minutes earlier – I knew I couldn’t just bury my head in the sand.

It took 18 months to get a proper diagnosis. On my first visit to the doctor, he simply asked a few questions – who the Prime Minister was and what day it was – which inevitably I got right, and initially I was told that I had mild cognitive impairment. I was asked to wait another six to eight months, by which time I had no doubt I was in the early stages of the disease. Eventually, an MRI revealed I was right.

My dad kept my mum’s diagnosis a secret for many years – I’ve made a point of being open with my family; I want us to be as informed as possible – and the boys and Ian treat me as if I’m 82 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

IAN SAYS: When Kay was diagnosed, it might sound strange, but part of me felt relieved. It was distressing, of course, but I’d noticed her memory had been getting worse – she’d ask the same thing two or three times within a few hours – and to have someone say, “This is what’s wrong” at least meant we could try to do something about it.

You meet some people and they’ll whisper, “My wife’s got Alzheimer’s” – but we don’t try to sweep it under the carpet. Why should you feel embarrassed about a disease?

When you’re open about it, it destroys any awkwardness when Kay stops halfway through a sentence because she’s forgotten the next word.

There’s no, “Oh, what’s wrong with her?”

Kay is still very independent – she drives, cooks and does the shopping – but the disease is always in the back of my mind. I purposely don’t do things with her that I think she could do on her own, but gradually we’re having to make changes. She’s got lost a couple of times when we’ve gone orienteering, which was frightening – so now we insist she takes her phone with her as a safety net.

Our motto is “carpe diem” – seize the day – we’re doing everything we can, while we can. Kay has never been up Mount Snowdon, so we’ve got that scheduled for July.

We try not to dwell on what’s to come, but I’ll care for Kay full-time when she needs it. It’s not a decision I’ve actively made, it’s just what I feel will be right.

We’re as close now as we’ve ever been – a disease isn’t going to change that.

It’s my brain that’s gone wrong – the rest of me is OK!

DEMENTIA AWARENESS WEEK Dementia is set to be the 21st century’s biggest killer, with someone developing it every three minutes and too many facing it alone. As Dementia Awareness Week (14-20 May) approaches, Alzheimer’s Society is urging everyone to unite against dementia. Go to alzheimers.org.uk to find out how. For anyone needing information or support, call the National Dementia Helpline on 0300 222 1122. woman&home is proud to support Alzheimer’s Society’s Cupcake Day for the second year running. Whether you’re a baking novice or a pro, Cupcake Day (June 15) is your chance to unite in the fight against dementia while having a giant helping of fun. Sign up at cupcakeday.org.uk

WORDS ANNA MOORE, NATHALIE WHITTLE

“C “Creating C tii a plan l for my future has been incredibly empowering”

normal, which I am... apart from my brain!

Early on, I gave Ian the power of attorney and I told everyone what I wanted to happen when I’m about to die. It might sound morbid, but actually, it’s empowering.

You lose so much control when you have dementia, so it’s nice to be able to claw some back. There are still decisions we haven’t made – I’d rather not go into a care home, but I suspect I might have to.

I’m still in the early stages, but my biggest struggle is remembering names and numbers. And sometimes, I can’t find the words at all. I have to say to people, “Please can you be patient?” because I want to finish a sentence on my own. I write down my daily schedule, otherwise I wouldn’t remember what I was doing either.

You never lose hope of a cure – you can’t. I’ve been on Aricept since my diagnosis, but unfortunately it tends to only be effective for about five years. So I also take part in drug trials at Moorgreen Hospital; the first one I did meant injecting myself with a drug once a day for a year, and I’m about to start another, which is a daily tablet. I know that they won’t necessarily help me, but they might help somebody else further down the line.

I haven’t let dementia stop me doing things. I go orienteering and I’ve joined a singing group. Unfortunately for me, it’s my brain that’s gone wrong, but the rest of me is OK, so why not make the most of that?

One thing I know is that I couldn’t get through each day without Ian. He’s so patient. My diagnosis has actually brought us closer.

relationships

Louise Atkinson, married to Jonathan for 22 years, explains what happened to their relationship when a new book inspired her to secretly change her behaviour

Are you the

DRIVING FORCE in your marriage?

W

riter Louise, 52, and Jonathan, 53, live in Oxfordshire with their three teenage children.

When we met all those years ago I was very much attracted to Jon’s lovely soft, caring “beta” qualities and I’m pretty sure he thought my thrusting, go-getting “alpha” nature was exciting and possibly even sexy.

Now though, even he might say I’m far too often the one trying to wear the trousers. Like many of my girlfriends, I’m ambitious, organised, straight-talking and (usually) decisive, and the only way I can juggle full-time work with the slippery fish of family life is by extending some of the planning and decisionmaking I use at work at home.

But then I read a new book, The Alpha Female’s Guide to Men and Marriage by

US relationship expert Suzanne Venker, and began to wonder… are the mood swings and short fuse of menopause starting to put a little too much alpha icing on my already alpha cake?

Many of my closest friends run their families like they ran their careers, with ruthless efficiency. And when we get together over a bottle of Prosecco, one of us will inevitably end up moaning about having to take charge of the shopping, cooking, finances, the kids, birthday presents, holidays and ageing parents (on both sides). I’m ashamed to admit the kind, gentle men we married are sometimes vilified for their inability to do the most menial tasks “properly”.

We might chat about how our men are becoming more set in their ways

or ageing faster than us and we share stories of nipping back from the gym to whip up a green juice or kale salad to find our blokes slumped in front of the TV, with a glass of red wine in their hand.

Sounds familiar? There’s little doubt that in many long-term relationships it’s the alpha women who so often stay busy, while their men fall into the pattern of shutting up or doing nothing.

But this book made me wonder – could we strong women be inadvertently crushing our men into infuriating passivity?

According to Suzanne Venker, the key to marital harmony lies in dialling down your alpha tendencies and giving your man the space to rev up his. Would it work for us? Time to experiment (secretly of course). >>

“A slight shift on my part has led to renewed harmony”

woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 85

relationships

86 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

Are you alpha or beta?

Suzanne V S Venker, k a self-confessed lf f d Alpha Wife, is convinced that in trying to be all things to all people and fulfil our true destiny as women, many of us are unwittingly putting strain on our marriages.

The Alpha Wife is easily identified as the woman who feels nervous or out of control when not in charge – both at home and at work. She might also be inclined to contradict her husband or tease him in public, talk over him or frequently interrupt.

An alpha husband will probably kick back and trigger fireworks, but if your partner has easy-going beta tendencies he’s more likely to stay quiet, convincing himself that the home is happier (and life is just easier) when you hold the reins.

“In taking over you can inadvertently allow your need to be in charge to suffocate your man’s masculinity,” Suzanne warns.

“He might duck out of your way and adjust his alpha level to make room for yours, to avoid conflict.”

She believes an Alpha Wife can become so picky about the perfect holiday that, over time, her beleaguered husband could lose faith in his own ability to choose. If you’re married to someone who is happy to “go with the flow”, you’ll be lucky if he puts his head above the parapet to impulsively book that romantic getaway you might crave!

%

Louise and her husband Jonathan

I trust myself less and I have faithfully promised not to intervene.)

One month later and he really does seem to be happier. It’s all very subtle and I’m not sure he’s even noticed that I’ve changed, but he seems to be taking more of a lead in the kitchen (as long as I stay out of the way), and the odd jobs I used to feel I had to nag him about are miraculously getting done.

When you’ve been a couple for decades it’s easy to blame your man if errant hormones make you feel grumpy or disillusioned. But looking at our marriage from a different perspective has helped me to remember that long-term marriages have ups and downs, excitements and disappointments. I certainly haven’t morphed into a fawning, Stepford Wife, (and who would want to?), but I was surprised to find just a slight shift on my part has led to renewed harmony in our home. Men – it turns out – really can be more fun when you cut them a bit of slack.

% % %

and try “okay” 3 TIPS TO TRY idea”, or “that’s interesting”

1

Talk less and listen more – stop finishing his sentences and improving his anecdotes.

Avoid saying “no” or “I have a better

2

occasionally instead.

Go back to “first date mode” in your head and behave (at times) like you did when you were courting.

3

% The Alpha Female’s Guide to Men and Marriage

by Suzanne Venker (Post Hill Press) is out now.

PHOTOGRAPH GETTY IMAGES

I started by briefly showering Jon with uncharacteristic kindness, complimenting his new haircut and praising his choice of sweater. Cooking the family meal is one of my tasks (mostly because I like to micro-manage the children’s nutritional intake, boosting their vegetableconsumption by stealth), but when he asked what was for dinner I said “surprise me!” and then took the dog for a walk so I couldn’t take over.

Sausages (again) might not have been my choice, but it felt good to be off kitchen duty and he was clearly thrilled with his culinary achievement.

Spurred on by my success, I found myself subconsciously diluting other alpha urges. I have a habit of stepping in to hijack and finish off Jon’s longwinded stories. It’s become a source of irritation on both sides, but the book has made me wonder whether having me hovering beside him forever poised to pounce could be causing him to make his storytelling even more laborious.

So I let Jon start and complete an entire anecdote without once interjecting – even smiling warmly afterwards (too Stepford Wife? Perhaps, but you’ve got to start redressing the balance somewhere).

Last weekend I was heard to say to friends, “Oh tell them that story about the dog, Jon.” There’s a chance I might have been able to tell it better and it wasn’t embellished with nearly as much exaggeration and theatrics as I’d have used. But something odd happened – I really did love seeing him centre stage. His re-emerging self-confidence was attractive in a way that echoed our younger selves.

I started to hunt for more ways to relinquish control and share out the power base I’d clearly been hogging, and now Jon has the delights of dealing with the accountant and day-to-day finances (dull, dull, dull), the supermarket shop (I will not complain about his choices), and holiday transport logistics (it’s quite hard to relinquish trust on that one, but after numerous missed flights

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EXCLUSIVE

MY MIDLIFE

foodie fixes

MIMI SPENCER, co-author of a new book The Midlife Kitchen and bestselling The Fast Diet, shows how to make a healthy difference to your diet in your 40s, 50s and beyond

A

s my 50th approaches, I no longer eat for weight loss.

I eat for health gain. That means subtle changes to my diet, nothing to freak out the kids – just familiar, health-boosting ingredients in tasty combinations.

Evidence shows that making decent nutritional choices – cutting back on refined sugar and salt, eating plant foods rich in phytonutrients, embracing a Mediterranean approach, with an emphasis on fresh veg and healthy oils – can make a difference.

It’s this approach to eating that inspired my friend, Sam, a food writer, and me to write The Midlife Kitchen, detailing the kinds of foods that can

help stave off age-related decline. At this halfway point in life, we both found our tastes and nutritional requirements had changed; we needed lean protein, gut-friendly probiotics and slow-burn carbs, and plenty of plants with fortifying vitamins and minerals.

Our buzzwords aren’t “restriction”, “detoxing” or “clean eating”, we prefer diversity to exclusivity, variety to restriction.

And if it’s not completely delicious?

Well, count us out.

These days, we both have a “midlife larder” of ingredients to hand, things that we know can stack the odds in our favour as the years tick by. Here, then, are my top tips for a quick-fix midlife health boost…

Subtle diet changes can help stave off age-related decline

88 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

To slash the salt levels…

Using what we call “semi-salt” is my way to cut salt intake, reducing the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. Our favourites include lemon zest salt (1tbsp sea salt mixed with lemon zest), porcini salt (3tbsp ground dried porcini with 2tsp sea salt), and cumin salt (1tbsp cumin seeds and 2tsp sea salt). The best of the lot is gomashio – a Japanese semi-salt made from black sesame seeds and sea salt in a ratio of 10:1. The seeds add fibre, omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, calcium and iron; sprinkle on scrambled eggs, salads or steamed green beans.

life stage To give my immune system a natural boost…

Fresh turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties thanks to the bioactive compound curcumin.

Beneficial for the brain and heart, it can help prevent age-related conditions including arthritis, and plays a role in regulating blood sugar – reason enough for us all to get plenty of it in our middle years.

We use fresh turmeric root in a glorious Balinese curry paste.

Or make a juice: blitz with root ginger, fresh orange ange juice juice, lime juice and coconut water, plus a grind of pepper (increases the body’s ability to absorb curcumin) n).

The only downside?? The telltale yellow fin ngertips of the turmeric e eater…

WHEN I WANT A SUGAR FIX… I’ve always been candy mad and, in the distant past, could easily have considered a whole tube of Fruit Pastilles a decent meal. But we all know that refined sugars are the devil’s own work – so now my midlife craving fix is dates. Full of fibre with a relatively low GI (glycaemic index), they won’t spike blood sugars to the extent of refined sugar.

Make date syrup by whizzing Medjool dates with a splash of water and a squeeze of lemon juice, then drizzle over porridge or yogurt for a sweet breakfast.

To give my gut a little love…

Unsweetened live yogurt is a dynamite addition to the diet. This contains the friendly probiotic bacteria that can help lower cholesterol, improve immune function and boost the digestive tract. I’ve taken to making my own (I use a Severin yogurt maker, about £20), which means it’s always in the fridge ready for breakfast with fresh berries, nuts, seeds and chopped dates, or as a swap for cream at the side of a pud. Recent research has found that people who eat yogurt every day have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, while it has also been shown to lower blood pressure. Not bad for a simple spoonful.

When I get W g a snack attack…

I turn to what we’ve christened Middle Aged Spread, which is a sort of grown-up homemade houmous.

I’m addicted to this dip/spread hybrid when I’m peckish. It combines spinach (packed with vital vits) and butter beans – full of protein, fibre and healthy slow-burn carbs – whizzed in a processor with lemon juice, parsley, garlic, yogurt, olive oil and spices – all prime midlife ingredients. The upshot is a total taste sensation when slathered on wholewheat toast and topped with seeds (bringing healthy fats to the party). I’ve been known to eat a whole pot of this with a teaspoon when no one is looking.

PHOTOGRAPHS ALAMY, CRAIG HIBBERT/MAIL ON SUNDAY/SOLO SYNDICATION, GETTY IMAGES

WHEN I NEED TO WIND DOWN… Almond milk chai is a lullaby in a mug. Combine warm almond milk with cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and a chai teabag. Among their many midlife benefits, almonds contain tryptophan, an essential amino acid required to synthesise serotonin (the “happy hormone”) and melatonin (the “sleep hormone”), together with sleep-boosting magnesium – making it a great nightcap if you have trouble dropping off. Making your own almond milk may sound like a faff too far, but it’s easy to do, and ensures you’re getting the nuts’ full nutritional benefit, which is often not the case as some brands contain as little as 2% almond content.

To keep energy levels up…

Seeds really are little bolts of beauty, packed with heart-healthy fats, fibre and energy-boosting protein. My favourite way to get my daily seed fix without feeling like a chaffinch is LSA, a pulsed blend of linseed (also known as flaxseed, they’re brilliant in midlife and can help ease menopause symptoms), cholesterollowering sunflower seeds and almonds (fo or vitamin E and calcium, efits bones and joints), which bene ) in a ratio of 3-2-1. Add to anything y g and everything – bakes, cakes, crumbles, porridge, grranola, or as a coating g for veggie burgers b g and nk of it as falafel. Thin seed capital for a healthier llife. e.

The Midlif Th Midlife Ki Kitchen h

by Mimi Spencer and Sam Rice is out now, published by Mitchell Beazley, £25 hardback woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 89

The woman who knows your

GUARDIAN angel A surprising number of us now believe in angels.

Cathy Kelly meets Irish mystic and bestselling author Lorna Byrne, who claims she can see them

90 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

this unassuming 54-year-old widowed mother-of-four was something special.

She glowed with kindness. Hope.

Wisdom. Being in Lorna’s presence was like entering into a peaceful space.

As more and more people become disenchanted with organised religion, polls by YouGov and ICM suggest at least a third of us now believe in angels.

Lorna says she can see angels – and has been able to do so since she was a child.

Two years later, I’m here with Lorna in a Dublin hotel. I have just read her latest book, Angels at my Fingertips, and I’m eager to find out more about her extraordinary gift…

Lorna Byrne (left) talks to Cathy Kelly about angels CATH CA THY TH Y How How woul uld ld y you yo u desc descri rib ibe be C what you do?

LORNA There is no description for it, I am a messenger. I tell you all about your guardian angel, how precious life is and how fabulous it is to enjoy life.

It’s about letting you know that you have a soul and that you don’t need all the material things in the world.

CATHY When you were very young, people believed you were intellectually

PHOTOGRAPHS MARK MCCALL AND GETTY IMAGES

T

he first time I met Lorna Byrne, she was fundraising for UNICEF at Dublin’s 10k mini marathon and I was one of the charity’s Irish ambassadors.

Lorna is a published, million-selling author, whose books have been translated into 30 languages, and who can sell out arenas with her talks, and we were going to run together in the marathon – well, walk.

I’m a former tabloid journalist and good at spotting the fake. I’m also a woman of science but think the universe holds things we can’t explain. Within minutes of meeting Lorna, I felt that

disabled. What was it like for nobody to see your actual problem was dyslexia?

LORNA I think I was given dyslexia so that in one sense I couldn’t become contaminated by the world; I would be ignored as a child. That allowed me to see angels from when I was an infant, allowed me to see them physically and communicate with them.

CATHY You were first made aware of your gift when you were playing with your brother when you were small…

LORNA I was with my little brother in front of the fire playing with wooden blocks. The blocks went to fall and my brother went to reach for them – and his hand went into mine and it just all sparkled. It was at that moment that the angels said I must keep what I’d seen a secret. At that same time they told me my little brother was a soul and had died before I was born.

CATHY When did you tell people about your gift?

LORNA Even as a child, the angels kept reminding me that I must keep it a secret that I see people’s guardian angels with them. So I never did.

I told my husband, Joe, before we got married.

And I thought our relationship was over then! I was maybe 30, married and had four children when an angel told me it was getting close to the time when I had to write about “God and us”.

The angels. I remember getting cross with them and saying, “How on earth can I write a book when I can’t read or write?” But I did. They helped me.

behind you in a million colours and gave this human appearance within that. It was taller than the tree.

CATHY Your beloved husband Joe died when he was 47, after many years of illness. When you met him, you knew then when he would die, yet you could never tell him…

LORNA Because I loved Joe, I couldn’t tell him. I couldn’t shatter him in that way. It was because I loved him so much that I wanted him to live his life.

CATHY But that was a huge burden to bear.

LORNA It was. I’d known Joe since I was a child, and knew since I was ten when he would die. I wouldn’t have been able to keep it to myself if it wasn’t for how much I loved him.

CATHY When he was sick towards the end of his life, did he ever ask you if you knew he was going to die?

LORNA He never did. Joe had great faith and knew I would be there for the children. He used to say, “You are the strong one, Lorna.”

“There are a lot of unemployed CATHY Do you tell things their angels… all you people angels have told you?

No. If it’s have to do is LORNA something important, talk about it in ask for help” Iawould roundabout way to

CATHY Tell me about the angels you see in this room.

LORNA I see the guardian angel of everybody. I do see other angels, too, and I see your guardian angel.

CATHY What does my guardian angel look like?

LORNA When we were out in the park with the photographer, you were having your photograph taken at the tree and your guardian angel just lit up

give you hope, to look at yourself in a different way.

CATHY You say that angels are funny and play tricks?

LORNA They are not serious all the time: they are forever being mischievous. When an angel does that, they are trying to lift your spirit. They can see the light of hope.

CATHY You talk about “unemployed angels”. What are they?

LORNA There are a lot of unemployed angels. They are there to help and all you have to do is ask. They will give you as much attention as they can. Why do you think at times you manage to carry your bag up the stairs? Because there is an unemployed angel helping.

CATHY But B t if you did didn’t ’t consciously i l ask for help?

LORNA I asked for the unemployed angels to help everybody, but it is a good idea for people to ask for themselves, for people to become conscious of an angel giving them help.

CATHY How can someone talk to their angel?

LORNA When you open your eyes in the morning, just say, “Good morning, my guardian angel. Give me a hand today.

And if there are any spare unemployed angels around, I’d love them to give my family a hand.” I get lots of people saying, “I’ll only believe in my guardian angel if I win the lottery.” That’s not what it’s about.

Your guardian angel has unconditional love for you. It will do its best to guide you.

CATHY Is it damaging for us to look at all the negativity in the world?

LORNA Yes, it’s bad for us to focus on all the negative things that are happening. We need to see all the good things in the world, and do good things ourselves: give someone a smile, help a neighbour – spread that love and compassion and care.

CATHY So your message is to help other people too?

LORNA Yes, not to just be focused on all the horrific things that dampen the light of hope that is within ourselves. It makes us selfish and greedy. All the negative things in the world at the moment have made people lose empathy. We have done away with empathy, but love is stronger than hate. w&h Lorna’s Angels at my Fingertips (Coronet) is out now. Visit lornabyrne.com for information on Lorna’s children’s foundation.

THE LOOK

Easy elegance PERFECT FOR A DINNER DATE The matching top and bottom trend is a no-brainer – just keep fabrics on the luxe side (these are silk), so each piece drapes beautifully.

Avoid closed toed shoes – you don’t want to look too formal, but sandals in a neutral shade give it that easy edge.

Likewise, a clutch feels too try hard – a cross-body version will nail it.

ANGELA FRANCIS, 59, wears: Top, £149.95, trousers, £169.95, both 8-22, Madeleine.

Necklace, £15, Marks & Spencer. Bag, £240, Furla.

Ring, £299, Pandora.

Sandals, £99, Mint Velvet

WHAT TO WEAR

at the weekend FAUX PALM PLANT, ROCKETT ST GEORGE

Break the rules and embrace easy dressing your way

92 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

your shape your way

THE LOOK

Sports luxe BRUCELLA NEWLAND-PERSAUD, 50, wears: Blazer, £385, 6-16, PS by Paul Smith at Very Exclusive. Hoodie, £10, s-xl, Matalan.

T-shirt, £9.99, 6-18, New Look. Trousers, £45, 8-20, J by Jasper Conran at Debenhams.

Bag, £160, Jaeger.

Watch, £230, Calvin Klein at watchshop. com. Trainers, £45, White Stuff. Rings, Brucella’s own

DRESS IT DOWN FOR A SHOPPING TRIP A relaxed look doesn’t have to seem scruffy. Opting for tonal colours and adding a tailored long-line jacket keeps it on the smarter side.

Stay warm with simple layers: a zip-up hoodie can be peeled off for lunch.

Who wants to lug a heavy bag around all day? Go light and hands-free with a cross-body version.

Finish with cream trainers – far more forgiving than optic white ones, which show up every bit of dirt.

Blouse, £69, 6-18; necklace, £45, both Hobbs. Skirt, £59, 6-18, Sosandar. Bag, £30, Next. Watch, £155, Olivia Burton.

Ring, £137.50, Sarina Suriano. Heels, £110, Jones Bootmaker

THE LOOK

Smart separates GREAT FOR LUNCH WITH THE GIRLS A silky blouse will feel soft on your skin and looks polished enough for a restaurant.

Want a flattering new shape? Try an A-line skirt that stops short just below your knee. As long as you add heels your legs will go on forever.

Rich colours like red and forest green look expensive with tan accessories. >> woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 93

Atropa Belladonna A N I NT OX I C AT I N G B E AU T Y

complimentar y deliver y at SHAYANDBLUE.COM

your shape your way

THE LOOK

Luxe layers IDEAL FOR AN AFTERNOON TEA A printed tunic suits every shape and works over skinny jeans or leggings when the British weather is not on your side!

Pick out a colour in the print for your accessories and you’ll look effortlessly stylish.

TRISH CLINTON, 53, wears: Tunic, £130, 10-18, Ilse Jacobsen. Jeans, £24.99, 4-18, New Look.

Earrings, £15, Marks & Spencer. Bag, £210, Orla Kiely. Bangle, £44.95 for a set of two, Massimo Dutti. Bracelet, £8, part of a set, Next. Rings, Trish’s own. Shoes, £225, Chie Mihara >>

Comfort doesn’t have to mean loose layers.

Instead, anchor a flowy top with slim-fit jeans woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 95

promotional feature

The home hair colour revolution Schwarzkopf Color Expert with OMEGAPLEX Professional Anti-Breakage Technology leaves hair feeling stronger and healthier!

82%

96 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

“The colour took to my hair really quickly and left it feeling so soft. I love the shade and without doubt will be using it again, thanks to the upkeep not being onerous.”

Madeleine Bowden, Fashion and celebrity stylist, brand and image consultant

Before

86%

of women agree new Color Expert visibly improves hair quality**

BE YOUR OWN COLOR EXPERT IN 3 STEPS

1 Protect

Mix the AntiBreakage Serum in with your colour to help protect the MicroBonds during colouring.

2Seal

After colouring, deeply nourish and seal in the intensity of your new shade with the Repair Sealer.

3 Reinforce

Give hair an extra boost three weeks after colouring with the Repair Reviver, for strength and vibrant colour that lasts.

➤ To lock in your colour, however you choose to colour it, and for stronger, healthier-looking hair, use new Color Expert Conditioner or Treatment.

Available to buy separately at stores nationwide.

*VS UNTREATED HAIR **315 SURVEYED, COLOR EXPERT HOME USE TEST

T

here’s been a revolution sweeping salons of late – ask any top colourist and they’ll agree that “plex technology” has raised the bar for professionals everywhere, helping to stop damage in its tracks and leaving freshly coloured, healthy, strong and soft hair.

From the start of 2017, this innovation has been available in home hair colour. Schwarzkopf have recently launched their Color Expert with OMEGAPLEX Professional Anti-Breakage Technology, which enables you to enjoy salon-calibre colour and healthy looking hair – with no appointment necessary. So, how does it work?

Each strand of your hair is made up of fibrils, held together by MicroBonds. These tiny connections, which give your hair its strength and structure, can break during colouring, leaving hair feeling brittle and vulnerable to splitting. OMEGAPLEX Professional Anti-Breakage Technology helps to protect and reinforce the structure of these bonds during the colouring process for up to 90% less breakage*.

Hair is left feeling strong and looking visibly healthy, with a gorgeous, grey-free colour result.

NEW Color of women Expert Colour recommend new is available in 15 Color Expert** stunning shades.

your shape your way

STYLING CHARLIE MOORE PHOTOGRAPHS LIZ MCAULAY HAIR & MAKE-UP LIZ KITCHINER AND EMMA WHITE TURLE

SIMONA HOULDSWORTH, 42, wears: Parka, £230, xs-xl, CK at Very Exclusive. Sweater, £70, s-l, Varley. Skirt, £150, xs-l, DKNY at Very Exclusive. Sunglasses, £75, Pepe Jeans.

Trainers, £11.99, New Look. Suitcase, £150, Eastpak

Top, £89, 6-20, Jaeger. Trousers, £99, 8-18, James Lakeland. Earrings, £9.99, Mango.

Bag, £199, Modalu. Shoes, £35, Next

THE LOOK

Airport chic OFF ON A CITY BREAK? LOOK AND FEEL FABULOUS Soft, loose layers will keep you comfortable during your flight.

Pastel pink and grey is a match made in heaven – pull it all together with silver accessories.

A lightweight mac will keep you weatherproof for all sightseeing eventualities and easily rolls up when you need to store it in your bag.

THE LOOK

Grown-up gingham GREAT FOR A FAMILY GET-TOGETHER Forget its associations with baby doll dresses and summer school uniforms: gingham has grown up. A pair of cropped capri pants in a monochrome check is the way to wear it.

Add a pop of colour with a sunshine yellow off-the-shoulder top that you can always adjust if the weather turns. w&h

woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 97

YOUR SHAPE YOUR WAY From bright colours to graphic prints – go big and bold this summer with confidence. We have eight tips and tricks that show you how…

1 BE BRAVE

3 Stripes

sussed

Sometimes all it takes is an eye-catching accessory to up the ante on your look.

