Tabla de contenidos para August 2025 en Prima UK

Holidays are, of course, a time to relax and do nothing. But maybe you’re like me and you find they can also leave you taking stock of your life. I always come back from a break determined I’m either going to try something new, change a routine or stop doing something altogether. There’s certainly some food for thought in this issue. We’ve got some fabulous stories of women stepping out of their comfort zones. Meet Jenevora on page 38. She sold her home and business to go sailing round the world in a yacht – and she couldn’t even sail. (Okay, that’s one adventure I’m not sure I would try). And Jane Johnson’s travels to Morocco (page 44) led to the most incredible love story. If you’d like your adventures…

‘It switches my brain off from the stress of life’ Denise Deane, 63, from Salcombe, Devon, regularly heads to her picturesque allotment plot to relax. ‘Standing at the top of my allotment plot, cup of tea in hand, I look down across the lettuce and radishes, past the sweet peas and runner beans scrambling up their canes and watch the boats on the estuary below. There’s a small table and chairs at the top where my husband, Chris, and I love to enjoy a picnic lunch of sandwiches or salad, and occasionally a G&T; precious time squeezed into the middle of our busy working days. If we go later in the evening, everything is lit up by the golden light before sunset. It’s a place where I feel truly relaxed.…

FACES LAUGHING WITH TEARS The equivalent of ‘LOL’; something is so funny that it’s made you laugh out loud NEUTRAL SMILEY Can indicate indifference, boredom, or a lack of strong emotion – but context matters, as it may also convey irritation GRIMACING Multi-purpose – this can represent a range of emotions from discomfort and awkwardness to nervousness LOUDLY CRYING Can mean sobbing, or that someone is laughing so hard that tears are streaming down their face. Context is all! DROOLING Something is so good, you’re practically salivating – anything from a delicious meal to a great idea ROLLING EYES As in life, this shows you’re bored, annoyed, or impatient about something MASKED UP Use when you’re not feeling very well or in conversations about doctors, medicine, or sickness UPSIDE-DOWN SMILEY…

SPORTING CHANCE Make the most of the long days with a summer workout. There are plenty of ways to get your heart pumping without having to pay pricey gym fees. Here are my top five:  YOGA Grab your mat for Park Yoga sessions every Sunday this summer. It’s free and open to any age and ability, parkyoga.co. RUNNING Join the 10 million people registered with parkrun and enjoy free 5km runs in parks all around the UK and further afield (parkrun.org.uk). TENNIS If Wimbledon has you aching to pick up a racket, head to the Lawn Tennis Association website (lta.org.uk) to find parks hosting free events.  FITNESS CLASSES Search and register for free fitness classes run by qualified PTs at ourparks.org.uk.  HELP OUT WHILE WORKING OUT Join goodgym.org to get…

Reignite the fire in your belly Untamed by Glennon Doyle A must-read for any woman brought up to be dutiful and push down her own needs. Through ‘a-ha!’ moments from her own life, Doyle learned that pleasing others is impossible and by understanding that, she becomes free to please herself. Need a push to get creative? Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert The author of Eat Pray Love challenges readers to face their fears and find what they love doing most. Brimming with wisdom and energy, this book is a must for anyone who wants to be more creative. Learn to look on the bright side The Unexpected Joy Of The Ordinary by Catherine Gray The life-affirming guide you need. There’s nothing Pollyannish about the advice, just a reminder to appreciate the…

I sn’t the modern world peachy? You could live your life today without ever leaving the house. I mean, you don’t even have to go to the supermarket any more; just log in, make your list and they’ll bring it to you at a time of your choosing. Clothes, makeup, furniture, dinner – just about anything you might want can now be delivered directly to your front door. Off on your hols? Why not book fast track and race through security? Or treat yourselves to a lounge pass at the airport… Luxury. Or is it? In a world where convenience is king, does it really make our lives easier? Hmm, in my experience, that isn’t necessarily so. MISSING THE MARK In theory, an online shop is far easier than wasting…

It’s not something most of us talk about, but it’s something a lot of us know: bladder problems are common and they become more common as we get older. In a study carried out at a menopause clinic, one in five women had symptoms of severe urgency and half had stress incontinence. A lot of this is because as we age, the bladder ages, too. The bladder is an elastic, muscular sac that, in our prime, can store over half a litre of fluid. But with age and menopause, the bladder wall becomes tougher and less stretchy. That means it holds less volume and is less able to contract fully to empty totally. At the same time, pelvic floor muscles supporting the bladder weaken and the bladder itself may become…

