Table of contents for Issue 756 in Grazia

ANYONE ELSE FEEL a sense of trepidation during sales season? That panic that, if you don’t buy something immediately, you might miss out – even though you’re not even sure you needed it? This year especially, that sentiment feels out of step when we’re all trying to shop more mindfully. But then again, I can’t be the only one who feels a sense of satisfaction when you snap up that special something you’ve been eyeing for ages. So, ahead of this week’s Black Friday, our fashion and beauty teams have put together a guide to shopping the biggest sales day of the year, sensibly – choosing pieces that really are a bargain, and that will last. Hope it helps.…

In praise of dressing up Last week, Dame Joan Collins, actor and queen of flamboyant outfits, proclaimed that wearing jeans and a T-shirt was ‘tragic’. ‘Nobody dresses up any more,’ she complained. It’s true; many of us have a weekend uniform so comfortable *cough* scruffy it’s been known to make our partner/flatmate gasp when they see us. Casual attire has seeped into the working week, too: trainers, jeans and a jumper are par for the course in many an office and even at dinner or evening celebrations. But Dame Joan is right – we should have fun with our clothes again. Now and again (and when better than party season) let’s dig out our gladrags, because we should never have let dressing up go out of style.…

1. Up JOSE Appointed manager of Tottenham Hotspur last week in a move that made us question our (admittedly shaky and vague) allegiances to Arsenal. We’re that fickle – and that lust-influenced. 2. New in BRITTANY Of Brittany Runs A Marathon fame, which is currently in cinemas, but also on Amazon Prime. The film equivalent of a sports bra: ideal for those in need of uplifting. 3. Up IAN WRIGHT He once frequented a bar in which we worked, and was notable for his civility. On which grounds: may he do jolly well in I’m A Celeb. 4. New in LAURIE BLAKE Steely ferocious FBI operative in HBO’s Watchmen. Best line so far: ‘Yeah, I bugged you. I’m FBI. I bug shit. Don’t take it personally.’ 5. Non-mover OVIE SOKO…

PHOTOS: GETTY, SHUTTERSTOCK PARTY SEASON IS officially kicking off. Which means that even if you normally favour nothing fancier than jeans and ‘a nice top’ for going out, you’ll likely feel the temptation to overdose on sequins about now. But while festive party dresses are an escapist delight to wear, they have about as much longevity as a snowman, becoming as irrelevant as mistletoe by January. It’s hardly efficient in cost-per-wear terms, nor a mindful way to shop. But there is a solution: the not-just-for-Christmas dress, which will wow now but still feel relevant come 2020. Consider H&M’s brilliant collaboration with Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz, renowned for her exuberant frocks. ‘Latin America has a uniquely festive atmosphere and I try to capture the rhythm of the salsa dance, the beauty…

Ariana Grande: May – Oct ’18 They were in love, they got tattoos together, they bought a miniature pig, then they broke up. Ariana has since referred to their spell together as ‘fun and frivolous’. Kate Beckinsale: Jan – April ’19 Kate and Pete set tongues wagging when they were seen flirting at a Golden Globes party in January. They continued the tongue wagging, courtside at a basketball game. But they called it quits after just four months. Margaret Qualley: June – Oct ’19 Margaret and Pete were the dream quirky couple. Some fans felt they even looked scarily alike (you either see it or you don’t). They confirmed a romance in August by attending the Venice Film Festival together, and Pete met Margaret’s mum, actor Andie MacDowell – on…

THE HAIR TOOL If you’re yet to invest in a GHD styler then now’s the time. They heat up in 30 seconds, deliver silky shiny strands, double up as a curler and are arguably the best straightening tool in the trade. THE GLOW KIT A primer, illuminating highlighter trio and sculpting brush with 30% off is a steal. Get set to achieve a Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood glow. SMARTER SMILE Oral-B’s most innovative toothbrush tracks where you’re brushing, has six cleaning modes, a USB travel case and a battery life of two weeks. Clever, huh? THE BUZZ BRAND Desperate to try the new Futuredew oil/ serum hybrid? Stockpile while the going is good with 20% off Glossier. Shop 15 limited-edition sets over the weekend that can save you up to 35%,…

