‘Why my mum is my hero‘ Britain’s favourite house guru Kirstie Allsopp chats to Yours about family life and her new series on transforming properties using vintage styles
My inspiration – Kirstie with her mum Fiona
14
YOURS
EVERY FORTNIGHT
❙ star chat ❙ ith a new TV series just out life is going at its usual million miles an hour for Kirstie Allsopp. But that doesn’t mean it’s just work, work, work for the presenter, currently coming up with all kinds of hometransforming ideas in a vintage crafts series on Channel 4. The presenter juggles many different plates: as a loving partner to her boyfriend, Ben, whom she met eight years ago, as mum to her two sons and two step-sons, as a property and crafts TV presenter, and as an author, not to mention her avid interest in politics, you wonder when Kirstie actually sleeps. The secret, she says, is to have help. Employing people to help run her job and home, she insists she couldn’t do it without them. “Oh gosh, definitely no,” she says. “I have always been very honest. I do need help. But what is so nice is that I don’t actually work over holiday times. I only worked for five days out of the eight weeks over the summer this year and at the end of the holidays, I really did feel I’d spent every minute of each day with the children. It was wonderful.” And that family time includes seeing a lot of her dear mum, Fiona, who has been battling cancer which she was sadly first diagnosed with in 2004. Kirstie is full or praise for her mum. “She is amazing,” she says. “She is not 100 per cent free but she is managing it. She is an incredible manager of her own disease. I make sure I get checked out regularly. I have dates in the diary to be checked. But I don’t worry about getting cancer myself; you either have the gene or you don’t.” Family always comes first for Kirstie. Even today, we stop our interview half way through so she can pick up her son from school, and then resume it when he is
W
safely home. But she wouldn’t want to give up her job to be a stay-at-home mum. “I think I would drive my family potty if I did give up work,” says the 41 year old. “I am very opinionated and I think I would start trying to tell the children about the importance of not creating litter or other things.” Running around and keeping busy is the way Kirstie likes it. She also wants to make sure she can see her children as much as possible. Says Kirstie: “I am busy, yes, but I am very happy. That sounds really smug and I will keep my fingers crossed as you never know what is around the corner, but life is really good at the moment.” On the work front Kirstie’s latest venture is a new crafts show called Kirstie’s Vintage Home (there’s a new book to accompany the series too). Tips include how to transform old fabrics and furniture into modern-day treasures – and the good news is it doesn’t cost a fortune. Describing herself as a ‘magpie’ when it comes to finding bargain vintage items, Kirstie says she does practice what she preaches when it comes to her own home. “I spent the weekend cutting a valance in half because my bed in the spare room is even bigger than a king size bed,” she says, laughing. “Bearing in my mind my own sons, Bay and Oscar are four and six, and my stepsons, Hal and Orion are With partner 13 and ten, I do far more Ben, above, cooking than crafting, and top but I have always got a with her TV project on.” presenter She loves doing the crafts partner Phil Spencer series, but also helping people to find homes in Location, Location, Location. “We’ve had
a new series start and it’s got really high ratings, which is just amazing. It’s always been important to me to help people – whether it’s buying a house or helping with crafts. I am not an entertainment person. I want to be as useful as I can be.” What’s so endearing about Kirstie is the fact she does speak from the heart. A curvaceous but very attractive woman, she is also a great advert for women who don’t want to be stick thin. Does she see herself as a role model? “Gosh no,” she replies, sounding embarrassed. “I never think like that. There are far better people out there than me. Just look at those lovely people who worked at the Olympic stadium. They were always so cheery both morning and night.” She thinks her 40s will be a defining moment. “I really do feel I will look back and think that it was a remarkable time in my life,” she says. “I am financially secure and I also feel very secure with my work.” And while she has no plans to walk down the aisle – with the old adage ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ very apt for Kirstie and Ben – she says she is keeping an open mind when it comes to more children. “I’ll let nature decide,” she says. “I’m 41 now and if nature decides I am too tired to have another baby, then that’s fine. Equally if nature decides I am not, then great too. I will just see what happens…” ✤ Kirstie’s Vintage Home is on Channel 4 on Thursdays. ✤ A book to accompany the series, called Kirstie’s Vintage Home, is out now published by Hodder & Stoughton, £20. YOURS
EVERY FORTNIGHT
15
PIC: CAMERA PRESS, DON FEATURES, THE PICTURE LIBRARY
By Christine Smith
DRESS to
IMPRESS Our pick of the best figure-fixing party dresses with sleeves By Jo Winch Flatter a fuller bust Stand out from the crowd in this red dress – it looks great with black or metallic accessories. Pat wears: Red dress with corsage, £59, 10-28, Isme; shoes, £25, 3-7, Bhs; earrings, £8, Jon Richard at Debenhams
Disguise tummy and hips The ruching on this gorgeous gold dress helps to disguise a wobbly tummy! Pat wears: Gold dress, £120, 8-18, Phase Eight; shoes, £32, 3-7, Next; bag, £19, Next; necklace, £15, M&S
Drop a dress size
PHOTOGRAPHY; RUTH JENKINSON; STYLIST JO WINCH; HAIR AND MAKE UP; SARAH JANE GREEN.
The print on the front of this dress is not too overpowering and will help to flatter your figure. Sue wears: Black floral print dress, £45, 10-18, John Rocha at Debenhams; tights, £8; shoes, £49.50, 3-8, both M&S
STOCKISTS: Bhs 0844 411 6000; Debenhams 0844 561 6161; Isme 0844 811 8112; M&S 0845 609 0200; Next 0844 844 8939; Tesco 0800 505 555; Phase Eight 0207 471 4422; Wallis 0845 121 4520. Details correct at time of going to press
38
YOURS
EVERY FORTNIGHT
Style notes
BEST BUY AT £16
Flatter a tall, fuller figure
Great for petites
CREATE A WAIST
Wear this shorter style dress over opaque tights, or with slim-fit trousers. Pat wears: Black dress with sheer sleeves, £16, 8-18, F&F at Tesco; tights, £8, M&S; shoes, £36, 3-7, Next; earrings, £15, M&S
A great dress if you’re tall but prefer to cover your legs, the crossover front flatters feminine curves. Sue wears: Maxi dress, £49, 10-20, Savior at Isme; shoes, £25, 3-8, M&S; necklace, John Richard at Debenhams, £25
Add curves This slinky dress is beautifully styled with a twisted front detail which helps to disguise a spreading waistline. Sue wears: Jade dress, £29, 1020, M&S; shoes, £45, 3-7, Next; earrings and necklace, £25 for set, bracelet, £15, from Butterfly range by Matthew Williamson at Debenhams
››
Now visit www.yours.co.uk for how to look great this festive season
››
Next issue: It’s party time in these stunning glitzy separates!YOURS
EVERY FORTNIGHT
39
as Chrirstlm ess fo
For the young ones
Miffy Buggy, £13, Miffy Shop (0800 0439 335, www.miffyshop. co.uk)
➺
Little ➺clock book, £12, Early Learning Centre
➺
My First Christmas romper, £13, Disney (www. disney.co.uk)
Abney and Teal bean toys, £9.99, Amazon.co.uk
➺ ➺
12 picture story books, £9.99, Argos
➺
Fairies jewellery box, £12, Disney (www. disney.co.uk)
➺
Balloon fun kit, £5.49, Lakeland
➺
Build-a-Bots set, £6.50, Berry Red (0845 450 3937, www.berryred.co.uk)
➺
Dinosaur pyjama case, £15, Bhs
➺
Giraffe travel pillow, £9, Sainsbury’s
➺
Make your own wooden car, £8, Early Learning Centre
➺
➺
➺
Pillow Pet puppy, £14.99, Toys R Us
Flutter Eye Shimmer Pot, £6.99, Superdrug
➺
T-shirt graffiti set, £5.99, Lakeland
Under
£5
The Amazing Spider-Man Flip and Attack, £9.99, good toy retailers
➺ ➺
Paint your own moneybox, £4.99, Hobbycraft
Mini Buddy penguin speaker, £9.95, John Lewis
Boys’ shark t-shirt and girls’ cat t-shirt, £3.99 each, Argos
➺
Hobbycraft
Visit www.yours.co.uk for lots more gift ideas...
