Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2023 i Woman & Home

It’s the time of year when the sun can unexpectedly come out, but instead of jumping for joy, you shout, Oh my God, why is my house so dusty! Yes, it’s time for the great March Declutter Special (page 141). It’s a seven-day plan but obviously that doesn’t mean you have to do every bit of it in one week. We do, however, guarantee that when you’ve put it into practice, you will fall in love with your home all over again. I am certainly feeling inspired to get the Marigolds on and get started! I might even wait until everyone’s gone out and throw some stuff away (shh, don’t tell them). Also of paramount importance is hair (page 71). We have every problem nailed, from frazzled highlights to coarse…

FRESH SPRING NAIL SHADES…

Catherine, Princess of Wales and Carole Middleton Since marrying into the British Royal Family in 2011, Catherine, Princess of Wales’ life may have changed drastically but one person has remained a constant: her mother, Carole Middleton. The epitome of a glamorous grandma, Carole, 68, always looks sophisticated, and proves that the style apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. When she’s not helping out with grandchildren, Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, four, Carole runs the family’s successful business, Party Pieces, and keeps their £4.7 million Berkshire home, Bucklebury Manor, in check. Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson may not have official ties to royalty, but as they are both recipients of Golden Globe Awards, they are certainly acting royalty. Following in the…

It’s a tale of two halves that’s as old as the British monarchy itself; the eldest child is bound by duty and expectation, while their younger brothers and sisters – or so-called ‘spares’ – live with all the trappings of royal life without the weight of the crown. Some have a habit of overshadowing their older siblings thanks to their occasional outrageous behaviour. Here, we take a look at some of their exploits. ROYAL DISGRACE Charles and Andrew In recent years, Prince Andrew, who turns 63 on 19 February, has often dominated headlines for all the wrong reasons. His 1992 split from Sarah Ferguson may have contributed to the late Queen’s infamous ‘Annus horribilis’, but it was Andrew’s ill-advised friendship with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein that caused a furore.…

When I was three, my Romany grandma, who lived in her barrel-topped wagon behind my parents’ house, looked at my hands and said, ‘She’s got a writer’s fork. She’s going to be a famous writer.’ Her daughter, my mother, having never read a book in her life, laughed indulgently. We lived a comfortable, Larkin-style Hampshire life, semi-rural, with chickens, and she was a mother to eight kids. My father was a successful engineer, running his own company. He wasn’t a Romany – they’d met by chance at a barn dance. I suppose we were rich. My father had a driver called Monty and our house was lovely, set in large grounds. ‘We lived a Larkin-style life in Hampshire’ I was five years old, the youngest of the brood, when this…

I NEED A TREATMENT FOR THE BUMPS ON THE BACKS OF MY ARMS Keratosis pilaris can be hard to shift, but now Hydrafacial, the company that offers ‘hydradermabrasion’ treatments for the face, has extended its offering to the body. The arm treatment (£130, hydrafacial.co.uk) is specially formulated to blitz those hard bumps that are often found on the upper arms with a combination of deep cleansing, extraction and hydration. You can also choose treatments for your back, bottom, décolleté and hands. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT AGE SPOTS ON THE BACKS OF MY HANDS? It’s hard to totally banish pigmentation unless you go for a professional treatment such as laser. However, I have started applying my nightly retinol serum on the backs of my hands as well as my face…

Chicken and kimchi noodle soup Eek out another meal from your Sunday roast with this spicy and comforting soup, perfect for chilly evenings when you’re short on time. Serves 4 • Prep 10 mins • Cook 15 mins 4 medium free-range eggs2tbsp sesame oil200-300g leftover roast chicken, roughly shredded6 spring onions, thinly sliced, plus extra to serve5cm piece ginger, peeled and finely chopped3 garlic cloves, finely sliced200g roughly chopped kimchi, plus about 80ml kimchi juice1.2ltr reduced sodium chicken stock100ml reduced salt soy sauce250g leafy greens, larger leaves roughly chopped (we used choy sum and pak choi)150g frozen edamame beans, or use garden peas200g dried udon or ramen noodlesSesame seeds, to serve (optional) 1 Boil the eggs in a pot of simmering water for 8 mins. Drain and refresh under cold…

