Indholdsfortegnelse for May 2023 i Pick Me Up! Special

HOW TO REGISTER It’s FREE to enter and it’s so easy to do. Just visit entry2.it/ldp-pd and register by hitting the Create Free Account button and then you can enter as many competitions as you like. Go on, have fun! For website rules of play, go to comps.lifedeathprizes.com/rules. Terms and conditions apply, UK only…

GIDDY UP For my 40th birthday recently I asked for an unusual present… horse riding lessons! It’s something I’ve dreamed of doing since I was a little girl and I finally bit the bullet. I absolutely love it and have even worked up to a canter now! Lulu, Sheffield WHOSE STICK IS IT? My dogs, Alfie and Amber, had a difference of opinion recently when I took them out for their morning walk and they came home with this stick! I had to bribe Alfie with treats so he would let go. I’ve even made an Instagram account for them both called @thebordercolliealfie to show what other kind of mischief they get up to… Linda, West Midlands FLIPPIN’ COOL We took the kids to Birdland in the Cotswolds recently and…

This month… SAVVY STYLE Update your wardrobe sustainably with these tips from Fashion Retail Analyst Jennifer Walderdorff (jenniferWalderdorff.com) 1 Shop second-hand Try second-hand stores which sell clothes by the kilo. You can get great deals on wool, knitwear and brushed cotton, as well as detailed fixtures and fasteners for those heavier pieces which would otherwise be very costly at retail value. 2 What’s your style? Think about your personal style regarding which charity stores you can go to – they’re based on donations so think about the style of the borough or town you’re in when you pick a location. 3 Search online Look into pre-loved apps and buy from private sellers, too. Rehome fashion that fits your favour at a reduced price from the recommended retail value. 4 Swap…

Anxiously picking at my fingernails, I knew this wasn’t going to be an easy conversation. I had sat my little boy Brycen down, before he went to school for the first time. ‘Not all kids are nice,’ my husband Adam, 31, and I told him. ‘But just remember, it’s always OK to be yourself.’ ‘OK Mum,’ he replied. You see, while to me he was perfect, Brycen didn’t look conventionally what was seen as ‘normal’. After giving birth, I had immediately known that something was wrong. His beautiful face was lopsided and one of his ears was tiny. ‘I’m afraid he’s got a rare condition,’ doctors told me. ‘It’s called Goldenhar syndrome. ‘It means that his growth will be stunted and the right side of his jaw has failed to…

International Executive Coach of the Year and confidence & human behaviour expert, Jo Emerson, answers your questions. Jo’s new email course can help you build confidence – visit jo-emerson.com. Listen to her podcast – Tell Me Who You Really Are. Find Jo on Instagram: @jo_emerson_ Should I act this way? I ’m absolutely mortified – I’ve just found out that my 13-year-old daughter has been involved in a revenge porn attack at school. She has been sending explicit photos that have been exposed. I’m furious at her – is it fair of me to be stern at this time? Bridget, Swansea YES Pick Me Up! reader Stephanie from Bristol says: I think you NEED to be stern in this situation! Don’t blame you for being furious – I’m pretty sure that…

If you’re still lacking inspiration, check out these bike-obsessed cyclist, who also happen to have pretty large followings on Instagram… Tahnee Seagrave @tahneeseagrave – Tahnee is a British athlete competing in downhill mountain biking. If you like to go fast, this one’s for you! As well as races, there are some crazy stunt videos. Tahnee made the world’s top 10 in her sport aged just 18 years old. Mark Cavendish @markcavendish – Mark Cavendish is a professional road racing cyclist and won the Tour de France for a fourth successive year. If you want to aim high, follow his account for cycling content and exclusive looks at all his races. Sir Bradley Wiggins @bradwiggins – Brad won the Tour de France in 2012 and hosts a show on Eurosport. He…

Jumping up to lick my ears, nose and poking a slobbery snout in my face, it was clear someone was checking me out. ‘Hello, Asher,’ I laughed, letting him do his normal checks – he always did the same to everyone. With his crazy tuft on the top of his head, everyone at Medical Detection Dogs Training Centre had the same thought. ‘We can’t cut his hair, that’s where his brains are,’ we’d laugh. And it was true – Asher was one talented pooch. Finding a loving home with our founder Claire in 2013, Asher came to us as a rescue. Only having lived in domestic households before, his behaviour was coined as ‘naughty’ and ‘neurotic’ – but it was obvious why he had acted in this way. He had been…

