Table of contents for 9-Feb-2023 in Pick Me Up!

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great prize from Addis. This triple pack of organiser trays is perfect for storing all of your bits and bobs in one place. Whether that’s kitchen utensils, or your favourite bits of makeup, you’ll never lose another item ever again! With a non-slip base, they won’t slide around either – it’s a win win. For more, please visit: addis.co.uk Keeping warm A really handy tip for keeping your kitchen warm and heating bills down is to simply leave your oven door open after cooking. The heat will waft throughout the house and keep you warm and cosy! Angela Garvin Double up To clean a vase, fill it with water and drop in two indigestion tablets. My Rennie’s are always put…

Dr Ruth Miller-Anderson, AKA The Swan Doctor, is a multi-award-winning success in life and business coach, and a pharmacist, too. After experiencing severe adversity in her own life, Ruth really understand how to deal with life’s challenges. Find Ruth on Instagram @theswandoctor, or visit: theswandoctor.com Will I get over it? Q Me and my husband have made the tough decision to split. It’s been something that we have talked about for some time now, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get over him. Does this feeling last forever? Hailey, Royston A If you have been working on this decision for some time and all avenues have been explored to prevent this split, it sounds like you are now both making the right decision. A separation or divorce…

Social media pressure Q I always compare myself to others on social media and I never feel good enough. I feel as though everyone else has got their life together, from how they look to their busy social lives. It really gets me down. Do you have any advice for me? Thalia, Frome A The worst crime against oneself is to use social media as any kind of barometer of comparison. Listen very closely (and FYI, I have done this too) – most if not all social media posts are curated for followers to see what the poster wants you to see. To use a Wizard of Oz analogy, we don’t know what truly is there unless we look behind the green curtain and many times we won’t have that…

• To shop visit: Azazie.com 1. How do you know if you are picking a dress that works well for your figure? Finding a dress that works for you is all about embracing your body type and celebrating your favourite features. If you want to accentuate certain parts of your body select a dress that does just that. For example, if you want to draw attention to your legs opt for a mini dress or if you want to accentuate your bust, wear a dress with a plunging neckline. 2. When picking a wedding dress, what should you look out for? For a bridal gown, we always recommend picking something that makes you feel confident and beautiful and something unique from what you would wear every single day. This is…

We’re loving The way to the heart is through the stomach – so what better way to say ‘I love you’ this Valentine’s Day than with freshly baked cookies? Whether it’s Valentine’s, Galentine’s or a single celebration, one of Blondies Kitchen’s mouth-watering iconic giant cookies, in a range of unique flavours, is the most delicious way to show you care. • Please visit: blondieskitchen.co.uk What’s trending Did you know that the average Brit uses 127 rolls of toilet paper a year – meaning more than 1.9 million trees would need to be cut down every day to create enough traditional toilet paper for all the world’s bums? You could wrap the whole earth 5,377 times over with the total length of Britain’s toilet paper usage. Who knew simply going to…

As the break went on, I noticed him getting more and more yellow. I’d never seen him like that before. ‘I’m fine,’ he reassured me. ‘I think my meds need upping.’ Matthew had suffered from Crohn’s disease as long as I’d known him – but his meds had kept his illness under control. ‘You need to see a doctor,’ I told him. ‘I don’t want to spoil the holiday,’ he countered. ‘I’m fine.’ It took the persuasion of me, his mum, and his sister, Lisa, to persuade Matthew to go to the doctors when we got home. ‘What did they say?’ I asked as soon as I got through the door that evening. ‘I’m all good,’ he said. ‘No need to worry.’ But I insisted he go back to get…

Getting healthy can seem like a daunting prospect. Where do you even start? Well, Phil Day, superintendent pharmacist at Pharmacy2U, is here with small steps to give our health and wellbeing an overall boost! Please visit: pharmacy2u.co.uk • Increase your physical activity This can be as easy as walking your dog more, going on short cycles or enjoying a round of golf. It’s important to start slowly and build up the amount of time you exercise. It’s far easier to stick to a fitness goal if you ensure they’re practical and attainable, so make sure you set realistic targets. If you want to run more, set a target to run 5k by Easter, rather than committing to running a marathon. • Cut back on alcohol Why not try keeping a…

Getting ready for a night of dancing, it wasn’t long before I heard a car horn. Dashing outside, one of my best friends Dianne was ready for a night out. ‘I’ve been saying that we should go dancing,’ she laughed. ‘Plus, there’s this Scotsman. He’s been going through things, and I think you’d like him.’ In my late 40s and being separated at the time, as well as being a primary school teacher, it did seem that life was all work and no play… ‘That’s the guy I’ve been telling you about, his name is Dave,’ Dianne nudged as soon as we got to the social club Spice in Nottingham. But my first impression wasn’t what I expected – he made no approaches at all! It wasn’t until dinner that…