1 TAKE A ROLL OF WALLPAPER This works best behind a sofa or above a sideboard, to zone or highlight an area. Create a large panel using moulding and construction adhesive, then measure up for a mural to fill. Paint surrounding walls and beading in a shade from the wallpaper’s colour palette, then finish by pasting the mural in place. Allure mural, £39sq m, hovia.com; wall in Setting Plaster modern emulsion, £59 for 2.5ltr, farrow-ball.com; Bullnose architrave, £48.66 per pack, diy.com; Lohals rug, £149, ikea.com; similar WEHOLY floor lamp, £809, amazon.co.uk; the Lois three-seater, £929, barkerandstonehouse.co.uk, would work here; similar Celine green velvet accent chair, £185, habitat.co.uk; try the Raleigh coffee table, £220, perchandparrow.com 2 GO FOR CLASSIC PANELLING The light and shade produced by adding panels…

7 days to DECLUTTER Your KITCHEN Day one, and if you can conquer the kitchen – often the home’s clutter magnet – then the rest of our challenge will seem easy. 1 THINK HOW YOU USE IT Is your kitchen set up for the way you live today? Are there annoying congestion zones? Do you have serveware rather than everyday crockery in the most-used cupboards? Has your island become a messy WFH office? Before you start tidying, observe how your kitchen is used and solve any problem areas. 2 BRING OUT GIZMOS AND GADGETS Are rarely-if-never-used small appliances and gadgets lurking in the back of your kitchen cupboards? Ask yourself if you’ll use this again/did you ever use it? If the answer is no, then liberate that cupboard for something…

Starting out at 16 as a Saturday girl at a florist in Kendal’s town centre, Katie’s love for floristry only continued to bloom. She runs her own award-winning floristry business, Made in Flowers (made-in-flowers.co.uk), specialising in locally sourced and seasonally inspired arrangements. ‘Born and raised in Kendal, I never had the urge to move out to the city like a lot of people do in their 20s. It’s a quaint market town with pretty cobbled streets and little narrow passageways snaking off to somewhere interesting, such as Method Cafe. This is a really cool place to go for brunch – they do incredible feel-good food, like pancakes topped with brûléed banana. ‘There are plenty of more traditional places too, like Farrer’s Tea & Coffee House, which has been in the…

favourite reads ACCESSIBLE HISTORY The Faber Book of Reportage edited by John Carey This is a collection of journalistic essays and observations from the Roman times through to the modern day. It gave me a desire to be a journalist – which I was for 10 years – but it’s also about people observing events from the sidelines. It gave me a perspective on how I write and how to be an observer who may not be the important part of the story but can report back. UNIQUE VOICE Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson I read this novel when I had written three books myself – none of which had been published. It showed me the importance of voice. The tone is quite arch but becomes…

JOJO MOYES is a bestselling novelist whose books have been translated into 46 languages and sold over 38 million copies. On page 173, she tells us about the books that changed her life. What real or imaginary invention would you most like? If I couldn’t have a world-peace maker, I‘d like a device that changed the duvet cover without me ending up inside it. Journalist and author SOPHIA MONEYCOUTTS is the author of five novels, including her latest, Looking Out For Love. She ponders on our changing attitude to sex on page 52. What real or imaginary invention would you most like? I wish someone cleverer than me would invent a magical device that returned all my hair ties. Where do they all go? Do I eat them? It feels…

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‘FOR TEACHING ME WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A WOMAN AND A MOTHER’ Author Libby Page, 30, was raised by single mum Sally Page, 61, in North Dorset. Since having her first baby, Libby has come to appreciate her mother all the more. ‘I have so much to thank her for’ I’ve so much to thank Mum for. Cooking fish pie and cleaning my house when I was in labour. Collecting me, my husband and our newborn from the hospital. That hug that I didn’t realise I’d needed until I was in her arms, knowing she understood more than anyone how I was feeling. I’m thankful for all the times she looked after her grandson but also all the times she’s looked after me, letting me nap, knowing it’s what…

