Pick Me Up! 11-Nov-2021

Walking around my local shopping centre I was greeted by a huge wall of children’s toys. I clutched my stomach excited for the future as I had fallen pregnant in April 2019. I was hoping to purchase some learning materials for my baby, keeping the gender a surprise until birth. But I found there was a lack of representation in developmental products for children of colour. I returned home and thought I would take a look online. I typed flashcards for black children in to Amazon and the results came back with Batman products. I was shocked. There were no products available to teach children about race or culture. That’s when it hit me. I knew I had to create an inclusive educational brand that allowed children to see themselves…

Support a small business Do you ever want to indulge in a great wine, whilst reading a tantalising novel, while relaxing in a big bubble bath? Well, Words with Wine has made all of that possible. The small business was started by Anna Smith during lockdown while she spent time reminiscing about her separate book and wine clubs that she missed attending. Every month, Words with Wine will send you the book of the month, along with a full size bottle of wine to enjoy. What’s in the box is a secret until it arrives. You can then head to the online book club to discuss with other subscribers. Non-alcoholic options are also available. • Prices start from £25, available to order from wordswithwine.co.uk HAVE YOU HEARD? MGA Entertainment have…

STAR LETTER 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 bouquet by Flying Flowers is a lovely way to celebrate sharing smiles and happiness. See flyingflowers.co.uk for more details.…

Climbing up the 32ft pole near my home outside of Reykjavik, Iceland, I was ready to get to work. I was carrying out electrical repairs on the lines which powered a hot water station that supplied 500 local homes. At 25, I already had five years of experience and was a certified electrician. That day, January 12, 1998, I was paired with another electrician and we stayed in sight of each other. It was bitterly cold, and I was looking forward to getting the job finished and being at home. I was engaged at the time with two daughters. My eldest, Rebekka was four years old and Diljá was just three months old. They were my pride and joy. At the top of the pole, I clasped my hands around…

Gonks are everywhere right now! Stout little fellows with long, bushy beards that cover most of their face. They might look like Santa, but they’re inspired by gnomes and hobgoblins found in Scandinavian and Nordic mythology. They’d make their home in the houses and barns of farms. If they liked the family, they would protect them and their land with fairy-like magic, bringing good fortune. If the family disrespected their land or the gonk’s home, however, they’d become mischievous……

Swiveling around in the hairdressers chair, I ran my fingers through my freshly curled hair. ‘My hair looks great, thank you,’ I replied staring at myself in the mirror. I had decided to have a pamper day in preparation for my friends’ joint birthday party later that evening. There were going to be 10 of us altogether, and I wanted to feel my best. It was 9 November 2019. I was really excited to go out and celebrate. When I got home I picked out my outfit for the evening. Touching up my make up, I looked out of the window as my lift was ready to drop me off at a local pub to meet my friends for pre-drinks. I text my mum, Sharon, 51, letting her I know…