The week of 15 to 21 May is Dementia Awareness Week, and with 34.5 million of us knowing someone who lives with dementia in the UK, what better time to get clued up and take action? We’ve teamed up with Caroline Scates, deputy director of Admiral Nurse Development at Dementia UK to find out more. • Please visit: dementiauk.org SPOT THE SIGNS • Concentration problems • Difficulty with short-term memory • Becoming quieter and withdrawn • Struggling with decision making • Difficulty in undertaking tasks that used to be second nature to them such as getting dressed, inputting their pin at a cash machine or getting lost in what was previously a familiar place • Changes in personality, social behaviour, emotions, speech and understanding • Loss of interest in activities…

When it comes to responding to an RSVP – there’s often one thing on everyone’s mind… what do I wear? And sometimes we all need a little help and guidance. Meet Emily Stott, Stylist Ambassador at Stitch Fix UK, answering all things occasion wear… • To see more please visit: stitchfix.co.uk What are the main rules for dressing for a wedding? There are no rigid guidelines when it comes to wedding guest dressing, which is why it can be so fun! That being said, there are a few unwritten rules… A bride should shine on her special day, so avoid opting for head-to-toe white or black. It’s a day of celebration, so seize this opportunity to wear a vivid colour you wouldn’t usually go for. What pieces should everyone invest…

Flicking through my photo album for the second time that night, I felt emotional. I had stared at the same pictures of my dad Bachir over and over. Tracing my hands over the pages, I wondered what kind of dad he would’ve been. Would he have picked me up from school like other dads? Would he have sat on my bed and read me to sleep? After all these years, it felt like I was still no closer to actually meeting him in person. The only communication we’d ever had was through a video call. My mum Patricia would phone him when I was little and I’d sit in. Although I could see his face, seeing him through a laptop screen was never enough. And when our FaceTime calls stopped…

It’s time to get excited as summer is on the horizon – we are certainly getting in the mood here at Pick Me Up! Whether you’re wanting to grab some gorgeous festival finds (pg66), learn how you can whip up a storm in the kitchen (pg10) or planning to add a boating trip to your agenda (pg52), there’s plenty to get you summer ready. And that’s something that Shelley (pg12) had been wanting to achieve for years. Trying every diet under the sun, it seemed that nothing was truly working for her – that was until she turned her life around. Now, she is able to be an amazing mum to her daughter, without a worry in the world. And the importance of children is something that was a driving…

Peeling open my eyes, I could hear rustling coming from downstairs. My then 11-week-old son Mannix had kept me awake all night, so my husband Vinnie, now 44, had let me sleep in. Usually, I’d be up and about, helping with the routine of getting our daughter Estlin, three, ready for nursery in the morning. Lying in bed a little longer on that day back in March 2017, I soon took Mannix downstairs. ‘Are you tired today?’ I cooed, making some coffee. After Vinnie had taken Estlin to nursery, I planned for a relaxing day with Mannix. With a toddler and newborn, it was a rare occurrence for sure. Not only would Mannix keep us up at night, but Estlin kept us on our toes, too. Just weeks away from…

Tucking into another 12-pack of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, I devoured half of the box within less than an hour, licking the sugar off of my fingers after each. I stopped at six, but could have easily eaten more. Nothing ever seemed to fill me up – my stomach felt like an empty, bottomless pit. The diet can start on Monday, I told myself for the hundredth time, knowing it wouldn’t be successful. I’d been attempting to lose weight for all of my adult life. From the Cambridge Diet to Slimming World – you name it, I’d tried it. Moving out of home on my own for the first time at 18 was when I really started to pile on the pounds. I was just a slim size 10 when I…

Flinging the stick into the bedroom and hearing the rustling of paper, I tried to contain my excitement. ‘What are you doing?’ I laughed to my husband Ben, now 41, as he fiddled around in the dark. ‘I’m just trying to understand what this line means,’ he replied ‘It means that I’m pregnant,’ I giggled – and plenty of hugs and kisses followed. After a failed round of IUI and two failed rounds of IVF, we were determined to never give up hope – so falling pregnant on our third round of IVF in 2020 really was a dream come true. Meeting back in 2007 while doing a variety show in Babbacombe Theatre, Torquay, I was a dancer at the show, and Ben the comic – I guess you could…