Anyone who has outgrown their home will be familiar with the desire for more space. They’ll likely be among many of us who are using our gardens as another room. But it’s not just space-hungry families who are making use of every square inch of their land. In fact, growing out into the garden is a big trend in the world of gardening – and interiors. ‘We’ve observed a significant rise in the popularity of outdoor kitchens and multifunctional garden spaces,’ says Stephanie Chambers, head of horticulture at B&Q. ‘We’re starting to see our gardens as true extensions of our homes and more people are looking for creative ways to make the most of that outdoor space. ‘Homeowners are increasingly investing in features, such as pizza ovens and sinks, transforming…

TOMATO TOASTS While summer’s glut of cherry tomatoes is lovely, I do often find them going soft and squashy in a bowl on my counter. One of my favourite ways to use them up is by roasting them in the oven at 180°C (160°C fan) mark 4 for 10min, then spooning them on to a garlicky yogurt-topped toast with a garnish of torn fresh basil for a speedy lunch. Fabulous freezer One of the best ways to prevent waste from summer’s veggie boom is to freeze produce. Chop vegetables into uniform pieces and cook in rapidly boiling water for 1-3min (leafy greens for 1min, beans for 2min and squashes and brassicas for 3min), before plunging into a bowl of icy water until cold, then freeze in freezer bags for up…

Drip cake The ‘drip’ decorating technique is now really popular and I think it looks incredible. You can use it with ganache, icing or melted chocolate, on all kinds of cakes. The trick is to get the consistency just right. MAKES 10-12 slices FOR THE MADEIRA CAKE • 230g soft margarine, plus extra to grease• 340g self-raising flour• 230g caster sugar• 4 medium eggs, at room temperature• 2tbsp milk FOR THE VANILLA BUTTERCREAM • 200g unsalted butter, softened• 400g icing sugar, sifted• 1tsp vanilla extract TO ASSEMBLE • 8tbsp raspberry jam TO DECORATE • 125g white chocolate, broken into small pieces• ½tsp vegetable oil• Red food gel colouring• Red summer fruits (raspberries, redcurrants, cherries etc) YOU WILL ALSO NEED • 2 x deep 18cm loose-bottomed round cake tins• Stand mixer•…

MEASUREMENTS To fit chest: 81-92(97-107: 112-122:127-137)cm. Actual chest: 117(129:140:151)cm. Length: 79cm. Sleeve length: 24cm. MATERIALS ● Yarnsmiths Pebble Haze DK in shades: A – Chalcedony (2C160) 3(4:4:5) 50g balls B – Ludlamite (2C116) 3(4:4:5) 50g balls C – Lavender Quartz (2C166) 2(3:3:3) 50g balls.● 4.5mm crochet hook.● 6 stitch markers. TENSION 16 sts and 7 rows to 10cm square over treble cluster stitch using a 4.5mm hook. ABBREVIATIONS cm centimetre; ch chain; chsp chain space; dc double crochet; g gram; patt pattern; rep repeat; RS right side; st(s) stitch(es); tr treble crochet; WS wrong side; [] repeat instructions within brackets. BODY Worked sideways on. FIRST SHOULDER Using 4.5mm hook and A, ch254, placing marker on 127th st for shoulder point, turn. Foundation row 1 (WS): Working into 2nd ch from…

Friends Mary Lindsay and Helen Sawkins, from south London, have always loved crafting, and when Helen discovered lampshade making, they decided to turn their skills into a business. Here they tell us about their love of chatty crafting sessions and the secret to running a business without losing their friendship. How did you discover lampshade making? Helen: We’ve both lived in the same area of South London for years and were friends long before we started working together. We’re both crafty, I’m a quilter and Mary’s a dressmaker, but we’ve always loved trying different crafts. I first learned how to make a lampshade on a course and I absolutely loved it. I said to Mary, you’ve got to learn how to do this. We both started making more and more lampshades…

