Table of contents for 4 - 2018 in Best

TOP TIP A tailored trouser suit is a must-have for spring. Instead of playing it safe with black, opt for stylish checks. TOP TIP Layering is still a key look. Add a touch of luxe to your favourite lounge wear by teaming with dressy shoes and statement earrings. TOP TIP Everyone needs a multi-tasking midi dress. Dress up with a pair of sock boots – both stylish and easy to walk in!…

‘It’s a girl!’ the midwife announced as the baby I’d just given birth to took her first lungful of air and let out a gutsy cry. There’s nothing quite like that moment. You can almost touch the joy in the delivery room. But, instead of handing the 7lb bundle to me, the midwife passed the baby to one of two men standing, waiting – her new parents. I might have carried her for nine months, but she wasn’t mine. Instead, after a three-hour labour, I laid back and watched this new family getting to know each other. There was no sadness on my part, just a buzz of happiness – and the need for a slice of toast! I first heard about surrogacy when I was in my early 20s,…

January can be a distressing month. The days are still long and dark, and cash flow can seem a bit tight! Stress doesn’t always show itself as mood or emotional symptoms – you may find that your stress comes out in physical ways with aches and pains, and other bodily signs. That’s your body telling you to relax and unwind! EXERCISE IS KEY High blood pressure is a common issue affecting a quarter of adults. Often the cause is unknown, but we do know it worsens with stress. Your blood pressure can be checked by the pharmacist or with a practice nurse. High blood pressure is usually treated with medication, but it will improve with exercise, which is great for mental relaxation and in the long term helps to lower…

A ONE-DAY EXAMPLE Following the SlimFast 3.2.1 Plan: • Breakfast: Raspberry Crush Advanced Vitality Shake • Snack: SlimFast Porridge • Lunch: Salted Caramel Meal Replacement Bar • Snack: 1 Banana • Dinner: Sausage, Bean and Sweet Potato Bake (see recipe) • Snack: Chocolate Caramel Treat Bar HOW IT WORKS 1 The SlimFast plan is as simple as 3, 2, 1. Tuck into three of SlimFast’s delicious snacks, two of its tasty meal-replacement shakes or bars, and one 600-calorie meal per day (800 calories for men), and see what you can achieve. Use the selection of pick-and-mix breakfast, lunch and dinner suggestions as part of the SlimFast plan, and kick-start your weight-loss journey. The SlimFast plan is designed to achieve a healthy and sustainable weight loss of up to 2lb per…

WORTH £ 30 Looking to kick-start your weight loss? SlimFast’s Vitality 7-Day Starter Kit is the ideal way to do it, and we’ve got 10 to give away to lucky readers. Not only is each kit designed to keep you on track for a week, but it’s also crammed with deliciousness. EACH KIT CONTAINS: • 1 x SlimFast Advanced Vitality Raspberry Crush pouch of mealreplacement powder shakes • 4 x Yogurt Fruit Crunch mealreplacement bars • 7 x Porridge sachets Plus, you get all this and a seven-day meal planner with recipes, tips and support. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS ENTER BELOW! POST: Send a postcard with your name, address, phone number and email address to SlimFast Giveaway, GVBSTN17974, Hearst Magazines UK, The Data Solutions Centre, Worksop S80 2RT.…

Christine Lampard isn’t usually the panellist that shocks us with her out-there stories. However, during a recent episode of Loose Women, it was clearly her moment, as she made a startling confession that left her fellow presenters slackjawed in amazement. Christine, 38, revealed she thinks she may have psychic powers, and maintained she had a premonition about the 9/11 terror attacks in New York – just days before the atrocity in 2001, in which almost 3,000 people died. As the panel debated the topic of destiny, the Northern Irish beauty – who has been married to retired football star Frank Lampard, 39, since 2015 – recalled the night she dreamed about a plane crash. ‘I had a dream about 9/11. I dreamed about a plane crashing, and I’ll not go…

She’s landed herself a presenting role as head judge on All Together Now, a new BBC One talent show with an audience of 100 singers who vote by standing for acts they want to see again. Away from the screen, the Hertfordshire girl – who wore that iconic Union Jack dress with the Spice Girls at the Brit Awards in 1997 – is living a country life with her husband of nearly three years, Formula One boss Christian Horner, and has revealed, ‘I don’t think I’ve ever felt happier.’ But Geri, 45, is sure she knows what the British public want, what they really, really want… Geri on… her new show We’re not reinventing the wheel, but I decided to be a part of All Together Now because, for me,…

