Innholdsfortegnelse for 23-Nov-2020 i Woman

I have a confession: I absolutely adore Christmas. But, despite the warm fuzzy feeling that I get from the twinkly lights, the gorgeous smell of pine needles that fills the living room and the children’s infectious excitement at the imminent arrival of the big man himself, I’m not quite sure I’m ready to pop up the decs just yet. Not so for Amanda White (p23), whose house looks like Santa’s grotto. Brilliantly, Amanda couldn’t give a tuppence what anyone thinks of her premature Christmas spirit and – you know what? – after the  year we’ve had, what’s wrong with a little (albeit early) cheer? Have a great week.…

The house Phillip, 58, reportedly snapped up this large, semi-detached house in west London. He has been living there since June, after coming out as gay in February and initially continuing to live with his wife Steph in their family’s Oxfordshire home. The lounge The room is decorated in a neutral colour scheme and has plenty of wall space for artworks or photos of his daughters Molly and Ruby. The bedroom Phillip’s new home has two bedrooms, and this one has interesting alcove features and a cool, grey-and-white colour scheme. The conservatory A spacious conservatory leads on from the open-plan kitchen and lounge, providing still more entertaining room. The bright space has plenty of light, which creates an airy environment and brings the outside in. The second lounge Phil could…

Psychotherapist, former NHS clinical lead for mental health and bestselling author Owen O’Kane says: If you are feeling a little weary or anxious as we enter another lockdown, this is totally understandable. Lockdowns are not a natural state for societies in which the norm is flexibility and freedom. But you’ve survived the first and you will survive again. This time, you have the experience that will help you function well. You may discover you can create moments of happiness and, rather than feel mentally locked down, you can opt for exploring ways that help you feel a sense of internal freedom. Whatever strategies worked for you in the first lockdown, use them again. Likewise, let go of anything that was unhelpful. Above all, be hopeful there are better days coming.…

Philippa, 47, says: ‘For five years, I told people if Tess died, shocking though it might sound, it wouldn’t bother me since we hardly saw each other – and, at the time, I meant it. But I feel so lucky we’ve got a second chance to mend fences. Every time I talk to Tess, I feel a glow of happiness. When she told me how much she’d needed me when our brother died, I’d never known her to show such vulnerability. I can’t wait to see her again, once the pandemic is over. It’ll be the best Christmas gift I’ve ever had.’…

Anna Williamson, TV and radio broadcaster, author, life coach and NLP practitioner, says: ‘The act of giving and receiving gifts has been an important display of affection from the dawn of time. It’s never about the value, but the thought that goes with it. We all have a different way we perceive the feeling of being loved. In his global best-seller, The Five Love Languages, relationship guru Dr Gary Chapman cites words of affirmation, acts of service, quality time, physical touch, and receiving gifts as these five languages of love. In a relationship, it’s important to recognise your own love language and, crucially, what your partner’s is, so you can feel respected, enriched, and loved. In this instance, it sounds like the wife values the thought that goes into thinking…

Getting back to fitness after illness QI had coronavirus and was laid low for about three weeks in total. I feel OK in myself now and would like to get back to exercise; do I just start? Philippa says A Depending on your exact symptoms and treatment your doctor may be able to advise you on your own particular situation but in general I would WHY ARE MY LEGS SO RESTLESS? QI am in my third trimester and my legs are driving me mad; at night I have to keep wriggling them. What is going on? Philippa says A It sounds like restless legs syndrome, which can occur in one in five women during pregnancy, and is most likely in the last trimester. Women often describe a creeping sensation in…

Is Christmas together too serious? Q My boyfriend and I got together in September. We’re head over heels for each other, and I’d love to spend at least part of Christmas Day together. Otherwise I’ll be missing him terribly and not getting the bedroom action that is so important to both of us. But is it too soon to be suggesting we meet up on the day? Will he think I’m trying to make the relationship too serious, too soon, too quickly? Susan says A The best way forwards is to discuss this openly. Your new man may see The Day as family only – so including you would not only break that rule but also be a step too far. Or, he may jump at the chance of meeting…

