Indholdsfortegnelse for March 2024 i Pick Me Up! Special

Sun worshippers My boys just love sitting on the windowsill and soaking up the sun. I always have to be careful they don’t get sunburnt, what with them having no fur! Paula, Barry Good luck catching them… Spotting the swans swimming down our local river always makes me laugh. It reminds me of my favourite film, Hot Fuzz. Surely you know the reference? Laura, Dorchester Sleepy head Here’s my fur baby after just waking up from his mid-afternoon snooze. As you can see, he can barely open his little eyes. He’s the cutest kitty. Jenny, Chester A special find Picking up a new stick is always a daily highlight for my dog Nancy. She spends more time chewing them than walking. What a cheeky girl! Sue, Gloucester…

Accidents, bust-ups, family drama, murder, you name it, it’s happened on the telly. However, there are some iconic moments that have really stuck with the nation. Here are some of our all-time favourites… EastEnders: ‘you ain’t my muvva’ – 2001 One of EastEnders’ favourite characters Kat Slater, has had some incredible one-liners as the series has gone on. But in October 2001, Zoe Slater stormed through the streets of Walford, after stating that she was going to Spain. Desperately trying to make her stay, Kat pleaded with her ‘sister’ Zoe. ‘You can’t tell me what to do, you ain’t my muvva,’ Zoe shouted. Only, bellowing at the top of her voice, Kat revealed the truth. ‘YES I AM!’ she yelled – the duff duff playing after. It was then revealed…

Clambering off me and lying on the bed sheets surrounded by sweat, instead of feeling euphoric, I was left feeling unsatisfied. Unlike other couples in the honeymoon period, who would be at it like rabbits, my partner Phil, then 21, would be lucky if he got any at all. ‘I don’t think that this is working,’ I announced. I didn’t actually mean the relationship as a whole, I meant our sex life instead. ‘That’s OK, we don’t have to do it,’ Phil said, reassuringly. However, at that point, I don’t think he quite understood what I really meant. The idea of getting frisky in the sheets filled me with dread. It wasn’t that he wasn’t very good or that I didn’t fancy him. He was a bit of eye candy…

With a spring in your step, inject a little extra colour into your home with this easy-to-make tulip wreath. This craft by Jo Boland on the Hobbycraft Hub will add a floral pop to any room in the house, or maybe even your front door. And the best part is – the tulips last forever, too! YOU WILL NEED: □ A spring tulip wreath from Hobbycraft□ 4 white tulip bouquets□ Natural jute fabric roll□ Oasis flower tape□ Wire cutters METHOD: 1. Gather your tools and materials together. 2. Using wire cutters, carefully cut each tulip stem from the wired tulip bouquets. 3. Remove the foliage from each tulip stem, keeping only the wide tulip leaves on a third of them. Leave the rest of them bare. 4. Hold three tulip…

International Executive Coach of the Year, Jo Emerson, answers your questions. Listen to her podcast Tell Me Who You Really Are on your preferred platform now. Jo’s new email course can help you build confidence – visit jo-emerson.com. Grab her book, Flying for Beginners, on Amazon. Find Jo on Instagram: @jo_emerson_ Like a virgin… I’m 34 and still a virgin – I’ve just got into a new relationship. Should I tell him? Mandy, York YES Pick Me Up! reader Caroline from Hereford says: Why not? There’s no shame in telling him the truth. And it may mean that things end up being a little better in the bedroom when you decide to get down and dirty. It means you can take things slowly and at your own pace, instead of…

Cracking open a plastic ball, it exploded across my crafting table. Inspecting the tiny little pieces, I grinned. From a tiny plastic cup to miniature tapioca pearls, this ball promised the chance to create my very own miniature bubble tea. Let’s try something different, I decided. I’d created so many miniature bubble teas from the MGA’s Miniverse sets before, but I liked to remix them so they looked different. I never got bored of them So I set my mind on creating a spilled over bubble tea. Switching on my UV lamp and carefully assembling the pieces, I used resin to stick them all together. Spending every Sunday crafting and listening to my favourite podcast, True Crime with Kendall Rae, it was my time to unwind. Only, I heard the door…

