Home/Women's Lifestyle/Prima UK/February 16/In This Issue
Prima UK|February 16A year for health, happiness and not giving a stuff!I know you love our fabulous cover star and columnist Caroline Quentin as much as me and the Prima team as you so often write to tell me you do – my post tray and email inbox are forever full with lovely notes about how she chimes with you. I promise I always pass them on to Caroline – and, time permitting, she pretty much always writes to you direct to say thank you! And I think her interview in this issue underscores why we all connect with her. She shares her down-to-earth philosophy on life ‘that we only come this way once, so you might as well have a crack at everything’ and how it’s so liberating getting older as you work out the people who really matter to…3 min
Prima UK|February 16Let’s do cosy...THE COOL WAYCOMFORT ZONEBrrrr! Beat the freeze in the most comfortable outfit of all time. Woolly trousers have become a surprise style star this season – slouchy, easy and curl-up comfortable. Give them the fashion factor by teaming with multiple knitted layers and white plimsolls.IT’S A MIX UPBe a fashion rebel and experiment with different textures. Try a chunky jumper paired with a silky swishy skirt. Contrasting fabrics worn together look so chic. Keep the colour palette tonal to ensure your outfit is perfectly polished.WINTER WARMERSA short-sleeved jacket slipped over your coat elevates simple knitwear from casual to cool – the extra layer will also keep you toasty when the temperature drops. The beauty of winter dressing lies in layers of luxe-looking yarns and keep-me-warm tactile textures.GRACEFULLY GREYWant knitwear know-how? Go pale…3 min
Prima UK|February 16Is this the year I’ll finally GROW UP?‘With every new year come thoughts of the next birthday and another candle on the already-overcrowded cake. Not that I’m complaining. As Woody Allen says, “it’s better than the alternative”. But every year, without fail, the same nagging feeling creeps in: “When will I feel grown-up?”I’m never quite sure what the markers of being grown-up are supposed to be. The existence of a family co*cktail recipe? A joint bank account? A John Lewis card? I make a mean lemon drop Martini; the secret lies in equal quantities of lemon juice and sugar syrup. But I don’t have a joint bank account with anyone, not even my husband. This is due to disorganisation rather than any clever life strategy. And I had a John Lewis card, but I lost it. (This…3 min
Prima UK|February 16A brief history of datıngM y partner and I met in a bookshop. He worked there and I was always popping in to sign my books. We were friends – and then began dating and now share a chaotic house (and cheery small child). So when I read about Tinder, swiping right, and all the other apps that today’s singles use to find love, it’s an unknown world… and perhaps shows me I should stick to writing about love affairs in the past.As a historian, I spend my time researching how our ancestors lived – and in the course of my research for my novel set in the 1920s, I’ve become fascinated by the changing face of dating.Before the internet, dating was all about your circle of friends – who you knew, who your…5 min
Prima UK|February 16Winterproof YOUR SKINAs far as my skin is concerned, February is by far the trickiest month of the year. Freezing weather and full-blast heating are the worst kind of duo for the complexion. This month, give yourself a beauty project and invest time in your skin. Come spring, your face will be dewy and your body glossy – let’s get ahead of the game!1 Ramp it upAt this time of year, your skincare regime will definitely need to be bumped up a bit.● Try switching to a richer moisturiser and eye cream to feed skin dried out by winter winds and overly revved central heating.● If your skin is reacting badly to outdoor cold and indoor heat, then it could be an idea to move over to a sensitive skin range.● Running…4 min
Prima UK|February 16CUT YOUR SUGAR CRAVINGS!1 Be aware of sugarThe sweet stuff is hidden in lots of processed food, so if it has a label, read it! We can spot sugar and honey, no problem, but look out for dextrose, fructose, sucrose, maltose and corn syrup – these are all sugars in disguise! Ingredients are listed in order of quantity, so make sure that they’re way down the list. ‘Check ready meals, sauces and tinned food, as well as processed,’ says nutritionist Shona Wilkinson. ‘You’ll be shocked where sugar appears!’2 Nix the cold turkeyIt’s tempting to rush ahead and kill every scrap of sugar in your diet, but unless you want to feel like death and nurse a giant headache for days, decrease steadily rather than sending your blood sugar into a nose-dive. ‘Low blood…4 min
