Your 30-day WELLBEING PLAN womanandhome.

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dh

MARCH 2022 £5.25

SHIRLEY
BALLAS
On health scares,
facelifts and life
resse s n sor e outside Strictly
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Real women’s CONTROL
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 editor’s letter

MY WISH
LIST
Mood-boosting brights
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Simple
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I
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and now I love getting the same attention from my three daughters.
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Meanwhile, on our fashion pages, I’m loving our real women’s denim guide

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MIRANDA McMINN
Editor, woman&home
miranda.mcminn@futurenet.com
Framed poster
poster,

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womanandhome.com 3
 MEET OUR
CONTRIBUTORS
Author CATHY
RENTZENBRINK
speaks and writes on
life, death, love and
literature. Shortlisted for
various prizes, to date
she has only a teenage
darts championship
under her belt. On p29,
she urges people to write their life
stories – her latest book is Write It All
Down: How to Put Your life on the Page.
Where is your favourite
springtime walk?
I love the primroses, bluebells and wild
garlic on the coastal paths around
Falmouth. I like to stand on Pendennis
Point and breathe in the fresh salt air.
LOUISA ADJOA
PARKER is a writer,
poet and equality,
diversity and inclusion
consultant, who draws
on her lived experience
of marginalisation
to tell her own and
others’ stories. On
p52, she tells us about her childhood
in the countryside.
Where is your favourite
springtime walk?
Anywhere in the West Dorset
countryside – I enjoy seeing new
plants pushing their way up through
the earth, new leaves growing
and the world beginning to wake
up after winter.
Bestselling romance
author VERONICA
HENRY talks about life,
writing and her latest
PHOTOS: GEOFF CADDICK, GARETH IWAN JONES, J LEWIS
novel, The Impulse
Purchase, on p176.
Where is your favourite
springtime walk?
I like to walk through the
woods from the bottom of my friend’s
garden in Lee Valley, Devon, which is
known for fuchsias but also has the
most spectacular display of bluebells.
Our dogs have great adventures, and
somehow we always end up at The
Grampus Inn for half a cider in the sun.
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 Join the 7%
NOT VERY

conversation!
28.5%
I LIMIT IT

WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU, SO LET US 28.5% 36%

IT KEEPS ME IT’S
INFORMED ADDICTIVE
KNOW YOUR OPINIONS, YOUR STORIES –
AND ANYTHING THAT MATTERS IN YOUR LIFE
A GREAT SUCCESS
Can I send my heartfelt STAR TOO TWEE? WE ASKED
LETTER Is there a more nauseating phrase in
thanks to Julie for being How useful is social media?
the English language than ‘fur baby’
a living kidney donor [Letter
[January]? Pets provide many with
in December]? I was one for my late
companionship and fun, but don’t
husband. After seeing him languish on
subscribe to twee anthropomorphism.
dialysis, I asked if I could donate. Though
Sara
I’d been told I wasn’t a good enough
match, the transplant was a great success.
Sadly, my husband passed away three
WIDER CHOICE
I couldn’t agree more with Penny’s
years later, but I don’t regret my decision.
letter about high-end beauty
Pauline
and fashion [January]. Some more
affordable ideas would be wonderful.
Kim

AN INSPIRATION
Nadiya Hussain’s story [November]
was heart-warming and empowering.
Kudos to her, inspiring so many of us.
SHE SAID IT…
Richa ‘Investing in women
RISING UP
TOP CHALLENGES is smart economics,
I’m sure I’m so glad you left me [January]
resonated with many women who’ve
In December 2020, I decided to try and investing in girls
60 new things in my 60th year, but
had to reinvent themselves after a
relationship breakdown. How easy it
COVID extended the challenge into is even smarter’
must be to lose one’s ‘self’ through
2022. So far, I’ve completed Couch Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-
a chipping away of one’s confidence,
to 5k, raised £400 for charity and general of the WTO, on p54
learnt to play the sax, to name just
especially with children in the mix. It’s
a few. Having my story printed in
all the more admirable to rise like a
phoenix to claim back positivity and joy.
w&h will tick another item off my list!
Tracy
STAR LETTER PRIZE
Lynn Our star letter writer
this month wins
UPLIFTING ADVICE READING CONCERNS a deliciously silky
I love the mag but please would you
I was inspired by Aysha’s tip of inhaling Ageless Hand & Neck
change the font of the white titles on
and exhaling gratitude for what you have Creme Kit, from top
your pictures? Recent issues made me
in Gifting by post [December]. I suffer skincare brand PRAI
reach for my glasses or just give up.
from anxiety, but I read this and realised (praibeauty.co.uk).
Sue
how much I love everyone around me. Worth £45, it will
Editor’s reply We hear you, Sue, STAR
When an attack strikes, I remember this soften and rejuvenate
and will try to avoid it in future. PRIZE
and immediately feel better. these delicate areas.
Marie
PHOTO: GETTY

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womanandhome.com 7
 W&H IN THIS ISSUE
20
Great reads
Cover star
Shirley Ballas
20 ON THE COVER Shirley Ballas
On health scares, facelifts and
life outside Strictly
24 ON THE COVER No, you can’t control
everything Why we all need to stop
trying to, by a former Buddhist monk
26 ON THE COVER Your 30-day wellbeing
plan Simple, stress-less strategies
29 From the heart: Cathy Rentzenbrink
Why you should write a diary
30 Iconic TV mums Celebrating the icy
matriarchs and the unsung heroines
34 Marvellous makers Meet the women
who are preserving our heritage crafts
38 Ten things I know about midlife
Lucy Mangan has her priorities sorted
41 The way I am: Penelope Wilton Losing
my sister has left me heartbroken
42 ON THE COVER Real-life story The
woman who lost her memories
44 Happy Mother’s Day! Three
generations of mums discuss how
mothering has changed
48 A woman’s best friend Five women
on why their dogs are so important
52 My countryside childhood Growing
up in rural Britain with mixed heritage
54 We’ve got this Those inspiring us
around International Women’s Day
57 My life in a picture: Author Kate Mosse
For that moment, I was the captain!
58 The w&h divorce dossier The rules
on separation are changing. Here’s
everything you need to know
8 womanandhome.com
44
70
How mothering
has changed
61 What I’ve learned: TV and radio
broadcaster Charlie Webster Therapy
is the best thing I’ve done in my life
62 Brand New Directions Entrepreneurs The perfect jeans
share their baking-business journeys
Fashion & beauty
69 If you try one thing this month
Buy a necklace inspired by nature
70 ON THE COVER Find your perfect
jeans! Real women’s denim guide
76 Easy style updates Revive your
wardrobe with these smart buys
80 The new trench How to style this
chic springtime essential
48
84 ON THE COVER Stressed skin sorted
Simple ways to be kind to your skin
92 ON THE COVER Brilliant manicure ideas
How to paint your nails like a pro
97 ON THE COVER Frizzy hair fighters Devoted to
Best buys for silky smooth locks our dogs
Health & wellbeing
*TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY
99 If you do one thing this month ON THE COVER:
SHIRLEY BALLAS
Go for golden and avoid burnt food PHOTO: DAN KENNEDY.
STYLING: NATALIE READ.
101 The white stuff Plant-based milks HAIR: SVEN BAYERBACH
102 What you need to know about
AT CAROL HAYES
MANAGEMENT,
ovarian cancer Spot the signs USING DRYBAR .
MAKE-UP: JANE BURSTOW,
104 Twenty drug-free ways to ease pain USING ARMANI BEAUTY
AND LIZ EARLE BEAUTY.
Natural remedies for those aches SHIRT: THE SHIRT COMPANY
 Cruise inspiration
Skin saviours
107 +HDOWK FRQƓGHQWLDO I’ve climbed
mountains with a lung condition
109 How to stick to resolutions Fitness
guru Annie Deadman’s top tips
110 Are you supplement savvy? Take
our quiz to see if you’re in the know
112 Your health Medical queries sorted
with GP Dr Philippa Kaye
Home, food & travel
117 If you do one thing this month
154
Mother’s Day treats
)TQY [QWT QYP URTKPI ƃQYGTU
118 ON THE COVER Stylish solutions for
every kitchen Find your ideal layout
124 ON THE COVER Room-enhancing
window dressing Curtains or blinds?
130 ON THE COVER Space-saving tricks
146
DIY takeout
you’ll love From clever storage
to smart seating areas
138 Coastal adventure A colourful barn
renovation in Devon, and how you
can recreate the look
146 ON THE COVER Treat yourself to
a ‘fakeaway’ Satisfy those cravings
with a do-it-yourself takeout
154 ON THE COVER Bakes for Mother’s
Day Sweet treats for super mums
162 All aboard! Scenic UK rail journeys
168 Your happy place Discover new
destinations with a cruise holiday
Time for you
174 March’s book club Favourite reads,
plus author Josie Silver
Romantic rail
journeys
176 In conversation with Veronica Henry
Plus the author’s top foodie books
178 Just a Drink Short story by Beth Morrey
180 A Fitting Bequest Short story by
Jessie Keane
182 w&h weekend This month’s round-up
 QHƂNOU68RQFECUVUCPFEWNVWTG
In every issue
7 Join the conversation! Have your say
11 High street heroes Paisley prints
13 ON THE COVER Fab foundations
15 Mood of the month Cosy bedroom
17 It’s all about you! Street-style fashion
66 Smart with money Cash-saving tips
145 Green made easy Expert advice
193 Your stars March horoscopes
194 Town & Country Kathy Lette and
Katie Fforde on the season of spring
Offers
68 ON THE COVER 15% off Celtic & Co.*
89 ON THE COVER 25% off Elemis*
95 ON THE COVER 20% off Floral Street*
106 The Jane Plan Diet A great discount*
114 Subscribe to w&h For just £21*
SUBSCRIBE
TO W&H
Find our fantastic offer
just for you this month at
womanandhome.com/mar22
womanandhome.com 9
 W&H UPDATE

HIGH
Earrings, £19,
whistles.com

STREET
HEROES Dress, £50,
sizes 6-22,
next.co.uk

Top, £65,
sizes 4-18,
hush-uk.com

Belt,
£19.99,
zara.
Trousers, £135, com
sizes 6-16,
toa.st

PAISLEY
PRINTS
COMPILED BY: ELOISA JOHNSON. PHOTO: FILIPPO FIOR/GORUNWAY.COM

Jumper, £19.99,
sizes xs-xxl, hm.com
ISABEL MARANT AW21

Coat, £89.99,
Bag, £89, sizes xxs-xxl,
Boots, £150, vionic charleskeith.co.uk shop.mango.
shoes.co.uk com

womanandhome.com 11
 W&H UPDATE

BEST 2
BEAUTY
BUYS 1. Multitasker
3 1
Can be used as an all-over foundation, concealer,
JKIJNKIJVGT QT HQT EQPVQWTKPI Lancôme Teint Idole
Ultra Wear All Over Concealer, £25, lancome.co.uk

2. Skin enhancer
Not only does this conceal, add coverage and
NWOKPQUKV[ DWV KV EQPVCKPU EQNQWT EQTTGEVQTU Kevyn
Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer, £27, Space NK
4
3. Lightweight
This lighter version has all the qualities of the original plus
TGCN KORCEV Estée Lauder Double Wear Sheer Long
Lasting Make-up SPF20, £35, esteelauder.co.uk

4. Hydrator
With moisture-drenching ingredients, this creamy base
FGNKXGTU C YCUJ QH EQNQWT Jones Road What The
Foundation, £40, jonesroadbeauty.com

5. Skin plumper
6JKPM QH VJKU CU UMKPDQQUVKPI UGTWO CPF HQWPFCVKQP +V
DNGPFU NKMG C FTGCO Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin
5
Foundation, £34, charlottetilbury.com

6. Long-lasting
Created to last 32 hours, it contains vitamin C to help
6 NEW
FOUNDATIONS
GXGP UMKP VQPG CPF EQOGU KP  UJCFGU L’Oréal Paris
Infallible Foundation with Vitamin C, £10.99, Boots

7. Perfect powder
8
2*161,19'$56'4/1&'..+<<+'&+:
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With skin-loving ingredients, this gives a natural matte

ƂPKUJ BareMinerals BarePro 16hr Skin-Perfecting
Powder Foundation, £31, bareminerals.co.uk

8. Glow-giver
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4GƃGEVKPI (QWPFCVKQP  PCTUEQUOGVKEUEQWM
7
womanandhome.com 13
 W&H UPDATE

MOOD Ethnicraft bed, £2,107,

aif.london; Pure Arbutus
Embroidery in Inky Grey,

OF THE £138 per m, morrisandco.

sandersondesigngroup.com;
similar table, £19, ikea.com

MONTH COSY
BEDROOM

Watercolour Mini Flagon table

ƃQTCNU 0Q lamp with shade in
poster Burnt Umber, £125,
(without loaf.com
frame), from
£9.95,
desenio.
co.uk

Carnaby footstool in
Terracotta velvet, £119,
atkinandthyme.co.uk
Casbah bedside rug,
£175, loaf.com

Zorras walnut-effect Small ombré

two-drawer bedside vase and
table, £60, diy.com candleholder, £26,
rockettstgeorge.
Storage wicker co.uk
FEATURE: ESME CLEMO. PHOTO: FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

baskets, £76.99,
wayfair.co.uk

Elodie printed
bedspread, £275,
sweetpeaandwillow.com

Bloomingville Cotton bedding set in Red

Zeus cushion, £49, Stripe, from £34.99, hm.com
beaumonde.co.uk

womanandhome.com 15
 W&H UPDATE
@closet_
confession, 34,
puts a luxury spin
on casual joggers
by teaming them
with stylish
accessories and an
oversized blazer.

@fashionandstyleedit,
42, gives a masterclass
in tonal dressing with
@clubforty.claire, creams, camels and
48, looks effortlessly coffee colours.
cool in a cosy cape
thrown over a
minimal outfit.

@this_girls_
IT’S ALL
ABOUT
dreams, 44,
rocks the
monochrome

YOU!
look in on-trend
cropped cream
trousers and @b_oneofakind,
loafers.
W&H 54, proves winter

STREET whites are super

chic by breaking
@justalpatri, 48,
shows that
STYLE up the top-to-toe
colour with a
layering classic checked coat.
pieces such as
white shirts under
slouchy knits is
always a winner.

@veronicagenest,
44, toughens up a
COMPILED BY: BECKY JOINER-O’RIORDAN

layered tulle skirt

with chunky biker
boots for a modern
Parisian look.
@daniellen_dixon,
37, reminds us that
a timeless trench
Add your pictures by hashtagging
coat is a worthy
#womanandhomestreetstyle or email
investment by
wandhstreetstyle@futurenet.com to join in.
pairing it with
relaxed-fit separates. womanandhome.com 17
 00%
hirley
S
res, intimacy and life outside Strictly
hirley Ballas has a message
on her phone that she
wants to share. It’s from her
therapist in response to a text
she sent detailing her weekly
schedule in an attempt to explain why
she’s feeling a touch ‘overwhelmed’.
‘Not a healthy list. Self-care is
needed,’ reads Shirley aloud, after
talking us through her commitments
from the past week – judging BBC1’s
Strictly Come Dancing, travelling the
country to visit family and former
soldiers for Remembrance, a full
day of teaching at her south London
dance studio, hosting dance lectures
and online classes, plus rising at 4am
to learn choreography for panto.
Then Shirley flicks open her diary to
illustrate the point – a virtually illegible
mass of scribbles and notes covering
every millimetre of every page.
‘It’s only me who can read it,’ she
smiles. ‘I know exactly what I’m doing
from morning to when I go to bed, the
exact time I’m showering, doing my
ironing, having my lunch. Check, check,
check, check, check, check. I live by
a checklist. I’m not saying it’s a good
thing, and maybe people will read this
and think it’s a bit weird. But it’s my
system and it works for me.’
In his reply, Shirley’s therapist urged
her to ‘switch off’ her ‘on button’ to ‘feel
what is really happening inside of you’,
but that’s easier said than done.
‘I don’t know any other way to be. It’s
part of my fabric, my being,’ confesses
Shirley, a former international Latin
dancing champion who replaced head
Strictly judge Len Goodman four years
ago at the age of 57. Staying busy, she
explains, creates an emotional ‘safe
place’, which isn’t necessarily a problem
until she becomes ‘overtired’, and lately
that’s been happening more and more.
Over the past few months, 61-year-old
Shirley’s health dramas have been
well-documented.
Soon after the start of
Strictly last autumn, viewers
spotted what appeared to
‘I’m not
be a lump under Shirley’s
right arm, which her GP going to lie,
revealed was no cause
for concern. What was I’m open to
a facelift’
worrying, though, were the
results of some forgotten-
about blood tests that
revealed sky-high testosterone levels
plus severely depleted oestrogen.
When we meet at our location house
in south-east London, it’s a week after
medics conducted urgent tests on
Shirley’s ovaries, kidneys and adrenal
glands, but only 24 hours since she was
rushed into hospital for a last-minute
kidney scan. (Thankfully, her test results
cover story
later came back clear, but doctors said
she should try to take things easy.) It was
undoubtedly a worrying time for Shirley,
but seeing her smiling and giving her
all on set today says as much about
her show-must-go-on attitude as her
staunch professional principles.
Reliable, focused and giving, Shirley
is also disarmingly open when the
Dictaphone starts recording. Talking
about her relationship with her boyfriend
of three years, stage actor Danny Taylor,
48, plans for surgery and her tears over
being separated from her US-based
professional dancer son Mark, 35, Shirley
burrows into every nook
and cranny of her life
beyond the TV glamour of
Strictly Come Dancing…
All my life I’ve had little
health scares and I keep
moving forward. I don’t
sit and dwell because
I can’t do anything. I have
googled [my symptoms] a few times but
it’s better to leave it to the experts. I’m
not considering worst-case scenarios
because it might not be that.
When viewers spotted that lump,
that’s what started all this. I decided to
thank those people on my Instagram and
the post was viewed 600,000 times and
it took my Instagram up by 25,000 >>
womanandhome.com 21
cover story
followers, which I wasn’t expecting.
People are like me. They want to hear
when you’re having a s*** day and about
the things you worry about.
I had my breast implants removed
[in 2019] for health reasons and
because cancer runs in the family.
When I was told, ‘We can’t really see
behind the back of these. If you did
have cancer, we wouldn’t be able to tell’,
that’s what prompted it. Since having
them taken out, I can sleep. They’re so
soft. It’s no longer like
I’m lying on a bullet! The
operation was terrifying
‘I didn’t
and when I was getting
wheeled into surgery, know what
a duvet
Danny was crying, but the
doctor did an amazing job.
day was!’
After reading about what’s
happened to me recently,
he emailed to say, ’Come
to the office, I want to give you
a good check over.’ I thought that
was beyond the call of duty.
I’m excited about my mum moving
in with me. It was Mum’s idea to sell
her home in Liverpool and move in with
me, and it’s an honour to take care of her.
In today’s society, people forget what
their parents did for them. I don’t. She
lived with me for the first 20 years of my
son Mark’s life, and it relieves a lot of
pressure because she takes care of the
house. She does the washing, ironing
and keeps everything organised. Right
now, most of the time I live on my own
– I see Danny occasionally but not all
the time – so I do everything.
My relationship with Danny isn’t
normal but it works in its own way.
Danny is a touring actor and has
an 11-year-old son, who he sees on
Sundays. I’m also busy and we have
an understanding of each other’s
jobs. He calls me several times a day
and I try to see him at least once a
week or every few weeks, but I find
it quite difficult to be apart.
We’ve talked a lot about marriage.
Danny’s never been married and
gets the industry of marriage, but
it’s not so important to him. It was
extremely important to me and if he
asked me, I would probably say yes,
22 womanandhome.com
but let’s see where it goes. We don’t
always have to agree on everything,
particularly as we get older.
Intimacy in a relationship is important.
It’s what makes any couple comfortable.
Danny and I laugh about how that side
of things will work when my mum’s living
with me full-time, but she’s deaf – she’ll
lie on her good ear! With Danny, it’s
just nice to know that he’s there for me.
He’s six foot tall with these big arms, and
there’s nothing nicer than a cuddle when
you feel a bit under the
weather or stressed. Last
week, when he came down,
he said, ‘We’re staying in
bed!’ He made coffee and
we watched a cartoon on
TV and didn’t get up until
12 o’clock. Then we had
a walk in the park and a
cup of coffee. I didn’t
even know what a duvet day was until
somebody told me the other week!
Most people don’t understand
that I have two jobs. I do Strictly
and everything that comes with Strictly,
and I also teach dance. Anyone and
everyone comes to my studio – a lot
of highly competitive people, juveniles
and juniors. Dance is my safe place.
It’s what I’ve done all my life so I like
to juggle my dance-teacher job and
my marvellous job on Strictly.
In April, I’m off to the United States
to see my son Mark for the first time in
two-and-a-half years. I can’t tell you how
I cry at night for him. People who haven’t
seen their loved ones will understand. We
FaceTime most days, and yesterday we
were chatting while he was home doing
the dishes. I really do get mother and
son time, so I never feel like a neglected
mother, but he’s very tactile, so not being
right there, to laugh with him or cry in his
arms has been really hard. Mark and I both
have Peloton bikes so we’ll often have
cycling competitions. He’s as competitive
as I am! As well as my Peloton, I do some
yoga at home. That’s all I can fit in with
everything else that’s going on!
My beauty routine isn’t full of
expensive lotions and potions. I’ve
stopped using cleansing wipes because
they’re apparently not good for your
skin and very bad for the planet, so I now
use Garnier micellar water to take off
my make-up. I never go to bed without
using moisturiser, and over the past five
years, I’ve mostly used Liz Earle products.
They’re great! I also use Nivea and Astral
cream, and any kind of moisturising mask
for my hands, feet and face. When you
get older, your hands and neck are the
first things to age.
I am partial to a little Botox. I like a bit
maybe twice a year and, I’m not going to
lie, I’m open to a facelift. When I look at
myself on the telly, I don’t like the way
my chin’s looking from the side profile,
so I’ll go and see the guy who did my
boobs and, if I do it, I’ll be transparent.
When it comes to ageing, you can’t
turn back the clock or stop time, so it’s
about doing the best you can for yourself.
When I go out, even to the store, I do
my hair and put on some make-up. It’s
important to take care of yourself.
Restriction is a habit from years of
being under scrutiny as a professional
dancer. I do intermittent fasting and
every morsel I put in my mouth, I’m
counting the calories. Even so, I’m
struggling to lose weight, which I think
WORDS: GEMMA CALVERT. PHOTOS: DAN KENNEDY. STYLING: NATALIE READ. HAIR: SVEN BAYERBACH AT CAROL HAYES
MANAGEMENT, USING DRYBAR. MAKE-UP: JANE BURSTOW, USING ARMANI BEAUTY AND LIZ EARLE. PREVIOUS SPREAD:
is down to hormones.
My mum only weighs eight stone
JUMPER, REISS; SKIRT, COAST. THIS SPREAD: SHIRT, THE SHIRT COMPANY; JEANS, ASOS; BELT, ROGUE MATILDA
and weighs herself every morning.
If she puts on a pound, she gets that
pound off. She eats because she needs
a bit of fuel and doesn’t overindulge.
That’s the way I am and I don’t see
it changing. I’m a size 10, and when
I first joined Strictly, I dropped to a
size 6 but that wasn’t maintainable
or healthy for me.
I’ve always grabbed life by the
horns. Getting engaged at 16 or 17,
moving to America, moving from London
to Manchester to get married, getting
the job on Strictly at 57. That was
unbelievable! If there’s an opportunity,
I’ll go for it 100%. This year I really want
to enjoy time with my mother. We’re
going on a boat cruise, and I’m going
to take some holidays and spend time
with my son. That’s paramount!
✢ Shirley’s autobiography, Behind the
Sequins (£8.99, Ebury), is out now.
 You can’t
CONTROL
everything
…but that is OK – because there is joy and magic to
be found when you free your thoughts, says former
Buddhist monk Björn Natthiko Lindeblad

OUR EXPERT
Swedish public speaker
and meditation teacher
Björn Natthiko
Lindeblad spent 17
years as a Buddhist
monk in Thailand,
England and
Switzerland. He is the author
of I May Be Wrong: And Other
Wisdoms from Life as a Forest
Monk (Bloomsbury, £16.99).
A
2020 study revealed that we
humans have a staggering
6,200 thoughts per day*.
But being able to let go of at
least some of these helps us to reduce
anxiety and stress, making our lives
1
feel lighter and less complicated.
Listen to your
inner wisdom
Learning to listen to yourself,
to your innate voice of inner wisdom
or intuition, is a valuable life tool. Björn
calls it ‘the intelligence of the moment’
and describes it as a finely honed, quiet
compass inside you. Other voices may
get in the way of your inner wisdom, such
as when you seek advice from others.
Your ego has a voice too – ‘It often
drowns out everything else with its noisy
demands,’ says Björn. These extra voices
shut off access to your own intelligence.
DO IT Create moments of stillness to
WORDS: FAITH HILL. PHOTO: GETTY. * QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY, KINGSTON, CANADA
allow your inner wisdom to speak up.
Choose a quiet room and pick a time
when you won’t be distracted. Björn
advises tracking your breathing to
find stillness. Follow each inhale, each
2
exhale and any pauses in-between.
Practise
empathy
You may be annoyed by
people’s behaviour or have opinions
about how they should or shouldn’t be,
but developing empathy will allow you to
let go of unhelpful thoughts. Björn lived
closely with many different people and
all their quirks throughout his monastic
journey. ‘It’s only human to find other
people annoying. But it can be an
unnecessary drain on your resources,’ he
says. Accepting others, just as they are,
makes life easier and relaxes you both.
The same goes when you feel accepted,
just as you are; you feel welcome, without
judgement, and are able to move forward
with all of your strengths and talents.
DO IT To build empathy for other
people, Björn suggests visualising
yourself and everyone around you as
pebbles on a beach. ‘When we get to
the beach, we’re all rough and jagged
pebbles. Then the waves of life roll
in. And if we can find it in us to stay
there and let the other pebbles on
the beach jostle us and rub against us
and wear us down, our sharp edges
will slowly but surely fade.’
3
Accept you may
be wrong
It can cause suffering if you
hold too tightly to fixed thoughts, beliefs
or opinions. They may stop you from
moving forward when you want to make
a change in your life, or means you don’t
truly listen to someone else in the middle
of a disagreement. Being able to let
go of a thought or opinion, even if you
believe it to be right, can be liberating.
DO IT A wise senior monk shared
a valuable mantra with Björn 20 years
ago, which has helped him to let
go ever since. The mantra is: ‘I may
be wrong. I may be wrong. I may be
wrong.’ The next time you sense a
conflict brewing, repeat this mantra
to let go of fixed thoughts and to
become more open to other ideas.
4
Leave room
for miracles
When you think about the
future, your mind might spiral into
unhelpful negative thought patterns,
especially if you have a tendency to
imagine worst-case scenarios. For
example, if an investment goes south,
you might think you’ll never recoup the
loss. But just because one unwelcome
thing happens does not mean another
will follow. ‘Loosening our grip on these
life tools
types of convictions is a sign of wisdom,’
says Björn. ‘Trying to direct and predict
everything just makes life hard.’
DO IT Leave room for miracles to
happen, advises Björn. Don’t
overpack your diary to ensure
you have a little time and space
each day to ‘just be’. A valuable
idea or wondrous thought could
5
come at such a moment.
Let go of ‘should’
Over time, you develop ideas
on how things should be,
how tasks should be done, or how
people should behave. This mindset
reduces your flexibility and narrows the
chance of you learning something new.
Björn witnessed his own ‘should’
thoughts when he joined a new
monastery, which to him was rather
disorganised, where ‘things weren’t
done in a proper way’.
DO IT Practise Björn’s simple hand
movement to let go of ‘should’
thoughts: ‘Clench your fist really hard
and then let it unfold into an open
hand. It’s a good illustration of how
we can let go of things we cling to
6
too hard, like feelings or convictions.’
Balance control
with trust
The phrase ‘trust the
universe’ holds wisdom – it not only
encourages positive thinking, it helps
you to relinquish control. While Björn
says there is a place for control in certain
circumstances, such as organising your
taxes or choosing childcare, there’s value
in learning to trust, especially if some
aspects of life are outside of your control.
‘My guiding star on my journey back
to work was trust,’ says Björn who had to
navigate re-entry into ‘normal’ life and
find a job after 17 years as a monk.
DO IT ‘Trying to control everything
makes life lonely, tough, fraught and
anxious. Trust life a bit more!’ says
Björn. Ask yourself if trust or control
is best for you in a certain situation –
perhaps a balance of both is required.
You can plan a holiday, but you may
have to trust that you will enjoy it.
womanandhome.com 25
 Your 30-day
RELAXATION
PLANCreate a feeling of calm with these simple, stress-less strategies
F
eeling strung-out, anxious
or overwhelmed? You’re not
alone. Stress levels in the UK
are soaring, with 74% of Brits
suffering*. What’s more, many studies
have revealed that health problems
such as insomnia, tummy troubles
or chronic pain can be blamed on
unmanageable levels of stress.
However, introducing some stress-
reducing techniques into your daily
routine can make a huge difference.
‘To build resilience to stress and
anxiety and allow the mind to rest for
improved sleep and digestion, you need
to give the body 10 minutes of TLC
a day,’ says holistic health and wellbeing
expert Rophin Vianney. Try these simple
UVTCVGIKGUs[QWoNNHGGNVJGDGPGƂVU
from doing just one
every day.
STRETCH away stress
DO ‘LEGS UP THE WALL’
This yoga pose quietens the mind,
says yoga expert Hannah Barrett.
% Lie on your back, legs up against
VJGYCNNHGGVRCTCNNGNVQVJGƃQQT[QWT
bottom near the skirting board.
% Keep knees relaxed, feeling a light
stretch in the legs.
% Stay in position for 10-15 minutes.
TRY CAT/COW STRETCH
Mobilise the spine to release tension,
says Pilates expert Korin Nolan.
%Start on your hands and knees, your
spine in a neutral position.
% Inhale and, as you exhale, tuck
your bottom under and
drop your head.
Inhale and on
the exhale,
reverse the stretch, lifting your
bottom and chin to the ceiling.
% 4GRGCVƂXGVQVKOGU
GET INTO CHILD’S POSE
This relieves tension in the neck, back
and shoulders, says Rophin.
% Kneel on all fours, knees wider than
your hips. Bring your feet together
behind you and draw the hips back
until you are sitting on your heels.
% Slide hands forward, head to the
ƃQQTDGVYGGPQWVUVTGVEJGFCTOU
%Stay in the pose for several minutes.
NECK STRETCH
Massage therapist Karen Mack
recommends this technique.
%Stand straight, shoulders
pushed back.
% Drop chin down,
placing one
hand on it,
with the other
positioned on
back of the neck,
pull neck upwards.
% Hold the stretch for
20-30 seconds.
 feel good you

BREATHE to relax TAKE THE

EQUAL BREATHING
This style of breathing restores focus
and calms the nervous system.
% Breathe in and out through your
PQUG&WTKPIKPJCNCVKQPCPFGZJCNCVKQP
count to make sure your breaths are
equal in duration.
%%QPVKPWGHQTCVNGCUVƂXGOKPWVGU
4-7-6 BREATH
A common stress-reducing
breathing technique.
% Stand with a straight back, allowing
into the roof of your mouth. STRESS-LESS
CHALLENGE
% Repeat for four cycles.
LION’S BREATH Try one of our relaxation
A technique to stretch the muscles techniques from the Stretch,
in the face and relieve tension. Breathe or Soothe sections as
% Inhale deeply through the nose and indicated in the grid – ticking them
open eyes wide. off as you go. After just 30 days
% Open your mouth wide, bringing you’ll feel calmer and happier.
the tip of your tongue towards the chin.
%'ZJCNGOCMKPICNQPInJCoUQWPF
% Repeat two to three times. ■ DAY 1
STRETCH ■ DAY 16
STRETCH

VJGNWPIUVQGZRCPF
% With your mouth closed, press your
tongue gently on the roof of your mouth,
BOX BREATHING
This breathing method helps to take
your mind off distracting thoughts.
■ DAY 2
BREATHE ■ DAY 17
SOOTHE

inhale slowly through your nose for

four seconds.
% Sit in an upright position.
% Breathe in for four seconds, hold in
for four, and breathe out for four.
■ DAY 3
SOOTHE ■ DAY 18
BREATHE
% Hold your breath for seven seconds.
%#WFKDN[GZJCNGnYJQQUJoHQTGKIJV
seconds, keeping your tongue pressed
%Repeat this for four minutes, or until
you feel calmer. ■ DAY 4
BREATHE ■ DAY 19
STRETCH

■ DAY 5
SOOTHE ■ DAY 20
SOOTHE

SOOTHE yourself ■ DAY 6

STRETCH ■ DAY 21
STRETCH
HEAL WITH OILS muscle tension, and encourage a deep
Aromatherapy essential oils have the
power to reset your mood. To get the
DGPGƂVUCRRN[2WTGUUGPVKGN5VTGUU
and restful sleep too. We recommend
Magnesium Flakes, £9.95, betteryou.com ■ DAY 7
BREATHE ■ DAY 22
BREATHE

Roll-On, £7.99, uk.puressentiel.com, to

your wrists and temples. This blend of 12
oils, including lavender, orange peel and
MASSAGE YOUR FEET
6JKUTQWVKPGHTQOTGƃGZQNQIKUV/CNKPK
Sarkhel promotes feelings of wellbeing.
■ DAY 8
STRETCH ■ DAY 23
SOOTHE

ylang ylang, can calm feelings of anger

and nervousness.
%Lightly apply moisturising cream or
oil to your feet. ■ DAY 9
SOOTHE ■ DAY 24
BREATHE
‘Don’t %Gently rub the sides of
TRY GRATITUDE
TRACKING
To ground yourself, take
overthink –
feet using circular motions
from top to bottom. ■ DAY 10
BREATHE ■ DAY 25
SOOTHE
Repeat three times.
focus on small
ƂXGOKPWVGUVQYTKVGFQYP
what you are grateful for at
that moment. ‘There’s no moments and
%Hold your big toes one
at a time and gently press ■ DAY 11
SOOTHE ■ DAY 26
STRETCH
the middle part of the big
*ACCORDING TO THE MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION

need to overthink things.

Just focus on the small
successes’
moments and successes that you don’t
toe. When pressing, take
a deep inhale and, when ■ DAY 12
STRETCH ■ DAY 27
BREATHE
[QWTGNGCUGFGGRN[GZJCNG4GRGCV

■ ■
WORDS: ALI HORSFALL. PHOTO: GETTY.

always acknowledge,’ says psychologist three times. DAY 13 DAY 28

Jan P. de Jonge. ‘This could include %Place your thumb at the base of your BREATHE STRETCH
having a cup of coffee without being middle toe and slide your thumb down in
disturbed, or a surprisingly sunny day.’

