Indholdsfortegnelse for November 2024 i Platinum

I remember a time not so long ago when the choice in makeup colours and tones was very limited, when skincare was sold as dry, greasy, or combination skin. And let’s not even mention haircare. From my memory, scent was the main factor there unless you had dandruff. What a change there has been, and with so many products constantly coming on to the market it can be hard to decipher which ones will meet your needs. The ability to get skincare, bodycare, haircare, fragrances and make-up made bespoke to your own needs is a way of shopping that many of us are now turning to. Why DIY your skin’s needs when you can have a virtual expert do it for you? Many brands now offer this in the form…

In our beds and borders, oriental poppies can look messy after they’ve flowered. The great English gardener Gertrude Jekyll made several suggestions about how to camouflage their demise, including growing perennial sweet peas behind them so in summer they would flop forwards over the tatty poppies. At Glebe Cottage we shear them back to the ground and within weeks they’ve made fresh clumps of neat leaves. As a bonus there are occasionally a few extra flowers. When you’re planting anything, it’s a good idea to recognise where that plant’s wild antecedents come from and give them the same sort of conditions. These poppies need sun and good drainage. If you prefer your poppies pale, pretty and pink, perhaps Shirley poppies would be the best choice. It is an annual developed…

Discover one woman’s extraordinary history WHAT The Story Of Emily WHERE St Ive, Cornwall WHEN Open year-round; 9am-5pm Thursday to Sunday PRICE Adult entry from £25; adult annual passes £35 WEBSITE thestoryofemily.com A brand-new immersive historical experience, The Story Of Emily blends cutting-edge technology with a painstaking restoration to shine a light on Emily Hobhouse, an inspirational woman from Cornwall who challenged the social norms of the Victorian era. After travelling alone to South Africa and witnessing the suffering and poor living conditions during the Second Anglo-Boer War, Emily delivered aid and helped to improve the lives of thousands. Emily’s story comes to life in this fascinating experience that invites you to step into the late 19th to early 20th century and explore Emily’s childhood home, the Victorian Rectory, which…

‘ There is no limit to the amount that you can gift free from inheritance tax during your lifetime ’ Inheritance tax was introduced in the UK in 1986 and was commonly referred to as the “rich man’s tax”. It is payable on estates where people have died with assets such as property, money and possessions above the set threshold, known as the nil rate band, at a rate of 40 per cent. Inheritance tax receipts amounted to £7.5billion in 2023/24, compared with £7.09 billion in the previous financial year. Soaring house prices over the past 20 years, particularly in London and the South East, have resulted in many more ordinary people being fearful of this liability. However, we are ignorant if we still believe that this remains a “rich…

The body was pinned up against the tree. Dead. Obviously dead. No RIP here. The detective didn’t see many RIPs in his line of work. He saw tortured souls; people who had endured violence – brought down by their own hand or the hand of others – disaster or just plain old bad luck. With disaster and bad luck there wasn’t even anyone to blame. It was nuanced, and the fifty-plus, portly copper who had seen it all continued to wrestle with the question of which was more brutal, more devastating: not having anyone to blame or having a poker-hot focus of fury. The body was mangled from the waist downwards. The glassy eyes had seen everything they were ever going to. All that was going to happen in this…

When I met John on Celebrity MasterChef in 2010 I could never have imagined that this would be where we are now. It’s so funny because I was literally a ball of nerves. He’s like the Simon Cowell of the food world and I thought he was terrifying. On the show, you go in, you cook, they critique you and you go home, so he wasn’t like he is now in any way. His persona on MasterChef is very different to his persona [off screen]. We work separately quite a lot so when we get to work together it’s really nice. When jobs come up like John & Lisa’s Food Trip Down Under – where we were traveling around Australia, eating, driving and chatting, which was just brilliant – they’re…

13 hours… that’s the average length of time most adults spend looking at screens a day!* There’s no denying that gazing at a vast expanse of blue sky uplifts your mood and makes you feel good. What’s more, getting early sunlight into your eyes helps reset your circadian rhythm by switching off the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone, and helping you get going for the day. It’s why many health experts espouse an early morning stroll, not only for the heart-healthy benefits of getting your circulation going and your joints warmed up, but for that natural light into your eyes. However, with autumn on its way, you may soon be spending more time indoors each day, perhaps using screens to occupy your time. While skincare experts would doubtless say the benefit…