You can subtly incorporate bright colours and prints £55, Bimba without going full steam Y Lola ahead – perfect for deflecting attention away from the body.

£85, Dune

£25, 8-22, Very

£69.99, Zara

2 Know your shape

£65, 14-26, Elvi

Learn which styles suit you. Once you’ve got that mastered, you can be as adventurous as you want.

Pear

Busty

Loose but luxe peg pants won’t cling onto your hips and are totally on trend. £19.99, 6-18, New Look

Complement your assets with a flattering V-neck top. £28, 8-22, Very

Tum A classic tunic glides over your middle. £373, 12-28, Marina Rinaldi

Dress, £59, 6-22; hat, £15; shoes, £35, all Marks & Spencer

Vertical stripes lengthen and help to slim your shape.

It doesn’t mean you can’t wear horizontal stripes. Choose designs with a wider stripe for a more flattering finish.

If you want to cheat a curvier form, then try a striped dress that follows your hourglass shape. >>

£39.95, xs-xl, United Colors of Benetton £130, 6-22, Boden woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 99

your shape your way £295, 6 SLEEK 6-18, LK Bennett STYLING

£129, xs-l, Jigsaw

4 SIZE DOES MATTER Placing a small print on your biggest hang-up will make it look bigger. A great way around this is to choose pieces with one graphic motif, rather than an all-over print.

Killer conto uring

Streamline your entire silhouette by going top to toe in a print or colour. A jumpsuit is a sleek way of nailing this trick.

£30, 10-20, M&Co

5

Graphic pieces with darker side panelling will contour your sides to make them look slimmer instantly.

Ideal for your new holiday swimsuit.

7 Stay on trend There’s nothing worse than wearing a dated print. Pep up your print knowledge and wear something similar to what’s on the catwalk.

£49, 6-24, La Redoute

8 If isa jumpsuit too scary,

Great for arm coverage and loose around your tummy. £99, 6-18, Hobbs A straight cut will make your body look longer. £20, 10-32, JD Williams

100 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

A printed pencil skirt will perfectly hug your curves. £30, 8-20, Wallis

co-ord suits are totally on trend. Match your colours to balance your body. Blazer, £45; trousers, £28, both 6-22, Next

COMPILED BY SAMANTHA RNIC PHOTOGRAPHS REX FEATURES

MAXMARA

DOLCE & GABBANA

Gingham JASPER CONRAN

Tropical

Graphic florals

£59, 12-32, Simply Be

Get this (Summer) …with tropical prints, relaxed denim and easy separates £12

£12

£14

£4

£14

HOT HOUSE FLOWER ✢ The matchy-matchy trend continues strongly and is perfect if you don’t have time to think about what goes with what. ✢ Keep it chic with black accessories that pick out the outfit’s background colour. ✢ The print is the hero piece here so wear with low-key jewellery.

£12

“Anyone can pull off the sports luxe look – just add soft, drapey layers and goanywhere slides”

£6

£14

SPORTS LUXE

✢ Give an off-the-shoulder top and loose trousers a touch of cool nonchalance by dressing down with sporty slides. ✢ Loose layers are spot on for that relaxed, effortless look. ✢ Finish with a sporty backpack and you’re good to go.

102 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

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PARTY STARTED £16

£16

£10

£14

SEEING RED

✢ Temper a bright red top with white denim – a summer staple. ✢ Keep your jeans skinny as this balances out the volume of the top. ✢ Add a pair of matching espadrilles and roll up those hems!

£16 £12

CARIBBEAN QUEEN ✢ A graphic striped sweater in Jamaican-inspired colours looks fresh with black shorts. ✢ Add further colour with fun pom-pom accessories. ✢ Black ties it all together for a sophisticated approach.

£16

£8

WATCH THE SHOW! See more of Matalan’s fabulous new-season buys and get expert styling advice for summer by tuning into The Show at matalan.co.uk

woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 103

“The creation of a perfume is an act of love, whether real or imaginary. I am romantic. I couldn’t imagine living without dreams” NINA RICCI

25 YEARS OF THE FRAGRANCE FOUNDATION

The power of

PERFUME Beauty Director Jo GB celebrates the lifelong mission of The Fragrance Foundation – that’s a quarter of a century devoted to the power of scent…

00 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

beauty heritage

D

o you truly appreciate your sense of smell? Try holding your nose while you taste a delicious meal – that’ll do the trick since 80% of the flavour of anything you eat is actually governed by your nose rather than your taste buds. Equally, imagine burying your nose in a bouquet of flowers or walking onto a freshly mown lawn after the rain. Now breathe in, hold that moment… and relax.

Fragrance has the ability to alter your mood, making you feel more confident, sophisticated or sexier in seconds. Our sense of smell is amazing, recapturing a long-lost memory faster than the time it takes to blink. Yet, compared with our other senses, it’s often underappreciated.

By learning and appreciating the positive effect that perfume has on our emotions we can truly connect more with life, people and our environment.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF THE FRAGRANCE FOUNDATION, IAIN PHILPOTT, LINDA KEY

CLASS ACT One institution that really celebrates perfumery, both the modern concept and the history, is The Fragrance Foundation UK. This non-profit organisation celebrating its 25th year, is dedicated to broadening the appreciation, use and sale of fragrances for us all, from customers to on-counter staff and brand ambassadors. The aim is to help set even higher standards of excellence within the fragrance industry.

Established in New York in 1949 by five perfume pioneers: Coco Chanel, François Coty, Elizabeth Arden, Jacques

Guerlain and Helena Rubinstein, their purpose was to change attitudes to scent at a time when few fine fragrances existed. The Foundation came to the UK in 1992 and has been under the leadership of CEO Linda Key for the past seven years and has gone from strength to strength.

“When the Foundation first came to the UK it was to support the brands and retailers,” says Linda. “Today we celebrate the joy of fragrance by encouraging consumers to build a ‘wardrobe of fragrance’. Perfume is not just for a quick spritz – a personal library allows us to use it in many different ways, including in our homes. Through our consultant training in store, we can make sure that the customer experience is one to be enjoyed.

“Fragrance is made up of extraordinary notes – from traditional to the exotic. There is a complex psychology to smell and how it makes us feel – it can impact on our wellbeing and mood.

We want everyone to celebrate the joy of fragrance with us.”

For fragrance lovers, The Foundation offers educational initiatives, from day courses to online training, and complimentary “whiffy” workshops for primary schools! Look out for specialists in store wearing The Fragrance Foundation Pin that says they’ve been trained by The Foundation for a fragrance consultation.

The annual Jasmine Awards encourages journalists and bloggers to create more exciting articles on fragrance. For the past three years, The Mighty Nose award has helped encourage young fragrance writing in primary school children.

The highlight of The Foundation’s event calendar is The Fragrance Foundation Awards to recognise industry excellence, and attended by over 550 guests, including Richard E Grant with CEO Linda Key, Natasha Kaplinsky and Karren Brady with Jo Malone communications director Zoe Hardy (pictured below). w&h

“A fragrance is like a cat burglar in your brain – it has the key with which to pick the lock and unleash your memories” ROJA DOVE, ROJA PARFUMS

SHARE YOUR SCENT MEMORY Smell is the most evocative of senses and The Fragrance Foundation is inviting you to share your scent memories with other fragrance lovers. Here’s mine: My earliest memory of scent is wrapped up in my weekly Sunday bonfire sessions in the garden with my late father. It became our time when we would talk, laugh or just be silent around the crackling fire.

Likewise he lit pipes and cigars on an hourly basis. Smoke perpetually curled around the man. Today, I am never content unless there is a fire going – in the woodburner or with a candle. And every scent I wear has woody undertones, to the extent that I love men’s fragrances almost more than women’s because it is our most precious life experiences that subconsciously dictate our innate scent preferences. And I’m so glad.

What’s your story? Celebrate 25 years with The Fragrance Foundation by sharing your #ScentMemories (visit scentmemories.org for more information). woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 105

106 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

r e Su

#nofilter

… n i v o QUICK-FIX ’ lYOUR

POWER MAKE-UP

“With make-up this good, we don’t need a filter,” says Jo GB. Warmer days and nights call for high-definition make-up that’s subtle to the eye, so you’re admired for you, and not your make-up. As the queen of natural ‘easy’ make-up, here are Jo’s favourite tips and tricks to help you feel more confident in the way you apply your make-up every day

W

e might love our smartphones, but the teenagers today have never lived without one, so they only ever view themselves through a clever lens.

Let’s not compare, eh? No, let’s!

We have wisdom, they have youth; we’ve already learned that some trends don’t work so we don’t go there; they’ll find out, then delete.

“Fashion has suddenly turned into ‘the mother’,” says Terry Barber at MAC, “the ‘you don’t need it, don’t wear it’ concept. There’s currently a rejection of the whole Instagram, social media thing. I call it ‘day drag’ – the youth phenomenon where a young girl discovers the art of transforming

Photographs Iain Philpott herself into something that she perceives as sexy and that’s not going to die out. But for older women who are a bit more knowing, they’ve lived through the decades and taken what they want from the trends of the time.”

I think we all recognise that – we experienced the looks first-hand! Now we want ease and effortlessness; we want things that are quicker; we want more individuality and not feeling that we have to aspire to an ideal or having that “one face, one look”; and we’re also opting for invisible, results-driven skin treatments (see page 118) too.

It’s all about you (and me!) – your face, your mood, your choice and your time.

That’s why I’ve chosen these foolprooff solutions. Give them a try… >>

“Summer is a great time to simplify your makeup routine. Just think about using a few key products in a different way to achieve that summertime glow,” says Rupert Kingston, founder of Delilah

woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 107

#nofilterr “The power of the eyebrow and lining the upper eyelid to feel beauty confidence is so important, and it doesn’t take a lot.”

TRISH MCEVOY

DEFINE & LINE

BROW SHAPER A perfectly tailored arch totally opens up your face, yet it’s amazing how many of us focus more on our lashes and less on our brows. But they’re just as important, especially as we get older and the hairs become sparser and more faded. “British women seem to be afraid of overdoing their brows,” reckons US make-up artist Trish McEvoy.

TRY THIS A daily application of Trish McEvoy Brow Mascara LongWear, £28, is one step not to miss.

The brush doesn’t get as coated as many others, so it gives a less heavy-looking brow. Get into the routine of coating your lashes, then your brows (with different products, obviously).

“Use the colour to mimic nature, brushing in the direction your hairs grow to build up the brow,” says Trish.

WEAR INVISIBLE EYELINER “Place it along your upper lashline between your actual lashes, from the outer edges (not the waterline) inwards towards the nose, finishing roughly above the pupil. This will create the optical illusion that your lashes are much thicker than they really are,” says Trish, “and you can’t see the make-up, just bolder-looking lashes.”

Since turning 50, this is the only way I wear eyeliner. Do try it. Choose a guaranteed indelible liner that won’t budge once applied or leave a print on your upper eyelid (my pet hate).

These just don’t budge: Trish McEvoy Intense Gel Eye Liner, £22; Hourglass Mechanical Gel Eye Liner, £16 at spacenk.com; and Charlotte Tilbury Rock ‘N’ Kohl in Bedroom Black, £19.

Using the index finger of your free hand, lift up the eyelid so you can see clearly between the lashes and gently fill in the gaps – this is often called ‘tight lining’.

“I always make up the eyes first,” says Trish. “It saves time and there’s always less mess.”

CAN I DRESS IT UP FOR EVENING? Keep to the same technique but go for a fatter liner, more of a crayon, that works like a smudgy smoke in varying colours. I love the

new By Terry Stylo Blackstar 3 in 1 Eyeshadow Stick, £25, in ten fabulous shades. Dot the crayon in two places between your outer lashes, then rub it in gently with your finger. Done!

KINDA HELPS IF YOU… Always prime your entire eyelid to create a neat eye contour that instantly evens out skin tone, veins and patches of pigmentation, and reduces oiliness.

Press in Trish McEvoy Eye Base Essentials, £24, or bareMinerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer, £16.50. >>

“Lining the upper lashline gives the illusion that lashes are thicker than they are” woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 109

#nofilter Delilah Dolce & Gabbana Bagsy

Mavala Collection

Stila Convertible in Gerbera

Bobbi Brown Glow Stick

NARS The Multiple

MULTI-COLOUR ME I’m a huge fan of creamy, multipurpose lip and cheek colours because it’s an easy, cohesive look that’s classy and elegant. Think of the movie Nocturnal Animals when an ageing Amy Adams (heaven forbid) wipes her dark lipstick off before heading out to see her ex – wiping off ten years in as many seconds.

JO GB FAVES I’m always a sucker for the effortless Stila Convertible Color Dual Lip & Cheek in Camellia or Gerbera, £16, with more staying power than many creams. But I also love the new, bit more glowy, limited-edition Bobbi Brown Glow Stick in Suntan, £26.

Or choose classic NARS The Multiple, £29, from the Charlotte Gainsbourg collection, to suit your skin tone.

DO TRY Y For fresh,, glowing cheeks, after you’’ve applied lipstick, kiss your fingers and dab onto the apples of the cheeks for a gorgeous sheen.

BOTTOM OF JO GB’S BAG? A pile of nudesque lippies for last-minute prettifying that take seconds. There will always be the classic Giorgio Armani Rouge d’Armani Lasting Satin Lip Colour in Blush, £28; definitely a bareMinerals Gen Nude Radiant Lipstick in Love, £18; and I’ve recently thrown in the fab Clinique Chubby Plump & Shine Liquid Lip Plumping Gloss in ‘Normous Nude, £18, that I use to highlight the tops of my cheekbones.

Come high summer (and winter too, BTW), a pretty bright lip can be a fab style statement when worn on a very fresh face. “A bright lip is less formal,” says Terry Barber. “Think blurred edges. It’s a quick way of dressing the face, like putting on a pair of shoes.”

CHOOSE CORAL for lips, nails and cheeks. Coral ranges from oranges to peachy pinks, with a mix of blue, yellow and red pigments to suit all skins – it’s especially uplifting with grey hair and/ or black skin. “Pat on using your finger, to give a softer, bitten look rather than a harsh lip line,” says Rupert Kingston.

DON’T MISS Nothing’s worse than dry lips under lipstick, so do a mini lip ‘facial’. Try MAC Lip Scrubtious, £12.50, in various flavours; or my handbag fave, Liz Earle Superskin Superlip Balm, £17.

GOING BRIGHT Take your pick from: Delilah Colour Intense Cream Lipstick in Tango, £24; Mavala Happy Zen Lipcolour in Nectar Red, £12.50; Collection Velvet Kiss Moisturising Lip Cream in Mango, £3.99; D&G Miss Sicily Colour & Care Lipstick in Caterina, £27; and Bagsy Wow Lips Full Colour Chubby Stick, £12. w&h

“You go from casual to dressy just with lip and brow.”

TRISH MCEVOY

LAST TOUCH OPTIONAL Give your skin a fresh-faced, summer glow with these new bronzers (L-R): Elizabeth Arden FourEver Bronze Bronzing Powder, £29; limited edition Clarins Summer Bronzing & Blush Compact, £30; Guerlain Terracotta Sun Trio Bronzing & Contouring Palette, £36; and MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish Bronzer in Fruity Juicy, £24.50.

TRY THIS Using a Real Techniques Point XL, £13.50, brush, sweep from the temple to under the cheekbone in a C shape for a natural lift.

Follow Jo on

Twitter and

110 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

Instagram @jogbliving

Follow F Fo ollllow ow Jo Jo GB GB on on Instagram: Inst In s ta ag gra am m:: @ jjo ogbl gblliivi gb v in vin ng g

HAIR DESMOND GRUNDY USING L’OREAL PROFESSIONNEL MAKE-UP FRANCES PRESCOTT USING ARIANE POOLE COSMETICS WHITE SHIRT MANGO

A BRIGHT LIP

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GLOW on the GO

Your perfect, streak-free tan is just three minutes away with St.Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower

I “So easy, so naturallooking and fades gradually (no patches!). LOVE it.”

Fiona McKim, w&h Beauty Editor

f you’re a seasoned self-tan fan, you’re probably au fait with St.Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower. Even bronzing novices will have heard about this revolutionary beauty buy.

A convenient, light lotion that takes just three minutes to activate, St.Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower had pre-launch waiting lists of eager tan fans and has since become a multi-award winner.

So what are the secret of its success?

Innovation, ease and perfect results every time. St.Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower is the first tanning lotion that works in harmony with water to develop without streaks, telltale smells or that annoying wait to get dressed. Use it as part of your daily regime – apply to wet skin in the shower and, after a few minutes, you can wash it off and dress right away – skin feels soft and comforted while a natural glow develops.

The latest addition, St.Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Medium, uses the same innovation to build a natural, deeper tan as part of your daily shower routine.

Watch the step-by-step video at youtube.com/user/StTropezSelfTan

GET THAT GLOW IN THREE STEPS WASH in the shower then generously apply your chosen lotion, rubbing it into skin in circular motions.

1

APPLY, covering your desired tanning area, wash hands thoroughly with warm water.

2

WAIT 3 MINUTES & RINSE – why not multitask by brushing your teeth or applying a hair mask while you wait?

– then rinse well and go!

3

A natural, healthy glow will develop in four to eight hours. For a deeper tan, repeat on consecutive days until you reach your perfect shade.

woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 111

LOVE YOUR HAIR when y ’ve got no time!

“Heaven forbid” says hair-obsessed beauty director Jo GB, but recent research* reveals that nearly 70% of us want to spend minimal time e on our hair in the morning. Here’s how to do so in style!

WASH AND GO… ON AND ON Tomorrow is another day!

When my son, with his thick, floppy mane was recently told by his hairdresser to wash it once a week, you could see his eyes light up! To me, it felt more like 19 years of grooming flushed away! But word has it we are all extending our quality of life between shampoos. “Twice a week (or even longer) is becoming the norm,” says Tresemmé ambassador Aaron Carlo, “partly due to more home working and, of course, dry shampoo. But people still want their hair to be touchable, shiny and soft.”

SMOOTHER FOR LONGER? So, OMG how fabulous that my frizz-prone hair adores the new 72-hour Tresemmé Expert Keratin Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner, £5.49 each; I swear you can literally feel the hair silkening in your hands as you rinse. It’s thanks to marula oil particles that keep your style in check, without weighing it down.

STILL NEED VOLUME? Go for John Frieda Luxurious Volume Core Restore Shampoo and Conditioner, £6.99 each, then work in a little Core Restore Advanced Protein Volumiser, £9.99, that’s heat-activated but builds volume with every use, so you really can extend the life of your shampoo. “Apply to toweldried hair; blow-dry upside-down for maximum effect,” says top hairdresser Luke Hersheson.

JUST HAVE TO WASH IT? “Then wash it the night before and let it dry naturally,” says hairdresser Lisa Shepherd. “When you wake, your hair may seem unruly but it will style easily!” Apply volumising spray, then use a hot brush such as BaByliss Big Hair Diamond Dual, £60. Styling this way allows you to get the best of both worlds: smoothness and volume with relaxed, natural movement.

112 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

3 DAYS OR MO MOR MORE Extend the life of your blow-dry… l “Rub dry shampoo into your roots before bed, as if you were shampooing it in,” says Lisa. “The next morning, hair looks energised with a tousled, textured finish.” Try PRO:VOKE Touch of Silver Revitalising Dry Shampoo, £2.99, or Batiste Original, £2.99.

“If you can put your hair up in a loose top knot, forward of the crown area at bedtime, this will keep your blow-dry fresh,” says stylist Joel Goncalves. “Don’t sleep on a heavy pillow either – the lighter the better.”

Hair perfume is a must-have!

Keep a can of Percy & Reed Eau My Goodness Shine & Fragrance Spray, £22, to hand in emergencies.

Style it “Good old head scarves, wide headbands, and hair accessories in general are also super-cool for summer and always a winner in-between washes,” says Lisa.

your hair your way

EFFORTLESS A.M. STYLING Find clever tricks that work for you, with no heat, just an elastic, a pin and some creativity!

Percy & Reed’s Adam Reed says: “A ponytail is a great, quick morning style as it suits any hair texture; so when you’re running late, it’s perfect.

Set it above the hairline so that you get a little ‘bit of a kick’, tie with a snag-free elastic band (Invisibobble, £3.95 for 3 at Boots) and don’t try to hide it, just use as the style.”

Try a hint of braiding – I don’t mean full-on plaits at our age per se, just twists and knots that are also a rather stylishly practical way of keeping the hair off your face for summer. “It really does hide a multitude of sins,” says Adam.

“You can do a really soft halo braid, braid down the side and secure into the nape or else tie your hair into a pony, braid it, then pin it into a bun.” w&h

PHOTOGRAPHS IAIN PHILPOTT HAIR JONATHAN LONG AT LOCKONEGO MAKE-UP LICA FENSOME *RESEARCH BY MINTEL

“Spray hair pins wi hairspray for a lоger-lasting firm grip” ADAM REED

QUICK & EASY… Speedy ways to fix your style in place PREP AND PART To make a parting stay the day, “Attack hair when wet,” says Lockonego’s Jonathan Long. “Firmly comb into place with some styling cream, then pin flat. Once dry, comb to soften the product and make it look natural.” Try Paul Mitchell Soft Style The Cream, £21.25.

CALM DOWN To smooth hair without heat, “Run slightly damp hands and serum over the mid-lengths to ends of your hair, then wind into a neat bun for 20 minutes,” says Jonathan. “Or spritz hairspray such as my fave Redken Quick Dry 18, £13, onto hands and pat down flyaway hairs.”

woman&home

What’s in y r

foundation wardrobe?

I

t’s rather like choosing the right clothes for the day ahead: too heavy a coat and you’ll regret it in the midday sun; too light and you’ll wish you had an extra layer to put on later!

“Think about skin texture as you do your clothing,” says MAC head of make-up artistry, Terry Barber. “Do I want a high dewiness with a little bit of a gorgeous blush showing through, or do I want something a bit flatter and more monochrome?” Choose your foundation the way you want your skin to look depending on your day, what you’re wearing, where you’re going, even who you’re seeing: a caked face of foundation is less than kissable, right?

Get the base layer right and you’ll have what it takes to get smoothly through summer

Having a clear- t?

If you’re a fan of blenders and brushes, do make sure you keep them clean, as make-up is a surefire way to encourage spots and blemishes on otherwise fresh skin.

Best brush cleaner by far is the StylPro Makeup Brush Cleaner & Dryer, £49.99 at feelunique.com, that just makes it less of a chore.

Throw out any foundations you’ve kept longer than two years, especially if it’s not in a pump dispenser, as it oxidises every time you take the lid off; not to mention touching it with fingers.

Plus new formulations are just getting better and better!

Holding onto a colour that isn’t quite the right shade for you? Really don’t bother.

THE CAMEL OVERCOAT Floor length, full cover, long-lasting, with a beautiful finish, Giorgio Armani Powder Fabric Foundation SPF25, £40, in 15 shades, is your make-up equivalent to the most indispensable outerwear. With the same suspension of pigments as the fabulous Eye Tint, my favourite cream eyeshadow that goes nowhere, this is a classic new long-wear foundation to fall in love with.

Chances of you, as busy as you are, spending time finding a different shade to mix it with, when you had trouble the first time… let’s face it, it’s not likely to happen. Instead, get a THE NEGLIGEE So sheer great little mirror in the it’s not even called a right light, sort through “foundation”, MAC Next to all your shade mistakes, Nothing Face Colour, £27, work out a colour that’s is a hybrid skin luminising where you should be… base that signals the and go shopping for a return of the tinted fresh new formula that moisturiser, to leave an matches perfectly. Oh, amazing veil of transparent and keep that mirror in gorgeousness that’s like your bag for when you your skin, only prettier. go shopping, leave the counter and go out into daylight to JO’S IN examine whether the THE KNOW new match is the right Not keen on powder? one for you. Then Me neither. Modern long-wear pop back in and foundations are, however, the perfect buy that little blend between a liquid foundation gem. It’ll be your and face powder formulation. I’m all new best friend for dewy satiny skin, the older I get, that will erase but always powder just in-between tiredness in a the eyebrows and the sides of matter of minutes. the nose – otherwise you’ll

lose your sheen and look sweaty instead.

114 woman&home 00 woman&home A BRAND A BRAND NEW NEW ATTITUDE ATTITUDE

CREDIT NAME CREDIT NAME

Tinted moisturiser is making a comeback, CC has its correct place, matte is for midnight (only), while cream with sheen is for everyone. Beauty director Jo GB runs through what to wear for the summer and beyond

your skin your way woman&home

PHOTOGRAPH PIXELEYES PHOTOGRAPHY

THE WORKOUT ONESIE Defined as “very waterresistant”, I adore Shiseido WetForce Sports BB 50+ Cream, £32, in three shades, because it’s effortless to apply, yet gives full-on UV cover and, like Lycra, makes skin look rather fit!

More shades needed though.

THE LITTLE BLACK CARDI You’ll definitely want to keep this one in your bag for an extra layer when needed: Bobbi Brown Cushion Compact, £36, in 10 shades, gives effortless medium cover without ever looking overtly made-up, and can stay put for up to 12 hours.

THE TRENCHCOAT Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation 24-Hour Wear Full Coverage Transfer-Resistant Matte Finish, £27, in 30 shades, seriously defies whatever you plan for the night, with just one drawback – this everlasting formula is tough to take off. Those in the know recommend using a deep cleansing oil.

THE SILK SHIRT With its luxurious shimmery texture that you can layer and dress up or down, YSL Touche Eclat Le Cushion, £40, in eight shades, also comes with a double-sided sponge that gives you even more choice in the way you blend it to suit your skin. w&h

THE CASHMERE WRAP Just love the velvety texture of Clarins Pore Perfecting Mattifying Foundation, £28, in five shades, that primes and smooths fine lines and fills pores in one. This is my snuggly go-to when I need a little extra cover.

Follow Jo on

Twitter and

Instagram @jogbliving

woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 00

GIVE ME

strength

With one use, the Advanced Protein Volumiser helps to achieve two times Empower your hair to build volume that lasts more volume and strength with John Frieda Luxurious Volume Core Restore than an ordinary shampoo and hether your hair is long, short, straight help. Every product in this or wavy, it’s safe to say that most innovative collection, tailor-made conditioner. of us would love a bit more volume. for fine hair, contains an essential

W

If you have fine hair, coaxing it into voluminous styles can be a long-standing battle; adding lift with products is the easy bit, making that body stick around, not so much. That’s where new John Frieda Luxurious Volume Core Restore can

Protein-Strength Complex that infuses strands with natural volume and the power to hold onto styles all day long and beyond.

All it takes is three simple steps, as two w&h readers discovered in our volume-boosting trial.

“I’d definitely recommend it to my fine-haired friends” HEATHER GREEN “I have fine hair, but lots of it. I like my hair once I have washed and styled it, I just wish the volume would continue for longer. A good hair day is when my hair looks as good at the end of the day as it does at the start, but it has a tendency to go flat after a day or so, consequently I have to wash it more often to keep the volume. I have previously used Luxurious Volume and thought it was really good, and I love this new Core Restore range. My hair volume lasted for longer – I felt there was a noticeable improvement. When my hair looks thicker, it makes me feel more outgoing and confident. I would definitely recommend Core Restore to my fine-haired friends.”

00 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

promotional feature

Three steps to

AMAZING STRENGTH AND VOLUME

1

Luxurious Volume Core Restore ProteinInfused Shampoo, £7 This gentle cleanser is your ur first step to empowering you hair. The formula strengthen ns d from within, filling pores and creating space between hair fibres using volumising g nsed polymers. Build-up is clean d away, while hair is left plum mped d reinforc and reinfo ced.

2

Luxurio ous Volume Core Restore R e Protein-Infused P used Clear C Conditioner, £7 This T unique transparent co conditioner has been fo ormulated without heavy ing gredients traditionally fou und in conditioners, which can weigh fine hair dow Instead, it infuses down. the hair with body and light g tly detangles, le eaving g it fee ng eling soft, strong and ent. a d ffull of moveme t

“My hair had instant volume after one use” JILL TYTHERLEIGH “I have always had very thin, flat hair, which tends to get very static.

