Table of contents for 18-2019 in Best

Forget about bottling up your emotions. From China to the UK, people having a bad day are now visiting Rage Rooms where they pay to be left alone to smash things up! The idea is to wreck stuff with a baseball bat – and feel good! Furious punters are smashing glass bottles, mannequin heads and even TVs – without any consequences. The idea is apparently to let the rage out. Hmm. Not sure it is the best form of anger management I’ve ever heard of but… our feisty columnist Carol managed at least to laugh when I recommended one to her. She tells you exactly what she is angry about on page 19. Anyone else fancy trying a smashing trip to the Rage Room? Let me know… • Please let…

Adele has made a musical career out of channelling heartache. Now, it seems, there’ll be plenty more fuel to add to that fire. There was shock when reports emerged last week that the superstar, 30, and her husband, Simon Konecki, 45, had called time on their marriage. Yet, perhaps, it’s not so surprising. London-born Adele and her charity boss husband, who she reportedly wed at their £10 million LA mansion just after Christmas 2016, had been hit by rumours of relationship strife before now. It’s believed the pair, who have son Angelo, six, together, had been living more or less separate lives for some time. Recently, Adele has spent a lot of time in New York, while Simon has remained largely in the UK. Adele is worth around £150 million…

‘Cosmetic surgery? No thanks, I have no plans to have any injections or anyone chopping me up!’ Best-known for playing Dorothy, the hilariously disdainful girlfriend of Gary (Martin Clunes) in award-winning 90s sitcom Men Behaving Badly, Caroline Quentin has also presented travel shows such as the total guilty pleasure that is The World’s Most Extraordinary Homes. The actress, who is 60 next year and lives in Devon with her family, is taking to the stage in The Provoked Wife, a comedy about a woman in a loveless marriage who decides to spice up her love life with a younger man. Thankfully, Caroline has no such issues, being very happily married to second husband Sam Farmer. We caught up to find out how she juggles work commitments with being mum to…

Sophisticated style Emphasise your waist with a belted dress. Boho babe Simple off-the-shoulder styles are a flattering way to flash some summer flesh! Sunny delight This relaxed look will take you straight from beach to bar. Prints charming Stand out at summer gatherings in a bold print. Hanky hemlines are great if you’re petite.…

HOW IT WORKS Did you know successful slimmers often have one thing in common? They’ve all followed a diet that’s increased their fibre intake. Sure enough, it seems that foods containing fibre such as whole grains, beans, fruit and vegetables have helped countless people slim. So how exactly does it work? We’ve long thought that fibre was diet-friendly because it often contains less energy, but it’s big in bulk – so it helps fill us up on less calories, leading to weight loss. But now, studies show fibre also helps control appetite-regulating peptides associated with increased satiety and reduced food intake. So say hello to your new best friend – fibre! • Our seven-day meal plan (opposite) includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and one snack a day. You can fill up…

IS HE CHEATING ON ME?! I found out that my boyfriend of two years has a separate Facebook account to the one we’re friends on (yes, I stalked him online). He’s been a bit detached lately, and I feel on the alert. When I challenged him about this other account (he’s only friends with women – what the hell’s that about?), he visibly squirmed and said it must be an old one he’d forgotten to deactivate. I’m not letting this go, but what’s my next move? Barbara, Manchester I’m going to shoot from the hip. Your relationship sucks. You’re stalking him. He’s deceiving you. You don’t trust him an inch. He’s sneaky and lying through his teeth, so there’s no reason why you should trust him. Take a long, hard…

DRESS LIGHT Thanks to PizzaExpress, you can enjoy a beautifully dressed salad without hidden fat. The new Leggera range contains at least 30 per cent less saturated fat – choose from Fat Free Vinaigrette or Pomegranate & Balsamic Dressing, £1.50 each. WATER WORKS For a delicious way to stay hydrated this summer, try the new Sparkling Ice Strawberry Watermelon drink, £1.49, Boots. With just 12 calories per bottle and no sugar, it’s great served chilled or over crushed ice. PIZZA FOR ONE SOLO SUPPER Dining alone just got that bit more exciting, thanks to the Co-op. The new Truffle Salsiccia Pizza, £3.40, has an ultra-thin sourdough base and is topped with an indulgent Italian truffle and mushroom béchamel sauce, plus cheese and spicy salami. It might be a little pricier…

