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SEPTEMBER 2021

FEARNE COTTON

on power, purpose & imperfection

Big love

SEPTEMBER 2021 £4.99

RED FOR THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE

New style now

Why polyamory is on the rise

Dungarees Shirt dresses Deckchair stripes Crochet knits

Last days of summer RE D O N L I N E . C O. U K

Lazy suppers Cocktail tumblers Wild planting Sunset shades

WWW.REDONLINE.CO.UK

Find your happiness

Live more adventurously Manifest your dream career make your own rules

CONTRIBUTORS SEPTEMBER 2021

GROUP EDITORIAL DIRECTOR GABY HUDDART EDITOR SARAH TOMCZAK Editorial enquiries red@redmagazine.co.uk

GROUP EDITORIAL PRODUCTION

JESSAMYN STANLEY shares her yoga for everyday life, on page 140. I STEP OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE BY... allowing myself to feel fear. MY MOTIVATIONAL MANTRA IS... ‘Throw away yesterday, today is a brand-new day.’

Group Managing Editor Ingrid Eames Group Chief Sub-Editor Sue Smith Chief Sub-Editor Gwen Mostyn Deputy Chief Sub-Editors Vicky Deacon, Danielle Woodward, Joseph Bentley, Amy Atkinson Senior Sub-Editor Charlotte Page Sub-Editor Clare O’Dwyer

ART Creative Director Philippa Williams Group Art Editor Lisa Collins Senior Designer Abby Laing Designers Jade Stephens, Sophie Burgham

BEAUTY

LIVING

Group Beauty Director Eve Cameron Senior Beauty Editor Alexandra Friend Beauty Editor Gillian Davies Beauty Assistant Medina Azaldin

Group Homes & Gardens Director Carolyn Bailey Group Style & Interiors Director Sarah Keady Style & Interiors Editor James Cunningham Lifestyle & Homes Writer Alicia Ford @RedFashionTeam Homes & Style Assistant Daisy Bendall Cookery Editor Emma Franklin Group Fashion Director Oonagh Brennan Fashion & Beauty Bookings Directors Karina Dial, Fiona Andrews Fashion Director Amanda Marcantonio Consumer Affairs Director Caroline Bloor Fashion Editor Jo Atkinson Senior Consumer Editor Joanne Finney Fashion Assistant Jodie Dunworth Consumer Editor Emilie Martin Consumer Writer Molly Greeves

FASHION

CONSUMER AFFAIRS

ENTERTAINMENT

PICTURES

Group Celebrity Director Nathalie Whittle Senior Celebrity Writer Anna Bonet

Picture Director Beverley Croucher Picture Researcher Jodie Anderson

FEATURES @RedMagDaily

REDONLINE.CO.UK

Lifestyle Digital Director Simon Swift Digital Editor Francesca Rice Deputy Digital Editor Sarah Ilston

Features Director & Special Projects Editor Natasha Lunn Commissioning Editor Ella Dove Health & Wellbeing Commissioning Editor Arielle Tchiprout

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Armelle Ferguson, Vanessa Gerbrandy, Rosie Green, Sarra Manning, Brigid Moss, Alice Olins, Nicola Rose, Kate Watson-Smyth

CHIEF BRAND OFFICER, LIFESTYLE & HOMES SHARON DOUGLAS CLIENT DIVISION

Chief Luxury Officer Jacqueline Euwe (jacqueline.euwe@hearst.co.uk) Head of Clients Ollie Lloyd (ollie.lloyd@hearst.co.uk) Director of Travel Denise Degroot (denise.degroot@hearst.co.uk) Client Director, Finance and Motors Pete Cammidge (pete.cammidge@hearst.co.uk) Client Head of Fashion and Beauty Sarah Tsirkas (sarah.tsirkas@hearst.co.uk)

SHOWS & EVENTS

Events Partnership Director Michelle Pagliarulo (michelle.pagliarulo@hearst.co.uk) Head of Live Operations Madolyn Grove (madolyn.grove@hearst.co.uk) Shows Manager Jonny Watts (07714 830302; jonathon.watts@hearst.co.uk) Sales Manager Louise Duckett (07435 751517; louise.duckett@hearst.co.uk)

LICENSING

Head of Licensing Lou McArthur (lou.mcarthur@hearst.co.uk) Licensing Executive Alexandra Bovey (alexandra.bovey@hearst.co.uk)

DR UCHENNA OKOYE shares her summer style and beauty buys, on page 78. I STEP OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE BY... playing the piano. I’m awful at it, but I enjoy it!

MY MOTIVATIONAL MANTRA IS...

‘Don’t try to picture everything bad that could possibly happen. Stick with the situation at hand’ – Marcus Aurelius.

Red is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (which regulates the UK’s magazine and newspaper industry). We abide by the Editors’ Code Of Practice and are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism. If you think we have not met those standards and want to make a complaint, contact complaints@hearst.co.uk or visit hearst.co.uk/hearst-magazines-uk-complaints-procedure.

If we are unable to resolve your complaint, or if you would like more information about IPSO or the Editors’ Code, contact IPSO on 0300 123 2220 or visit ipso.co.uk. *Calls from UK landlines are charged at the standard national rate; calls from mobiles may cost more.

HEARST STUDIO

Branded Content Lead Alison Lynch Art Director Mairead Gleeson

PRODUCTION

ADVERTISING DIVISION

Chief Commercial Officer Jane Wolfson Executive Assistant to Chief Commercial Officer Tanya Stewart (tanya.stewart@hearst.co.uk) Head of Agency Sales, UK and Global Ben Chesters (ben.chesters@hearst.co.uk) Executive Creative Director Mark McCafferty (mark.mccafferty@hearst.co.uk) Head of Digital Ryan Buckley (ryan.buckley@hearst.co.uk) Head of Accreditation Laura Cohen (laura.cohen@hearst.co.uk) Lifestyle Group Regional Director Lisa Bhatti (lisa.bhatti@hearst.co.uk) Head of Media Planning Lucy Porter (maternity leave) Acting Heads of Media Planning Wendy Meekings (wendy. meekings@hearst.co.uk) Ayesha Jina (ayesha.jina@hearst.co.uk) Senior Media Planning Manager Kelly Abbott (kelly.abbott@hearst.co.uk) Head of Client Direct & Indies Lee Rimmer (lee.rimmer@hearst.co.uk)

CONSUMER SALES & MARKETING

Chief Consumer Revenue Officer, Hearst Europe Reid Holland Circulation & Subscription Director James Hill Digital Marketing & CRM Director Seema Kumari Head of Subscriptions, Marketing & Circulation Justine Boucher Red Escapes Alistair Wood

COMMUNICATIONS

Director of PR and Communications Effie Kanyua PR Manager Clare Fenny Journalist enquiries: pressenquiries@hearst.co.uk

Production Manager Pavel Pachovsky (pavel.pachovsky@hearst.co.uk) Ad Production Controller Carl Latter (carl.latter@hearst.co.uk)

HEARST UK CEO, HEARST UK & PRESIDENT, HEARST EUROPE JAMES WILDMAN Finance Director, Hearst UK Julien Litzelmann Chief Operating Officer, Hearst Europe Giacomo Moletto Digital Development Director, Hearst UK Matt Hill Chief People Officer, Hearst Europe Surinder Simmons

Hearst UK, the trading name of The National Magazine Company Limited, House of Hearst, 30 Panton Street, London SW1Y 4AJ

HEARST INTERNATIONAL

Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer & General Manager Simon Horne Senior Vice President/Editorial & Brand Director Kim St Clair Bodden Already a subscriber?

Visit hearstmagazines.co.uk/managemyaccount to update your contact details and for subscription enquiries, back issues, special editions and beauty boxes. Contact us at hearstmagazines.co.uk/contact-us.

Call us on 01858 438853*. Lines open weekdays, 8am-9.30pm; Saturdays, 8am-4pm

PHOTOGRAPHY: JADE WILSON

BELLA MACKIE writes an ode to unlikeable women, on page 28. I STEP OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE BY... doing literally anything new.

Everything new makes me uncomfortable!

MY MOTIVATIONAL MANTRA IS...

‘Good for you, not for me.’ Amy Poehler says this and it resonates a lot.

FROM LEFT Home decor trends (page 95); rediscovering nature (page 152); style inspiration (page 20)

PHOTOGRAPHY: CHIARA ROMAGNOLI, JASON HETHERINGTON/TRUNK ARCHIVE

Joy seeking If I’m honest, I always find this, the September issue, problematic, because it straddles two seasons. In the strange world of magazines, the month on the cover doesn’t always correlate with the month we’re currently in, so even though the September issues traditionally hail all things autumn, you’re most likely to be reading them in the depths of summer. For this reason – and because I get great pleasure from throwing out the rulebook, and great misery from looking at coats while on a sunlounger – we have continued the sunshine vibes in this issue. We’re still giving you a taster of the new things to come, such as our highlights from the A/W fashion shows on page 12, but this runs alongside our best holiday beauty buys on page 78, and a delicious alfresco menu for friends on page 104, to help you squeeze the most out of the last days of summer.

Not playing by the rules is actually a running theme throughout this issue. As always, we like to tap into a mood of the moment, and I think more of us are questioning what our life should look like now in a post-lockdown world. I’m not suggesting we are all about to quit our jobs and move to

‘I love anything with lemons!’

‘Perfect for late-summer evenings’ TOP, £245; TROUSERS, £265, both Veronica Beard at Net-A-Porter

a far-flung beach somewhere, but I do think we are unpicking why we’ve always done things a certain way and debating whether there’s room for change. So, on page 24, we get some inspiration for living a life less ordinary, our feature on page 144 suggests that with ‘neurohacking’ we can retrain our brains to create new pathways and think differently, and on page 26, we explore polyamory and ask if loving more than one person at once is the future of modern romance. Jessamyn Stanley is blazing a trail by challenging the stereotypes of what we expect in a yoga guru (page 140) and Rachel Morris busts some myths of her own on page 23, where she argues that not feeling like you belong anywhere is actually good for the soul.

Finally, there’s our beloved cover star Fearne Cotton, who is turning her back on the world of showbiz in favour of something that feels more meaningful. As she tells Ella Dove on page 59, ‘I want to be open to wherever we end up without having to have this fixed idea of what it should be.’

I embrace this idea, too – happiness looks different for each one of us. You just need Looking for the perfect to figure out how and where you’ll find yours.

present? Treat a loved one to a red subscription. go to page 56 for our great offer.

Editor Sarah Tomczak

Editor’s picks

‘A chic collab from two of my fave brands’

GIN CON LIMONE, £28, Malfy

SERVING DISH, £62, Host Home

NAPKIN RINGS, £40 for 4, Rebecca Udall

‘Scallops and a sunshine shade’

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September 2021 | REDONLINE.CO.UK

BIKINI, £185, Rae Feather x Tara Matthews

‘I’ve been drinking this with tonic and fresh mint’

Contents SEPTEMBER 2021

120

STYLE

FEATURES

stealing the spotlight this autumn 12 SHOW TIME Autumn fashion inspiration straight from the catwalk 18 CROCHET CRAZE Retro knitwear is making a comeback

greener, one month at a time, with Red’s Armelle Ferguson 23 NO FIXED ABODE Housesitting has opened up a whole new world of experiences for Rachel Morris

19 THE FASHION INFLUENCER

24 CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

Red’s best new style finds 20 THE RIGHT STRIPES Get in line with one of the season’s hottest trends 21 FINISHING TOUCHES From chandelier earrings to must-have watches, here are the new pieces to add to your jewellery box

How to make the everyday less ordinary and live a more fulfilling life 26 BIGGER LOVE Red’s Arielle Tchiprout investigates the rise of non-monogamous relationships 28 GOOD TO BE BAD Bella Mackie on why ‘unlikeable’ women in history and literature should be celebrated 30 STRENGTH IN SILENCE Deaf twins Hermon and Heroda explain why they won’t let obstacles get in the way of their ambitions 32 DREAM JOB How to manifest your desires and conquer your goals 36 RISKY BUSINESS Why taking chances is the key to success

11 PLAY IT COOL These jeans are

FASHION

59 FREE SPIRIT Romantic and carefree, boho vibes are ideal for seeing out the last days of summer 60 FEARNE ON HAPPINESS Style queen Fearne Cotton shares her secrets to finding contentment

22 THE ECO INFLUENCER Getting

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114

37 HOW I GOT HERE We talk to

garden designer Juliet Sargeant about her impressive horticultural career 38 MAKE IT HAPPEN Don’t let money hold you back 44 SEEING GREEN Professor Green on overcoming his father’s suicide and becoming an ambassador for male mental health 49 READS Cultural highlights

BEAUTY

77 SUNNY SIDE UP Say hello to your new signature scent 78 BEAUTY SPOTS Three women share top style and beauty buys from their favourite destinations 86 DIVE IN Keep summer going with products that capture sun and sea 91 THE BEST OF… BRONZERS Perfect that sun-kissed glow

93 THE BEAUTY INFLUENCER Eve Cameron’s September star buys

59

£20, Casa Celva at Liberty London

CARAFE, £46, The Cornrow

SERVING BOWL, £40, Hot Pottery at Liberty London

ESCAPES

159 GREAT SCOT From stunning scenery to buzzing cities, Scotland has lots to offer

LIVING

95 COLOUR YOU HAPPY Embrace bold hues in your home 96 LIGHT AND SHADE Make the most of your windows 104 GOOD TIMES Effortless recipes for outdoor entertaining, from slow-cooked lamb to frangipane tart

110 MAD ABOUT THE HOUSE The trends that are making their way from the catwalk and into our homes

111 THE LIVING INFLUENCER Red’s favourite new home buys 112 SCARLET & SKY The unexpected elegance of pairing red and blue 114 LAND LOVE This family bolthole in Australia has an incredible connection to its surroundings 120 SUNSET SUPPERS Comforting and colourful dishes that are packed full with flavour

127 ART OF GLASS Treat your table to some tinted tumblers 128 TAKE A LEAF Add a wild side to your interiors with expert tips from plant-lover Hilton Carter 135 SMOOTH OPERATORS

IN EVERY ISSUE

4 CONTRIBUTORS Meet the team 5 EDITOR’S LETTER 8 SAY IT, WRITE IT, SHARE IT Your views 9 THE ONLINE INFLUENCER What’s on redonline.co.uk

Kitchen essentials

173 STARS September forecasts 178 MY LIST OF EVERYTHING The CEO

SELF

of lifestyle brand TOAST, Suzie de Rohan Willner, shares her favourite things

139 WEIGH TO GO Amp up your workout with wearable weights 140 STRONGER CALMER DEEPER Red meets yoga guru Jessamyn Stanley 144 THINK BETTER Can neurohacking make us sharper and smarter?

148 DONATING MY EGGS HELPED Milly McMahon shares what egg donation taught her 152 INTO THE WILD The joy of reconnecting with nature HEAL ME

126 SPOTLIGHT ON NAT MAKS

157 THE BEST OF… ELECTRIC

The founder of the wallpaper brand shares her story

TOOTHBRUSHES Keep teeth healthy, bright and pearly white

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September 2021 | REDONLINE.CO.UK

OFFERS

56 SUBSCRIBE TO RED TODAY THIS MONTH’S COVER

Photography Philip Sinden Styling Oonagh Brennan Styling assistant Jodie Dunworth Hair Charley McEwen at Frank Agency using John Masters Organic Make-up Justine Jenkins Set designer Michelle Lester Production Karina Dial Creative director Philippa Williams Location Thanks to The Royal Parks, Richmond Park Fearne wears Blouse, Zimmermann.

Dungarees, Wyse London. Jewellery, Fearne’s own

Say it, WRITE IT, Share it.

If you have any news or views you’d like to see covered, we’d love to hear from you

A LONG WAY TO GO

In our July issue, we investigated the continued prevalence of the ‘pink tax’, the phenomenon that everyday life costs more for women. Lisa Best got in touch with us to share her thoughts.

‘I found your piece on the pink tax illuminating,’ she wrote. ‘As a lesbian, I’m fully aware of the pink pound and how it has been manipulated and exploited. But I must admit that I had not fully considered the far-reaching issues connected to female-focused products, even if they are virtually the same as those sold to males at a much lower price. Your table comparing the cost of jeans for women highlighted that this isn’t restricted to haircuts, which are a sore point for me now that I have a very short hairstyle that many equate to a “male” haircut, yet still get charged for a woman’s cut.

I think with some of the other items you compared, such as perfumes and hair-removal cream, there is

a perception among product providers that women are more concerned with their outward appearance, and marketing and advertising feeds us that message incessantly. My wife and I are painfully aware of gender stereotypes as we are both on the less feminine side of the female spectrum and are still regularly alarmed at how advertising does so much to drive people to stay in their assigned gender lane.

The sad fact is that, however you identify, femaleness is still treated very differently to maleness and generally not in a fair way. So, having to pay a few extra pence for razors is not just a little leftover from a culture that is being abandoned in the enlightened 21st century, it’s actually a signal of how far we still have to go.’

ENERGISED & AMBITIOUS Also in July, we spoke to entrepreneur, author and niece of the USA’s vice president Meena Harris about why ambition is something to be celebrated. Her interview resonated with writer Marie Maher: ‘Meena Harris’s article was wonderful; uplifting, inspiring and energising. It’s pulled me out of my trough of self-pity and enervating destructiveness and set me firmly back on the road to work. Thank you Meena, and good luck in all that you do. And thank you, as always, Red, for yet another stimulating magazine.’

Be part of the Red community Follow us on Instagram @redmagazine 126k followers Tweet us @RedMagDaily 99.1k followers Like us on Facebook at Red Magazine 164k likes Follow our pins at Red Magazine 865k followers Read more at redonline.co.uk

OUR MAIL OF THE MONTH WINS… … a goodie bag containing bestselling products from The Skin Experts (theskinexperts.co.uk), including Medik8 C-Tetra, SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial UV Defense SPF 50 and The Organic Pharmacy Retinol Night Serum, worth £108.

This month’s star letter prize goes to Lisa Best, mentioned left. Write to Red, House of Hearst, 30 Panton Street, London SW1Y 4AJ. Email red@redmagazine.co.uk

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September 2021 | REDONLINE.CO.UK

red online

OUTRAGEOUSLY BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN WALES THAT COULD BE MISTAKEN FOR BALI Who needs to go overseas?

HOW A FASHION EDITOR BUILT THE ULTIMATE CAPSULE WARDROBE

ONLINE

These essentials helped Red’s digital fashion editor Abigail Southan give up fast fashion and dress smart.

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY, ROSIE PARSONS. T-SHIRT, A.P.C. SUIT, MANGO

HERE’S WHAT RED’S DIGITAL EDITOR NATALIE CORNISH IS LOVING OVER ON REDONLINE.CO.UK THIS MONTH

‘I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ADHD, AGED 42’ Victoria Richards was labelled ‘scatty’ at school, but after being diagnosed with ADHD in her 40s, she learned to embrace her whole self.

7 TIPS FROM A CAREERS EXPERT TO HELP SECURE THAT NEW ROLE Job hunting? This is the know-how you need.

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September 2021 | REDONLINE.CO.UK

Style Edited by OONAGH BRENNAN

Play it cool After a summer of Seventies-inspired denim, Sportmax welcomes in a new mood with the launch of Denim Culture. In washed charcoal, flared jeans take on a French girl nonchalance – especially when worn with a matching vest – adding a cool confidence to your autumn wardrobe. Mix in checks or wear with crisp white tennis shoes and a trench coat, for a smart start to the season.

PHOTOGRAPHY: RACHELL SMITH. HAIR: MARCO TESTA. MAKE-UP: LINDSEY POOLE

TOP, £245; JEANS, £205, both Sportmax.

SHOES and HAIR BOW, model’s own

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Chloé

SHOW TIME These are the runway shows inspiring the Red team’s new autumn wardrobes

Chloé

SKIRT, £359, Whistles

JUMPER, £160, French Connection COAT, £425, Ted Baker

JODIE DUNWORTH FASHION ASSISTANT

SOCKS, £20, Falke

Favourite show: Chloé Speaking to my heartland style of super-soft rollnecks, column-knit dresses and aviator jackets, the Chloé collection also encourages me to push my style boundaries by including leather for clashing texture, and olive and burgundy to shake up my neutral colour palette.

NECKLACE, £9.50, Marks & Spencer

TOP, £8, Primark

DRESS, £99, Arket

BRACELET, £10, Next

BAG, £225, Reiss

Chloé

DRESS, £249, Sandro

I am adding in colour but still sticking to earthy hues that don’t feel too far out of my comfort zone

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BOOTS, £155, Dune London

STYLE TROUSERS, £299, L.K.Bennett

TOP, £38, River Island

BLAZER, £425, Gant

EARRINGS, £32.95, Seol + Gold JACKET, £140, Free People

SHORTS, £109, Baum und Pferdgarten SHOES, £85, Dune London

Dior

MEDINA AZALDIN BEAUTY ASSISTANT Favourite Show: Christian Dior I gravitate towards pieces with a certain romance; sparkles that catch the light, detailed textures that implore you to look closer or silhouettes that flatter. Dior is always utterly dreamy, but this season’s darker take on fairy-tale dressing, with its austere colour palette (deep reds, navy and black) and frothy, luxe textures and feminine lines, really does it for me.

Dior

TOP, £70, Boden

SHOES, £36, Next

RINGS, £36 each, Sandra Alexandra

COAT, £475, Gant

DRESS, £39.50, Marks & Spencer

Dior

BAG, £595, Aspinal of London

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September 2021 | REDONLINE.CO.UK

STYLE TOP, £99, Baukjen

COAT, £299, United Colors of Benetton

SUNGLASSES, £17.50, Marks & Spencer BLOUSE, £69, Sister Jane

GILET, £70, River Island

SARAH ILSTON DEPUTY DIGITAL EDITOR

JACKET, £675, Bella Freud

Zimmermann

JEANS, £69.95, United Colors Of Benetton

Zimmermann

SHOES, £149, Kurt Geiger London

Favourite show: Zimmermann Chic and colourful separates with a distinct 1970s vibe is my go-to style aesthetic, so this winter, I’m going to up the ante à la Zimmermann with hexagonal shades, over-the-top flares and a good dose of high shine.

JUMPER, £280, Ba&sh

TROUSERS, £325, Bella Freud

NECKLACE, £635, Missoma

Zimmermann

EARRINGS, £24.99, H&M

TROUSERS, £69, Aligne

SHOES, £90, Dune London

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September 2021 | REDONLINE.CO.UK

A detachable collar is a great way to add a feminine touch to any outfit

COLLAR, £39, Arket

JUMPER, £24.99, Lindex

Boss

BLAZER, £340, Essentiel Antwerp

TOP, £115, Ganni

TRAINERS, £60, Novesta

EARRINGS, £79 each, Missoma TROUSERS, £175, Ted Baker

BAG, £32, Next

OONAGH BRENNAN GROUP FASHION DIRECTOR Favourite show: Boss I always reach for classic pieces that feel feminine and polished, such as a white ruffled blouse or a soft checked blazer. But this season, I’m adding in pops of tomato red, an oversized sweatshirt and 1970s-inspired trainers, giving my wardrobe a sporty upgrade but without losing any of the romance.

JUMPER, £199, Baum und Pferdgarten

COAT, £599, L.K.Bennett

Boss

TROUSERS, £190, Essentiel Antwerp TRAINERS, £99, Hobbs

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STYLE

EARRINGS, £59, Feeka at Feather and Stitch

JUMPER, £248, Ba&sh

Ulla Johnson

JACKET, £499, Marc Cain

SKIRT, £305, Alémais BOOTS, £170, Geox

DRESS, £230, Samsøe Samsøe

PHILIPPA WILLIAMS CREATIVE DIRECTOR Favourite show: Ulla Johnson My go-to style is a fluid dress with a chunky belt, tailored jacket or retro high-top trainers – I like the feminine and masculine mix. So Ulla Johnson’s contrast of flowing silhouettes, utilitarian belts and stompy shearling boots drew me in. It’s also shown me that, in the right shapes and fabrics, a blush pink can still feel strong.

BAG, £1,250, Mulberry SCARF, £75, Alexa Chung

TOP, £69, Hush

BOOTS, £180, Boden

JEANS, £95, Seventy + Mochi

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Ulla Johnson

JACKET, £254, Ba&sh

Ulla Johnson

EARRINGS, £89, Claudie Pierlot

Style HAT, £22, Urban Outfitters SWIMSUIT, £115, Maiyo

TOP, £89, Hush

CROCHET CRAZE

TOP, £45, Warehouse

Forget your granny’s eiderdown; these nostalgic knits are back in fashion. Add a crochet rainbow hat to a classic white tee, or give a 1970s twist to your jeans with a tank top

DRESS, £181, CeliaB

TOP, £120, Wyse London

HAIR CLIPS, £5.99, Pull & Bear CROCHET TOP, around £266, Sea NY

BAG, £418, La Milanesa at Farfetch

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COMPILED BY: ALISHA MOTION

SKIRT, £27.99, Zara

CARDIGAN £69.99, Mango

STYLE

TOP, £180, Faune

BOOTY CALL

EARRINGS, £120

PENDANT, £35

EARRINGS, £65

FAMILY JEWELS

Valentino S/s 21

VINTAGE LEVI’S 517, from £65, Pin Denim

Thanks to Valentino’s collaboration with Levi’s, classic 1969 517 boot-cut jeans are back – and as a denim die-hard, I’m in.

But with an eye-watering price tag of £790, finding a pair of vintage boot-cuts has now become a must.

Cue Pin Denim. Launched

by Chloe Culpin, Pin Denim will source you the perfect pair of pre-loved Levi’s, from 501s to 517s, all carefully selected for their quality. Just follow the measuring guide and leave Chloe to work her ’jeanie’ magic.

SHOES, £790, Valentino at Net-A-Porter

FASHION

On inheriting her family jewellery brand Loel & Co from her Maltese mother, Andrea Flamini gave it a modern spin, with new pieces created by designers and artisans all over Italy.

Her tassel and twisted hoops are firm favourites, as are her pearl shell pendants. Time to refresh my jewellery box.

DRESS, £305, Ganni

DRESS, £515, CO at MatchesFashion

RED FASHION DIRECTOR OONAGH BRENNAN SHARES HER STYLE FAVOURITES

PHOTOGRAPHY: IMAXTREE.COM

CONSCIOUS CARDIGANS

I have completely fallen for Bee&Sons balloon-sleeve cardigans, hand-knitted by Deborah Bee, former creative MD at Harvey Nichols and Harrods, and her team.

Each piece is designed to be deconstructed, so once you have worn and loved it you can return it to Bee&Sons, where it will then be recycled into fresh yarn. Once the 100-piece debut collection sells out, it will take pre-orders to avoid over production and waste. There’s even a mending service.

CASHMERE CROPPED CARDIGAN, £275 DRESS, £109, Whistles

NEW DRESS NEWS

MOHAIR CROPPED CARDIGAN, £275

MOHAIR LONG CARDIGAN, £295

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The new season must-have purchase is a mid-length denim dress – and I’m now on a major hunt for one. I’ll wear mine with raffia and sandals now, and with a cashmere rollneck and knee-high boots as winter creeps in.

STYLE £55, Arket

£90, With Nothing Underneath

THE RIGHT STRIPES Crisp cotton shirts with bold deckchair stripes make the perfect transitional cover-up £32, Next

£165, Ganni at MatchesFashion

£195, Yaitte

£199, Claudie Pierlot

£91, Alex Mill

A cropped, boxy style goes perfectly with tailored trousers

£130, Sézane

£19.99, Zara

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September 2021 | REDONLINE.CO.UK

Wear longer styles flowing loose over a bikini

COMPILED BY: ALISHA MOTION. PHOTOGRAPHY: CHIARA ROMAGNOLI

£65, Hush

STYLE WATCHES, £3,070 (left and right); £7,720 (centre), all Hermès

EARRINGS, £3,200, Pippa Small

EARRINGS, £66, Shyla London

BRIGHT LIGHTS

WATCH OUT Galop d’Hermès brings us a new look to the classic ladies’ watch, with modern design touches such as rich, jewel-coloured leather straps, a stirrup-inspired face and slanted numbers that feel like they’re moving. This beauty is heading straight to first place. Giddy up!

FINISHING TOUCHES

COMPILED BY: GABRIELLA MINCHELLA. PHOTOGRPAPHY: CHIARA ROMAGNOLI

RING, £80 Daphine

A gold band is simple but effective – and its chunky, bold shape gives it a contemporary edge. Think of it as the new gold hoop, the perfect finish to whatever you’re wearing.

BELT, £2,200, Chanel

VINTAGE TREASURES

EARRINGS, £POA, VRAM

Looking for a designer piece to give your friend for her 40th, or something iconic for yourself? Meet EKC Luxury, a team of experts who can get you anything, from a £245 Chanel bangle to a £2,200 Louis Vuitton cross-body bag, through its concierge service or online boutique (ekcluxury.com).

RING, £5,850, Pomellato

RING, £3,500, Almasika

EARRINGS, £2,500, Eden Presley

BANGLE, £245, Chanel

RING, £2,600, Nancy Newberg

The New Icon

Take a little bit of summer into your winter wardrobe by adding a chandelier earring with sunset-shade stones to your oversized rollneck.

The added glitz and pop of colour will be the twist you need to get excited about wearing knitwear again.

EARRINGS, from a selection, EKC Luxury

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CUFF, £450, YSL

Sustainability NEW-LIFE SWIMWEAR

I’m still trying to take advantage of every ray of sunshine I can find.

I’ve been eyeing Canopea’s new collection, which is made from Econyl®, a recycled fibre that is created from old fishing nets recovered from the ocean, and is free from chemical filters.

The swimwear brand offers UV-protective adult and child sets made from certified UPF50+ fabrics.

Anyone fancy a dip?

RIVIÈRES DE CARTIER, £104 each for 100ml, Selfridges

SUMMER SPRITZ

SWIMSUITS, about £39 (girls) and £73 (women), Canopea Paris

ECO

J’adore the new Rivières de Cartier collection from the French luxury house. The three fragrances are derived from 100% plant-based ingredients, with no artificial colours; while the flower elements are cultivated and harvested to meet environmental standards. My favourite is Luxuriance, with its notes of geranium and wild herbs.

One upside of the past year for me was the time I had to make art.

Hobbycraft’s 95-piece kit has no plastic, fully recyclable packaging and includes pens, paints, pencils and more to provide me with all I need to get creative.

OUR COLUMNIST, SUSTAINABLE STYLIST ARMELLE FERGUSON, SHARES HER LATEST DISCOVERIES FOR GREENER LIVING

KRAFT ART PACK, £15, Hobbycraft

GOOD AS GOLD

GIFTS THAT DO GOOD

Hibana is one of my favourite platforms for gifting, treats and everyday essentials. With its array of independent brands and small businesses, it ensures that all its partner brands are responsible, environmentally sustainable and support communities. Food, treats and gifts at hibana.co.uk

Jewellery-making and sustainability tend not to go together, as the mining is not always ethical, and some brands don’t source responsibly. Eileen’s elegant Serendipity Ring is one of my new staples. The gold used is Fairmined licensed, and sourced from an empowered, responsible, artisanal and small-scale mining community.

Follow Armelle on Instagram @armelleferguson

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18CT GOLD VERMEIL PLATED SERENDIPITY RING, £170, Eileen Jewellery

GUEST SPEAKER

NO FIXED ABODE

Housesitter and writer Rachel Morris explains how living a nomadic life has liberated her and led to a deeper level of self-discovery…

In the past year, our homes have become our sanctuaries – and, yet, while many are reliant, both emotionally and physically, on bricks and mortar as their safe spaces, I am in my third year as a housesitter, and don’t have a home at all.

Even through the pandemic, I was needed: To care for an old cat so her owner could flee locked-down Paris. To tend a friend’s bonsai trees near the Eiffel Tower. Tropical plants in the Gers were left in my care while people made essential travel to Kenya.

Rootlessness has long been part of my life. My family moved from Stockport to Canada when I was nine, and while I spent my 20s back in the UK, I went on to teach in South Korea, Thailand and Saudi Arabia. I grew used to reducing my worldly possessions to a couple of suitcases, and as the years passed, I came to love the weightlessness and simplicity of only having what I need and needing what I have.

And so, when I decided to work for myself in my 50s, writing, editing, and making collage art, housesitting seemed like a liberating proposition. I rarely charge people to look after their homes, but I pay no rent and usually no bills.

I have one small suitcase, found in Tokyo, that’s like a mini chest of drawers and doubles as a seat, a gorgeous and durable Everywhere Bag by Away, and a compact sling bag for my phone and other small necessities. There’s a teak folding screen sitting in a friend’s antiques shop in Thailand, made from old Indian shop doors, waiting for me to sell or reclaim it. But I own nothing more in all the world. I used to have things in storage but, gradually, I got rid of them.

The first few days in someone else’s space can feel strange. But you quickly learn to bloom where you’re planted. All I have to do to feel at home is find something that works as a standing desk – a kitchen counter, usually – and set up my iPad. Each time I step into a new house, I feel like I’m starting afresh; it’s a chance to forget the missteps and missed opportunities of the past.

There have been so many memorable moments. A Barcelona flat with a terrace and a view of the city. Long walks in rural France. Carting tiny chihuahuas to the park and back for a cool actress in Madrid. Okay, there was that time a wild boar chased me down a driveway in remote South West France, the snake by the pool, the house that leaked in a freak storm, but these things have taught me that I’m more resilient and resourceful than I could have ever imagined. Only once has a sit fallen through at short notice. Thankfully, dear friends took me in. That’s a key difference, I think, between my way of life and true homelessness. And with friends like that all over Europe, I never feel alone.

Brexit and Covid-19 have prevented me from moving around Europe, so I’m returning to the UK, where I’ll sit until I find my own rented home. I might settle a little. Just a little. But I know my wandering mind will always be seeking new horizons. Life, I have learned, is transient. Changes will come, whether you seek them out or not. I did a sit in Devon to see my nearby dad in late 2019 – and he died two weeks later. Mum died eighteen days after that, then a friend, then another. The pandemic waves crashed, and I spent three months locked down in rural Provence. I couldn’t have survived that time without art, kindness and the internet. In the end, it’s those we love who ground us, not house deeds or furniture.

