Table of contents for 22-Aug-2019 in Pick Me Up!

Quitting my job as a hairdresser, I knew I had to do something more meaningful. It was 2009 and I wanted to help others. I just felt empty. That’s why I decided to get involved with charity work. I ended up travelling to India to work on a project caring for street children. Our aim was to educate families and get the children into school. It was tough, but it was totally worth it. In 2015, I went back to India, and that’s when I met seven-year-old Angeli. Her feet were twisted, and she couldn’t walk. With the permission of her family, I raised £1,500 so she could have the operation she needed in 2016. Her feet were turned around and now she can even walk. We’ve also got 61…

As the music blared at my friend’s house party, I finished the last of my drink and leapt up from the beanbag I was sat on and headed to the kitchen for a refill. Popping a few cubes of ice out of the tray, I turned to replace it in the freezer when out of nowhere, a hand reached over me. ‘I could use a few of those,’ a friendly voice said, gesturing to the ice tray. ‘OK, where’s your glass?’ I shouted back over the music. I’d seen him around before - we often went to the same gatherings on a Friday or Saturday night. He had dark eyes, a beard, and was pretty good looking. His name was Nathan Major-Newell, 25, and although I’d heard he could be…

1 Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to help relieve the pain. Ensure you read the patient information leaflet included before taking any medicine. 2 Hot or cold compression packs can help manage the pain. Make your own cold compression pack by wrapping a bag of frozen food in a tea-towel. 3 When sleeping on your side, place a small firm cushion beneath your knees. If lying on your back, use several firm pillows to prop up your knees as you sleep. 4 Stay active. Try to remain mobile whilst dealing with back pain. Carry on with your day-today activities as much as you can, but ensure you take care when lifting heavy objects. 5 Be positive. Some studies have shown that being positive can make your recovery quicker. Speak to your…

Arthritis 1 10 million people suffer with arthritis in the UK. ☐ True ☐ False 2 Only elderly people suffer from arthritis. ☐ True ☐ False 3 Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. ☐ True ☐ False 4 Men are more likely to get arthritis than women. ☐ True ☐ False 5 There is no cure for arthritis. ☐ True ☐ False 1 TRUE More than 10 million people in the UK suffer from arthritis or another similar condition that affects the joints. 2 FALSE It is a common misconception that arthritis only affects older people. The condition can affect people of all ages, including children. 3 TRUE Around nine million people suffer from this type of arthritis. Most commonly, it develops in adults who are in their…

One evening in May 2013, my partner Steven, then 37, had gone to bed for an early night. But I couldn’t keep this to myself! I started shaking him, and stared down at him as he opened his eyes. ‘You’ll never guess how much I’ve just won on Pick Me Up! Bingo,’ I blurted. ‘£100?’ joked Steven. I still can’t believe it, I’ve won over £9,800 in big jackpots ‘Nope,’ I shot back. ‘A grand?’ he asked, sitting up in bed. ‘Nope,’ I giggled. ‘Blimey Kellyanne, don’t keep me in suspense, how much have you won?’ ‘Exactly £5,464!’ I screamed, wrapping my arms around him. ‘Oh my gosh!’ Steven exclaimed, happily. I’d always played bingo for the fun of it. When I was old enough, my mum Alison, 60, and…

WIN A TIKI MONKEY GOODY BAG! Start monkeying around with our new promotion, Tiki Takeaway! Simply match the cards between now and Monday 19 August to reveal how to enter. Opt in and £10 wager required on participating Tiki games. WIN A SHARE OF £5,000! Get linked up with our exciting new Pick Me Up! Bingo promotion, Link About It. Simply opt in and play £5 or more on our Superlinks games between now and 18 August for your chance to earn a share of £5,000! For full T&C’s, go to the promotions page at Pick Me Up! Bingo.…

Beauty blogger Grace Robinson @gracerobinson experiences both sides of influencing… I’m a photographer and content manager for a beauty PR. I’m on social media 24/7 – between 9-5 I’m the girl who hires influencers, and out-of-hours I’m the girl who gets hired for jobs from brands! Having a secure job ensures that I have financial freedom and only create content that I love. I’m cautious that this influencer world may not be forever, and I always want to have a steady income. Who wants to put all their eggs in one basket, anyway? The influencing industry is a competitive one to work in, and you’ve got to start from the very bottom. So, I did! And now, I’m doing exactly what I love – creating beautiful images. It’s my passion…

With wedding season in full swing, award-winning hairdressers and owners of hair accessory Scrun, Abby and Karly Whittaker, are here to help you achieve luscious locks. Scrun is available to buy for £12.50 from www.bywhu.com. Remember, your hair on your wedding day is a 360° style. The camera will catch you at every angle. During your wedding hair practice sessions, take photos of the front, back and both sides. Once you’re happy with every aspect of the hairstyle, you will have peace of mind that every picture taken on the day is a winning shot! Try not to have too much hair around your face on the day, as it can cause havoc whilst having photos taken outside. The last thing you need is your favourite image spoilt by fly…

Twix milk drink, £1.29, independent retailers If you’re a fan of Twix, then this new Twix drink is for you. The latest addition to the milk drinks range, it’s the perfect combination of tasty biscuit, delicious caramel and creamy chocolate. We can’t wait to stock up the fridge. Young’s popcorn scampi bites, £2.50, ASDA Wrapped in Young’s signature crispy golden breadcrumbs, these scampi bites are incredibly moreish. A great way to liven up a midweek meal or Friday night fish and chips that all the family will be sure to love. YO! at home range, from £1, Tesco Japanese restaurant YO! have launched a brand new range that gives you the chance to create the taste of Tokyo in your own kitchen. From sauces, seasoning and marinades, the new products…

ARIES 21 March–20 April Stop trying to please everyone else and start getting your priorities in order. You had a plan and it was a good one. Stop putting other people’s dramas first. Fear is stopping you from rising up. Realign you! Take time out to think about what you want to do with the rest of your life. It’s time to start living your life again. Find time to focus on yourself this week. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May With a push from the planets in your career house, you are hungry and ready for professional success. No longer do you want to be OK, you want to excel and ensure you obtain the secure future your sign desires. Fun times with friends await, all you…

UNUSUAL BUY Giving the cocktail sausage a whole new meaning, Aldi have created a mojitoflavoured pork sausage. Made from British pork and smoked bacon, the sausages have been infused with white rum, mint, red chilli, lime zest and spices to create this boozy banger. And at just £1.89, what’s not to love? HOW CLEVER! Meet the globetrotting cat, Banjo Robinson, who’s got mums raving! Banjo explores the world all whilst sending real, personalised letters to children aged four to eight. When you sign up, you’ll receive an introductory pack explaining that he’s going on a world tour, and that he’ll write again from his visits. Twice a month, Banjo will write to your little ones from his exciting destinations about his trip! Once they’ve stuck the letter against the world…

Nathan ran outside into the night with my bag. I chased him outside and caught him tipping out the entire contents all over the grass in the pitch black. ‘What the hell!’ I fumed, scrambling about to try and collect my things. As I was scraping about in the dark, he was taunting me. ‘You deserve it, you’re a slag, that’s all you are!’ he screamed. ‘You can’t treat me like this, you cheated on me, remember,’ I told him bluntly. I waited for a reply, but got none... until out of nowhere, a fist landed square on my cheek. Before I’d even had time to recover or find my balance again, another blow struck me. I staggered back and tried shouting for my friends. ‘Jess...’ I called, but I…

The reason I get up in the morning Senior canine companions help over-55s fill ‘empty nests.’ New research by Lily’s Kitchen, reveals that 14% of over-55s spend over 51 hours alone a week. Is adopting a dog the answer? A massive 45% of over-55s said their dog helps reduce their stress, anxiety and depression levels, while just under a fifth went as far to say their dog was ‘the reason they get up in the morning.’ According to Tanya Madden, The Mayhew’s Deputy Head of Animal Welfare; ‘Many people automatically think of a puppy or young dog when they think of adopting a pet, but older dogs are calmer, more relaxed, independent and are often trained, providing that loyal uplifting companion that over 55s may be looking for.’ Rehoming an…

Dr Diana Zuckerman, President of the National Centre for Health Research in Washington D.C, says: ‘We have seen many women who have experienced this cluster of symptoms that are referred to as breast implant illness. ‘What they have in common is that they are symptoms that could be caused by their own immune system going out of whack. ‘Many of the symptoms – joint pain, mental confusion, hair loss – are very typical of autoimmune diseases. ‘It’s possible these conditions are caused by breast implants.’…

Not as close as we were My closest friend is keeping secrets from me. We’ve always told each other everything, but recently I found out that she’s been dating and hasn’t told me anything. I always update her on my love life. Why doesn’t she? Kelly, Liverpool It’s pretty wounding to learn that our close friends don’t feel able to confide in us about important things. But rest assured this is quite likely not to do with you as a person, but some insecurity on her part. Perhaps she thinks if she tells you she is dating, or has a boyfriend, you will think she’s not as available, or that you will see your relationship with her in a different light? Do you feel like you can tell her how…

I was in my late 20s when my mum first took me to the bingo. ‘I’m not sure it’s for me,’ I told her, as we arrived at the local bingo hall. Didn’t think I was your usual bingo player. But I was surprised to see people of all ages gathered around the tables, chatting, laughing together. And after a few games I was loving it. ‘You were right,’ I smiled to my mum. After that it was something we did together. We loved everything about it, the social atmosphere particularly. So when I was flicking through Pick Me Up! magazine in summer 2014 and I spotted an ad for Pick Me Up! Bingo I thought... Why not give it a go? I thought it wouldn’t have the same atmosphere…

Leaning back in the hospital bed, I was exhausted, but then, a tiny head appeared by the door. ‘Mummy, can I come in?’ my then four-year-old son, Oliver asked. ‘Of course, come here and meet your baby sister, Isabelle,’ I smiled. He carefully jumped onto the bed and wrapped his arms around me. ‘I have a little sister, Mummy,’ he whispered. Then, when my husband Mike, 40, placed Isabelle into his arms, he was the proudest big brother. It was the happiest moment of my life. While Mike decorated the house, me and the kids went to stay at my mums. It was nice to have her help whilst adjusting to being a mother-of-two. Oliver was such a happy toddler, always playing, laughing and smiling. He was such a proud…

The Body Shop Fresh Nude Beauty Balm, £12, The Body Shop Achieve a flawless light base for your wedding day, with the newest version of the cult classic BB cream. Enriched with 24-hour hydration, this cream will get to work, leaving your skin gloriously glowing. This colour adapting cream will match your skin perfectly, leaving you picture perfect. BYBI Beauty Babe Balm Bronze, £12, Feel Unique Wedding makeup is all about soft, natural luminosity. You want to highlight your features without looking like you’ve thrown a load of glitter on yourself. This bronzy balm will give you a subtle, iridescent glow that will leave you looking absolutely gorgeous. Eylure Pre-Glued Accents, £5.95, Boots False lashes are optional on your wedding day. However, if you do want to add some extra…

Melanie Eam w as devastated by the break up but had it made her kill the boy she loved? Carving the joint of beef, Guy Hand, was preparing a delicious pot roast for his partner Nicola Barry, her son James and his closest friend Jeff Jarbabkowski. Guy was a butcher by trade, so everyone was super excited for the meal that evening. Afterwards, Guy cleaned up the sharp, white ended butcher’s knife and placed it in the drawer with his other prized possessions. When the couple went to bed, the two young boys stayed up to discuss James’ relationship with girlfriend, Melanie Eam. The pair had been together for two years, but James, 21, admitted that it was not a strong relationship. He’d tried breaking up with her multiple times,…

BEAR GRYLLS ADVENTURE PARK Can you survive like Bear Grylls? Put your strength to the test at Birmingham’s ultimate assault course. You can climb, dive, and share action-packed experiences with your family. Inspired by Bear’s adventures, there are plenty of packages for you to choose from. Find your way through the maze or solve the puzzles to escape the breakout room! You’re sure to have an exhilarating day. Prices from £20 www.beargryllsadventure.com/ birmingham If you’re looking to burn off some energy, there are plenty of activities you can take part in this summer... FLIP OUT ADVENTURE PARK Jump to your heart’s content at the UK’s biggest trampoline park. With locations across the UK, these parks are home to a Ninja Warrior style assault course, sure to get your heart rate…

