Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2020 i Woman & Home

Are you all ready and wrapped up for the festive season? I am! But there is a downside to my efficiency. I’ve realised I’m now suffering from a new seasonal ailment – Christmas smugness. I began shopping back in September, and now have all my gifts safely wrapped up and hidden away from the kids and husband. How very annoying I am. Sorry. I grew up in a very organised household, where order and forward planning were celebrated above (almost) everything else. Our home ran like a military operation – we never ran out of milk or forgot a birthday, and lateness was something other people did. So meticulous planning became ingrained in me. And this aptitude for order has stood me in good stead – until now. I’m telling…

‘I’m so disorganised, my New Year’s resolution is to get things in order’ For eight years we’ve known her as the make-up-free Sister Julienne in Call the Midwife, so it’s a treat to see Jenny Agutter all glammed up. While she makes dressing up in sequins and cashmere look effortlessly easy for the camera, Jenny, 66, reveals she feels more herself in casual gear. It’s great catching a glimpse of this laid-back Jenny – after all, she’s been busy entertaining the nation since she was 17, when she became a household name after starring in The Railway Children. Many high-profile roles and awards later, you may expect her global fame to have gone to her head, but catching up with Jenny is like chatting to someone we’ve known all our…

Ladies in red Traffic-stopping clothes have never looked so glam! Go all-out in a sequined two-piece from high street fave Zara – recently spotted on Claudia Winkleman. Too much? Wear separately – team the jacket with boyfriend jeans and the trousers with a cashmere knit to still look festive. Or swap your LBD for a little red dress instead, to ensure all eyes are on you! True blue Make it until midnight with these navy numbers. Shoulder pads are making a seasonal return and are great for balancing your bottom half. Embellished chiffon and all-over sequins always look expensive and need little else, so you can keep your accessories to a minimum. Party shoes don’t always mean sandals, so try swapping your stilettos for heeled boots – so much cooler…

There’s a new female strength in the air. Well, not new in itself: down the centuries, women and girls always needed to be robust and to try to use the gifts they had. Queens and saints, writers and thinkers and famous beauties were acknowledged, but most females had to work around the male presumption that we weren’t up to much beyond kitchen, bed and nursery. Even eminent scientists didn’t get credit – Marie Curie was left off the Nobel Prize citation until someone complained, and both Rosalind Franklin in DNA research and Jocelyn Bell Burnell in astrophysics saw the credit going to male colleagues. As for women’s sport, it has taken a good while for it to be seen as seriously as men’s. But now there’s a fresh breeze blowing,…

‘The culmination of my New Year’s resolution was shared at a walkers’ dinner party that my partner threw for us at the end of the year’ My New Year’s resolution evolved into more than 100 miles of conversation, a dinner party and a video diary. It all began when I moved from London to the Welsh borders with my partner and young family. Now living tantalisingly close to the Welsh mountains, I yearned to spend long days in the hills, and my aspirations finally became reality. Here’s my year of walks with friends. JANUARY As I set off with Emma, we plunged into our life stories and revealed adventures whose retelling carried us on through tangled forests and up steep mountains. We put the world to rights on that trail.…

Open a newspaper or turn on the TV recently, and there are recurring images – a young woman with long plaits speaking into a microphone, or streets filled with schoolchildren, protesting against climate change. The young activist is Greta Thunberg, who founded the global movement Fridays for Future, calling on schoolchildren to ‘strike’. ‘When it’s too late, everyone will regret it’ But it’s not only young people who are taking action. Many parents, grandparents and great-grandparents are also so concerned about the future of the planet that they have joined campaign group Extinction Rebellion (XR). Middle-aged and middle class, they might seem unlikely rebels, yet they’re forming a backbone in the work of the organisation, and some have been willing to be arrested. In October 2019, Extinction Rebellion’s global protest…

KAREN LA BORDE, 59, FROM TRURO, CORNWALL I grew up in the 60s, when we started to consume more and go on holidays abroad. I feel that it’s ‘on my watch’ that climate change has happened. The first time I came across XR was in October 2018 at a local talk. The name struck a chord, and it wasn’t long before we went to London to sit on Southwark Bridge. That was really exciting – it was the first time that people came together. The idea of going on a march with the intention of getting arrested was daunting, but last October, I sat down in Whitehall and refused to move. I was held for five hours before being released under investigation. Saving the planet is not quite what I…

It’s the thing dreams are made of – finding out something you own is worth a fortune. But it happens more often than you’d think, and not just on Antiques Roadshow. In France, a woman discovered the painting she had on a wall was actually a 13th-century masterpiece by the artist Cimabue, and was expected to sell at auction for around £5.3 million. If that’s not enough to get you rooting around the house for hidden treasures, these stories might be. ‘I bought the ring at a car boot sale 33 years ago’ DEBRA GODDARD, 56, LIVES IN TWICKENHAM, LONDON. A love of car boot sales, or rather finding a bargain, is something my mum June and I have always had in common. One morning, in 1986, as we wandered…

