Innholdsfortegnelse for 15-Jan-2024 i Woman

He topped the charts in the 80s with Never Gonna Give You Up and is still pulling in the crowds, but how well do you know Rick Astley? Find out as he answers Woman’s 10 Burning Questions… 1 Do you have an embarrassing habit? You need to ask my wife Lene that one. I pick the skin from my fingers and she hates that. I do it partly out of nerves and partly frustration. I don’t like it. It’s good when we go skiing because I’ve got gloves on all day, so my fingers look loads better. 2 What’s your biggest pet peeve? Recently, it’s people who drive in the middle lane of a motorway and aren’t going very fast, but then don’t move over when there’s space to. I…

Thank you, Davina, for those inspiring words. The upshot is this. If we want to be happy with our body and give ourselves the best possible chance of living a healthy and fulfilled life, we have to a) pay attention to what food we put into our body and b) move that body. Too much sugar and highly processed food will not do us any favours in the waistline department. On top of that, both a bad diet and lack of exercise can increase our risk of type 2 diabetes, heart issues, strokes and various cancers, and aggravate our menopause symptoms. Try swapping your two-biscuits snack for an apple and 10 almonds – just try it. The fat and protein of the nuts and the fibre in the apple will…

Style | Beauty | HealthSUPERMARKET CHIC Staying in this month? Make sure that your athleisure look is on point with a new sweat set from F&F Clothing. Whether you’re chilling on the sofa with a box set or running errands, these cotton co-ords will keep you looking cool and feeling cosy. With a variety of cuts including classic crew necks, collared zipper tops and hooded sweatshirts to choose from, you’re bound to find a set to suit your style. Tops, £19.50 each, bottoms, £19.50 each, sizes 6-22, and slippers, £12 a pair, all F&F Clothing…

LILAC NAILS OPI Nail Lacquer in Sickeningly Sweet, £14.90, opi.com The easiest way to try out a new trend is by wearing it on your nails. Lilac is having a real revival that shows no sign of slowing down. This polish has a high-shine, chip-resistant finish. COLOUR CARE John Frieda Pro Colour Revive Shampoo, £8.99, Superdrug Coloured hair needs specialised care and this shampoo is ideal. It gently cleanses hair and boosts shine while keeping the colour locked in. There’s also a conditioner and mask in this new range. SPEEDY SHADOW Essence Blend & Line Eyeshadow Stick, £2.79, justmylook.com Swipe directly onto eyelids. You can diffuse the colour with a fluffy brush, or blend out with your fingers. This buy is impressively long-wearing. LIFT LASH Catrice Cosmetics Curl It Volume…

Columnist How to win the battle with your willpower It’s a funny old word, willpower. It always seems to be associated with weight loss, and has many other guises. Drive. Determination. Self-discipline. Self-control. Resolve. We have to call on willpower in so many areas of our life, like putting savings away when really we’d like to run amuck with our credit card in the sales, not smoking because it’s bad for us, or not taking the car to the shops but walking or cycling because it’s good for the heart and lungs. Even down to being polite to your neighbour who insists on playing loud music every Saturday night, because you can’t face the hassle of a dispute. In short, willpower is the ability to resist short-term temptations in order…

Pulled pork vindaloo This warming curry freezes well, so make a big batch and save some for when you’re too busy to cook. SERVES 4 PREP 10 MINS, PLUS 4 HRS MARINATING COOK 4 HRS ON HIGH OR 8 HRS ON LOW (SEE TIP) ✱ 1tsp ground cumin ✱ 2tbsp curry powder ✱ Seeds from 3 cardamom pods, crushed ✱ 3 garlic cloves, crushed ✱ 3cm piece root ginger, grated ✱ 1-2tbsp hot chilli powder (or more if you like it spicy) ✱ 3tbsp cider vinegar ✱ 700g pork fillet, all visible fat removed, cut into large chunks ✱ 500g waxy potatoes, cut into bite-size chunks ✱ 2 large carrots, cut into bite-size chunks ✱ 2 large onions, chopped ✱ 400g tin chopped tomatoes ✱ 2tbsp tomato puree ✱ 1…

Pet expert Emma has worked in several small-animal practices in the South East. Much of her time is spent looking after her four young children, Izzy, Leo and twins Daisy and Alfie, but she also teaches veterinary students and plans to return to being a full-time vet when the kids start school. Adopting vs buying a dog: make the right choice for you So you’ve decided you’re getting a new dog. You’ve thought it through, and you’re sure you can devote the time and energy required, and can afford the ongoing costs of feeding, vet bills and the like. Your home is suitable, and you will be able to give your new pet the attention, exercise and affection it needs. Perhaps you’ve even decided what breed will best suit your…