We think of fruit as being healthy and, by and large, it is. Fruits, especially berries, contain numerous antioxidants, flavonoids and polyphenols, among other health-giving compounds, and yet too much of it isn’t such a good thing. We’re not designed to gorge on fruit year round – in the past it would all have been seasonal, rather than the non-stop supply we now get in supermarkets – and by doing so, we put excess stress on the liver. Therefore, if you have type 2 diabetes or are pre-diabetic and need to make dietary adjustments, you may be looking to limit your fruit intake. However, not all fruits are created equal. Berries are often touted as the best fruits if you’re on a lowcarb diet. This is because berries including raspberries,…

The hub of the home, the centre of any decent party, the kitchen has become the star of every house, big or small. And if the kitchen is the king of the house (it is), the kitchen island is its throne. Done well, the kitchen island can serve for cooking, eating, cleaning and even catching up on a bit of paperwork (the lighting is perfect). When it comes to fitted kitchens, we’ve moved on from wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling pine cupboards (and the endless searches for condiments that entails). As kitchens have opened up, so has storage. Shelving, racks and work tables have created a more work-a-day look, adding a sprinkle of the feel of commercial kitchens. You can soften the look by combining stainless steel with solid oiled wood (bamboo…

Butternut squash, oyster mushroom and tofu traybake with miso glaze Miso is wonderful! With squash, mushrooms and tofu no one will believe this is completely plant-based and so delicious. King oyster mushrooms are amazing but if you can’t find them, use chestnut or even button mushrooms, just keep them whole so they don’t collapse. Serves 4–6 ● 1 small butternut squash, peeled, halved and deseeded● 20ml vegetable oil● Freshly ground black pepper● 1kg medium-firm tofu● 100g oyster mushrooms, whole● 150g king oyster mushrooms, halved● 2 tbsp white sesame seeds● Handful of pumpkin seeds (optional)● Small bag of watercress For the miso glaze ● 200g white miso● 100ml mirin or vodka● 50g soft dark brown sugar● 2 tbsp soy sauce● 2 tsp sesame oil 1. Preheat the oven to 220°C (200°C…

Are epic trips made up of a string of iconic moments, or is the magic to be found in the spaces in between? This is on my mind as we glide into New York at dawn. The mists that linger around the Statue of Liberty have cleared, and the rising sun is sheeting Manhattan’s skyscrapers in gold. The day is tinged with nostalgia already: I have been on board the Viking Polaris for 12 nights, and I don’t want to say goodbye. In that time we have tasted grilled ferns, wild blueberries and local lobster; marvelled at Montmorency Falls; explored the wild and unspoiled coastline of Nova Scotia; kayaked the shores of Toronto; and been bashed with birch twigs during a Nordic Bathing Night – something that is strictly optional,…

We’ve all been hit by the cost of living lately, with higher food and utility prices, and even worse, higher mortgage rates in the last 12 months. While mortgage interest rates have recently started to come down, they are still higher than they’ve been historically. So, if your fixed-rate mortgage deal is due to end in the next year or two, your monthly payments are likely to be higher. Even if rates continue to come down over the next year (which certainly isn’t guaranteed), rates are unlikely to go back to the historic lows we’ve seen in the past decade. If you’re starting to worry about the prospect of seeing your monthly payments go up at the end of your fixed-rate term, there are things you can to do manage…

Upcoming events BRIDGWATER GUY FAWKES CARNIVAL NOVEMBER 2, BRIDGWATER, SOMERSET (bridgwatercarnival.org.uk) Beginning in the 1600s, when the people of Somerset took effigies of Guy Fawkes to be burnt after the foiled Gunpowder Plot, this procession of more than 100 bright floats, music, and dancing is now so big that around 22,000 lightbulbs are required to illuminate the parade through the streets. As the procession ends, stick around to watch the “squibbing”, an explosive tradition where hundreds of fireworks on sticks are held out along the road, giving the effect of light raining down. HUDDERSFIELD CONTEMPORARY MUSIC FESTIVAL NOVEMBER 15-24, HUDDERSFIELD, WEST YORKSHIRE (hcmf.co.uk) With a jam-packed lineup of over 50 events, the UK’s largest international festival of new and experimental music features an array of concerts, music, theatre, dance, multi-media…

