Pick Me Up!の 11-Jan-2024 の目次

Settling down on the sofa as the familiar Emmerdale theme music played, I snuggled up to my boyfriend Graham. He’d never really been into soaps – but I was a big fan, and since I’d moved in with him in May 2018, he’d got more into it than I was! ‘Quick, Sam!’ he’d call if I wasn’t ready. ‘Emmerdale’s starting!’ But that night, as the show went into its ad break, Graham placed his phone on my lap. ‘What’s this?’ I asked, picking it up and looking at a resort in Turkey. ‘We’re going on holiday,’ Graham smiled. I was shocked – it was such a thoughtful surprise. But that was Graham all over. We’d been together since February 2017, after meeting online, and straight away I knew he was…

Twisting the corkscrew into a bottle of wine, I heard the satisfying pop before filling up a large glass. Taking a sip, I sighed. I really needed that, I thought to myself. It had been a long, hard week – and a weekend glass or three of vino with a cheeky takeaway was my little way of treating myself. Scoffing down a lamb saag from the local Indian, with plenty of poppadoms, naan breads and a portion of chips, I was in my element – and over the course of a Saturday night, I’d easily find myself getting through a bottle or two of wine. I heard the satisfying pop of the cork And with the hangover on Sunday came bacon butties and greasy fry-ups. Before I knew it, I…

Opening the lid of the egg carton, I ensured that there were no cracks. And taking the £2 Braddock eggs to the checkout in my local Morrisons, in August 2022, I had a master plan to hatch. Always doing silly things around the house to entertain myself and my son Aidan, now 12, this time was no different. After seeing a video on Facebook of someone who had grown their own poultry at home from a quail’s egg, it seemed like a genius idea. I wonder if I would be able to try that with a duck egg? I’d never owned a duck before, but I thought that our Cockapoos, Tilly and Lexi, could benefit from having a quacker running around. And with the girls from work buying me an…

With Claire Nevinson, superintendent pharmacist at Boots (boots.com) Dietary dilemma Q I want to go vegan, but will it negatively affect my diet and health? Paula, Melksham A You should be able to get all the nutrients your body needs from eating a varied and balanced vegan diet. However, certain essential nutrients, such as vitamin D, calcium, iron, iodine, selenium and vitamin B12, can be more difficult for vegans to consume through diet alone, so you may wish to consider taking supplements. For a healthy vegan diet, aim to eat at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. Try to consume foods fortified with essential nutrients including dairy alternatives, such as soya drinks and yoghurts, too. You should also aim to eat some vegan protein…

Scholl Fresh Step Shoe Spray, £4.95, Tesco Phowar – what is that smell? Do you need to give your shoes a little freshen up? All those muddy, wet dog walks have taken their toll. This genius blast in a can will save you from smelly feet. Spray in your shoe for 24-hour freshness. And it dries with no residue, so you don’t need to worry about taking your shoes off in public places. Carry in your handbag or pack in your kids’ sports kit. A musthave all year round. Verdict: GENIUS! Fresh feet Funny Magnetic Holding Hands Socks, £6.79, Amazon Socks – the essential that everyone needs. However, these won’t go missing! With magnetic arms dangling on either side, you can link these cute little friends together. And what’s more, if…

Sexual fantasies, something that we have all had in one way or another. Even though you may be in a committed relationship with a freak in the sheets, your mind may wander. What would it be like to experiment with another likeminded couple, while your partner is in your presence? It’s a thought that around nine million UK adults have had – admitting that they would like to give swinging a go, according to Channel 4. For some, the raunchy act is a fun way to push boundaries and spice things up. With an estimated 1.5 million British couples said to be a part of the swinging scene. Only for others, the idea of watching their loved one bonking another man or woman could be enough to put them off…

We’re loving It’s time for a wardrobe refresh – because no one wants fusty, musty clothes! Grab yourself one of Fabulosa’s new Hanging Wardrobe Dehumidifiers – it’ll lock away moisture, improve air quality and help eliminate mould, mildew, damp and condensation. Available in three fragrances – Lush Pomegranate, Cotton Fresh and Blush Babe – they smell great, too! • £1 each, available from B&M Treat of the week Looking for a sweet treat? Look no further than Little Moons. Their new Refreshos flavour mochi are the perfect mouth-watering yet low calorie option to hit those sweet cravings. The Blood Orange & Pink Grapefruit tangy sorbet wrapped in soft rice dough is light, fruity and oh-so refreshing. • RRP £5, available at all major retailers Book of the week A Russian…

