Innholdsfortegnelse for 16-Dec-2024 i Woman

Growing up in Bradford, West Yorkshire, to Punjabi Indian parents, Anita Rani says her household ‘didn’t really do Christmas’ – but boy, is she making up for it now! ‘I love Christmas,’ the 47-year-old Countryfile presenter tells Woman. ‘I like to make my house feel magical. Putting the tree up and drinking champagne. That is a treat! The run-up to Christmas is the best bit.’ A bonafide Christmas fanatic, Anita was the perfect choice to present this year’s My Life at Christmas on BBC1, which sees her interviewing three celebrities about what the festive period means to them, including English actor Dame Sheila Hancock. With a Christmas escape to India on the cards, here Anita – who split from her husband of 14 years, Bhupi Rehal, in 2023 – tells…

We’ve all had that letter in the post reminding us to make an appointment for a routine breast or cervical screening. While we may have good intentions to follow it through, many of us end up putting it to one side, distracted by other ‘life admin’ jobs on the list, then forget about it. After a breast cancer scare in April 2024, Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas urged other women not to avoid mammograms and smear tests, saying: ‘Check your body, check your breasts. It might save your life.’ Yet, worryingly, NHS England has reported that a third of women, aged 50 to 70, have failed to attend their routine mammogram appointments in the last three years, which means more than 2 million eligible women have missed out on essential…

1 Cheat radiance Is your face looking dull, dehydrated and generally all partied out? A glow-boosting primer is the ultimate way of cheating healthy, radiant-looking skin. Apply Iconic London Underglow Blurring Primer, £25, cultbeauty.co.uk, before your base for a flattering, lit-from-within glow that doesn’t look glittery. 2 Cover up If you don’t have time to paint a full face, a quick application of concealer will even out your complexion and help imperfections vanish. Dab L’Oréal Infaillible More Than Concealer, £10.99, Boots, onto any blemishes or bags before blending with your fingertips. 3 Emphasise your eyes You don’t have to faff with pricey palettes with 20 colours. Essence Soft Touch Duo Eyeshadow, £2.29, essence.eu, creates a striking look with just two shades. Apply the lightest on the entire eyelid, then sweep…

I’d never been one to ‘look for love’ and in 2023 I really was happily single. My last long-term relationship ended in 2015, after three and a half years, and I’d dated a couple of people after that, but they hadn’t led to anything serious. I didn’t want another partner for the sake of it, but I began to wonder if I’d ever find someone to enjoy life with. Living in a small beach town in Costa Rica was idyllic but the dating pool was shallow, so it was easier to focus on my career as an artist and spend time with my friends and my animals, a horse called Lizano and Chichi, my Peruvian rescue dog. Then, in June that year, I was offered a job to paint a…

Tirami-choux Our favourite French and Italian celebration desserts come together with a little Christmas trifle magic! SERVES 8-10 PREP 30 MINS, PLUS COOLING AND OVERNIGHT CHILLING COOK 3-5 MINS For the caramel sauce: ✱ 100g granulated sugar ✱ 100ml double cream ✱ 2tbsp sweet Marsala or amaretto For the cream: 4 medium free-range eggs, separated 100g caster sugar 200ml double cream 500g mascarpone 1tsp vanilla extract For the rest: 60ml strong black coffee 25ml sweet Marsala or amaretto 30 unfilled choux buns 25g dark chocolate, finely grated Cocoa powder, for dusting 1 For the caramel sauce, put the sugar in a medium saucepan with a splash of water. Cook over a medium heat, swirling, until it turns a deep caramel colour. 2 Off the heat, whisk in the cream, a…

The first wooden carving appeared outside Ralph Barter’s cottage. He was putting out the recycling when he’d spotted it propped against his front gate. It was about 7in high, and of a man wearing a fedora-style hat. Ralph had a fedora somewhere – lost at the back of a wardrobe, no doubt. He didn’t tend to make a big effort with his appearance any more. He and Valerie, his wife, didn’t socialise as much these days. Ralph mentioned the carving to a few locals the next day as he pottered around the village. Some of those he told, including Beryl, who ran the local mini-supermarket, gave him a funny look, like she thought he might be making it up. ‘You say this little figure looked like you?’ she asked, as…

FERN: ‘I THOUGHT I’D FAILED’ Former This Morning presenter Fern Britton has opened up about the heartbreak she faced when her marriage to husband Phil Vickery ended. She admitted to feeling a ‘profound sense of failure’ when they called time on their 20-year marriage, saying she thought the relationship would be ‘until death do us part’. Fern, 67, shared, ‘Here I was, single, looking at a very different future to the one I had imagined… Now a new chapter was starting and for the first time in my life I couldn’t be sure of what my future held.’ She added, ‘This wasn’t my first experience of rebuilding a life: I’d already been through two marriages, two divorces, two careers – one as a TV presenter/journalist, one as a fiction writer,’…