Melting into a cocooned daybed overlooking the lagoon, I bask under the Egyptian sun with a book in my hand. Almost every day starts this way on my extraordinary escape to El Gouna. The striking town, situated on the country’s east coast, is an architectural splendour. The sunset orange-hued buildings interspersed with palm trees and bougainvillea is a sight that will stay with me for a long time. In search of a healthy dose of vitamin D, I traded the British winter for tropical five-star luxury, but on a purse-friendly budget. Anywhere that serves £1.50 glasses of wine and boasts 23°C temperatures in the middle of February is a winner with me. So, I packed my suitcase with linens and headed to sunny El Gouna. As we pull up to…

Hi, Carol! Could you tell us a bit about your third novel, Meet Me At Sunset? The book is set in Mallorca and is about a couple of aspiring fashion designers who fall in love. But a third party comes into the equation and splits them apart. There’s a company launch, a love story, twists and turns and a surprising ending – but that’s probably all I should say if I don’t want to give the story away! Your previous books, Under A Greek Moon and Once Upon A Time In Venice, are set abroad. What makes the holiday atmosphere a great backdrop for a novel? Escapism, in a word. For me, there’s nothing nicer than going away. The sun lifts my spirits; you can look outside in the morning…

The ripples on the sand looked exactly the same, the sea felt just as cold and the breeze wrestled with her hair just the way it used to, though there was a lot more grey in it. Evelyn had come home, back to the wide open beach where she had spent so many carefree childhood summers. Endless days of sunshine, building sandcastles and donkey rides, picnics and dipping into rock pools with a little net on a long stick… She smiled to herself as she remembered those seaside picnics. In her mind’s eye, she could still see her mother in a spotted headscarf, sitting on a tartan picnic blanket, pouring tea from a small brown teapot into a china cup. No plastic here, thank you very much! Hard-boiled eggs and…

Helen Lederer says her imagination was ‘overactive’ as a child. ‘I used to read a massive amount of books – with a bar of nougat. I’d disappear into the world of make-believe with ease.’ Now, reading is done in bed, alone. ‘I have to tell my husband, Chris, to wait before he joins me! It sounds bossy but my concentration is shot to pieces as I get older,’ Helen says. Her new memoir, Not That I’m Bitter, takes us behind the scenes of her career: ‘There were few women in stand-up comedy in the 1980s, so the book was a way to remind myself that I’d actually done it. I tested myself by being truthful, which made it funnier, I hope – and more painful.’ The author that shaped my…

1 Parliament passed the Drought Act in this heatwave summer 2 Woodstock began in a field on Max Yasgur’s Farm in Bethel, New York. The three-day concert featured 32 bands and artists, drawing more than 400,000 fans. It came to symbolise the hippy movement 3 The birth of bestselling children’s writer Enid Blyton 4 Nearly 5 billion people watched as Great Britain won 19 gold medals at the Beijing Summer Olympics. Tom Daley took part that year, aged just 14 5 Coca-Cola is sold for the first time in Britain 6 Around noon, a huge eruption from Mount Vesuvius showered volcanic debris over the city of Pompeii 7 Don’t Go Breaking My Heart by Kiki Dee and Elton John topped the UK chart 8 Barack Obama, the 44th US president,…

STAR PAINTING A big thanks to Christine Shaw, who delighted guests on the cruise with her watercolour paintings. She kindly offered to paint my dog, Scamper, and created this fabulous picture. A NEW TALENT Cruise guest Blanche Best tried her hand at needle punching and wreath making with fabulous results. HOORAY FOR THE HARE Nicky Paddock crafted this gorgeous hare from a kit she bought on the cruise. *For more crafting holidays, see page 128. Don’t miss the SEPTEMBER ISSUE OUT 30 JULY…

The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie Set at a lavish country house party where a practical joke appears to have gone horribly wrong, this lesser-known Christie classic has the unlikeliest of sleuths – Lady Eileen ‘Bundle’ Brent. The adaptation is by Broadchurch writer Chris Chibnall and stars Helena Bonham Carter and Martin Freeman. On Netflix in November. The Woman In Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware This brilliant Agatha Christie-esque thriller has a chilling premise: Lo Blacklock is on the trip of a lifetime when she witnesses a body being thrown over the side of a luxury cruise ship – only to be told no passengers are missing… Keira Knightley plays Lo, while the wonderful Hannah Waddingham stars as a mystery woman. On Netflix this autumn. Pride And Prejudice by…