The idea of having no fixed abode may feel daunting to some. It still does to me, sometimes. There was a time in my 40s when I told myself I should be married, have children, a house, a car. That I don’t have those things seemed a failure then, but has since become a source of great adventure; a blossoming.

Sitting hasn’t made me a new person. Rather, each sit makes me more sure of who I am – a curious, creative individual, who values freedom and experience above materialism and permanence. In seeing many places, living many lives, I become a more enriched version of myself.

‘It’s those we love who ground us’

To find out more about Rachel’s work, visit linktr.ee/FiveByFiveCreativity

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Belinda Kirk: ‘Adventure is a mindset. It can be had by anyone’

Choose your own adventure Seven ways wild thinkers make the everyday extraordinary and enjoy a more compelling life

Ella Al-Shamahi: ‘Adventure can be found all around us, if we only think to look’

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Gail Muller: ‘Experience your home town in a new way’

hat do you think about when you hear the word adventure? Flying to a faraway place, perhaps?

Parachuting off a cliff, or quitting your job with no back-up plan? For most of us, the idea of adventure seems more remote than ever since the pandemic.

But this doesn’t have to be the case, says Belinda Kirk, professional explorer and author of new book, Adventure Revolution: The Life-changing Power Of Choosing Challenge. ‘It’s important to realise that adventure is not about going to the ends of the earth.

Adventure is a mindset. It can be had by anyone, at any time and at any age.’

For the past 25 years, Kirk has led numerous expeditions, research missions and filming trips for the BBC. She has walked across Nicaragua, searched for camels in China’s Desert of Death, discovered ancient rock paintings in Lesotho, pioneered inclusive expeditions for people with disabilities, and gained a Guinness World Record for rowing unsupported around Britain. In 2009, she launched Explorers Connect, a non-profit organisation connecting people to adventures.

‘Adventure is my therapy, my go-to place to feel the most alive,’ says Kirk. Yet despite her far-flung travels, she is keen to emphasise that adventure is more about spirit than action. ‘The wellbeing benefits of that mindset are huge,’ she explains. ‘Simply having a sense of adventure can help boost resilience, increase self-confidence, foster teamwork and improve leadership skills.’

Sitting on our sofas hunched over a laptop, it’s difficult to imagine finding anything new in our days – let alone adventure. ‘Try going somewhere familiar but at a different time, such as camping in your garden overnight, or going for a walk at dusk or dawn,’ Kirk suggests. ‘You could go wild swimming or take a new route on your jog. The more small adventures you have, the more confidence you build. It’s about stepping outside your ordinary world, pushing yourself to do something that’s perhaps a little bit intimidating.’

The key components of an adventure, Kirk explains, are challenge, uncertainty and adversity. ‘We all, at times, find our lives a bit too predictable, which is why choosing the unknown feels so empowering,’ she says. ‘If we never leave our comfort zones, we never stretch ourselves or learn anything new. We never find out what we’re truly capable of.’

By choosing to cultivate a mindset of adventure, we ‘come back to our everyday lives feeling more confident, with new insight and altered viewpoints,’ says Kirk. ‘People become more proactive and are less scared about getting things wrong. This, in turn, makes them more in control of their lives and where they want them to go.’ Here are seven ways to start…

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ADVICE

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ADD ADVENTURE TO THE DIARY ‘No matter how much we intend to do something different, it’s easy to put it off, so a focus is good,’ says Kirk, who established Wild Night Out, an annual night of adventure taking place every summer, most recently on 17th July, when you push yourself to do something adventurous. ‘The idea is that we learn to live more adventurously in other corners of our world,’ she says. It could be a late-night feast on a hilltop with head torches, a night cycle or trying kayaking for the first time – whatever fits you; there are no rules. To discover more, visit explorersconnect.com/wild-night-out.

WORDS: BRYONY FIRTH-BERNARD AND ELLA DOVE. PHOTOGRAPHY: JON WILLIAMS/SUMMERSDALE, ANDREW OSTACCHINI/BBC NATURAL HISTORY UNIT, NATALIE TRICE, BBC STUDIOS/CLARE JONES

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BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF Pip Stewart is a woman who has been on countless adventures, including cycling halfway around the world and completing a world-first kayaking trek through the Amazon, which is the subject of her new book Life Lessons From The Amazon: A Guide To Life From One Epic Jungle Adventure.

‘Having nearly sat on a deadly snake, paddled past more caymans than I’d like to remember and picked up a flesh-eating parasite, it’s safe to say I came back from the jungle with a few thoughts on living life,’ she says. ‘In today’s urbanised culture so much emphasis is on immediacy, but the truth is that embarking on something new will require patience and, possibly, a sense of humour. I was a kayaking beginner and spent a good few months training (read capsizing) before I felt ready to do a source-to-sea expedition.

So take the pressure off yourself to achieve and just take small steps daily to move you in the right direction – be that an email enquiring about a new hobby or a coffee with someone to learn more about the direction you want to head in. We tend to overestimate how much we can Pip Stewart: achieve in a day but ‘I was a total underestimate how kayaking much we can achieve

beginner; I spent months training’

in a year. Take the pressure off yourself and you’ll enjoy the journey more.’

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EMBRACE THE TOUGH TIMES ‘Like many things, adventures won’t always make you happy,’ says Stewart.

‘I’ve personally found that adventure introduces you to all sides of life. In the jungle, I was forced to confront my ego and sit with the darkness within me. There were days when I could barely walk due to trench foot and on my return home, I was on a drip being administered chemo to try and nuke the infection caused by the flesh-eating parasite, known as leishmaniasis.

But looking back, these experiences have developed grit and resilience and helped me to accept myself and my mistakes in life. So embrace the tough days as well as the good, as they show you’re a fully functioning human.

Living more adventurously won’t necessarily make you happy, but it will make you feel more alive – and that’s where the real adventure lies.’

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PLAY TOURIST ‘Until you can get further afield, look at your surroundings with the fresh eyes of a new visitor,’ suggests Gail Muller, adventurer and author of Unlost: A Journey Of Self-Discovery And The Healing Power Of The Wild Outdoors. ‘What are the activities you’d suggest they do when they arrive? I bet you haven’t done them all, or at least not for ages. Create a bucket list and go and try them alone or with a friend.

Then you can start experiencing your home town in a new way.’

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NOTICE NATURE ‘Adventure can be found all around us, if we only think to look,’ says Ella Al-Shamahi, an adventurer and palaeoanthropologist who specialises in Neanderthals, caves and expeditions in hostile, disputed and unstable territories. ‘So many of us feel that we need to leave town to notice nature, for instance, but there’s plenty to be discovered locally. Go for a walk and make an effort to notice the birds, the plants and the bugs.

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Download apps such as iNaturalist, where you can take a picture and be told what species you are looking at. You can even invite nature to you – buy a bird feeder and see what turns up.

Nature does wonders for our mental health and noticing a goldfinch, wren or parakeet on a busy trip to town is like finding an adventure, even on the most normal of days.’

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SIT WITH YOUR FEAR Pip Stewart suggests that we all ask ourselves a simple question: what would happen if I didn’t do X, Y or Z? ‘It’s usually at 3am that fear seems to rear its ugly head,’ she says. ‘Our brains tend to come up with a zillion ways things can go wrong and why what we’re doing is a terrible idea.

Obviously, you have to sense check this fear (sometimes your ideas may indeed be terrible), but if you have prepared, honed your skills to be the best you can and taken steps to mitigate risk, then at some point you have to decide to move out of your comfort zone. It’s not about eradicating fear, it’s about learning to live with it – in any area of life, be that taking on an expedition, or starting or ending a relationship or job. It’s a useful emotion as it serves to keep us safe, so become curious about it and learn to distinguish when it’s helping or when it’s hindering your growth.

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THINK LIKE A CHILD Natalie Trice, author, coach and mentor at natalietrice.co.uk, says one way to beat fear is to put yourself in a child’s shoes, because they have none.

‘This can bring fun, freedom and fulfilment. Channelling your inner child can help you break from the norm. Jumping in puddles, swimming in the sea, going on park swings, leaving cream on your nose from your hot chocolate; all are simple, childlike pleasures that can free you from adult restraints – and who doesn’t need more of that in their life right now?’

Natalie Trice: ‘Channelling your inner child can help you break from the norm’

Despite the stigma, nonmonogamous relationships are becoming more mainstream.

But could they actually be the future of modern romantic love?

Arielle Tchiprout investigates

Bigger Love

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onogamy is so entrenched in our cultural consciousness that we often don’t think to question it.

From religion to the law, movies to marketing, the message is clear: having just one partner (at any given time) is the definitive marker of social acceptability.

It’s no surprise, then, that relationships that deviate from this cultural norm are tinged with negative stereotypes and assumptions. There’s the idea that it’s all about sex; think wild swingers’ parties and orgies. On the other side of the spectrum, you might think about polygamy, the practice of being married to multiple spouses, usually men having multiple wives (illegal in the UK), which seem to uphold oppressive patriarchal systems. Or, you might simply believe non-monogamous relationships are cover-ups for infidelity.

But, actually, non-monogamy is far more wide-reaching and common than you might think. Much of the time, it’s more about emotional connection than sex and control.

When done right, these relationships are underpinned by mutual respect. And considering one third of marriages end in divorce, could it be time for a rethink?

‘Non-monogamy is simply a way of conducting your relationship to be more about you, as opposed to fitting societally fixed gender roles,’ says hypno-psychotherapist Zayna Ratty, who specialises in relationship diversity.

‘Ethical’ non-monogamy (as opposed to cheating, the non-ethical kind) is often used as an umbrella term for a variety of different relationship structures, including casual dating and open relationships (where both partners are allowed to have sex with other people, frequently operating a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy). Then there’s polyamory, which means ‘multiple loves’, creating space for the idea that it’s possible to have romantic and emotional connections with more than one person at a time. This might seem completely at odds with all our romcom and fairy tale-fuelled ideas about romantic love, but many polyamorists point towards the fact we love multiple friends, and multiple children – so why not partners? ‘We have a much bigger capacity for love than we often think we do,’ says Ratty.

Yet non-monogamy (and particularly polyamory) remains heavily stigmatised. According to Jonathan Kent, journalist and author of upcoming A World Beyond Monogamy, this is because we have loaded it with moral significance. ‘Non-monogamy seems to sully something that people think is pure and sacred,’ he says. Throughout history, monogamous relationships have served an important purpose in ‘polite’ society; they helped to determine paternity, and limit the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. But they were also a way of policing desire, which is

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PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY

Relationships probably why it remains entwined with social and economic This was true for 34-year-old Lottie from Manchester, structures today. ‘There’s a lot of money to be made in whose journey into polyamory coincided with her conventional relationships,’ says Kent. uncovering her sexuality. In 2009, her now-husband Craig Non-monogamous relationships are, however, becoming more picked up on her ‘gay vibes’ and they discussed the mainstream. According to relationships education platform possibility of her exploring her bisexual identity. ‘We talked Brook, about 5% of relationships are openly non-monogamous about cheating and Craig said that, for him, being respectful (and, considering the stigma, the real figure could be higher). was more important than being sexually exclusive,’ she says.

For context, figures from 2018 suggest only 2.2% of the The pair began exploring avenues such as swinging, but they population identifies as gay, lesbian or bisexual. Attitudes are realised that emotional connections were important to them, changing, too; an American survey from 2016 found that 29% and now they both describe themselves as poly. Alongside of adults under the age of 30 considered open relationships to their marriage, they both have separate, and sometimes be morally acceptable, compared to just 6% of adults over 65. overlapping, romantic partners. ‘I get on really well with For Rachel, 42, from north Yorkshire, discovering polyamory my partners’ partners and have been casually involved with five years ago transformed her relationship with her husband, them, too,’ Lottie says. But she admits that jealousy was Josh, who she’s been married to for 23 years. ‘We both talked difficult to deal with at first. ‘I was very scared about about how we had felt attraction towards other people, which Craig dating other people,’ she says. ‘But we did a lot made us feel guilty and ashamed,’ she explains. of experimenting, and I got not just over it but into it.’

The pair, who have two grown-up children together, And, Lottie says, polyamory has forced them to both confided in trusted friends who happened to be ‘poly’, and become much more communicative. ‘We generally aren’t suggested they give it a try. Now, they bothered by each other having feelings for GET TO KNOW other people, because we know that’s not welcome other men into their relationship NON(Rachel identifies as straight, while Josh is something we can control,’ she says. ‘But bisexual) to form ‘triads’; they occasionally MONOGAMY… it’s the practical things, like seeing a film in have separate relationships, too. ‘We vet the cinema with another partner that Craig READ: The Ethical Slut by each other’s partners and have meetings wanted to see. We’re much more honest Janet W. Hardy and as a group, so we can define our boundaries about when we feel left out, or need more Dossie Easton and levels of intimacy,’ she says. attention. I wish I had learned this in my The revolutionary go-to Clearly, consent is the absolute driving previous monogamous relationships. It guide to polyamory, first force behind successful non-monogamous would’ve saved a lot of hurt.’ published in 1997. relationships. ‘If you’re being coerced into Both Ratty and Kent are quick to stress something you don’t want to do, that’s very that non-monogamy is not ‘better’ than LISTEN TO: Beyond different,’ says Ratty. Of course, coercion monogamy – it’s simply different, and it’s a Monogamy With Zayna happens a lot in monogamous relationships, choice that people should be able to explore And Jonathan too; it just takes on different forms. with consenting partners, free from stigma.

Experts Zayna Ratty and Although Rachel says going poly added And, Ratty says, ‘There are lots of things Jonathan Kent discuss ‘spice’ to her already-solid marriage, Ratty monogamists could learn from being relationships beyond stresses that polyamory will never work emotionally literate, open, honest, asking for the mainstream. Available as a quick-fix for a broken relationship. what you need and having your needs met.’ on Apple Podcasts.

‘If your relationship is going wrong, polyamory So, will we see the death of monogamy?

WATCH: Trigonometry is probably not the answer,’ says Ratty.

Probably not. Non-monogamous This tender drama looks at But for some, polyamory can enhance relationships certainly wouldn’t suit the reality of love in a triad, a sense of freedom, authenticity and everyone, whether that’s because of their between Kieran, Gemma happiness. ‘Since I started living my true attachment style, family set-up or simply and their new lodger, Ray. self, I’ve become so much happier,’ says the admin of juggling multiple different Available on BBC iPlayer.

Rachel. And Ratty agrees: ‘When you’re calendars (which, Ratty and Lottie say concealing parts of yourself, you put yourself at greater risk is the reality of polyamory, rather than porn-worthy of psychological distress.’ threesomes). Loving and being loved by one person And Rachel is not alone. Ratty believes we’re also entering is more than fulfilling for many people. a time of increased questioning. ‘As people are learning But the move towards non-monogamy could herald a more, they’re starting to think: is everything I’ve always new era for love and relationships; one that places openness accepted true for me right now?’ and consent at the heart of everything, and where freedom The increased visibility of LGBTQ+ love could also be of choice is more important than societal expectations. behind the growth of polyamory; ‘People who have already ‘Where you draw the boundary lines of monogamy is begun to think outside the box around their sexuality and a very personal decision,’ says Kent. ‘I would like to see gender might find it easier to think outside the box with their people having their most fulfilling, happiest relationships; relationship style as well,’ says Ratty. ones that they design to suit them.’

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Cassie, Lady Idina Sackville and Villanelle live life on their own terms

Good to be Peggy Guggenheim in Venice

‘Unlikeable’ women in history and literature should be celebrated, as they inspire us to live more boldly, says writer Bella Mackie

Bella Mackie favours an antiheroine

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Reese Witherspoon’s social-climbing Becky Sharp

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eggy Guggenheim had a life more colourful than most. Her love of modern art allowed her to support and showcase works from Pollock to Kandinsky – at one point she was said to buy a painting a day. She had hundreds of lovers, a collection of dogs with names like Cappuccino (one of which she had dyed pink), and she sunbathed naked on the roof of her Venetian palazzo. When the prefect of Venice was asked about his neighbour, he replied: ‘When I see Mrs Guggenheim sunbathing on the roof, I know spring has come to Venice.’ The point is, Guggenheim lived life on her own terms, no matter what it might cost. As she said herself, ‘I always did what I wanted and never cared what anyone thought. Women’s lib? I was a liberated woman long before there was a name for it.’

I’ve always been fascinated by women – both historical figures and in fiction – who have gone against the grain. Another favourite of mine is ‘The Bolter’ (we’re not even given her first name), in Nancy Mitford’s The Pursuit Of Love. Played brilliantly by Emily Mortimer in the BBC’s recent adaptation, she’s a woman who leaves her child in the hands of her family and flees to seek excitement and love elsewhere. Irresponsible? Perhaps. Selfish? Most certainly.

But as the younger female characters grow up to face their own disappointments, you might be forgiven for thinking that she had the right idea. The Bolter loosely resembles Lady Idina Sackville, herself married and divorced five times, insistent on making her own choices (no matter the outcome) at a time when women were not given that option.

These women stand out precisely because they don’t play by the rules and that makes them all the more interesting. Throughout history, women have mostly been expected to be amenable, maternal, nurturing and ladylike. And if not, we risk being seen by some in society as cold, ruthless or even as failures. The assumption is there’s a path we should stay on for our own good – even if it’s one we don’t want to take.

Yet we rarely demand this from male protagonists. Just look at Mr Rochester, who locks his first wife up in the attic; James Bond, who clearly has attachment issues and a narcissistic

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OPINION streak; Edmond Dantès, who wreaks revenge on all who have wronged him without restraint.

We see them as interesting, as brave, as figures to emulate.

There has long been a disparity between the women we read about and the women we are.

For many years, a male narrative of what a ‘good woman’ is has shaped society and, in turn, our life choices. This is not helpful and continues to perpetuate an unrealistic ideal. While we still appreciate classic literature in many ways, we need to find inspiration in the ‘unlikeable’ characters because, moving forward, their reality is more honest and progressive.

As much as I hope I am kind and considerate, I am also sometimes full of rage, envy and unkind thoughts. I want to see all these things reflected back at me from a book or screen.

There is a catharsis to exploring every avenue a woman can take, even when those avenues are not always wise or admirable. It shouldn’t be transgressive in 2021, but it is.

Growing up, the heroines I responded to were definitely spirited and smart. There was Georgina (George), the tomboy, in The Famous Five, Jo March, the writer who refuses to conform to expectation and my favourite of the Little Women, and Jane Eyre, of course. But these characters were still constrained by the limitations put on women at the time. They might have been prized for their intellect, or admired for their strong will, but the story only ended when they found love and began a family of their own.

Becky Sharp, the anti-heroine of Vanity Fair, was different. She enters 19th-century society with no money of her own and sets out to make a life for herself, using her wits and charm to do it. Sharp is ruthless in her quest, typically seen as a gold digger and a social climber. I rooted for her from the moment I first read about her. She exists in a world where women are seen as a commodity, and she parlays her knowledge of the system to her own advantage. Unusually for an anti-heroine, author William Makepeace Thackeray didn’t punish his character for her refusal to play nice. She demanded agency over her own life and is allowed to live on, not in shame and ruin, but in some semblance of respectability.

If Sharp was living in the present day, wouldn’t we find her story admirable? A woman who refused to accept the life she was born to, and decided to take matters into her own hands to give herself the future she felt she deserved? I’d guess that instead of disapproval and judgement, many of us would see her as an source of inspiration. A selfish streak protected her and helped her prosper, despite what others thought.

In modern arts and culture, there has, thankfully, been a shift. Women are seeking revenge, like Cassie in Emerald Fennell’s Oscar-winning Promising Young Woman, some are messy and unpredictable, like Edie in the novel Luster by Raven Leilani.

Some are even psychopathic, like Villanelle in Killing Eve. Often written by women, this shows our desire to see ourselves captured in the whole – not as paragons of virtue or as shameful failures to our sex, but as complicated, difficult, ambitious and nuanced. We want to explore every path that a woman takes, not just the ones laid out for her by others. When we see women depicted like this, it’s an invitation to live our lives more boldly, to be less afraid to colour outside the lines.

A love of unlikeable women was partly my prompt for choosing to write an unconventional female character as the heroine of my new novel, How To Kill Your Family. Grace wants to right the wrongs done to her, even if that means taking the lives of those she sees as guilty. Without condoning her actions, I wanted to show a woman who lives her life unburdened by expectation or convention. Fiction allowed me the liberty to try to imagine being a woman who can explore being vengeful and ruthless, who cares not whether she is soft or likeable.

Of course, not all portrayals of women need to show them as cold-hearted murderers, but I think it’s fantastic to see so many female characters who don’t prize goodness, servitude and quiet suffering. When those flawed, messy versions of ourselves are acknowledged in art, television and literature, it gives us permission to feel those feelings. It’s okay to be selfish, conflicted and non-conformist. No one can be good all the time. Men are often valued for these ‘unlikeable’ traits – so why not women, too?

There’s a line at the end of The Pursuit Of Love that states that The Bolter is probably the happiest of them all – and I’m sure Peggy Guggenheim, sunbathing on the roof with her pink dog, had her fair dose of joy, too. It’s not that we can’t be kind and happy, but putting yourself first sometimes makes for a far better happy ending.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ALAMY, MARY EVANS PICTURE LIBRARY, LANDMARK MEDIA, SHUTTERSTOCK, SID GENTLE FILMS/ROBERT VIGLASKY

‘WE WANT TO SEE OURSELVES AS COMPLICATED, DIFFICULT, AMBITIOUS AND NUANCED’

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Emily Mortimer’s The Bolter flees in pursuit of excitement

How To Kill Your Family (The Borough Press) by Bella Mackie is out now in hardback, ebook and audio

Twins Hermon and Heroda Berhane, who lost their hearing as children, explain how they have found horizons they never imagined possible

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e became deaf at the age of seven, on the same day, at the same time. It happened suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, when we were playing together in the beautiful backyard of our home in Eritrea. Our mum was calling our names for dinner, and when we ignored her, she was concerned. When she finally came out and tapped us on our shoulders to get our attention, she realised that something was wrong. We couldn’t hear her at all.

We had babbled speech from a young age and often didn’t respond when our names were called, but this time it was different.

There was no history of hearing loss in our family; no warning signs or signals. One day, we were curled up together laughing at The Flintstones cartoons we both loved. The next, we couldn’t hear the sounds at all. From that point on, our lives changed.

Growing up in Eritrea with our parents and younger brother, our childhood was generally a happy one. We have fond memories of going to school, talking to friends and playing with our beloved Labrador, Bobby. Every weekend, we’d go to the Red Sea island of Massawa, where we would play on the beach and swim in the sea. We had a big family, with uncles, aunts and cousins always visiting, and were surrounded by a loving community. There were many happy memories, but civil war in Eritrea overshadowed much of our childhood. One day, our mother was talking to our neighbour by the gates when we saw gunfire in the sky like shooting stars, and we ran inside to hide. It was terrifying. Looking back, it’s ironic because we remember a lot of our childhood through sound.

The ringing of church bells, chickens clucking and lively conversations, but also the sound of the civil war – gunshots and explosions so loud it felt like they were in the next room. When we lost our hearing, we had audiology tests in both Eritrea and Ethiopia. The medical board in Ethiopia explained that we were deaf, but they didn’t know why or how. They recommended that we seek treatment abroad.

Meanwhile, we started using our own form of sign language to communicate with each other. We had gestures for basic words, such as types of food and drinks, and it helped that we were twins because we instinctively knew what each other meant. It was difficult to communicate with our family members, but we became more visual, instinctively relying upon our eyes to read lips and body language.

After the uncertainty created by trying to get a diagnosis and treatment, our parents took the medical board’s advice and, at the age of eight, we left our home and school in Eritrea to move to the USA, where treatment options were better for us.

In Texas, the world seemed to be moving too fast. Everything was new to us and everyone seemed to be rushing around, which was disorientating compared to our more rural lives in Eritrea.

After what seemed like hundreds of hearing tests, we were diagnosed as profoundly deaf. We were also told our hearing would never return. We had hearing aids put in, but found these disconcerting because we didn’t know what they were at the time. They helped a bit, allowing us to hear noises in a more general way, but we were still unable to distinguish different layers of sound.

Mum moved to the US with us and gave up her career as a teacher to concentrate on helping us to learn how to read and write in English. After a year in Texas, our primary school teacher recommended a specific deaf school in the UK. So, aged nine, we moved countries again. Our parents were worried about our future, but they wanted us to have the best opportunities possible.

Moving twice while trying to cope with our new situation, it was hard to process what was going on. Mum tried to protect us as best she could and we were too young to really understand what deafness was and how it would change our lives. Instead, we simply felt lost. We had had our hearing, then all we had was silence – and we couldn’t understand why. We had also lost our community, friends and the life we’d known in Eritrea.

Thankfully, we had each other and we clung on to that. The inseparable nature of twins is very common, and being on the same wavelength meant that no matter where we were going, if we were parted, one of us would cry. It’s a hard thing to

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memoir However, we were determined to get through the course, so we focused on the work. The obstacles and doubters gave us the determination to succeed. We didn’t know how, but we knew that we would fulfil our dreams.

In 2016, after years of trying to make it in the fashion industry, we decided to launch our own fashion, travel and lifestyle blog, Being Her. Our blog is like an editorial diary about our story and travels, with a backdrop of fashion. We share the power of awareness and the positive impact it can have in changing attitudes towards deafness and what deaf people can achieve.

We also promote the use of subtitles, as this is severely lacking on social media platforms and in everyday life. We were frustrated by the fashion industry’s lack of accessibility and felt like our deafness was diluting our dreams. So we used rejection as an inspiration to motivate us, to be better and do better.

When we felt limited, that’s when we decided to push the boundaries; being Black and deaf is a double struggle. What are

describe, but we feel whole when we’re together. Without each other, it feels like our other half is missing. And if one of us is one side of London feeling sad, the other will know to text immediately. People call this ‘twintuition’, and being deaf, the emotional connection is even stronger. Our own personal sign language has developed, but we also sign using British Sign Language (BSL), which allows other people to understand us.

It was a shock to our entire family when, shortly after our move to the UK, our little brother also lost his hearing, aged three. We were glad we could be there for him, to support and to help. It brought us closer together. There was a level of understanding between the three of us – and because we had experienced the same thing, we were able to comfort him. We missed him a lot when we went to a deaf boarding school in Brighton, aged 11. Meeting other deaf people was like a dream because we no longer felt isolated. Within the hearing world, it can be very lonely. As soon as we were in that deaf world, we fitted in – it was where we belonged.

Growing up, we absorbed Mum’s love of fashion and our culture is very colourful, so it inspired us to become fashion designers. We loved art at boarding school and our teacher recommended we apply to the London College of Fashion after we left. We were so excited to get places there.

And yet, there were barriers. We felt like people often looked down at us because they didn’t have any awareness of what deafness meant, and that really affected our confidence. We were often viewed as ‘less’, and some people doubted we could achieve the same things as they could. There were no subtitles on the videos we were regularly shown in lectures, many lecturers had no idea about deaf awareness, and people mocked us for having notetakers and interpreters. We often got the impression that everyone around us was thinking, ‘Why are these two even here?’

At university, a place where meeting new people and the social side is a huge part of the experience, we found ourselves feeling excluded again. Group conversations were tough to lip read and when we told other students we were both deaf, many would run away and avoid us.

AS TOLD TO: ELLA DOVE. PHOTOGRAPHY: ALISE JANE

‘WE USED REJECTION AS AN INSPIRATION TO MOTIVATE US’ you going to do if you’re rejected for years? Change your path, like we did. Society will always try and push the deaf community aside, and we have to show them that we will not disappear.

As Black, deaf content creators and disability advocates, we are proud to have been involved in a number of campaigns.

We are the first deaf ambassadors for MAC, first deaf models for a Harrods content campaign and first deaf models for Marriott hotels’ high-end Bonvoy campaign, working alongside world-famous photographer Rankin.

We are very proud that we have managed to break down so many barriers. It’s our job to show our bravery and attack life head-on. It is important to show our deaf community that you can achieve anything. Being deaf is not the problem, it’s the obstacles we face every day that are the problem. It is so important to educate society about the communication issues that deaf people struggle with, to allow for better integration in future.

Before we started Being Her, we were never confident because of fear. Fear is so powerful that it can stop you achieving your goals, but each time we faced our fears, it gave us inspiration, courage and our confidence soared. So think big, be authentic and follow your intuition. Boundaries are designed to be broken – and we are now more fearless than we’ve ever been before.

To find out more about Hermon and Heroda, follow @being_her on Instagram, or visit beinghermonheroda.com

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dream job

Manifestation is the latest self-help trend, but can the law of attraction really help us reach our personal and career goals?

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A

advice

ngie Tiwari wakes up, slides out of bed and pulls the shutters back from her bedroom window. As she prises them ajar, a stream of morning light comes in and, as if on command, the sound of chirping birds fills the room. She sits back on the tangle of sheets and drops her eyelids to soften her gaze, turning inward. In her mind’s eye, she sees herself running a yoga retreat; she’s speaking to a group of women, sharing with them how the practice helped her in difficult times. Then she picks up a hardback journal the colour of charcoal and pulls it open at a blank page. The words flow through her fingers and on to the paper. ‘I run a successful online yoga business. I inspire and encourage people to try it. I build a collaborative community.’

Tiwari does, in fact, run a successful online yoga business, Tiwari Yoga (tiwariyoga.com), based in south-east London, and credits some of her success to the manifestation techniques, such as affirmations and visualisation, just described.

The idea that you can achieve your goals if you wish for them hard enough isn’t new, but it is enjoying a remarkable resurgence. At its most basic, the premise is this: your thoughts and feelings send out vibrations to the universe, attracting events that share those frequencies. Good attracts good, bad attracts bad. It’s the ‘law of attraction’ on steroids.

The idea first circulated at the start of the 19th century, but it was Australian writer Rhonda Byrne who first brought it into popular culture. In 2006, she published The Secret, which sold more than 35m copies worldwide and inspired a film starring Katie Holmes. Now the idea is back, having had a ‘wellness’ makeover by the likes of Oprah and Gwyneth Paltrow. Over the past year, #manifestation has clocked up 5.3m Instagram posts and 8.9bn (yep, billion) views on TikTok. And it’s no surprise there’s been a surge of interest since the pandemic hit.

Research has found that periods of high stress correlate with a surge in ‘magical thinking’ – believing that unrelated events are causally connected, with supernatural forces affecting outcomes. For health psychologist Dr Sula Windgassen, it isn’t just the stress of the pandemic that’s heightened our interest in manifestation, but the loss of control that’s come with it. ‘In situations where you have little or no control, you try to find ways to make sense of things,’ she explains, which is an evolutionary response. ‘It’s inherently threatening for us to think of the world as an unpredictable place. One way to think of manifestation is as wishful thinking. This can be a process of regaining control in some way.’ So it makes sense

that the practice has found a following among those who have been hardest hit by Covid.

When Dani Britten, 32, found herself out of work and feeling anxious during the first lockdown, she signed up for eight one-to-one phone coaching sessions with law of attraction coach Esther McCann (@missmanifesther). McCann taught her several manifestation tools, such as the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT, or Tapping), which works by tapping on acupressure points to help release blockages. She also learned how to create a vision board. After doing the latter, Britten decided to follow her intuition and start a new business selling healing crystals. Six months on, her live crystal sales (@crystalqueen_dani_b), which she hosts twice weekly in a Facebook group, sell out every time.

Coincidence, you ask? Or evidence of the universe in action?

It’s true that much of the language used in these practices is rooted in the spiritual; and talk of the universe, vibrations and energy is understood to be pseudo-science in mainstream circles. Yet, research does support some of the techniques that sit under the manifestation umbrella.

Stanford psychologist Professor Carol Dweck’s seminal research into ‘growth’ versus ‘fixed’ mindsets, shows that believing your capabilities are not set in stone makes you more likely to put in the work to reach a goal. Her book Mindset: The New Psychology Of Success, explains how people with fixed mindsets – those who believe their intelligence, character and creative ability are as static as their eye colour – limit themselves by avoiding challenges that come with a risk of failure. In doing so, they’re less likely to learn new skills

‘PEOPLE WHO HAVE A GROWTH MINDSET THRIVE ON CHALLENGE’ or to chip away at the barriers to accomplishment, with ramifications for what they achieve in life. Conversely, those with a growth mindset thrive on challenge, seeing failure as an opportunity to grow and develop. These people routinely learn more new and difficult things, thus allowing the neurons in their brains to form fresh and stronger connections.

‘The law of attraction doesn’t just respond to your thoughts,’ says McCann. ‘It responds to the way you feel about yourself, the world and what you believe is possible.

You only go as far as you believe you’re capable of going.’

As for visualisations, they’re used by professional sportspeople and elite athletes all the time, and there’s plenty of evidence to support their efficacy, too.

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advice Neuroscientist Dr Tara Swart, who uses manifestation techniques with her executive coaching clients, believes the secret lies not in visualising your goals, but in actioning them.

So she gets her clients to make an ‘action’ board instead of a ‘vision’ board, to emphasise the work they need to put in. ‘The trick is to look at it daily,’ she says, ‘visualise the goals coming true and do so using sensory integration – imagine what the

intention-setting. These can create positive emotional experiences and increase motivation – both of which support behaviour change. ‘In therapy, we often use imagery to help create emotional shifts and introduce new perspectives and solutions, or even reduce anxiety about the unknown,’ she says.

And, doubtless, carving out space to crystallise your desires, rather than drifting through on autopilot, will help.

One way of doing this is to create an annual action board. Dr Swart suggests blocking out time, sitting down with a stack of magazines and cutting out images that speak to something you’d like to bring into your life – an interiors shoot could represent your goal of saving for a flat or house deposit, for example.

Then place it somewhere you’ll see it at least twice a day and visualise the things that you want in as much detail as you can: imagine walking up the path to your new home, the sensation of wind on your face.