THE SINGLE MOTHER ‘I couldn’t let go of my dream’ Fertility coach Mel Johnson, 40, lives in Manchester. Her 19-month-old daughter, Daisy, was born following IVF with donor sperm. My ideal ‘life plan’ had always been to be married with children by my early thirties. Things didn’t work out that way though and, age 29, my long-term relationship ended before we could start a family. I reassured myself that I still had plenty of time if I wanted a baby by the age of 35. Sadly, I didn’t meet anyone with whom I wanted to settle down. The closer I got to that magic number, the more worried I became and alarm bells about fertility began ringing. ‘There are tough times, but I have never looked back’ By the time…

SIZE MATTERS If you’d like to shop less and enjoy your products for longer, consider stocking up on super-sized versions of your favourite beauty products. These jumbo buys are kinder to the planet too, as they use less packaging and require less regular shipping. Check out lookfantastic.com for some big ideas: ✢ PIXI Supersize Glow Mist, £20 for 160ml ✢ NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix Night Extreme Supersize Pads, £19.95 THIS JANUARY… I’VE BEEN COMPLIMENTED while wearing the moisturising Boutique Lip Velvet in Cherry Bomb, £4, from the Sainsbury’s 100% vegan range. RELIGIOUSLY TAPPING on This Works My Wrinkles Eye Repair, £40 – an antioxidant-rich serum that has unquestionably smoothed and plumped my tired eyes. WHIPPING OUT my L’Oréal Paris X Karl Lagerfeld highlighter compact, £14.99, to give my sallow winter skin…

If you’re watching your waistline, festive party food can be a minefield. However, you can still indulge yourself with a little planning. ‘First, set an intention before going to a party as to whether or not you will eat dinner before or after the canapés,’ advises health coach Marina Newington. ‘If you plan to have dinner, have two or three canapés. If the canapés are your dinner, however, you can eat more, but be conscious of how many you have all together.’ She recommends visualising them on a plate and asking yourself if that plateful is bigger than a dinner portion. If it’s close, stop eating. DID YOU KNOW To burn off a standard mince pie, you’d have to swim at moderate pace for 30 minutes, or do half an…

✢ SPOT THE STRESS SIGNALS Taken on too much? Look out for these clear warning signs that you’re at capacity. ✢ Poor concentration ✢ Procrastination or inability to complete a task ✢ Frequently coming down with a cold ✢ Body aches ✢ Headaches ✢ Feeling irritable or angry ✢ Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much ✢ Changes in appetite ✢ Feeling more tense or anxious than usual When life gets too busy, you might also notice that you’re starting to cancel plans, are struggling to find time for enjoyable activities or that you spend little time on self-care. Feeling that you can’t finish a task properly can also be a cue that you should scale back your schedule. ✢ HOW TO DIAL DOWN Make sure you include some downtime every…

Is your sex life predictable? Mixing things up could make accessing your G-spot easier – and it doesn’t have to be Fifty Shades-style. ‘Trying new positions is important for increasing your orgasm potential – as is remembering that 70% of women need clitoral stimulation to reach orgasm,’ says Annabelle. ‘Some positions are better for this than others, such as missionary. Make sure that you and your partner move in a circular motion, rather than thrust, as this maximises stimulation.’…

‘Being based in the Highlands is a huge business opportunity’ JENI HARDIE, 48, lives in Muir of Ord near Inverness with husband and business partner Douglas, and their son Felix. Three years ago she started the Bad Girl Bakery in her kitchen, and now employs a team of 20. ✢ THE IDEA I’d been working in arts marketing for around 20 years, and as time went on it became more stressful and less joyful. In 2012, after I had been off work with illness, I spotted a job for a baker. I longed to do something immediate, creative and that would make me happy, and so despite having no qualifications other than a love of home baking, I applied. Luckily, they took a chance and gave me the job. For…

Potato and herb bread wreath Serves 8–10 1kg rock salt 1.5kg Maris Piper (or any starchy) potatoes 375ml milk 75g unsalted butter, chopped 1½ tblspns caster (superfine) sugar 3 tspns dry yeast 675g plain (all-purpose) flour ½ tspn sea salt flakes 3 eggs 3 cups flat-leaf parsley leaves, finely chopped ¼ cup thyme leaves ¼ cup rosemary leaves, finely chopped 80ml extra virgin olive oil 1 Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F). Place the rock salt on a baking tray and top with the potatoes. Prick the potatoes with a metal skewer and roast for 1 hour or until soft. Allow to cool slightly. 2 Cut the potatoes in half and scoop the flesh into a medium bowl, discarding the skins, and set aside. 3 While the potato is cooling, place…

DECK THE HALLS Made from natural mango wood with a brass clad finish, the new Broadway collection from Atkin & Thyme will bring a touch of golden glamour to your home this festive season – and beyond. Ideal as a decadent storage solution for hallways, dining and living rooms, this stunning sideboard makes a handy drinks cabinet during the holidays too. UNDER COVER No longer reserved for just the kids, festive bed linen has become rather more tasteful, and this eucalyptus design is great for bringing a touch of seasonal spirit into the bedroom. With a dark and moody repeat pattern on its reverse, layer with a cosy throw for snug, winter wonderland. Winter eucalyptus duvet cover and pillowcase set, £25 for a double, Next WONDER WALLS Leading wallpaper manufacturer…