FREDDIE Handsome Fred is a Shihtzu/King Charles Cavalier cross, and is 11 years young! He’s obsessed with tennis balls, and loves to eat cheesy Wotsits. He only has four teeth left, which makes his lip curl up a little like Elvis! Owner: Siobhan Wykes, best Editor TIGGS Crafty and mischievous, Tiggs, six, likes waking everyone up at 6am and demanding attention. She’ll eat anything, and loves being outside. She hates being told what do, but will do anything for a belly rub! Owner: Gemma Bilbe, Art Editor BETTY As well as sleeping on the sofa, five-year-old Betty loves any kind of food, including Weetabix. She dislikes other cats and being tickled on the tummy! Owner: Helen Pike, Deputy Lifestyle Editor OSCAR At the grand old age of 16, Oscar is…

‘Love makes you want to be the best version of yourself’ Lily Collins, 30, is the daughter of former Genesis star and solo artist Phil. Born in Surrey, she moved to Los Angeles as a child, and is a model and actress. What did you love most about this script? I love that it’s a story behind the story. To play Edith was like getting to explore the muse behind the world of the elves and the fantasy of Tolkien. How would you describe the relationship between Edith and Tolkien? They are both orphans, so they had common ground there. Edith is creative. She loves the arts and is very smart, but she’s being groomed for society life so her imagination is being stifled. Then this storyteller allows her to…

One minute they were enjoying a relaxed holiday breakfast. The next they were dead. Who knows what Alex, 14, his sister, Annabel, 11, and mum, Anita, were talking about in those final moments. Perhaps the tourist sights they planned to explore that day? Or maybe Mum was saying no to more pancakes from the breakfast menu. We’ll never know. What we do know is that a bomb ripped through the restaurant of the five-star Shangri-La Hotel in the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, and killed the three of them outright. Dad, Ben Nicholson, 43, was spotted amid the horror and confusion immediately after the blast, his T-shirt splattered with blood, frantically searching for his family. The British family, who were based in Singapore, were enjoying an exotic Easter break when they…

1 Go phone-free Spend at least 30 minutes a day away from the distraction of your mobile phone, ideally before bed. Studies recommend between 60–90 minutes a day, so start with a short time and build up. This downtime can help you to switch off while under your duvet! 2 Food, glorious food! Try to have at least one sit-down meal per day. Concentrate on the meal in front of you without distractions, allowing time to digest it properly and actually enjoy what you’re eating. 3 Move more We all know staying active matters, but with increasingly busy lifestyles, it’s easy to let good intentions slip. So, try exercising in the morning. It’ll boost endorphin levels, improve mood and concentration, plus you’ll have achieved your fitness goals for the day!…

Those of us who have ever overindulged, looked in the mirror the next morning and thought we look shocking will have huge sympathy for Susanna Reid. The 48-year-old mum-of-three has revealed that her ‘morning after the night before’ flare ups were leaving scars on her face. ‘I gave up drinking because a doctor told me to,’ she admits. ‘I was concerned because my skin was flushed, I kept getting flare-ups and blemishes, and they were leaving red scars. ‘I knew deep down that what was happening to my skin was probably a manifestation of what I was putting into my body. He told me that dilated blood vessels are not helped by alcohol, and that cutting back would help.’ It’s officially been over nine months since Susanna last had a…

I don’t think that I’m alone in saying I’ve failed at many things throughout my life. My earliest memory of disappointment was when I was three years old and my big sister was ill. I’d tried to make her a hot water bottle (from the cold tap) and made her cry even more. But it wasn’t until October 2017 that I really started to explore failure. I was approaching my 39th birthday, was divorced and had just been dumped by my first serious partner following my marriage. Desperate to get away, I escaped to Los Angeles to try and make sense of my broken heart – and, seemingly, life. I couldn’t stomach listening to music because it made me feel sad, but listening to nothing made me feel alone. So,…