Christmas is our daughter Zuzanna’s favourite time – so much so, she sings carols all year round. But her most treasured day is the annual Christmas party hosted by Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, which she visits regularly for activity days. Zuzanna, six, puts on her very best dress to meet Santa, have her face painted and explore the snowy wonderland scenes created by staff. Each year, we take a photo of her smiling among the piles of presents and festive backdrops, knowing how lucky we are, because her first Christmas was almost her last. Zuzanna had been due in January 2014 and, although I’d been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, doctors had hoped I could carry her to full term. Yet, on Christmas Eve 2013, I went into labour. After two…

Danny: IT’S IMPORTANT FOR MEN TO OPEN UP Danny Dyer is encouraging men to ‘open up and talk’ about mental-health issues, particularly given the COVID-19 pandemic. The EastEnders star said, ‘There’s still that gender thing where men don’t feel natural opening up [and] talking, and it is something that is so important. You have got to talk about stuff, you have got to get it out there. Even if you talk to a f***ing tree.’ Hinting that he’s struggled himself during lockdown, the father-of-three confessed, ‘It’s dark days, isn’t it? It is dark for all of us and I think it is affecting people’s lives to another level, emotionally and financially.’ For Danny and his family, the fear was overwhelming during lockdown. ‘I thought I was going to die, I…

1970 Growing up Zoe was born in Blackpool on 23 November 1970, and she was always destined for stardom, growing up with Play Away host Johnny Ball as a father. 1996 Starting out Following in her dad’s children’s TV presenting footsteps, Zoe shot to fame on Saturday morning show Live & Kicking, which she hosted alongside Jamie Theakston from 1996 to 1999. 1997 Ladette life Zoe became the first female presenter of the Radio 1 Breakfast Show in October 1997, around the same time as her hard-drinking, hard-partying lifestyle led to her becoming the face of the ‘ladette’ culture. She has recently confessed that her drinking problem stemmed from ‘being shy’ and having to talk to people she looked up to. 1999 Settling down Zoe married Norman Cook – AKA…

Max Factor Masterpiece Xpress Quick Dry Nail Colour in Berry Cute, £5.99 Substitute this berry hue for the classic red. The purply-pink shade packs a punch for evening, but is flattering for daytime, too. Plus it dries in under a minute. Rimmel London 60 Seconds Super Shine in Your Majesty, £3.49 A metallic silver always looks beautiful for a wintry look. This shade dries in seconds and has a beautiful glossy shine. Elegant Touch Christmas Nail Candy Cane Kisses No time to wait for polish to dry? If there’s one thing that will get you in the Christmas spirit this year, it’s these falsies. Adorned with candy-cane and winter-inspired designs, these nails will save you time and look amazing. Barry M Crystal Rock Textured Nail Paint in Blue Sapphire, £3.99…

Saturated fat is the type found in cheese, lard and fatty meats. While we do all need some fat in our diet, eating too much saturated fat is linked to raised cholesterol levels, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke, says Tracy Parker, heart health dietitian at the British Heart Foundation. ‘Eating well for our heart health isn’t as simple as focusing on single foods or nutrients. To lower the risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases, research has shown that we must look at our diets as a whole and try to eat a Mediterranean-style diet full of fruits, vegetables and healthy fats, while limiting processed meat, salt and sweet treats.’…