Nikki Tibbles’ west London home must be the perfect party house. Three of its five floors are flowing living spaces, where guests can meet and mingle, and every room has been decorated with a joie de vivre that shouts ‘come in, relax, enjoy’. As the celebrated florist and founder of Wild at Heart, designing breathtaking arrangements for the likes of Valentino, Betty Jackson and Liberty London, Nikki has filled her home with floral motifs, creating a lush, exotic feel. ‘It’s my way of bringing the outside in,’ she says. Complementing all this botanical beauty is plenty of texture, with stylish bouclé, deep-pile rugs, velvet cushions and, of course, fresh flowers in all the rooms. ‘I like the idea that you can make things feel more 3D by playing with layers…

The Knight Before Christmas In this rom-com a sorceress sends a medieval knight to present-day Ohio. Stars Josh Whitehouse and Vanessa Hudgens. Netflix Klaus After proving to be the worst postman at the academy, young postie Jesper (Jason Schwartzman) is exiled to the frozen North where he meets a mysterious, white-bearded toymaker… Netflix The Two Popes Inspired by true events, Jonathan Pryce plays Cardinal Bergoglio (later to become Pope Francis), who is frustrated with the direction of the Catholic church. Anthony Hopkins also stars. Netflix…

✢ See Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine, Omotesando Street, the Harajuku area and Akihabara Electric Town ✢ Views of Mount Fuji from Lake Kawaguchi and the hot spring, mountain spa resort of Hakone ✢ Travel at 189mph on the bullet train ✢ Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park and Museum ✢ Guided tour of Kyoto ✢ Discover Nara, Japan’s first capital, with its huge bronze Buddha ✢ Opportunity to learn origami, traditional flower-arranging or Japanese cooking ✢ Return flights from the UK, plus all hotel transfers ✢ Premium economy upgrades available at a supplement ✢ Four-star accommodation, with breakfast and three meals included ✢ Services of an experienced tour manager Personalise your holiday (optional excursion): ✢ Stay in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, from £99pp ✢ Dress in a kimono at a traditional…

9 DAYS FROM ONLY £1,549 PER PERSON* Selected departures up to December 2021 Celebrate the sights and sounds of the South as we step into the world of Robert Johnson, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and, of course, Elvis Presley. Cross the Mississippi Delta, where the blues began, to the birthplace of jazz in New Orleans, and follow the river to the hometown of The King and rock ’n’ roll before heading west, to Nashville – world capital of country music. Visit the places that inspired some of popular music’s greatest icons, and see the studios where they recorded their classic tracks. DAY 1 FLY TO THE USA Fly into Atlanta, then transfer to the Alabama state capital, Montgomery. Spend the night in the city where country legend Hank…

Iconic model INES DE LA FRESSANGE relaunched her own brand and boutique, Ines de la Fressange Paris. She is creative consultant for Roger Vivier and designs a line for Uniqlo. She also co-authored Maison: Parisian Chic at Home . She shares her style advice on page 66. What do you hope to achieve in 2020? To meditate for at least 15 minutes a day. I want to not stress, to reserve time for myself, get organised, learn how to refuse, avoid procrastinating and appreciate the present moment. SALLEY VICKERS is a best-selling novelist and former psychotherapist. She lives between London and Wiltshire, and has written a short story exclusively for w&h – see page 162. What do you hope to achieve in 2020? To learn to use a drill (I’m…

STOP AND BREATHE IS MY LIFE MANTRA  I sometimes get in too much of a rush, so I have to remind myself to just stop – and breathe! I LIKE TO RELAX BY READING BOOKS  Our kitchen is the hub of the house, so apart from cooking and eating in there, it’s a good place to sit with a cup of tea. I’ve been reading This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor by Adam Kay, which is absolutely terrifying, but very funny. LISTENING TO MUSIC  I love rap when it’s done well. Eminem is my favourite – I like that it’s thought-provoking and shows clever use of language.…

✢ KAREN MATTISON MBE is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, co-founder of  consultancy timewise.co.uk and timewisejobs.co.uk ✢ GRAHAM ALLCOTT is author of How to be a Productivity Ninja (iconbooks.com), and  founder of Think Productive. ✢ FEARNE COTTON is an author and TV presenter. Her bestselling book Happy (orionbooks.co.uk)  includes advice from mental-health charity Mind; mind.org.uk ✢ LAURA WHATELEY is a consumer journalist for The Times and author of Money: A  User’s Guide (4thestate.co.uk).…

1 The dazzler Choose one showstopping item. The secret of party dressing is getting the right balance – to look as if you’ve tried, but just enough. Go for one statement piece and tone down the rest of your outfit. Top, £110; trousers, £119, both sizes 4-18; earrings, £39, all The White Company 2 The right dimensions Invest in an evening bag. Having a big handbag on your shoulder is an instant outfit killer. If you need to bring extra supplies, disguise them in a posh paper gift bag. 3 Accessorise all areas You don’t need to co-ordinate your shoes and bag, however your accessories should complement each other, so consider how fabric textures and tones will sit together. 4 All in proportion Try to match your coat…