PHOTOS: GETTY The magic of Miller Sienna Miller serving up cinch-waisted Alessandra Rich on the 21 Bridges promo tour is a perfect 10 in our book. The wonder of a woolly Gwyneth makes a case for the ‘sexy cardi’. We’re sold. Great Scott! Naomi Scott does modern-day superhero at the Charlie’s Angels premiere in vinyl-slick Richard Quinn. Get knitted! ‘Tis the season to double down on thick knits. Bravo, Ashley Graham. Her style will go on and on… Celine Dion is master of the quick-change, styling out Schiaparelli, Tom Ford, Chanel, Ronald van der Kemp and Rodarte in a matter of days. We bow down.…

MEL B ONCE declared, in 1997, that she hated ‘weak men and salads’. Twenty two years later, a very much single Mel is sitting at her home in Leeds, pondering how she feels about men in general. ‘I still hate weak men,’ she laughs. ‘Weak men are so pathetic. For a start, they thrive off a woman’s insecurity, and that’s where a lot of abusive relationships can start: very subtle and coercive. But you shouldn’t confuse vulnerability with weakness. Vulnerability is a beautiful thing. But weakness? Terrible.’ When you’ve had a stage nickname like Scary for 30 years, your public reputation definitely stomps along before you. But the real Mel, behind the scenes, has witnessed herself being broken down by difficult private chapters, particularly during her 10-year marriage to producer…

I DON’T USUALLY have revelations in my office lift, but it did happen recently, when I posted a selfie to Instagram with a caption referencing the fact I’ve been having therapy. ‘My therapist said I need to practise more self-care,’ the post reads, ‘so I bought myself this new handbag and wore my favourite shoes and a cute hair clip and yes I am fairly certain this is exactly what she meant.’ The post was not in any way pointed – or, if it was, it was in the direction of my new handbag. But I wasn’t hesitant or embarrassed in any way. In a blink, I was happy to share the intimate fact that I have had therapy with the same nonchalance of Boris Johnson on, er, everything. This…

‘It was surreal going for my scan’ Sadie*, 29, works in marketing and lives in Leeds It definitely wasn’t how I’d planned to celebrate our six-month anniversary. Instead of the night away in a nice hotel I’d booked as a surprise, we sat side by side on my sofa in stunned silence, gazing at the positive pregnancy test in my hand. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always wanted children. I just assumed that when I got pregnant I’d be in a long-term relationship, not with someone I haven’t even been on holiday with. I met James* through a dating app and, until I missed my period, it was a really lovely but uneventful start to a relationship. We went out for drinks, then dinners, slept with each other after a…

PHOTOS: GETTY,JASON LLOYD-EVANS. ANYAHINDMARCH.COM.GOOP X PERFECT MOMENT: GOOP.COM. SMYTHSON.COM.. STREETSTYLE EXHIBITION, UNTIL SATURDAY,, 7DECEMBER, TRINITY ART GALLERY E14 0LG Go off-piste. Goop x Perfect Moment’s skiwear collection is not just for the slopes. Plug into high-voltage glamour à la ’90s Versace girls. If you can’t now, when can you? Keep your cool on the dance floor. A fan exudes (the right kind of) drama: see Smythson and Duvelleroy’s new collab. Check out Trinity gallery’s Streetstyle Exhibition: From Teddy Boys To Grime Kids, exploring the influence of subcultures on fashion now. Tuck into Anya Hindmarch’s bag buffet. The embellished clutches are good enough to eat. Skip the blow-dry. Tom Ford’s floppy, fluffy hats are guaranteed head-turners.…