Prima UK|February 16Sarah’s surgeryDo you know where your first-aid kit is? Do you even own one? According to a recent survey, a quarter of British households no longer have a proper first-aid kit and just keep a few plasters and painkillers handy*. What’s more, another survey by Healthspan found that those of us who do own a medicine cabinet rarely check it, with only one in five sorting through its contents in the last five years. It seems we hoard everything from old vitamins to aged cough medicines, and few people think to check the use-by dates before use – even on prescribed drugs. Although taking an out-of-date product is unlikely to be harmful in itself, vitamins and medicines deteriorate over time, so you will no longer obtain the benefits and your symptoms…6 min
Prima UK|February 16GADGETS TO GET YOU ORGANISED!Your mindHEADSPACEMindfulness is a health buzzword – basically taking time to live in the moment without the everyday head churn of distractions and anxieties. This app guides you through meditation and mindfulness for 10 minutes each day for stress relief and peace of mind. There’s a paid-for upgrade if you want to take it further. Free, iTunes, Google PlayLUMIE BODYCLOCK IRIS 500A quarter of people aged 30-50 admit to missing out on so much sleep it could be affecting their health*. Sleep experts recommend that during the winter months, we should be in bed by 10.37pm and waking at 7.19am. If this stresses you out, try a gentle approach. The Lumie clock mimics sunrise to help you wake gradually, and sunset to relax you at night. It’s also an aromatherapy…4 min
Prima UK|February 16Bathtime heavenCreating the ideal family bathroom doesn’t have to mean compromising on style. With plenty of knowledge on hand from the experts at bathstore, you can plan a space that suits all your family’s needs. Take the MyPlan range (above), for example: with its clever storage and four colour options, you can design a practical space full of personality to suit any budget. Why not consider a centrally positioned bath as a stylish spa-style focal point and ensure the children are always in sight at bath time? Lots of spacious units with ample storage for everyone’s bathing essentials mean a beautifully calm and blissfully clutter-free bathroom.Family-friendly and full of style● Nicely natural: The Slant range combines practical design with stunning woodgrain finishes.● Neat and tidy: Push open drawers and doors with…1 min
Prima UK|February 16CAKES with BENEFITSIrresistible carrot cake with coconut-lime frostingThis is a delicious cake that can be served any time of the day, for any occasion whether mid-morning, for afternoon tea, dinner party dessert or even as a celebration cake.MAKES A 20cm/8in CAKEPREP: 30 minutes, plus overnight chilling and cooling COOK: 45 minutes• 200ml/7fl oz rapeseed/canola oil, plus extra for greasing• 1 large ripe banana, peeled and mashed to a purée• 125ml/4fl oz maple syrup• 3 eggs, lightly beaten• 225g/8oz wholegrain spelt flour• 1 tbsp baking powder• 1½ tsp bicarbonate of soda/baking soda• 1½ tsp ground cinnamon• ½ tsp ground allspice• ½ tsp ground ginger• 275g/9¾oz finely grated carrots• 115g/4oz sultanas/golden raisins• 40g/1½oz desiccated/dried shredded coconutFOR THE FROSTING:• 400ml/14oz can full-fat coconut milk, chilled overnight• 150g/5½oz cream cheese• finely grated zest of 2 limes•…9 min
Prima UK|February 16TAKE INSPIRATION FROM NATURENot too trickyALMOST GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT!YOU WILL NEEDThese sweet strawberry and pumpkin pincushions are a perfect gift for a keen stitcher• Small saucer• Fabric• Fabric scissors• Sewing machine• Needle and thread• Toy stuffing• Thin grosgrain ribbon• FeltTO MAKEStrawberry❶ Drawing round a small saucer or side plate, cut a circle from a piece of fabric.❷ Divide the circle in three and cut.❸ For each third, fold in half with right sides facing and stitch along the straight side.❹ Turn right side out to make a cone and fill with stuffing.❺ Use running stitch around the top edge, tighten to close the gap and knot.❻ Cut a short length of ribbon, make into a loop and sew to the top of the strawberry.❼ Cut a piece of felt into the shape…4 min
