Innehållsförteckning för December 2024 från Platinum

As we age, eyelashes can become thinner, but there are many ways to enhance them while maintaining lash health. For mature lashes, it’s important to go for treatments that emphasise natural beauty rather than dramatic, heavy styles. You could consider opting for corner lashes that sit only on the outer edge of the eye, while classic lash extensions offer a subtle enhancement with single lashes applied to each natural lash. ‘The result is a soft, elegant look that works well with thinning lashes,’ says Monika Ludwiczak, international lash and brow expert. If you’re looking for a bit more volume without being heavy, hybrid lashes offer a perfect blend. They mix classic lashes with a few volume-boosting fans, giving a fuller appearance without being too overpowering. ‘For women in their 50s-plus,…

Gardening tips This is the time of year when our thoughts tend to focus towards Christmas and New Year and all the festivities that surround it. However, it is important not to forget the garden, with all these other distractions taking our attention, because there is still plenty of gardening to keep us occupied. Of course what we do and when we do it at this time of year is very much dictated by the weather conditions but, as you will see, there are not only outdoor jobs but also ones that can be carried out in the comfort of your favourite armchair. Your December checklist ORDER SEEDS By now you should have amassed a good pile of seed catalogues that either come free in gardening magazines or through the…

Ever entered a hotel via an escalator? That’s the first thing you see after going through the revolving doors at Art’otel London Hoxton into its spacious lower lobby; milliseconds later, you’re struck by the floor-to-ceiling, colourful cartoon-art of the hotel’s signature artist D*Face, who, outside of the hotel, has been creating building-sized graffiti-like murals for decades. And as you ascend the escalator, captivated by the moving images on all sides, you come to a bench in the shape and colour of one of those pink and blue erasers we all used to have. To the right of the check-in desk is a lounge area with what looks like a real fireplace but, upon closer inspection, is a “dry ice” fireplace with orange lighting. You’ll also find a Harley Davidson parked…

Winter is a time our energy bills often rise, but there are several low-cost, DIY methods to help reduce these expenses without compromising on comfort. By implementing these simple, low-cost strategies, you can significantly reduce your energy bills this winter. Small changes in how you manage gas and electricity usage can lead to substantial savings, ensuring you stay warm and comfortable without breaking the bank. 1 OPTIMISE YOUR BOILER’S EFFICIENCY One of the simplest ways to reduce your gas consumption is by turning down the flow temperature of your boiler. It’s often set at a higher temperature than necessary, leading to excessive energy use. By lowering the flow temperature, you can save significant amounts on your heating bill without noticing a difference in comfort. Additionally, over time, air can become…

Magpie Angels by Natalie Hernandez, 66, Berkshire ‘I wrote this poem on a train coming home from work in London when I was 20. It was a time when I was going through the ups and downs of relationship life. It was interesting digging it out – my life is very happy now but I’m not sure if it’s to do with the magpies, although when I see one, I always search for two.’ There are angels in my gardenThey sit upon the treesThey arrive disguised as MagpiesWhen they come to visit me They fly to me right on timeJust like the aged old rhymeThey make me think of life and loveThese angels that descend from above Our lives revolve aroundOur sorrow and our joyAnd the eternal strugglesThat come between…

'I told you. It was the handsome professor.’ Alice Beeton shut the hardback library book with a satisfied snap. ‘Never trust a man with a dimple in his chin.’ The kettle trilled like an old-fashioned police whistle. Alice walked across the small kitchen to turn off the gas, releasing the cap so that it gasped, the boiling water inside fizzing. Agatha barked once in reply, her bright brown eyes staring up at Alice who now took a china cup and two saucers from the cupboard, moving the remaining crockery a fraction to retain their pleasingly neat stacks. With a silver spoon, she measured out the precise amount of Earl Grey tea leaves from the caddy into the teapot, before filling it up from the kettle and placing a knitted cosy…

You never truly realise the depth of love until it’s time to say goodbye. Losing a pet isn’t just losing a companion, it’s losing a confidant, a source of unconditional love, and a cherished member of the family. The pain can be overwhelming, and the grief profound. You can experience a whirlwind of emotions: sadness, anger, guilt, and even relief. Each emotion is a testament to the bond you shared and the significance of your loss. Grieving the loss of a pet is a journey often misunderstood by those who haven’t experienced it first-hand. To some, the death may seem trivial in comparison to human loss, eliciting responses such as, ‘It’s just a pet’ or ‘You can always get another one’. Yet, for those who have shared their lives with…

Christmas preparations are nearly here again, and as always my aim is to make them as stress free as possible. This is the time to spend precious time with family and friends – enjoying delicious food with a hefty dose of indulgence. But despite many detailed “to-do” lists, it is often all too easy to feel swamped by an unrealistic sense of expectation that somehow manages to sneak in uninvited at this time of year. The secret is not to let it spoil everything. My peaceful solitary existence, with its comforting sense of order and admittedly rather odd experimental meals for one, will soon explode in a burst of tinsel and baubles, tree decorating, extra bed making, and filling the fridge and the pantry with everything anyone might desire. It…

