Table of contents for 06-Aug-2020 in Pick Me Up!

I first started open water swimming three years ago to help improve my mental health. Living in the middle of Essex, I’d go to Redricks Lake whenever I could to get in my exercise. It was my way to escape and clear my head. Then, when Coronavirus struck my husband, Chris, in March of this year, we were forced to self-isolate. It meant that not only could I not go swimming, but the two of us couldn’t go to work at the Salvation Army. It was devastating and a week later, lockdown was enforced on the country. To keep on top of my swimming, I set up our paddling pool in my garden. There might not have been much room, but I could get a few laps in. Attached to…

After applying a final coat of bright pink lipstick, I grabbed my handbag. ‘Taxi’s here Sophie, let’s go!’ my best pal Kate, 24, called. It was November 2017, and I was keen for a girly night out with my mates. Working as an emergency resource dispatcher for the London Ambulance Service and living with my parents – Julie, 55, and John, 56 – I was carefree, outgoing, and living my life to the fullest. A few minutes later, the cab dropped us off at our favourite cocktail bar in Clapham, and we were soon giggling over our first round of drinks. ‘When was the last time you went on a date?’ Kate asked, taking another sip of her mojito. ‘Not for a long while,’ I laughed. After a few drinks,…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! Their Mode bathroom collection is sleek and discreet. The closed toilet brush (£8.99) allows cleaning fluid to be placed at the bottom to ensure optimum cleaning. The pedal bin (£14.99) comes complete with separate liner, is hard wearing and like the toilet brush, the high gloss finish will not dent or rust. For more ways to make your life easier, visit addis.co.uk Slippery shoes I used sandpaper to roughen up the sole of new shoes. No more slips for me! Carol Adams, Halesowen Plugged in To avoid the hassle of trying to find the right lead, my wife labelled them using masking tape! Much easier to find now. Lisa Best, Cheshire Unwanted visitor To stop a…

Breathing in as much as I could, I prepared to hoist my jeans over my huge stomach. These particular jeans had been getting a bit tight for a while, but I refused to go the next size up. After all, these ones were already a size 22! By that point, I was tipping the scales at 17st 12lbs. 'What had gone so wrong?' I asked myself. I’d been a slim size eight before meeting the father of my child and piling on the pounds. Using the pregnancy as an excuse to eat what I wanted I’d put on over four stone. My daughter, Kensa, was born in February 2005, but rather than bringing her dad and I closer together we just couldn’t make it work. When my ex left, our…

Find your fabulous with new in women’s clothing from Primark. Whether you’re looking to update your everyday staples or glam up your wardrobe with some gorgeous dresses, you’ll find the perfect outfit in their affordable summer collection. Dressing to impress has never been easier! Top tip This shade is gorgeous on all skin tones! Top tip Pink and blue tones complement each other. Top tip Jeans and a white tee will always be in fashion. Sunny Cords Recently launched in the UK, Sunny Cords, a Dutch-Australian brand, is dedicated to protecting glasses in a fashionable way. The story began in 2016 with a mission to bring back a vintage accessory trend from the eighties. Tired of losing and breaking sunglasses, and refusing to wear those old-fashioned chains, the idea for…

There are phobias for almost everything. From buttons, to beards, to going outside, us humans can be terrified of all sorts – and the latest craze dominating phobia-based forums involves people photoshopping pictures of holes onto everyday objects. It’s known as trypophobia and, if you have a cursory Google, you’ll find the sorts of images that will put you off your lunch. But is it real? And why are some people so afraid of what is essentially a hole? Also, why is everyone posting stuff about it online? The word trypophobia comes from the Greek ‘trypo’ which means ‘hole,’ and ‘phobos’, meaning ‘fear’ – so trypophobia is as simple as it sounds – a fear of holes. Images of clusters of small holes or bumps that often appear in awful…