Prima UK|February 16TWEED WRAPTURN THE PAGE FOR FULL INSTRUCTIONSUse your skillsTWEED WRAPSnuggle up in this attractive tweed knitSIZEOne size 96cm wide (excluding borders), 130cm long from front hem to back hem.MATERIALS8 x 50g balls of Rowan Hemp Tweed in Plum 132 (A) and 9 x 50g balls in Teal 131 (B). Pair each of 4mm and 4.5mm knitting needles. 4mm circular needle at least 100cm long. Cable needle.TENSION20 ½ sts and 32 rows to 10cm square over patt using 4.5mm needles.ABBREVIATIONSbeg beginning; cm centimetres; cont continue; C3B slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and leave at back of work, k1, then k2 from cable needle; C3F slip next st onto cable needle and leave at front of work, k2, then k1 from cable needle; k knit; p purl; patt pattern; rem remaining;…3 min
Prima UK|February 16Relax and unwind at Ragdale HallTwo-night stay and free Elemis gift from £379ppRagdale Hall Health Hydro & Thermal Spa combines state-of-the-art facilities and treatments with the charm of traditional Victorian architecture to create one of the most luxurious and relaxing health spas in the country. It has won a string of awards for its facilities and outstanding customer service. Stay for two nights in a Superior room for just £379 per person (Sunday to Thursday), or £438 per person (from Friday or Saturday; usually £590), plus get a free Elemis gift worth £38.YOUR EXCLUSIVE PACKAGE INCLUDES (PER PERSON):● Check in at 3pm for two nights sharing a Superior twin, double or triple room● Two 40-minute treatments per person (choose from body massage, prescription facial, classic manicure or moisturising lavender body treatment)● Full use of spa…2 min
Prima UK|February 1612 great reads for 2016Out in JanuaryTHE TROUBLE WITH GOATS AND SHEEP by Joanna Cannon (The Borough Press, £12.99) It’s the long, hot summer of 1976 and Mrs Creasy is missing. Grace and Tilly, both 10, decide to have a go at investigating… Out 28 JanEXPOSURE by Helen Dunmore (Hutchinson, £16.99) When Simon is imprisoned for selling secrets to the Russians, his wife Lily knows he is innocent. It’s true that Simon is not a spy, but he has other secrets that put him at risk in 1960s England. Out 28 JanTHE SECRETS OF HAPPINESS by Lucy Diamond (Macmillan, £12.99) When Becca comes to stay with her stepsister, she quickly learns that Rachel’s perfect life – fab job, husband, kids – is not so perfect after all. Out 28 JanYOU AND ME, ALWAYS by…3 min
Prima UK|February 16One good turnWIN £100Sarah reluctantly pulled on her raincoat as she peered out of the window. It hadn’t stopped raining all day, but she couldn’t put it off any longer. She felt guilty on days like this; when she wished she didn’t have to take Alf for his ‘walkies’ around the all-too-familiar path of the park.Sarah’s pet-sitting venture started as her ‘business of the year’, but ended with the realisation that she could never make a sustainable living. She wasn’t cut out to be a business tycoon. But what her little enterprise brought to the fore were the compassionate qualities intrinsic to her nature. Although Sarah had relinquished her pet-sitting business, she still saw it a duty of her friendship to George to continue providing Alf with his daily constitutional; giving him…5 min
Prima UK|February 16prima.co.ukDIETRESOLVED TO LOOK AND FEEL FABULOUS THIS YEAR? WE HAVE WEIGHT LOSS PLANS, SURPRISING DIET SECRETS AND HEALTHY EATING SWAPS, JUST FOR YOU.FITNESSWANT TO TONE UP AND FEEL LESS SLUGGISH AFTER CHRISTMAS? CHECK OUT OUR EASY AT-HOME EXERCISES.RECIPESWARMING WINTER DISHES FOR DELICIOUS COMFORT FOOD WITHOUT THE CALORIES!NEWSLETTERSIGN UP TO RECEIVE OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER FOR ALL THE LATEST FROM PRIMA.CO.UK STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.PRIMA LOVESFIND LOVE IN 2016 WITH OUR BRAND NEW DATING SITE!GET CRAFTINGSTEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR CRAFT PROJECTS TO IMPRESS.HOLIDAY BARGAINSTREAT YOURSELF TO DISCOUNTED HOLIDAYS BY BOOKING THROUGH PRIMA.CO.UK.VISIT PRIMA.CO.UK TODAY!…1 min
