Table of contents for 37-2019 in Best

Princess Charlotte went to ‘big’ school last Thursday and it brought memories of my own daughter’s first day flooding back. But whether you had a little one starting school or not, September is a time of new beginnings – joining gyms, diet clubs or taking craft classes. This Is Davina (our new sister title) is now on sale packed with tips on how you can make the most of September starting TODAY! As Davina says, ‘Life’s short – don’t coast!’ Personally, I’ve devoured every word on avoiding a midlife crisis, because as our cover star Ulrika admits, the menopause doesn’t help when it comes to anxiety. So, whatever your personal crisis, we’re here to help… Happy September, and here’s to a new start! Please let me know your thoughts, siobhan.wykes@hearst.co.uk…

When presenter Ulrika Jonsson posted on her Instagram ‘Don’t mind saying I’m going through some shit at the moment. An old feeling has returned. Maybe it never properly went away. But I’m so eternally grateful for my dogs. They can’t solve anything; can’t change things but they are by my side every step of the way’, many of us knew what she was talking about. That creeping feeling of anxiety that hits most of us at some point, especially during the menopause… Hi, Ulrika. Thanks for talking to us. After you wrote this quote, the headlines said you suffer from ‘crippling anxiety’. Did you mean that? Ah, my Instagram post… Yes. I like to be honest and was thinking how often I post about pretty flowers, cute dogs and jokes…

‘I was a little freaked out about becoming an empty nester. I pictured the kids flying off to embark on their thrilling young adult lives, leaving me to purge their bedrooms of mouldering mugs and text them 100 times a day. I worried about feeling lost, redundant – or even, as one friend put it, “bereft”. I also wondered how my husband, Jimmy, and I would cope without our twin sons and daughter to care for and bicker about. What on earth would we do? Then our boys upped and left and, three years later, their little sister followed suit. And how wrong I was to worry. It feels almost shameful to admit this, but – I’ll whisper it – I’ve loved my first year in our empty nest. Here’s…

JEALOUS OF STEPMUM Since divorcing two years ago, my ex and I have started seeing other people, and I felt comfortable enough after six months to introduce my new man to our three children. Last month, my kids also met their dad’s new woman and, I have to admit, when they were raving about how ‘cool’ and ‘down to earth’ she was, it made me bizarrely jealous. What if they want to see their dad and her more than me? It would break my heart if I became ‘boring mum’ that they never want to see.Steph, Cardiff It’s only natural for you to be disgruntled after your beloved children fall head-over-heels for your ex’s new lady. You’re only human. No woman on earth could stand her own kids raving about…

Recipes taken from A Flash In The Pan by John Whaite is published by Kyle Books, priced £20. Drunk thai tagliatelle The inspiration for this dish comes from the Thai favourite, drunk noodles – so-named thanks to its spicy, sobering properties. Normally it’s made with classic rice noodles, but the trend in Thailand at the moment is to serve it with spaghetti. For me, the feeble strands of this pasta were too thin to purvey enough of the sobering sauce, but the texture and flavour was spot on. I found the thicker ribbons of tagliatelle to be a more successful combination. Another diversion is the use of regular, Italian basil. Normally this dish would be made with holy basil, but it’s rarely available here. You can, of course, find it in…

Established in 1759, Lotus Shoes is recognised as the oldest British footwear brand. The new autumn/winter collection boasts wardrobe staples and standout designs, so you’ve got something to wear for every occasion. From beautiful boots to everyday heeled pumps, finish off your outfit in style. To browse the collection, visit www.lotusshoes.co.uk. Lotus Shoes are offering one lucky best reader the chance to win a year’s supply of shoes. For details on how to enter, see below. HOW TO ENTER ONLINE: Save money by entering online at hearstmagazines.co.uk/best3719 by 27 September 2019. POST: Send a postcard with your name, address, email and contact number to Best/Lotus Shoes giveaway, GVBSTL19657, Hearst Magazines UK, The Data Solutions Centre, Worksop S80 2RT by 27 September 2019. PHONE: Call 0901 027 2712 by midnight on…