Any child of the 70s will remember the embarrassment of wearing hand-me-downs. It’s probably why many of us still hanker after the thrill of twirling in a brand-new outfit. Let’s face it – fashion is ultimately an expression of our identity. But with the climate crisis and the spiralling cost of living at the front of everyone’s minds, it’s time to embrace second-hand clothing too. ‘WITH THE COST OF LIVING, PEOPLE DON’T WANT TO BE SEEN FLAUNTING THEIR MONEY’ Helen Brooke, 52, a criminal defence solicitor, and Sarah Able, 56, a PR and marketing manager, from West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, run pre-loved clothing agency Re.Dress. Helen says: I still remember my first pre-loved purchase. I was 16 and it was the 80s era of the Nick Kamen Levi’s ad. I was…

Rich navy If you want to make a small room have a big impact or give a large room a cosier feel, dark hues are the way to go. Embrace the colour completely, carrying it from skirting to ceiling, and you’ll be rewarded with a space that feels comforting in the colder months and refreshing in the warmer ones. Intelligent matt emulsion in Hicks’ Blue, £64 for 2.4ltr, Little Greene Soft blue If you’re used to white walls, this subtle step towards colour will work for you. The mellow hue verges on grey, making it the perfect backdrop for most rooms but especially a bedroom, where a soothing, soporific colour will help induce sleep. Dulux Easycare matt wall paint in Coastal Grey, £29 for 2.5ltr, B&Q Dark sage Be inspired…

IF YOU LOVE TO WIN PRIZES THEN VISIT comps.womanmagazine.co.uk What does model Hailey Bieber say is the secret to her famously glowy skin? To find out solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the three-word answer. ACROSS 11 Desert illusion (6)12 Decision made by a court (9)13 Iridescent jewel (4)14 Friends character, _ Bing (8)15 Dog with short legs (5)16 Background actors (6)17 Wise saying (7)18 Classic animated TV series (38)20 Wept (5)22 Self-importance (9)24 Having great weight (5)28 Asian country (7)29 Sits in a relaxed way (7)32 Citrus fruit (6)34 Backs off (8)36 Believer in equality for women (8)37 Hospital workers (6)39 Condiment often put on chips (7)40 Blooms (7)45 Richard _, former co-host of Pointless (5)47 Con men (9)48 City in Florida (5)51 Splendid…

Columnist BEATING THE JANUARY BLUES It will come as a surprise to no one that January is considered to be the most depressing month of the year. A survey has found that us Brits suffer 96 glum days annually and, for some, 31 of them begin the moment that last party popper goes off on New Year’s Eve. But the trick is not just to endure the first month of the year, but to embrace it and even enjoy it. I honestly reckon that we can all do it, if we put our minds to it. Yes, it’s cold and dark and no one’s got any funds left after Christmas. So the challenge is to find stuff to do that raises the spirits and is easy on the wallet. Fresh…

FIVE SPICE? Stop right now and say you’ll be there in your Union Jack dress to celebrate the Spice Girls’ 30th anniversary. Rumours are rife about how the iconic group will celebrate the occasion, with whispers they could even headline Glastonbury. During Mel C’s solo gig at the 2023 festival, she sang some of the group’s classic hits and told the audience ‘A bit of a warm-up for next year?’ Meanwhile, the other ladies have teased a ‘mystery project’, with Victoria Beckham also believed to be returning after skipping the band’s 2019 tour (right). THIS MORNING’S MAKEOVER The long-running ITV show lost its two top presenters in 2023 and weathered scandal and rumours of a toxic workplace. Phillip Schofield bowed out after the revelation of his affair with a younger…

Royals Humble beginnings Unlike previous royal spouses, Kate wasn’t born into aristocracy, and while at first this may have been a disadvantage – she was dubbed a ‘commoner’ in the early days – Kate’s so called ‘humble beginnings’ have turned out to be one of her greatest assets. From once working in retail, to baking her children’s birthday cakes and loving high-street numbers from brands like Zara, the Princess of Wales is – as much as any royal can be – seemingly just like us. Waity Katie Kate and Prince William briefly called time on their relationship in 2007. But, despite the pressure and unwanted outside opinions, they soon rekindled their romance and Kate remained loyal to her prince – even when it resulted in the press branding her ‘Waity…

Columnist HAVE MEGHAN AND HARRY LOST HOLLYWOOD? I only ask after industry bible The Hollywood Reporter named them as one of last year’s biggest losers and top US PRs are asking whether they’ve lost their sheen. Among huge ‘winners’ such as Taylor Swift – also named Time’s Person of the Year – and Barbie’s director Greta Gerwig and its star/producer Margot Robbie, Harry and Meghan were lambasted for failing in 2023. It’s the mockery that is so caustic. As the judges say, ‘In 2020, the royal duo fled a life of ceremonial public service to cash in their celebrity status in the States. But after a whiny Netflix documentary, a whiny biography (Spare – even the title is a pouty gripe) and an inert podcast, the Harry and Meghan brand…

