English model, actress and singer Twiggy has revealed that she never planned to go into modelling. Twiggy, 73, whose full name is Dame Lesley Lawson, rose to prominence as a model in the 1960s, and has appeared on the front cover of fashion magazines Vogue and Tatler. Discussing her career, including an appearance in musical film The Boy Friend, Twiggy told Good Housekeeping: “I’ve spent my life doing things that I didn’t plan to do. “I didn’t plan to model. I definitely didn’t plan to do a musical film with Ken Russell and I certainly didn’t plan to star on Broadway in a big musical. I must be mad!” Russell wrote and directed The Boy Friend, which also starred ballet dancer Christopher Gable and EastEnders actress Barbara Windsor. Twiggy has also been involved in Close Up – The Twiggy Musical, written and directed by comedian Ben Elton and slated to open in September. She said: “I only get involved with projects that really spark something in me, with people I love and want to work with. “Ben Elton is an old friend and I love him to bits. “He’s a huge talent – so clever and such a sweet man. “The musical came about when we were having dinner about six years ago and he said, half-jokingly: ‘I should do your story! It’s an amazing story set in an amazing period – I should write it.’” The musical traces the model’s rise to stardom in a show filled with music from the 1960s and 70s. Twiggy also talked about her marriage to English actor Leigh Lawson and said: “(Leigh and I) have been together for 38 years, which is frightening! I suppose luck has a lot to do with it. “You never know when you meet somebody how it’s all going to turn out or what life is going to throw at you. “We’ve both been through things that didn’t work out for various reasons and when you’ve had that experience, you’re a little gentler when you meet someone else.” Lawson is also a director and writer and he has credits in TV shows including Silent Witness, Travelling Man, Absolutely Fabulous and The Red Tent. The September 2023 issue of Good Housekeeping is now on sale. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live ‘Women short-changed as 65% of weekly working hours ignored in official data’ How to wear the casual tailoring look in summer What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

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A woman has sparked a debate with her recent claim that she has discovered the best time of the year to get pregnant. Lily Scott shared a recent video about the topic to TikTok, where she claimed she knows she is “right” in her belief that February is the best month to get pregnant. According to Scott, who outlined a number of reasons for her claim, the first is because Valentine’s Day takes place during the month. “You guys go all in, have the best time of your life,” she said. “Obviously you can’t pick if you ovulate, so anytime, Valentine’s Day or after, that’s when you’re doing said deed.” The mother, who’s based in Washington, DC, then claimed that February is a perfect time to get pregnant because women would most likely feel a “little sick” during the months of March, which she said is a “throwaway month,” April, and May. As noted by the Mayo Clinic, many people experience morning sickness during the first three months of pregnancy. In her video, Scott explained that by June, women who’d gotten pregnant in February would reach their second trimester and start to feel better, “just in time for summer”. “Maybe you do it European style, have a glass of wine one or two days a week, you get to travel still, you’re feeling good,” she continued of her reasons why the timing would be perfect. “There’s no pressure to look good, because you have a bump at this point.” She went on to explain that pregnant women would then reach their third trimester by fall, which she said is “fine” because of the opportunity to get “cosy”. She also claimed that, because of the colder weather, women would be able to layer up if they wanted to cover their growing baby bump. “You’re in your third trimester so everyone know’s to pull back when asking you to do things,” she alleged. “You don’t feel super confident in your skin because now you’re going from cutely pregnant to completely massive. That’s okay. Here’s a sweater. Put on a scarf, another scarf. Nobody cares. You’re getting cosier and cosier.” @thelillyscott Clearly I’ve thought this through. And yes, I absolutely acknowledge that this is ideal and concieving doesnt always just happen! Just having fun with a hypotjetical here!! #besttimetobepregnant #pregnancy #pregtok #pregnanttiktok #preggo #familyplanning #secondpregnancy @Lillyscott ♬ original sound - Lillyscott She noted that once a woman is 40 weeks pregnant, it’ll be around Halloween time and it will be “chilly” weather outside, which can be beneficial to women who find they are getting “really hot” at this point in their pregnancy. In the video, Scott then included astrology as another benefit of a February pregnancy, as she noted that the child would likely be a scorpio, the astrological sign for people born between 23 October and 21 November. She also claimed that the mother would then be on maternity leave during Thanksgiving, and that her family could help her out with different chores around the home. The TikTok user then suggested that a six-week maternity leave would end right around Christmas, when many people receive “time off anyway”. “And your partner is probably going to get off during that time, so you’ll get extra help,” she alleged. She also explained the benefits of having a one-month old baby around this time of the year, continuing: “Your baby’s a month old, it’s the holidays. No one’s going to ask you to get a present for them, no one’s going to ask you to wrap anything. People are going to bring you gifts.” By April or May, the hypothetical mother would be recovering after giving birth, and could have finished breastfeeding, according to Scott. As noted by the World Health Organization, it is recommended that babies are exclusively breastfed until they’re six months old. When they are six months old, they can start eating solid foods in addition to being breastfed. In her TikTok video, Scott also predicted that, when the baby is six-months old, mothers would have more opportunities to travel again while caring for their child, as these travel plans would be happening in the summer months. Scott’s video, which she captioned: “Clearly I’ve thought this through. And yes, I absolutely acknowledge that this is ideal and conceiving