Whether you’d like to learn the tricks of the trade yourself and become a fullyfledged home mixologist, or you simply want to enjoy a new drink on the rocks, your drinks cabinet won’t be complete without a few new liqueurs. Amaro Montenegro (www.amaromontenegro.com) have pulled together a list of the top drinks you should be stocking your cabinets with, so you can enjoy a tipple or two from the comfort of your home this summer. COURVOISIER, £35 Adored for its peach, dry, fruity and woody notes, Courvoisier is an elegant liquid that is easy to mix into many types of drinks. Delicious when tried in a cocktail whilst also making the perfect choice for a warming glass of cognac aft er dinner. ROKU GIN, £30 Roku Gin is the first…

Tottering behind her grandma, my little girl, Priya, swiped the bristles of a makeup brush across her face. ‘Are you going to help Mema out today?’ my mum, Louise, 41, beamed over to her. ‘Yep,’ Priya babbled back, grabbing more brushes from Mum’s dressing table. Priya, just two, was obsessed with makeup and certainly followed in her glam grandma’s footsteps. Mum was a professional makeup artist and ran her own beauty salon, LM Brows & Beauty, filming make-up tutorials online for people to follow along with. But to Priya she was affectionately known as Mema, and the pair of them loved to do their makeup together. While Mum would be meticulously applying eyeshadow, Priya would be running around behind her picking up whatever she could get her hands on. She…

GOOD DEED OF THE WEEK There are currently around 850,000 people in the UK living with dementia. Up until the end of September, grab your chance to help raise awareness and money for people who live with dementia. The Alzheimer’s Society’s Memory Walk is something that everyone can get involved with each year, but this year is more important than ever. Individuals who are affected by dementia and their carers have been severely impacted by the coronavirus, being cut off from support networks that are heavily relied on by donations. With one simple step, you can get involved. Whether it be lapping your back garden or your local park, on your own, with your household or with a four-legged friend, you can make a difference. The Memory Walk is completely free…

Rushed to St George’s Hospital, I was taken for a CT scan and blood tests. I sat in the hospital bed unable to get my words out. All my memories had been wiped clean – I didn’t know who I was, where I came from – nothing. I couldn’t even recognise my own parents. Mum had told me who she was, and although I had no recollection of her, she seemed like a nice lady, and I figured she must be right. ‘Who are you?’ I asked when my dad walked in. He looked at me in astonishment. When the CT scan ruled out a stroke, doctors feared I had encephalitis – a rare but serious condition which causes inflammation of the brain. I was petrified – I was surrounded…

Complete the grid then read down the shaded squares to reveal the hidden answer. Clue: Island. ACROSS 7 _ Fox, American actor (5) 8 War chant (6,3) 10 Offhand (6) 11 Sequence of words (8) 12 Have good intentions (4,4) 13 Level (4) 15 First in importance or degree (7) 17 Kelsey _, starred in ’90s sitcom Frasier (7) 20 Michael _, Superbad actor (4) 22 Fit, worthy, etc. (8) 25 Tending to brag (8) 26 Tempt (6) 27 Difficult job or task (4,5) 28 Wash out (5) DOWN 1 Small pruning shears (9) 2 Leguminous tree or shrub (8) 3 Soluble case of medicine (7) 4 Represent (5,3) 5 _ Gomez, pop star (6) 6 _ Willis, actor (5) 9 Otherwise (4) 14 Aggressive (9) 16 State again strongly…

Scrunching up his little face, my newborn baby cried in my arms. When Tim was born in 2002 at Chichester Hospital, he was gorgeous. But since day one, he seemed under a lot of stress, was crying excessively. As new parents, my husband Erik and I thought it was normal. As a toddler, though, Tim still seemed distressed – he’d run to his room whenever anyone came to the house, and he wasn’t speaking at all. On his second birthday, when family came round to celebrate, Tim was so overwhelmed, he ran to his room and cried himself to sleep. ‘He may have a behavioural problem,’ a health visitor suggested. Tim still wasn’t talking, showed signs of distress. Taking him to a child development centre, he had sessions with an…