Then, as Dr Swart recommends, try to follow up these desires with actions. ‘I would never discourage someone from dreaming big, but it’s important that you have other building blocks to help with those dreams, too,’ says Dr Windgassen.

So start with wishful thinking and then do something about it. Here’s how…

‘CARVE OUT SPACE TO CRYSTALLISE YOUR DESIRES’

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SUCCESS your progress is the key link between setting an intention and making good on it. The studies focused on health goals, like quitting smoking and losing weight, and found that prompting participants to track how they were doing upped the likelihood of success.

5 MAKE YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE

You have a 65% chance of meeting a goal if you elect someone to share your intention with, according to the American Society of Training and Development.

Supercharge this by scheduling regular appointments to share your progress with them – those that did this saw the odds increase to a dizzying 95%.

WORDS: CLAUDIA CANAVAN. PHOTOGRAPHY: THE LICENSING PROJECT

goal looks, feels and tastes like.’ By stimulating your brain with specific goal-oriented images every day, Dr Swart claims you’ll cement them in your brain’s limbic system – the home of emotional responses and memories – and prime it to pay attention to those things. This is called ‘value tagging’. Dr Swart gives the example of someone who wants to work in the field of mindfulness; you’ve put a visual representation of this on an action board and you’ve been doing visualisations in which you’ve pictured yourself in such a role. Then, in conversation, someone mentions they’re developing a mindfulness app.

Because you’ve value tagged this, your ears prick up; perhaps you ask FIVE WAYS TO MANIFEST for an interview, and so realise your ambition. In short, the visualisation themselves accountable 1 WRITE IT DOWN creates action. to a friend and sent them In 2019, psychology But Dr Windgassen says there weekly progress reports professor Dr Gail is a downside, too, and that’s the (see step 5).

Matthews studied way people who are convinced goal achievement in manifestation will work can feel the workplace. Her 3 GET VISUAL when it doesn’t. ‘People may be more research identified that In a survey run by likely to turn to manifestation and the act of committing leadership expert Mark other self-help ideas when they’re your intentions to paper Murphy, people who particularly vulnerable and depleted increases your likelihood used pictures to illustrate and, consequently, their self-esteem of success. So make a their goals were more may be lower,’ she warns. Because list of your personal and likely to succeed than interpretations of manifestation can career goals for the those who didn’t. Those be ‘magical’, if it doesn’t work, you year ahead. who wrote down vivid might see it as your fault, which could goals were 1.4 times lead to more negative thoughts. Plus more likely to succeed 2 CREATE manifestation doesn’t take into account than those who wrote ACTION STEPS the structural disadvantages that are nothing. So, use both In the same research, woven through society. Social media words and pictures on participants who content can exacerbate these feelings a vision board, to paint defined a plan of action if you see everyone #manifesting their as detailed a picture of showing how they dreams on Instagram – especially if your success as possible. would make incremental you don’t have the success you were moves towards their goal hoping for. It can make the fall from were more successful 4 TRACK YOUR not getting what you were trying to than those who simply PROGRESS manifest, harder. stated an aim. Those A 2015 meta-analysis So how can you avoid disappointment who did the best? by the American while making manifestation work for People who not only Psychological Association you? Dr Windgassen recommends did this, but also made found that monitoring focusing on vision boards and

CAREERS

RISKY BUSINESS ‘If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary’ is a quote from American entrepreneur Jim Rohn that I couldn’t agree with more. To fulfil our work potential, live courageously, approach life with passion and look back with satisfaction, risk-taking needs to be in the mix. On the other side of risk is growth – and the opposite of growth is the proverbial burnt toast.

The reason people struggle to take risks is down to the danger involved. When danger is at play, we doubt ourselves, hide and, well… it’s toast again. Most people struggle to step out of their comfort zone; it’s normal. Beyond known walls lie new feelings, potential discomfort, the possibility of a hiccup and a sense of being out of control. Sometimes risks don’t pay off. The new job turned sour, the old paint colour looked prettier, you shouldn’t have cut your hair… but what did you gain when the risk turned awry? You gained knowledge, proved you’re stronger than you thought, didn’t crumble and you’re most likely wiser because of it. Risks pay off, whatever the outcome. When we take on a challenge, it builds our self-efficacy, a subset of confidence that develops when we’re in a ‘challenge state’. The more we view ourselves as capable of being in this state, the easier it becomes and, slowly, we normalise the risk-taking process. Here’s how to become a confident risk-taker in two easy steps: STEP ONE Manage your thoughts Our minds tend to be the biggest culprits when we shy away from risks. We fear what might be and BOOK OF allow that potential scenario to trump what’s likely to happen. We all have a highly attuned inner THE MONTH critic that alerts us to danger. Risk and danger go hand in hand, so your inner critic is going to get Belonging: The Ancient louder in the process. Reason with her and use past experiences, when you’ve taken risks that have Code Of Togetherness paid off, to counter your spiralling mind. Turn these experiences into short, impactful mantras.

(Quercus, £20) is a book • ‘I am an accomplished public speaker; I have won an audience many times before.’ by one of the world’s top • ‘I have proved to myself I have the courage to cope, whatever the outcome.’ performance coaches, Mantras help retrain our negatively skewed thought patterns. It takes time and perseverance to Owen Eastwood, who is working with Team create this change, but it’s worth it. Another way to counter the inner critic is to acknowledge that GB at the Olympics and you’ve heard her, but are carrying on regardless. Learn to separate yourself and your abilities has coached many elite from your thoughts; we’re not our thoughts, we’re merely the vessel in which they occur. sports teams. His shtick STEP TWO Start small is ‘shared strength You don’t need to take big risks from the off. Identify choices you’ve been avoiding that aren’t too through honest far out of your comfort zone, and make them. Moving from beginners Pilates to intermediate, connection’ and this say. You may struggle, but you’ll survive. Small risks build self-efficacy so that we learn to see book explores how we ourselves as being able to ride that unknown arc of possible failure, but probable success. can build better teams The moral of this story is to try. It may not work, but you’ll move forward in terms of through honesty and self-knowledge. Another way to manage risk is to imagine yourself in the worst outcome. What vulnerability. will you feel? How will you act? Visualising negative eventualities allows us to proceed with confidence, so have this trick in your back pocket the next time you think you can’t do something.

JOIN THE STEP UP MEMBERSHIP CLUB (and get 10% off) Want to build your confidence, start earning what you deserve and stop feeling sick every time you need to self-promote? The Step Up Club gives working women the skills they need to shine at work. Join the Club and community and receive monthly knowledge bundles, be part of group coaching calls with Alice and have access to her network of expert coaches and industry leaders. To sign up, visit stepupclub.co/membersclub (membership is £34.99 a month; Red readers receive 10% off with code REDSTEPUP. Offer ends 31st December 2021).

Follow Alice’s community on

Instagram @thestepupclub

PHOTOGRAPHY: ZUTE LIGHTFOOT

Taking chances is the key to success, growth and self-efficacy, says Alice Olins

Smart women

HOW I GOT HERE

AS TOLD TO: BRYONY FIRTH-BERNARD. PHOTOGRAPHY: AL ARENA

Garden designer Juliet Sargeant was the first Black woman to have a show garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and win gold.

Here, she explains what it takes to make it in horticulture I’VE ALWAYS ENJOYED THE FREEDOM YOU FEEL WHEN YOU’RE OUTDOORS. I grew up in the grounds of a boarding school in Surrey, surrounded by fields. My mother, who brought me up on her own, worked as a residential social worker there and I loved the greenery.

was divided into two areas, with one representing the captive space where people are held in forced servitude, and the other represented the free space in which we all live. I’m already working on a show garden for RHS Chelsea 2022.

I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE GIVEN A CORNER OF THE GARDEN TO DO WHAT I WANTED WITH. It was on a slope, so I tried to create this mini water feature that involved a lot of running up and down with a bucket!

THE KEY TO CREATING A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN IS TEAMWORK. It requires the skills of many specialist people, including tree surgeons, landscapers, structural engineers, surveyors and sculptors.

AT SCHOOL I WAS ENCOURAGED TO GET A ‘DEPENDABLE JOB’, SO I DECIDED TO BECOME A DOCTOR. I qualified from the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, but just as I was about to specialise in psychiatry, I decided I wanted to do something more creative.

I CAN COUNT ALL THE BLACK GARDENERS AND GARDEN DESIGNERS ON JUST TWO HANDS. More steps need to be taken to encourage people of colour into the industry. I want to be a role model because when you see people that look like you, you feel more welcome.

IT WAS MY HUSBAND, CHRIS, WHO SUGGESTED I TRY A GARDEN DESIGN COURSE. After my degree, I designed my mum’s garden, where I put in a summer house, wildlife pond and a meadow. After three years, I had a strong enough list of clients to earn a sensible living.

THE PANDEMIC HELPED PEOPLE DISCOVER THE BENEFITS OF THEIR OWN GARDENS. I think a lot of people worry that they don’t have green fingers and they’ll kill everything! I set up The Sussex Garden School four years ago to help teach people basic but effective skills.

‘GARDEN DESIGN IS ABOUT MAKING OUTDOOR ROOMS’

CHILDREN SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO ENJOY NATURE MORE. Public green space is essential to this because not everyone is fortunate to have their own private garden. If we lose our green spaces, we won’t get them back again.

MY OWN GARDEN ISN’T A PRETTY, ORNAMENTAL ONE, IT’S MORE LIKE A PLANT LABORATORY. The soil is chalky and it’s windswept, so I use it to experiment and see which plants will grow in difficult conditions.

LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE, I THOUGHT GARDEN DESIGN WAS SIMPLY GARDENING. But gardening is more about the maintenance of plants and growing them to be as beautiful as they can be. Garden design is about creating outdoor ‘rooms’, like an architect.

I STILL LOVE THE OPTIMISM OF PLANTING BULBS IN THE AUTUMN. Come spring, you’ll see these little shoots and then a burst of colour in summer. My favourite flowers are lilies – I love the smell.

I TRY TO PICTURE MYSELF IN THE GARDENS I DESIGN. It helps you create something that feels and looks good. I also aim to plant trees in every garden because they’re so important for the environment.

WINNING GOLD FOR MY MODERN SLAVERY GARDEN AT RHS CHELSEA IN 2016 WAS A SPECIAL MOMENT. I’d been working on it for 18 months and it took nine days to build. It also won the People’s Choice Award, which was wonderful because it showed that people were okay with the idea of using gardens to talk about difficult subjects. The garden

MY TOP TIP FOR SUCCESS IS TO EMBRACE FAILURE. It isn’t easy to make a living in horticulture, so everyone who tries is taking a leap of faith. Gardens, and the people who create them, are generally under-appreciated, but hopefully that will change as society starts to value the importance of green space.

For more, visit sussexgardenschool.com and julietsargeant. com. Get tickets for RHS Chelsea Flower Show at rhs.org.uk

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Make it happen Is money holding you back from living a life less ordinary?

Don’t let it! Here’s how to fund your big adventure

I

f the pandemic (or just a holiday) has made you question the way you live your life, you’re not alone. According to a global IPSOS survey carried out last September, a whopping 72% of us want to make a life change. Whether endless Zoom meetings or starting a side hustle have made you re-think your career, or being stuck in a cramped flat has you fantasising about living by the sea or leaving altogether, now is the perfect time to re-focus. Money is often the biggest hurdle, but it doesn’t have to be an insurmountable obstacle. This is how to make your big idea happen.

BE YOUR OWN BOSS If you’ve always dreamed of starting your own business, join the club. Research by the Centre for Entrepreneurs shows that despite the pandemic, a record-breaking number of new businesses launched in June 2020 (77,574, compared with 52,779 in June 2019) and those numbers continue to grow. If lockdown gave you head space to hone the business idea that’s been stuck in your mind, now is the time to put it into action.

It might feel scary to go it alone but there’s a huge number of resources available to small businesses. Plus, you probably need less investment than you think – the average start-up budget is £5,000 to launch, but some do it for as little as £100.

WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN Download a free business-plan template (try The Prince’s Trust or Start Up Loans) to help you, and include short-, medium- and long-term goals. ‘This could be increasing your social-media following so you have a larger, engaged audience to market your business to, developing skills that you need now that you’re self-employed, or writing weekly blog posts to encourage people to visit your website,’ says Carol Stewart, business and career coach and author of Quietly Visible.

WORK OUT YOUR OVERHEADS Emma Jones of Enterprise Nation, a company that provides support for small businesses, says: ‘Break costs down. First, look at operational costs, including equipment, storage space

and stock. There’s also the cost of your time. Look at sales costs second, such as designing a logo or promoting your business, building a website and social-media activity.’ You can find free courses on everything from digital marketing to expanding a business overseas at Google’s Digital Garage (learndigital.withgoogle.com/digitalgarage), or try Natwest’s Business Builder course (natwestbusinessbuilder.com). Your stock and a well-designed website are worth spending money on, but you can keep other costs down by using sites such as TaskRabbit or by exchanging skills with friends and contacts.

RAISE MONEY Try applying for a government Start Up Loan (between £500 and £25,000). You’ll get free business mentoring for up to 12 months, plus access to other help and advice. These days, there are also more creative ways to raise capital, such as by crowdfunding (try Kickstarter and UK Crowdfunding

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FINANCIALLY FABULOUS

WORDS: JOANNE FINNEY. PHOTOGRAPHY: CHLOE MALLETT *ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH INSURERS. ALL GOVERNMENT GUIDELINE ADVICE CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS. CHECK FOR UPDATES REGULARLY

Association) or peer-to-peer lending (Funding Circle and RateSetter). ‘The campaigns that tend to succeed appeal to people’s passions – tell a compelling story, keep it short and explain exactly why you are raising money,’ says Danae Ringelmann from Indiegogo.

‘My adventure cost less than £500’ Bex Band, 33, from Somerset, is an adventurer who runs the Love Her Wild community of women travellers

The Next Challenge (thenextchallenge.org), which gifts a couple of hundred pounds to get adventurers of any age started.

MOVE HOME For many of us, relocating is the ultimate fantasy – especially to the seaside. ‘We ‘My first big adventure was trekking know from our recent report that across the length of Israel in 2016 with my TRAVEL THE WORLD husband. I’d never done anything like Great Britain, people who live in coastal After the past 18 months, who doesn’t areas are most content,’ said Tim Bannister that before. I was quite unfit and dream of leaving the nine-to-five from Rightmove. If you’re selling a inexperienced but we both really behind? New research from Mintel wanted a change. For eight months, property, get it valued – then you can take shows that almost twice as many of us we saved every penny we could: we a look at your dream home destinations and are planning a trip of a lifetime than we stopped buying anything non-essential, see if you can afford to make the move. had been pre-pandemic. ‘Grown-up’ cut back on going out and sold some Buying land and building your own home gap years are growing in popularity, with on it is also growing in popularity; make belongings to raise money. Once 46% of those taking a gap year aged we’d put away a couple of thousand sure you draw up a detailed budget and use over 26, according to a Sainsbury’s a quantity surveyor to get the best deals. pounds each, we took sabbaticals Bank survey. Going away doesn’t have and packed up our lives in London. to mean giving up your job: many DO YOUR RESEARCH The trek took two months and was companies offer sabbaticals or the Factor in all moving costs, such as incredible. It only ended up costing option to work remotely from overseas. conveyancing, surveys, solicitors’ fees around £500 each. We kept costs and removals. The average cost of down by wild camping and eating CALCULATE YOUR COSTS simply. The people we met were very moving is £8,951; find the best deals at Use the trip-planner calculator at generous, too, giving us lifts and food. comparemymove.com. When it comes airtreks.com to help work out what That trip was life-changing, I felt calm to your mortgage, a great deal can be you’ll need, then write out a budget for worth tens of thousands of pounds over its and could think more creatively. As day-to-day expenses, allowing some lifetime. MoneySavingExpert has a useful a result, I’ve been on lots more contingency money for unforeseen Mortgage Best Buys comparison tool. adventures since. When people talk costs. Some adventures cost more than of going on an adventure, they think Find an independent mortgage broker at others. Camping and travelling by bike about climbing Kilimanjaro or rowing unbiased.co.uk or vouchedfor.co.uk. Since or on foot are all low cost (or free), April, the Government will provide a the Atlantic, but some of my best whereas long-distance hiking trails experiences have been closer to home, guarantee to lenders across the UK who in the US, for example, cost thousands such as kayaking across the UK. The offer mortgages to people with a deposit of dollars in fees and other expenses. most important thing is to get out there of just 5% on homes with a value of up to Compare flight and other travel costs at and see the world!’ Three Stripes South £600,000. Self-build mortgages are also kayak.co.uk, and use rome2rio.com to available. Speak to a self-build specialist,

by Bex Band is out on 6 August find the cheapest way to get from A to B. such as BuildStore, for guidance.

And don’t forget that travel insurance is worth every penny.

GET SOME HELP START SAVING Save into a Lifetime ISA to get a 25% Government top-up, Now you know how much you’ll need, give yourself a then use the money towards a home costing up to £450,000 timeframe and work out exactly how much to put away each (you must be under 40 to open a LISA and use it for buying month. Try the 50/20/30 rule, where 50% of your income goes a first home or put it towards your retirement). You could also on needs like rent or mortgages, 30% on wants and the rest into be eligible for shared ownership or a Help to Buy loan. savings. The Chip app automatically shifts money into a savings account every few days by analysing spending and using artificial intelligence to work out what you can afford.

APPLY FOR GRANTS These range in value, from the likes of the Royal Geographical Society, which offers an annual £5,000 ‘journey of a lifetime’ award, to smaller ones, such as

For money-saving tips, news and brilliant advice, sign up to our fortnightly newsletter at redonline.co.uk/ffnewsletter

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A FIGHTING CHANCE

How Hasina Rahman used her passion for martial arts to start her own business, with the aim of empowering other women

T

hroughout her teens, Hasina Rahman was bullied. Her secondary-school experience wasn’t the best time of her life, but it did lead to her discovering karate at the age of 15. Fast forward to now and she’s a successful businesswoman, running Pink Diamond Martial Arts in Luton to empower like-minded women with selfdefence skills, improved fitness and, most importantly, confidence.

‘I had quite a tough childhood and I completely lost my selfbelief,’ Hasina says. ‘Martial arts brought me back to life.’ After achieving a black belt in karate, she went on to do the same in kickboxing, before turning to teaching Muay Thai and eventually, at 31, becoming a qualified Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) coach.

Her aim? To open her own women-only combat club.

‘It’s something I realised the community really needed,’ she says. ‘I’d grown up practising martial arts and I wanted to bring it to my local area because

FINDING HER USP

Hasina formed a sisterhood of women looking to build confidence through martial arts, but it wasn’t until she focused on her own skills and passions that her business truly took off.

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RED PROMOTION FOR NATWEST

GETTING SAVVY

I know how much of a positive impact it had on me.’

But starting her own business, especially as a woman, wasn’t without its challenges. ‘Martial arts is such a male-dominated sport and, as someone who wears a hijab, I don’t look like a typical combat sports instructor,’ Hasina says.

‘The reaction I’d get would be: “Well, you don’t look like a martial artist,” and I’d just think, “How is a martial artist supposed to look?”

As a new mum embarking on a business journey that centred on herself and her passions, Hasina admits it was a rocky start. At first, she tried to establish Pink Diamond as an all-round fitness studio, but soon found it wasn’t drawing in many clients. She realised that she needed to put her specific insight and skills first, rather than trying to cater to everyone, leading to her

NatWest is committed to helping women business owners overcome any hurdles at every stage of their journey. Its free online Business Builder course can help start-up founders like Hasina to gain confidence and skills, with modules on marketing, mindset and finance.

JUGGLING DEMANDS

As a mum of two, finding the time to focus on marketing was something Hasina struggled with, and she’s not alone: women are 17% more likely than men to struggle balancing business demands with family life*.

SEEKING SUPPORT

Hasina didn’t seek out professional mentorship schemes when starting on her journey to building Pink Diamond Martial Arts, but she did get advice from other gym owners. ‘A lot of them said that the first five years would be tough. They advised me to focus on getting regular customers through the door,’ she says. ‘But what works for one business might not work for everyone.’

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PROMOTING EQUALITY

rebranding the gym as Pink Diamond Martial Arts. Business instantly picked up.

Her USP nailed, Hasina still struggled with how to market the studio to potential new customers.

Without any formal business training, she had to work things out as she went along. ‘I would have loved to have known the most effective ways of marketing instead of just doing what I could on social media,’ she says.

‘That’s where a scheme like NatWest Business Builder could’ve been a big support. It’s a free online course that focuses on breaking down the barriers that many women in business like myself face, from

DRAWING ON HER OWN EXPERIENCE

As a Muslim woman in martial arts, Hasina knew how beneficial her gym could be to her local community.

‘It’s quite a Muslim area and a lot of Muslim women wouldn’t ever consider taking up martial arts,’ she says. ‘But it was something that I’d grown up doing, and I wanted to bring it to Luton because I know how much of a positive impact it had on me.’

UPLIFTING OTHERS

For Hasina, the best thing about owning a business is helping her clients progress from nervous to self-assured. ‘I feel so blessed that I can support them on that journey,’ she says.

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*THE ALISON ROSE REVIEW OF FEMALE ENTREPRENEURSHIP. WORDS: ELLA GLOVER. EDITED BY: ISABELLA SILVERS. PHOTOGRAPHY: VICTORIA ADAMSON. STYLING: CHLOE KING. MAKE-UP: MIN SANDHU AT CAROL HAYES. ART DIRECTION: DALJIT KAUR BABBER

‘You’re not always going to be seen as on the same level as a man,’ says Hasina. ‘But that’s why we’ve got to show them that we should be.’

RED PROMOTION FOR NATWEST how to reach new customers to the best way to handle your finances.’

Despite the challenges, it didn’t take long for Hasina to receive recognition. She won the Best Fitness prize at the Sisters in Business Awards 2020, the Love Luton Sporting Inspiration Award earlier this year, and got the opportunity to be part of NatWest’s #BeTheRoleModel campaign.

Her top tip for women looking to start their own business is also the best piece of advice she received herself when starting out. ‘There was one person who told me, “If you have passion, if you believe in what you’re doing, then don’t give up. Because at the end of failure, there is success,”’ she says.

‘It’s never going to be easy when it’s your own business, but you just have to keep going. Don’t be afraid to work hard; put in the hours because it will pay off.’

Are you ready to start your own business? Search NatWest Business Builder to sign up

FIGHTING BACK

‘I think self-defence is definitely something that all women and girls should learn, especially girls at school who are dealing with bullying,’ Hasina says. ‘It’s just really good to feel empowered.’

SHARING SKILLS

Hasina has seen an increase in customers recently, since violence against women came under the spotlight again. Her studio promotes martial arts as a way for women to learn practical self-defence skills.

SETTING A GOAL

Hasina says: ‘The main thing for me is to help as many people as I can to find the confidence to be themselves; just to be yourself, be strong, and walk down the street and feel safe, no matter who you are.’

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RAPPER. CAMPAIGNER. DOCUMENTARY MAKER. ENTREPRENEUR. PROFESSOR GREEN IS A MAN OF MANY TALENTS, AND HE STILL HAS SO MUCH MORE TO GIVE, AS ANNA BONET DISCOVERS

Seeing

Green

I

red MAN

t’s 2011 and Professor Green and Emeli Sandé are in a Winnebego outside the X Factor studio, where they’re about to perform live on the results show. Dermot O’Leary has been ‘charming the socks off’ Green’s nan, while Green and Sandé are looking at the iTunes chart, stunned.

They haven’t even performed yet, and their single Read All About It has just reached Number 1. It’s a first for them both. They turn to look at each other. ‘Sh*t,’ the rapper says, ‘Read All About It is going to f*****g do it.’

A decade later, Green – real name Stephen Manderson – is reflecting on this pivotal moment in his career with nostalgia in his voice. Now 37, he’s talking to me via Zoom from his south London home, in the all-black recording studio, where he’s spent much of the past year working on new music.

He’s wearing a mustard short-sleeve shirt, his familiar tattoos adorning his knuckles and neck.

Unlike the steely rap character his music videos present, Green is warm and gentle; he laughs easily and talks even more so.

‘That was the moment I felt I’d made it,’ he says of The X Factor memory – and he wasn’t wrong.

Following his performance (‘one of the most nerve-racking of my life’), the single remained in the UK top 20 for six consecutive weeks. He became a multi-platinum-selling artist and was heralded as the UK’s answer to Eminem. He’s since made a name for himself in other arenas, too, making six critically-acclaimed documentaries, covering everything from poverty to mental health, co-hosting Channel 5’s Lip Sync Battle with Mel B, and founding two businesses, a pizza company, Giz ’n’ Green, and a supplement brand, Aguulp.

His big break, Green says now, came as a huge surprise, but not just because it was rare for a rapper to have the Number 1 spot. ‘That song was about my dad’s suicide, which doesn’t really sound like content for a chart-topping single,’ he explains.

Writing Read All About It was an entirely therapeutic experience, he reflects now, and it taught him a lot. ‘I learned, well ahead of doing any therapy, that actually the more I spoke about [my dad’s suicide], the less power it had over me.

Whereas prior to that, I’d see a picture of my dad and burst into tears, because I never saw his face regularly.’

His father took his own life in 2008, when Green was 24. Their relationship was somewhat fractious, largely the result of the fact that Green’s father had always been in and out of his life. His mum and dad were just 16 and 18 respectively when they had him, and split soon after, leaving Green in the care of his grandmother on his mum’s side,

Pat, who raised him on a council estate in Hackney.

With six of them in the flat (his mother’s siblings included), it was a squeeze. ‘My great grandmother, Nanny Edie, used to sleep in our living room on an armchair that folded out into a bed,’ Green smiles. ‘She had this blue blanket, which I’d jump underneath every morning to wake her up, and she’d read to me before the cartoon run.’

Here, he says, he was happy, but at school, Green felt awkward and anxious about his set-up. ‘Kids would ask, “Why is your mum so old?”’ he recalls.

‘And I’d say, “That’s not my mum, it’s my nan.”

Then they’d be like, “What, don’t your parents want you?”’ By 16, he’d dropped out of education altogether and began dealing cannabis.

‘Being a criminal’ derailed Green’s early ambitions to be a lawyer – but the legal system’s loss turned out to be the music industry’s gain. Inspired by the rapper Biggie Smalls (aka the Notorious B.I.G.), he began writing his own lyrics aged 18, testing them out at open-mic nights. It was another eight years before he’d land a record deal and release his debut single I Need You Tonight, and yet Green never gave up. ‘“Come on man,” friends started to say. “You have to find something else to do,”’ he recalls. What kept him going? ‘I was very persistent, but there was a bit of blind stupidity in the mix as well!’ he says.

In many ways, Green’s music career opened up more than just fame and fortune. It became an outlet for him to express his deepest feelings and passions. When his hit song entered the charts, Green found himself becoming a kind of spokesperson for male mental health. ‘I don’t think I was the most likely candidate to start that conversation,’ he chuckles.

Intentional or not, he quickly embraced the opportunity to use his platform for good. Green became a patron for the mental health charity CALM, and in 2015, hosted the BBC Three documentary, Suicide And Me, exploring the reasons why his father ended his life. The heartbreaking piece of television went on to have such an impact that the then Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Luciana Berger, screened it in parliament. ‘I’d get stopped on the street, with people saying, “Mate, thanks for the work you’ve done on mental health,”’ he remembers.

It’s a conversation he’s worked tirelessly to carry on since then. He’s become an ambassador for

‘I was very persistent, but there was blind stupidity in the mix, too’

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red MAN

Aguulp is available to purchase now at aguulp.com

virtual psychology clinic My Online Therapy, and he’s recently teamed up with Urban Flower Co to launch Blooms for Bros, bouquets to be gifted to men, in a bid to tackle outdated stereotypes and raise money for CALM. He admits this work and the very personal feedback he gets as a result can spark difficult emotions. ‘Sometimes I’ll be coming out of the gym, buzzing, having a great day, then someone tells me about their sister having just taken her own life – that’s tough. But I’m really happy to have been able to open up my platform to talk about things that do way more than just benefit myself.’

Benefit others is something he’s also hoping to do with his latest venture, Aguulp, a line of supplements designed to support brain, gut and immunity wellbeing, inspired by his own experience with stomach problems, anxiety and depression. Green was born with a stomach defect, and has been in and out of hospitals since, suffering with gastritis, IBS and in 2017, a hiatus hernia.

Green caveats that he usually ‘can’t stand the #wellness world’, but looking after his gut helped him in more ways than one. ‘Not only did I start to feel better, but the better I took care of my gut, the better my mental health was.’

I’m in no doubt that Green is in a good place as a result, but I’m curious as to what else keeps him feeling mentally strong these days. ‘I’ve done a lot of work on myself to get to this point, and I continue to do work every week with my therapist,’ he says.

‘I think it’s important to do therapy when you’re not at a point of crisis, because that’s when you can actually learn mental resilience without having to suffer trauma. That was a big lesson for me, because the only way I’d learned my resilience up until that point was through surviving.’

Past trauma is something he’s been thinking about a lot recently. In March, Green’s ‘force of nature’ partner of two years, actor Karima McAdams, gave birth to their son, Slimane, and the experience has made him look back on his childhood through a different lens. ‘I’d already forgiven my parents 100 times over, but I’ve now forgiven them 400 times over,’ he says.

‘I’m now more than twice my dad’s age. It must have been incredibly difficult.’

Will his past impact the way he parents? Green nods. ‘It hurt me a lot, my dad being in and out of my life,’ he says thoughtfully. ‘My mum was there more consistently, but I had a different affinity towards my dad. He was a kind, funny, wonderful person, but he was a sh*t dad. So yes, it does affect how I parent because I want to be present. And I am, probably to the point where it’s quite annoying.’

Green has been documenting his fatherhood journey on an Instagram page, @TheUnlikely

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DadsClub, and given that he’s just declared that he’s ‘well nifty at changing a nappy’, I suggest he’s a natural. He tells me otherwise. ‘I wasn’t someone who gravitated towards children,’ he explains. ‘Maybe all parents feel a little bit “unlikely” the first time around, especially if they haven’t had much experience with children.

I really hadn’t.’

He’s also still getting used to how becoming parents can change a relationship. ‘You have this thing, which is far more important than either of you, but then intimacy is still really important,’ he observes. ‘Date night is a f*****g privilege.

We’ve been out twice in nearly four months.’

Luckily, though, he grins: ‘We still fancy the socks off each other, so we’re all right.’

Previously married to former Made In Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh (the pair divorced after three years in 2016), Green says that his attitude to relationships has undoubtedly changed as he’s got older, because he’s become more aware of ‘the cycle of blaming anyone but yourself [for things that go wrong]’.

His learnings, he explains, have also helped inform his latest music. He’s currently working on a new album, and part of his process involves going through unfinished songs that never made it on to his previous albums. ‘I didn’t have the life experience to finish them then, because I didn’t know enough about what I was talking about,’ he muses. ‘Now I’m older, I do.’

This new music should see the light of day very soon – and Green is clearly enjoying every minute of making it. ‘Beyond parenthood, the only thing that makes me shake my hands [with excitement] is finishing the lyric I’ve been stuck on, or coming up with a line that I’m really happy with,’ he beams. ‘The only thing that I can compare that to is the first time Slimane giggled.’

It helps that he’s in a better headspace, nowadays, too. ‘I don’t have the same pressures as artists starting out; I can create freely,’ he says. ‘That’s a really nice place to be, because my personal life doesn’t have to suffer for my work, which is wonderful, because there have been plenty of times in my life when it has.’

His attitude to work and success has clearly evolved. ‘For the best part of my successful career,’ he reflects, ‘I wasn’t able to enjoy things because I was so scared of dropping the ball; always fearful of what might be around the corner.’

And now? ‘Now, I realise you’re never going to be able to see around corners. It’s taken me a long time to get to a place where I don’t look too far back or too far forward – I can be comfortable and content right here.’

September 2021 | REDONLINE.CO.UK

‘I’d already forgiven my parents 100 times over, but I’ve now forgiven them 400 times over’

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Reads

Edited by ANNA BONET

Drawn to life

Remember the brilliant illustration of the couple inside a sardine can on the cover of Sally Rooney’s Normal People?

How could you not? If you loved that striking artwork as much as we did, you’ll be pleased to know that the illustrator, Henn Kim, has her own book out this August.

Starry Night, Blurry Dreams is Kim’s debut collection of visual poetry that explores themes of loneliness, love and what it means to exist in this world. Filled with page after page of beautiful and painfully true words and artworks (such as the one above!), this is a compelling and unique collection that is more than worthy of a place on your bookshelves.

Starry Night, Blurry Dreams (Bloomsbury)

by Henn Kim is out 19th August

This month’s best books

THERE’S LOVE, LOSS AND DECEIT GALORE IN LITERARY EDITOR SARRA MANNING’S FAVOURITE NEW RELEASES

The Island Of Missing Trees

by Elif Shafak

The Beloved Girls

by Harriet Evans

(Headline Review, £14.99, out 19th August) When troubled barrister Catherine disappears, the answers might lie in the past. Decades earlier, 18-year-old Jane Lestrange is reluctantly taken in by the wealthy and weird Hunter family, until the simmering tensions during that strange Cornwall summer come to a tragic climax.

The Beloved Girls is a gorgeous, Gothic and gripping big-house mystery.

The Fair Botanists

by Sara Sheridan

(Viking, £14.99, out 5th August) Greek Defne and Turkish Kostas are teenage sweethearts in Cyprus. When civil war breaks out, they’re forced apart and don’t reunite until they’re in their 30s. Together, they leave Cyprus for London, with a cutting from a fig tree, which later becomes a symbol to their daughter of a homeland she’s never visited.

This is a sweeping, romantic tale about love and loss that’s so evocative you can smell honeysuckle and figs wafting from the pages.

A Slow Fire Burning

by Paula Hawkins

(Doubleday, £20, out 31st August) A return to form for the author of the phenomenon that was The Girl On The Train. In A Slow Fire Burning, we have a whole cast of difficult, unreliable women, all flawed but all the more real for it, with their own agendas and secrets.