1 DESIGNER INSPIRED We all know that a fabulous little black dress (LBD) is an essential in every wardrobe, and this season, Next has delivered a showstopper! Dress, £68, sizes 6-22, Next 2 MODERN MULES Hooray for the return of smaller heels that we can actually walk in! At New Look, you’ll find fashion-forward footwear that won’t break the bank, making it a go-to destination for all occasions. Shoes, £32.99, New Look 3 BOW-TIFUL Subtle and understated, a touch of sparkle can elevate any outfit. Although the jewellery selection at this online retailer is small, you’ll find on-trend pieces for under £10. Earrings, £7.99, lindex.com 4 SHIMMER AND SHINE This festive period, dazzle in a sequinned shirt for an easy-to-wear party look. Perfect for a comfy Christmas day ensemble or…

How to avoid a cold when partying Burning the candle at both ends might seem fun at this time of year, but it can spell disaster for your health and wellbeing… It’s that time of year again when viruses are being passed around as much as mulled wine and Christmas gifts. The ‘common cold’ is caused by a number of different viruses, which are easily spread in the air via droplets from an infected person coughing, sneezing or talking. The viruses can also live on surfaces, such as doorknobs and phones, so keeping yourself cold-free during party season can be a real challenge. PREP AHEAD Making sure you enter the festive season with your immune system on top form is essential. To do this, eat a varied diet including vegetables,…

8 ways to cut food bills Grocery bills are the second biggest financial worry for households, right behind energy costs. Even though food price inflation has started to ease, prices are still very high. According to a recent study conducted by personal finance site NimbleFins, a family of four shells out an average of £682 each month on food alone*. Here are our tips to help you reduce your groceries bill… 1 EAT BEFORE YOU SHOP Hitting the supermarket on an empty stomach can lead to overspending. Research shows hungry shoppers spent 64% more than those who ate beforehand. 2 WASTE LESS, SAVE POUNDS The average UK family throws away £350 of food each year, reveals waste management experts Divert. Meal planning can help you feel more in control and…

IF YOU LOVE TO WIN PRIZES THEN VISIT comps.womanmagazine.co.uk If actor Austin Butler could only listen to one Elvis Presley song for the rest of his life, what would it be? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the three-word answer. ACROSS 11 Shriek (6)12 Capital of Scotland (9)13 Comedian, _ Stirling (4)14 Royal, regal (8)15 Educate (5)16 Root vegetable (6)17 Film, _ of the Lost Ark (7)18 Going to sleep for the winter (11)20 Fourth month (5)22 Oceanic bird (9)24 Large stringed instrument (5)28/60 Director of Pulp Fiction (7,9)29 Army officer (7)32 Continent (6)34 Long race (8)36 Minus (8)37 Give up work (6)39 Pupil (7)40 Ballroom dance (7)45 Disney film about a deer (5)47 Band fronted by Thom Yorke (9)48 Journal (5)51…

Christmas is approaching in the Cotswolds village of Great Slaughter, when Sister Boniface Mysteries returns for a festive special. As the amateur dramatics society rehearses for a production of Cinderella, it’s not long before some of the players are murdered, leaving Sister Boniface, DI Sam Gillespie (Max Brown) and DS Felix Livingstone (Jerry Iwu) on the trail of a killer. Here, Lorna Watson, who plays the sleuthing nun, reveals more… Were you pleased to hear there was another Christmas Special? I was so happy when I found out we were going to do another one. It’s also really nice to have that little hit of Sister Boniface Mysteries so you don’t have to wait quite so long for the next series. What makes this Christmas special particularly poignant is that…

The true extent of the hurt caused by Prince Harry’s war with his brother was laid bare when the Prince of Wales described 2024 as ‘the hardest year in my life’. The cancer diagnoses of both William’s wife and father were obviously a large part to blame for the comments he made at the end of his official visit to South Africa in November. But sources close to the future King insist the publication of Harry’s bombshell book Spare back in January 2023 and the ongoing bad blood between the brothers have taken a toll. Speaking to reporters in Cape Town, William was asked about how he felt 2024 had gone. And in an uncharacteristically blunt response he said, ‘It’s been dreadful. It’s probably been the hardest year in my…

A THAWING IN RELATIONS WITH PRINCE HARRY? It was great to see the Princess of Wales and her family at her now annual Christmas carol concert, Together at Christmas, at Westminster Abbey. Amazing to think, but it was the first public appearance of the Wales family this year. Kate looked really well and the festive tradition marked a significant return to public duties after finishing her cancer treatment in September. Themed around love and empathy, the festivities reflected upon ‘how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives.’ Of course, the importance of compassion and forgiveness has very much been a feature of Kate’s year given her diagnosis and health journey. But friends have also wondered whether it may mean a thawing in relations…