In my world, you don’t have to look far for new gossip. In April last year, sat in the back of the car, my two daughters chatted away about their day – who had what for lunch, who played with who on the playground, and what teachers said during assembly. Nia, 10, and Robyn, eight, loved school, enjoyed spending time with their friends. But out on the playground, there was competition. ‘Mum, can I get an iPhone for my birthday?’ Nia chimed. ‘No, love,’ I replied. ‘They’re very expensive.’ ‘But all my friends have one,’ she whined. ‘Can we go to Disney World this year?’ Robyn interrupted. ‘That’s also very pricey,’ I said. ‘Maybe next year.’ Disappointment entered our car like a dark cloud, putting an end to the chatter.…

Just send an 83p stamped, selfaddressed envelope to the address below to receive your free anklet which features a pearl and genuine Swarovski® crystal charm on a 23cm chain with a 5cm extension. Perfect for summer, either worn as an anklet or a loose bracelet. At the same time, why not stock up on these pretty bracelets? They’re lovely worn singly, or layer them up and wear them together. Maybe you know someone else who’d appreciate a new accessory? Each bracelet costs just £ 5, or buy 3 or more and we’ll take £ 1 off, so they’re just £ 4 each! Well, everyone loves a bargain… Pick Me Up! PMU39 JEWELLERY ORDER FORM I enclose a 83p stamped, self-addressed envelope to qualify for my free anklet How to claim…

EXPERT ADVICE Wearing a face mask is now the new normal, but although important, they’re not the kindest to our skin. Thankfully, Olay Cosmetics have partnered with Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Thivi, from the Skin Health Alliance UK, to provide expert advice. The main issues of wearing face masks: • FRICTION – can cause redness and irritation • OCCLUSION – causing a humid environment under the mask, leading to clogged pores and breakouts. What you can do: It’s important to cleanse well morning and night to avoid irritation and breakouts, and this becomes especially important for anyone wearing a form of face covering for a prolonged amount of time. If your skin is feeling extra sensitive, be sure to stick with a gentle formula. AM – cleanse and apply a ‘non-comedogenic’…

Create these delicious fake-away recipes with the help of Mash Direct, created on a family run farm! They never add any artificial nasties and contain no red traffic lights on their labels. Check out their range at mashdirect.com and give these a go this weekend! Salt and chilli beef burrito bowl Serves 2 □ 1 packet Mash Direct Salt and Chilli wedges FOR THE CHILLI BEEF: □ 1 teaspoon olive oil□ 1 shallot, peeled and finely chopped□ 250g lean steak mince□ 100ml beef stock□ 2 garlic cloves, crushed□ 1 tablespoon tomato purée□ 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper□ 1 small chilli, finely chopped□ 400g tin black beans□ Freshly milled salt and pepper TO SERVE: □ 1 avocado, cut in half, stone removed and diced□ 60g cherry tomatoes, cut in half□ 2 jalapeño peppers (optional),…

Settling at the kitchen table with a cup of tea, I cracked open a textbook and began reading. It was March 2019, and as a student nurse, I had plenty of coursework to catch up with. Just a few minutes earlier, I had kissed my little boy Frankie, then a year old, goodbye, as my sister Rebecca, 37, took him off to her place for the night. ‘Hopefully you’ll get some peace and quiet for a while,’ she’d smiled. As a single mum, I had my hands full with Frankie, and appreciated the gesture. But just half an hour into my study session, I started to feel lonely. Ever since Frankie was born on 16 November 2017 at Barnsley Hospital, he’d filled my house and my heart with his cheeky…

They say when it comes to true love, when the right person comes along, you just know. For me, it was a bacon roll that sealed the deal. After meeting Nadia, 28, on a night out back in 2015, I’d found myself back at her place. The next morning, as she presented me with a plate of greasy bacon nestled on a fresh bread roll, I was smitten. ‘You know the way to a woman’s heart,’ I grinned. Repaying her with a kiss, we instantly became a couple and never looked back. While Nadia worked as a carer, I was busy setting up my own tanning business. We were planning our happy future together. But the following year, in 2017, life swooped in with other plans. Eating lunch one day,…