My number one hair priority is to create effortless volume quickly before rushing out of the door.

I have a long commute and the combination of train and Tube plays havoc with my hair. I struggle to create volume and bounce, and if I do manage to get some volume it doesn’t last long.

When I’ve tried salt sprays and volumising mousses, they leave a sticky feel to my hair. I love the

new John Frieda Core Restore range – the shampoo and conditioner are lightweight and leave my hair feeling soft and naturally fuller. My hair had instant volume after one use. The Advanced Protein Volumiser gives my hair extra volume that lasts all day, without that heavy product feel. It’s easy to add to your daily routine for instantly fuller, thicker hair. To other women with fine hair, I’d say give John Frieda’s Luxurious Volume range a try.

Brilliant results that last.”

3

Luxurious Volume Core Restore Advanced Protein Volumiser, £10 The final step in your journey to amazing volume, this works within your hair fibres, forming g temporary bonds between natural protein chains to strengthen every strand from within. For the best results, ru un hs the Volumiser through length and ends of towel-dried hair,, e then blow dry, activating the volumising technology with the heat of your hairdryer.

TRUE VOLUME BEGINS WITH STRENGTH Discover more about the collection at johnfrieda.co.uk, and try new John Frieda Luxurious Volume Core Restore, available now at Tesco woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 117

Secret body W&H BONUS

TWEAKMENTS

The treatments to try that really make a difference

SSHHH! JUST TELL THEM IT’S

GENETIC Solutions to lift you up, body and spirits! Now that really is beauty wellbeing, says Jo GB

Tighter, firmer, higher and fuller? Can you spot the common denominator?

Gravity = age. That undeniable slip of support in everything from muscle to collagen, by the time we’re through the menopause thanks to Mother Earth dragging us down! So while I’m known throughout the beauty industry for being Mrs Natural (to my face that is!), I’m not one to say “don’t do”, especially when there are a few genius top-to-toe beauty investments that no one else need know about (sharing is so overrated) that can make us feel more in charge of our ageing destiny… whatever that may be.

So check these out for yourself.

GO TO WOMANANDHOME.COM

Find more beauty on our website, including tweakments

ZONE IN & SCULPT

Get the knee perk

New laser tech tackles “ninkles” – wrinkles above the knee – to help stimulate new collagen production that slows with age. Great for women over 45, therapist Debbie Thomas has launched her DNA Laser Ninkles Treatment that tackles the problem with a short-wave and long-wave Nd:YAG laser. “No matter how much you exercise, collagen depletion affects the skin above the knees with age, and laser helps boost collagen production.”

NEED TO KNOW Pain-free, three to six treatments are recommended, £300 for 45 minutes.

DIY Stretching forms of exercise, such as yoga and Pilates, target tiny muscles for a more sculpted silhouette.

#JoInTheKnow…

Zerofat machine (zerofat.co.uk) is the hot (literally) cardiovascular booster that has you cycling under an infrared glow to make your body boil while you burn fat. Seems the added sweat helps work off up to four times as many calories as you pedal, while IR light helps stimulate collagen.

Slack skin

Tighten up saggy skin with Ulthera (or Ultherapy), “one of the best-kept secrets in the industry,” says Dr Tracy Mountford at the Cosmetic Skin Clinic.

“We are noticing more and more actors coming for treatment because there is no downtime, and it looks natural.”

A hand-held machine targets areas across the face and body, delivering ultrasound micro-waves. These trigger the body’s healing response, resulting in tissue repair and the production of collagen and elastin.

NEED TO KNOW Take pain relief before. Costs around £3,500.

DIY Try Iluminage Youth Activator, £240, over face and neck regularly for four to eight weeks to see a real lift.

Secret body

TWEAKMENTS

Bye bye bingo wings

It’s very hard to improve your upper arms without surgery (known as brachioplasty and costing around £5,000), as the skin itself loses elasticity.

But CoolSculpting CoolMini, £800 per arm (coolsculpting.co.uk), works on smaller sections of fat (also great for the chin, knees and axillary puffs around the bra) and can visibly reduce the amount of actual flesh.

NEED TO KNOW A Hoover-like nozzle sucks up flesh and freezes it to -12˚C, destroying fat cells en route. Results can see as much as 40% reduction in volume after two to three months.

DIY See our feature on page 151 for the best tone-up exercises.

There are genius beauty investments that can make us feel in charge of our ageing destiny

NO MORE MUMMY TUMMY Got stubborn pillows of flesh, aka a muffin top and/or love handles? Yes, me too. So I saw Tracy Mountford at CSC where four half-hour sessions with the super-new, faster (treatment time halved), and way more comfy CoolSculpting CoolAdvantage, from £800 (coolsculpting.co.uk), helped destroy fat cells with a reduction of four inches around my stomach.

NEED TO KNOW This technique redefines and sculpts stubborn pockets of fat that are tricky to budge!

DIY Cut the carbs and get your circulation going with The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Body Clay, £18. >> woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 119

SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT… Fuller lips

Unlike fillers that can look extreme, the Dr Stefanie Williams at Eudelo Plump & Revive Lip P-Booster, £649, is true subtlety.

Designed for women over 40 to help boost lip volume, soften fine lines and hydrate lips, this is inspired by the PRP (Vampire Lift) facial treatment and involves an injection of your blood platelets mixed with skin-hydrating hyaluronic acid to create a natural plumping effect.

NEED TO KNOW Lips are numbed first, then a bit of tugging, but you can go for dinner afterwards.

Repeat every four to six months.

DIY Tingling Fillerina Lip Volume, £55 (marksandspencer.com), is a roll-on serum that boosts blood flow to the surface of the lips for a temporary plump.

“Many people focus on lines on the face, but lips are one of the first places to go. However, once loss of volume and wrinkling are addressed, this can make a huge difference to your perceived age” Dr Stefanie Williams, Dermatologist

The beauty of an open smile with orderly teeth speaks volumes. But while veneers are a swift solution, they erode much of a healthy tooth in order to get the best result. Better to work with what nature gave 120 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

you. Invisalign, from £2,000-£4,500 (invisalign.com), the clear brace that is worn 23 hours a day to help realign crooked teeth and close gaps, is a bespoke process carried out by an orthodontist. w&h recommends London Smiling (londonsmiling.com)

NEED TO KNOW Wear for six months.

Speech may be awkward for the first week, and you can’t eat or drink hot fluids while wearing.

DIY Braun Oral-B Smart Series 4000 toothbrush, £140 (boots.com), links to your phone and teaches you to brush better.

CREDIT NAME

NEATER TEETH

Secret body

TWEAKMENTS SUPER TRANSFORMERS De-age your hands Mesotherapy involves multiple micro injections of ingredients into the skin using tiny needles. Great to try is Dr Stefanie Williams at Eudelo Gel Needling, £595 per session, which uses a combination of hyaluronic acid injections and medical needling. “The treatment creates tens of thousands of microscopically small punctures in the dermis,” explains Stefanie. “These induce thousands of wound-healing responses.” As a result new collagen and elastin are created for firmer skin.

NEED TO KNOW Expect to have a course of two to three sessions at four-week intervals. Great for plumping lost volume.

DIY I won’t leave home without a hand cream, ever! Just love Carita Progressif Lift Fermete Genesis of Youth For Hands, £62 (carita.co.uk), which works on age spots.

Refresh your face It’s temporary, but Silhouette Soft Thread Lift, around £1,700 (silhouettesoft.com), is fast becoming the No 1 go-to treatment as a “new-style scalpel-free facelift” to reintroduce facial contours in skin that has lost elasticity. Soluble threads inserted under the skin help lift with minimal downtime.

“Perfect for sagging jawlines, heavy brows and to give a fresh, rested, natural look,” says Dr Leah Totton who does her own Dr Leah Lift (drleah.co.uk).

NEED TO KNOW You may see redness at the points of insertion, and feel the thread under your skin for the first week.

DIY Play Skin (£89.99) is a hydrogel mask activated by the micro-currents of a smartphone to regenerate skin in only ten minutes.

A FIRMER NECK A sculptured jawline defies ageing by looking tauter and defined. That fleshy triangle of skin under the chin is called the submental triangle and can be improved not only by maintaining a regular weight, but also good posture.

I tried CoolSculpting CoolMini at The Cranley Clinic, from £800, a non-invasive procedure that freezes the fat cells – a cup applicator suctions the area – so the volume is reduced. It took six weeks before I noticed the benefit,

but I love it! I don’t necessarily like the looser skin that comes with it, since I’m 52 so it doesn’t shrink back, but my jawline is more shapely and I no longer have a double chin.

NEED TO KNOW If you are overweight, try to lose some weight beforehand: you’ll gain better results and will be working harder on the more stubborn fatty tissue, rather than any that would come off more quickly with a healthy balanced diet.

décolleté. Carry everything down, from your facial cleanser to your scrub, mask, serum and cream.

Teoxane RHA Hydrogel Mask, £42 for two (teoxane-beauty.co.uk), is a gel sheet mask with skin softening hyaluronic acid that includes a piece for your neck too. Expect instant plumping, firming and smoothing.

DIY Lavish the skin on your neck and

Lavish the skin on your neck and décolleté.

Carry everything down, from your cleanser to your scrub, mask, serum and cream LIFT ME UP A smaller bust

If you’re well-endowed, chances are, thanks to hormones, your breasts by age 40 or 50 may get disproportionately larger than the rest of your body. That’s why a breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty), is the top surgical treatment in patient satisfaction.

NEED TO KNOW Consult a board-certified plastic surgeon via BAAPS. Chances of getting it on the NHS are slim, so expect to pay between £6,000 and £10,000.

DIY Reduce sugar and saturated fats in your diet, work out well, doing a postural, body-contouring exercise such as Reformer Pilates and wear a fabulous bra. >>

Secret body

TWEAKMENTS

The eyes are the ultimate in body wellness. And when they look their best, you feel like dynamite, day and night

LOOK ME IN THE

EYE The single most ageing giveaway: your eyes

“Eyes up boys.”

Stop looking at my legs, my butt or my cleavage… my eyes hold more sensuality in them than any other part of my body. Across a crowded floor, they speak volumes without saying a word. Little wonder then, that when they start to sag and lose their perkiness midway through our thirties, if not before, we feel we’ve lost that ability to allure with one look, that cheeky “come hither”, as it’s now more “go wither” away. Stop! No more. Smooth, firm, tone and tighten. The eyes are the ultimate in body wellness. And when they look their best, you feel like dynamite, day and night.

Take off ten years

Consider blepharoplasty: I have at least six girlfriends who have invested in this procedure in the past 18 months. They are all ecstatic with the results and ready to do it again when the time comes for a top-up!

IT INVOLVES cutting into the fold of skin along the eyelid crease, removing a section that will ensure no hooded eyelids for the next ten years (so often inherited), to reveal a neater, firmer, shapelier eye that takes off a minimum of ten years from your face and your demeanour.

One volunteer, aged 53, says: “My eyes were still very much healing after four to six months, and looking back now at photos, they were quite puffy for a while.

It took about eight to 12 months for everything to look completely normal.

But the incision lines disappeared within weeks. I felt 90% back to normal after the general anaesthetic wore off post-op – so a couple of days – and 100% normal after the stitches came out two weeks later. Incredibly, I had no bruising, no pain; my eyes were just a bit puffy for a while. It’s very easy and I will do it again in ten years!”

Expect to pay anywhere between £3,000-£6,000 for blepharoplasty, again consult BAAPS for the best surgeons; baaps.org.uk

100% PATIENT

SATISFACTION

RAISE A BROW Until now many treatments, from Botox, fillers and laser, worked in isolation.

The CC Brow Lift – a non-surgical option to eyelid surgery – involves minimal but specific clever Botox placement in brows that relaxes the key muscle that dominates the brows,

An expressive face ages fastest!

then to soften the effect, Dr Nick Lowe. Expect a dose of non-invasive to pay around £800 Thermage skin tightening for Thermage radiofrequency (RF) (thermage.com), and across the forehead £400+ for Botox. and eyelids. This helps tighten skin by stimulating collagen #JoInTheKnow production. “By I’ve had Thermage on my combining these face to tighten skin. It’s like procedures you can lots of tiny, momentary stings get extremely good across skin; but it is bearable, results rather than a respected treatment, and I opting for surgery,” trust Dr Nick Lowe at The says dermatologist Cranley Clinic.

INSTANT LIFT The secret to ageless eyes is to show no signs of life! “An expressive face ages fastest,” says Dr Maryam Zamani.

That’s not going to happen. Laughter lines are beautiful. We don’t want to erase them, just care for them.

BABY LINES 30+…

Wear sunglasses and use Decléor Aurabsolu Intense Glow for Eyes, £30, which contains vitamins and caffeine.

EXPRESSION LINES 40+…

Use serum, then cream to soften and hydrate fine lines that can often be dehydration. Try Vichy LiftActiv Eyes Supreme Anti-wrinkle & Firming Care, £25, to nourish eyes and lashes, followed by Chanel Sublimage La Crème Yeux, £128, with its icy cool massage tool to stimulate blood flow for extra lift.

CREPEY 60+…

Thinking of surgery but daren’t go there? Olay Eyes Ultimate Eye Cream, £24.99, works on every concern, from dark circles and puffiness to wrinkles.

SMOKER ALL AGES… Smoking increases your need for antioxidant, so try MZ Skin Soothe & Smooth Collagen Activating Eye Complex, £90, with smoothing extracts and hyaluronic acid; then use MZ Hydra-Bright Golden Eye Treatment Mask, £65 for five pairs, with hyaluronic acid and collagen to plump up dryness and lines.

ITCHY, TIRED EYES ANYONE… Try Optrex Warming Eye Mask, £9.99 for eight. These masks activate on contact with the air, warming up to emit a gentle steam to soothe weary eyes. >>

Daily nutritional support during and after the

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Secret body

TWEAKMENTS

TREATMENTS TO TRY THE LIGHT SALON AT EXPRESSLED 1COWSHED

Cowshed offers LED bolt-ons to your mani or pedi. Choose ExpressLED Acne with blue light or ExpressLED Rejuvenation with brightening yellow. They wheel LED lamps to your chair, you relax while your polish dries, then leave groomed and glowing. From £35 for 15 minutes (cowshed.com)

PHOTOGRAPHS IAIN PHILPOTT HAIR DESMOND GRUNDY USING L’OREAL PROFESSIONAL MAKE-UP CLAIRE RAY USING ARMANI CLOTHING FIRST SPREAD AND THIS PAGE: GREY/WHITE SPORTS BRA, TEZENIS. GREY LEGGINGS AND WHITE TENNIS SKIRT, BOTH LULULEMON. PREVIOUS TWO SPREADS: GREY SPORTS BRA, DKNY

NEUTROGENA VISIBLY CLEAR LIGHT THERAPY 2 ACNE MASK A device with blue and red LED to kill bacteria and heal inflammation.

Pop the mask on, then 10 minutes later it shuts off. After a few weeks my spot-prone jawline is clear. £59.99, replacement activator (lasts 30 sessions), £14.99 (boots.com)

IS LED

THE NEW

LASER?

Less scary than laser, Fiona McKim reveals what light treatments can do for you

It’ a common skincare It’s ki conundrum; d you want more than any cream can give, but the idea of ouchy needles and lasers still makes you squirm.

Enter LED. Light has long been used by dermatologists at the fancier end of the market, but is now going mainstream, and with good reason. Firstly, it’s fast.

A few mere minutes of light is enough to yield results. Secondly, it’s versatile.

When LED light penetrates skin, it can boost a variety of functions determined by wavelength. So the shallowest, blue light, blitzes bacteria, red goes deeper, stimulating collagen, and infrared goes further still for an anti-inflammatory, healing response. Some results, like a nice glow, are immediate while some, like plumped skin or acne-clearing take a few sessions, but results you will absolutely get. Very effective yet non-invasive LED treatments feel relaxing with no pain and no downtime.

No wonder we’re all seeing the light. >>

LAUNDRY LASER & LIGHT FACIAL 3SKIN

This includes the pore-cleaning YAG laser, but the combination with light is perfection for faces, necks and chests. After a minute of “zapping” and a burning smell (dirt vaporising) comes intense pulsed light (IPL), which treats redness and pigmentation. It takes 15 minutes and my skin glowed after just one go. First facial free, £60 thereafter at Liberty London (skinlaundry.com)

BABY QUASAR MD PLUS 4 ANTI-AGEING DEVICE For face and body, combining four LEDs – two red, one amber, one infrared – a mix shown by NASA to speed healthy cell growth up to 200%. This means more collagen and elastin to fade scars, and firm crepey skin. The wide head treats large areas in three minutes. £559 (currentbody.com) woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 125

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Call 0845 399 0022 | Visit viviscal.co.uk Quote VSWH4517 for free p&p

Secret body

TWEAKMENTS woman&home

BODY

DOUBLE Just another day in the bathroom?

Essential body delights that make all skins that bit more divine for summer, reveals Jo GB

THE SMOOTHER

THE CLEANSER

Not your usual tub of body scrub, Alpha H Liquid Gold Luxe Resurfacing Body Cloths, £27 for 25, are handy double-sided glycolic acid body wipes, slightly akin to sandpaper one side and velvet the other, designed to smooth and buff skin pre-self-tan and even out skin tone, blemishes, bumpy skin, dry patches and even ingrown hairs.

You won’t need the sun to make your body feel fresh and summery with the utterly mouth-watering Treaclemoon Creamy Shower Mousse Water Melon Splash, £3.

THE SCULPTOR There are no get-fit-quick solutions, but the new Clarins Body Fit Anti-Cellulite Contouring Expert, £39, has caffeine and quince leaf extract found to work on not just one but three types of adipocytes, aka fat cells, that appear like cellulite.

Soaper Douper Yuzufruit & Fig Body Butter, £10, is a truly super-dry-skin formula with vitamin E, shea and cupuacu butter, plus sweet almond oil, that’s free from parabens and mineral oil, which can potentially dehydrate skin more.

THE PERFECTOR

THE SLEEP ENHANCER

Dove DermaSpa Summer Revived, £7.79 at boots.com, is this summer’s full body go-to for skin radiance. It gives a non-transferable, silky 3D gradual tan glow – simply massage onto clean bare skin every morning, before you dress.

Not just night-time – any time you need to pause and breathe, Bloom and Blossom Sleep NightTime Pillow Spray, £15, with frankincense, linden blossom, rose flower water and chamomile flower water, can help you create a new ritual of rest and peace for the senses.

The flexible, spiky surface of Calmia Restorative Massage Roller, £12.50, is amazingly effective at alleviating stiffness and boosting circulation. Stay seated and work across stiff shoulders, over upper legs and on soles of feet.

THE DETOXER

CREDIT NAME

THE TRANSFORMER

Magnesium salts from the pharmacy: one spoonful in a glass of warm water will purify and cleanse the colon (stay home when you try this) – or add handfuls to a bath to energise and boost your body from the outside in.

Alternatively, try soaking in Westlab Magnesium Flakes, £8.99 for 1kg.

THE MASSAGER

THE PEACEMAKER The incredible blackout capabilities of Iluminage Skin Rejuvenating Eye Mask, £25, ensure an undisturbed night’s sleep.

Plus, it’s plumped up with lavender, so you get the benefit of the anti-ageing copper oxide technology in the silk, with a more cushiony pillow for eyes. w&h

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World Class Luxury EXPERIENCE THE LUXURY AND HOSPITALITY OF A WORLD FAMOUS AWARD WINNING RESORT

CALL 01675 238 600 OR ENQUIRIES@THEBELFRY.COM www.TheBelfry.com

Belfryhotel

TheBelfryHotel

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NEW

EXPERIENCES TOURS HOLIDAYS Chosen for you!

HOLIDAY OF A LIFETIME THE PERFECT TIME TO GO!

See the beautiful

CHERRY BLOSSOM IN JAPAN EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE

SUNSHINE ESCAPE

The gardens of

MADEIRA with Joe Swift

WELLNESS BREAK

Walk your way to fitness in SPAIN

PLUS

EARLY BIRD OFFER!

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE DURRELLS

IN CORFU

SEE THE

CHERRY BLOSSOM

ON THE

ULTIMATE TOUR OF JAPAN What could be more beautiful than springtime in Japan?

Stunning pink blooms transform this fascinating country and our exclusive tour makes the very best of the blossom *PLUS PICK YOUR OWN EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE

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odern and ancient at the same time, Japan is a truly iconic destination. But one of the unique and most beguiling experiences it offers is that of Hanami – cherry blossom viewing.

Each spring, the nation waits expectantly for the first buds of the delicate pink cherry blossom – known as Sakura – which usually appears between March and May. There’s even a televised Cherry Blossom Forecast, giving a petal-by-petal analysis of the advance of the blooms!

Planning the perfect trip can be daunting so we’ve teamed up with

Wendy Wu, the No 1 tour operator to Asia, to offer w&h readers the ultimate escorted tour of Japan and Hanami experience.

During this “once in a lifetime” nine-day adventure, you won’t miss a thing – from the unforgettable cities of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, to the stunning beauty of Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi, the awesome speed of Japan’s famous bullet train, the invigorating hot springs of a Japanese “onsen” and an overnight stay at a traditional Ryokan inn.

Each day of your trip will be filled with unmissable sights,

sounds and flavours.

You’ll also have the chance to pick your personal favourite from a range of exclusive experiences – such as practising Zen meditation in Kyoto, learning the art of formal Kimono-wearing in Tokyo or taking part in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony – which are offered to each guest as a complimentary part of your trip (see box, right).

So if seeing the wonders of Japan and the glorious cherry blossom has always been a dream of yours, this exclusive woman&home escorted tour is the ultimate way to make it a reality.

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EARLY BIRD OFFER!

Book before the end of May to claim a £200 discount†

EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE

*PICK YOUR OWN EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE! This unique w&h itinerary also gives you the chance to choose one of the following exclusive Japanese experiences – at no extra cost. Each reader will be able to choose which of these four fabulous extra experiences they want to do at the time of booking. Spaces are limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

KIMONO EXPERIENCE, TOKYO Experience first-hand the art of formal kimono dressing in this quintessentially Japanese garment, which is worn by both men and women, to explore Tokyo’s Asakusa district and the Buddhist temple complex of Senso-ji.

TEA CEREMONY Take part in a Japanese tea ceremony under the guidance of an experienced instructor. A centuries-old tradition, typically accompanied by Japanese

sweets, the tea ceremony is an important part of Japanese culture and usually involves the drinking of green matcha tea.

GEISHA DRESS UP, KYOTO (Women only) With the help of dressers and make-up artists, you will be transformed into one of Japan’s most instantly recognisable characters, the Geisha, including their full, beautifully intricate make-up.

ZEN MEDITATION, KYOTO Learn the art of basic meditation at Kodai-ji, a 17th-century temple and centre of Zen Buddhism set in classical Zen gardens. While you may not reach transcendence at your first attempt, the act of meditating in a tranquil temple setting is the perfect way to experience this important element of Japanese culture. >> Maiko geisha, and, main image, Mount Fuji

Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto

PERFECT TIME TO GO We’ve picked out the best time for you to visit Japan to see the incredible cherry blossom in full bloom

Cherry blossom at night in Tokyo

“Floating” torii gates

Your ultimate Japan itinerary DAYS 1-2

FLY TO TOKYO Fly overnight to Tokyo, Japan’s vibrant and cutting-edge capital. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel where you have the rest of the day to settle in.

DAY 3

WANDER AMONG THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS Tokyo is a city that’s always moving forward. But as modern as it may appear, behind the neon facade is a more traditional side to Tokyo that you’ll discover in the old alleyways, temples and shrines of Edo. Today, you will experience both sides of the city: ascending the soaring Tokyo Skytree,

132 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

exploring the celebrated Senso-ji Temple and vibrant Asakusa district in your own time. Then wander among the incredible cherry blossoms in Ueno Park – the most photographed cherry blossom scene in the world – and delight in the unusual tradition of Sakura (cherry blossoms in Japanese).

This evening, cruise the waters of Tokyo Bay, with welcome drinks and dinner: it’s the perfect vantage point from which to admire the supercharged lights of Tokyo at night.

DAY 4

MOUNT FUJI Today you will leave Tokyo and travel by coach to Odawara. From here, you will learn more

about Japan’s most iconic landmark at the Fuji Visitor Centre before getting a picture-perfect view of the mountain in all its glory from Oishi Park, with Lake Kawaguchiko in the foreground. Next, you will take a cruise on spectacular Lake Ashi, keeping an eye out for the bright vermillion torii gates that bestride both the surrounding hillsides and shallows of the lake itself. You may even catch a glimpse of the cone of Mount Fuji peering over the hills – although once you have flown high above the lake on the Komagatake Ropeway cable car, the views of Mount Fuji will be breathtaking. You will then travel by coach

back to Hakone for an overnight stay in a Ryokan or traditional Japanese inn.

This will give you a true taste of traditional Japan.

Here you will sleep in a tatami mat room, which has a minimalist style and includes Japanese futon bedding: a comfortable mattress laid directly onto the floor and a warm, down duvet.

DAY 5

BULLET TRAIN TO KYOTO Today you will speed through the countryside in supreme comfort in one of Japan’s famous bullet-trains to another must-see destination: Kyoto. On arrival, you’ll have the rest

Tokyo’s skyscape at night

The city of Nara

What’s included SEA OF JAPAN

DAYS 5-6 KYOTO DAYS 8-9 OSAKA DAY 7 NARA

JA

PA

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DAYS 1-3 TOYKO

DAYS 4 MT FUJI PACIFIC OCEAN

of the day free to soak up the incredible history of this unique city. Why not make your way down to the famous district of Gion, where Geisha can be seen shuffling along the cobbled streets in their kimonos and geta (tall wooden clogs)?

PHOTOGRAPHS SHUTTERSTOCK

DAY 6

ANCIENT

KYOTO The capital of Japan for a millennium, Kyoto was also the heart of the country’s religion, philosophy, art and cuisine, making it a treasure trove of Japanese history and culture. Japan’s best known cultural arts were born here: the tea ceremony, Kabuki and Geisha to name just three. Here you will discover the markets and temple of Kiyomizu, enjoy the surrounding gardens of the haunting Shinto

✢ Return flights ✢ Domestic transport in Japan ✢ All accommodation ✢ All breakfasts and four dinners, plus lunches in Nara and Osaka ✢ Overnight stay at a Ryokan inn ✢ All activities and excursions ✢ Touring with expert guides and entrance fees ✢ National Escort for groups over 10 ✢ Your choice of one exclusive experience per guest (see previous page) ✢ Please note that tipping is not expected nor customary in Japan

shrine, Fushimi Inari, and the golden pavilion of Kinkaku-ji.

The rest of the day is free to spend as you wish.

DAY 7

DISCOVER NARA Another former Japanese capital, the compact, picturesque city of Nara also has a wonderful cultural legacy and is endlessly charming. During your visit you will have the chance to see the magnificent bronze statue of Buddha at Todaiji.

The grounds of the temple are occupied by Sika Deer, thought to be messengers of the Shinto gods, and later you will be able to stroll through beautiful Isuien Gardens. Then you will travel by coach to Osaka, where you have the rest of the day free to start discovering the city.

DAY 8

EXPLORE OSAKA Visit magnificent Osaka Castle before discovering the foodie haven that is the Dotonbori District, where you’ll sample delicious local flavours at lunch before taking a cruise on the Yodogawa River. This evening you will have the chance to toast your unforgettable tour of Japan over dinner in Osaka.

DAY 9

FLY HOME Say farewell to Osaka and your “once in a lifetime” adventures in Japan, including the magnificent cherry blossom, before you transfer to the airport for your flights back home to the UK, arriving home on the same day.

