Table of contents for 07-Oct-2021 in Pick Me Up!

Snuggling down under the covers, I relished having the whole bed to myself. My husband Nathaniel, 35, was away for the weekend, and I spread myself out as I sipped my cuppa and swiped through my phone. I could already feel myself unwinding after a long day with my two kids, Jay, then 11, and Ruby, then nine. I was also training to be a nurse. But as I scrolled through Cosmopolitan magazine online, an article drew my eye. It completely stopped me in my tracks. I could hardly believe what I was reading. For years, I’d had a strange brown mark down the middle my right thumb nail. I’d never thought much of it and it had never bothered me. But there was a picture in the article of…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! With a high-grade anti scratch Nylon head, this spoon won’t mark you pans when you’re cooking up a storm in the kitchen. It’s great for measuring out portions and for draining excess liquid and it is dishwasher safe. For more ways to make your life easier, visit addis.co.uk Be a winner! Tip of the week In a curry? If you need a dip, and quick, make your own delicious one using 1tsp of curry powder with 2tbsp of mayonnaise and stir thoroughly! Ta dah! Liz Goulds, Derbyshire Ring ring! I keep my phone dirt free by cleaning it with a cotton bud dipped in vinegar – there’s no harsh chemicals to damage the surface. Gloria Wilding,…

Womb removal QI know I never want to have kids, so I’m considering having my womb removed. Is it a big operation? Emily, Wiltshire A A hysterectomy (removal of the womb) may seem like a perfect solution if you never want to have kids, but it is a major operation with a number of risks. A hysterectomy should not be thought of as a form of contraception. There is now a very wide range of excellent methods of contraception, which carry far less risk, have significant health benefits, and are reversible - if your circumstances and you change your mind about wanting children. There’s always a small risk of death from having a general anaesthetic, and other complications from a hysterectomy include damage to the bowel, bladder or ureter, urinary…

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caught from the bite of an infected tick. Not all ticks in the UK carry Lyme disease, but high-risk places include grassy and wooded areas in southern and northern England, and the Scottish Highlands. The disease can cause a cycle of flu-like symptoms such as a high temperature, headaches, muscle and joint pains, tiredness and loss of energy. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the heart, and nervous system. The earlier it is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat.…

Top tip Patterns make a plain outfit go from a 1 to a 10! Top tip Add a chunky necklace to switch from day to night. Top tip Hats are great for hiding bad hair days! Find out more about our commitment to REAL woman womanandhome.com/real…

WEEKEND LOOKS Perfect your fall makeup look with Paul & Joe’s autumn Weekend Getaway collection. From leaf covered parks to brightly coloured trees, autumn is a season of dazzling beauty. Powder Blush, £12.50 Each blush palette is a visually delightful mix of three colours suggestive of layers of fall foliage. Exquisitely formulated tricolour granules create deep hues and subtle nuances unlike any single colour, bringing the beauty of autumn to the cheeks. Available in; Autumn Foliage, Weekend Getaway and Stomping Ground. Eye Colour Duo, £19 Mix and match your favourite autumn colours to bring extra refinement and depth to the eyes. These colour combinations are simple but versatile enough to create any impression at will. With a creamy-soft consistency, the shadows melt seamlessly onto the skin and can be used…

After struggling with anxiety, Bianca Devins, 17, had found solace online. She had an Instagram account, where she talked video games and ‘emo’ fashion, and her following was growing. High school graduate Bianca, from Utica, New York, started chatting to a fan, Brandon Clark, 21, and they became friends. But he wanted more. He was fixated on Bianca, so when they went to a gig together on 14 July 2019 and Bianca kissed another man, Brandon was furious. The next morning, grisly pictures of a dead body went viral on the internet? along with the message ‘Sorry Bianca’. On the way home from the concert, Brandon had stopped his SUV and slit Bianca’s throat. Brandon had filmed Bianca’s killing on his mobile phone, before uploading images of her dead body to the…