£2.41 PER SERVING Zingy fish tray bake ‘I love a recipe that is healthy, tastes great and is all cooked in one tray! My zingy fish tray bake is super easy to make. I’ve used frozen hake – keep some in your freezer for the perfect last-minute meal without much preparation. Embrace the efficiency!’ PER SERVING CALS 402 FAT 19.55g SERVES 4 320g fine beans220g tenderstem broccoli1 orange1 lemon1 clove garlic, sliced10g fresh dill, chopped Seasoning (ground black pepper and salt)2tsp honey200g frozen hake fillets Ciabatta, ripped into small chunks4tbsp olive oil 1 Pre-heat the oven to 200˚C, 180˚C fan, gas 6. 2 Trim the stalk ends off the beans and broccoli, cut the orange into eight segments and trim the end off the lemon. 3 Combine the beans, broccoli,…

… getting back on the booze I went off alcohol last January, but it didn’t stick. Although I don’t drink as much as I used to any more I still have a drink. It’s now all in moderation. My cohost, Susanna Reid, is still alcohol-free, though. … going under the knife? I’m not for it or against it. I think people should do what they want to do. I’ve never done it, but I might at some stage. For now, I’m taking every day as it comes. … staying slim There aren’t any foods I avoid. I wouldn’t say I’m in great shape, but if I do look good, it’s all down to a lot of control underwear! … beating the early starts There’s something really lovely about getting up…

YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARK, NEAR WAKEFIELD The 500 acres of historic parkland is also an open-air art gallery, with 80 artworks to admire. Perfect for a family day out, solo contemplation or a romantic stroll. There’s so much to enjoy including the Greek summer house and magical Shell Grotto. And if you get there before 10 June, you can see Circle Of Animals by acclaimed Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. ysp.org.uk BATSFORD ARBORETUM AND GARDEN CENTRE, COTSWOLDS Created in the late 1800s by Lord Redesdale, grandfather to the Mitford sisters. The family owned the lakeside house you can see from four different arboretum is home to the country’s largest private collection of trees and shrubs. And what better time to visit than spring, when the trees are all in blossom? Also, well…

BEST FOR… COUNTRY LOVERS The Plough Inn, Faversham, Kent This pretty country pub with rooms is in the village of Lewson Street high up on the Kent Downs, near Faversham, surrounded by lawns and open gardens. Food includes daily specials such as pie of the day, fish and chips, Sunday roasts and pub classics like top-notch steak, burgers and scrumptious, slowcooked pork belly. The bar menu offers 13 rums, 20 gins and a great selection of Kentish ciders, lagers and wines. There are six newly renovated bed and breakfast suites in the pub garden, with fantastic views over the countryside. Camping and five motorhome pitches are available, too. GO: Double rooms cost from £120 per night, including breakfast; visit theploughinnstalisfield.co.uk. For more travel information, see visitkent.co.uk BEST FOR… HUNGRY WALKERS…

It seems the Curse of Strictly has struck again, with 2018 winners Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton now stepping out together – to the fury of Stacey’s ex, personal trainer Sam Tucknott. But, while flame-haired Stacey, 32, may be flushed with the thrill of a new romance, should she be wary of the man dubbed ‘The Strictly Snake’? At just 36, Kevin has been divorced three times and rumours swirl around him and his celebrity partners. The whispers first surfaced when Kevin was partnered with GMB’s Susanna Reid in 2013. She separated from her longterm partner, Dominic Cotton, in 2014. Susanna recently rubbished the idea, saying, ‘Kevin’s a good friend… but he didn’t end my relationship.’ In 2016, tongues wagged when Kevin’s Strictly partner, Louise Redknapp, divorced her footballer husband,…

TOP TIP Nervous about wearing this strong shade? Instead of teaming it with animal print, go softer with white. TOP TIP Brighten up navy with fuchsia pink. This strong shade flatters all complexions. TOP TIP Add a pop of bold coral to soft neutral as a fresh, new way to wear this classic hue.…

THE WAY I SEE IT… Wise words from our feisty, fearless and funny columnist ‘I angry. These days, everything don’t know whether it’s just modern life, or my age that’s making me so makes me mad! From reading or watching the news, climate change protesters, (the absence of) Brexit, politicians, crime, litter and HS2 to not being able to get the lid off the pickles, it all makes my blood boil. So much so that Mark’s new nickname for me is ‘the angry lady’! I have to remind him that, while I might be angry, I’m certainly no lady. But seriously, something’s changed because I never used to be like this. I might get upset or mildly annoyed about some things, but anger is fairly new and it’s not good…