FRESHEN UP M&S has five new fresh, vibrant microwave meals in its Fresh Eats range (from £4.50). Packed with colourful veg, they’re a refreshing, healthier alternative to classic microwave meals. Choose from Chicken Katsu with crunchy slaw; Mac & Cheese with baby plum tomatoes, spinach and Tenderstem broccoli; Chicken Arrabiata; Beef Teriyaki and Smoky Meatballs. Each serves 1. SIMPLY THE ZEST Cornetto’s new winter Chocolate & Orange ice cream cones (£3 for 4, Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda) hit the spot for us. Orange-vanilla ice cream in a chocolate cone topped with chocolate sauce and chocolate orange curls is too good to resist for an occasional treat. HORLICKS VEGAN IS HERE (£3.49, 400G, EXCLUSIVE TO ASDA)! USE YOUR FAVOURITE PLANT-BASED MILK ALTERNATIVE TO MAKE A WARMING, MALTED MILK DRINK. IN…

Lucy Mu, 41, is studying for a Masters in Psychology at Derby University and lives in London with her husband, Carlos, 41. ‘When Harry was in hospital, I knew Caroline would be feeling frightened and isolated, and I made it my mission to be a familiar face. I’d take her magazines, a change of clothes and cosmetics, but what she needed most was someone to offload on. Caroline is phenomenal, and I want to do the best I can for her because she always does the best she can for me, her kids, her partner, friends and family.’…

Quit occasional smoking Are you an occasional smoker? According to research*, your risk of stroke and developing other diseases, such as cancer and lung disease, is the same as heavy smokers. Smokers who had less than one cigarette a day had a 64%** higher risk for earlier death than non-smokers. Caring for teeth! Brushing your teeth three times a day or more is linked with an 8%*** lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Researchers say that poor oral hygiene can cause infection and inflammation, one of the main causes of developing type 2 diabetes. Vegan cheese Swap your usual cheese for this vegan option that has 30% less fat. Made with coconut oil, Sheese cheddar style with caramelised onion has an authentic flavour with a tangy taste. Holland and Barrett,…

Sex with several people Here, all restrictions are off. You might imagine being with your partner, or not… With other men or women, another couple or a group. Would you be one of the crowd here, or the centre of attention? Sex with a celebrity Who do you lust after? If it’s someone famous, they’ll be so unattainable that they won’t feel a threat to your relationship. So you’re free to fantasise how you’d want it to be if you met them. Sex in an unusual place This could be a different room in your own home, or a far-flung location. Particularly popular are risky or slightly public places – Buckingham Palace, the Eiffel Tower, perhaps a crowded beach.…

WHEN THE MUSIC STOPS by Joe Heap (£12.99, HarperCollins, HB) We meet Ella adrift at sea. Suffering from dementia, she’s unsure why she’s there, only that there’s a baby – her grandson – who needs her. While grappling with the situation, we learn about Ella’s life from Glasgow in World War Two to the rocking 60s and beyond. As the ghosts of Ella’s past revisit her, and we discover more about her choices. A courageous read. For more books information, see goodtoknow.co.uk/ books A Lie for a Lie by Julie Corbin (£8.99, Hodder & Stoughton, PB) As with any good thriller, we like to be kept guessing until the end. When well-respected and trusted school nurse Anna is accused of hitting a pupil, Tori, shock and disbelief ensues. Anna…

THE CLEANER BBC1 This six-part comedy stars Greg Davies as cleaner Paul ‘Wicky’ Wickstead, who’s employed to clean up crime scenes. But as he carries out his duties, it often brings him into contact with some very strange characters. ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL NETFLIX Downton Abbey’s Michelle Dockery plays steely criminal barrister Kate in this drama based on the  best-selling novel by Sarah Vaughan. The six-parter follows the QC as she’s handed the case of a lifetime… WOLFWALKERS APPLE TV+ Honor Kneafsey, better known as Benidorm’s stage-school brat Jodie Dawson, lends her voice to the young hero who’s drawn into a tribe that has the ability to turn into wolves. ANTON FERDINAND: FOOTBALL, RACISM & ME BBC1  The ex-Premier League star explores racism in football in…