doesn’t always just happen. Just having fun with a hypothetical here,” has since been viewed more than 5.7m times, with many viewers divided by the TikToker’s controversial claim. According to some skeptics, February is the not the best month to get pregnant because it would mean being pregnant during the summer months. “Pregnant during the summertime? Never,” one person responded, while another said: “But then you have to carry a baby during the hot summer.” “Having three pregnancies, two of which being through summer...I highly recommend NOT being pregnant through summer…Start in July or August,” a third individual added. Others were unconvinced by the suggestion due to the astrological sign associated with the due date. “But I don’t want a Scorpio as a baby,” one person wrote. “Or you end up being born on Thanksgiving and it kills your birthday vibe forever,” another viewer claimed. One viewer pointed out another downside to giving birth in November, writing: “I didn’t like being postpartum in the winter. No sun, days short and miserable lol.” However, others agreed with Scott’s advice, with some revealing they’d be welcome to their babies being born around November or December. “Watching this four months pregnant in June and you could not be more right,” one person wrote, while another added: “Currently living this and can confirm it all.” Speaking to Today, Scott revealed that she came up with the theory while thinking about when she wants to have her next child. “I’ve been thinking about when I want to get pregnant again - the second you have your first baby, everyone asks when the next one is coming,” she said. “We all know it can take time to get pregnant.” She also clarified her comments about Scropios and the month of March, adding: “There are so many different perspectives [about astrology]. I wasn’t saying that March babies are unwanted - they’re special and amazing! I love Scorpios.” The Independent has contacted Scott for comment. 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When it comes to new season must-haves, a handbag is right up there. An easy style update without the fear of making a fashion disaster, whether you go designer or high street, you know you can bank on a bag being the one thing that’s going to look good – and boost your mood. And for a need-to-know, this season is particularly polished with ladylike top-handle bags to show off your nail art, reds to fire-up winter whites, double denim and black wardrobe essentials, silver silhouettes, and the oh-so larger-than-life XL tote. “While burgundy and deep autumnal reds are always apt for A/W, we predict that bold, fiery reds will be a handbag staple this season,” says Nia Davis, design manager at handbag and accessory brand, Fiorelli. “With many of us turning to darker palettes to match the weather, a pop of bright red is a great way to break up dark outfits and make a statement.” Moreover, designers are offering up moc-croc prints, supersized bags with enough space to carry all your hardware, and more. “Finally, bags are getting more practical and we’re seeing customers trade into larger bags again, especially totes,” opines Zoe Donovan, digital & marketing director, LK Bennett. “They are perfect for every day, and you can fit your evening bag in there for those day-to-night situations.” “And secondly, like all fashion magpies, we’ve fallen for all things metallic, in bags, shoes and clothing!” adds Donovan. Here’s our pick of the pieces to see you through all of the above, and proffer style with substance… 1. Red From practical, crossbody styles to slick, soft pouches, red is never too hot to handle. And the beauty of a red bag is that you can team it with a striking slick of lipstick in the same shade, to add a little bit of drama to those dark, autumnal evenings. Think matchy-matchy for a quick wardrobe and beauty fix. The Drop Women’s Avalon Small Tote Bag, £32.90, Amazon. Astrid Crossbody Red Croc, £59, Fiorelli. 2. Silver What’s not to love about something snazzy and sparkly, that’s both sophisticated and sexy? This season, silver bags have been reimagined for day and evening; what’s more, you can always pair two together… think a slim, silver crossbody for your phone and a squishy clutch for keys and other essentials, to style up staples such as classic knitwear. Naha Animal Strap Silver Crossbody Bag, £42, Oliver Bonas. Bonanza – Silver Diamante-Plait Metallic Clutch Bag, £95, Dune. 3. Top-handle There may be a removable strap or handy chain tucked inside, but it’s all about reaching for a top-handle this season. At first glance, it’s prim and proper, but a handle has its many virtues. Not only can they be placed on your wrist, leaving you hands-free for more shopping sprees, but they also look expensive. Beyond black, gold is a go-to ahead of the party season, while sugary shades channel a girly aesthetic. Coco-effect chain bag, £29.99, Mango. Mini Harbour Gold Leather Trapeze Tote Bag, £299, LK Bennett. 4. Moc-croc print The surprise hit of the season, moc-croc is a chic option – and the easiest way to buy into a designer brand when eyeing up their luxe accessories. Marrying form with function, these croc-effect handbags are having a fashion moment. As Davis puts it: “From old-money aesthetic with tan croc, to a gothcore take with black crocodile, this print can be played with to suit your personal style.” Making moc-croc handbags the perfect option if you’re looking for a timeless classic for your collection. Linden Gardens – Faux Croc Large Zip-Top Shoulder, Dragon, £259, Radley. Lauren Ralph Lauren Sophee 22 Embossed Leather Shoulder Bag, Vintage Brown, £349, John Lewis. 5. Supersized tote What’s not to love about a handbag in XL? Proving we all love to chuck everything in and don’t mind delving deep to find stuff, having room for all those extras is where it’s at with these supersized totes. Whether you go for over the shoulder option or scale up your handheld, the bigger the better, with the added bonus of being able to pop a smaller handbag inside. Vero Zebra Print Tote Bag, £55, Hush. Gwen Grey And Cream Check Fabric Tote Bag, £269, LK Bennett. Read More Dawn O’Porter: ‘I fantasise about the other side of menopause’ Everything you need to know about bedbugs as increase in numbers is predicted PE ‘enjoyment gap’ widens for girls: Why it matters and how we can help The psychology of Big Brother: How to survive in the house How to support someone coming out in their 30s and beyond Israel-Hamas conflict: How to talk to teenagers about distressing news stories