Prima UK|February 16The shape makers‘I’ve transformed thousands of lives!’For mum-of-three Jane Michell, from London, a diet-food delivery service has been a recipe for success.‘After a hectic day looking after my children, it was past midnight and I was in my kitchen, packaging up 28 days’ worth of home-made soups, salads, nuts, seeds and rice cakes. I was getting ready to deliver them to Sarah – my neighbour and first-ever client for my new diet delivery service.I was a stay-at-home mum, and I’d offered to help her lose three stone of post-baby weight. I’d been big in my twenties, but I’d managed to drop over two stone from eating meal replacements, then maintained it through portion control. Over the years, I’d developed an interest in helping others shape up, too, working with weight-loss surgery patients…10 min
Prima UK|February 16‘The love of my life was under my nose all along!’‘Sitting at a family gathering, surrounded by peals of laughter, I was smiling tightly, trying not to cry. However much I loved my nieces and nephews and was pleased my brother, Michael, and sister, Jane, had loving partners and children, all I experienced inside was a deep well of loneliness.I was 36, with a great career working for Salford Council, and a close-knit family. But the one thing I wanted more than anything eluded me: love and a family of my own.Watching other people’s happiness only brought my own emptiness up close. If only I’d known that just months later, everything would change. Not only would I meet the man I’d been waiting for, I’d realise he’d been there all along.I first met Lee Hind before I was old enough…5 min
Prima UK|February 16Love your shape, love your lookAlicia Kite and Kay Davidson have decades of experience styling women. They’ve combined their knowledge to launch aliciakaystyle.com, an online four-step wardrobe workout created for real women like you!Pretty and petiteBEFOREClaire Matthews, 49, from Birmingham, is a housewife.● If you’re petite, make sure your jacket length is no longer than mid-bottom. If you’re petite and have curves, like Claire, try jackets that sit just above mid-bottom to balance your body shape. Look how well it works!ALICIA AND KAY’S TOP TIPS FOR PETITES...● Finding the perfect fit is key for everyone, but crucial when you are petite – clothes can quite easily drown you, making you look shorter. Consider getting your clothes altered at your local tailor or dry-cleaners. It will make a huge difference to how you look and feel!●…4 min
Prima UK|February 16Your exercise excuses busted!I’m so unfit!That’s like saying I can’t start a diet because I’m too big! The trick is not to go at it like gangbusters, suffer for it, then give up. Start gently and build.WHAT WORKS? Regular walking is the best way to get into a fitness mindset, and new research shows that it’s more effective than going to the gym.IS IT FOR ME? It’s right for everyone as studies reveal walking is good for immunity, joint health, beating the blues, fighting strokes and improving posture. Keep things simple. Slip on your trainers, treat yourself to a pedometer and go for it! The aim is to reach the magical 10,000 steps a day – the key to fitness and a toned bod.LIKE A TASTER? Fitness instructor Lucy Knight has an easy…10 min
Prima UK|February 16Be your best you!C hristmas indulgence can leave you feeling less than your best come January – but, this new year, there’s no need for diets or deprivation! Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan can help you lose weight, and keep it off, while still eating the foods you love. Satisfy your hunger with unlimited amounts of naturally filling foods, such as lean meat, poultry, pasta and potatoes, while also enjoying foods vital to a balanced diet, such as bread, cereals and dairy products. Plus, you can enjoy moderate amounts of higher-fat foods, like sweets and desserts, so you need never feel deprived. With the support of other Slimming World members and trained Consultants, who’ve all lost weight with Slimming World, you’ll feel motivated to reach the weight you want to be. You’ll…2 min
Prima UK|February 16‘Her smile shows the bullies didn’t win’‘Pulling up outside the school, I saw my 12-year-old daughter Charlotte appear through the gates and dart towards me like her life depended on it. As she climbed into the seat, tears streaming down her cheeks, she dropped her head low, her long hair covering her face so the schoolmates wouldn’t see her cry. “Just drive, Mummy,” she pleaded. “Drive!”Seeing Charlotte reduced to tears had become a regular occurrence since she’d started secondary school the previous year. It didn’t take a genius to work out she’d been on the receiving end of cruel taunts again – and it broke my heart.I’d had a traumatic birth with Charlotte, which had left her with a mild disability. It meant some things were harder for her than for others. She could be clumsy,…7 min