Real life Mum ‘IT FELT LIKE MY LAST CHANCE’ Louise Pople, 64, lives in Westonsuper-Mare with her husband Mike, 73, and daughter Megan, 29. Stepping onto the scales, I heard the children behind me stifle their giggles as the teacher wrote my weight on a bar chart. I was 10 years old and, weighing 8st, I was at least 2st heavier than the rest of the pupils in my class. This was a moment that would be forever etched in my memory. It was the start of a 50-year battle with my weight. Growing up, I was always on the big side, and I was always snacking on crisps and sweets. When I married Mike in 1988, I walked down the aisle in a size-22 dress, and while I didn’t…

The truth about those ‘miracle’ weight-loss jabs While many celebrities seem transformed following treatment, could a ‘thin-jection’ be the easy solution it appears to be? Committed to losing weight in 2024? Then you may be looking desperately for something to help. I’m being asked more and more often in my consultation room, ‘What about that weight-loss jab, Doc?’ but it may not be the miracle cure you’re after. With one in four UK adults now classed as ‘obese’, we’re heading for an avalanche of health consequences, such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. I want to help my patients lose weight, but I won’t be reaching for my prescription pad just yet. For a start, NHS GPs can’t currently prescribe a ‘skinny jab’. Not a quick fix The two most…

Your finances Get £1,000s to help your home go green While we’re all keeping a close eye on our energy bills amid rising prices, you may also be thinking of ways you can make your home greener while also saving money. The great news is that there are grants out there worth £1,000s to help. Make sure you grab all you can this year. INSULATE YOUR HOME Keeping toasty indoors doesn’t have to cost a fortune. The government’s Great British Insulation Scheme offers discounted and free home insulation. To be eligible, you generally need to be living in a home with a lower council tax band or with low energy efficiency. Visit gov.uk/apply-great-british-insulation-scheme to see if you can get help with anything from cavity wall insulation or loft insulation, to…

Easy BAKES Treat yourself to an afternoon cuppa and a slice of something sweet Bakewell tart Use any jam you fancy in this impressive tart, made easy with shop-bought pastry. SERVES 10 PREP 25 MINS, PLUS CHILLING/COOLING COOK 50 MINS ✱ 375g ready-rolled shortcrust pastry ✱ 60g unsalted butter, softened ✱ 80g caster sugar ✱ 2 free-range medium eggs, beaten ✱ Few drops almond extract ✱ 100g ground almonds ✱ 1tbsp plain flour ✱ 5tbsp jam (we used cherry) You will need: ✱ 18cm-deep, fluted loose-bottom tart tin, baking beans and baking paper for blind baking 1 Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to about 27cm in diameter. Line the tin with the pastry, pressing into the edges. Leave any overhang attached and prick the base with…

Puzzles and stars ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr Have you just realised you’re not quite where you want to be? However this translates, a new horizon opens up – although you’re going to have to shed some baggage first. For your reading ☎09058 172557 TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May It’s not too late to start a project you sidelined last year. You may have to do some heavy lifting to begin with, but in order to achieve results obstacles must be removed. For your reading ☎09058 172558 GEMINI 22 May – 22 Jun There may have been an error before Christmas which is only now coming to light. Someone dropped the ball but a problem can be fixed. No point playing the blame game. For your reading ☎09058…

As Bad Education returns for its second series since the sitcom’s revival in 2022, Layton Williams reprises his role as Stephen Carmichael, drama teacher at his former secondary school, Abbey Grove. Having been a member of the endearingly dysfunctional Class K when he attended as a free-spirited teen, he now finds himself attempting to guide its next generation of pupils. Here, the Strictly Come Dancing runner-up reveals more… You were filming the new series of Bad Education when you started your amazing journey on Strictly. How did you manage to juggle both jobs? A lot of perseverance and as much sleep as I could get. I honestly don’t know how I got through it. Everyone was super supportive, though. It was the wildest couple of weeks of my life. But…

Dancing on Ice signals the arrival of a new year and for actor and 2024 contestant Claire Sweeney, a whole lot of gratitude. ‘Being on Dancing on Ice is great and it feels good to be kicking off 2024 with a bang. At 52, I feel like I’ve had a third bite at the career cherry,’ says the former Brookside actor, who joined Coronation Street last June and recently starred in Channel 5 drama The Good Ship Murder– her first big TV roles following a decade touring in West End musicals. Of her role on the ITV soap, playing Cassie Plummer, Tyrone’s mum, she adds, ‘Getting back to doing serious acting really feeds my soul.’ Claire, who lives in London with her son Jaxon, 9, is juggling Corrie and Dancing…