It’s officially picnic season! If you have a bit of time to prep and want a picnic fit for a king, then why not try something a little more adventurous this spring? With British Lion Eggs, you can whip up a seasonal lunch that is sure to impress. Blue Cheese Scones INGREDIENTS: □ 200g plain flour□ 2 tsp baking powder□ ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda□ ½ tsp salt□ 1 ½ tsp caster sugar□ 75g cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes□ 75g blue cheese, crumbled□ 4 spring onions, finely chopped□ 75ml whole milk□ 1 large British Lion Egg FOR THE EGG MAYONNAISE: □ 3 large British Lion Eggs□ 2 tbsp mayonnaise□ 1 small bunch mixed herbs (such as parsley, chives and dill), finely chopped METHOD: 1. Preheat the oven to…

Riding a bike is something everyone should know how to do–you usually learn as a child and the skill never leaves you. However, most people don’t pick the bike back up as an adult. However, in the past few years, there has been a huge increase in people swapping out four wheels for two, and taking up cycling. Approximately 6.5 million people took part in cycling, whether that was for fun, to commute or for sport in 2021, according to a national survey from the data website, Statista. In 2021, in some parts of the UK, the amount of people who were cycling for leisure rose by a whopping 60%, too. So, what caused this? And what caused the sudden bike boom? Well, lockdown definitely played a huge part. When…

SO JUICY It’s bank holiday season! Which means long days in the hot sun with our favourite tropical flavours. And now, your lips can enjoy a sun-soaked day the Bondi Sands way! With SPF 50+, they’ll hydrate and sooth dry lips while whisking you off the tropics. This deliciously sweet assortment is a summer must have. And for under a fiver each, what’s not to love? £4.99 each, from Superdrug GOLDEN GODDESS With summer just on the horizon, your check-list wouldn’t be complete without some handy fake tan. Here are our favourites: Garnier Natural Bronzer Tanning Drops, £15, Boots Love Garnier’s iconic Summer Body Self-Tanning Moisturiser? Well, you’ll want to get your hands on this! Apply with your facial moisturiser to build an even, glowing tan. St. Moriz Luxe Hydra-Glow…

Just weeks away from graduation, Samantha Josephson was ready to make a difference. Originally from New Jersey, Samantha, 21, was at the University of South Carolina where she was studying political science. During her time at USC, Samantha had studied abroad in Barcelona and now she was a senior, she had won a full scholarship to Drexal University in Philadelphia. There, Samantha would follow her dreams to practice international law. It was March 2019 and the future looked bright for Samantha. On 28 March, Samantha was feeling a bit down after receiving some news about a family member’s bad health. But she had planned to go out with her friends and her boyfriend, who was away at the time, told her to go out and have fun. Samantha headed to…

Bowled over My son George has found a new love for cricket recently! He got all the kit for his birthday and constantly begs me or my hubby to help him. As long as it isn’t near the windows, I’m happy! Freya, Shropshire What May flowers grow on faces? Two-lips How funny! Birthday fun Here’s me and my partner Nick on a night out with friends recently. I love this photo of us – even if I did have one too many cocktails… Ellie, Merseyside Brunch o’clock My daughter took me to brunch recently on a visit home – we got dolled up for the occasion! I got told by the waiter that we look like sisters which made my day. Annie, Dereham Brotherly love Here’s my pup Alfie with my…

Tea-licious Have a couple of green tea bags handy? I use them to treat puffy eyes! Start by wetting a couple of green tea bags with water, then place them in the fridge to chill. Take the chilled tea bags out of the fridge and place them over your eyes. Carrie, Brighton Brew-up I mix coffee grounds with dish soap and boiling water to unclog my drain. Mix the grounds with soap and add the mixture into your drain, following it up with a lengthy pour of boiling water. Good as new! Marie, Aberdeen At-home spa When I can’t afford to splash the cash on a manicure, I give myself a quick DIY treatment! Mix a bit of sugar with lemon juice and honey, then use the mixture as a…

American music star Taylor Swift has been named at the top of which list, beating One Direction and Beyoncé into second and third places? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the three-word answer. ACROSS 11 Not yet fully developed (8) 12 Perfume (5) 13 Cup holder (6) 14 Formal office clothes (4) 15 English cheese (7) 16 Kitchen tools (8) 17 Hen (7) 18 Boils with anger (7) 19 Curved gateway (4) 21 Dentist’s tool (5) 23 Italian cheese (7) 24 Teach (7) 28 Sound of a happy cat (4) 29 Centre of a storm (3) 30 Fill the lungs (6) 33 US politician (7) 35 Cuppa (3) 36 French cheese (4) 38 Distant sun (4) 39 Hatchet (3) 40…