Prima UK|February 16Let’s make it CHEERFUL!AFTER THE DECORATIONSNow that the fun of Christmas is over, many people find this time of year a bit of a downer. It sometimes feels like we’ve got a gruelling few months ahead before spring, cash is tight and, invariably, we see our new year’s resolutions fall by the wayside! My antidote is to see it as an opportunity for a spring clean – now’s the time to get rid of all the stuff you’ve been keeping for too long. Take it to the charity shop and put on display only the things you really love. This time of year, with the long dark evenings, also gives us a great opportunity to edit and print photos – have fun framing them, then you can transform your home with your own…4 min
Prima UK|February 16Say it with Prima f lowers!Burst of SunshineA radiant arrangement of eye-catching blooms, Burst of Sunshine is guaranteed to brighten someone’s day. The gorgeous bouquet includes sunflowers, yellow roses, orange germini and blue eryngium.Marvellous MeadowPut a spring in someone’s step with the Marvellous Meadow bouquet, which combines creamy Vanilla Sky roses with pink veronica and germini, cerise spray carnations and lovely lilac lisianthus. Stunning.From only £16.79*TERMS & CONDITIONS: †Calls to 0333 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to either 01 or 02 numbers, mobile charges may vary. Discount applies to Prima collection only; cannot be used in conjunction with another discount code. Offer closes at midnight, 28 February 2016. Products and free pop-up vase are subject to availability. Vases are for illustration only. For full terms and conditions, see flyingflowers.co.uk.Pretty in PinkElegant…1 min
Prima UK|February 16Cook it, eat it, love it!Culinary delights from food editor HEATHER WHINNEYNew ways with delish winter vegGive cauliflower, sprouts, cabbage and kale a makeover. Cauliflower florets are amazing roasted with truffle pesto and olive oil. Add to a pan with sausages and squash and other colourful veg of your choice. Sprouts roasted with hazelnuts, balsamic vinegar and olive oil tossed with raisins and orange zest are to die for. While roasted cabbage and kale with olive oil, chilli and nutmeg are divine served with roasted salmon.Let’s wok!It’s Chinese New Year on 8 February, so try these ingredients to add zing to your stir-fry...❶ Kikkoman Gluten Free Tamari Soy Sauce (£2.50/250ml, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose). Thicker, richer and less salty than Chinese soy sauce, this contains no wheat so is ideal for gluten-free cooking. Use for stir-fries,…2 min
Prima UK|February 16LISA COMFORT CUSTOMISES IT!STENCIL A TOPThis is one of the quickest ways to make a plain top stand out from the crowd – and, it’s super easy to do. Plus, it’s different to many of my other customising projects, as it doesn’t involve any sewing! (Shhh… don’t tell anyone.)THE KIT• Printer and paper (for the template)• Scissors• Pencil• An A4 sheet of card• Craft knife• A sweatshirt or T-shirt• Fabric pens (try Posca pens at Amazon)• Iron and parchment paperTHE STEPS❶ Find a silhouette of a shape, or shapes, you like – this doesn’t have to be a bird. As long as the shape isn’t too intricate or detailed, it will work. Search online and you’ll find lots of silhouettes to choose from. Print out the shape and then cut it out.❷ Using…1 min
Prima UK|February 16Sew it, make it, love it!Get creative with Prima’s deputy editor Sue McNeillFABRIC FUNAdorn your crafty makes with these gorgeous accessories from Gütermann Creativ’s latest range. Choose from pretty, fabric-covered buttons, pre-cut fabric pieces or a range of ribbons and trims. We also love these water-based fabric paints from Groves (right), which add an artistic flair to fabric. After ironing, they’re even washable to 40°C.For where to buy, see page 160• Pre-cut fabric pieces, from £10 each; fat quarter sheets, from £3.95; fabric-covered buttons, from £3.50 per pack; ribbons, from £3.90, email gutermann@stockistenquiries.co.uk• Trimits fabric paint pots, from £4.50 for 50ml; fabric paint pens, from £2.50 for 20ml, email groves@stockistenquiries.co.ukGet craftyHere at Prima, we love all things crafty, especially if they come in a make-your-own kit! Designer Annelie Wood’s felt brooch kits (above), featuring designs…2 min