The old adage goes that you can tell a woman’s taste by her handbag or shoes. What’s more revealing now is what hangs from her earlobes or wraps around her wrists. Jewellery has become one of fashion’s biggest signifiers of what tribe you belong to, and the category’s renaissance is being led by a wave of women who come with a dedicated cult following. Which one will you identify with? THE CLASSICIST JESSICA MCCORMACK The Kiwi jeweller, famous for antique-inspired diamonds, has a fan club that includes stateswomen (Jacinda Ardern), fashion power players (Victoria Beckham) and royalty (Meghan Markle). The latter wears Jessica’s Tattoo Pendant (its swirl shape takes inspiration from traditional Maori art) and Gypset earrings on repeat. ‘They’re not for wearing once every three years,’ says Jessica, listing…

THE MARMITE OF the beauty world, false lashes instil either fear or joy. But for those in the former camp, rest assured that once you get the knack, they’re so much easier than you think. And thanks to a new wave of subtle strip lashes, they needn’t look OTT. ‘Exaggerating what one’s natural eyelashes do, false lashes add instant emphasis and help frame not only the eye but the face too,’ explains pro make-up artist Andrew Gallimore. The result? A speedy pick-me-up that, once in place, requires zero maintenance. ‘Anyone can wear false lashes,’ assures Andrew. ‘You just need to find the right shape, length and fullness to suit you.’ The key: ‘Make sure the length of the strip is the same size as your own lash-line and don’t choose…

The jury is out on whether condoms decompose, but some brands are getting ahead of the curve with conscious condoms… Sustain Natural Condoms These are vegan, non-genetically modified, fair trade latex, plus 10% of profits go to women’s healthcare groups; £5 for three, freepeople.com. HANX Condoms 100% natural, biodegradable latex, vegan and ultra-thin, too; £16.99 for 10, lovehoney.co.uk. Einhorn Fairstainable Vegan Condoms Sustainable and ethically sourced rubber and recyclable paper bags; £9.49 for seven, trouva.com. PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES…

HUGS ALL ROUND Whether you’re pre- or post-workout or just hanging out, the Sweaty Betty Shearling Half Zip Sweatshirt, £95, is the equivalent of a hug in a jumper. sweatybetty.com SWEETNESS AND LIGHT Self-gift a Scents of Wellbeing Christmas candle trio from Neom, £45, which will keep your home beautifully scented all through December. neomorganics.com DEFEND YOURSELF The Nue Co’s Defence Drops, £40, contain organic ingredients to fortify your defence system. Add to your coffee or smoothie. net-a-porter.com…

BAUBLES ARE BIG in every way this Christmas time. At John Lewis, record sales of tree decorations began in October, and new for 2019 is the trend for the oversized decoration that makes your Nordmann or Blue Spruce truly take centre stage. For his statement Christmas tree at the London Edition hotel, in-demand artist and designer Luke Edward Hall created giant cut-out illustrations, teaming them with draping bows and tinsel, the tree topped by a majestic golden galleon. ‘It’s a riot of colour and theatrical ornament, which I hope will invoke the joy of Christmas in all its glittery, shimmering wonder,’ he says of his creation. The tree is a towering six metres, but you can still get the look with a (much) smaller one. ‘Oversized decorations really make a…

THE ARRIVAL OF A BABY in a family is an emotional bomb being domestically detonated. In The Baby Has Landed, a new six-part documentary following the first six weeks in the life of a handful of newborns, the familial landmines are planted around every corner. This is a little gem of a show, cast carefully across class, race and sexuality. Mo and Syler, a teenage holiday romance that went right, found out they were expecting three weeks after her dying nan spotted Syler’s glow. Nigel didn’t really want kids. Now he and wife Helen have five under the age of six. ‘I like chaos,’ notes Helen, blessed with an almost miraculous sense of zen as Nigel reads out crossword clues during her water labour. Craig and Paul have asked fellow…

