Table of contents for 24-Feb-2022 in Pick Me Up!

Studying graphic design at university, I loved being creative. Drawing fonts was just my thing. And doing so was quite a therapeutic process. Falling pregnant with my first child in 2015, I had a chance to sit down and enjoy drawing before I had to change nappies and survive on very little sleep. Swirling F’s and dotting I’s gave me time to do something for myself. Drawing the alphabet seemed like a great idea. Before I knew it, I had created a poster of the entire alphabet in print. Pinning it on the wall, I was proud of my masterpiece. When, Otis, now six, finally arrived he loved it, too. I would find his eyes fixated on the poster. Having a newborn baby, I didn’t have a lot of time…

For years, I just accepted my dad’s behaviour. Only, when I was 13-years-old, the reality of what was happening finally hit me. Kimmy had moved out by this point, but she came around almost every week. In a way nothing had changed, but it suddenly dawned on me that nothing was right. One evening, family friends had come to visit, and I was forced to sleep in the same bed with my dad to make space. No one blinked an eye lid. Why would they? Only, in the middle of the night, I woke up to his fingers penetrating me. He hadn’t done that since the night of the dance, but I leapt out of bed, determined to make my escape. ‘I need some paracetamol,’ I told him. Running out…

Gently placing my palms together, I took a deep breath and counted to five. As I slowly let the breath out through my mouth, I opened one eye and peeked around at the group. I was on a yoga retreat in India, with a group of people I’d never met before, and I was loving it. They were all pleasant enough, although I couldn’t see us being life-long friends. There was one bloke, Brian, who I thought seemed a bit flaky and annoying. He didn’t seem to think too much of me, either. But back at home in the UK, we all decided to meet for a catch-up. Around six months after we got back, on our third meet-up, we were sat round the table when Brian piped up. ‘I’ve…

Setting my eyes on the tiny baby boy in front of me, my heart filled with love. Connor was born on 28 February 2011, but my husband Duncan, 42, and I didn’t get to meet him until he was five-weeks-old. We always knew we were doing to foster him, but it later turned into an adoption. However, the first few weeks of his life were tough. As well as heart disease, Connor was born with a ventricular septal defect (VSD), which meant he had a hole in his heart. Before we’d even met him, he’d had surgery to have a valve in his heart replaced. The start of his life was difficult, but he fought every day. Then, when he was eight-week sold, we were able to bring him home.…

BOOK OF THE WEEK Did you love Gone Girl and Big Little Lies? Well, you’re going to love For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing. Teddy Crutcher is a happily married teacher. He’s brilliant and everyone adores him. Only, things aren’t all that they seem. When a shocking murder grips the school, you’re sure Teddy is hiding something. However, always one step behind, there’s no worse place to be. In this twisting thriller, you’ll be desperate to know how it ends. • For Your Own Good, £7.99, Waterstones GET IN TOUCH Send us your stories and photos, including all names and ages, a daytime phone number and full address. E-mail hello@pickmeupmag.co.uk WRITE TO Pick Me Up! Media Centre, Emma-Chris Way, Abbey Wood Park, Filton, Bristol, BS34 7JU PHONE 01174400607 FACEBOOK facebook.com/pickmeupmag SEE…

Opening my bedroom door, I headed straight for my bed and collapsed onto it. I felt knackered. I was a few weeks into my international relations degree at King’s College London, and I loved it, but it was full on. It was hard being more than 200 miles away from my family, too. Feeling homesick, I picked up my phone and called my mum Nicola, 52. We spent ages chatting and when I hung up, I felt much better. Feeling tired, I closed my eyes. The next thing I knew, I’d woken up on the floor. I What on earth? I thought. How did I get here? I assumed I must have fallen asleep, then fallen out of bed. Then over the next few weeks, I started getting regular pounding headaches.…

Jo Howarth is a mindfulness practitioner. She works with businesses and groups, teaching them how to look after their emotional wellbeing and health. (thehappinessclub.co.uk) How can I help? Q My friend is suffering with depression, and I really want to help but I don’t know what’s best. Some days she welcomes my messages and other days, she pushes me away. Julie, Devon A Your friend is very fortunate to have a friend as lovely as you. Wanting to help and letting that person know that you want to help is already helping. People who struggle with depression often feel isolated and alone, they can feel as though they are being a burden and that they are bothering people. So, one of the simplest ways to help is to simply be…