TAKE A WELLNESS BATH

a straight line to the heel while applying
pressure. Repeat three times. ■ DAY 14
SOOTHE ■ DAY 29
SOOTHE
%Squeeze one foot at a time with both
Run a bath, lower the lights and sprinkle
OCIPGUKWOƃCMGUKPVQVJGYCVGT6JKU
‘magic mineral’ is known to relieve
hands – as if you’re hugging your feet with
your hands, moving slowly from top of ■ DAY 15
BREATHE ■ DAY 30
BREATHE
toes towards heels. Repeat three times.
womanandhome.com 27

Why you
should write
A DIARY
Family memoirs and diaries are treasure troves,
says Cathy Rentzenbrink
T
here is no such thing as an
ordinary life. That’s what
I’ve learnt since I started
teaching memoir writing.
I am always blown away by what lies
just beneath the surface, that in any
gathering of people there is such an
incredible diversity of stories. All
writing goals are good, but I have
a special place in my heart for those
with the ambition of crafting a family
story so that it can be preserved for
their children or grandchildren.
Perhaps I am a bit jealous. I come from
a long line of nobodies where no one
seemed to write much down. All my
grandparents died young and we don’t
have much in the way of
photos or documentation. ‘Secrets are
I’d love to know more about
my immediate ancestors; always very
intriguing’
what my long dead Irish
grandmother thought about
as she waited in the queue
for the pawn shop, or what happened to
all those relatives that my son found out
about during a school project, who are
listed as arriving at Ellis Island in the early
1900s. Both my English great-grandfathers
fought in World War One, but if they said
anything about their experiences, none
of it has filtered down to me.
So when I meet people who have
access to older relations with good
memories and trunks full of diaries and
letters, I am so excited on their behalf.
Often they have an urge to write but
a fear that it might be boring or that
no one will want to read it. I can’t believe
that, I say, and encourage them to start
writing about the grandfather who
escaped from a prison camp, or the
grandmother who travelled across
the world when she was 20 to marry
a man she’d never met. There is
such richness in these tales, and
a poignancy that comes because
they are being told by a descendant.
Of course, it is interesting when
personal stories intersect with big
historical events, but what I most love is
the granular details that emerge: what
people ate, how they did the laundry,
what they cared about, who they loved.
Times have changed so much, and
I love hearing details about what games
children played before the invention
of television and the internet,
or the struggle to pay for
the doctor in a pre-NHS
world, or how a clever girl
wasn’t allowed to go to
school after her mother
died because she had to
stay at home and look after her brothers.
It’s not that long ago that lots of
people either had or were servants.
I’d love to read about the goings-on
in a big house from the perspective
of the parlour maid. And secrets are
always very intriguing; forbidden love
affairs and hidden siblings… There is a
tantalising family rumour that my granny
walked out with an American soldier.
How I long for that to be true, and that
I could find out more about it.
And, as well as investigating family
history, I say, why not keep a diary now?
Writing is such a beautiful way to connect
with our own lives and encourage
from the heart
ourselves to look really closely at what
is happening around us. I already feel
regret that I didn’t write down everything
about my son when he was small. Perhaps
I thought I’d remember it all but, now
that he is 12 and his feet are bigger than
mine, it feels like all that time passed in
a flash and I wish I’d captured more of it.
That’s the thing about keeping a diary.
Today’s daily life is tomorrow’s research
material and the history of the future.
Writing for yourself can be useful,
too, to have a private space to let
off steam or confide your hopes and
dreams. I always find my worries feel less
heavy once I have written them down.
Writing can help us navigate the ups
and downs of life and we can also benefit
from reading our words in the future.
So, why not give it a go? Who knows,
perhaps you’ll eventually end up with
a granddaughter like me who will be so
grateful that you wrote about what you
experienced and witnessed so that she
can travel through time in your company.
Above all, never worry that your life is
too ordinary. There
is no such thing.
✢ Write It All Down:
How to Put Your
Life on the Page by
Cathy Rentzenbrink
(£12.99, HB, Bluebird)
is out now.
womanandhome.com 29
 Downton’s
Lady Violet,
left, and The
Royle Family’s
Barbara, below

Mother’s

Iconic
Day
Sunday
27 March

TV MUMS
From icy matriarchs to unsung heroines, TV dramas have
created some unforgettable mothers over the years

T
here are scary
ones, slobby
ones and
downright
soppy ones. There may
be some you secretly
wish were your own
– and others that make
you thankful they’re
not! Here, in honour of
Mother’s Day, we bring
you a round-up of TV’s
most memorable mums.

Mrs Brown’s
Boys’ Agnes,
above, and
Mum’s Cathy

LADY VIOLET
CRAWLEY
(Dame Maggie Smith)
Downton Abbey
Always witty, occasionally wise, her
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laughter, while feeling relieved we will
never have to endure sitting beside her
at dinner. When daughter-in-law Cora
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considers sending her daughter to an
aunt in America, saying ‘She could get to
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From top: Darling
Buds’ Ma Larkin,
AGNES BROWN
EastEnders’ (Brendan O’Carroll)
Peggy and
Ab Fab’s Edina Mrs Brown’s Boys
The potty-mouthed, cardie-clad Irish
widow and mum of six is adored by
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critics. When the show pipped Phoebe
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to the post in 2020’s National Television
Awards, one podcaster declared she
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Screen daughter Cathy is often on the
verge of uncontrollable giggles, perhaps
because she’s played by actor Jennifer
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celebrating women
CATHY BRADSHAW
(Lesley Manville)
Mum
Recently widowed, Cathy is a long-
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as she grapples with grief, with no help at
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and snooty to downright stupid (yes,
Kelly, we mean you). Cathy’s romance
with her late husband’s best friend
Michael (Peter Mullan) progresses so
slowly, it’s painful to watch, so when they
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it’s special. While a lump may have come
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the third, the tissue box was emptied.
BARBARA ROYLE
(Sue Johnston)
The Royle Family
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is attached to the TV and sofa as if by
glue. She’s greasy-haired and a little bit
gormless, but we love her for her endless
patience and loyalty to her motley brood.
‘She doesn’t agonise about what people
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that family.’ As well as caring for Nana
(Liz Smith), she dances attendance on
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with Trisha and Jeremy Kyle’.
MA LARKIN
(Joanna Scanlan)
The Larkins
‘It’s love what gets us out of bed in the
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to Ma as they snuggle under the sheets.
Mum-of-six Ma is as wholesome as
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a handsome man appears, she exudes
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irresistible. With glorious characters in
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womanandhome.com 31
 PEGGY MITCHELL
(Dame Barbara
Windsor)
EastEnders
The landlady of Albert Square’s pub, The
Queen Vic, was as imposing a character
as Queen Victoria herself, and her TV
reign seemed to last nearly as long.
She was a wife, mother, grandmother,
great-grandmother, feuder and frenemy,
and while her love for her children might
not have been conventionally expressed
at times – ‘If your brains were dynamite,
you wouldn’t have enough to blow your
hats off,’ she once told Phil and Grant –
it never wavered. Her EastEnders funeral Gavin &
took place in 2016 and Dame Barbara Stacey’s Pam,
died in 2020, but for as long as we hear, Oxo’s Lynda
‘Get out my pub!’ ringing in our ears, Bellingham,
time can never be called on our Peggy. below, and
The Kumars’
Ummi, below
EDINA MONSOON right
(Jennifer
Saunders)
Absolutely
Fabulous
Eddie was never going to win
Mother of the Year, preferring
to spend every waking hour
swilling vodka and smoking with
WORDS: CHRISTABEL SMITH. PHOTOS: ALAMY, BABY COW, BBC, ITV, NETFLIX, THE ADVERTISING ARCHIVES

her best friend Patsy (Joanna

Lumley). Pats is fiendishly jealous
of Saffy, Eddie’s only child,
referring to her as a ‘sour-faced
little ditch rat’, who looks like
a ‘stale old piece of toast’.

LYNDA
BELLINGHAM
Oxo mum
For 16 years, the actress was the ‘stock-
cube queen’, star of Oxo’s advertising
campaign, cheerfully serving up steaming
gravy for her fictional family. Sadly,
her own marriage was abusive and she
felt she was ‘living a lie’. By the time
the campaign ended in 1999, she was
divorced, though she remarried and
became a much-loved panellist on Loose
Women. On Christmas Day 2014, a month
after Lynda’s death, a 1984 ad was aired.
32 womanandhome.com
UMMI
(Meera Syal)
The Kumars at No. 42
Grandmother to Sanjeev Kumar (played
by Sanjeev Bhaskar, Meera’s real-life
husband), the matriarch larges it in the
family with her tales of childhood exploits
and blush-making interviews with celebs.
There was the time she performed with
Donny Osmond and declared, ‘I think
that shifted some phlegm.’ Then there
was the time she told Nigel Havers,
‘You’ve got a very strong nose. All the
better to sniff me with.’
 celebrating women
PAM SHIPMAN
(Alison Steadman)
Gavin & Stacey
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would come in the form of Pam – or
‘Pam-el-ar’, as Smithy (James Corden)
calls his best friend’s mum. She has
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vegetarianism, martial arts and
campaigning against phone masts, but
her heart belongs to her ‘little prince’,
QPN[ EJKNF )CXKP CPF JWUDCPF /KEM
(Larry Lamb) – especially when he dons
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Life has its ups and downs, such as when
Motherland’s 5VCEG[ ECVEJGU JGT UOWIINKPI RQTM
Julia, above sausages into the Linda McCartney box.
left, Queen
Elizabeth II as
portrayed in
JULIA JOHNSTON
The Crown, left,
and Marge
(Anna Maxwell
Simpson, below Martin)
Motherland
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and childcare, but invariably drops all the
balls. She’s the mum scratching her head
in the meeting at school, even though
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woman&home makes the school gates to transform daughter
the perfect Mother’s Ivy into Where’s Wally?. The stress of
Day gift. Go to EQORGVKVKXG RCTGPVKPI ƂPCNN[ IGVU VQ JGT
womanandhome. YJGP YKUJGF C *CRR[ /QVJGToU &C[
com/mar22 for a ‘Shove it up your ****,’ she responds.
great offer (ends
31 March 2022).

MARGE SIMPSON
(voice of Julie Kavner)
The Simpsons
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to appear on the cover of Playboy.
ELIZABETH II
(Olivia Colman)
The Crown
Never going to happen, unfortunately,
but one can imagine our Queen sitting
down with Peggy Mitchell over a cuppa
sons. Their language might be
different, but the angry glare is similar
when, in The Crown *GT /CLGUV[
confronts Prince Charles over the
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‘If one day you expect to be King,
might I suggest you start to behave
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womanandhome.com 33
Marvellous
MAKERS
Meet the women who
are preserving our
heritage crafts

Lisa’s traditional
fabrics are given
a stylish twist

‘Inspiration for my creations is the
amazing textile heritage in this country’
Lisa Watson, 51, makes traditionally
British quilts, cushions and blankets.
She lives in Manchester with her
children Joe, 21, and Iona, 18, and
their rescue dog B.
I grew up sewing, with one of my most
treasured possessions being a needle
box my grandmother gave me. I made
my own clothes as a teenager, took
a degree in fine art textiles, and worked
in arts and education until I turned 40,
which felt like the right time to start my
own small business.
Combining my love of textiles, design,
colour and our amazing British textile
heritage, I make unique Harris Tweed
quilts with the utilitarian strip patchwork
first seen in North East England. I love
Harris Tweed cloth as it is natural,
She uses a wide
range of materials
for her designs
in our experience
distinctive, feels amazing and smells
great. The weaves and colours in the
cloth evoke the beautiful landscape of
these magnificent isles.
As my business has grown, so have
my yearly collections, taking inspiration
from our British textile heritage to have
blankets and fabric woven to my design
in Lancashire mills. The business has
evolved with me and, although I still
enjoy fairs across the country, as the
atmosphere is lively and it’s fun to talk
to fellow makers and attendees, I now
focus on bespoke
commissions, often in All the fabrics are
materials given to me weaved in Lancashire
by my customers to
upcycle. Most quilts
take 20-25 hours to
sew, more if there’s
a complicated
patchwork involved.
It’s a methodical,
precise process
that requires
concentration at all
stages of designing,
constructing and
stitching, whether I’m working on as memory or story
a sewing machine or adding finishing quilts. They can
touches by hand. move people to
The rise of fast fashion is an ongoing tears, while also
strain on the world’s resources, and being something
leads to excessive textile waste and we snuggle up
pollution. Making quilts here in Britain under for warmth
that last means, in my small way, I’m and comfort, serving the dual purpose of
contributing to a healthier environment. being beautiful and useful.
I’ve made quilts from To turn priceless
wedding dresses, men’s
shirts, baby clothes, silk
‘Patchwork remnants and snippets of
fabric into something new,
ties and golf jumpers.
We’re wrapped in cloth quilts have something better, is an
honour. My current
and hold
from birth to death and commission is to stitch
a quilt can be an emotive a celebratory 21st birthday
memories’
part of this journey. patchwork quilt from
The way patchwork clothes the birthday girl
quilts come together is has worn throughout her
a metaphor for life, which is made up of life. It is a big responsibility, as well as
many different patches, memories and an enjoyable challenge, to be given the
moments. I stitch these memories into opportunity and be trusted to make
the fabrics, so the textiles themselves a quilt from such precious materials.
have and hold memories. It’s why ✢ See quiltsbylisawatson.co.uk or follow
patchwork quilts are sometimes known Lisa on Instagram @lisawatso >>
womanandhome.com 35
‘I swapped the law to set up my own leathercraft business’
Lottie Seaborn, 41, is a leather worker
and founder of Pedal & Brass. Lottie
lives in Cambridgeshire with husband
Peter, 42, and their children Oliver,
11, Ruby, nine, and Ralph, seven.
After 14 years as an employment
lawyer, I was spending weeks working
until midnight, missing quality time with
my children and husband. I wanted to do
something more creative. So four years
ago, I took a career
break to take stock and
assess what to do next. ‘I’d hold a
When a friend who
worked for a footwear tangible work
shops, nor did I want to leave it on my
bike where it might get stolen. I craved
a stylish bag that I could clip on to my
bike, which looked good to wear too.
Researching, I realised there was a gap
in the market for beautiful leather bags
that fitted a bike, but could be easily
removed and used as a handbag. During
a break from lockdown restrictions in the
autumn of 2020, I went on a leathercraft
practical skills course in
London. I wanted a deeper
understanding of different
types of leather, and to
hone the skills I’d been
work of art that I’d hold in my hands and
think, ‘Wow… I made that!’
Pedal & Brass launched last summer
and it’s going so well. The bags come
with or without the bike fixings and are
made using a combination of machine
and saddle stitching. I am lucky to have
a workshop full of machines, material,
tools, and jars of gold and silver rivets,
D rings and bag feet, which all help to
build the style of each piece.
Like me, my daughter Ruby loves the
colourful, creative world of leathercraft
and showing her friends my workshop.
I never would have seen her showing off

of art and
manufacturer gave me
some surplus leather,
I started teaching
myself the basics
of leathercraft, and
think, “Wow,
enjoyed watching
endless hours of online I made that!”’
courses and tutorials.
Living in Cambridge, bikes are
ubiquitous, but during the lockdown of
2020, our family cycled more than ever.
When all the shops reopened that
summer, I cycled into town to meet
a friend. I had an old pannier bag on my
bike, but it wasn’t aesthetically pleasing
and I didn’t want to carry it round the
practising in both modern my legal achievements! I’m as busy as
and traditional techniques, I ever was as a lawyer, but it’s different.
such as cutting, edging The work I used to do was high-risk
and saddle stitch,
a technique that gives
and high-stress, involving hundreds of
thousands of pounds. Now, my day is
a strong, sturdy finish.
I learnt to use hand tools
busy, but also exciting and rewarding.
✢ See pedalandbrass.co.uk or follow
such as an edge beveller, Lottie on Instagram @pedalandbrass
strap cutter, wood slicker and punches.
I loved how much there was to master,
and enjoyed coming up with patterns
and designs for the bags. It was such
a satisfying way to spend my time
and, just as I’d longed for during those
late nights staring at the computer,
every project ended with a tangible

Lottie’s
handmade bike
bags are both
functional
and stylish
 in our experience

‘Fair Isle strawback chairs helped

connect me to my childhood home’
Eve Eunson, 41, is a furniture
designer and woodworker from
Fair Isle in the Shetland Islands.
Eve makes traditional strawback
chairs and is hoping to save the
technique from extinction.
I spent my early childhood in Fair Isle
and remember the Fair Isle strawback
chair my great uncle Willie sat on when
he told me stories about shipwrecks
around our home island. It had been
made for his parents’ wedding around
1880, but I had no idea about its
cultural significance.
see theirs. I measured some at the
National Museum of Scotland and
even found one in North Carolina.
Through my project, the Heritage
Crafts Association became aware
of the chair’s precarious future and
listed the technique on its Red List
of Critically Endangered Crafts.
Not one tree was ever chopped down
to make traditional Fair Isle chairs. They
were made from wood washed ashore
from shipwrecks and lost cargo. Other
strawback chairs are made by stitching
together rows of straw, but Fair Isle chairs
Eve wants to
bring the art
of chairmaking
back to Fair Isle
so I sell a basket-making kit too. In 2021,
I created a knotted basket activity guide
for children as part of the MAKE Learn
campaign to help preserve traditional
craft techniques and introduce craft to
the school curriculum in Scotland.
Strawback chairs are beautiful objects,

‘I’m helping
My family left Fair Isle in are made by tightly with a welcoming curve that makes you
1994 when I was a teenager, knotting cotton around wonder how many generations have sat
WORDS: KIM WILLIS. PHOTOS: EWAN NICOLSON, JO BRADBURY, LUCY MILTON PHOTOGRAPHY

and I later became an
architect. You can leave Fair
Isle, it never leaves you, so
when I decided to retrain as
a furniture maker, I hoped
the straw. Unique to on them. It’s a privilege to help preserve
to preserve the island, this knotting
method had died out
an important piece of Scotland’s heritage.
✢ See eveeunson.com or follow Eve
a piece of in the 1930s, but was
revived in the 1990s by
on Instagram @eveeunson

Scotland’s
a research project on Fair woodworker Stewart It takes Eve
Isle chairs would reconnect Thomson. Now in his 100 hours
me to my childhood island. 70s, Stewart still grows to make
My plan was to trace and
survey the traditional chairs
heritage’ and hand-harvests black
oats for the straw.
each chair

of my native island, then recreate I made an armchair and side chair

a typical example of the armchair, side
chair and strawback chair.
Supported by a grant from the
Shetland Amenity Trust, in November
2018 I started measuring, photographing
and drawing almost 100 chairs. I went from
door to door on Fair Isle, asking people
if they had these chairs. Soon, people in
Shetland and Orkney, Edinburgh and the
Highlands invited me into their homes to
under the guidance of furniture makers
in Shetland and Orkney, learning to use
hand planes, chisels and a computerised
router. I returned to Fair Isle in January
2020 to learn the knotting technique
from Stewart, who was very generous
with his time and experience.
I now make chairs on commission and
I buy my straw from Stewart’s son. I want
the knotting technique to be accessible,
womanandhome.com 37
 10 things
I know about
MIDLIFE
From spurning unflattering dresses to spending large sums
on posh lipstick, Lucy Mangan has her priorities sorted
38 womanandhome.com
 straight-talking woman

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womanandhome.com 39
 THE WAY I AM
‘Losing my sister has left
me heartbroken’
Downton Abbey and After Life actress Penelope Wilton, 75,
shares her passions and fears. She lives in London
What’s your earliest memory
of acting?
Making up a little show for my
parents when I was about eight.
I was born in Scarborough, where
my father went to recuperate
after he was a prisoner of war.
He was training to be a barrister,
and when he finished his articles,
he moved down to London
and we moved to the country in
Sussex when I was about seven.
Was there ever a plan B?
No, I never thought as cleverly
or as consciously as that. I had a
perfectly normal education and
it wasn’t until I left school that I
applied for drama school. I didn’t
have a theatrical upbringing but
I was taken to the theatre by my
grandparents. I remember the
lights and feeling the whoosh of
warm air that came off the stage
when the curtain went up.
What frightens you?
Losing people I love. It’s very difficult at
the moment. My elder sister Rosemary
died two months ago. She was 80. She’d
had a lot of falls, caught COVID and went
into hospital. She came out but had got a
chest infection so went back in and died.
INTERVIEW: GEMMA CALVERT. PHOTO: ALAMY
We are heartbroken.
What’s the best decision you’ve made?
Having my daughter, Alice. I’ve had more
joy out of her than anything else. Alice is
a theatre producer and a mother herself
now, so I have two lovely grandchildren,
Daniel and Ella. I take the children on
holiday every summer. It’s knackering,
but we always have such a nice time.
And the worst?
Goodness, I’ve made quite a few,
including a couple of bad choices in
my career. When I was young, I would
sometimes think ‘They know better than
me’ and go against my instinct. That
often isn’t a good idea. But you learn!
What’s your biggest pet hate?
People who don’t listen to other people.
It’s happening a lot at the moment,
especially in politics. I’m slightly tired
of this ‘it’s all about me’ type of society.
What’s your best quality?
I’m an optimist. That doesn’t mean I don’t
have very dark moments but, on the whole,
I try to have an optimistic outlook.
And the personality trait you
most deplore in yourself?
I’m short on concentration,
sometimes. I’m inclined to flick
from one thing to another.
What do you do on weekends?
An awful lot of walking. I have an
app called Go Jauntly, which tells
you where to walk, what you pass,
and where there’s a wonderful
statue or somewhere nice to eat.
What’s the biggest personal
hurdle you’ve overcome?
Self-doubt. Some people are
strangers to self-doubt and I’ve
never really got on with them.
What’s your most treasured
possession?
If I do a good job and get well
paid, I buy a painting. I bought
a painting by Philip Sutton after
Downton and a painting of India
after I’d done the Marigold Hotel films.
What has been your greatest
achievement?
Keeping going. If you can keep working
as you get to my age, you’re pleased.
What do you most enjoy about
working on Ricky Gervais’ After Life
series on Netflix?
Ricky writes very well. He writes
specifically for every single character,
and talks about very deep things with
a knowledge and understanding of
people. He improvises, then you join in.
We have a good laugh.
✢ After Life season 3 is on Netflix now.
womanandhome.com 41
The day
I forgot
my life
After a seizure erased her
memories, Rachel Hazell,
48, realised she’d have
to create new ones
M
y seizure came out of
the blue five years ago.
It took away memories
I’ve never been able to
recover and I have no memory of
it happening.
As I lay in a hospital bed, my partner
Tony had to explain that at around 3am,
I had been making strange noises that
had woken him up. Thinking I wasn’t
breathing, he started doing CPR on
me, before asking our eldest daughter
to call for an ambulance.
By the time the paramedics arrived, I
had regained consciousness – though
I don’t remember this. The last thing I
recall is sitting on our bed at home with
an ambulance crew surrounding me.
They had tried to establish my level of
awareness by asking me if I knew who
the man was sitting next to me. I’d said,
‘Of course, I know. That’s my dad.’ It was
in fact Tony.
The paramedics quickly established
that I required further assistance and
42 womanandhome.com
took me to hospital, where I kept
rambling incoherently. At the hospital,
I remembered who Tony was. And
soon afterwards, he showed me
a photograph of our daughters on
his phone and asked, ‘Do you know
who they are?’
Bewildered and confused by what
was going on, I slumped with relief as
I recognised their faces. The girls in
the picture were our daughters, Libby,
Erin and Phoebe, aged 12, 10 and eight
at the time. On hearing my answer, he
‘My consultant
said it was
unlikely my
memories would
ever return’
exhaled the breath he had anxiously
been holding.
But as I tried to recall my memories
of carrying them each for nine months,
giving birth to them and raising them,
my mind was blank. There was nothing.
What’s more, we had no idea if the
seizure I’d just suffered had wiped these
memories temporarily, or whether they
had been deleted forever.
My time in hospital was a blur. I’d never
had an epileptic seizure before but an
MRI scan showed slight signs of epilepsy,
though not enough for a firm diagnosis.
The doctors couldn’t say exactly why the
seizure had happened, but suggested
it was possibly triggered by stress. Later
that day, I was allowed home.
It was special to go back to my girls at
our home in Hertfordshire because we’d
all been terrified by what had happened.
The four of us had a huge, tight hug, with
me reassuring them that I was fine.
It didn’t dawn on me immediately
how severe my memory loss was. In the

days that followed, I kept testing myself,
trying to think of things from my past,
my childhood, school, births, weddings
and holidays – but there was nothing,
just blackness.
Over time, I realised that I didn’t
remember any physical events at all
from before the seizure. Tony and the
girls tried everything to help trigger my
memories. We looked at photos and
videos together, I read the diaries
I’d kept over the years, we listened to
music and watched old films, including
Dirty Dancing, apparently a classic – but
it was like I’d never seen it before. Every
TV programme I had seen many times
previously was new to me too.
We did this for months, trying all sorts
of new methods in an attempt to bring
something back. But every time we
were unsuccessful.
I began to feel overwhelmed, wanting
so badly to say that I remembered
something, but I didn’t. I broke down
in tears, feeling empty and desperate.
Our girls coped well, but they each
had their moments. Erin was worried
something bad would happen again
and hated to leave my side; she would
become nervous to go to bed, in case
I had another seizure in the night.
I recognised other family members
and friends, if not straight away then
after a while, who assured me it was
positive that I could recall the people
in my life, even if I couldn’t remember
the things we had done together. I was
grateful, yet it was like having a set of
puzzle pieces and not knowing how
they fit together.
I knew I had three daughters but
couldn’t recall significant moments,
like seeing their first smiles and their
first steps, or hearing their first words.
I desperately longed to remember them
starting school, their birthday parties,
and our summer holidays together. All
I had were photos – snapshots of these
things happening. But, in my mind,
WORDS: JULIA SIDWELL. PHOTOS: GETTY
I wasn’t even there. Tony showed me
our wedding photos and video, but as
I stared at the screen, it was like watching
someone else’s wedding.
I had no memories of my childhood,
either. I knew where I grew up and where
I went to school, but I didn’t recall a
single day I spent there. I’d forgotten
what it was like to have your first
‘We watched
old films – but
it was like
I’d never seen
them before’
boyfriend, your first kiss, and to go
on a first date. Those emotions of
excitement and anticipation had
been removed from my memory.
As well as being put on epilepsy
medication, I was sent to London
for memory tests. These were for
short-term memory and the results
showed no problems. Yet, there were
no tests for my long-term memory.
My consultant said no one else
had ever had the same problem and
that it was unlikely my memories
would ever return. I’ll never forget the
words: ‘It’s like a hard drive that’s been
locked and we don’t have the key.’
I had annual meetings with my
consultant, but knowing there was no
explanation and nothing to help me
was heartbreaking. Nobody knew if
I would ever remember my life.
Tony explained that before the seizure,
he had been studying the Knowledge
for three years to become a black-cab
driver. As well as that, he had been
working full-time in the police. So, with
Rachel with
her daughters,
whose early
lives she’d
dearly love
to remember
the honest truth
three small girls to look after, I was
exhausted. The weekend I lost my
memory was the weekend Tony passed
the Knowledge, and now I wonder
whether my body had said, ‘And relax…’,
which triggered something in my body
to cause the seizure.
Tony also tells me my personality
has altered slightly. I’m no longer so
gregarious and I’ve lost confidence in
what I can do. After the seizure, I decided
I could no longer work in customer
services management and opted for
admin instead.
Through everything, Tony has been
my rock. We have been together 15
years, and he’s caring, attentive and
romantic. So, despite a very difficult
few months after it happened, with
me having many emotional outbursts,
we have remained strong and plan to
renew our vows. We want to create new
memories of us celebrating our marriage
and reaffirming our love for each other.
Five years on, it’s still hard to believe
the memory loss ever happened – others
struggle to believe it too. Friends often
say ‘But you must remember your 40th’
or ‘You must remember that holiday we
had’. But the simple answer is, I don’t.
I can finally talk about what’s
happened without getting upset, but the
feeling of my life being taken away from
me stays the same. Who knows, perhaps
one day my old memories will return.
But for now, all I can do is enjoy every
moment with my family as we make new
memories, ones I can cherish forever.
womanandhome.com 43
 From left: Verity, Jack,
Mimmi, Renée and Claire
 Happy
Mother’s
Day!
Three generations of mums from one family reveal how
mothering has changed since World War Two
‘We were expected to give up work
and become full-time mums’
Barbara (Mimmi)
Jackson, 94, is a
retired school teacher
from Leyland, Lancs,
and mother to Hillary,
Verity and Martin.
How did you do things differently
to your mother?
My mother brought my brother and me up
during World War Two, so she struggled
with rationing and evacuation – pressures
I didn’t have as a mother in the 1950s
and 1960s. The day I started high school,
war was declared, and the next day
I was evacuated to Blackpool, while my
six-year-old brother was sent to a family
inspirational women
to find short-term contracts in schools.
Mothers just had to rely on their family
for childcare. Luckily, my in-laws helped
us out a lot, although they were elderly.
in Cheshire. We were apart for seven What was your best family holiday?
months. Once reunited, war made us As a child, my favourite family holidays
a strong family. My relationship with were after the war, when we went to
Mum was particularly close. She never a boarding house in Blackpool and
had the luxury of handing out treats, as another time to a chalet in North Wales.
I did. There were no ‘extras’, apart from When our children were young, we’d go
going to the cinema with my dad. camping. We had an army bell tent, and
I have many cherished
Were you a working
mum and what childcare
‘Our children memories of my husband
showing the children how
did you have?
I became a teacher, but
helped on to pitch it, build a fire and
cook on it.
as most women were
expected to give up work
the allotment Did your children do
and become full-time and delivered chores?
the produce’
mothers, once the children We had a big allotment,
were born, I was only able so they helped with >>
womanandhome.com 45
weeding beds, watering and growing
the fruit and vegetables. Then they’d
be sent off on their bikes delivering
produce to family and friends.
Did you help your children with
their homework?
No, they were expected to get on with it.
It was their work and their responsibility.
Did you organise activities for them?
There weren’t extra-curricular clubs
for children back then and we didn’t
entertain them – they would come up
with their own fun, inventing games.
They were left to play out a lot.
How did you discipline your children?
It’s really important that children know
how to behave. If mine were out of line
I would raise my voice and if they were
really naughty – which wasn’t often –
they might get a light smack on the
back of the legs.
What’s your most precious memory
as a mum?
Seeing my kids playing cards with the
French and Spanish children they met
on our driving holidays through Europe.
Is there anything you would have
done differently?
Nothing. The best thing I did was marry
an older man who had life experience.
We had a wonderful marriage and three
fantastic children. I’ve never interfered in
my children’s lives and I think that’s key.
What’s your advice for mums today?
Spend time with your children – get
to know them as people. That’s the
greatest gift you can give to them. I do
this with my grandchildren too. I took
them, one at a time, on a trip to see my
son while he was working in South Africa.
We had amazing one-on-one time, on
safari, bonding and creating memories.
‘Our house
was busier and
noisier than my
childhood home’
Verity Sutton, 64, is
a teacher and mother
to Barbara-Jean, 40,
Charlotte, 37, and
Claire, 36. Verity lives
in Preston, Lancashire,
with husband Paul.
How did you do things differently
to your mother?
Mum was stricter than I was. Her
household was regimented – we would
play outside, then she’d ring a bell to get
us in for our tea and homework. We were
expected to help on the allotment and
spent a lot of time visiting our widowed
great-aunts. I encouraged my girls to
invite friends over, so our house was
always much busier and noisier than
my childhood home. I was, however,
stricter than my mum about letting my
children out – I never let our girls go
anywhere unaccompanied.
Were you a working mum and what
childcare did you have?
When the kids were very young, I went
into business with my sister-in-law selling
children’s clothes. This enabled us to
do tag-team working and look after our WORDS: STEPHANIE CLARKSON. PHOTOS: CLAIRE WOOD
combined six children. Later we chose
new careers to fit around school and
home life – I went into teaching. There
was little organised childcare back then,
but luckily I had excellent support from
friends and neighbours. Later, when
I was studying for a postgrad, Mum
and Dad would take the girls off for
weekends at their caravan in Scotland.
What was your best family holiday?
We’ve always loved St Ives in Cornwall,
where we’d stay in hotels or rent

cottages. My other most
memorable holiday was when 16
of us – parents, siblings and all
our families – went to Menorca.
Did your children do chores?
They would help out when
asked. They were expected to
keep their rooms tidy, but I’d
invariably end up scooting
around after them.
Did you help your children
with their homework?
They did it with the lovely
couple who minded them,
so at home we could have
fun playing, doing arts and
crafts, and enjoying family
meals together.
Did you organise activities
for them?
They attended Brownies and ballet. I was
a swimming coach, so I was delighted
when the girls got the bug. At home they
played together and had friends round.
How did you discipline your children?
We live in a society full of rules – what
is acceptable behaviour and what isn’t,
so limits need to be set. Discipline in
our home would involve the girls being
sent to their rooms if they misbehaved.
What’s your most precious memory
as a mum?
Sitting down to family meals, with the girls
talking nineteen to the dozen. I miss that,
so it’s lovely when we’re together again.
Is there anything you would have
done differently?
Finding more time for my children. Even
though my girls have turned out happy
and well adjusted, you look back and
think, ‘Did they miss out?’ But I could
only have given more time by not
working, so I hope I’ve been a good
role model, demonstrating work ethic
and the satisfaction of achievement.
What’s your advice for mums today?
Give your children the attention they
deserve. Learn to listen to them, rather
than jumping in and speaking over them.
Communicate your expectations, but
be supportive and give praise.
‘My motherhood
goals are to
enjoy being with
my children’
Claire Farrell, 36, is an
NHS nurse. She lives
in Manchester with
husband Shaun and
children Jack, eight,
and Renée, three.
How did you do things differently to
your mother?
I feel I’m just like my mum and I’m happy
with that, as she did an incredible job!
She divided her time between her career
and the family, and I’m the same. Like
Mum, my goals are to enjoy being with
my children, doing my best to see they’re
happy and evolving into good people.
Are you a working mum and what
childcare do you have?
I’m a full-time registered nurse and I’m
also studying for a master’s in advanced
clinical practice. I want to show my
children that it’s important to work hard
and push yourself to achieve your goals,
but this means we need wraparound
inspirational women
childcare. We pay for before-
and after-school clubs, and are
helped by my sister and my
mother and father-in-law too.
What was your best
family holiday?
As a child I went to St Ives,
Cornwall, every year on big,
family holidays and loved them.
Now, my parents have a holiday
house there, so Shaun and I can
take our kids down.
Do your children do chores?
We don’t hand out chores as
they’re still quite little, but I do
encourage them to help. Jack
makes his bed, Renée helps get
the washing out and they clear
the table after we eat.
Do you help your children with
their homework?
Parents these days are expected to have
more input. Jack will get started on his
work, but we always help out if he gets
stuck, plus we love listening to him read.
Do you organise activities for them?
Yes, lots – dance, football, swimming,
gymnastics, piano – but letting them
simply play at home is just as important.
We also go on walks and visit family.
How do you discipline your children?
I’m big on manners. Tantrums do
happen and I ring my mum to ask her
advice on what to do, as I can feel like
I’m winging it. I use ‘time out’ to try and
get them to think about their behaviour.
I also remove access to devices.
What’s your most precious memory
as a mum?
Holding my babies in my arms for the
first time, when they were born. Also,
whenever I see them happy.
Is there anything you would have
done differently?
I would like to have completed my
master’s degree before having kids,
as I always feel guilty I’m having to work
and then still study when I get home.
What’s your advice for mums today?
Keep going – you’ve got this!
womanandhome.com 47
 A woman’s
BEST
FRIEND
We all love our dogs, but
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be devoted to theirs

A
‘ fter I had a spinal stroke, Sailor
really has transformed my life’
Caroline Hall, 44, lives in Bolton with
her assistance dog, Sailor. Ten years
ago, she suffered a spinal stroke and
spent eight months in hospital. When
she returned home, she’d regained
movement in her right side and
partially in her left, and learnt to get
around with sticks.
At the time of my stroke,
I had a busy job as an RSPCA
‘Sailor does
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‘I left my job to
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TGCNN[JCUVTCPUHQTOGFO[NKHG Niki French, 53, lives in Twickenham
%See dogsforgood.org with her boyfriend, Ash, and Bodie,
her rescue dog from Battersea Dogs
and Cats Home.
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womanandhome.com 49
‘Dogs know when
we need them’
Lisette van Riel, 40, works as a
freelance marketeer. She lives in West
Yorkshire with her husband, Daniel,
and their dog, Beautie.
My best friend is Beautie, a rescue dog
I adopted while living in Dubai in 2014.
I’ve always loved dogs, and in Dubai I
regularly helped out at a local dog rescue
centre, where I met Beautie. I was drawn
to her – she only had three legs but she
was running around joyfully.
Sadly, just weeks after adopting her,
I lost my father. I might have rescued her,
but she immediately rescued me right
back. She was meant to come into my life.
She helped me through a difficult time,
kept me in a routine and got me out of
bed in the mornings.
She knew when I was sad. She’d sit with
me while I cried and look right into my
eyes, as though analysing what was going
on. She licked away my streaming tears,
and made me laugh by doing something
silly. Dogs have this incredible intuition of
knowing when we need them most.
In 2017, we moved back to the UK and
Beautie came too. She inspired me to
start my own non-profit organisation,
Doggy Lottery, raising funds for dog
rescue centres. So far, we have raised
more than £40,000 for 80 different dog
charities. We are inseparable and I’m so
thankful for her.
✢ See doggylottery.co.uk
Hilary and
Portia love to
go to the park
‘Portia gives me nothing but love’
Hilary Lester, 64, lives in year, I challenged myself – with Portia
Newport, south Wales with – to walk 2,021 miles, so we have
her guide dog, Portia. been busy! Without her, I would be
As a child, I was very short-sighted. isolated and reliant on people to
That continued to take me places, but now
deteriorate as I grew up,
and later, as an adult,
‘Being able I have my independence.
I pick up her harness
I had other problems,
including a detached
to get out and just hold onto the
handle, and she does all
retina. Eventually, I was
registered blind in 2002.
without the work.
Living alone, she is also
My central vision is like stress is so a wonderful companion,
liberating’
looking through a fog, and and gives me nothing but
I have a limited amount of love. She never fails to put
peripheral vision. Between a smile on my face.
2002 and 2010, I managed with the
help of my late husband and friends,
and a white cane for going out. Then,
my first guide dog came to me in
2010, but, sadly, she died in 2017.
I knew I wanted another guide dog,
and the gorgeous Portia came into my
life in December 2018. She allows me to
live my life actively, independently and
with confidence, and to do everything
I want. I don’t have to rely on anyone
to take me shopping, and we spend
a lot of time in the local park and cafes.
Being able to get out and about
without stress is so liberating. Last

‘Willow is giving Sam the happy
childhood that we dreamt of’
Emma Mills, 39, works in admin
for an autism charity. She lives
in Sheffield with her husband,
Steve, their children, Sam, 11,
and Ellie, eight, and support
WORDS: ALICE GREBOT. PHOTOS: CHARLOTTE BROSTER @THE.OUTDOOR.STUDIO,
dog Willow. Sam was diagnosed
with autism aged five.
DEBORAH REES, DOGS FOR GOOD, IAN KENDALL, THE PHODOGRAPHER
Before we found Willow, daily
life was challenging. Sam’s
difficulties at school became too
much to overcome and he was at
home more than at school. For
months, we couldn’t even get him
out of the house, as our living room
was the only place he felt safe.
Desperate to help Sam, I came
across Support Dogs in 2017.
This was the pivotal moment that
changed our lives. The bond
between Willow and Sam was
clear from the moment they met.
She played with him and they ran
around the garden, carefree. It
significant others
was the first time we’d seen Sam
play for months. The smile on his
face was a sight I’ll never forget.
Willow has helped Sam to
develop his confidence. He can
access the world with her there to
support him. Together, they have
been to the cinema, the shops and
birthday parties. She even helped
him enjoy a trip to Disneyland
– something we could never have
dreamt about before. She is his
security blanket, comforting him
when no one else can.
Sam finds human touch
painful, but Willow’s touch helps
him. We were in a hopeless
place before we found Willow.
Now she is an important part of
our family and has improved our
lives. She is giving Sam the happy
childhood that we dreamt of.
✢ See supportdogs.org.uk
The bond between
Willow and Sam
was instant
womanandhome.com 51
My countryside
CHILDHOOD
Brought up in Devon, Louisa Adjoa Parker was aware that she was the
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L
ouisa Adjoa Parker, 49,
is a writer of English-
Ghanaian heritage who
lives in Somerset with her
husband Peter Fry.
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IQKPIVQGPFYKVJCTCEKUVRWPEJNKPGCPF
+VTKGFVQUVQRJKODWVJG
MGRVCUUWTKPIOGKVYCUPoV
TCEKUV+VYCU+H+ECNNGF
‘As a child,
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I longed for
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a friend who
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WORDS: KIM WILLIS. PHOTO: GARETH IWAN JONES
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Louisa having fun
on a Devon beach
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RNWUQWTUJCTGFTGUKNKGPEGEQPVTKDWVKQPU
VQVJGEQOOWPKV[CPFQWTNQXGHQTVJG
EQWPVT[UKFG#PFO[RQGODear White
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memoir
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womanandhome.com 53
International
Women’s
Day
GLOBAL
heroines
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the planet or simply making it a nicer
place to live, women are a force to be
reckoned with – and for International
Women’s Day, we celebrate the ones
inspiring us right now
as there ever been a
moment in history when
women were more at the
centre of things? From
global leaders and media moguls
gl
to sporting superstars and business
tycoons, our voices are being heard.
Gone are the years when football was
a woman-free zone, or parliament was a
sea of old, white men. Today’s CEOs,
politicians and scientists are increasingly
likely to be women, and campaigns
calling time on sexist and abusive
behaviour are gradually bearing
54 womanandhome.com
Clockwise from left:
The Queen, Greta
Thunberg, Angela
Merkel, Ngozi
Okonjo-Iweala,
Emma Raducanu
fruit. However, women and girls have
been disproportionately affected by the
COVID pandemic. Globally, we’ve had
more job losses, education disruptions
and increased burdens of unpaid care
work. On top of that, the gender pay
gap endures, while men still hold more
positions of political power and
employment management.
Of course, there’s plenty to be done,
but for this month’s International Women’s
Day (on 8 March), let’s champion those
women and girls who inspire us and
show that empowered women empower.

Fearless leader
MIA MOTTLEY
Prime Minister of Barbados
Mia Mottley of Barbados was a giant
voice at COP26 Climate Change
Conference in Glasgow last year,
demanding other world leaders should
nVT[JCTFGTo6JGƂTUVHGOCNG2/QHJGT
nation, Mia, 56, warned of the terrible
consequences faced by those on the
frontline of the climate crisis, and called
HQTƂPCPEKCNJGNRHTQOVJGEQWPVTKGU
responsible for the rise in global
temperatures. She has also recently
steered Barbados to independence
– ending 396 years of rule by the British
monarchy – and given singer Rihanna
a National Hero award.
HER WORDS ‘If our existence is to
mean anything, then we must act in
the interest of all of our people. And
if we don’t, we will allow the path
QHITGGFCPFUGNƂUJPGUUVQUQYVJG
seeds of our common destruction.’
Science saviour
PROFESSOR DAME
SARAH GILBERT
Vaccine pioneer
When asked how she endured
the gruelling workload
necessary to guide humanity
out of the pandemic, Sarah
Gilbert’s answer was simple
– motherhood had prepared
her. Admittedly she’d raised
triplets, but we knew where
she was coming from. It’s been
quite a year for Prof Dame
Gilbert, 59, who led her team
at Oxford to start clinical
trials of a COVID vaccine
in just 65 days. She’s been
made a dame, written a
book, received a standing
ovation at Wimbledon Centre
Court and had a Barbie doll
made in her honour. Now,
two billion doses of the
AstraZeneca jab have been
given in over 170 countries.
HER WORDS ‘You work,
eat, sleep and work again.
I know it is a relatively short
period of time out of my life
and this, too, shall pass.’
Tireless role model
HM THE QUEEN
Last year was tough for many, but
especially – despite her wealth and
privilege – the Queen. Last April, Her
Majesty sat alone in St George’s Chapel,
Windsor, maintaining her lockdown
bubble of one to say goodbye to Prince
Philip, her ‘strength and stay’ of almost
75 years. She has since had health scares,
spending a night in hospital and missing
the Remembrance Sunday service at the
Cenotaph in London. But, aged 95, she
continues her life of duty. This year, when
she reaches her Platinum Jubilee, she will
DGVJGƂTUV$TKVKUJOQPCTEJVQTGCEJVJG
milestone – beating any king’s legacy.
HER WORDS ‘When life seems hard,
the courageous do not lie down and
accept defeat; instead, they are all
the more determined to struggle
for a better future.’
Prof Dame
Sarah Gilbert,
Kamala Harris,
Mia Mottley
inspiring women
Next US president?
KAMALA HARRIS
US Vice President
Last November, Kamala Harris became
acting president of the United States
of America – even if it was for just 85
minutes while Joe Biden underwent
surgery. Not only is Harris, 57, the
highest-ranking woman in the history
of the US government – as the child of
KOOKITCPVRCTGPVUUJGoUCNUQVJGƂTUV
African-American and Asian-American
‘Veep’ too. Married to ‘Second
Gentleman’ Doug Emhoff, she’s widely
tipped to win Biden’s endorsement.
The president, 79, has said he will stand
again in 2024 – but watch this space.
*'4914&5n+OC[DGVJGƂTUV
YQOCPKPVJKUQHƂEG+YQPoVDG
the last. Because every little girl
watching tonight sees that this is
a country of possibilities.’
Mother of Europe
ANGELA MERKEL
Former German Chancellor
+PJGT[GCTUKPQHƂEG#PIGNC
/GTMGNFGCNVYKVJƂXG7-RTKOG
ministers, four US presidents and
four French presidents, and was
widely acclaimed as the most
powerful woman in the world.
Known in Germany as Mutti,
or Mum, Merkel was loved for her
steely reserve – from standing
up to Donald Trump, to allowing
more than a million Syrian
refugees into Germany.
5JGƂPCNN[UVGRRGFFQYPKP
December, hailed by many
young people in her country
as a true feminist icon.
HER WORDS ‘I might bend,
but I will never break because
it’s in my nature as a strong woman.’
Environment warrior
GRETA THUNBERG
Climate campaigner
For such a tiny person, Greta Tintin
Eleonora Ernman Thunberg makes a lot
of noise. The Greta effect culminated with
the 19-year-old criticising world leaders
at COP26 for their ‘blah, blah, blah’. >>
womanandhome.com 55
inspiring women
She became well known
aged 15 when she took her
school strike to the Swedish
parliament, calling for action
on climate change. She’s
since been nominated three
times for a Nobel Peace Prize
and holds world leaders to
account for what she says is
their failure to prevent future
catastrophes.
HER WORDS ‘The eyes
of all future generations
are upon you. And if you
choose to fail us, I say – we
will never forgive you.’ Oprah Winfrey,
Sara Blakely,
Best boss ever Jacinda Ardern
SARA BLAKELY
Billionaire founder of Spanx
Last October, businesswoman Sara Blakely,
50, sold a majority stake of her Spanx
underwear company to investors and,
to celebrate, gave each of her 750
employees $10,000 in cash and a pair
QHƂTUVENCUURNCPGVKEMGVUVQCP[YJGTG
in the world. Blakely, who became the
youngest self-made female billionaire
YJGPUJGKPXGPVGFVJGƂIWTGJWIIKPI
hosiery, also pledged $5 million to
support female-run businesses in 2020.
HER WORDS ‘I am committed to the
belief that we would all be in a better
place if half the human race (women)
were empowered to prosper, invent,
be educated, start businesses, run for
QHƂEGCPFDGIKXGPVJGEJCPEGVQUQCTo
Media queen
OPRAH WINFREY
Talk show host and philanthropist
When the biggest names on the planet
want to talk, they talk to Oprah. Last year
her interview with Harry and Meghan
drew a worldwide audience of almost 50
million. Oprah, 67, regularly tops the polls
CUVJGYQTNFoUOQUVKPƃWGPVKCNYQOCP
Born into poverty, she rose to become a
media mogul, Oscar-nominated actress
and a benefactor to thousands through
her charitable foundation. Last year, she
had donated $400 million, educated
72,000 men and women and bought 75
million meals for the needy.
HER WORDS ‘I don’t think of myself
as a poor deprived ghetto girl who
56 womanandhome.com
made good. I think of myself as
somebody who from an early age
knew I was responsible for myself,
and I had to make good.’
A new brand
of politician
JACINDA ARDERN
New Zealand Prime Minister
+VoUFKHƂEWNVVQKOCIKPG$QTKU,QJPUQPoU
toddler interrupting a live TV broadcast
to the nation – but when New Zealand’s
leader took to the airways last November
for an update on the COVID crisis, a little
voice was heard asking, ‘Mummy?’ When
she became the world’s youngest female
head of government, aged just 37, it was
clear Ardern would be different. She’s
won admiration for her empathy in the
face of tragedy, such as the Christchurch
mosque shootings in 2019, and for her
handling of the pandemic.
HER WORDS ‘One of the criticisms
I’ve faced is that I’m not aggressive
enough or because I’m empathetic,
it means I’m weak… I refuse
to believe you cannot be both
compassionate and strong.’
Inspirational
economist
NGOZI OKONJO-
IWEALA
Director-General
of the World Trade
Organization
#U0KIGTKCoUƂPCPEG
minister, Okonjo-Iweala,
67, waged war against
the corruption that was
costing her country billions
of dollars, earning her
the nickname ‘Trouble
Woman’. It’s alleged her
CRRQKPVOGPVCUVJGƂTUV
#HTKECPCPFƂTUVHGOCNG
WTO head was blocked
by Donald Trump, but in
March 2021, the mother-
QHHQWTƂPCNN[VQQMWR
the job. Okonjo-Iweala is
passionate about using
trade to lift developing
countries out of poverty
and supporting African
women entrepreneurs.
HER WORDS ‘Investing in women is
smart economics, and investing in
girls, catching them upstream, is even
smarter economics.’
Sporting sensation
EMMA RADUCANU
British tennis superstar
Last summer, a British teenager made
history at the US Open in New York.
'OOC4CFWECPWDGECOGVJGƂTUV$TKVKUJ
WORDS: MICHELLE HATHER. PHOTOS: ALAMY, GETTY
woman to win a grand slam title since
Virginia Wade won Wimbledon in 1977.
Since then, the A-grade schoolgirl has
signed deals with Tiffany and Dior, and
ƂPKUJGFYKVJCPQVJGTYKPs$$%
Sports Personality of the Year. She has
also inspired thousands of youngsters
to pick up a racquet.
HER WORDS ‘I don’t really think
about other people’s expectations.
The only ones I have are that of
myself, to improve and get better.’
 my life in a picture

‘For that
moment,
I was the
CAPTAIN!’
The magical
Kate loved
being outdoors
and the idea
of being brave
and adventurous
as a child
landscapes of her
also feels very magical that people
childhood are at the will come out of the theatre and be on
the doorstep of the landscape they have
heart of author just experienced.
Kate Mosse’s writing Moving back to where I grew up with

T
his picture was taken on
an amazing trip on my
own with my father. It was
1968 and I was six. My
sisters were too young to go on a
grown-up adventure. Not that we
went anywhere. We may have been
on a boat but we were moored at Dell
Quay, near the Fishbourne Marshes
in Chichester, where I grew up. I liked
being outside and loved the idea of
being daring, but I was actually quite
cautious. Here I am, tiller in hand,
my father’s cap on, taking my job
very seriously. For that
moment, I was the captain!
The Fishbourne Marshes
‘A story
was the landscape of my
childhood. Every Sunday
always starts
we’d feed the ducks at the
millpond, then walk out on
with the
place for me’
the marshes. It’s an incredible
place as it’s always different,
depending on whether the tide is up or
down. We’d make up stories and my
parents would play along, pretending we
were marooned. When we were older,
WORDS: ZOE WEST
Amazons – all of those adventure
stories where children are on their own.
That was not my life entirely, though.
We did everything with my parents,
but as teenagers, my sisters and
I would walk around there for ages,
mournfully – as you do as a teenager.
My husband and I later
moved away to France –
another landscape I fell in
love with, and my historical
novels are a love letter to
Carcassonne in the south.
But when my father was
dying I couldn’t travel much
and I didn’t want to not
be writing. I came back and wrote The
Taxidermist’s Daughter, which is set on
the marshes. My first major play of this
novel will open the 60th anniversary of
my family, and walking there with my
children, is very special. I go there to
think of my parents, who I miss, and it
feels like a shared landscape. My parents
read stories to us every night, but all
my stories come from the environment.
I call it the whispering in the landscape.
I hear a character or see a story, but it
always starts with the place for me.
My parents told us that we should
have a go at whatever we wanted.
I worked in publishing for a long time and
founded the Women’s Prize for Fiction,
but I came to writing quite late, at 45.
I am a writer of landscape and that must
come from growing up where I did. But
I became a writer because I moved to
Carcassonne. I had to leave where I was
from and fall in love with somewhere
else. I could then come back and look at
Sussex anew. It’s there that I experienced
being a child, teenager, a parent and
a person who had lost her parents. It was
there long before I was born and it will
be there long after I am gone – and that is
where peace lies. We are here for a short
time but the land will always be there.

my sisters and I went out to make dens
in the trees. It was our playground.
As an avid reader, I devoured The
Famous Five books and Swallows and
Chichester Festival Theatre – a theatre
my parents loved. It’s so sad they won’t
be there – my mother passed away in
2014 – but they would be so proud. It
✢ The City of Tears (Macmillan) is out
now. The Taxidermist’s Daughter is on
at Chichester Festival Theatre from
8-30 April. Book tickets at cft.org.uk
womanandhome.com 57
 The W&H
DIVORCE
DOSSIER
9KVJVJGTWNGUQPURNKVUEJCPIKPIƂPCPEKCNGZRGTV
(CKVJ#TEJGTGZRNCKPUCNN[QWPGGFVQMPQY

Y
ou hope it will never happen
to you, but with no-fault
divorces coming into effect,
it’s important to navigate
VJGFGEQWRNKPIOKPGƂGNFKH
you need to.
Divorce can be emotionally
‘If you’re
>˜`w˜>˜Vˆ>Þ`À>ˆ˜ˆ˜}]LÕÌ
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older, you
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Stats show that we are to lose’
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has stretched many more relationships
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more to lose and far less
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divorced can also be
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œ˜iÞi«iÀ°

CAN YOU HAVE AN AMICABLE DIVORCE?

An amicable divorce might sound
like a contradiction in terms, but
if you can reach an agreement with
your soon-to-be-ex partner, and
avoid court proceedings, you
will save time, money and trauma.
‘An amicable divorce is only
possible if both partners are willing
to take a collaborative approach,’
says Vicki Rawlins, partner at
5VQYG|(COKN[.CY
It’s vital to keep communicating,
consider the other person’s point of
view and be willing to compromise.
Try to settle potentially contentious
areas early on, such as the
GZCORNGU|EKVGFYJGPFKXQTEKPI
for unreasonable behaviour, or any
issues about who pays divorce costs.
Then focus on what really matters
VQ|[QWUWEJCU[QWTJQOGƂPCPEGU
or arrangements for the children,
if you have them.
You can get help to reach
agreement via mediation, where
you and your partner use a trained
mediator, or a collaborative divorce,
where you both sit down with your
respective solicitors.
However, these approaches
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KUCV|TKUM
If you can’t reach agreement on
certain areas, you might consider
arbitration, where a neutral third
party makes a binding decision.
Above all, aim to present a united
front to your children, and avoid
arguments in front of them.

58 womanandhome.com
 The W&H
DIVORCE
DOSSIER
FINANCIAL
NEED-TO-KNOWS DIY DIVORCE
% Dividing the same income between
two households can often drive up
VS
A DIY divorce may sound
SOLICITOR
can be well worth paying for
debts. Agree an emergency budget CVVTCEVKXG|CUCSWKEMGTYC[ specialist legal advice. Even with
and make alternative arrangements for VQGPF|[QWTOCTTKCIGQPNKPG C|&+;FKXQTEGKH[QWYCPV[QWT
joint accounts and credit cards on the YKVJQWV|VJGGZRGPUGQHUQNKEKVQTU ƂPCPEKCNUGVVNGOGPVVQDGDKPFKPI
same account. Try to agree to keep up QT|IQKPIVQEQWTV+VECPYQTM you will still need to apply to court
payments if you have a joint mortgage. YGNN|KPNGUUEQORNKECVGFECUGU to approve the details.
% No matter who is to blame for HQT|GZCORNGYJGTG[QWCPF[QWT A solicitor may be able to explain
a relationship breakdown, the default partner agree on every aspect of your rights, identify solutions you
RQUKVKQPHQTUGRCTCVKPIVJGƂPCPEGUKU the divorce and have no children hadn’t considered, avoid errors
CPGSWCNURNKV6JGƂPCPEKCNCITGGOGPV or assets to consider. CPFFGNC[UCPFJGNRFKXKFGƂPCPEGU
should then look at contributions ;QWECPƂNGHQT[QWTQYP fairly, in a way that won’t cause
during the relationship, and future FKXQTEG|QTFKUUQNWVKQPQPNKPGCV problems in future.
needs, based on factors such as your gov.uk/divorce, with a court fee Vicki says, ‘If your husband is
ages and earning potential. QH| pressuring you against taking legal
% Brace yourself for full and frank However, as Vicki from Stowe advice, you should consider why.’
ƂPCPEKCNFKUENQUWTGTKIJVCETQUUUCXKPIU (COKN[.CYUC[Un6JGFKXQTEGKVUGNH 5QOGUQNKEKVQTUFQQHHGTƂZGF
investments, pensions, property, cars, is a simple process, and the costs rates or capped fees, to help keep
belongings, debts and any businesses. CTGHCKTN[NQY+VoUVJGƂPCPEKCNUKFG the cost in check. Ask around
% If you chase your banks, pension of things that can be complicated for recommendations and take
companies and mortgage provider and push up the costs.’ advantage of free or low-cost
for the paperwork needed, it will cost If you have children, mortgages KPVTQFWEVQT[OGGVKPIUVQƂPF
less than getting your solicitor to do it. and retirement plans to divide, it C|U[ORCVJGVKEUQNKEKVQT
% One of the most pressing issues
is often where you will both live. Seek
advice on whether one person can spouse’s legal costs or has broken down due to adultery,
buy out the other person’s
share of the family home,
TAKE receiving a less
favourable ruling.
desertion, unreasonable behaviour
or separation, either after two years
whether you need to
keep it in joint names
TIME OUT % Normally, you
can’t get legal
if the couple agree to divorce, or after
ƂXG[GCTUKHVJG[FQPoV
% Helen Thorn, author of Get
with one person living Divorced, Be Happy, recommends aid for divorce Right now, one spouse needs to issue
there, or need to C nJQWTo TWNG YJGP TGRN[KPI VQ solicitors’ fees, divorce proceedings against the other.
sell the property and your ex. ‘Interactions with exes except in cases After the changes, both people will be
share the proceeds. can be very triggering. Things of domestic able to make an application jointly. Plus,
% Remember, pensions can be loaded and emotional, abuse, violence one half will no longer be able to contest
can tot up to more than so don’t always reply or child abduction. the reason for divorce cited by the other.
the value of the family straight away.’ However, you may Allowing couples to divorce without
home, and are often mainly be able to apply for one person blaming the other should
in one person’s name. You means-tested help with reduce bitterness, speed up the process
need to understand what any mediation costs. and therefore cut the cost.
pensions are worth and what they *GCVJGT1YGPƂPCPEKCN
would cost to replace.
% Inheritance is not automatically
CHANGES IN planner at Quilter Private
Client Advisers, says, ‘The new
treated differently from other assets. THE LAW legislation aims to overhaul
It depends, for example, on how New laws from April should divorce law and reduce family
recently the inheritance was received, NGCFVQNGUUEQPƃKEVYKVJ EQPƃKEV$WVPQOCVVGTJQY
and whether it was kept separate or the introduction of ‘no-fault good-natured your divorce is
WUGFVQDGPGƂVDQVJRCTVKGUUWEJ divorce’, on the basis that or how simple it seems, the
as paying off part of the mortgage. the marriage has broken separation of jointly owned
6JGƂPCPEKCNPGGFUQHVJGHCOKN[ down irretrievably. assets can be costly and complex,
especially if there are minor children, Currently, divorces and requires a rethink on estate
remain the overriding consideration. are only granted planning,
% Don’t be tempted to hide or dispose once it can be inheritance
of assets. You could be penalised by, for proved that and tax
example, ending up with the bill for your the marriage planning.’ >>
 The W&H
DIVORCE
DOSSIER
‘You and your
spouse can
choose an
arbitrator to rule
on areas where
you can’t agree’
‘WE TRIED TO KEEP ‘GETTING A
IT OUT OF COURT’ SOLICITOR WAS
Lynn Beattie, 44, from Hertfordshire,
is a personal finance expert and
THE BEST MONEY
founder of Mrs MummyPenny. She I EVER SPENT’
spent more than £5,000 getting
divorced in 2020.
‘A good solicitor is worth their weight
in gold,’ says Lynn. ‘We agreed to
mediation and had four sessions. We
tried to keep it out of court as that’s
when it gets really expensive.’
As the main breadwinner in the
relationship, Lynn had to face giving
her ex-husband 50% of their financial
assets, including the £20,000 inherited
from her parents that had been put
towards their house.
With three sons, now aged 14, 12
and nine years old, Lynn fought to keep
the family home. She took on a bigger
mortgage to buy her husband out, and
now has to find an extra £1,000 a month
to cover household bills.
‘We split up because our lives had
gone in two different directions, and
we were unhappy,’ says Lynn.
‘Now, I feel like I have escaped and
wish I’d done it earlier.’
60 womanandhome.com
Angela Stanbridge, 53, a lecturer
from Buckinghamshire, had her
divorce finalised in 2021 after
20 years of marriage.
‘The process was a minefield – I didn’t
have a clue where to begin. I tried to do
it myself using an online divorce service,
but was locked in limbo, terrified of the
expense of getting legal help. I ended up
using a solicitor recommended by a friend,
and it was the best money I ever spent.’
Despite avoiding court or mediation,
Angela’s legal fees still totted up to more
than £6,000. Her ex-husband pushed
for a 50/50 financial split, but as he now
works abroad while Angela has the
children full-time, she got 75%.
She will get child maintenance until her
children, now 17 and 19, finish higher
education, but couldn’t afford to stay
in the family home. ‘I am glad I sold
the house, even if it was traumatic and
draining,’ she says. ‘Now we have a fresh
start in a place that is completely mine.’
JARGON
BUSTER
✢ Petitioner The person who
starts divorce proceedings.
✢ Respondent The person who
receives the divorce petition.
✢ Decree nisi A provisional
divorce document that shows the
court is satisfied that you have
met the requirements for a divorce.
Once you have reached the decree
nisi stage, a court will need to
approve the consent order, to
make it legally binding.
✢ Financial agreement Sets out
how your finances will be divided
after a divorce.
✢ Decree absolute A legal
document that makes the divorce
final. You can only apply for
a decree absolute after waiting
at least six weeks and one day after
the decree nisi.
✢ Child arrangements or
residency What used to be
called custody. The decision
about where the children will live
and when. Normally it’s expected
that children will spend time with
both parents, unless they are at
risk of harm.
✢ Child Maintenance Service
The body that helps spouses agree
on child maintenance payments,
previously known as the Child
Support Agency.
✢ Mediation The process
where both of you work with
a professional mediator to agree
on financial or family matters.
✢ Arbitration Another alternative
to court, where you and your
PHOTOS: ALAMY, GETTY
spouse choose an arbitrator to rule
on areas where you can’t agree.
Their decision is then made into
a binding court order.
 WHAT I’VE LEARNED
‘Therapy is the best thing
I’ve done in my life’ TV and radio broadcaster Charlie Webster, 39,
splits her time between LA and London
How we’re treated and
the environment we live
in shapes how we view
ourselves. I was a quiet child
who walked looking at the
floor, rather than standing tall
with confidence. I didn’t live in
a secure, safe environment. My
mum had me when she was 15
and after my parents divorced
when I was five, we lived in
Sheffield in lots of different
houses. My mum married again
and my stepdad was a violent
man who hated it when any
focus was on me, so I protected
myself by never talking about
myself to deflect attention,
which contradicts who I am
inside. Now I’ve come full
circle and it’s a privilege to be
able to help other people who
are facing similar challenges.
I’ll always have to care for my
mental health and that’s OK.
I used to go off at myself,
thinking, ‘What’s wrong with
you!?’ but I’ve learnt to switch off my
inner critic to become compassionate to
myself. I can’t tell you how freeing that’s
been. I was bad at self-care until I became
critically ill with malaria during a 3,000-
INTERVIEW: GEMMA CALVERT. PHOTO: GETTY
mile cycle ride from London to Rio during
the 2016 Olympic Games. I was put in
a medically induced coma and almost
died. I was totally vulnerable for the first
time and lying in that hospital, the steel
sheets came down and I realised I needed
therapy, which is the best thing I’ve done
in my life. For two years we focused
on trauma, which helped me heal from
childhood domestic abuse and being
sexually abused by my running coach
when I was 15. I later spent a year studying
patterns of behaviour around trauma to
understand myself more. My personal
relationships have improved because the
sharing of emotions, care, support and
love is now a two-way street. If I’m not OK,
I say it, and get comfort and my needs met.
I’m still learning boundaries. In my
childhood home, being violent or
aggressive was normal, so I accepted
it as normal. I got into some unhealthy,
controlling relationships, which weren’t
emotionally nice. Now, thanks to better
understanding my past, I’m
able to think, ‘I deserve better.’
I needed to be single to
heal. I got into a new
relationship when I was
recovering from malaria
but walked away because
I couldn’t give enough to the
person or myself. Now I’m
ready for a new relationship.
I have my own way of
finding balance. After I made
my BBC1 documentary
Nowhere to Run, so many
people got in touch to say it
had resonated with them and
my first thought was ‘I’ve got to
reply to them.’ Purely because
I knew first-hand what these
people were going through
and wanted to make sure they
all felt they were being heard.
I’m a 100mph person and
not good at finding calm.
I get stressed by having
downtime because I’m naturally active,
so I get emotional space with exercise.
I run four or five times a week.
Manageable goals are everything.
I want to do everything at the same time,
so I can often become overwhelmed.
When I came out of hospital and had
to learn to walk again, I got frustrated
that I couldn’t run so I learnt to take
small steps every day towards the goal.
I’ve applied that mentality ever since.
✢ Nowhere to Run: Abused by Our
Coach is on BBC iPlayer now.
womanandhome.com 61
 BRAND NEW DIRECTIONS

OUR BAKING
BUSINESSESSupplying their customers with delicious treats has propelled
these entrepreneurs to sweet success

‘I’ve won awards Lynsey baked her

way to happiness

for my brownies’
Former health visitor Lynsey Bleakley,
45, lives near Bangor in Co Down,
with her husband James, 43, and
daughter Yazmin, 20, along with
three Labradors and a cat. She left
her 18-year career in the NHS to
launch Bumble & Goose, a baking
business delivering luxury brownies
and personalised biscuits across the
UK and Ireland.

THE IDEA
I had worked for the NHS for almost 18
years. But after struggling to conceive,
my husband and I suffered four
miscarriages between 2015 and 2017.
Along with the grief of losing my babies,
I suffered from complications that
had a huge impact on my health, both
physically and emotionally. I started
having CBT therapy and my therapist
suggested a hobby to occupy my
anxious mind – so I began to bake.

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT

I found it such a huge relief that
something distracted me from the
grief and loss, so I kept doing it, giving
cakes and brownies to friends and
family, even posting them to my sister
in Edinburgh. My husband finally
suggested that I may want to sell some
of the things I was making, as now down
to one income, I was baking all our extra
62 womanandhome.com

cash away! And so Bumble & Goose
was born at the end of 2019.
BREAKTHROUGH MOMENT
Bumble & Goose was only just finding
its feet when the pandemic hit. I was
baking cakes for parties and celebrations,
and tentatively sending some brownies
around the UK, but the parties were
all halted. My husband and I realised
my new business was going nowhere
if we didn’t think outside the box. Our
personalised biscuits and brownies
are postable, so we knew this was
a good place to start. My husband
built a website and we sourced some
gorgeous packaging.
STEEPEST
LEARNING CURVE
The craziest moment was when we
launched our first collaboration
TOP TIP
with Cornish illustrator Anna Lewis
aka @sketchymuma. She drew
Make sure you take all some beautiful illustrations for
the advice and support our biscuits, which we called
you can get from Virtual Hugs biscuits. They
experienced have warm, fluffy messages of
sources. friendship, solidarity and hope,
and we sent them all over the UK,
to friends and families who couldn’t
see one another. The evening they
went live our website exploded and
Yazmin also
helps Lynsey
with the bakes
brand new directions
I panicked that we wouldn’t be able to
cope, but we did, and it was a joy to send
all the biscuits out in the post.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
I have six part-time employees, including
a biscuit designer! I have won awards for
my brownies and am busier than I ever
could have dreamed of. We have a huge
corporate client base and have made
biscuits for the BBC, AstraZeneca, Legal
& General and Benefit Cosmetics – to
name a few. It’s very humbling that so
many people trust us to bake for their
loved ones, friends, clients and staff.
I would like to see Bumble continue to
grow, in a manageable way. All our bakes
are handmade and that’s not something
I am willing to compromise on – that’s
what makes them taste so good! >>
BUSINESS BREAKDOWN 
✢ Start-up costs: £20,000
Comprising…
Bakery fit-out: £10,000
Equipment: £5,000
Website: £2,000
Packaging: £2,000
Branding and photographs:
£1,000
✢ Current turnover: £155,000
bumbleandgoose.co.uk
womanandhome.com 63
‘We moved the focus to online and retail’
Carol Myott, 62, who used to run
a print business, lives near Tavistock
in Devon, with her sister Ruth, 59,
her friend Janett, 63, and their three
beagles. In 2015, she teamed up
with another friend, Sally Jenkin,
59, to launch Flapjackery, a luxury
flapjack business. Sally also lives
in Tavistock with her son Dan, 22,
and Labrador, Alf.
THE IDEA
Sally I first met Carol at a farmers’
market and we hit it off straight away.
We shared a passion for home cooking
with quality British ingredients, so one
day Carol came up with the idea of
a stroke of luck when Sally spotted an
empty unit on an industrial estate. She
made enquiries and discovered it had
‘making a few flapjacks’ and selling them a purpose-built kitchen. The two people
at local markets. Everybody was doing who had set it up were getting rid of it,
brownies and cupcakes, but nobody was as their business making funeral cakes
doing flapjacks. hadn’t worked, so we took a leap of faith
and moved in. It meant we were able
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT to produce much bigger quantities
Carol We made a few samples and get more adventurous
and took them to Tavistock with flavours, while still
TOP TIP
for people to try out. maintaining our original
After a few tweaks to taste and quality.
the original recipe, we Carol says: Aim high,
started baking like mad believe in yourself and STEEPEST
in our own homes for your idea, and never LEARNING
our first market. The compromise on the CURVE
buzz around the stall was quality of your Sally With a lot of
amazing and the idea of product. naivety, we booked into
Flapjackery was born. We some big shows where we
managed to get a fortnightly were greeted with a few giggles
pitch at Exeter University Farmers’ from more established traders as we
Market, which was great, with lots set up with our bedsheet tablecloths
of hungry students and staff. Then and homemade banners. Going from
I researched other events and put local farmers’ markets to huge venues
in numerous applications for stalls. like the NEC in Birmingham was a very
different world. We got a few funny
BREAKTHROUGH MOMENT looks as if to say, ‘What are those two
Carol We realised we couldn’t possibly old ducks doing?’ Although we were
keep going in our own kitchens, so we a little out of place, we were full of
started to look for premises. We had optimism. Thankfully the public loved
it and we often sold out.
Carol and Sally
saw a gap in
WHERE WE ARE NOW
Carol In 2018, we opened our first shop
the baking
in Tavistock. Then during the pandemic
market
we lost our core market of selling at big
shows, so we remodelled the business
and moved the focus to online and retail.
In 2021, we opened shops in Wells and
Minehead, and we’re due to launch
another in Plymouth this March, with two
more in the pipeline. We currently employ
24 members of staff.
BUSINESS BREAKDOWN 
✢ Start-up costs: £15,000
(self-funded)
Comprising…
Ingredients and baking tins:
£2,000
Upfront cost of events: £6,000
Vehicle to get to events: £1,000
Purchase of company: £6,000
✢ Current turnover: £1.2 million
flapjackery.co.uk
 brand new directions

STEEPEST LEARNING CURVE

My greatest lesson has been in the area
Elaine sourced of scaling up. It’s not just a question
her mum’s recipe of multiplying the recipe by six if you
for her rum cakes require six times as many cakes. It takes
time to get scaling up right and it’s vital

‘I turned my loss of Mum into a legacy’

to collaborate with experts, who know
how to resolve technical issues.

Elaine Rémy, 46, spent 20 years
living in France, where she ran her
own coaching and training business.
In 2018, she moved to Windermere
in the Lake District, where she lives
with her partner Dave, 54. The
following year she launched Vie’s
Jamaican Rum Cakes, producing
traditional cakes infused with the
finest Jamaican white rum.
THE IDEA
When my mum was alive, she used to
make amazing fruit cakes for members
of our family, her friends, neighbours and
colleagues, which she would lace with
WORDS: BECKY DICKINSON. PHOTOS: GILLIAN ROBB, LOUISE THOMPSON,
Jamaican Rum Cakes. It was officially
launched on what would have been
her 76th birthday on 7 December 2019.
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT
I did some taste tests in a few of my
local networking groups and received
some really encouraging feedback. So
I decided to create three varieties of
cake to suit a range of different tastes:
Rummy, Rummier and Rummiest.
BREAKTHROUGH MOMENT
The first breakthrough moment was
when I outsourced production of the
cakes to a local bakery. This was a
WHERE I AM NOW
Due to the increase in sales from various
markets and events, production had
to be scaled up during the last quarter
of 2021, which meant that I was able
to start receiving batches on a monthly
basis from the bakers. I recently
announced a surprise cake subscription,
so I’m eager to see where 2022 will
take that. Due to increased demand,
a vegan cake is now being developed,
and a ‘smooth’ cake for people who
don’t like fruit cakes is also in the
making. I’m also developing pairing
collaborations with different artisan
food and drinks companies, including
cheese, tea, brownie, chocolate and

overproof Jamaican rum. perfect solution for me as the ice cream companies.
When she passed away bakery had the facilities,

TOP TIP
SHARON COSGROVE, STEVEN HAYWOOD, VICTORIA SEDGWICK

in May 2018, I decided the qualified staff

to turn my loss into and the necessary BUSINESS BREAKDOWN 
a legacy and make Write a business plan with certifications that ✢ Start-up costs: £16,000
the cakes using my the help of an adviser. It might meant I could Comprising…
mum’s recipe (and be a painstaking task, but concentrate on all Initial production, packaging,
adding a few original getting things down on paper the other aspects marketing and admin costs from
touches of my own, will enable you to have of the business. The a £5,000 loan
including a gluten-free a more realistic approach second breakthrough Buying a delivery van from
cake), to continue of your future moment was when £6,000 in crowdfunding, plus
sharing the love of rum business. I started to sell the cakes £5,000 from NatWest’s Back
cake, which is a part of my at local markets and food Her Business scheme
heritage. My mum’s nickname was events. My first market was so ✢ Current turnover: £30,000
Vie, short for Viola, which was her middle successful that I immediately started viesjamaicanrumcakes.co.uk
name, so I named the business Vie’s applying to attend others.
womanandhome.com 65
your finances

SMART
with money Finance editor Kalpana
Fitzpatrick’s tips to help you
spend smarter and save cash

Treat yourself
Just as you make time for
your mind and body, make
time to look after your
financial wellbeing too.

NEED TO KNOW
Not talking about money
is one of the biggest

Thrifty trick causes of stress, with over

Over 62 million credit cards
were issued last year, with
transactions totalling around
196 million*.
While credit cards have
a place when it comes to
managing your money, they
can be damaging if used
incorrectly. These savvy tips
will keep you one step ahead:
✢ Cap your limit: Maxing out
your card will hurt your credit
score. The rule of thumb is to
stick to 25% of your allowance
– so, if your limit is £2,000,
do not spend more than £500.
✢ The APR: This tells you
how much interest you’ll pay,
but avoid interest entirely
by always paying off your
bill in full. Also, look for
cards that offer interest-free
spending, and use them for
perks, such as cashback or
66% of over-55s admitting
they are secretive when
it comes to talking about
their finances, according
to RCI Bank research.
Those who do talk to
loved ones about money say
they feel more relaxed and
in control of their finances.
So, grab a bottle of wine,
or a coffee, and make a
monthly date with a friend
or partner to just talk about
money. Whether you’re
anxious, stressed or just
want ideas to boost your
savings, talking will help.
For tips to help you start
the conversation, go to
moneyhelper.org.uk
This month I’m… Using the Olio app (olioex.com) to
share any unwanted food with my neighbours. In the UK, households
throw away an estimated 4.5 tonnes of food that could have been eaten
Almost 30 million people do not have a will**. If you’re
one of them, there is no guarantee that your estate will
be passed over to your loved ones when you die. Dying
intestate also means your nearest and dearest could
face lengthy legal proceedings to inherit your estate,
and estranged family members could claim part of it. For
unmarried couples, there is no automatic right to inherit.
Why leave it to chance? The good news is, March is Free
Wills Month (FWM, freewillsmonth.org.uk), which means you
can have a will drawn up for free by a solicitor in exchange
for donation to a charity. FWM is aimed at anyone aged
55 and over who needs a simple will. Although there is
no obligation to donate, your gift can help charities such
as Age UK, Mind, NSPCC or the British Heart Foundation.
Appointments with the solicitors are
limited and once they are filled, the
campaign closes. If you don’t get a
SUBSCRIBE
space this time round, make a note
TO W&H
to try again in October 2022, when AND SAVE!
the next Free Wills Month takes place. Go to
womanandhome.com/
readeroffer for the
latest deals
PHOTOS (POSED BY MODEL): GETTY.

loyalty rewards, rather than

to create debt. each year, according to sustainability charity Wrap. We’re all a little guilty
✢ Go soft: When you apply
of throwing food away we forgot about or simply did not get
*FINDER. **CANADA LIFE

for a credit card, ask for a

‘soft search’. This tells you
if your application is likely to
be accepted and shields your
credit score from a rejection.
around to eating – I, for one, will certainly put my hand-up to
this. But we can all do our part to cut back on waste – and you
can save money by getting free food too.

For more Kalpana is the editor of themoneyedit.com, where you can go for more smart money-saving advice and news
reader offer

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68 womanandhome.com
 FASHION
If you try one thing this month
& BEAUTY
BUY A NECKLACE
INSPIRED
BY NATURE
With spring on the horizon, what better time
to turn to the great outdoors and embrace
the beauty of organic shapes and textures?
The hammered gold and rustic forms are a little
FKHHGTGPVHTQO[QWTWUWCNƂPG
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Clockwise from top left: Long chain, £165,
giovanniraspini.com; chain with pearl, £210,
monicavinader.com; pendant with sapphire,
£280, amyrusselltaylor.com; chain with disc,
£17.99, shop.mango.com; knot pendant,
£110, carolinadebarros.
com; chunky
chain, £17.99,
zara.com/uk
WORDS AND STYLING: ELOISA JOHNSON. PHOTO: XAVIER YOUNG/FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
 It’s all in the
KAY, 71
SIZE 10
Coat, £230, sizes 6-18, jigsaw-online.com;
shirt, £65, sizes 6-16, frenchconnection.com;
jeans, £85, waist sizes 24-33, eu.lee.com; belt,
£19.99, zara.com; shoes, £95, charleskeith.
co.uk; bag, £47, warehousefashion.com
BLOSSOM, 58
SIZE 18
Jacket, £34.99, xs-xxl, hm.com;
top, £39, sizes 10-22, Maine at
debenhams.com; jeans, £49,
sizes 8-18, woolovers.com;
boots, £155, dunelondon.com
KAREN, 58
SIZE 12
Top, £49, sizes 6-16,
warehousefashion.com; jeans, £45,
sizes 6-24, marksandspencer.com;
belt, £19, oasisfashion.com;
boots, £28, peacocks.co.uk

CAROLINE, 50
SIZE 12
Blazer, £230, sizes 6-16, jigsaw-online.
com; top, £42, sizes 6-18, and belt, £19,
both oasisfashion.com; jeans, £49, sizes
6-18, and shoes, £59, both warehouse
fashion.com; bag, £17.99, newlook.com
ying denim isn’t easy,
check out our tips for
se shapes and styles
ƂPF[QWTRGTHGEVRCKT
JACQUI, 58
SIZE 14
Jumper, £45, and jeans, £55, both
sizes 6-18, nobodyschild.com; shirt,
£75, sizes 8-20, purecollection.com;
boots, £249, karenmillen.com;
bag, £180, jasperconran.com
denim special
RACHEL, 46
SIZE 16
Shirt, £35.99, sizes 8-12, shop.mango.
com; jeans, £90, waist sizes 24-34,
and boots, £185, both jigsaw-online.
com; necklace, £7.99, and bracelet,
£5.99, both newlook.com >>
denim special

STRAIGHT AND NARROW

✢ Keep your bottom half streamlined in a pair of straight-leg jeans that are fuss-free and will fit seamlessly
into your wardrobe. Styles with added stretch support will help to sculpt your legs and bottom too.
✢ Darker denim is super flattering and feels smarter if you’re after a pair that works for all occasions.
BLOSSOM WEARS Jumper, £115, sizes xs-l, meandem.com; shirt, £35.99, sizes 4-26, shop.mango.com;
jeans, £89.95, sizes 8-20, wearethought.com; boots, £42, next.co.uk; bag, £49, warehousefashion.com;
necklace, £22, estellabartlett.com
72 womanandhome.com
FIT AND FLARE
✢ The taller you are, the easier
it is to pull off a cropped pair
of jeans. The key is to find
some that sits just above
your ankle bone rather than
cutting you off mid-calf.
✢ If you have an hourglass
figure, boot-cut jeans enhance
your natural shape. Tuck
in a top to show off your waist
and let the denim frame
your bottom half.
✢ For cropped pairs, wear
footwear you really want to
be seen, while flared jeans
and boots are one of fashion’s
great combinations. Look
for block heels to help
elongate your legs.
RACHEL (LEFT) WEARS
Jumper, £199, sizes xs-xxl,
jigsaw-online.com;
jeans, £38, sizes 8-22, and
shoes, £44, both next.co.uk;
earrings, £27.99,
gb.pilgrim.net
CAROLINE WEARS Zip top,
£32, sizes 6-26, next.co.uk;
top, £9.50, sizes 6-24,
marksandspencer.com;
jeans, £49, sizes 6-16,
and boots, £110, both
warehousefashion.com;
necklace, £20,
estellabartlett.com >>

womanandhome.com 73
 MUM’S THE
WORD
✢ The tapered shape of ‘mom’
jeans is perfect for creating
curves. Highlighting your waist,
roomier in the leg and drawing
the eye inwards at the ankle
makes them comfortable,
flattering and stylish.
✢ They’re the perfect pair to
dress up with heels, or take a
relaxed approach with trainers
and a slouchy cardigan. Don’t
be afraid of double denim,
either. It’s not scary if you
break up the look with a belt.
KAY WEARS Cardigan,
£29.99, sizes xs-xl, zara.com;
jeans, £32, sizes 8-22,
very.co.uk; trainers, £89,
jonesbootmaker.com;
necklace, £45,
estellabartlett.com

74 womanandhome.com
 denim special
USING CHARLOTTE TILBURY AND PAUL MITCHELL. STYLING: JOELY CHILCOTT AND HARRIET DAVEY. ASSISTED
PHOTOS: DAN WILLIAMS. HAIR & MAKE-UP: LISA SLONEEM, USING LAURA MERCIER; AND MALIN COLEMAN,

BY: BECKY JOINER-O’RIORDAN AND GRACE ATHERTON. MODELS: KAREN BEECH, JAQUI JALLAND, RACHEL
MCGUINNESS AT SANDRA REYNOLDS, CAROLINE CROCKETT, KAY WARDLEY, BLOSSOM AT CURVACEOUS

DARK SIDE OF DENIM

✢ If you have a fuller bust, wide-leg jeans are a great option. The extra volume skims over thighs
effortlessly, helping to balance proportions. Try a black pair for a smarter look.
✢ If you’re on the petite side, high-waisted jeans should become your best friend – they’re instant leg lengtheners.
✢ Looser blouses look good with a slim jeans, while fitted jumpers work well with a more relaxed style.
JACQUI (LEFT) WEARS Blazer, £195, sizes 6-16, karenmillen.com; jumper, £32, sizes xs-xl, coastfashion.com;
jeans, £24.99, sizes 4-22, hm.com; shoes, £345, russellandbromley.co.uk; necklace, £45, talischains.co.uk
KAREN WEARS Top, £39, sizes 8-20, finerylondon.com; jeans, £30, sizes 6-22, next.co.uk; belt, £7.99,
newlook.com; shoes, £80, dunelondon.com; bracelet, £27.99, gb.pilgrim.net
womanandhome.com 75
 £49, sizes 8-20, £89.99, sizes
Principles at xxs-xxl,
debenhams.com mango.com

Blazer, £160,
shirt, £55, jeans,
£80, all sizes 6-22,
and shoes, £110,
All-occasion
BLAZERS
The humble blazer is a
hard-working piece in your

EMPORIO ARMANI
everyday wardrobe and can
all boden.co.uk add elegance to whatever’s
£46, worn underneath. Team with
sizes 6-22, everything from jeans and a
next.co.uk 6UJKTV VQ ƃQCV[ FTGUUGU CPF
matching trousers.

Easy style
UPDATES Revive your wardrobe and prepare for the
CHANEL

season ahead with these smart buys

Scarf, £11.99,
zara.com/uk

Fun finishing
TOUCHES Shirt, £59, skirt,
Look to accessories as the £59, both sizes
perfect pick-me-up. Whether 6-20, and bag,
it’s jewellery, arm candy or £69, all And/Or
soft additions, they can update at johnlewis.com
your look without breaking
the bank, and are the easiest
way to experiment.
i
Necklace, £45,
oliverbonas.com
Bag, £49.99,
mango.com
PRADA
 feel good fashion

Jumper, £69,
sizes 8-18,
phase-eight.com

£19.99, sizes
xs-xl, hm.com

£55, sizes s-xl,

monsoon.co.uk
£25, sizes xs-xl, Happy KNITS
marksandspencer.com It’s not quite time to ditch
jumpers, but we can start
getting excited for spring
with these cheerful designs.
Bright colours and bold prints
are instant mood boosters and,
YJGPYQTPYKVJLGCPUQTƃQCV[
midi skirts, can transform a dull
£75, sizes 8-18, winter day into a fashion
phase-eight.com masterpiece.

£139, sizes xs-xl,

lkbennett.com
STELLA MCCARTNEY

£110, sizes xxs-xl, £45, sizes s-l, Khost Clothing

hush-uk.com at mandco.com >>

womanandhome.com 77
 Vest, £85,
top, £45, and
skirt, £95, all
sizes 8-20,
hopefashion.
£80, sizes xs-xl, co.uk; boots,
boden.co.uk stylist’s own

£39, one size,

whitestuff.com

Timeless
TANK TOPS
The sweater vest has
undergone a revival in recent
months, and its versatility makes
it easy to see why. It’s perfect
for layering, making it ideal for
JIL SANDER

trans-seasonal dressing. Add

interest to your midi dress £17.99, one size,
or wear over a crisp hm.com
white shirt.

£79, sizes 8-26,

ƂPGT[NQPFQPEQO
£49, sizes 8-20,
Principles at
debenhams.com

COMPILED BY: ELOISA JOHNSON. PHOTOS: GETTY

Floral
FROCKS
# ƃCVVGTKPI OKFK FTGUU KU C
style staple, and what better
Jacket, £229, way to get into the new season
sizes 8-18, dress, spirit than with some gorgeous
JASON WU

£59, sizes 8-20, ƃQYGT RQYGT! .C[GT YKVJ

and boots, £95, knitwear and boots until
all johnlewis.com £24.99, sizes xs-4xl, the weather gets
hm.com warmer.
 feel good fashion
£99, sizes 8-22,
monsoon.
co.uk

£55, sizes 8-20,

very.co.uk

Transitional
JIL SANDER

OUTERWEAR
It will soon be time to ditch those
heavy layers, so it’s worth getting £99.99,
ahead of the rush and investing sizes s-l,
KP C NKIJVYGKIJV EQCV +VoU VJG ƂTUV zara. Coat, £230, shirt,
CPF UQOGVKOGU QPN[ RCTV com/uk £75, trousers, £90,
QH CP QWVƂV VJCVoU UGGP UQ all sizes 6-22, belt,
it’s important to feel £18, bag, £60,
HCDWNQWU HTQO VJG and shoes, £110,
outside in. all boden.co.uk

Beautiful
BLOUSES
From silky fabrics to subtle
TWHƃGU VJGUG HGOKPKPG VQRU YKNN
elevate your jeans and take you £65, sizes s-xl,
seamlessly from day to night. monsoon.co.uk
They generally look best
worn tucked in, but waist-
enhancing peplum styles
should remain out.

£40, sizes 6-28,

next.co.uk
ALBERTA FERRETTI

Top, £35, sizes 8-20,

and jeans, £42,
sizes 8-18, both
johnlewis.com £85, sizes 6-22,
boden.co.uk

womanandhome.com 79
 The new
TRENCH A springtime essential, a chic
trench is the purchase you’ll
never regret, says Wendy Rigg

I
love a classic trench,
and this season it has
been rehashed and
revamped on the
runways. Styles shown at
Burberry and Balenciaga
were reworked to be
anything but basic. At
Burberry, the backs of the
trenches were cut out, while
Balenciaga splattered its
version with paint and
slipped it off the shoulder.
Dua Lipa has been spotted
in New York-based designer
Luar’s version that fastens
with a single strap.
At Michael Kors, a more
FROM
RUNWAY
BURBERRY

classic version was shown

with high-waisted tailored
shorts and a cropped top.
I’ll be missing out the midriff-
revealing top – but the
oversized cut of Kors’ trench is
infinitely wearable. You could
sport a trouser suit underneath,
or a pencil skirt and fitted top.
The one I’m wearing is by
Hobbs and captures the mood
of the moment – it’s made of
97% cotton and 3% elastane.
With an easy, relaxed cut and
longer length, it will give you
that runway look. The White
Company has a lovely midi
one, too, with classic detailing,
in a soft natural organic cotton.
If you’re petite, you’ll want a
style that doesn’t swamp you
– Hobbs, M&S and Jaeger all
80 womanandhome.com
TO YOU
do good versions. Trench
sorted, now all you need
is some inspo for a spring
capsule wardrobe to match.
Finley water-resistant
trench coat, £179, sizes
6-20, hobbs.com; V-neck
cashmere sweater,
from £295, sizes s-xl,
brodiecashmere.com;
Lou organic jeans, £99,
sizes 8-18, baukjen.com;
Veja Esplar trainers,
£90, net-a-porter.com;
Grosvenor shoulder bag,
£249, radley.co.uk

1 BLAZER CHIC
This blazer is a great price
from John Lewis & Partners.
It’s linen, with a single button
fastening, and lined in a
striped fabric. A staple for
1
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with a skirt, dress or trousers.
4QNNWRVJGUNGGXGUCPFVT[
with indigo straight-legged
jeans, a chic bag, white
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date. It’s a no-brainer for
2
smartening up denim.
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with a print dress when
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Linen blazer, £40, sizes
8-18, johnlewis.com
2 PRETTY
PRINT
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eco fabric – Lenzing™ Ecovero™
viscose – which feels soft and
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4
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wardrobe again and again. The
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it’s work under a smart blazer,
UWOOGTJQNKFC[URCKTGFYKVJ
espadrilles, or evening with
INCOIQNFUVTCRR[JGGNU
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Wrap dress, £110,
sizes xs-xl, aspiga.com
3 BAGS OF
STYLE
Award-winning designer
Jasper Conran produces classic,
5
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prices. Each bag is designed
to be practical, functional
CPFUWRGTUV[NKUJ6JKUVCWRG
saddlebag has multi-pocket
options and bespoke
ageless style
hardware. The neutral
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CPF KVoU CP GCU[ YC[ VQ CFF
a bit of chic to a print dress, the
classic jeans and trench look, or
smart trousers and a white shirt.
Agatha saddlebag, £79,
jasperconran.com
4 SKIRT THE
ISSUE
A pleated skirt is a must and
this subtle meadow-print
FGUKIP YKNN HTGUJGP WR [QWT
spring look. Wear it with
C UYGCVGT QP EQQNGT FC[U
and when it warms up a bit,
[QW ECP RCKT KV YKVJ C YJKVG
shirt, a wide belt and ballet
ƃCVU #FQTPGF YKVJ C FGNKECVG
CNNQXGT ƃQTCN RCVVGTP VJKU
longer-length pleated skirt
KU YQPFGTHWNN[ NKIJVYGKIJV
It’s perfect for warmer
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cool. What’s more, it’s
OCFG KP TGE[ENGF RQN[GUVGT
UQ KVoU CP GPXKTQPOGPVCNN[
HTKGPFN[ RWTEJCUG
Skirt, £110, sizes 6-18,
thewhitecompany.com
5 SHARP
SHIRT
9JGP KV EQOGU VQ ITGCVSWCNKV[
DCUKEU [QW ECPoV DGCV ,CGIGT
Its spring collection is full
of must-haves, including
this classic white shirt. If it’s
GHHQTVNGUU EJKE [QWoTG CHVGT [QW
can do no wrong with a white
shirt and straight-legged
LGCPU ,WUV CFF ƃCVU CPF
C DNC\GT CPF [QW JCXG C
NQQM VJCV CNYC[U YQTMU
The classic details are all
there – the buttons are
EQPEGCNGF CPF KVoU IGPVN[
ƂVVGF CV VJG YCKUV UQ VJCV
it doesn’t add bulk when
worn under jackets
or sweaters.
Jaeger shirt, £79,
sizes xs-xl, marksand
spencer.com >>
womanandhome.com 81
 6
6
BRETON
BEAUTIES
+NQXGO[$TGVQPVQRUCPF+ƂPF
Seasalt’s to be comfortable,
soft and great value. I have
a red and white one, and
PCX[CPFYJKVG+PITGCV
EQNQWTYC[UCPFYKVJVJG
QRVKQPVQDW[VYQHQT
YJCVoUPQVVQNQXG!+ƂPFVJG
sizing comes up quite big,
so I bought mine a size down,
but that’s personal choice
s[QWOKIJVRTGHGTCOQTG
TGNCZGFƂV6JG[oTGRGTHGEV
HQTUV[NKPIYKVJCVTGPEJCPF
7
LGCPUQTOKZKPIKVWRCPF
pairing with a print skirt.
Breton top, £29.95 or
£45 for two, sizes 6-28,
seasaltcornwall.com
7 NATTY
KNIT
#UNQWEJ[UKNJQWGVVG
KUGCU[VQYGCT
UV[NKUJCPFRGTHGEV
HQTEQQNGTFC[U
Cream will also
brighten up
a post-winter
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DGCWVKHWNN[YKVJQVJGTPGWVTCNU
Create a super-chic 1960s look
8
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the ribbed turtleneck. And
VT[VWEMKPIVJGHTQPVKPVQ
cropped trousers or jeans
– known as a French tuck,
9
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Cream merino
ƂUJGTOCPoUTKDLWORGT
£140, sizes xs-xl,
jigsaw-online.com
8 WELL
RED
10
In comfortable cotton,
this cardigan has all the
credentials of a chic little jacket
with its collar and front pockets.
The perfect partner for jeans, it
YKNNCFFCNQXGN[RQRQHEQNQWTVQ
VJGDCUKEUKP[QWTYCTFTQDG+VoU
a great spring cover-up, and the
82 womanandhome.com
shorter length will suit athletic
ƂIWTGUCPFUJQYQHHCUNKO
waistline. Leave it open and
wear it with a striped or white
T and a printed silk scarf at the
neck. It will look just as good
buttoned up and accessorised
YKVJEJWPM[EJCKPDTCEGNGVU
Cropped collared cardigan,
£130, sizes 6-22,
boden.co.uk
9 SMARTY
PANTS
+VoUCNYC[UIQQFVQJCXG
an alternative to jeans in
a capsule wardrobe. This
statement printed pair can be
UV[NGFWRVQDGUOCTVQTURQTV[
FGRGPFKPIQPYJCVVCMGU[QWT
HCPE[9GCTYKVJCVTGPEJEQCV
sleeveless knit, white shirt
CPFƃCVUHQTYQTMCPF[QWoXG
nailed urban chic. For a
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a chic taupe bag too. If
[QWoTGJCXKPICOQTGECUWCN
FC[VT[VJGOYKVJVTCKPGTU
a white T and a blazer.
;QWoNNƂPFVJKU)GTOCP
brand in branches of
Fenwick, as well as its
own stores and online.
Print pants, £179, sizes
8-20, marc-cain.com
10 LOAFING
AROUND
4WPYC[UJQGVTGPFUKPENWFG
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with kitten heels, logos, gold
XGTVKIKPQWUUVTCRR[UCPFCNU
YQTPYKVJITG[UQEMUCV/KW
Miu, two-tone heeled T-bars,
EJWPM[ENQIUCV)KXGPEJ[CPF
colourful leopard-print ankle
boots at Westwood. It’s a shoe
2*1615#00'/#4+'$+%-'4610)'66;
NQXGToURCTCFKUG(QTVWPCVGN[
the high street is much easier
to wear. These backless loafers
come in orange and green,
as well as the white shown here,
and are a great option until
sandal weather hits.
Loafers, £90,
dunelondon.com
 Healthy happy
SKIN With so many of us now
experiencing sensitive skin conditions,
Sarah Cooper-White asks if it’s time to
be kinder to our complexions

W
e’ve all been there. That
burning, itching, bright
red reaction when you’ve
used something you
didn’t know you were sensitive to.
When it comes to skincare, we all
have high hopes. But sometimes
the bathroom mirror can greet you
with a face that more closely
resembles a tomato than the smooth,
dewy complexion you were hoping
for. OUCH. As a beauty editor,
I’ve had my fair share of red-faced
moments when testing new formulas
over the years. It’s an occupational
hazard, often caused by overzealous
usage of a new ‘miracle’ cream that has
landed on my desk. Like many ‘beauty
addicts’, I’m a sucker for ingredients
that promise fresher, more youthful,
peachier skin. But the problem is that
many of us (one in three, according
to a new Mintel study) now suffer
from sensitive skin as a result; from
a complexion that’s easily irritated,
to dramatic reactions if you use
84 womanandhome.com
EGTVCKPRTQFWEVUUMKPOC[GXGPƃCTG
up if you feel stressed or unwell. And
while our genetics can play their part
in what skin type we have, many
of these sensitivities are down to
a compromised skin barrier, simply
from using the wrong products.
In a recent study, 66% of women*
said they now wear less make-up than
they did before the pandemic. But this
has put a greater focus on skin health
and ensuring our complexion looks
its best without the need for too many
cosmetics. Tackling common problems
such as lines, pigmentation, acne or
enlarged pores can come at a price, with
overuse of high-strength ingredients like
acids and retinoids causing all manner of
UMKPƃCTGWRUHTQOTGFPGUUCPFRGGNKPI
to extreme dryness.
‘The availability of products that
promise overnight transformations,
coupled with the rise of social media
and people documenting their 10-step
skincare routines, all results in both the
consumer and, more importantly, our
skin, being confused and unable to
respond appropriately,’ explains skincare
specialist Jane Scrivner. ‘Random
application of products designed to
replenish, then remove, restore, then
resurface, can all leave the skin confused,
exposed and vulnerable.’
The essential function of our skin
is as a protective layer. As the largest
organ in our body, it works like a brick
wall between us and our environment,
helping to minimise damage from
trauma, chemicals and infections.
‘But if the cement keeping those bricks
together is removed – by abrasive scrubs,
retinoids, peels or alcohol-based toners
– the skin barrier becomes impaired
and this results in increased water loss,
leading to dryness, a reduction in skin
thickness, and lower levels of protective
lipids and ceramides,’ explains Dr Lucy
Thomas, consultant dermatologist and
brand ambassador for Vaseline UK.
‘In addition, potential irritants can enter
the skin, stimulating nerve endings and
ECWUKPIKPƃCOOCVKQPo
beauty in-depth
 SOOTHE
stressed-
out skin
5QƂTUVVJKPIUƂTUVKH[QWoXGJCFC
skin reaction, how do you deal with
it for immediate relief?
‘My advice is to not panic,’ says
Jane. ‘When your skin is reactive,
possibly the worst thing to do is
to change everything. The body is
FGCNKPIYKVJCPKTTKVCVKQPKPVJGƂTUV
instance, and things will return to
normal, but not if you’ve thrown
your skincare out of the window and
introduced a whole new routine.’
First, pare back everything in
your regime until you work out
where the allergy comes from.
That means no retinol, no peels
and no triple cleansing. Dr Thomas
recommends a gentle micellar
cleanser and a fragrance-free
moisturiser. CeraVe Micellar
Cleansing Water, £10,
lookfantastic.com, contains
niacinamide and vitamin B3 to help

86 womanandhome.com

calm and soothe skin. Meanwhile,
Scientia Ceramide Skin Rescue,
£28, cultbeauty.co.uk, contains
ceramides, hyaluronic acid, fatty
acids and lipids to bolster the skin
barrier – use a thick layer as an
overnight mask if your skin is
ultra-dry.
I always reach for Sudocrem
Antiseptic Healing Cream, £2.55,
Boots, at the onset of a reaction.
Yes it’s a stalwart for nappy rash,
but it has now worked its way into
my bathroom cabinet as a fail-safe
YC[VQVTGCVCP[UMKPƃCTGWRU1PN[
apply at night, as it does leave a
white cast to your skin, but it really
is a great solution to calm irritation.
I also love Murad Intense Recovery
Cream, £68, murad.co.uk. It’s
pricey but the buttery texture is
perfect for redness and peeling,
and it quickly soothes a stressed-
out complexion.
It can also be useful to keep a
diary to try and identify any
potential triggers.
‘Think about any new skincare
products, make-up, perfumes,
hair or nail treatments, cleaning
products or detergents, as these
can all be common culprits,’ advises
&T6JQOCUn#PFQPEGKFGPVKƂGF
avoidance of these triggers is vital,
so always check the ingredient list
before starting any new products.’
4 simple ways to be
KINDER TO YOUR SKIN
If your skin is often sensitive or reactive, then look at ways you can try
VQRTGXGPVƃCTGWRU*GTGoUUQOGGCU[YC[UVQFQKV
Streamline your routine
If a complicated routine with lots of
different ingredients has left your
complexion begging for mercy, it’s time
to go back to basics. Too many acids,
retinoids and peels used all at the same
time can upset the balance of your
skin’s natural microbiome, stripping it
of important bacteria that can protect
and nourish. Repair your skin barrier
with ceramide and humectant-enriched
moisturisers, which help to boost the
oil and water levels in your skin barrier.
Try Elizabeth Arden Advanced
Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth
Restoring Serum, £43,
elizabetharden.co.uk, an easy-to-use,
biodegradable, daily dose capsule to
help get skin back on track.
Gentle cleansing
Cleansing is one of the most
important parts of a good
skincare routine, but make your
mantra ‘less is more’. Forget
complicated double- or
triple-cleansing routines,
which can strip your skin of
valuable oils. Squeaky clean
is not what you are trying to
achieve. ‘Skin needs the
“acid mantle”, the surface
acidity of the skin, to be in
the range of 4.5-5.5 on the
pH scale,’ explains Jane.
‘Foaming washes can push
up the skin’s pH to alkaline
levels, leaving it exposed
and open to environmental
‘dirt’ and bacteria.’ So go for
nourishing cleansers, such
as an oil, a balm or a cream
cleanser, which help keep
water in the skin and keep the
skin’s pH levels steady. Try
Caudalie Cleansing Almond
Milk, £15, caudalie.com,
beauty in-depth
which dissolves dirt and make-up
without leaving skin with that tight,
uncomfortable feeling.
Add in any new
products cautiously
Once you have a simple routine that
works, ‘it’s always best to introduce
new ingredients one at a time,’ advises
Dr Thomas. ‘Go low and slow, applying
small amounts of a new formula, building
up gradually. For example, apply
something new twice weekly for a
couple of weeks, then try it alternate
nights and then nightly if tolerated.’
Stress less
High levels of the hormone cortisol
can trigger sensitive skin
issues. ‘Stress can manifest in
virtually every part of our body, redirecting
blood away from areas such as our
UMKPVQQVJGTRNCEGUVJCVPGGFCƂIJV
QTƃKIJVTGURQPUGoGZRNCKPU,CPGn6JG
body isn’t focusing on looking
after your skin, so going back
to basics with your routine is key.
Cleanse gently, exfoliate lightly,
hydrate frequently, nourish richly
and protect.’ And try to relax.
Aromatherapy Associates
De-stress Candle, £48,
aromatherapyassociates.com,
KUNKMGCURCVTGCVOGPVKPCLCT
 Balance restored
Products for sensitive skin
don’t have to be boring. Give your skin
back its glow with these champion buys.
Deep cleanse Daily moisture
The right cleanser is vital if your skin is
delicate so you don’t strip away valuable
oils. Jane Scrivner Nourishing Cleanser,
£35, janesrivner.com, contains organic jojoba
oil, which can penetrate deep into the skin’s
layers to replenish and restore moisture.
Gentle exfoliation Beat acne
5GPUKVKXGUMKPYKNNUVKNNDGPGƂVHTQOCIGPVNGGZHQNKCVKQP
but steer clear of harsh peels. Pai Virtuous Circle
Ultra Gentle Exfoliator, £29, paiskincare.com, is a
gel formula with 100% natural jojoba beads to gently
roll and lift away dead skin without any irritation.
Retinol alternative
Swap your retinoid for natural, plant-based
alternative bakuchiol. Studies have found it can have
similar skin-rejuvenating effects as retinol without
the irritation. Try Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptide,
£45, cultbeauty.co.uk
SOS hydration
Alpha-H Vitamin E with 1% Creamed Complex,
£44.95, alpha-h.com, is like an emergency repair
for dry, sensitive skin. It promotes healing
VJCPMUVQCXKVCOKP'EQORNGZOCECFCOKC
seed oil and evening primrose oil. Layer it
under your daily moisturiser.
A gentle, yet hydrating, cream you can
use morning and night is essential to stop
[QWTUMKPƃCTKPIJ’Tanicals Probiotic
Safeguard CBD Moisturiser, £49.95,
jtanicals.co.uk, soothes redness and irritations,
as well as strengthening the skin barrier.
Salicylic acid is often the go-to for treating acne
but it can be very irritating if your skin is sensitive.
By Sarah London Ally Blemish Recovery Oil,
£34, bysarahlondon.com, contains salicylic
alternative, linoleic acid. This blemish-buster
exfoliates, soothes redness and balances the skin
without any of the irritation.
Renew your skin
Reset a sensitised complexion with Esse 30-day
Rewild Your Skin kit, £74, esseskincare.co.uk,
which contains a cleanser, toner, serum, oil and
moisturiser, all designed to take your skin back to
its roots thanks to powerful prebiotics formulas.
Body booster
Don’t forget to look after the skin on your body
too. Hot showers can leave skin prone to
irritation, so a daily dose of Vaseline
Instant Dry Skin Rescue, £7.50,
Boots, with its combination of
hyaluronic acid and glycerin,
will help combat this.
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2*1615+7.+#&#8+&#46&+4'%6+105#4#*%112'49*+6'
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88 womanandhome.com
 reader offer

E
LEMIS is a skin wellness
brand with an artist’s
spirit, an aromatherapist’s
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commitment to results. An
innovative, global British skincare
brand with over 30 years of
expertise, ELEMIS is passionate
about taking care of your skin.
Our focus is delivering proven
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combined with cutting-edge
patented technology. Our award-
winning portfolio includes face and
body products with revolutionary
formulas, supplements and more.
Our extensive experience in facial
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knowledge of our clients’ complexions
and we are experienced at tailoring
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we can deliver results that you can
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25% off full size products only on elemis.com. Offer ends
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with ELEMIS
items, gift cards and vouchers, and cleansing cloths.
Only one promotional code can be used per order.
Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offer
or codes and cannot be redeemed retrospectively.
No cash alternative available. UK only.

A great deal from the skin wellness brand

womanandhome.com 89
 Future-proof
YOUR FACE Fortify your skin against the eight signs of skin ageing with
Caudalie Premier Cru The Cream

I
n the world of youth-prolonging,
it’s fair to say wrinkles – from fine
lines to deep furrows and crow’s
feet – receive the most attention,
or rather, backlash. The term ‘anti-
ageing’ itself has become almost
synonymous with anti-wrinkle.
But there are other stealthier skin
problems associated with the ageing
process that deserve a little more
airtime in the quest to look fresher
for longer.
Cutting-edge French skincare brand
Caudalie has identified a total of eight
signs of ageing – deep wrinkles, fine
lines, loss of firmness, dark spots, lack
of radiance, volume loss, less elasticity
and dehydration. Caudalie Premier Cru
The Cream, £85, uk.caudalie.com, is the
breakthrough formulation that delivers
proven results on all eight of these signs
of skin ageing, without exception.

