Innehållsförteckning för 31-Mar-2016 från Pick Me Up!

What a laugh! I learned some new cockney rhyming slang this week – George Michael…menstrual cycle. Poor George! 20 That’s how many years it’s been since Toy Story’s UK release in March 1996. Blimey! Haven’t Woody, Buzz 'n' co aged well? This calls for a rewatch… What a treat! At a beer festival with my other half at the weekend, the tables were turned. The queue for the gents was massive, but there was no wait for the ladies – so I walked straight in!! What a watch! I love true-crime dramas, so it was fascinating to write about stars who, like Charlize Theron (left), have played real murderers. Visit www. lifedeathprizes .com and search ‘real life killers’ to have a read. What a find!…

‘The doctors couldn’t find my baby’s heartbeat’ ‘Together Lauren and I have helped each other heal’ My daughter Isabella, 5, couldn’t contain her excitement. Me and my partner Daniel, 28, were expecting our second baby - a boy. And Isabella was ecstatic. ‘How many more sleeps until he gets here?’ she asked me and Daniel. ‘A few!’ we told her, laughing. In December last year, we celebrated an extra-special Christmas. ‘This time next year, Santa will be bringing presents for your brother, too,’ we told Isabella. But the following morning, I noticed the baby wasn’t moving. I thought he was probably just hiding in my tum, so I tried not to worry. Meanwhile, days later, I went on Facebook and noticed one of my friends had shared someone’s post. A…

‘I couldn’t control myself as I searched for more clues’ ‘It doesn’t matter what package Jasmine comes in’ His place is a tip! I thought, looking around. I’d stayed over at my new boyfriend’s house for the first time, and Jared, 23, had left early to go to a car rally. Lounging in bed, I couldn’t help but notice the mess. Men! Still, other than being a bit on the untidy side, Jared was my perfect man. We’d met a month earlier, in April last year, at the local dog park, where I’d been walking my pups Roman and Sooty. At 6ft 3in, with brown hair down to his shoulders and a hot bod, Jared stood out. ‘What breed is your dog?’ I asked him casually. Finding out his unusual…

Pregnancy test Q I think I’m pregnant. I know a test should be done with the first wee of the day, but I don’t want to do it at home. Can I find out another way? Lacey, Manchester A Modern tests are so sensitive that they no longer require the first sample, so test anytime. However don’t drink loads beforehand otherwise you’ll overdilute your urine. Ear-wax worries Q My son, 9, always has wax in his ears. He’s not in the least bit bothered about it and doesn’t complain about pain or deafness, but I’m worried there’s too much. Should I clean his ears? Caroline, East Kilbride A No - normal bathing or showering is enough to clean them. If your son isn’t bothered by anything, the wax is doing…

“Leonarda chopped up her body and put the pieces into a pot” Italian opera singer Virginia Cacioppo, 60, had been reported missing. It was 1940, and she’d been to see her friend Leonarda Cianciulli, who’d told the lonely woman that she’d found her a job as a secretary. But Virginia hadn’t been seen since. Suspicious about her disappearance, Virginia’s worried sister had contacted police in Correggio, where she’d been living. When officers arrived at Leonarda’s house to inquire about Virginia, she confessed to having killed the opera singer, and didn’t resist arrest. She also admitted killing two other women - Francesca Soavi and Faustina Setti. All three women had trusted Leonarda, who’d repaid that trust by slaughtering them with an axe, then boiling their butchered bodies with caustic soda. Sickeningly,…

1 Sainsbury’s Butter Chicken Cooking Sauce, 500g, 95p This very creamy, smooth sauce gives you a bit of heat – but not so much to be overpowering. Aromatic, rather than spicy, this big jar contains plenty for four servings. 2 Sharwoods Butter Chicken Cooking Sauce, 420g, £1.70 Chunkier than the others, with strong flavours of onion and a peppery hit, this has a lovely, creamy flavour, yet it’s not overly rich. Makes a generous two or three servings. 3 Asda Chosen By You Butter Chicken Cooking Sauce, 495g, 84p If you prefer your flavours mild, this creamy, rich tomato-based sauce – enough for four servings – is spot on. With a good coriander flavour, just add to browned, cubed chicken and simmer for 15 min. Easy! Make it yourself... Serves:…

