Innehållsförteckning för May 2024 från Pick Me Up! Special

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

Hoppy times! Look at these adorable bunnies I saw in Pets at Home. I was tempted to bring one home with me. Jill, Dublin Hang loose Spotted this chill guy while on holiday in Gibraltar. There’s no wonder we evolved from monkeys – just look at the way he’s sitting! Looks just like my dad… Kelly, Nottingham Flower thief My pup Bertie is such a naughty boy! He loves destroying the garden by picking up our new plants and running away with them. Lucy, Chichester Rubbing feathers I made a new friend at the zoo recently. Definitely nothing to do with the fact that I had food on me. Zoe, Dartmoor…

Heading to my 16-week ultrasound scan, I was so excited to see my baby on the screen. Finding out that me and my partner Julian, 32, were expecting a baby in July 2022, I was so excited to see my firstborn. I’d experienced a little bleeding just before my 12-week scan, so the doctors booked me in for a 16-week scan to check on my baby’s health. Only, with Julian by my side, we were in for a nasty shock. ‘I’m afraid your baby has gastroschisis,’ my consultant said. What the hell is that? I thought. ‘I’ve never heard of that before,’ Julian said. But there was only one big question on our minds. ‘Will they die?’ I panicked. The hole in my baby’s stomach hadn’t closed, so the intestines…

Protective spills To stop any spills or sticky surfaces in your fridge, lay down bubble wrap on your shelves. It will keep the surface clean and the bubbles stop leaks from spreading. Jean, Melksham Delicate wash Before popping your bras or bikini tops into your wash, make sure to do up the clasps. That way, they won’t catch on any of your other clothes in the same wash, preventing any accidental rips. Fiona, Norwich New heights You can use your Flash Speed Mop to clean hard to reach places. Attach a cloth to the end of the mop. Then, you can use it to dust high ceilings or windows without a ladder. Jill, Dartmouth Magic dust If you spot any fungi growing on your plants after overwatering them, sprinkle a…

Lying in bed at home in Sydney, Australia, I flicked through Netflix. I’m in the mood for something funny, I thought, clicking onto the comedy section. As I scrolled through shows, I stumbled across a British sitcom called People Just Do Nothing. This looks alright, I thought, pointing my remote at the TV and pressing play. It was a mockumentary about MC Grindah, DJ Beats and their friends, running a pirate radio station in London. A character called Craig came onto the screen – the lazy son of DJ Beats’ girlfriend. But he caught my eye. Something about Craig was really likeable. I thought the actor George Keywood, 30, was really handsome, too. I’d always been attracted to bigger men – and as a size six personal trainer, it did…

Brushing out a lock of hair, I rolled it up into a tight pin curl. Repeating the process until my whole head resembled a bobble brush, this wasn’t the final look. A lover of vintage fashion and hair, I had a pin-up look to match. And while my hair set, I picked out my outfit. With pink my favourite colour, of course I went for a pastel hue, pulling on a vintage ‘40s tea dress. Adding soft glam makeup and unrolling my hair, I looked like I’d stepped right off a vintage postcard. But that was the whole idea. I’d fallen in love with vintage styling as a teenager. However I’d always been slightly alternative. My mum Claire, 60, had always dressed me differently to the other children at school.…

BOOTYLICIOUS Body Proud The Hot Seat Sculpting Booty Cream, £12.95, iamproud.com Booty call just got a whole new meaning – and this isn’t one you’ll want to miss. This new, lightweight firming and sculpting treatment is perfect for swimwear season. Used daily, this will boost hydration and help improve the firm appearance of the glute and thigh area. With the scent of black pepper and rhubarb, this uplifting cream works wonders. BARGAIN BUYS Lacura at Aldi are back again this month with some cracking dupes to fill your beauty cabinet. Their new BHA Clearing Cleanser (£3.99) works to remove excess oils and impurities with purifying ingredients such as glycerine, panthenol, sodium laureth sulphate and salicylic acid. Gentle and lightweight, it leaves the complexion clean, while helping to aid blemish-prone skin.…

