It’s all about you!
This is my fifth issue as editor and I really hope you’re enjoying the new modern look. We’ve given your favourite magazine a bit of a refresh, with new writers, stylish photography and smart layouts. But don’t worry, we wouldn’t dream of changing what lies at the heart of woman&home – inspiration and empowerment for grown-up women. I’ve just looked up empowerment in the thesaurus to find an alternative word, as it sounds a bit heavy and strident for us. But then I decided to leave it in because woman&home is about empowerment – not in a “taking ourselves too seriously” way but by being a really positive force in the lives of midlife women who want to look good, feel energetic and have adventures.
There’s a whole gang of women in their late forties and fifties in the w&h office, and we laugh a lot about the trials and tribulations of the midlife experience. But we also feel incredibly lucky to be part of this seminal moment where women are doing such exciting things. every day we hear about female entrepreneurs like elaine Wilkinson, 62, who launched her successful business Hollywood mirrors just a few years ago. You can read more about her on p164. To celebrate the fabulousness of females we all admire, we are proud to launch the amazing Women 50 Over 50 awards on p44. We have created these awards to shine a light on brilliant women from all walks of life and there are two reader-nominated categories, Community heroes and Friendship above and beyond, so start thinking about friends and family you think deserve recognition.
While style and inspiration are very much at the forefront of what we offer, you will also always find a practical element in the magazine too. This being a spring issue, we have focused on clutter and our Homes editor Jennifer morgan has come up with loads of really good advice on clearing those clutter hotspots we all have, like the front door and the kitchen counter (p151). I found our report on the psychology of tidying up (p158) fascinating because I know how much better I feel when everything is sorted and in its place. Unfortunately, my husband adrian doesn’t subscribe to this thinking and keeps all sorts of stuff “just in case” it comes in handy. Seriously, he has paperwork going back to the 80s. I’m going to put our Sort Your Clutter for Good special under his nose in the hope it will prompt him to clear out the garage. Well, it’s worth a try!
new confident you is our theme this month and the first person who sprang to mind for our cover was Susanna Reid. I think we would all like a little bit of the chutzpah she brings to morning TV. This is a woman who holds her own daily with the ever-opinionated Piers morgan, and she does it with such grace and humour. We invited her lovely mum Sue to our shoot so we got to see the down-to-earth, warm side of her personality too (p14).
Finally, I would like to wish you all a very happy easter. To help you celebrate, you’ll find delicious recipe ideas on p176, style inspiration for your home on p202 and some very good news about the health benefits of chocolate on p126.
Please let me know what you think of this issue because, as our new catchphrase says… it’s all about you!
“woman&home is a positive force for midlife women who want to look good, feel energetic and have adventures”