Table of contents for Issue 747 in Grazia

THERE ARE VERY few people who’ve featured on the cover of Grazia consistently over the 15 years since the magazine first launched. Victoria Beckham is one of them. I’d hazard a guess that’s because VB is the queen of reinvention – as she proved again this week. Just when we’ve got used to her fashion shows being slick operations, where the grown-up, ladylike-without-being-prim clothes now get more attention than her family sitting front row, she’s added another facet to her business: a beauty range. Grazia’s Hannah Banks-Walker was at the launch and talked to Victoria and her team about why it’s designed to be #NotPerfect… @hattie_brett / feedback@graziamagazine.co.uk…

Flexible working is on the rise – but there’s a long way to go The number of highly-paid (£80k+) roles offering flexible working has trebled in the last four years, the Flexible Jobs Index revealed last week – although is still pretty woeful at 16%. Vacancies for jobs with a salary of £20k or under fare better, with more than a fifth offering flexible working. It’s middle-earners who are missing out most. Currently, just 14% of new roles in this bracket advertise the same benefits. Still, we are moving in the right direction. Could the working world finally be starting to catch up with the demands of modern life? Here’s hoping.…

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES, INSTAGRAM/SUSSEXROYAL, REUTERS IT HAS BEEN one of the most eagerly awaited royal tours of all time. When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in South Africa on Monday, all eyes were on them. The trip, at the request of the British Government, has been months in the planning. And, following a summer of embarrassments ranging from rows over private jets to cottage renovations, this is a make-or-break opportunity for the couple to turn the tide on negative press. Harry’s love affair with Africa began at 13, when his father, the Prince of Wales, took him to South Africa ‘to get away from it all’ in the wake of his mother Princess Diana’s death. And Harry famously took Meghan to Botswana after only two dates. He has…

YOU CAN ALMOST taste it in the air – the unique cocktail of regrets, hangovers and cheap coffee that signals party conference season has begun. Last week, MPs, their advisors and political journalists began their annual jaunt out of Westminster, setting up camp outside London to chat about their parties’ policies. It happens every September and October and always grabs headlines but, given the year we’re having, this season should be explosive. Even the Lib Dems, whose gathering is usually sedate, peaked in Bournemouth last week with leader Jo Swinson introducing Sam Gyimah as the party’s newest MP – only months after the former minister ran to be Tory leader. Then the focus switched to Brighton for Labour. While Corbyn’s party has been relatively united recently, MPs are yet to…

The new fashion Law Our current Instagram obsession is Iris Law, whose Fashion Week wardrobe included outfits by Chanel, Preen by Thornton Bregazzi and Paco Rabanne. Jealous. Us? All shades of beige The fashion pack has got a severe case of beige-itis. They’re obsessed. See Lily, Bella, Naomi and Irina for medical evidence. Moss is sheer class We’re cracking out our sheer tights after seeing Miss Moss in a pair at a Fashion Week party at Annabel’s. Where’s an M&S when you need one?! Twice as nice One outfit; two It accessories – it’s the ultimate A-list power style move. Ref RiRi in her LV multi-pochette cross-body and Bottega Veneta mules. Proof also the cardi is back. Just right, Joséphine! Joséphine de la Baume manages to make the most difficult…

Ceawlin, Viscount Weymouth, and their sons, John, four and Henry, two. ‘We live in an apartment in the house,’ shee protests. ‘Our little section is littered with diggers and footballs. It’s like a reverse Tardis, because you come into our bit and it’s as you’d expect with two kids under five – normal.’ Some might be surprised to learn that she’s always been a Strictly fan. Don’t people who live in stately homes spend their evenings… I don’t know, playing parlour games? ‘Ha!’ she snorts. ‘The TV is always on, usually with some Disney movie blaring out.’ She pauses before adding, ‘We do play Uno.’ HAIR AND MAKE-UP: MARISOL STEWARD AT FRANK AGENCY USING MARC JACOBS BEAUTY AND AVEDA. STYLING: GRACEWRIGHT. STYLISTOS ASSISTANT: KATIE SELBY-GREEN. EMMA WEARS (OPENING SHOT): SHIRT,…