Hearing the doorbell ring, I heaved myself off the sofa. ‘Here you go, mate,’ the Dominos delivery driver said, handing over a stack of boxes. Licking my lips, I opened up large Mighty Meteor and large Hot and Spicy pizzas, along with sides of 14 chicken strips, 14 chicken kickers, two portions of potato wedges and cookies for after. It was more than enough to feed me, my wife Cara, 47, and our son Alfie, 11, for a couple of days. But this was all for me. Settling back on the sofa, I grabbed a slice and started devouring the lot. It wasn’t a one off binge, either – it was a daily occurrence. I spent around £6,500 a year on Dominos take aways. I had a weakness for junk…

Just like fish oil tablets, but even better for you. The added krill oil in these fish oil tablets makes the Omega-3 absorb much faster. Support your heart, brain and vision – with no fishy aftertaste!…

The annual Product of the Year awards are back once again – voted for by over 10,000 UK consumers. The famous Product of the Year red logo is a seal of approval, giving shoppers the inside scoop on the year’s most innovative buys. Make sure you look out for it when you’re next in a store! We’ve teamed up with Product of the Year to offer 12 lucky readers the chance to win a bumper bag of award-winning products, filled with this year’s best buys across food & drink, health & beauty, household and pet products. Weetabix Melts £2.99 for Weetabix Melts A bite-sized crunchy whole grain biscuit, high in fibre and nutrients with a smooth chocolate filled centre. For a morning kick start, afternoon snacking, or for evening nibbling! Weetabix…

Choosing what to wear when you receive a wedding invitation can seem like a nightmare, especially on top of all the other things to do! Look fit for the occasion with these stunning frocks – try not to steal the show… MOTHER OF THE BRIDE Top tip Find out the colour scheme of the wedding and pick colours that compliment it WEDDING GUEST Top tip Chiffon is perfect for a wedding guest dress, the light and airy material looks great in pictures MOTHER OF THE GROOM Top tip Floral print is a great option for a spring wedding…

Rock ’n’ Roll Bottle Stopper, £15, redcandy.co.uk Party like a rockstar and become the Queen of parties in a Blur with this bottle stopper. Word will get around and soon you’ll be opening your Doors to the party crowd. It’ll be total Nirvana. Verdict: BONKERS! Rock on! Waboba MoonShine, £7.99, Amazon You want the moon? You don’t need to throw a lasso to get this one. After bouncing it on the ground, it will fly up to 100 feet into the sky and begin to glow. This gravity-defying ball is out of this world. Verdict: GENIUS! The sky is the limit! Copperfuse No Smell Socks, £39.99, Amazon Say goodbye to your husband’s stinky feet! Contain the cheese in these super protective copper barrier sports socks. They’re anti-odour, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal.…

They were newlyweds, who had only been married for a matter of months, but already their relationship was more on the rocks than ever before. Deep down, Heather, 33, knew she should never have wed Anthony Gumina, but she had a kind heart and always wanted to see the best in people. Maybe Heather thought she could change Gumina, but she could see their problems were escalating. Popular Heather, 33, was a mum of three children, a daughter, and two sons, all under the age of 14. She’d struggled in the past with addictions, and had a conviction for driving under the influence, but when her probation period was over, she proudly announced it on social media by posting a picture of the paperwork confirming it. ‘Best paper I have…

Doughlicious Cookie Dough, from £3, Waitrose Fill your home with the sweet aroma of freshly baked cookies! Bake these Doughlicious cookies for just 20 minutes. Choose from a yummy range of flavours, like tasty Red Velvet, plus plenty of vegan choices, too! Slimming World Salt & Pepper Chicken Chow Mein, £3.50, Iceland Indulge in a spicy sensation of salt and pepper-marinated chicken, egg noodles, oriental veg and aromatic sauce, without having to worry about piling on the pounds! Oloves, 74p, Amazon A super tasty, healthy snack that’s perfect to pick up and eat on the go. Grab a bag in Basil & Garlic, Chili & Garlic, Chili & Oregano or Lemon & Rosemary flavour. Silent Pool Distillers Gin in a Tin, £42, Waitrose A luxury bottle of intricately distilled grain…