‘I’m proof it’s never too late to follow your dreams’ As a child, Shena Davidson loved to sing and perform, and always wanted to act. She worked as a nurse until an accident forced her to retire. In 2013, she moved to Pannel Croft Village in Birmingham. Then, aged 65, she signed with a talent agency and is now fulfilling her dream of singing and acting – despite having had six strokes! ‘I was born in Jamaica and was taught to sing by my grandmother. I loved to perform and sang in local churches. When I came to the UK, I joined a choir and developed some proper singing techniques. After the accident, I retired from nursing but was still interested in performing, so I auditioned for a talent agency…

Most of my early adult life, I smoked 15 a day, drank a glass or two of wine every night, slept badly and ate rubbish food. I had my kids aged 33 and 39 and worked punishing hours in a very stressful full-time job. Oh, yes – and I did no exercise. At all. I lived like that for around 20 years. I had frequent, debilitating migraines, shoulders like rocks and was permanently shattered. The shift happened gradually, after a debilitating back injury in my mid-40s left me barely able to walk. I started exercising regularly, first with Pilates, to strengthen my core, then added yoga and eventually running as well. Aged 45, I stopped smoking. I found I was sleeping much better, and before long had radically overhauled my…

For skincare that works hard and is a joy to use, look to Ella & Jo. You’ll find plenty of brilliant products in its range, from makeupmelting cleansers to glow-boosting serums. We especially love the Relax & Renew Night Cream, £48. The rich texture gives skin an immediate juicy plumpness while line-softening peptides and bakuchiol (a plantbased alternative to retinol) stimulate collagen production for smoother, bouncier skin. Plus, thanks to the addition of lavender and bergamot, it has the loveliest scent. Gorgeous! HOW TO CLAIM Visit ellandjo.co.uk and enter the code ‘prima20ellajo20’ at the checkout between 20 June and 30 July 2025. TERMS AND CONDITIONS This offer can be used across full-size products on ellaandjo.co.uk. Offer cannot be exchanged for cash. One transaction per customer only. Excludes gift sets. Valid…

FRUGAL FINDS Bring the luxury and charm of a hotel into your home – and your garden – without the big holiday-sized price tag, thanks to the new H&M Home x Palm Heights by Gabriella Khalil collaboration. Big on colour and brimming with bold geometrics, it’s equal parts timeless and chic. 3 of the BEST SEAWEED BUYS GREENER SWAP One of my go-to home fragrance makers, St Eval, has just had a facelift. But the B Corp brand’s scents are as delightful as ever. Embers will always be my favourite, but Walled Garden has become a summer staple in my home. Thanks to their base – a combination of mineral and vegetable waxes – these candles offer a cleaner burn than other alternatives. 10 BUYS ALL £10 AND UNDER Got…

NIBBLES Kick things off with these moreish morsels 3 of the BEST FROZEN PUDS BBQ FOOD Fire up the coals and get grilling with these brilliant BBQ bits 3 of the BEST BBQ CONDIMENTS PICNIC FOOD Pack up your basket and put on a feast with these top picnic picks…

THIS MONTH… We’ve got so many fabulous craft ideas to inspire you this month. Sew a stylish pair of shorts or crochet a beach cover-up for your holiday – and if you’re expecting a new arrival in the family, our knitted baby boots are perfect to get stitching. Plus, find out how you get creative with Cats Protection and discover all about the soothing craft of lampshade making. See over the page for our fab 9-PAGE MAKES SECTION…

AGE 0-3(3-6:6-12:12-18) MONTHS MATERIALS BOOTEES ● Yarnsmiths Create Baby DK in shade: Lemon (15) 1 x 100g ball.● Pair of 3.75mm straight needles. MARY JANE BOOTEES ● Yarnsmiths Create Baby DK in shade: Baby Pink (35) 1 x 100g ball.● Pair of 3.75mm straight needles.● 2 safety pins.● 2 small buttons. TENSION 22 sts and 30 rows to 10cm square over stocking stitch using 3.75mm needles. 22 sts and 40 rows to 10cm square over garter stitch using 3.75mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS cm centimetre; cont continue; g gram; k knit; m1 make 1 stitch; mm millimetre; p purl; psso pass slipped stitch over knit stitch; rep repeat; RS right side; sl slip stitch; st st stocking stitch; st(s) stitch(es); tog together; WS wrong side; yo yarn over; [] repeat instructions within brackets.…