ASK THE EXPERT How to nail your morning Tom Daley, World Champion and Olympic diver Wake up with natural light rather than a loud, abrupt noise on your phone. I wake at about 6:15am (which gives me enough time to get organised before my son wakes up) and use a gradual light alarm clock; it simulates light coming through the curtains during dark winter mornings. To maximise your sleep (eight hours is the perfect amount), prepare the night before. Keep your phone out of the bedroom, make sure your room is dark and cool, organise your bag and lay out your clothes. This way, you have more of a restful sleep and an energised morning. Wake your body up by stretching. Everybody feels a little stiff in the morning and…

EVE 41, SINGER THE ‘LET ME BLOW YA MIND’ RAPPER NOW LIVES IN LONDON, WHERE SHE COOKS TACOS AND ‘PREGAMES’ WITH TEQUILA PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK The first thing I do when I get home is drop the bag, take off the shoes, take off the bra and put on sweatpants. I hate bras, I hate them so much. I like to do exercise in the mid-afternoon. I wish I could be one of those people who get up an hour early to work out. I do classes: class culture is amazing because you can always find something new, so I mix it up. I have a trainer who I’ve been going to for many years, but if she is not available I’ll go to a spin class or hot Pilates. If…

CLOSE CALL Your feature WhatsApp saved my friendships – and sanity (18 Nov) resonated. Like many working mums, I lead a very busy life and (sad as it sounds) most of my contact with people is via WhatsApp and it does keep me sane! The part about keeping in touch with friends was especially relevant. I chat daily (hourly sometimes) on WhatsApp with my closest friends – it’s my solace in my busy world of work, children and general life chaos. Without having them so available I’d feel bereft. Long gone are the days when we could easily meet up, now we have to rely on our group chat to unite us. Anne-Marie PARITY NOT ‘PERKS’ I read 6 weeks’ holiday, yearly bonus, flexible working, frozen egg scheme (18 Nov)…

PHOTOS: BACKGRID, GETTY, INSTAGRAM/TRACIEGILESPERMANENTMAKEUP LAST WEEK, INSTAGRAM announced it was trialling the removal of visible ‘likes’ from the accounts of randomly selected users in the US and the UK. ‘If you’re in the test, you’ll no longer see the total number of likes on photos and videos posted to Feed unless they’re your own,’ Instagram explained, adding that feedback on a like-free experience – as trialled in Ireland, Australia and Japan – had been ‘positive’. It’s a mental health initiative. Turns out, us dedicating all our time to the creation and publication of audaciously doctored online images of the perfect (pretty, skinny, ‘authentic’) lives absolutely none of us are leading, in the hope we’ll generate empty, heart-shaped symbols of approval, the accumulation of which will serve as defining testament to…

PHOTOS: @KATBROWN AS THE SUMMER’S FaceApp obsession (where we aged and babyfied ourselves with glee) showed, many of us otherwise sensible people turn into excited, gargling messes whenever a photo meme rocks up. And the latest craze – posting pictures of you at the beginning of the decade vs now at the end – is absolutely no exception. Sign me up and admire my photographs! Still, for me, this lookback phenomenon has proved kinder than other viral trends. For one thing, at 37, pictures from 2009 are less horrifying than when I was a teen (camera flashes were cruel in 1999). But this challenge also reminds us what has made us the women we are today. Ten years, while a long time, connects you with a recognisable self. Your work…

PHOTO: PLAIN PICTURE LAST WEEKEND, an anonymous article was published in The Guardian entitled A Letter To… Our Neighbours With a Baby. In it, the author complained about the unbearable noise of living next to a young family. The response online was typically furious, filled with sleep-deprived rants from both sides of the argument. Of course it was. Neighbour relationships are delicate at the best of times. But find yourself lumbered with a bad one and it feels like the end of the world. I know this because, as I am about to list, I have had my share of inconsiderate neighbours. Behold, as I burn the bridges of every single community friendship that I’ve ever had… * The neighbours who either had noisy, windows-open sex at all hours of…