THE DATES 2-10 April 2018 THE PRICE from £4,299pp** **Based on two sharing. Single supplement: £890. †Reduced price available for bookings made before the end of May 2017. Price then reverts to full price of £4,500. This trip is ABTA bonded and ATOL protected. For full terms & conditions, visit: womanandhome.com/japantour

HOW TO BOOK Call 0800 0449 988 Quote ref TSJAPAN FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT womanandhome.com/ japantour

OUR PARTNERS The travel experts It is hard to fully explore and experience this unique country without a first-class guide, so we’ve teamed up with Wendy Wu Tours, the UK’s leading Asia specialist, whose expert guides will help you navigate Japan, and understand its past and future; wendywutours.co.uk Tripsmiths is the pioneering travel company that partners with the world’s leading tour operators and select global media brands to deliver exclusive travel experiences to their customers; tripsmiths.com

woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 133

EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF

The Durrells Magical Corfu is home to ITV’s The Durrells, and we’d love you to join us on this unforgettable holiday. Our exclusive experience is to meet the naturalist LEE DURRELL, wife of Gerald, to explore some of the Durrell family’s favourite places – as featured in the TV show

EXCLUSIVE S SIGNED BOOK e

d receiv Book this tour an of Gerald on iti ed a hardback Corfu Trilogy Durrell’s The books that – the brilliant t TV drama inspired the hi e Durrell – signed by Lef. hersel

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“The magic of Gerald Durrell’s childhood can still be experienced, and it will be a privilege i il for f me to watch as the sun, sea and flower-filled olive groves that so beguiled the young LUXURY HOTEL Gerry once again weave their spell.” YOUR You’ll be staying in one of the Lee Durrell, naturalist, writer and film-maker

A

aside from Keeley Hawes, who plays a British widow who moved her family to Corfu in 1935, one of the biggest stars of ITV’s drama The Durrells is the island itself. Based on Gerald Durrell’s wonderful books, including My Family and Other Animals, the second series starts this month and, once again, many of us will start dreaming about visiting the sundrenched Greek island. In fact, it’s almost impossible to read the books or watch the hit show without thinking, “I wish my family had moved to Corfu!”

So this is your chance to go on an unforgettable five-day woman&home holiday, which includes some fantastic treats for Durrells fans.

During this exclusive Corfu experience, you’ll get the chance to meet the famous naturalist, author and TV presenter Lee Durrell, who’ll give you a talk about her family’s love affair with the island and her late husband Gerald’s pioneering role in wildlife conservation. Lee will also accompany you on a visit to some of the Durrell family’s favourite places in Corfu.

We have arranged the very best luxury accommodation for your stay on the island – the five-star MarBella Hotel (right) – and you’ll also get the chance to take a cruise on the Ionian Sea to Parga and the tiny, unspoilt island of Paxos. Plus there will be plenty of time to relax by the pool or on the hotel’s private beach, and to explore Corfu at your own pace.

So instead of daydreaming about The Durrells, why don’t you come and meet one on the Mediterranean island that was the family’s home? >>

EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE

most luxurious and relaxing hotels in Corfu: the five-star MarBella Hotel (marbella.gr), which overlooks the Ionian Sea. Sunbathe around the pool or on the hotel’s private beach and unwind in the Wellness & Spa Centre. It’s the perfect base from which to explore this beautiful, historic island.

SPECIAL OFFER! Book now to receive a free spa treatment** at the MarBella Hotel or go on a free Corfu bird-watching trip.

THE GERALD DURRELL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION TRUST Founded in 1963 by the great naturalist and author, the Gerald Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is a truly pioneering wildlife charity. Its mission, which has never been more vital, is to save species from extinction, focusing on the most threatened species in the most threatened places. If you would like to find out more about the Durrells’ conservation work, make a donation or enjoy a day out at Jersey Zoo, set up by Gerald Durrell on the island of Jersey, go to durrell.org

woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 135

What’s included RFU

CORFU TOWN MOUSE ISLAND

The White House at Kalami Bay

ACHILLEION PALACE MARBELLA HOTEL TO PARGA AND PAXOS

³

IONIAN SEA

Your unforgettable itinerary

DAY 1

WELCOME TO CORFU

Following your flight from London to Corfu, you will arrive at your luxurious home for the next four nights: the five-star MarBella Hotel. In the afternoon, ease into your holiday with an optional guided walking tour through picturesque Corfu Town, taking in the famous Spianada Square and the 16th-century St Spyridon Church, one of the island’s iconic sights. Welcome drinks and dinner awaits you at the MarBella Hotel.

DAY 2

AN EVENING WITH LEE DURRELL, GERALD’S WIFE

You’ll start today with a visit to one Corfu’s must-see destinations: the Achilleion Palace and museum. You will enjoy a private guided tour of the 100-year-old villa, which is filled with statues and other mementoes of its former royal owners: Empress Elisabeth of Austria and Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany. There will also be a chance to see the house where Gerald Durrell’s friend and mentor Theo once lived before lunch in Corfu Town.

The afternoon is free for you to discover more of Corfu Town at your leisure, or to relax and make

use of the swimming pool, spa and private beach at your hotel. ✢ EXCLUSIVE W&H EXPERIENCE

This evening, while dining at the MarBella Hotel, you’ll meet the famous naturalist and writer Lee Durrell, who will give a fascinating talk about the Durrell family’s long love affair with Corfu and its wildlife, and tell the story of her and Gerald’s pioneering work for the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, which Gerald founded in 1963.

DAY 3

DISCOVERING THE DURRELLS

Inspired by meeting Lee, you’ll visit some of the unforgettable locations that millions of viewers have fallen in love with while watching The Durrells. ✢ EXCLUSIVE W&H EXPERIENCE

Lee Durrell will accompany you as you follow in the footsteps of the Durrells, first by seeing the exterior of two of the villas the family lived in, the Daffodil-Yellow Villa and SnowWhite Villa, and then taking a trip to Pontikonisi, or Mouse Island, a place that Gerald and his sister Margo both loved to visit. The venue for lunch today is another favourite of the Durrells: the taverna in the famous White House in Kalami, the beautiful building on the north-east coast of Corfu that was once their family

home. This afternoon your adventure continues with the chance to see some of the picture-perfect villages in the north of the island.

DAY 4

IONIAN CRUISE

Corfu and the Ionian coast is famous for its dazzling cobalt-blue seas and today you will take a cruise from Corfu to Parga, where you will have time to explore this picturesque coastal port and have lunch at a local restaurant before sailing on to the tiny, unspoilt island of Paxos, where after further time to explore, you will sail back to Corfu in time for your farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY 5

THE DATES 19-23 May 2018 THE PRICE £1,595pp* *Based on two sharing. Single supplement: £200. **Subject to availability. One complimentary spa treatment per booking. This trip is ABTOT bonded and ATOL protected.

For full terms & conditions visit: womanandhome.com/corfu

HOW TO BOOK Call 01334 408 936 Quote ref TSCORFU FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT

RETURNING HOME

womanandhome.com/corfu

You will be transferred back to Corfu airport to check-in for your return flight to London.

OUR PARTNERS The travel experts

EXTEND YOUR TRIP! Don’t want to go home? For those who’d like to stay in Corfu a little longer, we have arranged an optional, great value two-day extension for an additional £295 for two people, including airport transfer. Please call our tour operator on the booking number to find out more.

For more on The Durrells, see our exclusive behind-the-scenes feature on page 46

Brightwater Holidays is an award-winning travel operator specialising in garden and specialist-interest escorted tours worldwide: brightwaterholidays.com Tripsmiths is the pioneering travel company that partners with the world’s leading tour operators and select global media brands to deliver exclusive travel experiences to their customers: tripsmiths.com

PHOTOGRAPHS COLIN STEVENSON, SHUTTERSTOCK

CO

Corfu Town

THE WHITE HOUSE AT KALAMI

✢ Return flights and transfers ✢ Four nights accommodation at the five-star MarBella Hotel ✢ Free spa treatment** and bird-watching trip ✢ Ionian Sea cruise to Parga and Paxos ✢ Exclusive dinner, evening talk and Q&A with Lee Durrell ✢ Trips with Lee to locations used in the filming of ITV’s The Durrells ✢ A hardback copy of Gerald Durrell’s The Corfu Trilogy, signed by Lee ✢ All breakfasts and dinners on three of your four nights in Corfu, a special lunch at the taverna in the White House at Kalami and lunch in the port of Parga ✢ All trips and excursions listed below ✢ The services of an expert Brightwater tour guide

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THE GARDENS OF

EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE

MADEIRA with Joe Swift Love Chelsea? Be inspired by one of the horticultural show’s favourite presenters on this green-fingered tour of Madeira’s most beautiful gardens…

“I’ve always wanted to visit Madeira, ‘the floating garden in the Atlantic’. Its climate is ideal for growing a huge range of plants and there are fantastic gardens to visit.”

Joe Swift, Gardeners’ World presenter Thanks to its balmy subtropical climate, Madeira is home to many of the world’s most beautiful gardens. So imagine exploring these horticultural heavens in the company of the UK’s top garden designer, writer and TV presenter – Joe Swift.

We have joined forces with Joe to offer this exclusive six-day experience, during which you’ll get the benefit of Joe’s huge expertise – he’s been presenting Gardeners’ World for almost 20 years and will be reporting at RHS Chelsea Flower Show this month with our cover star, Sophie Raworth.

You’ll get private tours with Joe around the island’s most famous gardens, take a scenic walk with him along the levadas – Madeira’s famous network of canals – and join him for dinner and an exclusive Q&A. You’ll also enjoy afternoon tea at the famous Belmond Reid’s Palace, plus relax at your five-star hotel, the Meliá Madeira Mare.

It’s an absolute must for anyone passionate about plants and gardening. See you there! >>

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The Monte Palace Tropical Garden

You’ll tour Madeira’s Botanical Gardens with Joe Swift

Belmond Reid’s Palace, where you’ll enjoy a fabulous afternoon tea

Your exclusive itinerary

DAY 1

WELCOME TO MADEIRA

After flying direct from London to Madeira, you will be transferred to your luxurious home for the next five nights: the five-star Meliá Madeira Mare hotel in Funchal.

The afternoon is free to relax and explore the island before this evening’s welcome buffet dinner at one of Meliá Madeira Mare’s excellent restaurants.

DAY 2

MADEIRA’S BEST GARDENS WITH JOE SWIFT

Your green-fingered adventure starts in earnest today with visits to some of the most beautiful gardens in Madeira. ✢ EXCLUSIVE W&H EXPERIENCE

The famous garden designer and Gardeners’ World presenter Joe Swift will be joining you for a morning tour of the spectacular 138 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

gardens of Quinta do Palheiro, which are dramatically set in the hills to the east of Funchal.

Together with Joe, you will then have the chance to explore another must-see attraction: the Botanical Gardens, where you will receive a private tour from the garden’s curator and get the chance to ask Joe about the 2,000 varieties of plant on show, often in stunningly designed geometric patterns. Joe will also be joining you for a special lunch at a local restaurant before, in the afternoon, you explore a hand-picked selection of privately owned gardens in and around Funchal. ✢ EXCLUSIVE W&H EXPERIENCE

During this evening’s dinner, Joe will give a fascinating private talk about his successful career as a garden designer, journalist and TV presenter, featuring behind-

the-scenes stories about his 20-year stint as a presenter of Gardeners’ World, and Joe’s expert insights as to what makes a truly great garden. There will also be the chance to ask him your gardening questions!

DAY 3

WALKING THE LEVADAS WITH JOE SWIFT

After spending the previous day exploring Madeira’s wonderful gardens, you now have the chance to discover some of the other breathtaking highlights this special island has to offer. ✢ EXCLUSIVE W&H EXPERIENCE

In the morning, Joe will accompany you for a gentle stroll along the levadas, Madeira’s ancient system of aqueducts and

canals that was first developed in the 16th century to bring water from the rainy north to irrigate crops such as sugar, bananas and grapes growing in the sunsoaked south. In total, more than 2,500km of levadas criss-cross the island – though, don’t worry, you won’t have to walk them all! You have the afternoon free to relax at your five-star hotel or explore more of Madeira at your leisure before dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY 4

FROM MONTE TO BELMOND REID’S PALACE

You will start today on a high with a 10-minute cable car ride to Monte, a pretty village perched in the hills above Funchal that’s

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Bird of paradise flower

Coral trees

EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE

YOUR FIVE-STAR HOTEL You’ll be staying in style in the five-star Meliá Madeira Mare in the Madeiran capital of Funchal. Known for its friendly and efficient service, it boasts both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, an excellent health spa and fitness centre, and a choice of first-rate bars and restaurants, all with fantastic ocean views.

What’s included

PHOTOGRAPH SHUTTERSTOCK

Mountains in Madeira

home to your next destination: the Monte Palace Tropical Garden, which covers more than 70,000 square metres and showcases a tremendous collection of exotic plants – together with an accompanying band of ducks, swans, chickens and peacocks.

After your tour of the gardens, you will have the option of taking part in one of Madeira’s most treasured traditions: a 10-minute toboggan ride where you’ll slide down the streets from Monte to Funchal in traditional wicker toboggans. It’s safer than it sounds!

The historical theme continues this afternoon with a visit to another Madeiran institution, Belmond Reid’s Palace (belmond. com/reidspalace), built in the 1890s by the Scotsman William

✢ Return flights and transfers ✢ Five nights five-star accommodation at the Meliá Madeira Mare hotel ✢ All breakfasts, four dinners and two lunches, including a special lunch with Joe Swift during your tour of Madeira’s finest gardens, plus a luxury afternoon tea at Belmond Reid’s Palace ✢ Exclusive dinner, Q&A and private talk from Joe Swift ✢ Guided tours of Madeira’s best gardens in the company of Joe ✢ A guided walk with Joe along the levadas, Madeira’s famous network of canals ✢ All excursions and activities listed in the itinerary ✢ The services of an expert Brightwater tour guide Reid and host to celebrities, royalty – and Winston Churchill while he wrote his wartime memoirs. As well as visiting the hotel’s beautiful sloping gardens, you will also have the chance to enjoy its famous hospitality during an afternoon tea of finger sandwiches, fresh scones and homemade pastries, with jam, butter, cream and your choice of tea. The rest of the evening is free for you to enjoy at your leisure – perhaps with a seaside stroll to walk off the cream…

DAY 5

A TOUR OF MADEIRA

This morning you’ll venture even further afield with an expert guided tour of the island, featuring sightseeing trips to

two impressive scenic viewpoints, at Pico de Barcelo and Eira do Cerrado, before you return to Funchal for lunch at a local restaurant.

The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy the Madeiran sun or explore your favourite parts of the island at your own pace. This evening’s farewell dinner at a local restaurant also features a live show of Madeiran folk dancing.

DAY 6

RETURNING HOME

After saying goodbye to Madeira and the five-star comforts of the Meliá Madeira Mare hotel, you will be transferred to Funchal airport for your direct flight back to London.

THE DATES 19-24 March 2018 THE PRICE £1,670pp* *Based on two sharing. Single supplement: £275. This trip is ABTOT bonded and ATOL protected. For full terms & conditions visit: womanandhome.com/madeira

HOW TO BOOK Call 01334 408 934 Quote ref TSMADEIRA FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT womanandhome.com/ madeira

OUR PARTNERS The travel experts Brightwater Holidays is an award-winning travel operator specialising in gardening-themed and specialistinterest escorted tours worldwide; brightwaterholidays.com Tripsmiths is the pioneering travel company that partners with the world’s leading tour operators and select global media brands to deliver exclusive travel experiences to their customers; tripsmiths.com

woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 139

EXCLUSIVE WELLNESS BREAK

EARLY BIRD OFFER! Book before the end of May and get a £100 discount *

Join our WALKACTIVE HOLIDAYin Spain!

W

e’d love you to join us on our fabulous new fitness holiday to Andalucia. We know walking is your favourite way to get in shape, so we’ve asked Joanna Hall, founder of the highly effective WalkActive programme, to pack her bags and offer you an exclusive w&h programme in Spain.

Our five-day break this October combines plenty of time to relax and enjoy the late summer sun, as well as learn her brilliant WalkActive technique. And where better place to practise this than own the Costa del Sol? The results are dramatic and have been scientifically verified to anti-age your posture, reduce the impact on your joints, increase your walking speed and improve your shape.

This is a holiday that will give you back your body – and your confidence!

140 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

Your itinerary

DAY 1

After your BA flight direct from London’s Heathrow to Gibraltar, transfer to Hotel Almenara. This evening you are invited to a welcome dinner and Q&A event, where you will meet Joanna Hall and her team of WalkActive trainers.

DAYS 2-4

The next three days will be all about teaching you the WalkActive programme, with morning and late afternoon educational workshops and workouts. You will get lots of feedback from Joanna and her expert team – on your technique and where you need to improve – so you look better, feel better and perform better – all through walking.

As well as enjoying breakfast and dinner each day, you’ll have full use

WALK W WITH W JJOANNA HALL H Jo oanna Hall, cr creator and fo founder of W WalkActive, is one is e of tth the e UK UK’s K’ leading diet and movement specialists. She regularly appears on television and radio and was the resident fitness expert on ITV’s This Morning for three years.

“You’ll benefit from at least 15 hours of tuition from me and my expert team but also have plenty of downtime – this isn’t a boot camp!” of Hotel Almenara’s facilities, including the Elysium Spa & Wellness Centre, swimming pool, gym and golf course.

DAY5

After breakfast, transfer to Gibraltar Airport for your direct flight back to London with a spring in your step.

PHOTOGRAPH SHUTTERSTOCK

We’ve joined forces with Joanna Hall, creator of WalkActive, to offer our first ever healthy holiday to Spain. Learn her WalkActive technique in the sunshine and around the grounds of your beautiful luxury hotel

w&h

The inviting outdoor pool at Hotel Almenara

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EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE THE DATES 11-15 October 2017 THE PRICE From £1,295pp* *Based on two sharing. Price and £370 single supplement applies to bookings made before the end of May. Then the price reverts to the standard £1,395, with a £395 single supplement. This trip is ABTOTbonded and ATOL-protected.

For full terms & conditions visit: womanandhome.com/walkactive

What is WalkActive?

It’s about reconnecting with the way your body should move – naturally, smoothly, effectively.

In short, it’s about walking the RIGHT way. You’ll learn how to minimise joint impact and potential knee and back pain, while optimising your posture. It works from the inside out, teaching your body to do the simplest of things correctly.

You can use the technique any time you’re walking to dramatically improve your body shape.

The luxurious Hotel Almenara

Relax at the hotel’s Elysium Spa

Your luxury hotel The beautiful Hotel Almenara is close to Sotogrande, one of the most exclusive resorts on the Costa del Sol. Built in a villa style, each of the air-conditioned guest bedrooms has a king- or queen-sized bed, a marble bathroom with make-up mirrors and body massage showers, a TV and either a garden terrace or balcony.

The hotel’s facilities include a mezzanine bar, from which an elegant staircase leads up to the Gaia restaurant, which serves traditional Andalusian cuisine and has a spectacular outside terrace with panoramic views over Sotogrande.

The hotel’s superb Elysium Spa & Wellness Centre includes a hydrothermal water circuit, a Finnish sauna, Turkish hammam and ice bath – perfect to relax and recuperate in after a day practising your WalkActive technique.

If you just want to chill out and sunbathe there’s an outdoor swimming pool, while the shops, restaurants and yachting marina of Sotogrande are just a 15-minute drive away.

HOW TO BOOK Call 020 8115 8538 Quote ref TSWALK For more information visit

womanandhome. com/walkactive OUR PARTNERS THE TRAVEL EXPERTS Healing Holidays is the UK’s leading independent spa specialist, with a dedicated and highly knowledgeable team who create trips to the world’s very best spas, retreats and clinics; healingholidays.co.uk Tripsmiths is a pioneering travel and media company that partners with the world’s leading tour operators and select global media brands to deliver truly unique and exclusive travel experiences to their customers; tripsmiths.com

What’s included ✢ Direct return flights with British Airways ✢ Four nights four-star accommodation including dinner and breakfast every day ✢ Welcome dinner with a WalkActive Q&A session ✢ Three full days exclusive WalkActive programme ✢ Expert training and guidance from Joanna and her team ✢ Free use of the spa and wellness centre ✢ Private airport transfers ✢ Airline departure taxes ✢ Services of an expert Healing Holidays tour manager woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 141

woman&home

The magic of

Balloons over Bagan

MYANMAR w&h experiences: ✢ Sundowners at the top of Mandalay Hill ✢ One-night river cruise from Mandalay to Bagan ✢ A traditional horse and cart ride around Bagan ✢

Climb to the top of Mount Popa ✢ A balloon ride over Bagan (optional, supplement applies) ✢

A boat ride on Inle Lake and lunch at a floating restaurant

SPECIAL OFFER!

The first 10 readers to book will receive a free 5-star luxury stopover in Kuala Lumpur

Formerly known as Burma, it’s a country whose THERE’S NOWHERE QUITE LIKE landscapes have barely changed MYANMAR. in centuries – from the thousand temples scattered across the plains of Bagan and the floating gardens of Inle Lake, to the majestic Ayeyarwady river and the gleaming pagodas of Yangon. And there is no tour quite like this one.

Staying in the country’s finest hotels, you’ll enjoy exclusive experiences on a magical 12-day journey that you’ll never forget.

THE DATES 16-27 October 2017 THE PRICE From £3,495pp HOW TO BOOK Call 020 8115 9636 Quote ref TSMYANMAR Visit womanandhome. com/myanmartour

✢

Take part in the lighting of oil lamps at Shwedagon Pagoda ✢ Shopping in the markets of Yangon, and a farewell lunch

POMPEII the Amalfi Coast

&

TO VISIT POMPEII is to experience at first-hand life in the Roman Empire – and the terrible fate that befell its citizens in 79 AD, when Mount Vesuvius erupted. With several sites recently reopened after years of delicate conservation, there has never been a better time to go.

Plus you have the unique chance

View from the Villa Rufolo in Ravello

to explore the site in the company of Dr Margaret Mountford, the distinguished ancient historian who has also starred with Alan Sugar on The Apprentice. What’s more, you have the beautiful Bay of Naples and Amalfi Coast to explore during your stay, with time to enjoy the stunning coastal towns of Sorrento, Positano and Ravello.

The Temple of Apollo

THE DATES

THE PRICE from £1,530pp HOW TO BOOK Call 01722 515 734 Quote ref TSPOMP Visit womanandhome. com/pompeiitour 42 woman&home 14 o a & o e A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE U

What’s included: ✢ All flights, transfers and transport ✢ Four nights four-star accommodation in Naples ✢ A fascinating talk and Q&A from Margaret Mountford during a private dinner ✢ An expert guided tour of the Roman villa of Oplontis with Dr Mountford ✢ All breakfasts, three lunches and three dinners ✢ All excursions and entrance fees

PHOTOGRAPH SHUTTERSTOCK

✢ 27 Sept-1 Oct 2017 ✢ 28 Sept-2 Oct 2017

w&h wom m ma an& a &home & e

travel n

EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCES

Taj Mahal and, top right, City Palace, Udaipur

NEW DATES ADDED!

BY POPULAR DEMAND

The real

Marigold hotel tour

O

DAY 1 DELHI O

O DAY 2 AGRA

DAYS 3 & 4 JAIPUR

INDIA

O DAY 7 KHEMPUR DAYS 8-10 O UDAIPUR O DAYS 5 & 6 BIJAIPUR

Bay of Bengal

WITH AUTHOR DEBORAH MOGGACH

What’s included

I

t’s impossible to watch The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and its endearing cast of characters without thinking, “I must go to India and experience it for myself.” And clearly you agree: our Real Marigold Hotel tour has proved so popular, we’ve added an extra set of dates for February 2018. w&h’s exclusive 10-day tour takes in unmissable sights – including the

w&h experiences:

% Meet The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel author Deborah Moggach for a pre-tour talk and Q&A % Stay at the real Best Exotic Marigold hotel (right) % Witness the beauty of the Taj Mahal at sunset % Explore the Amber Fort, City Palace and Palace of the Winds in the “Pink City” of Jaipur % Relax at the historic Castle Bijaipur % Enjoy a private bullock cart ride % Explore the gardens and palaces of Udaipur

Taj Mahal, the “Pink City” of Jaipur, and Udaipur – the “Venice of the East”, plus you’ll hear an exclusive talk from The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’s writer Deborah Moggach (pictured), stay in some wonderful hotels – from the lavish Narwain Palace to stunning Castle Bijaipur – and enjoy a night in the real Best Exotic Marigold hotel itself.

✢ All accommodation ✢ Most meals ✢ All transport ✢ Wild Frontiers tour leader

and expert local guides ✢ All excursions and fees

THE DATES 11-20 Nov 2017 or 15-24 Feb 2018 THE PRICE From £1,780pp TRAVELLING SOLO & SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS There is a single supplement for this trip of £425, which will cover you for all nights of the tour. If you are travelling alone (like 70% of Wild Frontiers’ travellers) and would prefer not to pay the single supplement, we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip. HOTELS Accommodation in the itinerary is always subject to availability; if hotels do change they will be of equivalent standards of quality and comfort. FLIGHTS If you would like us to send you a quote for our suggested flights to and from the UK for this trip, please let us know. We would be happy to arrange all international flights to/from the UK and arrival/departure transfers for you. OUR TOUR OPERATOR is ABTOT-bonded, ATOL-protected and a member of AITO.

OUR PARTNERS: THE TRAVEL EXPERTS

HOW TO BOOK Call 0208 033 5984 Quote ref TSINDIA FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT womanandhome.com/indiatour

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The

THIS DIET IS FOR YOU IF… Previous diets have failed

snacking

because they’ve left you hungry You like to eat regularly You love to snack You often feel low in energy You want to be sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need You don’t want to give up all of your favourite foods

DIET EAT SIX TIMES A DAY… & STILL LOSE WEIGHT!

Yes you can with our brand-new diet created by dietitian Juliette Kellow.

Start today and lose up to 7lb in four weeks – without ever feeling hungry!

M

ost of us associate dieting with limiting how much and how often we eat. So the idea of following a plan that lets us eat six times a day AND gives us proper meals may seem far-fetched.

But, say nutrition experts, it can be a winning formula to lose weight, especially if we struggle with energy dips or like to snack.

Many nutritionists agree that eating lots of mini meals can make it easier to stick with a diet, so we’re more likely to reach our goal. Eating every three hours or so means blood sugar levels stay steadier, preventing drops that leave us tired and seeking out sugary foods to boost flagging energy levels.

We’ve created the perfect plan that allows you to eat six meals a day! Just choose one meal from each of the six sections every day – each has about 250 calories, totalling 1,500 a day.

POTS AND PLATES BOX Bllac B la acck+blum lunch bowl, £ £16.

69 95 5, jo ohnlewis.com

Bentology bento box, £12.99, lakeland.co.uk St Stor orag age bo ag box, £ £1, Poundland

EXAMPLE OF A TYPICAL DAY 7AM Scrambled eggs with spinach and tomatoes (Protein packers) 10AM Fruit salad & yogurt (Fruit fixes) 1PM Tuna, asparagus and bean salad (Fibre fillers) 4PM Homemade guacamole with crudités (Vegetable picks) 7PM Jacket potato with cheese and coleslaw (Carb comforters) 10PM Chocolate, banana and peanut butter milkshake (Bone boosters)

Vegetable picks V THREE OF YOUR FIVE A DAY

uc Co

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CHOOSE ONE A DAY C V are low in fat and Veg provide fibre and vitamins. p All these dishes provide at A least three of your five-a-day. le

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Couscous stuffed peppers V C Cut 1 red pepper in half engthways and fill with le a mix of 4tbsp cooked ccouscous, 1 chopped to tomato, 2 chopped spring o onions, lemon juice, garlic a and parsley. Top with ¼ ball re educed-fat mozzarella and b bake until tender.