On the surface, Shirley Ballas appears to have it all: one of the best jobs in showbiz, a loving partner and a killer figure. But, behind the glitz and glamour, there was a time not too long ago when Shirley felt life wasn’t worth living anymore. After discovering her beloved mum Audrey had been diagnosed with cancer back in 2018 – a year after Shirley joined Strictly – the star, 60, has admitted that, despite her rising stardom and success, she wanted to ‘die with her’. But meeting her boyfriend, 46-year-old West End actor Danny Taylor, later that year changed everything. ‘He’s a hands-on boyfriend, and I’ve never experienced that before,’ she’s said. So just how did Shirley overcome her darkest days? A HEARTBREAKING ADMISSION Shirley is extremely close to…

Presenter Davina McCall has bravely opened up about her past addictions to heroin and alcohol, and how dark that period of her life was. Now the 53-year-old TV presenter has confessed that her menopause symptoms got so bad it felt like she was back there in her mid-20s, at the height of her crippling drug addiction. Speaking on Loose Women , Davina said, ‘I’m a reformed addict and was waking up soaked in sweat and having to put towels on the bed, thinking, “There’s something wrong with me. I’ve got the flu or a virus or something.” It really reminded me of when I was using, and I hated it,’ she admitted. Davina – who was 44 when she started going through the menopause – thought she was ill when…

Woman Features Editor, Lianne La Borde, 36, lives in Walton-on-Thames with her husband Paul, 30, and their son Logan, two. My lawn is still patchy from where I dug out dandelions with gusto during the first lockdown, with no knowledge of weeding. My attempt at a flowerbed produced not a single bloom, and the cat thought I’d built her a fancy toilet. Problem was, to take advantage of the garden we were lucky to have, and give Logan, then one, outdoor time, I’d decided to unleash my inner Charlie Dimmock. Yet, I’d never been green-fingered. Inexplicably, the thing that grew most successfully was a tomato plant, which I’d not planted and which sprouted between the drains. When I wasn’t destroying our garden, I was attending video meetings, with Logan either…

THE CLASSICS RE-IMAGINED These well-known brands have had a fresh new update. Chloe Rose Tangerine, £65 for 50ml EDT, is a vibrant fruity aroma that sits alongside fresh floral notes, while Chanel Coco Mademoiselle L’Eau Privée For the Night, £67 for 50ml, remains true to the original oriental fragrance but is more delicate, toning down the famous wood and patchouli notes in favour of mandarin and rose. LUSTWORTHY Marc Jacobs Perfect eau de parfum, £69 for 50ml, looks joyful and smells so, too. The top note of rhubarb gives the scent a deliciously fresh feel, then there’s a creamy hit of almond milk followed by the lovely powdery finish of cashmere wood. Britney Spears’ latest offering, Festive Fantasy eau de toilette, £35 for 100ml, has touches of dark, juicy fruits…

My husband has never bought me a Christmas present. I’m not asking for diamonds, cashmere or Manolo Blahniks – some shower gel would be nice, or a china mug to replace my chipped one, or some slinky tights to pep up the same old dress I wear on Christmas Day every year. But I know, to quote my husband’s favourite Bob Dylan track, I’m blowing in the wind to even hope for any of these as gifts. ‘I’M MADE TO FEEL SHALLOW’ He has never, during our 30-year marriage (except, I think, possibly the very first year when I got sexy underwear and chocolates), bought me anything for Christmas – nothing wrapped that I can open – and I don’t really understand why. The reasons he gives sound rational. He…

1 Get mindful It’s not just a buzzword – one in three Brits now prioritise mindfulness to combat anxiousness and the effects of stress.** Want to give it a go? Try the Headspace ‘Stress’ meditation pack and learn how to re-frame your negative emotions (£9.99 per month). ‘Controlled breathing exercises and yoga will also help with letting go of worry and fear,’ says yoga instructor, Hannah Barrett. 2 Reclaim your rest Sleep is crucial for good mental health, but many of us don’t make the link, says nutritionist Martina Della Vedova. ‘Anxiety and sleep are closely related. If we don’t get enough sleep, we can find it harder to adapt to challenging situations. When we can’t cope as efficiently with stress, it can be harder to have a good night’s…