“We had a row about money – Glen hit me square in the face” Lisa’s ex even attacked her on the way to his nan’s funeral Lisa Card, 29, Washington, Tyne and Wear was just 15 when I first met I Glen Brooks, then 21, in 2001. I’d seen him around locally. He was really keen - he’d found out I was babysitting for a local family and popped a soppy love note through the letterbox, telling me he liked me. It was so flattering! But I was young, so, to start with, we were just friends... At 17, I had a daughter, but sadly things didn’t work out with her dad. Glen and I were still firm friends and, two years on, we got together and I quickly…

“I had so much fun playing and chatting with people” Wendy Ellison, 53, Blackpool When one of my friends suggested joining Pick Me Up! Bingo, I thought I’d give it a try. I’ve always enjoyed bingo and my mate seemed to have a blast playing it online. ‘There are so many games to choose from,’ she told me. When I signed up, I realised she was right. I thought I’d struggle to get the hang of the games at first, but they were easy to pick up. I played a few of the slot games, then I came across Tiki Bingo. ‘This one’s my favourite,’ I decided. I had so much fun playing and nattering with people in the chat rooms. It was just a bit of fun, something to…

The Library of Fragrance Cologne Spray in Dirt, £15, thelibraryoffragrance.com Designed to smell exactly like the earth from a farm, this weird scent certainly does what it says on the bottle! Our Jess gave it a go and found that it smelt just like her brother’s trainers after a long weekend of playing football – nice! Tabcat Tracker, £69.99, mytabcat.com When a cat goes missing, it’s normally hiding or in a tight spot close to home – somewhere like a shed or a neighbour’s house. This device attaches to a cat’s collar, and allows you to track them down within 112 metres using the handset, which beeps and flashes to guide you to your mog! You can also use it to train your cat to come…

I work as a mental-health nursing lecturer and live with my partner John. I signed up for Quidco two-and-a-half years ago, after hearing about it from a friend. I thought it seemed like such a good idea. It’d certainly help me out, and let me have some extra treats along the way, too. I’ve always been a big online shopper. I find that it’s so much more convenient for me, and also means that I don’t have to trawl round town every weekend. So, why not get some extra pennies in the process by signing up to Quidco? I started noticing the benefits of using Quidco straightaway, especially when I had to pay for things like utilities and insurance. The biggest amount I earned in one go was £120 cashback…

Sun shining, it was summer 2014, and I’d picked out a size-22 pink dress to wear to a family get-together. ‘Lovely,’ my fella Russell, 34, complimented me. But, days on, I was tagged in a photo online, and felt disgusted when I saw it. Cradling my 1-year-old daughter Amy, my bulging tummy looked huge. Truth was, I’d always been big – a size-18 joining secondary school. I’d hear snide comments from bullies but, with good mates, I was content. At 16, working in a cafe, I’d help myself to slices of every cake. I’d no ‘off’ switch, easily scoffing three bags of crisps at a time. Ballooning to size-22, it was a struggle keeping up with Amy. Then, in January last year, I saw on Facebook that an old schoolmate…

Q Help! I’ve recently lost weight and now none of my bras seem to fit properly. I’m now a size-12, but still have a big bust, and have no idea what size I should be wearing. What’s the best way to work it out? Sophie Moran, Shropshire A Congratulations on your weight loss! First, I’d suggest getting professionally fitted for some new bras – Debenhams and Marks & Spencer provide a good, free service and can advise on what styles match your bust and body shape. But if you’re too shy, I’d recommend Bra Whisperer from www.curvykate.com/ bra-whisperer. Enter your current bra size, dress size and upload two pictures of you in your bra or a tight top, and they’ll e-mail back your correct size. They do all sorts of styles…

5 Signs You’re A Car-boot Queen 1 Those 5am starts seem like such a good idea until your alarm goes off. 2 There’s never a vehicle big enough to transport all of your things! 3 There’s nothing you find more irritating than someone paying for a 50p item with a £20 note. 4 You consider charging people for carrier bags. Well, if supermarkets can charge 5p, why can’t you?! 5 When the time comes to pack away, it always seems like you’re going home with more than you actually came with. Bonkers Boob Facts 1 The biggest bras are said to be bought in Wigan, and the smallest in Portsmouth. 2 The world’s biggest boobs belong to Annie Hawkins-Turner. Her breast size is said to be 102ZZZ. 3 The first…