New year means a new journal. Journaling is an easy way to boost mental health. Channel Bridget Jones with the Cambridge Imprint. • To shop the range visit: cambridgeimprint.co.uk…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great prize from Addis. This three-tier airer with four integrated hanger bars is perfect for drying longer items of laundry. With 16m of drying space, an easy-to-assemble auto locking device, corner hooks and a fold-away design, what more could you want? To find out more, visit: addis.co.uk Cer-iously useful I save the large rubber bands which the postie drops. They are great for sealing my cereal boxes. Rose Janes, Monmouth Garlic gains You can wash your hands with toothpaste to remove garlic smells after cooking. Judith Cairns, Colchester Hit the road You might have a perfectly clean home, but so many of us forget to clean the place we spend so much time in, too – our cars! For a…

Packing up my suitcase, a new way of life was calling my name. All the way out in Costa Rica. Even before studying at the University of Colorado in 2017, I had wanted to go travelling. Seeing my sister Leah, now 31, strap a stuffed backpack to her shoulders and take to the skies, exploring Asia for several months, I knew I wanted to follow in her footsteps. I’d even spent four months at university studying abroad in Cape Town, too, so I knew I could travel alone. So breaking the news to my mum Catherine, 61, I knew she wouldn’t be surprised. ‘We’ve always known you’d move abroad at some point,’ she said. And now was the perfect time to do so – after finishing university, I’d spent the…

Reaching for the blandest food in the house, I couldn’t have anything spicy. And even then, rice or crackers would be enough to trigger a bit of sick to rise in my throat. That was before I could even think about tending to my daughter Anjana, then six months old. ‘This pregnancy is different to the first,’ I winced to my husband Rupok, now 34, as he tried to help me. After finding out that we were expecting a boy in November 2018, it came as a surprise, especially as Anjana was still just a baby at the time. Only, knowing that they were going to be close in age, we were one step closer to achieving the perfect family. Even if it did mean I had to go through…

Watching on as bodily fluid drenched the sheets, I couldn’t believe my eyes.  Is she a squirter? It was the first time I’d ever experienced or saw another woman climax in that way! And with swinging, there were always first times for everything. After coming out of a long-term marriage that was not very satisfying in the bedroom, over 15 years ago, it was the perfect chance for me to explore. My ex-husband was very jealous, so I knew I didn’t want to get stuck in a relationship where I couldn’t be sexually satisfied ever again. Being non-monogamous was a part of that. And I’d found that missing piece by trying out swinging. Joining a swinger’s club in Portland, US, it was a chance to spice things up. And when…

Vegan Chicken Tikka Masala YOU WILL NEED: FOR THE PASTE: □ 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped□ 2 inch piece of ginger, peeled and chopped□ 1 red chilli, deseeded and roughly chopped□ 2 tsps ground coriander□ 2 tsps ground cumin□ 1 tsp ground turmeric□ 1 tsp garam masala□ ½ tsp ground fenugreek (optional)□ 1 tsp cayenne pepper□ 1 tbsp smoked paprika□ 1 tbsp tomato purée□ 1 tbsp desiccated coconut□ 2 tbsps plain oil FOR THE CURRY: □ 500g vegan chicken pieces or 2 x 400g tins chickpeas, drained and rinsed□ 2 onions, finely diced□ 1 red pepper, cut into bite-sized chunks□ 1 x 400g tin chopped or plum tomatoes□ 1 tbsp tomato purée□ 1 tbsp ground almonds (optional)□ 1 tsp salt□ 200ml water□ 1 tbsp syrup (eg maple or agave)□ Zest…

ARIES 21 March–20 April With both Mercury and Jupiter now direct, you’re free to move forward and grow in ways which previously were not possible. Be careful of close friends and family trying to use your money as their own. Just remember what happened last time, Aries. Time spent on new career paths and studying brings a breakthrough you didn’t think was possible. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May Those you thought you knew inside and out show a side to themselves which makes you wonder if you’ve invested more than you should. Slow down and take a breath, Taurus. Your life has turned a corner, but that means you need to realign and focus on what’s now ahead, rather than what was. Financial investments in your career…