Carrot and coriander soup On a cold evening, when there isn’t much in the fridge, or you simply have little time, this will fill you, and everyone around you, up well. SERVES 4 PREP 10 mins COOK 20 mins ✱ 1tbsp sunflower oil ✱ 1 onion, chopped ✱ 1 clove of garlic, peeled and sliced ✱ 1tsp ground coriander ✱ 450g carrots, peeled and roughly chopped ✱ 1ltr vegetable or chicken stock ✱ Pinch of whole nutmeg, grated ✱ 2tbsp chopped fresh coriander ✱ Pinch of flaked sea salt ✱ Grind of black pepper 1 Heat the oil in a large saucepan, add the onion and fry for 5 mins until softened. Stir in the garlic and ground coriander, letting them cook for a couple of mins. 2 Add the…

OUR CAT HAS BEEN LOSING FUR BETWEEN HER LEGS AND NOW THERE’S QUITE A BALD PATCH.IS THIS SOMETHING SERIOUS? A bald patch can come as a surprise, but is rarely caused by anything sinister. It’s important to determine if the fur is falling out of its own accord or if the balding is self-inflicted. Cats may lick, chew, scratch or rub their skin, causing their fur to fall out at an alarming rate. In your cat’s case, fur loss between the legs could indicate a number of conditions, including: Parasites Any cat with signs of itching or fur loss should be treated with a good-quality parasite treatment if due. Bladder trouble Grumbling cystitis or bladder stones can lead to discomfort between the legs, which a cat may try to alleviate…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr Are you in or are you out? It’s decision time, first and foremost for a relationship. Think it through carefully before taking action. For your reading ☎ 09058 172557 TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May An old question resurfaces, and this time it requires an answer. Things have got to change, and you have known this for a while now. For your reading ☎ 09058 172558 GEMINI 22 May – 22 Jun There can be no compromises when it comes to an affair of the heart. If your heart’s not in it, it won’t work. But, if it is, go for it. For your reading ☎ 09058 172559 CANCER 23 Jun – 23 Jul The only way forwards is with…

THEN After starring in 1980 film Fame, which followed students at the New York School of Performing Arts, Debbie reprised her role as dance teacher Lydia in the TV version, which ran for six series from 1982 to 1987. Since then she has worked as a choreographer, director and producer. Her biggest TV role has been as Dr Catherine Avery in Grey’s Anatomy since 2011. NOW  Netflix documentary  Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker goes behind the scenes at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in LA, which the star opened in 2001. The one-off follows Debbie and her dancers as they gear up a reimagined version of classic ballet The Nutcracker, giving it a modern spin filled with original music and dance routines.…

It was easy to fall in love with Johnny Depp. Look at him in his 1990 movie, Cry-Baby. No other man had such perfect, brooding features. He played the anti-hero with a floppy fringe and jagged soul flawlessly. He gave vast sums of money to Great Ormond Street Hospital when his own child was treated there. Top bloke. Even though the actor was proved to be a domestic abuser in his libel trial against a British newspaper, fans continue to support him. The supposed ‘southern gentleman’ was revealed to have attacked wife Amber Heard 12 times during their short marriage. His drug use, boozing and grim personal habits reduced the heartthrob to a parody of Stones guitarist Keith Richards. Yet, he still had enough star wattage to blind fans. They…

Family fun Judge Rinder tells a brilliant story of how his mum reacted when he told her he was gay, aged 22. ‘She couldn’t have been more surprised,’ he says. ‘I mean, she’d met me right?’ I couldn’t love him more. Delayed deliveries There are lots of losers in Lockdown II. But the people I feel most sorry for are staff in the missed delivery pick-up depots. With shops closed and Christmas online shopping expected to double this year, that means big queues of grumpy customers. Post office workers, I salute you.…