‘LIFE IS DEFINITELY RICHER FOR BEING A TWIN’ Davinder Youngs, 49, is a civil servant based in Hertfordshire. Her twin sister Muninder is also a civil servant and lives in Middlesex. Both are married; Davinder has a daughter aged 27 and a son aged 24, while Muninder has three girls aged 15, 11 and 10. Davinder says Muninder and I are very similar to look at, but we can’t be sure if we are technically identical. It’s not the type of thing our mother discussed with us and mothers expecting twins weren’t scanned as they are now, so she may not have known either. As kids we had real fun with it. Our parents dressed us the same and we had long plaits, so we’d pretend to be each other…

The culmination of my New Year’s resolution was shared at a walkers’ dinner party that my partner threw for us at the end of the year (brownie points noted) and a short film that I made along the way. So now in 2020, I am going to do it all again. My girls are now teenagers, I have the same friends and new friends, I have cemented my love of the place I live, I am a full-time children’s author and have maps of new paths to tread. The sandwiches will now, of course, be in beeswax wraps and, in the current climate change emergency, we need to redouble our efforts to put the world to rights. And this time I have a dog. Bring it on. w&h ✢ Catherine…

LAURA CLOUT, 41, FROM SEVENOAKS, KENT I’d had a growing sense of unease for years and I was reading more and more alarming stories about the state of the planet. I had a  chance chat with another mum at the preschool gates, who said she worked full-time as a climate change activist. I thought, ‘Why am I not doing that?’ I looked up XR and invited them to Sevenoaks to do a talk. At the end, I set up my own local group. I did worry that people wouldn’t be interested, but most are really concerned, even the stereotypical well-off ‘commuter family’. Now when I take my children to a protest I try to moderate what they hear and see, on placards for example. None of us can live without…

1 ELITESINGLES Perfect for: over-forties, as 40% of members are 50+ and the Mature Dating subsection is one of their fastest growing. The site uses a personality test to match users and you are sent three to seven matches per day. The site and app are both free, but you need to subscribe to send messages. Premium membership costs from £24.95 per month for 12 months; elitesingles.co.uk 2 LUMEN Perfect for: navigating the minefield of dating in your fifties. All accounts are verified, and profiles have at least three photos and a lengthy bio. You can start six conversations per day as a free member or upgrade to 12 conversations daily if you subscribe for £24.99 per month; lumenapp.com 3 MUDDY MATCHES Perfect for: those who love the countryside. You…

We’d all love to discover that a bit of clutter is actually worth a small fortune, so we asked experts at auctions website thesaleroom.com what to look out for: WRISTWATCHES AND MEDALS Some World War Two divers’ watches can sell for around £30,000. Military medals can also attract good prices if they are connected to a famous operation or an outstanding act of bravery. ART FROM ABROAD Did someone in your family travel overseas, perhaps as part of the army or navy? Many brought back treasures from China. FIRST EDITION BOOKS A first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone sold at auction for £27,500 in September 2019. CELEBRITY CONNECTIONS Autographed rock, pop and sport memorabilia is highly sought-after. Think you’ve found a treasure? Take it along to your local…

Nadiya Hussain, 34, lives in Milton Keynes with her husband, Abdal, and their three children, sons Musa, 12, and Dawud, 11, and daughter, Maryam, eight. GARDENING I’ve recently grown my own courgettes, potatoes and chillies. I always used to kill them but now we’ve got a little greenhouse. I’ve got so many I’ve been giving them to the neighbours to make frittatas. HEADSCARVES I love all the 150 pieces I own. They make me who I am. The brighter the scarf, the happier I am. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD This Harper Lee story is the best book I studied for my English GCSE and I now share my passion with my children. TENGA It’s a fish curry recipe I use in the ‘Daughter’ chapter of my book. All I remember…

I vowed that I would never go grey. Joan Bakewell (one of my heroines) is still brunette at 86, and looks great. My plan was to follow her example. I’d been dyeing my hair since I went to uni. For years my bathroom, towels, scalp and palms were as orange as my hair, thanks to the henna that I carefully mixed and applied. My small flat reeked of the stuff. As soon as I was earning enough, I turned to the hairdresser’s and to the chemicals: all-over rinses that eventually led to the ubiquitous blonde streaks of middle age. By then, all my friends were doing exactly the same thing as we tried to hang on to our youth. ‘I looked like an old person with dyed hair. Who was…

POLISHED PARTY EYE We’re often told to ditch shiny make-up as we age because it draws attention to loose skin and an uneven lash line. This isn’t strictly true. While frosted shadows and chunky glitter are no longer your friends (honestly, they never were), a wash of metallic bronze or gunmetal can be very flattering. Creams work best on less-than-firm lids, giving a diffused glow without settling into lines. Powders look similarly soft focus if they’re finely milled enough, which you can check by rubbing it on your hand – you want a shimmering swoosh, not chunky flakes. If you’ve fallen for a dazzlingly sparkly shadow, go for it! Dampen a skinny brush like Zoeva Fine Liner Brush, £9, and apply it like an eyeliner for a flash of glitz.…

1 STAY HYDRATED  Healthy spinal discs that ‘cushion’ the vertebrae and act as shock absorbers contain about 80% water. During the day, as gravity affects the spine, water is squeezed out of the discs, potentially leading to back pain. Try and drink two litres of water a day, minimum. 2 EASE INTO THE DAY  ‘Don’t jump out of bed – you stiffen up after a night resting in one position,’ says physiotherapist Sammy Margo. ‘Lying on your back, gently pull each leg to your chest 10 times, to loosen up. Then roll onto your side, bend your knees, push your hands to raise yourself up and lower your legs over the side of the bed.’ 3 SIT ‘BBC’-STYLE  That’s with your Bottom to Back of Chair. ‘Sit up straight with…

