Innehållsförteckning för August 2025 från Pick Me Up! Special

Gosh, where has this year gone? The school holidays will soon be in full swing, but hopefully you’ll find a moment in a sunny spot to enjoy this fabulous August issue of Pick Me Up! special. We’ve got pages of puzzles, real-life reads, true crime and bargains galore. There are also yummy summer bakes to keep the kids quiet (p50). My little boy, 7, loves snakes and held one at the zoo, but I couldn’t imagine having one as a pet, never mind a houseful like Jane and Socratis on p58. Sssscary!…

Lisa Pfaff, 55 Seeing my handsome boy all grown up and ready for university, I was so proud. Derek, then 19, was the second eldest of my five kids. Along with Justin, then 22, Brandon, 16, and Devin, 13, my husband Jerry, then 45, and I had a brood of boys until Shaelyn, 5, came along. A little cheerleader for our home-grown football team. The boys had always been mad about sports, especially Derek. He’d even helped his school football team win the regional championship. Now, in October 2013, he was off to college to study nursing. ‘I’ll miss you,’ I told him, hugging him goodbye. ‘I’ll be back soon,’ he said. Derek regularly called home, told us he was working hard to get top marks. And in March 2014,…

Louise Fox, 50, Bedford My son George cuddled up to our cavapoo pooch Dolly on the sofa. ‘My head’s pounding,’ he groaned, when I asked if he was OK. It was April 2021 and George, then 12, had been busy doing his homework. Along with his brother Jamie, then 17, and little sister Isabella, 11, he was brilliant at school. He never gave us any trouble, loved playing with his siblings. He adored animals, too. He was the one who convinced us to get Dolly and Daisy the poochon, plus our tortoise, Troy. But now even a cuddle with his best pal wasn’t cheering him up. The next morning, George’s headache still hadn’t shifted. ‘He’s isn’t the type to complain over nothing,’ I told my husband Matt, 51. I took…

Flashing her huge trademark smile, little Sara Sharif sang and danced in the playground. Performing was what she loved to do. Full of energy, she had big dreams. ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ her teacher at St Mary’s Primary School in Surrey asked her. ‘I want to be on The X Factor,’ she replied with a grin. ‘I want to win it!’ Her favourite songs were Memories by Maroon 5, and Count on Me by Bruno Mars. She’d sing to anyone who would listen. She’d also look after the smaller children at school. Earned the nickname ‘mother hen’, because of her caring nature. Her parents must have been so proud. Sara lived with her dad Urfan Sharif and her stepmum Beinash Batool. Along with her…

According to the National Statistics Office Malta’s 2021 census, how many women live in Malta? Fit these numbers into the grid. One number doesn’t fit. This is the answer. 3 digits 148 260 320 584 773 826 838 845 888 901 4 digits 1429 1825 1886 2238 4014 4911 5133 5674 6008 6837 7159 9007 9301 5 digits 11670 12641 13557 22324 32113 33461 54672 65745 72684 90105 90310 6 digits 195723 249541 350051 951828 7 digits 2498971 7264281 8213785 8 digits 19041874 51680754 62531518 98755065 Your answer:…

1 HOLD IT Color Wow Texas Hold’em Big Hold Hairspray, £29.50, lookfantastic.com Give your hairdo the ultimate staying power with this extrastrong spray, formulated to lock in your look or hold on to volume for as long as possible. If it’s big hair you want to create, a misting of this will do the trick. 2 BRIGHTER BLONDE  Aveda Botanical Repair Purple Toning Shampoo, £30, aveda.co.uk Reverse yellow tones in your blonde while strengthening and healing damage from bleach with this 96% naturally derived formula. For especially brassy shades, leave on for up to three minutes for a more intense transformation. 3 BESPOKE BUY  Hair + Me Treatment, £34.99 a month, hairandme.com This 100% online prescription service treats issues from thinning and damage to hair loss, and creates a personalised treatment plan for…