It can feel a little awkward talking about IBD and there are some questions that you may not feel comfortable asking. Luckily Grace Baird, a Crohn’s & Colitis UK Nurse Specialist, is here to answer some of the most common queries. Please visit: crohnsandcolitis.org.uk Will IBD affect my work? Do I need to tell my employer about it? It’s completely up to you whether you want to talk to your employer about your Crohn’s or colitis. If your colleagues know about your condition, they’ll understand what’s going on and will be able to support you with it. The Crohn’s & Colitis UK Talking Toolkit has lots of handy tips about how to talk about IBD at work. Can it affect your relationship or sex life? IBD is different for everyone,…

Dear Dad, Coming round yours and Mum’s house, I knew what was on the TV. Sat in your red shirt, you wouldn’t take your eyes away from Liverpool FC. But me, mum, Lin, 73, and my sister Gillian, 45, didn’t care. Cut you in half and the Liverpool crest would pour out. And your love for football meant the whole family was indoctrinated. My kids Sam, 25, Thomas, 20, and Charlotte, 17, were all fans, too. The boys would always watch the games with you. Football wasn’t your first love – it was nothing compared to Mum. She was first, second and third on your list of priorities. Family meant everything to you. Big on hugs, you were shy and quiet – there when we needed you. And your presence…

The sun is making an appearance, flowers are in full bloom and there are people Maypole dancing, too – summer is officially on its way. We are excited here at Pick Me Up! Plus, we’ve got plenty to keep you entertained and inspired over the two bank holidays! Fashion looks that will leave you looking like a golden goddess (pg18), natural home buys from just £3 (pg34) and gardening essentials that help achieve your own haven (pg66) – what more could you want? Not only that, but if you’ve got a sweet tooth, look no further as we’ve got doughnut fun (pg10) that will help you celebrate National Doughnut Week in style. Using sugar, spice and all things nice is something that Zoe uses to her advantage (pg62) – quitting…

Choosing a dress for the evening, I knew I had a night of celebrations ahead of me. With everything planned for quite a while, going to a friend’s house for their birthday, before heading to Revolution and then seeing where the night would go, I’d been added into a group chat on Facebook with 30 people. If you want to have some drinks at mine, you can, my friend Joel* messaged – inviting me to pre-drinks back in December 2019. Knowing roughly half of the group, the party was in full swing with plenty of drinking games. Only, there was a certain person in particular who didn’t fit in with the group. ‘Hey Kayleigh, how’s it going?’ Craig, a familiar voice, said as I poured another drink. Having spoken to…

What links Sex and the City actress Sarah Jessica Parker and music superstar Sir Elton John? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the five-word answer. ACROSS 1 Copenhagen’s country (7) 5 Person who sneaks aboard a ship and hides (8) 9 Maize (4) 13 Wallpaper glue (5) 14 Noise of lightning (7) 15 Intelligent sea-mammal (7) 16 Be a candidate in an election (5) 17 Meat juices (5) 18 Clandestine, covert (6) 20 Cramped or closefitting (5) 21 Struck with envy (7) 23 Domesticated (4) 26 Defensive water round a castle (4) 27 Beermat, perhaps (7) 30 Takes a position of protest or complaint (7) 34 Letters for abroad that pass through a 67 Across (7) 36 Serviette cloth…

I don’t really care about the comments – the amount of judgement I’ve faced all my life for being plus-size is crazy. I’ve heard it all and I’ve seen it all, it doesn’t mean anything. They assume as a fat fella I should be worse off than them, but I’ve got an amazing family, we’re happy and they’re just jealous. People can’t comprehend a big plus-size bloke like me being with an attractive woman. The media paints this image of the perfect couple – both glammed up, tanned, toned, a size six woman and a man with rock-hard abs. But the world is different to that. For us, it wasn’t even something we thought about – we fell in love, and never considered our sizes. While the comments don’t bother…