YOU’VE GOTTA SMILE! I gripped onto the side of the bars surrounding me and looked around. The ground was getting further and further away. The metallic sound of clankclank, clank-clank was music to my ears as my section of the rollercoaster almost reached the peak at the very top. Just then, for a split second, we were motionless, hanging on the top of the rollercoaster track, weightless, staring out over the land before us. This was the best bit. The total calm before the storm, then, all of a sudden, WHAM! We jolted forwards, wind hit my face as I was thrown forward at hundreds of miles per hour, my hair flew backwards, my heart raced and I screamed loudly with true happiness. This was living. Everyone loves a rollercoaster.…

Get into running Pavement pounding can be a real bore, but it is excellent for both your physical and mental health. Trainer Melissa Kendter, from fitness app Tone & Sculpt, shares her top tips for getting into running… 1 Just get started As a beginner, you can spend all the time thinking about how to run and where to start, but you just need to get out there regularly. 2 Embrace the run/walk method Every able-bodied person can be a runner, just start slowly and build up gradually. 3 Always warm up When you’re just starting to learn how to run, treat yourself like a runner from day one. That means taking time to properly warm up and cool down. 4 Consider your technique Really focus on remaining upright with…

HEALTH TIP Rise and shine A morning routine helps us set the tone for what’s to come. Bath and fragrance specialists, Arran Sense of Scotland, have shared their best advice for making your morning run as smoothly as possible. 1. Start with stillness Creating a morning meditation practice can be a life-changing experience. It will bring balance to your life and help you feel more present. 2. Natural awakening Alarm clocks promote unhealthy sleeping habits. If you want to try the best method of waking up in the morning sunrise alarm clocks are great to wake you up more naturally. 3. Feel fresh Starting your day with an invigorating shower can help to get you off to a good start. It can improve blood circulation, decrease stress and increase immunity.…

We all love online shopping outside of its one fault – the inability to try it on pre-purchase. Reactive Reality has gotten rid of the last glitch in the matrix! With this leading fashion augmented reality system, consumers can create an avatar that matches their own appearance and measures, and then try highly realistic virtual clothing onto it! That’s right, you can now try on clothes from the comfort of your bed! This technology not only ensures that you get the perfect fit, but it also helps billions of kilos-worth of returned items avoid the landfill each year. No more returns. No more waste. Just the perfect fit for you. • Visit Reactive Reality’s website, reactivereality.com, to learn more, or try their app, PICTOFiT Shopping, and try it out for…

With winter weather on the way, it’s a great time to make your garden bird friendly. The experts from GardeningExpress.co.uk have collated the best ways to turn your outdoor space into a paradise for our feathered friends. HIDING PLACES Every bird needs a place that they can call home and many varieties love snuggling in a shrub, hedge, and tree that has sturdy branches. Different varieties of birds all build their nests differently. Whilst different preferences are common, all birds need structure and cover to start building. Having cover is important, to protect them from predators. CLEVER BLOOMS Planted shrubs that flower with nectarrich blooms are great for bringing insects into the garden for birds to nibble on. Sunflowers are also a top choice for birds, due to their large…

Becky Excell is the UK’s bestselling gluten-free author, and her second cookbook, How To Bake Anything Gluten Free, is out now. Becky's fanbase is huge thanks to her recipes, tips, tricks and advice for how to unlock all the things that you could never ordinarily eat on a gluten-free diet. With Becky’s universally delicious recipes, nobody has to miss out! Treat of the week Millionaire’s shortbread Makes 9 large, or 16 small FOR THE SHORTBREAD BASE ⁕ 200g butter, softened, plus extra for greasing⁕ 100g caster sugar⁕ 300g gluten-free plain flour⁕ ¼ tsp xanthan gum FOR THE CARAMEL LAYER ⁕ 185g butter⁕ 35g golden caster sugar⁕ 65g golden syrup⁕ 1 x 397g can of condensed milk FOR THE CHOCOLATE TOPPING ⁕ 200g milk chocolate⁕ 80g white chocolate 1 Preheat your…

I once visited Tripoint in Vaals, where three countries meet – Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. Pick Me Up! was so well travelled! Linda Keen, South Yorkshire STAR LETTER I love this photo of my husband Jack and I on a camel in Egypt. Carole Gasan, Belfast Here’s Riley, Ella and Freya at a family paintball day… they absolutely blasted us! Adam Key, Norwich Robin with Elmo. Sharing is caring. Elizabeth McAllister, Northamptonshire 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.…

My husband Pete sat on the edge of our bed and let out a yawn. ‘I’m just so tired,’ he said. Pete and I worked together in house clearances, so we were used to getting out and about. ‘Oh, come on,’ I joked. ‘Wipe that sleepy dust away and let’s get going.’ But Pete, 73, was more tired than usual. Exhausted. ‘I don’t feel like I’ve slept at all,’ he groaned at me. That day, on 20 November last year, we attended a house clearance in Harlow, Essex. We had a horse trailer outside that we loaded with things from the house. Pete was loading bits of metal into the trailer and our friend Danny was carrying other things out. I was in the living room of the house writing…

BIG health story Shifting in the passenger seat, I set my legs up on the dashboard with a contented sigh. It was dusk on a Sunday evening in September 2012, and my husband Justin and I were on our way home from a weekend break while our kids Jack, then six, and Lily, then four, spent the weekend with their grandparents. With my hand in Justin’s lap, I dozed next to him. But neither of us knew that the brake lights of the van in front of us weren’t working properly. All of a a sudden, our Volvo smashed into the back of it. It seemed to happen in slow-motion as my airbag blew up in front of me, pushing my crossed ankles into the windscreen. I spent the next…

Blinking awake, I glanced at the clock. It was 3am. But a sudden pain in my foot had woken me up, and I sighed as I pushed back the duvet. Grabbing my foot, I could see one of my toes was stuck out at a funny angle. Without a second thought, I popped it back into place, before getting back under the covers, rolling over and going back to sleep. It was normal for me. I’d always been known as ‘Little Miss Clumsy’. I was constantly popping various bones back into their joints, and I just got used to it. My mum Mary-Anne, 71, and my grandma Pauline, who was in her 80s when she passed away, were the same. I didn’t even bother going to the hospital most of…

With The Great British Bake Off back on our screens, Crazy Jack, the home of organic dried fruits and nuts, is encouraging everyone to get creative in the kitchen! Bacon on a cheesecake? Honestly, it works! Crazy Jack produces organic dried fruits and nuts, which are grown as nature intended and make the perfect base for any mouth-watering bake. • For more inspiration, visit www.crazyjack.co.uk or Facebook and Instagram @CrazyJackOrganic. Bacon, agave & almond cheesecake ⁕ 4 rashers smoked streaky bacon (85g)⁕ 2 tbsp Crazy Jack agave syrup⁕ 150g digestive biscuits⁕ 75g butter, melted⁕ 25g Crazy Jack ground almonds⁕ 4 sheets leaf gelatine (9g)⁕ 50ml milk⁕ 340g tub cream cheese⁕ 250g Greek yogurt⁕ 1 ½ tsp vanilla bean paste⁕ 75g caster sugar⁕ 3 tbsp Crazy Jack pumpkin seeds (25g) 1…

Growing up, I had a wonderful life. I was always active and out playing with my friends and family. Life was good, but as a child, I was always complaining of stomach aches to my parents Wendy, 71, and Dave, 84. I don’t remember them too much to begin with, but as the years passed, my stomach and gut pains only got worse. By the time I was in my midteens, I suffered with severe bloating and cramps. Naturally, everyone assumed it was just my hormones, so I tried to get on with things. I moved to London to study Graphic Design and Photography, and I was determined to live a full life. Only, from then on, my stomach issues continued to go downhill. At 20-years-old, I found myself constantly…

The never-ending revolving door of clothing during and after pregnancy is one of the greatest fashion nightmares for a woman. Things that fit one day suddenly don’t three days later. For the Creators is the UK’s first maternity and postnatal fashion marketplace designed to help mothers reinvent their postpartum style without costing the earth a dime. The online rental platform is a sustainability ethos catered for the top end fashion-conscious mum-to-be and their changing body shape and size. By renting instead of buying one new £100 dress and wearing it once, it saves the equivalent CO2 of two trees being cut down or 245 miles in a car. You’re a super mum, so why not look the part and do it in style! • Check out forethecreators.co for more information…

Moustache Man Dustpan & Brush, £14.50, redcandy.co.uk Now, I moustache you a question. Who wouldn’t want Mr Moustache Man cleaning their floors? He’s a true gentleman. No fuss, no talking, just a love for cleaning! Verdict: BONKERS! He cleans up well! Project Yourself Rainbow, £18.99, prezzybox.com This super jazzy, rainbow projector is all you need to transform your living room into a home cinema. It’s not just fancy on the outside. It magnifies your phone screen’s image up to 8x! Its rainbow design makes it perfect for inviting your unicorn pals over. Verdict: GENIUS! Grab the popcorn! Glamping Cat Tent, £55, redcandy.co.uk Whisky your spoilt kitty away camping with you and allow them to have the full glamourpuss glamping experience under the stars in this perfect napping spot. Verdict: BONKERS! Pawsome!…

Making of aof a MONSTERMONSTER It was a marriage that was literally picture perfect. Russian influencer Kristina Zhuravleva shared exquisite images of her seemingly enviable life as her number of social media followers grew higher. Her husband Dmitry often appeared in romantic snapshots, with the couple kissing in a beautiful spot or being playful together at their home in Russia. Their relationship looked happy to the outside world. Kristina, 28, was a beauty and lifestyle blogger with almost 60k followers, who all waited for her latest posts showcasing the latest perfume, new bar or simply a glimpse into her seemingly perfect life. Before her online success Kristina had been a teacher, but as her fan base grew she became a full-time blogger and even managed accounts for other clients. She…

THIS WEEK Scrub-a-dub-dub How clean is your house? Love it or you hate it, you can’t avoid cleaning! But it’s not all bad – it can be a great way to relieve stress, and it can have a positive impact on your mental health, too. A deep clean can be daunting, but these seven top tips will inspire you to pick up your feather duster and give it a go… 1 Toilet trouble We all know the toilet can be one of the grubbiest parts of the home, so it’s important to make sure your toilet remains sparkling clean and germ-free. Using a rim block like Bloo’s Fragrance Switch daily will prevent the build-up of bacteria in your toilet. It provides two different scents between flushes, that release a pleasant,…

Colombian Instant Coffee, £6.99, presto-coffee.com A rich and full-bodied coffee with delicious notes of dark chocolate and almond. This is a 100% Arabica Colombian bean coffee that is instant but without compromise on taste. It’s ethically sourced and packaged in 100% recyclable tins. Snaffling Pig Chorizo Bites, £2.40, snafflingpig.co.uk Authentic dry-cured chorizo sausage with a subtly sweet, deep and smoking Iberian paprika flavour. These snacksized bags of goodness can be perfect as an afternoon tummy rumble solver, over a glass of wine, or even sprinkled over your pizza like a pinch of fairy dust! Tiger Tiger Noodle Meal Kits, £2.99, Sainsbury’s Based on traditional recipes with a contemporary twist, these vegan, dairy and gluten-free noodle meal kits are available in Thai Red Curry and Japanese-style Katsu Curry flavours. All you…

Let’s GO! If your little ones are getting lonely now their older siblings are back at school, don’t worry – Legoland has got you covered! Get ready for a perfect preschool day out at the Windsor resort. A toddler annual pass is now just £49, and one-off preschooler tickets for only £25, for tots up to and including four years old with an adult! There’s plenty for little Lego lovers to discover at the amusement park while the big kids are at school – with a host of toddler-friendly rides, and pre-school paradise Duplo Valley, too! The Duplo rollercoaster is perfect for nervous first-timers, and Dexter the Dog will be on hand to greet them. With an outdoor playground with slides, climbing frames, cars and castles, all set on a soft,…

www.clairepetulengro.tv Catch Claire live on Facebook ARIES 21 March–20 April A perfect week to get any problems off of your chest at last. Those you talk to can and will be willing to share your load, if you’re willing to give more fact than fiction. Mercury, the planet of communication, helps you find the words to talk even the most awkward of faces round to your way of thinking. You’re turning that all important corner, don’t give up now Aries. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May The past and present mix together in a way which makes all concerned finally content and happy. You and I know it’s been a long time coming, Taurus, but life and relationships start to feel a lot easier from here on in.…