* NAME HAS BEEN CHANGED. PHOTOS: GETTY, SHUTTERSTOCK ‘SLOWLY RUN your hands down your body,’ the voice in my ear commands. ‘Notice the sensations of your fingers on your skin.’ I do as I’m told, eyes closed, and register that the skin on my arm is covered in goose pimples and that my stomach is softer to touch than I’d realised. But rather than some Christian Grey wannabe, the voice in my ear is actually the soothing tones of my smartphone – specifically, Ferly, an app launched earlier this year. Back in May, a survey published in The BMJ found that British men and women are having significantly less sex than they were in 2001; researchers pointed out that the iPhone arrived in 2007, and that bedtime browsing might be…

RICHARD QUINN ‘WE WANT TO TAKE EVERY SEASON AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT ON A SHOW SO THAT PEOPLE WHO COME EXPERIENCE SOMETHING. WHETHER THEY LIKE IT OR HATE IT, THEY NEED TO FEEL SOMETHING’ EMILIA WICKSTEAD ‘THIS COLLECTION IS BASED ON LOUISA MAY ALCOTT’S “LITTLE WOMEN”, AND IS FOR OUR STRONG AND AMBITIOU S WOMAN. SHE IS ON HER OWN PATH TO PERSONAL SUCCESS’ HALPERN ‘THE SEASON WAS ABOUT EXPLORATION AND BEGAN WITH ONE OF MY ALL-TIME FAVOURITE FILMS, “FUNNY GIRL”, STARRING BARBRA STREISAND. IT LED TO AN EXTREMELY JOYOUS COLLECTION OF CLOTHING’ PREEN BY THORNTON BREGAZZI ‘WE WERE INSPIRED BY “THE GREAT WAVE” WOOD-BLOCK PRINT, BUILDERS’ UTILITY CLOTHING, MANGA AND THE LOLITA STREET STYLES OF JAPANESE YOUTH CULTURE FOR THIS COLLECTION OF EASY ROMANCE’ ERDEM ‘THE COLLECTION WAS…

PERFUME IS POWERFUL and, much like a seasonal wardrobe update, a new fragrance can set your style tone for the months ahead. And luckily, if you’re looking to invest in a new scent, now’s the time, as fashion brands release their blockbuster buys in time for the pre-Christmas rush. So what’s in store? ‘This year, we have started to see more brands successfully combining warm, enveloping ingredients, such as vanilla, with spices like saffron, nutmeg and patchouli, creating wonderful, truly unisex scents,’ says Federica Sinisi, fragrance buyer at Harrods. ‘Customers are becoming more fluid in their choices.’ So experiment to find what you love, and you’re bound to discover your new signature scent in these pages. FOR STYLE MAVENS YSL LIBRE, £78 FOR 50ML Like YSL’s tuxedo for women, this…

Which home workouts will get you hooked? ACCORDING TO RESEARCH by This Girl Can – an initiative funded by the National Lottery to get more women into sport – many women are put off exercise due to a fear of being judged. This (and less time to make it to a gym) may explain why the home workout world is booming. We’ve come a long way from the exercise videos of the 1990s and huge leaps in tech mean you can now squat with a life-size virtual trainer, join a live class with thousands of other people and have access to world-class workouts on phones and iPads 24/7. All without stepping a trainer-clad foot outside your front door. But which home workouts really make a difference? Or will you actually…

PHOTO: MARCO VITTUR. FOOD STYLING: NENA FOSTER (NENAFOSTER.COM) I AM A LITTLE surprised to find myself here because, in many ways, trail mix is not in the spirit of this column. When I think of trail mix, I think of those tedious little pouches of nuts and cranberries, devoid of life, flavour and imagination, always criminally short on the element you actually want to eat. But as we go about our high-pressure lives, we return to these pouches – out of desperation, yes – but also because they make for undeniably handy snacking. So, I thought, what if I took a whole new approach? What if I could make a trail mix with chutzpah? Not because I intended to don my hiking boots any time soon, or seek sponsorship for…

IS THE GRASS GREENER? Is competition in female friendship the last taboo? (16 Sep) resonated so much with me. I have a group of friends I’ve known for over 25 years and, just a few weeks ago, it all blew up on a (rare) drunken night out. I’m a stay-at-home mum and my friend is a full-time working mum. She suddenly turned to me and said, ‘What are you going to do when your kids leave home? You’ll have nothing, you’ll be nothing.’ I felt as if I’d been slapped. She said she was jealous my husband had such a well-paid job so I was able to be home with the kids, as she felt like a rubbish mum. I was so surprised as she’s always been so career-driven and…