Known as the Willy Wonka of cake flavours, George Hepher’s new cookbook has 80 deliciously creative bakes and treats. With some of his best-loved creations and never been seen before recipes, Rebel Bakes has a showstopper for every occasion. • Rebel Bakes by George Hepher, £22, Waterstones• Follow George on Instagram: @georges_bakery Gooey Cookie Brownie Pie Serves 12 Prep time: 90 minutes, plus chilling YOU WILL NEED: FOR THE COOKIE CRUST □ 150g butter□ 150g light brown sugar□ 50g golden caster sugar□ 2 egg yolks□ 225g plain flour□ ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda□ ½ tsp baking powder□ ¼ tsp salt□ ½ tsp vanilla bean paste□ 150g milk choc chips FOR BROWNIE FILLING □ 200g dark chocolate□ 250g butter□ 100g caster sugar□ 4 eggs□ 200g light brown sugar□ 100g cocoa powder□…

Stepping out of the bath, I winced as I carefully changed my bandages. I was covered head to toe in open wounds, and every morning it took me a gruelling hour-and-a-half to prepare my skin for the day. It was something I had been doing all my life. You see, I was born with a skin condition called epidermolysis bullosa, or EB. It’s a rare skin condition that means my skin is very fragile and doesn’t produce enough collagen 7 – resulting in blisters and scars over my whole body. It’s known as butterfly skin because of how delicate it is. It also means that I am more prone to conditions like skin cancer and have to be careful in the sun. Growing up in Southern California, it was just…

Dr Magnus Lynch is a consultant dermatologist and surgeon. Please visit: drmagnuslynch.com What questions should you ask your GP if you're concerned about your skin? In most cases, skin cancer will appear as either a new lesion on the skin or a change in the appearance of an existing skin lesion – this is an area of skin that looks different to surrounding skin. This can be assessed by your GP, but they might refer you to a dermatologist for a specialist assessment. Even lesions that appear benign can occasionally become cancerous and therefore even if a doctor tells you that something is benign it is important to return for review if there is any further change. I advise patients to monitor their own skin at home. Perform a full…

It’s wedding season – and with help from high-street fashion retailer QUIZ, you can steal the show. With flawless options, there’s something for everyone – save the date with ease. Pastels, satin and floral numbers are the way forward this summer. Shop in store or online now: quizclothing.co.uk V-neck or deep neckline dresses elongate the upper body, drawing attention away from your midriff. Add a dainty necklace, too. Pastel shades and even deep navy blues are classic wedding guest colours – you won’t get an ear-full from the bride!…

Aries March 21st - April 20th The stars highlight your need to connect with others – but you know you’re getting nowhere with the person who seems to be all talk and no action over the last few weeks. Remember, you’re a sign who has standards – but also remember why you should not drop them. Last Christmas comes to mind, Aries? The power of a positive mind can work miracles this month, so believe in what you want and all you do, my friend. If you do, a no can turn into a yes in your personal life from the 19th. Ring now for a full reading. Taurus April 21st - May 21st Events in your personal life have clearly taken the wind out of your sails. Things didn’t…

Slip on your gloves and get sowing!…

Puppy power Here are my cousins struggling to control our excitable dog Rolo on his daily walk. He easily gets distracted by squirrels. Jennifer, Exmouth What do you call a bee born in May? May bee! How funny! Change of scenery Absolutely loved the stunning views on my recent weekend away in Amsterdam. The canals were so beautiful. Lily, Brighton Three’s a crowd This horsey friend decided to join in with the selfie fun. I guess our girl gang has gained another member! Aimee, Sussex Bake off! My mum is such a star baker and I think she needs more recognition for her skills. Just look at this gorgeous lemon drizzle cake she made recently. Olivia, Wrexham Why didn’t the teacher wear sunglasses while on holiday? Because her brightest students weren’t…

