Innholdsfortegnelse for 15-Jan-2018 i Woman

Alesha Dixon The newly appointed Debenhams Beauty Club Ambassador, 39, looks flawless in this cropped trouser style. Emma Thompson The Brit star, 58, keeps it tonal by matching her lipstick to her Stella McCartney suit – we love this fuchsia hue on Emma! Kate Mara Wearing the suit look oh so well, we love this luxe velvet version by Christian Siriano on the petite 34-year-old actress. Ashley Graham Plus-size model of the moment Ashley, 30, stands out in red wearing this daring number by Prabal Gurung. Kate Bosworth Kate, 34, means business in this sleek silk two-piece by Coach, which has a touch of feminine floral embroidery. Kerry Washington Scandal’s leading lady, 40, wows in this statement floral suit by Roberto Cavalli, and a bold blue cat eye.…

‘I’LL ADMIT THERE WAS BICKERING’ After a long day at work, my best friend Gill and I like to gossip over a glass of something fizzy. But I don’t need to regale her with the ups and downs of my day, as she knows all that already. No, we’ve not been gossiping over text – we’re business partners, and there’s no-one else I’d rather have by my side. I first met Gill in June 1991, aged 21, while working in advertising, and within a week we were inseparable. I was the loud one while Gill was laid-back and sensible. But it’s true, opposites attract – we were always in fits of giggles. Then, in July 1996, I left the working world to go travelling with my then husband, while Gill…

‘I STRUGGLED TO PUT ON WEIGHT’ Emma Thomson, 28, is a photographer from Essex. She’s 5ft 10in, size 12 and 11st. When I was 10 I developed a rare bone disease called osteomyelitis, which brought my weight down to 5st 7lb. The medication I took caused vitiligo, which made my skin patchy. I was bullied at school. When I stepped on the scales every few weeks I was hoping I’d put weight on but I never could. The condition improved and I gained some weight, but I was always skinny. The last time I stepped on the scales was in 2006, when the doctor gave me a check-up. I weighed 9st 5lb but I made a decision never to weigh myself again, until today. I have no idea what I…

In the UK, we’re getting passionate between the sheets around 900 million times a year. Sounds a lot? Well, according to the British National Surveys of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles, the amount of sex we’re having is actually going down – and it seems that women in their 40s, 50s and 60s are experiencing the sharpest drop. ‘Researchers have found that an average couple in their 50s make love 52 times a year, dropping to 35 in their 60s,’ says Dr Sarah Brewer, GP and Healthspan medical director (drsarahbrewer.com). THE LIBIDO LOW DOWN ‘Low sex drive affects 30% of middle-aged women and 75% of post-menopausal women,’ explains Sarah. So what’s causing it, and how can you boost yours? Bladder weakness One in three UK women suffer from this, and it’s…

Plant power Veg doesn’t have to be boring. For those on a health-kick not wanting to compromise on taste, try the new M&S Asian-inspired dinners. We love the microwaveable Singapore Noodle Stir-Fry bags with a delicious mixture of noodles and veg (£2.50 for 330g, marksandspencer.com). Goodbye, ol’ chap The cold weather can leave lips painful and cracked. Try Boots Essentials Tinted Lip Salve (£1 for 5g, boots.com) to add moisture this winter. It’s the perfect size for your handbag, too! Fast fitness After a quick workout that gets results? Try F45 training (from £16 per class, f45training.co.uk). The 45-min HIIT and circuit-training sessions will leave you breathless but feeling great.…

Creamy chicken, mushroom and parsley gnocchi Simply the best comfort food SERVES 4 PREP 15 MINS COOK 20 MINS •  2tbsp olive oil•  2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced•  1 onion, chopped•  350g mushrooms, sliced•  250g cooked chicken, shredded•  300ml pot single cream•  100ml milk•  500g pack potato gnocchi•  Small bunch flat-leaf parsley, chopped•  50g Parmesan, freshly grated•  Spinach salad, to serve 1 Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Add the garlic and onion and cook for a few mins to soften. 2 Add the mushrooms and cook for 5 mins until browned. Stir in the chicken, cream and milk and season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Bring to the boil and simmer for 2 mins. 3 At the same time, cook the gnocchi in a pan of…

The big 5 TV’S top picks 1 CASUALTY SAT, BBC1 There’s a surprise for porter Max this week when wife Zoe, played again by Sunetra Sarker, makes a shock return to the hospital only for Max (Jamie Davis) to serve her with divorce papers. But when a devastated Zoe ends up in a perilous situation and close to death, will Max realise he still loves her after all? Best of the rest 2 THE WAVE MON, 8PM, W We can’t wait for Rylan’s energy to shine through as he hosts a new game show, which sees teams battle for a cash prize by racing out to pontoons periously placed out at sea. 3 BRITAIN’S FORGOTTEN SERIAL KILLER SUN, 10PM, CRIME & INVESTIGATION Colin Hardy is tortured by his brother Trevor’s…