PHOTOS: GETTY I WATCH TODAY’S news like I watch hooky TV dramas: compulsively, fearfully, enthralled, through the barely-splayed fingers of both hands. I no longer remember a time when it was boring: when the bongs and themes of the big channels’ big news shows heralded nothing but a bit of bluster and a reversal on yesterday’s minor legislative tweaking. How could they, yeah but, what does that really mean, I did not see that coming and how can any of this possibly resolve itself in time, is how I consume the News of Now; appointment viewing incorporating a series of vertigo-inducing cliffhangers. Who Resigned Today is one of my fave recurring plot twists in today’s high-stakes unmissable news spectaculars. Who walked, defected, left a sick burn of a resignation statement.…

PHOTOS: CAPITAL PICTURES, REUTERS, INSTAGRAM.COM/VICTORIABECKHAM WHEN VICTORIA BECKHAM stepped out at the end of her latest catwalk show last week, receiving a rapturous reception from the fashion industry, she already had her mind on her next project. Because the day after showcasing the new season collection from her fashion brand, she officially launched Victoria Beckham Beauty – the latest string to her ever-expanding bow. Since decamping from New York to London last year, Victoria’s show – this year held in the grandeur of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office – is one of the hottest tickets of London Fashion Week. This is, of course, in part due to the pulling power of Brand Beckham – David, Romeo, Cruz, Brooklyn and Harper always attend, generally sitting next to Anna Wintour. But it’s…

ART TEACHER JEWELLERY Jangly, bohemian, arty jewellery – the type worn by a woman in a wafty kaftan who does pottery in her spare time – is having a moment for S/S ’20. We particularly loved Roland Mouret’s Marla Aaron collaboration. Pile it on. LITERARY REFERENCES Think fashion people are indefatigable party pursuers? Think again. Come spring, designers are embracing their bookish sides. Emilia Wickstead’s modern modesty was inspired by Little Women , while Rejina Pyo hosted her show in a Holborn library. REJINA PYO EMILIA WICKSTEAD DO-IT-ALL ACCESSORY BURBERRY ERDEM MATTY BOVAN REJINA PYO The scarf has graduated to statement status for S/S ’20. Here’s how to wear yours now… THE HAPPY YELLOW DRESS Current affairs may have left you feeling a little gloomy, but there is a sartorial…

PHOTOS: GETTY, SHUTTERSTOCK THE BRAND-NEW BOVVER The FROW by and large swapped their slingback mules for boots with serious stomp this season. We’re wearing them with everything from slip dresses to boilersuits – our feet have never been happier. THE BLOCK HEEL A heel is always going to hurt your feet more than a flat but they don’t have to be torturous. The shape of this season, the ’60s knee-high, comes with a chunky block that will support your soles. THE WEAR-WITH-ANYTHING It’s common sense that a boot in black or white will go with everything in your work wardrobe and there are plenty of non-snooze-worthy options this season. THE COWBOY 2.0 If you’re investing in a cowboy boot for the first time this season, go mid-calf instead of ankle.…

UTERQÜE THE MAZE This collection is a homage to ‘the behaviour of cosmopolitan women and their needs’. Translation? Plenty of tweed – think cropped jackets, cinched frocks and elegant skirt suits. Prices from £49 TOPSHOP IDOL Chock-a-block with the kind of clothes you’ll wear non-stop for the next few seasons. The chocolate shearling coat, the sharp-shouldered denim waistcoat and the vinyl pencil skirt – need we say more? Prices from £16 H & M CONSCIOUS Celebrating its 10th birthday, this collection is inspired by masquerade balls and uses recycled brass and zinc with TENCELxREFIBRA lyocell fibres for the first time. The rose-printed blouse was spotted on influencers at NYFW, while the sequinned minis are Christmas party perfect. From 26 Sept, prices from £9.99 DEBENHAMS KLEY Fashion editors are in a…

PHOTOS: BACKGRID IN RECENT WEEKS, two famous women carried out – one imagines – similarly awkward encounters on behalf of their famous sisters. One was Bella Hadid, who was photographed outside the flat of Zayn Malik (her sister Gigi’s ex); the other was Kim Kardashian, snapped while out for dinner with Tristan Thompson (her sister Khloé’s ex). We don’t know exactly how these meetings came about, but I’m willing to bet they were about women sending their sisters out to bat for them in the hazardous game that is love. Perhaps Gigi had asked Bella to check in on Zayn; perhaps she’d left her favourite earrings at his place. In the Kardashians’ case, it’s well-known that Kim took against Tristan when he cheated on her sister (once when she was…