TOP TIP For a classy colour combo, you can’t beat deep berry teamed with cream. TOP TIP Top-to-toe colour is figure-flattering. Add a pop of colour with a bold bag to break up the look. TOP TIP Instead of a classic LBD, this flirty prom-style is perfect for parties.…

‘I people will believe me, though. I’ve never thought I’d say this, but I feel sorry for Katie Price. I doubt many only ever had bad things to say about her. But the sight of her stumbling from one plastic surgery clinic to another, looking like she’s been beaten up, then sharing close-up pictures of the seeping wounds, is becoming mildly disturbing. Even Kerry Katona’s pointed out she’s gone too far – and she’s no stranger to the odd procedure. I know, I know… neither am I. But it’s slightly different. I’ve had just one and I waited until I was 58. Katie’s only 41 and she’s had more than several already – her first at the too-tender age of 17. What on earth must be going on in her…

Top it off! A pretty blouse smartens up jeans in seconds. Bold and beautiful For a pretty transitional look, team a maxi with ankle boots. Prints charming Rich, earthy tones are the perfect way to embrace colour. Floral fancy If top-to-toe is not for you, pick up a bold print bottom and keep the rest of your outfit simple.…

Michelle Dockery, 37, shot to fame as Lady Mary in Downton. Tragically, her fiancé, PR director John Dineen, died of cancer in 2015. Did you ever imagine that Downton Abbey would end up as a blockbuster movie? Not at all. It’s taken us all by surprise. We all knew that we were on to a good thing when we were filming it, but the response and the appetite of the fans is just incredible. What have you missed the most about Downton? I missed the cast, those stunning costumes and, of course, Mary. I love playing her, so it’s fantastic to be back. While the movie features a royal visit by the King and Queen, in real life, you had the Duchess of Cambridge visit the set. How was the…

MTV Cribs UK, the show where famous faces display their extravagant homes, is back. One of its celebrities, however, reality TV star Charlotte Dawson, 26, has been pretty vocal about Holly Willoughby – and reckons the This Morning host’s pad wouldn’t make the cut! After inviting cameras into her own home, with its extravagant pink dressing room and endless accessories, Ex On The Beach’s Charlotte claimed the ITV star’s home would be pretty ordinary. ‘I think it would look boring, yeah, very normal,’ she remarked. Given that private Holly, 38, rarely shares photos or videos of her family home, it’s not clear what Charlotte’s basing her opinion on! However, the mum-of-three did give a rare glimpse inside her bedroom recently as she launched a Dunelm bedding collection, showcasing floral patterns and lots…

I melda Staunton is no stranger to a challenging role – she was Oscar-nominated for her 2004 turn as a woman offering illegal abortions in Vera Drake. But the 63-year-old admits she felt a huge responsibility to do her latest part justice. Co-starring Martin Freeman, ITV detective drama A Confession is based on a real-life story. Imelda plays Karen Edwards, a mother whose daughter has been missing for eight years. She becomes involved in the case of a new missing girl – a search which turns into a murder enquiry. Here, Imelda (a mum to Bessie, 26, with actor husband Jim Carter) talks about how she approached the role, life in an acting family and her guilty pleasure… Imelda, you must get offered new roles all the time. What was it…

Q The undersides of my arms are really flabby. How can I firm them up?Suzie, Durham A DR AAMER SAYS: As we age, the skin on the arms generally gets softer, which causes it to sag, and it tends to worsen during the menopause. Weight loss can also be a contributing factor. A quick, painless non-surgical treatment that can help is Reaction. This combines two technologies – vacuum massage and radio frequency (RF). The massage improves blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, while the heat produced by RF stimulates new collagen growth for better skin thickness and tone. You’ll need six treatments for maximum effect. From £200. When there is lots of excess loose skin, a surgical arm lift may be more suitable. However, expect significant downtime and a scar that…

How it works We’re talking about an ingredient called resistant starch. This is a type of fibre that your body can’t digest, yet it still has many positive effects in your body. It fills you up, reducing appetite, feeds good bacteria in the gut that beat bloat and burn calories and, lastly, it helps control levels of the fat-storing hormone, insulin. Aiming for two to three portions of resistant starch a day can therefore help boost your weight-loss efforts. Some foods contain lots of resistant starch. These include green bananas, oats, cornflakes, rye and pumpernickel breads, plus beans and legumes such as lentils, chickpeas and green peas. Others like pasta, rice and potatoes make the starch if you cook them and let them cool. Our one-week plan uses both types…