➺
Wooden 3D ➺ puzzle, £1.79,
Magnetic drawing board, £4.99, Argos
Visit www.yours.co.uk for lots more gift idea
Hooded ➺ top, £8.99,
➺
Eco car, £6.99, good toy retailers or Halilit (01254 872 454, www. halilit.co.uk)
Argos
➺
Owl & ➺ Pussy Cat
Monster rucksack and umbrella (two-piece set), £9.99, Argos
hat and scarf set, £10, Sainsbury’s
➺ Matey gift
Dr Ollie check-up set, £12, Early Learning Centre
➺
Hootiful owls stationery set, £8.99, The Oak Room (01707 257 175, www. oakroomshop. co.uk)
set (boy or girl), £5.49, Asda
➺
Charlie and Lola floor puzzle, £12.99, Amazon.co.uk
➺
➺
Mickey Mouse slippers, £8, Disney (www. disney.co.uk)
Hello Kitty squeeze and giggle, £15, Sainsbury’s
➺
➺
➺
Me to You alarm clock, £12.99, Argos
Magic set, £8, Marks and Spencer
Shocking rocket ➺ science kit, £5.99, Hobbycraft
➺
➺
Gingerbread house kit, £14.99, Hobbycraft
Dear Zoo slippers, £6.50 (size 4-11), Sainsbury’s
Mug and Simba ➺ soft toy, £10, Disney
Deadly 60 Trivia Box, £7.99, Tesco, Argos, Asda
➺
(www. disney.co.uk)
➺
➺
Harmonica, £2.95, Dot Com Gift Shop (0208 746 2473, www.dotcomgiftshop.com)
Visit www.yours.co.uk for lots more gift ideas...
➺
➺
Owl and Pussy Cat hand warmers, £5, Sainsbury’s
gift ideas...
Little Charley Bear library, £3.99, Amazon.co.uk, Asda, Sainsbury’s
➺
Angry Birds Soft Toy, £4.95 each, John Lewis
➺
Mini arcade game for iPhone, £14.99, Argos
Chocolate iPod, £3, John Lewis
➺
Recharge your
Feel fant a
health
Whether you’ve just overdone it with the gardening, or it’s a niggling pain you’ve had for a while, these simple stretches and exercises will have you feeling good as new in a jiffy
from head t
✢ Cure a stiff neck “A lot of people think they should tip their head back when they have a stiff neck, but that just jams the top of your neck against the base of your skull and doesn’t help the problem,” says independent physiotherapy consultant Bhanu Ramaswamy. Simple neck exercise ✢ Sit in a chair and keep your spine straight. ✢ Lower your chin against your chest and, keeping your chin down, gently push the base of your head back a little until you have a double chin. ✢ Put your fingers on the back of your neck to feel the muscles stretch. ✢ Hold this position for 10-30 seconds; repeat two or three times.
PICS: GETTY IMAGES AND ISTOCK PHOTO. WORDS BY MARTINE GALLIE
✢ Ease aching shoulders Our shoulders are particularly prone to aches and stiffness because they are incredibly mobile and not well supported, says Bhanu. “If you drive a lot or sit in front of the computer all the time, you can get an ache behind your shoulder blades or around the upper spine because those muscles are constantly having to support the weight of your arms.” Simple shoulder exercise ✢ Sit in a relaxed position, slowly and gently push your shoulders back and try to get your shoulder blades to meet in the middle of your back.
52
YOURS
EVERY FORTNIGHT
Hold for 10-30 seconds, and repeat two or three times. ✢ Combine this with the neck exercise above to get an even stronger stretch and improve your posture. Alternatively, try doing a few shoulder rolls, concentrating on the backwards roll. ✢ Sit or stand comfortably. Keeping your arm against your body imagine you are drawing a circle, moving your shoulders forwards and up then back and down. Draw up to five slow, deliberate circles on each side, this should ease the ache.