BEAUTY BREAKTHROUGH
Like all Caudalie products, Premier Cru’s
powerhouse formula marries technology
with nature. The brand is, after all,

8 SIGNS OF AGEING
CORRECTED
✢ Deep wrinkles
✢ Fine lines
✢ Loss of firmness
✢ Less elasticity
✢ Loss of volume
✢ Dehydration
✢ Dark spots
✢ Lack of radiance

90 womanandhome.com

founded on the principle ‘beauty from
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the vine’, utilising the power of active
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ingredients derived from grapes and
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61#0+06'40#.'56+/#6'$#5'&106*'#007#.37#06+6;
from 97% natural-origin ingredients,
as well as 10 years of genetics research
to deliver real, tangible results and
zero compromise.
Premier Cru The Cream is the result
of a partnership between Caudalie and
*CTXCTF/GFKECN5EJQQNCPFKURQYGTGF
by patented TET8™ technology
(Caudalie x Harvard). This revolutionary
formulation harnesses Caudalie’s
signature resveratrol, a natural active
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and honokiol, derived from magnolia. It’s
this combination that boosts an enzyme
promotional feature
97% of
testers showed
improvement in
elasticity after
two months(1)
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cream, you can simply purchase a
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saves around 18 tonnes of glass(2), making
it a much more sustainable and planet-
friendly alternative.
The sumptuous formula – free from
silicones, parabens and mineral oils
– offers a sensorial experience that
feels truly pampering. Lean in to this
indulgence, and enhance the cream’s
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VJGETGCOQPVQ[QWTƂPIGTVKRUCPFCRRN[
from the centre of the face, moving
outwards. Finish with upward strokes
starting at the décolleté, sweeping
up the neck to the jawline and cheeks,
DGHQTGƂPCNN[UGVVNKPIQPVJGHQTGJGCF
Prepare for skin that’s fresher,
brighter and more buoyant.
known as TET, which acts on the skin’s
youth proteins and subsequently
reverses skin ageing.
On top of this game-changing
technology, the cream is enriched with
dark spot-correcting viniferine and
skin-plumping natural origin hyaluronic
acid. The addition of tightening sugars
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skin within three minutes of application.
NATURAL BEAUTY
Backed by cutting-edge expertise and
formulated with a raft of potent, powerful
ingredients, Caudalie Premier Cru The
Cream is irrefutably effective, but it is
also natural, clean and eco-friendly. The
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womanandhome.com 91
Nailing it!
Paint your nails like a pro with these at-home manicure tips
 beauty inspiration

O
ne of the quickest,
and easiest, ways
to change your look
is to do an at-home
mani. And while it’s tempting
to reach straight for the colour,
by spending just a few minutes
prepping your nails, it will not
only make your polish easier to
apply but will give your DIY job
a professional edge. We asked
celebrity manicurist Michelle Class
for all her best tips and tricks.
Hand scrub
It might not be something you’d
think about, but giving your hands
a light exfoliation with a gritty hand
scrub before painting on polish is
a game changer. ‘It helps the hands
and cuticles look brighter and
removes any rough or ragged skin
QTPCKNƃCMGURNWUKVNGCXGUCNQXGN[
sheen and conditions the skin.’
WE LOVE Aesop Reverence
Aromatique Hand Wash,
£27, aesop.com

Cuticle care Base level

Start with cuticles. ‘Please don’t use ‘Before you apply a base coat,
cuticle clippers at home,’ advises sweep some acetone nail polish
Michelle. ‘You can cut away living tissue, remover over each nail. This will
which can lead to infection. Instead, gently dehydrate the nail plates,
hydrate them with which doesn’t sound very appealing,
cuticle oil, which but it removes any oil and helps
is like conditioner polish stay on for longer. Then
for your nails. Put apply a base coat – it acts like primer
a drop on each and so will give you a smoother base
massage all over. for your polish to stick to.’
Keep a bottle on WE LOVE Sally Hansen Double
you all the time Duty Base & Top Coat, £6, Boots
and rub some in
whenever you
remember – on the
school run, stuck in
VTCHƂEYJGTGXGTo Paint job
WE LOVE My ‘My biggest tip for painting your nails
Mood Coconut is to make sure you’re resting on a
Cuticle Oil, steady surface and don’t overload
£7, Boots your nail polish brush – it will take
longer to dry. Wiggle the brush right
down to the cuticle line, then pull it in
Filing session CPWRYCTFUVTQMG#PFCNYC[UƂPKUJ
Next, create the perfect shape. ‘Use with a top coat – it will create a plumping
nail clippers to take length down, then effect, make the shine last longer and
CƂNGVQETGCVGUJCRGoUC[U/KEJGNNG ensure the longevity of your mani.’
n1PN[ƂNG[QWTPCKNUKPQPGFKTGEVKQP WE LOVE Seche Vite Dry Fast
rather than going back and forth. Top Coat, £10.95, feelunique.com
This will make the nails weak. And
EJQQUGCPGOGT[DQCTFsKVJCUCƂPGT
grit and is much kinder to the nails.’ Finishing touch
WE LOVE Tweezerman Neon No mani is complete without hand
Filemates, £6 for a pack of cream, and using one that contains
three, tweezerman.co.uk antibacterial ingredients is a savvy and
essential buy, to keep your skin feeling
supple, hydrated and germ free.
WE LOVE Grown Alchemist
Anti-Bacterial Hand Cream, £18,
net-a-porter.com >>
womanandhome.com 93
beauty inspiration
Rimmel

DIRECTION: SARAH COOPER-WHITE. MAKE-UP & NAILS: DANI GUINSBERG. HAIR: ALEX SZABO.
London Kind
& Free in Tidal
Wave Blue,

WORDS: SARAH-JANE CORFIELD-SMITH. MAIN PHOTO: PHOTO: IULIA DAVID. ART

STYLING: HARRIET DAVEY. MODEL: ALI BAILEY. OTHER PHOTOS: ALAMY, GETTY
£5.99, Boots
Morgan Taylor Nail
Lacquer in New Kicks
on the Block, £10.95,
redcarpetbeauty.co.uk

COLOUR
SWATCH
Stuck on which
colour to have for
your next mani?
We’ve chosen this
season’s hottest hues

Rimmel Kind &

Free in Sunset
OPI Nature Strong Soar, £5.99, Boots
Nail Lacquer in
Cactus What You
Preach, £15.90,
opiuk.com

Nails Inc London

Nail Polish in
Planet Perfect,
£9, nailsinc.com

Nails Inc
London Plant Mavala Nail
Power Nail Color in Precious
Polish in Earth Lilac, £6.20,
Loves You, £9, nailpolishdirect.
nailsinc.com co.uk

94 womanandhome.com
 reader offer

SAVE 20%
with Floral Street
Treat yourself with this fantastic discount on any full-size product

F
loral Street is an independent,
sustainable, British fragrance
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They have modernised
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Created with sustainable ingredients
traceable from source to scent, Floral
Street’s long-lasting fragrances have 20%
perfume oil. Choose from Wonderland
Peony, for when you are feeling delicate
and dreamy, to Ylang Ylang Espresso
for the spirited and fearless. There’s even
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Experience all these award-winning
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expert Floralistas. Also, Floral Street’s
ethical candles and diffusers, with vegan
soy wax blends and alcohol-free vegan
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housed in reusable, recyclable or
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HOW TO CLAIM
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using the code WH22 at checkout.
This promotion cannot be used in
conjunction with any other offer.
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womanandhome.com 95
 W&H
BEAUTY
EXPERT

FRIZZ
FIGHTERS!
The best beauty buys for
silky smooth locks with
mirror-like shine
1 SO SMOOTH
1
Augustinus Bader The Hair Oil,
£38, augustinusbader.com
Formulated with Professor Augustinus
Bader’s patented TFC8® technology,
an innovative formula that enhances
the potency of his products, this hair
oil tames frizz and protects your locks
from heat styling and environmental
aggressors. With pomegranate, argan
and baobab oils to boost shine, hair will
look and feel its healthiest.

2 HYDRATION
4 4 KEEP IT SLEEK
NatureLab Tokyo Perfect Smooth
RESCUE Shampoo, £15, cultbeauty.co.uk
Fable & Mane SahaScalp
Unruly hair prone to frizz is almost
Amla Smoothing Serum,
always lacking in moisture. A great
£29, cultbeauty.co.uk
time to curb frizz is in the shower while
A healthy scalp is key to beautiful
you shampoo. This smoothing formula
hair and this problem-solving
packed with plant-derived actives
UGTWO KU C OWUV HQT KVEJ[ ƃCM[ QT
nourishes the roots of the hair,
overly oily scalps. A few drops massaged
fortifying each strand with hydrating
into roots and lengths will replenish
oils for softer, smoother hair without
parched strands and rebalance irritated
roots. The result? Frizz-free,
easy-to-manage hair.
2 a halo of frizz.

5 GLOSSY LOCKS
3 SILKY STYLER Shu Uemura Shusu Sleek
Living Proof No Frizz Weightless Smoothing Conditioner,
WORDS: EMMA NORTH. PHOTO: GETTY

Finishing & Styling Spray, £33, £39.50, harrods.com

spacenk.com
+H [QW JCXG ƂPG ƃ[CYC[ JCKT VJCVoU
weighed down with even the smallest
amount of product, try using
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JWOKFKV[ƂIJVKPI UV[NKPI URTC[ NGCXGU
hair looking polished and frictionless,
with no greasiness in sight.
3 5
After shampooing, it’s essential to
put back moisture, especially when
your hair is prone to frizz. This
targeted nourishing conditioner,
with black cumin oil and gardenia
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VCTIGVGFVTGCVOGPVVQƂIJVHTK\\
and keep hair velvety soft.
womanandhome.com 97
 HEALTH & WELLNESS
If you do one thing this month
GO FOR GOLDEN
Serving burnt food is a hosting
faux pas. However, those blackened
offerings are more than a culinary
no-no.Burnt food, including ‘burnt
ends’, chargrilled roasted onions,
and even overdone toast, could
pose a health problem. The latter
contains acrylamide – a compound
found when starchy foods are
cooked at high temperatures. And
that’s not all. Heterocyclic amines
(HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs) are formed
when protein, including beef,
RQTMƂUJ QT RQWNVT[ KU EQQMGF
WORDS: NATALIA LUBOMIRSKI. PHOTO: ALAMY
using high-temperature methods,
such as pan-frying, or grilling
FKTGEVN[QXGTCPQRGPƃCOG
Tests on rodents have shown
a link between a high consumption
of these compounds and chemicals,
with an increased risk of cancer, plus
changes in DNA cells.
While the impact on humans
JCUPoVDGGPEQPƂTOGFGZRGTVU
still advise cooking food at a lower
temperature when roasting, baking
or frying, aiming for a golden
colour. Alternatively, boil or steam
food, or even use a slow cooker.
 health update

The WHITE stuff With more plant-based milks available than

ever, which ones will you try?

M
ove over oat, rice and
soy, there are new picks
when it comes to a drop
of dairy-free. And it’s
no wonder it’s such big business
– more than a third of us now buy
plant-based milks*, with Waitrose
declaring potato milk one of 2022’s
top trends. Not sure which ones taste
good? Formulate Health founder
Mina Khan gives us the low-down.
PISTACHIO
Lactose- and gluten-free, and lower
in sugar and calories than oat milk, it
uses less water than almond milk during
production, but is pricier.
BENEFITS Commonly fortified with
vitamin B12 and calcium, it contains
monounsaturated fatty acids – which
are good for the heart – and is rich in
copper and magnesium, which can
improve bowel function. It has more
potassium than other milk alternatives.
TASTE Mild, but rich – perfect for
oatmeal or chai tea.
TRY Borna Unsweetened Premium
Pistachio Drink, £2.19 for 500ml,
natureshealthbox.co.uk
POTATO
Goes well in coffee,
tea and smoothies –
froth the unsweetened
version for skinny lattes
WORDS: DEBRA WATERS. PHOTO: ALAMY. *STUDY: MINTEL
PEA
Add to hot drinks, enjoy on its own or
in baking – Sproud’s website includes
recipes such as shakes and pasta sauces.
BENEFITS The key ingredient is yellow
split peas, which are rich in the amino
acid lysine and iron. Most pea milk is
fortified in vitamins A and D, calcium
and phosphate – essential for bone
growth, energy and muscle function.
TASTE Mild, almost neutral, with a
silky texture.
TRY Sproud Barista Pea Protein Milk
Alternative, £1.80 for 1ltr, Ocado
HEMP
Free from soy, gluten and lactose, it’s an
excellent option for those with allergies.
BENEFITS Packed with proteins, healthy
fats and minerals, it’s from the same
family that produces marijuana, but
only contains trace amounts of the
psychoactive compound THC, so you
won’t get high! Nutritious, with more
protein and healthy fats than other
plant-based milks, it has fewer carbs
and calories than cow’s milk.
TASTE A little nutty and earthy.
TRY Good Hemp Seed Milk, £1.50
for 1ltr, Tesco
CASHEW
A healthy option, its texture suits coffee,
smoothies, cereal and bakes.
BENEFITS Made from whole cashews
and water, this dairy- and lactose-free
milk alternative is full of healthy fats,
protein, vitamins and minerals. There
are no naturally occurring sugars, and it’s
free of cholesterol and saturated fats.
TASTE Less nutty than other nut milks,
but creamier and sweeter – if you don’t
take sugar, avoid it in drinks.
TRY Plenish Organic Cashew Dairy
Free Drink, £2.50 for 1ltr, Sainsbury’s
MACADAMIA
Gluten-free, low in carbs and high
in ‘good’ fats, this can be added to
everything from curry to ice cream.
BENEFITS Contains omega-3 and
omega-6 fatty acids, iron, vitamin B6,
manganese and potassium, which is
needed for brain function, energy
storage, blood, nerve, bone and cell
health. Buy it unsweetened to help to
manage diabetes.
TASTE Creamy with a hint of vanilla.
TRY Milkadamia Unsweetened
Macadamia Milk, £3.49 for 946ml,
Holland & Barrett

and cappuccinos. Great

for cooking or in cereal.
BENEFITS A blend of
emulsified boiled potatoes
and rapeseed oil, the DUG
brand, for example, is full of
vitamins and minerals, including
A, C, D, E, K, seven B vitamins,
plus calcium and iron.
TASTE Creamy, slightly sweet
– and not at all like potatoes.
TRY Dug Potato Milk, £1.80
for 1ltr, Waitrose & Partners
womanandhome.com 101
 What you need
to know about

Sadly, more than half of all women diagnosed with

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is this happening? Natalia Lubomirski investigates

T
oday, 21 women in the UK*
will hear the frightening
words, ‘You have ovarian
cancer.’ And, worryingly,
the odds are stacked against them.
It has one of the worst cancer survival
lumps, tracking moles or attending our
cervical screening. But ovarian cancer
KU UVKNN ƃ[KPI WPFGT VJG TCFCT
Perhaps it’s because there’s still no
reliable, effective screening method
for ovarian cancer. Therefore,
pee. Other symptoms include back pain,
changes in bowel habits (going more or
less often), and extreme tiredness. They
all seem rather innocuous, and ones
you’d associate more with an erratic
digestive system, than cancer.

rates** and kills more British women
than the other four gynae cancers
(womb, cervical, vaginal and vulval)
combined***. With March marking
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month,
we speak to the experts about why
this is happening – and how to put
a stop to it.
Knowledge is
everything
Lack of awareness is playing a worrying
role. When it comes to cancer, we try
to keep on top of checks and available
tests, whether that’s feeling for breast
102 womanandhome.com
22%
knowing the symptoms is But recognising what’s
vital, especially as survival abnormal for you could
rates soar when it’s caught of women wrongly be a lifesaver.
early. Diagnosed at think cervical ‘You don’t need to have
stage I, you have a 90% screenings check for all these symptoms before
EJCPEG QH UWTXKXKPI ƂXG ovarian cancer, says you see your GP – having
†
years or more . However, Target Ovarian just one that’s new and
90% of women still don’t Cancer. persistent needs your
know the four main symptoms***. attention,’ explains Dr Sharon
So what should you look out for Tate, head of primary care
and when is it time to visit your GP? development at Target Ovarian Cancer.
The Robin Cancer Trust (therobin
cancertrust.org) recommends asking
Spotting the signs these four vital questions about
The four main symptoms are bloating your symptoms.
(more than 12 times a month), feeling full, 1 Are they persistent (won’t go away)?
abdominal/pelvic pain, and needing to 2 Are they frequent (occur most days)?
 health report
3 Are they new (started in the
last 12 months)?
4 Are they unusual for you?
symptoms down to
Mixed signals
MENOPAUSE’
Unaware of ovarian cancer, I received a text telling me to book
Even when you do know the symptoms, Marie Foord, 50, was shocked a doctor’s appointment. I thought
they can be vague and are often upon hearing her diagnosis. it was a bowel issue so, if anything,
confused with less serious conditions, I expected bowel cancer, not
such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ‘Before my diagnosis, I wasn’t ovarian. Hearing my diagnosis,
ovarian cysts, polycystic ovary syndrome aware of ovarian cancer or its I was shocked and devastated.
and the menopause. ‘As symptoms are symptoms. I felt bloated and I started treatment within
PQPURGEKƂE KVoU NKMGN[ RGQRNG RTGUGPV VQ was experiencing bowel changes a month – four chemotherapy
the GP later, often trying different things (I wasn’t getting the cycles, followed by
CV JQOG QT QXGT VJG EQWPVGT ƂTUVo YCTPU usual urge to go to ‘I wasn’t aware a full hysterectomy,
Dr Verity Biggs, women’s health lead and the toilet), but I just then more chemo.
menopause GP at H3 Health (h3health. blamed it on my of ovarian Five months of
co.uk). This is another reason ovarian change in diet – my treatment was tough.
cancer is often diagnosed late, when daughter was home cancer – I’m currently on
survival rates drop.
‘If you’re worried, talk to your GP,’ says
from university and
we were overloading I blamed it medication and have
a monthly blood test
Dr Tate. Be prepared – make notes and
track symptoms and their
on carbs. I was also
urinating frequently
on my diet’ to check my cancer
markers, which are
frequency in a diary. and experienced normal for now.
It can help your doctor a red/brown discharge, I wished I’d known about ovarian
make a speedier
diagnosis. RISK but as it was a one-off,
I put that down to
cancer symptoms. I would have
acted sooner and it would have
Symptoms can
be confusing for
FACTORS the menopause††.
My friend’s
been caught earlier. By the time
I was diagnosed, I had stage III
Being over 50 (although ovarian
GPs too. If you’re husband’s bowel advanced ovarian cancer, which
cancer is possible at any age),
over 50 and your cancer diagnosis means it can reoccur.
smoking, being overweight
appointment prompted me to book There has to be more awareness,
and a family history of
results in an IBS a GP appointment. I felt especially for menopausal women,
ovarian and/or breast
diagnosis, Dr Tate silly hassling my doctor as symptoms are so similar.’
cancer.
recommends asking with something
for a second opinion. I thought wasn’t
RESEARCH UK. **NUFFIELDTRUST.ORG.UK. ***OVARIAN CANCER ACTION. †THE ROBIN CANCER TRUST.

‘A new IBS diagnosis is urgent. I’m so glad I did.

PHOTOS: ALAMY, GETTY. IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH, SEE YOUR GP. *CANCER

extremely uncommon Based on my symptoms,

ANY POSTMENOPAUSAL BLEEDING, HOWEVER SMALL, SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BY A GP

in women over 50,’ she says. ‘If they my GP requested a faecal

suspect IBS, they should also request test and blood sample the
ovarian cancer tests too.’ These include following day. The same
a CA125 blood test and ultrasound scan. day my bloods were taken,
‘If both tests indicate ovarian cancer,
you’ll be referred to a specialist.’
Marie (also right
with her family),
Future screening thought her
‘As yet there are no effective tests symptoms were
available to screen at population the menopause
level,’ explains Dr Tate, although
ovarian cancer charities are funding
research into this. Until then, Dr Biggs
believes we need more targeted
campaigns nationally, including
RQUVGTU CPF KPHQTOCVKQP NGCƃGVU KP
surgeries and even in toilet cubicles.
So be aware, know the symptoms
and seek help – but don’t stay silent.
††

womanandhome.com 103
 20
drug-free
WAYS TO
EASE PAIN
Don’t want to pop another pill? These
natural remedies can be just as effective
at alleviating any niggles
T 2
en million of us suffer pain
daily, which affects our
quality of life, says The
British Pain Society. But
before you head to your medicine
cupboard and knock back another
couple of tablets to ease that tension
headache or aching joints, try these
soothing suggestions instead, which
may help – from getting frisky and
upping your water intake, to treating
1
yourself to chocolate…
TAKE VITAMIN C
‘It’s one of the most important
nutrients for joint health, as it
helps your body make cartilage,
which cushions joints,’
says nutritionist
Cassandra Burns.
104 womanandhome.com
GO HOT
AND COLD
For backache, physio Tim Allardyce
advises alternating between a covered
ice pack and a hot-water bottle on the
painful area. ‘Keep switching every five
3 AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI. **NOT SUITABLE FOR PEOPLE WITH
minutes until the pain stops,’ he says.
BE MINDFUL
People who say pain is in the
mind may be on to something.
Nikki Harman, aka The
Mindful Nurse, says, ‘Imagine
your pain as something physical – it
might be a cartoon character, a shape
or colour. As you breathe, visualise
4
something destroying that image.’
SAY YES TO SEX!
Sex can be more effective than
painkillers. According to neurologists
from the University of Münster, more
than half of migraine sufferers say
their symptoms improve after it, while
one in five experiences complete relief
after getting frisky.
5
STRETCH
PHOTO: GETTY. IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH SEE YOUR GP. CHECK WITH YOUR
MEDICAL CONDITIONS, SUCH AS DIABETES, EPILEPSY, HEART-RHYTHM PROBLEMS OR CANCER
GP OR MEDICAL EXPERT BEFORE TAKING NEW SUPPLEMENTS. *A STUDY BY MIAMI VETERANS
Yoga moves ease back pain.
A University of Pennsylvania
study found it helps alleviate
joint aches in arthritis
sufferers.
6
HAVE A
MAGNESIUM SOAK
A warm bath can help relieve
tension and cramping. It
floods sore muscles with
oxygen, eliminating ‘ouch’-inducing
chemicals. Add a handful of BetterYou
Magnesium Flakes, £9.99 for 1,000g,
Holland & Barrett, for a muscle-relaxing
boost. ‘The mineral activates the
parasympathetic nervous system,
which promotes feelings of calm and
relaxation,’ says nutritionist Kim Pearson.

7 12
BREATHE OUT
‘Breathing techniques can
calm your nervous system and reduce
muscular tension,’ says osteopath
Sam Maddock. Breathe in through
your nose for four seconds. Pause for
one second. Breathe out slowly for six
8
seconds to calm your body.
HEAT UP
Made from neoprene,
the Pill hot-water bottle
stays hot for five
hours, £36.13,
connox.co.uk
9
ROLL WITH IT
Neck pain? Try this tennis
ball trick. Stand against
a wall, place the ball behind
your neck and move it around
the painful area. The pressure increases
blood flow, bringing more oxygen and
nutrients to aid repair.
10
HEAL WITH
HERBS
Some research suggests that feverfew
may reduce the severity of migraine
headaches. Try MigraHerb Migraine
Relief Capsules, £8.16 for 30 capsules,
11
schwabepharma.co.uk
MAKE A
SPICY BREW
Drinking ginger and turmeric
tea daily could help ease
aches. Ginger is thought to
be just as effective as ibuprofen for pain
relief* of some conditions, including
osteoarthritis in the knee, and doesn’t
have the side effects that ibuprofen
can bring, such as stomach ulcers
and heartburn. Meanwhile, turmeric
provides anti-inflammatory properties.
For a tea, mix one cup of boiling water
with ½tsp ground ginger and ½tsp
ground turmeric. Simmer for 10-15
minutes and strain.
ADJUST YOUR
SLEEPING
POSITION
A side sleeper? Place
a pillow between
your knees to prevent your lower spine
twisting. Back sleepers should place
a pillow under their knees and a small
rolled-up towel under the small of their
back, while front sleepers should reduce
strain by placing a pillow under their
pelvis and lower abdomen.
13
CHIN DOWN
Got a headache? ‘Sit up,
put your hands behind your head
and drop your chin to your chest,’ says
physiotherapist Sammy Margo. ‘Press
down for a minute, turn to the right and
hold for another minute. Return to the
14
centre and repe e left.’
GET TO
THE POINT
‘Acupuncture can give
long-term pain relief
by stimulating different
points on the body,’ says acupuncturist
Maureen Cromey. To find a registered
practitioner, visit acupuncture.org.uk
15
GOOD
VIBRATIONS
A TENS machine** uses electrical pulses
to interrupt pain signals in your brain
and stimulate your body’s production
of natural painkilling endorphins. It’s
great for arthritis and nerve pain. Try
LloydsPharmacy TENS Dual Channel
Digital Pain Reliever, £22.99.
16
RUB IT IN
‘Rubbing stimulates nerves that
block pain messages,’ explains
Dr Sarah Brewer. ‘Menthol or
capsicum in gels give low-level
nerve-end stimulation, so they
become less sensitive
and pain subsides.’
health is the new wealth
NEED
MORE
SUPPORT?
If you’re living with persistent pain,
see your GP for help and advice. If
it is severe, you may be referred
to a pain clinic, which can
offer treatments, such
as hypnotherapy.
17
HAVE A CHUCKLE
‘Laughter can lower
cortisol and trigger
endorphins, the body’s
natural feel-good
chemicals,’ says Rebecca Kelly from
Haelan Therapy. ‘Laughter can’t
take away the pain, but it can
detract from its intensity.’
18
DRINK MORE
WATER
Healthy spinal discs – which ‘cushion’
the vertebrae and act as shock absorbers
– contain about 80% water. During the
day, as gravity affects your spine, water
is squeezed out of the discs, leading
to back pain. Aim for two litres of water
19
daily to stay hydr
BEWARE OF
NIGHTSHADES
Tomatoes, aubergines
and peppers may
increase pain in some
people, as they contain the chemical
alkaloid solanine. If you’re suffering,
eliminate these from your diet for two
weeks to see if you’re sensitive. If your
pain reduces, start eating them gradually
again and see if your pain increases.
If not, continue eating them as normal.
20
NIBBLE ON
CHOCOLATE
This crowd-pleaser is also a pain reliever.
‘The joy factor comes from its uplifting,
dopamine-boosting properties,’ says
Dr Dougall McCorry. Stick to quality
dark chocolate (in moderation), as
it contains fibre, iron, magnesium,
copper, manganese and other minerals.
womanandhome.com 105
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‘I’ve climbed
mountains
with a LUNG
CONDITION’
Sue Hamman, 60, won’t let Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
(COPD) stop her passion for walking
A
few months before I was
diagnosed with COPD, in
January 2014, I’d noticed that
when walking outside in the
cold, I was wheezy and breathless,
couldn’t talk while walking and got
chest pains going uphill. One day,
out with my husband Steve, I was
so breathless I couldn’t carry on.
After tests with my GP, I was referred
to a respiratory consultant, who
diagnosed COPD.
+oFDGGPCUOQMGTUKPEGQPN[IKXKPI
up during my pregnancies, and then a
year before my diagnosis. My consultant
said my lung age was that of a 78 year
QNFs+YCU+YCUFGXCUVCVGF
He reassured me that giving up
smoking the year before had helped
WORDS: JO WILLACY. PHOTO (POSED BY MODEL): ALAMY
NEED TO KNOW
%Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease (COPD) is the name for a group
of lung conditions – emphysema and
chronic bronchitis – that narrow the
airways, making it harder to breathe.
It usually develops in people over 35.
%It is often caused by smoking, air
pollution or persistent exposure to
and, although my lungs wouldn’t get
CP[DGVVGTKH+MGRVƂVCPFUVC[GFQHH
cigarettes, I could stop them getting
worse. I was prescribed an inhaler to
take every day, morning and night. For
a while, I felt really scared. I had chest
infections, which required antibiotics
or oral steroids. As a former A&E nurse,
I was disappointed in myself because I
knew smoking had caused this disease.
I had been training to climb Snowdon
in Wales, with regular nine-mile walks.
I thought COPD would put a stop to
the climb but once my consultant gave
me the go ahead, using my inhalers
en route, I decided to keep training.
Six months after my diagnosis,
I climbed Snowdon. I needed my inhaler
several times, and stopped regularly to
dust, chemicals and fumes.
%Symptoms include breathlessness,
wheezing, persistent chesty cough
with phlegm and chest infections.
%Symptoms can be controlled with
inhaled medications.
%For support, visit the British Lung
Foundation at blf.org.uk
health confidential
catch my breath, but when I made it
to the top, I felt incredible. That was
a turning point – I realised I could still
pursue my passion for walking.
When the pandemic hit, walking
helped me cope, as did yoga.
In lockdown, I set myself a challenge
for my 60th birthday – walking the six
paths of Snowdon! I organised it so I’d
complete two paths per walk, one on
the way up and another back down.
I invited friends and family to join me,
as I’d had to shield due to COVID.
I turned 60 in May last year and, as
preparation, I walked 90 minutes a day.
I successfully completed all three climbs,
in April, May and June. Having friends
and family to support me was wonderful.
Friends carried my rucksack when I was
struggling, which helped.
+HGGNHCTƂVVGTPQYVJCPKP6JG
longer I haven’t been smoking, the
better I have felt. My arms, legs and core
are stronger, thanks to yoga, and I know
O[QXGTCNNJGCNVJCPFƂVPGUUKUUVQRRKPI
my lungs from getting worse.
My consultant says my future is
positive, and by the time I’m 78, my lungs
will be like any other 78 year old. Having
COPD spurs me on. I’ve also planned
my next walking challenge – a 33-mile
route at Llangollen Round in Wales.
womanandhome.com 107
 W&H FITNESS GURU
How to stick to
RESOLUTIONS
Our fitness guru, Annie Deadman,
on surviving the February slump
I
t’s the beginning of February,
traditionally a time when New
Year’s resolutions become a
bit… sort of… fuzzy around the
edges. You can’t actually remember
why you started them, but you seem
to have spent the whole of January
in a permanent state of holier-than-
thou-ness. A day isn’t a good one
unless you’ve stopped, given up or
abstained from something, never
mind the exhausting pledging,
promising and overcommitting. So
girls, change is not just for January,
it’s for YOU. Now that January is
done with, let’s see how we progress
from here.
The first thing is to allow yourself some
downtime. Let’s take food, for example.
To make changes to your shape, health
and fitness, we need to make changes to
our energy intake. If you want to lose fat,
PHOTOS: ANGELA SPAIN, GETTY
you need to be in a calorie deficit (that
means eating less, and better, than you
were before, so that your body makes up
the shortfall from fat stores).
January may have been doable, given
no one goes out, everyone’s broke, and
the leftovers went to the food bank.
But come February, you’re done with
denial. Good! Looking after our health is
something we must build into everyday
life all the time, not wait until there are
‘four clear weeks without any socials’ and
put our life on hold. It’s impossible and
unrealistic. We all need a respite, and a
break from protein and push-ups doesn’t
mean you’ve messed up, just that you’re
remotivating yourself. Because as sure
as January is full of denial, then February
holds the threat of defeat.
Well, we’re going to nip
that in the bud. Pick up your
‘A break
January goal, brush it off, from push-
ups doesn’t
decide if it needs changing
and then make a plan based
on 80/20. It doesn’t mean
you’re only committed 80% mean you’ve
of the time, it means you’re
100% committed to doing messed up’
this 80% of the time – if you
get my drift. Therefore, the other 20% is
your downtime and that 20% will be your
dangling carrot, your motivation.
So, for example, if at new year you
joined a gym and went all out and did
four sessions a week, but are now bored,
change that to a twice-a-week plan
of strength training (one upper
body, one lower), then get out of
the gym and spend the other two
sessions doing something that
isn’t tough or too challenging,
such as walking or cycling.
Boredom conquered,
mojo returns!
Likewise with
food, try sticking
to four or five days
a week nailing a
good routine of lots
of vegetables, protein,
minimum sugar and minimum booze,
and then you relax for the remaining
two to three days.
That doesn’t mean you should run
amok with the Quality Street, just loosen
the noose a little. Enjoy the downtime
and view it as part of your strategy, not
as an accident or a hurdle
you’ve stumbled over, but
something you meant to
do. Then start again the
following week. Progress
may be slightly slower, but
you are far more likely to
remain committed and
consistent for longer.
Patting yourself on the
back is essential for keeping
focused on the goal you have set
yourself. I remember when the publishers
of my book arranged the photography
shoot. Can you imagine how frightening
the prospect is of having your lumps and
bumps squashed into Lycra and printed
forever on the pages of a book for all
to see? I don’t think I’ve ever had such a
rigid workout plan, but that plan involved
one day a week where I drank gin and
ate crisps. Sanity and enjoyment mean so
much and we have lives worth living, so
let’s live them.
✢ Annie is a fitness coach and author of
The 21 Day Blast Plan (HarperCollins). Her
fat-loss programme (theblastplan.com)
helps women gain confidence and
shed inches. Check out the website and
Instagram (@anniedeadman) for Blast
Plans along with deals and discounts.
womanandhome.com 109
 Are you
SUPPLEMENT
SAVVY? Do you know your DHAs from your D3s?
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110 womanandhome.com

The quiz
While eating plenty of healthy,
nutritious food is key to
protecting yourself from the
inside out, dietary supplements
can offer that extra support to
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this time of year. But with so many
supplements out there, it can
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questions (below) to discover how
in the know you really are, and
where you need an extra dose
of information.
health extra
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womanandhome.com 111

Your
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YOU SHOULD AIM FOR EIGHT HOURS OF SLEEP EVERY NIGHT
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112 womanandhome.com
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aiming to eat a day, and how
do I get it?
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We should be aiming to eat
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and research shows that in
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us feel full. Our intestines are full of
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My husband has received a letter
inviting him for a AAA scan but,
apparently, even though I’m
older than him, I’m not eligible.
Why is this and do I need to
do something?
A
The AAA stands for abdominal
PHOTO (POSED BY MODELS): GETTY
aortic aneurysm, which is when
there’s a swelling in the aorta,
which is the main blood vessel that
runs down the middle of your tummy
from the heart to supply the body.
This is potentially extremely serious as
it may not present with symptoms for
years while gradually increasing in size.
Eventually, if the aneurysm gets big
enough, it can rupture, which has an
extremely high mortality rate. Because
of this, men are offered screening with
an ultrasound scan the year they turn
65. Screening is not offered to women
or men younger than 65, as AAAs are
less common in those groups, so you
don’t need to do anything.
In most people the result will be
normal. If there is a small aneurysm it
can be monitored annually to see if it
grows, while if there is a large aneurysm
you’ll be offered surgical repair. Aortic
aneurysm repair is a big operation, but
the risks involved are smaller than the
risks of an emergency aneurysm repair.
Do encourage your husband to attend!
Q&A
+
DOCTOR’S
ORDERS
CONTRACEPTION
FOR THE OVER 40S
One of the commonest questions
that I ask in my surgery is ‘what
contraception are you using?’,
and often as women get into their
late 40s and early 50s, they reply
something along the lines of ‘oh
nothing, I don’t need it now, right?’.
It’s true your fertility declines as
you get older, but you can still get
pregnant and many women do!
So if you wish to prevent pregnancy
you need to consider contraception,
potentially for longer than you might
think. In fact, we cannot say you
have gone through the menopause
until you have not bled for one year.
If you go through the menopause
under the age of 50 you need to use
contraception for two years after
your last period; if you go through
the menopause after 50 you need
to use contraception for a further
one year after the last period. After
the age of 55, the risk of pregnancy
is so small that even if you haven’t
gone through the menopause
you can stop using contraception.
There are lots of choices, from
barrier methods, such as condoms,
to short-acting methods, such as
the combined oral contraceptive
pill and the progesterone-only pill.
As long as you don’t have other risk
factors or contraindications, you can
continue on the oral contraceptive
pill until 50, and the two hormones
involved in the pill can work as
hormone replacement at the same
time. After the age of 50 you would
need to change to another form
of contraception. Long-acting
reversible forms of contraception,
such as a contraceptive implant,
a contraceptive injection, a copper
coil and a progesterone coil, can
also be used. There are lots of
options, so speak to your GP.
womanandhome.com 113
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WHERE TO BUY
Find the easyclean® range
at crownpaints.co.uk, Crown
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WORDS: LIZZIE HUDSON
decorating stores.
 HOME, FOOD & TRAVEL
If you do one thing
this month
GROW YOUR
OWN SPRING
FLOWERS
Welcome the season with
a fragrant display of potted
bulbs, in vibrant shades of
green and pink.
% ÀœÕ« ޜÕÀ yœÀ> VœiV̈œ˜
on a sideboard in your hallway
to welcome guests, or as an
eye-catching table centrepiece
for family gatherings.
% Use an eclectic mix of
weathered plant pots and
ceramics when potting up the
bulbs. A chipped teacup makes
the perfect mini-planter for a
Ș}i LՏL q ÕÃi LՏL wLÀi ˆ˜
place of compost, as it doesn’t
require drainage.
% Pair hyacinths and daffodils
ˆ˜ «œÌÃ] >˜` w Û>Ãià ܈̅
pink tulips, cow parsley and
ranunculus for the ultimate
springtime look. Gather extra
greenery from your garden to
w œÕÌ Ã…œ«‡LœÕ}…Ì L՘V…ið
WORDS: ESME CLEMO. PHOTO: FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

womanandhome.com 117
 LAY FLOORING
WIDTHWAYS
RATHER THAN

PROBLEM LENGTHWAYS TO
MAKE LONG,
SOLVER NARROW SPACES
FEEL WIDER
SPECIAL Milano Ultra Camel
and Bianco kitchen,
from £4,000,
wrenkitchens.com

Your dream
KITCHEN
118 womanandhome.com
A good layout is key to getting it just right for you
 home solutions

Narrow galley CHOOSE INTEGRATED

APPLIANCES TO CREATE A SLEEK

kitchen AND STREAMLINED LOOK

Underverk built-in extractor hood,
Long, skinny and with limited space £350, ikea.com
on both sides, get the best out of
a galley kitchen with clever planning.
% Arrange the ‘work triangle’ of hob,
sink and fridge with two working areas
on one side of the kitchen and the
third on the other, roughly centred
between the two.
% Avoid cramming too many cabinets
into a narrow kitchen, as it can create
a corridor effect. Work in areas of
open shelving to break up long
expanses of units.
% Create a feeling of spaciousness
by opting for sleek, handleless units,
RCNGEQNQWTGFƂPKUJGUCPFINQUU[
NKIJVTGƃGEVKPIUWTHCEGUYKVJENWVVGT

KEEP IT
kept to a minimum.