Mum of three Davina McCall has always been in incredible shape, and at 56 years old she has the kind of body that 20-somethings would envy. But looking good is no longer Davina’s top priority. After trying fad diets she’s discovered a way of eating that works for her, as well as finding a new, incredibly important motivation for staying in shape. Are you still intermittent fasting? I am and I find it really works for me. I fast from 8pm until 10am, so that’s a 12-hour fasting window. The good thing is, I sleep through most of the fasting time. I also know that if I really want to have a snack at 10pm I can fast until 12pm the following day, although that is a bit trickier. I…

BELTED JUMPSUITS From utility-style boiler suits to elegant wrap designs, a chic all-in-one makes everyday dressing a breeze. The self-tie belt cinches you in at the waist to create a gorgeous hourglass silhouette. Layer a fine knit underneath for extra warmth. SWEATER VESTS A handy layering tool without adding too much bulk, a sleeveless knit is well worth having in your repertoire. Go for muted tones that work well with your tees and blouses, and look at fitted, cropped styles that highlight your figure. DENIM SKIRTS Swap your go-to jeans for a cool denim skirt for a fresh update that’s just as versatile. Choose styles that sit high on the waist, opt for flared hems or a sleek slit detail for easy movement and tuck in your top half to…

Icy tones Help brighten your blonde by using a radiance-enhancing shampoo like Redken Blondage High Bright Shampoo, £22.50, lookfantastic.com. The formula is enriched with a brightening care complex and vitamin C, and is ideal for those with icy blonde hair that’s in need of a refresh between salon visits. Warm blonde During the colder months deepen your blonde with the help of Garnier Good Permanent Hair Colour in Vanilla Blonde, £12, Sainsbury’s. The new formula is easy to use, takes less than an hour all-in, and is enriched with shea butter to keep locks hydrated. Auburn embrace Josh Wood Colour Shade Shot in Copper Gold, £5, lookfantastic.com, comes to the rescue of dyed strands that need a little colour boost. It offers a rich auburn coverage plus a salon-worthy glossy…

Health and wellbeing If the new year has got you thinking about setting new healthy goals and you’re looking for the motivation to get you on your way, then we’ve got just the plan for you. We’ve teamed up with Slimming World this January to provide you with a delicious and filling eating plan that will help you build healthier habits and lose weight – without ever feeling hungry. What’s more, if you follow this plan for two weeks, you could lose up to 7lb.* HOW IT WORKS 1 Choose one breakfast, one lunch and one dinner every day. Feel free to repeat any meals you enjoy! 2 Slimming World’s eating plan, Food Optimising, is based on scientific evidence and is a simple way to cut calories without counting them,…

Real life When I think about my sister Kerry, I remember the good times – doing each other’s hair and make-up as teenagers or curled up on the sofa together giggling. Two years younger than me, Kerry was like my shadow and we did everything together. We met our first boyfriends around the same time, Kerry aged 14 and me aged 16. There was no doubting why Kerry’s boyfriend Eddie* had fallen for her bubbly personality and gorgeous smile. While my young love didn’t last, Kerry and Eddie’s did and they went on to have two children together Billy* and Samantha.* In the meantime, I found love with my friend Steve, and we started building our life together. As Kerry’s kids grew up and she furthered her career as a…

DO THE MATHS… Spice up your space Inject some heat into the kitchen with accessories and cooking essentials in blazing orange hues. Balance the brightness with neutral decor and natural finishes such as rattan and wood, together with flashes of dark colour for a sophisticated look. Make it cheerful Even if your cupboards are crisp white, you can still make a big style statement by adding vibrant accessories. Twist a classic Elevate a traditional shaker kitchen with gorgeous green. Use a complementary palette of sage and cream accessories for a scheme that is calming and oh-so-modern. Embrace raw finishes Scandi-style wooden cabinetry looks fabulous paired with muted blush pink and apricot hues – altogether creating a warming, welcoming vibe.…

Showbiz favourites and good pals Amanda Holden and Alan Carr have teamed up once again to renovate another crumbling home for series two of Amanda & Alan’s Italian Job, which will be put up for sale for charity. They choose empty houses that are being sold for €1 by Italian municipalities in a bid to bring life back into forgotten towns. While series one took them to Sicily, this time they head to Tuscany. Here, Amanda, 52, and Alan, 47, talk about the secret to their friendship, the paranormal activity they encountered in the house and the dirtiest jobs they took on. Hi both. How did you feel about the success of the first series? Amanda: It was a relief because we came up with the idea, and we had…