Bagging a cheap win during her trip to Home Bargains, Kara immediately saw potential in her new mirror. Follow these quick steps to see how she transformed her interior mirror into a decorative outdoor feature. YOU WILL NEED: □ A décor bargain□ Sandpaper□ Rust-Oleum spray paint in a colour of your choice□ Spray surface primer METHOD: 1. Bag your bargain – this indoor mirror was just £3.99 from Home Bargains. I then removed the glass panels from the mirror frame. 2. Sand the wooden frame down with a sheet of sandpaper. This helps to prepare the surface for the spray paint, to ensure that the paint will stick. 3. Spray the mirror frame evenly with a coat of primer. 4. Then, evenly spray the frame with a layer of multi-purpose,…

The NHS urges us all to be more aware of the signs and symptoms of a stroke. ‘Help Us, Help You’ Act F.A.S.T. – supported by the Stroke Association – highlights that a stroke is a medical emergency and urges the public to call 999 if they notice any signs of a stroke in themselves or others. This comes after new research revealed that 59% of adults in the UK were not aware that stroke is the fourth single leading cause of death in the UK, and 39% did not recognise stroke as a medical emergency that requires attention – even though every minute following is vital. Around 100,000 people have a stroke each year in England, Scotland and Wales, which is approximately one stroke every five minutes – with…

There’s something truly wonderful about March. With the start of spring, everything just starts to feel that little bit brighter With vibrant daffodils bursting out the grass and cherry blossom coming into bloom, I find it hard not to smile. And with the start of spring, Mother’s Day and Easter filling up the March calendar, we’ve had a lot to pack into this issue. Brighter days are on our minds and little Archer knows a thing or two about that (pg16). Despite facing hardship from the moment he was born, this brave toddler has proved everyone wrong – all with a smile. For Ellie (pg36), happiness came in unlikely form. When her Only Fools and Horses mad dad passed away, she knew she needed to give him a send off…

Sitting on a picnic rug on a sunny beach, I laughed as my daughter tucked into a custard cream. ‘Are you going to eat the biscuit, or just the cream in the middle?’ I chuckled. ‘Cream!’ Louisiana smiled, licking her lips. Custard creams were her favourite snack, but she’d only ever eat the cream inside. I used to be able to easily find her at home – all you had to do was follow the trail of discarded biscuits and you’d find Louisiana, then two, with a big, creamy grin on her face. But that was the thing – my girl never stopped smiling, her joy was so infectious. Raising my children, Lexus, now 13, Timothy, now 12, and James-Dean, now six, as well as Louisiana, as a single mum,…

This month… HEARTFELT DONATIONS Don’t forget that your junk could be someone else’s treasure! Allison Swaine-Hughes, retail director at the British Heart Foundation, has suggested some surprising goods you could donate. Please visit: bhf.org.uk 1 Phones and tablets You can donate your used devices if they’re in working order. Follow the simple steps on the BHF website to get your devices ready for donation. Then all your data will be erased by the BHF before your device is resold. 2 Toys and games Before you donate old toys and games, check that board games and puzzles have all their pieces. However, LEGO and Duplo are exceptions – they can be resold as incomplete sets. Remove any batteries from toys, too. 3 Musical instruments You can donate your unused musical instruments…

Giggling with my hubby Clark, then 20, as we gazed at the image on the screen, I felt a quiver of excitement. A boy! It was November 2019 and we were at my 20-week ultrasound scan. I’d been married to my childhood sweetheart Clark for a year, and this was our first child. Keen to start a family, we’d tried for seven months before I’d fallen pregnant. Now, we couldn’t wait. So distracted by the image of my growing baby, we barely noticed the sonographer leaving the room. Or returning with a doctor in tow. ‘What’s going on?’ I asked, spotting the doctor studying the screen as Clark rubbed my back. Then she dropped a bombshell. ‘Your baby has spina bifida,’ she said, and my head spun. I couldn’t fight…