Growing up, I loved to play Mummy. With four sisters and plenty of dolls, there was always someone for me to care for while I dreamed about the day I’d hold a baby of my own. As we grew up, my friends joked I’d be the first to become a mum. But, when we were in our twenties, my friends started giving birth. I was so excited for them, waiting patiently for my turn. In 2007, my sister Kirsty invited me to be her birthing partner when she had her first baby. It was such a privilege to watch Ashleigh arrive. I was so moved, I trained as a midwife. Three years later, I qualified at the Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth. I’ve since delivered thousands of babies including my other…

We’re used to our facial skincare being loaded with hi-tech ingredients, and body products are now following suit. From uneven tone to dry, scaly patches, our limbs need as much care as our faces, especially as they’ve just spent months under layers of clothing. Start using these products now for softer, smoother skin come summertime. Fake it yourself Nourishing body mask There are countless face masks out there, but our bodies often need just as much attention. As well as being delicious, thanks to their high fat content, avocados make brilliant wash-off moisturisers, too. Peel one avocado and remove the stone before mashing in a bowl. Then, mix in ½tsp honey and ¼tsp lime juice. Apply to your skin, paying attention to your elbows, knees, feet and any other areas…

Veggie burgers The addition of a small amount of Parmesan gives these burgers a fantastic sharp, rich taste. Serve with a large salad and enjoy! SERVES 4 PREP: 15 mins COOK: 10 mins Per serving: 118 kcal Everyday Light Veggie, Freezable, Gluten-free (use gluten-free buns)220g medium potatoes, peeled and diced Low-calorie cooking spray2 garlic cloves, crushed1 medium carrot, grated50g green beans, trimmed and finely chopped50g cauliflower florets, finely chopped50g broccoli florets, finely chopped50g frozen peas50g sweetcorn kernels (tinned and drained, or frozen) Handful of fresh parsley, chopped30g Parmesan (or vegetarian hard cheese)To serve (optional)4 wholemeal burger buns Lettuce leaves 1 Cook the potatoes in boiling salted water until soft. Drain well and mash with a hand-held masher or fork. 2 Spray a large frying pan with some low-calorie cooking spray…

TOP TIP You might think this green is a little dark for the bedroom, but a bold shade can create a soothing statement.…

Seven newbies have joined this series of Made In Chelsea, one of them being Amelia Mist. The quirky 21-year-old is already making her mark alongside pal and fellow newcomer, Angus Findlay. Here, party-loving Amelia explains why she’s so excited to be part of the Chelsea gang, and whether her ‘Bridget Jones of Chelsea’ nickname has anything to do with being unlucky in love… ‘Boys have never been kind to me, so now I just want to have fun’ Hi, Amelia. You must be excited about being in MIC. How did it all come about? I can’t tell you how excited I am! My best friend, Angus, had already been invited to join the cast. He called me up and said, ‘Why don’t you go on the show? I think you’d be really…

The world is abuzz with news on Baby Sussex and, to celebrate, British brand Sophie All port has designed a beautiful bone china mug to honour the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s first-born. Decorated and finished in Stoke-on-Trent, the adorable mug features tiny footprints, Union Jack love hearts and bunting flags, with the baby’s full name and date of birth in Sophie’s handwriting on the inside rim. As well as this mug dedicated to the new Royal baby, you can find other commemorative Royal memorabilia on sophieallport.com. We have 150 mugs to give away, so to be in with a chance of winning one, find out how to enter, right. HOW TO ENTER POST: Send a postcard with your name, address and contact number to best/Sophie Allport…

DIVINE DROPS Earrings, £8, Accessorize HIT REFRESH Scented drawer liner, £1.50, Primark CHEERS TO SUMMER Glass, £1.50, Sainsbury’s HEAVEN SCENT Candle, £1, Primark NICE CHANGE Purse, £6.99, British Heart Foundation SIGHT-SEEING CHIC Cross-body bag, £5, George at Asda SMOOCHING SOFT Lanolips Lip Treatment, £8.50, Look Fantastic LATHER UP Body Wash, £2.99, Astral TOTE WORTHY Beach bag, £6.99, British Heart Foundation TRUE BLUE Nail polish in Damson, £8, Barry M BEACH BUY Cover up, £8, H&M…