“Being a mam to my one-year-old son while also being a Shadow Secretary of State is demanding. I don’t like to give the impression that it’s not hard work, because that feeds into sexist ideas that women can do it all and there’s not a cost to it. The reality is long hours, lots of travel and seeing my son less than I’d like to. It’s a privilege to be in Westminster, though, focusing on what I think is important, which is making sure our legislation works for those who earn the least. AS TOLD TO SOPHIE WILKINSON. PHOTO: EYEVINE ‘I want to help rank-and-file women’ It’s your class that stops you from breaking out of a cycle of poverty, not your ability or social mobility. Conversations about women’s equality…

Depending on factors such as location and the service you require, private therapy can cost anywhere between £30 and £120 per session. But you can get talking therapy on the NHS (though bear in mind you may spend a long time on a waiting list). Here’s how: 1. Speak to your GP, who will be able to refer you for a suitable service. It’s not always easy to start the conversation, but there’s a helpful guide on mind.org.uk – simply search ‘Find The Words’ for advice. 2. Self-referral. Your GP can give you the number of a service to call, or you can fill out an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) form – an NHS programme offering talking therapies via self-referral. nhs.uk . 3. Ask your HR department (or…

PHOTO: STOCKSY THREE DAYS AFTER my boyfriend and I tearfully called it quits (we managed seven years but had become The World’s Best Housemates – nice but not what either of us wanted), panic set in. A rogue 4am thought – ‘I need to un-RSVP to that wedding’ – became an avalanche of to-dos, from the tedious (call the council tax office) to the gut-wrenching (message his mum). Typical Virgo, I made a spreadsheet. Thirty-seven rows of hassle, when all I wanted to do was wallow and mainline Netflix (another one for the spreadsheet: we share an account). No one talks about the admin of modern break-ups. You’re deluged with ‘call me anytime’ kindness, but getting your ex’s name off the water bill without crying to Dan in customer services…

PERFECT PEARLS TODAY’S PEARLS ARE A WORLD AWAY FROM THEIR TWIN-SET IMAGE OF OLD. MISMATCH YOUR EARRINGS TO TAKE THINGS A STEP FURTHER. PEARLS NOT FOR YOU? TRY A CHUNKY CHAIN INSTEAD And give instant fashion credentials to an otherwise pared-back look. JEWELS & GEMS BOLD COLOURED GEMSTONES ARE PERFECT PARTNERS FOR PARTY SEASON. PREPARE TO RAZZLE-DAZZLE. GEMSTONES NOT FOR YOU? TRY DISCO CRYSTAL INSTEAD Rhinestones deliver just the right amount of glitz. UNUSUAL ABSTRACTS THE ONLY COMMON THREAD RUNNING THROUGH THESE SCULPTURAL PIECES IS THEIR UNPREDICTABILITY. ABSTRACTS NOT FOR YOU? TRY PERSONALISATION INSTEAD A name necklace or letter charm makes a brilliant Christmas present. ARTS & CRAFTS CRAFTY JEWELS WITH HOMESPUN TEXTURES, RESIN BEADS AND TRINKET CHARMS DEMAND ATTENTION. BEADS NOT FOR YOU? TRY PARED-BACK INSTEAD Look for delicate,…

NATTY VEST WE SAY… Layer a sleeveless Fair Isle knit over a coordinating breezy shirt and wide-leg trouser combo. Effortless. SUPERSIZED SWEATER WE SAY… Match a chunky cable-knit to a track-soled stomper boot. Throw in some short shorts, and sheer tights, for proportion. KNITTED CO-ORD PHOTOS: GETTY, SHUTTERSTOCK WE SAY… A primary-coloured sweater is sharp enough for the office – especially if you continue the theme below. JAZZY PRINT WE SAY… Dial up the pattern and pair with mock-croc knee-highs for a look that packs a powerful punch.…