My two-year-old nephew Sam was thrilled to meet a real life Shaun the Sheep! Hayley Veales, Bridgend My seven-year-old granddaughter Georgi said, ‘can you do the splits like me Nanny?’ I said, ‘I couldn’t do them when I was seven, let alone now!’ Patricia Cordon, Cheltenham I love this photo of my daughter Zarah, eight. She climbed up to get a look at Aysgarth Falls. It was very impressive. Jennifer Prowse, Hull I had my first cat Sam in 1987, when I was six. Here he is waiting by the phone for his mates to ring! Lucy Travell, Barnwood If your letter makes Star Letter of the week, you will receive some beautiful blooms from Flying Flowers. With over 30 years’ experience of helping celebrate life’s special moments and FREE delivery by post, a gorgeous…

We’ve all been to some of the UK’s best museums. Even if you’re a bit of a history buff, stifling a yawn is sometimes necessary! Not with these wacky days out. They may sound a bit niche, but trust us, laughs and fun will be guaranteed. The National Poo Museum Sandown, Isle of Wight Ataboo topic for many but fascinating nonetheless… poo! Have you been today? What did it look like? It’s something we all do after all. And that’s something The National Poo Museum explores. Inside an old public toilet, it’s the perfect setting to get flushed away. Looking at golden nuggets across time, the museum has lots of interactive areas where you can quite literally pull the flush. Look into crystal balls filled with the best poo and…

Sitting in the staff room at college, I felt the need to cough again. In summer last year, I had a horrible chesty cough for what felt like ages. I couldn’t seem to shake it and I felt a little embarrassed coughing all the time. With no cold or flu symptoms, I hadn’t really paid much attention to it. But my family – husband Ben, 46, and my daughters Libby, 20, Kitty, 17, Aoife, 13, and Anna, 11 – could remember me coughing as far back as Christmas 2022. Only a cough, I didn’t think much of it and lived with it. Then one day in June, my colleague Jack called me out. ‘You sound like an alcoholic,’ he said, forthright as he usually was – alcoholics are more prone…

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Bodysuits, denim and neutrals galore – we are stocking up on basics. Creating a wardrobe full of timeless classics with items you can rely on again and again. Flattering for all shapes and sizes, here’s your ultimate checklist… MODERN MASTERPIECE Celebrating the work of the world’s most treasured artists, grab these bargain totes from Primark……

Cover all bases We all know the importance of a good skincare routine, but it’s important not to forget our décolletage and bust area. That’s why Palmer’s have created a specially formulated Bust Cream, so you won’t skip this key area. With cocoa butter, sea butter, vitamin E, collagen and more, this cream works in harmony with the delicate skin around the bust to keep it feeling smooth and supple. Simply massage into the skin twice a day for a skincare routine that doesn’t miss a single inch. • £5.99, available from Amazon Get the glow Give yourself a radiant boost with these two new launches from St. Moriz – they'll banish your January blues. Available from Boots. Glow Oil Body Illuminator, £13.99 Give yourself an instant boost with this…

Nicola Vanlint is an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). She is also the founder of the Wellness Rooms – a small group of associate cognitive behavioural therapists and practitioners specialising in anxiety, depression, stress and trauma. Visit bacp.co.uk search Greenwich Wellness Rooms Shall I just leave them to it? Q My mum is in a new relationship and I really want to make an effort with her partner’s side of the family. However, they’re just not interested. Is it worth bothering or should I just take a step back? Tallulah, Bromley A It’s great that you want to make the effort to connect with your mum’s new partner’s family. Finding a common ground, such as shared interests or topics of conversation, is a great…

A child can bring so much joy – and most mums will know just how special motherhood can be. Bringing life into the world gives new parents responsibility to protect and cherish their infant child. A lot of parents would agree they would do anything for their kids. After all, they say there is nothing stronger than a mother’s love. And when Makaylia Shaylynn Jolley gave birth to her beautiful daughter Khalysie Lashay Jolley in 2022, one would hope she felt the same way. Living in the city of Pearl in Mississippi, Makaylia, now 21, was a single mum and already had a young son. Described by one of her neighbours as ‘a very good mother’, maybe the young mum was making the best of what she had. After all,…