GEORGE HOME AT ASDA Warm tones, like yellow, orange and pink, bring a summer feel to your decor. NUTMEG HOME AT MORRISONS Soft pinks and sage greens are a classic country duo. Mix in florals for a hit of pattern. M&S Fruit prints are in high demand this season. We love these punchy patterns and colours. HABITAT AT SAINSBURY’S Dial up your garden’s style with these bold and bright buys.…

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When 26-year-old Madison turned on her television and saw blonde bombshell Frenchy on a reality show, she liked her straight away. ‘I thought she was super funny and authentic on TV,’ Madison says. So she started following her on Instagram. After messaging for a while and discovering they lived near each other, Frenchy asked to meet up. And Madison was thrilled to discover that Frenchy was everything she’d hoped she’d be. ‘She’s super funny and authentic in person!’ she laughs. ‘We had good chemistry right away,’ Frenchy says. But what neither of them expected was to fall in love. ‘I love how she is just so authentically herself. You can’t fake that,’ Madison says. Now, the couple are in a romantic relationship with each other. ‘We’ve been dating for about…

Walking into 9-year-old Ariana’s bedroom is like walking into the reptile house at a zoo. While most little girls play with dolls and teddies, she likes to play with snakes. So much so, she shares her bedroom with 18 of them! They slide over her body as she lies on the floor, stroking and cuddling her slippery pals. She even sleeps with them. Ariana’s love for reptiles comes from her dad Socratis, who grew up scared of them. ‘What first started out as a fear of mine became a passion,’ he explains. After shedding his nerves, he has now spent more than £240,000 on almost 200 snakes, and another £80,000 kitting out a specialist room to house them in glass cases. ‘Ariana was 1 year old when she first held…

In 2018, aged 18, I had my first lesson with Michael Florek. Like Morgane, he took me to a quiet estate with no one around. Already anxious, I felt alone and afraid. When he started talking about sexy girls in uniform and asking me about my sex life, I was horrified. Then, halfway through the lesson, he placed his hand on my breast. He groped me as he reached for the steering wheel, and touched my leg changing to fifth gear. Squeezed his hand on my thigh as he taught me clutch control. Frozen in fear, I had no idea what to do. I felt trapped. After that lesson, I was haunted by what he’d done to me. Too afraid to go back, I never learnt to drive. I kept…

How funny! Where do birds stay when they go on holiday? Somewhere cheep.…

Lily Gladstone has said that which film gave her the early spark to want to become an actor? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the four-word answer. ACROSS 11 Big cat (6) 12 Change from liquid to gas (9) 13 Require (4) 14 Actor who starred in Forrest Gump (3,5) 15 Private teacher (5) 16 Inventor, _ Edison (6) 17 US state (7) 18 Panel show hosted by Dara Ó Briain (4,3,4) 20 Oak-tree seed (5) 22 Not temporary (9) 24 Secret hoard (5) 28 Roger _, former tennis player (7) 29 Go backwards (7) 32 _ McCall, TV presenter (6) 34 An ocean (8) 36 Good-looking (8) 37 Came down to earth (6) 39 Expression of regret (7) 40 Writer and…

Dame Joan Collins ‘Being a judge on The Masked Singer because I didn’t know who half the people were that they were talking about!’ Davina McCall ‘I went for a wee in between two cars when I was out with friends one night. I was crouched down and one of the cars turned its light on and caught me out. There was absolutely nothing I could do.’ Moira Stewart ‘When I started broadcasting for BBC Radio in 1973, I was doing all kinds of shift work – morning, noon and night. One morning, I rushed into work at dawn and halfway there I realised I was without my knickers. I walked cross-legged all bloody day!’ Louise Redknapp ‘Apart from falling over onstage and wearing a terrible outfit, I’ve also gone up to…