Best for almond eyes ‘They suit most false lashes, so focus on finding the perfect effect for you.’ JE T’AIME BY BOUDOIR LASHES GABRIELLE, £17.99 Best for monolids ‘Avoid anything too voluminous and opt for shorter false lashes,’ suggests Andrew. EYELURE FLUTTERY LIGHT NO. 171 LASHES, £5.95 Best for close-set eyes ‘Choose false lashes with a slight wing or thicker outer corner, to elongate the eye shape and draw the eyes outwards.’ SWEED LASHES NIKKI SULTRY CORNER, £20…

25 HOURS Happening hipster hotel with circus-themed interior, cool Ribelli restaurant, spa and boutique. FROM £78PN, 25HOURS-HOTELS.COM THE GUEST HOUSE BRASSERIE & BAKERY Cool and charming – stop in for their legendary brunch (served until 11pm). THEGUESTHOUSE.AT PRATER Capped by the famous Grand Ferris Wheel seen in The Third Man , Vienna’s premier park has a great winter market, too. praterwien.com MUMOK An austere architectural jacket cloaks a cornucopia of modern art works inside; think Warhol, Picasso, Beuys and Lichtenstein. MUMOK.AT THERME WIEN Chill out in this sprawling spa with pools, quiet rooms, salt baths and Aufguss infusion ceremonies in the saunas. THERMEWIEN.AT LOOS BAR An iconic Art Nouveau bar designed by pioneer of modern architecture Adolf Loos – an atmospheric spot for a dry martini. LOOSBAR.AT NASCHMARKT Go for…

Rivalry, trolling and mega-buck deals – the real world of the mumfluencer (25 Nov) was the most interesting and thought-provoking article I’ve read in a long time, detailing Insta star Clemmie Hooper’s crash in popularity and the dark side of living your life online. Millions use Instagram – almost everyone we know is scrolling, posting and liking around the clock, but despite its ubiquity, there is still mystery about how to use it to its full potential. I learned a lot from your feature and forewarned is forearmed, so thank you. Geena Sumner…

HAYLEY MENZIES’ STRAPLESS GOWN I don’t know quite where I’d wear it: only that I really want to. BROWS + BOTOX Tracie Giles, dispenser of both, uses facial symmetry to ensure they work in harmony. OVERSIZE CHICKEN Dare you go three sizes up from normal on your blazer? See Frankie Shop at Net-A-Porter for details. INSTANT MUTE Initiated the moment you’re added to a WhatsApp group you know will drive you insane, based on name alone. UNLIKELY HOODIES Wear one over a dress. Chuck one on under a suit jacket. Extra layer. Extra cool.…

I found myself shouting at the television throughout Prince Andrew’s interview. The brave women who, against all odds, found ways to speak truth to Epstein’s power were barely mentioned by him. The painful experiences of girls as young as 14 who were exploited, trafficked and abused were simply erased. He expressed no empathy or compassion and he offered no apology or regret for maintaining his relationship with a convicted sex offender. It seemed to me fairly low-risk to condemn a dead paedophile. He didn’t even have to tell the truth about his own involvement in order to do so. There was even a moment where Emily Maitlis offered, ‘You could not spend time around [Epstein] and not know.’ The prince countered that he lives in Buckingham Palace and so he…

PHOTOS: SPLASH NEWS, GETTY, BACKGRID SERIOUSLY, WHAT IS IT about Pete Davidson? In the past 12 months, the Saturday Night Live comedian has jumped from one A-list girlfriend to another. Now he’s romancing Kaia Gerber, daughter of Cindy Crawford. At 18, Kaia is one of the most in-demand models (with contracts with Chanel and Marc Jacobs), possesses a wardrobe bulging with couture, and is new to the celebrity dating scene. Pete, meanwhile, is a heavily tattooed 26-year-old with a love of weed and some famous exes, including Ariana Grande and Kate Beckinsale. Nevertheless, Kaia and Pete are enjoying each other’s company, being snapped together multiple times in the past four weeks. And, by all accounts, things are getting serious quite quickly. It was May when Pete and Kaia met, after…