But which one of them is a killer? When a book has this many twists, turns and breadcrumb trails, it will be responsible for many sleepless nights.

(Hodder & Stoughton, £16.99, out 5th August) It’s summer 1822, and Edinburgh’s citizens are giddy with anticipation for a visit from the King and the rare, once-in-30-years flowering of the Agave Americana plant in the new Botanic Gardens. It’s also the scene for the unlikely friendship between Belle Brodie, an entrepreneurial courtesan, and the recently widowed and very respectable Elizabeth Rocheid. Both women are harbouring secrets and when the Agave finally blooms, it sets off a chain of events that threatens both of their futures. An absolute treat for fans of historical fiction and rich storytelling.

No Such Thing As Perfect

by Emma Hughes

(Century, £12.99, out 5th August) Hapless journalist Laura Morrison reluctantly agrees to try Cupid, a new dating app that will match her with her one true love. But if staid Adam is meant to be 100% her type, why is Laura drawn to hipster techie Cass (even though he has a man bun)? This is a smart, thoughtful romcom with real heart and a deeply satisfying ending.

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READS

‘I had to learn not to give up on myself ’ As bestselling author Jasmine Guillory publishes her latest novel, she talks relationships, writing and the importance of persevering While We Were Dating takes a character from one of your previous novels, The Wedding Party, and gives him his own love story – with a celebrity. What inspired you to write this book?

As soon as I wrote the first scene with Ben for The Wedding Party, I loved him – I had so much fun with his character, and I was excited to write a book where he would be the star. Ben is so charismatic, so I knew he would need someone who could match him. I brainstormed ideas, then I thought, ‘What if Ben fell for a movie star?’ Then, the whole idea fell into place for me.

I love a Hollywood romance, and I loved writing this one.

full time as a lawyer. I also wrote two books that didn’t go anywhere before The Wedding Date, which became my first published book.

Those setbacks, and a number of others, taught me to just keep going, day by day. I let myself take some time to grieve losses and rejections, but I had to keep finding that joy in my writing, and learn not to give up on myself.

What’s your writing routine?

It really varies, depending on what else is going on in my life. The pandemic threw all schedules and routines out of whack. For a number of my previous books, I have had relatively strict writing routines.

But this book, which I started in spring 2020, I wrote very differently – I handwrote the first draft, I mostly only wrote very late at night and I didn’t pay attention to word count. I had to be relaxed about this one; I had to change the way I did things in order to be able to write anything at all. As a writer, one thing I’ve learned over the past few years is the importance of being flexible.

This is your sixth romance novel; what do you love about love?

Writing about romance is writing about relationships really – how and why people get close to one another; how they reveal parts of themselves to one another; who and what they value. Love is such a core thing in our lives, but every relationship is different – that’s what makes romance so fun and interesting to write about.

‘LOVE IS SUCH A CORE THING IN OUR LIVES’

How did you get into writing?

I didn’t start until relatively late in life. I had been a lawyer for almost 10 years before I began writing.

I needed a creative outlet, and I had always loved to read, so I decided to try writing – more for myself than for anything else. Then, I loved it so much that I kept going.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

It was from a writer whose work I love, Sara Zarr. We became friends long before I was published, at a time when I felt like I kept trying and failing to do anything good with my writing. When we went out for drinks for the first time, she asked if I was a writer, and I hesitated.

It was hard to think of myself as a writer then, when I felt like I had nothing to show for it. Then she said, ‘Do you write? Then, you’re a writer.’ Every time I doubt myself, I hear her voice in my head, and I keep going.

Was it a straightforward shift from law to publishing novels, or were there setbacks en route?

So many setbacks! It took a while to be able to make the change, and there were a number of years when I was doing both – I wrote my first three books while working

While We Were Dating (Headline Eternal)

by Jasmine Guillory is out now

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READS

BOOKBAR

A bookshop, cafe, wine bar and social space in one, Chrissy Ryan has brought together all of her (and our) favourite things with BookBar When Ryan was a teen, she kept diaries. If you sifted through them now, between complaints of the stresses of school exams, you’d find mention after mention of her dream of opening a bookshop. Yet: ‘I never thought I’d actually do it,’ she laughs, sitting across from me over coffee at, err, her bookstore, BookBar, in north London.

She may not have believed it to be possible, but her path has taken her where she needed to be. Ryan’s first job was at a bookshop in Primrose Hill. From there, she worked her way up to head of international sales for a publisher. This was followed by a six-month stint looking after a bookshop in the Maldives – ‘I’d go scuba diving in my lunch break,’ she grins – where the idea for setting up her own shop resurfaced.

When Ryan returned to London at the start of the pandemic last year, she had two options: go back to her old life by looking for publishing jobs, or take a leap of faith and use savings to set up that bookshop she’d dreamed of. She took the leap of faith.

‘People say there’s nothing better than curling up with a good book, but I disagree,’ she says. ‘There’s nothing better than sharing a good book with someone else. I wanted BookBar to be a fun, social space that focuses on conversations generated around books, rather than the solitary act of reading them.’

With limits on social interaction, it proved difficult at first. So, in June last year, Ryan began BookBar online. She sold books via the site, launched an online book club, and used social media to leverage her community and branding. In the autumn, she finally got the shop in Islington, which would have opened in January, if it weren’t for the lockdown.

‘I came every day, put the shutters up, talked to people and sold books from the door,’ she says. ‘The slow burn towards opening in April helped drum up excitement. By the time I did open, I had loyal customers.’

BookBar has gone from strength to strength, and there is now a team of four. The book club has featured interviews with huge authors, while the bar and cafe have become drinking destinations in their own rights.

Meanwhile, Ryan has launched her shelf medicate service – a literary prescription for how you’re feeling – carried out over the phone, via the website or over a glass of wine or coffee in shop. Ryan feels it’s important to get under the skin of what makes readers tick. ‘I don’t want to just do cookie-cutter recommendations,’ she says. ‘Books are about emotions, so I’m always asking, “What do you want to feel?” The best booksellers are emotionally intelligent.’

A top-class bookseller, Ryan certainly is. And with more coming up in the pipeline (think: wine-tasting evenings, where grapes are paired to particular books, as well as read-dating – speed-dating with books), I think her teenage self would be proud.

Visit bookbaruk.com or follow @bookbaruk on Instagram and Twitter

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Chrissy Ryan’s favourite reads for…

Heartbreak

Writers & Lovers

by Lily King is a funny and observant novel, about moving on from a broken heart, that’s full of hope.

Cabin fever

In Fault Lines

by Emily Itami, the story of a woman escaping her life as a housewife, you will be utterly transported to Tokyo.

Grief

Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell is a fictional account of Shakespeare’s son, who died aged 11, and is exceptional on the process of grieving.

Loneliness

I adore Conversations On Love by Natasha Lunn, a wise debut from Red’s own features director, which explores love in all its forms.

A reading rut

Boy Parts by Eliza Clark is a fantastically dark debut about an artist whose inspiration becomes sinister. Grizzly and gripping, it’ll keep you turning the pages.

Low mood

Katherine Heiny’s Early Morning Riser is a gentle, funny, warm book about a small Michigan community.

A guaranteed pick-me-up.

WORDS: ANNA BONET

Spotlight on…

SHELF-MEDICATION RECOMMENDATIONS

Déjà vu FROM THE SEX AND THE CITY REBOOT TO THE REVIVAL OF GOSSIP GIRL, ANNA BONET EXPLORES THE PHENOMENON OF THE SCREEN DO-OVER Did the long-awaited Friends reunion live up to your expectations? For me, it provoked a mix of nostalgia, joy and – quite frankly – horror at the inescapable march of time. Twenty years! The show itself, I think, was, overall, pretty well done, but I do wonder what it would have been like if they had given us an actual fictional episode, picking up the story two decades later (rather than the actors sitting on the sofa reminiscing). Would it have been any good? Or would it have fallen flat?

The phenomenon of the screen revival is not new, but it does seem to be ever more popular. In May, Cruella gave the villain from 101 Dalmatians her own eponymous film, and HBO began airing the reboot of Gossip Girl (back on the Upper East Side with a brand new cast) in July. Next year will see the release of Legally Blonde 3, with Reese Witherspoon reprising her role as Elle Woods 19 years on, and later down the line, we’ll get to watch the new series of Sex And The City – titled And Just Like That… – which is currently filming.

‘Reboots are happening more and more often because production companies know they have an audience from that period,’ says TV producer and entertainment commentator Josh Wilson (wilsonworldwide.co.uk).

‘Humans generally don’t change so dramatically, generation by generation. Decision makers are constantly on edge about whether audiences will like their product, so the more they can skew that decision in their favour, the more comfortable they feel.’

The problem is that not all of them live up to the originals.

Is Gossip Girl the same without Blake Lively? How can we watch a new version of Sex And The City with Sarah Jessica

Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis, but not Kim Cattrall? Will it do any better than the last SATC spin-off, The Carrie Diaries, which was met with below-average ratings and was cancelled after two seasons? Perhaps they will learn some lessons from the 2019 Charlie’s Angels reboot (starring Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska), which notoriously bombed at the box office.

There are a number of reasons why so many fail, and it’s not just about which cast members are there to reprise their roles. Joey, the Friends spin-off starring Matt LeBlanc, didn’t exactly soar. Sometimes, they simply ‘jump the shark’ with the ideas, and it feels silly and contrived (this phrase came into parlance after Fonzie did just this in Happy Days, causing fans to decide the iconic sitcom had simply gone too far). But, ultimately, it’s because we’re naturally going to compare it to the version that went before.

‘When you try to replicate something, it can be like trying to repair a smashed mug – it will never be the same, even if you glue it together piece by piece,’ says Wilson.

Having said that, some do work. The revival of Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina, has been one of Netflix’s most highly rated shows, and Emma Stone has received a lot of love for Cruella. ‘For a reboot to work, there must be wrinkles of originality,’ says Wilson.

‘It’s about taking the same concept and playing with it.’

And when it works, it can be golden. So what else could be in the pipeline? I, personally, would love to see a reboot of the TV show Skins, as well as a Clueless for the 21st century. I’d also like to think a fictional Friends revival actually would have been quite special. Although, you never know, give it another decade and we may find out.

OUR FAVOURITE SPIN-OFFS OF ALL TIME

ASHES TO ASHES

Following on from Life On Mars, Keeley Hawes stars in this brilliant fantasy crime drama set in the 1980s, which became a BBC classic in its own right.

FAMILY MATTERS

Originally a character from Perfect Strangers, the quick-witted Harriette Winslow and her family got their own sitcom, which became one of the most successful of the 1990s.

OCEAN’S 8

Never mind the trilogy of Ocean’s 11, 12 and 13, the all-female spin-off, which stars Rihanna, Cate Blanchett and Anne Hathaway, is the one to watch.

THE GOOD FIGHT

When legal drama The Good Wife came to an end, it was quickly followed up with this ever-brilliant show, which puts Christine Baranski’s Diane Lockhart centre-stage.

LAVERNE & SHIRLEY

Happy Days spawned more than one spin-off, but this funny, warm series, which follows the adventures of Laverne and Shirley, is the best (and ran for eight seasons).

CULTURE

your culture fix

FILM SWEET GIRL

Summer just got sweeter as Jason Momoa – best known for his role as Khal Drogo in Game Of Thrones – is back on our screens and starring in his first Netflix Original movie. He plays Cooper, a vengeful widower, who’s determined to hunt down and bring to justice the people responsible for his wife’s death, while also trying to protect the only family he has left: his teenage daughter. He’s prepared to go to the extreme, but will vengeance be served?

On Netflix from 20th August

MUSICAL FROZEN THE MUSICAL

One for the family (or perhaps just the Disney fan), Anna and Elsa’s heart-melting story hits the stage at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane for the first time this August. Adapted

by Tony and Olivier award-winner Michael Grandage, you’ll be transported to the magical world of Arendelle with this show’s incredible special effects, beautiful costumes and all your favourite Frozen songs – plus some brand-new ones.

At Theatre Royal Drury Lane from 27th August

54

PLAY 2:22 – A GHOST STORY

This August marks Lily Allen’s West End debut in the world premiere of a brand new play, 2:22 – A Ghost Story.

The supernatural show centres around four friends having dinner at Jenny (Allen) and her husband’s new home.

Jenny is convinced the place is haunted, but the others around the table are sceptical.

That is, until 2.22am.

Written by Danny Robins, the creator of the much-lauded podcast The Battersea Poltergeist, you’ll spend the entire night on the edge of your seat. Don’t say you weren’t warned!

At Noël Coward Theatre from 3rd August to 16th October. Visit 222aghoststory.com

September 2021 | REDONLINE.CO.UK

TV VIGIL

Still mourning that Line Of Duty ending? Well, World Productions, which made the series (as well as Bodyguard), is now bringing us a brand-new six-part detective drama. It follows DCI Amy Silva (played by Suranne Jones, of Doctor Foster fame) as she investigates the mysterious disappearance of a fishing trawler and suspicious death aboard HMS Vigil, a trident nuclear submarine. There’s a cracking cast, too, including Rose Leslie and Martin Compston.

We anticipate this one to be big.

On BBC One this August

WORDS: BRYONY FIRTH-BERNARD, ANNA BONET. PHOTOGRAPHY: TREVOR LEIGHTON, CLAY ENOS/NETFLIX, BBC/WORLD PRODUCTIONS, ALAMY

LILY ALLEN EMBARKS ON HER WEST END DEBUT AND THE MAKERS OF LINE OF DUTY RETURN WITH A DARING NEW DRAMA IN AN EXCITING MONTH FOR CULTURE

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Interiors inspiration – from home improvements and new colour combos, to the best decor accessories to buy now.

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Fashion Edited by OONAGH BRENNAN

Free spirit

PHOTOGRAPHY PHILIP SINDEN

EMBRACE A LAID-BACK BOHEMIAN VIBE BEFITTING THE LAST LAZY DAYS OF SUMMER, AS EFFORTLESSLY CONVEYED

BY THE ULTIMATE FREE SPIRIT, FEARNE COTTON TROUSERS, £475, Ulla Johnson. TOP, £153, CeliaB

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September 2021 | REDONLINE.CO.UK

Red woman

FEARNE ON HAPPINESS PHOTOGRAPHY PHILIP SINDEN

WHO IS BETTER PLACED TO REFLECT ON WHERE TO FIND JOY THAN RADIO HOST AND NOW FULLY FLEDGED HAPPINESS GURU, FEARNE COTTON? WITH A FEELGOOD EMPIRE THAT SPANS BOOKS, EVENTS, FASHION AND HER PHENOMENALLY SUCCESSFUL PODCAST, SHE TELLS ELLA DOVE HOW THE SECRET TO CONTENTMENT IS FINDING PURPOSE STYLING OONAGH BRENNAN

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September 2021 | REDONLINE.CO.UK

Red woman

Celebrating the spectacular summer co-ord; it has all the laid-back ease of a one-piece while suggesting the wearer has a cool fashion confidence.

Stretch out the last of the sunshine in this blue bloom set from The Vampire's Wife and, as the light starts to fade, add a chunky cardigan or swap the shorts for jeans.

TOP, £395; SHORTS, £350, both The Vampire’s Wife at Browns

earne Cotton has only left her house four times for work in the past 18 months. So far, so lockdown. Yet she’s also been one of the UK’s most prolific podcast hosts during this time, producing weekly episodes of her chart-topping show Happy Place, which features frank and insightful conversations with the likes of Hillary Clinton, Jada Pinkett Smith and Elizabeth Gilbert, and which, to date, has had over 40m downloads.

‘I really struggled with the size of the problem; I felt so helpless,’ she says, when I ask how Covid impacted her work. ‘We had a relative going through newly diagnosed cancer at the time, and domestic abuse stats were going up – it was just horrendous. And the loneliness people have had to endure…’ she trails off, her voice thick. ‘I’m a doer. I wanted to help. It’s why I’m so proud that we also turned what would have been a live festival into a month-long, free digital one in about eight weeks. We knew people needed it, and we were able to deliver it. So at least I felt like I was doing a tiny bit of something helpful.’

The virtual Happy Place festival, which was attended by over 10,000 people IRL in 2019, is just one of the off-shoots of Cotton’s happiness empire. Others include a string of bestselling books, the latest of which, Speak Your Truth, was released earlier this year; a Happy Place album partnering with Decca, with contributions from Emeli Sandé, Sam Fender and even Dame Helen Mirren; a clothing collaboration with sustainable fashion brand Stripe & Stare, and a Boots beauty range, which featured pillow mist and a calm candle. While she doesn’t always feel comfortable being categorised in the wellbeing space – ‘I’m not trained in any of this. I don’t have a psychology degree or anything near that, so I sometimes feel a slight discomfort being put in the wellbeing category’ – it’s clear she’s joined the likes of Brené Brown, Oprah Winfrey and even Gwyneth Paltrow, in helping the general public to live more meaningfully, by taking a deep dive into the emotional challenges they face. Call it power with purpose.

‘All I want to do is help create something that breeds connection and offers people solace if they’re feeling alone,’ she says. ‘I did years of work that was enjoyable, but didn’t necessarily always have a point to it, and I think you get to an age or maybe you go through certain experiences in life where you think, “There has to be more meaning to all of this.” You can climb the ladder to get to the best radio show or the TV show with the biggest audience, but then what? What’s the goal? That’s why I’m probably more driven now than I ever have been, because I have to use what I’ve built up for a purpose.’

Her drive has seen her pivot away from her career in entertainment to something far quieter, yet more profound. When she left BBC Radio 1 in

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September 2021 | REDONLINE.CO.UK

‘I WANT TO HELP CREATE SOMETHING THAT BREEDS CONNECTION’

Never underestimate that magical mix of a basic shirt with a statement skirt. Think Sharon Stone in a Gap shirt and Vera Wang ball skirt at the 1998 Oscars to Jenna Lyons in a signature J.Crew high-low ensemble. This season’s riff?

A Citizens of Humanity slim denim shirt tucked in to Zimmermann’s pink floral sensation. If it ain’t broke…

SHIRT, £290, Citizens of Humanity. SKIRT, £1,450, Zimmermann

Red woman

‘FAME CREATES DISTANCE BETWEEN YOURSELF AND REAL LIFE’

2015, it was for her own mental health. ‘I had to walk away because it was literally ruining my mind,’ she has said. Since then, Cotton explains, her focus has been to use her skills to support others who might be suffering like she was. She started the Happy Place podcast in 2015 and speaks with clear passion about her interviewees, describing the nuggets of wisdom she’s picked up from her guests as ‘life-changing’. ‘I’ll always remember talking to Elizabeth Gilbert about when her partner, Rayya, died. She was sitting in the hospital getting all these emails through, as we all do, and she just deleted the whole lot, because she suddenly thought, “None of this matters.”

Going through something deeply painful gave her a huge perspective shift.’

The best episodes, she says, are the ones that ‘cut through the bullshit’ of life. ‘Because, okay, yeah, I forgot the kids’ snacks this morning and I was berating myself, but then you suddenly stop and remember that really, none of this matters.’

She takes a similar stance on fame. ‘What is it? It means nothing!’ she exclaims. ‘A lot of people still believe in this myth that people on TV or social media are these perfect people with perfect lives, and, of course, it’s all a load of bollocks.’ She gives a wry smile.

‘When I was 15, I believed it, too, but I’ve since met loads of these people and they’re just normal humans. Now I’m at this age [she will be 40 in September] where I don’t buy into any of it. I’m actually actively excited most days to look at how I can unpick that for other people and show the most human side to who I am. It doesn’t matter what my job is. It doesn’t matter how many followers I have. Let’s just connect on the most human level, because all fame does is create distance between you and real life. I don’t want to be disconnected from real life!

I want to be in the thick of it.’

The life she’s been experiencing recently hasn’t been much different to everyone else’s, but perhaps she’s enjoyed it more than most. ‘I’m a communicator, but I’m also an introvert by nature. Now that I can work from home, I don’t see why I would change that,’ she says. ‘I would waste hours of my life commuting into London, dashing from one thing to another and not fuelling myself properly. Now I look back and think, “What was I doing?” I’m able to do both school runs, I cook dinner for the kids [Rex, eight, and Honey, five], and I have a basic technical set-up at home that means I can do radio, podcasts, talks or film stuff if I need to.’

‘I’m so much happier at home,’ she adds. ‘And I think with that comes gratitude for simple things, because I’m just grateful to be able to go on a nice walk with my stepdaughter, or wear my slippers while I’m doing a radio show!’

Though Cotton hesitates over the term ‘authentic’ because ‘it can become a bit flimsy’, this is the word that flits around my mind as we speak. She laughs that she, ‘sometimes feels about 18, as though everyone else has read the guidebook to life’, but it’s clear that she’s reached a place of belonging and of self-acceptance.

‘I just need to keep stripping back the layers, keep going deeper and learning and

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September 2021 | REDONLINE.CO.UK

Struggling with the idea of dungarees? Please don’t. Choose a slim fit in a vintage blue wash and wear over a fabulous floral shirt right now, or with a chunky cream rollneck and boots later on in the year.

Blouse, £675, Zimmermann.

Dungarees, £185, Wyse London

Nothing says summer of ‘21 like a pair of faded flare jeans. The Seventies has dominated denim all season long but it’s all set to change for the winter (think dark, polished washes in structured smart shapes), so make the most of the retro romantic edge they bring to your wardrobe and wear them while you can.

TOP, £280, Ulla Johnson. JEANS, £240, 7 For All Mankind.

HAT, £20, Next. SANDALS, £60, Birkenstock

Red woman

‘I DON’T CRAVE BEING A PARTY ANIMAL ANY MORE’

understanding life in a more expansive way,’ she muses. ‘Sometimes, amazing work might come from a place of pure love and light, but most of the time, it comes from the absolute darkest corner of life.

We think that’s the part of life that alienates us, but it’s not. It deeply connects us and that’s really empowering. I’d love to get to a place where I’m comfortable talking about even more of the trickier things I’ve experienced.’

These ‘trickier things’ pertain to her own mental health struggles with depression, anxiety and panic attacks.

While she is open about the latter two of these, she remains hesitant to discuss her past experiences of depression. ‘It’s not something I go into great detail about, because I’m still healing and working out and finding peace with a lot of it,’ she says. ‘I know my triggers inside out, I just haven’t tackled all of them yet.’

Her panic attacks, she says, tend to happen at night. ‘I go into a heightened state where my heart starts racing and then the panic comes,’ she explains. ‘It could be triggered by silly things, like not knowing what time Jesse [Cotton’s musician husband] will get home from work.’

She explains that Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, where a therapist directs your eye movements as you relive traumatic or triggering experiences in brief doses, has been a huge help, as have self-care strategies, such as yoga, painting and knowing when to say no. ‘I’m working through the triggers,’ she says. ‘One of them I tackled recently was driving on the motorway for the first time in four years. I had my first panic attack on the motorway, so that was big.’

‘It’s still debilitating in a way, because I don’t do live TV any more – I don’t know if I’ll ever get there. Now, if I get offered something and it feels like it’s going to be too triggering, I usually won’t do it. I think we should know when to push ourselves and when not to.’

Cotton tells me that these days, she puts ‘everything’ into her work and her family. And she is content with the social sacrifices that inevitably brings.

‘I don’t have a vibrant social life nowadays, and that’s absolutely fine,’ she shrugs.

‘My friendship circle is minuscule. I like to see people in the day for a walk or for coffee. I don’t like going out at night. I don’t like dinner parties. I don’t crave going out and being a wild party animal any more. I’m really happy being in bed by 10pm and reading a nice book.’

At the weekends, however, she has an ‘open-door policy’ at home. ‘I love to have mates with kids over so they can all loon about and we can chat to the other parents, everyone talking over lunch I’ve made or tea and sweet treats,’ she says.

‘It’s about just keeping it chilled here in the house. I don’t have the energy to go to a theme park or anything like that.’ She lets out a groan at the thought of it.

‘Planned activities drive me mad. My kids don’t want to do jiujitsu on a

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September 2021 | REDONLINE.CO.UK

You need to know about CeliaB: the secret Spanish label the fashion crowd are all loving right now.

Specialising in exaggerated textures and bold bursts of colour and print, she takes inspiration from her travels across the globe, from Indonesia to South America. Her belted floral folk dress might look like a breezy cotton summer staple, but in a super-soft needle cord it will see you right through the winter months, too. Just add knee boots and a trench.

DRESS, £375, CeliaB

Miu Miu’s daisy print, lace-hem flares take basic black leggings into new territory: pull-on, easy breezy comfort disguised in a fabulous fashion-focused package.

There’s nothing loungy about these babies! Who knew elastic waists could look so electric?

TOP, £180, Faune. TROUSERS, £570, Miu Miu at MyTheresa

Red woman

‘I MESS UP ALL THE TIME, BUT I SHOWER MY KIDS WITH LOVE’

The little waistcoat makes a last-minute summer appearance. In vintage denim, patchwork quilting, crochet or knit, layer over dresses and big-collar printed shirts and cords to add a rock/folk feel to your look. It’s a trend that’s set to stay on into autumn.

TOP, £300; SKIRT, £408, both Loretta Caponi at MatchesFashion.

WAISTCOAT, £220, Agolde.

SANDALS, £60, Birkenstock.

JEWELLERY, all Fearne's own Stylist’s assistant: Jodie Dunworth Hair stylist: Charley McEwen @ Frank Agency using John Masters Organic Make-up: Justine Jenkins Set designer: Michelle Lester Creative director: Philippa Williams Production: Karina Dial Thanks to The Royal Parks, Richmond Park

Tuesday and hockey club on a Wednesday. We didn’t do any of that growing up in the Eighties! It’s like… please let them get bored; let them wander around discovering what they want to do.’

As a mother, she describes herself as ‘perfectly imperfect’. ‘I mess up all the time!’ she exclaims.

‘Like on Monday, I didn’t really give Rex enough time to learn his spellings. He only passed two of them and then you feel bad about yourself. I’m constantly not getting it right. But I shower them with love.

I’m obsessively kissing them and sniffing them and peering in on them when they’re sleeping, looking at their little toes. Parenting is the most excruciating, beautiful thing I’ve ever done.’

Cotton’s stepchildren, Arthur, 19, and Lola, 15, live with their mum nearby and they ‘come and go’ regularly. ‘The “blended” bit of “blended family” bothers me because we’re just a family,’ she says, frankly. ‘I love them so much, it makes me emotional thinking about it,’ she admits, visibly glassy-eyed. ‘We first met when they were five and eight.

It’s a slightly different relationship because I’m not trying to be their mum, but I love being an extra person to guide them. Lola and I got our nails done together yesterday. Arthur will bring his mates back to the house and my kids are really excited there are these big boys around. Rex is like, “Let’s play Mario Kart!”’ she smiles. ‘There are all these lovely new chapters, and I just feel really lucky that I’ve been in their lives.’

When it comes to her relationship with Jesse, whom she met on a girls’ trip to Ibiza in 2011 and married three years later, she speaks with both fondness and honesty. ‘He’s such a wally sometimes,’ she grins. ‘He makes me laugh like nobody else. I’m just thinking of yesterday… I FaceTimed him and he said, “Do you like my T-shirt?” He’d borrowed what he thought was one of my oversized T-shirts but it was actually a dress. He was wearing one of my dresses!’

Their marriage has been the subject of press rumours more than once – notably the time she and Jesse were caught ‘having a screaming match’ in their local park. ‘Look, we’re both fiery, passionate people,’ she reflects. ‘We do have huge rows at times, but it never feels like it’s going to end in us not being together.

We’re just so deeply frustrated when we don’t get each other. But then, we get to a new space, a new place where we do get each other. That’s constantly limitless because I don’t even know myself fully, so how can I ever know him? But we’re both willing to learn. We’ve been together for more than 10 years now, and I don’t want to get all sickly, but we’re probably more in love than we’ve ever been.

We’re in a good place – an ever-undulating but good place.’

A good place indeed. A happy place, in fact. And one can only wonder where Cotton’s Happy Place will go next? ‘I want to keep pushing myself, challenging myself to have difficult conversations, enlightening conversations or conversations I’ve never had before, and see where that takes me,’ she says. ‘I want to be open to wherever we end up without having to have this fixed idea of what it should be.

I think, before, I was in a real rush. But there’s no rush. I know that now.’

The Happy Place podcast begins a new series with Acast on 9th August; acast.com. Fearne’s latest book, Speak Your Truth (Orion Spring) is out now

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Beauty

Edited by

EVE CAMERON

WORDS: ALEXANDRA FRIEND SUNGLASSES, £153, RAY-BAN. NECKLACE, £198, MISSOMA. RING, £150, MONICA VINADER. BAG, £26.99, AMAZON FASHION. SUNFLOWERS PROVIDED BY BLOOM & WILD

PHOTOGRAPHY BENOÎT AUDUREAU

Sunny

FLORAL STREET x VAN GOGH MUSEUM SUNFLOWER POP EAU DE PARFUM, £98 (as shown)

side up Bold, bright and forever turning its face to the sky, the sunflower is optimism in yellow-frilled, floral form. It has, though, no scent of its own, so one’s been dreamed up on its behalf by those clever people at Floral Street, in collaboration with Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum. There’s bergamot, honey and the tiniest bit of not-too-sweet peach; gloriously happy and perfect for late summer (of which – like the sunflower – we’ll eke out every last drop).

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September 2021 | REDONLINE.CO.UK

BEAUTY PIE SETTING POWDER, £7.97 for members

Beauty spots

MYSMILE BY DR UCHENNA WHITENING PEN, £23.99

FROM THEIR HAPPY PLACES, THREE RED WOMEN SHARE THEIR SUMMER STYLE AND BEAUTY BUYS

BY TERRY HYALURONIC HYDRAPOWDER, £42

EYEBROWQUEEN BROW PRO PENCIL, £22

AS TOLD TO EVE CAMERON AND ALEXANDRA FRIEND

'We dress up at home, which means a bright lip colour'

LISA ELDRIDGE TRUE VELVET LIP COLOUR IN VELVET RIBBON, £26

'I love Nigerian designer Banke Kuku's vibrant silk prints'

BANKE KUKU

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September 2021 | REDONLINE.CO.UK

BEAUTY

Colourful prints, traditional food and the best shea butter; there’s no place like Lagos for dentist Dr Uchenna Okoye body, and if I do, it’s a low factor, because like many people of colour, I was vitamin D deficient.

I cleanse thoroughly, especially in the heat, and always reach for Dr Sam’s Flawless Cleanser, £16. Because I have pigmentation, which makes me feel very self-conscious, I use vitamin C – Obagi Professional-C Serum 15%, £96.80.

Honey Pot is a local brand I buy. Its thick Shea Souffle, 2500 nairas (around £4.39), melts into skin.

It’s a sin here to have ashy skin, so massaging in shea is a ritual. My skin also drinks up 79 Lux Deeply Rejuvenating Firming Golden Body Oil, £70.

In the rainy season, I wouldn’t be without mosquito repellent. I use Avon Skin So Soft Original Dry Oil Spray, £3.50 (it works!).

Strong scents are out for fear of attracting mosquitoes, but I do travel with Clarins Eau Dynamisante, £60, as it’s light and refreshing.

Back home is where I would normally have my hair braided. I’d have two or three people doing it at once, making it fast and efficient. You need someone with good hands and who doesn’t pull the hair, to avoid developing traction alopecia.

My daytime summer make-up is speedy and easy. It’s concealer with a dusting of powder from By Terry or Beauty Pie, and EyebrowQueen Brow Pro Pencil, £22, and Brow Fix, £25, which won’t budge in the heat. And lipgloss.

I never used to wear red lips. I didn’t want to draw attention to them, having been called rubber lips at school. But with age comes confidence, and now I’m making up for lost time.

I’ll wear bright red gloss in the day, but for the evening, I’ll choose matte. Lisa Eldridge True Velvet Lip Colour in Velvet Ribbon, £26, pops.

My perfect Lagos day would start with breakfast outside and involve fresh fruits, such as mangoes and guavas; a dish called akara (deep-fried dough balls made of blended beans); and akamu, a cassava custard. In the evening, I might go to an event at New Afrika Shrine, the club on the site of Fela Kuti’s original, now run by his son Femi Kuti, or to Ox for food, drinks and music. I’d be in bed by 11pm, though!

I moved to the UK when I was seven, but we went back to Nigeria every holiday. I wanted to go to Greece, as all my friends did, but now I realise it fostered a love for where I come from. Nigeria is about big celebrations; about family, friends, laughter and joy. Lots of joy.

Lagos has it all: traditional markets (there are a couple of huge ones with different sections, like the souks in Morocco), alongside upscale shops and beaches, too. When I’m there, I start to slow down. The locals use an expression ‘JJC’, which stands for ‘Johnny just come’.

They can tell when you’ve just arrived, as you do everything fast, whereas they are chilled.

I dress differently in Nigeria, as the style is for jewels, shine and colour. People are very conscious of the way they look and you have to be groomed when you leave the house; walking around in jeans and a plain tee won’t do. I’ll shop at Oama for the best beach and loungewear (it’s designed for women with boobs), while Banke Kuku is known for her incredible prints on silk dresses, pyjamas and kimonos. I always spend way too much when I go to Bijelly Couture. Her tailoring is fantastic.

Traditional Nigerian prints create a feeling of belonging and are part of every occasion. At a wedding, for example, the bride’s family will be in outfits of their print and the groom’s family theirs, so you know who everyone is. These vibrant prints inspired the outer packaging of my teeth whitening range, MySmile by Dr Uchenna.

I’ve always been into sun protection and covered my face, neck and chest. I use Dr Sam’s Flawless Daily Sunscreen, £29, and like the La Roche Posay Anthelios range, too. Neither leave a white, ashy look. I rarely use SPF on my

SHISEIDO SYNCHRO SKIN SELF REFRESHING CONCEALER, £30

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BEAUTY

Swimwear designer Tara Matthews lives a low-key island life on unspoiled Corsica My parents first came to Corsica in the 1970s and loved it so much they bought a tiny house here. We spent most of our family holidays on the island, then I began living here from November to March and spending the summers in the UK, LA or New York. Last year, I came out just before the first lockdown and haven’t left the island since.