Greek prawn salad Make with ¼ cucumber, 2 tomatoes, ½ green pepper, ½ red onion, 50g reducedfat feta, 75g cooked prawns, fa 5 olives, 1tbsp fat-free Greek yyogurt and lemon juice.

Jacket potato with sweetcorn salsa V 1 medium jacket potato with

% %

CHOOSE ONE A DAY Fibre keeps our digestive system healthy and fills us up – great news for dieters.

% %

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%

FIBRE HELPS FILL YOU UP

paragus and b ean a, as n u T sa la d

Houmous and carrot pitta V 1 wholemeal pitta filled with 3tbsp reduced-fat houmous and 1 grated carrot.

Tuna, asparagus and bean salad Make with ½ can cannellini beans in water (drained), ½ can tuna in water (drained), 5 steamed asparagus spears, cucumber, 1 tomato, 5 olives and 3tbsp fat-free dressing.

Apricot cereal V 6tbsp branflakes with 3 dried apricots and skimmed milk.

Beans on toast V 1 slice wholegrain toast with 1 small can reduced-

sugar and reduced-salt baked beans.

Fruity Weetabix V 2 Weetabix with 7 strawberries, 1 apple and skimmed milk.

Kiwi and raspberry cereal V 2 Shredded Wheat with 2 handfuls raspberries, 1 kiwi fruit and skimmed millk k.

Vegetable chilli V Fry ½ small red onion,, ½ green pepper, 1 carrot an nd d 4 mushrooms (all sliced) in a spray oil with chilli powde err to taste for 5 min. Add ½ ca an n cannellini beans in water (drained), 1 small can chopped tomatoes, 1tbsp tomato purée and 150ml reduced-salt veg stock.

Cook until veg are soft and sauce thickened. Serve in an iceberg lettuce leaf with 2tbsp tzatziki.

salsa made from 2 tomatoes, ½ red onion, 1 handful fresh coriander, 2tbsp sweetcorn and lime juice, chilli and garlic.

Chinese-style salad V Make with 1 handful each of chopped white cabbage and ready-to-eat beansprouts, 1 carrot, ½ can water chestnuts and ½ can bamboo shoots (both drained), 2 spring onions, 25g cashew nuts and a dressing made from 1tbsp sweet chilli sauce, lime juice and 1tsp reducedsalt soy sauce.

Homemade guacamole with crudités V Mix 1 small mashed avocado with 1 diced tomato, crushed garlic, lemon juice and Tabasco sauce to taste.

Serve with 1 carrot, 1 stick celery and ½ red pepper, cut into sticks. >>

Houmous and

Fibre fillers

car rot p

% %

FEEL GOOD YOU

woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE ATT TUDE 00

Protein packers CHOOSE ONE A DAY

en Op

Protein is vital for our muscles, but research increasingly shows it also keeps us fuller for longer – just what you want.

tu rke ys andw ich

FEEL FULLER WITH PROTEIN

%

Open turkey sandwich 1 slice wholegrain bread topped with 2tbsp tzatziki, 1 grilled turkey steak and 1 handful rocket.

Steak with all the trimmings 1 grilled small rump steak (150g raw) with steamed spinach and 1 tomato, 4 mushrooms and 1 small red onion, sliced, fried in a spray oil.

Scrambled eggs with spinach and tomatoes V 2 scrambled eggs mixed with steamed spinach, 6 chopped cherry tomatoes and 1tbsp reduced-fat Cheddar.

% % gs Ste min ak w m i r t ith all the

CHOOSE ONE A DAY Fruit provides vitamins, fibre and antioxidants, and satisfies a sweet tooth.

All these dishes provide at least two of your five-a-day.

%

%

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148 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

%

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Melon, fig

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Fruit salad with Greek yogurt and almonds V Fruit salad made from 1 peach, 1 handful grapes, 1 kiwi and 1 slice cantaloupe melon. Top with 1 small pot fat-free Greek yogurt and 1tsp chopped almonds.

Melon, fig and Parma ham salad Make from 1 slice canteloupe melon, 2 fresh figs, ½ ball reduced-fat mozzarella cheese, 2 slices Parma ham, 1 handful rocket and balsamic vinegar.

On-the-go fruit and nut hit V 1 apple, 1 peach, 2 handfuls

blueberries and 20 almonds.

Berry and banana smoothie bowl V Blend 2 handfuls summer berries with 1 banana (ideally frozen), 100ml skimmed milk, 2tbsp oats and 1 handful ice. Pour into a bowl and top with 1 handful berries and 1tsp chopped almonds.

Waldorf basket V Mix 1 chopped apple with 3 sliced celery sticks, 2 handfuls halved grapes, 6 chopped walnut halves, 1tbsp fat-free yogurt and lemon juice to taste. Serve in 1 iceberg lettuce leaf.

Mango, apple and cottage cheese crispbreads V Top 4 rye crispbreads with 80g low-fat cottage cheese, ½ sliced mango and 1 sliced apple.

Prawn wrap 100g cooked prawns mixed with 1tbsp fat-free Greek yogurt, lemon juice and snipped chives, served in 1 wholemeal wrap with watercress.

Chicken salad 1 grilled skinless chicken breast with a salad made from lettuce, 1 tomato, cucumber, 4 spring onions, 1 handful ready-to-eat beansprouts and 2tbsp fat-free dressing.

Quorn stir fry V Stir-fry made from 1tsp sunflower oil, 150g Quorn pieces, garlic and ginger to taste, 1 small pack stir-fry veg (about 300g) and 1tsp reduced-salt soy sauce.

Salmon with tzatziki 1 baked small wild salmon fillet (100g raw) with steamed broccoli and baby corn, and 2tbsp tzatziki.

an da lmo nds

Fruit fixes

%

FEEL GOOD YOU

Bone boosters

with garlic.

Top with 2 chopped tomatoes with garlic, fresh basil and balsamic vinegar, and 1 small can sardines in brine (drained).

Chocolate, banana and peanut butter milkshake V Blend 200ml skimmed milk, 1 banana, 1tbsp cocoa powder and 1tbsp noadded-sugar-or-salt peanut butter until smooth.

Apricot and walnut fool V Cook 6 dried apricots with a pinch of cinnamon, ½tsp honey and 1tbsp water for 5 min until fruit softens.

Cool, swirl juices into 1 small pot fat-free Greek yogurt. Put yogurt in a glass and top with apricots and 2 crushed walnuts. w&h

CHOOSE ONE A DAY Ve g

eta

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Calcium and protein are vital to keep bones strong and healthy – these meals are rich in both.

or ti l l a

%

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Sa rd in e

t che us br ta

Cheese and tuna melt Top 1 slice wholegrain toast with 3tbsp grated reduced-fat Cheddar, ½ can tuna in water (drained) and 1 sliced tomato. Grill until the cheese melts.

Vegetable tortilla V Make an omelette with ½ red onion, ½ courgette, 2 mushrooms, 2 eggs, 2tbsp skimmed milk, 15g grated reduced-fat Cheddar and a spray oil.

Sardine bruschetta Toast 4 thin slices granary bread then rub

%

%

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PHOTOGRAPHS JUMPFOTO.DE, SEAN CALITZ FOOD STYLING JANE CURRAN ASSISTED BY ESTHER CLARK PROP STYLING SUE ROWLANDS

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Chips and dip V Cut 1 wholemeal wrap into small triangles, spray with oil and bake until crisp.

Serve with 1 small pot fat-free yogurt mixed with garlic, ¼ grated cucumber (squeeze excess moisture), lemon juice and fresh mint.

Toast and peanut butter V 2 slices wholegrain toast with 1tbsp no-added-sugaror-salt peanut butter.

Speedy ham and mushroom pizza Top 1 wholemeal pitta with 4tbsp passata with herbs, 2 sliced mushrooms, 1 slice

% %

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CARBS SATISFY FOR LONGER

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CHOOSE ONE A DAY

Parma ham and ¼ ball reduced-fat mozzarella.

Bake until cheese melts.

Fruity coconut porridge V Make porridge from 4tbsp oats, 275ml unsweetened coconut milk drink and 2 handfuls raspberries and the seeds and flesh of 3 passionfruit.

Jacket potato with cheese and coleslaw V 1 small jacket potato with 2tbsp grated reduced-fat Cheddar and coleslaw made from 1 handful shredded white cabbage, ½ finely sliced small red onion, 1 grated carrot, 2tsp light mayo, 1tbsp fat-free Greek yogurt and lemon juice.

ELT baguette V Fill a 6cm piece granary stick with 2tsp light mayo, 1 boiled egg, lettuce and 1 tomato.

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Carb comforters

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HEATLHTEH IS W NE WEALTH

How to BEAT

BINGO WINGS

Those flabby bits at the tops of our arms are a hang-up for most women. But it is possible to improve their appearance – just make these moves part of your routine!

GYM EXERCISES LUCY WYNDHAM-READ PHOTOGRAPHS URBANLIP PRODUCTIONS, LUCY WYNDHAM-READ

3

TIP Resistance exercise fitness bands are great as you use positive and negative forces on muscles to improve strength. From £2.99, amazon.co.uk

TO FIT INTO YOUR DAY

% IN THE CAR When you’re stationary in a traffic jam, simply place your palms on the steering wheel at three and nine, and press them inwards. Then place your hands inside the wheel and press outwards to tone your rear deltoid muscles (the big ones on your shoulders). Hold these squeezes for ten to 20 seconds, then repeat as often as you can. No one need notice what you’re up to! % WATCHING TV Try doing this whenever the ads come on. Sit on the edge of a chair. Stretch out both legs in front of you and move your body forwards, holding the front of the chair. Raise and lower your body using your tricep muscles, which are the large ones on the backs of your arms. In many of us, these muscles are very weak, so at first you will definitely feel the pull! % COOKING While in the kitchen, grab a couple of cans of beans and try these arm circles to target shoulders, back, triceps and biceps.

Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and arms extended to the sides at shoulder height. Keeping your shoulders down, do 20 small backward circles. Then switch direction and do 20 forward circles.

FOUR TO FIT INTO YOUR WORKOUT % Try this classic Pilates movement.

Lie flat on your back, arms up high above your face and holding a 1kg weight in each hand, very slowly (that’s the key) arch your arms out while bringing them down to shoulder

level, without resting flat, then reverse back very slowly to the beginning. Repeat two sets of 10.

Imagine you are pushing against an invisible force each way to help tune into every muscle for better definition.

% Standing with feet hip-width apart and your knees slightly bent, extend both arms out directly in front of you with palms upwards, with one arm over the other. Now open out your arms wide, then bring back in to the centre but this time with the other arm crossed over the top.

Aim to do 50 reps.

% Using either a medium hand weight or a large full water bottle, stand with tummy pulled in and knees slightly bent.

Holding the weight with both hands and palms facing up, extend directly above your head.

Now slowly lower to chest height, hold, then slowly lift back up. Repeat 30 times.

% Stand with good posture and your tummy pulled in and knees slightly bent. Have your palms facing up and arms out to your sides, now simply bring both arms directly above your head as if you are about to clap, hold, then slowly lower back to the start position. Aim to do this 30 times. woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 151

HOW TO GET…

healthy happy feet Dreading the sandal season because of painful or unsightly feet? Patsy Westcott checks out the latest solutions

O

ne in five of us is embarrassed by our feet, says the College of Podiatry. And foot pain affects four out of five of us at some point each year, according to a recent survey. The good news is there’s a new breed of experts – musculoskeletal (MSK) podiatrists – who specialise in how our feet, ankles and lower legs interact with shoes, terrain and gait, to help prevent or manage common niggles.

Meanwhile, for more persistent ailments, the latest medical and surgical solutions can help keep the spring in our step.

OUR EXPERTS STEVEN BERKMAN, chartered physiotherapist and director BOOST Physio, London JAKE HEATH, musculoskeletal podiatrist, Kenton Health Clinic, Harley Street and Beckenham Hospital NHS STUART METCALFE, consultant podiatric surgeon, Solent NHS Care Trust and Spire Parkway Hospital, Solihull 152 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

Bunions

These happen when the big toe bone points sideways towards the second toe, while the long bone behind the big toe – the first metatarsal – drifts outwards, forming the familiar painful bump. It’s not known exactly what causes bunions but flat feet, excessively flexible ligaments and abnormal bone structure, all of which can be inherited, are thought to play a part.

Self-help In the early stages toe separators and orthotic inserts, either over-the-counter or custom-made, which you wear inside shoes, can improve alignment and ease pressure.

Hospital treatment Bunions invariably get worse so surgery may be the best option. In the past, surgery was notoriously painful and involved

a long recovery, but procedures have improved hugely recently. The most currently favoured operation is called a scarf and akin osteotomy, which involves removing portions of bone and then aligning the bones properly and fixing in place with compression screws to eliminate the offending bump. Surgeons aim to preserve the joint to allow movement in the big toe, but if you have left it a long time and have secondary arthritis of the big toe then there is a risk of stiffness post-op.

A surgeon specialising in foot surgery can advise on the best option, taking into account your age, weight, bone quality and activity level. Available on the NHS, ask your GP for a referral.

Around £4,000 privately.

‘Now I can do my beloved yoga’ Ros Carr, 62, from Knowle in the West Midlands, is married with three adult children and works in the family car business.

“A bunion on my right foot wasn’t troublesome at first, but then it became more prominent and very red. If I walked for any length of time I had to sit down because it was so painful, plus certain shoes, like my favourite pair of boots, were out because of the pressure. Worst of all, I was finding it impossible to do yoga, which I love.

“My GP referred me to a specialist podiatric surgeon on the NHS, who explained that an operation called a scarf osteotomy could help restore my toe to normal. It involves dividing and repositioning the metatarsal bone, as well as adjusting the ligaments and soft tissues around the joint to ensure my toe is straight and moves freely.

“I had the op on 24 January under general anaesthetic.

I was nervous about recovery time but I needn’t have worried.

I went into hospital at 7am and was back home by 4.30pm.

Heel pain

PHOTOGRAPH ALAMY

A common culprit is plantar fasciitis, caused by age-related degeneration of the strong ligament that runs from the heel bone to the toes, and is more common post-50.

Also achilles tendinopathy, which causes pain, swelling and stiffness of the achilles tendon that joins the heel bone to the calf muscles, thought to be caused by repetitive strain on the achilles tendon.

Finally, thinning (atrophy) of the heel pad, which starts to happen post 40.

Self-help Rest, and NSAIDs – non-steroidal inflammatory drugs – can relieve pain and inflammation.

Expert advice A physiotherapist or musculoskeletal podiatrist can advise on stretching exercises, massage, orthotic inserts or a night splint to hold the foot in its optimum position while you sleep. A steroid injection may bring relief if persistent.

Hospital treatment Achilles tendinopathy shockwave therapy, in which high amplitude mechanical waves are fired at the affected heel, can help trigger healing if other measures fail, although the jury is still out on its effectiveness. Available on the NHS or privately. Around £500£1,000 depending on how many sessions.

Ingrown toenails

These are caused by a sharp spike of nail growing into the surrounding skin leading to pain, inflammation and swelling. Your genes, poorly fitting shoes and socks and

I was able to put my heel down straightaway, and just had a bandage, which came off after a couple of weeks, and I didn’t even have to take time off work. Two months later and I’m already back to normal, driving and walking into town. The scar is barely visible and I’m looking forward to wearing summer sandals. Best of all, I’ve been able to start doing yoga again.

I couldn’t be more delighted.”

Ros’s operation was done by Mr Stuart Metcalfe (footconsultant. com) on the NHS at the Spire Parkway Hospital Solihull.

excess sweating can all play a part.

Self-help For mild cases that are not inflamed, soak feet in warm water then gently trim the nail.

See a GP If the nail is red, swollen, painful and/or infected, antibiotics may be needed.

Hospital treatment Partial nail avulsion, a procedure done under local anaesthetic, involves applying a caustic chemical to the offending piece of nail or occasionally surgical removal of nail.

Recovery takes around three weeks. Available on the NHS. Expect to pay around £250 privately.

HEATLHTEH IS W NE WEALTH

5

things your FEET CAN REVEAL ABOUT YOUR HEALTH

Warm, painful, red, swollen big toe… could be gout. A low-protein diet, staying hydrated and losing weight may help prevent future attacks.

Cold feet… could be an underactive thyroid. The GP can do a blood test to check thyroid hormone levels. Treatment involves taking levothyroxine, to top up thyroid hormone levels.

A cut or sore on your foot that isn’t healing… could be diabetes. See your GP, who can do a blood test to check.

Clubbed nails… could be a lung condition, heart disease or another serious health problem. Your GP can carry out tests.

Thick, crumbling, pitted or discoloured nails… could be psoriasis. Treatments include steroid creams, light therapy and oral or injected medications.

1

2 3 4 5

75,000

See a GP Oral antifungals on prescription can help. Taken for six to nine months, you need regular liver function tests as very occasionally they may cause liver damage.

See a podiatrist Some offer antifungal treatments through “micro holes” said to penetrate the nail better than conventional topical treatment.

Laser treatment could be another option, although the jury is still out on these.

Hospital treatment The infected nail is removed under local aesthetic and a false nail reconstructed using elastic UV nail gel to form a surface coating. This is yet unproven but can help limit the spread of fungal infection and boost confidence as you can wear open-toe shoes. It costs £60 plus £10 for each additional nail. w&h

miles is the distance our feet have carried us by age 50

Fungal nails

Fungal toenail infections, which affect 3-8 per cent of us and 20 per cent of us aged 60+, are notoriously hard to treat. Playing sports, using communal baths, enclosed footwear – which keeps feet warm and moist, previous nail injuries, diabetes, circulatory problems, conditions affecting immunity and a history of athlete’s foot may all be contributory factors.

Self-help Topical OTC antifungal agents, eg, Canespro Fungal Nail Treatment, £29.99, can help in mild cases although don’t always penetrate sufficiently to kill the underlying infection.

To find a musculoskeletal podiatrist see the College of Podiatry website www.scpod.org or call 0207 234 8620. woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 153

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HEATLHTEH IS W NE WEALTH

AN ALLERGY CAUSED MY

ASTHMA

WORDS VICTORIA YOUNG PHOTOGRAPH BARBARA K PHOTOGRAPHY

Nicole Brockman had never even heard of adult-onset asthma – until she was diagnosed with it at 40 NICOLE, 43, is a copywriter who lives in London with her husband, Michael, and their sons, Ben, ten, and Joe, eight.

I was never a sickly child but, throughout my twenties and thirties, whenever I had a cold, an annoying tickly cough lingered. However, I didn’t experience the breathlessness that is asthma’s trademark.

I noticed a big change when I had children, who are walking petri dishes for germs! I began to get more throat – and then chest – infections. One was so severe that I had to take extremely strong antibiotics, and I was ill for about a month. I became resigned to the fact that when I caught a throat infection, it almost always became a lingering chest infection. I just thought my immune system had been altered by motherhood and my chest was my weak point.

Then a few years ago a throat infection turned into bronchitis. Despite taking three sets of antibiotics over ten weeks, I felt worse and worse and then started becoming breathless. It got to the point that I couldn’t even walk across a road without feeling faint. My GP arranged a blood test and prescribed me steroid pills and a Ventolin inhaler.

Asthma wasn’t mentioned at that point, but he said steroids would help with the breathlessness and eliminate the infection I couldn’t shake.

Almost immediately, I felt better. I had energy for the first time in weeks, but I was still breathless. My GP referred me to a chest specialist, who suspected asthma

and said it might be allergy related. He switched me onto a steroid inhaler and arranged an allergy test. My skin was pricked with possible triggers, from pollen to cat hair, as a machine monitored the affect on my breathing.

We’d had our cat for six years and I’d always felt a bit “nasal” around him, but the skin test identified a severe cat allergy, and I was diagnosed with adult-onset asthma with cat hair as a trigger.

I’d never heard of adultonset asthma, but it made sense: we were moving house at the time and the cat was staying in a cattery while we had work done, which made a huge difference to my asthma – I didn’t need any medication. Then the cat came back and my asthma started

Nicola has learned to recognise her asthma triggers

again, so to avoid being on steroids indefinitely we gave him to a friend.

I now have an “asthma management” appointment with an asthma nurse every six months, and knowing the trigger has been helpful. It’s not always predictable though: I’m prone to hayfever in spring, but a couple of years ago there was something in the air that I was allergic to throughout the summer.

The nurse told me that the triggers for adult asthma can vary, so I had to use both my inhalers. Most of the time, though, my asthma is under control to the point that sometimes I almost forget I have it!

I couldn’t even walk across a road without feeling faint

ADULT ASTHMA – THE FACTS but it can be complex and take time One in 12 adults are being treated for to diagnose because causes vary asthma: a total of 4.3 million people. and symptoms can come and go.

As levels of air pollution increase in Symptoms include coughing, our cities, experts say exposure may wheezing, tightness in the chest and not just trigger but actually cause shortness of breath, which are caused asthma in both adults and children. by inflammation within the airways.

Dr Andy Whittamore, Asthma UK’s Common triggers include exercise, in-house GP, says: “Asthma can hormonal changes, certain foods, appear at any age. Some adults cigarette smoke and air pollution. w&h develop asthma after a viral infection, For more, visit asthma.org.uk or call a specialist nurse on 0300 222 5800. woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 155

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Your health Got a medical problem or need health advice? Ask GP Dr Rosemary Leonard THIS MONTH… BAD BREATH • AGE SPOTS • DIABETES • MEDICAL RECORDS

Q

I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes a couple of years ago. I’m slowly losing the spare tyre my doctor said was to blame, but still need medication.

Will I ever be cured of my condition?

ILLUSTRATION JOY GOSNEY PHOTOGRAPH ALAMY

NEW: Patients can view their test results You can now sign up at your surgery to see your own medical computer records, including blood test results. To do this you’ll need to take photo ID to the surgery, and then get a special password. When you have a blood test taken, ask how long the results will take – in my surgery many are back the following day. However, be warned, this only applies to tests ordered by your own surgery – those ordered by hospital doctors stay within the hospital system and do not appear on your surgery computer records.

More than one in five of us don’t when we travel abroad, say the Association of British Travel Agents. This could be a very expensive mistake, as the average cost of emergency treatment overseas is now £1,200. For now, having a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) enables you to receive treatment from public hospitals in all EEC countries and Switzerland, on the same basis as a resident of the country visited. This doesn’t mean it is free, but it will help to reduce your bill if you don’t have travel insurance.

You can get a EHIC free online – visit ehic.org.uk or ring 0300 330 1350.

Each family member should have one, including babies and children. Already have one? Check the expiry date as they are valid for up to five years.

Q

One of my friends has really bad breath. Her teeth look fine, so why is this?

Should I tell her?

A

In Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin to control blood sugar levels. Fat cells cannot use insulin properly, and the more fat you have, the more insulin is required to control blood sugar levels.

This means losing weight is really important, as this reduces insulin requirements. Some people find that reaching a healthy weight,

DO YOU HAVE HOLIDAY HEALTH INSURANCE?

taking regular exercise and eating a well-balanced diet means they can stop their medication. So think positive, keep going with your diet, but do not stop your tablets unless advised to do so by your doctor.

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I always protect my skin in the sun, but I’ve noticed brown marks on the backs of my hands, and I also have a couple on my forehead. Can I get rid of them?

A

These sound like age spots, areas of increased pigmentation caused by cumulative sun exposure and age. They generally start appearing after the age of 40, but it’s your previous sun exposure that is to blame, and unfortunately this means more may appear. As well as applying SPF cream, retinoid creams, chemical peels or laser therapy may help.

A

The most common cause for bad breath is poor dental hygiene, and it’s often due to rotting bits of food in between the teeth, close to the gums. As well as cleaning the outside surfaces of the teeth, you need to clean in between them with small interdental brushes.

A small hole in a tooth or inflamed gums can also be to blame. And yes, you should tell her, because there is a link between gingivitis – inflamed gums – and an increased risk of heart disease. It is thought the bacteria in the gums spread to the arteries supplying the heart and cause inflammation.

Tactfully have a conversation about how often you need to go to the dentist to have a professional clean – everyone should go once every six months.

home ND NEW ATTI ATTITUDE TUDE woman&ho e A BRAND UDE 157 5

BIG screen debate THE

Smartphones, tablets and laptops are everywhere so how much should parents try to limit their children’s access?

We hear from four parents who have very different views

‘They have to know how technology works’ Lucinda Robins, 36, lives in London with husband Alex and children Atalanta, two, Ranulph, four, and Hugo, six, and is founder of online blog TheLondonMummy.com.

Our kids each have their own tablets. This may seem shocking, but they don’t have free rein over them. They don’t have WiFi so can’t roam online, instead my husband downloads age-appropriate content. This ranges from puzzle-based apps for our two-year-old, to games like Angry Birds for the four-year-old and NinJump Dash for the six-yearold. They are only allowed their tablets on long car journeys, during adult get-togethers where they might otherwise get bored and on Sunday mornings, when Alex and I want some quiet time.

They are never allowed more than 30 minutes on any screen (including TV). The tablets are undeniably a shortcut for lazy parenting when we need it, but I’m happy we have the balance right as, at present, it’s a case of out of sight, out of mind for the kids and they don’t actively ask for them.

Pretending technology is not part of modern life is pointless. Today’s children are growing up in a digital world and we have a duty to ensure they understand how that world works. But, while they are young, it’s all about establishing strict boundaries. I can imagine it will get trickier as they get older, but for now it’s manageable.

158 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

family firsts

‘Screen time can be educational’ Gina Clarke, 30, is married to William and they have two children, Ben, one, and Caitlin, five. Gina is a PR consultant.

Screen time doesn’t have to be damaging. There’s a lot of educational content available. For example, programming on CBeebies teaches kids about everything from wildlife to phonics. Both children have had access to tablets and phones since the age of nine months but I’m very careful about what they watch or play, downloading number games, puzzles and stories.

The benefit of smart screens compared with TV is that they’re

interactive, so pre-schoolers can pick up key skills. Caitlin learnt to count from using a game on the FisherPrice app, and Ben’s hand-eye co-ordination and fine motor skills have been honed by bubble-popping games.

Caitlin’s class do activities on tablets, and screens are part of daily life – they even have iPads in Clarks to measure kids’ feet nowadays – so we just try to normalise them without allowing them to take over. I have faith in the content I choose, set time restraints and turn to a screen as a last resort.

‘My kids were using tech at nine months old’

‘ALL SCREENS ARE NOT EQUAL’ Steph Clarkson, 46, lives with husband Andrew and daughters Merryn, six, and Romy, 12. She is a children’s author.

We currently allow our six-year-old around an hour a day in front of the TV. She is pushed so hard at school – last week’s spellings included the words “artificial” and “superstitious” – that I don’t think a bit of downtime is a problem, particularly as she’s just as likely to be found reading or engaging in imaginative play. However, Merryn does not own a smart screen and I do not like her to have access to smart technology, which, through our experience with our eldest daughter Romy, we’ve learned has a worryingly addictive pull and comes with myriad risks.

Like most of her peers Romy is surgically attached to her smartphone.

She uses it to consume media, play games and socialise. We bought it so she was contactable on her walk to and from senior school – the same school that encourages the use of phones as research tools in some lessons. As Romy gleefully pointed out, “You can’t look up the dates of

the Battle of Hastings on a 1993 Nokia.”

I’d love to turn back the clock, but we have to work with the situation and use Romy’s behaviour to determine when she’s had too much screen time.

We have a contract stuck to our fridge.

This lays out the terms under which she is allowed to retain her phone and the infractions that will see it confiscated.

We insist on knowing all her passwords, check her social media and the OurPact app allows us to remotely shut down all her activity at the push of a button.