French manicures are a true classic for so many reasons. Not only do they exude a timeless and elegant aesthetic that never goes out of style, but the clean, natural look is universally flattering and suitable for any occasion, from everyday wear to special events. ‘Whether you prefer a classic look, a modern twist, or added embellishments such as glitter or colours, there are endless variations to explore,’ says A-list manicurist Tinu Bello, who is a senior ambassador for nail brand Mylee (mylee.co.uk). A French manicure also exudes professionalism and sophistication and the classic nail style complements any outfit or style. ‘What’s more, they can provide a lengthening effect, making them ideal for those with shorter nail beds or small hands,’ says Tinu. And with salon costs rising, it’s easy…

Oh my word, what an exceptional year we have had in the garden. It all struggled to get going, but once it hit its stride both the ornamental and productive areas have really outdone themselves. As a youngster I always thought of November as the start of winter, even though it is officially late autumn. It is that time of year where the garden workload begins to increase, as you not only prepare for winter but also look forward to next year. So here are some of the jobs the team at Barnsdale Gardens will be carrying out this month, and which you can begin too. Your November checklist PLANT TULIPS To minimise the risk of the disease Tulip Fire, it is best to plant your bulbs in the autumn.…

Cajun chicken legs with mango salsa The very first chef I worked with at my company was the wonderful and talented Spike. This was the first dish he ever cooked for me – and I’ve been cooking it ever since. The secret is to really work the spices into the chicken to ensure the flavours penetrate well. Feeds 4Prep 20 minsCook 40 mins ● 3 garlic cloves● 1 small onion, roughly chopped● 2 tbsp olive oil, plus more for the tray● 80g Cajun seasoning● 4 chicken legs (whole, not just drumsticks) For the salsa ● 1 large mango (a little unripe works best)● Bunch of coriander, about 30g● ½ large red onion, very finely chopped● 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil● Juice of 1 lime● Sea salt flakes and freshly…

Burley Manor, ideally set within an 800-year-old estate in the heart of the New Forest and surrounded by rolling countryside and the Burley Park red deer sanctuary, combines baronial-style charm with a contemporary eclectic twist. And you could win a luxury stay for two there! You and a guest will enjoy two nights in a sumptuous Burley Suite bedroom, cooked and continental breakfast each morning, pre-dinner cocktails and nibbles on the first evening in the Burley Restaurant, followed by a delicious three-course meal with a bottle of fizz, plus an indulgent, pampering 50-minute spa treatment each. The prize includes: ● Two nights in a Burley Suite room for you and a guest. ● Cooked and continental breakfast each morning. ● Pre-dinner cocktails and nibbles on the first evening in the…

‘The global phenomenon of Black Friday can be an unhelpful and potentially damaging trigger for those with an overwhelming desire to buy’ Hi, I’m Katy, and I’m a shopaholic. There, I’ve admitted it in print. We’re brought up not to talk openly about three things: religion, politics and finances. I know these things can be divisive but when it comes to cash, or the lack of it, talking openly ought to be encouraged. I had no financial education growing up, and unconsciously copied the “save/splurge” habits of my father. However, while Dad knew when to stop spending, sometimes I didn’t… and still don’t. It wasn’t until recently that I looked at all the stuff I was buying or planning to buy for Christmas, mostly for my son, that I realised…

‘Mirror hack for long-lasting shine’ Amanda, 59, Blyth in Northumbria I have three favourite cleaning tips that I use consistently at home. The first is to spray shaving foam onto my bathroom mirrors and wipe off with a clean cloth. It stops the mirror fogging up for a couple of months and then you have to repeat. Secondly, I keep my old socks and use them to clean my blinds. Just put on over your hand and run along each blind. It’s quick and no chemicals needed. My top wardrobe tip is to buy less, but buy better. I buy things that will work with what I currently have in my wardrobe. The only standalones are dresses. Fast fashion is killing the planet so buying less saves me money and…