It’s that time of year – BBQ season begins. But your garden furniture may need some TLC after winter. Garden furniture expert, Emily Murison, from Gates Garden Centre, reveals her tips for sprucing up your garden furniture. • visit: gatesgardencentre.co.uk 1 Avoid pressure washers Don’t use a pressure washer on your outdoor furniture – especially wooden, rattan, wicker or rope furniture. Extreme pressure may cause the wood grain to lift, cause weave to splinter or rope to fray. 2 Bust stains with bleach If stains or marks aren’t coming out of your wooden furniture, use a small cap of bleach in a bucket of lukewarm water to clean it. However, be sure to test a patch out of sight first to test for discolouration. 3 Clean, shield and protect Clean…

A hint of paradise is never that far away – especially if you incorporate it into your wardrobe. With stunning blues, Greek-inspired prints and accessories that will give you compliments galore, prepare to be a glowing goddess.…

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_ They think they own the place – shall I tell them? I hate my neighbours. They think they are better than everyone on the street as they have an extension and new fancy cars. They host BBQs just to gloat. I can’t bite my tongue anymore and I’m worried that one day I will snap. Should I just come out and say it? Heidi, Stoke-on-Trent YES Pick Me Up! reader Susan from Sandhurst says: I know the type! If you…

Walking through the door after work, I was searching for my furry friend, excited to see him after a long day. ‘I’m home! Where are you?’ I called out. Looking around, Sox was sat upon his cat tree and I could see the little white sock-like markings on his paws – which is where he got his name from. He jumped down and ran straight towards me. As he meowed at my feet, I grabbed his lead and decided to take him for a walk. We lived in a seventh floor flat, so it’s lucky Sox preferred being indoors – I still liked to make sure he got his exercise though. My daughter Sarah, now 37, found Sox online after someone couldn’t cope with him anymore. And it was perfect…

With Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy (doctorfox.co.uk) Cross over Q Will sitting cross-legged on my desk chair harm my joints in the long run? It’s a habit I can’t seem to break! Mel, Kidderminster A Sitting cross-legged for short periods is unlikely to harm your joints. However, if you do it persistently for long periods, the lower part of the spine is pulled out of alignment and this can increase the risk of lower back pain. It may be that sitting cross-legged for any length of time can damage circulation in the legs and increase the risk of varicose veins. In one study, crossing the legs was associated with an increase in blood pressure, too. Crossing one leg over the other for long periods can cause peroneal nerve…

Satisfy your sweet tooth this month!…

Looking at my son trying on his first pair of boxing gloves, I could see the determination on his face. Teon was a very hyperactive child, and I wanted a sport to keep him entertained. ‘Can I try boxing?’ he asked me. And it was clear from his first session that Teon was a natural. Teon dreamed of becoming a heavyweight boxing champion, looking up to boxing heroes such as Anthony Joshua. And aged 16, Teon was still just as determined to reach his goals as he was as a boy. Alongside boxing, we were a very tight knit family with my second son Dwight, now 15. Going on lots of days out, I remember our last holiday to Turkey before Covid. Quad biking, horse riding and visiting waterparks, we…

Dishing up potato waffles, chicken nuggets and juicy baked beans, I arranged them neatly onto the white plate. It wasn’t because my partner Paul, now 38, had requested his dinner to be made in this way. And our kids Alisha, now 16, Kayden, now 12, and Logan, now 11, hadn’t asked for a picture-perfect meal either. In fact, it wasn’t even teatime – it was 3am in the morning! But I hadn’t gotten peckish and snuck downstairs for a beige midnight snack. I’d been working tirelessly throughout the night, as everyone else was asleep, rolling fondant icing into what would look like little chicken chunks. And even though it looked like the real deal, the entire meal was made out of cake – even the plate was edible, too. However,…