MAXIMISE INTERIOR STORAGE

SO SURFACES STAY CLEAR AND COMPACT
UNCLUTTERED Kendall bar table,
Tiverton Slate kitchen, from £249, dunelm.com
£1,500, wickes.co.uk

A DINING TABLE NEEDN’T BE OUT

OF THE QUESTION – OPT FOR A
NEAT, SPACE-SAVING DESIGN
SO YOU CAN SQUEEZE ONE IN
Cambridge kitchen in stone grey, from
£1,800, benchmarkkitchens.co.uk

Raskog trolley,
£40, ikea.com

Fanbyn bar
table and stools
set, £489,
ikea.com >>

womanandhome.com 119
 MAKE THE SPACE
MORE SOCIABLE BY
INCORPORATING
A PENINSULA INTO
A G-SHAPED LAYOUT
Clarendon Hartforth Blue
kitchen, from £12,000,
sncollection.co.uk

Square-shaped
kitchen
Big or small, this will offer plenty
QHƃGZKDKNKV[YJGPKVEQOGUVQ
layout options.
% For smaller kitchens, an L-shaped
arrangement (with units positioned
on two adjacent walls) will give you
plenty of cupboard storage without
overcrowding the space.
% Opt for a U-shaped layout (with units
QPVJTGGYCNNUVQHWNN[WVKNKUGƃQQTURCEG
In larger kitchens, a G-shaped layout (with
an extra run of units on the fourth wall) KEEP AN OPEN FEEL
will give an additional layer of storage. BY FITTING WALL UNITS
% Plan your ‘work triangle’ with the sink ALONG ONE SIDE
and hob on different walls to allow for OF THE ROOM ONLY
plenty of prep space, while still within Camden White kitchen,
easy reaching distance of each other. from £1,533, wickes.co.uk
120 womanandhome.com
 home solutions

SPACE-SAVING SUPPLEMENT
AN L-SHAPED
FURNITURE LAYOUT BY
ADDING
A CENTRAL
ISLAND IF
SPACE ALLOWS
Schon New
England light
grey kitchen,
from £1,090,
victoriaplum.com
Morbylanga/Bernhard
table and chairs set, £829, ikea.com

Metal
and wood
kitchen
trolley, £100,
habitat.
co.uk

Clayton dining table,

£299, johnlewis.com MULTIFUNCTIONAL
APPLIANCES SAVE ROOM
Dolce Stil Novo Omnichef
traditional, steam and
microwave oven, £3,499,
smeguk.com

USE CLEVER FITTINGS TO MAKE USE OF

CORNERS IN AN L OR U-SHAPED KITCHEN
Tiverton Oak kitchen, from £1,500, wickes.co.uk >>
womanandhome.com 121
CREATE A NATURAL
ROOM DIVIDE WITH
AN ISLAND UNIT
POSITIONED CENTRALLY
Porter Portal kitchen, from
£12,000, sncollection.co.uk

Open-plan
kitchen-diner
With plenty of room to manoeuvre,
an open-plan layout offers a more
ƃWKFQRVKQPHQTCNNKPQPGMKVEJGP
and dining spaces.
% Arrange the space according to
function – with different zones for
cooking, eating and relaxing. A change
QHƃQQTKPIECPJGNRETGCVGCXKUWCNDTGCM
% Keep the ‘work triangle’ fairly compact
to reduce too much back and forth. If the
layout includes an island, incorporate this
as one element of the triangle.
WORDS: LISA FAZZANI

% Opt for low-noise appliances or site

SECTION OFF SPACE WITH in a separate utility area if space allows.
CABINETS ARRANGED IN Invest in a powerful extractor fan so
A U-SHAPED LAYOUT cooking smells don’t linger or spread
Nordic Nature and Hoxton to other areas.
Pebble kitchen, from
£5,388, magnet.co.uk
 home solutions

USE ACCENT LIGHTING TO

DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN
KITCHEN AND DINING ZONES
Homely kitchen, from £30,000,
life-kitchens.co.uk

SUPPLEMENT STORAGE WITH

FREE-STANDING FURNITURE
MAKE A
Malvern kitchen larder cupboard,
£775, PGZVEQWM
STATEMENT

Chester Charcoal kitchen island,

£945, cotswoldco.com
James cabinet by
Woood, £879,
cuckooland.com
Belgrave
extending
dining table,
£749,
made.com

CONCEAL APPLIANCES TO KEEP

OPEN-PLAN LAYOUTS CLEAR
AND UNCLUTTERED
Alderley kitchen in bone, from £15,000,
burbidgekitchenmakers.co.uk
womanandhome.com 123
WINDOW
dressing Find curtains, blinds
or shutters to suit
every style of room
PROBLEM
SOLVER
SPECIAL

MIX STYLE AND PRACTICALITY

Classic window shutters offer an elegant option for living
room windows in period properties or new builds, and can
be custom-made to suit the style and shape of window. For
full-height windows, tier-on-tier shutters are a practical solution,
with top and bottom halves that can be operated independently,
so light and privacy levels can be adjusted as desired.
Tier on tier shutters, from £191 per sq m,
californiashutters.co.uk
 home solutions

DOUBLE UP WITH BLINDS

Treat side-by-side windows as one and dress with the same
window treatment for both. Fallen for a fabulous pattern?
Show it off by opting for classic Roman blinds. The simple
folding pleats of a Roman blind allow patterns to be shown
off to full effect. It’s like hanging a piece of art at a window.
Blind in Botaniska Teal, from £22 per m, Levande collection
at iliv.co.uk

GO FOR A TIMELESS STYLE

Curtains can be an expensive outlay, so in a living room, choose
a style that has longevity. Bold patterns tend to date more
easily, whereas neutrals or textured weaves won’t go out of
style and are easier to fit into a new scheme if you redecorate.
Curtains in Keaton Spice fabric, £44.50 per m,
clarke-clarke.sandersondesigngroup.com >>

LIVING
SPACES
GIVE WIDTH TO
NARROW WINDOWS
Create the illusion of width at narrow
windows or French doors by fitting
a curtain pole that’s wider than the
frame. Extending the curtain pole a little
on each side allows the curtains to be
drawn to the edge of the frame, making
the window feel wider than it actually is.
Caverley curtains, from £55 per
pair, next.co.uk

womanandhome.com 125
home solutions

TRY A WINNING QUIET

COMBINATION ZONES
Create an extra layer of privacy in
a bedroom by doubling up on the
window treatment. Half-height cafe
shutters obscure the view from outside,
while still allowing plenty of light in at
the top of the window. Finish off with
floor-length curtains in a pretty floral
to add a decorative flourish.
Coloured cafe shutters, from £845,
thomas-sanderson.co.uk

HELP LITTLE ONES

SLEEP SOUNDLY
Put an end to early morning wake-up
calls with a light-blocking treatment in
children’s bedrooms. Fabric blackout
blinds are an inexpensive buy or invest
in solid window shutters in a colourful
paint finish to jolly up the decor.
Solid yellow shutters, from £168
per sq m, californiashutters.co.uk

REDUCE LIGHT LEVELS

Skylight windows are a great way of opening up
and allowing more light into a loft bedroom. But
all that extra glazing will need coverage to make
sure the roof space doesn’t get too hot, and to
block out light for a good night’s sleep. Blackout
roof blinds like these fit snugly to the frame and
have a thermal coating to reduce heat loss.
Luna blackout roof blinds in shadow black with
silver frame, from £19, swiftdirectblinds.co.uk

126 womanandhome.com
DARKEN THE MOOD
If a darkened bedroom is a must, consider
solid window shutters that will block
out any unwanted light, night or day.
An elegant style that’s ideal for period
properties, solid shutters also add an extra
insulating layer that helps keep heat in.
Burley solid shutters in navy, from £845,
thomas-sanderson.co.uk

CREATE A READING NOOK

With minimal space required, a window seat makes
the ideal getaway spot where you can relax with
a book or just enjoy the view outdoors. In a tight
space like this, choose a neat pleated blind that fits
into the window recess and attaches to the frame.
Blind in Simple Ticking Detail in Kale, £59 per m,
vanessaarbuthnott.co.uk

ENSURE CALM IN A STUDY

Plants and greenery have soothing properties, so
why not go big with botanicals at a picture window
to create a tranquil working-from-home space?
Bespoke roller blinds can be custom-printed to
order from a library of unique images that range
from classic art prints to still-life photography.
Roller blind in Timonius Timon by James Miller,
from £190, the Natural History Collection at
surfaceview.co.uk >>
womanandhome.com 127
 TRICKY ADD A POP
AREAS OF COLOUR
Kitchens and utility
spaces can often
feel quite harsh and
functional. Bring
softness to hard
surfaces by introducing
a splash of pretty
pattern and colour
at windows. These
co-ordinated roller and
skylight blinds come
in a range of patterned
fabrics that include
colourful florals,
geometrics and weaves.
Evelyn Nectarine roller
and skylight blinds,
from £55, hillarys.co.uk

MAKE A SPLASH
For steamy bathrooms, water-resistant polyester
rollers are an inexpensive and practical choice, as
moisture slides off the surface. PVC roller blinds
are fully waterproof and thicker for greater privacy.
Splash Linear Stem waterproof roller blind, from
£31.45, blinds-2go.co.uk

OPT FOR A QUICK COVER UP

For privacy without sacrificing brightness, opt for
a window treatment that will filter light. Less costly
than etched or frosted glass, DIY window film comes
in a range of patterns and can be applied in minutes.
Asanoha Japanese patterned window film, from
£15.63 for a W50cm sheet, purlfrost.com

SCREEN OUT
PASSERS-BY
If your kitchen is overlooked at street
level, opt for classic cafe-style shutters.
Hung on the bottom section of
window only, they offer privacy while
letting in plenty of light at the top.
Cafe style shutters, from £157
per sq m, californiashutters.co.uk
 home solutions

PICK A PRACTICAL
FINISH
Consider the position of the window
when choosing a treatment for
a kitchen. If it’s above a sink or close
to the cooking area, opt for blinds or
shutters that are moisture-resistant.
Curtains are a fire risk. Heavyweight
fabrics retain smells and can be
damaged by steamy conditions.
Conscious Lime recycled polyester
roller blind, from £73, hillarys.co.uk

AVOID HOT SPOTS

Conservatories can be difficult to get right – in the
summer they tend to get too hot, and come winter,
they’re too cold. Thermal blinds are one solution, made
of honeycomb fabric that traps heat and filters out
sunlight. These top-down, bottom-up blinds have a
free-floating system that offers shading and privacy.
DuoLight Top Down Bottom Up thermal blinds,
from £37.25 each, blinds-2go.co.uk
WORDS: LISA FAZZANI. PHOTOS: FUTURECONTENT.COM,

SOFTEN WITH SHEERS

DOMINIC BLACKMORE, OLIVER PERROTT

Garden rooms are a great way of bringing the

outdoors in, but large expanses of glass can make
the space feel hot in summer. Lightweight sheers
and voiles offer a stylish solution for picture windows
and patio doors, filtering the light without obscuring
the glass. Opt for ceiling-mounted tracks that won’t
interfere with the windows or the view outside.
Serenity Powder voile curtains and Roman blinds,
from £125, hillarys.co.uk
womanandhome.com 129
 Space
PROBLEM
SOLVER
SPECIAL

SAVERS
Running out of room? Try one of these space-saving ideas

1 BUILD BAY SEATING

Convert the unused space below a bay
window into built-to-fit seating, with easy-
access drawers underneath for added storage.
Upholster with a patterned velvet for a luxurious
feel to juxtapose the raw plywood.
Window seat upholstered in Fern Leaf Green
velvet, £79 per m, woodchipandmagnolia.co.uk;
for a similar coffee table, try housingunits.co.uk;
Isola armchair, from £2,199, heals.com; Ellie
bamboo pendant, £110, designvintage.co.uk;
Adaliz rug, £475, and similar cushion covers,
all grahamandgreen.co.uk; Amnis Green
tumblers, £9.50 each, abodeliving.co.uk;
for a similar vase, try gardentrading.co.uk
130 womanandhome.com
 3
home solutions
HANG SHOES
Tidy away hallway clutter with a
wall-mounted storage cabinet.
Keep costs down with an Ikea option,
topped with a length of raw oak for a
bespoke feel. Conceal unsightly shoes
within and place decorative items on top.
Walls painted in Teal matt emulsion,
£38 for 2.5ltr, neptune.com; Trones
storage, £22 for set of two, ikea.com

4 SQUEEZE IN
A BREAKFAST
BAR
A simple worktop-style shelf can be
transformed into a slim seating area
for quick eats in the kitchen. Choose
a couple of high bar stools that can be
stashed underneath when not in use
to keep high-traffic areas clear.
Abstract wall prints, £35 for set
of two, gold canister, £10, ceramic
plant pot, £4, large pepper mill,
£11, gold utensil pot, £11, faces
canisters, £6 each, crackled-effect
kettle, £40, and Zena swivel bar stool,
£139, all dunelm.com >>

2 CREATE A
COMPACT BAR
Ditch a bulky bar cart in favour
of this simple drinks station set up in a
discreet spot under your stairs. Keep
decanters stocked up so guests can help
themselves – perfect for entertaining!
Walls and cupboards in Breathe
matt emulsion, £42 for 2.5ltr,
grahambrown.com
home solutions

5 STORE IN YOUR
HEADBOARD
Below: Opt for furniture
that performs two tasks at once. This
contemporary headboard provides
ample storage, with handy shelving
and hidden cabinets. It also removes
the need for bedside tables, helping
a small room to feel spacious.
Walls in Crown Pure Brilliant
White matt emulsion, £14 for 10ltr,
wickes.co.uk, and Pale Petal regal
select matt, £29 for 0.94ltr,
benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk; Biface
storage headboard, £399, laredoute.
co.uk; king-size storage divan bed in
Thatch house fabric, £895, loaf.com;
Abstract Calm No1 poster, 50x70cm,
£24.95, and oak picture frame,
£29.95, both desenio.co.uk; Task
desk lamp in Olive, £60, houseof.com;
Teal linen king-size fitted sheet,

6
£79, Olive Green linen king-size
duvet cover, £149, and Olive Green
pillowcase, £18, all secretlinenstore.
com; Indigo and Terracotta washed
MAKE USE OF
velvet cushions, £36 each, AN ALCOVE
frenchconnection.com Above: Fill alcoves with
built-in floor-to-ceiling storage
cupboards. Bridge the gap in-between
with a full-width headboard, providing
a handy shelf above, and a place for
wall light fittings – with the option to
box in trailing wires. Fill the panel
above with a flamboyant wallpaper in
place of hanging pictures.
Bamboo Garden wallpaper in Navy,
£147 a roll, linwoodfabric.com;
Marais wardrobe doors in Aerugo
Green, H236xW50cm, £240 each,
superfront.com; Skyscraper knurled
handles in brass, L28cm, £31.99
each, dowsingandreynolds.com;
plywood, £44.90 for a 12mm-thick
sheet, travisperkins.co.uk, painted in
Crown Easyclean Mellow Sage matt
paint, £25 for 2.5ltr, homebase.co.uk;
Tiree wall light fitting, £85, and
velvet shade in Silvery Grey, £32,
both pooky.com; washed linen duvet
cover in Midnight Blue, £125 for a
king-size, laredoute.co.uk; for similar
cushion covers, try etsy.com; Anadia
waffle quilt in Green, £75, urbanara.
co.uk; similar faux mohair pink throw,
from £16, onlinehomeshop.com
7 INSTALL AN
UNDERSTAIRS
OFFICE
Put this often-forgotten space
to better use with a home office.
Use a combination of kitchen
cupboard units and drawers to
create a ‘built-in’ look, with a piece
of plywood cut to fit as a desktop.
Fit wall-mounted shelves and lighting
to save on desk space.
Walls in Joa’s White estate
emulsion, £52 for 2.5ltr, and units
in Calke Green estate eggshell, £70
for 2.5ltr, both farrow-ball.com;
Metod/Maximera base unit with
three drawers, £140, and Metod
high cabinet with shelves, £133,
all ikea.com; Thor leather handles,
£16.99 each, and Rococo knob,
£17.99, all dowsingandreynolds.com;
similar Capri caramel chair, £160,
frenchconnection.com >>

womanandhome.com 133
 home solutions

8 ORGANISE
YOUR
CLOSET
Use the inside of your
wardrobe door by adding
a combination of hooks,
10 PUT UP AN
OVERDOOR
SHELF
Think outside the norm when deciding
where to install extra storage. A small
bathroom shelf, tucked above the door
organisers and rails. Keep architrave, keeps essentials within easy
accessories like hats, bags reach but out of immediate sight.
and scarves hooked up here. Walls in Dimity estate emulsion, £52
No room for a dressing table? for 2.5ltr, and door and architrave
Install a lightweight extending in Joa’s White estate eggshell, £70
mirror and hanging tray for for 2.5ltr, both farrow-ball.com. Mae
your make-up and jewellery. brackets in Antique Black, £21.99
Wall in Salix absolute each, dowsingandreynolds.com;
matt emulsion, £48.50 for linen waffle bath towel in Tea Rose,
2.5ltr, littlegreene.com; £39, rowenandwren.co.uk >>
softwood pine internal
door, £68.58, travisperkins.
co.uk, in Sunlight intelligent
eggshell, £68 for 2.5ltr,
littlegreene.com; jute
pouffe (just seen), £79,
chrome extending
magnifying mirror, £85, and
Umbra Estique key holder,
£15, all johnlewis.com; Bitra
hook rail in Matt Nickel,
£74, rowenandwren.co.uk

9 ADD A
BEDROOM
BENCH
Try using a shelf unit turned on its side,
topped with a cushion, as a storage bench.
Walls in Crown Pure Brilliant White
matt emulsion, £14 for 10ltr, wickes.
co.uk; Lana king-size bed frame in
Mauve, £1,199, westelm.co.uk; similar
chevron drawers, £649, atkinandthyme.
co.uk; Kallax shelving unit, £29, ikea.
com; cushion in Taos cotton linen in
Acacia, £32 per m, villanova.co.uk;
similar mustard linen king-size duvet
cover, £149, and mustard pillowcase,
£18, both secretlinenstore.com;
Anadia cushion cover in Mist Green,
£29, and Salicos blanket in Light Green
Grey, £65, both urbanara.co.uk; Cut
About Stripes cushion, £49, heals.com;
similar baskets, £49 for two, made.com;
similar rug, from £89, dunelm.com
womanandhome.com 135
home solutions

11 USE PAINT
TO DISGUISE
STORAGE
Below: Help bulky storage to blend in
with a band of colour beneath.
Walls in Pale Petal regal select matt,
£29 for 0.94ltr, benjaminmoorepaint.
co.uk; Ivar cabinets, £45 each, ikea.
com, in Crown Pure Brilliant White
matt emulsion, £14 for 10ltr, wickes.
co.uk; Alex desk, £129, ikea.com;
frame chair, £349, and Fresco rug,
£480, both johnlewis.com; Morten
bedside table, £279, heals.com;
Rebecca mirror, £155, perchand
parrow.com; desk lamp, £75, and
soft Indigo bedding, from £40,
all coxandcox.co.uk. Spice linen
pillowcase, £18, secretlinenstore.com

12 HIDE AWAY
A DRESSING
TABLE
Above: Make use of a chimney breast wall
with built-in wardrobes in the alcoves.
The shallow section over the chimney
itself needn’t go to waste – install floating

COMPILED BY: ESME CLEMO. PHOTOS: FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

shelves to form a dressing table that can
be shut away with a pair of folding doors.
Walls and cupboards in Cotton
V pure matt emulsion, £49.50 for
2.5ltr, paintandpaperlibrary.com;
Nomad stool, £185, and Angui Black
oval mirror, £139, both amara.com;
Spice linen double duvet cover,
£135, and hand towels in French
Blue and Blush Pink, £8 each, all
secretlinenstore.com; Linange linen
bedspread, £80, laredoute.co.uk;
Altum toiletries, from £15,
nordichouse.co.uk; M Mantel Grey
clock, £35, newgateworld.com
136 womanandhome.com
 Coastal
ADVENTURE The Devon shoreline provided inspiration for
Felicity Thomson’s colourful barn renovation

KITCHEN-DINER
The blue of the cabinets echoes
the shades of the nearby estuary
and sea. For a similar kitchen,
try herringbonekitchens.com.
Pendants, nkuku.com.
Artwork, victoriayj.com
 home inspiration

T
ucked away
among the
rolling hills above
Salcombe Estuary,
Felicity Thomson, her
husband Charles and
their children, Freya and
Freddie, have become
renowned breeders of
Dartmoor ponies on their
Devon farm. From their
country bolthole, the views of
verdant patchwork fields and the
blue sea below are simply stunning.
‘Early spring is when our foals
are born and it’s also when the
countryside starts to come into its
own,’ says Felicity. ‘Wild flowers
begin to bloom and the long, sandy
beaches are at their most beautiful.’
Relocating here from a busy commuter
town in Kent was an easy decision for the
Thomson family. ‘We knew the area well
as we had a holiday home nearby, which
meant we’d already built up a good circle
of friends,’ she says. It still took a while
to find their perfect home, and they
eventually settled on a Grade II-listed
18th-century farmhouse with several
outbuildings. The couple wanted a fresh
start, with Charles giving up working for
his family engineering business and
instead focusing on creating a different
way of life on the farm. The pair now
breed prize-winning ponies and have
renovated the farm’s additional
properties for holiday lets and rentals.
Six years ago they began converting
the barn into a warm, welcoming home.
‘We thought the barn was beautiful
as soon as we saw it. We wanted to >>

EXTERIOR
Clad in larch, the converted barn
blends into its farm surroundings

womanandhome.com 139
DINING AREA
Having a long bench
against the wall
means the table area
takes up less floor
space. Similar table,
livewithwood.com

preserve it but also bring it into the
21st century,’ says Felicity. Once they
had secured planning permission,
an architect was brought in to help
them create a traditional home with
contemporary touches.
The building is on two levels, the
ground floor originally used for hay
WORDS: JO LEEVERS, ESME CLEMO. PHOTOS: POLLY ELTES/ FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
storage and the upper level most
recently used as a recording studio
by the previous owner. ‘Robert Plant,
the Levellers and Alannah Myles
recorded here,’ says Felicity. When
designing the layout, they decided
to maintain the divide so the property
could be rented as a whole or split
into two smaller rentals.
For the interior, Felicity found
inspiration in the countryside and coastal
scenery on their doorstep. The kitchen
is painted in a deep duck-egg blue,
while a mossy green colour has been
used throughout the bedrooms. ‘I’ve
discovered that the key to creating a cosy
decor scheme is to add colour,’ she says.
For the kitchen and living room walls,
Felicity has chosen a pale shade of grey,
home inspiration
Farrow & Ball’s Ammonite, to act as
a neutral backdrop to the other
colours, patterned furnishings and
artwork that fill the space.
In the open-plan kitchen, an island has
been used to create a separate dining
area. ‘It’s a real luxury to have a large
open-plan space, but you need more
intimate pockets of seating within it to
make it work,’ says Felicity. The dining
table itself is made in local elm by
a Devon craftsman, while other furniture
is predominantly made in pale mango
wood and comes from Scumble Goosie.
‘Whether it’s been made a few miles
away or by artisan makers and >>
LIVING ROOM
Top: A high-backed sofa helps to ‘zone’
the seating area in the open-plan space.
Similar sofas, johnlewis.com
KITCHEN
Right: Open wall cabinets and plate
racks give the space a homely,
country-cottage feel. Similar plate
rack, furniture4yourhome.co.uk
home inspiration
craftspeople in Rajasthan, timber
furniture always has warmth and
character,’ she says.
To bring a sense of softness to the
large spaces and wooden elements,
Felicity turned to Susie Watson Designs
and chose textiles in pastel shades,
many adorned with simple block-print
motifs. Lined and patterned linen
curtains now hang at the living room
windows, linking with the cushions
that are generously layered over
each of the beds, sofas and benches.
‘We were going to have shutters to
make the most of the views, but then
I realised it might make the space
quite echoey,’ says Felicity.
Soft lighting was an important
consideration too. With practical
spotlights installed in every room,
Felicity added ambient alternatives,
like table lamps and wall lights, to give
a warm glow. The kitchen’s industrial-
style brass pendants work perfectly
as task lighting in the evening. ‘In
the daytime, this part of the room is
flooded with natural sunlight. Then,
after dark, the pendants cast it in a
pool of warm light, which makes it really
142 womanandhome.com
cosy.’ Now finished, the barn has
become a successful holiday let and
the business is very much a family affair,
with daughter Freya running the
bookings when she’s not helping to
look after the equine side of the farm.
‘Freya studied estate management and
worked abroad for a while, but once
you have lived in this beautiful part of
the world, you find yourself drawn back
here. It has cast its spell on all of us,’
says Felicity.
MAIN BEDROOM
Top: It’s hard to believe that this
calming space was once a stable,
home to Felicity’s horses. Furniture,
all scumblegoosie.co.uk. Cushions,
susiewatsondesigns.co.uk
CHILDREN’S BEDROOM
Middle: Felicity has chosen decor
in keeping with the rest of the home
for a streamlined look
BATHROOM
Bottom: The rugged stone basin adds
an extra layer of texture. Similar basin,
marble-mosaics.com
 Pooky Cowrie Dynamo 1 light
table lamp, £85, pendant in Whippet
and 35cm straight weathered bookends in
empire shade brass, £108, Grey, £75,
in Ruby Candy darlighting. oka.com
Stripe, £58, both co.uk
pooky.com
Abstract seascape art print
(without frame), £12.95,
abstracthouse.com

Etched glass Karala tumblers, £34.95 for set

of four, heavenlyhomesandgardens.co.uk
Delphine reclaimed
wood chest of drawers,
£1,125, coxandcox.co.uk
Bluebell sofa in Eucalyptus
Smart Cotton, from
£1,535, sofa.com

Walter medium natural

wood mirror, £275,
grahamandgreen.co.uk

HOW TO
Les Indiennes cushion,
£14.29, waltonshop.co.uk

GET THE Arts and crafts tea

towels, £6 for set of

LOOK
% Choose traditional furniture with turned legs,
scrolled arms and decorative details. Opt for a raw
three, dunelm.com

Bloomingville rose
pink recycled cotton
YQQF ƂPKUJ VQ CFF YCTOVJ throw, £20.90,
% Work in texture and pattern with woollen beaumonde.co.uk
Dried
YKNFƃQYGT blankets, block-print fabrics and fringed cushions.
bouquet, Green glass % Invest in classic lighting to illuminate your
COMPILED BY: ESME CLEMO

£22, vase, £18, home – think brass pendants and fabric shades
roseand marquisand on ceramic bases.
grey. dawe.co.uk % Keep to a trio of colours when decorating an
co.uk open-plan space. Soft shades of pink, green and
blue work perfectly for a coastal-country scheme.

womanandhome.com 143
 GREEN
made easy
Eco expert Rae Ritchie helps you
make earth-friendly choices
Living lawns
Planning a garden makeover? Think
carefully before ditching grass.
‘Remove your lawn and you instantly
reduce your garden’s biodiversity,’
says David Hedges Gower, founder
of the Lawn Association.
‘If you replace your lawn with
plastic grass, you remove the habitat,
food and safety of numerous
creatures above and below ground.
And when they go, so too do the
other animals that rely on them.’
Sustainable
spas
A spa trip is a popular
outing, but treatments
are energy and water
intensive. The industry
is conscious of its
impact – 74% of spas
think environmental
issues are important
to customers and
93% want to make
improvements.
‘We have seen many
UK spas respond to the
desire from guests to
see more sustainable
actions,’ says Lucy
Brialey, co-founder of
the Sustainable Spa
Association. Book your
trip with an Association
member to support
positive change.
FANCY FOOD WASTE
‘A third of the food produced globally is lost or wasted,’
says Love Food Hate Waste, organiser of Food Waste
Action Week on 7-13 March. ‘It contributes 8-10% of total
man-made greenhouse gas emissions.’
Help tackle this by giving new life to parts of veg you’d
usually discard. ‘It’s easy to whizz up beetroot ends into a
delicious houmous, or use browning apples for a tangy
barbecue dip,’ advises Rich Baker, co-founder and head
chef at sustainable London brand Flat Earth Pizzas.
‘Keep herb stalks, mushroom stalks, onion, ginger and
garlic skins and cloves sealed in the fridge to make a thick
umami demi-glace.’ It’s a great base for sauces and will keep
for months in the fridge. ‘But avoid cabbage leaves, which
can be overpowering, or starchy potato skins,’ Baker adds.

3 ECO-FRIENDLY BUYS TO TRY

PRESENTS WITHOUT PLASTIC
Luxurious and sustainable, with fantastic
fragrances, the body and hair care range
from Nereus London is great for Mother’s
Day gifting. The brand boasts less than
1% plastic accross its supply chain, and
each
purchase
recovers
1kg of
PHOTOS: GETTY
GIVING AND GETTING GOOD WITH GOLD
The Time of Your Life beauty subscription Monica Vinader’s recycled gold and silver
box, tailored to women over 40, is a jewellery is a gift that will last, especially
feel-good treat that supports good as it comes with a lifetime repair service.
causes these women will care about. Vinader’s sustainability credentials were
Almost 30%
A % off recently recognised at the UK Jewellery
RTQƂVU HTQOVJG
R Awards 2020,
March box
M where she was
iss going to named Ethical
domestic
d Jewellery

ocean- abuse
a Business
bound ccharity of the Year;
plastic; Safe Lives;
S monica
nereus.uk toyl.co.uk vinader.com

READ THIS Enough by Jessica Ro

Rose Williams (£16.99, Watkins) will help lighten your soul and your carbon footprint
 Fabulous
FAKEAWAYS Satisfy your cravings for takeaway classics with
our delicious homemade versions
Sa
lm

nt
eri
o

yak
i wi
th wo
k-fried greens
146 womanandhome.com
 family favourites

Cantonese-style
crispy pork
with spicy
noodles

fl owe r
uli
ca
ur
so
nd
et a
Swe

TIP: Sauté
the leftover
cauliflower
leaves with
garlic and roast
the stems to
add to your
soup bases
family favourites
Cantonese-style
crispy pork with
spicy noodles
Succulent meat
with the most divine
crackling – delicious!
Serves 4 • Ready
in 1 hr 25 mins,
plus overnight
marinating
2tbsp rice wine vinegar, plus extra
for brushing
1tsp Chinese five spice
1tbsp brown sugar
½tsp smoked sea salt
1 garlic clove, grated
1kg pork belly
Coarse rock salt for baking (enough to
cover the whole skin in an even layer)
1tsp vegetable oil
For the spicy noodles:
550g fresh egg noodles
2tsp crispy chilli oil
1tbsp sesame seed oil
Juice of 1 lime
Small pack coriander, roughly
chopped (reserve some leaves to
garnish)
Roasted peanuts and sliced red chilli,
to garnish (optional)
1 The night before, mix together the rice
wine vinegar, five spice, sugar, smoked
sea salt and garlic. Rub over the pork
meat but do not put any on the pork skin.
Transfer to a dish or container. Pat the
skin dry and use a sharp knife to pierce
all over. The more little holes the better.
Be careful not to cut too deep, as you don’t
want to reach the layer of fat below the
skin. Brush with a little rice wine vinegar.
Leave in the fridge uncovered overnight.
2 Heat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. Transfer
the pork to a sheet of foil and create
a tight parcel covering the meat, but
leaving the skin exposed. Pat dry then
carefully pour over the coarse rock salt
in an even layer, covering all the skin,
but avoid any falling down the sides
to the meat.
3 Transfer the foil parcel to a roasting
tin and cook in the oven for 45 mins.
Heat the grill to medium-high.
148 womanandhome.com
TIP: Get a joint
1 garlic clove, grated
1tbsp tomato puree
of pork belly that’s
2tbsp tomato ketchup
2tbsp rice vinegar
even in size and has
1tbsp light soy sauce
2tbsp honey
1tsp sriracha (hot chilli sauce)
a good layer of fat. For the cauliflower:
If you’d like to serve 60g cornflour
50g plain flour
it with a condiment, 1 head cauliflower, approx 800g, cut
into small florets
a traditional option 100g panko breadcrumbs
For the rest:
is hot mustard – the 1tsp vegetable oil
1 green pepper, seeded and sliced
combination of sweet, 100g baby corn, halved
Boiled rice, to serve
succulent pork Sliced spring onion and sesame seeds,
to garnish
and fiery mustard
1 For the sauce, mix the cornflour with
is a must-try a little pineapple juice until smooth.
Place in a pan with the remaining sauce
4 Open the parcel and carefully ingredients and 50ml water, and whisk
remove the salt from the skin. Brush well together. Bring to a simmer and
the skin with vegetable oil then grill for cook gently for 5 mins, stirring until
10 mins until crispy – keep a close watch thick and glossy. This can be prepared
and cover any bits that are cooking too ahead of time.
quickly with foil. Remove from the grill 2 Heat the oven to 180C/Gas 4.
and leave to rest for 20 mins. For the cauliflower, whisk together
5 Meanwhile, cook the noodles the cornflour, plain flour and 125ml
according to the pack instructions then cold water to make a smooth batter.
toss together with the oils, lime juice and Season with salt and pepper, then
coriander. Transfer to a serving bowl add the cauliflower florets, turning
and garnish with peanuts and red chilli, until evenly coated.
if using. Slice the pork and serve with 3 Place the breadcrumbs in a
the noodles. separate bowl. Add a piece of
Per serving: 1,028 cals, 64g fat, coated cauliflower (shake to remove
20g sat fat, 41g carbs any excess batter) to the bowl then,
using a fork, turn to coat it evenly in
Sweet and sour breadcrumbs before transferring to
a lined baking tray. Repeat until all
caulifower the cauliflower is coated. Cook in
the oven for 20-25 mins until crisp
Our meat-free twist and tender.
on the takeaway 4 Meanwhile, heat the vegetable oil
classic is still deeply in a wok and stir-fry the pepper and
satisfying and easy baby corn for about 5 mins until tender.
to make. 5 Add the crispy cauliflower pieces
and a few tbsp of the sauce to the
Serves 4-6 wok and toss until everything is coated.
• Ready in 50 mins Serve immediately with the remaining
sauce and boiled rice, if liked.
For the sauce: Garnish with sliced spring onions
1tbsp cornflour and sesame seeds.
200ml pineapple juice Per serving (for 4): 307 cals, 3g fat,
1tbsp fresh ginger, grated 0.6g sat fat, 57g carbs >>
Ra
m

en
no
odl
e bow
l

womanandhome.com 149
 Chic
ke n
TIP: For bi
something a

ry
an
little different,

i
we like to serve
this curry stuffed
into warmed
naan breads

int y yogurt
th am
w i
ry
ur c
gie
Veg

Chicken biryani
Inspired by the takeaway we
gravitate to the most! We think
you’ll be impressed with how
easy it is to make biryani at home.
Serves 4 • Ready in 1 hr 20 mins,
plus marinating
2tbsp vegetable oil
2 red onions, finely chopped
500g skinless and boneless chicken
thigh fillets
4 strands saffron
200g basmati rice, washed
4 cardamom pods
Small bunch coriander, chopped
15g ghee or butter
40g dried cranberries
For the marinade:
2tsp ground cumin
2tsp garam masala
2tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
120g natural yogurt
Juice of ½ lime, plus extra to serve
1 Heat the oil in a frying pan. Add the
onions and fry gently for around 10 mins
until softened and caramelised.
2 Transfer into a large bowl with the
chicken and marinade ingredients,
plus ½tsp sea salt flakes. Toss well then
cover and marinate in the fridge for 1 hr.
3 Heat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. Add
the saffron to 50ml hot water and leave
to infuse for 20 mins.
4 Meanwhile, put the rice in a
saucepan with the cardamom pods
and ¼tsp sea salt. Cover with water
so it comes around 1cm above the
rice. Bring to the boil, then cover
and reduce the heat to the minimum
setting. Cook for 10 mins until just
cooked but still a little firm.
5 In a casserole dish, layer half the
chicken and marinade, then half
the cooked rice. Repeat and top
with the saffron water and cranberries.
Cook for 1 hr with the lid on.
6 Mix through the coriander and the
ghee or butter. Season to taste and
serve with a wedge of lime.
Per serving: 493 cals, 14g fat, 4g sat fat,
57g carbs
Salmon teriyaki
with wok-fried
greens
This healthy mix
of salmon and
vegetables is packed
with flavour.
Serves 4 • Ready in
45 mins
3tbsp teriyaki sauce
1tbsp maple syrup
500g salmon fillet
50g cashew nuts
100g frozen, shelled edamame
beans
2tsp sesame oil
1 onion, finely sliced
2 garlic cloves, sliced
1 broccoli, cut into florets and cut
in half
1tsp soy sauce
1 red chilli, deseeded and finely sliced
Juice of ½ lime
1tbsp salad cress
Basmati and wild rice, cooked to serve
1 Heat the oven to 190C/Gas 5. Mix
together the teriyaki sauce and maple
syrup. Season the salmon and place in
an ovenproof dish then spoon over the
sauce and set aside to marinate.
2 Meanwhile, in a wok, over a medium
heat, toast the cashew nuts, tossing
regularly, until golden. Tip into a bowl.
3 Cook the edamame beans in
boiling water for 3 mins, then refresh
in cold water.
4 Wipe out the wok with some kitchen
paper and add the sesame oil. Add the
onion and cook until soft, then add
the garlic and cook for 2 more mins.
5 Increase the heat to medium-high.
Add the broccoli, soy sauce and
2tbsp water. Cover and cook for
around 10 mins, stirring occasionally
and adding a little more water if
needed, until the broccoli is tender.
6 Stir in the edamame beans, chilli and
lime juice then transfer to a serving dish.
Cover to keep warm.
7 As the broccoli is cooking, put the
salmon and the marinade into the oven
and cook for 15 mins.
family favourites
8 Flake the salmon over the vegetables,
discarding the skin. Stir any marinade
left in the dish and drizzle on top.
9 Chop the cashew nuts and scatter over
along with the cress. Serve with rice.
Per serving: 433 cals, 27g fat, 5g sat fat,
15g carbs
Ramen noodle bowl
Enjoy our simplified
ramen for a hearty
but healthy souped-
up broth.
Serves 4 • Ready
in 1 hr 25 mins
480g pork belly slices
100g shiitake mushrooms, left whole
4 whole garlic cloves, crushed
2tsp smoked sea salt flakes, we used
Cornish Sea Salt
1tbsp sugar
2tsp soy sauce
1tbsp white miso
2tbsp red miso
1tbsp mirin seasoning
½tbsp brown rice vinegar
2tsp toasted sesame oil
500ml umami stock
2 baby pak choi, halved
4 eggs, at room temperature
240g dry ramen noodles, cooked
according to the pack instructions
3 spring onions, sliced
6 radishes, sliced
1 Put the pork, mushrooms, garlic cloves,
salt and sugar into a pan, cover with
750ml cold water, bring to a simmer and
cook for 30 mins. Scoop off any foam.
2 Mix the soy sauce, misos, mirin, vinegar
and sesame oil and add to the pan with
the stock. Cover and simmer for a further
45 mins, until the pork is cooked through.
3 15 mins before the broth is ready, bring
a small pan of water to the boil. Cook the
pak choi for 2 mins then remove from the
pan and refresh in cold water.
4 Boil the eggs for 8 mins, then rinse
under cold water, peel and halve.
5 To assemble, spoon the broth into 4
bowls. Add the cooked noodles and top
each with the pork, an egg, pak choi,
spring onions and radishes.
Per serving: 678 cals, 31g fat, 9g sat fat,
58g carbs >>
womanandhome.com 151
family favourites

Veggie curry with browned on all sides.