✢ Improve your back Strengthening your back through exercise is one of the best ways to keep back pain at bay, says Yours exercise expert Julie Robinson. “Low-impact exercises, such as swimming, are ideal. Yoga and Pilates can help improve flexibility too,” she says. If you are prone to back pain, Julie suggests you try not to sit down for long periods and think about your posture whenever you can. “Imagine you are trying to grow taller so you naturally lengthen through your spine – keep your chin level, shoulders relaxed and tummy slightly tightened,” she says. Simple exercises for mild back pain ✢ Lie on your front with your hands under your shoulders and very gradually push onto your hands to lift your shoulders up slowly so you feel a gentle arch on your lower back. ✢ Then lower down carefully. Build up to doing this five times. Exercise 2 ✢ Next, lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. ✢ Keeping your knees together, carefully take them over from side to side five times.
❙ easy exercises ❙
t astic to toe ✢ Strengthen knees When your knees twinge it’s usually because your kneecap is being pulled slightly off centre. “Our muscles pull best when our knees are straight,” explains Bhanu. “The easiest way to check if your knees are straight is to glance at them when you are going upstairs. Do they stay straight or do you notice them dip in as though you were knockkneed?”
Simple knee exercise A good way to strengthen your knees is to do some gentle ski squats again a wall. “I often suggest people do this while the kettle is boiling,” says Bhanu. ✢ Stand with your back against the wall and slide your bottom and back down the wall by about three or four inches. ✢ Move your feet about 12-18 inches away from the wall and try to hold this position for about a minute. ✢ Make sure your knees are over your feet. ✢ Do this exercise once a day.
✢ Treat your feet For general achiness caused by being on your feet all day, try soaking your feet in warm water for a few minutes then massaging in some cream. “That way you get more blood circulating and you are stretching the tissues,” explains Bhanu. Pain under the heel is often linked to a fan-like web of tough fibres known as the plantar fascia, which spreads across the underside of the foot. The pain may be worse when running or walking, or even first thing in the morning. Simple feet exercises Consultant podiatrist Dr Tariq Khan recommends the following three popular exercises: ✢ Massage the heel area by gently rolling each heel on a golf ball. ✢ Stand on a towel and scrunch it up by gripping it with your toes. This releases the tension in the arches of your feet. ✢ If you stand on tiptoe while balancing against a wall, this will stretch the deep muscles in the back of your legs, which will benefit the balls of your feet.
✤ See your GP before taking supplements or herbal remedies, particularly if you take prescribed medicines. Always speak to your GP before stopping any medication or before starting any diet or exercise regime.
YOURS
EVERY FORTNIGHT
53
7 ways to be...
flush in a flash! Need a cash boost? Sarah Jagger looks at how to give yourself and your family a much-needed injection of funds money from home 1Make
Rent your spare room to a lodger and earn up to £4,250 a year tax free per household. You should be able to ask for a month’s rent in advance, so ready cash comes in quickly. Advertise your room to professionals by contacting local companies who might be looking to house employees. If you want your home to yourself at weekends, take a weekday lodger using specialist websites such as www.mondaytofriday. com (it costs from £19.99 to advertise your room for two weeks). If you receive benefits you will need to inform your local benefits office – to find out more, visit www.direct.gov.uk and search for Rent A Room scheme.
2 Phone a friend
Reap money rewards for bringing in new business. Tell a friend about your Sky deal and you’ll both get £75 in M&S, Boots, John Lewis or Tesco vouchers. Introduce a friend to the AA and you’ll each get £15 of M&S vouchers. Get £20 each if a friend signs up for a Next Directory and places an order of £50-plus. If you’ve got access to the internet www.refermehappy. com is an online matching service where ‘referrers’ and ‘friends’ are matched up to get referral bonuses from companies including BT. Registration is free.
66
YOURS
EVERY FORTNIGHT
3 Make cash from trash
Homeowners have roughly £2,813 of cash-generating clutter just lying around the house, says The Co-operative Bank, so sell unwanted items at a car boot sale. Check local newspapers, or use www. Carbootjunction.com to find your
nearest sale. Arrive early to get the best pitch and take change and a plastic sheet in case it rains. The night before, choose three amounts and label the smaller items, say 50p, £1 and £5 to make it easy for buyers and yourself.