Corsica is very unspoiled, like the South of France must have been years ago. The island is covered with wild shrubland called the maquis; on a hot day, you get this amazing herbal waft and you really know you’re here.

I don’t think any perfumer has ever managed to recreate that smell.

My mother is Indian, so I’m not pale. But my father, who’s English, is very sensitive to the heat, and lately my skin has been going blotchy in the sun, and feels like it’s burning. Shiseido Sports BB SPF 50+, £30, has saved my life.

It’s a tinted sunscreen that reactivates in water, which is perfect for someone like me, who doesn’t wear much make-up and is in and out of the sea all day.

Where I live is very chilled out. The south part of the island is a little ritzier, but I’ve got to the age where I’m very comfortable in my skin.

I’m usually in jeans, a T-shirt and flip-flops. If my skin’s in good shape, I don’t wear make-up, apart from tinted sunscreen. Sometimes, I put on a little Nars Blush in Orgasm, £26, and maybe some mascara and lipgloss. I’m very low maintenance.

The podiatrist Bastien Gonzalez is a dear friend of mine. I haven’t seen him in a while, so this was the first year I did my own pedicure!

His thing is to make feet look so beautiful they don’t need nail polish. Luckily, I have pretty decent feet, so I’ve managed with his products.

French pharmacies are like candy shops.

For me, the most important thing is a vitamin C serum for my uneven pigmentation. I use a French brand, Dermaceutic Tri-Vecta C30 - 30%, £68, which is a pretty high percentage.

I also buy a lot of cleansers, but the one that suits me best is a basic €7 gel.

Everyone I know here goes to the dermatologist once or twice a year. It’s a French thing, because you don’t have to pay to have your moles checked. I keep begging mine

FOREST ESSENTIALS AYURVEDIC HERB ENRICHED HEAD MASSAGE OIL IN BHRINGRAJ, from $21.03

to do something about the lines between my brows, but she won’t touch them. I’m glad really; we both have a pretty natural approach.

I started growing out my grey hair two or three years ago. My hairdresser (who I adore) is in New York, so I only see him when I travel.

I flip between thinking, ‘Should I dye my hair… or not?’ He could send me the colour to do it myself, but now I have these white streaks that everyone seems to love.

My dentist here doesn’t believe I don’t bleach my teeth. I just use Regenerate, £10 – such a good toothpaste – with an electric brush. I had cavities and braces as a kid and was traumatised for life, so when I’m in London, I swear by Dr Grant Paterson. He uses laughing gas as a mild sedative, which is the best if you’re petrified. I’d fly anywhere in the world to see him!

I’m a big fan of fragrance. I love orange blossom and gardenia, but my holy grail is a tuberose perfume that really smells of the fresh blossom. I haven’t found it yet, and I’ve tried everything. I like Timothy Han The Decay Of The Angel, £160, too. It’s hard to define – it’s a lot richer. An amazing Corsican perfumer called Marc-Antoine Cortichiato makes beautiful fragrances under the brand Parfum d’Empire.

I’ve created a body oil for my new brand, Granite Island. It’s in collaboration with a local olive oil producer, blending her organic oil (which has won awards around the world) with Corsican clementine and verbena. I’ve worked on a run of refillable handmade bottles with a local ceramicist, too. Sustainability is an important part of my business. I make small swimwear collections (maybe six to eight pieces at a time) and I don’t replenish until I’ve sold them. It’s not the cheapest way to work, but I’d rather do that than clutter the planet with landfill.

TARA MATTHEWS CALVI BIKINI, €230

PHILIPS SONICARE DIAMOND CLEAN 9000, £399.99

L'ORÉAL PARIS VOLUME MILLION LASHES COUTURE MASCARA, £10.99

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DIOR ADDICT LIP MAXIMIZER PLUMPING GLOSS IN PINK, £29.50

ELIXSERI SERUM RESCUE DRIVER, £85

TARA MATTHEWS CASPIO ONEPIECE, €245

'In Corsica, coral brings good luck and protection'

HERVÉ CAROZZI BROOCH, €60 RÉVÉRENCE DE BASTIEN LA BAUME SENSITIVE FEET BALM, from £35

SHISEIDO SPORTS BB SPF 50+, £30 TARA'S CORSICAN POP-UP SHOP

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'Even my derm thinks my skin looks better since using this tinted sunscreen'

TATA HARPER REGENERATING CLEANSER, £38

'Ravensgate Arms by the Sea; a gorgeously retro boating pool and pop-up pub' OMOROVICZA DAILY VITAMIN C SERUM, £99

CHANEL PARISDEAUVILLE, from £73

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'Ramsgate isn't the trendiest town on the Kent coast, but there are a lot of creative people here'

beauty

Red editor Sarah Tomczak moved back to the east Kent coast with her family and found everything’s better by the sea

PHOTOGRAPHY: EMILY GRAY PHOTOGRAPHY, J.GIRAL, AMELIA KARLSEN, LAIMON, DAN ROSS, IRENE BECKER PHOTOGRAPHY, PHILIPPE AZARA, POPE, PIXELATE IMAGING, STYLESHOOTS, GETTY

SALTEE TAN ENHANCE FORMULA, £24

My happy place is steeped in nostalgia. I grew up on the east Kent coast and remember jumping on trampolines on Herne Bay seafront and picnic birthday parties at Minnis Bay. I moved back to Kent 18 months ago, after spending the previous 20 years in London and New York; now my family and I live in Ramsgate. It has majestic, crumbling buildings, sandy beaches and a harbour that, if you squint on a sunny day, you could almost mistake for Saint-Tropez!

There’s something restorative about being by the sea. I swim most days in the summer. I love the natural high, and the way my skin tingles with the cold after. We also cycle along the coastline to Broadstairs, pick wild samphire at Pegwell Bay and bring our kids to the beach after school for sandwiches (them) and wine (us).

I feel calmer, happier and healthier by the sea.

I think I look better, too. I’ve grown my hair even longer and wear less make-up, but my skin feels brighter. I don’t think my body has changed, but my relationship with it has. I’m more accepting of how I look and I feel stronger as I’m more active.

I live in dresses and swimsuits. In the summer, it’s sundresses from Seraphina London, Three Graces, The Regular Works and Dôen. I love Sézane for shorts and blouses. I invest in quality swimwear from Lisa Marie Fernandez, Cossie+Co and Canopea. A hat is essential (mine are from Le Hat by Rae Feather and Toast), and you need a

CLARINS SUNCARE CREAM FOR BODY SPF30, £22

SHEWOLF APRICOT BUTTER PRE SHAMPOO HYDRATING MASK, £18.50

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cardigan on a British beach – I don’t go anywhere without a knit from Navygrey or Crumpet.

I’m a reformed sun-worshipper. After teenage years spent baking myself in coconut-scented oil, I now slather SPF 50 over myself and my kids.

For my face, I use La Roche-Posay Anthelios Age Correct SPF 50+, £25, to counteract sun spots I already have, and for my body, I’m using Clarins. My daughters prefer roll-on sunscreen, so we have Nivea tubes around the house and in every beach bag. I also love British brand Saltee.

I’m keen to enhance the ‘glowiness’ that being in the sunshine brings. I use a vitamin C serum (currently one by Omorovicza), followed by sunscreen, then I mix a Balance Me skin tint with a few drops of Oskia Nutri-Bronze, £60, for sheer, sun-kissed coverage. For my cheeks, I repeat buy Olio E Osso Tinted Balm in No.9, £27.

I’ve replaced the city grime with the sea air.

But I’m still strict about cleansing. At night, I rotate Votary Super Seed Cleansing Oil, £55, with Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser, £38, which also exfoliates. Then, I finish with Medik8 r-Retinoate Youth Activating Cream, £135, or Tata Harper Beautifying Face Oil, around £70.67.

The skin on my body feels drier here and I have to show my hair extra love. I use Balance Me body oil every day and my recent hair discovery is SheWolf, a local brand that has a brilliant Inca Oil Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner, £14.50 each, and an Apricot Butter Pre Shampoo Hydrating Mask, £18.50 – wonderful at counterbalancing the effects of saltwater.

My new perfume smells like summer. Maison Margiela Replica Beach Walk, £99, is supposed to evoke ‘sun-kissed, salty skin’ and I can’t get enough of it. I also love Chanel Paris-Deauville, from £73, which is inspired by the Normandy coastline, where Coco Chanel opened her first boutique, and smells of basil and Sicilian orange.

Haeckels is our best-kept secret. The beauty brand started in the neighbouring town of Margate and is as innovative as it is effective.

The products use locally sourced ingredients and the fragrances and candles are inspired by nearby coves and cliffs. Haeckels also has a Sea Bathing Machine – a community sauna that’s free to use and sits alongside Walpole Bay’s tidal pool, and a spa with the best massages in the area.

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beauty

Dive in We’re bringing the beach home, with salt, sun and the horizon in a bottle

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WORDS: ALEXANDRA FRIEND. PHOTOGRAPHY: NAT LANYON/THE LICENSING PROJECT

Von Norten Candle in Sea Salt & Oakmoss, £48 Warm moss and salt breeze. Clean, wild and chic.

Hum OMG! Omega The Great, £33 Omega fish oils for bouncier skin, bottled in upcycled plastic from ocean waste.

Omorovicza Gentle Buffing Gelée, £62 With a blissful citrus scent, this gives an instant glow from AHAs and red algae.

Zara Nail Polish in Electric Submarine, £5.99 A perfect azure blue for late summer toes.

Saltee Hydrating Mist, £18 With the self-protective properties of clever marine algae, which shields skin from pollution and dehydration.

ESPA Tri-Active Regenerating Calming Cica Cleansing Balm, £50 Gentle cleansing for all skin types (especially sensitive), with antioxidant-rich kelp for elasticity.

Scientia Sunshine & Sea HA+Vit D Aqua Tanning Serum, £21 Hyaluronic self-tan with brightening algae extract, for a juicier kind of glow.

OPI Malibu Collection Nail Lacquer in Coastal Sand-tuary and From Dusk Til Dune, £13.90 each The prettiest sand-dune hues; one creamy, the other shimmering.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Celestia Cologne Forte, from £95 Syrupy blackcurrant and airy musk capture the point where sea meets sky.

The Tides Salty Me Body Scrub, £37.50 A sea salt, mint and eucalyptus scrub, to clear the head and give skin a bracing after-glow.

Chantecaille SeaScreen 30 Mineral Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen SPF30, £62 Funds from this reef-safe, waterproof and sheer SPF support WildAid’s marine conservation work.

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POWERED PLANTS As the trend for plant-enriched make-up grows, here’s how you can reap the rewards

Clarins New Everlasting Concealer, £23

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Clarins Skin Illusion Foundation SPF15, £30

ALL HAIL SEAWEED Seaweed may not immediately spring to mind when you think about hero ingredients for the skin, but the red algae jania rubens is prized for its ultra-moisturising properties, due to its high concentration of minerals.

Clarins has tapped into this natural capability by using it in its light-coverage Skin Illusion Foundation SPF15, to hydrate the skin and revive radiance.

WORDS: JESSICA VINCE. EDITED BY JAMIE ALAN CARSON. *AVAILABLE WHILE STOCKS LAST. **OFFER AVAILABLE FROM 5 AUGUST-5 SEPTEMBER 2021.

ONE REDEMPTION PER CUSTOMER. TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY

I

t’s no secret that beauty products enriched with plant extracts are making major waves. Google Trends shows us that searches for ‘plant-based make-up’ have been growing worldwide over the last five years, peaking in January of this year.

It’s now become de rigueur to seek out botanical ingredients when it comes to updating our make-up bags, and to read labels more carefully to educate ourselves about the plant extracts used. Add to this a renewed appreciation of nature after months of lockdown and it’s little wonder plant-enriched products are gathering serious momentum.

With beauty brands increasingly harnessing the potency of such ingredients and combining it with cutting-edge science, we’re seeing a shift towards cosmetics that both complement our TREE TALENT skincare regime and Aside from giving us conkers every autumn, are kind to our the horse chestnut tree has long been heralded complexions. Here for its health benefits, with its seed extract are five plant-based showing signs of reducing the symptoms of ingredients that should poor blood circulation. It also offers perks be on your radar. for the skin, as it has powerful antioxidant properties, so can act as damage limitation against premature skin ageing. Horse chestnutderived aescin is one of the key ingredients in Clarins Everlasting Concealer, a high-coverage corrector designed to boost circulation in the under-eye area and reduce the appearance of dark circles for a brightening effect.

RED PROMOTION FOR CLARINS Clarins New Everlasting Foundation, £31

Clarins Everlasting Youth Fluid SPF15, £35

FLOWER POWER You may already be familiar with chicory as an alternative to your morning cup of coffee, but the ingredient can also work wonders for your complexion. The multitasking plant has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant attributes, making it a great choice for calming and soothing the skin. It also has the ability to stimulate the body’s natural collagen production – a welcome boost considering our collagen levels begin to decrease from our mid-twenties. Chicory is one of the main components of Clarins Everlasting Youth Fluid SPF15, where it works to firm skin while red jania extract hydrates. The blend gives your complexion a glowing medium coverage while leaving skin plumped and smooth day after day. Not only that, but like all Clarins foundations, it’s formulated with an anti-pollution complex to protect against the environmental aggressors that can cause oxidative damage and accelerated ageing.

HERB HERO Acids are all the rage on the skincare scene, and one such exfoliating wonder is meadowsweet, which contains salicylic acid. When used in make-up, research has shown it can act as an anti-inflammatory to reduce redness and calm tender skin.

This wild herb also has astringent properties, making it useful for toning and tightening. The lightweight, medium-coverage Clarins BB Skin Detox Fluid SPF25 contains meadowsweet extract to rebalance the skin, alongside aloe vera to hydrate and comfort – it’s like a breath of fresh air for your skin.

Clarins BB Skin Detox Fluid SPF25, £32

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BAMBOO BENEFITS Long revered as a symbol of longevity, bamboo is now a prime resource for natural beauty. The wood is used for toothbrushes and combs while the fibre makes for planet-friendly towels and bathmats.

Bamboo powder is an especially kind ally to oily and sensitive skin too – it renews, re-mineralises and conditions while evening out the skin tone. Clarins has incorporated this powerful plant extract in its new Everlasting Foundation to help mattify the skin and absorb excess oil, alongside quinoa to restore hydration. Like other Clarins foundations, it’s available in 24 shades, so your perfect match is well within reach.

Visit your nearest Clarins counter for a complimentary foundation sample* and get free delivery on all foundations at clarins.co.uk when you enter ‘REDREADER’ at the checkout**

SAVE UP TO 68%*

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TERMS & CONDITIONS: Offer valid for UK subscriptions only. *Savings are against the standard cover price and vary per brand. ELLE Decoration has a saving of 68%. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other subscription offer and closes 31 August 2021. After your first three issues, your subscription will continue at a six-monthly step-up rate unless cancelled. For UK subscription enquiries, please call 01858 438838 and quote 1MU12028, or visit the URL on this page. Calls are charged at your standard network rate. Please check with your network provider for more details. Lines open weekdays 8am-9.30pm; Saturdays, 8am-4pm. For our data policy, visit hearst.co.uk/privacy-notice.

beauty

THE BEST OF…

BRONZERS Create a sun-kissed look with this summer staple

THE WINNER

WORDS: CHARLOTTE BITMEAD. TESTING: SUNAYAH ARSHAD. PHOTOGRAPHY: DAVID GUBERT

ESTÉE LAUDER BRONZE GODDESS POWDER BRONZER £34 Score: 92/10 With a choice of four shades, this silky-textured bronzer works to keep skin shine-free while adding warmth. Highly rated by our testers and make-up artist for its natural-looking finish.

HOW WE TESTED

We asked a panel of 192 women to test 16 powder and liquid bronzers over a two-week period and report back on their finish, design and texture. Pro make-up artist Fiorenza Ferrara also assessed each product for ease of application, blendability, and how it looked on skin.

THE RUNNER-UP

TOO FACED CHOCOLATE SOLEIL BRONZER £26 Score: 90/100 Providing a matte finish, this chocolate-scented formula comes in three shades and is smooth to apply, a breeze to blend and build, and leaves skin looking healthily radiant.

THE VERSATILE ONE

THE ONE FOR ONTHE-GO THE BEST SHADE RANGE

FENTY BEAUTY SUN STALK’R INSTANT WARMTH BRONZER £25 Score: 89/100 Matte and highly pigmented, a little goes a long way and stays put (for six hours in our tests). This comes in nine shades with a diverse range of undertones, and plays well with other products.

BAREMINERALS ENDLESS SUMMER BRONZER £26 Score: 88/100 This blurs pores and is impressively pigmented and buildable, for a light tan or full-on sculpt. It also has no red or orange tones.

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BENEFIT HOOLA MATTE BRONZER £27.50 Score: 84/100 This cult classic’s slim packaging and compact brush makes it travel and touch-up friendly. Complexion brightening, it layers well with other products.

RED PROMOTION FOR BOOTS

AFTER SUN

Hold on to that summer feeling for longer with these cult beauty products

W

hether it’s a beach-break tan or a back-garden glow, hang on to that holiday vibe with a little help from your beauty cabinet.

From the NARS palette that makes it look as if you’ve just stepped off the sand in Ibiza to the Drunk Elephant drops that give skin a sun-kissed shimmer in seconds, over the last couple of years Boots has become a one-stop shop when it comes to innovative beauty. Here are our picks from the high-street favourite to help you extend that summer radiance. No plane ticket required.

4. THE BRONZE BOOSTER

Give your base a serious glow-up by adding an illuminating tint before you apply your foundation or tinted moisturiser.

With subtle pearlescent particles and buildable coverage, this XX Revolution booster is an instant shortcut to sun-kissed skin.

It’s also available in five flattering shades.

5. THE HAIR HYDRATOR

Don’t panic if you’ve gone overboard with the sun and your hair suddenly feels drier than the Sahara.

Replenish dehydrated locks with this indulgent George Northwood conditioner, which is formulated with a kale protein blend. Just UNDONE

BY GEORGE smooth a coin-sized NORTHWOOD amount through the UNPARCHED mid-lengths and ends CONDITIONER, £18 after shampooing.

WORDS: LISA HAYNES. EDITED BY: ALISON LYNCH

1. THE TANGLE SPRAY

If too much blow-drying and straightening has left your hair hot and bothered, Drunk Elephant’s weightless leave-in Tangle Spray will restore its shine, without stickiness. Nourishing plant oils condition and detangle while providing heat protection, and the multi-amino-acid blend improves manageability, body and bounce.

NARS LIMITED EDITION SUMMER SOLSTICE CHEEK DUO, £37

XX REVOLUTION SKIN GLOW TINTED BOOSTER, £15

DRUNK ELEPHANT WILD MARULA TANGLE SPRAY, £21

2. THE HIGHLIGHTER

Pep up your complexion with this palette from NARS. First, the cult Laguna bronzer gives a layer of soft, glistening colour for beachy warmth. Next, dust the dewy Ibiza highlighter onto the tops of the cheekbones, bridge of the nose and above your Cupid’s bow to fake that golden-hour glimmer.

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS SHIMMER BODY OIL, £43

3. THE GLOW OIL

Banish the holiday blues with this lightweight oil from Anastasia Beverly Hills, which illuminates skin with a subtle shimmer (no glitter here).

Shake the bottle, mist over your limbs and blend in until you’ve reached just the right level of radiance. Bonus: the coconut and vanilla scent will make you feel like you’re sat by the pool at a five-star hotel.

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6. THE SUNSHINE DROPS

This small but mighty tube from Drunk Elephant turns your favourite moisturiser or oil into a bespoke face and body bronzer (yes, really). Just mix in a couple of drops and apply to your face, chest, legs or anywhere else you want a hint of colour for a lovely summer sheen, whatever your skin tone.

Shop all your beauty favourites at boots.com

DRUNK ELEPHANT D-BRONZI ANTI-POLLUTION SUNSHINE DROPS, £30

BEAUTY PICK ‘N’ MIX

Oh, the allure of an eyeshadow palette, brimming with tempting colours offering endless creative opportunities… only one or two shades will ever be used, of course.

A waste on many levels. Enter the Curator collection by Hourglass: single, three- and five-pan palettes that can be filled and refilled from a choice of 40 highly pigmented shadows in finishes from matte to metallic, each in their own recyclable aluminium pan.

The way forward, I think.

BEAUTY

EYESHADOWS £28 EACH. FIVE PAN REUSABLE PALETTE WITH YOUR CHOICE OF SHADES, £156

No-fuss hydration and a clean, uplifting scent – SteamCream Japanese Citrus, £15.95, does what it says on the (artist-designed) tin.

PHOTOGRAPHY: BILLIE SCHEEPERS, LUCKY IF SHARP, DAVID VENNI

EVE CAMERON, RED’S BEAUTY DIRECTOR, SHARES SOME OF HER FAVOURITE THINGS

INSTANT FIXES

Troubled by dark under-eye circles or marks left behind after a breakout?

Nars Radiant Creamy Color Corrector, £24, immediately dials down blue and purple tones. In four shades for light to dark skin tones.

Bringing a healthy dewiness to skin that looks tired, Huda Beauty’s GloWish Multidew Skin Tint, £32, also gives light, softly blurring coverage.

Available in 13 shades of juiciness.

GIORGIO ARMANI MY WAY INTENSE EAU DE PARFUM, from £60

DRESS-UP SCENTS

A beauty prediction that makes perfect sense is the return of the out-out fragrance – perfume with presence, to wear in public spaces now those have opened up again. Ghost’s newest has all the traditional ‘big’ notes (ylang-ylang, jasmine and sandalwood), together with comforting musk and caramel. Armani’s My Way Intense has an opulent flurry of tuberose, one of the richest notes of all, with the familiarity of vanilla. Both will be holding my hand this autumn.

GHOST ORB OF NIGHT EAU DE PARFUM, FROM £27

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THE HOUSE BEAUTIFUL COLLECTION BY DREAMS

SIMPLY THE BEST

Fabulous frames and accessories designed with style, comfort and storage in mind NEVA

GROVE

FLORENCE

The House Beautiful collection is an exclusive range of contemporary bed frames and accessories, created to bring a touch of style and glamour to any home.

Artfully designed in collaboration with the style experts at House Beautiful magazine, each piece is sumptuously upholstered in super-soft, plush fabric with a luxurious, velvety feel, and comes in a selection of on-trend shades.

BED COLLECTION For more bedroom inspiration, visit dreams.co.uk/house-beautiful

MAISY

As well as looking gorgeous, the bed frames offer useful storage, too, with capacious end-opening ottomans built in, so bedding and other items can be cleverly hidden away.

For a final flourish that will instantly transform any bedroom into a stylish boutique-hotel-style sanctuary, a selection of fabulous and functional accessories, including blanket boxes, benches and bedside chests with built-in USB charging ports, completes the look.

EXCLUSIVELY AT

Living

Edited by

ALISON WALKER & SARAH KEADY

Colour you happy

We may be approaching autumn but that doesn’t mean you need to say goodbye to the sunny shades associated with the summer months – well, not inside your home at least. Embrace the joyous hues of the season – from sandy yellows and rich terracottas to navy blues and emerald greens. Throw away the rule book – paint your skirting a different colour to the walls and clash both with your floor. Embrace the eclectic and you’ll find a palette perfect for you.

Ceiling: Flint 236 ABSOLUTE MATT EMULSION; walls: Indian Yellow 335 ABSOLUTE MATT EMULSION, both £24.50 for 1L; skirting: Hopper 297 INTELLIGENT SATINWOOD, £37 for 1L, all Little Greene

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LIGHT and SHADE WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR OUTLOOK? START WITH YOUR WINDOWS…

WORDS JAMES CUNNINGHAM

Living

FRESH PERSPECTIVE

If you’re planning to install a brand-new window, why not make it the focal point of your room?

Crittall’s steel-framed windows, shown left, have an architectural quality that makes them striking but surprisingly timeless. The windows can be adapted to fit any space, from double-height rooms to glass extensions, where they can act as walls. Search crittall-windows.co.uk to find companies that have the brand’s seal of approval for planning and installing its designs. Alternatively, if you have a wonderful vista, add a window that makes a feature of it. This will blur the boundaries between inside and out, and a purpose-built structure, like the one shown above, will allow you to frame a particular view while maximising the amount of natural light that enters your space. To draw the eye towards the window, consider painting the interior frames – a colour that echoes the landscape will look most natural. Depending on the circumstances, planning permission may be needed to install new windows. Bay windows, for example, are treated as an extension by local authorities, and different areas can have strict regulations about the size and shape of any new windows. Leasehold properties may also have clauses about the style of windows that can be installed. Before you start, consult your area’s planning department and seek advice from specialist builders.

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Living

‘CHOOSE CURTAINS OR BLINDS IN A TEXTILE THAT ECHOES OTHER DECORATIVE ELEMENTS’

Matilda Goad used the same fabric but in two different colours for her blinds

IN THE FRAME

Well-dressed windows depend on suitable fabric choice, balanced proportions and a tailored finish. You could choose curtains or blinds in a textile that echoes other decorative elements in your space – perhaps a fabric in a colourway that matches your paint choice, for example, as shown on the right in the serene sitting room by interior designer Salvesen Graham. Designer Matilda Goad, on the other hand, has used bold striped blinds that contrast with her bedroom decor, pictured above. To make them, she simply stitched together Designers Guild fabric in two different colourways. To upgrade your existing window dressings, add a pelmet in a fabric that complements your curtains, or edge them with a decorative trim like the design shown opposite (turn over for our passementerie edit).

Keep in mind that window dressings are a practical element, too, and they will affect the room’s brightness levels. Lighter fabrics are good for privacy without compromising on daylight in more social spaces, while heavier textiles and blackout linings are ideal in bedrooms. As a rule, curtains should skim the floor, while blinds can either cover a window or fit snugly into its frame.

Studio Salvesen Graham used a gingham fabric for the curtains and blind in this residential project

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This bold window dressing is the centrepiece of a bedroom

by Kate Guinness Design

Living

DESERT DINING CHAIR, £279, Ferm Living at Utility Design

SHELF APPEAL

Many windows provide the opportunity for a little styling, so don’t leave your windowsills bare. They’re a good place for indoor gardening, for example, with streaming sunlight making them the perfect spot for houseplants to thrive. Create a botanical display with plants that climb to different heights and cascade below the sill. Try the collection at patchplants.com, which also offers expert advice on which plants work best where. Try highlighting your favourite trinkets and treasures, too – a collection of pottery, glassware and metallic objects artfully arranged on a tray beside a window will reflect the light coming in and create an interesting vignette. If you have the space, consider creating a simple window seat by pairing cushions and propping them in the corner of the windowsill. This will make the ideal perch for chatting in the kitchen or enjoying the view while sipping a morning cup of coffee.

CUSHIONS, from a selection, Linum

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DESIGN directory HEKO EMBROIDERED BORDER IN SUN, £40 a metre, Samuel & Sons

PHOTOGRAPHY: CHRISTINA KAYSER O/LIVING INSIDE, GREG COX/BUREAUX/LIVING INSIDE, SEBASTIAN BOETTCHER, JANSJE KLAZINGA/TAVERNE, LINUM

FOR FABRICS…

Fermoie, to mix and match different motifs in the same colourway.

Romo, for a rainbow collection of plain cottons and linens.

Eva Sonaike, for wonderfully expressive designs in vibrant colours.

Rapture & Wright, for hand-printed decorative styles.

Anna Spiro Textiles, for a contemporary SOUTHWOLD take on pretty florals.

MIRO FABRIC IN IORA, £43.50 a metre, Romo

BIG TOP TAPE IN OLD BLUE, £39.50 a metre, Christopher Farr Cloth

STRIPE BRAID TRIMMING IN MIST, £24.50 a metre, Ian Mankin at Jane Clayton

Todd Knights, for curtain poles, brackets and finials.

Ikea, for simple rails, rods and wires – ideal for light window dressings.

Jim Lawrence, for latches, sash-window handles and curtain rings.

Anthropologie, for metallic tie-backs inspired by flora and fauna.

Hunter & Hyland, for handcrafted bespoke designs.

CURTAIN ROD SET, £7.75, Ikea

TUFTY BRAID IN BRICK, £14.75 a metre, Villa Nova

MAJOLICA IN DUSKY ROSE, £105.49 a metre, Rapture & Wright

TIEBACK, £32, Anthropologie OAHU FABRIC IN BLUE GROTTO, £193 a metre, Anna Spiro at The Fabric Collective

ALURO FABRIC IN PINK, £95 a metre, Eva Sonaike

FOR HARDWARE…

FOR PASSEMENTERIE… Christopher Farr Cloth, for colourful trims with a graphic twist.

Villa Nova, for whimsical finishes to elevate curtains and blinds.

Ian Mankin, for rustic-inspired styles woven using natural British yarn.

Samuel & Sons, for decadent braids, tassels and fringing.

Houlès, for an extensive collection of styles, colours and textures.

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CURTAIN RING, £3.30, Jim Lawrence

FINIAL, £112, Todd Knights

Good TIMES MAKE THE MOST OF THE LAST DAYS OF SUMMER WITH AN ALFRESCO LUNCH FROM COOK SOPHIE HANSEN THAT’S EFFORTLESS TO PUT TOGETHER RECIPES AND PHOTOGRAPHY SOPHIE HANSEN

Nectarine shrub

I do love making shrubs, which are basically a muddle of fruit, sugar and vinegar that, when you get the balance right, makes a very refreshing cordial or component to a more grown-up beverage like the shruboni below. Swap the nectarines for any stone fruit, or even berries, if you like.

MAKES ABOUT 1 litre PREPARATION TIME 15 minutes, plus infusing

Menu for 6

Nectarine shrub or Nectarine shruboni Aromatic slow-cooked lamb shoulder Roasted carrots with yogurt, hazelnuts and harissa Smokey green sauce Pumpkin and Parmesan polenta Quince frangipane tart

l 6 ripe, juicy nectarines, cut into chunks l 440g sugar l 500ml white balsamic vinegar l Chilled still or sparkling water, to serve

1 Put the nectarines and sugar in

a large jar, screw on the lid and shake well. Pop the jar into the fridge for 24hr, taking it out for a shake every now and then (twice in that time is enough).

2 The next day, strain out as much syrup as possible by pushing it through a fine

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mesh strainer. Pour into a sterilised glass bottle and add the balsamic vinegar. Seal with a lid and shake to combine. Chill in the fridge for at least 24hr.

3 To serve, dilute the shrub with chilled still or sparkling water, to taste. I usually use about 30ml shrub per 250ml water, but taste as you go and adjust to suit.

Nectarine shruboni Combine 185ml of the undiluted nectarine shrub with 185ml vermouth and 185ml gin in a jug. Cover and pop into the fridge until needed. Serve the shruboni over lots of ice or make into a punch by adding 375ml mineral water. Add two sliced nectarines and serve. Makes about 1 litre to serve 4-6 people.

livinG

Aromatic slow-cooked lamb shoulder

Aside from it being delicious, the best thing about this lamb is that you can put it on in the morning and head out for a while with the smug knowledge that lunch will be waiting for you when you get home.

SERVES 6 PREPARATION TIME 20 minutes COOKING TIME 5 hours 45 minutes 1.8-2kg lamb shoulder 8 garlic cloves, peeled l 2tbsp coriander seeds l 2tbsp cumin seeds l 1tbsp fennel seeds l 1tsp sea salt l 60ml olive oil l 2 lemons, thinly sliced l 2 red onions, sliced l 60ml pomegranate molasses l 2tbsp honey l 2tbsp wholegrain mustard l 60ml red wine vinegar l 50g toasted pine nuts l 50g pomegranate seeds l 1 small handful coriander leaves l l

1 Bring the lamb to room temperature

and make a few incisions across the top of the meat. Preheat the oven to 220°C (200°C fan) mark 7.

2 Using a mortar and pestle, pound the garlic, spices and sea salt into a coarse paste. Add the olive oil, then rub the paste over the lamb, pushing it into the incisions as much as possible.

Layer the lemon and red onion slices over the base of a roasting tin, then put the lamb on top. Pour 80ml water into the tin and roast for 30min. Reduce the oven temperature to 130°C (110°C) mark ½, tightly cover the tin with foil and cook for about 4½hr or until the lamb is very, very tender.

3 Towards the end of the cooking time, combine the pomegranate molasses, honey, mustard, vinegar and 60ml water in a small saucepan and bring to the boil.

4 Pour the pomegranate glaze over the lamb. Increase the oven temperature to 220°C (200°C fan) mark 7 and cook, uncovered, for a final 40min or until the lamb skin is beginning to crisp up.

5 Sprinkle the lamb with the pine nuts, pomegranate seeds and coriander leaves. Spoon the lemon and onion slices over the top to serve.

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Roasted carrots with yogurt, hazelnuts and harissa

This is an insanely tasty dish that’s a great side but also brilliant on its own with some warm Turkish bread or tossed greens. Big flavours, easy to put together and using some nice solid seasonal veg to great appeal!

SERVES 4-6 PREPARATION TIME 15 minutes COOKING TIME 45 minutes 6 carrots Olive oil, for drizzling l 390g Greek-style yogurt l 1 handful rocket l 75g hazelnuts, roasted and roughly chopped l 1 small handful dried rose petals, (optional) FOR THE HARISSA DRESSING l 60ml extra virgin olive oil l 2tbsp harissa, or to taste l grated zest and juice of 1 lemon l l

1 Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan)

mark 6. Peel and slice the carrots into batons. Arrange on a baking tray, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Roast the carrots for 45min or until cooked through and beginning to caramelise at the edges.

2 For the harissa dressing, whisk together the olive oil, harissa, lemon zest and juice and season to taste. (Perhaps start with just 1tbsp harissa and add more to taste – some brands are hotter than others.)

3 To serve, spread the base of a big platter or bowl with the yogurt, top with the carrots and rocket and then drizzle the dressing over the top. Finish with the hazelnuts and rose petals, if using.