‘The food’s an enormous part of the show… Real chefs are in the background of the kitchen doing real cooking’ Delicious is a sumptuous feast of mouthwatering dishes and a twisting, turning plot involving the first and second wives of a nowdead husband. But Dawn French, who plays spurned first wife Gina, has confessed to a guilty secret of her own. She’s been known to hide food on set so she can eat it later! Admitting she and the rest of the crew got very territorial about the tasty cuisine going around, the 60-year-old said, ‘As the day starts in the kitchen, I am already craving what’s there and thinking, “What can I take home from the kitchen?” ‘I’m even squirrelling things away into fridges, and Lisa [Heathcote, who does…

Eye treatments are having a big moment this year, with an emphasis on tightening eyelids, reducing bags and rejuvenating the delicate skin around the eyes. THE HITCH LIFT Threads have commonly been used to hoist the sides of the face, but now a new technique using a surgical string can lift the brow and tighten baggy skin around the eyes. The 30-minute procedure, dubbed The Hitch Lift, involves having small threads inserted under the skin to lift and tighten the area. It’s carried out under local anaesthetic and results are immediate. There may be a little swelling or bruising around the area soon after the treatment. Results can last around 18 months. Costs £1,800 (0207 436 4441). DARK CIRCLE DIMINISHER They’re one of the most common skin problems. Dark circles…

‘Everyone jokes about it but, as women, we never seem to be happy with our weight, and it was something that really got me down. After gradually piling on the pounds, I hated how I looked, how I felt and I even had high blood pressure, despite only being in my 20s. Thankfully, I found a way to trim down without giving up all the things I loved, and I couldn’t be happier. My weight was an issue for me even when I was growing up, but perhaps not in the way you’d think. I’d always been small – I was only 5ft 2in – but during my teens I weighed around 7st and was a size 6. I know people might not understand it, but I didn’t like being…

Stuck in a rut but can’t afford to splash the cash? Turns out you don’t have to spend tons of money to get good-quality beauty products, with plenty of budget brands upping their game and offering long-lasting make-up that could transform you in an instant. We uncover the essential cosmetic brands you need in your bag of tricks right now. 1 LAYING THE FOUNDATION Choosing a decent base often used to mean parting with lots of cash, as designer brands produced better shade-matching and longerlasting results. However, this effectiveness has now trickled down to cheaper ranges, so that you can cover up imperfections without that caked-on look. Try essence 2 in 1 Make-up & Concealer, £3.80, which gives full coverage with a matte effect. Apply to the middle of your…

Smug in a mug Sainsbury’s Sticky Toffee Mug Cake Mixes, £2 A delightfully sweet surprise, but the texture needs work. M&S Salted Caramel & Chocolate Cuppa Bakes, £3 Extremely easy, and takes just over a minute to cook. Fluffy and delicious. Dr. Oetker Banana & Choc Chip Pud In A Mug, 85p Ready in 50 seconds, this simple sachet is a real winner, and there's no mess! Choc-o-holics Delicious Alchemy Chocolate Brownie Mix, £2.99 Not only are the texture and flavour good, but this is gluten- and dairy-free, too! Paul Hollywood Seriously Chocolatey Fudge Cake Mix With Real Belgian Chocolate, £2 From the master baker himself, this decadent mix will definitely get you a Hollywood handshake. Aldi The Pantry Chocolate Cake Mix, £1.35 A tasty budget buy that is great…

STILL ME – JOJO MOYES Louisa Clark – heroine of the weepy Me Before You – returns, now in New York as part of her pledge to Will to ‘live boldly’. But can she keep her new long-distance love alive? Michael Joseph, £13.99 OWL BOOTIES Keep your tootsies toasty this winter in these cute knitted slippers that look like sleepy owls. You’ll be tempted to hibernate once you slip your feet into these beauties! Prezzybox.com, £17.99 WITNESSES Don’t be put off by the subtitles: this super-stylish French crime-drama will have you gripped with its multi-layered, spooky plot and terrific performances. Seasons 1 & 2 on DVD, available now, £19.99…

She celebrates an astonishing 50 years in showbusiness this month and, with regular appearances on ITV’s Loose Women and her much-loved sitcom, Birds Of A Feather, actress Linda Robson is rapidly becoming a national treasure. We catch up with the fan favourite before the National Television Awards air tonight (Tuesday 23 January) where she’s hoping Loose Women will win Best Daytime TV Show. Linda, 59, has been married to hubby Mark Dunford, 57, for 27 years, and they have two children – Louis, 26, and daughter Roberta (Bobbie), 21 – and Lauren, 34, from a previous relationship. She is also a proud gran to Lila, five, and Betsy, one. Here, she talks about her new healthy diet, the excitement of the NTAs, and life’s ups and downs… How is your health…