Ethos, pathos and logos are often considered the main strands of what skill? The answer to each clue (apart from the first) begins with the last letter of the preceding answer. The shaded squares will spell out the one-word answer. Your answer: 1 Yellow-flowered weed (9) 2 Familiar or pet name (8) 3 Reflected sound (4) 4 Womble named after a South American river (7) 5 Late being returned or paid (7) 6 Add decorative needlework (9) 7 Codeword for R (5) 8 The Favourite actor, _ Colman (6) 9 Occurring by chance (10) 10 Maze (9) 11 Vacation (7) 12 Pleasure sailing or power vessel (5) 13 Immature frog (7) 14 Tree which keeps its leaves all year (9) 15 Tense, jumpy (5) 16 Longing (8) You’ll find the puzzle…

Top tip Use chicken or turkey breast to reduce the fat and cals. Chicken and chickpea salad Chermoula is a herby spice paste that adds plenty of flavour to this dish. SERVES 6 PREP 15 MINS, PLUS 30 MINS MARINATING COOK 25 MINS ● 1kg chicken thighs● 130g chermoula spice paste● 400g tin chickpeas, drained and rinsed● 3tbsp olive oil● 300g wholewheat giant couscous● Juice ½ lemon ● 100g spinach● 50g flaked almonds● 50g dried apricots, chopped 1 Put the chicken in a ceramic or glass bowl, then rub with the chermoula, reserving 1tbsp. Marinate in the fridge for at least 30 mins or overnight. 2 Heat the oven to 180C Fan/Gas 6. Transfer the chicken to a roasting tray, then bake for 25 mins, or until the juices run clear and…

Ashley Smith, 34, Worcester Looking at my phone screen, I did a double take then shrieked and raced downstairs as it buzzed in my hand. ‘Guess who’s calling?’ I squealed, shoving my Nokia under my mum Julie’s nose. ‘It’s Duncan James!’ It was 2004 and, aged 13, I was obsessed with the boy band Blue. Antony Costa, Simon Webbe, Lee Ryan were all gorgeous. But my favourite was Duncan. I’d plastered my bedroom walls with posters of him. Now he was calling me! Only… ‘How did Duncan get my number?’ I said, confused. Then I noticed Mum sniggering, phone in hand. ‘It’s not Duncan calling, it’s me,’ she admitted. Said she’d sneakily changed her number in my contacts list from ‘Mum’ to ‘Duncan James’. Pranked by my own mum. Hilarious!…

A codeword is like a crossword puzzle but there are no clues! Every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number, the same number representing the same letter throughout the puzzle. Just decide which letter is represented by which number. To start you off, we’ve revealed the codes for three letters. Once you’ve filled in these letters throughout the puzzle, you’ll have enough info to guess words and discover other letters. Use the letter checklist and letter grid to keep track of the letters you have found.…

Amanda Fuller, 53, Portsmouth, Hampshire Slumped on the sofa, watching Davina McCall’s documentary, I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. It was May 2021, and for years now I’d not felt like myself. Angry and stressed, my joints ached. I was tired all the time and I had no sex drive whatsoever. ‘It’s like I’ve died from the eyebrows down,’ I’d joke to friends. I put it down to stress. Keeping my sportstherapy business afloat during endless lockdowns. And going through a painful break-up. Besides, I’d been drinking and eating more and had put on some weight. No wonder I didn’t feel sexy. I just felt drab. Watching the Channel 4 doc Sex, Myths and the Menopause, I had a light-bulb moment. I was…

Top tip Swap the blueberries for strawberries or raspberries or a mixture of both. Fruity Victoria sponge It’s the perfect cake for every occasion! SERVES 8 PREP 20 MINS COOK 20 MINS ● 185g Stork baking block● 185g caster sugar● 4 free-range eggs, lightly beaten● 1tsp vanilla extract● 185g self-raising flour, sifted● 4tbsp almond milk For the filling: ● 100g pure soya spread● 100g icing sugar, plus 1tsp to dust● 1tsp vanilla extract● 75g blueberries You will need: ● 2 x 20cm round cake tins, lined with baking paper 1 Heat the oven to 160C Fan/Gas 4. Beat the Stork and the caster sugar together until pale and fluffy. 2 Gradually add the eggs and vanilla a little at a time, beating well after each addition. Fold in the flour…