Waste not, want not Got myself recycled, at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales… Susie Kearley, Princes Risborough Snowed under Now that’s a cold call! This snap was taken on holiday in Ekaterinburg, Russia, where they know how to do winter! Lucy Robinson, Bristol Love you, bro I just love it when I see how protective my son Harrison, 3, is of Robin, his 6-month-old brother. Leagh Bailey, Stockport Little sheepish While visiting a friend’s farm in Devon, I met this fella – he was so cute, I had to pick him up for a cuddle! Nina Rees, Swansea Cute couple Both looking gorgeous – my daughter Tamara, 16, with her boyfriend Cam, 16, on prom night. Kerry Tosh, Donnington Just Brazilliant! Perfect time to try out my new…

‘What a sad story. But it’s so great that these two women are raising awareness for stillborns. Not a lot of women get that precious time with their babies. I wish them all the best.’ Lauren Balmain, Gateshead ‘It’s nice they have each other to lean on after they’ve been through so much. And the fact they’re fundraising so soon after their tragedies is truly admirable.’ Lorna Young, Salen, Isle of Mull ‘Being a mum myself, the thought of losing a baby just doesn’t bear thinking about. I hadn’t heard of cuddle cots so it’s great they’re raising awareness and money for them.’ Gemma Stidolph, Newcastle…

‘Leah has been incredibly supportive and accepted Jasmine for who she is. Beauty is only skin-deep – it’s the person that counts.’ Jade Flintoff, 25, Ossett, West Yorkshire ‘What a lovely story. This is becoming more common and spoken about. It’s wonderful Jasmine’s got a lot of support because not everyone has that.’ Susan Hawkley, 52, Wakefield, West Yorkshire ‘Wow! That’s amazing. Good on Leah for being so accepting. I never would have guessed Jasmine was transgender anyway – I just thought she was another woman!’ Sabrina Fancy, 41, London…

Contact Dermatitis 1 This is a condition affecting the brain. True False 2 A major symptom is vomiting. True False 3 There are many treatments available for contact dermatitis. True False 4 There are ways of avoiding the things that can cause it. True False 1 FALSE Contact dermatitis is a skin condition. It’s inflammation that occurs when you come into contact with a particular substance, either an irritant or allergen. 2 FALSE The skin will commonly become red, inflamed, swollen, itchy, blistered and cracked. If the condition is caused by an allergen, sufferers may also experience a fever and a sense of feeling unwell. 3 TRUE Many treatments can help people with the condition, and some even find their symptoms clear up completely. A moisturising cream known as an…

“I spotted an Internet ad for a plus-size beauty pageant” Kat Henry, 32, Oxted, Surrey Everyone puts on weight when they’re pregnant. At least, that’s what I’d been telling myself - but only once I’d exploded from a toned, size-12 dancer into a size-28 - in just six months! I’d fallen pregnant at 16, dropped out of dance school, then split with my boyfriend. Broken-hearted, I’d sat at home, comfort-eating all day, every day. I’d drink six pints of milk, eat chocolate - I just didn’t care! When my daughter Mya was born in March 2001, I didn’t have a clue what I weighed. I’d been born with a calcium deficiency, leaving my teeth so brittle, eating a banana could break them - and a phobia of the dentist had…

TRIED & TESTED This week: Clear eyebrow mascara 1 George The Tamer Lash Definer and Brow Tamer, £3, Asda This defined and tamed my brows – and definitely made them look more polished. There were no annoying white flakes, like you can get with some gel mascaras, either! 2 City Color Bold Brow Eyebrow Gel, £2.99, www.smbeauty.co.uk I used this after filling in and defining my eyebrows with powder, and it kept both the powder and my brows in place all day. 3 Essence Lash & Brow Gel Mascara, £2, Wilko Kept my unruly brows under control and also worked well as a clear mascara for a more natural-looking alternative to black or brown. Jess’ Beauty Hero Bourjois Rouge Edition Souffle de Velvet in Ravie En Rose, £8.99,…

‘As an 18th birthday present to myself, I changed my name’ I was 16 in 2009, and I had no idea the sounds coming out of the telly would change my life. You’re my one love, my one heart… The song, One Time, was amazing, the video was fun, and the floppy-haired boy singer was adorable! That boy was Justin Bieber, and that was the day I fell in love with him. I couldn’t get enough. I followed his YouTube channel religiously, loving each song more than the last, went to his concerts in Sheffield and Nottingham. My bedroom quickly became a shrine to Biebs, his face on every wall, as well as my bedding. A true Belieber, I started collecting everything he’d ever put his name to. Not just…