We also impose technology bans and, once she’s through the “crack addict” withdrawal stage, are amazed at what she gets up to. During the last week-long ban she read three books, drew a self-portrait, reorganised her wardrobe and perfected a front flip on the trampoline. Having the benefit of a big age gap between our children, we are trying to ring the changes second time around. Merryn does scroll through family photos on my iPhone and watches clips of Alvin and The Chipmunks singing, but I don’t view smart screens as a benign alternative to the TV and don’t promote them as toys. >>

‘Her smartphone is worryingly addictive’

Dr Nicholas Kardaras, addictions expert and author of Glow Kids: How Screen Addiction is Hijacking our Kids – and How to Break the Trance, found that digital screens have the same effect on parts of the brain as cocaine.

family firsts

Getting the online balance

Charlotte Williamson, 41, w&h’s Assistant Editor (Features), lives with her partner, David, a designer, and their 16-month-old son, Alexander.

At the last count, our very small living room contained six screens: two smartphones, two tablets, a laptop and a curiouslyold-fashioned-these-days television. And we’re not even a techy household.

Which is why I’m so determined that our toddler stays away from screens until he’s at least two – and only then watches them judiciously.

Happily, right now Alexander loves reading – or rather, being read to. He also loves ripping up loo paper and eating soil. Because my partner and I both work full-time

‘I want him to enjoy a life away from screens’

160 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

Carolyn Bunting of not-for-profit organisation Internet Matters has these tips for establishing safe and healthy screen use.

Set an example. Children model their behaviours on you, so if you put away your tablet, turn off the TV and read a book, they are likely to follow your lead.

Agree on an appropriate length of screen time and establish screen-free zones at home. Put in place a family agreement to set boundaries – and don’t break them.

Make screen time a shared and positive experience.

Play games together, look up new places to visit or teach each other about new apps.

Think quality as well as quantity. Make screen time count by understanding what your children are doing and suggesting appropriate and interesting content for them.

Keep control. There are many features and apps that allow you to apply specific restrictions to specific devices.

Visit internetmatters.org

Instead, I want him to learn the benefits of boredom – that there’s nothing wrong with having nothing to do; that a life away from screens means a life spent reading and climbing trees and running around with a ball. Overstimulation, after all, is the enemy of imagination.

For better or worse, screen technology will become an unavoidable part of his life, and I know I’ll be fighting a losing battle when he’s 15.

Until then, I’m more than happy to let him eat soil. w&h

WORDS STEPHANIE CLARKSON AND CHARLOTTE WILLIAMSON PHOTGRAPHS CARLA MONGE PHOTOGRAPHY, GETTY IMAGES

‘WE BAN ALL SCREENS… FOR NOW’

a and don’t spend as m much time with him a as we would like, w we don’t mind getting up at 6am g ffor another marathon rreading session, o or taking him tto a rain-lashed playground on p a Saturday. If I were a full-time mother, tthough, I realise the ttemptation of turning on Peppa Pig could o be too strong. b My own background wasn’t b entirely screen-free e either. I loved e Sesame Street so S much h that h I started school saying the Americanised “zee” instead of “zed”. So why my dictatorial stance?

Mainly because there’s so much persuasive evidence that, bar the odd Skype call to Granny, screens can adversely affect the rapidly developing brains of the undertwos, resulting in shorter attention spans and, when they’re older, a neurological addiction to screens.

Meanwhile, a recent report from Ofcom found that pre-school children of three and four are now watching up to four hours of screens a day. And 34 per cent own their own media device.

Yet unlike the five-a-day rule, there isn’t any proper government advice on what is best to do. So I’ve had to make up my own. I don’t want bad habits to develop too early – mine as well as his. So we practise what we preach – neither of us look at our phones when Alexander’s around, and the TV’s never on until he’s safely tucked up in bed.

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The low-down One, two and three-day courses at Luccombe Farm, Dorset, in June, July and August. £225 for two days (tuition and lunch – materials bought separately), lists of recommended B&B accommodation provided.

Visit fluxnflame.co.uk Imogen Waller, 42, is a manager for Oxfam.

She lives with her partner in Woking, Berkshire.

I love collecting seashells, but I never knew what to do with them.

It was my partner who suggested I could use them to make jewellery.

I’d always wanted to have a go at silversmithy, so combined it with a holiday staying in a lovely B&B just down the road from the ancient farmhouse, home to the state-of-the-art studio of silversmiths Jesa and Al. Verdict I made an amazing necklace out of a scallop shell by pressing the shell into clay to make a mould and then filling it with molten silver; I also learned how to solder, rivet and hammer silver to make rings.

The experience was wonderful.

MASTER LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE LAKE DISTRICT

The course Landscape photography.

The low-down Four days in the Lake District during June, July and August, £600 (tuition, full-board accommodation in a guesthouse set in six acres, and excursions included).

Visit lakelandphotohols.com Wendy Carlyle, 61, a teacher from Bingley, West Yorkshire, is married with two adult children.

My husband treated me to this course to learn to use my DSLR camera. It was the perfect combination of “me” time, gorgeous scenery and the feeling of achievement. Renowned landscape photographer John Gravett runs the course at his farm near Keswick. Seven of us set off each day with a packed lunch to different locations. It’s hard to take a bad picture of breathtaking countryside but we learned about lighting, composition and techniques.

In the evenings we showcased our work.

Verdict I was nervous at first, but everyone was so encouraging and my photography has advanced hugely.

Write a hit single at the Darling Buds of May farm The course Song Writing Bootcamp.

The low-down Darling Buds Farm, Kent, for three days 23-25 June (for more dates, see website). The course costs from £695; on-site cottages available from £65 B&B. Visit thesongwritingacademy.co.uk Amanda Randall, 47, is single with two children. She is an IT consultant and lives in Somerset.

I married and had children young, so my teenage musical ambitions took a back seat. My children have left home now, so last year I began to think about trying to write a song.

The bootcamp seemed a way to combine this

with a break in a beautiful location. You don’t have to play an instrument, read music or even be able to sing to do it. You just need a love of music. The course is run by songwriters who have penned No 1 hits such as Christina Aguilera’s Genie in a Bottle and George Benson’s Never Give up on a Good Thing. I learned about musical structure, matching lyrics to music, insider secrets that top musicians use and even how to get paid for your music. I loved that you could take yourself off for a woodland walk, or curl up in the sunshine with headphones on, creating music.

Verdict I wrote a piece of music I later sold to a local business to use for advertising for £500, which was thrilling. Now I hope to sell more songs. >> woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 163

know how

D the great Pottery Throwdown Do nnear the Welsh Hills T course Wheel-throwing stoneware for beginners.

The The low-down Two days in Ross-on-Wye on 6-7 July T (o other dates available), £190 (lunch included, local B&B B accommodation available).

Visit workshops-at-wobage.co.uk V Elle Campbell, 58, is an interior designer.

She is married and lives in Hereford.

I’m creative and wanted to get my hands dirty making something. I’d watched The Great P Pottery Throw Down and wheel-throwing looked really fun.

T The fact that the course, run by professional potters, w was on a farm in beautiful surroundings appealed too.

Itt’s very difficult to get the clay on the centre of the w wheel and I struggled, but Jeremy Steward, who ran the course, was so helpful, giving us tips. th Verdict I came away with a reasonable bowl, biscuit V fi fired and salt glazed. I’m now hooked and going to d a five-week course at a local college. do

The course Taste the Wild – food foraging and cookery weekend.

The low-down Two to five days camping in Boroughbridge, from £225 (meals and materials included), various dates through the summer.

Visit tastethewild.co.uk Jane Senior, 57, a retired GP, is married with two children and lives in Wakefield.

I’ve always grown fruit and veg at home, but Taste the Wild takes you hunting for mystery ingredients, then you make something delicious with them. You can either share an on-site teepee (£10 per head), or bring your own tent and pitch it for free in the woods, which is what I did. Food foraging experts Chris and Rose Bax took us on expeditions to harvest mushrooms, roots, berries and edible flowers. It was huge fun, knowing we would return to camp to make treats such as flower ice cream, dandelion bhajis and acorn sausages.

Verdict It was just amazing and I’m definitely returning this year.

164 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

The course Outdoor oil painting.

The low-down Three days on the Norfolk coast in June, July and August (see website for more dates), all abilities welcome, from £599, materials included (accommodation not included, cottages and apartments available from £55 B&B).

Visit norfolkpaintingschool.com Marie Baird, 62, a company director from Glasgow, is married with three children.

I’d dabbled in painting about 30 years ago, but hadn’t touched a paintbrush until this course, which

3 IDEAS FOR AUTUMN

1

INTRODUCTION TO FLORISTRY Low-down Three days at Tallulah Rose Flower School, Bath, 9-11 Oct, £550 (accommodation not included).

Visit tallulahrose flowers.com

2

specialises in oil painting and caters for total beginners through to the very experienced, which was reassuring. I’d never painted outdoors and certainly not in oils. The location is a lovely old house on the coast near Holkham Beach and Creake Abbey with purpose-built studios attached. Working outside is a skill in itself and took some getting used to. It was sunny, but the wind kept flapping my hair and my notebook about. Luckily the leaders, Jane and Martin Kinnear, are brilliant teachers, very encouraging and skilled at getting the best out of everyone.

Verdict By the end I’d produced a painting I was very proud of. I’ll certainly go back again to do more.

SEWING AND SCREEN PRINTING Low-down Three days at The Thread House at Folly Farm, Avon Nature Reserve, Bristol, throughout the year, from £375, tuition and full board included.

Visit thethread house.co.uk

3

STAINED GLASS COURSE Low-down One or two days at Stained Glass Centre, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, throughout the year, from £95 (accommodation extra).

Visit stainedglass centre.co.uk w&h

WORDS FIONA WRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHS GETTY IMAGES

TRY A TASTE OF THE WILD IN THE YORKSHIRE DALES

L Learn to t paint i t in oils by the sea

TRAVEL OFFERS

Bruges by Eurostar

Paris by Eurostar

Rome – Ancient and Baroque

Four days from £269pp

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Departures up to November 2017: % Eurostar and return rail from most mainline stations*, taxes and transfers % Three nights in a three- or four-star hotel in the heart of the old preserved town % Walking tour of Bruges, traditional chocolatier visit, Ypres and the First World War battlefield % Escorted by an experienced tour manager

Departures up to November 2017: % Eurostar and return rail from most mainline stations*, taxes and transfers % Three nights in a three- or four-star hotel with breakfast % Tours of Paris by day and by night, including Montmartre, plus Versailles % Escorted by an experienced tour manager

Departures up to November 2017: % Return flights, taxes and transfers % Four nights in a four-star hotel with breakfast % Guided tour of Rome and a timed visit to the Villa Borghese % Escorted by an experienced tour manager

Tour of Venice – Classic and Undiscovered

Iceland

Krakow

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Departures up to September 2017: % Return flights, taxes and transfers % Four nights in a three- or four-star hotel with breakfast % Reykjavik, Eyjafjallajökull volcano, the Blue Lagoon, whale and dolphin watching cruise, and puffin watch % Fully escorted by an experienced tour manager

Selected departures up to November 2017: % Return flights, taxes and transfers % Three nights in a centrally located four-star hotel with breakfast % Guided walking tour of medieval Krakow and a visit to the castle district % Visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau (included but optional) % Escorted by a tour manager

Five days from £549pp

Five days from £499pp Departures up to December 2017: % Return flights, taxes and transfers % Four nights in a four-star hotel on the Grand Canal with breakfast % St Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and Murano in the Venice lagoon % Escorted by an experienced tour manager

Call to book or for a free brochure 01283 742348 or visit escorted.womanandhome.com *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&home, published by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd.

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money matters

Your

60

Invest just one hour making these easy checks to save money and feel in control. w&h money expert Niki Chesworth shows how

minute MONEY MOT

5 QUICK CHECKS

1Credit check

CRED CR CRE C RED R ED E DIT T NA NAME NAM N AME A AM ME M

Noddle is a new website that enables you to get free credit reports for life – yes, no need to sign up for a free 30-day offer and then find you are charged! It’s very easy to register, you will get an instant credit score and you can also check your credit profile. Keeping your score high helps you to get cheaper deals on borrowing.

Regular checks can also help you spot frauds. Visit noddle.co.uk Tip If you signed up for a 30-day free credit report and score in the past and forgot to cancel the offer, you could be paying £14.99 a month (£179.88 a year) for a credit service you do not use.

Check your bank statements and cancel the payment. >>

woman& o a &home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 167

money matters It’s a myth that everyone gets £159.55 a week from the state pension.

So checking your entitlement is a must to ensure you’re on target for the maximum amount. You can also find out when you will get your pension and how to top it up. Go to gov.uk/check-state-pension Note To crack down on identity fraud, you have to sign in using either your Government Gateway tax log in details or set up a Verify log in, which takes around 15 minutes and will give you quick access to all gov.uk services.

3 MOT and road tax

You don’t get reminders for your MOT, and now we no longer have tax discs there’s no easy way to remember when to renew it. Log onto vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk, type in your vehicle registration and make, and it will tell you when yours expires.

I discovered my MOT was due within four weeks – a close call. Without a valid MOT you have to pay a fine of up to £1,000 and your insurance will be invalidated. And by the way, 100,000 motorists are clamped each year for not having road tax.

4 Forgotten accounts

If you’ve moved and perhaps forgotten to tell National Savings & Investments or even completely forgotten about an old account, submit your details to mylostaccount.org.uk and this free service run by the banks will conduct a search to see if you have any old accounts.

5 Boiler cover

Paying £300 a year? It should be nearer £60 – go to uswitch.com/boilercover and change. It’s an easy, instant saving. If your boiler is old, opt for cover that includes an annual service.

£££ SAVERS

CREDIT CARDS Even if you only tend to have a balance of £500 on your card it will be worth moving. Go to uswitch.com Savings For every £1,000 you transfer from a typical rate to a zero rate, you are likely to save £159 a year even after the £30 fee.

Tips The deal you will get will usually be based on your credit rating.

You will pay around 3% fees – £30 for every £1,000 you transfer to your new card, but some card issuers refund some of this if you keep the card for a minimum amount of time.

Opt for a card that has a long 0% rate on balance transfers to give you time to clear the balance.

Get a different 0% card for new purchases to get these interest free for longer.

You must pay the minimum amount due each month or you will lose the 0% deal and may be charged around 19% minimum and as much as 29%. So set up a direct debit.

Also remember to transfer balances quickly – transfer fees often rise after 60 days.

HOUSE INSURANCE You don’t have to wait until yours is up for renewal.

It took me eight minutes to get a quote at confused.com. I also found my existing policy, which helps if you want to compare.

Savings The average saving for buildings and contents insurance is £175.12 according to the AA. I saved £237.69! Check your insurer doesn’t charge for ending the policy early.

Tips Paying monthly could mean paying 30% interest too. If paying annually isn’t possible use a 0% credit card, but clear the full amount each month.

Don’t skimp on cover or lie about security features. Confused.com has a guide to the amount of building cover you will need.

Write to your existing insurer to cancel your policy. They usually want 30 days’ notice so start your new policy when 30 days are up.

And one it’s probably better to stick with…

CAR INSURANCE Premium tax is rising this June and there has been a change to the way compensation for personal injury is calculated, which is further adding to premiums. Also, you can be charged £65 for cancelling your policy and switching companies. This can add £120 to the costs – often wiping out any savings. I could have cut £10 off my premium by moving – but would have been out of pocket on the cancellation fee. So it wasn’t worth it. Check at moneysupermarket.com

00 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

MOBILE PHONES If your contract has ended (they are usually for 12 or 24 months), change now. You are paying extra to “buy” a phone that you now “own”.

Savings Typically £200 a year.

My contract is up in a few weeks and I will save £150.60 a year by switching to SIM only.

Tips Compare deals at mobilephonechecker.co.uk If you can’t be bothered to fill in lots of forms, ask your existing provider if it can switch you to a better SIM-only deal.

Companies often offer a better deal before your contract ends to lock you in. But waiting until the contract ends usually saves more.

ENERGY SWITCHING Half of us haven’t done this in the past three years, but it pays to switch.

Go to a comparison site – I went to moneysupermarket.com. Type in what you pay per month, choose a deal, enter your bank details and that’s it.

Savings The average saving is £300. I saved £178 and got the peace of mind of a fixed rate.

Tips Check there are no exit penalties on your existing contract and if there are, weigh these against savings.

Always click on “see all” when searching, otherwise you only get suppliers that pay the comparison site. However, using one of these does make switching easier and quicker.

Go for a fixed tariff to avoid price hikes in the next 12 months.

Opt for a dual fuel tariff by direct debit – it is cheaper.

If you’re worried about using one of the new companies on the market, check customer reviews at moneysavingexpert.com Your smart meter won’t work with a new supplier – read the meter until you get a new one one. w&h

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w&h NEW DIRECTIONS

Our BUSINESSES are BLOOMING Three women, all at very different stages, tell Fiona Wright how they’ve grown their flower and garden businesses

THE BRAND NEW START-UP

‘A disappointing bouquet order helped me see a gap in the market’ JO LAMBELL, 37, lives with her partner in Essex. She founded Beards & Daisies, an online letterbox flower and floristry company (posted in a box for you to arrange yourself).

% THE IDEA I was a regional business manager for a baby product company, working on the corporate side. I took redundancy in 2015 and looked for another corporate job, but I’ve always wanted to work for myself. I saw a gap in the market when I ordered some flowers for Mother’s Day. The experience was disappointing, expensive and frustrating, and I thought I could do better. I knew nothing about flowers, but I researched letterbox flowers (where the package literally fits through the letterbox), and creating a business that would be profitable and be a great experience for the customer.

170 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

% NATURAL ENTREPRENEUR? I love flowers, but my chief motivation was to work for myself – the business could have been anything. I was very disciplined and methodical in my approach to starting it. I was careful not to get carried away with the “hobby” side and was determined that it wouldn’t be a “lifestyle” or “kitchen table” career. I needed the business to grow quickly so I couldn’t afford to be risk-averse, which is key to being an entrepreneur.

I used my business experience to formulate a plan with a big list of tasks to do: set up a corporate account with the Royal Mail, buy the domain names, find a website designer and commission the website, source boxes and a branding designer, find cheap, fresh flowers, recruit a florist until I can arrange the bouquets myself. I enrolled on a year-long floristry course three days a week at Capel Manor

College in Enfield while I set up the business, and got freelance florists who were training there, but further on than me, to do my bouquets. My budget was £10,000 (part of my redundancy package) and I just waded through the tasks one after another, carefully allocating money and bootstrapping as I went. Anything I couldn’t afford, such as photography and the odd bit of coding for the website, I taught myself.

I’ve no idea if this is how other entrepreneurs work, but it’s how I was taught at university and at work, and my partner, Luke is also an entrepreneur and has had a couple of businesses.

His can-do attitude helped a lot.

% LAUNCH DAY It took me about three months to get up and running. The name came from doing my sister’s wedding. It was very Bohemian and when the guests arrived she said it looked fabulous – “All beards and daisies!”. I had a “Beta” phase for a few weeks, getting friends and family to order stuff, and I sent bouquets out all over as PR. The day the website went “Alpha” and we opened for business, I remember seeing a name and address pop up that didn’t belong to family and friends – our first “proper” customer who wasn’t just being supportive, but didn’t know me at all. It was an online request for a “Firecrest” boxed bouquet (all the letterbox flowers are named after birds), which was full of gorgeous fiery oranges, yellows and purples. It was £24.99 and sent to Bristol. I will never forget it, I was so excited. The orders just built from there.

% BREAKTHROUGH MOMENT After Valentine’s Day last year, I realised we’d turned over £5,000 just in that period.

% WHERE I AM NOW I’ve just moved into my third premises, to have more space as orders have increased. I have two full-time employees, but I’m still relatively small and although I outsource things like accounts and website management, I still do incredibly long hours, am up very early in the morning to buy the flowers, pack them, do all the photography and we handwrite all the notes with bouquets.

% LOOKING AHEAD I want to continue growing the brand and our database, and further develop the corporate side of the business, which is proving to be a key growth opportunity. >>

TIP Launch when you feel 80% ready.

People advised me not to wait until the product’s perfect, but I think you can do it too soon; 80% is just right so you can get going with room for improvement.

BUSINESS IN FIGURES Launched: 2016 Start-up costs: £10,000 Turnover: £80,000 Website: beardsanddaisies.co.uk

“I love flowers, but my chief motivation was to work for myself”

BUSINESS BREAKDOWN Website: £3,000 Packaging: £2,000 Branding and design: £1,000 Flowers: £2,000 Postage: £1,500 Sundries: £500

woman&home

TIP If you’re planning a business involving deliveries, look closely at your suppliers’ contracts and logistics. One company charged me £95 to deliver a £55 flower bouquet because they had problems parking.

“I went on a gardening course for fun and had my eureka moment”

BUSINESS IN FIGURES Launched: 2012 Start-up costs: £23,100 Turnover: £400,000 Website: graceandthorn.com

THE WORK-IN-PROGRESS START-UP

‘Two fashion labels finally launched my flower and plant business’ NIK SOUTHERN, 39, lives in Essex with her partner. She owns Grace & Thorn, a plant and flower shop and online company in London.

% THE IDEA I’d worked in corporate recruitment for 13 years and hated it – it was so boring. I was lucky enough to have savings to live on for a few months, so I resigned. I’ve always loved messing about in my garden and watching things grow. I went on a short gardening course for fun and had my eureka moment: I wanted to work with flowers.

% STILL IN DEVELOPMENT After I’d finished my course, I set about trying to get a job in a florist’s, but it was almost impossible. I spent months doing work experience, but I couldn’t get any paid employment – the competition is intense and the pay is low. I thought of the name, 172 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

Grace and Thorn, and started to do jobs for friends and family out of my living room. I found a little shop to rent, but I was worried about spending huge amounts of money on cut flowers that I might not sell. I didn’t want the shop to look bare, so I filled it with plants that lasted and looked quirky and lush, like succulents, cacti and fiddle leaf figs – but I couldn’t work out how to sell what I loved.

% WHAT FINALLY WORKED The turning point came in the pub one night when I was chatting with my sister, who works in fashion, and some friends of hers.

I showed them pictures of some flower arrangements I’d done, which were a bit arty and used unusual varieties. One suggested I pitch to fashion brands to decorate venues for product launches and events. They passed me some contacts and I sent ideas to jeans brand Denham

BUSINESS BREAKDOWN Website: £5,000 Shop/Studio rental: £1,850 Flowers and plants: £6,000 Equipment: £1,250 Sundries: £9,000

and clothing brand Whistles and, to my astonishment, they commissioned me to design the decor and flowers for their press days. They loved it and I was paid well, but what mattered was I felt validated and that I could really build a proper business from this. After using social media like mad, I got 17 orders for Valentine’s Day and about 20 wedding commissions, as well as contracts with local businesses.

% BREAKTHROUGH MOMENT I won the People’s Choice Chelsea in Bloom 2012 competition for six windows I decorated for LK Bennett after The Sunday Times Style magazine picked out my designs. % WHERE I AM NOW I have two shops in East London and am about to open one in West London. I have a book coming out this month, How Not to Kill Your Plants (Hodder), which I’m hoping will help spread the word about me and the joy of having greenery in your home.

new directions

THE BIG SUCCESS STORY

‘Winning prestigious awards helped put us on the map’

PHOTOGRAPHS BENJAMIN WETHERALL PHOTOGRAPHY, INDIRA FLACK, KRISTIN PERERS

PATRICIA FOX, 55, is married with two adult children. She owns Aralia Garden Design and lives in Hertfordshire.

% THE IDEA I worked as a brand retail consultant but I was fed up with the long hours. With the agreement of my husband, I resigned in 2004 and took two years out, to find a new career. I loved gardening, but it never occurred to me that I could make money from it.

My children’s school held a “promises” auction at a fair and I offered to design and plant a border for someone as a prize. They were so delighted they paid me to do the rest of the garden. I ended up going on a full-time garden design course for two years. I got work from friends, but didn’t feel confident enough to charge much. It was only after I joined Business Networking International (BNI) about a year later that things took off.

TIP If you use advertising or marketing, always test and measure whether it works for you. Know exactly where your customers come from.

% MAKING IT HAPPEN The BNI is quite expensive to join – you pay about £1,000 a year, and go to meetings every month – but members push you hard. They really mentor you, give you contacts and leads, and suggest ways to grow your brand and customer base. One of the most important things they taught me was to market myself by winning awards and making myself an expert in my field. In 2009 I entered the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) Design Excellence award for a project called School Cottage. I also entered RHS Chelsea Flower Show the same year and won a Silver Flora award for my courtyard garden. Since then we’ve won two or three top industry awards each year. As well as the kudos, it keeps your designs fresh and pushes you to be the best. % HIGHS There have been a lot, thankfully, including a lucrative commission to design 11 roof terraces for penthouses in Chelsea, London; working on stately homes around the country; and doing designs for TV and film stars and foreign royalty. One of my favourite moments was turning a no into a yes for a client.

BUSINESS IN FIGURES Launched: 2006 Start up costs: £4,400 Turnover: £500,000-£1million Website: aralia.org.uk

CREDIT NAME

BUSINESS BREAKDOWN BNI: £1,000 Website: £500 Materials: £500 Equipment: £400 Training: £2,000

“As well as the kudos, winning industry awards keeps your designs fresh”

The Royal Bank of Scotland was hosting a garden-themed event at the Saatchi Gallery and wanted large RBS letters fashioned out of box hedge with only a week’s notice.

My designer at the time told them we couldn’t do it. I hastily called them back and offered them an alternative, and I won the design contract for the event. It’s all about grabbing opportunities and taking risks.

% LOWS We’d just designed a huge garden project for a client and the builders had nearly finished. I’d ordered the plants to be delivered, when the client suddenly phoned and said she wasn’t pleased with the work and would only be paying us 50 per cent of the fee. I cancelled the plants and ended up taking her to court. I won, and she had to pay the costs, but it was a horrible experience and nearly made me give up the business. It’s made me get feedback every step of the way. % WHERE I AM NOW I have four designers and an intern, and use a team of freelance surveyors, builders and contractors. We have around 60 live projects on the go at any one time. w&h

HAVE YOU GOT A BRILLIANT IDEA? ENTER NOW TO BE THE NEXT IGNITE WINNER! Whether you have a genius concept for your own start-up or a young business with potential, we want to hear from you. The deadline for The Ignite Awards, a scheme designed for upcoming entrepreneurs and run jointly with Time Inc. (UK), Toucan Ventures and London Business Forum, has been extended to 22 May – so don’t delay. The winner will receive a six-month mentoring programme.

HOW TO APPLY Simply visit toucan.co/ igniteawards and fill out the application form.

The FOOD edit

New for

IN SEASON English strawberries are back! Enjoy them on their own, with meringues, make ice cream or make jam – we have the perfect recipe on womanandhome.com. Gooseberries are here for such a short time – check out our divine cheesecake recipe online now.

There are peas and beans galore for salads. British crab is at its best in summer, as are lobsters. Healthy mackerel is perfect for the barbecue and your garden should be brimming with fresh herbs.

YOU

TASTE OF LONDON The restaurant festival takes place in Regent’s Park from June 14-18. Get tasters from top chefs including Tom Kerridge, José Pizarro and Jeremy Pang. Tickets from London.tastefestivals.com

Food Director Jane on what’s on and what’s hot this month KITCHEN

MUSTHAVE

3

PHOTOGRAPH GETTY IMAGES

BOOK OF THE MONTH Coastline: The Food of Mediterranean Italy, France and Spain by Lucio Galletto and David Dale (£25, Murdoch Books). Transport yourself to the Med with the delicious, healthy food in this gorgeous book.

Full of traditional dishes, these are authentic recipes to create a taste of the Med at home.

WOK STAR! Chef Jeremy Pang runs the acclaimed School of Wok cookery school and his range of woks has just launched in Lakeland. Made from carbon steel, they are much lighter than most woks and make healthy cooking a breeze. You’ll

also be instructed how to season a wok, which makes it naturally non-stick. Most stir-fries fail because the wok isn’t hot enough. Match the wok with Jeremy’s book, Chinese Unchopped (£20, Quadrille), and you’ll become a master of Chinese cooking. Woks from £14.99.

of the best NEW BUYS

We love the new flatbreads and crostini from Crosta & Mollica at Sainsbury’s. Great for dipping, there’s Tarallini with Fennel Seed (£1.90), Crostini Oregano (£1.90), Rosemary Linguette (£1.90) and Sesame Baguettini Breadsticks (£1.50).