Prima UK|February 16THE FASHION EDITSARESS® The Ultimate Beach Dress £10.99Say goodbye to the awkward sarong, it’s simple to slip on, uses no knots or ties just a loop at two corners so you slip it around your back, thread opposite arms through for an elegant flattering beach dress in seconds – it’s sensational!Slimming, cool and comfortable. Nineteen designs, five sizes, two lengths. Brochure: 01902 750657. www.saress.com As seen on TV.STYLISH WIDE FITTING SHOESWider Fit Shoes Ltd offers stylish, affordable shoes to fit you perfectly – whatever your width. Today, they are the leading supplier of wide-fitting shoes in the UK, offering footwear from EE through to 8E fittings. Their entire range of shoes and slippers are adjustable, durable, lightweight and flexible and every purchase is backed by their no-quibble guarantee.No wonder they’re recommended by…2 min
Prima UK|February 16NEW YEAR ESSENTIALSTHE NEW GOLD STANDARD IN VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTSVitamin D Natural Advanced 2500iu Most vitamin D supplements are made from sheep’s wool lanolin using a manmade chemical process. Vitamin D Natural Advanced 2500iu however is a unique micro-encapsulated natural vitamin D3 from cholecalciferol whole food used for premium purity exclusively from natural lichens. Lichens are a plant species and provide excellent levels of natural D3. Also added is magnesium and BioPerine® to support absorption. Vitamin D Natural Advanced 2500iu £12.97 – 60 capsules (two months supply) plus free home spa face mask with first order. Tel 24hr 0345 0956 903 or www.silvertownhealth.co.ukHELP COMBAT THE SIGNS OF AGEINGLines, wrinkles, crepey eyes, sun and skin damage. Fight back against the passing of time with Regentiv’s The Specialist Serum. A potent formula developed by…3 min
Prima UK|February 16‘ To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow’Today I’m going to be pulling on a woolly hat, grabbing a pair of gloves and heading outside no matter how chilly it might be. Even in the depths of winter there is always something to enjoy in the garden and, if it gets too cold, I can sneak into my greenhouse with a hot cup of tea, turn on the radio and flick through the pages of gardening catalogues, dreaming of planting swathes of multi-coloured tulip bulbs, of buying new secateurs and of treating myself to snazzy slate plant markers.While I’m in the greenhouse, it’s a good time to catch up on a few chores. Give the place a good clean, chuck out any broken pots or packets of seeds that are past their plant-by dates. I can check…3 min
Prima UK|February 16‘I’m a huge fan of fresh starts’Caroline Quentin, 55, lives in Devon with husband Sam Farmer and their children, Emily, 16, and William, 12.Happy New YearOver the years, I have spent a lot of time acting and basically showing off.That’s fun, but limited in its fulfilment. So my plan for 2016 is to make more time for things that aren’t on public display or earn me a living, but which bring me huge joy. I love drawing, painting, gardening and listening to music, and I’m going to focus on all that this year. That said, I still love making people laugh – and that’s the thing that will keep me tethered to acting.I’m not a resolution maker – but I will be making one this year. I’m going to put lines through certain weeks in my…9 min
Prima UK|February 16The Queen of colouring books‘Ten years ago, I was up to my eyeballs in debt from art college. I drew in my spare time on a desk in the corner of my one-bed flat in Dundee, and worked two jobs in a shop and a restaurant just to get by. But, although I never dreamed I could sell 15 million books, or that people in Brazil would be colouring my pictures and posting them on Instagram, I was determined to get a career in art, so I wrote myself a cheque for £10,000, stuck it on the fridge and vowed I’d pay it to myself in a year’s time!For the next few months, I’d take the overnight bus to London to drum up work on my days off. I met with galleries and art…6 min