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living

Smokey green sauce

‘THE MELLOW FLAVOUR OF THE ROASTED PUMPKIN IS A WINNER’

Bright and fresh with layers of smokey flavour and just enough saltiness and acid, this sauce comes in handy to pep up everything from a fried egg on toast to a simple veggie and rice bowl, a pasta salad and, in this case, a rich slow-cooked lamb dish.

Pumpkin and Parmesan polenta

MAKES about 500ml PREPARATION TIME 5 minutes 1 avocado, peeled, stone removed 1 handful mixed herbs, eg sorrel, parsley and mint, or basil, tarragon and dill l 2tbsp capers, rinsed l 1tbsp pure maple syrup l 2 chipotle chillies (peppers) in adobo sauce (sous-chef.co.uk) l 60ml olive oil l Grated zest and juice of 1 orange

This rich take on polenta makes a beautiful ‘bed’ for the slow-cooked lamb. The mellow flavour of the roasted pumpkin is a winner. You could also use sweet potato.

l l

1 Combine all the ingredients in

a food processor or blender and blitz until a smooth sauce forms.

Add a little water if you prefer a runnier sauce.

2 Transfer the sauce to a jar and store in the fridge for a couple of days.

SERVES 6 PREPARATION TIME 20 minutes COOKING TIME 45 minutes 450g pumpkin, cubed Olive oil, to drizzle l 285g polenta l 75g butter, cubed l 95g grated parmesan l l

1 Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C

fan) mark 4. Put the pumpkin on a baking tray and drizzle with olive oil.

Roast for 45 minutes or until the pumpkin is cooked through.

2 Transfer the pumpkin to a food processor or blender and purée until

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smooth, adding 60ml water to loosen it a little.

3 While the pumpkin is cooking, bring 1 litre generously salted water to the boil. Whisk in the polenta in a thin, steady stream. Cook over low heat, stirring almost continuously, for 30min or until the polenta is thick and smooth.

4 Remove the polenta from the heat, stir in the puréed pumpkin, butter and Parmesan, and season to taste.

5 Keep the polenta warm until ready to serve. (I do this in a slow cooker, which means the polenta can be prepared hours in advance. If kept on low heat, it keeps cooking very gently and seems to fluff up quite beautifully.)

‘A GOOD FRANGIPANE TART IS A THING OF BEAUTY AND DELICIOUSNESS’

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Quince frangipane tart

Possibly my favourite thing to make and share, a good frangipane tart is a thing of beauty and deliciousness. The frangipane refers to a mix of ground almonds, butter, sugar and egg, which is spread on the base of a shortcrust pastry shell, topped with fruit and baked. It looks pretty, tastes beautiful and is all done and dusted (with icing sugar, if you like) well in advance. This recipe can be adapted to suit any time of year. Try swapping the quinces with dollops of marmalade or jam. Poached pears are also beautiful, as are fresh raspberries or apricots.

SERVES 6 PREPARATION TIME 35 minutes, plus chilling COOKING TIME 3 hours 45 minutes FOR THE POACHED QUINCES l 165g sugar l ¾tsp vanilla bean paste l 3 quinces FOR THE SWEET SHORTCRUST PASTRY l 200g plain flour, plus extra for dusting l 40g icing sugar l 150g chilled unsalted butter, cut into small cubes l 60ml iced water FOR THE FRANGIPANE FILLING l 80g butter, softened l 110g caster sugar l 120g almonds, lightly toasted and ground l 1tbsp plain flour l 2tbsp cornflour l 1 egg l 1tsp vanilla bean paste 1 First make the poached quinces:

Combine the sugar with 560ml water and vanilla bean paste in a large saucepan. Cook over high heat, whisking every now and then until

the sugar dissolves. Meanwhile, peel and core the quince, then cut into wedges and add to the sugar syrup.

Cut a circle of baking parchment to fit just inside the pan and press it down on the surface of the syrup.

Cover the pan and cook over low heat for 3hr or until the quinces are ruby red and soft. Set aside.

2 To make the pastry, combine the flour, icing sugar and a pinch of salt on a work surface. Bring into a mound and make a well in the centre.

Fill the well with the cubed butter and a splash of the iced water. Use the heels of your hands to bring the mixture together, working the butter into the flour and adding more water as needed. Keep going until you have a rough dough. Shape into a disc, then cut off a quarter of the pastry and shape it into a smaller disc, then wrap both and chill for 30min.

3 Lightly dust your work surface with flour, then roll out the larger disc of pastry into a round about 3mm-thick.

Gently drape the pastry over your rolling pin and ease into a loose-based fluted tart tin, 23cm diameter and 3cm deep. Press the pastry down into the crease where the base meets the side. Cut away the excess pastry to

create a nice neat edge. Pop it into the fridge for another 30min.

4 Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) mark 6. Prick the base of the pastry a few times with a fork. Line with baking paper and fill with pastry weights, uncooked rice or dried beans. Blind-bake for 10min, then remove the weights and baking paper and bake for another 10min or until the pastry looks pale and feels dry.

5 For the frangipane, cream the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.

Add the ground almonds, flour, cornflour, egg and vanilla and mix until soft and smooth. Spoon the frangipane into the tart shell and smooth it out to cover the base.

Cut the poached quinces into 1cm-thick slices and arrange on top of the frangipane.

6 Roll out the remaining pastry on a lightly floured work surface. Cut it into 10 or so long strips. Place five of the strips across the top of the tart, then weave the remaining strips through them to create a lattice pattern.

7 Pop the tart into the oven for 25min or until the pastry is golden brown. Serve the tart warm or at room temperature with double cream or ice cream.

Extracted from In Good Company: Simple, Generous Recipes And Ideas For Get-togethers And Good Times (Murdoch Books, £20)

by Sophie Hansen

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living LOCKER IN LILAC, £229, Mustard Made

Mad ABOUT THE

house KATE WATSON-SMYTH, INTERIORS EXPERT AND RED COLUMNIST, BELIEVES THAT WHERE THE CATWALK LEADS THE CUSHIONS WILL FOLLOW It is a truth universally acknowledged – by interior designers at least – that what starts in our wardrobes will inevitably end up dressing our houses, in some form or another. It used to take several seasons for that crossover to happen, but the advent of social media has put everything on fast-forward and now that high-street fashion stores have their own homeware ranges (Mango being the final one to enter this space last April), the circle is complete.

When asked about picking colour schemes for rooms, my first answer is always that you should look at your wardrobe for inspiration – after all, if you are comfortable wearing it, you will be comfortable living in it. I have refined this theory further; fans of minimal, structured Cos will almost certainly like their interiors to be pared back with mid-century modern furniture.

Those who find themselves in the more boho changing rooms of Anthropologie will be drawn to a pompom and a textured rug, while fans of classic, neutral styles will love Zara and the aforementioned Mango collections.

The merging of these industries is now almost instantaneous. Not content with wearing your oversized-collared gingham top to browse the shops, you can now buy a frilly checked cushion for your sofa; or drop into a high-street store and pick up a rattan lamp for your living room on one floor and a basket to carry it home in on another.

So where does that leave us now, I asked Oonagh Brennan, Red’s fashion director? For winter, she says, expect clashing patterns – florals with stripes and mixed checks – as well as lilac and quilting. All of which has been bubbling up in interiors recently – but it also speaks to the last year of living indoors and our desire for comfort.

Kat Farmer, TV presenter and digital fashion expert, whose book Get Changed: Finding The New You Through Fashion (Octopus) is out next spring, says she suspects both fashion and interiors will be confused for a short period as we learn how to get dressed again. For a few months, she says, we will want to wear all our clothes all at once, for the sheer joy of it.

And our homes will be equally full of rugs and cushions and literal comfort blankets.

Layering print and pattern will be huge, but then it will calm down a bit, Farmer predicts.

Step up easy co-ords and knitted dresses; luxurious fabrics in shapes that are strong but simple, dramatic and unfussy. And our interiors will follow: I predict the current mania for ruffles, sink skirts and chair frills will be short-lived. Instead, we will see strong shapes and bold designs. I’m calling this new look Clean Maximalism – and I am here for it.

DOOR HANDLE, £134 for a pair, Buster + Punch

DESIGN TIP

Just as good lighting can hide a multitude of furniture sins, so a beautiful light switch or well-crafted door handle can elevate a good interior design scheme to a great one. So switch up your switches, upgrade your cables to coloured cord, and make sure your knobs are up to scratch.

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CARAMEL LATTE SINGLE CHUNKY DIMMER SWITCH, £40.99, Dowsing & Reynolds

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METEOR BRASS CUPBOARD DOOR KNOB IN BRUSHED SATIN, £16, Swarf

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HARPER MORTICE DOOR HANDLE IN BRONZE, £55, Corston

September 2021 | REDONLINE.CO.UK

Mad About The House Planner: Your Home, Your Story (Pavilion) by Kate Watson-Smyth is out now; madaboutthehouse.com

living

CUTTING SHAPES

Named for their triangular design, Claybrook’s Bermuda tiles are handmade in Spain.

Finished in an attractive matt glaze, the tiles are available in seven different hues, from mustard to moss.

A NEW LEAF Best known for its letterbox flowers, Bloom & Wild have just launched a new range of houseplants.

The collection is made up of 40 varieties and each plant is delivered in a colourful ceramic pot.

TILES, £0.72 each, Claybrook Studio

MONSTERA PLANT IN POT, £38, Bloom & Wild

LIVING

GLOBAL INFLUENCE

The collection at London-based design studio Dar Leone is informed by founder Isatu Funna’s Sierra Leonean heritage. This colourful cushion is made in the brand’s Tropic Marine linen.

RED HOMES EDITOR JAMES CUNNINGHAM ON THE THINGS HE LOVES THIS MONTH

CUSHION, £72, Dar Leone

EAT GREEN Chef Ravinder Bhogal has sustainability at the forefront of her mind – her restaurant, Jikoni, has just been named the first independent eatery in Britain to become carbon neutral.

Book your table now or try your hand at creating dishes from her beautifully evocative cookbook.

BRIGHTEN UP

The 12 colours in historical paint brand Mylands’ new Archive collection have been ‘informed by the past and inspired by the future’.

I particularly love these three saturated shades, which are sure to uplift any space.

FROM LEFT: BEEHIVE PLACE, RED POST HILL AND CORAL ORANGE MATT EMULSION, all £51 for 2.5L, Mylands

JIKONI (Bloomsbury, £26) by Ravinder Bhogal, jikonilondon.com

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Scarlet

KITCHEN IN GREEK BLUE; SPLASHBACK IN BURGUNDY AND SCANDINAVIAN PINK; DINING CHAIR IN NAPOLEONIC BLUE CHALK PAINT, from £5.95 for 120ml, all Annie Sloan

& SKY PAIR THESE SHADES FOR A THOROUGHLY CHARMING LOOK

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Living

CEILING LIGHT, £69, Iconic Lights TRAY, £29, Cambridge Imprint

ELIZABETHAN RED MATT EMULSION, £51 for 2.5L, Paint & Paper Library

DINNER CANDLES, £42 for 6, Matilda Goad

BOWL, £10.95, The Northern Line

WALL TILES, £34.50 a sq m, Porcelain Superstore

JUG, £129, Rebecca Udall

OVEN GLOVES, £17.99, Walton & Co

APRON, £70, Tori Murphy LULWORTH BLUE MATT EMULSION, £49.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball

NAPKIN, £65 for 4, Matilda Goad

KITCHEN CHAIRS, £380 for 2, Loaf

SERVING BOWL, £40, Hot Pottery at Liberty London

STORAGE BASKET, £37, Lola & Mawu

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SLUG

LAND love

WORDS ALI HEATH STYLING LYNDA GARDENER PHOTOGRAPHY MARNIE HAWSON

THIS FAMILY BOLTHOLE IN AUSTRALIA WAS MEANT TO BE A TINY SHACK MADE OF RECYCLABLE MATERIAL, BUT THE COUPLE AND THEIR ARCHITECT GOT CARRIED AWAY AND HAVE CREATED A STRIKING RURAL HOME

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Living

HOME CV WHO TV producer Fran Derham and builder Michael Robertson. Fran spent summers nearby as a child, and the couple had fostered a love of this area. ‘Ten years ago, Michael went out for a drive and came back saying he had found the perfect spot to build a getaway.’

WHAT The Wensley, known as The Shed, sits in an 80-acre farm in the hills of Victoria, Australia, 20 minutes from the Great Ocean Road. Shed it may be, but basic it is not.

RENOVATION No strangers to renovating, this was, however, the couple’s first new build. Michael, inspired by time spent in Montana, was drawn to the log cabin style. To help bring the couple’s ideas to life, they commissioned friend and architect Nick Byrne and interior designer Lisa Buxton. For four years, the couple lived in a caravan on the land. ‘We wanted to get to know the landscape and to work out how the seasons impacted the plot, so we were happy to take our time,’ says Fran.

‘The house has lots of personal meaning: it is where Michael proposed to me.’

In the design and build, the couple have realised their dream of creating a unique family bolthole; which doubles as an Airbnb retreat.

DINING AREA Statement features, such as the concrete pillars, create a wow factor and can be enjoyed from every angle in the downstairs open-plan space. The couple love cooking for family and friends. Their favourite dish? Nigella Lawson’s mirin glazed salmon.

KITCHEN One of the best features of this home is the view. Both the kitchen and the lounge have incredible floor-to-ceiling windows. ‘The only paint we have used is on the kitchen joinery – Squid Ink by Porter’s Paints,’ says Fran.

‘Everything else is recycled Oregon and new Ironbark wood.’ The kitchen is complemented by contemporary lighting, organic textiles and natural textures: think unpolished brass, concrete, ceramic, leather and linen.

ON DISPLAY The look is clean, but the kitchen shelves are arranged with crockery collected over the years.

living

SITTING ROOM

UNDER THE EAVES

In this room, it’s all about wood and the picture-window vista. Not one plaster or painted wall breaks the flow in the house. ‘There is softness and subtleness to the timber: it moves and changes colour seasonally,’ says Fran. ‘As you enter, the building immediately cocoons you. I’m a bit of a chameleon, so my style depends on the bones of the house. My husband was the driving force behind the rustic aesthetic and the use of all the timber.

My touch is adding the understated luxury – everything you need in the right place. For me, the best seat in the house is on the couch, by the fire on a full moon. Or at sunrise. And my favourite possession is the Cheminées Philippe fireplace. Sitting by the fire, taking in the view, and the beauty of what we have created together, feels very humbling’.

Using a mix of Oregon, Ironbark, Silvertop Ash and Australian hard wood timber, the earthy ambience and underfoot organic warmth resonates a restful calm.

The Oregon is uncoated and secretes a woody scent, but when the windows are open you can smell wet grass and gum. ‘We wanted the house to feel like it was alive and breathing,’ says Fran. ‘The natural materials will all get better with age and that sense of timeless beauty has a sustainable appeal.’

MAIN BEDROOM ‘At night, with pitch-black skies, the wood lends an overwhelming quiet to spaces and sleep,’ says Fran, who loves the view from the main bedroom at any time of day.

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SLUG

‘THERE IS SOFTNESS AND SUBTLENESS TO THE TIMBER: IT MOVES AND CHANGES COLOUR SEASONALLY’

SLUG

Adapted from Curate: Inspiration For An Individual Home (Mitchell Beazley, £30) by Lynda Gardener and Ali Heath

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living

STORAGE The use of one material – wood –unites the house. It provides the raw ingredient used for both the build and bespoke storage; the textural palette; the frame for the glass windows that provide the breathtaking views, which replace the need for art; a repurposing of Michael’s long-collected salvaged timber stock; and a seamless link to nature. ‘Timber lies at the heart of it all: we have worked hard to keep clutter at bay, instead wanting the materials and architecture to inform the space,’ says Fran.

THROW, £129.99, True Linen

Get the

LAMPSHADE

BY HAY, £45, Nordic Nest

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LOOK DINING CHAIR, £499, West Elm

ADD SOME RUSTIC PIECES TO YOUR HOME

LANTERN, £49.99, Zara Home

RUG, from £70.95, Benuta

CARAFE, £46, The Cornrow

PLANT POT, £12, Att Pynta

SOFA, £2,900, Oka

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WALNUT WALL PANELLING, from £149.99, NatureWall

DESK, £229, Swoon

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living

Sunset SUPPERS

Curried squash and lentil soup

If you don’t have time, serve this with good-quality shop-bought naans instead.

SERVES 4 PREPARATION TIME 30 minutes COOKING TIME about 50 minutes 1tbsp vegetable oil 1 onion, finely chopped l 2 celery sticks, finely chopped l 1/2 large butternut squash, about 700g l 125g red split lentils l 1tbsp mild curry paste l 900ml vegetable stock l Small handful coriander, roughly chopped, to garnish FOR THE NAANS l 200g self-raising flour, plus extra to dust l 1tbsp nigella seeds l 11/2tbsp dried coriander leaf l 100g natural yogurt, plus extra to garnish l 75ml milk l 4tbsp vegetable oil l l

EASY DISHES FILLED WITH WARMTH AND VIBRANT FLAVOUR

PHOTOGRAPHY KRIS KIRKHAM

1 Heat oil in a large pan and fry onion and

celery for 10min, until softened. Meanwhile, discard seeds from the squash and chop into rough 2.5cm pieces (no need to peel).

2 Add squash to the pan and fry for 5min.

Meanwhile, cover the lentils with cold water and wash well. Drain and repeat. Drain.

Add lentils to pan and stir in curry paste.

Cook for 1min, then add stock. Bring to boil and simmer for 20-30min, until lentils and squash are tender.

3 To make the naans, mix the flour, nigella seeds, coriander, 1tsp fine salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper in a large bowl. Add yogurt and milk and mix to make a fairly sticky dough. Lightly dust a work surface with flour. Break off ¼ of the dough and pat into a rough 12cm long kidney-shaped naan.

Repeat with remaining dough.

4 Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add naans and cook for 8-10min, turning once, until golden and cooked through. Set aside on a wire rack.

5 Blend the soup until smooth. Check seasoning. Divide between 4 bowls, garnish with a little yogurt and coriander.

Serve with naans.

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Lebanese cauliflower bowls

Spicy cauliflower pairs beautifully with smokey baba ganoush.

SERVES 4 PREPARATION TIME 30 minutes COOKING TIME about 40 minutes FOR THE CAULIFLOWER l 600g cauliflower florets, about 1 large cauliflower l 11/2tbsp shawarma spice mix l 1/2tbsp olive oil l Juice 1/2 lemon FOR THE BABA GANOUSH l 2 large aubergines l 1/2tbsp olive oil l 2 garlic cloves, crushed l 11/2tbsp tahini l 1/2tsp chilli powder l 1tsp ground cumin l Juice 1 lemon FOR THE TABBOULEH l 100g bulgur wheat

l 400g tin chickpeas, drained and rinsed l 3tbsp olive oil l Juice 11/2 lemons l Large handful parsley, roughly chopped l Small handful mint, roughly chopped l 3 tomatoes, deseeded and finely chopped l 1 cucumber, deseeded and finely chopped l 2 spring onions, thinly sliced l 50g pomegranate seeds

1 Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan)

mark 6. In a large roasting tin, toss cauliflower, shawarma spice mix and plenty of seasoning. Drizzle over oil and roast for 30min, until just tender.

Squeeze over lemon juice and set aside.

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2 For the baba ganoush, halve aubergines lengthways, score flesh in a criss-cross pattern (do not cut through the skin), and brush cut sides with oil. Arrange cut-side up in a small roasting tin, cover with foil and cook in same oven as cauliflower for 20-30min, until flesh is soft. Carefully scoop out flesh into a food processor (discard skins). Whizz with remaining baba ganoush ingredients until smooth; season and set aside.

3 In a medium pan, bring the bulgur wheat and 200ml cold water to the boil. Cover with a lid and simmer for 8-10min, then take off heat; set aside, covered, for 5min. Stir in remaining tabbouleh ingredients; season. To serve, divide between 4 bowls and top with cauliflower and baba ganoush.

Chicken fajita bowl with cauliflower rice

If you want to make this dish a little more filling, use cooked brown basmati rice instead (but don’t whizz it).

SERVES 4 PREPARATION TIME 20 minutes, plus marinating COOKING TIME about 15 minutes l 4 medium skinless chicken breasts, cut into finger-sized strips l 2 mixed colour peppers, deseeded and cut into 1cm strips l 1 red onion, cut into 8 wedges through the root l 2tsp hot smoked paprika l 1tsp ground cumin l Juice 2 limes l 1tbsp olive oil l 400g cauliflower florets, about 1 medium cauliflower l Large handful coriander, roughly chopped l 4tbsp guacamole, to serve l 4tbsp soured cream, to serve

1 Mix chicken, peppers, onion, spices,

lime juice and 1tsp fine salt in a large non-metallic bowl. Cover and chill for at least 30min (up to 6hr).

2 Brush a large griddle or frying pan with oil and heat over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken and veg mixture for 8-10min, turning regularly, until chicken is cooked.

3 Meanwhile, make the cauliflower rice. Whizz the florets in a food processor until they resemble rice.

Heat a large frying pan over medium heat. Add cauliflower and cook for 5min, stirring, until tender and piping hot. Stir through coriander and plenty of seasoning.

4 Divide cauliflower rice between 4 bowls, top with the chicken mixture and serve with guacamole and soured cream.

living

Chicken borscht with rye dumplings

This vibrant soup is traditionally made with beef, but this version makes a lighter alternative.

SERVES 4 PREPARATION TIME 30 minutes COOKING TIME about 55 minutes 2tbsp olive oil 3 chicken thigh fillets l 1 onion, finely chopped l 2 garlic cloves, crushed l 1tsp smoked paprika, sweet or hot l 2 large beetroots, peeled and coarsely grated l 2 carrots, peeled and coarsely grated l 400g tin plum tomatoes l 750ml hot chicken stock l 2-3tsp Maggi liquid seasoning, or use soy sauce l Quark or natural yogurt, optional l l

FOR THE RYE DUMPLINGS l 100g rye bread l 40g self-raising flour l 1tbsp finely chopped dill, plus extra to garnish l 50g butter, chilled and grated l 1 medium egg, beaten 1 Heat 1tbsp oil in a large pan over

medium-high heat. Add chicken and fry on both sides until well browned.

Remove to a plate and set aside.

2 Add remaining oil to pan; reduce heat to low. Fry onion for 5-6min, stirring occasionally, until softened. Stir in garlic and paprika; fry for 2min. Add veg and tomatoes, stirring to break up tomatoes.

3 Return chicken to pan (along with any

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juices). Add stock and Maggi seasoning/ soy sauce and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Bring to the boil, then simmer gently for 25-30min, until chicken is cooked through and tender.

4 Meanwhile, make dumplings. Pulse bread in the small bowl of a food processor to coarse crumbs. Add remaining ingredients and season; pulse briefly to combine. Roll into 24 small balls, roughly 1/2tbsp each.

5 When chicken is cooked, remove to a board; shred with 2 forks. Stir back into soup; check seasoning. Arrange dumplings on top. Cover with a lid and simmer for 10min, until dumplings are puffed and cooked through. Divide between 4 bowls and top each with a spoonful of quark/ yogurt, if you like. Garnish with dill; serve.

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Living

Spotlight on

NAT MAKS MARGATE-BASED PRINT MAKER NATASCHA MAKSIMOVIC SHARES HER STORY AND DESIGN INSPIRATIONS DREAMLAND

BEE FRIENDLY SEEDS, £3, The Future Kept

ANTIQUE BLOOMS SEED COLLECTION, £15, The Future Kept

Natascha uses an ancient Japanese technique to create her wallpapers

Nat Maks, German-born Natascha Maksimovic’s wallpaper brand, specialises in the ancient and endangered art of Suminagashi, a Japanese paper marbling technique dating back to the 12th century.

The method, Maksimovic says, is nuanced: ‘Suminagashi means “floating ink” and it is literally that. I float ink on water and then lay the paper on top to create the composition. Having a direct connection to the water, the paper and the process is a profound experience.’

But what drew Maksimovic, a print maker and illustrator, to wallpaper?

‘We bought our first house three years ago, and it became my canvas, influencing my transition from smaller art prints to large-scale wallpapers.

As I re-imagined our walls, I knew I wanted to dress them with my own work.’

Her design studio, based in Margate’s Resort Studios – a creative hub for artists – gives Maksimovic a space where she can explore her inspirations, which often stem from nature. ‘Many of my colour palettes are named after seasons or landscapes. I love creating patterns in an organic way, connecting with the practice and its processes, whether that’s Suminagashi or other techniques like silk screen printing and calligraphy. I don’t just want to preserve these crafts; I want to push them into a contemporary context.’

The range spans not only unique wallpaper designs, but

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also exquisite marbled prints that are versatile enough to hang in almost any space. This year, Maksimovic will add online workshops to her offering, introducing the art of Suminagashi to beginners. A sustainable wallpaper range using botanical inks is also in the offing.

As for her home, wallpaper plays an integral role: ‘I live in a Victorian terraced house adorned with wallpaper and murals. Colour is incredibly important to me. It transforms an everyday, overlooked object into a focal point – our yellow radiators are a good example. For decor, I’ve incorporated a mixture of vintage and contemporary homeware pieces with Scandi and Japanese influences.’

Many of Maksimovic’s favourite brands are located a stone’s throw from her door. ‘Ramsay & Williams is a great vintage shop in Margate, while Hæckels is my go-to for fragrance: I add a splash of its perfumes to my packaged prints and wallpapers. I love Margate-based artist Jo Elbourne, too. She creates sculptural cotton braided artworks and her choice of colour and pattern arrangements is fascinating. And online store The Future Kept is great for sustainable goodies. I’m a big fan of its gorgeously packaged seed collections.’

September 2021 | REDONLINE.CO.UK

Wall hanging, £95, Nat Maks

WORDS: ALICIA FORD

CANDLE, £55, Hæckels

Natascha is inspired by Jo Elbourne’s artworks BOTTLE, from (above) £95, The Future Kept

TUMBLER, £24, The Future Kept

living £40, Rebecca Udall

£18, Jonathan Adler MURANO TUMBLERS, £40 each, Rebecca Udall

£9.95, Toast

£22, Host Home

£20, Casa Celva at Liberty London

Art of GLASS

£10, Raj Tent Club

TINTED TUMBLERS ARE HAVING A MOMENT

£22, The Conran Shop

£30 for 4, La Redoute

£22, Host Home

COMPILED BY: JAMES CUNNINGHAM

£30, Edition94

£32, Mrs. Alice £55 for 8, Madea Milano at Artemest

£19, The Conran Shop £63 for 4, Soho Home

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TAKE a leaf

PLANT LOVER HILTON CARTER SHARES HIS IDEAS ON HOW TO CREATE A WILD INTERIOR

LIVING PLANT CHANDELIER The moment I saw what I call a ‘plant chandelier’ is the day I became obsessed with plants. I had no idea how to care for a plant but as I walked into a greenhouse cafe, I knew I needed plants in my life.

These plant chandeliers, as I called them, were in fact large staghorn ferns (Platycerium bifurcatum).

These beautifully strange orbs, floated above the cafe tables like traditional light fixtures, but they were alive. I knew from that moment I needed to start bringing plants into my life and style them in creative ways in my home. I also knew that the container was just as important. When I saw those staghorns hanging above those tables, it wasn’t the fact that it was a plant I had never seen before hanging in a basket, it was the fact that it was hanging over a table. It’s the unexpected, the non-traditional, that can make something so normal feel so wild. It’s one of the rules I stick to the most when plant styling a space – always do the unexpected.

So I decided to create a plant chandelier out of a model canoe. If you want the unexpected, converting a 6ft (1.8m) canoe into a planter, then planting various like-minded tropical plants such as Monstera deliciosa and Philodendron bipinnatifidum and then hanging it over a dining table, has to be a real example of the unexpected. It’s a conversation starter and lush canopy at the same time.

TERRARIUMS I love a good terrarium. There’s something so magical and nostalgic about those small worlds of greenery encased in glass. Terrariums create such beautiful living works of art.

In their glass vessels, they are almost like sculptures that need to be displayed on a pedestal.

I search through charity shops and flea markets looking for vintage glass vessels to turn into terrariums. Finding the right vessel can really make the difference. I’ve seen some of the wildest terrariums created in old French-press coffee makers, clear light bulbs, aquariums, lamps, but it really does start with finding the perfect statement container.

The beauty of terrariums lies in how they create their own ecosystem. With an enclosed terrarium, you never have to think about watering it because it creates its own climate.

Once closed, during the day, the moisture vapour inside the vessel condenses on the side of the glass and, as night comes, the moisture gathers in beads and races back down into the soil, keeping the humidity inside intact. If you love the plants but don’t have the time to water every week, an enclosed terrarium is perfect. Because the soil in a terrarium remains pretty evenly moist throughout, I suggest you only put in green life that thrives in moist soil.

Ferns, Alocasias and Calatheas are great options. With a terrarium that opens, the selfregulating system of watering via condensation doesn’t really apply, so you’ll have to water them. If using tropical plants, you’ll need to mist them once or twice a week. It’s important that planted terrariums get the right amount of light. While some plants do well in lower light, all will thrive in bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun – this harsh light could heat up the interior of your enclosed terrariums, drying the soil and damaging the plants. If possible, hang your terrariums up or place them on plant stands to make a statement.

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THE NEXT LEVEL

When it comes to arranging plants, it’s a good idea to think about the level. There are several ways to get your plants to stand out from the rest by using some of the smaller surfaces you have around the house. I try to think about how to best give each plant or object its time in the spotlight. I mean that literally and metaphorically. The goal is to create small stacks of platforms, so that even if two plants are exactly the same size, you can place one on a higher level to separate it from the other, while making it more visible.

This is the most useful approach for a windowsill or in a plant corner.

Old books

Piles of old books can also create interesting levels for your plants. Reuse books you have read to become surfaces for your plants.

There are also plenty of secondhand bookshops and charity shops where you could go and grab as many old books as you like to create your look. All books make excellent plant stands.

LIVING

Marble or stone slabs

Try marble chopping boards or leftover slabs of stone as surfaces to display plants, as this will add both texture and colour while separating them from the surface you are placing them on.

Unlike wood, which can be porous, if you place a damp planter on top of stone or marble, the water won’t make its way through, so it won’t damage the surface below.

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September 2021 | REDONLINE.CO.UK

LIVING Wooden cutting boards

If you’re like me and love hosting parties, I’m sure you’ve got your fair share of wooden cutting boards. They come in so many cool shapes and sizes, and make the perfect serving surfaces for your cheese and charcuterie. But there seems to come a moment when wooden cutting boards have had their day and it becomes time to throw them out. Instead of doing that, why not re-purpose them as small plant stands? You can stack them up on your windowsill and place plants on top. Now you’ve created less waste and have simultaneously given your home a fresh new look.

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PLANT HAMMOCK

Extracted from Wild Creations (CICO Books, £20) by Hilton Carter. Photography

by Hilton Carter

September 2021 | REDONLINE.CO.UK

In my home, we have a Philodendron ‘Rojo Congo’ over our bed, hanging from a ‘plant hammock’ my wife made.

After having a macho fern over our bed and all the work that was required to keep it watered, I decided we needed a less fussy plant. In comes the ‘Rojo Congo’, whom we’ve named Big Red. While creating the sense of sleeping in a jungle under the large foliage, which creates a canopy of greenery, it doesn’t demand too much attention.

However, it definitely demands your attention when it comes to its look. It gets the name ‘Rojo’ because of how red the new growth is as it unfurls from the single stem of the plant, but, as the leaves mature, they start to take on more of a deep green hue, with a red trim around the edge, this all being held by an elegant burgundy stalk. And the charm of this plant doesn’t stop there. When given the right care, you’ll be treated with not only growth, but also a hearty red flower that blooms from its stalk. Dedicate a spot for this plant that gets anything from bright indirect light to medium light. Too much direct sun can burn the foliage, causing it to develop brownish-orange spots, and can eventually damage the plant. Find a spot that has a lot of exposure to open sky or a room that filters direct sun into bright indirect light.

Like all Philodendrons, you want to make sure it isn’t over watered. The best way to keep the ‘Rojo Congo’ healthy and thriving would be to water when the top 2in (5cm) of the soil is completely dry. To check this, I recommend the finger test. Stick your finger into the soil about 2in (5cm) and if it comes up muddy, the plant is not thirsty, but if it comes up dry, then it’s time to give it a drink. If you’re a plant hoarder like me, sticking your fingers in soil every day/ week can become a bit much, so you might want to invest in a moisture meter to help.

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The on-trend sofa collection also includes Libby, hand-crafted in luxe Italian fabric; Sophia with comfy, deep seat cushions; and Layla with its super-snuggly pillow back. Laid-back Long Beach ticks every box, with its modular design that can be crafted to fit any space; while Freya offers generous proportions, super-soft yet hardwearing fabric and a highly covetable chaise end.

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Self

EDITED BY JULIE POWELL

Weigh

WORDS: NICOLA DOWN

to go

Costume jewellery? Or the latest way to power-up your workout? Bala Bangles – aka wearable weights you slip on to ankles or wrists – are causing a fitness buzz right now. More than just an accessory, they level-up any activity.

Whether that’s yoga, barre, Pilates or just walking the dog and pottering around the house, each movement takes more effort, nudging up the resistance, toning your muscles and upping the burn stakes.

Okay, so with weight options between 1lb and 2lb, these won’t replace the targeted strength gains of lifting traditional weights, but they do add a constant but comfortable tweak to your everyday movement. Plus, with research suggesting that feelgood kit could encourage healthy behaviour – a psychological phenomenon called ‘enclothed cognition’ – that’s reason enough for us to buy them in every hue.

BALA BANGLES, from £38.75 (available in 18 shades), shopbala.com

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STRONGER

CALMER DEEPER

For global yoga icon Jessamyn Stanley, the ancient practice is about so much more than fitness and perfect postures.