Mathew Dunbar was a perfect catch. Not only was he kind and generous, but he also wanted to share his good-fortune and build a future with someone he cherished. Australian Mathew, 42, was a sheep farmer with a remote 1200-acre property in Walcha, New South Wales. The estate, known as Pandora, was worth an estimated $3.4million in total. But while Mathew had wealth, he was lonely and was still looking for love. Mathew was estranged from his adoptive mum and his adoptive dad, who he’d worked with on the farm, had passed away. With no children, Mathew was left craving a family. Then in 2014, he met Natasha Darcy, 46, on a dating website and was instantly smitten. Natasha, who had three children from her previous marriage, quickly moved into…

Have you noticed an increase in people wanting to cycle at your cycling club? I’m a co-road captain at the Brixton Cycling Club – I speak to people who are interested in joining our club, organise rides and alongside the rest of the committee, help organise wider club events and initiatives. We’re affiliated with the Brixton Cycles Shop, and lots of people hear about us through them. Every week, we get around eight new people contacting us about joining and are currently welcoming about 15 new members a month to join us on the bikes. We currently stand at about 350 members, which sounds like a lot but in fact makes us one of the smaller clubs! Why should we cycle? Cycling can be great for short journeys of just…

Pick up your spring staples alongside your weekly shop. We have to say, George at ASDA is on to a winner – making your wardrobe luxe for less… Shop in store or online now at: direct.asda.com…

Embarrassing problems Q Since I had my third child, I’ve noticed that a drop of wee escapes whenever I sneeze or laugh. I’ve taken to wearing sanitary towels during the day. I’m too embarrassed to speak to my GP. Natalie, Ross-on-Wye A Passing urine when you cough, sneeze or laugh is called stress urinary incontinence (SUI) – it’s very common after childbirth and is said to affect one in three women. This is different to urge incontinence where women feel the need to pee all the time. SUI occurs due to damage to the pelvic muscles and the urethral sphincter, as a result of carrying around a heavy pregnant uterus and after the rigours of childbirth. You can help improve these symptoms by doing the following • Pelvic floor exercises – you…

Watching as my little girl ran around the garden of her grandparent's house, I frowned. As Emily ran, she would fling her left leg out like she was in a lot of pain. She hasn’t complained, I thought. I haven’t seen her fall. ‘She must have fallen over,’ my ex-partner’s mum Joan, now 85, suggested when she saw. ‘But I’ve been watching her all day,’ I replied. ‘And I haven’t seen her hurt herself.’ ‘Well, she must have done something,’ Joan concluded. In August 2005, I decided to book Emily, then 18 months, a doctor’s appointment and managed to get one the very next day. Emily just seemed so stiff and sore all the time. Leaving her brother George, then five, with Joan, I took Emily to the doctor where…

Don’t forget the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, held in Liverpool, is on 13 May! I’M HERE FOR THE CHAMPERS… The exotic scent of passionfruit, the subtle aroma of vanilla and the luxurious whiff of Champagne – how delightful? With a range of limited edition products available in Champagne, Passionfruit and Vanilla, Ava May Aromas aren’t backing down. They are here to create some scent-sational moments for you to enjoy at home. With a signature Wax Melt Box, lasting a minimum of 32 hours, a Gift Set including some of the company’s favourites and a beautiful candle in this delicious scent, what isn’t there to love? Plus, the butterfly design stainless steel lid of the candle can be repurposed as a coaster or trinket dish, too! Champagne, Passionfruit and Vanilla Limited…

Can you hear those wedding bells ringing in the distance? Panic and dread kicks in as you suddenly realise you have nothing to wear. Fear not – we are here to save the day. With expert advice on hand, you really will be the Belle of the ball… A chunky wedge is great if you’re not the best at walking in heels!…

Aries March 21st - April 20th You had hoped that the spotlight regarding recent dramas would have been off of you by now. You realise, thanks to Saturn by the 7th, it is clearly not and you feel more than a little uncomfortable having to sort out the commitments and favours others are asking of you. It’s time Aries to come clean. You’ll feel better, and close ones will finally know where they stand when you admit who you don’t want in your life anymore. You don’t need to be a people pleaser – do what is right for you. Call now to hear your love forecast. Taurus April 21st - May 21st You’re being drawn more to the older crowd than the younger. You’re ready to learn, and whatever…