Exhausted after a long week at work, I wondered why I was doing it all. My husband, Ewan, 38, and I ran a successful ecommerce business, but I was nearly always stressed, and work felt like a constant slog. We were stuck in the rat race. ‘I don’t want to do this anymore,’ I said to Ewan, in December last year. ‘I’m going to start a sausage dog hotel.’ ‘You’re not serious?’ he laughed at me. ‘I am!’ I said. ‘I’m going to give it a go.’ And with that, I started looking into it. We already had two sausage dogs, Betty, one, and Oswald, two and I loved them to bits. They’re proper little characters and the perfect pets. The thought of having a home full of little sausages…

I took my nine-month-old son Hughan, to a paediatric check-up in Johannesburg in 1989. I grew up in Zimbabwe, where I met my husband Willem, now 62, and had our two sons, Vil and Hughen, then we all moved to Botswana. Whilst the paediatrician spoke to me, he scratched the surface of the bed next to Hughan’s ear. But Hughan didn’t turn to face the noise - instead, he carried on staring at the ceiling. ‘I’ve got a feeling your boy might have a hearing problem,’ he said suspiciously. He can’t be right, I thought. Hughan’s been babbling away for months, and communicates by shaking his head and waving. The next day, I decided to test his hearing myself. As I banged the spoon he didn’t react at all I…

How do I help? Q My six-year-old son has recently been diagnosed with ADHD. I feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start when it comes to helping him. Chloe, Colchester A ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. A person with ADHD has differences in their brain development and brain activity that affect attention, sitting still, self-control, and means that kids often find school difficult. There are lots of ways to help your child. Start by talking to your child’s teacher, as the school will have procedures in place to help support your child. Stick to a daily routine so your child knows what to expect and when. Have a daily schedule and make a calendar for your son so that he can keep track of upcoming events. Schedule…

Unless you’re an actual saint, it’s likely that you have lost your temper before and said something you regret. Anger is a natural emotion, but it can get the better of you if you fail to keep it under control. If you feel your anger rising, then it’s important to take time out before you react. Work out what it is about certain situations that makes you angry, and instead of just reacting – figure out a way to solve them. An outburst rarely fixes the problem. Try using humour when there’s a tense situation, and know when to seek help if you are hurting those around you.…

Swipes eyeglass cleaner, £3.20, beautynaturals.com These clever pads safely clean all types of lenses. The nifty cleaner has a tong-like spring action to quickly clean both sides of your lenses instantly. A great little gadget for someone that wears glasses, or to clean your sunglasses! Verdict: GENIUS! Spec-tacular gadget! Chocolate teapot, £24.95, yumbles.com Expert chocolatiers have created a life-size, working chocolate teapot. Simply fill with hot water, add cocoa powder and pour a wonderful hot chocolate drink. Add more water to create a chocolate fondue, and dip your marshmallows into the teapot. When finished, simply break up the teapot and eat! Verdict: BONKERS! Leave it to Willy Wonka Bamboo socks, £5.95, wearethought.com These fun pineapple socks come in a super soft bamboo…

• Double or even triple test everything. Your hair, your makeup, your tan, your nails – everything. Make sure everything is just the way you want it. This will also give you a sense of when you need your final appointments. • Book a dermatologist appointment roughly six months before. You can always cancel, but it’s good to have in case a huge stress spot appears on your chin! • If you want a facial, get it done 15 days prior to the wedding. It will allow your skin time to settle down. • During your trial, if your makeup artist isn’t open to your suggestions or won’t allow you to do certain parts yourself, then find someone else! It’s your day, you’re not just another image for their portfolio!…

1 Don’t buy designer Although all parents want the best for their kids, it doesn’t mean the best has to come with a designer label. Young kids actually aren’t bothered about branded clothing unless their parents make them think they’re better. Instead of buying branded, why not hit up your local supermarket? All the big supermarkets stock school uniforms, and they’re always top notch when it comes to quality. They’re often designed with stain and crease-resistant features, and looking for these when buying uniforms will definitely save you money. No more shabby looking uniform after one particularly creative art lesson! 2 Buy oversized Though you may feel like you need to keep up appearances in the school yard with your tiny tot looking adorable in their perfectly fitted, polished new…