WHAT TO DO WITH KIDS’ XMAS CASH You’ve taken down the decorations, scoffed the last mince pie and found a place for all your new gifts. But many parents, and especially grandparents, gave cold hard cash to children for Christmas, so the question is, where do you put it? 1 First, discuss with children whether the cash is for spending or saving Usually a mix of both is the best answer. Getting cash gifts is a great opportunity to start some financial education. So if they’re old enough, sit down with them and pick the savings account together. Explain to them that when you save with a bank, you’re lending it to them, so it can lend it out to others. Therefore you want the best price – the highest…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr Wednesday’s new moon opens a window of opportunity. A new phase is beginning and these past two weeks have been about clearing away the past ready for the future. For your reading 09058 172557 TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May This is an excellent week to put your signature to an agreement, and should you be concerned about money, your job or a relationship, now is the time to discuss your hopes or fears. For your reading 09058 172558 GEMINI 22 May – 22 Jun This is a good time to form a business partnership and conduct an evaluation of where you are money-wise. Other aspects of life would benefit from a review, too. For your reading 09058 172559 CANCER 23 Jun – 23…

Darcey Bussell has sashayed into our hearts as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing , reinventing herself from prima ballerina to graceful national treasure, with her endless legs, effortless glamour and expert knowledge of dance. But achieving her flawless look still requires work, and Darcey hasn’t stopped moving since retiring from ballet a decade ago. She’s devised her own dance fitness DVD that’s encouraging us to turn over a new leaf in 2018 and work off all those mince pies through exercise. Darcey reveals that even she put on weight over Christmas – which she spent in Australia with her husband, Angus Forbes, and their daughters Phoebe, 16, and Zoe, 13 – but you’d struggle to pinch an inch anywhere on her lithe frame. Today, Woman has…

#Value Of Movement Anna Fooks was born with a congenital heart defect but it didn’t stop her from being active. She had to give up gymnastics at 15 when she was fitted with a pacemaker and is now a dance pro and yoga teacher. Read her inspiring story at Matalan.co.uk The designer brands featured here are shown for inspiration only, do not endorse these products and are not connected to Matalan.…

1 THE FRINGE EFFECT Fringes are a great way to update your look whether you have long or short hair. They hide any prominent forehead lines, emphasise your eyes and look youthful. Question is, which type will you go for? 1 THE 70S FRINGE It’s centre-parted and fans out to the side like Georgia May Jagger’s. The ends flick out, giving the look of more lifted features. 2 THE SIDE FRINGE If you want to softly frame the face, this style – as seen on Reese Witherspoon – suits all. Best for blending into layered looks and crops. 3 THE BLOCK FRINGE Best suited to oval and rounder faces, keep the fringe neat and the rest of your hair bed-head chic like Jane Seymour. MUST-HAVE Dry shampoo is your fringe’s…

He won’t let me have friends I ’ve always found it hard to make and keep friends. My husband tends to hate anyone I like. I had a really good friend, and our kids liked each other too, but he got her email address and sent her a really vile message. She forwarded it to me and said we couldn’t be friends any more. I apologised but she was adamant. I miss my friend and my kids miss hers. My husband feels he’s won and is being nice, for now. He admits he went a bit too far but not that he was wrong. I see a counsellor but he refuses to go, saying they are all against him and our marriage. Suzie says: I’m against him and your marriage…

Who said that dieting means giving up wheat, dairy, gluten, red meat, alcohol and chocolate? Aaron Carroll, a doctor and nutrition expert as well as author of The Bad Food Bible: How and Why to Eat Sinfully (£18.99, Houghton Mifflin) has devised a ‘guilt-free’ diet plan, where you can lose half a stone and still enjoy your favourite foods. ‘There’s so much conflicting advice over what we should and shouldn’t eat,’ says Aaron. ‘What all these opinions have in common is the belief that some foods will kill you – or that these foods are the reason you’re not at the weight you’d like to be.’ Yet Aaron claims that we should not believe everything we read. ‘Not only is much of this data wrong, it’s…

Try a trend VEGETABLE BREAD Beetroot bread, spinach-and-basil bread and carrot-and-corn bread are the colourful breads used for M&S’ new sandwiches. They’re part of the Eat Well range, are one of your five-a-day and have added fibre and vitamin D; £3 each. Or, to make your own colourful lunch, try Tesco Beetroot Tortilla Wraps, £1 for 6 – just fill with a rainbow of salad and roasted peppers. LOW-SUGAR GRANOLA Although it seems healthy, granola can be high in sugar. So it’s good news that Jordans has launched a Low Sugar Granola with less than 5% of the white stuff. Choose from Cherry & Almond and Almond & Hazelnut, £3.99, 500g, Asda, Waitrose. Booze news Aldi’s Featherweight wines will be back in store from 22 Jan. Only 5.5% alcohol and…

‘IT WAS MY BIGGEST WIN YET!’ Sitting in front of the telly, I could see my laptop out of the corner of my eye. It was a Friday night in March this year, and after finishing a shift at my job as a clothing manager, I was back home enjoying my evening. I was catching up on my favourite shows, and in the background my laptop was running a game on Woman Bingo. As a member for over 10 years, I’ve always found the site great fun, a good place to socialise and somewhere to enjoy some well-deserved me-time. I’d pre-bought some tickets in Sapphire, a 90-ball bingo game that’s my favourite. I usually play in there or Tiki Bingo. I often pre-buy tickets as it means you can be…

Louis Walsh The words ‘Bambi on ice’ spring to mind when we look at this snap of poor Louis! Mark Wright He might be a natural on the dance floor, but it seems like Mark might need a bit more practice when it comes to the ice. David Beckham David is every part the doting dad as he encourages daughter Harper, but it looks like he’s too scared to take to the rink since he’s still got his trainers on! Pippa Middleton Kate’s younger sister looks like an idyllic ice princess as she glides along on her skates. Katie Piper We hope Katie’s got someone to help her – by the looks of it, she won’t be slowing down any time soon. Peter Andre If this is how Peter skates,…

Amazing Aaron Former EastEnders star Aaron Sidwell swapped Albert Square for the stage when he landed a role playing Fiyero in the touring production of Wicked . Best known for playing villain Steven Beale in the BBC1 soap, Aaron is about to show his softer side as a prince with ‘a reputation of being a bit naughty’. He adds, ‘He’s the love interest for the two girls in the show. He’s a character with a nice arc. I’m enjoying playing him.’ The musical is set to reopen in Bristol on 31 January, so we caught up with him… Stage and screen are so different, but I feel more at home in the theatre. That might be because I’ve done more of it.…

She recently revealed she was separating from her husband Matthew Robertson after 17 years of marriage and, despite her putting on a brave face, fans are concerned about Davina. A source close to the star has revealed to Woman that Davina could be taking her love of fitness a step too far, saying, ‘She is looking gaunt now, and she needs to start working out with a degree of moderation.’ There’s no denying that Davina, 50, is a firm believer in a healthy lifestyle, with the presenter regularly posting fitness videos and motivational snaps. But fans and close friends fear that the presenter is going to burn out. UNHEALTHY OBSESSION? The star recently showcased her svelte figure on Instagram, but her followers were left concerned by Davina’s appearance. One user…

THE STRAIGHT LEG Create sleek lines with this hip-skimming fit – flattering for all figures, layer with tunics or a midi dress for extra coverage or team with cosy winter coats. Just be sure to keep some ankle showing to avoid fabric bulking around shoes. THE KICK FLARE Show off your shoes and flatter your figure with this retro cut. Sitting just above the slimmest part of your ankle, they’re the perfect choice for showing off statement heels. Balance the wider hem with a cropped jacket or slim-fitting top. THE WIDE LEG This flattering style balances curvy hips and evens out proportions. Shorter lengths look great with heels while longer styles can be dressed down with trainers. Keep your top half fitted and tucked in to avoid overwhelming your frame.…

‘EVEN CARRYING A BAG HURT’ When I first felt the shooting pain in my shoulder, I assumed I’d just pulled a muscle at the gym. After all, ever since seeing a dreadful photo of myself with rolls around my stomach, I’d been working out a lot. ‘I think I’ve overdone it at BodyPump,’ I told my husband Martin in November 2009. But within a few weeks, I could barely move my right arm at all. I tried sports massages and even acupuncture but nothing would stop the shooting pain. Sleeping became difficult, carrying a bag hurt and I’d come home in agony from my job as a police officer. After developing a slight tremor in my finger, I grew more worried. In December 2010, I saw my GP. I was…

‘I FROZE WHEN I FOUND TWO SMALL LUMPS’ When I glance at my wedding photos, I’m filled with so many emotions. Wearing my ivory gown, my handsome husband, Michael, holds me close. We might seem like the perfect couple, but if you look a little closer, you’ll notice my skin is pale, and my up-do, while beautiful, is actually a wig. You see, just hours before those photos were taken, I was in hospital having life-saving treatment… I was introduced to Michael through mutual friends in June 2014. There was a big group of us at the pub that day, but it was Michael who made everyone laugh with his silly one-liners. We exchanged numbers and a few days later, we met for coffee and started dating. From walks in…

Why do you think the show is such a hit? A lot of people have this situation, where one person has a different relationship with the home than another does. What causes people to fall out of love with their homes? We buy too much stuff. Also people buy a house thinking, ‘This is where I’m going to have my family’ but they don’t know what their priorities will be once they have kids. You have to convince people to renovate. Isn’t that more stressful than Phil persuading them to sell? Yes, I’m spending other people’s money, which I don’t like doing. Phil just shows them a few houses. Do strangers ask you for property advice? Yes. People feel familiar with Phil and I and come up to us a…

’02 EastEnders ‘Steven was my first role as a professional actor. He was exhausting, but I miss him.’ ’10 American Idiot ‘My fave theatre show to date – it was everything that I wanted to do.’ ’12 Loserville ‘This show has changed my life in so many ways. I was part of something special.’ ’14 Ghost: The Musical ‘This show was a dream come true.’ Say what? ‘I do think actors are natural rebels!’…