THE WORDS ‘BLACK FRIDAY’ are enough to strike fear into the hearts of the most confident shopper – and that’s before you factor in the sustainability issue. Some brands are so against the idea of fevered discounting that this Friday they’re staging a form of boycott. Me+Em, founded by Clare Hornby, specialises in ‘forever pieces’. The Black Friday page on its website reads: ‘We don’t rush when it comes to making our clothes so we don’t want you to rush when it comes to shopping them.’ Department stores and e-commerce giants such as Selfridges, Matches Fashion and Harrods are also side-stepping the sales. Having said all this, Black Friday doesn’t have to be unsustainable. With proper planning and an eye towards investment pieces, it can be a great way to…

Harry goes live! HARRY STYLES continues his mission to make himself the crush of every man and woman in the world. The singer — and Gucci’s favourite frontman – took over US comedy show Saturday Night Live last week, posing in a pink tutu, acting in skits and swilling a martini as he pretended to play the piano and looked back at his One Direction days. ‘I’m just so grateful Simon Cowell grew us in those test tubes,’ he mused. Us too. GOOD MORNING, ANGELS... Here’s a group we definitely want to join. At the premiere of Charlie’s Angels last week, Kristen Stewart revealed that the cast – including Ella Balinska and Naomi Scott – have a WhatsApp group. ‘We’ve added our friends to it,’ she said on the red…

Some broad conclusions can be drawn as to why the 17th season of I’m A Celebrity debuted with almost twice as many viewers as the first televised debate between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn. The enforced pleasantries of Caitlyn Jenner’s introduction to British C-list talent – of whom she clearly had no prior knowledge and even less interest – felt positively dripping with sincerity by comparison. And who hasn’t entertained the idea of escaping to the wilds as 2019 bows out to a charmless backdrop of the general election that came to ruin Christmas? Like Bake Off and Strictly, I’m A Celeb unites across class, race and generations. Nothing warms the British spirit like the reassurance of an ex-EastEnder having a meltdown or a surprising figure emerging to parent this…

My son. He doesn’t know about Brexit or the planet – he is an absolute joy. Phone-free time. I try and have some phone-free time, even if it’s just a few hours on a Sunday morning. Too often when I’m breastfeeding, I’ll be texting the moment my son’s eyes are closed. Going home. I’m feeling a bit homesick at the minute because we’re being kept down here so often. I take my little boy wherever I go, but when you’re in Westminster on a Friday and Saturday, then back on a Monday, it’s too much to go home to Durham for five hours.…

PHOTOGRAPH JENNY LEWIS HAIR AND MAKE-UP: FIONA MOORE AT TERRI MANDUCA FOR DANIEL GALVIN AND BARE MINERALS.HANNA WEARS SHIRT, £280, AND TROUSERS, £400, BOTH EQUIPMENT AT HARVEY NICHOLS IT’S 2AM AND I can feel it coming. I’m at a Halloween party and an acquaintance I haven’t seen in a while gears up for it. ‘So, Hanna,’ he goes, ‘can I ask you a question?’ ‘No, please don’t,’ I sigh. ‘If it’s about my mum or politics, I’d rather you didn’t.’ This is what it’s like when your mother’s a politician – in my case, Caroline Flint, Labour MP for Don Valley. Sometimes, people, whether I know them well or not, will find a way to talk to me about her politics, expecting me to be her spokesperson, even when you’re…