Conveniently located on the Scottish Border and easy to reach by road or rail, Dumfries and Galloway are some of the UK’s most beautiful and unspoiled regions offering a variety of attractions including golf, cycling and stargazing. There are also a host of literary connections, both with Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns and with Peter Pan creator J. M. Barrie. Now, this area is also home to Scotland’s newest destination spa – and we’re giving one lucky reader plus a friend the chance to win a stay there. TIME TO UNWIND Opened during summer 2024, and already tipped for the top spot by European Spa, the £2m development at The Cairndale Hotel & Spa in Dumfries is the first of its kind in south-west Scotland. Covering 1,300 square metres, the…

Making a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect the people you care about and ensure they are looked after, giving them stability, reassurance and protection. However, many people don’t realise that a will can do even more than protect family and loved ones – it can provide essential support to the charities you care about. Gifts in wills are an increasingly vital source of support for UK charities, offering people the chance to support the causes closest to their hearts and leave a lasting legacy. A WILLANTHROPY NATION A record-breaking 38,000 people across the UK included a charity in their will in 2023, benefitting nearly 11,000 different organisations. In fact, since 2012, more than 41,000 charities – ranging from large national charities to…

CODEWORD Each letter of the alphabet has been replaced by the same number throughout this grid. Use the decoded letters given to work out the identity of other letters and fill in the grid. The alphabet list and reference grid will help you to keep track of the letters you’ve decoded. WORDWHEEL You have ten minutes to find as many words as possible using the letters in the wheel. Each word must be three letters or more and contain the central letter. Use each letter once, and no plurals, foreign words or proper nouns are allowed. There is at least one nine-letter word. AVERAGE: 25 words GOOD: 28 words EXCELLENT: 40 words CELL BLOCK Fill the grid by drawing blocks along the gridlines. Each block must contain the number of…

Glorious gold This precious metal is said to help reduce skin ageing thanks to its antioxidant properties. When used in cosmetics, gold is usually in colloidal form (a gold solution in water) or used as fine particles to leave skin with a delicate gold shimmer – perfect for the party season! Gold can hold up to 300 times its own weight in water, helping boost the moisture levels in your skin. Its antibacterial properties also make it especially beneficial for acne-prone skin. ‘In Ancient Egypt, gold was believed to possess the power to rejuvenate the skin, restoring youth and radiance, and was often used in skincare rituals for its purported ability to reduce fine lines and promote elasticity,’ says Marie Reynolds, holistic wellness and skin expert at mariereynoldslondon.com. However, if…

As we navigate the ongoing challenges of coronaviruses and flu season, maintaining a robust immune system has never been more crucial. Individual immune health remains a key component in reducing susceptibility to colds and flu and enhancing overall wellbeing. This renewed focus on immunity has sparked widespread interest in natural immune boosters and immunomodulators, with many seeking out supplements and dietary changes to fortify their defences against illness. The resurgence of Covid-19, with new variants continuing to emerge, underscores the importance of a multifaceted approach to health. Incorporating natural immune supporters into our daily regimen can provide an extra layer of protection. Vitamins such as C and D, minerals like zinc, and powerful fungi like reishi and cordyceps are gaining recognition for their immune-boosting and immunomodulating properties. Additionally, traditional herbs…

Treat yourself to a grand experience WHAT Blenheim PalaceWHERE Woodstock, OxfordshireWHEN Open year-round, 10am-4:45pm dailyPRICE Adult entry £38 (includes annual pass).Tickets must be booked in advance onlineWEBSITE blenheimpalace.com Home to the 12th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, this masterpiece of Baroque architecture is set within more than 2,000 acres of parkland landscaped by Capability Brown. With over 300 years of history to explore, a day out at this World Heritage Site – also known as Britain’s Greatest Palace – promises unrivalled grandeur both inside the palace and throughout the park and gardens. There are also a range of restaurants and cafès on site serving a variety of treats and cuisines – we recommend trying an afternoon tea! As you wander around, you might…

I grew up in Milan, Paris and Madrid and, perhaps through being nourished with their glamour and visual stimulation, am quite a creative person. Even so, and despite a maths report that read, “Natasha is not good at maths”, I was encouraged to pursue an academic path and ended up in finance. I have worked in finance for more than 30 years, firstly in the derivative markets, then in journalism and later in public policy. Now I combine finance and fashion. When my daughter was a toddler, I found working from home as a freelance journalist near impossible and returned to the City to work in public policy. I soon joined Swift, a global company based in Brussels that carries payment messages globally. There I worked on some fascinating political…

Christmas market special! WINCHESTER CHRISTMAS MARKET NOVEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 22, WINCHESTER (winchester-cathedral.org.uk) Situated within the historic grounds of the Cathedral and renowned for its bustling atmosphere, this festive market features an array of handpicked high-quality vendors, all housed within pretty wooden chalets inspired by traditional German Christmas markets. With festive lighting, Christmas carols and the aroma of mulled wine filling the air, Winchester is perfect for anyone in search of an authentic Christmas market experience. YORK CHRISTMAS MARKET NOVEMBER 14 – DECEMBER 22, YORK (visityork.org) With 75 alpine chalets lining Parliament Street and St. Sampson’s Square, this award-winning market offers a magical and sustainable array of local crafts, artisan products, and delicious seasonal treats, with 80 per cent of traders hailing from Yorkshire. There’s also the beloved vintage carousel…