Our friends at Yeo Valley have launched a range of ice creams made with British organic double cream.

Choose from Double Chocolate, Sea Salted Caramel, Vanilla, and Strawberries & Cream. £4 for a tub from major supermarkets.

The Aperitivo trend is here, from Italy via style bars. Just add sparkling wine and plenty of ice to M&S Aperitivo Liqueur, £10, made with bitter orange, rhubarb and herbs. w&h

Turn

SIMPLE into SPECIAL

Summer’s new take on everyday ingredients Bored of cooking the same old recipes every week? Time to update your recipe repertoire and try some fresh combinations Food Director Jane Curran Photographs Sean Calitz

GLAZED PORK FILLET WITH ROASTED PLUMS THE NEW TAKE ON PORK A sweet and sour twist brings out the flavours.

Easy • Ready in 1 hour • Serves 4 a little oil 900g pork tenderloin 200g plum sauce 120ml soy sauce 8 plums, halved 2tbsp honey 4 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

2tbsp crème fraîche 5 star anise 1 Heat the oil in a frying pan and brown the pork. Put it into a roasting tin lined with oiled foil and pour over half the plum sauce and half the soy sauce. Heat the oven to 180C fan, gas 6. Bake for 25 minutes or until cooked through.

2 Put the plums on a baking tray, drizzle with honey and put in the oven after 10 minutes.

3 Meanwhile, steam the potatoes, then mash and add the crème fraîche.

4 Heat the remaining plum and soy sauce with the star anise.

Slice the pork then serve with the plums and sweet potato, and drizzle over the sauce.

Serve with sugar snaps or green beans.

Per serving: 763 calories, 14g fat (5.5g saturated), 100g carbohydrate >>

fresh ideas

“A simple loin of pork is transformed into a delicious sweet and sour with a sticky glaze” woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 177

fresh ideas

“Coconut is the big on-trend ingredient here, adding flavour to the succulent chicken”

woman&home TUNA TARTARE WITH ASIAN FLAVOURS

COOK’S TIP This dish also works really well with salmon. It’s very filling as it’s pure protein, but if you need some carbs to serve with it, just add pitta or tortilla chips.

THE NEW TAKE ON TUNA Cut into tiny cubes and serve raw with a zesty sesame dressing.

Easy • Ready in 40 minutes • Serves 4 2 super-fresh tuna steaks, around 180g each 3tbsp toasted sesame oil 8 spring onions, finely sliced ½ cucumber, peeled, deseeded and finely diced 3tbsp finely chopped fresh coriander 4tbsp yuzu juice (or 3tbsp soy sauce mixed with 1tbsp lemon juice) 3tbsp toasted sesame seeds sprigs of chervil or sliced chives, to serve 2 pink grapefruit, segmented, to serve

NEW

1 Finely chop the tuna, discarding any sinews. Mix with the sesame oil and chill until you are ready to serve.

Don’t add the yuzu juice or it will “cook” the fish.

2 Mix everything together and pack into 4 ring moulds (or dariole moulds) and turn out.

Top with chervil. Serve with the grapefruit on the side.

Per serving: 300 calories, 16g fat (2.5g saturated), 10g carbohydrate

STORECUPBOARD

Zingy yuzu is available from Waitrose and oriental grocers

COCONUT CHICKEN AND PAK CHOI THE NEW TAKE ON CHICKEN The chicken is gently poached in an aromatic coconut broth.

250g pouch microwave basmati rice 2tbsp each chopped mint and coriander 8 baby pak choi, steamed, to serve

Easy/Prepare ahead • Ready in 35 minutes, plus 30 minutes infusing • Serves 4

1 Heat the coconut milk in a pan. Bash the lemongrass and add to the pan.

Zest the limes and add, then halve and squeeze the juice into the pan and add the halves, too. Add the chilli.

2 Let it sit over a gentle heat for the flavours to infuse. Add the chicken, bring to the boil then simmer for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked.

400g can coconut milk 2 stalks lemongrass 2 limes, washed 1 green chilli, halved and chopped 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

3 When ready to serve, discard the lemongrass and lime skins. Microwave the rice and add a small ladleful of the coconut broth and the herbs. Slice the chicken and serve with the pak choi.

Per serving: 427 calories, 20g fat (15g saturated), 20g carbohydrate >>

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For more summer chicken ideas, go to womanandhome.com/summerchicken

woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 179

woman&home AUBERGINE, RED PEPPER & BLUE CHEESE TERRINE

THE NEW TAKE ON VEGETABLES A flavour combo that tastes so good!

Easy/Prepare ahead • Ready in 30 minutes, plus chilling • Serves 4 4 large roasted red peppers (from a jar is fine) 8-10 large slices grilled aubergine (frozen, from Waitrose and Ocado) 250g Gorgonzola Dolce 3tbsp crème fraîche balsamic glaze, Sweety Drop peppers (by Cooks&Co), heritage tomatoes and fresh basil, to serve you will need 4 small metal pudding basins lined with clingfilm 1 Press the peppers and then the aubergines into the basins. In a bowl, mash the cheese and crème fraîche.

Divide between the basins.

2 Cover with clingfilm and chill for 4 hours or overnight.

To serve, upturn them onto serving plates. Drizzle over the balsamic glaze; add the peppers, basil and tomatoes.

Serve with crusty bread.

Per serving: 313 calories, 26g fat (16g saturated), 5g carbohydrate

THE NEW TAKE ON LAMB A new sweet and spicy flavour gives this Middle Eastern trend a twist.

Easy/Prepare ahead • Ready in 2 hours • Serves 4 1kg lamb neck fillet 2tbsp Baharat (Moroccan spice blend) 350ml strong chicken stock zest and juice of 1 large orange 300g rainbow (heirloom) carrots 50g butter 150g thick natural yogurt 1 large red chilli, finely chopped 2tbsp chopped fresh mint 1 pineapple, peeled, cored and sliced 1 Brown the lamb in a pan. Heat the oven to 150C fan, gas 3. Put the lamb 00 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

Sweety Drop Peppers, from Tesco

NEW

into a casserole dish with a lid. STORECUPBOARD Add the Baharat, stock, zest and half the juice. (Keep the rest of the juice for the carrots and a little zest to garnish.)

Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes.

2 Cook the carrots in a sauté Baharat spice pan with the orange juice, blend is widely butter and 150ml water. If the available water evaporates, add a little more. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes until tender, then uncover and reduce the liquid until the carrots are nicely glazed.

3 Remove the lamb from the liquid and slice. Mix the yogurt, chilli and mint together. Serve the lamb with the yogurt, carrots and pineapple.

Per serving: 636 calories, 32g fat (16g saturated), 27g carbohydrate

CREDIT NAME

SPICY MOROCCAN LAMB WITH PINEAPPLE AND CHILLI YOGURT

NEW

STORECUPBOARD

fresh ideas GNOCCHI WITH PRAWNS AND LEMONS THE NEW TAKE ON PRAWNS A light summer twist that’s ready in minutes.

Easy • Ready in 20 minutes • Serves 4-6 75g butter juice and zest of 2 large lemons 1tsp smoked paprika 450g cooked large prawns 200g asparagus tips 1kg fresh potato gnocchi

C CREDIT NAME

1 Melt the butter in a pan, add the

lemon juice and most of the zest and the paprika. Add the prawns and set aside to infuse.

2 Blanch the asparagus for 2-4 minutes then refresh under cold running water. Cook the gnocchi according to pack instructions.

3 Reheat the butter and prawns, add the asparagus, toss with the gnocchi and serve immediately, scattering over remaining lemon zest.

Per serving: 566-377 calories, 17-11g fat (10-6.5g saturated), 75-50g carbohydrate >>

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For more speedy suppers, go to womanandhome.com/quick

THE NEW TAKE ON SALMON Sweetcorn is the hero in this salsa – the punchy flavours work well with the richness of salmon.

Easy • Ready in 30 minutes • Serves 2 6 tomatoes 1 red onion, finely chopped 1 avocado, finely chopped 2 corn on the cob (or 200g frozen sweetcorn, thawed) 4tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley juice of 1 large lemon 3tbsp olive oil 2 salmon fillets

1 Halve the tomatoes, then scoop out the seeds and discard. Finely chop, then mix with the remaining ingredients except the salmon. Season with plenty of black pepper and sea salt.

2 Heat a non-stick frying pan then sear the salmon on both sides until just cooked.

If your pan isn’t non-stick, lightly oil the salmon to prevent sticking. Serve on the salsa and garnish with a wedge of lemon.

Per serving: 712 calories, 52g fat (9g saturated), 10g carbohydrate

RECIPES AND FOOD STYLING JANE CURRAN ASSISTED BY ESTHER CLARK PROP STYLING SUE ROWLANDS

SEARED SALMON ON A FRESH SWEETCORN SALSA

“The The mushrooms will keep for up to a week in the fridge. They are a delicious antipasto to serve with cured meats, cheeses and grilled veg”” GOAT’S CHEESE WITH TRUFFLED HONEY AND PICKLED MUSHROOMS THE NEW TAKE ON GOAT’S CHEESE Pickling is so in! Ditto truffles – a new taste sensation.

1tbsp sea salt 75ml cider vinegar peel and juice of 1 lemon

Easy/Prepare ahead (pickle only) • Ready in 30 minutes, plus overnight marinating • Serves 4 (with leftover pickled mushrooms)

STORECUPBOARD 1 Halve the mushrooms then put into a saucepan with the remaining pickling ingredients and 75ml water. Bring to the boil then simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Set aside to cool, then put in a Truffle honey sealed container in the adds a savoury fridge overnight. They will note to goat’s keep for up to a week. cheese 2 To serve, simply slice the goat’s cheese and put on the toast, drizzle with the honey and serve with the mushrooms.

Per serving: 371 calories, 18g fat (11g saturated), 32g carbohydrate

250g soft goat’s cheese, sliced 4 large slices sourdough bread, toasted truffle honey, to drizzle (from selected M&S stores and souschef.co.uk) for the pickled mushrooms 300g button mushrooms 3 fresh bay leaves 2 spring onions, finely sliced 2tsp black peppercorns 2tsp fennel seeds 00 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

CREDIT NAME

NEW

fresh ideas FILLET OF STEAK WITH GREEN OLIVE PESTO NEW TAKE ON STEAK Trendy kale upgrades steak frites to a new level.

Easy/Prepare ahead (pesto only) • Ready in 30 minutes •Serves 4 (with leftover pesto)

C CREDIT NAME

4 fillet steaks, or whichever cut you prefer skinny fries, to serve for the pesto 150g pitted green olives

100g whole blanched almonds small handful flat leaf parsley leaves 5tbsp extra virgin olive oil for the kale 500g curly kale, large stems removed 2tbsp olive oil 2tsp sea salt 1 For the pesto, pulse everything in a food processor until combined but still chunky. Season to taste.

2 Toss the kale in the oil and salt, then

spread out onto a baking tray. Heat the oven to 150C fan, gas 4 and roast for about 15 minutes until crispy.

3 Cook the steaks to your liking and serve with the kale, pesto and fries.

Per serving: 635 calories, 49g fat (9g saturated), 3g carbohydrate >>

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For more steak recipes, go to womanandhome.com/steak

COOK’S TIP The pesto will keep for up to a week in a sealed container in the fridge. It’s equally delicious served with chicken or salmon, or tossed into pasta.

woman&home THE BERRIES ARE COMING! Bring out their best flavours with our new recipes as they come into season

ROOIBOS AND STRAWBERRY ICED TEA Serve on its own or mix with gin or sparkling wine for a delicious summer cocktail.

Easy/Prepare ahead • Ready in 15 minutes, plus infusing and chilling • Makes 1 litre 4 rooibos tea bags 75g sugar juice of 1 lemon strawberries and fresh mint, to serve

The berries are coming!

1 Put the tea bags, sugar and lemon juice into a large jug and pour over 1 litre cold water. Leave to infuse for about an hour, giving it the odd stir. Using cold water preserves the delicate flavour of the tea.

2 Leave in the fridge to get really cold. To serve, add ice and slices of strawberry and sprigs of mint. >>

Bring out their best flavours with our new recipes as they come into season

This strawberry-topped dessert is deceptively light but still delicious!

Easy/Prepare ahead • Ready in 40 minutes, plus chilling • Serves 6-8 250g white chocolate, chopped 2tbsp brandy 300ml double cream 3 egg whites 3tbsp finely ground pistachios, plus extra chopped, to serve strawberries, to serve 184 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

1 Gently melt the chocolate in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water.

Allow it to cool a little then add the brandy. Lightly whip the cream and fold into the chocolate. Beat the egg whites until stiff then fold in.

Fold in the ground pistachios and spoon into serving glasses.

2 Chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours. When ready to serve, top with chopped pistachios and strawberries.

Per serving: 394-252 calories, 43-32g fat (25-19g saturated), 24-18g carbohydrate

C CREDIT NAME E

WHITE CHOCOLATE AND PISTACHIO MOUSSE WITH STRAWBERRIES

fresh ideas BLUEBERRY, HONEY AND LEMON CAKE A proper teatime cake that’s deliciously moist and simple to make.

Easy/Prepare ahead • Ready in 1 hour 20 minutes • Serves 8-10 150g butter, melted 175g caster sugar 50g honey 150g Greek yogurt zest of 1 lemon 1tsp vanilla extract 225g self-raising flour 125g blueberries, plus extra to serve you will need a 25x12cm loaf tin, the sides and base lined with baking parchment

COOK’S TIP Mix a little honey and Greek yogurt to serve with the cake for an indulgent treat

Heat the oven to 150C fan, gas 3.

Whisk together the butter, sugar, honey and yogurt with the lemon and vanilla. Fold in the flour and blueberries.

Spoon into the tin, level the surface and bake for 1 hour 10 minutes until cooked through. Serve with a dusting of icing sugar and extra blueberries.

Per serving: 379-303 calories, 18-14g fat (11-9g saturated), 50-40g carbohydrate

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For more delicious ideas and inspiration for summer desserts, go to womanandhome.com/summerdessert

NO-CHURN FRESH RASPBERRY ICE CREAM

Easy/Prepare ahead/ Freeze • Ready in 20 minutes, plus freezing • Makes 12 servings 250g fresh raspberries, plus extra to serve juice of 1 lemon 200g condensed milk 600ml double cream 2tsp vanilla extract

186 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

1 To make the purée, put the raspberries and lemon juice in a pan and heat gently until they are mushy. Push through a sieve to remove pips and leave to cool.

2 Whisk the condensed milk, cream and vanilla together then stir in the raspberry purée. Pour into a freezerproof lidded box for 8 hours before serving. To serve, leave at room temperature for around 45 minutes then scoop into glasses. Top with some fresh raspberries.

Per serving: 368 calories, 34g fat (21g saturated), 13g carbohydrate w&h

PHOTOGRAPHS SEAN CALITZ RECIPES AND FOOD STYLING JANE CURRAN PROP STYLING SUE ROWLANDS

Always a winner. This makes enough for 10-12 servings so you’ll have an instant dessert ready in the freezer.

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To book go to www.newmarketholidays.co.uk/IWH or call 0330 160 7854 quoting code IWH Buy-one, get-one-free applies to new bookings made by 31 May 2017. Offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Prices above are for the lowest available cabin type. A selection of cabin types are available at ranging prices. All prices are extremely limited and may be withdrawn without notice. Calls from a landline or mobile are charged at local rates. Travel insurance not included. Lead-in price based on two people sharing and is correct at time of going to press. Subject to availability. Single supplement applies. These holidays are operated by, and your resulting contract will be with, Newmarket Promotions Ltd ABTA V787X, a company wholly independent of woman&home, published by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd.

The WINE Best wines edit

to buy NOW

Introducing our new monthly wine picks – as selected by Christelle Guibert, Tasting Director of decanter.com

ABOUT OUR EXPERT A Christelle Guibert was C brought up in the Loire b Valley.

V Following stints in i the wine department at Harrods H and on the Waitrose wine w buying team, she is now n the Tasting Director at overseeing all the Decanter, D tastings for the magazine as well as for both the annual Decanter World Wine Awards. She also tends one hectare of Melon de Bourgogne in Muscadet, where she produces 2,000 bottles a year of Terre de Gneiss, her first wine.

WINE of the month

Gouguenheim, Malbec Bubbles Extra Brut, Mendoza Argentina, 12%, £9.95, tannerswines.co.uk A delightful Malbec sparkler, which is full of strawberry and cherry aromas. With a crisp palate and moreish fruit flavours, this has a lovely persistence of tiny bubbles on the finish. The ideal complement to canapés or salad, but fantastic on its own.

Felugan, Feliciana, Lugana, Italy 2015 13%, £14.25, leaand sandeman.co.uk Made from 100% Trebbiano, an underappreciated grape, it is lush with ripe apple and candied fruit flavours.

It’s full-bodied but supported by a pristine acidity and plenty of weight, tension and energy. This is the best value wine on the market so get it before it’s too late!

Yalumba, Viognier, Eden Valley, Australia 2015, 13.5%, £12.99; Waitrose Yalumba have long been pioneers with Viognier, with their first commercial planting in 1980. They’ve changed the image of Viognier by producing a fresh style. Aromatic with notes of apricot, peach and ginger, it’s uplifting on the palate with a creamy texture and a fresh lychee finish.

Cellers Can Blau, Blau, Montsant, Spain 2014, 14.5%, £8.95, Booths Located in the Catalunya area, Montsant is a great source of crowdpleasing reds. A blend of Cariñena, Syrah and Grenache, it’s rich with notes of blackberry, plum and plenty of spice. The lively palate is packed with juicy black fruit characters, lifted by a refreshing acidity.

INSIDER know-how: Pairing wine with cheese Decide who’s the star “If you want the cheese to have the lead role, pick a wine with less character. If you want the wine to be the star, go easy on the forcefulness of the cheese,” says Master of Wine and Master Sommelier Gerard Basset.

What’s a good all-rounder?

Basset advises that you look to fortified wines.

“I would immediately suggest amontillado Sherry, tawny Port or Madeira. They aren’t too delicately flavoured and their taste profile is similar to the accompaniments you will serve with the cheese.”

Zensa, Nero d’Avola, Puglia, Italy 2015, 13.5%, £10.50, Oddbins “Zensa” is the Italian pronunciation of the word “senza”, meaning “without”, relating to the fact no chemical pesticides or fertilisers were used in the making of this charming red. It’s full of life, with red cherry characters and spice.

This wine is crying out for Italian sausages or meatballs.

Alamos, Lujan Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina 2016, 13%, £9.99, Majestic This label is made by the Catena family and it is surprisingly fresh and elegant, with classic blackcurrant and red cherry flavours, and a peppery hint.

The palate is ripe and smooth, with fine grainy tannins and a spicy finish from the oak. A great alternative to a generic Bordeaux.

FOR ALL WINE LOVERS For more exciting wine choices and in-depth features, plus details of their latest events and award winners, go to decanter.com

woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 189

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The HOME edit

FESTIVAL TIME A fab, brightly coloured and patterned cushion to get a summer vibe. Ibiza cushion, £10, primark.com

WIRED Want to update your lighting? It’s easy when you can buy funky lights for this price.

Wire pendant light, £12, wilko.com

COLOUR AND PATTERN

SOFT TOUCH

CLASS ACT I can’t believe this fabulous teapot is so reasonable – they are normally much more dear.

A perfect gift. Glass teapot, £16.99, homesense.com

70S VIBE Aren’t these great? Bring back the 70s with hanging plant pots – so now. Spot Flower Oval Apple, £24; Linear Stem Apple enamel, £15, orlakiely.com

A great colour and pattern, throw it on your furniture for an instant lift.

Coral fringed throw, £19.99, dobbies.com

NEW BUYS All for under £25 Home editor Alison Davidson sources this season’s must-haves at fantastic prices

Brighten up your bathroom with fresh accessories.

Havana tile dispenser, £5; tumbler, £3, george.com

GO TO BED Update your bedroom with paint splodge linen.

Abstract bed linen set, £20, sainsburys. co.uk

OUT OF AFRICA MAKE A STATEMENT

Rock both the monochrome and tribal trends. Vase, £25, debenhams.com

Oversized bottle vases are so useful, great inside or in the garden. Bottle vase, £19.99, hm.com

GREEN FINGERS Terrariums are everywhere at the moment and are ideal for an indoor garden. Brass cube terrarium, £19.95, miafleur.com

SHELF LIFE Believe it or not, all these pieces are under £10 each! Wooden candleholder, £3.99; mercury bottle, £2.49; grey candle, £3.99; glass candleholder, £1.99; Hex mercury vase, £5.99; mirrored clock, £7.99, all bmstores.co.uk

What’s your

GARDEN PASSION? Three readers’ gardens, three distinct styles, but which would you choose?

PERFECT PLANTING When choosing plants, consider height, leaf shape and colour – a mixture will create maximum impact.

IN THE PINK Bringing a favourite accent colour outside from the interior is a great starting point for an urban-style garden.

192 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

CONTRASTING TEXTURES A gravel path and seating areas in the upper part of the garden lend a textured alternative to the patio.

DRAW THE EYE An impressive eucalyptus adds a natural focal point to Shobhan and Julie’s garden

T

he owners of a modernist Dundee home, Shobhan and Julie Thakore-Rodger, wanted an outside room to enjoy, so they contacted garden designer Tracy McQue in spring 2011. She quickly spotted a beautiful pink splashback in their kitchen and suggested it as the colour for the rendered blockwork seating. It was a bold choice but a beautiful link between inside and out, and Shobhan and Julie were very much in favour – they’d already asked for pinks and purples in the garden, preferring these to yellows and oranges.

The garden was a blank canvas when they moved in, although there was an attractive stone wall on the south edge, which they were keen to preserve, and a beautiful view of the River Tay to the north. And because the garden is west facing, it’s drenched in sunlight until late evening in summer,.

Tracy also picked up on the dark grey of the aluminium window frames, choosing grey basalt for the patio, which is very much in keeping with the contemporary style of the house. The basalt is cut smooth both top and sides, resulting in a crisp, graphic finish. >> woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 193

SUMMERTIME HAVEN A relaxing seating area to enjoy the best of the summer flowers – erysimum, hardy geraniums, penstemons, cosmos, foxgloves coneflowers and hydrangeas.

THE OUTDOOR ROOM Fancy a home-from-home outdoors?

Nic (far left) and Derek’s pint-sized, irregular courtyard garden gets it spot on with quirky, stylish furniture and vintage accessories, including a distressed mirror, milk churn, stone trough and metal urn. Everywhere you look there’s a new find to love.

garden design SALVAGED ACCESSORIES A wrought-iron stand with succulents and herbs, an old barrel positioned next to Hosta ‘Big Daddy’ and a hydrangea in a wash tub complement the brickwork.

AL FRESCO ENTERTAINING A tranquil green and white palette suits this sheltered spot for al fresco eating, with candles to illuminate flowers at night. Plants include verbenas, cosmos, roses, rodgersias and hostas.

T

here’s a secret garden feel as the old door swings open to reveal Nic Howard’s delightful courtyard, brimming with plants and furnishings. “When you have a small garden, you have to make every centimetre count,” says garden designer Nic, who was torn between modern and shabby chic for his outdoor space. In the end, his love of plants won the day.

“A perfect garden is timeless, appearing effortless and uncontrived,” Nic believes. Planting includes maples, hydrangeas, hostas and rodgersia, and perfume is vital – white ‘Iceberg’ roses cling to the walls, and lilies, night phlox, tobacco plant and star jasmine add a heady night-time fragrance. An old dining table is ideal for entertaining and one of many reclaimed items, and it was Nic’s partner, Derek, who added the mirror to create the illusion of spaciousness.

Nic’s design unfolds as a series of linked, eye-catching cameos, “We look out on the courtyard, so it’s important to have something worth looking at.” >> woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 195

EYE-CATCHING FOCAL POINT The water feature is set into a dry stone wall and fronted by lawns edged in box balls and alliums.

Boundary beds are filled with palms bamboo, cordyline and maple.

SUBTLE ILLUMINATION The steps from the sunken terrace to the lawn are lit, and an old olive tree sits amid alliums and box balls.

Kate Gould’s striking modern garden design is all about symmetry, with structured box hedges and balls blended with alliums, fabulous exotic planting and interesting furniture... plus, one simply amazing focal point water feature with a split stone surround!

WORDS NICOLA STOCKEN PHOTOGRAPHS DOUGLAS GIBB

CHELSEA STYLE

DRAMATIC WALKWAY Golden bamboo towers above a stone path, box balls and hedging.

BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL Beyond the sunken terrace and artificial lawn lies a raised terrace with statement chairs set beneath a majestic oak. Lighting adds a sense of drama.

W

garden design

hen designer Kate Gould was asked to create a stylish garden for the Higgins family on a wide, shallow plot, she came up with a contemporary design on three levels, creating a beautiful outlook from the house, while also providing somewhere children can play. “Lawns wrap around three sides of the garden, with a path to one side, and a children’s play area to the other,” explains Kate.

A polished steel water feature makes a striking focal point, its polished steel mirrored surface casting different reflections, the sheets of water, forming a continuous, mesmerising ripple effect that is very relaxing. As night falls, the water feature stands out by virtue of lighting which adds a touch of magic. “Uplighters create interplay between shadow and light, and work well with architectural foliage. The natural colours of plants are best cast in a warm, white light,” says Kate.

The garden’s big surprise? The lush grass, it transpires, is artificial. “It’s incredibly popular because children can play on it throughout the year, and it’s also virtually maintenance free.” w&h

DESIGNER WATERING Orla Kiely watering can, £49.95, cuckooland.com TAKE IT EASY La Siesta double Brazilian hammock, £149.90, vivalagoon.com

WELCOME BUGS Insect hotel, £18, wudwerx.etsy.com

ADDING COLOUR The Thakore-Rodgers used big blocks of colour in their garden – check out these colourful buys…

FOR THE BIRDS Bird feeder, £16.99, tkmaxx.co.uk

FUN BOWLS S Summer Solstice bowls, £2.50, £2 0 s sainsburys.com b m

SQUARE DEAL Orlando chaise and footstool, £249, george.com

Get the look

OLD SCHOOL Malibu lounger in fuchsia, £19, jdwilliams.co.uk

Want to create your own version of these lovely gardens?

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FROM THE DAIRY Churn, £19.99, woodlodge.co.uk WATER WORKS Double-sided vertical water wall with plastic reservoir, £299.99, primrose.co.uk

GOOD REFLECTIONS Hyacinth garden mirror, £146, decorative mirrorsonline.co.uk

FAKE IT Lavender in a wire crate, £10, dunelm.com

Make a statement with a stunning water feature and structured planting

DESIGNER FEEL Hauteville concrete low armchair by Lyon Beton, £589, ovohome.com

Extend your living space to the outside, and fill it with great finds like Nic and Derek

GO MODERN Bloomingville Kubu sofa, £475, outthere interiors.com

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NATURAL TOUCH Woven lanterns: small, £25, large, £80, thewhitecompany.com

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VINTAGE LOOK Dolly tub planter, £89.99, crocus.co.uk

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woman&home FIT AS A BUTCHER’S DOG You take him for walks, but is your pooch getting enough exercise to stay fit and healthy?

The canine equivalent of a Fitbit, these trackers monitor activity so you know your best friend’s in his best shape.

✢ PitPat

✢ FitBark

What is it? A collar-mounted fitness tracker for dogs.

What does it do? Records h ’ how much time they’ve spent exercising and resting, how many calories burnt, and how much more they should do to stay fit.

Pros Suitable for all breeds and ages,

What is it?

A bow tie-shaped canine fitness tracker.

What does it do?