Catch Claire live on Facebook 7 days of hope & happiness with Claire Petulengro www.clairepetulengro.tv ARIES 21 March–20 April Mars and Neptune are behind you this week to turn your dreams into a reality. This is a time to go the extra mile and to ask questions that some signs would deem too personal. Don’t be afraid of being tested this week. Show what you can do and you’ll soon find what you thought would be a no, can be a yes, by the time Wednesday finally comes around. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May Do you have to tell everyone everything about your life? I don’t think so, Taurus. Many of you have been thinking it’s a case of better the devil you know and have kept…

Hand in hand with my sister, we headed to the shops on the hunt for the perfect dress. The daddy-daughter dance was coming up and I wanted to look perfect. ‘I remember mine,’ my sister Kimmy smiled. Just seven-years-old, I idolised my big sister. Eight years between us, I thought she was so cool. And she always had time to take me shopping. Finding the perfect white dress, I couldn’t wait for our dad to see it. It was February 1997, and as I slipped on the dress, I looked myself over in the mirror. Walking down the stairs, he stood at the bottom in a handsome suit. ‘You look beautiful,’ my dad Robert, now 60, beamed. I felt it, too. Dad and I were so close. He took me…

INSTANT appointment With Dr Deborah Lee, Dr Fox Online Pharmacy (www.doctorfox.co.uk) Varicose veins Q I’m 34 and I’m starting to get varicose veins. How can I stop this? Becky, Birmingham A Varicose veins occur because some of the valves inside your leg veins have become incompetent. These valves are present to help blood flow back up from the legs to the heart. If one valve malfunctions, this puts extra pressure on the valve underneath, so that eventually the whole vein is affected. There is not a lot you can do to do stop yourself from developing varicose veins. Risk factors include being female, having other affected family members, pregnancy, being overweight, and a job that involves standing or sitting for long periods. To reduce getting varicose veins, or stop them…

Vet in the making Keep your kids entertained this half-term while sparking their interest in the world of animals with Pets at Home’s education activity hub. My Pet Pals is designed for families with children aged five and over to step outdoors and start exploring. The interactive content includes a wildlife scavenger hunt and fun educational videos about the welfare needs of reptiles and fish. With loads of opportunities to have some hands on fun by learning how to make a bird feeder and design an animal themed mask, spark some animal themed creativity from the comfort of your own home. Pets at Home are also offering an exclusive glimpse into what it’s like behind the scenes at their pet grooming salon and veterinary practices. • Find out more information…

WEIGHTLESS WONDER Ciaté Extraordinary Foundation, £29, www.ciatelondon.com Ciaté London are known for their exquisite makeup and nail delights. Now, they’re introducing their first ever foundation. The Extraordinary Foundation gives a medium coverage whilst blurring pores and imperfections. With hyaluronic acid and squalene, not only will it leave you with a flawless complexion for up to 16 hours, but it will hydrate your skin for a radiant, lit-from-within glow. Perfect for day-to-day wear, this can be buffed in for a weightless, sheer finish or layered for a fuller coverage. It’s a bit of a splurge, but one you’ll adore. Partner with Ciaté’s Glow-To Illuminating Blush for an luminous glow. ALL NEW Garnier No Rinse Conditioner, £6.99, Superdrug We’re all looking for ways to help the planet, and Garnier are no exception.…

THIS WEEK Play time With half term fast approaching, thinking of way to keep the kids entertained can be a nightmare – especially when it’s still often cold and wet outside! Leading child psychologist, Dr Alison McClymont, shares her seven different and creative ways to keep the boredom at bay from the comfort of your own home… 1 GET MESSY IN THE KITCHEN The Great British Bake Off Let’s all avoid a soggy bottom – get your bread proving and your muffin cases prepped! Maybe you could pick a theme or country and all decide to make a particular dish, or each cook your own and do a blind judging afterwards! Baking and cooking teaches kids creativity, team work, planning and even a little bit of science thrown in. Make sure they…

Looking for the perfect stay-cation this year? Warner Leisure Hotels are offering guests a show-stopping lineup to compliment their relaxing, adult-only breaks. Peter Andre and Sophie Ellis-Bextor are just two of the big names set to appear this year, along with Hot Chocolate, Michael Ball OBE and Scouting for Girls. With live shows and meet and greets, the performances will take place at Warner’s bespoke collection of 14 country estates and coastal villages across the UK. Whether you want to swoon over Mysterious Girl or groove to Murder On The Dance Floor, there’ll be a star-studded show for you. With a late bar and delicious menu, this is perfect getaway without having to blow the budget. Matt Williams, head of entertainment, says: ‘We know our guests expect nothing less than…