Little Birds, Sky Atlantic Inspired by Anaïs Nin’s collection of erotic short stories, Little Birds weaves tales of love and desire together with personal drama and political intrigue. It stars Juno Temple (Atonement) as American debutante Lucy Savage alongside Hugh Skinner (Fleabag). In the opening episode, it is 1955, and Lucy, the daughter of an arms manufacturer, arrives in Tangier, Morocco, where her husband-to-be, Lord Hugo (Skinner) is waiting for her. However, after a disappointing reception, Lucy discovers Cherifa (Yumna Marwan), one of Tangier’s most scandalous characters, who captures her imagination and introduces her to a world of secrets, sexual possibilities and political strife. Also stars Killing Eve’s Nina Sosanya. The British Academy Television Awards, BBC One Hosted by Richard Ayoade, the star-studded BAFTA Television Awards return to our screens…

Get nostalgic this summer with the new Retro Paradise collection from e.l.f Cosmetics. Available exclusively at Superdrug. 1. Retro Paradise 18pc Palette, £14 This palette is inspired by the rich, vibrant tones of the Bahamas. With matte, shimmer, and foil shades, it’s everything you need for a tropical fantasy, anywhere you may be. 2. Dream On Lip Gloss, £5 (Available in 4 shades) Achieve a pop of paradise colour with an iridescent finish. Infused with tropical fruit elixirs to create hydrated lips. 3. Glow Up Body Oil, £12 (Available in 2 shades) A rich oil that gives a hint of summer glow with an iridescent finish. Infused with tropical elixirs for glowing hydration. 4. Primer Glow Oil, £10 Ultra-light, fast absorbing oil primer with hydrating tropical elixir that imparts a…

The luxury cruise ship Carnival Elation seemed like the perfect place for Tamara Tucker to celebrate her 50th birthday. It boasted a variety of bars and restaurants, lively entertainment, and plenty of opportunities to relax while being sailed across the waters to sunny climes and back. Tamara’s family had treated her and her longterm boyfriend, Eric Newman, to a four-day cruise from Florida down to the Bahamas and back. It would be a well-deserved break for hardworking Tamara, who had devoted her life to helping others and rarely spoilt herself. She was a professor of social work at Park University in Missouri, where she was dedicated to looking out for those who could not fend for themselves. Before then, she had worked with a child abuse prevention association where she…

Cadbury Minibite range, £2, Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury’s. Perfect for picnics, these Cadbury Minibites include cookies, flapjacks or bite sized cornflake clusters. Extremely Chocolatey Biscuits range, from £1.50, M&S. 1.50, M&S. M&S have added four new biscuit flavours into their Extremely Chocolatey range (the biscuits known for being more chocolate than biscuit), including double chocolate and chocolate orange. La Fiesta, £3, Morrisons. The perfect drink to celebrate life’s little wins, La Fiesta have introduced two delicious new flavours - La Fiesta Strawberry Fizz and La Fiesta Raspberry & Elderflower Fizz. Freixenet’s Italian Sparkling Rosé magnum, £22, Morrisons. Freixenet has created a magnum of its famous Italian Sparkling Rosé in their iconic, diamond cut effect bottle. The new 150cl format is enough for 10 to 12 glasses of fizz! Pigs in Blankets 346g, £4,…

www.theastrologyroom.com ARIES 21 March–20 April Stop living in the past and instead focus on the present, Aries. You have more opportunity around you now than you have all year. You have not been able to realise this fact, as your head has been turned to the past. Change this now, and focus on who you want to be. Not who you were before lockdown. You’ve learnt lessons, don’t waste them! Call: 09058 170 710* LEO 24 July–23 Aug Your ruling planet, the sun, brings your charitable nature to the fore. You want to help others, more than you want to help yourself. Financial conversations and dealings help you to feel more empowered and in control again. Don’t waste the new and improved air which Venus is handing you. Your way…