Flipping over a 200kg tyre, I beamed as the crowd erupted into cheers behind me. Grabbing my towel, I wiped the sweat off my forehead and ran up to my son, Ben, now 24. After a gruelling day of competing, I’d done it – qualifying for the World’s Strongest Woman comp. In as little as four years, I had gone from a powerlifting novice to representing my country in the Worlds. It was an incredible feeling. Growing up, I had always been the sporty kid. At school, I’d get involved in various teams, with athletics being my favourite. But, after having Ben at aged 17, I took time-out from exercise – especially with Dylan, 21, and Anthony, 19, following shortly after. And it wasn’t until I came out of a…

Ordering my favourite prawn curry, I was already salivating at the thought of devouring it in minutes. Celebrating my 45th birthday in May 2021, I hoped that my usual curry was exactly what the doctor had ordered. As for weeks, I hadn’t been able to enjoy a bite of anything. Struggling to swallow any food, whether it was breakfast, lunch, or dinner, without a pain forming in my throat, I quickly assumed that I had an allergy. So, cutting out dairy for a week, followed by gluten, I hoped that I could keep track of my diet to see what was causing me so much discomfort. Only, nearly every single time I had managed to swallow something successfully, sick would rise in my throat, my body bringing it back up.…

Home-made gifts can be far more personal than anything from the high street. Why not try gifting words of affirmation to your Valentine, Galentine, or any of your near and dear. This simple ‘You’re Fab’ craft from Hobbycraft is a sure way to put a smile on their face. Please visit: hobbycraft.co.uk What you need: How to: 1) Carefully untie and remove the hanging string. Paint the front and side of the heart with the base colour and leave to dry. 2) Print off the template and trace over the back of the paper with a pencil. This can be done on a lightbox or against a window. With a pencil gently scribble over the back to transfer a light pencil version of…

Get ready for some seriously drool-worthy bakes as Eloise Head, AKA Fitwaffle, releases her new book Baked In One. The social media sensation shares 100 easy cakes and bakes that can all be made in one tin! After taking the internet by storm with her mouthwatering creations, she’s now helping you whip up a gooey delight. • Fitwaffle’s Baked In One, £22 Cookies and Cream Stuffed Brownies YOU WILL NEED □ 170g unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly□ 100g light brown sugar□ 150g caster sugar□ 2 large eggs□ 125g dark chocolate (at least 50% cocoa), broken into pieces, melted and cooled slightly□ 100g plain flour□ 30g cocoa powder□ 1 tsp salt□ 200g white chocolate chips□ 22 cookies and cream biscuits (Oreos work well – 16 whole and 6 broken into…

I there a better way to end a brisk walk in the countryside than with a hearty roast? Well, it’s now easier than ever thanks to Visit Herefordshire’s Roast and Rambles walking guide – with 15 circular walks across the county ranging from four to nine miles, ending in at least one great pub option. Plus, they all serve Herefordshire’s famous beef and local orchard ciders! Here are a few of our favourites… The Leintwardine West and East routes Stay and dine at The Lion Leintwardine There are two fantastic winter walks you can try from cosy pub The Lion, both around 6.5 miles long. The Leintwardine West route, which is flat with very few stiles, leads to the quirky village of Brampton Bryan – with pretty black and white buildings…

Catch Claire live on Facebook ARIES 21 March–20 April Mercury enters Aquarius and you begin to forget about the things that didn’t work out in the past, and work on what can happen going forward. Careful of falling for false promises in your career. A week to check that what others promise is something they can deliver. Don’t underestimate your worth, Aries. Aim high and success will follow. Call: 09058 170 710* LEO 24 July–23 Aug We know that your sign is famous for often saying things they come to regret. Make a more conscious effort to go slow – take in all that is being said and all that occurs around you. It’s how you’ll see how many supporters you have, to ensure you reach your goals and desires.…

I caught this rainbow on camera – it looks like it’s coming out of my wife, Fiona’s, head. Maybe she has Skittles on the brain? Mike Lunn, Beith I had to laugh when I asked my husband Jon to put out the washing as I was late for work the other day…he’d carefully pegged out the ‘colour catchers’, too. Lucy Travell, Barnwood My boy Ronnie always copies me after we’ve had a bath. He loves to wrap his hair up like his Mummy! Alexandra Low, Halesowen I have such a wonderful hobby – known as comping! I love to take part in competitions – everything from tagging on social media to coming up with a slogan! I am usually very lucky and have won some unusual prizes! I’m always excited…

Stifling a yawn, the idea of getting into my comfies and falling asleep was on my evening agenda. Only, the night was young – or so my friends thought! Just getting back after a night out, in September 2022, celebrating my friend Florrie’s 21st birthday at the Queens Hotel in Cheltenham, we’d headed back to one of my friend’s flats before the group all had another idea. ‘Let’s go to that new bar,’ they said. I’m so tired… I didn’t want to be a party pooper but staying at home and getting myself ready for bed sounded dreamy – the usual routine I’d follow living in my own flat just around the corner. ‘I think I’ll just stay here guys, have the best time though,’ I announced just as everyone…

Reaching into my desk drawer at work one afternoon, I pulled out a Flake, peeled back the wrapper and took a bite. That’s hit the spot, I thought, savouring the creamy choccy. I could never resist a Flake, and always needed to have a stash to hand. I’d always had a sweet tooth, and I’d struggled with my weight since having my kids – CJ, 28, Sapphire, 25, Tyler, 22, and Luke, 16. Fluctuating between 11st 7lbs and 13st 7lbs, I was a bit overweight, but I’d always carried it well. But when I tied the knot with my partner Paul, 53, back in 2013, I wanted to lose a few pounds to fit into the dress of my dreams. I’d tried lots of diets over the years, but when…

Have you heard? Here at Pick Me Up!, we love celebrating all animals, whether little or large, and this week we’re focusing on a pint-sized animal you might not have heard of before. Introducing the degu. Similar in size to a hamster, a degu is a small and social rodent originating from central Chile. With long silky coats that are grey-brown tinged and a long, thin tail with a tufted black tip, they’re also herbivores, eating leaves and shrubs in the wild. To find out more we’ve spoken to Samantha Ryan, Behaviour Specialist at Woodgreen Pets Charity, about these energetic little creatures, who often go on to live long, very happy lives! • Family affair: Degus are part of the rodent family, with a life expectancy of around five to…

Playful, fun, and daring – that’s what love is all about. Dress for the occasion sporting your finest Valentine’s inspired looks, who knows what is just around the corner……

• Visit a bookshop – For the couples who love reading, visit a bookshop and choose a book for each other? • Go for a cycle – If the weather’s looking good, why not get the bikes out? The exercise will release feel-good endorphins and you get to spend some quality time with your partner. • Kitchen cocktails – Instead of heading to your local, head to your local supermarket and pick up some cocktail ingredients for your very own kitchen cocktail making session. Sip on a few delicious cocktails while learning a few tricks to impress your better half. • Make a playlist – Fill a playlist with songs that remind you of your partner. Tell them how you really feel by saying nothing at all.…

Season of love Soak into the season of love with Lush’s Valentine’s collection.  The collection is all about self-love and being kind to yourself as you indulge in a bit of TLC – decadent bath bombs, bubbleroons and bath melts made to satisfy all your needs. GET THE LOOK Hoping to create a soft but sensuous lip this Valentine’s? No 7 have everything you need for a subtly bold pout that’s similar to Angela Bassett’s Golden Globes look. Available from Boots. 1. Take the Stay Perfect Anti-Feathering Lip Pencil (£7.95) around the outside of your lips. This clear wax-like pencil creates a barrier to stop your lipstick from bleeding. 2. Add that vintage soft-red shade with Stay Perfect Lip Lacquer in Sweet Pink (£11.95). This shade allows you to go bold without feeling…

Valentine’s Day meant that love was in the air in the city of Fort Valley, Georgia, which could only mean one thing for loving father Christopher Gunn. Calling his daughter Anitra Gunn, 23, bright and early in the morning, he had a very special message to deliver on 14 February 2020 – wishing her a ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’. With Christopher saying that the entire family were ‘always talking with [Anitra], always checking on her,’ their love radiated for the ‘ray of sunshine’ that was a huge part of not only their lives, but the community, too. Especially after the passing of her loving mum, in 2014. Studying agriculture at Westlake High School in Atlanta, Anitra was described by those that knew her as ‘a very special jewel’, and there was…

Watching my girl whizz around the park on her BMX bike, I was so proud. At just three years old, Daisy was tearing through the grass like a speed-demon, just as good as the older kids and teens also in the park. She seemed to just have an affinity with bikes and had done since she was born. As a tot she would ride around on her baby bike, pushing her legs with glee. She was riding bikes long before she was talking! And by the time she turned three, Daisy could already ride without stabilisers. With great balance, Daisy actually found cycling easier than walking. And throughout the second lockdown, her dad, Rob, 44, and I had been taking her out on bike rides. ‘Go on Daisy!’ I called,…