Britain has long been a saucy nation. We’re the proud inventors of Carry On films and bawdy catchphrases (nudge nudge, wink wink). We’ve laughed along with Victoria Wood asking to be beaten on the bottom with a Woman’s Weekly, giggled at euphemisms and generally found smut wherever we could find it (you only have to look at Shakespeare to trace our fondness for the saucy innuendo in all its glory). We talked of bonking and hanky-panky, of slap and tickle and funny business, of doing the horizontal tango and rumpy pumpy. In other words, we’ve never really taken sex very seriously. But in the past few years, attitudes towards our carnal desires seem to have changed dramatically. We’ve stopped tittering and started coming over all earnest about matters in the…

CHECK MATE Upgrade your wardrobe with relaxed tailoring and a timeless trench in a heritage check. These pieces are made from considered fabrics that have an enduring style and longevity, and will become wardrobe staples for years to come. MIDI DRESSES A long-sleeved, calf-length dress has become a hero piece over the last few seasons, a pop-on-and-go option that looks just as good dressed down with flat boots or trainers. Opt for muted colours that will tone with your winter knits. Add a chunky cardigan and swap for bare legs and sandals as the weather improves. GOING SOFT Say goodbye to dark, heavy denim and hello to lighter, more feminine chambray styles. Look for organic or responsibly sourced cotton that uses less water to produce and is kinder to the…

We’ve all experienced the joyful boost you get when someone compliments you on a new hairstyle, or the despair after a bad-hair disaster. It may seem superficial, but a good- or bad-hair day can make or break our confidence. According to research by hair brand Monpure London, 87% of women feel their hair is a reflection of their identity, which makes it hard to bear when those strands aren’t looking great. Happily, there’s a wealth of amazing products to get your hair looking and feeling gorgeous. Whatever the reason for your bad-hair day, we have the solutions to get your locks back on track. HAIR PROBLEMS SOLVED Colour damage? Highlights are a brilliant way to lighten up your hair without colouring it all over, but, as you’ll know if you’re…

We can help you live your best life health hacks AND OTHER THINGS THE EXPERTS WANT YOU TO KNOW… We all know we should be looking after ourselves a bit more, but who has the energy to make big, drastic changes – especially at this time of year? The good news is that overhauling your whole lifestyle is not only unnecessary, but it won’t last. You’ll likely snap right back into any bad habits and feel more demotivated than before. We’ve all been there! Instead, to safeguard your mental and physical health for good, try making small tweaks to your existing routine – like always carrying a pair of sunglasses in your bag. ‘You should be as cautious with your eyes around sunlight as you are with your skin,’ says…

For years we’ve been told that eating more fibre is good for our health. That’s because there’s strong evidence that roughage is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and bowel cancer. But fibre intake is a delicate balance, and drastic changes to your diet can cause unwanted symptoms. Here’s what you need to know. YOU MIGHT NEED TO ‘GO’ MORE OFTEN Fibre is the structural part of plant foods that our bodies can’t digest or break down, so upping your intake might also up your need for a number two. ‘Fibre increases the weight and size of your stool and helps soften it,’ says nutritionist Jenny Chu*. ‘This decreases your chances of constipation.’ Insoluble fibre, found in wholegrains such as brown rice, nuts and seeds,…

We all know that how much we move our body influences our health. What we eat, and how much, also plays a part. The third piece of that jigsaw is sleep, a function that is absolutely fundamental to our wellbeing. When we sleep, our body and brain slow down to enable recovery. That recovery is what makes us fire on all cylinders the next day, mentally (being sharp in that meeting, your mood, attitude, positivity) and physically (in your get-up-and-go, your ability to withstand long hours on your feet at work and oomph in your fitness training sessions). During the night we cycle through two categories of sleep – REM sleep (rapid eye movement, when we may dream) and non-REM sleep. The latter has three stages, one of which is…

Scotch pancakes with banana, maple butterscotch and peanut sauce These tasty treats are ideal for a decadent brunch or a fun dessert. Serves 4 • Prep 20 mins • Cook 20 mins 80g unsalted butter 225g self-raising flour 3tbsp golden caster sugar 1 medium egg 250ml whole milk 2tsp vegetable oil 1tsp ground cinnamon 4 small bananas, halved lengthways 150ml maple syrup 75ml double cream 50g lightly salted roasted peanuts Whipped cream, to serve 1 Melt 40g butter in a small pan over a medium heat. Continue cooking, stirring, until it smells nutty and turns a deep golden colour. Transfer to a bowl, scraping the lovely brown bits and set aside to cool. 2 Put the flour and 2tbsp caster sugar in a bowl and make a well in the…

The classics THE ELABORATE ITALIAN PALAZZO Palazzo Cheto, Tuscany Never thought you could afford to hire out an entire Italian palazzo? You just need a group big enough to spread the costs. Positioned on a hilltop in the rolling Tuscan landscape near Siena, Palazzo Cheto is an exclusive villa formed from a 13th-century monastery. Its nine bedrooms show off sophisticated yet rustic design, flawlessly capturing the area’s essence and keeping the building’s original charm intact. Catch a unique glimpse of the surrounding countryside through each window, then step outside to get fully immersed in the setting. The villa’s private swimming pool overlooks an untouched landscape stretching uninterrupted as far as eyes can see. It’s the picture-perfect place for your group’s afternoon aperitifs. The villa comes with a maid and chef…

CLEVER CRIME Other Women by Emma Flint (£16.99, HB, Pan Macmillan) Bea Cade can’t resist the charms of Tom Ryan. Any time the attractive and enigmatic salesman visits the offices where Bea works she goes weak at the knees. But Tom is married to Kate. While it’s no wonder their affair will end in disaster, no one could predict the huge scandal it causes. Set in the early 1920s, this clever mix of romance, thriller and courtroom drama proves love heartbreak never ages, whatever the era. SECOND CHANCES Thirty Days In Paris by Veronica Henry (£14.99, HB, Orion) So full of hope and promise, Henry’s novels are escapist and dreamy – and what could be more thrilling than 30 days alone in Paris? When Juliet separates amicably from her husband,…

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF Kate Silverton Presenter turned bestselling author and child therapist Kate Silverton, 52, lives in south-west London with her husband Mike and children Clemency, 11, and Wilbur, eight. WAKE-UP I help Clemency and Wilbur prepare for school, and try to have five minutes of one-on-one time with each of them. Then I walk our puppy Gatsby; it gives me a big spiritual boost for the day. MORNING I’m working as a child therapist at a London primary school and absolutely love it. So, after the school run, I head to work. BREAKFAST We start the day with a healthy breakfast. But if we’re on holiday, especially when we’re camping, we’ll cook bacon and eggs on the open fire, and there’s a lot of marshmallows and…

horoscopes ARIES 21 MARCH – 19 APRIL March begins with a lovely development. Enjoy until the 17th, especially if romantic or financial. Your birthday season kicks off on the 21st – brilliant for fresh starts. Call 0905 789 4150* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates TAURUS 20 APRIL – 20 MAY On the 17th your ruler Venus enters Taurus, bringing good things and a mood lift. It’s a great time for an image restyle. By the 30th there’s a nice surprise. Call 0905 789 4151* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates GEMINI 21 MAY – 20 JUNE March starts with a tricky problem – having compassion will help. On the 19th you’re as busy as a mad March hare! By the 28th there’s lovely news. Call 0905 789…

Buckingham Palace may be the home of the monarch, but King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort haven’t yet moved into the iconic building. Ostensibly this is because the Palace is undergoing a huge 10-year restoration and repair programme, costing around £369 million. This includes the removal of asbestos, a complete rewiring of the electrics and replacing the leaky roof. Charles and Camilla have stayed at Clarence House, their London residence just down The Mall, but once the work is finished (scheduled to be 2027), will they ever move in? I don’t think they will – and nor should they have to. The King is no fan of the “Big House”, as he calls it, and has said he doesn’t see it as a viable future home or a house that’s…