3 Heat the remaining 1tbsp oil in a
warm water. Leave to stand for 5 mins.
2 Put the mixer on low speed and add

a minty yogurt separate large pan, add the onion and

carrot, and cook gently until softened.
Our fully loaded Stir in the passata and simmer for
vegetable curry 10 mins until thickened.
takes a little while to 4 Stir the curry paste into the pan then
prepare but is well gradually stir in the coconut milk. Fill
worth the effort. half the tin with water and add this
too. Bring to the boil and then reduce
Serves 4 • Ready in to a simmer.
1 hr 10 mins 5 Mix in the cauliflower, Brussels sprouts
and chilli, cover and simmer for 10 mins.
½ butternut squash, peeled, seeds Add the squash and aubergine, and
removed, and cut into 3cm pieces cook for a further 20 mins, until the
1 aubergine, cut into chunks vegetables are tender.
3tbsp rapeseed oil 6 Meanwhile, heat the oven to 220C/
1 small onion, diced Gas 7. Place the kale in an ovenproof dish
1 carrot, peeled and diced with the curry leaves and mustard seeds,
200g passata and drizzle over the oil. About 10 mins
400ml tin coconut milk before the curry is ready, cook the kale
½ cauliflower, cut into florets in the oven until crisp.
150g Brussels sprouts, trimmed and 7 Finally, heat the naan bread in the
quartered oven for 2 mins. Stir the flaked almonds
1 red chilli, deseeded and diced into the curry. Serve with the curry with
2 large naan bread, or 4 small the kale crumbled on top, and the mint
2tbsp toasted flaked almonds yogurt on the side.
the yeast mixture to the flour. Add the oil
and gradually add the rest of the water.
Knead on a medium speed until you have
a smooth, springy dough.
3 Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled
bowl, cover with cling film and refrigerate
overnight. Alternatively leave at room
temperature for 1 hr until doubled in size.
4 Knead the dough briefly and divide
into 4 portions for individual pizzas or
2 for pizzas to share. Form the dough
into tight balls. Transfer to individual
lightly oiled bowls and cover.
5 Prepare all the topping ingredients
so they are close by. Turn the big baking
tray in your oven upside down and heat
the grill to high.
6 Start heating a large non-stick frying
pan, at least 30cm in diameter.
7 Lightly flour a work surface and
carefully tip a portion of dough out.
Press into a circle, then press around
2cm from the border all around to
create a crust. Flatten the middle by
lightly pressing with your fingers. Flip

120g natural yogurt mixed with 1tbsp
chopped fresh mint
For the paste:
½tbsp coriander seeds
½tsp cumin seeds
4 cloves
1tsp dried chilli flakes, or more if
you like it hot
1 star anise
½tsp ground turmeric
1tbsp ground ginger
½tbsp coconut sugar
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1tbsp apple cider vinegar
For the crispy kale:
4 leaves curly kale, roughly
chopped
6 small dried curry leaves
½tsp black mustard seeds
1tbsp olive oil
1 For the paste, dry-fry the coriander
seeds, cumin seeds, cloves, chilli flakes
and star anise until intensely aromatic.
Grind to a fine powder in a pestle and
mortar. Add the turmeric, ginger,
coconut sugar and garlic with a pinch
of salt. Pummel to crush the garlic, then
add the vinegar and mix to make a paste.
2 Toss the squash and aubergine in
2tbsp oil, season and fry in batches until
152 womanandhome.com
PHOTOS: SEAN CALITZ. RECIPES AND FOOD STYLING: ROSE FOOKS AND JESSICA RANSOM. PROPS: CLAIRE MORGAN. KITCHEN BY MAGNET
Per serving: 700 cals, 38g fat, 17g sat fat, the dough over and turn quarter-
64g carbs clockwise. Repeat until the dough has
come full circle.
Truffle prosciutto 8 Carefully lift the dough and shuffle on
your knuckles to stretch to approx 22cm
and Gorgonzola pizza for an individual pizza for 30cm for a
sharing pizza. Transfer to the frying pan
Sometimes more is more and this pizza is and spread a generous tbsp tomatoes
one of those times! in the centre, but don’t cover the crust.
Dollop on mascarpone then top with
Serves 4-6 • Ready in 40 mins, torn prosciutto and broken Gorgonzola.
plus proving Drizzle with olive oil and season.
9 Cook for 2-3 mins, check the base
For the dough: is crisp then transfer to the preheated
500g 00 flour or strong bread flour baking tray. Cook under the grill for 3-4
2tsp sea salt mins until the crust is puffed and golden
2tsp dried oregano and the cheese is melted. Drizzle with
7g dried yeast sachet honey and serve.
1tsp sugar Per serving (for 4): 754 cals, 28g fat,
300ml lukewarm water 15g sat fat, 99g carbs
2tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
For the toppings:
100g tinned chopped plum tomatoes To cook in a Sage Pizzaiolo pizza
100g mascarpone oven, preheat to the woodfired
4 slices truffle prosciutto or Parma ham setting. Shape the dough then
100g Gorgonzola sprinkle the Pizza Peel with a little
Honey, to serve (optional) flour or semolina. Place the dough
on top, add your toppings then
1 In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine slide onto the hot pizza stone and
the flour, salt and oregano. Mix the yeast cook for around 2 mins.
and sugar and cover with 100ml of the
 TIP: At step four, if you don’t want
to make pizzas straight away, put the
bowls in the fridge and bring to room
temperature when you’re ready
womanandhome.com 153
Mother’s Day
BAKES
Let them put their feet up with a cup of tea
while you make them a treat

Apri
cot, pis
tachio and rose layer cake
 celebration treats

TIP: If you like the idea

of lemon thyme and
want more, add a sprig
when making the curd
for an extra hit

ue
g
r in
me
tarts with honey
on
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womanandhome.com 155
celebration treats
Apricot, pistachio Lemon tarts with
and rose layer cake honey meringue
A showstopper bake
that’s perfect for
a special occasion.
Serves 12 • Ready
in 45 mins,
plus cooling
For the apricots:
6 ripe apricots, halved and stoned
2tbsp honey or maple syrup
¾tsp vanilla extract
½tsp rose water (optional)
1tbsp lemon juice
For the sponges:
6 eggs
150g light muscovado sugar
150g self-raising flour
For the icing:
200ml whipping cream
350g fat-free 0% Greek yogurt
1tsp rose water (or 1tsp vanilla
extract, if you prefer)
2tbsp chopped pistachios
Rose petals and flowers, to decorate
(optional)
You will need:
2 x 18cm cake tins, greased and lined
1 Heat the oven to 150C/Gas 2. Put the
apricots, honey or maple syrup, and 150ml
of water into a saucepan. Add the vanilla
extract. Leave on a low heat for 5-10 mins,
until the apricots are soft. Take off the heat
and add the rose water and lemon juice.
Leave to cool, drain the apricots, reserving
the syrup, then peel and discard the skin.
2 For the sponges, beat the eggs and sugar
until thick. Fold in the flour. Divide the mix
between the 2 tins and bake for 20 mins.
3 Once the cakes are cooled, cut both
in half to make 4 layers in total. Whisk the
cream, yogurt and rose water together
until just firm enough to spread.
4 Assemble the cake by spreading a little
of the cream mixture on one of the layers,
top with a third of the apricots, then repeat
with the other sponges. Top with the final
sponge then cover the cake with the rest
of the cream mixture. Sprinkle with the
pistachios and rose petals. The reserved
apricot syrup can be used in cocktails.
Per serving: 242 calories, 10g fat,
5g sat fat, 27g carbs
156 womanandhome.com
Sweet and sharp,
this is ideal for
a teatime treat.
Makes 8 large or 24
mini tarts • Ready
in 1 hr 10 mins
300g shortcrust pastry
Lemon thyme, to garnish
For the curd:
60g butter, softened
100g organic honey
2 eggs and 4 egg yolks
Zest and juice of 2 lemons
For the honey meringue:
2 egg whites
¼tsp cream of tartar
175g organic honey
You will need:
6 x 10cm fluted tart tins or 24 mini
tins, lightly oiled; baking beans,
a piping bag and a star nozzle
1 Heat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. Roll out
the pastry on a floured surface to a 3mm
thickness. Cut out rounds and line the
tart tins, leaving an overhang. Prick the
bases, line with foil, fill with baking beans
and blind bake for 15-18 mins. Remove
the foil and beans, and bake for 5-7 mins.
2 For the curd, whisk the butter and
honey together until pale. Add the eggs
and yolks, followed by the lemon zest and
juice. Cook over a pan of simmering water,
stirring until the mixture becomes thick
and glossy. Remove from the heat. Once
cooled, fill the tart shells with the curd.
3 For the meringue, whisk the egg whites
and cream of tartar in a stand mixer until
foamy. In a pan, heat the honey to 118C.
Remove from the heat and leave for
1 min. Using the mixer at its lowest level,
pour the honey down the side of the
bowl into the egg white mixture. Turn up
the mixer and whisk until the bowl is cool
to the touch.
4 Transfer the meringue to a piping bag
with a star nozzle and pipe on top of the
lemon curd. Caramelise the meringue
using a blowtorch or place under a hot
grill. Sprinkle with lemon thyme.
Per large tart: 560 cals, 33g fat,
14g sat fat, 53g carbs
Chocolate soured
cream cake
A deliciously decadent offering,
layered with a rich frosting.
Serves 12 • Ready in 45 mins,
plus cooling
100g plain flour
100g rye flour
60g cocoa powder
1¼tsp bicarbonate of soda
1¼tsp baking powder
3 eggs
185g maple syrup
180ml milk
75ml coconut oil, melted
For the soured cream frosting:
300g dark chocolate
300g soured cream
1tsp vanilla extract
Sea salt flakes, to garnish
You will need:
3 x 15cm round cake tins, greased
and lined with parchment
1 Heat the oven to 170C/Gas 3. Sift the
flours, cocoa powder, bicarbonate of
soda and baking powder in a large bowl.
2 In a large jug, whisk together the eggs,
maple syrup, milk and coconut oil until
all combined. Slowly pour and whisk this
into the dry ingredients, until you have
a smooth batter.
3 Divide the mix into the 3 cake tins
and bake for 25 mins, or until a toothpick
comes out clean when inserted into
the centre. Leave to cook in the tins for
10 mins before turning out and leaving
to cool fully on a wire rack.
4 For the soured cream frosting, melt the
chocolate in the microwave, or in a bowl
set over a pan of gently simmering water,
and then whisk in the soured cream and
vanilla until smooth and glossy.
5 To assemble, place one layer of the
sponge on a serving plate or cake stand,
add a quarter of the frosting and smooth
to the edges with a palette knife. Repeat
for the second layer and top with the final
sponge. Using the remaining frosting,
coat the top and the sides of the cake.
To finish, sprinkle over a pinch of
sea salt flakes.
Per serving: 389 cals, 22g fat, 14g sat fat,
39g carbs >>
TIP: Warm the
soured cream
slightly so the
frosting doesn’t
set too quickly

1 Heat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. For the
Apple and hazelnut EJQWZRCUVT[UKHVVJGƃQWTYKVJCRKPEJ
of salt and set aside.
Paris-Brest 2 Gently heat the butter, milk and 100ml
This is named after an old bicycle race water in a heavy-based saucepan until
from Paris to Brest. The shape represents melted. Increase the heat and, just as it
a bicycle wheel, and we love them! reaches boiling point, remove from the
JGCVCPFOKZKPCNNVJGƃQWTCVQPEG$GCV
Makes 10 • Ready in 1 hr 30 mins, with a wooden spoon until a smooth
plus cooling paste is formed. Return the pan to the
heat and continue to beat for 2 mins or
IUVTQPIDTGCFƃQWTUKHVGF until it forms a ball and comes away from
90g unsalted butter the sides. Set aside to cool for 10 mins.
100ml whole milk 3 Gradually beat in the eggs, mixing well
2 eggs, lightly beaten after each addition. Place the mixture in
45g chopped hazelnuts a piping bag and pipe 10 rings of choux
Icing sugar for dusting, optional (draw circles on the reverse side of the
(QTVJGƂNNKPI parchment to use as a guide). Sprinkle
45g egg yolks (around 3 yolks) with the chopped hazelnuts and bake
IEQTPƃQWT for 20-25 mins.
250ml apple juice
100g roasted hazelnuts, plus
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extra to serve
You will need:
apple juice in a saucepan, then slowly
whisk it into the yolks. Transfer the
Baking tray lined with baking mixture back to the pan, return to the
parchment; piping bags and heat and bring to the boil, whisking
a star nozzle constantly, until the mixture has
celebration treats
thickened. Transfer to a bowl and leave
to cool, then chill until needed.
5 In a food processor, blitz the roasted
hazelnuts into a paste. Remove the apple
custard from the fridge and whisk in half
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the remaining hazelnut paste in a smaller
piping bag.
6 To assemble, cut the choux rings
horizontally through the middle and
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CTKPIQHJC\GNPWVRCUVGQXGTVJGƂNNKPI
and add the pastry lid. Dust with icing
sugar and sprinkle with hazelnuts,
to serve.
Per serving: 254 cals, 20g fat, 6g sat fat,
12g carbs >>
TIP: Choux pastry
freezes very well,
so these are great to
make ahead of time
womanandhome.com 159
celebration treats

Lemon, honey and

Earl Grey loaf
This lemony bake is naturally delicious.

Serves 10 • Ready in 1 hr 20 mins,

plus cooling and infusing

For the syrup:

Juice of 2 lemons
2tbsp honey
For the cake:
125g butter, softened
125g organic honey
2 eggs
135g plain flour
½tsp baking powder
¼tsp bicarbonate of soda TIP: Use a
45ml soured cream
Chocolate shavings, to decorate
mandoline to save
For the ganache:
200g dark chocolate
time and get the
200ml whipping cream
2 Earl Grey tea bags
apples wafer thin
You will need:
900g loaf tin, lined with baking
parchment mixture. Then fold in the soured cream. melted, to brush
3 Pour the mix into the loaf tin and bake 60g honey or maple syrup
1 Heat the oven to 160C/Gas 3. For the for 40-45 mins, or until a toothpick comes 2 eggs
syrup, put the lemon juice, honey and out clean. Remove from the oven and 125g ground almonds
100ml water in a small pan and bring to pour over the lemon syrup. Leave the 35g plain flour, sifted
the boil. Take off the heat and set aside. cake to cool slightly in the tin, then turn 6 apples, quartered, cores removed
2 For the cake, cream the butter until pale and very thinly sliced (see tip)

and slowly pour in the honey. Add the
eggs, one at a time, and mix until fully
combined. Sift together the flour, baking
powder, bicarbonate of soda and ¼tsp
salt, and fold this through the butter
out and cool fully on a wire rack.
4 For the ganache, finely chop the
chocolate, put it in a bowl and set aside.
Heat the cream in a saucepan, add the
Earl Grey tea bags and leave to infuse for
30 mins. Discard the tea bags.
5 Reheat the cream until it just starts to
steam, then pour it over the chocolate
and whisk gently until smooth and glossy.
Allow the mix to cool and firm up a little.
Pour the ganache over the cake and
decorate with chocolate shavings.
Per serving: 398 cals, 26g fat, 16g sat fat,
35g carbs
COMPILED BY SAMUEL GOLDSMITH AND ROSIE BENSBERG. RECIPES AND PHOTOS: FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
Icing sugar, to dust (optional)
You will need:
12-hole muffin tray
1 Heat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. Layer the
sheets of filo, brushing each with melted
butter as you go. Cut the pastry into
12 squares and use them to line the
muffin tray. Set aside.
2 Cream together the butter and honey.
Add the eggs, one at a time, then the
ground almonds and flour, and mix until
smooth. Divide the frangipane among
the muffin holes.

Filo apple roses 3 For the roses, lay overlapping slices of

Have you ever seen a prettier little tart?
These super-easy sweet treats will
surely stand out in any dessert spread.
Makes 12 • Ready in 1 hr 15 mins
4 sheets filo pastry
125g butter, softened, plus extra,
apple in a line about 30cm long. Roll up
the apple, from left to right, tightly. Lay
the apple spiral in a muffin hole on top
of the frangipane and push down lightly.
Repeat for the remaining tarts. Bake for
40 mins until the edges of the filo are
golden. Dust with icing sugar, if desired.
Per serving: 255 cals, 17g fat, 7g sat fat,
19g carbs
 ALL
ABOARD! Embrace the romance of rail travel with
one of these scenic UK journeys

EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF and forests, beside bright lochs

SCOTLAND IN THE SUMMER and wide-open moors; a once-in-a-

STRATHSPEY RAILWAY
If you just take one extended rail
journey around Scotland, make it
this one, because this 11-day itinerary
includes two of the most breathtaking
railway journeys in the world.
You’ll travel the famous ‘Road to
the Isles’ behind the steam locomotive
known as the Jacobite. This 84-mile
round trip begins at the foot of Ben
Nevis and journeys over wild moors,
passing Scottish lochs and crossing the
ˆVœ˜ˆV]Ó£‡>ÀV…i`i˜w˜˜>˜6ˆ>`ÕVÌ]
“>`iv>“œÕÃLÞ̅i>ÀÀÞ*œÌÌiÀw“Ã]
which overlooks Loch Shiel and the
Jacobite monument.
Another unforgettable rail journey
is the stunningly spectacular train ride
out to Kyle of Lochalsh and back
travelling coast to coast across the
Highlands, in the shadows of mountains
lifetime experience.
HOW TO DO IT Departing on 23
June, this tour includes a journey
on the Strathspey Railway, a guided
tour of Orkney and time to explore
Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and
Thurso. From £1,925 per person,
it includes all travel, excursions,
10 days of B&B hotel accommodation,
most meals and the services of
a tour leader throughout. Call 01766
512400; ffestiniogtravel.com
 UK rail breaks
STEAM, CASTLES AND SLATE
IN NORTH WALES
FFESTINIOG RAILWAY
Immerse yourself in all that North Wales has to offer in terms of rail, culture
and history, with a 10-day tour that includes journeys on four heritage steam
railways. These will take you through some of the most scenic and dramatic
landscapes of the region – you’ll travel through stunning Snowdonia on the
Welsh Highland Railway in the shadow of its famous mountain, and ride the
Snowdon Mountain Railway to the top for breathtaking views stretching to
the Irish Sea.
You can also celebrate North Wales’ new UNESCO World Heritage
status, which recognises its slate mining history and brooding landscapes
it created, on board the Ffestiniog Railway, as it travels from the port of
Porthmadog to the slate quarry town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. The Llanberis
Lake Railway provides another viewpoint of the majestic Welsh mountains
with the beautiful lake in the foreground, and finally you’ll take a ride on the
Bala Lake Railway, with excellent views of the lake and surrounding scenery,
including the mountains of Arenig Fawr, Aran Benllyn and Aran Fawddwy.
HOW TO DO IT Departing on 11 May, this tour costs from £1,990 per
person, including all rail travel, accommodation on a B&B basis (based
on two sharing), services of a tour leader, excursions and most meals.
Call 01766 512400; ffestiniogtravel.com >>

womanandhome.com 163
 SIT BACK AND WATCH
THE SEA ROLL BY
THE ISLAND LINE, ISLE OF WIGHT
Get ready to be beside the seaside – this railway route is an 8.5-mile
stretch that runs from Shanklin to Ryde Pier Head, stopping off
en route at beach destinations such as Lake, Sandown, Ryde St Johns
and Ryde Esplanade. It also directly links with both Ryde passenger
ferry services, which leave from Portsmouth, so you can start your
journey at London Waterloo.
Shanklin is a quintessential British beach resort, with a wide, sandy
beach set against a backdrop of dramatic cliffs. Don’t miss the Shanklin
Chine, a unique gorge carved by a tumbling waterfall and containing
rare plants, or the Old Village, crammed with charming thatched
cottages housing quaint gift shops and tea rooms. If you want to
check out the island’s own vintage steam railway, whose locomotives
and carriages date back to 1864, change on the Island Line route at
Smallbrook Junction, where the steam train will take you to Havenstreet
station, which has been restored to its former 1940s glory.
HOW TO DO IT Tickets from London Waterloo to Ryde Pier
Head cost from £58.20 one way; southwesternrailway.com.
Tickets on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway cost from £14.50;
iwsteamrailway.co.uk. Find out more at visitisleofwight.co.uk

164 womanandhome.com
 UK rail breaks

ENJOY THE
SOUNDS AND
SMELLS OF
A HERITAGE
STEAM TRAIN
THE NORTH YORKSHIRE
MOORS RAILWAY
Steam trains run from Pickering to Whitby,
passing through 24 miles of Yorkshire’s
amazing scenery, including open moorland
and wooded dales, for 1 hour 45 minutes,
before reaching the coast. You can make a
day of it, stopping off at one of the villages
in-between, such as Goathland, where the
station became Hogsmeade in one of the
>ÀÀÞ*œÌÌiÀw“Ã]>˜`“œÀiÀiVi˜ÌÞÜ>Ã
used as one of the backdrops for Tom

ÀՈÃi½ÃˆÃȜ˜“«œÃÈLiÇw“°œÀ̅œÃi
who love to combine walking and history,
it’s also possible to get off at Grosmont
station and follow an easy 3.5-mile route
called the Rail Trail, noticing the historic
landmarks associated with the North York
Moors National Park’s ironstone history,
before hopping aboard a later train at
Goathland, either headed for Whitby or
returning to Pickering. You can also book
one of their special experiences, such as
the Pullman Dining service, where you can
enjoy a delicious meal as the scenery unfolds.
HOW TO DO IT The train runs a daily
service between April and October, and
then special holiday services at Christmas
and during half-terms. Tickets from
around £35 per person; nymr.co.uk >>
womanandhome.com 165
ROLLING COUNTRY MEADOWS
AND GLISTENING BLUE SEA
THE SOMERSET AND DEVON COAST
For lovers of both beautiful scenery and vintage railways, Arena Rail Holidays’
five-day tour is an ideal way to see some of the best of the South West. From
a base in central Devon, a variety of excursions will take you through rolling
countryside to beautiful views of the sea and coastline. Highlights include a
ride on the water-powered Victorian funicular Cliff Railway at Lynton, which
offers views of the north Devon coastline while gliding along an 862ft track to
Lynmouth; a seven-mile ride on the South Devon Railway along the picturesque
River Dart to Totnes, before boarding a boat cruise down the estuary to
Dartmouth; a foot ferry crossing from Dartmouth to Kingswear, and a trip on the
idyllic Dartmouth Steam Railway all the way along the Torbay coast to Paignton.
Also included in the busy itinerary are opportunities to explore the coastal
towns of Lynmouth and Dartmouth, a visit to historic Dunster, a trip inland on
the West Somerset Railway through the beautiful Quantock Hills, and a short
ride on the narrow gauge Lynton and Barnstaple Railway.
HOW TO DO IT There are six departures between May and September.
A four-night trip costs from £499 per person (based on two sharing), on a
half-board basis, including all excursions and rail journeys, with transfers and
services of a tour manager throughout. Call 01858 435 644; arenatravel.com
 UK rail breaks

BE SWEPT AWAY
BY RAZZMATAZZ
AND GLAMOUR
THE LAKES EXPRESS
Recreate the glamour and magic of travel
in times past by taking a journey by steam
train. Climb aboard a vintage locomotive
and get ready for a stunning, three-day trip
that will take you through some of the UK’s
most beautiful countryside.
You’ll start in London, and chug along
towards the North of England. Then you’ll
join one of the most famous rail routes in
the world, Settle to Carlisle, which twists
and turns as it climbs up through the Eden
6>iÞ]LivœÀi>ÃVi˜`ˆ˜}̜̅i…ˆ}…iÃÌ
point on England’s railway network.
On the way, you’ll pass some incredible
scenery and impressive architecture,
ˆ˜VÕ`ˆ˜}̅iˆVœ˜ˆV,ˆLLi…i>`6ˆ>`ÕVÌ°
With the next two days spent enjoying
all the Lakes have to offer, there’s also the
opportunity to experience an excursion
on one of its own charming district railways,
WORDS: LAURA MILLAR. PHOTOS: ALAMY, GETTY

such as the Lakeside and Haverthwaite

line, or the narrow gauge Ravenglass and
Eskdale line. The return journey will also
feature a stop at Carnforth station, the
œV>̈œ˜vœÀV>ÃÈVw“Brief Encounter.
HOW TO DO IT The Lakes Express takes
place on 27-30 September and starts
from £299 per person for a Premium
Standard ticket, or £699 per person
for a Premier Dining ticket. Call 01483
209888; steamdreams.co.uk
womanandhome.com 167
 Your
HAPPY
PLACE
Whether you’re yearning for intimate elegance or vibrant nightlife, the
latest cruises are an unbeatable way to discover new destinations
 Burano’s
colourful
houses are
a delight
ITALIAN ADVENTURE
There’s a quieter and more restful mood in Venice nowadays, and
arriving on a small ship feels just right.
Since the summer of 2021, the
biggest cruise ships have no longer
sailed along the Giudecca Canal,
towering over the crumbling palazzi
and leaning bell towers. Now, they’re
out of sight and, to the Venetians who
campaigned against their presence,
out of mind, docked at the ferry
terminal across the lagoon.
Small ships, however, still occupy
prime position in the city, docked
at San Basilio on the Giudecca, an easy
stroll via a latticework
of greeny-blue canals
to Piazza San Marco.
‘It’s a
Uniworld’s 126-
passenger SS La
wonderfully
Venezia, arguably
the sleekest of them
relaxing and
all, offers week-long immersive way
to see Venice’
itineraries from here,
spending a few nights
in the city and making
forays out to the islands of the Venice
Lagoon. It’s a wonderfully relaxing and
immersive way to see Venice.
The ship is like a floating palace, its does indeed venture into the River Po,
opulent interiors inspired by the art
nouveau designs of the late, legendary
Spanish designer, Mariano Fortuny,
whose factory is on Giudecca island,
just across from San Basilio.
Swagged curtains in deep bronze,
throne-like chairs with gilded detailing, the porticoed terracotta palaces and
intricate Murano glass light fittings,
and bathrooms lined in grey and
white marble feel decadently over
the top, but combine to create an
extravagantly beautiful effect.
SS La
All the excursions are included
Venezia on
and there’s plenty to see. Over the
the River Po
course of a week, there are visits to
a gondola yard and a mask-maker’s
atelier, as well as a tour with the ship’s
chef to the bustling Rialto fish market.
Days out on the lagoon, sometimes
wreathed in ethereal mist,
sometimes shimmering in
the sunlight, call at Murano,
Torcello and jauntily
coloured Burano, where
the houses are painted in
shades of shocking pink
and lime green. On clear
days, the jagged line of
the Dolomites is clearly
visible on the horizon.
The voyage is billed as a river cruise, leaning towers of the medieval centre
and while most of the time is spent in are extraordinary, while the fruit and
Venice and on the lagoon, La Venezia vegetable market, lined with shops
selling huge wheels of aged Parmesan
water levels permitting, to get closer to cheese, is a mouth-watering sight.
the ancient cities of Bologna and Ferrara. Uniworld’s excursions offer a chance
If the water levels are too low, the ship to get deeper into the history of Venice
simply docks at the arty fishing port of too. There’s a visit to the ancient Basilica
Chioggia, in the far south of the lagoon. of Santa Maria Assunta on sleepy
A day in Bologna is not to be missed; Torcello Island. Founded in 639 AD,
the basilica predates much of Venice >>
womanandhome.com 169

itself and is adorned with dazzling
11th century mosaics, brought to life
by narration from a local art historian.
Perhaps the biggest treat is an
after-hours visit to the Basilica San
Marco, exclusively for Uniworld’s guests.
Once the group has gathered, the
lights slowly dim, until it’s pitch dark.
It’s an eerie moment. Suddenly, a single
NKIJVƃKEMUQPCPFVJGPCPQVJGTQPG
casting shadows across the domed
ceiling. Moment by moment, 86,000
square feet of shimmering gold mosaics
are illuminated, some of them 800
years old.
For many, being inside such an
iconic building without the crowds is
one of the most enduring memories of
n.C5GTGPKUUKOCo8GPKEG
% Seven nights all-inclusive, with all
meals, tours, drinks, crew tips and
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‘86,000 square feet
of gold mosaics
are illuminated’
cruise inspiration
Iona’s
two-deck
SkyDome
MEGA FUN
From theatre shows to dolphin
spotting, on board Iona,
the journey is as much of an
adventure as the destination.
With capacity for 5,200 guests,
Iona is currently the largest ship
KP21oUƃGGV+VYCUNCWPEJGFKP
August last year, and the beauty of
VJKUONQPIƃQCVKPInEKV[CVUGCo
is the abundance of space on every
deck. Its contemporary decor adds
a real wow factor. An Italian marble
sweeping staircase is the showpiece
of the three-story Grand Atrium – the
ultimate place for spotting dolphins
thanks to its panoramic sea views.
Whatever time of year you travel,
bad weather can be shrugged off
thanks to the two-deck SkyDome,
which features a glass roof (made Fjords, before heading to Spain,
by the same engineers who worked the Canaries and Northern Europe
on the Bulgari Glass House in Italy). during the winter months.
Plus, there are four swimming pools
and 18 whirlpool spas spread across
Currently, guests have to be fully
vaccinated and take a PCR test before
multiple decks.
Iona is only sailing from Southampton
boarding, while masks are mandatory
when walking around the ship. Other
this year, mostly to the Norwegian subtle changes regular cruisers may >>
womanandhome.com 171
cruise inspiration
notice include disposable menus,
table service for drinks and no self-
service at the buffet.
Iona is a ship that may tempt you to
stay on board even on port days to enjoy
its shops, theatre shows, casual market
street dining (think delicious
ƂUJ CPF EJKRU CPF
performances at ‘Foodies will
The Limelight Club.
Feeling energetic? love menus
Book a personal trainer at
the state-of-the-art gym,
from Spanish
followed by a restorative
massage at The Retreat.
chef José
Then head to deck six to
watch a blockbuster in the
Pizarro’
boutique quadplex cinema,
before popping into Anderson’s
$CT CPF .KDTCT[ JQOG VQ VJG ƂTUV IKP
distillery at sea, for a pre-dinner tipple.
n(TGGFQOo FKPKPI CNNQYU [QW
to choose from the 30-plus dining
establishments. The more formal
venues or speciality dining rooms,
such as Sindhu and Epicurean, Enjoy an
require booking via an app, so on-board
there’s a table waiting for you at theatre show
the exact time you want it. Foodies
will love menus from Marco Pierre
White, Spanish chef José Pizarro
and Norwegian culinary
expert Kjartan Skjelde.
Perhaps the main
difference between Iona
and more traditional
ships is her music venues.
Forget hits of the 70s on
repeat – here, everything
is very contemporary.
There are silent discos,
pop-up buskers, DJ
sets produced by Blur’s Alex James,
and music icon Gary Barlow even
makes occasional appearances
in his role as music director of the
adults-only 710 Club.
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DISCOVER A NEW PASSION

Cruising is the ideal environment for listening to a lecture, joining a class or learning something new.

under the stars. Whether you love vÀœ“ ËǙ™««­yˆ}…ÌÃvÀœ“̅i1

EXPERT TALKS
WITH CUNARD
If you like to come home from a
cruise more knowledgeable than
when you set off, then consider
choosing Cunard. Its guest
speakers include a fascinating mix
of people, from author Bernardine
Evaristo and presenter Richard Osman
to explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
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salsa, hip-hop, swing or ballroom,
you’ll be able to learn the latest
moves from the professionals before
taking your new-found skills back to
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ËÈ{™««Æ ÀœÞ>V>ÀˆLLi>˜°Vœ“
GET TECH SAVVY
with storyteller and author of Sex &
WITH HOLLAND
AMERICA
˜œÌ ˆ˜VÕ`i`®Æ…œ>˜`>“iÀˆV>°Vœ“
SEX & THE CITY
OF LIGHTS
WITH AVALON
WATERWAYS
Calling all Carries, Samanthas,
Charlottes and Mirandas… Sail the
Seine River from Paris to Le Havre
PHOTOS: DEBBY LEWIS-HARRISON, GETTY, UNIWORLD RIVER CRUISES
The City, Candace Bushnell. Spend the
week getting up close and personal
WORDS: SUE BRYANT, JANE DRUKER, HELENA CARTWRIGHT.