Dr Neil Jennings, Clinical Director of Surgery at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘Any form of weight loss surgery is a major operation. It has to be very carefully considered by a team of health professionals in line with national guidance. ‘Patients have to go through a series of checks. ‘This includes a full health check, counselling and support and commitment to lose weight before any procedure can take place. ‘For some people surgery will not be in their best interests. ‘Many people will be offered alternative treatments, but this may not always be effective. ‘We would strongly recommend that anyone considering travelling overseas for private care researches their options carefully and understands the risks involved.’…

Coming downstairs in a hurry, I had no idea what my son was going to say. ‘Do I need to shampoo my eyebrows?’ Jack, then 14, asked. With his distinctive bushy brows, I couldn’t help but giggle. Completely dippy, he always had a way of making me laugh. Sweet, kind and considerate, Jack and I were extremely close – as a single parent, it was just us two. Every year we’d go on a holiday abroad, spending time together. Studying Health and Social Care at college, Jack also loved to play football, as well as working part-time at McDonald’s. Even though he was determined, always rushing around meant that Jack, then 17, was tired constantly. Something that we both noticed more in summer 2019. ‘It’s probably just because of work,’…

If you’re looking to renovate your home on a budget, follow Kara’s top tips to help you save you some pennies, all while achieving an expensive-looking style. 1. Keep your eyes peeled for discounts Before buying items brand-new, always check your local car boot sales and Facebook Marketplace. Often, you can get items for a fraction of the price. Recently, I bought an electric stove fire for £30 second hand, all while they’re still being sold in Dunelm for over £100. 2. The power of Fablon Don’t underestimate the power of Fablon – sticky back plastic. It’s the easiest way to switch up the colours in your home. I wrapped my fridge with pink Fablon for just £12. 3. Chalk paint Spruce up your outdoor areas with chalk paint. It’s…

Forever fatigued Q No matter how much sleep I get, I’m constantly yawning and feel so fatigued. My routine and diet haven’t changed, so what could this be? Thelma, Newport A Feeling tired all the time is the reason for 10 to 20% of all GP consultations, so this is very common and you are not alone. Common lifestyle factors that can cause tiredness include stress, lack of exercise, poor diet, excess alcohol or a side effect of medication – for example, antihistamines used to treat allergies or some cough medicines. Some medical conditions can cause tiredness, such as anaemia, thyroid disease, diabetes, heart disease, liver or kidney disease. Tiredness can also be a sign of a serious condition such as cancer or an autoimmune disease. A common cause of daytime…

The F.A.S.T. test helps to spot the three most common symptoms of stroke – but there are other signs that you should always take seriously. These include: ● Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, including your legs, hands or feet ● Difficulty finding words or speaking in clear sentences ● Sudden blurred vision or loss of sight in one or both eyes ● Sudden memory loss or confusion, and dizziness or a sudden fall ● A sudden, severe headache You should call 999 immediately if you identify any single symptom of stroke.…

For Easter egg inspo, check out p62!…

Tugging the seatbelt over my shoulder, I strapped myself in. ‘Are you ready to go?’ I asked my daughter Eva, then three. Setting off to our local supermarket, we grabbed our food for the week. I had to ensure I was stocked up on plenty of beetroot. My very weird, but strong, pregnancy craving. ‘Did you get your beetroot?’ my hubby Sean, now 36, laughed as we walked back through the door. At least I finally had an excuse for him to help me carry the shopping bags in. After nine happy years together, we wanted to be able to give Eva the chance of being a big sister. And the waiting game was nearly over for us all. I was heavily pregnant. On 21 October 2020, the day before…

Recognisable for her iconic style, there’s no denying that Michelle Keegan knows a thing or two about fashion. Now you can learn from the very best. Take note… Tip one – tailoring + trainers ‘My go-to look is definitely pairing tailoring such as blazers and smart trousers with trainers. The combination of both smart and casual pieces creates an effortlessly stylish look which is easily executed.’ Try this basic styling combo now! Tip two – colour blocking From monotones and neutrals, to vibrant colours, colour blocking is a universal styling tip – even if you’re a minimalist! ‘I love to contrast a neutral outfit paired with a fun pop of colour. The colour olive really achieves that statement look.’ Tip three - layering and textures ‘Building out my capsule wardrobe…