STAR LETTER BLAST FROM THE PAST Last week I went to a lecture and saw a woman wearing the exact cardigan I made in 1982 from a pattern in your magazine [January 1982 issue]. Hers was knitted by her mum, was much better fitting, and we even had the same buttons. It was my first (and last!) attempt at knitting a garment. Brideshead Revisited was on the TV and it was all the rage then. Penny KEEP IT SIMPLE I wish you’d diversify your Christmas coverage. I have a small family and find myself lacking in comparison by not having parents, large friend groups, children or massive feasts. Many people celebrate alone and it is a shame not to hear about the lovely day that they have planned. Lorraine A…

With astronomical heating bills this winter, to help keep warm I’ve grown out all my body hair. It’s given a lot of amusement to my aqua aerobics pals. ‘The last time I saw anything that hairy, I was being chased by a herd of wildebeest in the Serengeti!’ laughed one. ‘Your unwaxed pudendum looks like William Shatner’s hairpiece,’ cackled another. ‘You’ll have every Trekkie in town chasing you!’ I promised to get back to the waxing salon in the spring, but now the time has come I’m seriously put off by the thought of enduring all that pain. The first time I went for a Brazilian wax way back in the 90s, I sobbed and hollered… And that was just in the waiting room. I couldn’t believe I was about…

What are you like first thing? I used to be a morning person but now I’m not. I wake up early but it takes a while for the cogs to oil up. I’m fully functional by 9am. It takes me around 90 minutes to wash my face, get dressed and have breakfast, ideally on my own. What’s your worst habit? Eating too much chocolate. After I gave up alcohol 10 years ago, it became a crutch because of the sugar. I run three or four times a week so I can keep eating it. What do you do when home alone? When I’ve got nothing on, which isn’t often, the biggest stress of the day is thinking about what I’m going to cook for dinner. Then I’ll go through all…

Much as I love wrapping up in a duvet coat, mine is so big it makes me nervous going into small shops, in case I do an impromptu Supermarket Sweep and clear the shelves. Now, everyone’s wearing a streamlined version of the down coat, which, being far less bulky, is a more versatile garment. ‘Wrap coats and cocoon shapes should slip over a padded style’ The slimmed-down quilted coat or jacket is more elegant and wearable than previous supersized sporty iterations. At the Christian Dior spring/summer 2023 show late last year, 74-year-old model Maye Musk attended in a neat, black quilted jacket (nipped in at the waist) and a swingy, A-line gingham skirt, accessorised with stompy lace-up boots, a timeless pearl necklace and flash of red lipstick. The perfect mash-up…

THE MAK E-UP M E LTER Clinique’s cleansing balm is a cult classic, thanks to its ability to dissolve make-up. Excitingly, the company has just launched Clinique Take The Day Off Charcoal Cleansing Balm, £30, clinique.co.uk, which is blended with charcoal to draw out impurities and give a deeper clean. The blurrer Watch imperfections vanish with L’Oréal Paris Prime Labs 24H Pore Minimiser, £11.99, boots.com, which has an instant blurring effect. It sits nicely under make-up but can be worn on its own for a little complexion lift. THE GLOW GIVER Skin looking a bit dull and grey? Liz Earle Smooth & Glow Exfoliating Tonic, £20, lizearle.com, is the ultimate antidote. The toner uses natural (but potent) fruit acids to exfoliate skin gently, leaving your complexion looking glowing and…

Watch a romcom to improve EQ If snuggling up to When Harry Met Sally is your ideal way to spend a Saturday night, you’re actually on to something. Watching a feel-good movie increases EQ (emotional intelligence) and helps to improve social connections, according to research*. And that’s not all – revisiting popular favourites is a simple way to regulate our feelings, as the repetition of returning to familiar movies provides comfort and safety in uncertain times. Not a fan of the romance genre? Sad films and horror flicks could be beneficial too. Sobbing over a tragic tear-jerker can promote empathy and make us more tolerant to pain**, while scientists at the University of Coventry found that the surges of fear we experience when watching a scary film can increase levels…