Actually, she says, applying the lessons we learn on our mats to everyday life is what really counts

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Self

Y

oga is full of contradictions. For many people, the practice is the ultimate expression of spirituality and surrender, while for others, it’s about developing a toned body and creating the most aesthetically pleasing postures. The ancient art of yoga champions equality and human connection, which feels at odds with the fact that modern yoga is often entwined with the corporate world (think pricey classes and workout kit), lacks diversity and can sometimes feel like an unwelcoming space.

Yet, for internationally recognised yoga teacher Jessamyn Stanley, these conflicts aren’t inherently bad; in fact, they add to the beauty of it all. ‘The parts of yoga that are problematic need to be there just like everything else,’ she says, thoughtfully, on our Zoom call. ‘If we don’t accept the bad, then we can’t appreciate the good. Yoga is often framed as happy, sweet, calm and good. But for me, it’s often bad, sad, scary and anger-inducing. It can bring up all kinds of emotions I don’t personally love to feel. But letting them all be there is part of the yoga.’

This refreshing, balanced attitude pretty much sums up what Stanley is all about – the 34-year-old North Carolina native is known for her body-positive and emotionally uplifting approach to yoga. Through her Instagram (approaching half-a-million followers), and her teaching platform, The Underbelly, she demonstrates that the joy of vinyasa and pranayama belongs to everyone – no matter your shape, size, skin colour or sexual orientation. The yoga community can sometimes feel like an exclusive club for the flexible few, but Stanley is at the forefront of ensuring its openness and accessibility.

It’s a message that was at the heart of her first book and how-to guide, Every Body Yoga, published in 2017. But her new book, Yoke (which means the union of mind, body and spirit), is all about what happens next. It’s a collection of personal essays, exploring how we apply the difficult lessons learned on the mat to something even harder: the daily project of living.

Alongside topics such as meditation, breathing and rituals, the book doesn’t shy away from tough conversations, like racism and cultural appropriation in mainstream yoga.

‘Yoga allows us to dig into complicated intersections within ourselves,’ says Stanley. ‘For me, it’s a lot of uncovering, unveiling and looking at things I’d rather not look at.’

She argues that the physical act of yoga practice is an excellent classroom for coping with the challenges of everyday life. ‘The flexibility you develop in postures like the splits is mental as well as physical,’ she says.

‘Practising postures such as warrior two can help you learn what it is to sustain and endure. That kind of conditioning isn’t just helpful in yoga, but in every part of life. And then there’s patience – learning to be okay with the journey of it all. Yoga has taught me that there’s not a final destination. The day you think you have it figured it out, you actually don’t. We’re constantly in flux.’

In fact, she says, we’re practising yoga all the time, even when we don’t notice it.

‘Every shape your body makes is a posture,’ she says. ‘If your body exists, it’s in a posture.

The union really happens in your breath. As long as you’re breathing, you’re practising yoga.’

And for Stanley, yoga is far more than any pose – it’s a powerful way to encourage self-acceptance and healing. ‘I think yoga exists as a way for human beings to survive being alive,’ she says. ‘To be okay with the fact that there will always be good things, bad things and ugly things. You’ll always be at the top of a mountain at some points, and at the bottom of a valley at others. Yoga allows us to be more okay with how the world works.’

Here, she reveals how yoga has helped her navigate her own hurdles…

‘EVERY SHAPE YOUR BODY MAKES IS A YOGA POSTURE’

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Enhancing body confidence ‘I don’t think yoga is the key to healing your relationship with your body, but I do think that yoga will show you the relationship you have with your body. It’s more about whether you choose to face it. Yoga has helped in my own journey towards body liberation and ownership of myself, as it helps me listen to all the nasty things I say about myself. I don’t blame those negative thoughts on other people or the media. It’s so easy to say, “It’s my family and friends – they’re the reason I feel this way about my body.” But it’s you who is saying those things to yourself. I started taking photos of my yoga practice, and not sharing them with anyone else. I’d look at the pictures and remember the way I felt in the posture – free, powerful, joyful – and then contrast that with how I felt looking at the photos. I would say awful things about myself, pointing out my stomach or my arms.

Listening to the things I say about myself has helped me move towards a place of self-acceptance.’

‘YOGA HELPS ME LISTEN TO ALL THE THINGS I SAY ABOUT MYSELF’

Improving close relationships ‘The flexibility and patience you learn in yoga are so important in any close relationship. And I think that when you learn to listen to yourself, it becomes easier to listen to other people; to respect them and be compassionate towards their needs. In the same way that I embrace the good, bad and ugly in yoga, I do the same in my relationships. In the same way some postures feel uncomfortable or challenging, there will be interactions that don’t feel good; there will be fights and disagreements, but yoga helps make it clear that those kinds of interactions are important, too. They need to be there.’

Dealing with strangers online ‘I get trolled on the internet pretty regularly, and sometimes I take it personally. Often, it’s something negative that I’m already thinking about myself, and then it feels like a stranger is confirming that. But I’ve realised that anyone who trolls or says something negative is experiencing deep sadness in their life. The reality is that when people are happy, they don’t talk shit. If you’re being mean, you’re feeling sad in your life. Yoga has taught me to approach these kinds of situations from a place of compassion.’

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JESSAMYN STANLEY’S YOGA PRESCRIPTIONS FOR WHEN YOU...

Need to see things from a different perspective

‘Try some kind of inversion, like a forward fold or, if you’re more advanced in your yoga practice, a headstand. You have to go against how gravity usually works, and try to balance in a different way. In these postures, you are forced to see the world from a different angle, both physically and emotionally.’

Have a big decision to make

‘Select a posture where you can feel comfortable – maybe lying on your back or sitting upright – and just breathe. Let every single thought, everything you’re running from, crash inside your mind. It won’t feel calm and silenced, but allow yourself to feel every chaotic thing. Have a journal handy – if you can’t let a thought go, write it down and let it out of your body. Eventually, you will become more present and be able to tune into the right decision.’

Are struggling with grief or heartbreak

‘Our hips hold so much tension, sadness and fear, so try hip-opening postures like pigeon or lizard variations. Sometimes it can feel uncomfortable, but let yourself sit with it.

Let yourself feel it. Cry if you need to.

Allowing yourself to feel all the unpleasantness will help you move through it.’

Are suffering from burnout or exhaustion

‘Practise postures where you hold them for a long time – this is known as yin yoga. Try restorative poses like child’s pose, and hold them for five minutes or longer. Even the most comfortable poses can become difficult as time goes on. This challenge can help you understand when you’re going too far, or doing too much.’

Are lacking in confidence

‘Ground yourself through standing postures like mountain pose, or warriors one and two; anything where you have to breathe into the earth. I recommend trying a yoga flow where you practise alone, under your own guidance and without the influence of a teacher.

Understand that there’s a teacher inside yourself who is always there; you can find them whenever you need inner strength.’

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WORDS: ARIELLE TCHIPROUT. PHOTOGRAPHY: BOBBY QUILLARD

Combating impostor syndrome ‘For a long time, I tried to pretend that I was not feeling like an impostor. But yoga is like the broom that sweeps out the cobwebs. It sweeps all of the stuff that I’m trying to hide from myself to the centre of my brain, so I’m able to be present with it and accept it. It’s only since I’ve allowed myself to feel the impostor syndrome – the fear that I’m not good enough and I don’t belong – that I’ve been able to release it.’

Yoke: My Yoga Of Self-Acceptance (Workman Publishing)

by Jessamyn Stanley is out now.

For yoga tips and sequences, go to theunderbelly.com or look at Every Body Yoga (Workman Publishing)

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think

BETTER

Neurohacking promises to make you feel sharper, smarter, more creative and to banish brain fog. Anna Bonet finds out how it works

E

SELF

very working afternoon, without fail, I have an energy crash. For around two hours after lunch, I feel groggy, unmotivated and uncreative.

The latter is particularly detrimental to the two main aspects of my job: writing and coming up with ideas.

But for all of my working life, I’ve accepted that this pattern is just how I operate, and so I’ve attempted to design my days around it. Early mornings are for tasks that require my creativity and complete focus; afternoons are for research, admin and meetings.

But it doesn’t always work out like that. Sometimes, meetings that are out of my control are put in the diary in the morning.

Other times, I’ll have such a tight deadline that I have no choice but to continue writing through the afternoon. And when the to-do list is piling high, I can’t always afford to lose over two hours of every day being – quite simply – terribly unproductive.

So what if I didn’t have to? The new book by Elizabeth Ricker, Smarter Tomorrow: How 15 Minutes Of Neurohacking A Day Can Help You Work Better, Think Faster, And Get More Done, suggests that there might just be a solution to my problem.

Although neurohacking has been around since the 1980s, it’s been gaining popularity in recent years, particularly in Silicon Valley. According to Smarter Tomorrow, neurohacking is what helps CEOs, leaders and tech entrepreneurs maintain that constant level of achievement (come to think about it, I don’t imagine that Elon Musk wastes two hours a day wanting a lie-down).

In its broadest sense, neurohacking is simply the act of trying to rewire your brain to your advantage, so that you can fulfil your potential. ‘It’s about exploring, understanding and optimising your mental performance,’ says Ricker, who has studied neuroscience at both MIT and Harvard. Ways of doing so can include tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation) – a treatment that uses direct electrical currents to stimulate specific parts of the brain – and nootropics, so-called ‘smart drugs’. But neurohacking doesn’t have to mean taking pills or attaching electrodes to your scalp; some of the strategies are far more straightforward. In fact, you’re probably already neurohacking without realising it, for example, when you plan to do a short breathing exercise right before giving a presentation to a boss.

Neurohacking technology has also become much more widespread and accessible: ‘Apps, wearables and personal trackers put our personal data at our fingertips,’ says Ricker. But how can we use that data? Ricker has been ‘intrigued’ by the idea of optimising her brain ever since she was in school, when she was told she wasn’t fulfilling her potential. As a teenager, she then got into athletics, and ‘discovered my brain was working a whole lot better when I was doing exercise’. Every time she worked out, Ricker was more productive, more able to focus and better at retaining information – and her grades went up. This set Ricker on a journey of researching what else was out there that

could boost mental performance – whether by improving memory recall or enhancing creativity. And it turned out there was a lot.

Keen to learn more? Ricker advises starting by identifying what she calls ‘bottlenecks’ in your health and lifestyle that might be holding you back (see below). Without first ‘debugging’, you won’t be able to get DEBUG YOUR BRAIN the full benefits of Before beginning your neurohacking neurohacking, she journey, start by identifying and says. Then, run some dealing with any of the following self-experiments possible bottlenecks… to find out which techniques work for Temperature you. ‘Test out different The temperature of a room can techniques and record impact how you work. Researchers the results. This have found that women typically will give greater work best under warmer conditions self-awareness when (around 25˚C) and men under cooler it comes to how your conditions (around 22˚C), so make brain operates, which sure that’s not holding you back. is the foundation Nutrition of neurohacking,’ Blood sugar spikes, digestive issues she advises. and allergies can all affect your As for my sluggish mental performance. While these afternoons, I’ve since differ for everyone, some common tried a variety of culprits are caffeine, dairy and food interventions. I containing a lot of gluten or sugar. changed my caffeine Experiment by keeping a food diary pattern, drank more and eliminating potential trigger water, switched up foods that rob you of energy. what I ate for lunch, and tried lunchtime Hydration naps. What has helped Dehydration can make you feel most is a combination tired and lethargic. So, have a water of two things: a bottle with you at all times and 15-minute walk around set reminders to drink until it the block, followed by becomes a habit – the NHS a 10-minute guided recommends six to eight glasses meditation on the Calm a day, around two litres. app. With those two Meaning and spirituality things, I’m now far Feeling like your life is not meaningful better at working in can make it hard to concentrate or the afternoons. be creative. Try meditation, prayer, Part of me wonders volunteering, spending time in whether I had created a nature or engaging in other activities self-fulfilling prophecy, that inspire feelings of awe, stuck in my own gratitude and altruism. narrative that I couldn’t be productive after Sleep lunch, but since Lack of sleep is one of the biggest learning about obstacles to effective neurohacking. neurohacking, I’ve If you struggle to get to sleep, the US discovered that it military perfected an approach that, is possible to rewire if practised repeatedly, apparently your brain and think allows you to fall asleep within two a little differently. minutes. It involves progressively Turn the page and try relaxing each part of your body, it for yourself… similar to a meditative body scan.

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FIVE NEUROHACKING TECHNIQUES TO TRY AT HOME

1

BEST FOR CREATIVITY: Experimenting with the scent placebo The placebo effect is a well-known and powerful way of hacking your brain. One study saw researchers tell participants that smelling cinnamon would make them more creative – and it did. And other research has shown it doesn’t matter if you self-administer; it can still achieve the desired effects.

So, to enhance your creativity, smell a cinnamon scent and say these magic words: ‘Studies have shown significant improvements through mind-body self-upgrading processes. Inhaling this scent will increase my creativity.’

Then, for 10 minutes, do a task that allows you to be creative. You could play with words to see if they turn into a short story, reimagine the decoration of your home, or draw something from your imagination.

If you do this on a regular basis, your brain should associate the smell of cinnamon and the ‘magic words’ with creativity.

3

BEST FOR MOOD: Laughter yoga

A fast-track way to boost your mood is laughter yoga.

Evidence shows that whether or not your laughter is genuine, the benefits are the same: laughing releases the ‘happy chemicals’ dopamine and serotonin, and in turn, lowers the stress hormone cortisol. No yoga kit is required – simply spend five minutes a day laughing. If there’s nothing funny to hand, fake it. You might sound – and feel – like a crazy person, but you’ll feel happier afterwards.

4

BEST FOR FOCUS AND PRODUCTIVITY: A seven-minute HIIT workout A huge amount of research has found that exercise can improve mental performance – particularly when it’s high intensity. The morning has also been proven as the best time to exercise for this, as it’s associated with a cognitive performance boost of nearly 30%, while afternoon exercise studies averaged a cognitive boost of about 8%. Do the following HIIT exercise first thing for better focus and productivity during the day: l Jumping jacks for 30 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds. l Wall sit (back to a wall; knees bent) for 30 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds. l Push-ups for 30 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds l Abdominal crunches for 30 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds. l Step-ups on to a chair for 30 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds. l Squats for 30 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds. l Tricep dips on a chair for 30 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds. l Plank for 30 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds. l High knees on the spot for 30 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds. l Alternating lunges for 30 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds. l Push-ups with rotations (lifting one arm up to the sky at a time) for 30 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds. l Side planks for 15 seconds on each side (total of 30 seconds), then rest for 10 seconds.

5

BEST FOR ENERGY: Blue light

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BEST FOR MEMORY: Spaced repetition Forget someone’s name 10 seconds after they’ve told it to you? Then try spaced repetition. Based on research around the average timing of human forgetting, it’s a type of memorisation method that uses flashcards but focuses on going over information just before you would typically forget it. There are lots of spaced repetition apps, but AnkiApp is the most popular (free on the App Store, Windows, macOS and Google Play). Practise for 15 minutes a day and you’ll find you’re better at recalling information.

If you’re tired and lacking in energy, consider how much light you’re getting and what colour it is. The sun is our natural source of blue light, meaning we associate it with being awake and alert. In fact, blue light had similar effectiveness to caffeine when study participants attempted to drive while sleepy.

When you’re lacking in sunlight, invest in Cambridge-based leading light-therapy retailer Lumie’s Desklamp SAD Light (£120, lumie.com); it’s enriched with blue light*, to help boost energy levels naturally.

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Smarter Tomorrow (John Murray Press) by Elizabeth Ricker is out 17th August

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUSAN BUTH/BLAUBLUT-EDITION.COM *TOO MUCH BLUE LIGHT IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR THOSE WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER OR EYE CONDITIONS

SELF

Donating my eggs helped

HEAL ME In an ideal world, donating your eggs should be as straightforward as donating sperm. But it isn’t. Here, Milly McMahon shares what the experience of egg donation has taught her about her body image and her identity

M

y feet were placed in the cold stirrups of the hospital bed and I pulled the medical gown a little tighter around my waist, acutely aware that I was naked underneath. Nurses and doctors moved around me, handing each other metal instruments and medicines; one of them read out my name and date of birth before asking permission for the eggs inside me to be removed and become the property of a stranger.

The process of harvesting and donating my eggs, in October 2019, was the culmination of 10 months of screenings, both physical and emotional; from genetic counselling and DNA tests to internal scans and a regime of twice-daily self-administered injections. In contrast to the act of donating sperm – the logistics of which extend to three months of screenings and depositing a sample into a pot – altruistic egg donation is both invasive and intensive in a way that biology only goes some way towards explaining. But if donating your eggs comes with a cost, I’ve found it’s outweighed by what it gives back to you. Never did I think that it would be the most enriching experience of my life.

I was 33 when I decided to donate my eggs, but I think the decision stems far back to my childhood. As a little girl growing

up in Hanbury, Worcestershire, I had dreams of starting a family one day and believed completely that this would be my future. It was around the same time that I began to suffer from an eating disorder.

I can remember, aged seven, staring down at my stomach, visible beneath my leggings, and feeling repulsed. By the time I was 13, I was hospitalised with anorexia and depression, and it marked the start of a brutal battle with my own mental health, with me striving to maintain my dangerously low weight. I isolated myself, dropping out of school many times before I was eventually admitted to a psychiatric unit. Meanwhile, my family life was extremely difficult.

I spent my 20s building an independent life for myself.

I managed to find recovery – stabilising my weight, albeit a low one, and instilling regular eating patterns – and, despite consistent warnings from doctors that such a low weight would irreparably damage my reproductive organs and bones, my body showed all the signs of good health. I had regular periods, I ran half marathons and took up strength training. By my early 30s, I owned my own home, worked as a nurse and was cohabiting happily with three cats and a sausage dog.

Finding myself still single after a decade of dating left me

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questioning my childhood wish to have a family. When I really thought about it, I wasn’t sure where social pressures around becoming a parent ended and my own desires began. And if I was brutally honest with myself, my own physical reflection still had the power to torture me, and I questioned if I’d be able to teach a child to nourish themselves and love their body. Having made up my mind not to have children of my own, it was watching friends I’d known since school start their own families, I think, that put the idea of egg donation in my mind. Witnessing that kind of love up close really affected me and I began to wonder what it might feel like to be denied the opportunity to create a family with someone you loved.

I still had my reproductive health in spite of everything, which felt like a gift. If I wasn’t going to benefit personally, it felt right that another woman should. I started doing some tentative research into altruistic egg donation – so-called because the donor has no current plans to have children of her own and isn’t incentivised beyond achieving her individual desire to donate. This is opposed to egg sharing, which brings together women having IVF using their own eggs with those who require a donor, often in exchange for a free IVF cycle or discount.

I read online forums, joined Facebook groups and watched TED Talks, and I took advice from friends and family. My dad was wary of the emotional impact this could have on both of us, but he ultimately supported my decision. And through chatting with male friends, I found out that several had actually donated sperm. Hearing their thoughts on the process was intriguing; they all seemed quite disconnected from it in a way that I couldn’t understand. Far from viewing the donation as transactional, I wanted the journey to be transformative.

The idea of changing a stranger’s life in such a profound way felt like a unique opportunity. But more than that, there was something in the idea of using my body – this thing that I’d hated for so many years – in a positive way that felt very healing.

In September 2018, I had my first appointment at Birmingham Women’s Hospital, where a fertility nurse talked me through the process: 10 months of scans and screenings, alongside genetic counselling, before beginning the process of IVF treatment, which would culminate in surgery to harvest my eggs. Donors

and recipients are matched to look as physically similar as possible, and it can take as long as two years to find an appropriate match. But given that there’s a shortage of egg donors relative to couples who require a donated egg, it usually happens much quicker. Once harvested via surgery, the eggs would be fertilised by the recipient’s partner – or donated sperm, depending on the situation – before being implanted into her womb. Any remaining eggs would be cryogenically frozen and stored as the recipient’s property to use if the initial attempt failed, or the eggs were to be used to have another child in the future. Because my donation would be altruistic, I’d remain anonymous to her and her offspring until the child turns 18, at which point they can choose to find out who I am, assuming I consent to this information being shared and vice versa.

Three months later, I was matched with a couple, and my first task was to write a letter to the baby. I couldn’t include any personal or identifying information, but my fertility nurse urged me to write about my reasons for my decision.

The whole point is to encourage donors to consider the enormity of their journey; to imagine their egg growing into a person. It was the first time I’d been forced to confront my feelings and I found it difficult. I wrote of how sorry I was that the recipient couple had endured such heartache to reach this point, and how I knew that this child would be loved deeply as a result. But I couldn’t find the words to explain the feelings that had led me here when I didn’t fully understand them myself.

The next stage was harder still. One of the goals of genetic counselling is to assess your motivations for donating, and I felt that I was being judged. The counsellor explored my reasons for investing my time and energy in a stranger’s family when I could have been pursuing my own. It’s crucial to rule out the possibility of women donating for questionable reasons, like as a back-up for their own failed attempts at motherhood – if this were the case, the emotional repercussions of realising you have no legal claim over the child could be devastating. Over the course of six interviews in eight months, we covered my history of anorexia, bulimia and depression. As I explained how I became ill as a child and spoke of the solace my eating disorder had given me

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at a time when I’d given up hope on life, the counsellor tried to filled with tears that then spilled on to the pages. Pain I’d comfort me – and I sensed her suspicion that I had covert hopes pushed down for years flooded through my body. Feelings of to use this process to create the family experience that I hadn’t never being feminine or womanly enough; of never feeling at had. I understood her concerns, but the reality was completely home in my body. For the first time, I could see all the ways in different. I wanted to prove how far I’d come from that place. which my body had become a battleground for my suffering, The emotional toll was significant, but the physical toll was culminating in my decision to put it through months of treatment challenging in a different way. Nine months later, in September in order to donate my eggs to another woman. I stepped out of 2019 – a year after I first began the journey – I started the process the room to get some privacy and saw a photo collage of babies of IVF by self-administering hormones daily. First, a course hanging on the wall. At the same time, the nurse who’d cared of buserelin – a synthetic form of a hormone that’s naturally for me throughout this journey appeared and pulled me into occurring in the body, which stops the production of natural a hug in a moment that felt maternal. hormones that control the release of eggs from your ovaries; In the days following my surgery, I began to feel more followed by a course of follitropin – a follicle-stimulating feminine and more connected to my body than I’d ever felt hormone necessary for the growth and development of egg cells. before. I learned that they’d harvested 18 eggs, with the hope The daily injections soon began to feel normal. On a trip to of one maturing into an embryo. Two months later, my nurse Cornwall with some friends, I took out a needle one evening called to share the news that my recipient was pregnant. I was while we were playing board games and jabbed it into my speechless, overcome by a sense of achievement. Despite stomach. It was only when they cried out in horror that everything I’d put my body through, it had created something it occurred to me that it was anything but good. Because of my decision, a child would ordinary. They knew what I was doing, and EGG DONATION come into the world who would be desperately they supported my decision, but the reality of wanted and loved. It was an incredibly

BY NUMBERS a needle loaded with hormones was shocking powerful feeling. to them. I apologised and scurried off to the However, after hearing that amazing news, bathroom and, when pressed on the subject, I made the decision not to follow up further on I shut down. My reasons for donating my the progress of my donation. The recipient can The number of newly registered eggs felt intensely personal – something I was egg donors per year, which has choose to communicate the information about exploring in the privacy of a therapy room. stayed pretty much consistent for the sex and birth of the baby, but I was happy Attempting to articulate them to friends over not to know those details. I can appreciate the past four years. In 2016, a glass of wine felt impossible. how difficult it must be to rely on another 3,924 women had IVF using As the date of the surgery to harvest my woman’s eggs as opposed to using your own a donor egg*, with about one eggs grew closer, I found myself spending to conceive a child, and I wanted to allow my in three IVF treatment cycles more time alone, processing the impact of recipient to feel that my donation was entirely resulting in a birth for patients what was about to happen. The treatment altruistic, without my need or desire to exert under 35. encourages eggs to proliferate and my any ownership by seeking information she stomach swelled. In the final days of the IVF may not feel comfortable communicating. But process, I was prescribed ‘the trigger shot’ I did hear via my fertility nurse how grateful of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) – a the recipient was for what I’ve done for her.

The cut-off age for women hormone that stimulates the release of the egg My experience donating eggs has been so donating their eggs. Most during ovulation. And 12 hours before my transformative that I’ve become an active women who donate are between eggs were due to be harvested, I administered member of the online community connecting 31 and 35 years old, though the final injection. The following morning, donors and recipients. It’s an empowering, over the past few years, there’s I took a bus and a train to the hospital. My supportive space and I love sharing my story been an increase in the recipient couple knew the surgery was with those who are starting their journey. proportion of younger women happening that day and I found myself I entered into this process with the hope becoming egg donors, with 26% thinking of them as a dose of anaesthetic of helping a stranger start their family, but under 25 in 2016, compared was administered into my arm. it’s also helped me in ways I could never have with 20% in 2014.

When I woke up, woozy in the recovery envisaged. My feelings of being detached room, I felt a burning, stabbing sensation in from my peers who have children and babies my groin. The nurse asked me to try to pass has eased. I feel as though I gave what I could urine and eat some toast before escorting me through my donation; my gift of life honours The amount an egg donor to another room. It was full of young women the miracle of birth and fertility. As well can claim in compensation, per and their families and the sight of them as giving me a new perspective on my donation cycle. The sum is to overwhelmed me. I took a magazine from childhood, it’s also left me with a new respect cover their costs – it’s illegal to the table beside me and thumbed through the for my body, and a better understanding pay for egg donation in the UK. of who I am. pages blankly. Without warning, my eyes

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PHOTOGRAPHY: STOCKSY *HFEA

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Into the

WILD

Self A growing tribe of fitness, nutrition and wellness experts believe that the future of human flourishing can be found in stealing lifestyle tips from our ancestors in a practice known as rewilding. Jamie Millar prepares to regress in the quest for peak health ear-hugging somebody you’ve never met is not natural, regardless of social-distancing. Yet, a little while before the first UK lockdown, Tony Riddle, also known as ‘The Natural Life-Stylist’ greets me open-armed outside Highgate Men’s Pond in London. The rising sun is glinting orange on the frost-covered grass. I’m glad of the body heat. The regulars at the pond are doubtless bemused by the sight of us sitting in the open-air changing area, inhaling and exhaling in time with a meditation app to ‘downregulate’ our systems. I can’t help but notice that Riddle is in terrific nick for a 45-year-old. In September 2019, to raise money for green causes, he ran the length of the UK from Land’s End to John O’Groats in 30 days, which is equivalent to more than a marathon per day, barefoot. Under Riddle’s instruction, I descend the ladder until all but my head is submerged, suppressing my gasps by following the breathing pattern that we practised. This is what Riddle calls a ‘micro-hit of adversity’, and its aim is to rebalance my disproportionate response to perceived threats, such as an impending work deadline, or the prospect of an icy dip – which, after the initial shock, turns out to be not so bad.

While Riddle dips, I drip-dry, newly appreciative of the sun, which has now risen, and the natural surroundings that only minutes ago seemed hostile. I am buzzing with endorphins.

Riddle’s other job title is ‘human rewilding coach’, though he says the term raises eyebrows – or hackles. ‘They can’t understand why they’d want to become wild,’ he says. The term ‘rewilding’ originated in the US in the 1980s, explains Nathalie Pettorelli of the Zoological Society of London, and was ‘put back into the light’ in 2013 by George Monbiot’s book Feral. In a nutshell, rewilding is a form of environmental conservation that aims to let nature take care of itself in order to repair damaged ecosystems. Nature boosts immunity and healing: it reduces stress and blood pressure. In the US, some doctors now prescribe time in nature, while in Japan, it’s customary to forest bathe.

BASIC INSTINCT But what about human rewilding? By this Riddle means finding ways of living that are more in sync with human biology.

That notion is lent credence by Joseph Lachance, of the Georgia Institute of Technology’s School of Biological Sciences, who has studied ancestral DNA. While natural selection takes generations to weed out unfavourable genetic traits, changes in our lifestyles can be ‘quite rapid’ by comparison. ‘Mismatches exist between our genomes and modern environments,’ he says.

So, is the ancestral health movement right to claim that we should eat and live like hunter-gatherers, even though the unprecedented propagation of our species since would imply that we’re doing pretty well as is? It’s possible that this rejection of modern comforts is more of a hobby than a necessity.

Regardless, it’s something that people are keen to learn how to do. Riddle teaches rewilding to clients ranging from students to billionaires. The lifestyle changes that he implements – such as prioritising ‘sky time over screen time’ – are small, gradual and, even in the urban jungle, applicable. ‘We can’t all live in nature,’ he says. ‘But that doesn’t mean we can’t live naturally.’

A former fitness instructor, Riddle had an epiphany approaching the age of 40 that he wasn’t living authentically. Bankruptcy and

breakdown led to ‘breakthrough’. He took ayahuasca, the South American plant fabled for its powers of self-discovery; he inhaled toad venom and visualised himself as a bear-man, breaking his shackles. He ran through the woods, roaring and grabbing trees.

Doing sets and reps in the gym is, he now believes, ‘symptom relief’ that doesn’t address the underlying cause of our dysfunctional lifestyles. He starts his day with breathwork and ‘spirals’, or spinal waves. On the Heath, he lifts and throws awkward rocks and logs. He crawls. He balances. He follows his ‘rewild your squat’ routines.

PRIMAL SCENES Riddle lives in a flat a 15-minute walk from the ponds, with his wife, Katarina, with whom he hosts natural parenting workshops, and their four young children. In the Riddles’ natural living quarters, there’s a pull-up bar across the kitchen doorway for hanging off, as your shoulders are evolved to do. There are houseplants to extract toxins from the air and, less naturally, a Dyson air purifier. There’s remote-controlled amber lighting, which doesn’t interfere with our body clocks. There are no chairs – just organic cushions around a dining table with the legs cut to 36cm. There are no beds: just organic mattress toppers and bed

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HEALTH IN MOTION

time. She and her husband didn’t use buggies at all; once, a bodybuilder in the local park expressed his amazement that they’d carried their kids all day.

‘We evolved to move more,’ says Herman Pontzer, associate professor of evolutionary anthropology at Duke University. Pontzer has studied Tanzania’s Hadza people, who still hunt and gather much as our ancestors did and thus hike for two hours a day – equivalent to 18,000 steps. Though their life expectancy skews low because of their limited access to medicine, they stay strong into old age, bypass lifestyle diseases and boast ‘the healthiest hearts on the planet’. They also have strong social networks and an egalitarian society, an absence of which contributes to chronic stress and associated conditions in the developed world.

BACK TO LIFE A few weeks later, in February, I’m one of 100 attendees at a ‘Move Breathe Chill’ workshop that is co-hosted by Riddle at a wellness hub in Fulham. As the name suggests, it involves doing exercises to replicate ancestral human movement patterns, breathing, led by Wim Hof-certified coach Artur Paulins, and chilling in an ice bath.

As the name doesn’t suggest, it also involves ‘rechilding’. We move around the room in different directions and unorthodox gaits; if we make eye contact with someone, we have to smile at them or hug, or hold them by the shoulders and say, ‘You are loved.’ In pairs, we place our foreheads together and take it in turns to mirror the other’s movements. We fall over like we’re drunk, so the other has to support us.

It sounds silly or, as my wife remarks, like ‘some kind of weird sex cult’.

But it also makes a serious point about our deficiency of human contact, which is proven to lower stress and boost immunity. As I make my way home from the workshop on public transport, trying not to look at or touch anybody, staring at my phone, it strikes me that maybe this is what’s weird. It’s normal, maybe, but not natural.

And this was pre-Covid. Little did I know that, within weeks, social distancing would become the ‘new normal’. The pandemic has exacerbated the pre-existing ills of isolation, turning the ‘touch hunger’ that Goldsmiths University had already diagnosed in modern society into a full-blown famine.

While ancestral health practices might be debatable, nature, movement and human contact are things that we instinctively know are good for us. ‘When we hit the park, we look around at the birds and trees, sigh from relief, stretch back and wish we could be here more often,’ says Bowman. But we can, by becoming aware of ‘the anti-movement, anti-nature choices’ we make every day, and eating lunch outside, or walking to work. ‘We’re so far removed from “wild lives” that to take steps to “rewild” is actually incredibly simple,’ she says. And nature is closer than we think. ‘Cities are not dead ecologically,’ says Pettorelli. To interest her two small children in nature, she has been taking baby steps to rewild her Stevenage garden: digging a pond, planting blackberries, letting wildflowers grow. ‘You don’t have to do anything crazy to rewild,’ she confirms. Quite the opposite.

CARRYING THE SHOPPING HOME TICKS OFF HUNTERGATHERING

‘Nutritious movement’ is a concept cooked up by Katy Bowman, a biomechanist and the author of books such as Move Your DNA and Whole Body Barefoot. At her Washington State home, there’s a standing desk and a low one, to mix things up (and down). There are chairs and benches, mainly for guests, but also cushions on the floor and tree stumps around a shin-height dining table. There are beds with custom-built low frames to allow air to circulate under the mattresses, but no pillows, making her stretch her arms and shoulders in her sleep. There’s a Squatty Potty.

The welcome mat contains hundreds of river rocks, to stimulate your feet joints. There are indoor monkey bars. ‘As I grew to understand movement more, I realised that a large barrier to it is the way in which our environments are set up,’ says Bowman.

Movement used to be baked into our daily lives, but with the forward march of technology, we’ve become sedentary. As she writes in Move Your DNA: ‘Perhaps the only way out of our poor physical state, created by our culture of convenience, is a return to the behaviours of our ancestors.’ Though lionised by the rewilding community, Bowman doesn’t consider herself a rewilder per se.

She doesn’t even consider her lifestyle to be all that radical. Like many of us, she works at a computer. Instead of hacks that cut things out, Bowman stacks by performing daily tasks for everyday efficiency. So rather than driving to the supermarket, then going to the gym, she’ll walk to the supermarket, then carry the shopping back to tick off hunter-gathering, movement and nature, in less

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PHOTOGRAPHY: CHANTAL ANDERSON/THE LICENSING PROJECT, JASON HETHERINGTON/TRUNK ARCHIVE

linen. There’s no TV, though a widescreen iMac sits in the corner.