Prima UK|February 16Being published was totally surreal’Jane Fallon was an award-winning script editor and TV producer behind shows such as This Life and Teachers before her first novel was published in 2007. Her books have all been bestsellers and her latest, Strictly Between Us, is her sixth novel. She lives in north London with her long-term partner, comedian Ricky Gervais.I always wanted to be a writer. But my parents ran a newsagent and I thought you had to come from a literary family to be a ‘proper’ writer. I wrote my first book when I was five. It was eight pages long with illustrations and I tried to get my dad to sell my books in his shop.I’m the youngest of five children and was always really shy. I read a lot and spent most of…5 min
Prima UK|February 1631 tiny changes that will make a big difference to your lifeSo, 2016 is the year you want to get fitter, happier and calmer, but you don’t know where to begin? We have just the thing. The Book of YOU is a self-help book with a difference – it has 365 ‘micro-actions’ (one for each day of the year) to help you reach your goals. It’s the brainchild of co-authors Nora Rosendahl, Nelli Lähteenmäki and Aleksi Hoffman, who founded the wellbeing app YOU-app, and has advice from experts, including Jamie Oliver and Dani Stevens.‘Every New Year, people set two or three big goals,’ says Nora. ‘However, they don’t put a plan in place. They just think, “I’m going to lose weight.” But changing your diet overnight is hard, as is going to the gym three times a week. The key is…7 min
Prima UK|February 16Try it, use it, love it!Head-to-toe treats from our beauty editor SABINE WIESELLove your lashesThere’s absolutely no excuse not to flutter long, thick and flirty lashes this month with these fabulous new buys. All with no falsies in sight!1 Curl Yoso Lashes Heated Eyelash Curler (£15.99, Feel Unique). Need a little lift? This pen will give your lashes definition and dramatic curl.2 Prime Benefit They’re Real Tinted Mascara Primer (£18.50). For added va-va voom, try coating them with this before your mascara – you’ll be addicted. It also looks fab on its own for a more natural flutter.3 Colour Revlon Ultimate All-In-One Mascara (£9.99). Finish with layers of this do-it-all mascara. The mini brush makes it super-easy to coat every single lash.BEAUTY SOSTime to clean out your beauty cupboardQ I’m having a beauty clear-out, but…2 min
Prima UK|February 16‘I’m wearing sleeveless tops for the first time IN YEARS’I went to my first exercise class with Maxine by chance. I wanted to find something nearby, and she teaches a class five minutes from my flat. I turned up to a church hall full of all ages and body types. And the class was so much fun – like being in a nightclub – but without the booze, the flashing lights and the annoying men hitting on you! When the class ended, we were all asking for ‘just one more track’. It was absolutely brilliant – and only cost seven quid. It’s become the best seven quid I spend all week!I’ve always struggled with my weight. Like many women, I’ve spent my life yo-yo dieting. But diets do not work. When you come off a diet, you get fatter…5 min
Prima UK|February 16Going the extra smile !We agonise over our hair, fret over our skin and worry about our weight, but could the real secret to looking good be our teeth? According to recent research, a great smile is the only feature considered ‘very important’ by most people. However, nearly half of us are unhappy with our teeth, with 64% of us blaming this on the fact they’re discoloured. Moreover, they also affect our health, with 31% of us suffering from decay and 29% from regular pain. But the good news is that advances in dentistry mean that today you can now keep smiling with confidence throughout your life.The white stuffIt’s a sad fact that teeth tend to get yellower with age. This, says dentist Dr Abeer Al-Adhami, is partly the result of our enamel wearing…8 min
Prima UK|February 16How to think like a financial adviserKnow your numbers‘Where does my money go?’ It’s a question we all ask so often, you’d think we’d make more of an effort to find the answer! Financial coach Julie Feuerborn (juliethemoneycoach.com) says: ‘To stop your money disappearing, make sure you track where it’s going, either using pen and paper, an app, spreadsheet or keeping receipts.’ Apps such as Money Lover and Toshl are popular. Take your regular bills off your income and divide annual expenses – such as Christmas shopping, holidays or insurance – by 12. Once you’re left recording your day-to-day spending, you’ll be able to see where to make changes. ‘Food is often the first thing to target,’ says Julie. ‘On average, we spend £18.23* each week on “invisible” items like coffees and treats for children. That’s…5 min