Q For many years I have had depression and have tried antidepressants. They seem to work for a period of time and then stop. I’ve also had some talking therapy, but no matter what I do, it always comes back when I stop taking the medication. What can I do? A Depression is, unfortunately, common and, although some people may be able to take medication or have talking therapy for a period of time, others may need to be on some form of medication in the longer-term. Some people find that they need to change their medication, and there are lots of different options available. You could try a different medication in the same class of drugs, for example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), or you could change to a…

Tasty recipes & amazing ideas menu TH E MENU FOR 2 TO START Prawn, crispy bacon and avocado salad FOR THE MAIN Duck breasts with sumac and orange sauce ON THE SIDE Creamy mashed celeriac with fennel and watercress FOR PUD Melting middle puddings with Baileys cream THE STARTER Prawn, crispy bacon and avocado salad More than the sum of its parts, this light starter with creamy tarragon dressing is the perfect beginning to a meal. Serves 2 • Prep 5 mins • Cook 10 mins 3 rashers streaky bacon150g raw king prawns, defrosted if frozen2tbsp extra virgin olive oil½tbsp Dijon mustardJuice ½ lemon1tbsp double creamFew sprigs fresh tarragon, chopped, plus extra leaves to garnishLamb’s lettuce, pea shoots/baby salad leaves1 small ripe avocado, sliced and tossed with a little…

Good news for coffee lovers Co-op is committed to selling 100% Fairtrade products across its own-brand tea and coffee ranges. We love its Ever Ground coffee, with bold, modern packaging and ethical credentials. Ever Ground Whole Bean (200g/£3.50) and Ground Coffee (200g, £3.50) are blended from arabica beans, and have a rich, full-bodied flavour and aroma. Every purchase helps farmers build a better quality of life and invest in sustainable farming. Also available chilled to drink on the go are an Ever Ground Latte and Oat Latte. COCKTAIL & NIBBLE OF THE MONTH Rhubarb Tom Collins Makes 1 (syrup enough for 4-6) Simmer 2 chopped rhubarb stalks, 100g caster sugar, 3cm piece fresh ginger (bashed) and 100ml water in a pan for 5 mins. Cool and strain the syrup into…

1 GROUP TACTILE OBJECTS Choosing pale to dark tones on a black sideboard creates a simple, striking display. Mix together natural materials and neutral colours – the shades of plaster and chalky earth hues provide warmth, while pops of matt black add a bold accent. Vases (from left): Pit Fired Vase 02, £45, Elliott Ceramics at artistsandobjects.com; Hadrian decorative jug, £30, oka.com, is similar; extra tall bottle in hornbeam, £250, small bottle in ash with Yakisugi finish, £120, both birdandbranch. london; Porcelain dish in Eggshell by Lina Wil, £30, Washed Stripes giclée framed print by Adam Watts, £260 (A2), both artistsandobjects.com 2 STAY CALM IN THE KITCHEN Give a classic cream-and-oak kitchen a shot of sophistication by adding simple pieces of understated matt black. Warm, grainy oaks and birch…

The bestselling novelist tells Zoe West of her high standards behind the use of her trademark twists When it comes to mind-blowing twists, award-winning author Louise Candlish knows her stuff. Her breakthrough thriller Our House was turned into a four-part ITV dramatisation starring Tuppence Middleton and Martin Compston – and her 16th novel, The Only Suspect, has also been optioned for TV. In this new can’t-put-it-down thriller, we see suburban resident Alex change when a proposed nature trail threatens to unearth disturbing secrets. Louise lives in south London with her husband, daughter and fox-red Labrador, Bertie. ‘Every chapter needs to ask a question’ Sometimes I have a special feeling about a book. I’ve got that with this one – that there’s something original about it. I do have a reputation…