‘Boris promoted me when I was eight months pregnant’ It’s down to Tory MP and Children and Families Minister Kemi Badenoch to level the playing field for young people leaving the care system “I’m nine months pregnant and about to go on maternity leave and yet, just last month, I was promoted. Eight months into my third pregnancy, Boris Johnson offered me the job of Children and Families Minister in the Department for Education. It’s often assumed that when you’re pregnant you’re not going to get a promotion or a new job; you’ll be overlooked as people think you’re not able to do it. But the Prime Minister is leading the way in showing it’s about what people can do, not about the current state of their bodies. I had…

I SPEND, ON AVERAGE, 33 minutes every morning looking in the mirror, plucking black hairs from my neck. I took the liberty of measuring how long it usually takes for this article. Sexy opener, I know. Writing that sentence makes me feel scared and vulnerable, but in the hope of normalising some of the symptoms PCOS brings with it, I want to be completely honest about it. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition in which a woman’s ovaries are unable to release an egg regularly, affects around one in 10 women in the UK. Women with PCOS have a hormonal imbalance that can affect their overall health and appearance. It is one of the most common causes of women’s infertility, according to the NHS, and can be a precursor for…

BE IT A HARDCORE double espresso, plain old Americano, or half-shot, extra-hot, oat-milk latte – as a nation, we’re addicted to caffeine. Coffee consumption in the UK reached a staggering 95 million cups a day last year alone. But you might not have realised that adding a shot of caffeine to your beauty regime can perk you up just as much as your cup of Joe. Cult Beauty has seen a 1,854% growth in searches for caffeine since September 2018. ‘Customers are looking for targeted information and they’re looking for it fast,’ explains senior buyer Louisa Harris. ‘We’re seeing more transparent messaging outlining what’s inside products, making it easier for customers to do their pre-purchase research. With straightforward information, beauty junkies can elevate their routines, customising them with single ingredient…

NEW HORIZONS New fitnesswear brand Horizon Athletic uses recycled materials such as abandoned fishing nets and consumer waste without compromising on style. horizonathletic.com PLASTIC-FREE PERIODS A plastic-free and 100% organic cotton range of tampons and pads delivered to your door. The chic packaging and subtle design almost make periods stylish. organicmondays.com PATCH IT UP The natural alternative to plasters, Patch strips are made from bamboo fibre and enriched with aloe vera to soothe blisters and cuts. £6.99, hollandandbarrett.com PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES…

INGREDIENTS 115g pecans 75g cashews 1 tbsp rapeseed oil ½ tsp flaky sea salt ¼ tsp cinnamon ½ tsp orange zest 75g dried cherries 60g raisins 115g dark chocolate, cut into chunks, or dark chocolate chips METHOD 1. Pre-heat the oven to 160°C/fan 140°C/ gas mark 3. 2. Toss the pecans and cashews in a bowl with the rapeseed oil, flaky sea salt, cinnamon and orange zest. 3. Arrange the nuts across a baking sheet and put them in the oven for 20 minutes, giving them a mix halfway through. 4. Meanwhile, combine cherries, raisins and dark chocolate in a 1-litre Tupperware. 5. Add the nuts to the mix when they’re completely cool. If they’re a bit oily, rest them on some kitchen roll first and blot them dry. You…

Catch up on… Unbelievable Based on a true story, it tells of a young woman accused of lying about rape. Amazing actors Toni Collette and Merritt Wever step in as cops to investigate some circumstantially similar cases. Guts duly wrenched. NETFLIX, NOW Watch live… Absolutely Ascot The structured reality show connects Instagram princesses with traveller boxers, in and around the enclaves of the storied race course. The first season was filed under ‘cult’, adding a strange, vivid and occasionally moving new vernacular to the TOWIE model. In the second season, with wind beneath its wings, a bona fide hit awaits. ITVBE, SUNDAYS, 10PM Wallow in… The Circle Another returning reality wannabe, The Circle was supposed to be the Big Brother for Generation Social Media. A slightly complicated and contrived platform,…

Chowa is a Japanese concept often translated as ‘harmony’ but more accurately as ‘the search for balance’. As a philosophy, it lets us balance life’s opposing forces so we’re better prepared for whatever it throws our way. Chowa teaches us to reserve our energy for when it counts. Worrying uses up energy, and the more we worry, the angrier we’ll get about minor things. Balance in relationships is attainable by learning to accept our differences. It’s not about being the same, but complementing one another. Finding our balance in what we wear can be as simple as placing a higher value on convenience and practicality. What items make you feel ready for anything? A shortcut to chowa? Wash at the end of the day so as not to rush first…