Historic streets Built on a steep hillside, Fowey has been a centre for trade, piracy, smuggling and fishing – with each era leaving its mark on the cosy cottages and higgledy-piggledy streets. Bursting with restaurants and boutiques, Fowey is also home to a pretty parish church and, while not open to the public, the impressive exterior of Place House – private residence of the local Treffry family – towers above town. Foodie treats Graze on everything from hot chocolate at Brown Sugar Cafe (brownsugarfowey.com) to flapjacks at Flapjackery (flapjackery.co.uk). Visit Johns Wines (johnswines.co.uk) for Cornish-made beers, ciders and spirits and Kittows of Fowey (kittowsfowey.co.uk) to pick up deli goods. For a special meal out, Appleton’s (appletonsrestaurant.com) serves Italian-style dishes. Coastal walks Whichever way you strike out from the town centre,…

Morgane Chapman, 25, Stroud, Gloucestershire As a little car pulled up outside my house, I felt excited and nervous. ‘He’s here!’ I shouted to my mum Sue and dad David, then both 44. It was September 2016, and, aged 17, I was about to have my first driving lesson. ‘Good luck,’ Mum said, giving me a squeeze as I dashed out the door. I couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel, get my licence and gain some independence. As I approached the car, the instructor smiled. ‘Hi, I’m Mike,’ he said. Michael, then 56, was a well-known driving instructor in our area. With decades of experience, I felt in safe hands. ‘So, are you at college?’ Mike asked, turning the key in the ignition. I told him I was studying…

NUMBER JIG ANSWER: 249,541 WORDSEARCH ANSWER: RABBIT SPIRAL XWORD ANSWER: RHETORIC THREE IN A ROW ANSWER: FRANCS ARROW WORD ANSWER: FANTASIA CODEWORD WORDWISE ALOFT, BEFIT, FABLE, FAIL, FATE, FEAT, FELT, FETA, FETAL, FIAT, FILE, FILET, FILO, FLAB, FLAT, FLEA, FLIT, FLOAT, FLOE, FOAL, FOETAL, FOIBLE, FOIL, FOLIATE, LEAF, LEFT, LIEF, LIFE, LIFEBOAT, LIFT, LOAF, LOFT ANSWER: BIFOLIATE SUDOKU SUDOKU THE BIGGIE ANSWER: RETURN OF THE JEDI JUMBO PUZZLE ANSWER: PATCHWORK QUILT LINKWORDS RABBIT, MODERN, FACTOR, HAMPER, PADDLE, ROCKET, MIRROR, BEFORE, RANDOM, PILLOW ANSWER: FIDDLEHEAD…

Chin chin Those with square, broader jaws are matter-of-fact, instinctive and make good bosses, but can be strong-willed and stubborn. A softer jaw tends to mean someone is more understanding. Who nose best? Having a long nose and chin means you’re approachable and like to help others. Anyone with a round face and long nose is wonderful to work with. Pucker up Fuller, pouty lips show someone is generous in relationships. A tighter lip means they can give too much and may also be a bit closed off, but they’re sensitive and devoted. And yes – big mouths are chatty! While small mouths indicate a quiet sincerity. Just browsing Eyebrows reflect ambition and how you tackle challenges. Thick eyebrows suggest high energy and someone who takes charge, while thinner ones…