Monitors your dog’s activity, sleep, distance and calorie burn, lets you set health goals and compare your dog’s exercise regime with your own.

Pros Light and waterproof.

except young pups.

Splashproof. No recharging – it uses a cell battery.

Cons A PitPat can only link to one smartphone. £39.99, Argos

Suitable for all breeds. Multiple people can monitor the same dog.

Cons Needs recharging every 10 days (by USB; takes up to 90 minutes).

Pricier than others. £59.95, Amazon

OLD DOG,NEW TECH! Technology makes everyone’s lives easier – and that includes our furry friends. Gadget expert Holly Brockwell takes a look at the latest pet tech

THE CAT’S WHISKERS They don’t come cheap, but these clever cat gadgets are the crème de la crème as far as your feline’s concerned.

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SAFE AND FOUND These real-time GPS trackers ensure your precious pet never goes missing.

Keep tabs on where they are and where they’ve been while you’re at work.

✢ Surefeed microchip cat feeder What does it do?

Reads microchips so only the correct cat can access the food.

Ensures dogs and other cats can’t get into the bowl.

✢ Pod 3 What does it do?

Tracks your pet indoors and out; shows you where they’ve been in last 24 hours. You can set boundaries and

Pros Invaluable for cats on weight management diets or prescription food.

Cons Pricey. Really determined pets can get around it unless you add the extra rear guard (£8, sureflap.co.uk).

Do I need anything else? Either a microchip or a collar tag (£9.99 for two). £89.99, Argos

receive an alert if your pet leaves an area.

Pros Monitors fitness.

Waterproof.

Cons Expensive.

Bulky for cats (5.2cm and 31g). Needs phone reception (check coverage on website).

Do I need anything else? A data subscription, from £3.95 a month (three months included). £119, podtrackers.com

✢ Litter-Robot automatic litter tray

when it’s full.

Pros No more scooping! Vastly reduces smells.

Cons Very expensive and uses ele electricity.

Do o I ne eed anyth y hing else e se?

Clumping cat litter and d a plug soc socket. £462, robottshop.com

What is it? A spaceage self-scooping litter tray for cats.

What doess itt do? Detects cts cat entry, then sifts out dirty litter and storess itt d in a sealed ent. compartme It notifies you y

✢ Tractive What does it do?

Shows pet’s current location and for last 24 hours. Like the Pod 3, it offers boundary alerts.

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Live tracking updates every two seconds.

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Needs phone reception (check coverage

at tractive.com).

Can’t track indoors.

Do I need anything else? A data p , from subscription, £3.33 a month. £ £39.99,, Amazon a o

woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 00

books

GREAT READS

Books editor Fanny Blake picks the best new books out this month and talks to bestselling novelist Elizabeth Strout EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT

HEARTBREAKING LOVE STORY

COMPELLING READ

SUSPENSEFUL SAGA

The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo (HarperCollins) Lucy and Gabe’s love affair is intense. But they take different paths that lead Lucy into having to make a terrible decision. Keep out the tissues for this emotional page-turner.

He Said/She Said by Erin Kelly (Hodder) At a rape trial, Laura tells a lie with devastating consequences for her and boyfriend Kit. Decades later, living under new identities, the past returns to haunt them. Brilliantly plotted, packed with suspense.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (HarperCollins) Helping a man in the street is enough to start breaking down the walls Eleanor has built around herself.

A wonderful, perceptive and very poignant read.

The Stars are Fire by Anita Shreve (Little,Brown) Maine, 1947. When forest fires rage out of control, Grace saves her two children, but her husband goes missing and the town is destroyed. An elegant portrait of a gutsy woman bent on survival.

MENACING THRILLER

HISTORIC CRIME

FAMILY DRAMA

CURL UP WITH

The Night Visitor by Lucy Atkins (Quercus) An apparently random act of violence sets off this fabulously dark, tensionfilled read. Prof Olivia Sweetman discovers her reputation could be ruined by one woman who has her own mysterious agenda.

See What I have Done by Sarah Schmidt (Headline) This reimagining of the true story of Lizzie Borden, who in 1892 was tried for the murder of her father and stepmother and acquitted is a thrilling recreation of a dysfunctional family and its claustrophobic existence.

The Awkward Age by Francesca Segal (Chatto) Blended families seem a perfect solution when single parents, Julia and James, fall in love. But the teen children’s antipathy turns into something quite different. Thoughtful and beautifully observed.

Peculiar Ground by Lucy Hughes-Hallett (4th Estate) Wychwood country estate lies at the heart of this ambitious novel that spans three centuries, moving from England to Berlin.

Characters to get involved with, stories to follow – perfect to get lost in. >> woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 205

books

5 MINUTES WITH…

sso wounded by his own war e experiences.

Elizabeth Strout

The bestselling author of Olivia Kitteridge has written Anything is Possible, a series of stories linked to her previous novel, My Name is Lucy Barton (Viking).

Tell us about Anything is Possible…

Anything is Possible is written in a similar way that Olive Kitteridge was written; each person gets their chance to have their story and they are all connected to each other in some way.

Each character has their own story. I think my head

H How do you write?

I never write a story from b beginning to end. I just write p pieces and then they start tto take shape.

works in a certain way at times, and the idea of stories – rather than a straight novel – helps me get down what I want to say about these people.

What inspired the book?

I was inspired to write these stories of their lives because as I heard Lucy Barton and her mother speak of these people, I thought: Oh, what fun, let’s have them have a chance too. Let’s see what happened to those Pretty Nicely Girls, for example, and so I wrote

them partly at the same time I was writing My Name is Lucy Barton.

Favourite character?

Charlie Macauley. He breaks my heart. That he had to do so many horrible things in the Vietnam War has made his life what it is.

He is a healthier version of Lucy’s father, who was also

D Do you have an ideal rreader?

I always have an ideal reader in mind. This reader is patient, but not too patient, and they want the story. I think of my relationship with the reader as doing a slow dance with them, leading them here and there, always thinking: what do they need now?

PERSONAL MEMOIR

Meet Me in the In-Between

by Bella Pollen (Mantle) Divorcing parents, a drunken parrot, marrying into a Mafia family, motherhood – just a taste of what lies within this exuberant, captivating story.

Sound by Bella Bathurst (Profile) Losing then regaining her hearing prompts Bathurst towards an engaging blend of memoir, biography and history as she looks at our relationship with sound.

THIS MONTH’S CHOICE MY NAME IS LEON by Kit de Waal (Penguin) Our online book club is free to join and each month we send a book to 25 readers to review. This month’s choice, My Name is Leon, by Kit de Waal (Penguin), is about love, loss, identity and a nine-year-old boy, by an author who has worked in family law.

To join, go to facebook.com/ groups/whreadingroom 206 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

Emma Cline The Girls (Penguin) Compelling coming-of-age story as a teenage girl joins a Manson-like cult.

I See You

by Clare Mackintosh (Sphere) Thriller that will stop you from travelling on the London tube again.

This Must be the Place

by Maggie O’Farrell (Headline) Riveting portrait of what holds a marriage together.

Miss You by Kate Eberlen (Pan) This is an unconventional love story of two lovers kept apart by fate.

The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry (Serpent’s Tail) A dazzling historical saga set in 19th-century England.

What Alice Knew by TA Cotterell (Black Swan) A twisted thriller about a woman who knows too much.

Lyrebird by Cecilia Ahern (HarperCollins) A captivating story about a girl with an unusual gift.

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult (Hodder) Powerful tale of one woman’s fight against prejudice. w&h

PHOTOGRAPHS JUSTINE STODDART, LEONARD CENDAMO, PIXELEYES PHOTOGRAPHY

PICK OF THE PAPERBACKS

Be quick – it’s sure to be a sellout!

INVITATION IN CONVERSATION WITH

Enjoy drinks on the terrace of Martina’s publishers in London

Martina Cole J

TUESDAY 20 JUNE 2017 Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to meet the bestselling crime writer

oin No1 bestselling crimewriting legend Martina Cole and woman&home on the rooftop terrace of Martina’s publishers in central London. Enjoy drinks and snacks, and then the fabulous opportunity of listening to Martina in conversation with w&h Books Editor Fanny Blake. She’ll talk about her life as a writer – from her iconic first novel Dangerous Lady to her recent No1 bestseller Betrayal.

There will also be the opportunity for you to ask questions.

This year Martina celebrates 25 years as a successful author. As she says, “I wanted to bring a woman into a man’s world – remember, it was the early 90s – so I created Maura Ryan and wrote Dangerous Lady.

It became an overnight sensation and, 25 years on, I am so proud that Maura has given me the opportunity to continue writing books.”

HOW TO BOOK The event will take place on 20 June between 6.30-8.30pm at Carmelite House, 50 Victoria Embankment, London EC4Y 0DZ * Tickets cost £10 including two drinks, snacks and a fabulous goody bag. Copies of Martina’s books will also be on sale that evening thanks to Waterstones.

To book your tickets, visit womanandhome.com/martinacoleevent woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 207

In conversation with…

PAULA

HAWKINS The author of the runaway international bestseller The Girl on The Train talks to Fanny Blake about being an outsider, what draws her to dark subjects and the inspiration behind her new novel

P

aula, 44, lives in north London with her partner, a lawyer. She grew up in Zimbabwe until she moved to England when she was 17. Her fifth novel, The Girl on the Train, catapulted her to the top of the bestseller lists and has sold more than 1.5 million copies in paperback, and been turned into a film. Her much-anticipated new novel, Into the Water, is out now.

I had a lovely childhood growing up in Zimbabwe. My father is an economist who taught in the university and he and my mother still live in Harare. When I was 17 we came to England, but they returned home and I stayed because I’d got a place at Oxford university to read Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and after that I just never went back.

London, but I found it overwhelming and I felt very much an outsider.

That sense of being an outsider did affect me. I think a lot of writers have that same sense of sitting outside things, observing a lot, and they don’t always feel involved.

When I left university, I wanted to be a foreign correspondent. That was my naive dream because I don’t have the bravery. I would’ve gone to pieces.

I ended up in financial journalism.

In my first job at Euromoney, I visited Eastern Europe a lot because they were focusing on the deregulation of the Soviet economies.

After that, I worked on the money desk at The Times.

“Initially I was lonely in London.

I felt very much an outsider”

Initially I was very lonely and it took me quite a long time to adjust. I loved 208 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE

I’d always had ambitions to write.

I would start novels that I would never show to anyone because I had no confidence in myself. In 2004 an agent

approached me about writing a money guide and through my relationship with her, I was commissioned to write some romantic comedies under the pseudonym of Amy Silver.

It turned out rom-coms weren’t my thing. Each one got darker and in the last one there were quite a number of deaths – not what people go to romcom for! The fourth and last one died.

That was a disaster. I’d been working on it for two years and didn’t have any money so was in quite a bad way.

I was saved by The Girl on the Train.

My agent suggested I wrote a thriller so I gave her some ideas – one was about someone witnessing something on her train journey. Although everyone was excited about the book when I’d finished it, no one expected it to be the success it’s been.

I wasn’t involved in the film. The rights were bought really early, before the book was published, so at that point it didn’t feel real to me. I never

author interview imagined they would turn it round as quickly as they did.

I thought it was a good, dark, tight script and I controversially enjoyed the change of location from London, where I set the book, to New York.

Emily Blunt [pictured below] did a fantastic job – she got a Bafta nomination and a Screen Actors Guild nomination. I’m very pleased with the film.

I dreaded dressing for the premieres.

It’s not easy if you’re middle-aged and not thin. In the end, I wore dresses by Erdem to both. I like that very sort-ofembellished, baroque look. But I’m more at home in a jumper and jeans.

PHOTOGRAPHS ALISA CONNAN, REX FEATURES STATISTICS CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRINT

The success of The Girl on the Train has been life-changing. I’ve moved house and I travel more than I used to. I’m also a lot busier than I used to be. But the way I live my life hasn’t changed that much in that I still hang out with the same people and do the same things and write every day – I just do it in a fancier house than I used to.

I’d written a rough draft of Into the Water before The Girl on the Train was published. When I reread it I realised there was a lot more to do, which was complicated because it contains a lot of characters and many mysteries. It was going to be a two-hander, but I couldn’t tell everyone’s stories that way.

Everyone’s secretive, everyone’s got agendas, everyone’s pursuing their own little path. Some characters I write in the first person and some in

the third because some characters’ thoughts need to be more hidden than others. I wanted the book to be complex and layered, but not confusing.

Into the Water opens with the main character, Jules, discovering that her sister has been found dead in a river.

They used to go to that same place as children and it’s somewhere Jules has stayed away from for a very long time.

Now she’s forced to go back to deal with her sister’s affairs, her sister’s teenage child and to unravel what has really gone on.

how I’d respond to the situation, what would it do to you? How would that shape the person you become? For instance, I read that someone took their nine-year-old to a shooting range in America and gave the child a machine gun. The child shot and killed the instructor. What READ ON WRITING BY would that do to you STEPHEN KING. It’s a when you grew up? masterclass in the craft.

It’s not the child’s SHARE YOUR WORK fault, but surely that even when you would define you. don’t feel you’re

3 tips for

WRITERS

1 2

necessarily ready. You need one person who you trust to bounce ideas off.

WRITE EVERY DAY. Without words on the page, you’ve got nothing to work with.

3

The novel is in part about women, their relationship to each other, their power, their vulnerabilities, the ways in which they are silenced. It’s also about family, memory and the stories that we tell ourselves about our own lives and our families’ lives, and how our communities shape us.

The town of Beckford is completely fictional, though vaguely anchored in Northumberland. I love that part of the world. It’s sparsely populated and beautiful, but I was also thinking about the dark, gothic background that exists up there, which lends itself perfectly to the novel.

I’m fascinated by extreme situations.

I try to put myself there and wonder

Success in stats

Emily Blunt stars in 2016’s The Girl on the Train

The Girl on the Train has spent 45 weeks in The Sunday Times’ PB Fiction top 10 chart thus far – just beating Fifty Shades of Grey’s 44-week record.

34 of its 43 weeks have been spent at number one: 12 more than Fifty Shades of Grey.

Walking centres me. It’s that thing of letting your mind slip into neutral and then you have a good space to let things float to the surface and work things out.

I’d love to have somewhere I could go outside London for lots of long walks, a complete escape somewhere near water. I’ve always thought I’d be a nicer person if I lived near water. My favourite way of spending a weekend would be having lunch with friends and going for a long walk. Friends and I occasionally get a train out of London, ramble around, have a pub lunch and wend our weary way home.

Friendship is important to me. I’m unmarried, I don’t have kids and my parents live on the other side of the world and so my friends have been my family for quite a long time.

I’ve never wanted children of my own. I lack that drive that most people have. I think it’s rather freeing not having that timetable. Lots of my friends have children. I’m a godmother to some of them and they are very much in my life. w&h

Paula’s new novel, Into the Water (Doubleday), is published on 2 May. woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDE 209

walk in

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WEEKEND

GREAT FILMS, THEATRE AND CULTURAL TREATS Book Book B k tickets tick ketts and and d get gett discounts on West End musicals, drama and the arts at boxoffice.womanandhome.com There are plenty of great shows opening on the stage this year – here’s our pick

ANNIE

Must-see movies

Miranda Hart makes her West End debut as orphanage manager Miss Hannigan in the classic tale set in 1930s New York.

23 May-17 September; anniewestend.com

THE SECRET SCRIPTURE

Adapted from Sebastian Barry’s novel, this film follows the life of Lady Rose (played

by Rooney Mara and Vanessa Redgrave), who has lived in a mental hospital for more than 50 years. With the hospital facing demolition, psychiatrist Dr Stephen Grene (Eric Bana) must decide which patients should be transferred – or released. Out 19 May.

SALOMÉ This retelling of the tale places Salomé, infamous for demanding the head of John the Baptist, at the centre of a revolution. 2 May-15 July; nationaltheatre.org.uk

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES Johnny Depp reprises his role as Captain Jack Sparrow for the fifth film, which sees him pursued by Capitán Salazar (Javier Barden). Out 26 May.

JUDY!

SNATCHED Goldie Hawn is brilliant in this comedy.

When her boyfriend dumps her on the eve of their vacation, Emily (Amy Schumer) asks her mum (Hawn) to join her – but they soon get caught up in a kidnapping plot. Out 12 May.

THE ZOOKEEPER’S WIFE Set after the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939, this moving real-life story stars Jessica Chastain as Antonina Żabińska, who along with her husband, Jan, smuggled Jews out of the country – and became a hero to hundreds. Out now.

This biographical musical tells the story of Judy Garland, from her performance in The Wizard of Oz, to her romance with Sidney Luft. 16 May-17 June; artstheatrewestend.co.uk

QUEEN ANNE Romola Garai and Emma Cunniffe star in a play about one of England’s little-known sovereigns and her friendship with Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough. 30 June-30 September; trh.co.uk GO TO WOMANANDHOME.COM

See trailers of our favourite films out this month at womanandhome.com

COMING NEXT MONTH…

SUMMER Swimwear – all shapes, all sizes, all styles Your most flattering holiday wardrobe Must-buys: new brights & prints

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Love your

w&h weekend

5 A century after he opened his first f fashion n house in S Se San S bastian, over 100 00 piecess by the revolutionary l i designer, d Cristóbal Balenciaga, will go on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion is the first UK exhibition to explore his legacy, featuring examples of the shapes he’s best known for – the tunic, sack, baby doll and shift dresses. Plus, see dresses and hats belonging to 1960s fashion icon, Gloria Guinness, and ensembles made for Hollywood actress Ava Gardner. 27 May-18 February 2018; vam.ac.uk

ways to… celebrate summer

COUNTRYFILE LIVE After a successful first year, the event that brings one of our bestloved Sunday night shows to life returns to the spectacular grounds of Oxfordshire’s Blenheim Palace.

Presenters Anita Rani, Matt Baker, plus more, are getting stuck in once again with more live arena shows, animal displays, as well as debates and workshops. 3-6 August; countryfilelive.com

CULT SCREENS Pull up a beanbag or deckchair and enjoy your favourite classic film or a new blockbuster at a unique location outside the capital – al fresco. This year’s offerings include Dirty Dancing,

Pretty Woman and La La Land – plus feast on fresh popcorn, German hotdogs and a superb selection of craft beers. JuneSeptember; cultscreens.co.uk KYNREN This spectacular open-air show takes place over the grounds of Auckland Castle, County Durham and resurrects 2,000 years of British history, myth and legend.

The 90-minute experience begins at sunset and sees more than 1,500 volunteer cast and crew joined on stage by horses, sheep, goats, cattle, geese and ducks. You’ll even spot ships, a steam train and astonishing lighting and water effects. 1 Jul-16 Sept; elevenarches.org CAMP BESTIVAL Set against the backdrop of England’s dramatic Jurassic coast in Dorset, this family-friendly festival offers live music from the likes of Madness

and Mark Ronson, stand up comedy, DJ sets – and a line-up for little ones that includes go-karting and learning circus skills. If you don’t fancy pitching a tent, there are campervan and caravan areas, too. 27-30 July; campbestival.net THE GREAT BRITISH FOOD FESTIVAL Held at locations across the UK, including Castle Howard in York and Kelmarsh Hall in Northamptonshire, these fun festivals combine great food and drink with some of the country’s most treasured locations. At each venue, you can enter the annual Cake Off, go on a foraging walk and pick up some foodie treats at the artisan market.

Various dates until 24 September; greatbritishfoodfestival.com

WORDS NATHALIE WHITTLE PHOTOGRAPHS BBC, REX FEATURES

The hottest new shows on the box

Springwatch

Broken

Twin Peaks

Episodes

Michaela Strachan, Chris Packham and Gillian Burke present another series of the wildlife show, exploring the animals and plants that inhabit our gardens, cities and countryside.

BBC Two

Sean Bean leads this drama about Father Michael Kerrigan, a Catholic priest who must be confidante and counsellor to a conflicted congregation. Anna Friel stars alongside.

BBC One

The US drama, which centred on a town shaken by the murder of a high school student, returns over 25 years after the last episode aired. Naomi Watts and Laura Dern join the cast.

Sky Atlantic

The comedy about a husband and wife writing team, played

by Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig, who reproduce their British TV hit for an American network, gets a fifth and final series.

BBC Two

PLUS HOUSE USSE OF CARDS CAR ARD DS Season five of the political drama starring Kevin Spacey as US President Frank Underwood arrives in May. Will he hang on to the Presidency this time around? Rumour has it we might say goodbye to some beloved characters.

Netflix

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Travel Guide Destinations And Essentials For Your Holiday

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horoscopes

Your stars

SAGITTARIUS 23 NOVEMBER – 22 DECEMBER

Adopt a wait-and-see policy. Someone

may have got their facts wrong and Astrologer Penny Thornton’s something broken can be fixed. Food predictions for the month of June for thought on or near the 16th.

W Weekly update 09058-170549* Ye ear ahead 09058-170098*

CANCER

C CAPRICORN

23 JUNE – 23 JULY

You’re doing too much. Take a brea ak on or near the 15th and don’t let a mole lehill morph into a mountain. The weeke end of the 24th has sparkles all over it.

Weekly update 09058-170544* Year ahead 09058-170093*

23 3 DECEMBER – 19 JANUARY

Mars is up to mischief, whether a flirtation gets you into trouble or a co ompetitor needs cutting down to size.

Do on’t underestimate the opposition.

W Weekly update 09058-170550* Ye ear ahead 09058-170099*

LEO

A AQUARIUS

24 JULY – 23 AUGUST

20 0 JANUARY – 19 FEBRUARY

Get your party hat on! This is the ffun month of 2017, even if on or near tthe ork 15th, your plans are on hold. Rewo a project and reboot your self-belief.

Weekly update 09058-170545* Year ahead 09058-170094*

Do on’t be discouraged by a less than brrilliant result. In time a project can be re elaunched or a relationship rekindled.

W Weekly update 09058-170551* Ye ear ahead 09058-170100*

P PISCES

VIRGO

20 0 FEBRUARY – 20 MARCH

24 AUGUST – 22 SEPTEMBER

Others may fail to fulfil their promises, but this is not the time to burn bridg dges.

Turn events to your advantage. You cannot lose what is rightfully yours.

Weekly update 09058-170546* Year ahead 09058-170095*

LIBRA 23 SEPTEMBER – 23 OCTOBER

The trend for reversals and go-slows is over. You could see a spectacular result for your efforts, and a contract could be on the table. Don’t dither: dazzle!

Weekly update 09058-170547* Year ahead 09058-170096*

SCORPIO

ILLUSTRATION NADIA FLOWER

24 OCTOBER – 22 NOVEMBER

All or nothing is the Scorpio way, and if you’ve been questioning the wisdom of a relationship, follow your heart.

Who cares what people think.

Weekly update 09058-170548* Year ahead 09058-170097* *CALLS COST 80P PER MINUTE PLUS YOUR TELEPHONE COMPANY’S NETWORK ACCESS CHARGE AND LAST ABOUT 4½ MINUTES. CALLERS MUST BE AGED 18 AND OVER. YOU MUST HAVE THE BILL PAYER’S PERMISSION. WEEKLY STARLINES ARE UPDATED EVERY SATURDAY. SERVICE PROVIDER: SPOKE, 0333 202 3390.

READER INFORMATION woman&home, ISSN 0043 7247 (compact issue ISSN 1753 7932), is published monthly by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP, England. Customer care phone number: 020 3148 6340. Time Inc. (UK) Ltd Switchboard: 020 3148 5000. BACK ISSUES Past issues of w&h are £4.30 each, excluding P&P, from: w&h Back Issues Dept, Unit 6, Viking Trade Park, Newark Road, Peterborough PE1 5GE; call 01733-688964; or visit mags-uk.com • woman&home, incorporating Essentials, Living and Woman’s Journal.

Distributed by Marketforce (UK) Ltd, 5 Churchill Place, London E14 • We never

St sign Star i off the month GEMINI 22 MAY – 22 JUNE

Appearances are deceptive.

When situations are in transition they give off false signals.

A setback is an opportunity and a gift may come with unwanted obligations. For weekly updates, call 09058-170543*

THE MONTHS AHEAD The summer months may not deliver all you wanted and more but wait until November – a time of rewards and reckonings. To hear a detailed breakdown of the next few months, phone Penny on 09058-170092* accept unsolicited manuscripts, including fiction, or pictures, and if submitted, we cannot return them • Prices quoted in the magazine are RRP, checked at the time of going to press • Cover printed by Wyndeham Peterborough. Text printed

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Do oubts arise for a reason. Seek second op pinions on matters. However, where llove is concerned, trust your gut.

Weekly update 09058-170552* Year ahead 09058-170101*

ARIES 21 MARCH – 20 APRIL

The weekend of the 3rd brings surprises, but whatever you feel, put on a happy face. Good things will come.

Weekly update 09058-170541* Year ahead 09058-170090*

TAURUS 21 APRIL – 21 MAY

You may have to accept less than you expected but don’t hold out for more.

See it as the price of future happiness.

Weekly update 09058-170542* Year ahead 09058-170091* GO TO WOMANANDHOME.COM

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Fitness coach and bestselling author Joe Wicks, 31, has written his fourth book, Cooking for Family and Friends. He lives in London On his new book… You’ll want this to hand if you’re planning a big dinner party. I wanted to include all the recipes I loved growing up – each with a healthy twist – so there’s everything from spaghetti Bolognese to chilli con carne. There are treats too – we need a guilty pleasure now and again.

My loves…

On his roots… I grew up on a council estate and I was wasn’tt very academic. I though ht I’d ’ be a PE teacher and whe en that didn’t work out, I started myy own boot camp. That led d to me e making workout videos fo or social media – and people starte ed asking me questions about diet a and fi fitness.

That was my launchpad.

FRIENDS AAll myy friends are from school andd they k me grou keep g unded. There’s ei eight of us, includdingg my bigg brotheer, and we hhave a big WhatsApp group g called “The Veegas 8”. They think it’s hilariouss when they see me onn TV, but we share my success; iti ’ mean m much if you’re celebrating alonne. doesn’t

On being a sex symbol… Am A I one? I don’t see myself tha at way.

It does make me laugh whe en girls leave funny comments on my pictures. Although I keep fit, I’ve never really bee en into looking a certain way.

On what’s next… I’ve stopped waiting to do the things I want to do. My goal is to inspire on an even bigger scale. I’d like to work with schools and the NHS to help kids choose healthy foods and adults to work out. And I’d d love to have a family one day.

Cooking for Family and Friendss is out on 1 June (Bluebird).

2 26 woman&home A BRAND NEW ATTITUDEE 226

VENICE BEACH, LA I’m happiest when I’m lying on a sunbed, listening to a podcast or reading ing a book and drinking king Piña Coladas. as.

PLAYING THEE GUITAR I started learninng five years ago and I’ve got quite g at a few Edd Sheeran songs now. The troouble good i before is, f I’ve ’ peerfected one song, I’ve foundd a othe one o e I wa want to learn more. another JAM MIE OLIVER I rem member watching him on TV aas a young boy thinking “ ’s brilliant”. I speak “He’ to him h a bit on Instagram now. n He’s the real deal.

BURGERS You could put me in any restaurant in the world and II’d choose a burger e every tim me – and if I’m ’ fe feeling really r y in indulgent, I’ll I have a side of t u e fries and truffle macaroni cheese. maca e.

MATHS I used to hate it at school and I still do. My brain just doesn’t seem to work when it comes to numbers.

POUTING Instagram is full of photos of people doing it and I find it pretty annoying. I’d much rather see a photo of someone smiling.

TINNED TUNA It stinks – and it takes so long to eat. I’m sat there chewing for hours!

ARROGANCE I think it’s the worst quality a person can have.

SMOKING It’s disgusting..

I’ve never done it… and I never will. w&h

INTERVIEW NATHALIE WHITTLE PHOTOGRAPHS ALAMY, REX FEATURES, TIMEINCUKCONTENT.COM

MY LOVES & HATES

My hates…