Prima UK|February 16A home made for relaxingCombining her experience as a vintage furniture specialist with her passion for interior design, Sharon Simmonds has transformed her 1930s house into a spacious, contemporary family home. Sharon and her husband Richard, who works in the media, live with their two children, Hannah and Tom, in a village near Oxford.‘The house itself was less important than the plot and its potential,’ says Sharon. ‘I’m a great believer that with imagination, you can transform anything within reason and budget.’ The family searched for over three years to find their ideal home, which had to be in the countryside but close to a city and all its amenities.‘Our first impressions were of a well-built house that was in need of modernising,’ says Sharon. ‘It all felt very 1930s.’ But the couple were…4 min
Prima UK|February 16COSY WINTER WARMERSprima exclusiveTURN THE PAGE FOR FULL INSTRUCTIONSNot too trickyBROKEN RIB SWEATERKeep nice and cosy in this super-stylish broken rib sweaterMEASUREMENTSTo fit bust 81-86(92-97:102-107)cm. Finished measurements: Bust 113(119:131) cm; Length to shoulder 60(63:66)cm; Sleeve length 44(46:48)cm.MATERIALS10(12:13) 50g balls of Debbie Bliss cashmerino Aran in Stone 27. Pair each of 4.5mm and 5mm knitting needles.TENSION20 sts and 27 rows to 10cm square over patt using 5mm needles.ABBREVIATIONSbeg beginning; cm centimetres; cont continue; foll following; inc increase; k knit; p purl; patt pattern; rem remaining; rep repeat; RS right side; ssk [slip 1] twice, insert tip of left hand needle from left to right through the fronts of both slipped sts and work 2 tog; st(s) stitch(es); tog together; WS wrong side.BACKWith 5mm (US 8) needles, cast on 115(121:133) sts. 1st row (RS)…4 min
Prima UK|February 16Jeremy PivenTell us Mr Selfridge is going to end with a bang and not a whimper?It certainly is. Everything we’ve seen in the three previous series has been working towards this final season, which is now set in 1928. Harry Selfridge is on a downward spiral, and this is very much a riches-to-rags kind of story. There’s a big downfall on the way, thanks to his love of women and gambling.What will you miss about playing Harry Selfridge?Everything, because he’s such a complex, three-dimensional character, which is exactly what you’re after as an actor. He was both fun and challenging to play and, having lived in his skin for four years now, I’ll never forget him.Are you and him similar in any way?Like me, Harry was a guy from the US…3 min
Prima UK|February 16Puzzles for you to enjoyCROSSWORDWIN £50ACROSS7 National bird of India (7)9 ___ Piaf, French cabaret singer and subject of film biopic La Vie en Rose (5)10 Alexandre ___, author of The Three Musketeers and The Count Of Monte Cristo (5)11 Opposite of western (7)12 Resolution (abbr) (3)13 Two round fleshy parts forming the human bottom (8)16 Fellow who performs an actor’s dangerous feats (8)17 Peeper! (3)19 ‘The Reverend’ soul singer whose hits include Let’s Stay Together and Tired of Being Alone (2,5)21 Regular pub (5)22 Boredom, listlessness (5)23 Must have cost an arm ____, expression (3,1,3)DOWN1 Creatures arachnophobes fear (7)2 Very small tropical monkey with silky fur and a long tail (8)3 Fling – salad? (4)4 In cookery, a measure equal to 5ml (8)5 Grain that’s fermented to make the Japanese wine sake (4)6…3 min
Prima UK|February 16Your Stars for FebruaryAquarius21 January – 19 FebruaryLast month may have been a washout for many, but for you it was a chance to draw breath. Work, finances, health, arrangements… much is quietly happening in the first two weeks. Expect to be showered with confidence and goodwill from the 13th.Pisces20 February – 20 MarchWith social stars shining, it’s worth getting out and about. Early on in the month, you’ll connect with influential people who could open important doors in the future, while the 10th brings a romantic interest. Love is a private affair, but the 19th brings a ray of sunshine.Aries21 March – 20 AprilAfter January’s stops and starts, you’re now picking up the pieces. It’s all go on the weekend of the 6th, and then a fresh start on the 8th. With…3 min