✢ PROTEIN BEFORE YOU PARTY Protein takes longer for the body to digest, so it will help curb hunger pangs. ‘Eat plant-based protein as well as meat, fish and dairy,’ says Libby. ‘Beans, peas, pulses, tofu and high-protein grains such as buckwheat and quinoa can really help.’ ✢ CRUDITES OVER CANAPES Before making a beeline for the buffet, opt for vegetable sticks, recommends Libby. ‘High in nutrients, water and fibre but low in calories, filling up on crudités helps you feel full and prevents cravings for more calorie-dense canapés,’ she says. ✢ MAKE A DRINKS SWAP ‘Sugar, especially in liquid form, can push up your calorie consumption,’ warns Libby. The same goes for wine and Champagne. Stick to one glass, or opt for a slimline gin and tonic to save…

Did you know the average British woman over 40 years old masturbates 52 times a year††, with 5% making time for self-pleasure every day? ‘Masturbation is as vital to a happy and healthy sex life as lime is to a G&T,’ says Annabelle. ‘You’ll learn about your own preferences, meaning you’ll be able to communicate what you like more easily with your partner, boosting your chances of being able to climax.’ Not tried a sex toy? Over a quarter of British women claim they’re ‘more likely’ to orgasm if they use one††. Try these: 1 BEST FOR FOREPLAY Magic Bullet 10 Function Silver Bullet Vibrator, £12.99 (lovehoney.co.uk), is ideal for external erogenous zones, such as nipples and the perineum, and won’t intimidate you or your partner. 2 BEST FOR CLITORAL…

TREAT YOURSELF Get paid to enjoy shopping trips, gym visits, spa days and meals out by signing up as a mystery shopper. Companies including Proinsight, Market Force and Helion Research recruit people to act as normal customers and report back on the service they receive. When you sign up on the websites, you will need to complete a short test before you can scan through details of the assignments on offer. After tackling a task, you must complete an accurate report the next day. Some tasks reimburse the cost of the meal or purchases, while others pay an additional fee. NEED TO KNOW ROUND UP PURCHASES TO THE NEAREST POUND AND MOVE THE EXTRA CHANGE INTO SAVINGS New year, new start, and the chance to get your finances fighting fit.…

Do you insist on family being together during the festive season? Luckily my children, Tom, 13, and Angus, 16, still love being at home – they love their mum’s cooking. I’m enjoying that while it lasts – we have some fun traditions and always start Christmas morning with a swim in the ocean. For people who are scared of cooking, what’s a foolproof dish to please guests? We’re thinking maximum impact, minimum effort. My cheat’s glazed ham is super low-fuss – there’s no studding with tiny cloves and no need for incessant basting, but it still develops that sticky-sweet flavour we all love. And for a simple but showstopper dessert? Pavlova is my go-to – just pile it high with a mass of berries or whatever you like really, it’s…

STYLE UP AN ELEGANT TABLE SETTING Make a festive centrepiece for sit-down celebrations with tabletop trees and hanging baubles. Washakie chairs, £325 each, Oka. Paper baubles, from a selection, Rose & Grey and Bungalow. Paper trees, Bungalow. Silver baubles, £8 each, The White Company. White tablecloth, £114.99; napkins £8.99 each, all Linen Me. Plaster pink tablecloth, £80, Rowen & Wren. Napkin rings, £28 for 4, Audenza. Champagne glasses, £50 for 4; wine glasses, £50 for 4; Celestial 12-piece dinner set, £170, all Sara Miller. Black and gold 16-piece cutlery set, £145, Cox & Cox. Fairy lights, from a selection, Lights4fun. Pine garland, £22; large paper tree, £115, part of set; brush trees, from £5.50; marble trees, large, £16; small, £9.50, all Rose & Grey. Wrap, ribbon and trimmings, from a…

BEST THRILLER Gone by Leona Deakin (Black Swan) Dark, with a focus on psychopathy and the way some of the most twisted individuals can blend seamlessly into society, this is undoubtedly our favourite thriller of 2019. Shiver as Dr Augusta Bloom is drawn into a chilling game with very high stakes. What sets this novel apart is the final reveal, which comes as a genuine shock, and will linger in your mind long after finishing the book. BEST ROMANCE What Happens Now? by Sophia Money-Coutts (HQ) This romantic tale gets the balance of true-to-life humour and honest emotion just right. The witty turn of phrase and ability to create characters that wouldn’t be out of place in every reader’s daily life is undoubtedly Money-Coutts’ premier skill. It’s easy…

Adele Parks Do you have a favourite book of 2019? I find it incredibly difficult to pick a single favourite because I have read so many excellent novels this year. One that has stayed with me for a long time though is After the End by Clare Mackintosh. It is superb, complex and very moving. I thought it was a triumph. What is your favourite Christmas story? The Nativity. Which book would you most like to be given as a present this Christmas? I am always excited to receive books for Christmas (or any time!). I collect The Folio Society editions of books, which are exquisitely illustrated and magical. My husband usually gets me one of those. I don’t mind which one. What is the best Christmas present you’ve ever…