‘Lewis was my first boyfriend, I thought it was normal’ ‘I tried to cut ties, but he sent me so many messages’ Grabbing my best friend Sophie, I dragged her to the dance floor. Wiggling my hips to Rihanna, she cheered me on. I was 14, carefree and loved to dance. I’d been looking forward to my nana’s birthday do for ages. Then I noticed a waiter who’d been working at the party. ‘He’s gorgeous!’ I said to Sophie. And he was coming over... A date I flushed crimson as our eyes met. ‘I’m Lewis,’ he said. ‘Our secret.’ With that, he handed me a vodka and Coke. We chatted all night until it was time to leave. ‘Can I have your number?’ Lewis, then 17, asked. In the days…

Lauren, 21, says, ‘I hadn’t felt Mylah move in a few days, so I went to hospital for a scan. The room seemed to spin when doctors broke the news that I’d lost her. ‘They didn’t know why it’d happened, was just one of those things. ‘I was beyond devastated. I’d been so excited about her arrival, it was soul-destroying. ‘I was induced later that day and Mylah was born weighing 1lb 1oz. ‘She was beautiful. I’ll treasure the time I had with her in the cuddle cot forever. ‘When I saw a friend comment on Laura’s Facebook post, I decided to contact her. If anyone knew what she was going through, it was me. ‘Raising money together for cuddle cots has been a way for us to channel our…

1 Unlike gas and electric, you can’t change your water provider. All new homes after 1990 were fitted with water meters, but if your home’s older and doesn’t have one yet, you’re being charged on the rateable value rather than the amount of water you use. So check out the tips below… 2 Think about having a meter fitted if there are the same or more bedrooms in the house than people. You could make a good saving. Check if it’s worth it on the free Consumer Council calculator at: www.ccwater.org.uk/watermetercalculator 3 Your water company must fit a meter for free if you request it (except Scotland), unless it’s impractical – such as if you live in flats with shared pipes. 4 Free gadgets can help…

‘The mesh was slicing through nerves and muscle!’ My heart sank as I felt warm liquid trickle down my leg. Since giving birth back in 2008, I’d suffered from stress incontinence . Physiotherapy hadn’t helped, so my consultant recommended tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) surgery. A mesh tape is placed under the urethra to act as a sling to hold the bladder in place, so it won’t release water when you cough, sneeze, laugh or during physical exertion. I was told it was an easy procedure, with only a tiny chance the mesh might fail or make things worse. So, in November 2008, I had the surgery, and was thrilled as my incontinence disappeared. Then, three years later, I had a thermal endometrial ablation, to alleviate my heavy periods. But afterwards,…

You wouldn’t expect a kid to complain of a bad back. Or of painful legs. Which is why my mum Sunita, now 46, was alarmed. She took me to the GP, who sent me to a physiotherapist. And the physiotherapist dropped the bombshell. ‘I think your daughter has scoliosis,’ he told my mum. In other words, an increasingly worsening curvature of the spine. I was only 10 years old. An X-ray confirmed it, and I wore a back brace during the day to help straighten my spine and stop it bending. I was in a majorettes troupe and, as I couldn’t wear the brace to perform, I’d be in pain and couldn’t do a lot of moves. ‘I’m going to have to quit,’ I told my mum, devastated. In November…

Lemon & Courgette Cupcakes Treat of the Week Makes: 12 Prep Time: 15 min Cook Time: 25 min Topping: 1 Preheat oven to 180C/ Gas 4 and line a bun tin with 12 baking cases. 2 Sift flour and baking powder into a bowl and stir in sugar. Make a well in centre and mix in courgette, eggs, oil and lemon extract. 3 Divide mixture between baking cases and bake for 25 minutes until risen, lightly golden and firm to touch. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely and store in an airtight container for 24 hours to allow flavour and texture to develop. 4 To decorate, put cream cheese in a bowl and beat to soften. Sift…

“I wished I could take her place, she didn’t deserve this” Samantha Jones, 36, Dunstable, Beds Icouldn’t imagine life without my mum Christine, 65. There’s nothing we wouldn’t do for each other. So, when she showed me a small lump on the back of her leg, I was concerned. It kept scabbing and bleeding and didn’t seem to heal. ‘Get it checked out, Mum,’ I urged her. Her GP had prescribed steroid cream, which worked at first, but the little blighter just kept coming back. For a second opinion, in March 2014, Mum went to see another doctor. They immediately referred her to Luton and Dunstable University Hospital. ‘I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about,’ I reassured her. But the dermatologist there didn’t agree. ‘It could be skin cancer,’ he…

‘There are no boundaries as to how far heartless and cruel scammers will go. A man I know who has dementia was targeted recently, offered a miracle cure from America. Luckily his family stepped in and reported it to the police. Preying on vulnerable people is unforgiveable. Gemma Carrick, Sunderland ‘We can never be too careful, and must especially look out for our elderly folk, who can be far too trusting. A friend sent £50 to a telephone caller to stop unwanted calls. I think they just signed him up to the Telephone Preference Service, which is free anyway!’ Vivien McLaren, Alsager, Cheshire ‘The elderly are easy targets because technology has come so far so quickly – it’s almost impossible for some to keep up. Problem is, you can warn…

Flattering Fashion If you only buy one jacket this spring, make it a bomber! This pink sateen number reminds us of the Pink Ladies in Grease ! It’s the one that we want! Try this… Primula Light, £1.44, Asda With just 39 cal per 25g squeeze, try this on crackers or use in a sandwich as a tasty spread. PhD Woman 2 Week Starter Pack, £19.99, Boots This 14-day pack includes protein with every meal, helping you get the most from your workout, feel full for longer, calm cravings and stabilise energy levels. Food Swaps The Secret Of My Success NAME: Fi McBee, 33, from Sunderland. VITAL STATISTICS: I was never into fitness when I was younger, avoiding PE. That, and eating the wrong things meant I went up to…

It was love at first sight when I met Alfie. A miniature Shetland pony with dwarfism, he was just a year old when I found him for sale in December 2013. At 28 inches tall, he’s only the height of a greyhound. We have our own stables, and he once managed to walk right out of his field under the fence! In January 2014, I got a camera for my birthday, and Alfie became my model! I posted the snaps on a Tumblr blog, and started writing Little Alf stories, from Alfie’s point of view. The first post got 5,000 hits in the first hour. Soon Little Alf had more than 1,000 followers! In September 2014,my first children’s book, The Magical Adventure of Little Alf: The Discovery of the Wild…

‘It was dark. Pain surged through my chest’ Sitting in the passenger seat of my boyfriend Broughton Smith’s car, we tucked into our fries and chatted. ‘What a view,’ I smiled, looking out through the darkness at the sea of lights below. It was Friday 8 May last year and Broughton had driven us to Havant, Hampshire, to show me the estate agent office where he’d just started working. Afterwards, we’d bought a McDonald’s and parked up in the car park at the top of Portsdown Hill. Terrified At about 10.30pm, Broughton, then 18, started up his black Vauxhall Corsa and we began the drive back to mine. We made our way steadily along a country road. It was dark and surrounded by trees, so we were going less than…

For a stunning new spring look, why not send off for this simple yet gorgeous silver-plated, turquoise beaded bracelet for FREE? Claim yours by completing the coupon, and sending it with a 74p stamped, self-addressed envelope. Complete the look with the 20in necklace for £6, a 24in necklace for £8, and two pairs of matching earrings - turquoise beaded drops and knot studs - for just £6. The full set of silver-plated jewellery costs £20, and if you buy it all, you’ll receive a mystery jewellery gift absolutely free! How to claim your free* bracelet *Complete the coupon and send together with a 74p stamped, self-addressed envelope and any payment to: LMS PMU18 Turquoise Bracelet PO Box 998 Aylesbury HP22 9LE CREDIT CARD ORDERS: 01858 345108 - and quote PMU18.…

ARIES 21 March–20 April News you’ve been waiting for should come your way and give you confirmation that all your recent hard work and efforts were worthwhile. Make sure you’re on time this week. You’re being judged by an important face. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May Be careful you don’t come across as arrogant but be open to constructive criticism and advice from those around you. I know you want space and time to grow on your own, but listening to the voices of experience this week can teach you much. Call: 09058 170 711* GEMINI 22 May–21 June You’re open to manipulation this week, so try to avoid those you know want things from you that you don’t want to give. Money you lend this week…