CRAFTY CATS Create this beautiful cat suncatcher or cat mirror in the next craftalong event held by Cats Protection. You’ll be shown how to grout your feline masterpiece using pre-cut glass from comfort of your home at the virtual event on Saturday 26 July. The best bit? You’ll be helping cats by taking part – £10 from every kit sold goes to fund the charity’s vital work. To sign up, go to www.cats.org.uk/mosaicforcats. 3 of the BEST Craft bags for on the move What I’m making this month PERSONALISED DRINKS MINDERS I love working on quick projects – these ribbon drinks minders are the latest! For a hen do, I printed out each guest’s name using my Cricut Maker and ironed them on to a ribbon to tie around a…

I’ve been to Marrakech many times over the past 30 years and on returning, always fear it will have lost its intense heart and soul due to the huge number of tourists passing through its ancient city walls and famous souks. Yet, happily, from the minute my two children, Scarlett, 20, and Finlay, 17, and I are dropped off by the old medina walls through which cars can no longer drive, we’re met by the full-on cacophony of Marrakech life – narrow streets, music, chatter and the smell of spices. Marrakech is still, I’m relieved to report, a sensory overload. If you’re looking for a city break that feels otherworldly but don’t fancy a long flight, I can think of nowhere with more impact than this North African city. One…

£25.47 £1 FOR 3 MONTHS YOUR COUNTRY LIVING MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES • Try 3 months for just £25.47 £1 • Access to the Country Living app where you can read the latest articles covering homes, gardens, food, travel and outdoors • Choose from complimentary access on your mobile or tablet to the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday or i Paper, worth over £12.99/month • Free six-month House Beautiful digital magazine membership whenyoujoinforayear • Country Living newsletter for the best home and garden ideas, advice on going greener and the latest on our Country Living Holidays…

My book of the month Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell (Century, £20) This is truly amazing! Nina is bereft after her husband dies after being accidentally pushed on to train tracks. Then an old friend of his, the very charming Nick, enters her life. Clever, sharp and propulsive, this gripping thriller had me asking the whole way through, ‘How the hell did she write this?!’ 3 July Her Many Faces by Nikki Cloke  (Harvill Secker, £16.99) A smart thriller with slick, snappy chapters that had me reading ‘just one more’ until the early hours. Katie stands accused of poisoning and killing four men in a private members’ club. The story is told through the voices of men who know her; her father, a childhood friend, her lover, a…

STAR OF THE MONTH LEO Jul 24 – Aug 23 Mercury retrograde comes to an end, which is good news for you since it’s been happening in your sign. Hopefully, the past few weeks, even months, have made it clear where you’ve been going right and wrong in life. Your key to success is to use this information while plotting your next move. Leave the past behind and move forwards. VIRGO 24 August to 23 September The New Moon is in your sign, Uranus is in your Career Zone, and Saturn and Neptune are in your Money Zones. Put all that together and August is the month to make some bold moves at work and beyond. You are poised for success. You just need the courage to go for it.…

£25 AND UNDER…

‘Call it madness or a midlife crisis, but in February 2014, aged 45, I stepped right off the proverbial treadmill and, along with my husband of eight years, Fergus, and our cocker spaniel, Molly, bought a boat in France with the aim of sailing round the world. We’d talked about it before, but when you’re the MD of your own business – we ran an award-winning travel PR agency – knowing when to flee from the issues of staff and clients was a difficult decision to make. In August 2013, fate intervened (perhaps with a helping shove) when I realised I was stressed out beyond belief. I had misplaced my mojo in the monotony of running the business and our work-life balance was heavily tilted the wrong way. We were…

‘The young woman looked at me pleadingly. ‘But I’m homeless,’ she sobbed, tears pouring down her face. She’d just found out she would be going back before the court because she hadn’t turned up for an unpaid work session. Now, seeing her distress, I took a deep breath and asked her what had happened… Luckily, this wasn’t a real-life situation, but a role play as part of my interview for a job in the probation service. To my relief, managing conflict and responding to people in crisis came naturally and I was thrilled to be offered the position. It was a huge change after a career working in PR and marketing, but I’d come to wonder if that was all I wanted and whether I was making a difference. Then…

Step into sunshine with Rose & Nancy’s High Summer ’25 Collection – where beautiful embroidery, hand-drawn prints and thoughtful details make every piece feel special. From easy summer dresses to relaxed separates, every design is full of character and crafted with care, perfect for sunny days, getaways and everything in between. Whether you’re slipping into a flowing embroidered maxi or layering effortless styles for everyday wear, Rose & Nancy makes summer dressing a breeze. Better still, every piece is made with responsibly sourced fabrics – so you can feel as good as you look! Shop the collection at roseandnancy.com or follow @roseandnancy HOW TO CLAIM To receive your exclusive 20% discount at Rose & Nancy, visit roseandnancy.com and enter the code PRIMA20 at the checkout between 18 June and 30…

TV presenter Steph McGovern rates a twisty thriller ‘The Final Act Of Juliette Willoughby by Ellery Lloyd is centred around a tragic love affair and a missing piece of art. This rich, multi-layered story has everything I adore in a good book; compelling characters, the unravelling of dark secrets and the chance to get lost in a new, fascinating world, which in this story is the murky business of art dealing. I have recommended this book to all my mates because not only did it keep me guessing right until the very end, it also had me whooping for joy at the ultimate act of female revenge!’ Steph’s debut novel, Deadline, is out 3 July Santa Montefiore’s favourite is a classic, first published in 1922 ‘The Enchanted April by Elizabeth…

The Mysterious Affair At Styles by Agatha Christie You can’t beat Christie for keeping your attention and this tale is detective Hercule Poirot’s debut. Narrated by a stellar cast: Harriet Walter, Rob Delaney and Peter Dinklage. The Dutch House by Ann Patchett As the narrator, Tom Hanks brings his customary warmth to this moving story of two siblings whose lives are upended by the arrival of a new stepmother. The Jeeves Collection by PG Wodehouse Narrated by the always-excellent Stephen Fry, this collection of his 11 favourite PG Wodehouse stories translates to 45 hours of pure listening joy. Loki: A Bad God’s Guide To Being Good by Louie Stowell This funny tale about Norse god Loki, who is sent to earth in the body of an 11-year-old boy, is so…

1 BAKE A WATERMELON It sounds odd, doesn’t it? But a friend served it up for me the other day and shared the recipe. It’s best to use a slightly firmer watermelon, soy sauce (a gluten-free version for me), apple cider vinegar, sesame oil and some garlic. Cut the watermelon into slices and, in a bowl, mix up the other ingredients. Soak the watermelon slices in the marinade for a few minutes and put them on a baking tray. Cook for about an hour at 180°C. Eat after slightly cooled from the oven or cold the next day. Delicious! And to contrast, I also like a watermelon smoothie. I keep it simple with just watermelon and Greek yogurt, but I also try adding some pieces of mango to the mix,…

6AM Mobility exercises – to get all my joints moving – followed by a few body-weight exercises (for example planks and press-ups) then simple stretches on the floor, focusing on hips and legs (which suffer from sitting at a desk all day). 6.45-7AM Coffee: black and strong with no sugar. 7-7.30AM Meditation. I do guided meditations that are free on YouTube. My favourite teachers are Eckhart Tolle and Joe Dispenza. 7.30-8.15AM Shower and get dressed. 8.15-8.35AM Fibre-rich breakfast – usually Greek yogurt with almonds, pecans and raspberries (which are remarkably high in fibre). 8.40AM Commute. Generally, I walk 10 minutes to the Tube. Once a week I run the four miles in to work. 9.20AM Force myself to take the stairs (82) up to the office on the third floor, rather than the lift. I…

SET THE STAGE It’s all about using the senses – so, some factors to think about when setting your seating area or patio are noise and scent. You might like to grow herbs around your outdoor table to infuse mealtime with pleasing natural elements. As for noise, think about any disruptive areas during the day that you might want to avoid. Perhaps a shed is the best use of space on a noisier side, if your garden is alongside a busy road, while a bench-turned-reading-nook can happily sit in a quieter part of the garden. You might find yourself in a toss-up between sunlight and other disruptions. Want the best of both worlds? Invest in lightweight furnishings (think: bamboo armchairs and side tables on wheels), that you can move around…