It was so lovely to read Things you only know if… (16 Sep). I’m from Newcastle NSW, not far from Sydney, and moved to the UK aged 22 after getting pregnant while visiting my British boyfriend. I can completely relate to Kate finding her way in the UK and how her love is split between here and Australia. England is the place I had my (three!) beautiful babies, got married and discovered who I am as a mother, friend and wife. But Australia will always hold a special place in my heart. How lucky we are to be able to call two places home. Liz Barber…

1. Up BRAD PITT On watching Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, it occurred to us we’d somehow forgotten to fancy BP recently – which is absurd! In recompense, we’d like to formally usher in the dawn of the Brad-naissance. 2. New in BRAD AT THE AD ASTRA PREMIERE Whimsical but faintly stern with a far away look as if to say: I won’t be getting my kit off this time. 3. Up BRAD IN THE LEVI’S AD Yeah, we’d forgotten about this, too. Foolish of us, but so very worth the price of a quick google (which is of course, £0. Though, honestly? We’d pay). 4. Non-mover BRAD IN THELMA AND LOUISE While we may have forgotten to fancy Brad in the wider scheme of things, this has never…

1. Satin Kajal Liner in Bordeaux, £20 This takes top spot on my list for two reasons. One: the uber-blendable, impressively creamy formula makes it an absolute breeze to apply – meaning options are endless, from blending in with your finger for an easy smoke to crafting a slick liner. Two: burgundy eyes are having a moment right now – sophisticated and interesting without feeling too out-of-comfort-zone. The tone works for all eye colours. 2. Lid Lustre in Mink, £28 Glitter-bomb eyes are firmly here to stay for A/W ’19 and this iridescent shimmer shadow takes top marks for versatility. Subtle enough to wear over a bare lid in the day, it also works wonders patted over a smoky eye base in the evening to take things up a notch.…

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES, BACKGRID, INSTAGRAM/BRITNEYSPEARS BRITNEY SPEARS returned to her home in California last week after a solo holiday to Hawaii. Appearing calm and content, it’s a marked change – and a hopeful new step – after a difficult few years, with sources telling Grazia that this is ‘the beginning of a new life’ for the troubled singer. When Britney exploded on to the music scene in 1998, aged 17, she was the ultimate girl next door, and a pop idol in the making. But behind the music, power plays were at work to take control of her money, her businesses and even her freedom. Now 37, Britney first entered into a conservatorship in 2008 after some erratic behaviour, such as the infamous time in 2007 she shaved her head…

Superga hi-tops Wear your boxfresh hi-tops à la Alexa Chung with trench coats during the day and diaphanous dresses at night. Kurt Geiger London sandals Orson is the hot new name at Fashion Week. He’s not a designer, but a Kurt Geiger London quilted and track-soled sandal that was spotted on many an editor at London Fashion Week. Missoma necklaces A naked neck is not an acceptable state of affairs. Layer ‛em up like influencer Lucy Williams in her own collection for Missoma. Arket leather There was a lot of love for leather at the London leg of shows. Arket’s two-piece, comprising a shirt and culottes, is just the ticket for mixing and matching. Frankie Shop boilersuit The white all-in-one got the fashion ed call-up. Frankie Shop’s is sold out…

Matchy Miley IT SEEMS MATCHING clothes with your partner is still the best way to show the world you mean business. Just look at Miley Cyrus and her new girlfriend Kaitlynn Carter, who have been stepping out lately in killer complementary looks. They’re just one denim ensemble away from Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake’s legendary early 2000s twinning (and that is no bad thing). MEET THE NEW NEIGHBOUR: YOUR EX Adele has officially filed for divorce from her husband Simon Konecki. But their separation can be measured in metres: she’s bought the house across the street from his LA home. It’s unorthodox, but perfect for their co-parenting. JUST THE FACTS All hail the Baroness WE’VE ALWAYS KNOWN that Baroness Hale – President of the Supreme Court – was a force…

My husband. Despite his demanding job, he does far more than his fair share of childcare and getting dinner ready. When I’ve had a bad day he always knows the right thing to say to pick me up. The Times . I used to read fashion magazines, but now I can’t wear the clothes. I can’t wait to have this baby and get my body back. WhatsApp. It’s my go-to social media; I’m not really into Facebook or Twitter and I like messaging friends to get away from politics sometimes.…