Tali Shapiro, 65 Grabbing my school bag, I stepped outside. ‘Bye, Mum,’ I called, pulling the door shut. It was 25 September 1968, and, aged 8, I was on my way to school. My mum Miki, then 35, preferred me to take the bus, but I liked walking. Within minutes, a car pulled up beside me. The driver wound down his window. ‘I know your mum and dad,’ he said. I wasn’t surprised. My dad Benny, then 36, used to run a jazz bar. They knew everyone. But I didn’t recognise this man with long, shaggy hair. ‘Jump in, I’ll give you a lift to school,’ he said. I wasn’t supposed to speak to strangers, but he knew my parents… ‘OK,’ I agreed. ‘I’m a photographer,’ the man said, as…

STYLE TIP Longline shorts look best with heels to elongate your legs. Choose a slip-on style that won’t cut you off at the ankle. STYLE TIP Pair denim with a classic Breton striped T-shirt for a timeless look. Add a pair of sleek sandals to keep it polished. STYLE TIP Make high-street look high-end. Keep things tonal with a matching co-ord and finish off with designer-inspired accessories. STYLE TIP Elevate a plain pair of shorts with a textured or knitted top. Wear it tucked in and add a belt to define your waist.…

Hannah Carmack, 30 Gazing at my reflection, I groaned at my dark circles and crazy hair. It was September 2022 and while I loved my nursing job at a veterinary hospital, night shifts left me shattered. I hardly saw my husband Michael, then 29, and our daughter Emily, 7. Also, I’d just been sick. Probably a tummy bug. ‘Unless…’ I thought. Opening the bathroom cabinet, I rooted for the unopened pregnancy test. I’d kept it from the previous year when we’d tried for another baby. Only, we’d given up after three months. ‘I’m happy to be a one and done girl,’ I’d told Michael. We’d been going through a rough time. Arguing loads, even talking about splitting up. Now, I took the pregnancy test to rule it out. Minutes later,…

Read down the letters in the shaded squares to spell out a craft item (9,5). ACROSS 1 Shoves (6) 4 Laboratory elements (9) 9 Utters words (6) 15 Step (5) 16 Vegetables (7) 17 Take away (5) 18 Manage (3) 19 Wicked (4) 20 Citizens of Cairo (9) 21 Await (6) 24 Menacing (11) 26 Landmasses (10) 29 Place inside (6) 31 Verse of a poem (6) 32 Bordered (5) 33 Foot digit (3) 35 Perplexing (11) 36 Thrills (10) 40 Sloppily (10) 42 Discovery (11) 44 Employ (3) 45 Shy (5) 47 Grown-ups (6) 48 Underground passage (6) 50 Isolation (10) 52 Governing bodies (11) 56 Shining (6) 57 Allowed (9) 59 Prohibition (4) 62 Number (3) 63 Stirred from sleep (5) 64 Not fake (7) 65 Appended (5)…

Veritee Reed-Hall, 71, Cornwall Electropop was on the radio, Band Aid topped the charts. It was January 1985, big hair, high waists and shoulder pads were all the rage. But there was another thing making headlines. AIDS was becoming an epidemic, with more cases being identified in the UK. A year earlier, I’d even lost a close friend to the virus. Watching him suffer had been heartbreaking. But while many people were ignorant about the virus, I was more clued-up. As a youth worker specialising in sexual health, I knew the importance of safe sex. Whatever your gender or sexual orientation, the virus could affect anyone. So when I’d met Barry, then 33, a few months earlier, I kept my wits about me. Despite his good looks and Merchant Navy…

Virgo 23 August – 22 September Forget about anything going to plan before the 11th, perhaps because of a slip-up you make, then life flows smoothly again. The 23rd marks a fresh start. Call 0905 789 4155* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates Libra 23 September – 22 October Beware feeling impatient, especially around the 8th/9th. While it’s likely you’re simply busy, it’s hard to get anywhere for the strangest of reasons. Stay focused.  Call 0905 789 4156* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates Scorpio 23 October – 21 November August begins with pushing a project forward. After that, obstacles hinder what you’re trying to achieve, especially around the 9th. If you can, relax and enjoy the sun.  Call 0905 789 4157* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly…