Innehållsförteckning för February 2026 från Pick Me Up! Special

Hopefully by now you’re in the swing of 2026, making plans and enjoying the good things about these cold, dark winter months. Quiet nights in watching the telly, cosy PJ days and warming Sunday dinners. And now your February issue of Pick Me Up! Special is here to cheer you up, too. On p8, we meet Felicitas, who didn’t hang around when she met ‘The One’, and on p38, Kathleen reveals how her quick thinking saved her from one of the UK’s worst serial killers. Plus, find your perfect fit jeans on p12, revive tired skin with our beauty bargains on p31, and enjoy all the usual real life, true crime, fun and puzzles – curled up in the warm with a cuppa, of course!…

Felicitas Ngong-mmbi, 25 As the TikTok live stream disconnected, I gave a sigh of relief. Phew, I thought. It was March 2023 and I’d just appeared as a guest speaker on an influencer’s video, debating religion and other topics I was passionate about. I was always on social media but it was the first time I’d done anything like that. I’d been nervous but was so proud of myself. Then, just as I was packing my laptop away, a private message popped up. You spoke so well! it said. I clicked on the sender’s profile, it was someone called Peyton. Zooming in on his profile pic, he was handsome with beautiful blue eyes and a kind smile. Thanks! It was my first time, I wrote back. Seconds later, another message…

Gemma Smith, 40, Manchester The sweet, buttery smell of fresh cupcakes hit as soon as the Tupperware lid popped off. ‘I’ve been baking all weekend,’ my fellow juror grinned, passing the chocolatey delights around the room. In September 2015, I’d been on jury service for months. Taking time off from my customer service role, doing something to play my part hadn’t seemed so bad at first. But this trial, a tricky fraud case, had been rolling on for ages. It was exhausting and there was no end in sight. And when it came to scoffing treats to keep my energy up, I was definitely guilty as charged. It didn’t help that the other jurors were all feeders. From the lady who loved baking, to the elderly fella who insisted we…

1 COMFORTING WASH It’s easy to neglect your body in the winter, but swapping to a more moisturising shower-time option such as Dove Advanced Care Nourishing Silk Body Wash, £4.99, Superdrug, is a great way of keeping your skin soft and smooth, without having to hang around in the cold waiting for your body cream to sink in. 2 TONE UP Toners aren’t essential but they can be a great way of adding a much-needed extra layer of moisture to your skin. Nip+Fab Ceramide Fix Base Build Moisture Milk, £29.95, lookfantastic.com, immediately soothes and softens, acting as a cleanser, toner and serum all in one. It’s designed for morning and evening use. 3 SMART SERUM Korean skincare prioritises hydration – it’s the cornerstone of skin health. Dr Althea Aqua Marine Deep Serum, £14.50,…

DUNELM Just one or two hero pieces can really lift tired decor – look for fun, curvy shapes and graphic prints to add interest to your space. H&M HOME Channel some 70s cool into your home with brown tones and retro designs. Pink touches keep it modern and cheerful. NEXT Cancel out the gloomy January weather by styling your rooms with bright accessories and nature-inspired finishing touches. B&M Fill a decorative tray with a mix of tonal trinkets and cosy scents to create a simple yet wow-worthy centrepiece on your coffee table.…

A codeword is like a 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. 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. ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ…

Joanna Forrester, 45, Aberdeen Handing me a cuppa, my mum Kris, then 68, gave me a serious look. ‘Why don’t you look into freezing your eggs?’ she said. ‘That’s a bit far-fetched,’ I laughed. It was August 2014, I was 34, mid-divorce and I was sure I wanted kids but I was about to move to the US to train to be a helicopter pilot. But I had plenty of time to start a family, didn’t I? While living in Florida, USA, I met another pilot, Sindre, then 23, and we fell in love. When the time came to return to the UK, Sindre went back to his native Norway. We visited one another and chatted on FaceTime. And by the time I was 39, kids were still on my…

Apple and blackberry cobbler A tasty alternative to crumble, the biscuit topping is hard to resist. SERVES 6 PREP 25 MINS COOK 1 HR 10 MINS For the filling: ● 2 Bramley apples, peeled, cored and sliced● 3 Braeburn apples (unpeeled), cored, sliced● 60g unsalted butter, cubed● 70g soft light brown sugar● ½tsp mixed spice● 1tsp lemon juice● 1tsp cornflour● 200g blackberries For the topping: ● 200g plain flour● 100g soft light brown sugar, plus extra to sprinkle● 1½tsp baking powder● 150g unsalted butter, cubed● 1 orange, zest only● 25g pistachios, chopped To serve: ● Brandy whipped cream You will need: ● 1ltr pie dish 1 Heat the oven to 160C Fan. Mix all of the filling ingredients except the blackberries. Spread into the pie dish, cover tightly with foil…

History abounds Salisbury Cathedral boasts the tallest spire in England, at 404ft, and also houses one of the best-preserved copies of the famous Magna Carta. But perhaps the highlight of any visit is a tower tour. To get to the top, you have to climb 332 steps (in easy stages) and walk through narrow stone passages. Once you reach the top, at the base of the spire, you are rewarded with spectacular views over the city. Adults, £16; children, £9. Mysterious stones Stonehenge – 5,000 years old and one of the world’s best-known tourist attractions – is just outside the city, in Amesbury. At one time you could drive, park by the side of the road and stroll freely around the stones. But they’ve been fenced off since 1977, and…

Emma Forshaw, 45, Wirral Pouring cola into glasses, the sound of excited chatter and roaring engines echoed from the living room. When I took in the drinks, my son Ben, then 14, and our friend Paul Jones, 49, were engrossed in the telly. ‘Thanks for having me over,’ Paul said, above the noise of screeching tyres. ‘It’s more fun watching the Grand Prix with Ben than on my own at home.’ ‘I think he’s enjoying himself too,’ I laughed. An electrician who worked with one of my relatives, Paul and I had been chatting on Facebook for a few months, since earlier that year in 2012. Although both single, we were happy just being mates. The great thing was that he and Ben shared the same interests. Cars, trucks… From…

Pisces 19 February – 20 March It’s Valentine’s Day soon, but you are having a significant day anyway. Events push you where you’re meant to go, and after the 19th, you can get there. Call 0905 789 4161* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates Aries 21 March – 19 April You make enormous progress now by taking an objective approach, especially in February’s first half. Advice from a friend or colleague helps around the 17th. Call 0905 789 4150* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates Taurus 20 April – 20 May Valentine’s Day could bring a surprise, so stay open to new things. Around the 16th, you could meet someone who opens up a whole fresh direction. Call 0905 789 4151* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates…

How funny! Why do cows wear bells?  Because their horns don’t work!…

What home furnishings did TV presenter Carol Smillie buy after watching drama series It’s a Sin? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the five-word answer. ACROSS 11 Super-soft yarn made from rabbit hair (6) 12 Quentin _, film director (9) 13 Norse god of thunder (4) 14 Capital of Finland (8) 15 Of a town or city (5) 16 Stand against (6) 17 Naval leader (7) 18 1994 film directed by 12 Across (4,7) 20 Matt _, Doctor Who actor (5) 22 Necessary (9) 24 Monstrous giants (5) 28 Strange or rare (7) 29 Common jam flavour (7) 32 Fire-breathing creature (6) 34 Blows air into (8) 36 Scottish royal residence (8) 37 Angle (6) 39 Agrees (7) 40 Put on a…

The ‘northern’ rules are the version of which game as stipulated by its UK national association? 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. 1 _ quartet, singing group (10) 2 Large bird with pouched bill (7) 3 Gobbledegook (8) 4 Late part of the day (7) 5 Car building (6) 6 Great circle with a latitude of 0 degrees (7) 7 Scott Joplin’s style (7) 8 Capital of Scotland (9) 9 Stew with potatoes (6) 10 Astronomer’s instrument (9) 11 World’s highest mountain (7) 12 Descartes quote, ‘I think _ I am’ (9) 13 Time when day and night are of equal length (7) 14 Christmas, informally (4) 15 Adept…

Mince beef pie TOTAL COST: £6.33 Keep a pack of pastry in the freezer to turn easy mince into a pub classic. SERVES 4 PREP 20 MINS COOK 1 HR 15 MINS ● ½tbsp rapeseed oil● 500g beef mince● 2 red onions, peeled and chopped into wedges● 200g chestnut mushrooms, halved if large and wiped clean● 1 bay leaf● 1 beef stock pot● 400g tin whole plum tomatoes● 1tbsp tomato puree● Splash Worcestershire sauce● 375g sheet ready-rolled puff pastry● 1 egg yolk, beaten with a splash of water You will need: ● 4 x 250ml pie dishes 1 Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a high heat. Add the mince and fry until browned, breaking it up. Season and transfer to a plate, leaving any fat in…

Kathleen Richards, 65, Gloucestershire As the front door opened, a man with dark, wiry hair and a wide smile greeted us. Dressed in a grey jacket and trousers, he looked respectable. ‘Have you any rooms, please?’ I asked timidly. ‘Come in,’ he said, in a thick local accent. It was autumn 1977 and, aged 17, I’d spotted the room vacancy ad in the window of a three-storey house on Cromwell Street in Gloucester. A world away from the two-bedroom flat in Dublin that me and my sister Deirdre shared with our parents and eight siblings. Eventually, we’d all moved to Gloucester. But when Deirdre, then 18, had a baby out of wedlock, Dad told her to leave. ‘You should go with her,’ Mum said, when I protested. Now, the three…

Kashia Manganas, 34 My husband Andreas, then 33, was grinning from ear to ear. ‘We agreed one more, not two,’ I gasped, trying to stay composed. ‘Well, there are definitely two babies in there,’ the sonographer smiled. It was January 2023, and we’d gone for an early scan after finding out I was pregnant. I already had my son Luke, then 11, from a previous relationship. And we’d had our daughter Anastasia then 4, in January 2019. We’d decided to try for a third and final baby, only it didn’t happen straight away. And just when we’d almost given up trying, I found out I was pregnant. Only now, staring at the two little blobs on the screen, I was feeling more than a little apprehensive. ‘It’s wonderful,’ Andreas gushed…

Jordan Enneper, 29 Holding my baby girl in my arms, my heart was so full of love. ‘You’re beautiful,’ I whispered, kissing her forehead. It was September 2019, and I’d just given birth to my second child, Elynn. My son Carl was only 14 months old and I knew having two so close together would be challenging. But my husband Vincent, then 24, had been so supportive after my first pregnancy that I wasn’t too worried. Only, whereas with Carl he’d spend hours cuddling him, play with his toys and take care of night feeds, he barely acknowledged Elynn. Instead, he seemed distant and irritable. I hoped things would soon settle down. But they just got worse. ‘You’re holding her too much,’ Vince snapped one evening when I rushed to…

FROM £ 18 WIDE-LEG STYLE TIP Elegant and leg-lengthening. Offset the voluminous shape with a more fitted top half. BARREL STYLE TIP High on the waist and tapering at the ankle, these look great with a sleek mule or ballet flat. STRAIGHT STYLE TIP Swap your skinnies for this simple cut. Wear with a slouchy knit and oversized blazer. BOOTCUT STYLE TIP An ultra-flattering retro silhouette. Best teamed with heels and a tucked-in top to show off the waist.…

Lucy Livesey, 36, Manchester As pink balloons floated above us, my husband Rick, 29, spun me around. ‘We’re having a girl!’ he beamed as our friends and family cheered. It was April 2017 and I was 14 weeks pregnant with our first baby. We’d had a private scan a week before and Rick had kept the sex a secret so I could enjoy the surprise with our loved ones. Now he’d lifted the lid of the box and pink balloons rose up to the sky, the secret was finally out. After celebrating at the gender reveal, we agreed on the name Ellie for our girl. We were so excited to become parents. Then, after my 20-week scan, the doctors wanted to do more tests on Ellie’s heart. It wasn’t unexpected…

Mae Carter, 26 Arching my foot, I stared down at my freshly pedicured feet. They’d been washed, scrubbed and my toenails painted a gorgeous glossy pink. ‘Hey, look at my pretty feet,’ I said, as I filmed myself on my phone, wiggling my toes. Then I posted the short clip online. Within seconds, I got the reaction I was hoping for. You’re an absolute goddess, I want them in my mouth, a male follower wrote. I replied privately, sending him my price list. See, it was April 2020, and after years of jumping from job to job, I’d finally found a way of making money that I enjoyed. Showing off my feet online to strangers was definitely a little bit different to waitressing and working in office admin. But it…

Tara McHale, 37, Pontefract Combing the hair on her dolly’s head, my daughter Minnie, then 3, looked up at me and beamed. ‘She needs a haircut, Mummy,’ she giggled, tugging the comb through a tangled knot. ‘I think you’re right,’ I laughed. Then, as I glanced across the room at my husband Alex, then 35, he nodded. It was time. ‘Minnie,’ I began, taking a deep breath. ‘You know how dolly needs a haircut, well, Mummy might have her hair chopped off too. In fact, it might fall out.’ ‘Why?’ she frowned. ‘Mummy has a poorly booby,’ I continued. It was July 2022 and I’d just been diagnosed with breast cancer. I’d noticed a lump in my left breast years ago. I’d been told that it was a benign cyst.…

One look at Vienna Würstel tells you she’s a woman who knows her own personal style. Her long blonde hair and curvy figure would already make her stand out from the crowd. Yet something else about her appearance gets all of the attention. Her huge, cosmetically enhanced lips. It wasn’t always the case that Vienna was so confident. Born male, she was very confused about her appearance growing up. ‘I didn’t know how I should look, or how I wanted to look,’ Vienna admits. It led to her having lip filler aged 18 – a procedure that was the first of many. And the following year, Vienna started transitioning to become a woman. What followed were breast implants, then a lip and eye lift. Next, Vienna had voice surgery to…

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From vampire flicks to slasher movies, horror is big business in Hollywood. And though many of us prefer to hide behind the cushions for anything scarier than a PG, horror fans revel in watching gory movies. But while most viewers separate fiction from reality, there have been disturbing cases where individuals claimed to be inspired by horror films when carrying out violent copycat crimes. We take a look at people who have seemingly been motivated by gory films to commit terrible crimes. SLASHER HORROR Cinema goers in 1984 gasped when Freddy Krueger slashed his victims with a glove fitted with razors in A Nightmare on Elm Street. But when Daniel Gonzalez watched the horror flick years later, he fantasised about becoming the fictional fiend. By 2004, unemployed Gonzalez, 24, was…

At just 9 years old, Jani was just like any other girl her age. Running around in PE at school, having fun. But during one lesson, everything changed. ‘I was in sports class and we had a competition,’ Jani remembers. Out of nowhere, she was struck down in agony by an excruciating pain above her right knee. After being rushed to see a doctor, she was referred to the hospital for tests. ‘There, they got a biopsy,’ Jani explains. And the results would change her life forever. ‘They told us, “OK, it’s aggressive cancer. It’s not a good one,”’ she recalls. After being diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, Jani was immediately put on a course of chemo. ‘I had cancer that developed close to the joints,’ she…

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