(Riddle wears a pair of blue-light-blocking sunglasses while using it.) There’s a Squatty Potty, a sort of footstool around the base of the toilet, which recreates an ancestral faecal position and unkinks your colon. His commitment to a natural lifestyle is total.

When Riddle coaches corporate clients, he recommends that employees set a timer to go off every 20 minutes, then walk from one end of the building to the other, or squat while holding on to their desk to reset their posture; he also suggests installing a few air-purifying peace lilies. When sitting on the ground, you naturally move more regularly, because staying in any one position becomes uncomfortable. As we cycle through some of the 100 or so ground-sitting permutations, the hard wooden floor massages my soft tissue like a foam roller. This, Riddle says, is sort of what it is: ‘Rather than setting aside time to stretch, I’m just going through various different resting positions that are nourishing my joints.’

I know full well the importance of mobility, yet I often fail to do it.

So, I start sitting on the floor at home, which also brings me down to my toddlers’ level. It helps us interact better. And, before the ‘stay at home’ edict, I practised it at work, too, in a ‘breakout’ room, using the trendy chairs as a desk and periodically walking to the park around the corner to hang from the bars. Riddle describes himself as a ‘movement opportunist’. If he needs to go into town, he’ll do a parasympathetic walk to the Tube. To switch off the fight or flight part of his nervous system, he slows his pace by 10%; on the train, he’ll stand, squat or hang.

NATURAL SELECTION GROUND LIVING As in eschewing chairs and beds for sitting and sleeping on the floor. A study in The BMJ observed fewer musculoskeletal problems within floor-sleeping cultures – but this finding has yet to be, ahem, grounded with firm science.

HUMAN CONTACT A litany of studies connect close relationships to good health.

And, as well as releasing oxytocin, which facilitates bonding, skin-to-skin touch prompts your vagus nerve to drop your heart rate and blood pressure. Live alone? Get a pet.

HOUSEPLANTS Keep them alive and they may return the favour: See NASA’s 1989 Clean Air Study for the most effective indoor foliage for removing ammonia, formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene and xylene. Plants can also cultivate productivity.

HANGING OUT It’s promoted for spinal decompression, shoulder function and honouring your tree-climbing roots. But Dr Pontzer believes that 2m years of anatomical changes have made us less capable than our ape relatives, so the argument is weak.

USING THE SQUATTY POTTY Ohio State University gastroenterologists testing ‘defecation postural modification devices’ asked medical residents to log their… well, you know.

Almost all reported less straining and faster movements when they used it.

Self

THE BEST OF…

ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSHES Want that dentist-clean feeling at home? We’ve tried and tested electric toothbrushes to help you get a perfect smile

WORDS: CHARLOTTE BITMEAD. PRODUCT TESTING: SUNAYAH ARSHAD. PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY

WINNER

SPOTLIGHT ORAL CARE SONIC TOOTHBRUSH (£110, Lookfantastic) Score: 93/100 As gentle as a manual brush, but giving a dentist-like clean, this successfully removed plaque, reduced stains and refreshed breath. It features whitening and sensitivity modes, and includes three brush heads to provide a customisable clean.

RUNNER-UP

ORAL-B GENIUS 9000 ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH (£119.99, Argos) Score: 92/100 With six cleaning modes and a pressure sensor that flashes if you are brushing too hard, testers said this brush was simple to control and found that it reduced plaque. You can link to a free app to get brushing feedback and advice, too.

HOW WE TESTED

MOST HI-TECH

ORAL-B iO9 ULTIMATE CLEAN ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH (£500, Boots) Score: 90/100 With the most advanced tech, this brush offers everything from a super sensitive mode to tongue cleaning.

It features an interactive display, too, and uses artificial intelligence to monitor your brushing with a 3D teeth tracking system.

MOST STYLISH

PHILIPS SONICARE DIAMONDCLEAN SONIC ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH (£114.99, Philips at Amazon) Score: 89/100 This features soft, flexible bristles (ideal if you suffer from sensitivity) and alerts you every 30 seconds to switch to a different area of the mouth. Testers appreciated the five cleaning modes and USB travel case.

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Our panel of 218 testers tried a range of electric toothbrushes for a two-week period. They assessed how easy each one was to use, their design, features, battery life and overall performance.

They also used a disclosing tablet before and after brushing to determine how effective each toothbrush was at removing plaque.

MOST SIMPLE TO USE

PHILIPS SONICARE PROTECTIVECLEAN 6100 ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH HX6876/29 (£99.99, Philips at Amazon) Score: 90/100 Aiming to prevent cavities and improve gum health, testers found this enhanced their brushing experience, leaving teeth cleaner. It features a pressure sensor and the battery lasts an impressive two weeks on a single charge.

Escapes

Edited by SARAH TOMCZAK

GREAT SCOT ROMANTIC COASTLINES AND DRAMATIC LANDSCAPES MAKE SCOTLAND THE IDEAL BRITISH GETAWAY

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ISLE OF ERISKA HOTEL AND SPA, OBAN

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ot every five-star hotel is located on its own 300-acre private island. And if the Scottish weather is on your side, there is also croquet, archery, mountain biking and even a nine-hole golf course. If your idea of relaxation is a little less energetic, then kick back and enjoy afternoon tea by a roaring fire. Modern luxuries are not sacrificed for the authentic Scottish countryside experience, though – there is excellent wi-fi, 24-hour room service and the state-of-the-art Stables Spa, which is all about harvesting nutrients from the sea.

The quality of the hotel’s restaurant (Michelin-starred and serving langoustines and shoulder of hogget) is no surprise when you learn that Eriska is a member of Relais & Châteaux, the French group of hotels that has a strict criteria of ‘the five Cs’: Caractère, Courtoisie, Calme, Charme et Cuisine.

This place has all of them, and then some.

Above: Loch Creran sits beside the hotel.

Left: Beautiful wildflowers line the shore

Right: Relax in Stables Spa. Below: The hotel is in gorgeous grounds, just waiting for you to explore

FROM £315 A NIGHT FOR A STANDARD DOUBLE ROOM; ERISKA-HOTEL.CO.UK

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escapes

SHORE COTTAGE, KINTYRE

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mid 7,500 remote acres on the west coast of Scotland, which include the Mull of Kintyre, you’ll find Shore Cottage, which boasts magnificent views of the Carskiey Estate from every window. The cottage sleeps up to four people and has interiors that mix old and new, from the servants’ dining room dresser found in the main house, to rich Fermoie fabrics. No wonder this get-away-from-it-all sanctuary has been so opulently appointed – the owner is Tom Helme, once the decoration consultant to the National Trust and former co-owner of the paint and wallpaper company Farrow & Ball.

WEEKLY PRICES FROM £1,750.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES SUCH AS A COOK, GUIDED HIKES, WHISKY TOURS COST EXTRA; CARSKIEY.COM

Clockwise from above: The cottage boasts stunning sea views; stroll along the sands; the welcoming mix-and-match interior; hear the waves as you drift off to sleep

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GLENEAGLES HOTEL, PERTHSHIRE

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ne of the great estates of Scotland, Gleneagles gives guests the chance to live like lairds for their stay.

Learn essential countryside skills such as falconry, fishing, shooting and off-road driving, or tee off on one of the three championship golf courses. With the country’s only two-Michelin-star restaurant and an Espa spa, there is plenty to keep you entertained indoors, too.

The hotel was built in 1924 in an attempt to lure visitors away from the luxury hotels of Europe, and its grand design and pristine gardens soon had the intended effect, with everyone from Bing Crosby to the Duke of Windsor dropping by.

Above: Stroll through the beautiful scenery surrounding the hotel.

Below: The grand building has hosted celebrities and royalty

FROM £295 A NIGHT FOR A DOUBLE ROOM; GLENEAGLES.COM

Above: The Estate Suite is super luxurious.

Right: The restaurant at The Gleneagles has been awarded two Michelin stars

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escapes

Above: The house has incredible views of the sea.

Left: Watch the sunset as you sit down to dinner

SCARISTA HOUSE, OUTER HEBRIDES

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ith stunning views across a three-mile shell and sand beach on one side (the sunsets are breathtaking) and heather-covered mountains on the other, this charming hotel on the island of Harris is just a stone’s throw from the swirling Atlantic. It’s a place for curling up in a deep armchair in front of a roaring fire, before feasting on the freshest local ingredients, which have earned the hotel’s restaurant its great reputation.

FROM £205 A NIGHT (TWO NIGHTS’ MINIMUM STAY) FOR A DOUBLE ROOM; SCARISTAHOUSE.COM

Above: Take long walks along the shore, enjoying the amazing scenery.

Left: A real getaway, Scarista House will help you completely unwind

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THE BALMORAL, EDINBURGH

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ne of Britain’s great railway hotels, the Balmoral opened on Edinburgh’s Princes Street in 1902, ready to revive weary travellers. Back then, hotel porters dressed in smart red jackets would greet guests off the train, swiftly transporting them via a lift from the station hall up to reception. Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor and Paul McCartney are notable former guests, and the Queen Mother was once a regular during lunch service; she favoured the plain roast lamb, but would surely have been tempted by the new 10-course tasting menus at the Michelin-starred Number One restaurant.

Above: An Executive Room at The Balmoral. Left: Have afternoon tea in Palm Court

Right: Wander through the pretty cobbled streets of Edinburgh.

Below: There’s plenty to keep you busy in the Scottish capital

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY, OLA O SMIT, ADRIAN HOUSTON, LESLEY CHALMERS, CG PHOTOGRAPHY & MAKEUP

ROOMS START FROM £250; ROCCOFORTEHOTELS.COM

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ESCAPES

GET MORE FROM YOUR HOTEL STAY WITH RED ESCAPES

EXCLUSIVE OFFERS

Choose your perfect BOUTIQUE HOTEL STAY Brush up on your Shakespeare in the beautiful town of Stratford-upon-Avon

with Hotel Indigo PICK FROM A TRIO OF STYLISH STAYS AT HOTEL INDIGO PROPERTIES IN THE UK

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t every Hotel Indigo, the aim is to create a unique boutique stay that combines authentic local experiences, modern design and intimate service with the peace of mind and consistency you would expect from larger hotel groups.

Each Hotel Indigo property has its own character, no matter where in the world it is. From spa-inspired bathrooms, rainfall showers and Nespresso machines to breakfast in bed and welcome cocktails, you’ll know as soon as you arrive that you are in good hands.

Take advantage of this exclusive offer for Red readers to try one of these three unique UK properties…

HOTEL INDIGO STRATFORDUPON-AVON

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he famous birthplace of William Shakespeare is the setting for Hotel Indigo Stratford-upon-Avon, with the bard’s mark everywhere to be seen in the town. Parts of the hotel pre-date Shakespeare, who was born nearby in the 16th century, and its stylish rooms belie the building’s history.

Red readers will enjoy a welcome

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Enjoy the pleasure of waking up somewhere new

• Stay in a Standard King/Queen Size room.

• Exclusive room rate.

• Breakfast in bed.

• Welcome cocktail.

• Late check-out.

• Spa-inspired bathroom with walk-in rainfall shower.

• Hypnos bed with Egyptian cotton sheets.

cocktail, an exclusive room rate, as well as breakfast in bed and a late check-out.

HOW TO BOOK PRICE: From £84.50pp*, per night (Sunday to Thursday)

DATES: From 1st August 2021 to 31st March 2022**

TO BOOK, CALL 01789 224 153,

quoting RED INDIGO STRATFORD. VISIT redonline.co.uk/ indigostratforduponavon for details.

*Price based on two people sharing a Standard King/Queen Size room (Sunday to Thursday) between 1st August 2021 and 31st March 2022 and includes all relevant discounts. Supplements available for singles, upgraded room types and extra nights. **Pricing is flexible and may vary by date, offer is subject to availability, valid for trips booked by 31st October 2021 and date exclusions may apply. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer.

TO DISCOVER our favourite hotels in the UK, visit redonline.co.uk/besthotels

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EXCLUSIVE OFFERS HOTEL INDIGO BATH

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he Hotel Indigo Bath is set in a beautiful Grade I-listed Georgian terrace, mere steps away from the city centre. You will be close to Bath Abbey, the Roman baths and the famous Pulteney Bridge.

Explore the historic Georgian streets made for carriages up to The Royal Crescent and, after exploring, take a relaxing dip in the hot spa waters of the original Roman baths, which give Bath its UNESCO World Heritage status.

You’ll stay in one of the stunning 166 bedrooms, all equipped with comfortable Hypnos beds and luxury Egyptian cotton linen. There’s also a spa-inspired bathroom, Nespresso machine, high-speed wi-fi and a flatscreen TV. As a Red reader, you’ll receive an exclusive room rate, as well as a welcome cocktail, breakfast in bed and late check-out.

Take a stroll to Bath’s honey-coloured Royal Crescent

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Kick back and order room service

• Stay in a Standard King Size room.

• Exclusive room rate.

• Breakfast in bed.

• Welcome cocktail.

• Late check-out.

• Spa-style bathroom; walk-in rainfall shower.

• Hypnos bed with Egyptian cotton sheets.

HOW TO BOOK PRICE: From £94.50pp*, per night (Sunday to Thursday) DATES: From

1st August 2021 to 31st March 2022**

TO BOOK, CALL 01223 901 370, quoting RED INDIGO BATH. VISIT

redonline.co.uk/indigobath for details.

*Price based on two people sharing a Standard King Size room (Sunday to Thursday) between 1st August 2021 and 31st March 2022 and includes all relevant discounts. Supplements available for singles, upgraded room types and extra nights. **Pricing is flexible and may vary by date, offer is subject to availability, valid for trips booked by 31st October 2021 and date exclusions may apply. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer.

HOTEL INDIGO CHESTER

W Pick your spot in the gorgeous bar for a relaxing cocktail or two

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Stay in a Deluxe room.

• Breakfast in bed or on private balcony.

• Welcome cocktail.

• Late check-out.

• Spa-style bathroom; walk-in rainfall shower.

• Hypnos bed with Egyptian cotton sheets.

HOW TO BOOK PRICE: From £74.50pp*, per night (Sunday to Thursday) DATES: From

1st August 2021 to 31st March 2022*

TO BOOK, CALL 01244 646 188, quoting RED INDIGO CHESTER. VISIT

redonline.co.uk/indigochester for details.

*Price based on two people sharing a Deluxe room (Sunday to Thursday) for trips between 1st August 2021 and 31st March 2022 and includes all relevant discounts. Supplements available for singles, upgraded room types and extra nights. **Pricing is flexible and may vary by date, offer is subject to availability, valid for trips booked by 31st October 2021 and date exclusions may apply. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer.

ith its 2,000-year-old city walls, Chester has seen the Normans, the English Civil War and the Industrial Revolution all make their mark on the northern town. At this property, you’ll find yourself in the middle of a vibrant arts scene, countless bars, restaurants and clubs.

The boutique hotel’s bedrooms take inspiration from their historic surroundings, with three unique designs. The Material Layers rooms highlight the architecture of the city, the Eastgate Clock rooms nod to the famous timepiece and its designer John Douglas, while the Racecourse rooms pay tribute to the UK’s oldest racecourse. All the rooms have rainfall showers and Molton Brown toiletries and you’ll receive an exclusive room rate, as well as enjoying a welcome cocktail, breakfast in bed or on your balcony and a late check-out.

TO DISCOVER our favourite hotels in the UK, visit redonline.co.uk/besthotels

Choose Hotel du Vin Edinburgh to enjoy the cityscape at sunset

ESCAPES

EXCLUSIVE OFFERS

Five of our favourite AUTUMN STAYS

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR EXCLUSIVE OFFER OF UP TO 20% OFF THE BEST AVAILABLE RATE AT ANY OF HOTEL DU VIN’S 19 WONDERFUL HOTELS ACROSS ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND

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arge, sumptuous beds, roll-top baths, monsoon showers and classic French dining… expect these and more when UP TO 20% you stay with Hotel du Vin. OFF ANY Choose from the cities HOTEL DU VIN of Edinburgh, Newcastle, PROPERTY WITH Bristol, Birmingham, London (Wimbledon), RED’S EARLY Glasgow and York and the BIRD OFFER* historic towns of Cambridge, Cheltenham, St Andrews, Winchester and Tunbridge Wells, plus coastal escapes in Poole and Brighton, riverside retreats in Stratford-upon-Avon and Henley-on-Thames, and the gateways to Devon and the Dales in Exeter and Harrogate.

The early bird offer is available at all 19 properties and includes an à la carte dinner for two on one night**.

There are 19 properties in the UK to choose from See the best of the Scottish capital

EDINBURGH Set in the Old Town, between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse and just off the Royal Mile, this is an ideal spot for exploring the Scottish capital. Once a poorhouse, then asylum, then science lab, and now a luxurious boutique hotel, the building features 47 distinctive rooms and suites.

With alfresco dining in the central courtyard and cosy nightcaps in the Whisky Snug, there are great options, come rain or shine. Book at redonline.co.uk/hdvedinburgh

TO DISCOVER our favourite hotels in the UK, visit redonline.co.uk/besthotels

Enjoy fine dining in this gem of a hotel

*OFFER SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AND VALID FOR DOUBLE OCCUPANCY STAYS FOR A MINIMUM OF TWO NIGHTS IN A CLASSIC ROOM, FROM SUNDAY TO THURSDAY BETWEEN 1 OCTOBER 2021 AND 28 FEBRUARY 2022. **INCLUDES BREAKFAST AND ONE DINNER (£25PP CONTRIBUTION ON À LA CARTE MENU), PRICING INCLUDES ALL RELEVANT DISCOUNTS AND WILL VARY BY DAY AND PROPERTY, AND IS FULLY FLEXIBLE SO WILL CHANGE ON A DAILY BASIS. VALID FOR BOOKINGS MADE BEFORE 30 SEPTEMBER 2021.

SUPPLEMENTS AVAILABLE FOR EXTRA NIGHTS AND UPGRADED ROOMS

CAMBRIDGE Lovingly converted from old university buildings, this hotel fits perfectly with its surroundings: cobbled streets, historic architecture, ancient spires and immaculate quads.

Inside, it’s true to its original character, with exposed brickwork, restored fireplaces, dark wooden floors and interesting nooks and crannies – alongside all the usual Hotel du Vin creature comforts, of course! Book at redonline.co.uk/hdvcambridge

BRISTOL-AVON-GORGE Boasting fantastic panoramic views of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Avon Gorge itself, this historic property takes some beating. The hotel has undergone a refurbishment and celebrates some of the historic features it uncovered – from the original marble staircase to the wonderful stained glass windows.

The elegant Lounge Bar is perfect for pre- and post-dinner drinks. Book at redonline.co.uk/hdvbristolavon

The Lounge Bar is ideal for a cocktail

ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS This characterful spa town, located in a glorious corner of the Kent countryside, is famed for its lovely architecture, independent boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. Hotel du Vin Tunbridge Wells is one of the town’s architectural landmarks, and has been carefully created in a Grade II-listed mansion. Take a stroll in the beautiful gardens, complete with vineyard, enjoy drinks on the terrace and dine in the courtyard, which has wonderful views across lush lawns to the ornamental gardens of Calverley Park.

Book at redonline.co.uk/hdvtunbridgewells

A perfect base for a trip to historic York

YORK This Grade II-listed mansion successfully blends early 19th-century architecture with Hotel du Vin’s signature contemporary style. From luxurious beds and powerful drench showers to roll-top baths, flat screen TVs and first-class dining, there’s no better base from which to explore the Roman, Viking and Medieval history of York, or to sample the city’s boutiques, bars and tea rooms.

Book at redonline.co.uk/hdvyork YOU WILL LOVE THE…

• Roll-top baths and monsoon showers.

• Huge beds and Egyptian cotton sheets.

• Oh-so-fluffy towels and robes.

• Dining options and wine cellars.

• Choice of 19 top locations.

• Early bird saving for Red readers.

HOW TO BOOK

PRICE: Two-night and one

dinner stays from £134.50pp* DATES: 1st October 2021 to 28th February 2022 TO BOOK: To claim your exclusive early bird discount and book your choice of the 19 properties, visit

redonline.co.uk/ hotelduvin

or for general enquiries, call 03330 605 643

OUR TRAVEL PARTNER

TS Tours Ltd is the UK’s leading specialist in creating bespoke tours, rail journeys and cruises in the company of experts. Trips are financially bonded and ATOL-protected .

TO DISCOVER our favourite hotels in the UK, visit redonline.co.uk/besthotels

ESCAPES

EXCLUSIVE OFFER

ALL HOTELS ARE REVIEWED AND LOVED

BY US

The perfect getaway at RICHMOND

Visit nearby Richmond Park and see the roaming deer The hotel offers luxurious and homely rooms

HILL HOTEL FOR A CALM CITY BREAK, PACKED WITH INCLUSIONS, LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THIS BEAUTIFUL TOWNHOUSE

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his newly refurbished 18th-century London townhouse is in a great location, just moments from Royal Richmond Park and with sweeping vistas over Petersham Meadows. It’s a view that has inspired musicians, writers and artists, including JMW Turner.

Here, you are close enough to the city but far enough to feel like a world away.

You could hire a bike to explore the wonderful park and its roaming deer, walk along the Thames, head into historic Richmond to sample its upscale restaurants, visit nearby Kew Gardens, or opt for a sundowner on the terrace.

Reasons to book

LUXURY AFTERNOON TEA On the day you arrive at this beautiful hotel, enjoy afternoon tea with a glass of Champagne. You’ll also find an award-winning restaurant, bar and

terrace, and the new SKIN Lounge, which offers a range of treatments.

ROOM TO RELAX Choose from the Georgian Collection rooms, with the style and decor of original townhouses, hand-stitched Heal’s beds and underfloor heating.

Or go for the Hill Collection, a series of bright, compact rooms with smart TVs, extra sound-proofing and the same luxuriant beds.

Enjoy up-to-date facilities in a historic setting

YOU WILL GET THE CHANCE TO… ALSO INCLUDED • Spend two nights at Richmond Hill Hotel in a Georgian Deluxe room.

• Have breakfast each morning.

• Enjoy an afternoon tea for two with a glass of Champagne pp on day of arrival.

• Tuck in to a Hill Top Picnic for two on one day.

• Bottle of Prosecco in room on arrival.

• Late checkout at noon.

PRICE: From £179.50pp*, per stay DATES: Until 31st March 2022** TO BOOK, CALL 02080 231 628 quoting REDRH. VISIT redonline.co.uk/ richmond for more details.

*Price based on two people sharing a Georgian Deluxe room. Supplements available for upgraded room types. **Subject to availability, valid until 31st March 2022 (except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve).

TO DISCOVER our favourite hotels in the UK, visit redonline.co.uk/besthotels

ESCAPES

EXCLUSIVE OFFER Recently renovated, The Grand Hotel looks spectacular

*SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. PRICE BASED ON TWO PEOPLE SHARING A CLASSIC SEA VIEW DOUBLE. SUPPLEMENTS AVAILABLE FOR UPGRADED ROOM TYPES. **VALID UNTIL 31ST MARCH 2022 (EXCEPT CHRISTMAS EVE, CHRISTMAS DAY AND NEW YEAR’S EVE)

BESTSELLING SEASIDE BREAK

Stay at the elegant

Modern glamour on the seafront

GRAND HOTEL THIS SEAFRONT BRIGHTON LANDMARK HAS UNDERGONE AN AMAZING RENOVATION

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he Grand hotel has pride of place on Brighton’s seafront, with sweeping views across the English Channel. Built in 1864, the hotel has had some major cosmetic work in the past few years, but still looks good for her age. Bowler-hatted doormen welcome all guests, while a grand staircase spirals through seven floors of plush rooms and suites. On the ground floor is Cyan, the new, modern restaurant that serves small plates and sharing platters, plus an elegant Champagne bar. As the grande dame of Brighton, the hotel has been opening its doors for over 150 years,

and offered the very first lifts outside London. Nowadays, it’s the afternoon tea, served in the glass-covered Victoria Terrace, which gets guests excited and Instagramming – expect delicate sandwiches, delicious cakes and fresh scones. The Sea View rooms, decorated in breezy blues and creams, have knockout views along the coast and boast Noble Isle toiletries, Egyptian cotton bed linen, free wi-fi and tea and coffee.

The Victoria Lounge’s menu wows as much as its striking interior, and we love the Grand’s twist on its classic cocktails, which ooze 1920s’ glamour.

YOU WILL GET THE CHANCE TO… • Stay two nights at The Grand in a Classic Sea View Double Room.

• Enjoy breakfast each morning.

• Have dinner on the first night (£28pp) with a complimentary glass of Prosecco each.

• Enjoy afternoon tea for two on the second day, as well as a bottle of Prosecco and strawberries in your room on arrival.

TO DISCOVER our favourite hotels in the UK, visit redonline.co.uk/besthotels

PRICE: From

£214.50pp*, per two-night stay (Sun to Thurs); from £324.50pp*, per two-night stay (Fri or Sat) DATES: Until 31st March 2022**

TO BOOK, CALL

01273 052 255 quoting REDGB VISIT redonline. co.uk/grandbrighton for more details and to see the full itinerary.

RED PROMOTION FOR KWIK FIT THE DESTINATION

For postcard-worthy sandy beaches and pretty fishing villages, we recommend Pembrokeshire in southwest Wales. Head to Tenby for a classic seaside break and enjoy days at the beach, boat trips, browsing in local boutiques and dining alfresco in the bustling pedestrianised streets. If you prefer woodland walks and lake views, try the market town of Keswick in the Lake District. Located between Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite lakes — perfect if you enjoy paddleboarding and kayaking — it’s also the start of the Catbells walk, a popular route for families.

THE CHECK-UP

Research by Kwik Fit found that 13.1 million Brits hit the road on holiday last year, yet three million of us admit to never carrying out basic checks on our car before travelling.

If you’re not confident doing it yourself, take advantage of Kwik Fit’s free vehicle safety check, which you can book online.

Trained technicians will check the tyre pressure and tread, test the battery, top up coolant and screen-wash levels if necessary, and inspect wipers and bulbs — giving you full peace of mind.

STAYCATION STARTER KIT

*HOLIDAYCOTTAGES.CO.UK, 2021. WORDS: ALISON LYNCH

BEFORE YOU JUMP IN THE CAR AND HEAD OFF ON A UK BREAK, HERE ARE THE ESSENTIALS YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT

THE MEAL PLAN

If you’ve booked a holiday rental but don’t want to spend your whole break in the kitchen, take advantage of meal-kit delivery services, such as HelloFresh or Chefs Plate for the week. It takes the stress out of cooking on the nights you want to stay in, with no grocery trips necessary. Existing customers can even redirect their usual box to their holiday accommodation, meaning the chef can enjoy a holiday, too.

KWIK FIXES

According to research, 84% of us are planning a UK staycation in the second half of this year, with Cornwall, Devon and the Scottish Highlands among the most popular destinations*.

That means lots of families will be swapping air travel for the open road. Here’s how to plan ahead so your long-awaited break is blissfully stress-free – the journey included.

Ensure your car is road-ready before you travel with this checklist CHECK your coolant, oil and screen-wash levels and top up if needed.

ASSESS tyre pressure, tread and general appearance – there shouldn’t be any cracks or bulging (and don’t forget to check your spare).

TEST your lights (headlights, brake lights and indicators), windscreen wipers and air-conditioning.

To book your free vehicle safety check, visit your local Kwik Fit centre or kwik-fit.com

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Stars Yasmin Boland reveals what’s in store for you this month LIBRA 24th September to 23rd October Spend the first three weeks of this month keeping a low profile; work through whatever has happened in the past 12 months and process any feelings that are still a little bit charged. Forgive yourself – and others.

SCORPIO 24th October to 22nd November

The planet of love and abundance, Venus, is moving through your sign.

This sounds like a good thing, and mostly it will be. However, Venus is clashing with other planets as she goes, so expect some issues to do with love and money. Avoid power struggles.

VIRGO

24th August to 23rd September

Now is the time for you to focus on your self-esteem. this month, Instead of assessing your shortcomings, turn your sharp mind towards all that’s great about you.

©

YASMIN BOLAND 2021. FIRST UK PRINT RIGHTS ONLY. PHOTOGRAPHY: NATHAN DUMLAO/UNSPLASH

23rd November to 21st December

If you spend the first three weeks of September focusing on your professional life, you won’t go too far wrong. This is your annual chance to get things shipshape. After 22nd September, though, your social life hots up, so make time for fun.

CAPRICORN 22nd December to 20th January

to organise a change of scenery, study will tick similar boxes.

21st January to 19th February

PISCES 20th February to 20th March You’re a deep and mysterious sign at the best of times. Right now, though, the harder you work on pushing through all these fears that you have (especially any that are to do with sex or money), the better off you’ll be in the next few years.

So far, 2021 has seen most people less able to travel than they’d choose.

But, unlikely as it sounds, it looks like you’re about to be able to get away from it all. If you’re still unable

ARIES 21st March to 20th April Use this month to gear up to dealing with relationship issues. You should be feeling pretty good for most of

AQUARIUS

TAURUS 21st April to 21st May It’s a very mixed bag for you this month. You could go from feeling pressured to feeling lucky to feeling hard done by, all within the space of a month. Your best bet, given the shifting energies, is to focus on the good. Be grateful. Meditation will serve you well now.

GEMINI 22nd May to 22nd June Slow things down a little this month. You’re usually on the move, but as September begins, your ruling planet, Mercury, is getting ready to go into another retrograde cycle. Start to tie up loose ends rather than trying to push ahead. Give yourself a break!

SAGITTARIUS

There is professional potential written all over your chart this month. Many Capricorns are hard working and ambitious, so hopefully this sounds like good news to you.

Organise your days, work harder than ever and believe in yourself, and you could do even better than usual when it comes to your career.

September – life is flowing with fewer obstacles than usual. This gives you the emotional bandwidth needed to deal with a relationship issue that’s been festering away.

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CANCER 23rd June to 23rd July It’s quite a big month for you and all your most important one-to-one relationships. You’ve learned a lot about relating to other people in the past few years – use it now.

Remember: when you lose your cool, you often feel worse than the person you’ve been railing at!

LEO 24th July to 23rd August The most intense action taking place in your chart right now is in your Relationship Zone, affecting at least one of your most important confidants. This month, it’s all about communication. Work on expressing yourself in a way that allows you to steer your relationships the way you want them to go.

For your extended monthly forecast, visit yasminboland.com

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Nail fungus is one of the most common issues affecting nails, yet most people don’t realise discoloured nails are a sign of fungal nail infections.

If you suffer, you’re not alone! 59% of people are repeat sufferers of nail fungus and you’re more likely to develop an infection if you have been wearing sweaty running trainers, gym shoes or wellies for too long. The nail can become brittle, discoloured and break into smaller pieces or even lift off. Research has found that 67% of people are triggered to find a solution to their fungal nail problems due to the unsightly appearance of their nails.

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and finally

My list of EVERY THING CEO of lifestyle brand TOAST, SUZIE DE ROHAN WILLNER, on her favourite things A few of the things that make Suzie de Rohan Willner happy…

MY CAN’T-MISS PODCAST IS… The TOAST podcast. We released series five earlier this year and it was all about rhythm – how it forms in us, how we carry it and where it can lead us.

THE CANDLE I LOVE TO LIGHT IS… Wax Atelier candles. Each bundle comes in a gradient of natural colours, which look great together on the table. They also support the local community – perfect.

MY SIGNATURE LIPSTICK IS… When I wear make-up, I keep it simple.

Susanne Kaufmann Lip Balm, made from plant-based oils, is a favourite.

MY FOODIE WEAKNESS IS… I occasionally like to indulge in dark chocolate to satisfy my sweet tooth.

WHEN I WANT TO SEND FLOWERS, I CALL… Worm in East London always creates beautiful bouquets with gorgeous wildflowers. I also love the flower farmer Sarah Whiting, of Nettlewood Flowers.

MY SIGNATURE SCENT IS… I love the unique blend of woody and floral notes in – Marrakech by Aesop.

I wear it year-round.

THE BOOK I KEEP ON MY BEDSIDE TABLE IS… I’m currently reading Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger. I’m hooked.

THE BOXSET I RE-WATCH OVER AND OVER IS… The West Wing and The Newsroom; they both have lively content and interesting characters.

MY ONE-STOP MORNING COFFEE SHOP IS… When heading into the TOAST studio, I always stop by Vertige Café on Highbury Corner.

MY FAVOURITE HOTEL FOR A WEEKEND AWAY IS… The Newt in Somerset. I’m also planning to visit the newly opened Bradley Hare in Wiltshire.

ON TOAST, I LOVE TO SPREAD… Salted butter and marmalade on toasted sourdough is a treat.

MY FAVOURITE SHOES ARE…

THE ALBUM I’LL NEVER GROW TIRED OF IS… My Spotify playlists include quite a mix, from My Sweet Lord

by George Harrison to Bach’s Cello Suite No.1 and Aretha Franklin’s Nessun Dorma.

Birkenstocks. They’re so easy and comfortable to wear. The fluffy shearling style is also perfect in winter.

MY BEST-EVER HOLIDAY WAS… At Vale de Moses yoga retreat in the

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foothills of the Serra da Estrela Mountains in Portugal, with my husband Stephen.

Silent morning walks through the woods, yoga twice a day, and exceptional food.

THE THING I CAN’T STOP BUYING FOR MY HOME IS… Ceramics. I’ve built up quite a collection and love discovering the story behind each piece.

WHEN I WANT TO CRY WITH LAUGHTER, I CALL… My daughter, Gen. MY FOOLPROOF DINNER PARTY DISH IS… I’m not a natural cook, so a simple, warming vegetable curry.

THE MANTRA I LIVE BY IS… Maya Angelou: ‘My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style.’

TOAST’s annual creative residency in collaboration with Crafts Council runs from 21st to 23rd October; visit toa.st

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY

MY FAVOURITE INDEPENDENT SHOP IS… I could spend hours in Leila’s Shop and its adjoining cafe in Arnold Circus, Shoreditch. I love exploring its shelves full of artisanal products.

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