FISH TALES While the goldfish is a common fish to keep, they actually need specialist care and attention. Before you rush out to buy one, consider this advice from the RSPCA… ⋆ The most common misconception is the age and size goldfish reach. Lots of people think they live for about five years and generally grow to 12cm in length. In reality, they can live for over 25 years and some can reach over 30cm! ⋆ Bigger is always better when shopping for an aquarium, so try to keep in mind the eventual size of your fish when choosing one. If you have a fancy goldfish, remember they need at least 60 litres of water per fish. Decorative tanks – including bowls, jars or children’s tanks – are not ideal,…

POSH: TAKING OVER THE WORLD! Welcome to Brand Beckham. Wife to David, 42, and mum to Brooklyn, 18, Romeo, 15, Cruz, 12, and Harper, six, Posh, 43, has launched her own fashion empire and is one half of the ultimate power couple. BABY: QUEEN OF THE AIRWAVES All grown up at 41, with two children, 10-year-old Beau and Tate, six, Emma’s fame is more low-key these days. Seen at the odd showbiz party, Baby Spice presents a show on Heart Radio and clearly adores being a mum. SPORTY: MUSICAL MAMA Now a solo singer and single mum to Scarlet, eight, Melanie C, 44, pursued her love of theatre, performing in London musicals – most famously in Jesus Christ Superstar. Her most recent CD, Room For Love, is out now. She’s…

High-neck hero Elongate your body with this elegant shape. Neat pleat This statement skirt is having another season in the spotlight. TOP TIP Download FAD, the ultimate fashion dictionary, and get to know your brocade from your bolero… Print perfection A pattern on top will draw the attention upwards. Bring the bling Sparkle all year round with embellished detail.…

‘The lifts are getting the celebrities hot under the collar this week!’ BLUE WITHOUT YOU I’m really missing Candice! I’m devastated for her – she’d really caught the skating bug. She has such a cheeky personality, and I’m sad that viewers didn’t get to see it. We still hang out, though– we went to see Kristina Rihanoff’s dance show last week. I’ve definitely made a friend for life! A TOUCH OF CLASS Donna Air looks beautiful and, when she moves, is also possibly the classiest person I’ve ever seen on the ice. She creates such graceful lines, and that’s not easy for someone as tall as Donna. You’re so exposed in every way when you’re that height. She’s doing well. A show-stopper! Last weekend’s sparkly disco theme was so much…

His son’s too flirty with my daughter! I have been dating a lovely man for three years now. We have a very harmonious relationship – even though we don’t live together – and our families get on well. But that’s the problem. I’m worried his son, who is 19, is getting very flirty with my daughter, who is 17. It makes me feel very uncomfortable. Should I forbid her from going out with him if he asks her? Angela, Chester I understand your concerns, but your daughter might think ‘so what?’ as they aren’t blood relatives. I think the best thing is to speak to your boyfriend, and discuss it with your daughter, too. Perhaps she has no romantic interest in him, and you’re worrying over nothing. He thinks he’s…

…her husband, Jim Carter (Downton’s Carson) He is the funniest man I know, which is good – and rather useful because, if you can make people laugh, you can make them listen to you. I like funny people, and our dog is quite funny, too. …their daughter, Bessie I’m thrilled that she’s an actress and am so happy for her. It’s a mixed blessing for her having us as parents. We can’t get her a job so, in a way, it’s a bit of a curse, but she’s treading her own way. …being seen as an overnight success I got what people may call a ‘break’ when I did Mike Leigh’s Vera Drake. I was 47 at that point. I’d worked for 27 years very happily, but that did change…

‘I’ve started boxing, which is brilliant,’ says Linda, who first tried it at KOBOX, on London’s King’s Road. ‘It’s great for bingo wings! ‘I’ve been trying out a few different gyms recently. Barry’s Bootcamp is another one that’s got my vote – it’s the hardest, with an intense hour of treadmill and groundwork. ‘My daughter Bobbie’s been [training] with me, because she’s running the London Marathon, and my son Louis is, too. My kids can’t believe that I manage to keep up with them – the only thing I can’t do are sit-ups. ‘I’ve never really exercised before. Even getting out of the armchair was hard work! Now, I do at least 10,000 steps a day, and I try and do 150 minutes of exercise – which sounds a lot,…