James Henry Trotter ‘Not only is this a great story about an unhappy little boy who crawls inside a giant peach and makes friends with the insect inhabitants inside, there are key life lessons in James And The Giant Peach – mostly involving inclusion and empathy. James is interested in his new companions – he asks them about their lives, compliments their talents and speaks about personal issues such as love and age with Ladybird. He is also diplomatic and tactful. For example, when blind Earthworm takes issue with the phrase “Can’t you see…”, James changes his words to “Can’t you realise…” He also feels empathy with Spider’s experiences with humans, reassuring her she is lovely. To save Centipede, who accidentally falls off the Peach, James is not only quick…

… his return to Made In Chelsea I’m back because I only left to have a bit of a break. I feel so refreshed and better for doing it, and I’d recommend it to anybody. … what he did on his time away Well, I found a girlfriend [Love Island’s Zara McDermott] for a start! And a career path that I massively love now. But I feel so ready to go back to my Made In Chelsea family. I’m so happy to be with them all, and long may it remain! … new girlfriend Zara She is just awesome, and I’ve told her I love her! It’s game over now. Zara is such a sweet soul. She’d go to the ends of the world for someone she cared about. She’s…

BEST’S CELEBRITY INSIDER TALKS TO THE SIMS Demi Sims joined her sister, Chloe, in the cast of The Only Way Is Essex last year. Now she’s back in the new series alongside a brand new face; her younger sister, Frankie Sims. Demi recently hit the headlines following her decision to come out as gay – and a reported brief relationship with former Love Island star Megan Barton-Hanson stirred up controversy. Here, Demi opens up to Tony about her love life – and sister Frankie spills the beans on what viewers can expect from the latest series of TOWIE… Frankie – how do you feel about joining the show. Are you nervous at all? FRANKIE: I am nervous, but it’s always been something I’ve wanted to do because my sisters are both in the show. I’ve…

VIRGO 24 August – 23 September Virgos like Prince Harry (born 15 September 1984), Tom Hardy (born 15 September 1977) and Stella McCartney (born 13 September 1971) will be keen to get started on new ideas. But what may start off as grand schemes could become almost impossible. Even they may struggle to pull them off! SAGITTARIUS 23 November – 21 December A moody friend refuses to look on the bright side and you can’t persuade them to accept that what will be will be. Some people seem to enjoy being miserable! A change of scenery may lead to lucky coincidences. Your easy-going, almost playful approach to life helps you accept lucky moments with gratitude. PISCES 20 February – 20 March You aren’t dreaming impossible dreams if you’re willing to…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Coming to Portugal, we Brits tend to focus on the Algarve or Lisbon’s sophisticated city scene, but go north and you’ll find a slower pace of life. There’s something magical about the old capital, Porto, with its old-fashioned genteel buildings and the Douro river flowing through the city, as well as the famous Port grapes growing on the hillsides. It was voted Best European Destination three times for a reason! INSIDER’S GUIDE Barely a two-hour flight from London, Porto was home to JK Rowling for two years (she taught English before she went on to write her famous books). The Portuguese believe this city served as inspiration for the world of Harry Potter, and no wonder – from the Majestic cafe, where she’s said to have worked on…

WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES What is 3D’s middle name (3)? This is your prize answer. See below for details on how to enter. TO ENTER CALL 0900 100 0344 (UK 65ppm)†/1550 787032 (ROI 97cpm) † CODE: PUBSTN18954 ACROSS 7 Mythical one-eyed giant (7) 9 The Devil makes work for idle ___ (5) 10 What is the main component of elephant tusks? (5) 11 PICTURE A What is this savoury snack called? (4,3) 12 Sister with a heavenly habit! (3) 13 ANAGRAM SOLARBEE 16 What name can be the horse in Steptoe And Son or a Greek hero who performed 12 Labours? (8) 17 A dove’s sound (3) 19 What word links a South American river and a Womble? (7) 21 Canteloupe and…