JERK-SEASONED CHICKEN WITH PINEAPPLE SALSA A burst of spicy-and-sweet Caribbean flavours to brighten any weekend. The zesty salsa is a lovely salve after a mouthful of heat. If you like things milder, just tone down the chilli. SERVES 4 PREP 20min COOK About 1hr 20min FOR THE JERK-SEASONED CHICKEN • 3tbsp jerk paste• 3tbsp rapeseed oil• 8 boneless chicken thighs, skin on, about 70g each• 1 onion, thinly sliced• 3 garlic cloves, crushed• 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped• 1tsp ground turmeric• 1tsp ground cumin• 1tsp ground coriander• 1tsp ground allspice• 1tsp ground cinnamon• 2tbsp tomato purée• 400ml tin coconut milk FOR THE PINEAPPLE SALSA • 125g pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into 1cm chunks• 200g roasted red peppers, chopped into 1cm pieces• 30g fresh coriander, chopped• 4 spring…

3 of the BEST SUMMER BUBBLES UNDER £10…

These mid-waist, pleated shorts and culottes are flattering and practical, coming in three lengths to suit everyone. They also all have a pretty pleat and side pockets, while styles A and B also have an option for a belt. Wear with a crisp tee or light shirt for the ultimate in summer chic. NEED TO KNOW SIZES 6-24 Sew a front pleated short/culotte with paperbag detailing, side pockets and optional belt and belt loops. Choose from two lengths of short or the longer, midi-length culotte. FABRICS We used a seersucker check from Lamazi Fabrics, a mid-blue denim chambray from Higgs & Higgs and a lilac herringbone linen twill, also from Lamazi Fabrics. OPTION A OPTION B OPTION C EXCLUSIVE READER OFFER You can order your exclusive Prima pattern at the special…

‘When the sun is shining, there’s nothing better than catching up with friends or family in the garden. And, if you really want to impress your guests, why not have a go at making these gorgeous summery coasters?’ YOU WILL NEED ● Selection of acrylic paints● Pots for splitting paints (these can be recycled yogurt pots or any plastic tubs you might have)● Pouring medium● Plain ceramic coasters● Water spritzer● Clear varnish spray OPTIONAL ● Gilding glue● Gilding flakes TO CREATE 1 Select two colours that you would like to use for your coasters – I went with some summery colours that I could create a sunset look with, along with some white. 2 Next, split the paints into five pots, one for each colour that you’ve chosen and two…

The Thursday Murder Club Meet the starry cast bringing Richard Osman’s beloved mystery to life. Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie lead this long-awaited film adaptation about a gang of retirement-home residents who moonlight as amateur detectives — until a real murder lands on their doorstep. Charming, twisty and packed with A-list sparkle, it’s crime-solving at its most irresistible. Coming to Netflix on 28 August John And Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen For the past six years, much-loved culinary couple John Torode and Lisa Faulkner have invited us into their kitchen to share tried-and-tested recipes that are easy to recreate at home. In series 10, the duo are back in action, serving up a batch of deliciously imaginative dishes perfect for a BBQ or picnic. Coming to ITV this…

Somewhere Only We Know by Cathy Bramley (Orion Fiction, £16.99) Magnolia is struggling after the death of her daughter, so when she discovers her travel journal, she sets out to do the gap-year trip her daughter couldn’t. Brimming with emotion. 31 July The Hideaway by Nikki Allen (Pan Macmillan, £9.99) Being chosen for an all-expenses-paid trip to an influencer’s exclusive retreat in Costa Rica sounds idyllic – until catastrophe strikes. An exhilarating debut. 17 July The Private Island by Ali Lowe (Hodder & Stoughton, £9.99) Thriller lovers can travel to an exclusive resort on Loloma Island, Fiji, for an unputdownable locked-room story. When a body washes up on shore, everyone is a suspect… 31 July One Summer In Provence by Carol Drinkwater (Corvus, £9.99) Living on a glorious vineyard…

Processing it Thank you for your excellent article on Ultra-Processed Foods (June). There has been such a lot in the press and on TV on this topic recently, and an overload of information can cause confusion. Yours was very clearly written for all to understand, explaining the issues involved, as well as giving examples of which foods to choose and to avoid. Now that I have the full picture, I’m off to eat my daily handful of walnuts! Margaret Wragg £50 star letter A good walk I saw The 7-Day Healthy & Happy Walking Plan (April) and wanted to say that when walking my dog I litter-pick, too. I feel I’m doing something productive, leaving the area clean for other people. It’s good for my physical and mental health. Chris Sharing…