A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens’ iconic ghost story is given the A-list treatment in this three-parter starring Guy Pearce as Ebenezer Scrooge. Joined by a dizzying cast, including Andy Serkis as the Ghost of Christmas Past and Stephen Graham as Jacob Marley. BBC1 The Tiger who Came to Tea The late Judith Kerr’s classic 1968 children’s book is brought to life in this magical animation, voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch, Tamsin Greig and David Oyelowo. David Walliams also narrates. C4 Worzel Gummidge Mackenzie Crook stars as the walking-talking scarecrow in two stories adapted from Barbara Euphan Todd’s beloved children’s tales. Both films are heavy on magic, mystery and mayhem. BBC1 After Ever After David Walliams plays a hip-hop-rapping Prince Charming in this anarchic comedy he’s co-written. The one-off special finds Cinderella…

✢ Visiting Elvis’s birthplace in Tupelo, Mississippi ✢ Memphis’s Beale Street and the ‘home of the blues’ ✢ Spending two nights in New Orleans ✢ Visiting Montgomery, the resting place of country legend Hank Williams ✢ Journeying through the countryside of Alabama ✢ The atmosphere of New Orleans’s French Quarter ✢ Exploring cotton capital Memphis, Tennessee, once home to The King ✢ Discovering Nashville, the undisputed world capital of country music ✢ Visiting Chattanooga of ‘Choo Choo’ fame…

AQUARIUS 20 JANUARY – 19 FEBRUARY The sun enters Aquarius on the 21st, and the new moon on the 24th is a power moment when you can set goals and see them happen. Get ready to shine. Call 0905 789 4160* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates. PISCES 20 FEBRUARY – 20 MARCH Relationships with children and lovers change mid-month. View it as part of a natural process that leads to better things. Call 0905 789 4161* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates. ARIES 21 MARCH – 20 APRIL Plan a lie-down for February because now’s all go. Your energetic ruler Mars motivates you for all kinds of challenges. Around the 14th you’re like Superwoman. Use this vibe to improve your life. Call 0905 789 4150* and choose…

CAPRICORN 23 DECEMBER – 19 JANUARY  The eclipse on the 10th marks a relationship development. What’s needed is deeper commitment or bust. YOUR MONTHS AHEAD  Rumblings of change continue over the rest of 2020. Some of you are loaded with responsibilities, perhaps major promotion. Others face difficult burdens. The only way out is through – but you won’t want to go back. Call 0905 789 4159* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates.…

DIVERSITY, PLEASE It would be great if woman&home could be less all-white biased, and show a wider variety of ethnicity. Not all your readers are white women. It is, otherwise, a really good magazine. Catherine, by email I absolutely agree with you on the need to reflect the mix of ethnicity in the UK. Hopefully you will begin to see changes from our February new-look issue, on sale in January. Catherine, Editor-in-Chief PLAIN SPEAKING I’m a Helen Mirren fan and say three cheers for her comment on sexuality: ‘There are many other interesting things to be driven by’. How true. But Helen, was it necessary to include the F-word during the interview? I’m still a fan though! Florence, by email IN LOVING MEMORY We had an emotional response from readers…

I always feel a bit conflicted when I know Christmas Day is to be spent at my house. Half of me likes the control – it’s up to me when we start drinking (early), what we eat (not always turkey) – but there is also pressure. It’s important to me that everyone has a lovely time and it’s up to me to make sure they do. I’m not so happy when my husband decides to eat one of the kippers he has been given by his stepmother as a present for breakfast, and it’s the smell of stale smoked fish that permeates the house instead of a rather expensive scented candle and hyacinths. (No, he never quite got that he’d done the wrong thing.) Family parties – and Christmas is…

HIGH STREET FAVOURITE One of M&S’s most well-loved collections has been given a modern makeover. The Per Una range now has a luxurious feel with rich fabrics and sophisticated tones of navy, chartreuse, chocolate and lilac. These easy-to-wear pieces are ideal for the festive season and beyond, and fit sizes 6-24, marksandspencer.com GET PERSONAL Looking for the perfect gift for a loved one, or perhaps a treat for yourself? Astley Clarke now offers a complimentary personalisation service with purchases from its photo locket collection. Simply upload a favourite photo, along with a message to be engraved, and they’ll take care of the rest. Lockets start from £80, astleyclarke.com NEW ICONS Mint Velvet first arrived on the high street back in 2009, and it has found a place in our hearts…

What is your first memory of baking? I made a Christmas cake when I was 10 and it was a disaster. What I had failed to do was put the glycerine in the icing, so when it set it was like concrete. My father broke my mother’s best bone handle knife trying to use it like a chisel, hitting it with a hammer, in order to get the cake out! When did you realise you could be a professional cook? It was when I was at cooking school and I went to help a caterer at a party. I just loved the whole buzz of catering and the excitement of bringing everything together. Cooking was probably about the fifth thing I tried my hand at and I was really in…