Mel B Even celebs wear high street! Available in three lengths, so you’ll find your perfect fit. Dress, £39.50, sizes 6-24, M&S Scarlett Johansson Get red-carpet ready with an off-the-shoulder number and simple jewellery. Dress, £39.99, sizes xxs-xl, monki.com Kate Winslet A great dress alternative, and minimal styling needed. Jumpsuit, £66, sizes 6-18, River Island Oti Mabuse Rent a designer outfit – ideal for special occasions. Jumpsuit, rent from £14.79 per day, sizes 8-12, Nadine Merabi at hurrcollective.com Frankie Bridge Look effortlessly fabulous in chic winter whites. Blazer, £59.99, skirt, £29.99, both sizes xs-xl, Zara Jennifer Aniston Shimmer and shine this festive season in silver sequins. Dress, £59.99, sizes s-l, Zara Emma Willis Mix and match these on-trend smart separates. Blazer, £85, trousers, £65, both sizes 6-24, La Redoute…

Think there’s no time to enjoy romantic fumblings at Christmas? Well, think again. Yes, you might be busy with prepping, shopping and making all things merry and bright, but giving yourself the gift of intimacy with your partner could be just the present your body and mind needs right now. Here’s how to avoid the pitfalls. The house is full Not-so silent night? The main problem with sex at Christmas is that there are often more members of the family under the same roof than usual. Throw into the mix that your bed is squeakier than a chipmunk singing Kate Bush at karaoke and your walls like wafer-thin ham, and sex can take a back seat. FIX IT Just because the relatives are round, you can still enjoy passion, says…

A happy evening with friends and family at a party, eating mince pies, wearing our Christmas jumpers, as my husband Stu entertained the children in his Santa suit. Smiles on children’s faces, including my son Fraser, seven, and daughter Elizabeth, three. Setting off on a happy walk home, through the cold night air, singing songs together, Stu leading the crowd. Then, a scream, plunging everything into a state of numbness, and the realisation that nothing would ever be the same again. For years, this is how I remembered that night in December. And whenever Christmas rolled around, I refused to allow myself any excitement, instead replaying that awful night over and over again in my mind and remembering everything that I’d lost. Christmas used to be such a happy time for…

BEDROOM Make the night before Christmas even more special by decorating your bedroom with festive sheets, wall hangings and lots of trimmings in a crisp, snowy-themed scheme. LIVING ROOM Cosy up these holidays under a pile of snuggly throws and fun cushions. BATHROOM Bring some fun to the season by decorating your wash space in a classic yuletide look.…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr Don’t be in such a hurry to say how you truly feel. There could be consequences. Likewise, treat what other people have to say with a pinch of salt. It’s party season. For your reading ☎09058 172557 TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May Impulse moves don’t always work out. You may be able to return a purchase you’ve had second thoughts about, but once something’s said, it can’t be unsaid. Remember that. For your reading ☎09058 172558 GEMINI 22 May – 22 Jun A Full Moon in your sign brings matters to a conclusion. What’s signed and sealed will stand the test of time. Whether you’re pleased or not, a new chapter follows. For your reading ☎09058 172559 CANCER 23 Jun – 23 Jul…

FRESH-FACED 1994 While at uni, where he achieved a BA Honours degree in dance, drama and theatre arts, Ben had aspirations of becoming an actor. But after joining a local weather network as a runner, he was encouraged by a producer to pursue a career in presenting – and the rest, as they say, is history. He made a name for himself at Channel 4, working on T4 and shows including The Bigger Breakfast in the late 90s. GMTV 2000-2010 It was in 2000 that Ben got his big break, leaving Channel 4 for ITV’s breakfast show, GMTV. He started as an entertainment presenter alongside Jenni Falconer, before replacing Eamonn Holmes as a main presenter in 2005. FRIENDS CAMEO 2002 Ben had a surprise role in the hit sitcom Friends…

IS THIS WHAT WOMEN’S LIBERATION LOOKS LIKE? Most of us can probably sing along to some of Lily Allen’s top pop songs, including Smile, The Fear and Somewhere Only We Know – which have been streamed more than a billion times. She boasts over 7 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Yet here’s the stinger: she makes more money from fetish photos of her feet. You read that right. Kate Nash, a fellow singer and songwriter, has also got in on the act. ‘My industry is completely broken. I don’t think it is sustainable… and so I do think people are going to have to find solutions to fund their art.’ Her solution: flogging images of her bum – bent over, knickers barely there, fishnet tights straining provocatively. And it’s selling,…