Serving 26 years as a medical sergeant in Iraq, Darrin Reuben Lopez was what you could call an unsung hero. Returning to the States as an Army veteran, his battle scars were a reminder of his service. After suffering a severe brain injury, he was left disabled. But back at home, he had no family to care for him. His marriage had broken down and his three daughters had moved out of his Tennessee home. Like many veterans, Darrin was in a dark place. But he knew just how to get his life back on track. Reaching out to an old girlfriend, Jennifer Faith, on LinkedIn, the two were soon catching up. Dating back in high school, the pair had discussed tying the knot. But the lovers couldn’t make it…

Standing in my front garden, I shut my eyes and tried to picture a giant Easter scene sprawling over the front of my terraced house. A chocolate egg here, Easter bunny there – the possibilities were endless. And I had a knack for coming up with some wonderful creations, too. You see, for the past few years my home was my canvas. It had all started back in October 2021 when I was having a Halloween party for my kids – Jensen, 14, and Arlo, four Ooh I’ll just put a few balloons out, I thought. But before long, I had balloon tentacles climbing all the way to my upstairs windows, and huge pumpkins scattered on the lawn. Working as a prop designer for the past 11 years, it was…

Puppy love Here’s my daughter Casey snuggled up with the newest member of our family. Our puppy Milo is so adorable. Sally, Yarmouth Part of the furniture Me and my daughter visited the Van Gogh Immersive Experience this time last year. My highlight was standing in Van Gogh’s bedroom! Julie, Walthamstow Beauty all around This gorgeous butterfly landed right in front of me while I was in the garden. Isn’t it stunning? Fiona, Salford Beautiful blooms I picked up this bunch of spring tulips while doing my weekly shop. They’ll definitely brighten up my living room. Jean, Skegness Suds and soaps I’ve recently given my bathroom a mini makeover with this portrait of my favourite Corrie character, Gail Platt. She takes pride of place above my loo! Kerry, Liverpool Treasured…

Every fibre of my being wanted to stay and keep looking for her but deep down I knew she was gone, and I needed to get out to be with my other children. Staggering backwards towards the window, I threw myself out of it, collapsing on the floor outside. I felt completely numb. Stood like a tree planted into the ground, I watched as the fire burned the chalet with my daughter inside. I knew straight away – Louisiana didn’t make it. By the time we’d realised there was a fire, half the caravan had been in flames. Standing watching it burn, I knew there was no hope. By this point a group of concerned neighbours had arrived to try and help – but there was nothing we could do.…

Follow @MrBsTweet on X (Twitter) See: coronationstreetexperience.co.uk 1. How did your love for Corrie start? Starting on 9 December 1960 at 7pm, Coronation Street began. Around 55 weeks later, on 30 December 1961, I was born. As a family, my parents, along with my older sister, used to sit down twice a week to watch it. So, it’s really thanks to my parents! 2. What is it about the show that means so much to you? Just like William Roache (who plays Ken Barlow) Coronation Street has always been there, which is why it means so much to me. Over the years, there are a few characters I can also relate to that are like other people I have known in my lifetime, too. 3. Have you ever gone above and beyond…

Liquid luck My least favourite part of planning for a holiday is sorting out my toiletries for my travel allowance. Buying minis can be so expensive. So instead, I save any mini alcohol bottles I’ve used throughout the year and decant my toiletries into them. They’re the perfect size and don’t cost me a penny either. Leila, Bournemouth Perfect blend Blenders can be tricky to clean – my scrubbing brush can’t get in between all the blades. So instead, I fill the dirty blender with hot, soapy water and turn it on. The blender does all the work for you, leaving it squeaky clean. Jemma, Melksham Clinging on Cling film can be such a pain to work with sometimes. But if I keep mine in the fridge, it’s much easier…

Research by a pie-making company has revealed that one-third of all information pasted on social networking sites is what? To find out, solve the following puzzle. Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, LEG PART = HIGH + T = THIGH. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the two word answer. Congregation Link together Slumber Middle Crane Fire arm Other name Grab Directors Your answer____________________________________ Slim one Answer: FALSIFIED…

Step into spring with these blue-tiful pieces. Whether you want to rock double denim and become a jean queen or want to transition with the season in blue hues, look and feel your best……