CATHY EASTBURN, 52, FROM LONDON I’m a really unlikely rebel, a law-abiding, mild-mannered person – civil disobedience wasn’t my way of doing things at all. I’d always been interested in environmental issues and tried to do the right thing in terms of lifestyle with my family, but then I remember reading a report and it made me cry, as the penny dropped that we have very little time to act. At the same time, I was becoming aware of XR and their methods of working. With children about to go off to university, I decided that this was for them, their future and a good sacrifice to make. I joined in with eight others, supergluing ourselves to a building hosting a petroleum conference. For me, this is the only course…

✢ SINGLE-USE PLASTIC According to the United Nations, every year plastic kills more than a million seabirds and 100,000 sea mammals, marine turtles and countless fish. Use beeswax wraps instead of clingfilm, buy loose fruit and vegetables, and carry a reusable water bottle. ✢ FAST FASHION (clothes you’ll only wear a few times) Textile production produces 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 a year – that’s more than international flights and maritime shipping combined**. Instead, host a clothes swap, buy second-hand or buy fewer items and wear them more. ✢ NON-BIODEGRADABLE WIPES Wet wipes make up 90% of the material causing UK sewage blockages, according to a 2017 report by Water UK. Use flannels instead – even better, recycle old towels by cutting them into squares. ✢ For more tips and…

What does it take to achieve the seemingly effortless style of the Parisians? Sometimes all it takes is self-confidence and a smile to carry off a great look. But ‘out with outfits!’ should be your battle cry. It’s essential to mix things up and avoid the obvious – the Parisian’s favourite pastime. Two or three slightly absurd details can make for incredible style. Obviously mixing things up is not without risk. A fashion faux pas is forever lurking, but the Parisian always finds a way to turn a potential blunder to stylistic effect. She also knows that overdoing elegance is not a good idea. Always aim to upset convention. Here are my top 10 ideas – from least to most risky – for mixing up your look, Paris-style. 10 mixes…

1 The extra-special skirt Allow this skirt’s beautiful appliqué detailing to be the focal point and team with an understated knit loosely tucked in Charlie Harper, 45, lives in London and is a PA and events manager. Cashmere jumper, £149, sizes 6-24, M&S. Skirt, £198, sizes xs-xl, Anthropologie. Shoes, £49.99, Zara. Bag, £99, Kurt Geiger. Earrings, £99, Swarovski. Bracelet, £95, Stellar 79. Rings (right hand): crystal, £65; gold, £40, both Annie Haak. Rings (left hand): flower, £18, Butler & Wilson; and Charlie’s own 2 The suit Stand out from the crowd in a jewel-tone suit, worn with a sequin cami, to add a hint of festive sparkle Didi Danso, 52, lives in London and is a fashion stylist. Blazer, £159; trousers, £129, both sizes 4-16, Whistles. Top, £16, sizes 6-26,…

1 BEST FOR STUBBORN DARK SPOTS Dr Dennis Gross Professional Grade IPL Dark Spot Concentrated Serum, £99 Sunspots are easy to develop but frustratingly not so simple to shift. There’s no denying this serum is pricey, but the concentration of clinic-worthy ingredients more than earn their keep in the quest to fade discolouration and even out skin tone. Tingling as you apply, it reveals results in just a few weeks. 2 BEST FOR BRIGHT EYES Ole Henriksen Truth Banana Bright Eye Crème, £30 STAR BUY Vitamin C is known for its brightening benefits, so it’s the perfect opponent for dark under-eye circles. A mix between a colour-correcting primer and an eye cream, it uses subtle sunny pigments to instantly blur tiredness, while the skincare ingredients set to work. Silky smooth…

‘The back is made up of joints, muscles, nerves and discs, which means it can be tricky to locate the cause,’ says Dr Powles. But medics will often classify it into one of these three categories: ✢ AXIAL PAIN Affects one spot or region in the back. It can be described as sharp or dull, coming and going, constant and throbbing. A common cause is muscle strain. ✢ REFERRED PAIN Likely to move around the back and is described as dull and achy. Intensity can vary. ✢ RADICULAR PAIN (OR SCIATICA) A more serious pain, characterised as an ‘electric shocklike’ feeling as it shoots down the leg. Cause is often compression of one or more of the spinal nerve roots from a herniated (or bulging) disc.…

A weakened pelvic floor can cause a loss in sensation, yet a third of women are too embarrassed to bring the topic up with their GP†. ‘Learning to control your pelvic floor can help you climax,’ says Annabelle. Tone up by doing 100-200 pelvic floor contractions daily (imagine you are trying to stop passing wind, then a wee, then draw these two feelings in together). Or cheat with Innovo, £249 (myinnovo.com/uk) – a non-invasive restoration system that looks like a pair of cycling shorts.…

THIS MONTH: Is yawning dangerous? • Stopping the spread of an infection • Husband’s bedroom problem Q As part of the battle against the middle-aged spread, I’ve started trying to do more exercise. But I’ve noticed when I’m in a Zumba or spinning class I start yawning, even though I’m not tired! Is this dangerous? Is there anything I can do about it? A Yawning is a semi-voluntary action, which means it’s only partly reflex, that is under the control of several neurotransmitter chemicals in the brain. Why we yawn is a bit of a mystery – it’s thought that it helps to open up the tiny air sacs in the lungs. Another theory is that it may act to keep the brain at the right temperature to function at its best.…