V՘>À`°Vœ“
LEARN TO DANCE
WITH ROYAL
CARIBBEAN
If dancing puts you in your happy
place, step on board Royal Caribbean
and enjoy a wide variety of enticing
venues. These vary from trendy
nightclubs playing the latest club
music to posh, outdoor dancing
If you’re technically challenged and
you want to learn how to edit, display
and share your holiday videos and
photographs, Holland America Line
offers classes through its Digital
Workshop. Available on all ships,
these complimentary classes are
led by trained digital workshop hosts.
You’ll be provided with a computer
so you don’t have to travel with yours.
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`i«>À̈˜} vÀœ“ ,œ“i œ˜ £ >Þ] VœÃÌÃ
with the author while hearing all
about her iconic storytelling. Candace
Bushnell is just one of the world-
famous authors set to join Avalon
9CVGTYC[U KP1VJGTEQPƂTOGF
authors include Cheryl Strayed,
international bestselling author of
Wild, and Gillian Flynn, international
bestselling author of Gone Girl.
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172 womanandhome.com
 March’s
BOOK CLUB Our books editor Zoe West gives us her favourite picks
for the month, plus Josie Silver shares her writing secrets

FRIENDS DIVIDED
The Herd by BOOK INTO THE DEEP
Emily Edwards OF THE The Swimmers by
(£14.99, HB, MONTH Julie Otsuka (£12.99,
Bantam Press) HB, Penguin)
Nothing in life is Haunting, ironic and poetic in
black or white, as its resonance, this slender volume is a must-
this timely novel read. It opens with brilliant observational
shows. When polar detail on Alice’s community of swimmers –
opposite best the characters, the quirks – and a pool event
friends Elizabeth that presages what is happening to Alice.
and Bryony have Otsuka switches to a gentle meditation on
children, they know they may bring them memory, grief and love, as Alice transitions
up differently, but not how divided they’ll into a care home. As she surrenders her
be when it comes to vaccination – and identity and independence, there are vivid
how one small lie can lead to devastating ƃCUJDCEMU CPF VGPFGT OQVJGTFCWIJVGT
consequences. Controversial, addictive scenes. Don’t miss this beautifully written,
and clever, with very believable, complex heartfelt, wry and wistful exploration of loss.
characters, this is an impressive debut.

BURIED SECRETS COOKING UP A STORM SUPERB SEQUEL

The House of The Language Again, Rachel
Ashes by Stuart of Food by by Marian Keyes
Neville (£14.99, Annabel Abbs (£20, HB, Penguin
HB, Bonnier (£14.99, HB, Michael Joseph)
Zaffre) Simon & Schuster) In this sequel to
Sara is shocked Eliza Acton had bestselling Rachel’s
when an elderly never even boiled Holiday, Keyes
lady, Mary, shows an egg, so how has moved the
up at her door did she become a characters forward
declaring that she’s successful cookery 25 years. This
in her house. The YTKVGT! 9G ƂPF time, Rachel is
old farm was home to Mary for 60 years. QWV KP VJKU DGCWVKHWN ƂEVKQPCNKUCVKQP QH a counsellor, not a patient, at Cloisters.
It’s where she was born, and held captive her life. It is 1835 and poet Eliza is told by Her life is on an even keel – but will
for a decade, before returning to care for her publisher to write a cookery book the reappearance of Luke disrupt
the spirits of the children who were not instead. Disheartened but determined, everything? Assured, wise and witty with
able to escape. Sara soon realises that, she hires teenager Ann Kirby to help superb observational detail, reading
unless she takes action, the bloody history her. Over the next 10 years they develop Marian Keyes is like being cradled in
of the house will repeat itself. Shocking, a friendship that sees them change safe arms. This book is destined to be
heartbreaking and scary – we love it! the face of cookery writing forever. as successful as its forerunner.

PAPERBACKS OF THE MONTH The Push by Ashley Audrain ✢ The Rebel Daughter by Miranda Malins
 RACE AGAINST TIME
12 Hours To
Say I Love You
HOW I WRITE
by Olivia Poulet
and Laurence Josie Silver
Dobiesz (£14.99, Josie Silver,
HB, Headline) an unashamed
Steve has been in romantic, has been
love with Pippa since writing for over
her starring role in 10 years, but it
a school play in 1997. was her debut
So when he bumps into her as an adult, novel, One Day
he does all he can to impress her. But in December,
fast-forward to the present and Pippa is that became an
in a coma after a car crash. Steve is told international bestseller. Her third
to talk to her to help her recover, and novel, One Night on the Island,
spends the next 12 hours looking back sees Cleo and Mack meet at a luxury
over their romance. But will it save Pippa? cabin in Ireland, both insisting who bounce off them and draw out
they should be staying there for different sides of their personalities.
MIXED EMOTIONS the night, when a storm sets in…
Love Marriage by I write about ordinary people in
Monica Ali (£18.99, Music, news and magazines all ordinary jobs, so that helps keep
HB, Virago) spark initial ideas – and then I let things relatable. I avoid heroes or
When Yasmin my imagination run riot with ‘what ifs’ villains, too, because most people
Ghorami and to build the bones of a story. try, in the main, to be decent humans
Joe Sangster get who inevitably make mistakes.
engaged, the I write in an office at the bottom
contrasting worlds of my garden. It’s my sanctuary – The best piece of writing advice?
of their families scented candles, a comfy chair and I’m a huge Elizabeth Gilbert fan – her
collide. In the chaste the writer’s essential – a cupboard full advice to ‘treat writing like a love affair’
Ghorami household, sex is a taboo topic, of stationery and new notebooks! resonates with me. Prioritise it, make
while Joe’s feminist mother is a believer time and room for it in your life. Write
in sexual freedom. As the wedding day I’m not a huge planner. I tend to get passionately because you love it.
draws ever closer, both families are to know my main characters as I write
forced to confront their assumptions. them. I usually surround them with an One Night on the Island by Josie Silver is
A moving read about two families, ensemble cast of family and friends out on 17 February (£7.99, PB, Penguin).
two cultures and the secrets we keep.

WHAT I’M READING

What are
you reading?
We’d love to hear
about the books you’re
I’m rereading D.E. I’ve just finished THE SHIVER by Allie SHE’S MINE by A.A. enjoying, so get in
Stevenson’s MRS. TIM GIRL IN THE MAZE Reynolds is full of dark, Chaudhuri – to say touch and let us know.
GETS A JOB – a diary by Cathy Hayward – delicious fun. Perfect it was a brilliant You can email
of an army wife who, a family drama about to read at this time of psychological thriller zoe.west@futurenet.
left with an empty three generations year, it’s a gripping, is an understatement. com, drop her a tweet
nest, moves to of mothers. I found it twisty debut that really I had to sit in a dark room at @zoeannewest
Scotland to work for an thought-provoking, draws you in. for a while afterwards. or message on our
irrepressible hotelier. moving and addictive. Catherine Balavage, Danielle, Mid w&h Book Club
Anaita Davar, India Nicola, Sheffield London Glamorgan Facebook page.

✢ The Moon Over Kilmore Quay by Carmel Harrington ✢ The Staycation by Cressida McLaughlin ✢ The Best Things by Mel Giedroyc
W&H
BOOK
CLUB
IN CONVERSATION WITH

Veronica
HENRY
She might be tempted to run a beach hut of her own, but the award-winning
novelist loves the tingly, butterfly feeling when a book comes together

I
f you’ve ever dreamt rural and traditional, quite
of owning a beach arty and foodie.
hut or spending a
night on the Orient Beginning the book, for
Express, you may well me, is like an episode
have read one of Veronica of Through the Keyhole.
Henry’s books, set in I choose my setting, then
gorgeous surroundings. ask why we are here, who do
She has written 20 novels we care about and what is
dealing with very real at the centre of it – maybe
situations, and her latest, a cider farm as in A Home
The Impulse Purchase, From Home. I loved writing
sees three generations about the village in that and
of women take over my mind will often wander
the running of a pub. there, wanting to explore
Veronica, who has it further. The idea for my
three grown-up sons, lives new book came when I saw
in Woolacombe, North a review of a pub run by a
Devon, with her miniature mother and daughter. I liked
schnauzer, Zelda. the idea of that partnership.
I just turned the idea into
I always start my books three generations.
with the question ‘Where
do I want to take my During the pandemic,
readers?’ I like to take them I think we realised more
on a journey, so I invariably than ever the importance
start with a setting, which of families. Young
you can tell by the title of people look to the older
my books. There may be a generations for inspiration
beach hut, a hotel or even a luxurious and vice versa. It’s great to be energised
train – it’s an invitation to come
somewhere fabulous. The Impulse
‘There are so by the younger people in your family,
especially when it comes to social media.
Purchase is set in Somerset, which is very
‘now’. It’s tempting lots of Londoners
many characters My characters are a cocktail of people
because it has so much to offer. It’s in the world’ I’ve known. They are never real people,
176 womanandhome.com
 w&h book club

but they are all dilemmas faced by
people I know, or someone they know.
With The Impulse Purchase I tipped it
on its head – the grandmother is having
marital problems, whereas her daughter
is actually the widow.
This story is very much about a woman
putting herself first. The grandmother,
Cherry, has received an inheritance and,
after putting her husband and family
first for years, thinks, ‘It’s my turn now.’
Twenty years ago, a woman like her
might never have had the chance to
‘Age should
blossom. It’s lovely to
explore a 70-year-old
woman deciding to set
up a business. be obliterated,
Veronica’s
yearning and I wanted to get under the
skin of that. And yes, I’m still waiting to
get ‘Golden Boy’.
I would love to set up a small food
TOP THREE
business in Woolacombe. However,
I do know people who work in hospitality
FOODIE
and it’s hard work, and it’s difficult to
make money, so it’s probably best
BOOKS
to write about it than actually do it. EASY READING
And I really enjoyed writing about the QUENTINS by
restaurant aspect of the pub, indulging Maeve Binchy
my passion for food. My son and I have This is quintessential
this fantasy of setting up a beach bar, Maeve: lots of stories mixed
up in a Dublin restaurant
and we sit there making
playlists for it. David that you want to book
Bowie would definitely be
included. He is the person
a table at straight away.
She is such an assured

In relationships not it shouldn’t who has had the biggest

everyone is nice. That
would firstly be very
be a thing’
boring to write about, and I think it’s
quite nice to redeem a relationship.
You don’t have to think, ‘Well, you’ve
not been very nice, so it’s all over.’
I’m sure there has to be a catalyst
in life for us to make a change.
There is usually a trigger, whether it’s
meeting a person or a more dramatic
change. Take COVID – so many people
are questioning what they’re doing with
their lives. It’s about confidence, too,
which I think particularly women lose.
You pour yourself into your children
and try to keep everything afloat, then
end up getting a bit lost.
Women over 60 are still portrayed as
slightly grey, non-people, who witter
on and do a bit of baking. But, when
I think of all the women I know over 60,
they are simply amazing. I’ve got a friend
in her late 70s, who’s got an incredible
interior design business, and is still driven
and inspiring. Age should be obliterated,
it shouldn’t be a thing.
I miss the places and characters from
INTERVIEW: ZOE WEST. PHOTO: J LEWIS
influence on my life – who
I am, and how I think. The
thing is, with setting up a
beach bar, my portion control would be
terrible. I’d be bankrupt within a month.
My previous jobs as a scriptwriter
helped me enormously with writing
a novel. I worked on Crossroads, Boon,
The Archers and on Heartbeat, Holby
City and Doctors. You have to be very
rigid with TV, bearing in mind how long
a scene is, how many characters are in
it and where you are. You can’t drop in a
party scene if you don’t have the budget,
so you always need to restrict yourself.
It’s very disciplined. Coming to books
was very liberating, as you can take your
characters anywhere. Scriptwriting and
editing was a fantastic discipline, and
probably why I don’t plan everything,
as my brain just works that way.
I never run out of ideas. It’s like
a jigsaw puzzle. You find a theme and
start weaving in characters… and there
are so many characters in the world. It’s
a bit like a recipe, you pick a theme and
the characters, and they kind of take
over. I never really struggle. It’s just about
storyteller and this is comfort reading
at its best. A doughty doorstop.
INSPIRATIONAL
KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL
by Anthony Bourdain
The energy and passion in
this blew my mind when I
first read it. I have given it
to my sons to inspire them
to travel and experiment
with food. It’s a tale of ’sex,
drugs, bad behaviour and haute
cuisine’. Bourdain’s voice is so strong
you could reach out and touch him.
CULINARY TALES
HOME COOKING
by Laurie Colwin
A collection of musings on
everyday life and recipes
to go with them, from
Friday-night supper to
cooking for crowds. It’s
sharp and funny with
a novelist’s keen eye for detail. It’s
the sort of book that makes you want
to be the author’s friend.

finding that dynamic that holds it all

my previous books. Dragonfly Farm
from A Home From Home is really vivid in
my head, as I loved that big house on the
other side of the river. It was very much
inspired by my growing up, watching
the handsome boys who lived at the big
house and wondering who would get
them in the end. We all have that sort of
together – and you know you have that The one piece of
when you get that tingly feeling, like advice I would give my
butterflies. Every book is different, some younger self? Drink
I plan out, and others I start and see how wine, water, wine, water!
it pans out. I do like to have freedom
as I’m writing. Sometimes I begin with ✢ The Impulse Purchase
the end of the book then work my way by Veronica Henry (£12.99,
towards it, which I did with my new book. HB, Orion) is out now.
womanandhome.com 177
 Just a drink
She was single now, and could do whatever she wanted. So why did
meeting a man for a drink feel like such a big deal?
D
aisy fiddled with her
earrings. Too dangly? She
wanted to look nice, but
not like she’d made too
much effort. Luckily, she’d had her
hair highlighted last week, so there
were no grey roots showing, and
the floaty leopard print dress with a
leather jacket looked trendy without
being try-hard. She went downstairs,
wiping her clammy hands on her
skirt. In the living room, her daughter,
Tilda, was watching Netflix on the
television, YouTube on her laptop,
and TikTok on her phone. She looked
178 womanandhome.com
By Beth Morrey
up as her mother came in. Quaking,
Daisy endured the beady eye of a
15-year-old.
‘Sexy.’
Daisy blushed to her newly done
roots. ‘Stop it! I don’t want to look sexy.
Just… approachable.’
Tilda nodded, rolling her eyes. ‘Sure,
that’s what everyone’s going for on
Tinder nowadays: Approachable.’
‘Well, I’m not going on Tinder, am I?
It’s just a drink.’ She wiped her hands
again, and noticed they were shaking.
‘Chill, you look good. It’ll be fine.’
‘Will you be all right on your own?’
‘Course. Don’t you worry about me.
You concentrate on your… date.’ She
pouted and made smooching noises.
‘Matilda!’
Tilda giggled, closing her laptop.
‘Seriously, Mum. I’m proud of you. It’s
very brave.’
Daisy’s eyes filled with tears. ‘Thank
you. Don’t stay up too late.’
‘Right back atcha.’
It was only the pub round the corner,
but as she walked along the street, Daisy
wished that it was further away, so she
could have longer to steel herself. After
the divorce, it had been so hard, sorting

everything out, helping Tilda to adjust,
adjusting herself. She was a single
woman now, could meet whoever she
wanted, do whatever she wanted, go
wherever she wanted. But the truth
was, she still felt bound, tethered.
You couldn’t just throw
away 25 years – the
marriage knot was difficult Outside the
to untangle.
She thought she was
pub, she
ready. Definitely ready. She
just needed another turn
hovered,
around the block to be
sure, but it was drizzling
peering in
now. Outside the pub, she through
the window
hovered, peering through
the window. Was he there?
Would he be waiting
nervously, fiddling with his jacket,
checking his teeth, hoping this went well?
How would he look? Older, she hoped.
Wiser too.
He was easy to spot, in the corner.
Smoothing his hair, checking his watch,
eyes roving. She concentrated on not
tripping over in her heels as she walked
towards him.
‘Ben. Hi.’
‘Daisy.’ He gazed at her for a second,
then seemed to collect himself. ‘Would
you like a drink?’
‘Gin and tonic, please.’
He rushed off, and she made herself
comfortable, thinking he didn’t look that
bad, all things considered. That shirt was
a bit tight, and unironed, but at least he’d
worn one. Her friend Alison had been
on a date with a man who turned up in a
saggy vest that said ‘NICE BAPS’ above
a picture of two bread rolls. She’d had
to fake an emergency phone call from
© FUTURE PUBLISHING LIMITED, 2022. ILLUSTRATION: JEN LEEM-BRUGGEN
her babysitter.
Ben came back with drinks, and for
a second they sat, smiling awkwardly at
each other, then both studied the table,
in silence. Oh God, say something, willed
Daisy, her mouth dry. She took a gulp,
and realised he’d bought her a double.
Promising. Gin, do your thing…
‘So.’ Ben cleared his throat, and
sipped his pint. ‘Nice weather we’ve
been having.’
Daisy stared at him in amazement,
and he shrugged, his palms up in a
gesture of defeat. She laughed, leaning
back in her chair.
‘Sorry,’ he grinned.
The grin and the gin made her feel
more relaxed. Maybe this would be OK.
She pointed to the window. ‘It hasn’t
been nice weather. Feels like it’s been
raining for weeks.’
‘Yeah. Don’t know why I said it. Bit
uptight. Let’s start again.
So… You said on email
you’ve been working for the
Harlequin Theatre? Sounds
interesting.’
‘Yes, just a bit of admin,
but it has been lovely
hanging out there. It’s all
been restored.’
They talked about plays
they’d seen recently, and
a gallery exhibition they’d
both bought tickets for.
Ben worked in advertising, but he’d
always wanted to be an artist, and had
recently started painting again.
‘Mixed media, really. I’m probably
just throwing mud at a wall, but it’s fun.’
‘That’s great!’ Daisy toyed with the
straw of her drink. ‘I was wondering
about auditioning for that am dram
group in town – you know, the Midwich
Players, but you have to sing a song,
and, well…’
Ben raised his eyebrows. ‘Well, what?’
She grimaced. ‘Embarrassing. Silly, at
my age.’
He snorted. ‘Look at Angela Lansbury.
You’re not as old as her.’
Daisy frowned. ‘I mean… I’m really not
as old as her. I’m literally half her age.’
‘See?’ He raised his glass triumphantly,
and Daisy rapped him with her straw.
This was going really well.
Much better than she’d ‘Don’t let him
show you his
hoped.
‘So… are you seeing
anyone at the moment?’ Ben
tipped his chair back, acting etchings. He
casual. She wasn’t fooled.
‘No… You?’ thinks he’s
‘No.’
‘Right.’
Banksy now’
‘Right.’
They both stared at the table again.
Someone put Then He Kissed Me on the
jukebox, and Daisy felt her cheeks going
red. Like this was the beginning of a film,
the beginning of a romance, back to
being a teenager again. But it wasn’t the
beginning of something. It was the end.
She finished her drink, and set the
short story
glass down firmly. ‘Well, I’d better be
getting home. It was really good to…’
She pushed her chair back, grabbing
her handbag.
Ben hastily got to his feet. ‘Yes,
absolutely. Great to…’ He helped her
into her jacket, and when she spun
round, he didn’t step away.
‘You’re looking good, Dayz,’ he said,
tapping her on the nose.
‘You too, Benj,’ she replied.
Back home, Daisy waltzed into the
kitchen, feeling dazed and delighted and
sad and like she needed another drink.
Tilda came in just as she was pouring
herself a huge glass of wine.
‘Hmmm,’ she said. ‘Driven you to it,
has he?’
‘Not at all,’ said Daisy, defensively.
‘It went really well. I just wanted to wind
down a bit.’
‘Was it OK?’ Tilda looked apprehensive,
and Daisy felt sorry for her. After all, she’d
set the whole thing up.
‘It was fine. Really fine. I was glad
I went. It…’ She paused, swilling the wine
around her glass.
‘It what?’ Tilda bit her lip.
Daisy took a deep breath. ‘It cleared
the air. Just like you said it would.’ She
raised the glass, and smiled.
Tilda smiled back, but her eyes were
full. ‘I want you and Dad to be friends,’
she said. ‘So, you know, when you come
to parents’ evening or whatever, it’s not a
big deal.’
Daisy blinked back her own tears. ‘We
are friends. Or, at least, I think we will be.
It’ll just take time.’
‘Well, whatever you do,
don’t let him show you his
etchings. He thinks he’s
Banksy now, and he’s really
not. Talk about a midlife
crisis.’
Daisy laughed. ‘I’m sure
he’s not that bad. Shall we
get pizza?’
Just a drink, Tilda had said.
No big deal. And it wasn’t. But in other
ways, it was a huge step. She felt lighter,
unencumbered. She felt free. Pulling
a flyer for a delivery company off the
fridge, she hummed the tune of Then
He Kissed Me. It wasn’t the end. It was a
new beginning.
✢ Em & Me by Beth Morrey (£14.99,
HB, HarperCollins) is out now.
womanandhome.com 179
 A fitting
BEQUEST
By Jessie Keane
The dress was bad, but no way was bridesmaid
Annie wearing the shoes her sister had chosen
A
nnie Bailey was never one
for superstitions. Tarot and
crossing your palm with silver
and all that voodoo-hoodoo
malarkey? She didn’t believe in any of
it. You made your own luck in this life,
good or bad.
She turned 20 in 1962 and she knew
she was dazzling. Strolling up Carnaby
Street in her second-hand purple
minidress, her leaky white PVC boots
showing off her seemingly endless legs,
window-shopping in Quant and Biba
and Chelsea Girl, she was always aware
of attention coming her way. She was
tall, slender, with a long bouffant of
chocolate-brown hair and a face that
could easily launch a fleet of ships. She
had eyes as dark green as tourmalines,
a wide mouth and an attitude that said
‘don’t you dare mess with me’.
Annie was tough. She hadn’t ever
thought that she would have her heart
broken. But there it was. Big shock. She
was cut from a completely different cloth
180 womanandhome.com
to her older sister Ruthie, who’d been
standing behind the door when looks
like Annie’s had been handed out. Ruthie
was a pale pastel imitation of Annie, but
even Annie would have to admit that
Ruthie was nicer. Ruthie was plain, but
sweet. She was kind to everyone, even
those who least deserved it – for instance,
their mother, Connie.
Connie was a drunk. You couldn’t put
it nicely, really. She was just an out-and-
out disgrace, but Ruthie – being Ruthie
– made excuses for her, and of course
Connie loved that, she soaked it up.
Connie’s husband had jumped on a
ship years ago and left her; wise move,
Annie thought. In the rare moments
when Connie wasn’t completely off her
face on the gin, Ruthie was the favoured
one, the indulged one. When there was
spare cash – and there rarely was – it
was always Ruthie who was taken out on
shopping trips, Ruthie who was praised,
Ruthie who was the good one, while
Annie – who looked dangerously like
her handsome waster of a father – got
the rough end of the stick every time.
Still, so what? Annie shrugged it all off,
every barb, every slight. Knowing herself
despised by her own mother had made
Annie, over the years, hard as iron. She
wouldn’t cry, she never complained. She
just turned her back and walked away.
‘Mum doesn’t mean it,’ Ruthie always
told Annie, hugging her.
‘Yes,’ Annie replied, every time.
‘She does.’
‘It’s the drink talking.’
‘No,’ said Annie. ‘It isn’t.’
But now Ruthie was going to be
married! Annie tried to feel happy for
her, of course she did. But her heart was
cracked wide open. Added to that, she
had a low-paid job in the local corner
ship, which paid peanuts so she couldn’t
afford to move out, much as she wanted
to, and without Ruthie at home, her life
was going to be total misery.
Still, she tried to be pleased for Ruthie.
Well, right up until the moment when she

found out who Ruthie was marrying.
Max Carter, no less. Yeah – big shock.
‘You’re going to be chief bridesmaid,’
Ruthie told her, brimming over with
excitement.
Along with cousin Kath, Annie was
fitted for a long peach dress. The colour
did nothing for Kath and even less for
Annie, but it was Ruthie’s day, so what
© FUTURE PUBLISHING LIMITED, 2022. ILLUSTRATION: JEN LEEM-BRUGGEN
the hell. However, Annie refused to wear
the cheap open-toed cream sandals
Ruthie wanted for her bridesmaids.
‘Kath can, I’m not,’ said Annie.
‘What do you want to wear, then?’
asked Ruthie.
Annie was thinking of their Auntie Lil,
mad as a wet hen, but very stylish. Auntie
Lil took a size five shoe, just like Annie. Lil
was a keen collector of all things vintage,
from bugle-beaded dresses to fox furs
and exotic leathers. Annie had spied
out a pair of exquisite cream court shoes
when she’d last visited.
Two days before the wedding, she
visited again. The door was unlocked so
she walked straight in and found Auntie
Lil in her parlour with her crystal ball, her
elaborate draperies, all the spiritual stuff
she so enjoyed.
‘I’ve got a reading at three,’ said
Lil, shuffling the cards. ‘Can’t spare
you long.’
When Annie explained why she was
here, Auntie Lil went out into the scullery
and returned with a plain white shoebox.
She opened it, and there they were,
on a bed of yellow tissue: the beautiful
cream leather shoes. Auntie Lil took them
out. Annie reached for them, had them
in her grasp – but Lil snatched them back.
‘They pinch, though – if you’re bad,’
she said.
‘Oh really?’ Annie said, not believing
it for an instant.
‘Yes. They do. They’re magic. So
you have to be good, Annie. Will you
be good?’
‘Yes,’ said Annie. Two days to the
wedding! The tension was mounting.
Ruthie was climbing the walls. Connie
was smoking the house out with her
Woodbines. All was chaos.
Finally, the big day arrived. Annie was
at the hairdressers by nine with Kath and
Ruthie, as arranged, despite being out
late the night before. By noon, they were
all coiffed, made-up and dressed in their
wedding finery. And the shoes were
pinching. Annie couldn’t believe it.
Maybe the toes were just a bit too narrow
for Annie’s feet, but because she was a
size five like Auntie Lil, they should fit her,
shouldn’t they?
By the time she and Kath got to the
church, the heels of the
shoes were rubbing so badly ‘The shoes
pinch, though
that she was sure her skin
was blistered. As Ruthie
arrived in the Rolls-Royce
that her fiancé Max Carter – if you’re
had paid for, into Annie’s
mind drifted Auntie Lil’s face, bad. Will you
her shrewd, laughing eyes.
They pinch, though – if
be good?’
you’re bad. Will you be good, Annie?
As she followed her sister up the aisle
she saw Max waiting up the front of the
church with his brother Jonjo as best
man. Annie was almost hobbling now,
so great was the pain of the shoes. She
walked slowly up the aisle behind her
sister and was sure she could feel blood
running, squelching, between her toes.
short story
Nobody – not Ruthie, not Connie,
nobody – had asked where she got to
last night. And when she thought of it,
being in bed with him, with Max Carter,
her sister’s bridegroom, she knew she
hadn’t been good at all. He was a
wealthy man, dark and handsome as
a pirate, owner of three nightclubs –
the Palermo, the Blue Parrot and the
Shalimar – and he’d chosen to marry
Ruthie because she was perfect wife
material. But… he’d been in bed with
Annie on the night before his wedding
to her sister. He was bad. But maybe
not as bad as Annie because she loved
Ruthie, adored her, and she had done
this awful thing to her sister, who had
never been anything but kind to her.
Her feet were bleeding.
As the ceremony wound on, Annie
stood there and listened, wincing while
her lover exchanged vows with her sister.
Last night, Max had said what they
were doing was a mistake and a one-off.
She didn’t believe that, though. She
believed that the lust they’d shared was
powerful and wouldn’t let either one of
them go free.
At the reception, they all took their
places at the dining tables trimmed with
peach roses. Annie’s feet were hot with
agony. At last she was able to sit down
and kick Auntie Lil’s shoes off. She was
frightened to look at what they’d done to
her feet; they felt mangled. She peered
under the damask tablecloth, holding
her breath – but her feet were fine. No
blisters. No blood. Nothing. Suddenly,
with a shiver, she believed everything
Lil had said. She was bad
and that was why the shoes
had pinched her.
She looked across at
Ruthie and Max. Max’s eyes
caught hers, held them.
This wasn’t over. Not by
a long shot.
‘Where’s Auntie Lil?’ she
asked her mother later in
the evening, when the tables had been
pushed back for the dancing to start.
Connie drew in close to whisper.
‘Don’t tell Ruthie. It would spoil her day.
Poor old Lil died three days ago. They
found her sitting in her parlour, dead as
a dodo.’
✢ Diamond by Jessie Keane (£14.99,
HB, Hodder & Stoughton) is out now.
womanandhome.com 181
 W&H WEEKENDG R E A T F I L M S , T V, P O D C A S T S A N D C U LT U R E

Hot new shows

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No Return
There’s a holiday
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Ali & Ava
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182 womanandhome.com
and his gang
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Adam Lambert,
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This seven-part
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 what’s on

nearly always with my kids LISTEN UP

and we binge on Modern Gripping conversations to while away
Family, Brooklyn Nine-Nine journeys and chores
and Cobra Kai, which stars
the actual actors from the Life Changing
Karate Kid movies. Join former
Listening I love BBC Sounds Woman’s Hour
and in lockdown I got presenter Jane
obsessive about podcasts. Garvey in this
My favourite was The podcast where
Battersea Poltergeist people talk about
because I love a ghost events that changed their lives. Hear from
story, even though I don’t a woman who suddenly became a mother
believe in ghosts. of two aged 24, and a nun who gave up
Scrolling I’m a slave to social her vows. Apple Podcasts, Spotify
media and work hard not to
be. I’m better than I used
to be because I used to have Out to Lunch
a real Twitter problem. I look with Jay
for funny stories and still Rayner
love checking out the NME Take a seat at the
website, to see what’s going table as the top
on with music. I recently food critic chats
MY joined Tinder and find to a famous guest

CULTURE myself using it in the way

I once used Twitter, so I’ve
DIARY had to put a lid on that too!
Visiting I regularly FaceTime
my 87-year-old aunt Ashraf
Comedian Shaparak Khorsandi, 48, in Iran, who I’m never going
lives in London with her son Cassius, to see again because we
14, and daughter Genevieve, eight can’t go to Iran and she can’t
come here due to her poor
Reading I’ve just read Katy Wix’s health. She’s my favourite person.
memoir Delicacy, which goes to Buying Running trainers. I’ve got
WETCHER/UNIVERSAL PICTURES, BBC, BRIAN HIGBEE/AMAZON PRIME VIDEO, DAVE BENETT/GETTY
WORDS: GEMMA CALVERT, NICK CANNON, JANE CROWTHER, SHARON SWEENEY. PHOTOS: BARRY
at a restaurant of his choice. With the likes
of Mary Beard and Bernardine Evaristo,
expect great conversation and dining
vicariously at excellent restaurants. Apple
Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify
Feel Better,
Live More
In this insightful
podcast series

the darkest parts of her experience very flat feet, so I bought some really from Dr Rangan
IMAGES, ELEVENTH HOUR FILMS, ITV, JMENTERNATIONAL FOR BRIT AWARDS/GETTY, PATHE UK,
ROBERT VIGLASKY, SISTER/ANIKA MOLNAR. NOTE: RELEASE DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

of grief, disordered eating and her good Brooks running shoes ready Chatterjee, you
battle with people who make her for my half marathon. get a mix of
feel, because of her weight, that ✢ For tickets to Shaparak’s tour, longer episodes with health experts, plus
she doesn’t fit into show business. It Was The 90s!, head to shappi.co.uk. shorter sessions that share tips. If you get
I found her book painfully relatable. Kissing Emma by Shappi Khorsandi Amazon Music, check out his new daily
Watching The television I watch is (£7.99, Bellatrix) is available to buy now. five-minute Built to Thrive podcasts.
Apple Podcasts, Spotify

STREAM IT Our pick of what to watch, whenever you want

Magpie
Murders
Lesley Manville
heads up this
twisty crime drama spanning two
time periods. Editor Susan Ryland
receives an unfinished manuscript
that changes her life. BritBox
Pam &
Tommy
This eight-part
biopic about
Baywatch star Pamela Anderson (Lily
James) and Mötley Crüe drummer
Tommy Lee (Sebastian Stan) covers
their tempestuous marriage. Disney+
Reacher
Fans of the Jack
Reacher movies
now have an
all-action thriller series. Fresh out of the
military, Jack turns up in small-town
Georgia to find he’s a prime suspect in
a murder case. Amazon Prime Video

womanandhome.com 183
 horoscopes

Your STARS
Astrologer Wendy Bristow’s
VIRGO
 #7)756 s  5'26'/$'4
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marriage and friendships. You may meet
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predictions for the month of March Full Moon on the 18th charges emotions.
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Spring is sprung on the 21st when your  5'26'/$'4 s  1%61$'4
birthday month begins. From the 27th, Lovers, children, hobbies – everything
communication planet Mercury enables you enjoy looks lovely, especially after
you to ask for – and get – what you want. the 6th. Even if there’s a tough moment
%CNN    CPF EJQQUG on the 3rd, it’s all ironed out wonderfully.
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3rd and single Taureans could meet Don’t let your ambitions – or temper – go
someone special. Be prepared for a overboard early March. It’s a challenging
(maybe stressful) surprise around the 19th. time, but could work for you if you tread
%CNN    CPF EJQQUG carefully. Afterwards, things lighten up.
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something you need. It’s one of the best A busy March begins with a chance to
moments for making things happen. A excel. Things on the family front come to
EJCNNGPIG QP VJG TF EQWNF TGCR DGPGƂVU a head on the 18th; don’t take anything
%CNN    CPF EJQQUG Star sign personally. Romance looks good.

of the month
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up in your ‘scope’s partnership zone. CNUQ C ITGCV VKOG HQT UGNHUVCTVGF money and romance. Make the most of it.
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realise you’ve been under an illusion.   CPF EJQQUG YGGMN[ long-term. From the 6th, passions heat up!
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last laugh
TOWN &
KATHY LETTE
The comedian and author
COUNTRY
Spring is on its way – and our
loves city life and has lived
in London for over 30 years
columnists have a spring in their step
‘It’s a joy to cast off thick tights
and thermal bras’
My local bookshop has a new sign in the window – ’Please
PQVGVJGRQUVCRQECN[RVKEƂEVKQPUGEVKQPJCUDGGPOQXGFVQ
current affairs.’
After the roller-coaster ride of the past two years, it’s hard
not to conclude that ‘optimism’ is an eye disease.
But it’s important not to become Eeyore-esque because
research proves that optimists live longer than pessimists.
Yep. Apparently, optimism lowers blood pressure and boosts
your immune system, which increases longevity. And spring
is the perfect springboard for feeling more upbeat.
It starts with the joy of casting off those thick tights and
thermal bras. By mid-January, I’m so cold, my breasts start
chattering. The fog’s so thick that taking a gulp of air risks
chipping a tooth.
By February, I’m usually wondering how long I can hold out
before uttering my Titus Oates-esque, ‘I may be gone some
time’ wandering-off-into-the-wilderness speech. Speech?
As if. My icy lips are novocained.
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Party season approaches, summer holidays are planned,
the grey cloud duvet lifts and sunlight streams in. Best
of all, girlfriends come out of hibernation and we head
off in giggly gaggles to museums and galleries.
In fact, it’s women who are my greatest source of
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female activists who raise my spirits – like 19-year-old
environmentalist Greta Thunberg; Malala Yousafzai and
Alaa Salah, who stood up against oppression in Pakistan
and Sudan; and Emma ‘X’ González, who survived the
Florida Stoneman Douglas High School massacre and is
now taking aim at the gun lobby by shooting from the lip.
So, pessimists, take my advice. When looking
at your glass, choose the half-full option by
remembering this simple mantra – laugh and
the world laughs with you; cry… and you
get salt in your champers.
% Best Laid Plans by Kathy
Lette (£16.99, Bantam Press)
is out now. @KathyLette
194 womanandhome.com
KATIE FFORDE
The bestselling author
lives in the Cotswolds and
is a country girl at heart
‘Seeing nature do its thing gives
me a sense of optimism’
One of the things that raises my spirits in the spring is the
stubbornness of nature. No matter how muddy and cold the
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their yellow heads as if they were watching their favourite band
at Glastonbury. Tiny purple crocuses – as fragile as fairies
– make it out of the earth and stand up to the wind and
weather. They don’t care that there are balls of ice raining
down on them, it is their moment to shine!
The birds build nests, the squirrels scamper around. They
are not hoping for the best, they are assuming that the best
will happen. The sun will come out, the biting wind will drop,
blossom will appear on trees and the blackbird will sing. If
that doesn’t give the rest of us hope, I don’t know what will.
Although I can dig my heels in from time to time, I’m not as
stubborn as nature is, but seeing it do its thing does give me
a sense of optimism. This is often totally misplaced. I probably
won’t lose enough weight so I can wear a bikini in the summer,
but just thinking that I might makes me happy.
More often than not, however, optimism is the triumph
of hope over experience. While I will get
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colours, I will still be overweight. And
yet, encouraged by nature’s dynamic
appearance in spite of late snow, howling
gales and everything else, I go on thinking
that perhaps no one will notice if I wear bright
enough jewellery. This is something in my
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PHOTOS: ANGELA SPAIN, LIZ MCAULAY, PIXELEYES
health. I’m never going to be able to say that
I’m training for a half marathon (not even my
optimism goes that far), but being able to say
that I look on the bright side is something that
they can give a great big tick to! After all, good
health is in the mind as well as in the body.
Let’s all decide to walk on the sunny side
of the street.
% A Wedding in the Country by
Katie Fforde (£14.99, HB, Century)
is out now. @KatieFforde
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