Easter Chocolate Nest Cake YOU WILL NEED: FOR THE CAKE □ 100g unsalted butter□ 275g Tate & Lyle Light Brown Sugar□ 2 eggs□ 175g plain flour□ 1 tsp baking powder□ 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda□ 200ml full-fat milk□ 50g cocoa powder FOR THE CHOCOLATE FUDGE ICING □ 25g cocoa powder□ 5 tbsp boiling water□ 6 chocolate flakes□ A handful of chocolate mini eggs□ 300g Tate & Lyle Icing Sugar□ 175g unsalted butter, softened / at room temperature□ 3 Cadbury's Creme Eggs METHOD: 1. Grease and line a 20cm loose-bottomed cake tin with baking parchment. Preheat your oven to 180oC. 2. Cream the butter and sugar together using electric whisks or a stand mixer until soft, then beat in the eggs. 3. Mix the flour, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda…

Snuggling up on the sofa, I switched on one of my go-to programmes. 60 Minute Makeover, DIY SOS, Grand Designs – renovation shows were my staple. Only, as I binged the episode, I noticed that every room was grey. Including mine. God, this is so boring, I thought. The four walls I spent so much time in didn’t reflect my personality. Before I met my husband Darren, 45, I had brighter colours in my home – mainly pink. From a pink kettle and toaster to a matching washing bowl, I created my own pink world. But when we moved into our council house 10 years ago with our children Erin, 15, and Shay, 11, we made our home family friendly. I went to car boot sales as a kid ‘What…

EYES WIDE SHUT Undereyes – often the area of most concern. Dark circles and dull complexions can leave you looking tired and lacklustre. A good eye cream is a crucial part of your skincare routine to help with the signs of ageing and leave you with an awakened look. Here are some of our favourites. 1. Skin Proud Secure the Barrier, Barrier Boosting Eye Cream, £14.95, iamproud.com Remove makeup and impurities for clean and hydrated skin. With a nourishing formula, including aloe vera and natural oils, it will leave your complexion smooth and nourished. 2. CeraVe Reparative Eye Cream, £13.99, Superdrug Developed by dermatologists, this cream helps to reduce the appearance of dark circles. Gentle on the skin and fragrance free, this also has hyaluronic acid to help retain the…

We may have heard of Crohn’s and colitis, but did you know that 500,000 people in the UK are living with these conditions? Grace Baird, a Crohn’s & Colitis UK Nurse Specialist, answers everything you need to know… For more please see: crohnsandcolitis.org.uk What are the main symptoms? There are lots of symptoms of Crohn’s and colitis – the two main types of inflammatory bowel disease. Some of the big ones to look out for are blood in your poo, diarrhoea and needing to have a poo urgently and often – including waking up in the night to poo. It’s not all about poo though, as other warning signs include unexplained weight loss, anal fissures, tummy pain and tiredness that just won’t go away. Do you have to stop certain…

Carrying another load of dirty plates back to the kitchen, I sighed. This wasn’t the life that I wanted for myself. At 19, I was working as a waitress, doing long shifts for a measly £6 an hour. The evening work meant I didn’t have much of a social life and didn’t get to see my friends as often as I would have liked. I loved travelling but the poor pay and lack of holiday stopped me going on trips. And by summer 2020, I’d had enough of it. But what could I do instead? Scrolling through articles on my phone, I kept noticing women who had made a fortune on OnlyFans. These girls were making thousands, working when they wanted to. I knew of a few girls in my…

Combining classy neutrals with staple pieces, celeb Michelle Keegan has created her own collection with fashion retailer Very. Build your own capsule wardrobe from just £25 and step up your spring fashion today. Available to shop now via: very.co.uk…

Aries March 21st - April 20th The new moon in Pisces, in conjunction with Saturn and Neptune, helps you see clearer what you want from your life. You realise, with ease, what and who is wrong and why. Mars is also on hand to give you the tools to move on without you having to make it as personal as others are baiting you to be. Time you spend with older faces this month does much for them adopting a sense of order to their life. Ring now to hear why it’s worth putting in overtime for free this month. You’re not destined to be overworked and underpaid. Taurus April 21st - May 21st You have a lot to get through and your standards that you set for yourself just…