BAKED EGGS with FETA and TOMATOES We think this makes a great family brunch or breakfast but it’s good for supper as well. You can bake it in individual ramekins if you like but we prefer our one-pot version. Serve with crusty bread. Serves 4 2 tbsp olive oil 1 garlic clove, halved 8 tomatoes 1 small red onion, very finely sliced a few fresh oregano leaves or ½ tsp dried oregano 8 eggs 200g feta cheese, crumbled salt and black pepper 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/ Gas 4. Brush the inside of a baking dish with the olive oil, then rub the cut garlic clove over it. Slice the tomatoes thinly, then gently push out the seeds. Put the tomatoes and onion in a colander and sprinkle…

1 Pink paper decorations, £8 for 2, Rose & Grey 2 Lina Champagne saucers, £34 for 4, Oliver Bonas 3 Mistletoe crackers, £24 for 6, Idyll Home 4 Martini glass, £7, Cult Furniture 5 Golden drinks trolley, £485, Audenza 6 Origami paper star kit, £13.95, Cambridge Imprint 7 Pettine carafe, £26, Oliver Bonas 8 Niva reactive glaze 12-piece dinnerware set, £119, made.com 9 Champagne bottle bubbles, £12.50 for 20, Paperchase 10 Paper cocktail napkins, £3.49, Candle & Cake 11 Tinsel fringe garland, £13.50, Other Letters 12 Prosecco holder Christmas tree, £14.99, Ginger Ray 13 Star garland, £3.99, TK Maxx 14 Confetti cannon shooter, £3.99, Ginger Ray 15 Luxe cocktail set, £45, Sunnylife 16 Norr tray, £69, Nest 17 Mercury fire ice bucket, £34.99, BarCraft 18 Black and gold 16-piece cutlery…

Zoe’s Pick of the Year Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Cornerstone) Unique, inventive and stylish, this accomplished novel about a rock ’n’ roll band in the 1970s follows the rise of songwriter, Daisy Jones, and The Six, the band she is asked to join. In an interview-style novel, we begin to uncover why the band split at the height of their popularity. Featuring believable characters, it’s hard not to think this was an actual band, although you may find yourself listening to Fleetwood Mac while reading it. It’s exciting and intoxicating, and I loved the effortlessly cool Daisy Jones. It is a novel I’ll revisit regularly. Emma’s Pick of the Year Once, Twice, Three Times an Aisling by Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen (Michael…

Watching The Accident on catch-up, it has Sarah Lancashire in it. I also love a thriller and I always watch them on my own! Reading Jeffrey Deaver’s The Cutting Edge. I love his books, it’s a new one from the Lincoln Rhyme series. Listening to It’s always David Bowie. Letter to Hermione is one of my favourites, Suffragette City I listen to a lot and Station to Station – I love that album. Eating at Brasserie Max at London’s Covent Garden Hotel. I have their lobster linguine but I always get the starter portion because it’s so big. Learning to Sleep. I don’t sleep any more. I get into bed, I’m all comfy, I’ve got a book, a cigarette, a little whiskey and then it’s like a band of stars…

✢ Strictly may be off-screen but Anton Du Beke and Erin Boag’s Dance Those Magical Movies UK and Ireland tour kicks off in Northampton and ends in Glasgow. 24 Jan-22 March; antonanderinlive.co.uk ✢ Catch Martin and Shirlie Kemp in Big Band Broadway for big-hitting musical songs and classic swing. London 25 Jan; Birmingham 16 Feb; Manchester 23 Feb; bigbandbroadway.co.uk ✢ Iconic singer Marc Almond will be at London’s Royal Festival Hall with guest Chris Braide ahead of their new album release. Expect classic hits and new material. 10 Feb; southbankcentre.co.uk…

✢ Marvel at astonishing ancient Greek ruins on a guided tour of the Valley of the Temples, one of the greatest archaeological sites ✢ Visit to Palermo, Sicily’s capital, with its gorgeous medieval and baroque centre ✢ Visit to stunning Taormina, one of Italy’s most beautiful and stylish hilltop villages ✢ Guided tour of Piazza Armerina’s Roman villa, remarkably preserved with stunning frescoes and ancient mosaics ✢ Guided tour of Monreale Cathedral with the world’s finest medieval mosaics ✢ Visit to Siracusa, one of the ancient Greek empire’s richest cities and home of Archimedes ✢ Visit to Mount Etna – Europe’s largest active volcano ✢ Return flights from a selection of airports, plus all hotel transfers ✢ Seven nights in four-star accommodation including all local taxes, with breakfast and dinner…

John divides his time between homes in London, Cardiff and Palm Springs with his husband Scott Gill. They have three dogs, Captain Jack, Harris and Dixie. My earliest childhood memories When my mum worked in a record store in Shettleston, near Glasgow, I used to get on the bus to visit her after school or at weekends when no one was at home to look after me. The passengers knew who I was, as it was a community back then, so they’d make sure I got off at the right stop. First, I’d go get a lucky bag [sweets] off my gran at the dry-cleaners, then be walked across the street to the record store by Aunty Nellie, who ran the fruit stand. She’d put me on the counter in…