Untangling your finances post-split can be overwhelming. Tina Weeks, aka @TheMoneyCoach, lays out the most important steps… ■ Make a list of every way you are connected – bank accounts, utilities, car insurance, council tax, your Amazon Prime account – and whose name it’s in. Get a clear picture: who owes what, which companies do you need to contact. ■ Now write down everything else you think you’re owed for: gig tickets, the £50 you lent them. Get your ex to do the same. Then settle up. ■ If you’re renting together, you need to renegotiate the contract with the landlord. If you have a joint mortgage, you need a solicitor. Visit moneyadviceservice.org to understand your rights. ■ Choose your battles. If you can come to a compromise it’s much…

NAME GAME Fashion has a long history of iconic bags named after equally iconic women.This adds to the pantheon, shining a light on Louboutin’s long-time muse, actor and model Elisa Sednaoui. SNAP STAR Don’t let the classic shape and twist-lock fool you. Elisa is a technical wonder; its innovative material changes colour and print when a camera flash hits it.…

Bringing dodos back You didn’t know all you really wanted was a dodo on your jumper or a knitted hat with horns, but such is the power of Loewe’s Jonathan Anderson to turn the unexpected into the ultra-desirable. The Arts and Crafts obsessive has paid homage to ceramicist William De Morgan, renowned for his decorative tile designs, in a new capsule collection. loewe.com ART CLASS DOLCE & GABBANA, 53-55 NEW BOND ST,LONDON. ART ADORNED AT CHRISTIE’S, 8 KING STREET, , LONDON Christie’s Art Adorned exhibition explores the influence of Old Master works on fashion, displaying designs from Dolce & Gabbana’s Alta Moda couture alongside Baroque, Rococo and Renaissance pieces. Afterwards, make it a Dolce day and head to the Christmas Market at the New Bond Street store. Until 3 Dec;…

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES. @DR_JENNA_MACCIOCHI. @ROSEMARYFERGUSON_ How to keep the winter lurgy at bay PASS ME THE KLEENEX, it’s that time of year again – everyone’s coughing, sneezing and calling in sick. ‘Cold and flu viruses are at their happiest in the winter months,’ explains Dr Jenna Macciochi, an immunologist from the University of Sussex who knows a great deal about snot. There are also, she explains, many other reasons we get ill at this time of year. One is that we tend to stay inside more when it’s colder and therefore don’t get as much sunlight, making us deficient in vitamin D (which our white blood cells need to function). Then there’s the fact that we tend to be more sedentary in winter – if we huddle inside watching boxsets…

PHOTO: GIANANDREA TRAINA. FOOD STYLING: NENA FOSTER (NENAFOSTERFOOD.COM) YOU CAN JUST invent a seasonal tradition; you can start one right now. It doesn’t even need to make sense to anyone but you. Sack off roast dinners if they don’t serve you. Bring on Boxing Day pie. I have three traditions to speak of: cornbread and pecan stuffing, the weird gingerbread tin I bought in Germany and eating latkes as the tree goes up. My dad’s family is Jewish and my mum’s is Catholic, but our Chrismukkah is as secular as can be (I top my tree with a polar bear). Two of my favourite December things are crispy potato latkes (served with huge quantities of sour cream and apple sauce) and trees spangled with lights and lametta [tinsel strands]. Put…

Catch up on… YRXQJ OffHQGHUV Conor and Jock are the itinerant bike thieves racing round Cork on their stolen two-wheelers. Their exuberant and mostly illegal endeavours to get enough cash together to buy a new tracksuit are surprisingly heart-warming and totally lol. Sitcom heaven. ON BBC IPLAYER NOW Watch live… My GUDQGSDUHQWV’ WDU More intergenerational ruminations of earth-shattering consequence, as a bevy of famous actors talk us through the experiences of their forebears in a kind of Who Do You Think You Are with added Zeppelins. First out of the stocks is the never hotter Helena Bonham Carter, retracing Granny and Granddad’s wartime steps. WEDNESDAY, 9PM, CHANNEL 4 Wallow in… TKH IULVKPDQ Scorsese’s sprawling masterpiece rolls back the clock on mafioso lives lived tightrope-walking the highest wire, where human life…