PHOTOS: JASON LLOYD-EVANS, GETTY, KIM SION. * THE FULL COLLECTION WILLBE DISPLAYED AT MAISON KARL LAGERFELD ON 25 SEPTEMBER, AND WILL THEN MOVE TO SELECT KARL LAGERFELDSTORES WORLDWIDE. THE VENETIA SCOTT AND SION AND MOORE EXHIBITION WILL RUN UNTIL 28 SEPTEMBER Be bold. Commit to your favourite colour head to toe (no, black doesn’t count). Pay homage to a fashion legend. Tribute To Karl: The White Shirt Project* sees seven names, including Kate Moss and Carine Roitfeld, design a limited edition shirt to honour Mr Lagerfeld. Don’t hold back. Channel Judy Garland’s extravagant stage style. Ruffles and sequins and diamonds, oh my! Or make it minimal. Giorgio Armani’s new La Prima takes its cue from Mr Armani’s debut bag design in 1995. Timeless elegance... Head to Matchesfashion.com’s 5 Carlos Place…

PHOTOS: GIANANDREA TRAINA. DERMALOGICA: DERMALOGICA.CO.UK. EUCERIN: SUPERDRUG.COM.EVE LOM: SPACENK.COM. GLAMGLOW: BOOTS .COM. MURAD: MURAD.CO.UK. SKINCEUTICALS: SKINCEUTICALS.CO.UK Joely Walker, beauty and health director Hands up if you’re partial to a seasonal skincare switch-up? As the nights get darker (sob) and the rosé turns to red (Malbec, if you’re asking), my aim is to nourish and reboot post-summer skin with targeted ingredients and smart formulations. This latest lot come up trumps... The perfect travel partner, each Eve Lom Cleansing Capsule, £55 (exclusive to Space NK), is filled with the optimum amount of cult classic cleansing oil for savvy skincare on the go. Dullness getting you down? Murad’s Replenishing Multi-Acid Peel, £48, offers up deep exfoliation (cue a little tingling) without irritation – thank to the bi-phase formula. Diehard Dermalogica fans will go…

BOUX AVENUE knows that a great outfit starts with great underwear. The affordable-luxury lingerie retailer has quickly established itself as a go-to for design-led underwear that is big on both style and comfort. From ultra-glamorous lace lingerie sets that exude sensual sophistication to easy T-shirt bras that are an everyday must-have and sumptuous sleepwear guaranteed to give you sweet dreams, Boux Avenue’s collections are an essential new season investment. And because Boux Avenue believes that every woman deserves to feel confident, the inclusive collection offers lingerie in sizes from 28 to 40, with A-G cups, and nightwear in sizes 6 to 18. Need help finding your perfect fit? Boux Avenue also offers an in-store expert bra fitting service at its 30 locations across the UK. Plus, with autumn well and…

PHOTO: JASON LLOYD-EVANS BURNT ORANGE, TERRACOTTA, amber, ginger... many different names, but all describe this gorgeous, earthy shade of orange that is a restrained way of adding a bright tone to a space. It’s a contrasting shot of energy in an otherwise neutral space, and livens up a dark colour palette – it is especially strong with chocolate, dark greens and blues. It’s also perfect for dialling down brights, especially pink.…

ASK THE EXPERT How to have tantric sex Laura Jones, sex and intimacy coach Tantric sex is very misunderstood. It’s seen either as a series of positions, like the Kama Sutra , or as a 10-hour sex session. While both could be part of it, neither are tantric sex’s essence. It’s important also to know that, these days, we’re talking about neo-tantra, a modern take on classical tantra. Its essence is working with the energy-body to have expanded sexual experiences that are both more connected and intimate. But the amazing thing about tantric sex is that you can practise it alone. In fact, it’s as important to work on your own energy-body before you have sex as it is when you come into union with another person – and to…

Home is above the pub I run with my brother – The Green Man in Eversholt, Bedfordshire. I live there with my husband Liam, who is a tree surgeon, and our three dogs, Dennis, Sybil and Albert. Normally I’m working in the pub all day. But if I’ve been out at meetings or events, I will get back and say hello to staff and locals in the bar. Then it’s straight upstairs to see the doggies, as I usually get home before Liam. My mum works at the pub too, so I’ll normally catch up with her for a debrief. Then, when I’m upstairs, it’s dungarees off, underwear off and onesie on. I am obsessed with onesies! AS TOLD TO EMILY MADDICK. PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK I ran the London Marathon in…