Grazia Issue 808

Regarding older motherhood, I’m Team Terri all the way. I became a mum at 36 and 39 and it was perfect timing. Travelling done? Tick. Partying done? Tick. Bedded into a career? Big tick! And Childcare is not just a women’s issue could not have been more accurate when it described organising it as being like a spider’s web! So we have men who can claim expenses for golf (while women can’t for childcare) and who can acceptably become fathers in later life and swerve the lion’s share of childcare. Let’s back a change in our childcare system and look for more support for mums – however old they are. Julie WE HEAR YOU! I’ve never felt so represented and heard by one magazine before. I was made redundant in…

BABY BLUES I’m glad I read Time to cut the crap about older motherhood (12 July). I know many women who, like me, have concentrated on their careers and put babies on the back burner. It’s not that I don’t want children; I feel that 36 would be the perfect age to start a family. But I’ve lost count of the number of people who’ve asked, ‘When are you going to have kids?’ The pressure can be overwhelming, but why can’t we just be left alone to know when the time is right to get pregnant? My sister-in-law had her first child at 37, her second at 47 and she’s an amazing mum. Annabel…

Her killer may have pled guilty – but we must not ignore what Sarah’s death has exposed “News that a Met Police officer had pled guilty to the murder of Sarah Everard was, sadly, not the most shocking aspect of last week’s hearing. The police watchdog has served 12 misconduct notices on police officers in relation to her killer, including over claims he previously indecently exposed himself. Could her death have been avoided if he had been stopped earlier? On the same day, the watchdog issued misconduct notices to two Met Police over the disappearance of teenager Richard Okorogheye; two officers have already been charged with misconduct over the handling of sisters Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman’s murders. The police must examine what more they can do to prevent other…

FREEDOM DAY – 19 July – raises a terrifying question for me. Not: is it too soon, are we dashing, headlong and cavalier, toward another deadly wave, another lockdown? I mean, sure, that a bit… But mostly: what does ‘freedom’ mean any more? On a practical, day-to-day level? What will it look like? What will I do with it? How will I cope? Apparently, over the course of the last 16 damned, devastating months, I’ve quite lost the knack of living my life. I’ve survived (though certainly haven’t thrived; only a sociopath could claim to have done that), but I haven’t lived. Now I’m staring down the barrel of being allowed to again – I find myself thinking: yeah, but, how? Like: logistically? What did I used to do, before?…

1. Up LUPIN Sacré bleu! Le roi de Netflix revient, et nos yeux sont très heureux de le voir, parce qu’il est tellement beau, non? 2. Non-mover CHRIS WHITTY Surviving park idiots and anti-lockdown campaigners; eloquent on mask wearing after 19 July. There’s such little grace in politics currently, yet Whitty has it – in spades. 3. New in EMMA RADUCANU And just like that, a new British superstar athlete is born before our very eyes, which is lovely. Keep playing with glee, ER. 4. Up GWEN STEFANI Who married Blake Shelton in cowboy boots, as is fitting, but also makes for top-notch Instagram content. 5. Non-mover ORLANDO BLOOM IN A HARNESS It’s Louis Vuitton and it’s clearly about to become A Thing; do not question our word, and definitely…

SUPER CLUB This art deco-esque mug, handcrafted by Henry Holland, is made using the Japanese technique of Nerikomi. The result is a line of ceramics that sings with bold pattern and colours. £50, Henry Holland Studio at liberty london.com VACAY VIBES Matches Fashion’s latest edit of sunshine-ready pieces will look as elegant on the beach as they do in the city. Perfect for my staycation. matchesfashion.com plant power Liz Earle’s new Superskin Alt-Retinol Booster delivers results akin to those of traditional retinol, for skin that looks rejuvenated. £35 for 15ml, Liz Earle SUNNY DELIGHTS Handmade in Italy, these earthy-toned plates will be ideal paired with rustic linens and terracotta touches for an al-fresco tablescape. £230 for 4, R+D.Lab x Adriana Jaros at matchesfashion.com WISH-LIST DRESS Back by popular demand –…